HELOISE: How to convert regular oatmeal

Dear Heloise: I always buy quick oatmeal, but this time I accidentally picked up regular oatmeal. I was wondering if there is a way I can convert the regular to quick. What do they do to it to make it different?

G.G., via e-mail

Yes, you can, and it will save you money, too! Regular oatmeal is the whole oat. Quick oatmeal is the same, but has been cut finer, which helps the oats cook more quickly. You can give whole oats a little whirl in the blender and make your own quick oatmeal. But don’t overblend, or you will be left with oatmeal powder! If you do wind up with oatmeal dust, you can use it as a facial mask for oily skin! Add a little warm water to make a paste. Pat on clean skin, let it sit for five to 10 minutes, rinse, then wipe off with a warm washcloth and rinse again.

Want to know a sneaky way to add a little fiber to your family’s diet? Add 1/4 cup or so of oatmeal to meatloaf, spaghetti sauce or a hearty-based stew such as meaty vegetable.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here’s a household hint: When opening a wine bottle that has a cork and plastic covering, rather than a knife or a fingernail, use a potato peeler to slice open the plastic covering. Peel once from bottom to top. Works great.

Evelyn King, Kula, Maui, Hawaii

Dear Heloise: Our household couldn’t thrive without this idea: We stretch pieces of ordinary masking tape across the tops of refrigerator dishes and mark them as to contents and date. Saves us from eating old leftovers.

Don P., San Antonio

Dear Heloise: My daughter’s mother-in-law always keeps a small plastic bag in her purse. Many times she wants to take leftover meat home from restaurants, but doesn’t want to have the large takeout boxes. It is less messy and definitely more convenient. I have started doing the same. It is amazing how many other things you need them for on the run.

Diana in Texas

Well, this is a “space-saving” hint, but I’m not sure if I’d want a plastic bag of leftover meat in my purse. Heaven forbid you’d forget it!

Heloise

Hi, Heloise: I used to layer fresh berries (especially raspberries and blackberries, although it works for strawberries as well) between paper towels, which helps them stay fresh longer. Then I discovered that just turning the box upside down when storing in the refrigerator seems to do as well. So easy! Saves waste and time.

Mary, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: My toddlers think it’s hysterical when I cut their food with my kitchen shears I use for vegetables and salad greens, but I can’t think of a better way to do it.

Angie in Texas

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate