ArcaMax

Those with backyard gardens often face a dilemma: what to do with a bumper crop of tomatoes. It may seem like summer fruit all ripens at the exact same time, but that doesn't mean you need to eat it right away or make a giant pot of time-consuming sauce. Instead, grate tomatoes on the largest side of a box grater and freeze the juicy, pulpy ...Read more

One of the easiest (and least toxic) methods for removing hard water stains from kitchen and bath fixtures is simply to use a lemon. The next time you cut a lemon to use in a recipe, save the squeezed halves and rub them all over faucets, handles and even the showerhead. The acid in lemons will break down the hard water and lime scale stains. ...Read more

It's time to stop buying tennis balls to play fetch with your dog. Turns out the fuzzy exterior isn't good for them or the environment: The soft coating is made of plastic, and when its threads are shed from the ball, they become microplastics that can end up in waterways and/or ingested by your dog. Plenty of alternatives are available, but ...Read more

They may seem small, but millions of plastic hotel keycards are made and tossed away every year. Hotels are slowly replacing the hard-to-recycle plastic with biodegradables and eco-resins, but until then, try two things. First, always return the keycard to the front desk to be reused. Second, if a hotel participates in a smartphone program, ...Read more

Your expired milk and stale bread and cereal may not taste good, but they are treats your garden will love. Dilute dairy milk with equal parts water and feed it to your plants. The calcium, vitamin D and protein work as a natural fertilizer. You can also pulverize old bread and low-sugar cereals in a blender or coffee grinder and rake the crumbs...Read more

It’s estimated a family of four can save up to $56 a week if they prevent food waste in the home. The trick is to create a list on your phone to help you shop smartly at the grocery store. Start by looking in your fridge, freezer and pantry to know what you already have. Then plan a week’s worth of meals and buy what you need for that. ...Read more

If you love to hike or camp in the great outdoors, healthy snacks like apples, bananas and oranges are easy to pack, and they have enough vitamins and natural sugar to fuel your day. When you get down to the core or peels of these items, it may seem harmless to chuck the biodegradable waste right into the woods. But the reality is, it's not that...Read more

One of the worst ways to waste gas when driving your car is to accelerate quickly when the light turns green. When you drive with a lead foot, all you really gain in time savings is a few seconds. Slowly accelerating to the desired speed saves gas, and you will get to your destination in just about the same amount of time. Also, if you do pass a...Read more

One way to take advantage of fresh produce is to make several casseroles that you can freeze and enjoy later in the year. Many food blogs and home cooks recommend investing in 8-by-8-inch glass Pyrex casserole dishes that have matching lids; these make it easy to bake, cool, cover and freeze meals all in one container. But if your budget is too ...Read more