· Rescue stale or soggy crisps and crackers: Preheat the oven to 300F. Spread the chips or crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool, then seal in a plastic bag or container.

· If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. (or buy a Jarkey from us, which is super!)

· You can correct greasy gravy by adding a little bicarbonate of soda to it.

· Keep popcorn fresh and encourage more kernels to pop by storing in the freezer.

· Save butter wrappers in the freezer to use for greasing pans when baking

· A jar lid or a couple of marbles in the bottom half of a double-boiler will rattle when the water gets low and warn you to add more before the pan scorches or burns.

· To speed up the cooking of foods in a double boiler, add salt to the water in the outer boiler.

· To keep salt from clogging in the shaker, add 1/2 teaspoon of uncooked rice.

· If guests are coming and you're behind making dinner, throw some onions on to saute and your kitchen will smell wonderful and homely.

· When using flour, keep in mind that one pound flour is the equivalent to 4 cups.

· When using dried beans and peas, keep in mind that 1 cup dry beans or peas makes 2 ½ cups cooked.

· When using granulated sugar, keep in mind that one pound sugar is the equivalent to 2 cups.

· Drain deep fried foods on brown paper bags as opposed to paper towels, to retain crispness.

· Use margarine instead of butter to panfry or saute. Butter burns quickly.

· Don't keep dental floss just in your medicine cabinet. Keep some in the kitchen. It's a great tool! Unflavoured dental floss is often better than a knife to cleanly cut all kinds of soft foods, soft cheese, rolled dough, layered cake and cheesecake.

· Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.