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Hints from Heloise: Keeping absorbency of clothes

DEAR HELOISE: Here’s a hint about maintaining clothes’ absorbency. Perhaps I had previously learned this from you, but it’s worth repeating as long as we’re on the subject. Softeners decrease clothes’ absorbency, so dry them without any softener. — John S., in Newbury Park, California DEAR HELOISE: To open plastic bags at the grocery store, I lick the inside of my wrist (much cleaner than my fingers) and touch this spot to dampen the fingers on my other hand. — Joanne M., in Rancho Mission Viejo, California DEAR HELOISE: I just read about someone who was stressed ...

She seeks more than co-managing marriage

DEAR ANNIE: I have been married to my husband for 18 years, and in many ways he is a good man. He works hard, pays the bills, shows up for our children and has never been cruel or unfaithful. From the outside, I am sure people think I have nothing to complain about. But inside our marriage, I feel painfully alone. My husband is emotionally and physically distant. He rarely holds my hand, hugs me without being asked, kisses me in the kitchen or says anything tender. We can sit on the same couch for an entire evening and feel like two people waiting at the same bus stop. If I try to talk ...

Make summer vegetable scallion pancakes with okra

If the South had a mascot, it would be okra. You love, hate or have an unfounded fear of okra — and the same is true of the South. There’s no vegetable more polarizing than this poor little pod. And it’s only one part of okra that tends to bother people: the slimy seeds. Now I seek ...

Heloise asks: Has America grown dumb?

DEAR HELOISE: Yes, yes, yes! I was so pleased to see your note about the way that some people use the word “like”! For the past couple of years, I’ve had to listen to the way that some people consistently say “the L word” over and over, which is worse than nails on a chalkboard for me! Even worse yet, some well-known people -- including but not limited to actors, entertainers, talk show hosts, and more (whom we might expect to know better) -- are as guilty of using it as some 7-year-old. What’s happened? What’s with the “dumbing down” of Americans? — Sandy C., ...

Pinot Grigio is a great wine to beat the summer heat

This lovely Germanic-style white is perfect because of its intrinsic qualities. It’s not as rich and oaky as Chardonnay, but is fruitier and rounder than Sauvignon Blanc with “zesty acidity that makes the wine so clean and crisp to drink.” And we should take note because it goes well with food, because it tastes great — it’s light and refreshing. It is usually moderately priced as well. And given the Grand River Region’s location within the international Pinot Belt (a narrow band of latitude that stretches from France to Oregon where many great Pinots — including the ...

Red yeast rice can reduce LDL levels

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your response to a recent question regarding drugs to reduce cholesterol levels. In your response, you talked about the risks of taking niacin and its potential side effects. You commented that statin drugs remain the first-line treatment for reducing heart disease risk and for people who are at an increased risk. As a follow-up, my cardiologist recommended several months ago that I take something called red yeast rice. I’ve been taking this product for many months now, and it does seem to have reduced one of my cholesterol components. What do you think of red ...