Edited by Sara Chana Silverstein

Q.Does alcohol added to sauces really “cook off”?

A.Most of the alcohol called for in recipes is eliminated during cooking, but some alcohol may remain. When the liquid in the dish first starts to boil, a lot of the alcohol evaporates quickly. Then equilibrium is reached; the remaining alcohol and other fluids become mixed and evaporate together. Unless you boil away every last bit of moisture, traces of alcohol will remain.

Washing Pillows for Pesach

Contrary to popular perception, pillows can be washed. Indeed, it is a good idea to wash them periodically to remove the dust mite population.

Check the label to ensure that the pillow is washable. Fill the washing machine halfway full with water, then submerge the pillow to get the air out. Begin the washer again, allowing it to fill completely with water.

You can wash pillows on either the delicate or the regular cycle. It is important to open the lid occasionally; this will help to remove air. You can also balance the load at this time. Dry pillows in the fluff cycle of your dryer; this cycle helps prevent lumping. For feather and down pillows, put in a couple of tennis balls.

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is becoming a real problem, and it is important that every person take appropriate protective steps. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and many other health organizations are urging doctors and patients to think twice before using antibiotics. As a result of overuse, common illnesses such as cystitis, ear infection, and bronchitis are now more difficult to treat.

Antibiotic use in the United States has increased excessively since the 1950’s. Antibiotics are given to animals to treat infections, and some are mixed into feed. Antibiotics are also mixed into aerosols that are sprayed on fruit trees to get rid of bacteria. The antibiotic residues left on unwashed fruits can attack the “good bacteria” in our intestinal tract.

It is important to note that antibiotics have their place and may be lifesaving when used in necessary circumstances.

Steps we can take:

  • Don’t ask your doctor for antibiotics to treat viral infections such as colds and flu.
  • Wash all fruits and vegetables well to remove resistant bacteria as well as antibiotic sprays.
  • Avoid raw eggs and undercooked meats.
  • When you do take an antibiotic, complete the full course, even if you feel healed before the suggested dose is completed. If you stop too early, the surviving bacteria can start another infection that may be resistant to the original antibiotic.

    How do you dry a damp closet?

    Charcoal is good at absorbing dampness. Put charcoal in a container that has several air holes in it and set it on the floor of your closet. You can also use chalk. Place a box of chalk on the closet shelf.

    Clutter Control for Pesach Cleaning

  • Throw out junk mail the moment you receive it.
  • If you have not used an item in the last two years, give it away or throw it away.
  • Invest in containers that help you organize, such as plastic or cardboard boxes and drawer dividers. They are worth it.
  • If a room looks too overwhelming, break the job down into smaller tasks. Decide that today you will tackle the kitchen junk drawer or perhaps the letter pile. Next time you will clean the closets.
  • Stop buying things just for the sake of having them. Think hard before you make a new purchase.

    Health Benefits of Rosemary

    Rosemary, a pungent herb from the mint family, possesses diverse healing properties. Almost every culture has healing tales associated with this herb.

    Rosemary is often recommended for the prevention of migraines. The daily dose is one-quarter ounce as a tea. Rosemary also contains six chemical compounds that can help fight cataracts.

    Rosemary baths can give renewed energy. Put a handful of rosemary petals and leaves into one-and-three-quarters pints boiled water. Allow the rosemary to steep for 10 minutes in a covered vessel, then stir into bath water. Used as a bath, the aroma will invigorate the mind and the herb will help heal the body.

    Rosemary is also known as a memory-enhancing herb. Rosemary contains acetycholine, a chemical that is vital for thinking and reasoning.

    Juliette de Bairacli Levy, in her book Common Herbs for Natural Health, writes about rosemary, “It is considered a supreme heart tonic, one of the few powerful heart tonics which is not a drastic drug.” She also has found that the herb “is one of the most important of the aromatics, yielding a . . . dark green oil which has many medicinal uses.”

    As an essential oil it can be used as an inhalant to help with memory and relaxation. You can dilute it with water and put into a spray bottle for use as an insecticide. It can be mixed with a cream and applied topically to massage tense muscles. And fresh rosemary can be used in your foods.

    You can purchase rosemary at your local health food store loose, or as a tea, a tincture, or an essential oil.

    You can also buy fresh rosemary in the vegetables section of your produce store.

    BOOK REVIEW - The Bond Bible, authored by Marilyn Cohen

    Marilyn Cohen disputes some common notions about investing in bonds. Do any of the following statements sound familiar? “Bonds are boring, stodgy, and conservative.” “Bonds are really just for institutions, not for individual investors.” “Bonds were fine for your grandfather, but today’s smart investors must put their money into the soaring stock market.”

    Cohen insists that these approaches are false. The Bond Bible takes the reader step by step through the learning process about bonds. Cohen, a money manager and a columnist at Forbes, explains how to turn a bond investment from a safety net into a moneymaker; how to identify genuine bond bargains; how to minimize the tax bite on your bond investments; and how to determine the most appropriate balance for your bond-to-stock ratio for a sound, low-risk portfolio.

    The book is easy to read, clear, and concise; it is worthwhile for any serious investor.