GARDENING
Get ready to garden! Keep empty milk and orange juice cartons (2L size). Rinse well and let dry. Cut off top and bottom with a knife. Press along one crease line to flatten. Cut across every 3-4 inches to create “squares” when you unfold. When planting your tomatoes this spring, place these into the earth and plant your tomato plants inside, adding earth inside the carton portion as well. The roots of your plants will be protected from pests.

COOLING SOUP
Want to cool sown soup quickly for the kids? While an ice cube will do it, it tends to water down the soup…Try stirring in 2-3 tablespoons of frozen corn or peas into each bowl- they will heat through almost instantly and will cool down the soup almost as fast!

REHEATING BABY FOOD
Invest in an egg poacher! Yes, that's right - the pan with separate receptacle for multiple eggs (usually 4). You place some water in the bottom of the pan and then place your food in the receptacle intended for the egg. This serves nicely as a double-boiler, cleans up more quickly and easily, and is especially great when you begin serving your baby foods from multiple food groups at the same meal i.e. meat, veggie and fruit—each receptacle will contain a different food…up to four! The poachers are generally dishwasher safe so cleanup is a breeze!

ORGANIZATION
Messy drawers cramping your style? You can buy drawer organizers of various styles, shapes and sizes. Make a list of what needs to fit in the drawer (paperclips, scissors, tape, etc.) and figure out what size compartments you will need.  Available in plastic at the Dollar store, you can pick whatever configuration works for you and have your whole drawer organized…on the cheap! Looking for a more polished looked? Though more expensive, there are similar-type ‘compartments’ available in bamboo. Once again, choose what configuration works with your drawer and meets the needs you have and presto-it will be done!

RENOVATION
If re-doing your kitchen, list all the things you currently have and want to keep plus those that you want to purchase. Figure out a place for everything before you build, paying attention to depth and height of cabinets, shelves and drawers. Don't forget: brooms, storage containers, food wrap and dishtowels. Depending on the age of your kids- it's also good to have storage for bottles, sippy cups, bibs and washcloths, lunch snacks, juice boxes thermos and lunch containers as well as lunch boxes.

TIME SAVERS

• Get a milkman. Consult our 411 directory
• Have your groceries delivered
• Have your dry cleaning picked up
• Have prescription medication delivered from the drugstore instead of waiting- it's FREE!