Dear Susan, I invite everyone to share their favourite vegan recipes, email householdsolutions@mts.net. Instead of cancelling the BBQ, please consider the following options: Invite people who have dietary restrictions to bring their own main dish, or purchase plant-based burgers and wieners specifically made for vegan diets. If you prefer to make your own plantbased dishes, incorporate ingredients such as: peas, a variety of spices. And for flavour use herbs, garlic and onions.

Dear Reena, I love my polar fleece tops and jackets, but they are such magnets for hair and pet fur. The hair/fur stays on the garments even after laundering. Can you suggest some kind of laundry product or method to solve my problem? I don’t use commercial laundry softeners in either the washer or dryer, as I am sensitive to smell. — Ethan

Dear Ethan, You are not alone as many pet owners refuse to purchase fleece solely because of this challenge. Lint brushes, masking tape and lint rollers are not overly effective, because fur becomes imbedded in the fleece fibres. Unfortunately, fabric softener in the washer is your best defence against cling on fur. Of course, vinegar is a wonderful alternative to commercial softeners, use about 1-cup per load.

Dear Reena, I have a copper chafing dish which is badly tarnished. Do you have a suggestion on how to clean it? — Alyon

Dear Alyon, The following hints are effective for cleaning copper: Sprinkle salt on a wet sponge and wipe. Or mix lemon juice and baking soda together. Rub with an old toothbrush. Another option is to smear copper with either ketchup or WD-40, wait 10 minutes and polish.

WONDERFUL FEEDBACK

Re: Cleaning Pots With regards to your tip about cleaning pots, I want to tell you that a handful of rhubarb (available in the frozen food section in the winter) does a great job of cleaning a blackened pot (voice of experience). P.S. When preparing rhubarb, if you bake it instead of boiling it, the rhubarb won’t go mushy. — Menno

Re: Cleaning Pots My husband says the most effective way to remove black char on pot bottoms is to rub it with garden dirt or sand that is barely moist. — R.D.

Tips for Fried Chicken:

Add fibre to fried chicken by adding bran or wheat germ to your coating mixture.

For crispy chicken, use half flour and half cornstarch, along with your usual seasonings and add half teaspoon of baking powder.

Do not cover the chicken once it has finished cooking, because covering it will cause the coating to lose its crispness.

Flavour the oil for cooking your chicken by placing two halves of an onion into the oil.

Here are the ingredients for Outstanding Southern Fried Chicken. You will need three bowls. In the first bowl put half cup flour. Into the second bowl combine 2 eggs, 1 and a half cups milk, half tsp. chicken bouillon, half tsp. paprika, half tsp. sage, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp. flour, half tbsp. parsley and half tsp. soya sauce. Into the third bowl combine 1 cup flour, half tsp. salt, half tsp. garlic powder, one tsp. pepper, half tsp. onion powder, half tbsp. freshly chopped parsley and threequarter cup breadcrumbs. Put chicken pieces into each bowl and fry as normal. This mixture is for one small frying chicken.

Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.

-Reena Nerbas