vinegar

More than termites, rats, and wasps, Argentine ants might actually be the worst pests in the world. Based on their size alone, they might appear innocuous: worker ants are between 1.6 and 2.8 mm long, while queens are no bigger than 6.4 mm. Despite their tiny size, they’re major disruptors of native ant species. While they’ve only lived in the United States for little more than 120 years, they can be found across the nation with large populations in moderate climates like Southern California.

Whenever I notice naturally thin people eating greasy junk food non-stop, I can’t help but wonder if their presumably fast metabolisms are responsible. I’m sure I can’t be the only envious one who does this. Another thing that might have some women stricken with envy is the fact that men tend to have faster metabolisms than women. How great is that (for men)?

As a gluten-free vegan, let’s just say eating out can pose quite the challenge. So, in order to spare restaurant employees from all of my chaotic food questions, I’ve learned to love (and actually prefer) cooking meals at home. Preparing your own meals is a superb way to fine-tune your cooking skills, save money, and eat properly sized, more nutritious portions, while consuming less calories, sodium, fat, and sugar.

I despise socks. I know that sounds crazy, but since I was a kid I would fling them off my feet the first chance I got. That's if my mom could manage to put them on me at all. The problem with freeing your feet is it can easily lead to shoe odor. Yes, I know how gross that sounds, but it happens. At one point in your life you too will have a smelly pair of old shoes stinking up your closet. And if you have kids, then you may have several pairs. Luckily, there are a few home remedies to beat the stench of smelly feet.

1. Baking Soda

Even the word “bleach” sounds abrasive. You might think that having bleach in your home is an absolute must, but there are many alternatives to this evil chemical that actually work.

By knowing the pH levels in your garden soil, you can ensure its overall quality and ability to grow plants. From there, you can assess what actions you may need to take in order to improve your gardening soil. Soil-testing kits are known as one of the most effective methods for determining your garden soil’s pH levels, but they are not the only way to test if your dirt is too acidic or alkaline.

Wilted slimy lettuce, moldy fruit, and discolored vegetables are easy indicators that your produce has gone bad. It doesn't take an expiration date to tell you it's past its prime. But what about olive oil? Has that bottle on the counter been properly stored or is it in the same boat as the moldy peach in the fruit bowl? Can you trust the sell by, use by, or expired by date? Light, air, and storage temperature can affect the shelf life despite the date printed. Instead of referring to the code on the bottle, rely on your senses.