Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

* Generally, for every degree you lower your thermostat during heating season, you reduce your energy costs by 3 percent.

* Just in time for soup season (and my new year's resolutions), here's a great fat swap: Drain and rinse 2 cups of white beans and puree with a cup of no-sodium vegetable broth. You can use this as a thickener in place of heavy cream for soups and stews. -- JoAnn

* To keep snow off your windshield, use a flannel-backed tablecloth stretched to cover both windshield and wipers. Put it flannel-side to the glass. Then you'll be able to lift it (and the snow) off your windshield to drive.

* Wondering what winter fruits and vegetables are in season? Here's a sampling: apples, dates and pears, as well as citrus, like grapefruit, oranges and tangerines. For vegetables, consider endive, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, mushrooms, parsnips, radicchio, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams and winter squash.

* "Want to keep your pants from creasing on the hanger? Grab an empty paper-towel tube and slit it down the side. When you slip it over the bottom of the hanger, it creates a wide curve for the pants to lie across, and no more crease!" -- M.U. in Colorado

* Remember that as temperatures drop and layers of clothing increase, children in a car seat need special consideration. Remove heavy coats before strapping in a small child or baby. Winter wear can compress during an accident, and it interferes with the straps.

* A can opener's crevices can be cleaned by "opening" a length of waxed paper. Kitchen scissors can be sharpened by folding a piece of aluminum foil and cutting through it with the scissors.