Tips from Héloïse: How to clean a glass thermos and more

THIS IS A JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE

Dear Héloïse: This is in response to a recent suggestion from MK in Nebraska about frying banana bread in butter and then filling chocolate or ice cream and fudge on top. It’s apparently still 1956 in Nebraska, where obesity and diabetes are unheard of. The reality is that it is 2024 and the United States has a population that has a weight control problem. Diabetes is practically an epidemic.

As a responsible writer whose publications appear in multiple journals, you have a responsibility to at least offer cautionary comments about some tips you offer or to suggest additional dessert ideas that might actually be healthy. — Sheldon T., by email

Sheldon, most of my readers are sensible enough to know that this dessert is high in calories. The choice to indulge in it is theirs alone, although I seriously doubt many people would often enjoy this dessert due to the calories. But every once in a while, the majority of us like to enjoy a tasty yet naughty treat. I do not police, condemn or judge others for their food choices, and it is not my responsibility. — Héloïse

MACHO MALE THINGS

Dear Héloïse: Is it a cultural thing or a macho/masculine thing? It bothers me to see women carrying heavy bags or pushing heavy carts full of stuff, while their male counterparts walk around with nothing in their hands, except maybe their cell phones.

What gives? They can’t all be this inconsiderate, can they? — Frank A., Ventura, California

Frank, that’s a good question. Do any of you reading this column have an answer? Let us know at [email protected]. — Héloïse

LOST CHILDREN

Dear Héloïse: It seemed like every time my kids and I were separated, someone would announce to the entire store that they had a child lost in an aisle. We worked this out by having our kids meet me at a certain location in the stores.

For example, they know that if we go to a department store in the mall, they have to meet me by the escalator. “Wait until I get there,” I told them. It saved us a lot of tears and fear. They should not leave or go somewhere with anyone else.

We have also used this method in case of fire. If there is a fire in the house, they must get out by any means possible and we will all meet in front of the big blue spruce tree, three doors down. Even if their father and I were trapped by fire, I would want them to get out and save themselves. — A reader, by email

THERMOS COLLECTION

Dear Héloïse: Over the years I have been to many garage sales and somehow thermos bottles appeal to me. One day I bought one for $1. The inside was so covered in dried coffee that it was pure black. I put some powdered dish soap and added hot water. It started working immediately and within 30 minutes the interior was as clean and shiny as new.

Since then, I have purchased several thermoses and cleaned them the same way. I send them home with people who come to visit me. I tell them to keep them, so when company comes over, they get free coffee and a thermos.

By the way, this method works equally well on glass-lined and steel-lined thermos flasks. — PP, North Dakota

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