Dear Heloise: There has been a debate going on at my house about onions, of all things. My kids hate eating them, but my husband and I love them in several dishes. I feel it adds flavor and a little “perkiness” to otherwise dull dishes. Any hints on how to get my 7- and 11-year-old kids to eat them?
— Brianna N., Schenectady, New York
Brianna, onions are packed with vitamins C and B6, iron, potassium and fiber. They have sulfur-enriched amino acids that aid in detoxing the liver. It’s believed that onions help regulate blood sugar levels and contain antibacterial properties. If your children knew all of this, perhaps they might see the value of eating onions. In time, their tastes will change, and they’ll probably eat more onions.
— Heloise
VACUUM revived
Dear Heloise: My vacuum, which was only 8 months old, stopped picking up small particles and simply wasn’t performing very well. I took it back to the store where I bought it to see what was wrong with it. Turns out, my vacuum has two filters, and I forgot to take them out and clean them. Now I make a point of taking them out (it’s very simple to do) and rinsing or soaking them in dish soap and vinegar. Then I just set them outside to dry. My vacuum is doing its job now.
— Hallie T., Greenwood, South Carolina
FAMILY TREASURES
Dear Heloise: Awhile back, a lady asked you for advice on what to do with family heirlooms that no one in her current family wanted. We had the same problem. Our ancestors lived in a very small town at the time and were a bit prominent there. Now the town is quite large and has their own museum. We contacted the museum, and they were absolutely thrilled to take our old stuff.
— JoAnn, in Ventura
JoAnn, another place that usually will take some, if not all, of your family items from long ago are theaters that put on live productions. I have friends who have acted in local theaters, and they often need old clothes or furniture to help capture the time or place of the story they’re telling.
There are also charity shops and some antique stores that will take some items on consignment. And, of course, there’s always a good ol’ “yard sale.”
— Heloise
MY ACHING FEET
Dear Heloise: I have a job where I’m on my feet all day. When I get home, my feet feel as though I’ve walked to China and back. Any hints for a woman with sore feet?
— Amy W., Lawton, Oklahoma
Amy, give yourself a long, slow foot massage using an oil such as mineral or baby oil. Work on the top, bottom and sides of your feet. Take your time and, when done, wipe off the excess oil and put on cotton socks so that you don’t stain your sheets with oil. You might want to ask a podiatrist if there is a brand of shoe they recommend for people who stand all day.
— Heloise
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