Tuesday's Tip

How do you clean your kitchen sponge? Okay, so maybe you just throw it out when you think it is dirty upon repair. But there is a way to clean your sponge and kill the bacteria that may be living in it.

Sorry, Mom, dishwashing is not the best answer....microwaving it is! Thoroughly wet the sponge and put it in the microwave for two minutes on high power. Of course, be careful when removing the sponge from the microwave because it will be very HOT!

Beat the Bun Companies

Whenever I think about hot dogs and buns, I always think about the scene in Father of the Bride when Steve Martin goes crazy in the grocery store because buns and dogs don't come with the same number of items in their package.

Luckily, instead of taking buns out of a package and leaving them on the shelf at the store, you can follow Seven Ways to Use Leftover Buns from Real Simple. The egg, cheese and sausage bake and salami panini sound great to me!

Thanks Real Simple!

Ann Taylor Loft Has Maternity Clothes...Finally!

Attention fellow pregos...there is another clothing line we can now get in maternity sizes. Ann Taylor Loft now offers both professional and casual attire for today's pregnant woman. You can buy Ann Taylor Loft maternity clothes online and in 20 selected stores.

(Shown above: Ruched Capped Sleeve Sweater, $49; Demi Panel Cropped Tie Hem Pants, $64; Flocked Gingham Dress, $64)

Thanks, Kimmy, for the heads up!

Toy Storage Tip

If you are like me, you are fed up with toys and games all over the house. Have no fear, The Container Store is here! You can find a variety of ways to store toys, including the Deep Game Savers Box (Blue) (shown above, $14.95). Now you can toss away the card board game box that has tape on the corners keeping it together. These board game boxes are more durable than you will ever need!

Stop the madness and get organized now!

How to Beat the Summer Heat

Real Simple Magazine has put together 23 ways to cool yourself and your house down without always having to crank up the A/C. (Thank you Real Simple, you are a pregnant woman's dream come true!) Here are just a few of the helpful tips:

1. When the air outside is dry and cooler than the air inside, hand a damp sheet in an open window.


2. Block the sun by closing curtains and blinds. This can reduce the heat into your home by as much as 45 percent.


3. Make a makeshift air conditioner by placing a shallow bowl of ice in front of a fan and enjoy the breeze. As the ice melts, then evaporates, it will cool you off. (But if it's humid, this trick won't work.)


4. Give your A/C some TLC by cleaning and replacing the filter in your room and central air conditioners about once a month.
   

For more on these ideas, as well as many others, check out 23 Ways to Beat the Heat at RealSimple.com

4th of July Desserts

Here is a fun dessert that you can make for the 4th of July that is cool and light for the summer heat, and patriotically festive at the same time. Click here to see the recipe for the Berry Bliss Cake.

And if you are feeling really festive, you can try the American Flag Tart featured on MarthaStewart.com. For all the recipe details, click here.

Or you can keep it simple, and show off your 4th of July spirit with the Patriotic Cupcakes.

Happy 4th of July!

Easy Steps to Less Stress

Sometimes getting into a "spa" frame of mind can be a great way of reducing stress. Here are a few tips from Jan Kinder, founding director of the The Self Centre at Caneel Bay on St. John:

Take a deep breath - using your diaphragm, or "belly" breathing boosts oxygen flow to the blood and reduces fatigue.

Make a soothing sound - follow each breath release with a long mmmm sound. The meditative humming can help alleviate anxiety, headaches, and insomnia.

Stretch, stretch, stretch - To ease shoulder and neck strain, tilt your head to the right as you press your left shoulder down softly and breathe gently in and out twice; then repeat on the other side. Finally, tuch your chin to your chest for two breaths.

Lightly stroke your arms - Calm your nervous system by gently tickling your arms with the backs of your fingernails.

Slowly count to 10 - Use this time to practice patience, giving yourself a moment to relax and get balanced.

And if going to a spa is the only way you can release stress, try Spa-ing this Summer, with Spa Finder.

Stress tips provided by SpaMagazine.com