According to Consumer Reports On Health, avoid processed meats like cold cuts, hot dogs, etc., even if the label says uncured and nitrite-free. The USDA allows these labels, even though nitrite-free foods–meaning the nitrites come from celery or other vegetables–still contain nitrite levels similar to the levels from synthetic nitrites.

Mushrooms get brown and squishy all too soon. If you add a good, absorbent doubled section of paper towel (Bounty is good) to the bottom of the original container and use the original (helps the environment) plastic wrap securely around the box, the paper absorbs excess moisture that otherwise ruins the mushrooms.

A spilled glass of water contains a lot of water; a split water heater contains 40 gallons and more. Write the date of installation on your water heater with a Sharpie and notice when the 5-, 6-, or 10-year warranty is nearing. A good safety backup is the addition of an alarm to signal any seepage in the pan under the water heater and some attachments stop the flow. However, have the plumber give you details about the alarm and the cost before placing the order.

I was reading an interesting article about the disagreements couples have when they are discussing or are in the process of buying or selling a house. The weird one was that 23% disagree about whether a house should be cleaned or not for showings. i could understand having a tiff over who was going to do the cleaning or who had made the mess, but as a real estate broker, arguing over whether or not the house or condominium should be clean for showings makes no sense at all.

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the roots of the plant need to be sawed to destroy the vines. 

Mass. Law has changed its regulations regarding smoke detectors, so in order to keep you and your family as safe as possible… Any battery-operated smoke detectors that no longer work or are older than 10 years must be replaced with detectors with 10-year batteries. The batteries are non-removable and non-replaceable. The locations of the detectors remain the same, go online, call your local fire department, or call me for placement. However, please don't assume that the batteries will last 10 years; they might not even work for one day, as I discovered a few weeks ago after buying several of the Kidde brand at Home Depot for a smoke inspection at one of my listings. Please test the batteries regularly; they won't warn you that they're getting old by "chirping."

Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species, which strangles and kills trees. It's our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the roots of the plant need to be sawed to destroy it.