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Buttons Last Longer That Way

Loose buttons are often a problem. You often lose them on the way and your favorite piece of clothing is broken. So that this doesn’t happen to you again in the future, you have to fix buttons with a simple trick. Because buttons last longer and don’t get lost.

Trick to fix buttons

You’re in a hurry and need to change quickly for the meeting. That’s when it usually happens – a button tears off! Bad luck! But there is a great trick to prevent this in the long run. This button trick worked in the self-test. All you have to do is to fix the button correctly, for this take the following tools at hand and fasten your buttons:

1) Buttons last longer with nail polish

With nail polish, you not only get beautiful nails but you can also fix your buttons. To secure the button, dab the yarn under the button with clear nail polish after purchasing the new item of clothing. Then the buttons are guaranteed to stay on longer thanks to the “sealing”. Try to put the clear nail polish in the holes of the button without getting your clothes dirty. You can also use nail polish to repair minor paint damage that affects the appearance of your household appliances.

2) Sew the button again

Small sewing jobs are not rocket science. Whether patching small holes in T-shirts, repairing loose stitches, or sewing on buttons. In order for your buttons to last longer and not come loose, you should react quickly and sew the button back on firmly. Sewing on the button is very easy and a good tip even for sewing beginners.

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Food

Shelf Life of Tofu: How long does it last?

Unopened, tofu has a fairly long shelf life. However, once the package is opened, it is often difficult to judge whether it is still edible. We tell you how long tofu can be kept.

Tofu is a protein-rich food made from soy that is particularly popular with vegans and vegetarians. You can use tofu in a variety of dishes and add flavor to your taste with marinades and spices.

A typical criticism of soy products like tofu is that the soybeans come from rainforest regions. However, organic tofu in particular mostly consists of European, sometimes even German, soybeans. Read more about how to eat vegan regionally at Utopia. Due to the shorter transport distances, you can save CO2 emissions and thus reduce your ecological footprint. Tip: You can also make tofu yourself.

We recommend that you buy organic tofu for other reasons as well. Organic seals such as Bioland, Demeter or Naturland stand for certain standards in cultivation and production, for example they do not allow chemical-synthetic pesticides.

The most important numbers on the shelf life of tofu

Tofu is mostly vacuum packed. This makes it particularly durable. The best before date (MHD) tells you how long the tofu will last. However, if stored properly, tofu can be kept for a long time. A long-term test by the environmental protection organization Greenpeace showed that tofu can still be eaten up to six months after the best-before date.

Once opened, tofu can be kept in the refrigerator for two to three days. You can extend the shelf life of tofu by storing it properly:

Always keep unopened tofu refrigerated. An exception are varieties that were freeze-dried during production and can therefore also be stored at room temperature. As a guide, if the tofu was already refrigerated when you bought it, you should keep it in the fridge as well.
Place opened tofu in an airtight container (such as a box or jar) and place in the refrigerator. It is best if you add some water. The tofu should be at least half covered.
If you freeze tofu, you can extend its shelf life by up to six months – regardless of whether it is still unopened or opened.

Shelf life of tofu: how do you know that tofu is still good?

A first indication of the shelf life of tofu is the best before date. However, as mentioned, unopened tofu lasts far beyond that.

Are you unsure whether your tofu is still edible? If these factors apply, you shouldn’t eat the tofu anymore:

Appearance: greasy, eventually mold
Odor and taste: sour or bitter
In particular, the smell of spoiled tofu can become very strong.

If the pack is still closed, the following also indicates that tofu is no longer edible:

Pack is bloated
The brine that tofu is in is creamy or crumbly

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Food

How Long Does Eggnog Last?

Traditionally, we only drink eggnog every holy time, namely at Christmas and Easter. The question is: if you don’t drink the whole bottle in one go, how long can you drink the rest?

The facts

Eggnog usually consists of three ingredients: egg yolk, sugar, and alcohol. The alcohol content is usually around 20% alcohol by volume. Its roots can be found in the New World: In the 17th century, European seafarers tasted a drink made from avocados for the first time, which was offered to them by the South American natives. In Europe, the discoverers no longer wanted to do without the delicious, creamy drink, but avocados were not available. So they simply replaced the exotic fruit with eggs – and the eggnog was born. Related to the classic eggnog are English Eggnog or Mexican Rompompe.

Eggnog likes it cool and dark

If the bottle is originally sealed and stored in a cool and dark place (preferably standing up in the fridge), eggnog lasts for over a year, and the traditional manufacturer Verpoorten even speaks of two years. Incidentally, since eggnog is counted among the spirits, it does not have to have a best-before date. Once opened, eggnog should be drunk within half a year – which is about the ideal time between Easter and Christmas ;-).

Homemade tastes best

When we make eggnog ourselves, we have the advantage that we know for sure what’s inside. Not sure how long it will last.

As a guide, you can stick to store-bought eggnog. The most important thing when it comes to the shelf life of eggnog is hygiene, both during preparation and storage. If you make eggnog yourself, it is better to use several smaller bottles (these should of course be sterile) than one large one, so smaller amounts of the liqueur can be used up faster and leftovers don’t stand around for too long. If there are leftovers from the homemade eggnog: drink it up within six months!

Shaken, not stirred

Regardless of whether you bought it or made it yourself, it’s worth shaking the eggnog bottle well before opening it. The fat in the yolk combines with the other liquid ingredients to form an emulsion. It may be that solid components settle a little at the bottom of the bottle, but this says nothing about the freshness of the eggnog! If in doubt, a “sensory check” can help: look closely, smell, and taste – rely on your 5 senses to assess whether the liqueur is still edible (you can find out more about the shelf life of food here). By the way: According to a study, salmonella doesn’t stand a chance in eggnog if it contains at least 14% alcohol by volume. Even if you have a “no risk – no fun” attitude in real life, you should be careful with eggnog. If you don’t want to finish the bottle, we recommend our best eggnog recipes, because eggnog leftovers can also be wonderfully packed in cakes or creams – and eggnog cream always goes well with it anyway!

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Food

Dry Wild Garlic: This is How You Make It Last for the Rest of the Year

If you dry wild garlic, you can also use the delicious wild herb out of season. Here you can find out how you can dry wild garlic yourself and what you should consider.

It is worth drying wild garlic. The weed is only fresh and ready to harvest in spring, but you can use it dried all year round.

Wild garlic normally grows outdoors as a weed. But you can also plant wild garlic in the garden. Find out beforehand when wild garlic season is.

To dry wild garlic, you have two options: let the leaves dry in the air or in the oven. We recommend that you air-dry the wild garlic if possible to save energy.

Dried wild garlic can be kept for a few months if you store it in a dry place that is protected from light.

Wild garlic dry in the air: This is how you do it

How to air dry wild garlic:

Wash the leaves and gently pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Tie the leaves at the stems into a small bouquet. Use a cord made of natural materials, such as raffia, or kitchen twine.
Hang the bouquet in a dark and dry place. Make sure the place doesn’t have high humidity.
Let the wild garlic dry for about a week or two.
Pick up the dried bouquets. If necessary, you can crumble the wild garlic or keep it in the form of a leaf. Store the dried wild garlic in a dry and cool place, preferably in an opaque container.
Tip: You can tell if the leaves are done drying by the fact that they rustle when they rub against each other. You can also easily rub the dried leaves between your fingers and snap off the stems.

Dry wild garlic in the oven

If you don’t have a suitable place for air drying, you can alternatively dry the wild garlic in the oven. However, this process is very energy-intensive.

How to do it:

Wash the leaves and gently pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Remove the stalks from the wild garlic leaves.
Spread them out on a wire rack or baking sheet so they don’t touch each other
Set the oven to 40 degrees Celsius and put the tray in the oven.
Leave the door slightly ajar to allow the moisture to escape.
Turn the leaves regularly so they dry evenly.
After three to four hours, the leaves should be dry. However, check the degree of drying regularly beforehand to avoid burning the leaves.

Use dried wild garlic

Wild garlic is a popular herb for cooking and seasoning. The taste is reminiscent of garlic and gives your food a subtle spiciness. Use your dried wild garlic in a variety of ways in the kitchen.

Make your own wild garlic butter or wild garlic soup. Dried wild garlic is also a suitable spice for wild garlic bread or wild garlic dumplings, or you can use it to refine a wild garlic pizza.

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Lifestyle

Wine, Sparkling Wine, Schnapps: How Long Does Alcohol Last After Opening?

The bottle is open but not drunk empty: Depending on the drink, the shelf life of the alcohol varies. It is important to know how long each drink should be kept.

How long does wine and sparkling wine last after opening?

Surely you have already asked yourself whether you have to throw away the opened bottle of the alcoholic beverage. But this is not the case: if you store the opened bottle properly, you can extend its shelf life. The times given are not fixed, so if you notice that the drink has a strange smell or taste, you should not hesitate to throw the drink away before the time frame is up for health reasons. The reverse also applies: if the drink still tastes and smells good, even though it has been open longer than stated, it can still be enjoyed.

You should definitely store an open white wine in a cool place. Normally, if it is a strong white wine, it should retain its taste after about two to three days. If you have a light white wine, the taste can wear off after just a day or two. The same applies to rosé: lighter varieties lose their aroma a little faster, stronger wines only about two to three days in the fridge. Red wine is also stored refrigerated after opening. If the wine has a high tannin content, it can retain its aroma for around five to seven days; medium-bodied and light wines lose their flavor intensity over the course of three to four days after opening. If the wine taste has evaporated, but the wine is still good, you can use it for cooking, for example.

Opened sparkling wine, champagne or other sparkling wine bottles have a very short shelf life as the carbon dioxide evaporates quickly. When storing the bottle, it is important that you close it tightly and put it in the fridge: This way, they usually still taste slightly tangy after two days. After the second opening, the bottle should ideally be emptied. Whether putting a silver spoon down the neck of the bottle is helpful has not been scientifically proven.

High-percentage storage: You have to pay attention to this

The shelf life of harder alcoholic beverages depends on how high the alcohol content is. As the alcohol content increases, so does the shelf life; nevertheless, the other ingredients should not be ignored either.

If you are storing a homemade liqueur that contains perishable ingredients, you should always be extra careful. Before drinking, you should always smell it and try it to see if it’s still edible. Particular care should be taken, for example, with egg liqueurs, cream liqueurs, the well-known crème de cassis* and vermouth. It is important that you store the liqueur in a cool and dark place: it should keep for a few weeks.

With liqueurs that have an alcohol content of more than 30 percent, the shelf life is automatically longer. If you store these liqueurs in a dark and cool place, you can usually still enjoy them decades later.

Brandies or spirits that have an alcohol content of more than 37.5 percent are known to have a “shelf life forever”: If you keep them closed and in the dark, they actually have a very long shelf life. The only thing that can be lost over the years is the aroma of the drink.

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Lifestyle

Washing Machine Running Time: Why The Last Minute Feels Like an Eternity

Are you wondering why the washing machine display shows another minute but just can’t finish? These are the reasons.

Washing time takes longer than indicated – these are possible reasons

The first reason for the delay in duration is the wrong dosage of detergent. If this is too high, it will take longer to completely rinse out of the wash. The water only stops rinsing when the sensors no longer detect foam formation. Only then can you spin and finally end the wash program.

Furthermore, the water pressure plays a decisive role. It should be as high as possible so that the machine can be filled with enough water quickly. This is sometimes not the case with old lines. Even if water is taken from the main line at too many points at the same time. The water pressure can drop or fluctuate and the device therefore takes longer to draw the required amount of water from the pipes.

The water temperature also increases the duration of the washing program. If the machine is connected to the cold water line, the water must first be heated, which takes some time.

Imbalance due to incorrectly loaded drum

If you load the drum correctly, you don’t have to wait in vain for the last minute. Then the contents are pressed evenly against the drum during spinning and the textiles arrange themselves in a ring. This will rotate the drum evenly.

However, spin imbalance can occur if there are too few items of clothing or a single large piece of fabric in the spin cycle, as the contents will only be pushed to one side. The sensors detect the resulting imbalance and try to correct it. For example, the drum then rotates backwards to distribute the laundry more evenly. After the last spin cycle, the sensors must first measure whether this and thus also the wash program can be ended. This can take up to several minutes.

Irregular loading ultimately means that the sensors have to take longer to ensure that the water has been completely spun out of the textiles and pumped out of the machine. It is also possible that lumps form in the machine due to the damp laundry. It is therefore advisable not only to wash individual large items, but different sizes. This avoids an imbalance and the textiles can be better distributed.

Tricks to respect the washing time

It is also worth noting that the time display often only shows an approximate value. This calculates the time required for optimal loading when the program starts. The duration of the program is determined by factors such as the water pressure, the degree of soiling, the weight of the laundry and the amount of detergent.

There are a few tricks you can use to meet or even shorten the calculated time. It is important to pay attention to the detergent dosage and not to overload the drum. As a result, the laundry is also clean, the fibers are protected during washing and the indicated washing time is adhered to. It is also important to pay attention to which compartment of the washing machine is intended for which agent and what function the right chamber actually fulfills.

You can also connect the washing machine to the water connection, which means that the water does not have to be heated first. You also save on electricity costs. Finally, it is helpful during the rinsing process to prevent large amounts of water from being drawn from the pipe during the rinsing process through watering the garden, showering or the running dishwasher. This reduces the pressure in the water pipes and shortens the washing time.

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Food

Egg Expiration Dates: How Long do They Last – and How Important do You Have to be?

Eggs usually last past the best before date. How to recognize a fresh egg, how to store it and what to watch out for when processing it.

What you need to know about the shelf life of eggs

According to German regulations, eggs can be kept for at least 28 days. And even then they are often still edible. Because the egg has its own protective mechanism. The shell and yolk membrane protect it from germs. By storing eggs in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for about two to four weeks longer. From the 18th day at the latest, however, the egg should be cooled to around 7 degrees Celsius. How can I tell if an egg is still good?

As with all food, human senses are the worst enemies of spoiled food. If you crack a bad egg, you will probably notice it right away from the foul smell. If the egg doesn’t smell like anything, it’s still good. But there is another trick to spotting a rotten egg. Place the egg in a bowl of water. Does the egg sink to the bottom? Then everything is fine. If the egg stands up, it should be eaten as soon as possible, if it floats on the surface, it is bad.

If you want to process eggs raw, for example for a delicious tiramisu or a homemade mayonnaise, use fresh eggs to be on the safe side. They should not be older than 18 days. After this time, you can still eat the egg with a clear conscience if it has been boiled or heated. After all, a cake, biscuit or fried eggs are also delicious.

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health

12 Tips for Hand Care: Beautiful Hands at Last

Proper hand care is important to protect your hands. With simple tricks, you can avoid cracked and dry hands. Now use hand care home remedies for beautiful and well-groomed hands. Learn how olive oil and avocados care for your hands.

Soft and well-groomed hands are often a hallmark. And with a few simple tricks, you can ensure soft skin over the long term. Therefore, you should avoid certain mistakes in your hand care, such as using lukewarm water and pH-neutral soap.

That is why well-groomed and beautiful hands are important

Our hands are used every day and are very stressed. Well-groomed hands are also important in many professions. Because they make a good impression because they suggest that a well-groomed appearance is very important. Consequently, in some professions, well-groomed and beautiful hands can be seen as a calling card. This is why proper hand care is so important. And who doesn’t like beautiful hands?

The skin on our hands

The skin on the back of our hands is very thin and has only a few sebaceous glands and almost no fatty tissue. And the palms have no sebaceous glands at all. Therefore, they are less protected from degreasing or moisture loss. Our hands are therefore very sensitive, dry out quickly and age quickly. Frequent hand washing can remove additional moisture from our hands. In addition, external environmental influences such as cold, sun, and dry air put a strain on our hands.

Hand care tips for soft, well-groomed hands

Since you use your hands a lot and they have to endure a lot, you should pay attention to special hand care. This will prevent them from losing moisture or degreasing. And caring for your hands is not difficult at all. Also, note our useful tips and home remedies for dry hands.

1) Proper hand washing

Proper handwashing is crucial for hand care. That’s why you should never wash your hands too cold or too hot. Because it draws moisture from the skin. Consequently, it is recommended to use lukewarm water to clean hands. You should also use a pH-neutral soap. In addition, see our article on cleaning your hands with lemon or tips on making your own soap.

2) Choose a good hand cream

Since the hand often suffers from environmental influences or other work, effective hand care is required. And in the form of hand cream, you can ensure this. Because hand creams moisturize your skin. Consequently, cracks and drying out are prevented. But beware, not all hand creams are harmless. Therefore, it is better to use certified natural cosmetics and avoid the following ingredients in your cream. Also, note our tips for environmental protection in the household.

  • Environmentally harmful substances such as synthetic polymers (polyquaternium-10, polyacrylamide, etc.)
  • Mineral oil-based greases such as Paraffinum liquidum or Cera Microcristallina
  • Dubious fragrances, such as Lilial (“butylphenyl methylpropional”)
  • Questionable substances such as silicones, kinds of paraffin, or PEG

3) Protect your hands

Protect your hands when cleaning or gardening. You should also avoid excessive contact with water or chemical cleaning agents. Consequently, you avoid unnecessary dehydration of the skin and the development of cracks. Therefore, always use air-permeable gloves for such work. You can also read about natural home remedies for cleaning, such as the home remedy citric acid.

4) Take care of your nails

A well-groomed hand needs beautiful, well-groomed nails. Consequently, when applying cream, you should also apply the cream to your nails and the skin around them. There is also special nail cream that you can use. A balanced diet can also help to get beautiful nails. Because nails need vitamins and trace elements. Accordingly, eat more fruit, vegetables, or whole-grain products.

The best hand care home remedies

Not only the practical tips are beneficial for hand care. Home remedies can also help you care for your hands. And the good thing is: that the application of the hand care home remedy is quick and easy. You can take the following measures for effective hand care:

5) Hand bath for effective hand care

A tip for the soft and delicate skin on your hands is to use a hand bath to care for it. For this, you need a liter of lukewarm milk. Then add 5 tablespoons of olive oil and soak your hands in it for about 10 minutes. Afterward, your hands are nice and supple. In addition, note other healthy oils and their effect on your body.

6) Hand peeling with olive oil and salt

If you want to make your hands soft and supple, spoil them with a homemade hand scrub. There are several recipes for this, all of which are effective. For example, you can add a teaspoon of sugar when creaming your hands. Or make a hand scrub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon salt. Then mix it well and massage it into the skin in circular motions. Also, note our other recipes and instructions for peelings.

7) Olive oil for soft skin

As you may have noticed, olive oil is a real miracle product. Because it is rich in antioxidants and ensures soft skin. As a result, you can massage your hands with it before bed and leave it on overnight. Or use one of the other numerous ways in which you use olive oil as an additive. In this way, you contribute to the regeneration of your skin.

8) Coconut oil hand care against dry hands

You can use the miracle cure coconut oil very well for your hand care. And so you can do your hand care yourself quickly and easily. The coconut oil has a moisturizing effect and is a good tip against dry skin. Accordingly, you can apply it to your skin several times a day and massage it for a few minutes.

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Cooking Tips

Dry Rosemary: This Makes The Medicinal Herb Last Longer

Drying rosemary is very easy and makes the delicious spice durable. We explain how you can dry rosemary in different ways.

Drying rosemary: Here’s how

Rosemary is a particularly aromatic and powerful spice. It is easy to grow in the garden, on the balcony or even on the windowsill. You can use it fresh, especially in the warm season. Then you can also build up a small supply for the winter – for example by making rosemary oil or drying the plant.

If you want to dry rosemary, you have two options:
You let it dry slowly in a dry and warm place.
You dry the herb in the oven.
Drying in the oven is much faster. However, you need additional electricity. It’s only a good idea if you don’t have a way to preserve the rosemary in a dry place.

Drying Rosemary: Harvesting and Preparation

You can harvest rosemary in the summer months, when it is most aromatic. To harvest the rosemary, cut off as many sprigs as you need. Regular harvesting can replace pruning the plant.

The best time is in the morning or mid-morning, once the dew has dried on the branches. It is good if the plant has received plenty of sunshine in the previous two days. Then the aromas are particularly strong.

You should avoid washing the rosemary. The branches lose their aroma. However, remove dried or wilted parts of the plant.

Air dry rosemary

Dry rosemary by bundling it up and hanging it in a dry, airy place. For this you need:
scissors
yarn
rubber band
Use the rubber band to bundle up to eight sprigs of rosemary into a small bouquet. Tie a piece of string to it so you can hang the waistband upside down.

A suitable place for drying is important. It should have the following properties:
warm (optimal are 21 to 27 degrees)
dry
airy
preferably without direct sunlight
Once you have found a suitable place, hang up the rosemary bouquets. You leave them hanging until the branches are noticeably dry and brittle. This takes several days. Exactly how long is difficult to say. That depends on the individual circumstances.

As soon as the rosemary is dry, you can remove it and store the whole sprigs airtight. You can also pluck off the individual needles and store them in an old screw-top jar.

Drying rosemary: in the oven

To dry the rosemary in the oven, it is best to place the individual sprigs on a grid. They shouldn’t touch. Put the grid in the oven at the lowest temperature (maximum 50 degrees) and leave the oven flap open a crack so that the moisture can escape.

After about three to four hours, the branches should feel dry and brittle. If not, leave them in the oven longer and check regularly. Once the sprigs are dry, you can store them the same way you would air-dry rosemary.

With the oven method, however, consider the high energy consumption and prefer air drying. You may be able to house your rosemary with friends or relatives if you don’t have a suitable room. They will certainly be “rewarded” for their hospitality with a glass of dried, fragrant rosemary.

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