Vinegar Day #2!

There are tons of other applications for this product beyond using it as an ingredient in your kitchen! Vinegar is also well-known as a great all-purpose cleaner!

Shine porcelain sinks

A bit of white vinegar and a good scrub should leave them sparkling.

Clean can openers

Scrub the wheel of your can opener with white vinegar using an old toothbrush.

Deter ant infestations

Spray white vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, and anywhere you see a trail of critters.

Treat tupperware stains and odor

Wipe the containers with a white vinegar-saturated cloth.

Remove stains on aluminum pots

Fill pot with 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water and let it boil. Rinse with water.

Remove stains in coffee cups

Create a paste using of equal parts white vinegar and salt (or baking soda), and scrub gently before rinsing.

Get rid of lime deposits on your tea kettle

Fill the kettle with vinegar and let it boil. Allow it to cool, and rinse with water.

To make old glassware sparkle

To get rid of the cloudy effect, wrap a white vinegar-soaked towel around the glass and let it sit. Remove and rinse with hot water.

Bust oven grease

If you have got grease spots on the oven door, pour some white vinegar directly on the stains, let it sit for 15 minutes, and wipe away with a sponge.

Repair plastic toys

Grab a metal butter knife and heat the blade over a flame until it is very hot. Immediately run it over both broken ends of the toy, hold the parts together for a few seconds, and let it cool. The heat will not burn the plastic but will melt it just enough so the pieces fuse together.

Sewing buttons

Place a toothpick against the shirt (under the button) as you sew the garment. Keeping the button a slight distance from the fabric ensures the clasp will not be too tight against the shirt, so you will sidestep that gathered effect and the thread’s give will make the button easier to fasten.

Shoveling snow

If warmer temperatures are making the snow stick to the shovel, coat the blade with cooking spray before putting it to work. The lubricant makes the shovel's surface slick, so snow glides right off.

Secure online shopping

To ensure every website you visit is secure, sneak a peek at the address bar of your browser after arriving at a page that prompts you to enter personal data. Secure sites change from "http" to "https".

Blister pain

Wet a cotton ball with mouthwash and apply to the broken skin. The thymol in mouthwash acts as an antiseptic to prevent infection and encourage healing.

Broken lipstick

Remove the broken piece with a tissue, then wave a lit match beneath it. Once the lipstick softens, put it back on the base, spin the tube down and pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes to set the mold.

Wrinkles in fabric

Use a curling iron to straighten wrinkles in your ribbons and fabric belts.

Stainless-steel scratches

To minimize a scratch on stainless steel, try steel wool. Rub it gently in line with the grain until marks disappear. Afterwards, you can try spraying a wax-based aerosol spray to polish.

Cleaning wall splatters

There are basically two kinds of stains on painted walls: oil and waterborne. Take a wet cloth or paper towel to the waterborne ones (wine, Jell-O, ketchup, mustard, smashed mosquitoes etc.). For oily stains (cooking grease, crayon etc.), try using a little mild dishwashing soap mixed in with water, and then rinsing with water.

Cleaning cast iron pan

To clean a cast-iron pan, add 2tbsp of oil and place on medium heat. Once the pan is heated, pour in 3tbsp of salt. Next, using a tong to hold a paper towel, scour until clean. Rinse and coat with vegetable oil to cure.

Mop up tile

To clean tile floors or a backsplash, mix half a cup of baking soda into two gallons of water, and then scrub with a string mop or sponge.

Uncooked spaghetti as frosting protector

Poke a few stiff pieces of the uncooked pasta in the surface and sides of a dessert before wrapping it for easy transport.

Egg cleanup

Sop up a spilled egg by sprinkling salt over the mess. Wait 2 minutes and wipe it up.

Food-container deodorizer

Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a plastic container that has developed a funk, and let it sit overnight. By morning the paper will have absorbed the offending smell.

Dishwasher cleaner

Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains.

Floor scratches filler

Repair hardwood floors by rubbing shelled walnuts into shallow scratches. Their natural oils help hide the flaws.

Freezer freshener

Trade frostbite funk for a more pleasing freezer scent and wipe the inside of the icebox with a vanilla extract dampened cotton pad.

Dank basement

Cut an onion in half, place it on a plate and leave it out overnight. Once the initial salad-bar aroma dissipates, you will have a fresh (non-oniony) atmosphere in your basement.

Jar deodorizer

Deodorize smelly glass jars by washing them with a mixture of 1tsp powdered mustard and 1 quart warm water.

Laundry brightener

Instead of bleach, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighter up those fading whites.

Vinegar Day #1!

There are tons of other applications for this product beyond using it as an ingredient in your kitchen! Vinegar is also well-known as a great all-purpose cleaner!

Clean the dishwasher

To remove soap build-up and odors from the dishwasher, once a month, pour 1 cup of vinegar into an empty dishwasher and run the machine through its entire cycle.

Clean and disinfect the fridge

Use a mixture of half water, half vinegar to wipe down the interior shelves and walls of your refrigerator.

Disinfect countertops

Wipe down surfaces with a rag dipped in vinegar.

Deodorize the garbage disposal

Make ice cubes out of vinegar. Run the disposal with a few vinegar ice cubes and cold water.

Deodorize the sink

Pour 1 cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup hot vinegar, down the drain. Let sit for at least 5 minutes, and then rinse with hot water.

More efficient laundry

When your laundry day comes around, throw in a capful of white vinegar. Your colors will come out bolder and your whites, whiter. If you have recently had an encounter with a skunk, it will take more than a capful.

Grass stains

Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup water. Apply the solution to the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Repeat this process until you have removed as much green as possible, and then launder as usual.

Break bad bonds

Having trouble getting that annoying sticky label residue off a product? Vinegar can be used as a solvent to dissolve many common adhesives. It is also good at cutting grease.

Fight bacteria in produce

Vinegar can help remove bacteria and pesticide residues from fruits and veggies. Mix 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, and dispense in a spray bottle. Apply to produce and then rinse with water.

Sticker remover

A little hot air from a hair dryer quickly loosens price labels, with zero fingernail-chipping frustration.

Clothespin as cord keeper

The secret to keeping a retractable cord from rewinding too soon is to clip the cord near the opening.

Garbage disposal deodorizer

Keep your disposal smelling fresh by dropping a few citrus peels down the drain and flipping the switch.

Bottle and vase cleaners

Use broken eggshells to clean the hard-to-reach places in bottles and vases. Drop some crushed shells in the bottle, add warm water and a drop of dishwashing liquid, and give it a good swirl.

Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron

With the setting on low, rub the iron over a dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you are left with a pristine press.

Cooking spray as candlestick cleaner

Spray the inside of a votive holder with a thin coating before dropping in a tea light. After the candle has burned down, the remaining wax will slip out.

Tarnish prevention

Slow the tarnish on your good silver by tying up a few moisture-absorbing pieces of chalk in cheesecloth and store them with your cutlery for shinier flatware.

Car wax as a polisher

Polish faucets, sinks, tile and shower doors with car wax, which leaves behind a protective barrier against water and soap buildup.

Aluminum foil as scrubber

To get baked-on food off a glass pan or an oven rack, use dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of a steel-wool soap pad. It is one way to recycle those used but perfectly good pieces of foil you hate to throw out.

Better flavor for ground turkey

Ground turkey is healthier for your recipe, but does not taste as good as your original ingredient. To get a better flavor, add 1 beef bouillon cube in the cooking liquid. It adds the missing flavor without upping the calories or fat.

For clean cut celery

To get neat slices of celery, use the straight center section of the knife to cut it, instead of the curved tip.

Perfect shape for burgers

To prevent your burgers from looking domed (when the centers puff) after they are ready, make and indentation in the middle of each patty before cooking them in the grill.

Refresh an artificial flower bouquet

If silk flowers are dusty and started to smell bad, tie the stems together with a rubber band, place them in the dryer along with a scented fabric-softener sheet, and tumble-dry (low heat) for 5 minutes.

Keep dog’s water cold

Crush a few fresh mint leaves and toss them into dog’s water dish (be sure your pet likes the taste). The menthol in the herb sends a “cold” signal to the dog’s brain, creating a cooling sensation. Water in bowl will smell better as well.

Lining cake pans

Trace the pan on parchment paper and cut the shape. Fold the paper in half twice (lengthwise, then widthwise), place the point in the center of the pan, unfold the liner and just snip off any excess paper.

Save your gravy

When you are slicing your London broil, place your cutting board inside a large rimmed baking sheet. The juice from the meat will run into the pan, and then you can just pour it straight into a saucepot to make perfect gravy.

Storing winter wear

Plastic bags can yellow your winter woolens. To put them away for next year, cut a small hole in the top of an old pillowcase and slip them over the hanger, keeping your clothes fresh, and dust and mold-free.

Fuss-free molten cakes

To transfer the batter to ramekins without making a mess, first pour the batter into a resealable plastic bag, then snip the corner and squeeze the mixture into each cup.

Keeping beets fresh

Keep the roots fresh by trimming off all but 1 inch of the stems before placing them in a bag and storing them in the crisper.

Beautiful deviled eggs

To ensure that the yolks will be centered, store raw eggs upside down (or heavy side up) in the carton. Since the yolks cannot fall completely to the narrow end, they will settle in the center. Once hard-boiled, peeled and halved, the eggs will be perfect for filling.

Microwave Day #2!

A few more things you can do in a microwave you may not know yet...

REMINDERS: always use “microwave safe” cookware; before heating liquids (without any solid ingredient inside), make sure you know the risks of “superheating liquids in MW”; if any items catch fire inside a MW, switch it off and keep its door closed; do not run an empty MW; and be aware that IS NOT SAFE TO USE:
• Cold storage containers, such as margarine tubs, cottage cheese, yogurt cartons etc.
• Brown paper bags and newspapers.
• Foam-insulated cups, bowls, plates or trays.
• Aluminum foil (some specific situations are safe but it is better not to take risks).
• Food cooked in any container or packaging that has warped or melted during heating.
• Any metallic object, such as metal pans, china with metallic paint or trim, Chinese take-out containers with metal handles, metal twist-ties on package wrapping etc.

Make homemade popcorn

Place 1/2 cup popcorn kernels in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1tbsp olive or canola oil. Cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high (power level 10) until the majority of the kernels have popped, 3 to 5 minutes.

Make apple sauce

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 pound peeled and diced apples with 1/4 cup water, 2tsp sugar, and 1/8tsp cinnamon. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until the apples are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Mash with a fork or potato masher.

Toast pine nuts and sliced almonds

Spread nuts on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 1 minute intervals, tossing in between, until beginning to turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

Warm tortillas

Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel. Microwave on high (power level 10) for 40 seconds to 1 minute.

Toast bread crumbs and coconut

Spread them out on a plate and heat in microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Keep in mind that they will continue to toast for about a minute after removal.

Get more juice from citrus fruits

A lemon or lime taken straight from the refrigerator is harder to juice than one left at room temperature or warmed slightly. To get the most juice, microwave citrus fruits for 20 seconds before squeezing.

Roasting garlic

Slice off the top of the head to reveal all the cloves. Place the head in a small, deep dish, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 2tbsp of good olive oil. Spoon 2tbsp of water into the bottom of the dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and cook in microwave at medium power for 7 minutes. Let stand for a few minutes before unwrapping.

Best rice pudding

Use short-grain rice like Arborio, instead of long-grain that often gets chewy. Short-grain rice has lower levels of amylase, so it thickens without clumping.

Lumpy hollandaise sauce

Due to lack of moisture, hollandaise sauce often “breaks” and turns out lumpy. Next time that happens, add 1tsp hot water and beat vigorously with a blender, hand blender or whisk for 30 seconds.

Crispy hash browns

While they are cooking, top the taters with a layer of foil and another pan that rests comfortably inside. Then place a small but heavy object in the second pan to weight it down. This procedure forces out the air that causes spuds to steam instead of crisp.

Perfect mashed potatoes

Add seasonings (garlic, herbs etc) to cream instead of directly to the potatoes. When flavored cream is ready, strain and pour the mixture over the mashed potatoes.

Overcooked turkey

To give flavor back to a dry turkey, bring turkey or chicken stock to a simmer in a roasting pan. Carve the bird, slide the meat back into the pan for 5 minutes, and juices will soak into the meat.

Soup skin

To prevent your soup from forming that thin layer of skin, place a piece of parchment paper on the surface of the serving dish until you are ready to serve it.

Cooking meat loaf

For a healthier slice of meat loaf, place it on a broiler pan with a foil-lined drip pan underneath. As the loaf cooks, the oil will fall through the broiler pan grates onto the foil, and it will not accumulate in the bottom as in a regular pan.

Chopped onions

If your recipe calls for only half an onion, you do not have to waste the other half. Chop the whole onion, throw the unused portion in a zip-top bag, and pop the bag in the freezer for future recipes.

Juicy pork chops

To keep the chops moist, top each with lemon slices before cooking. While they cook, the lemons’ citric acid will penetrate the pork, tenderizing it and adding subtle flavor.

Speed roasting time

Flip the meat and cut it into 1/2” slices, about 3/4 of the way through (do not cut through completely). Place it sliced side down in the pan, season, and roast for 1 hour at 385 degrees. The heat will hit the exposed center, cooking it to perfection in half the time.

Stuffed peppers

To prevent stuffed peppers from collapsing while cooking in the oven, place them, side by side, in a Bundt pan, and they will be kept upright all the way through the cooking process.

Small items in dishwasher

To prevent small, awkwardly shaped items from slipping through the washer’s shelves, store them in a clean mesh laundry bag. The sack’s netlike material will allow soap and water to seep through and clean the objects while securing them in one place.

Light a jack-o’-lantern

To prevent your hand from burning when you reach it inside the pumpkin, light a long piece of dry spaghetti over a flame, and use it to ignite the candle-wick.

Wrapping leftovers

Collect shower caps from the hotel rooms you stay in, and keep them in a kitchen drawer. Use them to cover bowls and plates of leftovers when you are in a hurry, instead of wrestling with stubborn plastic wrap.

Keep pet-food dish clean

To avoid washing your pet’s dish after every feeding, spray non-stick cooking spray in the bowl before pouring in the food. That will create a barrier between the bowl and the pet and no grime will stick to the dish. Bonus for your pet: the dab of oil moisturizes his skin!

Space-saving spice storage

Create more space on cabinet shelves. Hang a clear plastic shoe organizer on the inside of the pantry door and slide your assortment of spice bottles into the individual pockets.

Tension headache

Use your middle finger to apply steady pressure to the indentation between your brows, where your nose meets your forehead. After 1 minute, relax, and then repeat. Pressing this acupressure point should release the pain.

Grease stain

When grease hits your clothes, squirt a dime-size drop of clear shampoo onto the spot. Gently rub it in, then dab at the mark with hot water. Shampoo is designed to eliminate sebum, and it will work for oil-based stains as well.

Fight cramps

If you often get foot or leg cramps in the middle of the night, you may want to try boosting your potassium levels. Mix 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of honey, and a cup of hot water. Drink before bed time.

Hiccups

Cure pesky hiccups by swallowing a teaspoon of vinegar. You have a few options as far as taste and aroma: white, apple cider, balsamic or rice.

Microwave Day #1!

Here are a few things you can do in a microwave you may not know yet. From disinfecting objects to speeding up cooking process…

REMINDERS: always use “microwave safe” cookware; before heating liquids (without any solid ingredient inside), make sure you know the risks of “superheating liquids in MW”; if any items catch fire inside a MW, switch it off and keep its door closed; do not run an empty MW; and be aware that IS NOT SAFE TO USE:
• Cold storage containers, such as margarine tubs, cottage cheese, yogurt cartons etc.
• Brown paper bags and newspapers.
• Foam-insulated cups, bowls, plates or trays.
• Aluminum foil (some specific situations are safe but it is better not to take risks).
• Food cooked in any container or packaging that has warped or melted during heating.
• Any metallic object, such as metal pans, china with metallic paint or trim, Chinese take-out containers with metal handles, metal twist-ties on package wrapping etc.

Heat up health aids

You can use a microwave to heat and reheat gel packs for headaches. DO NOT DO THIS WITH A METAL-WRAPPED PACK!

Proof yeast dough

Place the dough in a very large bowl and cover with plastic. Place an 8-ounce cup of water (with a little bit of salt) in the back of the microwave with the bowl of dough in the center, and set the power as low as possible (10 percent power). Heat for 3 minutes, then let the dough rest in the microwave for 3 minutes. Heat for 3 minutes longer, and then let rest for 6 minutes. The dough will double in bulk.

Decrystalize honey

Honey that has solidified can be brought back to liquid life by uncovering the jar and heating in microwave on medium power for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Soften brown sugar

Keep the sugar in its plastic packaging, add a few drops of water, and heat in microwave on medium for 10 to 20 seconds.

Disinfect plastic cutting boards

Wash the board well, rub it with the cut side of a lemon, then heat in microwave for 1 minute.

Cook dinner in 10 minutes

Use the microwave for any recipe that calls for braising, poaching, or steaming. Just subtract about three-quarters of the cooking time. Remember to stir liquids often to redistribute the heat, and always take the food out a minute or two before it is completely done, since it will continue to cook.

Disinfect and deodorize sponges

Soak sponge in water spiked with white vinegar or lemon juice, then heat it in microwave on high for 1 minute. Use an oven mitt to remove it. This will also disinfect any sponges you used to wipe up the juices from a raw chicken.

Low body energy

The anti fatigue snack: an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter. This combo has fiber-rich carbohydrates with a little protein, which takes more time to digest than carbs alone, so you will stay energized longer.

Thin and dry hair

Try 2 to 3 cups of green tea daily. Caffeine in tea slows the production of a chemical that shrinks hair follicles and results in thinner strands. A variety of zinc-rich foods, like crabmeat, yogurt, baked beans, green peas and pumpkin seeds, also helps to save your hair.

Bad breath

If your bad breath is coming from a buildup of bacteria on your tongue, eating plain sugar-free yogurt may help get rid of the stinky sulfur compounds.

Splitting nails

If your nails are weak, try to eat more protein rich foods, like lean beef, poultry, fish or nuts, at every meal. Just two eggs provide 12.5 grams, roughly 20 percent of your daily requirement.

Acne

Try Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help control inflammation throughout the body, including inflammatory acne. That means halibut, walnuts, flaxseeds, and especially salmon.

Storing vinyl tablecloth

To keep your vinyl tablecloth ready to be used next season, roll instead of folding it. Outdoors fabrics are coated with polymers that are made to bend and not wrinkle.

Windy outdoor party

To prevent your bowls of snacks from being toppled over by the wind, attach 1 piece of Velcro to the bottom of the bowl and another piece to the tabletop, press together and they will stay in place.

Cooking with lentil

Due to their hard shells, it is difficult to give lentils some nice taste. Fix this situation seasoning the dish only after lentil skins get soft and porous, when they can absorb flavors like a sponge.

PMS

When women do not get enough calcium, they may experience more severe cramps, mood swings and bloating. Two slices of Swiss cheese plus a glass of skin milk and a yogurt can cut premenstrual symptoms by almost half.

Soggy veggie meal

When you are frying your veggies, pour the sauce down the sides of the fry pan. Sauce will warm before reaching the vegetables in the center, keeping them crispy.

Little age lines

One to one and a half cups of grapes deliver close to 20 percent of your daily C needs, and will also supply a chemical that helps to prevent premature dryness, preserving the protein elastin, which keeps your skin plump (not pruney).

Lumpy hollandaise sauce

Due to lack of moisture, hollandaise sauce often “breaks” and turns out lumpy. Next time that happens, add 1tsp hot water and beat vigorously with a blender, hand blender or whisk for 30 seconds.

Buying athletic shoes

Best time to buy sneakers is June, before back-to-school shopping, when stores clear footwear spaces for the new inventory.

Watery vegetable dish

Sauté vegetables before layering them in a dish, to avoid soggy results in recipes. Veggies release moisture as they cook, breaking down some ingredients.

Cleaning stovetop

To remove stuck-on grime from stovetop use the edges of a plastic card (from preapproved credit offer or used gift card). You will avoid excessive effort with sponge and prevent scratches from steel wool on your stove.

Soggy overcooked snow peas

Instead of cooking the snow peas in the stove, place them in a colander set in the sink, pour boiling water over them until they turn bright green, then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. The result is crispy peas.

Low fat canned soup

Before heating canned soup, let it sit in the fridge for couple hours, which will make fat to float to surface and go hard. Open the can, skim the surface and heat it.

Sink clogged with residues

Dump an entire can of coca-cola into the drain and let the liquid sit there for a while. Next time you open the faucet, water should run normally through the drain.

Rubbery shrimp

Precook shrimp by searing for 3 minutes without turning, then put them on the side. When you bring them back to pan, adding to the ready sauce, the heat will cook them the rest of the way, preventing shrimp from being rubbery.

Catching herbs in sauce

If you have a hard time trying to fish out herbs from your sauce, before cooking, wrap them in cheesecloth, tie with string and secure the loose end to the pot handle. When it is time to serve the sauce, just remove the wrap.

Wax Paper Day!

If you are a wax paper fan, check these alternative uses for it around the house!

REMINDER: Conventional wax papers are petroleum-based (paraffin wax) and ARE NOT eco-friendly. For those who have green concerns, there are alternative options in the market made with unbleached paper, soybean wax etc.

Shoveling snow

Rub the edge of a shovel with a piece of wax paper and scoop as usual. The moisture-resistant wax coating keeps snow from sticking, preventing the bulky buildup that can slow you down.

Restore a waffle iron’s nonstick surface

Place a piece of wax paper between the plates as the machine heats up. The warmth melts the paper’s nonstick coating, causing the food-friendly wax to transfer to the metal. Your machine will work like new.

Decorating cakes

Cut a piece of wax paper roughly the size of the top of the dessert, then pipe the words on it. If you flub a letter, just wipe it away and start again. Once completed, freeze for 30 minutes, then remove the letters from the sheet and place them on the cake.

Storing delicate table linens

To ensure that your finest lace and/or hand-embroidered table linens stay shipshape while in storage, place a sheet of wax paper between each item. Coating on paper creates a barrier against light and moisture, protecting fabric from discoloration and dye transference.

Recork wine bottles

Cork expands when exposed to air, that is why it is almost impossible to plug it up again. Rub the end of the cork with a piece of wax paper, lubricating it, and making it easier to wedge it back into the bottle.

Hard skin on pudding surface

Press a piece of wax paper onto the surface while it is still hot. That will seal in steam, preventing thick layer from forming on surface of creamy pudding.

When mother nature comes to town...

Due to all the damage caused by hurricane Irene, I was not able to post tips from last Saturday through yesterday. The biggest hint I can give everybody today is… “Always take seriously what the ‘weather man’ tells you! Be preventive! Wait for the worst and hope for the best! And if you live in an area susceptible to losing power for a long period of time, invest in a generator! It will pay off… ;)…”

Make sure your shellfish are alive

Before cooking clams or mussels, give open ones gentle taps. If they close, keep them in a "good" pile. If they do not close, put them in a "bad" pile and wait couple minutes. Some have longer reaction times and will close slowly, being perfect to be added to the "good" pile, then to the pot.

Seasoning a pan sauce

To avoid salty sauces, wait until the end to add the seasoning, after the sauce has been reduced. Liquids reduce considerably while being cooked, making the salt super-concentrated.

Extra crispy French fries

Cook potatoes, already sliced, in boiling water for about 5 minutes, making them already softened in the center before frying. That will give your French fries an extra crispy result.

Perfect crumb crust

After using your fingers to press the crumbs into dish, place a second pie plate (exactly the same size as first) over the crust, pressing to get an even result, then remove the plate, and crust is ready to fill.

Filling spice grinder with peppercorns

To avoid making a mess with peppercorns while filling spice grinder, transfer them to a zip-top plastic bag, snip the corner creating a funnel, and pour them into the grinder.