Heloise’s Helpful Hints
Never go grocery shopping when you are feeling this
What is hungry? If you do, you’re likely to overspend and bring home junk food. The best time to shop is after a meal
What you should do each month when your bank statement comes
What is balance your account or checkbook? Not all graduating students have mastered money management and/or credit card use. All these skills use basic arithmetical functions
Born November 14, 1948, the Prince of Wales goes by this more familiar name
What is Prince Charles? He is first in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth.
On November 28, Red Planet Day celebrates this planet
What is Mars? The space explorer Mariner 4 was launched on this day in 1964, and it was the first spacecraft to fly by Mars
In 1960, Lipton introduced this boxed soup that is most often used as a dip
What is onion? You just add a package to sour cream, and voila… you have French onion dip. It’s best to refrigerate it for a few hours to plump the onion
If you do not own a meat pounder, grab this from your toolbox
What is hammer? Cover the meat with plastic wrap or wax paper since you are probably not in the habit of washing your hammer after use.
Table manners, social graces, writing thank-you notes, RSVP to an invitation, etc
What is etiquette? Do you remember when hats were never allowed indoors?
Born November 25, 1960, this U.S. president’s son was known as John-John when he was a child
Who is President John F. Kennedy? John F. Kennedy Jr. appears in a famous portrait saluting his father’s casket as the funeral procession passed him. There is some dispute over what photographer took the iconic black-and-white photo
On November 1, this world day celebrates those who eat no animal or animal by-products and eat only plant-based foods
What is vegan? The practical difference between a vegetarian and a vegan is that a vegan will eat no by-products from any animal for food. Vegetarians will eat by-products such as eggs, butter, and honey
This egg-based pie saw its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s
What is quiche? Sales dropped off the charts after the book Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche was published, but quiche is making a comeback
If you like your baked potato skins crisp, don’t wrap them in this.
What is foil? Heloise suggests bacon fat, and she suggests putting them in muffin tins so they don’t roll around. You might prefer to coat them lightly with an oil.
How to write a formal document that provides an overview of your professional qualifications, otherwise known as a CV or this
What is resume? Students are also not taught how to apply for jobs
Born November 2, 1755, this last queen of France helped provoke the French Revolution through her excesses and is credited with the quote “Let them eat cake.”
Who is Marie Antoinette? She and her husband, Louis XVI, were beheaded after the French monarchy was abolished in 1792
The month of November observes the awareness of this disease classified as Type I or Type II
What is diabetes? When a day, week, or month is observed as an awareness of a disease, it is to draw attention to the disease not only for those who suffer from it but also to those who may not know that they have it. These observances often help raise money for research as well
Seafood and meat, otherwise known as this, made its debut in restaurants in the 1960s
What is surf and turf? The most popular combination is lobster and steak
The best time to clean out a closet or a drawer is when you’re in this mood
What is angry? If you’re in a good mood, you’re less likely to throw out things
The art of the back-and-forth between employee and employer or with the rental agent
What is negotiation? Negotiation isn’t limited to business arrangements. We negotiate with friends and family as well, especially when setting boundaries
Born November 4, 1925, Doris Roberts is well known for this award-winning role in the TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond
What is Raymond’s mother (Marie Barone)? She won four Emmys for that role, and she was also featured as the feisty receptionist in Remington Steele
November celebrates this butter, often used in sandwiches
What is peanut? If you’re allergic to peanuts, you can substitute almond, sunflower seed, or other butters. Most are available with no added sugar
In the 1970s, these thin, filled pancakes became all the rage thanks to restaurants such as the Magic Pan
What are crepes? Prior to the 1970s, you could find dessert crepes on the menu, but the Magic Pan added a variety of savory crepes. The Magic Pan restaurants today are using some of the original recipes, but they are not part of the original chain
This baking ingredient can put out grease fires
What is baking soda? First, turn off the heat source. If the fire is inside a pan, place a long-handled object on top of the pan to deprive the fire of oxygen and smother it. If the fire is on the stove, sprinkle baking soda on the fire
How to physically take care of yourself when confronted with an attacker
What is self-defense? Gym class offers the opportunity to teach this life skill
Born November 8, 1656, an English astronomer discovered this most famous recurring comet named for him
What is Halley’s Comet? The comet was first spotted in 239 BC, but it was named for Edmond Halley, since he predicted that it would return to Earth’s view during a specific year. It is scheduled to sweep by Earth again in 2061.
This is the online version of Black Friday
What is Cyber Monday or the Monday after Thanksgiving? You can snag great deals without fighting your way into a store
This melted cheese in a pot hails from Switzerland and became popular in the 1960s and 1970s in North America
What is fondue? It began life as a Swiss peasant dish. It’s also served as a melted chocolate dessert and as heated oil for dipping meats, poultry, and seafood. You can still find fondue served at the Melting Pot, the original fondue restaurant in America and Canada