Natural Choice

• • Vegan Living – It’s More Than Just Kale

    February 22, 2018My career in Natural Foods is something that I happily, however accidentally, fell into, but the trend has been a part of my lifestyle for a little over 10 years. Starting in high school I decided the treatment of animals was important to me and quickly adapted to a vegan food diet. For some, a diet like this which ignores all meats (yes, this includes chicken AND fish), all dairy products, eggs, gelatin and for some, honey, sounds difficult to adhere to, and let me tell you 10-15 years ago it wasn’t easy finding a simple vegan meal in a grocery store and the big food holidays required a lot of creativity.  In the last 5 years, the vegan food trend has blown up and plant-based foods have become as common as ice in a freezer. So, you’re probably wondering two things: How do I get my protein? And WHAT DO I EAT? I’ll tell you. The stereotyped assumption that follows vegans is that we sit in fields and eat berries and kale, and while I do LOVE kale, there is so much more available for us! In addition to the many catered items on store shelves, common snack foods like Oreos, Nutter Butters, most sugary cereals and (my favorite) Sweet Chili Doritos are what we laughingly refer to as “accidentally vegan”. You can be vegan and still get your junk-food fill; no longer must we rely solely on black beans and broccoli! Plant-based protein is becoming more and more popular in the mainstream vernacular. Having this unique food diet made me interested in learning more about the food-health relationship and now that I find myself playing the role of a natural foods manager, I get to have first-hand access to many of the exciting foods making our stores a unique and convenient place to shop. Along with the food aspect of “cruelty free” living there are the ethical practices of health and beauty care. We don’t notice a lot of what goes into some of the things we put in and on our bodies, and often turn a blind eye to what goes on before any of these health and beauty products get put on our shelves ie. animal testing and animals as ingredients in our skin-care products. We all love animals, right? For instance, I have a dog who is pretty much center stage in my life – who wouldn’t love this pumpkin head?? Many of the skincare brands in the natural foods world are not only “cruelty free”, but serve an ethical purpose in the world. They have missions and values that promote the betterment and well-being of communities and individuals in the world by creating jobs in poorer communities and donating parts of their profits to charities. Here are a few of the most mind-blowing products on our Coborn’s, Cash Wise and Marketplace Foods shelves. For your belly: Gardein plant-based proteins- These are marketed as “Meatless Meats” because their texture is so close to the “real thing” it’s almost scary. They have “fish”, “meatballs”, and a variety of “chicken” products to choose from and each are delicious. Follow Your Heart Egg Replacer- For the egg-lovers, this is a godsend. Nothing came close to recreating a scrambled egg or omelet before VeganEgg. And get this: IT’S MADE FROM ALGAE. You can use it as a substitute for baking, as well. Amande Yogurt- This product is very new to stores. For anyone who can’t live without their greek yogurt, give this a try! Not only is it dairy free and gluten free, it’s so tasty, too! Coconut Bliss Ice Cream- For anyone who loves to indulge in a pint of ice cream this dairy free option is all that AND a bag of chips. There are five flavors in a pint size and two options for a chocolate covered bar—but who are we kidding, just go for the pint. Daiya- this is a wonderful brand for the dairy free, egg free, gluten free, non-meat-eater’s of the world. They started as a company for cheese alternatives providing a variety of shreds, blocks and slices but they quickly expanded to pizzas, mac & cheeses and cheesecakes. For your skin: Each of these brands have a variety of products for face, body and hair care, and they are GREAT!  For more information on their ethics and missions you can visit their individual websites by clicking on the images. I hope you’ll plan a visit to your Natural Foods department and take a look at an even larger variety of products for any of your dietary needs. Kelsey, Cash Wise, Waite Park Natural Foods Manager... Read more...
  • How to Incorporate Flax Seed into Your Diet

    August 24, 2017First a little tutorial about flax seeds… Flax is a super seed grown mostly in Canada, North Dakota and South Dakota. Minnesota and Wisconsin also produce flax. Canada is the leading producer of brown flax seed and the Dakota’s tend to produce more of the golden flax. There is little difference in the two colors but many prefer the gold because it is easier to sneak into recipes, the brown is more visible in those muffins! Flax, also known as linseed is a food and fiber crop. Its uses for fiber has waned in modern times– linseed is what linen is made from, and with the rise of synthetics  people just don’t use linen as much for their sheets and tablecloths…or to entomb  mummies! If you ever have an opportunity to drive past a flax field, take your time to stop and view this plant with its beautiful pale blue flowers. A field of blooming flax is like a blue, lightly honey scented sea. But, I digress we are here to talk about its health benefits and how to incorporate it into your diet. The flax seed looks much like the little pip or seed in the core of an apple, but it is a bit flatter and not quite as hard. The flax seed must be ground unless you are going to cook or bake it, otherwise the whole seed will just pass through, preventing you from enjoying its great health benefits. Health Benefits of Flex Seed One tablespoon of ground flax seed (also known and sold as flax meal) is merely 36 calories, but in those 36 calories it brings 1.6 grams of protein, 1,800 milligrams omega, 3 fatty acid and 2.2 grams of fiber. This little seed is certainly worthy of being called a super seed. Omega 3 fatty acids are chock full of heart health benefits. EPA and DHA are found in fish. ALA is a plant based fatty acid. Flax and its ALA content are a good way to get omega 3’s into your diet if you are not into eating fish (i.e., pregnant women, small children, vegetarians and vegans.) Soluble fiber, which flax contains, has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Fiber also helps to prevent constipation. So the question of the day is, “how to incorporate this super seed into your diet?” Well, the simple way is to just sprinkle it on whatever you’re eating and eat it! Seriously, there isn’t much you can’t sprinkle it onto or into. Peanut butter, banana and a sprinkle or two of flax, two slices of good healthy bread make a great and tasty sandwich. Stir in some flax meal into your favorite yogurt. Top your salad with this nutty tasting treat. Scoop a tablespoon into oatmeal along with some dried cranberries and nuts for a breakfast that will not only provide you with great fuel to start your day, but actually stay with you and keep you satisfied all morning long. Put a tablespoon or two in your smoothie. Stir it into soups and add some to your favorite Minnesota style hot dish.  Its uses are almost endless. Don’t want to use an egg in that recipe? Replace it with 2 tablespoons of flax and two tablespoons of water. I have actually done this in recipes for my granddaughter who has an egg allergy and it worked wonderfully. Up the ante in your baked goods, replace ¼ to ½ of flour called for with flax meal. But if you’re looking for a pre-written recipe I’ll end this little flax blog with a couple for you. Enjoy, and here’s to your flax fortified health! P.S. Keep that ground flax seed in the refrigerator or freezer after opening to help keep it fresh. Bran Flax Muffins   Bran Flax Muffins   Serves: 15 medium muffins You can also use 1 1/2 cups Unbleached White Flour in place of the Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. For a twist on this great recipe- try substituting 3/4 cup Hazelnut Meal in place of the Oat Bran. Ingredients 1-1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour or Organic Whole Wheat Flour* 3/4 cup Flaxseed Meal 3/4 cup Oat Bran Cereal or Organic Oat Bran Cereal** 1 cup Brown Sugar 2 tsp Baking Soda 1 tsp Baking Powder 1/2 tsp Salt 2 tsp ground Cinnamon 1-1/2 cups Carrots finely shredded 2  Apples peeled & shredded 1/2 cup Raisins (optional) 1 cup Chopped Nuts 3/4 cup Milk 2  Eggs beaten 1 tsp Vanilla Extract Instructions Mix together flour, Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal, oat bran, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in carrots, apples, raisins (if desired) and nuts. Combine milk, beaten eggs and vanilla. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until ingredients are moistened. DO NOT OVER MIX. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.   3.4.3177 My Own Hamburger Patties   Hamburger Patties   Author: Cheryl Ingredients 1 pound of grass fed ground beef 3 tablespoons flax meal One small to medium onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons good quality Worcestershire sauce Instructions Mix all of the ingredients by hand until well blended. Form into 3- 1/3 pound or 4- ¼ patties. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to firm up. Grill on medium high heat until desired doneness. Serve on a bun if you’d like or eat without a bun if you’d like. Top with the usual burger toppings to suit your tastes, cheese, pickles, ketchup, mustard, salsa, lettuce, onion…once again almost endless options.   3.4.3177   I hope you enjoy these tasty recipes! Cheryl, Coborn’s Natural Foods Manager Click Here for more articles written by Cheryl    ... Read more...
  • Tea Types and their Benefits

    May 25, 2017That first sip of hot, freshly brewed Earl Grey tea is what awakens my taste buds and opens my eyes every morning. I love tea, and so do over 158 million Americans. Tea is the most consumed beverage (besides water) in the world. However, it is also a very misunderstood drink. There are five different main types of tea, all which come from the same plant. The Camellia sinensis, a shrub native to India and China, is the same plant that produces green, black, white, oolong and pu-erh tea. The difference in these teas has everything to do with how the leaves of the Camellia sinensis are processed. Green is made with steamed leaves, black with fermented, white with uncured and unfermented, oolong is partially fermented and pu-erh is made from fermented and aged leaves. Not only does these different processes effect the flavor, taste and color, but also the benefit levels of the tea. All tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids, the most talked about being EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which may help in fighting free radicals that can contribute to health problems such as cancer, clogged arteries and heart disease. They also contain theanine and caffeine both of which affect the brain and help with mental alertness without a lot of caffeine. Tea has roughly half the amount of caffeine as coffee. According to WebMD, “Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol and bring about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities.” Green tea has been the most widely studied for these health benefits, but all types of brewed tea have levels of these healthy benefits. It should be noted that brewed teas are a better choice over bottled, especially the ones that have been sweetened and flavored with all kinds of… well, all kinds of who knows what! At the onset of this article, I mentioned my love of Earl Grey tea. Earl Grey is traditionally a black tea that has been flavored with oil from the rind of the bergamot orange, which gives the maltiness of black tea a pleasant citrus note. This is the type of flavoring that one wants to see and taste in a healthy cup of tea. There is also a big difference in tea that is steeped from a bag rather than loose-leaf tea. The tea in the bag is usually of a lower quality and made from the dust also known as fannings, whereas loose leaf is usually whole leaf. Whole leaf tea will generally give a better and less bitter flavor because the whole, loose leaves retain more of their essential oils that also give a better aroma. Steeping whole leaf tea allows for more circulation through the boiling water thereby releasing more of the teas flavor and healthy benefits. However, the tea bag does offer a great convenience. In my opinion, a tea bag is better than no tea at all especially when that tea is in a better bag. Many tea companies offer a better bag such as round unbleached or sachet tea bags, which allow more water to flow through, expanding the potential of the tea. One such brand is Teatulia. Based in Denver, CO., teatulia is a clean, fresh, organic tea grown in a sustainable and regenerative method in the northern region of Bangladesh. This tea company also provides the women of the local communities where the tea is grown with opportunities to better the lives of themselves and their children through employment in the tea garden and a very unique cow-lending program. Teatulia is a tea brand that is new and available in many Coborn’s Natural Foods departments. So, tea is relaxing, refreshing, healthy, calorie-free, oh so wonderful in so many ways. Not to be confused with tisanes, which is a French word for herbal drinks steeped in the same fashion as tea but made of dried flowers, roots and spices, containing no leaves from the tea bush. These herbals are caffeine free and also have many healthful benefits. Tisanes are also a topic for another day. For today, I encourage you to try a quality green, black, white, oolong or pu-erh tea for the great health benefits found from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis. Cheryl Coborn’s Clearwater Natural Foods Manager Click Here for more blogs written by Cheryl... Read more...
  • My Top Five Favorite Food Brands for Kids

    March 22, 2017Happy Spring! As a Mom of two toddlers I have definitely found my favorite brands that are must-haves for every grocery trip. Toddlers (at least mine) tend to be creatures of habit so I am always trying to find a balance between getting foods that I know that they will eat and introducing healthy ingredients and new flavors. March, spring, and basketball bracket season seem like a great time to talk about my TOP FIVE FAVORITE BRANDS FOR KIDS. Full Circle Ahh, where to begin with Full Circle? This brand is in our pantry, it’s in our refrigerator and it’s in our freezer. We eat a lot, a whole lot, of eggs and they are always Full Circle. Eggs are a great way to get protein and essential nutrients to your toddler. Our youngest likes them scrambled with cheese. Our oldest prefers his in omelet form with ketchup (yep, ketchup). Eggs are also a great vehicle for leftover ingredients which helps us stretch our grocery budget. We make a lot of scrambles, omelets and fried rice. Another way to stretch the budget is by using frozen veggies and we use the Full Circle frozen vegetables on a weekly basis. Our oldest will only eat the green beans so I love that Full Circle offers a bag that is green beans only! Some of our other favorite Full Circle pantry staples are Graham Crackers, pasta noodles, and canned beans and tomatoes (did you know that Full Circle recently introduced a non-intent BPA lined can?). Chobani Yogurt, yogurt, yogurt. In our house, yogurt can be breakfast, a compliment to a meal, an ingredient in a baking recipe, or even a dessert! I love the Chobani’s Simply 100 yogurt cups. I don’t have to worry about artificial sweeteners or artificial growth hormones, they’re loaded with probiotics, protein and calcium, and they taste like a treat. It’s definitely not my “cleanest” food item but it’s still a favorite!! Here’s how we eat our Chobani: With granola for a crunchy breakfast Plain with lunch or dinner (the boys’ favorite flavors are Vanilla & Strawberry Banana) With dark chocolate chips for dessert! Organic Valley Moo! Making sure toddlers get enough protein and Vitamin D can sometimes be a struggle so I rely on really high quality dairy products from Organic Valley to help me with that. The boys use the Whole Milk in their cereal, eat the String Cheese for snacks (or meals), and we use the shredded cheese for things like quesadillas (I like to add black beans), grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs and pasta. The boys love Organic Valley’s Grated Parmesan Cheese – they call it Cheese Sprinkles…. Whatever works! Applegate Neither of my boys love eating meat (they might get that from their mom…) but Applegate makes a couple of products that they both really enjoy and this mom loves that they are nitrate and antibiotic free! Their favorite is the frozen breakfast sausage. It is a weekend staple at our house for breakfast but I also like to add the more savory varieties to pasta during the week. I just cook up the links in a skillet, add them to a marinara sauce (usually jarred if I am running short on time) and then add them to pasta. Dad likes their bacon for a Sunday morning treat and I love to use their pepperoni for Friday night pizza nights (hint: the pieces are extra-large so I use small cookie cutters to make pepperoni shapes!) Annie’s If we ever produce a girl (unlikely), we may just name her Annie in honor of a brand that truly goes everywhere with us. From Cocoa Bunnies cereal (fairly moderate in sugar for a chocolate cereal), to Mac & Cheese (definitely the bunny shapes for the kids, shells for mom & dad), to Bunny Crackers in every flavor and even Fruit Snacks when mom & dad need a quiet moment in the car…. Annie’s is a brand that we use almost every single day. As a mom of toddler boys I have tried hard to find “good” treat alternatives. Avoiding treats altogether is no fun for anyone so I rely on a brand like Annie’s to give me treats I can feel comfortable with – no artificial colors, slightly less sugar and more natural ingredients. Plus, who doesn’t love having their toddler ask for seconds of their Mac & Cheese? Did you know there’s 10 grams of protein in a serving of Mac & Cheese?   Christie Senior Manager Legal and Real Estate Click here for more blogs by Christie Save... Read more...
  • Meet Your Herbs

    September 15, 2016If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I am all about local! At Coborn’s, we have so many great partners that supply us with honey, beef, dairy, soap, essential oils, popcorn, peanut butter and so much more! One of the best things about these local products is to know the source of where they come from. It gives us all a better understanding of the quality and the commitment of the producers when we know where our products are traveling from and the amount of time it took for them to reach our tables. Do all “local” products come exclusively from Minnesota? Of course not (especially with our chilly winters!), but sometimes you need to think outside the box and imagine a new definition of local. That may mean understanding that you have the opportunity to close the distance your food is traveling. Choosing a fresh product that is produced with great care and pride and that is as close-to-home-as-can-be is always a great choice. Since not all of your food can come from right down the road, we must be smart about where we are choosing to spend our dollars on groceries. This summer I traveled to North Carolina to visit one of our supplement suppliers, Gaia Herbs. They grow many of the plants they use in their supplements right at Gaia Farm, located in the southwestern Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The farm is situated on a breathtakingly beautiful 250 acres of the one of the most diverse bioregions in North America. Their laboratory and production facility are also there. Having this opportunity to visit the area allowed me to tour their farms and facilities and see everything for myself – or in other words see that our Coborn’s locations are bringing only the best to our guests. That circles back to the quality and commitment of the producers, which is one of my favorite aspects of local vendors! Our group walked the fields with Ric Scalzo, founder and CEO of Gaia Herbs. He is one of North America’s most respected herbalists and botanical researchers. Joining us was Dr. Mary Bove, Director of Medical Education for Gaia. She is a naturopathic physician and herbalist. It was truly amazing to walk the fields with such brilliant people and listen to them talk about the care given to the production of each herb and the uses for them. We walked fields of California Poppy, and watched the farmers harvesting them by hand. We stood silently in the Echinacea fields and listened to the hum of the bees going from flower to flower. We smelled the amazing scent of Lemon Balm as we gently rubbed the leaves of the plant. We rested in the shade of Gingko trees. Even though it was extremely hot and even more humid than Minnesota, it was easy to walk for hours and listen to the story of each plant. It reinforced everything that I already know about Gaia, that they produce the best quality, most researched and efficacious herbal supplements possible. And you can learn more from Gaia about your supplements. Through their Meet Your Herbs program, you can go to their website and enter the code on the package. For example, I am a huge fan of their Holy Basil Leaf. I can enter the identification number on the package and see all the details on where it was grown. I can even see photos of Holy Basil being harvested on the farm. All the batch details are there, the certificates guaranteeing purity, integrity, potency and so much more. My two days at the farm flew by. I return confident in the fact that we are offering our guests at Coborn’s something more than worth the price tag on the bottle. We are supporting a company that works to better our planet and the people on it. So remember, just as important as it is to support local farmers down the road as it is to know where your food is coming from and that it has been grown and raised in a honest and pure way. Rhonda Coborn’s, Inc. Natural Foods Category Manager Click Here for more articles written by Rhonda... Read more...
  • Hummus: A Healthy Snack for a Busy Life

    June 9, 2016As my son, Alex, and I sat in a bustling auditorium waiting for my granddaughter’s spring program to begin, I mentioned that I needed a subject for this blog. His immediate response, “Hummus! I eat it every day, it’s an easy go-to snack.” Alex’s life is one of the busiest I know of. He goes to school in St. Paul during the day, works as a bartender in a high end restaurant downtown Minneapolis at night, drives his daughter to school in Roseville, plays Lego’s with his son at home in Lino Lakes and his wife is exactly nine months pregnant with their third child. If he finds hummus an easy, go-to snack I believe him! Hummus, from the Arabic word meaning “chickpeas” is a Middle Eastern dip/spread that has been around for practically forever. Well, at least long enough that it’s exact origin is a little difficult to trace. Chickpeas originated in the Middle East, probably in Turkey and then were eventually introduced to India. This cool season annual can be grown just about anywhere but they require about a hundred days in full sun. Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are the same thing. Chickpea is the English term. Garbanzo beans the Spanish. However it is neither a bean nor a pea but rather a legume, like peanuts. The other essential ingredient in hummus is tahini. Tahini, similar to the consistency of peanut butter, is made from toasted hulled sesame seeds that are ground into a paste. Another Arabic word, tahini’s root word means “to grind.” There are many commercially made hummuses (I checked– the plural for Hummus is hummases, not hummas’, not hummai…) to choose from. In my Natural Foods department I carry Lilly’s in my refrigerated section and Wild Garden on the shelf. Both offer the tangy goodness and great flavor for a quick pick snack or spread. To make your own is a snap! In making your own hummus you get to control the ingredients and customize it to your liking. Adding black beans or roasted red peppers, even jalapenos introduce different layers of flavor and bring to mind more ways to enjoy this tasty dip. Hummus as a dip for pita chips is the most common use around my neighborhood, and it is traditionally used that way. Another traditional way to use it is as an accompaniment to the Middle Eastern food of Falafel, which is served in a pita. So, the pita is a very common and useful way to eat this healthful, go-to snack for my son Alex, but there are many other ways to enjoy it. Use it as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise. Add some vinegar and blend to make a great salad dressing. Toss with your favorite pasta. Dip fresh vegetables, like cut up celery, carrots, sweet peppers and broccoli. For a spin on deviled eggs, mix some in with yolks. Hummus is a great dipping sauce for chicken strips. I believe that the uses for hummus are as far and wide as one’s creativity and imagination. I think Alex and his wife Krista might find themselves turning to this quick and easy treat even more now. The day after that school program, the one I mentioned in the beginning of this article (seriously the very best school program I have ever attended, by the way,) Krista gave birth to a sweet 7# 15 oz. boy! On her due date! With their busy lives they don’t mess around. I think I will make some hummus to put into a food basket for this wonderful family of five. Basic Hummus   Ingredients 1-2 Cloves of Garlic 15 Oz. Can Full Circle Garbanzo Beans, drained 3 T. Santa Cruz Lemon Juice 3 T. East Wind Tahini ½ tsp. Salt Black pepper, to taste Full Circle Olive Oil, to drizzle atop before storing in refrigerator Instructions Put all ingredients into blender and blend to a smooth paste. Put into a dish and drizzle with 2 T. Full Circle Olive Oil on top. Store in refrigerator.   Notes All ingredients can be adjusted to taste. I looked at some recipes that used way more tahini, less lemon juice, more garlic, no salt and so on. Experiment and find your best flavor! 3.4.3177 Variation Ideas: Roasted Beets Olives- of any color, I like Kalamata with Feta Cheese, or a handful of sliced Black Olives. (Green olives add their classic tang.) Strawberries and Honey Fresh Jalapeños and Cilantro Roasted Red Peppers Sun Dried Tomatoes and Basil Paparika and Lemon add a great kick as well as featured in the picture to the right. Just like the uses for hummus, the variations are as far and wide as one’s imagination! Cheryl Coborn’s Natural Foods Manager Clearwater, MNC Click Here for more articles written by Cheryl... Read more...
  • Spring Cleaning Hacks

    February 1, 2016Spring Cleaning Hacks Use these simple cleaning hacks to get your whole house spring-clean fresh. All-Natural Air Freshener Make an all-natural air freshener with basic household items tailored to your own scent preferences. You’ll need a clean empty spray bottle, distilled water, clear alcohol such as vodka or rubbing alcohol, and essential oil. Make a solution with equal parts water and alcohol. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil until you reach desired fragrance. The alcohol will keep the essential oil from evaporating. Experiment with different essential oil combinations to achieve the desired scent. Coborn’s carries a wide variety of essential oils from Veriditas Botanicals and Aura Cacia. Stainless Steel and Lemons Water spots on the stainless steel tap and kitchen sink can be cleaned away with lemon juice. Cut a lemon in half and rub the cut edge over spots. This will also leave the sink smelling citrus fresh. Disinfect Sponges in the Microwave To disinfect a sponge, simply place it in a microwave for two minutes. Be sure the sponge is metal free. Baking Soda and Vinegar Drain Declogger Drains can run slow when backed up with an accumulation of soap scum, hair and shaving cream. The bubbly chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar will push much of it loose while also deodorizing the drain. To unclog a slow drain, first pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, then drop in about a half cup of baking soda, follow that with a mixture of one cup vinegar and one cup of very hot water. Cover the drain to ensure the reaction stays inside the pipe for best results. Let it sit for about five to 10 minutes. Uncover the drain and flush it once more with a pot of boiling water. This method also works well to clean and deodorize a garbage disposal. Clean a Dirty Dishwasher Over time, a dishwasher can get a buildup of soap and food odors can get trapped inside. To clean and deodorize it, all you need is baking soda and vinegar. To deodorize, run the dishwasher on its hottest setting with only a dishwasher-safe cup filled with vinegar on the top shelf. For cleaning, sprinkle about a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run it again on the hottest setting. Dryer Sheets for Dusting Dryer sheets work just as well as electrostatic cloths at picking up and trapping dust. They smell nice and can easily get into hard-to-reach places.  ... Read more...