BEST ADVICE EVER

CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS th

ofCANADIAN LIVING Attract butterflies. (See tip #37.)

Best advice ever! 40 timeless tips from the archives of Canadian Living

Throughout our anniversary year, we’ll be dipping into past issues to share inspired ideas that are as fresh today as when they first hit the page. Here are four decades’ worth of wisdom from the July issues of Canadian Living.

their freshness, wash them as soon as you get home. Dry lightly with paper towel and store in plastic bags in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use them, break or tear (don’t cut) into bite-size pieces. — 1977 2 If you want to take up jogging, start with a time goal instead of a distance goal. At first, alternate between walking and jogging for the allotted time, then gradually work your way up to jogging for the duration. — 1977 3 Certain herbs can serve as natural insecticides in your vegetable garden. Sage repels the carrot fly, spearmint deters aphids from lettuce and peas, and thyme defends against cabbage worm. — 1977 4 Ensure that your cottage doors and windows have locks or pins to secure them while you’re away. If you see a broken window or a forced door, don’t go in. Notify the police and wait for them outside. — 1982 5 Kids are less likely to have a cycling accident if they’re riding a bike that’s the right size for them. When straddling the bike, they should be able to touch the ground with the balls of their feet. — 1982 6 Got aching feet? Wiggle your toes, rotate your ankles and relax your calves by pointing and flexing your toes several times. The calves are often the source when you have pain in the arches of your feet. — 1984 7 Owning a dog can boost your physical fitness. Depending on the activity level of your pooch, daily walks can burn about 700 calories a week. — 1985 8 When hanging the National Flag of Canada vertically from a wall or balcony, the top of the maple leaf should point to the left and the stem to the right, as people in front of it would see it. — 1985

9 Exercising in water offers resistance training the same way using weights does. Spend time walking in the lake or doing pushups against the pool wall for a refreshing workout. — 1987

10 Vary the beans in a mixed-bean salad for a different flavour every time. — 1987

11 When making homemade jam or jelly, resist the temptation to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. You’ll save calories but run the risk of making a preserve

Scoop sorbet without breaking a sweat. (See tip #20.)

1 To help salad greens retain

that won’t set. — 1988

CHECK OUT OUR STEP-BY-

STEP GUIDE TO PERFECT SUMMER PRESERVES AT canadianliving.com/ summerpreserves.

12 If you’re acne-prone, avoid oil-based sunscreen. If you have sensitive skin, choose a hypoallergenic formula. — 1989

13 Don’t leave your glasses on the dashboard of your car. The heat can warp plastic frames. — 1989

14 Keep your refrigerator cooling properly by clearing everything off the top. Anything that restricts airflow around the fridge, including boxes and stacks of dishes, can reduce its efficiency. — 1990

IS THERE A PARTICULAR TIP FROM A PAST

ISSUE OF CANADIAN LIVING THAT YOU’VE NEVER FORGOTTEN? WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AT CL40th@canadianliving.com. Go into the light. (See tip #24.)

15 Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill. Or use flat-bladed stainlesssteel skewers to facilitate turning large kabobs partway through cooking. — 1991

16 Brush on marinades that contain tomatoes or that are sugar-based during the last few minutes of grilling to prevent charring. — 1991

17 Ice cream can add a lot of calories on top of summer berries. Yogurt is a healthier alternative. — 1992

18 When making potato salad, buy potatoes of the same size to ensure that they’ll cook evenly. Boiling potatoes with skins on helps keep them intact while cooking. — 1993

19 Exfoliate your skin before using self-tanners and bronzers to reduce the risk of blotches. — 1994

20 Allow sorbet to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving so it’s easier to scoop. — 1998

21 Keep cats out of your garden by setting largish stones a few centimetres apart so they can’t find a comfortable spot to do their business. — 1998 22 Can’t find your lipstick? Petroleum jelly over lip pencil is the next best thing. — 1999

23 When choosing upholstered furniture for the cottage, keep in mind that light-coloured fabrics make sun-fading less noticeable. — 1999

24 Test bronzer in natural light before buying. If it looks orange or muddy, it’s the wrong colour for you. — 2003

25 After you purchase a new plant, punch a hole in the plant tag and slip it onto a metal key ring in alphabetical order. It’s a handy resource for identifying plants and checking their growth requirements. — 2004

26 Many backyard plants are toxic enough to cause mild stomach upset—or worse—if ingested. All parts of azalea, angel’s trumpet, bittersweet vine, autumn crocus, bleeding heart, daffodil, English ivy, hydrangea, mountain laurel, rhododendron and nicotiana are toxic. — 2004

27 When loading the car for a road trip, pack large, heavy items such as suitcases first. Use soft-sided luggage or duffel bags, as they can morph to accommodate other items. — 2005 28 When it’s hot and humid outside, use a light hand with hairstyling products. Too much will weigh strands down and make them stick to your neck and forehead. — 2005

29 Strengthen weak fingernails by increasing your protein intake. Good sources of protein include chicken breast, tofu and egg whites. — 2005

30 The secret to perfectly barbecued chicken is grilling the pieces over indirect medium heat until juices run clear, then moving them over direct heat to crisp and colour. — 2006

31 Balance a low neckline with a pair of statement earrings. — 2006

32 To chill a bottle of wine outdoors, fill a bucket about two-thirds full with equal parts cold water and ice. Submerge the bottle up to its neck and let stand for 20 minutes. Speed things up even more by adding a handful of rock salt. — 2006

33 Place an empty bucket under a window-mounted air conditioner to catch the water that drips out, which you can then use to water your flowers. — 2006

34 Glass is no barrier to UVA rays. Throw on a long- sleeved white top when you know you’ll be in the car for a long drive. — 2007 35 Next time it rains, watch how water flows in your yard. Place the thirstiest plants where they’ll get natural run-off from slopes and downspouts. — 2008

36 Adding compost doesn’t just supply nutrients to your garden. It can also improve the absorption and water retention of sandy soil, and it improves drainage in clay. — 2008

37 Nothing attracts butterflies to your garden like black-eyed Susan, New England aster, boneset, Canada goldenrod and yarrow. — 2008

38 Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the best days to find a deal on a flight and also the most affordable days to fly. — 2012

39 When installing patio paving slabs as a garden path, sink them flush with ground level. That way, the lawn mower can run over them without catching. — 2013

40 Planting flowerbeds can be a liability when it comes to a home’s resale value. As soon as prospective buyers step into the yard, all they can see is a lot of hard work and maintenance. — 2014

Pale-coloured fabrics are perfect for a sun-filled space. (See tip #23.)