Ants, Jalapenos & Potatoes
Joan Clark
August 21, 2026
In partnership with
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Hi there,
Sometimes, household projects wait for attention. Whether it's growing food from scraps or protecting the home from unwanted visitors, small wins add up to a more comfortable, self-sufficient life.
In today's issue:
Grow Potatoes from Kitchen Scraps
Natural Solutions for an Ant-Free Home
Preserve Your Jalapeno Harvest Through Canning
And more…
BUG CONTROL
When ants discover a single crumb, they leave an invisible chemical trail that can bring 10,000 of their friends marching through the kitchen within hours. We found eight straightforward hacks that stop the ant invasion without harsh chemicals or expensive exterminators.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OONI
The professional secret to dough is out
Ever tried to make dough in your regular mixer?
The results aren’t pretty: Clumpy texture. Stodgy bread. Overheated motors.
So, how do the pros get it right?
Introducing Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer.
Its secret is the same dough-making technology that professional bakers have used for decades.
Until now, most spiral mixers have been industrial-sized machines with industrial-sized price tags.
They also only made dough. And that gets a no from us.
To put the same professional tech into the hands of home bakers, we rebuilt the spiral mixer — creating a mighty little machine that can whip, beat and knead to professional high standards.
FOOD STORAGE
Jalapeños lose only about 20% of their vitamin C during the canning process, making them one of the most nutritious preserved peppers you can stock in your pantry. We tested dozens of methods and narrowed it down to three foolproof techniques that keep those peppers crisp, flavorful, and ready to brighten up any meal.
TIP OF THE DAY
Could high heat be baking your towels into cardboard?
Dial down the dryer temperature to medium or low and pull towels out while they're still slightly damp . Over-drying on high heat breaks down cotton fibers and locks in stiffness.
Shake each towel hard before tossing it in the dryer to separate the loops, then remove them promptly and fold or hang right away. Air-drying the last 10% of moisture keeps fibers supple and extends towel life by years.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEXCLAD
No more choosing between nonstick and sear. HexClad's hybrid technology gives you both. Upgrade your kitchen today and save up to 30%.
PLANTS & GARDEN
Potato eyes might look odd, but each one holds the promise of a whole new plant—and can turn a single spud into dozens. This guide shares five simple techniques to help anyone grow their own crop from kitchen scraps, no seed catalog required.
FUN FACT
Vacuum Flasks Keep Ice Frozen a LONG Time
A well-made vacuum flask can preserve ice for more than four full days because the vacuum between its double walls blocks heat transfer. Heat moves through air, but a vacuum contains no molecules to carry warmth from the outside to the inside. The silvered coating on the inner walls reflects radiant heat back out, creating a near-perfect thermal barrier that works for hot or cold contents. |  |
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THANK YOU!
Whether you're turning potato scraps into a garden, evicting tiny kitchen invaders, or preserving peppers for winter heat, you've got the know-how now . These aren't chores anymore—they're small victories that make home life smoother and a whole lot more satisfying.
May your jalapeños stay spicy,
Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team
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