Dear Heloise: I appreciate the dialogue in your published hints. It is so helpful to expand our knowledge. Regarding parchment paper, there is compostable parchment paper available now. So, I use this compostable product and add it to my composting bin. Silicone mats for cookie sheets are still plastic and will eventually have to be thrown out.

Keep up the good work of protecting our environment! I am happy that your column directs people to nonchemical cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. — J.M., via email

COFFEE SCUM

Dear Heloise: I am writing to see if you can help me. When I make coffee, I get an oily film at the top, and I don’t know what causes it. It tastes OK, but still has an oily top. — P.B., in Minnesota

P.B., it’s rather common, so don’t be alarmed. It’s usually called “coffee scum,” but despite its rather ugly name, it’s just the natural oils found in coffee beans, which contain antioxidants and unsaturated fats.

A drip-brewed coffee usually has less oil than a French-press coffee or Turkish coffee. The higher the temperature, the more oil that’s produced. Hard water, which contains minerals, also produces more oil. — Heloise

PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS

Dear Heloise: In response to the hint about wetting one’s fingers to open a plastic produce bag at the grocery store, just don’t use one! Take a reusable bag. If you don’t want to put produce in a reusable bag, purchase some mesh reusable bags that are specifically made for produce.

And don’t forget to wash your reusable bags! Unless there is a cardboard base, most can be put in the washing machine. — J.M., in Ohio

GAINING WEIGHT?

Dear Heloise: I used to be a professional model and had to keep my weight down in order to fit into those beautiful clothes. However, like most people, I had my sad days when things would go wrong, but I quickly learned that things didn’t get better if I ate ice cream or pigged out on food. So, here are a few hints I used to stay slim:

— Always eat something for breakfast, even if it’s only toast. A cup of black coffee and a cigarette simply isn’t enough fuel to keep you going all morning.

— Put your fork down three or four times during a meal and chew your food slowly.

— Be mindful of what you are eating. Ask yourself: Does it nourish my body? Never let junk food cross your threshold. Also, if you don’t have it in the house, you’re less tempted to eat food like cookies, cakes, etc.

— Get off the couch and go for a walk. Keep moving. Sometimes getting out of the house lifts your spirits and makes us see that many of our problems aren’t as big as we thought. — M.H., in Florida

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.