Don’t mangle the mango

If you thought this was about mangoes I’ll get to that and a couple of other things, too, in a minute. A lot of things annoy me but few more than walking into the bathroom to find the floor is damp and cold, which means my feet are damp and cold now, too. It doesn’t have to be like this.

There’s only one way to properly step out of a shower. It’s thoughtful, courteous and efficient and I hate it that I’m the only one I know of who thinks to do it right, so to further civility in the bathrooms of America and beyond, I’m going to share.

I have my favorite towel handy before I step in. Once I’m finished showering, I take my hands and quickly squeegie the water droplets off of me and onto the shower floor. I grab the towel and then dry off from the top down to my knees. I open the curtain, take my towel and place the bottom foot or so onto the floor or mat and step out onto it. This can be done in just about the same movement. I then towel off the the rest of the way.

Presto. I’m done and I haven’t gotten any of the floor damp and icky for the next person who may need to get in. I’m trying to teach my grandkids this, that and to turn the shower off as they lather up the soap or shampoo. I’ve caught a portion of my wife’s phone conversations — “and my husband actually always does this!” I know that she’s talking about this because that’s the only thing I actually always do. There are things I do most of the time, and things I do some of the time. But this is probably the one thing I do all the time.

Now, do you find yourself mangling the mango? Well, mangle no more, dear reader. Another handy household tip is how to cut a mango neatly and have the pieces come out uniformly. The perfect mango is kind of firm yet softish to a pressed thumb. Use a sharp knife and cut clean through on opposite sides of the pit. Cup the skin side of the mango in your palm and lance the fruit in a checkerboard pattern. Scoop out the fruit with a spoon and you have near-perfect chunks of delicious mango. And none of the mess. Yum!

Do you struggle to make lump-free Cream of Wheat and Cocoa Wheats? I use half water and half milk, heat the liquid in the microwave, then add it to the cereal, using a whisk to better incorporate the wet and dry. I then cook at 30-second intervals, whisking between intervals, until the correct doneness is achieved. Banana and honey are good on the wheat but my favorite is a large dollop of Libby’s canned pumpkin pie mix. That gets two yums!

Lastly I’ve discovered a fast and healthy treat that even my grandkids devour. Cut a pitted medjool date lengthwise. Dip the cut side into chopped pecans. That’s it. Try it, it’s amazing.

Now go out and make your world a little happier place.