It turns out there are some surprising places in the kitchen where germs seem to congregate. In this episode we explore those spots and share practical cleaning tips to keep your kitchen healthier. We also explain why we ultimately stopped using meal delivery kits and what solution worked better for our family. Plus, we talk about the ups and downs of shopping for your home and offer strategies to streamline the process so you can buy with confidence. You’ll also hear how our backyard is finally holding its own against deer, and what new facial tool Sherry has been loving lately.
You can also find this episode on your preferred podcast app, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- We tried several meal delivery kits in the past and discussed them in Episode #66. Overall, HelloFresh stood out: the recipes were tasty, not overly complicated, and reasonably priced.
- We hadn’t sampled Home Chef’s grocery a la carte meals back then, so we recently picked up one of their single-box meals at the store to see how it compares. None of these tests are sponsored—we buy them ourselves to figure out what we like and what we don’t.
- In Episode #99 we talked about last year’s deer damage to our landscaping and the odd tactics we tried to deter them. Below is how the plants looked after the deer stripped accessible new growth.
- After repeated applications of Liquid Fence over the past year (discussed in Episode #105), our shrubs and trees are doing much better.
- It’s hard to capture in photos, but we’re relieved the cherry and ginkgo trees not only survived—they returned even healthier than before.
What’s Not Game
- We based one segment on a Real Simple article outlining unexpected germ hotspots in the kitchen and how to clean them effectively.
- The Real Simple piece references a 2013 National Science Foundation study. Another NSF study from 2011 actually found that cutting boards had relatively low concentrations of germs among tested kitchen surfaces—interesting results that show not everything is as it seems.
Listener Question
- Shopping for the “perfect” item for your home—whether a light fixture, sofa, table, basket, or tile—can eat up hours. We believe it’s worth waiting for something you truly love rather than settling prematurely.
- That said, in Episode #130 we suggested using an inexpensive placeholder when you can’t find the ideal piece after a reasonable search. A temporary item (often secondhand) gives you functionality while you keep looking, and it reduces the chance of buying something you’ll regret.
- In short: hold out for the piece that excites you, but don’t hesitate to use an affordable interim solution if you need more time. Often you can resell that placeholder later, so it rarely ends up costing much.
- We’ve been using Google’s Shopping tab more frequently because it aggregates results from many retailers at once, saving time compared with searching individual home sites. It’s not perfect, but the filters help narrow options quickly.
- Sites like Overstock and Wayfair are useful for browsing many choices with a keyword search, though they won’t show items from retailers such as Pottery Barn, Target, Crate & Barrel, or West Elm—which is where the Google Shopping tab is helpful.
We’re Digging
- We mentioned Highlights Magazine and Highlights High Five, which our son enjoys. Subscriptions cost more than our off-hand estimate, but they remain a thoughtful gift—so much so that we ordered one for our 4-year-old nephew right after recording.
- Our kids are also enjoying the Hidden Pictures specialty books—examples include Pet Puzzles, Adventure Puzzles, Playtime Puzzles, and Barnyard Puzzles. These keep little hands and minds busy and engaged.
- Sherry’s current face obsession is an ice roller she stores in the freezer for mornings when she feels puffy or didn’t sleep well. It’s a chilled alternative to her jade roller that helps reduce puffiness and feels refreshing on the skin.
If you’re trying to find an item we’ve recommended in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to open, check our master list of everything we’ve been digging from past episodes. You can also view the books we’ve recommended on our Book Club page.
We’d also like to thank Agility Bed for sponsoring this episode. For Memorial Day you can get 15% off your order; visit their site to unlock the discount by entering your email. After the 28th, you can still use the code YHL to get $200 off a hybrid mattress of any size.
Thanks for listening!
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