Vinegar's always a useful thing to have around the house. Plain white vinegar has many uses and it's very inexpensive — especially when bought in bulk! Here are five unexpected uses!

• Unclog your drains. A combination of vinegar and baking soda produces a foaming fizz you might remember from science project volcanos. This simply chemical reaction's also great for unclogging drains and removing odorous bacteria.
• Remove mold and mildew. White vinegar is one of the best things to use to remove mildew stains from your bathroom. Dilute vinegar with water for lighter stains; use undiluted vinegar for heavier mildew.
• Shine silver. A bath of vinegar and baking soda can help clean tarnished or dingy silver. Rest items in the bath for two or three house. Rinse with cold water, dry with a soft cloth, and enjoy the shine!
• Freshen closests. Mixing vinegar, ammonia, and baking soda produces a powerful cleanser that can vaporize pesky odors rapidly. Remove your clothes, wash the surfaces with the vinegar solution, and let the closet air out for 24 hours.
• Remove stains from carpets. Vinegar can also remove stains from rugs and carpets. Mix it with salt and rub gently on light stains; mix with cornstach for heavily ground-in dirt.

Losing weight seems like it should be so easy: Eat less calories, and you will weigh less. If you've ever tried to lose weight, you know this isn't the case. Dieting seems simple until you use up all your calories for the day and are still starving. Make sure you eat these foods while trying to lose weight; they'll fill you up while keeping you on track to your weight-loss goal.

Greens
Eat a bowl of spinach before every meal to fill up your stomach. Spinach is amazingly low in calories but will take up a lot space in your stomach. Greens also take time to eat so you'll feel more satisfied having eaten a lot, even though it was very low in calories.

Whole Grains
Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal or cream of rice. It takes a while for your body to break down whole grains, keeping you fuller, longer. Just make sure you look for oatmeal that is low in sugar, not the sugary cereal types. 

Beans
Beans contain a lot of fiber, which will keep you full. They also have low calories and are an excellent source of protein. Try mixing lentil beans with brown rice and broccoli for a wonderfully low calorie, filling meal. 

Water
It seems crazy but water does fill you up. It takes up a lot of room in your stomach to help you eat less. Don't drink water in place of actual meals, of course, but down a cup of water before you eat can help you eat less. Sometimes we confuse our bodies reaction to thirst as hunger. So if you've already had your afternoon snack and still feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water. 

Soup
Now this one can get tricky. You can't just have any kind of soup. Cream-based soups are loaded with calories. You have to look for soups with clear broths. It's best to make your own, but if you don't have the time, just look for soups with under 100 calories per serving and low sodium. Since soup is mostly liquid, it takes up a lot of space in your stomach and will fill you up with very few calories. 

Following in the tradition of the Brazilian churrasco where huge skewers of meat are roasted over an open fire, Tucano’s Brazilian Grill is a carnivore’s delight not far from Broadstone Towne Center in Albuquerque. After you heap your plate at the gigantic ‘salad festival’, waiters bring an assortment of sizzling seasoned meats to your table, slicing them onto your plate. A card placed on your table allows you to signal when you’re ready for more meat –green side up means yes, red side up, no. The ‘salad festival’ can serve as a meal in itself, with beans, rice, pastas, soups, stroganoff and bread, so vegetarians can forgo the meat and still get satisfied. Tuscano's prices range from $13.95 for lunch to $20.95 for dinner.

Tucano’s Brazilian Grill
110 Central Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 246-9900