Holy guacamole! Heloise busts a hint!

Dear Heloise: When making guacamole, I put the pit from one of the avocados back into the dip to keep it from turning black before serving.

-- Fran in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Dear Fran: I hate to be a hint-buster, but this hint really doesn't work. Experts say putting the pit in guacamole does no good, and leaving the pit in half an avocado only protects the area the pit covers.

Once an avocado is cut, air is what causes the flesh to turn brown, so sprinkle lemon or lime juice or vinegar over the exposed flesh and store in an airtight container in the fridge. You can use plastic wrap too. Press it tightly over the avocado or a bowl of guacamole and store in the fridge. If the guacamole turns brown, scrape off that layer -- the guac will still be yummy.

Dear Readers: Since we are talking avocados, we thought we'd share some interesting facts about them.

Is an avocado a fruit or a vegetable? It's a fruit.

Avocados are available year-round, and California is where the majority of them are grown in the United States.

Avocados also are called alligator pears! When you think about it, their skin does resemble that of an alligator.

Pet corner

Dear Readers: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has issued the following tips to help pet owners identify potentially dangerous objects in and around the house:

Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. Some, such as sago palm, oleander and rhododendron, can be toxic to pets if ingested. Lilies can be especially toxic to cats.

Do not allow your pets to have access to areas where cleaning agents are being used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties; some might only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.

Be careful when using rodent baits. The most common active ingredients found in these are anti-coagulants, which interfere with blood-clotting. Some also contain inactive ingredients meant to attract rodents, and these can attract pets too.

Read the label before using flea products on or around your pets. For example, some flea products for dogs can be deadly if given to cats.

Keep prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pets' reach. Many human medications can be lethal to animals, even in small doses.

Be aware of foods that are inappropriate for pets. A few of these are: onions, chocolate, products sweetened with xylitol (such as chewing gum), raisins and grapes, alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee, tomato leaves and stems (green parts).

Common household items can be lethal to animals. For example, liquid potpourri, mothballs, pennies, tobacco products, homemade modeling clay, fabric-softener sheets, dishwashing detergent and batteries.

Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets.

Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or gardens treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until the products have dried completely.