Want a less complicated life? Need help planning that perfect party? Or would you just like a guide to help you through the rough times? Dan Ho is here to the rescue!

Many of you have written to Dan for advice, and here are some pearls of wisdom, courtesy of Dan Ho. Read on!

Dear Dan,
I have recently discovered your show and enjoy how you help people decorate their homes, cook, etc. I personally have no style whatsoever. I have no taste in decorating, am a so so cook and am "afraid" to try anything that I haven't done before. In short, I could sure use some help.

I have a townhouse (am a single struggling mom) and had a boyfriend who thought it would be neat to remove the brick patio and replace it with a new patio. Well, he got partially started when I broke up with him. My friends tell me that I should have waited until he put in a new patio until I broke up with him, but that's just not me. Anyhow, I have a small backyard and don't know whether to lay sod or put in a patio. I haven't decided whether to just pay someone to come in and do it since I'm "clueless" or not.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Diane in Springfield, Virginia

Dear Diane,
Hopefully my response finds you well, with your recent break-up and all.

With regard too patio vs. sod, if you've still got the bricks just restore the patio. It'll be a good workout and a lesson too: That most things are best left alone in order to attend to more important things (maybe your boyfriend and you should have been working on your relationship). If they've been tossed, then lay the sod. Most importantly, take care of yourself.

Best wishes,
Dan Ho

Dan,
I am a military member living as a geo-bachelor (I am in Virginia and my family lives in Washington State) and the barracks I live in does not allow for cooking appliances beyond a microwave and refrigerator. This, of course, lends itself to frozen pizza, frozen taquitos, top ramen, chips and other stuff. To date I have not found a good resource for microwave cooking in order to be able to expand my food choices as well as fixing the diet issues that I am having problems with by not having choices.

Any suggestions you can send in my direction would be greatly appreciated!

Petty Officer First Class Stephen Doerk

Stephen,
You'd be surprised how well a nice fillet of fish, and some fresh vegetables do in the microwave.

To cook any fish, such as salmon or halibut, simply place a 6-8 ounce fillet of fish onto a microwavable plate with an ice cube, salt and pepper. If you like, you can add a pat of butter of a light splash of olive oil. Cover the plate with a wet paper towel or a piece of plastic wrap (wrapped loosely) and cook on high for 2 minutes. Check for doneness and continue cooking, if necessary, at 30 second time intervals.

To cook fresh veggies such as string beans, zucchini or squash, basically follow the same instructions above for fish.

To round out your meal with some complex carbohydrates, see if you can't get frozen rice pilaf or mashed potatoes from your deli. Reheat according to directions.

Good luck! And thank you for serving our country.

Dan