Good tips - here's my input...
1) I blow down into the pot of boiling 'whatever' - the cool breath cools it off quickly and no more boil over. Of course then I cut back on the temp a bit too...
2) The baggie thing - I think they are using just a piece of saran and the bottle top - not a baggie. Saran is cheaper than baggies.
3) As for those packages......
I use a chainsaw!
Something I also found is a rubber band around a tightened on lid helps to grip it when unscrewing....also a few light taps against something solid helps get it open.