Or get a good 1-level sifter and sift three times. When using sugar and flour in a recipe, mix the sugar and flour together first before adding milk. This prevents lumps. This ensures even distribution of spices and leavening. Today we use applesauce and Canola oil to replace shortening altogether.
Margarines are light.
Lard is a no-no as is chicken fat. Butter-flavored Crisco came out some years ago. Unsalted butter may require that you add salt to the recipe. You can still find unsalted butter in the grocery store cum supermarket. Unsalted margarine is another story.