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Take the DIY route, and it’s a cinch to shake up a virgin margarita recipe—simply skip the tequila and liqueur and trade in an equal amount of lime, lemon, or orange sparkling water. Buy It: Rocco Blue Margarita Glasses ($40, Cost Plus World Market) Buy It: Morton Coarse Kosher Salt ($3, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: Look for guava nectar in the Mexican and beverage aisles at your grocery store, or find it online....

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So, while you can’t control natural gas prices, you can improve the way your home maintains heat and how you use it. We spoke to home and energy pros for their expert tips—from bigger investments to simple swaps—for saving on the ever-dreaded mid-winter heating bill. 1. Service your appliances. Sometimes you have to spend to save. At least, that can be the case when trying to lower your heating bill....

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Make Every Carbohydrate Count When you eat carbohydrates, reach for complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread and pasta, legumes, nonstarchy fruits, and vegetables. Pick Produce that Triggers Lower Glucose Response Fruits and vegetables with the lowest glycemic index include apples, apricots, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, cherries, cucumber, grapefruit, green beans, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, plums, spinach, strawberries, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Moderate-GI produce includes cantaloupe, grapes, oranges, orange juice, peaches, peas, pineapple, yams, and watermelon....

Even though today’s the last day to score big during the Prime Early Access Sale, there is so much in store, so you’ll need to start shopping before the deals end by 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. Sure, the 48-hour sale is exclusive to Prime members, truly anyone can shop and save. The benefit of signing up for a Prime membership? You’ll gain access to select unique sales, Prime Video, and of course, that coveted free two-day shipping....

There are lots of different approaches to decorating the Christmas tree. Alternative Christmas trees are increasingly popular, and people have their pick of a live Christmas tree, an artificial one, or a colored one—even upside-down Christmas trees have become popular for people with smaller spaces (or kids and pets who mess with their Christmas tree). Whatever your personal style, your holiday personality, your budget, and your space constraints, we have some great holiday decorating ideas for you....

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Buy It: Lodge Bakers Skillet ($21, Target) Buy It: Our Table Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($38, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Nordic Ware Springform Pan ($14, Target) Buy It: Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet ($25, Walmart) Buy It: Lugano Fondue Pot ($120, Williams Sonoma) Related Video

Books are some of the best Christmas gifts around, but spending time reading together is its own gift. If you’re looking for a great Christmas book to read with children, look no further than our list of timeless Christmas books. Some of these books are true classics (and the sources of more than a few Christmas quotes), while others are more contemporary stories about Christmas, winter, and the holidays that little ones are sure to love....

The entire holiday season is filled with opportunities for creative gift exchanges, from your tried-and-true office Secret Santa to that boozy bash with good friends where no one can remember the White Elephant rules. (Get those White Elephant gift ideas ready now.) With the following gift exchange ideas and tips, gift giving will feel joyful again. Let our team of elves—including holiday party planners, etiquette experts, and Real Simple readers—enlighten you with innovative strategies to make any party or early-morning frenzy more memorable....

Below are some guidelines for picking out the most productive WFH spot, lighting it properly, and finding a desk and chair combo that will keep you comfortable. Keep these four tips—and two common mistakes—in mind to build a better workspace. If you have kids at home, depending upon their ages and the level of supervision they need, you may have to coordinate your workspace so you can keep an eye on them....

After the Mexican Civil War in 1915, many Mexican people came to the United States and settled in the southern states. When they came to America, they brought with them their customs, traditions, and holidays—including Cinco de Mayo. So the American people began celebrating Cinco de Mayo alongside their Mexican neighbors, but oftentimes they didn’t really understand what they were celebrating; to them it was just a fun celebration of Mexican culture....

Sure, you can always gift experiences, like tickets to a show or a cooking class, but if you want a more tangible, environmentally-friendly gift idea, here are a few eco-friendly gift ideas to get you started. Price at time of publish: $175 Price at time of publish: $40 Bonus: Each board is a unique work of art, as no two have the same configuration of caps. Price at time of publish: $249 Price at time of publish: $145 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $92 Price at time of publish: $83 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $499 Price at time of publish: $195 Price at time of publish: $45 They’re also sweat- and splash-proof, and sound great, too....

Ever wondered what A-list chefs like Giada De Laurentiis or Anne Burrell pick up for everyday snacking, meal prep, and feeding last-minute guests? We chatted with a few famous chefs at the 2020 South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami, Florida. They shared which items they always reach for along the aisles of their local supermarkets. Some of them are tiny, others are indulgent, and some are just plain necessary....

Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts and Browned Butter You won’t need any condiments for these mouthwatering cauliflower steaks. Hazelnuts and browned butter, cooked right alongside the cauliflower in a cast-iron skillet, are the only additions this steak needs. Plus, this veggie steak will cook up even quicker than a meaty version—the entire recipe will only take you 35 minutes! Skillet-Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Jalapeno Creamed Spinach No cauliflower steak dinner is complete without an equally delicious side....

Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $11 Price at time of publish: $149.99 Price at time of publish: $131.99 Price at time of publish: $12.99 Price at time of publish: $24.99 Related Video

My first lesson of college that year? Consult a pro when selecting complicated paint colors. To avoid future regrets, we asked some paint experts for their most popular, versatile yellow paint picks. Rest assured, these are shades of yellow you’ll want to live with for years to come. What makes this shade of yellow unique? It contains just the barest hint of green. “Slightly sunny, yet perfectly subdued, Good as Gold is a mellow mustard hue that’s absolutely perfect....

“Fall is a time for coziness, for slowing down, and for reconnecting with friends and family,” says Lauren Meichtry, founder of the home accessories brand Elsie Home. To help refresh your home for the season ahead, we talked to a few designers about the fall decorating trends they’re most excited about this year. 1. Fall Porchscapes Designer Margarita Bravo predicts porchscapes are going to be the hottest trend of the season....

Test Kitchen Tip: For a unique riff on a skillet Buffalo chicken dip, try this recipe with leftover or canned chicken instead of crab. Test Kitchen Tip: If white meat is more your style, try cooked ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken as a substitute for the chorizo. Voilà: Skillet white chicken chili dip. Related Video