For over three decades, Doug oversaw the production of garden and outdoor living content for Better Homes and Gardens, Special Interest Publications, BHG.com, and Books. At one point, his group was producing 25 gardening publications per year in addition to the monthly magazine and books.Doug has won a wide range of horticultural awards including the B.Y. Morrison Communication award from the American Horticultural Society.E-commerce websites were in their infancy when Doug helped launch Garden....

This flavorful tart is the star of any dinner party as a veggie main or sliced into small squares for a bite-sized appetizer. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to explore different types of eggplant at the farmer’s market. Za’atar is a classic Middle Eastern spice blend of sumac (a citrusy, dried berry), sesame seeds, and other herbs like oregano, thyme, and marjoram. Basically, it’s a shortcut to amazing flavor on any dish....

What does gochujang taste like? So, what does gochujang taste like? To compare it with two popular sauces that almost always comes up in the same breath, gochujang is like the love child of sriracha and miso—spicy like the former, pungent like the latter—with a hint of sweetness. You could probably guess this from the color and flavor, but chilies (specifically, a type of dried chile powder called gochugaru) are one of the main ingredients, along with salt, glutinous rice (aka sticky rice), and fermented soybeans....

Before you break out your rake or leaf blower, however, you might want to consider your alternatives. Usually, when you collect and bag the leaves in your yard, they end up in the dump. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaves and other yard debris account for 34.7 million tons of waste per year in the U.S., about 13.3% of all solid waste in the country. The EPA also notes that yard waste generates methane gas, which pollutes the air we breathe, and acids that can leach into the ground, polluting soil and water....

For the most part, Facebook charity fundraisers are a safe and effective way to give to causes you care about. Here’s what happens when you make a donation through the social media platform, and ways to ensure your money gets to the right place. Understand the types of Facebook fundraisers. Money raised through Facebook fundraisers goes to one of two places—birthday fundraisers, which benefit bona fide charities (there are more than 750,000 nonprofits on the platform); or personal causes, from vet care for a sick pet to college tuition—so you might want to be cautious about where your donations end up....

Generally, once cut, all pies should be wrapped and refrigerated. But if you’re baking your pie ahead of time, there are a few things to consider. Here’s how long you can store homemade pumpkin pie, how the rules change for store-bought pies, and how to tell if pumpkin pie has gone bad. How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last on the Counter? Whether you’ve baked your pumpkin pie using the filling from a can or from a fresh pumpkin, the rules are the same....

The Importance of Chewing for Proper Digestion Contrary to popular belief, the digestion process doesn’t start in the stomach; it begins in the mouth. The first step of digestion is chewing, which both reduces the size of food and activates the salivary glands to secrete more saliva, according to Johanna P. Salazar, MS, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Healing Nutrition. Saliva contains enzymes like amylase and lipase, which break down carbs and fats, respectively....

Some studies have even linked social media use to increased depression, negative body image, poor sleeping habits, and high anxiety, according to Judy ‘JJ’ Jackson Winston, MSSA, LISW-S, Esq, a licensed independent social worker and author. If you find that you feel anxious or down after spending time scrolling, posting, liking, commenting, or reading comments, you may need to shift your Instagram habits—and possibly some Instagram settings—to help keep your mood on a more even keel....

Some older dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, which are similar to garbage disposals. However, the majority of modern dishwashers, including the most common models from Whirlpool, GE, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Samsung, Bosch, Kenmore, and LG, have manual dishwasher filters that you have to remove and clean yourself. If you’re unsure of your dishwasher filter type, check your owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Cleaning your dishwasher filter is an easy maintenance task that will help your appliance’s performance....

How to Clean Baking Sheets: 5 Must-Try Cleaning Solutions These methods show you how to clean baking sheets with DIY cleaning solutions starring baking soda, vinegar, and peroxide. Plus, learn which store-bought cleaners and tools work best. How to Clean Baking Sheets with Baking Soda A no-scrub solution is one of the easiest and best ways to clean baking sheets. What You Need Baking sodaBoiling waterSoft clothMild dish soapDry cloth...

How to Clean Painted Walls The first thing you should consider when washing painted walls is the finish. If needed, reference our handy guide to paint finishes. Whether the finish is glossy or flat will determine how scrubbing will affect the look of the wall. How to Clean Walls with Flat Paint Duller paint finishes, including flat, satin, and eggshell finishes, are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat painted walls....

Knowing how to do squats using your legs and not your back will translate into better workout performance and real-life functionality. Also among the benefits of squats is that they’re one of the most time-effective moves for shaping and strengthening your entire lower body, especially your backside. Since it engages all the major muscle groups of the lower body at once, you can actually squat your way to being an improved runner, tennis player, or dancer....

A tax checklist is great advice for anyone. Here are some things to consider as you build—and check off—your own list this tax season, although always review your circumstances with your financial advisor if you have one. What to Ask a Tax Preparer Amber Gray-Fenner, owner of Tax Therapy, urges taxpayers to ask about a tax preparer’s qualifications and practice. That includes inquiring about their overall level of experience, their staffing, and the volume of work the office does....

Persimmons are easy to grow in milder climates. Once established, they’re very low-maintenance trees. Along with their disease resistance and drought tolerance, persimmons make excellent trees for small gardens. What’s more, persimmons can easily be grown from seed and will begin to set fruit within six years. Types of Persimmon Species You may be most familiar with the East Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) aka the Japanese Persimmon, which is sometimes sold in groceries stores....

Reader question: I got a permanent color done professionally two months ago, but my hair is already a different color from when I left the salon. Why is this happening? —Dara Moynes In an ideal world, the hair color that you walk out with at the salon would be the hair color that stays at home. Alas in the real world, hair color fades, which means that it oxidizes and changes over time....

Stock up on winter greenery and seasonal accents to decorate the prettiest Christmas front door on the block. We used faux branches, but you can use the same directions to build a swag from real evergreen. Supplies Needed Long-needle teardrop-shape swag with pinecones2 large faux mixed pine spraysFlorists wireWire snipsPinecones (optional, depending on how many pinecones your swag has)1-2/3 yards of 2-inch-wide wire-edge red ribbonScissorsFaux red berries on stemsFaux eucalyptus stemsHot-glue gun and glue sticks...

If you’ve never learned how to make cobbler before, this is an excellent opportunity to utilize your favorite fresh seasonal fruits (frozen fruit works, too!) and create a warm, delicious dessert masterpiece. Get your ice cream ready—you’ll want a giant scoop to go with your fresh-from-the-oven seasonal cobbler. How to Make Cobbler To get started, you’ll pick a great fruit cobbler recipe (we’ve got some tasty recommendations), then follow our Test Kitchen’s easy process to make a sweet cobbler filling and crust....

How to Make Corn Bread Our Test Kitchen’s easy corn bread recipe is a great place to start if you want to learn how to make corn bread moist and fluffy. That’s the recipe we’re using in this guide, but you can use your favorite recipe. Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Your Pan Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt....

We’ll teach you how to make pulled pork in the oven, smoker, slow-cooker, and on the stovetop. Then, you can enjoy a juicy pulled pork sandwich for any occasion, such as tailgates, family reunions, and even weeknight dinners. Use Pork Shoulder to Make Pulled Pork Before you roll up your sleeves to learn how to make pulled pork, memorize these two critical words: pork shoulder. No matter how you plan to use the pulled pork—in sandwiches, casseroles, tacos, stews, or even lettuce wraps—the key to the most tender meat is to start with a cut with ample marbling and connective tissue....

Varieties of Parrot Tulip Uncle Tom Tulip Double-flowered tulips stand out because their blooms are packed with petals. Some have so many petals that they are referred to as peony-flowered tulips for their resemblance to those flowers. Bloom time depends on type; some bloom in early spring and others bloom late. Regardless of when they show off their flowers, the blossoms last a long time because the flowers have so much substance....