If this rings true, you’re in good company. There’s a growing trend of people across the country who are choosing to drink less alcohol in general but aren’t necessarily seeking out traditional versions of sobriety with full abstention from all substances. Enter: the “California Sober” mindset. We’re exploring what it is, why it’s so popular, and whether or not this lifestyle is right for you. What Does California Sober Mean?...
Which made us wonder: Extra ingredients (cheese, butter, or heavy cream) and cooking method set aside…are potatoes good for you? To answer this question, we checked in with Peggy Kotsopolous, RHN, a Certified Health Educator that serves as the nutritionist for The Little Potato Company. If you’re a potato lover, we have some good news for you. Here are some surprising health benefits of potatoes and how you can prepare them in a healthy way....
You get what you pay for when it comes to amaryllis, so buying the largest bulbs will yield the most flowers. If you see that a bulb company is selling “double-nosed” or “triple-nosed” bulbs, you can look forward to two or three stalks and at least four flowers per stalk. You can grow your amaryllis bulbs shallowly potted in soil or resting in tall “forcing vases” with roots dangling into water or onto damp pebbles....
Especially if you’re planning to complete any DIY electrical work, such as repairing or replacing a switch or adding a new light fixture, it’s important to know the basics of how these switches control your electricity. By taking the time to learn how your switch wiring system works, you can reduce your risk of electric shock or fire when working with switches. Check out our comprehensive guide below to learn the ins and outs of light switch wiring, including information on power-through and end-line switches....
If you want to buy a house, you’re going to need to figure out all this mortgage mumbo-jumbo, and no better time than the present. Read on for five things you need to figure out before you start your home search, and you’ll be set when it’s time to start talking to mortgage lenders. Just remember: If it all seems overwhelming, a financial planner (or a money-savvy friend or family member) can help guide you through the process....
Luckily, with a few sprucing secrets, you can help even the straggliest of fake trees look full. After fluffing the branches, adding fresh garlands, and making your tree smell like pine, don’t be surprised if your guests mistake your faux tree for the real deal. Alternatively, opt for pine picks or sprays of artificial greenery attached to a metal stem in a color that matches your tree. Intersperse them evenly to give the tree a balanced look, and make sure the metal stem is well hidden within the tree branches....
Related Video
A good hairstyle can inspire your whole look, or in some cases, be the look itself. Here you’ll find the how-tos for 12 easy Halloween hairstyles. Let them influence you to dive into DIY costume-making headfirst (so to speak). First, apply mousse to damp hair and blow-dry, tousling with your fingers. Next, using a 3-barrel curling wand, like Beachwaver Midnight Rose 3B Waver ($89; ulta.com), clamp, hold, and release strands of hair to create crimpy waves....
Buy It: Lodge Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven ($40, Walmart) P.S.: If you’re looking for an Irish beef stew, try this recipe. While traditional Irish stews are made with lamb, this has the same essential ingredients, just with beef. Dry mustard and allspice amplify the flavors in this savory beef and vegetable stew. All of the above, plus tomato sauce, beef broth, and aromatic vegetables make this taste like you spent far more than 25 minutes of prep time to execute....
Because here’s the thing: When you smell someone’s scent, it can take over their personality and become a defining element of their identity. Fragrance is something so…intimate that it quite literally becomes a part of you. That’s why picking a signature fragrance isn’t something to be selected lightly. Unfortunately, picking out your everyday fragrance isn’t as easy as going to the beauty counter and aimlessly spraying, which is more likely to leave you with a pounding headache than your ideal scent....
Test Kitchen Tip: A lot of curry pastes contain fish, so check the label before you buy to ensure it’s vegetarian. Related Video
Buy It: Instant Pot Duo ($130, Williams Sonoma) Test Kitchen Tip: To save your lasagna for another night, prepare the recipe until baking. Cover the pan with foil and chill for up to 24 hours. Then bake as directed. Buy It: Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles ($3, Target) Buy It: Pyrex 3-Quart Dish with Cover ($16, Bed Bath & Beyond) Related Video
Related Video
Buy It: Monari Balsamic Vinegar ($4, Target) Buy It: Power XL Air Fryer ($120, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: For even more smoky flavor, peel back corn husks and remove silks a few minutes before serving, then brush with some of the butter. Return to grill and grill 5 minutes more or until lightly browned. Related Video
Related Video
Buy It: Ninja Food Processor ($150, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Good Cook Muffin Pan ($4, Target) Buy It: Ninja Professional Blender ($89, Walmart) Buy It: Ball Quilted Crystal Jars ($12, Target) Related Video
Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 1 month Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 1 month Freeze: Up to 1 month Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 1 month Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 3 months Freeze: Up to 2 weeks...
Some Thanksgiving crafts make great centerpieces, place card holders, and table runners, while others are less purposeful and more about the activity than the final product. No matter what kind of DIY you’re looking for, our collection of easy crafts works for kids and adults alike. Our guides include supply lists and pictures, so you know exactly what the final product is supposed to look like. Use them as vehicles for your Thanksgiving quotes and Thanksgiving wishes, or simply add crafting to your household’s list of Thanksgiving activities or games....
Buy It: Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper ($12, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton Nonstick 3-Tier Cooling Rack ($25, Walmart) Test Kitchen Tip: Decorate with something that gives a nod to the flavors inside. Think crushed almonds for almond-cherry, chopped peanut butter-filled candy-coated pieces for peanut, or chocolate sprinkles for cocoa overload. Test Kitchen Tip: Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes or until dough is firm enough to handle. Use waxed paper to help shape the roll without any mess....
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 10 inches tall Buy It: Thyme Plant ($13, The Home Depot) This spreading perennial isn’t prone to invasiveness. Still, it can get a little exuberant when grown in optimal conditions with lots of moisture. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 12 inches tall Buy It: Sweet Woodruff Seeds ($8, Etsy) Name: Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’ Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: 6 inches tall Buy It: Brass Buttons ($16, Walmart) Growing Conditions: Full shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: 8 inches tall Buy It: Purple Chablis Dead Nettle ($28, The Home Depot) Just beware, this perennial can quickly get out of hand so it’s best grown where it can be controlled, such as in a bed bordered on all sides by concrete or other hardscaping....
