In general, it’s important to remember that anything with a high water content will considerably change texture after being frozen. For example, frozen grapes are a favorite snack, especially in the summer. But if you let those grapes defrost, they become soggy unappealing lumps. For anything with a lot of water, it’s best to freeze it only if you plan to use it in cooking—it just won’t be the same raw....
Talk to Someone With the Job You Want Are you new to the job market or looking to make a career 180? Don’t underestimate the power of an informal informational interview. “Find someone in the occupation to speak with,” suggests Deb Keary, the former vice president of human resources at the Society for Human Resource Management (shrm.org). Pick their brain: Ask what the job entails, what skills are needed, what level of education you’ll need, what professional organization you should join—and even if you can shadow the person at work for a day....
For those just learning how to start working out, resistance band exercises for beginners—paired with stretching exercises for recovery—can be a great place to start. Resistance band workouts are low-impact, which can protect joints, and resistance bands themselves are affordable, easy to find, and even easier to store. Working out with resistance bands can include a range of exercises for a variety of body parts, making it an effective workout whether you have a home gym or are using your living room as a workout space....
How to fix it: Moisturize your hair to help its charge remain neutral. But instead of reaching for thick masks and creams (which can weigh hair down), or dryer sheets (who is toting these around, anyway?), invest in a dry oil spray. These formulas are diluted versions of hair oils, so they’re lighter but still hydrating. Try OGX Renewing Argan Oil Of Morocco Weightless Healing Dry Oil ($10, ulta.com). Instead of spraying it directly onto your hair, mist it onto your hands or a brush, then run it through strands....
Watering your plants too often (or not enough) You may be tempted to water your plants every day to help them grow, but most herbs only require a drink when their topsoil feels dry to the touch. Instead of immediately busting out the watering can, literally stay in touch with your plants by feeling the soil on a daily basis. If the top soil feels slightly dry, give your herbs a drink....
The sale features markdowns on over 2 million items in categories like beauty, home, clothing, kitchen, and electronics. Here, we’ve rounded up seven of readers’ most-loved products that are on sale for Prime Day, and discounts get as steep as 55 percent off. According to our records, you’ve purchased checks notes more than 1,000 of each since January. Real Simple Reader-Loved Prime Day Deals: L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, $28 (was $30) Warner’s Easy Does It Wire-Free Bra, starting at $18 (was $38) Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner, $94 with Prime membership (was $220) Madesmart Two-Tier Organizer Baskets, $20 (was $25) Restcloud Neck and Shoulder Relaxer, $16 with Prime membership (was $30) Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Anti-Aging Hand Cream, $12 (was $17) Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion, $13 (was $17)...
“It may be that one plant attracts pollinators or deters insects, while another enhances nutrient intake. Whether you have a large plot or a small raised bed, combining certain fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs will improve your garden’s biodiversity,” explains George Pisegna, the deputy director and chief of horticulture at the Horticultural Society of New York. From tomatoes and basil to eggplant and spinach, see below for experts’ favorite companion gardening combinations, what to do with them, and a few gardening tricks....
So, instead of putting the leaves in my composter, I hit Google and found out that Brussels sprout leaves are damn delicious and nutritious. Very little is written about the leaves that accompany the small green vegetable that Americans are obsessed with. Though I did find one thing: A short blurb on the Food Network’s site saying you can bake them or saute them as you would collard greens. I got to work, picking, cleaning, and cutting the leaves....
Be careful: Never point the pressure washer at yourself or others, and make sure pets are safe inside before you get started. Then ask someone to film the process from a safe distance, because you will definitely want to document this impressive before-and-after. Bonus points: mulch! OK, mulching isn’t technically cleaning, but adding a fresh layer of mulch to the garden beds never fails to make a backyard or patio appear instantly more put-together....
Best Presidents Day Bedding Deals If it’s celebrity approval you’re looking for, you’ll want to shop Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Sheet Set. It’s a favorite of Hilary Duff’s, according to the brand. The sheets, cool to the touch and ideal for those prone to night sweats, are currently 20 percent off and as little as $255. Even though they feel as soft as silk, you can still simply toss them in the washer for an easy clean....
There’s more to it than just natural ingredients, though: Most green cleaning products also come in refillable containers, which mean less plastic use. Using them often means keeping waste out of landfills. (Anyone embarking on a zero waste lifestyle will want to invest in some glass cleaning containers.) Other eco-friendly cleaning products come in recyclable containers, so recycling them is possible and relatively easy. Transitioning to a green clean may sound challenging, but it’s really not....
This makes the weeks right after the holidays the ideal time to sort through your belongings, declutter, and donate what you no longer need. If you’re feeling the pinch of holiday overspending, decluttering can also be a smart way to clear out your home while also recovering some cash. If you’re not sure where to start, begin with the nine common clutter collectors below. You’ll head into the New Year with a home that’s calmer and tidier....
For those not yet familiar, here’s what you need to know: Parade is a sustainable underwear brand that offers comfy pieces available in a wide range of sizes, all at affordable prices. Earlier this year, the brand dropped a line of carbon-neutral, recycled undies that are entirely edgeless. I tried them out for myself and nearly forgot I was wearing them at all. Not only does Parade offer comfortable, eco-friendly underwear, but its website, like its Instagram profile, is simply refreshing....
Designed by a team based in Southern California, the Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier works to provide high-quality filtration, and it works fast. In just 12 minutes, the air purifier can rid air of 99.97 percent of particles caused by wildfires and allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander in rooms as large as 219 square feet. Once one air filtration cycle is complete, the purifier begins again, allowing up to five cycles to occur in an hour....
While I was never the biggest fan of leggings, the Syrinx High-Waisted leggings are the first I’ve found that check all the boxes for me. I previously struggled to find a pair that worked for my body type (I’m 5 feet 6 inches tall with an athletic build), and I often found myself sacrificing comfort—or having to wear sizes that were slightly off—just to get by. Not to mention, elastic waistbands that were either too tight or loose became the norm for me....
Painting accent walls or interior doors are small-scale ways to add a pop of paint to a space, but even these solutions can feel like too much sometimes. Meanwhile, painting just a door frame has the same bold impact as painting trim, but in a very small, concentrated area (and without the chore of moving all the furniture). Painting just the door frame can take minutes. Repainting it later (looking at you, renters) is a breeze....
But you don’t have to go faux just for the ethics; not only can animal-free fur be designed to minimize shedding, they provide varying levels of thickness, don’t cost a thousand dollars, and will never have that funky wet dog smell. From cropped cuties to ankle-skimming beauties, unique prints to classic neutrals, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite faux fur coats that will keep you swaddled in warmth all season long....
