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Prevention Can Be the Best Protection Self-defense actually starts before needing to react to the worst-case scenario—with self-awareness and preventive strategies. The first step is paying attention to your surroundings, says Teri Jory, PhD, fourth-degree black belt and creator of DFWM (Don’t F*** With Me) Self Defense Training. That means only walking and parking in well-lit areas. Keep your keys (with a safety whistle, defense spray, or safety necklace, if you desire) easily accessible as you approach your car or front door....

Yes, painting your home takes time and money, but you could get significant returns based on the colors you choose. As a rule of thumb, light, neutral colors are the way to go because color choice is highly subjective. “Everyone’s ideas of what they want and like—in colors, moods, and energy—are very different,” explains David Bluhm, co-founder of Plunk, an app that helps homeowners increase their home equity through improvements....

An initial bill proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives—one that sought to cut $17.5 billion in SNAP benefits, according to Robert Campbell, Policy Director at Feeding America, and increase labor burdens on parents, among other changes that will negatively impact millions of individuals—failed to pass, but new Farm Bills will be proposed, debated, and voted on in the House and Senate over the coming months as the September deadline nears....

Yet as the owner of the Seattle-based plant store Urban Sprouts, I’ve come across too many people with an outright fear of plants. “Can’t grow a thing,” they’ll tell me. “I can kill a plant just by looking at it.” I must disagree, and that’s why I wrote The Inspired Houseplant ($17; amazon.com), a guidebook for even those who aren’t great at caring for plants. While it’s true that certain types of plants are better suited to certain owners, the beauty, joy, and health that plants bring are accessible to everyone....

The worldwide sale starts today, October 11, and continues through tomorrow, October 12. While this isn’t a “second Prime Day,” as some outlets have referred to it, the sale features tons of deals on shopper-loved and best-selling products at prices unheard of outside of Black Friday—giving you “early access” to those discounts. Car Cache Purse Holder, $13 (was $20) Roam Bike Phone Mount, $13 with coupon (was $25) Satina High-Waisted Fleece-Lined Leggings, $13 (was $15) Care Touch Lens Wipes for Eyeglasses, $13 (was $17) Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags, $15 (was $19) ​​BergKoch Splatter Screen for Frying Pan, $8 (was $11) Greenco Clear Stackable Organizer Containers, $13 (was $15) Serene Evolution 18-Sound Portable White Noise Machine, $15 (was $20) Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $13 (was $16) Mixology & Craft Whiskey Stones, $12 (was $15) Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats, $12 (was $30) Rak Extendable Magnetic Flashlight, $15 (was $30) Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer, $14 (was $15) iPrimio Mighty X Double Sided Carpet Tape, $13 (was $16) Aulett Home Bacon Grease Container With Strainer, $13 (was $25) Sailead Sun Visor Extender for Car, $14 (was $18) Holiday Spirit Mini LED Christmas Lights, $13 (was $15) Dylonic Exfoliating Brush, $12 (was $14) Tresalto Auto Trim Removal Tool Set, $10 (was $14) Greenco Countertop Bamboo Paper Towel Holder, $11 (was $14) Hate Stains Co....

If you’re unwilling to give up the beloved skincare essential, fret not—as the beauty community is becoming increasingly eco-conscious, more brands are churning out eco-friendly versions fashioned from plant-based fibers and biodegradable materials. You can wipe easy knowing not only where your beauty products come from, but where they’ll go when you’re done with them. Below, five options that let you reap all the benefits of cleansing wipes without dirtying your conscience....

Many professional chefs have taken to digital platforms to expand their fan base beyond just dine-in customers by streaming lessons on how to cook like they do. Some chefs provide recipes in advance, so you can cook along; others focus on technique, like knife skills. These online cooking class platforms can up your cooking game for little to no cost. Cooking fatigue be gone! A few suggestions: @EdenEats, @MissyARobbins, @MassimoBottura, and @GhettoGastro....

Can Opener First up is the can opener in your kitchen drawer. According to studies, most can openers harbor bacteria like salmonella and e.Coli. Here’s how to clean a can opener the right way: Toaster Crumb Tray Next, it’s time to decrumb your toaster! The standard 2- or 4-slice toaster often has a removable crumb tray. But if you don’t know about this hidden compartment, you may still be shaking your toaster upside down to remove crumbs....

On the flip side, donations can be difficult right now, with many organizations closed or switching to remote work. Plus, there are some things we would normally place at the top of our “to toss” list that we’re definitely hanging onto during quarantine. As you declutter your closet, kitchen, and bathroom, here’s what to do with the stuff you no longer need, as well as the items we’d recommend keeping, at least for right now....

“Everyone creates organic waste in their kitchen or from their yard, and funneling that waste to a landfill releases methane gas, carbon dioxide, and pollutes waterways,” explains Nate Salpeter, cofounder of Sweet Farm in Half Moon Bay, Calif. “Composting creates a renewable cycle with endless benefits for gardens, agriculture, and our entire food system.” Many neighborhoods across the nation offer composting bins where you can drop off your organic materials without having to do more than that....

The only problem when choosing the right hue for your home? Narrowing down all of the options. The subtle undertones make picking a true gray paint color even more challenging. So we asked the paint pros at major paint companies to share their bestselling and most popular grays. They also explain how each unique tone influences a space. Next time you want to repaint a room, choose one of these six expert-approved gray paint colors, and skip the painter’s remorse....

Try one (or more!) of these strategies to see if they can streamline your mornings. Brandi lets the kids help with breakfast by keeping healthy foods stocked in easy-to-access drawers and cabinets. Using kid-safe knives lets them prep their own fresh fruit and gets them invested in what they’re eating. A drawer dedicated to all of the kids’ dishes makes it easy for them to grab anything they need.

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DO think about your family’s lifestyle. “When considering renovation, my best advice to you is to think about the people in your home and how you would like the spaces to function,” says interior designer Natalie Papier. The goal should be to increase your home’s efficiency and functionality—then, once you have that figured out, think about the aesthetics of the space. DON’T lose the forest for the trees. “Some people don’t approach renovations as a whole,” warns designer Eduardo Rodriguez....

Sofia Mascotena, co-founder of bespoke travel planning company Naya Traveler, says that travelers have a lot to gain from taking self-care-focused vacations. “We’ve noticed as well, that those who embark on wellness trips have a tendency to feel inspired to stay on the wellness path long term, even planning to revisit the destination, or exploring new, unknown ones,” she says. So there are more than enough reasons to travel for self-care, the first being, quite simply, that you deserve it....