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You’ve probably tried, or at least heard of, smashed potatoes. The basic premise is simple: Boil baby potatoes until tender, smash with a jar or heavy object to flatten, smother in oil and seasonings of your choice, and roast to perfection. I don’t know why it’s taken us until now to apply this cooking method to other vegetables, but TikTok users like @foodingwithfaith, @ballehurns, and @aboutthismuch are showing us how to transform Brussels sprouts into a smashed, decadent variety that rivals the beloved potato....

My wife and I are preparing to move to France this year; the selling price of our Vancouver home will buy us a lovely rural property in the Dordogne, with money left over. Although yes, we could just live off the proceeds of this sale, we both really want to keep working—me as a writer, my wife as a pianist and teacher. Here’s how we’re planning to make the move across the globe, downsize our working lives somewhat, and yet still earn money in a foreign country in our semi-retirement....

Also, remember to tape around any light fixtures or vents and cover ceiling fans. To make cutting in easier, make sure you’re using the appropriate ladder for the ceiling height. Straining to reach is not only dangerous, but it will likely result in sore muscles the next day. Pour some paint into a small bucket to keep at the top of the ladder rather than attempting to bring the entire can, which is not only heavy but could cause disaster if it spills....

The sauce, which is made in a skillet, comes together in less time than it takes to boil your pasta. Like many of the best dishes you’ll eat, it’s incredibly easy. Still, there are a few things to know when it comes to nailing the technique. Choose a long pasta. Though cacio e pepe can be made with any pasta shape, the best variety for the dish is a long pasta that will twirl through and catch onto the lusciously creamy sauce....

1. Insulate Pipes Any exposed pipe that runs along a wall or is in an unheated area (a basement or a crawl space, for example) is a potential hazard. The water inside can freeze and cause the pipe to burst when temperatures drop below 32 F. “It’s easy to protect them with pipe insulation,” says Lou Manfredini, the host of HouseSmarts. “Get it at the hardware store—it looks like a giant piece of spaghetti with a slit....

One or Two Days Store bananas in a paper bag, says Lori Taylor, a produce expert and the founder of theproducemoms.com. As bananas mature, they emit ethylene, a gaseous hormone that quickens ripening. When you contain them in a bag, they’re exposed to more ethylene, so the process goes quicker. Overnight Ripening Add a piece of fruit, like an apple, avocado, or pear, to the bag. These fruits also emit ethylene and will hasten the process....

That being said, what if we told you there were a few simple steps to scoring even better deals on your groceries from TJ’s? Try them next time you restock your supply of Everything but the Bagel Seasoning or Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. The freezer aisle is packed with extremely affordable meals, like chicken gyoza potstickers. And don’t skip the specialty cheese and wine sections. The selection of high-quality cheeses is stellar and comes without the crazy markup of other gourmet grocers—and who doesn’t love a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck or other wines under $10 a bottle?...

But there’s one thing that deters many of us from popping a bottle of bubbly over regular red or white: the price. Because sparkling is the go-to style of wine for celebrating, it’s easy to think that the cost has to match the occasion (i.e. big bucks). Worse, many assume that affordable styles of sparkling wine will give you an aching migraine. Sure, there are plenty of pricey bottles of sparkling wine out there, but according to Rachael Lowe, the beverage director at Spiaggia and Maddon’s Post in Chicago, this is a very short-sighted assumption....

For guidance, we asked four industry experts who know mortgages, the housing sector, and smart money planning to walk through the important steps you can take now to become a homeowner. How the economic climate impacts homeownership The current housing market is daunting and for potential homebuyers in their twenties, many of whom are saddled by student debt, things can be even more discouraging. According to a recent study by Rocket Mortgage, of the 86....

Impulse buying is mostly emotional, and usually the result of some form of distress. This could be issues around self-esteem, anxiety, sadness, or even boredom. “Impulse buying gives us a little spike of dopamine, which is rewarding and motivating,” says Alexandra Emery, a licensed psychologist at Grit City Psychology in Seattle. Emery recommends checking in with yourself before making a spontaneous purchase to see if you’re suppressing any negative emotions....

How to Store Tomatoes If the tomatoes are not yet ripe, they are best stored on the counter for a few days until they ripen. (You’ll know they’re ripe when they’re fragrant and give a little bit to the touch.) Once they’re ripe, either consume them or go ahead and put them in the refrigerator to preserve their freshness. A ripe tomato can stay fresh in the refrigerator for about two weeks....

Curious if this would be one of them, I decided to give these magical iron particles a whirl. The science is intriguing but simple: “These masks rely on the clarifying benefit of a microcurrent created by the iron particles when the magnetic tool is hovered overtop,” says Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Conn. “Debris within the pore follows the gentle ‘pull’ to deep clean and allows for products applied afterwards to better penetrate....

Top IKEA Shopping Tips If needed, make an inspiration trip and a separate buying trip. IKEA’s layout is meant to be a journey, so on your first trip, you can meander through the showroom, take pictures, and get ideas. Then, shortcut to the marketplace and pick up a few essentials, like bath towels and cutting boards. For your second trip (or third or fourth trip), come back for the big buys....

At Real Simple, we’re all about clearing clutter. We’re a little biased when it comes to kitchen appliances (because what’s better than slicing through tomatoes with a brand new knife?), but let’s face it: many of them overlap in their cooking capabilities. And generally speaking, less is more. We’d hate for you to unintentionally splurge on two tools that accomplish the same task, or to buy a new appliance only to find out you already own something similar....

Speaking of energy levels, many of us cannot leave the house without a cup (or two) of coffee. We rely on it to bring us back to life in the morning, which is all fun and games until we started wondering, Should we really be sipping this stuff before we work out in the a.m.? Indeed, if you’ve ever questioned whether a strenuous spin class or should-be-zen yoga session could be tampered with by starting with a piping hot cup of acidic coffee, you’re not alone....

When to seek medical attention So when does hair loss reach a point of concern? “A person will generally know how much hair they see fall out in their brush or in the shower on a daily basis,” says Gretchen Friese, certified trichologist for BosleyMD. “If you’re losing way more hair than usual or if the hair is coming out in clumps, that would be considered abnormal or excessive.” If you’ve been going through an unprecedented hair loss phase, you’re not alone....

Arriving just in time for spring, the new home line is filled with vibrant colors and unique patterns and features four bold floral prints. You can choose from sheet sets and duvet covers and shams to spruce up your summer-time bedding. If it’s warm weather entertaining you’re looking forward to, consider the line of tablecloths, placemats, and napkins that add a fresh character to the table. There’s even an array of gifts available like sleep masks, puzzles, and note cards that make great gifts for Easter or Mother’s Day....

The recall affects an extremely wide range of food products, categories, and brands. Items include Haug Taco Trays, Fresh Thyme Taco Dip, Tastebuds Taco Platters and Taco Dips, Kwik Trip Taco Dips, Earthgrown Mini Taco Dips, Caribou Turkey Sandwiches, and more. You can find the full list of products, including UPC codes and code dates, below. The recalled products were distributed in a range of retail stores across the country....