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That being said, some popular protein and granola bars aren’t much better than eating a Snickers, nutritionally speaking. They’re often filled with sugar and artificial ingredients; others are so filling they can outweigh your entire lunch. (Unless you’re hiking up a mountain, you can probably skip the meal replacement bars.) But in a crowded marketplace with endless imposters posing as nutritious, picking a real-deal healthy snack bar—particularly one that doesn’t taste like cardboard—is daunting at best....

The collection was also inspired by a growing home decor trend. “There is a newfound appreciation of vintage-inspired color and aesthetic,” Ashley Banbury, senior color designer for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams says. “Designers and DIYers are bringing vintage-inspired décor and details into the home as a way to bring a sense of comfort.” As the variation of the collection shows—ranging from deep purple to a soft, sage-tinted gray—there’s no one way to do vintage decor, and the colors can look as modern or as timeless as your interiors....

As Jordan tried to cope with the disappointment, her mother, Angela, a special education paraprofessional, sought to come up with something to brighten her days. “These kids are missing out on a lot, and their memories will forever be what happens now,” Angela says. “I was just thinking about what could be done to help with that. Sometimes having an outside source praising them is a big deal and makes a bigger impact....

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....

And real talk, we’re all probably taking in a lot more caffeine than we realize. The average cup of coffee is around 100 milligrams of caffeine per serving, soda is typically 50 milligrams, and energy drinks contain as much as 250 milligrams per serving. Even a chocolate bar can have more than 30 milligrams of caffeine. According to Roshini Malaney, DO, a board-certified cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York City, everyone metabolizes—or breaks down—caffeine differently....

You may think you’re a diligent cleaner: Your home is always tidy; you clean your surfaces every day using organic and/or all-natural products; you dust; and you even vacuum every few days. Yes, it appears things may be on the up and up—until you learn what’s lurking in your vacuum cleaner. That vacuum cleaners need their own cleaning attention is nothing new. According to a 2013 study published in the journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vacuum cleaners that haven’t been properly cleaned have the potential to disseminate mold and bacteria inside your home....

Continue the Tour: Check out the beautiful primary bedroom in the Real Simple Home (psst…you’re not going to want to miss the gorgeous feature wall!). Go Bold with a Moody Wall Color The first thing you notice when you step into the office (see it up-close in the 360° video tour) is the dramatic paint color. The surefire way to give any room a fresh new look is to brush an unexpected color on the walls....

For more campfire recommendations, visit realsimple.com/campfire.

Enter: duck, a bird similar yet completely different. Duck is richer than chicken. It has something similar to the mineral, steaky quality of read meat. It also has a thick, fatty skin that crisps beautifully and renders fat that provides an ingredient you can use to crisp other foods, like potatoes. Zooming out to the big picture, cooking duck feels special. If you’re new to duck, here’s how to approach the two easiest and most widely available cuts: whole animal and breast....

The key here is to make sure your wine is 100% submerged in the ice water. If the top of your bottle of bubbly is sticking out in the open air, the first glass or two will still be warm. Another smart trick is to wrap your bottle with plastic wrap to protect the label (otherwise you’ll be staring at a soggy picture of Napa on a pricey bottle of Chardonnay)....

“A dirty mattress can be a hub of bacteria, as mattresses can accumulate dust mites, bacteria, mold, dead skin, dirt, and different allergens over time,” notes Kathy Cohoon, a cleaning professional at Two Maids and a Mop. Michael Rubino, a cleaning expert and founder of HomeCleanse, adds that keeping your mattress clean not only improves your well-being and sleep quality, but it can even improve the lifespan of the mattress and promote better indoor air quality....

How to Buy a Turkey The best way to shop for a turkey is to look for one that weighs between 12 and 14 pounds. Within this weight range, your turkey is big enough to feed about eight guests with a ton of leftovers. If you’re planning on cooking a larger bird for a bigger gathering, don’t go above 15 pounds. In this case, it’s better to roast two smaller birds, which will guarantee evenly cooked and succulent perfection all around....

The History of the Chignon The origins of this simple yet sophisticated style can be traced back to ancient Greece; it was also popular during the Victorian era, and again during World War II. These days, it’s a staple look on the red carpet, but is also a style that can easily be recreated at home, and is amazingly versatile. “It’s a classic style that’s constantly evolving and modernizing,” says Leonardo Manetti, master stylist at Rob Peetoom Salon Williamsburg....

Before starting to cut your bangs, gather your supplies: You’re going to need a comb, a couple of large hair clips, and a pair of sharp, pointed stainless steel scissors that are about 6.5 inches long. “The craft scissors that your kids cut paper with aren’t going to cut it, literally, and neither are tiny cuticles scissors,” says Carrion. (You can get a good, inexpensive pair online or at a drugstore....

What You Need Wrapped giftCurling ribbonTapeScissors Follow These Steps 1. Measure out the length and cut the ribbon. Use curling ribbon—the serrated type found in card shops, craft stores, and some supermarkets. To measure out the amount of ribbon you need, loosely wrap ribbon around the box about six times. Cut the ribbon, then gently slide it off the box, holding it looped together like a lasso. 2. Tie a knot in center of the lasso....

What Is Black Garlic? Black garlic is garlic that’s been kept in a consistently warm and humid environment over a long period of time. This results in dark, rich, jelly-like cloves that are capable of adding a serious punch of umami to any dish. Undergoing the Maillard reaction—a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars that results in the browning of a food—garlic transforms from a pungent, spicy allium to a mild, sweet, tangy ingredient similar to balsamic vinegar or tamarind....

To bring a tunneled candle back to life, pop the candle in a 175-degree oven for about five minutes. The distributed low heat helps melt the wax, making it smooth and level across the top again. Pro tip: Keep candles away from walls, because heat or soot can leave an unsightly black mark. Instead, use a candle snuffer—like Madala Candle Snuffer ($7; amazon.com)—to extinguish the flame. Snuffing keeps the wick in place, prevents that post-burning smell, and eliminates dangers associated with blowing on hot wax....

Reader question: My lashes are ruined from years of lash extensions. How can I make my lashes grow faster? - Laura Irene If you weren’t inherently blessed by the eyelash gods, maintaining long lashes can feel like a perpetually uphill battle. Sure, you can resort to eyelash extensions or falsies, but that only increases the chance of your actual lashes snapping off, not to mention the ensuing dryness that contributes to more breakage....

Rare—120°-125°F Medium Rare—130°-135°F Medium—140°F-145°F Medium Well—150°F-155°F Well Done—160°F-165°F Seared Steak Recipes Once you nail the basics of searing steak, you can build flavor with sauces and rubs, like our classic Pan Seared Steak Au Poivre or add a Cocoa and Espresso Rub. Seared steak is the perfect base for Seared Steak with Cauliflower Puree or served alongside Sesame Steak Fries.