I ordered two weeks’ worth of meals to see whether the subscription service would have a positive impact on my eating habits and daily routine. Not only did I judge each entree’s taste, but I also rated the meals on ease of preparation, quality of ingredients, overall price, and packaging, among other things. Scroll down for my detailed review of Green Chef. My overall rating for Green Chef: 7 out of 10 Pros:...
Scientific studies in the mid-1900s showed a link between high-fat diets and heart disease. Under the guidance of their doctors, many Americans began to move toward lower-fat diets—even people who weren’t at high risk for heart disease. As a result, by the late ’80s, the low-fat diet became almost an ideology, with devotees subsisting on fat-free yogurt, margarine, and carbohydrates. Since then, further research and study have shown that there’s a lot more nuance to the role that dietary fats play in our overall health....
We now know that a loofah isn’t only bad for your skin, but it could cause some rather scary-sounding infections as well. To find out why it’s not a good idea to shower with a loofah—and what you should be using instead—we talked to Gretchen W. Frieling, MD, a board-certified dermatopathologist in Boston. What Is a Loofah? A true all-natural loofah is a bath product made out of a dried tropical gourd....
So how do you make the switch when you punch out for the day? And what activities should you try to give yourself a break? The answers lie in neuroscience. We talked with experts to learn more about what stress and daily workloads do to the brain—and what you can do to give your mind the restorative break it needs. What happens to your brain when it’s stressed at work?...
The study followed two groups of adults, 55 and older, who suffered from a self-reported moderate amount of sleep disturbances. Half of participants were assigned at random to participate in a mindfulness meditation intervention. Those in the meditation group took a six-week class that focused on teaching them to track what they were feeling, both physically and mentally, from moment to moment. The other half of participants took a six-week sleep education program, which taught proper sleep hygiene....
Consider This Before spouting off different numbers, let’s think about this for a second. We all know you’re supposed to wash undergarments (underwear, socks, etc.) after every wear, but since pajamas are only worn indoors and usually when you’re clean (post-shower), it seems wasteful to wash them after every wear. And for city dwellers who don’t have a washer and dryer in-unit, washing pajamas every day is just plain impractical. On the flip side, we also have to consider how dirty pajamas get, even if you’re not going out....
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple strategies, your holidays can be super-festive and fun—but also be eco-conscious at the same time. “We need to be creative and find ways to make this holiday less wasteful,” says Lea d’Auriol, founder of Oceanic Global. “There are now sustainable alternatives to nearly every item you may typically buy during the holidays, so start swapping!” Reduce your gifting carbon footprint Get a gift they’re guaranteed to love Encourage kids (or adults) on your shopping list to create a very specific wish list, whether the old-form written variety or using an online registry like MyRegistry....
True Parmesan cheese is Parmigiano-Reggiano. This unpasteurized, cow’s milk cheese has been made for centuries. By law, Parmigiano-Reggiano can only be made in one sector of the Italian region Emilia-Romagna. Here, farmers and cheesemakers do things the way they have been done since at least the Renaissance. Wheels that can surpass 80 pounds slowly age on long shelves in warehouse-like rooms, with the cheesemakers flipping wheels for even aging. Each year, millions of wheels become ready for export....
Is Thread Count That Important? Yes and no. Thread count is often used as a barometer of the bed sheets’ smoothness and durability. However, this measurement—which should refer to the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric—isn’t always reliable. High thread count is a factor, but the type of cotton can be more significant. What’s The Best-Quality Cotton? Cotton is the best material for bed sheets. Top of the line is 100 percent Egyptian cotton....
“Leave-in treatments, oils, heat protectants, and hairsprays are often left on the plates from the heat—almost as if you are baking the product residue onto the plates,” explains Nick Stenson, celebrity hair stylist and artistic director for L’Oréal-Matrix. “After time, they can also build up and you can visibly see the discoloration on the plates.” When you use a dirty flat iron or hair straightener, this icky residue can transfer onto your hair....
RELATED: The Best Places to Buy Affordable Rugs Online Small Natural Rugs (Cotton or Wool) Wash colorfast rugs by hand with a mild detergent, using a soft brush or a sponge. Rinse thoroughly with water mixed with a small amount of white vinegar to remove residue. Roll it inside a thick towel, then stand on it to remove as much moisture as you can. Hang the rug so it dries as quickly as possible....
For a Single Slice, Zap It When you just need a salad topper or breakfast side, a microwave lets you walk away while the slice cooks. Line a microwave-safe plate with three paper towels. Add 1 slice of bacon and top with three more paper towels. Invert another microwave-safe plate on top to create a spatter-catching lid. For chewier bacon, cook on medium power for 5 minutes. For a crispy slice, microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes....
What You Need SaucepanCouscousOlive oil or butterSaltWaterDinner forkWooden spoon Follow These Steps
To navigate the complicated world of kitchen design, we reached out to Delia Kenza, the Brooklyn-based interior designer behind the kitchen at the 2021 Real Simple Home. Here’s her best advice for avoiding common kitchen design mistakes and creating a regret-proof kitchen you’ll love. Let your lifestyle be your guide. “The kitchen layout is very personal and will vary from person to person—plan for your lifestyle,” says Kenza. Think about how you truly use this space, rather than getting aspirational or letting purely aesthetic choices guide the way....
The trick to applying flawless winged eyeliner is to reserve plenty of time for it—and to break the process down into a few simple, manageable steps. It’s less overwhelming this way and makes it easier to fix mistakes as you go along. (If you’re trying this for the first time, a slip-up is inevitable.) With our foolproof guide and a little practice, winged eyeliner will become a regular in your beauty repertoire....
Reasons Bangs Separate According to Michelle Cleveland, a hairstylist, and owner of Hair Addict Salon, when bangs part in the middle, it can be for a few reasons. The first is because you naturally have a cowlick at the hairline. “The second reason bangs separate in the middle is because they are not heavy enough,” she says. “If you do not take the bang area as far back as it should be when creating it, then this area will be light and separate more easily,” which is why she highly recommends going to a professional to cut and trim your bangs....
Sourdough is what the first bakers made. If you feel intimidated, remember this: People have made it since long before we knew what yeasts were, since before we had today’s modern advantages of packaged organic flour, digital scales, and tap water. Yes, it’s a project. But it’s something you can totally do. It just takes a little time and patience—roughly half an hour of work spread over four to seven days....
This philosophy applies to sugar cookies, too. Why spend hours piping out the most painstakingly perfect snow-dusted pine tree if it isn’t even edible? Enter tie dye icing. Enjoy decorated cookies that look more high-maintenance than they are. Bonus: They are nearly impossible to screw up. Here’s how to execute the cutest tie dye sugar cookies. After you’ve mixed the dough and rolled it out, choose any style of cookie cutter you like and cut into shapes....
