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Looking at listing descriptions from 1.9 million home sales between 2016 and 2017, RealEstate.com found that entry-level homes mentioning “solar panels” sold for 40 percent more than expected. Of all the features studied, from farmhouse sinks to Jacuzzi tubs, solar panels brought in the highest sales premium for starter homes. Clearly, energy efficiency and sustainable energy are top concerns for first-time home buyers—and they’re willing to pay for it. And this investment pays off in more ways than one....

With its sharp silhouette, you wouldn’t expect GDFStudio’s Mid-Century Modern Tuft-Back Recliner to fold out. But the tufted backrest and tapered wooden legs on this modern accent chair do a good job of concealing its secret. A quick scan for reclining buttons and handles and you’ll come up empty—it’s not until you fully lean back that the footrest pops out. To buy: From $232; amazon.com. Even without puffy cushions, the chair is still comfortable, according to reviewers....

To buy: $19 (was $26); amazon.com. “I was very pleasantly surprised by these towels. They are very well made, soft, and a really great value,” wrote one five-star reviewer who added that the cotton towels got softer but didn’t shrink after washing. “My only regret is that I didn’t order them before,” another shopper said. “My old towels look so shabby compared to these.” Whether you’re shopping for towels to use everyday or a set for guests to enjoy when they visit your home, you can order select colors on sale for up to 27 percent off....

Eggs are begging to be smothered in salsa, whether it’s red or green, chunky or smooth, mild or hot, jarred or fresh. Slightly reminiscent of the role salsa plays in huevos rancheros and migas, this is the way to spice up your eggs, and we’re talking more than just heat. No need for chips or tortillas, unless you want them, of course. Do note, if your salsa is on the runny side, strain some of the liquid to keep it from adding too much moisture to the eggs....

Commit to Color This office makes the case for using a bold hue in a small space. Painting the walls, shelving, ladder, and ceiling the same color made the snug space feel bigger. Berkeley and Kelley used a custom graphic wallpaper by Jill Seale to complement the blue and draw attention to the desk niche. Keep a Simple Setup The pair left the desk area sparse for a focused work space....

So far, it’s been linked to at least one brand—the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found salmonella in Kirkwood’s Chicken Cordon Bleu, commonly sold at Aldi’s, though it may also be present in products under other brand names. There hasn’t been an official recall yet, but you might want to avoid serving any frozen chicken cordon bleu, chicken with broccoli and cheese, or chicken Kiev—or at the very least, follow the product’s cooking directions to the letter....

Some people confuse the jackfruit with the durian fruit, which looks similar, but there is a large difference. Durian has a strong odor that may not be pleasant to everyone; jackfruit smells sweet. Durian fruits are also much smaller than jackfruit; and the outside of durian may have spiky “thorns,” while a jackfruit has smooth bumps on its surface. Because it has a meaty texture when cooked, it’s a good swap for certain meat-based recipes, although it’s important to note that jackfruit doesn’t have a particularly high protein content, so you may still need a protein source if planning a main course anchored around a jackfruit recipe....

However, one of the biggest problems with flare jeans (that many reluctant millennials have voiced) is figuring out the shoes you’re supposed to wear with them. From peek-a-boo pumps and platforms that take full-length jeans to new heights to strappy sandals and heels that make the most of negative cropped space, read on for our top shoe pairings for flare jeans (and browse more denim picks here). For Full-Length Flare Jeans Shop it: Steve Madden Daisie Pumps Shop it: Sam Edelman Winona Western Boot Shop it: Nine West Zenna Platform Sandals Shop it: Madewell The Evelyn Slide Clog Shop it: Birdies The Robin Sandal...

However, estate planning can be expensive. A basic estate plan package through a lawyer can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $2,500, according to Deanna LaRue, CFP, a financial advisor at TimeWise Financial in Georgia. On the other hand, writing your own will—whether that’s through an online form, a kit, or a handwritten document—ranges from free to a few hundred dollars, depending on the online form or kit and your estate planning needs....

But meal prepping isn’t just a genius way to get organized ahead of crunch time. According to Amy Shapiro, RD, it’s also a super simple way to help yourself eat healthier, more nourishing, and more satisfying meals. How so, you ask? For starters, meal prep means you’re cooking at home, which automatically puts you ahead in the healthy eating department. Planning your meals ahead also helps you set yourself up for success all week long....

While ordering alcohol online was once unheard of, now it’s easier than ever. There are different services to turn to depending on your needs, such as direct-to-consumer wine sites (such as Wine Insiders, Wine.com, Firstleaf, and Winc), delivery from local liquor stores (via Drizly or Minibar), direct shipping from wineries, and even buying wine online from many of your favorite grocery stores (including Kroger, Target, Boxed, and Instacart). Before ordering wine online, remember that alcohol regulations vary by state and county, so be sure to scope out which services are available in your area....

That being said, are there things we should also make an attempt to avoid consuming in excess in favor of our cardiovascular health? Indeed. According to Kris-Etherton, we should limit foods high in saturated fat, dietary cholesterol, trans fat, sodium (salt), processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and sugar-sweetened beverages. “Both saturated and trans fats increase LDL cholesterol, and sodium raises blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke,” Kris-Etherton explains....

One of the best ways to predict which colors are most likely to become popular is to follow the forecasts of major paint companies. Each year, paint brands announce a color of the year or a series of trends they expect to see designers and homeowners brush on their walls in the months to come. This summer, PPG paints revealed its 2018 colors of the year for three of its brands, and all three featured shades of dark gray and black....

The rise of athleisure has only made joggers available nearly everywhere you look, but shoppers at Nordstrom have crowned one in particular as the site’s most popular option: Zella’s Live In Pocket Joggers. Anyone who shops Nordstrom has to have heard of Zella, Nordstrom’s own in-house label, which has been a hit with shoppers so far. The Live In joggers even have more reviews than any other joggers at Nordstrom, and they’re currently on sale for 20 percent off in Nordstrom’s big Zella sale....

I remember thinking, “What is this magical island you take a ferry to and then go to a beach where everyone looks like you?” You really do become obsessed with the place. It calls to me—I’ll stay for a week and never want to leave. One of our rituals is pulling up our beach chairs on the sand and watching people jump off the Jaws Bridge. That’s not the bridge’s real name, but everyone calls it that because Jaws was filmed on the Vineyard, and the shark terrifyingly swam under it....

“When choosing your makeup brushes, always go with what feels good, followed by the application test,” says celebrity makeup artist and LARUCE Beauty ambassador, Janice Daoud. “The application test will allow you to see how the color is picked up, deposited, and blended. If the bristles of the brushes do the job, then it’s the right brush for you.” But that’s easier said than done, especially considering the different types, shapes, and styles of brushes....

Following are a number of common mistakes people make that lead to wasting more food than may be necessary, along with some tips to make fighting food waste part of the daily routine. In fact, many of the steps to stop food waste start before you even get to the kitchen.

Our team tries out hundreds of products each year in search of the best tools and gadgets to make your life easier—then use the ones that make the cut at home in our daily routines. So whether you’re looking for a vacuum that’ll actually make you look forward to cleaning or a pan scraper that’ll make your cast-iron cookware look new again, there’s a game-changing cleaning product on this list for you....

You can use the lean ground meat to lighten up a bowl of comforting chili, whip up some scrumptious meatballs, or even add some protein to everything from homemade dumplings to a simple salad. As you’ll soon learn, there are plenty of satisfying ground turkey recipes to add to your repertoire. Try a few of these easy ground turkey dishes to make your weeknights easier.