As a Midwesterner, I feel like I’m an expert when it comes to potatoes and all the amazing things you can do with them in the kitchen. From whipping boiled taters into a creamy mash with plenty of butter to frying shoestring fries in hot grease, this yummy starch is an essential element of my weekly dinner recipe rotation. 

So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a potato recipe I’d never actually seen before. The end result of this viral TikTok recipe for “potato fireworks” is undeniably beautiful, but is the recipe itself genius or too over-the-top? We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not it’s worth the hassle of preparing.

The short video provides a quick tutorial that begins with cutting one large potato into two cubes. The next step is to make a series of deep vertical cuts in each cube, then turn them 90 degrees to make another round of cuts, being sure to avoid completely slicing through the cubes. This slicing technique is key for perfecting the look of your “fireworks.”

Once you’ve sliced your cubes, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a bowl of room-temperature water and allow your potatoes to soak for 30 minutes before rinsing. Coat the cubes with cornstarch, then deep fry them at roughly 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden (the comments recommend air frying as a comparable alternative).

Finally, you’ll make your sauce with a teaspoon of ketchup, two teaspoons of soy sauce, three teaspoons of sugar, four teaspoons of black vinegar, and five teaspoons of “water from the Mississippi River” (that’s just a channel in-joke; any type of water will do). Cook on the stovetop until bubbling, then pour the sauce mixture evenly over the cooked potatoes, topping off with some white sesame seeds. “Done and dusted!”

The TikTok creator ends his video by telling viewers that these potato fireworks are “out of this world,” and I have to agree. This cooking method, while involved, is a fun new way to make potatoes that I didn’t know I needed. Honestly, it might just leave plain ol’ french fries and ketchup in the dust.

Our love affair with dairy is a complicated thing. You’ve likely been warned before that dairy products pose a risk of heart disease and consequently cautioned to think twice before snacking on that block of cheddar. Yet research has begun to suggest that dairy may in fact be good for your heart rather than harmful, which has dairy lovers heaving sighs of relief.

In fact, some studies indicate that consuming saturated fats from dairy products may be linked to higher HDL (“good cholesterol”) and lower triglyceride levels. Even with all this gouda news, researchers still advise eating dairy in moderation and choosing low-fat and low-sugar varieties.  

So with that in mind, you might be wondering which dairy products are the best bang for your buck, nutrition-wise. One such product that gets little attention is quark.

What Is Quark?

Despite being somewhat difficult to categorize, quark’s smooth, soft, crumbly texture is similar to that of other cheeses. It’s made by fermenting a mixture of cheese and yogurt cultures in warm milk and straining out the whey.

Quark’s consistency is somewhere between cottage cheese, a thick Greek yogurt, and cream cheese, and its taste is similar to that of mildly sour cream cheese. Although it has a tanginess to it, it’s not as tart as Greek yogurt.

Originally from Europe, quark is especially popular in Germany but has begun to gain popularity in the U.S. due to its substantial health benefits. 

The Health Benefits of Quark 

Aside from being delicious, this soft, savory spread is bursting with nutrition. As a low-fat product that’s also a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, quark is worthy of being included in anyone’s diet.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a ½ cup serving of quark contains the following nutrients:

• 90.2 calories
• 11 g protein
• 3 g fat
• 5 g carbs
• 0 g sugars
• 29.7 mg sodium
• 80.3 mg calcium

Plus, the generous amount of probiotics found in quark help with improving digestion, regulating healthy bacteria in the gut, and boosting immunity. 

But what truly sets it apart from its cheesy cousins is its low sodium levels. It contains half as much sodium as Greek yogurt and would make an excellent alternative to that, cottage cheese, or ricotta. If you’re watching your salt intake, quark is the way to go! 

Tasty Ways To Enjoy Quark 

Quark is an extremely versatile food, giving you many possible ways to enjoy it. You might choose to simply swap it with your daily Greek yogurt, topping it with all your favorite add-ins like granola, jam, and fruit. Or you could enjoy it on its own or as an accompaniment to your favorite dishes, treating it as a dip. 

As a high-protein food, quark would also make an excellent pre- or post-workout snack, satiating your appetite while building and repairing muscle. 

If you prefer to use quark as a spread, you can smother it on a slice of crusty bread, toast, or a bagel for a mouthwateringly delicious snack. There are endless options for incorporating this healthy cheese into your diet, all of which will leave you and your taste buds satisfied.

As most (if not all) of us are well aware, there’s been an urgent push to use less plastic and produce less waste to preserve the planet. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many reusable products have grown in popularity—including (gasp!) reusable toilet paper. While it may sound disgusting or unsanitary, it may actually be a viable alternative.

The United States uses the most toilet paper of any country in the world (a fact that was made quite evident by the TP panic at the start of the pandemic). The estimated annual toilet paper consumption for Americans is 141 rolls, beating out second-place Germany (134 rolls) and third-place United Kingdom (127). Compared to countries like France (71), Italy (70), China (49), and Brazil (38), it’s not a very flattering look for the U.S.

According to Justin Thomas, editor of MetaEfficient, Americans use 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper each year, which represents the pulping of approximately 15 million trees. “This also involves 473,587,500,000 gallons of water to produce the paper and 253,000 tons of chlorine for bleaching,” he told The Scientific American.

Plus, manufacturing all that toilet paper requires 17.3 terawatts of electricity, not to mention the energy and materials used in packaging and transportation. On a more personal level, toilet paper can clog pipes and wreak havoc on city sewer systems and water treatment plants.

How are countries like Italy and Brazil getting by with so much less toilet paper? Well, it’s often because they don’t need to use nearly as much—and they have bidets to thank for that. Although Americans tend to have an aversion to using bidets, for much of the world, using toilet paper seems more disgusting.

What many non-Americans seem to know and understand is that cleaning your bum with a stream of water is actually more environmentally friendly than using toilet paper. You might think a bidet requires a lot of water every time you use it, but a typical bidet actually only uses about a ⅛ gallon of water to flush. By contrast, the average toilet uses about four gallons per flush.

So why are so many Americans against using water to clean themselves instead of dry paper? Think about it this way: If you stepped in dog poop with your bare feet, you’d probably use more than just sheets of paper to clean it off.

Thankfully, there’s a more sustainable alternative to using all that standard toilet paper: reusable toilet paper. If you think reusing toilet paper sounds gross (can’t say we blame you), consider pairing it with a bidet.

Once the bidet has gotten you good and clean, you’ll essentially just be wiping away water (much like toweling off after a shower). You can wrap the reusable “toilet paper” around a regular TP roll, and once you’ve run through them, simply pop them into the washer. The Marley’s Monsters Toilet UNpaper® Roll, handmade in Eugene, Oregon, is made of 100% cotton flannel that can be washed in hot water.

Marley’s Monsters Toilet UNpaper®, 24-Count

$39.99 Shop Now at Amazon

As for choosing a bidet, you can typically buy one that attaches to your traditional toilet for less than $50. The Luxe Bidet NEO 185, for example, features dual nozzles for rear and frontal wash, plus a feminine nozzle that keeps you clean during monthly cycles (and can help ward off UTIs!). Pair your bidet with planet-friendly reusable toilet paper, and you’ll never fall victim to a toilet paper shortage again.

LUXE Bidet NEO 185 Attachment

$43.49 Shop Now at Amazon

No one can deny the irresistible deliciousness of chocolate, and for those with a relentless sweet tooth, the blame is usually attributed to chocolate’s high sugar content. But there may be more to the appeal of this decadent treat than just its sweetness.

According to science, it boils down to one thing: lubrication.

Why Chocolate Feels So Good

In a January 2023 study published by ACS Applied Materials and Interface, researchers from the University of Leeds found that our fondness for chocolate might not just be about the taste—our adoration is also influenced by its mouthfeel. The true magic lies in the physical changes that happen as the chocolate transforms from a solid to a smooth emulsion.

Chocolate releases a fatty film when it enters the mouth, coating the tongue and other surfaces therein. As a result of this lubrication, the chocolate emits a luxurious, smooth feeling. 

Interestingly, however, fat has a limited impact on mouthfeel deeper inside the chocolate. Once you get beyond the outer coating, solid cocoa particles are chiefly responsible for the tactile sensation in your mouth.

While interesting, you might be wondering why this research was conducted and what it means for chocolate lovers and the food industry in general.

The Impacts Of The Study 

Researchers noted that because fat beneath the outer coating doesn’t play much of a role in creating a satisfying mouthfeel, it may be possible to reduce the fat content of chocolate without impacting the satisfaction level. This finding could contribute to the design of healthier chocolate that doesn’t taste chalky or chewy.

By coating the outer layer in fat, the chocolate would still fulfill that irresistible sensory experience, lowering or eliminating the need for additional fat inside. In addition, researchers believe these findings could also be applied to other foods such as ice cream, cheese, and margarine. 

Though the study is fascinating, it doesn’t address the fact that flavor, regulated by the sugar content, is still a big part of why people love chocolate (and why some people prefer milk chocolate over dark).

Still, it’s exciting to think of the potential for healthier chocolate based on this research.

Some tasks seem so simple that we don’t even think twice about them. Yet sometimes seemingly innocent behaviors, especially when it comes to things we consume, could have negative consequences. I mean, are you also guilty of re-heating your coffee in the microwave? (Because I am!) 

From potentially dangerous mistakes with your slow cooker to need-to-knows about storing your butter on the counter, every part of the process when it comes to storing and cooking food is important. And this notion even applies to how (and where) food is stored in the fridge.

Storing food in the wrong containers, at the wrong temp, or in the wrong spot might result in spoiled food and wasted money, but it could also be detrimental to your health. Here are some of the most common mistakes.

1. Washing Produce Before Storing

It makes sense you’d want to wash your produce as soon as possible. It can be convenient to just grab your veggies or fruit out of the fridge and go, but doing so could potentially lead to sickness.

Excess moisture could lead to bacterial growth which in turn could lead to illness.

Another pro to waiting to rinse? It may help preserve any water-soluble vitamins the produce contains.

2. Setting The Wrong Temperature

It’s important to keep your fridge temperature at 40°F and your freezer at 0°F to keep food out of the “danger zone” (41-135°F). Some experts even say to keep the temperature at 37°F because bacteria can start to grow above 40°F. 

Keeping your perishable food at the recommended temperature is important to prevent bacteria from growing, but some reports have shown that built-in refrigerator thermometers can be off by up to five degrees.

An easy (and cheap) solution is simply purchasing a fridge thermometer, like this digital and magnetic option from Vouloir. 

Digital Fridge Thermometer

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3. Using The Wrong Containers

Sorry mom, but storing those leftovers in an old Country Crock container isn’t the best idea as many plastic containers can’t provide an air-tight seal. What’s more, they might contain harmful “forever chemicals” or PFAs.

By far the safest and most eco-friendly containers to use are glass containers. Mason jars can be great for things like berries, while investing in larger containers are perfect for leftovers.

We like this 24-piece set that features airtight lids that even contain a steam release valve.

Razab 24 Pc Glass Food Storage Containers

$48.99 Shop Now at Amazon

4. Not Knowing Your Produce Well Enough

You might know there are certain fruits and vegetables that fare better at room temperature. Tomatoes, lemons, and garlic are just a few whose taste and texture can be negatively impacted by cooler temps.

But if you are indiscriminately tossing your weekly grocery haul into the produce drawer, you may be inadvertently storing produce together that can cause one to spoil others quickly. Ethylene-admitting produce, like apples, peppers, and cantaloupe, can impact ethylene-sensitive produce such as asparagus, cucumbers, and lettuce.

While this effect is quicker when stored together at room temperature, it applies to refrigerated veggies and fruit as well.

5. Storing Your Milk In The Refrigerator Door 

Your refrigerator door opens and closes several times a day. It’s best to keep any dairy, meat, or other perishable foods or drinks on the shelves of the fridge. (We’ll tell you where in the next section.) 

So, what’s okay to store in the fridge door? Condiments, soda, salad dressing, and juice should all be fine in the door.    

6. Placing Food On The Wrong Shelf

It actually does matter where you put your food in the fridge. Cooked foods should be reserved for the top shelf of the fridge. The second shelf should store all of your cheeses, eggs, yogurt, and other dairy products. And your bottom shelf should be where the raw food goes—chicken, beef, fish, etc.

The bottom shelf is the coldest, plus you’ll lower your chances of food contamination with raw food on the bottom shelf. The produce drawer should store, you guessed it, your (unwashed) produce.

As far as breakfast food goes, oatmeal is a solid choice. Its high fiber content can satisfy your hunger, ease insulin response, and improve gut health. But, truth be told, a plain ol’ bowl of oatmeal doesn’t inspire much excitement. 

Thankfully, we’ve got a couple sneaky hacks up our sleeve to make your oats irresistible without compromising their health benefits.

We’ve mentioned before that Jennifer Aniston likes to add egg whites to her cooked oats to up the protein and lend them a fluffier texture. One of our Suggest editors gave this method a whirl and said it totally works!

But we have another recommendation for those of you looking to spice up your oatmeal without sacrificing nutrients. By using tea, you can give your oatmeal a health and flavor boost without adding sugar or other empty calories.

As you probably know, oatmeal is typically prepared with either water or milk. But neither of these ingredients can transform oatmeal into a showstopper on its own. As an alternative, tea opens the door to many different flavor profiles and additional nutrients. 

There are countless varieties of tea, from fruity and floral to herbal, spice-filled flavors that evoke a warm and cozy feeling. Yet what many teas have in common is that they’re rich in polyphenols, a plant chemical responsible for giving tea its distinct flavor.

In addition to offering an enticing aroma, polyphenols may also provide health benefits. Studies indicate that tea may help manage inflammation and blood sugar while reducing the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. It certainly couldn’t hurt to mix a bit of it into your morning oats!

Preparing oatmeal with steeped tea is a cinch: Brew a cup of tea as you normally would (boil a ½ cup of water, add your tea bag, and steep for the recommended amount of time). Then, take out the tea bag and pour in your oats. Use one cup of rolled oats, and follow the measurements on the package for instant or steel-cut oats.

Cook your oat-tea concoction for five minutes or until the tea has been fully absorbed. Top with your favorite fruits, nuts, granola, or yogurt. You can add a bit of sugar to taste, but the tea will lend a rich flavor by itself.

While you can use any kind of tea flavor, Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice and Decaf Vanilla Comoro are popular choices for some irresistibly creamy oatmeal. Their Hot Apple Spice flavor would also make a great addition to your cozy breakfast menu, especially on chilly mornings.

Many cheeses—blue, brie, Stilton, and others—are preserved in mold. So why do the leftovers grow mold of a whole other (gross) caliber?

It turns out it’s all about the storage. Wrapping leftover cheese in plastic or foil, or sealing it in Tupperware is not the way to go. An air-tight seal, in this case, is not your friend.

Because cheese contains many active microorganisms, it needs a bit of airflow so it can breathe. That’s why sealing off the airflow leads to mold growth.

Breathable, porous materials are a better option, and while they may not be as readily available as plastic wrap or Tupperware, it’s not so difficult to find products designed precisely for preserving your cheese the proper way.

Formaticum Cheese Storage Wax Coated Paper

$15 Shop Now At Amazon

Waxy layers of cheese paper ensure that the cheese stays fresh and flavorful while allowing it to breathe. Wrap the cheese in the paper like a gift, and if you make sure all surfaces of the cheese come in contact with the paper, it will stay fresh for a long time. 

Formaticum Professional Grade Cheese Storage Bags

$15 Shop Now At Amazon

In addition to cheese paper, you can also find cheese storage bags, which offer the same level of freshness and extended shelf life as paper with the added convenience of not having to wrap it. 

Proper Fridge Placement For Cheese

It’s a bad idea to wrap your cheese in plastic, but it’s not the only thing that can cause cheese to spoil. Placing it in the wrong part of the fridge could also be doing more harm than good. 

After wrapping your cheese in cheese paper or a cheese storage bag, store it in the produce drawer. If cheese is exposed to the cold air in the refrigerator’s main compartment, it will dry out and go bad more quickly.

If you’re a hardcore cheese-a-holic, a cheese vault is an ideal way to extend the life of your favorite cheese. A vault keeps cheese fresh by wicking away moisture and protecting it from fridge odors. 

CapaBunga Artisan Cheese Storage Vault For Fridge

$34.95 Shop Now At Amazon

Certain hard cheeses and even some soft cheeses don’t require any refrigeration if you plan on eating them within a few days. In that case, a cheese dome is all you need to keep it fresh. 

Cheese Cloche Dome With Acacia Wood Serving Tray

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Experts say it’s rare to have to throw out a hunk of cheese. And if you do encounter some questionable mold, that doesn’t necessarily mean the entire batch is destined for the trash. Since cheese has a low water content, it doesn’t allow mold to penetrate deeply, so you can usually scrape or cut off the mold and pretend you never saw it.  

Older homes are charming, but some nasty problems can be lurking behind that beautiful crown molding and those coffered ceilings. While it’s true that some older homes are more structurally sound than modern builds and can feature higher quality materials, there are some negatives you might not be aware of.

The federal government didn’t ban lead paint until 1978, and asbestos was allowed to be used in homes until the ’70s as well. Radon studies from that same decade showed the need for improved ventilation in many homes at the time. 

All of this means that if you’re considering buying a home built before 1978—or if you’re already living in one—there are some key things you need to check to verify the health of your family’s environment.

1. Plumbing

It’s possible that homes built between 1900 and 1990 will have plumbing issues that aren’t revealed in a general inspection. Antiquated plumbing can be expensive to fix, but time does a real number on pipes. Corrosion, rust, and decay are all possible issues. To avoid water damage, they need to be replaced. 

There are also possible safety issues at play. If an older home has lead pipes, they must be replaced immediately. It’s best to have a plumber take a look at your system so he can alert you to any changes or upgrades that need to be made.

2. Lead

Speaking of lead pipes, as we all know, the subject of lead is a major issue in older homes because of the lead-based paint used back in the day. Even the dust and paint chips can be extremely harmful to your health when the paint starts to crack and peel.

Sources of this toxic paint can include everything from your doors and windows to the cabinets and floors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 million American homes have lead-based paint hazards—and young children live in nearly 10% of those homes.

If you’re concerned about lead in your home, we recommend reaching out to a certified lead professional.

3. Asbestos

The mineral fibers known as asbestos are “perfectly safe” to be around in their normal state. Asbestos only becomes a hazard when broken and friable, meaning easily crumbled. Those broken fibers can stay in the air for days—and inhaling them can cause serious health issues.

Asbestos will likely be found in several places in homes built before 1975. If you’re planning on any kind of demolition, you should first consult a professional to identify asbestos.

4. Electrical Equipment

Just like with plumbing, an electrical inspection is another good idea for a home that’s more than 45 years old. Electrical systems and their standards have changed tremendously in the last four decades. Old electrical systems often aren’t up to code, and improper wiring can be a potential fire hazard.

There’s also the issue of insufficient electrical capacity for modern appliances and tech, as well as a lack of outlets. If you’re thinking about buying an older home, consult with an electrician and have them take a look to make sure it can handle your 21st-century needs.

5. Radon

Radon—a naturally-occurring radioactive gas—is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It accounts for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, including 2,900 among people who’ve never smoked.

If the gas can dissipate, there’s no cause for concern. The real threat is when radon becomes trapped within a building. Homes built prior to the ’70s weren’t built with the need for air movement in mind, but they can be retrofitted. A simple test is available, and some states offer it for free.

6. Foundation Cracks

Not every old home has foundation issues, but it’s something to be aware of. If you have your eye on an older home, it’s imperative to have it evaluated by an inspector to look for signs of “differential settlement.” This can cause your doors and windows to be impossible to close. The inspector will also look for cracked chimneys and wet basements for signs of damage.

7. Pests And Insects

Homes wear down over time due to weather and natural degradation. Moisture damage, leaky basements, and wet crawl spaces can attract insects and pests, so you want to make sure water is being directed away from your home’s foundation. There are many options to fix moisture problems, so you should consult with a professional who can evaluate your specific issue.

8. Mold

Because building envelopes weren’t as well-sealed in older-style construction as they are today, mold can be a bigger issue in older homes. Signs that you have mold include condensation on walls and windows, bubbling or peeling paint, leaks and stains, and musty smells.

Get a professional to test for mold to avoid health problems like stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, and burning eyes. Mold can also cause more serious health problems like lung infections, so don’t let the issue go unaddressed.

Crows have been part of folklore, mystery, and legend for centuries. Due to their intelligence, cleverness, and trickster personalities, these flying creatures are often misunderstood. Surprisingly, the curiosity and intelligence that crows possess make them great friend material.

Yes, it is possible to befriend a crow. Although becoming friends with animals may sound more like Snow White than real life, crows are able to recognize human faces and trust people. For individuals like myself who enjoy bird-watching and getting to know backyard animals, this is very exciting news!

But before you begin to befriend your neighborhood crows, there are a few simple steps to follow to ensure that everyone stays safe. You should also check to be sure that leaving food out for wild animals is legal in your area.

1. Find Out Their Food Preferences

The first step to attracting these amazing creatures is to find out what types of foods they prefer. While many crows love junk food, healthy food options are best. Most crows enjoy devouring eggs, unsalted peanuts, cat and dog food, corn, chicken, seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

Finding out what foods your local crows prefer may also take time. You’ll know that you’ve found their favorite foods when the crows quickly descend and eat the tasty treats in your yard.

2. Create A Safe Environment

In order to attract the allusive species, creating a safe environment is key. Since they prefer quiet and open spaces, be sure that there are no noisemakers or debris in your yard. Or scarecrows, if that wasn’t obvious.

3. Keep A Feeding Routine

Reliability is extremely important when it comes to befriending crows so be sure to have a feeding schedule. By establishing a feeding routine, you’ll build a trusting relationship with your feathered friend.

4. Add A Bird Bath

The addition of a bird bath to your yard allows crows to drink water, take a bath, and even wash their food. Since crows are larger birds, a bird bath with a large basin is best.

5. Keep Your Distance

Even though crows may become your friends, you still need to maintain a safe distance from them since they are wild animals. Admiring these flying creatures from afar ensures safety for both you and the crows.

While these are great tips for befriending crows, be sure that you keep crows in the wild. In fact, it’s illegal to have them as pets since crows are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Thankfully, we can be friends with crows even as they remain part of nature.

The humble spud continues to be a standout star among viral food trends. Whether you fancy making sweet potato pommes Anna, bacon-wrapped volcano potatoes, or Ina Garten’s make-ahead mashed potatoes, there’s something for everyone who loves potatoes as much as we do.

TikTok creator and foodie @msshiandmrhe has introduced us to another swoon-worthy tater recipe with her mesmerizing “bubble potato pillows.” The original video of her recipe has racked up an incredible 92 million views.

These potato pillows are a delectable hybrid of tater tots and gnocchi. Unlike traditional gnocchi, this recipe doesn’t require eggs and swaps out all-purpose flour for rice flour.

While gnocchi is typically soft and doughy, this recipe involves deep-frying that results in a mouthwateringly crunchy golden exterior. And contrary to the grated texture of tater tots, biting into them reveals a creamy, pillowy center that’s pure bliss.

All in all, we highly recommend this recipe for anyone who wants to show their taste buds a good time. We also enjoyed learning Ms. Shi’s unique methods for peeling and mashing potatoes.

Ingredients

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 2 tbsp glutinous rice flour
• 1 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1/3 tsp pepper
• 4 cups vegetable oil
• Chili powder, optional
• Ketchup, optional

Instructions

1. Wash your potatoes. Carefully score a line around each potato’s center with a sharp knife.
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Next, fill a large bowl with cold ice water.
3. Transfer the potatoes to the bowl of ice water. Once the potatoes have cooled to the touch, find the score you made with the knife, peel back the skin with your hands, and discard.
4. In a large bowl, mash the potatoes using a fork, garlic press, or potato ricer. Add the glutinous rice flour, cornstarch or potato starch, salt, and pepper. Combine and knead the ingredients until they’ve formed a dough.
5. Divide the dough into two pieces and roll into logs. Slice the dough into bubble-like shapes. You can use a fork to make indentations so the pillows resemble gnocchi.
6. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the potato pillows for five minutes or until they turn a light golden color. Remove them from the pot. 
7. Turn the heat up to high and add the bubble potato pillows back to the oil, cooking them for 30 more seconds or until golden brown. Place on a paper towel-lined plate. Add chili powder, ketchup, or whatever seasonings/condiments you prefer. Enjoy! 

If you’re on top of your unique charcuterie board game, you’ll know that “butter boards” ranked highly among last year’s trends. Smothered butter on a rustic board sprinkled with some enticing toppings became one of the most swoon-worthy additions to any butter lover’s feast.

On the heels of butter boards’ popularity, the sharable food craze has sparked a new TikTok trend sure to make any tablescape cozy and warm: butter candles.

As the name implies, these are edible candles made with butter rather than wax. As the candle melts, a pool of butter forms for you to dip your bread (or whatever else you want to cover in butter)—no need for butter knives here.

TikTok creator @sooziethefoodie is credited as the first to come up with the concept. To make her candle, she began with softened room-temperature butter. Using a sheet of plastic wrap, she flattened and molded the butter around a food-grade wick into the shape of a candle.

Some find melting the butter and pouring it into a jar, silicone mold, or plastic cup much more convenient. This method simply involves pouring melted butter into your desired mold, setting your wick, and placing it in the fridge to harden. (Always use food-grade wicks made from hemp and beeswax; otherwise, your butter candle won’t be safe for consumption.) 

In either case, you’ll have to carefully extract your finished candle if using a plastic or silicone mold. If you make your butter candle in a jar, keep in mind that dipping your food could extinguish the flame.

If you’re not quite sold on the concept of butter candles, consider the possibility of adding more flavors for an enhanced candle experience. Although straight-up butter is undeniably delicious, there are endless culinary possibilities. Adding some roasted garlic and herbs would make it excellent for dipping steak, lobster, and other meats as well.

Is your mouth watering yet? Yeah, we’re right there with you.

The list of substitutions for unhealthy ingredients in food is seemingly never-ending. Sugar, flour, and fat can be supplanted by monk fruit, stevia, flax seed, almond flour, coconut oil, avocado oil—the list goes on.  

But would you ever have considered banana peels? According to a study published in 2022 in ACS Food Science and Technology, not only can humble banana peels sub for flour, but they also significantly increase nutritional value.

Not Just For Sundaes And Splits

Bananas are an incredibly versatile fruit. They can be used in desserts and savory dishes (like pulled “pork” made from banana peels). And don’t forget the approximately 5,000 batches of banana bread you panic-baked in 2020. And now, banana peels are being used as a substitute for wheat flour.

For the study, researchers peeled ripe, undamaged bananas, then blanched, dried, and ground the skins into a fine powder which they proceeded to use banana peel flour (BPF) to make cookies.

Finding The BPF Sweet Spot

Researchers made five batches with varying amounts of BPF, along with butter, skimmed milk powder, powdered sugar, vegetable oil, and wheat flour.

After testing them for flavor, nutritional value, and longevity, a “trained panel” found that cookies made with a 7.5% substitution of BPF had “the best texture and highest overall acceptability compared to the other batches,” according to a press release. Upping the amount of BPF to 15% made the cookies harder and darker—likely due to the peels’ increased fiber.

The BPF cookies stayed just as fresh as the wheat-only cookies after being stored at room temperature for three months. Plus, they were rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.

Will You Add ‘Naners To Your Next Batch?

So, what does all this sugary science mean? The scientists wrote that “because cookies can be enriched with some banana peel flour without impacting their consumer acceptance, this addition could make these baked goods more nutritious.”

In layman’s terms, adding ground banana peels to your sugar cookies might be an easy way to majorly boost the nutritional value without jeopardizing the flavor or longevity of your batch.

LiveKuna Organic Banana Flour

$24.99 Shop Now at Amazon

Don’t feel like grinding your own peels? We don’t blame you. Luckily, as the Barefoot Contessa always says, if you don’t have homemade BPF, store-bought is fine. And since the perfect ratio seems to be a 7.5% BPF substitution, a 32-ounce bag from LiveKuna can last through plenty of batches. 

Happy baking!

If you have a machine dishwasher, I’ve got some bad news for you: You’re probably choosing the most expensive time of day to run it.

Assuming you’re like me, you probably prefer cleaning up right after dinner so you don’t forget, thus avoiding a large pile of dirty dishes. Or if you do forget, you might turn on the dishwasher first thing in the morning before work so you have clean dishes ready at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, most of the population has the same philosophy when it comes to using their dishwashers. The moments immediately after dinner and first thing in the morning are peak hours in many locations, and that means energy usage is more expensive.

To circumvent those busy, high-priced times, consider taking advantage of the timer feature on your dishwasher to delay the start time until off-peak hours (generally during the late morning or early afternoon).

According to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)—one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States—peak pricing is either between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. or 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, depending on location. Weekends and holidays are off-peak hours, as are most weekday hours before 5 p.m. 

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Depending on the peak hours in your location, you could save yourself some moolah by reducing your energy usage during those higher-priced hours. 

PG&E suggests getting your dishes loaded and your clothes ready for the washer/dryer during those peak times, then waiting until lower-priced off-peak times to actually run your appliances. Those off-peak times, though, shouldn’t necessarily include overnight.

Scott Wolfson from the Consumer Product Safety Commission told The New York Times that running big appliances overnight isn’t a great idea because there’s a slight chance of fire. It’s common for appliances to feature fail-safe technology; in fact, your dishwasher probably has a cutoff switch to power down in case of overheating.

However, there’s always a slight risk with running appliances overnight. Wolfson warned that there may be times when fail-safes aren’t enough, and you may be required to personally intervene by unplugging the appliance or taking other direct measures.

The risk of fire may be rare, but it’s worth considering. For what it’s worth, PG&E offers conflicting advice, recommending that you run your dishwasher and washer/dryer overnight to save money. But our ultimate advice to save money and stay safe is to use your dishwasher’s timer feature.

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Pommes Anna is truly a culinary marvel, being regarded as the supreme potato recipe of all time by the late, legendary French chef Julia Child.

Its extraordinarily simple ingredient list, consisting of only potatoes and butter, may seem a bit mysterious when it comes to how it made Child’s hall of fame, but the technique is key here. 

In Child’s recipe, Yukon gold potatoes are thinly sliced into medallions and smothered in butter. In a skillet, they’re neatly arranged into overlapping circles to create a crispy golden potato cake that is both stunningly beautiful and irresistibly delicious. 

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If you want to try your hand at this dish but up the health factor a bit, an easy substitution is to use sweet potatoes instead.

Sweet Potato Versus White Potato

As with any humble spud, sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates. However, since they score slightly lower on the glycemic index (GI) scale than white potatoes, they will not spike blood sugar levels as much. That said, baking sweet potatoes will result in a higher GI than if they were boiled.

While all varieties are potatoes are high in various nutrients, sweet potatoes contain a much higher level of vitamin A. As a nutrient, vitamin A plays a crucial role in vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity.

But its health benefits don’t stop there. These sweet spuds also have more fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium than white potatoes.

How To Make Sweet Potato Pommes Anna

We like this recipe from EatingWell that combines three types of sweet potatoes, but you could certainly make this with simply one variety. Additionally, some of the butter has been subbed with olive oil to up the health factor. Fresh thyme is adding for a flavor boost but certainly could be left out.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 12 ounces purple sweet potatoes, peeled
• 12 ounces orange sweet potatoes, peeled
• 12 ounces white sweet potatoes, peeled
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Add the butter to a small bowl. Heat on high power for about 30 to 45 seconds until the butter is melted. Add the oil. Apply the mixture to the bottom and sides of an 8-inch cast-iron skillet with a pastry brush.
3. Slice sweet potatoes thinly using a mandoline about 1/16 inch thick. Next, in the pan, arrange one-fourth of the potatoes in concentric circles, overlapping slices, and alternating colors. Starting at the center of the pan, layer the potato slices outward, covering the bottom. After, brush on some of the butter mixture and sprinkle each with thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste. Then repeat the process for another three layers.
4. Cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes in the oven.
5. After 30 minutes, remove the foil. Bake uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and crisp on the bottom.
6. Once the Pommes Anna has been removed from the oven, gently invert it onto a serving platter. In the event that the sweet potato cake won’t come loose, try running a knife around the edges and using a spatula. Slice into wedges. Enjoy!

According to EatingWell, each serving has 140 calories and 7.9 grams of fat. A traditional serving of Pommes Anna will clock in around 235 calories and 11 grams of fat.

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“It’s corn, a big lump with knobs, it has the juice!” It’s now a viral fact that corn is delicious. When it comes to cooking up a corn recipe, you really can’t go wrong. But if you’re looking for a whole new way to prepare corn, we have you covered.

Corn riblets, also known as spiced corn ribs, just might become your next food obsession. A corn riblet is essentially corn on the cob gone wild with flavor, which comes from marination in a sauce and seasoned with savory spices. The cob is then sliced into quarter-sized stalks to resemble mouthwatering barbecue ribs.

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Best of all, this easy-to-prepare, plant-based recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make. In addition to being a brilliant vegetarian alternative to ribs, it can also be vegan.

How To Make Corn Riblets

Corn riblet recipes vary when it comes to sauces and spices, but the basic method allows whatever flavors you choose to shine. We like this recipe from AlphaFoodie that features a few BBQ spice staples you’re sure to already have in your pantry.

Ingredients

Corn Riblet Rub

• 2 cobs of corn, shucked, silk removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or oil of choice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ garlic powder
• ½ smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ onion powder

Spicy Mayo Dip  

• 1 cup mayonnaise 
• 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce of choice
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning or chili powder

Note: To make the dip vegan, replace the mayo with a vegan alternative such as Follow Your Heart.

Instructions

1. Cut off both ends of the cobs (this will make the next step easier).
2. Stand the cob vertically and slice it lengthwise down the center, then slice each half once more to quarter each cob. You should end up with 8 pieces. Set aside. 
3. To prepare the corn riblet rub, add all the seasoning in a small bowl with the oil and mix.
4. Using a basting brush, spread the mixture onto the corn ribs. 
5. If you’re using an air fryer, preheat to 375°F and arrange the riblets in a single layer. Fry for 13-15 minutes or until the corn riblets are golden, crispy, and begin to curl (they will curl more in an air fryer than in an oven). 
6. If using an oven, preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. For crispy and curled corn riblets, bake for 25-30 minutes. (Note that you may need to increase the time, depending on your oven, to achieve the curling.)
7. As the corn riblets bake, prepare the spicy mayo dipping sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, and cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Blend well. 
8. Top your corn riblets with the spicy mayo or dip them in it.

However you decide to serve your corn riblets, we’re betting you’ll make this addicting side (or main if you’re veggie) dish on repeat.

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It goes without saying that slow cookers are a convenient way to cook delicious, hassle-free meals on those busy weeknights. Within a few hours, ingredients will meld into an amazing dish—a true testament to the motto, set-it-and-forget-it. 

Yet in spite of its convenience and ease, there is one thing you shouldn’t throw in the slow cooker without a little preparation beforehand: frozen meat.

While many recipes in the past called for frozen meat to be added to slow cookers, creating the misconception that this method was safe, we’re now learning that it’s not. In fact, the USDA considers it a serious health hazard.

The Danger Zone

According to the USDA Slow Cookers and Food Safety guidelines, home cooks should avoid using frozen poultry or meat in a slow cooker. Rather, they advise to always thaw meat before adding it to the pot, preferably via a refrigerator.  

The USDA pointed out that while many slow cookers are capable of cooking food between a safe 170° to 280°F, the time it takes for the appliance to warm up is where problems can occur. During that waiting period, all meat should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent bacteria from multiplying. 

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This recommendation is even more important in the case of frozen meats. Frozen poultry or meat sitting in a slow cooker may have a greater chance of entering the “danger zone,” a temperature range between 40°F and 140°F where harmful bacteria can grow rapidly.

While it might not be as convenient as pulling that roast out of the freezer and plopping it straight into the crock pot, the potential illness risk isn’t worth it. If you’re looking to cook frozen meat, choosing a method like a pressure cooker or an oven is a better option.

Another bonus tip: forgo the timer. The USDA recommends allowing the cooker to run on low rather than shutting it down entirely. The reason? As long as the slow cooker is running, your food is safe. But, if it remains off, the more likely it is to fall into that danger zone. Also, be sure to refrigerate all leftovers within two hours of cooking.

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Social media is chock-full of clever cooking hacks that promise to take your meals from good to great. For instance, you can add a robust coffee rub to your steak for out-of-this-world flavor or make a rich meatless spaghetti sauce in a cinch with bouillon cubes.

There’s a seemingly endless supply of these simple pointers to wow your dinner guests. The latest brilliant tip that’s been making the rounds on TikTok and Instagram has blown us away: By adding a sprinkle of an overlooked pantry staple, you can make your ground beef juicier and more flavorful than ever. 

Generally speaking, preparing ground beef is not a particularly challenging task. There is, however, a common issue that can rob ground beef of its flavor and tenderness while cooking.

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When ground beef cooks, it often expels a large amount of liquid. The resulting large pool of liquid can make it harder for the heat to reach the meat, making caramelization and browning difficult.

It’s possible to work around this by cooking in smaller batches to avoid generating a large amount of moisture, but that doesn’t necessarily solve the issue of the meat losing its delicious flavor.  

But there’s one ingredient that has the power to solve your ground beef dilemma. Best of all, this method is scientifically backed by America’s Test Kitchen. If you want to get the best flavor and texture from your ground beef, add a bit of baking soda.

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To put it into scientific terms, baking soda raises the pH of the meat’s surface, which serves to prevent proteins from bonding excessively, allowing the meat to hold on to its tenderness.

But how do you add it to your beef? The amount of meat you’re cooking will dictate how much baking soda to mix in. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/4 teaspoon per pound of ground beef.

By following this method, you can help your ground beef to cook more efficiently and brown more effectively without fretting about any pesky pools of water. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to bland, underdone meat.

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Fitting the proper amount of vegetables into our daily diet isn’t easy, even as an adult. As it turns out, being grown-up doesn’t automatically turn you into someone who loves veggies. If you’re like me, you find nutrient-rich, raw vegetables to be kinda gross—or bland, at best. 

I try my best to focus on the health benefits and ignore the less-than-satisfying flavor. But honestly, I’ve been known to absolutely douse carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing … and I’m pretty sure that’s defeating the purpose. 

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Cooked veggies are a vast improvement, but being from the Midwest I learned to cook them in butter or bacon fat. I just can’t seem to get veggies right no matter what I do. If only there was a way to make veggies more flavorful while preserving all the health benefits … *wink wink*.

Green Tea And Vegetables?

Green tea apparently has an incredible PR team, because it’s widely touted as one of the healthiest beverages on planet Earth. It’s loaded with antioxidants, and its nutritional compounds have been linked to numerous health benefits like improved brain function and fat loss. It’s also been proven to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer and protect the brain from aging.

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Because of its earthy, floral taste, green tea has a flavor profile that pairs extremely well with steamed or roasted vegetables. What’s more, when you pair it with red, orange, or yellow veggies—which get their bright colors and anti-inflammatory properties from plant pigments known as carotenoids—they make for an especially nutrient-rich combination.

Methods To Incorporate Green Tea In Your Cooking

To infuse some much-needed flavor into your everyday veggies, you can use green tea bags or matcha powder. The flavors work particularly well in Asian-inspired dishes mixed with ingredients like ginger and soy sauce.

• Steep veggies with a tea bag: Place a tea bag into the water while your veggies are boiling. If you prefer to steam your veggies, you can still add the tea bag to the water—the green tea flavor just won’t be quite as rich.
• Make a green tea infusion: Steep a green tea bag in water for 10 minutes, then mix it with ginger, soy sauce, and other ingredients. This can be used as a base for green tea-infused stir-fry with both frozen veggies and garlic.
• Make a sauce: For a different green tea stir-fry method, combine a teaspoon of matcha powder with soy sauce and sesame oil and cook the mixture with your veggies.
• Make a soup: You can do this by using pre-made green tea noodles, or read on to learn how to infuse your noodles with green tea on your own.

Recipe For Cold Tea Noodles

The book Cooking With Tea: Techniques and Recipes for Appetizers, Entrees, Desserts, and More by Robert Wemischner and Diana Rosen features this delicious yet amazingly simple recipe for cold tea noodles.

Things You’ll Need:

• A quart of water
• 2 tsp green tea leaves
• 8 oz dried udon noodles (can substitute linguine)
• 6 oz firm tofu (can substitute bits of chicken or dark turkey meat, roasted mushrooms, fresh soybeans, or lima beans)
• 2 oz enoki mushrooms
• 4 scallions, chopped
• Light soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Freshly-chopped cilantro leaves
• Freshly-ground black pepper

You’ll start by brewing your green tea and then using it to cook the udon noodles or linguine. Once your noodles are cooked, the work is almost done (when we said simple, we meant it!).

Simply place the cooked noodles into two bowls, then scatter the tofu cubes (or your substitution protein), mushrooms, and scallions over the noodles. Finally, dress it to taste with the soy sauce, sesame oil, cilantro leaves, and black pepper before serving.

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When it comes to using a washing machine, we often focus on what not to do. Don’t use this temperature, don’t mix those colors, don’t dry this or that—the list of laundry faux pas is lengthy. But did you know your humble washing machine could be doing a lot more than refreshing your clothes?

Washing machines can work their magic on many everyday household items, from leather accessories to gym equipment. Wave farewell to the stress and inconvenience of hand-washing and the arguably grosser option of skipping the wash altogether (looking at you, Uggs).

1. Car Mats And Other Small Rugs

The average washing machine can easily handle carpeted car mats and other small rugs. Use a vacuum to remove large debris, then run through a cold cycle. Set the rugs or mats somewhere safe to air dry. We do not recommend this method for washing rubber or plastic mats—some mild, soapy water and a cloth is better for those.

2. Hair Ties, Headbands, And Scarves

You wouldn’t wear the same socks every day without washing them, and if you think about it, your hair ties and other head accessories aren’t much different. Our hair and scalp transfer oil, sweat, and dirt onto our hair ties, headbands, scarves, and wraps. So, a quick rinse in a secure delicates bag will revive your adornments and fasteners. Air dry the items to prevent shrinkage or other damage.

3. Sheepskin-Lined Shoes

Whether you have sheepskin slippers, mules, or the same pair of ratty Ugg boots from 2014 like me, you might be surprised to know these cozy shoes can be machine-washed. Start by brushing off any loose dirt or debris. Then, place the boots in a mesh bag and add them to the washer.

Add a couple of towels to sop up excess moisture, then run on a cold, delicate cycle. Remove the sheepskin shoes from the washer as soon as the cycle is done, fluff the lining with your fingers, and allow them to air dry.

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4. Stuffed Toys

Speaking of years-old accessories—as cute as a child’s beloved stuffed toy can be, all that wear and tear (and no washing) can leave those cuddly companions looking more like rogue escapees from the Island of Misfit Toys than something you actually want in your home.

Most stuffed animals can handle a gentle, low-heat cycle and a good air-dry. If the stuffed animal has lots of plastic components that can’t be removed, a cold cycle is a safer bet. Smaller plastic toys can also be machine-washed in a pillow case secured with a rubber band to prevent a loud, clanking, chaotic mess.

5. Yoga Mats

Listen. I can watch all the DIY yoga mat spray videos I want, but I’m never going to actually make it. By the time I think of cleaning my yoga mat, I’m already starting my flow session for the day and not in the mood to go into cleaning mode.

Luckily, yoga mats can be safely cleaned in the washer in cold water on a delicate setting. Allow them to air dry flat or on a drying rack. Note: if your yoga mat is prone to flaking or crumbling, even a delicate wash cycle might exacerbate the problem.

6. Pet Beds

You wouldn’t want to sleep in the same bed linens for months on end. So why should your pet have to? Even if your pet bed doesn’t have a removable cover, you can still wash the whole bed much like a pillow. Start by vacuuming any hair or dirt off the surface (pet hair can do some serious damage to your washer), wash with mild soap on low heat, and then place in the dryer for up to 20 minutes before letting it air dry the rest of the way.

7. Leather Purses

While “leather” and “water” isn’t a combo I typically imagine will have a positive outcome, it turns out that you can actually machine-wash a leather purse. The key is to use a castile soap, which is made from plant-based ingredients for far gentler suds.

First, empty the bag completely (that means double-checking the pockets for any stray sticks of gum). Take out any removable liners or inserts, then throw the whole thing in the washer. Use around a quarter-cup of castile soap with cold water and run it on the gentlest wash cycle.

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8. Baseball Hats

If your classic pinstripe ball cap is starting to look a little more yellow than white, that means it’s time for a refresh in the washing machine. Most modern baseball hats have a plastic core and backing, which means they do fine in a cold, delicate cycle. Just hand it up to dry and you’re good to go.

You’ll want to exercise more caution when washing hats made before the 1980s, as their linings tend to be cardboard. Cardboard-lined hats will sound hollow when you flick the brim and should be spot-cleaned only (although one can argue that grime ads to the vintage appeal). 

9. Canvas Shoes

Stop stuffing your shoes with newspaper or foot powder to absorb odors, and just wash them already. If your kicks are seriously caked with mud and grime, use a small brush or other cleaning device to remove the bulk of the dirt.

Remove the shoelaces and insoles, then place the laces in a mesh garment bag to prevent them from tangling. Wash the shoes, insoles, and laces on a delicate cycle in cool water. Using a non-bio detergent without additional cleaning enzymes will help protect the fibers of hemp-based canvas.

10. Shower Curtain Liner

Forget awkwardly wiping down a wafer-thin, massive piece of plastic—your shower curtain liners can go in the washing machine. Machine-washing your shower liners helps remove soap scum and mildew and is considerably easier than trying to clean it while it’s on the shower rod.

Add a few bath towels to weigh down the liner and help prevent tearing. Add an additional one cup of baking soda to your usual detergent to help shake off stubborn soap grime. For an extra deep cleanse, you can also add Borax and Oxi Clean to create a “miracle block” that mimics bleach for brighter whites and a more thorough clean.

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In the days following Christmas, the post-holiday blues can hit hard, especially when it comes time to take down the tree—it’s not nearly as fun as putting it up.

And even though it’s the worst, it’s important to keep everything organized so you’re not greeted with broken ornaments and tangled strings of lights next year. You can make things a whole lot easier on yourself by following these three simple hacks.

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1. Don’t Remove Ornament Hangers

Do yourself a favor and leave the wire hooks on your ornaments rather than removing them during your post-Christmas clean-up. Despite your best efforts, some are sure to fall off and go missing, so tuck an extra package of wire hooks into your storage container.

This box of 200 ornament hooks should do the trick. They’re metal plated, so they won’t rust easily and are sturdy enough to prevent ornaments from falling from the tree (or off the hooks). They come in gold, which feels appropriately festive for the December holidays. And they come with their own little plastic box for easy storage. 

2. Store Your String Lights On A Cord Organizer

What a nightmare it is to untangle that ball of tangled lights. Though we’re all eager to get them down and stowed, taking the time to do it neatly will save you a ton of time in the long run.

From stringing the lights on a notched piece of cardboard to using a clothes hanger, there are so many DIY ways to make this job easier. We find that the best way to organize Christmas lights is to use a winder made strictly for this purpose.

Holiday Joy Christmas Light Storage

$18.58 Shop Now At Amazon

All of your Christmas light storage needs can be met with this pack of four wind-up cord holders. Each holder will store up to 200 mini lights or 100 feet of extension cord—tangle free! 

3. Throw A Fitted Sheet Over Your Tree

In the aftermath of Christmas, taking down the tree is perhaps the most dreaded task.

As sad as it may be to say goodbye to the twinkling lights, it is even worse to have to deal with dropped needles until mid-spring. One way to avoid leaving a trail of needles behind after kicking the tree to the curb involves a fitted sheet.

Put an old fitted sheet over the top of your tree, tuck it in at the bottom, and hold it securely with your hands as you take it outside (even better if you can recruit a partner). The needles will remain inside the sheet instead of all over your floor.

This is a particularly helpful hack for tenants living in apartments since it keeps common areas clean. Afterward, just shake off the sheet outside and throw it in the wash. 

If you’d rather not sacrifice a sheet, you could purchase inexpensive disposable tree bags, which can also be used as storage bags for artificial trees (which can also get pretty messy, particularly if your tree has flocking).

We love these disposable Christmas tree bags—it accommodates trees up to nine feet tall.

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Food hacks are the best because they can save you time and make life easier overall—especially when you’re in a hurry. Thanks to the internet, amazing food hacks are popping up everywhere all the time, but some stand out from the crowd. These are the best cooking and baking hacks we found this year.

1. A Boxed Cake Mix Hack That Can Make It Taste Homemade

A common boxed cake recipe calls for vegetable oil, but substituting melted refined coconut oil will make the cake’s texture fluffier, lighter, and more moist. This isn’t a calorie-friendly substitution, but it tastes so good you’ll never want to make another cake mix without it.

2. One Simple Ingredient That Takes Mac And Cheese To The Next Level

Your standard mac and cheese recipe includes milk, cheese, and butter. But if you want to elevate the flavor and avoid a one-note dish, add a little fresh nutmeg. It only takes a tiny amount—just an eighth of a teaspoon—to add warmth and complexity to this ultimate comfort food.

3. Extra-Crispy Roasted Veggies Without Overcooking

Avoid limp, soggy vegetables and roast them perfectly and uniformly every time by setting your roasting pan on the oven floor. The direct, constant heat will leave your veggies ultra-crispy, yet nice and caramelized without overcooking them

4. A Genius Method For Poaching Multiple Eggs At Once

Professional chef Adrienne Cheatham is a master of poaching dozens of eggs a day for brunch service, and she shared her method for making foolproof poached eggs. This method will poach multiple eggs at once, without wasting time or product—and it never fails.

5. Martha Stewart’s Simple Method For Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

Culinary queen Martha Stewart told us the key to preparing fluffy, scrambled eggs is to cook them over low heat while constantly moving the eggs in the pan. To prevent them from sticking, add a little bit of butter.

6. An Ina Garten-Approved Ingredient To Transform Bland Chicken

Ina Garten took chicken to the next level in her latest cookbook: Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. Her recipe for “chicken in a pot with orzo” has a bit of luxurious flair with the addition of saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices.

7. The Necessary Ingredient For ‘The Greatest Steak Of All Time’

Brandi Carlile gave Courteney Cox a recipe that included the secret to making “the greatest steak of all time.” In an Instagram video, the Friends alum shared that secret with her followers—adding freshly-ground coffee to your steak seasoning mixture.

8. Adding Soy Sauce To Scrambled Eggs

Rather than adding salt to your scrambled eggs, consider using soy sauce instead to amp up the taste. The flavor of soy sauce surpasses that of ordinary salt by adding a touch of sweetness and umami.

9. The Key To Perfectly Roasted Potatoes

Chef Samin Nosrat shared a trick that will make your potatoes flavorful with an even crispier exterior. All you have to do is boil your potatoes whole in extra-salty water. Instead of using a pinch of salt, throw a handful into the water.

10. A Low-Carb Chicken Pizza Crust

Turn a can of chicken into a low-carb, high-protein pizza crust by mixing it with one egg and parmesan cheese. Season with basil and oregano, bake for 20 minutes, then add your sauce and toppings before giving it a final bake.

11. Pan-Frying Bacon In Water

Christopher Wallace, owner of seasoning brand FlavorGod, posted a TikTok video showing why pan-frying bacon in water is a must. Not only does it keep your bacon from splattering, but it makes the bacon turn out perfectly crisp and tender.

12. Rachael Ray’s Smashed Potatoes

The ultimate potato recipe comes from Rachael Ray, thanks to her smashing technique and a secret ingredient: charred lemon. She douses her potatoes in it along with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

13. Create Stunning Meals With Canned Campbell’s Soup

Dan Giusti, founder of Brigaid’s and former head chef of Noma’s, demonstrated how to make stunning meals with a can of Campbell’s Soup. Turn a can of tomato bisque into eggplant Croque madame, cream of mushroom soup into portobello mushroom soup, and bean and bacon soup into roasted chicken thighs with beans and kale.

14. The Ultimate Garlic Hack

Love the convenience of jarred minced garlic but prefer the flavor of fresh? Create bite-sized garlic blocks that are ready to cook with this unique method from Bou Family Kitchen on TikTok.

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Gen X women are all too familiar with hairspray (insert Aqua Net joke here). Obviously, it’s a great tool for keeping your hair in place while adding some shine and volume.

But like we learned this year with items like dryer sheets and even old mayonnaise, some common everyday items can have unexpected uses around the home, with hairspray being no exception.

Many of us are probably aware of hairspray’s ability to help stop a run in pantyhose, but we’re betting you didn’t know hairspray could do any of these 12 things.

1. Get Rid Of Price Tag Residue

Those price tags on things like dishes and serving platters can leave behind a sticky residue, but that’s not a problem when you have a little bit of hairspray. Coat the problem area with a layer of hairspray and let it sit. The remaining adhesive will be broken down by the alcohol in the spray, so you can simply wipe it off with a wet cloth after about 10 minutes.

2. Keep Flowers Fresh

A beautiful bunch of fresh flowers has a limited life span, but you can use hairspray to extend it. To help the blooms last as long as possible, use this beauty staple to seal in the freshness and prevent the colors from fading. Simply hold a bottle of hairspray about a foot away from your flowers and spray the undersides of the petals and leaves.

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3. Take Care Of Loose Screws

If you have a screw that has a habit of loosening up no matter how much you tighten it, hairspray can help. Tighten that screw the best you can and coat it with the spray. When it dries, it will create a polymer seal to stop the screw from loosening.

4. Tackle Unwanted Pet Hair

We all love our pets, but some of them have a habit of leaving their fur behind after a nap on the couch. To remove that unwanted hair, you don’t need a lint brush or some other fancy tool. Simply spray a generous amount of hairspray onto a washcloth and start dabbing, and the loose hair will immediately cling to the cloth.

5. Thread A Needle With Ease

The struggle is real when it comes to threading needles, but it doesn’t have to be. Spritz some hairspray onto the tip of the thread to stiffen it, and it will easily pass through the eye of the needle without fraying.

6. Preserve Your Children’s Artwork

If your child produces pencil-drawn masterpieces that you’d like to add to the family scrapbook or memory box, you can preserve that artwork with a light mist of hairspray to prevent smudging. This method also works for chalk art.

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7. Make Slippery Shoes Less Slippery

If you have a new (or old) pair of shoes with slick bottoms, avoid falls by spraying the bottoms with a layer of hairspray. Give it a minute to dry, and it will create traction and stop your soles from sliding.

8. Accelerate Nail Drying

Fingernail polish can take forever to dry, but you can accelerate that process by spritzing your nails with hairspray. The aerosol will not only speed things up, but will also create a chip-proof coating to protect your manicure. Win-win!

9. Get Rid Of Static Cling

Avoid a static cling-induced wardrobe malfunction with a little bit of hairspray. Tame a dress or skirt by spritzing some on your hands and rubbing it on your clothing or tights to reduce the static cling without damaging the fabric.

10. Prevent Pollen Stains

Pollen grains from fresh flowers, like lilies and tulips, can fall off and cause some serious stains on fabric and carpet. They can be extremely difficult to remove, so avoid that problem from the get-go by spritzing some hairspray on the stamens when you bring fresh flowers into your home.

11. Preserve Leaves

Wreaths are a fabulous year-round decor item. If you’re a crafter who wants to create your own using real leaves, you can preserve them with some hairspray. 

Start by patting the leaves dry with a cloth until any moisture is gone, then cover both sides with hairspray so they don’t turn brown. This will make the leaves easy to incorporate into crafting projects while preventing them from wilting.

12. Hold Those Eyebrows In Place

Okay, this one is beauty routine-adjacent, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. If you have unruly, stubborn eyebrows, hairspray can help. Spritz some on your finger (or a spoolie), then wipe that finger over each brow—starting on the inside and moving outward—to keep those crazy hairs right where you want them.

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We’ve never been interested in no-carb diets, which you can probably tell based on our love of a good potato hack. Lots of you seem to be on the same page, based on how many of you read our potato recipes and tricks this year. Here’s a collection of our (and your!) favorite potato techniques of 2022.

1. Bacon-Wrapped Volcano Potatoes Anyone?

One of our favorite pastimes is scrolling TikTok for drool-worthy recipes, and every once in a while you stumble upon a real winner. We certainly found one when we came across The Shaba Kitchen’s viral sensation: bacon-wrapped volcano potatoes! It may require some time, but I think everyone can agree that these are well worth the effort.

2. This Hack For Cripsy Fried Potatoes

Many of us cook potatoes on the stove in hopes of achieving the same outcome: golden, crispy exteriors with pillowy centers. However, if you’ve ever tried to fry potatoes in a skillet, you’ve surely encountered the dreaded mushy center and burnt edges, not to mention a frightful mess to clean. But Chef Colin Fassnidge shared a secret for extra-crispy fried potatoes, and it’s as simple as following his make-ahead hack.

3. 10-Second Trick For The Best Baked Potato Ever

Lousy baked potatoes exist, and the quality of the outside matters just as much as the center. While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you’re free to judge potatoes by their unappetizing, mushy, bland skins. Thankfully, Cook’s Illustrated chef Lan Lam revealed there’s a 10-second hack that ensures crispy exteriors on your baked potatoes.

RELATED: This One Simple Hack Can Help Make Your Roasted Veggies Even Crisper

4. Roasted Potatoes Will Never Be The Same With This Tip

Roasting is lesson 101 for making vegetables delicious, and potatoes are no different. But Samin Nosrat, chef and author of Salt Fat Acid Heat, said you can amp up your spuds with salt. Nosrat uses a particular method to ensure the salt permeates the tots while creating an irresistibly crispy exterior.

5. Guy Fieri’s Secret Mashed Potatoes Ingredient

While classic S&P may be fine with some folks, it doesn’t cut it for Chef Guy Fieri. As the host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives knows, it’s all about flavor, and adding his spicy secret ingredient to mashed potatoes will take your food all the way to Flavortown.

6. Rachel Ray’s Smashed Potatoes Has This Special Extra

There was an absolute frenzy on TikTok this year when Rachel Ray shared her potato recipe! Her no-peel method is wildly effective and incredibly easy.

For extra-crispy potatoes, she parboils them and then gently smashes them with the bottom of a water glass before baking. As for flavor, she douses them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, plus a secret ingredient that she claims makes all the difference! 

7. Parm Potatoes Prepared With This Unique Technique

If you haven’t noticed by the other trends on this list, crispy skins and unbeatable flavor have been the name of the spud game this year. These parmesan-crusted oven-roasted potatoes deliver on both fronts, thanks to an ingenious hack. 

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This simple technique will ensure you get the best roasted potatoes of your life, one that boasts punchy flavor not just on the outside but throughout. Potatoes are cut into crisscross patterns and layered skin-side up, allowing all the seasoning to penetrate into each potato for the crispiest, most flavorful tots. Best of all, this recipe has a swoon-worthy parmesan crust that’s to die for!

8. The Unexpected Use For Leftover Potato Water

Move over, leftover pasta water, you’re not the only liquid gold in town! Think twice before pouring that cloudy, starchy water from your boiled potatoes down the drain. Leftover potato water is brimming with nutrients and minerals, but not for you—rather, for your houseplants and garden. 

Reusing leftover potato water as plant food is a great way to attain lush plants, as it contains potassium, protein, iron, and B6 vitamins. Take advantage of this when making potatoes for dinner, and watch your plants flourish!

9. Why You Shouldn’t Reheat Potatoes In The Microwave

Microwaves are undoubtedly a time-saving tool for busy weeknight meals. In spite of this, it’s not the best way to cook everything in your pantry, including leftover potatoes. Because they can harbor Clostridium botulinum, which microwaves cannot kill, they should be rewarmed in the oven or air fryer instead.

10. Common Mashed Potato Mistakes

Mashed potatoes may seem like a simple dish, but they’re surprisingly finicky. If you want the best mashed potatoes that will knock your dinner guests’ socks off, you’ll need to avoid any possible spud faux pas. In an earlier post, we covered how you can avoid bland, gummy, and sticky mash, and Yukon bet with these tips your taters will be a big hit with everyone at your company potluck.

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On a hectic morning, making breakfast sammies with jammy eggs and gooey cheese can prove to be quite a challenge. So when you don’t have enough time to fumble around the kitchen assembling multiple ingredients, a simple omelet will do. 

But one viral omelet hack is changing the breakfast game forever by turning any ordinary omelet into a savory swoon-worthy sandwich. Inspired by Indian bread omelets, this simple yet brilliant one-pan breakfast dish will make you wonder why you never thought of it sooner!

Indian bread omelets, often sold by street vendors in (you guessed it) India, are essentially a fusion of omelets and grilled cheese sandwiches. As with a traditional omelet, it starts off by beating two eggs, adding seasonings, and pouring the liquid into a pan.

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In order to transform this dish into a sandwich, two pieces of bread are placed directly into the eggy mixture before flipping it over. As the eggs cook around the bread, the two ingredients fuse together for easy flipping. Now you have the perfect canvas for your omelet sandwich.

And what’s a sandwich without the fixings? After flipping the omelet, simply top one side with the fillings of your choice. The YouTube channel Indulgent Eats shared its take on this viral egg sandwich, which included bacon and crispy cheese.

You can load up your sandwich with whatever seasonings, veggies, condiments, cheese, and protein you prefer.

Go classic with smoked deli ham and cheddar cheese paired with diced onions and peppers, or try a lighter take with spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes paired with mozzarella.

After adding the fillings, simply tuck in the omelet on each side and fold one slice of bread on top of the other to complete your sandwich.

You can amp up the flavor even more by experimenting with various types of bread. Sourdough, multigrain, and potato bread are among our favorites. As for cheese, a blend of cheddar, Gruyere, and parmesan would be just the thing to add some delicious ooey-gooey goodness.

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Social media is full of ways to make home organization and cleaning easier, and we came across some super-useful tips in 2022. From tackling the challenges of spreading cold, hard butter without destroying our toast to creative uses for dryer sheets (even used ones), we’ve rounded up some of the most useful home hacks we discovered this year.

1. Spreading Butter Like A Dream

A viral TikTok video posted by a Norwegian food blogger and viewed well over a million times proved there is an easy way to get cold butter to spread on toast like a dream. How exactly? By simply using a grater. 

In just a matter of seconds, you can get the best spreadability by using a grater directly over your warm toast. It will soften your butter flakes instantly and they will become smooth and spreadable. As the TikToker pointed out, grating butter also works well for baking. It’s “a technique used by home cooks and professionals to make food preparation tasks easier, faster, or more efficient.”

2. Never Buy Refills Again With The Swiffer Wet Jet Hack

You’ll never have to buy Swiffer solution refills again thanks to this Wet Jet hack. The one annoying design feature of the WetJet is the fact that you can’t open the cleaning solution bottle to refill it. But it can be done using a mug of hot water.

Simply put the bottle lid-side down into the mug, let it sit for about a minute, remove it from the water, and the lid will easily unscrew.

3. A Revolutionary Dishwasher Hack

We all have our own opinions about how to properly load a dishwasher. But did you know that putting aluminum foil in your machine can make your dishes cleaner? 

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As Chef Erin Morley explained on TikTok, “The foil has a reaction with the detergent to literally get all the grime, grease [off]. It gets your silverware and glassware shinier than you’ve ever seen it.” And she said it eliminates the need for a rinsing solution.

4. Tight On Counter Space? Try This Amazon Kitchen Hack

If you never have enough space for all the chopping and prepping in your kitchen—and don’t have the time or money to add a kitchen cart or buffet—you can get much needed workspace from this Amazon kitchen hack.

Influencer Julianna Claire shared a quick video on Instagram showing off a bamboo work surface designed with a lip. It can easily give you more kitchen counter space by simply placing it over your sink or stove.

5. A Snow Shoveling Hack A La Clark Griswold

Clearing fresh snow off of sidewalks, steps, and driveways can be time-consuming and back-breaking work. But just like Clark Griswold and his sled in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you can grease up your shovel with WD-40 or Pam cooking spray to save time and your lower back. This hack will keep the snow chunks from sticking to your shovel and weighing it down.

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6. Using Dryer Sheets Outside Of The Dryer

Dryer sheets can be used for so much more than getting rid of static cling. We came up with seven ways to make the most out of those sheets around your home, and some you can use even after the dryer sheet has been used in a load of laundry. Dryer sheets are useful for repelling bugs, sharpening scissors, and cleaning your baseboards, among many other tasks.

7. Clever Uses For Expired Spices

If you’ve ever bought a spice that you only needed for one dish and never used again, this hack is for you. You can use expired spices to do things like tie-dye shirts, give a mineral boost to your plants, freshen up your carpet, and so much more.

8. Unexpected Uses For Honey

We all know honey can add sweetness to dozens of recipes, but there are other ways to use this liquid gold. Combine a teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of brown sugar to make a lip scrub. Or, make your own hair mask with raw honey, coconut oil, and an egg. Check the link for lots more uses—this condiment is a jack-of-all-trades!

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Getting hit with a major craving for takeout when you can’t have it is bad enough. But it’s a whole other level of torture when the cuisine you crave is only available at a restaurant hundreds of miles away. 

Whether you didn’t get to travel for the holidays and are feeling homesick for local cuisine or you’re craving non-local flavors at home, Goldbelly can help. This food-delivery service brings region- and restaurant-specific meals from across the country straight to your doorstep. 

Want classic Kansas City BBQ while stuck in Arizona? Maybe you’re craving real New York bagels while living in the Midwest? Either way, Goldbelly can help.

How Goldbelly Works

Essentially, Goldbelly is an online middleman between you and your favorite restaurants from all over the U.S. Goldbelly doesn’t make or ship the meals to you. On the contrary, food makers will pack and ship their entrees, desserts, and more at their own shops to send them straight to you. Goldbelly is simply the marketplace that facilitates the sale. 

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You can scroll through Goldbelly’s vast catalog of cuisine, which you can filter by region, restaurant, or dish. In addition to one-off deliveries, Goldbelly offers subscription services that regularly deliver food-specific packages like a bacon subscription, cookie subscription, or “best-of” dishes from a particular region or city.

Satisfy Your Savory Cravings

If you’re in the mood for something savory, Joe’s KC BBQ (named “America’s Best BBQ” by USA Today) offers classic Kansas City barbecue flavors with meal kits, whole briskets, ribs, and more.

Travel further north to Philly and try the world-famous Philly Cheesesteak from Pat’s King of Steaks (because you know your Subway isn’t cutting it).

Centerville Pie Company, based out of Centerville, Massachusetts, is the home of Oprah’s favorite chicken pot pie, which you can order straight to your door.

Or, head to the Pacific Northwest coast for authentic seafood straight from Seattle’s legendary Pike Place Fish Market.

Craving STL pizza while outside of Cardinals country? Don’t worry—thanks to Goldbelly, you can get Imo’s delivered no matter how far away from the Midwest you are.

Or Cater To Your Sweet Tooth

Goldbelly also offers a wide range of delectable sweet treats, including selections from Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey. (Yes, as in Cake Boss’ Carlo’s Bakery.)

If you’re not a big Cake Boss fan, consider crossing the Hudson and heading to New York’s famous Little Italy district for an authentic cannoli from the Ferrara Bakery.

In the mood for something tropical? Try a key lime pie that’s actually from the keys with Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe’s selection of mouthwateringly tart pies, fudge, and taffy.

You can also try pillowy soft marshmallows or ginger chews from Food Network Champion Chef Maeve Rochford’s La Jolla, California-based bakery, Sugar and Scribe.

I recently gifted my husband’s aunt one of Houston’s most iconic pecan pies from Goode Co. Barbecue, and she absolutely loved it. She’s originally from Texas but now lives further west—not only did the flavors bring back nostalgic feelings of home, but the pie was also delivered in an adorable, Texas-themed wooden box.

Famous Pecan Pie & Wooden Gift Box

$74.95 Shop Now at Goldbelly

Satisfy Your Goldbelly Cravings Today

While a Goldbelly delivery might cost more than your average Doordash or meal delivery service, these unique treats are worth paying extra. Goldbelly delivers fresh, local flavors from across the United States straight to your doorstep.

And hey, ordering from Goldbelly is cheaper than traveling to your favorite local eatery’s flagship store. Plus, you get to enjoy these delicious foods from the comfort of your own home. 

Don’t let your tastebuds go homesick any longer. With Goldbelly, you can satisfy food cravings from near and far—and find a perfect last-minute gift for friends and family, too.

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There are certainly pros to having a front-loading washing machine, but one big con is that they can get … well, a little stinky. And you certainly don’t want to throw your clothes into a smelly washer when you’re trying to get them clean and fresh-smelling.

Ever wonder what causes your washer to smell bad? Several factors could be at play.

Front-load washing machines don’t use as much water as others, which is a definite plus. But that also makes it difficult for the machine to wash away every bit of the products you use to wash your clothes.

And if you use a lot of product to get your clothes clean (too much detergent, fabric softener, etc.), this can build up over time and turn into sludge sitting in your machine’s water pump filter. This is the type of sludge mold and bacteria love to call home, hence the smell.

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Another possible explanation for the odor is that lint can build up in your washer’s water pump filter. Yes, your washer also has a lint trap and it needs to be cleaned out just like the one in your dryer. If you don’t have the first clue about cleaning your washer’s filter, you’re certainly not alone. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

1. Unplug your washing machine.
2. Find your washer’s access panel—for most front-load washers, this should be on the lower front corner of your machine.
3. Lay a towel under a baking sheet (with a lip) or shallow bowl on the ground in front of the washer to protect your floors from any nasty stuff that might come out.
4. Using a flathead screwdriver, pry off the access panel. Open the little door on the inside, and voila! There’s your water pump filter.
5. Turn the filter’s handle counterclockwise until water begins draining onto your baking sheet and you’re able to pull the filter out (you may have to empty your drain hose before this step).
6. Use soap, water, and a toothbrush or paper towel to clean the filter, paying special attention to the rubber gasket. Replace it if you spot any damage.
7. Soak the filter in hot water for 10 minutes.
8. Screw the water filter back into your machine by turning the handle clockwise, then close its little door and replace the access panel.

If you need a visual aid, @brunchwithbabs shows how it’s done on TikTok.

Manually cleaning out the gasket that runs around your washer’s drum on a regular basis will also help stave off any stench.

To give it an extra-deep clean, pour two cups of bleach into the detergent tray (which you also might want to remove and wash) and run a hot cycle, followed by one or two hot rinse-only cycles. Then put two cups of white vinegar into the detergent tray or drum and run a cleaning cycle or another hot cycle. Finally, run one last rinse-only cycle to ensure your machine is thoroughly cleaned out.

It’s not a fun job, but it’s satisfying to open that washer and have it smell like clean laundry instead of mildew.

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The struggle is real for those of us who travel for work, go to school, or just love a good backpack. While backpacks are convenient, comfortable, and just make sense to carry most of the time, they can also be an easy theft target. Thankfully, there’s a new genius backpack that’s theft-resistant that was highlighted recently on the Today show. And it’s all thanks to a reverse zipper that we absolutely love!

The Telena Anti Theft Backpack in faux leather is an anti-theft travel bag that will keep your items safe, regardless of where you are. The backpack also comes with nine pockets making it easy for you to organize your items. Plus, with multiple pockets and easy-to-access straps, you can grab your ID, credit cards, or hand sanitizer while on the go!

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How many times have you looked for a stylish backpack that is versatile, fits everything you need, and will ward off people from easily getting inside your bag? When you’re standing in line at a busy airport, on the subway, or just standing in a long line, those front zippers can be easy targets for thieves. Not so with the Telena Backpack. Since the zipper rests along your back, you’ll know if someone is reaching for your bag.

Even with the new zipper design, the backpack is more than affordable. With prices starting just under $40, the Telena Backpack is light on any budget. Thank goodness because you may have a difficult time choosing which color to purchase. The bag comes in 32 neutral and fun colors which means you may just need more than one of these cute bags.

Telena Anti Theft Travel Backpack

$38.99 Shop Now at Amazon

The Telena Backpack is also more than adorable. It’s also durable and a great size at just over 13 inches. Since the bag is made from high-quality water-resistant soft PU leather, the bag will stand up to just about anything. Plus, the backpack features a long shoulder strap. Although the bag is typically worn as a backpack, you can also wear it as a shoulder bag if backpacks aren’t your thing! The versatility is perfect for travelers, moms on the go, or students of any age.

Don’t just take our word for it. The majority of reviewers praise the versatility, craftsmanship, and large pockets that the backpack offers. Although some people mentioned that the colors were a little off and that the bag doesn’t look like leather, the description does mention that it’s a faux leather bag. Just something to keep in mind.

But you really can’t beat the price and versatility of this backpack. Since it’s also anti-theft, it’s worth the investment!

The microwave is fast and convenient when it comes to making food hot, but it doesn’t always make it entirely palatable. When it comes to leftover rice, that can be resolved with this simple trick to keep it from becoming dry and flavorless in the microwave.

Similar to this method for reheating pasta, reheating rice can also yield better results by strategically introducing moisture to the process.

This trick could not be easier, but it makes a huge difference in your microwaved rice. Literally all you do is grab an ice cube, place it on top of the rice, and microwave for a minute or so, depending on how much rice you’re reheating. For larger servings, adding two cubes may be necessary.

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Surprisingly, the ice cube will not melt fully. The small amount of water that does evaporate from the ice creates steam, and that’s what makes this method the easiest and most effective for reheating next-day rice. It’s no wonder several TikTok influencers have recently lauded the ice cube trick.

You may have heard of tricks including adding a few splashes of water or covering the rice with a moist paper towel. While similar in theory, we like the ice cube method as it maximizes the amount of steam (which makes the rice fluffier) while avoiding adding excess water to the rice (which could impact the flavor).

If desired, you can add a pat of butter or a bit of olive oil to make the microwaved rice even more delicious (butter does make everything better).

So whether you’re at work, running short on time, or simply just want to get a meal together fast, knowing smart microwave reheating tips can truly make a big impact on the final product. And while you may never get that perfectly fluffy-fresh result after reheating rice, but this is probably the closest you’ll get.

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Chicken breasts always make for a great entree, but coming up with new ways to make them can be challenging. If you’re an adventurous cook, you may have already tried variations on breading including salty potato chips, crushed almonds, or even boxed cereal.

But there’s one tasty breading recipe that’s a little more outside the box, and it shares a common ingredient with s’mores. That’s right, we’re talking about graham cracker-crusted chicken. Trust us, it’s delicious!

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Like other breading recipes, the chicken is smothered in flour and dipped in lightly-beaten eggs before being coated in crushed graham crackers. But this graham cracker breading shines with a distinctively deep and nutty flavor and an addictive delicate crunch.

In addition, depending on the brand of graham cracker you choose, your chicken may have a slightly honeyed sweetness or a bit of heat from cinnamon or cloves. Regardless of which brand you go with, this chicken dish is bound to be filled with rich flavors you’ll want to make again and again.

Check out this easy-to-make recipe from Real Simple if you want to try it for yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham crackers, finely crushed (works out to roughly 6 graham cracker “sheets”)
• 2 pounds chicken breast tenders
• 1 cup pretzels, finely crushed
• 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• ¾ tsp basil, dried
• ¾ tsp marjoram, dried
• ½ tsp ginger, dried
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, divided
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Combine graham crackers, pretzels, basil, marjoram, ginger, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs form. Set aside in a shallow bowl. 
2. Place the flour in a second shallow bowl and the beaten egg whites in a third shallow bowl. 
3. Dry the chicken using a paper towel, then season with pepper and the remaining teaspoon of salt. 
4. Lightly coat each chicken tender with flour and shake off the excess. After dipping the chicken in egg whites, dredge in the seasoned graham cracker mixture. Continue coating all chicken tenders.
5. To finish, spray each tender with a light layer of cooking spray on both sides (this will help the breading stick and make it crispier), then arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet and place them in the oven.
6. Bake until the chicken tenders are golden brown, about 16 to 18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, turning once halfway through baking time.

You can serve these finger-licking good chicken tenders with any sauce of your choice. We personally prefer honey mustard to complement the salty-sweet flavor or hot sauce to give these melt-in-your-mouth tenders a little extra kick!  

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Candles can create a lovely ambience in your home, making the atmosphere cozy and dreamy with just a few expertly-placed votives. But like other discoveries we’ve made recently, from showering inefficiently to loading our dishwashers incorrectly, we’ve been burning our candles all wrong.

You might be thinking, “How can I do candles wrong?” We hear you—we rolled our eyes at first too. But it turns out there are candle-burning rules that candle fanatics take very seriously. And with the fanciest candles costing upwards of $75 or more, you might want in on this intel.

1. Burn It Right The First Time

The way you burn your candle the first time is crucial to its longevity. Make sure you burn it for at least three to four hours (or long enough that the wax pool reaches all the way to the edges of the candle jar).

Candle wax has memory (not kidding), and if you don’t allow the top layer to melt evenly all the way across the first time, it will only burn to that smaller circumference each subsequent time. This is called tunneling and results in a buildup of wax around the edge of the jar, making your candle look as though it has, you guessed it, a tunnel running through its center.

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2. Fix Tunneling

It’s possible to fix a tunneled candle, but you must act fast. If you have to extinguish your candle before the top layer has a chance to melt evenly, the next time you use it, wrap aluminum foil around the top of the jar. Cut a hole in the center of the foil, and allow the candle to burn long enough so the wax melts into an even layer.

3. Keep The Wick Trimmed

Always keep the wicks of your candles trimmed to one-quarter of an inch long. Keeping it at this length will help avoid excess smoke and unsightly soot marks. You can use wick trimmers, nail clippers, or just regular scissors. Maintaining the wick will keep it from curling (another thing I’m guilty of) and potentially breaking off into the wax—not a cute look. Trimmed wicks also make for a prettier and cleaner flame.

4. Keep Candles Away From Drafts

It’s also important to burn candles in a well-ventilated room. But make sure to avoid keeping your candles too close to vents, open windows, ceiling fans, etc. That can cause sooting, flare-ups, and even tunneling.

5. Properly Extinguish The Flame

If you want elite candle-burner status, use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer rather than blowing out your candles the usual way. These tools will keep the wax inside the vessel, prevent too much smoking, and keep your home smelling like a candle instead of a campfire.

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After years of buying (or making) my loved ones presents, I’m running painfully low on new, thoughtful gift ideas. For family members like my parents and grandparents, it can seem even harder to find the perfect present. What do you give the person who already has everything, anyway? 

I didn’t want to add clutter to my family’s homes, rely on impersonal gift cards, or give them baked goods for the third year in a row. BloomsyBox poses a perfect solution to this type of dilemma—and it might solve yours, too. 

BloomsyBox is a floral subscription service that delivers fresh, high-quality bouquets to your giftee as often as once a week. These breathtaking bouquets are simple gifts that make a big impact, brightening your loved ones’ homes and offices for months to come.

The Basics Of BloomsyBox

Generally speaking, BloomsyBox operates like most other floral delivery services. You can opt to send a single bouquet in whatever size and floral combination you prefer. But BloomsyBox’s bread and butter is its unique, hand-picked subscription service. 

Subscription services are separated into weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly plans. BloomsyBox offers three versions of its monthly bouquets: Original, Deluxe, and Premium (each version larger and more elaborate than the last), in addition to its weekly and bi-weekly plans. 

Bloomsy Original Monthly Subscription

Per Month: $44.99 Shop Now at BloomsyBox

• A fresh-cut, unique arrangement delivered monthly.
• Includes 22-24 stems per bouquet.

It also offers unique subscriptions like The NYBG Subscription (inspired by the New York Botanical Garden), a rose-only package, houseplants, eucalyptus, and pet-friendly flowers—something I particularly loved as a cat mom whose fur children love to get into the bouquets on the counter. 

Shipping is as quick as two days, and BloomsyBox schedules all following deliveries according to your initial delivery date. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time. You can also pay month-to-month or in three, six, and 12-month increments.

What Makes BloomsyBox Better

I’ve ordered flowers from countless websites before, but none had a selection like BloomsyBox. The variety in stems blew me away, from classic roses, lilies, and tulips to more unique picks like Scottish thistle, stunning Heliconias, and rustic red fern. Plus, BloomsyBox designs a new hand-cut bouquet each week or month of your delivery. 

BloomsyBox’s prices range from around $40 to $120, which is comparable to most major (and reliable) floral retailers. Except with BloomsyBox, these flowers are shipped from the farms where they’re picked. Only two to five days after the stems are cut, the blooms will arrive on your doorstep in a stunning arrangement.

Moreover, BloomsyBox delivers many of its flowers in bud form, allowing you (or your giftee) to watch them bloom before your eyes. Watching the red roses of my selected bouquet open their petals surrounded by long-lasting calla lilies made for such a lovely experience. Plus, this bouquet lasted longer than any previous grocery store or other major retailer’s bouquet I’ve had on my counter. 

On top of this, BloomsyBox’s bouquets are sourced primarily from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms, making it one of the only direct-to-consumer florists so deeply dedicated to sustainability.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

BloomsyBox takes the guesswork out of gift-giving entirely. Its florists create stunning arrangements for your loved ones so that your only job is to set up the subscription. After that, BloomsyBox does the rest.

There’s a reason the floral industry is worth billions of dollars—as simple as these gifts may seem, we love them. We love lighting our living spaces with vibrant blooms or (not so) subtly showing off a new bouquet at the office. And with BloomsyBox, you get to deliver that joyful feeling year-round. 

A BloomsyBox subscription service is a fantastic way to give your loved ones a sentimental, thoughtful present without repeating any DIY projects or baked goods bundles. Because BloomsyBox never sends the same bouquet twice, this long-lasting present will never get stale. As the seasons change, so will your giftee’s blooms. 

The only thing that won’t change is the excitement they feel with each new BloomsyBox delivery. Don’t settle for the best gift of the holiday season. Choose a gift that your loved ones will appreciate all year with BloomsyBox’s unique, gorgeous bouquets.

Tinsel garland is a tried-and-true Christmas tree decoration, but it’s definitely divisive. Some people claim it’s tacky and maybe a little too retro—is there such a thing? But it is a relatively cheap decoration that can make your tree look sparkly and pretty.

I mean, it’s one of the oldest holiday trends we’ve got (we’re talking 1600s here), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add it to your tree. Could it use a bit of a makeover, though? The answer to that is a resounding yes! 

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A new hack shows how to update your garlands of tinsel into a fresh and modern look. It’s a unique take to be sure, but once again opinions are split: Some adore the look, while others are skeptical. We’d love to know—would you try this Christmas tree hack?

In a video that’s garnered more than 1.9 million views, TikTok creator Teana of @itstea____ showed how to create a “starburst” tinsel look instead of the traditional wrap-around-the-tree method.

Teana first twists a piece of tinsel around a branch, then takes a pair of scissors and clips off the end. Next, she fluffs out the strands and repeats the process sporadically throughout the tree.

Several commenters thought the process seemed longer than necessary, saying things like, “It’s so cute, but my patience could never.” But others were obsessed with the outcome. One commenter stated, “Aww it looks like little fireworks on the tree,” with which we have to agree.

If you want to get the look but are worried about waste, fret not. Teana claimed she only used three feet of tinsel garland to complete the look on her six-foot tree. So while this method isn’t reusable for real trees, it’s not super wasteful, and you could always use less than recommended.

However, another commenter pointed out a way to make the decorations more sustainable by gluing the tinsel “stars” to mini butterfly clips.

Even better, this tinsel garland comes in several different hues, so you can have a rainbow of stars/fireworks all over your tree!

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There are so many benefits to having an artificial Christmas tree during the holiday season. They’re convenient, hypoallergenic, and super low-maintenance—no sweeping up pine needles or watering required. Plus, they come in an array of different styles and colors according to your taste.

They’re also economical—you can decorate the same tree for years to come—and they’re typically less of a fire hazard than a real tree. But as advantageous as they are in many ways, they sometimes need a little boost in the aesthetics department. 

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Artificial trees can sometimes resemble the scraggly Charlie Brown Christmas tree, and we say lean into it if you dig that look. However, if you want your tree to look fuller or more expensive, then check out this hack!

TikTok creator @tnstyled normally focuses on easy and affordable recipes, but she occasionally has a home decor hack or two up her sleeve. She recently made a reel showing us how to up our artificial Christmas tree game, and it’s seriously the simplest hack.

The influencer said one of her favorite ways to make her Christmas tree look more voluminous is to add a few strands of inexpensive evergreen garland. In the reel, she wraps three strands around her pre-lit but undecorated tree starting at the top. After that, she throws in a few more pieces of extra greenery in a different shade for contrast.

To the naysayers who commented telling her to just buy a different/new/real/fuller tree, @tnstyled said, “Some people, unfortunately, can’t afford that. This garland is $5, so not very expensive.” And we wholeheartedly agree; improving things we already own is a great way to save money and avoid waste.

Ziomizi 9-ft Christmas Garland

$18.97 Shop Now at Amazon

When it comes to choosing the right type of garland, you have a few different options. You can buy a versatile plain garland that will blend in with pretty much any artificial tree. Just make sure you buy enough to cover your whole tree.

Christmas Garland Greenery

$23.99 Shop Now at Amazon

Or go with a garland pre-decorated with pinecones, berries, poinsettias, etc. The look is natural and festive, and will save you some decorating time.

Frosted Artificial Christmas Garland

$21.99 Shop Now at Amazon

You could also go with frosted garlands for color contrast or to blend in with your flocked tree.

As a bonus, the leftover garland can be draped over mantelpieces, staircase banisters, entryway tables, or doorways for a festive look throughout your home. The options are endless when it comes to decorating with garland, but this hack is definitely going on my to-do list.

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Holidays always bring with them the expectation of festive show-stopping pies and baked treats worthy of being displayed in storefront windows. However, getting them on the table can be tricky during this hectic time of year, especially if baking isn’t your forte. 

With a holiday to-do list a mile long, there’s no time for worrying about possible pie crust fails, so baking shortcuts are the perfect solution. Fortunately, there are lots of them to get you through the holiday season.

This viral pie hack from Instagrammer Chelsea Dyan shows busy home bakers how to serve up adorable bite-size pumpkin pies without the hassle of baking from scratch. All you need to pull off this no-bake crowd-pleasing dessert is a store-bought pumpkin pie, a cookie cutter, and some whipped cream.

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To make these pumpkin pie bites, spray both sides of the cookie cutter with nonstick cooking spray. Use it to make cutouts of your chilled store-bought pie, then place the results on a platter. Top each tiny pie with a dollop of whipped cream, along with chopped pecans or a dash of cinnamon or ginger, if desired. 

But what should you do with all the leftover pie? No need to worry, Dyan has a plan for that too: pumpkin pie cake pops!

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She adds the remaining pie, along with a tablespoon of canned pumpkin, into a large mixing bowl and mixes until blended. After that, she molds the mixture into individual cake balls using a teaspoon (you can also use an ice cream scoop or melon baller) and places them on a cookie sheet to chill in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, she uses a microwave to melt chocolate chips. Once the cake balls have chilled, she places a treat stick into each one. She then gently coats each pumpkin ball in the melted chocolate and drizzles them with caramel sauce before returning the finished cake pops to the refrigerator to harden.

Your family will surely think you’ve mastered the art of baking when you serve them a platter of irresistible (but secretly super easy) desserts. 

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When it comes to holiday gift-giving, I’m a huge fan of all things sentimental. If I can get my giftees to cry a happy tear or two, I’d consider my job well done.

Plus, not only are sentimental gifts something your loved one can cherish for years ahead, but it also lets them know how much time and effort you put into planning their present. 

With so much of our lives uploaded and saved solely to the digital world, printed photographs have become somewhat of a rarity in our daily lives. A beautiful, high-quality print that your loved one can display in their home is a nostalgic, thoughtful gift that is sure to bring a smile to their face day after day.

Fracture lets you gift your loved ones stunning photographs using a sleek, modern technique: glass printing. And thanks to its exclusive discount for Suggest readers, SUGGEST20, you can get 20% off your first order.

How Fracture Works

Fracture takes your most beloved photographs and turns them into beautiful glass prints, which it can even arrange into a gallery wall (more on that later).

Each Fracture print starts as a piece of durable, blank glass cut and hand-prepared to order. Color and white ink are sprayed directly onto the glass. Then, Fracture uses a special UV curing process to bring your photograph to life.

Ordering a Fracture print is incredibly simple. You choose the shape and size of your print. Keep it small and compact with Fracture’s 5” x 5” small print, or make a massive statement with its 28.8” x 21.6” extra-large print. Additionally, you can opt for an original reflective finish or a matte, non-glare finish.

Fracture Glass Print

Starting At $25 Create Your Fracture Print

Enter promo code SUGGEST20 to receive 20% off your first order.

After you upload your photograph, Fracture does the rest. Its small prints start at an affordable $25, and its largest, most expensive print doesn’t pass the $180 mark.

The entire creation process takes about 15 minutes tops. And because Fracture makes each print to order in the US, shipping is incredibly fast. It took about one week for my custom print to arrive at my house after I ordered it online. 

Speaking of shipping, the secure packaging Fracture sends its prints in was highly impressive. A UPS mix-up sent my print to the vacant house next door, and I watched the box sit in the elements all weekend (the wind even knocked it over).

Once I finally realized it was mine, I was sure my glass print would be shattered. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that, despite its weekend in the cold rain and wind, my print was in pristine condition.

What Sets Fracture Apart

Unlike traditional prints, Fracture’s prints are ready to mount straight out of the box. These prints don’t need any bulky frames or matting.

It’s as if you printed and taped a photo directly to the wall, except that with Fracture, the print is a thick, durable plane of glass—around ¼” thick with Fracture’s lightweight, protective backing.

Fracture also offers unique, custom-made photo walls that let you turn any room of your house into a high-quality gallery.

Simply choose a gallery wall layout, upload your photos, and Fracture will deliver a ready-to-hang photo wall for as little as $120. That means no more scouring the internet for coordinating frames or uncommon print sizes.

Kingsman Photo Wall

Starting At $120 Create Your Custom Gallery Wall

Enter promo code SUGGEST20 to receive 20% off your first order.

But most importantly, Fracture’s prints are distinctly beautiful. The vibrant, edge-to-edge color makes your memories pop out of their glass panes. From family portraits to stunning vacay shots and everything in between, Fracture prints bring unmatched color, love, and life to your home.

The Perfect Holiday Gift

My first Fracture order was a “treat yourself” purchase.

I ordered a 10.8” x 14.4” print (the classic size) of one of my favorite wedding photographs. It’s a shot of my husband and I beaming under a tunnel of sparklers held up by our closest friends and family, and the way the twinkling lights of the nighttime shot sparkle on the glass blew me away. 

However, you don’t just have to treat yourself to Fracture (although I highly recommend it). These gorgeous glass prints make the perfect holiday gift for parents, siblings, partners, best friends—you name it.

Because Fracture uses digital uploads, finding the perfect image can be as simple as scrolling through your camera roll or your giftee’s Facebook page. 

A Fracture glass print is more unique and modern than a traditional framed photo, and it’s more put-together and durable than a loose film print.

Don’t settle for second best this holiday season. Gift your loved ones something they’ll enjoy year-round for many, many years to come.

And while causing your loved ones to cry a happy tear or two is technically priceless, Fracture wants to make sure your dollar goes further by offering Suggest readers an exclusive discount code. Use SUGGEST20 to get 20% off your first Fracture purchase, and sit back and enjoy your loved ones’ reactions to their thoughtful, timeless gift.

You can never go wrong with a glass of red wine and a comforting, heaping bowl of pasta. Once that pasta becomes leftovers, though, it loses much of its charm. If done wrong, that bowl of pasta can go from one of life’s biggest joys to one of its greatest disappointments.

On a busy weeknight, the microwave is the hero and workhorse of the kitchen, churning out steamed veggies and piping-hot soup. But when it comes to leftover pasta, it tends to zap the much-needed moisture and dehydrate any sauce, leaving it dry and flavorless.

Thankfully, there’s good news for those of us who love pasta and depend heavily on our microwaves. In fact, there’s more than one way to keep your reheated pasta from mediocrity—and they’re both super easy!

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Method 1: The Ice Cube Hack

The first method is to spread your cold pasta thinly on a plate and top it with a single ice cube, then cover that ice cube with a paper towel or parchment paper. Though this may seem a bit strange at first, you’ve gotta trust the process.

The ice cube will generate steam in the microwave, thus preventing any sad, dry pasta. To achieve the best results, microwave the pasta in one-minute intervals and stir after each one.

Method 2: A Damp Paper Towel

The next hack is especially helpful if you plan on bringing leftover pasta to work or school. You’ll start out the same way, by spreading the pasta on a plate in a thin layer, but this time you’ll drape a damp paper towel over your noodles instead. Similar to the ice cube method, the damp paper towel will help retain moisture (again, reheat in one-minute intervals).

Using either trick will maintain the pasta’s intended texture without affecting the taste. And while both tips are exceptionally simple and extremely effective, the paper towel method has a slight advantage over the ice cube.

Besides requiring additional materials, it may take longer to warm pasta with ice depending on your microwave. By contrast, the damp paper towel is no-fuss, and it’s faster. Ultimately, the final verdict will be left up to you, fellow leftover pasta lovers.

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We love learning new uses for common household products, and we’re even more interested when those hacks involve cleaning messes.

We’ve recently learned a lot about common food staples and their unexpected uses. Did you know that honey can help fresh flowers last longer, or that mayo can clean crayon marks from walls and erase water stains from wood? Even expired spices have a multitude of hidden uses.

Inedible products such as nail polish remover can also be used in ways that differ from their intended purpose. Nail polish remover contains a solvent called acetone, so it’s really good at its original job—but nail polish isn’t the only thing it can remove.

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Keep in mind that nail polish remover is highly flammable, so it should never be used close to an open flame or heat source. Make sure to keep the area ventilated as well, as nail polish can be irritating to the skin, lungs, and mucus membranes. And always keep out of reach of children and pets.

1. Remove Stains From Coffee Mugs

After a while, no matter how hard you scrub, your coffee mugs will become stained. It’s just a part of life. But once again, nail polish remover can save the day. Use a Q-tip or cotton round to scrub the interior of your ceramic mug and remove the unsightly stains, then be sure to follow up with soap and water.

2. Remove Ink And Permanent Marker Stains

Ink and permanent marker stains can be erased from hard non-porous surfaces and fabrics with nail polish remover. For hard surfaces, soak a cloth or cotton ball with nail polish and scrub until clean.

To remove from fabric, make sure to spot-test in an inconspicuous spot first to ensure the material is strong enough to withstand the acetone. Apply the nail polish remover to a clean cloth, then dab at the stain until it disappears. Make sure to wash all items afterward.

3. Revive Old Nail Polish

It’s such a bummer when your favorite nail polish gets gunky, thick, and/or dried out before you finish the bottle. Nail polish remover can once again save the day. Just add a drop (using a dropper would be ideal) of nail polish remover to the bottle. Next, roll the nail polish bottle between your hands for around a minute.

The acetone should help return the nail polish to its original smooth state. Afterward, make sure to store your nail polish in a cool place with the lid tightly closed. Store all of your nail polish bottles upright so clumps don’t form at the neck of the bottles. And only keep your nail polish bottle open as long as necessary when using. Exposure to air will dry out the bottle quickly.

4. Get Rid Of Sticker Gunk From Glass Or Metal 

If you have children or grandchildren, you likely know the joy that stickers can bring them. However, they can also cause a headache once the stickers are stuck to everything, including your metal and glass appliances.

Luckily, using a little bit of nail polish remover can dissolve any leftover residue that stickers can leave. Just dab a little on the adhesive to break it down and wipe it clean.

5. Disinfect Nail Clippers And Other Grooming Tools

Because nail polish remover is made from acetone and alcohol, it makes a great disinfectant. You can disinfect your nail clippers, tweezers, scissors, and other grooming tools with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover. Make sure to wash the tools with soap and water and let them dry before using them again.

6. Shine Your Shoes

You can shine your patent leather shoes and clean scuff marks from your tennis shoes with nail polish remover. Spot-test first, then soak a paper towel in nail polish remover and gently buff away the marks. Make sure to wipe the shoes dry afterward. Enjoy seeing your reflection in your new-looking shoes!

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Two years ago, when we were deep in the throes of a global lockdown, the kitchen was my happy place. I made countless loaves of banana bread (seriously, why so much?!) and created unique, nutritious meals for my husband and me every night. 

Now? I’m lucky if I make it to the grocery store to replace the stale produce and bread wasting away in our fridge. Life is way too hectic to spend four hours experimenting in the kitchen, so we’re back to takeout and cheap, quick meals most nights. 

It wasn’t until I noticed I was getting frustrated at myself for my lack of meal variety—or bandwidth to cook at all—that I realized how much my diet benefitted from all that free lockdown time. I missed that variety of flavors, veggies, and cuisines.

Still, wistful thinking won’t create more free time for cooking (and grocery shopping). So, I started looking for solutions. And along the way, I found MagicKitchen.com.

How MagicKitchen.Com Differs From Other Delivery Services

Unlike other meal subscription services, MagicKitchen.com’s meals are made fully assembled and frozen fresh for maximum convenience and flavor. MagicKitchen.com’s owner, Greg Miller, and his partner and dietitian, Michelle Tayler, sought to bring restaurant-quality meals to even the busiest families, and that’s exactly what this tasty meal service does.

The service has a wide variety of delicious, convenient meals to choose from and uses organic fruits and vegetables, hormone-free chicken, and grass-fed beef whenever possible. It offers an auto-ship meal program that delivers your meals weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. You can either select your meals or let MagicKitchen.com curate your cuisine for you.

Alternatively, you can order a la carte if you know you’ll only need a handful of meals. Or, you can buy in bulk with MagicKitchen.com’s meal bundles, which include eight servings with or without dessert.

Prices vary depending on the meals you select, with most complete meals (entree and one to two sides) ranging from $13 to $20. A la carte options and gourmet meal bundles can get a little pricier, but the meal quality matches the price hike—beef wellington, for example, is $60 for two servings. You can save even more money by utilizing MagicKitchen.com’s flex discount program. 

Moreover, MagicKitchen.com’s ability to cater to a vast array of diets sets it apart from the competition. You can opt for senior, portion-controlled, diabetic-friendly, dairy-free, low sodium, low carb, low fat, renal diet, dialysis-friendly, gluten-free, and vegetarian meals. Whatever your tastes are, MagicKitchen.com can find a way to satisfy them.

I Was Impressed With MagicKitchen.Com’s Meal Variety

As I started to look through MagicKitchen.com’s menu, I was thrilled to find so many vegetarian options. (Usually, we’re relegated to tomato-based pasta and maybe one other entree if we’re lucky.) From vegetable caponata to pizza to pesto tortellini, MagicKitchen.com’s veggie-based options were some of the most varied I’ve seen in meal subscription services.

(For you non-veg-heads, they also have an amazing array of meat-based dishes too. Some include beef brisket, chicken cordon bleu, crab cakes, flame-broiled cheeseburgers, and more.)

I selected two meals: the vegetable caponata and the protein pasta a la vodka with zucchini. My meals arrived quickly, still frozen, thanks to a few packages of dry ice. The slim packaging made it easy to organize my meals in the freezer without taking up a bunch of space (looking at you, grocery store box dinners).

Not Your Ordinary Frozen Dinners

MagicKitchen.com offers instructions for cooking its meals in the microwave and a conventional oven, and I chose the latter since I don’t have a microwave. The instructions stated I didn’t need to puncture or remove the plastic film over the food, which left me a little skeptical, but I did it anyway. 

Surprisingly, the plastic didn’t get droopy or fall onto the food while it was cooking. It took my oven a few minutes longer to get the meals to the right internal temperature, but once the meals were good and hot, I was happy to find the film lifted easily off the package, so there was no awkward wrestling with a still-hot food tray.

As a fan of very spicy and salty foods, I must say I added a few of my own seasonings to my otherwise tasty meals. But even without the additions from my spice rack, the meals were true to their description, generously portioned, and an absolute breeze to make. Plus, the neutral flavor is a great starting point for those who prefer things less bold.

The caponata with orzo was full of tasty veggies and firm pasta, and the portion was so big that I ended up saving some for later. My favorite of the two was the protein pasta—who knew I would like pea pasta so much? Certainly not me. It was cheesy, creamy, and the spiral noodles were just the right texture.

The Benefits Of MagicKitchen.Com Go Beyond Easy, Delicious Meals

My work day doesn’t finish until around 6 pm, and my husband and I usually eat dinner around 7 or 8 pm. So, for me, the biggest benefit of MagicKitchen.com was the time I saved to relax, decompress, and socialize without having to go straight into food prep mode from the office.

But MagicKitchen.com saves more than just time. This meal service is a fantastic option for seniors who might not have the same mobility around the kitchen as they once did. It’s also a great way for dialysis or other medical patients to follow a new diet without the headache of buying (and learning how to prepare) all new foods.

Additionally, a MagicKitchen.com meal bundle is a great gift for college students, new homeowners, or someone in your life who is always on the go (including yourself). You can select bundles by theme, including meat lovers, kid-friendly, comfort foods, customer favorites, and more. 

There are plenty of reasons to prioritize convenience, nutrition, and flavor in your life. But there aren’t a lot of meal services that can actually deliver. MagicKitchen.com goes above and beyond to get restaurant-grade foods sent right to your door.

Because, frankly, we all have enough things to worry about. MagicKitchen.com ensures that your next meal or trip to the grocery store won’t be one of them.

Brace yourself: the top baby names of 2022 are in! The results show that popular names from last year remain favorites for babies born in 2022. In fact, the top girl and boy names are the same as those from the previous year.

Olivia and Liam are the number one baby names in America for 2022, according to Baby Center.

The Top Ten Girl Names Of 2022

1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Amelia
4. Ava
5. Sophia
6. Isabella
7. Luna
8. Mia
9. Charlotte
10. Evelyn

The top five baby girl names remain the same from last year: Olivia, Emma, Amelia, Ava, and Sophia. Yes, all these names end in “a.”

As for the other girl names that cracked the top ten, only one new name appears on the list. Evelyn claims the tenth spot on the list. The other top ten names are Isabella in sixth, Luna in seventh, Mia in eighth, and Charlotte in the ninth spot.

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The Top Ten Boy Names Of 2022

1. Liam
2. Noah
3. Oliver
4. Elijah
5. Mateo
6. Lucas
7. Levi
8. Asher
9. James
10. Leo

For the top boy names, Liam was almost beat out by the runner-up winner. Noah takes second place, the same as last year. Even the third and fourth place finishers, Oliver and Elijah, held onto their same spots as the previous year.

However, the fifth-place name is new to the top ten. Mateo jumped from 11th place last year to the fifth most popular name in 2022.

The other top ten boy names include one more addition to the group. Leo takes the tenth spot, up from number 12 in 2021.

In fact, Leo is a name that has continued to grow in popularity every year since 2017, when it was just in 48th place in 2017. Could it be at the top of the list next year? Not if the names Lucas, Levi, Asher, and James have anything to say about it. These boy names round at spots sixth through ninth on the 2022 list.

How Is The List Determined?

According to Baby Center’s website, here’s the methodology used in the study. “The 2022 Most Popular Baby Names report analyzes the top 100 names from data submitted by BabyCenter parents through Nov. 1, 2022, from about 416,000 of the babies born in 2022.”

The website goes on to say, “BabyCenter is a part of Everyday Health Group—Pregnancy & Parenting (EHG P&P). EHG P&P reaches 91 percent of first-time pregnancies and 85 percent of pregnancies in the United States. Our baby name data is volunteered by parents who enter their babies’ names in real time, giving us an up-to-the-minute look at what’s trending.”

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If you’re like me, you have absolutely zero tolerance for bugs and household pests. When I see a critter in my house, I immediately squish it—no questions asked. Cockroaches? No. Spiders? Absolutely not! I don’t want any of these creatures living rent-free in my space.

It turns out, though, that I might be too overzealous in my bug-killing mission. Yes, some of those unwanted creatures are nothing but a nuisance, but the following five bugs can actually be helpful to have around your home. So next time, think before you squash.

1. Daddy-Longlegs

Whatever you call them (the species’ official name is Pholcus phalangioides), this bug actually does serve a purpose. I know they look creepy, but hear me out.

These leggy bugs are actually carnivores and love to dine on other spiders, including redback spiders and black widows, which can be dangerous to humans. They even eat spider eggs! They also eat insects like mosquitoes (which love to feed on your blood), and aphids (which love to feed on your plants).

And because they also like to feed on dead insects and bird poop, they can help keep your patios and outdoor spaces clean. While they sometimes congregate in clusters during the fall, this only happens for a short period of time and doesn’t cause any structural damage.

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2. Centipedes

These little arthropods are found all over the world, especially in places with high levels of moisture. So you’ll likely find them in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and damp basements. With a name that means “100 legs,” it’s no surprise that these creatures look like something out of a horror movie.

While they’ll probably always give you the heebie jeebies, centipedes don’t pose any significant threat to either your health or any type of property damage.

In fact, you should refrain from killing them because they offer free pest control by hunting small insects and other arthropods that are hiding out in your house. If you start to see an increase in centipedes, that might be because there’s been an increase in their food source. In other words, this could be indicative of a bigger pest problem in your home.

3. Ladybugs

Ladybugs, with their hard-shelled red bodies, black spots, short legs, wings, and antennae, are definitely cuter than most bugs on this list. Their adorable looks and the fact that they’re a sign of good luck in many cultures are reason enough not to kill them, but that’s not all.

The biggest reason not to kill ladybugs is that they’re absolute gladiators when it comes to fighting off aphids in your garden, mealybugs on your houseplants, and mites in your carpet and upholstery.

There’s just one caveat with ladybugs—don’t let their numbers grow too large. That’s when they can become a problem, and they’ll also emit a foul odor when bothered. Gross.

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4. Praying Mantis

Praying mantises—instantly recognizable by their narrow green body, small triangular head, large eyes, and oversized front legs that make them look like they’re deep in prayer—actually make quite obliging companions.

The upside to having a praying mantis in your house is that it will hunt, trap, and feed on pests. They tend to go after flies, moths, mosquitoes, and roaches. The downside is that they sometimes like to lay eggs indoors. To avoid that, gently catch these little guys in your hands and put them outside to help combat any mosquitoes.

5. Spiders

For those of you who hate spiders as much as I do, this is probably the last thing you want to hear. But having spiders indoors can be a good thing. Spiders are natural predators, meaning they will actively be targeting and eating other pests, including insects that can carry diseases. Plus, out of thousands of species of spiders, only 30 are known to be venomous to humans, equating to roughly 1/20 of 1% of all spiders.

Of course, many of us are still opposed to having spiders in the house. If you can, capture the spider in your home and set it free outside where it can continue to do its thing in farther proximity from where you sleep.

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Interior designer Lizzie McGraw’s style is relaxed, a little bit beachy, and a little bit modern. Her signature look is thoughtful and gives a feeling of perfection without looking like anyone broke a sweat to create it.

Someone, of course, probably did. Good design doesn’t come easy, which McGraw knows better than anyone. Her home was on Los Angeles’s popular Abbot Kinney Boulevard before it was one of the hottest design strips in California.

It’s now her design shop, Tumbleweed & Dandelion, and after two decades in the business, McGraw has published her first book. Creative Style: Livable, Loveable Spaces is filled with her favorite textiles, furniture, and accessories.

Creative Style: Liveable, Loveable Spaces

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The book also provides tours of 12 of her most inspiring interior projects, including her own 1920s cottage in Southern California. When she moved in, the building was neglected and rundown, but McGraw used flea market finds, upcycled vintage pieces, and a whole lot of creativity to build an airy space that’s filled with character.

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I connected with McGraw to learn more about how she makes her home and shop warm and welcoming, and for some tips on how we can borrow her relaxed approach in our own homes over the holidays.

What advice would you give readers to get your look in their own home? 

“I always tell clients to edit out anything in their home that’s not useful. I believe in beautiful things, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing.”

What are some easy, quick tips for those of us who might feel overwhelmed by getting the house ready for holiday guests? 

“When getting the house ready for guests, my mantra is ‘keep it simple.’ Serve food that’s delicious, but easy to prepare. During the holidays, most guests prefer light fare anyway!”

Along similar lines, what are one or two of the most impactful things you can do that will create a festive mood in your home? 

“I rely on fresh greens for their great holiday scent and easy ambiance. They always create a festive mood. Whether in a vase or hung by twine on a door, it always sets the tone. I also like to have a gentle but lovely candle burning. The Fraiser Fir candle we sell at Tumbleweed & Dandelion always sells out so fast at holiday time.”

How do you decorate for the holidays at your home?

“Our home is simple, organic, and functional. Fall is a big season in our world, so our at-home vibe is filled with aromatherapy and fresh greens. It’s the most calming and beautiful way to enjoy our home without stress.”

How do you decorate the shop?  

“We like to offer handmade goods and vintage ornaments during fall and at the same time, we don’t rush it. That said, we have baskets of ornaments surrounded by dough bowls with pumpkins. Our seasonal candle scents that we make sit out for easy picking, and our music always sets a tone!”

Is there a color palette you typically stick to or does it change year to year?

“We are always open to change, so yes. We have a consistent neutral vibe, but this fall we have fun napkins in fall pastels for Thanksgiving, and we are feeling a bit of pink instead of red!”

What are your favorite Christmas items that you sell in the shop?  

“Hands-down, our candles. We make them ourselves, so every year we add a few different scents. This year orange clove is taking the stage!”

What non-traditional Christmas decor items do you go back to year after year?

“We are more holiday/family rather than Christmas, so we like to fill baskets with pinecones that we gather on our trips! Sometimes we spray them, or just leave them in their beautiful natural state.”

Do you go for real or artificial greenery? Are you a one-tree family, or do you like to have multiple trees in the house?

“We are a ‘replant trees’ people. We always buy a few potted trees and replant them after the season.” 

Do you entertain a lot during the holidays? How do you set a holiday table to make a party festive?

“My husband is a chef, so cooking is fun here. He creates the meal and I set the table and create the ambiance. I love beautiful table settings, so we play with napkins tied with twine and rosemary.

“If I have the time, we will wrap a baguette for each guest, or send them off with some of Jonathan’s homemade toffee. We always make time to hang with our team and our friends.”

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I love coffee—I’m talking multiple cups a day, every day—but coffee doesn’t always love me back. Every so often, my much-needed caffeine boost in the morning turns into jittery anxiety and stomach pain by the afternoon. Ironically, this only makes it harder to focus and maintain my energy. 

Still, I’m hooked on my morning routine. I prefer the cozy depth of coffee to watery tea, and frankly, no one in my household wants to deal with me quitting caffeine cold turkey, myself included. So, I started looking for solutions that would provide me the energy, flavor, and warmth I craved without java’s not-so-savory side effects. 

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In my search, I found Mocha SuperLatte, a new super-charged mix of coffee, cocoa, spices, and wellness-boosting adaptogens from the Oprah-approved brand Clevr Blends. A customer review on Clevr Blend’s website reads, “it tastes like god created it themselves,” which I thought was a bit dramatic at first glance. But now that I’ve tried it myself, I’m starting to understand their sacred sentiments.

Plus, there hasn’t been a better time to shop. In addition to incredible savings of up to 40% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can enjoy The Holiday Starter Kit (frother, scoop, two Latte mixes, and Latte Dust) for only $62 with promo code OPRAH.

The Makings Of The Mocha Superlatte

Clevr Blend’s Mocha SuperLatte is a dissolvable blend of fair trade coffee, cacao, adaptogens from mushrooms and other veggies, spices, MCT oil (healthy fats), and a super creamer combo of coconut and oat milk. Simply add hot water water, stir, and enjoy.

Mocha SuperLatte

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The Mocha SuperLatte contains about 35 mg of caffeine per serving, around a third of a regular cup of coffee. And as it turns out, this is a Goldilocks-worthy energy level—not so weak that you get sluggish, but not so strong that you get jittery. As the Clevr Blends website describes, it’s a “stable form of energy,” and I have to agree (more on that later). 

Regenerative cacao enhances mood, while powerful adaptogens offer long-term stress support. Finally, lion’s mane mushrooms deliver neuroprotection so that you can be at the top of your game all day long. Let’s see your cup of black coffee try to do that.

The Most Important Part: The Flavor

Nutrition aside, the most important part is obviously the flavor. I’m not typically picky—I’ll drink gas station coffee in a pinch and am fine with taking it black. However, the Mocha SuperLatte surpassed my expectations by a mile.

Don’t let its comprehensive ingredient list fool you. There is no mushroom or veggie taste, just a warm, cozy, and silky-smooth blend of coffee and chocolate flavors. For all intents and purposes, it tasted like a freshly made mocha latte without the cloying sweetness (the blend contains erythritol and monk fruit extract for a subtle sweetness). For someone who loves their coffee more strong than sweet, it was perfect.

I decided to try my Mocha SuperLatte in place of my morning coffee. (I know, I was scared, too.) And much to my delight, I didn’t notice any midmorning slumps, shaky caffeine jitters, or random bouts of anxiety. Considering all the extra nutrition the SuperLatte delivers, the whole package almost seemed too good to be true. 

However, just like the reviewer who said Mocha SuperLatte tasted like it came from the divine, it is actually that good. Does it taste like a sugary sweet frappe? Well, no—but it doesn’t claim to, either. It tastes natural, warm, lightly spiced, chocolatey, and significantly better than my go-to cup(s) of Folgers. 

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The Perfect Gift This Holiday Season

Like I mentioned earlier, if you’re curious to try the Mocha SuperLatte or any of Clevr Blend’s latte mixes, there hasn’t been a better to shop for you or a loved one.

You can score a great deal on The Holiday Starter Kit, which earned a spot in Oprah’s Favorite Things list for two years running.

This bundle includes two latte flavors of your choice, a handy frother, a perfect-portion wooden scoop, and a bottle of Latte Dust, which is a new delicious blend of organic coconut sugar, Himalayan pink salt, fair trade vanilla bean, and direct trade cinnamon.

Use Promo Code OPRAH

The Holiday Starter Kit

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• Your choice of two lattes: Mocha, Chai, Sleeptime, Golden, Coffee, or Matcha.
• Latte Dust—a spicy sweet latte topper.
• Frother—the easiest way to blend into a creamy treat.
• Scoop—for the perfect portion every time.
• Includes free shipping!

After trying the new Mocha blend, I’m excited to explore Clevr Blend’s other latte options.

The award-winning Chai SuperLatte is described as “a hug in a mug” with a slightly sweet, slightly spicy blend of Masala chai, stress-reducing ashwagandha, and immunity-supporting reishi. Oprah’s personal favorite, the Golden SuperLatte, features a warm, earthy blend of fair trade Turmeric to get its signature color and flavor.

If your morning coffee routine is sacred like mine is for me, then let Clevr Blends’ Mocha SuperLatte elevate it one step further. Enjoy a satisfying blending process, stable energy, and, most importantly, great flavor when you buy your first bag of SuperLatte today.

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There isn’t always time to make a cake from scratch, which is why boxed cake mixes come in clutch for the busy baker. As you probably know, there are a number of tricks that can elevate your average cake mix.

One of the most popular ways to upgrade a store-bought mix is to replace the water with milk, the oil with butter, and add an extra egg. These simple swaps are guaranteed to trick any taste-tester, but there are also some more unusual substitutions you may not have thought of.

For instance, would you have thought to add coconut oil to your mix? Neither would we. A common boxed cake recipe calls for vegetable oil, but some bakers opt for melted refined coconut oil instead. While not particularly calorie-friendly, your taste buds will love it.

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Refined coconut oil doesn’t actually have a coconut-y taste, so those of you who don’t love tropical flavors need not be wary. On the other hand, virgin coconut oil can be used if you prefer that extra boost of coconut flavor. 

So how does the trick work, exactly? In essence, its high saturated fat content traps more oxygen, making the cake’s texture fluffier, lighter, and more moist. You’ll never want to make another cake mix without it!

To try it for yourself, simply melt some refined coconut oil and use it in place of vegetable oil. This is a one-to-one swap, so you’ll be using the same amount of coconut oil as the amount of veggie oil the box calls for.

However, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind when adding other ingredients. Be sure that the water and eggs are both at room temperature before adding them to the coconut oil. Any cold substance that makes contact with coconut oil will cause it to solidify and become lumpy—you don’t want that. 

Using coconut oil in desserts can be a game-changer—without making them taste like a piña colada—and eliminates the need for oil or butter in many recipes. Just remember what we said about the high amount of saturated fat, which can cause health problems if consumed in large quantities.

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When it comes to Thanksgiving, people all across America have one food item on their minds: turkey. It’s the main dish of almost everyone’s Thanksgiving meal, but the reason that’s the case isn’t exactly common knowledge.

What Did The Pilgrims Eat At The First Thanksgiving?

Many assume that the pilgrims ate turkey at the famous first feast that took place in 1621. According to The Smithsonian, however, it’s more likely the group dined on venison, provided by hunters from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. 

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So, if turkey wasn’t served on the first Thanksgiving, then why do we eat it every year?

Ken Albala, a professor of history at the University of the Pacific, said, “There was a tradition of serving large wildfowl in medieval Europe, especially peacock, which was skinned, cooked, and resewn into its feathers for presentation.”

He continued, “When turkeys from America and Guinea Fowl from Africa were introduced [to America] in the 17th century, they were served the same way.”

Turkeys weren’t indigenous to North America at the time of the first Thanksgiving, but once they were introduced to the environment, they became a great source of protein.

Why We Eat Turkey On The Holiday

Turkeys are larger than chickens, ducks, or geese, making them a better option when it comes to serving a large group. Additionally, killing turkeys for such a widely celebrated feast makes more sense than using another animal; cattle provide milk and other fowl provide eggs. Turkeys only provide meat. 

In 1870, Thanksgiving was made into an official national holiday, and roast turkey was widely considered the official dish of the occasion. This was mostly because of the use of images and descriptions of turkey in popular culture. 

For example, in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the characters dine on a turkey instead of the traditional goose. Another popular book, Northwood: A Tale of New England, also described a Thanksgiving meal that included turkey. 

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Today, turkey is a part of almost everyone’s Thanksgiving celebrations, but many put their own spin on the dish. From cooking methods to seasoning to side dishes, each family’s take on turkey is a little different.

The first pilgrims might not have dined on turkey, but the food item is now forever linked with our Thanksgiving meals.  

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As delicious as the main course may be, Thanksgiving leftovers sometimes steal the show. Old standbys like sandwiches layered with turkey and cranberry sauce or casseroles are delicious day-after meals. But there’s one important leftover that might not be on your radar: the turkey carcass.

Just like pasta water is liquid gold, your turkey carcass is much too valuable to discard. Making turkey stock is simple and similar to making chicken stock, but the turkey carcass plus some extra attention to seasoning will take your soup to the next level.

And before you get started, here’s a pro tip: Since chopping veggies for turkey broth will likely be the last thing you want to do after cooking a Thanksgiving feast, set some vegetables aside as you prepare for the main event. For example, if you’re making stuffing, chop two extra celery stalks and one yellow onion and set them aside. When preparing carrots as a side dish, chop up an additional two carrots. 

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How To Make Turkey Broth

The sooner you prepare your stock the better, but you can wait up to two or three days.

1. Remove the meat from the carcass (save it to make soup later!) and break the bones into large pieces.
2. Place the bones in a stockpot with assorted vegetables and add just enough water, about one gallon, to cover.
3. Bring the stock to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for about three hours.
4. For an extra boost of flavor and spice, throw in some whole peppercorns while the broth simmers.
5. Your turkey has already been seasoned so the stock should have excellent flavor. But you can also season at the end with basil, parsley, and thyme.
6. When your stock is done simmering, skim the fat from the top.
7. Remove larger pieces of bone, then carefully strain the liquid through a cheesecloth-lined colander.
8. Finally, discard the vegetables and herbs and store the stock in containers. Use it immediately or freeze it for up to three months.

The Best Soup

Homemade stock has endless possibilities, but one of our Suggest editors highly recommends using it for this recipe from Food.com. Featuring colorful vegetables and loads of protein, this robust turkey vegetable soup is the perfect cozy winter meal. 

Make it ahead for the post-holiday weekend when curling up with Netflix will probably sound better than cooking. Pair it with crusty bread, and we guarantee it will become a holiday tradition your family will look forward to every year.

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Most of us assume that scrubbing dishes by hand with soap and water is just as effective as using a dishwasher. Some may even prefer this method over using a machine.

Yes, those sparkling dishes on the drying rack might look squeaky clean, but are they actually disinfected? We were surprised to find out that many dishwashing soaps are not antibacterial. So if you’re washing by hand, your dishes could be secretly harboring bacteria.

To be honest, this isn’t really that big of a deal most of the time. However, if you have someone in your house who’s been sick or if you prepare raw meat on your dishes or cookware, then sanitizing your hand-washed dishes should be a priority.

Dishwashers might not get rid of all those stuck-on food particles, but they do disinfect your dishes. That’s because water temperature needs to be above 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off bacteria. This is a given with machines, but your hands can’t handle that kind of heat.

If you want to thoroughly disinfect your dishes when washing by hand, you’ll need to start with the proper dish soap. Dawn Ultra Antibacterial Dishwashing Liquid and Palmolive Ultra Antibacterial Dishwashing Liquid are two good store-bought options.

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You could also try mixing your own solution using one tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of water. When using this method, you’ll want to soak your dishes in the solution for a full minute before rinsing thoroughly.

Also, a silicone sponge—like this one from GreenLife—is a much safer bet than using a traditional sponge that’s probably teeming with germs. These innovative dishwashing net cloths could do the trick as well. If you refuse to part with your traditional sponges, it’s best to replace them often and be sure to disinfect them after cleaning sessions.

Speaking of dishcloths and cleaning towels, using a dirty one after drying your dishes could be counteracting your sanitation efforts. Be sure to wash them regularly using the hottest possible water and your washing machine’s “sanitize” cycle if it has one.

Our final tip when washing dishes by hand is to get the water as hot as possible and use a pair of heat-resistant gloves to protect your skin.

But remember, unless you use dishes to prepare raw meat or your someone in your household has been sick, it’s not necessary to go through this song and dance every time you hand-wash your dishes. Happy cleaning!

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Macaroni and cheese is one of those comfort dishes that just never gets old. Whether it comes from a box or is made from scratch, that creamy, cheesy goodness is one of life’s greatest joys for many of us. But did you know that adding one simple ingredient could take your mac and cheese to the next level?

Your standard mac and cheese recipe includes milk, cheese, and butter, but adding in a little fresh nutmeg will seriously elevate the flavor. And it only takes a tiny amount—just an eighth of a teaspoon. 

Freshly-grated whole nutmeg (not jarred) will transform any version of mac and cheese into a decadent dining experience. Nutmeg is used as a seasoning base for béchamel sauce. That’s the thick, creamy white sauce that’s used as a base for numerous other sauces—including the traditional mac and cheese sauce.

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Nutmeg will add warmth and complexity to your average one-note sauce, making this ultimate comfort food even cozier to tuck into. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Gather your ingredients for a classic béchamel sauce: butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a saucepan, make a paste known as a roux by whisking together equal parts butter and flour. This is what gives your béchamel sauce its creamy goodness.
3. Gradually whisk whole milk into your roux. Don’t pour the milk in all at once, though, because that will make your sauce lumpy. Instead, add the milk slowly and whisk as you do so. Allow this mixture to sit on low heat for about 20 minutes, then mix in salt and nutmeg to add flavor.
4. Add in some shredded Gruyère or cheddar cheese to turn that béchamel into a Mornay sauce (the fancy term for mac and cheese sauce).
5. Mix in some freshly ground black pepper, fold in your cooked pasta, and top your creation off with breadcrumbs.

If you’re starting off with boxed mac and cheese, simply add your grated nutmeg when adding your powdered cheese, butter, and milk, then stir to blend. 

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When the pandemic hit, Julie Gordon White, who had been an entrepreneur, author, and business coach for more than 20 years, began spending her time baking sweet treats for her sons. She helped herself to her creations, too … cookies, along with chips, candy, and other members of the junk food group she’s dubbed “The Killer C’s.” White noticed her sugar and salt cravings becoming more intense and insatiable. 

Paired with menopause-related hormone changes, White knew something had to change. And where better to start than where she was already spending so much time—the kitchen. She began experimenting to find the perfect snack: sweet, salty, and if it could mitigate pesky menopause symptoms, all the better. 

That’s how Bossa Bars were born.

Pandemic Pounds Turned To Profit

When it rains, it pours, and that’s how life was feeling for White two years ago. Menopause brought on hot flashes, brain fog, discomfort, food cravings, and weight gain—the last two of which were only exacerbated by, well, everything that was 2020.

“I needed to make a better choice to be healthy,” White told me as we chatted about her new company. 

“I started researching natural ingredients that can help with menopause-like symptoms,” White continued. “That’s when I discovered maca, which is a really amazing natural root. It’s been around for a long time and comes from Peru. It helps balance hormones and blood sugar.”

White knew her perfect snack would need more than maca, which has a nutty, butterscotch-like flavor. So, she added chocolate, plant-based (pea) protein, flaxseed, MCT oil, and almond butter. While not all of her experimental batches were winners at first, she knew she had created something special when her husband and sons started sneaking bars behind her back. 

That’s when she knew she had to share Bossa Bars with her friends—and, with a bit of extra elbow grease, the world.

Bringing Out The Best In Bossa

In addition to providing a tasty, satisfying snack for her and her family, White noticed the extra weight around her middle started to shrink. Her menopause symptoms were not nearly as bad as they once were, and she was beginning to feel more like herself. Using her decades of corporate experience, White assembled a team of friends, coworkers, former students, and mentors to bring Bossa to us (and thank goodness they did). 

Bossa Bars

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• Amazon: 12-pack Toasted Vanilla Almond.
• Bossa Bars: 4-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack Double Decadent Chocolate or Toasted Vanilla Almond.
• Use Promo Code SUGGEST10 at bossabars.com to receive 10% off your order.

The heavy-hitting Bossa Bars team took White’s tasty, homemade snack to the next level with organic cacao nibs and mouthwatering Himalayan salt. Chemists and scientists ensured every ingredient worked symbiotically in terms of flavor, texture, sustainability, and shelf life. All the while, White oversaw the manufacturing process to make sure Bossa Bars stayed true to her at-home creations. 

“It was just an idea two years ago,” White said. “And then, seven months later, we were in production and shipping out the first batches.” Because you know who can get things done better than anyone? An uncomfortable, unhappy menopausal woman bound and determined to feel normal again.

The Bossa Trifecta

Bossa Bars currently has two delectable flavors, with more on the horizon. Double Decadent Chocolate and Toasted Vanilla Almond are available right now, with Double Chocolate Brownie available for pre-order now. The company plans on rolling out Blueberry Lemon and Peanut Butter Chocolate in the next year. Every bar is 160 calories, all-natural, and gluten-free. 

But the real magic, White explained, is in its trifecta formula. Bossa Bars contain “the power of maca to help balance blood sugar and hormones and plant-based protein because we need to maintain our muscles because that’s what keeps our metabolism strong and helps with belly fat.”

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“Fiber, because it keeps us full and things moving,” White said. “And that’s what helps us get through these hard sugar cravings and excess weight around [the] middle. While looking good is great, longevity is what it’s all about. That’s why those ingredients are so important. I was really thoughtful [in choosing ingredients] for myself, so I needed to be thoughtful for my friends, too.”

Bring Bossa To You

“That’s how I was able to manage my cravings so much better. I had this choice that was available to me, and I didn’t have to think about it. I just went to it. And it felt great because I knew I was making a choice that was going to make me feel better because it was designed for the stage that I was in. I still eat them every day,” White said.

Midlife is hard enough as it is without decision fatigue, managing cravings, and getting adequate nutrition making it even harder. White wanted to celebrate this stage of life by “honoring the experience and not minimizing the challenges.”

RELATED: No, You Won’t Be Sweaty Forever: Debunking 10 Common Menopause Myths

“I choose to see the positive in this time. We have a new sense of self, wisdom, and a desire to actually be who we authentically are. You actually start to trust yourself. When we listen to our bodies, to ourselves, there’s an empowering message there. That’s our time; you have earned it.” 

Manage your menopausal symptoms, satiate your salt and sugar cravings, and feel better overall with Bossa Bars. You can buy your next batch on Bossa’s website and receive 10% off your order with promo code SUGGEST10 or via Amazon (currently only Toasted Vanilla Almond is available via Amazon).

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Roasted vegetables are the cream of the crop when it comes to vegetable preparation. There’s no easier and more delicious way to sneak veggies into your diet than with golden, crispy, and caramelized veggies. Nevertheless, it’s disappointing when your sheet pan full of vegetables comes out of the oven less crispy than expected.

Roasting vegetables isn’t a high-maintenance endeavor, but sometimes you don’t get the desired results even if you think you did everything right. And with Thanksgiving right around the corner, avoiding limp and soggy vegetables will help you make this side dish the star of the show.

An opulent roasted vegetable medley bursting with crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, red onions, and carrots sounds divine, but how do you ensure it has the right amount of crunch? Cookbook author Carolynn Carreño has the answer, and it’s all about where you place your sheet pan in the oven.

No More Soggy Veggies

Carreño claimed she’s cracked the code on roasting vegetables perfectly and uniformly every time. Instead of using the wire racks as you normally would, Carreño suggested setting the roasting pan on the oven floor. Although slightly unconventional, she shared this simple tip she learned from a fellow chef in her cookbook Bowls of Plenty.

According to Carreño, this method consistently yields ultra-crispy vegetables due to the direct and constant heat. “The oven floor provides the hottest, most even. and direct heat possible,” she explained. “Which means you can get your vegetables nice and caramelized without overcooking them.”

RELATED: For Perfectly Roasted Potatoes, This One Simple Trick Is All You Need To Know

For best results, Carreño recommended placing the sheet pan on the oven floor and setting the oven to 500°F for 20 minutes, as well as flipping the veggies halfway through. However, she also warned roasted veggie enthusiasts to scope out their individual oven situations before trying this hack.

Prior to placing anything on the bottom of your oven, Carreño suggested making sure your oven is capable of handling the weight of the pan. If you can’t find physical oven instructions, you can search for them online or even contact the manufacturer. In addition, Carreño recommended starting out with a smaller batch of vegetables.

If you’re not comfortable placing your sheet pan on the bottom of the oven, an alternative method is to place a wire rack on the lowest rung. If you have a pizza stone, you could also allow it to heat on the lowest rack for about an hour, then place your sheet pan with the veggies on top. Similarly crispy results will be achieved with any of these techniques. 

Finally, in order to get the most caramelized vegetables, Carreño recommended not lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and instead putting your veggies directly on the sheet. For even crunchier results, try placing your sheet pan in the oven while it preheats.

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