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How to Roast Butternut Squash in the Oven This is one of the best ways to cook butternut squash. Roasting allows for subtle browning and caramelization to occur, which means even more flavor by enhancing the natural sweetness of the squash. Take your pick among roasting the squash whole, halved, sliced, or in chunks. Cooking time will vary widely depending on weight and how the squash is cut, and can take anywhere from about one hour for a whole squash, skin and all, to about 30 minutes for butternut squash that’s been cut into bite-size pieces....

Finding the best ways to save money is important, but it doesn’t erase the fact that the cost of living in many places is quickly outpacing (or has already outpaced) minimum wage and median pay. When you’re not making a living wage, it’s difficult to afford the essentials, and no amount of penny-pinching can change that completely. The same is true if you’ve recently been laid off or furloughed because of the coronavirus crisis: When larger forces drastically decrease your income, major shifts—such as seeking unemployment benefits, forbearance, and leniency from lenders—are necessary....

For less expensive wines, Hoel recommends avoiding popular regions. “While I love the complex wines that come from Burgundy, France, some of my favorite wine regions are in lesser-known countries like Chile, Argentina, and South Africa.” Instead of California, he suggests trying a pinot noir from Oregon, or a pinot gris from New Zealand. These regions produce delicious wines but don’t have the same prestige as Tuscany or Bordeaux, meaning you can find excellent wines at a much better price....

If you don’t cook with your whole asparagus in that time, no worries. We have some chef-approved tips on how to preserve and freeze your cut asparagus for a later date. How to Store Whole, Fresh Asparagus Keeping your fresh-from-the-market asparagus crisp isn’t difficult, it just takes some prepping and proper asparagus storage. “Asparagus can be temperamental,” says Fernando Navas, chef and owner of BALVANERA, an Argentinian restaurant in Manhattan....

A poster in Reddit’s cooking forum tells an all-too-familiar tale. She makes lentil soup in her Instant Pot, and despite following the directions to a T, ends up with a watery, thin finished product. Her solution? Add plain instant mashed potatoes (which are essentially just dehydrated potatoes) to the finished soup recipe as a thickening agent. Simple? Yes. Incredibly effective? You bet. This trick works because the instant mashed potatoes are naturally starchy and therefore are similar in form to other commonly used thickeners, such as cornstarch, only without the clumps....

The good news is that there are easy steps you can add to your preparations and vacation packing list to get ahead of, and even take advantage of, different vacation styles (and interests) to ensure that everyone’s individual needs are being met. Whether you’re traveling with your S.O., a group of friends, or your entire family, read on as experts share their top tips for minimizing conflict leading into and during your next getaway so everyone comes out of it feeling relaxed, fulfilled, and even closer than before....

A side hustle can be a great way to make some quick and easy extra income to finance your next vacation or pay off your student loans quicker, but it could also impact the way you do your taxes come April 18. According to TurboTax Creator data, there was a 207 percent increase from 2018 to 2020 in taxpayers claiming creator, streamer, influencer, or a related term as their occupation, says Lisa Greene-Lewis, certified financial planner and tax expert with TurboTax....

Fortunately, with a few ideas and tricks, you can create a show-stopping hydrangea bouquet that’ll look lovely for days. How to Pick and Prep Hydrangea If you’re using homegrown hydrangeas in your floral arrangement, pick them when the plant is well-hydrated. “Water your shrubs well a day or two before you pick the flowers,” says Amy Gofton, floral designer at Studio Nectar in Montclair, New Jersey. “Pick your flowers early in morning, before moisture starts to evaporate in the heat of the day....

But last week, I found my perfect match in the Lasko Ceramic Space Heater, and it came just in time: I’m currently sitting cozier than ever, watching a blizzard through the window as it works its magic by my side. The affordable space heater comes with three intensity levels (including a heat-free fan setting, which I use to dry my nails) and a thermostat feature with 11 temperature options. Both are controlled with user-friendly dials that make it easy to switch up the settings throughout the day....

You know you should keep a budget, track your spending, and only splurge on that vacation or night out after you’ve saved enough to pay for it. But in reality, most of us stick that purchase on a credit card and worry about paying for it later. The key is to determine whether a splurge is a conscious decision that’s worth it in the long run or is simply a sign of lifestyle creep—slow, damaging, long-term living beyond your means....

Lively, a lingerie brand known for its forget-you’re-wearing-them bras just released a new collection of bras, bralettes, and underwear made of flat-laying lace. If you’re getting excited about the idea of slipping into sexy yet comfy undergarments, you’re not the only one. At least 1,200 people signed up for the line’s waitlist before it was even available. But don’t worry. The bras and underwear have arrived, and there are plenty to go around....

As a huge Madewell fan, it’s hard for me to resist a good sale from the brand like the one happening this weekend. Prices are impressively low—starting at $4 after you apply the discount code DOUBLEUP—and styles include so many spring fashion essentials you’ll want to pick up right now in preparation for March. Even the brand’s iconic jeans are discounted, including the fan-favorite Perfect Vintage Jean that reviewers call ″as snug as a warm hug″ and has a near-perfect rating....

What You Need Making this compost bin is simple. You only need three materials: Lidded, outdoor trash can (between 30 and 40 gallons)Power drillPaddle drill bit Step 1: Prep the Bin If you’re repurposing an old trash can, first thoroughly rinse it out. You don’t want any lingering remnants of non-biodegradable materials in your bin. If you’re using a brand-new bin, you can skip the wash, but remove any tags or packaging....

Make-Ahead Easter Brunch Menu Build your Easter brunch menu with these easy recipes for the most relaxed holiday meal you’ve ever made. No one will guess you’ve prepared everything ahead of time. Appetizer: Peach-Prosciutto Cornmeal Muffins Main Dish: Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole Main Dish: Cherry-Cola Ham Dessert: Coconut-Pecan Coffee Cake Dessert: Zucchini-Carrot Cake Drink: Carrot Mexican Mule Appetizer: Peach-Prosciutto Cornmeal Muffins Fresh or frozen peaches are the star of these salty-sweet Easter muffins....

An Easy Mocktail Recipe Inspired by Disney’s Moana Since my family watches Moana on the regular, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this Moana inspired mocktail recipe. If I’m being honest, this recipe didn’t turn out anything like I’d originally planned, but I like to think it turned out better. Originally I’d planned to create a mocktail that was actually inspired by Moana herself with a little red puree and yellow, to match the colors of the movie....

Even though bras almost always hide beneath your clothes, a great one can make or break an outfit. Sometimes feeling comfortable and confident comes down to making sure you’re wearing the right fit and style. According to Nordstrom Rack shoppers, Notori and Wacoal have some of the best options. The bra sale, which runs through August 3, has huge deals with prices starting at just $14. The Top On-Sale Bras to Shop:...

As a millennial who spends a huge chunk of time online, I’m pretty familiar with all the different types of culty bed sensations that fill Instagram and Facebook feeds. You probably know the ones I’m talking about—the ads all consist of pastel backgrounds and doodle-esque graphics. Among these is the bed-in-a-box from Nectar. Now, not to be too dramatic, but I think I’ve gotten to know this brand better than any man I’ve ever dated, mostly because its ads popped up on my phone nearly every day for two years....

Nordstrom recently dropped its 2022 holiday gift guide—and it’s so big, it’s broken it down into several categories to include everyone on your list. The subsequent gift guides include ideas for trendsetters, frequent travelers, foodies, hosts, beauty buffs, and more. But there’s one gift guide that truly has something almost everyone will love. The Make It Cozy gift guide is filled with items that are, well, cozy! It’s designed for the homebodies who love cuddling on the couch with a good book, and those who always add an extra layer when they step outside in the winter....

I have extremely sensitive skin and eczema on my hands, and this soap doesn’t burn or dry them out. Many hand soaps strip moisture, but O’Keeffe’s rich formula moisturizes as you wash, leaving you with clean—and hydrated—hands. It’s particularly good for people with skin conditions or allergies, or simply those who dislike scented soaps, as it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free (though there’s also a version made with orange oil if you prefer scented soap)....

Popularity “We really started seeing open floors plans in the mid-century, when it no longer became the expectation that Mom would walk out of the kitchen holding a platter,” says Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis in Atlanta, Ga. “These days, we expect to be socializing even as we’re preparing for guests.” But as people spend more time at home, it’s clear that navigating work, school, play, and everything in between all from the same room is wearing thin....