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Fortunately, most garden pests can be dealt with using non-toxic methods such as handpicking larger insects or blasting them off with a strong water spray. How you deal with the problem depends on what insect is causing damage. Here’s how you can identify and control some of the most common garden pests. 1. Aphids What they look like: Tiny, pear-shaped, and soft-bodied, aphids can be yellow, white, red, or black and either be winged or wingless....

It’s easy to get swept up in a cosmetic wonderland of glitter and gloss for the holidays, and while there’s nothing wrong with injecting some sparkle into your face beat (in fact, it’s encouraged!), sometimes the simpler route is far more wearable when it comes to a laid-back Christmas celebration. If you’re looking for a simple and versatile hair and makeup look you can wear to almost any occasion, follow our step-by-step holiday beauty tutorial below....

The Essentials Basket of BasicsOffer a neat grouping of new toothbrushes, travel-size toiletries (including toothpaste and saline solution), and “just-in-case” meds, so guests instantly feel cared for. Hand Sanitizer and Disinfecting WipesLeaving out a few extra cleaning supplies may help your guests feel more comfortable and in control of their space. Vacant DrawersIt’s off-putting for visitors to find the guest room closet and dresser bursting with your overflow clothing. Leave at least two free drawers (set ajar so it’s clear that they’re for guest use), ample hanging space, and a half-dozen hangers to stow belongings....

At first I was hesitant; I didn’t know whether it would hurt me in the long run. Can employers look at a list of people who collected unemployment?! I wondered. (No, they cannot.) Ultimately, getting that unemployment money was a fantastic choice—for me, my (newly freelance) career, and my budget. Here’s what you need to know before applying for unemployment benefits yourself. A Useful Resource There’s a misconception that turning to unemployment benefits is a poor-choice, last-ditch resort—when, in fact, these benefits are a great resource for people who find themselves temporarily without a source of income....

Best Overall Deals Best Deal: Laina Ahsaad Abstract Machine Woven Area Rug, from $130 (was from $340) Best Appliance Deal: Go Wise USA 5.5-Liter 8-in-1 Electric Air Fryer, $85 (was $198) Lowest Price: Arendtsville Area Rug, from $26 (was from $58) Best Furniture Deal: Mary-Kate 4-Person Dining Set, $740 (was $1,585) The largest discount is on the Laina Ahsaad Abstract Machine Woven Area Rug, which is currently 64% off. It comes in both light gray or cream color options—a nice neutral addition to your bedroom or living room....

When that itch for a fresh plant gets too strong to resist—or if you’re venturing into caring for a plant for the first time—it’s time to figure out where to get your new greenery. If you’re fine with any type and a spider plant is just as good as a fiddle leaf fig, you can pick up a new piece of green from the nursery or local shop. If you have a very specific plant in mind, you probably won’t be able to find it just anywhere....

These chemicals, which have sedating and calming effects, are interconnected with the reward circuit (or everyday acts that feel rewarding to us). Feeding, drinking, sex, and even exercise all play a huge role in the development of endorphins. Yet when it comes to endorphins, it’s not just their feel-good properties that matter; endorphins help our bodies respond in an appropriate way when faced with pain and other physical stressors. This helps us manage and lower anxiety, depression, and other mood concerns....

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a type of savings account with a fixed interest rate and fixed time period. CDs typically have higher interest rates than other savings accounts—meaning you can get more out of what you put in—but they often require you to lock money in for a set period of time (often between three months and five years) and have an early withdrawal penalty. Depending on your individual goals and needs, CDs can be a great way to optimize your savings, or you may be better off opting for another option....

“Emotional intelligence (or EQ) can seem like a complex concept,” says Gemma Leigh Roberts, an organizational and performance psychologist, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and founder of Career Compass Club and the Resilience Edge. “EQ is about understanding, recognizing, and managing your own emotions; recognizing and understanding emotions displayed by others; and interpreting that information to help manage relationships and social situations.” The Difference Between Emotional Intelligence and General Intelligence Unlike IQ, EQ isn’t a static, quantifiable measurement of abilities....

By calling it quiet quitting, employers have pushed the narrative that “above and beyond” performance is what’s expected. “Quiet quitting is commonly being referred to as doing the bare minimum at work, which makes it sound like people are being lazy or entitled,” says Ed Zitron, CEO of public relations firm EZPR, who has written extensively on the topic. “The bare minimum actually means working the hours you’re meant to, doing the tasks you’re assigned, which is otherwise known as going to and doing your job....

Today, it’s often used by people to help with their personal and professional development and is referred to as Modern Stoicism. While you might not be familiar with the names of the best-known pioneering Stoics like Marcus Aurelius or Epictetus, you probably know many of today’s practitioners who study and apply Stoic philosophies: people like Bill Clinton, Tom Brady, Lupe Fiasco, and Jack Dorsey, along with historical figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson....

Leftover Pie Crust Churro Bites For a warm cinnamon snack that’s great for guests, we suggest making churro bites with your leftover pie crust. Start by rolling out the pie dough into a large circle. Cut into small rectangles, toss in cinnamon sugar (you can use the ratio from our cinnamon-sugar tortilla strips), and bake at 350°F until puffed and golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Serve on top of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt....

One of my absolute favorite treats are rice krispie treats – homemade rice krispie treats that is. I’ll take the store-bought ones too, but the ooey gooey homemade ones are my downfall. You make me a batch of those and pretty sure I’m eating the entire pan on my own, well if my boys would let me at least. It’s even worse than when I get a plate of peanut butter blossoms....

Idaho Falls-based Potandon Produce is updating a recall it issued last month regarding onions supplied from Keeler Family Farms and sold as Green Giant Fresh. While the initial recall included four products sold across Minnesota and North Dakota, Potandon Produce is now recalling another three products (all consisting of whole yellow or white onions) sold in Illinois. The newly recalled items are: 3-lb. bags of Green Giant Fresh whole yellow onions with the UPC 60580600123-9 and the Lot #149007 or 1190085-lb....

A sunny-day savings fund is a rainy-day savings fund in reverse. It’s for all of those wonderful things you want to spend money on—without going into debt. What to Use a Sunny-Day Savings Fund For An Amazing Vacation We love a vacation, but they can get expensive fast unless you learn to be a frugal traveler. According to a study by CreditDonkey, the average cost for a vacation for a family of four runs about $4,580....

Yelp’s Top Food Trend Predictions for 2022 Yelp’s data science team analyzed millions of reviews to find the food and drink keywords that were really on the rise between 2020 and 2021. Here’s what to look forward to in the food scene next year. Croffle Step aside, cronuts—croffles (pictured above) are the new sweet treat hitting plates next year. A cross between a croissant and a waffle, this is a South Korean delicacy making waves here with searches up +1,505%....

When choosing a cordless vacuum for hardwood floors, cleaning ability and battery life are key. Look for options that are lightweight, with strong suction power and maneuverability. You may also want to consider vacuum cleaners with attachments for hard-to-reach locations. When reviewing cordless vacuums for hardwood floors, we considered durability, battery life, noise level, and ease of cleaning. We also examined the ease of cleaning each vacuum’s dust cup. The best-rated vacuum on our list, the Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Stick Vacuum, cleans hardwood floors and carpet, so you don’t have to switch between machines....

Anyone who loves to clean will be familiar with these top brands that are heavily discounted and are featured in this list. Think steam mops from Shark and Hoover as well as compact steam cleaners from Bissell, PurSteam, and McCulloch—all on sale for Cyber Monday, starting at just $25. Shopping for an easy-to-use steamer that removes unnerving grime? Consider this now-$70 Shark steam mop that’ll make your floors feel like they’re brand new....

The method: Press a foot-long stretch of tape onto the surface, then pull it back to pick up the grime. To get crumbs out of drawers, ball up the tape, leaving much of the sticky side facing out. Tap the ball onto the debris, applying extra pressure to catch stubborn pieces. —Maeve Richmond, founder of the organizational company Maeve’s Method The method: Using a formula of equal parts water and white vinegar, spritz the bottoms of a pair of thick, absorbent socks, then put them on....

This creamy spinach-Parmesan dip gets its subtle heat from cayenne pepper. Serve it with sliced veggies to keep the calorie count in check (and to save room for the deliciousness to come). The slow cooker dip recipe is so creamy and rich-tasting that your guests will never know it’s actually a healthy Thanksgiving appetizer! Want healthy Thanksgiving turkey recipes? Instead of roasting a whole bird, opt for just the breast instead....