Savory Pancakes One of the criticisms of sourdough starters is that they’re wasteful. Before feeding your starter, you throw most away. But you don’t have to discard your discard. Instead, pour it into a hot pan with roughly a tablespoon of olive oil sizzling at medium heat. Spread that starter thin, so it takes the shape of a disc. Add some salt and pepper, garlic powder, and whatever additional flavorings you’re feeling....
If you’re curious whether a box fan is the right option for you, we have all the information you need to find out. What to Consider When Buying a Box Fan Your perfect box fan might not feel the same to someone else. It all comes down to personal preferences and the nature of your space. The following three considerations will help you make the best choice for your unique needs....
Eager to welcome some holiday cheer into your home? We asked the trend experts at Etsy, Pinterest, Home Depot, and Bloomingdale’s for top holiday décor trends, so you can shop early and start decorating ASAP. Rainbow Brights “Technicolor [is] a big decorating trend that we’ll see,” says Kelley Carter, the home fashion director at Bloomingdale’s. “It’s all about embracing vivid colors as a way to brighten up a room and bring joy to a space....
Reader question: “How can I go for a lighter hair color without paying for monthly root touch-ups?” —Maxine Freedman As we discussed last week, the fresh hair color that you leave with at the salon probably won’t look so fresh a month later. This can partly be chalked up to fading and oxidation, but there’s also the more obvious reason of new growth. Honestly, I could take a page from this topic because I recently went blonde, and well, roots (IYKYK)....
We first featured Christmas villages as a decorating trend in the 1966 edition of Better Homes & Gardens’ Christmas Ideas book, but the miniature towns have been around for hundreds of years. The age-old Christmas Village tradition initially began as nativity scenes illustrating the Christmas story. Their biblical significance got lost in translation as they passed through different European regions and traditions, later arriving in the United States. The whimsical Christmas village tradition we’re familiar with today culminated with putz (or plaster) houses in the 19th century, and it’s these quaint displays we’ll be displaying on our holiday mantels this season....
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Garlic is among the oldest known horticultural crops.” Researchers have found references to garlic in both Egyptian and Indian cultures dating back some 5,000 years. “There is clear historical evidence for its use by the Babylonians 4,500 years ago and by the Chinese 2,000 years ago,” the USDA adds. “Some writings suggest that garlic was grown in China as far back as 4,000 years ago....
It may be the latter. Since the pandemic, “we’ve seen a high incidence of complaints of neck and back pain,” says Brian A. Cole, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon at Englewood Spine Associates in Englewood, N.J. Even before the pandemic, back pain was common: The average individual experiences one to two episodes of back pain per year, which can start in your 20s and be a recurring problem that gets triggered by various events in life....
The tradition of painting millwork dates back to Colonial times when baseboards and trim were, by necessity, crafted from locally sourced, often low-quality wood. Coating this cheap wood with dark oil-based paint provided a stronger, more attractive finish that helped disguise dirt and contrasted with the whitewashed walls in many Colonial homes. Later, the trend shifted toward decorative painting techniques, such as faux marbleizing and wood graining, in which mantlepieces, stair risers, baseboards, and more were carefully painted to mimic the natural lines and variations of more expensive wood or marble....
While using a quality brush will get you far, achieving a smooth, professional finish begins with determining the proper applicator for the job. Natural-bristle brushes work best with oil-based paints. Synthetic brushes, made from nylon and polyester, are the perfect match for water-based latex paint. Ideally, tape should be removed about an hour after you’ve finished painting. But if you’ve let it sit for too long and the paint starts coming up, you’re not out of luck....
1. Forcing yourself to shave with a “women’s” razor. Do women really need a different razor to shave their legs than a man uses to shave? Nope. Unless you’ve found a favorite razor brand you want stick with, you don’t need a pink razor, a specialty razor, or one infused with anything for a great shave. In fact, you can use the same brand men use. However, if you do want to get something a bit more customized for your legs, Jennifer Herrmann, MD, a dermatologist for Venus, says there are a number of razors out there specifically designed to “architecturally match a woman’s curves and contours....
To find your home’s hidden storage space, you can toss seven things right now–and never miss them. Start with the items that demand the most real estate, then dive into the smaller ones. By the time you’ve made it through the list, you’ll have plenty of room for this year’s tree and the ever-growing present stash. Once you’ve tossed the artificial tree that’s seen better days and the broken ornaments you’ve been hanging onto for sentimental reasons, you’ll have more space for new decorations....
Between flights, accommodations, activities, and all that aforementioned tasty food, the cost of travel can add up quickly. However, that’s no reason to avoid travel. All you need to do is research a few places where the American dollar can take you a little further. Here are seven destinations around the globe where, thanks to favorable exchange rates, you can stretch your cash while investing in your personal growth through travel....
“It tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, including low light (though it grows best and fastest in a brighter spot) and inconsistent watering,” explains Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms. “And it holds up to low humidity, which many of our homes suffer from in the dry winter months, making it an excellent indoor plant for beginners.” He points out that being a vine, the pothos is also fairly versatile....
For starters, more protein with pasta means you won’t be loading up on as many noodles, which, while delicious, don’t have much nutritional value. And let’s not forget that protein is responsible for everything from producing antibodies, enzymes, blood, connective tissue, hormones, and more, to repairing and strengthening muscles. While it may sound like we’re just making your favorite pasta dish more complicated, trust us when we say these protein-boosting hacks are really, really easy to implement....
What is alkaline water, exactly? Alkalinity in water refers to its pH level. pH level measures how acidic the water is on a scale from 1 to 14, 1 being highly acidic and 14 being highly basic (aka, alkaline). Most drinking water has a neutral pH of 7, whereas most alkaline waters have a pH of 8.5 or higher. So why drink it? Many proponents of alkaline water believe it can neutralize the acid in your body, which they say helps with hydration, immunity, and fighting inflammation and chronic issues related to it....
One natural weed killer to keep those unsightly greens at bay? “Keep the lawn long, so it takes longer for seeds to work their way down the ground,” says Leslie Reichert, founder of Green Cleaning Coach. Or try the old-fashioned, labor-intensive method: “Sometimes you can’t control exactly where the weed killer disseminates when sprayed. If you’re afraid of brown spots in your lawn, a weed puller and a bucket can be your best bet....
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To buy: $135 (was $170); amazon.com. The projector itself is a sleek, lightweight gray cube with touch-sensitive control buttons at the top and an included remote. It looks more like a portable speaker than anything else, gaining points for subtlety. I especially love the small leather strap across the top, ideal for carting the device to friends’ houses, camping, or anywhere else you might want a watch party. Over the past few weeks, I’ve now tested this dust-proof projector on a stack of books beside my bed, on a shelf above my bed, and even facing my window screen....
To buy: $25; amazon.com. “Honestly, I was so beyond blown away by these slippers,” wrote one of the 1,800 five-star reviewers. “Exceeded my expectations by a landslide… This slipper is 100 percent higher quality than the Ugg equivalent. They’ve held-up very well. I’m probably going to buy a second pair—these are literally the BEST slippers I’ve ever owned.” “I bought these slippers as a Christmas gift for my mom,” wrote another who titled their review “Best slippers of my life!...
Instead of aimlessly stacking your shelves with the entire kitchen cabinet, Emerie Forehand, interior designer at Decorist, explains the elements that create a highly-curated kitchen aesthetic. “Function is key for your open shelving,” Forehand said. “I like to use items that they use everyday, like their plates, glassware, and coffee cups—that way, they’re easier to grab and unload from their dishwasher.” After placing tableware on the shelves, Forehand suggests using decorative filler items, like fresh potted herbs like mint and rosemary to add greenery (and flavor to your cooking), tea canisters, and mixing bowls....
