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Popularity According to Houzz’s 2022 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study, kitchen islands are one of the most sought-after upgrades for any culinary corner. The study found that a whopping 57% of renovating homeowners either add or upgrade an existing kitchen island. That number doesn’t include the non-renovating homeowners that would love to add an island if they could afford it or feasibly alter their existing layout. “We see thousands of kitchen renovations at Sweeten, and an island is often on the ‘must-have’ list,” says Jean Brownhill, founder and CEO of Sweeten, a platform that matches homeowners with vetted general contractors....

Start by swapping out your thick flannel sheets for a more breathable option, then introduce a few styling tricks to help your entire bedroom feel cooler—without ever touching the thermostat. If you’re ready to sleep better (and more comfortably) this summer, follow these pro-approved tips. To find the ultimate summer sheets, consult our list of best sheets for those who sleep hot. Linen is known for its breathability (and will soften over time and after many washes), while percale feels smooth and crisp to the touch....

Enter Ban.do, the retailer known for its adorable and budget-friendly gifting picks. Shoppers delight in the brand’s brightly colored and patterned planners, coffee cups, stationery, candles, apparel, shoes, and even tech. Ban.do aims to “encourage joy,” so each product has a vibrant, optimistic aesthetic that will almost certainly please any gift recipient—with prices that will certainly please you. Now for a limited time only, its entire site is 30 percent off with code SAVE30, including already on-sale items....

If that’s you—or if you’re looking for a gift for someone who matches that description—we have good news. Nordstrom currently has a sale on a selection of clothing and home goods from Barefoot Dreams, a shopper-approved brand that excels in all things snuggly. From a luxurious robe you’ll want to live in until spring to a pair of socks that will keep your toes nice and toasty, the limited-time sale is full of cold-weather staples that are up to 40 percent off....

Heart Health Blueberries have been shown to improve heart health. How much do you need to reap the benefits? A cup per day is the perfect amount to sprinkle over a bowl of cottage cheese or Greek yogurt (add some chopped nuts to complete a healthy breakfast). Here’s what you can expect if you up your intake. Blood Pressure Reduction Incorporating a cup of blueberries per day can significantly help with high blood pressure....

More specifically, fragments from a cable used to clear the processing line were discovered in some of the products. The recalled Walmart mix has the UPC 078742370828, lot code KX2063, and a “Best By Date” of 09/01/2023. An additional item, Kroger Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, was processed in the same facility and recalled earlier this week due to the same issue. The Kroger mix is packaged in a 2-pound box with the UPC 01111088219 and lot codes KX2063 and KX2064....

How to Freeze Ham Fresh, cooked, cured, country—there are so many types of ham. Any type of ham can be frozen, but it can be hard to determine the best way to freeze it. If the ham is unopened, you can freeze it in its original packaging. When freezing leftover ham (whole or sliced), here are some tips to follow: Make sure ham is cooled and dry (to prevent ice crystals)....

These DIY St. Patrick’s Day pot of gold games are perfect for kids and adults like! Simple to make, durable so you can keep them year after year, and fun to play! They’re perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day party (try them with these St. Patrick’s Day games) or just an afternoon of magical fun at home! This post contains affiliate links to products I recommend. I may receive a small commission if you purchase anything via my links....

Unfortunately, hibiscus cold tolerance isn’t high, so if you live in colder regions of the country, you’d have to treat these beauties like annuals that last only for one season or bring them inside for the winter. However, there are other kinds of hibiscus plants that are just as gorgeous as their tropical counterparts but much hardier, so they’ll thrive year after year in northern climates. Does Hibiscus Come Back Every Year?...

There are some recipes that are very specific to an occasion like these chocolate covered peeps. And then there are the recipes that you can serve for pretty much any special occasions and get away with (like cinnamon swirl bread). Those are some of my favorite kind of recipes because they’re so versatile. This easy chocolate chip bundt cake recipe is one of those recipes. It’s a cake that works for dessert....

I’m all about fun themed treats for the holidays and so far this holiday season, I haven’t done a great job of sharing new treat ideas! That changes today with these acorn Oreo truffles being the first in a handful of themed Thanksgiving dessert and snack ideas! In the past I’ve made all sorts of different no bake desserts with Oreos including these Christmas Oreo truffles, these Easter egg Oreos, and of course the best Oreo dirt cake....

One of the most popular appetizer recipes out there for any holiday is pigs in a blanket (I prefer ones like these that are pigs in a blanket with cheese but any work). There’s just something about the taste of the baked buttery crescent dough and classic hot dogs together that’s just delicious. These fun hot dog mummies are the full size version of those but all decorated like cute mummies for Halloween....

I’ve shared a lot of pumpkin recipes this year – pumpkin dip, pumpkin oatmeal cookies, and even pumpkin delight – but none are quite like this one. I’m a big fan of cinnamon rolls and this pumpkin pull apart bread is similar in flavors but with a different look and texture. And unlike pumpkin cinnamon rolls, they don’t have to rise, you can just roll out, top, and bake. These would be the perfect option for a Thanksgiving weekend brunch, a fall baby shower, or even just a yummy weekend breakfast....

One of the best things about sugar cookie bars or even Texas sheet cake is the sheer amount of treats that you can get from one pan with only having to pour the batter once instead of having to roll out a bunch of cookies or individual treats. This pumpkin slab pie takes the same concept but with pumpkin pie. So instead of making one or two small pumpkin pies that don’t feed many people at all (especially if you have pumpkin lovers in your family like I do), you can feed a whole crowd at once!...

Those of a certain age will, of course, remember the 1990s dot-com boom and all the millionaires that were created thanks to stock options. Among the most notable recent examples is Tesla, founded by now-billionaire Elon Musk. Like so many other companies in the tech space, Tesla offers stock options as part of compensation packages. But in the case of the pricey electric vehicle maker, the options are offered to all employees, not just executives or managers....

Now that Omicron has taken over as the dominant variant in the U.S. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new guidelines, I’ve started wearing KN95 masks to make daily outings feel a bit safer, and my favorite ones are from Evolvetogether. The brand sent me a few samples to try last year, and I’ve been waiting for its popular colors to come back in stock so I can order more (they’ve been sold out for weeks)....

The agency recently announced a plan to propose “to update the definition for the implied nutrient content claim ‘healthy’ to be consistent with current nutrition science and Federal dietary guidance,” which includes the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020–2025), as well as the updated Nutrition Facts Label. This new categorization aims to focus more on the value of eating certain food groups rather than trying to obtain individual nutrients, an approach that Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, registered dietitian and NOW Wellness expert, is excited about....

This post contains affiliate links to products for your convenience. If you purchase via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Quarterback Sneak Super Bowl Scavenger Hunt One of my favorite things to do is to create games with corny titles like my put a ring on it bridal shower games or my pot of Gold St. Patrick’s Day games! This quarterback sneak football scavenger hunt for kids is no different....

Oscar Trivia Game With the Academy Awards coming up soon and people looking for Oscar party ideas, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at Oscar history and big events that have happened during the Oscars over the years. I mean who will ever forget when La La Land was given the Best Picture nomination on accident when in reality it should’ve been Moonlight. For anyone who loves the movies, these Oscar trivia questions are perfect!...

Hibiscus Tea Benefits According to Roxana Ehsani, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, studies have shown that “drinking three 8-ounce mugs of hibiscus tea for six weeks lowered participants’ systolic blood pressure by 7.2 mmHg, while participants that drank a placebo showed a 1.3 mmHg drop.” In addition to its blood pressure-reducing effects, Ehsani notes that, when consumed without added sugar or dairy, hibiscus tea (made from the flower’s petals) serves as the perfect hydration motivator for those who struggle to reach their daily water intake....