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Is Inflammation Bad? Now, inflammation has gotten a bad rep, but let’s remember that not all inflammation is bad. “Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s response to infection or injury,” says Brynn McDowell, R.D. “It’s typically followed by a period of resolution that heals your tissues after inflammation. The goal is to keep the balance between inflammation and restoration. Chronic inflammation happens when the balance is never restored.” And when it comes to chronic inflammation, the foods you eat can play a huge role in fueling the fire—or taming it....

Don’t Air Your Grievances For me, the most critical part of the interview is when you explain the decisions you’ve made— especially why you went from one job to the next. The explanation tells me about your motivations and attitude. One golden rule: Do not complain about a former job. Find a positive way to frame it. You don’t have to say that everything was perfect. But if you can’t find a way to explain how you handled a difficult situation or describe what you learned on the job, it can seem as if you’ll be disappointed by the ordinary ups and downs of a business....

Properly caring for your lawn involves a bit more than just pulling your lawn mower out once a week and running it across your yard. There are a few common mistakes to avoid to have the healthiest grass and a beautiful lawn each time you mow. 1. You Mow Your Grass Too Short It may seem like mowing your grass shorter would mean you can get away with mowing less frequently, but in actuality, this can cause more harm than good....

Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams is one of my go-to dark paint colors because it works in so many places. It’s a little mysterious, often reading as a deep gray with brown undertones. It’s dramatic but still soft enough to not feel overpowering. I’ve used it in a small powder room (with no natural light), in a hallway as the backdrop to a gallery wall, and on the back of bookcases to make books and accessories really pop....

A dutch oven is a large, cast iron cooking pot with a fitted lid and a seasoned or enamel-coated nonstick surface. Though it may come with a hefty price tag, it can help you accomplish your most ambitious culinary goals with its ability to withstand a variety of cooking techniques (like baking and braising, to name a few). You might make a pot of homemade bone broth or a hearty lentil stew....

With small containers of leftover paint, you can touch up scuffed paint and trim around your home. It’s amazing how a fresh coat of paint can make your entire home look instantly cleaner. RELATED: 5 Paint Colors That Can Actually Help Your Home Look Cleaner To deal with those pesky weeds that grow in between patio pavers or bricks, grab a specially designed metal weed scraper or a sturdy brush with metal bristles....

As part of her new series, Make My Space Work, Alexandra took on the challenge of transforming this bleak, makeshift workspace into a bright, organized home office for less than $800. Watch the entire process (you won’t want to miss Kyle’s reaction!). Then, keep reading for Alexandra’s wallet-friendly recommendations to update your home office. Before Before the budget reno, Kyle’s office had textured red walls and ancient carpeting. There also was a lot of unnecessary office clutter taking up floor space....

First things first: “The decision to split the bill should happen before you sit down for dinner,” says Toni Dupree, an etiquette coach with Etiquette & Style by Dupre in Houston. “Not when the wait staff brings the check.” “If, and only if, everyone agreed to split the bill before the meals are ordered, then it is OK to evenly divide that check when the bill arrives,” confirms Karene Putney, CEO of Etiquette Etiquette....

If you’ve ever aspired to have a home that feels finished–one that’s carefully considered and intentionally decorated—then these little decor tips are for you. Here are five simple ways to make every room in your home feel more complete. If you don’t have a green thumb, start with a hard-to-kill houseplant. For extra oomph, consider investing in plants that sit at varying heights, like a pothos that suspends from the ceiling, a towering fiddle leaf fig, or a fern elevated on a plant stand....

References to serotonin and serotonin-boosting habits, activities, and even foods are common in today’s social media-based mental health discourse. But is improved happiness and well-being as simple as trying to increase your supply of this one single neurotransmitter? In truth, not everyone can benefit from a serotonin boost—in fact, too much serotonin in your body can actually make you feel worse (although serotonin toxicity is often a reaction to medication)....

1. Rent the Runway Rent the Runway offers wear-and-return attire options for everything from black-tie galas to the office—but did you know you can rent fine jewelry too? Request a one-time rental for a specific event or sign up to receive monthly shipments of beautiful jewelry for as little as $6 per piece. 2. Flont Wish your jewelry box was overflowing with designer pieces? Flont can make that happen. At $59 per month, a Flont membership gives you access to jewelry from renowned fashion houses and need-to-know newcomers—and everything in between....

Pitch Cobalt In the kitchen designed by Gina Gutierrez, the window trim and kitchen island are both brushed with a deep shade of navy, Pitch Cobalt by Valspar. When used in small, strategic doses in a room filled with natural light, the moody hue lends contrast and depth without darkening the room at all. To connect the living room and dining room, the stair banister in the dining room also got a coat of the color....

Today continues my series of fun Christmas games that work both virtually and in person! Earlier this week I shared Christas music bingo (so fun!), a Christmas carol game, and a few activities specifically for kids like a Christmas i-spy and a Christmas word search. This Christmas would you rather game is great for all ages because all you have to do is choose one of two options. And since everything on my blog is family-friendly (even these party games for adults), the questions work great for kids through adults!...

Editor’s Tip: To decoupage ornaments, cut strips of paper, then brush Mod Podge onto a portion of the ornament and on paper strips. Press and repeat until the ornament is covered, then brush on a top coat of decoupage and let dry. Use florists wire to secure ornaments to the wreath. Editor’s Tip: Assemble the pinecone Christmas wreath first with the flattest elements (like moss), ending with three-dimensional statement pieces (like pods)....

“Feet take a beating,” says Christopher Neville, PT, PhD, president of the Foot and Ankle Special Interest Group (part of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy), and associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy Education at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “Feet are amazingly resilient, though, with what we put them through every day.” In most cases, sore feet are just that: They’re tired from a long day and they are nothing to worry about....

The Biggest Culprits Physical and Emotional Stress While emotional stress is certainly one culprit, David J. Calabro, DC—a certified pediatric and pregnancy chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner in Linwood, New Jersey—says physical stress also plays a role. That includes falls, accidents, and traumas such as falling off a bicycle, jamming your head getting out of a car, or undergoing a C-section delivery (which puts extra stress on the neck). Even if these things happened when you were young, “they can manifest years later as pain or other symptoms,” he adds....

Double Pepper Barbecue Rub Choose your meat (be it brisket, ribs, chicken, or pork shoulder) and mop it with a vinegar-based BBQ sauce as it smokes. Then make like a Tennessee pitmaster and sprinkle this Memphis BBQ rub recipe atop your grilled meats after they’re done cooking. That way, the brown sugar, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and more will have a starring role on your taste buds. ¼ cup paprika1 tablespoon ground cumin1 tablespoon packed brown sugar1 tablespoon chili powder1 tablespoon ground black pepper1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper¼ teaspoon ground cloves...

Unfortunately, most of us can’t spend every morning lounging on the beach for the sake of a good hair day. But it is possible to create those beautiful beach waves with the right tools, products, and techniques at home. According to Paul Cucinello, a celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Cucinello Beauty, real beach hair is totally different from what most hashtag results show. “It’s more of that surprise you get when you come out of the saltwater and run your fingers through your hair with leftover suntan lotion,” he says....

Make the most of every square foot of your front porch by styling a hangout that elevates your home’s curb appeal, provides endless enjoyment, and leaves a lasting impression on anyone who steps foot on it—the mail carrier included. These front porch furniture ideas will help you create a welcoming outdoor space that’s as beautiful as it is functional. 1. Maximize Space on a Small Porch Less space doesn’t have to equal less style....

With a quick refresher on proper etiquette and how to start a conversation, any host can get the conversation rolling. With that in mind, Real Simple’s “Modern Manners” columnist Catherine Newman shares easy-to-remember phrases that will make the party more enjoyable for all involved. (Have a pressing etiquette question of your own? Ask it here.) “Just bring yourselves” This is always a nice thing to say, followed by “I’m keeping it super simple....