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There are four basic varieties of grits: traditional stone-ground, quick-cooking, instant, and hominy. While the base ingredient (corn) is the same in all of these, the way it’s processed is different (more on that below). Grits are usually served one of two ways: creamy or cheesy. In both cases, the key to smooth grits (without lumps) is to cook them low and slow over simmering heat, whisking consistently. Since grits typically lack flavor, they are often cooked with butter, cheese, cream, or gravy, and topped with shrimp, mushrooms, ham, or bacon....

When it comes down to it, though, nutrition is built on three main macronutrients that pretty much everyone is at least somewhat familiar with: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Consuming these important macronutrients in their proper ratios is one of the simplest ways to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition to fuel your body and mind, and keep you energized for life’s daily activities. What Are Macronutrients? So what exactly is a macronutrient (sometimes referred to as a “macro”) and how much of each should we be eating?...

Microcurrent facial devices are perhaps some of the buzziest beauty gadgets out there (pun intended) and iterations exist in both at-home and in-office spaces. Both options are worth your buck, and we’re about to tell you why. We asked dermatologists everything you need to know about what microcurrent devices are and how they work. How Microcurrent Devices Work Microcurrent technology uses safe, low-voltage electricity to stimulate your muscles and cells....

We’ll go over the basics of what constitutes a single-family home, plus we’ll take a look at what to expect if you decide to purchase one. The Single-Family Home When it comes what a single-family home is, the key word is “single.” Here, think “one” or “solo”—and picture that idyllic, standalone house with its own yard and driveway. “A single-family home is a freestanding home that shares no common walls with another residence and is set alone on its own piece of property,” says Courtney Klosterman, a home insights expert at Hippo, a home insurance company....

What Is Chalk Paint? Initially created by the popular paint brand Annie Sloan, “chalk paint” is technically a registered trademark of this company. However, plenty of copycats are now on the market, and there are many instructions online for making DIY versions. This paint is not to be confused with chalkboard paint, which creates a surface that you can write on with chalk. Instead, this specialized paint lends a chalky appearance and feel to surfaces....

Terrazzo is a popular choice for floors, walls, and accent pieces, like tables, backsplashes, and outdoor patio surfaces. It comes in multiple colors and designs, which can be purchased as ready-made tiles. If properly sealed for water resistance, it can be applied to any area of your home, including the bathroom and kitchen. There are many reasons to fall in love with terrazzo; it is durable, attractive, and affordable. Generally cheaper than granite and marble, it can be an eye-catching alternative that doesn’t break the bank....

When to Buy a Frozen Thanksgiving Turkey If you’re opting to go the frozen route this Thanksgiving, you can buy your turkey up to a year in advance and freeze it as is. In fact, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, a frozen turkey can stay in the freezer indefinitely, but should be cooked within a year for the best quality.Assuming you’re not quite as prepared, feel free to shop around a bit and buy a bird a few weeks ahead of time....

Here are some funds and organizations that you can still donate to right now. Black Lives Matter Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a movement that “builds power to bring justice, healing, and freedom to Black people across the globe.” Get connected to your local BLM chapter here, and you can donate here. The ACLU The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides legal services and support to those with a wide range of civil rights complaints, from free speech to voting rights....

Whipping ricotta in the food processor transforms it into an incredibly smooth, spreadable cheese—a blank canvas to be paired with any number of flavors and ingredients. To make it, place ¾ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in a food processor, then process until very smooth—1 to 2 minutes. That’s it! We recommend using whole-milk ricotta, which is creamier and richer than part-skim, making for a more luscious spread....

This color, known as “haint blue,” is associated with the Gullah Geechee people. These descendants of enslaved Africans in parts of Georgia and South Carolina have maintained a rich cultural heritage, and among their traditions was the belief that haint blue repels haints, or ghosts. The idea was that the color would trick haints into thinking the ceiling is either water or the sky. Haint blue was first used in Charleston during the early 1800s and continues to be popular today....

Why Your Tomatoes Aren’t Ripening Usually, tomatoes that aren’t ripening on the vine are overfed and overwatered. It happens to gardeners with the best intentions, but once the plant reaches the size you want, it’s time to cut back on fertilizing. Typically, you’ll only need to fertilize tomato plants two or three times during the season. Reducing water, even to the point where a little stress (slight wilting) shows before you water again, can push the plant to ripen its fruit....

In other words, having healthy habits and stress management practices will be your best bet in boosting immunity. “We can really boost our immunity through diet alone. Consistent intake of the micronutrients that help our bodies fight disease, is a natural solution to infection prevention,” says Cassie Majestic, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California. “Micronutrients, or vitamins and minerals, are vital to disease-prevention and health development....

Some of my absolute favorite memories from growing up are from when I either went to my church summer camps or when my family went camping with friends! Then I had the chance to be in charge of organizing games and activities for a young women’s camp for 100 youth for four years in a row, so I was able to test out lots of different summer games! And let me tell you, these are definitely our favorites and a hit with kids and adults of all ages!...

Thanks to the Rutherford County Tourism Board for hosting me for this trip. While lodging, meals, and activities were provided complimentary for this trip, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. Fun Things to Do in Lake Lure NC Before my visit to Lake Lure NC, I honestly had no idea it even existed, which is sad because I am a pretty big Dirty Dancing fan and Lake Lure is a huge Dirty Dancing hotspot!...

Size: To 5 inches tall and wide Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established Size: To 4 inches tall and 18 inches wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: To 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant Size: To 9 inches tall and 1 foot wide Growing Conditions: Full to part shade and well-drained soil; drought tolerant Size: To 6 inches tall and 18 inches wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil Size: To 9 inches tall and 1 foot wide Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant Size: To 1 inch tall and 1 foot wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil Buy It: Scotch Moss (from $10, Etsy) Size: To 3 inches tall and 1 foot wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil Buy It: Dwarf Mondo Grass ($14, The Home Depot) Size: To 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall and wide Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Buy It: Snow in Summer Seeds ($3, Etsy) Size: To 2 feet tall and 18 inches wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil; drought tolerant Buy It: Soapwort ($3, Etsy) Size: To 6 inches tall and 6 feet wide Growing Conditions: Full shade and moist, well-drained soil Buy It: Baby Tears ($30, Etsy) Size: To 3 inches tall and 1 foot wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist to wet soil Size: To 1 foot tall and 18 inches wide Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant Size: To 3 inches tall and 1 foot wide Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil...

Benjamin Moore: Raspberry Blush Last year, Benjamin Moore selected a soft, sage green as its 2022 Color of the Year, sitting comfortably among the huge trend of “new neutrals.” This year, however, with the 2023 pick, Raspberry Blush, Benjamin Moore opted for a bold push outside of the paint color comfort zone. The color is a vibrant red-orange shade that can add a burst of energy to the walls of a living room or dining room—basically, anywhere you need a conversation-starting wall color....

For a guacamole recipe you can’t get enough of, turn to our simple blend of tomatoes and avocados flavored with garlic, lime, and onion. The traditional Mexican side dish is the perfect addition to any crowd-worthy dinner. Tamales just might be the most important part of creating a traditional Mexican Christmas dinner. Because tamales take a little extra kitchen energy, they’re generally saved for special occasions, such as the holidays....

Easy Oscar Party Ideas I love everything about the Oscars. The gorgeous dresses. The hosts. The surprise of who will win. I love it all. And I’m excited to finally see a traditional Academy Awards after a couple of years of not so normal ones. I loved putting together this collection of amazing Oscar party ideas you can use for your next Oscar party! There’s everything you could need from Oscar party games to food!...

These clutter hotspots may differ between households, but there are some common ones (e.g., kitchen counters and bedside tables). The problem: Once we’ve picked up a habit, like tossing mail on the counter when we walk in the door, it can be tough to break. Here are easy organization systems you can set up to help adjust these routines. Set up a system: Place a small, stylish wastepaper basket in your entryway or next to your kitchen counter, so you can toss out unwanted catalogs right away (when you have time, contact the companies to unsubscribe)....

Unless you use this smart cleaning hack from TikTok user @hollyvlogsofficial: Fill a mesh laundry bag with LEGO pieces, then place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. The heat and steam will not only clean gunk and crumbs off the blocks but will also disinfect them. Watch the entire process in action. Since the video was originally posted, it has collected more than 800,000 likes and thousands of comments....