Here’s the depressing reality: There seems to be a major disconnect between what people believe they would do in a hypothetical situation from what they actually do when faced with the situation in real life. Why? While most of us naturally feel empathetic towards someone in need from afar, it’s not instinctual to interfere in person. This phenomenon, dubbed the bystander effect, is when there is mass inaction from people who can make a difference....

“Neuroplasticity is the capacity of the brain to reorganize its connections based on experience,” says Amishi Jha, PhD, an associate professor in the department of psychology at the University of Miami and the director of contemplative neuroscience for the UMindfulness initiative. “It’s very much related to something exciting we learned about just a couple of decades ago called neurogenesis, which means that even the adult brain can grow new neurons....

Beyond that, the American Red Cross recommends keeping a three-day supply of non-perishable food on hand and at least one gallon of water per person per day. Finally, have a Plan B in place for family members who require electricity for medical reasons. Follow the lists below for what to do when the electricity goes out, so you’re prepared for power outages whenever they happen. What to Do When the Power Goes Out Gather flashlights....

“We get a lot of cookies and pastries,” says Maria Silva, a registered dietitian nutritionist who manages the Family Wellness Program at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, a nonprofit that manages charity dining rooms and food boxes for the homeless and working poor, among many other services. “We’re grateful for people thinking of us and these are delicious, but they’re not nutritionally dense.” That’s why it’s important to consider the nutritional value of the food you’re donating....

If one of those changes happens to be white spots, it could be a sign that you need to slow down, fuel up, or take a break from those fancy gel manicures. But where exactly do they come from—and at what point should you visit a medical professional? Read on as one expert helps us break down everything you need to know and when to go. What Are White Spots On Nails?...

Although the flexibility of having multiple homes allows owners to pull off geographic arbitrage and unlock a variety of tax benefits, many people are intimidated by having another mortgage (and managing a rental property). But the reality is that owning a second home can be a highly lucrative venture and, in most states, really straightforward. This guide will explain the benefits of buying a vacation home as well as three options to consider before you make a purchase....

Teas Require Drastically Different Brewing Temperatures Many times, microwaving a mug heats the water way too much. This, in turn, makes lifting it from the microwave a task that can come with finger-burning and potential spilling of scalding water. Additionally, when the water gets too hot, you’ll have to wait longer to drink your fully-steeped tea—tea that won’t be brewed correctly. Why? Because different teas require different water temperatures. Green tea (including matcha) and white tea should be steeped between 170 and 180 degrees....

With Hocus Pocus 2 just coming out, my mind has just been totally witch crazy. I shared a fun Hocus Pocus movie night bucket on TikTok that blew up plus these spellbook brownies, so I’m guessing most people are also in the witching mood. These fun cauldron cupcakes are part cupcake, part rice krispie treat, and part witch’s potion. They’re not only delicious, they’re really cool to look at. And for me, that’s a huge part of Halloween – cute Halloween party foods!...

The Miessial velvet ruffle wrap dress is made from 97 percent polyester and 3 percent elastane. Even though velvet typically has a heavier feel, this dress is still designed to feel lightweight and flowy, according to the brand. Most importantly, shoppers seem to agree: The dress has 2,000 five-star ratings and hundreds of positive reviews. To buy: $45; amazon.com. “Overall, I loved, loved, loved this dress! I wore it to a fall wedding, and I received a ton of compliments on it,” wrote a five-star reviewer....

Get multi-function supplies: Microfiber cloths, a microfiber mop, non-abrasive cleanser (like Bon Ami), baking soda, white vinegar, vacuum with long-bristle and edger attachment, and steam cleaner. Start simple: Tackle a low-traffic space like a dining or living room first—your speed and success will motivate you to keep going! Go top-to-bottom and back-to-front: Avoid backtracking by working with gravity—when you dust high surfaces like ceilings and furniture, it falls to the floor....

Here are just a few of the most recent and startling developments: Last year was the warmest on record for the heat content of the world’s oceans and it was the warmest year on record in 25 countries, and in areas where 1.8 billion people live, according to CarbonBrief. The Arctic, in particular, is warming almost three times faster than the rest of the planet. 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution enters the ocean every year, and by 2030, the plastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and the ocean could increase to as much as 53 million metric tons....

1. Moderate Weather Warm, not hot, days coupled with cool nights are the perfect forecast for establishing new plants. Spring can suddenly turn hot and dry, which often spells doom for fragile new plants. Fall weather, on the other hand, is generally more settled and more likely to stay on the cool, rainy side. 2. Fewer Pests From hungry insects to plant diseases, fall is usually quiet on the pest-patrol front....

If you couldn’t tell already, I love me some minute to win it games. I’ve come up with minute to win it games for pretty much every holiday, every occasion, and every theme I could think of. That’s the true beauty of minute to win it games – you can really make them work for any theme, any group, and any age! Even my 5-year-old loves to play! How to Play These Team Minute to Win It Games While I am calling these minute to win it games for groups or team minute to win it games, really there are three different ways you can play these games, and they don’t necessarily have to be played in groups or on teams of any kind....

Homemade nachos can be just as tasty as the stadium or restaurant thing, and they can be healthier, too. Again, it’s all in the topping choices, and with the right ones—think butternut squash—you can turn this indulgent Super Bowl food into a full meal for a crowd. While Asian nachos offer a delicious spin on the classic chips-and-cheese base, there are plenty of other ways to change up your nachos dish....

Kitchen islands come in various designs and sizes, so there’s a fit for every type of space, whether it’s a farmhouse kitchen or a modern one. We’ve rounded up several kitchen island ideas and designs to inspire you, no matter your budget or footprint, along with expert tips from designers. How to Add a Kitchen Island to Your Home For a kitchen lacking a lot of square footage, you can opt for a rolling kitchen island or small kitchen islands—these can add additional surface and storage space without taking up more precious room....

Mixed Grains Bowl With Beet-Ginger Dressing The heartbeet of this bowl is the vibrant, earthy dressing. Trust us: You’ll want to make extra to keep in the fridge. Kitchen Hero: Puff Pastry Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies Buttery puff pastry forms the base of these simple cookies, which feature a cinnamon-sugar pecan swirl throughout each bite. Getting that perfect spiral is surprisingly easy. The key is rolling the topped pastry into a tight log, and then giving it a quick freeze before slicing....

Picking out a wedding registry can mean reconstructing your material culture and aesthetic, as a duo instead of a single. And like your marriage, you want your home goods to last you for the many years to come. Dare I say heirloom-quality? Here are her top 15 picks. Editor-Picked Wedding Registry Finds: Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags Set, $55 Parachute Brushed Cotton Queen Sheet Set in Ivory, $269 KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt....

Even though I’m never eager for winter’s arrival, the one thing that keeps me going throughout the coldest months of the year are items that promise to keep me comfy and warm. This is the time to stock up on fuzzy socks, ultra-soft robes, throw blankets, and coats—and the best news is all of these items can serve as wonderful holiday gifts in a pinch. Biggest Sale: Zella Live-In High Waist Pocket 7/8 Leggings, $24 (was $59) Sellout Risk: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan, $78 (was $116) Ideal Stocking Stuffer: Nordstrom Butter Crew Socks, $6 (was $9) Best Hostess Gift: Neom 6....

But how to peel it yourself—in a reasonable amount of time? Squash recipes sometimes call for using a Y-shaped peeler. While the vertical handle certainly speeds up the process, you’ll still spend at least 20 minutes trying to scrape off the squash’s woody exterior. No, thank you. These two brilliant tricks will help allow you to peel squash less than five minutes. Let the microwave do the work. Poke the squash or pumpkin all over with the tines of a fork....

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. Non-Treat Valentine Ideas I have a preschooler and it seems like every class party is the same – we end up with a bag full of treats, most that he doesn’t like because he doesn’t like chocolate. Crazy right? And when he gets sugar at school, he seems to think that means he gets to eat it all that same day....