We tend to ask ourselves the wrong questions when deciding what to keep and get rid of: “Could this be useful one day? Did someone give this to me? Did I pay a lot of money for this item?” Instead, Shira Gill, a professional organizer known for her transformative closet makeovers, asks us to think differently. “These questions are rooted in guilt, obligation, and fear,” she says, “and will provide you with the justification to keep just about anything!...

Though essential during a holiday meal, gravy usually becomes an afterthought when overshadowed by the stress of cooking a 15-pound turkey. However, there’s good news. Remove one more item from your to-do list and opt for store-bought gravy instead of making it from scratch. With a few simple modifications and tweaks, you can easily transform store-bought gravy into a richer, tastier sauce—and fool everyone into thinking it was homemade. And, if you happen to have some extra, there’s no harm in transforming your leftover gravy into classic Canadian-style poutine or hearty brunch biscuits and gravy....

Before you spend hours shopping at a store or sifting through thousands of options online, take a look at this curation for every interest, hobby, or passion, like an easy donut maker for the sweet-lover in your life or an under-$50 digital instant-print camera for the friend who’s always snapping photos when you’re together. With options for everyone (women, men, kids, teens, grandparents, and even pets) you’ll find something special for every person on your holiday list—even the pickiest of people....

1. Consider common values While most couples would agree that moving in together is indeed a monumental step, ensure you’re both on the same page about what the act of sharing a space means. “Moving in together should force you to talk about common values, goals, and what they mean,” says Amatenstein. “Sometimes people think that moving in together isn’t as serious a step as marriage, so they take the act lightly....

Using the Wrong Equipment Precision is one of the most important parts of baking quality bread at home, so if you aren’t weighing your ingredients, expect sub-par results. “A scale and a cast iron combination cooker are two essential tools that will make an immediate difference in your baking,” says Myhrvold. “But the scale is the piece of equipment we recommend most emphatically for all bakers. If you have been measuring ingredients only by the cup and teaspoon, now is a great time to buy a good scale to apply more percentages as well as grams, which is another benefit....

Mercedes O’Brien, the Atlanta-based brains behind the cocktail kit service Sippn at Home, knows how important it is to make a killer alcohol-free cocktail. Dry January—aka Dryuary—became popular in 2013, and since then, there’s been a growing interest in drinking less. In fact, according to data from Nielsen, non-alcoholic beverage sales have increased significantly. O’Brien agrees. “I’ve been transitioning more into non-alcoholic drinks. I think it’s only going to rise in popularity,” she says....

What often gets overlooked is that grilling veggies adds complexity and depth to fresh-grown produce, and is the perfect way to bring out fruit’s natural sweetness. In the spirit of adopting a more plant-based diet (and accommodating our vegetarian and vegan friends at the next summer soiree), we asked six chefs about their favorite non-meat BBQ dishes and how to cook them, so you can try them at home. “Lately, I’ve been really into Middle Eastern spices,” he continued....

Even though I live alone, moving into 500 square feet required seriously rethinking the way I interact with my space. I have had to get really creative when it comes to optimization. Even though 2021 was, generally speaking, a big shopping year for me (being shuttered inside for months will do that to a person) the six best products I bought were all space-saving household items. Decluttering was essential during this move....

Origin: Either the sea or the earth. Widely sold brands include Morton and Diamond Crystal, which are made using different methods. Kosher salt got its name because its craggy crystals make it perfect for curing meat―a step in the koshering process. Texture: Coarse. Cooks prize crystals like these; their roughness makes it easy to pinch a perfect amount. To buy: Look in your local supermarket. Kosher salts cost about $1 per pound....

Open enrollment is the period of time near the end of the year when eligible individuals can pick their health insurance plan for the year ahead. (Open enrollment 2020 was in late 2019, and we’re now in open enrollment 2021, for healthcare to cover you for next year.) People with employer-provided health insurance may be able to pick coverage levels, additional coverage—think dental insurance or vision insurance—and other insurance options....

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....

Reader question: I’m trying to go gray but look younger. Can you recommend some gray hair colors that do that? If your grays are starting to come in, you should find comfort in knowing that people are trying to make their hair gray right now (read: you’re naturally trendy). “Gray hair is for everyone—all ages, hair types, and lengths,” agrees Min Kim, L’Oreal Professionnel Global Ambassador. “From Winnie Harlow to Jane Fonda, you’ll see this color everywhere on the red carpet and in streetwear as people begin to embrace their grays as opposed to covering them....

Reader question: I’m looking for a good skincare line with everything…cleanser, toner, and moisturizer included! —@belmarbubby Developing a skincare routine is typically lauded as self-care, but oftentimes it can just feel…overwhelming. How many steps do we really need? Which ingredients do what? Which formulas should and shouldn’t be combined? With the beauty aisles these days basically overflowing with supposed “must-haves,” a surplus of skincare ingredients, and hundreds of new brands, deciphering a skincare routine is harder than ever....

Here are the best places to buy cheap houseplants online: Learn more about these convenient online shops below. They’ll have you clearing your shelves to make room for new plant babies. Best Value: Walmart Kitchen appliances and entertainment systems may come to mind when you think of Walmart, but it’s also an excellent place to shop for cheap plants online. From large trees to small plants, the retail giant sells them all at a great value, and most are available for free delivery or in-store pickup....

1. Have Fun with Fruit A fruit bowl is a kitchen island staple, but why not try something unexpected? Here, a vintage scale serves as a repurposed fruit bowl for a creative yet functional piece of kitchen island decor. Flea market accessories add charm and warmth to a modern kitchen. Less is more, so keep decorative objects to a minimum to avoid an overcluttered worktop. That way your innovative fruit display doesn’t compete for attention (or counter space)....

One of my favorite things to do is host a themed Olympics to play a bunch of different themed games. I did it with our candy cane game Olympics and again with our leprechaun games with these St. Patrick’s Day games. And this year I did an Easter egg Olympics with a bunch of different Easter egg games! Individuals competed in each of the Easter activities and earned points per game....

Like learning how to budget money or how to freeze your credit, learning how to responsibly (and strategically) manage credit cards can have enormously positive effects on your long-term financial health. Credit cards aren’t all bad—and there are even options out there for those with no or bad credit—as long as you understand how they work, the risks they pose, and how you can use them to your advantage. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the credit card(s) you already have or are searching for the best credit card for you, here are the terms, conditions, and numbers you need to understand before you swipe....

Anxiety can negatively affect your health, and learning how to deal with it is a highly important skill set. And according to Ian Smith, MD, a gut health expert and bestselling author, your gut health is closely linked to your body’s ability to manage stress. “The connection between anxiety and the gut runs deep,” he says. “Distress or anxiety can trigger the immune system to send out signals to break down the gut lining....

Size: 5 feet tall Light: Bright, direct sunlight Water: From spring through fall, soil should be kept moist. During winter, allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before giving it another drink. Size: Up to 30 feet tall. Light: Bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light. Water: While a monstera can tolerate semi-dry conditions, it should be watered enough so that the soil does not completely dry out....

How to Grow Ferns in Your Garden Plant ferns in part to full shade and rich, well-drained soil. In all climates, they need protection from afternoon sun to prevent drying and leaf scorch. Ferns can reach 12 inches to 6 feet tall, depending on the type and growing conditions. Most prefer rich, humus-filled soil, so make sure to mix compost into planting holes and cover them annually with 2 inches of organic mulch....