Here’s my go-to method (this yields about 11 cups popcorn): Heat 3 tablespoons canola, vegetable, or coconut oil in a large, lidded saucepan over medium-high heat. (Avoid olive oil, which will smoke when heated over a high flame.) Add 3 popcorn kernels and wait for them to pop, about 30 seconds. (This lets you know when the oil is hot enough to pop the remaining kernels). Add ½ cup kernels, cover the pot with a lid, and gently but continuously shake the pot, allowing the kernels to pop but not burn....

But for all the good it does, retinol can irritate the skin. When using it for the first time, start with a low percentage and work your way up steadily. “Don’t stop immediately if a little sensitivity occurs, as it can take your skin cells a couple of weeks to adapt,” says Ewoma Ukeleghe , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in London. “If it’s extremely uncomfortable, use only once a week or switch to the lowest concentration you can find....

As a housewarming gift, I received a new set of hefty but oversized pans that I use for family dinners—and I always have my trusty Our Place Perfect Pot on deck. However, I rely almost daily on my Caraway Mini Sauce Pan when making small lunches for one. When the brand launched its highly-requested Minis Duo set a couple of months back, I received a sample to take for a spin in my kitchen, and it’s been a staple in my routine ever since....

If you couldn’t tell from my many scavenger hunt clues, I like to rhyme. I also like Christmas songs and coming up with new Christmas carol game ideas! This Christmas rhyme game is the newest in my series of Christmas games for the year, and it’s one of my personal favorites, along with this fun Christmas trivia game, well and of course Christmas name that tune. Okay, fine I really like all of my Christmas games!...

But as proper protein consumption continues to rise as a nutrition priority, so too does plant-based eating. And with the increased interest in plant-focused diets, like veganism, vegetarianism, flexitarianism, comes a renewed focus on protein—a nutrient primarily available in animal meat and products. How can you up your plant intake without spoiling your required protein intake? Are you getting enough protein every day? What even is enough protein—and what high-protein foods can help you get there?...

Mom might not be in the room to help you ace that homemade pastry, but it is still possible to sit down to a classic Thanksgiving menu. These Thanksgiving recipes for two were designed for a duo or are easily scaled-down to be enjoyed the day-of or to make just enough Thanksgiving leftovers to finish off the next day. So choose your favorites or choose them all to whip up between your virtual Thanksgiving get-together(s)....

Made of bamboo viscose, the bed sheets have a knack for wicking away moisture along with a lightweight feel that’s comfortable to sleep in. The “cool to the touch” bamboo sheets are also super breathable, allowing air to flow through unlike other materials that trap heat in, making you sweat. And if you’re too hot through the night, you’re missing out on precious Zzz’s. To buy: From $50; amazon.com. While traditional cotton sheets are breathable, too, this set from Cosy House Collection feels ultra-soft and even silky, per shoppers....

Ever since my son and I read all of the Harry Potter books together before our trip to Universal Studios, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with recreating foods from the series. I started with some homemade butterbeer of course and now it’s time for the ultimate movie night snack – butterbeer popcorn! It has all of the flavors of butterbeer but mixed in with a delicious buttery popcorn! It’d be perfect for snack on after a little round of Harry Potter trivia or to have as a fun surprise at the end of this Harry Potter scavenger hunt!...

Many of these ideas don’t require buying anything new, but simply updating the items you already own with custom touches. A builder-grade bathroom mirror looks high-end when you add a frame, while a dated wooden headboard turns luxe once wrapped in elegant tufted fabric. These small-budget, big-impact changes will make your dream home more affordable than you ever thought. “After adding the furniture into my office, I realized that the white paint seemed like it could use some additional texture to really warm up the space....

One of the very few desserts that my husband actually craves is cheesecake. It’s been a while since I may mini cheesecakes, so I thought it would be fun to make mini cheesecakes this year for him but with an Easter twist. This yummy mini egg cheesecake recipe is the perfect Easter dessert and a fun way to use up those bags of mini Cadbury eggs I know you all are hoarding!...

If you’re looking for a yummy Christmas treat without all the heat (aka baking), this edible peppermint cookie dough is for you! I shared edible sugar cookie dough a couple of weeks ago and thought it’d be fun to do an edible Christmas cookie dough version too! This peppermint cookie dough reminds me a bit of these peppermint sugar cookies other than the whole baked and frosted thing. It’s a fun treat to have in the fridge during the holidays when you just want to grab a spoon full of something sweet!...

While safety should remain a priority, there are still ways to be festive and follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Whether you are planning a birthday party, an adult rendezvous, or a little something for yourself, you should keep the party small—10 or fewer people would be safest. Definitely host the event outdoors, weather-permitting, because the fresh air should help mitigate the spread of germs (as will wearing masks)....

The store known for its elevated basics just dropped three new essentials designed to help shoppers dress for every occasion. Everlane’s latest collection includes a tailored trench coat, an oversized blazer, and a pair of wide-legged slouchy pants—each available in a few neutral solid colors and a punchy gingham print. The blazer and pants come in sizes 00 to 16 and the trench sizes range from XXS to XL. To buy: From $175; everlane....

Maintaining a complete, fresh, and steady supply of dried herbs and spices is kind of like going to the dentist—it’s easy enough to put it off until you’re told you have a mouth full of cavities. While we won’t argue that an allspice-less pumpkin pie can quite compete with the pain involved in a potential root canal, there is no shortage of stress when it comes to missing ingredients. Luckily, we can offer several smart baking substitutions....

What Is Moringa? Known as the “Miracle Tree,” Moringa oleifera, a highly cultivable tree native to India, has been used as a sustainable resource for malnutrition around the world due to its bountiful nutrient composition. The powder is made by grinding the harvested and dried leaves of the moringa tree. Though the powder has recently entered the limelight, it has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits in many parts of Asia and Africa....

Let’s start with the basics. How Is Bourbon Made? Bourbon and whisky are both made from a grain mash, with corn constituting at least 51 percent of the mashbill for bourbon, according to Potter. The grain is then milled, mashed, and fermented. At Maker’s Mark, they add a proprietary strain of yeast that has been passed down from generation to generation within the Samuels family. So, what exactly happens during the fermentation process?...

What Is Nitro Cold Brew? Nitro cold brew is made with nitrogen or nitrous oxide, which creates café-style foam and a creamy texture. “Think of it like a carbonated beverage, which has carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved into a solution to create a fizzy effervescent mouthfeel, and nitro cold brew has nitrogen (N2) dissolved into a solution to create [that same] creamy mouthfeel. We do this by exposing the cold brew to nitrogen at extremely high pressures, forcing it into the actual beverage,” explains Wolczynski....

Factors like where and how seafood is raised or caught can have an extensive impact on its quality, health benefits, and marine habitat. Here are a few tips for choosing the best seafood option that benefits your health and promotes sustainability. What Is Wild-Caught Seafood? Wild-caught seafood refers to various fishing methods that involve a wide range of gear to catch wildlife. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, each set of tools and fishing method affects the ocean and marine life differently....

However, the recalls are also reassuring. Food manufacturers and inspectors are getting better at finding potential problems. That means they can catch likely contamination before it affects large swaths of consumers, or even any consumer at all. The brands can also learn from these errors and put new food safety measures in place that can improve their processes and protect their customers. If you discover you have a food that’s been recalled, don’t panic....

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year with Halloween boo buckets, all sorts of fun Halloween games, and of course delicious treats like ghost brownies and Halloween rice krispies! But those aren’t why I love it so much – I love all the fun Halloween decorations people put up inside and outside their house. Our neighborhood is so good with decorations that I created a Halloween neighborhood scavenger hunt just to take my kids out to see them!...