1. Visually Portion Your Plate A good rule of thumb recommended by the majority of dietitians is to keep track of how you fill your plate. In general, try to keep about ¾ of your plate with vegetables and lean protein. If you do this, Nicole Stefanow, MS, RD, says you can “have the freedom to fill the remaining portion of your plate with whatever goodies you choose guilt-free.” If you want an easy way to keep plating your portions in check, this simple mantra from Stefanow: “Fill half your plate green, a quarter plate lean, have no guilt to lick your plate clean....

The Top Trending Google Searches for Cocktails in 2021 This data reflects top trending searches that had a high spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2021 as compared to 2020 in the United States.

If social media’s obsession with perfection leaves you feeling exhausted instead of inspired, you’re not alone. As interest in authenticity has grown, so has the number of searches on Pinterest for wabi-sabi. In fact, this term has seen a 98 percent year-over-year increase in searches from 2017 to 2018. Could this ancient Japanese philosophy be the antidote to the pressure we put on ourselves when decorating our homes? What is wabi-sabi?...

Investing your tax refund into your house is the perfect way to show your space some gratitude and these repairs and upgrades can help. We tapped Delia Kenza, a Brooklyn-based interior designer, and Lauren O’Neill, of Denver’s Scout Interiors, to craft the perfect self-care slate with home renovation projects for every style and budget. DIY Projects Less Than $500 O’Neill says bold and bright colors are back in a big way....

Yogurt-Berry Wrap Give a cup of Greek yogurt a boost by transforming it into a pita wrap recipe. This recipe idea is easy to customize—you can start with plain Greek yogurt and build a delicious meal from there, or use your favorite flavored yogurt and add complementary toppings. Finish this pita bread wrap with strawberry slices, toasted walnuts, and a drizzle of honey. Avocado-Turkey Wrap Turn a simple sandwich into a hearty pita wrap with traditional lunchtime fixings....

Ina Garten A few days ago, Ina Garten posted a plate of banana-topped overnight waffles she made for dinner with her husband, Jeffrey. Admitting she’s also anxious about what’s to come, she asked followers to comment on a photo of her pantry with ingredients they had on hand so she could suggest recipes. The first? Broccoli and bow tie pasta with lemon-butter sauce. All of the recipes are also posted to her website’s homepage under the appropriately-titled heading “Cook From Your Pantry!...

1. Use the Right Canner This is the big one, the one that could have the most catastrophic result if you make the wrong choice. There are two types of canners—boiling-water canners and pressure canners. The boiling-water canner—basically a big pot with a lid and a rack for holding jars—is used for high-acid foods (like many fruits), which naturally resist bacteria growth. Pressure canners are used for low-acid foods (like vegetables and meats) and recipes that are especially prone to harboring harmful microorganisms....

Whether you’re separated from your mom due to social distancing, or you simply live far away and don’t feel comfortable traveling yet, it can be tough to find creative ways to celebrate her when you can’t visit in person. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate her at all. Even though we won’t be planning a trip to a mother-daughter vacation spot this year, there are still plenty of ways to make your mom feel special....

Hellbore Hellebores are durable flowering plants with the added bonus of being early bloomers—they can often sprout up when there is still snow on the ground. These flowers come in many colors and have a freckled pattern on the petals. Plant hellebores on a slope in full shade or dappled shade for the best results. Boxwood Boxwood shrubs are sturdy and dense enough to be reliable hedge and topiary plants, making them a great choice for sloped landscapes....

1. Ignoring the Type of Mum Amy Enfield, a horticulturist for Miracle-Gro, says garden mums should be planted outdoors by late summer or early fall so the roots have time to form before the soil freezes. Also known as hardy or Belgian mums, garden mums are sold in garden centers and nurseries. They’re perennials in USDA Zones 5 to 9. But even when they’re planted at the right time, they need a few other things, like excellent drainage....

1. Navy Blue and Orange The color wheel can be a helpful tool for determining what colors go with navy blue. For a complementary color scheme, look to blue’s opposite on the wheel: orange. The fiery hue introduces warmth that balances the cool depth of navy blue. Establish a bold, colorful look with a medium-tone shade of orange, such as tangerine or papaya, that will stand up well against its dark counterpart....

To help you introduce the current must-have color into your home, we scoped out some accessories featuring the vibrant, blue-tinged purple. Swap out the curtains in your living room, toss a throw over your bed, or set the table with colorful glassware—these stylish periwinkle picks make it easy to accent your home with Pantone’s 2022 color of the year.

1. Conserve Water Using drought-resistant and native plants will cut down the amount of water needed to keep your landscape looking full and colorful. If you think about it, meadows occur naturally and survive solely on rainwater and dew. Try just giving your grass a little drink during dry spells, but otherwise, let nature run its course. 2. Attract Pollinators Keep the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in mind when selecting plants....

For Brooke, the move to the 1950s Cape Cod (which she’d seen only in photos before setting off across the country) meant paring down. At the same time, she didn’t want to be afraid to bring in large-scale pieces, including her great-grandmother’s piano, which her two girls continue to learn to play. “I say go big or go home,” says Brooke, an interior designer who blogs about decorating at Nesting With Grace....

These homeowners were able to transform their bright pink bathroom into a timeless, neutral oasis that better fit their aesthetic. Instead of paying premium prices, they opted for affordable upgrades and used their DIY skills when they could. As a result, this small bathroom makeover on a budget has been completely transformed for only $500. Garish pink walls, stark white fixtures, outdated trim, and an oversize mirror made this small bathroom feel cramped....

Create a top-your-own watermelon station complete with fresh sliced melon, flavored salts, and citrus. We’ll show you how to incorporate watermelon into every aspect of your gathering. Try any of these simple watermelon recipes, pair them with fun watermelon decor, and you’ve got a sweet summer party! Salt Blend Bar The easiest start to a DIY watermelon bar is to set out watermelon slices with a selection of salt blends for guests to sprinkle on top....

Aileen Kwun graduated with a bachelor of arts in English literature and composition from the University of California Berkeley. After earning a certificate in journalism from Columbia University, she then finished a master of fine arts program in design criticism.