To Prep Green Onions Avoid slimy green onions and keep food safe using these tips to prep your green onions before cutting and adding to recipes. Rinse onions under cool tap water and remove any wilted or damaged tops or slimy skins on the white parts. Lay several green onions on a cutting surface. Using a chef’s knife ($90 Bed Bath & Beyond), trim off the stringy root ends by slicing about ¼ inch above the roots....
Experts say you should wash your water bottle after every use. According to researchers at Treadmill Reviews, athletes’ water bottles, on average, host 313,499 colony-forming units (CFU) per square centimeter. For comparison, the average pet toy has just 2,937 CFU per square centimeter. That’s a lot of germs. Plus, we know any warm, damp place is a breeding ground for mold growth. To make sure you’re drinking from a safe, clean vessel, check out our water bottle cleaning tips below....
How to Peel and Devein Shrimp Most of us can easily find peeled and deveined shrimp at our grocery stores. But if you can’t, or you want to know how to cook shrimp through the entire process, here’s how to prepare shrimp by peeling and getting rid of that icky-tasting (really, you don’t want to eat this) vein. If you already purchased peeled and deveined shrimp, skip this section and get straight to cooking shrimp, below....
Soil Health is Key If plants do poorly, there’s a good chance it has something to do with the soil. Maybe it’s lacking nutrients. (Find out with a simple soil test.) Or the soil could be compacted from being trampled by people, animals, or heavy equipment. Plants in compacted soil cannot develop good root systems, making plants more susceptible to drought, so the soil needs to be loosened and aerated. That’s why soil health is a key factor to consider when growing an organic garden....
Keeping a lawn in tip-top shape often means applying an organic fertilizer twice a year, aerating periodically to discourage thatch buildup and soil compaction, watering regularly, and properly mowing it. But even if you do everything right, you can still end up with bare, thin, or weedy patches here and there. One of the most important parts of lawn repair is figuring out what has caused the problem. Sometimes an accident, such as a fertilizer spill, creates a bare spot in the lawn....
How to Etch a Pumpkin Supplies Needed Real or faux pumpkinPrinted pumpkin stencilScissorsStraight pinsWashable markerWood carving gouge or rotary toolCrafts knifeBattery-operated tea light Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own fall pumpkin decoration. Customize your etched Halloween pumpkin with one of our free printable stencils. Step 1: Prep the Pumpkin If you’d like to place a candle inside the pumpkin, you’ll need to cut a hole in the bottom (not the top!...
Ready to make the move to metal? We’ll teach you the metal stud framing techniques you need—and can easily manage if you have a few basic DIY skills, like measuring, cutting metal, and using a stud finder. Keep in mind: Most walls in remodeling projects are non-load-bearing, meaning they don’t help support the weight of the house; when building a load-bearing wall, make sure your metal studs are rated for that use....
How to Freeze Herbs To start, make sure your herbs are clean. Give herbs a good wash under cool water, then pat them dry. Spread clean, dry herbs (leaves and stems) in a single layer on a cooking tray ($13, Walmart), and put the pan in the freezer for about one hour, or until frozen. (This is known as flash freezing and works well on other fruits and veggies, too.) Put the frozen herbs into labeled, sealed containers....
With our help, you can learn how to customize shelves and bookcases, build a window seat, create a recessed shelf, and make a genius custom closet organizer. Choosing the Right Tool for Your Built-In Project Once you’re settled on what built-in project you’re going to build, it’s time to get to work. Before you pick up any lumber, you’ll need to know what tools to use and how. Each project is unique and may require a certain skill set....
How to Make a Dowel Christmas Tree Supplies Needed 24-inch-diameter wooden round8-foot-long, 1½-inch-diameter wooden poleDrill and drill bits1½-inch wood screwSaw1-inch-diameter dowel, cut into six 18-inch lengths and six 14-inch lengths¾-inch-diameter dowel, cut into six 12-inch lengths and six 10-inch lengths½-inch-diameter dowel, cut into four 8-inch lengths, four 6-inch lengths, and four 4-inch lengthsOrnaments Step-by-Step Instructions While a DIY Christmas tree may seem daunting, it’s actually quite easy. So easy, you barely need more than one step!...
Start by cutting stems using wire cutters. We used long stems for weaving and short pieces to fill in the gaps, but start by cutting stems long and trimming as you go if needed. Thread florists wire through the back of the ribbon knot and tie around the wreath. There are several options for hanging your wreath—hooks to hangers. Use our helpful wreath-hanging tips to display your finished white berry wreath without damaging your door....
Patchwork Cookies To achieve this fancy cookie look, divide the dough into two or three portions and add food coloring to portions as desired. Roll out each portion as directed. Use small cookie cutters—think 1 to 1½-inch—to cut out shapes from each color and replace with cutout shapes of another color. For example, if you leave a portion of your dough uncolored and color another portion red, put red cutouts in the uncolored dough and uncolored cutouts in the red dough....
Running your home’s air-conditioner on full blast for long periods can quickly cause your energy bill to skyrocket. And with many of us working remotely, we’re home during the peak mid-day heat more than ever. So use these tips for the most effective ways to cool a house and lower cooling costs to beat the heat and keep your budget in check this summer. 10 Ways to Keep Your House Cool and Lower AC Costs 1....
Buy It: Anchor Hocking Casserole Dish ($6, Walmart) Buy It: Our Table Ramekins Set ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Lodge Enamel Dutch Oven ($100, Target)
Buy It: Cuisinart Waffle Maker ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Wilton Loaf Pan ($9, Target) Buy It: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet ($25, Walmart)
Whether you’re drawn to calming neutrals or want to go bold with color and pattern, these modern bedroom ideas will help you create the cozy retreat of your dreams. Put a modern spin on cabin style by creating a contemporary rustic retreat, or use contrasting colors for a touch of sophisticated drama. We’ve gathered our favorite modern bedroom ideas to help inspire your own space. Modern Rustic Bedroom Warm wood tones, soft textures, and clean lines give this bedroom a modern rustic flair....
Buy It: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven ($50, Walmart) Buy It: Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Slow Cooker ($42, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: When shopping for corn look for corn with golden to brown silks and healthy green husks. Once you’ve got the kernels off, keep the cobs to add to soups and sauces for a bit of sweetness. Buy It: Weber Jumbo Joe Premium Charcoal Grill ($80, Walmart) Buy It: Jacent Butcher’s Kitchen Twine ($3, Walmart) Buy It: NuWave Brio 7....
