Posts

Where Are the Blue Zones? In 2004, Dan Buettner and a team of scientists interviewed hundreds of 100-year-olds to explore what they had in common. Looking at the data, they identified 5 communities around the world where people reach age 100 at 10 times greater rate than the United States. They named them the Blue Zones and they are Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Ogliastra Region, Sardinia; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica....

The best pillows will be compatible with your sleeping position and keep your neck supported throughout the night, says Logan Foley, sleep science coach and managing editor at The Sleep Foundation. “You want to ensure your neck is aligned with your spine and it stays that way as you sleep,” Foley says. “There are pillows that are specifically designed for neck pain…and these can be a good option for folks who have a tough time staying in one position throughout the night....

There are a variety of dish soaps on the market, and while the formulations vary, they all have the same primary purpose. Alexandra Wojenski, sustainable cleaning expert and Grove Guide at Grove Collaborative, shares, “Powder, foam, bar, and liquid dish soap have different formulas but all function similarly which is to clean and remove grease from dishes.” To find the best dish soaps, we researched multiple dish soaps while considering factors like type, size, scent, effectiveness, versatility, and more....

There are so many options available, from almost every home decor retailer and furniture store, that choosing a bookshelf is both fun and daunting. Plus, you absolutely have to take into consideration the space you have and what you want to store–two factors with near-equal impact on how you’ll decide the best bookshelf for you. We talked with Lindsey Putzier of Lindsey Putzier Design Studio and Samantha Tannehill of Sam Tannehill Designs about their advice for selecting bookshelves for your home as well as insights on specific bookshelves and retailers....

Halloween Movies Rated G Queue up one of these family-friendly movies for the ultimate Halloween movie night. For more family fun, check out these classic Disney Halloween films you can stream right now. Buy It: Garfield’s Halloween Adventure ($6, Best Buy) Halloween Movies Rated PG Parents and older children alike will love these slightly-spooky Halloween flicks. Looking for more movie night material? Stream one of our favorite classic Halloween movies once you’ve watched your way through this list....

Several semi-homemade side-dish saviors at Trader Joe’s have piqued my interest. I might just stock up to reduce stress while hitting all the traditional fall flavors. In case you want to join me for a halfway-homemade holiday… Instead of Candied Sweet Potatoes, Try… Trader Joe’s Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Roasted Pecans This refrigerated side dish gets steamy and ready to serve after about three minutes in the microwave. There’s melted butter and a pinch of cinnamon in the mash....

“Most users find that front-loading washers can help decrease not only water bills, but energy as well,” says Caroline Dutka, brand manager at CD One Price Cleaners. “With a typical faster dry cycle due to a more efficient spin cycle, the amount of time clothes spend drying in a front-load washer lessens the load on bills.” When shopping for the best front-loading washer for the home, Dutka recommends that, in order to determine if this type of washer is for them, shoppers should first decide whether they’re okay with the less comfortable position for use (as opposed to a top-loading model) and how many loads of laundry they currently have on a weekly basis....

⅔ cup butter, softened ¾ cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cup all-purpose flour Small decorative candies (optional) Royal Icing 4 cup powdered sugar 3 tablespoon meringue powder ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 - 4 tablespoon water Assorted colors paste food coloring (optional) To Store: Layer unfrosted sugar cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover....

“The vacuum is very light and easy to maneuver,” wrote one five-star reviewer who said they were “grossed out” when they saw the amount of dirt and hair it picked up. “This Shark sweeper is worth the low cost for a powerful suction,” added another shopper who said the vacuum cleaned more thoroughly than their Dyson. The Shark vacuum cleaner has swivel steering to help you to get in and out of tight spots with ease....

If you have a double-hung window, position the rod so the top edge of the curtain lines up with the sash. When the candle burns, the glitter twinkles inside, and the outside looks like matte gold mercury glass. To assemble: DIY Tip: Keep paint from bleeding into your stripes by sealing the tape tightly to the roller shade: Run over it with a straight edge, and roll the paint roller away from the tape, not toward it....

“This is an amazing little cooling device,” shared a reviewer who owns multiples of the model. They added that it’s “very quiet at night without obtrusive noises,” and it’s also “very easy to assemble.” Another shopper said it “definitely cools the air more than any ‘cooling fan’ I’ve ever used,” and added, “Best $50 I’ve ever spent.” Not only does the fan have different speed settings, but you should also try the oscillation and automatic shut off timer features, too....

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup shortening 4 tablespoon cold water

1 8 ounce carton softened mascarpone cheese ¼ cup softened butter 3 tablespoon whipping cream 1 tablespoon coffee-flavor liqueur or strong brewed cooled coffee 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon instant espresso coffee powder 3 ½ cup powdered sugar

To impart the midcentury style they adore, the Balcoms amped up the architecture on the front entry of their Southern California home. The stucco post was wrapped in orange-hue lumber; modern house numbers were mounted on a black-painted plywood plaque; two statement doors in dramatic black replaced the standard doors; and the steps, risers, and landing were paved in small hexagonal tiles that Ken painstakingly laid over the existing concrete....

1 7 ounce jar roasted red sweet peppers, drained and chopped 1 orange, peeled, seeded, and cut up 2 green onions, sliced 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil, or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed