A few weeks ago I posted one of my favorite cut out sugar cookie recipes. I’ll be sharing another cream cheese sugar cookie soon but the main thing both have in common – they are better topped with sugar cookie icing! Sure, you could get some store-bought frosting to add to your cookies. But homemade icing is way better! Plus, you can pipe it on in all sorts of designs and fun colors!...
Cattle produce staggering amounts of methane, one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases. They do this mostly through burping, a necessary product of the ruminal fermentation they use to digest grass. Through their manure, cattle produce nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas. Cattle ranches also need large tracts of land, prompting deforestation. As trees are razed for herds, carbon dioxide escapes into the atmosphere. Finally, many cattle operations feed animals more than grass....
One of the best ways to find out what to expect for fall foliage in your area is to check out this interactive map created by SmokyMountains.com, which predicts peak fall colors across the United States by county. In addition to using climate data to create the map, the website allows users to report what fall is like in their county each day to improve the accuracy of the map....
Choose Seating with Staying Power First and foremost, make sure there is enough comfy seating available to encourage friends and family to kick back, relax, and linger after hours. Cozy furniture that feels like it belongs indoors, such as a pair of armchairs and a sofa (like this five-piece Better Homes & Gardens set, $1,396, Walmart), gives off a family room aura and can be arranged in a semi-circle to keep the conversation flowing....
New Year’s Eve Trivia Games One of my favorite traditions each year is creating printable New Year’s Eve games based on pop culture, sports, and news events from the year. I’ve been creating New Year’s Eve trivia games for the last ten years, and they’re always a big hit for New Year’s whether you’re doing it in person or virtual this year! I like to put one in each of our New Year’s Eve countdown boxes and play all night long!...
Let’s face it – winter break can get really long. I don’t know about your schools but our kids here have almost three weeks off and that three weeks is a long three weeks. Most of our friends and neighbors will be traveling, so that means a lot of family time. Don’t get me wrong, I love family time, but I also love a little peace and quiet sometimes. These Christmas activity sheets are perfect for keeping little hands entertained while you need to get something done like make almond chicken for dinner or whip up a batch of these hot chocolate cupcakes!...
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Easter Memory Game Want something fun and easy for your kids this Easter? This printable Easter memory game fits the bill! It’s simple to setup, it’s free, and it’s fun for kids of all ages! My almost six-year-old son loves all of the memory games I make for the holidays....
Whether you are wandering the frozen aisle for fruits, vegetables, or a microwaveable entrée you can make in minutes after a long day at work, there are certain things you should always keep an eye out for, both in terms of what to avoid, as well as what’s good for you. “Frozen food gets a bad reputation, but frozen produce can actually be a healthy staple to add to your grocery list!...
Out of the Blue Gift Box Ideas If you’ve ever heard of the different love languages, I’m totally a gifts person. Gifts, especially surprise ones, are my favorite way to tell someone I’m thinking about them. These out of the blue gift box ideas are a fun way to do just that – tell someone you’re thinking of them – with no specific occasion or reason. It’s even better than a birthday gift because it’s not something that someone will be expecting....
The good news? Drinking grapefruit juice also reaps healthy benefits—as long as it’s 100% real grapefruit juice. Fun fact: Grapefruit juice is considered one of the most nutrient-dense juices compared to other non-fortified, 100% juices. Grapefruit (and 100% grapefruit juice) are nutrient-rich options that can help you achieve the recommended 2 cups of fruit per day, says Mary Waddill, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and product compliance and nutrition analyst with Whole Foods Market based in Austin, Texas....
Research shows that nearly half of U.S. workers are considering switching jobs in pursuit of a better work-life balance, which could potentially uproot the workforce. Throughout the pandemic, numerous corporations, like Adobe and Twitter, have also announced permanent remote work structures to accommodate changing needs. Other companies, like Kickstarter, are piloting four-day work weeks to test productivity. “People’s expectations about the roles of work and life are changing,” says Lauren Pasquarella Daley, PhD and vice president of Women and the Future of Work at think tank Catalyst....
On This Episode In this episode, Stefanie talks to a listener who is the first in her family to live, work, and build her wealth in the United States, and learns about the impact that has on her relationship with both her money and her family. Personal finance author Berna Anat weighs in with how to manage the unique financial considerations for immigrants and first- and second-generation Americans. Meet Our Caller “Vanessa” is a 23-year-old listener based in the Midwest, who came to the United States by way of Brazil....
We hate to be seen as skeptics, but this alt milk is sounding borderline too-good-to-be-true. Seriously, try it for yourself and see if you also find yourself wondering, “How healthy is oat milk, really?” Ashley Koff, a Registered Dietician and CEO of the Better Nutrition Program (and consultant for Califia Farms), helped us answer this question. Long story short, we have good news. How does oat milk compare to whole milk nutritionally?...
Exactly How Much to Tip Your Hairdresser When it comes to tipping your hairstylist, always go with the golden rule of 20 percent, says Daniel Post, spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute. “Remember that just like servers in restaurants, hairdressers depend on tips as part of their income,” he says. The only time this isn’t true is during the holiday season: Tip your hairdresser a little extra around the holidays (an additional 10 percent should do it) as a generous bonus....
“The moving crew, who is not making a lot of money to begin with, does have a general expectation that they will get tipped,” says Mike Keaton, spokesperson for the American Moving and Storage Association. And you should feel good about tipping your movers. “These are people who you are trusting with your possessions, not to mention that lifting heavy furniture and boxes is really hard work,” Keaton says. “If you think they did a good job, a tip is a lovely gesture to thank them and reward them....
There’s been no time in recent history when we’ve been more concerned with our immunity and fending off disease than during COVID-19. And as it turns out, getting moving might play a significant role in helping to support the immune system and fend off illness. We tapped a duo of experts to get the lowdown on how exercise affects our immune systems (and why getting in your daily sweat session might even help your body respond better to the COVID-19 vaccination)....
The Importance of Moisturizer Your skincare routine consists of the following trinity holy grail: a cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. While serums and retinols and other skincare treatments are worthwhile additions, it’s truly these three core products that lay the foundation for beautiful and healthy skin. “Moisturizers are designed to hydrate the skin and support the skin barrier while also working to soften and smooth the skin,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., board-certified dermatologist....
Despite your being blood relatives, a range of factors can cause political arguments between family members, including generational divides, personality types, varying levels of education, and personal political opinions. And these days, these can be dangerous waters to navigate at a family dinner or event. From an etiquette standpoint, politics have no place at the table. “Tradition would dictate you don’t speak about politics at the table,” says Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert and CEO of her own lifestyle and coaching company....
But there’s more! Depending on the type of hair you have—thickness, texture, and length—the way you should approach the act of brushing is different. We tapped in hair professional Anthony Cole, hairstylist and Sebastian Professional International Artist, to get some expert answers. For added volume, Cole recommends spritzing a volumizing spray, like Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray ($20; ulta.com), at the roots before brushing through gently. RELATED: These 8 Trusty Hair Tools Are Must-Haves for Curly Hair “Boar bristles are perfect for detangling coarse, thick hair....
1. Nails and Screws Nails are sized by their length, designated by a penny, or d, size. Gauge, or diameter, increases as the penny size increases; a 16d nail is both longer and fatter than an 8d. Common nails, used for general framing, have large heads and thick shanks. They hold well but are hard to drive and may split the wood.Box nails, thinner than common nails of the same size, reduce splitting in 3/4-inch or thinner stock....
