But if you haven’t braved making yogurt from scratch in everyone’s favorite multi-function appliance, you’re seriously missing out. ‘Yogurt’ is actually a pre-programmed setting on every Instant Pot model (save for the Lux), so there’s nothing to be intimidated about. Why make homemade yogurt? To begin, a tub of Greek yogurt at the grocery store can cost upwards of $10, so making it from scratch could save you major money—particularly for those of us who eat yogurt every morning for breakfast....

Going from mayhem to organized isn’t as difficult as you may think. Whether your space is teeny-tiny or awkwardly large, you just need to nix the clutter, create a spot for everything, and focus on pragmatism above all else. To become a pro at laundry room organization, start with these expert tips. Remove Everything & Declutter Before starting your reorganization project, take stock of everything in your laundry room and remove anything that isn’t working in your favor....

Organize Your Entryway There’s a reason the entryway of your home is often referred to as a “drop zone”—and unfortunately, it’s because your kids likely drop everything right on the spot when they walk in the door. But you can easily transform the space (and hide the clutter) with a few key organizational tools. Edit mercilessly. There are probably plenty of items in the entryway that you don’t use regularly right now....

Carrot Care Must-Knows Carrots grow best in full sun. They also need regular and plentiful moisture (at least 1 inch of water or rain a week), and well-drained soil that is deep, loose, and free of stones and heavy clumps that can distort the roots. If you have clay soil, add plenty of compost, manure, and topsoil before planting. If your traditional, in-ground beds present challenges, plant carrots in raised beds that are at least 10 inches deep or in large containers filled with quality garden loam or potting soil....

If you’re afraid of pruning your trees, know that some pruning is better than no pruning–especially when trees are young and benefit from shaping. It’s also worth noting that trees are resilient and most moderate pruning can later be corrected as the trees grow over time, so there’s reason to learn how to prune a plum tree. Fruit Trees vs. Flowering Trees When it comes to plums, there are really two types: those grown for their fruit and those that are grown for their flowers....

“Exercise is hugely beneficial to our overall health and so it is very important for all of us to find a way to exercise safely, and with confidence, during the pandemic," says Gwen Murphy, PhD, MPH, epidemiologist and the director of epidemiology for LetsGetChecked. “Exercise will help us to keep our blood pressure down, and can help improve our mood, energy level, and even help us sleep better. In these stressful times, these things may matter now more than ever....

You also need to decide how large your Christmas house display will be. You may just be executing an around-the-gutters-and-eaves operation, or you might want to consider something a little more intricate for your outdoor Christmas decorations. No matter how simple or complex, it helps to have a plan. Our step-by-step guide to DIY Christmas light hanging can help you develop a custom design that will work for every holiday season....

One Week Before Thanksgiving: Plan Your Menu and Secure Your Turkey By the Thursday before Thanksgiving you should have planned your menu, cleared out your fridge, and have a turkey on the bottom shelf. Knowing which Thanksgiving sides and other dishes you want to serve will help save you time at the store—cue the grocery list—and with preparing and serving your menu. Need help plotting the feast? “Think about making things that you can reheat and it won’t affect the quality,” Matijevich says....

According to the American Kennel Club, the average annual cost of dog ownership ranges widely—from $14,480 to $93,520. That price tag includes food, treats, dog toys, beds, leashes, and routine veterinary care, among other things. Cats, meanwhile, cost about $634 annually, or about $53 per month, according to the ASPCA. Much like with dogs, this estimate considers the cost associated with cat food, medical expenses, treats, toys, and more. The reality, however, is that the expense associated with pet ownership can vary widely; for the savviest owners, there’s a long list of money-saving hacks to use throughout the year....

There’s a reason why many folks have been gifting them for decades—pears are healthy, simple to eat (no prep work needed!), and can certainly alleviate some holiday stress. Learn how to pack and ship pears yourself following the expert guidance below. Or you can order pear gift boxes online from companies like: Sincerely Fresh from Stemilt The Fruit Company Harry and David McCarthy Family Farm After you have your pear gift in order and ready to ship, learn how to tell when the fruit is ripe and how you can bake with them (ripe or not)....

The struggle is real, agrees fitness trainer Kayla Itsines, co-founder and head trainer of Sweat, the health and fitness app, who hears it often from her millions of Instagram followers and workout devotees. To start working out and really stick with exercise, make it a habit instead of relying on motivation. Motivation changes over time, Itsines says, but a habit will never let you down: “Habits help you push forward even when you have low motivation....

Granted, knowing what to eat and actually doing it are two very different things. Happily, small tweaks to your kitchen environment can nudge you toward meaningful changes. These seven strategies will help you build brain-boosting habits and enjoy your time in the kitchen more, which Ramsey says is just as important. “Sure, eating for brain health is about consuming the right foods to feed your brain cells and help prevent inflammation....

Why Do Bug Bites Itch? Bug bites can range from unpleasant to painful. But most of the time when you’re dealing with an itchy bug bite, you’re dealing with a mosquito bite. When a mosquito bites you, it doesn’t just suck out some of your blood—it actually releases some of its saliva into your skin. (Fleas and ticks do the same. Spiders inject a combination of saliva and venom into your skin when they bite you....

Therapists call this sort of rehashing of past events rumination. When constant rumination causes you anxiety or influences all of your decisions too heavily, it can become extremely debilitating. We asked experts to help us explain why it happens and how to stop ruminating for good. What Causes Rumination? According to Jud Brewer, MD, PhD, associate professor and director of research and innovation at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, it’s important to recognize when your mind starts to spiral into rumination, or as he likes to call it, “review and regret....

The Best Barbecue Tools and Techniques The first thing to consider is your equipment, namely your grill. Weber Original Kettle grills ($165; amazon.com) are sturdy, reliable, and will last a lifetime even if you don’t treat it exactly right (I mean, that thing lives outdoors). A 22-inch model will give you plenty of grate space so you can cook up bigger pieces of protein—think, whole chickens or a few racks of ribs—along with your side of vegetables, toast, or even dessert....

While vinegar does have many uses in a laundry room, there are safety measures to be aware of before using it, as well as some best practices to help you make the most informed decisions about when, and when not, to use this inexpensive natural cleaner. This guide covers the uses of vinegar in laundry as well as the potential drawbacks. The Benefits of Using Vinegar in Laundry There are many uses for vinegar in laundry, including stain removal, odor elimination, and mold and mildew eradication....

Unfortunately for laundry-phobes, bras fall under the hand-washing category—but for good reason. Taking the extra time to carefully hand wash your lingerie actually extends the shelf life of your most trusted underwires. To help us better understand the ins and outs of bra care, we looked to Ra’el Cohen, the chief creative officer of ThirdLove, for answers. Why do bras need to be hand washed? Ultimately, hand washing is the best way to preserve your bra’s shape and extend its longevity compared to throwing it in the washing machine....

Wash New Towels Before Use Before you learn how to wash towels, note that you should clean them before first-time use. Most new towels are coated with silicone or other finishes that block absorbency. This coating gives them that extra-fluffy look and feel at the store. Washing your new towels removes these finishes and allows for maximum absorbency. Washing Towels with Vinegar To prevent colors from bleeding, wash colored towels with similar shades in warm water for the first several washes....

Admittedly—in an era when social media, emails, and text messages are the preferred methods of communication—sending a handwritten letter feels a bit old-fashioned. In fact, thank-you notes have been traced back to as far as the 15th century. But the truth is, appreciating your loved ones (and good manners in general) will never go out of style. To help bring the storied tradition to modern times, a few etiquette experts share everything you need to know about writing and sending thank-you notes....

When the coronavirus pandemic led to a city-wide lockdown in New York last March, I realized that I wouldn’t be making it to a salon for a trim anytime soon. It was the perfect time to grow out my hair, which, after the first few months, became the longest it’s ever been, falling just past my chest and comfortably by my waist. With length came volume, and my hair became what I can only describe as a heavy curtain that my thin, feeble hair ties were no match for....