Why Do the Leaves Close When Touched? The burning question most people have about the sensitive plant is why its leaves close when touched. The quick answer is that it’s a form of protection. The leaves of the Mimosa pudica are not just sensitive to touch, but also temperature and light. When you run your fingers over them, the leaves will fold up and remain closed for a few minutes. The leaves will also close from other external stimuli, like loss of light and rapid cooling or heating....

Tulip Bouquets 1. Choose the right vase. “A good rule of thumb is to choose a vase that covers at least half the height of the tulip stems,” says Callie Bladow, a former production director at BloomThat, an on-demand flower service (which was acquired by FTD florists in 2018). “Tulips love to stretch out and will typically grow upwards of 2 inches in height during their vase life—so it’s best to let them stretch out in the vase and don’t clump them on top of each other, which will reduce petal loss....

A specialty from the region of my ancestry, Fuzhou, at any other time, they’d be—at worst—innocuous. But on this, the ultimate of feast days, the Reunion Dinner that takes place on the eve of the Lunar New Year: On this night, the Golden Eggs are thieves of joy. These eggs remind me of how my family has celebrated the holiday in China and beyond, including all the dishes and their symbolism for the year ahead....

According to a 2010 study by the American Chemistry Council—which, it should be noted, represents some plastic bag manufacturers—many reusable bags contain coliform bacteria, a category that includes E. coli. Also important: 97 percent of the 84 people interviewed for the study had never (yes, ever!) washed their bags. So, if you’re transporting raw meat, seafood, and vegetables in your reusable shopping bags and have never washed them before, you run the risk of inadvertently cross-contaminating your groceries....

Pre-Cooking The process of preparing chicken begins long before cooking. It begins with shopping for the right chicken. If you don’t start with a good chicken, you can’t possibly end with one! Once you have your whole chicken or chicken parts, be sure to take your poultry out of the fridge early. This gives the chicken a chance to warm to room temperature. If you skip this step, the inside of your chicken will remain below temperature when the outside is done....

Here’s how I managed to eat splendidly for 45 days while cooking without a kitchen. Top Tips for Cooking in a Hotel Room Here are my top lessons learned that prove cooking on a road trip is possible. Bookmark Some No-Cook Recipes: The most obvious go-to recipes for cooking in a hotel room is a stash of no-cook recipes. Mix Up a Salad: Salads hit the spot, especially when you’re traveling somewhere warm....

While cooking hard boiled eggs in an Instant Pot was not better than other methods I’ve tried, it is a simple, hands-off way to cook this everyday protein bite. The best part of making hard boiled eggs in an Instant Pot is that the eggs were insanely easy-to-peel. After the cooked eggs chilled in an ice bath, their shells came off in nearly one entire piece. Try Instant Pot hard boiled eggs for the sheer satisfaction of easy egg-peeling (plus the convenience of making a large batch of eggs with little work)....

To make the process of getting dressed for the winter easier, we researched the best cold weather clothing tips and tapped the CDC for expert advice. Below, find all the tips you need to get adequately bundled up during the winter and stay safe amidst below-zero temperatures. Follow a Head-to-Toe Clothing Checklist Part of dressing safely for cold temperatures is being intentional in making sure that every part of your body is adequately covered and kept dry....

However, a balanced diet that is great for your body and mind does not restrict you from pizza or cookies. Believe it or not, it’s better for your overall well-being to have a certain percentage of seemingly unhealthy foods in your diet. We asked nutrition experts for a few tips on eating a balanced diet without shame or regret. These little habits will help you make the right body-fueling choices for the long haul and help you realistically reach your health goals....

Reader question: How do I know which type of cleanser I should be using? —Wendy Vazquez Whether you’re a skincare minimalist or maximalist (i.e. me), there is one non-negotiable that everyone participates in (or, at least I really hope so)—and that’s washing your face. Even though it might not be as ~stimulating~ as silky serums and whipped moisturizers, the right cleanser acts as the foundation for the rest of your routine....

Unlike the wet hair trend, liquid hair doesn’t actually appear wet. Rather, think ultra-shiny, reflective hair that’s full and soft to the touch. Its super-sleek appearance makes it reflect the light like water does (hence the name). The final result rests between stick-straight, flat-ironed strands and a voluminous, salon-quality blowout. “This is a healthy-looking, elevated version of our straight ’90s hair,” says Clariss Rubenstein, a celebrity hairstylist who works with names like Olivia Holt, Jennifer Garner, Dakota Fanning, and others....

What is Chest Acne? As defined by Papri Sarkar, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Newton, Mass., chest acne is often called ‘folliculitis’ because it’s just that: an inflammatory process around the hair follicle. Much like breakouts on your face, there are several types and causes of chest acne. One type is caused by a higher concentration of sweat glands in the skin that become clogged. Another cause can be hair growth, particularly for men....

Don’t worry, help is on the way. To make slime a family-fun endeavor—yes, even for those adults who have to tidy up afterward—we’re sharing easy (and effective) ways to clean slime off of your fabrics and carpets. You’re just a few steps away from a clean home. How to Get Wet Slime Out of Carpet It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve lectured your kids on the importance of a tidy house—accidents happen....

How Different Apple Varieties Are Created Many of the apple varieties you can find today are the result of random mutations known as “sports” and by growers sorting through hundreds (if not thousands) of seedlings looking for something different; whether it’s taste, size, color, or consistency. Nowadays, these tasks are usually performed by professional plant breeders in a scientific way, but in previous years, the simple act of planting a few seeds led to most of the selections we enjoy today....

According to Amanda Elaine Killen, a professional hairstylist and Amika lead pro educator, hair tends to grow about a centimeter per month or 6 inches per year. Some people have hair that grows slightly slower or faster. That said, learning how to grow out your pixie cut is all about learning to embrace the change and work with your length in all its different phases. To learn how to do just that, we spoke with hairstylists to learn some of their best tips and tricks for growing out a pixie cut without having to succumb to awkward haircuts....

And hanging bunting flags is easier than you think! Simply acquire some red, white, and blue bunting fabric, and we’ll show you how to hang it. The result is a fun, festive 4th of July look for your porch. Red, white, and blue outdoor decorations are a must-have for summer, and this one is so easy. How to Hang a Bunting for 4th of July Follow these simple how-to instructions to hang your patriotic bunting on your front porch (or anywhere outside!...

Who to invite: Friends with similar taste. For a good variety of merchandise, eight people is a manageable number, though anywhere from three to 20 is doable. How to e-mail: Send Real Simple’s free customizable Evite (available at realsimple.com/evite). Give guests two weeks’ notice to start gathering their belongings. Try the recipes: ricotta and herb spread deviled eggs, four ways lemony almond macaroons Be clear about what’s swap-worthy. Ask friends to bring clean goods in gently used condition (that is, no ratty gym shorts or a Scrabble set missing the letter Q)....

“Bows add that extra special detail to presents and holiday home décor," says Jenna Snyder, crafter extraordinaire and senior scenics and props design manager at RWS Entertainment Group. “It’s a little touch that has a big impact. I personally have a box of bows that I’ve collected from friends and family over the years. They can be a sentimental keepsake, similar to cards.” Learning how to make a bow is a skill that translates elsewhere....

We’re ready to move on to more advanced carbs, which is why we consulted Paul Baker, the master baker and co-founder of St Pierre, America’s fastest-growing European Bakery brand. He provided us with tons of helpful tips on baking brioche, croissants, popovers, and French baguettes. First step? You should probably start stocking up on butter. Balance Your Ingredients. Nailing the balance and ratios of ingredients is key to avoiding brioche that’s either too crusty or over-enriched....

However, what if we told you that we tried an incredibly easy viral TikTok hack for making them that actually works and saves you time? Shockingly, we discovered that the secret to making these protein-rich snacks in under 15 minutes and completely hands-free is enlisting your air fryer! Forget waiting for a pot of water to come to a boil to make your hard-boiled eggs. As we learned from many TikTok users, all you need is your air fryer and some ice-cold water to cook them to perfection—and, best of all, there’s essentially no clean-up involved....