It can be tempting to buy a full knife set that comes in a bulky block (or use the one you already have), but I encourage you to pare down your arsenal to just the essentials. Most importantly, choose comfort first. All of your knives, especially your chef’s knife which you’ll use most often, should feel comfortable in your hand: not so heavy that you feel like you’re getting a workout but not so light that you don’t take chopping seriously....

Instead of giving up completely and hibernating until spring, I’ve started the habit of incorporating small pleasures into my daily routine to make them more enticing. While there are several products involved in my nightly self-care routine, one of the most noteworthy has undoubtedly been the Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe. Its thick, Turkish cotton fabric feels like a warm hug every time I put it on, and the absorbent fabric wicks away moisture for ultimate comfort....

Highcorfe’s indoor doormat is capable of keeping grime from spreading into other areas of your home—and tying together your foyer. The tightly woven material looks clean and stylish but secretly holds onto outdoor elements with ease. And its rubberized backing means it won’t slide around your entryway either. To buy: $14 (was $17); amazon.com. While you might expect a rug capable of absorbing moisture and dirt to be thick, this well-designed textile lands on the slimmer side without losing its efficiency....

How to Make a Dried Flower Pumpkin Supplies Needed Faux PumpkinReal Pumpkin StemXacto KnifeHot-Glue Gun and Glue SticksAssorted Dried Globe and StrawflowersScissors Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own fall pumpkin decoration. Customize your pumpkin craft with your favorite dried flowers. Step 1: Attach the Stem Adding a dried pumpkin stem gives this faux pumpkin a real feel. It also looks perfect with the dried flowers....

With over 700 marked down items, the savings event offers solutions and upgrades for every room in your home as well as cozy finds to maximize your bath- and lounge-time comfort. Some of the biggest deals are on a Viking 13-piece stainless steel cookware set for a whopping $470 less, a six-piece Turkish cotton towel set for under $80, and an artist-designed throw blanket for 70 percent off. To buy: $59 (was $199); nordstromrack....

How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey First things first, let’s talk cookware and tools. Make sure you have a large roasting pan on hand, as well as an instant-read thermometer. For a neater-looking bird, you might want to tie the drumsticks together using kitchen twine. Bonus points if you keep an oven thermometer in the oven to make sure you’re roasting at the right temperature. Now that you’ve got your roasting essentials lined up, you’ll need a defrosted turkey and a handful of aromatics, like onions, carrots, and lemons, a generous amount of softened butter, and of course, salt and pepper....

This versatile belt bag has an adjustable strap that can be worn across your chest, around your waist, or as a shoulder bag. The lightweight design won’t give you back and shoulder aches, but it’s still big enough to easily fit all the necessities, like your wallet, phone, keys, hand sanitizer, and anything else you need. It’s made of durable, water-resistant nylon fabric that’s easy to clean and has a zipper closure to keep your belongings safely inside....

Many dumpling wrapping techniques often have a symbolic meaning, like good fortune, as the shape resembles a money bag. There are various dumpling shapes, including a one-directional pleat or a “bao” that requires intricate pleating and twisting. Wrapping each individual dumpling can take upwards of a few hours, and the skill can potentially take years to perfect. Recently, a viral TikTok video focused on making the Japanese variation of dumplings called “gyoza” emerged....

Start by warming your dairy in a small saucepan on low. While many creators do love using cream, that may feel a bit too heavy to some. Opt for half and half, which is half cream and half milk, or stick to Chef Romano’s ratio. For a fun twist, you can also add a dash of vanilla, cinnamon, or espresso powder to the warming dairy. Those who follow a plant-based diet can also swap in vegan creamer and non-dairy milks to recreate the experience....

In a household germ study from NSF International, an independent testing group, the knife block ranked No. 7 on the list of germiest items in the kitchen, just after the refrigerator meat compartment. “Naturally, if you put a wet or dirty knife into a storage block, microbes may grow,” explains Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist and consumer product safety expert at NSF International. “Dark, moist environments breed germs. The key is washing and thoroughly drying your knife before you store it....

The recall announcement impacts the two-count packages of the almond butter cups with sell-by dates of April 5, 2022, April 6, 2022, and April 7, 2022. While the packages are labeled with a warning that the product “may contain traces of… peanut,” Trader Joe’s has opted to recall the cups due to reports of allergic reactions. Common in both kids and adults, nut allergies are nothing to take lightly. If you purchased the affected batches of dark chocolate almond butter cups, Trader Joe’s urges you not to eat them as the products with the above sell-by dates “may contain peanut protein that could pose a risk for those with severe peanut allergies....

While TJ’s does its best to have a little something for everyone, there’s a clear focus on pumpkin items in the fall. In addition to returning stars like Pumpkin Spice Cream Liqueur and Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps, Trader Joe’s shoppers can expect to find exciting newbies such as Pumpkin Chipotle Roasting Sauce, and Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes. According to Miller, many of the products mentioned below will be arriving in stores in the first week or two of September, though some will be debuting a bit later in the season....

So what exactly is hyperpigmentation? In a nutshell, it refers to excess melanin pigment that shows up as dark spots. This can be a result of sun damage, acne scars, or just part of the good ol’ aging process. Today there are more options (see: azelaic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide, hydroquinone, etc.) for erasing that troublesome discoloration than ever before. However, lightening skin doesn’t always have one answer. Since hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones poses specific challenges when it comes to treatment, we asked Seemal Desai, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and former president of Skin of Color Society in Plano, Texas, to fill us in on how to get rid of those pesky dark spots....

Which brings us to our favorite new beverage: cascara. You may have seen it at your local bougie coffee shop or heard your foodie friend raving about its sweet tea-like taste. To learn more about cascara and what it’s made from, we went directly to Brent Wolczynski, head brewer at Stumptown Coffee Roasters. When it comes to questions about coffee trends, there’s no one more buzzed with intel. So what is cascara, exactly?...

Climate anxiety—also sometimes called “eco-anxiety”—is a term used to describe the feelings of distress, anxiety, or fear surrounding environmental issues. Regardless of the term you choose, we can’t ignore the mounting effects that the climate crisis is having on mental health. But rather than focus on only the doom and gloom, how can we take our worries and feelings and not only cope with them, but actually use them to propel us into action?...

What Is European Butter? European butter is a cultured butter that has been churned to achieve at least an 82% butterfat content (the EU standard). The higher butterfat content in it creates a softer, super spreadable product (perfect for when you forget to pre-soften your butter before baking). So, How Is European Butter Different Than American Butter? American butter, which is sometimes referred to as table butter, is required to contain at least 80% butterfat (as regulated by USDA)....

What Is Soy Sauce? Soy sauce, or shoyu, is a dark brown, salty liquid used as a condiment or ingredient in recipes. Soybeans are, of course, the main ingredient in soy sauce, but the base recipe also usually contains wheat, salt, and water. There is also usually an acid or fermenting agent such as mold or yeast. What Does Soy Sauce Taste Like? Soy sauce provides a salty, savory flavor to dishes when used as a condiment....

Chances are you or someone you’re close to has this diagnosis and wants to take steps to lower cholesterol. There are many beneficial medications for this, and the research that’s looked at people taking these medications long-term is good. But even if you are taking statins, adopting healthier diet habits is still worthwhile. Or perhaps your cholesterol levels are within normal guidelines and you want to keep them there. In both scenarios, you can adopt simple ways to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, or shift toward healthier numbers, with what you eat....

The IKEA Planning Studio is located in New York City, on the Upper East Side, and opens April 15. IKEA does have a conventional store in New York City (in Brooklyn), but the Planning Studio is pint-sized in comparison—and it’s much more accessible to New Yorkers, especially any living in Manhattan. The New York Planning Studio is only the first step in IKEA’s plan to bring stores into the heart of cities, rather than the outskirts....

But each method has its pros and cons, and knowing when you use each can help you make better choices with your money and earn rewards on purchases. While debit cards do offer protection against fraud and theft, they should be used with caution as they are directly linked to your bank account—keep your PIN safe by being aware of your surroundings at the ATM and try to use it minimally when you’re traveling....