“Medjool dates are known for their sweetness, making them an excellent snack or substitute for white sugar in recipes. They also provide an antioxidant and fiber boost,” said Claudia Thompson, PhD, RD, a registered dietitian, and spokesperson for Zenwise. Read on to learn more about the benefits of this sweet superfruit, as well as tips for using Medjool dates to take your snack and entertaining game to the next level....

Inside a seed’s hard coating is an entire embryonic plant, surrounded by all the food it needs to thrive once dispersed in soil. Consistently incorporate seeds into your diet, and you’ll reap benefits from those nutrients, making seeds well worth the addition. The seeds listed here are among the healthiest, and most stay fresh up to a year when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consider them worthy alternatives to nuts (which are actually shelled fruits that contain seeds)....

It’s no surprise that protecting your belongings is always a good idea, but David Flax, president of Window Genie, points out that taking these extra steps can actually save you money by lowering your heating bills. Plus, it will help keep you comfortable throughout frigid temperatures. Preparing your home for the winter goes beyond getting the toys out of the yard or storing your mower for the season. To help you cross off the most important to-dos, Busch and Flax share their checklist for making sure your home is ready for the season ahead....

And you don’t have to throw everything away to accomplish the task. “Organizing is about designing a system that makes you more efficient in whatever you are trying to do,” she says. “As long as it allows you to find things, by all means, put all 20 belts on the closet door!” Analyze: “Each of you should identify the objects in the space you are always looking for,” she says....

How do I prevent meat from drying out? To prevent poultry from drying out, use chicken thighs—they have more fat and won’t dry out as quickly, says Finlayson. Cook thighs for about 6 hours and breasts for a maximum of 5 hours on low heat. Beef, depending on the cut, is much more forgiving, she says. For better results, use stewing beef, short ribs, or brisket as opposed to a rib steak or a sirloin....

“Starting at the crown, hold your roots up and spray the powder at the base of the root,” says hairstylist Brooke Clarke. “Repeat until the desired amount is in your hair, then rub it in gently with your fingers.” You can wear your hair down or style it afterward. Either way, this technique leaves hair at the root slightly gritty, which allows you to re-puff your hair as needed. “Brush and fluff your hair to its full capacity, then give it a little upside-down blow-dry and your best hair flip,” advises hairstylist Katelyn Ellsworth, founder of The Roslyn....

Plus, travel prices are expected to surge this summer, so you’re going to want to plan ahead and look for ways to save when you get to your destination. Here are some tips to help you stick to your budget for a vacation that’s relaxing in more ways than one. Bringing your debit card along will also be helpful for withdrawing cash—Harrell-Goodwin recommends her clients set aside $200 in cash for tips and any small expenses....

He notes that it’s important to wrap the curls in a brick lay pattern throughout the entire head, and leave the paper towel rolls in for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes. “With this method, the paper towel draws in the moisture from the atmosphere and creates an organic wave.” During this process, feel free to spritz some salt spray to emphasize the beachy texture. (Note: If you don’t want crimpy hair all over, you can create two braids flanking either side of middle part....

Want to get your health back on track? Start cooking more meals at home where you control the amount of oil and butter used and the portion sizes. Need to conserve finances? The cost of groceries to prepare a delicious meal in your kitchen is drastically lower than eating out at restaurants or getting takeout. Want to minimize your screen time and spend more quality time with loved ones? Gather nightly around the dinner table with family and friends for that valuable face-time, made even more intimate with a home-cooked meal....

Viator, TripAdvisor’s tour and activity booking site, has rounded up nine incredible, UK-based travel experiences every lover of literature needs to add to their itinerary. These bookworm-approved walking tours and museums breathe life into beloved stories (hello, Harry Potter) and the fascinating lives and works of literary icons, from Jane Austen to George R.R. Martin. These travel experiences are definitely worth a trip across the pond. Or always dreamed of visiting Jane Austen’s Hampshire home, the very spot where she penned and revised some of her greatest works?...

1. Is It in My Budget? Budget is the big one to consider above all else. You need to determine how much you an afford to rent while meeting other financial obligations and goals (like saving for retirement and going out with friends). Follow this guideline: Don’t say “yes” to renting an apartment that costs more than 30 percent of your gross (pre-tax) salary. Apart from rent, don’t forget about utilities, transportation, groceries, and other life expenses—it really does add up....

What it can do for your skin: In short, a lot. First and foremost, it’s an extremely potent antioxidant that helps to protect skin from free radicals formed by exposure to environmental factors such as pollution and UV rays, explains Marie Hayag, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and founder of Fifth Avenue Aesthetics. Topical application of vitamin C has also been shown to play a key role in the production of collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin strong and youthful, she adds....

Counters Clear the counters of anything that doesn’t belong: straggling mail, cookbooks, and permission slips awaiting signatures. Sink Fill the sink with hot water and a few squirts of dish soap. Drop in items that need soaking, like the crisper drawer, the dish rack, and the microwave turntable. Refrigerator Empty the refrigerator, tossing anything that has expired. Throw dirty food storage containers into the sink to soak. Working from top to bottom, wipe down the shelves with a paper towel or a rag spritzed with a nontoxic all-purpose cleaner....

The online marketplace includes 112 items, but we cut the list down to the 10 worth buying under $50. Whether you’re looking for cozy throw pillows and blankets, storage baskets, or simple accents like dried pampas grass or beaded garlands, you’re sure to find a simple-yet-stunning decor piece that fits your style. Sullivans Three-Piece Ceramic Vase Set, $35 Grbambi Wood Beaded Garland, $7 (was $9) DII Rustic Farmhouse Woven Throw, $16 (was $21) NaturalCozy Five-Piece Round Woven Basket Set, $26 (was $28) nuLoom Hand Woven Chunky Natural Jute Farmhouse Area Rug, From $30 (was from $35) Crfni Pampas Grass Stem Arrangement, $50 Creative Co-Op Paulownia Wood Oval Bowl, $40 (was $43) Zri Bamboo Hanging Round Wall Mirror, $37 Famibay Knitted Pillow Cover, $21 Iower Macrame Hanging Wall Art, $38 with coupon (was $40)...

To buy: $33; amazon.com. The perfect pant pick for spring needs to be breathable and versatile, and have a touch of fun flair to welcome in the sunnier season—all of which the Grace Karin pants embody. They’re designed with a romantic bow at the front as well as smocked legs to flatter your curves, and they can easily pair with a tucked-in blouse, a casual cashmere sweater, or even a silk cami top....

To buy: From $40; amazon.com. One reviewer says that they love the bench in their space because of how inviting it is to guests to sit down and remove their shoes before walking through their home. Plus, they say it’s a classic design that suits any style or decor. “This is probably one of the most liked and complimented pieces of furniture that our visitors see when they arrive at and leave our home,” the shopper writes....

While 53% say the person who usually makes their favorite dish won’t be around this year, 67% still expect to enjoy the dish. That means more people are taking on a traditional family recipe by themselves for the first time. Yay for more baking therapy! America’s Top Cookie Flavors Because the holidays wouldn’t be complete without cookies for Santa (or me!), here are the top cookie flavors America will make in 2020, according to the survey:...

“Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color across the country,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in a joint statement with fellow Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon. The trio of Democratic senators added that they plan to make the federal legalization of marijuana a priority. Not quite sure what to make of this wave of pro-weed policies?...

Before reorganizing Rachel’s refrigerator and freezer, the first task was to go through the current contents to remove old items. Decluttering spoiled food and unused or duplicate items is important before restructuring the space in your refrigerator. 32 ketchup packets30 soy and duck sauce packets12 bottles of salad dressing4 tubs of spreadable margarine1 empty bottle of ketchup1 head of (brown) lettuce1 container of (very brown) chopped lettuce1 container filled with either some type of chocolate sauce or gravy½ glass of soda (in a 2-liter bottle)24 fish sticks bearded-over with freezer burn22 three-month-old Popsicles9 heels of bread, knotted in their bags (“to feed the ducks,” says Rachel)3 six-packs of English muffins (from a years-old gift basket)1 near-empty box of soy “chicken” nuggets (one left)1 near-full box of soy “chicken” nuggets (one gone)...

Now, the good news: You can probably find a good (and affordable!) fix in your kitchen cabinet: apple cider vinegar. This natural solution is touted by trichologists and hairstylists everywhere for helping to restore life to your hair in a matter of minutes. The DIY ingredient is a great replacement for fancy clarifying shampoos—easier on your wallet and oftentimes more effective. You’ll probably notice the funky acidic scent immediately upon opening the bottle, but don’t worry about smelling like salad dressing....