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History of Spaghetti Squash According to the Library of Congress, squashes most likely served as containers or utensils because of their hard shells. “The seeds and flesh later became an important part of the pre-Columbian Indian diet in both South and North America. De Soto, Coronado, and Cartier all saw ‘melons’ (probably squash) in the Americas.” As for the name, the word “squash” comes from the Narragansett Native American word askutasquash, which means eaten raw or uncooked....

Chessy styled an open chambray button-down with a T-shirt for a relaxed feel, Elizabeth popped on a button-down with jeans, and Hallie and Annie went so far as to hike in button-downs (while they encouraged Meredith Blake to get a little too “friendly” with a lizard, no less). While most of us would put on athleisure for a day on the trails in today’s times, a button-down is still a timeless staple that looks as put-together with jeans on the weekend as it does paired with dress pants and heels for a day at the office....

Thankfully, unlike Cox’s Cougar Town character, I’ve not only found jeans that I can comfortably sit down in, but I can even do squats in them with ease (a test I actually did when trying them). Spanx’s newest Ankle Straight Jeans were released just last week to join their shopper-loved collection of denim, and they’re incredibly comfortable in all the right ways. The pants are so versatile, they look great with everything in my closet, from my favorite T-shirts to platformed sneakers to silk blouses....

Previous research has found more generally that one benefit of meditation is that it helps prevent “off-task thinking” in healthy individuals. Another study, published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, aimed to determine the benefits of mindfulness specifically related to anxiety. Researchers from the University of Waterloo asked 82 college students, all of whom met the clinical criteria for anxiety, to perform a monotonous computer task that measured their ability to stay focused....

The answer from the Food & Drug Administration is pretty clear: All shelf-stable products, including sunscreen products, typically have a life of three years from their manufacturing date. This can be tricky to remember since most brands conceal expiration info in a light-colored font on their bottle. When in doubt, Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends writing the date you purchased that best sunscreen on the bottle with a permanent marker so you can keep up with the three-year time frame....

A survey by Insider and SurveyMonkey went to the source to find out. The survey asked nearly 2,100 Americans to rank what they believed were the five rudest U.S. cities from a list of the nation’s 50 largest cities. And if you put all your money on New York City topping the charts as the number-one rudest city in America, you’d be very rich right now. On the other hand, Raleigh, N....

Instead, invest in technology that yields similar results. Several time-saving apps and tools can help you get your life back. In fact, you can virtually outsource practically everything that eats up your time. Here are the best technology tools that can dramatically streamline the things you need to do daily. Install the Freedom app on your device, which means no more milling about—and certainly no more relying on willpower. Scheduled and automatic blocking of websites, pop-ups, and internet access means that you can’t derail your day....

We’ve spotted some of the best bargains of the year on robot vacuums during this sale, so you can save hundreds of dollars on best-sellers and customer favorites from major brands like iRobot, Samsung, Eufy, and iLife. The Top 10 Best Robot Vacuum Deals Biggest Savings: Samsung Jet Bot Robot Vacuum, $249 (was $600) Editor Favorite: iLife V3s Pro Robot Vacuum, $130 with coupon (was $160) Most Reviewed: iLife V80 Max Robot Vacuum, $175 with coupon (was $280) iRobot Roomba j7 Robot Vacuum, $411 (was $600) iMartine Robot Vacuum and Mop, $150 with coupon (was $190) Tikom G8000 Robot Vacuum, $160 with coupon (was $300) Neato D9 Intelligent Robot Vacuum, $300 (was $500) Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+ Robot Vacuum and Mop, $500 with coupon (was $700) Eufy BoostIQ 11S RoboVac, $130 (was $200) Roborock E5 Mop and Robot Vacuum, $220 with coupon (was $360)...

“Futons are a great addition to your home for versatility and function,” says Marilyn Diamond, social content and new media specialist at The Futon Shop. They’re especially great for small spaces, she notes, “since they take up less room than a traditional sofa bed.” No matter the size, use, or decor of your home, there’s a futon that’s bound to fit your needs. To help you sort through the innumerable options out there, we’ve done heavy research into which futons stand out in terms of their quality, picking options in a range of sizes, materials, weight capacity, uses, and price points....

To determine the best black leggings, we spent hours researching the most popular options on the market. We considered factors like price, material, and size range to narrow down our list to only the best styles. We also spoke with Vivian Lee, the director of styling at Dailylook, and Paige Perez, lead designer of activewear at Adore Me, for expert advice on choosing the best black leggings for you. “Black leggings are popular for their comfort, versatility, and clean silhouette,” says Lee....

To find the best face sunscreens, we spent hours researching the various options on the market. While curating the list, we considered factors like sun protection factor (SPF), ingredients, and type (like mineral or chemical). We also spoke with Rebecca Marcus, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD, and Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology, for expert advice on how to choose the best face sunscreen for you....

To help you figure out which wireless bra is best for you, we did the research and evaluated dozens of bras based on size range, style and fit, and more. Our top choice is the Knix WingWoman Contour Bra for its supportive features, wide range of cup and band sizes, and compatibility with clothing of varying necklines. Read on to learn more about our top picks and how to choose the best wireless bra for your body....

“We recommend that you primarily design for your lifestyle,” says Alexandra Davin, co-founder of Clairrow. “Think about the space and how you’d truly like to use it. Do you want to nap on a comfy sofa with outdoor cushions? Or would you prefer a table and chairs so you can dine al fresco?” Because there are so many different patio furniture designs out there, it can be difficult to decide which options are durable, stylish, and worth the money....

We put 12 steam cleaners through diligent testing in our Lab, evaluating each based on their ability to remove stains from different surfaces. Throughout our testing, we took note of each steam cleaner’s versatility, portability, noise level, and overall value. We also considered things like the type of steam cleaner (canister, mop, or handheld) and whether there were any included attachments. For expert tips on what to look for in a steam cleaner, we spoke to James Tole, third vice president of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification....

To find out which ice makers are the best on the market, we tested 15 popular models in our Lab and evaluated them on performance, capacity, and portability. In addition to Pistolesi, we also sought the advice of Natasha Pietramala, Senior Licensing & Product Manager for Curtis International LTD, manufacturer for Electrolux, for expert advice on how to shop for an ice maker. Our top pick is the Luma Comfort Countertop Clear Ice Maker for its ability to produce 24 cubes of ice that were equal in size in 23 minutes, all while remaining practically silent....

With this in mind, we rounded up the very best granite cleaners specifically formulated for the natural stone. We also spoke to Becky Rapinchuk, founder of the Clean Mama blog and cleaning routine, about what to look for when choosing a granite countertop cleaner for your home. Our top pick is the Weiman Daily Disinfectant Granite & Stone Cleaner, a powerful product that is highly effective at cleaning and disinfecting granite and stone surfaces....

One of the quickest ways to add a bit of “cozy” to your outdoor space is in the form of an outdoor rug. From cushioning your trip between the sunroom and the patio, to tying together your alfresco living room, outdoor rugs are a great way to bring color, pattern, and personality to your space. As a bonus, laying down an extra layer atop your stone patio or wood deck can also reduce damage to heavily trafficked surfaces and save your bare feet from the high temps of the midday summer sun....

Our top pick is the Gorilla 200-ft. Mobile Hose Reel for its weather-resistant materials, overall ease of use, comfort, and extra features, including a storage compartment. Read on to learn more about our top picks, as well as how to choose the best hose reel for your home. Who it isn’t for: People who have small backyards and don’t need a big hose reel. Out of all the hose reels we tested, this hose reel was our tester’s “personal favorite....

The best steam irons heat up quickly, offer multiple settings to accommodate a variety of materials, and are easy to maneuver. Added features like auto-shutoff settings, anti-drip soleplates, and retractable plugin cords are also helpful. We put some of the best steam irons to the test to determine which ones are actually worth buying. Our expert home testers purchased and used 30 different steam irons in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, putting each one through its paces on materials like cotton, linen, and satin....

The best vacuums can help you stay on top of the debris that will otherwise accumulate on your floors. Instead of buying a model that gets clogged with pet hair or struggles to pick up crumbs from your hardwood floors, buying a vacuum that’s been vetted by an expert ensures you get an effective and long-lasting machine. “Effective vacuuming removes and retains grit, soil, and dust, reduces inhaling potentially harmful airborne particles, and lowers the risk of fire from dust buildup in your electronics and other devices,” says Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council....