RS - June 2020 by Lawrence Ambrocio

realsimple LIFE MADE EASIER

GIF TS FOR NEWLYWEDS, DADS & GRADS

CHEER UP WITH COLOR! 159 Bright Ideas, Just When You Need Them

Backyard Upgrades Ice Cream Road Test Easy Meals to Eat Outdoors

JUNE 2020

Palette Personalities with

LESLIE CORONA

BROOKLYN-based Real Simple home editor Leslie Corona reveals why she believes less is more when it comes to home décor, and how she turned her living room into a cozy space using the ColorSnap® Color ID Minimalist palette from Sherwin-Williams.

THE MINIMALIST You enjoy what life has to offer and appreciate beauty in all things. You look to your home as a place to decompress and truly be you. Uncluttered, undisturbed.

Choose an interesting wall color that ties the space together.

Krypton Use artwork to incorporate other shades from your Color ID palette.

SW 6247

Snowbound Give any piece of furniture a facelift with a fresh coat of paint.

SW 7004 Add dimension to a lighter space by bringing in a dark piece of furniture.

Urbane Bronze SW 7048

INSPIRING READERS As a home editor, I’m always looking for ways to help my readers, from writing about simple organizing hacks to encouraging people to incorporate more color into their homes. I see a lot of interesting design aesthetics in my work, but I prefer simple, well-balanced spaces.

Scan the code with your phone or visit palettepersonalities.com to see the full project.

FINDING MY PERSONAL PALETTE

DESIGNING A COZY ESCAPE

I knew I wanted my apartment to be a calming space, but I wasn’t sure where to start. I took the Color ID quiz from Sherwin-Williams for some inspiration and was matched with the Minimalist palette. The quiz took no time at all, and I was excited to see that I could easily pair any of the 16 shades. These subtle colors make my apartment feel bigger and brighter. My husband is also a fan.

My living room is where I go to unwind, so I wanted to use a relaxing paint color. I chose Krypton for the wall because it’s light and neutral enough to work with everything else in the room. I also painted my side table with Snowbound. I like how they look together—there’s something serene about the combination, which is the vibe I want for my apartment.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS®

Crushed Ice SW 7647

THE PATH TO YOUR PERSONAL PALETTE STARTS HERE

Do you have a room that needs a fresh look? Not right now, but maybe soon.

Yes, I do!

Do you have a “look” in mind?

Well, do you like personality tests?

Yes, but I’m not sure what to do next.

Not really my thing. No, please help!! I’m OBSESSED. Do you have one??

We’ve got your back!

Okay... you got me.

Take the quiz to find your Color ID at myswcolorid.com

Don’t you want to know what your walls say about you?

Our Color ID palettes are thoughtfully curated for your unique personality. Exclusively at your local Sherwin-Williams store.

“The last few years have taught me to suspend my desire for a conclusion, to assume that nothing is static and that renegotiation will be perpetual, to hope primarily that little truths will keep emerging in time.” — J I A T O L E N T I N O, Tr i c k M i r r o r

2 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

P I X E L STO R I ES/STO C KSY

Thoughts

misses’ . peti te . women’s . t a ll JJ ILL.COM

E d i t o r ’s N o t e

U R P L E I S my favorite color. It’s not an easy one to have. They don’t make purple cars. I can’t pull off a grape suit. And my husband won’t agree to painting our house eggplant. I can occasionally count on nature for my fix—spring wildflowers, western sunsets, the jacaranda trees in L.A. But lately I’ve had to make do with the lavender walls of my home office, a room in which I’ve spent more time in the past three months than the last 12 years. The room makes me happy. With its white carpet and black desk and bookcase, it’s a perfect replica of my teenage bedroom, as my mother pointed out. (Twice in my life I have had sole control over the color scheme of a room. Both times I chose purple.)

4 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

But why? Purple, some say, reflects imagination and spirituality, two things I certainly want more of. On the other hand, purple is also the color of royalty, and a website that shall remain nameless said people who are drawn to it are arrogant. Color theorists assure us violet lovers that purple can have calming effects, that it can be uplifting, and that it can trigger creativity. I’ll go with that. Ultimately, purple has felt like a good choice for rooms in which I read, write, and paint my nails (my signature color, a deep purple by OPI called Lincoln Park After Dark). Recently I’ve been wandering through the rest of my house, which I painted and furnished in neutrals when we moved in a dozen years ago. It’s always felt cozy, natural, and easy. But now all the browns, grays, and taupes feel like a drag. I want to toss a lime pillow on the sofa and am considering lighter floor treatments. When the pandemic struck, it felt silly to be pulling together an issue about color during a period so inarguably gray. But then I started taking a daily (socially distant) walk with my dog. I’d smile at the new aquamarine front door of a neighbor. I knew it had become April when the forsythia flowered yellow. Potted impatiens signaled May. I am convinced color will be just the tonic we need after months of staring at the insides of our homes. I can’t wait to see what colors the summer brings.

#simplestor y

Real-Life Rainbow I spend an entire rainy Monday struggling to write my June editor’s note. I mean deluge rain, the kind that sounds like drums and that leaves brown puddles on the lawn. Working from my New Jersey house, I hear three sirens; 365 people will have died in my state within the next 24 hours. I send my column to my editor just in time for the rain to let up, and I set off for a walk. But the rain begins again 30 minutes in, and I am soon soaked. Trudging up a hill to my house, I give my Covidfriendly dog-walking half wave to a couple across the way. He’s aiming his cellphone behind me, so I turn to look. A vibrant, perfect rainbow stretches across the sky. I know a good metaphor when I see one. —@ L I Z VAC C A R I E L LO

Let’s look for meaningful moments in our lives and share them here. Tag your Instagram posts with #simplestory and @LizVaccariello to get them to me.

P h o t o g r a p h b y Ta w n i B a n n i s t e r

S T Y L I N G B Y J E N N I F E R S M I T H F O R E LY S E C O N N O L LY; H A I R B Y L I N H N G U Y E N F O R S E E M A N A G E M E N T U S I N G O R I B E ; C U T B Y N U N Z I O S AV I A N O ; M A K E U P B Y L I N D S E Y W I L L I A M S F O R L O W E & C O . U S I N G R E A L H E R M A K E U P. D V F D I A N E V O N F U R S T E N B E R G T O P ; N E I M A N M A R C U S . C O M . L A FAY E T T E 1 4 8 N E W YO R K PA N T S ; L A FAY E T T E 1 4 8 N Y. C O M . L I Z Z I E F O R T U N AT O C U F F; L I Z Z I E F O R T U N AT O . C O M

Here’s Some Colorful Background

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Contents June 2020

O N T H E C OV E R

(From top) Retro Mint SW 9036, Fun Yellow SW 6908, Rejuvenate SW 6620, Dynamic Blue SW 6958, Cheery SW 6584, Osage Orange SW 6890, Calypso SW 6950, and Jovial SW 6611; sherwin-williams.com for info. TO BUY:

Cheer Up with Color! 19, 90, 96, 104, and throughout the issue

Backyard Upgrades

Ice Cream Road Test

Easy Meals to Eat Outdoors

Gifts for Newlyweds, Dads, and Grads

Find a pretty palette for your house

104

110

Play around in a colorful new suit

Influence your mood with different hues

Dig in to tasty international chicken dishes

C o v e r P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h 6 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

S u r f a c e C r e a t e d b y E m m a Ta p l e y I n c .

118

Should you get on the CBD bandwagon?

Improve your sunscreen habits

Seasonal dinners in 35 minutes or less

Road Test: Food

Editor’s Note

Must-have ice creams

Real Simple 24 /7

Clever Items

Thoughts

My Simple Realization

Your Words

Liven Up Your Backyard

food

It’s everywhere nowadays— here’s what the cannabis derivative is all about 82

Handy Shortcut

the realist

Keep cats and dogs calm at the vet

Ahhh

5 Easy Dinners

Caroline Zancan revels in a Technicolor wardrobe 66

What’s New in Food Allergy Etiquette A little compassion makes a meaningful impact on kids and parents 68

Take It Outside

Healthy Summer Skin (Derm Advice Edition!)

balance

Top docs give feedback on sun-safety regimens 52

Get More Experience Without Going Back to School

Beauty buys to simplify your routine 26

Road Test: Beauty

Pack a delicious picnic

Organize This 28

The Rainbow Connection Harness the moodchanging power of color to lift your spirits 90

Strong Suits

relating

How to Talk to Aging Parents About Future Finances

Yes, really

features

Perk up your home with an exterior palette that fits your region and style 96

Career experts share affordable ways to build your résumé

5 Ways the World Is Changing for the Better

Paint the Town Red

A tidy setup for leftover paint and supplies 56

The Staple Frozen corn, reinvented 30

Rain forest meditation

Good Read

Pretty Smart

Self-tanners with skin benefits

Sweet ideas for special occasions (and people!) 39

The Short List Books for every taste

Unstinting advice from Catherine Newman

Pet Tricks

Real SimpleÕs Summer Gift Guide

what we love Outdoor accessories bring pops of color

Little helpers that make life easier

The Beguiling Promise of CBD

Modern Manners 33

Whether they’re wealthy or struggling 80

Take the plunge! Five fun swimwear trends to try—plus confidenceboosting essays 104

Get your knives ready to slice summer veggies 117 Fresh family meals in a flash

118

Plant Powered Protein-packed date shakes

124

Big Batch Freezable Korean soy-sesame beef

126

for fun Amazing Discoveries Under My Sofa Vacuuming unearths wonders

128

Bird Around the World Mouthwatering chicken recipes inspired by global flavors 110

REAL SIMPLE (ISSN 1528-1701) (JUNE 2020) (VOLUME 21/ISSUE 6) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY TI GOTHAM INC. TI GOTHAM INC. IS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MEREDITH CORPORATION. PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 225 LIBERTY ST., NEW YORK, NY 10281-1008. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW YORK, NY, AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS (SEE DMM 507.1.5.2); NONPOSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE, PO BOX 37508, BOONE, IA 50037-0508. CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40069223. BN# 13200211RT001. © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: FOR 24/7 SERVICE, PLEASE USE OUR WEBSITE: REALSIMPLE.COM/MYACCOUNT. YOU CAN ALSO CALL 1-800-881-1172 OR WRITE REAL SIMPLE, PO BOX 37508, BOONE, IA 50037-0508. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. YOUR BANK MAY PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE CARD INFORMATION WE HAVE ON FILE. YOU MAY OPT OUT OF THIS SERVICE AT ANY TIME. FOR SYNDICATION OR INTERNATIONAL LICENSING REQUESTS OR REPRINT AND REUSE PERMISSION, EMAIL SYNDICATION@MEREDITH.COM.

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MEET

L AU R E N Z A S E R SO CIAL MEDIA EDITOR AT R E A L S I M P L E .C O M

THE BEST SUNSCREEN F O R YO U

Go-to recipe: Kimchi noodles with scallions. It’s a quick meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Our experts tested more than 50. These 10 really work—for the beach, for sensitive skin, and for every day.

My happy place: Floating in a pool, piña colada in hand. The one item I can’t live without: I take my fuzzy pink slippers everywhere. They make me feel at home wherever I am. @LAURENZASER ON INSTAGRAM

Dad Deserves It Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21. Our gift guide features unique ideas for any type of dad—golfer, camper, chef, and beyond. Pick something perfect at realsimple.com/dad.

SPOTLESS ON IGT V Wear those white sneakers! Our new weekly stain-removal video series gives you fail-safe methods to erase scuffs or marks and have shoes looking brand-new again.

Grill Everything Sure, we have the best tips for grilling meat, fish, and veggies. But wait till you see the dessert recipes. Citrus on the grill? Next level. Fire it up at realsimple.com/ grilling.

8 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

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My Simple Realization

“Little Kindnesses Are Everything” W H I L E S T AY I N G A T H O M E W I T H H E R FA M I LY, C A T H E R I N E N E W M A N S U B D U E S H E R G L O B A L - PA N D E M I C F E A R S WITH MINUSCULE ACTS OF LOVE.

my son asks with his head in the freezer, holding out something lumpy and beige. He’s unexpectedly home from college—a hulking man-child in too-short pajamas, foraging for his midday breakfast. He looks up, and I smile from the kitchen table, where I’m working. “Eat whatever you want, sweetheart.” Honestly, I feel like we’re going to end up eating our shoe leather one way or another—a single Trader Joe’s chile-cheese tamale isn’t going to save us from that. But a little kindness might save us from something else—something like despair. If you’re reading this, that means we’ve made it to the middle of May. Who are we now? I’m writing this at the very start of the coronavirus shutdowns—a time when people are filling their panicked hearts

10 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

with toilet paper and missing dollar signs. But also a time when we’re checking in on our neighbors and consoling one another with videos of singing Italians. Here, at home, I am shedding something I don’t need anymore, a skin that feels too small to contain me. “Growing,” I guess, is the word for this particular direction of human experience. Part of it is the minuscule acts of love I keep pushing out through my fear: knocking before I enter a child’s room, encouraging my family to put their phones away for a while, dragging my daughter outside into the sunshine to burn off a few misgivings, making simple, beautiful meals we’ll reminisce about one day over our boiled loafers. Opening my eyes and arms as wide as they’ll go.

“Love, love, love,” I keep thinking. My husband pulls up my chives, mistaking them for weeds, and I spare him my usual woe-is-me routine. I talk to a treasured friend I’ve grown distant from, and grievance leaves me—I’m filled with fondness instead. Every day, I tell my parents I love them. These people in my house, in my life: They are everything. And they are here. We are going to lose so much. We don’t need to lose this too, this time we actually have. I think brightly to myself, “Be here now.” It’s not a new thought. But today it’s new to me. There’s just this— the small kindnesses that will become who we were during this time. That will become who we are after it. CATHERINE NEWMAN IS THE AUTHOR OF HOW TO BE A PERSON: 65 HUGELY USEFUL, SUPER-IMPORTANT SKILLS TO LEARN BEFORE YOU’RE GROWN UP.

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S A N N Y VA N L O O N / S H O P A R O U N D

“ C A N I E AT T H I S ? ”

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM MEREDITH

At Meredith, publisher of Real Simple and other well-known magazines, our mission has always been to inform, inspire, and entertain our readers. In this extraordinary and uncertain period, we are, more than ever, dedicated to providing you with honest information, stories of inspiration, and the advice and guidance to help you navigate these turbulent times – and to make your life a little easier. We recognize the sacrifices and challenges you face, and we want you to know that all of us at Meredith, through each of our magazines and digital properties, are committed to serving your needs at this critical time and beyond. We are especially grateful for the dedication and bravery of the first-responders and the everyday heroes on the front lines of this crisis. We wish them, you, and your communities continuing health and security.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Nationwide quarantines are impacting all aspects of life, including blood drives. Patients with a range of serious illnesses continue to need blood every day. Please give.

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Yo u r W o r d s

What phrase will you always associate with your dad?

“The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is in the planning.” @BRANDICHIONSINI

A P H RAS E I WO U L D US E TO D ESC R I B E M Y DA D I S “ L I F E O F T H E PA RT Y ” ! @ L AU RSO R I A N O

# R S L OV E

“Battle stations!” He used to say this at restaurants right as the food was being served to him, with a fork in one hand, a knife in the other, and an excited smile on his face. My daughter and I still carry on this tradition, though he’s not around anymore to join us. He’s with us in spirit in those moments. JOANNA SPENCER, NEW YORK CITY

My dad invented a new color for us: sky-blue pink. It’s what he called the blending of day and night in the evening sky. It was his favorite color, and so it’s always been mine. Even now, every time I see the sky blue of daylight meeting the pink of the sunset, I think of my dad. KATE CRAW, GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

“Nice to meet you, Hungry. I’m Dad.” “Watch for deer”Ñ the Midwestern dad version of “I love you.” @MKBAMBAM

“Out and back in the same day.” He said it every time we returned from an errand. @SHEILAMURT

My dad is a retired dentist, and all his patients were sure to get a “Here’s the deal” at some point, followed by the most thoughtful and genuine advice. BETH GALL, INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI

“Are you home?” Which is what he asks every time we talk on the phone. @FLENARD

For sharing this photo with us, @laursoriano will receive our new special edition, The Power of Less. If you want your picture to be considered, tag photos on Instagram with #rslove.

16 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

@KATIEBOSTELLE

“Get up, dress up, show up.” I can’t tell you how many times those words got me to class while I was in college. Who am I kidding? They still get me out of bed today. KATIE BOWEN, WINONA, MISSOURI

Reader of the Month

“Off like a herd of turtles!” He said that every time we pulled out of the driveway. I think it took longer than he liked to get all four of his girls into the car to go anywhere. @JUDE_OBSCURED

My dad always said, “You catch more bees with honey.” I live by that. Be polite, smile at a stranger, and compliment people. Being nice is contagious.

C O U RT ESY O F M I C H A E L S I M O N P H OTO G R A P H Y

@JBNUNZIO

When I was in high school, my dad would always say, “Early girls!” when my girlfriends and I went out. To this day, he says it when he knows I’m going somewhere with my mom or my girlfriends, and I’m 51 years old.

When we fell as kids, my dad would yell, “Safe!” and gesture like he was the umpire and we were sliding into home plate. It always made us laugh instead of cry. @PAULACUTLER

“Keep it down to a dull roar.” I love that he knew we could never actually be quiet as kids, and he gave us a reasonable expectation instead. ROBYN HULL-ARANGO

JULIE BOONE ROTH, JESSUP, MARYLAND

My dad’s phrase was “holy mackerel,” delivered in a very excited tone. He used it when Mom was dressed for an evening out, when I got a good grade on a test, and when he caught a huge salmon while visiting us in Alaska. LINETTE CASH, BEAVERTON, OREGON

MEGAN FULLER, 36 M A R K E T I N G P RO F E S S I O N A L R I C H M O N D, V I RG I N I A

What phrase will you always associate with your dad? “You can always add more, but you can’t add less.” True for everything from syrup on waffles to words you can’t take back. Home is where… I bust out the sweatpants. Most organized part of your life My monthly meal plan. It’s a pain on the 1st, but it makes the other 29 days much easier. What’s your “me” time? I’m a bubble bath addict. What’s your “meh” time? A bubble bath fixes everything “meh”! What’s always in your home? Cocktail fixings. What’s always in your bag? A Clinique Chubby Stick. Social media philosophy Less is more. (See my dad’s advice!)

Next Question W H AT I N F LU E N T I A L W O M A N D O YO U A D M I R E , A N D W H Y ? Send an email to yourwords@realsimple.com and let us know your answer to this question. Your response could appear on these pages.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

The first trash bag worthy of a smile. New Glad Beachside Breeze

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E V E RY T H I N G O U R E D I T O R S A R E B U Z Z I N G A B O U T T H I S M O N T H

Liven Up Your Backyard C R E AT E A C O L O R F U L P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E F O R H E L L O A R T I S T S

S U M M E R S A N C T U A RY W I T H OUTD O OR FINDS FOR $100 OR LESS— LIKE THIS VIBR ANT BLUE P O OL F O R K I D S A N D A D U LT S . By Cat Dash

P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

W H AT W E LO V E

2 6

It stacks and has plastic feet to protect floors from scratches.

1 PITCHER PERFECT

5 B LU E S E AT

Keep a quart of your favorite beverage icy cold for hours with this sculptural insulated carafe. TO BUY: Geo Insulated Carafe, $85; store.moma.org.

This comfy resin-wicker chair is made for hours of lounging in the sun, but it also stands up to rainyday elements. TO BUY: Round All Weather Wicker Camden Outdoor Chair, $100; worldmarket.com.

Each shatterproof salad plate in this set has a slightly different geometric design. TO BUY: Ollie Melamine Salad Plates, $25 for 4; crateandbarrel.com.

6 FLOWER P OWER

8 K I C K U P YO U R H E E L S

Think of them as flowerworks, not fireworks— party poppers loaded with flower seeds. TO BUY: Seed Paper Cannons, $14 each; fredericksandmae.com.

Use it as a stool or side table—or push two together to make a coffee table (then nest them when not in use). TO BUY: Tranarö Stool, $20; ikea-usa.com.

20 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Festive and functional, this birchwood platter is coated in melamine. TO BUY: Jamida Word Rectangular Tray, $32; gretelhome.com. 4 J U S T A D D WAT E R

Try a sophisticated take on the inflatable kiddie pool. This jumbo version fits three adults—but kids are welcome too! TO BUY: The Soak in Some (Water)Color Luxe Inflatable Pool, $45; minnidip.com.

7 SHAPE UP P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

2 SUPER SLEEVES

Graphic cozies help you avoid two party fouls: lukewarm drinks and sipping from the wrong bottle or can. TO BUY: The Sip Sip Hooray Can Coolies, $10 for 4; minnidip.com.

3 CHEER S TO THIS

W H AT W E LO V E

The Short List

5 Books to Read Right Now T O P P I C K S F O R E A R LY S U M M E R By Zibby Owens

Coming-of-Age

Liftoff In the thriller The Last Flight by Julie Clark, two women try to escape their lives by switching airplane tickets. Claire is married to the scion of a political dynasty, whose staff watches her every move. She swaps flights with Eva—but then Eva’s plane crashes. Claire, presumed dead by her family, is given a chance at a new life, and what unfolds brings everything she knows into question.

J. Courtney Sullivan’s Friends and Strangers follows Elisabeth, who relocates from New York City to a small town with her struggling inventor husband and infant son. She hires Sam, a senior at the local women’s college, to babysit. Over the course of the school year, the two women grow close, share secrets, and ultimately betray each other.

Ghetto Girls Gripping Memoir In Empty, Susan Burton recounts how binge-eating disorder and anorexia have jeopardized her life. Despite her outward success—admission to Yale, a dream job at This American Life, a happy family— her secret made her a prisoner in her own body. After a threedecade battle, Susan finally sought help and opened up. She reveals it all in this frank, beautiful account of her mental health journey.

Judy Batalion, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, documents the true story of a group of Jewish women resistance fighters during World War II. The Light of Days is about friendship, courage, love, loyalty, and resilience—and is written so vividly, it makes perfect sense Steven Spielberg has already optioned it. For more book recommendations, visit realsimple.com/ newbooks.

P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E F O R H E L L O A R T I S T S

Zaina Arafat’s debut novel, You Exist Too Much, traces an unnamed protagonist’s unexpected journey from her home in Bethlehem to a DJ booth in Brooklyn, New York; from the streets of Lebanon to a love addiction clinic. Written in the first person with a memoir feel, this international tale sheds a unique light on what it means to find love across boundaries.

Complicated #MomLife

22 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

Mineral-based broad spectrum sun protection for every type of skin and lifestyle. Formulated with transparent zinc oxide to help prevent early skin aging and skin cancer caused by the sun. MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. SEE YOUR LOCAL DERMATOLOGIST FOR A SKIN CHECK, AND VISIT ELTAMD.COM FOR MORE SUN SAFETY TIPS. #FACEUPTOSKINCANCER

LESS CITY LIGHTS. MORE SHOOTING STARS.

Plan your next Colo-Road Trip at COLORADO.COM

S PS EP CEI A CLI APA L PA R TR NTEN RES RES CETC IO TN ION

MOUNT EVANS

Rising to a staggering height of 14,130 feet above sea level, the highest paved road in North America is not for the faint of heart. Start your journey in Idaho Springs, where the Colorado gold rush began, then travel south on Highway 103. Once the timberline fades, the serpentine route reveals majestic stretches of sharp, craggy peaks. As you climb through the clouds, you may even share the road with grazing bighorn sheep and mountain goats. 2 HOURS 49 MILES FRONT RANGE REGION

THE SAN JUAN SKYWAY MOUNT EVANS

5 Can’t-Miss Scenic Byways in Colorado When you’re ready to road trip again, hit the open road in the Centennial State. The terrain’s geographic wonders will nourish your adventurous spirit and recharge your soul. (And charging doesn’t stop with you—EV stations are coming soon.)

This canyon-clinging 233-mile loop in the southwest region traverses the jagged, multicolor peaks of the San Juan Mountains and historic silver-boom towns of Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride and Cortez. Brave the heartpounding hairpin turns on the Million Dollar Highway, a 25-mile stretch between Silverton and Ouray, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of deep valleys.

MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY

7 HOURS 233 MILES SOUTHWEST REGION

HIGHWAY OF LEGENDS

Following a stretch of US Highway 160 and branching off on Colorado Highway 12, this scenic byway traces a line between Walsenburg to Trinidad. As the highway climbs to the Cuchara Pass, you’ll spy volcanic formations along the Spanish Peaks. The route cuts through ranchlands and forest as you head into Cokedale (its arched remnants of coal-smelting ovens look like Roman aqueducts) before concluding in Trinidad; its redbrick streets, hilly downtown and Victorian-era architecture are ripe for photo ops.

2 HOURS 82 MILES SOUTHERN COLORADO

WEST ELK LOOP

JUST OUTSIDE CRESTED BUTTE

HIGHWAY OF LEGENDS

DINOSAUR DIAMOND

This lasso-shaped loop encompasses three mining towns, verdant river valleys and abundant sources of wildlife. You’ll see historic towns like Redstone, aptly named for the rugged red sandstone surrounds, and Marble, the location of a vast marble quarry. Veering to the south, the loop passes the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and ends with a blooming finish in Crested Butte, the Wildflower Capital of Colorado.

Starting in Grand Junction and ending in Dinosaur, this multiday route through western Colorado traverses the region’s high plains and red-rock canyons and features some of the world’s largest collections of fossil quarries, interactive displays and museums. As the route loops through the Canyon Pintado National Historic District, keep an eye out for ancient petroglyphs and pictographs.

8–10 HOURS 205 MILES NORTHWEST + SOUTHWEST REGION

EXPLORE ITINERARIES AT

2–3 DAYS 486 MILES WESTERN COLORADO

coloradobyways.com

Prett y Smar t

Shampoo Specific to Your Strands PLUS SE VEN OTHER BE AUT Y BU YS TO S I M P L I F Y YO U R RO U T I N E By Lisa D eSantis

1 Ouai Daily Care Fine, Medium, and Thick Shampoos If you’re overwhelmed by shampoo options, you’ll love these. The three unique blends were formulated with different hair types and goals in mind. Think: volumizing for fine, shine-boosting for medium, and smoothing for thick. Nothing but good hair days ahead! TO BUY: $28 each; theouai.com.

26 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

W H AT W E LO V E

5 F O U N DAT I O N HYBRID

Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Makeup This creamy base offers an impressive SPF 45 and is packed with skin-loving probiotics. In 20 mediumto-full-coverage shades. TO BUY: $45; esteelauder.com.

P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E AT H E L L O A R T I S T S ; S M E A R S : B R I A N H E N N ; P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

2 P ORE PERFECTOR

Philosophy The Microdelivery Dream Peel Apply the fuchsia formula before bed (don’t worry—it dries clear) and wake up to glowier skin, thanks to alpha and beta hydroxy acids. TO BUY: $60; philosophy.com.

6 FULLER FRINGE

BareMinerals Strength & Length Mascara After sweeping on the growth-seruminfused formula, press the flat side of the wand against the back of your lashes for extra lift. TO BUY: $22; bareminerals.com.

3 PA RT P RO T E C T I O N

Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Defense Spray SPF 30 If you’ve ever fallen victim to a burned scalp, you know the discomfort and flaking that come with it. This lightweight shield protects skin without greasy residue. TO BUY: $11; amazon.com.

7 SUNSET SHADES

Glossier Skywash If you like a no-makeup makeup look, these cream-to-powder shadows are for you. The seven earthy tones are subtle yet buildable and add just enough dimension. TO BUY: $18 each; glossier.com.

4 NEW NUDES

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick Her original Pillow Talk shade was almost universal, but now Tilbury is even more inclusive, with new Intense (shown) and Medium versions—as well as matching liners. TO BUY: $34; charlottetilbury.com.

8 CUTICLE S C RU B B E R

Sally Hansen Nail Rehab Charcoal Resurfacer It’s like a detox for your nail beds. The charcoal attracts dirt while the little silicone nubs buff away dead skin, leaving you with a smooth surface. TO BUY: $10; ulta.com.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

W H AT W E LO V E

R o a d Te s t

Self-Tanner W H E T H E R YO U S P E N D YO U R SU M M E R O N T H E B E AC H O R H U G G I N G T H E AC, YO U ’D LOVE A LIT TLE COLOR. WE TRIED 25 F O R M U L A S T O F I N D T H E O N E S T H AT D E L I V E R A H E A LT H Y, S T R E A K- F R E E T A N — N O F U S S O R D A M A G I N G R AY S R E Q U I R E D . By Anneke Knot

B E S T S E RU M

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Face Serum A beach vacation in a bottle, this citrusscented serum offers a subtle tan as well as vitamins C and D. TO BUY: $30; sephora.com.

B E S T R E M OV E R

Australian Glow Tan Removal Mousse Tanning gone wrong? Skip the scrubbing. Just erase mistakes with this foam before showering. TO BUY: $25; australianglow.com.

ROAD TE ST

BEST SPF

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Body Shield Bronze SPF 50 It’s a sunscreen that lends a temporary glow— you’ll never forget to reapply again. TO BUY: $45; colorescience.com. Sol by Jergens Sunless Tanning Towelettes One of these large wipes is enough for your whole body, making self-tanning easier and tidier than ever. TO BUY: $20 for 6; target.com.

BEST MIST

Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Waters Longtime favorites of our beauty team, these color-correcting sprays are goofproof. Each pastel mist has active ingredients to both balance and darken your complexion. Peach brightens your skin tone, green neutralizes redness, and violet counteracts sallowness—while giving a light, medium, and dark tan, respectively. The best part: They go on clear and develop throughout the day. All you have to do is spray and go. TO BUY: $28 each; sephora.com.

28 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

BEST LOTION

Tan-Luxe The Gradual Tan Lotion This one is super hydrating, so skin feels smooth and looks radiant. Use daily to build your tan. TO BUY: $33; sephora.com.

P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

BEST WIPE

W H AT W E LO V E

Quick Ideas 1 CORN RELISH

The Staple

Frozen Corn Yes, sweet corn fresh off the cob is one of life’s true pleasures. But its season is so brief, and shucking isn’t exactly a busy-weeknight activity. Enter this tasty, convenient option. Frozen at the height of ripeness, it has a firm texture and pleasing flavor. Try it in a tangy relish for burgers or dogs, sautéed into buttery patties with pimiento cheese, or mixed with honey and cream for a delectable side.

Place 1 (14.4 oz.) bag thawed frozen corn kernels, 1 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper, and 1 Tbsp. mustard seeds in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. canola oil, and 1 Tbsp. kosher salt to a boil. Immediately pour over corn mixture. Let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate in resealable jars for up to 2 weeks. 2 P I M I E N TO F R I T T E R S

Combine 1 (14.4 oz.) bag thawed frozen corn kernels, 11/2 cups pimiento cheese, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp. baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. kosher salt in a large bowl. Heat a buttered nonstick skillet over medium. Working in batches, add 1/4-cup scoops of batter to skillet. Cook until browned and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels. 3 H O N E Y- B U T T E R CRE AMED CORN

Melt 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a skillet over medium; add 1 finely chopped small onion. Cook until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in 1 (14.4 oz.) bag frozen corn and 1/2 cup water. Cook, covered, 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 Tbsp. honey, 2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp. kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Puree half in a blender, stir back into skillet, and cook 5 minutes.

By Jenna Helwig Recipes by Anna Theoktisto

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R o a d Te s t

Here’s the Scoop AFTER SPOONING OUT AND LICKING UP 45 F RO ST Y B I T E S, O U R FO O D T E A M P I C K E D T H E B E ST I C E C R E A M S T O S AT I S F Y A L L Y O U R S U M M E R C R AV I N G S .

OFFSET

By Phoebe Fr y

Photograph by Leslie Grow

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

W H AT W E LO V E

ROAD TE ST

B E S T VA N I L L A

Maxine’s Sometimes—make that often—a pint is not enough. This pure, creamy, organic option comes in a family-size tub. TO BUY: $6.40 for 48 oz.; at grocery stores. B E S T C H O C O L AT E

Turkey Hill Sweet and totally nostalgic, this easy-to-eat pick gave us fond memories of ice cream cakes from childhood birthdays. TO BUY: $6 for 48 oz.; at grocery stores.

BEST MINT CHIP

Trader Joe’s While other brands tasted like toothpaste (no, thanks!), this one stood out with its cool zing and satisfying chocolate chunks. TO BUY: $4 for 32 oz.; at Trader Joe’s.

B E S T S T R AW B E R RY

Häagen-Dazs Bright and fruity, this one won us over with its minimal ingredient list and generous number of real strawberries. TO BUY: $5.50 for 14 oz.; at grocery stores.

Tillamook We swooned over the velvety chocolate base studded with crunchy almonds and gooey (in a good way) mini marshmallows. TO BUY: $7 for 56 oz.; at grocery stores.

34 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

BEST MANGO SORBET

Talenti Each spoonful of this refreshing dairy-free treat is bursting with the flavor of a ripe, just-picked mango. TO BUY: $6 for 16 oz.; at grocery stores.

Lactaid Vanilla No lactose, no problem! This silky, vanilla-beanspeckled number offers major richness without any, ahem, unwelcome side effects. TO BUY: $4 for 32 oz.; at grocery stores.

Find the best fixings for your sundae bar at realsimple.com/toppings.

P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

BEST L ACTOSE-FREE

B E S T RO C K Y ROA D

ECZEMA: UNDER CONTROL.

SO ROLL UP THOSE SLEEVES. DUPIXENT is a breakthrough in the treatment of uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) for ages 12 and up.

RACHEL, REAL PATIENT. Individual results may vary.

DUPIXENT helps restore the look and feel of skin. And it’s not a cream or steroid. It’s a biologic that continuously treats eczema over time–even between flare-ups. See and feel a significant difference with:

Clearer skin

•

Fast itch relief

• In clinical trials at 16 weeks, 37% of adults and 24% of teens (ages 12-17) saw clear or almost clear skin vs 9% and 2% not on DUPIXENT. • And 38% of adults and 37% of teens (ages 12-17) had significantly less itch vs 11% and 5% not on DUPIXENT.

TALK TO YOUR ECZEMA SPECIALIST AND VISIT DUPIXENT.COM OR CALL 1-844-DUPIXENT (1-844-387-4936) INDICATION DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat people 12 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT. Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: have eye problems; have a parasitic (helminth) infection; are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless

instructed by your healthcare provider. and tell your healthcare provider or This may cause other symptoms that get emergency help right away if you were controlled by the corticosteroid get any of the following symptoms: medicine to come back; are scheduled breathing problems, fever, general to receive any vaccinations. You should ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, not receive a “live vaccine” if you are swelling of the face, mouth and treated with DUPIXENT; are pregnant tongue, hives, itching, fainting, or plan to become pregnant. It is not dizziness, feeling lightheaded known whether DUPIXENT will harm (low blood pressure), joint pain, your unborn baby; are breastfeeding or skin rash. or plan to breastfeed. It is not known • Eye problems. Tell your healthcare whether DUPIXENT passes into your provider if you have any new or breast milk. worsening eye problems, including Tell your healthcare provider about eye pain or changes in vision. all the medicines you take, including The most common side effects in prescription and over-the-counter patients with atopic dermatitis medicines, vitamins and herbal include injection site reactions, eye supplements. If you are taking asthma and eyelid inflammation, including medicines, do not change or stop your redness, swelling and itching, and cold asthma medicine without talking to sores in your mouth or on your lips. your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you DUPIXENT can cause serious side have any side effect that bothers you or effects, including: that does not go away. These are not all • Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. including a severe reaction known Call your doctor for medical advice as anaphylaxis. Stop using DUPIXENT about side effects. You are encouraged

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR AS LITTLE AS A $0 COPAY*

to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed. DUPIXENT is an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give DUPIXENT injections, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. Please see Brief Summary on next page.

*Limitations apply. Visit DUPIXENT.com for full program terms.

Brief Summary of Important Patient Information about DUPIXENT® (dupilumab) Rx Only (DU-pix’-ent) injection, for subcutaneous use What is DUPIXENT? • DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used: – to treat people aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. • DUPIXENT works by blocking two proteins that contribute to a type of inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis. • It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age. Who should not use DUPIXENT? Do not use DUPIXENT if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT. See the end of this summary of information for a complete list of ingredients in DUPIXENT. What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DUPIXENT? Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: • have eye problems • have a parasitic (helminth) infection • are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine to come back. • are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” if you are treated with DUPIXENT. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby. Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. You can talk to your healthcare provider or contact 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/ dupixent/ to enroll in this registry or get more information. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. If you have asthma and are taking asthma medicines, do not change or stop your asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. How should I use DUPIXENT? • See the detailed “Instructions for Use” that comes with DUPIXENT for information on how to prepare and inject DUPIXENT and how to properly store and throw away (dispose of) used DUPIXENT pre-filled syringes. • Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. • DUPIXENT comes as a single-dose pre-filled syringe with needle shield. • DUPIXENT is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). • If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give the injections of DUPIXENT, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. • If you miss a dose of DUPIXENT, give the injection within 7 days from the missed dose, then continue with the original schedule. If the missed dose is not given within 7 days, wait until the next scheduled dose to give your DUPIXENT injection. • If you inject more DUPIXENT than prescribed, call your healthcare provider right away. • Your healthcare provider may prescribe other medicines to use with DUPIXENT. Use the other prescribed medicines exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of DUPIXENT? DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including: • Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), including a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms: breathing problems, fever, general ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, hives, itching, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure), joint pain, or skin rash. • Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision. The most common side effects of DUPIXENT include: injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling and itching, and cold sores in your mouth or on your lips. Eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling and itching have been seen in patients who have atopic dermatitis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. General information about the safe and effective use of DUPIXENT. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use DUPIXENT for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give DUPIXENT to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. This is a summary of the most important information about DUPIXENT for this use. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information about DUPIXENT that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information about DUPIXENT, go to www.DUPIXENT.com or call 1-844-DUPIXENT (1-844-387-4936) What are the ingredients in DUPIXENT? Active ingredient: dupilumab Inactive ingredients: L-arginine hydrochloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium acetate, sucrose, and water for injection Manufactured by: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591 U.S. License # 1760; Marketed by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, (Bridgewater, NJ 08807) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Tarrytown, NY 10591) DUPIXENT is a registered trademark of Sanofi Biotechnology / ©2019 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. / sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. All rights reserved. Issue Date: June 2019

DUP.19.08.0101

W H AT W E LO V E

2 T H RO W S H A D E

Quickly pop open this UVfiltering tent at the beach or in your yard—then fold it up into a slim, cabanastriped pouch. TO BUY: Fatboy USA x Miasun Sun Shade, $139; fatboy.com.

1 E C O - F R I E N D LY SHOPPING

Limit the single-use plastic in your cart and put fruits and veggies in these machine-washable sacks. TO BUY: Plastic Free Produce Bags, $15 for 3; uncommongoods.com.

Clever Items

3 JAVA T O G O

Even when camping or in a motel, you can brew a perfect cup of joe or shot of espresso with this compact, travel-friendly coffee press. Comes with paper filters. TO BUY: AeroPress Go, $32; aeropress.com.

LIT TLE HELPERS TO M A K E YO U R L I F E E A S I E R By Brandi Broxson

P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

Protects your valuables from cannonballs

R E A DY, A I M , WA S H

P O P S TA R S

Skip the soaking: Just spray some of this onto dirty pots and pans, wipe away the mess, and rinse. TO BUY: Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray, $5 for 16 oz.; target.com.

5 O N T H E F LY A N D D RY

At the pool, stash your stuff in this waterproof bag. Then zip your soggy suit in it on the way home. TO BUY: Aloha Mid SplashProof Pouch, $40; aloha-collection.com.

Fill these silicone molds with juice, yogurt, or even a cocktail and freeze for a chilly treat. TO BUY: Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Pop Makers, $13 for 6; amazon.com.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

Hip &

HISTORIC Stroll along charming streets where vintage buildings house contemporary uses. You’ll want to stay awhile in Frederick, Maryland. Embrace the lively and diverse art scene, buy local at dozens of specialty shops, then indulge in restaurants that will surprise and satisfy. Escape to picturesque national and state parks in our countryside, experience our storied past at Civil War battlefields, and unwind at our wineries, breweries, and distilleries.

visitfrederick.org • 800-999-3613

P R O P S B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E F O R H E L L O A R T I S T S

U N C O M M O N S O L U T I O N S T O E V E RY D AY P R O B L E M S

R E AL S IM PLEÕ S SU M M E R G IF T G U ID E C O N G R AT U L AT E , T H A N K , A N D C H E E R O N YO U R LOV E D O N E S W I T H THESE THOUGHTFUL PRESENTS. By Leslie Corona

P h o t o g r a p h s b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

WAT E R C O L O R S

A jewel-tone pitcher will brighten the bedside table in your host’s guest room. The ingenious lid doubles as a drinking glass. TO BUY: Two-Tone Carafe, $75; store.moma.org.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

1 STIR THINGS UP

When you go to the neighborhood mixer, bring these colorful spoons. TO BUY: Five Two Silicone Spoons, $49 for 5; food52.com. 2 T H I R D - DAT E RU L E

A Medjool date is the closest nature comes to making caramel. Get the three-pack of one-pound boxes, give two away, and enjoy one yourself. TO BUY: Gift Pack, $42 for 3 lb.; ranchomeladuco.com. 3 SOMETHING FISHY

FOR THE

hosts

Each outerspace-inspired lump of chalk is a hefty three inches.

The four separate dishes can stay assembled as a whole or be spread around the room. TO BUY: Celebrate Summer Together 4-Piece Fish Serving Set, $50; kohls.com. 4 CHALK IT UP

These wildly shaped chunks of chalk are a great gift for kids— and parents, since little ones will be kept busy for hours decorating the driveway. TO BUY: Moon Chalk Color Set, $34 for 3 pieces; areaware.com. 3

5 A L AY E R E D A P P ROA C H

Treat your host (and their green thumb!) to a stylish pot with a saucer that blends in with the rings. TO BUY: Tall Stacking Planter, $90; areaware.com.

6 WA X E LO Q U E N T

Friends who entertain may have more candles than they can shake a stick at, but probably lack holders as chic—not stuffy—as these. TO BUY: Flare Candleholders, $25 each; us.hay.com.

7 R AINB OW COLLECTION

The spectrum of colors is a bright take on this familyfavorite block-stacking game. TO BUY: Sunnylife Travel Jumbling Tower, $16; bando.com. 6 5

40 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

THE REALIST 1

1 CUSTOM BE ANS

He can be a real diva about his java. Let him take a preferences quiz and then receive a shipment of a roast chosen for his tastes. TO BUY: Coffee, from $12 per bag; drinktrade.com. 2 W R I T E AWAY

Clever desk organizer meets good old-fashioned entertainment: Pops can play the classic game of pegs with colored pencils, not golf tees, during downtime. TO BUY: Writer’s Block Game, $48; store.moma.org. 3 B A C K T O N AT U R E

Featuring icons from 61 national parks, this puzzle is just about all he needs for an afternoon or two of fun. TO BUY: 500-Piece National Parks Wilderness and Wonder Jigsaw Puzzle, $26; blueribbongeneralstore.com.

4 I N S I D E T H E B OX

FOR THE

dads 4

Who doesn’t like a good box? He can stash his treasured mementos and important documents in this sturdy steel container. TO BUY: 12-Inch Strongbox, $52; bestmadeco.com. 5 B E S T F O O T F O RWA R D

P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

Four bottles of real, made-inVermont maple syrup sweeten this deal.

For the sporty dad who’s chasing a 10K personal record, these “smart” insoles provide invaluable metrics, like cadence and step length. TO BUY: Nurvv Run, $300; us.nurvv.com. 5

6 WA F F L E H O U S E

He’s always (lovably, justifiably) bragging about his short-order cooking skills—so feed his ego with this kit that has a waffle iron, flour mix, and syrups. TO BUY: Breakfast Making Kit, $80; mancrates.com. 7 TA K E I T O U T S I D E

Combine the best parts of cornhole, washer toss, and Frisbee golf and you’ve got this quickassembly outdoor game that will keep him, his friends, and his neighbors occupied for hours. TO BUY: Bean Bag Bucketz, $60; amazon.com.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

1 L I G H T U P T H E RO O M

This funky neon sign is flexible, so your high school grad can mold it into truly personalized freshman dorm decor. TO BUY: Make Your Own Neon Sign, $20; blueribbongeneralstore.com. 2 M U LT I P U R P O S E PA C K I N G

Zipped shut, it’s a very stylish duffel. Opened, it’s a hanging organizer that keeps clothes and shoes within easy reach. TO BUY: The Weekender Bag, $80; greatusefulstuff.com.

FOR THE

3 M O R E -T H A N - O K B O O M E R

grads

This mini speaker gives mega sound. Perfect for postage-stamp dorm rooms, it slips onto a bookcase or mounts to the wall to become a sleek nightstand. TO BUY: Symfonisk WiFi Bookshelf Speaker, $99; ikea-usa.com.

4 MAKE A CASE 4 3

For the tech-obsessed teen whose skinny jeans don’t leave much to the imagination, let alone room for a PopSocket, this silicone case has a sliding strip that loops into a handle. TO BUY: Hand Strap Case, from $20; digitalnomadcorner.com. 5 G R E AT L E N G T H S

A valuable life lesson for graduates: When you have a ruler handy, you can measure that nightstand (or chair or coffeepot) so you don’t make expensive mistakes. TO BUY: Leather Covered Tape Measure, $42; leifshop.com. 5

6 T RU S T Y T O O L

Every grad should have an emergency kit. This canister contains more than 46 first-aid staples and doubles as a flashlight. TO BUY: VSSL First Aid Kit, $125; rei.com. 7 MIXED BAG

No more digging around the bottom of the tote—external pouches and pockets make pulling out pens and IDs so much simpler. TO BUY: OAD x CW Pencils Collab Tote, $85; oadnewyork.com.

42 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

THE REALIST

2 1 L OV E N E S T

All eight stoneware plates and bowls nestle together—it’s exactly the space-saving set a starter home needs. TO BUY: Luna Nesting Dinnerware Set, $120; bedbathandbeyond.com. 2 HOME SWEET HOME

Bees are good for a garden, and this tiny wooden box will give them a place to stay. TO BUY: Little Bee House, $12; blueribbongeneralstore.com. 3 C O O K WA R E T H AT SNUGGLES UP

Help get date night going with a colorful pan that includes a steamer basket, spatula, and easy-pour spout. TO BUY: Always Pan, $145; fromourplace.com. 4 GOING GLOBAL

FOR THE

newly weds

Jet-setting lovebirds can keep tabs on the places they’ve been—and the places they long to go. TO BUY: World Traveler’s Cork Globe, from $80; uncommongoods.com. 5 P RO D U C E B A G

Couples can haul home their farmers’ market finds in this felt carryall. A bamboo cutting board makes for a sturdy base—and facilitates impromptu picnics. TO BUY: Farmer’s Market Tote, $50; greatusefulstuff.com. 6 T H E G R E AT E S T THING SINCE…

This chic powder-coated bread box with a faux-leather handle keeps loaves fresh. TO BUY: Casetto Pull-Out Tray Breadbox, $100; store.moma.org.

P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

7 M A D E T O M AT C H

When they go on their beach-hopping honeymoon, they can twin in quick-drying cotton ponchos. TO BUY: Watego Ponchos, $75 each; maydestore.com.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

FE ATURING SOME ALL-TIME FAVES FROM ALLRECIPES

Take It Outside W E T E A M E D U P W I T H O U R F R I E N D S AT A L L R E C I P E S T O M A K E PA C K I N G A P I C N I C A S L O V E L Y I N P R A C T I C E A S I T I S I N T H E O R Y. By Jenna Helwig

44 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Photographs by Caitlin Bensel

THE REALIST

HOW TO PACK THEM

CHICKPEA SAL AD SANDWICHES ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 6

2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Wrap sandwiches in waxed paper or parchment, and place them near the top of the cooler or basket so they don’t get crushed.

1 cup finely chopped carrots 1 cup finely chopped celery 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 3/4 cup finely chopped cucumber 2/3 cup finely chopped zucchini 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion

1/8 tsp. cayenne 1–2 Tbsp. olive oil, or as needed 12 slices whole-wheat or Italian bread

1/4 tsp. paprika

chickpeas with a fork in a very large bowl. Stir in carrots, celery, bell pepper, cucumber, zucchini, onion, salad dressing, garlic, capers, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

BRUSH

1/4 cup Italian salad dressing 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped F O O D S T Y L I N G B Y M A R G A R E T D I C K E Y; P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y A U D R E Y D AV I S ; P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. capers, with liquid

MASH

oil on 1 side of each bread slice. Spoon chickpea mixture onto 6 slices. Top with remaining 6 bread slices, oiled sides down.

PA C K A P L A N E T- F R I E N D LY P I C N I C

B E E S WA X F O O D W R A P S

S O F T C O O L E R PA C K

These alternatives to plastic wrap—made from cotton, beeswax, natural oils, and pine resin—last up to a year. Gently wash and air-dry between uses. TO BUY: $22.50 for a variety pack of 3; beegoodwraps.com.

Go hands-free with this chic and surprisingly spacious 15-liter backpack cooler. Durable and just shy of three pounds (when empty), it’s perfect for days when a picnic is preceded by a hike or bike ride, or when you’re pushing a stroller. TO BUY: $175; hydroflask.com.

R EC YC L E D - B A M B O O PICNIC SET

C O M P O S TA B L E CU T L E RY

These plates and cups are as handy at a backyard cookout as they are on a blanket in the park. The lid works as a tray to hold cups steady on uneven ground. TO BUY: $64 for 10 pieces; food52.com.

Stronger than most disposables and more sustainable, these utensils can be washed and reused. And they’re made of biodegradable CPLA plastic, so you can compost them. TO BUY: $5 for 24 pieces; grove.co.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 8

8 cups cubed seedless watermelon 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved ½ cup sugar ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 4 lemons)

46 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

in 2 batches, add watermelon, strawberries, 2 cups water, sugar, and lemon juice to a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pitcher. Chill until ready to serve. WORKING

HOW TO PACK IT

Tote the lemonade in a sealed bottle in a cooler. Pack ice in a gallonsize ziplock bag to keep food cool, then use it to chill drinks.

B L O C K S T H R O W I N B L U E , $ 1 5 0 ; M I N N A - G O O D S . C O M . R I G -T I G G L A S S W AT E R C A R A F E , $ 3 0 ; F O O D 5 2 . C O M

WAT E R M E L O N A N D S T R AW B E R RY L E M O N A D E

THE REALIST

HOW TO PACK IT

Transport the slaw in a reusable container that doubles as a serving dish. Take care to make sure it stays chilled. Bring tongs or a spoon for portioning out, and forks for digging in!

RED C ABBAGE S L AW ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS, 15 MINUTES (INCLUDES CHILLING) SERVES 6

1 small head red cabbage, thinly sliced and chopped (6 cups) ½ cup grated carrot ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup chopped walnuts 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 tsp. sugar, or more to taste 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper 1 green onion, chopped all ingredients except onion in a bowl until well combined. Chill, covered, for at least 4 hours. Top with onion. STIR

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

THE REALIST

YOUR PICNIC CHECKLIST Cooler Ice packs or ice cubes Napkins Plates and cutlery Cups or glasses Serving utensils Corkscrew or bottle opener

Bug spray Wet wipes Trash bag Dish towel(s), to wipe spills and cover food Sunscreen Lots of water, in addition to other drinks

M E LT- I N -Y O U R - M O U T H B L U E B E R RY C A K E ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 20 MINUTES SERVES 12

1½ cups plus 1 Tbsp. flour, divided, plus more for pan 1 tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. kosher salt ½ cup unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided 2 eggs, whites and yolks separated 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/3 cup milk 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries 1 Tbsp. Turbinado sugar oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan. PREHEAT

48 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl for 30 seconds. Beat in ½ cup granulated sugar until combined. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Add flour mixture and milk alternately, beating on low after each addition, until just combined. Toss blueberries with remaining 1 tablespoon flour in a bowl, then fold into batter. STIR

beaters, then beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form. Stir a third of egg whites into batter, then fold in remaining egg whites. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle with Turbinado sugar. WASH

until a toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. BAKE

HOW TO PACK IT

Cut the cake into squares and place in a sturdy glass or plastic container.

Before you head outside, brush up on the rules for packing a food-safe picnic at realsimple.com/ picnicsmarts.

B A M B O O P L AT E S ; X E N I ATA L E R . C O M F O R I N F O

Blanket, preferably waterproof on one side

It starts here. The perfect bun. From a Sloppy Joe to a French Dip, your bun is the one ingredient that will make or break your burger, dog, or sandwich.

That’s why our bakers have been working tirelessly — tweaking recipes and adjusting batches to find the perfect indulgent combination of soft texture, subtle sweetness, and pure goodness.

and ends here. Introducing Brioche Style Buns

naturesownrecipes.com

Delivers the head-to-toe protection & clean you need. And, 100% biodegradable formulas help protect our waterways.

B E S I D E S W E A R I N G S P F D A I LY A N D G E T T I N G Y O U R R E G U L A R S K I N C H E C K ,

W H A T A R E Y O U D O I N G T O S T AY S U N - S A F E ? H E R E ’ S H O W

T H E P RO S W O U L D I M P ROV E O N 1 1 W O M E N ’ S R E A L- L I F E RO U T I N E S.

By Lisa D eSantis

52 RE AL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Photographs by Ericka McConnell

W A R D R O B E S T Y L I N G B Y A L I P E W ; H A I R B Y N AT H A N I E L D E Z A N AT O P U S B E A U T Y U S I N G O R I B E ; M A K E U P B Y N I C O L E C H E W AT A R T D E P T; M A N I C U R E B Y T R A C Y C L E M E N S AT O P U S B E A U T Y U S I N G C H A N E L L E V E R N I S ; P R O D U C E D B Y E L L I E S T I L L S ; P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

Healthy Summer Skin (Derm Advice Edition!)

THE REALIST

To protect your face and neck, “wear UV sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat rather than a baseball cap,” says Doris Day, MD. Sun Damage Is Cumulative “I grew up in the ’70s in Bakersfield, California. Our summers were very hot, and we all sunbathed poolside with baby oil and spent hours baking in the sun. I had plenty of bad burns in my childhood and remember my nose, back, and shoulders peeling. I’m now 51 and haven’t had any cancerous or precancerous skin issues yet. I wear sunscreen—but my arms and legs are showing signs of skin damage, with brown spots.” JOAN, DATE FARMER IN NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA

The derm says: “Using SPF 50 or higher is fantastic, but you are all your exposures that occur over your lifetime—increasing your risk of premature aging and brown spots.” DORIS DAY, MD, DERMATOLOGIST IN NEW YORK CITY AND COHOST OF THE GIST ON YOUTUBE

Isdin Eryfotona Ageless SPF 50+, $66; isdin.com/us. PREVENT NEW SPOTS:

Get Your Vitamins

“I use SPF lip balm, but it wears off so quickly. I’m worried I’ll get skin cancer on the unseen borders of my lips, and then my vigilance will have been for nothing.”

“I wear sunscreen on my face nearly every day, but I don’t apply it to my body unless I plan to be outside for an extended period of time. I commute to work by bike, and I’m vitamin D deficient, so in the summer I enjoy getting a little sun on my arms (without sunscreen) during my 15-minute ride.”

MELANIE, REAL SIMPLE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR IN SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY

MOLLY, EDITOR AND OUTDOOR-EXERCISE ENTHUSIAST IN NEW YORK CITY

The derm says: “Apply your normal sunscreen to your lips too, and carry an SPF lip balm for frequent reapplication. There are even tinted lip stains with SPF now.”

The derm says: “I hear that vitamin D excuse a lot, but there’s no good evidence that sunscreen leads to a vitamin D deficiency. The reality is, sunscreen isn’t perfect and can’t filter out all the rays, so you’re still getting exposure just being outside. The best way to up your vitamin D level is to eat a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in the vitamin, like salmon and tuna. And maybe take a supplement, depending on your deficiency level.”

Protect Your Pout

ELYSE LOVE, MD, DERMATOLOGIST IN NEW YORK CITY

Colorescience Total Protection SPF 50 Lip and Cheek Balm, $29; colorescience.com. GO FOR:

Everyone Needs SPF “When I was 12, I went to Mexico and came back with my entire body sunburned. I’d never had a sunburn before—I thought it was some sort of crazy skin reaction until my mom told me it was from not wearing SPF. I’m African American, and I think a lot of people with melanin-rich skin think they don’t need sunscreen, but that’s not true. I apply it daily, especially on my face and neck, and have zero sun spots or wrinkles. I’m glad I learned early.”

TIFFANY LIBBY, MD, DERMATOLOGIST AND MOHS SURGEON IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Solgar Vitamin D3 (600 IU), $11; vitaminshoppe.com. TRY:

CHRYSTINA, MARKETING EXECUTIVE IN LOS ANGELES

The derm says: “There’s a common phrase: ‘Black don’t crack.’ But it does. It’s true that darker skin has some natural protection from the sun, but it’s nowhere near the SPF recommended for daily use. Luckily, sunscreen has been revolutionized in the past decade. There are plenty of sheer versions that don’t leave a white cast on darker skin.” ELYSE LOVE, MD

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55, $11; at drugstores. A GOOD OPTION FOR ALL SKIN TONES:

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

THE REALIST

Curate a Sunscreen Wardrobe “I’m religious about applying sunscreen if I’m on vacation or outside a lot. I know I should wear it year-round—but I just don’t. It’s a hassle to put on, and I don’t like the smell of it.” HEATHER, CONTENT STRATEGIST IN NEW YORK CITY

Boost Your Beach Behavior “We both love to be outdoors as much as possible, and we film workouts on the beach all the time. We’re adamant about wearing sunscreen. There are so many good options these days—we love anything that smells delicious and tropical and doesn’t feel greasy.”

The derm says: “You should have different sunscreens for different purposes. There are now more options than ever, so it may just take some trial and error before you find one you like for everyday wear. SPF 30 sunscreens are great for the face, and a tinted version can be used instead of foundation. Keep the sticky, higher-SPF formulas for when you’ll be in direct sun for more than 15 minutes.” LESLIE BAUMANN, MD, DERMATOLOGIST IN MIAMI, FLORIDA

Australian Gold Botanical Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, $15; target.com. WE LIKE:

KARENA AND KATRINA, FITNESS TRAINERS AND FOUNDERS OF TONE IT UP IN MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA

The derm says: “If your daily work requires you to be outside on the beach, it’s especially important to wear sunscreen and use sun-protective measures. Make sure you have a reapplication sunscreen ready—lotions give better coverage, but sticks, sprays, and powder formulas are also good for touch-ups. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays are typically strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so it would be a good sun-safety measure to schedule your filming around those hours. Try earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon—a sunset shoot!” TIFFANY LIBBY, MD

Bare Republic Face Gel Lotion SPF 30, $17, and Gel Lotion for Body SPF 30, $17; gobareoutside.com. A SMART DUO:

“You should perform self-checks; go to aad.org for a how-to. Half of melanomas are self-detected,” says Tiffany Libby, MD.

54 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Reapplication Is Key “Every morning, before I put on my makeup, I use SkinMedica Total Defense Repair SPF 50. During the day, I try to reapply anytime I set foot outside. Since I’m constantly on the go, I always carry another sunscreen in my work bag.” NANCY, TEACHER IN MIAMI, FLORIDA

The derm says: “This is excellent— very few people actually reapply. If you want to do so without ruining your makeup, SPF powders are good.” ELYSE LOVE, MD

Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen, $50; janeiredale.com. TRY:

When getting your kids—or partner—to wear sunscreen, “it’s all about education, but bribery also works!” Day says.

Dress to Protect “I’m a bit of a weekend warrior. I’m in the office all week and then get outside when I can. The thing is, I’m always cold, so when I’m outdoors, I want to be in the sun— even though I know it’s best to stay in the shade.” LAUREN, REALSIMPLE.COM EDITOR IN NEW YORK CITY

The derm says: “The weekend warrior effect is related to how skin responds to intermittent sun exposure, not necessarily the amount of time exposed. If you’re planning to spend several hours in the sun, consider sun-protective clothing and hats. They can be more effective than SPF because they provide consistent protection and you don’t have to worry about application errors or reapplication.” ELYSE LOVE, MD

Lands’ End Women’s Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Tunic Rash Guard Cover-Up UPF 50 Sun Protection Print, $70; landsend.com. WE LIKE:

Choose an Eye-Friendly Formula “I’ve resisted sunscreen for a long time because it can make my Latina skin look pasty white and crazy greasy. I also hate how it stings my eyes when I’m exercising.” LESLIE, REAL SIMPLE EDITOR AND OUTDOOR RUNNER IN NEW YORK CITY

The derm says: “If you have oily skin, you’ll prefer a gel-based SPF rather than a cream. Avobenzone can sting the eyes, so try to avoid that ingredient, and choose a water-resistant formula that won’t run.”

Save Your Swim “I wear sunscreen, but I’m not sure about waterproof products. Are they truly useful? If I get in the ocean or pool, how much time do I have before I need to reapply?” DAWN, COOKBOOK AUTHOR IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

The derm says: “One of the key terms to look for on the label is ‘water-resistant.’ This means the product’s SPF will be maintained whether you’re in or out of the water. Some are water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, and others for up to 80 minutes. You still have to reapply, but this offers adequate sun protection if you are engaging in water activities. As annoying as it may be, it’s a good habit—and the most effective method of protection—to reapply every time you get out of the water.” TIFFANY LIBBY, MD

Coppertone Sport Clear SPF 50, $8; target.com. A GOOD ONE:

LESLIE BAUMANN, MD

EltaMD UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ Full Body Physical Sunscreen, $29; dermstore.com. A DERM FAVORITE:

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

THE REALIST

1 S TO R E S P R AY PA I N T S I D E WAY S

Place spray cans on their sides in stacked water bottle holders: Their caps will face you, so you can see the colors and grab what you need. TO BUY: 3-Bottle Water Bottle Holder Storage Organizer Racks, $25 for 2; mdesign homedecor.com.

2 P O U R PA I N T I N TO S M A L L E R C O N TA I N E R S

If you used most of a gallon, decant the remainder into a small mason jar. Tightly seal the lid and label the jar with the paint info.

3 S TA S H S U P P L I E S N E A R BY

Hang your brushes, rollers, tape, and painter’s tool on S hooks along the edge of a shelf. Corral stir sticks and roller covers in magazine holders. TO BUY: iDesign Classico Chrome Metal S-Hook, $4, and Sage Poppin Magazine Holders, $17 each; containerstore.com.

4 G E T S P EC I F I C

5 M A K E A RO O M REFERENCE

Organize This

A Primer for Paint Storage Y O U R N E W LY PA I N T E D W A L L S L O O K G R E A T, B U T T H E

In your binder of warranties and manuals, include a roomby-room list of paint colors, finishes, and quantities used to guide your future touch-ups or repainting jobs.

L E F T OV E R S U P P L I E S A R E C R E AT I N G C H AO S I N T H E G A R AG E . P RO F E S S I O N A L O RG A N I Z E R S AT S O RT A N D S W E E T S H A R E H OW TO K E E P T H O S E C A N S U N D E R CO N T RO L. By Stephanie Sisco

56 RE AL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

O U R E X P E RT S MARY CORNETTA AND MARGARET HENFLING, CO-OWNERS OF SORT AND SWEET INC.

P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E F O R H E L L O A R T I S T S

Whenever you put away a can—whether it’s opened or brand-new—attach a detailed label identifying the color and finish, as well as where and when you used it (“Semigloss white, kitchen molding, June 2020”). TO BUY: Fill-in-theBlank Combo Pack, $6 for 6 labels; whatsthatpaint.com.

CONFIDENCE. QUALITY. ALWAYS COMPLEMENTARY.

The Home Depot’s exclusive lineup of top-rated BEHR interior paints makes it easier than ever to get it done right the first time. That means every paint project begins and ends with pure quality. And peace of mind. Visit homedepot.com/paint to learn more. ®

BEHR Charcoal Blue N490-5

Trademarks owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.

MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS IN A MODERN WORLD

5 Ways the World Is Changing for the Better E V E N W H E N I T F E E L S L I K E E V E RY T H I N G I S FA L L I N G A PA R T, T R U S T U S : STO C KSY

T H E R E ’ S P L E N T Y T O B E U P B E A T A B O U T. By Sharlene Breakey

Photograph by Pe r S w a n t e s s o n

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

We have the means to halt climate change.

Teen climate activists, like Greta Thunberg, are creating excitement and concern. If we work hard to increase solar, wind, and electric energy rates, we could fulfill the planet’s energy needs by about 2037. It’s time to spread that message, pushing governments and the financial sector to seize opportunity the way we did during World War II. We’ve forgotten how good America has been at dealing with emergencies. The first step is treating the climate crisis like one.

Tough times incite social good. I’ve never seen such hunger for American political history and the place women and people of color have in it. That coincides with a greater diversity of historians, who are finally showing us we don’t always know what we think we know. And while it might seem like the country has never been worse off, it’s important to remember that the founding fathers felt that way too—disease was rampant; inequity and corruption were rife—and they viewed it as an opportunity for change. That’s why the colonists rebelled. Perhaps we’ll begin to feel that today: We can’t wait one more day to spark change. ALEXIS COE IS A HISTORIAN AND THE AUTHOR OF YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST: A BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.

SAUL GRIFFITH, PHD, IS AN INVENTOR, ENGINEER, AND AUTHOR.

Mental health is top of mind.

The homeless are getting homes. Cities and countries are adopting the Housing First model, which grants access to homes as the first step, reversing the conventional wisdom that homelessness is solved by giving people jobs, which in turn gets them money and shelter. Housing First moved over 1,000 people off the streets of Atlanta in 2013, and since 2015 homelessness has decreased by 25 percent. In Utah, homelessness dropped by 91 percent between 2005 and 2015. Around the world, Housing First is getting thousands of people off the streets—proving homelessness can be reduced. DAVID BYRNE IS THE LEAD SINGER OF TALKING HEADS AND FOUNDER OF THE NEW WEBSITE REASONSTOBECHEERFUL.WORLD, A NONPROFIT EDITORIAL PROJECT.

60 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

A few years ago, we noticed a decline in well-being and a steep increase in anxiety. Part of that may have been related to the rise of social media, but the good news is that the tech world has begun to take mental health seriously. We see this on our app, as people have started to share their insecurities and traumas. Instead of showing only their best selves online and retreating into silence, they’re genuinely connecting both digitally and in person. They want to talk about their anxiety and depression with others, and we call that “community care”—the idea that we’re stronger when we take care of ourselves together. NAOMI HIRABAYASHI AND MARAH LIDEY ARE THE CREATORS OF SHINE, AN APP THAT FOCUSES ON SELF-CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

There are fewer deaths from natural disasters. When you look at the numbers, you realize how much better off we are now than we were 100 years ago. When severe weather, floods, and landslides used to happen, we were far less prepared. We’re also better at predicting when disaster will strike, so we can take measures to protect ourselves. The numbers tell us that we’re skilled at finding solutions to big problems and that we can do it when we work together. ANNA ROSLING RÖNNLUND IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF GAPMINDER.ORG AND A COAUTHOR OF FACTFULNESS: TEN REASONS WE’RE WRONG ABOUT THE WORLD—AND WHY THINGS ARE BETTER THAN YOU THINK.

R E L AT I N G

Modern Manners R E A L S I M P L E ’ S E T I Q U E T T E E X P E R T, C AT H E R I N E N E W M A N , O F F E R S HER BEST ADVICE ON YO U R S O C I A L Q UA N DA R I E S.

A.H. A SKS...

Whenever she comes over, a close friend insists on cleaning up after dinner. I’m very particular about how I clean and put things away, and I’ve tried to say this as clearly as possible. But after our last dinner, there she was, going through my cabinets looking for my Tupperware. It made me very uncomfortable! How do I get her to understand that what she sees as helpful is actually stressful to me?

62 RE AL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Our friends’ children, ages 12, 10, and 6, are into all kinds of sports. The parents are on a healthy-eating kick and expect the kids to be also. I think the diet is too strict for active children—one day, the girl had a cross-country race in the morning and a swim meet in the afternoon, and she told me she was tired. Would I be out of line to suggest they reconsider how they feed the kids?

ABOUT C AT H E R I N E The author of How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn Before You’re Grown Up, Catherine Newman has shared her wisdom on matters ranging from family and friends to happiness and pickling in numerous publications. She gets advice from her husband and two opinionated, largely grown children in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Your friends are lucky you care so deeply. But the kids aren’t sick or injured—they’re tired. Which is how kids often feel, especially ones who get up early, play sports, and are offered a kind ear. Many schools require an annual physical, and these children also have the attention of their coaches. Other people’s diets and parenting methods are easy to misinterpret. My grandparents were convinced that I, a teenage vegetarian, was wasting away. (I wasn’t.) If your concern for the kids’ health becomes greater than your desire for a friendship with the parents, say something. Otherwise, assume that your judgment will be unwelcome and that there’s more to the picture than what you see.

I l l u s t r a t i o n s b y Yo c o N a g a m i y a

C AT H E R I N E N E W M A N I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y U L I K N Ö R Z E R

My very particular husband sympathizes with your plight. What he says to our guests is: “Please come and have another glass of wine in the living room. I’m a total control freak, and if you load the dishwasher, I’m just going to have to reload it when you leave.” This is not only a good way to encourage our guests to relax—it’s also true. And yet my daughter, speaking for the introverts, notes that sometimes folks wander into the kitchen to help because they’re all schmoozed out. If that’s the case with your friend, give her a specific assignment and a dish towel: “Would you be willing to wash and dry the teaspoons for me? We’ll need them for coffee a little later.” Know that she’s trying to help—and help her in turn, if you can.

D. F. A S K S . . .

K.L. A SKS...

I have a new job and am surprised I don’t receive a hello, good morning, or other salutation from two of my coworkers.(Very rarely, there might be a short “hi.”) What’s the etiquette for greeting coworkers? C . F. A S K S . . .

My own MO is definitely a big smile and a booming “Good morning!” That said, the fact that your coworkers do offer “a short ‘hi’ ” makes me wonder if you’re being cued about the culture of your new workplace. It’s not that folks don’t greet one another but that they don’t want to stop and talk while there’s work to be done. Can you meet them in the middle? Keep infusing the environment with your congeniality, but make sure you’re not the person who waylays coworkers with chitchat. Beyond that, figure your colleagues are shy or stressed—not out to make you unhappy.

S .W. A S K S . . .

My husband cleans his teeth with a toothpick after eating, while we’re watching TV or reading. I usually ask him to stop. When his family visits, they also whip out their toothpicks. Yuck. Am I overreacting? It’s an enduring paradox: Correcting other people’s manners is, in fact, rude. Still, picking your teeth in public is a classic don’t. But as long as restaurants give out toothpicks, there must be some expectation that people will openly use them—as multiple people in your life seem to. The one exception here is your husband, since it’s reasonable to ask a spouse to accommodate at least a few of your pet peeves. But be as gracious as you can: “Honey, I’m sorry. Would you indulge me and do that privately?” Sweeten the mood by holding—and thereby occupying—his tooth-picking hand.

After having children, a couple of my longtime close friends became so wrapped up in their own lives that they don’t ask about me, seem uninterested when I talk about my life, and prefer to gossip about other people and discuss how their children are superior to mine. Should I let these friendships die out? If so, what do I say, if anything? Life is short and there is no time for toxic friends. Unlike family, friendships are fostered intentionally. We keep friendships not because we have to but because they make us happy. And if they stop making us happy? Then it’s time to let them go. Hold in your heart what you loved about your friends, understand that you’re losing something that doesn’t exist anymore, and then stop making plans to see them. You don’t need to have a huge reckoning, unless you want to. You can simply run into these folks at parties or chat on social media and, instead of feeling horror, enjoy a moment of nostalgic fondness.

H AV E A N E T I Q U E T T E Q U E S T I O N ? Hover your phone’s camera here to submit your question for Catherine, or email her at modernmanners@realsimple.com.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

The Gear

D E LUX E R I D E

This mesh-sided carrier folds flat and has a back pocket for treats. TO BUY: Frisco Indoor & Outdoor Soft Dog Crate, from $33; chewy.com.

Pe t Tr i c k s

Stress-Free Vet Visits E A SY STEP S TO MAKE D O CTOR’S APP OINTMENTS MORE P L E A S A N T FO R YO U A N D YO U R A N I M A L SIMPLE RESTR AINT

Nail the Timeline

Gather Evidence

Keep Calm

Your pet should get a checkup once a year, though senior animals may need to be seen more frequently. If you’ll be transporting your dog in a carrier, help him grow accustomed to it first: Leave it out at least a week in advance (or all the time) and line it with a fluffy towel or blanket to lure him in. This may work for skittish cats too—simply placing a treat in the carrier won’t always do the trick. (A cat may also dart out quickly after eating it.) Aim to take pets on regular drives so they don’t associate the car only with the vet.

Before your appointment, write down any questions you want to ask in case you forget them in the exam room. Since animals won’t always replicate problematic behaviors at the vet, try to catch them on video at home. Note the location of any worrisome lumps or bumps so you can easily find them (snip the hair a bit to help you mark the spot). And if your pet has been given a prescription by another vet, bring the medication to your appointment.

Pack special-occasion treats, and withhold a little food the morning of your visit to make them extra enticing. About 15 minutes before you head out, spritz the inside of your car and anything you’re bringing to the vet with a pheromone spray, like Adaptil. If you have an aggressive or anxious pet, ask to wait in the car until an exam room opens up. You can also request that your pet be examined in your lap or on the floor. If your pet is still stressed despite your best efforts, talk to your vet about prescribing something to help calm him.

O U R E X P E RT S KELLY C. BALLANTYNE, DVM, VETERINARY BEHAVIORIST AT INSIGHT ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SERVICES IN CHICAGO MARTY BECKER, DVM, FOUNDER OF FEAR FREE HAPPY HOMES AND VETERINARIAN AT NORTH IDAHO ANIMAL HOSPITAL IN SANDPOINT, IDAHO

If your dog will need a muzzle, bringing your own can make him more comfortable. This one is adjustable and easy to slip on and off. TO BUY: Four Flags Over Aspen Original Quick Muzzle for Dogs, from $10; fourflags.com.

S O OT H I N G S P R AY

Dog moms give off pheromones to help soothe their nursing pups. This synthetic version has a similarly calming effect. TO BUY: Adaptil Travel, $35; petsmart.com.

ANN HOHENHAUS, DVM, STAFF DOCTOR AT THE ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY

64 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

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R E L AT I N G

Good Read

Dress Like a Box of Crayons A N A L L - B L A C K W A R D R O B E M AY H A V E B E E N T H E U N I F O R M O F T H E S O P H I ST I C AT E S S U R RO U N D I N G H E R , B U T C A RO L I N E Z A N C A N H A D TO L E T H E R R A I N B OW S H I N E T H RO U G H.

and everyone knows it. This presented something of a conundrum for me at 23. I was as close as I’d ever been to full citizenship of the city, having just landed my dream job and first Brooklyn apartment. I had at least earned the right to start the clock ticking toward the 5 or 10 or 900 years people insist it takes to lay any sort of claim to this city I’d been loving from afar for years. But as I began the daunting task of upgrading my wardrobe for working adulthood, every piece of clothing I was drawn to was, well, not exactly in a muted tone. I could not understand why, R E A L N E W YO R K E R S W E A R B L AC K ,

66 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

H E A D S H O T C O U R T E S Y O F S Y LV I E R O S O K O F F

once you knew an item existed in Skittles purple or airfreshener green, you would opt to purchase it in the abundantly more practical navy or cream or New Yorker black. What true greatness has ever come from such sensibleness? And how in the world did the most outrageous, revolutionary city get in cahoots with the most sober, dignified color anyway? At the end of my first full week on the job, an older colleague told me I dressed like a box of crayons. I’m still not sure if she intended it as a compliment. The first piece of my adult wardrobe I wore through completely was a pair of birthday-party-pink jeans I routinely combined with red sneakers. A few years later, my boss asked me if something was wrong. When, panicked, I asked her what she meant, she pointed out that I was wearing only two primary colors— which had immediately presented cause for concern. The colors I wore never dimmed as my job titles changed and my responsibilities grew. To this day, if I have an upcoming meeting that’s making me anxious, I know there are just two things to be done: Prepare like my job depends on it, and make sure my lucky chicken sweater—the one with the greenand-yellow likeness of the gorgeous creature in front of a brilliantly bold red-and-blue background—is clean and ready. Cynics might suggest that all this brightness is a grab for attention, or that I’m spending so much effort in one area to make up for a deficit in another. But while I confess that I’m a middle child born a scant four days before Christmas, I can say in all honesty that even my most carefully, lovingly selected outfit has been assembled with zero vanity. I’ll wear my favorite ensembles without brushing my hair with any degree of competence, and I’m simply not talented enough at applying makeup to wear it in public. It’s not that my dress is meant to make a favorable impression at the party. It’s that the dress is the party—a commitment to the possibility that there is always, always something to celebrate, no matter how much else is going wrong. There are myriad benefits to my Day-Glo wardrobe. I’m easier to spot in a crowd, for one. But I realize, a decade in to this habit, that the real reason I wear bright colors is that important moments are conjured in ever more vivid detail. I remember the exact piece of clothing I had on at each milestone— the Peeps-yellow eyelet sundress I wore on my first date with my now husband, the blue-and-white-striped dress, with a ruffle that wound itself into a giant flower at the chest, that I

My dress isn’t meant to make a favorable impression at the party. The dress is the party—a commitment to the possibility there’s always something to celebrate.

wore to pitch the first book I acquired as a book editor. I remember my life in magenta-blazer moments and chicken-sweater moments. I can’t say with any certainty that they’re easier to keep straight than black-silk-blouse or black-wool-jumper moments, because I still don’t own any black clothing. Perhaps most vivid of all is the billowy silk dream of a dress I wore one day in July. Like a good New Yorker, I worked right up until the moment I could no longer deny I was in active labor. I took the subway home only to hail an Uber to take me to the hospital. I cursed at the rush-hour traffic as the contractions became five minutes, and then three minutes, and then one minute apart. When I see the traffic finally let up during the last, desperate leg of the journey, the dress is always part of the vision. We landed at the hospital a mere 10 minutes before the most radiant creature I’d ever seen arrived, so quickly there was no time to pop an Advil or change into a hospital gown. I was never going to forget the day, obviously, or the ride. But because of the relentlessly cheerful, it’s-all-going-to-hell-but-I’m-still-smiling shade, just a hair past “house fire” on the orange-to-red spectrum, I’ll never forget the dress either. For reasons I’ll leave politely to your imagination, the dress is no longer fit to be worn, but it stays tucked deeply in the back of my closet. Even wrapped in all that dry-cleaning packaging and buried under countless layers of dresses still in glorious, unsulABOUT THE lied rotation, it calls my eye whenever I peek in AU T H O R to survey the day’s options. I love that dress for a Caroline Zancan wrote the novel lot of reasons, not least because, like so many of We Wish You Luck, my very favorite New Yorkers, it understands that which came out in sometimes more is more, and sometimes bold January. She lives in New Jersey with choices and grand entrances are in order. It knows her husband, two life is an event rather than something to simply children, and colorful survive. RSVP yes with your outfit. chicken sweater.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

What’s New in Food Allergy Etiquette A R E C O R D N U M B E R O F K I D S A N D A D U LT S A R E I N D A N G E R O F S U F F E R I N G S E R I O U S A L L E R G I C R E A C T I O N S T O E V E RY D AY F O O D S T H E R E S T O F U S E A T W I T H O U T A S E C O N D T H O U G H T. H E R E ’ S H O W T O B E A G O O D N E I G H B O R A N D M A K E O U R S H A R E D S PA C E S S A F E A N D F U N F O R E V E RY O N E . By Esther Landhuis

68 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Illustrations by Asia Pietrzyk

R E L AT I N G

YO U ’ R E WAT C H I N G YO U R K I D

at the playground, waiting at jury duty, or stuck on a commuter train, and—after some audible stomach growls—you grab a nutty snack bar from your bag and rip it open. Maybe you feel a twinge of guilt: You just read a Facebook post from a mom whose kid has a deadly nut allergy. Squelching the passing thought, you wolf down the bar, considerately ensuring no crumbs get left on a public surface. But shouldn’t you do the neighborly thing and not carry a snack that, while harmless to you, could kick off a dangerous reaction in someone else? You may be surprised to learn that many doctors and educated food allergy families don’t expect the world to change how it eats— and wouldn’t expect you to stop carrying around your favorite energy bar. (Though many schools do institute rules to keep allergic kids safe—more on that later.) These situations can be “highly nuanced and emotional,” says David Stukus, MD, a pediatric allergist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “They require careful discussion of actual versus perceived risk, shared decision-making, and education surrounding food allergen exposure.” If we understood more about the science and everyday reality of living with food allergies, we might be a little kinder, a little more inclusive, and a little more willing to take small steps that could help.

A GROWING YE T INVISIBLE S COURGE An estimated 32 million Americans are living with food allergies— about 5.6 million are under age 18—and cases are rising here and around the world. Airlines are required to allow passengers with severe food allergies to preboard so they can wipe down surfaces around their seats, and many schools reserve lunch tables for allergic kids. In January, the FDA approved the first food allergy treatment: a set of daily capsules that can make the immune system less reactive to peanuts over time. And at least 15 more companies are developing remedies, including vaccines, probiotics, and even a toothpaste. While these therapies could bring relief, they are not cures. Allergic individuals still need to watch what they eat and carry epinephrine for emergency reactions.

Despite increased attention to this global health concern, many families with food allergies feel overlooked or misunderstood. Unlike, say, cat allergies or seasonal allergies, which can usually be managed with readily available over-the-counter and prescription treatments, food allergies can require years of self-education and experimentation to find a system that works. Gwen Smith, founder of the news website Allergic Living, first suspected she had food allergies in her 30s, when she got hives after eating shrimp. By the time a friend drove her to a hospital less than 10 minutes away, “I could barely breathe,” Smith says. “They had the crash cart, and my blood pressure was dropping.” After getting diagnosed with shellfish and soy allergies, she realized she’d had symptoms before—but she had mistaken them for signs of

F O O D A L L E RG I E S BY THE NUMBERS O N E I N 10 U. S . A D U LT S H AV E A F O O D A L L E RGY.

More than 25 percent said they weren’t allergic to foods as children. O N E I N 13 U. S . K I D S U N D E R A G E 18 H AV E A FO O D A L L E RGY.

That’s almost 8 percent of all children in the country. T H E R AT E O F FO O D A L L E RG I E S AMONG KIDS HAS D OUBLED

in the last two decades.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

the flu, food poisoning, or stomach trouble. “Now I know to think, ‘How long ago did I eat? Could this be related?’ ” People with food allergies produce antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which can trigger a range of symptoms, including digestive problems, itching, hives, wheezing, and sometimes life-threatening anaphylactic shock. The risk of getting a severe reaction can provoke anxiety, says Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, a pediatric allergist-immunologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. For many parents, guarding against these reactions in their food-allergic children is a daily task. “Everything was a scrutiny for us,” says Nina Aggarwal of Foster City, California, whose 8-yearold had an anaphylactic reaction to an egg during infancy. “We had to read every label. I would pack him a picnic everywhere we went. It was very isolating.” Alicia Bales of Los Angeles remembers discovering her 2-year-old’s food allergies and feeling like no one else was worried. “It felt like my son’s diagnosis was invisible,” she says. “I could watch him really carefully all the time, but I didn’t think other people would be as careful.” Feeling left out or different can hurt allergic kids’ emotional well-being, says Tamara Hubbard,

Kids with food allergies are more likely to be bullied at school and show symptoms of isolation and anxiety.

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S E E A FO O D A L L E RGY E X P E RT

TIPS FOR FO OD A L L E RGY PA R E N T S P R E V E N T A L L E RG I E S W I T H E A R LY I N T RO D U C T I O N Parents used to

be advised not to feed babies peanut products and other top allergens until age 1 or 2. But in the past five years, large, rigorous clinical trials have shown that early introduction of peanuts reduces the chance of developing an allergy; other trials support the early introduction of eggs and milk. These findings “turned everything upside down,” says Erika Cravanas, MD, a pediatrician in Louisville, Kentucky. Now she and other doctors urge parents to feed babies peanut products and other potential allergens early and consistently, starting as young as 4 to 6 months. This is an especially good move for babies with egg allergies or eczema, who are at high risk of developing more allergies. If the eczema is severe, though, consult a doctor to make sure your child doesn’t already have a particular food allergy before you introduce the allergen, says Hugh A. Sampson, MD, an allergist and professor of pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Blood and skin-prick tests can be tricky to interpret. About half the time, the tests “could be positive, but if you actually ate the food, you wouldn’t react,” says allergist Tina Sindher, MD, clinical assistant professor of allergy and immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine. This can make people cut out foods needlessly. Bottom line: Find an informed allergist to help you navigate the diagnosis. USE DISCRETION WITH SO CIAL M E D I A Support groups can be beneficial. But since they’re often populated by people who need help, you may not hear as much from people who are successfully managing their food allergies and doing well, says Sakina Bajowala, MD, of Kaneland Allergy & Asthma Center in North Aurora, Illinois. “You are more likely to get a bit of a skewed perspective because you tend to see worst-case scenarios.” E X P LO R E T R E AT M E N T O P T I O N S

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) involves ingesting a culprit food, such as peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, milk, wheat, or shellfish, daily to desensitize immune cells. The only FDA-approved food allergy treatment—Aimmune Therapeutics’ peanut-flour capsules, called Palforzia—is a form of OIT. A small number of allergists have developed OIT regimens using commercial food products. For some families, gaining the ability to safely eat one or two peanuts, for example, can be transformative. Before her daughters did OIT, Jessika Welcome of San Carlos, California, says they had to “stay away from any food labels that said ‘may contain’ or ‘made on shared equipment’—which rules out a lot of stuff.” After OIT, they “could ignore those warnings. It opened up Halloween in a whole different way.”

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R E L AT I N G

HOW TO BE A FO OD A L L E R G Y A L LY

a licensed clinical professional counselor in Long Grove, Illinois, and the founder of the website Food Allergy Counselor, which offers mental health resources and a national directory of food-allergyinformed counselors. Compared with their nonallergic peers, children with food allergies are 25 percent more likely to be bullied at school, and they more often show symptoms of isolation, depression, and anxiety, according to a 2018 study in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Sometimes teachers, neighbors, and other well-meaning individuals flat-out misunderstand the situation. After hearing about her son’s food allergies, Aggarwal says, “everyone will just be like, ‘No peanut, no peanut.’ They don’t think about other allergens.” (Her son does fine with peanuts but has allergies to tree nuts and kiwis, as well as eggs.) Cultural and generational differences in perspective are also hard to resolve. Depending on where and when someone grew up, “maybe they didn’t hear about food allergies that often,” Hubbard says. Even when people mean to be helpful, she adds, many “don’t seem to understand the seriousness.” That may be because food allergies change the family dynamic. In many families, “someone expresses love for someone else by stuffing their face with food,” Bales says. Her son is allergic to dairy, eggs, tree nuts, and some seeds. “After the diagnosis, suddenly these foods were associated with fear instead of comfort, illness instead of nourishment,” she says. “It’s where a lot of my emotional distress came from.”

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Parents and doctors say one of the best ways to help is to simply acknowledge the emotional toll that managing food allergies can take on a family—especially the kids. Just a bit of support can greatly impact families with food allergies and decrease the fear they may feel, Hubbard says.

IN SCHOOL Notice who is not eating. Rachael Becker of Austin, Texas, was touched when another mom asked her if her son had food allergies, after observing that he never ate the snack served at the after-school math program. The mom then made allergy-safe brownies for the whole group, using egg and dairy substitutes. “She told me all the ingredients so I would feel comfortable, and she sent me photos of everything,” Becker says. “It was such a lovely gesture and one I won’t forget. Neither will my son. He had never gotten to enjoy a brownie before and loved eating it.”

Lead with empathy. Some parents may feel annoyed when one kid’s allergy dictates what the entire class can have for a snack. “Just remember this is probably one of 10 to 20 times this week I will have to figure something out related to allergies,” says Kaia Mahlke of Victoria, Minnesota, whose son is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, peas, and lentils. “When someone makes one of those times easier for us, it is so appreciated.”

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Listen, look, and learn. Aggarwal arms herself with photos and facts to make food allergies relatable. Her son’s school had a policy of storing medications only in the office. To persuade the staff to keep her son’s asthma inhaler and epinephrine autoinjector in the classroom, Aggarwal presented concrete scenarios—for example, what if he had an allergic reaction or began wheezing during an extended lockdown? She also showed photos of her son’s hives and swollen eyes after he accidentally touched mayonnaise. “That garnered empathy from teachers,” Aggarwal says. “They were like, ‘Oh my God, that looks very scary.’ ”

Seek out opportunities to educate. If you volunteer in the classroom, make an effort to learn about the unique situation of each child with a food allergy, Aggarwal suggests. “Be the liaison who coordinates food-related activities at class parties and emails the class about allergens and safe brands and products.”

Become the cafeteria lunch buddy. Even if a child’s school reserves a lunch table for kids with allergies, it doesn’t mean they don’t feel alone or different. “This is my daughter’s first year eating lunch at school,” says Ellen Polston of Rocky River, Ohio. “The moms of two of her friends decided to not pack my daughter’s allergens in their daughters’ lunches so she would always have friends to sit next to.”

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Hand out nonfood treats.

A T PA R T I E S A N D P L AY D A T E S Share the menu ahead of time. “Other families have been so supportive by notifying us about what foods will be served at birthday parties—not so we do or don’t go based on our allergens, but so I can send along an appropriate replacement,” says Katie Price of Portland, Oregon. “I’m so grateful when friends give me the heads-up so we can prepare and my 4-yearold son doesn’t feel left out.”

Offer one safe snack. “This happens disappointingly rarely and can be as simple as changing the snack to one the allergic child can eat,” says Christine Anna, a New York City mom whose son is allergic to dairy, tree nuts, and sunflower seeds. “It makes such a difference for our children to feel included.”

Many schools have already banned or heavily restricted food at school parties. If yours has not, consider replacing food-based prizes with puzzles, stickers, and small toys. This is particularly helpful if multiple kids have different food allergies, says Nili Patel, a mom of two in Raleigh, North Carolina.

O N P L AY G R O U N D S AND AIRPLANES Wash hands and wipe tables after eating. This could help protect others from accidentally exposing themselves to food allergens through crumbs and oils— especially people with so many allergies that it’s hard to avoid all problematic foods, says Amy DiElsi of Malvern, Pennsylvania, whose son is allergic to wheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. (This habit is, of course, good protection against viruses, bacteria, and irritants as well.) Another tip: Teach your kids to eat at designated tables rather than on playground equipment.

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W O R K , M O N E Y, A N D H E A L T H ADVICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Get More Experience Without Going Back to School T H E M O R E YO U L E A R N, T H E M O R E YO U C A N E A R N: T RY T H I S E X P E R T A D V I C E TO B O O ST YO U R K N O W L E D G E I N S M A RT A N D L O W - C O S T W AY S . By Kathleen Murray Harris

Illustration by Abbey Lossing

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

BAL ANCE

Tell your manager about your goals. 3

Sometimes your current job is the one that holds the most promise. If there’s a particular area of the business you’d like to learn more about (like web design) or you want to improve certain talents (like public speaking), ask your boss if you can take on an additional challenge or project to expand your skill set. “Most managers want their team to learn and grow, but if yours is hesitant, position the ask as a benefit to the company,” says Samantha Ettus, author of The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction. For instance, if you work in marketing, ask to contribute what you know about social media engagement to your company’s user-experience design team and, in return, better understand their workflow. When Myisha C. Procter, a skin-care executive in Brooklyn, New York, wanted to develop her on-camera skills, she asked her boss to help cover media training classes. Soon after, Procter began writing the company’s scripts for QVC segments and doing on-camera work elsewhere. “This skill helped me go further in my role and became a big selling point for me when I eventually moved on,” she says.

Get some low-stakes practice. Practice makes…promotion. If there are skills that will help you reach the next level, learn them in your free time—then gain fluency by offering your new talent for free to friends. Lauren Drenth, a brand-identity designer in Ridgewood, New Jersey, had never built a website from scratch, so she put one together for a friend’s marketing company. “I didn’t want my steep learning curve to jeopardize a client relationship,” she says. (She also didn’t feel right about charging her hourly rate for a task she wasn’t up to speed on.) “Employers expect you to have the core skills to do the job,” says Farrah Mitra, a Houston-based executive coach. “Proving that you found a way to expand your skills shows initiative.”

Volunteer strategically. Volunteering can vastly expand your skills. If you don’t have managerial experience, oversee a long-term project for your town’s fundraiser or kid’s PTA. Include it on your résumé and LinkedIn profile, specifying the skills you developed—like managing profit and loss or social media outreach (then get those skills endorsed by people you worked with). “Volunteer work can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be,” Mitra says. It also shows commitment to giving back, she adds, which employers are starting to look for. If you want to get executive experience, consider serving on a nonprofit’s board. It may require 10 to 20 hours a month, but Mitra says it helps you gain knowledge of strategy, execution, and communication.

2 5

Level up your skills online. Learn to love networking. You just need a raise, not a degree in rocket science. And in some cases, getting a certification or taking an online workshop is enough to freshen up your knowledge on a topic. For deeper dives into in-demand skills, like coding, consider free or low-cost online classes you can do in your spare time (and pj’s); try the ones offered by LinkedIn Learning, edX, and Coursera. If you learn better in a brick-and-chalk-dust setting, look into extension programs at nearby colleges. The tuition might not even come out of your wallet, if your employer pays for continuing education classes. “In today’s workforce, the most valuable employees have expertise in a variety of topics,” says Karen Shnek Lippman, an executive recruiter based in New York City.

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At the end of the (work) day, you may still need to network. Look for seminars and workshops hosted by industry-specific groups. LinkedIn and Eventbrite also list meetups by area. Juanita Sorrano was in finance when she attended a Women Who Code event, which gave her the confidence to enroll in a coding boot camp. “The gathering convinced me I wanted to be part of the industry,” she says. The power of people (a.k.a. mentors) to help you when you’re stuck is undeniable, Shnek Lippman says. Find someone you want to emulate and ask them about their career trajectory. After all, Ettus points out, “networking is just a fancy word for helping people.” Remember you have to give to get.

If your parents are well-off

How to Talk to Aging Parents About Future Finances M O N E Y A N D D E AT H A R E C O N V E R S AT I O N A L TA B O O S, B U T T H AT D O E S N ’ T M E A N YO U ’ R E O F F T H E H O O K . H E R E ’ S H O W T O G E T Y O U R F O L K S T O O P E N U P,

Wealthy parents probably already have an estate-planning and financial team in place. Even so, you should get an update. Use your ages as a guideline for when to broach the subject. “I have a 40/70 rule, meaning if you’re 40 or your parents are 70,” says Jody Gastfriend, vice president of senior care at Care.com and author of My Parent’s Keeper. “But the sooner the better. When my dad got dementia, I realized you can never start too early.” To make the conversation feel less threatening and intrusive, open by saying you need their advice. Then segue into your questions: What do they believe are best practices for handling finances? What paperwork have they completed (longterm-care insurance, living will, financial power of attorney)? What are their thoughts on in-home care versus assisted living, and how do they plan to afford their lifestyle over the years? Be sure to find out how to contact their lawyer or financial planner, as well as the whereabouts of their estateplanning documents.

N O M AT T E R T H E I R S I T UAT I O N . By Kathleen Murray Harris

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Illustration by Gracia Lam

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If a parent is ill If your parents are in debt Debt is a reality for more than 60 percent of Americans ages 65 and older, but you might not be aware whether that’s the case for your mom and dad. “Many parents are embarrassed and don’t want their children to know,” says Shirley Whitenack, an eldercare lawyer in Florham Park, New Jersey. If they’re in the hole when they die, their debt will likely not get passed to you, unless you’re a cosigner on their credit cards or mortgage. (The debt will be passed to the estate, however, and needs to be resolved before any inheritance is distributed.) If your parents have to lean on you financially in their later years, decide the best way to step in—maybe bills remain in their name but you pay them from your account, for instance. You should also try to understand their top money worries: “Let them know you want to help them live comfortably and avoid bankruptcy,” Whitenack says. Suggest they reach out to a nonprofit credit counseling agency for help creating a budget, says Bill Fay of Debt.org. You could also check the nationwide Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov) to find local organizations that assist with financial planning or estate documents.

As tough as it is, right now you need to be direct. Make sure your parent has advance-care directives, and get them to complete financial and medical power of attorney forms to grant you (or another family member) the right to manage the money and health-care decisions that will, alas, come fast and furiously, Whitenack says. If your parent has a diagnosis but is still active and cognitively healthy, strive for a balance between candor and compassion. “You don’t have to take charge,” Gastfriend says. “That can make your parent feel like their rights are being taken away.” No matter what, discuss long-term-care wishes and figure out a budget: The average cost of an assisted-living facility is $48,600 a year, and in-home care averages $23 an hour. “Eldercare is an enormous cost, and the majority of people aren’t well-off enough to self-fund it for years,” Gastfriend says.

If you have a scattered family Mom lives in Florida, you’re in Indiana, and your brother is preoccupied with his in-laws in Vermont. Still, everyone should get on the same page about your parents’ expectations. First decide whether you or a sibling will start the conversation, then clearly communicate that you’re there for your parents, despite the hundreds of miles that separate everyone. Ask them to share their long-term plans, for both their finances and

If everything seems A-OK

day-to-day care. Your family may also want to consider hiring a senior-care expert to assess safety issues in your parents’ home, advocate for them, and mediate family discussions (find one at aginglifecare.org). An initial consultation can range from $300 to $800, and additional services can cost between $100 and $250 per hour. Always stay in the loop—and don’t be shy about passing the Mom-and-Dad baton to a sibling if your parents are avoiding the conversation. Sometimes all it takes is another voice to get people to listen. It can be frustrating, but it just might do the trick.

When calm, clear minds prevail, pounce on the chance to get organized. Start the conversation by saying, “I want to be helpful in the future, so I need to gather information now, while life is good.” Just be clear that you’re not threatening their independence, Whitenack says—you simply want to be prepared should something unexpected pop up (who saw Covid-19 coming?). Find out where your parents keep the important bank documents, and start an “In Case of Emergency” file; scan the paperwork and share the file with your siblings. While you’re at it, see if your parents need to streamline their finances—maybe they can consolidate accounts so they’re easier to manage. A budgeting app like Truebill or Clarity Money can track subscriptions and expenses in one place. Ask your parents to sign up and share the log-in so you can check in if necessary.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

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The Beguiling Promise of CBD YO U C A N F I N D T H E C A N N A B I S-BA S E D CO M P O U N D I N E V E RY T H I N G F R O M G U M M I E S T O B A T H S A LT S — A N D I T M I G H T H E L P Y O U B E A T A N X I E T Y, R E D U C E PA I N , A N D G E T B E T T E R S L E E P, A M O N G O T H E R P R O M I S E S . B U T T H E R E ’ S M O R E T O K N O W A B O U T T H I S S E E M I N G LY U B I Q U I T O U S R E M E D Y, I N C L U D I N G W H A T ’ S L E G A L A N D W H A T I S N ’ T. By Melanie Mannarino

in the ways of cannabis. Until recently I didn’t know my hemp from my weed. THC, CBD…IDK. It’s like trying to get the square root of a number: If I concentrate for a minute, I can figure it out, but really I just don’t care, you know? Then my friend started selling CBD oil. She’s a stay-at-home mom turned yoga instructor and a total straitlaced health nut. I thought, if she was into it, maybe I should learn more. So I found out CBD stands for cannabidiol, a natural extract from the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. It’s not the chemical in marijuana that brings the high—that’s the THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol.

P R O P S B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E F O R H E L L O A R T I S T S

I’M NOT WELL-SCHOOLED

P h o t o g r a p h s b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

There are still plenty of studies to be done, but so far science has shown that CBD appears to target more than 65 areas in the brain and body that are involved in regulating pain, mood, and sleep. Notably, CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, enhancing and balancing the messages sent via endocannabinoids and neurotransmitters. By doing so, it has the potential to lower inflammation, ease pain, bring a sense of calm, and improve sleep. I want all those things. Inflammation can lead to aches, pains, and acne, and—yes, at the age of 47—I’d be happy to get rid of them. Given that my husband and son have nicknamed me Yelly Melly, I’m guessing I could also do with a deeper sense of calm. And I’m a busy working mom, so sure, I’ll take better sleep!

THEY PUT CBD I N T H AT ? Aside from oil tinctures (which come in small bottles with a dropper) and body balms, the ingredient is making its way into a wide array of items. The FDA has approved only one CBD product, the prescription seizure drug Epidiolex, and it’s illegal to market CBD products as dietary supplements or add it to foods meant for animals or humans. But that hasn’t stopped creative entrepreneurs from putting CBD anywhere they can think of (including food products that violate FDA restrictions): • Bath salts • Blemish cream • Body butter • Coconut oil • Dog treats • Energy drinks • Eye serum • Gummies • Hair pomade • Hand sanitizer • Lip balm • Lollipops • Mozzarella • Powdered beverage mixes • Pulse-point roll-ons • Soap • Toothpicks

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND CBD Until 2018, not even hemp—which contains less than 0.3 percent THC—was legal. As a result, U.S. researchers found it extremely difficult to conduct large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of CBD, Gruber says. But the existing research shows that CBD—short for cannabidiol, an extract from cannabis plants, such as hemp—plays a role in improving sleep and reducing anxiety and pain. “Some studies looked at small samples, but they are promising,” Gruber notes. In the near future, expect to see more comprehensive research, she adds. Here’s what experts currently know for sure. CBD PREVENTS SEIZURES IN C H I L D R E N Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved cannabidiol medication. It’s used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

I T C A N H E L P A L L E V I AT E PA I N A N D R E L AT E D A N X I E T Y Seven days of low-dose CBD injections helped reverse chronic nerve pain and related anxiety in rats, according to a 2019 study in Pain. IT HELPS WITH ANXIET Y AND S L E E P D I S O R D E R S Psychiatric

patients who added CBD capsules (25 to 175 milligrams) to their standard treatment noted improved anxiety and better sleep, a 2019 study by Colorado researchers found. Also, a review of 49 medical studies concluded that CBD safely reduced anxiety behaviors related to social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, among other conditions. I T M AY F I G H T I N F L A M M AT I O N

In a 2007 study (predating the CBD boom), orally administered cannabidiol relieved sciatic nerve constriction and inflammatory pain in rats.

Inflammation can lead to aches, pains, and acne, and—yes, at the age of 47—I’d be happy to get rid of them.

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There are numerous CBD oils and balms (and drink mixes and bath salts and dog treats—see “They Put CBD in That?” on page 83), but I gravitated toward an oil by Beam for a couple of reasons: It’s THC-free (I’ve learned that some companies don’t filter out traces of THC—I’m not here to get stoned, people), and it’s broadspectrum, which means beneficial plant compounds, like terpenes and flavonoids, are left in the extract. I began taking a one-milliliter dropperful of oil, containing 66.7 milligrams of CBD, morning and night. There isn’t an industry-standard recommended dose, so I started with the brand’s lowest potency. I held the drop under my tongue for a minute or so, in order for the cannabidiol to seep into my bloodstream rather than get digested (which is also a good delivery system—just not as direct). It tasted fine, sort of neutral, with a hint of plant life. A few days later, I took my first barre class. I hadn’t worked out in a year, thanks to a shoulder injury, and I was nervous I’d be in serious pain afterward. It wasn’t too bad. After class, I rubbed some CBD balm on my shoulder. The idea behind balms and lotions is that CBD gets absorbed through the skin, without taking a trip under the tongue and through the bloodstream, so it goes straight to the receptors that need it most. The next day, I took a yoga class (all hail Groupon!), which didn’t leave me extra sore or strained either. Could all this pain-free movement have been a result of the placebo effect? Sure. But I like to think my inflammation was kept in check by my new CBD regimen. Still, I’m no medical expert, so I reached out to Staci Gruber, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core and the Marijuana Investigations

IS CBD EVEN LEGAL?

for Neuroscientific Discovery program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. She told me that anecdotal evidence and preclinical trials suggest CBD helps with pain and inflammation, but “we don’t have clinical trial data.” (See “The Science Behind CBD,” opposite page, for more on what researchers do and don’t yet know.) Also, I stopped having nightmares. Weirdly, I get them a lot—like, I’m driving down the road and suddenly I’m in the ocean. That kinda thing. But since I started taking CBD oil, the nightmares haven’t come. My daily stressors remain the same, so I’m

totally giving CBD oil the credit. I also spoke to David L. Nathan, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and founder of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation. He agreed there could be a connection: “All drugs that can help with sleep—and CBD may be one of them—will not affect just the onset and duration of sleep but also the quality of sleep,” he explained.

In 2018, the FDA declared that hemp, the plant from which CBD is derived, was no longer an illegal substance. (Cannabis containing more THC than hemp—meaning above 0.3 percent—is still federally illegal.) This newly legal status is why you can find CBD products of all types in brick-and-mortar stores and online. That same year, the agency approved the CBD-based drug Epidiolex for the treatment of two severe forms of epilepsy. The FDA has issued strict guidelines regulating CBD, and last November, the agency warned 15 companies selling CBD products that they were in violation. What are some potential violations? Marketing a product as a dietary supplement, touting a health benefit or therapeutic use, or claiming a product is suitable for kids. The FDA also prohibits adding CBD to food, saying the ingredient hasn’t been proven safe for consumption by humans or pets. In March, the FDA released a statement reiterating that it has not assessed the efficacy or safety of any CBD product, besides Epidiolex, and calling for “reliable and high-quality data” on CBD from researchers. Maybe all this haziness explains why my new life insurance carrier gave me a hard time after I revealed that I take CBD regularly. During my yearly physical, I listed it along with my allergy medication and birth control pills. No big deal, right? I thought so—until I got a phone call a few days later. The insurance rep asked why I took CBD, how much I took, what prompted me to take it, whether I’d ever used marijuana or other illegal drugs, whether I felt I was dependent on CBD…it was kinda scary, to be honest. I was worried I’d jeopardized my chance of getting life insurance. Luckily, I got approved, but the exchange told me there is still a lot of doubt about CBD out there, even among medical experts.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

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K N O W W H AT YO U ’ R E G E T T I N G These days you can buy CBD products at national retailers (including Walgreens, CVS, and Whole Foods Market), your local street fair, or even the gas station. I asked Chris Martinez, president of the cannabistesting facility Kaycha Labs (and chair of the Florida Hemp Council), how to make sure you purchase quality stuff. A S K FO R L A B R E S U LT S

“Any reputable seller should have had a full compliance panel test done by a third party,” Martinez says. A store or vendor may show copies of lab results upon request. If there’s no hard copy, look for a QR code on the product. If you’re buying online, look for a direct link. No lab results? “Do not buy it,” Martinez says. R E A D C LO S E LY

A lab will test for potency, pesticides, microbes, residual solvents, and heavy metals, to protect consumers and patients from taking harmful contaminated products. “The test should clearly indicate that the product has passed each segment for cleanliness and potency, with a tested date and expiration date on the report,” Martinez says. C H EC K T H E C R E D E N T I A L S

Inspired by my reduced chronic pain and stress-free slumber, I also started getting up at 5:50 a.m. for a brisk two-mile walk with my neighbor every morning. And yeah, I’m still taking barre and yoga classes. I’ve got energy for everything! But the most concrete proof that CBD oil is doing good things for me came about two weeks after I started

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taking it. I hadn’t mentioned my new CBD routine to my husband, in part because I wanted to assess for myself whether it had an impact. But out of the blue one night while watching TV, he turned to me and said, “Hey, I’d like to thank you for not getting so frustrated lately with me and the boy. I appreciate it.” Yelly Melly has left the building.

Look for watermarks on the lab results, Martinez says, and be wary of documents that look photoshopped.

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Ahhh...

Peaceful Rain Forest Rest your gaze on this photo and let your eyes explore the color, light, and shadow. Allow your mind to wander, noticing the shapes, patterns, and sense of movement. Notice if any emotions arise—like calm, warmth, or joy. Notice your breathing; for a few moments, let it be natural and relaxed as you enjoy the image. Now imagine that you are in the middle of a big, beautiful rain forest. Look up at the trees above you, seeing the dense forest of wet branches and leaves. Notice the different shapes and colors of the leaves and flowers with the sun streaming through. Look down and see a bubbling stream flowing past your feet. Notice the floating leaves and smooth, glistening rocks. Listen to the sounds of birds and rain droplets on the leaves. Smell the tropical flowers and the dampness of the earth. Feel the soft carpet of fallen leaves on the forest floor beneath your feet and the warm air of the rain forest on your skin. Immerse yourself in a sense of relaxation and ease, fully enjoying the peaceful sensations of the beautiful rain forest.

STO C KSY

—JAMIE PRICE, Stop, Breathe & Think

Photograph by Kristin Duvall

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

the RAI N B OW connection W E ’ V E L O N G B E L I E V E D C E R TA I N H U E S C A N I NS P I R E J OY ( H E L LO, Y E L LO W ) O R C A L M ( N I C E TO K N O W YO U, B LU E ) . B U T O U R R E A C T I O N S A R E A L S O I N T E N S E LY P E R S O N A L . HERE’S HOW TO HARNESS THE MO OD-LIF TING P O W E R S O F Y O U R F AV O R I T E S H A D E S . BY

jennifer king lindley

PHOTOGRAPHS BY

mitchell feinberg

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

WHY GLITTER IS IRRESISTIBLE

upon seeing a vase of blazing sunflowers, been lulled by a hotel room’s not-a-care-in-the-world neutrals, or experienced awe as the fleeting magic of a rainbow graced your neighborhood. If so, you know intuitively that colors evoke intense emotions. “We feel color deep in our bones,” says Luanne Stovall, who teaches color and design at the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. “Color helps us make sense of our world.” Yet while color may be all around us, its hold remains mysterious. For centuries, artists and philosophers have grappled with how to harness its emotional power. In 1810, the poet and artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe penned his ambitious Theory of Colours, an early attempt to link colors with the feelings they elicit. (He would have been a tough interior designer: “A yellow-red cloth disturbs and enrages animals. I have known men of education to whom its effect was intolerable.”) In the past decades, scientists have been trying to explain color’s emotional effects. One theory: Early in our evolutionary history, color was a matter of life and death. Humans can distinguish millions of shades, which helped our long-ago ancestors discern the blush of a potential mate, the sparkle of thirst-slaking water on the horizon, or the pallor of illness descending on a loved one. Whether our evolutionary past hardwired us to respond to certain colors in specific ways has been the subject of much study (and urban legend). But the findings are often contradictory or inconclusive, says Bevil Conway, PhD, an expert on the neuroscience of color at the National Eye Institute. For answers, scientists are now focusing on how the qualities of a color affect our emotions. Its brightness (how light it seems) and saturation (how intense the pigment is) may have more influence on mood than its hue (what it’s called in the crayon box). A 2017 study in Psychological Research found that colors with higher saturation boosted people’s heart rate, for example. O U M AY H AV E F E LT A B U R S T O F J OY

N OT R E A DY TO G O F U L L- T H R O T T L E PIPPI LONGSTO CKING? SNE AK COLOR INTO UNOBTRUSIVE SPOTS.

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Adding bling to phone cases, bedecking Dorothy-worthy shoes, even getting swirled into margaritas: Glitter seems to be everywhere. Why are humans so attracted to its sparkle? Our love for the shiny stuff goes way back. “Ancient Mayans were said to have used mica to decorate their temples to create glittering surfaces,” Lee says. “Glittery things scatter light. We’re drawn to light, and these little shimmering clumps reflect it in a natural way.” Light bounces off glitter with the same transfixing irregularity of sun off waves, captivating our attention. Of course, we also feel joy because we associate glitter with opulence and celebration, Lee says. (Christmas decorations, birthday parties, princesses!) So sprinkle it around, but opt for an eco-friendly version—the plastic variety may take about 1,000 years to biodegrade.

One reason humans’ responses may resist simple color-coding: Our personal experiences play a huge role. “Our preferences are often based on our associations. Research shows that people like colors based on how much they like the objects they connect with those colors,” says Karen Schloss, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. (Blue is popular, she explains, because it’s associated with good things—the sky and the ocean. Brown is typically less favored because of its connection to substances like feces.) Context influences your feelings too. “Red is often associated with anger, but I personally feel happy when I look at the red stools in my kitchen,” Schloss says. Our reaction to a color may be rooted in vivid childhood memories, Stovall adds. So while gray might seem dishwater-dreary to many, if it was the shade of your beloved childhood tree house, it may delight you. Ultimately, the way to enhance your mood with color may be both simple and liberating: Notice which colors move you, then splash them around. Western culture tends to avoid the bold colors that are most enlivening, says designer Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness. We default to neutrals, like beige (“yellow with all the joy sucked out of it,” as Lee calls it). We may worry that using lots of color will seem unsophisticated—like a child let loose with markers—or we may not know where to begin. “But there are ways

Lee also loves brave combinations. “We know palettes with a lot of different colors can create a particularly abundant feeling of joy.” Consider rainbows, a row of sherbet buckets, a handful of neon highlighters. One hack: Ask yourself, “WWFD?” (What would Frida do?) Look at Kahlo’s or other artists’ exuberant works for color-combination inspiration, she says. Not ready to go full-throttle Pippi Longstocking? Sneak color into unobtrusive spots. “Tuck a bright color behind a door or inside a drawer. I have yellow cabana stripes in the back of my closet,” Lee says. Or start small with consumables—put turquoise candles on your dining table, or change up the flowers in your vase when you need a lift. “These little surprises can delight you and help you get more confident using more color.”

use color to energize

to gain color courage,” Lee says. Start taking small steps to brighten your life with color. Add a riotous pillow to a drab corner, or don a purple scarf on a blah day. “Even one splash of color can have a powerful effect on how you feel and on the energy you bring into your day,” Lee says. Here’s some inspiration.

use color for joy “When I walk down the street wearing bright pink or blue, people react to me differently,” Lee says. “They smile more. I smile back. It’s a virtuous circle. Color becomes a way to connect with other people.” For a decade, she’s been researching the “aesthetics of joy”— the idea that the qualities of physical objects can spontaneously elicit delight. “The liveliest places and items have one thing in common: bright, vivid color. Think of festivals, holidays, confetti, ice cream sprinkles.” Yellow is an undeniably happy color. “It animates and reflects light,” Lee says. “We associate brightness with cheer, and our language reflects it: ‘Look on the bright side.’ But any hue can be joyful as long as the saturation and brightness are high enough.” A 2018 study found that across cultures, humans connect bright colors with positivity.

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In the New York City offices of the design and architecture firm Spacesmith, natural light pours in from windows that offer sweeping harbor views. The walls in the main office gleam clean white. But in the hallways, there are unexpected bursts of color. “We call it ‘New York City parking ticket orange.’ It acts like a shot of espresso,” says Ambar Margarida, a principal at the firm. It’s a bold example of how highly saturated colors can be instantly stimulating. Margarida experiences energizing color when she visits her native Puerto Rico. “The trees and flowers are so vibrant. It’s uplifting,” she says. At home in her apartment, a huge photograph of a green parrot, wings spread, hangs above her sofa. Red is another go-to for energy. Studies have shown that viewing it improves alertness and athletic performance. The color of blood, fire, and lips, it rivets us: “It’s the most salient color out there,” Conway says. While warm colors, like red and orange, are classic energizers, “any bright color—red, blue, green—will be arousing when you use a lot of it,” notes Jill Morton, director of the International Color Research Institute in Honolulu. One shot of espresso may be a pick-me-up. A whole pot can make you jittery. So add energizing colors in small doses. “It could be overwhelming to work in a bright orange room all day,” Margarida says. Use it in a vestibule, suggests Sally Augustin, PhD, an environmental psychologist. Paint the wall across from your dumbbells red, she adds: “It can give you a burst of strength every time you lift.” Or paint just one wall in your home office a bold color and swivel toward it when you need a boost.

WHY BLUE IS THE COLOR OF 2020

use color to calm Mitra Silva, a Los Angeles–based designer of medical offices, draws on color to create what she calls “healing spaces.” She aims to help patients and staff feel relaxed and confident. Her designs look more like hotel lobbies or spas than traditional medical rooms. To produce a peaceful vibe, Silva recommends using a pastel palette. “Pastel colors are muted, calming energies,” she says. Soft blues can work well. “Nature is healing, so bring that mood into the space. Blue is associated with the sky on a clear day, the ocean.” Adding the green of live plants can reduce stress as well. Of course, too much subdued color can be depressing. “If you have several shades of blue in a room, use a little accent from across the color wheel, such as marigold, for contrast,” Margarida suggests. When you’re designing a tranquil space, like a bedroom, Morton recommends considering where you find peace—think of “a favorite memory or place to vacation,” she says. Coral may remind you of lying on the beach.

We launched a new decade in 2020 feeling very blue. When six major brands released their color of the year, half were a variation on classic dark blue. It can be a reassuring color for a tumultuous time, according to Morton. “Blue is a stable anchor in the storms that surround us,” she says. “The world may feel uncertain, but the dark blues of the evening sky and ocean depths are reminders of nature’s cycles. It is the blueness of stability.”

use color to rejuvenate Changing the colors around you can be transformative. The New York City nonprofit Publicolor, a youth development program, works with underserved schools and recruits high-risk students to help paint the schools in exuberant colors: yellows, oranges, turquoises. Students who participate have higher attendance and graduation rates and fewer discipline issues, according to research cited by the group. San Francisco artist and interior designer Lauren Geremia believes changing up your colors can give you a fresh start too: “A good reason to repaint is if you are going through a big life transition. Perhaps you are going through a breakup and want to redefine your space.” Geremia will sometimes start with monochromatic schemes, painting the walls and ceiling the same color. “It gives a cohesive feel.” To this clean canvas, add some colorful trim or “portable” color—picture frames or pillows you can switch around. She likes framing beautiful wallpaper inside floor-to-ceiling panels. Follow your fancy and go big and bold. “People hesitate to make changes, but you can always do it over,” Geremia says. “It also takes a lot of energy to want to do something and never do it.”

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

PA I N T THE TOWN RED …OR MIGHT WE SUGGEST A NICE BLUE? An exterior paint job can last up to 15 years. Here’s your no-stress guide to choosing a palette that suits your house’s style, expresses your own, and will weather the next two decades with grace. BY PE TR A GUGLIELME T TI P H OTO G R A P H S BY T E D + C H E L S E A C AVA N AU G H

in your neighborhood: A house you once viewed as blah—or worse, an eyesore—transforms seemingly overnight, all thanks to a fresh coat of paint. “It’s amazing what a difference a new color scheme can make when it comes to curb appeal and the market value of a home,” says Paula Monthofer, regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors in Flagstaff, Arizona. M AY B E YO U ’ V E S E E N I T H A P P E N

First you have to choose a palette, which can be next-level intimidating: You want to commit to colors that you’re pretty sure you’ll still love in a decade or more, that reflect your personality (at least a little bit), and that make you feel content every time you pull into the driveway. Before you color yourself overwhelmed, read through these shortcuts to finding your home’s perfect match. Then your main challenge will be jealous neighbors throwing shade.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

CHOOSE YO UR HUES B E G I N W I T H W H AT YO U C A N’ T C H A N G E Unlike the inside of a room, an exterior is almost never a blank slate. You need to survey its fixed elements—things you don’t plan (or can’t afford) to change, like roofing, windows, soffits, gutters, and stonework. “These elements dictate your color palette,” says Cassie McDowell, co-owner of Brick & Batten, a virtual exterior-design firm. So work with them—or risk having colors that feel “off.” For example, if your home has a red roof, you should balance that out, perhaps by “selecting a warmer shade than you might have planned,” says Lisa Moon, owner of Paper Moon Painting in Austin, Texas. Looking carefully at your exterior, make a list of the fixed colors you see, including undertones in the roofing, brick, or stone. These will all become part of your palette.

H O N O R T H E A RC H I T EC T U R E Another factor you can’t ignore: the style of your house. A hunter green that would look just right on a craftsman bungalow or midcentury ranch could be overkill on a farmhouse. Bright, fun colors play well on beach houses in sunny locations, while Victorian homes lend themselves to more muted variations of those tones (for instance, a Caribbean blue in Boca versus a slate blue in Boston). “Look up your style of home on Pinterest or Houzz to get an idea of what works,” suggests Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services for Behr Paint Company. Occasionally, it’s a good idea to strategically work against the style of your house. You can make a ’90s build with eclectic windows look less McMansion by painting it a crisp white, say, or reimagine a cookiecutter new construction in statement-making black.

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CO N S I D E R YO U R BAC K D RO P The most successful palettes also factor in a home’s surroundings, landscaping, and even climate. In places with tons of bright light year-round, avoid dark or saturated colors, which can fade more quickly and absorb heat (thereby jacking up your AC bill). “Aim for colors that stand out without sticking out,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for SherwinWilliams. “If you have a beautiful backdrop of trees, consider deeper colors that blend with them, such as navy or even black. If you live in a desert climate, dusty beiges and terra-cottas may be a better choice for your environment.” And if you live in a new development where the only trees are still saplings, neutral may be best. “When there’s less landscaping or shade, the quality of light may intensify colors and make them appear brighter,” Woelfel explains. “Neutral colors tend to be more harmonious until trees and greenery grow in, softening the overall landscape.”

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y S A R A H M c M E N E M Y; F R O N T D O O R S : J O H N N Y M I L L E R , S E T D E S I G N B Y TA D D K R O N E C K

C RU I S E YO U R ’ H O O D “Your neighborhood can be a great place to find inspiration and help you determine an initial direction for your palette,” Wadden says. “You don’t have to be tied down by the neighbors’ color schemes, but you should consider the neighborhood aesthetic,” notes Jamal Saghir, product manager and expert of siding and ColorPlus technology at James Hardie. “Bold color choices may look jarring in a neighborhood with a more neutral color scheme, while a home in more neutral tones can fade out in a neighborhood full of bright colors.” Also, if you live in a historic neighborhood or a planned community, you may need to get your homeowners association to approve your color choice.

AIM FOR COLORS T H AT S TA N D O U T W I T H O U T ST I C K I N G O U T.

THE FREQUENT FRONT D O OR C O L O R S WA P “Painting is the least expensive way to make changes to your house—at least when you don’t have to pay the painter!” says Tess Gauthier of Bel Air, Maryland, who chooses a new color for her front door every three months and whose husband, Chris, wields the brush. (In lieu of payment, she lavishes him with praise: “He is an excellent painter, has a steady hand, and rarely needs painter’s tape.”) Their colonial-style home is white-painted brick with gray shutters, which felt boring after a few years, so Tess started cycling through door colors to perk up the place: orange in fall, red in winter, pink or green in spring, and yellow in summer. The neighbors take notice: “I was out getting the mail once, and a couple stopped their car and said how happy they were I was outside so they could tell me they loved looking at our home,” she says. All of which gets her thinking: “What should our next door color be?” Some of our favorite front door colors are (left, from top) sunny yellow, warm peach, and cool blue.

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

W H AT T O K N O W WHEN HIRING A PRO If teetering on a ladder in the wind or sun isn’t on your bucket list of DIY challenges, find a reputable painting company to get the job done. Search for personal recommendations in a local Facebook group, visit nearby painters’ Instagram feeds to view projects they’ve completed recently, or try proreferral.com, a website run by the Home Depot that matches your project with contractors and streamlines the process of requesting estimates.

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BE CLE AR ON GOAL S As for how much we’re talking: The cost of painting a house varies widely by region, as well as home style, size, materials, and condition (and possibly even by season). But Moon’s starting figure is $3 per square foot of floor space— so $6,000 for a 2,000square-foot home. Estimates generally include prep work, paint, and other supplies. Your contractor can colormatch paint from any brand you’ve selected, and you can expect the project to take a couple of weeks (likely longer for large or detailed homes).

If this is your forever home, by all means “look for colors you love that pair with your interior,” McDowell says. “But if you could be selling your home in the next five to seven years, you’ll need colors that also appeal to the masses.” Think neutral or earthy shades (white, gray, beige), which will make your home more attractive to the widest range of home buyers.

KEEP IT SIMPLE There’s no need to mood-board endless combinations of exterior colors. “Choose three or four paint colors max: a base color, a trim color, and maybe an accent color for a spot like the door,” McDowell says. Simpler yet, just pick your siding color and let the trim choice flow from that: “The easiest thing is to choose your main wall color, then choose a color two steps lighter

S U R FAC E C O N C E R N S WO OD SIDING + TRIM If your house is a “scraper”— covered in bubbling, cracking, peeling paint—the job will cost more. “Removing this takes far longer than the painting itself,” Moon says. HELPFUL TO KNOW:

or darker for the trim,” Woelfel says. This also ensures the two hues share an undertone—usually, you’ll want to stick with either warm or cool colors so they don’t look jarring side by side. (Not sure what undertone your paint of choice has? Put the paint card on a sheet of bright white printer paper to help reveal the undertone. Or refer to the brightest color on the card— if it’s, say, burnt sienna, you know your color has a warm undertone.) Many paint brands offer helpful online tools for virtually applying shades to photos of your house so you can see how they look before you begin testing paint for real.

A satin finish is a durable, flattering choice for siding, while semigloss helps trim stand out. HELPFUL TO USE:

C E DA R S H I N G L E S There’s potential for “tannin bleed”: Natural tannins from the shingles seep into paint and cause reddish brown discoloration. This can happen with redwood siding too. HELPFUL TO KNOW:

An oil-based primer designed to block tannin stains, like Sherwin-Williams Exterior Oil-Based Wood Primer. HELPFUL TO USE:

BRICK

GET TESTING Once you select three to five potential siding shades, paint large swatches (at least a couple of square feet) on your house or big foam core boards. A good testing spot: the area between two windows or next to your trim, so the shade is relatively isolated from your existing color. Also, choose an area that gets both sun and shade. Over a few days, observe how the colors shift as the light changes. “Sunlight brightens colors considerably,” Moon says. “It’s amazing how a nice, friendly cream indoors can look as blinding as a sheet of paper under full sun.” If your favorite color proves too glaring, try going one or two steps down on the paint chip. “Make sure your accent, trim, and siding colors are varied enough to be discernible from the street,” Wadden says. “Cross the street to see what the colors look like from your neighbor’s perspective.”

Painting brick is a big trend. “We’re seeing brick painted white, gray, or even olive green all over the country,” Woelfel says. HELPFUL TO KNOW:

A masonry primer pH-balanced for brick and a block-filler primer to smooth nooks and crannies. “There’s a movement toward the old ‘German schmear’ technique, where you apply translucent paint and let shades of the underlying brick show through,” Moon says. She recommends Romabio Classico Limewash to get the look. HELPFUL TO USE:

FIBER CEMENT SIDING Yes, you can repaint composite siding, like Hardie board. “Usually just a good sanding of any trouble spots is all it takes,” Moon says. HELPFUL TO KNOW:

Stick with high-quality, 100 percent acrylic primer and acrylic latex paint. HELPFUL TO USE:

STUCCO

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y S A R A H M c M E N E M Y

LET IN SOME FUN “Hands down, the least expensive way to instantly amp up your curb appeal is to paint your front door a new color,” says Deb Cohen, founder of the aptly named Instagram account @thefrontdoorproject, which is a virtual flipbook of inspiring exterior color combos. “Try a shade that complements the rest of your exterior but provides a nice jolt of color—use a color wheel to find good options if you’re not sure.” (Choose a hue that’s on the opposite side of the wheel from your siding’s tone.) Other prime places to incorporate your accent color are shutters, flower boxes, window grilles, and the roof of your porch.

Painting stucco can be quicker than painting siding because it requires less prep, but the rough texture makes paint colors appear darker. HELPFUL TO KNOW:

Consider elastomeric paint, a thicker coating that helps prevent cracking, mildew, and other moisture-related problems—especially in humid climes. HELPFUL TO USE:

D O OR S + WIND OWS Allow paint to dry for at least 24 hours before rehanging the door. HELPFUL TO KNOW:

High-gloss paint is easy to wipe clean, looks polished, and creates a visual contrast to the surrounding surfaces. HELPFUL TO USE:

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U P D AT E D C L A S S I C

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Nimbus Gray 2131-50 by Benjamin Moore

Pure White OC-64 by Benjamin Moore

Caliente AF-290 by Benjamin Moore

SUNNY & SWEET

ACCENT

SIDING

TRIM

Jojoba N390-3 by Behr

Polar Bear 75 by Behr

Filtered Moon M270-4 by Behr

B LU E - G R AY + W H I T E + R E D

HUSHED GREEN + WHITE + APRICOT

This twist on all-American colors cools down the coastal heat and feels welcoming.

These midtone pastels blend beautifully on smaller homes and cottages. Use the accent color on the front door and window frames.

SIDING AND TRIM

ACCENT

Hunter Green 2041-10 by Benjamin Moore

Dove Wing OC-18 by Benjamin Moore

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Drift of Mist SW 9166 by SherwinWilliams

Gossamer Veil SW 9165 by SherwinWilliams

Quite Coral SW 6614 by SherwinWilliams

O F F- W H I T E + H U N T E R G R E E N

L I G H T G R AY + DA R K E R G R AY + V I V I D C O R A L

The forest green door will never go out of style. Rooted in nature, this rich shade is suitable for homes across the country.

The backdrop may be demure grays, but it’s all about the unexpected coral accents.

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Endless Sea SW 9150 by SherwinWilliams

Extra White SW 7006 by SherwinWilliams

Trinket SW 6685 by SherwinWilliams

TRIM AND

SIDING

Storm Lightning P310-4 by Behr

ACCENT

Ultra Pure White PPU18-06 by Behr

B LU E + W H I T E + G O L D

YELLOW + WHITE

This fresh nautical palette features complementary blue and gold.

This bright hue works as a bolder pick on a big house when balanced with white trim, windows, and doors.

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Natural Twine S310-3 by Behr

Crisp Linen MQ3-13 by Behr

Nocturne Blue HDC-CL-28 by Behr

SIDING

Elephant Skin PPU18-16 by Behr

TRIM

ACCENT

Swiss Coffee 12 by Behr

Antigua M460-7 by Behr

FA D E D Y E L L O W + S A N D + D E E P B LU E

M E D I U M G R AY + C R E A M + T E A L

Play up the symmetrical beauty of a colonial with this cheerful combination. Use the blue on the front door and shutters.

Contrast the siding’s earthy warmth with a surprisingly vivid door.

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MODERN VIBES

WARM & E ARTHY

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Pure White SW 7005 by SherwinWilliams

Tricorn Black SW 6258 by SherwinWilliams

Comical Coral SW 6876 by SherwinWilliams

Silvermist SW 7621 by SherwinWilliams

Creamy SW 7012 by SherwinWilliams

Tupelo Tree SW 6417 by SherwinWilliams

WHITE + BL ACK + COR AL

B LU E - G R AY + C R E A M + G R E E N

White siding with black trim is the quintessential modern farmhouse color palette. Liven it up with a soft pink door.

Dusty blue meets dusty green, with the perfect not-white white.

SIDING AND TRIM

Cyberspace SW 7076 by SherwinWilliams

ACCENT

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Gambol Gold SW 6690 by SherwinWilliams

Atrium White OC-145 by Benjamin Moore

Middlebury Brown HC-68 by Benjamin Moore

Audubon Russet HC-51 by Benjamin Moore

BL ACK + GOLD

W H I T E + B RO W N + RU S S E T

Tone-on-tone black siding and trim makes a powerful statement. With an attention-grabbing gold door, your home is sure to stand out.

Flanked by green plants and palm trees, this refreshing palette is great for homes in the Southwest.

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Scotch Blue No. W24 by Farrow & Ball

Pitch Black No. 256 by Farrow & Ball

All White No. 2005 by Farrow & Ball

Iron Gate MQ2-60 by Behr

Cameo White MQ3-32 by Behr

Gardener’s Soil MQ2-54 by Behr

N AV Y + B L A C K + W H I T E

S T O N Y G R AY + W H I T E + B RO W N

Put a spin on this classic color combo by changing up where each shade lives. Instead of navy on the door, try it on the siding and keep the door white.

Blend your stonework into your siding for a sophisticated tonal effect.

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

SIDING

TRIM

ACCENT

Black Beauty 2128-10 by Benjamin Moore

White Opulence OC-69 by Benjamin Moore

Million Dollar Red 2003 by Benjamin Moore

Gaucho 6004-4C by Valspar

Quail Egg 7002-12 by Valspar

Orange Maple 2010-5 by Valspar

BL ACK + WHITE + BRIGHT RED

O L I V E + C R E A M + RU S T

These timeless, crisp shades can perk up even the most tired facade.

Organic shades typical of craftsman homes enhance the architectural detail while harmonizing with the surrounding greenery.

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STRONG SUITS Dozens of colorful, flattering options to live in all season long—and some powerful swimsuit memories to inspire you. BY F L AV I A N U N E Z PA P E R C R A F T P H O T O G R A P H S BY ADRIAN & GIDI

The Personal Dare of a White Suit

T R E N D T O T RY

TIES

P R O D U C T I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F M A N U FA C T U R E R S

Skinny little straps dress up standard silhouettes, and adjustable bows customize the fit.

(Opposite page) Gidget One Piece, $84; freepeople.com. (This page) 1 Rafaella Bikini Top, $99, and Pacey Bikini Bottom, $99; lspace.com. 2 Bellitude Tie Shoulder One Piece, $330; zimmermannwear.com. 3 Draper James x Lands’ End Bandeau One Piece, $100; landsend.com. 4 Naomi Tie-Front Bikini Top, $38, and Sasha Reversible Bikini Bottom, $34; modcloth.com. 5 Cut Out One Piece, $178; gottex-swimwear.com. 6 The Olympia Floral, $178; solidandstriped.com.

TO BUY:

Last summer, I wanted to buy a new suit for a trip to the Bahamas with my now fiancé. I combed through websites and found myself favoriting all the black suits—even though I already had a drawerful. It seems there are unspoken rules in the bathing suit industry about which colors and styles are what I call the f-word—“flattering”— for plus-size women. But as I clicked through sites, I chose to silence those silly thoughts and bought a really beautiful white halter one-piece. I wore that suit with a smile and felt great standing out in a sea of black and navy swimsuits on the beach. BRANDI BROXSON, REAL SIMPLE SENIOR EDITOR

T R E N D T O T RY

WRAP

Crisscross styles offer all-day comfort and support, whether you’re lounging on the deck or swimming underwater.

4 6

TO BUY: 1 Solid Goddess, $158; magicsuitswim.com. 2 Retro Ruched Bandeau Top, $49, and Ruched High-Waisted Bikini Bottom, $49; garnethill.com. 3 Venetia One Piece, $325; araks.com. 4 Lila Lurex Stripe One Piece, $195; onia.com. 5 Monteverde Madero, $190; everythingbutwater.com. 6 Catarina Bandeau Bikini Top, $138, and Azoia Tie-Waist Bikini Bottom, $138; veronicabeard.com.

A Mom Suit That Broke All the Rules 2

T R E N D T O T RY

RU C H I N G 1

A bit of gathered fabric is instantly flattering. Look for strategically placed scrunching to play up your bust or waist (or both!).

Emily Color Blocked One-Piece, $228; thehermoza.com. 2 Andros Tie Detail Swimsuit, $98; bodenusa.com. 3 Yash Bikini Top, $180, and Ulla Bikini Bottom, $115; araks.com. 4 Banks One Piece, $175; frankiesbikinis.com. 5 Colourblock Wide Apex Tummy Control One-Piece, $75; figleaves.com. 6 Apt. 9 One-Shoulder Bikini Top, $33, and Shirred High Waist Bikini Bottoms, $33; kohls.com.

TO BUY: 1

I grew up in a traditional Pakistani household, and my mom imposed a lot of rules to teach me, my two sisters, and my two brothers about modesty. So it was a huge surprise—and cause of confusion—when we bought a house with a pool and my mom allowed herself and my sisters to wear actual bathing suits in the privacy of our backyard. (The norm for the girls was bodycovering T-shirts and dark shalwar pants.) Our suburban Miami yard had fences blocked by palms, massive cacti, and banana trees, and I remember seeing my mom lying on a pool chair in her one-piece suit and realizing how happy she was: She’d made the decision for herself and my sisters to enjoy the swimming pool in bathing suits, and I truly believe something about that empowered her as a Pakistani woman and a mom. She worked hard and earned that pool, and she was going to enjoy it in all her one-piece glory! It was nice seeing her just enjoying a summer day with her kids and not caring about cultural restrictions. This moment was major for us. It was one of the first times we all—especially my mom—felt like we were living by our own rules. MUZAM AGHA, REAL SIMPLE PHOTO DIRECTOR

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T R E N D T O T RY 1

RU F F L E S

Frills add a playful, feminine touch to any cut—from a deep-V one-piece to a floaty floral halter to the bikinis in between.

6 4

TO BUY: 1 Skinny Dippers Jelly Beans Cinch One-Piece, $120; barenecessities.com. 2 Scalloped Ruffle One-Shoulder One-Piece, $128; jcrew.com. 3 Ruffle Longline Bikini Top, $35, and Bikini Bottom, $20; aerie.com. 4 Veranda Floral Ruffle Halter One Piece, $250; shoshanna.com. 5 AHF Liv Bikini Top, $58, and Estella Bikini Bottoms, $58; freepeople.com. 6 Villa One-Piece, $56; dippindaisysswimwear.com.

Cap sleeves mean you can wear it with a skirt for dinner!

The CrystalEncrusted Confidence Boost 2

T R E N D T O T RY

TEXTURE Even the most minimalist silhouette takes on a new dimension thanks to ribbed, ridged, or seersucker fabric.

4 6

TO BUY: 1 Sea Swell Wrap One-Piece, $159; tommybahama.com. 2 Kai Top, $122, and Namarai Bottom, $122; shop.mikoh.com. 3 Mexico Maillot, $345; marysia.com. 4 Dea Bodysuit, $198; vitaminaswim.com. 5 Maxswim Jules Textured Underwire Top, $88, and Jessie Textured Hipster Bottom, $68; everythingbutwater.com. 6 Emma One Piece, $290; marahoffman.com.

I remember being a preteen and shopping for my first real bikini—I was actually excited about it! As a kid, I’d always been on the chunkier side, so my mother kindly kept me in one-pieces. As I got older, I dabbled in the finest tankinis Old Navy had to ofer, but the summer after eighth grade was diferent. I had slimmed down (thank you, four dance classes a week and 13-year-old metabolism), was feelin’ myself, and was ready to take on our Ocean City, Maryland, family vacay in a bikini. Looking at my reflection in the Bloomingdale’s fitting room, in a seashell-andcrystal-encrusted teal velour (yes, velour) Juicy Couture set, I had never felt better about myself. There was a huge zit on my nose and my mouth was full of braces, but in Ocean City, I posed for professional beach photos with pride (15 years later, the magnet still lives on my parents’ fridge!). I kept that bathing suit, and every time I unearth it from my childhood bedroom, I smile and tuck it back in the drawer, remembering how good it made me feel and what a turning point that summer was for my self-confidence. LISA DeSANTIS, REAL SIMPLE DEPUTY BEAUTY DIRECTOR

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bird around the world Chicken is a favorite dish on tables all over the globe. These big-flavor recipes are plucked from spots near (Buffalo, New York) and far (Vietnam). by Anna Theoktisto

photographs by Greg DuPree

illustrations by Adam Cruft

FO O D ST Y L I N G BY C H E LS E A Z I M M E R ; P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N

VietnameseInspired Chicken Patties

A dusting of Parmesan is about to become your new poultry go-to.

GarlicParmesan Chicken Wings

Vietnamese-Inspired Chicken Patties ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 PATTIES

1 1/2 lb. ground chicken 6 scallions, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1/2 cup panko 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro 2 tsp. fish sauce

Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 6

2 1/2 lb. chicken wings

1 tsp. kosher salt

3 tsp. kosher salt, divided

Cooking spray

3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided

VINAIGRETTE

1/3 cup rice vinegar

3/4 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)

3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for grill grates

1 Tbsp. fish sauce

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 Tbsp. sambal oelek (ground fresh chili paste) or sriracha 1 1/2 tsp. soy sauce 2 Tbsp. canola oil 1 tsp. sugar 3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 medium red Fresno chile, seeded and finely chopped (1 1/2 Tbsp.) ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS

1 cup cooked rice vermicelli noodles Butter lettuce leaves Stir chicken, scallions, panko, cilantro, fish sauce, and salt in a large bowl until combined. Shape into 8 patties. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high; coat with cooking spray. Working in 2 batches, cook patties, flipping once, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat. MAKE THE PATTIES:

Stir vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce, sambal oelek, and soy sauce in a medium bowl. Whisk in oil and sugar until mixture is smooth. Stir in cilantro and chile. MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE:

arrange cooked rice noodles and patties evenly in lettuce leaves; drizzle with vinaigrette. TO SERVE,

112 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

1/2 tsp. lemon zest plus 2 1/2 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 2 lemons) 1 large clove garlic, grated 1/2 tsp. sugar grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Toss wings with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Place on oiled grates; grill, covered, turning often, until browned and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 170°F, 12 to 16 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; add cheese and toss to coat. PREHEAT

oil, parsley, lemon zest and juice, garlic, sugar, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle over wings and serve. STIR

If you don’t want to grill, broil these addictive wings on a foillined baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes per side.

Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Thighs ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 40 MINUTES SERVES 4

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Thighs

1/2 tsp. ground coriander 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

The ingredient list may look long, but it’s mostly easy-tomeasure spices.

1/4 tsp. smoked paprika 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric 3 tsp. kosher salt, divided 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs) 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise 1 large clove garlic, grated 3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar, divided 1 1/2 lb. tomatoes, quartered 1 Tbsp. fresh oregano leaves, plus more for serving 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup olive oil, divided 1 red onion, cut into 1/2-in. slices Naan, for serving cinnamon, coriander, cumin, paprika, cloves, turmeric, and 2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl. Rub mixture evenly over chicken; set chicken aside. COMBINE

yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a small bowl. Toss tomatoes with oregano, pepper, 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons vinegar in a medium bowl. Set bowls aside. STIR

remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Working in 2 batches, add chicken to hot oil; cook, flipping once, until browned and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 165°F, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board. HEAT

onion to skillet; cook over medium-high, stirring often and scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet, until onion is browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. ADD

chicken into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a serving platter with any accumulated juices. Add onion and any remaining juices in skillet to platter. Top with oregano. Serve with yogurt mixture, tomato salad, and naan. SHRED

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern slow-roasted meat, often with a dry rub of aromatic spices.

A tangy buttermilk marinade gives this bird a big pop of flavor. Removing the backbone from the chicken helps it cook quickly and evenly.

Spatchcocked Buffalo Chicken

Spatchcocked Buffalo Chicken ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS, 35 MINUTES (INCLUDES CHILLING) SERVES 4

1 3 1/2-to-4-lb. whole chicken, patted dry 1/4 cup hot sauce, such as Tabasco 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika 3 1/2 cups whole buttermilk, divided

H O W TO S PATC H C O C K

4 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 1/2 tsp. plus a pinch freshly ground black pepper, divided 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup) 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 lb. fresh yellow wax beans, blanched 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced (3/4 cup) 1 cup celery leaves chicken (see instructions at right). Stir hot sauce, paprika, 3 cups buttermilk, 3 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish. Add chicken, turn to coat, and place breast side down. Cover; marinate in refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours. SPATCHCOCK

1 Place chicken, breast side down, on a cutting board. Using a pair of heavy-duty kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it.

oven to 400°F. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry; discard marinade. Place chicken, breast side up, on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle evenly with oil; sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. PREHEAT

chicken until golden brown and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of thigh registers 165°F, 1 hour, 5 minutes, to 1 hour, 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let rest for 10 minutes. Cut into pieces. BAKE

chicken rests, stir together blue cheese, parsley, shallot, lemon juice, mustard, and remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pinch of pepper. WHILE

2 Flip chicken so it’s breast side up, then press down to flatten.

beans, sliced celery, and celery leaves on a platter. Serve with chicken and blue cheese dressing for drizzling. TOSS

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

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5 EASY DINNERS P L A N T P O W E R E D : C R E A M Y DAT E S H A K E S B I G B AT C H : KO R E A N S O Y- S E S A M E B E E F

P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y H E AT H E R G R E E N E F O R H E L L O A R T I S T S

H A N DY S H O RTCUT A sharp chef’s knife makes cooking faster, easier, and—perhaps counterintuitively—safer, since a dull blade can be harder to control. But at-home sharpening requires supplies and practice, and dropping off your set is just one more errand on that endless to-do list. Now, though, your blades can regain their edge by mail, thanks to California-based Knife Aid. Pack up your knives (most types, and even scissors!) in a prepaid envelope and they’ll travel, fully insured, to a pro. In about a week, your knives will be back in your kitchen, ready to chop, mince, and dice. TO BUY: $59 for 4 knives; knifeaid.com.

P h o t o g r a p h b y Te d + C h e l s e a C a v a n a u g h

117

FOOD

oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss chickpeas, zucchini, squash, onion, 2 tablespoons oil, and 1 teaspoon salt on baking sheet. Roast until zucchini and squash are browned and chickpeas are crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.

1 15-oz. can low-sodium chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Easy Dinner 1

Summer Squash Farro Bowl ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4

✓ Make Ahead ✓ Whole-Grain ✓ Vegetarian

2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1-in.-thick half-moons (about 2 cups) 2 medium yellow squash, sliced into 1-in.-thick half-moons (about 2 cups) 1 red onion, sliced (1 cup) 1/4 cup olive oil, divided 1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 1/4 cups farro 1 tsp. lime zest plus 1/4 cup fresh juice, divided (from 2 limes) 1 avocado, peeled and sliced Fresh cilantro leaves, for serving 3/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

prepare farro according to package directions. Drain; transfer to a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons lime juice and remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt. MEANWHILE,

farro mixture among bowls and top with squash mixture, sliced avocado, and cilantro. Stir yogurt, lime zest, and remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice in a small bowl. Serve with farro bowls for dolloping. DIVIDE

PER SERVING: 671 Calories, 27g Fat (4g Saturated), 6mg Cholesterol, 20g Fiber, 24g Protein, 85g Carbs, 900mg Sodium, 11g Sugar

Recipes by Robby Melvin 118 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Photographs by Caitlin Bensel

F O O D S T Y L I N G B Y M A R G A R E T D I C K E Y; P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y A U D R E Y D AV I S

PREHEAT

Easy Dinner 2

Cheesy Lamb Burgers with Herb Mayo ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4

✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Family Friendly

1 lb. ground lamb 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Canola oil, for grill grates 4 1-oz. slices Havarti cheese 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 4 Bibb lettuce leaves 4 kaiser rolls, split and lightly toasted lamb, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Shape into 4 (1/2 inch thick) patties. COMBINE

grill to medium (350°F to 400°F) and oil grates. Grill patties, flipping once, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 160°F, about 4 minutes per side. Top each patty with cheese during the last minute of cooking. Let patties rest for 5 minutes. PREHEAT

mayonnaise, chives, basil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Assemble burgers with lettuce, patties, and mayonnaise mixture on toasted rolls. STIR

PER SERVING: 660 Calories, 46g Fat (19g Saturated), 116mg Cholesterol, 2g Fiber, 32g Protein, 31g Carbs, 908mg Sodium, 1g Sugar

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

119

Easy Dinner 3

Spring Pasta Salad ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4

✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Make Ahead ✓ Vegetarian

12 oz. casarecce or other short pasta 12 oz. sugar snap peas, halved 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 2 tsp. finely chopped shallot 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 tsp. honey 1 tsp. lemon zest plus 3 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 2 lemons) 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for water 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, torn 1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes 1 oz. ricotta salata cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup) a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil over high. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, for 9 minutes. Add snap peas and cook, undisturbed, until pasta is al dente and peas are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; return pasta and peas to pan. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pasta mixture and toss to coat. Let cool for 5 minutes. BRING

whisk shallot, mustard, honey, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in remaining 1/4 cup oil until mixture is smooth. MEANWHILE,

pasta and peas to shallot dressing and toss to combine. Stir in mint and radishes and top with cheese. TRANSFER

PER SERVING: 546 Calories, 21g Fat (4g Saturated), 8mg Cholesterol, 5g Fiber, 15g Protein, 75g Carbs, 666mg Sodium, 9g Sugar (3g Added)

120 REAL SIMPLE

FOOD

Easy Dinner 4

Indian-Spiced Shrimp with Cucumber Salad ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 4

✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Gluten-Free

1 1/2 lb. peeled, deveined large raw shrimp 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. ground coriander 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric 1/4 tsp. cayenne 3 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 3 tsp. grated fresh ginger, divided 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 large English cucumber, sliced into half-moons (3 cups) 3 Tbsp. honey 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 3 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar 3 cups cooked white basmati rice

broiler with rack 6 inches from heat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toss shrimp with cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt on baking sheet until evenly coated. Broil shrimp until pink and cooked through, about 5 minutes. PREHEAT

toss cucumber, honey, parsley, vinegar, and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, 2 teaspoons ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until combined. MEANWHILE,

shrimp with rice and cucumber salad. SERVE

PER SERVING: 476 Calories, 18g Fat (2g Saturated), 214mg Cholesterol, 1g Fiber, 27g Protein, 52g Carbs, 977mg Sodium, 13g Sugar (12g Added)

JUNE 2020 REAL SIMPLE

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FOOD

hash browns, 2 tablespoons chives, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Season fillets on both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Brush flesh sides of fillets evenly with egg and gently press hash brown mixture to adhere. STIR

Easy Dinner 5

Potato-Crusted Arctic Char ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4

✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly

2 cups frozen shredded hash browns 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives, divided 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided 4 6-oz. skin-on arctic char fillets 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 Tbsp. olive oil 12 oz. green beans, trimmed 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 3/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook fillets, hash brown sides down, until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. HEAT

heat beans, butter, 1/4 cup water, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large skillet over high until steaming. Cover and cook until beans are crisptender, about 3 minutes; discard cooking liquid. Serve fish with beans and yogurt and top with remaining 1 tablespoon chives. MEANWHILE,

PER SERVING: 459 Calories, 23g Fat (6g Saturated), 150mg Cholesterol, 4g Fiber, 45g Protein, 18g Carbs, 857mg Sodium, 5g Sugar

122 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Eat in peace. For once.

FOOD

Plant Powered

Creamy Date Shakes A R E F R E S H I N G S U M M E R D E S S E R T O R S N A C K , T H I S B E T T E R - F O R -Y O U B E V E R A G E I S N A T U R A L LY S W E E T A N D L O A D E D W I T H P R O T E I N . By Ananda Eidelstein

ACTIVE TIME 5 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 MINUTES SERVES 2

1 cup unsweetened almond milk or other nondairy milk 5 Medjool dates, pitted and halved 1/4 cup hemp seeds 1 pinch ground cinnamon, plus more for serving milk, dates, ice, hemp seeds, and cinnamon in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Dust with cinnamon. PROCESS

HEMP SEEDS

This superfood is truly deserving of the title. Often labeled “hemp hearts,” the seeds are packed with hearthealthy omega-3 fatty acids and have more than 6 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving. Mild and a touch nutty, they add a nutritional punch to smoothies, salads, grain bowls, and energy balls. Store in the fridge or freezer for a longer shelf life.

124 RE AL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Try more of our healthy vegetarian dishes at realsimple.com/plantpowered.

Photograph by Greg DuPree

FO O D ST Y L I N G BY C H E LS E A Z I M M E R ; P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N A N D SA R A H E L I Z A B E T H C L E V E L A N D ; H E M P S E E D S : G E T T Y I M AG ES

1 cup ice

PRESENTED BY

FOOD

Big Batch

Korean Soy-Sesame Beef AL SO KNOWN A S BULGO GI, T H I S T H I N LY S L I C E D S T E A K A B S O R B S A F L A V O R F U L M A R I N A D E , FA S T. By Anna Theoktisto

ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 5 MINUTES SERVES 8

1/2 cup pear nectar 6 cloves garlic, smashed 1 2-in. piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil 1/4 cup Asian chili-garlic sauce, such as Huy Fong 5 lb. sirloin steak, thinly sliced 1/4 cup canola oil, divided Sliced scallions, sesame seeds, and cooked rice or lettuce cups, for serving nectar, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and chili-garlic sauce in a blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour into a large ziplock bag. Add beef; seal bag and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 8 hours. 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add a quarter of beef; spread in a single layer. Cook, flipping once, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter. Repeat, in batches, with remaining 3 tablespoons canola oil and beef. (Discard leftover marinade.) Top with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve with rice or lettuce cups. HEAT

STORING AND R E H E AT I N G Freeze cooked beef in ziplock bags for up to 1 month. To thaw, run bag under warm water until mixture comes loose. Transfer beef to a skillet and add 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Gently heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

126 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Photograph by Greg DuPree

FO O D ST Y L I N G BY C H E LS E A Z I M M E R ; P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N A N D SA R A H E L I Z A B E T H C L E V E L A N D

PROCESS

HOW ALMASED WORKS

Starting Phase Kick oﬀ your diet with a low-calorie nutritious fast for 3 to 14 days to boost metabolism.

“I can ﬁnally see my muscles again after losing 30 lbs and it feels great! Almased keeps my cravings at bay and is completely satisfying.” - Bridgette A. (San Diego, CA)

Reduction Phase Build healthy eating habits while keeping your metabolism up! Continue until you reach your desired goals!

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The Secret Formula to Losing Weight, Fat and Inches! D eveloped over 30 years ago by holistic therapist Hubertus Trouillé to improve metabolism, Almased is a unique low-glycemic high-protein (LGHP) diet formula that provides the body with all the amino acids it needs for optimal health.

In fact, a breakthrough 2018 study from the University of Alberta proved that Almased improved metabolism and

helped people burn fat instead of carbohydrates earlier than with a standard diet.

Two other studies support these ﬁndings, and show that the LGHP diet signiﬁcantly boosts the fat-burning hormone, adiponectin. They also show that Almased supports healthy levels of blood sugar and the appetite hormones, ghrelin and leptin.

Its powerful unique combination of eﬀects supports weight loss, weight management and overall health. It’s why our customers say Almased is the very best low-glycemic high-protein diet.

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Results are not typical. Individual results may vary based on starting weight and program adherence. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

A N O T - E N T I R E LY- M A D E - U P L I S T O F I T E M S I F O U N D W H E N I M O V E D T H E C O U C H T O VA C U U M By Shira Rachel D anan

An abandoned cross-stitch project that simply reads, “Ho”

A sippy cup full of what is now wine

The Bluetooth tracker I was supposed to attach to my keys

A game of Monopoly, frozen midplay, from two years before the subprime mortgage crisis

A colony of feral houseplants that abandoned hope of ever being watered and set off to save themselves

Another, smaller couch

A note from Bill that would have made everything OK

A mini bottle of whiskey and a very drunk mouse

A 10-year-old time capsule containing everything I found when I cleaned under the couch last time

128 REAL SIMPLE JUNE 2020

Illustrations by Joel Holland

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