RS - April 2019 by Lawrence Ambrocio

realsimple LIFE MADE EASIER

Brighten Your Spring Shortcuts to Shiny Surfaces, Less Clutter & Fresher Rooms

Exercise Moves to Feel Great 18 Easy Spring Recipes

Laundry in Half the Time

APRIL 2019

Best Beauty Bargains (Picked by a Skin Doc)

A clean playroom is the beginning.

*When used as directed on hard non-porous surfaces.

What comes next is everything.â&#x201E;˘

Kills 99.9% of germs*

This page: Magicsuit RufďŹ&#x201A;ed one-piece, $166 Opposite page: Magicsuit Jean romper swimsuit, $182 Miraclesuit Peephole tankini, $130 Basic bikini bottom, $74 Gibson and Latimer Embroidered halter, $48 Mid-waist bottom, $46 Miraclesuit Underwire one-piece, $168 Dillards.com 1.800.345.5273

OUR BEST

swim EVER

OVER 50 PREMIUM BRANDS

The most sought-after trends. Certified fit specialists. Bra sizes C - DDD. For superior swimwear to fit and flatter every shape, try us on.

a The Style of Your Life.

Dillards.com • 1.800.345.5273

NEW

TATTOO STUDIO

GEL PENCIL

Thoughts

“That is one good thing about this world... there are always sure to be more springs.”

STO C K SY

— L . M . M O N T G O M E R Y, A n n e o f A v o n l e a

8 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Marcel

THINK OF THE LEAST

SMOOTH

THING YOU'VE EVER DONE.

THESE TASTE LIKE THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. (P.S. YOU REALLY DID THAT???)

E d i t o r ’s N o t e

A C H S P R I N G B R I N G S that joyous moment when we look outside and see that the sun has returned, followed quickly by a realization: “Gee, my windows are ﬁlthy!” The sense of rejuvenation symbolized by the season inspires us to refresh our surroundings. But then reality sets in, and no matter whether you’re washing windows, dragging around a vacuum, or busting your knuckles as you scrub the tub, the predominant feeling is less “the joy of rebirth” than “there’s gotta be a better way.” Well, there is. We pulled together our favorite cleaning hacks plus some we’d never tried before, starting on page 122. I learned the most about cleaning during the summer between high school and college, when I worked as a housekeeper at a chain motel in Iowa. I was great at beds, but my tubs didn’t pass muster, according to my demanding manager. “Leslie, get in this tub and look around,” she said. “You have to see the dirt the way a guest does.” Sure enough, I had missed some soap scum under the spigot. My friends thought the housekeeping job sounded lousy, but the morning hours allowed me to work evenings at a movie theater, and—bonus!—sometimes people left tips. But what I remember most is the sense of calm and accomplishment I felt when I walked past all the rooms I’d cleaned on a given day. It’s the same feeling I get when my home is clean today. (And I always tip the housekeeping staff when I stay away from home. Been there, done that.)

Earth Day is April 22, but at Real Simple, we think every day should be Earth Day. So we’re celebrating Garnier’s Beauty Responsibly project to help keep empties out of landfills. On page 62, we share tips on how to toss products and their packaging the environmentally friendly way.

Follow me on Twitter @lyazel and Instagram @leslieyazel

10 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Remi Pyrdol

WA R D R O B E S T Y L I N G B Y A LY S S A D I N E E N ; H A I R A N D M A K E U P B Y S U M M E R T R A N

new spring collection limited edition

Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nail salon expert. since 1981

spring in, pinkies out

pinkies out

follow @essie #essielove

available in 6 spring colors

stirring secrets

a touch of sugar

pinkies out

tiers of joy

reign check

teacup half full

THAT COLOR IS EVERYTHING Spring style done brightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Worthington keeps it bold & brilliant

Shop in store & jcp.com

Contents April 2019

ON THE SUBSCRIBER C OV E R

ON THE N E W S S TA N D C OV E R

116 Make your tub a personal oasis

TO BUY: (Left) Scratch-Free Scrub

Daddy Sponge, $4; containerstore .com. (Right) Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Stella Sconces, $128 each; build.com. 30" Modero Vanity, from $1,099, and Lester Widespread Bathroom Faucet, $229; signature hardware.com. Project 62 32" Round Decorative Wall Mirror, $69; target.com. Yaquina Towel Ring, $75; rejuvenation.com. Waffle Towels, from $25; parachute.com. White Form Vase, $20; jaysonhome .com. Odeme Tall Vessel, $30, and Odeme Soap Dish, $19; burkedecor .com. Brass T Knobs, $14 for 2, and Bianca Two Tone Basket, $35; worldmarket.com.

Shortcuts to Shiny Surfaces, Less Clutter & Fresher Rooms 122 Exercise Moves to Feel Great

18 Easy Spring Recipes 34, 48, 108, 138, 143, 144 Best Beauty Bargains (Picked by a Skin Doc)

Laundry in Half the Time

130

108

Life on a farm with former city folk

Sweet tropical treats for spring

C o v e r P h o t o g r a p h b y C h r i s t o p h e r Te s t a n i 14 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Prop St yling by Cat Dash

122

Little moves to tidy up fast

Smoother vacation planning

Seeking the perfect strawberry

Thoughts Editor’s Note

Real Simple 24 /7

Your Words

18 24

The Short List

Pretty Smart Beauty buys to save your sanity

The Staple Ground coffee

Room Rx Decorate a room with a curved wall

Organizing Smart tips for offseason storage Now What?!? Solutions for life’s mini disasters

what we love Indoor Gardening Must-Haves

Mission: Dinner Bacon-potato soup

Spring Clean Your Beauty Stash What to know before you toss products 62

the realist

Best Dressed One-and-done dresses for 9 to 5 and beyond

Drugstore Insider Shop the aisles with a top dermatologist 60

Road Test Beauty bars

Cooking School Holiday roasts

Laundry Quandaries From washing linens to buying a machine 54

Little Helpers Clever items that make every day better 41

How to Pick the Best Strawberries 43

relating

features

food

Plan a Trip in Less Time Book that family vacation 81

Spring Bakers Luscious, islandinspired desserts

5 Easy Dinners

138

Make It Yourself Cauliflower rice

143

Modern Manners Catherine Newman offers advice

Turn Your Tub into a Sanctuary Consider this your bath mood board 116

Big Batch Ricotta meatballs

144

Road Test Hummus

146

Good Read Jackie Ashton on love and basketball 89 Pet Tricks Clean up their mess

Cleaning Hacks for the Whole House Freshen up every space faster 122 Free-Range Family Would you overhaul your life to run a farm? 130

balance If You Only Do One Exercise... Meet your health goals with these moves 95

5 Things You Should Do Before Paying a Medical Bill Read the fine print 100

Making It Work How do you keep your email inbox under control?

105

Ahhh Take a breather

107

Personal Shopper Anh Sundstrom styles you for the office 78

108

for fun 10 Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets We Would Absolutely Buy 152

Easter means an egg hunt. Look for these eggs throughout the issue to get clever Easter baking and cooking tips and hacks. Brought to you by

REAL SIMPLE (ISSN 1528-1701) (APRIL 2019) (VOLUME 20/ISSUE 4) 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.

Real Simple 24/7 FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR E XCLUSIVE IDE A S, TIP S,

MEET

TA M A R A K R AU S A S S O C I AT E H O M E E D I TO R AT R E A L S I M P L E

5 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS YO U S H O U L D G E T R I D O F I M M E D I AT E LY

Best gift I’ve received: Lemon-colored silk pajamas—so luxurious.

If you hang on to these household objects too long, you risk spreading germs, dirt, and dust around your entire home.

Favorite item in my home: Colorful stacking jewelry boxes from the MoMA Design Store.

See more at realsimple .com/cleanup.

Most-used makeup item: Glossier Balm Dotcom. @TAMARARKRAUS ON INSTAGRAM

Dye Easter eggs with ease For your egg hunt or a pretty centerpiece, follow our five steps for adding a coat of color to hard-boiled eggs this Easter. Read our how-to at realsimple.com/ easteregg.

Open

and tap

for cleaning tips.

PINTEREST @REALSIMPLE

TWITTER @REALSIMPLE

EXTRA SHARP Follow us on IGTV and Facebook as our editors share cooking techniques in our new video series, Extra Sharp.

S N A P C H AT @REALSIMPLEMAG

FAC E B O O K @REALSIMPLE

I N S TA G R A M @ R E A L _S I M P L E

C L O C K W I S E F R O M T O P L E F T : C O U R T E S Y O F TA M A R A K R A U S ; PA U L S I R I S A L E E / O F F S E T ; G E T T Y I M A G E S ; T E D A N D C H E L S E A C AVA N A U G H

A N D W AY S T O M A K E L I F E E A S I E R — E V E RY D AY.

Yo u r W o r d s

What springtime activity makes you happiest?

That first slightly warm day, when everyone drives with their windows down, feels like a little bit of magic. T I F FA N Y STA R K , R A L E I G H , N O RT H C A RO L I N A

Beekeeping. @TMCLOW

I plan a big Easter brunch for the extended family. This includes hiding over 100 tiny liquor bottles around the farm for the adult nieces and nephews to hunt instead of Easter eggs. STEPHANIE GODKE, KE WANEE, ILLINOIS

Planting my herb garden so I have fresh herbs to cook with all summer. @ANOTHER TABLESP O ON

# R S L OV E “ T H I S E N T RY WAY C A N W I T H STA N D A N Y W I L D W E E K . ” @ M AG N O L I A _ R A I N B OW

Going for that first bike ride on a warm spring day. NANCY GARVEY, WEYMOUTH, MAS SACHUSE T TS

Each year on Good Friday, my husband and I take the day off to buy plants, seeds, and flowers and start our garden. It marks the beginning of a new phase of the year and brings us both so much joy. It is one of my favorite “dates.” AMY LERITZ , SAINT LOUIS

Hiking. It helps me feel grounded again after a long winter and mud season. I love literally climbing mountains and reaching the summit—I feel like I can accomplish anything. @BO OKS INTERRUPTED

Having cocktails on a patio with my love. TO N YA A P P L EGAT E , R I C H M O N D, V I RG I N I A

18 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Setting up my hammock. Buying a hammock is one of the best investments I ever made. Getting it out of winter storage and setting it up makes me so excited for the warm and relaxing days ahead. K ATIE M C CORMICK , APPLE TON, WISCONSIN

Watching baby geese and their parents along the river. @NIEL SONSERENA

Hanging the bedsheets on the clothesline on the first warm spring day gives me such a rush. VALERIE A . LEE, BIG STONE GAP, VIRGINIA

Yo u r W o r d s

What springtime activity makes you happiest?

Although I live in Florida, we do have long spans of time when closedtoed shoes are necessary. I love to get a professional pedicure when spring returns and it’s time to break out the sandals again. SHANNON HULL , FORT WALTON BE ACH, FLORIDA

Playing tennis after work with no lights necessary. @CANE ALER

Opening the windows in the house for the first indoor breath of fresh air in five months! NATALIE A . HUBERS, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

We go through our belongings to determine what no longer fits our bodies or lifestyle. We then have a yard sale, during which we catch up with neighbors and meet new people. This ritual gives us a few extra dollars, a less cluttered home, a sense of accomplishment, and a wonderful feeling of community. KEISHA JOHNSON, MILWAUKEE

The Instagrammers who shared the photos on these pages will receive our Spring Cleaning special edition. Want to be considered for this column? Tag photos on Instagram with #RSLOVE.

20 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Walking in the rain with rain boots, a rain jacket, and no umbrella so my hands are free to catch raindrops or hold my kiddos’ hands. @JELIZ ACRE ATIVE

We are Jewish, so we celebrate Passover, and in preparation for it, we make sure our home is free of leaven—this is when I get my spring cleaning done! On the night of the seder, my house is the cleanest it has been all year. MARGELIT HOFFMAN, PHIL ADELPHIA

# R S L OV E The first thing I do to greet spring is take my yoga routine outside, especially the sun salutation.

“ M AY YO U R E A ST E R B E F U L L O F LOV E , J OY A N D B L E S S I N G S ! ” @ N A N CY B . C R E AT I V E

NEXT QUESTION...

CHERYL ANDERSON, ROLL A , MIS SOURI

What kitchen skill has been most useful to you?

I am always so happy to turn my clocks ahead one hour. It means longer days and warmer weather and lets us know that summer is not too far in the future. It’s optimistic!

Send an email to yourwords@ realsimple.com and let us know your answer to this question. Your response could appear on these pages.

DEBRA MAGEE, WAKEFIELD, RHODE ISL AND

Planting, pruning, getting my hands dirty, and bringing my garden back to life. @DR ANNER42

From the moment you take in a sweeping vista to the moment you relax in a charming lodge, Montana is full of amazing adventures. Discover your #MontanaMoment at VISITMT.COM.

The Short List F I V E B O O K S T H AT W O N ’ T D I S A P P O I N T By Elizabeth Sile

Ana Falcón and her husband, Lucho, are undocumented immigrants in New York City, working all hours to feed their kids, save enough money for their own apartment, and pay off the loan shark they’re indebted to. As their situation becomes more precarious, forcing them to consider returning to a violent Peru, Ana must make desperate decisions. Melissa Rivero’s The Affairs of the Falcóns is an urgent read for our times.

World War II novel Therapy notes In Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb offers an intimate look at her sessions with an array of patients— an arrogant jerk, a woman chasing unavailable men— and what she’s really thinking behind her notepad. Gottlieb adds another layer: Faced with a crisis, she seeks her own therapist. This relatable memoir reminds us that many of our struggles are universal and just plain human.

Jennifer Cody Epstein’s engrossing Wunderland begins in 1989 in New York City, where Ava has just received the ashes of her estranged mother, Ilse, and a stack of letters addressed to a woman named Renate. In 1930s Berlin, Ilse joins the Hitler Youth as her best friend, Renate, reels from a discovery about her heritage. Moving between decades and continents, Epstein reveals the devastating choices these women make.

Wise words Great for book club Young and Pak Yoo think they’ve got their slice of the American dream when they open a business offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, an alternative treatment for autism, infertility, and other conditions, in which patients breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized tank. When there’s a deadly explosion, the Yoos, their patients, and others are implicated. In Miracle Creek, Angie Kim (a former trial lawyer) delivers a propulsive courtroom drama.

For 34 years, Cathy Guisewite animated the struggles of being a working woman in her iconic comic strip, Cathy. With the strip retired, Guisewite has now written her first book of essays, Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault. She returns to some familiar territory—there are musings on dating, M&M’s binges, and fitting rooms—and explores the trials of middle age. With touching honesty and humor, she reflects on caring for her aging parents and raising her daughter. It’s a book for Cathy fans and everyone else.

For more book recommendations, visit realsimple.com/ newbooks.

24 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Addie Juell

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY R E B EC CA B A RTO S H E S KY

Behind the headlines

HEALTH IS FRAGILE Before your puppy becomes an adult, his immune, digestive, sensory and nervous systems are still in the critical stages of development. ROYAL CANIN® Puppy formulas contain a tailored combination of nutrients to support your puppy’s fragile immune system and his healthy growth based on his size speciﬁc needs. This is important during the “immunity gap”—the period where he is no longer protected by the antibodies received from his mother and is not yet fully protected by his own. By feeding him ROYAL CANIN® Puppy, you’ll see him grow into his magniﬁcent best. Give your puppy the perfect start. Find your

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

G R E E N WA L L Free up counter space and add texture to your wall with this copper planter rackâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; clay pots included. TO BUY: Wolter Wash clay wall planter, $84; birchlane.com.

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY R E B EC CA B A RTO S H E S KY

THESE IND O OR GARDENING M U S T- H AV E S TA K E P L A N T CARE TO THE NEXT LEVEL. N O G R E E N T H U M B R E Q U I R E D. By Cat Dash

Photograph by Addie Juell

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

W H AT W E LO V E

3 4

7 5 8

1 GO OD AS GOLD This metallic accessory releases just a spritz of water, so you’ll never drown your houseplants again. TO BUY: Gold plant mister, $30; crateandbarrel.com. 2 HANG LO OSE Macramé gets a modern makeover with these colorful planters. TO BUY: Hanging planters, from $62; weareclosed onmondays.com.

28 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

3 SHEAR GENIUS Keep these clippers on hand for pruning, which promotes plant health and encourages new growth. TO BUY: Small scissors, $22; barebonesliving.com. 4 B RU S H I T O F F This German-made brush loosens built-up dirt at the bottom of your planters. TO BUY: Bürstenhaus Redecker flower pot brush, $15; healdsburgshed.com.

This kit comes with labeled markers so you know exactly which flower to reach for.

5 IN LINE These geometric brass sticks are designed to help your green friends stand up straight. TO BUY: Plant sticks, $32 for 3; fruitsuper.com. 6 SCULPTUR AL VESSEL A matte white glaze and striking silhouette give a classic watering can an artistic upgrade. TO BUY: SAIC watering carafe, $15; cb2.com.

7 EDIBLE BLO OMS Grow these edible flowers and use them as garnishes for salads and cocktails. TO BUY: Edible flower kit, $43; thefloralsociety.com. 8 SIT TING PRET TY Give your plants a boost with this architectural brass stand. TO BUY: Portico standing planter, $39; westelm.com.

P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

BEAUTIFUL HAIR STARTS AT THE ROOT.

HAIRCARE WITH SOOTHING OAT AS THE FIRST INGREDIENT.

Â©J&JCI2019

Aveeno.com |

@aveenous |

@aveeno

W H AT W E LO V E

Pretty Smart V E G G I E S A N D V I TA M I N S F O R YO U R S K I N , P LU S S E V E N O T H E R B E AU T Y B U Y S T O S AV E YO U R S A N I T Y By Heather Muir Maffei

Serum shopping doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to feel like a wildgoose chase. This superfood-charged line spells it out for you. Want to fade spots? Try Ginger + Vitamin C. Reduce the look of pores? Grab Beet + Vitamin A. Boost hydration? Kale + Vitamin B is your go-to. Tap the serum into clean skin before moisturizer for your dose of nutrients. TO BUY: $20 each; target.com.

30 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Addie Juell

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY R E B EC CA B A RTO S H E S KY

SWEET CHEF S E RU M S H O T S

WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR MORNING BEAUTY ROUTINE

Your A.M. to-do list sets you up for the day ahead, and a few simple upgrades will give you a strong foundation. Inspired by Pronamel toothpaste, we’re exploring the right ways to wake up.

1. GO BEYOND BRUSHING WITH PRONAMEL The Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair toothpaste formula helps minerals absorb deep into acid-weakened enamel to repair and rebuild. The result? A strong, healthy, better-protected smile. 2. APPLY A MOISTURIZER WITH SPF Instead of layering on a moisturizer and SPF separately, reach for a formula that includes both. You’ll get equal protection without the mess.

4. CHOOSE A WATERPROOF MASCARA Something that’s rain-proof, tear-proof and sweat-proof is key. Consider an option with vitamin E, which moisturizes and nourishes, keeping

5. APPLY A LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK Slick on your lipstick — and then forget about it. A long-lasting formula allows for that luxury. Ingredients like aloe and jojoba help lips stay their softest.

W H AT W E LO V E

R E V L O N RO O T ER ASE PERMANENT RO O T T O U C H - U P

DIY hair color just got dramatically easier. The dual-valve canister eliminates messy mixing. Pump product into lid, stir, and paint onto hair. Wait five minutes before rinsing. TO BUY: $12; revlon.com.

Place two fingers inside the pad (itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little pocket) and sweep it over face and neck to dissolve gunk and minimize lines and spots with apple cider vinegar, alpha hydroxy acids, and witch hazel. TO BUY: $64 for 30; volitionbeauty.com. D OV E D RY S E RU M ANTIPERSPIR ANT I N RO S E S I L K

Our pits have never felt so pampered. This luxe, moisturizing formula dries to a powder for 48-hour odor and wetness protection. It made us look forward to applying deodorant. TO BUY: $12; at Target. GIVENCHY H Y D R A S PA R K L I N G E X P R E S S FRE SH MOISTURIZING M A S K S

Reduce waste with this pack of sheet masks that feel cool going on and leave skin glowing. Great for a groggy-morning pick-me-up. TO BUY: $57 for 14; saks.com.

32 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

AV E E N O P O S I T I V E LY R A D I A N T M A XG L O W I N F U S I O N D RO P S

Apply two drops to oily skin and three or four to dry skin for a complexion that looks lit from within under makeup. Soy and kiwi hydrate and brighten. TO BUY: $18; target.com. B UXO M C O S M E T I C S WA N D E R LU S T P R I M E R- I N F U S E D B LU S H I N I B I Z A , M Y KO N O S , A N D S E YC H E L L E S

Built-in primer helps the color last up to 12 hours. TO BUY: $22 each; sephora.com. J O H N F R I E DA DAY 2 R E V I VA L WAV E R E F R E S H S P R AY

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to rewash your hair to get your best curls. Mist on this dry oil (with avocado) and scrunch to bring them back into formation in less time. TO BUY: $10; amazon.com.

V O L I T I O N P E E L PA D S : P E T E R A R D I T O ; S M E A R : D YA D P H O T O G R A P H Y ; 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 F A C T U R E R S

VO L I T I O N A P P L E CIDER VINEGAR R E S U R FA C I N G P E E L PA D S

cup holder friendly.

W H AT W E LO V E

Quick Ideas

The Staple Coffee can wake up way more than your morning. A tablespoon or two lends smoky, sometimes chocolaty flavor to sweet and savory dishes. Try it mixed with spices and dusted over a butter-rubbed chicken for a burnished bird without the grill. Sprinkled on bacon with brown sugar, it’s a buzzworthy breakfast addition. Or stir it into glazed nuts to give them an unexpected lift. In any recipe, decaf or regular will do just fine.

1 ANCHO COFFEERU B B E D C H I C K E N

Mix together 1 Tbsp. each ground coffee, kosher salt, and light brown sugar, 1 tsp. ancho chili powder, and tsp. each dry mustard, ground coriander, and garlic powder. Rub a 3 -lb. chicken, under and over skin, with cup softened butter. Rub coffee mixture under and over skin. Roast at 425°F until cooked through, 1 hour. 2 COFFEE-CANDIED BACON

Place 8 slices thick-cut bacon on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Mix together 6 Tbsp. dark brown sugar, 2 tsp. ground coffee, and tsp. cayenne; sprinkle half over bacon. Bake at 375°F for 18 minutes. Flip; sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Bake until crisp, 15 minutes.

Boil cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. water, 2 Tbsp. honey, 1 Tbsp. ground coffee, and 1 tsp. kosher salt in a medium pot until sugar dissolves. Stir in 4 cups roasted unsalted mixed nuts. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until tacky and hardened, 15 minutes. Let cool.

B y D a w n Pe r r y Recipes by Marianne Williams

34 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Corey Olsen

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY M EG A N K I A N TO S

3 COFFEEGL AZED NUTS

REAL CHEESE PEOPLE

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

100% REAL, NATURAL CHEESE MAKES.

51% vs. 100% While Pasteurized Process Cheese Food is only required to contain 51% real cheese, Sargento® Slices are always 100% real, natural cheese. A burger can’t be its best when it’s made with anything less. © 2018 Sargento Foods Inc.

W H AT W E LO V E

Room Rx N O T S U R E H O W T O W O R K A RO U N D T H O S E T R I C K Y S P O T S I N YO U R H O M E ? I N T E R I O R A N D P RO D U C T D E S I G N E R S A R A H S H E R M A N S A M U E L O F F E R S H E R E X P E RT A DV I C E . By Stephanie Sisco

Q: “We have a curved wall in the living room, and I don’t know how to arrange the furniture around it. If I put a sofa against the wall, I feel like I’ll lose square footage, but I’m just not sure where to place everything otherwise.” —Brenda, renter of a century-old brownstone

P L AY I T U P

MIMIC SHAPES

M A K E I T F L OAT

R E T H I N K C U RTA I N S

If it’s in your budget, place a round-back sofa along the curved wall. Otherwise, position your couch opposite the wall and nestle a pair of upholstered chairs within the curve. TO BUY: Infiniti Curve Back sofa, $1,799; crateandbarrel.com.

Look for a round rug with a diameter similar to the wall’s. You’ll create repetition of the tricky shape and make the room feel cohesive. TO BUY: Nuloom Rigo natural 8-foot round area rug, $160; homedepot.com.

To hang artwork along a windowless curved wall, suspend pieces just in front of the wall: Screw eye hooks into the back of the frame and the ceiling and attach the hooks with thin wire cables. TO BUY: Hillman steel screw eye hooks, $1.30 each; lowes.com.

Don’t forgo window treatments. Hang drapery from a flexible track system that can be mounted along the curved ceiling for a dramatic effect. TO BUY: Standard duty track, $3.50 per foot; theflextrack.com.

Submit your own design dilemmas to Room.RX@realsimple.com.

36 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Illustration by Babeth Lafon

P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

Foreground: BEHR MARQUEE® Meteorological N430-6 Background: BEHR MARQUEE Rainy Afternoon N430-4

Shop this room, from the paint to the furniture, at homedepot.com/homedecor.

YOUR NEW FAVORITE ROOM. GUARANTEED. At The Home Depot, your paint project comes with a satisfaction guarantee. You get America’s top-rated paints and the know-how to get more out of a color you love. So the time to paint is now. It’s going to be perfect. Guaranteed. Visit homedepot.com/paint for more information. ®

W H AT W E LO V E

E RG O N O M I C S E AT

A workout and a chair: This 20 inch-high stool engages your core while you sit. It’s compact and weighs only seven pounds for easy transporting. In five colors. TO BUY: ErgoErgo, $100; amazon.com.

CUP CAKE UP GR ADE

Decorate storebought treats or bake your own with this bunny-themed set of 24 liners and toppers. TO BUY: Honeycomb Bunny Cupcake Kit, $13; merimeri.com.

Little Helpers S M A RT P RO D U C T S TO M A K E YO U R L I F E E A S I E R

P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

GL A SSES TO GO

Keep readers at the ready. These ultrathin specs slip into a case for iPhone and Samsung smartphones. In six frame colors and four lens strengths. TO BUY: ThinOptics Glasses & Slimline Phone Case, $30; thinoptics.com.

By Brandi Broxson

EASTER LL AMACORN

This quirky basket is 12 inches tall, the perfect size for both little ones and tweens. It’s constructed from durable canvas to support the heaviest of egg hauls but also has a soft handle for hurried schlepping. TO BUY: Llamacorn Basket, $16; papersource.com.

UNIVERSAL LID

Save space with this topper, made of silicone and stainless steel—it has three different lips to fit all your pots and pans. Dishwasher friendly and oven safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. TO BUY: Made In Universal Lid, $49; madein cookware.com.

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

P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y M I A K O K AT O H

H OW TO PI CK TH E B E ST STR AWBE R R IE S

Put fresh berries to good use with the recipes at realsimple .com/berries.

A strawberry’s sweetness depends more on its color than its size, says Madison Astin, a strawberry grower at Astin Farms in Plant City, Florida. Look for berries that are completely bright red—no white at the top—with fully attached green caps. If you can, gently squeeze a few of the berries. “Firm strawberries will typically last longer in your refrigerator,” she says. If you must store the berries, keep them in the same containers they were bought in, says Kevin Schooley, executive director of the North American Strawberry Growers Association. “They’re designed with venting to help reduce moisture, which can promote rot,” he says. When you’re ready to eat, rinse the berries and let them reach room temperature for maximum flavor. By Mar y Honkus

Photograph by Corey Olsen

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

THE REALIST

Cooking School H O S T I N G A C R O W D T H I S E A S T E R O R PA S S O V E R ? U S E O U R G U I D E T O B I G ROA ST S TO P I C K O N E O U T A N D C O O K I T TO P E R F EC T I O N . By D awn Perr y

Turkey

Ham

Brisket

WHAT TO LO OK FOR

Opt for a fresh turkey (rather than a previously frozen one) and aim for about a pound per person. Apply a dry brine a couple of days before you plan to roast to ensure crispy, flavorful skin and tender, flavorful meat.

A bone-in ham will yield moister and more flavorful meat than the boneless variety. Bet on 8 to 12 ounces of bone-in ham per person (you’ll likely have leftovers). Sweet glazes are a nice contrast to salty meat; for the easiest prep, pick a ham with the glaze baked right on.

Brisket is typically divided into two cuts: the leaner “flat cut” and the fattier “point cut.” While both yield meltingly tender meat, choose a flat cut for home cooking; it tends to cook more evenly and be easier to slice.

HOW TO CO OK IT

We recommend spatchcocking— removing the backbone and roasting the bird flat—because it can cut roasting time in half. Baste with pan drippings every 30 minutes and look for an internal temperature of 165°F. HOW TO C ARVE IT

Let your turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. Separate wings and legs with a sharp knife. Separate thighs and drumsticks by cutting through the joint. Slice along each side of the breastbone to remove the breasts; slice against the grain. Cut dark meat from the bone.

44 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

HOW TO CO OK IT

If your ham is labeled “fully cooked” or “ready-to-eat,” you can eat it cold or heat it until warm (about 140°F). Uncooked hams should be heated to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F.

HOW TO CO OK IT

Two to three hours of low, slow cooking breaks down a brisket’s connective tissue. Braise it in a mixture of tomatoes, wine, and aromatics until fork-tender, and let the meat cool completely in its braising liquid (this will help make it easier to slice). HOW TO C ARVE IT

HOW TO C ARVE IT

To carve a bone-in ham, make vertical slices perpendicular to the bone; cut along the bone to release the slices. Boneless hams can be easily sliced through, and spiral-cut hams come presliced so are the simplest of all to serve.

Once it’s cool, slice the brisket against the grain. Return the slices to the braising liquid and refrigerate for up to three days. Reheat the meat in the braising liquid, covered, at 350°F until warm.

Illustrations by Adam Cruft

SEKTION/VEDDINGE Kitchen

1399*

$ *

Based on a 10αx10α kitchen

©Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2019

A helping hand shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Find double the storage in your drawers within drawers, multitask with cabinets that spring open to your touch, and let integrated lighting help you ⇒nd the perfect ingredients.* With designs so affordable, you don’t need to hold off on building a dream kitchen that’s made just for you. Learn more at IKEA-USA.com/kitchens SEKTION cabinet frames in white melamine foil. VEDDINGE doors/drawer fronts in painted ⇒nish. MAXIMERA drawers in powder-coated steel and melamine foil. Shown with BAGGANÄS handles/knobs in brass-plated stainless steel. *The total price includes cabinets, fronts, interior ⇒ttings, hinges, cover panels, plinths, legs, drawers, and doors. Your choice of countertops, knobs/handles, sinks, faucets, lighting and appliances are sold separately. Tax, delivery and assembly not included. Requires assembly. See IKEA store or IKEA-USA.com for limited warranty, country of origin and 10'x10' details. Valid in US only. For J.D. Power 2018 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Kitchen Cabinets

THE REALIST

M E AT M U S T- H AV E S Take the guesswork out of Easter dinner and invest in a high-quality instant-read thermometer. We like a digital model that doesn’t need calibrating. Insert in the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone. TO BUY: Classic Super-Fast Thermapen, $79; thermoworks.com.

Leg of Lamb WHAT TO LO OK FOR

Lamb legs can be found bone-in or boneless. A semiboneless leg has the hip bone and aitchbone removed. Choose a smaller leg, around six pounds, and look for pale pink meat, which generally indicates a younger lamb and a milder taste. HOW TO CO OK IT

Season and let sit at room temperature for an hour before roasting. Cook until a thermometer inserted in the thick end hits 145°F (for medium-rare). This should give you rosy-pink slices from the thicker, sirloin end and more well-done options from the shank end.

To keep your carving station from looking like a crime scene, use a cutting board with a channel. It’s designed to catch drippings so they don’t spill all over the counter. TO BUY: Five Two Double-Sided Cutting Board, $99; food52.com.

A carving knife’s long, thin blade makes it easy to slice through wide roasts. Its narrow tip helps you wiggle into nooks and crannies (around turkey wings, for example). Use it with a carving fork to help keep meat steady. TO BUY: Avanta 2 Piece Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Set, $50; messermeister.com.

HOW TO C ARVE IT

Let rest for 30 minutes. Then cut thin slices from a long side, parallel to the bone. When you reach the bone, flip leg so it lies flat. Cut slices from the end. To remove remaining meat, make vertical slices perpendicular to the bone and cut along the bone to release the slices.

M O R E F RO M O U R K I T C H E N Find videos, lessons, shortcuts, and strategies to help you get dinner (and breakfast, and lunch, and dessert) on the table with ease at realsimple.com/cookingschool.

Because travel to Mars is a few DECADES AWAY. In Wy om i n g , s e e i n g i s b e l i e v i n g . A n d s om e t i m e s , d i s b e l i e v i n g . More t h a n e pi c w i l d w e s t v i s t a s , t h e l a n d s c ap e c a n d e f y e x p e c t at i on s w it h ot h e r w or l d l y c o l or s t h at e v o k e w on d e r a n d aw e . Nat u re h a s s e c re t s t o d i s c ov e r. Wh at on e a r t h a re y ou w a it i n g f or ?

THE REALIST

Mission: Dinner DINNER C AN BE DAUNTING, BUT MANY (LIT TLE) HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK. G E T K I D S I N V O L V E D W I T H A FA M I LY- F R I E N D LY S O U P A N D A L L T H E F I X I N G S . By D awn Perr y

Bacon-potato soup with Cheddar and chives ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 6

4 slices bacon, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 3 cups whole milk 1 tsp. kosher salt tsp. freshly ground black pepper 4 oz. Cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 cup) 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives bacon in a large pot over medium, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon.

ADD onion and garlic to pot. Cook, stirring often, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes.

potatoes, broth, milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very soft and soup is slightly thickened, 30 to 40 minutes.

ADD

SERVE topped with cheese, chives, and bacon.

48 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

How the kids can help Hearty soups make a great base for kidfriendly toppings. Have kids fill little dishes with all the fixings and then customize their bowls.

Give kids ownership of specific recipe steps: seasoning with salt and pepper right at the stove or snipping chives for garnish with safety scissors.

Let kids suggest their own creative toppings. Try roasted broccoli and sour cream or yogurt. Experiment with different cheeses, chopped red onions, or bell peppers.

Photograph by Victor Protasio

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N ; F O O D ST Y L I N G BY A N N A H A M PTO N

COOK

THE REALIST

Organizing

Smart Tips for Off-Season Storage F O L L O W T H I S P L A N T O K E E P YO U R G E A R I N G R E AT S H A P E F O R N E X T W I N T E R .

Before packing away your winter wardrobe, purge what no longer fits or is worn-out to save space for the things you’ll actually want to wear next season. Launder or dry-clean what you keep.

Pack folded sweaters in compression storage bags and stash those in an opaque bin or a suitcase to prevent light from discoloring the fabric.

Empty pockets and fasten zippers and buttons to help items retain their shape.

Fix broken zippers, replace missing buttons, and repair ripped linings now so your garments are ready for action when the cold weather returns.

Store off-season items in outof-the-way spots (think high shelves or the far ends of a closet), leaving the prime real estate for the stuff you need now.

Clean salt and debris from boots and shoes, and use shoe trees or boot shapers to help them keep their form. Don’t polish footwear until after the off-season, since the polish may attract dust.

Humidity and temperature swings should make the garage your last choice for storage space. Using the basement? Install water alarms to prevent leaks from ruining your gear.

Create an inventory, listing what you’ve stored where. If you need to find something, simply check the inventory rather than combing through every potential storage spot and unlabeled box.

Add a lavender sachet or a cedar block to your storage containers to repel bugs and keep your items smelling fresh.

Never use cardboard boxes to store items long-term, as they can attract pests, and curious pets can gnaw through the material.

O U R E X P E RT S JULIE BESTRY, CERTIFIED PROFES SIONAL ORGANIZER AND PRESIDENT OF BEST RESULTS ORGANIZING IN CHAT TANO O GA , TENNES SEE ANDREW MELLEN, NE W YORK CIT Y–BASED ORGANIZER AND AUTHOR OF UNSTUFF YOUR L IFE!

KENDALL WIL SON, CRE ATOR OF PUT TO GE THERPL ACE.COM

LISA ZASLOW, FOUNDER OF GOTHAM CIT Y ORGANIZERS IN NE W YORK CIT Y

50 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Illustrations by Asia Pietrzyk

THE REALIST

Now What?!? S M A RT F I X E S F O R L I F E ’ S L I T T L E D I S A ST E R S B y Ta m a r a K r a u s

My pencil skir t rotates during the day. This often happens when the skirt is too small for the top that’s tucked into it. Ensure a skirt is the right size before buying it, says Jessie Ajluni, a stylist in New York City: One finger should fit comfortably between your body and the waistline of the skirt; if you plan to tuck in a thicker sweater, two fingers should fit. In a pinch? Try attaching your skirt to your top or tights with a safety pin. For a more permanent fix, stitch a nonslip gripper into the waistline of your skirt. Silicone clothing tape with adhesive backing, found in some strapless bras, works well (try Pearl nonskid clear elastic, $15; amazon.com).

I ran over a nail.

Raccoons are getting into my garbage. Make sure there’s no trash outside the can, and seal your bin tightly by wrapping two bungee cords in the shape of an X or a plus sign over the lid, says Brent Lopez of Zepol Labs, a pest-control product manufacturer in Elk Grove, California. This will help keep raccoons from getting inside the can even if they manage to tip it over. Once a month, apply an all-natural rodent or small-animal repellent to the base of the can and other areas you won’t touch (reapply after rainfall); try a product made with peppermint oil. For a DIY solution, place a few cotton balls soaked in either peppermint oil or chile pepper oil in the bottom of the can. Raccoons don’t seem to like the strong taste or scent of these ingredients, so they’ll probably stay far away.

THE FIX:

52 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

THE FIX: Once a nail has entered a tire, it can act as a plug, so never pull it out before you have your tire looked at by a mechanic, says Amy Mattinat, shop owner of Auto Craftsmen, a repair facility in Montpelier, Vermont. Put on a spare if you have one (if not, call a tow truck) and head to a reputable mechanic, who may be able to patch the tire. Mattinat recommends looking for a mechanic with an Automotive Service Excellence certification (find one at ase .com). Not sure if you ran over a nail? Mix equal parts dish detergent and water in a spray bottle. Spray the tire and around the rim and valve stem. If bubbles appear, they can indicate where the leak is.

GET T Y IMAGES

THE FIX:

® ®

N U T R I T I O N T H AT P E R F O R M S ®

AVAILABLE FOR CATS & DOGS

At Purina® Pro Plan®, we’re always looking for ways to keep advancing, improving and offering your pet our best nutrition yet. Our latest addition? Live probiotics in select SAVOR® dry formulas to support digestive and immune health. We’ve studied probiotics for decades and carefully chose one that is known for being robust and stable. This probiotic is able to survive until the food reaches your pet’s bowl. In fact, we guarantee it.

GUARANTEED LIVE

LEARN MORE AT ProPlan.com/Probiotics. Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Any other marks are property of their respective owners.

TO SUPPORT DIGESTIVE & IMMUNE HEALTH

Exclusively at Pet Specialty and Online Retailers, Including:

Do I really need to sort my laundry? “In a word, yes. If you throw white T-shirts, lingerie, jeans, and towels into the same load, you could wind up with dye transfer, lint, pilling, and even snags and holes. Sorting laundry really isn’t so hard, especially if you presort with separate hampers or a hamper with divided sections. Designate one hamper or section for whites, one for dark colors, one for light colors, and one for dry-clean-only items. Then, when you’re ready to wash, sort those color piles by fabric type, so you’re washing heavy jeans or lint-producing bath towels separately from blouses, dress slacks, and underwear. This lets you use the correct water temperature and keep drying times simple, instead of frying your T-shirts in order to get your towels dry. Finally, anything that’s heavily soiled—especially with ground-in dirt or an oily stain— should be washed separately, to prevent odors or dirt from transferring.” MARY MARLOWE LEVERET TE, L AUNDRY AND HOUSEKEEPING E XPERT AT THE SPRUCE, AN ONLINE RESOURCE FOR HOME CARE TIP S

Laundry Quandaries D E F I N I T I V E A N SW E R S TO YO U R M O ST P R E SS I N G Q U E ST I O N S A B O U T T H E WA S H By Kate Rockwood

54 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Sweat stains are destroying my T-shirts. Help! “Preventing that stain-causing buildup—which is a mix of body sweat and deodorant chemicals—is a great place to start. To do that, pretreat the armpit area of your T-shirts with liquid laundry detergent or an enzyme-based stain remover every time you wash them, even if you can’t see a stain. Use the hottest recommended water setting—that

Photograph by Christopher Griffith

THE REALIST

will clean more effectively and strip out more of the buildup than cold water. If the sweat stains are on a white T-shirt, try putting the shirt in a dish pan and pouring boiling water through each armpit area to loosen the buildup. Then saturate the stains with a mixture of equal parts baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Rinse, and then toss the shirt into the wash with bleach. Use color-safe bleach if the shirt contains spandex, or you risk yellowing the fibers. Also, sweat stains are really individualized, based on how much you sweat and which deodorant you use. It might be worth experimenting with different deodorants—particularly ones without aluminum, which can contribute to discoloration.” MARY GAGLIARDI, A .K .A . DR. L AUNDRY, CLE ANING E XPERT AT THE CLOROX COMPANY

How much can I cram into my dryer before I have to worry that I’m hurting it? “If you’re cramming clothes in, you may already be hurting it. Overloading is one of the most common reasons dryers break down, because it can strain the machine’s pulley or drum belt or overheat the motor. When the drum is too full, the clothes can’t circulate and dry properly. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule for capacity, since a big load of jeans will weigh significantly more than a load of blouses and underwear. But in general, you should fill the dryer no more than two-thirds of the way. Closer to halfway is even better, if you’re drying heavy fabrics.” KAYL A BECKER, BEST BUY IN-HOME ADVISER IN MINNE AP OLIS

Tools of the Trade D I S T I L L E D W H I T E V I N EGA R

Can I hand-wash clothes labeled “dry-clean-only”? “In general, the proper thing to do is to follow the garment’s care label, because the manufacturer has tested what’s best for the item. Also, it depends on the fabric. Velvet, leather, and silk cannot withstand the roughness of the washing machine and don’t do well in water. Nylon, polyester, and spandex hold up well to delicate cycles or handwashing, in water slightly above room temperature. You can also ﬁnd in-dryer kits, like Dryel, that help freshen a wide variety of ‘dry-cleanonly’ garments. They eliminate odors, including perspiration and stale tobacco smells, and can help get rid of wrinkles and even light stains. That’s ideal if you don’t have time to get to the dry cleaner or simply want to extend the time between visits.” BRIAN SANSONI, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AT THE AMERICAN CLE ANING INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

I’m using a high-efficiency washer but only have regular detergent on hand. Is it a big deal to just use what I have? “High-efficiency machines use dramatically less water, so if you use a standard detergent, you’re going to struggle with soap residue on your clothes and in the lines of the machine. You might need four or ﬁve rinse cycles to get rid of all the suds. If you only have regular detergent, your best bet is to use less than a quarter of the amount you would in a non-HE machine.”

This multipurpose household staple can be used to soften fabrics, reduce body odor on clothes, and even clean the washing machine, says Leverette. Add one cup to the rinse cycle of every load. L I N T RO L L E R

Use one to remove as much pet hair from clothing as possible before tossing the item into the wash. If you don’t, the wet fur could stick to the side of the washer drum or even clog drain pumps, says Kimberly Janeway, home and appliance reporter at Consumer Reports. C O LO R- S A F E B L E A C H

High-efficiency machines bounce garments through the washing solution rather than submerging them like a traditional top loader does, so Gagliardi suggests pretreating stains with this detergent booster to ensure your garments emerge as clean and vibrant as possible. D RY I N G R A C K

Install a hanging rack or clothing rod in the laundry room to air-dry delicate fabrics or finish drying still-damp garments, says Hood. A P P L I A N C E P E D E S TA L S

Create extra storage in a small laundry room or raise front loaders to a more comfortable height by placing them on pedestal drawers, says Hood. Use them to stash laundry necessities and keep the space tidy.

SHIRLEY HOOD, APPLIANCE E XPERT AT ABT, A NATIONAL ONLINE RE TAILER OF ELECTRONIC S AND APPLIANCES

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

THE REALIST

My white linens always seem to end up looking dingy. What am I doing wrong?

MARY MARLOWE LEVERET TE

I shrunk my favorite shirt! Can it be saved? “Did you notice the size difference after pulling it from the washer or the dryer? Dryer shrinkage is much harder to reverse. But if the item is still wet, try gently stretching it and laying it ﬂat to dry. How successful you are will depend a lot on the material. Cotton is particularly forgiving, and polyester is pretty promising. Wool, in general, is not reversible.” MARY GAGLIARDI

56 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

HOW TO BUY A WA S H E R A N D D RY E R If your biggest laundry challenge is picking out new machines (gulp), let this be your guide.

1 S I Z E U P YO U R S PA C E

Before you start shopping, precisely measure your laundry space, as well as the width of any doors, hallways, or staircases the new machines will have to move through for installation. Allow about an inch between the washer and dryer and at least six inches behind the washer for water hookups. Figure out which dryer fuel type your space is set up for by looking at the outlet: If you see a standard 110-volt, three-prong outlet (for electricity to power the machine’s lights) and a gas valve, you’re set up for a gas dryer. A larger, 240-volt outlet with a distinct shape means you need a dryer that runs only on electricity. “It is possible to switch fuel types, but it tends to be really pricey,” says Becker.

L I S A R O M E R E I N / OT TO

“Over time, whites become dingy from redeposited soil, missed stains, and dye transfer from other garments. Washing whites separately will help. You should also opt for hot water, which works better to remove grime and body oils, and make sure you’re not overloading the machine. If the linens are packed too tightly, the loosened soil will reattach to the ﬁbers rather than getting ﬂushed away. Finally, pick a detergent that contains optical brighteners, like OxiClean or Nellie’s Oxygen Brightener. These products bend UV light waves to showcase blue light and reduce the amount of yellow light your eyes see, making the fabrics appear much whiter. When you move whites to the dryer, skip the fabric-softener sheets and pick the lowest heat setting. Too much heat can cause any stains or residual soil to yellow.”

2 K N O W YO U R N E E D S

Because washers and dryers have an average life span of 10 to 12 years, Hood encourages people waffling between sizes to get the largestcapacity machine the space can hold “to better future-proof their laundry needs.” A machine with over 4.5 cubic feet is big enough to accommodate most king-size bedding, and 6.2 cubic feet may fit up to 17 bath towels, says Janeway; check owner’s manuals for speciﬁcs. You also need to decide between a top loader and a front loader. Top loaders—which can be had for under $500—use up, down, and twisting motions to clean clothes, often with the help of a tall vertical agitator or a shorter impeller at the center of the drum. All that twisting can be rough on fabrics, but this model is still very popular because of the affordable price. Front loaders can take up to 120 minutes for a wash cycle, though a stronger spin cycle will save you time in the dryer. They’re the clear winner when it comes to lifting stains and soil together, notes Janeway. That can make a difference if your family is big on sports or someone has allergies or sensitive skin.

Discover common laundry mistakes— and how to correct them—at realsimple.com/laundrymistakes.

3 SEE IT IN PERSON

“There’s so much value in testing out the ergonomics of the design,” says Becker, “including opening and closing the door, reaching into the machine, and operating the controls.” High-capacity machines, for example, may be made either wider or taller to maximize the load size. Janeway says she has heard from shorter consumers who can’t reach the bottom of a super-deep washer. Becker also points out that there’s a lot of color variation in appliances, even those labeled white. If you have crisp white cabinets or walls in your laundry room, you’ll want to check the store for a good match.

squirt just the right amount into the drum at the exact right time, says Jillian Lazzarini, a laundry merchant at Home Depot. Many machines have a feature that automatically adjusts water levels based on the size of the load. And, on the dryer side, manufacturers are adding more precise sensors that read humidity levels—which could signal an end to still-damp bath towels everywhere. One of the best smart features, says Becker, is one you hope doesn’t get used: built-in sensors that determine what’s wrong with the machine and send out a corresponding error code. This lets you avoid having a repair person visit just to diagnose the problem, she says; instead they can come ﬁx it with the necessary parts already in hand.

5 TIME IT RIGHT

4 CONSIDER THE BELL S AND WHISTLES

High-efficiency options were once considered experimental but have moved mainstream and are becoming the default option, says Hood. The same may one day be true of the smart features invading the appliance aisle. Experts are quick to note, though, that smart features should generally be considered nice-to-have extras, not something that sways which machine you choose. “At the end of the day, you still have to load and unload the machine,” says Hood. “We’re not at the robot stage yet.” Still, you might ﬁnd that certain features make laundry a little less irksome. Some washers have smart dispensers, which can hold a week’s worth of detergent or more and

With high-end options reaching $2,000, it pays to time your appliance purchase to a major sale. Luckily, these happen throughout the year, including around Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday, says Janeway. As you compare sale prices, factor in whether the store charges to install new machines or haul away old ones. “Retailers tend to run out of inventory quickly, so if you need immediate delivery, shop during the beginning of the sale,” suggests Becker. “If you’re ﬁnishing up a renovation and need more time before the washer and dryer are at your door, it’s ﬁne to ask if you can delay delivery by a few weeks.”

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

AD VE RTISE M EN T

4-Steps to a Stress-Less Spring After a long winter huddled at home, you’re ready to freshen things up. It doesn’t have to be hard: We’ve got four inspired, easy, and smart ways to make sure your space is cleaned up, cleared out, and ready for the season.

HANDY WIPE

DRY LANDING

A welcome mat is a cheerful greeting to your home, and a great way to keep springtime mud outside. Opt for a bold color that will catch visitors’ attention— and inspire use.

Springtime rains can happen unexpectedly, leaving you soggy. A basket of easyto-access towels will ensure that you—and your family and pets—can dry oﬀ upon entering your home.

2 BUCKET LIST Your home oﬀers visitors a respite from the rain, and an umbrella stand ensures that the wet weather won’t cause a mess. Placed near your entry, it’s charming décor that serves dutifully.

Simple, easy, and smart, the Swiffer® WetJet Wood™ is specially designed to keep wood floors mud and mess free. Learn more at Swiffer.com. *vs. Mr. Clean All Purpose Cleaner

4 JET SET Messes happen fast and can disappear just as quickly: Swiﬀer® WetJet Wood™ is a one-step cleaning system with a woodsafe, quick dry solution that cleans your ﬂoors in half the time.*

™

Now there’s a WetJet specially designed to care for hardwood floors. Ultra-fine mist spray provides even coverage Soft, microfiber-like pad absorbs & locks dirt & grime Quickdry solution dries in half the time*

Safe on all ﬁnished hardwood

NEW! New Swiffer WetJet Wood provides a fast and convenient clean on wood ﬂoors that leaves them looking their best. © Procter & Gamble, 2018

THE REALIST

Drugstore Insider T H E B E ST B E AU T Y P RO D U C T S I N T H E A I S L E S, H A N D P I C K E D BY A P RO

A New York City dermatologist and mom of twin boys, Marchbein knows a thing or two about fighting zits (adult female acne is her specialty!) and the power of budget skin care. Follow @drsharimarchbein on Instagram for more.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 “Rule of thumb: Never sacrifice quality when it comes to sunscreen. This gives high-level protection at a low-level cost.” TO BUY: $36; cvs.com.

60 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash “This soybean-oilrich cleanser is specially made for dry, sensitive skin. It’s the only body wash I’ve used for a decade.” TO BUY: $6; target.com.

Pond’s Cleansing Balm “My acne and eczema make me extra gentle with my skin. This cleanser thoroughly removes makeup without irritation. I put it on dry skin and massage it in.” TO BUY: $10; walmart.com.

Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Wipes “These wipes are full of humectants that hydrate (no stinging!) while you remove makeup.” TO BUY: $8; walgreens.com.

St. Ives Radiant Skin Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub “To improve dull, flaky skin, use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week.” TO BUY: $5; walgreens.com.

Vaseline Clinical Care Extremely Dry Skin Rescue Lotion “This formula is packed with fatty acids, petroleum jelly, and glycerin to deliver and seal in moisture.” TO BUY: $6; target.com.

H E A D S H OT C O U RT E SY O F S H A R I M A R C H B E I N ; P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

Shari Marchbein, MD

when you’re comfortable, you’re unstoppable. TM

vionicshoes.com/zeina

14 hour days. 4 5 feet of bus loaded. 50 0 families served. 1 pair of shoes.

available at nordstrom & dillard’s

THE REALIST

Spring Clean Your Beauty Stash G OT T H E U RG E TO P U RG E? R E A D O N TO D E T E R M I N E W H I C H B E AU T Y P R O D U C T S T O K E E P, H O W T O O R G A N I Z E T H E M , A N D H O W T O S A F E LY T O S S T H E I T E M S YO U D O N ’ T N E E D. ( R E C YC L I N G I S N ’ T J U ST F O R T H E K I T C H E N . ) By Melanie Rud

62 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photographs by Br yan Gardner

ÂŠ2019 Garnier LLC.

blended makes us better SMOOTHING HAIR CARE FOR 24-HOUR FRIZZ CONTROL Bringing sustainably sourced coconut oil, a legendary smoother, together with cocoa butter, known to soften. As a whole blend, it delivers 24-hour frizz control.

Did you know each Whole Blends Smoothing Hair Care product is blended with coconut oil sustainably sourced from the Pacific islands and cocoa butter sourced from Ghana? Learn More Garnierusa.com/Beautyresponsibly

THE REALIST

BEAUTY BREAKDOWN See how sustainable beauty can make a difference:

STEP ONE

Assess what you’ve got.

Containers and packaging account for about

30% of the total waste generated in the U.S.

11 million

Garnier has diverted over

empties from landﬁlls.

Have six red lipsticks? Ten pink nail polishes? Limit yourself to one of each shade, keeping the one you reach for most often.

All Garnier products are manufactured in zero-waste facilities.

Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner bottles are made with up to

50% recycled plastic.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY GARNIER

Remove all your products from your bathroom, vanity, makeup bag, etc. and lay them out on a large white sheet or towel. “This clean background lets you clearly see and assess what you have, and it’s particularly helpful for seeing the colors and textures of your makeup,” explains makeup artist and beauty expert Jenny Patinkin. Categorize everything: Split up makeup, skin-care, and hair-care items, and then divide each of those piles into subcategories according to type of product. Now get down to business: “If you haven’t even picked up a product in two years, it’s got to go,” says Patinkin. Cast those items aside quickly and without thinking too much; don’t lament over how much money you spent on that pricey serum you never used. (More on what to do with those products in a minute.) Next, assess the quality of what’s left. Any change in texture, color, or smell is a telltale sign that a product is past its prime. If the color is separated on your nail polish, even after you shake it, it’s time to get rid of it. Skin-care items often come with expiration dates, so anything that has expired should go. This quality assessment is important not only for hygiene reasons but also for efficacy purposes, especially when it comes to makeup. “Anything that’s cracked, crumbly, dry, or separated isn’t going to apply evenly,” notes Patinkin. Once you’ve gotten rid of the old stuff, purge any multiples. Have six red lipsticks? Ten pink nail polishes? Limit yourself to one of each shade, keeping the one you reach for most often.

™

True beauty means living responsibly — yet only half of Americans recycle their personal care and beauty products. Garnier is committed to creating a cleaner, greener, more gorgeous future by recycling, upcycling and developing products formulated with naturally derived ingredients. Join Garnier and Real Simple on our sustainable mission to Beauty Responsibly™ Together, and contribute to protecting and saving the planet this Earth Month — and every month.

Join the Movement to Beauty Responsibly ™

Beauty + Responsibility

Real Simple gives our audience ideas for living more efficiently and beautifully in their world. Together with Garnier, we are committed to offering the sustainable solutions that will allow them to contribute to the greater

Keep empties out of landﬁlls: Text GARNIER to 52046 for a FREE Garnier Recycling Bin and a coupon for future purchase.

2. Collect hair and skin care empties and send them to TerraCycle® free of charge. TerraCycle® recycles empties into new materials to be transformed into elements like lumber for community gardens across the country. Visit garnierusa.com/terracycle for info.

3. Spread the word to friends and family about all the ways they can Beauty Responsibly™.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY GARNIER *U.S. only (excluding Puerto Rico). Must be 18 or older with valid receipt on Garnier purchase made between 2/14/19 - 4/30/19, while supplies last. Limit of 1 recycling bin and $1 coupon per household (or valid purchase). No cash back or credit if coupon exceeds selling price. To opt out of future messages at any time, text STOP to 52046 or reply STOP to any mobile message. For help, text HELP to 52046 or reply HELP to any mobile message. Message and data rates may apply. Not all carriers covered. For Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, visit https://promo.rtm.com/GarnierEarthDay

THE REALIST

Patinkin suggests putting the products that have made the cut into a box and storing the box outside your bathroom. Anytime you need something, take it out of the box and leave it in the bathroom. “Do this for three weeks. If there are still products in the box after that, chances are high that you’re never going to use them, so get rid of those too,” she says.

STEP T WO

Organize what’s left. Now that you’ve streamlined your stash, organize it. Separate skin-care, hair-care, and makeup items, storing each category in its own place. Patinkin recommends using clear, stackable drawers, which let you easily see and access what you need. We like the variety of drawers and dividers from Boxy Girl (from $39; boxygirl.com). Train cases with pull-out trays are a great space-saving storage solution, adds Patinkin. Try the Caboodles Large Train Case ($99; caboodles.com). Skin-care products containing active ingredients—vitamin C and retinol, in particular—are best stored in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight, which can render those ingredients inactive. So consider keeping those items in a dark spot, like a drawer or closet. If you have a lot of makeup, separate products for face, eyes, and lips, and then organize those according to container size and shape to make everything tidy, recommends Patinkin. Now ensure your stash stays organized by committing to a deep clean twice a year. Do so during a

66 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

STEP THREE

Get rid of everything else.

change of seasons, when you’ll probably be switching up your skin care and makeup anyway, says Patinkin. One item to purge more frequently, however: mascara. It should be ditched about every 90 days, since dark, moist environments are breeding grounds for bacteria, and every time you use the tube, you’re contaminating it. (Preservatives in the mascara lose efficacy over time.)

Resist the urge to dump all your castoffs into a garbage bag and call it a day. Donating unwanted items is a great option—though for hygienic reasons it’s essential that they be unused, says Pam Koner, executive director of Family to Family, a nationwide nonproﬁt that recently helped launch Share Your Beauty, a beauty donation program. The type of product doesn’t matter; if it’s unused, donate it. “While personal-care products, such as soap and shampoo, may be more critical, makeup items like lipstick and mascara are always wanted as well,” says Koner. Check out family-to-family.org for more information on Share Your Beauty.

CLEANSING, REINVENTED

All-in-1 Waterproof

All-in-1 Sensitive Skin

GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER MICELLES WORK LIKE A MAGNET TO micelles

9 REMOVE MAKEUP WITHOUT RUBBING 9 CLEANSE WITHOUT RINSING 9 REFRESH WITHOUT RESIDUE NO SULFATES OR PARABENS

Did you know Garnier has diverted more than 11 MILLION empties from landﬁlls? LEARN MORE GARNIERUSA.COM/BEAUTYRESPONSIBLY

GarnierUSA.com

All-in-1 Mattifying

and it’s pure genius

THE REALIST

What about the rest? Much of what’s left over can likely be recycled, though it isn’t quite as easy as tossing stuff into your household recycling bin. Not all plastic is created equal, and not all types of plastic are recyclable. Containers made of PET or HDPE plastic can usually be recycled curbside, notes Gina Herrera, the U.S. director of brand partnerships for TerraCycle, a company that helps recycle hard-to-recycle materials. (The plastic type is usually noted on the bottom of the packaging; look for the recycling symbol and a number from 1 to 7.) You can also recycle certain

68 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

glass packaging—though, as with plastic, it’s important that it be clean and empty. Recycling rules vary greatly based on location, so check to see what types of materials are accepted by your municipality, advises Herrera. This information can usually be found wherever your local trash and recycling schedule is listed. Caps, pumps, nail polish brushes, fragrance spray tops, and lipstick tubes typically can’t be recycled curbside, says Herrera. Before tossing these materials into the garbage can, ask your retailer if you can bring the packaging back. Companies including Kiehl’s, MAC, and Lush offer programs that reward you for returning empties. Another option: TerraCycle has partnered with the beauty brand Garnier to launch a program that accepts personal-care and beauty waste from any brand. Pile your clean beauty discards in a box, create an account on terracycle.com, print out a prepaid shipping label, and drop off the box at any UPS location. Almost everything is accepted except nail polish, perfume, and aerosols, notes Herrera. Drop those items off at a hazardouswaste facility (the search tool on earth911.com can help you ﬁnd the one nearest to you) and let the pros dispose of them properly.

O T H E R WAY S T O M A K E YO U R B E AU T Y RO U T I N E M O R E S U S TA I N A B L E To minimize the beauty trash you produce, simple changes go a long way. Perhaps the biggest offenders are face wipes. They’re great for travel, but for daily use, consider swapping wipes for a washable alternative, like the Croon Starter Fibers ($26; justcroon.com) or Face Halo ($22 for 3; facehalo .com). When makeup shopping, opt for refillable compacts for eye shadow, powder, and blush. Kjaer Weis houses its makeup in pretty, refillable metal compacts—even the mascara casing can be reused. When it comes to skin care, go for items in glass packaging, like Tata Harper’s line. (What little plastic the company does use for its tubes is derived from Brazilian sugarcane.) And keep an eye out for Loop, a new waste-free shopping platform that launches in Paris and the New York City area in May, with plans to expand. Loopstore .com will sell products from major beauty companies (like Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and REN Clean Skincare) in glass and stainlesssteel containers. When you’ve used them up, send them back to be refilled.

Nourished Hair, Better Color.

“Changing my color changed everything” — Mandy Moore #53 Medium Golden Brown • Chestnut

NOURISHING COLOR CREME TRIPLE OILS: AVOCADO, OLIVE & SHEA • Rich, long-lasting color • Silky, shiny, nourished hair • 100% gray coverage

shades

Did you know our cartons are 100% recyclable and Forest Stewardship Council certiﬁed? Learn More Garnierusa.com/Beautyresponsibly

THE REALIST

R o a d Te s t

Bars BARS ARE BACK, AND WHY NOT? T H E E F F I C I E N T, T R A V E L - F R I E N D LY S O L I D S F I T I N Y O U R PA L M A N D W O N ’ T L E A K I N YO U R B AG. O U T O F 4 0 T E ST E D, THESE SIX WERE THE KEEPERS. By Lisa D eSantis

M O S T PA M P E R I N G

Jack Black Charcoal Body Bar Massaging Soap The next best thing to a spa. Its nubs relieve tension while seaweed extract soothes skin. Smooth over sore muscles for instant relief. TO BUY: $15; getjackblack.com. B E S T F O R B O DY

BEST FOR FEET

Ulta Sea Salt Pedi Pebble No time to hit the nail salon? For sandal-ready soles in seconds, run this sea-salt-infused disk under water and scrub feet and heels. TO BUY: $8; ulta.com. B E S T F O R FA C E

BEST SHAMPO O B E S T M U LT I TA S K E R

Primal Elements Loofah Bar Soap Get more bang for your bar with this dual-texture soap. First suds up with the moisturizing vegetable glycerin. Then flip the bar over and massage with the all-natural loofah to buff away dead skin. (Read: more space in your shower, people!) The bright colors and scents—ranging from eucalyptus to Tahitian vanilla—are endless fun. TO BUY: $9 each; primalelements.com.

70 R E A L S I M P L E A P R I L 2019

Ethique Pinkalicious FYI: One bar is the equivalent of three bottles of liquid shampoo. Wet the coconutoil-and-cocoa-butter bar, slide it down wet strands three times, and then massage to lather. TO BUY: $15.50; ethiquebeauty.com.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar A derm favorite. Dry to normal skin types will benefit from this ceramide-rich formula that removes makeup and helps repair the skin barrier. TO BUY: $5; at drugstores.

LO O FA H B A R S OA P A N D P E D I P E B B L E : P E T E R A R D I TO ; P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

realsimple ROAD TE ST

Method Energy Boost Bar Soap Want an a.m. pickme-up? You’ll love the zingy scent of this hydrating citrus-andginger bar. Bonus: It’s wrapped in 50 percent recycled paper. TO BUY: $4; target.com.

#1 DERMATOLOGISTRECOMMENDED PROFESSIONAL SUNSCREEN BRAND. 1

All EltaMD Â® sunscreens are innovatively for mulated with transparent zinc oxide to help prevent early skin aging and skin cancer caused by the sun.2 Ask your der matologist.

eltamd.com/buy MINERAL-BASED BROAD-SPECTRUM SUN PROTECTION FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE AND LIFESTYLE 1

U.S. Sunscreen-dispensing dermatologists study, Decision Analyst 2018

If used as directed with other sun protection measures.

THE REALIST

Best Dressed T H E S E O N E -A N D - D O N E WORK DRESSES BRING ST YLE ( A N D C O M F O RT ! ) T O YO U R O F F I C E WA R D RO B E . W H A T C A S U A L F R I D AY ? Written by Ta m a r a K r a u s

Faith Midi dress, $399; camilla andmarc.com. Pleated Colorblock scarf, $60; ann taylor.com. Tailored Dot Metal Linear earrings, $24; dillards.com. Josie Kitten heels, $140; vionicshoes.com. Medium June Hobo bag, $395; frances valentine.com.

SOF T ST YLING BY MAI TRAN

Fashion Editor Flavia Nunez

72 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photographs by Ke v i n S w e e n e y

TO MAKE WRINKLES LOOK SO LAST WEEK. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair has the fastest retinol formula available to reveal visibly younger-looking skin. ®

Because a lot will happen in 1 week. Wrinkles just won’t. Looking for powerful results? Check out neutrogena.com/rapid

ADD NEW RETINOL OIL FOR 2X THE WRINKLE FIGHTING POWER

©J&JCI 2018

THE REALIST

S H E AT H Unexpected textures, intricate details, and bright colors and patterns give this classic cut a fresh touch.

Asymmetrical Sleeveless Button-Down Midi dress, $128; vincecamuto.com.

Ponte Knit Cap-Sleeve dress, $198; brooksbrothers.com.

74 R E A L S I M P L E A P R I L 2 0 1 9

Alletea Cotton Fitted dress, $138; usa.frenchconnection.com.

Sleeveless Eyelet Embroidery Linen dress, $495; rebeccataylor.com.

Floral Cap Sleeve Shift dress, $149; anntaylor.com.

Black Sunset Multi Tweed dress, $149; talbots.com.

RUCHED Gathered ruffles and pleats create dimension and movement.

Rio Knit Draped V-Neck Sheath dress, $129; adriannapapell.com.

Celeste dress, $495; veronicabeard.com.

Shoshanna Vonne dress, $398; saks.com.

So Slimming dress, $129; chicos.com.

Sleeveless Round Neck Sheath dress, $118; karllagerfeldparis.com.

Mini Heart Matte Jersey dress, $235; michaelkors.com.

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

THE REALIST

B E LT E D A built-in belt adds shape and makes you feel put-together without even trying.

Stripe shirtdress, $90; nyandcompany.com.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Silk Stretch Cotton dress, $125; macys.com.

D-Ring Shoulder Tab dress, $100; jonesnewyork.com.

Striped Tie-Waist shirtdress, $119; jjill.com.

76 R E A L S I M P L E A P R I L 2 0 1 9

White Striped Sleeveless Trench dress, $149; bananarepublic.com.

Silk Patchwork dress, $498; toryburch.com.

Accessorize a polished work outfit with the office-ready totes and backpacks at realsimple.com/workbags.

NATURAL BEAUTY We Have It On Authority

In the pursuit of purity, we begin with

MOTHER NATURE Herbal Essences and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—a world leading authority on plant science for over 250 years—have partnered to bring the beauty of real botanicals XS ]SYV LEMV GEVI I\TIVMIRGI 8LI Á VWX KPSFEP LEMV GEVI FVERH XS LEZI MXW FSXERMGEPW endorsed by Kew. Herbal Essences bio:renew products are made with natural source MRKVIHMIRX QEXIVMEPW [MXL PMQMXIH TVSGIWWMRK TYVMÁ IH [EXIV XS GVIEXI XLMW 90% natural origin collection that helps nourish and protect hair from damage.

THE REALIST

Personal Shopper T H E B E S T S T Y L E B U Y S , A L L S E L E C T E D B Y A FA S H I O N I N S I D E R

Why not let a pro scour the stores for you? The blogger behind 9to5chic picks smart pieces for your next important meeting.

J.Crew 2011 Icon Trench Coat “No rainy-day blues in this structured trench coat.” TO BUY: $228; jcrew.com. Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote “A practical shape in classic colors.” TO BUY: $195; cuyana.com.

Anh Sundstrom Sundstrom started 9to5chic .com as a personal style diary focused on workwear. Today she has a community of loyal followers who enjoy her musings on fashion, travel, and family life and admire her modern yet attainable style. Anh lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter Lucia, and three dogs. Follow @9to5chic on Instagram for more boss-lady outfit inspiration.

78 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Sole Society Leopard Print Oversize Scarf “Accessories are the perfect way to incorporate a fun trend or print.” TO BUY: $30; solesociety.com. Nic + Zoe Calle Suede Mule “Blush is the new neutral: This mule can be worn with everything.” TO BUY: $135; nicandzoe.com. Ann Taylor Carrot Pant “I opt for navy rather than black trousers because they’re just as versatile but don’t feel as buttoned-up.” TO BUY: $98; anntaylor.com.

C O U RT E SY O F A N H S U N D ST R O M ; P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

Banana Republic Quinn Straight-Fit Oxford Shirt “When spring comes around, I always throw a crisp, white cotton poplin blouse into rotation.” TO BUY: $69.50; bananarepublic.com.

Scr a

h& tc smell

MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS IN A MODERN WORLD

Plan a Trip in Less Time B E T W E E N T H E R E S E A R C H , P R E P, A N D PA C K I N G , Y O U R FA M I LY â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S DREAM TRIP CAN FEEL LIKE A SECOND JOB. USE THESE TIPS TO G E T I T B O O K E D A N D E N J O Y.

OFFSET

B y S h i va n i Vo ra

Photograph by Chris Wise

REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE:

Simplify Your Preliminary Research N A R RO W D O W N YO U R D E S T I N AT I O N . If you’ve already

decided on a beach vacation or a trip to Europe, skip ahead to the next section. But if you’re hemming and hawing about where to go—staring down a bucket list of ideas from magazines, friends and family, social media, and so on— try reﬂecting on a few prompts to start booking ﬂights and planning activities a little sooner. Rainer Jenss, president and founder of the trade group Family Travel Association and father of two children, suggests writing out a list of everyone’s goals for the family vacation. “Are you looking to relax or are you interested in sightseeing or adventure?” he says. If everyone’s goal is to kick back before school starts, for example, book the beach vacation

82 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

and save the Disney World and Universal Studios park-hopping trip for next year. Still torn? Let your kids help cull your list. “If your children help choose the destination, they’ll be more engaged on the trip,” says Eric Stoen, founder of the familytravel website Travel Babbo, who has traveled to more than 50 countries, including Japan, England, and Australia, with his three children. Have a child who’s into Greek mythology? A trip to Greece’s ancient sites is a no-brainer. Foodies? Choose a place based on their favorite cuisine. If they’re obsessed with tacos, try San Diego or visit some markets in Mexico City. G E T E V E RYO N E I N VO LV E D.

Family vacations work best—and are easier to plan—when everyone feels like they have a stake in it, according to nearly all our experts. Kids (unless they’re very young, of

course) are often great researchers, especially if they have clear parameters and a price limit in mind. “You should definitely outsource part of the planning to them,” says Christine Sarkis, deputy executive editor of the online travel magazine SmarterTravel and mother of two. Give everyone in your family time—say, two weeks—to research your destination online and in guidebooks. Then schedule a family meeting where each person proposes a few activities in order of priority. “Share this list with one another, and the excursions that everyone is most excited about win,” she says. Before you know it, you’ll have a lineup of activities.

Streamline Your Itinerary STICK TO ONE OR T WO PL ACES.

Ted Blank, a Stillwater, Minnesota– based travel adviser with Travel Leaders, who frequently takes his four nieces on trips, recommends that families establish one or two “base camps” on their vacation and then take day trips to

GEMMA FERRANDO/WESTEND61/OFFSET

You decide to plan a family vacation and are thrilled about the idea of getting away and enjoying quality time together. Weeks later, it’s midnight, and you’re searching TripAdvisor for the 24th time to ﬁnd an all-inclusive resort within your budget that has decent food and will entertain everyone in your family, while wondering how all this planning fell solely on your shoulders in the ﬁrst place. Save time and get your life back with these organizational hacks from our experts, who eat, sleep, and breathe travel—and often vacation with kids.

Yes, you want to maximize every minute, but nearly all surrounding areas. Opt not to move each night. “It’s nice not to have to pack and unpack every day, and you’ll appreciate having somewhere to come ‘home’ to every night,” he says. Planning your trip this way also gives you the added advantage of researching fewer hotels and transfers.

our experts agree that having an itinerary packed with activity is a bad idea.

PA R E D O W N . Yes, you want

to maximize every minute at your destination, but nearly all our experts agree that having an itinerary packed with activity is a bad idea—and wastes a lot of research time that might be better spent on other aspects of your vacation, like securing that perfect dinner reservation or thinking through your packing strategy. “It will backﬁre because everyone will get cranky and exhausted going from one thing to the next,” says Kendra Thornton, president of the travel company Royal Travel & Tours and a mother of three. She recommends having no more than four hours of structured activity, such as a cooking class or sightseeing tour, each day. Have no-reservation-needed options in your back pocket to ﬁll the rest of the day based on how everyone is feeling. “You’ll savor the experience much more by not overscheduling,” says Thornton. “Everything won’t be a blur.” S C H E D U L E N O T H I N G. Sarkis

also suggests planning to return to your hotel or home rental after lunch and using the afternoon to veg out. That could mean napping, going to the pool, or reading. Your well-rested family can head out again before dinner. “Remember that vacations are supposed to

be enjoyable and relaxing,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to simply do nothing.” If you have a few hectic days planned, consider “scheduling” a full day of pool or beach time. It will go a long way toward keeping everyone excited about the rest of the vacation. And end your trip with a down day, suggests Sarkis, so everybody comes home feeling refreshed. K E E P A L L YO U R T R I P I N F O R M A T I O N I N O N E P L A C E . Many of

our experts are fans of the triporganizing service and app TripIt. When you get email conﬁrmations for your ﬂights, hotels, car rentals, tours, and any other reservations (thousands of websites are supported), you simply forward the email to plans@tripit.com. On the back end, TripIt organizes everything into a single, easy-to-read itinerary that you can access anytime on your phone (or print out and keep with any tickets, IDs, passports, and other necessary travel documents you need quick access to). While you travel, you can also edit the itinerary and

upload photos and notes. Love the ice cream at that mom-and-pop place you stumbled upon? Don’t bother with a business card to help you remember its name. Pull out your phone and enter it directly in your itinerary. The best part: A basic version of TripIt is free.

Outsource the Planning Altogether U S E A N A G E N T. A travel agent

can be an invaluable resource for the time-crunched—whether you’re struggling to plan a vacation on top of your work duties or booking a trip last-minute. Agents can save you hours of research when it comes to finding the best accommodations, tours, and ﬂights for your family. Considering a cruise, for example, but don’t know the differences between Royal Caribbean and Disney other than the fact that Mickey Mouse is invited on one but not the other? That’s where a travel agent can play matchmaker. Some agents charge planning fees, but many often apply those fees toward the cost of your trip when you book. Ask family and friends to recommend an agent. You can also consult trade associations, like the American Society of Travel Advisors or Cruise Lines International Association, or a membership network, like Virtuoso; many of these organizations have databases that let you

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

P U T I T O N T H E L I S T. Packing

SKIP THE CONNECTIONS.

It’s tempting to save money on flights, but when you’re with children, what’s convenient is almost always better than what’s cheaper, if it fits in your budget. Multiple connections may mean lower airfare, but you’re more likely to encounter delays and other hassles. Opt for a flight that leaves before 10 a.m., says Sarkis. Those have less chance of delay, and by arriving earlier, you maximize your time on the ground. search for agents based on the destinations and trip types they specialize in. Sarkis says the agent you end up using should have firsthand knowledge of the places you’re going. “Your agent should be an expert in your needs,” she says. Don’t be afraid to ask. C O N S I D E R A G RO U P T O U R .

There are tons of organized group tours for families, and they spare you the headache of planning the nitty-gritty details of your trip. For instance, the companies Intrepid, Backroads, and G Adventures offer family trips in which all the aspects, from the choice of the hotels to the pace of the itinerary, are designed to help keep kids and adults happy and relaxed. Everyone gets to learn and discover together under the guidance of a tour leader. Plus, your fellow travelers are built-in company for you and your kids.

84 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

S P E E D T H RO U G H S E C U R I T Y.

Blank says all families, whether they’re going abroad or not, should consider the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry program. You apply online, undergo a background check, and go to an in-person interview; if approved, you’ll get five years of expedited processing in the United States when returning from overseas and also reap the beneﬁts of TSA Precheck, which gives you to access to shorter airport security lines every time you travel domestically.

Let your kids pack. Give them a list, but don’t get up in arms if they throw in extra items you think are unnecessary. This is supposed to be fun.

C U E T H E C U B E S . Packing cubes,

like the Pack-It Original sets from Eagle Creek (from $28 for 3 cubes; eaglecreek.com), help keep suitcases orderly. Get different colors for each person in your family and you’ll be able to easily share suitcases or closet space. And when you arrive at a destination, you don’t even really need to unpack— just move the cubes to a drawer and you’re done.

Help safeguard family trips against illness and injury using the tips at realsimple.com/healthytravel.

M I K E TA U B E R / B L E N D / O F F S E T

Avoid Time-Wasters During Your Trip

lists are especially beneﬁcial for families because they force everyone to consider what they really need—and help you avoid unnecessary trips to the store for the socks you swore you packed. And yes, there might be a million and one standard packing lists available online, but only you know that you need to grab your travel humidiﬁer and stock your supply of that nut mix you can’t live without—so start by making a list of all the things you need when you travel. Laminate the list and keep it in your suitcase to make packing for future trips speedier. If they’re old enough, Stoen recommends letting kids pack their own bags. Give them a packing list and double-check that they packed everything on it, but don’t get up in arms if they throw in extra items you think are unnecessary. You may not understand why your child needs a collection of board games for a road trip, but provided you have the room, it’s not a battle worth fighting. After all, this is supposed to be fun.

Trademarks owned by SociĂŠtĂŠ des Produits NestlĂŠ S.A., Vevey, Switzerland

mĎ§ŐąÇť Ň? Ň´É§Çť Ç&#x2020; Ó&#x2021;Ä? Ň?

ÂŽ

INSPIRED COMBINATIONS EXTRAORDINARY DETAIL Indulge her senses with Fancy FeastÂŽ Medleys. Accents of real vegetables, garden greens or cheese bring culinary perfection to every bite. Savings as irresistible as our recipes. Visit FancyFeast.com/Medleys for your coupon.

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 . P. A S K S …

My friend’s employer was expanding recently, and I shared a few contacts with her so she could refer them for job opportunities. The company hired some of them and later hired me too. My friend has now received thousands of dollars in referral bonuses. I’m glad that my contacts have new jobs and that we get to work together, but is there a polite way to ask if she’d consider sharing some of the money?

86 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

I just lost my son suddenly. When people try to console me, they often say things like “He is better off and not suffering anymore,” or “He is with loved ones who passed previously.” These words are so hard to hear right now, as his passing is so new. I know people mean well, but it can be upsetting to hear a suggestion that there’s an upside. He was 26; I am learning how to handle the fact that there’s so much he’ll never experience, such as getting married, having kids, and spending birthdays and holidays with our family. What is the proper thing to say or do?

ABOUT C AT H E R I N E The author of One Mixed-Up Night, Catastrophic Happiness, and Waiting for Birdy, 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 children in Amherst, Massachusetts.

I’m so sorry for your devastating loss. There is no proper thing to say or do—or rather, anything you want to say or do is entirely acceptable under these circumstances. You’re right that people mean well, but they don’t know what to say. Gesturing at imaginary silver linings helps them avoid the frighteningly unfathomable depth of your grief. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. If it’s staying silent or dodging people or venting to a loved one, ﬁne. Or you can say, “I’m in too much pain for you to suggest that there’s an upside to my loss. Just be here with me.” If you choose this last approach, you’ll cue your well-wishers that platitudes are not helpful, which will beneﬁt anyone they console in the future.

I l l u s t r a t i o n 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

I’m of two minds. On the one hand, your friend should totally give you some of that money, and if she were writing in, I would say as much. On the other hand, you freely shared your contacts and, as with a gift, they were then hers to do with as she liked. Plus, she might need the cash more than you know, and mentioning it could strain your relationship. But if you believe otherwise, you could say something like “Congratulations on those referral bonuses! So when are you taking me out to celebrate?” Keep it lighthearted to avoid seeming passive aggressive—ideally, your words will remind her of your input and trigger further thoughts of generosity.

C .T. A S K S …

J .C . A S K S …

My husband and I often vacation with his mother. She generously books and pays for our trips, but she always requests that our hotel rooms be adjoining or next to each other. I love privacy, and I’m not crazy about sharing a wall with my mother-in-law. We really do appreciate her generosity and always send a thank-you gift or flowers, but I’m reaching my breaking point. Should I speak up or keep allowing her to do this? My husband insists it’s not an issue, but he is used to his mother’s gifts with “conditions.”

HAVE AN E TIQUE T TE QUE STION? Submit your social conundrums to modernmanners@realsimple.com. Selected letters will be featured on these pages every month.

Your husband is actually wrong—it is an issue, because it’s an issue for you. “I’m happy to vacation with your mom,” you can say to him, “but I need more privacy. How should we talk to her about it?” (I assume this will involve leading with gratitude and proceeding with care.) But I also wonder if you could focus on the fun of the vacation instead of the smotheringness of the proximity. Your mother-in-law is deﬁnitely generous and possibly lonely. Could you agree to room nearby, knowing it’s for the greater good of your family? (Also: thrillingly quiet highschool-type sex!) If not, then you might consider paying your own way, if you can, so you and your husband can start to feel less dependent on his mother’s arrangements.

A WORRY-FREE CLEAN Baking Soda Fresh Dermatologist Tested Gentle on Skin

food made from food

• Open your Amazon app • Tap on the camera icon • Scan and shop!

R E L AT I N G

The author (right) with her best friend, Emily, in 2017.

Good Read

Strength in Numbers A N U N L I K E LY S P O R T S O B S E S S I O N W O U L D U N I T E J A C K I E A S H T O N A N D H E R B E S T

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY R E B EC CA B A RTO S H E S KY

F R I E N D A C RO S S 2 , 5 0 0 M I L E S A N D O N E D E VA S TAT I N G D I A G N O S I S .

I T ’ S BA S K E T BA L L S E A S O N .

Here in the Bay Area, home of the Golden State Warriors—winner of three of the last four NBA Finals—it is impossible to escape Warriors fever. Believe me, I’ve tried. Most Warriors fans find the team to be a source of pure happiness. But my feelings are conflicted: one part joy, another part anguish. When I see a blue-and-yellow Golden State Warriors flag waving in the wind outside a restaurant, I become dizzy with sadness. If I turn on the TV, I know I’ll see the ad where Klay Thompson swishes three-pointers while touting the

Photographs by Addie Juell

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

benefits of a postworkout glass of chocolate milk. A few seconds later, I’ll have to dart into the pantry to weep. But I wasn’t always flinging myself into closets to sob during Warriors games. Some people fall in love with their passion slowly. Others, like me, watch the Warriors’ 2015 NBA Finals victory with their 7-year-old and become hooked on their home team, all at once and forever. As I sat there with my son that night, I was mesmerized. Who was this dream team? At the start of the 2016 season, I went all in. I bought flags for my car, temporary tattoos to wear during games. Over the course of the season, my obsession deepened: I watched replays on Instagram, stayed up past midnight listening to postgame interviews. The Warriors became my religion; Dub Nation, my church. Me, the woman who, as a child, recoiled at the sound of games on television. “When did you become such a huge sports fan?” my closest friend, Emily, asked me from Atlanta over text. She had a point. She was the athlete, not me. At 8 years old, she had been a top-ranking tennis player in Georgia, where we met in kindergarten. She had earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Virginia, where we were roommates all four years. For 35 years, our friendship had been like the morning sun: steady and consistent. I told Emily the Warriors symbolized everything a person should do in life—show up, work hard, and take care of your team. I described head coach Steve Kerr’s team slogan, “Strength in numbers.” A rallying cry: We’re in this together. Each number had a story. 5: the players on the court, obviously. 10: the guys on the bench Kerr sees as equally important; team cohesion and depth define the Warriors. 20,000: the approximate number of roaring, euphoric fans in Oracle Arena each game night. But then, suddenly, one April morning in that 2016 golden spring of Warriors fever, the numbers turned on me. 4: the stage of Emily’s breast cancer. 39: our age at the time. 1: the number of years the doctors said she had left to live. O F A L L H E R E XQ U I S I T E Q UA L I T I E S ,

perhaps my favorite was Emily’s uncanny ability to see a bright light where others saw only darkness. “I’ve gotten everything I could have ever wanted in this life,” she said to me after sharing her news. “Anything I get from now on will be extra.” Some people pray to a Christian God. Others call out to Vishnu. But I fell on my knees after I hung up the phone and begged the basketball gods to somehow, inexplicably, help her. Could the same divine grace that allowed human

90 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Emily (left) and the author at age 13.

beings to consistently drain three-pointers from new depths also, in some way, save my friend? From that point forward, what was initially a passion I shared with my kids became the way my best friend and I focused on joy and life, rather than the very real possibility of death. I flew to Atlanta two weeks later, on the day of her Gamma Knife radiation to attack the cancer in her brain. “Should I bring the kids?” I asked. “Yes,” she said. “I want your kids to know mine.” At the San Francisco airport, I picked up blue Warriors hats and yellow bracelets for our five children, then ages 7 through 12. Emily embraced the Warriors ferociously. Just as she did my husband, my children, and everything else I loved. Her affinity for the Dubs was remarkable given that she lived in Atlanta Hawks territory, but it was clear they personified her fierce optimism. And after I left Atlanta, it became the language of hope we spoke from coast to coast. “Which ones are cool but aren’t too expensive?” we asked, comparing notes about which Steph Curry high-tops to buy our sons. We shared screenshots of Steph holding a sign saying “Be the best version of yourself every single day.” Our younger selves would never have guessed that our 35 years of friendship would culminate in an intense, shared love of a professional basketball team. Yes, there was chemo. There was more radiation, a battery of appointments, cold caps to save her hair. But when

Some people pray to a Christian God. Others call out to Vishnu. But I fell on my knees and begged the basketball gods to somehow help her. 7:30 p.m. rolled around, there was also the Warriors. It’s hard to say whether we spent more time watching the games or staring into the backlight of our smartphones, sending texts to shrink the 2,500-mile distance between us. We shared GIFs, memes, and other digital amusements that were as new to us as our love of basketball. When Steph nailed his signature warm-up shot, launching the ball from the tunnel that leads to the locker room— essentially an impossible trick shot that only he could make, with astonishing accuracy—it felt like everything was right in the universe. We adored each player more than the next. Of course, we both had a soft spot for Steph Curry, the dreamy superstar point guard, but we loved him for different reasons. Emily, a faithful Christian, liked the way he tapped his chest after a successful shot, how he lifted his index ﬁnger to say thank you to the heavens. “He’s just such a good person,” she said. She bought her son his “I Can Do All Things” poster, a reference to Philippians 4:13—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I just found him straight-up sexy. Those eyes. That smile. But when it came to Draymond Green, we were united in the way we adored him. We went bonkers over how he cared for his mother. “Did you know he bought her a house?” Emily asked. We loved his childhood nickname. “Day Day!” Emily would text me during the games whenever Draymond blocked a shot, stuck out his tongue, and ﬂexed his biceps in his now infamous, look-at-these-muscles move.

C O U RT E SY O F JAC K I E A S H TO N

GOING TO A GAME

at Oracle Arena with my kids and her basketball-loving younger son was an easy decision. We selected the Oklahoma City Thunder game on a Thursday night in November. Our tickets cost more than my ﬁrst semester of college. “You only live once?” Emily said, laughing. By the time game night arrived, Emily’s condition had worsened—more from the treatment than the disease itself, it seemed—but she still managed to ﬂy to San Francisco. We drove to Oakland and stepped into Oracle Arena as the lights dimmed. The players huddled and danced like there was no tomorrow. I remember Steph lobbing a three-pointer. A second later, it went in so perfectly that the net barely moved. Emily looked me in the eye, and as only the closest of friends can do, we knew what the other was thinking. For that one moment, the reality that our time together might

Support a sick loved one through treatment with the advice at realsimple.com/helpafriend.

be running out melted away. There was only joy. It was pure, cosmic—pristine. Fourteen months later, on a cold January afternoon in Atlanta, Emily died. I was sitting on the front steps of her house when her husband came out to tell me. Two days earlier, I had held her hand and kissed her on the cheek a ﬁnal time. “I don’t want you to leave,” she had said before I left, as usual taking the words right out of my mouth. W E B U R I E D H E R O N A T H U R S DAY.

Friends made a slideshow for the crowd of 800 that came to her service. I included the photo of us with the kids at the Warriors game. In that image, my smile is genuine; I didn’t think she would die. The day after her funeral, I took my laminated United States dollar bill—the one with Steph Curry on it, as if he were president—out of my wallet. I tucked it away in a drawer in my closet. What a fool I was to think we were immune from the cold, hard facts of mortality. But for that one brilliant basketball season, I believed in the impossible. Tonight I am taking my son back to Oracle Arena to see the Warriors play the ABOUT T H E AU T H O R Los Angeles Lakers. Before we leave the Jackie Ashton is the house, I scroll through my old texts with editor of AvaWorld, Emily for the thousandth time. I remember the editorial arm of fertility tracker Ava, how excited she was to watch the Warriors and a freelance play, just weeks before she died. One text writer for publicareads: “About to watch the Dubs! Are you?” tions including the New York Times and followed by rows of yellow and blue heart the Washington emojis. But now I feel betrayed by my team. Post. She lives in Like somehow it was their fault. I was the Bay Area. duped; how could I have been so naive? But I look at her words again, and it dawns on me. It was never about whether the half-court buzzer-beater would fall in but instead what two old friends—unlikely basketball fanatics on opposite coasts—could share together when they believed it was possible. I put my phone down to tell my son it’s time to leave for Oakland. I wish Emily and I could still communicate during the game like we used to. But in a way, we just did.

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

R E L AT I N G

Pet Helpers

LIT TER TR AP

Prevent litter from scattering through the house with this mesh mat that catches the debris. TO BUY: Easyology premium large cat litter mat, from $13; amazon.com.

Pet Tricks W H E N T H E Y O U - K N O W - W H A T H I T S T H E F A N , D O N ’ T PA N I C . C O N S U LT T H I S E X P E R T A D V I C E O N M I N I M I Z I N G P E T M E S S . By Juno DeMelo FEND OFF MESSES

CLEAN THINGS UP

Plan to take your dog outside every four to six hours. If you catch him in the act, clap your hands to distract him from the unwanted behavior, and then thoroughly clean the soiled area so he doesn’t mark there again. Don’t punish your dog, since that can contribute to stressrelated accidents. Cat owners should have one litter box per feline plus one extra; scoop daily. Your cat might be marking out of boredom, so try a stimulating puzzle feeder. Spaying and neutering should also cut down on marking. If your pet suddenly has accidents, see your vet. It could indicate a UTI, GI problem, or other medical issue.

Consider investing in performance fabrics, which often have an extra-tight weave to repel liquid, or colorfast fabrics, which you can safely bleach. Treat items you already own with a fabric protector, like Scotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Protector ($6 for 10 oz.; target .com). Polypropylene rugs, often labeled as indooroutdoor, are stain-resistant and relatively easy to clean. Frequent brushing can decrease fur buildup, and a proper diet can help minimize the frequency of hairballs (try Purina One Indoor Advantage Hairball & Healthy Weight cat food, $13 for 7 lb.; chewy.com).

For accidents, use a baggie to pick up semisolids, and blot up liquid with a paper towel. Next, apply a cleaning product made for pet stains and blot again—don’t rub or scrub, as this can set the stain. Vacuum up vomit after it dries and follow with a cleaner. Hamster and guinea pig cages should be covered with absorbent bedding made from paper or aspen shavings (avoid pine and cedar, which may contain harmful chemicals) and washed with warm, soapy water twice weekly. Line the cage with newspaper so you can dispose of everything together.

O U R E X P E RT S STEPHANIE BORNS-WEIL , DVM, HE AD OF THE TUF TS ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CLINIC AT THE CUMMINGS SCHO OL OF VE TERINARY MEDICINE AT TUF TS UNIVERSIT Y IN NORTH GRAF TON, MAS SACHUSE T TS L AURA OGLETHORPE, OWNER OF THE STATED HOME, AN ONLINE FURNITURE AND ACCES SORIES STORE DONNA SMALLIN KUPER, ORGANIZING AND CLE ANING E XPERT AND AUTHOR OF THE ONE-MINUTE CLE ANER

92 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

H E AV Y- D U T Y VA C U U M

This fully sealed vacuum has a powerful motor designed specifically to deep-clean homes with pets. TO BUY: Dyson V11 Animal cord-free vacuum, $600; dyson.com.

SUPER CLEANER

Bacteria-based formulas like this one produce enzymes that help remove stains and odors caused by urine, feces, and vomit. TO BUY: Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover, $14 for 32 oz.; petco.com.

G E T T Y I M AG E S ; P R O D U CT I M AG E S C O U RT E SY O F M A N U FACT U R E R S

AVO I D A C C I D E N T S

Titan declares his freedom from grains.

Some dogs need a grain-free diet to be their best — and for that, there’s nothing better than BLUE Freedom.®

BLUE Freedom is made with high-quality ingredients and real meat first — and none of the grains that contain gluten.

Love them like family. Feed them like family. Available for dogs and cats at your favorite pet specialty store.

The smartest bed in the world for the best sleep of your life, from $999 Designed to keep you and your partner effortlessly comfortable, the Sleep Number 360® smart bed senses your movements then automatically adjusts. You can actually feel it contour to your head, neck, shoulders, back and hips, relieving pressure points.

Does your bed do that?®

AUTOMATICALLY RESPONDS TO YOU

ADJUSTABLE COMFORT ON EACH SIDE

CONTOURS TO YOU FOR MORE PROPER SPINAL ALIGNMENT *

SHOWS HOW WELL YOU’RE SLEEPING

25-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY†

100-NIGHT TRIAL ‡

Call or Click for Your Free Catalog • 1.877.558.2930 (ext. 404372) • www.sleepnumber.com/simple Upholstered furniture and pillows available at additional cost. Prices higher in AK and HI. *For a summary of clinical studies, visit sleepnumber.com. †2-Year Limited Warranty on SleepIQ® technology. Warranties available at sleepnumber.com. ‡Restrictions and exclusions apply. Does not apply to adjustable bases, Upholstered Collection, closeout/clearance or demo/ﬂoor model purchases or mattresses already exchanged under another In-Home Trial period. You pay return shipping. Refunds will be made to the original method of payment less original shipping/delivery fees. Visit sleepnumber.com for complete details. SLEEP NUMBER, SLEEPIQ, SLEEP NUMBER 360, the Double Arrow Design and SELECT COMFORT are registered trademarks of Sleep Number Corporation. ©2019 Sleep Number Corporation

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

If You Only Do One Exercise... A S I N G L E M OV E C A N M A K E YO U F E E L M I L E S B E T T E R . T RY O N E O F T H E S E TO M E E T A H E A LT H G O A L — O R C O M B I N E T H E M F O R Y O U R N E W FA V O R I T E W O R K O U T. By Pam LeBlanc and Anna Maltby

T O O M A N Y O F U S M OV E

STO C K SY

through the world in a body that feels less than great: Maybe you walk around rubbing a sore shoulder or you snap-crackle-pop your way out of chairs. Maybe you’re just generally dragging. Of course, if you have an injury or a medical condition, you should consult your doctor about the best course of action. But if you’re experiencing run-of-the-mill rustiness, it may be that your workout regimen— however intense or minimal it is— is missing a key exercise that will help you move with ease and feel great. Ahead, a few suggestions. For each, use your core and breathe deeply. Oh, and if you combine them all, you’ll get an excellent workout—and you might just feel a little bit amazing.

Photograph by Marco Govel

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

To walk with less discomfort… try glute bridges.

To have more energy… try (beginner) burpees.

Lie on your back with knees bent and heels just barely brushing fingertips. Squeeze your glutes and push your feet into the floor to lift your hips high, creating a straight line from shoulders to knees. Lower your hips back to the floor. Perform 10 reps, rest, and do another one or two sets. W H AT T O D O :

If you spend many hours a day sitting, your glutes—the large muscles in your rear end—can become weak, while the hip ﬂexor muscles on the front of your hips get extra tight from being in a shortened position. When you stand, those tight hip flexors may start to scream, and without powerful glutes, muscles in your back may compensate to help you walk, causing pain and imbalance. It all happens because most people sit with their lower back WHY THEY HELP:

96 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

slumped, says Dixie Stanforth, PhD, a senior lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin. “Your lower back should have a slight curve or arch in it, but with most people, gravity takes over and their chair sucks them in. That puts a tremendous load on the lower back and hips.” A glute bridge strengthens the gluteus maximus and hamstrings, which helps counter this imbalance, and provides a nice opening for tight hip ﬂexors. Here’s a tip: When you get up from your desk to stretch, reach your chest toward the ceiling rather than folding down to touch your toes. That will help your spine ﬁnd its natural alignment again.

Stand tall, then crouch down to place your hands on the ground near your feet. Step or jump your feet back into a high plank position, then step or jump your feet forward to meet your hands again. Stand, extending fully at the hips. To increase the challenge, add a push-up when you reach plank position, and jump into the air when you return to standing from the crouch. Perform 10 reps, rest, and do another one or two sets. W H AT T O D O :

little more eager to spring out of bed and leap over tall buildings. And they mimic get-down-on-theground and get-up-again movements you use in everyday life. “Learning how to get down and get back up is a good functional pattern,” says Stanforth. Just do burpees carefully—no need to jump if you don’t feel conﬁdent doing so—and maintain good alignment in your spine even as you crouch.

Burpees are the exercise everyone loves to hate. But there are plenty of reasons to just plain love them: They challenge your whole body, strengthening everything from your quads, glutes, and hamstrings to your arms and chest, which might make you a WHY THEY HELP:

I l l u s t r a t i o n s b y P i e t a r i Po s t i

BAL ANCE

To prevent shoulder injury… try I’s, T’s, Y’s, and W’s.

To have a happier back… try rows.

Lie on your stomach on an exercise ball, with your hands grazing the ground in front of you. Squeeze your shoulder blades together to extend your arms with your thumbs pointing up toward the ceiling, framing your head with your upper arms, and then slowly lower—that’s an I. Then extend your arms straight out to the sides— that’s a T. Then extend your arms in a Y shape and bend your elbows, pulling them back toward your sides. Finally, bend your elbows with palms facing down, then lower your hands, keeping upper arms in place—that’s a W. Do 10 reps of one letter before moving on to the next, initiating each movement from your W H AT T O D O :

shoulder blades and midback and being careful not to let the tops of your shoulders shrug up toward your ears. Rest and repeat. Our shoulders are among the most commonly injured parts of our bodies. One reason: Because of habitually poor posture, we often have a tight chest with weak, overstretched muscles around our shoulder blades. These are the muscles that should be pulling our shoulders back and down into the proper, safe position, says Kelsey Graham, an assistant professor in the Exercise Science Department and director of personal training at San Diego Mesa College. “Those I’s, T’s, Y’s, and W’s help strengthen the back of the shoulder and the muscles around the shoulder blade, reducing risk of injury,” she says. WHY THEY HELP:

Stand with a medium-weight dumbbell in each hand (start with ﬁve to seven pounds and increase if it feels too easy). Hinge at the hips to bring your torso parallel to the ground (or slightly above parallel), keeping your spine in good alignment— bend your knees slightly if needed. With palms facing each other, pull the dumbbells toward your torso, driving your elbows behind you and keeping arms close to your sides. Slowly lower. Perform 10 reps, rest, and do one or two more sets. W H AT T O D O :

inactivity. Strengthening the back’s most important muscles can help you recover from old injuries, improve your posture, and keep your spinal cord healthy. And rows, which can be performed with dumbbells, cables, kettlebells, or elastic tubing, do just that. “Most people are really good at pushing and doing things in the front but need to spend more time pulling and doing stuff behind them,” says Stanforth.

Back pain and discomfort can stem from past sports injuries, poor posture, or WHY THEY HELP:

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

BAL ANCE

To finish your workout quickly… try push-ups.

To feel great as you age… try squats.

Start in a high plank position, with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Rest your knees on the ground, putting your weight on the ﬂeshy part just above the kneecap. Rotate your hands slightly toward each other to protect the wrists. Ensure that your hips and shoulders are in line— don’t let your stomach sag or raise your butt in the air. Brace your core, and then bend your elbows to lower your body in one piece, going as far down as you can. Then push back up. To make it easier, perform the exercise with your hands on a bench or the wall. To make it harder, take your knees off the ground so you’re on hands and feet. W H AT T O D O :

W H Y T H E Y H E L P : Pushups use nearly every muscle in your body—the arms, shoulders, and chest for lowering and lifting, and

98 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

the core and lower body for stabilizing. You even get a bit of cardio, since the heart has to work hard to deliver blood to all those muscles at once. The key is to do push-ups properly, which many of us don’t, says Stanforth. To push up like a pro, keep your shoulders stable (squeeze the blades back and downward), engage your core as if you were bracing for a punch, and avoid letting your rear end lift or “rolling” your body up and down rather than moving in a solid line. If you ﬁnd yourself doing something wacky, that’s a sign you need to modify— rest assured that push-ups are still incredibly effective when done elevated or on your knees, as long as they’re performed correctly, says Graham.

Stand with feet about hip-width apart. Send your hips slightly back, and then bend your knees to “sit” as deeply as possible, ideally reaching at least parallel. Keep your heels drilled into the ground and your knees driving out. Return to standing. Perform 10 reps, rest, and do one or two more sets. W H AT T O D O :

W H Y T H E Y H E L P : Kinesiologists call squatting a “primal movement pattern”—one that, if you can continue doing it throughout your life, will help you maintain mobility and independence. “You need to be able to sit down in a chair and get up from a chair well. You need to be able to go up and down stairs. You need to be able to bend down and pick something up off the ground,” says Graham. Adding squats to your routine can keep you doing

all those things—and ultimately help you maintain your independence in the bathroom, get in and out of bed on your own, and get down on the ground to play with your grandkids or pets as you grow older. “Every able-bodied person on the planet should be doing squats,” says Stanforth. If you aren’t able to reach parallel or lower down without your knees bothering you or caving in, work your way up by doing chair squats—squat down toward a chair and let your butt tap the seat (or even sit down if needed), and then stand back up. Or hold on to a countertop, a railing, or the back of a sturdy chair lightly with one or both hands for support on your way down and back up.

Zero Feel Zero Leaks. Zero Bunching. Zero Bulk.

with

Fit to Form GROOVES

Up to 10 Hours LEAK-FREE

it’s possible

BAL ANCE

5 Things You Should Do Before Paying a Medical Bill U P T O 8 0 P E R C E N T O F M E D I C A L B I L L S M AY C O N T A I N E R R O R S , E X P E R T S S AY. T A K E T H E S E S T E P S T O C H E C K C H A R G E S , L O W E R C O S T S , A N D AV O I D U N H A P P Y S U R P R I S E S . By Caylin Harris

100 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Verify your information. First check that the bill was in fact run through your insurance and that your insurance information is correct, says Adria Gross, a medical billing advocate and the founder of MedWise Insurance Advocacy. Occasionally, a billing company will mail a bill without running it through insurance. Or there might just be an errorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; even leaving one number off your insurance ID can make it seem like your policy is invalid.

I l l u s t r a t i o n b y S a m Ka l d a

Research billing codes. Every medical procedure has a corresponding billing code, which your doctor’s office enters to tell insurers what was done and help them process the claim, says Caitlin Donovan, director of outreach and public affairs at the National Patient Advocate Foundation. If you were denied coverage for a procedure, suss out whether the wrong code was used: Type the code from your bill or insurance claim into a code search tool, like the one on ﬁndacode.com. If you notice a potential error, ask your doctor’s office about it. They may be able to resubmit your claim with corrected coding. “I also recommend asking your insurer how a procedure needs to be coded to get covered,” says Donovan.

Ask for an itemized list. Providers should send a lineitem breakdown that shows how they came up with the total. If your bill doesn’t have one, ask for it. Then make sure everything on the bill is a test, medication, or service you received during your appointment or hospital stay, says Teresa Brown, senior director of the hospital division at Medliminal, a company that specializes in medical cost containment. “Check units and quantities,” she says. “I was talking to somebody whose husband had a CT scan, and they billed her twice. We’ve seen a toothbrush billed for $1,000. So look for extra zeros and other numbers.”

Don’t be afraid to negotiate. P R E V E N T P RO B L E M S Even if you’ve done your homework, triple-checked your bill for accuracy, and appealed, you may still end up owing more than you can afford. If that’s the case, go to healthcarebluebook.com or fairhealthconsumer.org to get a sense of what a reasonable charge for the service is; that will give you a negotiating starting point, says Donovan. People want to get paid, so if they see you’re making an effort to tackle the bill, providers should be willing to set up a payment plan and work within your ﬁnancial constraints. They may even offer a lower lump-sum cost.

Take care of it quickly. Don’t let that bill drift to the bottom of your to-do list. Call the billing office (or your insurance company, if it handles payment for you) as soon as you can if you think you’ve found an error. If you don’t contact the billing office or pay the bill, the provider can send it to a collection agency. The agency can then notify credit bureaus about your debt. Medical debts that are less than six months past due don’t show up on your credit report, so if you can, resolve the bill before it has a chance to appear there.

K N O W YO U R N E T W O R K One of the most common ways to rack up charges is by going to an out-of-network provider, since your insurance will usually cover a smaller portion of the cost, if anything. For any visit or procedure, check that the provider or lab is in-network. In case of emergency, know which hospital in your area is in-network (but be aware that some doctors working there may still not be on your plan). Discuss your policy with your benefits department or call your provider to get clarity. H AV E A C O S T C O N V E R S AT I O N Ask your doctor about costeffective alternatives, suggests Donovan. If doctors know that budget is a concern, they may be able to opt for a more affordable treatment or a generic drug. B E YO U R O W N A DVO C AT E Take notes at your appointments (and the appointments of anyone you care for) and ask if you can record the visit. Note what was done and any treatment directions so you have a reference if something strange appears on a bill.

Learn how to use a health savings account to reduce out-of-pocket medical costs at realsimple.com/hsa.

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

101

Dine at restaurants serving up cutting-edge cuisine, shop dozens of specialty shops and experience galleries & theaters. History enthusiasts seek out Civil War sites. Wander mountain trails in National & State parks and drive through three historic covered bridges. Visit dozens of wineries, breweries & distilleries.

VISITFREDERICK.ORG â&#x20AC;˘ 800-999-3613

BAL ANCE

M a k i n g I t Wo r k

How do you keep your email inbox under control? By Jane Por ter

COURTESY OF SUB JECTS

I batch-tackle my emails. I start the day by clearing the decks between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and then I don’t check my inbox again until lunch. I check in again around 3 p.m. and again at the end of the day. Mondays can be especially brutal because I do not touch my email over the weekend. But I think it’s so important to have that time away. I’d rather build time into my regular weekly schedule for email catch-up.

EMILIE ARIES, 32, FOUNDER OF BOS SED UP, A WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COMPANY IN DENVER

Illustration by Andrea Mongia

I deleted the email app from my phone about a year ago and never downloaded it again. I make cakes, so I’m in the kitchen a lot, and I’d be in the middle of something important and then suddenly be on my phone opening emails. It brought all this extra stress because I’d start thinking about whatever was in that email and not the task I was supposed to focus on. Now I aim to check my email once in the morning and once in the evening for maybe half an hour. This works much better, and I feel a lot less stressed.

CL AIRE ELIZABETH, 30, CAKE MAKER IN NOT TINGHAM, ENGL AND

For me the key is aggressive filtering. The fire hose should really be like a sink faucet. A mistake I used to make was grouping things by category if they were similar in topic. But when you look at your inbox and you have all these categories, that doesn’t really tell you anything. If you keep your folders focused on important stuff, kind of important stuff, and not so important stuff, you know where to put your attention.

Lately I have been unsubscribing from everything I can— newsletters, authors I followed, catalogs. I realized I was getting 150 to 200 emails a day and was in constant scan-anddelete mode. It took up a lot of mental space. No one thing is too much, but I found that even after I spent two weeks unsubscribing from everything every single day, there was still more and more coming in. Now that my inbox is curated, I have more time to read what I choose to read.

I used to believe in inbox zero, and for a long time I achieved that. But now I treat that inbox number as a priority. If there are five or six emails in the bucket that are a lower priority, I will focus on getting to them maybe at the end of the week. What I’ve found to be most helpful is separating my email topics out to many different accounts. I have easily a dozen email accounts— for freelancing, teaching, shopping.

TYRONE HINDERSON, 27, SOF T WARE ENGINEER AT GO O GLE IN NE W YORK CIT Y

JODI WOMACK, 47, LE ADERSHIP COACH AT GE T MOMENTUM IN MONTGOMERY, AL ABAMA

JASON TSELENTIS, 45, DESIGN EDUCATOR AND WRITER IN CHARLOT TE, NORTH CAROLINA

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

105

Some things are bigge than banking (Like getting family together for Sunday supper.)

Most banks don’t get too fired up about afternoon cookouts. But if you’re all about family time, we are too. Great service is our secret sauce. And we’ve got tips and tools that make it easy to budget for groceries, entertainment and all the things you love.

Ahhh...

OFFSET

As we move through our day, so much of our attention ends up being directed outward—toward our partner, kids, boss, social media. It’s easy to become so focused on others that our own needs fall by the wayside. Try this exercise anytime you feel the need to check in with yourself. Sit comfortably, with your spine upright and your palms resting on your thighs. Start with your eyes open and softly gaze about six feet in front of you. Take a few slow breaths through the nose and note any physical sensations that come into your awareness. What parts of your body are calling attention to themselves the most? Is any part of you feeling achy, cold, tense? Now close your eyes. Take another deep breath in and exhale out. How is the experience of your inner space different since closing your eyes? Continue to deeply inhale and exhale five more times, watching as your body tells you where it needs space. — E D WA R D J O N E S , n o w y o g a n y. c o m

Photograph by Seungyeol Shin

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

107

Spring Bakers

Can’t get to the tropics? Then bring them to you.

These six sweets offer breezy island vibes in as little as 10 minutes. b y D awn Perr y photographs by Victor Protasio

P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N ; F O O D ST Y L I N G BY A N N A H A M PTO N

Brûlé e d B anana Splits with Cashew Caramel Corn

108 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Co conut Cake D oughnuts

TO BUY: (Opposite page) Wasara Maru large round plate, $8 for 8; needsupply.com.

Modern flatware set in Petal, $10.50 for 12 pieces; lentramise.com. (This page) Oh Happy Day small plates in Happy, $6 for 8; shop.ohhappyday.com. Desert Rose Colorblock cocktail paper napkins, $7 for 20; harlowandgrey.com.

No-Churn Pap aya Ice Cre am

TO BUY: Wasara bowls, $10.50 for 6; tarosorigamistudio.com. Plantware high-heat yellow spoons, $7.60 for 50; ecoproductsstore.com.

Co conut Cake D oughnuts ACT I V E T I M E 3 0 M I N U T E S TOTA L T I M E 3 0 M I N U T E S MAKES 24 DOUGHNUTS

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut cup sugar tsp. ground cinnamon Vegetable oil, for frying 1 cup all-purpose flour tsp. kosher salt

No-Churn Pap aya Ice Cre am ACT I V E T I M E 10 M I N U T E S TOTA L T I M E 6 H O U R S , 10 M I N U T E S ( I N C LU D E S FREEZING) MAKES 8 CUPS

tsp. baking powder tsp. ground nutmeg 2 large eggs, yolks and whites separated

Brûlé e d B anana Splits with Cashew Caramel Corn ACT I V E T I M E 10 M I N U T E S TOTA L T I M E 10 M I N U T E S SERVES 4

cup sugar 4 bananas, unpeeled, split lengthwise Vanilla ice cream, for serving 1

cups caramel corn with cashews, roughly chopped

sugar on a plate. Dip cut sides of bananas into sugar, pressing to help it adhere. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high. Working in 2 batches, add bananas to skillet, sugar side down, and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer, cut side up, to plates.

SPREAD

topped with ice cream and caramel corn.

SERVE

cup whole milk cup coconut cream, such as Coco Lopez together shredded coconut, sugar, and cinnamon in a pie plate or other shallow dish. MIX

a medium pot with 2 inches of oil and fit pot with a deep-fry thermometer. Heat oil over medium until thermometer reads 350°F, adjusting heat as necessary to keep temperature as close to 350°F as possible. FILL

flour, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Stir in egg yolks, milk, and coconut cream. WHISK

egg whites in a separate medium bowl until soft peaks form. Fold into flour mixture until evenly combined. Carefully drop a few tablespoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown and puffed, 2 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer doughnuts to a paper-towel-lined plate to catch any drips, then transfer to coconut mixture; roll to coat. Repeat with remaining batter and coconut mixture.

BEAT

2 cups heavy cream 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract Pinch kosher salt 3 cups chopped papaya (from 1 medium papaya) LINE a large loaf pan with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer on high, whip cream until it holds a trail, about 1 minute. With mixer on low, add condensed milk, vanilla, and salt. Return mixer to high and whip until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Fold in papaya and transfer to prepared pan; freeze until firm, about 6 hours. Ice cream will keep in freezer for up to 3 weeks.

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

111

White Cho colate Macadamia Nut S cones

TO BUY: (This page) Mint side plates, $6.50 for 8; merimeri.com. Frenchie Striped Petite napkins in aqua, $5.50 for 16; daydreamsociety.com.

(Opposite page) Chinet Cut Crystal 9-oz. plastic cups, $3 for 25; walmart.com. Small Grid napkins in coral, $7 for 20; shop.ohhappyday.com.

S alte d Pine appleLime Granita

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

113

White Cho colate Macadamia Nut S cones ACT I V E T I M E 3 0 M I N U T E S TOTA L T I M E 3 0 M I N U T E S MAKES 12 SCONES SCONES

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface cup packed light brown sugar 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. kosher salt tsp. baking soda 6 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into -in. pieces cup chopped macadamia nuts

inch thick; cut into 12 squares and transfer to prepared sheet. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating halfway through. the glaze: Melt butter in a medium pot over medium. Add sugar and cook, stirring, until sugar is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add milk (mixture will bubble and seize). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until smooth and caramel colored, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in kosher salt. MAKE

1 tablespoon glaze over each scone. Top with nuts and flaky salt, if using.

GL AZE

4 Tbsp. ( stick) unsalted butter cup packed light brown sugar

cup chopped macadamia nuts Flaky salt, for serving (optional) PREHEAT oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

S alte d Pine appleLime Granita ACT I V E T I M E 3 0 M I N U T E S TOTA L T I M E 5 H O U R S , 3 0 M I N U T E S ( I N C LU D E S FREEZING) SERVES 8

2 oz. fresh sliced ginger (from a 2-in. piece) cup sugar 3 cups chopped fresh or frozen pineapple Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for serving Flaky salt, for serving

MAKE

the scones: Place flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until sandy. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in nuts and white chocolate chips.

ginger, sugar, and cup water in a small pot over medium-high. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly, then strain. Discard ginger.

a well in dry ingredients and gradually add milk, using a fork to stir into a shaggy dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until no dry spots remain.

pineapple, ginger syrup, and lime juice in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours. Remove from freezer and rake with a fork. Cover with plastic wrap and return to freezer for at least 1 hour or up to 1 week.

MAKE

ROLL dough to an 8-by-10inch rectangle, about

COMBINE

TOP with salt and serve with lime wedges.

114 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

cups all-purpose flour tsp. baking powder tsp. kosher salt cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for loaf pan 1 cup sugar cup coconut oil, at room temperature 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract 4 large eggs

cup whole milk tsp. kosher salt

ACT I V E T I M E 2 0 M I N U T E S TOTA L T I M E 3 H O U R S ( I N C LU D E S C O O L I N G ) M A K E S 1 L OA F

SPOON

cup white chocolate chips 1 cup whole milk

Mango Pound Cake

2 cups chopped fresh or thawed frozen mango oven to 350°F. Brush an 8 -by-4 -inch loaf pan with butter and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. PREHEAT

butter, sugar, and coconut oil in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on mediumhigh until very light and fluffy, 8 to 10 minutes. Add vanilla and beat to combine.

BEAT

ADD eggs, 1 at a time, and beat to combine (mixture may look broken). Scrape down sides of bowl, being sure to go all the way to the bottom. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients and beat until evenly combined. Fold in mango and transfer to prepared pan. BAKE until golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 1 hour. Loaf will keep, tightly wrapped at room temperature, for up to 4 days.

Mango Pound Cake

TO BUY: Fluted Rocks glasses, $0.60 each; lentramise.com. Pastel Neon Edge cocktail plates,

$6 for 12; merimeri.com. Outdoor Italian flatware in white, $72 for 16 pieces; food52.com.

TURN YO U R T U B INTO A S A N C T UA RY Finding the time to take a bath is, one, a total luxury and, two, something we totally encourage you to do. Here, everything you need to calm your mind and pamper your skin. By H E A T H E R M U I R M A F F E I P h o t o g ra p h s b y M A T T H E W W I L L I A M S

AT H B OM B V I DE O S

are trending, sales of bath salts are through the roof, and plumbing contractors have been installing more bathtubs than ever. So what’s with all the bath buzz? Maybe we all need a break. While we traditionally arm you with tips to get out the door faster, we also empower you to press pause, put down your phone, and slip into your own little sanctuary. Bath offerings have come a long way since basic bubble (wait until you hear about a bath buff) and leave you with beneﬁts beyond feeling Zen (though that’s a nice mental boost). Team antibath? Don’t worry: Most of these skin-softening treats work in the shower too.

116 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

TO BUY: Iron Works Historic freestanding bath, $4,409, with balland-claw feet, $500; us.kohler.com. Kelston floor-mount bath filler with handshower in oilrubbed bronze, $1,834; us.kohler.com. Jacquard-weave bath sheet, $18; hm.com. Marble Occasional Table, $278; michelevarian.com. Wallpaper: Schumacher Birds & Butterflies Multi on White, $195 per roll; decoratorsbest.com.

GARDEN PA RT Y Rev up in the morning by sweeping a natural-bristle brush over dry skin (starting at your feet) and then taking an energizing soak. SET THE SCENE

“Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae

L I ST E N TO :

The Honey Bus by Meredith May

RE AD:

SIP:

Citrus-infused water

Nest Fragrances Rose Noir & Oud Classic Candle ($42; nestfragrances.com)

TO BUY: Koya Waffle Fringe bath mat, $40; crateandbarrel.com.

118 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

PROP ST YLING BY HIL ARY ROBERTSON

SMELL:

MODERN ZEN Long day? Rough week? Slip into a tension-easing sake bath to melt your stress away. SET THE SCENE L I ST E N TO : “ Your Hand in Mine”

by Explosions in the Sky The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa RE AD:

SIP:

Green tea

Voluspa 3 Wick Candle in Mokara ($22; voluspa.com)

SMELL:

TO BUY: Composed floormount bath filler with handshower in polished chrome, $1,503; us.kohler.com. Chambray Black and White bath towels, $20 each; cb2 .com. Minimalist Ladder, $88; anthropologie.com.

E ARTHY BOHO Create a happy place to chill out, meditate, and swirl around a mesmerizingly sparkly, skin-softening bath bomb. SET THE SCENE L I ST E N TO : â&#x20AC;&#x153; Cherry Blossom Girlâ&#x20AC;? by Air

Eating the Sun: Small Musings on a Vast Universe by Ella Frances Sanders S I P : Golden milk latte

RE AD:

Sunday Forever Morning Candle ($36; sundayforever.com)

SMELL:

TO BUY: Purist floor-mount bath filler with handshower in polished chrome, $1,128; us.kohler.com. Karla Copper bath towels, $20 each, and Live Edge Wood bath caddy, $80; cb2.com. Tile: Daisy; mosaichouse.com.

E ARTHY BOHO

G A R D E N PA RT Y MODERN ZEN

JO MALONE LOND ON

F R A N K B O DY O R I G I N A L

B AT H O I L I N R E D RO S E S

C O F F E E S C RU B

Sweet almond and jojoba oils turn dry skin supple, while lemon gives the rose scent a kick. TO BUY: $68; jomalone.com.

Rub-a-dub-dub with robusta coffee grounds to temporarily brighten and tighten. TO BUY: $17; frankbodycom.

F R E S H S A K E B AT H

Pour a capful into water, soak, and let the sake (prepared from rice grains) ease your muscle tension. TO BUY: $82; fresh.com.

L AT I K A B O DY ESSENTIAL S FO CUS

C L AU S P O RT O S OA P

These vintage-looking hand-wrapped soaps are as nice to use as they are to admire. Vegetable oils and shea butter leave skin silky smooth. TO BUY: $20 each (5.3 oz.); clausporto.com.

AND BAL ANCE GEODE B AT H B O M B S E T

N E U T RO G E N A R A I N B AT H IN O CEAN MIST

An emulsifying ingredient prevents the colors from sticking to the tub, so you can enjoy mess-free. TO BUY: $35 for 3; latikasoap.com.

This fresh update on a classic can be a shower gel, bubble bath, and shave gel. TO BUY: $8; neutrogena.com.

RED FLOWER W I L D C H E R RY B L O S S O M L O L L I A AT L A S T

RICE BUFF

PERFUMED SHOWER GEL

This sudsy wash doubles as bubble bath. The bright tube and floral fragrance (a mix of powdery rice flower and mimosa) will put pep in your step. TO BUY: $22; lollialife.com.

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

Rub onto dry skin before bathing, and then rinse. Coconut oil and Epsom salts deliver just-left-thespa feels. TO BUY: $44; herbivorebotanicals.com.

A neater alternative to a scrub, this mesh bag contains exfoliating rice bran. Massage it into skin and rinse. TO BUY: $26; redflower.com.

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

121

CLEANING

FOR THE

WHOLE

Sure, you know a microfiber dishcloth from a maximum-strength cleanser. But inevitably, a few head-scratching cleaning tasks will pop up that you just can’t figure out how to tackle (sigh, water rings on the wood table). We gathered go-to cleaning tricks from all over, and then we tested them to be certain they work. They’re guaranteed to make you think, “I’ve got to try that!”

HOUSE

BY TAMAR A KR AUS PHOTO GR APHS BY CORE Y OL SEN

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

123

KITCHEN

BURNED-ON ME S S ER A SER When burned food sticks to your cookware, fill it with an inch or two of water, add a drop of dish soap, and boil for about five minutes. Drain, and the mess should slide right off with the help of a sponge and fresh water. CAT H Y PAU L , O N TA R I O , CA N A DA

SHINE S OLUTION To polish utensils that have water marks or blemishes, fill a mixing bowl with water and a generous pinch of baking soda. Drop in the utensils and cover the bowl with aluminum foil for about two minutes. Remove and dr y completely before storing them or setting the table.

To remove sticky residue from price tags on glass, I put a bit of creamy peanut butter on a piece of paper towel and rub it in a circular motion until the glue is lifted. Rinse with soap and water or use glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. L AU R E N P H I L L I P S , R E A L S I M P L E A S S O C I AT E D I G I TA L E D I TO R

R A E L P E T I T, B E V E R AG E D I R ECTO R AT T H E W I L L I A M S B U R G H OT E L I N B R O O K LY N , N E W YO R K

Buff away burned food from the oven’s interior with a pumice stone. As long as the stone is wet, it shouldn’t scratch the surface, but it will help knock the debris loose. Finish with a damp cloth to collect the remaining mess. MELISSA MAKER

DRIP COLLECTOR

MELISSA MAKER, AU T H O R O F C L E A N M Y S PAC E

After washing and drying my cast-iron pan, I wrap it in a paper towel before storing to ensure every drop of moisture is absorbed and prevent rust.

For a sparkling smooth-top electric stove, dampen the corner of a microfiber cloth with vodka and wipe the surface. Alcohol breaks down food buildup and creates a streak-free shine. JA N E T H O O K S , J O N E S B O R O , A R K A N S A S

JULIA BLANTER, HEAD O F C O M M U N I T Y AT B OX E D , A N O N L I N E R E TA I L E R

P OWER CLE ANER A handheld steamer can help with more than just wrinkled clothing. I run mine over the stovetop to soften any caked-on food and make it easy to wipe clean.

To spot-treat wine spills on a tablecloth, dab the area with soda water and a clean rag. The bubbles help lift the stain to the fabric’s surface so it’s ready for you to pretreat and throw in the washing machine later. N I C K P E R K I N S , C H E F / OW N E R O F H A RT ’ S , C E RVO ’ S , A N D T H E F LY I N N E W YO R K C I T Y

My mother taught me to line the produce drawers in my refrigerator with newspaper to absorb moisture and odors. Replace it about once a week, or whenever it looks like it needs a refresh—your nose will thank you! H A N A A S B R I N K , S E N I O R L I F E ST Y L E E D I TO R AT F O O D 5 2

M AT T M O B E R G , T R A I N E R AT C L E A N I N G M A N AG E M E N T I N ST I T U T E I N N O RT H B R O O K , I L L I N O I S

124 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

For all these hacks, test an inconspicuous area first, as some materials may react differently.

P R O P S T Y L I N G B Y M I A K O K AT O H ; M A N I C U R E B Y S U N N Y H A N

Tie a paper towel around the base of an olive oil bottle with a rubber band to catch leaks and keep counters spotless.

If your glassware is cloudy, hold each cup upside down over a steaming kettle, and then wipe the steam and smudges away with a microfiber cloth. R AC H E L C O H E N , C O F O U N D E R O F S N OW E , A H O M E G O O D S R E TA I L E R

If I notice a musty smell in my closet from a damp coat or rain boots, I bundle a few pieces of chalk with ribbon and hang it from the rod or set it on the shelf. It works wonders to absorb small amounts of moisture. MELISSA MAKER

Here’s my trick for dingy shoes: Dampen a cotton ball with micellar water and clean the visible part of the soles. The solution creates a clean slate for my sneakers just as it does for my face. ST E P H A N I E S I S C O , REAL SIMPLE H O M E D I R ECTO R

BEDRO OM & CLOSET To help fade ink marks on leather, spray WD-40 onto a cotton ball and work it into the area. The mineral spirits in the solution act as a powerful degreaser and cleaning agent. MAEVE RICHMOND, FOUNDER OF MAEVE’S METHOD, AN O R G A N I Z I N G S E RV I C E B A S E D I N N E W YO R K C I T Y

Blinds are dust magnets. I spray them with Static Guard to repel dust and other allergens and make cleaning less tedious. M I C H A E L D I M O P O U LO S , FOUNDER OF LAZY SUSANS C L E A N I N G S E RV I C E I N N E W YO R K C I T Y

WATER-RING REMOVER If I forget to put a coaster on my wooden bedside table and water rings form, I use a hair dr yer to help remove the moisture absorbed by the table. I finish with olive oil for shine. D O N N A S M A L L I N KU P E R , C E RT I F I E D H O U S EC L E A N I N G T EC H N I C I A N A N D AU T H O R O F C L E A R T H E C LU T T E R , F I N D H A P PI N E S S

For light scratches on hardwood floors, gently rub a shelled walnut over the marks until they start to fade. The nutmeat fills in the gaps and makes wood floors look like new. S H E R RY P E T E R S I K , C O F O U N D E R OF THE DIY SITE YO U N G H O U S E LOV E . C O M

To erase deodorant marks from clothes, rub the foam strip from a dry-cleaning hanger on the area. T H E T E A M AT M R S . M E Y E R ’ S C L E A N DAY

126 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

BATHRO OM After washing my face and brushing my teeth in the morning and evening, I wipe down the countertop with two squares of toilet paper. It keeps things sparkling between weekly deep cleanings.

MOLD ER A SER To remove mold from horizontal caulk lines and shower corners, I soak a paper towel in bleach and place it over the grimy area overnight. In the morning, I use that paper towel to wipe the once-moldy caulk and reveal a spotless shower, minus the elbow grease.

A N N A M A LT BY, R E AL S I M P L E D E P U T Y E D I TO R

M AG G I E JAG G E R , C O M M E R C E C I T Y, C O LO R A D O

GRIME FIGHTER To help prevent iron deposits, mold, and hard-water rings from forming in the toilet, I apply a layer of polymer-based car wax to the bowl about ever y six months. First clean the toilet, and then shut off the water and flush a few times so all the water drains from the bowl. Apply a layer of wax to the interior of the bowl to make it slick so nothing sticks.

S U S A N S H AW, M I L F O R D , C O N N ECT I C U T

Use wax to repel dust from air-conditioning vents. After washing the vent covers with soapy water, dry them and apply Turtle Wax with a clean rag. Buff and let the vent dry for five minutes before reattaching it. T H E C R E AT I V E T E A M AT S O M E W H AT S I M P L E , A L I F E ST Y L E B LO G

Toilet bowl cleaner helps me achieve a sparkling shower because the applicator tip perfectly glides into the grout grooves. Apply the cleaner along the grout line, let it sit overnight, and rinse clean the next day.

I apply a dab of dish soap to makeup-brush bristles and sweep them over a Lego baseboard under warm running water. The pegs agitate caked-on makeup so the brush eventually rinses clean. B R A N D I B R OXS O N , R E A L S I M P L E S E N I O R E D I TO R

Get rid of soap scum from glass shower doors with a Brillo soap pad. Wet the doors and the pad and thoroughly scrub the sur face to remove the grime without scratching the glass. Rinse clean.

M A RY F I N D L E Y, C 0 AU T H O R O F T H E C O M P L E T E I DIOT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S GU I D E TO G R E E N C L E A N I N G

When I worked as a hotel housekeeper the summer before college, I learned to get into the tub after I cleaned it to make sure I tackled all the spots visitors might see when taking a bath. Now I try to do this before guests arrive at my own home. L E S L I E YA Z E L , R E A L S I M P L E E D I TO R I N C H I E F

D O N N A S M A L L I N KU P E R

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

127

As the mom of a 3-year-old, I find that glitter is always on the loose in my house. I use a small chunk of PlayDoh to pick it all up.

VACUUM TECHNIQUE There’s a better way to vacuum carpets. For many vacuums, pushing for ward positions the fib ers for cle anup, while pulling back removes the soil. So slow down during the pulling motion to ensure you’re picking up all the debris.

C O N N I E WO N G , F O U N D E R OF MODERNE PRESS, A PR AG E N CY I N S A N F R A N C I S C O

D O N N A S M A L L I N KU P E R

Create a makeshift dustpan by dampening one edge of a sheet of newspaper and pressing the wet edge down to seal it against the surface. Sweep debris over the wet edge, roll up the newspaper, and—voilà—dirt-free floors. J UA N PA B LO LO M B A N A O F U P & G O , A C L E AN I N G S ERVI C E I N N E W YO R K C I T Y

INK ELIMINATOR If you accidentally get permanent marker on a nonporous sur face, like a whiteboard, draw over the spot with a dr y-erase marker. Follow that with your favorite all-purpose cleaner, and both types of ink should wipe away. K I M C O L B E RT, P E AC H T R E E C I T Y, G EO R G I A

FA M I LY RO O M

Dryer sheets help control static cling—which attracts debris—so wipe your lampshades with them to help repel dust. M I C H A E L D I M O P O U LO S

For a DIY duster, I take a slice of white bread (yes, really) and press it onto the brick wall in my apartment. The bread absorbs dust and dirt without leaving lint behind like a paper towel or rag would. B R A N D I B R OXS O N

To create a scentfree air freshener, mix half a shot of vodka with one cup of distilled water in a spray bottle. Vodka is a natural deodorizer, so use this solution to freshen the air and upholstered furniture. KELLY LOVE, COFOUNDER OF BRANCH BASICS, A N AT U R A L - C L E A N I N G P R O D U CTS C O M PA N Y

GAR AGE & OUTDOORS I use a lint roller to remove pet hair and cobwebs from my window screens.

My dad taught me that kitty litter will soak up oil spills on the driveway or in the garage. Cover the spill with litter and let it sit overnight. Simply sweep it up in the morning. ST E P H A N I E S I S C O

L AU R E N P H I L L I P S

OD OR ABSORBER We all know that rice can help dr y out electronics, but I also use it to dr y out wet boots. Place a sachet of plain rice into each shoe to absorb moisture quickly and promote faster dr ying. Add 10 drops of essential oil to the rice to help manage funky odors.

I train my pups to stop at the door after a walk so I can clean their paws with a baby wipe before letting them inside the house.

MELISSA MAKER

K AT E O N O R ATO , P R O D U CT D E V E LO P M E N T L E A D AT W I L D O N E , A P E T G E A R R E TA I L E R

For crumbs stuck in the car ’s upholster y, spray the seat with a can of compressed air to force the debris free. Then vacuum it clean. J U ST I N E Z U C H OWS K I , K I N G G EO R G E , VIRGINIA

To clean soot from an outdoor firepit, sprinkle cream of tartar on a damp nylon-bristle brush, scrub the dirty spots, and dab clean with a damp paper towel.

GRE A SE BUSTER When there’s grease buildup on the grill grate, remove it and place it in a bin large enough to let it lie flat. Pour half a cup of white vinegar over the grate, followed by an even layer of baking soda, which will create a bubbling reaction. After five minutes, scrub lightly to remove any stuck-on mess.

MELISSA MAKER

S U S A N O ’ C O N N E L L , W I LTO N , C O N N ECT I C U T

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

129

Fr e e-R a n g e Fa m i l y M ar y an d Bri an Heffernan had n o exp eri ence r unni ng a live stoc k f ar m when they lef t Silicon Valley behind and moved their four daughters to an 1,800-acre ranch. This is h ow t hey made the swi tch. By A L I S SA H E S S L E R

HE SUMMER BEFORE

eighth grade, when her peers were spending the lazy days of break riding bikes and going to the mall, 14-year-old Mary Heffernan was starting her first business. After an aunt enlisted her to babysit a few of her cousins, Mary decided to scale up—way up—launching Mary’s Summer Fun Camp in her parents’ backyard in Menlo Park, California. “I figured I might as well watch some other neighborhood kids and make it worth my while,” she says of her two dozen or so charges. “That gave me the entrepreneurial bug.” By her early 30s, Mary, now 40, had successfully opened 10 small businesses with her husband, Brian, now 47. These included a tutoring center, a floral shop, a drop-in daycare facility, and two farm-to-table restaurants. When the couple had trouble sourcing ethically farmed meat, Mary recast the obstacle as an opportunity. “We knew exactly how we wanted the animals raised,” she says. She thought, “Why can’t we just do this ourselves?” Mary

130 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Christa Renee

132 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Above: Mary takes a break in the property’s 1800s barn. Below: Mary, Janie, Tessa, and Maisie collect eggs from one of their three “cluck trucks,” vintage Aloha campers turned chicken coops.

T WO M O N T H S L AT E R ,

they had sold all but one of their enterprises (Mary kept running her first business, a tutoring center, but sold it recently) and decamped with their daughters from their recently purchased 5,000-squarefoot Craftsman dream home in Los Altos to a rustic, 780-square-foot caretaker’s cabin at Sharps Gulch. “It was a far cry from our comfortable suburban existence,” Mary says now. The Heffernans had filled two large storage containers with their belongings (they later repurposed their furniture and other items around the property), packed up their car, and made their final long drive the day their eldest finished kindergarten. They thought their move, which Brian describes as a switch from “a big house with a small backyard to a small house with a big backyard,” might be difficult—so much so that they held on to their Los Altos home as a plan B for six months before selling. “But we learned we didn’t need as much stuff to live a very happy and satisfying life,” says Mary. The four Heffernan sisters shared a bed for two years before moving into bunks in the attic. Most nights, though, you can still find them in the living room together, sleeping by the woodstove.

C L O C K W I S E F R O M B O T T O M L E F T : K AT H R Y N G A M B L E ( 3 ) ; R I C K L O Z I E R

and Brian had long dreamed of buying property outside the city. A livestock business could potentially serve a dual purpose—supply meat for their restaurants and be a pastoral weekend escape for their family. The Heffernans bought Sharps Gulch Ranch, a 160-yearold livestock farm in Fort Jones, California, on December 27, 2013, about six weeks after first touring its 1,800 acres. Initially, the couple hired a ranch manager, intending to commute back and forth on the weekends—a 12-hour round trip—so they could run their other businesses. It only took a few weekends on the ranch for the couple to realize how much happier their family was in this new environment. They loved the daily rhythm of caring for their animals, the fresh air and room to roam, the tight-knit community of Fort Jones. Silicon Valley had changed significantly since Mary was a child. Although they attribute much of their business success to the astronomical growth and affluence of the region, the Heffernans were tired of trying to keep pace. They worried their girls would grow up with a skewed view of the world. In April, while driving back to the Bay Area from their eighth weekend trip to the ranch, the pair discussed their options. Living in Fort Jones full-time would make it difficult to run their other businesses, which they’d have to do remotely. If they sold their businesses, they could go all in on this new venture, but they’d need to build a viable ranching business that didn’t already have the existing customer base from their two restaurants, as they originally planned. Ultimately the decision came down to the lifestyle they wanted for the four girls sleeping in the back of the car. This move was for them, for their future. The Heffernans were all in.

Left: Janie climbs on the control tower of an irrigation pivot, machinery that promotes efficient water use. Below: Mary organizes the cupboards (as Tessa looks on) in the property’s 1868 bunkhouse, which houses guests in warm months.

The Heffernan sisters have been an integral part of the farm. “T h ey’ve be c om e s o mu ch m ore c ap abl e an d respo nsi b le,” says Ma ry.

After moving, Mary and Brian threw themselves into learning. They named their new home Five Marys Farms— for Mary and their girls, MaryFrances (Francie, 11), MaryMarjorie (Maisie, 9), MaryJane (Janie, 8), and MaryTeresa (Tessa, 6). While neither had ranching experience, Brian was raised on a hay-and-alfalfa farm, so he at least knew how to grow feed. Brian’s brother-in-law, a fifth-generation cattle rancher from Oregon, became an invaluable mentor. Neighbors helped, and the couple read dozens of books and watched tutorials online—a YouTube video in Swahili guided Mary through her first piglet castration. For the first four months, Brian worked double as a rancher and a lawyer, but soon he decided to focus solely on the farm. The Heffernan sisters have been an integral part of Five Marys Farms since its inception: gathering eggs, bottlefeeding lambs and calves, and helping with feeding rounds. “There was no choice but to make them step up,” says Mary. “They’ve become so much more capable and responsible.” Mary and Brian say the girls—all under age 6 when they moved—were able to smoothly transition to ranch life, without tearful goodbyes to schoolmates and friends. The girls are the first to tell you the country is where they were destined to grow up; they revel in running through the grass and snuggling lambs. Francie appreciates the

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

133

autonomy: “I couldn’t go back to the city now. We love being outside all day, working and riding horses on the ranch. We have a lot more independence.” The youngest, Tessa, has a more specific preference: “In the city you have to wear shoes. I’d rather be barefoot in the mud.” The family has pushed through numerous hurdles. By far the biggest was figuring out how to offer their meat. In the beginning, the Heffernans tried to sell the harvest from their first 30 lambs directly to consumers by emailing friends and acquaintances in the Bay Area and providing front-door delivery. “I’m trying to fulfill 27 orders, stuck in traffic for 13 hours with coolers of meat and four crying kids,” Mary says of the debacle. “Halfway through, I called Brian in tears and said, ‘We cannot do this. This is not sustainable.’ ” Mary began researching online sales. Without a big advertising budget, she marketed on social media, posting images and videos from their daily lives—from coyote attacks to quiet feeding rounds—on Instagram and amassing a following. Her efforts paid off: Five Marys Farms’ customers have quadrupled since 2016. They now ship more than 800 boxes a month nationwide. They also offer women’s

134 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Top: The whole family pitches in to feed the cows hay. Bottom: The living room of the bunkhouse. The Heffernans live in the property’s ranch-hand cabin and use this space for guests.

C L O C K W I S E F R O M B O T T O M L E F T : R I C K L O Z I E R ; C H R I S TA R E N E E ; K AT H R Y N G A M B L E ( 2 ) ; C H R I S TA R E N E E

Even though he works more now, Brian says, “my hardest day ranching is still better than my best day lawyering.”

retreats and run a farm store, a guesthouse, and a restaurant, Five Marys M5 Burgerhouse, in downtown Fort Jones. Mary says it’s important that she reach out to her new community and other farmers. “There are a few skeptics,” she says. “But if you’re opening your ranch to people, inviting them to enjoy your food, you’re helping to tell the story of agriculture. That story is getting harder to tell.” She has tried to share what she’s learned—about building the farm and diversifying the business—through a small business workshop in Fort Jones and an e-course. WA K I N G I N T H E M O R N I N G

before daybreak, seven days a week, Brian is the first one out to the barns. He loads the feed wagon with 85 120-pound bales of hay. The whole family then piles into the truck to make their way up to the mountains, where they feed the cattle from the late fall to the early spring. Their daughters throw flakes to the congregating cows. Once the cows are fed, the family reloads the truck with feed for the sheep, then the pigs, and finally

the fowl. It takes two to three hours—once in the morning and once at night—to feed all their animals. Even though he works more now, Brian says, “my hardest day ranching is still better than my best day lawyering.” After morning feedings, Mary drops off her daughters at the local elementary school and then typically goes to their store to work. As Five Marys Farms has expanded, the Heffernans have been able to hire employees. Five days a week, Brian works with a young ranch hand, who assists him with a never-ending to-do list: repairing fences, moving water lines, finding escaped animals. Mary has a right-hand woman who helps her fulfill orders and run the store, among other tasks, and they bring on a seasonal intern for the busy summer months. Ranch life isn’t all dreamy lamb snuggling and gorgeous sunsets. Consider the day Mary arrived home, all four girls in tow, to find an older ewe in labor, her uterus prolapsed: “We all ran out to help her. She was suffering, and we were losing her. I went and got the gun and loaded it. I saw that the girls had already walked away to a safe place up the hill. Afterward they worked with me to C-section the mama and try to save the two little lambs.” Sadly, neither made it. “Those experiences stick with you.” Although heartache is a normal part of daily life on the ranch, the Heffernans have learned to navigate these hardships together. “We don’t have a huge savings account or a big fancy house now, but it still feels like a date when Brian and I are out feeding our animals,” she says. “I spend every day with my husband and children doing something I’m incredibly passionate about. That—not money in the bank—is where happiness lies.”

Clockwise from top: Brian and Mary drive through pastures during calving season; the “four Marys,” Francie (standing) and (seated, from left) Maisie, Janie, and Tessa; Brian brings alfalfa to sheep in the barn.

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

135

A little bread. A little cheese. A lot of Wow.

F O O D ST Y L I N G BY A N N A H A M PTO N ; 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 PR I L Asparagus and spinach and peas, oh my! It’s time to celebrate spring, when all our favorite fresh things abound. Dips and crunchy veggies make an easy party spread. Try one of our top hummus picks (page 146) or a mezze platter and eggplant dip (page 142). Mix some leaves into cheesy quinoa and serve it with chicken (page 138) or tender ricotta meatballs (page 144). The meatballs are also great with a side of cauliﬂower rice pilaf (page 143)— but honestly, they’ll go with just about anything green.

Photograph by Victor Protasio

137

FOOD

cups unsalted chicken broth

cups quinoa 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 3 cups baby spinach (about 3 oz.), coarsely chopped 4 chicken breast cutlets (about 1 lb.) tsp. black pepper, divided 1 Tbsp. canola oil 3 oz. GruyÃ¨re cheese, shredded (about cup)

together broth, quinoa, and teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in spinach and cover until wilted, about 3 minutes. STIR

quinoa cooks, season chicken with teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. cheese and remaining teaspoon pepper into hot cooked quinoa. Serve with chicken.

STIR

Easy Dinner 1

P E R S E RV I N G : 532 CALORIES, 18G FAT (6G SAT.), 148MG CHOL., 4G FIBER, 55G PRO., 35G CARB., 776MG SOD., 0G SUGAR

Salt-and-pepper chicken with cheesy spinach quinoa ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4

Quick Cooking Whole-Grain Gluten-Free Family Friendly

Recipes by Emily Nabors Hall 138 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photographs by Victor Protasio

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

WHILE

Easy Dinner 2

Steak with gnocchi and green beans ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4

Quick Cooking Gluten-Free Family Friendly

1 12-oz. pkg. refrigerated potato gnocchi 8 oz. haricots verts or green beans, cut into 2-in. pieces 1 1-lb. hanger steak (about in. thick) 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more for cooking gnocchi tsp. black pepper, divided 2 Tbsp. olive oil 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 shallot, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 Tbsp. capers, drained and chopped a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add gnocchi and cook, undisturbed, until they begin to float, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to a medium heatproof bowl. Add beans to boiling water; cook for 1 minute. Transfer to bowl with gnocchi. Reserve cup cooking water. BRING

SEASON steak with teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add steak and cook, flipping once, until deeply browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for about 5 minutes.

heat under skillet to medium. Add butter and let melt. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add gnocchi, beans, and reserved cooking water; bring to a simmer and cook, undisturbed, until liquid is reduced and saucy, about 2 minutes. Stir in parsley, capers, and remaining teaspoon salt and teaspoon pepper.

REDUCE

steak and serve with gnocchi and beans.

SLICE

P E R S E RV I N G : 458 CALORIES, 24G FAT (9G SAT.), 62MG CHOL., 2G FIBER, 28G PRO., 33G CARB., 981MG SOD., 3G SUGAR

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

139

FOOD

Easy Dinner 3

Spring vegetable pasta with pistachios ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4

Quick Cooking Vegetarian Family Friendly

12 oz. campanelle or other short pasta 1

cups fresh or frozen peas cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-in. pieces 1 medium zucchini, chopped 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced 1 tsp. kosher salt tsp. black pepper 1 Tbsp. lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon) 1 oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved (about cup) cup chopped toasted pistachios Torn fresh basil leaves, for serving

pasta according to package directions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes. Drain pasta and peas, reserving 1 cup cooking water. COOK

MEANWHILE, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh. Add asparagus and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, pasta, peas, reserved cooking water, and remaining cup oil. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens and coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Toss with cheese, pistachios, and lemon zest. Top with basil. P E R S E RV I N G : 600 CALORIES, 24G FAT (4G SAT.), 6MG CHOL., 9G FIBER, 19G PRO., 78G CARB., 620MG SOD., 9G SUGAR

140 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

1 8-oz. pkg. rice stick noodles 1 bunch scallions

Easy Dinner 4

Coconut-curry shrimp and noodles ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4

Quick Cooking Make Ahead Gluten-Free

1 Tbsp. canola oil 1 1-in. piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. red curry paste 1 13.66-oz. can coconut milk, well shaken and stirred cup unsalted chicken broth tsp. kosher salt 1 lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp Fresh cilantro, for serving Lime wedges, for serving

COOK noodles according to package directions; drain, rinse, and set aside. WHILE noodles cook, thinly slice white parts of scallions. Cut green parts of scallions into 1-inch pieces. Set white and green parts aside separately. HEAT oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ginger, garlic, and scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add coconut milk, broth, and salt; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a simmer; add shrimp and scallion greens. Simmer, stirring often, until shrimp are cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.

noodles among bowls; ladle shrimp mixture evenly over top. Top with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

DIVIDE

P E R S E RV I N G : 543 CALORIES, 26G FAT (19G SAT.), 182MG CHOL., 2G FIBER, 26G PRO., 53G CARB., 675MG SOD., 1G SUGAR

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

141

FOOD

Easy Dinner 5

Eggplant dip with feta and crudités ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4

Make Ahead Vegetarian Family Friendly

2 medium eggplants, peeled and cut into 2-in. pieces 1 tsp. kosher salt cup tahini 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 1 clove garlic, finely chopped tsp. black pepper cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling tsp. ground sumac (optional) 4 6-in. pitas 4 oz. feta cheese, sliced Assorted crudités, for serving PREHEAT oven to 450°F. Toss eggplant with salt and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast until very soft, about 20 minutes. Unwrap; let stand for 10 minutes.

eggplant to a food processor. Add tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper; process until smooth. With processor running, stream in oil until smooth and incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. TRANSFER

TRANSFER eggplant dip to a bowl; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sumac, if using. Serve alongside pitas, cheese, and crudités. P E R S E RV I N G : 510 CALORIES, 29G FAT (7G SAT.), 25MG CHOL., 8G FIBER, 14G PRO., 52G CARB., 1,072MG SOD., 10G SUGAR

142 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

CO OK WITH COZI Get Real Simple’s easy weeknight-dinner recipes in Cozi, a free meal-planning and organizing app from Meredith Corporation (available on iTunes and Google Play).

FOOD

Make It Yourself A D E L I C I O U S E SS E N T I A L T H ATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S B E T T E R H O M E M A D E T H A N S T O R E - B O U G H T. W E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; L L P RO V E I T. THIS MONTH: C AULIFLOWER RICE By Ananda Eidelstein

ACTIVE TIME 5 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 MINUTES MAKES 6 CUPS

1 2 -lb. head cauliflower, stemmed and cut into florets

F O O D ST Y L I N G BY A N N A H A M PTO N ; P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N

Working in 2 batches, pulse cauliflower in a food processor until rice-size pieces form. (Some larger pieces are OK.) Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. MICROWAVE INSTRUCTIONS:

Microwave 1 cup Cauliflower Rice, 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, tsp. kosher salt, and tsp. freshly ground black pepper in a microwave-safe bowl on high until butter is melted and mixture is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. STOVETOP INSTRUCTIONS:

See more cauliflower recipes at realsimple.com/ cauliflower.

Photograph by Victor Protasio

Cook 1 cup Cauliflower Rice and 1 tsp. olive oil in a skillet over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, 2 minutes. Stir in tsp. kosher salt and tsp. freshly ground black pepper.

Cook 1 chopped onion in 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups Cauliflower Rice, 3 Tbsp. chicken broth, tsp. kosher salt, and tsp. freshly ground black pepper. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 6 to 8 minutes. Fluff with a fork; top with chopped parsley.

RICE PIL AF:

Cook 3 sliced scallions and 1 chopped clove garlic in 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh for 2 minutes. Add 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 grated carrot, and 1 cup spinach; cook, tossing, until softened, 3 minutes. Add 3 cups Cauliflower Rice and 2 Tbsp. soy sauce; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Make a well and add 2 beaten eggs and tsp. kosher salt; cook, stirring constantly, until just set, 2 minutes. Stir eggs through cauliflower mixture.

STIR-FRY:

APRIL 2019 REAL SIMPLE

143

FOOD

Big Batch

Ricotta meatballs TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES

MAKES 60 MEATBALLS

4 slices white bread, torn into -in. pieces 2 lb. ground beef chuck 8 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto cotto or deli ham, finely chopped 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese 3 oz. pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup) 1 yellow onion, grated (about cup), gently squeezed to remove liquid 1 Tbsp. kosher salt 2 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. fennel seeds, chopped tsp. freshly ground black pepper 4 large eggs 2 Tbsp. olive oil

PREHEAT oven to 450Â°F. Place bread in a bowl; add cup water and press to help bread soften. Let stand for 5 minutes.

beef in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add ham, ricotta, pecorino Romano, onion, salt, oregano, fennel seeds, pepper, eggs, and bread mixture. Using a rubber spatula, mix ingredients together in the center of the well, gradually incorporating beef, working from the center outward and mixing until just incorporated. (Do not overmix.) PL ACE

BRUSH 2 baking sheets with oil. Shape beef mixture into balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place 1 inch apart on sheets.

until meatballs are golden on bottoms, about 10 minutes. Flip and continue baking until golden brown and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes more. BAKE

Let cool completely before storing in airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.

TO FREEZE:

P E R S E RV I N G ( 5 M E AT B A L L S ) : 215 CALORIES, 15G FAT (6G SAT.), 85MG CHOL., 0.3G FIBER, 16G PRO., 4G CARB., 521MG SOD., 1G SUGAR

Give homemade meatballs a starring role in the tasty recipes at realsimple.com/meatballrecipes.

Recipe by Ananda Eidelstein 144 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Photograph by Victor Protasio

F O O D ST Y L I N G BY A N N A H A M PTO N ; P R O P ST Y L I N G BY C L A I R E S P O L L E N

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES

yo ur s Ma ke

s e. anc pd im hr

s t lo l ha

is pop, chives l i h c , soa g n ra si

eve r

o i t p y m e a l exce

l. a n

M A S T E R S O F P A S TA Elevate every meal with Collezione. Bronze cut for a texture that perfectly holds sauces every time.

FOOD

R o a d Te s t

Hummus WE DIPPED INTO 50 P OTS OF HUMMUS, S O T RU ST U S : T H E S E A R E T H E S I X TO KEEP STO CKED FOR SNACK TIME. By Ananda Eidelstein

BEST PL AIN Whole Foods Market Original Hummus Tahini is the key ingredient in hummus, and this one doesn’t skimp on it. A healthy dose of the nutty sesame paste results in a luscious spread, while a little tang prevents it from tasting too rich. TO BUY: $2.50 for 8 oz.; at Whole Foods.

T H I S PA G E : P E T E R A R D I T O ; O P P O S I T E PA G E : 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 F A C T U R E R S

realsimple ROAD TE ST

BEST BEAN Roots Lima Bean Hummus Seasoned with parsley, lemon, and tamari, this pick is made with lima beans (in place of the usual garbanzos) for a unique green color and fresh flavor. TO BUY: $5 for 8 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST SPICY Sabra Supremely Spicy Hummus Stir the blend of chopped chiles, garlic, and spices into the classic chickpea base for assertive heat in every bite. TO BUY: $4 for 10 oz.; at grocery stores.

Rice Krispies Treats, made with ...

BEST LEMON Tribe Lemon Rosemary Hummus Bright with lemon and subtle with rosemary, this whipped hummus is so spreadable, we take it on sandwiches instead of mayo. TO BUY: $3 for 8 oz.; at grocery stores. BEST RED PEPPER Cava Roasted Red Pepper Hummus The deep copper color, hint of smoke, and mild sweetness set this dip apart. Ground chia seeds keep it smooth. TO BUY: $5 for 8 oz.; at grocery stores.

For a new spin, try a dessert hummus recipe at realsimple.com/ chocohummus.

BEST SEEDED Cedar’s Foods Everything Hommus Be on the lookout for this selection (for now, it’s available in only 20 states). You get all the flavors of the beloved bagel, with the schmear built right in. TO BUY: $4 for 8 oz.; at select grocery stores.

by invitation :: tipsntrends, inc :: 323-525-1700

*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.

PRESENTED BY

PROMOTION

BRIGHT OFFERS

A FAMILY VACATION YOU CAN COUNT ON The entire family will love Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Florida. Discover beautiful beaches and incredible outdoor adventures. Add up 24 miles of sandy shore and four happy, smiling faces for a vacation you can count on. EmeraldCoastFL.com

EVENTS

FINDS

IDEAS

GIVEAWAYS

PRETTY IN PINK

FLOWER POWER

Shine bright with a pop of color this spring. Whether you’re going into the office or out with the girls, these colorful earrings are sure to give your look a pop! Shop the full collection.

Never underestimate the power of flowers. Exclusively designed in partnership with 1-800-Flowers, our collection of fresh bouquets makes truly original gifts for someone special…including you! Use Promo Code IDEAS20 for 20% off your purchase.

realsimplestyle.com

Expires 8/31/19. 1800flowers.com/realsimple

REAL SIMPLE CLEAN The time for spring cleaning is quickly approaching. Make this the time of year to clean and refresh and get ready for the warmer months ahead. Check out our plant-based cleaning products. realsimpleclean.com/shop

S I M P LY S H O P P I N G

DAVID AUSTIN® ROSES

T-SHIRT QUILTS FROM CAMPUS QUILT Turn your old t-shirts into a quilt! 800.880.8534 campusquilt.com

Call: 800 328 8893 www.davidaustinroses.com

Grand Canyon 8-Day Tour $1495 +tax & fees with Sedona, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion and more in national park lodges. Call now for choice dates. FREE Brochure: 1-800-CARAVAN, Caravan.com

We know how to make things stick.

Get a GRIP on the adhesive consumers have trusted for 40+ years for all their repair needs.

MADE IN USA by Eclectic Products

The #1 In Value. Fully Guided Tours Since 1952.

Choose more Guided Tours 10 days Nova Scotia 9 days Canadian Rockies 10 days Guatemala 8 days Panama & Canal 9 days Costa Rica 9 days California Coast 8 days Mount Rushmore 8 days New England

ACCEPT. NO. SUBSTITUTES.

To advertise: Contact Devin at MI Integrated Media, 860-542-5180 or devin@mi-ms.com

They say

“Top 10 America’s Greatest Main Streets” Travel + Leisure

You say

“Cold treats in the coolest city ever!!” @tawnhahn

We say

that’s my Greenville.

800.717.0023 #yeahTHATgreenville

Fo r Fu n

10 Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets We Would Absolutely Buy By Anna Maltby and Elizabeth Sile

PA D T H A I M E R

C O O K I E C A M 30 0 0

23ANDMUSH

M I R A C L E F I LT E R

MO O-RIG

A gentle alarm that reminds you that you have five-day-old pad thai in the back of the fridge and automatically orders pizza when you inevitably decide the pad thai is too old to eat

A device that snaps a photo of the person who takes the last cookie

A swab test that identifies mysterious, ancient items in the back of your freezer and also tells you if they’re related to anyone in Lithuania

A Brita attachment that turns water into wine

Joey drinks almond milk, Mom prefers 2 percent, and Dad is newly obsessed with pea milk. This K-Cup–inspired machine dispenses everyone’s favorite with the push of a button.

G UA C O ’ C L O C K

SPONGE GENIE

BURRITO WIZ ARD

JA R JA I L

S C A N ’ N ’ TA N

An alert that goes off as soon as your avocado reaches peak ripeness

A hands-free clamp that squeezes water out of gross, wet sponges left (not by you, of course) in the kitchen sink

A salad spinner that transforms leftover Chipotle into a beautiful, healthy, but still delicious kale salad

A cage that goes down around the recycling bin when someone puts an empty peanut butter jar on top of a too-high pile, shaming them into taking the whole thing out

A handheld device that instantly removes pigment from colorful veggies to make them more appealing to children

152 RE AL SIMPLE APRIL 2019

Illustrations by Joel Holland

I have sent a text to which I received no reply.

ÂŠ 2018 East West Tea Company, LLC

But the answers are already within me.

Be your own Yogi

A banking experience you’ll actually enjoy. Surprising, right? ĕĝĤěħĥĝ Ĭħ āęĨġĬęĤ čĦĝ āęĞ ī ġĦĮġĬġĦğ ĨĤęěĝī įġĬĠ ĨĝħĨĤĝ ĠĝĪĝ Ĭħ ĠĝĤĨ ıħĭ ĦħĬ īĝĤĤ ıħĭ đĬħĨ Ěı ę ĤħěęĬġħĦ Ĭħ ĠęĦĜĤĝ ıħĭĪ ĝĮĝĪıĜęı ĚęĦģġĦğ ĦĝĝĜī ħĪ ğħ ħĦĤġĦĝ Ĭħ ĤĝęĪĦ ĥħĪĝ Welcome to Banking Reimagined.®

čǉĝĪĝĜ Ěı āęĨġĬęĤ čĦĝ Č ÿ ċĝĥĚĝĪ ĄĂćā āęĞ ī Ĝħ ĦħĬ ĨĪħĮġĜĝ ĬĠĝ īęĥĝ īĝĪĮġěĝī ęī ĚęĦģ ĚĪęĦěĠĝī ĚĭĬ ĠęĮĝ ÿĒċī ęĦĜ ęīīħěġęĬĝī įĠħ ěęĦ ĠĝĤĨ ıħĭ āęĞ ī ęĮęġĤęĚĤĝ ġĦ īĝĤĝěĬ ĤħěęĬġħĦī ąħ Ĭħ ĤħěęĬġħĦī ěęĨġĬęĤħĦĝ ěħĥ ĞħĪ ĤħěęĬħĪ ĄħħĜ ęĦĜ ĚĝĮĝĪęğĝī ĨĪħĮġĜĝĜ Ěı ę ĬĠġĪĜ ĨęĪĬı ƣ ! ( āęĨġĬęĤ čĦĝ