WD - April 2021 by Lawrence Ambrocio

make spring sing!

pretty projects, family dinners & endless food fun

MOSAIC MAGIC

celebrate with us Y! YA

YA Y!

CUSTOMIZE THIS EASY DESSERT

for any occasion

the

90-sec

health check P. 83

SPRINKLE SOME JOY! best ever vanilla buttercream sheet cake

it’s a piece(s) of cake

superhero

pet stories

APRIL 2021

REFRIGERATED AISLE

cupcakes.

Bunny Butt Donut

DANIELLE DALY. PROP STYLING: LIS ENGELHART. FOOD STYLING: ANNA HELM BAXTER.

recipe page 87

on the cover make spring sing! 27, 31, 55, 59, 67 mosaic magic 88 the 90-second health check 83 superhero pet stories 48 Photography by Danielle Daly Food styling by Anna Helm Baxter Prop styling by Lis Engelhart Egg styling by Ashley Toth

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27 SPRING DECOR

let’s eat 55

What’s for dinner tonight?! Easy meals for the whole family

April fun

A bunch of a-peeling ways to use bananas

Mark your calendar for these holi-yays

Beauty

A therapist reveals what makes her feel great

That’s a-door-able!

Celebrate Easter & Passover

83 84

Joy Bauer New spring superfoods

in every issue

Finding joy Heartwarming stories of hero pets

Checklist Wellness moves to make right now

Recipes and DIYs that’ll make spring sing!

Live longer & stronger Motivation tips for all you goal-getters

WD’s wreath of the month

4 86 96

Turn to page 9 for more April fun

Up high for your health! The incredible power of the high five

hello 27

Trick (and treat) your loved ones on April 1 by hiding healthy snacks in candy wrappers.

health

Happy place Your home = the ultimate getaway

April fools!

It’s National Soft Pretzel Day Endlessly fun twists on a classic

Monthly devotional Candace Cameron Bure shares a meaningful verse

Life of the party

Editor’s letter Recipes Celebration calendar

how to reach us SUBSCRIPTIONS online service.womansday.com mail Woman’s Day, PO Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037-0870 telephone 800-234-2960

WD’S NEW BIBLE VERSE CARDS!

EDITORIAL email womansday@hearst.com telephone 212-649-2000 mail Reader Mail, Woman’s Day, 300 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 When requesting a reply, include telephone number and address. REPRINTS AND EPRINTS Contact Brian Kolb, Wright’s Reprints, 877-652-5295 or bkolb@wrightsreprints.com

Woman’s Day (ISSN 0043-7336) (USPS 689-640), April 2021, volume #84, issue #3, is published 9 times a year, monthly, except combined issues in December/January, July/August, and September/October and when future combined issues are published that count as two issues as indicated on the issue’s cover, by Hearst, 300 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Steven R. Swartz, President & Chief Executive Officer; William R. Hearst III, Chairman; Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman; Mark E. Aldam, Chief Operating Officer. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc.: Debi Chirichella, President, Hearst Magazines Group & Treasurer; Kate Lewis, Chief Content Officer; Kristen M. O’Hara, Chief Business Officer; Catherine A. Bostron, Secretary. © 2021 by Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Woman’s Day is a registered trademark of Hearst Communications, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and additional mailing offices. Authorized periodicals postage by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, Canada, and for payment in cash. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5, http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/707.htm#1058864); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Woman’s Day, PO Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037-0870. Rates for 9 issues: U.S. $15.00; Canada $38.00, other International $48.00. U.S. military personnel overseas (APO/FPO) $15.00. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: Woman’s Day will, upon receipt of a complete subscription order, undertake fulfillment of that order so as to provide the first copy for delivery by the Postal Service or alternate carrier within 4 to 6 weeks. For customer service, changes of address and subscription orders, log on to service.womansday.com or write to Customer Service Department, Woman’s Day, PO Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037. From time to time, we make our subscriber list available to companies who sell goods and services by mail that we believe would interest our readers. If you would rather not receive such offers via postal mail, please send your current mailing label or exact copy to Mail Preference Service, PO Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037. You can also visit preferences.hearstmags.com to manage your preferences and opt out of receiving marketing offers by email. PRINTED IN U.S.A. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40012499; Canadian Registration Number 126018209RT0001.

Didja know…

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As an April Fools’ joke in 1957, the BBC ran a spoof documentary about Switzerland’s annual “spaghetti harvest” that showed people plucking pasta from a tree.

PHILIP FRIEDMAN. CARROT GARLAND: DANIELLE DALY.

smile file

THE POWER TO

REDUCE ALLERGENS IN CAT HAIR & DANDER

Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Any other marks are property of their respective owners.

Shown to reduce the major allergen by an average of 47%, starting in the third week of daily feeding Breakthrough nutrition discovered through over a decade of research The key ingredient is a speciﬁc protein from eggs

Exclusively at Pet Specialty and Online Retailers

Learn more at ProPlan.com/LiveClear

ED LE IT TT OR ER ’S

My Yay! List Fun finds that

Tap into ﬂower power

Best in class Learn to arrange flowers like a pro (and make them last!) with a virtual tutorial. Fresh blooms arrive at your door for an online workshop. alicestable.com

@meaghanbmurphy @theyaylist

The icing on the cake!

Give it up… for a heat-activated color-changing T-shirt. For more on the magic of high fives, see page 75. $30, shoplacle.com

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Releasing my new book, Your Fully Charged Life, was a dream come true. And the biggest “Yay!” is hearing how it’s inspired readers like young Massachusetts baker Brooke Nathanson, 13, who created this custom cover cake and tagged me on Instagram. How fun for me to surprise her here! Go to @bsweetbybrooke_ to cheer her on.

MURPHY PORTRAIT: LAUREN ANZEVINO. FLOWERS: COURTESY OF 1-800-FLOWERS.COM.

delivered Send or receive a beautiful bouquet with a monthly flower subscription. From $46, 1-800-Flowers.com

hope you know how good it feels to give and get flowers. Why not give them to yourself? Harvard researcher Nancy Etcoff found that people who had fresh-cut flowers at home not only felt less negative, worried, and anxious overall, but also reported feeling happier and had more energy and enthusiasm at work. Researchers at Rutgers (my alma mater!) found similar results: Getting flowers made people happy in the moment and led to their reporting later that they felt less depressed and had higher levels of life enjoyment and satisfaction. I buy a grocery store bouquet every Monday to counter my post-happiness hangover after a fun weekend. Maybe for you, it makes sense to buy flowers on Friday to celebrate the end of the week and get to enjoy them all weekend. Maybe you pick days at random or when you need a boost. It doesn’t matter—you’re worth it! Check out “My Yay! List” at left for a couple of fun ways to shower yourself with flowers and make spring sing.

F E E L I N G ST R E S S E D ?

TH IS JO UR NAL C AN H ELP WI TH T HAT. Use its simple practices to find meaning, overcome negativity, and experience true happiness. Available wherever books are sold or at prevention.com/findyourjoy

Stock up on recycled versions of household essentials like paper towels, trash bags, and toilet paper!

Give food scraps a second life: Turn stale bread into croutons and use cheese rinds in stock.

Learn where to recycle hundreds of different items by plugging in your zip code at earth911.com.

e Save th! dates

JAMES WOJCIK/TRUNK ARCHIVE.

Y! YA

It’s easy being green ★ APRIL 22 ★

Don’t believe us? This Earth Day, pick up The (Almost) Zero Waste Guide by Melanie Mannarino, which is full of doable tips on how to lessen the trash you produce without completely overhauling your life. As Mannarino says in the book, “every little thing we do makes a difference.”

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SMILE FILE A P R I L AG E N DA

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Traci Brown Body language expert

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You’ll know if anyone tries to mislead you on National Honesty Day once you’re aware of these telltale signs of deception, courtesy of Traci Brown, body language expert and author of How to Detect Fraud, Lies and Identity Theft.

I feel so bad about that.

A SUSPECT SMILE “When someone grins during a potentially incriminating situation, it could be a sign of Duper’s Delight. It’s because deep down, they’re having fun and think they’re getting away with their lies.”

I swear I didn’t do it.

WRONG BODY L ANGUAGE “Watch out for when someone is denying something while nodding their head as if they’re saying yes. Their body is unconsciously telling you the truth while their words are not.”

COVERING THE MOUTH “In my experience, when someone covers their mouth before they speak, the next thing they say will be a half-truth, or they’ll purposely leave out important details, which is lying by omission.”

Pretty please with a… ★ APRIL 23 ★

Let National Cherry Cheesecake Day serve as a delicious reminder that everything is better with a cherry on top!

Inspo to go ★ EVERY DAY ★

APRIL 9 ★

Here at Woman’s Day, we know how powerful words can be. So we created this portable box of Bible verse cards that will help you (and loved ones) find peace, hope, forgiveness, strength, and more. Woman’s Day Everyday Inspiration, $15, womansday .com/prayercards

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BROWN: LAURA MAHONY PHOTOGRAPHY. ILLUSTRATIONS: BROWN BIRD DESIGN. PIE: FOODCOLLECTION/IMAGE SOURCE. CARDS: PHILIP FRIEDMAN.

(

DIY LIE DETECTOR

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Show your colors ★ APRIL ★

LIVING ROOM: DAN DUCHARS. GORMAN: PATRICK SEMANSKY-POOL/GETTY IMAGES.

There’s no better time to refresh your space than during National Decorating Month. If you don’t have a mood board ready to go, try this simple idea: Decorate with gray and yellow. The on-trend combo, named the 2021 Pantone Colors of the Year, will add a jolt of energy and sophistication to your space. Start small with accents like throw pillows and vases or go big and change up your wallpaper and rugs.

Amanda Gorman

National Poetry Month ★ APRIL ★

If National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman sparked your new love of poetry, check out our picks.

HOW TO LOVE THE WORLD This collection of more than 100 uplifting poems features the work of diverse writers including Joy Harjo, Mark Nepo, and Amanda Gorman.

tion, which includes her viral poem “Good Bones,” explores the complexity of motherhood and raising children in an imperfect world.

By Sabina Laura Writing regularly in this poetry journal, which is peppered with poems and writing prompts, may just bring out your inner Emily Dickinson.

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DECODE THE STARS

A penny saved, a penny earned ★ APRIL 22 ★

In honor of National Teach Children to Save Day, Trae Bodge, money expert at truetrae.com, offers her best tips for passing on your money smarts to the next generation.

★ APRIL 14 ★

AGES 2 TO 4. Learning to save begins with familiarity with money. Ask your child to make piles of like coins and drop them one by one into a piggy bank. AGES 4 TO 6. Set up a savings account in your kid’s name and show them how the money grows each time you deposit a check from Grandma. AGES 6 TO 14. Let them shop with a portion of their allowance or earned cash and discuss wants vs. needs and saving vs. spending. AGES 14 AND UP. Encourage them to save so they can contribute to bigger purchases like a car, and show them how making that purchase affects the money

$2, iOS and Android

Hear ye, hear ye! ★ APRIL 23 ★

Think talking like a pirate is fun? Then you’ll get a kick out of National Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Here are a few phrases to get you started.

SE ARCHING FOR A LOST ITEM

SIT TING IN THE THE ATER

“O keys, keys, wherefore art thou keys?”

“To pee or not to pee? That is the question.”

SAYING GOODBYE

“Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Blue Gingham Piggy Bank, $35, coton-colors.com

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Up your stargazing game on Look Up at the Sky Day with the help of the SkyView app. It uses your location and augmented reality to show you the stars, planets, and constellations in a whole new light.

BODGE: COURTESY OF SUBJECT. STARGAZING, PHONE, FRAME, AND SHAKESPEARE: GETTY IMAGES. PHONE SCREEN: COURTESY OF SKYVIEW.

Trae Bodge Money expert

Drexel furniture + Sputnik light fixtures

DINING ROOM: ANNIE SCHLECHTER. ORANGE: GETTY IMAGES. BOWLS: PORTLAND PRESS HERALD/GETTY IMAGES. FRANZINO: CHRIS ECKERT. PRESTON: MEREDITH NIERMAN FOR WGBH © WGBH 2021. WALKMAN: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO.

“Some pieces by affordable American furniture maker Drexel can sell for thousands of dollars, especially ones made in partnership with designers like Milo Baughman, Barney Flagg, and Edward Wormley. The iconic Sputnik light fixtures made in the 1960s can also be worth thousands, specifically those by Lightolier or Stilnovo.”

Go treasure hunting! ★ APRIL 9 ★ Jason Preston Appraiser

On National Cherish an Antique Day, lead an at-home search for antiques (at least 100 years old) or valuable “recent antiques” like the ones identified here by Jason Preston, an L.A.-based independent art and antiques adviser and appraiser who also

“Sony Walkmans from the early 1980s, depending on condition and model, can sell for hundreds of dollars. Even Macs from the 1990s can be valuable, with certain models of the Apple Macintosh Color Classic regularly selling for $1,000 and above.”

“Corning’s Pyrex Primary Colors bowls, introduced in 1945, originally cost as little as $2.50 for the set of four. Nowadays, a set of these in great condition can sell for $150 or more online.”

April Franzino WD Beauty Director

National Vitamin C Day ★ APRIL 4 ★

It turns out vitamin C is not only an immune-boosting nutrient, but also a skincare powerhouse. “Applying vitamin C to skin can improve the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, help boost collagen, and brighten,” says Janiene Luke, M.D., a dermatologist in Loma Linda, CA. For best results, seek out vitamin C products that are left on skin rather than rinsed off.

Illuminating Priming Moisturizer, $34, avon.com; Garnier Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream with Vitamin-C + Pineapple, $22, drugstores; No7 Radiance+ Roll & Glow Eye Cream, $17, Ulta Reporting by Katie Berohn

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SMILE FILE A P R I L AG E N DA

Zip it up! ★ APRIL 29 ★

heddar C th i w d le k n i r sp

A jammed zipper can really put a damper on National Zipper Day (or any day, really). That’s why we asked Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping’s Queen of

can glide smoothly over them.

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BASKET MUST-HAVES

• bamboo cutlery • small cutting board & serrated knife • reusable linen napkins

age + peppers s u a s n a i l Ita

• fresh fruit • hard cheeses & salty meats • baguettes • olives & nuts

PUNNY BUSINESS

National Bubble Tea Day ★ APRIL 30 ★

Be bubbly and spread positivi-tea! Didja know… According to zipper manufacturer YKK, it produces enough zippers every year to wrap around the world 50 times.

EMPANADAS: SARAH ANNE WARD. ZIPPER: GETTY IMAGES. PICNIC: BRIAN WOODCOCK.

e t + a l o banana c o h c t e e s w s r bitte

SMILE FILE A P R I L AG E N DA

The first shelter dog in the White House President Joe Biden adopted Major, a German shepherd, from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018.

Two Tantalizing Textures. One Delicious Treat! Your cat will love our tasty new treats starting with real chicken or ﬁsh.

GIVE THEM SHELTER ★ APRIL 30 ★

(

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day sounds like the perfect day to become a new pet owner. Check out these famous adoptees and head to theshelterpetproject.org to find a best bud.

Nala Cat

Sandy

The Internetfamous kitty This Siamesetabby mix holds the Guinness World Record for most followers on Instagram for a cat. Follow her @nala_cat.

The original Sandy in Annie on Broadway Theatricalanimal trainer William Berloni discovered him at a shelter and made him into a Broadway star.

That’s so cheesy ★ APRIL 12 ★

We’re pretty sure we know how you plan on celebrating National Grilled Cheese Day! Hot tip: Spread the outside of the bread with mayo so grilling will make it nicely brown and crisp.

BlueBursts.com

APRIL 2021

Grill and chill!

MAJOR: STEPHANIE GOMEZ/DELAWARE HUMANE ASSOCIATION. NALA CAT: COURTESY OF @NALA_CAT. SANDY: BETTMANN/GETTY IMAGES. GRILLED CHEESE: BEN GOLDSTEIN.

Major

Tasty. Healthy. Finally – a cat food that has it all!

Mouthwatering, meat-first recipes in three tantalizing cuts. Cats love the taste. You’ll love the healthy ingredients.

NEW!

™

Available wherever you buy cat food.

ONE TASTE IS ALL IT TAKES!

C B Y EL E A O E U U B T R R Y A AT G E E!

Hey, hey! It’s my birthday!

I’M TURNING 33! Therapist Shira Rosenbluth knows her worth— and wants everyone else to know theirs too

hen it comes to her job as an eating disorder counselor, Shira’s main goal is to “help people feel worthy of love and respect,” she says. “To me, having a healthy body image is recognizing that you are so much more than a number on the scale.” Her own experience with an eating disorder (and ongoing recovery) fuels her desire to support others. “The work that I do—empowering people and helping them live life fully—is what makes me feel really good and confident.”

Do things that bring you joy and pleasure. There is so much more to health than what you eat.” KELLY WEST.

Y! YA

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beauty boost

“Nail art makes me smile. The more colorful and sparkly, the better.”

Her beauty must-haves

Happy place I sit at a computer all day, but I love being outside. Last summer I visited this serene spot on the water almost every day, and it was magical.

Life lessons I’ve realized how important community and connection are to me. When I get busy with work or life, I tend to withdraw. The pandemic forced me to slow down and address my needs.

Happy, healthy secrets HER SELF-CARE ROUTINE

I go to therapy. There’s this idea that therapists

are perfect and completely “healed,” but we’re human too. I tell my clients to prioritize their mental health, so I need to do the same.

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, $15, amazon.com

THE POWER OF CLOTHES

Even on days when I’m struggling with body image, I choose to express myself with style instead of trying to hide. I’m not a minimalist— I love embellishment, color, and fun dresses. A whimsical fit-and-flare dress always boosts my mood.

What I’m looking forward to Birthdays were hard for me in the past because they felt like reminders of how I’d lost yet another year to my eating disorder, but I want to take them back and celebrate with the people I love. I’m going to reclaim my birthday. KELLY WEST.

“I’m very into skincare. I like to mix this basic moisturizer, which is good for my combination skin, with an oil for extra hydration and a serum to add antioxidants.”

Follow me! @theshirarose theshirarose.com

“The color of this highlighter is gorgeous. I apply it to the high points of my cheeks, my Cupid’s bow to enhance my lips, and the inner corners of my eyes to make them pop.” MAC C osmetics Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt, $36, maccosmetics.com

“While other leave-in conditioners I’ve tried are too intense or thick, this one has the perfect texture.” Curl smith Weightless Air Dry Cream, $26, Ulta

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APRIL 2021

The 15 Best Hand Sanitizers Of 2020

You’re in safe hands (yours). Breathe® Hand Sanitizer Spray helps reduce germs and bacteria, applies evenly, dries quickly, and is powered by air (no ozone-harming chemicals). It’s available in 5 oz. and 1 oz. sizes, so you can keep a bottle on hand at all times. Now, get out there, but remember to spray it safe.

Available at SprayHello.com and

LY A L TH N N IO O T M VO E D

“Every day is a fresh start.”

Check out Candace’s latest collection at dayspring.com /candace.

from the

H EART With Candace Cameron Bure

COURTESY OF DAYSPRING.

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In my column as your Chief Spiritual Officer, I share a meaningful verse that lifts my spirits and guides me in the right direction. I hope it does the same for you!

ho doesn’t love new?! I love the smell of a brand-new car, the softness of a just-bought makeup brush, and most of all, a morning sunrise. Big or small, newness brings energy. A new car turns errand drudgery into adventure. A fresh makeup brush transforms your makeup routine into a creative experience. And the sunrise! You know that amazing feeling you get when the golden sun peeks over the horizon and suddenly bursts into hot orange. The new brings a can-do kind of confidence to everything. This month, Easter is the day we celebrate new: the resurrection of Jesus, a victory over death and an invitation to new life…eternal life. But this victory and new life are not only about heaven— they’re also about the here and now, on Earth. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 CSB

The old is gone, and the new has come—what a promise! Every day is a new day with a fresh start. If you yelled at the kids today (though I’m sure you didn’t), ask for forgiveness and know that tomorrow will bring a new day for a new you. Each of us is a WIP, a Work in Progress. Let’s keep moving forward and leave the old behind, day by day.

Follow me! @candacecbure candacecbure.com

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H P AP LA P C Y E

Vern with his husband, Craig, and their kids, Vera and Gavin.

UPGR ADE TIME

time to find what feels good next to your skin. I prefer 100% long-staple cotton sheets, anything above 300 thread count.”

“My home is the ultimate

Streamline your entryway “Think of the

vacation spot”

lack of clutter in a beautiful hotel lobby. Find hidden organizers for stacks of mail and shoes so you’re not greeted by a mess every day.”

Interior designer and author Vern Yip reveals how to transform your space into a five-star retreat

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THOUGHTFUL COLLECTIONS

“Every time my husband makes a cup of coffee, he’s reminded of a wonderful place we’ve visited.”

OUT IN THE OPEN

“Celebrate a fun item by putting it on display and giving it room to breathe. You’ll engage with it more than if it was lost in a pile.”

Follow me! @vernyipdesigns

DAVID A. LAND.

ocean view but live in the desert? A large piece of landscape art can serve as your new view.”

Invest in the right bedsheets “Take the

“Your space can feel better than a luxurious hotel room, because it’s designed and tailored to you,” says Vern.

oming home after a great trip can feel like a disappointment, and Vern wants to change that. “My goal is to get you to walk through your front door and feel relaxed and replenished, just like how you feel on vacation,” he says. First, assess your things and keep only what you need or love: “Surround yourself with items that bring you joy and evoke positive memories. You can pick up anything in my house and I can tell you why it’s meaningful.” Also, consider more than what you see—with the help of a fragrance diffuser and a wireless speaker, fill your space with scents and sounds that remind you of vacation. “Remember, you’re designing your home for your most important guests, and those VIPs are you and your family,” Vern says.

Change up the scenery “Love an

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

OUR LATEST LITTERVENTIONS : NATURAL LITTERS THAT ACTUALLY WORK!

WITH ODOR-ABSORBING ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

THERE’S A TIDY CATS FOR THAT

/ that's a-door-able!

AN’S D AY

Wreath of the Month

Let it grow! BRIAN WOODCOCK.

Watch leftover seed packets blossom into fresh decor

Knock, knock! We’ve got a joke for you… Q: How do you cheer up a sad plant? A: Tell it “Everyone’s rooting for you!”

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T H AT ’ S A- D O O R -A B L E ! W R E AT H O F T H E M O N T H

14-carrot garland Make cones out of squares of card stock; cover with orange crepe paper. Use strips of green crepe paper for tops; string.

SEED WREATH how-to

Gather your supplies: a flat, sturdy wreath form; 12 to 14 packets of various seeds; burlap ribbon; faux flowers; and greenery.

Hot-glue packets to wreath. Layer packets over and under other packets and place them at different angles (leaning left or right).

Get this color: Benjamin Moore, Etched Glass

Hello Spring Door mat by Ashl and , $20, michaels.com

Tie ribbon into a bow and hot-glue onto wreath. Then glue on flowers and greenery.

Mossy Rabbit Statues, $42 for set of two, antique farmhouse.com

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Bee & Willow Home Sol ar G l a s s Jars, $13 each, bedbathandbeyond.com

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

Highl and Dunes Garzon Contemporar y Wind Chime, $44, wayfair.com

Want more door decor? Go to womansday.com /wreaths.

DOOR: BRIAN WOODCOCK. GARLAND: DANIELLE DALY, CRAFT STYLING AND HOW-TO PHOTOS BY ALEX MATA.

F R O M T H E E X P E R T S AT T H E G O O D H O U S E K E E P I N G I N S T I T U T E

easy 30-MINUTE

DINNERS 85

DELICIOUS RECIPES YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE!

womansday.com/dinners

packed with recipes for all kinds of sweets, plus photos and tips to help kids bake their best treats ever. Order today!

Order at foodnetmag.com/kidsbakingbook or wherever books are sold!

Order Now!

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Dye & no-dye DIYs

FOOD STYLING: ANNA HELM BAXTER. PROP STYLING: LIS ENGELHART. EGG CRAFT STYLING: ASHLEY TOTH. CRAFT STYLING: ALEX MATA.

Egg-squisite eggs

and tasty recipes guaranteed to make spring sing! Unique egg hunt ideas Treats every bunny will love

photographed by Danielle Daly ✖

B lo s s om budd ie s page 88

APRIL 2021

E a r - re s i s t ible pl a ce s et t i n g Iron a square dinner napkin flat, then fold in half diagonally into a triangle shape. Starting at the top of the triangle, roll the entire napkin. Place an adorable decorated egg right above the center of the roll, then gather ends at the top so the napkin wraps around the egg. Tie with ribbon to create ears.

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C E L E B R AT E EASTER

EGG HUNT IDEA

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Give the classic candy hunt a health boost by putting a note with a simple physical challenge (like “Do 10 jumping jacks”) inside each egg. When someone finds an egg, they have to yell out the challenge and everyone has to complete the task before the search continues.

party trick! Create even more fun designs (like a lightning bolt) by cutting out shapes from masking tape.

L e t t e r - p e r fec t s t e nc i l s Press a sticker firmly onto a hard-boiled egg. Stipple dots around the letter with a paint pen, starting with dense dots and gradually spreading them out into an oval shape. Let dry; remove sticker with a craft knife. Hot-glue opposite ends of a plastic egg together to make a colorful holder.

Didja know… The world’s largest chocolate Easter egg was about 34 feet tall and had a circumference of about 64 feet, according to Guinness World Records.

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C E L E B R AT E EASTER

EGG HUNT IDEA

Let the kids play Easter Bunny and hide the eggs for grown-ups. But instead of candy, these eggs are filled with special coupons that can be redeemed for fun treats like a dinner cooked by the kids, a parents‘-choice family movie night, or a big bear hug.

“ I c hew s you” gu mba l l m a c h i ne Cut off the bottom of a mini red plastic cup and glue the piece onto the top of an egg. Attach colorful dot stickers as gumballs. Flip the cup upside down and put a strip of silver tape on the front of the cup, wrapping one end over the cut cup edge. Hot-glue a soda tab over the tape. Glue the egg inside the cup base.

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party trick! You can top this bark base with more than just candy. Switch it up with potato chips, pretzels, or freeze-dried strawberries.

Bu n ny Ba rk recipe, page 87

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Donut Worry, Be Hoppy Treats recipe, page 87

➾ New Day ALICIA KEYS ➾ Spring Affair DONNA SUMMER ➾ You Must Believe in Spring ➾ Butterflies BARBRA STREISAND

S P R I NG T I M E

playlist

➾ Here Comes the Sun

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➾ I Can See Clearly Now

THE BEATLES

➾ Spring Vacation THE BEACH BOYS

KACEY MUSGRAVES

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JOHNNY NASH

➾ BLOSSOM DEARIE

C E L E B R AT E EASTER

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Yo u c o n e d o t h i s ! To create tiny cones, start with brown eggs. Draw cone lines with a copper paint pen, decorate the top half with craft paint, and draw on faces with a paint pen. Use cotton and a red pom-pom to create the whipped cream topping. For 3D sprinkle eggs, all you need is puffy paint. Let one painted side dry fully before decorating the next.

Didja know… The first White House Easter Egg Roll was held on April 22, 1878, after a group of children asked President Rutherford B. Hayes about the possibility of rolling eggs on the South Lawn.

C E L E B R AT E EASTER

Cook ie Bouquet recipe, page 87

F lora l pr i nt e g g s Attach a fresh flower to the egg using a light layer of egg white as glue. Stretch a 5" pantyhose square over the egg, wrap very tightly, and secure with a rubber band. Let egg whites dry before submerging egg in food coloring mixture for at least five minutes. Remove egg and blot dry with a paper towel. Snip off hose, blot excess dye from flower, and carefully peel off petals one by one. Let egg dry fully on rack.

Didja know…

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Easter generates $4 billion in annual confectionery sales, according to the National Confectioners Association.

EGG HUNT IDEA

Hide puzzle pieces, or bags of spices and small ingredients used in a fun and easy recipe, inside each egg. Either way, you’ll all score a bonus activity the family can enjoy together post-hunt.

St rawberr y Milk & Cook ies

Prepare one recipe sugar cookie dough (womansday.com /sugar-cookies), cutting into bunny-ear shapes (womansday.com /easter-templates). Cut slits into cookie ends (each about ½ in. wide and 2 in. tall). Bake according to directions. Once cookies are cool, decorate with white- and pink-tinted royal icing (womans day.com/royal-icing). While still wet, sprinkle pink centers with pink sanding sugar. Prop ears on glass of strawberry milk!

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C E L E B R AT E EASTER

E a r f u l of t re at s

S p o on - me bu n n ie s

Place candies in the middle of a 10" x 20" piece of burlap fabric. Fold sides; tie fabric at the top with a ribbon. Cut a V shape from the center of the excess fabric to create bunny ears.

Fold pipe cleaners to form ears and attach to spoons with craft glue. Draw on bunny faces with markers, paint, or colored pencils. Dip a pencil eraser in pink paint to “stamp” on cheeks.

KIDS’ CRAFT CORNER

Ca r rot ba l loon s

Pa r t y (a n i m a l) h at s

Fold a crepe paper rectangle in half twice; cut strips a few inches down. Unfold and roll paper into a tube. Tousle the fringe and attach it to an inflated balloon with a dot of glue. Draw squiggly lines with an orange paint pen.

Using craft paper, create hat cones and facial features (eyes, beak, nose). Attach feathers for wings and floral wire for whiskers, and make bunny ears out of paper and felt. Want a little help? There’s a hat template at womansday.com/easter-templates.

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good to know! Make brisket the night before serving, then refrigerate. Slice while cold for thin slices, then reheat sauce and pour over beef.

S lowCo oke r B r i s ket w it h O n ion s a nd Ca r rot s recipe, page 90

CEL E BRAT E WITH

Passover Enjoy this multiday Jewish holiday with traditional food and cheer

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assover has been celebrated each spring for thousands of years to commemorate the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt. This holiday begins with a lively meal called a seder, in which family and friends enjoy ceremonial foods and retell the story of the Exodus. Traditionally the eldest male leads the seder using a Haggadah, a written guide that includes blessings, songs, and stories. It recounts how God released 10 plagues on the people of Egypt after the Pharaoh refused to free the Jews, but the Jews themselves were spared, or “passed over.” Matzo, a crispy cracker-like flatbread, is served during this holiday as a reminder that the Israelites fleeing slavery had no time to let their bread rise. Whether you’ve enjoyed this holiday each year or you’re new to the festivities, here are our favorite ways to celebrate.

Pot at o Ku gel

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recipe, page 90

SET YOUR SEDER PLATE Every Passover includes this traditional element, no matter how long the celebration

BRISKET: CON POULOS. POTATO KUGEL AND PLATE: GETTY IMAGES.

EGG

Traditionally roasted (but often just hardboiled), it symbolizes the cycle of life. SALT WATER

Usually in a separate dish, this represents the tears the ancestors cried while enslaved. Both karpas and egg are dipped into it.

KARPAS

A veggie (often celery or parsley leaves) represents the arrival of spring and new life.

ZEROA This roasted bone (traditionally lamb shank, though many use a chicken bone) represents the lamb the Jews sacrificed and the blood with which they marked their doors so God would pass over their homes during the last plague.

MAROR & CHAZERET

Bitter vegetables (horseradish, lettuce stems, or endive) symbolize the bitterness of the ancestors’ enslavement. CHAROSET

A sweet paste of dried figs, dates, and raisins or apples and nuts, it represents the clay and bricks made by the Israelites.

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C E L E B R AT E PA S S OV E R

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Me r i n gue s w it h St rawber r yR huba rb Compote recipe, page 90

Not your bubbie’s Haggadah With original illustrations and plenty of activities for the whole family, the Days United Passover Box ($50, daysunited.com) has everything you need to celebrate.

good to know! Potato starch helps give baked goods structure. Use it as a gluten-free thickener in fruit fillings and gravies too. THE HAGGADAH Follow along with colorful illustrated pages.

C hocol at e -D ipped M a ca ro on s recipe, page 91

THE GAME Learn a history lesson through play.

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These sweet, chewy macaroons are made with egg whites, sweetened condensed milk, and shredded coconut. The candy-like bites are naturally glutenfree and ideal for your Passover dessert table.

THE MATZO Make homemade mini matzo with fun stencils.

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MERINGUES: MIKE GARTEN. MACAROONS: JOHANSEN KRAUSE.

PUPPY L VE

(and kitty…and turkey)

Meet pet owners who know just how doggone lucky they are to have these heroic furry friends in their corners by Melody Warnick

BROOKHOUSER: COURTESY OF @MARCELOANDMINI. EVANS: COURTESY OF SUBJECT.

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A dog who “hears” for two. Gretchen Evans & Aura BRUNSWICK, ME

She helped him feel at home. Marcelo Brookhouser & Mini CENTERTON, AR

he first time Marcelo, the 2-year-old boy Holly and Chris adopted from the Democratic Republic of Congo, walked into his new family’s living room, he screamed in terror at seeing their pets. Holly’s heart sank. The Brookhousers had two dogs and two cats. We’re going to have to figure this out, she thought. That’s when Mini, their rescue chihuahua, stepped in. At first Marcelo batted the 12-year-old dog away. But after a couple of skittish weeks, when Holly asked, “Do you want to hold her?” Marcelo finally replied “Oui” in his native French. He cuddled Mini, and “that’s where it took off,” says Holly. Marcelo would feed Mini bits of his breakfast. Mini started following Marcelo around. Soon they were always together—playing on the rope swing or chilling in a pool float while Marcelo scratched Mini’s belly. Now 5, Marcelo is perfectly at home with his Arkansas family. He’s learned to love other animals too, even patiently bottle-feeding the kittens Holly fosters. But Mini is still his best friend. “She just knew he needed her,” Holly says.

fter a mortar blast at her Army base in Afghanistan, Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans awoke at a hospital in Germany. A doctor held up a whiteboard. You’re deaf, he’d written. Gretchen, then 46, took the board and wrote, Forever? The doctor nodded. Though Gretchen learned to read lips, 99% of sounds were gone for her. That proved dangerous when she collided with a cyclist while out running. “I was told I’d have to give up some of the things I love,” she says. A Hail Mary search led her to America’s VetDogs (vetdogs.org), a nonprofit that agreed to train a hearing service dog for her. If the doorbell rings, Aura, a golden retriever– Lab mix Gretchen brought home in 2015, nudges her, then leads her to the sound. She’ll do the same if Gretchen’s name is called. Because Aura alerts her to emergency vehicles when she drives, “I became independent again,” Gretchen says. Aura’s help lets Gretchen, now 60, live a normal life—and train for adventure races alongside other injured athletes on Team Unbroken. “Honestly, I don’t consider myself a deaf person anymore,” Gretchen says. “This dog is my ears.”

Gretchen and Team Unbroken were featured on the Amazon series World’s Toughest Race: EcoChallenge Fiji.

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F I N D I N G J OY HERO PETS

The ultimate chemo companions.

“Cancer sucks, but living with it doesn’t have to,” says Sydnee.

Sydnee Geril & Tulsa OCALA, FL

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Sydnee is still in treatment, and Tulsa stays by her side during every hospital visit.

GERIL: COURTESY OF SUBJECT. HUBBARD: COURTESY OF ABBIE HUBBARD.

remember one day I was crying because I was so fed up with being in the hospital,” says 26-year-old Sydnee, who was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer Ewing’s sarcoma shortly after she graduated from college. Someone deposited three fluffy therapy dogs on her bed, and her bad day instantly improved. Sydnee swore that one day she’d be the one bringing therapy dogs to visit hospital patients—and as soon as her cancer went into remission, she rescued a German shepherd puppy named Tulsa to get started. Six months later, in February 2019, Sydnee’s cancer returned. Chemotherapy made her prone to passing out, so she quickly switched gears from training Tulsa as a therapy dog to training her as a service dog. Tulsa has learned to recognize the signs that Sydnee is about to faint, and she’ll put her paw on Sydnee’s leg to warn her to sit or lie down. Sometimes she’ll lie on top of Sydnee, providing deep-pressure therapy that stimulates blood flow and helps Sydnee recover more quickly. Because Sydnee had hit her head when she’d passed out before, she’d been afraid to go anywhere alone. Since she’s had Tulsa as a service dog, she hasn’t fainted in over a year. “I think Tulsa has been kind of my saving grace, allowing me to live a full life while still being sick,” says Sydnee.

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A dog and a turkey who gobble each other up! Abbie Hubbard, Minnow & Blossom BLUEMONT, VA

lossom the turkey was destined to become somebody’s Thanksgiving dinner. But when she missed the transfer truck by hiding behind a piece of equipment at the industrial farm, she landed instead at the animal rescue clinic where 44-year-old Abbie Hubbard worked. Luckiest. Day. Ever. Smitten with the frightened 6-week-old bird, Abbie took Blossom home and introduced her to her dog, Minnow. Like Blossom, Minnow had been saved from a grim fate, at a dog-meat farm abroad. Perhaps Blossom sensed a kindred spirit, because the 9-lb turkey immediately hopped out of her carrier and followed the shaggy Sapsali dog right into her dog bed. Fear gone, Blossom plopped down next to Minnow and made herself comfortable.

Three years later, Minnow and Blossom hang out on adjoining beds in the living room when they’re not squabbling over toys or showing off tricks for Abbie (Blossom can spin in circles; Minnow loves giving high fives). “It reminds me so much of a sibling relationship, where they kind of bicker over things, but it’s clear that they have a level of trust under all of that,” says Abbie. It’s not the typical American pet pairing, but Abbie can’t imagine her life without either of them: “It sounds clichéd, but Minnow and Blossom constantly remind me that we are all so much more alike than we are different.” Follow us! @minnow.and.blossom

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F I N D I N G J OY HERO PETS

Animal instincts sounded a lifesaving alarm. The Johnson Family & Bella COOKEVILLE, TN

Above: Bella and Mya Johnson, age 4. Left: The Johnsons’ street after the tornado.

The cat’s meow of Zoom. Andrea Buckley & Shortcake YPSILANTI, MI

n sessions with her clients, 24-year-old therapist Andrea Buckley talks up the benefits of practicing self-care. Exhibit A is on her lap: her short-haired tabby, Shortcake. Andrea adopted Shortcake in spring 2020 amid worries about what spending the pandemic alone in her 650-square-foot apartment would do to her mental health. Indeed, Shortcake seems to sense when Andrea, who struggles with anxiety and depression, needs a snuggle or a calming presence. By making occasional appearances on Zoom calls, Shortcake does the same for some of Andrea’s therapy clients. “They’re like, ‘How’s Shortcake?’ ” Andrea says. “She’s connected me with clients I might not have connected with previously.” Andrea hopes others can adopt her emotional support cat’s apparent life motto of “Slow down and take care of yourself.” Says Andrea, “Shortcake makes me feel less alone, for sure.”

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BELLA AND MYA: COURTESY OF SUBJECT. STREET: SIPA USA/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO. BUCKLEY: COURTESY OF SUBJECT.

t was 1:15 a.m. on March 3, 2020, when Faith and Eric Johnson’s miniature Australian shepherd, Bella, woke them up. She was whining under the bed as if she was scared. Bella hated storms, so Eric, 38, groggily turned on the TV to see if one was brewing. Yep, tornadoes had been spotted west of their home in Cookeville, TN. They decided to stay awake just in case. Forty-five minutes later, an EF-4 tornado (which can cause devastating damage) hit their house. Eric, who’d gone to grab their other dog, was sucked out of the house and tossed into the backyard. The tub in which Faith and the kids huddled was blown 50 yards into a pile of debris. Their house was razed, with even its foundation gone, but the Johnsons miraculously survived. So did Bella. In the darkness, they could hear her barking from the wreckage of a neighboring house. Once rescuers freed her, she ran away in terror—and didn’t return. Days went by, then weeks. It felt as if all of Cookeville was searching for Bella, but the 7-year-old dog was too spooked to be caught. After 54 days, Faith told Eric, “We need to come to terms with the fact that we might never find her ever again.” But that evening, a friend called to say that she’d found Bella. Eric raced to the alley where the dog was corralled. The Aussie looked thin, but as soon as Eric said her name, she ran toward him and licked his face. Kisses are Bella’s signature move, her way of comforting the family. Despite what they’ve survived—the tornado killed 19 people in and around Cookeville—the Johnson family doesn’t live in fear. “We can sleep better at night knowing Bella is with us,” says Faith. “If it weren’t for her, none of us would be here.”

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/ simple recipes

Cool Chicken & Noodle Salad Recipe, page 91

CON POULOS.

. 30 MIN

table talk If we all lived in a zoo, what animals would we be?

LESS

What’s for dinner tonight?! Easy meals for the whole family

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L E T ’ S E AT W H AT ’ S F O R D I N N E R ? !

Flank Steak with Smoky Roasted Potatoes Recipe, page 91

COMFORT FOOD

table talk What’s the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you?

Seared Fish with Artichoke Relish Recipe, page 92

THAT ’ S SAUCY ! This flavorful artichoke relish also goes nicely with seared lamb chops, grilled chicken breasts, or broiled steak.

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STEAK: KANA OKADA. FISH: YUNHEE KIM.

HEART HEALTHY

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GLUTEN FREE

Leek, Mushroom & Ricotta Frittata Recipe, page 91

COOK’ S TIP If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, whisk the eggs as directed and add the vegetable mixture to the bowl, then transfer to an oiled 8-in. baking dish and bake as directed.

FAMILY FAVORITE

table talk

FRITTATA: KANA OKADA. PORK: CON POULOS.

Who’s the funniest person you know and why?

Crispy Pork Cutlets with Celery & Pepper Slaw Recipe, page 92

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Hold for applause.

This month it’s...

bananas

A-peeling ideas for the potassiumpacked fruit

So YAY! B a n a n a B o at s how-to, page 92

FOODBITES.

Let’s go bananas!

Food artist and Instagrammer @foodbites turns fruit into smiling sculptures.

Didja know... Bananas are among the most popular fruits in the U.S., with nearly 70% of American shoppers adding them to their carts in 2019.

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L I F E O F T H E PA R T Y BANANAS

Hoppy Easter! Banana B u n ny P a n c a ke s recipe, page 92

A sweet stack that will delight kids on Easter and beyond.

We know some bunny will love these!

C re a m o f Twe e t B re a k fa s t B ow l s Owl be seeing you in my oatmeal: Try sliced bananas for feathers and eyes, mango for wings and ears, blueberries for

Psst…a banana slice spread with peanut butter is the base of this coconut bunny tail.

Keep it smooth(ie) Whip up a blended breakfast of champions

Green Goddess

Tropical Twist

In blender, puree ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, ½ cup honey yogurt, 2 bananas (sliced and frozen), and 3 cups baby spinach until smooth.

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In blender, puree 1 cup each unsweetened almond milk and frozen mango and pineapple chunks and 1 banana (sliced and frozen) until smooth; add more liquid if needed.

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

3 BlueberryBanana-Nut In blender, puree 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 banana (sliced and frozen), ½ cup frozen blueberries, and 2 Tbsp almond butter until smooth.

How fres h! Healthy Smoothies

HIGH PROTEIN. LESS * SUGAR. Save

$3 today

ensure.com/maxsavings

Ensure.com Use as part of a healthy diet. * 90% less sugar than Ensure Original. Ensure® Original 8 fl oz = 15g sugar vs Ensure® Max Protein 11 fl oz = 1g sugar. †Vitamins C and E. ©2020 Abbott 20204462/June 2020 LITHO IN USA

Pick bananas with brownspeckled peels: This signals prime ripeness and flavor.

So sweet! Banana Ice C re a m Tre at s recipes, page 93

ICE CREAM: MIKE GARTEN. CHICKEN CURRY: CHELSEA KYLE.

I’m head over peels for these!

Dinner tonight! Banana C h i c ke n C u r r y recipe, page 93

Super-ripe ’nanas are the sweet secret to this balanced bowl.

Didja know…

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A group of attached bananas is called a hand, and a single banana is called a finger.

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How nutty! S a lt y P e a n ut Banana Pudding recipe, page 93

This nostalgic no-bake treat feels new with roasted nuts.

PUDDING: BRIAN WOODCOCK. BANANAS WITH MARKER FACES: GETTY IMAGES.

MAKE IT AHE AD! Layer the pudding up to a day in advance of serving.

BUT DO YOU HAVE THE MERCH? If you’re Team Banana, you’ll crave these fruity finds

WORD UP

H AT T I P

HANG ON

Can’t get enough? Snag a bag of this fun wordmaking game for the whole family to enjoy.

These cute unicorn toppers keep fruit ripe longer.

When the bunch is hung, ethylene gas (which leads to ripening of bananas) isn’t produced as quickly.

Cl assic Bananagrams, $15, bananagrams.com

Nana Hats, $13, nanahats.com

A foodsafe marker makes for a bunch of joy!

Yama zaki Banana Holder, $19, westelm.com

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DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO STOCK UP ON FOOD. WE ONLY HAVE MONEY FOR GROCERIES FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. Elsa, Texas

HELP FOOD BANKS FEED FAMILIES IN NEED.

DONATE AT FEEDINGAMERICA.ORG/CORONAVIRUS

It’s

NAT IONA L S O F T PR ET Z E L DAY

Get

Learn how to turn the best bendy bread into snacks, apps, sweets, and even dinner

RAYMOND HOM.

I’ve mustard the strength to say hi.

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

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APRIL 26

National Soft Pretzel Day

Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip recipe, page 95

URNS OUT soft-baked pretzels have been around for over a thousand years, most likely invented by a seventh-century monk who shaped dough into crossed, praying arms. In the 20th century, advanced twisting technology made the snack a global go-to. More fun facts:

In 1861, Julius Sturgis founded the first commercial pretzel bakery in Lititz, PA. He is also credited with developing the hard pretzel as a way to extend the shelf life of the snack and make it easier to ship.

Entrepreneur Anne Beiler (better known as Auntie Anne) started her now-famous business as a farm stand in Lancaster County, PA, in 1988.

Bake it…or fake it! These premade freezer favorites cook up in less than five minutes. G O U R M E T G O O DY Swirled into a knot on top, these thick, fluffy softies make a tasty gift or treat-yourself delivery. Eastern Standard Provisions Wheelhouse Signature Soft Pretzels, $18 for six, esprovisions.com

N O S TA L G I C P I C K For the buttery taste and irresistible smell you remember from malls and movie theaters, this does not disappoint. Auntie Anne’s At Home Classic Soft Pretzels, $4.50 for six, auntieannes.com

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BEER CHEESE DIP: ETHAN CALABRESE. RECIPE DEVELOPER: LINDSAY FUNSTON.

Pretzel legend has it that 17thcentury Swiss royals used these knotted treats in their wedding ceremonies, with the interlocking loops seen as a symbol of love. That gives new meaning to “tying the knot”!

★

dillscallion dip

dip it

Dunk into something different— try these spicy, savory, and silky spreads with any twist. recipes, page 94

AVOCADO AND FRENCH ONION DIP: MIKE GARTEN. HUMMUS: DANIELLE DALY. DILL-SCALLION DIP: BRIAN WOODCOCK.

avocado dip

Buffalo hummus

Make it stick! Sprinkle salt on dough before baking so it won’t budge.

French onion dip

APRIL 26

National Soft Pretzel Day

Classic Soft Pretzels recipe, page 94

coarse salt

Must-have mustards Meet pretzels’ MVPs sesame seeds

S M O O T H ’ N ’ S P I CY Les Trois Petits Cochons Moutarde Basque, $5, shop.3pigs.com

caraway seeds

S L I G H T LY S W E E T Maille Honey Dijon Mustard, $5, us.maille.com

Moutarde de Meaux Pommery, $22, surlatable.com

APRIL 2021

Cheddar

CON POULOS.

WHOLE-GR AIN

★

sandwich it

Plush, crisp-topped pretzel buns plus yummy homemade toppers equals the easiest burger upgrade you can try for dinner tonight.

of pretzels made in the U.S. come from Pennsylvania.

“Special” Sauce In medium bowl, stir ½ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup each ketchup and chopped cornichons; and 2 tsp each yellow mustard, prepared horseradish, and grated onion until well mixed. Use immediately or refrigerate up to overnight. Makes about scant 1 cup.

B E S T- E V E R B U N S

MIKE GARTEN.

Pretzel bread makes any burger seem like it’s straight from the bistro. LIGHT & FLUFF Y

RICH & SWEET

Big enough to hold a double patty yet airy enough to keep dinner from feeling too heavy, these rolls complement any burger condiment. Pretzilla Soft Pretzel Burger Buns, $4, pretzilla.com

A salty, deep golden topping contrasts with the slightly honeyed taste of these hearty, delicious buns. Marketside Bavarian Pretzel Hamburger Buns, $4, walmart.com

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APRIL 2021

APRIL 26

National Soft Pretzel Day

Spinach-Artichoke Stuffed Pretzels recipe, page 95

Load up Try one of these dynamite fillings in your twisted treat.

chocolate chip cookie dough

Cheddar + cream cheese + jalapeño + scallion

pepperoni + mozzarella + Parmesan

stuff it

Pile on toppings before rolling up the dough for a seriously stellar surprise inside.

APRIL 2021

STUFFED PRETZELS: ETHAN CALABRESE. RECIPE DEVELOPER: LENA ABRAHAM. CHEDDAR AND MOZZARELLA CHEESE: SHUTTERSTOCK. ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS: GETTY IMAGES (10).

Gruyère + ham + Dijon + thyme

PROMOTION

DEALS +DISH

sweeten it

An inside look at WD events, promotions & special offers

Snack meets dessert for these unreal bites, loaded with chocolate-hazelnut spread and rolled in cinnamon sugar.

That’s easy! Refrigerated biscuit dough makes this treat super simple.

BRANDON BALES. RECIPE DEVELOPER: LAUREN MIYASHIRO. DRIED STRAWBERRY: SHUTTERSTOCK: ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS: GETTY IMAGES (4).

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PLA I G A VACATI ?

recipe, page 95

Let us help you decide where to go!

S U G A R C OAT I T Toss buttered pretzel pieces in any of these creative combos.

e Get inspired with vacation ideas e Browse by activity and/or region to find your ideal destination

pumpkin pie spice + sugar

hot cocoa mix

e Request free information from our travel partners

freeze-dried strawberry powder + sugar

GreatGetawaysGuide.com

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

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APRIL 2021

Why risk a bathroom fall if you don’t have to? Finally, a breakthrough for women with urinary incontinence. The PureWick™ System provides a better option for managing nighttime urinary incontinence. The PureWick™ System can reduce trips to the bathroom, which are a known cause of nighttime falls. It may help reduce the need for multiple changes at night.* Now that’s peace of mind.

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The innovative PureWick™ System with our simple and non-invasive PureWick™ Female External Catheter, works outside the body to draw urine away. Helping to keep skin dry and control odor. The PureWick™ System can help make better sleep possible for women with urinary incontinence and their caregivers.*

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/ live longer & stronger

Up high for P your health!

Give me five!

eople need people, so it’s no surprise that study after study confirms the power of touch (something we all may have been missing this past year!). Human touch can support good mental health by taming stress, anxiety, and depression; can help newborns thrive; and has a positive effect on heart-health-related factors like blood pressure. One type of touch in particular—the high five — may have a unique benefit. A study found that high fives increased kids’ persistence and motivation, and another on NBA players found that exchanging more high fives and fist bumps was linked to better team performance and cooperation. We want to give it up for National High Five Day on April 15, but until it’s safe to smack others’ hands, an air five will have to cut it!

good to know! Staring at your fellow high-fiver’s elbow supposedly will help your hands connect perfectly each time.

Didja know… Exchange some virtual palm smacks with your pals: Jackbox Games lets you play online as a group via video platforms like Zoom.

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

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LIVE LONGER & STRONGER

magic

MOTIVATION REACH YOUR GOALS WITH THESE PROVEN TIPS AND TRICKS. YOU’VE GOT THIS! by Alyssa Jung ✖

AMANDA FRIEDMAN.

etting healthy takes time and focus, and even the most dedicated person can hit a wall. Maybe you’ve cooked your way through your good-foryou recipes. Perhaps you’re slacking on sleep or stressed to the max, or you just can’t find the energy to exercise. Or you could simply be feeling a little discouraged about not meeting your goals as quickly as you’d hoped. No matter what you’re up against, we’ve got expert advice and strategies from real women to help you power through.

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Melissa keeps a gratitude journal to stay positive.

HOW TO GET U NSTUCK Pinpoint what’s tripping you up, then get back on steady ground with these healthy-makers.

1 G o b a c k t o s q u a re o n e “Remember why you’re on the path of change. Writing down negative thoughts can help you understand and process them, which can help you reconnect with your purpose for continuing on this health journey,” says Kimberly Nenemay, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist.

D e a l w i t h s t re s s

A c c e p t b a d d ay s

It will make you more likely to maintain the healthy habits you’ve worked so hard to build. Try this simple breathing technique for a few minutes each day: Inhale for five seconds, then exhale for five seconds. “This stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to relax and restore you, and it also counteracts the fight-or-flight response that’s triggered by stress,” Nenemay says.

“Get clear about the fact that you’re allowed to have lulls—life is about ebb and flow, so accept that you are not going to ‘win’ every single day and that there will be some rainy days. And that’s OK!” says Jen Polite, M.S., LMHC, a psychotherapist in New York City. View an “off” day as a chance to rest and recharge, and then get back to your healthy routine.

4 BALLOON: GETTY IMAGES.

Fa c e a l l y o u r e m o t i o n s “Acknowledging low feelings is important so as to be able to move through them,” says Nenemay. Write down what’s troubling you, and also what you’re grateful for. Talk to loved ones who have been supportive. Celebrate what you’ve already accomplished, however big or small. “And if you find yourself feeling unmotivated on more days than not, consider seeking out a therapist who can help you get back on track,” Polite says.

MENTOR OF THE MONTH Melissa Oakley, 53, of Smyrna, TN, was “head cheerleader” of her Live Longer & Stronger Challenge class of 2019. Here, what keeps her motivated. WH AT WAS YOU R PUS H T O C H A N G E ? “I had high

blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and PCOS and had started gaining back some of the 100 pounds I’d previously lost.” TELL US ABOUT A STRUGGLE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME .

“It took a lot of mental work to retrain my brain to not focus solely on the number on the scale. I committed to learning about how health isn’t just driven by weight, and this helped me avoid reverting to quick diet fixes like I had in the past.” W H AT M O T I VAT E S YO U ?

“You always hear about finding your ‘why,’ and my ‘why’ has changed a lot over the years. I used to be most

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LIVE LONGER & STRONGER

motivated by my weight. Now my motivation is to be as active as possible so I can walk all the places, see all the sights, and be proud that I’m healthier at 53 than I was at 33.” HOW DO YOU SPICE U P M E A L T I M E ? “I like

finding ways to lighten up traditional Southern cooking, like swapping in lower-fat versions of dairy products. I love sneaking ground-up chickpeas into cookies for added protein and fiber (shhh—nobody can tell the difference!). And it’s fun to play with new kitchen tools—I’ve been eyeballing a mandoline slicer to jazz up cut veggies. You eat with your eyes first!” WH AT ’ S YOUR EXERCISE INSPO?

“I love walking! In 2019, I committed to participating in at least one 5K a month, and I’m repeating that goal in 2021. You can find virtual 5Ks that are so fun and not as much about the competition as about the community. This winter I snagged a pair of walking sticks so I could safely navigate snowy weather. And I make it my mission to hit my steps to be sure I move enough.”

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Bust out of a food rut

Turkey Meatball Gyro womans day.com /turkeymeatball-gyro

Liven up mealtime with these smart tips from DJ Blatner, R.D.N., author of The Superfood Swap.

Gamify eating. “Aim to

Take a cooking class.

eat five separate colors at dinner, make a different lunch salad every day, find five new grilled-chicken recipes to try, or challenge yourself to recreate your ultimate food craving with better-for-you ingredients,” says Blatner.

“Learning a couple of new recipes or skills from an online class can be a fun activity that adds new life to your usual weekly food routine,” Blatner says.

Eat by theme. A good way to explore flavors and discover new healthy foods is to give each day of the week a theme, then find meals to fit it. Don’t be afraid to get creative—try diner classics, backyard BBQ, restaurant remakes, Italian, Mexican, Asian…the possibilities are endless!

Make a playlist.

Consider a mealsubscription service. Most companies let you cancel whenever you want; when choosing meals, remember to read the ingredients to find ones that fit your heart-healthy eating style. “This can be a great way to find new meals to add to your rotation,” Blatner says.

MINI CHALLENGE

“Maybe it isn’t the food that’s boring—maybe it’s the vibe and atmosphere,” says Blatner. Create fun playlists to have on while you cook and eat.

Every issue, we’ll give you a fun way to supercharge your journey to better health.

Do a little shopping.

Your Next Mission

Blatner suggests buying a kitchen gadget you’ve been interested in: “Experimenting can add fun to meal prep and cooking. Try an air fryer, a spiralizer, an egg poacher, an immersion blender, a grill pan, or an electric indoor grill.”

Try one of Blatner’s food hacks each week, then let us know if they upped the fun factor by sharing in our Facebook group. facebook.com /groups/wdlivelongerand strongerchallenge

CHRIS COURT.

I had just turned 50 and wanted to live the second half of my life being as healthy as possible.”

Color me healthy and happy!

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WET AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (WET AMD)

KEEP LIVING LIFE THROUGH YOUR EYES TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SIGHT WITH EYLEA. If Wet AMD has impacted your eyes—and how you see life— ﬁght back with EYLEA. • EYLEA is clinically proven to help improve vision—which may help you read letters and see details more clearly • EYLEA helped maintain vision improvements for up to 4 years with continued treatments in a clinical study

ASK A RETINA SPECIALIST ABOUT EYLEA.

INDICATIONS EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection 2 mg (0.05 mL) is a prescription medicine approved for the treatment of patients with Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection is a prescription medicine administered by injection into the eye. You should not use EYLEA if you have an infection in or around the eye, eye pain or redness, or known allergies to any of the ingredients in EYLEA, including aflibercept. Injections into the eye with EYLEA can result in an infection in the eye and retinal detachment (separation of retina from back of the eye) can occur. Inflammation in the eye has been reported with the use of EYLEA. In some patients, injections with EYLEA may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure within 1 hour of the injection. Sustained increases in eye pressure have been reported with repeated injections, and your doctor may monitor this after each injection. There is a potential but rare risk of serious and sometimes fatal side effects, related to blood clots, leading to heart attack or stroke in patients receiving EYLEA.

FDA-APPROVED treatment in its class for patients with Wet AMD*

The most common side effects reported in patients receiving EYLEA were increased redness in the eye, eye pain, cataract, vitreous (gel-like substance) detachment, vitreous ﬂoaters, moving spots in the ﬁeld of vision, and increased pressure in the eye. You may experience temporary visual changes after an EYLEA injection and associated eye exams; do not drive or use machinery until your vision recovers sufficiently. Contact your doctor right away if you think you might be experiencing any side effects, including eye pain or redness, light sensitivity, or blurring of vision, after an injection. For additional safety information, please talk to your doctor and see the full Prescribing Information for EYLEA. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see the Consumer Brief Summary on the adjacent page. *IBM Truven MarketScan data: Number of injections administered, from Q4 2018 through Q3 2019; Data on File.

VISIT EYLEA.COM

12/2020 EYL.20.11.0087

(Pronounced: eye•lee•ah)

Consumer Brief Summary This summary contains risk and safety information for patients about EYLEA. It does not include all the information about EYLEA and does not take the place of talking to your eye doctor about your medical condition or treatment. What is EYLEA? EYLEA is a prescription medicine that works by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF can cause fluid to leak into the macula (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye responsible for sharp central vision). Blocking VEGF helps reduce fluid from leaking into the macula. What is EYLEA used for? EYLEA is indicated for the treatment of patients with: • Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) • Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) How is EYLEA given? EYLEA is an injection administered by your eye doctor into the eye. Depending on your condition, EYLEA injections are given on different schedules. Consult with your eye doctor to confirm which EYLEA schedule is appropriate for you. Who should not use EYLEA? Do not use EYLEA if you have an infection in or around the eye, eye pain or redness, inflammation in the eye, or are allergic to aflibercept and/or any other ingredients in EYLEA. What is the most important information I should know about EYLEA? • EYLEA must only be administered by a qualified eye doctor. Injection into the eye with EYLEA can result in an infection in the eye and retinal detachment (separation of retina from back of the eye) can occur. Inflammation in the eye has been reported with the use of EYLEA. If your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or develops a change in vision, seek immediate care from an eye doctor • In some patients, injections with EYLEA may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure within 1 hour of the injection. Sustained increases in eye pressure have been reported with repeated injections, and your eye doctor may monitor this after each injection • There is a potential but rare risk of serious and sometimes fatal side effects related to blood clots, leading to heart attack or stroke in patients receiving EYLEA • Serious side effects related to the injection procedure with EYLEA are rare but can occur including infection inside the eye and retinal detachment • You may experience temporary visual changes after an EYLEA injection and associated eye exams; do not drive or use machinery until your vision recovers sufficiently • Because EYLEA is composed of large molecules, your body may react to it; therefore, there is a potential for an immune response (allergy-like) in patients treated with EYLEA What are possible side effects of EYLEA? EYLEA can cause serious side effects, including • See important safety information listed under “What is the most important information I should know about EYLEA?”

The most common side effects include • Increased redness in the eye • Eye pain • Cataract • Vitreous (gel-like substance) detachment • Vitreous floaters • Moving spots in the field of vision • Increased pressure in the eye There are other possible side effects of EYLEA. For more information, ask your eye doctor. It is important that you contact your doctor right away if you think you might be experiencing any side effects, including eye pain or redness, light sensitivity, or blurring of vision, after an injection. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. What should I tell my eye doctor before receiving EYLEA? • Tell your eye doctor if you have any medical conditions • Tell your eye doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if EYLEA may harm your unborn baby • Tell your eye doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is not known if EYLEA may harm your baby. You and your eye doctor should decide whether you should be treated with EYLEA or breastfeed, but you should not do both How is EYLEA supplied? EYLEA is supplied in a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution. It is provided in a pre-filled glass syringe or glass vial containing the amount of product required for a single injection into the eye, which is 0.05 mL (or 2 mg of the medicine product). Where can I learn more about EYLEA? For a more comprehensive review of EYLEA safety and risk information, talk to your health care provider and see the full Prescribing Information at EYLEA.com.

Manufactured by: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road Tarrytown, NY 10591 EYLEA is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. © 2020, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved. Issue Date: November 2020 Initial U.S. Approval: 2011 based on the August 2019 EYLEA® (aflibercept) injection full Prescribing information.

11/2020 EYL.20.06.0003

E & V R ER LI GE G N ON S W LOTR E S N

H E A LT H C H E C K L I S T Five little wellness moves to make right now A+

CHECK HERE

TO DO

Test your heart Time yourself climbing four flights of stairs quickly (without running). People who take more than 90 seconds to do this are more likely to show abnormal heart function during a treadmill stress test than those who do it in under a minute.

Toss old meds While spring cleaning, celebrate National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day on April 16 and get rid of anything you no longer need or that is expired. Some drugs, like opioids and ADHD meds, can be misused; others, such as tetracycline, may become dangerous; and items like vitamins may lose potency.

Change your outlook on aging Research shows that if you believe your later years will be healthy and happy, that’s more likely to be the case—and you could even live longer. The mind-body connection is strong. Scientists say fighting stereotypes about older people is key.

Exercise for your eyes Breaking a sweat could help protect your vision, according to a recent animal study. Mice who exercised showed a reduction in blood vessel overgrowth in their eyes, a key contributor to macular degeneration and other eye diseases, compared with those who weren’t active.

Eat more kiwi and kale

Visit fda.gov for deta iled disposal guid elin es.

If your mom is sad about agin g, rem ind her (often!) how supe r she is. Bust workout bore dom with Beachbody On Dem and . Ask your doc if you shou ld take a vita min C suppleme nt.

GETTY IMAGES.

They’re rich in vitamin C, which could be good for your gums. A new study indicates that people whose gums bleed when probed gently tend to have less vitamin C in their blood, but after their levels of it are boosted, the bleeding is reduced.

Boost your hear t health by adding stai rs to your workout.

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

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L S O LI N TR NG VE U O E TR N R IT G & IO ER N

New spring superfoods Pile your plate with a few of my favorite seasonal picks that deliver a seriously tasty health boost

WD’s Nutrition Expert

Joy Bauer, R.D.N. Follow me! @JoyBauer @JoyLBauer joybauer.com

Peas SUPE RP OWE R:

Artichokes

Leeks

Asparagus

Cabbage

SUPE RP OWE R:

One cup delivers roughly a third of your daily fiber requirement; fiber aids in digestion and blood sugar control. Steam or grill fresh hearts, and add the canned or frozen kind to salads and pastas.

Part of the onion family, leeks are milder and sweeter than onion bulbs but share the same anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting compounds. Use leeks anywhere you’d use onions.

The stalks are rich in vitamin K (which our bodies need for blood clotting and bone strength) and also have iron (to support healthy hair and nails). Tip: Store fresh spears upright in a glass with an inch of water.

Cabbage is loaded with vitamins C and K and also contains bloatbusting potassium and bone-boosting calcium. Think beyond coleslaw—stuff leaves with ground meat or chopped veggies.

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MIKE GARTEN. BAUER: LUCY SCHAEFFER.

Sweet peas, among the few veggies that are rich in protein, contain a hefty dose of fiber too. Talk about a filling combo!

PE AS, PLE ASE ! Go to womans day.com/sweetpea-tart.

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Score it! Cutting slits in the top of your ham in a crosshatch pattern creates a pathway for all that crazy-good glaze to seep into the ham as it bakes.

Ham with Bee-Sting Glaze

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Fit rack in large roasting pan. Place ham, cut side down, on top of rack. Score ham on all sides in diamond pattern, cutting only ¼ to ½ in. deep. Place ham in pan, flat side down, along with ½ cup water. Cover with foil and bake 90 min. 2 Meanwhile, in small saucepan, whisk together honey, brown sugar, ginger, cayenne, cloves, and ¼ tsp pepper. Heat on medium, whisking often, until sugar dissolves; let cool completely. Stir in lemon zest. 3 Brush one-third of glaze over ham and bake, uncovered, 15 min. Rotate ham in oven and baste with another third of glaze and bake another 15 min. Brush remaining glaze over ham and bake until ham is heated through and internal temperature registers 140°F, 15 to 20 min. more. PER SERVING 250 CAL, 9 G FAT (3 G SAT), 22 G PRO, 1,430 MG SODIUM, 21 G CARB, 0 G FIBER

Didja know…

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When eating a chocolate Easter bunny, 78% of people start with the ears.

KATE SEARS.

½ fully cooked bone-in smoked ham (about 7 lbs total, preferably shank end) 1 cup honey ⅔ cup brown sugar 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp cayenne ¼ tsp ground cloves Pepper 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest

ACTIVE 10 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 2 HR. 30 MIN. ✦ SERVES 20

RECIPES

From Celebrate Easter, page 31

Cookie Bouquet

Bunny Bark ACTIVE 15 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 45 MIN. SERVES 8 TO 10

12 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 4 oz white chocolate, finely chopped 10 to 12 small milk chocolate bunnies 2 Tbsp sprinkles, Sixlets, and nonpareils

DANIELLE DALY.

1 Line large cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2 In bowl, microwave bittersweet chocolate on 50% power in 30-sec. increments, stirring in between, until nearly melted. Continue to stir until fully melted. In second bowl, repeat with white chocolate. 3 Spread bittersweet chocolate on parchment to about ¼ in. thick (rough 9- by 13-in. rectangle). Spoon tablespoonfuls of white chocolate all over top, then use wooden pick or offset spatula to swirl white chocolate through dark chocolate. Immediately top with chocolate bunnies and sprinkles. Let stand until completely set, about 30 min. at room temp.

WD TEST KITCHEN TIP Buy mini chocolate bunnies or make them: Fill molds with melted chocolate and let set. We used Trudeau’s Easter Bunny Chocolate Molds, $10 for set of three, trudeau.com.

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Donut Bunnies ACTIVE 1 HR. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 35 MIN. MAKES 18

For bunny noses and tails and mini bunnies 24 vanilla sandwich cookies 4 oz cream cheese, at room temp 12 oz pink candy melts 2 tsp coconut oil Finely shredded coconut White glazed donuts For decorating Mini chocolate chips Black edible food marker Giant marshmallows Pink nonpareils Heart sprinkles Regular marshmallows Pink M&M’s Small pink Sixlets (or sugar dragées) 1 Make bunny noses: Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. In food processor, pulse cookies to create fine crumbs. Add cream cheese and pulse until mixture comes together and forms a ball. Roll mixture between palms into 18 balls. Refrigerate until cold, at least 20 min. 2 In medium bowl, combine candy melts and coconut oil and microwave on 50% power in 30-sec. increments, stirring in between, until fully melted. Working with 1 at a time, use fork

to fully coat each cookie ball in candy melts, tapping off excess. For bunny tails, coat in finely shredded coconut, and for baby bunnies, keep pink. Return to baking sheet and let set. 3 To make bunny face, place cookie ball in center of donut. Place mini chocolate chips upside down for eyes. Use marker to draw whiskers. To make ears, use scissors to cut ends off giant marshmallows, on slight diagonal; coat sticky sides in pink nonpareils. Push wooden picks halfway into 1 end of ears and gently push wooden picks into donuts. 4 For baby bunnies, use heart sprinkles for noses. Place mini chocolate chips upside down for eyes, and use regular-size marshmallows for ears. 5 For each bunny behind, place coconut-coated cookie ball in center of donut. For feet, use scissors to cut ends off regular-size marshmallows; press M&M’s and Sixlets onto sticky sides to create padded feet. Use wooden picks to attach feet to donuts. For ears, use scissors to cut ends off giant marshmallows. Push wooden picks halfway into marshmallows, then into donuts, sticky side down. (Remove picks before eating.)

ACTIVE 40 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 30 MIN. ✦ SERVES 12

2 celery hearts ½ recipe sugar cookie dough (womansday .com/sugar-cookies) 1 recipe royal icing (womansday.com /royal-icing) Pink and green food coloring (either natural powders or gels)

1 Cut celery hearts down to about 2 in. from their bases, breaking off outer stalks until cross-sections resemble roses. Let sit 24 hr. to “soften.” 2 Heat oven to 350°F. Roll sugar cookie dough between 2 sheets of parchment into rough 8- by 10-in. rectangle. Chill until firm, at least 20 min., then bake until light golden at edges, 15 to 20 min. Let cool completely. 3 Loosen royal icing to thick glue consistency. Transfer to piping bag and snip off tip. Pipe a rectangle around cookie, leaving ¼- to ½-in. border all the way around. Let set. Snip a little more off end of bag and pipe icing to fill in rectangle, spreading with skewer as necessary. Let set until firm, at least 12 hr. 4 If using natural food colors, hydrate with just enough water to make thick paste. Paint thin, even coat onto celery; stamp onto iced cookie. Repeat to fill cookie with roses. Use thin paintbrush to paint rose stems and leaves.

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RECIPES

Prep Time: 30 min. Total Time: LSYVW QMR (incl. refrigerating) Makes: WIVZMRKW WHAT YO U NE E D ZERMPPE GVIQI ƛ PPIH GLSGSPEXI WERH[MGL GSSOMIW HMZMHIH 8FWT FYXXIV QIPXIH TOK S^ IEGL 4,-0%()04,-% 'VIEQ 'LIIWI WSJXIRIH GYT WYKEV XWT ZERMPPE IKKW TOK S^ &%/)6 7 ;LMXI 'LSGSPEXI FVSOIR MRXS WQEPP TMIGIW 8FWT IEGL QMRMEXYVI GERH] GSEXIH GLSGSPEXI TMIGIW ERH QYPXM GSPSVIH WTVMROPIW GYT XLE[IH '330 ;,-4 ;LMTTIH 8STTMRK MAK E I T HEAT SZIR XS q* CRUSH GSSOMIW MRXS ƛ RI GVYQFW QM\ [MXL FYXXIV 4VIWW IZIRP] SRXS FSXXSQW SJ TETIV PMRIH QYƝ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

(SR X SZIV LIEX 7TVIEH GLSGSPEXI MRXS XLMR PE]IV SR TVITEVIH FEOMRK WLIIX CHOP VIQEMRMRK GSSOMI WTVMROPI SZIV QIPXIH GLSGSPEXI EPSRK [MXL XLI GERH] GSEXIH GLSGSPEXI TMIGIW ERH WTVMROPIW 6IJVMKIVEXI YRXMP ƛ VQ TOP GLIIWIGEOIW [MXL '330 ;,-4 NYWX FIJSVI WIVZMRK &VIEO GLSGSPEXI FEVO MRXS WQEPP TMIGIW TPEGI SZIV GLIIWIGEOIW

From the cover

Best Ever Sheet Cake ACTIVE 40 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 45 MIN. ✦ SERVES 16

For cake 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp, plus more for pan 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 1 tsp kosher salt 1¾ cups granulated sugar 4 large eggs, at room temp 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1¼ cups whole milk, at room temp For frosting 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp ½ tsp kosher salt ¼ cup heavy cream 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract For decorating Mix of sprinkles, nonpareils, and sanding sugar in various colors 1 Make cake: Heat oven to 325°F. Butter 9- by 13-in. cake pan and line bottom with parchment, leaving overhang on 2 sides. 2 In bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 3 Using electric mixer, beat butter and

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granulated sugar on low speed to combine. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, about 3 min. Reduce speed to medium; add eggs 1 at a time, beating until each is incorporated before adding next egg. Beat in vanilla. 4 Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk and beating just until incorporated. 5 Spread batter in prepared pan and bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 40 min. Let cool in pan 10 min., then use overhangs to remove from pan and let cool completely. 6 Make frosting: Using electric mixer, beat confectioners’ sugar, butter, and salt on low speed until combined, then increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 min. With mixer running, slowly add cream. Beat until fluffy, about 3 min. Beat in vanilla. 7 To decorate cake, cut out egg template

(womansday.com /easter-templates) and seven ¼-in.wide strips of paper. Transfer cake to serving platter. Spread cake generously with buttercream. Place egg template in center of cake and score around outside; remove template. 8 Use small offset spatula to smooth frosting inside scored egg shape. Place strips of paper on cake to create shapes inside egg. Working quickly with 1 section at a time, while icing is still wet, carefully fill each space with sprinkles, nonpareils, and sanding sugar. Place small pieces of plastic wrap over sections not being filled to keep colors from blending. Carefully peel away paper lines. (If frosting starts to crust over, brush lightly with water.)

From Celebrate Easter, page 31

BLO S SOM BU DDI E S Brush a thin layer of glue onto egg, stick on dried leaves, and brush another thin glue layer over it. Cut facial features from stickers, stick to egg, and draw on the rest with permanent marker. For floral “hats,” cut dried flowers into small pieces no more than 1" long. Hot-glue two to three of the largest blossoms to top of egg, spacing evenly, then glue smaller flowers into empty spaces to create a full arrangement.

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

CAKE: DANIELLE DALY. EGGS: PHILIP FRIEDMAN.

E A STER CO OKIE S & CRE AM M I NI C HE E SEC A K E S

RECIPES

Slow-Cooker Brisket with Onions and Carrots ACTIVE 15 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 7 HR. 15 MIN. ON HIGH (8 HR. 15 MIN. ON LOW) ✦ SERVES 6

½ 2 2 1

cup dry red wine Tbsp tomato paste Tbsp potato starch Tbsp low-sodium beef bouillon base tsp Worcestershire sauce large carrots, cut into 2-in. pieces large onion, chopped medium rutabaga (about 12 oz), cut into 2-in. pieces oz small yellow new potatoes (about 10) sprigs fresh rosemary lbs first-cut beef brisket Kosher salt and pepper Chopped parsley

Potato Kugel ACTIVE 25 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 20 MIN. ✦ SERVES 6 TO 8

2 large onions, quartered 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and quartered 2 large eggs plus 2 egg whites 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided Kosher salt and pepper Chopped parsley

1 In 6-qt slow cooker, whisk red wine, tomato paste, potato starch, bouillon, and Worcestershire sauce. Toss with carrots, onion, rutabaga, potatoes, and rosemary. 2 Season brisket with ½ tsp each salt and pepper, then nestle into vegetables. Cover and cook until brisket is fork-tender, 6 to 7 hr. on High or 7 to 8 hr. on Low. 3 Transfer beef to cutting board and thinly slice. Arrange beef and vegetables on platter; sprinkle with parsley if desired.

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Place large piece of cheesecloth or towel over strainer. Using food processor with largest grater attachment, coarsely grate onions and potatoes. Transfer to cheesecloth, wrap up, and squeeze out excess moisture. Let sit, then repeat. 2 Using electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat eggs on medium until pale in color and doubled in volume, 3 to 4 min. Add 2 Tbsp oil, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper and beat to combine. 3 Squeeze potato-onion mixture 1 more time, then toss with egg mixture to evenly coat. Rub 8- by 8-in. baking dish with remaining Tbsp oil, then gently spread potato mixture into it (do not press down). Bake until golden brown, 40 to 55 min. 4 Increase oven to broil and broil until deep golden brown, 2 to 3 min. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

PER SERVING 435 CAL, 14 G FAT (5 G SAT), 40 G PRO, 1,087 MG SODIUM, 35 G CARB, 5 G FIBER

PER SERVING 235 CAL, 7.5 G FAT (1.5 G SAT), 6 G PRO, 320 MG SODIUM, 37 G CARB, 3 G FIBER

2 2 1 1

12 2 1½

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Meringues with StrawberryRhubarb Compote ACTIVE 35 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 2 HR. 15 MIN. PLUS COOLING SERVES 8

For pavlovas 1½ cups superfine sugar 2 Tbsp potato starch 6 large egg whites 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 tsp white vinegar For compote 1 lb rhubarb, cut into ½-in. pieces 8 oz strawberries, hulled and chopped ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp finely grated orange zest For topping 1 cup heavy cream Cut-up strawberries and chopped pistachios, for serving 1 Make pavlovas: Heat oven to 250°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. In medium bowl, combine superfine sugar and potato starch. 2 Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add

sugar mixture, 1 Tbsp at a time, beating until incorporated, then beat on high until whites are stiff and glossy; beat in vanilla and vinegar. 3 Use 4 small dabs meringue to stick parchment to baking sheets. Using spatula, spoon remaining meringue in 8 mounds onto prepared sheets. Spread each into 3-in. disk; then, using back of spoon, make deep indent in center of each. 4 Transfer to oven; bake 30 min. Turn off oven (do not open door) and let cool inside oven 1½ hr. 5 Meanwhile, make compote: In medium saucepan, combine rhubarb, strawberries, granulated sugar, orange zest, and 2 Tbsp water. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb has broken down and mixture has thickened, 35 to 45 min.; let cool. 6 When ready to serve, whip cream until soft peaks form. Fill meringue nests with cream, then top with compote, strawberries, and pistachios if desired.

BRISKET: CON POULOS. POTATO KUGEL: GETTY IMAGES. MERINGUES: MIKE GARTEN.

From Celebrate Passover, page 44

★

ChocolateDipped Macaroons

From What’s for Dinner Tonight?!, page 55

Cool Chicken & Noodle Salad

Flank Steak with Smoky Roasted Potatoes

ACTIVE 45 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 15 MIN. ✦ MAKES 48

ACTIVE 20 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 20 MIN. SERVES 4

ACTIVE 25 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN. SERVES 4

MACAROONS: JOHANSEN KRAUSE. NOODLE SALAD: CON POULOS. STEAK AND FRITTATA: KANA OKADA.

1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk 1 7-oz bag sweetened flaked coconut 1 Tbsp freshly grated orange peel 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 large egg whites 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips

1 Heat oven to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick foil. 2 In large bowl, mix together condensed milk, coconut, orange peel, and vanilla. In medium bowl with mixer on high speed, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into coconut mixture. Drop level measuring tablespoonfuls about 1 in. apart on baking sheets. 3 Bake until golden brown, 14 to 16 min. Slide foil onto wire rack. Let cool completely. Peel off foil; save foil. 4 Melt chocolate chips per pkg. directions. Dip bottoms of macaroons in chocolate. Replace on foil. Slide foil back onto baking sheets. Refrigerate until chocolate sets; peel macaroons off foil. Refrigerate tightly covered with waxed paper between layers up to 1 week.

8 oz angel hair or capellini pasta 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil (optional) ¼ cup fresh lime juice 2 Tbsp light brown sugar 1 red chile (optional) Kosher salt and pepper 1 Granny Smith apple, cut into wedges and thinly sliced ½ seedless cucumber, cut into thin half-moons 2 scallions, thinly sliced 1 2- to 2½-lb rotisserie chicken ¼ cup fresh mint, thinly sliced

1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-in. pieces 1 red pepper, cut into 1-in. pieces 2 Tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp smoked paprika Kosher salt and pepper 1 1½-lb flank steak 4 scallions, sliced ⅓ cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp lemon juice ½ tsp Dijon mustard

1 Cook noodles per pkg. directions. Rinse under cold water to cool, then toss with sesame oil (if using). 2 Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk together lime juice, brown sugar, chile (if using), ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. 3 Add apple, cucumber, and scallions to lime juice mixture and toss to coat. Slice or shred chicken, discarding bones. Add to apple-cucumber mixture and toss to combine. Add noodles and mint and toss again.

1 Heat oven to 425°F. On rimmed baking sheet, toss potatoes and red pepper with 2 Tbsp oil, 1 Tbsp paprika, and ½ tsp each salt and pepper. Arrange in even layer and roast, turning once, until potatoes are golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 min. 2 Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tsp oil in large skillet on mediumhigh. Season flank steak with ½ tsp each salt and pepper and cook to desired doneness, 5 to 7 min. per side for medium-rare. Transfer to cutting board; let rest 5 min. before slicing. Toss veggies with scallions. 3 Mix mayo, lemon juice, mustard, and remaining tsp paprika. Serve with steak and vegetables.

PER SERVING 540 CAL, 12 G FAT (3 G SAT), 49 G PRO, 745 MG SODIUM, 57 G CARB, 3 G FIBER

PER SERVING 555 CAL, 32 G FAT (7 G SAT), 39 G PRO, 695 MG SODIUM, 25 G CARB, 3 G FIBER

Leek, Mushroom & Ricotta Frittata ACTIVE 15 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN. SERVES 4

2 Tbsp olive oil 2 leeks, cleaned and cut into ¼-in. pieces Kosher salt and pepper 8 oz small button mushrooms, sliced 8 large eggs ½ cup part-skim ricotta cheese ¼ cup grated Parmesan (1 oz) Arugula salad, for serving

1 Heat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in medium nonstick oven-safe skillet on medium. Add leeks and ½ tsp each salt and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 5 min. 2 Increase heat to medium-high, add mushrooms, and cook, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 min. 3 Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk together eggs, ricotta, and Parmesan. Add egg mixture to skillet and stir to distribute ingredients. Transfer to oven and bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 16 to 18 min. Transfer to cutting board. Serve with salad if desired. PER SERVING 305 CAL, 20 G FAT (7 G SAT), 20 G PRO, 510 MG SODIUM, 11 G CARB, 1 G FIBER

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APRIL 2021

RECIPES

ACTIVE 20 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN. SERVES 4

3 Tbsp olive oil, divided 1 medium onion, finely chopped Kosher salt and pepper 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 14-oz can artichoke hearts, rinsed (or 1 9-oz pkg. frozen artichokes, thawed), patted dry, and roughly chopped ¼ cup pitted green olives, quartered 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped ¼ cup roasted almonds, chopped 4 6-oz pieces skinless white fish fillets (such as cod, striped bass, halibut, or tilapia) 1 cup couscous ¼ cup tomato sauce

PER SERVING 485 CAL, 15 G FAT (2 G SAT), 37 G PRO, 798 MG SODIUM, 47 G CARB, 5 G FIBER

Crispy Pork Cutlets with Celery & Pepper Slaw ACTIVE 30 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN. SERVES 4

1 3 1 5

2 1 1 8 1

cup long-grain rice Tbsp fresh lemon juice tsp honey Tbsp olive oil, divided Kosher salt and pepper stalks celery, thinly sliced large red pepper, thinly sliced small red onion, thinly sliced thin pork cutlets (about 1½ lbs total) cup panko

1 Cook rice per pkg. directions. In bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, 1 Tbsp oil, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Toss with celery, red pepper, and onion. Let sit, tossing occasionally, 15 min.

B A NA NA B OAT S 1 Trim 1 slice off back of each banana so it won’t wobble. shape out of top skin of each banana, large

cookie cutter. 3 Using cookie cutter,

into cutout rectangles of each banana. Add candy eyes and a small sprinkle for each mouth.

From Life of the Party, page 59

Banana Bunny Pancakes ACTIVE 15 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 15 MIN. SERVES 4

1 very ripe large banana, plus slices for serving ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter, plus more for serving 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 cups favorite pancake mix (plus any ingredients needed to make it) 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder Fresh fruit, shredded coconut, and currants or mini chocolate chips, for serving

1 Mash banana with any liquid or eggs mix packaging calls for. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. 2 Combine pancake mix and cocoa; stir in banana mixture until just blended. Cook per pkg. directions, making 1 large, 1 medium, and 2 small round pancakes for each bunny’s head, body, and feet and 2 oblong pancakes for ears if desired. Decorate bunny with banana slice spread with peanut butter and topped with coconut for tail and banana slices and currants for feet. Serve with fresh fruit if desired. PER SERVING 480 CAL, 24.5 G FAT (6.5 G SAT), 15 G PRO, 895 MG SODIUM, 56 G CARB, 2 G FIBER

(7 G SAT), 39 G PRO, 790 MG SODIUM, 64 G CARB, 2 G FIBER

Didja know…

APRIL 2021

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W O M A N S D AY. C O M

Over half of Americans say chocolate bunnies and eggs are their favorite Easter treat. Only 17% prefer jelly beans.

FISH: YUNHEE KIM. PORK: CON POULOS. PANCAKES: JON PATERSON. BANANAS: FOODBITES.

Seared Fish with Artichoke Relish

1 Heat 1 Tbsp oil in large skillet on medium. Add onion, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 6 min. Add celery and garlic and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 3 min. 2 Add artichokes, olives, vinegar, and 1 Tbsp oil and mix to combine. Fold in parsley and almonds. Transfer artichoke relish to bowl. 3 Wipe out skillet with damp cloth and heat remaining Tbsp oil on medium-high. Season fish with ½ tsp each salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and opaque throughout, 3 to 5 min. per side (depending on type of fish and size of fillets). 4 Meanwhile, place couscous in second bowl. Stir in 1 cup boiling water, then tomato sauce. Cover and let sit 5 min., then fluff with fork. Serve fish and relish with couscous.

★

Banana Chicken Curry

Salty Peanut Banana Pudding

ACTIVE 20 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN. SERVES 4

ACTIVE 25 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 25 MIN. PLUS CHILLING ✦ SERVES 8

CHICKEN CURRY: CHELSEA KYLE. PUDDING: BRIAN WOODCOCK. ICE CREAM: MIKE GARTEN.

1 Tbsp olive oil 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1½-in. pieces Kosher salt and pepper 2 large overripe bananas, halved 1 onion, quartered 2 cloves garlic 1 Tbsp curry powder 2 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp dry mustard Pinch of cayenne 1 15-oz can low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed 1 tsp grated lime zest plus 1 Tbsp juice Cooked rice and cilantro, for serving

1 Heat oil in large Dutch oven on mediumhigh. Season chicken with ¼ tsp each salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 3 min. per side. Using slotted spoon, transfer chicken to bowl and reduce heat to medium-low. 2 Meanwhile, in food processor, pulse bananas, onion, garlic, and spices until chopped. Add to pot and cook, stirring, 2 min. Add 1½ cups water and simmer 5 min. 3 Add chicken and chickpeas; simmer until chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 min. Stir in zest and juice. Serve with rice and cilantro. PER SERVING 340 CAL, 9 G FAT (1 G SAT), 32 G PRO, 244 MG SODIUM, 35 G CARB, 8 G FIBER

⅓ ½ ⅔ 1¾ 4 1¾ ⅓ 3 50 4 ¾

cup all-purpose flour tsp kosher salt cup plus 3 Tbsp sugar cups whole milk large egg yolks cups heavy cream, divided cup creamy peanut butter tsp pure vanilla extract, divided vanilla wafer cookies ripe bananas, sliced cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts, divided

1 In medium saucepan, whisk together flour, salt, and ⅔ cup sugar. Whisk in milk, egg yolks, and ½ cup cream and cook on medium, whisking constantly, until very thick, 7 to 9 min. Remove from heat and whisk in peanut butter and 2 tsp vanilla. 2 Arrange half of cookies in bottom of 8-in. square baking dish, slightly overlapping. Top with half of bananas, ¼ cup peanuts, and hot pudding. Top with remaining bananas, cookies, and ¼ cup peanuts. Cover and chill at least 4 hr. or up to overnight. 3 Using electric mixer with whisk attachment on medium-high, beat remaining 3 Tbsp sugar, 1¼ cups cream, and 1 tsp vanilla to form stiff peaks. Spread on top of pudding; sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup peanuts.

Banana Coconut Cones

Banana Ice Cream Pops

ACTIVE 30 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN. PLUS FREEZING ✦ MAKES 6

ACTIVE 40 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 40 MIN. PLUS FREEZING ✦ MAKES 8

8 oz good-quality semisweet (50% to 65% cacao) chocolate, chopped ¾ cup refined coconut oil 5 very ripe medium bananas ½ cup vanilla ice cream ¾ cup toasted coconut ⅓ cup crushed potato chips ⅓ cup finely chopped pistachios 6 waffle cones

5 very ripe medium bananas ½ cup vanilla ice cream 6 oz good-quality white chocolate, chopped ¾ cup refined coconut oil ½ tsp pure vanilla extract Kosher salt 1 cup finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies

1 In medium bowl, combine chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave in 20-sec. increments, stirring in between, until almost melted. Continue stirring until completely melted. Let cool completely. 2 Meanwhile, in blender, puree bananas and ice cream until smooth. In medium bowl, combine coconut, potato chips, and pistachios. 3 If necessary, reheat chocolate shell 10 to 20 sec. to remelt to pouring consistency and use to brush insides of cones, then sprinkle each with 1 Tbsp coconut mixture. Stuff 1 small scoop and then 1 larger scoop banana ice cream into each cone. Place each in narrow glass; freeze. Brush ice cream with more shell, then coat with coconut mixture.

1 In blender, puree bananas and ice cream until smooth. Spoon into 8 large ice pop molds; freeze until solid. 2 Meanwhile, make vanilla shell: In medium bowl, combine white chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave in 20-sec. increments, stirring in between, until almost melted. Continue stirring until completely melted. Stir in vanilla and ⅛ tsp salt. Cool completely before using. 3 When pops are solid, if necessary, reheat shell 10 to 20 sec. to remelt to pouring consistency. Place cookies in shallow dish. Working quickly with 1 pop at a time, remove from mold and brush with thin layer vanilla shell, then immediately press into cookies to coat.

Dip it! Make one or all—your mouth will thank you.

From National Soft Pretzel Day, page 67

BU F FA LO H U M M US

DI L L - S C A L L ION DI P

Classic Soft Pretzels

ACTIVE 10 MIN. TOTAL 10 MIN.

ACTIVE 10 MIN. TOTAL 10 MIN. PLUS CHILLING

ACTIVE 50 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 2 HR. MAKES 8

In food processor, puree one 15-oz can chickpeas (rinsed), ¼ cup olive oil, 3 Tbsp cayenne pepper sauce, 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 oz blue cheese, crumbled (about ¼ cup) until very smooth, about 2 min. Serve drizzled with additional hot sauce.

In medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sliced scallions, 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest, and 1 small clove garlic (finely grated). Season with salt and pepper. Chill 2 hr. or up to 3 days.

F R E NC H ON ION DI P

AVO C A D O DI P

ACTIVE 55 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR.

ACTIVE 30 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 30 MIN.

Melt 2 Tbsp unsalted butter in large skillet on medium-low. Add 3 large onions (thinly sliced), ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 min. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown, 30 to 40 min. (Add 1 to 2 Tbsp water if onions stick.) Stir in 1 Tbsp thyme leaves and cook 1 min. Stir in ¼ cup dry sherry and simmer until evaporated. Let cool. Mix in 8 oz crème fraîche, ½ cup whole-milk Greek yogurt, and 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest until smooth. Fold in ¼ cup chopped chives. Let sit 30 min. Sprinkle with chives.

Heat broiler. On rimmed baking sheet, toss 2 small poblano peppers, 2 cloves garlic with skin, 1 small jalapeño, and ½ medium onion with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Broil, turning peppers once, until deeply charred, 6 to 8 min. Let cool, then use paper towel to remove any skins and seeds. Transfer vegetables to blender along with 2 avocados, 1 bunch cilantro with stems, ¼ cup each fresh lime juice and water, and ½ tsp salt and puree until smooth, adding 1 to 2 Tbsp more water if needed.

APRIL 2021

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1 ¼-oz pkg. active dry yeast (2¼ tsp) 1 Tbsp granulated sugar ¾ tsp kosher salt 4½ to 4¾ cups allpurpose flour, divided 2 Tbsp canola oil, divided 2 Tbsp baking soda 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 Tbsp water Toppings such as shredded Cheddar, salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and caraway seeds Mustards and dips, for serving

1 In large bowl, combine yeast, sugar, salt, and 2 cups flour. Warm 1½ cups water in microwave until it registers 120°F to 130°F on thermometer. Add water and 1 Tbsp oil to flour mixture. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth, about 2 min. 2 Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add 2 cups flour (½ cup at a time), mixing until dough begins to pull away from sides of bowl. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Knead in ½ cup of remaining flour until dough is smooth (adding more flour if sticky), about 5 min. 3 Coat large bowl with remaining Tbsp oil. Place dough in bowl, then turn

dough oiled side up. Cover with clean towel and let rest in warm place until doubled in size, about 45 min. 4 Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Punch down dough and cut into 8 pieces. With lightly floured hands, roll each piece into ½-in. rope (about 30 in. long). Working with 1 rope at a time, shape into pretzels: Make a U shape and, holding each end of rope, cross ends over and twist them around each other twice, then press onto bottom of U (dot with water to help ends stick). Place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. 5 Meanwhile, in large, deep skillet, bring 5 cups water and baking soda to a simmer. Drop 2 pretzels (top down) into water and simmer 30 sec.; flip and simmer 30 sec. more. Transfer to baking sheet and repeat with remaining pretzels. 6 Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with desired toppings. Bake, switching position of pans halfway through, until dark golden brown, 15 to 20 min. Serve with favorite mustards or dips if desired.

HUMMUS: DANIELLE DALY. DILL-SCALLION DIP: BRIAN WOODCOCK. FRENCH ONION AND AVOCADO DIP: MIKE GARTEN.

RECIPES

BEER CHEESE DIP: ETHAN CALABRESE; RECIPE DEVELOPER: LINDSAY FUNSTON. SPINACH-ARTICHOKE PRETZELS: ETHAN CALABRESE; RECIPE DEVELOPER: LENA ABRAHAM. NUTELLA PRETZEL BITES: BRANDON BALES; RECIPE DEVELOPER: LAUREN MIYASHIRO.

★

Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip

Nutella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites

ACTIVE 30 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. SERVES 8

ACTIVE 1 HR. 5 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 15 MIN. ✦ MAKES 32

1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese, at room temp ¼ cup pale ale beer 1½ Tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp garlic powder Pepper ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 Tbsp chopped chives 1¾ cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 1 16.3-oz can refrigerated biscuits 2 Tbsp baking soda 1 large egg, beaten Coarse salt

1 Heat oven to 350°F. In bowl, combine cream cheese, beer, Dijon, garlic powder, and ½ tsp pepper. Fold in mozzarella, chives, and 1½ cups Cheddar. 2 Halve each biscuit and roll into a ball, then cut an “X” across top. 3 In small saucepan, bring baking soda and 2 cups water to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain simmer. In batches, cook biscuits until puffy, 1 min., then use slotted spoon to transfer to edge of large ovenproof skillet. 4 Brush egg over biscuits, then sprinkle with coarse salt. Transfer dip to center of skillet; sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Cheddar. Bake until biscuits are golden brown and dip is bubbly, 35 min.

¾ ¼ 4 1

SpinachArtichoke Stuffed Pretzels ACTIVE 45 MIN. ✦ TOTAL 1 HR. 5 MIN. ✦ MAKES 18

6 oz cream cheese, at room temp ⅓ cup sour cream 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts (from 14-oz can artichoke hearts, drained) 1 cup thawed frozen spinach, squeezed of excess moisture 2 cloves garlic, grated ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan Pinch red pepper flakes Kosher salt 3 11-oz tubes refrigerated French bread dough 1½ cups warm water 2 Tbsp baking soda 4 Tbsp melted butter 1 Tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley Coarse salt

1 Heat oven to 400°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. 2 In bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, artichoke hearts, spinach, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and ½ tsp kosher salt. 3 Cut each roll of dough into 6 pieces to make 18 pieces total. Using rolling pin, stretch and roll each piece into long rectangle, about 6 to 8 in. long. Spoon about 2 Tbsp spinachartichoke mixture into center of dough. Tuck and roll dough tightly into rope around filling, making sure no cheese is exposed. Twist ropes into pretzel shape and transfer to prepared baking sheets. 4 In small bowl, whisk warm water and baking soda to dissolve. Brush baking soda solution onto each pretzel, then let pretzels sit until surfaces have dried, 10 min. 5 Brush pretzels with melted butter, then sprinkle with parsley and coarse salt. Bake until pretzels are golden brown, 18 to 20 min., rotating pans on oven racks halfway through. Serve warm.

1 ¾ ¾ 4

cup Nutella cup baking soda cups water 16.3-oz can refrigerated biscuit dough large egg, beaten cup sugar tsp ground cinnamon Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1 Heat oven to 400°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. Spoon 32 individual tsp Nutella onto sheet. Freeze 30 min. 2 In medium saucepan, bring baking soda and water to a boil, whisking to dissolve. Reduce heat until steadily simmering. 3 Quarter each biscuit and flatten dough slightly. Working quickly, place 1 frozen Nutella disk on top of each piece of dough, wrapping dough around Nutella to cover completely. Pinch edges very well to seal, patting into a ball. If necessary, return Nutella to freezer if it becomes too sticky. 4 Working in batches, add balls to simmering water and cook 30 sec., then, using slotted spoon, transfer to prepared baking sheets. Dough will be sticky. 5 Brush egg over each pretzel; bake until golden brown, 10 to 14 min. Mix sugar and cinnamon. Cool pretzels 10 min. Toss in butter, then in cinnamon sugar.

Didja know… The world’s largest pretzel, made in El Salvador in 2015, weighed over 1,700 lbs and measured about 30 feet long by 13 feet wide!

W O M A N S D AY. C O M

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APRIL 2021

Have a tree-mendous day!

There’s always a way to find the yay. Here, your checklist of holidays and national days to celebrate this month.

April

Follow the rainbow.

“Pic” a lovely spot.

Illustration by Heather Stillufsen ✖ Y! YA

APRIL 2021

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W O M A N S D AY. C O M

3 rd Find a Rainbow Day 4 th Last day of Passover 4 th Easter 7 th No Housework Day 10 th Siblings Day 11 th Pet Day 13 th Scrabble Day 16 th Eggs Benedict Day 22 nd Earth Day 23 rd Picnic Day 28 th Superhero Day 30 th Arbor Day Check out @womansdaymag on Instagram for a calendar of party starters every Monday, and share your good times with #WDcelebrates.

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