Posts

You may not see it on a day-to-day basis in your community, but, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 580, 466 people across the United States were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2020. This number marks the fourth straight year of growth for the homeless population and there is no end in sight. Like food banks, homeless shelters are often in need of volunteers and donations, but donating the right things is important, as well-intended but misguided efforts can stretch already limited resources....

Know Your Culprit Before you try any method, you will need to know what types of animals are trespassing in your garden. Start by identifying the creature that is causing the damage. Once you know what is munching on your produce, research its habits and food preferences. This knowledge will help you pick an effective solution for keeping these animals out of your garden. Some common culprits include deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and even domesticated pets like cats and dogs....

Just this week, more than 200 of the world’s top health journals came together to issue a joint statement imploring global leaders to do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary driver of climate change. When making their plea, the health leaders called climate change the single greatest public health threat we now face. Meanwhile, a flurry of recent reports has made clear that our use of plastics (which is a gigantic contributor to climate change, as plastics are made from fossil fuels) is growing increasingly threatening for the planet: by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish....

RELATED: 20 Motivational Exercise Quotes to Get You Through (or to) Your Next Workout

The daily barrage of clothing you pull out and put back in (and maybe, sometimes, only hang halfway onto that color-coordinated hanger) can turn this functional space into a hassle. Raise your hand if you ever buy new stuff without taking out the old, or if you ever stash non-clothing items in your closet. (No judgment!) We called in a closet organizing pro to help break these habits and establish a closet organizer system that works....

Yet housing affordability is now harder for first time homebuyers, according to Castleigh Johnson, CEO and Founder of My Home Pathway and a financial inclusion advocate. So how do you navigate the challenges and expenses of the current housing market? “Patience and persistence are aspects of the process that can pay off for homebuyers,” Johnson says. “Even in a seller’s market, there are opportunities that may present themselves where sellers want to exit a property fast and look for a reasonable offer, for example....

Just in time for summertime barbecues, baseball season, and Father’s Day, we tapped Ryan Daley, the Sr. Educator and Master Cicerone for Anheuser-Busch for all the info you’ll need to give your beer—whether it’s a lager, porter, stout, IPA, pilsner, or some crafty combination of the above—the top-tasting treatment it deserves. How to serve beer According to Daley, the top tip for serving beer is simple: pour it into a glass....

You’re probably already familiar with garlic’s pungent taste (and smell), but here are a few more facts to know when it comes to cooking with fresh garlic. Choosing a Fresh Garlic Bulb Garlic is available year-round, and common types can be purchased loose as a single bulb or “head” as it’s sometimes called. To select the freshest, most flavorful garlic, look for a dry, solid bulb that is plump, compact, and heavy....

How to Store Peaches The first step is to determine whether your peaches are ripe or not. If they feel quite firm and aren’t particularly fragrant, they are not yet ripe. In that case, store them on the counter at room temperature in a single layer (to avoid bruising) for a few days, or until they are nice and ripe. The signs of a ripe peach are when it’s aromatic, and when there’s a little give upon gently pressing the fruit’s skin....

What Is Niacinamide? Simply put, it’s a B vitamin, one of two forms of vitamin B3 that’s involved in many important cellular functions of the skin, explains Gretchen Frieling, MD, a triple board-certified dermatopathologist in the Boston area. What Benefits Does It Have for Skin? Buckle up, because this is a lengthy list. Niacinamide is a great choice for those with acne-prone skin. “Niacinamide reduces sebum production, which can both help prevent acne and also diminish shine,” says Kenneth Howe, MD, board-certified dermatologist of UnionDerm in New York City....

Washing strawberries ensures you and your family don’t consume any unnecessary grime, bugs, or chemicals (because no one wants a contaminated strawberry shortcake). So before you take out the produce-friendly soap and brush, read our simple, time-saving method. Preparation First and foremost, don’t wash your strawberries until you’re ready to cook with or eat them. Strawberries have a sponge-like quality that causes them to suck up as much moisture as possible....

Ever since I first heard about Birdies a few years ago, I have wanted to give a pair a try. My fear that yet another pair of shoes wouldn’t work and would land in my pile of returns to make held me back. But a few weeks ago, I was talking to a fellow Nordstrom shopper about Birdies, and she said they were the most comfortable pair of shoes she’s ever owned....

The problem is that there are thousands of nearly identical lipsticks out there, all claiming to be the best and most flattering, which can make lipstick shopping beyond overwhelming—until now. The creative team behind InStyle launched a collection of lipsticks that just simplified your hunt for the perfect lipstick. (Full disclosure: Real Simple and InStyle share the same publisher.) It already comes curated with four must-have colors for every woman—and comes in matte, cream, and sheer finishes, so you can pick your preferred texture....

Aldi, a German supermarket chain that was actually once owned by the same family as TJ’s, certainly gives the beloved company a run for its money. For example, did you know that it actually makes more sense (for your wallet) if you stock up on bagels at Aldi? There you can buy a 20-ounce package of six everything bagels for $1.49. By contrast, an 18-ounce package of six Trader Joe’s everything bagels costs $2....

Reader question: Why is my scalp always so itchy? I wash it often! —Tamara Silverstein One of the biggest misconceptions about having an itchy scalp is that your hair is dirty and you’re not washing it often enough. Although bad hygiene is a potential trigger, it’s not always the case. And don’t immediately jump to the conclusion of head lice, either—which is the least likely. Since scalp is skin, I rounded up some dermatologists and hairstylists to help you get to the root of the problem....

In addition, Karen is an ACE-certified personal trainer and fitness instructor who competes in Nordic walking. As a plant-powered athlete, she’s won several world championships and holds two world records in the sport. She’s passionate about spreading the message about the importance of plant-based diets and the vegan lifestyle, her expertise enhanced by being a certified plant-based nutrition educator, vegan mentor and certified vegan lifestyle coach and educator. Honors & Awards:...