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  • The Best Soup Recipes for Busy Winter Days

    The best soup recipes yield delicious meals and starters that are quick to make and perfectly comforting as the temperatures plummet. From homemade lentil soup to a hearty cheese tortellini soup that you’ll adore, tasty options can be made to meet everyone’s dietary preferences. If you are craving simple meals that are budget-friendly and thoroughly satisfying, keep reading as we reveal some of the best soup recipes for busy days this winter. 

    15-Minute Lentil Soup 

    Lentil soup is a classic recipe that stays on the menus of busy families and Martha Stewart Living for a reason; it “is a fast, hearty soup for dinner.” True to its name, it only requires 15 minutes of total preparation and cooking time. And the soup is filled with ingredients you may already have in your pantry: onions, carrots, celery, garlic, red-wine vinegar, and lentils (the Magazine recommends using cooked lentils from a 15-ounce can). While the original recipe calls for chicken broth, this quickly becomes a vegetarian and vegan favorite when you substitute low-sodium vegetable broth instead.  

    Spiced Tomato Soup

    Is there anything more reminiscent of childhood winters than tomato soup paired with a grilled cheese sandwich? Quick and straightforward to make, tomato soup continues to make us smile, and Martha Stewart Living’s twist updates this classic to delicious perfection. “This is no simple soup, it’s a richly-flavored dish that features lots of spice and aromatics,” and uses whole roasted tomatoes as a base. Made as is, it is a terrific option for carnivores and vegetarians. Want to make this recipe vegan? It’s a quick fix; substitute vegan butter in the final stir.

    Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup

    Only five ingredients are required to make Health’s “Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup,” one of the best soup recipes for those looking for healthier alternatives this winter. Health raves: “This belly-warming soup is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in calories—but it’s not low in flavor thanks to the creamy sweet potatoes, spicy ginger, and just a touch of sugar.” Considered a superfood, “sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and healthy carbohydrates,” according to the Magazine. All of this healthy goodness results in a terrific way to revive after a hectic day at work or busy weekend.

    Smoky White Bean Soup

    Have you been trying to figure out what to do with that can of cannellini beans sitting in your pantry? Try making Southern Living’s “Smoky White Bean Soup.” This recipe is ideal for anyone looking for one-pot dishes that can be made in under 30 minutes. It’s such a comforting and tasty recipe that we bet you’ll want to make it a permanent part of your winter meal rotation. What makes this white bean soup recipe one of the best? Bacon. One extra thick-cut slice of bacon is all you need to take this recipe from good to great. 

    Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup

    Martha Stewart Living’s “Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup” is one of the winter’s best soup recipes because it combines rich flavors and healthy ingredients for kid-friendly results. The original recipe yields four servings and takes under 40 minutes from preparation through serving, making this an appealing choice for weekend lunches. While Yukon Gold potatoes and white cheddar help create a delightful base, it’s the broccoli that gets the star treatment. The Magazine explains: “It’s simmered until tender for the soup base and roasted for the garnish.” What is the final touch that takes this dish to the next level? The soup is enhanced with toasted rustic Italian bread that has been topped with roasted cheese, garlic, and broccoli florets. Yum!

    Spicy Southwestern Black Bean Chili

    When you hear the word “chili,” it probably sparks images of ingredients simmering for hours in a slow cooker. The good news is that the “Spicy Southwestern Black Bean Chili” recipe from Health can be ready in under half an hour. It seems too good to be true, but it is. The Magazine explains: “The key is using boxed roasted red pepper and tomato soup as well as flavorful ingredients like jalapenos, garlic, chili powder, and cumin.” This vegetarian chili is thoroughly satisfying and is also packed with protein and fiber. Plus, if you want to add some healthy fat to the mix, all you need to do is top the chili with some sliced avocado, and you are ready to serve.  

    Ham-and-Bean Soup

    Are you looking for a slow cooker recipe that can put a leftover ham bone to the best use? Southern Living’s “Ham-and-Bean Soup” is an “eight-ingredient soup recipe that’s made in the slow cooker from start to finish.” The Magazine advises: “Made with a ham bone, dried white beans, chopped carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, chicken stock, and fresh thyme, this recipe takes minutes to assemble ….” Cannellini beans work well, as do navy beans, but you should feel free to substitute in any small, dried beans that you have on hand. Get ready for compliments!

    Cheese Tortellini Soup

    If you love cheese tortellini as we do, you’ll adore this “Cheese Tortellini Soup” recipe from Rachael Ray In Season. This dish yields a flavorful broth that offers comforting warmth on a cold day. The Magazine explains the process: “Bring chicken broth and finely grated onion and carrot, 1 bay leaf, onion salt, celery salt, pepper and chopped fresh dill to a boil.” Once the broth is finished, add your pre-made cheese tortellini to it and cook as you would normally. It’s that simple. And, yes, it’s every bit as delicious as it sounds. 

    Cream of Asparagus with Shredded Prosciutto

    Are you hoping to add a creamy soup to your weekly menus? Rachael Ray In Season reveals that one of the best soup recipes for winter is their “Cream of Asparagus with Shredded Prosciutto” soup. The key is to shred your prosciutto and cook it until crisp in extra-virgin olive oil. The rest of the recipe is simple, according to the Magazine, just “remove prosciutto with a slotted spoon, add chopped asparagus and onion and cook until tender, then puree. Stir in half-and-half and heat through.” Minutes before serving, you can pop the crispy prosciutto on top and get ready to dive into this delightfully filling creation. 

    Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

    If you hesitate to make vegetable beef soup because you think it will take too much time to chop everything, Southern Living’s “Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup” may be the best soup recipe for you. Why? “Since this hearty beef soup uses canned veggies, you won’t waste any time chopping.” It’s also wonderfully affordable, as it is made from “budget-friendly yet robust ingredients, with ground chuck, canned vegetables, and tomato sauce rounding out the list,” according to the Magazine. This recipe serves eight people and can be whipped up in under an hour. It’s also ideal for anyone who wants to make meals on a Sunday afternoon that can be eaten throughout the week or even later. In fact, when stored properly, this delectable soup can be frozen and enjoyed for up to a month.

  • Inviting Winter Home Decor for Your Front Door

    Do you want to give your winter home decor a lift? Are you hoping to make small changes that will improve your curb appeal? You might be surprised to learn that you can achieve both of those goals by simply upgrading your front door styling. By focusing on nature-inspired ideas and an array of paint colors and textures, you can make your home’s front door into an attractive showpiece this winter.

    Repaint Your Front Door

    Traditional wisdom made repainting your home’s front door in winter unheard of, but modern paint technology means that you don’t have to live in Southern California or Florida to refresh your front door with new paint now. If the temperatures are projected to stay above 35 degrees on and around your painting days, the most challenging part of this winter home decor project is choosing the color you love the most. 

    Southern Living is a fan of giving your home a facelift by elevating your front door with a pop of color. But take it slowly first. The Magazine recommends: “Before going all in on one color, test a few shades to see which works best with your home’s existing facade. Brush on a few different hues, and see how they look in the sunlight at different points throughout the day.” The Magazine loves choosing a bright yellow that evokes a Mid-Century Modern feel, a deep blue “like Naval (SW 6244) by Sherwin-Williams, to complement a white façade,” “all-American red (Heritage Red (HC-181) by Benjamin Moore) for a Tudor-style home,” or a deep plum that works “best for Georgian architecture.”  

    Design Winter Container Gardens

    We often forget that there are beautiful nature-inspired decor options that can bring joy to your doorstep even in winter. Southern Living agrees. If you took the first step of repainting your front door, the Magazine offers this tip: “To take your curb appeal project a step further, pair a freshly painted front door with a grouping of seasonal containers.”  

    Better Homes & Gardens enjoys creating winter container gardens as a way to brighten front doorsteps, porches, and decks. They advise creating displays that “aim to have a bold focal point in the center and include something that drapes over the side (think: thriller, filler, and spiller).” Do you love the look of evergreens? If so, follow the Magazine’s lead by placing narrow birch branches in the center of your container and fir branches around the bottom of the birch. Then, “tuck in pine, cedar, and juniper branches around the container until you have a full arrangement.” From there, Better Homes & Gardens suggests that you can get additional visual intrigue by arranging winterberry stems or “dried hydrangeas, pinecones, or dried seed pods” as accents (which should be placed in front, if the container is pushed up against the exterior wall. And, voila! You have appealing winter home decor that will look fantastic throughout the season. 

    Hang a Winter Wreath

    Wreaths are not just for the holidays. Depending on how they are crafted, wreaths can be the perfect way to transition your front door from holiday festive to winter chic. Martha Stewart Living is a fan of crafting wood flower wreaths because, unlike flowers that may wilt as soon as the temperatures dip, the “tapioca wood flowers used in [our] easy-to-make wreath will be in ‘bloom’ throughout the season’s holidays and the years to come.” Other wreath options that make their “must-try” lists include hard-shelled nut wreaths, succulent wreaths, and, of course, pinecone wreaths accented with winter berries. 

    One of Southern Living’s favorite wreaths incorporates the look of citrus. The Magazine explains this colorful DIY project: “Using thin florist wire, create bunches with artificial citrus fruits, laurel branches, and berry branches; lay bunches on top of the frame, concentrating them in two opposite corners of the wreath.” The rest of the wire frame is filled out with bay branches. Not only is the end-result of this winter home decor project ideal for the season, but it will serve you well as you usher in spring.  

    Sunburst Winter Door Decor

    If you have ever been tempted to add an elegant mirror to your home’s front door, now may be the time. Designers at Better Homes & Gardens applaud the idea of “[creating] an elegant wintertime entryway with a gold starburst mirror set between two wreaths.” This winter home decor accessory is reminiscent of Art Deco and 1970’s designs while also being thoroughly modern. It’s unexpected and stunning – something you and your guests will love seeing during a blustery season. 

    Make Your Mark on Your Home

    If you love using chalk paint to create home decor, Martha Stewart Living has the perfect DIY project for you: A “Chalk-Painted Monogram Wooden Plaque.” We adore this affordable project because it allows you to put a unique stamp and personal signature on your front door without significant commitment. Any time you want to change the message, you can. If you want something slightly more permanent, like the gold stenciled monogram that the Magazine favors, you can do that, too. It’s also a project that doesn’t require a lot of time or supplies. As Martha Stewart Living reports: “Using craft and garden supplies you may already have, and a coat or two of matte-finish white chalk paint, [you can] turn your stoop into a stunner.” 

    Embrace Small Improvements

    Real Simple encourages readers to think about the details when upgrading their winter home decor. “From sconces to numbers, the right outdoor accoutrements bring polish to any style of house,” according to the Magazine. Matte-brass lion front door knockers are wonderful additions to traditional homes. Doormats that boast geometric patterns are favored by the Magazine for “modern, Arts and Crafts, ranch, and split-level homes.” Meanwhile, quaint door-adjacent accessories, like a “copper gooseneck light [and] hammered house numbers” are perfect for any home with a cottage or farmhouse vibe. When refreshing your winter home decor, the delight really is in the details.

  • Ways to Improve Your Sleep

    Getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important for your health and wellbeing. It’s essential that you prioritize your sleep to recharge your mind and body, which results in you functioning properly. Obtaining good Z’s also helps improve your concentration, productivity, and performance, plus it enables the body to stave off illness and heart disease. Use these tips to get a good night’s sleep.

    1. Try to stick to a sleep schedule. Go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. The key is consistency.
    2. Did you know the stimulating effects of caffeine can take hours to wear off? If you want to have a quality night’s rest, avoid caffeine and alcohol a few hours before you climb into bed. You might even need to stop drinking caffeine after noon if you’re very sensitive.
    3. Avoid light-emitting screens and blue light exposure before bed. Watching tv might impact your body’s circadian rhythm and trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime. You want your body to produce melatonin at night naturally. You can also look into apps and products such as f.lux or blue-blocking glasses to reduce nighttime blue light exposure.
    4. If you have trouble sleeping, avoid daytime naps since they can confuse your internal clock. If you do nap during the day, make it a short power nap.
    5. Do relaxing things before bed. Don’t watch a thriller movie or read the news before hitting the mattress. Instead, listen to soothing music, take a bath, meditate, or practice deep breathing. Taking a hot bath about two hours before bed can significantly improve overall sleep efficiency. According to Quartz, our body temperature is at its lowest during nighttime, meaning the body temperature needs to lower in order to get good sleep. After a hot bath or shower, your blood flow brings the heat from the core to the surface, which causes a drop in body temperature.
    6. Make sure your room is extremely dark. This sends a signal to your brain that it’s time for sleep.
    7. Keep your room cold, usually around 69° or 70°. If your body temperature is too hot, it can decrease sleep quality.
    8. Train your brain. Negative thoughts about sleep can often worsen insomnia and cause more difficulty sleeping. To avoid triggering your stress response try recognizing the negative thoughts and altering them. Instead of “I must get eight hours of sleep,” try replacing it with “sleep requirements vary from person to person, and I will be okay, and most people don’t need eight hours to function the next day.”
    9. Start your mornings greeting the sun. Within an hour of waking up, try to get 30 minutes of direct sunlight. Considering we are biologically wired to sync up with the sun, being exposed to natural sunlight or bright light during the day helps us get more solid sleep.
    10. People discovered their sleep improved when using weighted blankets. After testing different weights and dimensions, Jennifer Adams, Interior Design Pro, found just the right fit to calm your nervous system and help you sleep better. Experience a sense of peace and cocoon-like sleep at the end of a long day with this Premium Weighted Blanket.

  • Why You Should Keep Learning and Enhance Your Skills

    Learning is an indispensable tool. There are countless advantages to enhancing your skills or learning new things altogether. You can expand your mind, meet people interested in similar topics, and discover something that can drastically improve your day-to-day. You might even alter your view of certain aspects of your life. Uncover several reasons you should keep learning and a few ideas to help get you inspired.   

    1. The most successful people understand they must continue to learn and keep improving to thrive. If you want to grow and flourish, you need to invest in yourself. The more skills you have also make you a more valuable worker. Depending on what classes you take or skills you acquire, you might become more efficient, effective, and productive. Investing in development and adding more skills to a resume never hurt anyone. That newly gained knowledge might even keep you ahead of the curve and keep you from being replaced in the future.
    2. It’s an opportunity to meet new people and form connections. Taking classes in your community or online allows you to join a new community and meet people with similar interests. Take a photography class and make new friends or join a book club and exchange ideas together.
    3. The world is constantly evolving, and it’s beneficial for you to evolve with it.
    4. Studying new things makes you happier. Growth marketer A.J. Agrawal stated “that the more ambitious goals we set, the happier we are, especially when we achieve them. Personal development is a way to guarantee us serenity from within.”
    5. Comprehending new things also leads to uncovering new problems and discovering new ways to solve those problems. You can make a difference. It allows you to see the world through different glasses and perhaps tackle a few existing issues. Watching an informative video could result in you figuring out how to solve a problem at work or in your neighborhood.
    6. Expose yourself to new ideas and views. Don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons.
    7. It can boost your self-esteem! As you enhance your skills, you will also value yourself more. Learning keeps the brain active. You must work and nourish your brain just as people train their bodies. As you learn, new connections between your neurons are formed and strengthened. That process is what leads to improvement and becoming more efficient in something.
    8. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

    a. Learn a new language
    b. Take an art class such as ceramics, photography, or sewing
    c. Read a book on a topic you’re interested in such as history or art
    d. Watch a documentary on how something is made
    e. Learn a new computer program
    f. Watch videos on how to be a better listener
    g. Pick up a magazine that discusses new technology
    h. Watch a video and learn how to improve your home or build something
    i. Listen to a podcast that teaches you how to be more organized 

  • Inspirational Podcasts Worth Listening To

    Podcasts are the perfect on-the-go entertainment. You can listen to inspirational conversations or stories no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Want to learn how something is made? There’s a podcast for that. Want to get inspired and start your own business? There’s one for that too. Don’t be shocked if you even start looking forward to your morning commute.

    They are also phenomenal educational tools. Hear from experts of various industries while they share tips and secrets to their success. Next time you’re exercising or doing tedious chores, use that time to prepare for the next phase of your career or learn about finances. No matter how specific the topic you’re interested in is, there are tons of options. Get listening and immerse yourself in enlightening conversations that will keep you amused and inspired. Below are several podcasts to check out.

    1. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown – Tune in for conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart.
    2. TED Radio Hour – Life’s biggest questions, explored. TED Radio Hour investigates the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world’s greatest thinkers. In each episode, host Manoush Zomorodi explores a big idea through a series of TED Talks and original interviews, inspiring us to learn more about the world, our communities, and most importantly, ourselves.
    3. Good Life Project – Every week, listen to inspirational, intimate and disarmingly-unfiltered conversations about living a fully-engaged, fiercely-connected and purpose-drenched life.
    4. How I Built This with Guy Raz – Hear Guy Raz dive into the stories behind some of the world’s best-known companies. How I Built Thisweaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.
    5. Armchair Expert – You won’t want to miss the podcast hosted by Dax Shepard and Monica Padman that celebrates the messiness of being human.
    6. Inspirational Talks with LaDonna Marie – The empowerment podcast will focus on planting positive seeds in the lives of others and discusses triumphant moments in overcoming obstacles.
    7. A Slob Comes Clean – Listen to Nony (Dana K White) share reality-based cleaning and organizing tips based on her own deslobification process.
    8. The Tim Ferris Show – The Tim Ferriss Show is rated one of the top business podcasts. In each episode, he deconstructs world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, sports, business, art, etc.) to extract the tactics, tools, and routines you can use.
    9. Happier with Gretchen Rubin – Tune in to hear one of the most thoughtful and influential voices on the subject of happiness, habits, and being human. Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast.
    10. The Art of Charm – The Art of Charmis where self-motivated people learn from the company’s coaches about to how to master human dynamics. It’s a premier networking and success podcast.
    11. Allrecipes Homemade Podcast – Tune in for nostalgia, witty banter, and stirring questions as Allrecipes helps you get to the heart of what cooking means.
    12. Parents – We Are Family – Hosted by Shaun T. Firness and Julia Dennison of Parents.com, We Are Family celebrates the new normal with honest conversations about today’s modern family, in all its diversity.
    13. Let’s Go Together from Travel + Leisure – Host Kellee Edwards, an award-winning travel expert, discusses inclusivity in the travel space by sharing compelling stories from diverse voices, inspiring everyone to explore the world. Hear how travel can help create a new perspective on cultures and communities both near and far.
    14. Be Better – The Be Better podcast, hosted by Kim Haynie, aims to provide the knowledge and advice to help you own your future (and yes, to be better.) This podcast, created by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, will give you the tools and knowledge to be the best version of yourself. Through in-depth discussions with successful people from all walks of life, we will uncover insights and inspiration to help you build your own story, achieve your goals and live your best life. Join us each week as we dive into a new topic, everything from healthy habits to entrepreneurship and wealth management; we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now to make sure you never miss an episode!

  • 100 Ways to Be Better

    Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is excited to introduce 100 Ways to Be Better, which is all about improving your life as well as the lives of those around you. Below you will discover a variety of tips and ideas to help you fill the year with growth, happiness, and giving. Whether you are interested in ways to enhance your home or want to learn how to improve your sleep, there are tons of tips for you to check out. We also believe that one small act of kindness can significantly impact others and improve your community. Consider trying a few of the charity ideas in your spare time.

    1. Write down your goals and learn how to achieve them. 

    2. Shovel your neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm.  

    3. Alleviate stress and get organized.  

    4. Start a gratitude journal.   

    5. Set up a fitness room.   

    6. Meditate more, especially before bed. 

    7. Donate unused items to those in need.    

    8. Invest in apps that improve your state of mind.   

    9. Listen to inspirational podcasts.  

    10. Leave a positive comment on a social post.  

    11. Buy from companies that treat their employees fairly. 

    12. Pay for the person in line behind you.   

    13. Surprise your server with a generous tip.  

    14. Start the DIY project you’ve been putting off.   

    15. Read literature about black history month. 

    16. Organize your junk drawer.  

    17. Learn how to improve your sleep.  

    18. Declutter and organize your phone.  

    19. Help BHGRE® and New Story build homes for families in need. 

    20. Organize your kitchen pantry and cabinets. 

    21. Call your loved ones more often. 

    22. Support women-owned businesses. (#Women’s History Month) 

    23. Create a calm workspace at home. 

    24. Increase the value of your home.  

    25. Reduce clutter and clean your home in a sustainable way. 

    26. Ditch plastic and invest in reusable items.  

    27. Help a neighbor plan or plant a garden. 

    28. Recycle through upcycling.  

    29. Give flowers to a stranger.  

    30. Switch to rechargeable batteries. 

    31. Make your home eco-friendly. 

    32. Grow vegetables and donate what you don’t use.  

    33. Follow social accounts that share positive news and tips.  

    34. Spruce up your community. 

    35. Organize a community garage sale and donate the proceeds to charity.  

    36. Plant trees in your community or start a community garden. 

    37. Gather a few friends and clean a local park or beach. 

    38. Shop for groceries for an elderly neighbor.   

    39. Give away items you no longer need via NextDoor.  

    40. Take a walk as a family and pick up trash along the way. 

    41. Support local businesses. 

    42. Host a yard sale and donate the proceeds to charity.   

    43. Smile at strangers or say hello.  

    44. Consume less meat.  

    45. Text or call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.    

    46. Put inspirational signs in your car window.  

    47. Take a day off to unplug and do your favorite things. 

    48. Become pen pals with a homebound senior.  

    49. Send a friend delivery with their favorite foods for no reason.  

    50. Make your own compost. 

    51. Help a friend or neighbor move. 

    52. Cook your favorite recipe for a neighbor or coworker.  

    53. Boost your mood with more plants around your home. 

    54. Help save the bees.  

    55. Eat better to feel better.  

    56. Spend more time outside with family and friends. 

    57. Create an outdoor space you will love. 

    58. Give up your seat on a crowded bus, train, or subway.  

    59. Make your home safe for pets. 

    60. Donate old blankets, towels, and toys to animal shelters. 

    61. Foster a pet for adoption. 

    62. Introduce yourself to new neighbors and bring fresh flowers. 

    63. After a positive experience with a worker, let their boss know.  

    64. Create a calming and meditative space at home. 

    65. Volunteer at an animal shelter. 

    66. Adopt or sponsor an endangered species.  

    67. Learn something new and enhance your skills.   

    68. Tell your boss how much you appreciate a colleague.  

    69. Take an art class whether it be photography or ceramics.  

    70. Compliment a stranger. 

    71. Transform your home into a stress-free space.  

    72. Go for a nature walk. 

    73. Buy secondhand products.  

    74. Support Latin owned businesses. #HispanicHeritageMonth 

    75. Organize photo albums – printed or digital.  

    76. Donate leftover Halloween candy. 

    77. Write a letter of recommendation for someone deserving.  

    78. Donate stuffed animals to help children in distress. 

    79. Have your kids write to residents at an assisted living facility. 

    80. Unplug appliances when you aren’t home to conserve energy. 

    81. Donate gently used costumes and décor.  

    82. Leave inspirational or uplifting notes for people to find.  

    83. Give a friend a meaningful gift just for fun. 

    84. Reduce your environmental impact. 

    85. Make your favorite BH&G recipe for someone else. 

    86. Deliver warm meals to homebound seniors. 

    87. Assist a veteran by driving them to appointments or assisting them with errands. 

    88. Only run appliances when they are full (such as the dishwasher and laundry machine) 

    89. Organize a neighborhood food drive. 

    90. Invest in eco-friendly appliances and products. 

    91. Opt-out of paper bills and pay online. 

    92. Donate unused gift cards to charity. 

    93. Adopt a letter from Santa and make a kid’s wish come true. 

    94. Donate a backpack filled with supplies to a foster child. 

    95. Bring the mail in for an elderly neighbor. 

    96. Write handwritten thank you notes for people. 

    97. Host a weekly family or friends’ dinner. 

    98. Spend time outside in the winter wonderland. 

    99. Collect and donate coats, gloves, and hats to help people stay warm. 

    100. Be kind to yourself!  

     

  • How to Set Goals and Achieve Them

    Every time we enter a new year, there is a sense of a new beginning and a fresh start. Many people write down a few New Year’s resolutions but all too often, they stumble and, over time, retreat to old, possibly unhealthy habits or forget their goals altogether. Use the tips below when setting your goals and learn a few tricks that will help you achieve them.

    1. Write them down! Jotting them down is the first step to getting the ball in motion.
    2. When writing down your goals for the year, consider things that are realistic and attainable. Don’t set several huge goals that would be very difficult to accomplish. A more realistic approach would be to form one large goal and break it down into several smaller steps. Having numerous tasks or steps will make it feel more doable, and you’ll feel good as you cross them off one by one. Breaking it down will also make it easier to stay on track. This approach works well when you’re looking for your next dream home. Here you can discover several ways to simplify the homebuying process by breaking it down into smaller steps and tackling them one at a time
    3. Be realistic. Don’t simply set a goal removing something from your day-to-day for the remainder of the year. Instead of never eating bread again, eat it less frequently. If you cut out something entirely, chances are you’ll crave it more.
    4. Keep your list of goals in a place where you will see them regularly. You can tape a list to your bathroom mirror or fridge or take a photo of your list and keep it in your phone.
    5. When setting a goal, consider teaming up with a friend or partner. Accomplishing a task with a friend will help you be less tempted to give up, plus it can make it much more fun.
    6. Make sure you’re checking your progress frequently if it’s something you can monitor.
    7. Celebrate the small wins and achievements!

  • Adopting the Minimalism Lifestyle as a Green Initiative

    The Minimalism Lifestyle movement has gained worldwide attention, not just as a way to declutter but as a way to live more mindfully. In the home, it’s about addressing our tendencies to overconsume and to refocus ourselves toward more deliberate living. This doesn’t mean that you have to live in a spartan home and never find joy in a purchase. Instead, it is about understanding how your choices as a consumer can create a more sustainable and balanced world. From the clothing you buy to the food you eat, we are offering suggestions on how adopting the minimalism lifestyle can help you go “green.”

    Shop for Clothing with Intention

    Have you ever purchased clothing on impulse even though it didn’t really fit or feel comfortable once you got it home or it arrived via FedEx? Do you have wardrobe pieces that are hiding in the back of your closet with the tags still on them? You aren’t alone. Fast fashion grabs your attention. Marketing makes you feel as though you have to have it, and after a week of working hard, you may feel like you deserve the treat. The Minimalism Lifestyle movement isn’t about never shopping again. It isn’t even about pairing your clothing collection down to the classic ten pieces that rely heavily on neutrals and black. Instead, Minimalism is about intentionality and refocusing your shopping habits to lean more heavily on buying quality pieces that you will love and wear for years. 

    Fast fashion is notorious for its negative impact on the environment where the clothing is dyed and manufactured in mass quantities. The desire for cheap jeans and t-shirts drives a machine overseas that is often dependent on exploitative labor practices, dye processes that lead to toxic run-off into local streams and lakes, and manufacturing that relies on intense energy usage. Those clothes are then shipped to stores worldwide, where there is enormous pressure to stock with the latest, newest things. Where clothing used to be seasonal, fast fashion is creating 52 “seasons” a year. Of course, mass-produced clothing also falls apart faster, requiring you to buy more, while the used clothing is sent to landfills. 

    There are designers and retailers who are taking a new look at the “waste loop” in the fashion industry. Martha Stewart Living was impressed by Eileen Fisher’s efforts to combat it. The Magazine explains the project: “Their Renew program has been helping to close the waste loop in the fashion industry by taking back any unwanted Eileen Fisher items in exchange for a shopping discount. Collected garments are then repaired and upcycled into new items or recycled into new raw materials.” They’ve also started focusing on water and energy usage in their dye-houses, and “the company is looking for even more ways to bring sustainable practices into the spotlight, like switching over to all-organic linens, humanely-harvested wool, and recycled polyester.” 

    An intention-filled response to fast fashion means that you are dedicating yourself to a lifestyle of buying only things that you truly need and are quality products. When you do, you’ll find that your closet is filled with things that you love, fit, and will stand the test of time. And you’ll be doing the environment (and your wallet) a huge favor.

    Rethink Toys

    Children and their parents are exposed to a seemingly endless barrage of toy and game marketing. We often feel pressured to buy more because we want our children to be happy. Approaching toy shopping mindfully can be incredibly beneficial to your child and the environment. In fact, as Parents revealed, “numerous studies have shown that depending on toy type and quality, having fewer overall [toys] can lead to more creative, imaginative play.” 

    How do you start on a minimalist, green path for toys? Begin by focusing on toys that spark the imagination and skip the ones made from plastic as a lifestyle choice for going forward. According to the experts at Parents: “[Plastic toys] are shiny and inexpensive, nearly impossible to recycle, and get tossed away faster than items made out of, say, wood, which are more long-lasting and easier to pass on.” From there, try your local buy/sell groups to re-use toys that older neighborhood children have grown out of rather than buying new. 

    Repair Before You Buy

    Patagonia has long been known for focusing on sustainable, eco-friendly options when it comes to sourcing for its clothing brand. They utilize organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials, including wool and nylon. But did you know that your much-loved Patagonia wear can now be repaired for free? It’s true! Rather than tossing your old Patagonia gear, Martha Stewart Living reports that “the brand … offers free repairs to further help fight the amount of textile waste heading to landfills.”  

    At some point, it seemed cheaper or more convenient to throw away everything from electronic toys to iPhones as soon as a problem presented itself. However, all it takes is one quick YouTube search to discover detailed instructions about how to repair nearly everything in your home. So, before you toss out that vacuum cleaner, check to see if you need to buy a new belt or unclog the canister accessway. Admittedly, it’s not quite that easy to resurrect a cracked iPhone. The good news is that businesses are popping up in cities across the country that can replace your screen in just a few hours. While there is some cost to that, it is a lot less expensive (and requires fewer resources) than buying a new phone. 

    If you really can’t repair something, there are “green” ways to dispose of them. Martha Stewart Living applauds Best Buy’s highly successful e-waste initiative. According to the Magazine, “[since] 2009, their unmatched recycling program has helped consumers responsibly dispose of more than 1.5 billion pounds of electronics and appliances (they’ll take back all your tech gadgets regardless of brand or condition)….” 

    Upcycle, Upcycle, Upcycle!

    If you have already gone through the minimalism process of gathering the household items, clothing, toys, and furniture that you don’t use (or “doesn’t spark joy,” per the amazing Marie Kondo), take another look to see if any of it can be upcycled to meet your current needs. Now, be careful. Don’t use this as an excuse not to rid your home of excess. However, if you love DIY, this could be a great way to turn something you aren’t using into something that serves a much-needed purpose and reduce. 

    Real Simple is a huge fan of upcycling as part of a minimalism lifestyle, and many of their projects take no more than a couple of hours to complete. For example, do you need a dry-erase board in the kitchen? Their editors love the idea of “[framing] a pretty piece of fabric or paper, then [writing] temporary to-dos on the glass with a dry-erase marker.” 

    Do you have any earrings in your jewelry box that have lost their mate? Real Simple loves reader Bailey Mulholland’s idea of using the single earring stud as pretty pushpins for your office bulletin board.  

    The editors at Martha Stewart Living are fans of upcycling worn rugs as tote bags, throw pillow covers, and even the cover for pet furniture.  Empty candle jars can be vases, ladders can be transformed into nightstands, and even old canoes can find new life as a surprisingly festive buffet table for al fresco meals and celebrations, according to the Magazine. 

    Reduce Food Waste

    Adopting a minimalism lifestyle can also mean reducing your food waste and buying locally. Instead of grabbing pre-cut, pre-washed greens and veggies from the supermarket, consider shopping at your local farmers’ markets. Not only will your produce be delightfully fresh, but you’ll lessen the amount of plastic packaging that has to be thrown into the garbage and reduce the fuel costs associated with shipping products to the grocery store. Also, when people buy locally, they tend to shop more mindfully and are more likely to cook with their market finds. 

    Rachael Ray In Season is a big fan of doing your weekly shops at farmers’ markets. The Magazine offers tips on how to shop like a professional. In addition to ideas like “rather than nibbling mindlessly, use those giveaways to broaden your palate,” the Magazine recommends going in the morning for the freshest produce, but an hour before closing to get the best deals. They also suggest talking to the farmers to find out more about how their crops are grown, including whether they practice sustainable farming, or “how often their blackberries are sprayed.” Of course, the best tip of all from Rachael Ray In Season is that “[buying] and cooking fresh fall produce when it’s in season — like squash, peas, mushrooms, onions, grapes, potatoes and more — is good for the planet, saves you money, and is guaranteed to taste better.”

  • Winning Super Bowl Snack Ideas

    Are you searching for super bowl snack ideas that are easy to make and delicious? Hosting a gathering for the big game can be a lot of fun, but it may also leave you stumped for ideas on how to treat your friends and family to a winning menu. The good news is that even if you have guests who have different dietary preferences, you can still make a range of satisfying, indulgent options. If you need tips for preparing tasty bites on the big day, read on as we reveal some of our favorite super bowl snack ideas that are anything but ordinary.

    Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    When looking for super bowl snack ideas, start with comfort food that will warm chilled guests coming in from the frosty temperatures outside. Mini grilled cheese sandwiches not only offer a warm gooey delight that is easily passed or grabbed from the buffet, but they are a delicious nod to childhood that always makes us smile. Real Simple loves these treats because they are “makeable make-ahead bites that are delicious and downright easy.” But you don’t have to stop there. If you want to add a tangy twist to this classic, the Magazine recommends refreshing this satisfying snack “with a dollop of fruit chutney.” Yum! 

    Sriracha-Buffalo Chicken Wings

    If you love buffalo chicken wings but wish they were healthier, you are in luck! Martha Stewart Living is a fan of this party classic but favors baking this snack so that it is better for you while also minimizing clean up – a win for any super bowl snack idea. You start by baking your favorite chicken wings. After taking them from the oven, you simply toss them with Sriracha butter while still warm and serve them with crumbled blue cheese and celery sticks. The Magazine raves: “The vinegar-[chili] sauce adds just enough of a twist to feel fresh while staying true to all the beloved characteristics of the addictive game day staple.”

    Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

    One of Southern Living’s favorite super bowl snack ideas is the cheeseburger egg roll. How can you go wrong when combining a childhood favorite with another delightful treat? Prep and cooking time is only about an hour and is as easy as making your favorite cheeseburger recipe and then surrounding all of that deliciousness in a prepared egg roll wrapper. Of course, Southern Living’s special sauce, made from “ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cayenne pepper,” is a game-changer. As the Magazine cheers: “Our Special Sauce will soon be your new go-to condiment.” 

    Bean-and-Veggie Sliders

    Are you looking for a tasty vegetarian version of a classic hamburger slider? Try Martha Stewart Living’s Bean-and-Veggie Sliders. The Magazine loves this super bowl snack idea because, in part, the “[blended] kidney beans and rice, plus grated carrots, broccoli, and ginger, make the patties satisfyingly substantial.” You can top them with any of your favorites, or go for colorful options that the Magazine favors like sliced mango and cilantro. 

    Loaded Sweet-Potato Skins

    Potato skins are a classic option for any super bowl party, but if you are looking for snack ideas that offer a twist on this traditional favorite, you’ll want to try the Loaded Sweet-Potato Skins recipe from Martha Stewart Living. Sweet potatoes have a higher nutritional value than russets, and they can still be filled with decadent ingredients for a thoroughly indulgent taste. For the Magazine’s recipe, “they’re mashed with a touch of buttermilk and paprika and finished with low-fat sour cream, scallion, and bacon….” You might love these so much that you’ll add them to all of your fun, casual gatherings this year.

    Polenta Bites With Bacon, Dates, and Blue Cheese

    A thoroughly filling and delectable appetizer, polenta bites are becoming a party favorite. This creative snack offers the perfect blend of savory and sweet when served with bacon, dates, and blue cheese, but you can easily swap out the bacon for sliced tempeh or Shiitake mushrooms for a vegetarian offering that is just as tempting. While straightforward to make, Real Simple suggests adding a final step: “Broil them right before your guests arrive to ensure the cheese is melted and each bite is warmed throughout.” Don’t be surprised if your guests start asking for the recipe after the first bite.  

    Chicken Satay Skewers

    Chicken satay skewers are always a good choice at parties. Not only are they easy to munch on while socializing, but they are bite-sized snacks filled with lean protein and terrific flavor with the right marinade. Martha Stewart Living favors “a simple marinade made with sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and red-pepper flakes [that] delivers big flavor,” as well as a spicy peanut dip for an extra kick. 

    Vegan Miso Tahini Dip

    Stumped for an unusual dip that is also lighter than your standard fare and perfect for all of your guests, including those who are vegan or vegetarian? Consider adding Martha Stewart Living’s Miso Tahini Dip to your menu. It’s dairy-free but still delightfully creamy. At its base, it’s made from “umami-rich miso and nutty tahini paste.” The Magazine suggests “[rounding it] out with a little garlic, lemon juice, and sesame oil, [for a] result [that] is a deliciously addictive dip that is guaranteed to get a lot of play at a party.” There is no wrong way to serve this dip, but lightly blanched asparagus stalks and other seasonally-inspired vegetables are among the Magazine’s favorite pairings.

    Tater Nachos

    Chip-based nachos are a terrific game-day delicacy, but if you want to mix it up this year, try Southern Living’s Tater Nachos. Start by cooking frozen tater tots as you usually would to create your base. Pile them with all of the nacho ingredients you most love, including black beans, tomatoes, and shredded Mexican cheese. Next, as the Magazine suggests, “[add] seasoned ground beef, chicken, or even pulled pork to make Tater Nachos even more satisfying and hearty.” After you pop your creation under the broiler for a minute or two to make the cheese extra melty, you can pile on toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeno slices, or keep them in small bowls for your guests to add to their liking. It’s a one-pan super bowl snack idea that will delight your guests and be a highlight of halftime.

    Chipotle Beef and Beer Chili

    Over the years, a hearty chili dish has become a much-welcomed super bowl snack. Sure to take the chill off of a frigid winter afternoon or evening, chili also can be paired with several other indulgent snacks, from macaroni and cheese to tater tots to chips. However, even your favorite award-winning chili recipe might lose its crown to Real Simple’s Chipotle Beef and Beer Chili. The Magazine raves: “Our Chipotle Beef and Beer Chili is flavored with dark Mexican beer, like an amber lager, smoky chipotles in adobo, and chili powder.” A note of caution: This chili has a serious kick. But if you love your chili spicy, and you want your super bowl party menu to thrill, set this up with sides of cornbread and toppings like sour cream, and get ready for the cheers (and the second half of the game) to start.

  • Family-Friendly Winter Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights

    Are you searching for winter dinner ideas that are simple to make and perfect for hectic weeknights? We understand. There is nothing better than digging into hearty soups, comforting casseroles, and other filling delights when the weather is blustery. The good news is that even on wintry weeknights when busy schedules are the norm, you can still make family-friendly recipes that satisfy. Read on as we reveal some of our favorite winter dinner ideas that the whole family will love.

    Cheddar, Beef, and Potato Casserole

    If you are a fan of Shepherd’s Pie, you are going to adore Martha Stewart Living’s “Cheddar, Beef, and Potato Casserole.” The editors embraced it because they were also looking for “an ultra-comforting, family-friendly dinner recipe.” This thoroughly satisfying meal takes the classic Shepherd’s Pie idea and replaces the traditional mashed potato with a crispy hash brown topping that is too enticing to resist. On the inside, you have a “savory mixture of sautéed onions, ground beef, and mushrooms” as well as “mixed vegetables and cheddar cheese.” The bake takes approximately 40 minutes, and you will want to finish it in the broiler for a final five minutes to crisp up the topping, according to the Magazine. Don’t be surprised if this becomes one of your go-to recipes for years to come. 

    Irish Beef, Cabbage, and Potato Soup

    While this may sound more like a St. Patrick’s Day recipe than a winter dinner idea, trust us – you don’t want to wait. Real Simple raves about adding this soup to your weeknight rotation because “[this] hearty Irish fare tastes especially good on chilly winter nights” and “[from] start to finish the soup takes approximately an hour and a half.” Browning the meat and simmering the beef with the potatoes and the other fixings are the most time-consuming element of this delicious recipe, while active prep is relatively short. And as the Magazine suggests: “The payoff will be clear when your entire family asks for seconds.” 

    Quick Pork Goulash

    Goulash is another classic dish that is getting a reimagining from the food editors at Martha Stewart Living. In this case, they found a way to make this Hungarian classic in under one hour – which is impressive for goulash with this much flavor. The key to this quick winter dinner is the cut of the meat. As the Magazine explains: “By opting for quick-cooking tenderloin instead of the more common shoulder roast, the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender in a fraction of the time.” They recommend serving this satiating dish over buttered egg noodles, but mashed potatoes, rice, bread, or elbow pasta are also thoroughly pleasing pairings with this rich goulash.

    Vegetarian One-Pot Pasta with Broccoli and Lemon 

    One of Martha Stewart Living’s favorite winter dinner ideas is a one-pot pasta dish that takes less than 30 minutes from start to serve. As the Magazine advises: “This vegetarian pasta dish is easy, delicious, and something everyone will love.” While the recipe is vegetarian as is, it can easily be made vegan by either eliminating the Parmesan topping or switching to grated vegan cheese. This recipe is a great way to combine a healthy eating plan with comfort food.  Plus, clean-up is a snap.

    Pea and Lettuce Soup With Ham and Cheese Tartines

    Pea soup is a winter staple, and when you combine it with ham and cheese tartines, you have a quick way to make a delicious dinner in about 25 minutes. Plus, as Real Simple points out, it’s a great way “to use that head of romaine lettuce before it spoils” in the refrigerator. It may seem strange that romaine is a secret ingredient in this bright green soup recipe, but it’s true. And while the tartines may look complicated, the most critical elements are well-made ciabatta rolls and a broiler to help you perfectly melt that cheese. 

    Boarding House Meatloaf

    Just the notion of meatloaf can make one think of childhood and warm, comfort food. It’s no surprise that one of Southern Living’s most popular winter dinner ideas is the “Easy Boarding House Meatloaf.” The Magazine describes this dish as “fresh, filling, and oh-so-easy to make;” just what you want on a cold night. While the base of this meatloaf (lean ground beef, bell peppers, and onions) is filled with flavor, it’s the homemade tangy sauce in this recipe that makes it sing. And, as the Magazine reveals: “With only 10 minutes of hands-on time, the Boarding House Meatloaf is the perfect recipe when you’re rushed to make dinner on a hectic weeknight.” 

    Chickpea and Quinoa Tortilla Soup

    This tortilla soup is an excellent choice whenever the temperatures start to dip. Real Simple loves this idea because “[the] vegetarian soup features good-for-you ingredients like quinoa and chickpeas, has big, bold flavors, and comes together in just 25 minutes.” You’ll also love the wide variety of toppings that you can add to the soup before serving, including things like avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a dollop of sour cream.

    Cowboy Casserole

    If you love tater tots (or your kids do), you will want to add Southern Living’s “Cowboy Casserole” to your weeknight dinner lineup because “the layer of crunchy tater tots that line the top of this casserole is its claim to fame.” The base of the family-friendly casserole is the ground beef that is flavored with taco seasoning. This recipe gets high marks for taking everyday ingredients in the cupboard, such as black beans, pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and garlic, and turning them into an almost magical dish that is intensely satisfying. And, of course, the tater tots drizzled with shredded cheese are the perfect topper.  

    Blackened Chicken with Broccoli Slaw

    Chicken tenders are often a hit with busy families, and Rachael Ray’s In Season agrees that these tasty treats are too tempting to skip this winter. The Magazine recommends seasoning skillet-blackened chicken tenders with Cajun seasoning and oil, as well as serving them with broccoli slaw. It’s a simple dinner idea that takes only minutes to prepare, cook, and serve. As the Magazine cheers, “this meal is perfect for busy weeknights and hungry kids!” 

    Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

    Speaking of skillet dishes that the whole family will enjoy, Southern Living raves about this “Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs” recipe. According to the Magazine, “the skillet is the secret to the slightly crispy sides of this mac and cheese.” Of course, this is not your ordinary mac and cheese. This recipe became one of the Magazine’s favorite winter dinner ideas, in part, because it includes a sumptuous blend of “cheddar, Velveeta, and whole-milk ricotta, and a generous amount of mayonnaise, which gives it a creamy texture and a slight tanginess.” It’s topped with buttery breadcrumbs, which are added to the skillet in the last 10 minutes of the bake. We can practically taste the gooey goodness and delectable crunch of this vegetarian dish already. Yum!