Table of contents for Oct-15 in Real Simple

1,312 FEET The height at which the three rooms in the Skylodge Adventure Suite, the world's first hanging lodge, hover above the Sacred Valley, in Cusco, Peru. Measuring 24 feet long, eight feet high, and eight feet wide, the rooms hang from 21 anchors off the side of a small mountain. They're accessible via a 40-minute hike followed by a zip line from another mountain, or you can climb up many metal ladders. (Acrophobes need not apply.) But the stouthearted are in for the high of their life: The condorlike nests have aluminum floors and transparent polycarbonate walls and ceilings, giving a vast view of the valley and the skies. Now you don't need to be Dracula—or a bat—to hang around while you sleep. 400 How many real snakes, on…

A. Months after my sister passed away, I was alone at home getting ready for work. While I was making the bed, I said out loud how much I missed her and the light went out in the bedroom. When I asked if that was her, it went on again. I just stood there for a moment and said, "Is it really you?" and the light went out again. After a few seconds, it came back on, and I told her, "Thanks for stopping by." Somehow it made me feel better, but it totally freaked my husband out when I told him. CONNY TOSTE, Puyallup, Washington I read Dracula for the first time right around Halloween. One night I was reading the book in a restaurant, and as I left,…

Why are people drawn to the supernatural? We have a cognitive bias to find meaningful patterns everywhere we look, to help bring a sense of order to a chaotic world. That's why we see faces in clouds or hear messages in records played backward or even believe we see ghosts. That's magical thinking? Yes. As are some urban legends and the notion that if you cross your fingers and something good happens, one caused the other. How do we get that way? It's an inherent instinct that we tend to see life and intelligence where it does not exist. This explains why you hug a tree, name your car, or yell at your computer. That feeds into a belief in ghosts? Ghost "sightings" result in part from the power of…

1697 While there's earlier evidence of rising-from-the-dead folklore throughout Haiti and Africa, French poet Pierre Corneille Blessebois introduces the concept to the world with The Zombi of Grand Pérou, a tale about the occult and adultery in the Caribbean. Stemming from West African words meaning "fetish" and "a god," the term zombie was first recorded in English in 1819, according to The Oxford English Dictionary. 1929 Zombies are the subject of W. B. Seabrook's top-selling travel memoir, The Magic Island. "The book is now seen as controversial. It focuses on the Haitian zombie as a man poisoned by a magician and reanimated to be a slave," says zombie media scholar Brendan Riley, Ph.D., an associate professor of English at Columbia College Chicago. 1932 The horror film White Zombie, starring Bela…

1 ELIZABETH GILBERT When choosing a career. I had a vocational calling from a very early age—an instinct for storytelling and writing—that might have looked reckless and romantic to other people. I sacrificed a lot of things to pursue that. My gut told me, "This is what you're supposed to be doing with your life." It was correct. I didn't have a career Plan B, and my gut told me that that was fine, as long as I could get a waitressing or bartending job to pay the bills. On the other hand, when I was younger, my gut also made some really bad decisions, especially in terms of romance and sex. I was impulsive and followed my instincts a lot, and I didn't have the right to do that…

DAY 1 CANCEL JUNK MAIL WITH A COUPLE OF CLICKS TO PUT A PERMA-NENT END TO THE AVALANCHE OF CATALOGS AND CREDIT-CARD OFFERS, DOWNLOAD THE PAPERKARMA APP ($2 A MONTH, PAPERKARMA.COM). SNAP A PICTURE OF EACH UNWANTED PIECE OF MAIL (MAKE SURE YOUR ADDRESS IS SHOWING), HIT SEND, AND THE APP WILL INSTANTLY UNSUBSCRIBE YOU (YES!) FROM THOSE MAILING LISTS. DAY 2 CLEAR OFF A SURFACE IN MINUTES Quick fix for paper pileups: Scan a room and notice where bills, school forms, and takeout menus have accumulated. That's where you're naturally inclined to keep that stuff. Mount a storage rack on the wall above and you can keep it all there without cluttering the counter. (RS pick: Wall Pockets, $13 for two, containerstore.com.) DAY 3 CORRAL LOOSE COUPONS AND STORE…

Match point Slip a book of Bésame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick Matches ($6, sephora.com) in your pocket or clutch for easy, on-the-go touch-ups. The five single-use sticks contained inside have rounded tips for precise application and deliver an old Hollywood semimatte cherry hue that looks stunning on just about everyone. From scratch Treat itchy skin in the shower with Curél Itch Defense Body Wash ($7, walmart.com). This soap-free cleanser has calming oils that work with your skin's pH to nix irritation before it happens. Hair freshener In addition to removing oil and sweat from hair, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo ($22, livingproof.com) imparts a time-released floral scent so your hair smells nice long after you spritz it. Sleep mask REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial ($60, renskincare.com) brightens, repairs,…

PRO TIP Use a little lotion or oil (try coconut or olive) to keep your fingers from tugging at your skin. MASSAGE DOESN'T just feel ahh-mazing. It boosts circulation, improves immunity, and reduces stress hormones, like cortisol, too. Massage therapy isn't exactly cheap, but fortunately you don't have to see a professional to reap the benefits. Several of the areas that tend to get the sorest also happen to be the easiest to massage on your own. Here, Denise Delise of New York City's Exhale Spa, a licensed massage therapist with about two decades of experience, shares the best ways to show four of your knottiest spots a little TLC. NECK Sit comfortably on a chair. Stretch your neck by putting your right hand on top of your head and…

APOLOGIES TO THE BEATLES, but as most couples can tell you, love is not all you need. Any long-term relationship takes hard work, a lot of flexibility, and plenty of talking (so much talking). Sometimes you feel stuck—and that's where this advice comes in. "Counseling is often just a matter of nurturing the relationship," says Carrie Cole, a cofounder of the Center for Relationship Wellness, in Houston. Do you need a professional to make you do that? Maybe. But there are probably a lot of bumps that you can smooth out on your own. Cole says that, in her experience, couples who seek counseling have often been letting a problem fester for years (six, on average, she says). Why not try to heal little irritations before they become giant problems?…

NEUTRAL TERRITORY Tone-on-tone pairings of natural colors, like gray and beige, lend a refined look to cozy wools. The finishing touch? Just a hint of glimmer, in either an accent or an earring. TO BUY (THIS PAGE): Eileen Fisher alpaca poncho, $558, eileen fisher.com. By Malene Birger embellished blouse, $650, Edit by LBP, 225-757-5905. Augden alpaca skirt, $436, augden.com. L.L. Bean acrylic infinity scarf, $25, llbean.com. Paige Novick bangle. Sara's own rings. TO BUY (OPPOSITE): Talula for Aritzia nylon-blend turtle-neck, $85, aritzia.com. Burberry wool-and-cashmere wrap, $1,495, Bloomingdale's, 800-232-1854. Joe Fresh cable-knit skirt, $29, joefresh.com. Elizabeth Cole earrings. Gold philosophy rings. OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD Juxtapose the unexpected—like standout, sparkly dresses layered under oversize nubby knits—for a soft, approachable breed of glamour. TO BUY (THIS PAGE): Lauren Ralph Lauren Jeans Co.…

Quick Cooking (168, 184) Healthy Pick (170, 172, 184) Freezable (160, 161, 165, 186) Make Ahead (160, 161, 165, 184, 186) Big Batch (160, 161, 165, 184, 186) Slow Cooker (165) One Pot (160, 161, 165, 170, 172, 184) Whole-Grain (161, 172) Vegetarian (161, 168, 184, 186) Gluten-Free (160, 161, 165, 166, 184, 186) SMALL WONDERS CORNICHONS AREN'T JUST FOR CHEESE PLATTERS. CHOP AND TOSS THEM IN SALADS OR IN A PAN SAUCE FOR STEAK (PAGE 166). WORTH THEIR SALT What gives the buttery orecchiette on page 168 its bite? Green olives, which are picked early in the ripening process, so they're firm and meaty. A SWEET BUNCH Purple grapes add color and heart-healthy polyphenols to classic Waldorf salad (page 170).…

[x] Quick Cooking [] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [x] Vegetarian [] Gluten-Free HANDS-ON TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4 12 ounces orecchiette (or another small pasta) 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving 2 medium red onions, chopped Kosher salt and black pepper ⅔ cup pitted green olives, chopped ⅔ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ cup finely grated Parmesan (about 2 ounces), plus more for serving 1 cup ricotta COOK the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot. MEANWHILE, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the…

MAKING SLOW-DRIP LESS OF A DRAG This popular method gives you a barista-quality cup. But the pour-over process is laborious. These automatic versions do the work for you. KITCHENAID CUSTOM POUR OVER BREWER THIS UNIT CAN TURN ON BEFORE YOU WAKE UP, THANKS TO THE BUILT-IN TIMER, SLOWLY WETTING GROUNDS FOR THE ULTIMATE GOOD MORNING. TO BUY: $200, KITCHENAID.COM. CHEMEX OTTOMATIC THE SAME SLEEK DESIGN FROM THE COMPANY THAT POPULARIZED THE MANUAL POUR-OVER, WITH A HANDS-FREE ADVANTAGE. TO BUY: $350, CHEMEX COFFEEMAKER.COM. 1 BEST UNDER $100 Black+Decker 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker This workhorse made stronger coffee than other bargain buys. Its stainless-steel vacuum-sealed carafe kept the beverage piping hot for two hours—far longer than glass containers did. TO BUY: $60, target.com. 2 BEST UNDER $150 Capresso MT600 Plus It filters…

HANDS-ON TIME: 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 1½ HOURS (PLUS COOLING TIME) SERVES 8 ½ cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the pan 2 cups gluten-free flour, plus more for dusting ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ⅔ cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup mashed ripe banana (from 3 medium) ⅔ cup sour cream 1 cup packed shredded carrot (from 2 large) 1 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut HEAT oven to 375° F. Coat an 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan with butter and dust with the flour; tap out the excess. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. IN A SEPARATE BOWL, whisk together the butter and sugar until…

The cutest Halloween costumes of all time This year, say "Let it go" to the Frozen getups and try one of our clever DIY ideas for kids of all ages. Along with the nine disguises shown here and on pages 36 to 40, RealSimple.com has bonus costumes that you won't want to miss. Get photographs and step-by-step instructions when you visit RealSimple.com/newusecostumes. SCARIEST BOOKS EVER We asked our followers which reads really kept them up at night. Obviously, there were a lot of Stephen King novels. Jolana Whisenant Pet Sematary, by Stephen King Kim Ellsworth Intensity, by Dean Koontz @car_zaum The Amityville Horror, by Jay Anson Theresa Kiefer Salem's Lot, by Stephen King @LoriMarble The Shining, by Stephen King NEED HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION? Visit our Halloween Pinterest board for last-minute costumes,…

You don't know jack (o"-lantern) till you've taken advice from master carver Tom Nardone, the author of the book Extreme Pumpkins. • TRADE IN YOUR TOOLS. Flimsy blade in the carving kit isn't, WELL, CUTTING IT? PULL OUT A FILLET KNIFE. IT'S STURDY AND NIMBLE AT NAVIGATING NOOKS AND CRANNIES. (ADULTS ONLY.) MAP OUT A DESIGN WITH A DRY-ERASE MARKER, NOT A SHARPIE, SO YOU CAN WIPE AWAY MISTAKES. • FLIP YOUR GOURD. Cut the hole for the light in the pumpkin's bottom, WHERE THE SKIN IS SOFTER AND EASIER TO PENETRATE. FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, USE A GLOW STICK OR A BATTERY- OPERATED VOTIVE IN PLACE OF A REAL FLAME. • SCARE OFF THE SQUIRRELS. They love pumpkin seeds, SO BE METICULOUS ABOUT SCRAPING OUT EVERY LAST ONE. AN ICE…

All it takes is a few pool noodles (!) and some cotton batting to channel Roy G. Biv. For the how-to instructions, turn to page 40. THE COSTUME: LITTLE BIRDIE THE ITEM: BALANCE BALL 1. START with a colorful inflated balance ball, plug-side up. Trace a circle on the top to make an opening for your child's head, then a larger hole at the bottom for the opening for the legs. Deflate, then cut out the traced areas with scissors. 2. CUT a 2-inch slit at the back of the head opening. (It's easier to put on that way.) Next, cut an armhole on each side of the ball about 1½ inches below the head opening. 3. STAPLE a colorful feather boa (or two) around the surface of the ball.…

SEXY PINEAPPLE. Sexy Mr. Peanut. Sexy Day of the Dead ghoul. For the woman who finds cats and bunnies to be just a little too on-the-fur-covered nose, there are plenty of alternative options for seductive Halloween costumes. Well, almost endless. I call dibs on the Sexy Peacock. And not for the first time, either. This Halloween marks the 10th anniversary of my dressing up as an iridescently plumed, ill-tempered male bird. You heard me. Ten. It started, as many things do, from a place of lazy desperation. I had just moved apartments in New York when Halloween came, and I didn't know which clothing was in which box. I had never bought into the need for a "sexy" costume before, generally preferring to duct-tape plastic animals to a sweatshirt, paint…

This exercise helps you lengthen your breath, creating space and ease all through your body. It's best done lying down, but you can also do it sitting up, with a nice, long spine: Place your hands on your abdomen and breathe through your nose, allowing your belly to move freely, expanding as you breathe in and gently releasing as you exhale. Repeat a couple of times, then slide your hands out to the bottom of your rib cage. Direct your breath here, allowing your ribs to expand as you inhale and soften as you exhale. (Your belly may move a little, and that's fine.) Repeat a couple of times, then move your hands to your chest. As you breathe, let your chest rise and fall. (This might be a little…

No. 1 Our stairs are creaky. WHAT'S GOING ON? Plain and simple, the creaks stem from wear and tear. Each step is made up of a few parts: the tread (the piece you walk on); two or more supports, called stringers (one on each side and sometimes one in the middle, under the step); and a riser (the panel that extends up from one tread to the next). Over time, constant usage—along with wood's natural expansion and contraction from changes in temperature and humidity—can cause nails and screws to move, and walking across the loose spots makes them creak, says home inspector Frank Lesh. WHAT TO DO: Tighten up the creaky areas with reinforcements. "If you can access the underside of the stairs, you can glue shims between the treads…

1 BEST FOR LIPS Butter London Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayons Get the precision of a liner, the color payoff of a lipstick, and the shine of a gloss in one skinny tube. "It is really pigmented but didn't dry my lips," said a tester. In eight shades. TO BUY: $20, butterlondon.com. 2 BEST FOR HIGHLIGHTING Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight Sweep this shimmery wand across the tops of cheekbones, under eyes, and down the bridge of the nose for instant brightening and a subtle sheen that "doesn't look too sparkly or greasy," said a tester. TO BUY: $21, clinique.com. 3 BEST FOR EYES Neutrogena Crease Proof Eye Shadow A primer and shadow in one, this dome-tipped stick has a forgiving, long-lasting formula that's easy to apply—and even easier to blend.…

COLD COMFORT This heavy, unlined wool coat, designed for light winters, has a generous collar and a double-breasted cut. Mackage coat, $690, mackage.com. COLD WEATHER AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: 50s AND 60s Ideal for that nippy grace period before winter sets in (or perhaps this is as chilly as it gets where you live), these light coats fend off goose bumps without getting you overheated. 1 UNEXPECTED NEUTRAL Stand out from the pack in the deep berry shade of this simple unlined car coat. The versatile color matches beautifully with everything from grays and browns to navy, purple, and mustard. Zara wool-blend coat, $169, zara.com. 2 WEAR WITH ALL The heftiest of the bunch, this straight and narrow style gives you plenty of wardrobe flexibility. Pair it with sneakers and sweatpants or…

SARAH KAUSS • Founder and CEO of S'well • New York City What was your childhood like? I grew up in Jupiter, Florida, and was very close with my family. They were hard workers. My dad owned a car wash and a gas station, and my mom had an ice cream store. Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I probably knew that someday I'd be running a business, but I had no idea what it would be. I changed my mind on a regular basis. I think my first major in college was international affairs. It turned out I wasn't great at languages—or maybe I wasn't dedicated enough to them. I ended up majoring in business and accounting. You worked in accounting after college…

I DRINK TO UNWIND. Dinner isn't made yet, but the sink is already full of dishes. There are bills to pay, and as my buzzing phone has just reminded me, I have e-mails to answer and more work to tackle after the kids go to bed. I grab the open bottle of wine in the fridge, pour myself a glass—and suddenly feel like I've just hit the pause button on an otherwise never-ending day. Sound familiar? "Drinking makes many women feel like we can do the heavy lifting in an ever evolving, complex world," says Ann Dowsett Johnston, the Toronto-based author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. "There's this feeling of "I'm doing it all—why shouldn't I have something for myself?" " Two-thirds of American women consume…

Quick Cooking [] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [x] Make Ahead [x] Big Batch [x] Slow Cooker [x] One Pot [x] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [] Gluten-Free [x] HANDS-ON TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS, 20 MINUTES TO 7 HOURS, 20 MINUTES SERVES 6 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon dried oregano Kosher salt and black pepper 1 2-pound boneless pork shoulder 1 onion, chopped 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 15.5-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 15-ounce can hominy, drained 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus wedges for serving Chopped avocado, cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco or Feta, for serving COMBINE the cumin, paprika, oregano, 1½ teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Coat the pork with this mixture,…

[] Quick Cooking [x] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [x] One Pan [] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [] Gluten-Free HANDS-ON TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6) 1 cup seedless grapes 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced, plus leaves for serving 3 thyme springs ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt and black pepper ¼ cup plain yogurt 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 large head escarole, torn into bite-size pieces (about 12 cups) ½ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped Baguette, for serving HEAT oven to 400° F. Toss the chicken, grapes, sliced celery, thyme, red pepper, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1…

Find the seafood risotto recipe on page 160. What size is this dish? The casserole handed down from your grandmother has sentimental value, a gorgeous patina, and absolutely no indication of how big it is. Can it hold your recipe? It's not the shape or the size but the volume of the dish that's important. To determine it: Note the size of the dish called for in the recipe, use the chart below to find the equivalent in quarts, then pour that amount of water into your dish. No overflow? You're good to go. KITCHEN HACK: DIY LATTES As long as you have a good drip coffeemaker (see page 177), you can make these frothy, steaming drinks in 5 minutes. STEP 1: Brew 2 cups of strong coffee. Many machines…

The Realist: Halloween Edition Page 36: Rainbow: Nina Kids Bluejay sneakers, $50, zappos.com. Page 38: Knight: Kamik Waterfight rubber boots, $35, zappos.com. Octopus: Cienta Kids Shoes 5601345, $36, zappos.com. It's All Here in Black and White Page 136: Adjustable wire baskets, $36 each, joinerynyc.com. Page 138: Eagle Blanket, $225, joinerynyc.com. Items not credited are either the homeowner's or the stylist's own. Down to Earth Page 140: Elizabeth Cole earrings of rhinestone and gold plate, $163, shopbop.com. Gold Philosophy rings of gold plate and freshwater pearls, $190 to $225 each, goldphilosophy.com. Page 141: Paige Novick bracelet of gold plate and Swarovski crystals, $325, paigenovick.com. Page 142: Isharya gold-plated ring, $68, isharya.com. Page 143: Wolford merino-wool tights, $160, wolford.com. Dolce Vita suede boots, $280, dolcevita.com. Gold Philosophy gold-plated star charm ring, $125,…

WE'RE HERE TO TALK about mess, and the absence of mess, and its impact on your self-esteem. There is a running joke in my family that my sister Valerie should be the editor of Real Simple instead of me. Which used to make feel a little…insecure. (More on that in a minute.) But Valerie is indeed neater and more organized. She was a math major in college, and she tackles problems in a methodical fashion. She's now a chief operating officer who is very comfortable with things that have clear answers that fit neatly into labeled columns. I, on the other hand, was an English major who half the time can't remember where I put down my coffee cup. I need a calculator to do simple arithmetic, and while I…

1 GHOSTLY GARLAND Want to create boo-tiful ambiance? Clean out used coffee K-Cups and poke a hole in the bottom center of each. Enlist the kids to draw ghost faces on them with marker. Pop the cups over the bulbs of a strand of holiday lights. 2 FLYING-BAT DOOR DECOR Let it vamp for visitors. Bend the arms of a wire hanger upward. Place black felt over them; snip a hole in the center for the hook. Secure a ping-pong ball under the felt in the center with a rubber band for the head. Cut the felt into a scalloped shape (use the template at realsimple.com/batwings). Glue on felt triangles for ears and white paper triangles for fangs, and add red nail-polish eyes. 3 FANG PLACE CARDS Invite friends to…

DARK FAIRY 1. APPLY liquid foundation all over your face. Make sure to choose the shade you use in the winter, when you're paler, for an icy effect. 2. HIGHLIGHT the tops of your cheekbones, the center of your nose, and your Cupid's bow with white shimmer. Light eye shadow works, too. 3. DRAW a circle around each eye with black pencil, starting at the lower eyelid and moving up to the brow. Fill in the circle, then go over it with black shadow. 4. TRACE white liner along your waterline (the part of your lower lid that sits between your lashes and your eye). 5. BRUSH on lots of black mascara. For more drama, apply false eyelashes (sold at drugstores). Extra credit: An hour before applying, coat the tips…

My family was recently invited to a dinner party, and I offered to bring a dessert. The hostess responded that she would let me know what to bring. I was taken back by her reply. Am I being too sensitive? K.W. A friend once showed me the invitation she had gotten to a party that had a note, scrawled in pen, on the bottom: "Thank you for bringing salad for 60!" So, as long as it's not that extreme—you're not being asked to bake a soufflé or pick up a pound of beluga caviar—I think it's fine for the host to ask for the help that she needs. I say this as a person who, among my family and friends, does most of the hosting, which also means most of…

BEAUTY + PRETTY SMART 89 + NO BRUSHES NEEDED The best makeup sticks to streamline your morning routine 92 HOME + SMART PET ADVICE 86 31 DAYS OF MINI ORGANIZING MOVES 69 + FAST FIXES FOR RATTLING WINDOWS, CREAKY STAIRS, AND OTHER HAUNTING HOUSEHOLD ISSUES 81 FASHION + DON'T GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD. FIND YOUR NEW WINTER COAT HERE 105 HEALTH + TAME TENSION WITH DIY MASSAGE 102 + HOW TO BE HEALTHIER AT WORK 95 TRAVEL + PREP FOR ANY TRIP WITH THE ULTIMATE PACKING CHECKLIST. 114 WORK & MONEY + THE VIEW FROM HERE: SARAH KAUSS 125 FAMILY + START FEELING THE LOVE…AGAIN Therapists help you work through common marriage issues 117 49% OF WOMEN SAY THEY ARE MORE AMBITIOUS FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAN FOR THEMSELVES.…

Q. Vegging out Any tips to keep my cats from snacking on my houseplants? N. R., via FACEBOOK A. It's common for felines to nibble leaves out of boredom or curiosity, says animal-behavior expert Steven Appelbaum. Not only is it annoying for you (those bedraggled begonias!) but it's also potentially harmful to the cats. "Some plants, like amaryllis and lily of the valley, can cause vomiting or even death," says veterinarian Fionnuala Teuber. (Find lists of kitty-friendly and kitty-harmful greenery at aspca.org.) To curb the behavior, make the plants unappealing by placing lemon rinds in the dirt. (Cats detest the scent.) Or, once a week for a training period of two to three months, spray the leaves with a foul-tasting formula that's safe for plants (Grannick's Bitter Apple Spray, $11,…

You DO GOOD WORK. So why does your job sometimes feel so unsatisfying, if not downright exhausting? It's an all-too-common problem: Less than one-third of Americans say that they are engaged in their careers, according to a 2015 Gallop report. That lack of enthusiasm comes at a cost. "When you're not interested, connected, and creative during your workday, you arouse your body's fight-or-flight response," says John Mirowsky, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. "But at work there's nowhere to run, and fighting is discouraged. You're frustrated, tense, and stuck." Over time, says Mirowsky, the physical and mental consequences of the fight-or-flight response (think high blood pressure and a steady stream of stress hormones) can lead to health problems. You may not want to switch…

WHAT TO PACK • GO EASY ON CLOTHING. Follow this formula: three tops for every bottom. (Trust us—you can get away with repeating.) As for footwear, limit your-self to sneakers and two pairs of shoes—one casual and one dressy. • CHOOSE WRINKLE- REPELLERS. Blends containing nylon, Lycra, or polyester can be pulled out of a suitcase relatively unscathed. If you prefer natural fibers, opt for wool or stretch cotton. Textured fabrics (ruched jersey, seersucker) and busy prints also help camouflage fold marks. • PACK A JUST-IN-CASE KIT. Prepare for emergencies (of the wardrobe variety) by bringing Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus ($2 at drugstores) and Tide To Go stain remover ($3 at drugstores). • KEEP TABS ON YOUR BAG. Use a GPS-enabled luggage tracker (try LugLoc; $70, lugloc.com) to locate your…

60% of women say they're more ambitious than their mothers, and 45% are more ambitious than their fathers. Most people—both women and men—feel that DEDICATION + HARD WORK are the two most relevant components in getting ahead (as opposed to ambition, charisma, and ability to play the game). Talent came in third (!). 7 OUT OF 10 RESPONDENTS FEEL THAT AMBITION IS A CHARACTER TRAIT THAT'S DEVELOPED, NOT INNATE. CONFIDENT, DRIVEN, SMART BTW, ALMOST NO ONE PICKED CUTTHROAT OR SELFISH FROM THE LIST. The three words that most come to mind when people hear the phrase "AMBITIOUS WOMAN." DRIVEN, CONFIDENT, SELF-IMPORTANT HA! SORRY, FELLAS! The three words that most come to mind when people hear the phrase "AMBITIOUS MAN." 38% of women vs. 51% of men would characterize themselves as…

Pork-Fennel-Apple Roast Deep-Dish Pizza with Turkey Sausage and Brussels Sprouts WHY, YES, WE DO. YOUR 9-BY-13-INCH DISH CAN HANDLE SO MUCH MORE THAN CREAM-OF-MUSHROOM SOUP CREATIONS. TAKE COMFORT IN THESE NEW CROWD-PLEASERS. No-Stir Seafood Risotto Pick your own seafood! Any combination of fish, mussels, and shrimp will do—and it's pretty much hands-off. Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Boil the spaghetti according to the package directions? Not here. It will get tender and saucy in the oven as the meatballs brown. Free-Form Enchilada Verde Think of this as a Mexican lasagna. You layer, rather than roll, the tortillas, so it's easier to assemble and serve. Chicken with Croutons, Leeks, and Lemons Trust us—toasty cubes of bread doused in roast chicken drippings are irresistible. Pork-Fennel-Apple Roast HANDS-ON TIME: 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 4…

[] Quick Cooking [] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [] One Pot [] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [x] Gluten-Free HANDS-ON TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES SERVES 4 1½ pounds mixed new potatoes, halved if large 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Kosher salt and black pepper 1 tablespoon canola oil 1½ pounds sirloin steak (1 inch thick) 3 shallots, finely chopped ½ cup sliced cornichons 2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus more for serving STEAM the potatoes until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the butter and season with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. MEANWHILE, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.…

[] Quick Cooking [X] Healthy Pick [] Freezable [] Make Ahead [] Big Batch [] Slow Cooker [X] One Pot [X] Whole-Grain [] Vegetarian [] Gluten-Free HANDS-ON TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4 3 cups torn kale leaves (from about 1 small bunch) 1 cup bulgur 3 ounces cured chorizo, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, chopped ¼ cup olive oil Kosher salt and black pepper 4 6-ounce skinless cod fillets 4 lemon slices, plus more for serving HEAT oven to 350° F. Combine the kale, bulgur, chorizo, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ¾ cup water in a 2-quart glass baking dish. Place the fish on the bulgur mixture, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with ½ teaspoon salt…

Gimme some skin Fifty percent of an apple's vitamin C content is just below the skin. So don't peel, but do wash well, with cool running water. And buy organic when possible. Cold maintains crispness; store in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. Did you know? All the apples grown in the United States—more than 200 million bushels a year—are handpicked. No harvesting machines, just old-fashioned ladders and buckets. 1 Caramel apple float Place 1 scoop VANILLA ICE CREAM in a tall glass. Top with DULCE DE LECHE (found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets) and finely diced GREEN APPLE. Repeat each layer once. Top with SPARKLING APPLE CIDER and serve immediately. SERVES 1 2 Roasted apples and turnips Heat oven to 425° F. Cut 2 each TURNIPS…

KAREN PAVLIN, 50 • Global client managing director at Xerox Corporation • Married to Rob Pavlin, with a son, Zuri (21), and a daughter, Marley (17) • New York City 7:00 A.M. "This is what we do—we have our meals around the kitchen counter and talk about our plans for the day. It's very relaxed. My son is home from college, so I'm really relishing it." "Fitness has always been important to my well-being. In the 80s, I made the U.S. Olympic Trials in track and field." 7:45 A.M. "Even if it's hard to fit it in, I make a point to exercise, whether it's a run in Central Park before work or a yoga class, three to four times a week. It revs me up for the day." 11:15…