Table of contents for January 2019 in Real Simple

IT’S JANUARY, that time when the holiday dust settles and you’re ready (or thinking about being ready) to tackle that messy drawer, chaotic closet, or pile of whatever. It probably seems doable—you’ve done it before, it’ll happen. But this month, I’m also thinking about a bigger challenge: the whole house clear out. Whether due to a move, a new living situation, or the death of a loved one, deciding what to keep and what to let go can be complex. I learned a little about this recently, when my parents moved out of their ranch-style home of nearly 50 years. I found myself sitting on the same kitchen floor I had once crawled on as a baby, pondering whether to keep the large mixing bowl my mother and I…

Family Drama Clyde and Joy are raising their twin sons in impoverished, rural Trinidad. The boys could not be more different: Peter is academically gifted; Paul has always struggled. When Paul goes missing one night, his parents are faced with a tragic choice. Claire Adam’s provocative debut, Golden Child, highlights the painful sacrifices that poverty and violence can require and the pitfalls of ambition. Gripping Memoir When Dani Shapiro sends a spit sample to AncestryDNA, she isn’t expecting revelation. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family (a subject she has explored in other memoirs), Shapiro figured she knew where she came from. But when she finds out that her late father is not, in fact, her biological father, she’s left reeling. In Inheritance, Shapiro movingly reckons with identity and family…

If you’ve been using toasted sesame oil solely for finishing dishes, it’s time to try it on more than noodles and rice. Just as toast offers more flavor than bread, toasted sesame oil (made from roasted sesame seeds) packs a richer flavor than the regular stuff. Whip it into a Caesar-inspired dressing, then drizzle it over grilled chicken or fish. Toss sturdy russet or sweet potatoes in salt, pepper, and sesame oil for steak fries you’ll put on regular rotation. And for a protein-packed snack, make a creamy, garlicky cannellini bean dip, delicious with crunchy fresh veggies or rice crackers. Quick Ideas 1 CREAMY SESAME DRESSING Process 1 egg yolk, 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar, 1 tsp. water, ½ tsp. each Dijon mustard and kosher salt, and ¼ tsp. sugar…

Try to shovel every time a few inches accumulate, making sure you stretch and hydrate well before you begin, says Jim Hewitt, a Home Depot assistant manager in Madison, Wisconsin. Choose a shovel with a handle long enough to reduce back bending, and to prevent overexertion, opt for a shovel head that’s not too large. Hewitt recommends the True Temper Ergonomic Mountain Mover snow shovel ($31; homedepot.com). To reduce strain when you’re shoveling, push the snow away from you rather than lifting it, says Mike Holmes, a professional contractor and host of DIY Network’s Holmes and Holmes. If you must lift, keep the shovel blade close to you, bend your knees, and avoid a twisting or tossing motion. Alternate your hands every 5 to 10 minutes, taking frequent breaks.…

BEST TINTED Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 in Orchid When you want both color and care, swipe on this delightful tinted balm, which comes in 18 shades. Nourishing meadowfoam and black currant seed oils, antioxidant grape-seed oil, and moisturizing sugar leave lips supple and smooth. Apply one coat for a sheer veil of color or layer a few for a bolder pop. The bright pink shade pictured (Orchid) comes out next month. TO BUY: $24; sephora.com. BEST OIL ChapStick Total Hydration Vitamin Enriched Lip Oil in Sweet Nectar This nonsticky oil feels luxurious but costs only five bucks. Vitamins E and C and omegas melt into lips for a shot of moisture. TO BUY: $5 each; target.com. BEST SCRUB Burt’s Bees Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub…

1 Make Eye Contact. People are so attached to their devices that we on the flight crew have no interaction with them until they have a problem. If someone actually says hello and looks me in the eyes while they board the plane, it’s a big deal, and I will remember that person—where they’re seated, what they’re drinking. It makes me want to go out of my way for them. And if I see a passenger helping another passenger, I’m like, “Extra snack for you!” If an issue arises with someone’s seat or connecting flight, I’m more motivated to go above and beyond for someone who was kind and polite to me and their fellow passengers. HEATHER POOLE IS THE AUTHOR OF CRUISING ATTITUDE: TALES OF CRASHPADS, CREW DRAMA,…

ON A WINTRY DAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I lay dozing on my sofa when, pulled from my nap by the blaring television, I awoke to myself on the news. Startled, I sat up and wondered out loud: “What am I doing on TV?” But it wasn’t me. It was Tracee Ellis Ross, standing beside her famous mother, Diana Ross. You could say that was the moment I really woke up. Ever since the hit TV comedy Girlfriends premiered on UPN back in 2000, people have told me I resemble Tracee Ellis Ross, who played the starring role. When I first saw the show, I took one look at Joan, Ross’s character, and announced: “I do not look like her.” My husband agreed. “You have totally different eyes,” he assured…

WE’RE DRAWN TO JUICE FASTS because they work—for a while. But once you go back to eating real food, the weight comes back too. The same goes for working out: “People exercise every day for the first two weeks of the year, then the gyms are empty by February because that level of commitment just isn’t feasible in the long run,” says nutrition therapist Dana Sturtevant, RD, a co-owner of Be Nourished in Portland, Oregon. “When we set the bar too high, we inevitably blow it, blame ourselves, and go back to the status quo.” To set you up for success, we asked experts for goals that feel so doable, you may wonder whether they’re even worth aiming for. You may not drop two sizes or be a Zen…

MONEY LEAK: Having Subscription Apathy That free wellness-coach trial you signed up for (and forgot to cancel). The credit-monitoring service you keep meaning to ditch. The gym membership gathering dust. That monthly beauty box you’re no longer into. Sure, no single subscription or membership is going to break your monthly budget, but in sum those commitments can quickly hit triple digits each month. These “gray charges” (as they’re known in the industry) may collectively be costing us $14 billion a year. “Companies know how to bank on people’s apathy,” says Emily Guy Birken, a personal-finance expert and the author of End Financial Stress Now. You can zap those recurring charges by periodically reviewing your financial statements or outsourcing the task to a free, AI-powered app, like Trim or Truebill.…

ADD SOME EDGE This neoprene moto jacket has a classic shape but a high-tech twist that your leather version doesn’t: elbow pleats for extra flexibility, plus built-in UV protection. BUNDLE UP Ward off windy weather with insulated pieces like this fleece-lined wrap skirt. It works equally well paired with a cropped sweatshirt over tights or leggings for extra warmth. SHINE ON Incorporate metallics to instantly jazz up a simple athleisure look. (And, yes, you can mix both gold and silver accents.) GO OLD SCHOOL The tracksuit you rocked in college is back, but in prettier colors and more tailored cuts. For days when you’re putting in extra steps, layer a cinched puffer vest over a sweater or slip on a pair of eye-catching hiking boots. Think outside the gym…

BEST BEAN Hilary’s Adzuki Bean Veggie Burger Tasters loved this tender patty’s stellar crust. A combination of small red beans, millet, and coconut oil adds up to rich, buttery flavor. TO BUY: $4 for 2; at grocery stores. BEST MUSHROOM Dr. Praeger’s Mushroom Risotto Veggie Burger Made with short-grain Arborio rice (just like a proper risotto), this winner is packed with peas, mushrooms, and just a hint of truffle. TO BUY: $5 for 4; at grocery stores. BEST ASIAN Trader Joe’s Thai Sweet Chili Veggie Burger Meaty shiitake mushrooms and spicy ginger are mixed with brown and black rice for a boldly flavored burger seasoned with tangy sweet chili sauce. TO BUY: $4 for 4; at Trader Joe’s. BEST SEED Tofurky Hearty Hemp Veggie Burger Brown rice, hemp, and…

ACTIVE TIME 2 HOURS TOTAL TIME 2 HOURS SERVES 12 ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter2 yellow onions, chopped6 carrots, chopped12 cloves garlic, thinly sliced1½ lb. ground sirloin1½ lb. ground pork1 cup dry white wine1 28-oz. can tomato puree1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes12 fresh basil leaves2 dried bay leaves1½ Tbsp. kosher salt½ tsp. crushed red pepper2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar MELT butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Add onions, carrots, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add beef and pork and cook, stirring and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. ADD wine and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil and cook until liquid reduces by…

MEET BRENDA DARGAN-LEVY MANAGING EDITOR, COMMERCE Go-to recipe: Real Simple’s red lentil curry. It’s easy to make and so flavorful. Dream vacation: A trip to Scotland with my whole family. It’s where my parents are from, so it’s a special place. What inspires me: My 3-year-old’s sweet dance moves. She really embraces the “like nobody’s watching” advice. @BDARGS ON INSTAGRAM Fresh Food Finds Get great stuff at your local farmers’ market even in cold-weather months with our seasonal shopping tips. Watch the video at realsimple.com/farmersmarket. Decluttering Central Double your storage space, read genius hacks from pro cleaners, and shop top-rated cleaning supplies on our Real Organized page. Your tidy home will thank you. Get the tips at realsimple.com/real-organized. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SPACE With easy, realistic strategies for…

CLEAN SWEEP More than just eye candy, this retro dustpan also boasts a wooden brush that nestles perfectly inside the handle for compact storage. TO BUY: Richman dustpan, $29; supergoodthing.com 1 CHARGED UP The power strip gets a cool makeover with a hexagon-shaped wood form and a colored cord that makes it a cinch to find. TO BUY: Niko power strip, $95; mostmodest.com. 2 ON DUTY Add some street style to dog walking with this sleek poop-bag carrier, which features an easytwist top for fast reloading. TO BUY: Poop-bag carrier, $12; wildone.com. 3 SQUEAKY CLEAN This luxurious yet powerful toothbrush will make a ho-hum activity something you’ll actually want to do. TO BUY: Rose electric brush kit, $75; goby.co. 4 WORTHY WICKER Whether you’re hauling fresh produce or flea-market…

CHEF’S KNIFE There’s no need to spend a fortune on an expensive blade. The most important thing about your all-purpose knife is that it feels comfortable in your hands and you keep it sharp. We like a medium- to light-weight version with a thin 8-inch blade. Use it for slicing, dicing, and all your everyday prep. TO BUY: Schmidt Brothers 8-inch chef knife, $70; amazon.com. PARING KNIFE Use this tiny multitasker to “pare” down bigger items and for all your detail work—hulling strawberries, peeling cooked beets, trimming mushroom stems—as well as in-hand jobs like slicing bananas, scoring avocados, and segmenting citrus. It also works great for loosening cakes and testing them for doneness. TO BUY: Victorinox 3½ - inch paring knife set, $25 for 4; amazon.com. SERRATED KNIFE A…

1 You’ll need blush, bronzer, and highlighter—It Cosmetics Your Most Beautiful You Anti-Aging Face Palette ($38; ulta.com) has all three shades in one. First, swirl a brush into the blush, then tap off the excess. Smile to find the apples of your cheeks, then sweep on the color, moving up toward your hairline (envision a Nike swoosh). 2 Dip the same brush into the matte bronzer. Make Up For Ever Artisan Brush No. 158 ($53; sephora.com) has a fluffy end for blush and bronzer and a denser end for highlighter. On each side, starting in the center of your forehead near your hairline, trace a number 3, hitting the temples, hollows of the cheeks, and jawline. 3 Highlighter adds a sophisticated pop of shimmer that catches the…

Cuisine built on creativity. Experience a South Carolina dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious, learn the recipe from one of the Palmetto State’s most renowned chefs and taste how local ingredients can truly elevate a dish. Try your hand at this tasty Southern tradition, and come to find that shrimp and grits is a plate full of mouthwatering possibilities. SOUTH CAROLINA SHRIMP AND GRITS WITH CHEF FRANK LEE Hailing from the Holy City, Charleston, Chef Frank Lee is one of the culinary pioneers who helped grow shrimp and grits into the savory sensation it is today. Lee served as head chef for more than 20 years at one of Hall Management Group’s premier restaurants, Slightly North of Broad. From the uniquely sweet salt creek shrimp of the…

I get the most done in the mornings. I try to start at 7 a.m. I don’t have a lot of distractions that early. I like to check sales from the day before when I first get started to help me strategize for the rest of the day. Then I check my emails. Most people aren’t emailing at seven in the morning, so I can catch up, and it helps my stress level to send emails but not get responses right away. Other wise, I could spend my entire day going back and forth and putting out small fires. I feel like my peak-performance time is around 10 a.m. Over the years I’ve realized mornings are more about easing into the day rather than diving right into work. I…

Often we feel the need for some peace and quiet, and when quiet is not to be found, it seems that peace cannot be found either. When you can’t shut out the world around you, here is a way to find spaciousness within the sounds of life. Sit comfortably. Take a few breaths in and out to get settled. Now, instead of trying to take in all the sounds around you at once, locate just one specific sound. Perhaps the soft whirring of an overhead fan. Let your attention gently stay with that sound for a while. Then find a different sound. Maybe you hear a dog barking. After a few moments, find another sound. Finally, relax your attention so that it expands to include all the sounds. You…

Amy Pickard, President and CEO, Good to Go! “I tell my clients that you never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. It’s important to help your parents clean out their home with them while they are alive. This creates memories and inspires conversations that will help clarify what to do when the time comes. “If you don’t know how to start the conversation with your parents, begin by telling them, ‘I’m completing my advance planning paperwork, and I realized that you may not know my wishes. So I wanted to talk to you about what I want done in case of emergency or death. I also realize that I don’t know what you want done, so let’s talk about it so we’re both prepared.’” Mike Stanton, CFP, Managing Director,…

Short days and cold nights may have you digging deep for dinner inspiration. We’ve got plenty of bright ideas to keep you warm: bowls of creamy polenta and sausage (page 104) make a comforting meal, while tender sweet potatoes and coconut kale keep things interesting (page 103). If you need a shortcut (don’t we all?), pick one of our favorite veggie burgers (page 107) and tuck it between two pieces of easy sandwich bread (page 108)—it’s nearly hands-off, promise. Or spread the slices with softened butter to eat alongside a big batch of meaty ragù (page 110). Suddenly the world doesn’t feel so cold after all.…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 HOURS, 15 MINUTES SERVES 10 3⅓ cups bread flour, plus more for work surface1½ cups whole milk, at room temperature2½ Tbsp. granulated sugar1½ tsp. active dry yeast (from 1 0.25-oz. envelope)6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, divided1¾ tsp. kosher salt Cooking spray STIR together flour, milk, sugar, yeast, and 5 tablespoons of the melted butter in a large bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until no dry spots remain. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and let stand 20 minutes. Add salt and stir until dough is sticky and elastic, about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator; chill for 8 hours or overnight. LIGHTLY coat an 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Turn…

CLINIQUE ID Now you can build your dream moisturizer. Choose a jelly, a lotion, or an oil-free gel as your base, then pick an active concentrate cartridge (which clicks into the bottle) based on your main concern: irritation, pores and uneven texture, uneven skin tone, fatigue, or lines and wrinkles. Use morning and night. TO BUY: $39 each; clinique.com. PYT BEAUTY NO BS EYESHADOW PALETTE Found: a palette in which every shade gets used! This iPhone-size compact has four mattes and four shimmers (in shades ranging from office to out), with larger pans of the two colors you’ll use most. TO BUY: $28; pytbeauty.com. DRUNK ELEPHANT A-PASSIONI RETINOL CREAM All of the linesmoothing, brightening powers of retinol without the irritation, thanks to 1 percent vegan retinol and soothing oils.…

1 GET VERTICAL If you live in cramped quarters, a leaning ladder secured to the wall maximizes unused wall space without taking up too much real estate on the floor, suggest Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, cofounders of the Home Edit. Detachable baskets create a drop spot for neat stacks of folded scarves and other small accessories, like gloves and hats. With empty rungs at the top, there’s plenty of space to drape coats and scarves. TO BUY: Rustic ladder with wire baskets, $209; shadesoflight.com. 2 GRAB AND GO Think outside the bin when it comes to the tools you use to organize. Give a traditional shoe organizer new life by transforming it into space-saving storage for grab-and-go items on the back of a door, says Jamie Hord of…

1 SET YOUR SKIN. After applying your base (concealer, foundation, or tinted moisturizer), lightly press clean fingertips into your skin. Doing so lifts away excess product so your makeup looks less thick and lasts longer. Pay attention to crease-prone areas where makeup gathers throughout the day, including around the eyes, nose, and mouth. If your skin tends to get oily, press a little powder on those spots with a brush.—Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes 2 STOP OVERCLEANSING. I always tell my patients to wash their face at night (and after exercising) and simply rinse with water in the morning to avoid stripping the skin. And instead of rubbing your skin on a towel, use a patting motion, which is gentler.—Dermatologist Doris Day, MD 3 USE LIP LINER. Although it…

START WITH THE PUFFER… TO BUY: Women Ultra Light Down Compact jacket, $60; uniqlo.com. …ADD A WHITE SHIRT AND JACQUARD PANTS This casual staple adds texture and surprise to a colorful printed pant and modern statement necklace. TO BUY: AYR the Easy shirt, $125; ayr.com. Loft Jacquard pant, $90; loft.com. The 9th Muse Ann earrings, $116; the9thmuse.com. Vince Camuto Gold Flare Jeweled Ridged necklace, $78; vincecamuto.com. Talbots Soft Pebble Bucket bag, $119; talbots.com. Sarto Franco Sarto flats, $129; nordstrom.com. …ADD A PLAID COAT When it’s f-f-f-freezing but you’re sick of your Michelin Man ski jacket, layer a puffer under a funnel-neck coat. Fashion and function! TO BUY: 525 America Ribbed turtleneck, $82; 525america.com. Lands’ End Mid Rise Straight Leg Corduroy pants, $60; landsend.com. Banana Republic Fuzzy Plaid Cocoon coat,…

Discerning between normal kid fears and an anxiety disorder isn’t always easy. Many experts and the American Psychological Association note that these signs could indicate that your child may need to see a mental-health professional: • Health complaints: symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and insomnia. • Avoidance: refusing social invites, staying home from school, or skipping sports or other activities. • Behavioral changes: isolating themselves from friends and family members for extended periods.…

JANUARY Start a Career Journal Use a blank notebook or an app like Day One (free for the basic version; iOS and Android) to track accomplishments, note feedback you received, and list short-term goals. Ideally try to update it every day or once a week. “The more you visually see your goals and areas of improvement, the more likely you are to address them,” says Lauren McGoodwin, founder of Career Contessa, a professional-development site for women. It also serves as a source of proof points when you’re asking for a raise or promotion or looking for a new job. FEBRUARY Invest in Your Network Aim to send one email or social message every workday to someone on the edge of your network, meaning a former colleague or a friend…

Smørrebrød With Yogurt, Beets, and Eggs Using yogurt instead of butter gives this Danish open-faced sandwich a healthy boost. Greek yogurt is high in protein and B vitamins and also contains probiotics, which promote good digestive health. ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 25 MINUTES SERVES 4 4 large eggs1 red beet, peeled, halved and sliced into thin half-moons1 Tbsp. loosely packed fresh dill, chopped, plus more for serving1 tsp. olive oil, plus more for serving1 tsp. white wine vinegar½ tsp. kosher salt, divided1 cup plain Greek yogurt1 clove garlic, grated Freshly ground black pepper4 slices pumpernickel bread (such as Mestemacher)2 Tbsp. drained capers Flaky sea salt, for serving BRING a large pot of water to a boil. Gently lower eggs into pot and cook, 7 minutes. Drain and…

Smell is often called humans’ most powerful sense, and good (and bad) smells tell us a lot about the world: what we should eat, even whom we should kiss. When it comes to our homes, if a space smells fresh, that’s a great sign. If the smell is bad? We feel uneasy. But the secret to a nose-friendly space isn’t to spray fragrance on top of yucky stuff: “A clean home should smell like nothing,” says Melissa Maker, the founder of the Clean My Space cleaning company, blog, and YouTube channel. For folks who get overwhelmed by too much fragrance (or who have allergies or asthma), the work may end at neutralizing bad odors. But for those who love a scent, we have ideas for you too. TACKLE THE…

Easy Dinner 1 Tapenade and Red Onion Pizza ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ One Pan ✓ Vegetarian ✓ Family Friendly 1 lb. prepared pizza dough, at room temperatureAll-purpose flour, for work surface1 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for baking sheet2 red onions, thinly sliced into rings2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar½ tsp. black pepper8 oz. part-skim mozzarella, shredded (about 2 cups)2 cloves garlic, finely chopped3 Tbsp. olive tapenade¼ cup fresh basil leaves PREHEAT oven to 450°F with rack in lowest position. Roll dough to a 14-inch wide oval on a floured surface and transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet; prick dough all over with a fork. Bake on bottom rack until dough begins to turn golden brown, 8 to 10…