Inhaltsverzeichnis für September 2016 in Real Simple

A. Communication doesn't always require words. When my kids were very small, I taught them the sign-language symbol for "I love you." It's a wonderful tool when you want to let your child know that you're their biggest fan but you aren't close enough to say it out loud. And it feels great when they send the sign back to you. CAROLYN CLARK, Staten Island, New York When splitting something, let one child divide and the other choose which piece he wants. This keeps fighting down and helps them appreciate sharing. LORI BUSSA MOORE, Mason, Michigan Remember that you set the tone. Several years ago, a very wise counselor told me to "be the thermostat, not the thermometer." I was struggling with our family's move to a new town for…

RUNWAY INSPIRATION Models at the Protagonist fall 2016 show looked all business in the front, party in the back with a roughed-up take on a classic low bun. 1 Get a grip To give freshly washed or slippery hair holding power and volume, spritz a texturizing spray, like Garnier De-Constructed Texture Tease Finishing Spray ($4.50, garnierusa.com), from midlength to ends. If your hair is very fine, add in loose waves with a curling wand. This will help prevent the bun from falling out. 2 Do the twist Gather hair at the nape of the neck (just as you would for a low ponytail), then twist counterclockwise until taut. Holding it tight so it doesn't unravel, bring the end of the twist up to the middle of your head so it…

1 HERRINGBONE SKIRT A work-perfect staple that looks smart with neutrals (a black silk blouse) or colors (a teal turtleneck). $138, bodenusa.com. 2 TEXTURED SHEATH For tons of wow factor with minimal effort, slip on this bold dress. $100, zara.com. 3 INFINITY SCARF For when you feel that first nip in the air. Look by M, $15, modcloth.com. 4 SUEDE FLATS Marigold-colored shoes may sound a little crazy, but they really elevate gray pants or a navy shift. $109, talbots.com. 5 EMBOSSED-CROC BAG This roomy, practical carryall is a standout. $228, aimeekestenberg.com. 6 TASSEL EARRINGS Fun night planned? These spunky danglers are guaranteed to up the cool factor of whatever you're wearing. $98, blumaproject.com. 7 BOW-TIED SWEATER Top a high-waisted skirt with this sweet-sleeved cropped knit. $225, y.…

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DISPOSE OF PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES? Always recycle them. Leftover ink can seep into the environment, and the plastic takes centuries to decompose. Many ink-cartridge companies run recycling programs. (Check the relevant company's website for mail-in details.) Or use the search tool at earth911.com to find businesses near you that accept old cartridges. Office-supply stores, like Staples and Office Depot, offer rewards for returning all types of empties. After collection, the cartridges are generally made into other products (such as new ink cartridges or clothing hangers), or they're turned into energy to power homes and businesses. If you have an HP printer, check out HP's Instant Ink replacement service. It detects when ink is running low and sends new cartridges along with a prepaid envelope…

1 RON MARTUCCI Be patient. That first week, the kids are getting out of the summer routine and into the school routine, there's paperwork going back and forth—it's hectic. If you haven't met your child's teacher before the first day and you are around at drop-off or pickup time, shake hands and say hello. It should be quick. Don't turn it into a conference and say, "Here's everything you need to know about my kid." I think it's better to give the teacher at least a week to develop a little relationship with your child and settle in. We know you have questions. But there's usually an open house at the school in the first two or three weeks. If you can wait, probably 90 percent of your questions will…

Do you wear an 8 in one brand and a 12 in the next? Ever tried on 15 pairs of jeans and fit into none? Retail demands, shifting populations, the obesity epidemic, and, yes, vanity sizing have all contributed to big, confounding disparities among designers. While we can't get everyone on the same page, we can help you understand why they're not—and find your perfect fit despite all of it. The history of sizing By the 1930s, ready-to-wear clothing was affordable and popular, but it was often returned due to poor fit. Enter the United States government, which measured 15,000 women in 59 areas of the body. The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) combined this data with measurements taken from 6,510 members of the Women's Army Corps during World War…

All tied up I have more than 60 scarves and need to access them more easily. Any ideas? J. E. H., via Facebook If they're in a drawer, even with dividers, scarves are bound to get buried (and forgotten). Vertical storage is a better plan because you can see them all at a glance. Sort by category (neck scarves, pashminas) and color, then loop them through circular-slot hangers (Clarity scarf organizer, $13, containerstore.com) or around hooks (ClosetMaid tie and belt rack, $8, amazon.com). Some of my clients like keeping their favorites front and center in a mesh over-the-door shoe bag ($20, containerstore.com). Just roll each scarf and tuck it into one of the 24 clear pockets. The cold, hard truth My freezer is always a mess! I need some suggestions…

The core four Most vacuums come with these accessories, which handle a host of chores. EXTENSION WAND HOW IT WORKS: Standard versions of this sturdy plastic tube add 18 inches to your upright's hose, so you can reach high fan blades, light fixtures, air vents, door frames, or the top of a tall piece of furniture—no stepladder climbing (or countertop scaling) required. It allows you to keep your arms close to your body, preventing strain and fatigue. OTHER USES: Dropped coins or jewelry between the couch cushions? Stretch a piece of nylon panty hose over the opening to suck up small items and retrieve them without getting them stuck in the machine. UPHOLSTERY TOOL HOW IT WORKS: From four to six inches wide, this piece directs a band of suction…

IVY R. TAYLOR • Mayor • San Antonio; population: 1.4 million What was your upbringing in New York like? My parents were members of a Pentecostal Holiness Church, and most of our lives revolved around the church. I couldn't wear pants, jewelry, or makeup. Dating was out, and [my younger sister and I] couldn't even go to the movies. I read a lot of books. When I was in middle school, I discovered Gone With the Wind, and I think I read it 20 times, to the point where my dad took it and hid it. It's a family joke, but it's still a sore spot with me. What sort of work did your parents do? My dad was a printing pressman. He may have gone up to 9th or…

LAYER UP UNEXPECTED PAIRINGS AND SILHOUETTES (A WOOL CAPE OVER A KNIT DRESS, A LEATHER JACKET BENEATH A LONG VEST) LOOK AS COOL AS THEY ARE WARM. TO BUY (THIS PAGE): Banana Republic vest, $198, banana republic.com. Laundry by Shelli Segal coat, $300, lordandtaylor.com. Magaschoni top. Massimo Dutti trousers. Longchamp heels. Nissa Jewelry choker. Relic ring and Pave Horn ring by Stella & Dot. TO BUY (OPPOSITE PAGE): Laundry by Shelli Segal cape, $300, macys.com. Tory Burch dress. Peruvian Connection fedora. Elizabeth and James ring. AT EASE SLEEK ENOUGH TO TOP OFF A WORK DRESS AND HEELS, THIS MILITARY-INSPIRED COAT LOOKS EQUALLY GOOD PAIRED WITH LAID-BACK PIECES, LIKE COMFY KNITS AND QUIRKY PATTERNS. TO BUY: Oasis coat, $170, oasis-stores.com. Orla Kiely vest. Karen Walker pants. Michael Kors beanie. Elizabeth and…

Quick Cooking (178, 179, 182, 184, 190) Healthy Pick (178, 179, 182, 184, 190) Freezable (179, 182, 190, 194) Make Ahead (178, 179, 182, 184, 194) Big Batch (179, 182, 184, 190, 194) Slow Cooker (179, 182, 184) One Pot (178, 179, 182, 184, 190) Whole-Grain (182) Vegetarian (178, 179, 182, 184, 190) Gluten-Free (178, 179, 182, 190) MASTER CUT Kitchen shears are the best tool for quickly snipping leafy herbs without bruising them. If you choose to use a knife, make long, sliding cuts—don't press down. SMASH HIT A QUICKLY SMOOSHED-TOGETHER SAUCE OF PARSLEY, CILANTRO, GARLIC, AND OLIVE OIL MAKES A FRESH TOPPING FOR STEAK (PAGE 178).…

GET BACK INTO YOUR SCHOOL ROUTINE Back-to-school means something different for everyone: Second graders are excited to buy new backpacks, parents dread calendar wrangling, and college-bound freshman are ready to embrace independence. No matter what your age, RealSimple.com will help you stay sane this year. IF YOU HAVE SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN • Classroom secrets from middle-school teachers • Lunch-packing tips from nutritionists—including foods that your child will actually eat • DIY projects for your tween's first locker • Important signs that your child is being bullied • Find more at: realsimple.com/schoolyear IF YOU HAVE A COLLEGE FRESHMAN • Foolproof organizing tips for even the tiniest dorm rooms • Essential space-saving items to bring to campus • Unique posters that your college kid won't be embarrassed to hang on the wall •…

THE PENCIL In the 1500s, a storm tore down a tree in an English village, unearthing a shiny substance now known as graphite. Farmers began using it to mark sheep, then encased it in wood to prevent it from staining fingers, explains James Ward, the author of The Perfection of the Paper Clip. THE MAGIC MARKER In 1952 American inventor Sidney Rosenthal developed the first felt-tip writing implement. His ink-filled bottle with a wool wick was dubbed the "Magic Marker" because of its ability to write on almost any surface. (Much to the dismay of parents!) THE GLUE STICK Aboard a plane in the late 1960s, German chemist Wolfgang Dierichs dreamed up the idea for a glue stick while watching a woman apply lipstick. "It was convenient and eliminated messy…

WRAPPED WITH SISAL AS AN OTTOMAN To create a cool spot to put feet up, first reinforce the sides by gluing pieces of cardboard to the interior walls. Fill with paper scraps or lightweight stuffing, then glue the lid closed. Next, glue pieces of burlap around the lid top. (This evens out the surface and disguises any Styrofoam.) Finally, wrap sisal rope around the cooler, gluing in place as you go with a hot glue gun. Tightly coil the rope on the lid until you reach the middle of the coil. BULLETIN BOARD Keep reminders front and center with this hack perfect for college dorms. Wrap the cooler's lid with about half a yard of fabric, securing underneath with glue or staples. Then use pushpins to display notes or photos.…

3 QUICK IDEAS Banana, Nutella, and chia smoothie Process 1 frozen banana, ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, 1½ Tbsp. Nutella, and 1 tsp. chia seeds in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds. Serves 1. Nutella-date snacks Pulse 1 cup each dried dates, old-fashioned rolled oats, and sweetened shredded coconut in a food processor until finely chopped. Add ½ cup Nutella and ¼ tsp. kosher salt; pulse until well combined. Roll into 36 (1-in.) balls. Store in an airtight container up to 7 days. Serves 12. Mini Nutella s'mores pies Cut 12 circles from 1 refrigerated 10-in. piecrust, using a 3-in. round cutter. Transfer the circles into a lightly greased 12-cup mini muffin pan. Fill each piecrust circle with 1 Tbsp. Nutella. Bake at 450°F until the crusts are light…

MY WIFE'S FRIEND was 37 years old when she died suddenly of heart failure in New York. We were away on vacation when we heard the news. My wife cried as she spoke to her friend's husband on the phone. Our four-year-old daughter watched anxiously; she had rarely seen her mother cry, and she had never known anyone who had died. It was August 31, 2001. I WAS WALKING HOME in Brooklyn after an early-morning run when a man on the street said an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. By the time I got home, the second plane had hit the South Tower. In our desperation for news about the terrorist attacks, my wife and I kept the TV on all morning. We didn't stop to think…

HOME + THE CHEAT SHEET OF VACUUM ATTACHMENTS 107 + LAYOUT STRATEGIES FOR LIVING ROOMS 97 + ASK THE ORGANIZER 92 + THE VETS WILL SEE YOU NOW 104 BEAUTY + NO TIME TO WASH YOUR HAIR? NO PROBLEM 90 + PRETTY SMART 85 HEALTH + SLEEP LIKE A BABY with these low-tech, high-tech solutions 115 WORK & MONEY + IVY R. TAYLOR, MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO 137 + ASK BUCKY: IS IT TIME TO LEAVE MY JOB? 138 + HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR GENIUS BUSINESS IDEA 140 FASHION 8% OF WOMEN HAVE AN HOURGLASS FIGURE. WHY YOU CAN'T TRUST CLOTHING SIZES 77 + FALL TRENDS FOR GROWN-UPS 59 FAMILY + PICKY EATING can make dinnertime dreadful. Stop fighting and start strategizing 125…

Magic bullets Your search to find the just-right red stops here. Shiseido's new Rouge Rouge line offers 16 stunning iterations—from reddish coral to brown to peach to berry—to flatter every skin tone ($28 each, shiseido.com). It feels like butter and offers a subtle and long-lasting sheen. SPONGE-WORTHY AS TINY AS A PIECE OF GNOCCHI AND IN ODDBALL SHAPES, SEPHORA COLLECTION CONFETTI MINI SPONGES ($12 FOR FIVE, SEPHORA.COM) PRECISELY DELIVER MAKEUP UNDER THE EYES AND AROUND THE MOUTH AND NOSE. THE BRIGHT COLORS MAKE THEM EASY TO SPOT IN A CROWDED BAG. JUST PLAIN FUN. Spot light Your post-summer skin saver: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer ($79.50, clinique.com) is a lightweight serum that contains a brightening cocktail to reduce brown spots, plus green tea to soothe irritation.…

IF YOUR LIVING ROOM HAS NO FOYER You can fake one with your choice of clever work-around. The idea is to create a pause before the seating area. SHEA McGEE Studio McGee, Salt Lake City Introduce an entryway Position a rug and some key pieces of furniture just inside the front door. 1 SET UP DROP ZONES. Bookend the doorway with two greeting areas. "A bench-and-hooks combo on one side lets people know right away that this is an entry area," says McGee. On the other side, place a chest of drawers with a tray on top for grab-and-go essentials, like sunglasses and keys, and a mirror above "for that last check on your way out." 2 BRIDGE THE GAP. Center a rug between the drop zones to help define…

SHORT ON SLEEP? Join the club. One in three adults doesn't get the minimum suggested seven hours a night, according to a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But simply recognizing the problem isn't enough: Of the Americans who admitted that they don't catch enough z's, less than half were doing anything about it, as reported in a recent survey from the Better Sleep Council, a consumer education group. "Society views sleep as something that can be sacrificed," says Patrick M. Fuller, Ph.D., an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. "Consistent, good sleep is essential for your physical, emotional, and neurocognitive health. Yet we prioritize work, social media, and TV time over it." Even when we do power down, lifestyle factors such as diet,…

1 MAKE SURE THAT YOU REALLY LOVE THE IDEA. Your weekends, your wallet, and your brain will be entirely devoted to bringing this concept to life. You'll be talking about it, agonizing over it, strategizing around it. Says Julia Pimsleur, the author of Million Dollar Women, "Entrepreneurship isn't a get-rich-quick scheme." You have to be prepared—and motivated—for the long game. Pimsleur says that many "overnight success stories" have been at work on their projects for 10 years. That's why enthusiasm is such a critical component. "You need to pick something that you love so much you would do it whether you were paid or not," sums up Pimsleur. WAITING FOR INSPIRATION? What do people always ask for your advice about? What do they always thank you for? "In that gratitude,…

NADINE*, A STAY-AT-HOME MOM, thought little of it at the time: She was preparing food in the kitchen, and her son, Ethan*, a popular, adventuresome 12-year-old, appeared beside her. "Mom?" he said, not meeting her eyes. "I broke my iPod Touch. I'm really sorry." Nadine gave her son a hug and told him not to worry about it. She and Ethan's dad prided themselves on staying on top of the technology use of all of their children, activating the parental controls on family computers and insisting that no screens enter the bedrooms at night. They had been planning to hold out on buying their son an iPhone, unsure if he was ready for the responsibility. But Ethan, who had a history of ADHD and anxiety issues, seemed to be thriving…

NEW COLUMN! Every month, we'll serve up a dinner recipe that makes a lot—to serve a crowd or freeze for later. ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR MAKES 2 (8-SLICE) PIZZAS ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1½ lb. hot Italian sausage, casings removed 2 lb. frozen pizza dough, at room temperature 12 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced 2 cups marinara sauce 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced 2 serrano peppers, thinly sliced 4 oz. freshly grated Parmesan 1 Tbsp. black pepper PREHEAT the oven to 450°F. Heat ¼ cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the sausage and break into small pieces. Cook, undisturbed, until browned, 8 minutes. Remove from heat. MEANWHILE, line two 8-by-13-inch baking sheets with parchment. Stretch 1 ball of the…

HERE AT REAL SIMPLE, we talk a fair amount about controlling the control-lables. Although it might not always feel this way, your life is full of things you can control: your sock drawer, your kitchen cabinets, your skin-care routine, your dinner menu. And then there are the things you can't control. Speaking from experience, I can say some are benign and mildly irritating (traffic), some are benign and quite inconvenient (dog sprayed by a skunk), and some are genuinely scary. I'm talking about our kids' virtual lives. As Melanie Hempe, the founder of Families Managing Media, says in this month's story "Parenting Against the Internet" (page 156), the smaller your kid's screen, the more you lose control. I have three children, who range in age from 9 to 21, and…

MIDDLE AGES Persian cavalrymen don the first shoes with heels, which hook into their stirrups. Prior uses of footwear elevation included cothurni—thick-soled boots that gave dramatic actors a lift in ancient Greece and Rome. (For comedies, they wore flats, naturally.) 1500S IN 1533 CATHERINE DE' MEDICI WEARS HEELS TO WED THE FUTURE KING OF FRANCE AND A TREND IS BORN. In Venice, affluent women rise above the poor (and keep skirts clean) in chopines, platforms that tower as high as 20 inches. Taller shoes allow women to flaunt their wealth, since longer dresses require more fabric. Heels quickly rise to the level of status symbol. 1700S France's five-foot-four King Louis XIV is immortalized in a 1701 portrait wearing 2½-inch red heels. Women strut in heels until the French Revolution, in…

1 SELFIE-STICK PHONE CASE Front-facing camera fans, rejoice! This hard-shell cover with a built-in arm extension helps you capture the perfect portrait anytime—without the extra equipment. $50, flipitcase.com. 2 CHARGEABLE MOBILE LAMP Whether you need extra lighting in a kid's bedroom or on the patio, turn to this cheerful cord-free, 10-inch-tall beacon with touch-sensitive switch settings. In eight colors. Transloetje, $99, shop.fatboyusa.com. The lid attachments contain no plastic and are BPA-free. 3 EVOLVING BABY BOTTLE This 100 percent stainless-steel bottle has interchangeable silicone tops that grow with your child from infancy to toddlerhood. $18, purastainless.com. 4 LIGHT-UP LACES The days are getting shorter, but that shouldn't affect your exercise routine. Thread these LED-speckled laces into your sneakers for extra visibility during runs and walks. 4id Power Lacez, $12, amazon.com.…

If I bring a nice bottle of wine or liquor or a fancy box of chocolates to a dinner party, I understand that the host isn't obligated to serve it. Maybe she has plenty of alcohol or has already made dessert. But if I really want to drink or eat what I brought, is there a nice way to ask her to open it? Or do I just have to let her do as she pleases? R. W. You're right that this is not your call. A gift is a gift, despite your own eagerness or curiosity. That said, what is appropriate to ask depends on the kind of relationship that you have with the host. I think that enthusiasm is a valuable asset in social situations, even if it…

UPDATED MARY JANES Unexpected design details (pretty patterns, glints of gold) individualize these always-appropriate classics. 1 BODEN Spotted cowhide gives neutral heels more kick. TO BUY: $198, bodenusa.com. 2 MARC FISHER Switch out last year's flats for this low-profile style in deep emerald. TO BUY: $69, marcfisherfootwear.com. 3 L. K. BENNETT Chic spectator details add vintage appeal. TO BUY: $395, us.lkbennett.com. 4 CHELSEA PARIS Evening-ready, complete with velvet and glittering heels. TO BUY: $595, chelseaparis.com. HIGH-COLLAR BLOUSE Equal parts romantic and refined, this Victorian-inspired style works with everything from denim to dressy skirts. 1 LINE & DOT The figure-forgiving boxy cut of this lightweight top skims over any problem areas. TO BUY: $103, lineanddot.com. 2 TRACY REESE A longer tunic length means you can wear this with leggings. TO BUY:…

1 BEST ROOT COVER-UP Bb. Hair Powder In white, blonde, brown, and black, this cleanser absorbs oil and conceals regrowth with a matte tint. Spray from arm's length away, then brush through. TO BUY: $36, bumbleandbumble.com. 2 NEATEST APPLICATION Alterna Caviar Dry Shampoo The pointed nozzle allows for spot-on delivery, while the caviar extract leaves hair soft. "The tiny tip deposited powder directly onto my scalp without it falling on my shirt," said a tester. TO BUY: $22, alternahaircare.com. 3 BEST VOLUMIZER David Mallett Volume Powder Each pump delivers the ideal dose of bamboo powder to add Bardot-like body without weighing hair down. TO BUY: $48, whiteroomapothecary.com. 4 BEST POST-WORKOUT Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo Blast onto roots, then wait 30 seconds while molecules lift away sweat and…

Q. Making waves Should we get our goldfish a friend? Or do goldfish prefer to swim solo? P. C., via Facebook A. If you want to double up, go ahead: Goldfish are content on their own, but they'll also accept a buddy, says aquatic-animal-medicine professor Greg Lewbart. Just make sure your tank is at least 20 gallons, says veterinarian Lisa Radosta. (Any smaller, and it will get dirty fast, because goldfish can produce a lot of feces.) Choose a fish the same size as the current one to avoid bullying, and the same gender if you want to avoid reproduction. (Females tend to be plumper; males may have light-colored bumps.) Keep the new one in a separate bowl for a month to check for signs of illness (lethargy, refusing food,…

UP TO 22 PERCENT of kids are described at some point by their parents as picky eaters, according to the National Institutes of Health. It may be worse with toddlers; a study published in Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that up to 50 percent of 19- to 24-month-olds are picky. That's a lot of you out there negotiating three (OK, fine, two) bites of broccoli or unbreaded chicken and contemplating hiding spinach in the brownies. "Too often dinnertime is a battleground," says Sharon Donovan, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who has studied picky eating extensively. The persnickety stage peaks from age two through six. (By then, peer pressure at the sleepover supper often kicks in and pickiness wanes.) But some picky…

Here's a nice way to spark your energy when you're feeling sluggish: Place your hands on the sides of your rib cage, fingers softly touching your abdomen. Rub up and down vigorously for about 10 seconds. (This helps open the flow of breath and can also relieve stress, according to Chinese medicine.) Relax your hands in your lap and become aware of your rib cage comfortably moving out and in as you breathe. Let your inhale flow as deeply as feels good. Gradually pick up the pace of your breath. Try to keep the feeling easy even as you speed up, allowing hands, jaw, and shoulders to remain soft. Focus on your inhale, letting each exhale just fall out. Stay with this faster breathing rhythm for about a minute. (You…

Buying guide Ripe tomatoes feel firm but yield to slight pressure. Don't squeeze too hard; they bruise easily. Store at room temperature for about 2 days. Rainbow bright Some of the common heirloom varieties you'll find in the market (also shown here) include: Brandywines, which are similar to beefsteaks ; Sungolds, which are like cherry tomatoes but sweeter; and tart, firm Green Zebras—try frying "em! 1 Rosemary lamb with tomato-yogurt sauce Combine 2 Tbsp. each OLIVE OIL, chopped ROSEMARY, and chopped GARLIC; rub on 2 (8-rib) RACKS OF LAMB. Grill, covered, over medium-high until a thermometer registers 140°F, 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tsp. each SEA SALT and PEPPER. Slice the ribs. Combine 1 cup PLAIN YOGURT and ½ cup chopped HEIRLOOM TOMATOES; serve the lamb topped with…

BEST FOR BEGINNERS Blue Apron Recipes from many of the services tended to be long and complicated, but Blue Apron consistently provided streamlined, unfussy instructions that explained cooking techniques, like exactly how to zest a lemon. The website also gives you the option to order kitchen tools you might not own. TO BUY: Meals start at $9 a serving, blueapron.com. FASTEST TO PREPARE FreshRealm Ingredients come in a mini refrigerator (FedEx picks it up from your door the next day) and are fully prepped—no chopping, grating, or peeling. Love Real Simple recipes? Our food staff helps develop the lineup. TO BUY: Meals start at $5.25 a serving, freshrealm.co. MOST CUSTOMIZABLE Plated Testers praised the minimal ingredients and the easy instructions for the regular weekly meals. But you can also upgrade…