Inhaltsverzeichnis für April 2023 in Real Simple

WHY ARE YOU SO AWESOME? The question popped into my head as I read the reader responses for this issue’s installment of Your Words (page 12). When Hannah Dorough—she’s the editor who gathers your quotes from email and Instagram—sent the column my way, I was floored. We asked you what you’re doing to live more sustainably, and the answers flooded in, as varied as switching to reusable kitchen towels, capturing shower water for plants, and vacationing without a car. We got so many answers, in fact, that Hannah created a whole presentation to lobby for an extra page to fit more of them into the magazine! (Hannah’s pretty awesome too.) All this is to say that we know you’re already doing it: You’re taking steps small and large to…

We’ve been going vegetarian four days a week. It’s so fun trying new recipes and seeing how satisfying meatless meals can be. @BABSTURNER87 Shampoo bars! No more plastic bottles feels so good. @WHISKEYANDWALKTHROUGHS My partner and I took a vacation without a car. We brought our bicycles onto the train and rode or walked everywhere for four days. @ALLYSONK51 Ditching paper towels. I got $15 worth of cloth towels from the dollar store and put them in a cute basket on my counter. I only use the paper stuff for oily spills. I’ve had the same roll under my sink for eight months now! @GLOBALJOJO I started saving all my vegetable scraps in a freezer bag. Once it’s full, I make veggie broth. @KRISTINDAFFERNER When I’m waiting for my shower…

1 SUNNY SHOWER Renters—and the nonhandy—rejoice! This bold showerhead comes with an adjustable shelf and mirror that can be installed with no drilling whatsoever. Lookin’ Good, $270; sproos.co 2 PLUGGED-IN STYLE This faux-leather bracelet is also a power cord: Unclip it to reveal a lightning-to-USB cable you can use to juice up your iPhone. Charging Cord Bracelet, $50; uncommongoods.com 3 ANTISLIP PADS Feel like you’re pushing up your glasses every two seconds? These grippy, cushy pads hold frames in place—whether you’re looking down at your phone or sweating through hot yoga. Eyeglass Nose Pads, from $10; setexgrip.com 4 DARK MAGIC If you’ve ever struggled to sleep because of obnoxiously bright lights on your electronics, you need these stickers to hide the glow. Score a pack with 11 shapes and…

If you’re washing your hair less frequently and using dry shampoo, you probably have buildup. To help alleviate this, some salons now offer scalp facials. Your head gets steamed, pressure points get pushed, and shoulders get loved. For us at home, New York City salon owner Giovanny Jorge created ScalpFacial ($55; gioje.com) in two options. One, for oily hair, can boost volume; the other, for dry hair, helps reduce flakes. They each contain peppermint, vitamin E, and jojoba oil. Massage in the treatment with the brush (nubs help exfoliate), wait 15 minutes, then shampoo and condition. The weekly treatment creates a balanced foundation so strands can thrive. Shoulder rub not included. ADD TO CART Skin-Care Expertise in a Bottle These badass derms used their talent and know-how to make their…

TRAVELING ALONE HAD BEEN at the top of my bucket list for a long time— partly because I’ve been burned by someone backing out of a trip in the final hour. (We had been planning a birthday adventure to Jamaica for months before my cousin revealed her fear of flying. We ended up on the Jersey Shore—nice, but not Jamaica.) And partly because I am very into the idea of doing vacay my way. No compromises, no seeing sights that don’t interest me, no worrying about slowing people down. I’ve imagined myself strolling along glamorous Rodeo Drive, toting colorful shopping bags like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, or relaxing on the beach at a tropical resort like Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back. But I never actually…

WE’RE GRATEFUL FOR THE advancements of 21st-century medicine, but when it comes to doctor visits, it’s easy to long for the good old days of cozy chats with kindly, bespectacled family practitioners who asked about your mom’s sciatica. Now a trip to the doctor can feel about as personal as an oil change, and probably even faster. You know how it goes: You’ve barely recounted your aches and pains and you’re working up the courage to mention that toenail fungus when suddenly the doctor tells you it’s time to put your pants back on and pick up a specialist referral at the front desk. Wham-bam, where’s your copay, ma’am? Here’s how to make the most of your next appointment—whether it’s with your general practitioner, ob-gyn, eye doctor, or any…

GREEN UP YOUR CADDY Tap here to shop this story. If you’d swung by the REAL SIMPLE offices last winter, you’d have found us knee-deep in earth-friendly cleaners. In anticipation of spring greening (when we clean our spaces and celebrate Earth Month), we gathered dozens of products in their recycled bottles and biodegradable cardboard boxes. Then we got to work testing everything in our labs—a.k.a. our homes—over two months. We created rigorous methodologies and filed our findings in endless spreadsheets. (People, this was a project!) Some formulas felt like duds—not enough suds, lingering residues, headache-inducing scents—but there were standouts, we’re happy to report. Read on for our top picks. DISHWASHER DETERGENT Method Heavy Duty Dishwasher Packs These pods stood out from other pods—as well as powders and those newly popular…

#1 / Tuna, Chickpea & Cherry Tomato Salad ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking 1 6-oz. jar tuna in olive oil1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (10 oz.), halved6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about ¾ cup)½ cup green olives, pitted and roughly chopped½ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice1 cup pita chips, broken into 1-in. pieces¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)1 5-oz. container baby arugula DRAIN tuna, reserving oil; flake tuna into ¾-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl and add chickpeas, tomatoes, cheese, olives, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine. POUR reserved oil from tuna through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Whisk in lemon juice until bright yellow…

FOR SELF-CARE, HOME CARE & ALL YOUR OTHER CARES Furniture ROOM & BOARD The company’s Urban Wood Project upcycles materials salvaged from buildings slated for demolition, storm-damaged trees, and more. The result? Cool, almost bespoke industrial pieces. Room & Board is also working toward going entirely electric and using only sustainably sourced wood. ROVE CONCEPTS Head here for modern pieces made with modern practices. Many Rove items are crafted from FSC-certified wood (harvested responsibly, with limited environmental impact) and fabrics like vegan suede, which is 50 percent recycled polyester. INSIDE WEATHER These midcentury modernish pieces are all sorts of good. They feature FSC-certified wood, Oeko-Tex (i.e., nontoxic) fabric, and stuffing made of recycled plastic bottles. One sofa repurposes about 200! FLOYD In 2021, Floyd launched the online resale shop Full…

BACK IN 2018, Jenny Nguyen and a few friends headed to a local sports bar in Portland, Oregon, to watch the NCAA women’s basketball championship game. “To me this was the biggest game of the year,” says Jenny, who grew up playing ball. Still, none of the bar’s many TVs had the game on. “We asked them to change the channel, and they did, but they put us in the corner of the restaurant.” From their nook, the group watched one of the best games Jenny had ever seen. Afterward, a friend pointed out that it would’ve been even better if the sound had been on. Jenny, so used to watching sports in a compromised way, hadn’t even realized it wasn’t. They started daydreaming about a space where they could…

BEST PEN KS&CO Microfeathering Brow Pen Available in three blendable hues, this pointy pen has a flexible tip that creates thin, hairlike strokes, no matter your skill level. Shake the pen, then draw little flicks on clean, dry skin wherever you need to fill. Blend with a spoolie or top with gel (not included). The ink sets in 30 seconds. Plus, biotin, red algae extract, and red clover extract help keep brows healthy and hydrated. $42; theksandco.com BEST KIT Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Shape & Fill Duo The powder and putty let you customize your color; the angled brush, spoolie, and mirror help you raise your brows on the go. $27; sephora.com BEST BARGAIN E.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil For three bucks, you get a creamy, fine-tipped pencil (available in…

ON THE WEB 11 Little Changes for a Greener Home Trying to treat the earth better? We support that! Learn easy things you can do to green up your routine at realsimple.com/goinggreen. IN YOUR KITCHEN 8 Recipes for a Super-Special Easter Brunch No matter who’s on the guest list, we’ve got menu ideas to please every bunny, er, body. Hop over to realsimple.com/easterbrunch to check them out. IN YOUR CLOSET 7 Sustainable Clothing Brands for Your Next Workout Crush this weekend’s run with an outfit that helps you look good and feel great about the impact you’re making on the planet. Go to realsimple.com/workout and shop our favorite eco-friendly activewear brands. IN YOUR WALLET Smart Savings REAL SIMPLE readers can score 15 percent off the multitasking brow serum from…

With better weather in sight, it’s time to think about zhuzhing up your backyard. Take a cue from Memphis-based interior designer David Quarles IV (@david.quarlesiv). His amazing deck is featured in Embrace Your Space, a new book filled with organizing ideas and stylish upgrades by REAL SIMPLE associate editorial director Katie Holdefehr. David added weatherproof textiles (rug, pillows, and cushions), brought in ambience with rattan pendants (use battery-powered puck lights for a wire-free fix), and finished things off with plenty of potted plants. Swoon. ON TREND Fluted Furniture Because everything’s better with ridges. (Just ask a potato chip fan.) Milly Bed, $1,742; joybird.com Sculptural Fluted End Table, $499; eq3.com Harper Sideboard, $1,199; castlery.com Fayette Fluted Bar Cabinet, $1,599; crateandbarrel.com Roth Ottoman, $450; mcgeeandco.com WHICH IS BETTER? H2Woes Going green…

1 ONE-MINUTE WONDER I’m not the most patient when it comes to the nail salon. This long-lasting formula lets me take manis into my own hands. It’s free of 15 harmful ingredients, you only need one coat, and it dries in a minute. Olive & June Quick Dry Polish, $7.50 each; target.com 2 ECZEMA HELPER Stop scratching dry, itchy skin and reach for this cooling roll-on gel instead. The metal tip offers immediate relief, and ingredients like ground oatmeal help minimize flare-ups. Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Itch Relief Gel, $20; walmart.com 3 SMART STICK To reduce waste, this brand only makes six shades, all truly wearable (Chateau is shown here). The formula is plant based, the factory uses solar energy, and the tubes are metal, not plastic. Bonus: There’s a flip mirror in every…

FIX Grease Stains WITH Dish Soap The stuff can cut through the grime on your trusty casserole dish and save your favorite blouse from an oily dinner stain. As with any pretreatment, squeeze a bit onto the spot and let it sit for up to 10 minutes before laundering as usual. The stain should come right out. WE TRIED IT “This is my go-to when I’m out of pretreatment. A little dab of Dawn works every time.” —Leslie Corona, senior home editor FIX a Wrinkly Load WITH Ice Cubes Ever open your dryer to find a surprise pile of accidentally abandoned—and extremely wrinkly—clothes? It happens to the best of us. No need to redo the whole cycle or bust out the iron. Toss six to eight ice cubes into the…

ACTIVE TIME 50 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 10 HOURS (INCLUDES CHILLING) SERVES 10 1 cup lightly packed cookie crumbs (from 11 or 12 cookies, preferably Biscoff)½ cup unsalted raw pistachios, plus more for topping½ cup chopped raw walnuts, plus more for topping½ tsp. kosher salt, divided3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, meltedBaking spray with flour24 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature½ cup honey, plus more for topping3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour2 tsp. pure vanilla extract1 tsp. lemon zest plus 2 tsp. fresh juice¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided2 cups sour cream, at room temperature, divided3 large eggs, at room temperature PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Pulse cookie crumbs, pistachios, walnuts, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add melted butter; pulse to combine. PRESS cookie crumb mixture into bottom…

Q CHRISTA ASKS… My husband and I are proud to have started a successful small business that’s been open for six years. The issue: A lot of people give us unsolicited business advice, which often includes ideas we’ve already implemented or thought of. Is there a nice way to shut down these “business experts” without coming across as someone who thinks she knows it all? I definitely don’t! Excuse me. Congratulations to you and your husband for starting a successful small business. In this economy? That’s amazing. And the fact that you two can work together—honey, you guys are winning. When family members want to give me advice about my career, I ask them, “Are you a Hollywood agent? Are you a manager? OK, then let’s talk about something else.”…

APRIL IS BEST KNOWN for showers that bring May flowers. It’s less recognized as National Financial Literacy Month. But because many of us are currently reckoning with all things money as we file our taxes, it’s the perfect time to catch up. So let’s do it! Being financially literate means you understand the basics, you have good habits, and you can confidently make smart decisions, says Bola Sokunbi, a certified financial education instructor and the founder of Clever Girl Finance, an educational platform for women. Figuring we shouldn’t ignore a government-approved, monthlong campaign, we asked Sokunbi and other money experts to share their top tips for becoming more financially literate. Here’s what they had to say. Take Stock of Your Money Mindset “Your attitudes and beliefs about money are…

SKILLET GNOCCHI WITH SAUSAGE & BROCCOLI RABE ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 1 lb. broccoli rabe, stemmed and chopped4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided, plus more for topping½ lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed1 bulb fennel, trimmed and sliced, fronds reserved1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more for cooking broccoli rabe1 16-oz. pkg. shelf-stable gnocchi½ tsp. fennel seeds½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth½ cup whole-milk ricotta cheeseFreshly ground black pepper, for topping BRING a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add broccoli rabe; cook until bright green and tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. MEANWHILE, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sausage; cook, stirring and breaking it up, until no longer pink, 5 to 8…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES MAKES 24 PIECES 12 large eggs½ cup whole-milk Greek-style yogurt¼ cup finely grated pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for topping2 tsp. apple cider vinegar4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more for topping1 tsp. kosher salt BRING a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Carefully lower in eggs. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 12 minutes. Transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water; chill until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Peel. (To make ahead, refrigerate unpeeled eggs up to 3 days in advance.) CUT eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop yolks into a medium bowl, leaving whites intact. Mash yolks with a fork. Stir in yogurt, cheese,…