Table of contents for July 2019 in Real Simple

I’M NOT A FOODIE. I love eating, and I like cooking—when I have the time—but food isn’t at the center of my universe, and I have little patience for complicated recipes full of unfamiliar ingredients. (My husband is the opposite. I marvel—and despair—at how he can use every pan, bowl, and knife in the kitchen, albeit with very impressive results.) That’s why I’ve always loved the approach to food that Real Simple takes: The focus is on making delicious, healthy meals without a lot of prep time and with a not-too-long list of ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store. We even have a column called The Staple (page 27), which helps you use up whatever ingredient you have too much of (because how did we…

Hold the sparkler at arm’s length, at least six feet from another person, and ignite the tip with a long-reach butane lighter, says Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Once the sparkler is lit, tip it upright, perpendicular to the ground, and keep holding it away from your body. Heckman says it’s safe to use the lit sparkler to light additional sparklers, one at a time. Sparklers are best for those ages 12 and up; they should be used outdoors and only if they’re legal in your municipality (check with your local department of public safety). Find an open space where sparks can’t ignite brush or anything close to your home. A concrete driveway is ideal, but if you opt for the lawn, consider first wetting down…

1 MAKE A BARBECUE BIN Stock a utensil caddy with essentials—napkins, flatware, and condiments—for easy transport from the kitchen cabinet to the backyard table. TO BUY: Carson Flatware Caddy with Leather Handles, $40; crateandbarrel.com. 2 CORRAL TOOLS Store oversize spatulas and tongs in a clear, lidded container (measure first to make sure they’ll fit), and stash them in the cabinet above the fridge. Or hang them from adhesive hooks mounted on the inside of a cabinet door. TO BUY: InterDesign Storage Organizer Bin with Lid, $21; amazon.com. 3 STOW AWAY If you’ve got the space, keep your grilling essentials in a weatherproof storage cart. Prep your food on the work surface above, and house your apron and oven mitts in the cabinet below between meals. TO BUY: Suncast Serving…

PSST: FRAGRANCE has never been so much fun. Companies are thinking outside the traditional perfume bottle and infusing scents into different products in unique forms, including oils, powders, and creams, for you to wear from head to toe. So don’t worry if you’ve never found your signature scent. These products all serve a purpose—soften skin, gloss up hair, freshen feet—and smell amazing while doing so. FOR YOUR BODY The creator’s goal was to design a fragrance that could be seen. Drumroll, please! Meet Amkiri, a temporary tattoo ink (in charcoal and ivory) scented with ginger, spearmint, and cedarwood. Draw on your skin (stencils included) and enjoy the scent for 12 hours. TO BUY: $60; amkiri.com. FOR YOUR PITS When you want to shower but can’t, grab the purse-size Secret Body…

AT THE MOMENT, I’m standing in the gorgeous kitchen of the Airbnb I’ve rented for a few weeks in Los Angeles. It has every bell and whistle: dark marble counters, computer-equipped stove, European dishwasher, a cool sculptural vent. There’s a huge refrigerator that is so tastefully camouflaged by smooth wooden panels you’d never know it was there. Every nook and cranny of this kitchen has been designed so that even the usually inaccessible corner spaces have pivoting shelves to hold the many machines—food processors, spice grinders, mixers—hidden beneath the counter. On top of that, it has a view of an immaculate garden much loved by a neighboring cat who resembles a tiny tiger. There is not one thing wrong with this kitchen…except for the fact that I hate it.…

My dad is 86 and has Alzheimer’s. My mother, siblings, or I would accompany him to doctor’s appointments so we could advocate for him and ask the right questions. We used a workbook from the Institute on Aging in San Francisco to keep track of details. His medical records are accessible through his provider’s website, so we can see his medication, appointments, and test results. We also used AARP’s Prepare to Care guide, which lays out everything a caregiver will have to plan for. When I was 27, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. That really made me realize I was the driver of my recovery and health. I wanted to be in control of what was happening to me. I asked for copies of all my test results…

Add to Cart Keep the food low-key (burgers, tacos), but bring the meal to the next level with an assortment of condiments. If you like, you can fancy up your spread by serving them in ramekins. A few ideas: “I grew up eating my granny’s homemade chicken fingers, and she always served them with Billy Bee Honey Mustard. It’s perfectly sweet and has a delightful tanginess that adds a welcome zip to chicken salad, chicken fingers, or even hamburgers.” —Brandi Broxson, Real Simple senior editor “Sir Kensington’s Special Sauce adds a little something, well, special to sandwiches. I also love a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on meat or grilled vegetables as an elevated finishing touch.” —Ananda Eidelstein, Real Simple food editor “I’m obsessed with Yellowbird hot sauce for…

JULY High summer calls for easy cooking and even easier eating. Get grill-ready with a big batch of all-purpose spice rub (page 126), perfect on everything from ribs to fish. For a change of pace, throw a cauliflower steak over the hot coals (page 119), or catch island vibes with sticky chicken thighs and pineapple (page 124). Good-for-you raspberry-chia jam (page 128) makes breakfast a no-brainer. It’s delicious spread on toast or swirled into overnight oats. Because this is the best time of all to keep it simple.…

MEET BETTY GOLD SENIOR DIGITAL FOOD EDITOR AT REALSIMPLE.COM Favorite seasonal dish: Homemade pesto, made with plenty of farm-fresh basil using a mortar and pestle. Simple pleasures: Bear hugs, sunshine, and warm socks fresh out of the dryer. I’m happiest when I’m: Sweating profusely—there really is no limit to the power of endorphins. @BETTYROSEGOLD ON INSTAGRAM At-home Workouts Want to sculpt your abs or score toned arms à la Jennifer Garner? We have the fitness moves you need. Get motivated at realsimple.com/workitout. Our Favorite Cleaning Supplies Whether you plan to deep-clean your home or give it a quick once-over, these 25 best-selling items will help. Shop the supplies at realsimple.com/cleanitup. Open and tap for Fourth of July recipes. SELF-CARE MADE SIMPLE Because nobody likes a complicated skin-care…

DIVE IN This 35-millimeter waterproof camera will help you achieve your minimal-screen-time goals while still capturing memories (even underwater). TO BUY: Underwater Camera, $24; poketo.com. 1 LUXE LOUNGER The terms “chic” and “pool float” have rarely been used together—until now. TO BUY: XL Float IZU, $50; thenicefleet.com. 2 TAILORED TUNES Customize every detail of this waterproof speaker, from the fabric to the color of the oversize volume buttons. TO BUY: myBoom 3 Speaker, $180; studio.ultimateears.com. 3 CHARITABLE TOTE Fifty percent of the cost of this canvas tote will go to Charity: Water, a nonprofit that provides clean drinking water to those without access to it. TO BUY: Madewell x Charity: Water Reusable Canvas Tote Bag, $10; madewell.com. 4 BABY SHARK A fun way to keep your little one (ages…

SLEEP-COOL PAJAMAS No more sweaty nights. Snooze comfortably in this soft and cool-to-the-touch rayon lounge set with pretty grosgrain trim. Even better, the shorts have pockets. TO BUY: Cool Nights Swing Cami, $30, and Cool Nights Short, $32; soma.com. NO-CLINK DOG TAG This silicone tag is quiet, scratch-resistant, and durable. Personalize for free with your pet’s name and your contact info. Pop in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. TO BUY: Qalo Silicone Dog ID Tag, $25; qalo.com. CORN PEELER Let us guess: The kids want the kernels off the cob, right? This dishwasher-safe tool removes kernels quickly and safely with a stainless-steel blade that won’t rust. TO BUY: OXO Good Grips Corn Prep Peeler, $7; oxo.com. NEXT-LEVEL COZY This stainless-steel container keeps a standard beer bottle cold and carbonated…

Why settle for plain frozen water when you can elevate a cocktail, a pitcher of lemonade, or a glass of seltzer with these creative cubes? They deliver subtle flavor and fun bursts of color. Each mixture that follows makes about 12 1-inch or 6 2-inch ice cubes. We freeze ours in silicone ice cube trays; the flexible material makes it easy to pop out the cubes once frozen. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe. TO BUY: Tovolo Ice Mold Trays, $12 for 2 1¼-inch trays or $9 for 1 2-inch tray; amazon.com. CUCUMBER HERB Divide sliced seedless cucumber among the cups of an ice cube tray. Top each with a few small mint leaves or a sprig of thyme; top with water and freeze until solid. Try in a gin and…

WHETHER YOU ROUTINELY shop for secondhand furniture online or routinely wonder why anyone would bother, you already know: This is the Wild West of internet retail, where sketchy listings, shifty characters, and scarce rules are just part of the game. But those who know how to play that game can walk away with gold. While Craigslist doesn’t look much different than it did in 1995, new apps and sites are making buying and selling secondhand furniture more user-friendly, and more shoppers are discovering the perks of decorating with upcycled pieces. “Vintage furniture can cost 70 to 80 percent less than new furniture and is often better made,” says Anna Brockway, cofounder and president of the resale site Chairish. Plus, broken-in items let you lend character to a room without…

Anastasia Soare Celebrity makeup artist and CEO of Anastasia Beverly Hills, Soare has turned brows into big business, with clients including Jennifer Lopez, Amal Clooney, and Naomi Campbell. Follow @anastasiasoare on Instagram to see her signature shaping. Fran Wilson Eye Tees “An upgrade of the classic beauty staple. Use them for precision shadow work or to perfectly smudge liner.” TO BUY: $5 for 80; amazon.com. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes “These are great for taking off the day while on the go. They are always in my travel bag.” TO BUY: $9; cvs.com. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover “No matter how heavily you layered on your mascara or colored in your brows, this gentle makeup remover melts away product from the sensitive eye area, without the stinging and irritation…

START WITH THE SHORTS… TO BUY: 10" Bermuda Stretch Chino Short, $49.50; jcrew.com. …ADD A TANK AND UTILITARIAN JACKET Bring texture to simple navy shorts with a crochet top, espadrilles, and a straw hat for a low-key daytime outfit. TO BUY: Crochet Sweater Tank, $69.50; luckybrand.com. Piper Jacket, $250; aetherapparel.com. Leopard Links Earrings, $42; honeyrosek.com. Sun Hat with Sash Detail, $15; tjmaxx.com. Indigo Rd. Canvas Slide, $58; francescas.com. …ADD A BLAZER Shorts can be office appropriate when combined with a crisp white shirt and a tailored blazer. Try bright, walkable heeled sandals for a colorful twist. TO BUY: Washington Shirt, $80; kestan.co. Hutton Blazer, $169; anntaylor.com. Miyake Hoop Earrings, $38; francesvalentine.com. Bethany Woven Drawstring Bucket, $300; colehaan.com. Seychelles Footwear Antique Sandals, $119; lulus.com. …ADD A CLUTCH AND A PRETTY TOP…

TANJA HESTER IS NOT your typical retiree. Sure, she fills her days with hobbies (hiking, skiing, traveling, volunteering) and never punches an office clock, but—already a year and a half into her post-work life—the former political communications consultant is only 39. Her husband, Mark Bunge, who also retired in December 2017, is 42. Over a six-year period of aggressive saving and budget trimming, the couple socked away enough to last them the next five-plus decades. Tanja’s story may sound extreme, but the truth is a lot of people can reduce their working years, with a little financial foresight and planning. “Many middle-class-and-up folks could retire earlier than they think, even without having big advantages,” says Hester, who now lives in Lake Tahoe, California, and recently wrote Work Optional: Retire…

A FEW MONTHS AGO, a friend of mine threw a dinner party, only to discover that nearly everyone coming had a food restriction. Gluten, dairy, nuts, sugar, meat: Our cultural food demons seem to grow by the day. According to a 2016 Pew Research Center survey, 32 percent of Americans believe they have at least one food allergy or intolerance—especially women, who are nearly twice as likely to report food allergies as men. Yet these numbers don’t match official statistics. In 2017, researchers at Harvard Medical School and other institutions analyzed more than 2 million electronic health records and found that only 3.6 percent of adults had doctor-documented food allergies or intolerances. What might explain this bizarre discrepancy? In some cases, of course, people who think they have food…

“ Just Bring Yourselves ” This is always a nice thing to say, followed by “I’m keeping it super simple.” Impromptu means smoothing out the road between here and getting to see your people: no time to fret or fuss or cancel—and no requirement that your guests procure prosciutto or make an orzo salad. Should anyone press (“I’m bringing something anyway, so tell me what would be helpful”), then feel free to suggest a specific contribution: a quart of vanilla ice cream to go with the pie, a bottle of prosecco for those cucumber cocktails. Otherwise folks will likely bring wine or flowers, which you can really never have too much of. “ I’m so Glad You’re Here ” This functions as the perfect all-purpose hosting mantra. Even though the…

Easy Dinner 1 Steak-and-potato Skewers With Orange Salsa ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 1 lb. baby potatoes (about 16)1 lb. hanger steak, cut into 1 ½-in. pieces2 tsp. chili powder1 tsp. ground cumin5 Tbsp. olive oil, divided, plus more for grill grates1 ¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided3 bell peppers, quartered lengthwise and seeded1 red onion, sliced crosswise into ¾-in.-thick rings2 oranges, segmented2 scallions, thinly sliced3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar1 Fresno chile, seeded and finely chopped SOAK 8 8-inch wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes. PLACE potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl; cover tightly with plastic wrap and cut a small slit in top. Microwave on high until potatoes are just tender, about 7…

ACTIVE TIME 5 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 MINUTES MAKES 1 CUP ¼ cup sweet paprika¼ cup plus 2 tsp. kosher salt2 Tbsp. light brown sugar4 tsp. garlic powder4 tsp. onion powder4 tsp. dried oregano4 tsp. orange zest (from 1 orange)2 tsp. black pepper1 tsp. cayenne (optional) COMBINE paprika, salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, orange zest, pepper, and cayenne, if using, in a medium bowl. Use your fingers to rub sugar and zest evenly through dried spices. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. HOW TO USE: Rub chicken, pork, steak, or fish with olive oil, and then season with 1 tablespoon rub for every 1 pound of meat, poultry, or fish. Let stand for 10 minutes before grilling. Maintain a well-stocked…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS 1 lb. fresh raspberries¼ tsp. kosher salt4 tsp. chia seeds1 Tbsp. honey1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) PLACE raspberries, ¼ cup water, and salt in a medium pot. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until raspberries begin to burst, about 5 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring often and mashing gently, until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chia seeds, honey, and lemon juice. Let cool completely. TRANSFER to a container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 1 week. (Jam will continue to thicken as it chills.) The tastiest jam deserves the most delicious nut butter. See how…

TOUCHLAND POWER MIST HAND SANITIZERS Wave goodbye to harsh, goopy sanitizers and hello to these fast-evaporating, nonsticky, lightly scented (lavender! watermelon!) mists. You get 500 spritzes in one handbag-friendly bottle. TO BUY: $12 each; touchland.com. DIOR BACKSTAGE EYE PALETTE #003 AMBER NEUTRALS Even makeup newbies will ace their eyes with this palette. It has a primer (upper left), plus lid, crease, and liner shades. The four shimmers and four mattes come in warm, coppery hues. TO BUY: $49; dior.com. THE RIGHT TO SHOWER BAR SOAPS These look cool, and the sulfate-free, vegan formula cleanses nicely. The best news: Unilever is donating 100 (!) percent of proceeds to help people living on the streets get access to showers. TO BUY: $8 each; amazon.com. INDIE LEE I-RECOVER MIND & BODY GEL Massage…

REAL SIMPLE ROAD TEST BEST DETANGLER Garnier Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry Wet hair is stretchy and weak, and brushing it can lead to breakage. Paired with a wide-tooth comb, this mist, infused with vitamin E and aloe, gently smooths snarls without snagging. The formula also helps prevent frizz while your hair dries. Use post-shower and post-pool. TO BUY: $6; at drugstores. BEST CREAM Kenra Platinum Air Dry Crème 6 Don’t have time to blowdry but don’t want to arrive at work with wet hair? This styler boosts texture and speeds up air-dry time by 60 percent. TO BUY: $22; ulta.com. BEST LEAVE-IN Bumble and Bumble Surf Styling Leave In Work this gel-cream formula into towel-dried hair for loose waves. It has UV filters to protect strands…

My Knives Are Rusty. THE FIX: Wipe down the rusty blade with a cloth dipped in vinegar, and then grab a potato (any kind will do) and push the blade into the center of it, says Mary Findley, coauthor of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning. Potatoes contain oxalic acid, which may remove rust. If the blade goes through the other end, use two potatoes. Let the knife sit for about 20 minutes, pull it out, and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol to tackle any remaining grime. If it’s still rusty, repeat as needed or let it sit in the potato longer. Toss the potato when you’re done. To help prevent rust, completely dry knives after washing them, and avoid putting them in the dishwasher, says Eunice Byun,…

1 Finding beauty in the parks To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, in 2016, I set out to see each of our national parks (there were 59 at the time). Over the course of one scenery-soaked year, I traveled across sand and soil, from the lowest point in the United States (Death Valley) to the base of our highest peak (Denali). Our nation’s natural beauty is as diverse as the people who live in it, and the parks are where red and blue can come together, sometimes in the same vista. Setting aside our most majestic places for the enjoyment of all was a prescient American idea, and my trip through the parks left me with a deep sense of American pride. CONOR KNIGHTON IS…

Deep breathing is a wonderful way to both wake up and release tension. Begin by lying down and giving your toes a little wiggle. Touch the crown of your head to become more attuned to the top of your body. As you breathe in, imagine your inhale traveling down to your toes. As you exhale, feel your breath moving back up to the crown of your head. Take another inhale, just down to your knees, and an exhale back up. Keep going, breathing into your pelvis and exhaling to your crown. Into your belly and out to your crown. Into your chest and out. Into your jaw and out. From there, take the return journey down the length of the body. By the time you’re done, you should feel…

PICK YOUR PLAYLISTS Music-streaming services make it simple to keep a playbook of playlists. DJ Taiga of Remixologists, an events company in New York and Philadelphia, recommends the playlists “Indie Dinner Party,” “Jazzy Dinner,” and “Feel Good Dinner” on Spotify. You could also try Pandora stations like “Hipster Cocktail Party,” “Classic Soul BBQ,” and “Brunch Cafe.” Spotify even has “The Cleaning Playlist,” which is full of sing-along classics that make pre- or post-party cleanup more bearable. If you don’t have time to queue up a playlist, ask a willing guest to play DJ, suggests Michael Smith Boyd, an Atlanta-based designer and the star of Buying It Blind on Bravo. Break the Ice Help get the conversation started by setting out some games. A deck of trivia cards left on…