Tabla de contenidos para February 2021 en Real Simple

NOT TOO LONG AGO, my husband, then 2-year-old, and I were separated from our orderly life by a string of fitful events: a job loss, a book deal, and an unplanned pregnancy. The book deal I’d waited almost two years to secure seemingly arrived at the exact moment the pregnancy test strip turned pink. My Jamaican, physics PhD husband had just lost his well-paying tech job—and his skilled-workers visa along with it. I’ll never forget waddling my massively pregnant way into U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and explaining to a kind government official that our marriage was as real—and raw—as they come. Months later, a series of significant deliveries were made, a healthy baby girl topping the list. A green card. Blessedly, another job offer for my husband. And…

1 REINVENTED VASE With one twist, this 10-inch vase drains old water. Twist again and the bottom pops off, so you can trim stems to help flowers last. TO BUY: The Amaranth Vase, $60; amazon.com. 2 LUMBAR LOVER If you have an achy-breaky back, plop this memory foam cushion onto a chair, sofa, or driver’s seat and feel the contours support your spine. TO BUY: Back Relief Lumbar Pillow, $60; thecushionlab.com. 3 CLEAN-COUNTER HQ As you whip up your world-famous chili, this tray will hold three spoons and a pot lid, keeping your counter tidy. Pop it into the dishwasher when you’re done. TO BUY: Stainless Steel Spoon Rest with Lid Holder, $20; oxo.com. 4 ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Get peace of mind on road trips from this one-pound workhorse: It can…

Meet the Owners HERMAN VEGA AND EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ This artistic couple has deep roots in the design world: Herman (below, left) is the creative director at People en Español, and Eduardo is an interior designer (dsgner.nyc). They’ve furnished the deck and patio of their home in New York’s Catskill Mountains to reflect their luxurious-but-approachable aesthetic and welcome guests year-round while practicing social distancing. Sure, it gets cold out there, but they stay warm the old-fashioned way, “with lots of firewood!” Here’s how to bring their entertaining style to your own backyard. To avoid smoke in your eyes, use very dry firewood, and stack logs in the shape of a teepee or log cabin to maximize airflow. Get the Look LAYER LIGHTING for a glowy, inviting atmosphere. Lanterns and an…

Do This… DAILY Scrub your sink as part of your post-dinner routine, with your regular sponge and dish soap. Remove lingering food particles first, and never use steel wool or any kind of scouring pad. The material is too abrasive no matter what your sink is made of. EVERY TWO WEEKS Run the strainer through the dishwasher, and do a deeper clean of the basin with a gentle abrasive powder or a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Sprinkle the powder or spread the paste all over the surface, then scrub back and forth with a fresh, damp sponge. Start from the top of the sink’s sides, working your way down. Use a small brush to degunk around the drain and the edge of the basin. Rinse away residue…

1 Acknowledge It. Prevent your critic from hijacking your thoughts by simply being more aware of its presence. When your voice speaks up, say to yourself, “That’s my inner evaluator talking,” and take a few slow, mindful breaths. A healthy inner dialogue is one we’re aware of, no matter what it’s saying. RICHARD DAVIDSON, PHD, IS THE WILLIAM JAMES AND VILAS PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON AND FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL’S CENTER FOR HEALTHY MINDS. 2 Talk Back With Humor. Our critic is a habitually negative character—like a pessimistic relative who’s invited to every family party. Try to poke some fun at that detractor. I call mine Nigel. In my mind’s eye, Nigel is a British interior decorator with impossibly high aesthetic…

SLOWING DOWN has helped me endure the stress of these fraught pandemic times: I actually feel happier and healthier when I move my body more slowly. It wasn’t always this way. I began to question my fast-lane approach to life in the ladies’ room last year. In the interest of getting to a meeting on time, I honestly considered curtailing a seemingly endless pee session, going just enough to stave off a full bladder. This madness reflected my MO: I’d find all sorts of ways to quicken my pace—then lose it when anything impeded my swiftness. Full-throttle and frenzied, I was prone to error, miscommunication, insensitivity, and anger. One hectic morning, I opened a box of cereal with such fast fury that I tore the flaps, sending me into…

Mixed Grains Bowl With Beet-Ginger Dressing ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 ½ cup red rice or short-grain brown rice2 ¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided½ cup dried brown lentils, rinsed½ cup rainbow quinoa¼ cup olive oil, divided, plus more for serving¼ cup plain whole-milk kefir1 8.8-oz. pkg. steamed beets (such as Love Beets), chopped (1 ¾ cups)1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)1 tsp. grated fresh ginger (from a 1-in. piece)2 avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled1 small bulb fennel, thinly sliced¼ cup hemp seedsBaby greens, flaky sea salt, and crushed red pepper, for serving PLACE 3½ cups water, rice, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 25…

LOOK FOR Sweet oranges, like seedless navel, berry-flavored Cara Cara, and the stunning blood orange. For more tang, opt for Ruby Red grapefruit or the knobby tangelo, a grapefruit-tangerine hybrid. Hot find: The oversize Sumo Citrus is easy to peel and divinely sweet. PRO TIP Hold the fruit in your palm. For maximum juiciness, it should feel heavy for its size. STORE Up to two weeks in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature for a couple of days. SERVE Peel and slice into segments and toss into a green salad; use the juice instead of vinegar in a dressing; chop and make a salsa to serve with seafood or chicken.…

Look, really look, at the gradations and textures of this sculpture. Let your eyes follow each line as you explore the subtle movement of pattern, light, and shadow. Notice your breathing, and for a few moments allow it to be relaxed, like soft ocean waves. Now imagine that the breathing slowly expands to your whole body. Feel your body rise as you breathe in and fall as you breathe out. Every cell in your body, from your head to the soles of your feet, rises as you breathe in and falls as you breathe out, like gentle rolling waves.—JAMIE PRICE, MyLife, a personalized mindfulness app…

CUSTOM CONTENT Feel like a true grown-up with personalized stationery (that doesn’t break the bank). TO BUY: Matilda Goad Scallop Trim Notecard Set, $28 for 10; papier.com. 1 CREATIVITY BOOSTER Yes, these crystal-inspired erasers are functional, but they’re also just plain fun. TO BUY: Creativity Crystals Erasers Set, $16 for 5; chroniclebooks.com. 2 MUCH OBLIGED Express gratitude with cool graphics and big color. Even the envelopes in this set are two-tone with gold edges. TO BUY: Geo Letter Thank You Notecard Set, $20 for 10; katespade.com. 3 PRETTY IN INK This is the only pen that Real Simple’s creative director (an avid note taker) uses. Choose from 16 colors. TO BUY: Smooth Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens, $1.50 each; muji.com/us. 4 HAPPY RETURNS It’s a splurge, but this copper stamp lets…

JLo Beauty That JLo Glow in a Multitasking Serum What’s the Jennifer “Glopez” secret to luminous skin at 51 years of age? Sunscreen, sleep, and this serum with extra-virgin olive oil—a special ingredient passed down from Lopez’s mom. And just like the actor, singer, dancer, and producer, the serum does it all: protects, brightens, tightens, and hydrates for immediate, long-lasting radiance. TO BUY: $79; sephora.com. 1 SUSTAINABLE MASK Honest Beauty Reusable Magic Silicone Sheet Mask Single-use masks feel so wasteful. This soft, stretchy one goes on over serum to lock in ingredients. After 10 minutes, remove, rinse, dry, and reuse—for months! TO BUY: $15; honest.com. 2 DRY-HAND RELIEF Dove Nourishing Hand Sanitizers These pumps pack 61 percent ethyl alcohol to fight germs—but you’d never know it, based on how soothed…

Last year, I didn’t want to put my bag down anywhere. (Grocery cart germs? Ew!) Still, I needed to carry around all my stuff, so I got the State Lorimer Fanny Pack. I love it because it holds everything I need to run errands, walk the dog, and take my kids to the playground. My keys, phone, wallet, mask, and hand sanitizer snuggle inside the two easy-access zippered pockets. On rainy days, it can accommodate a travel umbrella. When I’m on a long walk, it can fit a small water bottle. I never leave home without it, and—full disclosure—I’ve even taken to wearing it around inside my house. That’s how soft and comfortable it is.…

WITH A DRESS Throw a thigh-length puffer over a printed midi dress and ta-da—you’ve elongated your figure. TO BUY: Down Right Tunic Vest, $140; duluthtrading.com. Josephine Midi Dress, $210; bodenusa.com. OVER A CHUNKY TURTLENECK Double down on boldness by wearing a leopard-print vest and bright yellow sweater. TO BUY: Upcycled Lightweight Puffer Vest, $60; gap.com. The McKenzie Sweater, $265; mmlafleur.com. UNDER A CHORE JACKET Go ombré with a blush top, slim-fit rust vest, and loose rosy jacket. TO BUY: Ultra Light Down Compact Vest, $40; uniqlo.com. All In Favor Lettuce Edge Rib Top, $25; nordstrom.com. Will Jacket, $145; sezane.com. OVER A JEAN JACKET Two cowboy faves—the jean jacket and the down vest—pair up for a surprisingly chic look. TO BUY: Down Winter Puffer Vest, $50; landsend.com. Jane Jacket, $199; dl1961.com.…

IVAN SCHNEIDER, a corporate copywriter in Seattle, grew up hearing stories from his father, Leon, about coming of age poor in New York City, hitchhiking as a teenager, and joining the merchant marine. Leon had traveled the world and even survived two torpedo attacks during World War II before settling down. He was 48 years old when Ivan was born, and when Ivan reached that age, he felt the need to learn even more about his 96-year-old father’s life. Ivan instigated a series of phone calls with his dad, who lived across the country. The long talks helped Ivan put his father’s stories into perspective; he began to understand the motivations and emotions that went along with them. “It was a bunch of stories before, but it became a…

EASY DINNER 1 Spicy Chicken and Polenta ACTIVE TIME 45 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Gluten-Free 8 6-oz. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. berbere (such as McCormick)1 ¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided2 Tbsp. olive oil1 large red onion, thinly sliced2 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 lb. green beans, trimmed4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided¾ cup instant polentaLime wedges, for serving PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Season chicken with berbere and 1 ½ teaspoons salt; rub to coat. HEAT oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Place 4 chicken thighs, skin side down, in skillet; cook, undisturbed, until skin is crisp, about 5 minutes. Flip thighs and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken. ADD onion and garlic to skillet; cook…

Quick Ideas CINNAMON-SUGAR COOKIES Place 1 thawed puff pastry sheet on a surface sprinkled with sugar. Combine ¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup finely chopped pecans, and ¼ tsp. cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush pastry with 1 beaten egg and sprinkle with pecan mixture. Roll into a tight log; freeze for 15 minutes. Cut into 24 slices and sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. sugar. Bake at 450°F on a parchment-lined pan until browned, 9 minutes. Flip and bake for 5 minutes. PIZZA CROISSANTS Cut 1 thawed puff pastry sheet into 6 triangles. Top evenly with 3 Tbsp. marinara sauce, ½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend, and ¼ cup pepperoni slices. Starting with widest end, roll each triangle. Place, tip side down, on a parchment-lined pan. Brush with 1 beaten egg and…

Of course watering is important, but there’s another little task that’s key to a thriving houseplant, says Stephanie Horton, of the Instagram feed @botanicalblackgirl. Regular trimming (a.k.a. pruning) can make your plant healthier, help it grow, and even keep pests at bay. “It’s essential maintenance for most plants, but skip it for cacti and succulents,” she says. To prune like a pro: Park your plant near the sink for easy cleanup, then grab a pair of clean shears. Horton swears by Fiskars Multipurpose Garden Shears ($22; fiskars.com). Look for yellow or browning leaves and snip them off at an angle just above the node, the bump that protrudes from the stem, says Eliza Blank, founder and CEO of the Sill, an online plant store.…

Best Bedding COMMA HOME FOR THE WIN Bamboo Weighted Blanket When several testers independently said, “This blanket was like a warm hug,” we knew we were onto something. “I love the look and feel of this blanket,” one reviewer told us. “It looks like an expensive quilt, and I really enjoyed the smooth, cool feel of the fabric.” Another reviewer had never used a weighted blanket before and found it eye-opening that it improved his sleep. The 15-pound weight was deemed just right, and the bamboo-viscose material wicked away moisture. Plus, the company donates 10 percent of sales to organizations helping people without homes—making this a feel-good purchase in more ways than one. TO BUY: $149; commahome.com. FOR DUELING COUPLES Sleep Number Create Your Perfect Comforter “This is a game…

1 PREP SMART If you’ve been experiencing the dreaded “maskne,” be extra thorough with your skin-care routine—cleanse, moisturize, and apply SPF. Then reach for primer, which is key “if your goal is for makeup to stay in place,” says Jamie Greenberg, a celebrity makeup artist in Los Angeles. Shiseido Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer ($36; shiseido.com) is water based, so it’s less likely to clog pores and cause zits, and it has peptides and a sebum-absorbing powder to tamp down shine. Greenberg’s insider tip: Apply primer with a brush, not your fingers, on oil-prone hot spots, like the T-zone. “This way, you can be diligent about where you put it,” she says. 2 USE A LIGHT TOUCH “The less makeup you wear under the mask, the better,” Greenberg says.…