Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2019 i Real Simple

EACH SPRING BRINGS that joyous moment when we look outside and see that the sun has returned, followed quickly by a realization: “Gee, my windows are filthy!” The sense of rejuvenation symbolized by the season inspires us to refresh our surroundings. But then reality sets in, and no matter whether you’re washing windows, dragging around a vacuum, or busting your knuckles as you scrub the tub, the predominant feeling is less “the joy of rebirth” than “there’s gotta be a better way.” Well, there is. We pulled together our favorite cleaning hacks plus some we’d never tried before, starting on page 122. I learned the most about cleaning during the summer between high school and college, when I worked as a housekeeper at a chain motel in Iowa. I…

Behind the Headlines Ana Falcón and her husband, Lucho, are undocumented immigrants in New York City, working all hours to feed their kids, save enough money for their own apartment, and pay off the loan shark they’re indebted to. As their situation becomes more precarious, forcing them to consider returning to a violent Peru, Ana must make desperate decisions. Melissa Rivero’s The Affairs of the Falcóns is an urgent read for our times. Therapy Notes In Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb offers an intimate look at her sessions with an array of patients—an arrogant jerk, a woman chasing unavailable men— and what she’s really thinking behind her notepad. Gottlieb adds another layer: Faced with a crisis, she seeks her own therapist. This relatable memoir reminds…

Quick Ideas 1 ANCHO COFFEE-RUBBED CHICKEN Mix together 1 Tbsp. each ground coffee, kosher salt, and light brown sugar, 1 tsp. ancho chili powder, and ½ tsp. each dry mustard, ground coriander, and garlic powder. Rub a 3½-lb. chicken, under and over skin, with ¼ cup softened butter. Rub coffee mixture under and over skin. Roast at 425°F until cooked through, 1 hour. 2 COFFEE-CANDIED BACON Place 8 slices thick-cut bacon on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Mix together 6 Tbsp. dark brown sugar, 2 tsp. ground coffee, and ¼ tsp. cayenne; sprinkle half over bacon. Bake at 375°F for 18 minutes. Flip; sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Bake until crisp, 15 minutes. 3 COFFEE-GLAZED NUTS Boil ¼ cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. water, 2 Tbsp.…

HOW TO PICK THE BEST STRAWBERRIES A strawberry’s sweetness depends more on its color than its size, says Madison Astin, a strawberry grower at Astin Farms in Plant City, Florida. Look for berries that are completely bright red—no white at the top—with fully attached green caps. If you can, gently squeeze a few of the berries. “Firm strawberries will typically last longer in your refrigerator,” she says. If you must store the berries, keep them in the same containers they were bought in, says Kevin Schooley, executive director of the North American Strawberry Growers Association. “They’re designed with venting to help reduce moisture, which can promote rot,” he says. When you’re ready to eat, rinse the berries and let them reach room temperature for maximum flavor. HOSTING A CROWD THIS…

Have six red lipsticks? Ten pink nail polishes? Limit yourself to one of each shade, keeping the one you reach for most often. STEP ONE Assess What You’ve Got. Remove all your products from your bathroom, vanity, makeup bag, etc. and lay them out on a large white sheet or towel. “This clean background lets you clearly see and assess what you have, and it’s particularly helpful for seeing the colors and textures of your makeup,” explains makeup artist and beauty expert Jenny Patinkin. Categorize everything: Split up makeup, skin-care, and hair-care items, and then divide each of those piles into subcategories according to type of product. Now get down to business: “If you haven’t even picked up a product in two years, it’s got to go,” says Patinkin.…

 Anh Sundstrom Sundstrom started 9to5chic.com as a personal style diary focused on workwear. Today she has a community of loyal followers who enjoy her musings on fashion, travel, and family life and admire her modern yet attainable style. Anh lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter Lucia, and three dogs. Follow @9to5chic on Instagram for more boss-lady outfit inspiration. Why not let a pro scour the stores for you? The blogger behind 9to5chic picks smart pieces for your next important meeting. J.Crew 2011 Icon Trench Coat “No rainy-day blues in this structured trench coat.” TO BUY: $228; jcrew.com. Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote “A practical shape in classic colors.” TO BUY: $195; cuyana.com. Banana Republic Quinn Straight-Fit Oxford Shirt “When spring comes around, I always throw a crisp,…

Brûléed Banana Splits With Cashew Caramel Corn ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 4 ½ cup sugar4 bananas, unpeeled, split lengthwiseVanilla ice cream, for serving1½ cups caramel corn with cashews, roughly chopped SPREAD sugar on a plate. Dip cut sides of bananas into sugar, pressing to help it adhere. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high. Working in 2 batches, add bananas to skillet, sugar side down, and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer, cut side up, to plates. SERVE topped with ice cream and caramel corn. Coconut Cake Doughnuts ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES MAKES 24 DOUGHNUTS 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut½ cup sugar½ tsp. ground cinnamonVegetable oil, for frying1 cup all-purpose flour¾ tsp. kosher salt½ tsp. baking powder¼…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES MAKES 60 MEATBALLS 4 slices white bread, torn into  ½-in. pieces2 lb. ground beef chuck8 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto cotto or deli ham, finely chopped1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese3 oz. pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup)1 yellow onion, grated (about ½cup), gently squeezed to remove liquid1 Tbsp. kosher salt2 tsp. dried oregano1 tsp. fennel seeds, chopped½tsp. freshly ground black pepper4 large eggs2 Tbsp. olive oil PREHEAT oven to 450°F. Place bread in a bowl; add ⅓ cup water and press to help bread soften. Let stand for 5 minutes. PLACE beef in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add ham, ricotta, pecorino Romano, onion, salt, oregano, fennel seeds, pepper, eggs, and bread mixture. Using a…

MEET TAMARA KRAUS ASSOCIATE HOME EDITOR AT REAL SIMPLE Best gift I’ve received: Lemon-colored silk pajamas—so luxurious. Favorite item in my home: Colorful stacking jewelry boxes from the MoMA Design Store. Most-used makeup item: Glossier Balm Dotcom. @TAMARARKRAUS ON INSTAGRAM Dye Easter Eggs With Ease For your egg hunt or a pretty centerpiece, follow our five steps for adding a coat of color to hard-boiled eggs this Easter. Read our how-to at http://realsimple.com/easteregg. 5 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS YOU SHOULD GET RID OF IMMEDIATELY If you hang on to these household objects too long, you risk spreading germs, dirt, and dust around your entire home. See more at realsimple.com/cleanup. Open  and tap  for cleaning tips. EXTRA SHARP Follow us on IGTV and Facebook as our editors share…

GREEN WALL Free up counter space and add texture to your wall with this copper planter rack—clay pots included. TO BUY: Wolter Wash clay wall planter, $84; birchlane.com. 1 GOOD AS GOLD This metallic accessory releases just a spritz of water, so you’ll never drown your houseplants again. TO BUY: Gold plant mister, $30; crateandbarrel.com. 2 HANG LOOSE Macramé gets a modern makeover with these colorful planters. TO BUY: Hanging planters, from $62; weareclosedonmondays.com. 3 SHEAR GENIUS Keep these clippers on hand for pruning, which promotes plant health and encourages new growth. TO BUY: Small scissors, $22; barebonesliving.com. 4 BRUSH IT OFF This German-made brush loosens built-up dirt at the bottom of your planters. TO BUY: Bürstenhaus Redecker flower pot brush, $15; healdsburgshed.com. 5 IN LINE These geometric brass sticks…

Bacon-potato Soup With Cheddar and Chives ACTIVE TIME 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 6 4 slices bacon, chopped1 small onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, chopped4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces3 cups low-sodium chicken broth3 cups whole milk1 tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper4 oz. Cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 cup)2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives COOK bacon in a large pot over medium, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. ADD onion and garlic to pot. Cook, stirring often, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. ADD potatoes, broth, milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very soft and soup is slightly thickened, 30 to 40 minutes. SERVE…

Do I Really Need to Sort My Laundry? “In a word, yes. If you throw white T-shirts, lingerie, jeans, and towels into the same load, you could wind up with dye transfer, lint, pilling, and even snags and holes. Sorting laundry really isn’t so hard, especially if you presort with separate hampers or a hamper with divided sections. Designate one hamper or section for whites, one for dark colors, one for light colors, and one for dry-clean-only items. Then, when you’re ready to wash, sort those color piles by fabric type, so you’re washing heavy jeans or lint-producing bath towels separately from blouses, dress slacks, and underwear. This lets you use the correct water temperature and keep drying times simple, instead of frying your T-shirts in order to get…

realsimple ROAD TEST BEST MULTITASKER Primal Elements Loofah Bar Soap Get more bang for your bar with this dual-texture soap. First suds up with the moisturizing vegetable glycerin. Then flip the bar over and massage with the all-natural loofah to buff away dead skin. (Read: more space in your shower, people!) The bright colors and scents—ranging from eucalyptus to Tahitian vanilla—are endless fun. TO BUY: $9 each; primalelements.com. MOST PAMPERING Jack Black Charcoal Body Bar Massaging Soap The next best thing to a spa. Its nubs relieve tension while seaweed extract soothes skin. Smooth over sore muscles for instant relief. TO BUY: $15; getjackblack.com. BEST FOR FEET Ulta Sea Salt Pedi Pebble No time to hit the nail salon? For sandal-ready soles in seconds, run this sea-salt-infused disk under…

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE: You decide to plan a family vacation and are thrilled about the idea of getting away and enjoying quality time together. Weeks later, it’s midnight, and you’re searching TripAdvisor for the 24th time to find an all-inclusive resort within your budget that has decent food and will entertain everyone in your family, while wondering how all this planning fell solely on your shoulders in the first place. Save time and get your life back with these organizational hacks from our experts, who eat, sleep, and breathe travel—and often vacation with kids. Simplify Your Preliminary Research NARROW DOWN YOUR DESTINATION. If you’ve already decided on a beach vacation or a trip to Europe, skip ahead to the next section. But if you’re hemming and hawing about where…

I batch-tackle my emails. I start the day by clearing the decks between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and then I don’t check my inbox again until lunch. I check in again around 3 p.m. and again at the end of the day. Mondays can be especially brutal because I do not touch my email over the weekend. But I think it’s so important to have that time away. I’d rather build time into my regular weekly schedule for email catch-up. I deleted the email app from my phone about a year ago and never downloaded it again. I make cakes, so I’m in the kitchen a lot, and I’d be in the middle of something important and then suddenly be on my phone opening emails. It brought all…

APRIL Asparagus and spinach and peas, oh my! It’s time to celebrate spring, when all our favorite fresh things abound. Dips and crunchy veggies make an easy party spread. Try one of our top hummus picks (page 146) or a mezze platter and eggplant dip (page 142). Mix some leaves into cheesy quinoa and serve it with chicken (page 138) or tender ricotta meatballs (page 144). The meatballs are also great with a side of cauliflower rice pilaf (page 143)—but honestly, they’ll go with just about anything green. Easy Dinner 1 Salt-and-pepper Chicken With Cheesy Spinach Quinoa ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ Whole-Grain ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly 1½ cups unsalted chicken broth1¼ cups quinoa1 tsp. kosher salt, divided3 cups baby spinach (about 3…

SWEET CHEF SERUM SHOTS Serum shopping doesn’t have to feel like a wild-goose chase. This superfood-charged line spells it out for you. Want to fade spots? Try Ginger + Vitamin C. Reduce the look of pores? Grab Beet + Vitamin A. Boost hydration? Kale + Vitamin B is your go-to. Tap the serum into clean skin before moisturizer for your dose of nutrients. TO BUY: $20 each; target.com. REVLON ROOT ERASE PERMANENT ROOT TOUCH-UP DIY hair color just got dramatically easier. The dual-valve canis-ter eliminates messy mixing. Pump product into lid, stir, and paint onto hair. Wait five minutes before rinsing. TO BUY: $12; revlon.com. VOLITION APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RESURFACING PEEL PADS Place two fingers inside the pad (it’s a little pocket) and sweep it over face and neck…

1 Before packing away your winter wardrobe, purge what no longer fits or is worn-out to save space for the things you’ll actually want to wear next season. Launder or dry-clean what you keep. 2 Empty pockets and fasten zippers and buttons to help items retain their shape. 3 Fix broken zippers, replace missing buttons, and repair ripped linings now so your garments are ready for action when the cold weather returns. 4 Clean salt and debris from boots and shoes, and use shoe trees or boot shapers to help them keep their form. Don’t polish footwear until after the off-season, since the polish may attract dust. 5 Never use cardboard boxes to store items long-term, as they can attract pests, and curious pets can gnaw through the material.…

Shari Marchbein, MD A New York City dermatologist and mom of twin boys, Marchbein knows a thing or two about fighting zits (adult female acne is her specialty!) and the power of budget skin care. Follow @drsharimarchbein on Instagram for more. Pond’s Cleansing Balm “My acne and eczema make me extra gentle with my skin. This cleanser thoroughly removes makeup without irritation. I put it on dry skin and massage it in.” TO BUY: $10; walmart.com. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 “Rule of thumb: Never sacrifice quality when it comes to sunscreen. This gives high-level protection at a low-level cost.” TO BUY: $36; cvs.com. Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash “This soybean-oil-rich cleanser is specially made for dry, sensitive skin. It’s the only body wash I’ve used…

SHEATH Unexpected textures, intricate details, and bright colors and patterns give this classic cut a fresh touch. RUCHED Gathered ruffles and pleats create dimension and movement. BELTED A built-in belt adds shape and makes you feel put-together without even trying. Accessorize a polished work outfit with the office-ready totes and backpacks at realsimple.com/workbags.…

WORK, MONEY, AND HEALTH ADVICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE TOO MANY OF US MOVE through the world in a body that feels less than great: Maybe you walk around rubbing a sore shoulder or you snap-crackle-pop your way out of chairs. Maybe you’re just generally dragging. Of course, if you have an injury or a medical condition, you should consult your doctor about the best course of action. But if you’re experiencing run-of-the-mill rustiness, it may be that your workout regimen—however intense or minimal it is—is missing a key exercise that will help you move with ease and feel great. Ahead, a few suggestions. For each, use your core and breathe deeply. Oh, and if you combine them all, you’ll get an excellent workout—and you might just feel a little…

As we move through our day, so much of our attention ends up being directed outward—toward our partner, kids, boss, social media. It’s easy to become so focused on others that our own needs fall by the wayside. Try this exercise anytime you feel the need to check in with yourself. Sit comfortably, with your spine upright and your palms resting on your thighs. Start with your eyes open and softly gaze about six feet in front of you. Take a few slow breaths through the nose and note any physical sensations that come into your awareness. What parts of your body are calling attention to themselves the most? Is any part of you feeling achy, cold, tense? Now close your eyes. Take another deep breath in and exhale…

KITCHEN SHINE SOLUTION To polish utensils that have water marks or blemishes, fill a mixing bowl with water and a generous pinch of baking soda. Drop in the utensils and cover the bowl with aluminum foil for about two minutes. Remove and dry completely before storing them or setting the table.RAEL PETIT, BEVERAGE DIRECTOR AT THE WILLIAMSBURG HOTEL IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK DRIP COLLECTOR Tie a paper towel around the base of an olive oil bottle with a rubber band to catch leaks and keep counters spotless.MELISSA MAKER, AUTHOR OF CLEAN MY SPACE After washing and drying my cast-iron pan, I wrap it in a paper towel before storing to ensure every drop of moisture is ab-sorbed and prevent rust.JULIA BLANTER, HEAD OF COMMUNITY AT BOXED, AN ONLINE…

ACTIVE TIME 5 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 MINUTES MAKES 6 CUPS 1 2½-lb. head cauliflower, stemmed and cut into florets Working in 2 batches, pulse cauliflower in a food processor until rice-size pieces form. (Some larger pieces are OK.) Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. MICROWAVE INSTRUCTIONS: Microwave 1 cup Cauliflower Rice, 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, ½ tsp. kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp. freshly ground black pepper in a microwave-safe bowl on high until butter is melted and mixture is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. STOVETOP INSTRUCTIONS: Cook 1 cup Cauliflower Rice and 1½ tsp. olive oil in a skillet over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, 2 minutes. Stir in ½ tsp. kosher salt and⅛ tsp. freshly…