Table of contents for March 2020 in Real Simple

YEARS AGO, we had a sweet basset hound named Ramona. One day I found a lump on her back and freaked out, assuming the worst. A trip to the vet revealed it to be nothing more than a common blob of fat. Ugly, but not deadly. So I wasn’t worried when Roscoe, our rescue dachshund, developed a bump on his right thigh. This time, though, the vet visit led to a CAT scan and a grim cancer diagnosis. Surgery might buy some time but would be unable to save him. Feel free to insert a string of profanity. I know I did. Yet here we are, five months later. Roscoe remains mostly as he was—a neurotic little alien, full of quirks (he’s scared of hands) and love (he’s very…

What Should I Read Next? TOP PICKS FOR EVERY TASTE Coming of (middle) Age At 50, Judy reaches an all-time low. Cleaning out her basement, she finds her son’s old baby sling, takes one look at the dog, and pops her in for immediate comfort. Over the course of Laura Zigman’s Separation Anxiety, Judy navigates unsteadiness and grief—for her career, her marriage, her friend’s cancer, her son’s growing up and away from her—toward a deeply affecting conclusion. Immersive Read Fans of Emily St. John Mandel’s 2014 hit, Station Eleven, will devour her next novel. The Glass Hotel follows the rise and fall of a Ponzi scheme, showing how two siblings’ lives entangle with that of the fraudster. With this highly readable narrative that switches perspectives, Mandel has written what…

Design Around Sloped Ceilings TRANSFORMING A TIGHT SPACE INTO LIVABLE QUARTERS CAN BE A CHALLENGE. INTERIOR DESIGNER NATE BERKUS OFFERS HIS ADVICE. Q: We often host guests who travel to see us, so we need more room for sleeping. We have a finished attic, but the sloped ceilings are tricky. How can we decorate to maximize the extra space? —Sabine, homeowner in New Windsor, New York LIE LOW Go with a platform bed that won’t crowd the room or compete with the architecture. If possible, position the bed beneath the tallest part of the ceiling so visitors can avoid bumping their heads. TO BUY: Tessu Queen Bed in Clay Taupe, $699; article.com. INCORPORATE TEXTURE A single wall color will make the room feel bigger. Add interest and a luxe vibe…

YOU KNOW CURB APPEAL when you see it, and you definitely notice when it’s lacking. Yet sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes a particular house on the block so much more welcoming than the next. “You don’t need a big budget to create outstanding curb appeal,” says Deb Cohen, who runs the popular Instagram account @thefrontdoorproject. What you do need: color and contrast, balance, and good old-fashioned TLC. “Contrast dictates what our eye sees first, like a pot of yellow flowers against red brick,” explains Paula Monthofer, a real estate agent in Flagstaff, Arizona. Balance—a thoughtfully composed garden bed, symmetrical window boxes—affects our first impressions more subtly. “Balance and symmetry convey stability,” Monthofer says. Now put your best house forward with these expert tricks. Give Garage Doors…

J.L. ASKS… My family is moving to an area we lived in before we had children. We have many wonderful friends there who have also started families. Unfortunately, we don’t share the same ideals when it comes to parenting. Some of our friends are more relaxed about violent TV programs, graphic video games, and the like. We love our friends dearly but don’t want to expose our kids to these things, especially since we consider some of their children to be bad influences as a result. How do we politely navigate the tricky situation of saying, “We want to see you, but we don’t want our kids to be around yours”? For now, offer your kids strategies for handling taboo temptations, invite your friends’ children to your house, or establish…

HOST a Wine Tasting WITH SOME FRIENDLY COMPETITION FOR THIS ADULTS-ONLY EVENT, invite over a small group (up to eight people) to enjoy a new spin on the classic wine tasting. In order to “play,” each guest must contribute a minimum amount (say, at least $20) to your selected charity—and bring two bottles of their favorite wine. Then the fun begins: When guests arrive, put one bottle in a numbered paper bag to hide the label, and set the other one aside in a prize box. Throughout the night, pour from the bagged bottles and have guests rank each wine. Tally the results—the guest who brought the winner gets to take home all those bottles you set aside. You can use an app like Vivino to share stats about each…

Cook With Chia Seeds Tiny but mighty, these black seeds are rich in protein, fiber, and omega-3s (which are healthy for the heart, brain, and seemingly everything else). Though popular in smoothies and oatmeal, chia seeds aren’t just for breakfast. Add them to rice pilaf for extra fiber. Or use them in a smoky veggie burger as a binder, since they plump up when mixed with wet ingredients. They even take on a nice gel-like texture, making them the perfect thickener for a zesty vinaigrette. Quick Ideas 1 CHIA PILAF WITH PESTO Cook ½ cup finely chopped onion in 1 Tbsp. butter in a saucepan over medium-high until softened, 4 minutes. Add 1 ½ cups rinsed jasmine rice. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 ½ cups chicken…

Declutter Your Car PRO TIPS AND LIFE-CHANGING PRODUCTS THAT WILL KEEP THE INTERIOR TIDY IN YOUR TRUNK Divvy the cargo space into three areas: one for necessities that always live there (jumper cables), one for in-and-out items (groceries or sports gear), and one for a cooler, so you can chill food and drinks on the go. TO BUY: Arctic Zone Trunk Organizer and Insulated Cooler Set, $43; amazon.com. IN YOUR GLOVE COMPARTMENT Attach your registration and insurance card to a mini clipboard and store it beside the manual. If you’re always forgetting coupons or gift cards, stash them in a mini accordion folder. TO BUY: Blush Office Set, $23; papersource.com. C-Line 13-Pocket Poly Expanding File, $4.50; amazon.com. IN YOUR CENTER CONSOLE This spot can quickly become a black hole…

My mother-in-law is allergic to cats, and I have two. I want her to be comfortable when she visits, but I don’t want to board my cats. Is there a compromise? Explain to your mother-in-law that her comfort is a priority but you’d prefer your cats stay home during her visit. Dust and vacuum before she arrives and consider setting up an air purifier. Also, remind her to take any allergy meds beforehand. Keep your cats in a separate room, stocked with food, water, litter boxes, toys, and pet beds, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant and the author of Naughty No More! Get your cats used to their separate space before your mother-in-law visits. Do I need to ask permission before I take a photo of a…

A PERSON CAN EAT only so much in a day. So we asked experts for the new fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious bites most worthy of a try. Their recommendations—from modern takes on mushrooms to unexpected protein sources (watermelon seeds?!)—are a tasty new way to infuse your meals with disease-battling phytonutrients and other plant chemicals, stacking the odds of better health in your favor. FAMILIAR BUT CUTE Caulilini The name conjures images of a bouncing newborn cauliflower, but caulilini is a different variety of the cruciferous veggie. And it has taken the plant-based world by storm. With an edible green stem that explodes into sprays of tiny blond florets, it tastes milder and a bit sweeter than cauliflower but offers the same nutritional benefits, says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD,…

Easy Dinner 1 One-Pot Asian Chicken and Rice ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 6 ✓ Quick Cooking ✓ One Pot ✓ Gluten-Free ✓ Family Friendly ✓ Big Batch 3 Tbsp. canola oil, divided2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and patted dry2 Tbsp. curry powder2 tsp. kosher salt, divided1 small bunch fresh cilantro1 large shallot, sliced1 13.66-oz. can coconut milk, well shaken and stirred, divided1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter4 tsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)1 Tbsp. tamari or soy sauce1 tsp. light brown sugarSliced cucumber, for serving HEAT 1 ½ tablespoons oil in a large, high-sided skillet with a lid over medium-high. Season chicken with curry powder and 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Cook half the chicken, flipping once, until browned, about…

If I borrow my husband’s car and notice he’s low on gas, I’ll surprise him and fill the tank.JEANNE SMYTH, MILLBURY, MASSACHUSETTS #RSLOVE “SURPRISE THEM WITH COFFEE TO SHOW YOU CARE!” @C_CATCH I moved to California from Indiana on a whim when I was 18. I have called my parents every Sunday since to check in with them, and I’m almost 60 years old. I look forward to these calls as much as they do. KAREN WEAVER, MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA I end my text messages with a handwritten heart. LILI SONG, MARIETTA, GEORGIA I wake up thinking, “What can I do to make their day special?” And then I try to do it! JUDY JONES, FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS I organize my husband’s sock drawer. One morning, I was awakened by my…

The Easiest Way to Bake Bread FOR A PERFECT NO-KNEAD LOAF FROM YOUR OWN OVEN, SIMPLY STIR TOGETHER A FEW INGREDIENTS AND LET TIME DO ITS THING. KEEP THESE TIPS CLOSE. MIX YOUR DOUGH First measure the flour—ideally bread flour, since its high gluten content will give the loaf structure, though all-purpose works in a pinch. Maintaining a precise ratio of flour to salt to yeast is important. A digital scale is most accurate; if you don’t have one, use a dry, not liquid, measuring cup. Stir in yeast, salt, and water until a shaggy dough forms. “Hold back a little water in the beginning, and don’t be afraid to add more if the dough feels too stiff,” says David Norman of the Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden…

TRAVEL Ingenious, portable formulas mean you can travel light without sacrificing a single step of your beauty routine. WRINKLE ERASER Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Bring one of these single-dose tabs for each night you’re away. You’ll reap the anti-aging benefits of retinol without irritation. TO BUY: $48 for 30; elizabetharden.com. CARRY-ON CLEANSER Simple Skincare Micellar Cleansing Water Pouch Micellar water doesn’t require rinsing, making this the perfect go-anywhere formula (in a TSA-friendly package!). TO BUY: $3; at drugstores. EAU SO FRESH Secret Freshies Invisible Solid Antiperspirant This baby is cute and discreet—small enough to stash in your gym bag, purse, and even desk drawer (for those stressy meetings). TO BUY: $6; at drugstores. SHAVE SMART Venus Mini This little razor punches way above its weight: It fits in your…

Eggplant-Mushroom “Meatballs” FAST, HEALTHY, AND FULL OF FLAVOR ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 50 MINUTES SERVES 4 1 small eggplant, chopped (4 ½ cups)8 oz. cremini mushrooms, trimmed and chopped (3 cups)1 shallot, quartered1 clove garlic, smashed3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided1 tsp. kosher salt, dividedFreshly ground black pepper½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats¾ cup cooked brown rice, at room temperature3 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves PREHEAT oven to 450°F. Toss eggplant, mushrooms, shallot, garlic, 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and several grinds of pepper on a large baking sheet; spread in an even layer. Roast until softened and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring mixture and rotating baking sheet halfway through. Let cool for 10 minutes. PULSE oats in a food processor until consistency of sand, about…

Make-Ahead Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars THESE FILLING DELIGHTS COME TOGETHER EASILY AND KEEP FOR DAYS. ENJOY THEM FOR BREAKFAST OR AN AFTERNOON SNACK. ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS, 20 MINUTES MAKES 32 BARS 2 cups peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter, preferably natural1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter1 cup honey or pure maple syrup1 tsp. kosher salt4 cups uncooked old-fashioned rolled oats1 cup cocktail peanuts or chopped toasted almonds (optional)1 cup dried cherries, raisins, or chopped dates (optional) LINE a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Cook peanut butter, butter, honey, and salt in a large pot over medium, whisking occasionally, until butter melts and mixture is smooth, 5 to 6 minutes. REMOVE from heat and fold in oats. Fold in peanuts and cherries, if using.…