Table of contents for February 2020 in Real Simple

I Found a Way to Make a Great Book Last EVER SINCE I could hold a book in my hands, I’ve been a passionate reader, and I love working at a magazine that fully leans into the pastime of reading. Around when I became editor here, I discovered the book that would be my favorite of 2019. It was long, though, and my life was unusually jam-packed. But the novel was about trees—one of my favorite subjects. Funny thing, timing. The Overstory by Richard Powers tells the stories of nine Americans who are drawn into deep and interesting relationships with trees. Each character arc is so distinct and powerful, and the writing is so beautiful, that I am gladly rationing myself a story a month because I don’t want…

5 New Books You’ll Love TOP PICKS FOR EVERY TASTE Juicy Read Kathleen West’s Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes is a page-turning romp about competitive parenting and how easily scandals blow up online and IRL. Helicopter mom Julia is all too eager to score an invite to a private Facebook group for high school parents and pile on a teacher accused of pushing a political agenda. But soon—inevitably and hilariously—that same group comes for her. Moving Memoir After her wealthy industrialist father died, Ariana Neumann found a small box of his letters and papers, including his boyhood photo ID—printed with a name she didn’t recognize. In her evocative memoir, When Time Stopped, Neumann discovers her Jewish roots and pieces together the incredible, heartbreaking family history her father never told…

The old-school, hands-and-knees method is such a pain. Luckily, there’s a tool that makes scrubbing easier on your body, and best of all, you probably already own it. A clean angle broom with synthetic bristles is the secret weapon in this hack from Jill Nystul, creator of the blog One Good Thing by Jillee. First splash warm water around the tub, using a cup or handheld showerhead. Then pour about a quarter cup of dish soap (Nystul likes Dawn) over the surface in streaks. Next, while standing outside the tub, scrub away soap scum and other buildup with the broom. If the tub is especially grimy, combine equal parts vinegar and dish soap in a glass measuring cup and microwave until hot (about 30 seconds), then stir. Pour the…

1 CURL Curling your lashes helps them stay fluttery all day. Carefully clamp them at the base with an eye-lash curler (we like Tweezerman ProCurl Lash Curler, $22; tweezerman.com). Hold for 30 seconds while gently tilting your wrist upward. If you have stubbornly straight lashes, first heat the curler with a blow-dryer for about 10 seconds. 2 PRIME To add oomph, apply a primer. It nourishes lashes to prevent brittleness, lengthens, and amps up volume. Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Primer ($26; sephora.com) goes on beige so you never miss a spot. Tip: Wear the primer on its own as an overnight moisturizing treatment. 3 SWIPE Holding the mascara wand horizontally, wiggle the brush at the lash roots and sweep upward to the tips. Repeat. Then hold the wand vertically and…

AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, I have twice as many excuses not to exercise as I have jog bras. I want to linger in my warm bed a little longer on chilly mornings. The darkness comes too early at the end of each day. Plus, that looong holiday break seriously upended my daily routine. Got a few you’d like to add? The struggle is real, agrees fitness trainer Kayla Itsines, creator of the BBG high-intensity circuit workout program, who hears it from her nearly 12 million Instagram followers and workout devotees. “Falling out of routine and losing motivation can be especially easy in winter,” she says. To stick with exercise, make it a habit instead of relying on motivation. The distinction, as Itsines sees it, is that motivation changes…

Practice this meditation to lift your mood. Start by sitting in a comfortable position with your feet planted on the floor. Visualize a glowing light surrounding your body. Watch it grow bigger with every breath, as if your inhale were fanning its flames. Rub your hands together for 10 seconds as you repeat several words to set an intention. For instance, try “patience” or “peace.” Then raise your hands about five inches above your head. Inhale to draw in that positive energy as you lower your hands to the crown of your head. Exhale and raise your hands again. Repeat with each breath. Feel the balance of having only your own energy and radiate that into the world. —APRIL UNTERBERGER, resiliencereiki.com…

COOK MORE, EAT BETTER Healthy eating starts as easily as this: Turn on the stove. With that flick of your wrist, you are on your way to a weeknight dinner, be it a veggie-packed pesto pasta (page 136) or skip-the-takeout wonton soup with bok choy (page 130). On the go, you can make healthier choices with snack bars (page 132) that, sure, give you energy, but feel indulgent too. We also have the perfect antidote to the Sunday scaries: a big pot of chili (page 134) that you can share with a group of friends as you huddle at your house watching the Super Bowl.…

Smoky Turkey Chili INVITE EVERYONE OVER TO WATCH THE GAME AND—MORE IMPORTANTLY—EAT SOMETHING DELICIOUS. ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 8 2 Tbsp. olive oil1 large yellow onion, chopped2 tsp. kosher salt, divided3 poblano peppers, seeded and roughly chopped3 cloves garlic, finely chopped2 Tbsp. chili powder¼ tsp. ground cinnamon1 lb. ground turkey1 28-oz. can whole peeled plum tomatoes, undrained1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½-in. pieces¾ lb. fresh tomatillos, husks removed and tomatillos chopped1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed1 15.5-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo, choppedSour cream, sliced pickled jalapeños, and/or grated pepper Jack cheese, for serving HEAT oil in a large Dutch oven or other large, heavy-bottomed…

MEET LESLIE CORONA SENIOR ASSOCIATE HOME EDITOR AT REAL SIMPLE Podcast of choice: Spilled Milk, a hilarious podcast about food. It’s a total mood lifter. Most-used item in my makeup bag: Benefit Cosmetics eyebrow powder. Good brows make all the difference. Bucket list item: Running five marathons by the time I’m 30. I’m getting there—just two more to go! @LESLIE_CORONA_ON INSTAGRAM How to Organize Your Closet in 30 Minutes Flat Don’t waste an entire Saturday purging and folding! Make quick work of clothing clutter. Get the steps at realsimple.com/closet. 48 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Boyfriend or Husband Is he a techie, a jock, or a pro in the kitchen? Does he like unusual things (like a beef jerky bouquet)? We’ll help you get just the thing for him.…

MOVING PARTS The colorful graphics will keep guests inspired. The 500 pieces will keep them chatting, challenged, and collaborating. TO BUY: Dusen Dusen Stack Pattern Puzzle, $25; areaware.com. 1 RAINBOW COLLECTION Upgrade your game of hearts with a deck that trades the red and black suits for an ombré range of colors. TO BUY: Playing Cards, $13; fredericksandmae.com. 2 THE ALL CLEAR There’s no need to put this game away when you’re done playing. The acrylic rack is pretty enough to keep on display. TO BUY: Sunnylife Lucite 4-in-a-Row Game, $120; shopbop.com. 3 BIG-SCREEN TIME Point this cardboard projector at a blank wall and the whole group can watch what’s on your phone. TO BUY: Vintage Copper Smartphone Projector, $30; papersource.com. 4 MAGIC MARKERS Stylish felt hexagons that slip onto…

EASY-POUR PAINT No more dribbles and drips. This clever can has a built-in spout for a clean pour. If you want to dip your brush directly in the paint, just remove the recyclable lid. TO BUY: Behr Simple Pour, from $41 per gallon; at the Home Depot. SPRAYABLE SYRUP Maple syrup can cost more than $30 a gallon. Of course you don’t want your kid pouring it all over their plate. This sprays a perfect portion of organic syrup—no mess, no waste. TO BUY: Coombs Family Farms Maple Stream, $8; amazon.com. SPACE-SAVING TOASTER OVEN This 1,800-watt multitasker toasts, bakes, air-fries, and dehydrates—then flips on its side to save valuable counter space. TO BUY: Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven, $229; ninjakitchen.com. SNEAKER LIGHTS These weatherproof safety lights help you glow—and…

BEST DRUGSTORE POLISH Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure. So-called 10-free polishes are formulated without the 10 most harmful chemicals. But this plant-based lacquer goes one—wait, make that six—better by being 16-free, with an all-natural bristle brush too. And it’s available in 30 shades, from sheer neutrals to vibrant pops of color to stunning metallics. TO BUY: $9; target.com. BEST STICKERS ManiMe Stick on Gels You send them some snaps of your fingers; they send you a set of perfect-fit stick-ons. Best of all, the gel-polish formula lasted for two weeks. TO BUY: From $15; manime.co. BEST CUTICLE CREAM Olive & June Cuticle Serum Duo The click pen’s sponge tip dispenses a nourishing blend of oils exactly where you want it (with no greasy seepage). TO BUY: $30 for 2;…

1 GET THEM HOOKED We know—hanging saves space and keeps bags within reach. But narrow hooks can damage the straps or cause creases over time. If you want to hang your bags, opt for wide hooks. TO BUY: InterDesign Zia Over-the-Door Closet Organizer, $10; amazon.com. 2 CORRAL CLUTCHES Instead of nesting your small evening bags inside a larger one (and—let’s be honest—forgetting they exist), “file” them in a letter sorter. The perforated or mesh metal types could snag beads or other detailing on bags, so go for a smooth acrylic model. This also lets you see which bag you’re reaching for. TO BUY: Acrylic Mini Collator, $18; russellandhazel.com. 3 HANG THEM UP Group different styles of purses by occasion (e.g., fancy parties, summer weddings, concerts) in a sweater organizer…

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT you’d mastered the essential art of self-care, here comes perhaps the easiest way to help create harmony in your day and improve your mood. Nope—it’s not a mani-pedi or 20 minutes with a good book. Instead, you can eat your way to a happier you. Really. What we eat each day affects us in countless ways, from fortifying our immune systems to aiding in heart health. But fueling your body with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients also helps boost your mood all day long. The approach, which combines the latest nutrition research and the expertise of dietitians, puts the power to get in a great headspace—and stay there—right on your plate. First and most importantly, you need to balance your protein, fat, and carbs in each…

Get Petal-Soft Skin PLUS SEVEN OTHER BEAUTY BUYS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR ROUTINE Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar Tulips have a superpower: They can hold their weight in water. So it stands to reason that tulip complex is the key ingredient in this skin-quenching ointment-to-serum formula. Use it on your face or apply to dry spots on hands and elbows. TO BUY: $65; bloomeffects.com. GENIUS FLOSS Quip Metal Refillable Floss The elegant little dispenser adds some much-needed glamour to flossing. The string is marked so you can cut the dentist-recommended 18 inches without guesswork. TO BUY: $20; getquip.com. DREAM CREAM IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream Your skin’s cell turnover peaks at night—and this bouncy, moisture-boosting cream is right there to help it along, with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and…

Dark-Wash Skinny Jeans THEY’RE THE PANTS YOU NEVER WANT TO TAKE OFF. AND WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO DRESS THEM UP, YOU WON’T HAVE TO. …ADD A VEST AND SNEAKERS When weekend errands run right into a date with friends for hot toddies, go with a sweatshirt and statement sneakers. And add a fitted puffer vest and a chic backpack to take the look to the polished-and-presentable place. TO BUY: Women’s L/S Relaxed Sweatshirt, $155; sunspel.com. AE Puffer Vest, $60; ae.com. Kaya Laptop Backpack, $105; calpaktravel.com. Maddox Jogger, $199; kennethcole.com. …ADD A SHIRT AND LONG COAT The coat has the warmth of a bulky sweater but looks much more professional, especially when wrapped with a contrasting neutral belt. TO BUY: Relaxed Classic Shirt, $25; oldnavy.com. Double-Face Wool Coat, $229;…

1 Initiate a Do-over. When you have a bad start, don’t just give up. Think about how to course-correct in the moment. I had a client who planned and dressed up for a dream-worthy date, only for Mr. Right to show up looking as if he’d dressed in a hurry at the gym. My client was ready to end the evening, but then her date said, “I didn’t know this was a dress-up date. I’m really sorry.” And he spent the rest of the night going out of his way to make her feel special. By acknowledging the slipup, he was granted a second chance—and they made plans for a second date. JULIE WADLEY IS A DATING AND RELATIONSHIP COACH, A MATCHMAKER, AND THE OWNER OF ELI SIMONE. 2…

I work from 9 to 5 and run a chili oil company on the side. My brain was all over the place until my wife, a behavior analyst, told me I needed structure. That has helped me have better habits and be more consistent with my schedule. After I get home from my job, I play with my daughter until she goes to bed. Then I turn my phone off, close the door, and move into the chili oil world for an hour. Just having that time on my calendar feels like a win because I showed up—and it’ll pay off in the long run. I walk away from the work. Especially in graphics, trying to force a design solution can hurt the outcome. If you don’t have the…

Every-Citrus Salad With Almonds and Manchego ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 6 ¼ cup fresh orange juice (from 1 orange)1 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard1 ½ tsp. kosher salt¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper6 Tbsp. olive oil2 ½ lb. navel oranges, blood oranges, and/or grapefruit1 small head radicchio, leaves roughly torn½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves½ cup roasted whole almonds, chopped½ cup shaved Manchego cheese (about 1 oz.) COMBINE orange juice and shallot in a medium bowl; set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk in maple syrup, mustard, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil until dressing is emulsified. Set aside. CUT away peel and pith of citrus and slice flesh into ½-inch-thick rounds. LAYER radicchio and citrus rounds on a…

BEST CHOCOLATE Clif Bar Chocolate Chunk With Sea Salt Studded with mini chocolate chunks and drizzled with dark chocolate, this oat bar is as thick as a brownie—and nearly as indulgent. TO BUY: $2; at grocery stores. BEST FRUIT Blake’s Seed-Based Raspberry Snack Bar It’s free of the eight most common allergens (including nuts), but this sweet, tangy, berry-packed bar doesn’t taste like a compromise. TO BUY: $2; at grocery stores. BEST PROTEIN Probar Meal On-the-Go Blueberry Muffin Protein bars are often sawdusty, sticky, or sugary. This one is made with actually tasty whole ingredients, like oats, flaxseed, and almonds. TO BUY: $3; at grocery stores. BEST NUT Big Spoon Roasters Cranberry Cashew Nut Butter Bar Big Spoon’s small-batch nut butter has a cult following, and these luscious, cranberry-sprinkled…