Table of contents for August 2017 in Real Simple

A few years ago, I was nine months pregnant,waiting to board anAmtrak train in a crowded station, when the man behind me snarled to his companion, “I don’t knowwhat she thinks she’s doing. This is the line for peoplewho need more time!” How rude, I thought, and spun around to give him a piece of my mind. But when we saw each other, we both said, “Oh, sorry!” He clearly hadn’t realized I was pregnant (my husband apparentlywasn’t fibbing when he said you couldn’t tell from the back). And I didn’t know he and his wifewere juggling three small babies in strollers and carriers. We were all hot and tired, but we ended up having a friendly conversation about the travails of family travel. Often those are the reasons for…

An incredible woman at the Women’ s March told me I had lipstick on my teeth. We bonded instantly. @ABBDEAN My mother-in-law has dementia and is in a wheelchair. It is rare that she agrees to leave her assisted living home anymore. We took her to the park the other day, and a stranger came up and told her how pretty she looked. She immediately smiled and said, “Why, thank you.” It truly brightened her day. LISA JUNKINS, COLLIERVILLE, TENNESSEE Our neighborhood really pushes recycling, so much so that our trash has to be thrown away in special bags. When we bought our house, before we even moved in, a neighbor (a few streets down!) and longtime resident dropped off multiple sizes of the trash bags, along with a card…

1 ODOR ABSORBER Banish that sweaty-gymbag smell with this palmsize wonder. It’s made with activated charcoal to neutralize odors rather than mask them. Lasts one year and can even be recharged in the sun. TO BUY: Remodeez, $10; remodeez.com. 2 BEAT-THE-HEAT LINENS Stay cool at night with these 2,000-thread-count sheets. The cotton-poly blend contains Nanotex, which wicks away moisture. Set includes flat sheet, fitted sheet, and four pillowcases. TO BUY: Home Reflections sheets, $54–$84; qvc.com. 3 BACKPACK COOLER The ease of a backpack meets the functionality of a hard cooler with this waterproof carryall. Insulating foam keeps 12 cans (plus ice) cold for up to 24 hours. TO BUY: IceMule Classic Cooler, $60 (medium); icemulecooler.com. 4 RETRACTABLE LINT ROLLER Who knew this garment essential could look so chic?…

For easy tips on how to clean pet beds and bowls, go to realsimple.com/ petcleanup.…

1 LIKE WITH LIKE A good rule of thumb: Group similar items together. Designate a shelf for beverages or a spot where all dairy products should live to make them easy to find. TO BUY: Linus Fridge Binz soda can organizer with shelf, $20; containerstore.com. 2 PREP SPACE Once a week, cut up fresh produce to have on hand for snacks and mealtime. Stash it at eye level in stackable, clear, airtight containers, then grab and go. TO BUY: Snapware airtight storage set, $60 for 40 pieces; macys.com 3 INSTANT ORDER Reduce shelf clutter (and avoid losing items in the back of the fridge) by employing acrylic bins to corral awkward-shaped packages, like yogurt pouches or deli meat. TO BUY: Fridge Binz, from $8; containerstore.com. 4 FLEXIBLE LABELS Make the…

To Wash or Not to Wash? The rumor that you’re not supposed to launder denim isn’t true. “Bacteria and grime can deteriorate the fibers,” explains Genah Kim, bottoms designer for AG Jeans. “It is true, though, that you don’t need to wash them all that often. Every three to five wears should do the trick.” Keep Dark Rinses Dark You already possess the secret to preserving that perfect inky blue. “Skip the heat,” says Kim. “The best way to keep dark washes looking like new is to wash them in cold water or, even better, soak them by hand in a cold bath. The less heat and agitation, the better.” Prevent Baggy Knees Formfitting skinnies with sagging knees is not a good look. But it is avoidable.…

OFFERS EVENTS FINDS GIVEAWAYS SEE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN DO BEAUTIFUL WORK The new Zura™ Pendant Showerhead combines stunning design with the innovative H20kinetic® wave pattern to create a powerfully drenching shower experience unlike any other. See the full range of what Delta can do deltafaucet.com. COASTAL LIVING BEACH COCKTAILS This new book from Coastal Living is _illed with over 125 refreshing cocktails tailor-made for sipping by the sea, along with delicious nibbles, and tips and tricks for serving! Now available wherever books are sold or at amazon.com. BETTER TASTE. BETTER NUTRITION. BETTER EGGS®: EGGLAND’S BEST Only Eggland’s Best eggs can provide better taste and better nutrition. Compared to ordinary eggs, EB eggs stay fresher longer, have 25% less saturated fat, and one large egg contains 60 calories. Visit egglandsbest.com today. INTRODUCING…

After 20 years in the Chicago theater industry, Gary Albert chose to open a business in Petoskey, Michigan, where his dogs could play a part. “Retail is theater,” says Albert. So he set the stage by incorporating industrial elements (like cage lighting and steel accents) and creating a general store–style counter stocked with treats. Many of the Lake Michigan–area residents are avid bikers, hikers, and mushroom hunters, so Ruff Life Pet Outfitters lines its shelveswith products that let them bring their dogs anywhere. These are a few of Albert’s favorite finds. All products shown are available at rufflifepet.com. RUFFWEAR ROAMER LEASH “This flexible bungee leash gives the dog a little extra room to roam and absorbs some of the shock should he decide to pull. For hands-free running, it can…

1. Personalize Your Message Reference a commonality in your opening line: how you met, a mutual interest, or a shared connection. Same goes for your subject line, says Blair Decembrele, LinkedIn career expert. Avoid vague language such as “Seeking advice” or “Looking to connect.” 2. Get to the Point The shorter the message, the higher the response rate, says Decembrele. Be clear and conversational and say exactly why you’re writing. Tease attached information (like a cover letter) if you have more to say. 3. Ask a Question They Want to Answer Grab someone’s attention by asking a question they haven’t heard a million times. If you’re interviewing for a job at the person’s company, write, “I knowyou work at x company; what was the hardest interview question they asked you?”…

If you find the mere idea of a killer Cross- Fit class or cardio boot camp sweatathon exhausting, we hear you. At some point, people started thinking they had to train like Navy SEALs for their workouts to be worthwhile. But sometimes what we really need to do is catch our breath and slow down already. “There’s a perception that if your workout doesn’t make you feel like you’re going to die, it’s somehow lame—or ‘beginner.’ That’s not the case,” says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist and personal trainer in San Diego. “Lessintense cardio and strength workouts can actually be more effective in some ways than very difficult ones.” Consider this your first class in slow fitness—a way to get lighter and leaner without pushing your body further than it…

The Bitsy Cleaner AN ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK CLEANING SESH WOULD BE NICE IF YOU HAD THE TIME. UNTIL THEN, YOU OPT FOR THE PIECEMEAL APPROACH, SNEAKING IN 10- MINUTE SPURTS OF SCRUBBING HERE, A LITTLE DUSTING THERE. UNDERSTAND IT “You are the nonprocrastinator,” says Timothy Pychyl, PhD. “You don’t have to be motivated by total chaos or work yourself up to a major clean. You just do it.” Yet be sure you’re multitasking for the right reasons, warns Susan Bartell, PsyD: “Some people are afraid they’ll be judged if they relax, so they try to prove they’re not wasting any time by always squeezing in some kind of cleaning.” PLAY INTO IT “The more often you clean, the easier it is,” says cleaning expert Donna Smallin Kuper. Stay on top of the…

Go to realsimple.com/ dailyrecipe to have new favorite recipes delivered to your inbox every day. COOK WITH COZI Get Real Simple’s easy weeknight-dinner recipes in Cozi, a free meal-planning and organizing app from Time Inc. (available on iTunes and Google Play).…

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Vegetarian Family Friendly 6 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (from 1 small head) 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes) 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/3 cup white miso 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/4 tsp. black pepper 3 medium yellow squash, sliced lengthwise into -in.-thick planks 3 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into -in.-thick planks 1/4 cup chopped, roasted salted peanuts 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro leaves Lime wedges, for serving TOSS together cabbage, lime juice, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. HEAT a grill pan over mediumhigh. Whisk miso, mayonnaise, pepper, and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Brush both sides of squash and zucchini with cup of the miso mixture; reserve remaining mixture.…

realsimple ROAD TEST 1 BEST SPARKLING MINERAL WATER Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water Its tiny bubbles cascade just like champagne. Thanks to naturally occurring magnesium and calcium, it has a subtle mineral flavor that cleanses the palate and pairs well with food. TO BUY: $7 for 6 16.9-oz. bottles; at grocery stores. 2 BEST LIME Polar Lime Seltzer Seltzer should be refreshing, not sweet. While some brands packed on the flavor, this one stayed fresh with just a hint of lime and tons of bubbles. TO BUY: $4 for 12 12-oz. cans; at grocery stores. 3 BEST LEMON Boylan Lemon Seltzer We loved this bright and fizzy pick because it didn’t have a chemical aftertaste. Plus, it comes in cute vintage glass bottles. TO BUY: $9 for 6 12-oz. bottles;…

2:18 a.m. Up again. 2:19 a.m. Lie perfectly motionless. Pretend you’re a different person— ideally someone with a less stressful job who guzzles chamomile tea and hasn’t watched the news since 1997. 2:23 a.m. Realize you have to pee. Regret not doing more Kegels. 2:36 a.m. Back in bed. Left side? Too itchy. Dust mites! Turn onto stomach. Flip your head over on the pillow a few times. Definitely maybe a herniated disk in your cervical spine. Should’ve gotten that buckwheat pillow. 2:40 a.m. Grab lavender eye mask and smash it against face to release the calming scent. Nothing. Sprawl out like a crime-scene chalk drawing and stare at the ceiling. 2:51 a.m. Try to neutralize growing sense of panic with positive self-talk. This is not your fault. It could…

MAKE FLOWERS LAST Brandi, our resident New Uses for Old Things expert, shared three tips for arranging and extending the life of your flowers with everyday objects, such as a mesh bag. Go to realsimple .com/flowerhacks. MEET BRANDI BROXSON ARTICLES EDITOR AT REAL SIMPLE Favorite new use for an old thing? Over-the-door shoe rack turned vertical herb garden. Guilty pleasure? My granny’s banana pudding. What you’re looking forward to this fall? Rowing a boat in Central Park. @BRANDIBROXSON ON INSTAGRAM BACK TO SCHOOL Sharpen the pencils, move up the kids’ bedtime, and tap into the energy of a new season. For organizing tips to start the school year off right, visit real simple.com/b2s. #RSNEWUSES Each week on our Instagram Stories, we test new ways to use things around…

If you’re the type who scratches your lenses on a regular basis, this brand of sunglasses is for you. Order replacement lenses (for just $5), pop out the old ones, and repair your sunnies in a cinch—no tools required. In 14 styles. TO BUY: From $48; sunski.com. VERA BRADLEY COLORING BOOKS This fall, the beloved luggage brand will launch a pair of coloring books featuring outlines of its iconic patterns. Bonus: The books include gift tags and color-in note cards to share. TO BUY: $15 each; amazon.com. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON AUGUST 21, CITIES ALONG A PATH FROM OREGON TO SOUTH CAROLINA WILL WITNESS A TOTAL ECLIPSE—THE FIRST ONE IN THE U.S. SINCE 1979. EVERYBODY ELSE CAN CATCH A PARTIAL ECLIPSE. VISIT ECLIPSE2017.NASA.GOV FOR INFO AND SAFETY TIPS. MEDITATION MANICURES…

My cream-coloredwedding cake chandelier was a gift from my sister Faith. She’s an interior designer and knows I’ve always been obsessed with tassels and other trim. Sowhen she saw two of these fun, fanciful pieces at the Long Beach, California, flea market back in 2010, she bought one for herself and the other for me, for $50 each. It’s very boho and dramatic, but because it’s a neutral, it can also sit near crazy wallpaper without being overwhelming. I love the surprising aspect of it: Trim is usually just a small detail, but this heavily textured piece flips that on its head, turning trim into the focal point.When people come over, they’re really drawn to this thing. It justmakes themsmile.Any kind of highly textured piece that is (or looks) handmade—a…

My Child Wiggles Out of Her Car Seat. Y.T., VIA EMAIL THE FIX: First, make sure she’s buckled in snugly, says pediatrician Alisa Baer, MD, cofounder of The Car Seat Lady. It’s trickier than it sounds, so watch the demos at thecarseatlady .com/houdini. If she’s wiggling out of the straps, try Baer’s shirt trick: Place a buttondown shirt over her clothes and button it securely over all the straps—most kids aren’t able to undo the small buttons until ages 3 to 5. “Play ‘car’ with the child’s stuffed animals or action figures,” says Baer. “Have the child be the mom or dad who needs to teach how to sit safely in the seat.” My Beach Umbrella Won’t Stay Put. S.B., VIA EMAIL THE FIX: A quality umbrella is key, says…

Explore designer-approved kitchen paint colors at realsimple.com/kitchencolors.…

A.K. ASKS... We recently had new floors installed in our home. The installer was polite to my husband and me but treated his coworker horribly. Would it have been appropriate to ask him to treat his coworker with respect in our house? I’m a butter-inner: My first instinct is always to say or do something. In this case, however, you risk stirring up a toxic cocktail of pride and shame that may do more harm than good. Things might appear smoothed over in the moment, only to become worse later, when the embarrassed bully vents his anger over being called out. Assuming that there’s not another power differential here—parent/child; male/female; white person/person of color—and that these people really are coworkers, it’s possible this is just an ugly dynamic without significant…

A LOT OF PEOPLE these days— and no, they aren’t all your grandmother—are bemoaning the death of civility.We witness shoving in a crowded elevator, snarky comments online, or yelling in traffic, and it does seem like the world is going to h-e-double hockey sticks in a handbasket (how’s that for manners?). But whether or not the perception is true—after all, nitwits in your grandparents’ generation cut in line, too; it just wasn’t broadcast via Instagram Stories—we are feeling the strain. A January 2017 poll by the communications firm Weber Shandwick found that 69 percent of respondents said they thought the U.S. had a major civility problem. “We are in an age of rudeness,” says Lisa Mirza Grotts, an etiquette expert in San Francisco. “And it seems to be getting worse.”You…

1 CHELSEA HIRSCHHORN, 33, CEO OF FRIDABABY, A MOM AND BABY PRODUCT RETAILER It’s important to me to take a large chunk of the weekend for uninterrupted family time. We let the day unfold naturally. My Mondays through Saturdays are very scheduled, so we deliberately carve out time not to be that way. When you don’t feel you have to be somewhere at a certain time, it’s an immediate stress reliever. 2 CHELSEA LAUREN, 33, HOLLYWOOD RED-CARPET PHOTOGRAPHER My schedule is all over the place, and Mondays are usually my days off. It’s interesting having a schedule that’s backwards from everyone else’s—my weeks kind of blend into one another. But I’m trying to carve out more personal time. If I know I have a really crazy week coming up, I…

It can be hard to find time and space for yourself. Here is an exercise that can give you “me time” on the inside, even when you can’t get it from the outside. Breathe in and out of your nose. As you inhale, become aware that this is how you receive your energy. Does the breath feel satisfying, full, and spacious? Or does it feel short, incomplete, and tight? As you exhale, become aware that this is how you empty and slow down. Does the exhale feel smooth, satisfying, and complete? Or tight, like it stops before the breath empties out all the way? Now take as much time as you need to inhale as deeply as feels good—no more, no less—and then exhale. Take your time to empty and…

PAPAYA - RASPB ERRY - LIME POPS MAKES 10 1/4 large papaya, peeled, seeded, and chopped 1/4 cup lime juice Pinch kosher salt 4 Tbsp. sugar, divided 12 oz. raspberries COMBINE papaya, lime juice, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a blender and puree until smooth. Transfer to a pitcher or liquid measuring cup. Place raspberries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in blender and puree until smooth. Divide about half of the papaya mixture among 10 3-ounce ice pop molds. Top evenly with raspberry mixture, then remaining papaya mixture. INSERT sticks and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours and up to 1 week. To unmold, dip molds in cold water to soften very slightly and remove pops. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and keep in the freezer until…

ACTIVE TIME 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 4 Healthy Pick Make Ahead Vegetarian Family Friendly 11/2 cups farro 1 15-oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 small shallot, thinly sliced 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup sherry vinegar 1 tsp. kosher salt 3/4 tsp. black pepper 5 oz. baby arugula 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup) 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill COOK farro according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cool running water. TOSS together farro, beans, shallot, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Let stand 15 minutes. ADD arugula and feta and toss to combine. Garnish with dill. PER SERVING: 510 CALORIES, 20G FAT (0G SAT.), 25MG CHOL., 10G FIBER, 21G PRO., 65G CARB., 1,066MG SOD., 4G SUGAR…

ACTIVE TIME 30 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 Quick Cooking Family Friendly 12 oz. ground chuck 1/2 small onion, grated 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 tsp. black pepper, divided 3 Tbsp. canola oil 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 Tbsp. honey 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 lb. small carrots, halved lengthwise 2 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley 4 hamburger buns, toasted Mayonnaise, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes, for serving PLACE beef, onion, and teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl and fold gently to combine. Shape into 4 -inch-thick patties. HEAT oil in a large skillet over high. Add patties and, working quickly, flatten to -inch thickness with a wide spatula. Cook, flipping once, until well charred, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate and cover…

ACTIVE TIME 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS, 30 MINUTES MAKES 2 CUPS 6 lb. plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise 1/4 cup fresh oregano, rosemary, or thyme leaves (stripped from stems), or a combination 1 Tbsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. black pepper 11/2 –21/4 cups olive oil PREHEAT oven to 300°F, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Set wire racks in 2 rimmed baking sheets. ARRANGE tomatoes on racks, cut side up, and season with herbs, salt, and pepper. Bake until shrunken by about half and dry to the touch, 3 to 4 hours. LET COOL completely and transfer to 3 16-oz. glass jars. Add to cup oil to each jar to cover tomatoes, pressing down if necessary to keep them submerged. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2…

Tech Dispatches The essays collected in Life in Code, from computer programmer and author Ellen Ullman, trace the past 20 years of digital progress. Her takes on tech’s gains (iPhones, endless information) and drawbacks (decision paralysis, loneliness) are often witty and always accessible. Great for Book Club Yejide, the protagonist of Ayobami Adebayo’s Stay with Me, eschews the polygamy her Nigerian family practices—until she finds that she can’t get pregnant. With lyrical prose, Adebayo explores how far a woman will go to save her marriage. Healing Memoir Reeling from deaths, crises, and trauma, journalist Anne Gisleson and a group of friends formed the Existential Crisis Reading Group. In The Futilitarians, Gisleson movingly recounts how they found comfort in the words of Tolstoy, Kafka, and other greats. Provocative POV In Tom…

You’ve already got a crowded shelf of vinegars in your pantry—red wine, white wine, cider, balsamic. Isn’t r ice vinegar just for Asian dishes? No. Does it really belong with your everyday ingredients? Yes! Rice vinegar is less acidic than some other vinegars and adds a mellow, sweet flavor to marinades and salad dressings. Choose unseasoned (we like Marukan); the seasoned variety has added sugar and salt, so it’s trickier to cook with. Or forget cooking altogether and pour it into a summery, gingery peach cocktail. According to the Vinegar Institute, a bottle keeps almost indefinitely. But we say bottoms up. Quick Ideas 1 BRINED PORK TENDERLOIN Whisk together 2 cups water and cup each rice vinegar, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. Add…

SHISEIDO INKSTROKE EYELINER Sold with a substantial brush, the pot has a Vshaped stake in the center to wipe off excess liner for a neater rim and application. Lay the brush flat, then drag the gel across lids. Or create lessintimidating dashes and fill them in. Eight hours later, no smudges. TO BUY: $30 each; shiseido.com. PALERMO BODY TRANQUILITY AROMATHERAPY OIL Calm in a bottle: When rolled onto temples, the blend of lavender and cypress oils smells like a spa and may even ward off a mini meltdown. TO BUY: $32; palermobody.com. SIMPLE WATER BOOST HYDRATING BOOSTER Recharge dehydrated skin with this nongreasy gel packed with minerals and plant extracts. Wear it solo, mix a few drops with your moisturizer, or dab onto dry spots. TO BUY: $13; at drugstores.…

60–30 Days RESERVE YOUR TRUCK, MOVERS, AND BOXES “Opt for the middle of the month to move,” says Adam Doron, CEO of Unpakt, a booking website for moving services. “With most leases starting on the first of the month, you can save up to 30 percent on trucks and movers if you avoid that peak time.” 30 Days PURGE BEFORE PACKING Casting out unused objects beforehand will make packing and unpacking much easier, says professional organizer Barbara Reich of Resourceful Consultants: “Start from small to big, going drawer by drawer, closet by closet, and room by room, deciding what to sell, donate, or toss.” 2–3 Weeks HEAD TO THE ATTIC When you’re ready to pack, first tend to the attic or basement, where least-used items often lurk. Holiday decor, pool…

ANNA STANKIEWICZ Fergie, Chrissy Teigen, and Jessica Simpson line up (and strip down) to get airbrushed faux glows from Stankiewicz, who spray tans at Louise O’Connor Salon in New York City. CLEAN & CLEAR OIL ABSORBING SHEETS “These are great for when you put too much self-tanner on your face. They lightly remove it without causing streaks or spots.” TO BUY: $4.50; target.com. MR. CLEAN MAGIC ERASER “Be careful—these are abrasive. But they work to remove self-tanner stains from palms.” TO BUY: $6 for 2; target.com. PHYSICIANS FORMULA BRONZE BOOSTER GLOW-BOOSTING PRESSED POWDER “Physicians Formula bronzers go on smooth, not streaky, and cover blemishes. And they come in so many shades that you can match your skin tone without looking like a wax figure.” TO BUY: $15; ulta.com.…

Contrasting Waistbands A strip in a different hue adds a subtle punch to an otherwise traditional pair. Funky Hems You’ll see cutoff finishes on both flared and skinny styles. Tailor the look to your personality, whether you like an on-trend highlow hem or feminine, velvet lacing. Fancy Stitching Easytowear embroidered embellishment turns a simple jeansandatee look into an instant (and eyecatching) outfit. Shades of Gray These cool neutral hues pair easily with everything and have a modern feel. Polished Patchwork These artfully cut and sewn pairs look like hardtofind vintage store gems, minus all the hard work. Learn how to add a personalized touch to your jeans at realsimple.com/distressdenim.…

BRING SLEEPAWAY CAMP HOME For our family, the magic of summer is all wrapped up in the magic of summer camp. Children are completely unplugged from the rest of the world. The grown-ups around them are all unplugged, too. And in this day and age, that’s quite rare. So I find that it’s important to give kids the chance to see their parents unplugged throughout the year, whether it’s nights when you build a fire in the fire pit and sit around and tell stories and roast marshmallows or play charades on the porch together. Twinkling white lights are also pretty magical.We hang them everywhere at camp, and I put them up all over our house—on the deck, in my daughters’ reading nook—to remind us of summer. CARTER BREAZEALE IS…

MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN sent home with lice, again. My workday cut short, I am laboriously combing nits from her hairwhen I hear the distinct sound of our geriatric Lab vomiting on the (white, of course) rug upstairs. My 4-year-old is upset because he wants me to play Chutes and Ladders with him, but I can’t (see: lice),which is probablywhy he’s screaming “I’m mad at you, Mommy!” at the top of his lungs. I’m looking down the barrel at hours of laundry and vacuuming of mattresses and the administration of chicken nuggets, culminating in the bedtime reading of Curious George Rides a Bike for the 132nd time this week. My husband has awork dinner,won’t be home until late. Which is patently unfair. It’s at this moment that I look at…

Little Kids CLASSIC MOVE: Calling his playgroup buddy a toilethead. UGH, WHY? “Two to four is the teenagerhood of childhood. They are starting to separate from parents and explore their power,” says Joyce Marter, a therapist in Chicago. Rude language can be particularly enticing at this age, too, says parent coach Nicole Schwarz, founder of Imperfect families.com. It’s not malicious; it’s just exciting to get a reaction. THE FIX: This is a great opportunity to teach empathy. “Ask, ‘What did your friend’s face look like after you said that? What could you say to help him feel better?’ The goal is to start teaching how other people are affected by what he does and says—for good and bad,” says Schwarz. School-age Kids CLASSIC MOVE: Dumping lacrosse gear at the door,…

SEEK OUT A SCREENING If your child’s school requires a sports physical (this may start around seventh grade), you might be able to bypass a trip to the pediatrician. Some schools offer physicals in the gym that are performed by medical professionals. TAP URGENT CARE “This is a great alternative to expensive emergency room visits, and you’ll often save time,” says Carena Lowenthal, a registered dietitian and wellness coach in Rye Brook, New York. Urgent care visits are typically much less expensive than ER visits if insurance doesn’t cover the cost. A visit for allergies runs about $200 at an urgent care center and about $700 at the ER, according to Medica Choice Network. Hit the hospital for life-threatening symptoms, like severe chest pain, or a head injury. But for…

Minimal Manis That Go Hand in Hand With Floral Prints Half and Half HOW-TO: When incorporating negative space (where slivers of your naked nail bed peek through), skip the base coat, since you’ll be using topcoat later. For this diagonal design, stick a small piece of Scotch tape across your nail where you want the negative space (this ensures a precise line). Swipe a purple polish from the edge of the tape to the tip of the nail, then quickly remove the tape. Once nails are dry, apply topcoat. Pro secret: When using tape for any mani, do one nail at a time, removing the tape immediately after painting to avoid seeping polish. TO BUY: Essie Nail Color in Pret-a-Surfer, $9; essie.com. Moonshine HOW-TO: Instead of doing these halfmoons freehand,…

YOU’VE THOUGHT IT BEFORE, haven’t you? If youwere in charge of your block, your neighborhood, your town, you’d make some serious changes. Here’s the secret:You don’t need to be in a position of power—or have untold amounts of free time—to make a difference. All it takes is the right idea and follow-through. “The popular myth is that those who make change reach some big, massive tipping point,” says Nilofer Merchant, author of The Power of Onlyness. “But it’s a myth. Real change makers simply say, ‘I see something that I think matters.’” Once you’ve zeroed in on what matters to you locally, Merchant promises that doing something to improve it isn’t a huge leap. “We have to grant ourselves permission to take the first step,” she says.When you think, “What…

ACTIVE TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR, 20 MINUTES SERVES 4 Healthy Pick Gluten-Free Family Friendly 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar 1 tsp. smoked paprika 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 tsp. black pepper, divided 4 12-oz. chicken leg quarters 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 2 lb. heirloom tomatoes, cut into -in.-thick wedges 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves PREPARE a grill for indirect mediumhigh heat. Combine brown sugar, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper. Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon oil; season with brown sugar mixture. PLACE chicken, skin side down, over direct heat. Grill until lightly charred, 5 to 10 minutes. Flip and transfer to indirect heat. Cover and cook until a thermometer inserted in…

ACTIVE TIME 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 4 Quick Cooking Healthy Pick Family Friendly 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 6-oz. cans tuna packed in oil, drained 1/4 cup Niçoise olives 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 4 6-in. pocketless pitas 4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered 4 cups loosely packed mixed greens Potato chips and cornichons, for serving PREHEAT broiler with rack 5 inches from heat. Combine onion and vinegar in a medium bowl; let stand 5 minutes. ADD tuna, olives, oil, pepper, and salt to bowl and stir to combine, breaking tuna into smaller pieces. PLACE pitas in a single layer on a baking sheet and broil, flipping once, until warmed and lightly toasted, about 30…

Whizzing up a batch of peanut, almond, or (nut-free) sunflower butter at home takes all of four ingredients, a food processor, and five minutes. And you skip the excess sugar and salt, added fats, and high price tag that can come with even the natural supermarket versions. Our recipe has a touch of agave nectar for balance and coconut oil to keep it spreadable. You can even add a splash of vanilla if that’s your jam. Got deep convictions on chunky versus creamy? Pulse sparingly or keep the machine running for silky smooth. ACTIVE TIME 5 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 MINUTES MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP 2 cups lightly toasted unsalted nuts or sunflower seeds 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, at room temperature 1 tsp. light agave nectar 1/2 tsp. kosher salt…