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When it comes to eating to support the immune system, Ditkoff reminds us that variety is key. “Eating a balanced and varied diet full of fruits and vegetables is more important than eating any one food,” she says. With that in mind, here are five foods to include in your rotation to help keep you on track for a healthy and delicious fall. “Consuming beta-carotene can help reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, may offer protection against asthma and heart disease, and may decrease the risk of macular degeneration....

Unfortunately, coming up with a functional kitchen layout usually involves a long list of options and materials to research, from countertops to flooring and everything in between. To pare down the decisions and eliminate the guesswork, consider a house plan that already has an envy-inducing kitchen included. Find the one that matches your style—whether that’s a modern farmhouse or a seaside getaway—then let your contractor handle the rest. We’re sharing our favorite Southern Living kitchen designs to help get those creative juices flowing....

Proflowers’ Same-Day Birthday Delivery lets you choose a stunning bouquet for your friend or family member and then send it off same-day, so despite the last-minute nature of your gift, it will never look or feel like an afterthought. Choose from over 40 different arrangements filled with roses, Peruvian lilies, snapdragons, daisies, sunflowers, and more, and local florists will curate your design just like the photo you’ve chosen. Just order your bouquet before 2 p....

Well, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, the holidays can be extremely stressful, as proven by a 2019 OnePoll study. It found that a whopping 88 percent of Americans view the holiday season as the most stressful period of the year. The mounting to-dos, gift expenses, feelings of inadequacy, social anxiety, pesky perfectionism, and pure exhaustion can creep up on anyone, leaving you with a mood that’s far from jolly....

Try the following tool storage ideas so you can confidently tackle DIY projects with all of your equipment at your fingertips. 1. Set Up Slatwall or Pegboard Because garages tend to be short on floor space, installing shelves is a smart option that also works well for small spaces. Track shelving, drawers, and tall cabinets make the most out of vertical space. However, there’s another type of garage storage system to consider, especially if you like your tools in plain sight....

“Exercise in general is probably the best thing you can do for your brain,” says Matthew Stults-Kolehmainen, Ph.D., FACSM, exercise physiologist and exercise researcher Yale New Haven Hospital. “In fact, some researchers think the initial function of the brain was to help people to move.” The positive links between physical exercise and brain health—mental health and mood management, memory and executive functioning, and degenerative brain disease prevention—is a significant topic of research and discussion....

The Amazer Fabric Shower Curtain is marketed as a liner, but reviewers say it’s effective enough to use on its own. It’s made of 100 percent waterproof polyester, a synthetic construction that ensures it will never lose its water-repelling capabilities. That means one curtain could last you a lifetime if you clean it regularly—and since it’s machine washable, that shouldn’t be hard to do. The all-in-one curtain is sold in sizes from 36-by-72 inches to 72-by-96 inches....

Dress Up Supermarket Flowers Plant African violets in a wide, shallow ceramic pot. Cover with sheet moss (sold at most nurseries) to add a cozy feel and to help hold in moisture. Care: Direct morning light. Protect from the bright afternoon sun. To water, lift the moss so you can soak the soil. Keep the soil moist all the time; try not to get the leaves wet. Stage a Still Life With Succulents Like intricate little sculptures, mini cacti and succulents make an intriguing assemblage....

Buy Gift Wrap (and Don’t Forget the Tape) Want to save yourself a trip to the store the night you decide to wrap holiday presents? Stock up now on a variety of options that are sure to fit every present under the tree—rolls of wrapping paper, gift bags in a variety of sizes, and decorative touches like bows and ribbons. Then, order some extra double-sided tape and collect a few pairs of scissors from around the house....

This summer we’ve been trying out a number of new local breakfast places and this past week I tried out the brand new breakfast menu at our local Hy-Vee with my brothers! It was a great way to start my day – good food and good company! I wasn’t the only one; the Hy-Vee Market Grille was filled with people enjoying a leisurely breakfast, doing their morning crossword puzzles, and catching up with good friends and family!...

1. Choose the Right Kind of Hydrangea Only the flowers of bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) can change color. Other types such as oakleaf hydrangeas or smooth hydrangeas such as ‘Annabelle’ only bloom in white or cream. These plants are just as full and beautiful, but if your goal is blue hydrangeas, make sure you’re planting varieties that can turn the shade you want. 2. Choose Blue Varieties Look for hydrangeas that are bred to be blue such as ‘Nikko Blue’, Endless Summer The Original, ‘Penny Mac’, ‘Blauer Prinz’, or Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout....

Many Americans don’t. In 2020, more than 30 percent had a credit score below 670, which is defined as “fair” or “poor,” according to credit bureau Experian. (Scores above 670 are considered “good” to “exceptional.”) The good news: If you’ve struggled with your credit, it’s never too late to do something about it. “Your credit is not a terminal illness,” says Katie Bossler, quality assurance specialist at GreenPath Financial Wellness....

“Synthetic fibers are more commonly the cause of irritation (like redness and itching). These fibers include rayon, nylon, polyester, rubber, and spandex,” says Lina Kennedy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Corona Del Mar, Calif. Conversely, natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk generally aren’t irritating. Ingredients added to clothing during the manufacturing process can cause even more severe reactions for those with sensitive skin. “Usually, these reactions are due to clothing finishing with formaldehyde (anti-wrinkle), dyes, glues, and chemical additives and tanning agents used in processing the fabric or clothing,” says Dr....

A store-bought evergreen wreath or a real pine wreath of any size work great for these ideas. If you’re just looking for inspiration, take a look at our projects below, then click on the how-tos for further instructions for each DIY Christmas wreath. These easy guides will help you to create a custom wreath with step-by-step instructions. But first, pump up the holiday tunes, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and get in the holiday crafting spirit!...

1. Invest in a Key Lockbox If you’re renovating your home before moving into it and live far away, consider investing in a key lockbox. You’ll need to hire a contractor if there are significant projects on your checklist that you can’t do yourself. Remember that contractors start early, so unless you want to drive in morning rush-hour traffic to let workers inside, plan to attach a lockbox or install smart door hardware that allows you to provide entry to guests with a code....

Of course, this is a judgment call that should be based on your level of experience and how much time and work you’re willing to put in. But as a general rule: If you’re not sure whether you’ll be able to achieve a smooth finish, it’s time to call a professional painter. RELATED: These Are the Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors and Styles Right Now Again, consider your own safety before deciding to paint your cathedral ceilings all on your own....

Some are powered through your car’s 12-volt outlet, while others are cordless, so you don’t have to worry about getting tangled up. Many options come with different attachments for cleaning every inch of your car, while others have both wet and dry cleaning capabilities, so you can suck up pet hair and debris from your seats or puddles of water from the floor. These are the best car vacuums to shop:...

But gifting money has a lot of questions around it. How much money can you gift to your family? How do you gift money to a child? Is just adding money to a Visa gift card a great gift? And how do you ask for money as a gift? According to Swann, the amount of money you gift depends on your budget, your relationship with the giftee, and the type of occasion....

We talked to a few folks who have actually managed to quit their jobs and live off their savings while doing whatever they love most—all before the age of 45. Some travel and others work on passion projects, but all of them have interesting and informed perspectives on saving and spending wisely according to your own retirement goals. First steps Ali and Alison Walker, the married couple who write the blog All Options Considered, didn’t settle on a particular savings rate until they really got clear on what they wanted to be able to do (and afford) in their early retirement....

Read on for everything you need to know about this first-of-its-kind sale. Is the Early Access Sale Only for Prime Members? No. Many of the Prime Early Access Sale deals will be available for non-Prime members. However, several deals may be exclusive to Prime members or they’ll be available at a steeper discount, along with free, two-day shipping. If you’re not a Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to take advantage of the biggest savings....