Test Kitchen Tip: No chili seasoning on hand? Raid your spice cabinet and make your own with our homemade chili seasoning recipe.

#30 The double-wide island, which is more than a foot wider than the original, provides a focal point as well as a storage boost. Subway tiles in seafoam green (instead of the usual white) give the kitchen a boost of color. The smooth, glossy tiles run to the ceiling, providing a textural changeup from all the wood. A built-in fridge lines up with the island, allowing a straight path from the mudroom to the breakfast area....

Test Kitchen Tip: Wondering how to cook okra without the slime? It’s true, when you cut into fresh okra, the inside has a thick, shiny liquid that might seem “iffy” to the uninitiated. Cooking okra fast and hot gets rid of that viscosity (aka slime). That’s why our methods here—such as grilling, roasting, and cooking quickly on the stovetop—are all about speed. How to Prepare Okra for Cooking No matter what method you use for cooking okra, be sure to wash it first:...

How to Make a Margarita Bar It’s no secret our Test Kitchen loves making margaritas. If you’re wanting a fun drink station for a barbecue or taco night with friends, grab your glasses, and pitchers to set up a margarita bar using the following items to complete a truly impressive spread. 1. Provide a Variety of Fruit Mango margaritas, anyone? While classic lime is delicious, you can give your margarita a fruity twist by trying one of these blends:...

How to Fold a Towel The best way to fold towels depends on how you prefer to store or display them, such as on a shelf, in a cabinet, or across a towel bar. Try one of these four towel folding techniques and choose the best one for your style and space. Classic Hotel Folding Method This technique creates clean edges, making it ideal for a stack of towels stored on an open shelf or bench....

Editor’s Tip: If you need to make some compartments longer for necklaces, take out a few slats with a hammer. Get the pink ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ label Get the blue ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ label Get the ‘I Drink Wine’ label Get the ‘Best Mom Ever’ label To make: To make: Editor’s Tip: If you can’t find white vases, you can make your own by pouring white paint into clear vases—just make sure mom doesn’t fill them with water later!...

1. It Acts Like a Second Brain There’s a reason your stomach feels like it’s tingling when you’re nervous or anxious. The enteric nervous system—a complex and sophisticated network containing over 100 million nerve endings—lines your gastrointestinal tract. It connects your gut and brain. “Many studies have linked changes in your microbiome to mood disorders like depression and anxiety,” says Pankaj Jay Pasricha, director of research at Johns Hopkins’s Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology in Baltimore, Maryland....

“We are stepping into 2023 ready to embrace change with optimism; this includes our design choices,” says Abbey Stark, IKEA US interior design leader. “Residential interior design has become deeply personal, and I believe in 2023 it will become even more self-reflective.” While we might be saying goodbye to some well-loved trends as we step into a fresh year, we’re just as eager to show them a little love, too....

Seafood Watch, a program run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has combed through data from health organizations and environmental groups to come up with easy-to-understand recommendations for seafood harvested all over the globe. Look for their “Best Choices” labeled in green on the site. Another easy way to identify good picks is to look for the blue Marine Stewardship Council label when you’re shopping—it identifies certified sustainable seafood. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program offers a list of sustainability ratings and detailed information on specific fish while the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) provides up-to-date mercury notices....

What Is Swedish Death Cleaning? In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter, ($18, Barnes & Noble), Margareta Magnusson introduces the world to the Swedish concept of death cleaning. She explains this as a process to “remove unnecessary things and make your home nice and orderly when you think the time is coming closer for you to leave the planet....

The most difficult part of making this air-fryer pork recipe? Well, nothing, really. Toss some bratwurst and peppers in the air fryer. While that’s going, stir together beer, mustard, and a few spices. Voilà! You’ve got a quick and easy snack for family game night. Sure, the egg rolls at your local takeout spot are irresistible. But when you’re trying to limit your oil intake, a deep-fried treat isn’t the best healthy snack option....

Between the rise of pastel decor and the latest “Barbiecore” trend, it makes sense that the bright shade would find its way into Halloween decorations. “We like to think of it as hot pink adding fun to a gothic mentality. Pink is in response to people wanting to inject a bit of playfulness, fun, and lightheartedness into something that could be considered a bit intense,” says Tara Dennis, co-founder and director of Archie Bolden....

Whichever project you choose, keep in mind that it’s best to use a tile format and size that will require few cuts to fit. For example, 1- or ½-inch mosaic squares on mesh netting are a versatile choice for many projects and can be cut to size with heavy-duty scissors. Learn how to repurpose the remnants from your kitchen or bath redo with these creative leftover tile projects. 1. Revamp a coffee table with patterned tile....

Old Electronics Tired of your old phones, computers, and TVs gathering dust in the basement? Think twice before tossing them out with the trash. Gadgets like smartphones and computers that contain personal information can pose a privacy risk if they fall into the wrong hands. Always wipe the device of all personal data and files before you discard it. And because some electronic components are considered hazardous waste, reusing or recycling your electronic devices is always better than tossing them in the trash....

There’s nothing like waking up to a decorated Christmas tree with a few presents under it on Christmas morning, especially if you have little ones. As you celebrate the holiday at home this year, use these festive ideas to make Christmas morning extra special for your family. Whether it’s as simple as preparing a special breakfast or dressing in matching pajamas, every tradition adds up to create Christmas memories that will last a lifetime....

1. Wallpaper Drawer Makeover Update a basic dresser or chest of drawers with this easy makeover idea. Start by removing all of the drawers and hardware, then paint the frame in the color you’ve chosen. Find peel-and-stick wallpaper in a fun pattern, and cut pieces to fit the front of each drawer. Apply the wallpaper. To smooth out any air bubbles, use the edge of a credit card, then reattach the hardware....