Innehållsförteckning för December 2020 från Good Housekeeping

1. Rustic Boho KEEP IT SIMPLE Rustic charm means eschewing the opulent. Choose a simple, even sparse, tree, and use a woven basket to set the stage for naturally beautiful adornments. SPRUCE IT UP Adorn the tree with faux cranberries and fragrant slices of dried orange. For visual appeal, consider adding filler branches like artificial pine or boxwood bush. ADD THE FINISHING TOUCH Tie the design together with an old-fashioned tin star topper. Whether you choose a silver mercury, rusty red or dark brown finish, it’s sure to add character. FOR SIMILAR: DRIED DECORATIVE ORANGE SLICES BY ZIKOSTUDIO, $4 FOR 20, ETSY.COM. FELT BALL GARLAND, $20, WESTELM.COM. NATURAL BANANA LEAF HARPER BASKET, FROM $50, WORLDMARKET.COM. STAR CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPER IN BLACKENED TIN AT LAUGHING MOOSEGIFTS2, $17, ETSY.COM. 2. Modern Ombré CHOOSE YOUR TREE Decide…

$2.50 HOLIDAY DAZZLERS Surprise! Whether you’re looking for a glittery gift or a pair for a party, each of these sets costs less than an eggnog latte. CLEAR SQUARE CHARM DROP EARRINGS, $2.50, & GEMSTONE DECOR DROP EARRINGS, $2, SHEIN.COM $6 GIVE FROM THE HEART Perfect for jewelry or trinkets, this small dish and an even smaller one will help her corral clutter in style. Give as a set or break them up as thoughtful hostess gifts or stocking stuffers. SUGAR PAPER FOR TARGET HEART SHAPED WOOD TRINKET TRAY, $12 FOR SET OF TWO, TARGET.COM $1 SKIN QUENCHER Give the gift of self-care with these stocking stuffers that detox, hydrate and brighten. With scents like vanilla latte and mint mocha, these sheet masks smell good enough to eat. FREEMAN BEAUTY…

Dear Santa, I haven’t written to you since I was a little girl living in a rundown shack at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. My daddy said there was no need for me to write you since we lived so far back in the woods that you’d never find us anyway. And I think he was probably right about that. I never did get the things on my list, but it didn’t stop me from believing in you. I still believe in you and I’m out of the backwoods now, so I’m gonna take another chance on writing to you to ask you for some very special things, not only for myself but for everyone for Christmas this year. Santa, please bring joy to those who have lost…

MEET THE GH EXPERTS NICOLE PAPANTONIOU KITCHEN APPLIANCES LAB SENIOR TESTING EDITOR KATE MERKER CHIEF FOOD DIRECTOR STEFANI SASSOS, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. GH REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST 1 GH LAB PICK MULTICOOKER Use this do-it-all wonder to cook many types of food — from stew to pasta — in one easy-to-clean pot. You can even walk away from it! WHY IT’S LIFE-CHANGING No cooking tool is as versatile or foolproof as a multicooker. It can brown food, pressure-cook, steam, slow-cook, make rice, ferment yogurt, hard-boil eggs—and cook up creamy desserts. Best of all, you don’t have to keep a close eye on it when it’s on. In some cases, it can keep food warm for days. It lets you whiz through meals that take longer on the stove, and cleanup is a…

FOR WEEKNIGHT MEAL MAKERS TIME-SAVING VACUUM SEALER That friend who keeps talking about finally starting to meal prep? This gadget that preserves meat, cut produce, dry ingredients and prepared meals is just what they need to get started. LAB LOWDOWN Compact and cordless, this small handheld appliance from FoodSaver is easy to maneuver and store. In our tests, apple slices hadn’t browned any more after three weeks than right after being cut, and strawberries had no visible mold. Plus, it was able to seal 60 FoodSaver quart-size zipper bags (it comes with four) on one charge. FOODSAVER CORDLESS HANDHELD VACUUM SEALER, $35, AMAZON.COM/SHOP/GHTESTED FOR GROWING KIDDOS RIDE-ON THAT’S AS EASY AS 1-2-3 As your child goes from toddling to racing (ages 1½ to 3 and 50 pounds max), this Huffy…

IN APRIL 2017, Roxie Meza, of Bradenton, FL, posted an adorable picture on social media of her infant daughter, Emilie, sitting in a green plastic high chair, her fine hair forming a sparse halo of messy dark curls around her smiling face. But Roxie wasn’t fishing for “Likes” — far from it. The caption, written in Emilie’s voice, read I need you to help save my life…. Emilie’s family had recently learned that the little girl had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Emilie’s health journey had actually begun a couple of months before, when she was 7 months old. Out of the blue, the thriving infant started displaying unexplained fevers, diarrhea and lethargy. The first two doctors who examined Emilie thought she had a virus. A third apparently…

Because of COVID-19, this year has been all about stress baking, mask wearing, working at home in yoga pants and…telemedicine. Seeing a doctor virtually isn’t new (about 7 million people did so in 2018), but avoiding exposure to the coronavirus has made it a necessity. Even before the pandemic took hold in the U.S., telemedicine appointments were up 33% over the previous year, and 83% of people say they expect to continue using e-medicine services after the pandemic resolves, according to a Doctor.com survey. It is often the most time-saving, convenient option, and research shows that it can be just as effective as (and in some cases more effective than) in-office care. Below, the latest on using this medium. WHEN E-HEALTH WORKS BEST (AND WHEN IT’S NOT IDEAL) You’d be…

GLUTEN-FREE Beef and Vegetable Curry Prep 20 min. | Total 35 min. 1. Cook 1 cup long-grain white rice per pkg. directions. 2. Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp oil in Dutch oven on medium. Season ¾ lb beef sirloin (cut into ¾-in. cubes) with ½ tsp each salt and pepper and cook on all sides until deeply browned, 4 to 6 min.; transfer to plate. Stir in 3 Tbsp yellow Thai curry paste and cook 1 min. 3. Whisk in two 14-oz cans light coconut milk and ½ tsp ground turmeric, scraping up any browned bits. Fold in 1 lb baby new potatoes (halved or quartered if large) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add 1 red pepper (cut into ½-in. pieces) and simmer, stirring occasionally, 12 min. Add 4…

In March, when the COVID-19 pandemic sent schools online and forced students into social isolation, counselors and educators knew college admissions metrics would have to change too. Traditionally, enrollment committees look at a student’s grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and personal statement to determine their readiness for higher education. But the pandemic halted many of those activities and presented unprecedented challenges even to the most high-achieving high schoolers. The good news is, colleges are going to be far more flexible this year, says Todd Rinehart, president of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. “If the pandemic had a genuine effect on your family circumstances and your ability to do well at school, that’s an important part of your story,” he adds. In fact, in June, more than 300 admissions…

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking for a supercute, easy-to-learn project, we’ve got you covered. Good Housekeeping has partnered with the crew at Yarnspirations to create knitting and crocheting kits just for you. From 30-minute cowls to luxurious sweaters, easy baskets and cozy throws, our style editors and craft experts have curated chic, pretty, fun patterns for all levels, both chunky and fine, that will let you while away the winter hours or finish in a weekend. (They also make great gifts!) GET YOUR PROJECT STARTED! On the GH x Yarnspirations Stitch Club landing page, you’ll find free patterns and shoppable Stitch Club kits that include yarn in your favorite shades and tools to get the job done easily. Go to yarnspirations.com/GHStitchClub today to get holiday- and…

Head-Turning Hairstyles Whether you’re staying in or going out, these fresh looks for any length and texture are polished and pulled-together in no time. Sideswept Glam Give a basic blowout a fancy twist by creating a side part and curling the bottom half of hair with a curling iron that has a 2-in.-wide barrel. Statement Accessory To instantly glitz up any outfit, top a sleek center-parted low ponytail or bun with a crystal-encrusted headband. Dramatic Topknot No matter what state your hair is in, make it chic in seconds by wrapping it into a high knot. Glide a serum over the sides and top to smooth.…

PAINT A FAUX CONCRETE WALL. You don’t have to be a pro to create a concrete effect on a wall. With a special buffing technique and a few essentials including basic gray paint, a dry paintbrush and a lint-free cloth, you can add dimension to any room. SEE PAGE 136 FOR INSTRUCTIONS. GRAY OWL PAINT, FROM $47, BENJAMINMOORE.COM ELEVATE A PLANT PEDESTAL Give a store-bought wooden pedestal a new look with a fresh coat of white paint. Then take a cue from top designers and use it to put tall branches or a traditional bust on full display. FOR SIMILAR: CHERRY WOOD PEDESTAL, $197, SHOPPOPDISPLAYS.COM INSTALL A ROPE BANISTER. Give your staircase some nautical flair. 1 CHOOSE YOUR ROPE. Jute or Pro-Manila rope is soft yet durable and would work well as…

3 TIPS FOR A CLEANER VACUUM DUMP THE DUST Empty the cup after every one or two uses. This helps keep dust from piling up inside and reducing suction. REFRESH THE FILTER A clean filter traps more particles and keeps the vacuum, well, sucking. Rinse it or replace it every few months. FREE THE BRUSH Lint and hair wound around a rotating brush roll put strain on the motor. Pull out or snip strands promptly. how we tested Our experts littered carpets and floors with oatmeal, sand, pet fur and more to conduct 246 tests and analyze 917 data points. Vacuums were scored on: • Cleaning ability• Battery life• Sound• Ease of use…

Thousands of people signed up to donate bone marrow to Emilie Meza, but not one of them was a match. In fact, about 12,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed every year with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases that can be treated with a bone marrow transplant. But more than 9,700 people are currently without a match. Join the push to increase the ethnic diversity of the donor registry by signing up to donate. Here’s how: REGISTER. Go to join.bethematch.org and take 10 minutes to answer questions about your medical history. SWAB YOUR CHEEK. Be the Match mails you a cheek swab kit to get a sample of your DNA. BE PREPARED. One in 40 members is called for additional testing, and one in 300 is selected as the…

STEFANI SASSOS, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. GH Registered Dietitian Nutritionist @stefanisassos TESTED THIS MONTH Delivery Meal Kits These boxes may not fit in a stocking, but they’re a great gift idea for people who want an easy way to put delicious, healthy food on the table quickly. Our top-rated picks offer gift cards so you can spend what you like. Here’s to nutritious, stress-saving meals in the new year! how we tested: The GH Nutrition Lab team (including yours truly!) polled over 300 eaters to find out which meal kit services they’d used and loved. We then narrowed the list to their top few picks and evaluated each. We assessed the following: • portion size• flavor and taste• menu variety• special diet options• ingredient quality• recipe clarity• overall satisfaction Meet the…

YIELDS 12 SERVINGS, makes 12 enchiladas PREP TIME: 35 mins TOTAL TIME: 1 hr FOR THE SALSA VERDE VELVEETA SAUCE 12 oz. Velveeta, cut into ½ " cubes, divided1 (16 oz.) jar salsa verde FOR THE FILLING ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 white onion, finely chopped1 clove garlic, finely chopped1 ½ lb. butternut squash, peeled, cut into ½"pieces, about 2 cups2 tsp. low-sodium taco seasoning mix¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper4 cups shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced12 (6”) white corn tortillas, warmed FOR GARNISH ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced1 jalapeño, thinly sliced into rounds½ bunch cilantro leaves, freshly chopped STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a microwave-safe bowl, add ⅔ of cubed Velveeta and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir in 2 cups…

When you deck the halls, cook up your favorite meals and host guests for the holidays, pets will likely get curious about the new sights and smells. Here’s how to keep them safe. NIX TABLE SCRAPS Most of us know chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, but many other common foods, including onions, garlic, raisins and currants as well as the artificial sweetener xylitol, are also dangerous for pets, explains Daniel Edge, D.V.M., M.Sc., director of medical affairs at Zoetis, a global animal health company. Unbaked yeasted dough can expand and obstruct dogs’ stomachs, and alcoholic beverages can cause low blood sugar. Bones, especially from poultry, can get caught in a dog’s esophagus, says Carly Fox, D.V.M., of Animal Medical Center in New York City, and rich and fatty…

For our Holiday Issue planning meeting this year, I sat alone in my kitchen instead of at a conference table with the rest of the GH team. And of course, each editor was perched somewhere in their own home, speaking into their screen. Between jokes about the fact that we don’t just work from home, but work (and school…!) have taken over our personal spaces, we pondered how this year’s season might look. We analyzed market surveys, trend forecasts and focus group insights — plus, we took a good look at the lives of those closest to us. After all that, here are some thoughts on how the holidays may play out: 1. We are all going to be more careful than ever about how we spend our money. 2.…

1 First, set the mood. Recreate a spa-ahh atmosphere in your bathroom to enhance relaxation. Take a quick warm bath with Epsom salts first to help de-stress, suggests Olga Lorencin, aesthetician and founder of Olga Lorencin Skincare in Los Angeles. Or soak your feet for a similar effect, says Ling Chan, founder of Ling Skincare and Spa in New York City. For more pampering, add a few drops of lavender oil to the water, light a candle and turn on quiet music. 2 Deep-clean your complexion. A pro facial always starts with thoroughly cleaning the “canvas,” as any makeup or grime on your skin can prevent the treatments that follow from working. To get skin as purified as possible, try double cleansing. “Wash with an oil-based cleanser first,” Lorencin says, to remove…

GH HOME CARE LAB DIRECTOR @fortecarolyn Q I used oven cleaner to “prep” my self-cleaning oven for holiday cooking. Now there’s a white residue. Help! — LYNNE T. A: It’s important to clean your oven at least once or twice a year to keep grease from building up, and a spruce-up before the holiday cooking marathon is a great idea. Unfortunately, you learned the hard way that a spray oven cleaner can mar the interior surfaces of some self-cleaning ovens, even if the label says it’s safe to use. I’ll bet your oven’s manual says to avoid them—most do. The good news is, it’s unlikely that your oven is forever damaged. Try removing or lightening the residue with a thin paste of baking soda and white vinegar. Apply it to…

YOU’VE HAD TOO MUCH…WINE AND SPIRITS The holidays can be a setup for a few too many. SIGNS YOU CROSSED THE LINE You’re parched, you have a headache and you are sensitive to sound and light. You may also be irritable, tired and achy and have loose stools. No one knows exactly what causes hangovers, but one hypothesis is that alcohol causes the liver and brain to release inflammatory chemicals into the body. DAMAGE CONTROL You can’t stop a hangover with any of the supplements you see hyped online, says Robert M. Swift, M.D., a researcher at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Rhode Island and a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University. But you can treat each symptom as needed. Get some sunlight to wake…

NO-BAKE TREAT EGGNOG TRUFFLES Combine crushed gingersnap cookies, white chocolate and a splash of rum. Presto—the flavors of a holiday favorite! P. 133 EGGNOG TRUFFLES M V H Active 45 min. | Total 45 min. plus chilling and freezing ½ cup heavy cream2 oz cream cheese, at room temp1 Tbsp dark rum24 oz white chocolate, chopped and divided2 cups (7 oz) gingersnap cookie crumbs, from about 44 cookies (we usedAnna’s Ginger Thins)Freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon, for topping 1. In medium saucepan on medium-low, combine cream, cream cheese and rum, stirring often, until cream cheese has melted and mixture is hot to the touch (do not boil). 2. Remove from heat, add half of chocolate and stir until completely melted. Fold in cookie crumbs. Transfer mixture to bowl, cover and…

DECORATE LIKE A PRO GET THE LOOK Go Metallic Boost shimmer by dyeing royal icing with vibrant gold food coloring (available at craft stores), then piping it onto the reindeer’s antlers. Dot On Details Silver and gold candy balls (also called sugar pearls) add dimension to trees and reindeer noses. “Glue” to cookies using a small dot of royal icing. Fine-Tune Trees Flood trees with green royal icing; let set. Drop dabs of white icing on top, then use a small brush to drag upward for a snowcapped look. USE GH SHEET PANS BUYER'S GUIDE Our GH Seal-approved bakeware has been rigorously tested by the experts in the GH Institute and Test Kitchen to deliver picture-perfect cookies every time! It boasts unbeatable nonstick technology that’s ideal for roasting savory meals…

PAINTED TIN BUCKET 1. Place painter’s tape about 14 in. from bottom of bucket. 2. Add another strip (3" tape) about 11 in. from bottom and a final strip 3 in. from bottom. 3. Apply red paint between strips of painter’s tape. 4. Let dry completely and remove tape. Touch up if necessary. PAINTED FLOOR MAT 1. Make a tree stencil out of cardboard. For template, go to goodhousekeeping.com/holiday-templates. 2. Use white acrylic paint to apply an evenly spaced pattern to the mat. THREE-TIER WREATH 1. Use decorative ribbon to tie together three magnolia wreaths. 2. Place 1 removable Command hook on the door behind each wreath to keep it in place. HOW-TO Easy Weekend Projects p. 54 FAUX CONCRETE WALL 1. Clean and prep desired wall(s) with 2" painter’s…

WHY THEY EARNED THE GH SEAL After testing countless towels over the years, our Textiles pros know a well-made product when they see (and feel) it. These sets delivered on quality and construction—for a much lower price than the competition! 1 SUPERIOR ABSORBENCY The towels’ surfaces aced the GH Textiles Lab’s liquid runoff assessment, so you can rest assured that they’ll dry you off quickly and comfortably. They easily soaked up our test fluids when we held them at a 60-degree angle, a feat most fabrics in our bath towel evaluations can’t achieve. 2 LUXE MATERIAL Made of 100% cotton, the terry cloth is 650 grams per square meter, an ideal weight for luxurious towels that don’t feel too heavy. Also, they’re certified Made in Green by global textiles standards group Oeko-Tex,…