As Nicholas Creel, an assistant professor of business law at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga., explains, businesses are already being strained with soaring supply chain prices, giving them next to no room for an increase in other costs without having to pass those costs off to consumers via price hikes. “So it isn’t too surprising that so many employers are trying to hold off on increasing employee pay or benefits—that’s a long-term cost increase they will have to deal with even after the supply chain issues level out,” he says....

“Eating a snack that includes protein can help to create feelings of fullness, stabilize blood sugar, and deliver a steady supply of energy to the body and the brain,” says Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN, author of The Fiber Effect. “Many grab-and-go snacks are high in processed carbohydrates and sugar, leaving you feeling hungry and depleted rather than satisfied and energized.” She recommends snacks with unprocessed carbohydrates, plant-based protein, and healthy fats....

Fun Halloween Guess the Food Game When I was growing up, my parents always threw me birthday parties with creative birthday party games. That’s actually one of the reasons I share so many games on my blog – I’ve grown up loving games and assume everyone else does too. One of the games I remember the most from all those birthday parties was the time we played Fear Factor, and I ate an octopus and promptly threw it up....

There’s been a decades-long discussion over whether or not napping as an adult is definitively good for your health. Napping certainly can be beneficial, if done correctly and under the right conditions (the time of day, the length of the nap, and so on). In other words, whether or not that cat nap you’ve been taking mid-day is good for you ultimately depends on how and when you nap. So, yes, it can get a bit complicated....

To experience optimal benefits, you need the right amount of sleep—every night. How much sleep depends on individual factors, including your age, health, and even DNA. The National Sleep Foundation provides recommended sleep duration guidelines by age, based on scientific research conducted over two years by 18 different sleep experts. Their verdict: Adults between 18 and 64 years old should get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. (The CDC recommends “seven or more hours per night” for the same age range....

But there’s more! Depending on the type of hair you have—thickness, texture, and length—the way you should approach the act of brushing is different. We tapped in hair professional Anthony Cole, hairstylist and Sebastian Professional International Artist, to get some expert answers. For added volume, Cole recommends spritzing a volumizing spray, like Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray ($20; ulta.com), at the roots before brushing through gently. RELATED: These 8 Trusty Hair Tools Are Must-Haves for Curly Hair “Boar bristles are perfect for detangling coarse, thick hair....

Why Choosing the Right Sports Bra Is So Important If you have the right fitting bra for your sport you’ll improve your comfort and confidence and prevent more serious damage. To get a little technical: “When you move, your breasts bounce in a 3D motion, so without a supportive sports bra the Cooper’s Ligaments—an internal band of elastic tissue that supports the breasts and keeps them upright—can stretch irreversibly,” Hill-Norton says....

The good news? Getting your makeup sponge to look brand new doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. This guide will teach you how to clean a Beauty Blender quickly and includes four equally effective cleaning methods. Choose whichever way is easiest for you to do often. Why You Should Clean Makeup Sponges Dirty makeup sponges are undesirable in more ways than one. First, there’s the matter of hygiene. A grimy Beauty Blender or makeup sponge can be a veritable breeding ground for all kinds of germs and bacteria, which are then transferred onto your skin every time you use it....

“Over time, food particles can accumulate in the drain filter, drain hose, spray arm, or elsewhere in the dishwasher,” notes Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “Standing water [or stagnant moisture] can also cause mold to grow inside the dishwasher.” Deep-cleaning a dishwasher requires some elbow grease, but streaming an upbeat playlist or your favorite podcast can make the task more enjoyable. Keep scrolling for the full rundown on how to clean a dishwasher, even if it’s moldy, smelly, or simply isn’t cleaning dishes as well as it should....

How to Prevent Stains on a Mattress The best way to keep a mattress clean is to prevent stains in the first place. “It’s always best to use a mattress protector to prevent stains altogether,” Corrow says. “Contrary to the noisy old vinyl ones that probably come to mind, the market now offers many inexpensive options made of soft fabric bonded to waterproof backing. Some even offer additional benefits like stain repellent, antimicrobial, and bedbug protection....

Before cooking asparagus, trim or snap off the woody ends, which can have an unpleasant, fibrous texture. Freshly cooked asparagus always welcomes a drizzle of olive oil, lemon wedges, or a bit of butter. See a bunch of asparagus as a blank canvas and pair it with punchy vinaigrettes or creamy, rich sauces. A glass of crisp, white wine wouldn’t hurt either. Keep in mind that the thickness of the asparagus will affect cooking time....

Plus, they taste amazing. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit native to southern Mexico and Central America—though they look exotic, many compare their fresh, sweet flavor to pears and kiwis. They’re mega healthy, too. Dragon fruit contains a decent amount of iron, magnesium, and heart-healthy fiber. How to Eat a Dragon Fruit Dragon fruit can be used as a delicious base for smoothie bowls: Just freeze the flesh in chunks and toss into a blender with some banana chunks and coconut water....

As the economy shifts as a response to the coronavirus crisis, simply finding companies that are hiring is the first challenge. One pro tip: check out companies that are already known for hiring remote workers. To start, here are the top 10 companies with remote jobs in 2020, based on how many remote job listings they posted in 2019. And one bit of good news: Williams-Sonoma made the list! Check out the complete list of companies here....

Before filling up your sink with soap and water, find the washing instructions on the label, which may be hidden on the side of the garment. If the label says, “dry clean,” as opposed to “dry clean only,” the item can safely be hand washed. It should also give you guidelines including ideal water temperature. Using the right detergent is also important. Pick a product specifically formulated for hand washing clothes, such as The Laundress Delicate Wash ($20; amazon....

“The ideal sitting posture occurs when we’re aligned in a way that promotes an active core,” says Kate Esler, a physical therapist at SPEAR physical therapy in New York City. “We want our thoracic cage to line up with our pelvis (our base of support). The diaphragm (yes, that’s a core muscle!), transverse abdominis, and pelvic floor are the key core stabilizers needed to create ideal posture.” Unfortunately, it’s natural to slouch or sit leaning too far forward—especially after being seated for a while....

During Real Simple’s Time for You Weekend in the Rosemary Beach community in northwest Florida, Dayna’s entertaining formula was put into action (and passed with flying colors!) when Etsy hosted a Friday Night Soirée we haven’t stopped talking about since. The key to the party’s success? The event featured personalized decor, it followed a theme, it gave guests a chance to get involved, it was cozy and comfortable, and there was an abundance of delicious foods and drinks....

What You Need cocktail shaker with lid, strainer, ice cubes, martini glass, vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, half a lime, lime slice for garnish Follow These Steps

Oh, we know. Painting your own art sounds way too intimidating, particularly for people who don’t consider themselves artistically inclined. But painting your own cohesive gallery wall actually isn’t as hard as you might think. Sure, you probably won’t be composing the Mona Lisa anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t create something beautiful and special for your home. Read on to learn more tips and tricks for painting your own gallery wall art....

What You Need Tarnished silverWarm waterDish soapAluminum foilBaking sodaSaltBoiled water2 potsClean clothSilver polish Follow These Steps

But all baking pans are not created equal. Depending on what you’re baking and what type of pan you’re baking in, you’ll need to prepare it a little differently. Follow the guidelines below to ensure an easy release for specific baked goods but there are a few over-arching “rules” you should keep in mind for the best results, no matter what. First, don’t skip the pan prep: lots of cookie sheets and baking pans will claim to be non-stick but, over time, those non-stick coatings can break down or flake off....