As an adult, I came to learn about a variety of uses for Epsom salt, both in and out of the bathtub, as well as its wide range of purported health benefits. To learn even more about the various health claims, I asked some experts and studied the research—it turns out that the existing evidence surrounding the alleged benefits of Epsom salt is a mixed bag (or milk carton). Here’s what you need to know about the health benefits of Epsom salt, including the best times and methods to use it, and when it’s best to skip it....

Thanksgiving is normally known for big dinners and tons of sides (hello mashed potatoes and sausage stuffing), but I’m here to tell you not to skip the fun Thanksgiving snacks and desserts! Halloween and Christmas don’t get to have all the fun! There are so fun Thanksgiving snacks you can make that are also cute so print out a couple of these simple recipes and get to making your Thanksgiving time the most fun it can be!...

Contrary to popular belief, if hair hasn’t been freshly washed, it does need special treatment. Treating your second-day hair like it’s fresh from the shower can damage it, undoing all the benefits of skipping every-day washes. Some second-day hairstyles are heat-free, but if you’re planning to straighten, curl, crimp, or otherwise apply heat to keep your second-day hair looking fresh, you’re going to want to follow these tips from stylist Koni Bennett....

That said, the flu shot only offers between 40 to 60 percent efficacy, and results vary depending on who is getting it. (And if you’re a child, immunocompromised—those with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—or over 65, that should definitely include you.) Luckily, there are ways to boost this percentage—but unfortunately, getting a COVID-19 vaccine isn’t one one of them. “Although both the flu and COVID are caused by viruses and have some overlapping symptoms, there is no evidence of the COVID vaccines protecting against influenza,” says Venky Soundararajan, PhD, co-founder and chief scientific officer of the biotech information company Nference....

According to Reshma Shah, MD, and Brenda Davis, RD, authors of Nourish: The Definitive Plant-based Nutrition Guide for Families, the two most common myths about plant protein are that you can’t get enough protein from plants alone, and that plant sources of protein are incomplete or lacking in essential amino acids. To address the first myth, we need to consider how much protein we need, and how much people eating various dietary patterns consume....

Cleaning Windows and Mirrors With Newspaper “While this was a common technique used in the past, newspapers were once much thicker than they are now,” says Brad Roberson, president of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. “Today’s newspapers can quickly deteriorate when wet and leave newsprint spots on your mirror frames and window sills, not to mention your fingers.” Also, unless it’s a soy-based ink, you’re probably going to end up with some ink smearing....

Often, though, meal prep guides are totally impractical. I’m supposed to do what with turmeric and apple cider vinegar? Here, we’re sharing eight useful, easy-to-follow tips for prepping dishes ahead of time. If you’re looking for tools to help you get started, check them out here. RELATED: How Long You Can Store (Almost) Anything in the Fridge and Freezer RELATED: How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Home RELATED: This Is the Secret to Storing Every Type of Fruit and Vegetable So They Last Longer

Pillows in fun shapes—like round and shell-shaped ones—are on-trend right now. Washable blankets and removable pillow covers also make it possible to clean and store goods during off-seasons. This summer, neutral color palettes with over-the-top texture are showing up on the social media feeds of many designers. Opt for an area rug that introduces plush pattern in a subtle way. Try working in current design trends, like minimalist line drawings of faces or figures, or else choose pieces in on-trend hues....

Christmas Sweaters to Shop

Here are the nine key plant foods to keep on your shopping list to turn food resolutions into reality, according to Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD, a New York City-based registered dietitian. RELATED: How Healthy Are Potatoes, Exactly? RELATED: 22 Healthy High-Protein Recipes (That Taste 10 Times Better Than a Shake or Snack Bar) RELATED: Alternative Meats Are Having a Moment—We Break Down the Different Types to Cut Through the Confusion

Whether it’s black-eyed peas as part of a New Year’s Day brunch or cabbage on New Year’s Eve, adding these good luck foods to your party plans are a delicious way to say see-ya to the old year and hello to a lucky new year. First, it has to do with the way pigs behave differently than other animals. According to some theorists, while chickens and turkeys scratch backward, a pig buries his snout into the ground and moves forward—in the same direction you want to head in the new year....

Highlights Forbes ContributorLine of holiday placemats with Elizabeth Sutton CollectionDesigned The Hamptons Collection For ArtSugar Amanda has had two home decor lines including a holiday placemat line with Elizabeth Sutton Collection. She also designed The Hamptons Collection for ArtSugar. In addition to providing her expertise for many publications regularly, she has appeared on Cheddar TV and Good Morning America to discuss design trends.

To buy: $26 (was $55); amazon.com. The top-rated blanket is available in four colors and in a full/queen or standard king size. You can layer it under your comforter or use it as your main bedspread, depending on the amount of warmth you need. Plus, made with a microfiber fabric, the blanket is totally stain-resistant and machine-washable, so if you want to eat breakfast in bed or simply sip your morning cup of coffee while tucked under the covers, you don’t have to worry about spilling and leaving a stain....

To buy: $19 (was $21); amazon.com Called “soft and cozy” by one shopper, another reviewer wrote that it “feels like a high-dollar plush baby blanket.” Made of ribbed fleece that’s intended to feel soft against the skin, the blanket also has a double stitching design. There are four sizes to choose from, and shoppers praise its versatility, suggesting it for use while on the couch, in bed, and as an item for your pet to snuggle with....

Setting up a self-imposed allowance system is simple, and it’s never too late to start one as a fun form of basic budgeting, combined with other good money habits. When I was a kid, because we moved frequently, my parents gave us an allowance for long-distance calls (this was, of course, before cell phones). We had a school-clothes allowance provided to us at the end of summer each year; it gave us kids the freedom to choose and buy our clothing....

But at the very top of my list are socks made by Bombas. These socks aren’t just pieces of material cut and sewn to fit and cover a body part, they’re thoughtfully engineered to take care of your feet. The brand calls its pairs the “most comfortable socks in the history of feet,” and I wholeheartedly agree. These socks feel like cushioned clouds beneath my feet that regulate temperature and keep me comfortable and supported....

That said, it’s expensive and inconvenient. I’ve spent at least $30 a month, and don’t even get me started about what a time-waster it is to drop it off and pick it up. So, when I discovered that there was an at-home dry cleaning kit, my curiosity was piqued, and I wanted nothing more than to review the product and have it work out. Here’s how it went. At Home Dry Cleaning The kit I purchased was the Dryel Dry Cleaner Starter Kit ($10....