Enter: The Pomodoro Technique. Created by Berlin-based business consultant Francesco Cirillo nearly 20 years ago, The Pomodoro Technique has become a life-changing strategy for working smarter, not harder. Cirillo first developed this system as a university student trying to get more done in less time. He found that boxing his study time into 30-minute increments (25 minutes of pure, uninterrupted work followed by a five-minute break), helped boost task efficiency, minimize deadline-induced anxiety, and sharpen mental focus, to name a few awesome benefits....

Relying solely on the stovetop made sense for me because I was roasting potato wedges at 475°F—much too hot for a quiche—but it’s also a great dinner hack for the hotter months when you don’t want to turn on the oven. Or, in the unfortunate chance that your power goes out, you can still prepare a warm dinner cooked entirely on a gas stove. Plus, steaming the egg dish gives it a velvety, custardy texture that pairs deliciously with crispy potatoes....

This time of year marks a critical time for food banks and pantries, experts say: Donations begin to drop off in April, but demand unfortunately doesn’t. “Giving is extremely strong during the holidays and can decline during spring and summer, the time when we most need the support,” said Kay Carter, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Increasing donations and awareness in the spring and summer months means providing much-needed aid to the 15....

If your mom is the kind of person who carries her life and a million other little things in her purse, she’s going to adore this oversized, 17-inch tote bag. Shoppers use it to hold water bottles, makeup, snacks, electronics, paperwork, and more. Some even use it as a beach bag to carry around towels, sunscreen, and a book while others use it for overnight trips and work events. To buy: $17 (was $20); amazon....

I don’t know about you, but we’ve been celebrating the Christmas season for weeks in my house. Making Grinch cookies, creating a DIY advent calendar, and even listening to my playlist of the best Christmas songs ever! I’m totally in the celebrate Christmas for as long as possible camp – sorry if you’re not! One of the things that we do at the beginning of the holiday season is to put together a Christmas bucket list (kind of like our summer bucket list but with just Christmas activities)....

Pirate Party Ideas Whether you’re looking for fun ways to celebrate pirate night on a Disney cruise or planning a pirate themed birthday party, these pirate party ideas will have everyone saying arhhhhn’t you the best. With everything from food ideas to games, crafts and more – you’ll find everything you need for a treasure worthy party right here! Pirate Party Food This one was hard to narrow down because honestly there are just so many great ideas out there including ones that really don’t take much creativity at all, but these are my favorite pirate food ideas!...

No matter how big or small the gathering, Libby Rawes, interior designer at Sharp + Grey Interiors explains that there are two details that make a home feel especially inviting. “I love to make a home feel comfortable right when you walk in,” Rawes said. “Choosing comfortable furniture, lots of texture, and soft materials that are casual, but elevated begs people to sit and stay awhile.” And for summer, she opts for natural colors like blue and green, linen accents, and fresh flowers....

We reached out to nutritionists and dietitians to share their best suggestions for what to order the next time you want a healthier fast-food lunch or dinner. Here’s what to order at some major chains: Panera Bread “Panera has limitless options when it comes to healthy meals, simply because they have a pretty extensive menu,” says Kora Bruno, a nutritionist and private chef. “My go-to’s offer ingredients that include all food groups and offer a higher nutritional value....

Preventing the living room from becoming a drop zone is its own challenge, but the problem can feel less pressing if the items that actually belong there are already organized. If there is less in the room already, those mysterious add-ons that always seem to pile up won’t seem so overwhelming—and there may even be more space for storage. Plus, once clutter is cleared, the room will feel completely clean, not just halfway there....

Whether you’re catching up on emails, watching a tutorial, or referencing a recipe while you cook, it’s unlikely that your phone is ever lying flat on a service. Instead, it’s almost always at an easy-to-view angle. So you don’t have to keep your phone out of sight on the counter or—worse—keep picking it up and placing it back down while you work, the Omoton adjustable cell phone stand securely holds your phone and enables you to find your best view....

Using an air fryer requires non-stick cooking spray, but that often results in splatters, stains, and residue left inside. The racks from my air fryer were usually left with charcoal-looking particles and they became harder and harder to scrub off. I found myself frustrated after nearly every use when I had to remove the compartments and scrub them endlessly in order to keep my air fryer in pristine condition. The brush is made of 100 percent premium stainless steel bristles, which prevents it from damaging the surface of your air fryer and its grill racks....

Crafted from real wood, these recipe binders are fully customizable. They can be engraved with a message of your choice, which is particularly special if it’s a gift for a home chef you know. If it’s not, go ahead and get your own name carved big and proud for your own special recipes. Speaking of, there are five different page styles and colors to choose from, including white grid paper, pre-designed recipe templates, and even bright red unlined pages....

To buy: $26 (was $40); amazon.com. The holiday party-ready dress is made from 65 percent cotton and 35 percent polyester, so you can know you’re wearing breathable fabrics rather than something itchy like wool. Plus, it has a zipper closure, a timeless V-neckline, a tulip-style hemline, and an attached belt that you can choose to tie however you like. Most importantly, shoppers say all of these things about this dress combine to create a comfy fit and feel....

Full-Fat Cheese Stick Wrap “My primary go-to snack is a cheese stick wrapped up in a mini high-fiber wheat wrap,” says Marjorie Nolan Cohn, RD, CDN, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. “I choose regular cheese sticks, not the low fat or fat free variety. I love this snack because the cheese stick is high in protein, the wrap is high in fiber, and because I’m not avoiding fat (in the cheese stick) it keeps me full for longer....

At a highly demanding job, the idea of completely signing off and leaving work untouched for hours on end can be anxiety-inducing. The alternative, of never really logging off and being always on, however, can perpetuate an even worse cycle of stress. A 2016 study, conducted by authors from Lehigh, Virginia Tech, and Colorado State universities, looked into the particular impacts of email as a job stressor—and found that email hinders workers’ ability to recuperate outside of work....

Enter: The Wellington Cabana accessory from State Bags, a special collaboration with REAL SIMPLE. Made with a lightweight TPU material so your essentials will stay bone-dry, this chic tote bag is transparent so you won’t have to fish around blindly. It features a main compartment, detachable pouch for your valuables, and soft webbing strap to sling comfortably over your shoulder. Thanks to its no-frills design, the accessory goes well with pretty much everything, from casual cutoffs to dressier ensembles....

All you need to install the light bar are the four hanging Command strips that come with it. The cord-free light bar uses a lithium ion battery, which you can recharge with the included micro USB charging cord. Customers say they’ve installed it under everything from cabinets to sinks to home bars, and even in their closets, too. One reviewer specifically loves how easy it is to carry this light bar around....

The great new product? Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce: 6.7 ounces of vibrant, addictive, spicy chile paste. In fact, it’s so popular, there is currently a production delay due to high demand. However, they should be back in plentiful supply soon, and the wait will be worth it. A taste of this paste is something. Its heat is slow to build. First, you get a rush of deeply vegetal flavor that not many hot sauces or pepper pastes have....