One great thing about Spring and Summer is that the veggies are so delicious, and they taste great in the simplest of salads. Dressed with nothing but a little vinegar, salt, and sugar, this cucumber salad is fresh and sweet.
Get this easy, healthy recipe after the break
Adulthood isn't always fun, but at least when you have kids, you get to do fun kid stuff: building forts, visiting theme parks, playing Candyland, and hanging out on a swing set without getting weird looks. But what if you don't have kids and still want an excuse to act like one?
The best part about spending your weekend immersed in a childish activity is adopting a kid's attitude at the same time: don't be self-conscious, don't worry about work, and just have fun. Here are 16 ideas for how you can feel young again without spending too much grown-up money.
See the rest of the sweet 16 when you read more.
While I love an overstuffed sub, some occasions call for a daintier sandwich. One of my favorites is the traditional cucumber and cream cheese sandwich served at high tea. On this week's episode of Between the Bread, I show you how to make the American version with this recipe for a Benedictine cheese sandwich. Created in Louisville, KY, at the turn of the century, this crustless sandwich combines cucumber, cream cheese, and scallions and is perfect for serving at a bridal shower, a luncheon, or a sophisticated picnic. Watch the video to learn how to make this easy, chic sandwich this Summer.
"Pimm's Cup" is fun to say and even more fun to drink. But what exactly is Pimm's No. 1? Like Southern Comfort or Fernet-Branca, this type of liquor is synonymous with its brand; Pimm's No. 1 is just that, and nothing else.
This gin-based booze hails from England and carries a lower alcohol content (25 percent) than most hard liquor. For that reason, it's one of my absolute favorite ingredients for daytime drinking, and the Pimm's Cup — featuring ginger ale, cucumber, lemon, and mint — is the ultimate delivery vehicle. You can throw back two or three yet not be knocked down like you might be by a bloody Mary. Get the Pimm's Cup recipe now.
Studying a foreign language could make you smarter. According to a study from the University of Chicago, people make more rational decisions when thinking in a foreign language, because it forces us to use the more analytical side of our brains.
If you're looking to learn a language, you could certainly do worse than Spanish. It's the third most-spoken language in the world, and Hispanics make up more than 16 percent of the US population. So, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, here are five tools I've found super helpful in my quest to learn Spanish as an adult.
The grilled cheese is one of America's great comfort foods, but rather than debate how to make the perfect classic version, we're mixing it up in honor of Grilled Cheese Month. This sweet, savory, and unexpected honey-basil grilled cheese combines slightly sweet wheat bread, a drizzle of honey, fresh herbs, and sliced tomato with a one-two cheese punch of fontina and mozzarella. Watch and learn how to make this serious contender for your new favorite cheesy sandwich.
Thank goodness Mad Men returns for its sixth season this Sunday; any longer, and I might have taken up a three-martini lunch habit. I am giddy at the return of retro style and classic cocktails. Even as it evolves, the 1960s-set show always shines a compelling lens on American cocktail culture. Celebrate the return of this tribute to classic libations by mixing up a drink (or three) featured on the show.
Your commitment is what matters, but you'd still be pretty upset if you lost your engagement ring, right? Before you get too caught up in showing off your bling like Carrie Underwood, make sure to protect your prized possession with jewelry insurance.
A good personal-article insurance policy will cover your engagement ring, wedding ring, or other jewelry — up to whatever amount you choose — in the case of theft, loss, fire, or something crazy, like the diamond falling out during a water-ski excursion. Policies vary depending on your coverage and the value of your ring, but there are some general rules. Now that you've found the perfect ring, here's what you need to know about ring insurance.
Until I read Imbibe by David Wondrich, a wonderfully nerdy book about the history of boozin', I thought an old fashioned was bourbon served over ice, sugar, bitters, and a muddle of oranges and maraschino cherries. But turns out, that fruit-laden recipe is pretty much the antithesis of what an old fashioned cocktail was intended to be.
When bartenders first started serving cocktails, they were ridiculously simple: some type of spirit (usually bourbon or gin), gum syrup, bitters, and a shaving of nutmeg. But by the 1870s, so many variations had been introduced — the "fancy cocktail" with curaçao, the absinthe "improved" version — that purists wanted a return to the original formula. Hence, the old fashioned cocktail, with the slightly fancier lemon peel taking the place of nutmeg. To get the recipe, read more
Maybe it's just one long sugar rush, but getting creative with Peeps candy is becoming a national pastime. We've seen Peeps dioramas, re-creations of TV shows, and this delicious idea: a Peeps fluffernutter sandwich. Just like the childhood favorite sammie of marshmallow fluff and peanut butter but made with Peeps, this flavor combination helps cut down on the sweetness of the confections for a gooey good time. Here's how to make it.
Chilled out tourists and hipster expats flock to Tulum, Mexico, but not just for its clear Caribbean waters and ancient Mayan sites. The remote destination, about two hours south of Cancún, also offers a distinctive seaside aesthetic where the beach meets the ocean. In the well-traveled hotel zone, traditional oceanside elements like straw roofs collide with restaurants that feel more like enchanted forest groves. On a recent visit, I couldn't stop snapping photos for decorating inspiration. Check out seven ideas to steal from Tulum's outdoor decor.
In California, we've been getting some awesomely delicious avocados lately. Chalk it up to avocado season, which runs from Spring to Fall. Even if you don't live in the Golden State, chances are, that green fruit you're savoring is from here anyway. 90 percent of the nation's crop comes out of California. From sandwiches and salads to salsas and other tropical-tinged flavor combinations, avocado is surprisingly versatile. Here are 10 of our favorite ways to enjoy it.
Cooking with cast iron can be intimidating — not to mention heavy — but once you try it, it's easy to become a convert. I love my pan for indoor grilling and making skillet breads; it distributes heat incredibly evenly. Cast-iron pans can even help boost your iron intake.
But be warned: you can't treat cast iron like any old pot. To make sure it lasts as long as possible — basically, forever — you have to do some things differently. Before using your cast iron for the first time, you need to "season" it. This process will protect your pan's surface from moisture and rust. Find out how to care for cast iron.
Lean in to opportunities at work, and lean on your partner more at home. That's the gist of the great advice offered by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg in her new book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
On Good Morning America on Monday, Sandberg talked how external factors hold women back in the workplace and explained that women should also change their own mentality to break through the glass ceiling. She also stressed the importance of choosing a life partner who's also an equal partner and how to inspire young girls. We think it's downright inspirational; watch and tell us what you think.
Happy almost Mardi Gras! Feast on New Orleans favorites far beyond Fat Tuesday by stocking your kitchen with these local food favorites. Online you can find a surprising number of New Orleans delicacies — from hot sauce and seasoning blends to beignets and café au laits — and they're ready to be shipped straight to your belly. Check out my 10 favorite New Orleans food essentials to fill the pantry.
As we head into the weekend, it's time to turn our attention to the very important topic of brunch cocktails. Though a bloody mary or mimosa is the obvious choice, I find that a Ramos gin fizz functions as an excellent morning drink.
If you're a fan of fizzes, you'll find plenty of the gin-infused variety. This classic version, invented by New Orleans barkeep Harry Ramos in the late 1800s, uses orange flower water as a French twist. Though it sounds heavy, it's surprisingly refreshing and frothy. To get the recipe, read more
