Good Housekeeping December 2021

Stir chocolate spoons in coffee or warm milk or another beverage to add an extra hit of sweetness to the season. To prep the spoons, pour melted white, milk or dark chocolate in the spoons, then garnish with an assortment of sweet and salty fixin’s including things like mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut flakes, crushed candy canes and chopped espresso beans. Let stand for a few minutes until the chocolate has cooled and solidified. Wrap them in cellophane and tie with twine for a party favor or an easy gift!…

SPICED PILAF Mix ¼ cup pomegranate seeds, 1 shallot and 1 jalapeño (both chopped) and ½ cup each cilantro and mint (all chopped) with ⅓ cup oil, 1½ tsp grated lemon zest plus 2 Tbsp lemon juice and ½ tsp each sumac and kosher salt. Fold into 1 cup long-grain white rice (cooked). POM-LIME SPRITZ In small saucepan, simmer ¾ cup each sugar and pomegranate juice until sugar has dissolved, 12 min. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tsp grated lime zest and 2 Tbsp lime juice; let cool. Top 1 Tbsp each syrup and lime juice with sparkling water or wine and add a few pomegranate seeds. SQUASH & POM RELISH In medium bowl, whisk together 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp honey and ¼ tsp kosher salt. Stir…

How do you decide what to write about? I have a sense of what topics have the ability to connect with different people. I’ll think, I really want to write about this, and sometimes it happens in the middle of living it. I do know, in my own life, what constitutes a bigger story. People may think, She’s so open; she’s so in touch with her “yes” moments. But my life is chock-full of “no.” I say no constantly. And it’s the yes that’s specific, and that’s always where the story is. It’s just like going through a door. You don’t talk about the 7,000 closed doors you pass on any given day. You talk about the one that opened. Why don’t you use social media? I’ve never participated in…

For as long as I can remember, my dad has given thanks before every meal. His brief prayer always includes appreciation for the food and usually lists a few recent rewarding experiences. After he says grace on a holiday, my dad often asks everyone at the table to look back on the year and share some of the things they’re grateful for. Turns out this age-old ritual of giving thanks, practiced in most cultures, is not just a wonderful bonding experience — it actually helps us manage our stress too. And at the end of this year, we could all use a little communal therapy. As we take stock during this uncertain time, it may feel like a stretch to celebrate. But history (as shown by accounts from survivors of…

1 CLEAN THE JAR. Remove any labels and residue from the inside and the outside of the jar. Paint the lid with spray paint and let it dry. 2 ARRANGE A SCENE. On the inside of the jar, add bottle-brush trees, animal figurines and more. Form snowdrifts with air-dry clay and let dry. In a well-ventilated area, glue down all elements with silicone glue. 3 ADD SPARKLE! Spoon 1 to 2 tsp of glitter and/or fake snow into the jar. Fill the jar with distilled water almost to the top. Add a few drops of glycerin and stir. 4 GLUE ON THE LID. Over a sink or tray, add more silicone glue around the top edge of the jar and put on the lid. Close the jar tightly and wipe away any excess water…

1 INHALE through your nose for a count of four. 2 HOLD your breath for a count of seven. 3 EXHALE through your mouth for a count of eight. 4 REPEAT eight cycles at least twice a day, especially when you’re overwhelmed.…