Good Housekeeping July/August 2021

QUICK CHOWDER In saucepan, sauté 1 large onion (chopped) in 2 Tbsp olive oil until tender. Add ½ lb potatoes (cut into ½-in. chunks), 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth and 1 cup half-and-half; simmer 12 min. Add 2½ cups corn kernels; simmer until potatoes are tender, 3 min. Puree half of soup. Serve topped with bacon and scallions. COUSCOUS SALAD Cook 2 cups pearl couscous; rinse to cool. Combine ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tsp grated lemon zest plus ¼ cup lemon juice; and ½ tsp salt. Stir in couscous, 1 shallot (finely chopped), 1½ pints small cherry tomatoes (halved) and 1½ cups corn kernels. Toss with 2 cups mixed herbs (parsley, basil, mint, chives; chopped) and ½ cup grated Parmesan. SHRIMP FRITTERS In bowl, whisk together ½ cup cornmeal, 1 tsp baking powder and…

FEEL-GOOD READ What a Happy Family by Saumya Dave You can’t pick your family, but they’re supposed to love you no matter what, right? Those are the boundaries aspiring comedian Natasha tests in this sweet, funny and deeply touching novel. Natasha’s family, the Joshis, are the envy of their Atlanta Indian enclave—at least to the casual observer. Deepak and Bina are pillars of their community, he a successful psychiatrist and she the consummate wife and mother. Their eldest daughter, Suhani, is following in her father’s footsteps; Natasha is about to become engaged to a childhood friend; and their only son, Anuj, is the golden boy. But then a crisis reveals that all isn’t as perfect as it seems. Natasha finds herself in a downward spiral, Bina has to reckon with her social…

TURN IT UP Start the party with big sound in a small package. Our media experts confirmed that this Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker can play for up to 10 hours on one charge, and it’s rugged enough for outdoor fun. CHILL OUT This cooler is made from post-consumer recycled resin; built-in cupholders on top let it double as a table. Lab Lowdown: Its sturdy construction stood up to Kitchen Appliances Lab tests. PLAYTIME Forget croquet—our toy analysts confirm that this is the hottest lawn game out there this summer. Like a cross between bowling and horseshoes, it’s a Viking-inspired game the whole crew will want to play all afternoon. STOOLS WITH STORAGE These metal barrels with wooden tops can serve as places to perch, side tables or whatever the situation requires. Plus, you can stow stuff inside them! INSTANT DRIZZLE The…

REFRESH SWEATERS “This affordable gadget (Conair Fabric Shaver, $13) shaves fuzz, lint and pills off most fabrics, keeping my clothes looking like new.” —Amanda Garrity, associate lifestyle editor CALM MORNINGS “I wake up before my two small kids to read, have a cup of coffee or tea and plan my day in a way that helps alleviate the stress that comes with being a working mom.” —Monique Valeris, senior home editor CLEAN BROKEN GLASS “Press a slice of soft bread onto the floor like a stamp to pick up all the tiny shards. It really works!” —Marisa LaScala, parenting and relationships editor Coffee and letter: Getty Images. Illustration: Brown Bird Design.…

SET AN INTENTION Before you uncap your pen, spend a few minutes thinking about the purpose of your letter. Maybe you’d like to reestablish a connection with someone, thank a career mentor or simply share your love with a friend. Consider what you’d like to say before you start writing—unlike with a keyboard, there is no delete button! GET SPECIFIC Think back to your high school English class and avoid clichés. Instead, ponder cherished memories the two of you share and make them come to life by describing the details. Tell stories that carry meaning for you and express what you were feeling at the time. That personal touch adds depth and heart to any piece of writing. DON’T OVERTHINK IT Struggling with writer’s block? Don’t stress. A heartfelt message doesn’t have to be a…

Whenever I need to shop for anything, whether it’s sunscreen, a new mattress or even a grill (see pages 91, 93, 95, 96 and 104 for this year’s best!), the first people I ask for advice are the experts in the GH Labs. They are constantly testing the things we all use in our daily lives — and can easily offer great advice to help us find the best matches for our homes, families and lifestyles. And by the way, the next time you are shopping for something important, you can access our experts’ top picks and search for reviews of any product they test at goodhousekeeping.com. But GH’s scientists do much more than just identify the right products for nearly every situation. They also help us consume in a smarter…