Tabla de contenidos para April 2025 en Real Simple

DREAM JOB. I’ve never been one to use the phrase—it always struck me as kinda cloying, juvenile. I’ve loved my career (who knew an English major could even have one?!), and I’ve worked at some pretty awesome places with some pretty amazing people. But dream job? Not a thing. Then, three years ago, I landed mine. I love what I do—no, I mean I really love it. First and foremost because I get to work with the most brilliant team of creative minds in the media. (Hi, gang! If I haven’t told you yet today, you rock.) And because I truly believe in our mission. REAL SIMPLE has brought me and countless others a sense of peace and calm, of beauty and balance, of (relative) control over our corner…

FOR SELF-CARE, HOME CARE & ALL YOUR OTHER CARES THE LAST STRAW This amazing straw has a microfilter that traps 99.9% of microplastics, bacteria, parasites, and dirt in tap water. For each one sold, a child in need gets safe water for a school year. GREAT GRINDER Not your average spice mill, this battery-powered one has interchangeable pods that click into place, so your ground cloves don’t wind up tasting like fresh pepper. SMART LABELER Organize all your stuff with this pocket-size label maker that uses BPA-free thermal printing instead of ink. (No need for refills!) It’s wireless, and you can print directly from your phone. TOP GEAR Pare down that mountain of lids with this universal one that fits pots and pans from 6 to 12 inches. It reduces…

About Heather With more than 18 years in the beauty biz, the busy mom of two (hi, Bean and Georgie!) has tried almost every serum, balm, and potion out there. She’s always down to chat about facial hair.…

USE Tights TO Corral Gift Wrap Because people rarely finish a roll in a single wrapping session! Cut off a leg from an old pair of tights and slide it over the roll to keep the paper from ripping or unfurling during storage. Note: This also works well for that rolled-up print you’ve been meaning to frame. USE Eggshells TO Fertilize Soil Your favorite fern wants your eggshells! (They contain calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.) The next time you make an eggy breakfast, rinse out the shells and set them aside. When they’re fully dry, stash them in an airtight container until you’ve amassed a small collection (about 18 eggs’ worth). Then grind them into a fine powder in a blender, sprinkle them on the soil around your plant, and watch…

THE DILEMMA Rebecca asked former Modern Manners columnist Michelle Buteau for help with a friend who was always ordering food for the table—without waiting for or consulting her dinner companions. The orderer had good-enough intentions, but her excitement left everyone having to split a bill for food they didn’t want. THE ADVICE Michelle wisely suggested that Rebecca check out the menu beforehand and say something like “I love these two dishes. Please get them for me,” or even a to-the-point “Hey, could you just wait for me?” THE FOLLOW-UP “The advice was great,” Rebecca says, adding that it empowered her to tell her friend, during their next dinner out, that she didn’t want a specific dish. “Getting validation from the column helped. And I have used the advice with other…

I love my family. I’m also a workaholic. REAL SIMPLE has taught me that it’s important to carve out time. Reading the magazine is one of my favorite things. CARRIE STYLES ESPERANCE, NEW YORK In an attempt to create more peace of mind for myself, I made a commitment: no social media or news in the morning. When I have a new REAL SIMPLE, I take half an hour or so to read through the entire magazine. It’s a wellness practice that has changed how I start my days. It’s probably the best thing I’ve done for myself in many years. JILL ZAMPERETTI HEINTZ SHERRILL, NEW YORK The recipes! Years ago, my doctor was talking about eating healthier, and he suggested I take a look at the recipes in REAL…

YourDaDa Super Sticky Insect Traps “I made the mistake of bringing one of my outdoor plants inside last fall. A serious gnat problem ensued! I used these traps in most of my houseplants and completely resolved the issue within a couple of weeks. I really appreciate that they stay sticky, even if they get a little wet when it’s time to water Fernadette Peters and her friends.” —Leah Lopez Cardenas, senior special projects editor $5 for 40; amazon.com Madewell Softfade Cotton Boxy-Crop Tee “Here we have the Platonic ideal of a T-shirt. As the name implies, it’s cropped—but not too much so. It’s also plenty substantial and slightly stretchy. I wear it (often!) with high-waist jeans, and it hits just right, with nary a hint of midriff.” —Lauren Iannotti,…

Lemon Poppy Seed Birthday Cake ACTIVE TIME 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS, 15 MINUTES SERVES 12 Cake Cooking spray2½ cups (500 g) granulated sugar1¼ cups (250 g) neutral oil (such as canola)8 large egg yolks1¼ cups (300 g) plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt1 cup (112 g) superfine blanched almond flour2 tsp. lemon zest plus ½ cup fresh juice (from 3 or 4 lemons)¼ cup (35 g) poppy seeds2 tsp. almond extract3¼ cups (390 g) all-purpose flour2 tsp. baking powder1½ tsp. kosher salt½ tsp. baking soda Frosting & Decoration 8 large egg whites2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar½ tsp. cream of tartar½ tsp. kosher salt¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. freeze-dried raspberry powder (see Note)1 tsp. pure vanilla extract1 tsp. rosewater (optional)1 cup raspberry jam, dividedFreeze-dried raspberry powder, fresh…

HOW DO YOU DEFINE sustainable travel in 2025? It’s complicated. In a nutshell, it comes down to respecting the environment and the local culture and economy. The idea of altruism in tourism has historically been pretty niche, a nice add-on for a certain type of traveler (often accompanied by a price markup). Lately, though, it’s become a must for many Americans. A 2024 report from Washington State University found that 75% of U.S. adults consider sustainability a priority when traveling. And not a moment too soon: As cities across Europe buckle under the weight of overtourism, and as in-demand destinations grapple with climate change’s effects on their environment and tourism revenue, the question of how and where to travel ethically has never been more important, says Jessica Blotter, cofounder…

ACTIVE TIME 35 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 45 MINUTES SERVES 6 6 large eggs1½ lb. fingerling potatoes, preferably multicolored, scrubbed and coarsely chopped (about 5 cups)¼ cup mayonnaise¼ cup plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt¼ cup finely chopped tender herbs (such as chives, parsley, and/or dill), plus more for garnish1 large scallion, thinly sliced (about ¼ cup)2 Tbsp. finely chopped cornichons1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard2 tsp. apple cider vinegar1 tsp. hot sauce (such as Tabasco)½ tsp. kosher salt, plus more for waterSmoked paprika, for garnish BRING a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully lower eggs into water; reduce heat to a lively simmer. Cook, undisturbed, for 11 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a medium bowl with ice water. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked eggs from simmering water to ice water. Let…

MEAL PLAN REMIX Lessons From Julia Child’s Kitchen As much as we love meal planning, we may be doing it backward. That’s the opinion of Makenna Held, who runs the Courageous Cooking School out of Julia Child’s former summer home in Provence, France, and who just wrote a new cookbook, Mostly French. “I plan from the place of seasonality, rather than a strict grocery list based on specific recipes,” she says. In other words, she sees what’s available and what looks good, and then plans her meals. Of course, she’s often shopping in quaint European markets where options can vary, but you can follow her lead in regular grocery stores too. Buy what’s fresh and build meals around that. No to barely red strawberries and limp Swiss chard! Yes…

THE LAST THING on your mind when you’re getting your little buddy ready for his evening walk? Potential injuries. Because he’s the goodest boy, and just look at that toofy smile! But according to research from Johns Hopkins University, dog-walking-related emergency room visits (for the humans) have quadrupled in the last 20 years, with women and older adults most at risk (thanks for nothing, lower bone strength!). Pet parents get pulled too hard or trip, then suffer from sprains, fractures, and even traumatic brain injuries. There are a few factors behind this alarming trend. For starters, walking is America’s favorite exercise. Also, high-energy breeds (we’re looking at you, huskies and labs!) are very popular, says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer with Rover, a network of pet sitters…

RECIPES FOR REAL LIFE WHAT THEY ARE These teeny-tiny saltwater fishies pack a rich, meaty flavor, says Becca Milstein, cofounder of Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co. and coauthor of The Fishwife Cookbook. “The best ones come from Italy and Spain.” HOW TO USE THEM Milstein suggests thinking simply. “Try them over buttered sourdough bread, a soft-boiled egg, or juicy tomatoes,” she says. Only slightly less simple: Heat one or two fillets in olive oil, breaking them up with a spoon, to boost pasta sauce or drizzle on veggies. Or whisk a finely chopped fillet into salad dressing.…

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