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Variation: To vary this dish, substitute kidney beans, pinto beans, or a mix of types for straight black beans. Try butternut or kobucha squash or yams for the sweet potatoes; add 2 chopped, canned chipotle peppers for a smoky hot flavor; and/or add a few squirts of Sriracha to amp up the heat.

Tamarind Apples Variation: Prepare apples as directed in Step 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a large plate, pour chile-lime seasoning into a 3-inch-wide strip. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine two 14-ounce packages vanilla caramels, unwrapped, and 2 Tbsp. tamarind paste. Microwave on high 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, or until almost completely melted, stirring occasionally. Stir well. Add enough water (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make smooth and dippable....

3 tangerines 1 ⅓ cup sugar ⅓ cup water

Today’s bean bag chairs come in all sizes and styles, including kid-friendly picks and luxury 6-foot loungers. Their array of cover materials, fillings, and shapes can fit right into a playful basement or a posh living room. There are even outdoor-friendly bean bag chairs that stand up to the elements as a cushy hangout on a patio or poolside. “The questions I am most often asked about our bean bag chairs are what they’re filled with, what fabrics do you use, and is there a warranty,” says Tina Hofer, owner and designer of Luxe Loungers and Modern Bean Bag....

According to Philippa Radon, interior designer and color specialist at C2 Paint in Los Angeles, there are four considerations for buying the best bedroom rug: comfort, placement, size, and color. In a bedroom, for example, comfort may be essential. “Most of the time, we are barefoot, she says. “It’s lovely to be able to put your feet onto something soft when you fall out of bed," says Radon. But in a high-traffic area, ease of cleaning, and durability may take priority....

When whipping up pizza dough, pie crust, or a delicious homemade bread, you’ll want to have one of the best rolling pins to help you. This can ensure that your dough is evenly spread and that none of it gets stuck to the pin as you work. According to Greg Mosko, pastry chef at The Gage restaurant, “the best all around rolling pin is a standard straight rolling pin, which can be used for all aspects of the business....

Single-serve coffee makers are small appliances that make one at a time, rather than a whole pot. Since there are so many styles out there, we researched the best single-serve coffee makers, keeping in mind each machine’s size, whether the machine has a water reservoir, and if it takes pods or reusable filters. We also consulted Jon Clark, founder of Nomad Coffee Club. “There is absolutely a hidden cost in K-Cup [and] Nespresso brewers in the long run that should be considered, even for one cup a day drinkers,” says Clark, who recommends taking the cost of coffee pods into account before deciding on your favorite option....

Buy It: Nordic Ware Bundt Pan, $40, Crate & Barrel Test Kitchen Tip: If you want to shorten the time required between step one and savoring a slice, trade a store-bought graham cracker crust for the DIY crust. Buy It: Mike’s Hot Honey, $10, Target

Canning Jars The most obvious of home canning supplies needed to get started are the canning jars. There are a variety of jar sizes, but not every jar was made for canning (we’re looking at you, vintage jars). Depending on what food you’re planning to can, use these guidelines for selecting the right jars. Quart jars: Use these for large foods, such as whole tomatoes, or for a generous amount, such as spaghetti sauce or soup for a crowd....

Don’t forget autumn; plan for all seasons with these fall tips.

What Is Flaxseed? Before it’s dried and harvested for its seeds (aka linseed in some places), flax blooms as a blue-flowered perennial plant. Historically, flax plant crops were grown in the U.S. for their fibrous stalks, which could be turned into material for clothing. Today, the seeds are used as a versatile (and affordable) way to add fatty acids, fiber, and iron to your diet. Flaxseeds are slightly nutty in flavor and can be consumed whole or ground, but is recommended by most nutritionists to consume ground....

Because of its environmental impact, scientists have actually been calling for a ban on glitter for several years, with one American scientist calling it a “global hazard” in 2017. You might recall back in 2015 when Congress banned the use of microbeads. But what you might not know is microbeads (which used to be found in things like toothpaste and shower gel) have about the same environmental impact as glitter, but to date, restrictions have not been placed on glitter in the United States....

She set the tone in the foyer, where an antique center table and new wing chair echo the graceful forms of a curved staircase and arched windows. The table’s mahogany tones infuse warmth into a bright, airy space grounded with a soft gray and off-white spin on the classic harlequin floor. Stained wood on built-in shelving units continues the warm, cozy feel in the living room while velvet-covered sofas put a twist on the foyer’s gray and white....

How to Make an Elephant Halloween Costume Supplies Needed FREE PatternGray hooded sweatshirt (with no zipper)Gray sweatpantsFelt: light gray, white, dark grayStraight pinsHot-glue gun and glue sticksCardboard paper towel tubeNeedle and threadCircus Peanuts candy Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own easy Halloween costume for kids. Customize your DIY elephant costume with your favorite colored and patterned felt. To make the ears: Enlarge and trace the patterns onto paper and cut them out....

Plants for Creating the Perennial Shade Garden Plan 3 Rheinland astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Rheinland’): Zones 3-9 3 Purple Lance astilbe (Astilbe chinensis ‘Purple Lance’): Zones 3-9 2 Pink turtlehead (Chelone lyonii): Zones 3-9 3 Golden corydalis (Corydalis lutea): Zones 4-9 3 Barrenwort (Epimedium x youngianum ‘Roseum’): Zones 4-8 1 Elegans hosta (Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’): Zones 3-9 3 Blue Wedgewood hosta (Hosta ‘Blue Wedgewood’): Zones 3-9 1 Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum): Zones 4-8 1 Bertram Anderson lungwort (Pulmonaria longifolia ‘Bertram Anderson’): Zones 3-9 1 Japanese toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’): Zones 4-9 2 Japanese painted fern (Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’): Zones 3-8...

The Sand Mine outdoor rug currently has more than 2,700 five-star ratings and plenty of positive reviews, and the rug is designed to offer durability for outdoor use. It’s made from 100 percent virgin polypropylene (a type of plastic) with a UV coating to protect it from the sun’s harsh summer rays—and it’s reversible. Plus, whenever you need to clean it, you can use water to quickly remove any dirt and grime and then let it air dry....