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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....

The country estate in Danvers, Massachusetts, had its beginnings in 1814 when Joseph Peabody, a successful Salem shipping merchant, bought a farm for his family’s summer home. He hired George Huessler, a Dutch horticulturalist, to design a large ornamental garden at the back of the house. Known as the “old-fashioned garden,” it still exists today and signifies the cultural shift from perceiving land as a productive commodity to developing it for pleasure’s sake—a shift made possible by rapid economic growth and wealth in the 1800s....

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup shortening ¼ cup butter, cut up, or shortening ¼ cup cold water Meringue for Pie 4 egg whites ½ cup water 2 teaspoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup sugar Coconut Cream Pie Prepare as directed, except stir in 1 cup toasted flaked coconut with the butter and vanilla. Sprinkle the finished pie with 1/3 cup toasted flaked coconut....

Tip For easy assembly, prepare all of the ingredients before you begin filling and rolling the spring rolls. To Make Ahead Prepare spring rolls as directed. Spray lightly with water and place in an airtight container, leaving space between rolls. Chill up to 1 hour before serving.

At the beginning of summer, Virginia bluebells recede into the soil. Their foliage slowly dies back and an empty space extends where the cheerful purple blossoms once stood. Plan for bluebells’ early retirement, and your garden color show will hardly miss a beat. Plant Virginia bluebells with other shade-loving perennials such as hosta, astilbe, bugbane, Solomon’s seal, and ferns. These perennials are just beginning to poke out of the ground when bluebells are ringing in spring....

Folded Items Wire closet organizers look nice and streamline walk-in closet storage, and they are also a good way to let clothes breathe. Ventilated shelves allow clothes to air out so they are less likely to harbor mold and pests. Many wire shelving systems offer snap-on shelf dividers that let you sort clothes more thoroughly. Remember to sort like with like, and keep stacks of clothes below 1-foot in height to ensure they don’t topple over....

“I save around $100 a month,” says Ja-ne de Abreu, author of Sassy Food, on growing veggies at home. “Sometimes more depending on the season and trades. Regardless of the money, it is fun and brings me and my family peace.” Of course, your individual bottom line will depend on factors like how many vegetables you’re growing, the space, and the type of materials. An Investopedia report on gardening costs notes that some of the expenses to expect when starting your own vegetable garden are the cost of the plants or seeds, nutrient-rich soil additives such as compost, specialized tools, and utilities such as water for your crops....

Do you need to take down bird feeders and waterers? Many of us delight in seeing songbirds visit our feeders and waterers. But when a disease outbreak occurs, one of the first questions we ask is “do I need to take them down?” In the case of bird flu, there have been some mixed messages. The University of Minnesota Raptor Center and at least three states (Michigan, Illinois, and Montana) have recommended taking feeders down....

You pronounce “chiffonade” like shif-uh-nahd or shif-uh-neyd; both are acceptable. Cutting an herb or leafy greens into a chiffonade is not only attractive but helps release flavor. The technique also makes quick work of chopping. You’ll most commonly see chiffonade called for when using basil, but you can also use it for salads and other dishes. How to Chiffonade The only tools you’ll need to chiffonade basil or any other leafy green ingredients are a chef’s knife and a cutting board....