om

Dried apricots, or khumani, are not just a sweet treat but a functional food. Here is how it can benefit overall well-being. Read Time:6 mins Share Dried apricots, popularly known as ‘khumani’ or ‘jardalu‘ in India, have been a cornerstone of traditional Himalayan diets for centuries. While fresh apricots are a seasonal treat, the sun-dried version … Read more

For a plant on the forest floor, sudden exposure to light can be like someone opening the curtains in the morning when you’re trying to sleep. It’s a jarring shock that, according to new research, plants are facing together, similar to humans in times of need. When they grow close enough to touch, they appear … Read more

Your home may have the most charming character and the best bones, but if it’s cluttered with stuff, it’s possible a buyer won’t even notice or care. That’s why sellers pay professionals like Lynne Rhea, certified home stager and founder of Mombo Interiors in Austin, Texas, to help them. Not in your budget? Not a problem. To help you DIY the … Read more

Labor shortages in agriculture are driving growing interest in robotic systems that can automate harvesting. Yet some crops remain especially challenging for machines. Tomatoes, for example, grow in clusters, meaning robots must identify and remove only the ripe fruit while leaving unripe tomatoes attached to the vine. Doing this reliably requires careful judgment and precise … Read more

A cast iron skillet is a cooking staple in many households. However, cast iron cookware can quickly tarnish and accumulate rust if not used and cared for properly. Often, the cause of a rusty cast iron is too much moisture and not enough seasoning built up on the pan.  You can restore your rusty cast iron to … Read more

For those who do not have a green thumb or want something with zero maintenance, there are lots of amazingly realistic fake plants out there. However, if you have an interest in gardening, there’s a whole array of indoor flowering plants—some relatively low-maintenance—that can add a little color to any corner of your house. You … Read more

An easy way to embrace more of that “Martha aesthetic” in your day-to-day? Moreover, something that can wholly benefit your body and mind? “Embrace a hobby—or a few,” Martha says in Living the Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others. “Research shows that pursuing your passion can add eight hours of joy, defined as a deep … Read more

If the idea of growing berry bushes in your backyard is tempting, learning that it can be done from cuttings may be all you need to know to commit. Using cuttings to grow your own bramble or blueberry patch is pretty easy with some advance planning and a little patience, and it’s cost effective since you don’t have to … Read more

Toothpaste, soap, food splatters, and dirt can dull your faucets and make them look grimy. If a crusty white buildup remains after cleaning your faucet, that’s calcium buildup. Hard water causes these mineral deposits, also called limescale. As water left on a faucet after use evaporates, calcium and other minerals are left behind. Over time these … Read more

Once the holiday season is over, it can be tempting to set your Christmas cactus aside – or even think it’s done for the year. But don’t toss it away too soon. With a little care in January, your Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) can bounce back and bloom again. Once the festive display has faded, your Christmas cactus … Read more