March 2010

A month of energy

Take your comfortable shoes to work for a quick walk outside in the sun. Sunlight increases the production of serotonin, which lifts the mood.

BETWEEN FRIENDS

Over my years with Better Homes and Gardens, I've toured literally hundreds of kitchens-- and fallen in love with almost every one. I completely admire the tiny gems, microplanned so everything is in its perfect place. I'm crazy about the big, multicook kitchens where everyone can hang out.

Store more in your kitchen

Grow your own pizza toppings

Woof! save moments with your pet

Get fit for a lot less

If you have spring fever (and who doesn't)...

Things to do this month...

1 PIN ONE ON Create your own luck with an easy-to-make four-leaf clover pin. Cut out the clover shape using contrasting colors of green felt, glue together, and embellish with trims and buttons you have handy. Attach with a safety pin on the back.

Crunch!

136.8 million

Blogged...

Good deed

Good fun

$15 herb containers

Sous chefs

Whip up meals in less time or for less money with a little help from these digital kitchen helpers.

Tea cozy

Grab a handful of flowers and a few things from the cupboard to create these simple, pretty bouquets.

Eat, play, live

Mimi Friedman pictured her neighbors sharing birthday cake and swapping stories in her new home long before she moved in. That's because she and her son, Owen, 7, had been living just two doors down from this 1918 West Hollywood bungalow, and their neighbors were already like family. "The kids run from one house to the next," Mimi says. To accommodate constant activity, she enlarged the kitchen to include an island with stools, ceiling-height cabinets for toys and "a zillion odds and ends," and an eating area with a cushioned banquette.

No-fail neutrals

Whatever the state of your kitchen, there's a color to make it five-star. On the menu: cabinet-friendly neutrals.

10 great ideas, 1 livable kitchen

This hardworking space fits right into the living areas around it thanks to a polished layer of camouflage.

Mission: eat healthy

And get your kitchen to help you do it. Cookbook author Ellie Krieger shares some simple practices and affordable products to improve the way you eat. At the heart of her philosophy: "Create an environment that works for you, not against you, by keeping healthy foods at your fingertips," says Ellie-- Food Network star, registered dietitian, and busy mom. For example, "spend a few minutes cutting, repackaging, and generally organizing your food when you come home from the grocery."

Relaxing the rules

A stately Victorian morphs into a warm, laid-back space with a family-hub kitchen at its center.

Point, click, redo!

Ready to spruce up your kitchen? These five online resources will ease you into the job.

10 smart kitchen conveniences

Our pros identify products that can improve your kitchen experience-- from cooking upgrades to easy cleanup.

Living green

WHEN SHOPPING FOR A REFRIGERATOR OR DISHWASHER, THE ENERGY STAR LABEL HELPS NARROW THE FIELD.

In the mix

A casual kitchen-dining-living room combo throws together family and friends, food and fun.

Create a garden oasis

Spring times

Early-season flowers in a woodland are among the most fleeting garden treats. An Oregon gardener learns that a diversity of plants makes spring last longer.

Mixed greens

Tuck attractive edibles into your flowerbeds, and your garden will become a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Pansy power

Pansies relish the cool of both spring and fall, making them a prime source of lively color when gardens need it the most.

The butterfly bush

Open invitation

A small backyard with big personality bids family and friends to come out and play.

Create a stage for potted plants

Four seasons

This easy plan keeps containers looking great all year long. A hardy shrub is the permanent resident, while a rotation of annuals adds color and seasonality.

Thanks!--now what do I do?

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

17 million

No more guessing

4 ways to be a savvy plant shopper

Qa: I've heard that pruners can spread diseases from tree to tree. Is that true?

Garden smarts

ETERNAL FLAME

Site-seeing...

Meet the mixer

IN A PINCH

The Pessimist's Guide to a Happier Life

You can become a glass-half-full person simply by changing your thought process and challenging your negative beliefs.

Reader Shopping

Our gadgets ourselves

Find essential family time in an age of computers, cell phones, and sidekicks.

Read Across America

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

MOM ster

FOOT PETALS

Eat together healthy forever

TAX TIME REMINDERS

$25

Penny-wise

Nibble away that debt

I did it!