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What Is Shawarma? Similar to gyros, shawarma is traditionally made of lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, or veal, and is grilled on a spit. Shawarma originated in the eastern Mediterranean and is usually seasoned with a variety of spices like cumin, turmeric, and cardamom. Chicken Shawarma If you’ve never tried shawarma before, start here. This recipe can be made either in your slow cooker or a pressure cooker, so you can make it in a snap or let it simmer for a while....

To use natural products, clean your oven with vinegar and baking soda, two items you probably have in your pantry. (After you clean your oven with vinegar, put this power cleaner to work all around the house!) A spill or overflowing dish will require a deeper clean. But regular, routine oven maintenance and cleaning are also a must. Following our clever tricks to clean an oven during your regular cleaning schedule will help build more time between deep cleans....

Torenia, a shade-loving annual, is called the wishbone flower. Look for tiny wishbone-shaped stamens inside the purple, blue or burgundy petals. The world’s tallest tree is the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which grows along the Pacific Coast of the United States, mainly in California. Interestingly enough, it’s not the world’s oldest growing tree; that award goes to a bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata). Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world....

Buy It: Ayesha Curry Home 12-Inch Nonstick Covered Deep Skillet ($40, Walmart) Test Kitchen Tip: Regardless of color, meatballs should be cooked to 160°F. To measure the doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer ($10, Walmart) into the center of the meatball. Buy It: Accent Mess-Free Pepper Grinder ($28, OXO) Buy It: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven ($40, Walmart)

Do Your Research Horticulturists at local universities often offer free advice to save you from making costly mistakes, such as putting shade-loving plants in full sun. Also, visit your local library to check out gardening videos, books, and magazines (side bonus: some libraries even offer seeds and lend garden tools). And, of course, websites like this offer plenty of how-to landscaping and gardening information. Comparison Shop Know which plants you want before you head to the nursery or garden center....

Breakfast Salad with Avocado and Eggs So long, avocado toast, we’ve moved on to breakfast egg salads with avocado mixed in. The dressing on this salad is full of fresh flavors from basil, parsley, and lemon (both juice and zest). And as you cut into the poached egg on top the yolk and dressing run together for a salad dressing unlike any you’ve tasted. Breakfast Salad Bagels, bacon, berries, yogurt, and eggs....

Hit the Floor Encaustic cement tiles are the look of the moment. Widely used throughout Europe, these colorful tiles have been around since medieval times and can bring an old-world charm to any space. From swirling intricate motifs to modern geometrics, bold hues to traditional black and white, you are sure to find an encaustic tile to suit most any space. Different colors of clay are used to create each tile, so the patterns will never wear off....

Editor’s Tip: Be sure to follow food safety guidelines when setting out your centerpiece. Editor’s Tip: Use a faux pumpkin to make the vase reusable. Editor’s Tip: Top your homemade pumpkin pie with cut crust letters for a festive touch. Editor’s Tip: Don’t have a tall cylindrical vase? A wide round vase would hold more beans and wheat for a fuller centerpiece display. Editor’s Tip: Post-Thanksgiving, transition your succulent centerpiece into a gorgeous potted plant composition by slicing off the top of the pumpkin and setting it in a container filled with rich potting soil....

33 Container Garden Ideas for a Colorful Season-Long Display Editor’s Tip: In place of chrysanthemums, you can also use thistles, wild asters, or hydrangeas.

Whether you’re wrapping Christmas gifts for the family or embellishing a birthday package, these how-to techniques are easy to learn. To get started, grab your best scissors and raid the ribbon drawer. Make a Classic Bow with Ribbon This might be the easiest bow you’ve ever made. Learn how to make a bow with ribbon that looks like it came directly from the department store gift-wrapping station. All you need is a wide ribbon and a pair of scissors—we’ll walk you through the rest!...

1. Plant an Aromatic Garden Some plants have scents that mosquitoes don’t like, such as lemon balm, basil, mint, rosemary, catnip, marigold, and lavender. Plant these liberally in your garden, especially around entertaining spaces. When you pass by the plants, be sure to brush them or rub the leaves. This releases the oils into the air and onto your skin. 2. Ditch the Water Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water....

Use the following guide to learn about some of the most popular types of pools. Each option comes with its own pros, cons, and special considerations that should factor into your decision. 1. Above-Ground Pools Generally the most economical option, above-ground pools sit on the surface of your yard, sometimes with a deck or patio surrounding them. Most above-ground pools are constructed with aluminum, resin, or steel sidings and vinyl liners....

If you’re quarantined with your sweetie, there are plenty of virtual Valentine’s Day date ideas that are even better than a night out on the town. If you can’t be together in person this year, I also have some suggestions that’ll make you feel like you’re spending the holiday with each other. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, so choose two or three of these ideas and plan the ultimate day together....

1. Pick up the entryway. Start with your entryway to ensure guests are greeted by a tidy, welcoming space. Remove clutter near the door and make room for guests to kick off shoes and hang up coats. Use a vacuum or broom to sweep the floors, or, at the very least, take rugs outside to shake out loose dirt, dust, and debris. 2. Tidy up the kitchen. If your gathering involves food, chances are guests will end up in the kitchen at some point....

Buy It: Cuisinart Smart Stick Two-Speed Hand Blender ($50, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Crock-Pot 6 qt. Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker ($50, Target) Buy It: Garam Masala Half-Cup Flatpack ($9, The Spice House)

Snack Delivery Apps for Immediate Hunger Cravings Similar to food delivery apps such as Postmates or Instacart (which you could totally use to curb your cravings), these apps can be downloaded to order snacks and more. After you order, someone will be driving your snacks right to your door. Both of these are currently offering contact-free delivery as well if you prefer. Drizly Drizly is an alcohol delivery service that gets your favorite beverages to your door within an hour of ordering....

First, get focused. A whole-home makeover probably isn’t feasible within a few weeks’ time, so concentrate your efforts on gathering spaces and other areas visitors are likely to interact with, such as powder rooms or guest bedrooms. For holiday dinners, consider where guests are likely to congregate before, during, and after the meal, suggests New York City interior designer Elizabeth Gill. Depending on the layout of your home and your entertaining style, that could include the kitchen, living room, formal dining area, and more....

Top-of-the-line floors can cost around $30 per square foot. Professional installation for a sizable kitchen can easily put a remodel over budget. And although DIY installation might sound like a good idea, you’ll still need to pay for grout, goggles, glue, and other tools and materials that you’ll need to store later. You might find better value by opting for less expensive flooring. Ahead, design experts offer their favorite flooring options for high style with a low price tag....

To carve: Log in to BHG.com to download and print the free stencil pattern. Tape your printed pattern to the surface of a hollowed-out pumpkin, and use a pin tool to create pinpricks along the stencil lines. Remove the stencil and etch the stencil areas within dotted lines. To etch, use a gouging tool to gently scrape off the pumpkin’s surface, revealing the lighter-colored rind underneath. Carve stencil areas within solid lines, cutting entirely through the wall of the pumpkin....

How to Make Chicken Salad at Home Cooking chicken for chicken salad is not a necessity. Read on for a variety of poultry picks, plus how to make homemade chicken salad, what to add to elevate the flavors, and ways to serve chicken salad at a party. Choose the Chicken You can buy chicken salad at the deli, but nothing beats a DIY version made with fresh, top-quality ingredients. It all starts with good chicken....