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That’s because physical activity induces structural changes in the brains, thickening the prefrontal and hippocampal grey matter that’s key for executive function, decision making, and memory, Dr. Nields says. Exercise can also maintain mitochondrial function, which is important to your brain’s neurons, since mitochondria make about a third of the energy your brain uses, and it can improve neuroplasticity, the ability of your neurons to grow and reconnect. “Neuroplasticity is important for learning new things, adapting to new situations, and overall cognitive performance,” he says....

First a disclaimer: There isn’t one correct way to apply eyeshadow. The fun part about makeup is that there are no rules, after all. That being said, there are some fundamental techniques, which we’ll review here in just a sec. But first, let’s cover picking the right eyeshadow. If you’re a beginner, opt for matte shadows, which are more forgiving of mistakes and easy to wear on any skin type....

Temperature: High Thermometer reading: 450 F to 500 F Hand check: 1 to 2 seconds Temperature: Medium-high Thermometer reading: 400 F to 450 F Hand check: 2 to 4 seconds Temperature: Medium Thermometer reading: 350 F to 400 F Hand check: 4 to 5 seconds Temperature: Medium-low Thermometer reading: 300 F to 350 F Hand check: 6 to 7 seconds Temperature: Low Thermometer reading: 250 F to 300 F Hand check: 7 to 9 seconds If you’re just learning how to barbecue, this primer will help you get your grill started....

It used to be that these loud, heavy, stubborn contraptions were among the least sexy small home appliance. They were annoying to push or pull around, to clean out, and were only good on carpet. But no more. Now, they’re appliances you can fall head over heels in love with. Today’s vacuums are sleek, sexy, colorful, and come with bells and whistles to accompany their signature whirrs. They tackle shedding, trap allergens, and can even tidy up and empty themselves while you’re out to brunch....

If you have a pair of crusty lash strips rolling around in your makeup bag, it’s important to learn how to clean them properly. Whether you opt for lash extensions, magnetic lashes, or strip lashes, keeping them clean is easier (and much more low-maintenance) than you think. Fake Lashes Different types of lashes require different forms of maintenance. First, you need to know how to remove strip lashes. “Glued-on lashes can be removed easily because the glue used for this type of lashes is super flexible, making it easy to peel off the skin,” explains Clementina Richardson, founder of Envious Lashes....

What You’ll Need: Baking soda Dishwashing liquid Scrubber sponge Pan scraper (such as this one) How to Clean Muffin Pans:

While an old toothbrush is the ol’ standby for this dirty job, you can also invest in this durable scrub brush set that will last longer. Prevention Plan: This is a task that will take a little elbow grease, and unfortunately, there’s no way around it. But to save yourself from future scrubbing sessions, be sure to seal your grout and use a squeegee after each shower. Prevention Plan: Soap scum and hair are the most common causes of shower drain clogs....

Follow These Steps

After that, conceal only where needed, paying special attention to under the eyes in the most hollow part of the eye socket. Use a light, but buildable concealer (bonus if it’s waterproof!) and press the formula into the skin for a more natural effect, advises Bartlett. Phillips’ hack is applying some shadow underneath your eyes: “Drop the undereye eyeshadow pretty low—it opens up your eyes like you wouldn’t believe!” Finish off with a touch of highlighter in your inner corners to reflect light....

We’re kicking off our “Taxes in Ten” series with the story of Teresa (not her real name), who started a new job and discovered at tax time that an error in how she was input into the system resulted in no federal or state tax withholding—and a big tax bill at the end of the year. Money Confidential host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez tapped Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, and Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief of Investopedia, to lay out exactly what you need to know to file your taxes appropriately....

How to Hang Curtains: Once you’ve decided which room to start in, if you’re hanging curtains in multiple rooms—Ian Gibbs, Chief Creative Officer of The Shade Store suggests starting with the bedroom to ensure privacy and a good night’s sleep—follow these instructions on how to hang curtains. The general rule of thumb is to opt for drapes that are at least two times the width of the window, says New York City designer Elaine Griffin, so be sure to take measurements before you purchase curtains....

Chocolate hummus is easy to make (and enjoy) at home. Have chocolate hummus as a snack or dessert with sliced apples, strawberries, pretzels, and even pita chips. Our chocolate hummus recipe is so unbelievably good; don’t say we didn’t warn you. Making Chocolate Hummus Ingredients 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (1½ cups)¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder3 to 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup3 tablespoons tahini1½ teaspoon vanilla extracta small pinch of salt4 tablespoons water...

Ingredients 3/4 ounce The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters2 ounces espresso1 teaspoon vanilla sugar1 ounce cream Method Dissolve vanilla sugar in hot espresso. Add the chocolate bitters and ice cubes and shake until cold (note: to make the drink hot, omit the ice and simply stir the bitters into the espresso). Strain into a cocktail glass and top with slightly whipped cream.

A tottin, a tater tot muffin hybrid, was created by the grocery store itself (as far as we can tell). Though mixing eggs and tater tots isn’t new (we first tried it out in this Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole), the idea of adding tots to our muffin tin frittatas certainly is. Inspired, we created our own recipe, complete with frittata fixings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making tottins, with suggestions for a Greek-style version:...

But what exactly does it mean to eat for immunity? We tapped Brigid Titgemeier, MS, RDN, LD, IFNCP, founder of Being Brigid Functional Nutrition, for an explanation of how to build balanced, nutritious, and tasty meals to set yourself up for a lifetime of immune health. The Importance of Diet for Immunity Titgemeier says there are two main steps to follow to decrease the risk of contracting disease right now, as well as throughout the year: limiting exposure to infection and supporting your own immune system to increase your personal resiliency and ability to fight off disease....

The same should be true when it comes to measuring our ring sizes before ordering from the best jewelry stores or hinting to a partner about gorgeous engagement rings you’ve had your eye on. The Proper Fit According to New York City’s Catbird, a popular fine jewelry store in Brooklyn, “Your ring should fit your finger comfortably—snug enough so that it will not fall off, but loose enough to slide over your knuckle with some resistance....

There are so many reasons we all hang on to our old cell phones, including not wanting to take the time to wipe them clean of personal data—and fear of losing all those treasured photos you haven’t uploaded to the Cloud or saved on a hard drive yet. The thing is, if you can bear to part with your old phone, then trading it in can be a pretty smart financial move....

“The honey is an anti­microbial agent, which is good for wound healing, and the yogurt’s lactic acid will gently exfoliate the dead skin,” explains Laughlin. Take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to relieve redness and discomfort, too. Peeling Skin Is the skin peeling on your feet? It’s not a bad thing, says Laughlin. “It just means the surface skin cells have been damaged to the point of dying, and the body is exfoliating them....