Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

You've heard of steaming vegetables, right? Well, Rach's buddy Gretta Monahan says the same
method that's good for retaining nutrients in your broccoli works wonders for your skin, too: "Steaming is a quick way to wake up a winter complexion and help deep-cleanse pores."

Here's how to do it:
Soak two clean hand towels in hot (not
scalding) water. Drape one over each
side of your face in a "c" shape and hold
for 5 to 10 minutes. Pat dry, then follow
with your usual cleansing routine.

3 more ways to give skin a glow:

EXFOLIATE
Our skin naturally sheds cells, and
they can pile up on the surface of your face,
causing blemishes and a dull look. To sweep
away that buildup: A few times a week,
rub damp skin in a circular motion with a
gentle fine-grain exfoliator. When you want
deep exfoliation, do it longer, not harder.

GO OIL FREE
Daily moisturizing helps give you smooth,
balanced skin, but excess oil can block pores
and encourage blackheads. Stick to formulas
like gels,

You may have heard that a growing number of ranchers are letting their livestock graze out in the fields, rather than feed on fattening grain, corn or soy. How nice for those roaming cows, but why should any of us care-and plop down more money to keep up their lifestyle? According to Jo Robinson, founder of eatwild.com, a site that links shoppers to grass-based meat sources, the grass-fed variety is worth every penny because it's better for…

…YOU
Pasture-raised beef has more than twice the amount of omega-3 fatty acids and higher levels of vitamin E than meat from grain-fed animals, as well as less fat and fewer calories naturally. It also has a stronger, beefier flavor.

…THE ANIMAL
Since grass is a cow's native diet, the animals who get to graze on it full-time live low-stress, healthy lives-so there's no reason to treat them with antibiotics or other drugs, as with some conventionally raised meats.

…THE FARMERS
Cows can yield around 100 pounds of hamburger meat each. Although the

When we threw out the question, "What store-bought item always seems to taste better than the homemade version?" we got dozens of answers, from bottled dressing to boxed cake mix. And we're all for pulling out a jar for a shortcut-if it tastes as good as homemade. But these top 10 store-bought foods (or recipes that riff on them) can definitely be made from scratch in no time, with way better results.

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If you can boil water and you know your teaspoon from your tablespoon-well then you too can make these gorgeous, delicious, easy sweets for your Valentine! MORE LIKE THIS:Valentine's Day recipes and desserts »Valentine's Day menus and how-tos »How to write a love letter »

We're guessing you're familiar with cereal outside the bowl-in fact, you probably have a reliable recipe or two for every day cornflake chicken, or rice-cereal squares. But why stop there when you can make fun Turkey Burger "Drumsticks," or our easy Chocolate-Marshmallow Crunch Tart? We also played with favorites like granola (Pork Chops with Granola-Apple Stuffing), Grape Nuts (Rachael Ray's Mom's Baked Apples) and even Cap'n Crunch (PB&J Trail Mix). So put down your spoon, and step away from the milk!

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How did Every Day with Rachael Ray decide on the country's hottest dog? First, we enlisted tasters: three frank-obsessed guys from the blog Serious Eats (seriouseats.com), who promptly hit the road, chowing down on franks in no fewer than 56 cities and towns. Somewhere between Maine and Arizona, it became clear that we are in the middle of a hot dog renaissance, made up of a few different factions.

Regional Powerhouses
This country is chockablock with famous hot dog purveyors: Chicago stands like Superdawg; Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit; Papaya King in New York City; and in L.A., Pink's. Can they stand up to their new competitors?
Swank Up-and-Comers
The concept of gourmet hot dogs kicked off about a decade ago with Hot Doug's in Chicago, Biker Jim's in Denver and Super Duper Weenie in Fairfield, Connecticut, all manned by former restaurant chefs who decided to fancy up the humble hot dog. Could we in good conscience bestow the crown upon a $9 free-range hot dog served with

Rachael says, "More and more, I'm asked for meals that are meat-free, but hearty enough for meat eaters to be satisfied as well." Hey, even if you haven't asked her yourself, these 8 fast, easy vegetarian recipes oughtta keep everyone happy-perfect for Meatless Mondays, great for just any day.

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We taste-tested dozens of black teas from the grocery store and picked our favorites for sipping; then we came up with fun ways to use them in the kitchen.


Best Earl Grey: Mighty Leaf Organic Earl Grey
Earl Grey (black tea flavored with bergamot citrus fruit oil) can taste bitter or astringent, but this brew is perfectly balanced with "a smoky orange flavor" to its complex, earthy blend. Read more »

Try it in: Earl Grey Frosting »

Best English Breakfast: Choice Organic Teas Whole Leaf English Breakfast Tea
Full-bodied and fragrant, this brew conjures visions of high tea at Kensington Palace. The organic whole leaves deliver a honeyed aroma and an "excellent balance of malty and bright citrus flavors." Read more »

Try it in: Tea-Soaked Chicken Breasts »

Best Herb: Bigelow Plantation Mint Tea
Since its introduction half a century ago, this blend has amassed a loyal following. Black tea adds depth (plus caffeine) to sweet, invigorating spearmint leaves-"the ultimate morning