Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

Find a travel deal that makes good on its promises: Here's how to decode whether or not bargain terms are worth buying into.

1. "Room with a garden view"
Will you be looking at a lush frangipani-filled courtyard or a lone pine tree overlooking the parking lot? Ask before you make a reservation. Also beware of "partial ocean view": It may mean you'll be admiring an ugly obstruction instead of the water.

2. "Signature spa service"
The word "signature" is often tacked on in front of a treatment to add panache, but it could just mean a 10-minute manicure with polish the same color as the hotel carpet. That's not to say it won't include the 60-minute full-body massage you're wishing for-just inquire what's included beforehand. Or choose packages that let you select your own treatment.

3. "Breakfast daily"
Check the fluff factor of this one: Is breakfast included in all stays? If so, this adds no value to the package. And will you be lapping up cold cereal and juice

Read More »from Vacation Deals, Decoded

Learn grade-A secrets on how to buy beef, chicken, pork and other meats; you'll ace the meat counter and only bring home the good stuff.

Examine the meat and bones.
According to Jamie Purviance, author of Weber's Way to Grill, "Meat should have a rich pink color, bones should be bright white, and wisps of creamy, white fat should be evenly distributed throughout the cut." Avoid deep purple or dark brown colors, which mean the meat is on the verge of going bad or comes from an older animal (translation: tough and less flavorful meat). Other less-than-fresh signs are dark bones and yellowed fat.
Learn about the best cuts of meat for grilling »

Beware of value packs.
They're technically cheaper, but you could be getting an inferior product. Packaging stickers hide flaws and inedible parts, like cartilage or bones, which are only good for stock. Value packs can also conceal a butcher's sloppy cutting skills, leaving you with an uneven piece of meat that will cook unequally-resulting in

Read More »from How to buy the best meat for your buck

Before you get grilling, choose the best meat cuts and chicken parts for budget-friendly, healthy or party recipes

Cheat Sheet:

If you're on a tight budget, try: chicken legs, flank steak, ground beef or pork chops
If you're watching your weight, try: chicken breasts, flank steak or ground beef
If you're feeding a crowd, try: baby back ribs, chicken breasts, chicken legs or pork chops
If you're looking to impress, try: baby back ribs, chicken legs or t-bone steak

The Meats:

BABY BACK RIBS
If you're feeding a crowd: Ribs can be made up to one day ahead, making them perfect for entertaining. Just reheat them on the grill before serving.
If you're looking to impress: Indulgent when it comes to price (it's the most tender cut on a hog) and time: "They're a big time commitment, but you get a huge payoff in terms of texture and flavor," says Tamara Reynolds, co-author of Forking Fantastic.

Try Good-for-You Baby Back Ribs »
See more baby back rib recipes »


CHICKEN BREASTS
If you're

Read More »from How to grill: The best cuts of meat to choose

Did you know that how you fold your clothes reveals deep, dark secrets about your personality? So says clutter coach Jamie Novak, author of The Get Organized Answerbook. See what type you are and how to make the most of it.

What Your Laundry Folding Says About YouTHE METICULOUS FOLD
You Are: Type A Personality
You're always on time, never forget a friend's birthday and store leftovers with those dated labels.
Some Advice: Being organized makes you feel accomplished-but also prevents you from letting loose. Trick yourself into blowing off tasks by making a note to do them later.
MORE: The party to-do list you'll want to do »

THE ROLL
You Are: The Imperfect Perfectionist
You have it together for the most part, but you're okay living with a few dirty little secrets.
Some Advice: You find it difficult to keep up the momentum when there's no pressure to finish. Get back to projects you've forgotten-like that recipe book you were making-by tackling them while watching TV or eating dessert.
MORE: VIDEO: Makeover: Quick Kitchen

Read More »from Personality test: How you fold your laundry

Stock your kitchen cabinets with these tried-and-true kitchen tools and gadgets-kitchen shears, cutting boards, ice cream scoops and more-all $10 or less!

	KITCHEN SHEARS We like Füritechnics Racheal Ray Gusto-Grip Basics, $10, cooking.com/rachaelray Upside Inexpensive; comes apart for easy cleaning; comfy antimicrobial handles Downside Not dishwasher-safe; reassembling blades can be awkward. Use them to make Pan-Roasted Butterflied Chicken with Fresh Herbs » See more kitchen shears »
	JUICER We like OXO Good Grips Wooden Lemon Reamer, $5, oxo.com Upside Inexpensive; small and lightweight; good for any size citrus; easy to clean; manually operated. Downside Doesn't strain seeds or pulp; tiring for large jobs. Use it to make Grapefruit Mousse » See more juicers »
	BASTER We like Orka Squeeze Bulb and Basting Brush, $9, amazon.com

Read More »from 9 great kitchen tools for $10 or less

Can't keep the cork from cracking under pressure? Adrian Murcia, a New York City sommelier, says you can still save the bottle.

1. If You've Got Cheesecloth...
Push the cork into the bottle using your finger. Place a piece of cheesecloth over a decanter or glass, then slowly pour the wine through-the cloth will catch all the offending bits. (Unbleached coffee filters work, too, but the denser weave might sap the wine's flavor.)

2. If You've Got Twine...
Push the cork into the bottle and pour some wine off so the cork bobs near the bottle's neck. Cut a foot of twine and doubleknot it at one end. Then drop the knotted end into the bottle (past the cork) and maneuver the cork toward the opening by pulling it with the knot.

3. If You've Got Nothing...
If all you have is a corkscrew, gently twist it back into what's left of the cork, then invert the bottle to an angle greater than 45 degrees. The pressure from the liquid should help push the cork while you pull. Turn

Read More »from How to MacGyver your way out of a broken wine cork

Get your eat on without the heat on: Just try these quirky cooking techniques to cook your food using your car engine, your dishwasher and more.

Dishwasher
Got extra room in your dishwasher? Toss in dinner! Bob Blumer, author of Off the Eaten Path, says you can steam fish by running it through the wash and dry cycles (yup, with soap and dirty dishes-we tried it!). Tightly wrap a seasoned fillet in two 12-inch squares of heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in the top rack. Let the machine run. When the load is done, remove and unwrap.
MORE: Try it with Salmon Boil-in-Foil Packets with Tartar Sauce »

Car Engine
Stash heavy-duty-foil-wrapped food (steak, shrimp-you name it) on your car engine while driving. The heat from the engine creates a makeshift oven, according to the book Manifold Destiny.
MORE: Try it with T-Bones with Steak Butter »

Chair
We dare you to try this one. Unplug the griddle and take the chill out of a sandwich with your body. Double-plastic-wrap a sandwich made Read More »from Quirky ways to cook your food

We taste-tested dozens of tomato sauces from the grocery store-cheesy, spicy, traditional, vegetable and more-and picked our favorites.

BEST CHEESY: Classico Four Cheese Pasta Sauce
Judges found this "rich, bold" front-runner balances the nutty saltiness of parmesan, provolone, ricotta and romano cheeses with the sweetness and acidity of ripe tomatoes. More »
How we'd eat it: Tossed with penne for a quick warm-weather dinner.
Try it in: Penne with Two-Tomato Sauce »

BEST SPICY: Rao's Homemade Arrabbiata Sauce
This "intensely red and not-too-spicy" sauce is flecked with basil, oregano and a touch of crushed red pepper. The "soft chunks of tomato melt in your mouth," enthused one panelist. More »
How we'd eat it: It'd be a "wicked" match for seafood and rigatoni, or veggies that could use a kick.
Try it in: Pasta Arrabbiata with Eggplant »

BEST GARLIC: Trader Joe's Roasted Garlic Marinara
No need for breath mints here! The garlic in this affordable option is slow-roasted, giving it a

Read More »from Taste Test: The Best Supermarket Tomato Sauce