Blog Posts by Real Simple Magazine

Jordan ProvostClean out your drawer now and save time searching for that spare key or frequent shopper card later.

From Overwhelming to Organized
Everyone has one-a kitchen catchall that, like the Little Mermaid's cavern, holds treasures untold and is normally in a state of complete disarray. But tackling that mess is surprisingly easy and will save you time in the long run. Organize it in just three simple steps.

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Empty It Out
Line your countertop with newspaper and spread the contents of your junk drawer on it. (Amazing how much fits in that little drawer, isn't it?) Now that you can see everything clearly, go through and throw away anything that's garbage-dried-up lip balms, expired coupons, mystery keys, etc.

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Sort Smartly
Next, pluck out all the items that actually belong in other areas: screws and picture hangers (in the tool kit), tweezers and emery boards (medicine cabinet), and so on. Make piles for each area

Beatriz da CostaGet ahead of the kitchen chaos with great recipes with make-ahead cooking tips.

Whether you are preparing every course from scratch or hosting a laid-back Thanksgiving potluck, make-ahead recipes are key. Many dishes can be prepared at least a day in advance and simply reheated right before serving. From Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvres to traditional side dishes to easy holiday desserts, aim to have everything done by the time you start preparing our simple turkey recipe.

Rosemary Pecans

Make-ahead tip: The pecans can be prepared and stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to 1 week in advance.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups pecan halves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar, cayenne pepper, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add the pecans and toss to coat.
2. Transfer the pecans to a rimmed

Spend more time planning and you'll spend less time panicking, says New Jersey native Judith Bluysen, co-owner of Thanksgiving, an American grocery store, restaurant, and catering business in Paris. Each fall Bluysen and her team of five prepare more than 150 take-out turkeys and turkey dinners. She sticks to a schedule. Here's how you can, too.

3 Weeks Before

• Decide which recipes you want to make, keeping in mind that there's only so much one person―and one kitchen―can do. If you really do need 10 side dishes, look for recipes that use the same oven temperature, so they can cook at the same time, says Bluysen.
• After you narrow down your menu, reread the recipes that remain. Most can be broken into steps that you can do ahead of time. Then make a list of what you want to get done on each of the days leading up to Thanksgiving, says Bluysen. "I really think if you go through it enough times, you will be more relaxed," she says.

There's no reason to buy new stuff; you already have everything you need.

By Kendell Cronstrom and Nicole Sforza

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James BaigrieWhen odors turn a room sour, try these gentle home remedies.

By Martha C. White

Deodorize Your Clothes
Problem: Musty Clothes
Your vintage woolens are back in style, but they bear stale odors picked up during their stint in fashion purgatory.

Solution: Spritz garments with a small amount of vodka (spot-test first). Straight vodka kills bacteria, but it doesn't leave a scent. Hang clothes to dry in a well-ventilated area.

See More: Your Top Laundry Questions, Answered



James BaigrieDeodorize Your Kitchen Sink
Problem: Stinky Sink
The garbage disposal is great for keeping the dregs of dinner from lingering, but the resulting odors are more stubborn.

Solution: Give the disposal something nicer to chew on. Run hot water, drop orange peels down the hatch, and turn on the switch. Lemon, lime, and grapefruit rinds also do the trick.

See More: A Guide to Cleaning Household Surfaces



James BaigrieDeodorize Your Freezer
Problem: Odor on Ice
Those UFOs (unidentified frozen objects) in the freezer make your piecrust

Are your guests feeling peckish? Silence the squawking with these store-bought snacks-Real Simple's favorites from more than 150 sampled.

By Dawn Perry

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Six low-fat, satisfying solutions to between-meal hankerings.

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Tara Moore/Getty ImagesFive experts provide fresh ideas for carving out small pockets of calm during even the most hectic, hair-raising times.

By Stephanie Booth

Eat the Same Breakfast Every Day
There's something to be said for consistency. Knowing exactly what you're going to eat-and when-decreases stress and sets you up for a less harried morning. Plus, your mood won't determine what you put on your plate (making it less likely that you'll find yourself eating a glazed doughnut). Choose a healthy dish that you enjoy: an omelet with vegetables, oatmeal with seeds and nuts, or Greek yogurt with muesli and fruit, for example. You'll begin your day with energy as well as certainty.

--Susan Kleiner, Ph.D., is a registered dietitian and a coauthor of The Good Mood Diet ($24, amazon.com).

See More: 9 Easy, Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Savor Your Coffee
How long did it take you to down your last cappuccino? Next time, take a cue from the Japanese, whose formal tea ceremony can last four hours. Before taking a drink,