Advice on how to switch off―no thoughts of your to-do list―from a man who has devoted his career to the idyllic art of idling.
by Tom Hodgkinson
One morning, nearly 20 years ago, I was lying in bed. It was late. I was supposed to be working, but I seemed glued to the mattress. I hated myself for my laziness. And then, by chance, I picked up a collection of writings by Dr. Samuel Johnson, the 18th-century wit and the compiler of the first comprehensive English dictionary. In the book were excerpts from a weekly column he had written called The Idler, in which the great man celebrated idleness as an aspiration, writing in 1758, "Every man is, or hopes to be, an Idler."
Related: How To Worry Less
This was an epiphany for me. Idleness, it seemed, was not bad. It was noble. It was excessive busyness that caused all the problems!
So I got out of bed and started a magazine called The Idler, in order to remind people of the forgotten, simple pleasures of doing nothing. I even wrote books
Blog Posts by Real Simple Magazine
10 Ways to Enjoy Doing Nothing
By Real Simple Magazine | Life's Little Pleasures – Wed, Sep 8, 2010 10:34 PM EDT7 Little Bathtime Luxuries
By Real Simple Magazine | Author Blog Posts – Wed, Sep 8, 2010 10:03 PM EDTBy Sarah Smith
Draw a steamy bath and indulge, body and soul, with these pampering supplies.
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Read More »from 7 Little Bathtime LuxuriesBy Sarah Smith and Lisa Whitmore
Photos by Victor Schrager
All it takes is one special product to make you feel-ahhhh-indulged.
- At the Sink:
Frédéric Fekkai Brush
There's no doubt that it's an investment, but this brush is a keeper. The handcrafted brush's boar bristles boost shine, so hair looks healthier.
To buy: $95, neimanmarcus.com.
Related: More Hair Styling Tool Tips
Antica Farmacista Home Ambiance Fragrance
This diffuser will momentarily beam you to the Mediterranean Sea (sand not included).
To buy: $62, anticafarmacista.com.
Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment
No piña coladas on the horizon? This mask moisturizes and smells like a tropical drink. Its palm-nut oil leaves hair silky, too.
To buy: $55, sephora.com.
Shiseido Bio-Performance Intensive Skin Corrective Program
This two-week regimen is the equivalent of a couple of facials. Just think: no rushing to appointments!
To buy: $300, nordstrom.com.
Related: A Step-by-Step Guide to Caring for Your Skin
La Read More »from Pamper Yourself a LittleHealthy packaged snacks you can add to your kid’s lunch without guilt
By Real Simple Magazine | Back To School – Fri, Sep 3, 2010 6:19 PM EDTThese snacks have fewer than 200 calories per serving and contain a daily value of 8 percent or less in total fat, so you can stash them in your child's backpack without the guilt.
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Read More »from Healthy packaged snacks you can add to your kid’s lunch without guiltEasy Shortcuts for 14 Everyday Tasks
By Real Simple Magazine | Author Blog Posts – Tue, Aug 31, 2010 11:14 PM EDTby Amanda Hinnant
From running errands to thawing chicken for your dinner, here's how to get everything done faster.
Run Errands
Plan the order of your stops in a clockwise direction to avoid time-consuming left-hand turns. Also, schedule your errands so you can drop things off on your way out and pick them up on your way home. And keep a cooler in your car for perishables, too. Then a stop at the market doesn't have to be immediately followed by a run home to the refrigerator.
Dry Your Tears
Try sticking your head in the freezer for a couple of seconds after cutting onions. The cold air stops the tears and reduces redness and puffiness by constricting blood vessels. If you're not in the kitchen, try dabbing―not rubbing―away the wetness. Then use an over-the-counter eye whitener to get the red out, or disguise it with blue eyeliner.
Get Cut Flowers to Bloom
Read More »from Easy Shortcuts for 14 Everyday Tasks
First try cutting the stems at an angle, then placing the bouquet in warm water. IfThe Truth About 12 Health Myths
By Real Simple Magazine | Life's Little Pleasures – Tue, Aug 31, 2010 7:25 PM EDTBy Jennifer Tung
Read More »from The Truth About 12 Health Myths
Images by Holly Lindem
Learn which adages-about nutrition, home remedies, and more-need an update.
You've Always Heard That…
You Shouldn't Cut Off the Bread's Crust. It's Full of Vitamins.
The truth is: In a 2002 German study, researchers found that the baking process produces a novel type of cancer-fighting antioxidant in bread that is eight times more abundant in the crust than in the crumb. That said, it's more important to serve whole-wheat bread, with or without the crust, because it's all around higher in nutrients, such as fiber, says New York City nutritionist Keri Glassman, author of The O2 Diet ($25, amazon.com). Make sure the ingredients list "100% whole-wheat flour." Breads simply labeled "wheat" are usually made with a mixture of enriched white flour and whole-wheat flour and have less fiber.
Related: Tighten Your Glutes in 15 Minutes
If You Go Out With Wet Hair, You'll Catch a Cold.
The truth is: You will feel cold but will be just fine healthwise,By Sara Quessenberry
Photos by Marcus Nilsson
For tastier grilling, try quick, flavorful marinades, rubs, glazes, and sauces.
Marinades
The Recipes-
Southwestern Marinade
Best with: Boneless chicken breasts, flank steak, pork chops, scallops, mahimahi, bell peppers, summer squash, and zucchini. -
Lemon-Rosemary Marinade
Best with: Bone-in chicken pieces, lamb chops, butterflied boneless leg of lamb, shrimp, striped bass, summer squash, zucchini, and red onions. -
Ginger-Sesame Marinade
Best with: London broil, pork tenderloin, pork chops, shrimp, salmon, bell peppers, eggplant, and mushrooms.
To Grill With Marinades
For all the recipes listed here, combine the ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag, a shallow bowl, or a baking dish. Add 2 pounds of poultry, meat, seafood, or vegetables and refrigerate, covered, at least 20 minutes and up to overnight. (For fish and scallops, marinate for no more Read More »from Spice Up Your Grilling-
Southwestern Marinade
These three pile-on strategies take the summer nosh from merely hot to haute.
By Sara Quessenberry
Images by John Lawton
Ingredients
Reuben Hot Dog
- 1 cooked hot dog in a bun
- 2 tablespoons sauerkraut
- 2 tablespoons grated Swiss cheese
- 1 tablespoon Thousand Island dressing
Directions- Top the hot dog with the sauerkraut, cheese, and dressing.
Related: 7 Tasty Toppers for Hot Dogs
Salty (Hot) Dog
Ingredients- 1 cooked hot dog in a bun
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 3 to 4 bread-and-butter pickle slices
- 1 slice cooked bacon, crumbled
Directions
- Top the hot dog with the mustard, pickles, and bacon.
Related: The Best Mustards
Tropical Hot Dog
Ingredients- 1 cooked hot dog in a bun
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh pineapple
- 1 tablespoon sweet red cherry peppers (such as Peppadews)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
- Top the hot dog with the pineapple, peppers, and
Easy Guide to Grilling Everything
By Real Simple Magazine | Author Blog Posts – Wed, Aug 25, 2010 11:39 PM EDTBy Sara Quessenberry
Images by Marcus Nilsson
Take the challenge out of grilling with this guide to cooking times and proper heat.
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Read More »from Easy Guide to Grilling EverythingDo not make the same old burger: 12 new toppings
By Real Simple Magazine | Shine Food – Wed, Aug 25, 2010 11:33 PM EDTGive your same-old condiments a rest and shake it up with one of the following inventive combinations.
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Read More »from Do not make the same old burger: 12 new toppings
