Blog Posts by Real Simple Magazine

For starters, no public squawking at each other. Read on for a few more smart (and funny) suggestions from these happily wed comedians.

by Samantha Bee and Jason Jones

Greg Clarke

We have been hitched for almost 10 years now, and until recently our number one piece of advice would have been: Don't write about how to make your marriage divorceproof. It's hubris! But we like to take risks (that's piece of advice number two), so we knocked on wood, threw salt over our shoulders, and forged ahead with all the unstoppable energy that a couple with two kids under the age of five can muster. (Eating a pile of old Halloween candy helped, too.) Ultimately, we came up with this list of marriage rules and reminders-all of which, we hope, are cheaper and more fun than therapy.

Related: Banish a Bad Mood in 15 Minutes



1. Realize that if you can agree on what constitutes a clean room, you can agree on anything. If you are the kind of person who wants the vacuum tracks on the living-room carpet to last all

Read More »from 10 Ways to Make Your Marriage Divorceproof

By Kate Merker and Sara Quessenberry
Photos by Christopher Baker

Make any of these 26 easy, delicious dishes with only a trio of ingredients.



Shrimp With Ginger Sauce

Get the recipe.


Related: 24 Nutritious (and Tasty) Snacks






Prosciutto-Wrapped Nectarines

Get the recipe.


Related: Healthy Fast Food and Takeout






Goat Cheese Empanadas

Get the recipe.


Related: The Best and Worst Appetizer Choices






Grilled Flat Bread With Thyme

Get the recipe.


Related: Healthy Snacks for Common Cravings






Double Tomato Crostini

Get the recipe.


Keep reading...Radishes With Creamy Ricotta





Don't miss:
5 Easy Dinners in August
Back-to-School Meal Planner
Guide to Buying Frozen Food

Read More »from 3-Ingredient Summer Recipes

Real Simple readers share the go-to ingredients and products that help them put something tasty together.

photo credit: Aaron Dyer
Central Market Organics salsa. There are many ways to use this versatile condiment besides pouring it over tortilla chips. It can replace ketchup on a burger, or you can add a spoonful to the top of a baked potato as a healthy substitute for butter.
Dawn Figueras
Cibolo, Texas

Related: 24 Nutritious (and Tasty) Snacks

It's a cereal called Oh's. I still remember sitting between my grandparents at the kitchen table having my first bowl like it was yesterday. Now when I pull the box down off the shelf, I think of them.
Alison Rouse
Vinings, Georgia

Kashi Go Lean Crunchy bars in the chocolate almond flavor. I buy them by the case at Costco and toss them in my purse for a quick snack on the run or after a workout.
Kristi Kearney
Enfield, Connecticut

Related: Healthy Snacks that Satisfy Common Cravings

Martini & Rossi dry vermouth. If a soup, marinade, or sauce recipe calls for less

Read More »from What Is Your Favorite Pantry Staple?

Skip the boring bowl of cereal. Feed your children and get them out the door in a flash with these kid-friendly breakfasts that take 20 minutes or less.

photo credit: Antonis AchilleosEnglish-Muffin Egg Pizzas

These mini breakfast pizzas will soon become a family favorite. You can hard-cook eggs in advance and store unpeeled in the refrigerator for a week, which will shave off plenty of prep minutes in the morning.

Get the recipe.


Related: 24 Nutritious (and Tasty) Snacks








photo credit: Sang AnYogurt and Granola Parfait

Layering the ingredients in a pretty glass will make your kids think they're eating dessert, not breakfast. They'll get a much-needed dose of calcium and a big energy boost to start off their day.

Get the recipe.


Related: Guide to Buying Healthy Frozen Food








photo credit: Sang AnProsciutto and Egg Panini

There's no need for fast-food breakfast sandwiches when you can prepare this upscale version in just 15 minutes. Kids don't like prosciutto? Substitute salami or ham instead.

Get the recipe.


Related: Healthy Snacks for Common Cravings

Read More »from Easy Breakfast Recipes for Kids

by Mary Desmond Pinkowish





The first step to making wise food choices is knowing what to look for on your food labels. Here's a primer of the most important things to look for.

Serving Size
This number is at the top for a reason: The nutritional information on the rest of the label applies to one serving. The FDA sets serving sizes for all foods―they are measurements, not recommendations. Total calories are calculated per serving, as are total calories from fat, so be sure to look at the servings per container.
Related: 24 Nutritious (and Tasty) Snacks

Percent of Daily Value
This is calculated for a moderately active woman, or a fairly sedentary man, who eats 2,000 calories a day. (Highly active women, moderately active men, and growing teen boys may need closer to 2,500 calories a day.) A serving of Cheerios with 1/2 cup of skim milk gives the average adult just 3 percent of the daily value of fat intake and 11 percent of the daily value of fiber intake recommended by the U.S.

Read More »from Nutrition Labels, Decoded

By Yolanda Wikiel

The Basics of a Sheath Dress

Like the sheath of a sword, this slim, close-fitting shape encases the body. A back slit or pleat keeps it walkable. With this type of dress, the waist is a major focal point, add a belt for extra definition.

Neckline styles can vary on sheaths. Beading or other embellishments draw the eye up to the face.






If you have a tummy...
What to look for: For a more defined waist opt for one with ruching, which visually flattens the stomach. Patterned fabric can also help distract attention from one specific problem area.

What to avoid: Lightweight or slinky fabrics that will cling to the middle.

Related: More tummy-hiding styles






If you have an hourglass figure...
What to look for: Waist-enhancing seams and a form-fitting cut to play up balanced proportions.

What to avoid: Fabrics like tweed or brocade that are stiff or heavy-they don't shape easily to the contours of the body. If you wear D cups or larger, steer clear of high necklines, Read More »from The best sheath dress for your body

Serves 4 | Hands-On Time: 25m | Total Time: 25m

This recipe goes well with...
Spiced Pita Chips
Warm Feta Spread
Vanilla Ice Cream Desserts

Ingredients

• 2 medium red onions, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rings
• 2 large red bell peppers, cut into quarters
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• kosher salt and pepper
• 12 ounces (4 to 5 cups) rigatoni
• 1 bunch spinach, stems trimmed, or one 5-ounce package
• 1 cup (about 3 1/2 ounces) grated Parmesan
• 3/4 cup basil leaves, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.
3. In a large bowl, toss the onions, bell peppers, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into bite-size pieces.
4. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta, and return the pasta to the pot. Add the grilled vegetables, spinach,

Read More »from Rigatoni With Grilled Peppers and Onions

Sign up now!: Be part of Yahoo! Shine's What's for Dinner newsletter to get quick new dinner ideas, grilling tips, easy desserts, dips, drinks, and more.



*********************************************************************************************************************



Serves 4 | Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 20m

This recipe goes well with...
Perfect Tomato Salad
Grilled Flat Bread
Blueberry Cobbler

Ingredients

• 12 ounces linguine (3/4 of a box)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 small zucchini, cut into thin half-moons
• kosher salt
• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain, and return the pasta to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing often, until just tender, 4 to 5

Read More »from Linguine With Zucchini and Chickpeas