Blog Posts by Real Simple Magazine

Real Simple readers share the paternal words of wisdom that have proved to be true in their lives, time and again.

Christopher Silas Neal
My father taught me the importance of making my bed every morning. When I was six years old, he showed me how to complete the task Marine Corps-style and would inspect my work on a daily basis. Today my bed is one of the only things in my life that is consistently neat and orderly. (Sigh.)
Mary Usen
Buffalo, New York

How important it is to have fun. My dad was never boring: He often stood on his head to impress his three kids. And he made even mundane errands exciting. For example, he once coaxed us to imagine a trip to the fishmonger's (with its live octopus on display) as a Jules Verne adventure. My dad taught me that life is better when you have a good time-and bring others along for the ride.
Monique Citron Stampleman
Larchmont, New York

Many mornings when my dad dropped me off at school, he would repeat the adage "Don't take any wooden nickels." He meant it to

Serves 4 | Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 3hr 30m

Tom Schierlitz
Ingredients

-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 tablespoon ground coffee
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-4 tablespoons brown sugar
-3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
-kosher salt and black pepper
-6 pounds spareribs (2 racks), trimmed of excess fat
-3/4 cup ketchup
-1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
-1/4 cup molasses
-2 tablespoons tomato paste







Directions
1. Heat oven to 275° F. Make the rub: In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, coffee, cumin, 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of the cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.

2. Place the ribs on a large rimmed baking sheet. Rub the ribs with the spice mixture and tightly cover the baking sheet with foil. Bake until tender and the meat easily pulls away from the bone, 2½ to 3 hours.

3. Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a saucepan, combine the ketchup, vinegar, molasses, tomato paste, the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne, and ½ teaspoon black

Makes 2 cups | Hands-On Time: 25m | Total Time: 25m

Con Paulos
Ingredients
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1/2 small onion, finely chopped
-1 clove garlic, finely chopped
-1 cup ketchup
-1/4 cup cider vinegar
-1/4 cup molasses
-2 tablespoons brown sugar
-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
-kosher salt and black pepper







Directions
1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the ketchup, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cayenne (if using), ¾ cup water, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Calories Per Serving: 24

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By Kaija Helmetag and Yelena Moroz

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Souders Studios/Getty ImagesPet Food
Amazon.com's Subscribe & Save service ships various household products (anything from coffee to dishwasher tablets) to your doorstep on a schedule of your choosing, from monthly to every six months. It offers numerous pet-food brands-both grocery-store varieties, like Pedigree and Friskies, and more natural ones, like Newman's Own Organics-at prices up to 15 percent lower than what you would pay at a big-box pet store. Bonus: Delivery is free, even for 40-pound bags.

Annual savings: $50

Also See: 5 Things You Can Learn From Your Pet



Annie SchlechterToilet Paper
Most of the time, mass retailers like Sam's Club (which have an annual membership fee) and Target charge 8 to 10 percent less on toilet paper than grocery chains do. However, near the first and 15th of each month, many supermarkets discount paper

Avoid expensive vet bills and keep Fido and Fluffy healthy with a little advance know-how and TLC.
By Brigitt Hauck

GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Getty Images
A little knowledge and a few proactive measures can help prevent-or at least minimize-some of the most common medical conditions in cats and dogs. Emmy Pointer, a veterinarian at the Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital of the ASPCA, in New York City, and Ann E. Hohenhaus, a veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center, in New York City, share simple steps pet owners can take to reduce the strain and pain these conditions cause our four-legged friends.

Also See: 5 Things You Can Learn From Your Pet


Dental Disease
Vstock LLC/Getty ImagesWhat it is:
As in humans, food particles and bacteria accumulate on and between an animal's teeth and gum line over time. The progressive buildup of food particles and bacteria form plaque and can lead to gingivitis and infections, causing discomfort and possible loss of teeth.

Whom it affects:
Cats and dogs.

Possible symptoms:
If your pet's breath is so bad it has

Real Simple staffers used their noodles to find the best dried pastas among 80 different varieties. Ciao down!

Best Semolina
When in Rome, go for handmade noodles. When at home, opt for this most common store-bought pasta variety, made with semolina flour (similar to coarse white flour). These winners boast a sandy exterior with tiny crevices that help sauce stick. Plus, they're sturdy enough to pair with Grandma's Bolognese.


Jens MortensenJens Mortensen













RS long pick: Barilla Thick Spaghetti, $1.70 for 16 ounces, at supermarkets.
RS short pick: De Cecco Penne Rigate, $2.30 for 16 ounces, at supermarkets.

Also See: How To: Cook Pasta


Best Whole-Grain
Made from whole wheat, rye, or a combination of grains, these noodles are more nutritious than their semolina cousins. Whole-grain varieties can have an earthy taste and a rubbery texture, but these winners are slightly sweet and toothsome. Their mild flavor pairs nicely with garlic and olive oil or roasted vegetables.



Jens MortensenJens Mortensen













RS long pick: Racconto 8 Whole Grain

Expert advice on 7 common situations, so you'll know when to meddle and when to stay mum.
By Katie McElveen

Annie Schlechter

1. Your child has an unreasonable amount of homework.

Should you butt in? Not until you've done some serious reconnaissance work. "Make sure your child is legitimately spending time working," not playing with the dog or daydreaming, says Jan Busey, an elementary-school teacher for nine years in Asheville, North Carolina. If that's not the case, make an appointment with the teacher.
How to handle it: Come prepared. Before the meeting, keep track of your child's progress. "Set goals for your child to complete an assignment, then assess at the end of that time," says Busey. "And write down specific challenges. The more you can show that you've tried to deal with the issue at home, the more receptive a teacher will be to your concerns."
When to reconsider: If your help in organizing tasks seems to speed things up and ease stress, the answer may be structure, not a teacher

Even the kids need a breather sometimes. These warning signs may indicate your little one is too busy.
This article originally appeared on LearnVest.com.

All Tuckered Out
We've all heard about the signs to look out for if your kid is using drugs-the glassy eyes, spending less time with friends and family, apathy towards everything-but what if the culprit isn't pills but programming-and too much of it?


Guindon/Getty Images
The epidemic of overly scheduled kids has caught the attention of educators, doctors, and child psychologists over the past few decades. And not surprisingly, overscheduling kids leads to the same stress-related health and psychological problems that overscheduled adults experience. According to research, most kids who are overscheduled have parents from an educated, higher income bracket-and they tend to be girls.



There's a middle ground, though, between back-to-back dance classes, soccer games, band practice and church group, and the other extreme: undirected hours of