How to Discover Unique Flavor Pairings (with a Trove of Recipes)

When a friend tasted the wild plum that had been fallen in pine needles, she “got” plum and pine and by association ROSEMARY. I’ve used the technique of tasting foods that sat side by side “just to see” for many years to discover new and often unlikely flavor pairings. Here are 10 favorites, including a Plum and Raspberry Crisp with Lavender.

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The Ugly Practical iPhone Holder I Can’t Live Without

When I wore my iPhone stuck to a velcro forearm band to a friend’s house, she said “How can you wear such an ugly thing?”; it’s terrible!” Terrible? Lighten up! It is actually an amazing device. I workout hard, cook, and do chores with it and it has yet to come off. It’s like a big Apple watch whose serious advantages trump its looks. As with everything I buy, I hacked it a bit, and pushed its limits.

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How to Survive a Heat Wave

All over town we’re seeing signs of people felled by the stunning heat wave, sleeping on benches under shady trees, lounging lethargically on the grass in parks. We’ve found ourselves working at partial power, desperately needing to nap and recuperate. We’ve found two unexpected antidotes.

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Travel to Cuba Now Before It’s Too Late

When photographer Ellen Silverman first visited Cuba in 2010 little did she know that the visit would change her life/ Just as Cuba is on the verge of its own big changes, Ellen will be leading a tour there. It is a rare opportunity for just about anyone who wishes to visit private homes in Havana and engage with their owners.  Here’s a glimpse:

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Quick n’ Easy Interval Training You’ll Actually DO

We’re big into interval training because it seems like a really efficient way to exercise. But the question still remains: how to get yourself to actually do it? A new iteration seems to accomplish that. The promising research is outlined in the New York Times’ A Way to Get Fit and Also Have Fun. Although…

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Guerilla Signage: Why Not?

It’s curious how bright red stickers with the words why not? and Do. have been appearing around town, in the subway and on lamp posts. They’re our new Improvised Life stickers. We wonder who the guerilla(s) is/are that are tagging things and spreading the word?

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