Styling your shelves is an opportunity to let your creativity run wild! With a few thoughtful tweaks, your shelves can go from cluttered chaos to chic and cohesive. Embrace the ‘love it or leave it’ rule. If it’s not practical, sentimental, or something you absolutely adore, it doesn’t belong on your shelf. A few well-placed pieces can be far more striking than an overcrowded display. Pick a palette, not a paint splatter. Stick to a cohesive palette to avoid a jumble of clashing colors. Pair whites with soft creams, metallics, and neutrals for a sophisticated look. Add artwork for personality. Lean a piece of art against the back or hang it on the molding for extra flair. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a framed kid’s drawing can add the character your shelves need to pop. Play with texture and height. Mix in baskets, wooden objects, or textured vases to keep things interesting. Combine varying heights and sizes, but stay true to your palette. TURN YOUR SHELVES INTO A SHOWSTOPPER Shelf Styling Made Easy
Simple Ways to Make Your Favorites More Nutritious INDULGE WITHOUT THE GUILT
When we were children, our parents served us many dishes that filled our bellies and hearts with warm, positive feelings. Many of us hold on to these nostalgic recipes, cooking them whenever we need a pick-me-up, but many have realized those classic comfort foods aren’t as healthy as they could be. If you’re trying to eat healthier, you may think you have to cut way back on comfort foods, but that’s not the case. You simply have to find ways to make them more nutritious. Here are three ideas to get you started. Swap out ingredients. One of the best ways to make your favorite comfort food healthier is to swap out less nutritious ingredients for healthier options. Do you love eating pasta but don’t want to overindulge on carbs? Then, swap out your standard spaghetti noodles for
spaghetti squash. Mashed cauliflower can replace mashed potatoes, Greek yogurt can stand in for sour cream, and whole wheat crust and low-fat cheese can replace traditional crust and full-fat cheese on pizza. The options are endless! Add more vegetables and whole grains to the recipe. Our favorite comfort foods can be full of simple carbs and fat (which is why they taste
so good!), but adding healthier ingredients can balance the carb-fest. Whole grains are a way to get more fiber, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium into your diet, and adding vegetables also increases fiber and vitamins. For example, sauté onions, mushrooms, and zucchini and add those to your spaghetti sauce — or even to your favorite mac and cheese! Finding the right additions might take some creative thinking, but once you do, you’ll never look back! Cut back on the salt. Salt is a staple ingredient in many comfort foods, but it can contribute to high blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Limit how much salt you include in your dish, and use low-sodium or salt-free ingredients when possible. If it feels like you’re taking the flavor out of your dish, use spices and herbs to replace the salt.
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
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