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The Difference Between Pastry Flour and All-Purpose Flour Pastry flour is a low-protein, specialty flour ideal for baked goods. On average, pastry flour has an 8 to 9 percent protein count versus all-purpose flour, which contains approximately a 10 to 12 percent protein count. For pastries like biscuits, scones, pie crusts, and quick breads, a lower protein count means a lighter, flakier dough. Protein count is equated with the amount of gluten in flour; the higher the protein count, the more gluten in your flour, which will result in a denser dough....

So we asked Soffer and Jenni Brennan, professor at The National Center for Death Education at Mount Ida College in Newton, Mass., to offer their tips on what not to say to someone who’s grieving. What to say instead: “It’s really tough right now for you.” “Acknowledge that what they’re going through right now is very painful,” says Soffer. Don’t gloss over their feelings—let them have the chance to grieve fully and without judgment....

When you can’t make it to the farmers’ market, these online grocers are here for you. Misfits delivers to every zip code in 23 Eastern and Midwestern states and D.C. Subscription boxes start at $22 and include 10 to 13 pounds of fresh and organic mixed fruits and vegetables like leafy greens, root vegetables, stone fruit, and more seasonal treats. RELATED: Cleanliness Is So Important Right Now—Here’s How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables Properly

Follow this straightforward, energizing yoga flow from Beth Cooke, a yoga teacher and an instructor at Obé—the online destination for streaming live, on-demand workouts from home—for an instant mental and physical boost, any time of the day. Cooke combines familiar poses that won’t intimidate you for maximum movement, blood flow, and all-over activation. Perfect for anyone, even yoga beginners, who need a mid-day jolt of energy. First, you’ll move from downward dog to plank, and then follow with a set of lunging salutations to upward dog....

Observing all this economic uncertainty can be frustrating and even frightening, even if you’re fortunate enough to have not lost a job or source of income. According to a new survey from SoFi, 14 percent of people say the stock market is causing them the most anxiety in 2020, and 12 percent say job security is. (Covid-19 is the top anxiety-causer for almost 65 percent of people.) A survey from Bankrate found that 52 percent of people have reduced their spending because of concerns about the economy or stock market, but beyond reducing spending, it’s hard to see what actions you can take to protect your finances....

Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, the mother and daughter decorating team behind McGrath II concur, and in particular, say they love using ticking stripe indoor/outdoor fabrics on sofas. “It always looks fresh, and stands the test of time,” they say. Annie Selke, founder of the rug company Dash & Albert, agrees. “Stains happen, so look for wool construction in a pattern that can disguise dirt,” she says. “Wool kilims are particularly fabulous because they are often reversible, but micro-hook wool is also a long-lived, sturdy construction....

The Equipment Mixology is all about balance, especially when you’re whipping up drinks as simple as these. Sure, you can pour some gin and vermouth in a glass and call it a martini, but it probably won’t taste very good if you don’t measure first. So keep the correct tool for measuring ingredients in the right ratios, known as a jigger, close by. I’m also a strong proponent of good glassware—just like with wine, a crumby glass can make even the best of cocktails taste flat and imbalanced....

In such a busy, hectic holiday season, we don’t blame you. (Okay, we blame you a little—have you seen our extensive holiday shopping coverage?) In all seriousness, a last-minute gift doesn’t mean you don’t care. It just means you lost track of time. We’ll let you in on a little secret: The best last-minute gift is a subscription. Not only is it the gift that keeps on giving, but a subscription also provides a plausible reason for not having a physical item to open on Christmas morning, without the vague impersonality of a gift card....

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And who better to tap for projected dining trends than some our nation’s top tastemakers: The chefs, restaurant owners, registered dietitians, culinary school instructors, grocery product managers, and bartenders that set the stage for foods we line up for (masks on and at a distance, please), follow on social media, and what we cook for our families at home. What’s in store for 2021, you ask? A lot—and like everything in life of late, it’s going to look very different from any pre-pandemic predictions....

Instead of a lame mixed greens salad or an overdone turkey sandwich you’ll find recipes for dishes like a Nicoise-Inspired Summer Salad, Sheet Pan Cheesesteak Sandwiches, and more. Trust us when we tell you that these dishes will undoubtedly put your previous lunches to shame.

If you want to spoil the new mother, try one of our gifts for new moms—but if you want the best baby gifts that the parents will appreciate too, perhaps you’ll find the perfect one among our recommendations.

The best part? These fast dinner recipes require 35 minutes or less of hands-on work, which is perfect if you tend to wait until the last minute to prepare your final meal of the day. These easy dinners run the gamut from totally kid-friendly fare to more sophisticated dinner party dishes—think cheesy chicken nachos and glazed salmon with broccoli rice. Use one of these recipes to prepare a delicious dinner for tonight, and no one will be able to tell you scrambled after work to get it done!...

Many meal prep apps focus on calorie-counting and weight loss—which are admirable efforts, when appropriate—but sometimes meal planning comes down to simply getting a delicious, satisfying meal on the table. Finding an app that will do that (and not send ill-timed reminders about exactly how many calories are in that pizza) is key. Fortunately, plenty of apps out there focus on the organizational aspect of meal planning. The best ones store recipes, offer suggestions, and maintain grocery store lists—all while making sure you always have an answer to, “What’s for dinner tonight?...

The best part about cinnamon tea isn’t even how good it tastes. From hydration to anti-inflammation, there are myriad health benefits. “Many health-promoting compounds in cinnamon are water soluble, and it’s safe to say, tea is an optimal way to ingest cinnamon,” Weintraub says. Water soluble is just a fancy way of describing something that dissolves in water, making cinnamon tea an ideal way to deliver cinnamon’s nutrients to your body....

So how can you tell if you need to disinfect your retainer? Your senses are your most reliable judge. If your retainer smells or tastes bad, you see a cloudy film and/or white spots on the surface, or it’s been more than a week since it was last sanitized, it’s probably time to give your appliance a good cleaning. Here are some tips for keeping your retainer or aligner in good shape: