I Visited a Real-Life Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

The experience, to say the least, was surreal.

View in Browser  SHOP GH+ MEMBERS SUBSCRIBE   Welcome to my newsletter! I'm excited to share some of the awesome finds and solutions I run across during my days leading the charge at GH. I'm always on the lookout for ways to make my life easier and tastier — and to make my home more welcoming (sound familiar?). Here are a few of my (current) favorite things! FOR YOUR HEALTH | DO TRY THIS AT HOME! Make New Friends and Keep the Old... I just had the best weekend hanging out with my summer camp friends! We've known each other since our tween years and have stuck together through the thicks and thins of every life milestone. When we were together, we even had the chance to walk through the old campgrounds where we first met. And we talked and talked and talked...and talked the whole time! One of the things on all our minds was how we feel compared to our teenage years (most of us are now parents of campers!) and how our parents' health has impacted our approach to aging. We chatted about what we do to look and feel our best — and how we hope to keep healthy and happy as we get older. "Healthspan" was one of the buzzwords of our weekend. We don't just want to live longer (longevity), we want to keep our bodies and minds in tip-top shape through it all. Top: I made my friends stand in front of my first cabin from when I was eleven: Kristi, me, LeeAnne, Leanne, Andrea, Leanne, Leslie — not pictured, Leslie. (Yes, you read it right, there are three LeeAnne/Leannes and two Leslies!) My friends and I are not the only ones taking about healthspan: it's in the news, on social media, and in my conversations here at the magazine. I recently attended a cool "lunch and learn" at work where Dr. Mark Sachs (a geriatrician, which I learned is like a pediatrician for aging folks) blew my mind. When asked for the best way to maximize our healthspan, he said, "social activity." Who knew? Of course, eating healthy and staying active physically is also important, but socializing? That was eye-opening for me. I'm now all about indulging in more social time. It's not just fun — it's essential! I urge you all to do the same. Make time for those meaningful chats and hangouts with friends. Let's not just live longer; let's live well! Here's to prioritizing our social lives and enjoying every moment of it. And if you're looking for more fun, relaxing and nurturing ways to boost your health, check out this story about the benefits of pampering yourself. Cheers! SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES  A TASTE OF THE GH TEST KITCHEN COTTAGE CHEESE WRAP You Won't Believe It's Not a Real Tortilla! At lunchtime today, our Test Kitchen Food Director Kate brought me this plate of wraps to taste. Super delicious!!! Our recipe developers created this recipe for the Jan/Feb issue, but you can test it out early (only here!!). You've probably seen the videos all over TikTok and Instagram using cottage cheese to make everything from crackers to wraps. Our Kitchen was right on it, testing to see how it works. How easy? How does it turn out? When I took the first bite, I didn't even realize the wrap was made almost entirely from high-protein cottage cheese (no gluten, no carbs!). If you try it, please share your results with me! GET THE RECIPE BEHIND THE SCENES COSTUME FUN! GH Staffers Get Into the Halloween Spirit As you might imagine, Halloween is a major event at GH. Every year, in the months leading up to the big day, our team creates enough spooky crafts, pumpkin carving ideas, themed decor and party-ready recipes to turn your house thoroughly haunted. One of the most entertaining workdays of the year is our annual Halloween costume photoshoot. That's when members of our team (plus their partners and kids!) transform from coworkers to cosplayers, donning the trendiest and most clever get-ups we can think of. This year, our biggest costume shoot ever, featured David and Victoria Beckham, Caitlin Clarke, a deviled egg, a ladybug, a trio of Stanley cups (the beverage holder, not the trophy) and more. A few of my favorites are above: That's our Group Digital Content Director Lauren Matthews Ide and her son as Scrub "Mommy" and Little Scrub, our social media editor Olivia DiTomaso channeling Dolly Parton and a couple of GH kids as a washer & dryer. My approach to Halloween is decidedly more subdued. I usually pull out the witch's cape and call it a day. How ever you choose to celebrate, have fun and enjoy! CLICK FOR YOUR NEXT COSTUME IDEA! GOING LOCAL WELLNESS COMMUNITIES At Serenbe, the "town" winds through the woods and fields — and the walking trails run behind all the homes. I Visited a Real-Life Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood I had no idea what to expect as my husband Colin and I drove from Atlanta to Chattahoochee Hills to check out the "small town" of Serenbe, one of the pioneers of the new trend in wellness communities. What I found was a place that features miles and miles of wooded trails, literally behind almost every home — and a setup that makes it nearly impossible not to connect with your neighbors. One of their goals is "free-range kids and uncaged elders", and that multi-generational approach really appealed to me! As we rode through the streets in a quiet, electric golf cart, people on the sidewalks waved and started conversations whenever we stopped. I have to say, coming from a city dweller, it was refreshing if a bit surreal. I had an awesome time, hiking to get our morning cold-pressed juice and sampling the goods from the on-site organic farm — that said, I keep wondering how I would fare longterm in such a "picture-perfect" environment. Read our story, I'd love to hear what you think! CHECK IT OUT HERE THE MOST PRACTICAL GIFT! It's My Mom's Birthday!   Because I live a plane ride away from my mom, I don't always get to celebrate with her — and this year is no different. But when I was last at her house, I noticed a serious problem with her oven mitts (see for yourself!). My mom's cookies, cakes and pies are renowned, and the wear-and-tear is starting to show. So guess what I got her? A pair of my favorite OXO Good Grip Silicone Oven Mitts (note: they are an individual purchase, $16.99 each). Happy birthday...happy baking, mom! Holes mean burnt fingers...presto new waterproof, burn-proof gloves! OXO Good Grip Silicone Oven Mitt SHOP NOW What products enhance your life? Let me know your current fave at jane@goodhousekeeping.com TAKE-CARE-OF-YOURSELF PRODUCTS FROM THE GH TEAM Cool on the Go The last thing I want to do is walk into work sweaty, so I pull out the Jisulife Portable Neck Fan while I'm waiting on the subway platform. At a glance it looks like I'm rocking a pair of headphones around my neck, but it's a fan! It blasts cool air (in 3 different settings) so you can avoid sweating like crazy at outdoor concerts, theme parks, etc. This fan keeps me comfortable and isn't too noisy, even when it's on full blast. —Lynzee Marmor SHOP NOW Smokeless Scents I'm not easily impressed, but the Cozyberry Querencia Candle Warmer Lamp is incredible. The heat from the lamp warms the candle, which then emits the scent without lighting the wick — meaning no smoke. It adds a bit of luxury to your home while making your candles last way longer. A few years ago, I gifted it to a friend as a housewarming present and she still raves about it.  —Emma Seymour SHOP NOW Desert Island Skincare Call it a beauty editor quirk, but I've thought long and hard about what I would grab If I can only bring one skincare item with me. I'm choosing Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream every single time. It has transformed my skin, keeping it moisturized and glowy even in the winter. I've given it to friends and family who have also fallen in love with it and consider it their favorite as well. It's even top-tested in our Beauty Lab! —Catharine Malzahn  SHOP NOW   Thanks for reading! I look forward to connecting with you soon in the next newsletter. See you in a couple of weeks! Jane Francisco   Follow Us Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Good Housekeeping is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779