Looking to give your recipes a healthy upgrade? Swap butter for a plant-based oil when preparing your meals, and you may boost their nutritional value while also reducing your intake of harmful fats. In this guide, discover how to best use such oils in the kitchen and get a closer look at four flavorful options.
Cooking with oil can provide a delicious boost to your well-being in several ways. For starters, many types contain antioxidants that can help improve mental health and limit the risk of cancer and heart disease by neutralizing free radicals, chemicals that can cause dangerous cellular damage. These oils also tend to be high in polysaturated and monounsaturated fats that may lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. However, note that some oils, like coconut and palm, can contain saturated fats, while others, like canola and vegetable, can be highly processed, potentially leading to inflammation. This makes it essential to be careful in your selection to maximize the benefits.
Plant-based oils are ideal for everything from creating flavor-packed salad dressings and marinades to keeping your food from sticking to surfaces to cooking on the stove or in the oven. Just make sure to use them in moderation. Aim for about one tablespoon at most per meal to avoid excess calories. And be mindful of the smoke (or burning) point. Smoking oil can ruin foods, pose a fire hazard, and add cancer-causing agents to your meals. When you’re done cooking, store your oils in a closed container away from light, such as on a pantry shelf, to help them last longer and stay fresher.
Head to the grocery store, and you’ll find an ever-increasing variety of plant-based oils on the shelves. Here are four top ones to consider reaching for.
Sesame
A little of this unrefined, toasted oil goes a long way. It’s perfect for Asian-stye sauces and meals, such as by mixing it with soy sauce and rice vinegar for dipping dumplings. According to research, it can also help improve your metabolism and blood circulation. This oil has a lower smoke point, so add it as a final step in your cooking to avoid burning it. And after it’s opened, you can put it in the refrigerator to help it last longer.
Olive
There are several grades of this oil, which is made by crushing and pressing olives. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the least processed and considered to be the healthiest because of its heart-healthy fatty acids. EVOO is generally used in salad dressings and for drizzling, but it can also be good for sautéing and searing; despite its relatively low smoke point, experts say it is stable and safe to cook with. Refrain from purchasing EVOO in bulk, though, unless you can finish it within six months since it can lose its freshness quickly.
Avocado
A versatile cooking oil with a high smoke point, this product from the berries of the avocado tree is good for your heart, eyes, and skin. Opt for cold-pressed, its least refined form, for extra benefits like more vitamin E and a delicious buttery flavor.
Pumpkin seed
Offering a nutty taste, pumpkin seed (or pepita) oil may help boost your mood and ward off depression; some studies claim it can even reverse hair loss and reduce menopausal symptoms. It’s often used to accent foods like soups, cabbage slaw, and pesto.
Try cooking with a wholesome oil or two, and you may elevate your meals while also supporting a healthier lifestyle.
When something is labeled eco-friendly, it can have a variety of meanings. It could indicate that a material is sustainably sourced, for example. Or it could signify that a particular setup is more energy efficient.
When it comes to your home, going green can mean making upgrades that fulfill both of those definitions and beyond. Make the following changes, and you can reap the benefits of energy efficiency in every part of your home.
Your home’s outdoor features will need repair as they age. Exterior upgrades can be an investment, so make sure you’re spending your money on the best solutions.
A cool roof
Have you ever entered a car with black leather seats on a summer day? If so, you know that certain materials, especially dark-colored ones like black, are notorious for absorbing heat. And roofs are no different: a black roof can reach around 170 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot day. Roof heat absorption can be helpful in the winter to melt snow but has little use any other time of year. If you’re going to upgrade your roof to something more eco-friendly, opt for a cool roof. This option uses materials such as wood, specially coated metal, and custom shingles to reflect heat away instead of absorbing it. While you may spend more up front, the switch to this efficient style of roof can potentially save you more money in the long term by reducing your energy costs and providing you a possible tax rebate or credit.
Double-paned windows
Drafts from windows can be costly over time. If you don’t already have double-paned windows, they should be on the top of your home-improvement priority list. Traditional single-paned windows only have one sheet of glass and no insulation, so elements from the outside can find a way inside. However, dual-paned windows have a thin layer of separation between two sheets of glass, usually filled with insulating gas. These insulated windows cost more but offer benefits such as stabilizing your home’s temperature, lowering your energy costs, insulating your home from exterior noise, and adding to your home’s overall value. And if you want to go the extra mile with potential cost-saving, consider triple-paned windows.
A comfortable home is a happy home. However, there is a common misconception that to enjoy modern home amenities, you have to sacrifice being eco-friendly. This couldn’t be further from the truth. You can keep the comforts you love without expending an exorbitant amount of energy. The following changes can help you transition into a low-carbon-footprint lifestyle.
A smart/programmable thermostat
Manual thermostats offer no more than the ability to change the temperature. Make the switch to a smart thermostat to enjoy features like scheduled temperature changes, zoned temperature control based on room occupancy, and automatic adjustments based on the weather in your area. These features are not only convenient but also helpful to your energy bill and the stress on your HVAC unit. From an eco-friendly perspective, it’s important to consider how often you’re pushing your HVAC to its limits, as running it constantly produces more carbon dioxide that’s released into the atmosphere. Installing a smart thermostat can extend your system’s lifespan and limit the time that it’s needlessly running.
A tankless water heater
About one-fifth of your energy bill goes toward hot water; a shower here, a load of laundry there, and washing the dishes can add up quickly. Standard residential water heaters hold twenty to eighty gallons of water, and research indicates that a typical household can use around forty to sixty gallons of hot water a day on average. You could potentially be heating water you don’t use right away, so consider a tankless water heater to help you save energy and money. Instead of holding water, water gets pumped through it at a set flow rate measured in gallons per minute. Tankless water heaters deliver hot water on demand, so you won’t heat any water you don’t need. Besides using less water and heat, these efficient gadgets have a longer lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years and require less space to install. Be sure to talk to an electrician about your options and avoid gas-powered tankless water heaters as the return in energy efficiency will be negligible.
There’s no time like the present to make green upgrades to your home. Try these energy-efficient ideas today to better the planet and your bank account.
If home is where the heart is, then it’s also where the world meets itself—quietly, every morning and every evening. Across continents, cultures, and climates, people shape their spaces not only to live in but also to express who they are, what they value, and how they find comfort in the rhythm of daily life.
While architecture and design trends come and go, the universal truth remains: how we live at home reveals much about who we are. From Tokyo to Tuscany, Cape Town to Copenhagen, there’s wisdom to be found in the habits and traditions that make homes work beautifully and joyfully.
Japan’s homes are famously compact, but their sense of calm and order feels vast. The Japanese approach, influenced by Zen philosophy, is not about owning less for austerity’s sake but about creating space for what matters most.
Tatami mats define flexible rooms that can serve multiple purposes—sleeping quarters by night, living spaces by day—while every item, from a teapot to a stool, is chosen with intention and respect for craft. The Japanese home reminds us that joy is not always about abundance but about clarity.
Tip to try: Before decluttering, ask the now-famous question inspired by Marie Kondo: “Does it spark joy?” But take it a step further—also ask, “Does it serve?” If it doesn’t delight or serve, it’s simply taking up energy.
In Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, where winter darkness can linger for months, light is treated as a design element. Homes embrace pale tones, warm wood, and open layouts that draw in what little daylight there is.
But beyond decor, Scandinavians have mastered hygge: that comforting sense of coziness and contentment found in simple pleasures. A well-worn wool blanket, the glow of candlelight, or the ritual of morning coffee shared with a loved one all contribute to the feeling of home. The Scandinavian secret is not in the furniture but in the feeling.
Tip to try: Create a “hygge corner”—a nook where you can read, journal, or simply sit quietly with tea. Add soft textures, natural materials, and gentle light. You don’t need a fireplace to feel warm.
In Italy, the home is a place of expression and of gathering. Even the smallest kitchen hums with life, laughter, and the scent of espresso or simmering sugo. Italians value beauty not as decoration but as daily nourishment.
Objects are rarely hidden away. Copper pots hang proudly. Family photos and heirlooms live alongside fresh flowers and bowls of fruit. Every item tells a story because in Italy, what matters isn’t perfection but presence. La dolce vita begins not with a holiday but at the family table.
Tip to try: Let your kitchen or dining table become the true center of your home. Display food, fresh herbs, and utensils beautifully, as if every meal were an invitation to celebrate. And whenever possible, eat together.
In Cape Town or Durban, where sunlight and scenery are generous, the boundary between indoors and outdoors dissolves. Terraces, verandas, and gardens are true extensions of the home. Life spills naturally outside, and so does design, with rattan furniture, soft lighting, and firepits encouraging connection long after sunset. Home, after all, isn’t just the walls around us, but the sky above.
Tip to try: Treat your balcony, patio, or even a sunny windowsill as a living space. Add comfortable seating, greenery, and light. The goal is to create flow—a sense that your home breathes with the world outside.
Parisian apartments, often compact and imperfect, exude effortless style. How? Through editing and layering. The French approach favors fewer, better pieces—and mixing the old with the new in a way that feels intentional rather than contrived.
A gilded mirror may hang above a modern sofa; vintage linen sits comfortably beside sleek ceramics. Nothing is too “done,” and that’s precisely why it works. The French philosophy of home? Style is not what you buy. It’s how you live.
Tip to try: Invest in one or two pieces you truly love—a lamp, a chair, or artwork—and build around them slowly. Resist the urge to match everything. A lived-in look with character tells your story far better than a catalog-perfect room ever could.
British homes have their own quiet genius. They may love their organized drawers and labelled jars, but also cherish cozy imperfection—the lived-in comfort that tells of good company and endless cups of tea.
From the timelessness of Georgian symmetry to the quirkiness of cottage charm, British style balances order with individuality. There’s as much pride in a well-organized larder as there is in a jumble of books by the bedside. In the British home, tidiness and humor cohabit happily.
Tip to try: Blend function with warmth. Use baskets, trays, and built-in storage to reduce clutter, but let character show—whether through patterned cushions, family photos, or the occasional eccentric ornament that makes you smile.
Across the world, people’s homes look, sound, and smell different, yet they all speak the same emotional language. We want to feel safe, comfortable, inspired, and ourselves.
The secret to joy at home isn’t about square footage or expensive furniture. It’s about alignment—when our spaces reflect who we are and what we love. Whether that’s a minimalist tatami room, a candlelit Nordic corner, a sun-drenched veranda, or a colorful London terrace, the effect is the same: peace, connection, and belonging.
As we borrow the best ideas from one another, we weave a global tapestry of living, proof that the heart of home beats in many accents but always to the same rhythm.
Now that the weather is warming up, you might be eager to find ways to spend more time in the sunshine. For those who work from home, setting up a workspace outside can offer an ideal solution—allowing you to enjoy the fresh air while also potentially increasing your focus and boosting your productivity. This guide can help you create such a serene space without spending a fortune.
Where you set up your outdoor office will depend on the layout of your yard and your requirements for an optimal work environment. You’ll want a location that is relatively flat, big enough for the furniture you’ll need, and as free from distractions as possible. Also consider factors that can reduce your productivity, such as heat and lack of privacy. Your deck or patio may be the best option, especially if either offers some cover, or choose a shady spot in your yard out of view of your neighbors or passersby.
If you can’t find somewhere private or out of the sun, don’t fret! A retractable awning or a tiltable umbrella can provide adequate cover any time of day, while a privacy screen can create some seclusion. And as for any sounds that may be a nuisance, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can turn even the loudest nearby road traffic into a soft hum.
You don’t need much furniture to assemble a functional workspace, even just a folding chair and collapsible table may work as long as they’re sturdy and weatherproof. Just make sure that whatever you choose provides good ergonomic support for your spine and wrists along with a large enough surface for your work needs. If you have the space and budget, consider also indulging in a luxurious outdoor sofa and a side table to set down a cool drink or energizing snack. Such additions may elevate your workspace to a whole new level of comfort and style.
You likely spend much of your day working on a laptop, so you’ll want to ensure that you have the technology necessary to stay connected with your coworkers and the outside world. Ideally, your chosen spot would be near an outlet, but if not, simply acquire an extra-long cord; you could also invest in a power bank for your devices, double-checking compatibility. Other essentials might include a Wi-Fi extender or mobile hotspot (which your smartphone might provide) and a cooling pad to prevent your laptop from overheating.
Incorporating elements that contribute to a soothing environment is key to maximizing your outdoor workspace. Even simple additions like a small pot of fragrant lavender on your desk, a leafy palm in the corner, an easy-to-clean rug beneath your feet, and a tabletop fountain that provides the tranquil sounds of trickling water can turn the space into your own oasis. For a final touch, hang some string lights or fit battery-operated ones to your umbrella to provide a cozy ambience and enough light to work outside even after the sun has set.
Remember, you don’t need an expensive setup to enjoy working outside. Start with the essentials, including a chair and small work surface, and gradually include other functional and decorative items as you wish. However you approach it, you’ll discover that creating an ideal outdoor work area for yourself is well worth the effort.
