Lifestyle
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A kaleidoscope of oddball tomatoes to try as seed-starting season nears
Feb 17, 2026 4:55 pm - Seed-starting time is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to think about tomatoes. There’s a whole kaleidoscope of tomatoes you can grow in your garden.
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Your home is too boring. Let’s get a little weird.
Feb 17, 2026 4:16 pm - Interior designer Lily Walters has a word for anyone looking to have a more interesting, expressive home. “I want it to be weird,” she says.
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Tips on composting to improve garden soil and starting seeds for annualsFeb 17, 2026 2:21 pm - Chicago Botanic Garden director Tim Johnson shares tips on composting to improve garden soil and starting seeds for slow-growing annuals.
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Refunds from negligent home inspectorsFeb 17, 2026 2:08 pm - After we bought our home, multiple problems were discovered. None were reported by our home inspector. When we called to complain, he said his liability is limited to a refund of his inspection fee.
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Burning palms provide students with visual connection to Ash Wednesday, start of LentFeb 17, 2026 12:49 pm - Dried palm fronds engulfed by a ball of flames Tuesday provided students a visual connection to the upcoming Lenten season at St. Theresa Catholic School in Palatine.
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Papa Johns is taking on Pizza Hut (and Domino’s) pan pizza. We tried all 3.
Feb 17, 2026 12:03 pm - In a crowded landscape, Papa Johns is going deep. In an effort to compete with its fellow pie-slinging rivals — not to mention apps that can deliver stay-at-home diners anything from sushi to burritos — the chain has introduced a new pan-crust option.
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Fish cakes and Birmingham greens a perfect pairing with plenty of history
Feb 17, 2026 6:07 am - Here's a recipe for fish cakes and a green salad that was a hit at the Harlem EatUp! festival. The recipe, which comes from Marcus Samuelsson’s cookbook “The Rise,” features turnip and mustard greens, a staple in African American homes for centuries.
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This dan dan noodle salad will make you want to linger at the table
Feb 17, 2026 5:42 am - This vegetarian version of dan dan noodles transforms the fiery Sichuan dish typically made with meat into a vegetable-forward salad. Adapted from “Linger” by cookbook author Hetty Lui McKinnon, the recipe takes no more than 30 minutes to put together thanks to fresh or frozen ramen noodles and a speedy dressing.
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This roasted cauliflower with white bean puree renewed my cooking joy
Feb 17, 2026 5:15 am - This vegetarian main features roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with smoked paprika atop a bed of garlicky white bean puree. It’s finished with a punchy herb sauce that ties everything together for a restaurant-quality dish.
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What’s the best cheese for mac and cheese?
Feb 17, 2026 5:00 am - Generally speaking, the cheese you mix with your mac is a matter of personal preference. However, the main characteristic you want to consider is how smoothly a cheese melts into a sauce.