The first time they came over, at dinnertime I boiled some rotini and heated up a jar of Classico. In the living room, they sat cross-legged, watching Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. As the tomato sauce bubbled, I could hear Bryan Adams on the movie soundtrack sing “This Is Where I Belong.”

But this was not where my twin daughters belonged. They belonged at home, with their mom, from whom I’d split a few weeks earlier. If they were with her, she would probably be making them delicious buttermilk deep-fried chicken; and her ice cream wouldn’t have freezer burn; and their beds would be made and turned down; and in the morning there would be fresh fruit, homemade pancakes, and plenty of maple syrup for everyone. For the three of them, anyway.

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Behold the single food that has revolutionized my weekly meal plan! From taco night to bulking up salads and grain bowls at lunchtime, the simplicity and versatility of shredded chicken really can’t be beat.

Thanks to the slow cooker and a fail-proof ratio, making a large quantity of shredded chicken at once is possible. Here’s how you do it.

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You can tell a lot about a person based on their favorite flavor of ice cream. We’ve already determined personality type based on your ice cream choice, and today we’re going to take it one step further and guess your age. Are you ready? What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Keep it simple and we’ll tell you what age you truly are.

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The first time I used my electric pressure cooker, I hit the start button and ran out of the room. Of course I’d read that modern pressure cookers were perfectly safe when used correctly — fear, however, allows no room for logic. My grandmother had once tried pressure-cooking, and I grew up listening to her tell the story of scrubbing tomato sauce off the ceiling after the ill-fated attempt. So I was fairly certain that my pressure cooker would malfunction.

Eighteen months later, my pressure cooker has earned a prized spot on the counter. Today, instead of making me nervous, I speak about it with Oprah-style enthusiasm, “You need a pressure cooker! And you need a pressure cooker! Everybody needs a pressure cooker!” But the biggest change? My slow cooker now sits collecting dust in the basement. Come to think of it, I really should KonMari that bad boy since it no longer brings any joy into my life.

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Ketchup and mustard are classic summertime condiments. And while I certainly have nothing against them, sometimes the occasion calls for a burger, hot dog, or brat topping that’s a bit more satisfying, sophisticated, or fun. Making a sauce that meets any (and perhaps even all) of those qualities doesn’t take much — especially when you’ve got the slow cooker to help out.

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As I hustle around my kitchen, I make a mental note of spices I need to buy before Ramadan. I am all out of coriander seeds, curry powder, and mustard seeds. In doing this very act, I realized that I have transformed into my mother, which makes me rather happy because she has been a pioneer in turning every Ramadan into a festive memory — something I am proactively trying to do, as I am about to celebrate my very first Ramadan with my husband, who comes from a culture that is different from mine.

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Buddy, you’re never going to get another decent night of sleep again! My husband and I heard this line several times a day in the months leading up to our son’s birth. Now that he’s here, people continue to inquire almost daily about the sleeping habits of our new little family.

I implore you: Stop asking new dads about how much sleep they are getting. If dad or baby aren’t sleeping well, they don’t want to talk about it more than they already are. And if they are sleeping well, your question could make them feel guilty or start wondering if last night was the best night of sleep that they’ll get for a while.

Also no cufflinks, please — they are a choking hazard for infants. Instead, here are some little luxuries and useful treats that new dads really want.

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There are a few websites that I check almost every morning, and one of them is Joanna Goddard’s blog, A Cup of Jo. She covers everything from family, to dating her husband, to travel, and she even includes great recipes from time to time. Her honesty and vulnerability make her feel like a close friend, even though I’ve never met her in person.

If you, like me, are a longtime reader of Joanna’s blog, it might not come as a surprise that her favorite pint of ice cream has a great sense of place and story behind it. Have you tried this delicious scoop?

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People enjoy parks for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they’re throwing a casual picnic with brie and red wine, or relaxing with friends and family on the grass. Perhaps they just want to soak up some sun while they catch up with their Kindle. The point is, most people don’t head over with the goal of being a nuisance.

But if you’ve ever given some side-eye to an overly boisterous person at the park, you’ll understand that there are some etiquette rules that ought to be universal. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re at the park, whatever the reason, to ensure a great time is had by all.

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