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BIGGERFIVE Smart Watch for Kids, 1.8″ Fitness Tracker Watch Pedometer, Heart Rate, IP68 Waterproof, Sleep Monitor, Calorie Step Counter, 5 Puzzle Games with/Without APP for Girls Teens 5-16, Nylon

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Price: $39.99 - $29.99
(as of Jan 10, 2026 17:43:44 UTC – Details)

From the brand

With children’s health as our top priority, Biggerfive is committed to creating the best wearable technology products for children.

Encouragement is at the core of our philosophy, and we believe in the fierce power of familial encouragement to shape our kids for a healthier and happier tomorrow.

Biggerfive,happy to thrive!

Kids Fitness Watch without APP

Kids Multi-functional Watch

Kids Fitness Tracker

Brave Kids Smartwatch

10+ Sports Mode

All-Day Activity Tracking: BIGGERFIVE BRAVE 2 Smart Watch for Kids Teens Automatically counts steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. Supports 80 sports modes like walking, running, cycling, basketball, and more.
Without/With APP: BIGGERFIVE kids fitness tracker watch can be used seperately without APP and phone. But with APP, you could explore more functions. Compatible with Android 6.0+ and iOS 9.0+ smartphones.
Comprehensive Health Monitoring: Monitors real-time heart rate and tracks sleep patterns to promote your child’s well-being.
Customizable Watch Face &1.8″ HD Touch Screen:Our kids smartwatch boasts a 1.8″ HD touch screen and offers 100+ exquisite cloud dials in APP BIGGERFIVE. Elevate personal style with custom dials using your kids’ own photos and ignite their creativity!
Puzzle Games under Parents’ Control: 5 built-in puzzle games can help train your child’s reaction ability and calculation ability. You could restrict your child from playing games at school in the BIGGERFIVE APP (supports also lock game all the time).
Encourages Healthy Habits & Perfect Gift Idea: BIGGERFIVE kids smart watch motivates children to develop good exercise habits and stay healthier. Ideal gift for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions.

2026 Upgrade Foot Pedal Resistance Band, Adjustable 4-Tube Pedal Ankle Puller Resistance Band with Handle, Multifunction Home Gym Equipment, Stirrup Puller for Men Women for Full Body Exercise

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Price: $27.99
(as of Jan 10, 2026 05:41:58 UTC – Details)


To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon






Customers say

Customers find the resistance band to be of above-average quality and excellent for home workouts, with one customer noting it works muscles better than dumbbells. However, the ease of use receives mixed feedback, with some finding it easy to put together while others say it's not the easiest to use.

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5 customers mention quality, 5 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the exercise machine's quality above average.

Great product and good serviceRead more

Loving it. Using it daily. Very versatile. Well madeRead more

Good item.Read more

Cheap quality. Planning to return product.Read more

3 customers mention workout effectiveness, 3 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the resistance band effective for home workouts, with one customer noting it works muscles better than dumbbells, and another mentioning it helps with shoulder and biceps exercises.

I love this pedal resistance band. It works my muscles better than dumbbells. It's easy to assemble and store away, and the quality is above average….Read more

…I just used these today. Feet in the holders, used for some shoulder and biceps. Need more weight add another band. ExcellentRead more

excellent in home workoutRead more

3 customers mention ease of use, 2 positive, 1 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the resistance band's ease of use, with some finding it easy to put together while others say it's not the easiest to use.

…It works my muscles better than dumbbells. It's easy to assemble and store away, and the quality is above average….Read more

…It was easy to put together, but not the easiest to use. Standing on the foam ends weren’t easy to exercise with. I didn’t find it very effective.Read more

…It was easy to put together, but not the easiest to use. Standing on the foam ends weren’t easy to exercise with. I didn’t find it very effective.Read more





Top reviews from the United States




Product Summary: HELISAN 2026 Upgrade Foot Pedal Resistance Band, Adjustable 4-Tube Pedal Ankle Puller Resistance Band with Handle, Multifunction Home Gym Equipment, Stirrup Puller for Men Women for Full Body Exercise

From HELISAN
🏋️【Full Body Shaping&Fat Burning】HELISAN pedal resistance band can perform a full body workout, effectively stimulating multiple muscle groups, including the abdomen, chest, arms, shoulders, biceps, back and leg muscles, helping you to build a plump and curvy figure and create tighter muscle lines (Already Patented)
🏋️【Adjustable Pounds】4 Adjustable resistance tubes (25-100lb) suitable for users of different fitness levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, you can easily adjust the resistance to suit your own situation, develop a personalized training plan, and progress step by step
🏋️【Safe & Durable Design】Pedal ankle puller resistance bands is made of high-quality natural latex. It is fully wrapped with gourd weaving to prevent breakage and bullet injuries. The foam-coated handle provides a firm grip, and the non-slip NBR pedal and thick buckle ensure a safe and comfortable exercise experience
🏋️【Multi-function & Convenient】Stirrup puller for exercise is easy to disassemble and assemble. Portable design, can be used at home, office, hotel or on the road anytime and anywhere, helping you maintain a regular exercise habit, is an excellent supplement to home fitness equipment
🏋️【Home Fitness Choice】Fitness resistance band set includes 4*25 lbs resistance tubes, 2*durable handles, 1*ankle pedal, 1*long handle, 1*door anchor, 1*storage bag and fitness action guide. It can be used for yoga, Pilates, stretching and strength training, 5 times a week, 30 minutes each time, to help you shape a perfect body

Easy Chipotle Chicken Burgers – 20 Minutes

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Some nights, the idea of cooking dinner feels heavier than the dinner itself.

That’s exactly why I created these chipotle chicken burgers. When life feels full and energy is low, I still want something that tastes good, feels satisfying, and doesn’t require a cutting board parade or a sink full of dishes. These burgers are one of those meals that look impressive on the plate but are secretly very low effort.

Spicy chicken chipotle burger on a white plate. Spicy chicken chipotle burger on a white plate.

Anytime I need dinner to hit without overthinking it, burgers are my go-to. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and don’t ask much of me when I’m already running on fumes. After making my air fryer chicken burgers one too many times, I started playing around with different spice combinations just to keep things interesting without adding extra steps. This chipotle version was a quick win.

The ingredient list is short, the food processor does most of the work, and everything comes together quickly on the stovetop or in the air fryer. No sautéing, no separate sauce, no extra steps that sound reasonable on paper but feel impossible at 5:30 pm. You mix, shape, and cook. That’s it.

If you’re feeling brave, a little chipotle mayo on top takes these over the edge and makes dinner feel easy and fun again, even on nights when cooking is the last thing you want to deal with.

Ingredients to make chipotle chicken burgers on marble counter.Ingredients to make chipotle chicken burgers on marble counter.
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Ingredient spotlight

A full list of the ingredients is below in the recipe card, this is just a highlight of a few key ingredients. 

  • Ground chicken – I like using a 92/8 ground chicken for these burgers. Having a little fat in the mix helps keep them juicy and tender. You can go leaner, but you’ll want to keep a closer eye on them since ground chicken can dry out quickly.
  • Chipotle in adobo – These bring all the smoky, spicy flavor. Both the peppers and the sauce they’re packed in have heat, so if you’re not big on spice, start with just one pepper. 
  • Almond flour – Instead of breadcrumbs, I use almond flour to help bind the burgers. It’s something I almost always have on hand and it works really well here. If you prefer, a gluten-free panko breadcrumb will also do the job.

Step by step instructions

Tips for Success 

  • No food processor? No problem – If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop the chipotle in adobo and mix it with the almond flour and spices. The goal is just to distribute the chipotle evenly throughout the burgers.
  • Adjust the spice level to your comfort– Both the chipotle peppers and the sauce they’re packed in have heat. If you’re unsure, start with just one pepper. You can always add more spice later with a little chipotle mayo on top.
  • Use a lid when cooking on the stovetop – Covering the pan helps the burgers cook through evenly without needing to flip them multiple times.
  • Let carryover cooking do the work – If the burgers are just shy of 165°F, turn off the heat and leave them covered in the pan. The residual heat will finish cooking them without drying them out.
  • Let the burgers rest briefly before serving – Giving them a minute or two off the heat helps the juices redistribute and keeps them juicy.
  • Stovetop vs air fryer: – I tested these both ways and they’re delicious either way. The stovetop gives the best texture, but if you hate cleaning up after burgers, the air fryer is a great low-effort option.
  • Freeze leftover chipotle in adobo – If you don’t use the whole can, freeze the leftovers flat in a zip-top bag. You can break off a pepper or two whenever you want to add smoky heat to another meal.
Hand holding chipotle chicken burger.Hand holding chipotle chicken burger.

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!

  • In a small food processor combine the almond flour, chipotle in adobo, garlic powder, cumin and salt. Pulse until well combined.

    ¼ cup almond flour, 2 chipotle in adobo, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon sea salt

  • Move chipotle mixture to a bowl and add ground chicken. Stir well until the chipotle mixture is well combined.

    1 pound ground chicken

  • Portion into 4 burgers. I roll them into balls then flatten with my hands. Be sure to press a small dimple on the top with your thumb to allow even cooking.

  • Preheat a large skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. When preheated, spray with avocado oil and add the chipotle chicken burgers. Cook 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, flip the burgers with a spatula and cook an additional 6 minutes, covered.
  • Check internal temperature: Ground chicken should reach 165°F at the thickest part of the burger. Check from the side for the most accurate reading.
  • Keep burgers the same thickness: Form the burgers evenly so they cook at the same rate.
  • Add a dimple before cooking: Press a small dimple in the center of each burger to help them cook evenly and prevent puffing.
  • Air fryer option: These burgers can be cooked in the air fryer at 390°F for 15 minutes, no flipping required.
  • Storing leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or in the microwave until warmed through. 

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Amount per Serving

Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: chipotle chicken burger, spicy chicken burger

Let others know by rating and leaving a comment below!

Chipotle chicken burgers on lettuce wraps. Chipotle sauce drizzled over the top.Chipotle chicken burgers on lettuce wraps. Chipotle sauce drizzled over the top.

Ways to Serve Ground Chicken Chipotle Burgers

  • On a bun (my go-to): Serve these on a bun with lettuce, tomato, avocado slices, and a drizzle of bottled ranch dressing. Easy, familiar, and always a win.
  • Lettuce wraps: Skip the bun and wrap the burgers in butter lettuce or romaine. Add chipotle mayo or a cilantro lime dressing for extra flavor without extra effort.
  • Burger bowl style: Serve the burgers over greens with avocado, tomatoes, and lime tahini sauce (or whatever sauce you love). This is a great option if you’re out of buns but still want dinner to feel complete.

Brain Health Challenge: Try a Brain Teaser

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Welcome back! For Day 4 of the challenge, let’s do a short and fun activity based around a concept called cognitive reserve.

Decades of research show that people who have more years of education, more cognitively demanding jobs or more mentally stimulating hobbies all tend to have a reduced risk of cognitive impairment as they get older.

Experts think this is partly thanks to cognitive reserve: Basically, the more brain power you’ve built up over the years, the more you can stand to lose before you experience impairment. Researchers still don’t agree on how to measure cognitive reserve, but one theory is that better connections between different brain regions corresponds with more cognitive reserve.

To build up these connections, you need to stimulate your brain, said Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health and the founder and chief medical officer of the telehealth platform Isaac Health. To do that, try an activity that is “challenging enough that it requires some effort but not so challenging that you don’t want to do it anymore,” he said.

Speaking a second language has been shown to be good for cognition, as has playing a musical instrument, visiting a museum and doing handicrafts like knitting or quilting. Reading is considered a mentally stimulating hobby, and experts say you’ll get an even bigger benefit if you join a book club to make it social. Listen to a podcast to learn something new, or, better yet, attend a lecture in person at a local college or community center, said Dr. Zaldy Tan, the director of the Memory and Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai. That adds a social component, plus the extra challenge of having to navigate your way there, he said.

A few studies have found that playing board games like chess can be good for your brain; the same goes for doing crossword puzzles. It’s possible that other types of puzzles, like those you find in brain teaser books or from New York Times Games, can also offer a cognitive benefit.

But there’s a catch: To get the best brain workout, the activity should not only be challenging but also new. If you do “Wordle every day, it’s like well, then you’re very, very good at Wordle, and the Wordle part of your brain has grown to be fantastic,” said Dr. Linda Selwa, a clinical professor of neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School. “But the rest of your mind might still need work.”

So play a game you’re not used to playing, Dr. Selwa said. “The novelty seems to be what’s driving brain remodeling and growth.”

Today, we want you to push yourself out of your cognitive comfort zone. Check out an online lecture or visit a museum with your challenge partner. Or try your hand at a new game, below. Share what novel thing you did today in the comments, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 5.

How Large Do Beet Roots and Greens Grow?

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When you’re planning your garden, you have to know how much space to give to each plant.

Sure, the seed packets usually recommend how far apart to grow, but how deep will the roots reach?

Is my raised bed deep enough? What about the leaves? Will they grow so tall that they shade the neighbors?

Beets (Beta vulgaris) are typically considered a fairly small crop, but as with many things in life, there are exceptions.

Big, giant, huge exceptions. They can actually grow quite large. Or super small. Totally confused?

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested round beets set on the ground by the wooden surround of a raised garden bed.A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested round beets set on the ground by the wooden surround of a raised garden bed.

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Most table beets are similar in size, but sugar beets and mangelwurzel can be massive.

And there are some table beets that can be downright petite. And then there are the leaves aboveground.

So, if you’re interested in learning about beet sizes in all their varying glory, stick around. We’re going to cover the following:

Beet Root Sizes

So, how big can beets be? I know it’s the most frustrating answer, but “it depends.” Let’s look at the details:

For most home gardeners growing standard varieties, you can expect roots to reach one to three inches in diameter and two to three inches long for round varieties.

A horizontal image of a gardener holding a massive beetroot freshly picked from the garden.A horizontal image of a gardener holding a massive beetroot freshly picked from the garden.

The leafy tops typically grow 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of six to eight inches wide. But as you’ll see, there’s quite a range depending on variety and growing conditions.

Sugar beets and mangel are, by far, the largest of the beet family.

The Guinness Book of World Records states that the heaviest sugar beet weighed in at 52 pounds 14 ounces, though growers have reportedly grown larger ones without having been certified by Guinness.

Some accounts claim the largest ever at 156 pounds! That’s larger than many adult humans!

A close up horizontal image of a gardener holding up a huge fodder beet freshly picked from the garden and cleaned.A close up horizontal image of a gardener holding up a huge fodder beet freshly picked from the garden and cleaned.

The longest variety, including the spindly taproot and not just the main part, was reportedly recorded at 322 inches. That’s longer than four mattresses laid end to end.

Mangelwurzel regularly grows up to 40 pounds and six feet long. I’ve had them grow nearly that large myself, so it’s not an unusual occurrence.

The bottom line is that beets are capable of growing exceptionally large.

But let’s talk about the average size in the garden, particularly for gardeners growing table beets. While these can grow pretty large as well, most of them are more of a medium size.

The long-time favorite ‘Detroit Dark Red’ grows to about three inches in diameter.

By the way, if you want to grow this particular cultivar, the roots are super dark red and deeply flavorful. I always end up coming back to it.

A close up of a packet of 'Detroit Dark Red' seeds with a hand-drawn illustration to the right of the frame and printed text to the left.A close up of a packet of 'Detroit Dark Red' seeds with a hand-drawn illustration to the right of the frame and printed text to the left.

‘Detroit Dark Red’

Grab a pack of about 100 seeds at Botanical Interests.

‘Early Wonder,’ which matures quickly, is more like two-and-a-half inches in diameter, while ‘Bull’s Blood’ can top three inches in diameter. 

‘Baby Ball’ is a delightful inch in diameter at maturity.

A close up horizontal image of a gardener holding a plastic bowl filled with freshly harvested beets of different shapes and sizes.A close up horizontal image of a gardener holding a plastic bowl filled with freshly harvested beets of different shapes and sizes.

Of course, plants that are given extra space, rich soil, and ample water might grow larger than the standard.

The general answer is that most common table varieties are somewhere within the one- to three-inch diameter range.

When we consider length, things become less consistent.

‘Early Wonder’ are about two to three inches long, as are many round cultivars. But then we move onto the more cylindrical-shaped options.

The appropriately named ‘Cylindra’ are a mere one to two inches in diameter, but up to eight inches long.

A close up square image of freshly harvested 'Cylindra' set on a wooden surface.A close up square image of freshly harvested 'Cylindra' set on a wooden surface.

‘Cylindra’

It’s such a nice option if you want to grow lots in a small space and the shape always draws comments from farmer’s market shoppers and diners.

You can snag various packet sizes of seeds at High Mowing Seeds.

Learn more about beet varieties here.

Leafy Top Height

Okay, so that covers the root, but what about the leafy tops? How big these grow also depends on the cultivar.

Generally, you can assume the larger the root, the larger the leaves will be, but that’s not always the case.

A close up horizontal image of Beta vulgaris foliage growing in the garden.A close up horizontal image of Beta vulgaris foliage growing in the garden.

Let’s go back to chunky ‘Bull’s Blood.’ The leaves on the mature plant can grow up to 18 inches tall. At the same time, petite ‘Early Wonder’ has greens about the same size.

With the exception of larger sugar and mangelwurzel greens, which can grow up to two feet tall, expect most greens to be about 16 to 18 inches tall at maturity.

You can influence this a bit by fostering green growth at the expense of root growth through careful fertilizer applications and pruning.

Some gardeners grow B. vulgaris primarily for the nutritious greens rather than the roots. Varieties like ‘Bull’s Blood’ are particularly suited to this purpose.

Space Requirements for Planning

Now that you know how big beets can get, let’s talk about how much room they actually need to reach those sizes.

Most table beets need eight to 12 inches of loose, friable soil depth for proper development.

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested beetroots set on the ground in the garden.A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested beetroots set on the ground in the garden.

If you’re growing in raised beds, aim for at least 10 inches of depth to give them adequate room to expand underground.

Cylindrical varieties like ‘Cylindra’ appreciate the extra depth even more.

Your planting density is one of the easiest ways to control final size. If you want to harvest baby beets for pickling, plant them two inches apart.

For medium-sized roots perfect for roasting, stick with three to four inches. And if you’re going for those impressive, large roots, give them a full five to six inches of space in all directions.

The mature foliage spreads six to eight inches wide, so keep this canopy spread in mind when planning rows.

As a practical example, a standard four-by-four raised bed can comfortably hold 16 to 25 beet plants depending on whether you’re growing compact varieties or larger ones.

If you are growing beets in containers, choose pots at least 10 to 12 inches deep and eight to 10 inches in diameter for individual plants.

How to Influence Growth

To encourage root growth, give the plant what these vegetables need to be happy, like full sun, consistent water, and a bit of food. You can learn more about how to grow beets here.

As mentioned above, give them adequate spacing for the size you want.

Make sure the soil is super loose and rock-free. I grow my beets in raised beds to maximize the size, since I have heavy clay soil.

But if you haven’t been cursed by the soil fairies with heavy clay like I have, you can loosen up your soil adequately using lots of well-rotted compost.

A close up horizontal image of a gardener adding a granular fertilizer to the garden.A close up horizontal image of a gardener adding a granular fertilizer to the garden.

Actually, even if you do have heavy clay, you can loosen it up with well-rotted compost, but plan to do so every year to maintain the looseness, since once the fairies curse you, the curse never lifts.

If you really want to encourage growth and go for super big ones, you’ve got to discourage the plant from focusing on the tops.

To do this, prune back the tops a bit to thin them out. You want to remove about a third to a half of the tops by cutting them down at the base.

Then, feed with bone meal. This encourages root growth rather than leaf growth.

A close up of the packaging of Down to Earth Bone Meal isolated on a white background.A close up of the packaging of Down to Earth Bone Meal isolated on a white background.

Down to Earth Bone Meal

Snag some bone meal from Down to Earth in five-pound boxes at Arbico Organics.

Or, if you want to go the other direction and encourage leaf growth, feed with a nitrogen-heavy food.

Feather or blood meal is a good option, but I like bat guano because it also includes a bit of phosphorus and potassium.

A close up of the packaging of Down to Earth Bat Guano isolated on a white background.A close up of the packaging of Down to Earth Bat Guano isolated on a white background.

Down to Earth Bat Guano

Arbico Organics carries Down to Earth bat guano in four ounce, two pound or 10 pound compostable containers.

Either way, feed right around the time you first plant and then again a month later.

Grow Big, Beefy Beets and Greens

Whether you’re after heaps of greens or piles of roots, or maybe you’re just curious about what to expect when growing these plants, I hope we were able to shed some light on the subject.

A close up horizontal image of a giant beetroot growing in the garden pictured in light evening sunshine.A close up horizontal image of a giant beetroot growing in the garden pictured in light evening sunshine.

Let me know how big your beets are in the comments section below!

If you’re curious to learn more about growing B. vulgaris in your vegetable garden, have a read of these guides next:

WHOOP 5.0/MG SuperKnit – Signature Performance Knit Accessory for Health, Fitness, & Wellness Wearable – Not Compatible with Gen 4

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Price: $49.00
(as of Jan 09, 2026 17:40:34 UTC – Details)


SuperKnit is our signature knit band, engineered for versatile comfort and style. From the gym, to work, to your evening plans, this band is fit for any moment. Includes a Band, Hook, Clasp, and Fast Link slider that makes swapping bands easier than ever. Compatible with WHOOP One, WHOOP Peak, and WHOOP Life— membership not included. This is not compatible with WHOOP 4.0
OUR SIGNATURE KNIT BAND – SuperKnit is designed to keep up with your busy schedule—from your high-intensity workouts to your evening plans.
DESIGNED FOR ULTIMATE COMFORT – SuperKnit is made with an ultra-soft backing and microfilament yarn that moves with you. With a completely adjustable band, you can easily tighten or loosen SuperKnit to find your perfect fit.
SWITCH UP YOUR STYLE – With our widest color selection and premium stainless steel components, match your SuperKnit to your personal style—made easy with Fast Link technology.
BUILT TO LAST – SuperKnit is engineered with premium materials, so that you can stay secure, comfortable, and stylish for years to come.
OPTION FOR ECG COMPATIBILITY – With a WHOOP Life membership, choose a SuperKnit band to take on-demand ECG readings.* This band is not compatible with the WHOOP 4.0

Rejuvenating Herbal Face Steam

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I’ve been known for my unconventional skincare methods. They often involve herbs or essential oils and sometimes rubbing ice or even mud on my face. There are so many plants in nature that provide a wide variety of skin benefits. This herbal face steam is a great way to get some of those benefits!

I’ve done steams before, mainly for congestion or upper respiratory support. An herbal face steam makes for a wonderful all natural facial. It’s really simple to do and doesn’t require any fancy equipment.

You can even pick and choose which herbs you want to use. Just use one, or use a combination of whatever you have on hand that will work. 

The Best Herbs For a Face Steam

There are lots of different plants that work well in a face steam and you probably already have some in your pantry. Feel free to mix and match from this list or use something completely different. Just be sure it’s not something that will irritate your skin. 

Here are some of my favorite herbs to use in herbal face steams.

  • Rose petals – Rose has long been used for glowing, more youthful skin. The fragrant petals also have potent aromatherapy benefits that soothe heartache. A 2015 study noted rose helped improve skin elasticity, moisture, and reduced wrinkles. 
  • Lavender flowers – Soothing and calming to skin, lavender is a skincare favorite. It’s naturally anti-inflammatory and helps repair damaged skin. 
  • Mint leaves – Refreshing and invigorating, hot mint relaxes arteries and stimulates circulation for faster healing. It’s also a rich source of vitamins and minerals that thirsty skin craves!
  • Calendula flowers – Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, calendula has a wide and long history of use for healing wounds and damaged skin. 
  • Chamomile – The flowers and leaves have a floral, apple-like scent that’s calming and relaxing. It has the same effect on skin and is great for soothing irritation and damaged skin. 
  • Comfrey – This plant is another favorite of mine for skincare. Both the flowers and leaves are very efficient at healing damaged skin and even bone. It stimulates tissue repair and cell proliferation. 
  • Echinacea – People use the flowers or leaves topically for a variety of skin complaints, including damaged skin, eczema, varicose veins. Echinacea is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-viral so it’s also helpful for acne. 
  • Helichrysum –  This herb has cheery yellow flowers with potent skin benefits. It’s drying, warm, and astringent, so pair it with a demulcent herb like violet or marshmallow if you have really dry skin. A 2020 study looked at a nightcream that contained helichrysum and found it significantly improved wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and UV spots
  • Horsetail – A wonder herb that is full of micronutrients, including silica for more resilient skin. It’s also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial and is traditionally used for improving wrinkles, acne, and moisturizing the skin. 
  • Lemon – Not just for lemonade, lemon has so many uses for skin too. The juice is high in vitamin C and acids, while the peel has volatile essential oils that uplift the mood and brightens dull and damaged skin. A 2013 study found lemon juice was even more effective for acne than the conventional option tested. 

How to Do an Herbal Face Steam

I prefer to use herbs that are more gentle on the skin and don’t have strong volatile oils that can irritate my skin or eyes. Cinnamon and oregano come to mind! 

You might have seen some of the face steamer machines in stores or online. Companies usually use plastic to make facial steamers, so you’re getting steam heated in plastic directly on your pores. A pot on the stove isn’t as fancy, but sometimes simpler is better (and cheaper!). 

You also can’t add herbs into the face steamer tank or it can cause damage. Again, another win for doing it the old fashioned way. 

Step by Step Face Steam Directions

  1. Simply place the herbs you’re using in a pot of very hot, filtered or distilled water. Be sure it’s not boiling hard or you could burn yourself.
  2. Turn the stove off and/or move the pot to a countertop. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the steam. 
  3. You want to be close enough for the steam to wash over your face, but not so close you get a steam burn. 

If you’re looking for a more specific recipe, here’s one to start with.

Rejuvenating Herbal Face Steam

A relaxing way to open pores, moisturize skin, and improve blemishes and signs of aging.

Prep Time3 minutes

Steam Time10 minutes

Total Time13 minutes

Yield: 1 face steam

Author: Katie Wells

  • Place the water, lemon, and herbs in a clean pot and gently bring it to a boil with the lid on. This helps preserve more of the volatile oils.

  • Turn the heat off and lean over the pot with your eyes closed. Be sure not to get too close or you’ll get a steam burn! I’ve found that as the water cools I’ll edge closer. You can also drape a towel over your head to trap more of the steam in.

  • Once the pot is done steaming, compost your herbal face steam.

The herbs I used here can be mixed and matched with any skincare friendly herbs. Just aim for about 1/3 cup of herbs total.

You can save some time and mix the herbs up in bulk for later. Just add 1/4 cup of each (or however much you want) and store in a large glass jar. Scoop out 1/3 cup when you’re ready to use. Then you’ll just need to add the freshly sliced lemon and water to make your face steam!

What are some of your favorite herbs to use for skincare? Have you done a steam before? Leave a comment and let us know!

GPOD on the Road: The Garden Fling, Part 2

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Happy Friday GPODers!

After the holiday hustle, many of us are looking forward to some downtime and cozy nights at home. However, the winter months are also the perfect time to plan travels for later in the season, and Sue Webel (@musabasjoosue) in Canton, Connecticut has given us the perfect dose of inspiration. She is sharing highlights from last year’s Garden Fling, an annual event that brings together gardeners who actively share on social media. Circle back to Part 1, if you missed it yesterday, or keep scrolling to see more of Sue’s sensational highlights.

Pictures are from The Garden Fling which was held this year in Memphis in June. I believe the hardiness zone is 8a. The Garden Fling is an annual garden communicators event open to anyone who has a public social media account devoted to gardening. For more information you can visit the website or any of the associated social media accounts. The majority of these photos were taken in private gardens. The 2026 Fling will be held in July in Buffalo, NY.

I believe this sculpture is by Dale Rogers, an artist in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

variegated foliage plants under small treeIt should come as no surprise that the gardens on this Garden Fling tour were full of fabulous, tropical foliage plants. Here, a ‘White Aspen’ dracaena (Dracaena ‘White Aspen’, Zones 10–12) in a large concrete pot plays off nicely with ‘Florida Moonlight’ caladium (Caladium ‘Florida Moonlight’, Zones 8–11) planted below.

border of dwarf banana plantsSeveral hardy bananas (Musa basjoo, Zones 5–10) make this border vibrant and verdant.

garden pond with large waterfallA unique waterfall and pond was the focal point of this garden.

colorful foliage plantsI have never seen mukdenia (Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’, Zones 4–8) grown this well!

infinity edge lap poolThis infinity edge lap pool was elevated over the back garden at the far end.

screening wall made of colorful wine bottlesWhat a creative way to recycle empty wine bottles.

art deco wall sculptureThis unique art deco home and garden is listed as a historically important property in Memphis.

pool patio with container plantingsMany sculptures were located throughout the garden and beautiful pool area.

Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous photos with us, Sue! Winter is a great time to gather inspiration for the garden season to come, but it’s also the perfect time to gather inspiration for garden travels. Your submission has been the perfect encouragement to buy those tickets, book that flight, or schedule that tour.

Did you visit any gardens last year? Near or far, we would love to see the public and private gardens you had the opportunity to tour in 2025. Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!

 

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.

You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here

Chicken Tortilla Soup

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Overhead view of a bowl filled with Chicken Tortilla Soup topped with sliced jalapenos and garnished with limes.This chicken tortilla soup is packed with flavor and simple, whole-food ingredients. It’s easy to make on the stovetop and perfect for cozy weeknight dinners. Don’t skip the crispy tortilla strips on top, which make this soup unlike any other.

Polar Loop – Smart Screen-Free Wearable Health & Fitness Band with 24/7 Heart Rate, Sleep & Activity Tracking, Automatic Training Detection, No Subscription, 8-Day Battery.

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Price: $199.99
(as of Jan 09, 2026 05:38:39 UTC – Details)


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