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Snowball Cookies

Buttery, nutty, and blanketed with powdered sugar, these nostalgic snowball cookies make a festive addition to any cookie tray. Here’s a clear, calm, truly step‑by‑step guide so you can just follow along and bake. Recipe overview Snowball Cookies  Yield: About 36 cookies Oven temperature: 350°F Pan: Unlined baking sheet (you can use parchment if you like, but not necessary) Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks) ½ cup confectioners’ (powdered) sugar, plus more for coating 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2¼ cups all‑purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts) Instructions: 1. Get ready Soften the butter Take the butter out of the fridge about 1 hour before baking. It should be soft enough to press a finger in easily, but not melted or greasy. Preheat the oven Set oven to 350°F . Make sure the rack is in the center position. Prepare your pans Use unlined baking sheets (or line with parchment if you prefer). No need to...

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How to Train Your Brain Like a Pro: Five Science-Backed Tips from Neuroscientists

Your brain is the most complex and powerful organ in your body, and it needs proper care and maintenance to function optimally. Neuroscientists, who study the brain and nervous system, have some tips on how to keep your brain healthy and sharp as you age. Here are five simple habits you can adopt to boost your brain power, according to neuroscientists.

  • Brain health industry boom: The global industry of products and services that claim to support brain health is valued at US $140-billion and expected to grow rapidly, partly due to the projected rise of cognitive disorders in the aging population.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices: Experts say that exercising regularly, abstaining from cigarettes and alcohol, and spending quality time with loved ones can reduce the risk of brain disease by as much as 30 per cent.
  • Hidden threat of social media: Experts warn that social media addictions can erode attention span and hinder deep thought, and suggest replacing scrolling with more cognitively stimulating activities, such as digital games, creative pursuits, reading fiction, or meditation.
  • Best daily practices for brain training: Experts recommend five daily practices that can improve memory, attention, creativity, and social cognition: physical activity, digital games, a creative pursuit, quality time with loved ones, and meditation or self-reflection.

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