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My husband and I were recently gifted a high-speed blender (a Vitamix, to be exact), when we got married last year. At first, I was intimidated by this shiny new toy with a super-high-powered motor in our kitchen. It’s not exactly an inexpensive appliance, so I felt a little nervous to dive right in and start using it.

Luckily, after staring at it on our counter for a few days, I got up the nerve to use it — and I am so happy I did. While I was definitely skeptical of just how useful the blender would be given its cost, I’ve found it to be such a smart tool. Yes, it can do things standard blenders can do, like make smoothies, but that’s really just the beginning.

Here are five unique things a high-speed blender can do.

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Long before Costco and Sam’s, Dollar General was founded as a discount wholesaler by a father-son team. This wide-reaching brand (they have more than 14,500 stores in 44 states) offers a wide variety of goods, from food to home items and apparel, all at super-low prices. But if you think you’ll just be digging through bargain bins, don’t be fooled! This well-organized retailer has a few offerings that just might surprise you.

Here are nine things to know about Dollar General before you go.

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Anyone who can make dinner can make killer cocktails — drinks as good as the ones served in fancy bars. You might not have a hand-carved Japanese stirring glass or gleaming crystal-clear ice spears, but you have plenty of tricks up your sleeve (and in your pantry).

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I’ve finally entered that chapter in my life where I’m surrounded by new mom friends, and many of them are in vacation-planning mode. I’ve got a lot of questions: Where’s the best place to travel with a baby? Are some hotels more crib-friendly than others? Is it difficult to pump and store breast milk on the road?

There are lots of options for those looking to keep their breast milk “on ice.” Some companies have created baby products whose only purpose is to keep breast milk cold; other moms get creative with conventional items not intended for breast milk, but which still get the job done. So, is there a breast milk cooler that wins out above the rest?

I surveyed some of my closest friends who are moms, and asked around in various parenting Facebook groups, about the many ways to store breast milk on the go. Here’s what everyone have to say.

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Warehouse stores offer great value on many products, like produce, household goods, and seasonal supplies. And while most of the items in the store can sit on your shelves pretty much indefinitely, the fresh produce is a little more fickle. Most produce goes bad within a few days, or at best, up to a few weeks, depending on what it is and how it’s stored. So sadly, fruits and veggies bought in bulk can go bad before you have a chance to use them.

Here are some tips for buying produce in bulk from warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s.

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Have you ever met a drink that also provides its own perfect snack accompaniment? This rare treasure, an umami-rich pitcher drink from Bay Area bartender Matthew McKinley Campbell, balances juicy pineapple with grassy green cilantro.

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When you don’t have central (or any kind of) air conditioning in your kitchen, you quickly realize a few things. I knew living in a (very!) old house would mean not wanting to turn on the oven from roughly June through September, but the last few summers had a few other surprises in store for me, as well.

Here are the three biggest problems only people without air conditioning in their kitchen will understand.

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Backyard parties are the best parties. Who cares if the house is a mess when the festivities are outside? Be a guest at the party you’re throwing this summer and skip the burger flip in favor of a bacon cheeseburger dip.

This hearty dip checks all the boxes that make bacon cheeseburgers a BBQ classic — big beefy flavor, gooey cheese, and smoky bacon. Your friends won’t miss the standard-issue burgers and buns after scooping second helpings of this hearty dip.

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Kitchn’s Delicious Links column highlights recipes we’re excited about from the bloggers we love. Follow along every weekday as we post our favorites.

Why eat a burrito bowl when you can have a boatload instead? Don’t get me wrong. I love eating everything out of a bowl these days, but something about stuffed zucchini feels healthier. These zucchini burrito boats from Making Thyme for Health are all the best parts of a burrito stuffed inside a hollowed summer squash. Zucchini is the perfect vessel since its mild and neutral flavor really lets the spicy filling shine. Plus it’s a great way to squeeze in an extra dose of veggies for the day.

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My poor dad has terrible knee pain. For more than four decades, he has worked a highly physical job, which has caused a number of “wear and tear” symptoms. In my dad’s case, his pain is caused by overuse. However, you may also experience pain in the general knee area due to a sudden injury, […]