well aware
Is Your Tap Water Safe?
Just when we thought microplastics were the biggest threat to our drinking water, we learned last week that hackers had targeted treatment systems in at least 12 states. The breaches exposed a long-standing vulnerability: Many smaller utilities rely on aging infrastructure, limited security resources, and outdated equipment that’s easier to exploit.
So far, officials say there’s no evidence the attacks contaminated drinking water. Out of an abundance of caution, some affected utilities switched to manual operations, and a few communities issued precautionary boil-water notices after pressure drops. Meanwhile, federal investigators are still looking into possible links to Iran.
For now, you don’t need to change your tap habits — but it’s still worth knowing what to do if an alert ever hits your phone.
For Your Sanity:
Skip the stockpile. It’s a good idea to keep some emergency water on hand, but no need for a bottled-water bunker. The CDC recommends at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days. (Here’s how to store it.)
Follow the exact directions. “Boil water” and “do not drink” mean different things, so check your local advisory. And don’t assume your pitcher or fridge filter is enough on its own.
Avoid overcorrections. Trouble at a utility in another state doesn’t make your tap unsafe. No local advisory? Carry on and let your emotional support water bottle take it from here.
Well Fed
Summer in a Jar
Sweet, savory, loaded with antioxidants, and winner of the “healthiest fruit” award from the CDC, the tomato contains multitudes.
And right now, probably so does your counter. August is when vegetable patches and farmers markets can produce more heirlooms, cherries, and garden varieties than anyone can reasonably eat before they turn. Rather than let that bounty go to waste, save some for the months when a good tomato is much harder to come by:
Put them on ice. Pop whole fruits into a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and store. They’ll lose their firm texture as they thaw, so skip the salad — but toss them straight into soups, stews, and sauces where all that summer flavor still counts.
Slow-roast some. A low temp concentrates tomatoes’ sweetness and gives you a ready-made starter for pasta, toast, eggs, and grain bowls come winter. Here’s how to handle any leftovers.
Make freezer salsa. When the tomato pile starts looking less charming and more threatening, make salsa in bulk. Eat some now, save the rest, and congratulate yourself when you pull out a container come fall. (FYI, it’ll last three to four months.)
PS: Ready to go full tomato prepper? There are plenty more ways to preserve the season.
Well Reviewed
Weigh Your Options
Some people can eyeball ingredient measurements with uncanny accuracy. The rest of us? A food scale takes the guesswork out of cooking so that it’s easier to follow recipes as they're actually written. Bonus: They're inexpensive, small enough to stash in a drawer or cabinet, and make you feel (just a little) like Ina in the kitchen.
Greater Goods
Greater Goods Nutrition Calculator Food Scale is the best option for counting macros.
Greater Goods
Greater Goods Digital Food Scale is the best option for high capacities.
OXO
OXO Stainless Steel Kitchen Scale is the best option for baking.
Smeg
Smeg Contemporary Digital Kitchen Scale is the best option with a bowl.
Here’s the full list of the best food scales, according to registered dieticians.
No Notes
well aware
Is Your Tap Water Safe?
Just when we thought microplastics were the biggest threat to our drinking water, we learned last week that hackers had targeted treatment systems in at least 12 states. The breaches exposed a long-standing vulnerability: Many smaller utilities rely on aging infrastructure, limited security resources, and outdated equipment that’s easier to exploit.
So far, officials say there’s no evidence the attacks contaminated drinking water. Out of an abundance of caution, some affected utilities switched to manual operations, and a few communities issued precautionary boil-water notices after pressure drops. Meanwhile, federal investigators are still looking into possible links to Iran.
For now, you don’t need to change your tap habits — but it’s still worth knowing what to do if an alert ever hits your phone.
For Your Sanity:
Skip the stockpile. It’s a good idea to keep some emergency water on hand, but no need for a bottled-water bunker. The CDC recommends at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days. (Here’s how to store it.)
Follow the exact directions. “Boil water” and “do not drink” mean different things, so check your local advisory. And don’t assume your pitcher or fridge filter is enough on its own.
Avoid overcorrections. Trouble at a utility in another state doesn’t make your tap unsafe. No local advisory? Carry on and let your emotional support water bottle take it from here.
Live Smarter
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