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Lifestyle

"Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" takes the Japanese organizational guru's methods to Netflix. <br>Netflix

Marie Kondo’s reality show forgoes big reveals, focuses on utility

The war on clutter continues. In previous reality-TV skirmishes with America’s junk-filled closets and overstuffed garages, shows about clear-cut cleaning tried to sass and snark people into a state of tidiness. Now it’s Marie Kondo to the rescue in Netflix’s happily engaging new reality series, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” streaming on Netflix.

Joe Jamison of Howard County, Md., currently in active duty with the Air Force, and Jen Vaughn of Laurel, Md., participate Nov. 30 with certified Warriors At Ease at the Yoga Center of Columbia, Md.<br>Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun/TNS Joe Jamison of Howard County, Md., currently in active duty with the Air Force, and Jen Vaughn of Laurel, Md., participate Nov. 30 with certified Warriors At Ease at the Yoga Center of Columbia, Md.<br>Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun/TNS
Maryland yoga instructors tailor their teachings for military and veterans
Low-income shoppers search bins for toys at a Goodwill thrift store in Denver, Colo. <br>Getty Images/TNS Low-income shoppers search bins for toys at a Goodwill thrift store in Denver, Colo. <br>Getty Images/TNS
Nonprofit thrift stores growing rapidly as shoppers prioritize bargains and reuse
All kombucha has a little bit of alcohol in it. But lately, brewers are upping the ante, making kombucha with more than 5 percent alcohol in it -- more than the average beer.<br>Goran Kasanovic/For The Washington Post
All kombucha has a little bit of alcohol in it. But lately, brewers are upping the ante, making kombucha with more than 5 percent alcohol in it -- more than the average beer.<br>Goran Kasanovic/For The Washington Post

Is boozy kombucha good for you?

Kombucha — as purveyors of the health elixir claim — has a multitude of health benefits: It can aid your digestion, colonize your gut with healthy bacteria and boost your immunity. And lately, it can get you drunk.

Yoga Factory Annapolis co-owner Phil Vendemmia advocates mindfulness, even if just for one minute a day. <br>Jen Rynda, Baltimore Sun Media Group/TNS
Yoga Factory Annapolis co-owner Phil Vendemmia advocates mindfulness, even if just for one minute a day. <br>Jen Rynda, Baltimore Sun Media Group/TNS

Practitioners say mindfulness can help relieve stress

The holidays can be stressful, filled with worries about the future and regrets about the past. But practicing mindfulness — defined simply as being present in the moment rather than thinking of the past or future — can help take your stress level down a notch.

Expedition Everest looks beautiful, the sun shining down like a beacon, as Shane Lindsay, left, and Kristina Hawkins, right, walk past. Unfortunately, the Animal Kingdom ride was their nemesis. Cold temperatures meant the ride opening was delayed. <br>Gabrielle Russon, Orlando Sentinel/TNS
Expedition Everest looks beautiful, the sun shining down like a beacon, as Shane Lindsay, left, and Kristina Hawkins, right, walk past. Unfortunately, the Animal Kingdom ride was their nemesis. Cold temperatures meant the ride opening was delayed. <br>Gabrielle Russon, Orlando Sentinel/TNS

Disney World fanatics try to tackle all 46 rides in a single, hectic day

Shane Lindsay and Kristina Hawkins know their quest might be impossible or just crazy: Go on every ride at Walt Disney World’s four theme parks in just one day. “There are lots of people who are Disney fans,” said friend Ted Tamburo, who along with Lindsay runs a website chronicling what’s known as the Parkeology Challenge. “There’s not many who can say they’ve done this.”

The WowWee pinkfong Baby Shark family of singing plush toys. The viral song and its kiddie music videos have entranced toddlers and parents alike, though some grown-ups are now suffering from shark fatigue. <br>WowWee/AP
The WowWee pinkfong Baby Shark family of singing plush toys. The viral song and its kiddie music videos have entranced toddlers and parents alike, though some grown-ups are now suffering from shark fatigue. <br>WowWee/AP

Viral sensation 'Baby Shark' a bloodthirsty earworm, moneymaker and helpful tool for parents of kids with special needs

In the wise words of James Corden, there comes along a song every so often that defines a generation. Doo doo doo doo doo doo.

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games

Thematically speaking, “Katamari Damacy Reroll” veers back and forth between destruction and restoration.<br>Bandai Namco
Thematically speaking, “Katamari Damacy Reroll” veers back and forth between destruction and restoration.<br>Bandai Namco

'Katamari Damacy Reroll' will charm its players with strangeness

Ever since the study of consumer culture began, attention has been paid to the anxiety people feel toward their possessions. The downside to living in a society that values accumulation is that many of us feel uneasy about the amount of stuff that surrounds us. (Clutter, some psychologists tell us, can create a stressful environment.) Of the innumerable artistic responses to this phenomenon, Keita Takahashi’s classic game “Katamari Damacy’ is one of the more sanguine.

europe after hours

The schnitzel with mushrooms at Cafe Del Sol, a chain restaurant with dozens of locations throughout Germany.<br>Aaron Knowles/Stars and Stripes
The schnitzel with mushrooms at Cafe Del Sol, a chain restaurant with dozens of locations throughout Germany.<br>Aaron Knowles/Stars and Stripes

Cafe Del Sol in Germany hits with concept but misses on execution

Cafe Del Sol is advertised as a place to come in jeans or a suit, night or day, alone or in a group and experience the joys of life.

pacific after hours

Sapporo Beer Garden serves the “Genghis Khan," a traditional Hokkaido barbecue of fresh lamb and vegetables cooked on your table in a metal skillet.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Sapporo Beer Garden serves the “Genghis Khan," a traditional Hokkaido barbecue of fresh lamb and vegetables cooked on your table in a metal skillet.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Japan’s oldest beer company offers specialty brews and food at Hokkaido's Sapporo Beer Garden

In order to sample Sapporo Beer's best brews, however, you’ll have to travel to Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, where Sapporo began producing its famous eponymous beer in 1876.

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the meat and potatoes of life

<br>Courtesy of Lisa Smith Molinari
<br>Courtesy of Lisa Smith Molinari

Honk if you’ll miss your old minivan

“She served us well for 13 years,” I thought wistfully, as my husband and I drove our 2005 Sienna minivan to the local CarMax to trade her in last week. Although her trusty engine still spun like a top, our family vehicle had too many problems to ignore. Passing another state vehicle inspection would have required a couple thousand dollars or a crooked mechanic, so we had decided to upgrade. But I’d been with her so long, I had mixed emotions.