Blog Posts by Redbook

Jorge Cruise, author of the number-one New York Times bestseller, The 100, claims that by limiting yourself to 100 sugar calories a day and eating whatever else you want - from bacon to hunks of cheese - you can shed pounds in a hurry. Skeptical, we asked the diet's mastermind for the 411.
By Ava Feuer, REDBOOK.

How does the plan work?
The old way to look at a nutrition label is to see 0 grams of sugar. The new dietary science has shown that not all calories are the same. That means nutritional labels are written in a way that doesn't really matter. It's not about grams of sugar because carbohydrates are sugar - you need to consider the total amount of carbs. If you look at the average piece of whole-wheat bread, it will have at least 20 grams of carbs. You take number and quadruple it to find out the sugar calories. One slice of bread has 80 sugar calories, putting you almost at your daily limit. If you want to lose weight, whole-wheat bread, couscous, and quinoa are evil.

Want to break your bad money habits and start saving? Sandy M. Fernández learned how three women set themselves a goal and the surprising ways they changed their financial outlook from iffy to awesome. By Sandy M. Fernández, REDBOOK.

Americans have always loved a life challenge, whether it's surviving in a cabin in the woods for two years (hey, we're still reading Henry David Thoreau's Walden) or dropping a hundred pounds in a few months (The Biggest Loser). Nowadays, hard-core experiments in self-improvement are more popular than ever. I admit that I find some to be a bit much-like the guy who swore his family off the power grid for two years while living on the ninth floor of a Manhattan apartment building-but money- saving challenges have an obvious payoff, and they're fascinating. It's no wonder that people around the country are finding extreme, spend-freeze methods to eliminate their debt and grow their financial willpower. These three savvy women overhauled their money habits

The sunshiney season brings with it weird rashes, bumps, and bites-and a lot fewer clothes to cover them up. Wishing you had a dermatologist on call? Luckily, we have a phone full of top docs, so we got their clever remedies and tips for all your summer skin care woes (and saved you the copay). By Nicole Catanese, REDBOOK.

1. Soothe a sunburn, stat
To reduce pain and swelling, pop two aspirin or ibuprofen as soon as possible, says Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Next, do a milk compress: Soak a washcloth in a bowl of ice-cold whole milk (skim won't cut it), and drape it over the burn until the cloth is room temperature. Ahh, that's better.

2. Ward off skeeters
If you're planning a trip to a mosquito-y place-or you always seem to attract the little buggers-start taking a daily vitamin B12 supplement, suggests Vivian W. Bucay, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in San Antonio.

Even the experts can't come to a consensus on the best diet tips to follow. (Eat like a caveman! Fast two days a week! No fruit! Only fruit!) But these are the picks every dietitian stashes in her kitchen for energy, health, and a great-looking bod. By Meghan Rabbitt, REDBOOK.

Avocados
"Every dietitian I know agrees that avocados are a must-eat food. They are a great source of healthy fats, which help fill you up so you'll be less likely to want a snack later on. Plus, they taste really decadent. I love putting avocado slices on my salad; research shows that it helps your body absorb nutrients. And they are the perfect food if you're on the go. When I fly, I stash an avocado in my carry-on. I cut it in half, sprinkle on a little salt and pepper, grab a few crackers, and I've got a perfect plane snack." -Carolyn Brown, a registered dietitian at Foodtrainers in New York City

Almond milk
"No matter what we think about dairy, most of us agree that it's too easy to overdo. Yogurt,

Not only will these unique dishes spice up your usual morning routine, they'll leave you feeling refreshed, nourished, and energized for the day ahead. By Julia Marino, REDBOOK.

Amaranth Breakfast Bowl with Seeds and Warm Maple Apples
An ancient grain, amaranth is similar to quinoa nutrient-wise, but is much smaller and less crunchy, giving it a lighter texture and an airy quality. This recipe pairs the trendy seed with warm apples - lovely on those cooler summer mornings.

Light Berry Kefir Muffin
We'd devour these oozing muffins without asking what was in them, so imagine our delight at finding out they're made with probiotic-rich kefir. The low-dairy, yogurt-like liquid keeps these blueberry treats super-moist for days - meaning they'll be your breakfast all week.

Related: 31 Days of Artisan Ice Cream

Chia Seed Breakfast Bow
Dubbed the "it" food of 2013 by food experts, chia seeds are both easy to prepare and incredibly nutritious. They're rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty

If you're looking for a quick-fix, this isn't it. But the method of preserving, storing, and preparing eats that our long-ago ancestors discovered may be just what we need to combat our eating evils. By Ava Feuer, REDBOOK.

If you've tried everything diet-wise, and haven't been able to reach your healthy weight, there's another avenue that some nutritionists are touting: the importance of a healthy gut. Though the studies linking a diverse gut bacterium with a stable weight are only now being done, the research is exciting. And thanks to our standard American diet, virtually none of us have a good gut, which could be the reason why we're all feeling kind of blah these days.

"Today, with the SAD, people consume food that is high in chemicals, artificial ingredients, sugar, and preservatives," says Deirdre Rawlings, Ph.D., author of Fermented Foods for Health. "These foods don't sustain the balance of healthy bacteria." Fermented foods, which do just that, were dietary staples in

Searching for outing ideas that are more exciting than visiting the same old rooftop bar that everyone else goes to? Look no further! By Jane Bianchi, REDBOOK.

Bike in the big city
Head to NYC to try out the city's newly launched bike-sharing program, CitiBike. Sign up for a one-day pass ($9.95 plus tax) or a seven-day pass ($25 plus tax) that allows you to unlock a bike from any of the 600 locations, ride it for 30 minutes, and then return it to any station. "Rousing physical activity may boost adrenaline, a hormone that is associated with attraction," says Bela Gandhi, president of Smart Dating Academy, a consulting firm that provides dating advice.

Take a thrill ride
Feeling a little scared can make your heart pound, and amp up the romance when you instinctually squeeze your partner's hand, or fling yourself into his arms, says Elana Averbach, a Cleveland-based dating coach at KickStartLove. That's more than enough to prompt a trip to Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio.

"Lipstick makes such a difference - never leave the house without it," says makeup genius Mally Roncal. Start with a soft rose, peach, or berry shade, then follow her tips to apply so it lasts for hours. By Mally Roncal, REDBOOK.

1. I like a lipstick with a satin finish-too shiny or matte seems fake. Swipe it on straight from the tube, and put it on before applying lip liner. You'll end up with a more believable result; when people use the pencil first, they tend to overdo it.

Related: 100 Swim Essentials Under $100

Tip: A peachy shade is ideal for yellowish or olive skin, berry looks great on dark skin, and a rosy pink works on everyone. For the most natural effect, pick a shade that matches the inside of your bottom lip.

Related: The 30 Best Hairstyles for Round Faces

2. Liner is key: It keeps your lipstick from feathering or bleeding. If you pick one that's close to your lipstick, it won't look harsh, I promise! Trace the pencil along the edge of your lips, then use it to fill them