Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Arricca Prevent your dog or cat (and the rest of your family) from getting sickElin SanSone

No pet owner wants to see her furry family member scratching constantly, but fending off fleas and ticks isn't just about keeping the itchies at bay. "Every year, serious illnesses and deaths occur from diseases these parasites transmit," says Susan E. Little, DVM, researcher and professor of veterinary parasitology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. Plus, "when we protect our pets, we protect people too." Here's what to know to keep these bugs out of your and your pet's lives. Photo by Getty Images

Pet parasites threaten your family's health too.
Fleas are opportunists; while they prefer to feed on animals, they'll bite people if given the chance. The result: itchy, red welts, just like your pet gets. Fleas also transmit illnesses such as bartonellosis, also known as cat scratch disease, and tapeworm. And while everyone's heard of Lyme disease, other serious diseases ticks transmit include anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Learn how to deal with even the most difficult woman for your family's sake.By Rachel Rabkin Peachman

It's no secret that daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law have complicated relationships. "Both women can feel threatened," says Deanna Brann, PhD, psychotherapist and author of Reluctantly Related: Secrets to Getting Along with Your Mother-in-Law or Daughter-in-Law. Daughters-in-law want to establish their place in the family, while mothers-in-law want to ensure they're not excluded. Even when the women love each other, their roles can be hard to figure out. To avoid causing family stress, we asked real mothers-in-law (and some daughters-in-law too) about comments that have rubbed them the wrong way-and asked experts how you can address issues peacefully. Photo by Getty Images

1. "You're welcome to come over any time. We're always here for you."
An open-door policy is bound to backfire. For instance, Judy's* daughter-in-law told her she'd be there for her if she needed anything. "But when my husband developed Alzheimer's she went AWOL," leaving Judy hurt

Kickstart your motivation to get healthy for life.By Woman's Day Staff

When it comes to weight loss, Dr. Oz has seen it all. Since launching The Dr. Oz Show in 2009, he's met and featured hundreds of people who have lost more than 100 pounds just by changing their habits. The secret he's learned from those who have succeeded long-term is to set yourself up to stay motivated. "Once people start to lose weight, they feel good and they're excited to keep going. But that fades. To combat this, build in some easy lifestyle changes that will keep you focused on your health. Eventually, those changes become permanent," he says. In other words, automate your lifestyle. Here, Dr. Oz helps you tackle the most common weight loss hurdles that squelch motivation so you can drop-and keep off-5, 10, 25 pounds or more! Photo by Brian Doben; hair by Anne Sampogna; makeup by Linda Melo; prop styling by Joe Maer; T-shirt by Hanes Cool Dri Tagless Available at Hanes.com

No ideas for breakfast?

DR. OZ SAYS: Eat the same foods every A.M.

A recent

Find out why the hitmaker's next number-one just may be a cookbookBy Anna Dysinger

Pat Benatar knows how to rock. Her feisty tunes have earned her four Grammys and three American Music Awards, and she was the first female artist to be featured on MTV. But the 60-year-old mom of two (Haley, 28, and Hana, 19) isn't stopping yet. She and her husband, Neil Giraldo, are just finishing a small spring concert series before beginning their main tour across the US and Canada on June 7, 2013, all while recording Neil's Christmas album. While the singer's no stranger to the stage, she's just as likely to be in her kitchen. Between shows, Pat chatted with WomansDay.com about her family recipes, her garden in Maui, HI, and her cookbook that's coming out this winter. Photo by Beth Herzaft.

Related: Check out the most wanted celebrity hairstyles this season.

Where did your love of cooking come from?

It came from my husband's love of eating! I didn't cook all that much when I first met him, but he loves food-he's half Sicilian. I decided that I better start

Keep your stems looking silky smooth with these savvy skin solutionsBy Woman's Day Staff

Break out the skirts and shorts! These simple, no-surgery strategies will minimize cellulite, veins and more. Photo by Corbis

If you have…

VARICOSE VEINS
Raised blue, red or flesh-colored lines

The cause A valve in the vein weakens and blood pools. You can thank aging and genetics.

The fix Put your feet up-whether you're sitting on the couch or at your desk. It will lessen the pressure on these veins and alleviate the often painful throbbing sensation that accompanies it. Also try eating a low-salt diet to lessen swelling, and avoid wearing high heels, which can prevent your calf muscles from pumping blood properly.

Related: Discover 6 all-natural beauty fixes.

CELLULITE
Lumpy textured skin on buttocks, hips or thighs

The cause Clumps of superficial fat push out against skin, regardless of your shape or size.

The fix Though there's no cure-all, creams formulated to tone skin or that contain the metabolism-boosting ingredient carnitine can

Enjoy a getaway without packing on poundsBy Karen Asp

Hello, vacation! You're ready to kick back and relax, maybe sip a few margaritas by the pool. Heaven, right? Until you step on a scale and realize you've toted home more than just kitschy souvenirs. About two-thirds of frequent travelers say that exercising and eating healthy while on the road is stressful, according to a TripIt survey. So what's a weight-conscious jetsetter to do? Follow these 10 simple strategies when you're planning your next getaway. Photo by Thinkstock

1. Book accommodations with a kitchen.
Rent a condo or hotel room with a kitchen, mini-kitchen or at least a mini-fridge (which may cost a small fee), so you can stock healthy foods. "Then, you can eat some of your meals in, which can be healthier since restaurant meals tend to be larger and higher in calories," says Molly Morgan, a sports specialist dietitian in Vestal, NY, and author of The Skinny Rules. Since dining out's part of the fun, Morgan suggests eating breakfasts and lunches in your room

By Brianna Steinhilber

Surprise! It's Edible

A star, a blowfish and a long-fingered hand aren't exactly regulars on your menu, but their virtual replicas and seven other wacky-looking items are all good-for-you fruits. Instead of passing these by in the grocery store, click through to find out the unexpected health benefits hiding in the freakiest fruits out there. Plus, pick up some yummy serving suggestions.

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Add flair to a bureau or side table with these easy DIY medallion knobsBy Woman's Day Staff

Materials
• Wooden knobs
• Paintbrush
• Primer
• White paint
• Printer and copier
• 8½" x 11" paper
• Omni Gel Transfer Medium ($11; Joann.com)
• Mod Podge Gloss
Photo by Alison Gootee/Studio D;
craft & prop styling by Shana Faust

Related: Discover 15 clever uses for common household items.

TIME 30 MIN, PLUS DRYING TIME
COST $17 FOR 4 KNOBS

1 Paint your knobs with 2 coats of primer; let dry after each coat.

2 Paint with a coat of white paint; let dry overnight.

3 Download the design and print it out. Make a color photocopy of the printout (inkjet printers will not work), enlarging or reducing the design to fit your knobs.

4 Following the manufacturer's directions, brush several coats of the transfer medium onto the front of your photocopy; let dry between each coat.

5 Cut out each design to fit your knob. Soak the cutouts in a bowl of water for 10 to 20 minutes.

6 While the paper is still wet, use your fingers to rub the paper backing in a circular