Blog Posts by Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

We know fiber helps us feel fuller longer (and zip up our jeans!). But we didn't know it could help us live a longer life.

Related: 20 superfoods for weight loss

In a study released Monday by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that people who ate more fiber (particularly from grains) over a nine-year period had a lower risk of dying compared to those who consumed less. Previous studies have indicated that fiber may lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

So how much do you need? According to the report, the average woman between the ages of 19 and 50 should get about 25 grams of fiber each day (about 14 grams per 1,000 calories consumed).


Related: 10 symptoms you shouldn't ignore

"Grains are great health-wise because they taste fabulous, introduce hearty and satisfying textures, are extremely versatile (can be made into sweet or savory dishes) and deliver filling fiber," say Willow Jarosh and Stephanie Clarke,

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

Mom may have been setting you up for success when she told you to "Stand up straight!" as a kid.

Related: SELF's Guide to Superfoods

According to new research from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, people who have better posture are more likely to think and act in a powerful way, and take an in-charge role -- whether they are a high-powered manager or a newbie intern.

Despite mom's reminders (and the occasional poking of a pencil eraser between our shoulder blades!) we know our posture could be much better. So we called Pilates intructor Marcia Polas, of polaspilates in Denver, Col., to find out how we can correct our stance.

If you have kyphosis (a hunched posture, commonly called "slouching")
Try: Prone arm raises

Related: Stars' Favorite Heart-Healthy Recipes

Lie on your belly with legs straight and inner thighs turned out. Place a ball or rolled up towel between your heels. Rest your forehead on a folded towel, and place a

By Ashley Mateo, SELF magazine

Want to look like a star? Have what they're having! Every Tuesday, we'll tell you what healthy breakfast helps our favorite stars kick off their day. This week, we talked to Greek's Amber Stevens!


On ABC Family's beloved show, Stevens plays a recent college grad trying to find a job in a crappy economy; offscreen, she's more than just an actress. The star has her own food blog, Amber Eats LA, where she shares her meals to inspire readers to indulge. Her favorite breakfast dish, scrambled eggs with herbs, toast and jam, comes from Bottega Louie in downtown Los Angeles.


"It's one of my favorite breakfasts because its simple, filling and delicious," says Stevens. "A little protein and a little carbs are the perfect way for me to start my day. Plus, any way to get jam in my meal is A-okay! I sure love me some jelly, jam or preserves!"

Are you a jam fan? Try this homemade recipe, courtesy for former SELF cover girl Zooey Deschanel:

INGREDIENTS

• 3 pints

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

Logging onto Facebook today, it's very clear that some of our coupled-up "friends" are enjoying the Valentine's Day love.

But all of the lovey-dovey status updates and profile pics have us wondering: How much is TMI when it comes to professing your love via Facebook or other social networking tools -- on V-Day or any day?

We asked an etiquette expert for a few rules to help couples express themselves without crossing the line.

1. Keep personal "wall" messages to 10 words or less. Any longer and you can assume it's more appropriate to send your significant other a private email. "Writing a quick 'Happy Valentine's Day, I love you' note is fine, but going into more detail is TMI and will turn people off," says Dianne Gottsman, etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas.

2. Closed-mouth pecks only. The only people who want to see a photo of you and your sweetie sharing a long, intense kiss complete with seductive hand placement? You and

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

You've probably joked that you and your man speak different languages (the whole "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" thing). But it's actually more true than you think, according to marriage counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.

Related: SELF's Guide to Superfoods

Chapman's theory is that everyone speaks one of five "love languages" -- and if you know each other's "language," it's easier to express your affection.

His book was originally published in 1992, but the paperback (read: cheaper!) version just hit stores in January, so it's getting a lot of attention this V-Day. We asked Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Romance), psychotherapist and author of Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage, to explain the "love languages" to help us figure out which one we're most fluent in.

Love Language #1: Words of Affirmation
According to Tessina, this

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

On Valentine's Day, most couples are expected to seek out the typical Hallmark-y scenario: Sitting at a candlelit table with a single red rose in the middle, gazing into each other's eyes.

Sure, this is a safe option -- and you'll probably have a great time. But personally, we're sort of sick of the old standard. We spoke to dating experts to come up with three non-cheesy ways to make this Valentine's Day your most memorable one ever.

Related: Stars' Favorite Heart-Healthy Recipes

If you don't want to spend a ton of moolah...

Take the $20 Date Challenge. Grant Langston, senior content director at eHarmony, has seen a lot of dates crash and burn. But one of the best ideas he's ever heard of is to leave the house with your man and a $20 bill. "No credit cards. No safety cash. Now, it's on you and him to think up the best way to blow your stash," he says. "My favorite past example of a '$20 date' was some Brie, a loaf of French bread, a cheap bottle of

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

We're big fans of breakfast -- and we've always assumed that chowing down was a smart way to start the day.

So we weren't sure what to make of new research published in Nutrition Journal suggesting that people who eat a big breakfast actually consume more calories throughout the day than those who eat less, or skip the meal altogether.

To find out what we should be eating in the a.m. -- and how much of it -- we spoke to Timothy S. Harlan (a.k.a. Dr. Gourmet), M.D., medical director of Tulane University's School of Medicine.

Related: Stars' Favorite Heart-Healthy Recipes

"This study makes a lot of sense when we look at the other research available as well," says Harlan. "When you eat, say, 700 calories at breakfast, that doesn't make you apt to eat less at lunch or dinner. This study is really telling us what not to do -- don't eat 700 calories for breakfast."

But don't even think about skipping it altogether!

"We have known for a while that a good

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

One of the things we love about Katy Perry is that she oozes self-confidence (for proof, check out this gallery of her skin-baring outfits of 2010).

Related: Stars' Favorite Heart-Healthy Recipes

So we were pretty surprised when we read these comments from the pop star:

"When I was a kid I had enormous boobs that I didn't know what to do with," she told Elle magazine. "I wore minimizers, which were not cute. Those thick-ass straps! I got made fun of for the over-the-shoulder boulder holder. All I wanted was to look like Kate Moss."

Perry says she has since learned to love her "sexy" curves -- atta girl! In that spirit, here are five reasons to love your bosom, big or small:

Related: 7 Moves to Brooklyn Decker's Bikini Body

1. Know that he's a big fan: In a 2009 survey by researchers at UCLA and Cal State Los Angeles, a majority of men said they were "satisfied with their partners' breasts." However, 70 percent of women said they were dissatisfied with