Blog Posts by Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine

When it comes to breastfeeding, there are enough opinions out there to make any new mom's exhausted head spin.

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And the latest news only makes it more confusing. Although the CDC and World Health Organization encourage breastfeeding exclusively for six months before supplementing with solids, a new study published in the British Medical Journal found that the milk-only approach may make children more susceptible to food allergies and iron deficiencies.

What's a lactating woman to do? We posed the question to our experts.

It may seem obvious, but the pediatricians we spoke to said the most important thing to keep in mind is that no one study tells the whole story, and that every woman has different circumstances that need to be evaluated before determining the best feeding regimen for their little one.

Related: 5 secrets to keeping your new year's resolutions

"Risk of allergy is only one of many criteria upon which feeding decisions are

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

It's time to think of cabbage as more than just the stinky main ingredient in cole slaw.

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As any health-minded foodie can attest, it's actually one of the most delicious, versatile and nutritious winter produce options.

"In terms of uses, cabbage is so much more versatile than simply cole slaw and corned beef," says registered dietician Stephanie Clarke, contributing editor at SELF and co-founder of C&J Nutrition. "Its versatility is one of the many reasons I love it. It can be used raw or cooked, on its own or as a tasty addition to a mixed dish."

Here's everything you need to know about this all-too-often overlooked cruciferous veggie -- including amazing, nearly effortless ways to prepare it.

Related: 5 secrets to keeping your new year's resolutions

"Cabbage is in the family of veggies known as cruciferous veggies, which also includes brussels sprouts, broccoli, radishes, collard greens and

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

This weekend, celebrities will flock to Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival.

Our invite must have gotten lost in the mail, but we did manage to sneak a peek at the menu for "ChefDance" -- five straight evenings of amazing eats prepared by some of the world's most amazing chefs for 250 A-list guests.

Related: Nicole Kidman and Surrogacy: The Pregnancy Option You Haven't Considered

We were really impressed with the way these chefs combine flavors and use healthy ingredients in unexpected ways. Here are three dishes we're most inspired by:

The Starter: Winter Vegetable Soup with Farro and Parmesan Tomato Broth

The Chef: Kerry Simon of CatHouse at the Luxor Hotel & Casino and Simon at Palms Place in Las Vegas

What We're Stealing: Farro as a soup ingredient. It's sweet and nutty, and sturdy enough to stand up to the robust flavors of vitamin-dense winter veggies, including greens. Bonus: Farro is loaded with fiber and protein, so it keeps you

By Ashley Mateo, SELF magazine

"My derriere is my challenge," Jennifer Aniston confessed to Allure this month. We think her behind looks just fine, but if you think you're booty-challenged as well, we've got butt-firming moves from Aniston's trainer.

Crescent Pose
Stand with feet hip-width apart and step left foot forward 4 to 5 feet. Square hips, extend arms overhead, palms in, and sink down until left knee forms a 90-degree angle. Straighten right leg as much as you can (as shown). Hold for 5 to 10 breaths; switch legs, repeat. "We hold a lot of emotional energy in the hips, which is why they're often tight. As you do this, notice what emotions come up," Mandy Ingber urges.

Related: Look hot in jeans with this butt and thighs workout.

Bridge Pose
Lie faceup with knees bent, feet flat. Press heels into ground and lift hips toward ceiling, arms beneath you, shoulders rolled back, palms down (as shown). For a challenge: Clasp hands beneath you. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths. "All back

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

We'd never turn down a facial, massage, mani/pedi or basically any excuse to go the spa. However, we're a little unsure about a new treatment that's becoming increasingly popular: Mineral Spa Floatation Therapy.

Related: 5 secrets to keeping your new year's resolutions

The basic idea: You spend an hour floating in 8 to 10 inches of crazy-salty water in a small dark room. The spas claim that this has all sorts of stress-busting and health benefits.

According to spafinder.com, salt therapy (saltwater floats and other treatments like basking in salt caves) is one of the top spa trends of 2011. We checked in with someone who's done a float to get a feel for the experience, and talked to experts to find out how we can DIY salt therapy at home in the rare instance that we don't have access to, um, a salt cave.

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The "float" itself sounds marginally intimidating, based on this account:

"I was a little creeped

By Ashley Mateo, SELF magazine

On Friday, Natalie Portman's and Ashton Kutcher's romantic comedy No Strings Attached hits theaters. Naturally, this flick raises the age-old question: can two friends really hook up without things getting messy?

Related: Nicole Kidman and Surrogacy: The Pregnancy Option You Haven't Considered

Portman plays an overworked doctor looking for sex without the relationship, while Kutcher plays her buddy who's only too willing to help her out. Of course, it's only so long before at least one of the two start to develop more romantic feelings.

In a study published in the scientific journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health last spring, it was found that having sex with a friend made someone less likely to be monogamous--and 17 percent of men and 5 percent of women had at some point had more than one sexual partner at a time. Hooking up with a friend can be a tricky situation, for the obviously health reasons and less obvious emotional reasons. We

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

This weekend at the Golden Globes, Nicole Kidman was glowing. Just a day later, she and her husband Keith Urban announced that they welcomed a baby girl at the end of December.

Related: 3 Ways to Reduce Post-Workout Soreness

However, that glow was a side effect of happiness (and, no doubt, hours and hours of pre-party prep), not pregnancy hormones. The couple had a "gestational carrier," better known as a surrogate, carry their biological child.
With celebs like Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker choosing surrogacy, it feels like it's becoming increasingly common. Could it be an option for you?

While no one tracks surrogacy rates, according to Barbara Collura, Executive Director of RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association, interest in "third-party reproduction" -- including using donated sperm, donated eggs or a surrogate -- does seem to be on the rise.

Related: 5 secrets to keeping your new year's resolutions

"I think it's just becoming more

By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine

Thirsty? It's your lucky day.

Today, Starbucks began rolling out its new "Trenta" size -- which holds 31 ounces, or nearly a quart of liquid.

Related: 5 secrets to keeping your new year's resolutions

Not grossed out yet? The Trenta is bigger than the average stomach. Although Starbucks only plans to offer the Trenta for drinks under 230 calories -- for now -- we've got to suspect that nothing healthy can come of this.

The National Post in Canada created this brilliant infographic to demonstrate just how big the Trenta is:


Registered dietician Mary Hartley, director of nutrition for Calorie Count, shot down Starbucks' promise that it's only offering the Trenta option for lower-calorie iced drinks.

"With any coffee shop chain product, including Starbucks, it's all about the consumer's additions of sugar and cream," says Hartley. "When the coffee is iced or hot, the additions to the beverage is what can do the major damage to one's body."

Related: Is