Blog Posts by GALTime.com

By Sasha BeautyBlogger for GalTime.com

Photo credit: WeHeartItWe've all heard the importance of making a great first impression. And we're also familiar with the old adage "you shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

But recently, while I was interviewing several candidates for an upcoming project, I caught myself paying less attention to their words and more attention to their expressions, gestures, and yes, looks. At one point, I found myself fixated on the first candidate's…errr...no-so-white teeth. The following candidate, however, could have come straight from a Colgate commercial. I was completely mesmerized by her perfectly shaped, refrigerator-white, 100-kilowatt smile. The interviewee who ended up landing the gig? Surprise, surprise…the one with the amazing smile.

So, is a dazzling smile the difference between semi-success and major success? Will a better (and perpetual) smile make us appear more attractive to others? Appear younger? And, ultimately, bring us more happiness? Yes, yes, yes,

By Tara Weng, GalTime.com

Are we the 'post-prozac' nation?

I've been reading a lot about antidepressants lately and very often in casual conversations I hear people mention that they're on this or that drug.

It's an interesting phenomenon to me. In one sense I feel grateful that people are able to openly discuss their bouts with depression and anxiety. It's no longer a secret club, but one that has become a documented, fragmented, fraternity of sorts.

In another sense, however, I wonder if the mass advertising campaigns from drug companies have contributed to the growing number of people on medications and their continued dependence on them.

For myself, I wonder: "Where does this stem from, do the medications lose their effectiveness over time, and do they even really work?"

Related: Female Pill-Popping Insomniacs On the Rise!

I've struggled with my own reliance on medication for years. The last time I was really not on any type of antidepressant was eight years ago.

I've dabbled with

By Discount Dame Teri Storelli for GalTime.com
kids birthday

Why is it every year your child's birthday, much like Christmas, just seems to pop up out of nowhere? It's the same day every year, yet it always seems to take you by surprise-- and once the candles are blown out, you're left with cake stuck to the ceiling, an empty wallet, and an over tired kid on the brink of a melt down.

How do you avoid a major mess, expense and over stimulated tot? Follow these five simple rules and start enjoying your wee one's birthday instead of cringing at the thought of it.

Budget Friendly Birthday Parties for Kids

1. Pick Your Theme In Advance
Choosing your theme well in advance is not only a great way to save money, it's a good way to build buzz for your child. Start looking for deals about 6 months in advance. Keep an eye out around any holiday that offers up decor. Pastel post-Easter finds work great for princess or fairy parties, pirate accessory kits go on sale post-Halloween and make

By Tara Weng, GalTime.com

The Over-Competitive Parent I always feel a little queasy when I am told by one of my offspring: "mom I have a project due."

Give me an essay or a book report and I'm on board. When it comes to the artistic portion of said project however I know I will be out-matched and overwhelmed.

My latest artistic endeavor involved making a clay raven to encapsulate what my son was trying to say about Edgar Allen Poe, I was told "it looks like a turd , on a plate."

My confidence--clearly shaken.

It's not at all the act of watching or helping my child with a poster board, diorama, or other such craft--it's knowing that more often than not the other kids' parents will be doing their projects for them.

I don't know how many times I've walked into a classroom and saw a life-sized, paper mache grizzly bear waiting my arrival..and I know the average eight-year-old didn't make this.

So why do these parents feel the need to horn in?

Related: The Difference Between Support and

By Marianne Beach, GalTime.com

7 Steps to Peace You've finally found the perfect guy. So how come your friends aren't cheering him on? In fact, they're acting anywhere from a little resentful to downright hostile every time you bring him around. And it's starting to cause waves for both you and them-and you and him.

So how can you keep the peace? We asked relationship expert Harriet Lerner, PhD, bestselling author of Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and Coupled Up. She says there could be a number of reasons why your friends aren't welcoming your new guy with open arms.

"They may be used to your single status, and any new person will change the chemistry of the entire group," she says. "They may believe, rightly or wrongly, that you are different when he's around, that is, you're not your authentic self or you're less available to them. They may be struggling with feelings of envy or competition even if they don't admit this to themselves."

And sometimes, they may have good

By KyAnn Lewis, GalTime.com Sr Editor

Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Downtown DisneyEASTER EGGS WITH SMOKED SALMON CREAM

A signature dish served at the Wolfgang Puck Café.

THE RECIPE

• 6 Hard boiled Eggs (or 18 quail eggs)

• 4 oz Cold Smoked Salmon

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 1 tsp minced chives

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Small package "micro" green or baby spring mix lettuce

Related: Easter Recipes: Breakfast through Dessert

1. To boil eggs, place in pot and cover with cold water and 1 tbsp salt. Bring to a hard boil for 1 minute and turn off heat. Let stand for 12 minutes, then drain and submerge into ice water to cool. (If using quail eggs, drain and chill after 6 minutes.)

2. Carefully peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Remove yolk. Set aside the hollowed egg white.

3. Place salmon, egg yolk, and cream cheese in a food processor and puree until smooth and creamy. Fold in chives and

By GalTime's Nutritionist, Elisa Zied, MS RD CDN

PassoverWhen I think about Passover, I think about dressing up in homemade costumes with my family (including my two sons, husband, and even my parents) and improvising the parting of the Red Sea. But of course, the backdrop of our annual Passover play tradition is the delicious food.

While matzo ball soup (made with matzo balls as dense as hockey pucks) is my favorite Passover indulgence, my husband loves chopped liver on matzo and my kids love matzo brei (made simply on a nonstick pan with matzo, eggs, and nonstick cooking spray).

To help you enjoy, savor, and better understand and incorporate a few of your favorites, I asked a few of my registered dietitian gal pals to share their favorite foods, ideas, and recipes to help make this Passover one to remember. Here's what they had to say.

Karen Ansel, MS, RD, CDN, a Media Representative for the New York State Dietetic Association, loves gefilte fish (as do I!). Traditionally,

By GalTimer Lynn Redd
no strings attachedI've been enjoying some reruns from good ol' Sex and the City. In an episode of season 1, Carrie asks an important question, "Can women have sex like men?"

I'm biased about this question, but this is the answer I get from most women: If men can have sex without any emotional attachment, women can do it too.

In my case, I would say no only because I've been there. I've had a few "casual sex"encounters and I have gotten attached to all of them, but I had to cut my losses in the end.

Why? I believe it's almost impossible for a woman not to become emotionally attached to the man she's "playing house" with because sex comes with emotions. That's the way God built women and we can't run from that one.

Related: 3 Biggest Mistakes Women Make in Bed

On the other hand, I have been with a guy that I absolutely had no emotional attachments to. It was more like, "Hey, you want some sex right now?" and we would just go from there. We never talked outside of