Blog Posts by Oprah.com

Photo: Kristine WoodBy Jenny Bailly

I've had a root canal, given birth to an almost-nine-pound, large-headed baby, and survived a bout of sepsis (not all at once, thank God). Also counted among the most painful experiences of my life: the first time I had my teeth professionally whitened. The year was 2006, and the procedure itself went smoothly (a dentist painted my teeth with peroxide, then shined a blue light on them for about 45 minutes). My smile was a gleaming white. But within a few hours, my newly bright teeth started aching. Then throbbing. It hurt to eat, drink, and talk. It hurt to breathe. The pain lasted 24 hours, and I vowed never to let peroxide touch my teeth again. I would simply offset their yellow tinge by wearing more beige.

RELATED: 7 Teensy Health Habits That Can Make A Huge Difference

Then, recently, Jeff Golub-Evans, DDS, suggested I give teeth-whitening another try. Because I look really peaked in beige--and time does indeed dull the memory of pain (I know people who've actually

Photo: ThinkstockBy Dr. Mehmet Oz

While growing older puts you at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that results in blurred vision, a high-fat diet lacking antioxidants also plays a role. According to the American Optometric Association, a daily dose of ten milligrams of lutein and two milligrams of zeaxanthin (found in one cup of leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens) can improve vision and reduce the risk of developing AMD. Protect your sight with one of these easy-to-make meals:

RELATED: Put an End to Mindless Eating

Spinach Scramble

1 cup chopped sautéed spinach + 2 eggs + 1 ounce goat cheese + ¼ cup sautéed yellow onion

Kale Pasta

Whole wheat linguine + 1 cup sautéed kale + ½ cup spaghetti sauce

RELATED: 25 Superfoods to Incorporate Into Your Diet Now

Collard Green Quesadilla

2 whole wheat tortillas + 1 cup sautéed collard greens + 3 ounces grilled chicken + 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese

More from Oprah.com:

Photo: ThinkstockJenny Bailly

Consider Bangs
If your hair is thin at the crown but still thick in front, try bangs to create a fuller look. To go a step further, take a slice of hair underneath the bangs and color it two shades darker than the rest of your hair color, says hairstylist Sam Villa, education artistic director for Redken. When you bring the top layer of fringe down over it, your bangs will look thicker because of the deeper color underneath.


Layer Wisely
Ask your stylist to cut the under-layer of your hair half an inch shorter than the top layer. This will add fullness. Never let anyone use a razor, though, because that can create frayed ends that make your hair look wispier. To give heft to fine or thin hair, keep ends blunt.


Get Highlights
"Peroxide doubles the thickness of each strand," says colorist Michael Canale of Canale Salon in Beverly Hills. "It swells the hair shaft, which makes your hair look and feel fuller." Another reason you might want to highlight: When

Photo: Thinkstock

1. How to Delegate

Make certain the people around you have good values, good judgment, and are loyal. Allow them to impress you but be sure they're comfortable coming to you for feedback. Most important, hire people smarter than you!

--Ivanka Trump, executive VP, Trump Organization; principal of Ivanka Trump fashion and accessories lines

2. How to Comfort Someone

We're a block from a hospital, so in my 31 years here I've met many people who've just received bad news. If you see someone in distress, don't hesitate to talk to them. Once you've heard their story, sometimes all you have to say is "I'll be thinking of you." Your words are more powerful than you think.

--Jimmy Vecere, bartender at 12th Street Irish Pub, Philadelphia

A lot of people ask me how I knew Mad Men or Breaking Bad would make great TV. I knew because when I read those scripts, I felt something. I didn't do any market testing or focus groups--I just

Photo: Greg KesslerBy Dr. Mehmet Oz

Every January I'm surprised by how many people make long-range resolutions but overlook what they could do to protect their health right now. I'm not just talking about warding off the flu--with the bitter cold comes a blizzard of ailments that can affect everything from your skin to your heart. The good news: These conditions are all preventable if you take simple precautions to safeguard your body. As you write your health goals for the year, put my solutions for these common winter hazards at the top of your list.












Photo: ThinkstockHeart Attacks
Bundling up before you head outside may do more than just protect you from shivering. According to the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction, 53 percent more heart attacks occur in winter than in summer (peaking in January), and the reason may be linked to simply breathing in very cold air. A recent study from Penn State suggests that people who engage in strenuous activities (like shoveling snow) in below-freezing temps may experience

O, The Oprah Magazine

By Stephanie Schomer

Photo: Getty ImagesBy Leigh Newman


Love Is Location
You might have learned this one before, when you were off in college in California and your high-school love was off in college in Maine. Sooner or later, somebody got lonely and fell for a more conveniently located mate. Long-distance adult romances have similar issues. Yes, you have a job, a car and a condo with a reasonable mortgage. So does he. But sooner or later, one of you is going to have to move if the two of you want things to work. Skype doesn't let you e-cuddle or e-go-to-the-movies (where you find out that you both crack up during the supposedly scary scenes). I'm not saying you should pick up and relocate two weeks into the relationship. But then again, two years can be too late. All of us fear being the ding-dong who gave up her whole life for some guy. But that guy probably fears the same thing. Nobody talks about it, but love requires bravery--and the kind of closeness that's not just in your minds.


No Expectations are Not Low