Blog Posts by Redbook

Here, the nutrients you're most likely lacking - and easy ways to get them.

Vitamin D

• Why you need it: Vitamin D helps you maintain strong bones, boosts immunity, and may keep cancer cells from growing, according to a Harvard University study. An expert panel recently stated that women under age 50 may need 10 times more than the currently recommended 200 IUs daily.
• How to get it: Drink two glasses of D-fortified milk or O.J. daily, and consider some sun: UV radiation triggers your skin to produce vitamin D, and some studies have linked this form of D to a lower risk of breast cancer. Up to 15 minutes outside between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. twice a week wearing SPF 8 or lower is plenty, says Joan Pleuss, R.D., a nutritionist at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. But don't overdo it, and if you have a family history of skin cancer, ask your doctor first.

Magnesium

• Why you need it: Low levels may cause menstrual migraines and tension-type headaches, and up

Read More »from The Nutrients You Need Most

Nancy Snyderman, M.D., chief medical editor of NBC News and author of the new book Diet Myths That Keep Us Fat weighs in on the diet myths it's time to ditch - and the surprising truths that will help you get and stay slim.

• THE MYTH: You gain more weight in winter.

When the temperature drops, it makes sense that our bodies would inevitably pack on fat for insulation. Except that's not what happens. In fact, our metabolism revs up to keep us warm in colder temperatures, which means we actually burn more calories every day, Snyderman says. So if you're gaining in winter, a change in habits - like exercising less frequently and indulging in comfort foods - is likely to blame. To maintain your weight, try to stick to a balanced diet (even if carbs are all you crave) and your usual exercise routine. Swap indoor activities for your usual outdoor ones - or do some of your workouts out in the cold to boost calorie burn.

• THE MYTH: Weight gain is inevitable as you get older.

Read More »from 3 Diet Myths That Make You Fat

I don't know about you, but when I'm worried about money, it's really hard for me to focus on anything else, whether it's work, my friendships, or my relationships. In fact, I spent this past weekend knee-deep in receipts and credit card statements, determined to get a better hold on my finances-and sticking to a budget. I made some cuts, including cancelling my gym membership and relying on the kindness of free passes given out by health clubs, deals offered by yoga centers, and good old-fashioned pavement pounding.

With my finances in such a flux, it's almost a relief to NOT be in a relationship. So many of my married friends are having money meltdowns on a daily basis-and they're not alone. Apparently, 23% of couples say they work together to plan their financial lives.

But, there is hope. Here, six ways to make sure your relationship isn't ruined by finances.

1. Go for a goal
Figuring out your financial goals may sound daunting, but it's nothing to dread: Sit down regularly to

Read More »from Economy Getting You Down? 5 Ways to Keep Money Stress Out of Marriage

What you gonna do, what you gonna do when they come for you? Retired veteran policeman Richard Wallace II, author of An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets, explains how to drive away ticket-free.

• When the officer asks if you know why you were pulled over, feign ignorance. Admitting your blunder only gives him confirmation that he should write you a ticket.

• Avoid the classic traffic excuses. Stay away from old standbys like "I'm late for work," "I was following the flow of traffic," or "I have to go to the bathroom." He's heard them - and ignored them - a thousand times before.

• Create a human connection with the officer. "You only have a small window of time to turn on the schmooze - and that's from the moment the officer approaches your car to the time he returns to his vehicle with your license and registration," says Wallace. Use that interval wisely: "Look the officer in the eye and give an explanation that evokes empathy." Try "My child is at day care, and I have

Read More »from Talk Your Way Out of a Ticket: 4 Tactics

Everyone's got one . . . a celebrity couple crush, I mean! Whether you pine over the presidential pair of Mr. and Mrs. Obama or get fluttery over the flaming hot Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, following the ups and downs of your celeb couple crush is always fun. Personally, my favorite celebrity couple is by far Jennifer Westfeldt and Jon Hamm-even though they're anything but tabloid fodder. Super talented, super cute together, and they've been together for 10 years. . But, whether the stars you love have less-than-ideal romance records, they're still great sources to learn from.

Protect Your Relationship from the Outside World
Thanks to reality TV, there are countless examples of couples that have opted to share a little TMI (too much information) with the public, from basic bodily functions (hello, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson) to the pouty he-said-she-said of every little fight.

Read more about how to stop TMI getting in the way of true love


Don't Get Blinded by Romance
In

Read More »from Who's Your Fave Celebrity Couple Plus 5 Love Lessons to Learn From the Headlines

Because one of my jobs is to blog about sex and relationships, I'm hardly a good control subject to answer this question. Because I think about sex a lot. Most of the time it's in the abstract-what will make a good blog article? Is that really something people can do? What?-but occasionally, my daydreams go into the hot-and-heavy territory (I used to have the dirtiest daydreams in college in my Moral Philosophy class-what does that mean?)

Click here to read about how often real women think about sex!


But, thinking about it and doing it are two different stories. And, while I'm not about to share my getting busy routine with the world, REDBOOK found plenty of women-2,500-who were! Here, the behind-the-bedroom-door truth:


How Often Do You Have Sex?
35% Once or twice a week.
5% Once a day - at least!
25% Three to six times a week.
19% Two or three times a month.
10% Once a month or less.
6% I don't have a sex partner right now.

How often would you like to have sex?
43% Three to

Read More »from How Often Do You Do It—the Surprising Truth

I don't know-call me frisky, but I feel like there's something so liberating about the weather (finally!) being warm. From dining al fresco (even if it is just leaning up against your local ice cream shop) to being able to stargaze after the sun goes down, the great outdoors makes everything a little bigger, a little brighter, maybe even a little more romantic.

12 Things Men Find Really Romantic

Here, to get started, is a list of sexy-summer activities. What do you think? What have you done?


1. Spread out a blanket and stargaze.

2. Make out in the back row of a movie theater.

3. Share a milk shake.

4. Get cozy in a rowboat at the local lake.

5. Steal away for a park-bench lunch together on a workday.

6. Enjoy carnival games on the boardwalk (then have some fun under the boardwalk).

7. When you get home from your day, kiss like you've been apart for a month.

8. Wear matching flip-flops.

9. Dedicate an entire day to being naked together.

Any more to add to the list?

RELATED

Read More »from 9 Ways to Have a Summer Fling (with the guy you've already got!)

The other day, I noticed my bank account balance seemed a little higher than usual, not down to the precipitously low number it can sometimes dip down to right before a pay check comes in. Why was this? Did I get some windfall check I didn't remember depositing? Did I have some ATM fairy-godmother helping me out?

No. I haven't been dating.

Even if I'm only paying for a beer or a glass of wine, dating is expensive. It's cab rides and a round of drinks and buying a new just-in-case dress. It's a bagel the next morning if I've had more than two glasses of wine (whenever I drink, I need heavy carbs the next AM to even seem halfway normal) and it's grandly offering to pay.

While I've cut back in some ways-I definitely no longer get a new wardrobe for a date-the $15 manicure or the $10 taxi adds up. I've also found-and I'm wondering if this is true for you-that men are much less willing or eager to pay on a date. This is something I'm actually fine with. I know a lot of people disagree,

Read More »from Love Don't Cost a Thing? Really?