Blog Posts by Redbook

By Beth Kobliner, REDBOOK

One in three Americans say they'd ask friends and family for a loan to cope with a crisis, a recent survey from the National Bureau of Economic Research found. But before you become the Bank of BFF and bail them out, heed this money-lending advice:

Put it in writing. A loosey-goosey lending arrangement is a recipe for tension. To avoid blowups, have both parties sign a document that sets the terms (say, six months) and whether repayment will come in installments or a lump sum. Type it up yourself, or go to nolo.com to download a formal promissory note for $15.

Related: 30-Day Money Cleanse

Charge interest. Seem cutthroat? It's not; interest makes a loan feel less like a handout and more like a mutually beneficial deal. Ask for at least the amount your money would make sitting in a savings account--currently around 1 percent.

Know when to say no. Set a lending limit by subtracting three months' worth of expenses (the minimum you need saved

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen, REDBOOK

Baby names list.Most of the time, baby names elicit little more than a cooing "Oh, how sweet!" Occasionally; however, people either hate the name you carefully chose out for your little one or they love it... too much, as evidenced by these moms' stories!

"When my daughter was born one of the nurses asked what we would be naming her. We said "Azalea". She looked puzzled for a moment, then said "She doesn't look like an azalea". I took it to mean she's not red and green and covered in petals." - Alyssa

"We've pretty much just chosen normal, well-worn names for our kids. And each time we've named then, we've received strange looks and comments such as: "I thought you could be a little more creative than that." - Audrey

Related: 12 Hilarious Tips For Moms-to-Be

"When my mom was pregnant with my brother, she planned on naming him Aaron. Until her cousin named her son Aaron three days before my mom went into labor. Needless to say, my little sister [was named] Erin

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen, REDBOOK

new momDon't you just love it when a couple adopts a rescue puppy in an attempt to "prepare" for a baby? As if keeping a water bowl filled at all times and stocking up on lint rollers can somehow prepare you for the (literal) crapstorm that hits town the instant a child is pulled from your body. Your OB would be doing you a gigantic favor if she followed up the usual announcement, "It's a beautiful baby girl!" with, "...who will not allow you get a single thing done for the next five months, will cause you to start speaking in baby talk to all adults-including wait staff at restaurants, your dry cleaner and your boss-and will require your new favorite sleeping position to be sprawled out on the floor with Goodnight Moon propped open under one hand!"

We thought about this when we read the hilarious Tracy Moore's recent post on Jezebel, entitled "You're So Not Almost Ready for a Baby, Even If You Think You Are." In it, she outlines her Baby Squad™ Fitness

By Lisa Lillien, REDBOOK

Snacks.If you're craving...Creamy

Go for low-fat yogurt with fruit and a sprinkle of crunchy cereal.

Avoid the calorie catastrophe that is a full bag of chips. Portion-controlled single-serving options are the way to go--like 100-calorie bags of Popchips. Need something that'll last a little longer? Try 94% fat-free microwave popcorn, like Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop. You can have a big bowl--5 cups--for around 100 calories and 2 grams of fat. Now, what's on TV?

This candy apple treat is amazingly satisfying: Cut up 1 apple (preferably a Fuji--it's the perfect blend of sweet and tart) and put the slices in a bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp fat-free or light caramel dip, and sprinkle with 1½ tsp crushed dry-roasted peanuts, 1 tsp mini semisweet chocolate chips, and 1 tsp shredded sweetened coconut. This combo has 210 calories, which is perfectly reasonable for dessert.

By Megan Cahn, REDBOOK

Shrimp.Shrimp

One upside to the summer heat? We're less likely to crave those heavy foods that weigh us down and pack on the pounds. Even when opting for lighter fare; though, it's still important to get the right amount of protein. Enter shrimp, which is jam-packed with it but also low in fat. According to nutrition expert Keri Glassman of Nutritious Life, it's also high in B12, a vitamin found exclusively in animal products. Try a mix of shrimp, avocado, and cherry tomatoes for a healthy and filling summer dish.

When the temperature rises, it's only natural to crave a frozen treat. Unfortunately, our metabolisms aren't quite on par with those of our energetic kids, and succumbing to that chocolate-covered Drumstick is more trouble than it's worth. Registered dietitian Dawn Jackson suggests keeping grapes or dark sweet cherries in the freezer for a refreshing frozen treat. The iciness gives the fruit a sorbet-like consistency, and

By Hilda Hutcherson, REDBOOK

Husband and wifeA patient recently came to see me because she and her husband were trying to get pregnant, and since they had stopped using condoms, something really weird was happening: She'd get a burning, stinging sensation in her vagina after they had sex. I performed an exam that ruled out common causes like vaginal dryness and infection, and became suspicious that she was allergic to a protein in her husband's semen. I referred her to an allergist, who confirmed the diagnosis. Although not terribly common, semen allergies do occur, and they can cause itching and swelling of the vagina. But, believe it or not, you can build up a tolerance by having a doctor give you allergy shots using small amounts of the protein in your husband's semen, to help desensitize you. After six months of shots, my patient was able to have pain-free sex.

More from REDBOOK:

• 14 Best Summer Foods for Weight Loss
  
• 30-Day Money Cleanse
  
• 5 Ways Pinterest Has Made

By Jenny Lee, REDBOOK

Guests mingling.Party Tip #1 "Mood lighting is a key ingredient in every affair, so string up your Christmas lights to everything that's not moving!"

Party Tip #2
"Fill a punch bowl with a jug of inexpensive red wine, toss in a small jar of maraschino cherries including the juice, and add a half dozen each of lime, lemon, and orange wedges. Steep the mixture in the fridge for eight hours for an easy, festive punch to serve."

HINT: More simple drinks that are perfect for a punch bowl: Pomegranate-Wine Punch, Greek White Sangria, or Sangria Blanca With Summer Fruit

Party Tip #3
"It is absolutely worth it to plan your party music ahead of time. Start things out mellow, but make sure the songs get a little bit faster and more fun through the night. Burn the songs onto a CD - and don't be surprised if your guests want a copy at the end of the night!"
Party Tip #4 "I was pleasantly surprised to walk into a soiree where only desserts were served. The best part: a banana-split bar

By Kelly Mickle, REDBOOK

Brie.Diet experts are always telling us to "stick to an ounce" of cheese--but most of us aren't toting around a food scale. What does a healthy portion of cheese look like? Here's your visual guide to becoming a cheese... whiz. (Sorry, couldn't be helped.)

2 Dominoes: 100 Calories

A Chunk the Size of a Fat Marker: 85 Calories

Related: 9 Shortcuts to Total Beauty Happiness

4 Dice: 115 Calories

1½ Thin Sandwich Slices or 4 Dice: 110 Calories

1 Golf-Ball-Size Scoop: 120 Calories

More from REDBOOK:

• 14 Best Summer Foods for Weight Loss
  
• 30-Day Money Cleanse
  
• 5 Ways Pinterest Has Made Me a Better Mom
• 5 Tricks to Make Cellulite Disappear
  
• 19 Tiny Ways to Make Life Happier, Saner, and Sweeter