Blog Posts by Real Simple Magazine

By Kate Merker

Thanks to these quick, healthy, delicious recipes, you can solve the mystery of what to make tonight (and all those busy nights to come).

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6 Make-Ahead Appetizers

11 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

Favorite Fall Ingredients

30 Speedy, Savory Soups and Stews

By Amanda Armstrong

Getting someone to really listen is no small feat. Real Simple spoke to five professional influencers about how they make the magic happen.


1. Puncture Your Own Ego
© Sami Sarkis, Getty1Years ago, a journalist went undercover at several restaurants-one of them mine (Union Square Cafe)-with the aim of bribing the maître d's to score a table. In his article, he wrote that my host had taken the cash. I was mortified and wanted to repair the damage. When I knew the writer would be at an upcoming industry function, I prepared myself. When we saw each other, I walked over and slipped him a $50 bill. He joked that he was keeping it, and then we had a great conversation, which ultimately led to a friendship. Getting defensive gets you nowhere with people. Instead, be willing to show humility and, above all, humor.

Danny Meyer is the owner of six restaurants in New York City and the author of Setting the Table ($27, amazon.com).

Related: What to Say in Awkward Social Situations



2. Don't Be

By Stacey Colino, Images by Lucy Vigrass

Rev up your body's defenses with these everyday strategies.

Diet:

1. Mind the Fat
High-fat diets can make your immune system "less functional and more sluggish," says Simin Nikbin Meydani, Ph.D., the associate director of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, at Tufts University, in Boston. In fact, a Tufts study compared the effects on immune function of a typical Western diet (containing 38 percent fat) to those of a cholesterol-lowering diet (28 percent fat) and discovered that the lower-fat diet enhanced the functioning of T lymphocytes (or T cells), which help ward off infections. Aim to get 25 to 30 percent of your total daily calories from fat, with most of those coming from monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil, avocados, and peanut butter) and polyunsaturated fats (think sunflower and corn oils, salmon, and walnuts). Limit saturated fats (such as those in whole milk, butter, and high-fat meats) and trans

By Elizabeth Wells, Photos by Jamie Chung

Statistics say you'll catch two to four colds this winter. Here's help to stave them off.


Sleep

How it helps: Sleep regulates the release of the hormone cortisol, which stimulates cells that boost the immune system, says William Ellert, M.D., chief medical officer of the Phoenix Baptist Hospital. And a well-tuned immune system is crucial for defending against the cold virus. Getting at least seven hours of shut-eye is the easiest way to steer clear of the common cold. In fact, a recent study indicates that people who fall short are nearly three times as likely to catch a cold. To make bedtime even more healthful, try using a protective pillow cover, which can help prevent a stuffy, runny nose.
Related: 6 Doctor-Recommended Sleep Aids

Good to know: If you have trouble falling asleep, try a mind-calming exercise. For instance: "Go over everything you did during the day, but do it in reverse order," says C. Evers Whyte, director of the Center for

By Donna Fennessy, Images by Jen Corace

Quick-healing techniques for 8 common maladies.

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Make Nutritious Snacking Choices on the Go

The Best Drugstore Cold and Flu Remedies

Your Cold and Flu Symptoms, Explained

By Elinor Smith

Skip the costume-in-a-bag: Invest in an item you can use even after October 31.



Pearl Strand Necklace by Express

Channel a 1920s flapper-or even Coco Chanel herself-by wearing this 60-inch strand of acrylic-and-glass pearls with a loose-fitting black shift dress. After Halloween, double-loop them over a silky work blouse.

To buy: $35, express.com.

Related: 10 Silly Halloween Costumes for Pets







Belle of the Ball Skirt by ModCloth

If you're obsessed with Mad Men (and who isn't?), then get dolled up Betty Draper-style in a tulle-lined satin skirt-with red lipstick and a faux cigarette in hand, of course. Later on, the skirt will be your go-to for cocktail parties.

To buy: $50, modcloth.com.

Related: 5 Spooky Halloween Cocktail Recipes







3/4 Length Dress by Vero Moda

With this sequined polyester dress, all you have to do is supply the fairy dust and wand to create a look that's positively magical. Better yet, you'll have your New Year's outfit set, too. Also available

Is your house haunted by leftover Halloween items? Here are four easy ways to re-use leftover candy and pumpkins.

And don't miss:

Which Halloween Candy Is Healthier?

10 Silly Halloween Costumes for Pets

Top 10 Halloween Movies

By Liz Welch, Photos by John Dolan

Five survivors tell how to help someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Related: Portraits of Breast Cancer

The Breast Cancer Survivors:

• Laura Livingston Rubin

• Lizanne Kelley

• Beth Weinblatt