Blog Posts by Woman s Day

Keep your pearly whites in peak condition for better overall wellness

By Sarah-Reistad-Long

Your teeth can reveal a lot about your overall wellness-research has linked poor oral health to conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and autoimmune disorders. The issue is twofold. If you already have one of these conditions, some signs may show up in your mouth: People with uncontrolled diabetes, for example, are more likely to have gum disease, cavities and oral infections. On the flip side, gum disease can increase your risk of developing health issues in the first place. That's because the bad bacteria in your mouth (a cause of inflammation) can actually make their way into the rest of the body, causing other areas to become inflamed.

"The cardiovascular connection is known to be especially strong," says New York City-based periodontist James Jacobs, DMD. For example, one British study showed that people who brush infrequently were 70 percent more likely to

Read More »from 10 Oral Health Questions—Answered

Try these simple dieting tactics to get the scale moving again

By Joy Bauer, RD

You've committed to a healthy diet and exercise routine, and it's paying off: You finally fit into clothes that have been stashed at the back of your closet for years, and everyone is telling you that you look trimmer. You step on the scale weekly to chart your progress, and it's usually good news…until suddenly it's not. Weeks go by and the scale won't budge.

What you're experiencing is one of the most common dieting dilemmas: the infamous weight plateau. You've kept your diet and exercise routine the same, but for reasons you can't explain, you're no longer losing weight. It's tempting to throw in the towel when you feel like nothing you're doing is making a difference, but I promise there's hope! You just have to figure out why your weight has stalled so you can get things moving again.

Why Plateaus Happen

Here's a bit of irony: Plateaus are often the result of doing well on your diet. In

Read More »from How to Lose Those Last Few Pounds

Make small tweaks to your diet to see a big difference in your body

by Joy Bauer, RD

Make It Count

Make It CountCutting back your calorie intake doesn't need to be a painful experience. With just a few nips and tucks to your normal eating regime, you can easily save hundreds of calories a week. Read on to discover 10 tips that will help you toward a slimmer self.







Mustard

MustardSwap mayo for mustard: 2 Tbsp of mayo has 200 calories; 2 Tbsp of mustard has just 30.







Fruit

FruitEat fresh fruit instead of dried. One half-cup of raisins has more than 200 calories, but one full cup of fresh grapes has just 80.









Oil

OilUse an oil mister instead of pouring olive or canola oil straight from the bottle. A Tbsp of oil has 120 calories, but with a mister you'll use a fraction of that.

Check out other kitchen gadgets that make healthy cooking easy.

Cheese

CheeseLeave the cheese off your sandwich. Instead, pile on lots of very low-cal veggies. The veggies add nutrition and volume, so your sandwich will be extra-filling.







Read More »from 10 Ways to Cut 100 Calories

By Woman's Day Staff

Time for Bed
Time for Bed
If you've ever tried to recreate the look of a freshly made hotel bed you know it's not as easy as it seems. But with a few expert tips, you too can achieve those signature tight tucks, perfect folds and neat corners. Here, Steve Mulloy, director of housekeeping at Hilton Hotels & Resorts, gives you the secrets. Looking for a more luxurious sheet-set? Keep in mind that a higher thread count doesn't always mean softer fabric. Instead, opt for Egyptian or pima cotton sheets, or check the label for the words Supima or percale, which describe high-quality materials.

Photo: © Annie Schlecter/FLIP! for Decorating





Step 1
Step 1
Atop a fitted sheet, spread a flat sheet, wrong side up, so that the top edge lines up with the head of the mattress and the bottom edge extends beyond the foot of the bed. Spread a coverlet on top so that the top of the coverlet lands several inches below the top of the flat sheet. Tuck the hems of the sheet and coverlet tightly under Read More »from The Right Way to Make a Bed

By Arianne Cohen

Prepare yourself… this column will revolutionize how you store hot and cold foods. I was once like you-I had a drawer filled with plastic containers and lids that didn't necessarily go together. When they cracked or warped, I replaced them. I assumed that plastic was the best choice for everything: leftovers, lunchbags, picnics, baked goods. Oh, how wrong I was. Here's your guide to storing food like a pro.

Container Shopping TipsWD's Guide to Storing Leftovers

1. Go to a big-box store. Skip the supermarket, where the options tend to be few, cheap and disposable. It's a waste of money to buy thin, inexpensive or poorly made containers, and disposable plastic containers are not good for the environment. Instead, head to a big store like Target or Walmart, and compare the plastic, stainless and glass options.

2. Do the "500 uses" test. Before you buy it, try putting on the lid and taking it off, and ask yourself: "Can I imagine using this 500 times?"

3. Be square. Square and

Read More »from WD’s Guide to Storing Leftovers

By Ashley Campbell

Add some frill power to a run-of-the-mill canvas tote with a pretty personalized stencil. Stock your finished bag with apples, gourmet crackers and cheese for a useful holiday gift.

Materials:

• Canvas tote (we used an 18" x 13" Me & My B.A.G, $6.99; Michaels stores)
• Paper doily (we used Wilton's Round 12" Grease-Proof White Doily, $1.99 for 6; Wilton.com)
• Spray adhesive (we used Krylon Paper Finishes Spray Adhesive, $4.65; Michaels stores)
• Fabric paint (we used Tulip Slick Dimensional Fabric Paint in Black, $3.49; HobbyLobby.com)
• Small paintbrush
• Freezer paper (try Reynolds 18" Freezer Paper, $6.25; at grocery stores or at Reynolds.Alice.com)
• Piece of cardboard
• X-Acto knife
• Iron

Directions:

1. For design: Coat rough underside of doily with adhesive (to keep it in place) and press onto the bottom right-hand corner of the tote, leaving one-quarter of the doily hanging off the edge of the

Read More »from DIY Style: Monogrammed Tote

By Woman's Day Staff

The Perfect Fit

Black pants can work wonders for your figure, but finding the right pair can be a daunting task. Which is why WD decided to go out and do the leg work (literally) for you, in search of the best slacks to fit a variety of shapes and sizes. Whether you wear them for work or play, the following trousers are guaranteed to flatter your body in fantastic style.

Learn how to hem your own pants with this step-by-step guide.

Best All-Around Fit

What makes these bottoms tops: a floor-skimming hem and gentle flare that elongate and slim your lower half. Cassidy Slant Pocket Classic Flare, $24.99 TheLimited.com.

Best Skinny

Best Skinny

Perfect for tucking into trendy ankle boots, this slim part-pant, part-legging has a forgiving cut around the hips and thighs. Really Skinny Pants, $59.50; Gap.com.

Best Everyday for Plus Sizes

Best Everyday for Plus Sizes

Thanks to an adjustable button-tab waist and plenty of stretch, these pants flatter your curves. Classic

Read More »from The Best Black Pants for Your Body