Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Lisa Jones

This holiday season, make saying grace only a part of your appreciation equation; after all, there's plenty to be thankful for apart from the food on your plate (though we agree that Thanksgiving dinner is pretty great). Here, a few ideas on how to enhance your gratitude attitude, including simply imagining your life without all of the good stuff, enlisting a friend to help you look on the bright side and more.

Check out 7 ways you can give back- even when you're strapped for cash.

1. Enlist a Friend
Ask a pal to be your "gratitude-accountability partner," suggests Robert Emmons, PhD, author of Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier. Email each other with things you're thankful for in life. "Translating thoughts into words-whether oral or written-makes them more real to us," says Dr. Emmons. Having someone to answer to will keep you disciplined.

2. Remember the Bad Times
Make a list of the tough breaks you've faced (a divorce, the

Read More »from 4 Ways to Be Grateful All Year Long

By Scott Gibson

Photo: © Shutterstock

An asphalt driveway should last you 25 years or more, but over time, sunlight, freezing temperatures and oil and gasoline leaks take their toll. Sealcoats do just what the name implies: They seal the surface of the asphalt to keep out water and chemicals, plus restore the surface to its original color. Follow these steps to improve the look-and longevity-of your driveway.

Improve your home's curb appeal by making subtle changes to the exterior.

When to Do It
According to Don Turner, the executive director of the National Pavement Contractors Association (NPCA), driveways should be sealcoated for the first time after they've cured, between 90 and 120 days after they're initially installed, and again when the original sealcoat begins to wear away, about every three to six years.

Prepare the Surface
Before any sealer can be applied, the NPCA recommends cleaning the surface thoroughly and filling any cracks larger than a

Read More »from Spruce Up Your Driveway

By Woman's Day Staff

Containers are a little like that pair of expensive shoes you want-you love them, but do you need them? It's true that dry goods last longest in airtight containers, but those containers can also take up a lot of space since they're frequently half-empty, and if they're not see-through, you don't instantly know what's in them. And then there's the time factor. "It may look neat, but transferring every little cracker and marshmallow into containers is not how I want to spend my time," says Marrero.

So what are containers good for? The stuff you buy from bulk bins, like nuts or rice. (You'll also want to use containers if you're worried about bugs or rodents, which can eat into cereal boxes and candy bags, as can the moths and larvae that live in grains.) Containers are especially good for foods stored on kitchen counters or open shelves, where looks matter. If you need containers, here's how to do it:

Be square. Square bottoms take up less space, as do Read More »from Pantry Containers 101

By Brynn Mannino

Did you hear? For the first time in nearly 16 years, the McRib is available at every McDonald's in the U.S.! Until recently, the BBQ pork sandwich was only available for limited periods at select locations, inspiring websites for fans to track the beloved menu item down. But the McRib is not alone in its cult status. Below are 10 limited-edition foods that elicit cravings in legions of fans. Whether they're released only once a year like Girl Scout cookies, or celebrate a specific season like Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte, get the facts on some of your favorite foods that are available for a limited time only.

McDonald's McRib

The last time the McRib was offered at every McDonald's across the country was in 1995. But from November 2 through early December 2010, this sweet and savory barbecue sandwich is available at all 14,000 U.S. locations. Over the last three years alone, the boneless meat sandwich on a sesame seed bun has hit sales numbers in the $60 Read More »from 9 Limited-Edition Foods with Cult Followings

By Megan McMorris

When you think of epidemics, back pain probably doesn't come to mind-but maybe it should. Roughly 80 percent of us will experience it at some point, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It's a leading reason why people miss work (accounting for an estimated 83 million sick days each year), and it can be expensive: We spend more than $85 billion a year searching for relief, reports a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Back pain is hardly a new problem, but it does seem to be more common these days. Incidence of lower back pain in particular, has increased over the past 40 years, according to a study published in the journal Rheumatology. It's not clear why it's on the rise, but some experts think obesity and a lack of activity may play a role. "They can certainly make recovery harder and recurrence more likely," says Hector Rodriguez, DO, an osteopath and associate professor at Pacific University in Pacific Grove,

Read More »from Have a Back Pain-Free Day

By Joy Bauer, RD

Food was so simple when we were kids-we ate when we were hungry and stopped when we were full. (Ever catch your 5-year-old daughter tossing her half-eaten doughnut in the garbage because she's had enough? What a concept!)

But as we get older, we often use food in a different way: We eat when we're happy, sad, lonely, anxious and even just plain bored. Who hasn't polished off leftovers just because they were, well, there?

We all eat a little too much from time to time, but eating in response to feelings rather than hunger can harm your health, both physically and psychologically. Many of us will eat more when emotions are the driving force, yet food provides only temporary relief. Once your spoon hits the bottom of that pint of cookies 'n' cream, the feelings remain-along with a hefty serving of guilt for eating too much.

Here's how you can kick the emotional eating habit, and recognize and respect your body's real hunger cues.

Think Before You

Read More »from Are You an Emotional Eater?

By Sarah Jio

Do you have trouble falling asleep at night but dread the idea of taking sleeping pills and dealing with potential side effects? If you're looking for alternate ways to induce the zzz's, here are some natural remedies that can help lull you into dreamland. Photo: © Thinkstock

Melatonin
Mela…what? This natural hormone, which is made by the body's pineal gland, is available over the counter, and many health experts say it can safely help you get drowsy before bed (it may even have immune-stimulating and antioxidant benefits, too). But, as with all herbal and natural remedies, it's best to get your doctor's OK first. "High levels of melatonin may raise the level of another hormone, prolactin, aggravating the risk of depression or infertility," says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, an internist and the author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! "Although I don't know of any danger yet from using melatonin in higher doses, I would only use a dose higher than a half-milligram under

Read More »from 10 All-Natural Ways to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

By Kristin Koch

So your Prince Charming isn't always so…charming? Maybe you wish your partner were a little more romantic or helped out around the house. Just because the yelling, nagging and bribing hasn't gotten you anywhere doesn't mean you can't get him to change his ways. Here's how to get your guy to put down the toilet seat, bring you flowers and do the dishes-without having to ask him 10 times.

Fantasy: Casanova-or at least a man who surprises you with flowers once in a while and doesn't think a vacuum cleaner is an acceptable Valentine's Day gift.

Reality: Your husband wouldn't know romance if it hit him in the face.

"One of the biggest mistakes that women make is holding on to the belief that if Mr. Right was truly able to live up to his name, he would know exactly what makes you happy," says Scott Haltzman, MD, author of The Secrets of Happily Married Women. "But in order to get what you want out of the relationship, you have to ask for it." Don't just assume

Read More »from How to Make Your Dream Guy a Reality