Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Amanda Greene Kelly

Whether you like yours hot, iced, black or with sugar, one thing's for sure: Coffee serves up plenty of health benefits. Not only can a cup of Joe help ward off depression, but it has even been linked with a decreased rate of skin cancer and increased fertility. Read on to learn about the unexpected heath benefits of coffee, plus other brew-related facts.

1. It may help ward off depression.
Anyone who perks up after the first sip of morning coffee will tell you that it has mood-boosting effects. Now there's proof: A study from the Harvard School of Public Health, published last month in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that women who regularly drink fully caffeinated coffee have a 20% lower risk of depression than non-coffee drinkers. The study, which followed a group of women for 10 years, found that as more coffee was consumed (up to six cups per day), the likelihood of depression decreased.

Find out which 8 foods can help you

undefinedBy Brooke Nevils

couponsBlame the extreme couponing craze: Some retailers are tightening their rules. The good news? You can still score big savings despite the backlash. Here's how.

1. Know the new rules. Before you go shopping, check your store's website to see how the coupon policies may have changed. "Print out the policy and bring it with you to the store. That way, if your cashier isn't familiar with it, you'll have it on hand-and you won't lose out on allowable savings," says Kelly Hancock, author of Saving Savvy: Smart and Easy Ways to Cut Your Spending in Half and Raise Your Standard of Living…and Giving!
Learn 10 things you didn't know about couponing.

2. Go back to basics. Pick up three copies of the Sunday paper-89% of grocery coupons still come from the newspaper, according to The Nielsen Company. Sunday is when most of the circulars come out, so it's worth the extra bucks, says Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com. Another option: Go to your retailer's website,

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By Alyssa Shaffer

Did you know that as few as two nights of not getting enough sleep can slow your metabolism? Or that your body uses more energy to digest whole foods (like fruits and veggies) than processed, packaged foods? Below, Alyssa Shaffer-longtime health, fitness and nutrition writer and the author of Turn Up Your Fat Burn-addresses common curiosities about your body's ability to burn calories.

Q: My friend can eat anything she wants and not gain an ounce, but I take one bite of a brownie and it goes straight to my hips. What gives?

A: Thank your parents for your brown eyes, your wavy hair and, in large part, your metabolism. Sorry to say, but your friend just naturally burns more calories than you do. That said, even though you're born with a certain metabolism, you do have quite a bit of control over it, notes Dr. Westcott.

Discover the 9 lowest-calorie coffee drinks and smoothies.

Here's why: About 60% to 85% of the calories you burn during the day are

By Locke Hughes

Holiday Party Etiquette 101

'Tis the season for parties and get-togethers! But as fun as holiday gatherings can be, they also bring some tricky etiquette dilemmas, too. Whether it's last-minute cancellations or menu planning with allergies in mind, read on for expert etiquette tips from Lizzie Post of The Emily Post Institute and Dorothea Johnson, founder of the Protocol School of Washington.

Q: I've been invited to a party and my sitter cancelled at the last minute. Can I ask the host if I can bring my kids, or should I simply send my regrets?

Call the host as soon as possible and explain the situation. "Suggest a backup plan, such as your husband attending while you stay home or vice versa, so she doesn't feel cornered into inviting your children," Johnson advises.

Discover 10 things your party host won't tell you.

Q: I've planned a dinner party for a certain number of people and my friend brings a guest with her. How do I handle this with tact?

Smile, invite the

By Arianne Cohen

Clean Your House in Less Than an Hour

When it comes to cleaning fast, the key is to "have a system, move quickly and never go back to a room," says Andre Lewis, manager of Alpha Living, a green cleaning service in New York City. Follow this plan-starting upstairs and working your way down-and you'll be done before you know it.

Zone 1: Bedrooms
Approximate time: 10 minutes per bedroom

Do a clean sweep. Strip dirty linens and toss in the hamper. Stash unnecessary items clogging your dresser or nightstand in nearby drawers or closets. Empty the wastebasket. Think "hotel"-you want spartan surfaces to help the room look tidier.

Make the bed. Take a tip from hotel maids: Rather than trying to tuck sheets under the end of the mattress, lift up each corner of the mattress with one hand and tuck with the other. It's faster.

Check out 10 laundry-day shortcuts.

Deal with dust. Using a dry microfiber cloth, start with a piece of furniture in one corner and work your way around the room

7 Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

By Barbara Brody

Not exercising. Supersize portions. Our love affair with food has taken a drastic turn. The number of Americans with type 2 diabetes-21 million, including adults and children-has risen with the obesity epidemic. Should you or you child get tested? Yes, if you have a family history of the disease and/or any of the following:

1. You're overweight. Even being just 10 to 15 pounds overweight can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If your child is overweight, make sure his pediatrician tests him, because type 2 diabetes is on the rise in kids. The encouraging news is that losing just 5% to 7% of your body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes, according to research from the Diabetes Prevention Program. Testing usually involves screening your blood for high glucose (sugar) levels. If they're too high, you could have either type 1 or type 2. Your doctor will most likely be able to sort it out based on your age and symptoms. In some cases, you may

By Denise Schipani

For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health-your marriage vows hinted that you'd face hurdles along the way, but successfully navigating them as a couple can be harder than it seems. Whether it's because one of you becomes the caretaker of an aging parent, or because you have to uproot your family and move cross-country, major life transitions can put a strain on any relationship. But whatever stressor or life upheaval you're going through, "It matters less what the problem actually is, and more how you deal with it," says Samantha Litzinger, PhD, clinical program director of the Supporting Healthy Relationships program at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. With this in mind, we spoke with experts to discover ways to navigate nine common life transitions together-and come out as a stronger couple on the other side.

1. You have your first child.

Anyone with kids can tell you that having a baby changes everything. But couples continue to be

Comstockby Fanny Van Nevel

Think back to the days just after Christmas last year. Were you on your hands and knees picking tinsel out of the rug? Would you have broken the legs of the very next gingerbread man that came your way? Sometimes, creating all that holiday spirit makes you feel more Grinch than great. But you don't have to do it all. Honest. As a matter of fact, you can do exactly what you want (without too much stress) if you get organized now and keep it that way.

Plan, Plan, Plan!

1. Right after Thanksgiving, make a list of everything you want (and need) to accomplish during the weeks to come-shopping,decorating, sending cards, baking. Set deadlines to fit your schedule. If you know you'll be pressed for time, make choices now. For example, would you rather bake cookies or send out holiday cards?
2. Write down important dates-"To Do" deadlines, parties, concerts, travel plans-on one calendar. Line up babysitters as soon as possible.
3. If you are