Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Mandy Major

On Thanksgiving, few traditions are as sacred as the holiday meal. And turkey is just the beginning-it's the trimmings that really make or break the feast. But with pies, potatoes and stuffing galore, you don't always have time to whip up homemade gravy. Jarred gravy to the rescue! While it may never taste quite like homemade, it's a delicious pinch-hitter when you're pressed for time in those final minutes before the big feast. WD put several popular contenders up to a blind taste test to see whose recipe was worth gobbling up. Read on to check out our favorites.

Heinz Fat Free Roasted Turkey Gravy

Score: 3.5 out of 5
What WD had to say: Despite a "thinner consistency" and a taste that was a "little salty" for some, this gravy scored the highest reviews thanks to its "smooth texture" and "good turkey flavor." Several testers remarked that it was the "closest to homemade."

Campbell's Turkey Gravy

Score:

By Abigail L. Cuffey

You might think it's what you eat off your fork--not the size of your utensil--that's causing you to pack on the pounds. But new research suggests otherwise. Read on to get the scoop on this and other eating habits that can tip the scale.

1. You drink a lot of diet soda. Yes, it's calorie-free, but it might lead to an expanding waistline. People who drink even one diet soda a day have larger waist circumferences compared with non-soda drinkers, according to research from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. One possible reason: "People think that they're 'saving' calories by choosing diet soda, so they eat more to make up for it," says study coauthor Sharon Fowler, MPH. Another theory: Artificial sweeteners may increase your cravings for other sweet foods like candy.

Check out 9 fast food beverages to avoid.

Either way, the calories can really add up, so try to quit the diet soda and reach for water or seltzer instead. If going

By Denise Schipani

You've heard all about the benefits of having sex-it can improve your health, help you sleep and, obviously, strengthen your relationship. And the best way to have more sex is to ask for it. But for some women, that's easier said than done. It may be because you can't figure out a way to get the message across, or you're exhausted, shy or just plain out of practice, says Aline Zoldbrod, Ph.D., sex therapist and author of Sex Talk. No matter what the reason, if you're not sure how to give your man the hint, read on for nine tips to initiate romance.

1. Put it in writing.

Sometimes, saying, "I want you, now" out loud can feel intimidating or embarrassing, especially if that kind of talk doesn't come naturally to you, says Tammy Nelson, Ph.D., a couples and sex therapist and author of Getting the Sex You Want. But writing down your desires can help shake off your inhibitions, since you can get your point across without face-to-face contact. Pop a note in your

By WomansDay.com Staff

decor tips

While every designer's goal is to give each home an individual feel that is unique to the owner, there are certainly tricks that work time and again to elevate any space. From maximizing the feel of your kitchen and living room to the best lighting for your bathroom, read on for eight tricks of the trade.

"Make the stove the focal point of your kitchen. Center it in a prominent place, just as you would with a fireplace in a living room." -Andre Rothblatt, Architect, Andre Rothblatt Architecture, San Francisco; AndreRothblattArchitecture.com

"If your kitchen and living area are part of a great room, match the cabinetry and the wall color so the room will feel even larger." -Amy Alper, AIA, Sonoma, CA; AlperArchitect.com

"A big, beautiful window that brings nature in is always welcome and chic." -Robert and Courtney Novogratz, hosts of Home by Novogratz, HGTV; TheNovogratz.com

"I like to use simple

By Brynn Mannino

8 Inside Secrets from Medical Receptionists

At any medical office, the receptionist controls it all: the books, the phones and who gets an appointment. So it's in your favor to get on his or her good side. From filling out your paperwork in advance to asking the right questions, here are helpful tips for making nice with your doctor's front desk staff.

1. Filing paperwork in advance for a first-time appointment helps everyone.
Though it doesn't necessarily ensure more face time with your doctor, taking care of new patient paperwork before you get to the office-whether through electronic medical records (EMR) or by fax-is a better use of everyone's time. "Most medical offices are switching over to EMR," says Wendy Winstead, an office manager for Nicholas Nikolov, MD, a California-based plastic surgeon. "When you call and make an appointment, ask if it's an option; if so, they'll give you a code that you can use to log in and file." Once completed, you'll only have to sign a few consent forms when you

By Denise Austin

If you're starting to lose your motivation to exercise at this time of year, don't throw in the towel-just grab a chair. You can use it to change up your workout and increase calorie burn. Kick off your shoes and get situated in your family room or basement (you'll need enough space to kick your leg back while standing by the chair). Do this routine twice a week and you should see results just in time for the holiday season!

1. Glute Kicks A
Facing the chair, bend at your waist and place your hands flat down near the edge of the seat.

Glute Kicks B
Kick your left leg straight back, keeping your foot flexed so it forms a straight line with your torso. Lower leg back down and repeat. Do two sets of 12 on each leg. Be sure to squeeze your glutes and leg muscles during the kicks.

2. Hip & Thigh Trimmer A
Stand behind the chair, resting your hands lightly on the back. Bend your right leg and turn

By Alexandra Gekas

Whether Mediterranean food is your go-to cuisine or just an occasional treat, you're likely familiar with hummus-the versatile ground chickpea concoction that can be used as a protein-packed dip, a spread for sandwiches and wraps or as an everyday condiment. But with all of the brands to choose from at the supermarket, it's hard to know which ones are worth dipping into. WD tasted seven varieties of popular hummus varieties to find out; here's what our tasters had to say.

Tribe Classic Hummus

Score: 4.26 out of 5

What WD had to say: Tribe was the clear favorite of our tasting panel. While the thick consistency got mixed reviews-some prefer it thick; others thin and creamy-one thing our reviewers agreed on was the great flavor. "Very strong chickpea flavor, I love it!" said one tester. Another raved: "Just a hint of garlic-it was my favorite!"

Hannah Classic Hommus

Score: 4.15 out of 5

What

Article originally appeared on WomansDay.com.

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