Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Arianne Cohen

Pam, a mother of two teenage boys, ages 14 and 17, lives in a clean, organized house in Austin, Texas. And no, she's not going to tell you her last name, because her house used to be a mess.

"Have you ever seen Citizen Kane?" she jokes. While raising her sons, Pam found herself "just surrounded by things." She knew it was getting bad when visitors began commenting. "People would say, 'Wow, you have a lot of stuff.' I think I let it go for so long because the house was never dirty-just very full," she says. Full of outgrown toys, kitchen appliances, end tables from two houses ago-items that were potentially useful, but never used. "My biggest mistake? Not having a plan to get rid of things," she says.

Millions of us are just like Pam, and the consequences of holding on to everything are huge. Numerous studies show that people whose lives are oriented around material possessions-which is what happens when every surface is cluttered- are less happy. A 2006

Read More »from Confronting Your Clutter Conundrums

By Woman's Day Staff

Book Talk

Knowing what an author's choice reads are is like getting a glimpse into their mind. So we couldn't resist the opportunity to check out the literary picks of best-selling author Jodi Picoult, who recently released her 18th novel, Sing You Home, about the challenges same-sex couples face when marrying and adopting. (She is also the author of My Sister's Keeper, which hit the big screen in 2009.) Click through the slideshow to see the writing that Picoult loves, as well as the authors she's looked up to along her own novel journey.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

"Hemingway's 1920s tale of jealousy among five men in love with the same woman entranced me with its short, direct writing-what's not said is more important than what is said."

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

"My go-to children's book, this story flips the damsel-in-distress concept on its head. It features a strong female protagonist: a princess who

Read More »from Jodi Picoult’s All-Time Favorite Reads

By Petra Guglielmetti

Nobody's perfect-but luckily, our imperfections are what help make us interesting and uniquely beautiful. So if you have a trouble area (or two) that really irks you, don't let it get you down. Instead, try one of the following expert tricks for fooling the world into not even noticing your so-called flaws. Whether it's creating an optical illusion with a quick makeup move or adding a few genius items to your wardrobe, here's how to minimize the negative so you feel perfectly beautiful (and isn't that just as good as looking "perfect" anyway?).

The Complaint: Forehead Wrinkles

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills would say to just Botox those irksome forehead crinkles away-but if you're not the type to go under the needle, there's an equally effective fix that comes at the problem from a different angle: Try bangs. Not only are they the perfect "curtain" to hide the signs of aging, they'll give your whole look a fresh, modern vibe. There are styles

Read More »from Tricks That Transform Your Imperfections

By Olivia Putnal

No doubt you know that eating healthy is good for you in a plethora of ways-it can decrease your risk of disease, improve your immune system, increase your energy levels and even affect your sleeping habits. But did you know certain foods can improve the way you look, too? Read on to find out which nutrients will give your hair and nails extra luster, strength and shine.

Biotin/Vitamin H

Biotin (a.k.a. vitamin H) can improve hair that is splitting or thinning as well as strengthen weakened nails. Taken with zinc and the corticosteroid clobetasol propionate, biotin has even been used to treat alopecia, an autoimmune skin disease marked by the loss of hair. Nina DiBona, RD, dietitian and nutritionist at the Sports Club/LA in Boston, agrees. "A deficiency in biotin may result in brittle hair or even hair loss." An easy way to remember: The H in vitamin H stands for "haar and haut," which means "hair and nails" in German, DiBona notes.

Foods to Try:

Read More »from What to Eat for Healthy Hair and Nails

By Abigail L. Cuffey

Did you read that little slip of paper that came with your phone telling you to keep it a certain distance from your body? We didn't either. (An insert with the iPhone 4, for example, advises keeping the phone at least 5⁄8 inch away while using it.) Research linking cell phones to cancer and infertility has been mixed, but some experts believe we should take the warnings seriously. "Phones act like small microwaves by emitting radiation, which, over time, may be harmful," says Devra Davis, PhD, author of Disconnect. Protect your health with the three tips below.

Learn about the health impact of commonly-used high­­ tech gadgets.

• Don't make calls when the signal is weak. If your phone is having a hard time finding a signal, it puts out more energy to reach a tower-which means more radiation.

• Get a headset or use the speaker option so you can chat without the phone being right next to your head.

• Carry your phone in a purse or bag, rather than in

Read More »from 3 Cell Phone Safety Tips

By Kimberly Fusaro

Sure, your health insurance covers your annual physical and your kids' checkups, but if you're not familiar with your policy, you may be missing out on-or worse, paying out of pocket for-procedures and prescriptions that are commonly covered. Of course coverage varies from state to state and policy to policy, but it can never hurt to call the customer service number listed on the back of your health insurance card to learn what you might have access to. Not convinced yet? Read on for 11 often-covered services and procedures that will inspire you to look more closely at your plan.

1. Next-Generation Birth Control

Health insurance used to cover birth control pills, IUDs-and not much else. But many policies have been expanded in the past few years, says Keith Mendonsa, consumer insurance specialist at eHealthInsurance.com. If you're interested in newer methods of birth control, including NuvaRing and Depo-Provera, it's worth it to touch base with your

Read More »from 11 Things Your Health Insurance Might Pay For

By Amanda Greene

Water

It seems like the most innocuous substance around, but believe it or not, some people are actually allergic to water. Aquagenic urticaria is a rare condition in which water of any temperature causes intensely itchy and painful hives on the skin. Because the cause of this reaction perplexes doctors, an effective treatment hasn't been found, making regular activities-like showering and swimming-extremely difficult.

Sex

Talk about killing the mood! Known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity, this condition involves a negative physical reaction to a man's seminal fluid (the liquid that carries sperm). Symptoms include hives, swelling and trouble breathing. The good news? Treatment is available, and can include simply using condoms or exposure therapy (a.k.a. spending plenty of time between the sheets to get desensitized to the reaction).

Exercise

Though it might seem like a great excuse to avoid the gym, anyone suffering from an exercise

Read More »from 10 Highly Unusual Allergies

By Woman's Day Staff

With the right support network, anything is possible-even tough tasks like finding a health insurance plan that best serves your needs and ditching your bad habits for healthier behavior. Below, find out how to contact professions who can answer your questions, help you navigate the healthcare system and coach you through eating and exercise changes.

1. Patient Advocates

Consider one if… You need extra guidance navigating the healthcare system.

What they do: Help fight health claims disputes with your insurance company, guide you on what type of care to consider after a new diagnosis, and give advice on what to do if you have a health condition that is affecting your ability to do your job.

Who they are: Nurses who previously worked in a hospital or doctor's office, social workers, professional case managers, attorneys and other experts.

Where to find: At the Patient Advocate Foundation's website, PatientAdvocate.org (case management services

Read More »from Health Experts You Can Call On