Blog Posts by Self Magazine

E.W., SELF magazine

We spend most of our time inside, breathing air that can be even dirtier than the air outside. Check out the sneakiest indoor pollution sources, and learn how to scour them out.

Your foundation: In some homes, radon, a radioactive gas, can seep into the foundation-even if you don't have a basement. Radon may be responsible for up to 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year and may factor into squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer), too.

Clear the air: Buy a test kit (about $12). If you find a problem, the EPA suggest hiring a contractor trained in radon problems to help seal cracks in the foundation and increase ventilation. The fix costs about $1,200, but it's a sound health investment.

Related: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

Your vacuum: "All vacuums throw dust particles into the air, but those without a HEPA filter throw more," says allergist James Sublett, M.D., chairman of the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Indoor Environment Committee.

Read More »from Scary Home Hazards

Nicole Yorio Jurick, SELF magazine

Take the stress out of your daily trip to and from work with these handy tips.

Calm Yourself
- Create a repetitive ritual to loosen up and de-stress, says Ruth Klein, a productivity coach in Santa Monica, California.
- Listen to soothing tunes (Mozart or Miles), read a favorite poet, or ponder a piece of art. (Get inspired at Google ArtProject.com on your tablet.)
- Tame tension by meditating to the rumbling of the train, or with the guided meditations on the Simply Being app (iPhone, Android; 99 cents).
- Busying your hands eases your mind. Take up knitting or another crafty hobby.

Related: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Feel the Love
- For a quick mood lift, connect with your fellow riders.
- Resist glaring at someone singing along to her iPod, and consider what you might have in common (a passion for music). You'll perk up, says Jonathan Kaplan, Ph.D., a psychologist in New York City.
- Send a positive mental message to a seatmate (I wish you

Read More »from Be a Joyful Commuter

Amanda Woerner, SELF magazine

Totally doable tips from seven female VIPs. Get ready to rise!

More from SELF:
5 Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin
3 CrossFit Total-Body Workouts
50 Healthiest Snacks
6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism

Read More »from How to Land Your Dream Job

Erin Bried, SELF magazine

People who start their day on empty are 75 percent more likely to be overweight than regular a.m. eaters. Follow our guide to rethink your morning meal, then start with our eight grab-and-go-favorites.

See more: Lose 2 Pounds a Week

Despite what your barista says, a jug-sized latte, even with all that milk and sugar, isn't a meal. "For most busy women, breakfast is based on convenience, which can backfire nutritionally," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., author of Read It Before You Eat It. Your brain needs certain nutrients early on for all-day concentration and problem solving.

Anatomy of a Perfect Breakfast

A too-big start can make for a too-big you. Shoot for getting 25 to 30 percent of your daily calories: about 400 if you're trying to lose, 500 if you're maintaining or 625 if you're very active. Here's the ideal breakdown.

See more: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

53% carbs: "During the night, while you sleep, you burn through your stores of blood sugar,

Read More »from Formula for a Perfect Breakfast

Anna Maltby, SELF magazine

If you've opened a SkyMall lately, you know there are dozens of products out there designed to clean indoor air. But do they actually work? We asked the experts what you really need.

See more: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

1. A high-efficiency disposable MERV (minimal efficiency value reporting) HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system) air filter in your home. Pardon the alphabet soup! All we mean is that you should hit up the hardware store and look for those words on a disposable filter you can install in your air system. They cost about $10 to $20, and you should replace them every three months and have your HVAC system serviced once a year. The filter will help reduce fine particles and allergens

by forcing air through tightly woven fibers that can trap even super-small particles. It'll also save you money on a whole-house HEPA (that's high-efficiency particulate air) system, which can cost thousands.

2. Freestanding HEPA cleaners for

Read More »from The 5 Tools You Need to Clean Your Air

SELF magazine

When it comes to ditching unwanted pounds, these key ingredients are as powerful as they are tasty. Add them to your plate to lose weight!

These proven pound melters are just a few of the stars of SELF's new book, The Drop 10 Diet.

More from SELF:
Superfoods for Flat Abs
10 Busy-Girl Buffer Moves
50 Healthiest Snacks
The Pasta Lover's Diet

Read More »from Top 10 Superfoods

Photo courtesy of bedbathandbeyond.comSarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

After a long day at work, there's nothing better than coming home to wonderful aromas in your kitchen and a home-cooked meal just sitting there, waiting for you. Sound too good to be true? Not if you've got a slow cooker! This handy tool can be used to cook almost anything including dips, soups, meat, and even desserts. All you have to do is throw in ingredients and leave them to cook from four to twelve hours depending on the type of recipe and ingredients. Slow cookers operate on a lower heat than the stove or in the oven and they won't overheat so you don't have to babysit your dish. When dinner rolls around all the work will already be done! Sounds fantastic, right?

Related: How to Lose 2 Pounds a Week

If you're on the market for a slow cooker, keep these features in mind:

Must-Haves:
- Removable interior bowl for easy cleaning.
- Glass lid for easy cleaning and durability. Gladd lids are more likely to last longer

Read More »from Spend Less Time Cooking

A trainer at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games demonstrating a makeshift kettlebell swing"People waste a lot of money on useless home exercise equipment that never gets used. I work out at home often, and though I don't hand make a lot of equipment, I actually find it fun to figure out things to use around my house and ways to take advantage of my environment," says ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified Personal Trainer and Lifestyle/Weight Management Coach David Tacheny of Proformance Athletics

David teachess an outdoor mountain fitness class in NYC, offered through Discover Outdoor, that I've taken, where I found myself throwing boulders, dragging my friend through an open field and squatting with tree branches!

Related: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

Cost-cutting tip: Make Your Own

"My new favorite piece of equipment, purchased or homemade, is a sand bag! There are many kinds and designs and they can usually be made at home for less than $20! The types are important: there is the 'bulk bag' (my term)- a large duffle bag or backpack filled with heavy

Read More »from The Best Workout Equipment You Don't Have to Buy