Blog Posts by SheKnows.com

Ombre hair color is a trend rapidly gaining in popularity -- and why not?! Fresh and casual, ombre hair color is a flattering and relatively low-maintenance technique. Here are four reasons you should try it.

WHY GO OMBRE?

drew barrymore ombre gradient hair colorOmbre is a French word that literally means shaded; think gradient color, like you'd see on a swatch of fabric or skein of yarn. Ombre is a hot trend in hair color this year -- and with good reason!

1Ombre is a low-maintenance hair color technique.

OK, so nothing is more low maintenance than not coloring your hair -- but comparatively speaking, ombre is a fairly easy hair color look to keep up (presuming you go from darker roots to lighter ends). For the least maintenance, go as close to your natural hair color as possible near your roots, then gradually go lighter down the hair shaft.

As seen to the right, Drew Barrymore has dramatic color contrast between her roots and her ends, but because the transition is gradual (this is really key), it's not a

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by Sarah Kelsey for SheKnows.com

At some point, we all develop a health problem we'd rather not talk about. You know, icky things like foot fungus, nail problems or bad breath. To help you out and keep your embarrassing conditions under wraps, we popped by the local drugstore to find the best products to cure those uncomfortable-to-talk-about health issues. Tried and tested, we've got your embarrassing health needs covered, but as always, we suggest that you talk to your doctor to make sure these remedies are right for you.

Embarrassing health issues

Weird weight gain

No one really wants to admit to their friends they've actually gained weight. Sure, complaining about a few pounds is normal, but it never feels good. Which is where Mirafit comes in. The new product was just approved in Canada as an all-natural way to maintain weight and keep this uncomfortable health issue at bay. It contains FBCx fiber, a soluble dietary fiber that, when consumed with a meal with moderate to

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By Noelle Nelson, PhD for SheKnows.com

Is your marriage strong enough to survive a layoff? Take this quiz to find out.

LOVE QUIZ

1. You keep hashing and re-hashing the events leading up to his layoff

2. You ask "When are you going to find another job?" repeatedly

3. You say "That'll take years!" when he talks about changing careers

4. You say "If you hadn't ______ (fill in the blank), you'd still have a job"

WILL YOU SURVIVE?

The danger to your marriage is when you forget that you and your spouse are a team. Partners.

If you answered "Yes" to two or more of the above, your marriage may not survive his layoff! And what a shame that would be -- to permanently lose your marriage to a temporary situation.

Because that is what being laid off -- or downsized, terminated -- or even just having to take a salary cut, is. A temporary situation. A blip on the radar screen of our lives. Painful, to be sure. Nasty to go through, indeed. But something from

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Sweet sugar or classic Belgian waffles are quick and simple for breakfast, brunch -- or even dinner! Choose sweet or savory toppings for different taste experiences. Here's a lowdown on making great waffles.

EQUIPMENT

The most important factor in making waffles is the waffle maker. There are two types of waffle makers: the home model, which makes good, quick, simple waffles; or the restaurant -style waffle maker, which makes fluffy, thick waffles that require a little more time to prepare. Both make delicious Belgian or sweet waffles.

Two top-of-the-line waffle makers are the Krups Waffle Chef ($49.99) or the Waring Belgian Waffle Maker ($79.95).

BASIC INGREDIENTS

Be prepared when that waffle craving strikes and keep a few staple ingredients in your kitchen (you probably already have most of them). The following nine ingredients will make just about any type of waffle, from the most basic recipe to specialty variations:

• All-purpose flour (white or whole wheat)

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The end of summer may be in sight, but there are still barbecues and potlucks to attend. So try these delicious and fun summer potluck recipes for a tasty break from boring old potato salad.

(Also see Potluck recipes with a gourmet twist and Year-round favorite potluck recipes!)


SESAME NOODLES RECIPE

These Sesame Noodles are easily made the night before. For noodles with a kick, use half hot sesame oil and a dash of chili flakes.

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
• 4 tablespoons chicken broth
• 10 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (use water for a vegetarian version)
• 6 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 pound long, thin pasta cooked, drained, and chilled
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 3 to 4 scallions, chopped
• 1 medium cucumber, julienned

Directions:

1. Combine peanut butter, broth, and soy sauce small saucepan. Heat over low

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By Karen Hawthorne for SheKnows.com

Need some motivation to jump-start your commitment to fitness? Boot camps not only blast fat and build strength, they break the monotony of your everyday workouts. Boot camp training doesn't require fancy equipment - all you need is your body weight and enthusiasm. Why are boot camp workouts gaining popularity? Because they work. SheKnows talked to Laura Jackson, personal trainer, boot camp instructor and co-founder of Fit Chicks, to give us the skinny on boot camp fitness.

BOOT CAMPS FEATURE HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING

SheKnows: We've heard that boot camps are more intense than other fitness classes because of the focus on interval training. What exactly is interval training?

Laura Jackson: There are various interval training methods, but the one that we have found most effective for weight loss and improving cardio is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT combines short intervals of maximum-intensity exercise - 30 seconds

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by Melissa Chapman for SheKnows.com & RealMomsGuide

My eight-year-old daughter has never been a problem eater -- she will gladly take her adult-sized burger nestled in a whole wheat bun with a dash of ketchup. My son, on the other hand, is far more discerning about food. So for all you other moms blessed with the pickiest of eaters -- who've endured summer BBQs where your kids consume half a plain hot dog bun -- we're sharing some great BBQ ideas perfect for this Labor Day weekend.

Lisa Beels, co-owner of the NYC-based Petite Palate Gourmet Baby Food company, shares her tips to create a kid-centric BBQ complete with the fixings your kids will be clamoring to chow down!

Kiddie kabobs

Have your kids take popsicle sticks and slide cut fruit onto the sticks in their favorite pattern. Any age child can participate, and they will enjoy eating the fruit themselves.

Mini-burger buffet

Kids love anything mini-sized, and burgers are no exception! Cook kid-sized burgers on the grill

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by JJ Virgin, PhD, CNS for SheKnows.com

Of course the right upper-body exercises are crucial for shaping slim and sexy arms, but it's only one part of my integrated program for creating the arms and body of your dreams. You must also "feed" your arms so that you're building muscle while burning off the fat. Here are nutrition and exercise tips from Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy that you can put into action today for trim, toned arms.

Woman with fit arms

DIET TIPS FOR ENVIABLE ARMS

Drink up for dynamite arms

Be sure to drink eight or more glasses of pure spring water in between meals to keep your appetite at bay, support metabolism and burn fat. Don't drink more than a few ounces with your meals, because too much water during meals can dilute stomach acid and impair digestion.

Drinking pure spring water throughout the rest of your day will also help balance your stress hormones, which can increase even if you are just mildly dehydrated. Sodas, coffee and sugary sports drinks pretending to be Read More »from How to get slim, sexy arms