Nightmare PMS, record-low energy levels, insanely dry skin - could a diet that's lacking the right fats be behind your peskiest little health problems? Find out here. By Kim Tranell, REDBOOK.

Remember when you doused every vegetable in fake butter spray and called low-fat cookies "health food?" Even if you've pretty much recovered from the fat-fearing diet craze of the '90s, there's still - admit it! - a little lingering confusion about what fats are "good" fats - and how you can work those typically calorie-dense foods into your diet without packing on the pounds.

"The bottom line is, the average American woman doesn't get enough omega-3 fatty acids," says Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD, author of The Ultimate Omega-3 Diet. She's speaking, of course, of the fat found in fish like salmon, as well as walnuts, flax seeds, and olive oil. "But just by putting those back in your diet, you'll see diverse and varied benefits."

It's true, say experts: Everything from your foggy memory, to your crappy

A fresh plotline for a used book: storing a remote!

Unlike Downton Abbey, your clunky clicker isn't exactly a must-see. So stash the eyesore in a book: You'll need one at least two inches longer and 1/4 inch deeper than your remote control.


Step 1: Open the book's back cover. Using a foam brush, coat the inside cover and facing page with school glue. Close the book and press down firmly for 10 seconds.

Plus: 24 Creative Sewing Crafts »

Step 2: Open the book's front cover. Coat the entire stack of pages-all three exposed sides-with school glue, taking care not to get any on the topmost page. Let dry for one hour; repeat. Close the book, weight it with a second book, and let dry overnight.

Step 3: Open the front cover, center your remote on the first page, and trace around it with a pencil, adding 1/4 inch all the way around. Set the remote aside. With an X-Acto knife, cut along the marked line, removing two to three pages at a time. Continue until your remote fits deeply inside.

Plus:

Learning Valuable SkillsTake Our Sons and Daughters to Work day inspires kids to follow their dreams for the future. Now we've heard it said that the jobs of the future have not yet been invented. So how can we help our kids prepare for jobs that don't yet exist? By helping them develop classic skills that will serve them well no matter what the future holds.

1. Persistence

Persistence can be a difficult thing to teach in our face paced world. It's natural for kids to want to give up if they think what they're working on will take too long for a payoff. But the fable was right, in the end the tortoise wins the race. How can we turn the fable into something more tangible for our kids?

We can start by encouraging projects that take a while to see results. Paper mache crafts are good for this since they require a few days of drying time. Sculptures, pinatas and even costume items like helmets can all be made with paper mache.

Gardening is another great activity for helping kids see the power of persistence.

Dig into the DIY craze with these easy and fun projects for your backyard, patio, and garden!

Small backyard beach
Small backyard beach (click on photo above for instructions)
If you love the beach but can't find the time for regular visits, why not turn an unused corner of your backyard into a sandy retreat? This miniature beach can be put together over a weekend for less than $200. Decomposed granite, sand, driftwood, and grassy plants complete the seaside look.

Outdoor chandelier
Outdoor chandelier (click on photo above for instructions)
Romantic outdoor lighting: With a wire basket, a few jars, and some tea lights and adornment, add a little handmade glow to your garden.

Romantic backyard cabana
Romantic backyard cabana (click on photo above for instructions)
This backyard lounge serves as both a casual spot for year-round entertaining and a private refuge with resort style.

Perfect compost bin
Perfect compost bin (click on photo above for instructions)
Designed by horticulturists at the University of California Cooperative Extension, this compost bin is inexpensive, easy

Read on for some medically proven moves that'll make it happen - and help you drop some pounds. By Hallie Levine, REDBOOK.

Stock up on green tea
Green tea isn't known only for its cancer-fighting benefits: It may help boost your metabolism, too. People who took green-tea extract three times a day saw their metabolic rate increase by about 4 percent, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (Translation: You could burn an extra 60 calories a day, which equals about six pounds a year!) It may be because green tea contains catechins, which increase levels of the metabolism-speeding brain chemical norepinephrine, says Joy Bauer, a New York City nutritionist and author of Cooking with Joy.

Pump iron
Weight training is the ultimate way to burn calories fast. "A pound of muscle burns up to nine times the calories of a pound of fat," explains Richard Cotton, M.A., chief exercise physiologist for myexerciseplan.com. Weight training increases your

POPSUGAR FitnessSource: Pre-Workout Mistakes to Avoid

It takes a lot of effort to carve out time for a sweat session, so don't sabotage it by making these poor choices right before you exercise. Find out which mistakes make it harder for you to get in a good workout and which can cause an injury that sidelines you from hitting the gym at all.

• Working Out on Empty: If you work out first thing in the morning, then it's important to eat a little something to fuel your workout, or else you'll end up burning the muscle you're working so hard to build. Here are some light pre-workout snack ideas.
• Fueling Up With Fiber: Apples and peanut butter may be a healthy snack, but the high fiber content can cause digestive issues such as gas pains or the need to run to the ladies' room mid-workout. Choose snacks like these that are focused on protein and carbs instead to offer you energy without the tummy troubles.
• Gulping Down an Energy Drink: Caffeine can give your workout a boost, but energy drinks are also

10 Ideas for Stay-At-Home Dates for New ParentsIf you have a baby or a toddler, you know that alone time with your significant other is so important. But sometimes you just can't get away. Maybe the babysitter cancels. Or maybe you just don't feel comfortable leaving your little one just yet. But having some time alone is good for your soul. Well, my husband and I have become pros at the at-home date night so I've put together 10 ideas for you for after the baby goes to bed!

DIY At Home Date Night Ideas:

1. Pull out all your extra sheets and pillows and make a tent in your bedroom or living room, then curl up inside and watch a movie together. (Make some buttery popcorn or serve up your favorite on-hand snacks!)

2. Have one of you run to the store and pick up some fancy cheeses, some good chocolate, fruit, bread, and anything else you might like and have a fondue night! No phones allowed, just connecting with each other.

3. Pick a theme and run with it. Maybe your theme is 80′s? Put your hair up in a good side ponytail, rent your

Source: New to Strength Training? What You Need to Know

You know you want to bounce quarters off your butt, but you've never done a squat in your life. Here's a basic strength-training guide to help get you started.

How to prevent injury: To avoid pulls or strains, meet with a personal trainer or gym staff member to learn proper form. Be sure to warm up before strength training - it's good practice to get in your cardio session first and then move on to strengthening. Always listen to your body, don't let your competitive nature push you too hard, and stop as soon as you feel any pain or your muscles are too tired to do the moves correctly.

How much: Whether you're using dumbbells, a machine, kettlebells, medicine balls, or a resistance band, you don't have to choose the lowest weight when starting. Choose a weight that is hard enough to make you feel like you're working, but not heavy enough to disrupt proper form. You'll know it's the correct amount when your muscles fatigue after