November 2009

Expert Advice: How to Fix Your Marriage

November 30, 2009 at 12:10 pm, by Jennifer Castoro

In case you haven’t already heard, we at LHJ deliver fun, interesting, useful newsletters to lots of inboxes each week, with beauty tips, dinner ideas, weight-loss strategies and tons more info for your everyday life. This week’s hot topic is a timely one for the stress-filled holiday season: how to handle the most common issues you have with your hubby. (Probably something to think about before that massive Christmas credit card bill arrives.) And, on a lighter note, this week’s issue also has cute holiday crafts and delish cupcake recipes. Yummmm. Sign on up!

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Gene Pool: Where Did My Daughter Come From?

November 30, 2009 at 10:25 am, by Sue Erneta

My oldest daughter, Sophia, looks like a perfect combination of genes from my husband and I. She’s got the brown hair that we both have. The shape of her brown eyes are a combo of his and mine. Her mouth? All mommy. And her long feet with the “finger” toes? Well, she’ll be blaming daddy for those later in life.

Before Lily was born when we found out we were having another girl, we wondered what she would look like. Of course, she would be just like Sophia, right? Little did we know that two brown eyed, brown haired people could have this:  a blue eyed cherub with wispy, curly strawberry-blonde hair. She does have a remarkable resemblance to my mom (the only person with baby blues in either of our families). But that wild mane? Where did that come from?

It’s even become a joke amongst our friends that perhaps Lily comes from another daddy—no chance. But I agree it’s funny…to an extent. I’m sure her hair color will change and it’ll probably straighten out a little. And I’ve been told that even though she’s almost 18 months old, those eyes could darken up a bit too.

But even if she outgrows those baby curls,  I think that my girls better get ready to endure a lifetime of “That’s your sister?”.

So, tell me…where did your kids get their looks from? Do they look like siblings?

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Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25, 2009 at 4:22 pm, by Catherine LeFebvre

We’re just about ready for the big day here in New York. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone! We’ll catch up with you all on Monday.

Snoopy’s almost up and at ‘em

Spiderman ready to make his Thanksgiving Day Parade debut

Making sure Sponge Bob’s knees are okay

More manageable balloons to take home

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First Mammograms, Now Pap Tests

November 25, 2009 at 2:01 pm, by Julia Kagan

The week before Thanksgiving was supposed to be peaceful. Let’s not talk about the fact that both your health editors were fighting bad colds, but the moment we finished dealing with the new guidelines for mammograms, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) announced that it was recommending women delay the age they start being tested for cervical cancer.

So now the annual Pap test bites the dust, too—also based on research that “screening at less frequent intervals prevents cervical cancer just as well, has decreased costs and avoids unnecessary interventions that could be harmful,” according to Alan G. Waxman, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. What it means for you:

If you’re age 30 or more, you can now be tested every three years once you’ve had three negative results on consecutive tests. This isn’t a big change—starting in 2004 ACOG recommended testing every two to three years if you had negative results on three annual tests. Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly, so the interval is considered safe except for women with medical issues, such as abnormal results on previous tests. At 65 or 70, if you’ve had three negative tests in a row and no abnormal results in 10 years, you can stop completely.

If you’re 21 to 30—the group that used to get an annual test—you’re now supposed to be tested every two years, unless you have medical reasons to have them more often.

If you’re under 21, you shouldn’t get tested. A woman is supposed to wait until 21 for her first test, no matter how early she starts having intercourse. Previously, she was supposed to start about three years after her first intercourse or at 21, whichever came first. Why the change?

• invasive cervical cancer is very rare under 21
• most young women who get an HPV infection fight it off on their own, and
• treatments for cell abnormalities increase the risk of premature births.

Not all doctors agree. “For younger women, Pap smears save lives; 21 is way too late for most women in our culture,” says oncologist Elaine Schattner, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York.

Unlike the mammogram changes, the American Cancer Society (ACS) supports the new cervical cancer guidelines and will be releasing its own revision next year. My own reading—I’m not a doctor, remember—is that the under 21 ban is the biggest question. As always, discuss what you should do for yourself (or your daughter) with your physician.

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Turkey Day: À la Alton Brown

November 25, 2009 at 8:52 am, by Lisa M. Gerry

In honor of Alton Brown’s new book, “Good Eats: The Early Years,” and the 10th anniversary of his show, we asked Alton for ten tips and little-known facts about Thanksgiving. True to his form, his factoids range from practical and historic to quirky and downright weird.

1.) The first Thanksgiving was a three-day alfresco affair—late September, early October, 1621. Hardly any of the “traditional” foods appear at the first meal, however, Turkey, Goose, Swan, Venison, Lobster, Oysters, Cod, Bass, Eels, Pumpkin, Purslane, Gooseberries, and Chestnuts all make the menu.

2.) Sarah Josepha Hale, an editor with a magazine, started a Thanksgiving campaign in 1827 and it was result of her efforts that in 1863 Thanksgiving was observed as a day for national thanks giving and prayer.

3.) Turkey was the first meal eaten on the moon.

4.) 90% of American homes serve turkey at Thanksgiving. That’s about 675 million pounds.

5.) More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving.

6.) The largest turkey on record weighed 86 pounds and was raised in England.

7.) Give your frozen bird at least two days to thaw in the refrigerator and be sure its drippings are contained to avoid contamination of fresh food.

8.) On the big day designate zones for raw, cold, and cooked foods.

9.) Involve your kids –it’s the best way to keep your traditions alive and well. Little hands seem to have an easier time peeling than mine do anyway.

10.) Volunteer or Donate. As some 8 million Americans are without jobs this year, it’s especially important to share resources, be it time, money or canned goods.

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Adventures in At-Home Fitness: Personal Training With Jackie: Power Circuit Training

November 24, 2009 at 4:12 pm, by jbrown

Work Out’s Jackie Warner looks more buff than ever on the cover of her new fitness DVD, which made me a little afraid of what torture might lay in store for me when I finally tried the routine. But it’s actually quite doable for us mere not-super-sculpted mortals. The moves themselves are easy to follow—think arm kickbacks, squats with alternating leg kicks, reverse crunches, etc. But because Jackie leads you from one exercise to the next with no rest in between, the intensity level is, well…intense. (Seriously, if you don’t make it all the way through the workout the first time—or the fifth, or the tenth—there’s no shame in that. The woman is hardcore.) The good news is that the payoff for this sweat-fest is pretty sweet. Because there are no rest periods, you get a calorie-scorching, full-body strength workout in just 40 minutes. And on the days you’re really short on time—basically every day from now until January 2010—you can just do the 15-minute express version or break up the main workout into quick upper body-, lower body- or abs-only segments. Intrigued? You can buy Personal Training With Jackie: Power Circuit Training (and see a clip from it) here.

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Go Ask Gab: Boot Camp

November 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm, by Gabrielle Porcaro

Where can I find boots that will fit my cute but large calves? – Connie

This is probably the question I get asked the most. I am fortunate, thanks to my father’s Mickey Mouse legs, not to have this issue but I have done some research throughout the years so I could correctly answer the question.

The trends this season work to your favor. The boots are super slouchy and won’t hug your leg. These scrunch boots from Victoria’s Secret- currently on sale- are great because they are relaxed and roomy. There are also a lot of lace-up boots out there that will offer more room for your calves. Love these 3 from: Sam Edelman, Nine West (also on sale!) and Cole Haan.  Boots with elastic at the calf are always helpful, like these daniblack boots. And of course you can always just embrace the bootie (you know I am a fan) and not worry about your calves at all!

Here are my top places to find extended calf boots:

J.Crew: as if we needed another reason to love this store (if you are a regular visitor to our fashion posts you will notice how frequently we mention them- we are obsessed!) Almost all of their high boots comes in an extended calf option.

Zappos.com: the best shoe shopping website in my opinion, has 558 options. Just search for “wide calf” and you can start shopping!

Naturalizer: also is a great resource. Found this classic style on Piperlime.

Check out our December boot story for more great boot picks!

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