December 2009

Ladies We Love: Year-End Edition

December 31, 2009 at 10:22 am, by Catherine LeFebvre

We’re declaring it: 2009 was the year of the lady. From pop stars to the craze over our first lady’s arms to the launch of a little blog we’re quite partial to, ladies were making news everywhere. Some of our favorites from the year:

First Lady: Michelle Obama

First Latina Lady on the Bench: Sonia Sotomayor

Funny Ladies: Amy Poehler, Jane Lynch, Tina Fey

Chart-Topping Lady: Lady Gaga

“I Dreamed a Dream” Lady: Susan Boyle

Brave Ladies: Euna Lee and Laura Ling

Strong Lady: Dara Torres

Do Good Ladies: Angelina Jolie, Shakira

Ladies Who Deserve Better: Jenny Sanford, Silda Spitzer, Rihanna

Mad about These Ladies: Betty Draper, Joan Holloway, Peggy Olson

Vampire-Loving Lady: Stephanie Meyer

Curiously Captivating Ladies: Kate Gosselin, Nadya “Octomom” Suleman

Ladies’ Men: George Clooney, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

Ladies We’ll Always Love: Farah Fawcett,  Natasha Richardson, Bea Arthur

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

---

December 25, 2009 at 9:54 am, by Amanda Wolfe

xo, the staffers of LHJ and the Ladies’ Lounge.

---

How to Stay Healthy: Final Words of Wisdom from Julia

December 24, 2009 at 10:27 am, by Julia Kagan

The end of the year is a traditional time to both look back and to think about the future, but I’ve got an especially compelling reason to do that. After four years at Ladies’ Home Journal (and many more editing elsewhere) I’m leaving my job as Health Director to study for a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction and write books. This is my last chance to share some things I’ve learned on this beat.

• Whatever you do, keep moving. Even really elderly people get stronger if they exercise and lift light weights. Exercising improves your health in almost every situation, from high blood sugar to heart disease to lowering depression and your breast cancer risk. My New Year’s resolution is to go from twice a week to four times—we’ll see if I make it. (Don’t I have till Chinese New Year, February 14^th?)

• Take control of your health. If you don’t understand what the doctor says, keep asking until you do. And do go to the doctor—and the dentist. How often you need to go changes depending on your age and health history. Always come with a list of questions: Visits are short so it pays to be organized.

• Eat well, but don’t obsess about your weight. Yo-yo dieting can be worse than being a little overweight—and can leave you undernourished. Focus on good nutrition and portion control.

• Defuse when you can. Stress can undermine your health in a multitude of ways. Take some time every day to take a few deep breaths, hug someone, zone out as you watch the clouds in the sky.

• Do your own research. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, control diabetes or fight asthma, go online for more information. That goes double if someone is suggesting surgery or just prescribed a new drug. My favorite place to start is the Mayo Clinic website. And don’t forget to check out our health coverage. Also visit websites from organizations that specialize in your condition, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure for breast cancer.

• Find ways to save on health care You may be able to use a lower-cost physician’s assistant or dental technician. Major drug companies have programs if you can’t afford your medicine. States and cities may fund mammograms or flu shots. Hospitals can work out payment plans. See these ideas from our sister magazine, Parents.

It’s amazing how much you can help yourself. That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned.

---

Get Funky & Get Fit: Dance With Julianne Hough

December 23, 2009 at 11:22 am, by Lisa M. Gerry

Recently, I sat down with Julianne Hough, the Dancing With the Stars fan favorite turn country music darling, to discuss her fitness DVD debut. After being approached by fans who wished they too could learn to dance like Julianne, she decided to create Dance With Julianne: Cardio Ballroom. “I wanted to give my fans a  sneak peek at what I teach my partners,” she says. “And, people always ask me, ‘How do you stay in shape?’ And honestly, it’s because I dance.”

So who’s it for? Julianne assured me that even if—hypothetically—I wasn’t in the best shape, and—hypothetically—if I struggled to run even two miles, I would still be able do her routines. “This is for people who want to be lean, long and want to do more cardio,” she says.  “If you can’t run, but you can walk, this will be fun because you can stay pretty stationary. You decide how much you want to do.”

Make It a Party! “Women will have a blast doing the routines with their girlfriends—you can turn it into a girls’ night,” says Hough. “And guys are going to get fat watching it. Just kidding.”

---

Beauty Coach: Bardot-inspired hair

December 21, 2009 at 11:54 am, by Mandy Hendrix

I was recently at the launch of Phyto’s new hair styling products, which were tested by the uber-stylist Andy Lecompte. He’s worked with fabulous ladies as Madonna, Selma Hayek and Penelope Cruz, all of whomsport nearly perfect hair. The simple trick he taught me takes about five minutes and gives me full hair with controlled waves. Andy called it the new Brigitte Bardot—a style that looks appropriate for any occasion.

Five simple steps to Brigitte-worthy hair:

1. On dry hair, use a small squirt of hair cream to coat strands. This helps calm static, frizz and hold the style. I like Neutrogena Triple Moisture Smooth Shine Anti Frizz Cream.
2. Twist hair starting at the nape and pin with a duckbill clip. These ensure that you won’t have any dents in your hair–important when you want a smooth style.
3. Blow dry hair completely until hair is warm to the touch. The heat is what sets waves and creates volume. Keep the clips in until hair is completely cool.
4. Remove clips and fluff hair. You may want to spray with a light working hairspray. My favorite: L’Oreal Elnett.
5. Create a small puff at the top of your head for extra volume. Use a small comb for backcombing (gently, please!) and hairspray to hold in place. Use a bobby pin or two to hold hair.

Photo courtesy lhj.com

---

Host a Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Bash

December 18, 2009 at 4:44 pm, by cdewet

Don’t welcome the New Year in a crowded bar with an overpriced drink in hand—instead host a New Year’s Eve Party in the comfort of your own home! To help you throw a festive celebration that’s easy to pull off, HGTV’s Design on a Dime host Kristan Cunningham answers some of our staffers’ New Year’s Eve questions.

THE INVITES:

LHJ: What’s the best number of guests to invite for a fun but not overwhelming gathering?

KC: 20 is a manageable number to seat, feed, and have drinks on hand for (without remortgaging your home) but it’s also enough people to keep the party interesting. It’s also an easy number for the hostess to handle. You can work the room and make sure that each of your guests gets some face time without it feeling like speed dating!

LHJ: Can you get away with asking for potluck? Is it cool to assign people to bring a specific dish or type of wine?

KC: You can absolutely do potluck, and this is obviously a great way to cut down on your overall costs. But with all of the responsibilities you already have on your plate, don’t take on the headache of trying to wrangle and coordinate this aspect. Leave it to your guests!

Read more

---

Dove Chocolate Tasting Party, Anyone?

December 18, 2009 at 2:09 pm, by Ron Kelly

Here’s an intriguing … and incredibly delicious … way to potentially earn some extra cash. (Sure would help during the holidays, right?) Dove Chocolate Discoveries is a program that enables women to become professional chocolatiers and host their own chocolate tasting parties, teaching guests to create their own chocolate candies and desserts, like the mouthwatering Truffle Berry Brownie Trifle (right).

Feeling adventurous? Dive into exotic flavors, like Aztec spice and passion fruit, and explore the world of surprising “chocolate-infiltrated” savory options, such as chocolate soup, cheeses, and marinades. There’s even a cocoa rub you can create (complimented by peppercorns, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves) that’s great for pork, chicken, or beef. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of tasty adult beverages (like chocolate turtle martinis and coconut chocolate chip smoothies) you can whip up too.

So, if you’re looking for a direct selling idea to help out on the financial front, chocolate selling could be a tempting option. Of course, if you’re not up to the selling yourself, you can simply host a party by contacting Dove Chocolate Discoveries. They’ll hook you up with a professional chocolatier who’ll come to your home and run the event. Sweet, huh?

---