Few women look forward to an annual gyno appointment. Like flossing, shaving, and entertaining your mother-in-law, you see the doc because you have to. But that doesn’t mean this crucial checkup should feel like torture. These five tricks will help you be prepared and feel less stressed. Read More
Ty Pennington, host and designer on the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Inspiring storage
“The Inmodern Surfin Magazine Rack ($60; 2modern.com) is such a cool piece. I can’t help but think of the ocean and surfing when I see it.”
Eco seat
“The natural texture of the Becca Stool by Modern Bamboo ($490; Vivavi.com) is so beautiful and versatile that you can use it in pretty much any room. I like it in the living room for seating, in the bathroom to hold a pile of fresh towels, or in the media room to store stereo equipment.”
Soothing plants
“I love the simplicity of a bamboo plant in a glass vase with zen rocks (at plant retailers nationwide). They’re so low-maintenance and resilient.”
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Jonathan Adler, Interior designer and lead judge on Bravo’s Top Design.
Utopia collection“My Utopia collection, which includes the Utopia Karen Carafe ($85; JonathanAdler.com), is made of brown stoneware with a sheer white glaze and has a natural feel with a dollop of tongue-in-cheek chic.”
Hot combo: green and brown
“Brown (the color, not the college) is a great natural trend. David Hicks by Ashley Hicks II Kyoto Shrine Fabric in Celery ($224 per yard; LeeJofa.com for showroom locations) features my favorite combo—brown paired with green—the colors of Mother Nature herself.”
Fresh flowers
“Ranunculus. Why? They’re just my absolute favorites!”
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Kimberly Rider, author of The Healthy Home Workbook: Easy Steps for Ecofriendly Living, and owner of Kimberly Rider Interiors and AtmospheraHome.com.
Imperfect objects
“Accessories, like All-Day Wabi Sabi Mugs (set of four, $45; VivaTerra.com), are a great way to support companies that sell fair-trade products. I can’t resist things that are imperfect and show the hand of the maker.”
Green furniture
“Furnishings can contain chemical finishes that give off gas. But Cisco Brothers pieces feature natural fabrics, cushions, and responsibly harvested woods. I love the versatility of the Davenport Ottoman ($1,500; CiscoBrothers.com for stores) from their Harmony Collection. Add a tray, and you can serve tea on it.”
Nature-inspired paint
“Paint is one of the biggest indoor pollutants, but Zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) formulas can clear the air. I take it a step further with YOLO Colorhouse Paints (shown in Water 01, $39.95 a gallon; YoloColorhouse.com), which are inspired by nature’s pallette.”
Luxurious eco-bedding
“Bedding is one of the most important places to choose natural, as your immune system repairs itself while you sleep. I love that this bedding—Anna Sova Eco-Silk Sensuous Silk Neutrals (prices vary; Annasova.com)—is ecofriendly and has color!”
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Move over hemp: Eco-inspired living just got a whole lot more stylish … and fun. Here, the best stuff (and secrets) out there, from green-leaning designers. Read More
Docs don’t always agree about the usefulness of supplements, but the pills have an excellent safety record when used properly. To avoid unwanted surprises, follow these tips.
Talk to your doc (and your pharmacist). Make sure you have a primary care provider who won’t just shake her head when you mention supplements, says Tieraona Low Dog, MD, director of education at the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine. Also ask about possible interactions with your medications.
Start slow. Try one new supplement at a time and see how your body reacts over several days. If everything seems OK, follow the same approach with any other supplements you decide to try.
Check with a specialist. For specific recommendations and treatment plans, find a well-versed pro by consulting the American Holistic Medical Association, the Institute for Functional Medicine, or the American Herbalists Guild. Most natural-medicine practitioners spend extensive time with each patient to customize their prescriptions. Expect that your insurer probably won’t cover any treatment, but ask just in case.
Which brands are best? You’ll find a zillion brands at supermarkets, drugstores, and natural-product emporiums, and price isn’t necessarily a sign of quality. Our experts recommend Herb Pharm, Gaia Herbs, and Enzymatic Therapy—all well-respected for purity and reliability. If you prefer to try something else, look for a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) mark on the label. USP is a nonprofit group that sets federally recognized standards for dietary supplements and medicines. It certifies that what’s on the label is in the bottle, good manufacturing practices are used, and harmful contaminants are eliminated. Another label stamp to look for: CL, meaning the product was evaluated and its quality verified by independent tester ConsumerLab.
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You’ll enjoy running more in the right shoes, and to find them you need to know your arch type. Here’s a test from Girls Gotta Move Running Club coach Jenny Hadfield you can do at home: Wet the bottom of one foot and step on a paper towel or brown paper bag; step off and match the shape of the wet mark to one of the illustrations below. Then look for shoes that fit comfortably and are made specifically for your arch. Read More
In a recent New Yorker cartoon, a man says to his buddies as he chows down on a steak, “I want a woman who’s not afraid to have a few extra pounds—but doesn’t.” Classic. Men can pack on pounds and still be considered sexy, but a woman has to be the perfect weight and act like she doesn’t care. But hold on, just what is that healthy weight?
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Burn fat and build muscle with this equipment-free cardio-and-strength circuit from Ken Weichert, master fitness trainer for the U.S. Army and creator of an exclusive boot camp class for Crunch Fitness clubs nationwide. With short-but-intense cardio intervals, full-body strength moves, and an extra dose of ab work, you’ll slim down your entire body and tighten your tummy. Do this 10-minute circuit three times in a row for the best 30-minute workout of your life. Read More
1. What’s your BMI? How tall you are, obviously, has a lot to do with whether your weight is healthy—and that’s always frustrating for the vertically challenged. At, say, 150 pounds, your weight’s just right if you’re 5 feet 8 inches tall, on the high side of normal if you’re 5 feet 6 inches, considered overweight if you’re 5 feet 4 inches, and near obese at 5 feet. To figure out if your weight is healthy for your height, calculate your body mass index (BMI). BMI isn’t a perfect measure (see question 2 below), but it’s a great place to start your calculations.
Healthy-weight bonus: The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for diabetes. But lose just 7 percent of your body weight (that’s about 10 pounds for a 140-pound woman), and you can cut your risk by 60 percent.
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