Good Housekeeping articles from February 2007

Good Housekeeping archives from February 2007

On my mind: editor's letter.(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... SEVERAL YEARS AGO at a seminar I was attending, an M.D. who specialized in couples therapy got up to speak... and announced that she would begin by reading us a poem she had written. Uh-oh. Shakespeare didn't try to do heart surgery; why...

Christmas cheer.(On your mind: LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Kelly Ripa ["A Very Kelly Christmas," December] is hilarious. I had tears in my eyes when I read about her son shaking her awake at 5 A.M. to confess to eating a gingerbread house. Thanks for the laughs. --Camilla Boice, Georgetown, IN

Discount gifts.(On your mind: LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... I am appalled that one of your staff members was upset that a relative bought gifts with her 40 percent retail discount [Peggy Post on Modern Manners, December]. Why does it matter what the gift costs? I often buy gifts using my employee...

Worthy donations.(On your mind: LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... It's great to hear about organizations that are trying to make a difference ["Peace on Earth," December]. I'm always tempted to donate money to charities, but I'm never sure which ones are worthy. You made it easy. --Lauren Metz, Garden...

Helping hands.(On your mind: LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... As I read "The Kindness of Strangers" [December], I recalled the nice things others have done for me without looking for reward. With so much trouble in the world, it was good to be reminded of that. --Carol R. Cline, Milford, OH

Testing, testing.(On your mind: LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Regarding standardized testing ["More Tests=More Anxiety," November]: When I was a teacher, I would prepare my students by saying the test would ask for information they had yet to learn. Teachers must know what students need to be taught. ...

Taking heart.(On your mind: LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Many readers responded to "Second Chance" [December], the story of a young husband and father, Dan Smith, who underwent successful heart-transplant surgery. Robin Williams of Needham, MA, wrote that she could empathize with the Smiths as they...

"There are so many MP3 players on the market. What should I look for when I'm shopping?".(On your side: HELP FROM THE GH RESEARCH INSTITUTE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The main thing to consider--besides how much you want to spend--is how many songs you want your player to hold. The more gigabytes (GB) a unit has, the more memory it has for storing tunes: A model with 80GB can hold up to 20,000 songs, while...

"A bank has sent collectors after me--and I don't know why!".(GH TO THE RESCUE)(Brief article)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Problem In 2005, I bought my daughter a car with a loan from Chase Automotive Finance. In 2006, she totaled the vehicle. My insurance company covered the cost--but later on I got a collection notice saying I still owed Chase $3,800! After...

February idea of the month.(TIE THE KNOT: CANDY NAPKIN TWIST)
February 1, 2007... Sweeten the setting at a Valentine's dinner by using pieces of licorice as napkin tings. Wind a thick, red rope candy (like a Twizzler) around a crisp, rolled-up napkin, or try coiling thin shoestring licorice around the linen several times and...

Slip-ons to keep you from sliding.(Good ideas)
February 1, 2007... You don't need special boots to be surefooted on snow and ice. Yaktrax wire and rubber covers can be pulled over the bottoms of your shoes for more traction--they act the same way that snow chains do on truck tires. The Walker (shown, $20;...

Store by the floor.(Good ideas)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The space underneath a bed is a smart hiding place for extra sheets and blankets. But since the spot is hard to reach, retrieving anything is a hassle. Make the task easier by piling bedding on top of a rolling board. It's a snap to make...

Show your puppy love.(Good ideas)(pet toys)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Your pet deserves a little TLC on February 14, and this homemade chew toy--no sewing required--is sure to be a hit. Cut two 20" by 32" pieces of fleece and lay one on top of the other. Snip a 5-inch-long fringe around the edges of both pieces...

A second life for cut blooms.(Good ideas)(arranging flowers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... When your Valentine's flowers start to droop, don't toss the whole arrangement in the trash. Snip off any blossoms that are still perky near the tops of the stems and place each one in a small ceramic bowl. Fill the containers with warm water...

Eat your heart out.(Good ideas)(breakfast)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Whether you're serving your husband breakfast in bed or making a fun meal for your kids, try this Valentine twist on a morning staple. Spray the inside of a heart-shaped cookie cutter with nonstick cooking spray. Place it on a hot skillet and...

Q What's the least damaging way to hang pictures on a plaster wall?(Good advice: HELOISE TO THE RESCUE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Q What's the least damaging way to hang pictures on a plaster wall?--Ruth Mitchell, Flint, MI Because plaster surfaces can crumble and crack, use adhesive-backed picture hooks for hanging lighter pictures (less than 5 pounds). For heavier...

Cleaning precious patchwork.(Good advice: HELOISE TO THE RESCUE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... What's the safest way to clean a handmade heirloom quilt?--Holly Schneider, Charlotte, NC Since no method is 100 percent safe if the quill is an antique, spot-cleaning may be your best option. Fabric stores carry special soaps without...

Smoothing leather wrinkles.(Good advice: HELOISE TO THE RESCUE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... How do you get creases out of a leather or suede jacket shipped through the mail?--Andrea Johnson, Woodbine, MD Next time you take a hot shower, hang the jacket up in the bathroom. The steam should help relax the wrinkles. You can also...

You think your 10-year-old son's teacher is giving him too much homework. What do you do?(POP QUIZ)
February 1, 2007... You think your 10-year-old son's teacher is giving him too much homework. What do you do? (a) Voice your concern at the next parent-teacher conference. (b) Call the principal and ask her to weigh in on how much homework is appropriate...

Pet peeve.(Good advice: PEGGY POST ON MODERN MANNERS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... I hate when my neighbor heats up his car for 20 minutes before work. Our yard smells like gas, and it's bad for the environment! Can I ask him to stop? These are valid complaints, but your neighbor probably believes the engine needs to...

You asked, Peggy answers.(Good advice: PEGGY POST ON MODERN MANNERS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Q: My sister and her family borrowed our ski equipment for their Vermont vacation. We were happy to lend it--but they returned everything in less-than-great shape. Should I say anything? A: Definitely. The number one rule of lending is...

You made a mess--do you confess? During a Super Bowl party, you spill some salsa on the host's white sofa. Do you fess up?(Good advice: PEGGY POST ON MODERN MANNERS)
February 1, 2007... PEGGY SAYS: Yes. Tell your host right away, say you're sorry, and offer to help clean up. If the couch needs professional work, pay for the service. Your friend may feel uncomfortable accepting money, but make sure she takes it--either by...

Time to shine: the easiest, safest ways to keep your baubles beautiful.(Good advice)
February 1, 2007... if your honey surprises you with jewelry this Valentine's Day, make sure it sparkles as long as your love. The first step in cleaning a stone is knowing how soft or hard it is: Diamonds are 2the toughest rocks in town; opals are among the...

Baby, it's cold outside: tips to pick the warmest bedding. Plus, the GH Research Institute tests the latest flannels.(Good advice)
February 1, 2007... PROBLEM-SOLVER SHEETS If you're a fan of flannel but hate the unsightly fuzz balls that form after a few washings, by Lands' End Supima Ultimate 6-oz. Flannel Bedding ($149 for queen set; $169 for king set). These linens maintained a soft,...

Spruce up your sofa: living room need a lift? Go from drab to fab without spending a fortune on furniture. Turn the page for our step-by-step style upgrade.(Good house)
February 1, 2007... if you're bored with your sitting area, updating is easier than you might think. For starters, you don't have to replace your beloved old sofa. We'll show you how to modernize a classic cream or taupe couch just by changing the accent pieces....

Good deals: looks you'll love--for less.
February 1, 2007... SLEEK AND SKINNY Pair this faux-snakeskin belt with slacks. The bold hue elevates everything from trousers to a suit. Dockers [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RUBY BEAUTY Patent leather--a hot trend--will transform an outfit. Wear...

Be your own Valentine.(Good looks)
February 1, 2007... Signature scents have their own appeal... but sometimes a change is just fun. Here, four new fragrances that smell as good as their bottles look: 1. Banana Republic Jade A clean floral spiked with pomegranate. Bonus: its pretty wooden box...

Little look-younger secrets: fatigue and age show up around your eyes first. Here's how to fight back.(Good looks)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY... Wear sunscreen year-round And be sure to apply it to crow's-feet (even in winter, the sun is the main cause of this type of damage). Try Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 for Face. Avoid...

Goodbye, gray.(Good looks)(hair styling)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... You never even noticed that white strand before, but now you can't take your eyes off it. To the rescue: Quick Tint, a speedy color touchup product that makes covering gray as easy as putting on concealer. Here's how it works: One stroke of the...

The dry-skin workbook: got a pencil? Take our quiz, then create your own personal repair plan. Payoff: you'll look younger by spring!(Good looks)(Buyers guide)
February 1, 2007... no type, winter dryness doesn't discriminate: It can occur anywhere on the body, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. The result of cold temperatures, whipping winds, and indoor heating, "winter dryness is also one of the main...

Switch off TV, switch on your memory.(Good health)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... You probably won't see this on ER: People who watched less than an hour of television a day scored higher on a memory test than those who watched more, say Australian researchers. The participants were asked to perform a variety of tasks, from...

DES daughters: a new worry.(Good health)(diethylstilbestrol)(Survey)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... We've known for a long time that women whose mothers took the hormone DES during pregnancy have a much higher risk of a rare vaginal cancer (and other health problems). Now a major study shows that the estimated one million DES daughters have...

Injuries on ice.(Good health)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... It's standard advice to put an ice pack on a sprained ankle to reduce swelling. But how long should you keep it there? A schedule of 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, then 10 minutes on again works better than continuous icing, reports a new study...

Protecting your heart: the tasty foods that are best for your health, and the (easy) workout plan that really works.(Special heart section)
February 1, 2007... For years, nutrition experts have told us that the only heart-healthy diet was a low-fat, high-carb plan. Now they're eating their words. Last November, the Harvard Nurses' Health Study showed that a low-carb diet can be good for women's...

Mending her broken heart: Teresa Simmons's near-fatal attack was a medical mystery. What her ordeal, and her recovery, can teach the rest of us.(Special heart section)
February 1, 2007... The afternoon of April 10, 2006, was sunny and warm in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, where Ronnie and Teresa Simmons own a 200-acre dairy farm. Teresa, then 48, was feeling fine as she mowed a meadow up on a hill, then came down to the barn...

Are you headed for a heart attack?(Special heart section)
February 1, 2007... The brutal truth: When a woman suffers a heart attack, she is more likely than a man to die, be permanently disabled, or have a second attack within a year. "We could do a lot to give women longer lives and better-quality lives if we could help...

A new look at risk.(Special heart section)
February 1, 2007... Even a woman who routinely aces her medical tests may earn less-than-perfect scores at cutting-edge preventive health centers. At Kronos Optimal Health Centre in Scottsdale, AZ, for example, the goal is to get women to lower risk factors beyond...

Best ways to boost your home's value.(Money talk)
February 1, 2007... the number of houses on the market is the highest in 13 years, So how do you attract buyers if you've decided to sell? "The name of the game is differentiating your home from your neighbor's," says Everett Collier, president of the National...

5 top money problems: ... and a commonsense plan to fix them, from financial superstar Dave Ramsey.(Money)
February 1, 2007... he isn't formally trained as an accountant or even as a financial planner. In fact, Dave Ramsey would be the first to tell you that he has "a Ph.D. in D-U-M-B." But that, he feels, is exactly why his advice is valuable. As he puts it, "I've...

Dream job: turning chocolate into sweet success.(Money)(Katrina Markoff)
February 1, 2007... Katrina Markoff WHERE SHE WORKS Chicago SALARY IN 2006 $80,000 Out-of-the-box cooking Katrina Markoff has always been adventurous: After earning a degree from Le Cordon Bleu, a top culinary school in Paris, she bought an...

Record TV shows the easy way: VHS tapes are a bother, but choosing a DVR can be a challenge. GHRI cuts through the confusion.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RESEARCH INSTITUTE)(Buyers guide)
February 1, 2007... With a digital video recorder (DVR), you won't ever miss a date with Dr. McDreamy again. The device records shows on a hard drive and even lets you pause and rewind live programming (great if you missed a scene or want to see it again). The...

Best sites for book swapping: find great reads online--and save big.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RESEARCH INSTITUTE)(Website list)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... If you're tearing through lots of books, consider joining a swap site: You mail out titles you've already read and get new ones you want--all for the cost of shipping. We tested the five most popular sites and liked these best. ...

The lock every traveler needs.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RESEARCH INSTITUTE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... To dodge new carry-on rules, many passengers are checking in their suitcases. If you take this route and want a lock, buy one from one of the two brands suggested to travelers by the Transportation Security Administration: Safe Skies and Travel...

iPods & safety.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RESEARCH INSTITUTE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... If your child maxes out the volume on her iPod for five or more minutes a day, she could suffer permanent hearing loss, reports a recent study from Children's Hospital Boston. Take advantage of Apple's free volume-control feature, which comes...

Slow cooker stars: we tested 16 models and found 4 top performers.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RESEARCH INSTITUTE)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Top-of-the-line This once humble kitchen appliance is now high-tech: Rival's Crock-Pot Smart-Set Programmable Slow Cooker ($99) comes with preset cycles for heating specific foods such as beef, poultry, and chili. Choose your setting, and...

Monitoring their media.(Family time)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... You probably already worry about what your kids are listening to and watching. Now there's new evidence from several studies to back up your concern: * KIDS WHO LISTEN TO MUSIC with sexually degrading lyrics have sex at an earlier age,...

Supermarket safety.(Family time)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Think twice before you plop your kid in a shopping cart. When you're not paying attention, it can easily tip over, leaving your child with nasty head and neck injuries, reports a recent study from Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. In 2005,...

Tween vaccines.(Family time)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Three new shots are available. Ask your child's doctor about a vaccine for meningitis, and another for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. If you have a daughter, also consider the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer, which an advisory...

A mom--not a victim: a devastating diagnosis seemed to end her dream of having a big family. Then medical advances turned her life around. How Dawn Averitt Bridge is meeting the challenges of parenting with AIDS.(Family)
February 1, 2007... at a small preschool in rural Virginia, in a corridor lined with kids' colorful, cheery drawings, Dawn Averitt Bridge is chatting with one of her daughters' teachers. Dawn's girls--the copper-haired Maddy, 4, and the blond cherub Sophie,...

Are you your own worst enemy? Maybe the reason you're not reaching your goals is ... you. How to know, and simple ways to stop sabotaging yourself.(your Good life)
February 1, 2007... last week, I hit the supermarket and loaded up on all my favorite junk foods: Krispy Kreme donuts, frozen pizza, and Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream. It's not for me--it's for my husband, I rationalized, as I pushed the cart up and down...

Her midlife miracle: with a new husband and twin babies on the way, Marcia Cross of Desperate Housewives has finally found happiness at 44. How she did it ... plus other over-40 love stories.
February 1, 2007... SHE DOESN'T COOK, AND SHE ISN'T WELL ORGANIZED She laughs easily and likes hanging out in cargo pants. No one would describe her as high-strung. In fact, Marcia Cross is pretty much the antithesis of Bree Van De Kamp, the fierce, tightly wound...

26 ways to cut calories: switch up your diet with this food guide--and lose 30 pounds this year.
February 1, 2007... QUICK, TAKE THIS EASY TEST Which is the lower-calorie Dunkin' Donuts breakfast--a blueberry donut or a reduced-fat blueberry muffin? The low-fat muffin, of course... right? Amazingly enough, that's wrong. A lot of times, when you think...

Little ways to lose big.(weight reducing diets)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Tips from two top diet docs: Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., authors of You On a Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management. Snack before dinner (yep--ignore Mom's advice). The secret is to eat foods with "good fat"...

Room to relax: transform any tucked-away space--a landing or an unused corner--into an oasis with calming colors, a pared-down decor, and richly textured accessories.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... We live in an overcharged world, never far from a reminder that there's one more appointment to keep, one more e-mail to return, one more person to please. Our eat-in kitchens and family rooms are designed for crowds, not solitude. Sometimes it...

Jeans for grown-ups: 6 styles that work from the front and the back.
February 1, 2007... 1 suzanne portnoy 46, PUBLICIST Leave belly-baring to the tweens. A high rise and clean cut create a longer, leaner line. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 keita turner 37, INTERIOR DESIGNER Sleek but not too tight,...

Making lust last: rekindling passion for the husband you still love.(MARRIED ROMANCE)
February 1, 2007... People sometimes tell me they know a couple married 20 years whose sex life is still as good as it ever was. Here's what I tell them in return: "There are only three possibilities. One: This couple is lying. Two: They are telling the truth,...

"No tonight, honey": you've said it. You've heard it. How to put that excuse to bed--and get back in the mood.(MARRIED ROMANCE)
February 1, 2007... BE HONEST. How many times have you turned down sex this month? Even the best marriages have sexual cold fronts and everyday problems--like a crushing work deadline, a sick parent, or an acting-out teen--that can put the chill on romance. But...

What's your married sex style? More than you realize, it shapes your love life. So before you go to bed, take our quiz.(MARRIED ROMANCE)
February 1, 2007... 1 WHAT WAS YOUR SEX LIFE LIKE WHEN YOU FIRST GOT MARRIED? A. We couldn't keep our hands off each other. B. We couldn't keep our hands off each other (though we haven't felt that way in a while). C. If we missed a day, that was a...

Sex, lies, and tv: bedroom lessons we've learned--for better and for worse--from America's favorite couples.(MARRIED ROMANCE)
February 1, 2007... I Love Lucy (1951-1957) What we learned Couples who squabble can also sizzle. What we saw This Eisenhower-era sitcom never shows more than a chaste peck, but the sexual chemistry between real-life husband and wife Ricky and Lucy is...

One hot dish: baked pasta is the ultimate comfort food--a rich, delicious dinner sure to please, and feed, a crowd.(Recipe)
February 1, 2007... When the get-together is casual, serve up baked pasta. Hot from the oven and bubbling with cheese, it's a cozy dish that's also company-worthy. Lasagna may be the best-known baked pasta, but pasticcio--as the Italians call this rustic...

Heartwarming dinner.(home cooking IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN)(Recipe)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... I started to make this pork dish for my son, Lucio, when he was 6. We've prepared variations of this recipe together, with prunes and port, cranberries and cranberry juice, and apples and apple cider. But his current favorite is tart...

Healthy pick: Edamame.(home cooking IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... These sweet, nutty soybeans have gone by many names over the years--beer beans, sweet beans, garden soys--but the Japanese edamame is the one that stuck. Cultivated in ancient China for medicinal purposes, edamame are a nutritional powerhouse....

Classic casserole.(FREE!)
February 1, 2007... Stew just seems to taste better when it's cooked in a Le Creuset French Oven. Made of heavy cast iron, the pan is great for stovetop or oven braising. Twenty readers will win a 3 1/2-quart French Oven in the new chestnut hue (a $150 value). For...

Dark and delicious.(home cooking IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... If you have a sweet tooth, you've probably heard the news: Dark chocolate is good for you! Sales of the chocolate (which is rich in flavor, but lower in sugar) have soared since studies came out showing it contains heart-healthy antioxidants...

Space-saving strainers.(home cooking IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Colanders and strainers have always been among the clunkiest products to store in your kitchen--until now. Made of silicone, the new models collapse and fold flat, so they're easy to stash neatly. Our favorite is the Dexas Popware Colander...

Hot tomatoes.(home cooking IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Typical dead-of-winter supermarket tomatoes have the taste and texture of sawdust. For a refreshing change, try the new Dulcinea Rosso Bruno--a vine-ripened variety that has all the juicy sweetness of a farmer's market heirloom. The...

Slim down with our Supermarket Diet.(home cooking IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN)(Recipe)
February 1, 2007... Our Supermarket Diet was so popular last year that we're now coming out with a whole new batch of recipes. Look for Good Housekeeping's The Supermarket Diet Cookbook ($20), in bookstores last month. For a sample of the delicious meals, try...

A change-your-life valentine.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Not every card needs to be a syrupy expression of undying love. Make this year's an expression of your commitment to charging up your sex life. Create your own card, conveying one of these messages: "This week, let's forget we're married...

Recall alerts.(consumer news)
February 1, 2007... Recall alerts Are there unsafe products in your home? Check the following list. These items were recalled by manufacturers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. For more information, contact the companies...

Moving day: the truck was packed and set to go. But I wasn't ready to say goodbye.(Blessings)(Personal account)
February 1, 2007... As my husband, Sandy, puts the last box on the truck, I stand in the bedroom trying to say goodbye to the home my family has lived in for the last 15 years. Beyond the window I see the maple tree our son climbed as a boy. "Look, Mama, look how...