Good Housekeeping articles from January 2006

Good Housekeeping archives from January 2006

Shades of gray.(BEHIND THE SCENES)
January 1, 2006... When I started to go gray, I took the easy way out... I just let it keep coming! (Some may have questioned my judgment.) Now I get asked for the name of the shade I use to dye my hair! This month, we feature women who have boldly embraced...

Try our super diet.(BEHIND THE SCENES)
January 1, 2006... I'm delighted to tell you about I The Supermarket Diet, Good Housekeeping's first diet book out in January. We tend to be a little skeptical about weight-loss plans because they're often faddish or difficult. But the Supermarket Diet is easy...

You time.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I enjoyed Joanne Kaufman's story about setting aside time for yourself ("Fun in 15 Minutes," October). In fact, I read the article during the two hours that I set aside for myself each weekday. By taking the bus to work, I have been able to...

Proud stepmom.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I truly related to Deborah Roberts's article "Diary of a Stepmom" (September). When I married my husband, he had two daughters from his previous marriage: Kristina, seven, and Deanna, four. Kristina is now married and the mother of a...

Little girl with Big Bird.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Jillian Marie Bradley (left) of Islip Terrace, New York, enjoys being a girl. Aunt Linda Rondinelli, who submitted the photo, babysits her niece and always looks for fun things to do. Says Rondinelli: "She insisted that Big Bird have curlers...

Weighty matters.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... In our October issue, we told the stories of overweight women who faced discrimination because of their size ("Don't Hate Me Because I'm Fat"). The article provoked some passionate responses. Julie Davis of Portland, Oregon, wrote: "As an obese...

On the spot.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I really appreciated "First Aid for Stains" (October). My husband got an ink stain on the seat of our rental car, and I had no clue how to get the spot out-until I came across your guide. Thanks for saving us from extra charges! --Michelle...

Bill relief.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... When I sat down to read the September issue, I didn't realize how valuable it was going to be--particularly the article "Bargaining for Beginners," about how to save on credit card bills. We knew one of our payments might have been received a...

The trip of her life: volunteering to help others led her on a scary assignment far from home--but one night at a truck stop, she discovered a surprising reward.(Blessings)(Linda Stasi)
January 1, 2006... I knew I had to do something to help. And it needed to be more than packing up relief supplies. I'd tried that, but it didn't assuage the helplessness I felt after Hurricane Katrina ripped away a chunk of our country and with it so many lives....

January: idea of the month.(TURN EVERYDAY ITEMS INTO ART)
January 1, 2006... A colorful collection of garden and work gloves adds personality to this breakfast nook. More fun than basic wall art, a quirky display like this one can be practical too--think rows of mittens in a mudroom. Striped cushions on the built-in...

Try demi desserts.(TASTE A TREND)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Restaurants across the country are serving sweets in smaller portions--so you get to sample several at once. Home cooks can adapt this idea for dessert after a special dinner: Try brownie a la mode, rice pudding, fruit and yogurt parfait, a...

Turn an old sweater into a cute cardigan.(Good ideas)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... If you've got a wool or cashmere pullover collecting dust in your closet, use "felting" to transform it into a new piece. Choose a sweater that's a little roomy (it may shrink) and cut straight tip the center. Wash it on the delicate cycle with...

Mom's way or your way? Hints for keeping house as well as (or better than) the woman who taught you how to do it.(Good advice: HELOISE TO THE RESCUE)
January 1, 2006... MOM SAYS: "THERE'S NOTHING LIKE BORAX!" "Years ago, my mother used something called borax to 'sweeten' the wash, but my local store doesn't stock it. Is there something else I can use?" asks Mary Odell of Wethersfield, Connecticut. ...

Pop quiz.(Good advice: PEGGY POST ON MODERN MANNERS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... While waiting for a treadmill at the gym, you notice that one jogger has gone over the 20-minute courtesy limit. What do you do? a. Inform a manager, who can then step in and let this jogger know what the policy is. b. Politely ask the...

Pet peeve.(Good advice: PEGGY POST ON MODERN MANNERS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... I was in the bathroom at a restaurant, and the woman in the stall next to mine was talking on her cell phone. Is no place sacred anymore, or am I just old-fashioned? If you're old-fashioned, you're in good company! The bathroom is supposed...

You asked, Peggy answers.(Good advice: PEGGY POST ON MODERN MANNERS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Q: My daughter has just finished her college application essays, and one of her friends asked if she could see them "for inspiration." I know this girl is applying to some of the same schools. How should my daughter turn her down? A: Your...

You've been invited to two New Year's Eve parties. Where will you be at midnight?(So what would you do?)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... SHE SAYS: "I'd start at the party I thought would be less fun, then slip over to the other for midnight." --Heidi Johnson, 36, New Jersey SHE SAYS: "I'd attend both briefly, but I'd spend the countdown at home with my husband."--Lisa...

Jump-start: your new year with a new workout.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Sometimes the biggest hurdle to exercising is staying motivated. If you've been doing the same workout for a while, chances are you may be getting bored. Consider signing up for something you've always wanted to try, like indoor rock climbing...

Where to find help--day or night! Tips from hotel concierges, who can solve the stickiest problems at the trickiest times.(Good advice)
January 1, 2006... Making a last-minute restaurant reservation "Remember the name of the hostess when you dine out so that later, if you call at the 11th hour, you'll seem like a 'regular.' (It'll be easier for you to get a table.) You're also more likely to...

Curb appeal: Polar Wall[R] Plus! premium siding, as tough as it is beautiful.(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... The always-fresh look of vinyl siding has been a blessing for home owners who dread the thought (and expense) of painting the house every few years. However, one of the common complaints about standard vinyl siding is that repeated...

Small spaces, big ideas: unlock the hidden potential of every nook and cranny in your house--for storage, a soft seat, and more.(Good house)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Turn an overlooked corner into a space-saving superstar with these clever design tricks FEMININE STYLES In a girl's room, a window seat gets an upgrade to first class with a headboard trundle bed tucked beneath. [ILLUSTRATION...

Winter beauty.(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Winter can be as tough on your skin as it is on your mood. Cold weather and harsh conditions combine with dry indoor heating to ravage your skin. Healthy skin in winter needs products that fight off dull, flaky skin and replenish moisture. This...

Party looks you'll love--for less.(Good deals)
January 1, 2006... A TWIST ON A CLASSIC Dressbarn tank, $24.99, and sweater, $34.99; Worthington pant's, $36 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marshalls brown tweed-and-leather mules, $39.99 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New York & Company purse, $42.50 ...

Easiest makeup tricks ever: happy new year-and new, you! Look prettier, faster, with these insider tips from top experts.(Good looks)
January 1, 2006... Lip service 1. PICK THE RIGHT SHADE What most of us do: Swipe a possible new color on the back of our hand to see if it flatters. A better idea, says San Antonio-based celeb makeup artist Starley Murray: Test the lipstick on your...

Amazing grays: check out these women (no, they're not models!) and see how good you could look. Interested? Here's how to come out of hiding.(Good looks)
January 1, 2006... Gray is tricky Wear it well, and you could be unforgettable. But play it wrong, and you risk looking like a (great-) grandma. Despite the challenges, lots of women do go natural--and love it. Would you consider being one of them? Here's...

Old medicines: what to toss out.(Good health)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The new year is a good time to check expiration dates for your over-the-counter remedies. You don't have to chuck everything past the dates-most drugs will still be OK for another 12 months, says Teresa O'Sullivan, Pharm.D., of the University...

Another reason to get milk.(Good health)(protection against colon cancer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... New research suggests that dairy products may help protect against colon cancer. Consuming at least 800 milligrams of calcium a day may cut your risk by about 25 percent. Supplements work, too, but the study showed that when the calcium came...

Flu shot alert!(Good health)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Haven't been vaccinated yet? Here's another reason to roll up your sleeve: Some researchers believe that the regular flu shot could also provide a little protection against avian flu if proteins inside the viruses are similar, says Christian...

The stay-young secret.(Good health)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The authors of Younger Next Year have followed up their popular antiaging guide for men with a program for women, There's no soft sell here--you have to exercise six days a week. But the potential rewards are irresistible: "Live like you're...

How not to catch a cold this year ... or feel better fast if you do: the latest word, from Ronald B. Turner, M.D., of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.(Good health)
January 1, 2006... Prevention WHAT REALLY HELPS Washing your hands--often. When you touch someone who has a cold, the virus passes easily to your hands and fingers. You get infected when you touch your nose or eye. DON'T BOTHER WITH Spraying...

Can't focus? Why your thoughts wander, plus seven ways to concentrate better.(Good health)
January 1, 2006... have you ever been so absorbed in a project, you're amazed to discover that an hour has passed, not just a few minutes? If only you could package that kind of concentration for times when even the hum of the refrigerator distracts you. It turns...

Keeping your papers safe.(Money talk)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... We've all been advised on how to prepare our homes for a hurricane, earthquake, or other such emergency. But how do you protect your important financial records? Create a "red file," advises Michael Emmerman, managing director of financial...

Is your money earning enough?(Money talk)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
January 1, 2006... Is your money earning enough? Interest rates have been rsising. Here's where to get the best return on your savings. NAME INTERES RATE * CONTACT INFO 1st SOURCE BANK ...

Is your pension secure? How to know ... and what to do to protect your financial future.(Money)
January 1, 2006... Moya DONS, 49, has been a United flight attendant for almost 30 years. Married with three kids--ages nine, 12, and 13--she thought that her financial future was in pretty good shape. Until last May, that is, when United defaulted on its pension...

Winter-proof your car: from GHI--easy ways to avoid snow and ice catastrophes.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... De-ice windshields New windshield-wiper fluids contain an additive that helps melt ice so you won't have to scrape in the bitter cold. Mr. Clean Windshield Wash and De-icer ($2.99 for one gallon) melted ice faster and more completely than...

Tastiest supermarket chili.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2006... Not sure which brand to serve at your Super Bowl bash? We asked 17 volunteers to taste three popular varieties--turkey and two types of beef (one with beans, one without)--to find the real crowd-pleasers. THE WINNERS Bush's Homestyle...

Laser printers just got cheaper.(the Best of Everything: TESTING FROM THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2006... Can less expensive models really do the job? The Good Housekeeping Institute engineers put new, low-cost brands to the test. The verdict: If you need a basic black-and-white laser printer (i.e., you won't be turning out any color photos), the...

The 11th annual good buy awards! Roll out the red carpet for these eight smart inventions--each designed to make your life easier. Plus: the entrepreneur who wowed us.(the Best of Everything: GH INSTITUTE WINNERS)
January 1, 2006... (best) [for the grill] Never run out of gas during a cookout again. The Lite Cylinder Co. Propane Cylinder ($75) is transparent, so the fuel level is easy to check. Plus, the tanks are half the weight of traditional steel ones. ...

Stars of Innovation presents products and services that set a new standard for excellence.(stars of innovation)
January 1, 2006... Since 1996, the Good Housekeeping Institute has evaluated thousands of new products and honored only a handful with our prestigious Good Buy Award. To earn this distinction, products must stand out as examples of the latest innovations in the...

First-ever Good Buy Award winner for service.(stars of innovation)(OnStar Advisor, helpline)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Getting help fast in an emergency could make the difference between life and death. OnStar is dedicated to quickly getting you the help you need in virtually any emergency. That's why OnStar was recognized with Good Housekeeping's first-ever...

Easy and complete.(stars of innovation)(Cascade Complete)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Save time and energy in the kitchen with the best Cascade yet--Cascade Complete[R]! Get your dishes done more efficiently with Cascade Complete and have more time to spend with your family. Cascade Complete takes care of every step of the...

Dirt Devil[R]: Fight Dirty[TM].(stars of innovation)(vacuum cleaners)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... From powerful full-size uprights designed for whole-house cleaning to lightweight vacs that make clean-ups quick, Dirt Devil[R] offers a complete line of easy-to-use products with innovative design and clever features that help you outsmart...

Fashion freedom.(stars of innovation)(Dryel, cloths dry cleaning )(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... You can't find your favorite blouse in the closet, and then you realize you forgot to drop it off at the dry cleaner. Worse yet, they're closed for the day, and it would never have been ready in time anyway. Didn't you just pay to have it...

When BISSELL says clean ... we mean clean.(stars of innovation)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... We know the way you care for your home. Like you, BISSELL begins with the smallest details when it comes to our floor care products. From the deep-down microscopic source of your family's wheezing and sniffling, to the stains, dirt, and animal...

Who's teaching your kid to drive?(Family time)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Most states now require teens to take driver's ed classes before they get their license. Unfortunately, many high schools have had to cut their driver's ed programs. That means parents have to look elsewhere. You can find private driving...

Scary new sleds.(Family time)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... A cross between snowboards and scooters, today's hot sleds are designed to look cool and go fast. What kid wouldn't want one? But parents, beware: GH Institute engineers tested three popular models--the Mach 2, ScooterBoard, and...

A fun way for your kids to see the world.(Family time)(Video Recording Review)
January 1, 2006... Your little ones can span the globe with a new DVD called Baku the Travel Bug, which features a lovable puppet named Baku and a magical scrapbook. The disc brings the cultures of Mexico, India, and Lebanon to life using footage from each...

Money lessons to teach your kids: Saving. Spending. Budgeting. If you don't show them how, no one will! Plus: the right allowance and those tricky new debit cards.(Family)
January 1, 2006... Who says teenagers don't talk to their parents? My 15-year-old daughter, Katie, always has something to say. Typically, it's the same thing: "Can I have some money?" And depending on how much there is in my purse, she usually gets some. We...

Full house: after a long struggle with infertility, TV anchorwoman Sue Herera and her husband got a big surprise--three of them, actually.(Family)
January 1, 2006... in the sunny kitchen of her spacious house in suburban New Jersey, Sue Herera gently bounces her infant son, Daniel, on her shoulder while her toddler twins, Victoria and Jacqueline, plant cookie-smeared kisses on the baby's tiny bare feet. The...

Getting personal: Joy Behar solves your problems.(sister relations)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2006... Q My sister and I always go in together on gifts for our parents. But I always end up doing all the work because my sister suddenly becomes indecisive. I have to do the research and pick out both gifts--and I usually pay more than my share! I'm...

Friend envy.(Getting personal: JOY BEHAR SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Recently, my best friend, Jennifer, lost 30 pounds. She looks great, but there's a part of me that is extremely jealous; I'd love to lose some weight, but I just can't seem to get motivated. Now Jennifer will occasionally make comments about...

Joy to the world.(Getting personal: JOY BEHAR SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS)
January 1, 2006... ONE NIGHT RECENTLY, I had either food poisoning or a virus. Whatever it was, I was sick all night until I finally became delirious. On the plus side, once my stomach was completely empty, I felt like a top fashion model for the first time in my...

Does this sound familiar?(Getting personal: JOY BEHAR SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS)(single woman)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 1, 2006... I am a 34-year-old woman, and I can't understand why everyone is concerned about the fact that I'm not married. I'm quite happy being single, but with each passing year, people get more and more worked up over my marital status. Pals at work...

It's all about her: she's always in crisis and always over the top. Tips for staying sane when there's a diva in your life.(Getting personal)
January 1, 2006... Chances are you know a drama queen. She could be anyone: your sister, your coworker, even a close friend. Whatever her role, she's the one who demands constant attention, who sucks all the air out of a room and saps your energy more quickly...

Saying goodbye to mom: she danced the fox-trot, loved Chianti, and entertained with flair. So it was only fitting that we honored her with a fete, not a funeral.(Getting personal)
January 1, 2006... let them throw me a party." This was my mother's raspy-voiced recommendation a few months before she died. Mom was two years into a lung cancer diagnosis, and her wishes were simple: no mourning in a church. No orchid-spiked wake. Not her...

Where were her daughters? When the terrorist bombs went off in London last summer, Patty Benton figured her vacationing girls were safe. But they weren't--and she set off to find them.(Real lives)
January 1, 2006... patty Benton had just poured herself a bowl of granola when the brrring of the telephone startled her. It was 7:15 A.M. on July 7, 2005, and she had no idea who could be calling. Her husband, Dudley, a mechanical engineer, had already left...

Faith renewed: wife, mother, superstar. How does Faith Hill keep going? Wise words about giving back, raising good kids, and making love last.(Interview)(Cover Story)(Biography)
January 1, 2006... The scene would be familiar to any mother. It could have been any store and any little girl having a full-blown fit in one of the aisles. The fact that this tiny tantrum was coming from Gracie McGraw and that the mother trying to quiet...

Too young to be all alone: when these nine sisters and brothers needed a refuge, they turned to a teacher--the one woman they believed would help. Would she have room in her house--and her heart?(Becky Doss)
January 1, 2006... There are nine kids in all, brothers and sisters as close as you'll ever find. The youngest, three-year-old Sebastian, is the master of funny faces. Veronica, four, jumps on the sofa while the adults have their backs turned. Then there's...

Want a waist? You got it! These stylish picks--sleek skirts, great belts, and more--will whittle your middle in an instant.
January 1, 2006... PROBLEM: NO WAIST * The sheath's slim belt adds definition. * The swirls on the mannequin's sweater create the illusion of an hourglass figure. * A high-waist, shapely pencil skirt acts like a (comfy!) corset. * The darts in...

Open house: Soledad O'Brien, the lively CNN anchor and mother of four, invites us to her contemporary, kid-friendly loft in the city.
January 1, 2006... SOLEDAD'S PAD IS SO SPACIOUS, HER GIRLS--Sofia, five, and Cecilia, three-can take their scooters on a joyride in the living room. "I grew up in the suburbs, where I had lots of space to run around," says O'Brien, the cohost of CNN's American...

Alert: the sex offender is still next door: Megan's Law turns ten this year, but it hasn't kept our kids safe. What needs to change ... and what parents must do. The second of a two-part series.
January 1, 2006... SHORTLY AFTER HER SON STARTED kindergarten, Nadine K. got a letter from the local school district. Mistaking it for a notice about a book fair, Nadine opened the envelope in front of the boy and his two-year-old sister. What she read gave her...

Yes, you can eat this pasta! Is your big resolution to lose weight this year? Our blockbuster new book, The Supermarket Diet, will slim you down fast--first with a jump-start plan, then with delicious dinners to keep you losing.(Exclusive! The Supermarket Diet)
January 1, 2006... 452 calories Penne Rigate with Sweet-and-Spicy Picadillo Sauce SHOP TILL YOU DROP... POUNDS, THAT IS! OUR NEW BOOK, The Supermarket Diet, is designed to help you navigate grocery store aisles with weight loss in mind. The program...

Choose from a new menu at home.(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Any night of the week, choosing from a restaurant menu seems more inviting than making dinner at home. But innovations in prepared and packaged meals are making dining in as deliciously simple as dining out. New offerings like Campbell's[R]...

Home cooking.
January 1, 2006... CITRUS IN SUSAN'S KITCHEN Are lemons on your grocery list? They should be! When I found my fridge lemonless recently, I began to appreciate just how often my family uses these unsung heroes. In my home, citrus fruits find their way into as...

Laughs.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... "Mom, that guy you're dating--would you like to see his last income tax return?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I thought you said 'Slaughter the plants.'" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 'I believe my decision to remain unfit at the age of...

Recall alerts.(consumer news)
January 1, 2006... Are there unsafe products in your home? Check the list below. These items were recalled by manufacturers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. For more information, contact the companies at the numbers listed below,...

Driving Aunt Edna: her sharp opinions and tough attitude are the stuff of family legend. But alone with her great-niece one day, she reveals what's really in her heart.(Short Story)
January 1, 2006... Uncle Ernie had a heart attack last Tuesday. He will recover, the doctors say, but could be in the hospital for a week or more. Maybe, after being in love with Aunt Edna for 50 years, his heart just needed a rest. When I was little, our...

Words of hope for the New Year from ... Laura Bush.(Interview)
January 1, 2006... Do you have any New Year's resolutions? "My New Year's resolution used to be to lose weight. Now it's to stay fit and healthy. As a mother, I want to be a good role model for my daughters. Since I learned heart disease is the number one...