Good Housekeeping articles from March 2003

Good Housekeeping archives from March 2003

Saying the right thing. (On your mind).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I found Jill Goldstein's article "Don't Be Afraid to Talk About My Husband" (January) very helpful. She had some really good points that will help all of us who have lost someone close express how we feel. She is a very brave person for having...

Nip it in the bud. (On your mind).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I would like to respond to "Five Signs You're Being Too Lenient" (January). My preschooler has never thrown a tantrum in a store, because she has never been allowed to throw one anywhere. Teach your children to express themselves appropriately...

Attacking ants. (On your mind).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I read the Windex article in the Extra! Extra! section ("My Big Fat Greek Windex?" January). When I found red ants in our master bathroom, my husband said we had no ant spray. Instantly I yelled, "Get the Windex!" He used it, and every one of...

Car talk. (On your mind).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... Having read Liz Smith's interview with Meryl Streep ("Meryl's Moment of Truth," January), I applaud the actress's work with Equality Now. But I am disappointed with her portrayal of women driving SUVs to please their "husband's ego." As she...

Tea for tots. (On your mind).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Caroline McMahon, 19 months old, was thrilled to have a tea party with her grandmother, Rita Hassiepen of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. But when grandfather Henry Hassiepen tried to join in, Caroline made it clear the guest list was girls only! "I...

Girl, adopted. (letters).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... In "A Haven for Molly" (January), Carolyn McDonough says this about adopting her daughter: "I'm no savior. We did this because we wanted a family." I am in complete agreement. The only reason my husband and I chose to adopt our children was...

Shelf life. (real deals: bargains you'll love).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... When the mantel's full, where can you set that darling bud vase or beloved tchotchke? This scalloped white shelf makes the perfect perch while adding a decorative accent to a bedroom or bath. Just $4.88 for a set of two at Wal-Mart;...

You win! (real deals: bargains you'll love).
March 1, 2003... Call it a sure thing: OPI's new Las Vegas nail polish collection has 12 playful colors, from Cha-Ching Cherry to Sheer Luck, This month 50 readers will each win six shades from the line (a $45 value). See page 224 for details on how to enter.

Ms. fix-it. (real deals: bargains you'll love).(mini tools )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The power drill has its place, but for a quick job, these floral mini tools from Best Way are up to the task. (We know; we tried them.) Sized for stashing in a kitchen drawer, they come at a tidy price, too: $6.99 and $7.99 at Ace Hardware.

Wear the pants--for free! (real deals: bargains you'll love).
March 1, 2003... Put some spring into your wardrobe without spending a dime. A staple for the warmer months, these whimsical capri pants from Dockers (a $38 value) are free to 50 readers. See page 224 for details on how to enter.

Great hair. (Special beauty guide).
March 1, 2003... We've got everything you need to make it happen * 3 prettiest new looks * giveaways for successful styling * 9 common hair mistakes * long-lasting color Bored with beating your hair stick-straight? This spring is your season. Styles are...

9 hair mistakes you may be making: find out if you're guilty, then rinse, repeat--and repent. (great hair).
March 1, 2003... 1 SHAMPOOING DAILY "Hair looks its best when the natural oils from the scalp are allowed to reach the ends," says Sally Hershberger, executive style director for John Frieda/Sheer Blonde. That's why most experts suggest that you shampoo...

Great color your get-it-now guide: are you contemplating a color change? GH Beauty Editor Amy Keller shares the scoop on new products that work--and her own life as a serial colorer. (great hair).
March 1, 2003... Sure, I'm a redhead now. But starting from when I was 18, my hair has also been blond, brunet, and even blue (just a streak, but that still counts). Here's what I've learned from my many colorists, in salons from New York City to my beloved...

Household helpline: Heloise to the rescue.(household cleaning tips)
March 1, 2003... Q: Our freezer defrosted and a piece of meat spoiled. We've tried everything to eliminate the smell. How do we get rid of it?--Shirlee Caplan, Skokie, Illinois Heloise: I assume "everything" includes cleaning and disinfecting the freezer's...

Do the right thing: Peggy Post on everyday etiquette.
March 1, 2003... Q: What is proper protocol for a broken engagement? I've heard that if the man calls it off, the woman keeps the ring. But my nephew just canceled his wedding, and his fiancee gave the ring back! Have I missed something? Peggy Post:...

Talk to me Joy Behar solves your trickiest problems.
March 1, 2003... Q: I have a friend from work, Peggy, whom I've invited to parties at my home--she was even at my wedding two years ago. Recently, I learned that Peggy had a New Year's Eve party and invited several of our colleagues--but not me. I'm really...

Sniff `n' paint. (Extra! Extra! Breaking news from the Good Housekeeping Institute).(aromatherapy for household paint by Antique Drapery Rod Company)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Call us nosy, but when we heard about a new way to nix the fumes of house paint, we had to put it to the sniff test. The Antique Drapery Rod Company introduced four aromatherapy scents--including crisp Lemon and French Vanilla--that you stir...

Can "green" cars do the job? (buy or wait).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... [buy or wait] Cameron Diaz has one. So do James Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio. But are hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) sensible for an average family? If you're looking to save gas money, help the environment, or stick it to Saddam Hussein,...

The best-ever bandage. (Extra! Extra! Breaking news from the Good Housekeeping Institute).(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2003... Despite what Mom may have told you, a cut won't heal faster when exposed to air--you need an airtight, stay-put bandage, says Paul Honig, M.D., director of pediatric dermatology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Which strip should you...

Raw foods--a raw deal? (Extra! Extra! From The Good Housekeeping Institute).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The latest trend in cooking? No cooking. Web sites, magazines, and even restaurants are sprouting up to promote the "energy-enhancing" virtues of raw rations, such as cold Bell Pepper Soup, Mock Refried Beans, and other straight-from-the-earth...

Flaming fingernails. (Extra! Extra! From The Good Housekeeping Institute).(fake fingernails)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Long artificial nails may be hot, but you don't want that to be literally true. To test the flammability of these popular accessories, GH Institute chemists bought nine sets (plain, painted, and airbrushed) and held each at varying distances...

Cushions: cute as a button. (60-second chic).(pillow decoration tip)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A few quick stitches are all it takes to turn plain-Jane pillows into cushion couture. To create this tufted look, choose a pair of shank buttons (ours are from M&J Trimming, 800-965-8746). Thread a three-inch needle with two feet of dental...

From trash to treasure. (save the planet).(household goods made from recycled products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Call it deja vu decorating: There's a new wave of household goods that turn manufacturing by-products into art. Take this graphic welcome mat from Bitters Co. ($20, www.bittersco.com). It's fashioned from colorful flip-flop remnants. We've also...

Celebrity sauces: which ones taste the best? (taste test).(marinara sauces)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2003... Paul Newman is a tough act to follow on-screen. On supermarket shelves, however, his ready-to-serve pasta sauces are facing stiff competition from celebrity chefs (like Emeril Lagasse, left). Do any of these gourmet jars deserve star status? To...

Bank on it: the check is in the e-mail. (Extra! Extra! From the GH Institute).(online bill pay serivce)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... If finding time to pay bills is your monthly mission impossible, you've probably thought about ditching the paper trail and banking online. Many financial firms are now running promotions: Bank of America, for example, recently did away with...

Good things, small packages: these new appliances are compact in size--imagine a washer and dryer in one!--but big on performance. (Buyer's guide: the better way to cook and clean).(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2003... skinny-mini cleaner Haier 18-inch Portable Dishwasher, $400 No room for a full-size dishwasher? Haier's superslim model comfortably holds five 5-piece place settings. For basic washing, the 18-inch-wide model aced our tests. Downsides: It...

Sound advice: best headphones. (Extra! Extra! From the GH Institute).(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... If you want music wherever you go, it may pay to find a rugged pair of headphones to replace the chintzy set that came with your portable CD player. GHI engineers put 18 models through a series of cord-yanking, head-shaking tests-and discovered...

GH to the rescue. (Extra! Extra! From the GH Institute).(air mattress warranty question; product recall list)
March 1, 2003... "I'm losing sleep over my broken mattress!" I bought a $799 air mattress from Regin about three years ago, Last month the air chambers deflated (while I was sleeping!). Sleep deprivation is bad enough, but what's really making me cranky is...

Your health.(CT scans; skin tags; fingernail strength; rubbing eyes)
March 1, 2003... Q My doctor recently ordered a CT scan for my son after he fell. Is this as safe as an X ray? A Some three million CT scans are performed on children each year, allowing doctors to check everything from the brain to the bowels with...

Tape those warts. (News Update).(unconventional wart treatment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Researchers in Tacoma, Washington, have discovered the ultimate wart remover: duct tape. It got rid of warts in 85 percent of kids, while freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen worked for just 60 percent of kids (and it hurt!). The treatment...

Let's hear it for female docs. (News Update).(practice of female physicians)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A recent study found that female primary-care physicians ask more questions about their patients' lives than their male colleagues, are more reassuring, and smile and nod more when talking to patients. Plus, they spend about two minutes longer...

When sex hurts: if lovemaking is more agony than ecstasy, the problem may be medical. Now there's help. (your health).
March 1, 2003... Thanks to recent advances, doctors have more effective treatments than ever for sexual pain. But zeroing in on the right diagnosis may be tricky, says Susan McSherry, M.D., who is affiliated with Tulane Medical School, in New Orleans. "If the...

Losing weight...Why it's tougher for women. (fitness diet).
March 1, 2003... Yes, you're way too fond of Chunky Monkeybut that's not the only reason your scale won't budge. Jim Karas explains the "female factor" in weight loss, and how you can overcome it. Sitting in front of me is a female client who has achieved...

You're getting sleepy: once a sideshow staple, hypnosis is gaining doctors' respect. Could it work for you? Get the facts--and take our special quiz. (your health).
March 1, 2003... It's not always easy for Diana Young to share childbirth stories with other mothers. "Some women sound as if they had this terrible experience," she says. "But, really, I had a wonderful time." Young isn't delusional. Nor did she try a new...

"I didn't know my operation was an experiment": surgeons are supposed to get permission to try new procedures, from a special board and from the patient. But do they? This frightening report shows how often the rules are broken- and how big a price the victims pay. (your health).
March 1, 2003... Kathleen and Hugh Cassidy were thrilled when an eye surgeon promised to do what other specialists they consulted had said was impossible: restore their daughter's failing sight. Only nine years old, Joanne had already suffered a series of eye...

America the beautiful. (your family).(celebrity narrators of 'Freedom: A History of US' teleivision program)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Tom Hanks as Abraham Lincoln? Meryl Streep as Mother Jones? How about Robin Williams as General Ulysses S. Grant? These A-listers and others are lending their voices to the eight-hour PBS series Freedom: A History of US. Hosted and narrated by...

What's wrong with this picture? (your family).(preventing brain injuries in children who participate in sports)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... This little sports star may not be ready for the rink. If your kids are athletic, you know that scrapes and bruises come with the territory. But contact sports like hockey and football put children and adolescents at risk for something more...

Crack the IM code. (your family).(acronyms used by teenagers on Instant Messenger)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Have you ever glanced over your daughter's shoulder while she's on Instant Messenger (IM) and found yourself puzzled by all the acronyms she's using? Amid the alphabet soup are some messages that moms would no doubt be interested in. POS is a...

Smart parenting. (your family).(how to help children cope when an animal is put to sleep)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Q Our family dog is very sick, and I'm afraid we're going to have to put him to sleep. How do I explain this to my nine-year-old son? Should I get him a new dog right away? a Be honest with your son, but in a way that he can understand,...

The favorite child: "you love her better than me!" Of course not, you say. But what if for some of us, for some of the time, it's just a tiny bit true? (your family).
March 1, 2003... While she was pregnant with her second child, a friend confided a great fear to me. "I know I'm going to love this baby," she said. "But I can't imagine ever loving him as much as I love my daughter." Three months later, when I visited her...

Kitchen confidential: I was allergic to cooking for decades. Hot meals? That's what restaurants were for. Then I had children.... (personal matters).
March 1, 2003... For 40 years, I refused to cook. Indeed, I was famous for it. Friends always knew there was nothing to eat at my house. My refrigerator contained orange juice and a bottle of Champagne--that was it. In part, I suppose, I was rebelling...

Driver's Ed gets an F: don't count on school courses: kids may learn more on amusement park bumper cars. But there are ways to keep your child safe behind the wheel. (your family).(driver education)
March 1, 2003... When 16-year-old Luke Welmerink signed up for driver's education, his mother, Cris, was pleased. She remembered her hours behind the wheel of a school-owned sedan, the kind with a sign on its side that said Caution--Student Driver. "Everybody...

Taxes! Are you paying more than you should? (your money).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... This is really the year to do your taxes carefully. There are lots of changes, and they're all in your favor--new cuts that will save you money if you take full advantage of them. It's also a good year to question old strategies. For example,...

Tax cuts for everyone. (your money).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * This year, the standard deduction goes up: For couples filing jointly, it's $7,850; for heads of household, $6,900; and for singles, $4,700. But before you jump to take the standard cut, see what you'd get by itemizing. Or make sure your tax...

A tax cut for the self-employed. (your money).(health insurance premiums as a tax write-off)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... You can now write off up to 70 percent of what you pay in health insurance premiums. Just be sure that you use the long form, 1040; it's the only one with a line for this adjustment.

Tax cuts for parents. (your money).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * There's a $600 tax credit for each child under 17. It goes fully to couples with incomes up to $110,000 and singles up to $75,000, and then it gradually phases out. If your credits add up to more than your total tax, and your income exceeds...

Refund loans--not a good idea. (your money).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... If a tax preparer does your return and finds you're entitled to money back, he may offer you a "refund-anticipation loan." How it works: The preparer advances you the amount of your refund minus a loan fee and sometimes bank and...

Tax credits for students (including you). (your money).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * If you have a student loan, you may now be able to deduct all the interest you've paid. Previously, you lost this deduction once you'd made 60 loan payments. Income limits have increased, too, so more people qualify. The full write-off goes...

Special help for teachers. (your money).(tax deduction for teachers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Some towns won't allocate enough funds to schools to provide students with essential supplies such as paper, books, maps, and kickballs. Teachers who spend their own money on essentials (and there are many who do) can now pay themselves back...

Tax cuts for retirement savings. (your money).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The limit for IRA contributions goes up to $3,000 ($3,500 if you were at least 50 by the end of the year). You have till April 15 to make your 2002 payment. Employer plans may allow higher contributions too. Find out how much more you can add...

"My mistakes cost me $500!". (your money).(tax preparation mistakes)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... MARIE DINAPOLI, 45, a registered nurse, lives in the New York City suburbs with her son, David, 20. Blunder #1 Her tax preparer forgot to take an exemption for her son. "I didn't even notice, because I didn't check my return--I figured I...

Her blue plate specials. (collectors).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... DORA LANDEY, a real estate agent and antiques dealer at Main Street Cellar, in New Canaan, Connecticut, has a collection of more than 400 blue-and-white transferware pieces that date back to early-19th-century England. These were designed as an...

"I couldn't afford to teach": after years of searching, I found the perfect job, but a far-from-perfect salary. (my story).
March 1, 2003... Sitting at my kitchen table, I stared at the stack of bills before me. On top was my daughter's tuition invoice from her Catholic high school. A glance at my checkbook's balance sheet revealed the obvious: There wasn't going to be enough money...

Life lessons from a straight shooter: former Texas governor Ann Richards is as high-spirited and sharp-tongued as ever. With a new book on the way, she tells women to look forward, not back--and how to make the most of what they've got. (real lives).(Interview)
March 1, 2003... It's impossible to think of Ann Richards as anything but larger than life. And yet, a few years ago, the former Texas governor suddenly noticed she was taking up less space. "It sounds so vain," says Richards, 69, "but my clothes weren't...

Bruce Willis family man: in a candid talk with Liz Smith, the tough guy shows his soft side: the feelings he still has for ex-wife Demi, and the joy (and pain) of raising three little girls. Plus: Real-life couples who stayed close after they split. (Cover Story).(Interview)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2003... He started out as a brash, sardonic antihero on the television hit Moonlighting. Since moving on to the big screen, he has fought evil in tall buildings (Die Hard), escaped death as a nearly doomed boxer (Pulp Fiction), and counseled a child...

For the sake of the kids: their marriages failed. But these real-life couples are trying hard to have a good divorce.
March 1, 2003... When Brian and Nina East decided to get divorced two years ago, Brian moved out, but not far. Two houses away, to be exact. Brian, an attorney, and Nina, a community college professor, had a single focus: helping their daughter, Kate, now 14,...

The hip parade.(clothing for women)(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... Spring standouts: the (6) hottest, most wearable looks--for every figure and budget. (1) SLEEK TRENCHES Orange coat from Ramosport, $429. White pants from Banana Republic Hat by Lola. Bag by Maria Turgeon. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

What if reality TV came to your house?
March 1, 2003... Since the phenomenal success of The Osbournes on MTV, many of us are wondering how we would fare under the white-hot glare of the cameras. While few of us have hurled a ham over the back fence to quiet a noisy neighbor, hala Sharon Osbourne, we...

Do-it-yourself design: sewing, painting, appliqueing--for sachet maker Diana Krieg, home is where her art is.
March 1, 2003... Diana Krieg got the idea for her first major home decorating project from Michelangelo. "When I saw what he did for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, I had to try it myself," says Krieg, whose day job is to create unique and whimsical sachets...

You'll never believe what I heard! Psst...great news! Researchers now say that gossip is actually good for you--but only if you play by the rules. So take our quiz, and size up your dirt-dishing savvy.
March 1, 2003... Your boss does it. Your doctor does it. And so does the principal at your child's school. A hip fitness trend? Hot new investment strategy? Hardly. Their hush-hush secret activity is... gossip. That's right: According to a recent study by the...

Too much information? Rules for when to share...and when to shut up.
March 1, 2003... How do you get the goods without being bad? We went to the experts who dish for a living--from New York Post gossip columnist Liz Smith to Hollywood publicists--and came back with the scoop. To get a little, give a little. Getting a person...

"As Always Jack": her father was a dashing navy pilot whose plane was lost at sea. In an exclusive excerpt from her haunting memoir, Emma Sweeney tells of her search for the man she never knew--and the truth about his final mission. (Book Bonus).(Excerpt)
March 1, 2003... Though I never knew my father, as a child I did know a few things about him. I knew that he had been a Navy pilot and that he and my mother had met in the days following the end of the Second World War. Before I was born, he and my mother and...

The little guy wins! (Did You Know?).(sales of tuna and shrimp)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For the first time ever, shrimp has overtaken tuna as the top-selling seafood in the country. Americans consumed 3.4 pounds of shrimp per person in 2001, compared with 2.9 pounds of runner-up canned tuna. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Remember these? (Front burner: what's new, what's hot, what's cooking).(television trays)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Were TV dinners your idea of bliss in childhood? Or do you just think the 1950s were cool? You'll dig these microwavable stoneware trays with compartments for chicken, carrots, peas, and mashed potatoes. Available in blue, green, or white;...

Pop goes Scooby-Doo. (Front burner: what's new, what's hot, what's cooking).(microwave popcorn)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... ASAP (A Super Amazing Popcorn) has made this favorite family snack even more appealing with packages in fun shapes like a soccer ball, basketball, Bugs Bunny, and the Powerpuff Girls (13 designs in all, with more to come). Available in four...

Dressing up. (Front burner: what's new, what's hot, what's cooking).(salad dressings)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Prepared salad dressings from Live a Little Gourmet Foods taste as fresh as homemade, yet have a refrigerated shelf life of eight to ten months (and no added preservatives). The dressings double as dips, sauces, and marinades, and come in such...

One-pot wonder: the right appliances, from a super-quick microwave to a (very) slow cooker, makes these dinners easy to fix--and even easier to clean up. (recipes).
March 1, 2003... Tangerine Beef Stir-fry PREP 20 minutes COOK 15 minutes MAKES 4 main-dish servings 2 to 3 tangerines (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1/4 cup dry sherry 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1...

Rush hour! Brunch for the weekend in just minutes. (rush hour).(brunch recipes)
March 1, 2003... family favorite Puffy Pancake with Banana-Berry Compote Puffy Pancake 4 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons margarine or butter ...

A reader writes us: "I want to share my family recipe". (Home cooking: your questions, answers, favorite recipes).(salmon with onions and capers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Anna Falcone of Waco, Texas, writes: "My mama, Laura Buffamante, made this salmon when we lived in Sicily more than 50 years ago." When Falcone first cooked the dish for her niece, Tina Contreas, the young woman was so inspired by her...

My new sous-chef. (in my kitchen).(child helps in kitchen)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... My son, Lucio, and I have been cooking together since he could grasp a spoon. But now he wants real lessons. Inspired by this month's Rush Hour brunch recipes, we began with omelets. At eight, Lucio's a pro at whisking eggs. The new technique...

Stewing secret. (in my kitchen).(browning meat for stews)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... What's the difference between a thick, delicious stew and one that's just not very gutsy? Browning. Meat for stew needs to be seared to get that gorgeous color and to caramelize the proteins and sugars. To brown it perfectly, dry the meat well...

Touring the road less traveled. (Special Advertising Section).
March 1, 2003... If you and your family plan to hit the road this summer, take note that according to the Travel Industry Association of America, increasing numbers of people will opt for drive vacations this summer, following a trend that started last year....

Light housekeeping. (time out).
March 1, 2003... "Here we have Matt and Andrew running away from home for the first time." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] `Like all parents, my husband and I just do the best we can, and hold our breath, and hope we've set aside enough money to pay for our...

Patricia Richardson wraps it up: the star of Lifetime's Strong Medicine on working out, dressing down, and writing home. (my favorite things).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... WAY TO EXERCISE "Right now, I'm in love with this piece of equipment called an elliptical trainer. It's like a cross between a stair climber and treadmill. It's low impact, and that's perfect for me." HOBBY "Lately, I've been turning my...