Good Housekeeping articles from May 2004

Good Housekeeping archives from May 2004

On my mind.(editor's letter)
May 1, 2004... Cut and paste By talent and by nature, I am just not a crafty girl. But every now and then, I am seduced by the beautiful projects that more gifted women produce. And when these creations are not only simple to copy but also give your furniture...

Ditching diabetes.(On your mind)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I was delighted to learn about the new experimental procedure described in "Life After Diabetes" (March). I had type 1 diabetes and lived with the symptoms for more than 30 years. The disease took its toll-I required a kidney transplant and, to...

Minutes matter.(On your mind)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I joke that my headstone will read something like "20 Minutes Early for Her Own Death Because She Would Never Be Late for Anything." Unfortunately, the article "The Last Word on Lateness" (March) was probably appreciated chiefly by people like...

The skinny on surgery.(On your mind)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I was moved by Ethan Goodman's incredible transformation from 317 to 230 pounds in the March article "A Drastic Step." But while some of his struggles were mentioned, I think readers should be made aware that there's a dark side to the gastric...

What does the cough mean?(On your mind)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... Your article "The Cough that Won't Quit" (March) was quite informative. Most people would blame a chronic cough on a lingering cold. In my case, I coughed mostly at night, so I never thought of heartburn. Thank goodness a very caring nurse...

Magical story.(On your mind)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... "The Talking Kimono" by Laura Kalpakian (February) is one of the best short stories I have ever read. Not only is the narrative well written, but the content radiates a major principle: One belongs where one is loved.--RUTH REVES Temecula,...

A bovine buddy.(letters)
May 1, 2004... Nine-month-old Jaxson Collier loves to cuddle with his cute calf, Grazer, at the T&K Dairy farm in Snyder, Texas, owned by his grandparents, Tim and Connie Collier. Connie submitted the picture of this darling duo on behalf of Jaxson's proud...

Recalls and rights.(On your mind)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... "Warning! The Medical 'Miracles' that May Be Hazardous to Your Health" (March) gave me a shock. My son received an intraocular lens implant at seven months. I am still nervous about the long-term consequences, though his doctor assures me it's...

Real deals: bargains you'll love.
May 1, 2004... giveaway Fifty readers will win the fresh scent of gardenias in the new L'Instant de Guerlain perfume, a $62 value. For details, see page 223. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] chunky town Bracelets with some heft are hot this season,...

Win one of fine trips to the 2005 People's Choice Awards: achieve your award winning look: life offers many opportunities to let you be the start that you are. Having the right information is an essential first step on the red carpet of achieving optimal hair health. After all it's your time to shine.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Caring for your hair: * Massage Your Scalp Massaging your scalp every night will stimulate blood flow, creating a healthier scalp and fainter hair growth. Place your hands on your head, spreading your fingers and thumbs to cover as...

Loosen up!(Beauty: tips trends truth)
May 1, 2004... Put down that flat iron: Spring's most stylish hair--as seen on Naomi Watts, right--is loose, wavy, and very face-flattering. To create: On damp hair, apply mousse at the roots, then blow-dry on low heat, says Clairol Professional creative...

Drugstore deals.(Beauty: tips trends truth)
May 1, 2004... High quality doesn't have to mean high prices. Our favorite new ways to look great on the cheap: Knockoff skin care Skinsimple, a new face-care line debuting at Wal-Mart, uses Elizabeth Arden's ingredients and research. Sample the entire...

The truth about SPF.(Beauty: tips trends truth)
May 1, 2004... How low--or high--should you really go? "Never drop below 15. It blocks 97 percent of rays, making it much more effective than SPF 8," says Jon Starr, M.D., a clinical adjunct assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University. At the...

Gracefully gray.(Beauty: tips trends truth)
May 1, 2004... You can make your silver look chic, says Diana Lewis Jewell in her new book Going Gray, Looking Great! 1 Change your makeup. Framed in gray, skin can look sallow--but cool-toned makeup will help. (We like CoverGirl blush in Natural...

The new style that flatters everyone: star stylist Charles Worthington takes three readers to hair heaven--all through the magic of layering.(beauty)
May 1, 2004... Nora "has great features--but that long hair [below] was dragging her down," says Worthington, who owns salons in New York City and London. So he made some changes: 1 A major chop After lopping off six inches, he razored in wispy bangs...

Bug-off clothes.(Testing Testing! News For You From The Good Housekeeping Institute)
May 1, 2004... Now you can skip the bug spray without risking a bite. New clothing from Ex Officio and Orvis is treated with an insect repellent that's as effective as DEET at protecting you from bugs, including those that could transmit Lyme disease or the...

Stains--gone!(Exclusive)
May 1, 2004... The latest laundry weapon, Tide Buzz Ultrasonic Stain Remover, $49.99, uses sound waves and cleaning fluid to zap mustard, lipstick, tomato sauce, and grass marks from dry-cleanable and washable fabrics. Love that! But in our tests, it didn't...

Warm up the great outdoors.(Testing Testing! News For You From The Good Housekeeping Institute)
May 1, 2004... Which backyard fireplaces will keep you toasty on cool summer nights? If you want a fire in a flash, get Coleman's BackHome Patio Fireplace ($120). This wood burner is pricey but ignites in seconds with a propane starter. Don't mind building a...

Is your vacuum safe? Most of the time, your trusty upright uses its power for good, not evil. But accidents can happen. Here's how to protect your family.(Testing Testing! News For You From The Good Housekeeping Institute)
May 1, 2004... On a Sunday afternoon in March 2003, Bethany Burger, 31, was cleaning her upstate New York home. She started vacuuming the staircase using the hose attachment, then heard her 15-month-old, Katie, scream. The toddler had been climbing behind her...

Great new picnic gear.(Testing Testing! News For You From The Good Housekeeping Institute)
May 1, 2004... 1. TEMPERATURE TESTER Is your potato or chicken salad still safe to eat after it's been sitting out? Chaney's serving spoon with thermometer ($34.99) helps you know for sure. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2. YOU GO, GRILL When folded,...

"Will the home contractor I hired--and paid in full--ever start the project?".(GH to the Rescue!)
May 1, 2004... In April 2002, I signed an agreement with Quality Way Fence, a local home contractor, to install handrails on my back steps. Because it was a special order, I was asked to pay the full $900 in advance. The job was supposed to be completed in 30...

Help for hot flashes: the burning question: which products and herbs relieve your menopause symptoms--and which ones are a waste?(Testing Testing! News For You From The Good Housekeeping Institute)
May 1, 2004... COOL SLEEPWEAR You can't stop night sweats. But you can put an end to waking up soaked and shivering in wet pajamas. Hot Mama and Wicking J. Sleepwear (shown) are made of a new lightweight polyester that absorbs moisture to help keep you...

Blenders: shake it up! Be a real smoothie. With these six new blenders, you can whip up everything from cool summer soups to fabulous frozen drinks.(Testing Testing! News For You From The Good Housekeeping Institute)
May 1, 2004... BEST OVERALL The Oster Contemporary Classic Beehive Blender 4134 ($79.99, shown) is the only model we tested that excelled at everything--grinding, chopping nuts and vegetables, and blending all kinds of frozen drinks. With only one speed...

Summer spiff-up: pull out the hammock, fire up the grill, and get ready for outdoor living!(Household helpline: Heloise to the rescue)
May 1, 2004... Freshening patio furniture 1 Dingy resin lawn chairs Brighten white or light-colored lawn chairs with a solution of 3/4 cup household bleach and one tablespoon powdered or liquid laundry detergent mixed with one gallon warm water. Test...

The grill drill: best ways to clean the racks--and to prevent debris buildup.(Household helpline: Heloise to the rescue)
May 1, 2004... FOR A GAS GRILL Start by closing the lid, as you would with a self-cleaning oven. Cover cooking grids with foil the help concentrate heat; then turn on high for five to ten minutes maximum; do not overheat. When the grids are cool, use a...

7 safety, tips for cooking outdoors.(Household helpline: Heloise to the rescue)
May 1, 2004... 1. Never use gasoline, alcohol or kerosene to light a charcoal grill--doing so could cause an explosion. 2. Do not add charcoal starter fluid to warm or hot coals--flames could flare up. 3. Keep a fire extinguisher or a big jug or...

No-sweat summer stain guide: with so many fun activities at this time of year, spills are often overlooked. Try to treat stains as soon as you notice them--and before they get set in the fabric.(Household helpline: Heloise to the rescue)
May 1, 2004... BERRIES AND FRUIT JUICE Soak washable garments immediately in cold water for 30 minutes. Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent, then launder in warm water. If stain remains, apply a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on the mark...

Star-spangled manner: it's a grand old flag. Here's how to display it with respect.(Household helpline: Heloise to the rescue)
May 1, 2004... From a flagpole Position the flag at the top of the pole, with the union (star area) adjacent to the staff. If the pole angles out from a wall or porch rail, make sure the flag does not touch the ground. On the house You can suspend the...

You asked, Peggy answers.(Do the right thing: Peggy Post on everyday etiquette)
May 1, 2004... Q: For Mother's Day, my siblings and I usually give a group gift. This year, we want to get Morn a dishwasher, but our older brother thinks that's too expensive. How can we get him to chip in? A: Choose a mediator (perhaps the sibling he's...

Five things you should know about ... pet etiquette.(Do the right thing: Peggy Post on everyday etiquette)
May 1, 2004... 1. Plastic bags--don't leave home without one. There's no excuse for not cleaning up after your pet. 2. Let working dogs work. Don't ask the handler of a service or guide dog to keep the animal out of your home or office. Do always ask the...

So what would you do?(Peggy Post on everyday etiquette.)(Column)
May 1, 2004... Q: Your boss told you, in confidence, some details about an upcoming deal. You shared the scoop with a trusted coworker, but now it's all over the office. What's your next move? "I'd go to my boss and ask what I could do to remedy the...

Pop quiz.(Peggy Post on everyday etiquette.)(Column)
May 1, 2004... Your old college roommate is constantly sending you jokes and chain letters over e-mail. How can you get her to stop? a. Explain that you're too busy at work to read jokes but that you're happy to receive more personal e-mails. b. Be...

Talk to me: Joy Behar solves your trickiest problems.(Column)
May 1, 2004... Q: My friend Trish has often confided in me about her husband, Sam, saying he's demanding, controlling, and often behaves like a petty little kid, throwing tantrums when he doesn't get his way. Yet the two of them are still together. Now...

Nancy Drew: the makeover: products, trends, and the latest in kid culture.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... River Heights' girl detective is back and toting a cell phone. In the five new mysteries published this spring, Nancy drives an environmentally correct car and uses the Internet. But fear not: While Nancy may be hip enough to impress today's...

Should you buy your kid this stepper?(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... With childhood obesity surging, sports-equipment and toy manufacturers have begun to churn out products for grade-school-age kids. But the equipment we found, costing between $16.99 and $99.99, is more fad than fix-it. When we asked nine kids...

Got milk? Not much.(Product Watch - Sparkling Cow.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... "Great for school lunches!" says the packaging on Sparkling Cow, a new carbonated fruit-and-dairy drink. We beg to differ. This beverage has no actual fruit and just a spoonful of milk, a mere 2 percent of the recommended Daily Value for...

Stop yelling at your kids! You try to stay calm, but sometimes it's Mommy who has the meltdown. How to lose your temper less often--and feel less guilty when you do.(Column)
May 1, 2004... For Beth Youdell, a Lake Bluff, Illinois, mother of three, dinnertime is the yelling hour. By the time 5:00 P.M. rolls around, Youdell, who works part-time, has already spent countless hours explaining to, and reasoning with, seven-year-old...

Go before you go.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Most moms make sure that kids use the bathroom before a car trip--but adults should do the same. Auto accidents are the leading cause of bladder injuries, and you're likely to suffer more damage if your bladder is full. "In a high-speed...

A hot message about cold pills.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The FDA has announced a ban on ephedra, the weight-loss herb that has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. But what about its cousin pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that's used in many cold medications? While pseudoephedrine can make you...

Beef up your bones.(health news)
May 1, 2004... When it comes to keeping bones strong, calcium isn't the only mineral you need: A recent University of Arizona study confirmed that women who ate more iron-rich foods had greater bone density. Caution: Too much iron can cause health...

Does deodorant cause cancer?(Controversey)
May 1, 2004... Recent headlines might make you think so. One widely reported story linked deodorant use and underarm shaving among young women with earlier onset of breast cancer. Then came word that British scientists had detected chemicals called...

The secret to better sleep is ...(health news)
May 1, 2004... ... exercise. But only if you do your workout before noon, according to a recent study. It found that women who took up walking or biking for 45 minutes in the morning had less trouble falling asleep at night--and rested more soundly. By...

"But I eat tuna all the time!".(Diagnosis)
May 1, 2004... SYMPTOM: The young woman (we'll call her Jackie) couldn't understand why her back was itching so badly. She and her husband had eaten dinner at an Italian restaurant. Then, as they were driving home, she was not only itching, but also breaking...

Reading the fine print.(health news)
May 1, 2004... DRUGSTORE GLASSES have become downright stylish, and the price is certainly right. But are they OK for your eyes? They won't cause any vision problems, says Donald Schwartz, M.D., a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, though...

Is your thyroid to blame? If you're feeling moody or anxious, you could have a gland disorder. But don't count on your doctor to test for it. What you must know to get the care you need.(health)
May 1, 2004... Jolene Nixon, a 47-year-old credit and business manager and a mother of two in Houston, thought she was going crazy. During an annual checkup, she complained to her OB-GYN of feeling "unusually tired and achy." That led to several visits to...

Wanted: human guinea pigs (no experience necessary): got back pain? Dry skin? Insomnia? Whatever your problem, researchers need volunteers to test new treatments. What you must know before you join a clinical trial.(health)
May 1, 2004... I could have volunteered for 23 medical studies one day some months back. At least that's how many pitches for "guinea pigs" I counted. First, there was an ad on the morning news for bladder research. The newspaper classifieds sought volunteers...

Great news! Now what? Would you know what to do if you won the lottery or if Katie Couric moved in next door? There's no help hotline for "good emergencies"--so here's how to plan for your lucky day.(best-case scenarios)
May 1, 2004... Expecting the worst is smart, but preparing for the best is smart and fun. Get ready with this guide, a positive spin on the popular Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series. Hey, life is full of lucky breaks-you never know when you'll get...

Boost your money confidence: have no fear: the basics of saving and investing are much easier than you think. So follow these steps and lose your finance phobia.(money)
May 1, 2004... Deep inside almost every woman lies a money smarty eager to get out. You may not believe me, but odds are you're selling yourself short. Do you pay the family bills? When you and your husband set up a budget, are you in charge? If you can...

In love with linens: designer Jane Leider's hand-embroidered bed, bath, and tabletop collections are heirlooms in the making.(decorating)
May 1, 2004... Growing up without embroidery lessons from her mother or grandmothers, Jane Leider could barely sew on a button. "But I always loved handwork and stitching detail," says Leider, 41. She would have continued admiring from afar if not for a trip...

Summer getaways! Make this year's vacation relaxing, rejuvenating--and affordable.(travel)
May 1, 2004... Summertime, and the living is... cheap? It can be if you take advantage of the national glut in resort-area rentals. From California to Massachusetts, people who bought vacation homes at the top of the market over the past few years are...

Real steals: great bargains on lodging, car rentals, and city attractions. Plus: specials for GH readers.(travel)
May 1, 2004... HOTELS Travel Web sites such as Expedia.com and Travelocity.com often post great prices on hotel rooms. So great, in fact, that the big chains are coming up with even better offers. Hyatt, for instance, will give you 20 percent off the...

GHI tested: fun gear and gadgets for the whole gang.(travel)
May 1, 2004... WORRY-FREE TOTE This Aqua-Pruff watertight tote made of neoprene keeps contents bone-dry. Plus, it floats! Large, $48.99; medium (shown), $43.99; 888-993-7666 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KEEP IN TOUCH The Uniden GMR645 two-way...

Taking after mom: when I was 13, the very last thing I wanted was to be like her. Now I understand who she really was.(connections)
May 1, 2004... Putting on her face" was my mother's favorite morning ritual. When I was a little girl, I would watch, fascinated, as she stretched each eyelid, drawing a thin brown line above her lashes. "You told me," I said, "not to poke pencils in my...

Mother Mary: they used to call her ditzy. But with her mom role on the hit show Joan of Arcadia and a happy marriage, Mary Steenburgen has finally come into her own.(spotlight)
May 1, 2004... Roxy the dog issues an occasional snort, but Mary Steenburgen's home in a leafy suburb of Los Angeles is otherwise quiet today. Her husband--actor Ted Danson--has just dashed out, calling out a cheerful "Bye, sweetheart!" And Steenburgen, a...

The new hazard on the highway: it's not what you think. With everyone in a hurry, red-light running has suddenly become an epidemic--and a serious threat to our safety.(in the news)
May 1, 2004... Katie Hodge still finds it painful to go into a supermarket--there is no baby to fasten into the seat of the metal cart. Her last memories of her 17-month-old son, Blake, are at the grocery store in Phoenix, Arizona. "He loved to help me shop,"...

De-stress the planet go green in your home with Bryant.(Star power)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Nearly everyone worries about the effects of pollution. In a recent study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans ranked the protection of our environment as one of their top three concerns for the future. Many people...

Conserve energy and improve home comfort: windows from MI Home Products reduce heating and cooling costs while maximizing the interior comfort of your home.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... The importance of reducing the amount of energy used in the home really hits home when you receive ever-increasing utility bills. If you are interested in a long-term solution that will help reduce the energy needed to keep your home warm in...

The healthy way to lose now: Bob Greene helped Oprah slim down. Now he's ready to jump-start your diet. Plus: how to burn fat faster, easy exercises to do at home, our very own meal plan (to help you take off a little ... or a lot), and more!
May 1, 2004... It should be so simple. Eat less, exercise more, and all those extra pounds will disappear. Yeah, right. These days, the endless debates on the best way to lose weight--cardio versus strength training, low-carb versus low-fat--can weaken...

Burn fat faster: you can drop 25 pounds or more without cutting a single calorie. The secret? Easy exercises that really boost metabolism.
May 1, 2004... Just about every weight-loss plan, workout program, and drugstore diet aid carries the claim that it will boost your metabolism. Many of these pitches are unproven-based on little or phony science. But serious researchers are also looking into...

Your magic number: want to know how much you can eat and still lose weight? The key is to calculate your metabolic rate--six staffers show you how.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The simple math of weight-loss success: Eat fewer calories than you burn. What's not so simple: figuring out your "daily burn" number. One way is to get tested on BodyGem, a device that measures your resting metabolic rate, or the calories your...

What you gain when you lose: the health benefits of dropping pounds.
May 1, 2004... When you slim down, the most obvious payoff is the one you see in the mirror. But the even more impressive benefits may be the ones you can't see. If you're 20 percent or more over your recommended weight, * dropping pounds significantly cuts...

Take off a little ... or a lot: our meal plan is flexible enough to meet different goals--and tasty enough to make you forget it's a diet!
May 1, 2004... How many calories do you eat in a day? The answer: probably more than you think. Want proof? Just look what happened when we asked three staffers to guess how many calories per day they consume, then had them keep careful food diaries over...

Rescuing Lily: a child kidnapped by her father. A hiding place in a foreign jungle. It wouldn't be easy to get five-year-old Lily back, but her desperate mother was willing to do anything.
May 1, 2004... It was an ideal time for a commando raid--just before dawn on April 11, 2003, deep in the Costa Rican jungle. Five-and-a-half-year-old Lily Snyder, in moldy pink pajamas; her father, Stephen, then 52; and her half brother Eli, then 29, lay fast...

Family affair: can moms and daughters wear the same clothes? You bet! These great spring styles are modeled by two generations--young and young at heart.
May 1, 2004... MOM TYWANDA SCOTT School administrator Piscataway, New Jersey DAUGHTER TAI BEAUCHAMP Beauty director at Seventeen New York, New York [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BOTH LOVE A tweed three-quarter-length jacket by Harve Benard. ...

Discover decoupage: to give your furniture a pretty face-lift, says author and expert Leslie Linsley, all you need are scissors, glue, and an amazing glaze.(Exclusive Book Excerpt.)(Book Review)
May 1, 2004... Hand-decorating furniture and accessories is back in vogue, says the author of Leslie Linsley's Decoupage, and it's easy to see why. "Decoupage is a fun, affordable way to introduce the kind of handmade touches that make a room personal and...

Are you trying too hard to please? You don't have to satisfy all the people all the time. How to stop saying yes when you want to say no.
May 1, 2004... It was Friday evening. My friend Teresa was on the phone with me, lamenting that she had to spend Saturday organizing the programs for her daughter's dance recital, chauffeuring her son's soccer team to the game even though it was not her turn,...

Now that's Italian! From antipasto to luscious desserts, these traditional dishes will wow your family and friends.
May 1, 2004... Seafood Salad PREP 25 minutes plus chilling COOK about 15 minutes MAKES about 6 cups or 12 first-course servings 2 lemons 2 bay leaves 1 pint grape tomatoes 1/2 cup Gaeta or nicoise olives, pitted 1/2 cup loosely packed...

Rush hour: family dinners in under 30 minutes.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... one stir Mongolian Beef Stir-fry 1 pound beef flank steak, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 4 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 1...

Furniture face-lift.(Crafts.)
May 1, 2004... If you've never decoupaged before, start with something basic, like this step stool. "The size is perfect for a single image, like a flag, or for a simple composition, like the one here," says expert Leslie Linsley, who offers these how-to...

Alert: dangerous products.
May 1, 2004... Are there unsafe products in your home? Check the recalls 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...

The death and life of Charlie St. Cloud: to his friends, Charlie is a good man with a tragic past. Then fate steers Tess into his life. An exclusive excerpt from a new novel.(Book Review)
May 1, 2004... Charlie St. Cloud wasn't the best or brightest boy in Essex County, but he was surely the most promising. He was shortstop of the Marblehead Magicians, and co-captain of the debate club. With a mischievous dimple on one cheek, he was already...

What you don't know about ... Julie Andrews, legendary singer, actress, and the star of the upcoming film The Princess Diaries 2.(Interview)
May 1, 2004... WHO IS YOUR HERO? "It has to be my father, who was a smart, decent, nature-loving man who seemed to do everything right instinctively. He was just a rock-solid, very logical man who always made me feel safe." WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU'VE...