Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2013 i Women's Health

One fun part of editing a magazine is that I pick up tips and tricks from pro stylists and makeup artists, some of whom possess such transformative powers, they may as well call themselves magicians. I’ve enjoyed my fair share of time getting glammed up for photo shoots and before TV segments, but it’s nothing compared with the countless hours actress Drew Barrymore has spent being primped during her Hollywood career—she practically went from a high chair to a makeup chair! Years of gleaning beauty how-tos (and how-not-tos!) spurred Drew to create her own cosmetics line, Flower. Her motive: to make products that are both luxe and afordable and that encourage women, per the company’s tagline, to “love the way you look.” Drew is all about female empowerment—and her supportive…

DREW BARRYMORE… On embracing her body and her top beauty tip. Watch her video at WomensHealthMag.com/Drew. CHAT WITH US! Fitness, style, and beauty experts will be hosting live Twitter chats on December 2, 10, and 19 to give you advice on looking hot this holiday season. Join in, and enter for a chance to win a trip to Barbados! Head to WomensHealthMag.com/HolidayHashtags. COLD-WEATHER WORKOUT MOJO Don’t let your motivation drop with the temp! We’ve rounded up the best at-home workouts, winter exercise gear, and tips for sticking to your routine. Get it all at WomensHealthMag.com/WinterWorkoutGuide. I Want Her Look! For easy-to-follow tutorials on the latest beauty trends you’re dying to try—like Rihanna’s smoky eye—watch our new video series, “I Want Her Look!” at WomensHealthMag.com/IWantHerLook. Relationship Rx Improve your love life…

SCARY SPICE Food-borne illnesses have a new hideout: your spice rack. According to FDA research, about 7 percent of imported spices are laced with salmonella, and more than 8 percent of those contain antimicrobial-resistant strains of the bug. “Contamination may occur during the drying process when spices are on mats or directly on the ground and may be exposed to rodents, birds, flies, and field pests and their droppings,” says study author Jane Van Doren, Ph.D., of the FDA. Gross! About 80 percent of spices are imported, so your best move is to add them before cooking, since heat helps kill pathogens. twenty-five A BAD MOUTHFUL There may be more bisphenol A (BPA)—a chemical linked to fertility problems, weight gain, diabetes, and cancer—coursing through our veins than previously thought. Turns…

Whether you’re a Francophile or not, you have to admit that French women seem to hold the key to many feminine secrets: how to stay slim on a wine-and-cheese diet, how to look stylish without trying, and how to use fragrance to be even more rapturous. “The French have a strong relationship with perfume—for us, it’s just like any other beauty item we must wear every day to feel confident and to express our personality,” says French perfumer Veronique Nyberg. And according to Pamela Dalton, Ph.D., a sensory psychologist in Philadelphia, “evidence shows that fragrance can enhance your mood by reminding you of things you love,” so it may be smart to step up your spritzing. Find your signature scent. “When you are a teenager, fragrance becomes glamorous. You associate…

1,500 Additional steps participants took per day when wearing a pedometer. Source: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Look around any cocktail party and you’re bound to spot the must-have accessory of the moment. It isn’t a chic bag or killer pumps—it’s a plastic bracelet. Accelerometry-based activity monitors like these (often called accelerometers) are quickly becoming the hottest get-fit gadget to own: Trend analysis firm ABI Research predicts sales of fitness trackers—which work by detecting your movement throughout the day, logging it into an algorithm, and spitting out the number of steps you’ve taken, calories burned, and more—will jump by 40 percent each year for the next five years. Their popularity stems from how cool-looking, easy to use, and tricked out they’ve become. Thanks to improved technology, monitors can…

Head One major issue: dehydration. Excess alcohol upsets the production of vasopressin, a hormone that controls fluid balance. This sends you rushing to the ladies’ room (repeatedly) the night of, and can leave your head aching the next day. Booze also fiddles with your immune system’s cytokines, chemical messengers that can trigger acute inflammation—a.k.a. pain—in your noggin and elsewhere. (A small dose of an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen may help.) If you were knocking back bourbon instead of, say, vodka, your head might be pounding a little harder. In general, darker hard liquors (and most beers and dark wines) contain more congeners, chemicals that may exacerbate hangovers. Smoking cigs also multiplies the misery. Liver It can detox only one drink per hour, and it took a real beating last night.…

Star chef Giada De Laurentiis shares delicious recipes that elevate your mind, body, and energy! When I was younger, I relied on chocolate and sugar to give me boosts throughout the day. Sure, I had some dips in my energy level, but I didn’t see a huge downside. Then I started eating more vegetables, protein, and whole grains, and a lot less sweet stuff. And I felt better. Replacing foods that are high in refined sugar and refined complex carbohydrates, like white bread, with foods that have less sugar and more fiber has made a huge difference. I can honestly say that, in my forties, I am healthier than I was in my twenties and thirties. I sleep better. I’m happier. I still love chocolate—that will never change!—but now I…

Lunch Winter Grains ¼ cup dry farro 1½ tsp olive oil 1 Tbsp filtered applecider vinegar 1 tsp agave nectar 1 tsp orange zest ½ cup sliced kale ½ cup chickpeas ½ blood orange, sectioned* Cook farro (found in the grains aisle) according to package instructions. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, agave nectar, and zest for dressing. Tossfarro with kale, chickpeas, blood orange, and dressing. * This fruit’s juice slowed fat accumulation in a study done in mice, thanks in part to its bright color pigments called anthocyanins. Total: 420 calories Dinner Pizza Party 1 Amy’s Light ’N Lean Italian Vegetable Pizza* 3 oz broccoli slaw ¼ cup black beans ¼ cup sliced scallions 1 tsp olive oil 1 oz lemon juice Bake pizza. Blend slaw, beans, scallions, oil, and lemon…

Pay attention to your breath. This oft-repeated yoga-class instruction is worth remembering when you’re in bed, too. During foreplay, practice what yogis call “circular breathing” by trying not to pause between inhaling and exhaling. “The key is to not push out on the exhale,” says Joseph Kramer, Ph.D., director of the Orgasmic Yoga Institute. “Totally relax and just slowly let the air slip out.” (This is easier to do if you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose.) Paying this much attention to your breath helps you shut out distracting thoughts (like the fact that you’re overdue for an eyebrow wax or you need to unload the dishwasher)—and focus on feelings of arousal. Another breathing trick is what Ava Cadell, Ph.D., a Los Angeles sex counselor, calls “alternate nostril…

PRESENT DODGERS Outsmart those who plead, “Don’t get me anything.” 1. Miami Cocktail Co. drinksWho could turn down zero-carb cocktails? $15 each, miamicocktail.com for info 2. StickyGram Instagram magnets Give perfectly filtered, personalized magnets. $15 for nine, stickygram.com 3. Kiehl’s Limited Edition Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter Proceeds help fight childhood hunger. $38, kiehls.com 4. Workhorse Jewelry for Of a Kind Brigid Diamond Knuckle ring A trendy ring with bling. $195, ofakind.com 5. DNA 11 Fingerprint portrait Turn your pal’s own fingerprint into art. $199, dna11.com 6. MOMA Design Store Balkus trivet Help friends put their wine corks to good use. $48, momastore.org HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Give Better Gift Cards Gift cards usually say “I waited until the last minute.” Make yours meaningful by considering the recipient’s lifestyle and…

FLAKE OUT JACKET: Dale of Norway, $498, daleofnorway.com; SWEATER: 525 America, $174, 525america.com; JEANS: Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, $187, aliceandolivia.com; BOOTS: Pajar Canada, $360, pajar.com; SUNGLASSES: CK Calvin Klein, $155, marchon.com for stores; SCARF: Monika Chiang, $395, monikachiang.com; WATCH: Tissot, tissotshop.com; GLOVES: Spyder, $30, spyder.com STORM CHASER SWEATER: Just Cavalli, $695, justcavallinyc.com; SKIRT: Athleta, $89, athleta.com; LEGGINGS: Adidas Neo Label, $13, adidas.com; BOOTS: Koolaburra, $350, koolaburra.com; BACKPACK: Adidas by Stella McCartney, $110, adidas.com; SUNGLASSES (on head): Mykita, $549, mykita.com WINTER BREAK COAT: Mackage, $850, mackage.com; SWEATER: Topshop, $96, topshop.com; PANTS: Peruvian Connection, $199, peruvianconnection.com; BOOTS: Sorel, $150, sorel.com; SUNGLASSES (on sweater): Oliver Peoples, $535, 310-657-2553 WARM FUZZIES FAUX-FUR VEST: Won Hundred, $724.50, wonhundred.com; JACKET: Columbia, $220, columbia.com; SWEATER: Autumn Cashmere, $495, revolveclothing.com; JEANS: Diesel, $328, diesel.com; MITTENS: Bally,…

IF YOU HAVE… 30 SECONDS Spray the inside of your winter hat with Static Guard before sporting it—it will help prevent the dreaded flyaway effect. “Hats & Hair (Make Them Play Nice),” page 43 2 MINUTES Add a set of modified squats to your gym routine. They strengthen your core and can help protect your knees. “How Old Are Your Knees?” page 70 5 MINUTES Find the perfect gift to impress your friend with superexpensive taste. “54 Cool Holiday Gifts,” page 110 10 MINUTES Create a workout playlist with songs that speak to your fitness intention (your motivation for hitting the gym in the first place!)—and crank it next time you exercise. “Set Your Intention,” page 64 15 MINUTES Give your guy a slow-motion massage. Just like a great yoga…

Q: I’m hungrier on days I exercise—how do I make sure I burn more than I eat? —Lilli, DeWitt, IA You should feel hungrier on those days—and eat more, too, says Marni Sumbal, R.D., an exercise physiologist and owner of Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition in Jacksonville, Florida. The key to managing your food intake is to eat an additional snack before and after your workout, so you’re fueling up when your body needs it most. For example, before an hour-long run, Sumbal suggests a 100-to 200-calorie snack mixing five to 15 grams of protein and 30 to 40 grams of carbs (like a small banana with half a tablespoon of peanut butter); a post-workout snack should include about 10 to 15 grams of protein and 20 to 30 grams of…

Some people like to wear hats to keep their noggin toasty; others sport them as a style statement. Whatever the reason, both groups have to deal with one dreaded aftereffect: hat head. To help you avoid that mane mishap (and avoid static, too), we’ve figured out which hairstyles look best with different hats—both while the hats are on and once they come of! Beanie “Go sleek, no matter what your hair length. Fitted hats make it hard to maintain waves,” says Nunzio Saviano, a New York City salon owner. 1/Apply nourishing hair oil to damp strands, then blow-dry straight. 2/Make sure hair is totally dry. If you don’t, “You risk that stubborn dent on the sides of your head,” says Saviano. 3/Switch your part to the opposite side, then reverse…

POWER COUPLE Streamline your silhouette in high-waisted pants and a structured bustier. Pink Tartan pants, $295, pinktartan.com; Bebe bustier, $74, bebe.com FUZZY LOGIC Highlight your waist and hide your thighs in a swingy skirt and slim sweater. French Connection sweater, $118, at Iconic Fashion Lounge, 201-706-8162; Kate Spade New York skirt, $328, katespade.com SHINING MOMENT The modern way to flaunt your curves? A fitted sweater and shimmery mermaid maxi. Free People skirt, $268, freepeople.com; H&M sweater, $60, hm.com NEW WAVE Detailing at the shoulder and hem play up an hourglass shape. Marchesa Voyage top, $445, at Bloomingdale’s, 305-792-1000; Finders Keepers skirt, $168, litboutique.com; Badgley Mischka shoes, Felix Rey bag, BaubleBar earrings, R.J. Graziano bracelet GO WITH THE FLOW Loose pants won’t cling; a sparkly V-neck draws the eye up. WD.NY…

PACK A BANDMATE Get a tight, toned lower body with this travel-friendly tool. What is about the size of your iPhone and cheaper than your morning latte, and can sculpt sexy stems and a firmer butt? The answer: a mini resistance band. If you’ve never used one, you’re not alone. Resistance bands have gained props for being portable, affordable, and superefficient, but their mini-me version has received less attention. Utilizing this tool, however, can increase the impact of traditional lower-body strength moves, says Jim Smith, performance specialist and owner of Diesel Strength & Conditioning. It can also keep you of the sidelines: A new study found that using the band during squats helps remind you to push your knees out, which can prevent injuries such as strains and tears to…

A Slow-Moving Setback The clock starts ticking the moment you injure your knee. Ignore it and here’s what happens. MONTHONE: Once cartilage has been damaged, knee cells become inflamed. MONTHSONE TO SIX: Without treatment, the inflammation spreads, and cartilage directly around the site of the injury starts breaking down. YEARONE : Damage spreads to nearby healthy cartilage, like ripples across a pond. YEAR TWO: You could still be pain-free, but the immune proteins have started to break down the sturdy framework that holds your knee together. An MRI could pick up early changes in cartilage and bone, called pre-osteoarthritis. YEAR FOUR : So much cartilage has worn away that bones and nerves start to rub against each other and your knee begins to ache. The soft lining around the joint…

Three More Delicious Recipes 1. Holiday cheese log: Combine 8 oz softened goat cheese and 1 minced garlic clove. Using waxed paper, shape into a 6"-long log. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Mix ¼ cup pomegranate seeds and 1/2 cup chopped pistachios and press onto surface of log. Serve with crackers. 2. Nut-crusted chicken: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack on top and coat with cooking spray. In a bowl, whisk 1 egg. In another, combine ¾ cup ground pistachios, ½ tsp chili powder, and ½ tsp pepper. Dip 4 chicken breast cutlets in egg, then in nut mixture. Place on wire rack and bake for 25 minutes. In a saucepan, combine 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp sugar, ¼ cup…

As a close couple, you probably share a lot of things—the occasional bag of chips, a Game of Thrones obsession, and on really good days, the shower! But there’s one thing you probably don’t willingly accept when your man offers it: his advice. A series of studies done by the University of Iowa surveyed couples over the first seven years of marriage and found that the more husbands and wives gave each other unwanted advice, the less satisfied they were with their relationship in general. Unsolicited input was one of the worst offenses, breeding frustration, anger, and overall marital misery over time, according to study author Erika Lawrence, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of Iowa. Rather than giving in to cranky annoyance, why not do something…

Suggesting that a person “look on the bright side” is fine if you’re dealing with a snagged sweater, but when the situation is serious—you lose your job, go through a divorce, or receive a life-altering medical diagnosis—it takes a lot more to remain optimistic. Every bit of me was challenged when I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. As a healthy, happy, vegan nurse with no family history of the disease, the diagnosis rocked my world. And while I did my fair share of crying and pillow punching, I committed to having a positive attitude. Doing that enabled me to not only endure my treatments, but also thrive after cancer. Here are four tips that helped me—and that might come in handy for you if you’re ever faced…

DREW BARRYMORE HAS a confession to make: She permits drinking on the job. To come up with punny product names like “Olive My Love” and “Raisin the Roof” for her new makeup line, Flower, she throws naming parties for her consiglieri and breaks out the wine. With her laid-back charm and casual style (today, for a Flower meeting, she’s wearing ripped jeans and a plaid silk blouse), it’s easy to forget the 38-year-old actress is at the helm of three companies (aside from Flower, there’s her production company, Flower Films, and her wine label, Barrymore Wines). But behind her free-spirited exterior lies a savvy businessperson. “I’ve always been a woman in the boardroom. My personal life was never as advanced as my [career]. I’d think, Why can’t I be in…

NFL linebackers. Female body bui lders. Madonna. The fear of bulking up to anything close to these muscular extremes has long kept many women out of the weight room. But steering clear of lifting anything heavier than your hair dryer is a big mistake: “Strength is an often-overlooked component of physical health,” says Alexander Koch, Ph.D., an associate professor of exercise science at Lenoir-Rhyne University. “Lifting weights is excellent for improving bone density, joint mobility, and body composition.” Not to mention that daily tasks such as lugging groceries, moving furniture, and climbing stairs become easier. And the benefits don’t end there. “Physical strength begets mental strength,” says Jill Coleman, former figure competitor and cofounder of the fat-loss company Metabolic Effect based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “Finishing a tough weight-training session…

THE EXERCISE EXPERT Valerie Waters is a Los Angeles celebrity trainer. In “Strong Is the New Sexy,” on page 146, she busts the myth that cardio is the best way to burn fat. 1 HOW I DECOMPRESS: NATURE SOUNDS I meditate for 15 minutes while listening to the soothing sounds (like rain or the ocean) on the Naturespace app. I start with a deep-breathing exercise and then just sit and relax. 2 HOW I STAY MOTIVATED: CUTE WORKOUT OUTFITS If you look good, you feel good. It’s worth investing in one new thing here and there—it makes it more fun to go to the gym when you like what you’re wearing.…

Q: Is it cool to outright ask my guy to go down on me? —Rebecca, Des Moines, IA Yes, if he’s slacking in that area, you can—and should—let him know what you want. If you don’t feel comfortable simply blurting out the request, go down on him for a few minutes, then return to eye level before he goes over the edge. He’ll likely return the favor. If not, move his hand between your legs, tilt your head back, and arch your spine to create a downward slope for him to descend. Still not working? “Put your tongue between my legs” in a sexy tone will let him know what you want! What conclusions do you draw based on what you see in a girl’s social photo feed? —Jamie, San…

1/Reveal Brighter, Softer Skin Low humidity outside plus heat inside can leave skin dry and rough. Use a grain-based exfoliating body scrub in the shower to refine rough areas, says Laura Ann Conroy, a Bliss Spa massage therapist. Opt for a sugar-based formula like (1) Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Sugar Scrub ($36, blissworld.com), which melts faster than salt and makes skin soft. 2/Get a Believable Bronze Ditch dark self-tanning products and gel formulas for a gradual self-tanner lotion—like (2) St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Firming 4 in 1 Body Lotion ($40, sephora.com)—which can make your complexion one to two shades darker after each use, says Sophie Evans, a St. Tropez self-tanning expert. Apply it before bed every three or four days. 3/Hyper-Hydrate For your glow to last, your…

CLEAR WINNERS Chunky crystals are a colorphobe’s best friend. Banana Republic necklace, $98, bananarepublic.com GRAPE CRUSH Stand out in an elegant way with a few strategic pops of purple. Sondra Roberts clutch, $240, sondraroberts.com Joanna Laura Constantine ring, $130, joannalauraconstantine.com Zara clutch, $49.90, zara.com t+j Designs bracelet, $28, tandjdesigns.com Vince Camuto sandals, $129, vincecamuto.com GREEN PIECES Emerald accents get an outfit into the holiday spirit. Just resist wearing with red. BCBG Max Azria belt, $78, bcbg.com Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Stronger, $19, deborahlippmann.com Capwell & Co. necklace, $68, capwell.co OPI Nail Lacquer in All Sparkly and Gold, $9, ulta.com COLOR SPLASH Wear these glittery extras with an LBD—or a solid dress in one of the sparkle shades. Milly clutch, $325, millyny.com Nine West flats, $79, amazon.com GOLDEN RULES Consider…

When boredom or fatigue strikes during a workout, you might try to distract yourself by flicking on the TV or chatting up your treadmill neighbor. But tuning in—instead of checking out—may be the smarter tactic. Just ask yoga teachers. At the beginning of class, they often urge students to set an intention, like “feel more gratitude” or “let go of stress,” to help them stay focused and tap into the purpose of their practice. Experts say intention setting can be a powerful tool in any fitness discipline, not just yoga. “It zeros in on something you can connect to emotionally, and unlike a long-term goal, you can make good on an intention in a single session, which is very satisfying,” says celeb trainer Brett Hoebel. In other words, you can’t,…

You’d never eat two dinners at once, right? Except that maybe you (inadvertently) already do: Research shows that many women take in nearly half of their daily calories at or after dinner. What’s more, one study found that a third of people downed 15 percent of their calories after 11 p.m. In a way, evolution might be to blame: Humans were originally conditioned to chow down after sunset so they’d have the energy to get through the night. Some scientists believe that’s why the body’s hunger cycle still peaks at around 8 p.m. It’s also why people might feel more cravings but less satisfaction when they eat in the evening, driving them to consume more. Trouble is, some modern habits exacerbate this biology. Daytime dieting, for instance, magnifies that 8…

When Brittany Blankenship met her boyfriend, Gabe, in high school in Attica, Indiana, they were both overweight—and they gained more together. “We’d make frozen foods like egg rolls and pizza rolls,” says Brittany, now 23 and a corporate chef. After quitting sports because she felt selfconscious at practice, her only exercise consisted of “walking to the car to go get fast food.” By 2011, as a senior in college, the 5’3" student wore size-20 jeans. The Change In September 2011, Brittany was a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding. When she saw the photos, she was horrified. She weighed herself for the first time in almost two years—and the number (248) stunned her. “There is no way I am going to hit 250,” she promised herself. The Lifestyle That October, she…

Luke Evans, 34, star of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 1 What do you think a woman looks hottest in? The hottest thing I’ve seen a woman wear recently was a tight-fitting black evening dress with high heels. Stunning. 2 Describe a great first date. One where, at the end of it, they want to see you again, no? 3 What’s something surprising about you? I like to sing—anywhere, with anyone. I have a go-to song—it’s a melter. It’s Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” 4 Any guilty pleasures? I had the odd cigarette up until four days ago, when I underwent hypnotherapy. I haven’t thought of one once—I can’t believe it! 5 What are your thoughts on dating more than one person at a…

When my boyfriend, Rod, and I were leaving his mother’s house near Sacramento, California, late last fall to drive home to Nevada, it was a warm, overcast day—nothing unusual or threatening. Normally we would have checked the weather before driving home through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, but for some reason that day we didn’t. Rod had his four-wheel-drive Jeep and we knew the roads well, so we weren’t worried. Usually we have a survival pack in the car filled with blankets and flashlights and first-aid items, but as we loaded stuff into the Jeep, including some green tomatoes Rod’s mother had given us, we took it out so we’d have more room. As we passed our favorite camping ground, Burnside Lake in Alpine Country, Nevada, we decided to take…

IT WAS A ONE-LINE TEXT MESSAGE THAT SET OFF THE FIRST FAINT WARNING BELL IN HER HEAD. Leah,* then 28, had been dating Jeff for nearly a year, and things were going great. When they first got together, she was fresh out of a breakup—Leah’s first husband and the father of her two young sons had cheated on her, and they were getting divorced—and Jeff was a charming, good-looking guy, open and spontaneous with her and her kids. When Leah got the text from Jeff that night, she was out with a big group of girlfriends. It was karaoke night at a local bar, and she assumed when she opened the message it was going to go something like, “Hey, miss u.” Instead, it read: “Why r u texting Jen…

do this first Pick which hosting platform your blog should live on. Joy Cho, author of Blog Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community, breaks them down: WordPress.com BEST FOR: Techier types. If you don’t know what means, stay away. PRO: You have complete control over the look and functionality of your blog. CON: The endless options for add-ons and extras can be a tad overwhelming. Blogger.com BEST FOR: Essayists. Select this if you value content over visuals. PRO: It’s foolproof to set up. CON: You’re stuck with limited templates and customization options. Tumblr.com BEST FOR: The photoobsessed. PRO: A wide network lets you reblog posts from other users. CON: Readers can’t comment on your posts—lame. the equation 1 new blog post x 2 or 3days a week…