All Entries For family circle
10 Steps to a Clutter Free Home
Keep countertops free of items that don't belong there. Sort and file mail every day and hang up garments after taking them off. Encourage your kids to do the same with their clothes and toys, says Regina Leeds, author of One Year to an Organized Life.
Spend Just a Few Minutes a Day Decluttering
Brooks Palmer, author of Clutter Busting, suggests setting a timer for at least 15 minutes to help you keep disorder in check. "Start small and do it on a regular basis," he says. For example, sift through a stack of papers on your desk for recycling or deep-six that jumble of expired spices. And if you have to stop mid-project, go back to it the next day. Read More ›
The New Rise of Food Allergies
When Judi Zucker's son, Tanner, turned 14, he started getting daily headaches, rashes and acne breakouts. At first she chalked it up to puberty. But then the Santa Barbara–based writer was asked to pen a cookbook for people with food allergies and it occurred to her to have Tanner tested. Sure enough, blood work revealed that he was "off-the-charts" allergic to casein (a milk protein) and gluten. And he's not alone. These days, it seems like we're in the midst of an epidemic of food allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, their prevalence among kids under 18 rose 50% between 1997 and 2011. While some food allergies (which usually emerge in childhood) can be outgrown, others are lifelong and require permanent dietary shifts. "Within 24 hours of going gluten- and casein-free, Tanner had no more headaches, and gradually his skin cleared up," says Zucker, 52, who went on to co-author The Ultimate Allergy-Free Snack Cookbook. Read More ›
The Do-Everything-Better Guide
Pack a carry-on. Purge your medicine cabinet. Tell a joke. Fold a fitted sheet. Fall asleep when you can’t. Make cut flowers last longer, and more.
Fix a Chip in Your Nail Polish
Expert: Manicurist-to-the-stars Deborah Lippmann, creator of the Deborah Lippmann Collection sold on HSN.
As long as you have the same color handy, you're good to go.
- Pour a few drops of nail polish remover into a small bowl. Dab the pad of your index finger in remover, so skin is damp, not drenched.
- Press finger directly onto chip, then lift. Let dry for 10 seconds.
- With same finger, gently nudge polish forward toward edge of nail to smooth out ridge. Let dry 1 minute.
- Remove brush from polish and gently dab a tiny bit of color right on top of the nick; let dry 1 minute.
- If chip is still visible, apply one superthin layer of color to entire nail.
- Seal edge by brushing over the tip. (This will prevent future chips.)
- Wait one minute, then brush on topcoat. Let dry at least 5 minutes.
All Your Embarrassing Health Questions--Answered!
You've nursed your kid through icky ailments—remember that lice outbreak?—and lived to tell the tale to the stranger seated next to you on a plane. You've even compared detailed notes on the birthing experience with your BFF. Yet there are some health issues you're way too mortified to bring up even with your M.D. So you e-mailed them to us. We didn't blush once—but we did get the solutions you seek.
"Why do I get diarrhea during my period?"
Things are bad enough during that time of the month. So what's with the annoying changes in bathroom habits to boot? Here's what's happening: "During your cycle, your uterus produces chemicals called prostaglandins that cause cramping," says Suzanne Merrill-Nach, M.D., an ob-gyn in private practice in San Diego. Overproduction of prostaglandins means cramps can occur in the uterus and the intestines, causing diarrhea.
- Doctor Yourself: Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), to reduce prostaglandin production a day or two before your period starts. Should you miss that window, try popping an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medication, such as Imodium, on the bad days.
- Call Your M.D.: If your diarrhea is not controlled by OTC meds, you may have an underlying condition (such as endometriosis) and need alternate therapy. Read More ›
11 Standout Summer Side Dishes
Delicious ideas for block parties and backyard barbecues.
Layered Taco Dip
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Get the recipe
Read More ›
How to Get the Perfect Self Tan
Goof-proof products? Check. Expert application tips? Check. You’re officially cleared to self-tan. No streaks, no hassles!
Step 1: Prep
To end up with the most even color, you need to do a little advance work. "It's like a painter prepping her canvas," says Ricky Croft, VP Marketing for Sunless Inc. "Always begin with a clean slate." The day before you self-tan, exfoliate from head to toe, using an oil-free body polish or scrub in the shower. You should also shave at least 24 hours prior. Read More ›
Summer Brain Boosters
Chow down at the same restaurant every date night? Jog the same route? Mixing it up could keep you younger—and sharper. "New surroundings and experiences can stimulate new ways of thinking, which keeps your brain young and vibrant," says Marie Pasinski, M.D., staff neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of Beautiful Brain, Beautiful You. Read More ›
How to Talk to Your Tween about Dating
My daughter was 11 when she went to her first school dance. I put on a brave face as she got out of the car in her polka-dot dress (with a denim jacket for her signature swagger). "Have fun," I said, trying to sound airy.
But what I really wanted to say as she disappeared into the crowd of sixth-grade bravado was, "Wait—come back!" She still seemed too young for a middle-school mixer and the awkwardness that accompanied it. I thought about my first dance: standing alone in a corner, not moving, desperately waiting for him to notice me. How did I get from there to dropping off my own daughter at the doorstep of romance? And was there a way to make those girl-meets-boy dramas any less heart crushing? Read More ›
How to Detect, Treat and Prevent Skin Cancer
You know that crinkle in your forehead is from your daughter announcing she's quitting the debate team to play drums in a garage band. And that bruise on your thigh is from hauling recycling bins out to the curb. But every so often something pops up on your skin that you can't explain. "Most of the time these things are harmless," says Susan Taylor, M.D., of Society Hill Dermatology in Philadelphia, ticking off a long list of common noncancerous conditions from skin tags to age spots. "But if you're not sure what it is, see your doctor." If it's one of the 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year, the sooner you get treated, the better your chance of being cured. Read on to learn about the changes that can happen to your skin -- and how to protect it. Read More ›
The Ultimate Summer Skin Guide
Get gorgeous skin from head to toe, with beat-the-heat advice
Your Back and Chest
- Use a body wash with (at least) 2% salicylic acid on these areas—it exfoliates skin without causing inflammation, says Mary Lupo, MD, a dermatologist in New Orleans. Try Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash, $20, which has botanicals that simultaneously soothe skin.
- Finish treatment with a benzoyl peroxide gel or cream to kill any remaining bacteria. Read More ›
How to Protect Yourself from Arthritis
"I'm too young to feel this old," says Vicki Inman, 41. She's always been very active, but a few years ago this mom of two teen girls was diagnosed with arthritis. "The pain became so severe I felt as if my leg were going to give out." Thankfully, she found a solution in exercise: "I have to do gentle stretches and yoga regularly, otherwise it's painful to walk," says Inman, who's currently based at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning, near Columbus, Georgia, with her husband. Read More ›
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7 Ways to Sleep Better Tonight
I'm a married woman, but there's a guy I've been chasing after for months: the Sandman. I want him desperately some nights -- and then other evenings I push him away. It's completely my fault that he's turned his back on me in bed. Our always-too-short encounters are rarely satisfying because I'm constantly thinking about an errand I forgot to run or a form I need to fill out for my son's school. (Even Overstock.com and Candy Crush Saga come between us.) Yes, in terms of sleep time, I could -- and should -- do better.
And I'm not alone. More than 91 million women don't get the recommended seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night. Those missed zzz's can pack on pounds, steal your good looks, and make you just plain grouchy. That's why Family Circle went to its Facebook page in search of readers so heavy-eyed that they agreed to let sleep experts take a peek into their bedrooms to see what's really robbing them of 40 winks. Here they share what all moms should (and shouldn't) be doing for sounder sleep. Read More ›
How to Get the Perfect Blowout
Straightening your hair can be less of a hassle with these expert product picks.
Top Hair Tools to Achieve the Maximum Blowout
John Frieda Salon Shine Dryer, $40
Use a lightweight ionic dryer with at least 1,800 watts for a sleek style. This one fits the bill.
Goody TangleFix, $9
Gets rid of knots gently and has an easy-to-grip shape. Read More ›
7 Tests You Should Never Skip
Going to the doctor when you're sick is a no-brainer. But going when you're perfectly fine can be a lifesaver. "People who schedule routine visits get the best preventive services, and that sets the stage for success," says Jonathan Temte, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, in Madison. Screening tests are crucial: Your chances of beating virtually any condition are much greater when you catch it in its earliest stages—when it's most treatable or even curable. Use this chart as a guide, but discuss your personal history and specific needs with your doctor. Read More ›
The Best Cleaning Tips for Every Room
Spray, swipe and sponge your way to a spotless house in no time with these helpful strategies.
SCOUR POWER
Oven:Tackle those charred drips and baked-on blobs.
Racks: Lay them down on newspaper or, even better, place racks inside a large plastic garbage bag and spray with a nontoxic oven cleaner. Let sit, then scrub with a scouring pad, rinse well and dry.
Interior: Zap splatters by running your oven's self-cleaning cycle. If you don't have the feature, Debra Johnson, training manager at Merry Maids, suggests applying a fume-free oven cleaner (like Easy-Off). Give the solution about two hours to do its job, then wipe away the greasy debris with rags or paper towels. Follow with a scouring pad, if needed, and a once-over with a microfiber cloth. Read More ›
