Speaking of silver hair, did you know it’s a myth that plucking one grey hair will make two grow back? Find out why in our story on top hair myths.

Claim to Fame: Think gluten-free diets have to be boring? Think again. Best known as the brainchild behind the wildly popular gluten-free cooking blog, “Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef,” Shauna James Ahern is on a mission to guide others on a journey toward delicious gluten-free living. Shauna knows firsthand what it’s like to live with Celiac disease, the hard-to-diagnose digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is primarily found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye. After years of suffering from inexplicable pain and lethargy, Shauna was finally diagnosed with Celiac disease at age 38 and found her salvation in a gluten-free diet. Proving that gluten-free cooking need not equal deprivation, Shauna’s blog showcases beautiful, mouth-watering dishes centered around inspired ingredient pairings: think pistachio-crusted salmon with edamame mash and pan-seared beef tenderloin with port sauce and balsamic onions. Narrated by her charming wit and keen eye for observation, Ahern’s blog is a beautiful celebration of life, health, food and love. Together with her husband Danny, a professional chef, Shauna has co-authored a series of best-selling cookbooks filled with innovative gluten-free recipes, including Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, which was named one of the best cookbooks of 2010 by The New York Times. Her most recent cookbook, Gluten-Free Girl Every Day, A Cookbook for Busy Families Who Love to Cook, is an approachable cookbook filled with easy everyday recipes for a hectic life.

Health Philosophy: “Be alive. Enjoy everything you can. Stop worrying so much about that bite of food you ate or the day you wish you had lived. Be here. Breathe.”

RELATED: 10 Gluten-Free Desserts 

Favorite Healthy Meal: “My favorite meal is what’s on the table. We eat real food in our house, not a bunch of boxed meals stuffed with chemicals. We try to eat in season, as much as we can. Everything tastes better when it’s fresh. Mostly, we like to play. We play with flavors and techniques. This morning, my husband pickled mustard seeds then made up a new dry cure for smoked salmon. So my favorite healthy meal? The one we’re making now.”

Biggest Inspiration: “My 4-year-old daughter is my biggest inspiration in nearly everything these days. She’s alive, that kid. She embraces the moment and skips through the sprinkler and loves us entirely. Because she’s 4. We lose so much of that energy as we get older. Having her in my life — and watching her dance, swim and eat good food with a deep appreciation — makes me realize just how much time I have wasted worrying about anything in life.”

Favorite Workout:  “I walk every day. I walk for nearly an hour every day that I can, with podcasts in my ear or music I love or Pema Chodron talks about how to live in the world awake. We have very busy lives, and I want to be with my daughter when she’s in the same room. Those walks are like sanctuary for me.”

Motivational Saying:  “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”  — Mary Oliver

RELATED: 3 Gluten-Free Kitchen Essentials 

Five Minutes with Shauna James Ahern

On your blog, you talk about the ways in which you didn’t used to feel “alive” prior to your Celiac diagnosis. Can you tell me a little bit about this? What sort of symptoms were you experiencing?

Right before I was diagnosed, I was really sick. Everybody knew there was something wrong with me—I was going in for MRIs and CT scans and ultrasounds, and none of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me. I assumed I had some type of weird, rare cancer and that I was going to die. Even decades before that, I had been the kid who was always getting sick. I was constantly spraining my wrists; I had pneumonia six times before I was 26; I got bronchitis a few times. I just felt lousy all the time, and I didn’t know I could feel any better than that. That was my norm. When I was finally diagnosed with Celiac’s and stopped eating gluten, I thought, “Holy heck! I didn’t know I could feel this good!” That’s what I’ve told thousands of readers—it’s like a reverse. When you finally feel well, everything feels new.

How long did it take before you were correctly diagnosed with Celiac disease? Was this something that had even crossed your mind?

No. I had no idea what Celiac disease even was. I was 38 when I was diagnosed. That’s not atypical. Apparently, in America, it takes people on average 10 years to get diagnosed. Most people who have this disease are wandering around feeling lousy and don’t know why. It’s starting to get better. Just now, doctors in the medical community are beginning to understand that Celiac is not nearly as rare as they used to think it was. They used to think it was 1 in 5,000 people who had Celiac, that it was a childhood disease, and that you would grow it. But now they understand that it’s more like 1 out of a 100 people.

Was it a challenge learning how to eat gluten-free?

You know, it’s funny—it wasn’t a challenge for me. I had been so sick that it felt like a liberation to finally feel well. It was also a huge relief to find out I was suffering from a food-related issue, not some kind of scary cancer. I’ve always been a massive food lover. I adore food and the way you play with it. For me, it was like, “What can I eat?” That’s what I focused on first…I focused on what foods were available to me. Steak, peaches, arugula salad—there’s a lot of delicious food out there that’s also naturally gluten-free. Where I find it most challenging to maintain my lifestyle—and where I think most people struggle too—is when I’m in transition…when I’m in the airport or at a gas station or caught without a snack. But even that’s getting easier.

So you feel like a brand new person since you’ve eliminated gluten from you diet?

Absolutely. Before, I never had any energy. I was dragging all the time. I would need a nap every afternoon—I felt like a 2-year-old. My stomach hurt every time I ate before. I experienced all kinds of lovely digestive issues nobody ever wants to talk about. I had suffered from depression in my 20s, but it went away as soon as I stopped eating gluten because there’s a really amazing connection between the gut and the brain. If the intestines are damaged, the body can’t produce enough serotonin to keep you even-keeled and happy. After I changed my diet, there were a lot of enormous changes, physically and mentally. So yeah, I feel like a new self. It was a rebirth.

Your blog, Gluten-Free Girl, chronicles your day-to-day journey with Celiac disease. What inspired you to start this blog?

First of all, I had no idea anybody was going to read it in the first place. I was a writer, and I had a blog where I wrote personal essays about the day and shared little moments of beauty. When I was diagnosed and started feeling well, I was struck both by how much joy I was feeling and also by how angry I was—angry that nobody had ever told me Celiac disease could be a possibility. So I started writing another personal blog that was just focused on food this time.

Why are you so passionate about raising awareness about this issue?

There’s no reason for people to suffer. I suffered for a long time. I was 38, and it got to the point, as it does for many people, where I was so sick I thought I was going to die. And then you find out it’s just a matter of avoiding wheat, rye, barley and several other grains—it’s that simple. If you’re going to have an autoimmune disease, Celiac is the one to have. I mean, you cure yourself through food! Every time you eat well, you think, “I’m healing myself.” That’s a pretty amazing thing. There’s no surgery, no drugs, no chemotherapy. It’s all about changing your life for the better.

Some people have the common misconception that living gluten-free means deprivation, but the stunning food photographs on your blog prove this notion wrong. What are some of your favorite gluten-free meals to make?

It’s funny, I don’t think of my meals as “gluten-free” anymore—to me, they’re just “meals.” My husband is a chef, and he knows food better than I ever will. We eat gluten-free in our house. My husband, my daughter and I eat entirely gluten-free at home, but nobody thinks of it as deprivation. All I can think of is what my husband made for dinner last night: He roasted chicken with smoked paprika butter and served it alongside smashed organic purple potatoes and watercress. We eat very deliciously, and none of us see it as a special diet. That’s one of the main things I want to emphasize. People think that if they eat gluten-free, they will feel like they’re eating differently than everybody else. But that’s not the case. Whenever we invite friends over and cook for them, nobody talks about the fact it’s gluten-free—it’s just good food.

You have a new cookbook coming out, Gluten-Free Girl Every Day, A Cookbook for Busy Families who Love to Cook! Can you tell us a little bit more about this?

I’m very excited about it. Our first cookbook, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef: A Love Story with 100 Tempting Recipes, was a narrative cookbook, so it was really about the writing. It was a love story, a love story about my husband and about food. Back when we were first married, we would make meals at midnight. But then our daughter was born and our priorities shifted. So this new cookbook is very much an everyday book. It’s based on the true urgency of feeding people. I call it a cookbook for busy families who love to cook. It’s not about taking as few ingredients as possible and making a meal in the shortest amount of time possible. Instead, it’s about how to build up a pantry filled with good food so you can make something pretty quickly as long as you have everything at-hand. Every chapter is a different strategy for getting dinner on the table. It’s meant to be practical, it’s meant to be inspiring and it’s definitely meant to be delicious.

 Click here to learn more about or to purchase Gluten-Free Girl Every Day. 

KRUPS Silver Art Citrus Press
$79.99; krupsusa.com 
Sure, breakfast in bed—complete with fresh-squeezed OJ—may be a special occasion-type thing, but Mom deserves the special treatment anytime she wants, right? The KRUPS Silver Art Citrus Press delivers. It’s unbelievably easy to set up, use and clean, and the yield of fresh-squeezed juice is the icing on the cake. Slice up your citrus, gently press down on the juicing cone, and it automatically starts spinning. Within seconds, your fruit is juiced and you’re enjoying a breakfast-in-bed kind of morning, any day of the year.

T-fal Balanced Living Steamer
$49.99; bonton.com
Eating healthy is easy with the proper tools at your disposal, and the T-fal Balanced Living Steamer is a great addition to any healthy diet. The two-tier design allows for more food to be prepared in the two two-quart bowls. Or remove the center plate to steam larger-sized items in a four-quart capacity. Food steams evenly and quickly. Great for everything from eggs and veggies to chicken and fish, the steamer is easy-to-use and quick to clean up and store.

Quirky® Mocubo One Stop Chop Bamboo Cutting Board with Storage Containers
$39.99; bedbathandbeyond.com
The Mocubo cutting board combines food preparation and storage for simplified prep work and an easy cleanup after you slice and dice. The bamboo board is built with three clear storage drawers underneath, which can neatly store just-cut ingredients until they are ready for use. An added bonus: the drawers can be removed to transform the cutting board into a functional serving tray. Perfect for those with minimal counter space.

Chicago Metallic™ Meatloaf Baker
$14.99; bedbathandbeyond.com 
Easy and inexpensive to make, meatloaf is a staple American comfort food. The downside is that it’s often loaded with grease. Enter the Chicago Metallic Meatloaf Baker. Featured on Dr. Oz’s Healthy Kitchen Gadgets segment, the device is a great choice for moms who enjoy making meatloaf but want to trim the fat content. The non-stick pan features a raised, removable tray, and as the meat bakes, grease drains from the meat into the base pan. When the meatloaf is done, simply remove the perforated tray and transfer it onto a serving platter. Because the base pan is nonstick-coated carbon steel, cleanup is a cinch!

Omega’s Vert VRT350 Juicer
$379.99; omegajuicers.com
If Mom’s into—or interested in—the juicing craze, then heed our advice: get her a good juicer! Need suggestions? The Omega VERT350 is a great place to start. It’s a low-speed juicer, spinning at 80 RPMs, which means the fruit’s healthy enzymes are preserved and the fresh juice can last refrigerated up to 72 hours. At nearly $400, it’s definitely pricey, but the payoff comes in the ease-of-use and, more importantly, the ease-of-cleaning. With two no-drip taps, the juicer is “self-cleaning,” meaning that it extracts and dispenses the juice out of one tap while the pulp rolls out of the other. In short, no clogged screens to clean. Be warned, though: it has to be washed by hand, but the fresh, delicious juice makes it worth the extra effort.

Nesco FD-37 Food Dehydrator
$47.99; nesco.com
If you are looking for healthy alternatives to processed store-bought snacks, the Nesco FD-37 Food Dehydrator may be a beneficial addition to your kitchen. The four, stacked trays allow you to dry more at once than other dehydrators, and the clear cover allows you to check on your food’s progress as it dries. Additional accessories, such as add-a-trays and fruit roll-up sheets, are available for order from Nesco as well. The appliance also comes with a handy recipe guide, so you can learn how to make an array of wholesome snacks at home that the whole family will enjoy, like kale chips, fruit leather, trail mix and even jerky.

Zoku Single Quick Pop Maker and Chocolate Station
$24.99 for pop maker; $19.99 chocolate station
When they were first introduced a few years ago, the Zoku Quick Pop Makers (in single, duo and standard trio) gained a huge following among moms who enjoy almost-instant gratification—or need to satisfy demanding kids with a quick (and healthy) treat. How it works: Keep the compact base in the freezer(for impromptu pop production), whip it out, and pour in your favorite juice, yogurt concoction, even leftover smoothie from breakfast, and in 7 minutes, you’ve got a perfect popsicle. (Of course, you can make more decadent treats—recipes and tips are included in a handy little enclosed booklet.) Plus, dress up your pops with the new Zoku Chocolate Station: Dunk your frozen pop in the dipping cavity, then roll in nuts or sprinkles—a perfect activity for lazy summer afternoons.

But before you do, keep in mind: Stress isn’t all bad. If you’re confronting a mugger or a charging bear, for example, your adrenal glands pump out cortisol, one of the stress hormones, raising your blood sugar so you have energy for the fight or flight response. If you’re in an accident, cortisol acts as anti-inflammatory, “suppressing immune cells so your body can begin the healing process if you’re injured,” says Dr. Susan Blum, author of the new book The Immune System Recovery Plan.

Acute stress, which has a starting and end point, isn’t the problem. The culprit is chronic stress, which keeps the cortisol switch in the on-position. “We remember things that happened and dwell on them and worry about the future,” says Blum, founder and director of the Blum Center for Health in Rye, New York. “We get stuck in a chronic stress pattern.”

Because our adrenal glands have no idea if we’re just hashing and rehashing the crisis at work or, in fact, staring that bear down, they keep doing what they’re programmed to do, producing cortisol. That keeps blood sugar levels high and tells the body to store fat, especially in the abdomen, so we have energy reserves.

If that cycle continues, insulin levels rise, making matters worse. “It’s very hard to lose weight if that happens,” says Blum.

Stress will also make you chow down. “Some studies have shown that people exposed to ongoing stress choose calorie-dense foods that are high in fat and sugar,” says Blum.

What to do? Since stress isn’t going to go away, the trick is to figure out how to handle it and keep your stress hormones in check, says Blum. Here are six strategies that’ll help you stress less and control your weight.

Tune in to chill out. Activities that foster intense focus—meditation, yoga, guided imagery and even knitting—are just a few of the things you can do to chill out. “Do something every day that is relaxing and gets you of your thinking mind and gives you a break,” says Blum. “It’s the ruminating about things and worrying about the future that keeps you in the on-switch.”

Breathe deeply. Deep-breathing techniques calm you by lowering blood pressure and slowing heart rate, triggering the so-called relaxation response. “You can train your body to have this reflex so you relax very easily,” says Blum. “Late in the day when I am back to back with patients, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths and my body quiets down very quickly.” To do:  Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. As you inhale, imagine your belly puffing out; as you exhale, imagine it flattening in, she advises.

Eat regularly and eat well. When you skip meals, blood sugar levels dip and your adrenal glands leap into action, churning out cortisol, explains Blum. “Not eating is a constant stress on the adrenal glands,” she says. She recommends eating a meal or snack containing protein every three to four hours. Protein helps keep blood sugar at even keel “so you’re not getting ups and downs,” she says.

Get your shut-eye. Anyone who has tossed and turned knows how tough it is to handle even little upsets or setbacks when you’re bleary-eyed. “Getting a good night’s sleep—a minimum of seven hours—is the best way to keep your stress system in balance,” says Blum. It also curbs weight gain. University of Colorado researchers found that people who slept up to five hours a night burned five more percent more calories than people who snoozed for up to nine hours. But sleep-deprived people also consumed six percent more calories, ate smaller breakfasts and binged on after-dinner snacks. By the end of the first week, the five-hour-per-night sleepers had gained an average of two pounds each.

Clean up your act. Plenty of people turn to caffeine, nicotine or alcohol to cope when stress levels climb. But all of these stress your nervous system even more. Caffeine will rev you up and alcohol is high in sugar and disrupts sleep. Depending upon your mood and the amount you inhale, nicotine can stimulate your central nervous system, raising heart rate and blood pressure and making you jittery.

Exercise regularly. It burns calories, for one. It also takes you out of yourself and boosts levels of the feel-good hormones known as endorphins. “People exercise regularly feel less stress,” says Blum. Aim for 30 minutes to an hour of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week.

We know what you’re thinking: “Me? Meditate?” But you don’t need to devote hours to meditation—even brief, 1- to 10-minute sessions can help you build greater mind-body awareness, improve health and create happiness. So the next time your kids are driving you up the wall, give yourself permission to hit the pause button and engage in one of these 43 mini-meditations.

1) Focus on your breath: Sit in a comfortable seated position, close your eyes, and simply pay attention to breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. If your mind starts to wander, tell yourself, “With every breath I breathe I am falling deeper and deeper into meditation.”

2) Take a tune-out, 10-minute walk. Do not bring a cell phone, music player or any other electronic device with you—just unplug. Listen to the sounds of nature and freely take in the sensations around you.

3) Repeat a “sacred word” such as “joy,” “love” or “peace,” suggests Dr. David Dillard Wright. Do this for 10 minutes while bringing awareness to your breath. Try not to let your thoughts wander—stay focused on your sacred word and the rhythms of your breath.

4) Do a journal-writing session. Whenever times get frazzled, grab a pen and pencil and jot down how you’re feeling. Putting emotions into words or phrases can give you more clarity in moments of stress.

5) Shower away stress. Identify a situation that is bothering you and envision that annoyance as dirt on your body. As the water pours down on you, imagine your anxieties and annoyances being washed away down the drain.

6) Think green: Put a flower or small green plant in your workplace. Absorb the quiet beauty of plants and reflect on their comforting stillness.

7) Create something. Allot a certain amount of time every day for enjoyable creative tasks—writing poetry, painting, etc. Let your imagination run free, and try not to focus on external realities.

8) Try “listening with your eyes,” suggests Wright, in his book Mindful Solutions for Your Modern Life. Sit in nature and quietly observe your surroundings with all of the senses. “Allow the scene to become more intense and wash over you, as though you were a matchstick in a flood.”

9) Go through a few sun salutations. Focus on the power of your breath as you move through the postures.

10) Try finger painting. Don’t take the exercise too seriously—work intuitively and banish judgment. Enjoy the sensation of the paint on your fingertips.

11) Meditate on your heart center. Sit very quietly and try to sense your heart beating in your chest. Bring consciousness to the pulse in your neck, and visualize the rush of blood in your veins and arteries.

12) Visualize your grandmother’s kitchen. For many people, grandparents symbolize nurturing, unconditional love. If that’s you, close your eyes and try to vividly envision your grandmother’s kitchen. What details come to mind? What smells, sights and sounds can you remember? Focus on the power of your grandmother’s unconditional love and allow it to soothe you.

13) Mindfully listen to music. Put your earbuds in and listen to your favorite song. Try to focus only on the sensations of the lyrics and notes; do not allow your mind to wander. Practice this exercise until it becomes easier for you to concentrate solely on the music.

14) Slow down your dinner. Make a home-cooked meal for yourself and eat it at a table with no laptop or TV to distract you. Chew every bite slowly and notice the colors, textures and tastes.

15) Ground yourself. In a quiet room, lie flat on the floor. With each breath, envision gravity pulling you deeper into the floor and sucking away all noxious thoughts. Pretend that you are becoming one with the floor and try to completely erase any outside distractions.

16) Download a guided meditation tape on iTunes, such as The Meditation Podcast by Jesse and Jeane Sterne. Suitable for beginners, this 23-episode free podcast leads you through a number of meditative practices and helps you cultivate greater mind-body awareness.

17) Close your eyes, take a few cleansing breaths, and repeat the phrase “I am bliss,” advises Wright. As you repeat this affirmation, imagine yourself as one with the center of the universe, and then expand your viewpoint to include the entire cosmos. “Think of the revolutions of the planets and the infinite reaches of space,” Wright suggests. “You will emerge feeling a part of something much greater than yourself.”

18) Decorate your desk with pictures of loved ones and blissful places. Reflecting on happy memories can provide instant anxiety relief in moments of stress.

19) Try micro-tasking instead of multi-tasking. Break down your larger project into smaller, more manageable units instead of overwhelming yourself with too many projects.

20) Take a lavender bath. Spend about 15 to 20 minutes soaking in a bathtub filled with warm water and few drops of lavender; focus on the fragrant scent of the lavender and the sensations of warmth on your body.

21) Study a tree. Sit beneath a tree and gaze at its features—the texture of its bark, the shape of its branches, the pattern of its roots. Listen to the sound of the wind rustling in the leaves. Try to sense the tree’s energy and feel a connection between you and the tree. Imagine yourself drawing wisdom and strength from the tree.

22) Say “yes,” suggests neuropsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson. Say yes to things you do like, and things you don’t like.  Say “yes” to your child’s temper tantrum, “yes” to the fact you miscarried, “yes” to your divorce. Try to feel some acceptance in your yes, and honor the things that have happened in your life, good or bad. “Instead of futilely hoping that things be other than what they are, or painfully struggling with them, you are opening in to presence with them,” explains Hanson.

23) Slow down. Take a routine activity and try doing it more slowly than usual. For example, sip your coffee mindfully, leisurely lifting the mug to your lips, paying attention to the soothing sensations.

24) Observe your hands. Every time you complete a task or caress a fabric, bring awareness into your hands and the sensations they’re feeling. “Appreciating your hands makes you appreciate living,” explains Hanson. “And being mindful of your hands—paying attention to what they are feeling and doing—is a wonderfully simple and always available way to drop down into a more sensual, in-the-body connection with the world.”

25) Whenever you feel upset, annoyed or dissatisfied with someone, say “Namaste.” Namaste is a Sanskrit word that can be translated into, “I honor the divine light within you.” Closing your eyes, imagine the person with whom you are displeased and allow yourself to experience all of the negative emotions you feel towards them. Next, repeat the word “Namaste” followed by the person’s name until your negative emotions dissipate. Allow yourself to look beyond the person’s behavior and see their inner goodness.

26) Gaze up at the clouds. Observe them as they drift across the sky. What do they remind you of? Try to empty your mind of distractions and open your mind to creativity.

27) Take a few minutes to sit near a river, lake, stream or ocean and absorb the rejuvenating energy—known in Chinese medicine as qi or chi —that exists in the water. Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the water rushing.

28) Chant. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. As you exhale, intone the sound of “om,” and hold the note as long as possible until you run out of breath. Feel the note’s vibration ripple throughout your body. Repeat the exercise a few times.

29) Isolate a noise you find bothersome and close your eyes. Imagine reaching out and grasping a large, round dial. Adjust the dial as though you are turning the volume down and sense yourself detaching from the noise. Continue to turn the dial until the noise becomes tolerable.

30) Try the 4-7-8 breathing exercise: Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale audibly through your mouth, making a whooshing sound for a count of 8. Then repeat the cycle four times for a total of four breaths.

31) Try a technique called progressive muscle relaxation. In a quiet room, lie down flat on the floor with your feet shoulder-width apart. Closing your eyes, begin systematically relaxing every part of your body, beginning with the tongue in the roof of your mouth and traveling down, body part-by-body part, until you reach your toes. Notice areas where you feel the most tension, and breathe deeply into these body parts.

32) Find a crossword puzzle or Sudoku puzzle and engage yourself fully in the task. Try to silence any mental chatter and see how long it takes you to complete the puzzle. Practice every week until your concentration improves.

33) When faced with a difficult or pesky task—such as folding laundry or vacuuming the house—commit to what Wright calls the “10-minute rule”: force yourself to work on the unpleasant task for a minimum of 10 minutes. “It’s hard to commit to an hour or two, but it’s easier to commit to 10 minutes,” David says. “Ten minutes is enough to get you started and maybe, just maybe, you’ll keep working when the 10 minutes is up.”

34) Try this walking meditation exercise: Bring to mind a worrisome thought, anxiety or worry that has been nagging you. Start walking at a medium-slow pace, counting each step until you reach the number 20. Analyze what happened to your initial thought. Did it evaporate from your mind? Practice repeating the exercise until you achieve greater mindfulness.

35) In times of great stress or emotion, engage in this mental meditation exercise: Sitting comfortably, close your eyes and bring to mind an image of the ocean in as much sensory detail as possible. Then, imagine you are floating on the surface of the ocean, riding the crest of the waves. Relax and let the waves carry you. The waves symbolize life’s experiences and events, rolling up and down in a cyclical pattern. Pay attention to the ways in which you resist either the upward motion or downward motion of the waves. Float until you feel completely comfortable and at one with the ocean. When you’re ready, allow the waves to carry you to shore.

36) When powerful emotions arise, engage in what Dr. Martin Hart and Skye Alexander refer to as “detoxifying” your rage and grief. Find an isolated place and close your eyes. Allow the difficult emotion to surge over you. Don’t suppress the feeling; let it go, however you’d like—wail, cry, scream, curse loudly. “When the grief and rage are fully out of your system, you’ll sense a wonderful lightness and serenity,” Hart and Alexander write.

37) The “3-2-1” squeeze and release technique is one of the fastest, simplest ways to achieve a more relaxed state. Closing your eyes, inhale deeply and hold it in. Still holding your breath, tense up your entire body until it is almost trembling. Then, release the tension as you exhale.

38) Take a moment and appreciate all of the blessings in your life. Sitting in a comfortable position, close your eyes and vividly imagine all of the things you are grateful for—your home, your clothes, your loved ones, etc. Most importantly, feel gratitude for yourself.

39) Color can have a very tranquil effect on the mind. Closing your eyes, count backwards from 7. With each color, envision a different color of the rainbow, moving sequentially through the color spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Once you’ve progressed through all of the colors, imagine all of the colors merging together in a continuous rainbow. Envision wrapping yourself up in the rainbow as you would a blanket.

40) Breathing slowly and rhythmically, imagine there is a radiant white light above you. Imagine that you are breathing the light in; see it travel down your body and shoot out through your toes. Continue to breathe in more of the light, imagining it gradually filling the entirety of your body, like water pouring into a glass jar. Feel the light pulsating inside of you, making you feel alive.

41) Dab some lavender oil on your wrists and breathe in the smell in moments of anxiety. Essential lavender oil is effective in stress reduction.

42) Pick a mantra. It could be a feeling or emotion you want to achieve—“calm,” “peaceful,” “grounded.” Drawing awareness to your breath, repeat the mantra to yourself as you exhale slowly. Continue to concentrate on the mantra and your rhythmic breath for a total of ten counts.

43) For better sleep at night, try this guided imagery technique. Take a deep abdominal breath and let your entire body relax. Count backwards from 20, exhaling with each number. You might imagine yourself walking down a staircase, approaching the bottom of the staircase as you count backwards.

The Basics

Yeast Infection
What it is: A fungus called Candida albicans, which lives in the vagina as well as in the mouth and digestive tract and on the skin. Most of the time, it stays in check. But when there’s an overgrowth of the fungus down there, a yeast infection flares up.

Triggers: Be on the alert for a yeast infection when you’re on antibiotics, as they decrease the number of healthy bacteria in the vagina, allowing Candida to thrive. A yeast infection can also occur if you’re pregnant, obese or have diabetes. “Yeast likes three things: moisture, estrogen and sugar,” says Dr. Judith Volkar, of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at the Cleveland Clinic. In pregnant and obese women, there’s more estrogen available for yeast. High blood sugar levels in women with diabetes also create a yeast-friendly environment. And wearing tight pants and undies made of nylon and other fabrics that don’t breathe can increase the moisture in the (already moist) vagina, giving yeast a field day.

Symptoms: An odorless thick, white, curdy or cheesy discharge; and/or vaginal redness and itching around the entrance to the vagina. It may hurt to have intercourse or urinate.

How it’s diagnosed: With a visual examination of the discharge and other symptoms.  Your gynecologist may take a swab of discharge, mix it with a saline solution and put it under the microscope to check for pseudohyphae–long, branchlike fungus structures.

Treatment: Over-the-counter anti-fungal vaginal creams or suppositories containing miconazole, clotrimazole, tioconazole or butoconazole. Depending upon the medication, use daily for three to seven days. Even if symptoms clear up, finish the medication. If you don’t, symptoms may recur. Another option: an oral prescription pill called fluconazole, that’s taken once. “A lot of my patients prefer this,” says Volkar.

If symptoms are stubborn or recur, see your doctor. You may need to use an OTC anti-fungal cream for up to two weeks, for instance, or take fluconazole weekly for a few weeks. Some women may be advised to use a vaginal cream weekly to prevent a recurrence. The exact regimen will vary depending upon your symptoms and physician.

Bacterial Vaginosis

What it is: BV isn’t an infection—it’s a condition caused by “an overgrowth of less-than-healthy bacteria,” says Volkar. And those bacteria shouldn’t be taken lightly. BV ups the risk of infection after surgeries such as hysterectomy, and it can make you more susceptible to HIV and sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes simplex virus, chlamydia and gonorrhea. If you develop BV during pregnancy, you’re at increased risk for complications such as preterm delivery, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BV can also raise the risk for pelvic inflammatory disease.

Triggers: Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes BV, but douching may up the likelihood developing it. And, although BV isn’t sexually transmitted, having intercourse with a new sexual partner or having multiple partners may bring it on. “Some women may develop it with one partner and don’t seem to have it with another,” says Volkar.

Symptoms: A thin, grey or white discharge that may have a fishlike odor, especially after intercourse. Woman may experience burning during urination and/or itching around the entrance to the vagina.

How it’s diagnosed: Typically a woman may see the doctor when the yeast infection she has been self-treating doesn’t clear up. The gynecologist will examine a swab of discharge under the microscope, looking for “clue” cells, epithelial cells with fuzzy, crew-cut-like edges that signal BV. Or she may perform a “whiff” test, adding potassium hydroxide solution to a sample of the discharge to produce the fishy smell.

Treatment: With the antibiotics metronidazole (a gel) or clindamycin (a cream), inserted vaginally. Both medications can also be taken orally though this is associated with more side effects. Sometimes, BV clears up on its own. “Some women may have a problem with chronic BV and then it seems to resolve,” says Volkar. On the other hand, some women are dogged by symptoms. In those instances, the recommendation is to treat them with the vaginal gel form of metronidazole twice weekly for up to six months.

Need-to-Know Info

• Hold off on sex until you finish treatment. Both yeast infections and BV irritate the vagina so sexual intercourse may not be as pleasurable. Plus, if you are using a vaginal cream or gel, the medication can get pushed out of the vagina during intercourse.
• Vet your laundry products. If you have a yeast infection or BV, don’t use fabric softener when you wash your underwear. “Softener clings to clothing molecules,” says Volkar. And that can further irritate sensitive areas around the entrance to the vagina. Ditto for scented laundry detergent. If you use scented products or softener, give undies a second rinse.
• Don’t douche. “It really shouldn’t be done,” says Volkar. “It changes the normal flora of the vagina.” And that can encourage abnormal organisms to grow.
• Try cotton undies. Wearing undies made of unnatural fibers only worsens the itching associated with yeast infections and BV. If you’re prone to yeast infections, stick with breathable cotton.

Obie, a 5-year-old dachshund, came into Vanatta’s care last fall after his elderly owners were no longer able to provide for him. At that time, he weighed a shocking 77 pounds—a healthy weight for his breed is considered between 16-30 pounds. He lost the weight with the help of a high-protein diet and light exercise, and will continue his regimen to try to shed 5-7 more pounds.

If you’re looking for tips on how to help your furry friend slim down, check out our advice from Dr. Nancy Kay. 

RELATED: Proper Cycling Form 

Not realizing that where you shop can be as important as what bike you buy.

A bicycle shop is more than simply a place to purchase a bike: Unlike many of the superstore chains, a good independent retailer offers maintenance packages, a wide variety of mechanic-assembled bicycles and has well-trained, professional staff eager to offer one-on-one assistance. Many shops even organize cycling clubs or events, which can be a great way for a beginner to meet other cyclists.

“As with any type of retailer, there are great shops and not-so-great shops, but a new or experienced cyclist should see buying a bike as the beginning of a long-term relationship,” says Stacey Moses, the marketing manager for Revolution Cycles, a popular bike retailer in the Washington, D.C. region.

Buying a bike for fashion, not function. Many people buy mountain bikes for their gnarly looks, but never take them off-road. But riding a bike in a different way than what it was designed for can damage the bike, and be uncomfortable for the rider.

When choosing a bike, start by considering the type of riding you want to do: Are you planning to conquer bumpy trails and hills? Then you’ll need a mountain bike. “There are many options of mountain bikes depending on how aggressive of terrain you intend to ride,” says Mike Sohm, a representative at Specialized Bicycle Components. “A full suspension bike has more shocks on the front and rear, giving you more control when the trail is difficult.”

Are you thinking about taking on a long-distance road ride or getting into road racing or triathlons? Check out skinny-tired road bikes with drop-handles that are built for speed and distance. If your desires are more leisurely—or you’re unsure—you may be in the market for a more general-purpose hybrid bike, Moses says.

Choosing a bike that doesn’t fit. In order to make sure your bike fits, make sure you work with a professional at a bike retail shop who is trained to assist with proper bike fitting. While some muscle soreness should be expected when adjusting to a new bike, numbness in the hands, shoulders or saddle area, and knee and/or back pain are signs that a bicycle does not fit correctly, according to Moses.

“Generally speaking, you want to have about an inch between the bike and your body when you stand over the top tube, and be able to comfortably reach the brake levers and shifters on the handlebars while positioned on the saddle,” says Moses.

RELATED: Road Bike vs. Mountain Bike 

Not trying before you buy.  Every bike fits and feels a little different, so test riding is crucial. Most shops will happily let you take a ride around the block or even rent a bike to try it out. Once you find one you like, the necessary adjustments, like saddle height and position, can be made to perfect the fit.

“Choosing the right frame generally begins with testing the stand-over height, but bike geometry varies by brand and style, so the best way to find the right bike is to try out a few different models and to work with a knowledgeable bike shop to find the best fit,” Moses says. 

Settling too quickly. Beginning bikers sometimes don’t take the time to shop around, often settling on a bicycle out of convenience. Then, you run the risk of ending up with a bike that doesn’t fit correctly or you’re simply unhappy with. While bike buying doesn’t need to be a long and stressful process, like anything else, it pays to be patient and do your research. Before you buy, conduct a bit of online research, and ask experienced cyclists for their advice and recommendations.

Cheating yourself by being cheap. While you don’t necessarily need to buy a top-of-the-line model when you’re just starting out, keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A good entry-level bicycle may run anywhere from $700 to $1,200. Remember that while a quality bike is an investment, it will run more smoothly and last far longer than a cheap one.

“More expensive frame materials will be lighter, more responsive, more comfortable and more efficient,” Moses says. “There are many wonderful entry-level models available in hybrid, road and mountain bikes. And as you move up in price, your ride quality will increase.”

If you’re on a budget, consider shopping for used bikes through a reputable bike shop. A reconditioned road bike can be bought for as little as $200.

Along with the bike, you will need to purchase the necessary accessories like a helmet, spare tube and appropriate cycling apparel. “Save some money for accessories as they can improve your cycling experience,“ says Sohm. “A good pair of cycling shorts will make riding your bike much more enjoyable.”

Fortunately, relief can be simple—and quick—with these expert-approved remedies.

Ice. As soon as you feel pain, get out an ice pack, says physical therapist Doreen M. Stiskal, chair and associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. Hold to the sore spot for 15 minutes to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling by constricting the blood vessels.

Witch hazel. An astringent made from willow bark and sold at drugstores, witch hazel also has a cooling effect, says Stiskal. Pour some on a cotton ball and rub on the sore area.

Heat. “The day after injury, apply heat to relax the muscles,” says Stiskal.  Take a warm shower or use a heating pad for 15 minutes. No heating pad? Put a cup of raw rice in a sock, tie ends, heat in a microwave, and put it on your shoulder until the rice cools. Or add a cup of Epsom salts to a warm bath. The magnesium in the salts further relaxes the muscles.

Over-the-counter remedies. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can help, says Dr. Jennifer Baima, a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School and staff physiatrist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Massaging in creams or ointments like Icy Hot or Ben Gay may also help relieve pain and inflammation, but Baima warns that it is unsafe to use both oral and topical anti-inflammatories like Ben Gay at the same time. “They contain similar ingredients and you may get too much in your system,” says Baima.

Steroid injections. Depending on the cause of your pain, a corticosteroid injection may help relieve inflammation and pain, says Baima.

Stretching. Stiskal recommends the following simple moves.

Shoulder rolls: Bring your shoulders forward, circle up toward the ear, then toward the back in a slow clockwise motion. Do that 10 times, then do the same exercise counterclockwise.

Door stretch: Stand in a doorway, hands on either side of the doorframe, and lean forward, holding that for 15-30 seconds. “That pushes the shoulder blades back, which stretches your muscles, helping to improve [rounded shoulders],” says Stiskal.

Range of motion exercises. Range of motion exercises help loosen the shoulder muscles, says Stiskal. In fact, while you may think immobilizing your sore shoulder by using a sling will provide relief, Baima says it will do just the opposite. “Avoid a sling unless there is a fracture,” says Baima. “Slings can contribute further to stiffness and loss of motion.” Instead, try this exercise, Stiskal suggests: Bring your arm above your head, hold for two seconds, then bring it back to your side.  Then take your arm out to the side and back, as if you are signaling to hitchhike. Hold and repeat with the other arm.

Strengthening exercise. Baima suggests exercises using an elastic exercise band to strengthen the shoulder muscles. For instance, this rowing motion exercise is great for rotator cuff injuries, once the injury heals and you have some range of motion again:  Place an elastic exercise band on a door knob of a closed door.  Stand with your feet shoulder distance part, then pull both arms back towards your body as if you are rowing. Straighten your arms again and repeat 10 times.

RELATED: Essential Nutrients for Women

1. Women hear differently than men: Brain scans show that women listen with both sides of the brain while men only use one.
2. A woman’s uterus stretches up to 500 times its normal size during labor.
3. Females may be more genetically predisposed to fear insects, studies suggest. Researchers guess this trait is left over from our female hunter-gatherer ancestors, who would have needed to be wary of dangerous insects in order to protect their young.
4. Hormones released during pregnancy can make nipples temporarily darker.
5. Female humans are the only primates to have permanently rounded, plump breasts. In other mammal species and non-human primates, enlarged breasts indicate that the female is suckling her young.
6. Call us natural-born yogis: Compared to men, women evolved more flexible and supportive spines to accommodate the strain of pregnancy.
7. There is a biological reason as to why women cry more frequently than men: Women’s bodies possess 50 to 60 percent more of the hormone prolactin, which aids in the production of tears, in their bodies.
8. The average woman today will experience around 450 periods in her lifetime.
9. During pregnancy, a woman’s sense of smell and taste is dramatically heightened. Scientists predict this was an evolutionary defense to ensure that pregnant women didn’t consume any toxins that would be dangerous to the developing fetus.
10. A woman’s natural vaginal lubricant contains an organic compound called squalene, which is also found in sharks.
11. Women have more sweat glands than men, but men’s glands are more active, meaning they sweat more during a given workout.
12. Yes, you have an Adam’s apple, too! We think of them as being a male-only trait, but Adam’s apples are universal. Male Adam’s apples are more prominent simply because the male larynx grows differently than a woman’s to accommodate the male’s longer, thicker vocal cords.
13. Females are born with about 1 million eggs.
14. During childhood, only 300 to 500 of those initial 1 million eggs will then develop into mature eggs across a woman’s reproductive lifespan.
15. Some studies suggest that a woman’s pain tolerance can vary over the course of the menstrual cycle.
16. Sleeping on your chest can alter the shape of your breasts over time.
17. The ovary is about the size of an almond, whereas the human uterus is about the size of a pear.
18. Studies have found that women are more attractive to men during ovulation, when they are at their most fertile.
19. Call it an act of love: Breastfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that relax the mother and make her feel more nurturing toward her baby.
20. Because of increasing life expectancy, many women will spend up to 40 percent of their lives in the postmenopausal stage.
21. The uterus contains some of the strongest muscles in the female body.
22. Turns out that the coveted “pregnancy glow” is actually a thing: During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases by 50 percent, giving cheeks a flushed appearance.
23. Most women have one breast that tends to be larger than the other—usually the left.
24. A recent study found that 48 percent of regular headache sufferers had their pain cured by orgasm. The phenomenon is largely due to the body’s release of a chemical called oxytocin during orgasm, which facilitates bonding, relaxation and positive emotional stress.
25. Cigarette smoking contributes to sagging breasts. Smoking breaks down healthy skin elasticity, including the elastin in breasts.
26. An unknown number of women are endowed with an extra cone in their eyes that enables them to perceive a whole range of colors invisible to the rest of us. These so-called tetrachromats see hues of colors for which there are no name.
27. Almost three-quarters of women produce more breastmilk in their right breast, with no correlation to right- or left-handedness.
28. Several major studies have found that human breast milk naturally contains many of the same cannabinoids found in marijuana. Believe it or not, similar to how marijuana stimulates the “munchies” in users, cannabinoids in breast milk triggers hunger and promotes growth in newborns. Without these cannabinoids, newborn children might not have the desire to eat.
29. Feeling blue? Research shows women’s brains may be wired differently, making them twice as likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Women’s brains have less serotonin—a neurotransmitter that regulates mood—than men’s.
30. The clitoris is the only human organ that has no purpose other than to provide pleasure.
31. In some pregnant women, the heart enlarges due to increased blood volume placing extra pressure on the heart.
32. Brain scans have found that women have 10 percent more white matter in their brains, which helps connect the different parts of the brain. This might explain why women are often more adept at multi-tasking than men.
33. The clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings, compared to 4,000 in the penis.
34. On average, the normal period releases less than one cup of blood.
35. Women who take oral contraceptives blink 32 times more than women who don’t.
36. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg.
37. In recent years, the average bra size has swelled from a 34B to a 36D.
38. Women have a more sensitive sense of smell than men. In studies, women outperformed men in their ability to identify certain smells.
39. A woman’s brain shrinks by as much as 4 percent during pregnancy, according to a 2002 study published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology. It does not lose cells but simply changes metabolism.
40. Ever wonder why you’re always shivering when your man isn’t? Your hormones might be to blame. In women, fluctuating estrogen levels can increase sensitivity to cold temperatures.
41. An adult woman of reproductive age has fairly acidic vagina, with a PH around 3.8—comparable to that of a tomato.
42. It’s a common misconception that breast size can be bolstered through chest presses. There is no actual muscle in breasts; just milk-producing glands and fat.
43. Menstrual fluid is made up mostly of water.
44. The female brain is capable of distinguishing whether or not a man is attracted to her simply by the smell of his sweat, a study from Rice University has found.
45. Pregnancy may cause carpal tunnel syndrome in some pregnant women. The phenomenon is caused by edema, swelling caused by the extra fluids that accumulate in the body during pregnancy.
46. The female body contains less water than the male body. This is because fat tissue has a lower percentage of water, and females tend to have more fat.
47. Up until 8 weeks, all developing brains are female. After that, hormonal changes instigate physiological changes that lead to male anatomy.
48. Women have one-tenth the amount of testosterone as men.
49. Here’s an excuse to hug it out: Oxytocin, the so-called love hormone, is released whenever you touch a loved one. Oxytocin has been linked to lower blood pressure.
50. About 6,000 women a day reach menopause, according to statistics from American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
51. Female humans differ from the rest of the animal kingdom in that they are capable of successfully reproducing year round; unlike most mammals, fertility is not restricted to brief periods of heat.
52. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you might want to say no to margaritas at happy hour. Extrapolating findings from an animal study, scientists concluded that lime juice may have anti-fertility properties.

The study’s author, S. Katharine Hammond, urged women to resist the urge to apply lipstick multiple times a day—the average woman does it twice—and noted that, for safety’s sake, children should not be allowed to play with the cosmetic. But trashing all your tubes is probably an overreaction.

Check out our tips on detoxing your makeup bag.

Reprinted with permission by Diabetes in a New Light®, a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

Prior to her diagnosis, Karen was a vital, active woman who enjoyed jogging on the treadmill and taking long hikes. But one morning in July 2011, while going on a routine three-mile walk with her dog, she noticed that something was off.

“My pace was slower and my footsteps sounded odd,” Karen, a nurse, recalls. “I had also been having a lot of muscle twitching, a lot of nighttime cramps.”

RELATED: Beating Traumatic Brain Injury 

As the telltale symptoms worsened over the next few months, Karen had a mounting suspicion about what was happening to her body but hid her worries from friends and family. “By Thanksgiving, I knew deep down that I had ALS but didn’t want to tell my family,” Karen says. “I stayed quiet. I didn’t want to raise that flag during the holidays.”

By the time her symptoms first started to appear, Karen was already intimately familiar with Lou Gehrig’s disease, formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “My grandfather on my mother’s side had ALS and passed away in his late 30s,” she explains. “When I was a teen, my mom started to show symptoms of it, too. She went through nine months of testing and was diagnosed with ALS when I was 16.”

Karen visited a doctor in February of 2011, who ran a few tests. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with ALS. A rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease that targets nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, ALS causes progressive loss of muscle control leading to complete paralysis. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the prognosis is bleak—on average, most ALS patients have two to five years to live from the time of diagnosis.

Because ALS runs in her family, Karen had lived most of her adult life knowing that she had a 50/50 chance of getting the disease. “I figured it out for myself when I was about 22,” she says. “When we were 16, 17, 18, my parents didn’t tell us that we were genetically predisposed to ALS. They wanted to wait until we were more mature and could handle the impact of knowing we might get this disease.

But as a student in nursing school, Karen was learning about Familial ALS in a genetics class when it dawned on her: “I looked back on my family history and it got me thinking,” she recalls. “I put two and two together. It was a bit of a tough realization.”

The revelation forced Karen to reevaluate her future. “I was already dating my current husband when I figured it out,” Karen says. “I had a lot of tough decisions I needed to make. Did I want to have children? Did I want to adopt?”

Not wanting to risk passing on the disease to their offspring, Karen and her husband, Bob, made the decision not to have children. But for the next 20 years, the knowledge that ALS could strike at any moment lingered in the back of Karen’s mind, haunting her.

“It weighed heavily on me,” she says. “Every time I stumbled or tripped a little bit or got muscle cramps … it was always in the back of my mind that it was the beginning of the end.”

Familial ALS is very rare, accounting for only about 10 percent of all ALS cases. Karen, who has three older sisters, was the only one of her siblings to receive an ALS diagnosis. “We’re blessed that nobody else but me has showed any symptoms, and hopefully it stays that way,” Karen says.

It has been over two years since Karen was diagnosed, but she continues to exhibit exceptional strength, refusing to ruminate about her grim prognosis.

“I always say that having a positive attitude is half the battle with this disease,” she says. “I’m not going to pretend like I don’t have a bad day here or there. But I do think that it’s important to keep your spirits up and surround yourself with good people.”

Of course, there are days when Karen mourns the loss of her physical capabilities and independence. When asked what the most challenging part of living with ALS is, Karen responds: “Having to ask someone to help you with normal daily tasks is emotionally tiring. Seeing the worry and fear on your loved ones faces is heartbreaking.”

Although she walks with the assistance of a walker and occasionally a wheelchair, Karen emphasizes that she is anything but disabled.

“I don’t want to be seen as a handicapped person,” she says. “I still try to do as much as I possibly can. I’ve been known to push myself way past my limits. I want to go out and experience things. I have a life to live. I’m not going to give up.”

To this end, Karen has made it her personal mission to raise awareness about ALS. She has gotten involved with her local ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, an organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for ALS sufferers while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. In previous years, before her mobility was compromised, Karen participated in the ALS Express Bike Ride and the Walk to Defeat ALS®. Now, she travels the nation as an advocate for ALS awareness, visiting with senators and representatives to rally for greater government funding and support.

Karen says she finds it extremely empowering to join in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“It makes me feel like I’m fighting back,” she says. “It makes me feel better knowing that my story might open up somebody’s eyes to what ALS is, who it affects and what impact it has on their lives. Hopefully, by hearing my story, maybe I can inspire people to get out there and volunteer.”

At the end of the day, Karen strives to build a greater sense of hope for the ALS community. “I know there most likely won’t be a cure for ALS in my lifetime. But I have the hope that there could be one in my sisters’ lifetime,” Karen says.

Rest assured, Karen will continue to fight against the ruthless neurodegenerative disease that is progressively claiming her body. “I’m not afraid,” she says. “I’m not going to make this disease a part of who I am.”

1. Pour 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, lower heat, add mint leaves and stevia, and stir. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes.
3. Once syrup is ready, add ice, vodka, and creme de cacao to a glass, stir in 2 tablespoons of the syrup and top off with cold water. Stir to combine and add mint to garnish.

Recipe courtesy of Amber, who is from the coastal Southern town of Charleston, SC where she grew up cooking in the kitchen with her mother and grandmothers. She loves to nurture her “cuisine gene” by developing recipes for her blog Slim Pickin’s Kitchen and fixing healthy, home cooked meals for her husband. She is a recent winner of the TODAY show’s Home Chef Challenge and her recipes have been featured in various online magazines and blogs including Buzzfeed Food & Guiliana Rancic’s Fab, Fit, Fun

Recipe courtesy of Jeannette Guck, a financial services professional and avid runner living in Chicago. She combined her passions for healthy cooking and writing into her blog, SeaJetCook, launched a little over a year ago. She hopes to inspire other busy professionals to cook easy, healthy, and delicious meals.

1. Combine grits and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.Stir in milk and butter.Continue cooking an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.

To prepare shrimp:

1. Combine butter and next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a large non-stick skillet; bring to a boil.
2. Add shrimp, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until shrimp are done.

Recipe courtesy of Regan Miller Jones. Throughout her career as a registered dietician, Jones has been featured in hundreds of media and print segments nationwide, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. On The Professional Palate, she shares her thoughts on the balance between taste, health, and the need for life’s other indulgences.

But it’s hardly the only mashed-up word (or “portmanteau,” to be precise) you’re likely to hear when you’re sweating on the treadmill or browsing the aisles at Whole Foods. Here are a few more:

Dreadmill: Slang term for treadmill often used by runners or non-exercisers to express how boring they find the indoor device.

Stoup: A cross between soup and stew, popularized by queen of made-up words, Rachael Ray.

Yogatude: A derogatory term for that look of disdain you get from the super-serious dude on the next mat when you giggle in class or express your desire for a cheeseburger.

Manscaping: Male grooming rituals, particularly hair removal; immortalized in Morgan Spurlock’s 2012 documentary Mansome.

Choga: Yoga that’s done when sitting in a chair.

Exerscuse: A handy term to describe the excuses you make for not exercising, i.e. “I forgot my headphones,” or “My pinkie toe hurts.”

Tofurkey: A turkey substitute made from tofu or seitan, popular with vegetarians and vegans at Thanksgiving—but no one else.

Glamping: A “glamorous camping” excursion for the likes of J. Lo, with more creature comforts like bungalow tents, hot showers and fancy gadgets.

Locavore: A person who eats food primarily from local sources (and won’t let you forget it); eating locally is also sometimes referred to as the “100-mile diet.”

Exergaming: A type of video game that gets you up off your duff, i.e. Dance Dance Revolution or Wii Fit.

Zennis: A hybrid of yoga and tennis, which typically involves 20 minutes of yoga and breathing exercises designed for tennis players, definitely not invented by John McEnroe.

Chocoholic: A mash-up of “chocolate” and “alcoholic” that dates back to the ‘60s, according to Merriam-Webster. (Though it no longer has quite the stigma, since we now know chocolate can be good for you.)

Piloxing: A workout that combines Pilates and boxing, founded (like, let’s face it, most trendy workouts) in Hollywood.

Nutraceutical: A combination of the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical” used to describe both vitamin supplements as well as foods fortified with added vitamins. Though it’s official-sounding, the U.S. government does not regulate use of the word, so anyone can market their products as such.

Women’s Active by Old Navy Compression Pants, $29.94
Color: Blackjack
Suited for all shapes and sizes, these sleek, form-flattering pants (available in regular, petite, tall and plus-sized) are versatile enough for yoga class, hitting the gym or everyday lounging. With an elasticized waistband and stretchy compression fabric, these slimming pants hide trouble areas while minimizing hips and rear. Our staff members raved about the pants’ comfy feel and flattering wide waist that doesn’t ride up. Bonus: The pants contain a handy little back pocket, perfect for storing keys and other small items.

Lane Bryant Plus-Size Asymmetric Active Tank by Reebok, $39.95
Color: Juniper
Sold at Lane Bryant, this fun, breezy tank in bright summery yellow will make a statement at the gym or in yoga class. Formatted with Reebok’s special PlayDry technology, the tank’s lightweight fabric is designed to promote airflow and keep you cool during sweaty workouts. A drawstring-shirred side and empire waist conceal trouble areas, while wide, colorful straps offer extra chest support and coverage.

Always For Me Active Micro Poly Skort, $36.75
Color: Black
Perfect for running, tennis or cycling, this performance skort from plus-size retailer Always for Me is a cute and feminine addition to any fitness wardrobe. Featuring stretchable fabric and a wide elastic waistband for stomach support, this versatile skirt with built-in spandex pants offers ease of movement for a variety of activities. Unlike shorts, which don’t do much to conceal problem areas, you’ll love this skort’s flattering, mid-thigh length.

Fitted Active Capri by Reebok, $44.95
Color: Black
You are sure to look and feel fabulous in these fashion-forward capris created by Reebok and sold at Lane Bryant. Designed with a high elastic waistband for extra tummy control, these athletic capris flaunt every curve and call attention to all the right places. The pants—ideal for yogis, gym bunnies and runners alike—come in silhouette-slimming black detailed with a crisscrossing design to flatter the waist and add a burst of color.

Gaiam Wrap Waist Yoga Pant, $60
Color: Black
Yogis will delight in Gaiam’s ultra-comfy organic cotton yoga pants, which feature a slimming wrapped waistband to flatten the tummy. Great for all body types, these pants fall right at the natural waistline and won’t twist or slip. What’s more, the comfortable, breathable fabric moves with your body, so you can feel strong and confident striking a Warrior Pose or flowing into Downward Dog.

Always For Me Active Mesh Jersey Shirt, $29.25
Color: Lime/Black
This sporty, vibrant jersey shirt from plus-size retailer Always for Me is perfect for a wide range of athletic activities. Whether you’re pounding the pavement or hitting the tennis court, the shirt’s loose fit offers ease of movement to keep you at the top of your game. Sweat-proof mesh fabric wicks away moisture and keeps you dry, while a slenderizing curved hemline design flatters curves and flaunts your shapely figure.

Gaiam Organic Cotton Studio Top, $58
Color: Maui Blue
This cozy, super-soft top from Gaiam has all the comfort of a sweatshirt with none of the frump. Featuring a relaxed, roomy fit with an off-the-shoulder neckline, this fashionable sweatshirt can double as a post-yoga cover up or as casual wear around town. And, because it hangs loose without being boxy, the top is ideal for all body types. Oh, and did we mention it’s made with 94 percent organic cotton?

1. In medium saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest, and the juice.
2. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are soft and the syrup is thickened and reduced by 1/3 in volume, 12 – 15 minutes.
3. Set aside and let cool to room temperature before serving. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
4. Cooks’ Note: If a thinner syrup is desired, strain the hot syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container and let cool.

To prepare the French toast

1. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla.
2. In a small bowl, gently combine cream cheese, ricotta, sugar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest, just until blended. Spread on 6 bread slices and top with the sliced strawberries. Top with the remaining 6 bread slices and press around the edges to seal.
3. Melt butter in the oil on a griddle over medium heat. Dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture for a few seconds on each side, draining off the excess. Place in the skillet and cook until golden brown, 2 – 3 minutes per side.
4. Serve with the strawberry syrup.
5. Test Kitchen Tip: No time to make the syrup? Serve the sandwiches with pure maple syrup or a light sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar instead.

Reprinted with permission by Diabetes in a New Light®, a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

You might have arthritis. But … you might not.

“I always remind people that actually arthritis truly means you have a problem inside the joint,” says rheumatologist Dr. Patience White, vice president for public health policy and advocacy for the Arthritis Foundation. “Joint pain could mean you (just) have pain around the joint.”

Fifty million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis. And two-thirds of them are people under the age of 65.

“A myth is that arthritis is in old people and that you can’t do anything about it,” says White. “In some instances, you can do a great deal about it. It depends on what kind.”

It’s also important to understand that there are three major types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Osteoarthritis is the most common form. This is the kind that tends to bother you when you use your joints a lot.

While anyone can develop osteoarthritis, there’s much more of a genetic component when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis. Also, any joint can be involved, but it commonly affects the hands, wrists, or feet—and it’s often symmetrical, unlike osteoarthritis, which might just affect one knee, or one elbow, or one hip.

Gout is the third major form. It occurs when uric acid builds up and deposits crystals in the joint. Mostly commonly detected in the big toe, it’s inflammatory and very, very painful.

Here’s a list of arthritis-related terms that are useful to know:

1. Osteoarthritis: a joint disease that progress over time and causes the breakdown of cartilage; the most common form of arthritis

2. Rheumatoid arthritis: an inflammatory form of arthritis

3. Juvenile arthritis: chronic joint inflammation that affects children

4. Gout: painful swelling in a joint caused by a build-up of uric acid that causes deposits in the joint; it often shows up as extremely acute pain in the big toe

5. Joint: a place where two bones come together

6. Fibromyalgia: an arthritis-related condition that causes fatigue and muscle pain

7. Synovium: the membrane that lines a joint

8. Nodule: a solid or raised bump

9. Rheumatologist: a doctor with specialized training in treating joints, bones, and the immune system

10. Corticosteroid: a drug that suppresses inflammation

11. Cartilage: the smooth covering on the ends of bones

12. Tendinitis: inflammation of the cord-like structure that connects muscle to bone; it can cause pain in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle.

13. Bursitis: pain resulting from the swollen tissue, or sac, around the moving parts of your body, such as bones, muscles and tendons

14. Immune-response modifiers: drugs that affect your immune system by suppressing it, often used when a person doesn’t respond to other forms of treatment

15. Arthroplasty: rebuilding of joints, or total joint replacement

16. Arthroscopy: minimally invasive knee surgery using a lighted scope and narrow instruments inserted through small incisions in the skin (often used for knee and shoulder surgery).

17. Bursa: fluid-filled sacs that cushion and lubricate the joints

18. Glucosamine: a substance produced by the body to grow, repair and maintain cartilage

19. Fusion: welding two things together to form one single unit

20. Ligament: a strong band of tissue that holds your joints together

21. Meniscus: c-shaped cartilage-like tissue between the bones of the knee that absorbs shock and stabilizes the knee

22. Range of motion: the ability to move your joints through the full motion for which they were designed

23. Hyaluronic acid: a component of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints and allows the bones to slide past each other.

Definitions courtesy of the Plain Language Medical Dictionary, which is part of the Michigan Health Literacy Awareness project, MedlinePlus, and the Arthritis Foundation

Wondering how the 75-year-old stunner stays in shape these days? Well for one thing, she’s still making fitness DVDs, like her latest, Jane Fonda AM/PM Yoga for Beginners. Find out Jane Fonda’s other stay-young secrets in our 2010 interview.

Click here for official sweepstakes rules.

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Embrace your age. Twenty-year-olds may not have your wrinkles, but guess what? They are decades away from reaching their full sexual potential! You have maturity and experience on your side—both key factors in reaching true sexual intimacy. “In a long-term relationship, we have to shift more toward the substantive connections we have with a partner—our thoughts and emotions—to keep the flame lit,” says Blakeway, who notes many people report having the best sex of their lives in their 50s and 60s. Blakeway’s advice? Nike’s famous advertising mantra: “Just do it.” She says, “Sometimes it works to get back into your body and out of your head.”

Try “The Loop.” Don’t avoid sex because of the five (or 10 or 15) pounds you may have put on over the last few years. “The best sex advice remains self-acceptance,” comments Blakeway, suggesting that you not put your sex life on hold for some future day when you’ll be at your ideal weight. If you have no sex drive, though, she recommends finding it again with a sexual-energy-boosting exercise designed by the Taoists that she calls The Loop. According to Chinese medicine, this exercise stirs up stagnant sexual energy in the body, and helps you find a place of peace and balance. Here’s how it goes (and don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it, O.K.?):

• Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.
• Imagine a shallow bowl filled with warm oil nestled inside your pelvis.
• Now imagine a tube or straw running along your spine.
• Inhale, and as you do, imagine the warm oil coursing up the tube to the top of your head.
• Hold your breath for a count of three, and imagine circulating the energy around inside your head. You may notice a little “buzz” or sensation of warmth build.
• Exhale, imagining the warm oil flowing back down from your head, across the center of the front of your body, and back into the bowl at your pelvis.
• After three to five seconds, begin again with an inhale. Repeat The Loop about six times.

Get a massage. A glass of wine after a tough day at the office is fine, but try not to pour that second glass or it could spoil your sex drive. “Alcohol is a depressant and causes your system to slow down—taking your libido right along with it,” Blakeway says. The same goes for cigarettes and caffeine (“a diuretic that intensifies the loss of moisture,” she says).

Instead, loosen up with a whole body massage—provided by your partner, perhaps—to get you relaxed and “induce a feeling of well-being that lasts even after the treatment ends,” Blakeway says. Try adding in some deep-breathing exercises, which Blakeway says is the most basic way to combat stress, get rid of feelings of irritability and start your sexual energy moving. Simply sit, stand or lie down quietly, taking some slow, deep breaths for one minute or more.

Adjust your diet. Too much red meat, Blakeway says, suppresses the production of estrogen—the lack of which is partly responsible for suppressed sex drive in menopausal and post-menopausal women. “Estrogen plays a specific and absolutely critical role in women’s sex lives: It is responsible for vaginal lubrication and provides an overall feeling of health and vitality—the best foundation for a strong libido,” says Blakeway. Your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy in the form of pills, patches, creams or gels, but Blakeway says that adjusting your diet can help, too. She suggests a diet based on whole foods, emphasizing vegetables, fruits and whole grains complemented with smaller servings of protein and healthy fats, and limiting processed foods, as they contain ingredients that can be inflammatory and reduce blood circulation. “Inflammation and poor blood flow are both barriers to enjoying sex as we age,” says Blakeway. Next, take an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement, such as fish oil or flaxseed oil to counter dryness. Blakeway also recommends getting plenty of potassium. “The amount in a multivitamin is fine as a supplement, but make sure you get some from foods, such as whole grains, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, because without enough of it, your body can’t make all the sex hormones it needs, including estrogen.”

Check your meds. Also don’t forget to take a look at the drugs you’re taking—everything from common over-the-counter antihistamines to blood pressure medication could cause you to have low or no sex drive. Work with your doctor to determine whether there are alternatives that could have less of an effect in that area.

Talk to your partner. Sex may be the last thing you want to do with your hubby if you guys haven’t connected in other ways—emotionally and spiritually—in a while. Blakeway doesn’t recommend engaging in intercourse if you and your partner are experiencing extreme negative emotions—anger, sadness, fear—and looking to sex as an escape from those emotions or the concerns about your relationship. Deal with those, first and foremost. “Open and honest communication is key to connecting, sexually and otherwise. Good communication is also important during sex.” Talking can also help you get out of a sexual rut with a longtime partner or spouse: Ask him what he needs and wants, and offer up what you need and want, too. That’s a great place to start.

Get back to the basics. When was the last time you kissed each other? Like, really kissed each other. It can be more intimate than having sex, says Blakeway, and sets off intense physical and emotional reactions in the body.

According to a 2012 article in Student BMJ, a British journal, STDs have doubled in 50- to 90-year-olds in the U.S., United Kingdom and Canada over the past 10 years.

In particular, cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are climbing in 45- to 64-year-olds. Trichomoniasis (aka “trich”), caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalisis, is also on the upswing in women 40 and over, according to a 2011 study, involving 7,593 American women ages 18 to 89. Women 50-plus had the highest rate of trich infection, 13 percent, followed by women in their 40s at 11 percent.

Even HIV is becoming more common among mature audiences: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people 50 and over now account for 15 percent of all new HIV and AIDS diagnoses.

Why STDs are growing among 40-plus populations

Why the uptick in STDs in women and men over 40? Couples who’ve been married for 20 or 30 years may find themselves divorced or widowed, and because people are living longer, healthier lives, they continue to be sexually active, explains Dr. Leandro Mena, an expert in infectious diseases and a member of the board of directors for the American Sexual Health Association. Indeed, the article in Student BMJ reported that 80 percent of 50- to 90-year-olds are sexually active.

“Older people don’t think about using condoms because reproduction isn’t an issue for them,” says Mena, an associate professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. “But correct and consistent condom use significantly reduces the risk of transmission.”

Medications that treat erectile dysfunction may also be contributing to the rise in STDs, he says. Whether people have a onetime sexual encounter while traveling for business or pleasure or multiple partners closer to home, the likelihood of contracting an STD is real.

RELATED: The Most Stunning Health Changes of 2012

Most common STDs in women and men of-a-certain-age

Trichomoniasis. About 70 percent of people who carry “trich,” also known as trichomonas vaginalis, don’t show symptoms, so the infection can be easily transmitted during sex. Symptoms may show up within five to 28 days of being infected but they could be delayed even further, and may come and go, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Symptoms in women include vaginal discharge, itching, burning and redness of the genitals and painful urination. Men may develop itching or irritation in the penis or discharge and burning after urinating or ejaculating.

How it’s diagnosed: Via microscopic examination of vaginal secretions in women. There’s no routine test for men,

Treatment: Usually a single dose of the oral antibiotics metronidazole or tinidazole; though some women may need a seven-day course of metronidazole or a five-day course of tinidazole. Male partners of women with trich should also be treated. About one in five people treated for trich gets infected again within 3 months after treatment, according to the CDC.

Syphilis. This bacterial infection is spread by contact with syphilis sores on the genitals, or in the vagina, anus or rectum. Because the sores are often painless and heal on their own, they may be overlooked, says Mena. However, weeks later, an infected person may develop a rash on his or her body or on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, along with general malaise, headache, and sores in the mouth, groin or underarm areas. After these symptoms clear up, usually within a few weeks, the infection enters a latency period that can last up to 20 years, says Mena. When it reemerges it has affected the skin, bones, central nervous system, or organs, such as the heart. The disease is most infectious during the first few years a person has it, Mena says.

How it’s diagnosed: Via a blood test or microscopic examination of tissue from a sore.

Treatment: Typically treated with penicillin. Dosing is dependent on how long a person has had it.

Chlamydia. Caused by a bacterium, chlamydia is spread by vaginal, anal or oral sex. Symptoms in women—discharge or burning during urination—and in men—discharge, burning during urination and sometimes pain or swelling of the testicles—don’t show up for weeks after infection, if at all. But the bacterium is still taking a toll. In women, chlamydia eventually causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which leads to infertility, ectopic pregnancy or chronic pelvic pain. Chlamydia can also cause rectal pain, bleeding and discharge, reports the CDC.

How it’s diagnosed: With a urine sample or vaginal or rectal swab

Treatment: Typically treated with a single dose of the oral antibiotic azithromycin or seven days of doxycycline.

Gonorrhea. Also caused by a bacterium, gonorrhea can be transmitted via oral, anal or vaginal sex. Some symptoms resemble those of chlamydia. Women may develop vaginal discharge, burning while urinating, a sore throat, lower abdominal pain and/or fever. Having sexual intercourse may hurt, too. Men may also experience pain while urinating, discharge, the urge to urinate, tender or swollen testicles or a sore throat. If it’s not treated, gonorrhea can cause PID and chronic pelvic pain in women. In men, it can cause inflammation of the tubes attached to the testicles and may affect the ability to have children. Gonorrhea can also cause a life-threatening infection of the blood or joints.

How it’s diagnosed: With a urine sample or vaginal rectal or throat swab.

Treatment: With a single injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone. Many people with gonorrhea also have chlamydia, so anyone treated for gonorrhea should also be treated for both.

HIV. About two-thirds of people develop a flu-like illness—with swollen lymph nodes, a sore throat, a rash, and headache, two to four weeks after they are exposed to the HIV virus, says Mena. Symptoms eventually subside. “Very often people don’t remember they had these symptoms,” he says. Months to years later, a person will develop opportunistic infections, characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, chills and swollen glands, which signal AIDS.

How it’s diagnosed: Via a blood or saliva test. There are several tests available; some can detect HIV within 10 to 14 days after exposure, though they’re expensive and not widely available, says Mena. Most tests detect HIV within four to six weeks. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the more effective treatment is.

Treatment: With at least three antiretroviral drugs—sometimes combined in a single tablet. (More than 20 such drugs are available.) You’ll have to take medication for the rest of your life to suppress the virus. “We can control HIV, but there’s no cure,” says Mena.

How to protect yourself—and your partner

In addition to condom use, sexual etiquette is important. If you develop an STD, tell your partner so he or she can get tested and treated, preventing further spread of the infection.

And “if you’re planning to start a relationship with someone, go together and get tested for STDs,” says Mena. He also recommends that anyone who has more than one sexual partner be tested at least once a year for STDs. “If you are at all concerned that you may have acquired an STD, it makes sense to see your doctor,” he says.

You may have a gray hair (or two, or three), but any woman who has not experienced menopause—a full 12 months of no periods—and doesn’t have other conflicting health concerns can still theoretically get pregnant, says Camilla Bicknell, registered nurse practitioner and co-author of The Pregnancy Power Workbook.

RELATED: Is It Time to Dump Your Birth Control?

If you’re not sure whether you’re finished having kids or not, the same birth control methods available to women in their 20s and 30s may also be good options, too. In the past, many gynecologists steered women away from the birth control pill after age 35, but that’s no longer the case.

Women’s health nurse practitioner Jacki Witt, a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, explains that your 35th or 40th birthday doesn’t magically make a hormonal birth control method less desirable. For many women, it’s a perfectly good—and safe—choice. But if you smoke and you’re in that age range, you shouldn’t be using a combination birth control pill—or anything with estrogen in it, she says. If you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiovascular disease, you may also want to opt for something else, notes the National Women’s Health Resource Center.

If, after one or two decades of having to remember to take a pill daily, you’re looking for something with a little less maintenance, there are other good hormonal methods. You could try the patch, the vaginal ring or the injection Depo-Provera. But beware that Depo causes many women to temporarily lose bone density—a side effect that typically rights itself once you discontinue use—so you may need to take extra calcium and vitamin D supplements while you’re on it.

Many physicians and women’s health nurse practitioners recommend an IUD—not only reliable, but a cost-effective choice if you’re looking for long-term birth control. You can choose from the five-year Mirena or just-approved three-year Skyla, or opt for a non-hormonal IUD like Paragard. Also, you could choose a method like the implant (Implanon or Nexplanon), which is good for three years.

You could also opt for a barrier method like a diaphragm or cervical cap, but the National Women’s Health Resource Center notes that they are less effective and less popular among women over 35.

If you’re 40 and very confident that you don’t want to have another baby, Bicknell advises that you choose a permanent contraceptive method, such as sterilization for you or a vasectomy for your partner.

If you choose the sterilization route, you can go with the traditional tubal ligation, a surgical procedure that is now frequently done as outpatient surgery or in combination with a C-section. Or you could choose a newer method of fallopian tube occlusion, like Essure, which is a set of flexible inserts that are put into the fallopian tubes. Scar tissue forms around these inserts and blocks the tube. This non-surgical procedure can be done in your doctor’s office, but you must continue to use another form of reliable birth control for at least three months.

Still undecided? The best thing to do is consult with your health care provider, who can give you additional guidance on which method to choose.

With so many new options on the market, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor at the Yale University School of Medicine and a spokeswoman for First Response, stresses that you should talk to your health care provider if you need some helping making the best choice.

“I want something that is going to work for folks,” she says. “Don’t be shy. If you’re somebody who forgets stuff, tell your health care provider.”

In the meantime, here are some birth control methods to consider if …

You have an erratic schedule.

Perhaps you fly back and forth across the country so often that “jet lag” should be your middle name. Or maybe you do shift work at a hospital or swing shifts at a manufacturing plant. If you don’t have a regular schedule, the very popular pill, which is most effective when taken at the same time every day, might not be the best choice for you. Consider an option that you never have to think about—or at least not very often, like an IUD or an implant. The IUD is a good option, regardless, even for young women, says Dr. Ingrid Rodi, a reproductive endocrinologist with the Fertility Center in Santa Monica, Calif. “Even someone who’s pretty good at taking medication may not be 100 percent good at taking medication,” she says.

You’re undecided about having children (or more children).

Think reversible. The IUD has a high success rate, but you can easily have it removed by your doctor or nurse practitioner if you decide you want to try to get pregnant. And you can get one regardless of your age or whether you’ve had children or not. Another option is an implant, which can also be easily removed if you decide you’d like to try to get pregnant. 

You’re finished having children.

Finito. Done. In this instance, a permanent method may be your best choice, especially if you’re over 40.  (That doesn’t mean temporary methods are unsafe over 40—they just may not be as practical or cost-effective.) You can opt for the traditional sterilization method like a tubal ligation, or you can encourage your partner to get a vasectomy. Or you can go with a method that uses an insert for the fallopian tubes that causes scarring and prevents fertilization; Essure is one brand that’s currently on the market.

RELATED: Is It Time To Dump Your Birth Control?

But if you’re happy taking the pill and don’t experience any side effects, don’t feel like you should discontinue taking it. “That doesn’t make sense,” says Camilla Bicknell, a woman’s health nurse practitioner and co-author of The Pregnancy Power Workbook. That is, unless you are over 35 and smoke or have other certain health problems, such as a history of blood clots.

You’re not in a monogamous relationship.  

To reduce your chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, you need to use a condom. However, don’t just pick up a package of condoms and think you’re all set. Condoms themselves have a contraceptive failure rate of 18 percent with typical use, according to research from the Guttmacher Institute. (Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re a “perfect” rather than “typical” user, even if you’ve used them for years—almost no one is perfect every time.)

“You can’t just use condoms,” Rodi cautions. “You have to use condoms plus something else.” Choose a second method that works for you, your body and your bank account.

Even if you’ve happily used the same method of birth control for years, check out the latest developments—whether it’s something all new or an improvement to what you already use.

The IUD

Intrauterine devices (IUD), which block fertilization from inside a woman’s body, are still available in hormonal (Mirena) and nonhormonal (Paraguard) options. But now you also have an option that is similar to Mirena but remains in place for only three years, instead of five . The low-dose three-year IUD Skyla was just approved by the FDA in January—the first new device of this kind in a dozen years.

“And pretty immediately, fertility returns as soon as you have them removed. That’s a plus,” says Jacki Witt, a women’s health nurse practitioner, and member of the board of directors of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.

Though it’s fine health-wise to remove IUDs before the end of their term, they’re most cost-effective if you keep them as long as possible. For that reason, Skyla may appeal to younger women who plan to get pregnant in fewer than five years—especially as doctors no longer advise against IUDs for women who have never had a baby.

“Many young women are getting IUDs without a problem, and they’re doing well,” says Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a gynecologist, clinical professor at the Yale University School of Medicine and spokesperson for First Response.

The Implant

The implant is a matchstick-sized rod that is inserted into your arm, where it releases the hormone progestin, which prevents pregnancy. You may have heard of Implanon, but now there is a new version of this implantable birth control device called Nexplanon. According to Witt, it’s actually very similar to the older version. “It’s just a little bit different the way they put it in,” says Witt.

The implant is good for up to three years. The most common side effect of an implant is irregular bleeding in the first 6-12 months, but not all women will experience this.

The Pill

When the birth control pill first hit pharmacies, a typical dose contained 100 micrograms of estrogen, a high dose of hormones that put women at risk for complications for stroke and pulmonary embolism. But today, most women take low-dose combination birth control pills that contain anywhere from 20 to 50 micrograms of estrogen. Others opt for a progestin-only minipill.

But the options just keep expanding. While many women prefer the traditional regimen of 21 days of active pills and seven days of inactive pills, others choose a continuous-dosing contraceptive like Seasonale or Seasonique, to reduce their monthly periods to four times per year.

“It’s quite safe,” says Minkin, adding, “Some women get breakthrough bleeding if they go much more than six to eight weeks without a break for a period. If that happens, I’ll let my patients get their period and then get back on the pill.”

Another type of pill, Lybrel, which was approved by the FDA in 2007, is taken continuously and eliminates monthly periods altogether.

Permanent Birth Control

It used to be that women that wanted a permanent birth control solution had two choices: have their partner undergo a vasectomy or opt for surgical sterilization, in the form of a tubal ligation. But now there’s a less-invasive option for women that can be performed in your doctor’s office: fallopian tube occlusion. Essure, which was FDA approved in 2003, permanently blocks the fallopian tubes via a set of flexible inserts. Over time, scar tissue forms around them, preventing pregnancy permanently. But take note: While other types of “permanent” birth control are potentially reversible with additional procedures, Essure is not.

The Pill—For Men

The bad news: It’s not here yet. But while it’s likely still years from the market, a birth control pill for men is closer than ever. This year, the National Institutes of Health awarded a $4.7 million grant to a chemist at the University of Minnesota to help fund her research on a contraceptive method that would slow the speed at which sperm travel—and have fewer side effects than the testosterone-based male birth control methods that have already been tested.

Recipe courtesy of Amy, an art director by day and food blogger by night, living in Chicago with her boyfriend and cat. You can find her posting recipes for healthy meals to sweet treats and everything in between at Amy Bites. 

What do sex hormones do exactly?

“Hormones are powerful chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine glands. Hormones affect the activity of every organ in the body, as well as growth patterns and sleep cycles,” says Dr. Mark Stengler, founder and medical director of the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, Calif.

Sex hormones, in particular are involved in the growth, maintenance and repair of reproductive tissues, as well as influencers of bone mass and body tissues. Stengler notes that many women in their 40s, 50s and beyond live in a state of hormonal imbalance brought on by birth control pills, menopause, poor diet, stress, illness or exposure to toxins. These imbalances can lead to the unwanted symptoms you’re experiencing. For example, high levels of estrogen are associated with being very overweight, while low levels may increase a woman’s risk for heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. If testosterone levels are elevated, you may be subject to acne, increased body hair, infertility and more; if they are low, you may be experiencing a reduced libido.

What do I do if I’m feeling these symptoms?

The first step to getting your sex hormones in check is to see your doc. He or she can do a physical exam to assess your situation. From there, you might need to get tested. There are three types of tests available, according to Stengler:

• Saliva testing measures the free hormone levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
• Urine testing can measure free levels of more than a dozen hormones, as well as metabolite levels that provide additional information about endocrine function.
• Blood testing measures free levels of testosterone and the three thyroid hormones.

Some hormonal deficiencies require medical care, while others may be addressed with lifestyle adjustments. The good news: Everything is treatable.

What are some treatments for out-of-whack sex hormones?

One diagnosis could be that it makes sense for you to go the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) route. Those treatments vary from daily capsules to topical creams and ointments to skin patches.

In Is It Me or My Hormones? The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about PMS, Perimenopause, and All the Crazy Things that Occur with Hormone Imbalance, author Marcelle Pick, co-founder of Women to Women, provides key lifestyle tactics to get a grip on your hormones. One of her top suggestions is to decrease stress. “High levels of the stress hormone cortisol cause immense hormonal disruption,” Pick notes. Pick your remedy: Regular exercise, meditation and massages are all great stress relievers.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep, too. Pick recommends more than seven hours of rest each night. “Less sleep has been shown to increase cortisol levels, which can disrupt the thyroid, increase hormonal havoc… and also contributes to weight gain,” she says. Plus, low levels of melatonin, the sleep hormone, are associated with depression. Having trouble sleeping? Ask your doctor about taking .5 mg of a melatonin supplement a couple hours before going to bed.

As for your diet, reduce sugar and cut out high-fructose corn syrup completely. The latter “can increase the chances of insulin resistance, which causes hormonal fluctuations,” Pick advises. Add flaxseed, 2,000 mg daily of fish oil in the form of EPA/DHA, and indol-3 carbinol, which all help with estrogen metabolism, says Pick. Additionally, if you have high estrogen levels, avoid foods that are high in phytoestrogens, such as soy products, which can mimic the hormone.

DEAR READERS: At the risk of developing eye strain, I’m continuing my series of reviews on the latest and most intriguing diet books.

The plan: South Beach Diet: Gluten Solution, by Dr. Arthur Agatston, with Dr. Natalie Geary

The premise: The South Beach diet doctor is back, this time with a mission to set the record straight on gluten. Many people, Agatston says, are “obsessed” with gluten but don’t have anything to worry about—they don’t need to eliminate healthy whole grains, and shouldn’t. But some people may be sensitive to the wheat protein, experiencing fatigue, headaches and GI symptoms that eat away at their quality of like. Agatston sets out to help readers determine their “personal gluten threshold” with a basic elimination diet strategy in Phase 1.

RELATED: Diet Review: Bob Harper’s Jumpstart to Skinny 

Key details: Overall , the diet is basically the same as South Beach, emphasizing non-starchy veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and good fats—you’ll just be giving up gluten for a few weeks to determine if you have gluten sensitivity. He focuses not on calorie-counting but on serving size (which I think is more practical, anyway), allowing for three meals and two snacks daily. The good doctor does a good job of explaining why gluten may cause problems, including the changes in the processing of wheat and commercial baking methods that have, he says, made gluten less easily digested, and the fact that baked goods and many other products are supplemented with gluten to improve texture. Agatston also sites promising, yet preliminary, evidence that gluten may throw off the bacteria balance in the gut, resulting in bloating and other GI symptoms. He falls short, though, of recommending probiotics—the “good bacteria” found in live-culture yogurt—as a remedy.

The diet has three phases: Phase 1, recommended for people who have 10 lbs to lose, as well as intense cravings and gluten sensitivity symptoms, is a replica of South Beach, banning any sugars, starches or other simple carbs, as well as forbidding gluten-containing foods like wheat, barley or rye, grains, and surprising gluten sources like soy sauce, soy products, imitation crabmeat and blue cheese. During Phase 2, dieters reintroduce gluten-free starches like quinoa and corn tortillas and fruits gradually, working up to three gluten-free starches and three fruits/day over 2 weeks. If, after that, you are symptom free, you can reintroduce slowly, swapping healthy sources of gluten (like whole grains) for gluten-free starches. The book includes modifications for people who have little or no weight to lose but who think they are gluten sensitive.

Agatston also emphasizes the importance of exercise, recommending interval training as a smart strategy for optimizing your workout time.

Quick cautions: It’s important—as Agatston says—that you consult with your doctor if you experience symptoms after reintroducing gluten, as you may have celiac disease.  A blood test that measures the levels of an antibody released when the lining of the intestine is damaged by peptides produced by partially digested gluten can confirm a celiac diagnosis.

FFG fave? Yes! I appreciate that Agatston isn’t just jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon, but attempting, in a very clear and considered way, to help people figure out whether gluten is indeed a problem for them, and provide a solution. The basic South Beach Diet itself has always been, I think, a good one for its emphasis on variety, quality carbs, good fats and lean protein. The book is really practical and readable, revealing sources of hidden gluten, providing tips for travelers and dining out strategies, as well as including recipes.

Lisa Delaney is editor of Spry magazine and Spryliving.com. Ask her your question here.

Essure may be right for you if you:

• Are certain you do not want any more children
• Want to stop worrying about unplanned pregnancy forever
• Want the most effective* permanent birth control available
• Want to avoid surgery, scarring, silicone or risks of other permanent birth control procedures
• Want to avoid the inconvenience of temporary birth control methods
• Are concerned about the negative effects of hormone-based birth control
• Want a procedure that can be performed in the convenience of your doctor’s office
• Want more spontaneity in your sexual relationship
• Want confirmation that you’re protected from unplanned pregnancy
• Are pregnant and considering a tubal ligation

You should delay your decision if you:

• May want to have children in the future
• Have an active or recent pelvic infection

*Based on a comparison of five-year clinical data.

My mother, Beth Levine, lives in a small town right outside of Philadelphia called Narberth. My mom is 55 years young, and volunteers at a thrift store which she enjoys abundantly. Beth’s prior employment was working for a dental surgeon as his assistant, but she was forced to stop working because of chronic pain related to permanent nerve damage of her arm. I love my mother more than I could ever begin to explain and I feel as though she deserved a makeover to help her feel good about herself and give her the pampering that she needs and wants. Mom wanted a new, fun and sassy look as well as a different hair style that she could maintain easily despite the fact that she has great difficulty lifting her arm to style the back of her hair.

My mom already has a fabulous sense of style, but could definitely use a little help in the fashion department and a few different makeup tips to help create a younger look. When I first asked my mom if she was interested in a makeover, she was excited but cautious: “I don’t want them cutting off all my hair or a crazy new hair color!” I explained that the point of a makeover is to keep an open mind to even a small change that could entirely update and complement her look. Prior to the makeover, my mom had the same hair style for years, which was too heavy and long for her to maintain and had absolutely no style to it whatsoever. Her hair was a few different shades of blonde and a lighter brown. I’m all for multitonal color hair, but this was one too many!

Hair “Do”: Give it Some Shape
When we first arrived at Breathe Salon and Day Spa [LINK TO: http://www.breathesalonspa.com/] in Lansdale, Pa., my mother was draped for color and a brand new cut. David Van Guilder, owner and stylist at Breathe, introduced himself and my mother began to explain about her nerve damage, in addition to her wish to not lose too much length. (My step-dad loves her long hair!) David went right to work sculpting my mother’s hair into a brand new style—the inverted bob. He applied color to her hair to even out the boxed color mishap she had going on.

Makeup Magic: Get Primed
Next, Breathe’s esthetician, Maureen Barnes, prepped and primed her face with Hard Candy Sheer Envy, Freeze 24-7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment, Anti-Aging Eye Serum and ArcticLift Firming Neck Cream, and on her eyes, Cover FX Anti-Age Smoothing Eye Primer. The primer and anti-aging products filled in any fine lines and created the canvas I would need to apply her makeup.

For my mother’s face color, I found the right shade of foundation by mixing 810 CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation mixed with MAC N30. For concealer, I used Ben Nye, which blended nicely into her skin to conceal any dark circles. Next I choose a fun but yet romantic eye color. My mother has gorgeous eyes and I wanted to accentuate them and make them pop. I used different shades from some of my favorite palettes: MAC Paint Pot Chilled on Ice, Smashbox Photo Op Enhancing Eye Palettes Smokebox and Softbox. Then I applied Maybelline Line Express in Soft Black to the top lid giving her a cat eye, which gives the eyes the illusion of a lifted eye instead of sagging eyelids. For the inside of the lid, I used a black pencil followed by Maybelline Mega Plush. I gave life to her brows using Beauty Never Sleeps Bailey Cosmetics Ombre Camel eye shadow duo. While it may be an eye shadow, it also works great to fill in your brows due to the two differing brown hues. Another eye shadow that I used for a different purpose was CoverGirl Champagne eye shadow (works great to highlight the face!). Bronzer was Sephora Aruba and her foundation and concealer were set with itcosmetics Anti-Aging Radiance Pressed Illuminating Powder. For her cheeks, I used MAC Bite of an Apple, which is a pretty pink blush.  I then finished her makeup transformation with MAC Boldly Bare lip pencil and a lip plumping gloss, Bare Escentuals Buxom in Sugar. She looked stunning I have never seen my mom look so beautiful.

Beth before and after her mom makeover

Style Solution: Go Sophisticated (Not Stuffy)
To wrap up the makeover and finished her transformation, we moved onto a new, fun, yet age-appropriate outfit.  My sister-in-law, Courtney Smith, has an incredible eye when it comes to styling. She knew exactly what my mom would need to bring out that youthfulness she was looking for, and make her feel good about her overall look. She chose a striking royal blue scoop neck tiered top with a teal cardigan, and white slacks. She accessorized with a beautiful multi-colored blue and teal necklace with stunning earrings to match. All items were from JCPenney, so it was completely affordable! She looked dramatically different and I have never seen my mom more pleased with her look than I did on this particular day. She literally glowed and I enjoyed every minute of it.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE MOM MAKEOVERS.

My mother, Sue, is completely selfless and the most optimistic person I’ve ever met. She’s an example of living strong while being kind. Now in retirement, she’s still incredibly energetic.  Walking has always been her sport. She used to walk 15-25 miles many days, but now she keeps it closer to 5.

I’m a beauty professional, so I was thrilled to be able to do my mom’s makeover myself. The biggest challenge with my mom’s makeover is lifestyle. When she was younger, she was a fashion queen. She no longer needs to wear heavy makeup and fancy clothing on a daily basis, but it’s still important to her that she be well-groomed.

Sue before and after her mom makeover

Style Solution: Go With Some Stretch
Mom’s biggest hurdle is that she’ll wear anything comfortable—even if it is ill-fitting. I’m not against yoga pants, but my mom is tiny, and it’s best to keep things manageable and not oversized. For her new look, we chose a white jean jacket that contains a touch (just 2%) of Spandex, giving it room and keeping it wrinkle free while still looking constructed. The top also contains 3% Spandex, and the metallic shirring is decorative and flattering. It’s also in an icy mint green, which is perfect for spring and flatters her skin tones.

Hair “Do”: Keep the Length, Change the Color
When she was younger, my mother lost every speck of her body hair, down to eyelashes and brows. When it started growing back, she was so afraid she’d lose it again she has never cut her hair since. It was once down to past her ankles, but today is about waist length.

Since she prefers her hair long, the best thing my mom can do to keep it looking youthful is to color it, as the gray ages so quickly. Her natural color is blue-black, but that’s a little strong for her now, so I opted for a softer black. (Professional color is the best choice, but if you can’t afford it on a 3- 8 week basis, find a stylist that will give you an amazing cut and help guide with a home color you can use.) To keep it looking shiny and healthy, I used a mix of Moroccan Oil serum and frizz fighter, then gave it a quick pass with a flat iron—that’s all you need for glossy locks! When she’s looking for a different day look, a quick top knot or banded ponytail keeps it neat. At night, it can be twisted up with jewels!

Quick tip for long hair: No matter how much you condition, long hair tangles. Instead of starting from the top down to fight it out, use your brush or comb and move up over the tangle. It will come out much faster and be less painful.

Makeup Magic: Choose Double-Duty Products
For makeup, we kept it clean and fresh. Freeze 24/7 anti-wrinkle cream was applied to provide a temporary lift. Freeze 24/7 Eyecing was also used to tighten up the eye area. They work great! A “CC cream”—a tinted moisturizer with some added anti-aging ingredients—was applied for moisture with a slight tint and SPF. For a lovely neutral lip, we used L’Oreal Creme de Marron.

If we were going out on the town, we would use a heavier coverage foundation, eye liner, and a more coral or red lip color.

Remember, if you are all dolled up and your nails aren’t done, you aren’t done either! For my mom’s nails, I used products from Julep, which offers various treatments for nails, so you can apply a dehydrator is nails are oily, or a moisture replenish if nails are dry. Cuticle oil is imperative to keep skin and nails from drying and cracking. She chose a beautiful icy mint shade from China Glaze.

Mom was thrilled with the makeover. Refreshing her hair color and the light-colored outfit put a new spring in her step—and she was in love with the nail color. Her grandson was really wowed by the look when he came home. A makeover is renewing at any age!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE MOM MAKEOVERS.

For most of my life, my mom, Paula Richards, dressed to hide her weight. Once a size 22, she opted for bariatric surgery, losing a lot of weight quickly. For the past two years she’s enjoyed dressing for the size 8 she’s become, while combating many of the side effects of this type of surgery and ultra-quick weight loss: sagging skin, hair loss and the prominence of the wrinkles that her plump skin used to camouflage. At age 61, my mom was in need of a makeover to complement the weight loss.

As Northeast Vice President of ANNA (American Nephrology Nurses’ Association) and the clinical manager of nine hospital-based acute dialysis programs as well as a public speaker, my mom was very clear that she was looking for a style that would make her stand out in a professional setting. I’m very proud of my mom for all that she has accomplished in her career and my own career in social media and public speaking is modeled after and inspired by her.  In order to give my mom the look she was seeking, I enlisted the help of the Breathe Salon and Day Spa team: esthetician Maureen Barnes; hairstylist and colorist Katie Dietrich; and makeup artist George Serrano-Velez, as well as my sister Courtney Smith for fashion styling.

I’ve been telling my mom for a long while that the brassy, bright red home box color that she has been coloring her hair with for years needed to change. Due to hair loss on the right side of her head and thinning out overall, she wasn’t doing anything to give her hair lift and was unsure how to attain volume when a patch of hair was missing. Additionally, not dressing for her new shape gave the appearance that she no longer had a waist.

Hair “Do”: Get a Natural Lift
To start, Katie continued to use red on my mom’s hair, especially since red complements her hazel eyes, however, she crafted a deeper brown-red mix that removed the brass, making her look more vibrant. Since my mom did not want to go any shorter with her hairstyle, Katie simply trimmed and styled her hair to add volume. As she styled my mom’s hair, she walked her through the process of how to add volume to her hair simply by spritzing her roots with L’Oreal EverStyle Alcohol-Free Volume Root Lifting Spray and blow drying her hair in the opposite direction than she normally would. This provided a natural lift and helped lessen the appearance of the spots where she was balding. In fact, you no longer noticed it! My mom was thrilled with these hairstyling tips, as they were something she could replicate at home.

Makeup Magic: Smooth and Define
In between her cut and color, Maureen went to work on plumping those fine lines and wrinkles on my mom’s face, as well as prepping her face and eyes with primer. For primer, she used Hard Candy Sheer Envy and on eyes Cover FX Anti-Age Smoothing Eye Primer. For her anti-aging products, she first applied Murad Sheer Lustre Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 15, then Freeze 24-7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment, Anti-Aging Eye Serum, and ArcticLift Firming Neck Cream. The primer helps to set a smooth canvas for makeup application and also helps makeup to stay in place all day. Since my mom works long hours, primer was the best way to keep her makeup intact on those lengthy work days.

Once her hair was done, George was on a mission to contour my mom’s face and give her brows life again. My mom has always had practically non-existent brows and the hair loss made that even more prominent. George used Beauty Never Sleeps Bailey Cosmetics Ombre Camel eye shadow duo to fill in and shape her brows and then handed my mom a mirror. She couldn’t believe how filled in brows could give her eyes an instant lift and frame her face. For foundation, a mix of 810 and 825 of CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation was used, and Ben Nye concealer was applied under eyes and to trouble spots. itcosmetics Anti-Aging Radiance Pressed Illuminating Powder was used to set everything.

My mom didn’t want to look overly done, and wanted a look that could take her from daytime board room to nighttime dinner with colleagues. For this, Beauty Never Sleeps Bailey Cosmetics Universal Blush was applied, MAC Paint Pot Chilled on Ice, Smashbox Photo Op Enhancing Eye Palette in Softbox and Mirabella Cosmetics were used for her eyes, L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara to bring out her thin lashes and MAC Boldly Bare lip pencil and mark Coral Fixation to keep the look neutral. Once my mom saw the completed makeup look, one could safely say she hugged George multiple times thanking him.

Paula before and after her mom makeover

Style Solution: Create Some Shape
Next we made our way to JCPenney at the Montgomery County Mall to find a professional looking outfit that would be both distinctive, show off my mom’s shape, but also cover the areas where she still had sagging skin (arms and legs). Courtney came across a royal blue V-neck, gold button-front, pleated dress with belt that came to my mom’s knees. She paired it with a white shawl collar jacket. This added some professional flair, but also concealed my mom’s arms. Overall, the dress and jacket perfectly disguised what she wanted hidden but also brought out her beautiful silhouette.

In the end, we achieved the look my mom was going for, took some years off and gave her tips she could use to incorporate into her daily routine. She looked radiant and smiled often throughout the process, which made me incredibly happy.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE MOM MAKEOVERS.

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Choose the perfect specs. “Don’t pick frames that conform with your face shape—they should contrast,” says blog founder Shannon Nelson. And be adventurous: Color-coordinate your frames with your eyes (instead of your hair).

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Spry: What should be a family caregiver’s first step when they find themselves in that role?
Leeza: There is no substitution for the advice and emotional embrace that comes from people who have been through it. That’s why I love my work with Alzheimersdisease.com. Recently we posted words of wisdom from caregivers, and I heard from so many how helpful it was to learn from others who had walked the same path. My family did an interview we put on the site, too. We wanted to share what we had learned and what we wished we had known when Mom was disappearing behind the veil of Alzheimer’s disease. There’s just nothing like knowing you’re not alone.

Spry: How did you plan for your mother’s care? Did you have the same challenges faced by many caregivers?
Leeza:  I was one of the lucky ones—my mom communicated her wishes. She saw her mother die of Alzheimer’s disease, and from the time I was a little girl, my mom talked about how she wanted to be taken care of. That was incredibly courageous, and saved us a lot of bickering as a family. Trust me, we were still in denial, but it got us to our own moment of truth more quickly.

Spry: What’s your advice for people whose loved ones resist conversations about their care?
Leeza: Parents are used to nurturing and protecting, and they don’t want to ever be a burden. It’s a dignity issue, and as children, we have to be sensitive to that. That’s why conversations need to happen when you’re not in the middle of a health crisis. But when you’re already in crisis, have someone else be the bad guy. There are so many non-profits and health agencies and online support groups where somebody anonymous can be an intervening force, so nobody in your family has to wear that title.

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE ORAL HISTORY CONVERSATION STARTER.

Leeza and mom Jean in 2002

Spry: How did you deal with burnout when you were caring for your mother?
Leeza: At that time, I was hosting the television show Extra. I would get off the air and head out the studio door, and walk and walk, recording whatever was on my mind on a digital recorder. Some days I would yell and scream and cry, and some days I would ask questions. It was like a pressure valve release. I felt very isolated, I didn’t want people to think I couldn’t handle my life, and I didn’t want people to see me as being weak. We forget that showing our vulnerability is strength, it’s not weakness. And when we ask for help, that’s a sign that we’re aware.

Spry: In your new book, Take 2, you advise readers to “test drive” their dreams. What do you mean by that?
Leeza: Sometimes we “fall in love” with a former version of ourselves, and we don’t take inventory of where we are now. You may be singing off an old song sheet, not realizing that the music to your life has changed. If you’ve always wanted to be a writer, for example, but you haven’t written anything for over a dozen years, test drive that dream—take it for a spin around the track and make sure it still fits. We get seduced by dreaming and wishing and hoping, but it’s only in the actual trying that we get to know ourselves. So I say buckle up and put yourself in the driver’s seat or else you can’t whine and complain when you don’t get to where you want to go.

Spry: How can caregivers move forward and pursue their dreams despite the demands they face?
Leeza: Owning your new reality is step number one: You have to banish the blame, drop the dread and claim victory over victimization. Now, none of that is easy, but when caregivers can reclaim the top spot in their lives, many things will start to make sense again. It seems counter-intuitive, I know. But caring is depleting, and when your well is empty, you can’t cope with the moment in front of you, much less generate something new.

Spry:  Did you ever feel guilty taking time for yourself when you were caring for your mom? 
Leeza: Every caregiver feels guilt—and if you don’t, you’ll find a way to feel guilty about that! I came to realize it was usually masquerading as something else—exhaustion or sadness, in my case. When I took better care of myself, I rarely felt the guilt. As you reclaim your life, others might not “get it.” If those around you are accustomed to seeing you always do everything for everyone else and never take time for yourself, they may judge. Let them. You have changed the playing field and taken on a new position. They’ll get used to it, and as you respect yourself more, they will begin to respect you more too.

Spry:  How do you remember your mom on Mother’s Day?
Leeza: I plant something with my kids that I know will last when we are gone—usually a magnolia tree because we called Mom our “steel magnolia.” I’m big on rituals. I think there’s something wonderful about the process of doing the same thing year after year that allows the memories to embed deeply into our soulprints where they can nourish and provide a compass when we feel lost. My mother and I were born on the same day, March 26, so I have my own private moments and ways that I connect with her on that day, but I still feel very close to my mom.

A: While there’s no permanent cure for cellulite, you can make it less noticeable. The simplest way is to put on a self-tanner to make your skin color more uniform. If you are going to be in a situation where your body will be exposed (say, at the beach), begin treating the area a few weeks before with a combination of topical creams containing caffeine (often in de-puffing eye creams), over-the-counter retinol or prescription tretinoin, and an antioxidant like vitamin C (found in anti-aging moisturizers). If you have more time and money, you could consider Thermage, a non-invasive radio-frequency device that tightens the skin and softens the fibrous bands between the fat cells. Keeping fit is also important, but even the thinnest women will often have cellulite.

—Dr. Heidi Waldorf, Dermatologist Director, Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology, The Mount Sinai Medical Center 

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