Top 8 Signs You Are Pregnant

By Naomi de la Torre, SheKnows editor

Wondering if you might be pregnant? Early signs of pregnancy vary, but there are a few that most women experience - usually before the pregnancy test is positive. We rounded up the eight most common signs to help you answer the question.

1. Sore breasts

Are the girls feeling swollen and sore? Are they getting more attention than usual? Better bust out the pee stick — you may be pregnant.

Sore breasts are often one of the first signs of pregnancy. Hormonal changes cause an increase in blood flow as the breast tissue changes and prepares for breastfeeding. As early as four to six weeks into your pregnancy, your breasts may begin to feel tingly and tender. Make sure you get a comfy and supportive bra because over the next few months — those bad boys may just grow a size or two. You will most likely feel less tender after the first trimester passes, as your body adjusts to the wave of hormones.

2. Morning sickness

Anyone who has experienced "morning sickness" knows that it is not restricted to the morning at all, but can strike at any time of the day (or night). It is not uncommon to suddenly be nauseated by certain smells or tastes, especially when you are newly pregnant. Morning sickness is not a given, and a lucky few never experience nausea at all while pregnant.

Caused by the dramatic increase in hormones during the first trimester of pregnancy, some women stop feeling nauseous around 12 weeks. Others, however, continue to feel nauseated throughout their entire pregnancy. If this happens to you, consult with your physician about medications to help control the nausea so that you don't become dehydrated or lose too much weight.

3. Fatigue

Have you been incredibly tired lately — so tired you feel it in your bones? Fatigue is a common first sign of pregnancy. Many women describe early-pregnancy fatigue as the most extremely tired feeling they have ever experienced. It isn't known for certain what causes the extreme fatigue, but it could be related to increased progesterone levels.

Exhaustion is typically worst during the first trimester of pregnancy. You may feel revived and more energetic during your second trimester, but find your fatigue returning as you near the end of your third trimester. You will want to nap as much as possible now because after the baby arrives, you may never nap again. Or at least not for the next 18 years.

4. Hunger

Strangely enough, nausea and hunger often go hand-in-hand during pregnancy. During the time when you aren't feeling nauseous over the smell of certain foods, you are probably eating your weight in some food item that you've become obsessed with over the last few weeks — like barbecue potato chips, mint-chip ice cream or the traditional pickles.

While it is OK to give in to some of your pregnancy cravings, make sure that you don't go overboard and decide to live on pita chips and grapes for the next nine months just because they are the only thing that doesn't make your stomach flip. Try to follow a balanced diet and stay away from any foods that are unsafe for pregnant women.

5. Frequent urination

Have you been spending more time in the restroom than in any other room of your house? When you are newly pregnant, you may find yourself visiting a restroom more often. Get used to it — as your uterus expands and pushes on your bladder, fluids in your body increase and cause the kidneys to work overtime. As your baby grows, expect some tiny limbs to put a bit of pressure on your bladder too, which doesn't help.

6. Moodiness

Moody much? Did you just threaten to divorce your husband because he wanted to watch Deadliest Catch while you wanted to watch The Bachelorette? Don't worry. Moodiness is completely normal during pregnancy thanks to the dramatic hormonal shifts your body is undergoing. Each woman experiences these hormonal changes differently. You may feel extreme mood shifts in either direction, or be more anxious or depressed.

It is important to note that if you feel overwhelmingly hopeless or unable to perform daily duties, you should seek professional help from your healthcare provider or mental health professional immediately.

7. Missed period

A missed menstrual cycle is usually a good indication that you might be pregnant, but it can also be deceiving. Some women do not menstruate regularly, or may not keep accurate track of when they last menstruated. If your periods are irregular or vary between spotting and heavy flow, you may experience other early signs of pregnancy well before you realize you have missed a period.

Some women experience a bit of spotting during implantation, which occurs very close to the time that your regular menstrual period would have occurred. If you think you might be pregnant, make sure to take a pregnancy test just to be safe before engaging in any activities that would be dangerous for your baby.

8. Pregnancy test

Your tender breasts and nausea may already have you convinced that you are pregnant, but make sure to visit your obstetrician or midwife for a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests — despite what they claim — are not always accurately able to confirm pregnancy before you have missed your period. If you take an early home test and it comes back negative, try again a week later. It is always important to get your pregnancy confirmed by a medical professional and begin monitoring that brand new bundle of joy.

Source: SheKnows

The 10 Best College Movies of All Time

By Anna Moeslein, Glamour editor

Happy back-to-school season! Whether you're an undergrad, a post-grad, or neither, there's no better way to celebrate the onset of fall than a Netflix queue full of co-ed centric flicks.

Legally Blonde



From queen bee of her Delta Nu sorority to earning a law degree at Harvard, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is the ultimate girl-power college grad.

Revenge of the Nerds



You know every school has a Booger (Curtis Armstrong).

Good Will Hunting



This movie lacks the keg-party shenanigans that play a part in most college films, but you know, they have math at college, too.

Back to School




Honestly, who doesn't kind of wish they went to anything-goes fake college South Harmon Institute of Technology? Those "classes" look way more fun than studying for finals.

Accepted



Honestly, who doesn't kind of wish they went to anything-goes fake college South Harmon Institute of Technology? Those "classes" look way more fun than studying for finals.

The Social Network



While you were out tailgating for the big rivalry game, Mark Zuckerberg was creating Facebook in his dorm room. Feel productive?

Orange County



As a high school overachiever, this movie's premise was my worst nightmare: a dim-witted guidance counselor sends the wrong transcripts to Stanford, causing Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) to be rejected from his dream school. Shudder.

National Lampoon's Van Wilder


Sigh, I wish every campus had a Ryan Reynolds.

Old School

After Mitch (Luke Wilson) moves to a new house close to a college campus, he and his friends, Frank (Will Ferrell) and Beanie (Vince Vaughn) start a fraternity and revert back to their college glory days. Hilarity ensues.

Animal House


NO college movie list is complete without the greatest film of them all: Animal House.

Source: Glamour

Where All That Pregnancy Weight Goes

We LOLed when we read that Jessica Simpson thought her pregnancy weight would disappear after her baby was born. No doubt, it's hard to lose baby weight, but... . Turns out, some of it does disappear after the baby comes out. Curious to know where baby weight goes, we got Cosmo Radio women's health expert Jennifer Wider, MD, to break it down for us.

By Korin Miller, Cosmopolitan editor

The Baby: 7.5 Pounds

Pregnancy weight gain varies from woman to woman. But the average total is 30 pounds per pregnancy—and 7.5 of that is baby, which does go away once the little one comes out.

Placenta: 1.5 Pounds

The placenta connects the developing fetus to your uterine wall, and it comes out when you give birth, too.

Your Blood: 4 Pounds

When you're pregnant, your body produces more blood to help the baby grow and keep you healthy. It eventually goes back to normal.

Your Uterus: 2 Pounds

During pregnancy, your uterus is about 15 times heavier than usual. After the baby comes out, it slowly shrinks back.

Your Boobs: 2 Pounds

Good news if you've always wanted a bigger set: You can go up two cup sizes or more during pregnancy. Why? The pregnancy hormone progesterone stimulates growth of breast tissue to get your tatas ready for breastfeeding. They'll go down again after you give birth or stop nursing.

Fluid: 4 Pounds

This is usually due to water retention, which gradually dissipates after the baby is born.

Fat: 7 Pounds

Your bod wants you to gain weight when you're prego, and it stores fat during that time. Why? Just in case you get stranded somewhere without food, this fat store ensures that you and the baby will be okay for a little while.

Amniotic Fluid: 2 Pounds

This is the liquid that nourishes and protects your baby when it's in the uterus. It also comes out with the baby.

Source: Cosmopolitan

Due-Date Countdown: Cute Ways to Chronicle Your Pregnancy

The Best Ways to Track Your Bump!

By Erika Rasmusson Janes, iVillage editor

You're pregnant -- and you and the hubs have already found creative ways to announce it to friends and family. Now it's time to start documenting the evidence by photographing that ever-evolving bump of yours. Trust us, even if (okay, when) you're feeling fat and frumpy, these once-a-week or once-a-month pregnancy pictures are ones you'll want to have. Here, the cutest ways to count down to your due date:

Pretty in Pastel

From the muted colors to the quirky, atypical pregnancy-photo additions -- a Santa hat, the family dog, the hubby -- we love this pretty example of the pregnancy self-portrait from Simply Bloom Photography. We say: Simply gorgeous!

Get Big Brother Involved

Dark jeans and a white tank make for a spare, no-frills way to show off mama's growing belly -- it's the exuberance of the soon-to-be-big brother that takes this weekly bump watch, from Mom*Tog, to the adorable level. If you've already got a tot, get him involved in the process by letting him hold up the sign each week. Older kiddos can even write the numbers and letters!

Stick It

The sticker-on-a-white-onesie concept isn't just for tracking baby's growth -- it's for tracking mom's growth, too! (Well, minus the onesie.) Find a set of pregnancy stickers that you like on Etsy -- like the ones shown here from Little Baby Bumblebee -- and apply to a form-fitting top; then take a photo. For optimum bump charting, we like putting the sticker off to the side and snapping pics in profile.

Make Fun Size Comparisons

From limes to cantaloupes to watermelons, it's easy to track your bump by comparing your babe-to-be's size to a piece of produce, the way Making Me Cranky did. Find week-by-week comparisons online, and track down those fruits and veggies for a fun photo session. But don't just use them as props -- eat them! Baby will thank you for choking down that kale.

Have Some Finger Fun

No time (or energy, thanks to first trimester barfiness) for props? No problem! Just borrow this idea from The McClenahans and use your hands. We love this so-simple way to chronicle your bump's growth each month -- simply hold up the number of fingers that correspond to how many months along you are -- and have someone snap a pic. Easy!

Create a Chalkboard Frame

Another fun idea: Use chalk and a chalkboard to frame yourself -- bump and all -- each week or every few weeks, the way Kelly and Bobby did. Draw the number and a cute squiggly outline, stand inside it, and have your hubs or a friend take the photo. We're swooning over the super-sweet touch of tying a pink or blue ribbon around your belly for the 20-week -- or whenever you find out the gender -- picture. (Not finding out? Cut out a felt question mark and add it to your shirt when you snap the 18- to 20-week photo.)

Count Time with a T-Shirt!

While the darling five-photos-in-one belly tracking displayed in this picture from One Little Minute would be tricky to do without Photoshop, translating the general idea is easy: Take a grow-with-you t-shirt and iron on numbers 1 through 40 (or buy the one shown here!), and take a photo of yourself wearing the shirt each week or two with the appropriate numbers crossed off!

Have a Mini Countdown

We love Ten June's take on using a chalkboard: Make it mini! Simply take a small chalkboard, write down how far along you are, and hold it by your waist (not that you have one anymore). Dressing in all black keeps the look chic and minimalist. And adding a blue or pink balloon when you find out the gender is a sweet touch!

Source: iVillage

Tips for Hosting a Wedding at Home

By John Donegan, Zillow editor

Although at-home weddings are intimate and sentimental, they generally require more money and preparation than people realize. According to Washington DC area wedding planner Katie Martin, at-home weddings cost 10 to 15 percent more than location weddings. That being said, if done correctly, hosting a wedding at home can be an incredible experience.

The first thing you need to do is make room for your guests. By utilizing a self-storage finder, you can locate an affordable storage locker for your excess furniture. At-home weddings require a great deal of room, and temporary self-storage is a great way to free up space. In addition to renting a storage unit, we’ve compiled these tips for hosting an at-home wedding:

Let the setting dictate the wedding aesthetic

If you have an oceanfront property, perhaps you will have barefoot guests, margaritas and tiki torches around the yard. If the wedding is on a large estate, maybe it’s a champagne waterfall, fine china and lavish decorations. A rustic cabin would arguably mandate a more down-to–earth décor.

Hire a wedding planner

Between hiring a catering company, bartenders, musicians and a tent company, an at-home wedding is a great deal of work. Although it is an added cost, a wedding planner can really help alleviate stress. Don’t try to do everything yourself.

Be prepared for inclement weather

If you’re having an outdoor reception, be prepared for Mother Nature. A large tent can provide both shade and protection from rainfall, but depending on the size of the wedding, a tent may not be sufficient. You may need to clear out rooms inside your home as well.

Be courteous to your neighbors

Make sure you let your neighbors know you’re having a wedding. You don’t want them landscaping that day or hosting a party at the same time. Also, if you are friendly with your neighbors, perhaps some of your guests can park in their driveway.

Consider permits

Look into the local noise ordinances, as you may need a permit to host the loud festivities at your home. Some towns require permits to park cars on certain streets as well.

Portable bathrooms

The general rule is to have at least one bathroom for every 35 guests. You don’t want guests waiting in long lines for the restroom, so it may be prudent to rent portable bathrooms. Luckily, these port-a-potties have become very upscale; you can rent ones equipped with air conditioning, heated water, sinks, lighting and mirrors.

Transportation and housing

Perhaps the most important considerations are where the guests will stay and how they get to and from the wedding. It’s important to consider taxis, shuttles and hotels early in the planning stages.

Source: Zillow

Tight Ring? Foods That Slim Swollen Fingers

By Elizabeth Narins, WomensHealthMag editor

If you’ve ever used a tub of butter, a bar of soap, and a tube of lube to pry a ring up over your knuckle and off your hand, know this: Rings don’t shrink. Your fingers swell.

When your digits feel puffy and swollen, it’s fluid retention that is to blame. Medically referred to as edema, fluid retention is excess fluid collected in the body’s tissues. Commonly seen in swollen feet and lower legs, this swelling could also occur in your stomach, face, arms, and–as ring-wearers may painfully notice–in your hands. The good news: “It can be avoided,” says registered dietitian and Women’s Health nutrition expert Keri Glassman, who attests that the right food choices can save you from swelling. Here, she helps us hone in on the puffy-finger problem.

Q: What causes puffy, swollen fingers?

A high-sodium diet is often to blame, says Glassman. High levels of sodium can cause your body to retain excess fluid, making you look and feel puffy all over. Even if you’re eating healthy, you may still be getting added salt from foods you’d never suspect, such as bread, cottage cheese and dressings, she says.

Q: Which foods should be avoided to prevent edema?

Watch out for foods that are loaded with sodium, such as soy sauce, deli meats, pizza, and fries, as well as cottage cheese and olives, says Glassman. (And be sure to steer clear of the 8 Saltiest Foods in America.) Highly-processed foods, like chips, are often very high in sodium, too.

(Side note: Glassman warns that processed foods are commonly low in fiber, which can cause a backup in your intestines and lead to constipation. Although this bloating isn’t the same thing as fluid retention, it could cause an equally uncomfortable stomach bulge. Just imagine a car going 5 miles per hour on the highway as opposed to 65, she says, and then think of the traffic that would result. The more time food spends in your intestines, the more fermented it becomes, and the more gas it creates.)

Q: Are there any foods you can eat to reduce water retention?

Keep fluids flowing through your body by choosing water-rich foods and natural diuretics, such as the smart ingredients that Glassman recommends:

• Dandelion greens: A natural flushing agent, dandelion greens will help relieve your swollen tummy. Try adding them to your salad for a tangy and slightly bitter flavor, or steam them and enjoy as a side dish during dinner.

• Fruits and vegetables: The high water content in most fruits and vegetables can help rid the body of excess fluid: The more water you take in, the less your body tries to hold onto.

• Celery and fennel: These tasty, crunchy veggies act as diuretics, and help your body to let go of excess water it’s retaining.

• Tea (peppermint, ginger, and chamomile): Drinking fluids such as tea can help food pass through the stomach and (bonus) can help relieve gas.

Source: WomensHealthMag

Reducing The Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

By WomensHealthBase editors

SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant less than one year old. Most SIDS occur between the ages of 2 to 4 months, and is the leading cause of death in children from 1 month to the age of one year. Most SIDS occur at less than 6 months old. There are about 2,500 SIDS deaths a year in the United States.

Reducing the Risk of SIDS

There has yet to be a confirmed cause for SIDS. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk:

• Always put your baby on his/her back to sleep. This is the number one risk reducer.

• Always put you baby on his/her back to sleep, during the night and for naps. This warrants repeating. Baby’s who are put on their stomachs to nap on at VERY high risk for SIDS.

• Use only firm surfaces for your baby to sleep on. Do not use a pillow, sheepskin, quilt, or soft surface. Use a safety approved crib mattress and a fitted sheet.

• Keep all items away from your baby’s face. This includes blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, fluffy bumper pads. Dress your baby in clothing to keep him/her comfortable without using a blanket. If you must use a blanket, make sure it is tucked into the bottom of the crib and pulled up no higher than baby’s chest.

• Avoid letting your baby overheat during sleep. Keep the room at a temperature that you, as an adult, are comfortable with. You do not need to overheat a room for a baby.

• NO smoking around your baby. If there is a smoker, have them go outside to smoke.

• If you use a pacifier, make it a clean, dry one and do not force your baby to take it. If you are breast feeding, wait at least 1 month before offering a pacifier.

• Make sure you inform anyone caring for your baby about these precautions.

Babies At Risk for SIDS

• African-American babies are more than 2 times more likely to die of SIDS than white babies.

• American Indian/Alaska Native babies are 3 times more likely to die of SIDS than white babies.

• Babies who are placed on their stomachs or sides are more likely to die of SIDS.

Source: WomensHealthBase

3 Secrets to Buying a New Mattress

By Jamie Ueda, GoodHouseKeeping editor

Finding the right mattress can be exhausting! By the time you find a new one, you'll be more than ready for a good night's sleep. There are so many retailers carrying different brands and models that it's tough to figure out exactly which one is right for you. While your personal comfort and budget should be at the top of your list of things to look for, here are a few other important things to consider.

1. Coil count 

In the past coil count was equated with quality and a big driver of price -- the higher the coil count, the better and more expensive the mattress. These days the number of coils isn't as closely related to quality as it once was. Some manufacturers are now making coils in a way that allows them to use fewer without sacrificing comfort and durability. Look for features that are important to you, maybe you want a hybrid bed made up of coils and memory foam or maybe you prefer a bed made with fabric that wicks away moisture. Most importantly lay on the bed for at least 15 minutes to know whether it's right for you.

2. Buying a mattress without the foundation may void your warranty 

Some manufacturers have a policy that says that if you don't buy a mattress with a coordinating foundation, your warranty won't be valid. If you're thinking about skipping the foundation because you already have a perfectly good one, be sure to check with the sales person or read the policy on mattress foundations.

3. Return or exchanges can cost you 

Many stores now have comfort guarantees that allow you to exchange the bed you purchased for another one within a certain number of days. Just be aware that there may be an extra delivery fee, exchange fee, or re-stocking fee. Check the policy on comfort exchanges so you know exactly what fees you'll have to pay if you find yourself tossing and turning on your new mattress.

Source: GoodHouseKeeping

What Does The Way You Walk Say About Your Sex Life?

By Anna Hodgekiss, DailyMail editor

We’re continually told about the benefits of walking for the body and brain.

But the way you walk can be an indicator of underlying conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and vitamin deficiencies.

Last month, U.S. researchers found that slow walking can indicate cognitive decline, which may be a precursor to Alzheimer’s.

Here, leading experts reveal what the way you walk says about your health:

SWAGGERING OR A WOBBLING BOTTOM

May indicate: Weak bottom muscles, leading to back and leg problems.

If you wiggle like a supermodel, you could be headed for back pain.

When we walk, run or lunge, we use a small muscle in the bottom called the gluteus medius, which keeps the pelvis stable and the leg straight.

A sedentary lifestyle can leave this weak.

‘So when you take a step forward, the bottom wobbles from side to side as the muscles are relaxed,’ says Dr John Outhwaite at the London Orthopaedic Clinic.

‘Swaggering’ creates a twist through the back, which can become stiff and painful.

There are various exercises that can strengthen the gluteus medius and Pilates can help, says Cheyne Voss, head of physio-therapy at TenPhysio, London.

‘Another tip to see how you should be walking is to squeeze together the buttock cheeks as you walk, as if you were trying to hold a £50 note in between them.

‘Obviously don’t do it all the time as you would look a bit daft, but it does stabilise the pelvis.’

SLOW WALKING

May indicate: Shorter life expectancy, diabetes, arthritis, risk of dementia.

Do you zip to the shops faster than Road Runner?

It’s a sign your body is functioning well, says Dr Tony Redmond, academic podiatrist at the University of Leeds and senior research fellow at Arthritis UK.

‘Someone who is young, fit and healthy will, on average, walk between 1.2 and 1.4 metres per second.

‘But even if you have relatively mild arthritis or other aches and pains, walking speed will start to fall off.

'Those with arthritis tend to be below one metre a second, or if very bad, 50cm a second.'

Your walking speed may predict how long you’ll live, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

In a review of 36,000 people over 65, they found those who walked slower than 2ft per second (1.36 miles per hour) had an increased risk of dying, while those who walked faster than 3.3ft per second (2.25 miles per hour) survived longer than would be predicted by age or gender.

Meanwhile, researchers from Boston Medical Centre who studied people in their early 60s for a decade found those with a slower walking pace were 1½ times more likely to develop dementia.

Slower walking speed was associated with fewer grey cells (neurons that carry out most of the brain’s processing) and poorer performance on memory, language and decision-making tests.

SHORT STRIDES

May indicate: Limited ability to orgasm, osteoarthritis, muscle damage from high heels.

A short stride can indicate osteoarthritis in the hip, as one or both hips cannot swing as far as it once could.

If you’re a woman, it could also be a hang-up from your high heel habit, says Cheyne Voss.

‘If you have tight hamstrings or calves — a common cause is wearing high heels too often — the leg won’t be able to stretch out so far.

Also certain knee problems will prevent a person from straightening fully, meaning it will be harder for the person to strike the ground heel first, causing a limp and shortened stride length.’

Meanwhile, a study in the Journal Of Sexual Medicine found that women who had orgasms from sexual intercourse had a longer stride.

The Belgian and Scottish researchers suggest so-called ‘blocked’ pelvic muscles, which might be associated with psychosexual impairments, could impair the ability to have a vaginal orgasm.

LACK OF ARM SWING

May indicate: Back, neck and shoulder problems.

When we walk, we swing the arm on the opposite side to the leg that is striding to support the lower back — the arm attaches to the lower back by a muscle called the latissimus dorsi.

But a limited range of movement in the shoulders or back can impair this process.

If one shoulder rolls freely and the other is more awkward or stuck, that can indicate a back or neck problem, which tends to occur after years of a sedentary lifestyle.

LIMPING

May indicate: Osteoarthritis, heavy handbag, plantar fasciitis.

Limping with the pelvis dropped on one side can be a classic sign of an osteoarthritic hip. (Many people with this condition also have a slightly bowlegged walk because the hips can’t comfortably take the body’s weight).

However, it can also be a sign you’re overloading your handbag, says Dr Richard Jones, senior lecturer in clinical biomechanics at the University of Salford.

‘A heavy bag on the right shoulder will compress that side of the body and over time cause the left leg to be longer (as the other leg is compressed).’

This, plus the spine being curved, is likely to put increased stress on the lower back, leading to pain.

Limping or not wanting to put weight on the heel is a classic sign of plantar fasciitis — where the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed.

PROBLEMS WITH STAIRS

May indicate: Bunions, osteoarthritis of the knee.

A classic early warning sign of bunions — sore bumps on the side of the big toe — is pain while walking up and down stairs barefoot, even if there is no sign of a bunion forming, says consultant podiatrist Mike O’Neill, of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.

‘The pain signals indicate there are already erosive changes developing in the joint.

'As the big toe bends going up and down stairs, the surfaces of the joints are grinding together, causing pain.’

STOMPING

May indicate: Vitamin B12 deficiency, uncontrolled diabetes.

When our feet touch the ground, they send the brain signals about the position of the limb in a phenomenon called proprioception.

‘Impaired proprioception can occur due to loss of sensation and it can cause an unco-ordinated gait as the person will be unaware of the position of their lower limbs,’ says consultant podiatrist Haydn Kelly of the London Medical Centre in Harley Street.

Sufferers lift the foot and leg very high and then slam it to the ground in order to know where the feet have landed.

Conditions that cause a loss of sensation in the feet include diabetes and vitamin B12 deficiency as they damage the nerves that control movement.

Symptoms include numbness and/or tingling of the extremities, muscle weakness and disturbed co-ordination.

FOOT SLAPPING ON THE GROUND

May indicate: Uncontrolled diabetes, sciatica, motor neurone disease, stroke.

In drop foot, a person loses control of the muscles in their leg, and when walking they have to lift their knee higher than normal to prevent the foot dragging along the ground.

It may be seen in people with uncontrolled diabetes, as this can cause a type of nerve damage called motor neuropathy, affecting the nerves that send signals to the muscles in the legs to carry out movements.

Stroke and motor neurone disease can also damage or weaken these muscles, as can sciatica — irritation/compression of the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lower back down the leg).

SHUFFLING

May indicate: Parkinson’s.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurologic disorder, in which a deficiency of a brain chemical called dopamine leads to loss of the ability to control your muscles and movement.

The disease has a classic shuffling gait, says Haydn Kelly.

Patients may also develop a forward or backward lean and may have falls that cause injuries.

Source: DailyMail

Pregnancy Myths Exposed

By WomenFitness editors

Pregnancy is a time when one gets to hear a number of myths; you must heard them all. Relax. A lot of the things you hear might not have a scientific basis. Here we deal with some of your worst pregnancy concerns, which could prove to be mere myths.

Learn what's true and what's not as we expose 20 common myths.

1. KEEP YOUR PREGNANCY A SECRET TILL YOU CROSS YOUR THIRD MONTH

The day a woman discovers she’s pregnant, she is advised by close family members—usually female and elderly, to keep it a closely guarded secret. Reason—revealing the happy news before completing the first trimester can invite the ‘evil eye’ and result in a miscarriage. Here the poor new to-be mother is bursting to announce the good news to all and sundry, but instead she has to wait a full three months before her world knows.

There is rationale behind this—the first trimester is considered a ‘risky’ period, as there are more chances of miscarriage. But the evil eye et al is to be ignored completely. The first trimester is usually the time when most women experience nausea and other unpleasant factors of pregnancy, so imagined being in office and running to the rest room every five minutes! You will either be ticked off for goofing or the women in the office will definitely catch on. Better you tell them and revel in the pampering from your colleagues as well! And remember, well wishers will only be happy for you.

2. THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF YOUR BELL CAN DETERMINE YOUR BABY’S SEX

This is something no pregnant woman will have missed. It goes like this: ‘If your tummy is sticking out and not one seeing you from behind would guess you’re pregnant, it’s a girl!’ Listening to the finality of that verdict, one would feel like telling the ultrasonologists of the world to look for another profession!

The final word however, is that the shape and size of the belly depend on many factors like the build of the mother, the size and position of the baby, and the amount of fluid around the baby. There is no correlation whatsoever with the sex of the baby.

3. GLOW FOR A GIRL. NO GLOW FOR A BOY

This is another gem! If you start glowing and look more beautiful during your pregnancy you’re sure to have a girl; if you don’t, it’s a boy. All pregnant women glow in the second trimester of pregnancy due to better circulation and a sense of well-being. It bears no relationship to the sex of the baby.

4. IF YOU DENY YOURSELF A FOOD ITEM THAT YOU CRAVE DURING PREGNANCY, THE BABY WILL HAVE SOME FLUID OOZING OUT OF HIS EARS!

Sounds disgusting! But it’s a very common myth. All pregnant women have food cravings; this is called ‘Pica’. The cravings should be indulged, within reason. For example, too many sweets and fried foods are bad for pregnant mothers and will cause undesired weight gain.

5. YOU HAVE TO EAT FOR TWO

Yeah sure! Take this seriously and get ready to continue to look nine months pregnant even after delivery.

What one has to remember is that the second person for whom you are supposed to be eating is about the size of a seed at first. Ensure that you take in a healthy 300 extra calories a day, that’s all. And once the baby is born, she will start eating for herself, you don’t do it for her!

6. EATING GHEE AND BUTTER WILL ENSURE A SMOOTH DELIVERY

Most first-time mothers are already dreading the horrors of labor and in that vulnerable state; they are ready to do anything that will ensure a smooth delivery. So they start having dollops of ghee and butter. Towards the ninth month of pregnancy, mothers are fed ghee and butter to ostensibly lubricate the passage for a smooth delivery. There is small element of scientific fact in this. Ghee and butter irritate the intestine and cause loose motions. The same nerve supply to the intestines also supply to the intestines also supplies the uterus which then starts contracting and these pre-labor contractions soften the cervix or mouth of the womb, which makes for an easier delivery. By the same rationale, obstetricians give their patients castor oil around the due date so as to encourage uterine contractions and induce labor. If your weight comes under a reasonable limit, you can have ghee, if not, stay away. Bottom-line: Check with your doctor and practice moderation.

7. SLEEP POSITIONS AFFECT DELIVERY

Pregnant women are often told to sleep in a particular position, facing the altar, facing the sun or facing any particular direction to have a child of the desired sex. No truth here! Any sleeping position which is comfortable is fine. Sleeping on the tummy is also acceptable in the first trimester. However, from the eighth month onwards, a pregnant woman should not sleep on her back, as the uterus is always rotated to the right and the heavy baby then causes pressure on the Inferior Vena Cava, the large vein which carries impure blood to the heart for oxygenation. This causes discomfort to the mother and reduced blood supply to the baby. Hence, either a left lateral position or a right lateral position is preferred. If you have a high blood pressure, doctors recommend that you lie on your left side for about 10 minutes twice a day.

8. CERTAIN FOODS WILL GIVE YOU A FAIR OR DARK BABY

Taking iron supplements will make the baby dark! Sadly, many mothers are discouraged from taking iron supplements because of this. Not taking iron supplements makes the pregnant woman anemic, leading to a host of complications during pregnancy and labor. Some women are told to stay away from urinals…. Aubergine colored baby... no thank you! Here’s another one about having saffron in milk to make the baby fairer. Skin color depends on genes handed down by the parents; saffron or anything will not change anything. One mother I know used to down orange juice by the gallon in the hope of having a fair baby – all she got was acidity!

9. SEX WILL INDUCE LABOR

It will not. There are also other myths about sex stating that intercourse during pregnancy can result in deformity. No truth about either. Whether or not to indulge in sex is determined by an individual’s health, preference, comfort level and the doctor’s advice. There is nothing to stop a woman from enjoying sex till the day she delivers, provided the above factors are taken into account.

10. A HEADSTAND AFTER SEX WILL HELP A WOMAN IN GETTING PREGNANT

Okay! This might only help in giving a woman a broken neck! The journey of the sperm through the fallopian tubes is not affected by gravity in any way. These tubes are actually quite curvy; therefore, a headstand is not going to improve your chances of an egg being fertilized. However, some experts believe that lying down for 20 to 30 minutes after sex can improve the chances of conception.

11. YOU CAN’T GET PREGNANT IF YOU’RE BREASTFEEDING

This one of the myths the many women wish were true. It is said that breastfeeding works as birth control only during the first six moths, after which you are on your own! Chances of pregnancy increase after the mother resumes her menstrual cycle also. So don’t take it too easy on this front, or you will face another pregnancy before you’ve recovered from one!

12. SMALL BREASTED WOMEN WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH MILK

As absurd as it sounds, this myth is extremely common. Size, as in many cases, doesn’t matter here either! If you are having plenty of liquids, a fair amount of rest and relaxation and adequate nutrition, there’s no reason why you won’t produce enough milk, small breasts or big!

13. ECLIPSE EVASIONS

Eclipses are a particularly fecund source of myths related to pregnancy. Some of them—if a pregnant woman steps out of her house during an eclipse, her baby will be born with some deformity. Another one, if a pregnant woman touches her belly during an eclipse the by will have a birthmark. Anyone who believes these needs to look up the section on eclipses in an encyclopedia!

14. DELIVERY WAYS ARE HEREDITARY

If your mom’s had a Caesarean, you will surely have one! The kind of delivery you will have depends entirely on your body type, the baby’s position and your state of body and mind throughout your term. Hereditary has no place here. If this were the case, all a gynecologist would need to do would be read up the pregnant woman’s mother’s reports!

15. AVOID THE COMPUTER!

Don’t log off yet, there is no evidence to prove that exposure to the computer is harmful for pregnant women. Yes, sitting for long hours in front of the computer can cause other complications, but the computer is not to be blamed for those! Once again, practice moderation and there is no need to disconnect.

16. KEEP AWAY FROM METAL DETECTORS

Many women fear that metal detectors will cause their unborn foetus harm. Well, metal detectors are nothing but magnetic field rays, they cannot cause you any harm….. How can they then cause someone she’s living inside the safe confines of your body any harm? Worry not and breeze your way through them without a fear!

17. SAY NO TO COFFEE

Don’t ban it off your list, unless you down a cup every 10 minutes. If you do, it‘s a cause for worry whether you are pregnant or not. Most experts believe that a small amount of caffeine doesn’t make the slightest difference. Stick to one cup a day. But, be sure to drink a lot of water as well.

18. YOU CAN'T TAKE ANY MEDICATIONS AT ALL.

It seems that some women don’t heed advice about stopping harmful substances in pregnancy at all (can you believe that nearly 15% of pregnant women continue to drink alcohol?), whereas other women will suffer great discomfort from conditions as diverse as pain, allergies, yeast infections, etc. to avoid taking any medications at all. There are many medications—over-the-counter and prescriptions—known to be safe in pregnancy; as with any medication issues, when in doubt, ask your clinician or pharmacist.

19. THE SPICY FOOD FRAUD

Spicy food will bring on labor. For the most part, pregnant women can eat just about anything, but there are certain foods that we tell them to look out for, or to try and avoid. Those include very soft cheeses, unpasteurized cheeses and raw-milk cheese. Though rare, they may contain a bacteria called lysteria that has been associated with miscarriage or pre-term labor.

20. UMBILICAL CORD MYTH.

There are several such myths, the most common being that a pregnant woman shouldn't put her arms over her head because the cord will wrap around the baby's neck. Actually, the movement of the mother doesn't really affect the umbilical cord – unless she stands on her head! These ancient myths probably stem from a primal fear that a baby will be strangled in utero by the cord, or the cord will kink and cut off the baby's lifeline. The fact, is that the cord is often around the baby's neck because when a baby is in the proper head down position, that's the most natural place for the cord to settle. As for kinking, if it's a healthy pregnancy, the cord is coated with plenty of Wharton's jelly.

This jelly provides so much protection around the vessels, it's virtually impossible to kink.

Source: WomenFitness

Do You Think You Have A Sleep Disorder?

By WomensHealthBase editors

At various points in our lives, all of us suffer from a lack of sleep that can be remedied by making sure we have the opportunity to get enough sleep. But, if you are spending enough time in bed and still wake up tired or feel very sleepy during the day, you may have a sleep disorder.

One of the best ways you can tell if you are getting enough good quality sleep, and whether you have signs of a sleep disorder, is by keeping a sleep diary to record the quality and quantity of your sleep; your use of medications, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages; your exercise patterns; and how sleepy you feel during the day. After a week or so, look over this information to see how many hours of sleep or nighttime awakenings the night before are linked to your being tired the next day.

This information will give you a sense of how much uninterrupted sleep you need to avoid daytime sleepiness. You can also use the diary to see some of the patterns or practices that may keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.

You may have a sleep disorder and should see your doctor if your sleep diary reveals any of the following:

• You consistently take more than 30 minutes each night to fall asleep.
• You consistently awaken more than a few times or for long periods of time each night.
• You take frequent naps.
• You often feel sleepy during the day – especially if you fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day.

Common Signs of a Sleep Disorder

• Look over this list of common signs of a sleep disorders, and talk to your doctor if you have any of them:
• It takes you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night.
• You awaken frequently in the night and then have trouble falling back to sleep again.
• You awaken too early in the morning.
• You frequently don’t feel well rested despite spending 7-8 hours or more asleep at night.
• You feel sleepy during the day and fall asleep within 5 minutes if you have an opportunity to nap, or you fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day.
• Your bed partner claims you snore loudly, snort, gasp, or make choking sounds while you sleep, or your partner notices your breathing stops for short periods.
• You have creeping, tingling, or crawling feelings in your legs that are relieved by moving or massaging them, especially in the evening and when you try to fall asleep.
• You have vivid, dreamlike experiences while falling asleep or dozing.
• You have episodes of sudden muscle weakness when you are angry, fearful, or when you laugh.
• You feel as though you cannot move when you first wake up.
• Your bed partner notes that your legs or arms jerk often during sleep.
• You regularly need to use stimulants to stay awake during the day.

Also keep in mind that, although children can show some of these same signs of a sleep disorder, they often do not show signs of excessive daytime sleepiness. Instead, they may seem overactive and have difficulty focusing and concentrating. They also may not do their best in school.

Source: WomensHealthBase

Guidelines to Manage Thyroid During Pregnancy

By Namita Nayyar, WomenFitness editor

The guidelines for the management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and after birth has been recently updated from its 2007 version. The clinical practice guideline, published in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, recommend approaches to diagnosing and treating patients with thyroid-related medical issues before, during, and immediately after pregnancy.

Thyroid function tests change during pregnancy due to the influence of two main hormones: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone that is measured in the pregnancy test and estrogen, the main female hormone. For the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is completely dependent on the mother for the production of thyroid hormone. By the end of the first trimester, the baby’s thyroid begins to produce thyroid hormone on its own. The baby, however, remains dependent on the mother for ingestion of adequate amounts of iodine, which is essential to make the thyroid hormones.

The new clinical guideline include:

• Trimester-specific reference ranges for pregnant women, using a free T4 assay. "The non-pregnant total T4 range (5–12 μg/dL or 50–150 nmol/liter) are to be adapted in the second and third trimesters by multiplying this range by one and a half-fold.

• Propylthiouracil (PTU) should be the first-line drug for treatment of hyperthyroidism during the first trimester of pregnancy. Methimazole (MMI) may also be prescribed if PTU is not available or not tolerated. Clinicians should change treatment of patients from PTU to MMI after completion of the first trimester because of the potential for liver toxicity.

• Breast-feeding mothers should maintain a daily intake of 250 μg iodine to ensure breast-milk provides 100 mg iodine per day to the infant.

• One-daily prenatal vitamin containing 150 to 200 μg iodine needs to be consumed in the form of potassium iodide or iodate, to protect from iodine deficiency.

• Thyroid receptor antibodies need to be measured before 22 weeks' gestational age in mothers with "1) current Graves' disease; or 2) a history of Graves' disease and treatment with or thyroid-ectomy before pregnancy; or 3) a previous neonate with Graves' disease; or 4) previously elevated [thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAb)]," according to authors of the study.

• Regular Fetal Screening: In women with TRAb at least 2- to 3-fold the normal level, and women treated with anti-thyroid drugs, fetal thyroid dysfunction should be screened for during the fetal anatomy ultrasound done in the 18th–22nd week and repeated every four to six weeks or as clinically indicated. Evidence of fetal thyroid dysfunction could include thyroid enlargement, growth restriction, hydrops, presence of goiter, advanced bone age, tachycardia, or cardiac failure.

• Women with nodules from 5 mm to 1 cm in size should be considered for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) if they have a high risk history or suspicious findings on ultrasound, and women with complex nodules from 1.5 to 2 cm in size should also receive an FNA. "During the last weeks of pregnancy, FNA can reasonably be delayed until after delivery. Ultrasound-guided FNA is likely to have an advantage for maximizing adequate sampling," according to the study. In an FNA, a very fine, thin needle is inserted into the thyroid, and aspirates (or "suctions") cells and/or fluid from a thyroid nodule or mass into the needle. The sample obtained can then be evaluated for the presence of cancerous cells.

The committee could not reach a consensus on screening recommendations for all newly pregnant women. Some members recommended screening of all pregnant women for serum TSH abnormalities by the ninth week or at the time of their first visit.

Source: WomenFitness

‘Call Me Maybe’ vs. ‘Hot in Herre’: Song of Summer Face-Off

How does Carly Rae Jepsen’s ubiquitous ‘Call Me Maybe’ stack up against the biggest hit of summer 2002, Nelly’s ‘Hot in Herre’?

By Chris Lee, TheDailyBeast editor

A decade ago, rapper Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” enjoyed its run as America’s unofficial song of summer. And while that anthemic party banger and this year’s inescapable song of the season, Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” both benefited from blanket radio play, their respective paths to the forefront of pop consciousness could not have been more different.

“Hot in Herre,” though it would eventually become the song of summer 2002, was released in April, as the lead single off Nellyville, the Texan rapper’s second album. Jepsen, meanwhile, began her song of summer 2012 bid as a newcomer in the United States, despite having placed third across the border on Canadian Idol in 2007. A look at how the two songs became smashes provides a handy primer on almost all the ways the music industry has seismically shape-shifted over the past 10 years.

Jepsen’s effervescent megahit has been driven almost entirely by its Internet sales, hitting No. 1 on the iTunes charts in 37 countries on its way to racking up more than 7.3 million downloads and claiming the most consecutive weeks atop Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart of any single released this year. Nelly, of course, did not sell a single download of “Hot in Herre”—iTunes would not be launched until 2003. The song hit No. 1 on the Hot 100, the rapper’s fourth single to do so, and stayed on the chart a staggering 26 weeks, also topping three other Billboard charts.

The triumph of “Call Me Maybe” was hardly old-fashioned, coming courtesy of its viral spread through social media online.

Justin Bieber signed the 26-year-old Jepsen to his Schoolboy Records imprint in early 2012 and hipped his Beliebers to the singer with some well-placed tweets about how much he enjoyed “Call Me Maybe.” In February the teenage heartthrob shot a seemingly homemade clip of himself, girlfriend Selena Gomez, singer Ashley Tisdale, and members of tween pop sensation Big Time Rush goofing around and lip-syncing to the song.

In turn, that clip, which has since been viewed more than 10 million times, inspired legions of copycat videos from across the cultural spectrum, with contributions from the U.S. Olympic swim team, Cookie Monster, Joan Rivers, and James Franco, among others, helping “Call Me Maybe” create a shadow economy unto itself.

At last unofficial count, there were more than 800 parodies of the inescapable ditty, which have certainly, albeit unquantifiably, supplemented Jepsen’s bottom line and helped the song achieve a kind of critical mass in popular culture.

In all the ways that really make an artist count in today’s highly fragmented, weirdly monetized music world, “Call Me Maybe” counts as 2012’s towering pop achievement.

Even President Obama took notice of a parody created using news footage to make it appear that he was singing “Call Me Maybe.” “I have to admit, I’ve never actually heard the original version of the song,” the president said earlier this month in an interview with New Mexico’s KOB-FM. “I saw this version where they spliced up me from a whole bunch of speeches that I made. They kind of mashed together an Obama version of it.”

He added: “It looks like a cute pop song.”

Today, with more than 221 million YouTube views and counting, Jepsen’s official “Call Me Maybe” video ranks as one of the most seen clips in Web history, not to mention a nice ancillary stream of income for the singer. At YouTube’s pay rate of $0.0033 per view, that’s $729,300 in bubblegum money. Nelly, meanwhile, did not get a single YouTube view for “Hot in Herre” in 2002—the website would not be created until 2005.

The rapper promoted “Hot in Herre” the old-fashioned way: by playing it live for fans. His 2002 Nellyville North American tour was that year’s seventh most lucrative touring event by any pop artist. And his 46 live engagements netted the rapper $11 million. (Jepsen will not tour until the fall, opening up for Bieber’s 45 North American arena dates and performing for about 675,000 fans.)

But the most shocking metric in this tale of the tape has to be the number of copies of “Hot in Herre” Nelly sold in 2002—a figure almost impossible to reconcile with a song that has become a touchstone of its time and can still trigger dance-floor stampedes at weddings.

The rapper moved a mere 52,000 physical copies of the song, according to Nielsen SoundScan, a result of the state of the music industry at the time of its release. Back then, CD singles were an afterthought; music fans bought albums. And Nellyville, the album on which “Hot in Herre” appears, functions as the real barometer of the song’s popularity, having sold 6.5 million copies.

Earlier this month, rapper Flo Rida’s “Whistle” finally ended Jepsen’s nine-week reign atop the Hot 100, bumping her to No. 3. But in all the ways that really make an artist count in today’s highly fragmented, weirdly monetized music world—Twitter chatter and the cosign of a megastar as well as pop culture’s “stickiest” offering: the parody video—“Call Me Maybe” counts as 2012’s towering pop achievement.

The question is, will it still be triggering dance-floor stampedes in a decade?

Source: TheDailyBeast

Nelly’s “Hot in Herre”



Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’ 

6 Simple Ingredients That Take Food to the Next Level

These instant flavor-boosters make simple dishes taste amazing.

By RedBookMag editors

Amp up a boring chicken dish with any of these bold, colorful flavors.

1. Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

Stir some into mayo and give any sandwich a Tex-Mex twist. Rub onto chicken and grill for a smoky, spicy finish.

2. Balsamic glaze

Drizzle this thick, syrupy glaze on everything: steaks or pork chops, roasted root vegetables, even fresh strawberries and ice cream.

3. Chili garlic sauce

Add it to stir-fries to ramp up the heat, or go multi-culti and put it in a meatloaf topping or barbecue sauce.

4. Wasabi

Mix a teaspoon into ¼ stick of softened butter and dollop on any cooked fish as a final accent. Add a bit to mayo and spread on roast beef sandwiches.

5. Curry paste

Mix it with coconut milk for a quick shrimp or chicken curry, or add to a peanut dipping sauce for chicken, beef, and pork satés.

6. Miso paste

For a salty-sweet fix, combine it with a little sugar and rice vinegar to marinate cod, sea bass, or salmon, or mash with equal parts butter to toss with veggies.

Source: RedBookMag

Women And Stress: 6 Foods That Calm Panic

Eat right to restore your sanity, reduce your panic and quell your stress -- you'll look better as a result.

By TotalBeauty editors

Lara Field, MS, RD, CPS, LSN, recommends following a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables that are filled with vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals (naturally occurring compounds that are found in plants which may affect health) 24 hours a day, seven days a week and even, gasp, 365 days a year.

She also suggests that we, as women, load up on flavonoids, like quercetin -- found in apples -- to reduce hay fever, asthma and even eczema; isoflavones, which are found in soy and can reduce cholesterol; and the antioxidant, rutin, which is found in red wine. "It's all about balance and moderation, which will always keep you on your toes, and putting your best face forward."

1. GO GREEK

Greek yogurt is all the rage right now for good reason: It's a great source of probiotics (live and active cultures have been shown to assist in boosting immune system and preventing the growth of bad bacteria that can lead to infection), is rich in calcium -- important for strong teeth and bones -- and is high in potassium, which is directly linked to elevating your mood. Meaning, if you snag a serving of Greek yogurt each day, chances are you'll be happier. We'll eat to that! Add berries atop for a bonus antioxidant boost, too.

2. EMBRACE WHOLE-GRAIN CARBS

Gone are the days when carbohydrates were poo-pooed. Today, we applaud the variety that is whole grain, like brown rice or whole wheat pasta. Unlike the white types out there (bread, sugar, potatoes, pasta), whole grain carbs can actually raise serotonin -- which you need to help avoid panic, anxiety and depression. These foods also boast folate, which is linked to an increase in happiness and joy. Field's tip: Make yourself an open-faced sandwich with vitamin-rich veggies and cheese (to add protein and calcium) as an afternoon snack.

3. GRAB A DOZEN

OK, 12 a day may be overkill, but eggs can help to reduce stress and prevent panic. This sky's-the-limit-with-what-you-can-do-with-it food is rich in vitamins D and B-12, both of which work to help elevate your mood. Eggs are, additionally, a great source of protein. Field suggests poached eggs on whole grain toast as a great, go-to breakfast before a busy, long day; on weekends, try adding salmon for a special, indulgent yet beneficial-to-your-health touch.

4. SIP GREEN TEA

Swap your standard cup of Joe for green tea, which offers a much-needed caffeine boost (phew), but won't give you the jitters, while also working as an anti-inflammatory to reduce any tension or anxiety. Studies show that two cups a day may reduce your risk of certain cancers, too. Iced or hot, this tea is super-soothing and, potentially, slimming as well.

5. OBSESS OVER OMEGAS

Salmon. Walnuts. Flax seeds. These three grocery store staples share a common bond, which makes them superfoods, according to Field. Omegas, also called fatty acids, help skin to look plumper, smoother and more hydrated, and help your body, in general, function better. These foods are hydrators from within (so your complexion glows greater, chaps less easily and is less prone to fine lines and wrinkles). Salmon is also high in vitamin B12, which can boost your mood and spirit.

6. LOAD UP ON "E"

If you've ever had a cut or wound, you know all about vitamin E, which is known to heal and soothe when applied topically. But it also works, when ingested, to protect skin cells from free radical damage and UV light. Thus, eating vitamin E-enriched foods is one great way to keep cancer, infection and illness at bay -- keeping you healthy, and as a result, calmer, less worried and/or stressed. Find large amounts of E in almond, avocado and spinach. Field's favorite combo: Brown rice sushi that contains avocado, spinach and salmon.

Source: TotalBeauty

7 Habits of Highly Effective Shoppers

Without a thoroughly planned attack, an innocent weekly grocery run can turn into an all-out assault on your health and your finances.

Survival Guide

Supermarkets are designed to make you spend as much money as possible, often on high-margin products loaded with cheap ingredients and empty calories. Adopt these 7 Habits of Highly Effective Shoppers and you'll be well on your way to being a master of the modern-day market. 

1. Make Cash King

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research tracked the grocery-shopping habits of 1,000 households over 6 months and found that shoppers who paid with cash bought fewer processed foods and more nutritious items than those who opted to use credit. The credit users not only bought more junk, they also spent an average of 59 to 78 percent more on their grocery bills. The explanation: Credit and debit cards are more abstract forms of payment, so you don't use them as carefully as you do cash. Plan to drop by the ATM before your next supermarket trip.

2. Snack Before Spending

It's a no-brainer that an empty belly leads to increased food cravings, but hunger may also affect your decision-making skills more generally. In a 2010 study, researchers at University College London discovered that hungry participants made riskier gambling decisions than those who were satiated, leading the investigators to argue that the hormones your body releases when you're hungry influence your ability to think rationally. The bottom line: An empty stomach is the enemy of rational shopping. Plan your market trips to fall right after meals, or fortify yourself by eating a handful of fiber-rich nuts just before shopping.

3. Enable your grocery GPS

If your destination is a healthy body and an affordable grocery tab, you need directions. The supermarket is a highly complex thoroughfare, and every turn brings you closer to or further from the body you want. Creating a grocery list helps you stay focused on what you want to buy, leaving you less susceptible to marketing tactics and impulse purchases.

4. Shop on Wednesdays

Most people leave their grocery shopping for Saturday or Sunday mornings, when the supermarket looks more like a ravaged battlefield than a center of commerce. Consider making midweek evening runs, instead. According to Progressive Grocer, only 11 percent of Americans shop on Wednesdays, and on any given day, only 4 percent shop after 9:00 p.m. So if you're shopping at, say, 9:00 p.m. on a Wednesday, you're able to get in and out quickly, which means you'll spend less time fighting impulse items in both the aisles and at the checkout line.

5. Take your cart for a stroll

Pushing a shopping cart instead of carrying a basket may help you make smarter supermarket choices. A study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that, all other things being equal, the strain of carrying a basket made shoppers more likely to reach for quick-grab impulse items—like the crackers and chips concentrated at eye level in the aisle. If you're lugging around a heavy basket, you're not taking the time to read labels and reach for more nutritious foods.

6. Bring your reading glasses

With the exception of alcohol, every packaged food and beverage in the supermarket has an ingredients statement. By law, the more of an ingredient a product contains according to weight, the higher it appears on that list, so effective shoppers learn to ignore front-of-label claims and read ingredients statements instead. Claims like "made with whole grain" and "reduced fat" can fool you into thinking you're making healthy choices, but if your "reduced fat" food lists sugar as the first—or second or third—ingredient, then it's not doing you any favors. A good general rule for label scanning: The fewer the ingredients, and the easier those ingredients are to pronounce, the better.

6. Bring your reading glasses

With the exception of alcohol, every packaged food and beverage in the supermarket has an ingredients statement. By law, the more of an ingredient a product contains according to weight, the higher it appears on that list, so effective shoppers learn to ignore front-of-label claims and read ingredients statements instead. Claims like "made with whole grain" and "reduced fat" can fool you into thinking you're making healthy choices, but if your "reduced fat" food lists sugar as the first—or second or third—ingredient, then it's not doing you any favors. A good general rule for label scanning: The fewer the ingredients, and the easier those ingredients are to pronounce, the better.

Source: WomensHealthBase

4 Steamy Reads

Sexy romance is hot — and it has been for more than two centuries. Here, four books to enjoy, from the first English-language erotic novel to this season's toe-curlers.

For a Romantic Historical Yarn

A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James

An academic by day and a romance writer by night, James is expert at weaving historical fiction with delicious bedroom tales. Pick this if you enjoy more plot, less porn-worthy scenes.

For a Carnal Classic 

Fanny Hill by John Cleland

First published in 1748, but banned in the U.S. and England until the 1960s, this sexually explicit tale about a prostitute's rise through society is considered the novel that started the genre in English.

For Fans of Fifty Shades of Gray

Bared to You by Sylvia Day

Like Shades, Day's novel was self-published. A few weeks later, word of mouth catapulted the tale of two troubled souls in glitzy New York City to a publisher and best seller-dom.

For Those Who Missed It In College

Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence

This exploration of the passionate relationship between an upper-class woman and a gamekeeper has kept many coeds — and older readers — turning pages through the night.

Source: GoodHouseKeeping