Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2013 i Good Housekeeping

We get it. February 14 has gotten sappy, a little commercial. Red roses. Boxes of chocolate. Restaurant dinners. Yawn…. But love, we'd like to argue, is always worth revisiting. Take our cover girl, Drew Barrymore (page 34). She's betting on marriage again—and all its promise. Find sweet inspiration in our romantic recipes (page 148), lasting-love secrets, and heart-healthy advice (page 81). It's a short month, but you can pack a lot of joy into 28 days.…

Here's a Quiz: Can You Guess Who… 1 Fixes my breakfast every morning? 2 Restores my computer when it goes haywire? 3 Books the babysitters? 4 Feeds the cat? This is not rocket science. It's my husband, Jim—the guy I have known since college, dated in my career-girl days, and have been married to for (I can't believe this) more than 20 years. Every marriage is a work in progress, and we've had inevitable bumps, like everyone else. But there's no question that my life is happier, fuller, funnier, and filled with more generosity and love because I'm married to Jim. I'm thankful for him on a daily basis, and I try to tell him so as often as I can manage (frequently while also asking his forgiveness for being…

The stars, the clothes, the jewels, the glamour—it's all more exciting when you watch the Academy Awards with your pals. Make the night even more fun by adding a few touches of Tinseltown elegance to your hostess repertoire: sparkling Oscar-statuette cookies, tuxedo-clad wieners, silver-framed portraits of the stars, and of course plenty of Champagne. Be sure to include some vintage elements, like a director's clapper to set the scene—or to shush your guests with a Scorsese-worthy snap when they start gabbing over the acceptance speeches! Judge the gowns, covet the bling, analyze the race, rate the host (Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane is doing the honors on ABC this year), and make February 24 a night to remember. SWEET VICTORY Statuette cookies have star quality. For the how-tos, search for…

…my friends and family came over to my newly decorated house and said that it felt totally 'me'—from my purple upholstered ottoman coffee table (appropriate for both teacups and propped feet) to my owl knickknack collection, inspired by a similar collection of my grandmother's." No Seal for you! Death-Defying Grooms TIL DEATH DO US PART: Some men are testing the vow before they reach the altar. Ryan Thompson faked an emergency in the small plane he was flying over Chicago with his girlfriend, Carlie—directing her to read the manual, which actually contained his proposal. And Russian Alexey Bykov staged a "fatal" car crash to show his girlfriend how much she needed him, popping the question while dripping with fake blood. Both women said yes. We say no.…

Beauty and fashion tips, trends & deals 20s SCARLETT JOHANSSONTendrils are twisted and loosely pinned for a sweet yet sophisticated style. 30s ROSE BYRNEWispy fringe and volume at the crown make this bun the opposite of plain Jane. 40s NICOLE KIDMANFor a knot that's modern, not matronly, position it low and off to one side. 60s MERYL STREEPA chic chignon is youthful and flattering when paired with a side-swept wavy bang.…

Winner! 1 Best Overall LUMENE ILLUMINATING ANTI-AGE BB CREAM SPF 20 ($15, two shades; drugstores) Trifecta! This BB aced our lab moisturization tests, provided good makeup coverage, and blended with a range of skin tones. 2 Bargain Buy MAYBELLINE NEW YORK DREAM FRESH BB CREAM SPF 30 ($9, five shades; drugstores) Nicely hydrating, with a sheer finish, plus the level of SPF derms recommend for daily wear. "I liked the light tint," one tester said. 3 Worth a Splurge ESTÉE LAUDER DAYWEAR ANTI-OXIDANT BB CREME SPF 35 ($38, two shades; department stores) For those looking for heavier coverage, this fills the bill. Its SPF tied for highest among the BBs we tested. "I love the scent and silky feel on my face after applying," raved one volunteer. How We Tested…

busty Slim pants + a black turtleneck + cobalt skimmers = a lean, clean line wide hips So fresh: Pair with a curve-grazing Chinese-red skirt and ferocious cat flats short legs A slim pencil skirt and heeled boots visually stretch your gams petite Tailored classics won't overwhelm your frame. Deck shoes wow with a pop of red Cardigan: $70, Tommy Hilfiger; macys.com GET THE LOOK Busty: Turtleneck, $20, L.L.Bean. Pants, $118, J. Crew. Scarf, $10, Forever 21. Tote, $89, Tyler Rodan. Flats, $60, Rock & Republic. Wide Hips: Blouse, $80, Nautica. Skirt, $90, BB Dakota. Scarf, $40, L.L.Bean. Tote, $98, Olivia + Joy. Flats, $79, Marc Fisher. Petite: Shirt, $60, Chaps. Pants, $98, Boden. Tote, $128, Michael Michael Kors. Shoes, $40, Keds. Short Legs: Top, $69, Nautica.…

Move Now, Dance Later BOOSTING YOUR fitness level in midlife may not only help you reach more birthdays, but also make those later celebrations livelier. In a recent Cooper Institute study, women who scored in the top third on a fitness test at age 50 were only half as likely to have multiple heart problems and other chronic ailments at the ends of their lives as those in the bottom third. Translation: Log some gym or cross-country time now, and you'll be doing the electric slide for years. Watch Your Waist Uh-oh: Almost half of slim women have excess belly fat, nearly tripling their heart disease death risk. If your waist measures over 85% of your hips, try muscle-building workouts. DID YOU KNOW…? Restaurant and workplace smoking bans can reduce…

SLIM CHOPSTICK PICKS Make sure your fortune cookie predicts a skinny future: Skip the huge, heavy dishes like General Tso's chicken (it can be 1,500-plus calories!) and choose one of these entrées instead. Entrée: Calories: Panda Express String Bean Chicken Breas ............................... 160 Manchu Wok Beef & Broccoli ............................... 180 Pei Wei Asian Diner Mongolian Beef (half of two-serving order) ............................... 290 Chinese Gourmet Express Kung Pao Chicken ............................... 300 P.F. Chang's Shrimp with Lobster Sauce ............................... 320 DO THE MATH 1 slice of red velvet cake (728 calories) = 24 chocolate-dipped strawberries (about 30 calories each) We're on TV! DON'T MISS OUR SEASON-TWO PREMIERE Tune in each week to Drop 5 Lbs With Good Housekeeping starting Saturday, January 19, at 10:30 A.M. ET, on Cooking Channel. GH Nutrition Director…

1 Nintendo Wii and Wii U EA Sports Active 2 ($30) Volunteers appreciated the customized workouts, arm heart-rate sensor, and real-time feedback onscreen. (Wii, not Wii U) Just Dance 4 ($50) Two options—"Just Dance" and "Just Sweat"—let you choose whether to party or go for a boot camp class. 2 Sony PlayStation 3 With Move Fit in Six ($20) Take its fitness test, and the game will tailor routines to your abilities and goals. Testers liked the wide variety of exercises. Get Fit With Mel B ($40) The Spice Girl–turned–fitness-guru gives sassy feedback—and the most intense workout, said testers. 3 Microsoft Xbox 360 With Kinect Nike+ Kinect Training ($50) Personalized "Get Strong," "Get Lean," and "Get Toned" workouts left some volunteers sore—in a good way. Zumba Fitness Core ($40) If…

Ask Peggy for etiquette advice at goodhousekeeping.com/peggy A director of The Emily Post Institute, peggy post has written 10-plus books on etiquetteissues Q. The woman next to me at work sneezes, in sets of two, throughout the day. When is the appropriate time to say "God bless you"? Do I have to say it with every sneeze? A. THE ETIQUETTE VERDICT A single blessing to a serial sneezer is plenty. P.S. (PEGGY SAYS) Saying "God bless you" or "gesundheit" is a time-honored courtesy, but not a requirement; these phrases are simply a kind response to the (usually) mild annoyance caused by a sneeze. My advice is to acknowledge this chronic ah-choo-er's first sneeze duo of the day with a blessing and leave it at that. There's not…

Sealed in jars, memories of a season of abundance I am on the Freezer Diet; come spring, it will be replaced by the Asparagus Diet, the Green Bean Diet, the Kale and Collards Diet. For decades I have tried to eat in season, and this is defrost-and-remove-lids season, when my garden manages to provide despite prevailing conditions. The Freezer Diet isn't like vintage TV dinners—though I do confess a past addiction to that little hollow that held the apple crisp, and how the mashed potatoes overflowed the boundary of their molded foil well to marry, all bubbly and hot, with meatloaf gravy. While my store of tomato sauce isn't strictly "in season," I am especially pleased that I mixed it up last August through October while stocking the shelves. I…

Here, amazing design finds to suit your budget, high or low Classic Oval Side Chair Details like luxe mohair fabric and nailhead trim make Oly Studio's side chair ($1,232) a worthy investment. World Market's seat ($358 for two!) pairs that heirloom look with easy-to-clean microfiber. Metallic Accent Table Lightweight but sturdy-looking: Z Gallerie's hammered-aluminum table-cum-stool ($230). With a warmer polished-nickel finish, Arteriors Home's heavier-weight iron number ($615) is a goes-with-everything extra. Greek Key Pillow Embroidery adds a 3-D effect to Trina Turk's eye-catching handcrafted linen cushion ($110, down insert included). Made to order, Etsy's look-alike showcases the classic pattern on a printed cotton pillow cover ($28).…

End the panic! Follow this chart to your customized solution Are they in your Bag? Start Here Are they in your House? ARE THEY JUST SOMEWHERE IN THERE? DO THEY FALL TO THE BOTTOM? GO FOR A CAN'T-MISS-IT KEY CHAIN An elephant never forgets! (It's three inches wide in real life) CLIP KEYS onto a multi-slot purse-organizing insert (fits inside most bags) BUT I DON'T WANT TO ADD BULK BUT WAIT, HOW DO I SEE 'EM IN THE DARK? HOOK THIS key chain over your purse's top edge NEVER MIND:Your bag's not that big FREE FLASHLIGHT! Turn your phone into a high-beam with an app like Tiny Flashlight HIDDEN BY CLUTTER? CLEAN IT UP! OR, JUST TRY THIS: NEVER SURE EXACTLY WHERE? GIVE THEM A HOME A designated plate or…

Coolest New Products Of all the appliances, gadgets, cleaning formulas, clothes, and other items GHRI pros reviewed in the past year, these breakthroughs—guest-tested by Anderson Cooper—stood out for the ingenious ways they solved everyday problems First-in-Class Fridge GE PROFILE 36" FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR ($3,000) This futuristic fridge has the only refrigerator filtration system that removes 98% of five common pharmaceuticals—from painkillers to hormones—and an easy-access filter that makes it more likely you'll change it on schedule. Also cool: The hands-free "Autofill" water dispenser uses sound waves to detect and fill a glass, bottle, pitcher, or coffeepot—no hovering! TV on Command SAMSUNG LED 8000 SERIES SMART TV ($2,400) With its ability to respond to voice commands and gestures, this TV is truly a first. It lets you go remote-free (but comes…

Don't even think of rinsing that jar! Here's how to use up that last little bit… Yellow Mustard for DEVILED EGGS Mashed yolks of 6 hard-cooked eggs + ¼ c. light sour cream + 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard + 1 Tbsp. chopped chives + ¼ tsp. salt; spoon into cooked whites. Makes 12 Dijon Mustard for FISH TOPPING 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard + 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise + 1 Tbsp. chopped dill; spread on 6 flounder or cod fillets. Broil 3 minutes. Serves 4 Grainy Mustard for SALAD DRESSING 3 Tbsp. olive oil + 1½ Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar + 1 Tbsp. grainy mustard + ½ tsp. grated orange peel; toss with salad mix and orange segments. Serves 4 Honey Mustard for SLAW 3 Tbsp. honey mustard + 2 Tbsp. rice…

SALTY, SWEET, YUMMY: OUR "COOK YOUR HEART OUT" WINNER! ACTIVE TIME 30 minutes TOTAL TIME 45 minutes MAKES 7 servings (15 pies) 1 ½ c. peeled, chopped Granny Smith apples ¾ c. blackberries 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour ¼ c. plus 2 tsp. sugar ½ tsp. plus ⅛ tsp. apple pie spice 10 (9" by 14") sheets phyllo dough, thawed Nonstick cooking spray ¼ tsp. kosher salt or coarse sea salt MAPLE TOPPING 1 c. plain nonfat Greek yogurt 3 Tbsp. maple syrup 1. In med. bowl, mix apples, blackberries, lemon juice, flour, ¼ c. sugar, and ½ tsp. apple pie spice. 2. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface; lightly coat with cooking spray. Top with another sheet; spray top. Cut lengthwise into three 3-in.-wide…

t is April 2009, and I am reading my grandparents' love letters from World War II. Nana, 95, is in her bedroom, where her home health aide is helping her put on lipstick. I never want to exist, Nana wrote, not even an hour, longer than you. It just wouldn't be living. "What an amazing family you have, Muriel!" her aide is saying, affixing Nana's gold clip-ons to her ears. Her voice comes through the baby monitor propped on the coffee table in the living room in case Nana calls out at night. The love letters resurfaced in 2007 when, after 64 years, my grandparents moved out of their home in New Jersey and into Aunt Paula's house in upstate New York. The decision was painful and long in coming.…

AROUND OUR HOUSE Good dog! Tallulah the shih tzu gets rewarded by Lifestyle Editor Beth Roehrig at our Double Duty shoot (see page 136) Rosemary Ellis EDITOR IN CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR Courtney Murphy SENIOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jennifer L. Cook EXECUTIVE EDITOR Janet Siroto MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Scrymser EDITORIAL HEALTH DIRECTOR Toni Gerber Hope LIFESTYLE EDITOR Elizabeth Roehrig ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR Cortney Pellettieri LITERARY EDITOR Laura Mathews SENIOR EDITORS Brooke Kosofsky Glassberg, Kathleen Renda ASSOCIATE EDITOR, DIGITAL EDITIONS Rachel Bowie EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Shelly Watson ASSISTANT EDITORS Caylin Harris, Marnie Soman EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Kathleen Corlett, Gabrielle Too-A-Foo CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jenny Allen, Melissa d'Arabian, Melissa Fay Greene, Heloise, Karin Lidbeck-Brent, Kyran Pittman, Peggy Post, Gretchen Rubin, Carmen Wong Ulrich FASHION DIRECTOR Jasmine H. Chang ASSISTANT Heidi Roman BEAUTY DIRECTOR Nina Judar ASSOCIATE EDITOR Melanie…

$40 …and Under Treats for You CHOCO-LUXE $13 Hide it from the kids: Max Brenner's box of nine yummy, almost-too-pretty-to-eat chocolates (shop.maxbrenner.com) GET COZY $15 Curl up under the reversible Vilmie Rund throw (IKEA stores), woven of soft, yarn-dyed cotton; both sides have equally fab patterns COLOR RULES $7 Tropical-toned acrylic and large numbers—no squinting!—make the Absolute Ruler (poppin.com) a desktop must SHADOW PLAY $8 Send a romantic message quick as a wink with L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eye Shadow Quad Brazen Bolds collection (drugstores) RED HOTS $22.50 Lizden for QVC's washable (really!) suede gloves (qvc.com) are ruffle-edged and cozily lined—plus, they come in winter-blahs-beating vivid tones TAKE NOTE $18 for eight Say it—thanks, that is—with flowers on these sweetly patterned blank note cards (riflepaperco.com; envelopes included) NOW EAR THIS…

WORDS OF WISDOM PINTEREST I WILL HOLD MYSELF Grace NOT PERFECTION Pinned by user Kristen Carlson from stationery designer Emily Ley's blog GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU SMILE YOUTUBE :) Watch a young ballerina-in-training give first position her all. Search for "tragedy of first position" on YouTube to watch. FUNNY ONE-LINERS TWITTER ANA GASTEYER "Is it overeating if it's salad?" ZACH BRAFF "I challenge you all to a procrastination contest. Let's do it sometime next week." BECKI NEWTON "You can tell a lot about someone's personality by how much space they take up at the Starbucks milk counter." FAVE LINE TELEVISION " When you're with someone, you put up with the stuff that makes you lose respect for them. And that is love." — Erin (Ellie Kemper) on The Office A…

WHO KNEW SHE WAS SUCH A BOOKWORM? ''I've always loved being transported to another world," says Lauren Graham of her passion for reading. The 45-year-old actress (Parenthood, Gilmore Girls) grew up in Washington, DC, where she and her dad would scour local bookstores for new discoveries. The self-confessed tomboy was drawn to characters enduring the trials of adolescence—the works of J.D. Salinger were among her favorites. Now she talks about her fondness for Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Jonathan Franzen (The Corrections over Freedom, thank you very much) with as much fervor as most celebs reserve for designer handbags. So, what's the logical next step? Writing a book herself, of course. Her first novel, due out in June, is a coming-of-age story about a Hollywood starlet. Sounds pretty familiar, yet Graham insists,…

"I moisturize daily, because my skin looks dull when it's dry." Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Mega Moisturizer ($50, sephora.com) "A bit of bronzer warms up my skin tone and creates a subtle glow." Bare Minerals All-Over Face Color in Warmth ($19, Ulta) "For special events, I'll dab a shimmery highlighter on my cheekbones and eyelids." Stila Liquid Luminizer in Kitten ($20, Sephora) Go to goodhousekeeping.com/2minbeauty for a video of more ways to get glowing skin Beauty Decoded microbeads miΔcroΔbeads \'mī-krō-,bēds\ n [micro- + beads]: Who says beadsbelong only in a jewelry box? These tiny, smooth synthetic particles slough off dry skin, leaving you looking dewy and fresh. And they're gentle enough to use in your daily skin-care routine. Find them in face washes like Olay Bead Me Up…

Treat Your Tootsies SMOOTH AND SOOTHE DRY FEET with this DIY moisture-rich foot scrub from Maria De Simone, spa director at L'Auberge de Sedona resort in Arizona: Mix 1 cup organic brown sugar, ½ cup almond oil (its scent is delicious, but you can substitute olive oil in a pinch), 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and the liquid from one vitamin E gelcap. Rub on damp feet in an empty bathtub and leave on for five minutes, then wash off. Or try Tara Spa Therapy Foot Therapy Rejuvenating Soak ($8, taraspa.com), which can double as a scrub, says De Simone. Bonus: Your hands will feel great, too. Fruity Beauty This seasonal side salad or starter provides wrinkle-fighting vitamin C (clementine) and healthy fats (olive oil) to…

Evening in the City Proof that nothing flirts like an LBD: this slimming, all-black lace stunner ($160, Adrianna Papell). It gets its va-va-voom from a daring neckline, peekaboo sleeves, and a flaunt-your-legs length. Earrings, Fantasy Jewelry Box. Clutch, Ami Clubwear. Pumps, Nina. Walk in the Park Fido gets exercise, and you get to show off how chic you look in a stylish but comfy persimmon poncho ($158, Eileen Fisher) and laid-back tan cords ($90, J. Crew). Turtleneck, $88, J. Crew. Earrings, Julie Vos. Cuff, Alexandra Beth Designs. Booties, Lucky Brand. Burger Lunch Even if you're just hitting the diner, couple time will feel more special when you pair bootleg jeans ($60, Gap) with a hot pink tunic ($78, Ann Taylor) in a silky, touch-me texture. Scarf, Fraas. Bracelet, Wanderlust &…

Great Greeks THERE AREN'T MANY FOOD TRENDS that satisfy your sweet tooth and protect your heart, but Greek yogurt with add-ins scores on both. Like all dairy, it's linked to lower blood pressure, while the probiotics in yogurt help reduce cholesterol. The newest versions, dessert-inspired Chobani Bites, pack 8 grams of protein, but cap calories at 100 per 3.5-ounce serving. They're available at supermarkets in Fig with Orange Zest, Caramel with Pineapple, Coffee with Dark Chocolate Chips, and Raspberry with Dark Chocolate Chips; $3 per 4-pack. Ask Sam SAMANTHA B. CASSETTY, M.S., R.D. GHRI NUTRITION DIRECTOR Q: Should I take a fish oil supplement? WHEN I SAW THE HEADLINES claiming that omega-3 supplements don't offer heart protection, I did a double take. Then I did some investigating. It turns out…

1. Does your body mass index peg you as overweight or obese? (Find out at goodhousekeeping.com/bmi-calculator.) A No; my BMI is below 25 B Yes; it's 25 or higher 2. Admit it, you haven't stopped smoking. A Not true—I never touch cigarettes B OK, I'm still lighting up The Kickit app, free on iTunes, lets you set up a personalized reward system for quitting. 3. Averaged over the week, how much time do you spend on moderate to vigorous exercise each day? A At least 30 minutes a day B Less time than I spend watching The Daily Show 4 IS YOUR DIET… FLAVORFUL? FRUIT 2 or more servings of whole fruit per day LIQUOR between 3 and 7 alcoholic beverages per week ALMONDS at least…

p. 101 Peggy Post fixes your faux pas p. 107 Gretchen Rubin cracks the love code p. 105 What Kevin Bacon hides from his wife p. 113 $$$ vs. with Carmen Wong Ulrich Real women, real-world advice If you do only one thing this month… "Every married couple needs an outdoor game, like tennis, and an indoor game, like gin." Julia Bator and her husband follow this tip—learned from her Quaker grandparents, married 72 years—with regular rounds of golf and cribbage. "It's our carved-out space for fun," Bator says. And spouses who play together build happier marriages, says a University of Denver study. "Having fun is an essential part of falling in love," explains researcher Howard Markman, Ph.D. "Couples who play rekindle that early spark, which keeps their foundations strong."…

Men, Marriage, and Making It Work The Following's Kevin Bacon reveals… WHAT MAKES MY MARRIAGE SO STRONG (Kyra Sedgwick, you are one lucky wife!) 1. I still want to make Kyra proud of the person I am—father, husband, actor, musician. 2. We argue in a way that we can walk away from—and don't cause damage that's irreparable. 3. Being with Kyra is so natural for me; it's the easiest aspect of my life. I know that I don't need a beach or room service to be happy. 4. We do date night. It's having the apartment to ourselves: We lock the doors, fool around, make dinner, watch a movie. 5. I secretly renovated our bathroom and surprised her with a giant bathtub. She really loves it. There was a…

The fact that you're married doesn't mean your finances should be merged. Tactics ahead! MANY OF US GO INTO MARRIAGE wanting to share everything—bank accounts and all. But there are parts of your financial life that should not be pooled when you tie the knot and that ought to be pulled apart if they are currently combined. Here's the scoop, whatever the stage of your union: YOUR CREDIT REPORTS AND SCORES      •What to keep SEPARATE: When you get hitched, you don't have to "marry" your partner's credit. Your credit (or FICO) scores and history are always yours and yours alone—and that's a good thing. Think of your credit report as your grown-up GPA: It's how everyone from lenders to employers gauges you as a financial risk. (And if you and…

A peek inside one reader's beautiful home NAME: MOLLY BINGAMAN, 29 Occupation: fashion stylist location: Kansas City, MO 1 CURTAIN CALL "I set out to decorate the room all in shades of cream and white, but it felt bland," says Molly, owner of Ladybird Styling, about her master bedroom (once the attic). To bring in a bit more color, she hung a floral curtain and pulled its coral and red hues into the room with a few accents. Then she decided to paint the 100-plus-year-old bungalow's pitched ceiling a soft sky blue. "It feels light and airy, which helps counteract the closed-in feeling of the slanted walls," she explains. 2 BEDTIME STORY Molly screwed posts from an antique store to the ends of her box frame to create a two-poster…

Get Fido's fur off the couch faster: Don slightly dampened rubber gloves (who knew they did so much more than prevent dishpan hands?) and run them over upholstery to quickly collect pet hair. And for major jobs… Christina says "Try our 2009 VIP (Very Innovative Products) Awards fix: 3M Scotch-Brite Upholstery Pet Hair Remover ($6, scotch-brite.com). The tool's gripper sheets are a magnet for fur and dander, and the angled tip really gets down between cushions and along seams so you won't miss a stray hair." —CHRISTINA PETERSON, GHRI PRODUCT ANALYST…

Test-kitchen recipes, ideas, and tips Cheddar-Beer Fondue HEAT 12 oz. light beer ½ tsp. Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, crushed with press ¼ tsp. hot sauce in 4-qt. saucepan on low; whisk in 4 c. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese tossed with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch until melted and smooth. SERVE WITH Sliced cooked sausage, cooked new potatoes, bread cubes, and apple slices for dipping. MAKES 2 /2 CUPS p. 170 Lab Test: Morning joe made easy p. 159 Use up that last bit of mustard p. 148 Wine and dine your valentine p. 163 Best store-bought guac…

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE? EAT VEGETARIAN! 15 min Moroccan Couscous Stew HEAT 1 c. vegetable broth, in 1-qt. saucepan, to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in 1 c. couscous. Cover; let stand 5 min. MEANWHILE, in 12-in. nonstick skillet, heat 2 tsp. olive oil on medium. Add 1 (8 oz.) zucchini, chopped; cook 6 min., stirring. Add 1 c. shredded carrots; 4 green onions, sliced; ⅓ c. golden raisins; 1 tsp. ground cumin; and ¼ tsp. pie spice. COOK 2 min., stirring. Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz.) stewed tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, drained, 2 tsp. Sriracha hot sauce, and ½ c. vegetable broth; break up tomatoes with spoon. SIMMER 6 min. or until tender. Serve stew over couscous. Serves 4 CRISPY-COAT FISH! 25…

Breakfast gets better when a cup of boxed mix becomes a stack of crazy-delicious flapjacks STRAWBERRY-ALMOND STIR in ¼ c. sliced almonds and ¼ tsp. almond extract. Top with berries and powdered sugar. BACON-CORN STIR in 3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled, and ½ c. corn kernels. Drizzle with maple syrup. PEANUT BUTTER–BANANA STIR in ½ c. chopped banana and ⅓ c. peanut butter chips. Top with banana slices; drizzle with honey. DOUBLE CHOCOLATE STIR in ⅓ c. chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp. cocoa. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Prefer starting from scratch? Go to goodhousekeeping.com/pancake-batter Fun, Fastvv Easy Ask Susan Q Can I use butter-milk past its expiration date? If so, for how long beyond that? —JUDYTH PISANI, TARPON SPRINGS, FL A. THERE'S USUALLY AN EXPIRED…

This Works! Page 29 Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover, Evergreen Labs, Inc; wineaway.com. Gonzo Wine Out Stain Remover, Magic American Products; gonzocorp.com. Wine B' Gone Ultra Stain Remover Spray, Wine Enthusiast Companies; wineenthusiast.com. Make Me Over Page 56 Turtleneck sweater, $69, L.L.Bean; llbean.com. Anorak, $130, Coldwater Creek; coldwatercreek.com. Corduroy pants, $38, Ami Clubwear; amiclubwear.com. Raymond sunglasses, $129, Bobby Jones; bobbyjones.com. Thinsulate jacket, $69, L.L.Bean; see above. Corduroy trousers, $118, J. Crew; jcrew.com. Scarf, $72, Fraas; 212-585-0191. Bag, $168, available at T.J. Maxx. Wedge boots, $120, Hush Puppies; hushpuppies.com. Ribbed turtleneck, $40, L.L.Bean; see above. Sweater coat, $188, Pendleton Woolen Mills; pendleton-usa.com.…

We evaluate products for the magazine and the Seal to make sure you get good value. 1,500+ That's how many products GHRI experts evaluate yearly. See which ingenious problem-solvers we selected—with guest tester Anderson Cooper's help—for our 2013 VIP Awards (page 141). We do something that no other magazine does… If any product that has earned our Seal is defective, we'll replace it or refund your money—just notify us within two years of purchase (see details at right). DIRECTOR Miriam Arond FOOD DIRECTOR Susan Westmoreland FOOD ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Catherine Lo ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Erin Phraner ASSISTANT FOOD EDITOR Sherry Rujikarn EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jessica Fox NUTRITION NUTRITION DIRECTOR Samantha B. Cassetty, M.S., R.D. HOME HOME APPLIANCES, CLEANING PRODUCTS & TEXTILES DIRECTOR Carolyn E. FortÉ PRODUCT ANALYST Christina Peterson TEST ENGINEER…

My Smart Solution "I personalized mugs for my husband and me using just a Sharpie. It's so easy! Choose plain ceramic or porcelain mugs (ours are from Target), draw your design, and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. Hand-wash. The worst that can happen if you don't? Your drawing might fade—then you just remake and re-bake. " Reader Feedback Red Lips: Hot or Not? In December, we revealed how to brighten your smile with red lipstick. Your take on the trend, via Facebook: 29 % GO RED "I always wear a raisin red and have been asked if I whiten my teeth—I don't!" —Erin Millar 71 % NO RED "I kiss my husband too much to wear that gunk on my lips." —Cheri Stone √ Tell us what you think…

WHEN your valentine PREFERs TO SIp—and then spill—cabernet instead of chardonnay, there's no need to panic. The stain wizards in our GHRI Cleaning Products Lab put 10 formulas for erasing red wine stains to the test. We spilled, blotted, applied, and laundered to see how completely each product restored white cotton and polyester fabrics and nylon carpet versus standard remedies like salt and carpet cleaner. With these winners, there'll be no crying over spilled wine…and we'll drink to that. SHOPPING DETAILS, page 179 Top Picks Best Overall WINE AWAY ($9, 8 OZ.)It not only zapped stains, but also was the easiest to rinse out of the carpet's pile without damaging it. Budget Buy WINE OUT ($7, 12 OZ.) Less pricey per ounce, this stomped out red spots on carpet and…

When Drew Barrymore bounds into the offices of her Hollywood production company, Flower Films, she may be wearing the new-mom uniform—no makeup, a sweatshirt and jeans she says she just grabbed off her bedroom floor—but she doesn't show one ounce of typical just-had-a-baby exhaustion. Olive, her first child with her husband, art consultant Will Kopelman, was born on September 26, and—barely a month later—Barrymore seems remarkably energized by all the newfound love in her life. After staying home for much of the pregnancy, she and Kopelman are already incorporating date nights back into their relationship, along with days of doting on their baby girl. The night before, Kopelman took Barrymore to the Universal Studios theme park in Hollywood for its Halloween Horror Night. (Though Olive stayed at home, she had…

1 Lose Some Length… Über-long hair is a tough look for over-40 women. "I call it the '1661'—a woman's long hair makes her look 16 from the back, but from the front you see she is actually nearing retirement age," says Pantene celebrity hairstylist Danilo. A universally flattering length: to the collarbone. "A cut that grazes the collar and has face-framing layers also draws attention away from an aging neck," says Jet Rhys, a San Diego stylist. 2 …But Don't Overdo It How short is too short? There's no rule, but keep in mind that the end point of your cut emphasizes the facial feature next to it, says Rhys. So if you're concerned about a sagging jawline, don't ask for a chin-length bob. And remember that a short 'do…

Q In the A.M., I just throw on sweats or jeans to take the kids to school. I'd like to look more pulled together, but mornings are a blur. Any ideas for a fast, stylish outfit that's still carpool-casual? —KRISTEN M., VIA FACEBOOK 1 Wake-up Call The drawstring waist on this vivid anorak ($130, Coldwater Creek) defines your shape—and tons of pockets let you skip the purse. Soft cords ($38, Ami Clubwear) in espresso are a step above gym clothes, but just as grab-and-go cozy 2 Cold Comfort You'll be polished and toasty in a not-puffy plum jacket with Thinsulate ($69, L.L.Bean). Keep the chic going with stretch cords ($118, J. Crew) 3 Knit Pick This trim jacket ($188, Pendleton) has a blazer's tailoring and a cardigan's ease—and instantly jazzes…

Easy ways to stay well, eat right, get fit SAVORING DARK CHOCOLATE and other cocoa products with lots of heart-healthy flavonoids can lower your blood pressure, a new review has confirmed. The numbers sound tiny—an average of 2.8 points systolic and 2.2 points diastolic—but if you're on the borderline of hypertension, they could be enough to keep you off meds. Small treats are plenty: about 1 ounce of dark chocolate or 3 tablespoons of cocoa a day. P. 72 Just 100 calories? Sweet! P. 81 Drop your heart risk 92% P. 89 Cool moves—at home P. 83 What's up with those wacky periods?…

Although I had struggled with my weight for years, my "Aha!" moment came in the most ordinary situation. I was reaching for a candy bar in a grocery checkout line when I found myself staring at actress Valerie Bertinelli wearing a teeny green bikini on a magazine cover. I want to look like that, I thought, and I bought the issue. THREE BABIES—AND 80-HOUR WEEKS At the time, April 2009, I couldn't have felt worse about myself. I weighed close to 200 pounds (I'm 5' 7"), and I was afraid I'd be wearing mom jeans for the rest of my life. It's easy to explain how I gained the weight: Even though I'd always been fit, right down to running marathons, I'd had three babies in a 31-month period. That…

WHEN SHERYL GURRENTZ, 47, began hosting "hormonal happy hours" to research her coauthored book A Strange Period: Insights Into the Bizarre Experiences of Perimenopausal Women, she discovered just how wild women's menstrual periods become during the years leading up to the big change. "One woman told me she'd had cycles that were 41, 55, then 18 days long—it sounded like a locker combination," Gurrentz says. "Another was bleeding through a maxi pad plus a tampon. I myself was taking more home pregnancy tests during perimenopause than in my 20s. We assume our periods will taper off and stop, but it doesn't work that way." Nope. Until recently, information about perimenopausal periods was often more fiction than science, even among many health experts. Changes start sooner than was once believed, as…

Every night before she goes to bed, Shana Schneider, an entrepreneur in New Haven, CT, writes down one thing that makes her feel thankful. "I've been doing it for about a year, and it's given me a new perspective," says Schneider, 34. "The other morning I noticed the sky was a beautiful color, and I stopped and thought, Maybe that's what I'll be thankful for today!" Schneider's new habit is one of the simplest steps you can take to boost happiness, and many people are on to it. In a new national survey of more than 2,000 adults conducted for the John Templeton Foundation, 64% of women said that they express gratitude because it makes them feel good. It's a smart move. Academics studying the subject have found that feeling…

MY RELATIONSHIP with my husband is one of the most important elements of my happiness; it establishes the atmosphere of our home. So I try my best to squelch behavior that my husband doesn't like, such as nagging, snapping, or reading e-mails while he's talking— he's funny that way. I'm always looking for positive ways to improve my marriage. For that reason, I was struck by a recent study by psychologist Terri Orbuch, Ph.D., a research professor at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research in Ann Arbor. She asked divorced people what they'd learned the hard way about relationships—and what they would do differently the next time. No surprise, many of the people Orbuch interviewed emphasized the importance of "affective affirmations"—psych-speak for loving gestures, like kissing, hand-holding, giving…

Find yours with one of these three bedroom looks, and meld your styles into a perfect retreat for two 33% The GH reader panel's most-requested look: a bedroom with menswear patterns in a feminine palette. Ta-da! Paintings and prints mix well—if the subject matter stays the same 1. Guy-Style Meets Girly Balance patterns inspired by men's suiting with romantic lavender hues and soft florals WELL-DRESSED Plaid sheets are cozy for you, unfussy for him. Multiple gray and charcoal tones are easy to combine with throw pillows in dusky purple velvet and a bloom-strewn bolster pillow. FLORAL NOTES Two accent shams with hazy purple blossoms are the hubby-friendly way to do flowers—in small doses. Riff on the hues (and pull the whole bed together) with a lilac blanket: The color is…

1 NEAT & NARROW A shallow cabinet with sliding doors (Bellacor has one only nine inches deep!) adds tons of storage in minimal space 2 GLASS ACT No room to store everyday essentials (cotton balls, swabs) out of sight? Stash them in a set of glass canisters (The Container Store, starting at $4 each) 3 TAME THE TOWELS Weed out extras: Stick to two sets per family member (assuming you do laundry once a week), plus two sets for guests. Now there's more room for makeup! RAISE THE BAR Pottery Barn's roomy wall cabinet ($249) has a handy built-in towel bar HOT PROPERTYCorral still-warm styling tools in this five-pocket organizer. The Container Store, $20 PRETTY USEFUL Make cotton swabs display-worthy with Pottery Barn's elegant glass bowl lidded with silver-plated brass…

Ask Heloise for help at goodhousekeeping.com/heloise Q. Several of my old photos have gotten stuck to the glass in their frames. How can I remove the pictures without harming them? —KATHLEEN MABE, VIA E-MAIL THIS TRICK MAY HELP save your precious memories: Put the frames into resealable plastic bags—but leave the bags unsealed—and place them in the freezer for a day or two. This should dry out the photos' sticky finish, which is the root of the problem. Then, for each frame, use the dull edge of a butter knife to carefully pry up one corner of the picture. The photos should peel off the glass. If some still won't budge, take them to a photo store to see if the staff can help with the issue,…

Skip the hassle—and high cost—of a restaurant and spoil your sweetie with an (easy) romantic meal you'll both love CREAMY MUSHROOM Lasagna No-boil noodles and a mushroom filling you can prep the day before put these individual lasagnas on the fast track. To really beat the clock, substitute jarred Alfredo for the cream sauce and just stir in Parmesan and nutmeg See recipe, page 158 Crispy Duck WITH APRICOTS A two-fer of apricot jam and dried apricots tops this sized-for-sharing dinner, but cherry preserves and dried cherries also work. No luck finding duck? Order at dartagnan.com, or use skin-on chicken breasts instead See recipe, page 156 Filet Mignon WITH SHALLOT BUTTER Trim 10 minutes off this already quick supper (and gain extra time to get date-ready) by using premade flavored…

Spicy Winner! Dry Mix Winner! Classic Winner! "Lots of lime zest and spices­…yum" —CATHY "The texture is closest to homemade" —NICOLE Can prepared ever taste as good as mashed-and-mixed homemade? Our tasters say yes! Winner: Classic WHOLLY GUACAMOLE CLASSIC ($5 for 14 oz.) Our tasters couldn't get enough of this "super-garlicky" dip. With its "buttery" texture and "fresh" flavor, this brand won by a landslide. Winner: Spicy WHOLLY GUACAMOLE SPICY ($5 for 14 oz.) This "sweet and spicy" guacamole is "not for the faint of heart." Tasters commented, "Hot!"—but that didn't stop them from reaching for more. Winner: Dry Mix (just add avocados) ORTEGA GUACAMOLE SEASONING MIX ($1 for 1 oz.) Tasters loved the "citrusy" zing that this mix added to fresh avocados. Bits of red pepper gave it…

You like hazelnut; he likes espresso. With a one-cup brewer, you can each play barista, getting the java fix you crave in minutes TEST KITCHEN TIP For an instant V-Day dessert, Italian style, toss a shot of espresso over ice cream­—it's called affogato Brew Daily? DE-SCALE WITH VINEGAR EVERY FEW MONTHS 1 For Espresso Lovers CBTL KALDI ($179) For mornings that call for a serious jolt, the sleek, petite Kaldi delivers a superior espresso shot with a frothy head of crema. It brews top-notch American cups of joe, plus tea, chai, and even iced drinks. Also comes in blue, white, and silver. 2 Most Versatile BUNN MY CAFÉ SINGLE CUP MULTI-USE BREWER ($160) Whether you use your own ground beans, K-Cups, those squishy coffee and tea pods, or plain tea…

I MET MY WIFE, Susan, in 1975, while making Rancho Deluxe in Montana. We were shooting a scene in the hot tub at a place called Chico Hot Springs when I saw this girl. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Not only was she gorgeous, but she had two black eyes and a recently broken nose (from a car accident, I later learned). Something about her beauty and disfigurement kept me riveted. Every time I snuck a peek, she'd catch me. After work, I got up the courage to ask her, "Would you like to go out with me?" She said no. I asked her again, and she said, "No—it's a small town; maybe we'll run into each other later." Those words proved to be prophetic, and one night…