Good Housekeeping January 2014

7,625 That's the total number of inches measured in our shrinkage test, above, to help determine how well 28 pairs of PJs held up to laundering. See which were the stuff of dreams, page 27. 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 TECHNICAL MANAGER & ENGINEERING DIRECTOR Rachel Rothman FOOD DIRECTOR Susan Westmoreland FOOD ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Catherine Lo ASSOCIATE FOOD EDITOR Erin Phraner ASSISTANT FOOD EDITOR Sherry Rujikarn EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katie Holdefehr NUTRITION NUTRITION DIRECTOR Samantha B. Cassetty, M.S., R.D. HOME HOME APPLIANCES, CLEANING PRODUCTS & TEXTILES DIRECTOR Carolyn E. Forté SENIOR PRODUCT ANALYST, HOME CARE Christina…

January is about resting and resetting. With the whirlwind of the holidays over and cold weather settling in like a long winter's nap, that's exactly what most of us want to take—right after we wrap our hands around a mug of tea and gaze out the window at a wintry landscape. Just sitting still. But if you're like me, while you're watching snow gently fall or rain drip from the eaves—feeling the pleasant lull of an unscheduled 10 minutes—one half of your mind (what Buddhists call the "monkey mind") is nagging in the background: Get the kitchen drawers organized! Lose the weight you've gained since Thanksgiving! Start exercising—now! Some days, that little voice is enough to make me want to crawl back into bed. Other days, I think: I just…

POWER PACK $80 Protect just about any smartphone from tumbles and boost its battery life by 80% with the Juice Pack Helium case (mophie.com) WE CAN'T RESIST …earmuff head-phones that stay put while keeping ears toasty. GHRI-approved sound quality! ($28, echodesign.com) Cheery stripes for every day of the week HAPPY FEET $38 Seven pairs of cotton-blend socks, done up in unexpected, uplifting color combinations, will keep your tootsies cozy and chic from workdays to weekend (bodenusa.com) CLEAN SCREEN $15 For three packsPretty pouches each hold 15 electronics wipes to de-germ computers, phones, and lenses (staywellkept.com) WRIST WATCH $130 A personal trainer on hand: Jawbone's Up bracelet and app (jawbone.com) track how you sleep, eat, and move so you can keep that get-fit resolution LIVES ENTWINED $28 Sue Monk Kidd's The…

My Smart Solution "I freeze leftover herbs in olive oil so they don't go to waste. Pull off the leaves and place in an ice cube tray, then fill each slot with 1 Tbsp. oil. Stick in freezer overnight, then transfer cubes to a resealable freezer bag. When ready to use, toss a few cubes into a pan!" —SHERI SILVER, 50, IRVINGTON, NY Reader Feedback Too-Hot Topics Last month we offered tips for making it through the holidays without family spats. What's verboten around your dinner table? 46% ANYTHING ABOUT MONEY 19% HOW TO RAISE KIDS 24% POLITICS (WE DON'T GO THERE) 11% RELIGION! IT'S A NO-BRAINER Tell us what you think about the people and issues that matter most to you. Go to facebook.com/goodhousekeeping. Your Best Tips For… Keeping…

the fact that your garden is in a deep winter snooze doesn't mean you can't enjoy nature: It's actually even more crucial to surround yourself with plants in dreary months. A study at the University of Michigan found that when people were around greenery, they could remember more and had better focus. Beyond that, being surrounded by nature may satisfy a basic human need. "Many experts believe that we're wired to be attracted to things that are alive and vital," says Toby Israel, Ph.D., author of Some Place Like Home and a design psychologist who creates spaces that feel emotionally satisfying. Try these tips for turning your home into a plant haven, and watch your health and happiness bloom. —Francesca Castagnoli 1 Craft It Make potpourri Give a droopy rose…

Forget battling over the thermostat. An easier, comfier way to cope with winter: super-snuggly pajamas. Our textile pros checked out 28 menswear-inspired pairs to see if they would shrink, fade, or fall apart. Consumers then came into our lab to touch and rate the fabrics. At the end of the day, these four will make your night. Best Fleece ELLEN TRACY Classic Notch Collar PJ ($68) Fuzzy polyester micro-fleece, deemed the softest material by volunteers, also did well on durability. Best Satin JENNIFER LOPEZ Satin Notched Collar PJ ($56) The top-ranked lightweight, in poly-satin, is silky chic (love that bow belt). Held up nicely, too. Best Knit HANES Bon Nuit PJ ($25) This supple cotton-poly pair still looked great post-laundering. "Comforting and cozy," said a tester. Best Flannel L.L.BEAN Tartan…