Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Good Housekeeping

I was listening to a podcast — cue collective groan from my team. I start a lot of sentences this way, but I find so many great stories and ideas on the radio! This particular program was about the science of compassion, and it detailed a study of how being on the receiving end of a small kindness can actually have an effect on the brain that makes a person more likely to be kind in return. That got me thinking: If each of us committed to bringing more acts of kindness into our everyday lives, we could kick-start a cycle toward a kinder, gentler world. Psychologists call it “the norm of reciprocity”: If you’re nice to someone, she’s likely to be the same to you…and to others. Here at…

1. WOODSY VETIVER Clean Reserve Smoked Vetiver Eau de Parfum, $90, Sephora 2. FRESH TEA Thé Glacé Aqua Parfum by Terry de Gunzberg, $170, barneys.com 3. SPICY ROSE Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land Eau de Parfum, $150, byredo.com 4. CRISP VIOLET LEAF Ck2, $40, Ulta 5. WARM CITRUS Malin + Goetz Petitgrain EDT, $150, malinandgoetz.com 6. CLEAN ORANGE BLOSSOM Derek Lam 10 Crosby Rain Day Eau de Parfum, $95, Sephora 7. POWDERY IRIS Givenchy Iris Harmonique Eau de Parfum, $220, Barneys…

SUPER SERUM Mary Kay’s formula helps brighten skin and reduce signs of past damage, like dark spots. Apply it between cleansing and moisturizing, and don’t forget your neck. TESTER NOTES Women appreciated that it was fragrance-free and lightweight, and they even said they’d buy it again for themselves! LAB LOWDOWN Our chemists like that it’s noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), so it works for any skin type. Mary Kay TimeWise Tone Correcting Serum, $45, marykay.com STRAND SAVER No, you’re not imagining it: Hair does thin with age — and heat styling, color processing and chemical treatments can be especially damaging. L’Oréal’s balm works as a superconcentrated conditioner to nourish and protect. TESTER NOTES Consumers loved how easy the formula was to apply and that it left their hair feeling…

2 + 7 + 10 + 17 + 18 COLOR CODE SHOP THIS ISSUE Find it now at keep.com/GH THE FAB FOUR JUST ADD… Create hundreds of stylish looks with our Fashion Team’s style math PLEATED MIDI 3 WAYS CROPPED JEANS 3 WAYS BLACK SKINNIES 3 WAYS LEOPARD SKI RT 3 WAYS 20 PLUM WAYS TO DO 1 NEUTRAL ZONE Warmer neutrals, like cream, tan and taupe, make a great backdrop for pops of plum. 2-4 Perfect Palette FABRIC Interpretation Plum by Kravet Couture, kravet.com GET THE LOOK | For similar: Fairchild Slipcovered sofa, from $1,379, birchlane.com. Mara coffee table in Walnut, $299, article.com. Pantone Colorscape Wool Accent rug in Purple, $249, target.com. Acrylic Framework chandelier in Antique Brass/Clear, $499, westelm.com. 5 CHEERS TO THIS! Serve up your signature holiday cocktail…

Jeffrey Phillip GH Organizing Expert @jeffrey_phillip GH LAB PICKS BEST FRIDGE FINDS GH KITCHEN APPLIANCES LAB Proven picks from the experts in the GH Institute EASY STACKING Fridge Binz, from $8, containerstore.com STURDY & COMPACT Blue Avocado (Re)zip Reusable Storage Bags, $15 for two 1-gallon bags, blueavocado.com SPILL ABSORBER Fridge Coasters, from $6, fridgecoaster.com 1 CLEAN IT, KEEP IT, TOSS IT. Empty your fridge completely and wipe it down. As you remove everything, group similar items into categories like condiments, beverages, vegetables, fruit, uncooked meat, etc. Then throw out anything that’s expired, moldy or funny-smelling. 2 STICK TO ONE STYLE. Fancy, cool-shaped storage boxes look nice at the market, but in your refrigerator at home, all those shapes and sizes can hog space. Find a style you like and stick…

BRING OUT YOUR BEST SETTINGS. Use your favorite linens, platters and plates to create a cozy-chic alfresco scene (we even carried out the dining room table!). Warm it up with snuggly pillows, faux-fur throws and a pretty accent rug.…

BARBARA ALLENDE AGE: 37 HOMETOWN: JERSEY CITY, NJ Kimberly holder KIMBERLY HOLDER AGE: 44 HOMETOWN: NEW YORK CITY Annie Eissler ANNIE EISSLER AGE: 54 HOMETOWN: CORTE MADERA, CA From teen mom to mentoring teens After Barbara got pregnant at 15, her grandmother asked her to leave the house. Later she and her son ended up in foster care. But she was lucky: Several teachers pushed her to get her degree, pitched in to babysit and even paid for diapers when she was broke. “I was given help most girls don’t get,” says Barbara. She earned her GED, got a job as a bank teller and worked her way up to corporate vice president of a major bank. “My son is almost done with college and serves in the Army,” says…

When I was 9, I went into foster care for the first time. My dad was never part of my life, and my mom had been committed to a psychiatric facility because she had severe bipolar disorder. My older sister, Patricia, and I were sent to a receiving home — a house for children awaiting placement with a foster family — in nearby Dallas, NC. It was lonely, and I could tell that Patricia was depressed. After 30 days, we went to live with a foster couple who had one daughter about my sister’s age, and for the first time I saw what a healthy family looked like. They were loving. They were consistent. They took me to baseball games and gave me cookies and milk before bed. When the…

3+ TRICKEDOUT TRAIN Our kid testers’ top pick! They loved seeing Thomas get serious air and stick nearly every landing. “I’d play with it all the time!” one said. Lab Lowdown Organize all the pieces before assembly (it took us half an hour). Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Thomas’ Sky-High Bridge Jump, $100 10 chances to WIN $1,464 IN TOYS http://bit.ly/2clrDhP Details, page 206 HOW WE TESTED Our mechanical and electrical engineers made sure toys met safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). We set up toys to evaluate assembly, construction and durability; checked for pinch points; and drop-tested toys to ensure that they wouldn’t shatter into small pieces with sharp edges or pose a choking hazard. Final decisions came from over 100 children, ages 3 to…

I practically live at the supermarket. That’s because you all ask us similar questions about eating better: “What can I grab at the airport and stay on track?”; “What should I have for a wholesome lunch at my desk?” So we’re constantly trawling the aisles… but even we find health claims and marketing slogans on food packaging confusing. So we created our GH Nutritionist Approved program. When you spot our Emblem (there it is, on the upper right corner of this page!) on boxes, bags and cans, you’ll know you can confidently pop the item in your cart without spending tons of time scrutinizing the label. Before a product earns the Emblem, it’s vetted in the GH Nutrition Lab, which means we consider what is and isn’t in it to…

Teeth brushed? Check. Adorable sleeping kids looked in on? Yep. Now spend 10 minutes stretching, which a new study shows can help lighten feelings of depression and decrease some menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. The research, published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, found that when women were instructed to perform a series of easy yoga-inspired stretches, they saw their moods improve and had fewer hormone-related symptoms. This may be in part because stretching helped ease women into sleep, explains study author Yuko Kai, Ph.D., who adds that difficulty drifting off and depressive symptoms can be linked. — Nicole Saporita QUICK MOOD BOOSTER Spend 21/2 minutes on each stretch. MUNCH A HEALTHY BAR, FEED A CHILD Around 3 million children die of malnutrition each year,…

HARVEST PARTY Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad PREP 20 MINUTES TOTAL 25 MINUTES 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and very thinly sliced 1 sm. head romaine lettuce, chopped 1/3 c. packed grated ricotta salata or pecorino cheese 2/3 c. dried cranberries or golden raisins 1/2 c. smoked almonds, chopped 1. In lg. bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper; add sprouts and toss until well-coated. Let stand at least 10 min. or up to 2 hrs. 2. When ready to serve, to bowl with sprouts, add romaine, ricotta salata, cranberries and almonds; toss to combine. SERVES 8 About 200 cals, 6 g protein, 20 g carbs, 13 g fat (2 g sat), 5 g…

1 OUR AWESOME CELEBRATION We introduced 25 inspiring women to you in our September issue. To keep the party going (literally), we threw the first-ever GH Awesome Women Awards event. The bash was cohosted by Editor in Chief Jane Francisco and designer/honoree Rebecca Minkoff at her New York City flagship store, where guests and award winners mingled with influencers like actress Johanna Braddy and model Coco Rocha. Coming soon: the next batch of kick-butt boss ladies! 2 GET YOUR TOY ON WITH TODAY AND GH Not to stress you out, but the holidays are a hot second away. Let us make at least the gift-giving part a little easier. The GH Institute vetted more than 500 toys to find the best of the best for kiddos of all ages. And we’re partnering…

DREAM CREAM Feed your skin and those in need. Every purchase of this cult-fave cream provides 340(!) meals to the hungry through Feeding America. Kiehl’s Limited Edition Faile Creme de Corps Grapefruit Whipped Body Butter, $38, kiehls.com BRUSH WITH GREATNESS For every (heartshaped!) foundation brush sold, one is donated to Look Good Feel Better, a charity that holds beauty workshops for women in cancer treatment. It Cosmetics Love Beauty Fully Love Is the Foundation Brush, $30, Ulta SWIPE FOR MEN’S HEALTH All proceeds from sales of this flatters-all mauve lipstick go to the Movember Foundation for men’s health initiatives. Bite Beauty Mauvember Lipstick, $26, sephora.com EMPOWERING PALETTE Kiss up to the pretty shades in this versatile lip color kit: 100% of proceeds go to the Women of Worth initiative, supporting…

SPOTLIGHT ON EMILY WICKERSHAM She plays a whip-smart special agent on CBS’s NCIS, the most heart-racing hour on TV this winter. We got Emily Wickersham to spill the details on her bicoastal style, spending time in the kitchen and her preferred fall pattern. EAST MEETS WEST I’m originally from New York, and my style follows suit. Since I’ve lived in L.A., though, I feel like I’ve become a lot more casual. You can get away with wearing a T-shirt, jeans and Birkenstocks here…but don’t tell anyone I said that! MASTER (SOUS) CHEF I’m not the best in the kitchen, but if someone gives me something to do, I can do it . I’m a good teammate. Come Thanksgiving time, I kind of just do what my mom tells me to.…

CLEAR THE COUNTER. Stash mail, paper and rarely used small appliances (like a juicer) in designated drawers or cupboards. Use a cleanser — we stand behind GH Seal holder Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray — to wipe the surface. SPOT-CLEAN THE STOVE. Take care of stovetop spills and grease on the door handle or inside the glass door with a wet sponge and a dash of baking soda (easier to rinse off than a sudsy cleanser). Wipe up crumbs, then liberally spritz burned-on food with ammonia from a spray bottle. Rinse well with warm water. Next, sprinkle on baking soda and add a few drops of white vinegar. Let it bubble for a minute or two before whisking away the grime with a scrub sponge. LOAD THE DISHWASHER. Stop pretending you’re…

1 START WITH A GREAT TABLE. Gone are the days of matchy-matchy dining sets. Find a table you love, like the rustic one here, then surround it with complementary chair pairings like ornate cane and plush upholstery. 2 PULL UP A CLEAR CHAIR. Create a clean look with transparent dining chairs (wipeable, so great for kids!). Then mix in a variety of textures, like matte-painted walls, a polished table and earthy jute blinds. MODERN FARM HOUSE SHOP THE LOOK Lena Mid-Century dining table, from $299, westelm.com Alexander Home Rawhide Tan rug, from $159, overstock.com M20 chair, $183 for two, overstock.com TREND ALERT 3-5 A D D A B E N C H … Invite guests to take a seat on the chair’s cooler, more casual cousin. …A F A R…

DAISY CREEL AGE: 12 HOMETOWN: ASHTON, MD Budding beauty guru Daisy Creel is proof that you’re never too small to think big: She combined her love of animals with an inborn entrepreneurial streak to develop Lipzu, a line of organic lip balms that generates a $250 donation to the Humane Society every month. “We got all our pets — two cats, a dog and a bird — from a Humane Society shelter,” says Daisy. “Someone saved and cared for them before they came to live with us, so I want to return the favor.” HER INSPIRATION In 2015, the tween was already in the habit of taking extra food and supplies, bought with her allowance, to the shelter. “It’s a no-kill shelter, so the pets need care longer,” says Daisy.…

Legit PREVENTS WRINKLES. In the long term, this is correct! Studies show friction from tossing and turning all night on a less smooth fabric (e.g., cotton) can lead to creases in skin, and a silky surface can reduce this effect. BLOCKS BEDHEAD. Accurate based on our tests. Hair glides over the silky fabric with less friction, meaning you’re less likely to wake up with frizz and tangles. Some testers said it also helped their blowouts last longer! REGULATES TEMPERATURE. According to our pros, silk fibers inherently do this. Unlike cotton, which absorbs moisture, silk wicks it away to keep you dry and cool. Lame CONTAINS SKIN-NOURISHING AMINO ACIDS. Silk fibers do have amino acids, but your skin can’t absorb them while you sleep. HYDRATES. The fabric’s smoother surface means less…

Plan something after dinner, like walking to the neighbors’ or playing family flag football. Committing to a little movement, research shows, makes you less likely to overeat than if you plan to sit. Pick your dessert, then avert your eyes. One study showed that looking at high-calorie food stimulates parts of the brain that control hunger and reward, making you want more. Replace “can’t” with “don’t.” Researchers found that those who told themselves they didn’t eat an unhealthy food, as opposed to couldn’t (feels like deprivation), were more likely to skip it.…

1 BEND & SNAP WORKS: BICEPS, BUTT, THIGHS Squat, holding weights at sides, feet slightly wider than hip-width. Press through heels and jump up quickly (as shown; A), landing on balls of feet. With elbows at sides, do a biceps curl (as shown; B). That’s one rep; do 10. SMART START: Practice the squat and jump without weights, then add them when you feel comfortable. YOU’LL NEED: DUMBBELLS Use a pair of 3- to 8-pounders. 2 PIVOT PUSH WORKS: SHOULDERS, OBLIQUES, BUTT, THIGHS Stand holding weights at shoulders, palms facing each other. Squat, then stand, rotating torso to left, pressing weight in right hand diagonally over left shoulder (as shown). Return to squat and repeat, rotating to right. That’s one rep; do 10. FLAT-BELLY BONUS: As you rotate your torso,…

Uh-oh. You have that spacey, tired feeling with a side of throat tickle. Is a cold coming on, or will you be flattened by the flu? First, figure out what ails you so you can start recovering: Your symptoms show up primarily above your neck: a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, slightly swollen glands and other aches and pains. You feel mildly icky, and things get worse slowly — the first signs might include slight aches, a scratchy throat, a headache and/or low-grade fever. Yes, and you can walk around. Though you might not want to commute to work or schlep the kiddos, you can manage. CURE YOUR COLD Take it easy, lady — you need to rest up. Keep a water bottle attached to your hip and sip, sip,…

VEGETARIAN CHILI MACARONI In lg. pot, cook 1 med. onion, chopped; 2 Tbsp. chili powder; 1 Tbsp. canola oil; and 1/2 tsp. salt on med. 8 min., stirring often. Add 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes and 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained. Heat to simmering on high; simmer 5 min. Toss with 1 lb. macaroni, cooked, and 1 c. shredded sharp Cheddar. Top with cilantro. SERVES 6 ABOUT 500 CALS, 22 G PROTEIN, 82 G CARBS, 11 G FAT (4 G SAT), 11 G FIBER, 770 MG SODIUM. PEPPERCORN PORK CHOPS In 12-in. skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil on med.-high until very hot. Season 4 bone-in pork chops (1 in. thick) with 1/2 tsp. salt. Add pork to skillet; cook 3 min. per side or…

#GHSEALOFCUTE SETHCASTEEL I believe I can fly! KITTENS ARE LIKE KARDASHIANS Seth Casteel quickly learned that kittens were excited to pounce and perform, but older cats, not so much — they tended to be wary of the equipment, flashes and even Seth himself. “I’d sometimes spend hours just waiting for an adult cat to reveal itself from wherever it was hiding,” says Seth. HUMAN SCRATCHING POST After spending nine months photographing felines, Seth didn’t come away unscathed — his arms and hands got a bit scratched. “Cats love us similarly to the way dogs do, but they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do, and I respect that,” he says. FOR A GOOD PAWS GET A TRIAL PET Looking for a little short-term lovin’? Fostering a pet could be a win-win…

Can pollution cause skin damage and signs of aging? A: Unfortunately, yes. “Studies show that people living in higher-traffic urban areas have more brown spots and pronounced wrinkles than those in more rural environments,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. “Pollution generates excess free radicals that can harm the skin’s ability to produce collagen and retain moisture.” Your best bet to help repair and prevent pollution damage: Apply a face serum with high levels of free radical–fighting antioxidants like vitamin C, ferulic acid and green tea (try GH Seal holder No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, $30) daily, and upgrade your face-washing routine to include a cleansing brush, which will remove pollution particles more thoroughly, Dr. Engelman says. We recommend GH Seal holder Olay ProX…

COLOR-TREATED HAIR WINNER Pantene beat out the competition for preserving color vibrancy while leaving strands clean and easy to work through. TESTER NOTES After they used the “dense, creamy, no-foam” formula, hair “felt cleansed and protected,” testers revealed. “I liked everything about it,” a fan said. “I’m switching to this.” LAB LOWDOWN In our test, the sulfate-free cleansing conditioner was the best at keeping haircolor true through 20 wash cycles and 10 hours of UV light exposure. RUNNER-UP Also a great color protector, Unwash was a favorite for boosting strands’ silkiness. TESTER NOTES “My hair was in better shape, with more body and shine.” LAB LOWDOWN It scored equal to the winner in maintaining haircolor. Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner, $36, Ulta CURLY HAIR WINNER The lightweight Joico foam came out on…

PIZZA PARTY PORTA Sure, New Yorkers know pizza — but so do their neighbors across the Hudson. Order Neapolitan-style pies, then work off the carbs when the weekend DJ makes it a dance festival! pizzaporta.com GONE FISHIN’ JERSEY CITY FISH STAND Look no further than this quaint store and its farmers’ market outposts for the freshest catch around. Arrive early to stock up on in-season options, or choose from the take-home selection of premade fresh seafood salads and soups. jcfishstand.com INDULGE YOURSELF PARK & SIXTH Here’s the place to go when that telltale comfortfood craving calls. Pair your pick with done-up fries — from classic Sweet Potato to creamy Mac ’n’ Cheese. parkandsixth.com DATE NIGHT DONE RIGHT BATTELLO With its starlike lights and unbeatable city views, this Anthony Carrino– designed…

16 MINUTES TO A CLEAN HOUSE START WITH THE BATHROOM. Use an all-purpose disinfecting wipe on the sink, counter and toilet top. Wipe the mirror and fixtures with a microfiber cloth, straighten the shower curtain and hang fresh towels. MOVE TO THE KITCHEN. Hide dirty dishes and cookware in the dishwasher if it’s empty; if not, stash them in the oven. Use a wipe to clean the counters. DECLUTTER. Put newspapers, magazines, shoes and other stuff into a shopping bag or laundry basket, then hide the bag or basket in a bedroom or a closet. Dust major furniture surfaces. END WITH THE FLOORS. Vacuum main traffic areas and living spaces, including carpets and bare floors. Store the vacuum in the closet and greet your guests! 1 CLEAR THE CLOSET. Free…

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY For similar: Fair Isle Swedish Cotton Woven rug in Blue/Ivory, from $39, dashandalbert.com. Alcott Hill Grandview Parsons chair in Beige, $246 for two, wayfair.com. Threshold 60" Farm dining table in Honey, $207, target.com. Romantica dining chair in Antique, $543, danishdesignstore.com. Kalalou Metal One-Light Dome pendant III, from $278, bellacor.com. MODERN FARMHOUSE Paint, Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore. Bench fabric, Checker in Charcoal, hable construction.com. For similar: Good Housekeeping Woven Wood shades in Jute Wheat, from $146, selectblinds.com. Danika 1 Light Mini pendant in White, kichler.com. INDUST R I A L B I STRO For similar: Toscana bench in Vintage Spruce, from $599, potterybarn.com. Jackson Rectangular table With Metal Base, $330, worldmarket.com. Lyle Metal dining chairs, $199 each, crateandbarrel .com. Ivory Shaggy Sherpa throw, $60, pier1.com. REFINED RUST I…

94% SAY IT’S IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK LOCALLY Find out where you’re needed in your town at pointsoflight.org/goodhousekeeping. 19% OF YOU HAVE RECEIVED CHARITABLE HELP ? 29% benefited from food stamps ? 23% were given clothing or other goods ? 16% got assistance with health care 62% NEED TO FEEL A CONNECTION TO A CAUSE BEFORE GIVING YOUR TOP CAUSES: ? Feeding the hungry ? Social issues like domestic violence ? Children’s literacy ? Helping the homeless 60% OF PARENTS SAY THEIR KIDS VOLUNTEER Most of them do it because their parents, schools or religious communities encourage them to be involved 49% WOULD RATHER GIVE TIME WHERE YOU HELP OUT MOST: ? At your place of worship ? In your child’s school ? In your immediate community 51% PREFER TO…

November 14 is International Girls Day! Celebrate by donating at tangiblehope.org to fund a girl’s education in Ethiopia. LILY YOSEPH HOMETOWN: SAUSALITO, CA A homecoming that opened her eyes On a trip back to her childhood hometown of Kofele, Ethiopia, in 2008, Lily Yoseph was shocked to see her village wracked by poverty. Lily, who had grown up as the privileged daughter of a teacher there, had returned to Ethiopia on a soulsearching mission after working a series of unfulfilling jobs in retail and real estate in California, where she’d lived for decades. “I wanted to do something with my life,” she says. “When I got there, I was overwhelmed.” Her heart especially broke for girls like 7-year-old Ubo. “I couldn’t believe how much responsibility she had — working, cleaning,…

“IF ANYTHING EVER HAPPENS TO ME, I want you to remarry. I love you, and I want you to be happy.” My husband, Larry, was 24 when he spoke those words; I was 22. We’d just learned that we were expecting our first child, and we were discussing big, scary issues like wills, life insurance and guardianship. I burst out crying — whether due to what he was saying or first-trimester pregnancy hormones, I didn’t know. As tears streamed down my cheeks, my tall, lanky husband took me in his arms, his chin resting comfortingly on the top of my head. “Nothing is going to happen to me,” he murmured. “I promise.” It was a promise he couldn’t keep. Exactly two weeks later, I got a phone call while I…

82/100 EASY ALL-STAR WINNER Kenmore’s sleek stainless steel champ achieved top marks in nearly every test and was easiest to use. More to love: It offers a built-in look at a mid-level price and has dishwasher-safe grates, dual timers and a self-clean cycle that leaves the oven pristine. Standout Feature When you’re short on time, switch on the Accela-Heat option — it eliminates the need to preheat the oven, shaving minutes off baking favorites like chicken nuggets and pizza. Lab Lowdown It excels at baking, but the broiler really catapulted it to the top by turning out steaks that looked as good as grilled — a rare feat! Kenmore Pro Self-Clean Gas True Convection Range, 72583, $2,900, sears.com HOW WE TESTED We broiled steaks, boiled and simmered 3,360 oz. of…

SMART TVs Our family wants great picture quality and the latest technology. SOLUTION Go for a 4K UHD (ultra-high-definition) set. With four times the image resolution of a regular HD model, it’ll make you feel as if the action is right in your living room. LAB LOWDOWN Think of resolution in terms of rows and columns: A 1080p HD set offers images with 1,920 by 1,080 pixels; a 4K set has twice that in each direction, or 3,840 by 2,160. Premium UHD TVs offer better contrast between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks on screen — meaning greater clarity and detail. Right now, 4K UHD content is limited — one downside of being ahead of the curve — but more content is on the way from sources like Sony,…

FROM THE TIME I was old enough to know I had a body, I recognized it as a problem to be solved. It was the wrong shape, it was awkward — but above all, it was too big. Thankfully, the solution was clear: I would need to diet the problem away. As a child, I started with the usual mainstream diet plans, and later I saw various professionals and tried a few personally prescribed “nutrition” programs. Meanwhile, I calculated the calories I burned not just at the gym, but with every step; exercise wasn’t a way to feel good, but merely a tool to erase myself, one miserable jumping jack at a time. Dieting was my whole world, the structure within which I lived every day. I had rules about…

1 Drink up. Staying hydrated keeps your immune system in top germ-slaying shape. That’s even more important when your body loses water through a sweaty fever, a runny nose and teary eyes. Carry a water bottle and sip constantly. 2 Get moving. Exercise, too, keeps your immune system humming. In one study, people who worked out at a moderate intensity called in sick half as often as people who weren’t advised to exercise. Walking, running, biking — it’s all good. 3 Go to bed earlier. Skimping on shuteye lowers resistance. One study found that adults who slept six hours or less per night were four times as likely to catch a cold. Prioritize sleep, and don’t push yourself if you feel bad — listen to your body’s call for rest.…

Q I want to make cranberry sauce from scratch. Help! Susan Westmoreland Food Director @susanswestmoreland HAVE A QUESTION? E-mail food@good housekeeping.com. A: Our classic recipe is almost as easy as opening a can, but way more delicious. And it’s a cinch to customize — just swap in juice or vinegar for the water and add mix-ins (see right). CRANBERRY SAUCE In 2-qt. saucepan, heat 1 bag (12 oz.) cranberries, ½ c. sugar and ¼ c. water to boiling on high, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer 5 to 10 min. or until cranberries pop and sauce thickens. Transfer to container and refrigerate until chilled, 1 hr. or up to 3 days. My husband insists on having meals at both of our parents’ houses on Thanksgiving. How can I stop this ritual…

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE CR�PES 1. In med. bowl, combine flour, 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 tsp. salt. 2. In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar and 1/3 c. pumpkin puree until smooth. Whisk in milk and 3 Tbsp. melted butter. Add milk mixture to flour mixture; mix until smooth. Chill 1 hr. 3. Make filling: Combine cream cheese, 1/4 c. maple syrup, remaining 1 c. pumpkin puree, 1 tsp. pie spice and pinch salt; set aside. 4. Brush bottom of nonstick 8-in. skillet with some of remaining melted butter; heat pan on med. until hot. Pour scant 1/4 c. batter into pan; tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook 2 min. or until underside is slightly browned. With rubber spatula, loosen edge of crêpe. Flip crêpe; cook 30 sec. Repeat…

KIDS’ TABLE HOW-TOS (page 173) TURKEY LEG PLACE CARD Stuff a brown paper bag with candy, popcorn or other goodies. Tape the opening shut and wrap a piece of white paper that’s been frayed on the edge around the end. Finish by adding the child’s name. GRATITUDE PIE Cut out a construction paper circle (try orange for a “pumpkin” pie!) the same size as the interior circle on a paper plate. Attach to the plate using a brass fastener (at office-supply stores), then cut out a “slice” of pie. Write a prompt, like “I’m Thankful for…” along the top and encourage kids to write responses as they rotate the “slice” around the pie. SWEEPSTAKES DETAILS No purchase necessary to enter or win. Important notice: You may be charged for visiting…