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The Power of the Middle Ground | February 16, 2010

The Power of the Middle Ground
A Couple’s Guide to Renewing Your Relationship By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD

The Power of the Middle Ground explains as no other self-help book does why and how the inherent difficulties entailed in the change process itself are daunting. Author Marty Babits, a seasoned couples therapist and educator, explains strategies and provides tips for grappling successfully with the challenges that change presents. This key aspect of working through relationship difficulties has, until now, been given short shrift in the popular and academic literature. Despite the central place of divorce in our culture, he teaches couples how … Read More »


 

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Eating Well Should Be Healthy Too! | February 16, 2010

by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë François, Authors of Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients

After the release of our first book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, in 2007, we started hearing from our readers. Many of them wanted to share their experiences with our innovative, time-saving, based on long-term dough storage. Many others had questions, so we set up a website and blog that were designed for questions and discussion.  Most of the questions directed at me sounded something like this: “You’re the doctor, … Read More »


 

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Lori McNally
 
 
 
 

Where in the World is Your Heart? | February 16, 2010

As a Travel Writer for Chic Galleria, you’ll find my ideas on where to jet set, but from time to time, you’ll get my recommendations about interesting fashion ideas from around the globe as well. I recently learned about a fabulous jewelry designer from California named Maya Brenner. She creates everything from necklaces, to earrings, to bracelets…But, I absolutely fell in love with her State Necklaces.

They come in either sterling silver or 14K gold, and you can also get them with or without a little diamond (Around $100-$300 depending on which state). Many celebrities have sported them, including Eva Longoria-Parker … Read More »


 

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Do You Have a Middle Ground? | February 15, 2010

By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD, Author of The Power of Middle Ground: A Couple’s Guide to Renewing Your Relationship

Attitude survey:

On a scale of one to five where five means you agree strongly and one means you strongly disagree.

1. Before I speak with my partner I think about whether it is a good time to deal with the issue I want to bring up.

2. Couples need to resolve stressful topics efficiently. Coming back to the same topic repeatedly indicates a poor relationship.

3. We have a number of shared interests and activities.

4. If I … Read More »


 

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Phuong Le
 
 
 
 

Happy Chinese New Year with Slimming Fortune Cookies! | February 15, 2010

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! To celebrate, I created a delicious tea infused fortune cookie recipe! The best part, besides all the powerful antioxidants, is the slimming affect of the tea! Oolong has been shown to help shed stubborn pounds by boosting your metabolism and blocking the fattening effect of carbohydrates. Fortune cookies aren’t just for “fortunes” either! Write a love note or a day brightener as a “fortune.”  Watch the other person’s expression when they see their personalized message. It’s fun and it tastes so much better than the store bought cookies. Plus it’s quick and easy.

Ingredients:

2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon … Read More »


 

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Christopher Drummond
 
 
 
 

Get the Look: BCBG Fashion Week 2010 | February 15, 2010

Makeup artist Sarah Lucero, for Stila, created a monochromatic, clean face using beige tones. “The key is to neutralize the skin so the beige pops,” said Lucero, as she prepped the face with Hydrating Primer. She then applied One Step Makeup to the face, and Dune eye shadow to the entire eyelid. She created a soft “reverse cat eye” under the lid by brushing on a deeper brown shade to remove any pinkness. Cheeks and lips were bare.

To get the look with Christopher Drummond Beauty products:
Apply Natural Cream Concealer where needed in small amounts
Next, apply a small amount of Saude … Read More »


 

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Beth Anderson
 
 
 
 

Sharing a Bond With an Olympic Athlete | February 15, 2010

Meryl Davis is not only the reigning U.S. ice dance champion along with her partner Charlie White, she is also on her way to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics.  I met Meryl via some of my Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters and couldn’t wait to speak with her.  She and I share a common bond in that we are both members of the Iota chapter of  Delta Delta Delta at the University of Michigan.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White have been skating for more than 13 years and are one of two ice dancing teams from the University of Michigan headed … Read More »


 

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Your Newborn and Sleep | February 15, 2010

By Kim West, LCSW-C, Author of The Sleep Lady®’s Good Night, Sleep Tight: Gentle Proven Solutions to Help Your Child Sleep Well and Wake Up Happy

As a parent, you will learn that children need a certain amount of rules and structure. Not rigidity for the sake of rigidity, but a framework to give them predictability and security. And as a family therapist and sleep expert who has worked with thousands of parents, I’ve realized that parents need rules and structure too! So here are eight “rules” for parents of newborns These rules won’t get little tiny babies to … Read More »


 

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Cheryl Fenton
 
 
 
 

Smoochable Lips for Valentine’s Day | February 14, 2010

Pucker up, buttercup. It’s Valentine’s Day! How pretty is your pout? Here are a few lip tips for soft, smooth smooches.

Soft

Exfoliate lips with a little bit of brown sugar—actual sweet kisses are sure to follow. Mix 1 teaspoon with a few drops of olive oil (extra hydration) and lightly rub your dry lips in small circles.

Smooth

Before applying lip color, reach for something that seals in moisture. Peter Thomas Roth’s Unwrinkle Lips, Love Balm by Jurlique and Josie Maran’s Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick.

Kissable Color

Below are four quick tips from Josie Maran, founder of Josie Maran Cosmetics, for kiss-perfect lips with color … Read More »


 

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Shirley Meerson
 
 
 
 

Crouching Tiger | February 12, 2010

The aggressive nature of the Tiger is upon us – arriving on February 14, 2010 – as the Chinese Lunar Year of 4708 – The Year of the Golden Tiger.

Don’t worry – the crouching tiger can unleash the hidden dragon – bringing along the advent of good luck and keeping the fierceness of the tiger under control.

Chinese the world over celebrate the New Year with the universal rituals of eating, gift giving, and spending time with family.

At this time, family members who are no longer living at home make a special effort to return home for gatherings. During the celebrations, … Read More »


 

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Carrie Castleman
 
 
 
 

Has Disney Tainted a Girl’s Real World Perspective of a Happy Ending? | February 12, 2010

When I read Carrie’s article on Disney/Pixar movies and the great messages that they often carried with them I couldn’t have agreed more.  I have always been a BIG fan of Disney!  I was born not far from Disneyland and from our backyard in Anaheim I remember early childhood memories of watching the fireworks every night.  I have such fond memories of princesses and Prince Charming, fairy godmothers and far away castles and happy endings that I am deathly afraid I may have transformed them into my real life.

Though I know that these movies often carry a great moral story … Read More »


 

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Dawn Del Russo
 
 
 
 

Sneak Peak Inside NY Fashion Week Fall 2010 Tents | February 12, 2010

Ever wonder what goes on inside the tents at Bryant Park during NY Fashion Week. Here is your sneak peak inside the fabulous white tents from the outrageous fashion to the chic decor. Kisses!!

Dawn Del Russo Fashion Expert Owner www.belladawn.com Featured in InStyle, US Weekly, Life & Style, TV Fox 5, Author “101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle

Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share with Stumblers Tumblr it Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post


 

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Target’s “Dare.Dream.Do.” Campaign to Commemorate Black History Month | February 12, 2010

Effort Spotlights Extraordinary People Who Exemplify the Spirit of Diversity

In honor of Black History Month, Target® announces this year’s new national multicultural campaign which encourages everyone, everywhere to celebrate diversity.  This year’s campaign entitled, “Dare.Dream.Do,” highlights the personal stories of four extraordinary individuals – Founder and Director of The Angelrock Project Malaak Compton-Rock, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, Chef and Cookbook Author Marcus Samuelsson and Author and Founder/CEO of Translation Marketing Steve Stoute – who Dare, Dream and Do everyday of their lives.  Target will promote the “Dare.Dream.Do” campaign through a national media … Read More »


 

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Kristin Cuccio
 
 
 
 

Let Them Eat Cake…Italian Love Cake! | February 12, 2010

How will you show the Love this year? What do you have planned for this Valentine’s Day?! Will you be going out to a romantic dinner with your sweetie or are you staying in and watching TV?!

During the recession don’t put love on the back burner! For those of you on a budget, there are plenty of things you can do! Why not bring the romance to your significant other. Cook your sweetie a romantic dinner or order take out from your favorite restaurant and watch a classic romantic movie. With all of the hype of Valentine’s Day what you … Read More »


 

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Allison Empey
 
 
 
 

Newsletter: Month 16 | February 12, 2010

(This is the latest addition to a series of monthly newsletters I’m writing to my son, in an attempt to remember everything humanly possible about his infancy.   To read past letters, visit my blog!)

Dear Hayden:

This week, you turned 16 months old.  Telling you that this has been “the best month” would be a blatant lie, because January wasn’t really all that kind to our household.  Among the things that happened (that weren’t your fault): two tow jobs on the car, leaky water heater tank, a bizarre January thaw that subsequently flooded our basement, and a mom that turned 29.  OH, … Read More »