August 2011

More Help for a Healthy Lifestyle

Between friends

Ask most women about their personal goals, and healthier eating habits come high on the list. Individually, we're attuned to the relationship between what we eat and how we feel; we want to do the right things for ourselves and our family. Collectively, we're concerned about how we're doing as a society, especially with the high rate of childhood obesity and its consequences for our children's future.

WE ASKED OUR FACEBOOK FANS: What new-to-you veggie are you trying this year?

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Summery sangria

Mix it up

'Tis the season for cruisin'-- and the right tunes on the stereo are essential. "Summer songs should be big and pretty, with catchy sing-along choruses," says NPR music critic and author Ann Powers.

You've got (real) mail

The Help

Play ball!

Hold everything

Pet smart

We've sniffed out top dog (and top cat) gadgets specially designed for four-legged friends. How paw-fect!

Crowd Pleaser

Stepped-up sundaes and bubbly beverages let adults play it cool at this grown-up ice cream social.

Formal Abandon

Beach-inspired colors and a come-on-in attitude make this family home the place to be-- inside and out.

Mood Lifters

Let go of the idea that soft, chalky colors are the only relaxing ones. These saturated hues refresh your mind-- and your home.

Open House

A young-at-heart makeover helps an old bungalow see the light.

Making Arrangements

Long, narrow living rooms always pose some decorating challenges, and this 13X25-foot space is no exception. The location of windows and doorways creates a tight fit for furniture, a situation made even trickier by a stranded fireplace.

Fan Club

We're in favor. And a ceiling fan lets you do both. Most designers agree: The best-looking fans have no light fixture (use table lamps instead) and blades that either match the room's woodwork or contrast it dramatically. Try these other tips to get the most out of going in circles.

Seat Shift

WISDOM

Solutions for Summer Gear

With summer in full swing, you're probably up to your sunscreened shoulders in yard toys, wet towels, and flip-flops. Here are some expert ideas for creating a little order.

Easy Weekend Updates

Some DIY projects offer instant impact and years of enjoyment. Use these tips from Eric Lundquist, paint and stain expert at Behr.

Perennial Attraction

A suburbanite transforms his front yard into a lush, turf-free garden-- and the neighbors approve.

Your Deck, Your Way

Gardening or grilling? Whatever your summer passion, BHG design pro Joe Boehm knows how to create a sweet spot.

Better Homes and Gardens The Wood Shed Project Plan

Grow luscious pink blueberries!

Hot Pots

Heat-beating succulents keep their cool even when summer temperatures sizzle.

Great Greens

It's a toss-up! Our favorites grow way beyond lettuce. Planted now, seeds of leafy crops will sprout quickly in the heat. When cooler fall days come, you'll have sweet greens.

Get a Grip

3 Irresistible Sages

WORDS TO GROW BY

Geometry Lesson

Easy and Breezy

Vintage Vegetables

What's New on the Garden Channel

Grow to the Dark Side

A Lilac that Reblooms

New Ways with Capers

Tried-and-true trick

J-Burger

Frozen Citrus Slices

Turning the tide

For years the American diet has been more turf than surf, partly due to concerns about safety. But experts say that with a few smart strategies, you can enjoy today's catch without fear-- and reel in some amazing health perks to boot.

Fiber for life

Join the hoopla

Calling the shots

Striking back

Lightning and flash floods injure hundreds of Americans every summer. Here, 7 ways to reduce your risk.

Bedroom wars

These practical tactics help you and your adolescent negotiate a de-messy zone.

Party with a purpose

Fair territories

Sky time

Fight back with words

I Did It!