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ChilesEggs from the farmers' marketFruit (including lemons and limes for naturally fat-free flavor enhancement; avocados; various types of tomatoes)GarlicGingerHummus (for snacks)Herbs, including basil, chives, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, thymeJalapeno peppersVegetables (including asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, capers, cucumber; dark greens such as arugula and spinach; eggplant, mushrooms, red onion, regular onion, scallions, yellow squash, watercress, zucchini) Almond extractBalsamic vinegarCanned beans, including black, kidney and pinto (look for reduced or sodium-free brands)Canned tomatoesCanola oilCondiments, including mustard, Indian pastes, chili paste and exotic options such as pomegranate molasses; they all add flavor, minus fat, to dishesCorn kernels (no salt added)Flavored oil, such as lemon oilHoneyLight coconut milk (to use in soups)Low-sodium chicken and vegetable brothLow-sodium soy sauceLow-sodium teriyaki sauceMarinara (500 milligrams sodium or less per half cup)Olive oilPepper, including varieties such as cayenneRice wine (low- or no-sodium varieties)Roasted red peppersSaltSherryThai fish sauceTomato juice (low sodium)Vanilla extractVegetable oil cooking spray...

I finally grew up"If I ever hit 120, just shoot me!" I was a histrionic teen as I made this statement. How could a diet of denial and despair be right? This revelation led to others. I am curvy, not willowyand it suits me. I live in Queens now, and I love it. I desire a gorgeous ripe tomato above all things. Finally, I stepped off my scale. In the no-weighing year that followed, not tracking my pounds made about 20 of them disappear....

“You’ve got to talk to your husband.” I was in total disbelief. “This is impossible,” I protested. “We’re both monogamous.” “I haven’t done anything wrong.” It took a few more days of wrenching confrontation for our marriage to disintegrate. “I don’t know how this could have happened,” he stammered. But I kept quiet and thought, I’ve held up as long as I could. And I am done. I was 30 years old when this happened, and Chris and I had been married for 11 years....

My feeling unappreciated and stressed-out was. On that, at least, we both agreed. She had a businesslike air and a sleek, black leather couch that felt cold on my bare legs. I spoke first, and as I did, my eyes began to well up. “My kids are incredible, and I love my job,” I said. “I feel tremendously lucky that we have so many blessings in our lives.” Then I got to the “but....

High pull Works: arms, back, butt, legs Stand with feet hip-width apart. Hold kettlebell with both hands, palms facing body, arms down. Squat and reach kettlebell toward feet so it’s just above floor. Bend at hips and knees, with back almost parallel to floor. Bring kettlebell between legs and pass it to right hand behind right knee (as shown). Grip kettlebell with both hands, palms facing body, arms down. Squat, bringing kettlebell down between legs....

Then again, I was 19. What did I know? I don’t work out anymore. It turns out that I’m the jerk who can’t get it all done. The first thing I gave up was exercise, but I was still overwhelmed and behind schedule. I looked at my days from every possible angle. We have a good relationship, so I didn’t keep my decision from him. I said, “Honey, I have so many things on my list....

Soaring eagle Works: abs, butt, legs Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms down. Squat, leaning torso forward and extending arms behind you, palms facing ceiling. Explode up, reaching arms and legs wide. Land with knees soft, feet hip-width apart, and squat low again. Repeat as many times as it’s possible for you to for one minute. In a single, quick-fire movement, contract abs, push off floor with hands and jump to feet....

I do it to deal with stress or boredom, and I’m not alone. I pull from the crown of my head. At one point after college, I worked my way to a palm-sized bald spot. My doctors assured my parents I would grow out of it, but I didn’t. While there are promising new therapies, trichotillomania has long been difficult to treat. (I’m now 27.) I’ve taken vitamin B and antidepressants to reduce stress, done yoga and meditated....

Like many single thirtysomethings, Elly Trickett had been through her share of dead-end relationships. “I figured we’d hang out and have fun, nothing more,” Trickett says. Unexpectedly, sparks flew. “The two of us fell madly in love almost immediately.” After 18 months of phone calls and visits, David moved to New York. “We were so happy to be in the same place,” Trickett says. “Every day felt like a gift knowing he was close by....

Bend knees and sink into a lunge as you curl weights toward shoulders (as shown). Return to start; do 8 to 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat. Grab right handle with left hand; wrap band across waist; hold at left side. Grip left handle and weight with right hand; extend arm up, palm forward (as shown). Bend right elbow 90 degrees, hand near right ear. Extend arm for one rep; do 8 to 12 reps....

Focus Shifter Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart, knees bent, toes turned out. Extend arms forward at chest level, hands relaxed. Reverse motion, slowly shifting to left. Repeat, alternating sides for one minute. Circle for 30 seconds; reverse direction and circle for another 30 seconds. Flowing Arms From Calming Circles, return arms to sides. Inhale as you slowly float arms up, fingertips pointing down. Repeat for one minute. Repeat for 30 seconds; switch sides and do for 30 seconds....

J. and I eavesdrop, enjoying the floor show while sharing wine, food, encouragement and laughter. The check comes, and we drop our respective credit cards on the table. I frown and, before I can stop myself, say, “You should pay more. You had one more glass of wine than I did.” We stare at each other, mortified. Neither of us can believe what has just come out of my mouth....

__Elaine D’Farley, beauty director__I’m notantiaging; I’m into aging well. After all, I’m not broken. But for me, Botox falls in the aging-well category. It seems less extreme than a lot of other cosmetic measures. Remember when people whispered, “Does she or doesn’t she?” He told me not to get Botox under my eyes because they wouldn’t move when I smiled. He’s not anti his age either. But one morning I gave in to temptation....