Live Better Now October 2008

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This story's category:
Live Better Now

What's in a word?
The best thing about being a magazine editor is sharing the powerful stories of the people I meet. Like Courtney Bugler, 31, who is trying to start a family after breast cancer. Once you read her story, I know you’ll agree that we need a new word to describe Courtney and women like her who are bouncing back big time from the disease: “survivor” just doesn’t say it. Ideas? Email me!
Lisa Delaney, Editor

✱ Petal power for a scratchy throat
If the change of seasons has left you under the weather, try adding a few plants around your house. A recent study found that leafy greens like English ivy, peace lilies and orchids can boost moisture in the air by up to 5 percent. While that’s not enough to replace a good old humidifier, these power plants will help combat raw throats and dry, itchy noses.

✱ Tricks for all those treats
Forget ghosts and goblins. The scariest thing about Halloween is being surrounded by all those bite-size treats just begging to be eaten by you and your kids. Here, what to do with those bulging goodie bags:

Buy what you hate. Distribute suckers, for instance, if you’re a choc-aholic—you won’t be as tempted to munch on any leftovers. Or avoid edibles altogether and give out stickers or party favors.

Give your kids—and yourself—a candy budget. It is Halloween, after all. Vow to limit yourself to just one of your all-time favorites each day over the Halloween weekend. Such planned splurges can keep you from binging on the goods.

Establish a new tradition. Let little ones pick 10 pieces of candy to keep. Then leave the rest for the “Halloween Fairy,” (aka you) who, in the dead of night, will spirit it away and leave a gift in its place.

Find a buy-back program. Go to Spryliving.com for a list of dentists around the country who will buy leftover candy to send to the troops in Iraq.