First for Women

7 things making us happy

Bliss in every bite Easy meatball mmm “I’m always looking for ways to lighten up my recipes by subbing in healthy ingredients,” says Charles Grayauskie, FIRST associate food editor. “This week, I decided to surprise everyone with my famous meatballs—but I replaced some of the beef with mushrooms! To make, I simply mix ¾ lb. of ground beef, 2 cups of chopped mushrooms, ¼ cup of seasoned breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 Tbs. of grated Parmesan, ½ tsp. of chopped garlic, and ½ tsp. of salt, then I form into 12 balls and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. I heat a 24-oz. jar of basil pasta sauce, add the meatballs and serve over cooked spaghetti. They’re tender and so tasty!” Crafting up smiles Lovely leafy wow! “Recently, my kids and I went ‘leaf-peeping’ all around…

stunning in readers

Dark hair? Try black FIRST pick: Firmoo, $26 (Firmoo.com, S939) Gray hair? Choose clear FIRST pick: Peepers, $25 (Peepers.com, Center Stage Blue Light in Clear) Since hitting 40, we’ve owned our fair share of cheap drugstore glasses—necessary for reading everything from medicine bottles to text messages. But the frames tend to be flimsy and the designs matronly. Great news! The latest crop of readers are sturdy and stylish and won’t break the bank! To find the most face-flattering pair, match the frame to your hair. The complementing colors will enhance features without overwhelming them, making you a youthful vision! Blond hair? Go neutral FIRST pick: Eye Buy Direct, $32 (EyeBuyDirect.com, Instance Rectangle White Eyeglasses)…

the best colors to wear with your new hair hue

Black or deep brunette? The vibrancy of bold, bright jeweltoned colors beautifully balances the intensity of darker-hued tresses. Gray, ash blond or platinum? Cool, dusty tones with a touch of gray enhance silver shades and combat any brass in blond hair—all without competing with lighter strands. Red or golden brown? Rich shades with warm undertones complement the heat of red hair and the brightness of light brunette locks. Warm blond? Colors with slight yellow undertones highlight the youthful sunny streaks in a honey-blond mane.…

worries solved

Is there a food fix for caffeine jitters? Q: I’m so busy in the morning that I find myself on my fourth cup of coffee before I’ve eaten a thing—then I’m stuck with jitters for the rest of the day! Is there a way to get rid of caffeine bothers after the fact? A: It’s easy to lose count of how many times we refill our mug some days, but getting too much caffeine on an empty stomach can lead to jitters, headaches, dizziness, stomach upset and irritability. Fortunately, it’s easy to get around these results, even after you’ve surpassed your caffeine threshold. First, we recommend guzzling 16 oz. of water, then continuing to sip until you feel better. Many of the symptoms caffeine causes are made worse when you’re dehydrated, so filling…

quick bits

Feel-great secret to better blood-sugar control Making time for a leisurely stroll, cozying up with a book or relaxing in a bubble bath is an oftenoverlooked part of managing type 2 diabetes, say Ohio State University researchers, who found a link between higher blood-sugar levels and the stress hormone cortisol. Normally, cortisol levels rise during the day and dip at night. But people with type 2 diabetes have consistently elevated cortisol levels (and therefore higher blood sugar), which makes controlling diabetes and keeping glucose levels in check more difficult, researchers found. Lead researcher Joshua J. Joseph, M.D., an endocrinologist, says making relaxation a part of your daily routine reduces stress, steadies cortisol levels and improves blood-sugar control. Must-read news about face masks Masks have been proven to reduce COVID-19 spread by 85%, but…

news: nasal immunity key to beating covid

These days, our concerns about “sick season” have grown beyond dreading a simple cold or flu. While nothing can make us totally invulnerable to viral attacks, strengthening the body’s natural defenses can help, asserts physician-scientist William W. Li, M.D., author of the NYT bestseller Eat to Beat Disease. “Think about your immune system as super soldiers. Different special forces do different things,” he explains. “Coronavirus enters the body by inhalation, so most of the battle is fought in your nose. If you have strong immunity, the soldiers in your nose ought to be able to tackle the infection right there.” But how do we build immunity in our nose? It’s easier than you’d think—and you may already have what you need at home. “When it comes to immunity, everyone talks…