Walnut Encrusted Lamb

Having people over for a nice spring dinner? Wow your crowd with this delicious dish.

-Recipe Courtesy of Tina Salter and the California Walnut Board,  walnuts.org

Lamb is a delicious choice as a traditional item for a spring meal. Walnut Encrusted Lamb is an easy yet thoughtful main course that complements any menu. The garlic, fresh herbs and honey mustard sauce goes well with the lamb, giving it an extra kick and making it perfect for any special gathering. The coating of walnuts adds crunch to the lamb, not to mention a dose of heart healthy omega-3s (2.5 grams per ounce).

Makes about 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 pounds rack of lamb, frenched*

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup California walnuts, finely chopped

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup spicy honey mustard

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.

2. Sprinkle racks of lamb with salt and pepper.

3. In large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat sear racks of lamb until browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a roasting pan and let cool slightly.

4. In small bowl, combine walnuts, thyme, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper with a fork. Stir in oil until well combined.

5. Using a pastry brush, rub mustard all over lamb. Press walnut mixture onto mustard to form a crust.

6. Roast in the center of preheated oven until medium rare, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, tent with foil and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut between the bones and serve 2 to 3 chops per person.

*Frenching defined: Upper ends of the rib bones are trimmed (and sometimes capped with decorative covers known as frills) creating one of the most distinctive cuts of lamb.

For more spring recipes featuring walnuts, try this Spring Linguine with with Spinach, Peas and Walnuts, or something else from our Recipe File.

Ever complimented someone on looking young for her age, or pointed out a peer who is aging poorly? Called attention to the very beginnings of wrinkles on your forehead or a stray gray hair? Have the words “I need a facelift,” ever escaped from your lips? If you answered yes to any of the above, you’re guilty of “old talk”—and you’re not alone.

As women age, they are increasingly likely to talk disparagingly about looking old or wishing to look younger. That kind of language has the potential to do serious damage to how women feel about themselves and their bodies. There’s been a lot of research on the demoralizing impact of fat talk, the negative comments we make about our own weight. But old talk is just starting to enter the conversation.

“Until now, we have used the term ‘the thin ideal’ to describe what the ideal woman in our culture looks like,” says Carolyn Black Becker, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Trinity University in San Antonio. “What we’ve typically not paid attention to is the fact that she’s also quite young. Old talk is basically speech that implicitly or explicitly reinforces the young aspect of the thin-young ideal standard of female beauty.”

Read Dating Advice Books: The Truth About What Works

Old talk can range from self-deprecation (“I have so many wrinkles.”), to craving youthfulness (“Should I get Botox?”) to despair disguised as flattery (“You look so young, what is your secret?”). And old talk is not just for the old. Young people who fixate on the faintest signs of aging and use products designed for older women do it, too.

Dr. Becker is the lead author of the first study investigating old talk among women of various ages. The study, published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, was based on answers to a questionnaire sent to 914 women from 18 to 87 years old. Becker and her team found that while fat talk decreased slowly with age, old talk increased. And the more people engaged in old talk, the worse they felt about their bodies. (The researchers allow that the increase over time might owe to generational differences, not just aging.)

Rampant old talkers were anxious about looking older and they internalized the thin-young standard of beauty. The correlation extended beyond age concerns; they also tended to objectify themselves, strive for thinness and displayed attitudes and behaviors associated with eating disorders.

What’s the Best Beauty Advice Your Mom Ever Gave You?

Beauty expert Rebekah George shares the top beauty tips her mother shared with her.

My sister and I usually make fun of my mom when we go to the beach — she wears long-sleeve t-shirts with pants and hides from the sun underneath her giant umbrella. But, thanks to her unusual beach habits, her skin is gorgeous and smooth.

It’s one of the many beauty tips I’ve learned from my mother — you may love the sun, but it’s not your skin’s BFF, so protection is key. She’s also taught me that less is more when it comes to makeup, and that red lipstick is classic, timeless and sexy. Thanks, mom.

Read 5 Celeb Moms Who Deserve Mother’s Day Awards

I’m not the only one who heeds my mother’s beauty advice. Rebekah George, fashion & beauty expert and host of Total Look on TotalBeauty.com, has never forgotten the beauty lessons her own mother has taught her.

After Mother’s Day earlier this month, we caught up with Rebekah, who was eager to share her mom’s important beauty tips with us. We’re curious, is that one of your mother’s beauty tips that she taught you? What else did you learn from her?

10 Top Tips for Great Online Photos

It’s surprisingly easy to look your best in a photo that’ll stand out from the rest online.

-Kate Houston

Whether you’re online dating, on Facebook, or Instagram your photo has to compete against millions of others. So how can you stand out? By taking tips from people who know how to get noticed–-advertisers. Oops, were you expecting advice from supermodels? Let’s face it, it doesn’t take an expert to make you look hot.

10. Let friends call the shots

Though I recommend at least one professional headshot, enlisting friends has several advantages. Friends are fun, free, and game for helping you pick different clothes for different settings. A good camera and a good friend go a long way in making fabulous online dating photos. Don’t have a good camera? Rent one and ask for a tripod to prevent shaking.

9. Boost your confidence

Trying to look hot, wholesome and smart is hard enough, but while a camera is pointed at you? Talk about pressure. So how do you inhibit your inhibitions? Take a good look at yourself before the camera does. Practice in front of a mirror. Smile big, smile small, turn, tilt, put a foot forward: try it all. Soon, you’ll be ready to strike a pose faster than toddlers in tiaras.

8. Have a seat

Still too coy for a Kodak moment? Then sit on a stool and relax. While you’re at it, cross your legs. Put your elbow on your knee. Lean forward into your hand. Have your friend take a shot looking down as you look up. Sit on a log, on the ground, or on a boulder. For that matter, be unique – sit atop a car! Every advertising expert knows that the best way to stand out is by doing the unexpected (but keep it natural).

7. Pose like a pro

If you follow every tip on how to pose, you can end up looking as relaxed as Madonna’s face (could it get any tighter?). So remember these few: Always turn slightly to the side. This minimizes the focus on shoulders and can be slimming. Look slightly above the camera so that your eyes are wide open. Lastly, keep from looking stiff by bending an elbow or knee. Chill is hot!

Read 10 Online Dating Safety Tips Every Woman Needs to Know

6. Do it on the side

Have the light fall on your good side. Side lighting makes everyone’s features pop out well than front lighting (which is made even worse with a flash). Light is easy enough to control when shooting indoors. However, for outdoor photoshoots, try to schedule time in the morning or afternoon so you can avoid the glare of a noonday sun.

5. Smile, yes smile!

Recent research suggests that women should smile and make eye contact, while men should look away and not smile. Be warned, just because something has been researched, doesn’t mean it’s been researched scientifically and results are often hypotheses. Fact is, advertisers spend millions trying to make their products likeable and trustworthy (also key in online dating). That’s why, with the exception of phonily-foreign cologne ads, most models smile.

4. Show a bit of skin

I’ve seen dating profile pictures that showed more cleavage than a Girl’s Gone Wild video. I’ve also seen guys lifting their shirts to show off their abs. A little cleavage is sexy. It’s also fabulously flirty and less typical to wear something slightly off-shoulder. For men who want to show abs, do so naturally with a shot of you playing beach volleyball or surfing.

3. Pay attention to detail

In online dating, it’s important to look your best, yet still look natural. So try these touches for cyber stardom: use eye drops to clear redness; use face powder (dudes too!) to minimize shine; keep gel on hand to tone down flyaway hair; and bring clear gloss (again, men too). Women might want to touch up with some makeup, just don’t overdo it.

2. Consider your environment

Make sure all visual elements in your shot work well together. Though clothes need to enhance your body and complexion, they also have to complement the backdrop. For instance, if you’re by a colorful garden, then wear a strong, solid color so that you’re not overshadowed. Any time I’ve had a photoshoot or TV appearance, I deliberately chose clothes that stood out within the setting. Never let a background (or a shared shot with people and pets) dominate. Go Kardashian and make the world revolve around you.

1. Use subtle messaging

Though you want to keep the focus on you, secondary elements can reveal subtle aspects of your personality that, in turn, can attract the eye of someone liked-minded. If you like to hike, take a photo of yourself hiking through a mountain. If you love sports, have a friend capture you cheering for your favorite team. Advertisers do this all the time to maximize the message. The caveat? Go light on party pix. Snooki is mesmerizing for all the wrong reasons.

On a final note, I’m always asked how many photos to post. My personal ideal is four to six head and body shots. That way you don’t seem to by shying from the camera and hiding something. Nor do you appear conceited or desperate.

On another final note (I mean it this time, I promise), it’s been said that every picture tells a story. However, to make that story come alive, you need to complete your self-summary. Take it from an advertising expert – if you treat every element of your online dating profile like a marketing opportunity, your competition won’t stand a chance.

Kate Houston has been an ad writer and marketing expert for 20 plus years. She also founded trysweettalk.com, the only service in North America to use ad techniques so that dating profiles, LinkedIn profiles and professional bios stand out and get noticed. Check out her blog and follow her on Twitter or check out her Facebook page.

Who doesn’t want shiny, sexy, young-looking hair? While we struggle with conditioners, glosses, salon treatments and flat irons to get our hair looking red carpet fabulous every day, there’s a more organic approach to gorgeous hair that we often forget: diet! The foods we eat can greatly affect how shiny, bouncy and thick our hair appears.

Lock & Mane reached out to Dr. Michael Lorin Reed, a New York dermatologist and renowned expert in women’s hair health and disorders, for tips on super foods for healthy locks. He tells us that “a well balanced diet rich in B vitamins, iron, sulfur, and zinc is essential for optimal hair growth and appearance.”

Read Best Beachy, Sexy Hair at Miami Swim Fashion Week

But Dr. Reed explains that the nutrients in some foods can actually compete with others, inhibiting the absorption of another valuable nutrient for hair.

We compiled a list of hair-healthy super foods across the board:

The hands-down winner is….

1. Red Meat: Dr. Reed tells us that a diet that includes red meat (in moderation) provides zinc, vitamins B1 and B12, iron and sulfur which are all desirable nutritional elements for hair health, optimizing the hair cuticle to promote shine.

2. Poultry/Fish: If red meat isn’t your thing, other meat proteins (poultry, fish) will do the trick by providing essential iron. Halibut is a particularly nutrient-rich fish, for example, providing high levels of biotin (vitamin B7) which promotes hair strength and prevents breakage!

Fun protein fact: Egg whites alone (without the yolk) are not good for hair! A component of egg white (avidin) inhibits absorption of biotin in the intestine. Biotin is a major co-factor in enzyme reactions necessary for hair growth! Consider that next time you’re ordering an egg-white omelette at brunch!

When you first met, he couldn’t take his hands off you. But lately, he’s been a little distant in the boudoir. Or maybe you’re feeling frisky and he simply seems distracted. What to do?

Let’s face it. Getting a man in the mood isn’t usually a serious challenge. By their own admission, most guys are more than happy to engage in acts of intimacy at the drop of a dime. But we all – men and women, alike – have those days when we could use a little help in the romance department. And, besides, most guys are seriously turned on when their partner takes the lead.

Below, are my well-researched, highly effective intimacy tips. They incorporate all of the senses and are guaranteed to put the zing back into your sex life. And at the very least, you’ll have a lot of fun trying them out together! (OK, I tried some of these out on my boyfriend and they worked, so I thought I’d share.)

1. Bubble, bubble, no toil or trouble.
Prepare a candlelit, vanilla-scented, bubble bath. According to neurologist Alan Hirsch, of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, vanilla is the aroma that arouses men most. Add a few more key ingredients to your sensual bath potion, such as you waiting for him in the tub with two glasses of wine, and voila! Let the games begin.

Read 5 Steamy Phone Sex Tips

2. See me, feel me, touch me.
Give your guy a sensual massage, and incorporate some items with diverse textures, such as a silk scarf, a feather. or a scratchy wool sweater. Be creative, but be sure to choose things that will feel different on his skin. Light a scented cinnamon candle (cinnamon is a known aphrodisiac for men), and choose a massage oil with aphrodisiac properties, such as lavender or frankincense. And don’t forget the blindfold – for him.

3. Let me whisper in your ear.
In your sexiest voice, leave a message on his voice mail about what it is that draws you to him and why you can’t wait to see him later – the breathier the better.

4. Look into my eyes.
Staring contests are a childhood staple, but this is one kids’ game worth revisiting as adults. Staring directly into the eyes of your lover without breaking your gaze can be a powerful tool for arousal, and it can also enhance intimacy during lovemaking.

There’s nothing wrong with loving your job. But if you spend most of your time at the office, chances are your health will get short shrift. Researchers at Kansas State University looked at workaholics who logged 50-plus hours a week at work and found that they skipped more meals, had worse diets and more mood problems than people who worked less. If cutting back your hours isn’t an option (or you simply don’t want to), try these 10 ways to eat and live healthfully, no matter how time-crunched you are.

Read Break Out of Your Shell! 5 Ways to Be More Outgoing

1. Keep healthy foods at arms’ reach.

Instead of a dish of candy on your desk, try a basket of apples or trail mix: When people were seated at tables with a bowl of apple slices or carrots, they were much more likely to munch on the fruits and vegetables than if the snacks were 6 feet away, according to research from St. Bonaventure University. In fact, research author Gregory Privitera, Ph.D., did a follow-up study and found that people even chose produce over salty, crunchy popcorn if the fruit and veggies were closer. Some of the best snacks to have on hand during the workday are a mix of protein plus produce or whole grains, says nutritionist Elisa Zied, author of the upcoming book, “Younger Next Week.” “This combination of protein and fiber is filling, helps steady blood sugar and provides many other key nutrients to help your body and brain perform optimally.” Some of her favorite picks: dried fruit mixed with nuts and whole grain cereal (1 tablespoon each), 10 to 15 whole grain chips with hummus or fresh fruit and yogurt.

2. Drink lots of water.

Sure, the hydration will do you good, but for those of us with office jobs, the best thing about guzzling H2O is that it forces you to get up from your desk and walk to the bathroom several times a day. The truth is, sitting for too long can kill you. “When you’re inactive, your metabolism glacierizes,” says Pamela Peeke, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and author of “Body for Life for Women.” “You cool down, important enzyme systems slow down significantly, and this leaves you with an inability to efficiently process blood glucose and cholesterol. Thus, blood sugar and lipids rise.” In fact, a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who sat for 11 hours a day were 40 percent more likely to die in the next three years compared to those who were on their tush for less than four hours. Obviously, finding every excuse you can to stand up and move is worth it.

Thanks goodness summer is finally here! While we dream of lazy days at the beach, the perfect tan, and summer romances, the ever-advancing world of electronics has definitely been busy keeping up with our every need and frivolous desire. This year, there are a slew of ultra-cool gadgets that will have us wondering what they’ll think of next. From fitness to drinking games, here are a handful to keep you busy from now until well after Labor Day!

Now that it is finally summer, cue the sunshine and margaritas! It is time to take road-trips, jet set to far away beaches, and start tackling that summer reading list. For many of us, summertime means relaxation and getting away from the 9-5 workday. Which, let’s be honest, is very necessary a few times a year. But before you jump into that itty-bitty-yellow-polka-dot-bikini and start throwing back margs like it’s your job, shouldn’t you set some ground rules first?

Ground rules… on vacation? Sounds crazy, right? Wrong. You’ve been working too hard eating clean, cycling at Soul Cycle, doing brupees at Cross-fit and Yoga-ing your heart out for the past 6 months. There is a way to relax and enjoy, while maintaining your rockin’ figure. In other words, literally having cake and eating it to.

Here are 5 ways (and useful recourses) to maintain your bikini body and to staying motivated this summer: 

1. Don’t throw out the scale. Instead, trade it in for this one! I am a firm believer that you shouldn’t judge how you feel based on the numbers you see on a scale. But, I am advocate for measuring your weight-loss success based on tangible results and personal progress. When I first heard about Taylor’s Smart Scale (pictured above), I just had to try it! This Bluetooth enabled Smart Scale is outfitted with the latest technology, features the free SmarTrack App, allowing users to store and view recorded data – weight, body fat, body water, etc. – in a variety of graphs, charts and dashboards – a great tool in the journey to maintaining everyday excellence!

And, SmarTrack is compatible with popular fitness and health apps RunKeeper, myfitnesspal and mapmyfitness, which automatically sync data into the consumer’s preferred app for easy tracking. For me, it really put a new perspective on how to monitor my wellness journey.

The Smart Scale is very user-friendly and more importantly, it retails for $59.99, which is a much lower price point then most scales with these capabilities.

2. Apps & Tools. In addition to using Smart Scale and SmarTrack, there are a plethora of apps and fitness tools you can use to keep yourself accountable this summer. The following is a list of our favorites:

MyFitnessPal – A personal food journal right in your phone! This app is great for logging your food and analyzing the amount of nutrients you receive in each meal. We love the scan feature, which allows you to scan any barcode and instantly all of the data from the food item uploads. It makes tracking so simple!

FitBit Charge HR – This fitness tracker does it all! Counts steps, calories, distance, tracks your sleeping habits, tells you your heart rate, has a clock, tells you floors climbed, has a sleep alarm and stop watch, tells you when you need to get moving and even informs you of an incoming phone call!

Follow Fitness and Food Blogs – I recently had the chance to speak with Shelley Cameron, the wellness and fitness blogger of Sea Shells and Sit Ups, who created her own fitness + workout tracker (which can be found on her website.) Shelley has amazing tips and tricks to share, and throughout the rest of this piece we will share some of her favorites. To start for all of your workout inspiration, Shelley routinely posts all her workouts of the day to her Instagram account. In addition, some of her go-to workouts consist of Tone it Up workouts, Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide and the Couch to 5k mobile app for running intervals.

If you feel like you are getting off track with your diet (and over indulging), surf the web and discover new health conscious food blogs, like this one – it is my personal favorite :). Often a little inspiration is all it takes to get back on track.

3. Keep Your Routine. With a busy travel schedule, weddings to attend and vacations galore, it can be hard to maintain the same workout routine you are accustomed to. According to Shelley, “All the workouts I create can be done anywhere, anytime, and are always under 20 minutes! So, I use them when I’m in hotels, on the road and feel out of my routine.” The best thing to do is to incorporate your workouts as part of your travel schedule.

My personal biggest tip when traveling is to always pack workout clothes and running shoes. You never know what kind of resources you may have access to. 

4. Cheat the System. The weather is warmer and you deserve to enjoy yourself! So cheat… but smartly. For example one of Shelley’s favorite tricks when craving an indulging drink is to order a 1/2 glass of wine when out or at dinner, mixed with 1/2 sparkling water. She says, “You get to enjoy a glass of bubbly with half the guilt; and can even order two (which is really one!)”.

Another great product to “indulge” in is Sealand Birk, a flavored “water” that’s actually 100% harvested from the sap tapped from birch trees in Finland. It has no additives, is USDA organic, is recommended by athletes and nutritionists as a great pre and post workout drink (a natural substitute to Gatorade to replace electrolytes). Right now, you can try a case for 15% off using ‘bikinibirk’ at checkout. Just visit sealandbirk.com.

Some other tips include: bring your dressing during meals to avoid those harmful ingredients, ask for the meat to be prepared “dry” (without oil or butter), and look for the meals that are inline with your dietary goals.

5. Balance. It is so easy to get off track, give into social pressures and then beat yourself up about it all. But the best thing to do is to set yourself up for success. If you miss a day ( or five), indulge in too many macaroons, and even gain a few pounds, do not get discouraged. You are human and achieving your wellness goals will be a journey. The next morning, wake up, get dressed and jump back on the horse!

“To stay motivated is to set a few realistic, reachable goals for myself once a month. If I try to do everything all at once, it sets me up for failure. By setting a few achievable goals, you get excited when you reach them, which keeps you excited and motivated. I also focus on eating more than working out when my busy schedule swallows me whole! Eating clean(ish) plays a huge role in maintaining my figure, energy, and confidence. A good workout enhances all of that, but abs are made in the kitchen and revealed in workouts” says Shelley.

For more tips and tricks to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, follow Shelley Cameron on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and check out her website! Also, detox and unwind with Shelley at the Koru Retreat, a wellness weekend in Carlsbad, CA 9.25-9.27. Get all the details here!

So tell us, what tips and tricks have you tried and found to be successful? Tweet me at @Jamiedanno or leave a comment below.

It’s the beginning of another workweek and you still have dark circles under your eyes from going to bed at an ungodly hour last night (we don’t blame you for catching up on KUWTK). Your boss is in full-on crazy mode (as usual), and you still feel bloated from all the frozen margaritas you gulped down Saturday night (who could turn down a weekend special?). We’ve all been there, but luckily, we don’t have to stay there. With these 10 simple tips, you’ll feel like the goddess you are in no time. Take that, Monday!

1. Love Your Body: You (you boyfriend, your best friends, and everyone else) already know what you hate about your body. But instead of focusing on your thighs touching (because really, that gets tiring), write down five things about your body that you absolutely love. Tape the list to your bathroom mirror as a reminder that flaws and all, you are gorgeous, dahling.

2. Show Off Your Assets: You’re a strong, smart, powerful woman, so why don’t you dress the part? Whether you’re preparing to run errands or hit your 9 to 5, add a dose of sexy to your day by slipping into a curve-hugging (but not too tight or skimpy) dress or jeans and your favorite heels. Hot, hot, hot!

3. Knowledge = Power (and that is so darn sexy): Taking public transportation on your morning commute to the office? Don’t leave home without a book. Not only will it save you from closing your eyes –and falling asleep on someone’s shoulder while being intermittedly awoken by that dude blasting his iPod –but it will also make you feel like you’re being productive. Just remember: If you’re not up for an epic literary masterpiece, you can always start reading a trashy romance novel. The good thing about owning a Kindle is that no one will know if you’re re-devouring 50 Shades of Grey or a Shakespeare play.

4. Let’s Talk About Sext: Contrary to what Lifetime movies would lead you to believe, a few sultry texts won’t ruin your life. Simply follow these rules: If you’re currently single, don’t sext the random guy who messaged you yesterday on OkCupid. A subtly flirty message, however, is a-OK. If you’re in a new-ish relationship, steamy messages will get him going, but you might want to wait a few more months for lingerie shots. Been with him forever? Feel free to send a boob shot from the bathroom stall at work. We won’t tell. Or, you know, if you actually want to talk instead of texting, here are five steamy phone sex tips to keep the conversation as hot and sexy as you are.

5. Healthy = Sexy: We know how fast the heaps of work pile up (give it until, oh, 9:01 a.m.), but Monday doesn’t have to be synonymous with misery. Instead of pounding away at the keyboard through lunch (only to make a “meal” out of the greasy, cold-ish meeting leftovers in the kitchen), take your hour to hit the salad bar or smoothie stand (or both!) for a fresh, healthy pick-me-up. When you eat healthy, you feel sexy. What mid-afternoon slump?

More tips ahead!

Forgive us for sounding like a cheesy medical commercial’s (admittedly more stylish) cousin, but do you ever feel tired of life’s daily grind? Do you wish you had time to give as much attention to your wardrobe as you do to your work? Do you ever think, “If only I had a few extra seconds to add some pizzazz to my look”?

Well, stop the wishful thinking and start doing something about it instead! A snazzy new nail polish and lip color combo will do wonders for sprucing up your look without needing to overhaul your entire wardrobe. To get you started, we’ve dreamed up a nail polish/lipstick pair for every type of gal, from the busy soccer moms to the on-the-go magazine, newspaper, and book editors. What did we find for you? Read on to find out!

“I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me—”

That’s how Berger broke up with Carrie Bradshaw via a Post-It note on an infamous episode of Sex In The City back in 2003. A decade later, he likely would have done it through a text message, instant message, email or heck, even Twitter. But is it really wise to break up with someone in so few words and through such an impersonal form of contact?

“All you have to do is ask yourself if you want to be ‘that person,’ ” YouBeauty relationship expert David Sbarra, Ph.D., argues.

That said, there are cases in which you can absolutely tidily end things via text. First and foremost, if the person has been a real jerk, feel free to curtly cut them loose. Or “[after] one or two dates, then perhaps it’s not a big deal, especially if texting is one of the main ways you communicate,” Sbarra advises.

When dating, Dana*, 37, relies on texting her beaus. It makes her feel bolder in the beginning and also, in the end. She has no problem letting go of guys she’s casually dating via text, and on occasion, she’ll even hand over her phone to a good friend to draft the farewell message.

Dana argues, “Why look someone in the eye foran uncomfortable conversation when you don’t have to?”

Read The Ups and Downs of Long Distance Relationships

But karma believers beware: Even though breaking up via text is as easy as typing “C U l8er,” it’s not good form. “This is about showing respect for the other person,” Sbarra points out. “I cannot respect you in 150 characters—it just doesn’t work.”

Stephanie*, 31, was dating a guy for six months when he decided to go on a European vacation and send her an email that he didn’t want to keep seeing her when he got back.

“At the time, I wished he would have approached me more directly,” she recalls. “Breaking up via email or text is cowardly. It allows the person to keep a shield of supposed strength, when in fact it really only disguises weak characteristics.”

Without the chance to get answers, the dumpee can go into a tailspin of whys and what ifs in an attempt to get the closure they crave. We’ve all heard it takes two to tango, so isn’t it only fair that it takes two to break up?

“[Dumping someone] is easier to do in writing, that’s for sure,” notes Sbarra. “And, that’s why so many people do it this way. [A face-to-face break up] might well be hurtful and painful, but that’s part of the pageantry of life.”

Be honest: You know you’re a great woman/friend/wife/mom/yogi. Pulling research from quizzes taken on YouBeauty, we found that 80 percent of you recognize your own worth. (And why shouldn’t you? You rock.) But are you actually treating yourself like the rock star you know you are? That’s another story. According to the stats, 63 percent of YouBeauty readers wish they respected themselves more.

The golden rule says to treat others the way you would like to be treated. Yet many women fail to give themselves the kindness and consideration they deserve. Fortunately, you can learn to do unto yourself as you do unto others.

“A good place to start is by asking ourselves: Are we compassionate and forgiving to ourselves? Or do we criticize and say negative things about our appearance, intelligence and overall life that we would never say to a friend or loved one?” advises Silvia M. Dutchevici, a psychotherapist and founder of the Critical Therapy Center in New York City.

Why are we so hard on ourselves in the first place? According to experts, there are a few common things that reduce even the most confident woman to self-abuse and defeatism. First is the array of messages we get from magazines, reality television and Pinterest that make it seem that, no matter how good our lives are, we could always be skinnier, happier, calmer or more organized. “We’re bombarded with expectations of what we should look like, how we should act and what we should want,” says Dutchevici. “That’s why attaining self-respect can be a continual struggle for women.”

Read How to Stop Being a Perfectionist

But before you go blaming “society,” it’s essential to take a hard look at your own habits to identify patterns of self-(esteem)-destruction.  Skipping a yoga class to take on carpool duty, doing your coworker’s share of an assignment rather than confronting her about her sloppy work habits, or allowing a party guest to take over a conversation may seem minor, but they all add up to you expecting to get the shaft, and accepting it time and again. Once you get into the habit of treating yourself like a C-lister, it’s hard to expect, let alone demand, others to treat you like a VIP.

To paraphrase Aretha, here’s how to give yourself your propers when you get home.

Look under the hood. Say you’re mad at yourself for skipping the gym. Instead of punishing yourself with no dessert and hitting the gym extra hard tomorrow, take a moment to figure out the root of your disappointment, suggests Tina Tessina, Ph.D., a psychologist in California. Is this really about one workout, or are you resentful that your work schedule ate into your workout time? Are you jealous of your friend who always looks great, no matter how hectic her life is? “Think of these emotions as the little lights on the ?dashboard of your car. When they light up, they’re telling you something ?you need to know to keep life running smoothly,” she says. Maybe your feelings are a sign that you want to make working out a priority in your life, so you need to schedule training sessions on the calendar. Or perhaps you’ll realize that it’s not as big a deal as it seemed at first—you had an overwhelming week and that hour you took to spend time with your girlfriends instead of the elliptical was time well spent. Maybe it has nothing to do with the gym and everything to do with an unresolved disagreement between you and your naturally skinny friend. Whatever the case, you have to diagnose the problem before you can fix it.

Up next: More tips and tricks!

As single women, it’s not always easy to go after what you want, to put yourself out there without fearing the possibility of rejection or coming across as desperate. Here are my tried-and-true reject-proof ways to covertly pick up men. Trust me, they won’t know what hit ‘em.

1. “Digital Underground”

This tactic is guaranteed to not only get him to take your number but also get his digits. This requires an over-sized, seemingly disorganized looking purse or bag and can pretty much be used anywhere. I inadvertently stumbled upon this maneuver on a flight home to Texas. I was on a crowded airplane and during the ‘hustle and bustle’ of stowing my luggage and getting settled in my seat came to discover I no longer had my cell phone. In a panic, I turned to the guy in the seat behind me, explained the situation and asked if he could call my phone so I could try to find it. Gave him my digits and had him make the call.

As soon as I heard my phone start ringing I immediately realized what had just transpired and the new “super power” I now possessed of being able to give hot guys my number while simultaneously obtaining theirs. Turned out my cell was in my purse. We shared a laugh, chatted before take-off and ended up going out for a drink later that weekend as he conveniently had my digits and ended up “text” asking me out.

Read Older Women, Younger Men: Is There Still a Double Standard?

2. “The Bend Sans Snap”

This would end up being my biggest take-away from the movie Legally Blonde years after the fact, but I must say it is one of the most effective ways to initiate a conversation with a guy you’re interested in. It’s especially effective to use at a party. The first time I attempted it was on a dare at a party, my “gay husband” dared me to do the “bend and snap” to get the attention of a hot guy. I said “fine”, strutted by him dropping my clutch, practically on his foot. I seductively bent down, arched my back while picking it up…and before I could even manage a snap, he asked if I had lead in my purse. Thirty minutes later into a conversation with this guy, I realized that there was really something to this whole “bend and snap” thing.

I’ve since done it with car keys, lipstick, and even towels at the gym. Cell phones work really well, because sometimes your phone will fall apart upon hitting the floor and that buys you more time with the guy as he tries to put it back together and even sympathy if he can’t fix it (Disclaimer: make sure it’s insured or this can quickly become costly). I’ve definitely done the “bend sans snap” without so much as even a glance from my target, but I’d say it works 75% of the time and the times it didn’t work I’m pretty sure the guys were non-breeders or at least that’s what I tell myself to make it okay.

Your relationship is blossoming: You have a toothbrush and a week’s worth of outfits stashed at his place, his friends are quickly becoming your buds, and his mother adores you (though she’s adamant about giving you cooking lessons). But is it really time to give up your lady cave a.k.a. studio apartment to build a life with him? No matter who you are, the prospect of settling down can be downright terrifying. You’re putting your heart on the line, after all!

With that in mind, we asked two relationships experts for their professional advice on how long you should wait before shacking up, where you should be emotionally before making the move, and red flags that spell danger.

How long should you wait before moving in with your boyfriend or significant other?

It may be tempting to move in with your guy as soon as the lease to your apartment is up for renewal, especially if you can feel the emotional connection (and your sex life) heating up. But to protect your heart (and finances!), you should avoid making the big move until enough time has passed.

“You should wait at least six months before you move in with somebody,” David Wygant, an internationally-recognized dating and relationship coach, says. “You should at least go through a cycle with them.”

And remember: Spending the weekend together versus spending every single night in the same apartment can be wildly different experiences. Habits like “forgetting” to do laundry for three months or leaving Chinese takeout containers on the stovetop can seem cute –when you’re not living with him!

Wygant advises, “If you’re serious about moving in with somebody, have a couple of trial one-week and two-week segments where you’re actually in each other’s faces, coming home to one another, see how you are after a hard day at the office, and so on. See if the relationship is still something you want.”

Where should we be emotionally?

We’ve all witnessed this: Your old college roommate elopes with the “love of the week her life” who can’t hold down a job and plays video games all day long. Frustrated, she sleeps with his best friend and the relationship crashes and burns.

As this is a situation we’d rather not be in ever, it’s vital to be in an emotionally mature state before settling down. So what does that mean, exactly?

“Emotionally, you need to be clear with who you are personally,” Wygant tells us. “You need to know exactly what you want in your lover and have done work on yourself.”

Most importantly, Wygant adds, “You need to know the type of relationship you want to experience and you need to be ready to have that type of relationship.”

Now if only our college pal followed this advice!

For women who are divorced or widowed, April Braswell, the senior singles advice columnist at DatingAdvice.com, advises, “Do wait until the initial turmoil has passed and you’ve sought out some personal development professional help. These life events and the personal growth process they trigger will reshape you into a new you, one who is a bit more mature. Let those changes integrate. Yes, do get out and socialize and date. However, wait until you feel that process has shifted you into the stable new version of you before you endeavor to attract your new life mate for this phase of your life. You don’t have to be perfect at this point.  But you do need to be financially stable and viable to attract a true life partner.”

Read Kiss Like You Mean It! A How-To Guide

What are the big red flags that signify you should re-think moving in with your boyfriend or significant other?

You’ve run far, far away from the liar, the cheater, the jealous jerk, the workaholic, and the chronically-unemployed moocher. But are there are subtle red flags you could be missing under all the wining, dining, and steamy sex?

It’s generally bad news “when you’re the one who’s painting the picture of what a future’s going to be like together,” Wygant says. “They just sit there and shake their head and agree. Then when you ask them what they want, they say ‘Everything that you want’ yet they don’t describe it personally.”

Adds Braswell, “Some of the senior male singles are just plain lazy. They start asking for ‘committed’ monogamy from you at the start of the relationship. Mature ladies, don’t you let him. Don’t agree too soon and take yourself off the market until his behavior and his words warrant it.”

What will signify that settling down is the right move?

Your relationship is red flag free (you lucky, lucky lady), but you should also be able to check off these three key components before packing your bags:

• You both have worked things out; you’ve had arguments, you’ve had fights, you’ve had resolution, you’ve had conflict, and you’ve been able to work through it.
• You’ve learned each other’s language of love. You’re able to fill it up immensely.
• You’re able to be two independent people, yet coexist together.

Tell us: Does your relationship pass the move-in test? Are you planning to move in with your guy (or is he about to call your place home)?

I live on the East Coast, so I think of summers as my reward for suffering through our infernal winters. All I want to do is BE OUTSIDE, even when it’s hot and humid and sticky! (Well, usually!) I’m not knocking a nice, air-conditioned workout in the gym, but there are so many fun ways to get moving outdoors and soak up all that vitamin D and sunny air. Of course, getting moving is good not just for your health and mental well-being, it’s good for your skin too!

According to celebrity personal trainer and member of the Simple Skincare Simple Advisory Board, Kacy Duke, “There is an important link between your physical wellbeing and the health of your skin.” Duke, who is among the world’s most sought-after personal trainers and fitness consultants, and one of the co-founders of Equinox Fitness Clubs, says:

“As we exercise, the body releases endorphins — natural painkillers — that promote an increased sense of wellbeing. Exercise increases blood flow and helps flush cellular debris out of our system. It also tones muscles and reduces stress, all of which contributes to the overall appearance of your skin.”

But exercise doesn’t have to equal a big gym workout. Anything that gets you moving is good for your whole body, and good for your skin. Here are 12 fresh, fun ideas for getting a move-on outdoors. Just make sure you stay hydrated, sun-blocked and smart about the heat!

1. Go for evening walks. I’m lucky enough to live close to a beautiful park AND to the town ice cream store. There’s something so magical about a walk in the warm night air, surrounded by fireflies, and followed by a stop for a scoop of ice cream or Italian ice.

2. Dance the night away. Check out your local listings for outdoor concerts and swing-dancing dance classes — often they’ll even be free, like Midsummer Night Swing in NYC.

3. Find an early morning, outdoor bootcamp. Summer is the perfect time to train yourself to get up and at ’em early in the day! It’s cooler but still bright enough that you won’t feel like it’s the middle of the night.

4. Explore the water. You don’t have to live near the ocean to take part in water sports — there’s kayaking, canoeing, and even row-boating to be had anywhere there’s a body of water. If you’re a total beginner, do some Googling and find a class near you!

5. Swim laps in the pool. Usually, I spend my town pool time in a lounge chair, with a hat on, a cool drink, and a novel firmly in hand, but I try to get in a few laps as well. Sometimes I even use of one those kick-board things.

6. Find a tennis buddy and make a standing date. Find an outdoor tennis court near you here!  Or, really, find an ANY KIND OF EXERCISE buddy and make a standing date! You’ll probably be less likely to flake on someone else than you will on yourself.

7. Scout out a hike and plan a yummy picnic as a reward.

8. Sign up for a local 5K or other community event. There are probably a plethora of options for you around Labor Day — give yourself something to work toward!

9. Find an outdoor yoga class or take your at-home yoga workout into the backyard.

10. Two words: Hula. Hoop. Oh yes, I’m serious. Hula hooping burns as many calories per minute as step aerobics!

11. Speaking of playing, when’s the last time you went to play in the park? Get your legs pumping on the swings, and then do some walking or running! Better yet, find a park with those outdoor exercise thingies and have fun with a friend counting push-ups.

12. Bike ride! Summer! What’s better?

For even more motivation, get even more exercise tips from Simple Advisory Board fitness expert Kacy Duke over at the Simple YouTube page!

What’s your favorite way to get moving outdoors?

FTC Full Disclosure: April Daniels Hussar is BettyConfidential’s Editorial Director and is a brand ambassador for Simple® Skincare. The views and opinions in this post are her own; visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.