Dawn Yanek
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On-air spokesperson, actress, chick who digs babies, puppies and expensive shoes. My alter ego can be found at @MomsanityTweets and Momsanity.com.
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Articles by Dawn Yanek
Unwrap Your Perfect Summer Read! See Which of These 10 Books Matches Your Mood Right Now
As adults, we don't get enough surprises in our lives. The good kind, anyway—not the "weird noises suddenly coming from your car" or the "midday call from the school nurse" kind. No, we deserve to feel that sheer, unadulterated joy that a 5-year-old gets when someone hands them a gift. They're grinning from ear to ear and practically vibrating with excitement as they tear into the wrapping to see what it is.
Unwrap Your Perfect Summer Read! See Which of These 10 Books Matches Your Mood Right Now Original
55 Best Beach Reads for a Relaxing Summer We Asked Our Favorite Authors What to Read Before Summer Ends—Here's What They Said 30 Feel-Good Books to Get You Through Tough Times The Best Books to Read This Year, Based on Your Zodiac Sign 17 Best Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty 25 Best Fiction Books of 2023 (Our Favorites So Far) 16 Best Kindle Unlimited Books to Read Right Now 15 Unforgettable Books for Women, Recommended by Women Who Love to Read Our 15 Most-Anticipated New Book Releases...
Unwrap Your Perfect Summer Read! See Which of These 10 Books Matches Your Mood Right Now
As adults, we don't get enough surprises in our lives. The good kind, anyway—not the "weird noises suddenly coming from your car" or the "midday call from the school nurse" kind. No, we deserve to feel that sheer, unadulterated joy that a 5-year-old gets when someone hands them a gift. They're grinning from ear to ear and practically vibrating with excitement as they tear into the wrapping to see what it is.
Let’s Celebrate America’s Big 2-5-0! Original
What do you get the country that has everything for its milestone birthday? We certainly didn’t want to show up to this party empty-handed, so we decided on the ultimate Reader’s Digest gift. We’ve curated fascinating and quirky facts about U.S. history that you never knew, odes to all the things we love about America and the most delicious, most interesting, most fun reasons to visit each and every state. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds, and don’t worry—we won’t keep it a surprise.
An Ode to Our Favorite Things That Are “So American”
If you ask me what I think of as “so American,” my brain short-circuits a little bit. Visions of flags, fireworks and all things red, white and blue on the 4th of July immediately pop into my head. But beyond that, I draw a blank. Everything else is pretty universal, as far as I can tell. Well, my friends who live overseas would like a word. They remind me quite how American something like football is. Not soccer—American football, which you don’t actually use your feet for.
An Ode to Our Favorite Things That Are “So American” Original
If you ask me what I think of as “so American,” my brain short-circuits a little bit. Visions of flags, fireworks and all things red, white and blue on the 4th of July immediately pop into my head. But beyond that, I draw a blank. Everything else is pretty universal, as far as I can tell. Well, my friends who live overseas would like a word. They remind me quite how American something like football is. Not soccer—American football, which you don’t actually use your feet for.
An Ode to Our Favorite Things That Are “So American”
S'Mores 2 hours ago Pizza S’mores Are the Savory Campfire Snack Your Summer Needs bhg.com - Sophia Beams • 2h You're not using your outdoor fire pit to its full potential. Move over, graham crackers and marshmallows—your summer campfire is going to be roasting … Dessert 1 day ago S’mores Dump Cake The Kitchn - Anna Billingskog • 1d Quick Overview Why You’ll Love S’mores Dump Cake A low-lift, high-reward dessert.
12 Medical Reasons for Your Shoulder Pain
Medical reasons for shoulder pain can range widely. Here's what you need to know There are many different reasons for shoulder pain Shoulder pain is frustrating no matter the cause, but knowing why your shoulder hurts could help you find the right treatment or course of action. Reasons for shoulder pain vary widely especially because it sometimes has nothing to do with an underlying condition or disease.
Here’s How Much the Coronavirus Is Costing the World (So Far)
Millions remain out of work, industries are losing billions, and that's just the beginning. 1 / 13 The other devastating effects of COVID-19 Coronavirus isn’t just costing lives; it’s also costing livelihoods. As the death toll rises around the world and the disease continues to spread throughout the United States, reaching numbers it’s hard to fully comprehend, it’s costing the global economy trillions in lost income, business bankruptcies, tourism dollars, and more.
How to Engage Your Core During Any Type of Workout
This tiny tweak can go a long way toward improving your fitness and overall health. By Dawn Yanek•October 23, 2023 In this article It’s a common refrain in any exercise class: Engage your core. When prompted, you probably dutifully scrunched up your abs and hoped that did the trick. But is that it? Maybe…maybe not.
What’s the Best Time to Work Out? Science May Have the Answer.
Health Not getting the exercise results you want as fast as you want them? It’s all about timing—and exercising smarter, not harder. By Dawn Yanek• In this article The most frustrating feeling in the world? Working out and feeling like you’re not making any progress. Yes, exercise takes time, but if you’re doing all the “right” things and still not seeing the results you want, there’s a good chance you’re doing one big thing wrong: not exercising at the optimal time of the day.
12 problèmes de santé que vous croyez contagieux (mais qui ne le sont pas!)
1 / 13 SILVER WINGS SS/SHUTTERSTOCK Comment déterminer ce qui est contagieux? Ne tentez pas d’établir le diagnostic d’une présumée maladie sans avoir les compétences médicales qui s’imposent. Si les symptômes de maladies potentiellement contagieuses peuvent se ressembler, chacune d’elles possède un mode de transmission précis.
STUDY: Going Plant-Based Saves You $23 Per Grocery Store Trip
If you’re thinking of going vegan, you can count on one thing: You’ll hear all about how expensive it is to be vegan — from people who aren’t actually plant-based or vegan. And if you think you’ll dodge those comments because you’re only making a partial switch to being vegetarian, think again. A recent study actually found that vegans and vegetarians save an average of $23 in comparison with their meat-eating counterparts during weekly grocery shopping.
What Day Is Easter in 2026—And Why Does Easter’s Date Change Every Year?
Even if you know what Easter is all about, you might not know when it is. After all, while Christmas reliably falls on Dec. 25 every year, Easter hops around, so to speak. Yes, it’s always on a Sunday, but sometimes that Sunday is in March and it’s freezing. Sometimes it’s in late April, and everyone can get decked out in their holiday best without bundling up under a bulky winter coat. So what day is Easter in 2026, and why does Easter change every year?
May the 4th Be with You: All About the Star Wars Holiday
“May the 4th be with you.” It’s the Star Wars pun that launched a holiday, and for good reason: It’s clever, it’s catchy and, well, everyone loves Star Wars.
The Surprising History of Mother’s Day You Never Knew
VioletaStoimenova/Getty Images The origin of Mother’s Day You might think that this holiday is all about Mother’s Day gifts and Mother’s Day flowers, but there is actually more of a story behind it than you probably realized. This history of Mother’s Day involves the ancient Greeks and Romans, a fight from a powerful woman, Anna Jarvis, and some effort from feminist Julia Ward Howe.
11 Easy Ways You Can Fit Mindfulness into Your Busy Life
Are you living in the present? The idea of being mindful—being present and being more conscious of life as it happens in a nonjudgmental, goal-less way—may seem contradictory to those who are used to sacrificing living in pursuit of their goals, but cultivating mindfulness will help you achieve your goals and enjoy life even more. Not only are you more productive when you’re mindful, but you can also reap numerous benefits in all aspects of your life.
Act Fast to Score $15 Pearl Earrings at JCPenney's Black Friday Sale
You know those women who always look perfectly polished? We’re going to let you in on a little secret: They have a few super simple style solutions in their daily arsenal, and one of them is always having the right accessories to elevate any ensemble. One piece that does the trick and never goes out of style is a gorgeous pair of pearl earrings. If you’re worried that a purchase like this will make a serious dent in your budget, it won’t—not right now, anyway.
Holiday Shopping Made Easy
It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but I’ve yet to meet a person who says it’s the easiest time of the year. Actually, let me rephrase that: I’ve yet to meet a mom who says that. It usually falls on us to secretly don our Santa hats late at night—and before the kids wake up and between naps and during work breaks—so we can pull off some serious holiday magic. Of course, this year is set to be even more challenging because of the pandemic, in a whole slew of ways we never imagined.
Diseases You Can Prevent Just by Washing Your Hands | Reader's Digest Canada
Put simply, your hands are dirty. As they come into contact with various people, animals, foods, and surfaces, they pick up thousands of germs, bacteria, viruses and other assorted nastiness that can make you sick if they enter your body. "We touch our eyes, noses, and mouths with our hands more than we think, and this can allow direct inoculation of germs into our mucous membranes," explains Janet Haas, PhD, RN, Director of Epidemiology at Lenox Hill Hospital.
The Coolest Camping Gear for Your Summer Staycation
via amazon.com (3) Adventure awaits! Looking for an outdoor activity that will keep you sane and socially distanced this summer? Camping just might be a perfect choice, even if it’s not usually your thing. Seriously—hear us out. You’ve got two options: You could either head to the best campsite in your state for some fresh air and a change of scenery, or you could set up your own makeshift campground right at home and reap all the benefits of camping in your backyard.
Here’s how much the coronavirus is costing the world (so far)
The other devastating effects of COVID-19 Coronavirus isn’t just costing lives; it’s also costing livelihoods. As the death toll rises around the world and the disease continues to spread throughout the United States, reaching numbers it’s hard to fully comprehend, it’s costing the global economy trillions in lost income, business bankruptcies, tourism dollars, and more. So, just how much money will it cost us when all is said and done?
Safety Facts: How to Avoid the Most Common Accidents
Life comes with risks, but that doesn't mean you need to become a statistic. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from injury—or worse. Shocking U.S. safety facts Until very recently, accidental injury was the third leading cause of death in the United States.
12 Pieces of Health Advice that Makes No Sense
It's a catchy little catchphrase, but it doesn't withstand scientific scrutiny. Well, not all of it, anyway. Elroy Vojdani, MD, a functional medicine practitioner and the founder of Regenera Medical in Los Angeles, explains that the first part is sound. "When the immune system is battling an infection, it uses a tremendous amount of energy, and the calories from food intake can certainly help fuel the immune response and ensure a speedy recovery." The second part, however, is where things go awry.
16 Quirky Traits You Didn’t Know You Inherited
If you're a redhead, you didn't just get your ginger locks from your parents—you also got this inherited trait: an ability to withstand stinging pain better than blondes and brunettes. In a series of studies, Danish researchers at Aalborg University injected subjects with capsaicin, the active component of chili, and found that redheads were less sensitive to this type of pain. Because of this, they can better tolerate spicy foods as well as the discomfort of a pinprick.
8 Things You’re Not Buying at Zappos—But Should
via zappos.com (3) Beyond shoes Sure, you know that you should be buying shoes at Zappos. With thousands of selections of all different types of footwear available at the click of a button, it’s been a go-to shopping site for the past 20+ years. But a lot has happened in two decades. Zappos has ventured well beyond shoes, expanding its offerings in a massive way, and if you haven’t been paying attention, you’ve been seriously missing out.
Time-Honored Health Advice that Makes No Sense
Some age-old wisdom about achieving and maintaining good health has withstood the test of time—and scientific study. For example, chicken soup really has medicinal properties, and an apple a day just might keep the doctor away. Other well-known adages have been debunked…but many people still believe in them. How do these health "facts" take hold? Sometimes, something's been said so many times by people we trust (um, hi, Mom and Grandma), we just start to accept it as fact.
12 Common Bedroom Items that Are Secretly Toxic
Is pollution invading your bedroom? Most people think about pollution as an outdoor problem that they can escape when they go inside, but indoor pollution may be even more dangerous and pervasive. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend around 90 percent of their time inside, where the concentrations of some pollutants can be up to five times higher than what you’d typically be exposed to outside.
8 Things You’re Not Buying at Zappos-But Should
Sure, you know that you should be buying shoes at Zappos. With thousands of selections of all different types of footwear available at the click of a button, it's been a go-to shopping site for the past 20+ years. But a lot has happened in two decades. Zappos has ventured well beyond shoes, expanding its offerings in a massive way, and if you haven't been paying attention, you've been seriously missing out.
8 Things You’re Not Buying at Zappos—But Should
via zappos.com (3) Beyond shoes Sure, you know that you should be buying shoes at Zappos. With thousands of selections of all different types of footwear available at the click of a button, it's been a go-to shopping site for the past 20+ years. But a lot has happened in two decades. Zappos has ventured well beyond shoes, expanding its offerings in a massive way, and if you haven't been paying attention, you've been seriously missing out.
16 Quirky Traits You Didn’t Know You Inherited
By Dawn Yanek of Best Health | Weird traits you can inherit You can thank your parents for your eye and hair colour, the shape of your nose, and maybe some of the health issues you might have. But there are all sorts of other interesting things that came wrapped up in your DNA. Who knew that whether the sun makes you sneeze or if you hate exercising can be traced back to your genes? Take a look at the weird traits you can chalk up to genetics. © Panuwach/Getty Images
The Coolest Camping Gear for Your Summer Staycation
via amazon.com (3) Adventure awaits! Looking for an outdoor activity that will keep you sane and socially distanced this summer? Camping just might be a perfect choice, even if it's not usually your thing. Seriously—hear us out. You've got two options: You could either head to the best campsite in your state for some fresh air and a change of scenery, or you could set up your own makeshift campground right at home and reap all the benefits of camping in your backyard.
16 Quirky Traits You Didn't Know You Inherited
Panuwach/Getty Images Weirdness in your genes You can thank your parents for your eye and hair color, the shape of your nose, and maybe some of the health issues you might have. But there are all sorts of other interesting things that came wrapped up in your DNA. Who knew that whether the sun makes you sneeze or if you hate exercising can be traced back to your genes? Take a look at the weird traits you can chalk up to genetics.
12 Things You Think Are Contagious-But Aren’t
If you're not sure what condition someone has and you're not a health care professional, you probably won't be able to tell if something is contagious. Visible symptoms for contagious and non-contagious diseases sometimes can seem identical, and the mode of transmission depends on the particular disease.
12 Things You Think Are Contagious—But Aren’t
How can you tell if something's contagious? If you're not sure what condition someone has and you're not a health care professional, you probably won't be able to tell if something is contagious. Visible symptoms for contagious and non-contagious diseases sometimes can seem identical, and the mode of transmission depends on the particular disease.
Here's How the Star Wars Series Almost Never Happened
Universal History Archive/Getty Images The battle to create a blockbuster It's epic, it's iconic, and it almost didn't happen. Not everyone saw the genius of Star Wars right away—actually, almost no one did. That's shocking to hear about a movie that shaped entire generations, spawned one of the most profitable franchises in history, changed the course of filmmaking, and makes us feel all warm and fuzzy whenever we think about it.
How Did May the Fourth Become a Star Wars Holiday?
“May the Fourth be with you.” It’s the famous film pun that launched a holiday, and for good reason. It’s clever, it’s catchy, and, well, everyone loves Star Wars. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, it’s nearly impossible not to smile just a little bit at this play on Obi-Wan Kenobi’s memorable words to Luke Skywalker in A New Hope: “May the Force be with you.” But just how did that clever turn of phrase turn into a bonafide Star Wars holiday that fans celebrate on the fourth of May every year?
What Exactly Is Space Junk—And Can It Be Cleaned Up?
By its very definition, space should have a lot of, well, space. And while it does, there’s also a lot of something else these days: junk. This interstellar litter isn’t naturally occurring. Like the junk that’s choking our oceans and overtaking our land, it was put there by humans and is the result of a very specific mix of innovation and carelessness. Space junk is out of sight so most people don’t even know it’s there…but that doesn’t mean it’s not a problem.
Why Is Easter on a Different Sunday Every Year?
The date of this spring holiday is nowhere near as random as you might think. Christmas reliably falls on December 25 each year. Even if you don’t celebrate it, you probably know this fact because pretty much everything is closed on that day. But what about Easter? Sometimes it’s in March and it’s freezing. Sometimes it’s in late April and everyone can get decked out in their Sunday best without bundling up under a bulky winter coat. This year it happens to be on April 12.
Why Panic Buying Is Not Actually Helpful
Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, protective masks, Tylenol, flour and so many other items have suddenly become hot commodities as most Canadians hunker down at home during the coronavirus pandemic. This has left many people shopping in bulk as they attempt to be prepared not just for a possible two-week quarantine but for months—just in case. You’ve seen the empty shelves at the stores across the country.
Why Panic Buying Is Not Actually Helpful
Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, protective masks, Tylenol, flour and so many other items have suddenly become hot commodities as most Americans hunker down at home during the coronavirus pandemic. This has left many people shopping in bulk as they attempt to be prepared not just for a possible two-week quarantine but for months—just in case. You’ve seen the empty shelves at the stores across the country.
15 Diseases You Can Prevent Just by Washing Your Hands
Why is handwashing so important? Put simply, your hands are dirty. As they come into contact with various people, animals, foods, and surfaces, they pick up thousands of germs, bacteria, viruses and other assorted nastiness that can make you sick if they enter your body. “We touch our eyes, noses, and mouths with our hands more than we think, and this can allow direct inoculation of germs into our mucous membranes,” explains Janet Haas, PhD, RN, Director of Epidemiology at Lenox Hill Hospital.
13 Medical Reasons for Your Shoulder Pain
By Dawn Yanek of Best Health | There are many different reasons for shoulder pain Shoulder pain is frustrating no matter the cause, but knowing why your shoulder hurts could help you find the right treatment or course of action. Reasons for shoulder pain vary widely especially because it sometimes has nothing to do with an underlying condition or disease. For example, your shoulder might be in pain thanks to overusing it or sleeping in a funny position.
Here's how much the coronavirus is costing the world (so far)
The coronavirus isn’t just costing lives; it’s also costing livelihoods. As the death toll rises around the world and the disease spreads throughout the United States, it could cost the global economy trillions in lost income, stock-market drops, tourism dollar, and more. So, just how much money will it cost us?
14 Medications Pain Doctors Try to Avoid
Any doctor will tell you they must use the right tool for the job: If a patient's pain is overwhelming, a doctor will have to bring out the most powerful solution—and that can mean opioids, despite the addiction risk of this class of painkillers. But there are safe and sensible ways to use opioids, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines. First, opioids are no longer a first-line—or routine—therapy for chronic pain.
What Difference Does One Person Giving Up Meat Make
What difference would it really make if I or any other individual decided to try to save the planet one forkful at a time? We know that giving up meat, dairy and all animal products make an enormous impact on our personal health and wellbeing. Studies have found that plant-based or vegan eaters live longer, have a 32 percent lower risk of heart disease, and a 25 percent lower risk of premature death from any cause. But can we really make an impact on the planet? Just by ourselves?
14 Medications Pain Doctors Try to Avoid
View as slideshow Prolonged use of certain pain medications may lead to serious side effects or addiction. Doctors vary in their advice, but here are the ones pain specialists avoid—for themselves and their patients Sometimes you need the strongest meds Any doctor will tell you they must use the right tool for the job: If a patient’s pain is overwhelming, a doctor will have to bring out the most powerful solution—and that can mean opioids, despite the addiction risk of this class of painkillers.
13 Medical Reasons for Your Shoulder Pain
View as slideshow Medical reasons for shoulder pain can range from a pulled muscle to a rotator-cuff tear to a heart attack or even lung cancer. Here’s what to look for. Rotator-cuff injury Albina Glisic/Shutterstock If your shoulder hurts enough for you to see a doctor, there’s a good chance the medical reason is you have a rotator-cuff injury. Researchers estimate that’s the reason for shoulder pain in two-thirds of people experiencing it, which is around 2 million Americans each year.
11 Health “Myths” That Are Actually True
The truth is some of the things you heard about your health when you were growing up are actually true. Others, not so much. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to health information because sometimes new studies come out that contradict—or at least shed new light on—previous research, particularly when it comes to food and nutrition. In other cases, there simply isn't good scientific evidence one way or another to support or discount an old wives' tale.
Healthy Living: 11 Health "Myths" That Are Actually True
View as slideshow Myths, half-truths, and wives’ tales are common in health. Here are 11 health ‘myths’ that are actually true, according to science. Myths, half-truths, and “old wives’ tales” related to health are common and may be passed on from generation to generation. The truth is some of the things you heard about your health when you were growing up are actually true. Others, not so much.
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