Lose the weight without virtually doing anything.

1. Get a good night’s rest. According to a study from Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Stanford University, the less you snooze, the less leptin (a powerful hormone) your body is likely to produce. What’s that got to do with shedding pounds? Leptin helps promote weight loss in two ways: It discourages you from eating (by sending the message: “Hey stop munching — you’re full!” to your stomach) and it rouses you to expend energy. More evidence that sleep deprivation interferes with dropping pounds: The hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, is higher in people who don’t get enough zzz’s. If you don’t sleep soundly one night, try to squeeze in a nap the following day — the hormones are affected by how much shut-eye you get in a 24-hour period.)

2. Don’t store cookies and other treats in glass jars. If you keep fatty foods out of sight, it’ll be much easier to keep them off your mind. Experts at Cornell University determined that women ate more Hershey’s Kisses when the candies were on their desks than when they were in opaque containers or placed father away.

3. Get some sun. Your body needs sunlight to produce a very essential feel-good hormone called serotonin, which may lessen your cravings for sugar and other carbs. So when you start longing for sweets, go outside instead, even in the cold weather. It’s also a good idea to keep the drapes and shutters open during the day.

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In a recent survey, more than 20% of patients who had chronic pain never mentioned it to their physicians, even if the discomfort was severe enough to interfere with daily activities and sleep. Doctors and patients need to get over what seems to be a “Don’t ask, don’t tell” mentality. So if your physician doesn’t bring it up, you should take the intiative — and the get the help you need.

You might be at risk for breast cancer if: You’re older than 50; a first-degree relative was diagnosed with the illness; you got pregnant with your first child at age 31 or above; you’ve never given birth; your first period occurred when you were nine or younger; you experienced late menopause at age 51 or above; you were exposed to ionizing radiation during childhood; or there’s post menopausal obesity, among others.

Starting age 20, you should perform a breast self-exam (BSE) on the seventh to the tenth day from the first day of your period. Women who have breast implants, are pregnant, or are breast-feeding should also perform a BSE. Menopausal women should ssign one day in a month for their BSE.

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As you discuss your wedding reception with your wedding planner, there are several considerations you have to take up to make it a pleasant and memorable event for all.

First you have to know approximately how many guests you are expecting. This is basic, since the number of guests will dictate the size of the venue you have to book for your reception. There are many places you can find to accommodate small weddings. But as the number of guests rise, the harder it is to find a venue big enough and near enough to the church.

Talking about having a venue near enough to the church, it is very important that your reception venue is strategically located. This is especially true for city weddings as traffic should be a top concern. You would have to allot at least 30 to 45 minutes transfer travel time if the church is a kilometer away from the reception venue if the location is in an area where traffic is a daily occurrence. Make sure to have traffic jam escape routes on your maps for the guests.

Next, know the rates of the venues you have chosen. Remember that if you have set a certain budget, stick to it as much as possible. Compare the amenities and perks given by every venue. Weigh the pros and cons of each venue against the others. Narrow down your choices to at least three places then set a date for an ocular inspection so you would have a first-hand idea of what the venue is really like and what it has in terms of space, amenities, parking arrangements, comfort rooms, and possibly even service if you chance upon an actual even happening during your ocular.

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Whatever your lifestyle, belief, and budget, there is a birth control method for you and your family.

Couples are now more conscious of how many kids they’d have. Parents want to make sure they can bring up their children well and provide for their needs. Fortunately, a wide array of birth control methods is now available.

1. Combined oral contraceptives.

Known as “the pill,” it has both estrogen and progestin. It stops ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus so sperm has a harder time to get through.

PROS: When you want a baby, just stop taking the pill. You may be pregnant as soon as the next cycle. Easy to take. Easily available.

CONS: Some may gain weight or have headaches. Regular OB-GYN checkups a must to see how the baby responds to it. Pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

EFFECTIVENESS: 99.6%

GOOD FOR: Women who don’t mind the routine of taking pills every day.

2. Progestin-only contraceptives.

Also called the “mini pill,” it thickens the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to get through. It stops ovulation in about half of menstrual cycles.

PROS: Won’t affect milk supply. Easy to take. Easily available.

CONS: Regular OB-GYN checkups a must to see how body responds to it.

EFFECTIVENESS: 98%

GOOD FOR: Breastfeeding moms.

3. Injectable.

Delivered via intramuscular injection on the arm or buttocks, one dose is good for three months to prevent ovulation.

PROS: Convenient.

CONS: If stopped, it may take a while for a woman to get pregnant.

EFFECTIVENESS: 99.6%

GOOD FOR: Those who don’t want to take pills everyday.

4. Contraceptive Patch.

Marked as Ortho-Evra, this contraceptive patch can be placed on the arm or abdomen to prevent ovulation.

PROS: One can do regular activities and even go swimming. Easily available.

CONS: May cause skin rashes. Patch needs to be changed every week.

EFFECTIVENESS: 98%

GOOD FOR: Those who don’t like taking pills every day. Not good for smokers, and those with a history of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.

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Our favorite Bulgari Pour Femme was lately re-launched with two new siblings, Voile de Jasmin and Rose Essentielle.

Pour Femme, the great classic fragrance for the woman that embodies understated luxury, opens with fresh, crystalline top notes that develop into the predominantly Sambac jasmine middle note, delicately mixed with Mimosa of Grasse and prelude rose and violet notes, and ending with powdery-musky aromas that include Florentine iris. Available in 30, 50, and 100ml eau de parfum and 50 and 100 ml eau de toilette.

Voile de Jasmin, the fresh and light soul of this series, evokes a refined femininity that unfolds with a tingling hint of Mimosa of Grasse and bergamot, builds up to the sweet freshness and transparency of Sambac jasmine, prelude rose, and wild lily of the valley and ends with Florentine iris with a musky base. Comes in 50 and 100 ml eau de toilette.

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