Instead of making an overwhelming list of New Year’s resolutions you simply won’t keep, why not try to improve some things in your everyday life one small step at a time? We’ve asked experts from the fields of fitness and beauty, career and relationships to give us their best – and most realistic – tips for better living in 2006. Now go to it!

How to make better coffee

n Use fresh-roasted coffee and minimize the amount of time between buying and brewing.

n Buy whole-bean coffee and grind beans right before you brew.

n Use one tablespoon of grounds for every six-ounce cup of water. To make weaker coffee, use this proportion and add hot water after it’s brewed to dilute it.

n Use fresh, cold, filtered water.

SOURCE: Rich Avella, coffee and tea program manager, Peet’s Coffee & Tea
How to kiss better

n Press your nose into your partner’s cheek and hug him to you.

n The secret to great kissing is variety – sometimes you’re gentle, sometimes you’re more aggressive. Tease your partner with a light bite on the lip. Also, vary tempo, intensity and duration.

n The secret to great French kissing is responsiveness. Sometimes you lead and sometimes you let your partner lead. But don’t use your tongue like a dart!

SOURCE: Michael Christian, author of “The Art of Kissing,” St. Martin’s Press, 2005
How to be a better gift giver

n Spend time on the presentation. It doesn’t have to be fancy. But it shouldn’t be in a store bag. Your gift represents both who you are and what you think of the recipient.

n Avoid self-help books, DVDs, practical gifts unless they are specifically asked for. Presents should be about joy and indulgence. Reminding them they need to improve their diet is not very joyful.

SOURCE: Kristine Dang, executive vice president of merchandising, RedEnvelope.


How to be a better e-mail flirt

n Keep it fun, simple and light.

n Add sex appeal to the subject line by writing something cute and catchy. You want to be specific and spicy instead of just saying “hello.” Examples: “moonlight and margaritas” or “pizza and pinot.”

n Be playful and positive. Try sending someone a multiple choice list of date options – and then ask him to choose. Examples: Sip champagne while watching a parade; a mountain hike and granola; or toast marshmallows and cuddle by the fire.

n Hand out compliments. One of the best ways to flirt online is to extend a sincere compliment.

SOURCE: Liz Kelly, dating coach and author of “Smart Man Hunting”
How to have a better workout

n Eat a small carbohydrate snack, such as a piece of whole-wheat bread with a spoonful of peanut butter, about 15 to 20 minutes before you work out to give yourself an energy boost.

n Stay well-hydrated. Drink four to six ounces of water every 20 minutes while working out.

n Push yourself – just a little. If you’re already exercising two days a week, do three. If you are exercising 30 minutes, go for 45.

SOURCE: David Williams, personal trainer, Pinnacle Fitness, San Jose.



How to be a better citizen

-Volunteer – and not just during the holidays. Match your passions and interests with your chosen volunteer activity.

-Make it a fun, group activity. Volunteer with family or co-workers. Volunteer organizations can tailor a service activity to your group.

-Do what you can, where you can. If it’s too difficult or time-consuming to go to a volunteer site, see what you can do from home, such as administrative work for a non-profit.

-Ultimately, try to interact with other volunteers to build a greater sense of community.

SOURCE: Tim Quigley, executive director, Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley

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How to get better money (or, how to ask for a raise)

-Have a plan. Always focus on business reasons, not personal ones, for why you deserve a raise.

-Track accomplishments. Have a list of what you have accomplished since your last raise.

-Do your homework. Know what someone with your experience and education can make on the job market. Find salary information from places like salary.com.

-Play to your strengths. If you are not good at selling yourself, consider putting the raise request in writing.

SOURCE: Randall S. Hansen, publisher of Quintessential Careers/QuintZine (www.quintcareers.com) and associate professor of marketing, Stetson University, DeLand, Fla.

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How to get better if you have a cold

-There is no cure, but to relieve symptoms take a non-drowsy antihistamine in combination with something like Tylenol or an anti-inflammatory drug.

-To relieve congestion, stand in a hot, steamy shower.

-Avoid echinacea and zinc nasal sprays, such as Zicam, which have been proved recently to not be beneficial. Some studies have shown zinc sprays can cause permanent loss of smell.

-Avoid antibiotics, unless a doctor prescribes them for a secondary infection. Taking them unnecessarily will decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics when you actually need them.

SOURCE: Harley Goldberg, D.O., director of Complementary and Alternative Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

How to give yourself a better manicure

-Remove nail polish with non-acetone lacquer remover.

-File nails into a smooth, clean shape in one direction only (not back and forth) and buff tops of nails.

-Moisturize skin with a lotion containing alpha-hydroxy acids.

-Push cuticles back; don’t cut them.

SOURCE: Essie Weingarten, founder and president of Essie Cosmetics

How to look better in a photograph

-Avoid wearing patterns, logos and text on your clothing. All one color is best.

-Women should always turn their body away from the camera, at about a 45-degree angle. Men look stronger from a broader angle. Turning the body creates a slenderizing effect.

-Ask the photographer to shoot from an angle above, or find a seat while being photographed, to avoid a double chin and to make the eyes look more pronounced.

-If possible, stand in natural light. Direct flash makes any face look wide.

SOURCE: Stefanie Herzer, professional photographer in the San Francisco Bay area (www.natural-light.org)

How to be a better party guest

-Respond to the invitation promptly. This allows your hostess to plan for the proper number of guests and saves her from having to call you for an answer (how embarrassing!).

-Arrive and leave on time. Cocktail parties and open houses are a little more flexible, but arrive for a dinner party within 15 minutes of the starting time. Don’t be the last one to go home.

-Make an effort to talk with everyone at the party. Your hostess has put her guest list together so that many of her friends can chat or get to know one another better. At a large party, introduce yourself to people you haven’t met.

SOURCE: Tricia Post, Emily Post Institute spokeswoman

How to have better hair

n Pull out your curling iron or your old hot rollers, or invest in a new set. Throwing a few hot rollers in your hair is an insider secret to getting instant party hair.

n Use a dryer sheet to smooth flyaways and remove static after you take off your winter hat.

SOURCE: Emily Dougherty, beauty editor, Elle magazine