Women's Health

The Mindy Project Takes Off

Mindy Kaling's Hobbies

And she is focusing on the pockets of her life that provide a guaranteed respite. "I know it will be fun to walk into my writers' room and be pitched a story," she says. "And I have always been a crafty person, so I like making homemade cards. And if I can catch up with my best friends in New York with a two-hour phone conversation every six weeks, that makes me really happy."

Then there's her penchant for online shopping (Kaling has memorized her credit card numbers to make the process as speedy as possible). "I only return [items] about 40 to 50% of the time," she says proudly.

As for her New Year's resolutions, they have been the same for the last several years: "Talk to my dad every day and work out five times a week. I won't work out five days a week, but my dad is moving to L.A., so that should get easier."

Kaling, who's had small parts in films like The 40-Year-Old-Virgin and No Strings Attached, also hopes to continue developing a movie career. She's working on The Low Self Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie, a romantic comedy Kaling co-wrote with Office colleague Brent Forrester. "And I really want to have children," she adds. "My mother and I had such a profound relationship, and when she passed away, it really strengthened my urge to have my own daughter."

For the moment, however, Kaling admits that almost any undertaking will take second billing to the one that bears her name on Fox. "I can't imagine anything else soon," she says. "Right now, I'm in a mode where I just love doing what I'm doing."

In other words, the Mindy project is just beginning.

The Rx for OB/GYN Health

Thanks to her mom, Mindy Kaling never misses an appointment with her gynecologist. It's crucial to go regularly and to feel comfortable enough to speak honestly. "This is your health and your body and nothing could be more important," says Lowre, who suggests covering these topics during your visits:

New sex partners. "It doesn't matter how old you are; if you have a new partner you need to use condoms, and I will want to test you for STDs if you are ready to stop using them," says Lowre. "I saw an 81-year-old patient who contracted chlamydia at her nursing home. You're never too old to practice safe sex."

Mammograms. "Health organizations now offer conflicting recommended guidelines, so the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about your personal risks." Although they are out of favor with many doctors, Lowre encourages monthly self-exams and asking your doctor to demonstrate the proper technique. "Every woman should know her body, and your breasts are a good place to start."