I like salt. Okay. There it is. Fact is, I can’t stand bland food. I’m always sneaking extra salt into things. I once heard a professional chef say that the difference between a good meal and a great meal is a box of salt. And, admittedly, I subscribe to that line of thought. This is […]

In the six and a half years since becoming a mom, I have often suspected that sleep and motherhood are mutually exclusive conditions. But…does it have to be that way?  Nope.  In fact, it really shouldn’t be that way. All kinds of studies show the health dangers of insufficient and/or poor quality sleep. (a sampling of the consequences: obesity, heart disease, hypertension, depression…) So, because I’m […]

Not only does stress make life unpleasant, it makes you grumpy, fat , and it interferes with sleep . And that’s before we get into the really serious stuff (like: increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes…) There’s no doubt stress affects us on the inside. Did you know it also can affect your outer appearance? […]

Women used to complain about their hips and thighs. Now, it seems, it’s all about belly fat. I suppose this could be my imagination since I have, in recent years, joined the post-baby ranks…and now share this particular preoccupation. Or maybe it’s the attention paid to apple vs pear-shaped physiques. Which is an important distinction, actually. […]

Most of us have good intentions. Great intentions, even. And many of them are health-related. Usually to the tune of: I want to lose 10 lbs, exercise regularly, quit smoking, floss every day…dammit (while we’re on this: why is flossing such a hassle anyway? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this a […]

My first pregnancy was picture-perfect. Right up until the emergency C-section, that is. (But that’s another story…) My second pregnancy, five years later, was not so perfect. About halfway through I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Surprise! This came entirely out of left field for me, with no risk factors and no family history. And […]

When I’m stressed, I fantasize about escaping to the spa for a nice long massage. Or getting centered at the yoga studio with a luxurious 90-minute class. Or crawling into bed for an afternoon nap. But there’s one problem: who’s got the time for all that? Trouble is, my stress is often there specifically because […]

How much free, stale popcorn would you eat in a movie theater? Does it depend if it’s served in a medium-sized bag or a jumbo tub? And what about candy: how much would you eat if it was sitting on your desk? Would it matter if the glass dish was opaque or clear? If it […]

I’ll admit it: I’m a little obsessed with Europe. In the past I’ve written about the French Paradox , and there’s a big part of me that would like to be reborn in this life as a French woman (and not only because spa treatments are considered part of the French healthcare system). Also, I […]