Sometimes, making big changes can feel way overwhelming. And overwhelm can stop you from changing anything. Where do you even start? It’s easier to just stick with the status quo, right? Get out of that rut with baby steps! Instead of tackling a total health makeover, just make a few tweaks. Small bites are much more manageable, and […]

…and hop on that bicyclette. Recently, a study looked at the health benefits of riding a bicycle to do errands, like going to the store. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin analyzed, statistically, what would happen if the 31 million people living in the Upper Midwest did half their short-distance errands (defined as 2.5 miles one way) by bike […]

Stress can be sneaky. Sure, sometimes, it’s obvious (to you and, er, to pretty much everyone around you) that you’re under stress. But sometimes…not so much. It can creep up and cause all manner of symptoms that you wouldn’t, at first, attribute to stress. And your brain can do a pretty good job denying the effect […]

Have I mentioned how much I love yoga? I recommend yoga so often to patients, I’m almost getting tired of hearing myself gush about it. But really, if you’re looking to improve your health–physical, mental, or emotional–it’s hard to go wrong with yoga. Here’s my roundup of all the beautiful ways yoga can help you: 1. Chronic Back Pain. Studies […]

My oldest son drinks next to nothing. I swear, he’s a camel. I have to beg him to drink anything, and he’s always been like that. My second son, at 16 months, drinks water like it’s his job. And you know what? They’re both equally healthy. So how much water do you need to drink, really? From the way […]

The World Health Organization defines probiotics as: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. So, to paraphrase…good bacteria. Most of us have a sense that probiotics are a good thing. That’s what TV commercials and food packages tell us, anyway. And why would they lie? But…what are these mysterious health […]

Is CRP a test you should be getting done? Chances are, you’ve never even heard of it. (If you have: bonus points to you!) CRP stands for C-Reactive Protein, and it’s a marker for inflammation. But we also use it as a screening test for heart disease risk.  At this point you might be asking: what does inflammation […]

Do you eat for comfort? If we’re honest, we can all say yes to this question, from time to time at least. The RARE indulgence (say, for example, a nose-dive into a pint of Haagen-Dazs dulce de leche in front of an open freezer door after ending a 4.5-year-long toxic relationship with a total narcissist and cat-hater…ahem…) is not going to […]

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 […]