A few days after Christmas, I finally ventured back into the grocery store. I try to avoid places like Wegman’s, Target, and the likes during the holidays because I am not a big fan of crowds. Not necessarily because I don’t like people, but I just don’t have the patience to shop. Well, I was rather surprised to see Valentine’s Day candy before New Year’s had even arrived! Now that we have rung in the New Year and Valentine’s Day… Read more »
Do you or someone you love enjoy making essential oils-based products and DIY gifts? If you don’t already have a box subscription to Young Living essential oils, I recommend you start with a premium starter kit. It is the best value — high quality oils, a diffuser, some Thieves household cleaner, sample Ningxia (think uber antioxidant beverage)….trust me on this, you will not regret getting a starter kit. More on how I started my wellness journey with essential oils here…. Read more »
Can you believe it’s spring? Actually, I can’t since Mother Nature pulled a belate April Fool’s trtick today by dumping a few inches of snow in Happy Valley. Yet, just the day before, we had crocuses in full bloom, so I’m still holding out hope that spring will soon arrive. The upcoming transition to spring and recent over-indulging during Easter (for me, baked ham, not Cadbury Easter eggs or candies) are excellent reasons to join a wonderful opportunity for a… Read more »
I don’t know about you, but for me this time of year is not only magical, it’s also stressful. Around this time every year, I am operating under the false impression that everything is under control. The internal dialogue sounds something like this: Christmas tree up? Check. Gifts hidden from the kids? Check. Tree decorated? Umm….Nope. Gifts wrapped? Of course not!! Holiday post cards sent? Maybe. The list goes on. You get the idea. The illusion of preparedness rules until… Read more »
I’ve decided it’s time to step (back) up to the self-care plate and take on Hashimoto’s disease. Wiped out. Every evening, I crash upon arrival in my bed after a day in the office. Something just has to give. A few weeks ago, I had a chat with the doctor, explaining that I am perpetually wiped out and as an aside, am constantly suffering from digestion tract issues. Thyroid tests reviewed, recommendation to jack up my thyroid medication dosage and… Read more »
This week has been particularly hectic–boy, am I frazzled and in dire need of relaxing music. So far this week, it’s been jury duty (and getting selected for a high profile case), field trips, candidate interviews (for my boss’s replacement), and flying to Mars (ok, just kidding on the last one). Need I say more? Oh, wait, being short-staffed at work the past two weeks! After a stressful day, no, make that week, I need to reclaim my zen with… Read more »
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Save Shake your shamrock or shamrock shake? Apparently, my kids report that the ‘big’ thing in our small town is going to McDonald’s for a shamrock shake. Did you know that a large shamrock shake from Mickey D’s, packs in 820 of not so healthy calories? You’ll shake more than just your shamrock if you or your kids drink one today! Looking an all-natural shamrock shake? If you opt to forgo the fast food shamrock… Read more »
Guest blogger Stephanie Keltner shares the health benefits of listening to relaxing music. For many of us, a day wouldn’t be complete without music. Whether you wake up to it, pass time at work listening to it, or even play a soothing song or two for your sleeping baby, music plays a role in nearly every part of our waking lives. And whether you like Mozart and the classics, alternative, jazz, acoustic or anything in between, the benefits for… Read more »
Last weekend, thanks to a Groupon offer, I tried out Bethesda Salt Cave, touted as the first and only salt cave in the mid-Atlantic state of Maryland. I opted for the special deal for two sessions and thankfully had a willing volunteer, my 12 year old son, who tagged along for the halotherapy experience. The salt cave consists of chunks of imported Himalayan pink salt adorning the walls, with ground salt on the floor (think ‘beach’ but instead of sand… Read more »
Guest blogger Deborah Hirsch contributed the following post reflecting on mindfulness.
Quick. Close your eyes. Breathe in through your chest. Let thoughts come in and out of your mind. Don’t engage with them. Exhale.
You may think you just started a meditation. But what you were practicing is mindfulness.
