The holidays are quickly upon us, and I’m cheerfully listening to Christmas music and wrapping presents. My love and I have three-and-a-half Christmas events we’re attending in the next two days, so I know how much time is a commodity for us all this season. If you are a last-minute shopper, I’m sharing my holiday gift guide, including some of my personal favorites for the body, mind and soul. And … [Read more...]
After the breathtaking decay of autumn, we are now left in the dark and bitter chill of winter. Yesterday, people all over the world celebrated the solstice, which marks the official beginning of the winter season in the northern hemisphere. Here on the East Coast, the solstice officially began at 6:03 p.m. on Dec. 21, starting the longest night of the year. Yet from this day forward, we can look … [Read more...]
Winding down my last yoga session on the last night of being age 36, as I surrendered at last into a peaceful savasana, I felt as if I were giving birth to a new stage in my practice and a new chapter in my life. In the past, I have greatly resisted this asana. While the body is meant to soften, I could never fully sink down into the pose. My pelvis rested unevenly on the mat. My forearms gently … [Read more...]
NOBREADNYC.com launched in September as an online consumer guide for gluten-free dining in New York City. It offers restaurant profiles, mini-reviews and customized menus to dining spots across the city for folks unable to properly digest the gluey protein substance called gluten. NOBREADNYC is quickly becoming an essential resource for diners seeking gluten-free offerings in NYC, which is exactly … [Read more...]
As winter rapidly approaches, those of us up north are seeing fewer days of sunlight and feeling the health consequences. As the sun is the body’s leading source of vitamin D, many folks living above the Sunshine Belt of the United States find themselves deficient in this nutrient and require supplementation for optimal health. Vitamin D deficiency not only affects bone health and immune function, … [Read more...]
In this world of doing, achieving and getting, it’s very easy for us to put far greater focus on our time spent at work than our lives outside of the office. Our quest for progress and perfection often leads us to squelch pleasure for the sake of productivity. While ambition and industriousness is admirable, often leading to great achievements and success, there is also merit in taking time to … [Read more...]
New mothers face a number of challenges to maintaining healthy balance in their lives, with increased stress, reduced sleep and less time to get everything done. As baby takes the majority of focus and attention, self-care often falls by the wayside, and many mothers neglect to pay attention to their own diet and fitness. Modeling and fitness expert—and fellow mom—Dale Noelle, … [Read more...]
After the rush of bargain buys from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, today the focus of the holiday season shifts to celebrating the charitable spirit with Giving Tuesday. This is the third annual global day of giving and generosity, where all are invited to give back to communities or charitable organizations in whichever ways they can—whether by donating their time and services, goods or … [Read more...]
What better time to talk about the benefits of a regular gratitude practice than on a holiday that celebrates giving thanks? Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can help us feel happier, more optimistic and appreciative. We are less overcome by stress, which is then seen as more of a challenge than a threat. Our self-worth rises when we feel the hands that support us. Recognizing our own … [Read more...]
For many folks living with the debilitating neurological condition dystonia, getting physically active and staying fit can seem like a near impossible dream. Repetitive, involuntary muscle contractions can cause the body to twist or take on abnormal postures, leaving muscles tight, strained and sore. Understandably, some fear exercise might make this condition worse—yet on the yoga mat, I not only … [Read more...]