“Excuse the mess, but we live here.” ~Roseanne Barr Can we talk about the moldy piece of fish in my fridge? (Stay with me here. This is going somewhere. I promise.) Earlier this week I pulled a pyrex container out of the back of my refrigerator and discovered that it contained the most disgusting piece of old salmon ever. Complete …
Should You Ice That Injury? Probably Not. (Or, Why RICE is Outdated and Wrong)
“Nothing burns like the cold.” ~George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones As a competitive athlete in the 90s and early 2000s, I spent many a day getting cozy with a bag of ice. The gold standard of care for any minor injury at that time — from a bruise to slight sprain — was, of course, to wrap the …
On Optimism, The Secret, and Why Preparing For the Worst Case Scenario Doesn’t Make You a Curmudgeony Curmudgeon
“Whatever can happen at any time can happen today.” ~Seneca, On the Shortness of Life I remember being introduced to The Secret about a decade ago (just after it made it’s widely popular debut thanks to Oprah), and completely buying into the idea that I could manifest what I desired by imagining it would be so and creating a vision board …
On CrossFit and Body Image and Widening the Lens on Female Beauty
“In all the years I’ve been a therapist, I’ve yet to meet one girl who likes her body.” ~Mary Pipher, Author of Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls “There is more wisdom in your bodies than in your deepest philosophies.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche I have a confession: I love CrossFit. (Gasp.) Like a lot of folks, I once had about …
Why We Must Choose Curiosity Over Comfort
“Curiosity killed the cat, but where human beings are concerned, the only thing a healthy curiosity can kill is ignorance.” ~Harry Lorayne I’ve been quiet around here lately. Truthfully, I haven’t really known what to say. So much has happened in the world in recents weeks, and I have found myself wanting to listen more than I talk, to observe, …
Your Brain is a Jerk: On Negativity Bias, Neuroplasticity, and Cultivating Curiosity
“The brain is a monstrous, beautiful mess.” ~Susannah Calahan, Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness Let’s talk about how your brain is kind of a jerk. This is largely because it has a built-in negativity bias, and is — by design — more finely attuned to bad stimuli than to good. Simply put, this means that you are more deeply …
Safe Skin Care and Cosmetics, Nestle, and My Recommendations for Non-Toxic Brands to Check Out (Also: Those You Should Probably Avoid). For All of You Feeling a Little Confused about Where to Start.
“Respect your body. Eat well. Dance Forever.” ~Eliza Gaynor Minden (Pssst. If you’re in a hurry and just want to know what brands I recommend — and those I recommend avoiding — skip the intro and scroll down for my list below.) I haven’t written about toxic chemicals in skin care and personal care products for a while, as I …
Wrinkles, Gray Hair, and Cellulite? You Can Have Them All, But Still Feel Beautiful. I Do. (Or, How the Messaging Behind Skin Care and Beauty Products is Just as Toxic as the Ingredients)
“It is lovely to meet an old person whose face is deeply lined, a face that has been deeply inhabited, to look in the eyes and find light there.” ~John O’Donohue When I was in 7th grade, I remember being invited to a pool party for a friend’s birthday and firmly deciding that I would not go because the tan …
Toxic Chemicals in Your Skin Care and Beauty Products, Round 2: Formaldehyde. Also: The Surprising Lack of Regulation and Oversight in the Cosmetics Industry.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Let’s talk about the formaldehyde that might be lurking in your skin care and beauty products. Formaldehyde? Yep. Last week, I wrote and posted an article about five of the most dangerous chemicals that might be hiding in your personal care …
Toxic Ingredients in Your Skin Care and Beauty Products? There Might Be. (The Chances Are Actually Pretty High.) Here Are 5 You Should Definitely Avoid.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” ~Albert Einstein One of my most dearly-held values is curiosity, and I believe that this is particularly important when it comes to your health and what you choose to put into and on top of your body. I feel like — in general — we are …