Unique steps to reduce school absenteeism
Mon, 10/07/2024

Unique steps to reduce school absenteeism

School attendance numbers in the US have never been stellar, and the Pandemic made the situation far worse. To this day, absenteeism remains…

The case for female physicians
Sat, 10/05/2024

The case for female physicians

The number of female physicians in the US has steadily grown over the last 50 years. The Women Physicians Congress of the American Medical…

It's better to have loved and lost...
Fri, 09/27/2024

It's better to have loved and lost...

It may be a loved one who passes on or an intimate partnership that ends, but grief invariably follows as it's part of the human experience…

No Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Twinkies in schools?
Mon, 09/16/2024

No Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Twinkies in schools?

“The passage of this bill could cost schools and families money, limit choice and access, and create consumer confusion.” This was a stereotypical…

A controversial plan for affordable housing
Thu, 09/12/2024

A controversial plan for affordable housing

The Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach, CA, hopes to spread love by creating affordable housing, thanks to a new state law called…

Delay death with physical strength
Mon, 09/09/2024

Delay death with physical strength

Improved brain, heart, and bone health, and a decreased risk of injury-related falls are just a few benefits of building physical strength. Here's…

How to make your smartphone more secure
Mon, 09/02/2024

How to make your smartphone more secure

Recently, I've received text messages like, "Hi, this is Vivian from Dynamic Job Recruiting. Are you looking for high-paying work?" and the…

Great news for prescription drug customers
Sat, 08/17/2024

Great news for prescription drug customers

When a news report mentions "closed-door negotiations in Washington," images of nefarious dealings between monolithic corporations and…

Hit the breaks for energy, focus, and health
Wed, 08/14/2024

Hit the breaks for energy, focus, and health

Who among us hasn’t experienced waves of drowsiness and low energy while sitting through a lecture or at a computer screen?

To keep their…

Where the closed heart leads
Tue, 08/13/2024

Where the closed heart leads

Novelist and literary scholar C.S. Lewis on the risk of love:

"There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love…

Family man donates heart to his brother-in-law
Sat, 08/10/2024

Family man donates heart to his brother-in-law

There are currently over 103,000 people on the National Transplant Waitlist. "Directed donation" is when a family knows a person on the Waitlist…

Women with Wrenches
Mon, 08/05/2024

Women with Wrenches

A 2013 study found that mechanics quoted women higher prices if they appeared uninformed about their cars. Smog shop owner and mechanic Angie…

Summer brings bigger brains
Mon, 08/05/2024

Summer brings bigger brains

A 15-year study has revealed that portions of our brains grow larger during the warm summer months. Scientists theorize barometric pressure (the…

What is the stuff dreams are made of?
Wed, 07/31/2024

What is the stuff dreams are made of?

This is a question researchers have been trying to answer since the days of ancient Greece. As someone who rarely remembers dreams, I envied…

Can the moon influence human health?
Mon, 07/29/2024

Can the moon influence human health?

In elementary school, we were taught how the moon's gravitational pull impacts our oceans' tides. Many scientists are now investigating if and how…

Air pollution impacts independent living
Thu, 07/25/2024

Air pollution impacts independent living

When we hear about environmental factors that negatively affect our health, microplastics and PFAS (forever chemicals) get a lot of press…

Kids moving beyond their stutter
Tue, 07/23/2024

Kids moving beyond their stutter

It's estimated about 1% of the world's population stutters, though about 5% of children go through a period of stuttering. A summer camp at…

Beautiful things happen...
Thu, 07/18/2024

Beautiful things happen...

This sign encourages us to take nothing for granted and feel grateful, making ourselves available to beauty and positivity.

Mass shootings and boys' "crisis of connection"
Thu, 07/18/2024

Mass shootings and boys' "crisis of connection"

The assassination attempt on the former president is the latest high-profile shooting committed by a young man. The list of such incidents…

Common US foods banned in other countries
Sat, 07/13/2024

Common US foods banned in other countries

Bromine, Red 40, propylparaben, and BHT are just a few of the common additives in popular foods in the US but are banned or highly restricted in…

Wedding Ring Heroes
Sat, 07/06/2024

Wedding Ring Heroes

When Melanie Harper lost her wedding ring in a bin at a local recycling center, she didn't expect to see it again. Finding it would be a classic "…

Olive oil under threat
Mon, 07/01/2024

Olive oil under threat

Aside from tasting great, consuming olive oil brings a host of well-documented health benefits. However, the health and production of olives…

Tips to cool your body this summer
Thu, 06/27/2024

Tips to cool your body this summer

Hot In The City, Heat Wave, and Here Comes The Sun are just a few song titles that come to mind when I hear about the scorching temperatures much…

Think twice before taking Google AI Search advice
Mon, 06/24/2024

Think twice before taking Google AI Search advice

The use of artificial intelligence is hotly debated, with some people and industries believing it will revolutionize our lives while others fear…

A threat to indigenous tribes?
Sun, 06/16/2024

A threat to indigenous tribes?

Starlink, a satellite company owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has brought high-speed internet service to the indigenous Marubo villages in the Amazon…

Playing next: Step Into Your Power
Thu, 06/13/2024

Playing next: Step Into Your Power

We can all relate to getting a song stuck in our heads and I wanted to share the one that's been in my brain for a couple of days.

"Step…

What miracle am I?
Thu, 06/06/2024

What miracle am I?

“The world is an incredible place. It's here for you and for you to enjoy, so show up as you. The world needs you as you are.”

To view life…

You don't see that everyday
Sat, 06/01/2024

You don't see that everyday

I drove through a part of Los Angeles called Silverlake a few days ago. It's an area with a lot of character but isn't immune to signs of economic…

Strategies for falling back to sleep
Mon, 05/06/2024

Strategies for falling back to sleep

Who among us hasn't, at least occasionally, woken in the middle of the night with our brains lit up and ready to ponder anything and everything?…

A record-breaking feat of strength
Sun, 04/28/2024

A record-breaking feat of strength

Have you ever known someone whose belief in themselves and their abilities to achieve are seemingly unshakable? Obstacle course athlete and now…

You'd better wash that water bottle!
Mon, 04/22/2024

You'd better wash that water bottle!

Many people struggle to drink enough water daily, but a water bottle can be an effective prompt to hydrate more often.

However, the bottle'…

Do you have Vorfreude?
Thu, 04/18/2024

Do you have Vorfreude?

Translated from German, Vorfreude means “the anticipation of joy,” and frankly, we could use more of it.

When speaking of vorfreude,…

A sign that once said "Guns" now says "Love"
Thu, 04/04/2024

A sign that once said "Guns" now says "Love"

The above photos are of a building a couple of miles from my home. Seeing positive messages like this displayed is both unexpected and refreshing…

Veggies and fruits are healthy, but...
Tue, 04/02/2024

Veggies and fruits are healthy, but...

It's no secret that a pillar of good health is eating vegetables and fruits daily. That said, the Environmental Working Group has released its…

The verdict is in on Prevagen, and it's not good
Sat, 03/23/2024

The verdict is in on Prevagen, and it's not good

Anyone who watches commercial TV has seen numerous ads for the memory supplement Prevagen. Lately, it seems they are running more frequently,…

The crimes of ultra-processed foods
Mon, 03/18/2024

The crimes of ultra-processed foods

"Ultra-processed foods are not only tasty, but they're also good for you," said no one, ever.

Data gathered from dozens of studies that…

Yet another benefit of exercise on the brain
Thu, 03/14/2024

Yet another benefit of exercise on the brain

Improved mood and mental focus and reduced levels of depression and anxiety are a few benefits of healthier brain function courtesy of exercise…

The dark history of wilderness therapy programs
Sun, 02/25/2024

The dark history of wilderness therapy programs

Teen rebellion is common and considered a rite of passage by some. However, some behaviors, if not appropriately and effectively addressed, can…

Pizza and goodwill
Tue, 02/20/2024

Pizza and goodwill

Another restaurant doing good deeds.

How great is this?
Fri, 02/09/2024

How great is this?

I don't know what restaurant this is, but blessings to whomever came up with this policy of love and kindness.

News Flash
Wed, 02/07/2024

Who says there are no good commercials?

I first saw this ad a couple of years ago and was just as moved when I saw it again today…

Just 10% of our brain?
Mon, 02/05/2024

Just 10% of our brain?

"The average person uses just 10% of their brain capacity." I bet most of us have heard this statement repeated over the years. I remember…

The benefits of walking backward
Mon, 02/05/2024

The benefits of walking backward

Having worked in gyms for many years, I've periodically seen people walking on treadmills backward. This engages the legs and other muscles…

A shameful corporations' punishment
Thu, 02/01/2024

A shameful corporations' punishment

In 2023, an article by ProPublica and posted in Well Street, highlighted Philips Respironics, a manufacturer of CPAP breathing machines used by…

News Flash
Sun, 01/21/2024

Struggle, resilience, and the human spirit

"We can look at our behavior, we can look at our thoughts, and we're full of compassion and empathy. And on a human's best day, we can do…

Sleep myths debunked
Thu, 01/18/2024

Sleep myths debunked

My most recent certification is in sleep coaching, so when I see an article called "Popular myths about sleep debunked," my curiosity is piqued…

Bottled water—time to reconsider?
Tue, 01/09/2024

Bottled water—time to reconsider?

The average bottle of water contains nearly a quarter million nano-plastic fragments, according to a recently published study.

These easily…

Half-male, half-female bird discovered
Wed, 01/03/2024

Half-male, half-female bird discovered

Gynadromorphism is a word I hadn't heard before. Zoologist and professor Hamish Spencer describes gynandromorphs as "animals with both male and…

Which came first, the anxiety or the inflammation?
Tue, 01/02/2024

Which came first, the anxiety or the inflammation?

A myriad of diseases have been linked to chronic inflammation, including cancer, diabetes, fatty liver, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease…

Oat milk in coffee? Perhaps no.
Tue, 01/02/2024

Oat milk in coffee? Perhaps no.

I have a friend who's all about oat milk in her coffee. I've tried it, and it's delicious. However, this non-dairy favorite can create a spike in…

How are those bones of yours?
Fri, 12/29/2023

How are those bones of yours?

Working in the fitness industry, I come across a fair amount of articles about the importance of maintaining muscle mass as we age. Sarcopenia, or…

Cobalt lung and vaping
Fri, 12/22/2023

Cobalt lung and vaping

Cobalt lung, a condition where the lungs become scarred from repeated inhalation of heavy metals, has been diagnosed in a woman who used a vape…

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome—it's not just mom
Wed, 12/20/2023

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome—it's not just mom

If you were to do an online search of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), every article would define it as a condition in a child that results from…

Lettuce—underrated no more
Wed, 12/20/2023

Lettuce—underrated no more

In 2019, the CDC released a report indicating that just 10% of Americans consume the recommended 5 daily servings of vegetables. Essentially, food…

Colombia's climate migration plan
Sat, 12/16/2023

Colombia's climate migration plan

When we typically hear about immigrants in the news, they're people trying to find better lives by escaping poverty and warfare. However, less…

I'd like to sleep in, but my brain won't let me.
Fri, 12/15/2023

I'd like to sleep in, but my brain won't let me.

Waking up before sunrise has been part of my routine for many years, not by choice but necessity (as nearly everyone in the fitness industry will…

The Mind-Body Connection
Wed, 12/13/2023

The Mind-Body Connection

I first learned about the mind-body connection, at least one facet of it, from reading bodybuilding magazines. These articles discussed how…

Trees, parks, and the aging process
Mon, 12/11/2023

Trees, parks, and the aging process

You'll be hard-pressed to find an article about stress reduction or ways to boost health that doesn't include exposure to nature. It's reported…

Teaching kids to spot fake news
Tue, 12/05/2023

Teaching kids to spot fake news

With the proliferation of fake news and the likelihood that it's here to stay, California has joined a short list of states to mandate a "media…

Pesticides in baby food
Tue, 12/05/2023

Pesticides in baby food

Troubling data found in a recent US study finds that nearly 40% of baby food contains toxic pesticides, some linked to hormonal disruption, cancer…

Daniel's brain
Sat, 11/18/2023

Daniel's brain

The brain is an interesting thing, isn't it? Sometimes, a memory pops into your mind from nowhere and without prompting.

This happened to…

Profits over people, again
Sat, 11/18/2023

Profits over people, again

Stories of corporations selling products to consumers found to be harmful and dangerous are nothing new. Shamefully, the same is said for…

Loneliness ambassador
Tue, 11/14/2023

Loneliness ambassador

The Covid pandemic impacted societies around the world in a myriad of ways. Among them—a deepening of loneliness.

A 2021 Harvard study…

How exercise may influence food selection
Sun, 11/12/2023

How exercise may influence food selection

The list of benefits from exercise continues to grow.

A recent study found that short bouts of high-intensity exercise influenced hormone…

Immune cell hunts down bacteria
Sun, 11/12/2023

Immune cell hunts down bacteria

I had no idea the way immune cells track and eliminate bacteria was so reminiscent of a video game. Pac-man, maybe?

Watch how immune cell…

Your passport to freedom and to love
Thu, 11/09/2023

Your passport to freedom and to love

In his book, "The Way to Love", Jesuit priest Anthony De Mello gives advice we'd all be wise to embrace.

"You must cultivate activities…

Potential breakthrough in pancreatic cancer?
Wed, 11/08/2023

Potential breakthrough in pancreatic cancer?

Out of the approximately 64,000 expected cases of pancreatic cancer this year, more than 50,000 of them will be fatal.

In this short video…

What do kids think of their books being banned?
Wed, 11/01/2023

What do kids think of their books being banned?

There are plenty of adults weighing in on the debate over banning children's books—some believing it's necessary to avoid subjecting kids to…

Weight Watchers hops on the bandwagon
Thu, 10/26/2023

Weight Watchers hops on the bandwagon

In an effort to stay relevant and avoid potential financial collapse, Weight Watchers, rebranded as WW, is hopping onto the diabetes/weight loss…

A poem of inner peace
Sun, 10/15/2023

A poem of inner peace

"When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may…

The many flaws of the Body Mass Index
Fri, 10/13/2023

The many flaws of the Body Mass Index

Having worked in gyms for the better part of my career, I had several body composition analyses performed, which included the Body Mass Index (BMI…

The brain's love of ultra-processed "food"
Thu, 10/12/2023

The brain's love of ultra-processed "food"

“Industrially produced foods containing ingredients not available in home kitchens," or ultra-processed foods (UPFs), can affect the human brain…

No to Red Dye No. 3 in California
Wed, 10/11/2023

No to Red Dye No. 3 in California

California has become the first state to ban red dye No. 3 and other potentially harmful food additives in popular candies, drinks, and other…

She loves exercise, despite cerebral palsy
Tue, 10/10/2023

She loves exercise, despite cerebral palsy

Author Nicole Luongo fell in love with exercise when she was a teen and never let her cerebral palsy dictate what she was capable of. With no…

Build strength in 3 seconds??
Mon, 10/09/2023

Build strength in 3 seconds??

Lifting weights is one of the most effective ways of building physical strength, and researchers have learned that a one-month program consisting…

The 40+ Double Dutch Club
Fri, 09/29/2023

The 40+ Double Dutch Club

When you were a kid, did you jump rope or try the more advanced Double Dutch?

To break out of an emotional funk, Pamela Robinson considered…

Can teachers help kids exposed to trauma?
Sat, 09/23/2023

Can teachers help kids exposed to trauma?

Research reveals that traumatic experiences disproportionately affect minority and low-income youth, including witnessing or being the target of…

The Virtue of Humility
Thu, 09/14/2023

The Virtue of Humility

In this article, psychology professor Jen Cole Wright discusses something we all have in common to varying degrees—self-centeredness. She talks…

A possible new lease on life for 80s rock star
Thu, 08/31/2023

A possible new lease on life for 80s rock star

As a teen, my favorite band was Duran Duran, and I still have some of their rare 12" singles on vinyl. When it was revealed last year that their…

The joys of hiding no more
Thu, 08/31/2023

The joys of hiding no more

Ruth Rathblott was born without a left hand. Her well-meaning parents raised her as completely normal, but as a result, Ruth says, "I didn't have…

Super moon in Los Angeles
Wed, 08/30/2023

Super moon in Los Angeles

My camera made the moon look almost like the sun. It wasn’t this bright in reality, but there was significantly more visible detail and “fullness…

Thought provoking
Sat, 08/26/2023

Thought provoking

Lawyer Julie Yip-Williams, who was born blind, on the paradoxes of life:

"I do not have the answer to the question of why, at least not now…

What's better than having it all?
Sun, 08/20/2023

What's better than having it all?

Traci Schubert Barrett was part of a small group that started HGTV. In this article, she acknowledges all the good that came with helping…

Obesogens sound scary, and they are.
Fri, 08/18/2023

Obesogens sound scary, and they are.

Obesogens may be a new term to you, but we've known about them for quite some time. They're chemicals that are all around us, and they disrupt…

Have you considered creatine?
Mon, 08/14/2023

Have you considered creatine?

I clearly remember when I'd been working out for a couple of years when a supplement hit the market that everyone in the gym was talking about—…

Missing Money
Mon, 08/07/2023

Missing Money

A couple of months ago on the local news, I learned about a website called Missing Money, an online directory of people who are owed money that…

125 pounds lighter
Sun, 08/06/2023

125 pounds lighter

When it comes to weight loss, one of the many recommended strategies is mindful eating. Done consistently, mindful eating can help people maintain…

Another message worthy of attention
Sun, 07/30/2023

Another message worthy of attention

"Help me to stay hopeful in turbulent times. Give me the vision and discipline to find a sacred space that allows me to connect with myself and,…

What is "Emotional Eating", and is it a bad thing?
Sat, 07/29/2023

What is "Emotional Eating", and is it a bad thing?

Emotional eating is a term we're all familiar with, and it's rarely if ever, perceived as positive. This applies to the health and fitness…

Ways that men improved their mental health
Sat, 07/29/2023

Ways that men improved their mental health

There was a time in our not-too-distant past when "being a man" meant keeping emotional distance, bottling feelings, expressing very little, and…

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