If you are anything like me, this past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions. There have been the ups of finding new ways to connect with family and friends, yet the downs of uncertainty and a lot of alone time, plus everything in between. As an instructor and practitioner of mindfulness, I am no stranger … Continue reading Feelings about feelings: Navigating meta-emotions during a pandemic
Stressed about figuring out what to get everyone on your list this Christmas? Gift giving is hard enough as it is, but in true 2020 fashion, this holiday season is shaping up to be a whole new kind of challenge. Whether you’re spending the holidays away from family, trying to avoid shopping in person or simply looking for thoughtful ways to brighten a loved one’s day, we have … Continue reading 2020 gift guide: Virtual gift ideas for everyone on your Christmas list
Recently, my patients have started coming to me with questions about the keto diet — Is it safe? Is it good for your heart? Do you recommend it? After all, it’s well-established that diet and heart health go hand in hand. As a cardiologist, here’s what I tell them. Origins of the keto diet The … Continue reading A cardiologist’s take on the keto diet
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a tradition truly unlike any other. Beyond its façade of delicious candy skulls, colorful and intricate face paintings, music, dancing, vibrant parades (and not to mention, the two-day long celebration), it holds sentimental value to those who celebrate it year after year. It’s a celebration … Continue reading Día de los Muertos: A guide to safely celebrating our lost loved ones
2020 has certainly been a year for the books. To me, it seems as though COVID-19 kicked off a domino effect of stressful and uncertain events. When life gets tough and destroys any sort of routine, it can be quite hard to keep up with or restart the things we used to do. How do … Continue reading Pandemic food rut? Learning to love food again
I’m not a runner. Well, at least I didn’t think I was. I don’t enjoy it. Well, at least I didn’t think I did. I’m a dance fitness and HIIT fanatic through and through but a couple of months ago, I started a 5k training program. I was slow completing it because well — life, … Continue reading What I learned when I challenged myself to run a 5k
Picture this: you’re in the middle of a meditation. You close your eyes and think, “Breathe in, focus on your breath. Breathe out…” As you exhale your mind wanders to, “Oh no! I forgot to get the cilantro at the grocery for that recipe. Wait, I’m supposed to be breathing. But this recipe will be … Continue reading A simple guide to mindfulness for beginners
Sudden life changes — like let’s say, for example, a pandemic — can have profound effects on our daily routine. With an upended routine can come changes in behaviors that lead to the formation of habits, both good and not so good. Perhaps during quarantine, you have found you are exercising more (go you!) … Continue reading Pandemic habits: The good, the bad, the changeable!
Thyroid disorders are extremely common in the U.S. — approximately 20 million Americans suffer from some sort of thyroid condition and 60 percent are unaware that they even have one. Women are 5 to 8 times more likely to develop a thyroid condition than men. Despite so many people suffering from these conditions, there is … Continue reading The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet: Does it actually help thyroid conditions?
Have you ever bonded with someone you don’t know over something funny? Or perhaps become closer with someone after a few good laughs? Let’s dive into what makes laughter so contagious — and so important in our day-to-day lives and relationships. The contagious effect of laughter Research has shown that the critical laughter trigger for … Continue reading Why is laughter contagious? Plus 7 ways to lighten up your day
