I just returned from two magical weeks in Maine, my favorite place, where we celebrated the most special wedding of all - - 

my daughter’s, held at her childhood summer camp. 

The days were filled with family, friends, and unforgettable moments.

What surprised me most was how much joy I found in the pre-wedding “DIY” projects … the very things that had worried me the most beforehand. 

I’d pictured stress, endless to-dos, and projects going sideways. 

Instead, painting signs, labeling rocks, folding napkins with fern fronds (from two ferns that traveled from my porch to Maine and back again!), and making more floral arrangements than I can count turned out to be sooo fun and even grounding. 

One of the highlights? My 65-year-old bachelor cousin carefully tucking fern fronds into place settings - it was proof that everyone can get into the spirit when you’re working side by side.

As wonderful as it was to soak up every moment, it’s also nice to be back home, shifting into what fall will look like. 

For me, that means resetting after two weeks of late nights, too much ice cream, and maybe more wine than I’d normally have (though I’m convinced all the laughter canceled that out!).

The other day I was listening to a podcast about origin stories - those defining experiences and influences that shape who we are.

I had never really thought about mine before, but something clicked. 

I started wondering:

What parts of my path, my talents, and my passions were seeded by the people and experiences that came before me?

Before I dive in, you might be thinking:

What does this have to do with health?

The short answer: everything.

Because our stories shape our thoughts, our actions, and our emotions. 

And all of those are directly connected to our health. How we feel, how we move forward, how we connect with others and ourselves - these are the threads that tie together emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

As we age, many of us carry a quiet fear:

"What if I lose my memory? 

 What if I end up like mom, dad or grandma?"

 In fact, a 2020 Harris poll cited that 82% of Americans say they’re concerned about Alzheimer’s disease, and more than half worry they’ll personally develop it.

If some form of dementia runs in your family, it can feel like a guarantee.

But here’s the good news: It’s not.

Yes, there’s a genetic link.

 But no - it’s not a life sentence.

The truth is: Alzheimer’s is often preventable.

Yes, it’s a great tool for boiling the perfect egg.

But I want you to use it for something far more important:

To interrupt sedentary behavior - one of the biggest threats to our health.

What is sedentary behavior, really?

Think about your day:

You get up, sit down for breakfast. Or look at your phone.  Read the news.  You drive the kids to school, or yourself to work … sitting. 

You arrive and park yourself at a desk. 

Or maybe rather than driving to work, you sit down on the couch, the kitchen counter, or your home office to get your work done. 

Maybe you crush it for hours … but without even realizing it, you haven’t moved in 3+ hours.

You might not feel sedentary - but the science says otherwise.

I'll admit… I hesitated to write this one. 

Because who doesn’t love candles? The flicker of the flame, the cozy vibe, the inviting scent of sea and sand or fresh linen — it’s pure ambience in a jar.

But here’s the thing: I also care a lot about clean air. 

And unfortunately, the same candles we burn to create a comforting atmosphere are often not doing our air quality (or our health) any favors.

So what’s Actually in Most Candles?

Many popular candles - especially the mass-produced ones - are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct. 

When burned, paraffin releases potentially harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene — both known carcinogens. 

Add synthetic fragrance and dyes to the mix, and you’ve got a pretty toxic combo drifting through your home.

I've been diving into some truly fascinating science lately, and I can't stop thinking about what it means for our health. 

And I'm not really a "sciencey" person.  

But I'm hoping that you'll find this as compelling as I do.  

The science I will share offers proof positive that all those foundational principles, our daily habits, that I'm always writing about here … are absolutely essential to healthy aging. 

And yes, it takes effort — to change, to start, to find the time. 

But if you’ve been waiting for that spark — a dose of insight that helps you see things differently, that makes you more aware of what’s possible with small, intentional lifestyle shifts…

…then maybe, just maybe, this is exactly the nudge you’ve been needing to move forward.

What I'm writing about here is the foundation of the Younger You program by Dr. Kara Fitzgerald - and it’s giving me a whole new way to talk about why your daily choices matter so much.

You know eating well, moving regularly, getting quality sleep, managing stress, and minimizing toxins are important. We all know that.

But here’s the question that gets me fired up:

👉 Do you realize just how those habits shape your health, your longevity, and even your gene expression?

This is where things get really interesting.

When we hear the phrase energy balance, the technical definition usually comes to mind: the balance between energy intake (what we eat) and energy expenditure (what we burn).

It’s a scale — and tipping too far in either direction can impact everything from metabolism to mood.

After years of navigating work, motherhood, and life in general, I’ve learned that energy balance, simply being and feeling balanced, is about so much more than the technical scientific equation cited above.

It’s about how we show up in life. How we protect and replenish our energy — physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually — so we can thrive instead of just push through.

Here are a few ways I think about balance in real life:

I’m always amused when my oldest son visits from Salt Lake City and immediately starts complaining about the bugs. 

Summer on the East Coast? Mosquitoes are just part of the package.

I’ve lived my whole life swatting them away, mostly avoiding bug spray because - let’s be honest - I hate the smell, the sticky skin feel, and the idea of rubbing something toxic all over me. 

And seriously, what is in those cans?

Do we go with DEET or no DEET? 
If it's toxic for bugs, is it toxic for us too? 
And do those “natural” plant-based sprays even work?

But I think I'm going to think about it differently this season, and from now on. And I have my environmental health mentor, Lara Adler, to thank for that. 

What’s the most important thing you can do for your health?

I had a coaching session earlier this week, and my client asked me this exact question.

My answer?

Be mindful.
Be aware in the moment.
Be conscious of the decisions you're making.

Because here’s the truth:

Our health is shaped by the thousands of tiny choices we make each week.

Each decision—what you eat, how you move, when you rest, what you prioritize—has the power to move you toward greater health or nudge you back toward illness.

One helpful visual I often share is the Illness–Wellness Continuum, developed by Dr. John Travis back in the 1970s. It’s a simple model, but incredibly powerful.

We live in a world that’s designed to keep us comfortable - and constantly entertained.

- Hungry? There’s a delivery app for that.
- Cold? A heated blanket is one click away.
- Bored? Just pick up your phone, and within seconds you’re scrolling, watching, shopping, or playing.

We’ve removed friction from nearly every part of our lives. 

And in many ways, that’s a marvel of modern living. But in doing so, we’ve also erased some of the most beautiful, messy, and deeply human experiences that come from discomfort.

Especially boredom.

As parents, we often feel pressure to keep our kids occupied and “happy” at all times. 

Screens become the default. Activities are scheduled down to the minute. But what if we’ve taken it too far?

Given that summer is essentially here, I thought it might be helpful to explore the world of safe sunscreens … probably not the most exciting topic, but an important one to think about.

It’s always a challenge to navigate shelves packed with products -trying to figure out which ones work well and have ingredients that won’t compromise our health.

It's always important to remember that our skin is our largest organ — and it absorbs much of what we put on it.

Many ingredients in personal care products can make their way into our bloodstream, which is why choosing clean, non-toxic options really matters.

There’s growing concern around ingredients like oxybenzone, a common UV filter, which has been flagged in ongoing research for its potential health risks.

Given that all four of my kids have been lifeguards, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what sunscreen is best — and what won’t break the bank. 

Here’s the truth: not all sunscreens are created equal.

We’ve all been there… saying some or all of the following things:

“I should be doing more of that.”
“I should be eating more vegetables … or more protein… or less ultra-processed food.”
“I should be exercising more.”
“I should be getting more sleep.”
“I should be drinking less alcohol… or more water.”

And so on.

Here’s where I weigh in—as a Healthy Aging Coach.  I believe mindset may be the most critical aspect of being and staying healthy.

When we’re aware of what we should be doing—and we understand why it matters, how it’s connected to our energy, longevity, and ability to thrive—then something shifts.  And when your mindset shifts from “I should” to “I choose," everything changes. 

Out on my morning walk yesterday, I started thinking about Mark Twain.

And, I know you’re thinking … that’s odd.

Well, I can kind of explain it.

Just the other day, a friend sent me a video of Conan O’Brien receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. 

(if you're interested in hearing a clip of Conan's acceptance speech expressing his reverence for Twain, here is one.  

Yesterday, I saw the news that the Pulitzer Prize was awarded to James by Percival Everett — a novel I read a few months ago. 

It’s a fictional retelling of Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, but this time through the eyes of Jim — or “James,” as he’s called in the book - a Black man who was enslaved.

If you’re not familiar with Huckleberry Finn, it’s set in the pre-Civil War South and centers around Huck, a young white boy, and Jim, a man escaping slavery. 

Reading James through Jim’s perspective offers a profound shift in understanding - one that expands empathy and reminds us of how easily we miss the full truth when we only view a story through our own lens.

I grew up with a mom who always served at least three different vegetables on our plate—and often added a side salad, too. She emphasized the importance of color, variety, and trying everything at least once. 

 👏 Hand clap for Mom.

She passed away 15 years ago, during a whirlwind season of my life - four young kids at home, a demanding corporate job, and very little space to process anything beyond the next to-do.

I wish I could thank her now for all the quiet lessons she taught me at the dinner table. 

Her wisdom—about food, nourishment, and showing up for family—has stayed with me in ways I couldn’t fully appreciate at the time.

Well, it’s finally here — that time of year when we’re itching to get back outside, soak up the spring air, and feel the warmth of the sun on our faces.

This week, I want to share an idea that might shift how you think about your next walk in the woods. Or, dare I say… your next forest bath?

Whether the forest is just beyond your backyard or a short drive away, being surrounded by trees is deeply peaceful. 

Fresh air, sunlight, the earthy scent of leaves and bark — it all feels like medicine for the soul. And in many ways, it actually is.

While hiking or trail running is an effective way to get moving, there’s another practice that’s less about activity and more about being: it’s called Forest Bathing.

If you're a regular user of mouthwash, this is an important blog post to read. 

It’s also a perfect example of why navigating health advice can be so confusing - with conflicting information and marketing that often oversimplifies.

But here’s a fresh perspective: learn a bit more, then decide what makes sense for you.  Like I like to say … it's about learning, practicing and ultimately owning your health in a way that works for you.🙂. 

I came across a study connecting mouthwash to higher blood pressurea couple of years ago.  

It sounded wild, but the more I dug into the research, the more it made sense.

It was compelling enough for me to not only stop using mouthwash (I wasn’t a regular user anyway), but to tell one of my kids — a daily user — to quit cold turkey.

And yet, here's an example of why navigating the health world can be so complicated.  

Just last week I was sitting in the dentist’s chair, being handed a cup of bright blue Scope.  

So, let me explain...

We make thousands of decisions every single day—what to eat, when to move, how to respond to stress, when to call it a day.

Each one might feel small in the moment. But together, they shape the trajectory of our health—and our life.

Here’s the powerful truth: you are in charge.

You get to decide whether those choices support the life you want—or keep you stuck.

Today, I help my clients and followers figure out what they need to do to embrace the concept of owning their health.

Have you ever stopped to think about what you’re feeding your brain?

Just like the rest of your body, your brain needs the right fuel to function at its best.

Here are some interesting “brain” facts:

We all hear the terms “mindset” and “mindfulness” frequently. 

Sometimes, it's easy to dismiss them, not fully tuning into what they mean. 

You might even wonder—does mindfulness mean meditation? What do I need to do to be mindful?

If you think of the opposite of mindfulness, it’s mindlessness—going through life on autopilot, assuming you already know something and not paying attention. 

Mindfulness, at its core, is simply being present and aware. 

And awareness is the most important factor in making meaningful changes. When you’re mindful, you have more energy, more capacity, and more control over your actions.

What would you think if you left your doctor’s office with this type of prescription?:  

• Eat one cup of blueberries per week

• Eat 2-3 cups of tomato sauce per week

• Eat a handful of walnuts every day

And that’s just for starters.  Dr. William Li, a leading cancer scientist and physician, who also serves on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, has taken the notion of “food is medicine” to a whole new level.  

His book Eat to Beat Disease looks at the different types of foods that can make a difference in staving off cancer - and to which level those foods need to be consumed in order to have an impact.  It is pretty compelling.

While this may sound a bit extreme, when you get right down to it -  

Every morsel of food has the ability to prevent disease … or create disease.  It has the ability to amp up, or amp down, bad genes.