Fish is one of those foods that most people know is good for them.

It’s linked to heart health, brain function, reduced inflammation, and healthy aging. Many of the longest-lived populations in the world eat fish regularly.

And yet … every time I bring up seafood in a class or conversation, the same question comes up:

But what about mercury? 

What about farmed fish? 

What should I actually buy?

What's the difference between wild salmon and farmed salmon?

Fish shouldn’t feel confusing. So let’s simplify this — because omega-3 fats are too important to ignore.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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...