This new research is absolutely brilliant

Check it out. Wanted to share. It’s about your metabolism and artificial sweeteners. I don’t drink diet soda. Do you? In fact, I can’t stand the taste of many artificial sweeteners, but because food companies want to make processed food sweeter without added calories, they are often added in places you wouldn’t expect. That is…

Feeling Lonely? Phone a Friend.

Much ado has been made of the ill health effects of smartphone use primarily depression, sleep disturbance and even brain cancer. It’s depressing to think that this device we are all addicted to is making us more depressed. Another disturbing side effect that has the potential to be even more devastating is the long term…

This is what happened after cervical cancer

I had a rough winter. If you read my last post, you know I ended up with cervical cancer. Throughout the winter and into the spring my situation seemed to get worse with every visit. For most of that time, I felt great, so it was perplexing to hear that I had not only one…

Maybe I should start smoking

2017 is off to an atrocious start. For me, this has nothing to do with politics. I was diagnosed with cancer, again. An entirely separate kind of cancer unrelated to my original cancer. For someone who does the things usually recommended for good health, two cancer diagnoses in less than four years, both before age…

Making the most of the worst thing ever

As much as I like writing, especially writing about health, science, and medicine, it is a challenge to come up with interesting topics to write about on a regular basis. Since the election, it has been impossible for me. I have not been able to think about anything else. Paying attention to self-care and wellness…

Sleep like a baby, or a new parent

You are sleeping better than you think

Ahh, sleep, beautiful, wonderful, at times elusive sleep. Who doesn’t want to sleep well? Is there anyone who doesn’t like sleeping? Lying all cozy in bed, dozing on and off. Or that feeling of a solid night of sleep when upon waking you feel completely rejuvenated, ready for anything. It’s awesome. Too bad so many…

How do you win with weeknight meals?

Summer is over. School has started. The equinox is here. Fall has officially begun. The weather is cooler, especially at night and the days are noticeably shorter. I look forward to September in Maine because it is a lovely month, usually very sunny and warm but not too hot or humid. It’s not summer, though.…

What makes life worth living?

What makes life worth living? Good question, huh? I just read the book When Breath Becomes Air. It is the memoir of Dr. Paul Kalanithi who died in 2015 from lung cancer at age 37. Dr. Kalanithi was a neurosurgery resident when he was diagnosed with advanced cancer. It is a beautiful book. Dr. Kalanithi…

summertime

Are you all in or a little bit at a time?

I like to think that I am different. That the typical issues other people face are not a problem for me, like weight loss. I have been heavier than I wanted to be in the past, but as soon as I started paying attention and taking care of myself, eating right, exercising, sleeping well, the…

Tasty treat

Are you happy with the way you eat?

Do you like what you eat? Does the way you eat work for you? I like my diet, but I’m afraid it isn’t working for me. So, I’m considering a change. That’s the thing about diet. It is very personal. What works for me may not work for you. That’s the thing about diet. It…