Articles by

The celiac disease and infertility connection

Karen Hawthorne — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 03:50:00 -0800

With infertility on the rise, it’s time to look at the connection with celiac disease, a digestive disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. A new study from Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University found that 6 percent of women with unexplained infertility had celiac disease. When some switched to a celiac-appropriate diet, they had healthy, successful pregnancies.

The best snacks to beat stress

Karen Hawthorne — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:39:00 -0800

Last-minute holiday shopping, dinner with the in-laws, office parties — this time of year can push your stress level to red alert. Now is the time to nourish your body with adequate sleep and good nutrition.

Yoga: Avoid beginner’s mistakes

Karen Hawthorne — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 11:56:00 -0800

Yoga has all sorts of benefits that are supported by research — mental and physical stress relief, mood improvement, slowing the aging process, along with peace and relaxation? Beginners often tackle poses and exercises without proper guidance, however. Mary Jo Ricketson, a Boston-area yoga practitioner and author of Moving Meditation, discusses safety and best practices for your sun salutations.

Gifts for the ultimate fan

Karen Hawthorne — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:12:00 -0800

Boost your sports fanatic's team spirit and love of the game. Whether she's relaxing on the sidelines or getting in on the action, these gifts will score some major points.

Alpha Women: L.A. photographers ready to take a bold leap

Karen Hawthorne — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:30:00 -0800

Looking for some inspiration? Los Angeles photographers Jennifer Hoffman and Marisa Gallegos, of Esme & Eve, will take a leap of faith on Saturday, Nov. 17 in nothing but a safety harness and their lingerie . The duo will skydive, for a second time, from a plane over Lake Elsinore, California, along with five other women in the "Be Bold. Take the Leap" initiative to encourage women to face their fears and realize their dreams. Here's our Q&A with Jennifer Hoffman.

How acupuncture can conquer your holiday stress

Karen Hawthorne — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:24:00 -0700

Poking your skin with needles may not sound like a soothing treatment, but the ancient Chinese therapy of acupuncture is reputed to help you keep calm and carry on — perfect for the holiday season ahead! SheKnows spoke to acupuncturist Sabine Gebelhoff of Moonstone Healing Arts & Yoga in Newtonville, Ontario, about how the therapy works and its stress-busting results.

Healthy holiday diet fixes for new moms

Karen Hawthorne — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 04:00:00 -0700

The holiday buffets, the eggnog, the parties! The holidays can feel like a diet minefield just waiting to blow up the number on your scale by five, even 10 pounds. Added to the pressure of tasty bites and sweets is kid duty: Now you have the responsibility of making sure your new baby gets fed, bathed and looks adorable for the in-laws. Here are some coping strategies to keep you slim and sane.

Women vs. men: Different bodies, different vitamin requirements

Karen Hawthorne — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:11:00 -0700

Differences between the sexes go much deeper than how a woman or man does laundry, socializes with friends or chooses a movie. All bodies need the right mix of the 13 essential vitamins, but some are more important than others when it comes to the sexes. Dietitian and author of Elizabeth Somer has tips on what vitamins we need most and why.

How to fall in love with healthy, delicious foods

Karen Hawthorne — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:02:00 -0700
A lot has changed for 21st-century women, but one thing hasn’t: Moms still juggle insanely busy lives and their needs usually fall last on their own list, says Columbia University-certified health coach Beth Aldrich. That includes eating — as in, really loving what you eat. Because that bag of chips you downed watching the final episode of Lost for a third time actually didn't really make you feel that good. Here's how to fall in love with delicious — and healthy — food.

Boxing workouts for women

Karen Hawthorne — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:52:00 -0700
For the first time, women are competing in boxing at the Summer Games. Canada will be watching Mary Spencer, middleweight boxer from Windsor, Ontario, who faced defeat at the World Championship and then earned a wild-card entry to compete. The sport is a growing trend for women who want an intense, exciting workout that burns fat and builds confidence, says trainer Sammie Kennedy. She's extending an invitation to women to test their ring smarts.

Women's health: Heart disease patient support program online

Karen Hawthorne — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:47:00 -0700
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, affecting an estimated 42 million women in the United States. With such high numbers, no one should feel isolated or alone — there is support and advice just a mouse-click away. The American Heart Association has launched the first women's online patient support program for women to connect and support each other.

Celiac disease: Actress Jennifer Esposito on living gluten-free

Karen Hawthorne — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 09:56:00 -0700
Blue Bloods actress Jennifer Esposito suffered from multiple symptoms — headache, fatigue, exhaustion, nausea — and sought out doctor after doctor to find out what was wrong. When she was told she had celiac disease, a digestive disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food, she had no idea what she needed to do next to feel better. Now she's living a healthy, gluten-free life and she's founded a charity, Jennifer's Way Foundation for Celiac Education. Here's our Q&A with the actress.

Osteoporosis: If you break a bone, get tested

Karen Hawthorne — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:38:00 -0700
The National Bone Health Alliance says that every year, there are 2 million bone breaks in the US caused by osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, which makes bones fragile. But most patients with a bone break are not tested for the disease and at risk for more debilitating fractures. The campaign, 2Million2Many.org, is calling for a simple solution.

Summer games: Eat like a gold-medal athlete

Karen Hawthorne — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:35:00 -0700
Carbs are gold when it comes to boosting energy, says Liz Pearson, a Canadian dietitian and co-author of Ultimate Foods for Ultimate Health. And by gold, she means, gold-medal-worthy! With the Summer Olympics set for July, now is the time to be inspired to get in shape. Pearson wants to spread the message that the most successful exercise regimes start with what you eat.

Why women who diet often gain weight

Karen Hawthorne — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:29:00 -0700
Enough with the calorie-counting and punishing workouts — our preoccupation with diet and weight is taking its toll, one expert says. Marsha J. Hudnall, dietitian, author and owner of women's health retreat Green Mountain at Fox Run, is out to end the yo-yo dieting struggle and help women make long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

Top Chef's Tom Colicchio wants you to sit down to family dinner

Karen Hawthorne — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:15:00 -0700
No time to make dinner and sit down to eat with the family? Celebrity chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, among others, is sharing some favorite family recipes in a campaign to bring back the family dinner. It's time to shelve our excuses and make good eating around the table a priority.

Should women lift light weights?

Karen Hawthorne — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:31:00 -0700
Bench-pressing heavy weights is a challenge, even with a spotter, but new research shows that consistent workouts with light weights is just as effective at building muscle. The more muscle we have, the more revved our metabolism gets, even while resting. So, ladies, no more worries about trying to keep pace with the guys at the gym!

Is your child suffering from hearing loss?

Karen Hawthorne — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:46:00 -0700
Our technological onslaught of iPods, cellphones, TV and video games is a noisy one, especially if your child has earbuds to crank the volume. Is all the noise a risk to their hearing? Melissa Rodriguez, hearing specialist and author of Hear Your Life: Inspiring Stories and Honest Advice for Overcoming Hearing Loss, is making strides to break down the social stigma of hearing loss. SheKnows interviewed Rodriguez about how to spot the warning signs in children and what to do about it.

Why women don't take care of their health

Karen Hawthorne — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:43:00 -0700
With all the demands of family and work, many women do not make their own health a priority, yet we book our kids' annual physicals a year in advance or drive our parents to and from their doctors' appointments. The week of Mother's Day, May 13-19, is National Women's Health Week and this year's theme is "It's Your Time." SheKnows spoke with Dr. Peg Miller, director of the Women's Medicine Collaborative in Providence, Rhode Island, for strategies to help women overcome some of the common barriers to self-care, such as time, money and motivation.

Eat green to boost your immune system

Karen Hawthorne — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:32:00 -0700
We all know green vegetables are good for us, but did you know they can ward off illness and help with digestion? A study from the Babraham Institute in England found that eating our greens boosts our immune system and helps maintain intestinal health. Pass the Brussels sprouts, please!