May 27, 2016 The weather is warming up and you want to look your best. It’s time to stock your handbag with beauty and health items that can tolerate the heat (even when you can’t)! Toss these items in your purse, your tote bag, or whatever you use when headed to the beach, park, sports games, etc….
March 15, 2016 Does your healthy living routine fly out the window every time you travel – for business or for pleasure? Do you usually return from your trips with some extra baggage – in the form of pounds that seem harder and harder to shake off? Here are seven ways to keep your fitness and…
March 12, 2016 I’ll admit it. When I’m having a busy night, the first thing I tend to cut back on is the time I spend in the kitchen. I enjoy cooking, but when I’m rushed and working late, I just don’t have a chance to spend several hours making dinner. I don’t want to…
April 8, 2016 Everyone seems to be doing yoga nowadays, right? Not so actually. There are many moms who have thought about starting but decide they are just too busy to add it into their schedules. Did you know that even squeezing in 5-15 minutes a day of yoga can have huge benefits for moms of all…
April 1, 2016 The weather is starting to warm up again, and I know summer will be here before I know it. I’ve already begun to think about barbecues and picnics, and I’m looking forward to entertaining friends and family this summer. One of the challenges of warm weather for me is not gaining any…
April 12, 2016 Last week seemed nearly impossible. It felt like I was burning the candle at four ends! Then, I spotted a list online and it made me pause. Work, Sleep, Family, Fitness, or Friends. That is definitely a fairly accurate summation of my life. Or at least the parts that I scramble the most…
May 6, 2016 Avocados. You either love them or hate them. When you love them, they are sliced and added to your sandwiches, top your salads, spread on toast and of course, mashed in the ever-so-addicting guacamole. But that’s not all! There are many more things you can do with this versatile little green gem. Here are five of our…
April 15, 2016 What we eat has an enormous impact on our health and our appearance. Our food choices can cause our weight to go up or down, our hair to be more or less bouncy and shiny, and our skin to be clear or prone to acne breakouts. For the most part, healthy food…
July 5, 2016 It feels like half of our warmer months are spent battling bugs and escorting pets from our homes and gatherings. That’s probably why those critters are called pests – they just don’t know how to go away! While there are many products on the market for dealing with them, more and more…
July 22, 2016 Baby skin is extremely sensitive. From needing to find the right laundry detergent to managing diaper rashes, it seems like parents are always managing some skin issue on behalf of their little one. Protecting a baby’s skin from the sun is extremely important and it’s something that, unfortunately, can have lasting consequences. There’s…
June 23, 2016 These days, it seems like everyone is talking about “finding their passion,” but what does that really entail? Are we all expected to just abandon our responsibilities and embark on a soul-searching journey or can we find a way to keep up with our everyday lives while we tap into our innermost…
June 3, 2016 What’s the one thing all Moms agree on? We’re tired and we don’t sleep well. Luckily, there are various natural remedies to combat those sleepless nights. The more of these you combine, the faster you will fall asleep and stay asleep. Try Aromatherapy There are certain scents that are known for their relaxing and sleep…
May 25, 2016 Summer travel plans are heating up. But staying in hotels can mean wasting all those hours you spent toning up and slimming down. Right? Wrong! Hotels are increasingly incorporating fitness into your stay and moving beyond the little gym with a sorry treadmill and a few free weights. Think beyond the gym being only…
May 31, 2016 Here in Vermont, heat isn’t usually a big issue for me when I exercise. Even the high temperatures tend to be right around the mid-eighties. For the past few years, temperatures have started reaching into the 90s during the summer, and I’m noticing that it impacts my fitness routine. Running or walking when…
June 9, 2016 Summer time has us on the go. From poolside to beach and mini getaways in-between, the summer months are busy. Don’t put aside your personal fitness quests or think that time away from the gym means months of being idle. With just a tap on your phone you can resume your fitness…
July 23, 2016 Vacations mean fun, downtime and a lot of junk food right? Well, maybe for some, but most people try hard to stick to a relatively healthy diet and don’t want to blow it when they are on vacation. It is possible! You can still try delicious foods and eat out, just choose moderation and…
June 16, 2016 Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you end up needing natural ways to treat sunburn. I always apply sunscreen when I go out in the sun, but occasionally I forget to reapply it as often as I should. When that happens, I occasionally end up with a sunburn because I have…
July 20, 2016 Spending some quality time by the sea this summer? Perhaps it is time to take your workout outdoors where you can sweat, burn and burpee your way through a new way to get fit this season. Unroll that beach towel and use it as a yoga mat, grab a water bottle as a…
July 26, 2016 You’ve probably heard about essential oils, but you may not have taken the leap and tried any for yourself. I know when I first heard about essential oils, I had no idea why anyone would use one. Now that I’ve been using them for about five years, I wish I had started…
October 3, 2016 After the carefree summer months, it can be difficult to go back to the structure of back-to-school and our other workaday routines. You may find that you could use a little time to recharge and relax. There are many ways that you could spend your weekend—why not try a yoga retreat? Here…
October 6, 2016 I love the fall because it’s cooler than summer and warmer than winter. I’m not a big fan of temperature extremes, so the lazy autumn days in Vermont are some of my favorites. Of course, as it gets colder, it’s tempting to spend your afternoon curled up on the couch with your…
October 18, 2016 Are you in a rut? You feel like you’re coming down with something; you’re tired, listless, and a little down. This lethargy lingers for days, or even weeks, and you realize that you’re not sick—at least not physically. You’re tired of your usual routine, and you don’t feel challenged or inspired by…
October 12, 2016 I’m normally one of those people who falls to sleep quickly and stays asleep all night long. But every now and then I toss and turn and wake up randomly throughout the night. When that happens, I definitely don’t wake well-rested and ready to tackle the day. Instead, I spend the day…
October 26, 2016 Whether you are hitting the road or like exercising at home, you can find quality workouts online with just a click. Taught by skilled trainers, these workout videos offer helpful tips, adjustments, and encouragement to help you get in shape—on your own schedule and without too much damage to your wallet. I…
November 10, 2016 It’s that time of year. From Halloween through New Years’ Eve, many people have a tendency to pack on a few pounds—or more. Perhaps it’s the candy and sweets, or maybe it’s the cold weather, which makes it difficult to head outdoors for exercise. Whatever the reason, it’s easier to prevent weight gain than…
November 15, 2016 The holidays are fast approaching and with it a wealth of parties, activities, and manic shopping. It also (inevitably) brings about coughs, colds, and the flu. I’m definitely a proponent of the flu shot and vitamins, but did you know that there’s another way to help protect your immune system? Probiotics. Probiotics…
November 16, 2016 When you hear the word “holidays” does your stress level rise? Does the thought of holiday baking, shopping for presents, and preparing for guests make you feel like taking the holidays off? If so, you aren’t alone. The holidays are a challenging time of year for many people. Not only are we…
November 21, 2016 November rolls around each year and we are constantly reminded to be thankful. Give thanks. Thanksgiving. “What are you thankful for?” We all know we should be thankful, but sometimes it’s not easy. We often get caught up in our don’t haves, drama (election), bills, and everyday stress. We forget to feel thankful. It’s…
November 23, 2016 The holidays are all about love and family, but conflicts tend to arise when families and friends gather together in tight quarters. All the togetherness can also take a toll on our romantic relationships. While many movies have poked fun at this dynamic, the reality is often not so funny. Here are…
December 6, 2016 This month it’s easy for moms to feel overwhelmed and frantic. There’s a fix for that—it’s called awareness. If you’re aware of what triggers your stress, it will help make December stressLESS instead of stressFUL. Here are seven tips to help keep your days calmer, your life easier, and your month focused on family and…
November 30, 2016 People always say we should think outside the box. As gift givers, maybe we should do just the opposite. Think inside the box this holiday season, and find inspired gifts for friends, family, work colleagues, or you kids’ teachers. With the new year approaching and all those resolutions to be better piling…
December 16, 2016 The new year is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, and with 2017 right around the corner, many people are starting to think about how they can make better decisions and lead healthier lives. From losing weight to reducing stress to creating a greener home, essential oils are a great addition…
December 22, 2016 When it comes to New Year’s, many of us like to make resolutions and goals for the upcoming year. The top two resolutions are to lose weight and to get personal finances on track. Other people resolve to drink less, travel more, quit smoking or read more. Those are all great resolutions! But there are…
December 28, 2016 Many people believe 2016 was one of the roughest years in recent history, and there is widespread eagerness to put its bitterness and rancor behind us. Many of us hope that 2017 will be better on a global, national, and individual level. It won’t be long until we start hearing people sharing their…
December 27, 2016 With the new year right around the corner, many people decide to make positive changes in their habits and routines. Depending on your goals, you may decide to lose ten pounds, start an exercise regime, or replace toxic products in your home with natural alternatives. One of my goals for the new…
December 29, 2016 January is all about renewal. Did you know the grapefruit is as well? Not only that, grapefruit is in season during the cold winter months, allowing you to enjoy a little bit of sunshine every day. As you head into the new year thinking about ways to improve your life, this simple yellow or…
January 2, 2017 A few weeks ago, my kids and I had a rough day. Out of exhaustion and desperation we ended up in a fast food restaurant drive-through line. It was dinnertime, so the line stretched endlessly. As we waited, I spent the time ignoring the whining from the back seat and calculating the exact…
January 10, 2017 Winter is not a favorite season for many people, myself included. But recently I learned that Denmark is consistently ranked the happiest country in the world, despite its long, cold, dreary winters. How do the Danes avoid the blues during the long winter months? The answer is hygge. What is Hygge? It’s a…
January 9, 2017 Ginger works as a popular condiment, tea, and earth’s natural tummy tamer. This glorious root is also the next big thing in the beauty world, and will be even more ubiquitous in the culinary realm this year as well. What makes this root—a relative of both turmeric and cardamom—so fantastic? Read on…
February 2, 2017 Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to start detoxing and getting back to healthy living. If you’re feeling the need to focus on making better choices, including healthy ways to pamper your skin, you’re not alone. Our skin is our body’s largest organ, so it’s an excellent place to start. Cleanse…
January 24, 2017 January is Thyroid Awareness Month—how is your thyroid? Despite the prevalence of thyroid disorders, few people know much about this important gland, so now is a good time to boost your thyroid awareness. What is the Thyroid Gland? The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that can be found at the base…
January 23, 2017 During the cold winter months, many people crave warm, heavy comfort foods like baked casseroles, creamy chowders, and decadent baked goods. While these foods are tempting, eating them in excess won’t make you feel your best. Too many carbs and sweets make you feel tired and sluggish; they can also lead to…
January 30, 2017 A new year means a new set of fitness trends. Each year we look at what is hot and bring you the latest exercise news. While we can’t do your workouts for you, we can show you what to expect, and 2017 is pulling no punches. This year is more extreme than…
July 6, 2011 In our Moms & Stress series, Lea Curtes-Swenson talks with leading experts on stress management and life balance. She brings you tips, tricks, and advice for understanding your stress and getting it under control—so you can enjoy your time with your kids and teach them to live stress-free too. Parenting can be…
July 5, 2011 In our Moms & Stress series, Lea Curtes-Swenson talks with leading experts on stress management and life balance. She brings you tips, tricks, and advice for understanding your stress and getting it under control—so you can enjoy your time with your kids and teach them to live stress-free too. We’ve already talked…