Could nasal breathing improve athletic performance?

Originally written for The Washington Post, January 19, 2019 Imagine yourself exercising: running, hiking, dancing, lifting weights — whatever you like to do. Picture yourself pushing to a maximum intensity. Now, ask yourself: Are you breathing out of your nose or mouth? If you are like most exercisers, you breathe through your mouth, especially as the … Read more →

Winter squash: What to know before serving these seasonal stars

Originally written for The Washington Post, November 13, 2018 Fall is here, with its delicious foods and flavors. Cinnamon, apple varieties, Brussels sprouts, beets, potatoes, turnips and parsnips will be abundant on tables and trending in recipes. And the star of many a produce stand will be a colorful assortment of winter squash — including butternut, … Read more →

Are you following a fasting diet? Then you should be asking yourself these 9 questions.

Originally written for The Washington Post, October 1, 2018 Fasting is an ancient practice sparking new interest in both pop and scientific culture. Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and a variety of celebrities have extolled its virtues in helping them lose weight, while medical experts are intrigued by the possibility that it may enhance cognitive functioning and longevity … Read more →

Menopause can be unsettling. These habits can help smooth the transition.

Originally written for The Washington Post, July 17, 2018 For something that’s been discussed as far back as Aristotle, there is still a lot that’s unknown about menopause. But new research is shedding light on how women can better manage this often-unsettling time in their lives. Although the average age for natural menopause (365 days without … Read more →

High blood pressure? Potassium could help.

Originally written for The Washington Post, February 13, 2018 High blood pressure has received a good amount of press in recent months. New guidelines have lowered the definition of hypertension to a blood pressure of130/80 instead of 140/90. In addition, the DASH diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, a well-studied, evidence-based plan, continues to be effective decades after … Read more →

12 ways to give your favorite foods a healthy twist

Originally written for The Washington Post, January 10, 2018. If you think about a food you love, it’s often the fat, sugar, and/or salt that is the ingredient you really enjoy eating. Think about common favorite comfort foods such as fries, pizza, ice cream, doughnuts, or popcorn, and you’ll find it will come back to … Read more →