And that’s how I truly feel, but being a writer you kind of have to put things into words, don’t you! The beauty of this place is unbelievable – it’s like being on another planet. From awe-inspiring granite outcroppings to amazing giant sequoia trees to lush green forests and the waterfalls…raw, natural beauty everywhere you turn. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite sits on a cozy and secluded expanse of the Sierra National Forest just a few minutes from the south gate of Yosemite National Park. From here, it’s easy to access the Mariposa Grove to see the incredible giant sequoia...

I had two stepmothers who were infertile for various reasons, and have an adopted baby brother. Several of my close friends and family members have used IVF to conceive, and I have my eggs cryopreserved. A few of my good friends have fostered and adopted, and others have intentionally chosen childfree lives. As lesbian and gay marriage has normalized, and divorce rates have climbed, more and more alternative families are being created using sperm banks, surrogates, egg donors, known sperm donors and more. The quest for fertility is all around us, and has been for the past 30 years...

There is a great opportunity in dating when you are moving past your twenties, thirties and perhaps your forties. You can approach the whole process with purpose. The way we met our first boyfriend or girlfriend was usually through a friend in high school, sitting next to someone in math class or meeting at a party. At that time, we were beginning to discover the world around us but didn’t have a lot of perspective on ourselves, our beliefs or how we wanted to be in this world. Approaching forty is often a turning point in people’s lives, when...

In short, a resounding yes! Statistics show that one in five couples over the age of 30 have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. Many of these couples turn to acupuncture and Chinese medicine for a safe, effective and natural solution to having a baby. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have a long history when it comes to enhancing reproductive health and fertility for both men and women. In fact, evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD. Fast forward to modern times,...

Have you ever walked into a resort or hotel and felt so relaxed you thought you were at home? That’s the immediate feeling I got when we arrived at the White Stallion Ranch. It’s probably because the True family has owned and operated the ranch for almost 50 years and they know what true (no pun intended) hospitality is and make sure each guest is treated that way. Surrounded by unspoiled desert, rugged mountains and the most beautiful and unique species of cactus you’ve probably ever seen, sits the White Stallion Ranch just outside of Tucson. It is a...

To build muscle you must have an adequate supply of protein in the blood stream to nourish the cells of the body. The more muscle tissue you tear down from training the more protein you must ingest to help repair the damaged tissue. Protein is the most important substrate for the body. Protein is the only substance that repairs and rebuilds the cells of the body, carbohydrates and fats only provide energy. Muscle Metabolism Fat and carbohydrates are two fuel substrates that provide short to long term energy. Fat can be divided into the following categories: Simple Lipids: Commonly...

Weight Loss is the top New Year’s resolution. Two thirds of New Year’s resolutions include fitness goals. While people seek out acupuncture for a variety of health problems and often come in with a long list of complex issues they want to address, many of them will ask if acupuncture can also help them lose weight. Some secretly hope for a magical fix – that the right combination of acupuncture points will induce weight loss without changes in diet and exercise. I wish it was this easy! The Difficulties with Losing Weight Obesity and diabetes and the associated increased...

Kennebunkport is one of those places you’ll never forget and you can’t wait to experience again. Here in Connecticut, we think of Maine as being quite a distance, but it’s actually just 90 miles north of Boston. The area is a wonderful little corner of Maine where lobstermen still rule the sea, where hospitality takes on a new meaning as hotel and shop owners greet their visitors like long-lost friends, and where the nostalgia and charm of this seaside community take us back to simpler times. I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to stay than the Kennebunkport...

If I told you, that by changing one thing in your life you could increase your energy, improve your mental and physical performance, lose fat weight, prevent chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s would you be interested? I would guess that most would. And as with any dietary change and implementation there are nuances that need to be respected and understood for safe implementation. You should always consult with a knowledgeable physician or practitioner. The research-based information presented in this article is about a foundational lifestyle change that will help you improve...

The holiday season can be really tough on legs. Standing in long lines, flying on planes, and even sitting in mall traffic, can wreak havoc on your circulatory system. How so? Healthy veins have valves, which open and close to assist the return of blood to the heart. Vein disease (also called venous disease) occurs if these valves become damaged and allow the blood to flow back down into the legs, instead of returning back up to the heart. Add to that gravity (which affects the lower limbs more than other parts of the body), and legs and feet...

Vein disease, also known as venous disease, is defined as the impairment of blood flow towards your heart. It includes, but is not limited to, varicose veins. While there are proven, minimally invasive treatments for vein insufficiency, such as endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and sclerotherapy, interest in alternative options for preventing, treating, and stemming the progression of vein disease continues to grow. Studies show encouraging potential for many herbal supplements and alternative medications, as current research promises to advance our understanding of these natural treatments. Things to consider It is important to understand that while herbal medications may help...

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 7.7 million American adults, but can occur at any age, including childhood. Those who suffer from PTSD are often war veterans and survivors of physical and sexual assault, abuse, accidents, or disasters; however, it should be recognized that not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event. In fact, some people experience PTSD after a friend or family member experiences danger, or are harmed. This includes the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one. The diagnosis of PTSD may be given when a group of...

Integrative cancer care brings together the best ideas and evidence from both conventional and complementary and alternative medicine or so-called CAM. It is a more innovative and holistic approach to cancer which could prove critical to maximizing both quality and quantity of life. In applying the approach as an integrative practice, we like to break it down into phases of treatment because each phase represents a shift in how we might apply or utilize certain modalities or strategies. Phases one and two- Initial Diagnosis and Treatments for Cancer As an integrative care practice, the earlier we see our patients...

Today, we’re continuing in our series on Chinese medicine and skin disease. First we covered the basics (review the August online issue if you missed it), and then in September’s issue we took a closer look at acne. Today we’re going to take a tour through you and your eczema. What is eczema? First off, when we say “eczema,” what do we mean? “Eczema” is synonymous with “dermatitis,” and there are many types: atopic, pompholyx, nummular, and stasis, just to name a few. Pompholyx, dyshidrotic, or vesicular eczema is notable for just that: the vesicles or small blisters that...