Walking With Wellness

Some time ago, I received my first pedometer with which to track my daily steps, and I could not have been more thrilled. Attached unobtrusively to an elastic wrist band, it ventured forth with me every day as I plotted my path, set my course, stepped up, or took a hike. Continue reading


Three Pillars of Wellness

I’ve been writing a monthly column for the Cleveland Jewish News since last year, and today I’d like to share one of the posts I wrote early on.

Wellness is like a pyramid with three pillars: eating patterns, activity patterns, and rest & relaxation patterns.

There’s tremendous synergy among these three pillars. You go for a great walk; you sleep better that night. You get a lousy night’s sleep; you circle the vending machines (or the fridge) all day. You eat too much; you don’t feel like moving. Everything is connected, so we can make small changes feel like a million bucks.

You don’t need to train for the Olympics. You just need to move. How much? A little bit more than before. If that means a 5-minute walk after breakfast instead of hanging out on the couch, then 5 minutes it is. If it means adding 10 minutes of stretching before your daily 2-mile run, then give it a try. Small changes, beginning wherever you are today. Continue reading


Your World Affects Your Health

After many years of imagining what it might look like to take down the half-wall between our kitchen and dining room, we finally did it! This week, amid tons of banging, ripping, tearing, and dislodging, down came that wall and, frankly, the only one who wasn’t happy about it was the dog. I have learned a lot this week about updating 50-year-old kitchens, and yesterday’s news was the biggest: Our carpenter/project manager par excellence said that he can always tell from the project whether the family enjoys cooking. Wow — that was an eye-opener! 

Why should I be surprised? Environmental cues affect our behaviors whether we realize it or not. A well-designed kitchen is a kitchen that functions with as few obstacles as possible. The stove is near the sink is near the refrigerator. So does that mean that a well-designed kitchen inspires people who might otherwise describe themselves as “I don’t cook”? I hope so, because the research is clear: the more cooking and eating done at home, the likelier the food is to be nourishing. And the fewer obstacles to healthy behaviors, the better we rest, move, and eat.  Continue reading


I’ve Got a Whole Lot Going On

Hi all: This week is going to be short and sweet.

I retired this past week from clinical practice. What’s next? Lots of rest and relaxation until I can say I’ve caught up on my sleep. Long overdue. The truth is that I’ve been sleep deprived since college. Enough is enough.

I will still be writing the blog, and have added a monthly column at the Cleveland Jewish News. When I am ready, I’m going to pick up my book again and work on seeing it through to the end.

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by CNN about my thoughts on New Years’ Resolutions, and you can check that out here.

Lastly, I was totally blown away by all the comments, encouragement, kindness, and generosity of last week’s readers and for that and more I thank you very, very much. Wow. I’m still reeling over what each of you said.

I wish you all a happy and healthy new year, and will look forward to catching up next week.


A Monthly Column

A few months ago I was approached with a lovely proposal.

Would I like to author a new monthly column on health and wellness for the Cleveland Jewish News? You bet I would! I am thrilled to be able to share these with you today.

I’ve included links to the first two columns below, and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them! They are not meant to take the place of YHIOYP. I’ll keep writing this blog just as I always have.

The first column is entitled Real Food Nourishes; Manufactured Calories Entertain.

The second is Developing [a] Firm Foundation: Three Pillars of Wellness.

The next one will be out the second week of January! Til next time, stay well!