kbarnes 
Breath is life. Quite literally without breath, life ends in just a few minutes. Some Eastern traditions believe that we are born with a finite numbers of breaths allotted to us, so the more deeply and slowly we breathe, the longer we will live. Here’s something to think about: Imagine you are driving your car … Read more
This pungent spice is a staple in every kitchen cabinet. It’s a holiday favorite and an every day treat. But most of us don’t know that it can also help control blood sugar, boost memory, knock out infections and even prevent cancer. We all need more—and it’s tasty, too! Of course, I’m talking about cinnamon. … Read more
We all want lifelong brain health. There is simple memory decline that my friends and I like to call “senior moments;” then there is a condition called age-related cognitive decline and finally the serious and ultimately fatal impairments like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Knowing that Alzheimer’s runs in the female line of my … Read more
Continuing last week’s look at common prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are proven to cause memory loss, this week we’re looking at: Hypertension drugs Opioids and narcotic painkillers Sleep aids Incontinence drugs Parkinson’s drugs Here’s a quick rundown and a brief look at natural alternatives: Hypertension drugs, best known as beta blockers, slow the heart … Read more
If you’re like 43% of all Americans, you have trouble sleeping at least one night a week. I have the problem occasionally and I’ve found natural and effective ways to lull myself to sleep or back to sleep when I awaken in the middle of the night. Please! At all costs avoid sleeping pills of … Read more
It seems like a no-brainer (pardon the pun), but sleeping with lights on or –- horror of horrors—the television screen flickering – is bad for your brain and bad for your health. In these times of COVID, it’s important to care for ourselves like never before. We’re all stressed, we’re all concerned about getting sick … Read more
Ya’ll know I’m a contrarian thinker, so bear with me here. Are you one of the millions of us who go to bed, fall asleep and find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m.? What if I told you that in many cultures this is perfectly normal? It is standard in cultures that have long winter … Read more
I have been a devotee of yoga since I was in my 20s and I had a 70-year old yoga teacher named Becky Love. I became a certified Kripalu yoga teacher since the mid-1970s and have kept hand and foot into the practice and infrequently teach yoga since then. My regular readers know that I … Read more
It might seem like looking out for Number 1 means being selfish. That notion couldn’t be farther from the truth. I was recently on a plane trip and before takeoff, the attendants performed the usual spiel about fastening seatbelts and how to use life vests and oxygen makes. I’ve heard it a thousand times and … Read more
We all need hugs every single day. We keep hearing there is a loneliness epidemic with some of us isolated, lonely and, perhaps afraid. Some have only close family, some may be totally alone. As you’ll see from this article, human contact is vital for physical and emotional survival. The Surgeon General’s May 2023 warning … Read more