Avarice. Avidity. Cupidity. Covetousness. Voracity. Ravenousness. Rapacity. Gluttony. “Greed” actually comes from the Greek word, “Voracious,” meaning, always hungry for more. Different names, same ugly monster. Greed – the sibling to Envy – is often referred to in mythology, literature, and religion… and not in a good way. Recently, I had the misfortune of being […]
“Not for me, thanks,” our friend told the waiter who was about to pour his favorite red wine into his glass. “I don’t drink anymore,” he shared with a somewhat smug look on his face. This wasn’t the “I’m an alcoholic” moment of old. Neither, “I am trying to cut down,” nor “I don’t drink […]
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The splashing of the fountains and the stunning backdrop of Santa Barbara created the perfect setting for PALMA Colectiva’s Wellness Faire on January 18, held on the rooftop of the Kimpton Canary Hotel. I had the good fortune of being there not only as a writer covering the event, but also as an exhibitor offering […]
My beloved 50-year-old nephew, Dan, had no idea he was having a heart attack, and didn’t recognize the symptoms – but eventually did several very crucial things which ultimately saved his life. He was so wise to write down what happened while lying in the hospital, when things were still fresh in his mind. I’m […]
For this week’s wellness feature, I dove into the pool of health offerings at the Montecito YMCA with its Executive Director Ryan Power. He said, “This is a great time to join the Montecito YMCA. We are currently running a membership promotion, if you sign up by January 31st the joining fee is $0. Your […]
I can always tell when my husband is texting with his main group of friends (aka, The Core), his smirk and the mischief in his eyes give him away every time. They shamelessly partake in a level of silliness normally reserved for the enviable obliviousness of 10-year-olds. Their level of creativity, wit, and friendship toward one […]
I have always taken an odd amount of pride in the fact that I am not a competitive person, often even a bit smug about how primitive and foreign I find the very concept. I am just not that interested. Nope, not bothered at all. Until I compete, that is. Some years ago, a dear […]
When my sister’s fifth and youngest child was about to leave for university, she and my brother-in-law made a plan. They knew that after he left, they couldn’t face their once full, noisy and vibrant home. So, they packed the car and when he took off, they took off. It turns out that this wasn’t […]
Before I became a mother, I had some pretty run-of-the-mill, irrational fears; snakes, heights, and flying cockroaches, to be exact. Well, not really heights, per se, but falling from great heights was a big concern. And did I mention the snakes? Many years later, when we had our first child, these irrational stressors I had […]
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A movie producer named Gary Binkow (Finding Neverland, The Nanny Diaries, V/H/S, etc.) stopped in for a routine physical, at whose conclusion his doctor blandly recommended a preemptive cholesterol med. “I was prescribed Lipitor,” Binkow says with a puzzled half grin. “It was so easy for my doctor to say, ‘…Look, you’re very early and […]
“This place saved my life.” A sentiment I heard from not one, but two different women while I was staying at the Desert Hot Springs oasis last month. One of whom was a Montecito resident celebrating her 50th birthday. This was her sixth visit to the spa and even after not having eaten solid food […]
I am sitting in the shade of military-grade netting that has been – carelessly but effectively – erected to protect us from the relentless midday sun. The camouflaged men and sole woman are readying their weapons. Hip Hop blares in the background; more distraction than entertainment, but it also aids in dulling the soundtrack of […]
Your situation is mildly frustrating but not uncommon:your soul is a supernova, throwing fire and creativity and moment-by-moment enthusiasm – but your chassis is showing its wear through the twin rigors of Life and Love. The Age of Joyous Wisdom tends to have an overlap with the Age of Emollients. All you want – all […]
Sometimes, taking time away to be quiet and introspective is exactly what’s called for. This might be simply when you’ve been working hard and need a break. Or, in response to a significant event like a big birthday, a career change, or when the kids leave home. It might be precipitated by a health issue, […]
