One of the great celebrations in our world is the anticipation of a new life being born. At the moment of birth, and the first moments thereafter, life can be filled with heightened emotions, confusing paperwork and plentiful reactions from those surrounding the new mother, father and baby. Many of us have come to see… Read more »
Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a variable mood, anxiety, and feelings of despair and deep sadness that occur in a new mother from several days to several months after childbirth. PPD can last for months, or longer, and if untreated can affect the way a mother is able to function in her daily life,… Read more »
The key to finding time and balance is to incorporate self-care into what we are already doing. Here are a few discoveries to get you started. 1. In the kitchen, squat for anything lower than the counter top (strengthens pelvic floor muscles for men and women, improves bladder control, and sexual performance, especially after childbirth).… Read more »
Shay Moraga’s combat with the big C is being chronicled in Desert Health, and is a valuable contribution. Her cancer is now in remission, which is glorious news after all she has suffered. Her battle has been challenging. In addition to medical intervention, she prevailed with her courage, persistence, her love for life and always… Read more »
The golden years: sailing off into the sunset with a great love, enjoying every minute of life’s treasures… We all wish life was like that. We plan for a time when we have enough income, fortitude, and good health to enter the last stage of life with a sense of contentment and purpose. Unfortunately, it… Read more »
We can all agree: Breast is Best! There is no formula substitute that will ever compete with the health benefits provided by breast milk. From dehydration to enhancing immune boosting properties for a sick infant, a mother’s breast milk is able to adjust its nutritional components to reflect the immediate needs of her baby. However,… Read more »
The New Year is often accompanied by aspirations of self-improvement. For some that means making better nutrition choices and for others that means getting into shape, moving more – fitness. An oft heard expression involves how long these changes might last before we revert back to the same old – what’s familiar and comfortable. Why… Read more »
In the Coachella Valley, approximately 23,575 local seniors fell once or more in a three-month period according to a recent survey by HARC. In California, 25% of older adults who fall and break a hip die within one year, and falls among older adults are the most common cause of trauma injuries and hospital admissions… Read more »
Homeopathic medicines are excellent natural remedies to keep stocked for cold and flu season. Homeopathy is a safe, effective, and innocuous system of medicine that, in most cases, can be given with little to no interference with other pharmaceutical medications; the large majority can also be given to children of most ages. The following homeopathic… Read more »
Life was simple in my early childhood. My retired grandparents’ small farm, east of Berlin, was my home in the turbulent years of 1932 to the 1940s. The village was surrounded by verdant farmland, managed forests of deciduous and coniferous trees, and crystal clear lakes teeming with fish. On our small piece of land my… Read more »
This Christmas, many of us will ask for new computers, spa treatments, or maybe even a new car. But for some valley seniors, a new toothbrush would be a welcomed gift. The Mizell Senior Center hopes to be there once again with their Holiday Gift Bag Program which delivers basic necessities such as soap, slippers,… Read more »
Couples preparing for a new pregnancy can optimize the health, viability, and probability of a pregnancy by enhancing fertility with herbal remedies. Herbal remedies have a long history of optimizing women’s and men’s hormonal health safely and effectively. When used in conjunction with a clean healthy diet, exercise, and proper stress management, herbs can tonify… Read more »
New legislation became effective in June of this year allowing an individual to choose, when terminally ill, to receive medical aid in dying. It is known as the End of Life Option Act. This summer, the Cathedral City Senior Center hosted a workshop led by Paul Zak, a retired social worker trained by Compassion and… Read more »
Daily toxin exposure in children has risen dramatically in the past few decades. Children are now exposed to potentially harmful chemicals in everything from plastic wares to sunscreen to pesticides, in food to air pollution and beyond. Chemical toxins have the capability to alter growth and development in children producing potentially lower IQs, increasing risk… Read more »
Are you holding yourself back because of low confidence? Do you spend a lot of time “in your head” worrying, regretting, putting yourself down, and wishing things were different? Do you stop yourself from taking advantage of opportunities and reaching the success of which you know you are capable? Without confidence, you will never venture… Read more »
You have no doubt noticed that we live in chaotic, yet amazingly potent times. Our style and manner of thinking, acting and responding are undergoing a revolution. At no time in history has mankind experienced so many fundamental changes. A shift is underway as we try to function in a climate where everything is increasing… Read more »
The average adult human body is made up of 0-65% water, averaging around 57-60%. We need fluid for our systems to properly function; while we must all be alert to our hydration practices, older adults and those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia need special attention. “Organs pull water from the brain, shrinking it and… Read more »
Healthy sleep habits in children are essential to their physical, mental, and emotional development. Children will show an improved mood, increased IQ, better grades, and seem all around happier with as little as 20 more minutes sleep per night. Establishing a bedtime routine helps parents and children get the extra rest they need. But as… Read more »
What parent hasn’t had moments, days, even years of feeling like they could have parented better? The reality is, they could have parented differently. Most of us have a fantasy bubble that gives us a bird’s eye view of a perfect life, encompassing everything we think we’re not but should be. Let’s face it. Parenting… Read more »
“So now what do I do?” “Why are they behaving this way?” “Where do I find answers to all the questions I have?” These are outcries I hear from family caregiver/partner clients and audiences regularly. In addition to providing them a general overview and explanation about particulars, I offer my recommended reading list culled from… Read more »