Dancing is fitness in disguise By Amber Erickson Gabbey According to Zumba instructor Cori Ehrhart, dancing is fitness in disguise. “Most people are having so much fun, they don’t even realize it was a workout until the end,” she says. Dancing is an effective way to burn a ton of calories, build strength, lose weight,
By Mary Lynn Bruny It’s getting to be that time of year when I decorate the house, have family visitors, host holiday dinners and hide a bottle of vodka under my bathroom sink. Don’t get me wrong. I love my big family. I love holidays. But both in combo can drive me bonkers and into
I saw my first Colorado calendar while growing up in California. Replete with fantastic images of mountains, rivers, animals, columbines, aspens and the bluest of skies, the calendar made me wonder, “Does such a gorgeous place really exist?” I discovered it does after moving here 36 years ago. Since then, I’ve hiked a lot of terrain
Stem cells have remarkable qualities Imagine being able to print out a new knee—not the plastic-and-metal kind, but one made of real bone, ligament and cartilage cells. Science fiction? Yes, for now. “But it’s probably not as far off as it sounds,” says Christopher Centeno, M.D., a Broomfield-based specialist in orthopedic regenerative medicine. “It’s on
When Pins and Needles Help You Sleep By Jane Palmer When Michelle Dodd’s newborn developed severe acid reflux, the typical six weeks of interrupted sleep extended to nearly a year as her baby needed to snack almost continuously. After nine torturous months the digestive problem resolved—but for Dodd, the challenges had just begun. “By then
Alzheimer’s already affects some 65,000 patients and 234,000 caregivers in Colorado, with the numbers rising sharply. By Shannon Burgert Baby boomers are starting to become seniors, and thanks to modern medicine, people are living longer. But with increasing age comes an increased risk for Alzheimer’s, a disease which the medical field has yet to successfully
Get a second opinion, and ask around In the late 1960s, getting a new knee might have seemed risky. But it’s been almost 50 years since the first knee replacement, and today the procedure is performed more than 700,000 times a year in the United States. (Given Boulder’s active and aging population, we may account
Super-physical yoga paired with an already stressful life can create physical, emotional and energetic imbalances. Incorporating passive styles of yoga can help you relax and recharge. By Amber Erickson Gabbey When Heidi Beachley was healing from an injury several years ago, she had no choice but to slow down. All it took was one injury to
Tips for the informed patient By Amber Erickson Gabbey With hundreds of dentists in the city of Boulder alone, it can be intimidating to shop for a new dentist. Whom can you trust? How do you know you will get the best care? We spoke with a few experienced dentists to get the inside scoop.
Injectables, partial lifts and body contouring gain favor in Boulder County By Christine Mahoney In the old days of plastic surgery, before the “mini” Lifestyle Lift hit the market in 2001, the thought of elective cosmetic surgery might evoke images of Joan Rivers, Dolly Parton or Michael Jackson—major stars who went to extremes in their
Fresh & Healthy By Shannon Burgert In winter and spring, the produce we find in grocery stores may have spent up to several weeks en route from South America in refrigerated ships and trucks. Add to that the time on display at the store and often a few days or more in the refrigerator at
Improved therapy helps anxiety sufferers conquer life-altering thoughts By Debra Melani The pictures will always stay etched in Lori Flynn’s mind. Massive up-rooted trees, hurled like toothpicks by the river’s powerful force. Water churning up ground and sweeping across the highway toward her cabin two miles up the North St. Vrain canyon. The looks on
… and how to know whether you have it By Amber Erickson Gabbey At age 50, Sam had had enough. After 40 years of chronic digestive issues and a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, a casual conversation changed his life. Nearly a decade ago, Sam’s acupuncturist casually mentioned gluten-related issues. By that point, Sam would try
Tips for faster healing after surgery By Shannon Burgert Ever worry that surgery is going to leave you in worse shape than you were in before you had it? The needs of people going into surgery vary, cautions Jody Shevins, N.D., a naturopathic doctor in Boulder, but paying attention to a few things both before
Fatal Attractiveness? How To Choose Safe Cosmetics in an Unregulated IndustryBy Amber Erickson Gabbey Shannon Culek and Kate O’Donnell, both from Nederland, sit around a table with their favorite cosmetics, discussing their simple beauty routines. Culek, a holistically trained nutritionist, says she uses lotion, lip balm and sunscreen. O’Donnell uses sunscreen and natural hair-care products.
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Marijuana Facts to Know Before Partaking by Leigh Cooper With the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana, it may become more tantalizing to puff on a joint or take a bite of a pot brownie. Whether first-time users or returning enthusiasts, patients in pain or party-goers, potential marijuana consumers can
How to Shop for a Therapist Tips for finding ‘the therapist equivalent of a soul mate’Visiting a psychotherapist isn’t like dropping a car off with a mechanic. You have to sit with that person in a room. For an hour or more. Every week. “Choosing the right therapist is essential,” says MacAndrew Jack, a practicing psychotherapist
Keeping Spring Allergies at Bay Does the thought of spring allergies make you dread snowmelt? Do you feel like you need to be trapped inside for weeks at a time rather than out enjoying the season? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16.9 million Americans suffer from
