Ask almost any mom what she dreads most about back to school, and she’ll tell you it is making lunch every day. We want to help. Erin has suggestions to make school lunch more fun and Tammy has great tips for keeping lunch healthy. The doctor in me can’t help but talk about food-borne illness and the risks that live in those brown paper bags. Most of the common lunch ingredients can spoil, even over a short period of time. Cheese, cold cuts, dairy products and salads with chi

On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, I ended up in the ER. The staff there was lovely, but believe me, you do not want to have a major health emergency in a place you don’t speak the language. Synopsis: Landed. Rooms not ready. Shrimp and fish for lunch. Racing heart beat. Full body redness. Steroid shot at the resort. A little better. Cab to the ER where swollen hands and feet added to the symptoms. Two hours of an IV medication (still not sure what it was as oddly, t

I just read a study revealing that during the K-2nd grade years, kids get significantly fatter during the summer months. At first pass, this seems impossible, but when I really think about it, it seems probable. My kids’ summers are not the summers of my youth, where we left the house after breakfast and came home when the street lights went on, dirty, sweaty, sunburned and exhausted. The activity kids do today are more organized, meaning more time listening to instruction th

“You can’t out-train crappy eating.” This is a very true, somewhat depressing statement. What is the first thing everyone who wants to lose weight does? They join a gym. For the small percentage of people who actually then go to the gym, the results can be disappointing, discouraging them from continuing. Unfortunately, the weight doesn’t melt off when you step on the treadmill. But … there are so many other reasons to exercise, and focusing on these, instead of the number on

When young men come to see me for a routine physical, I have a high suspicion something is actually bothering them — the trick is to get them to tell me what. Men rarely go see a doctor for preventative health, and once on the exam table, are often hesitant to open up. This leaves me to probe, no pun intended, for the true reason for their visit. The psychology behind this isn’t elusive. Men are brought up valuing toughness, and a health concern is a chink in the armor. This

Being in love is good for you. This should come as no surprise. When an animated character falls in love, they literally walk on air. When real people fall in love, they feel as if they could. But, this is that arrow to the heart, stay up until all hours on the phone, stare at the door until he walks in, early kind of love. What about love with a few wrinkles and sagging spots? It may not give you the adrenaline rush of new love, but you can still make it work for you from a

I think a lot about the obesity epidemic our country is facing. I see patients with diabetes, hypertension, back pain and depression, and I know if they could lose just a little bit of weight, their physical and emotional health would improve dramatically. The evidence is strong. Even a modest drop in weight will bring down sugar levels and blood pressure. It will improve sleep, mood, confidence and the ability to manage stress. But, it is hard. Even with great resources and

As usual, I am rolling out of summer hair fried, liver angry, skin neglected and jeans tight. About a week ago I was lamenting the end of my favorite season, but I took a look in a full length mirror by accident yesterday and realized it is time for fall. Yes, I am hoping big sweaters will help disguise the damage done, but I am also hoping reentry to the real world will make it easier to cork the wine, put the guacamole away and find my running shoes. Just as my kids will ha

One of the harder things to say as a doctor, and one of the most frustrating comments to receive as a patient is, “It is likely due to stress.” I have been on both sides of this conversation. I know when I suggest a physical ailment may be due to stress, my patient hears, “It is all in your head.” Medically I know this is not true. Symptoms caused by stress are very real, and in some cases, can just be a nuisance. In other cases, they can be debilitating. Still, even though I

YIKES! It seems they may be. This is not good news for me, as organization has never been my thing. Arguing with science is not really my thing either, so I think it is time to streamline this whole circus I affectionately call my life. The facts about organized people are these: — Organized people tend to eat healthier. — Organized people take fewer risks. — Organized people are more likely to make and keep preventative care appointments. — Organized people enjoy less stress