68 Lessons I've Learned in 68 Years

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68 Lessons I've Learned in 68 Years

This week, I joyfully celebrate turning 68 years old!

I can hardly believe it. How did time fly by so quickly?! It feels like just last week I was jumping double dutch on Grey Avenue in Evanston, Illinois, surrounded by my neighborhood girlfriends.

It seems like only yesterday that I was practicing scales on the piano, diving into "Charlotte's Web" for the first time, and participating in an integration program as one of a handful of Black kids, being bused miles from my home to attend Dawes School, an all-Jewish elementary school.

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My 5 Secrets For Aging Well

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My 5 Secrets For Aging Well

Come this November, I will have spent 68 years on this planet… I can hardly believe it! I feel lucky and proud to say that I feel better now than I did 30 years ago – and I want you to feel as good as I feel. That’s why, in the blog post below,

I am sharing a few of my secrets for aging healthfully. To do that, I’m providing in-depth answers to the questions I get asked all the time by my clients, friends, and members of the PJW Community.

So, let’s not waste any time… 

What are some of the daily habits that contribute to feeling better as you age?

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The Benefits of Walking Uphill and Downhill

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The Benefits of Walking Uphill and Downhill

Today marks the start of the Pure Joy Wellness Fall Walking Challenge!! We’ll be walking 30 minutes every day for the next 30 days and I hope you'll join us!

Walking is one of my favorite activities because it’s low-impact and safe, making it accessible for everyone. You can walk almost anywhere, without needing to be especially athletic or coordinated, and there’s no special equipment required – just some supportive walking shoes.

As I’ve talked about on the blog before, walking briskly for 30 to 60 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week, offers a multitude of health benefits.

And if you’re already a seasoned walker, you can incorporate uphill and downhill walking into your routine to challenge your body in new ways.

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Does Your Health Routine Need A Reset?

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Does Your Health Routine Need A Reset?

The season is a’changing and autumn will soon be here in New York City. Summer comes to an official end in less than a month, and in preparation for the change of season, I’m taking full inventory of my health, mindset, and routines. I’ve had a very enjoyable summer – I got to take a little time off to rest, and I made a lot of fun memories. However, I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t stray from my usual healthy path the past few months…have you?

Summer always ends up being my most indulgent season – probably because of how social it is – and now I’m ready to clock back in and do the work. 

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Trips To Recharge, Featuring Travel Expert Roman Sacke

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Trips To Recharge, Featuring Travel Expert Roman Sacke

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – finding time to unwind and recharge is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, spending time away from home can be a welcomed respite – a moment to relax, rejuvenate, and come back stronger.

In this week’s blog post, Roman Sacke, a seasoned luxury travel advisor, offers invaluable insights into the best places to relax and rejuvenate, drawn from his extensive travel experience!

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10 Books For Your Summer Reading List

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10 Books For Your Summer Reading List

Summer is here, it’s the season of reading! I like to have my nose in a book all year round, but there’s something about summer – maybe the slower pace of life, or the warm glow of the sun – that makes reading all the more appealing to me.

Whether I’m in Central Park or by the ocean, you can bet I’m bringing one of these books with me everywhere this summer. If you’re a reader, grab a pen and add these titles to your list!

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Are You Sleep Deprived? An Interview With Dr. Janet Kennedy, NYC's Sleep Doctor

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Are You Sleep Deprived? An Interview With Dr. Janet Kennedy, NYC's Sleep Doctor

With everything we have going on in our lives – jobs, relationships, extracurricular activities, other commitments – it’s easy for many of us to let sleep fall by the wayside. Sometimes sleep feels like the one part of our day where we can steal some time from, when really it should be the last place we look to make cuts. Prolonged periods of poor sleep have pretty devastating health effects – especially when someone enters into a state of sleep deprivation. 

For this week’s blog post, I interviewed Janet Kennedy, PhD, otherwise known as the NYC Sleep Doctor, to learn more about sleep deprivation – including how to identify it and how to treat it.

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The 411 On Ultra Processed Foods

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The 411 On Ultra Processed Foods

In case you didn’t see it, The New York Times recently published an interesting article about ultra processed foods, shedding light on their prevalence and potential (negative) health impacts. The article explores the work of Carlos Monteiro, a nutritional epidemiologist from Brazil, who identified a rise in obesity rates linked to changes in food consumption patterns.

As someone who has always valued nutrition and its role in longevity, I wanted to summarize this article for the Pure Joy Wellness community and give you the gist of what you need to know from these new findings. 

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Why I Started The Walking Challenge

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Why I Started The Walking Challenge

The Pure Joy Wellness Walking Challenge officially starts next Sunday, April 28! 

Ooo I am so ready for this one! Myself and the rest of the Pure Joy Wellness community will be walking for 30 minutes a day, for 30 days straight. 

If you haven’t joined our free Facebook Group yet, now is your chance! Tap the link here to join so you’re ready to go on April 28!

In honor of the occasion, I wanted to share a bit about why I started the Walking Challenge. Read on for a brief history, plus a few words of encouragement to kick us off! 

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The Guide To Strength Training For Women Over 50

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The Guide To Strength Training For Women Over 50

Age is often seen as a barrier to fitness, but for the most part, that’s a made-up and arbitrary aging belief. Hitting a certain age doesn’t mean you have to slow down or give up on physical activity—on the contrary, we need movement even more as we age, especially strength training! 

If there’s one piece of advice I can give you to totally transform your health and the way you feel, it’s this: start strength training. Not only will it help you maintain your vitality and independence as you age, but it will boost your self-esteem and confidence, which we could all use. 

Here’s where I would recommend starting, if you’re a strength training beginner. 

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How To Do A Lympathic Drainage Massage At Home

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How To Do A Lympathic Drainage Massage At Home

While a lot of our physical traits are genetic, there are ways we can enhance our natural features by utilizing our bodies’ powerful detoxification systems—in this case, your lymphatic system. Similar to facial massage techniques like face yoga and gua sha (which have long been known to enhance facial shape), a lymphatic drainage massage can relieve puffiness and reduce fluid retention and swelling—but not just in your face, in your whole body!

Today, I’ll give you a quick primer on lymphatic drainage massage—with extra tips from a professional—and teach you how to do one yourself.

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Two Days of Plant-Based, Protein-Forward Eating

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Two Days of Plant-Based, Protein-Forward Eating

In recent years, plant-based eating has blossomed into a lifestyle embraced by many, not just for its delicious offerings but also for the array of health benefits and positive impact on the environment.

In this comprehensive guide, I’m delving into what I call “plant-based, protein-forward” eating, and providing you with two days worth of meals that are both rich in plant-based protein and nourishing for your body (and not to mention, kind to the planet!).

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What You Should Know About Ozempic

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What You Should Know About Ozempic

In 2023, Ozempic became a household name and a topic that seemingly everyone was talking about. And so far in 2024, this influx of Ozempic chatter shows no signs of letting up.

Now that it’s become a trendy medication, it looks like more people will be using, and talking about Ozempic, than ever before. Why? Two words: weight loss.

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The Best Of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 2

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The Best Of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 2

Welcome back to the Best of Pure Joy Wellness 2023, Part Two! Last week I shared eight of our top articles from this year—which covered everything from gut healing and sitting to sex, memory, aging, and more.

In this week’s roundup (and our second to last post of the year!), we’re talking physical, mental, AND financial health. Scroll through the list below to check out these can’t-miss posts! 

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The Best of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 1

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The Best of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 1

In just two weeks, 2023 will come to a close—and geez, it’s been a year! So much has happened in my life: a lot of hurt, a lot of healing, tons of good memories, and some hardship, too.

During this time of year I find myself feeling extra reflective, as I think most people do, so it feels fitting to continue my tradition of rounding up the Best Of Pure Joy Wellness blog posts from this year—consider it our year in review, and a great opportunity to catch up on any of our best posts that you missed!

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Embracing the Joy: The Healing Power of Hugs

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Embracing the Joy: The Healing Power of Hugs

Ah, the holiday season—the time for friends, family, and togetherness. This time of year is my absolute favorite, and one thing that makes these moments extra special for me is all of the hugs I get from people I love. I used to wonder why these embraces made me so good, and then I decided to look into the science behind hugs.

It turns out—hugging is really good for you! Whether it's a bear hug or a group squeeze, wrapping yourself in a good ol' hug has amazing benefits for your body and mind. So in honor of this holiday season, I’m sharing with you all of the reasons you should give and receive hugs.

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It's My Birthday!! 67 Years Baby!

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It's My Birthday!! 67 Years Baby!

Today is my 67th birthday! I can’t believe it! I love birthdays and I always enjoy celebrating mine. Every year, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be who I am and where I am in life.

I'd like to ask you all a question: How do you feel about your birthday? For many people, it's a day filled with excitement, laughter, and joy—a day to bask in the warmth of "Happy Birthday" songs and indulge in your favorite desserts. For others, it's a day they'd prefer to skip—a reminder of another year passing by, marked by a fear of getting older.

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The Truth About Inflammation

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The Truth About Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has become a topic of increasing interest in the fields of health and wellness. Spices like turmeric and ginger, and modalities like infrared saunas have risen in popularity as people look for new ways to combat inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is both a sign and symptom of numerous health conditions, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders, obesity, and more. It’s no wonder why people are concerned and trying to learn more about this!

In this week’s blog post, I’m breaking down inflammation and giving you some tips on how to keep your own at bay

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How To Revamp Your Skincare Routine For Autumn & Winter

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How To Revamp Your Skincare Routine For Autumn & Winter

As the leaves change and the temperature drops, it's time to switch up our skincare! In the colder months, it’s especially important to give your skin the extra care and attention it needs.

In this week's blog, I’m sharing the essential steps I take to ensure that my skin stays healthy, hydrated, and glowing even on the coldest days!

Read on to see my best advice for changing up your skincare for fall and winter. 

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How To Get A Handle On Your Money (Part 2)

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How To Get A Handle On Your Money (Part 2)

Welcome back to How To Get A Handle On Your Money - Part 2! If you missed Part 1 last week (you can find it here), I asked Victoria Sechrist, a personal finance coach based in New England, to lend us her financial expertise and give us her best tips. In Part 2, she talks about common money mistakes, setting money goals, and more! 

If you read Part 1 of this series, hopefully you’ve collected all of your financial data and have started tracking your spending. You’re one step closer to living in financial truth! Which means you don’t have any illusions about your financial situation; you know exactly where you stand. 

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