Health & Wellness

Stars Above

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:51:00 -0500

Thanksgiving Night, 1986. I pulled my Dodge Colt outside the low white Alcoholics Anonymous clubhouse, cracked the windows and gave my two-year-old English setter, Grey, a pat on the head. "Be good, girl. I'll be back in an hour and a half."

This Way to Pumpkin Pie

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:30:48 -0600

One thing we agreed on that crisp fall Sunday was that our supper had to be topped off with fresh, homemade pumpkin pie. It would be the only proper ending for the day we had in mind.

"Pumpkin pie is nonnegotiable," I said, laughing as we drove along a winding country road in the car we had rented back in New York City. We had come upstate to see the brilliant colors of the changing foliage, and we had not been disappointed.

Smokey Robinson: Miracle Man

mcherkezian — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:58:44 -0500

For the past 50 years, his sweet voice and staggering talent have made him a beloved star.

But for Smokey Robinson, whose new album Time Flies When You're Having Fun will be released August 25, the journey wasn't always fun—or easy.

It was 1958 when he helped his friend and fellow Detroit native Berry Gordy found Motown, which in turn shaped popular music for generations to come.

Kicked the Habit

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:04:21 -0600

Accompanied by my four-year-old son, Eric, I was on my way to the store to buy a pack of cigarettes.

I knew I shouldn't be doing this. I was going through a rough time financially and could barely make ends meet, especially for bad habits such as cigarette smoking.

Still, I'd been a smoker for 13 years and could not stop.

As I drove into the store's parking lot, on impulse I turned to my son and blurted out, "Oh, Eric, do something to make me quit smoking!"

Reel Recovery

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 1989 07:46:00 -0500

By the summer of 1977, my heavy drinking had taken its toll. I was alone, and the only creature in the world that I cared about was my Burmese cat, Chocolate Mousse. One July day I had locked myself out of my apartment. The neighbor who helped me get in not only dried my boozy tears, but went on to tell me how his own life as an alcoholic had been filled with such blunders; and tragedy as well. When he finished, I agreed to go with him on Saturday to get help.

The Natural

jbloustein — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:24:30 -0500

The scene was so familiar I could never have imagined my life was about to enter a tailspin I would almost not survive. But maybe that was because my life had been so charmed up until that point.

I was driving home from a ballgame with my parents that afternoon in March 2001. Mom was in the driver’s seat, I was beside her and Dad was in back. We were talking about the spring-training game I’d just played.

The Life I Left Behind

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:40:22 -0600

Every time I looked at the purplish snowcapped mountains or heard the rush of the waterfall near my home in Seward, Alaska, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. It had taken many years and many moves—clear across the country from where I'd started out in upstate New York—but I'd finally made something of my life. I had a nice place to call home, a fulfilling career and the respect of my boss and buddies. Then one day in 1991 I got a phone call that all too painfully brought back the past I had tried so hard to forget.

Gone to the Dogs

admin — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 06:21:00 -0600

Pali Boucher's life has literally gone to the dogs. Of course, you could say it began that way too.

Pali is the founder—and prime pup protector—of Rocket Dog Rescue, a San Francisco-based all-volunteer organization that saves dogs from overcrowded shelters, where they might be put to sleep, and finds them loving homes. She's known for taking on the hardest cases, dogs many would consider unadoptable because of their disabilities or behavioral or medical problems.

Don't Overlook Salvation

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:53:27 -0600

You might not believe part of the story I'm going to tell you. In fact, if it hadn't happened to me, I myself might find it pretty hard to swallow. All I know is my life got turned around when I wasn't sure I wanted to go on living.

5 Things I Learned from Quitting Smoking

admin — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 10:58:00 -0600

Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things I've done. But with perseverance and patience, I've learned that the challenge already behind me has made me ready for the next one.

1. It's okay to take things one day at a time.
Big goals are daunting. Break them down into more manageable pieces. The thought of never lighting up again, ever? Terrifying. But not smoking for one day, that I can handle.