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Sylvia Anderson
Her past work, including articles, editorials and blogs, has been published nationwide - online and in various print publications.
Sylvia truly believes in taking health seriously! From nutrition and physical fitness to alternative therapies, Sylvia credits her incredible wellness to living a healthy lifestyle. And, as one of the editors of RadioMD, she feels lucky to be able to learn something new about health each and every day.
Orthorexia: An Unhealthy Obsession with Healthy Eating
Wednesday, 08 April 20154 Steps to a Toxic-Free Life
Wednesday, 08 April 2015Easy to Love, Hard to Live With: Understanding the Challenges of Invisible Disabilities
Wednesday, 08 April 2015Carol Alt: Key Components to Achieving a Healthy YOU
Wednesday, 08 April 2015Work Like Google
Saturday, 18 April 2015Hour 2: YOU The Owner's Manual Radio 4.18.15
Saturday, 18 April 2015Hour 1: YOU The Owner's Manual Radio 4.18.15
Saturday, 18 April 2015Walk in Mud: Connecting to the Earth for Health & Wellness
Wednesday, 01 April 2015Detox & Get Healthy with the Rainbow Juice Cleanse
Wednesday, 01 April 2015Is Your Self-Worth in Question? How to Avoid Comparison Traps
Wednesday, 01 April 2015Why Is Violence Against Women Still So Prevalent in the World?
Wednesday, 01 April 2015Metal Toxicity in Foods & Your Environment
Wednesday, 01 April 2015Healing Your Body through Osteopathy
Wednesday, 25 March 2015Do’s & Don’t of Spring Cleaning Your Body
Wednesday, 25 March 2015The 5-Letter Word that Can Add Years to Your Life: WATER
Wednesday, 25 March 2015How Food Cravings & Sexual Desire Overlap
Wednesday, 25 March 2015Vitamin D Deficiency & the Return of Rickets
Wednesday, 25 March 2015Surrender is Not Defeat: Improve Your Health & Well-Being by Letting Go
Wednesday, 18 March 2015Natural Options to Relieve Your Chronic Pain
Wednesday, 18 March 2015What's Hot on Naturally Savvy?
Wednesday, 18 March 2015Top Reasons to Go Paleo
Wednesday, 18 March 2015Your Anxiety Toolkit
Wednesday, 18 March 2015First Bites: Healthy Foods for Your Baby & Toddler
Wednesday, 11 March 2015New Trends & Products from California's Natural Products Expo
Wednesday, 11 March 2015What the Fork Are You Eating?
Wednesday, 11 March 2015The Anti-Candida Diet
Wednesday, 11 March 2015Carol Alt Believes in a Healthy YOU
Wednesday, 11 March 2015Pre-Pregnancy Detox Plan
Wednesday, 04 March 2015Know a Debbie Downer? Learn to Ward Off Energy Vampires
Wednesday, 04 March 2015Avoid Parabens in Your Personal Care Products
Wednesday, 04 March 2015Work Out Smarter, Not Longer: Benefits of HIIT Training
Wednesday, 04 March 2015More than H20: Ways to Enhance Your Water
Wednesday, 04 March 2015Yoga for ALL Shapes & Sizes
Wednesday, 25 February 2015Supplement Safety: Who Can You Trust?
Wednesday, 25 February 2015Key Habits to Help You Reach Your Weight Loss Goals
Wednesday, 25 February 2015Healthy Fats: Your Body's Most Precious Fuel
Wednesday, 25 February 2015Weeding through the Web: Getting Accurate Health Information Online
Wednesday, 18 February 2015Sleep Soundly: Secrets for Creating a Healthy Sleep Sanctuary
Wednesday, 18 February 2015Solving (and Resolving) the Riddle of Anxiety
Wednesday, 18 February 2015Stigma Fighters: Changing the Scope of Mental Health, One Stigma at a Time
Wednesday, 18 February 2015High-Protein Vegetarian Recipes Even Non-Vegetarians Will Love
Wednesday, 11 February 2015BPA & BPS: The Evil Chemical Twins of Food Packaging
Wednesday, 11 February 2015Beat Your Hunger with a High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet
Wednesday, 11 February 2015Eat Bacon, Don't Jog: The Benefits of Eating Fat
Wednesday, 11 February 2015Smoothies & More: How to Get the Most Out of Your Blender
Wednesday, 04 February 2015Achieving the Success You Desire
Wednesday, 04 February 2015Simple Tools for Managing Stress, Finding Inner Peace & Happiness
Wednesday, 04 February 2015Migraines: Causes & Natural Treatments
Wednesday, 04 February 2015No Kids, Just Cats: The Stigma of Being 30-Something & Childless
Thursday, 29 January 2015I recently read a blog about how childless women – particularly married childless women in their 30s – often take a lot of shit for not having kids.
I was like, “Whoa... this woman has something to say.”
And, I was right.
I get it all the time. People will ask me, “Do you have kids?” This question typically follows my reveal that I live in L.A. most of the time and my husband lives in Minnesota. My answer is always, “No kids; just cats.”
That’s me, trying to put light on the conversation that undoubtedly will turn to sympathy. Or judgment. Or confusion. Or all three of the above.
Or any number of thoughts.
I recently had a women, no joke, say to me: “That makes me so sad. That you won’t ever have children.”
WTF? When did my uterus become an issue of your concern?
Alzheimer's & Dementia: Prevention, Treatment & Misdiagnosis
Wednesday, 21 January 2015How Fear-Based Thinking Affects Your Health
Wednesday, 21 January 2015Start Your Year with a New Lease on Sleep
Wednesday, 21 January 2015Lyme Disease: Is There Hope for Those Who Suffer?
Wednesday, 21 January 2015Life without Sugar: Can You Beat Your Sweet Tooth?
Wednesday, 21 January 2015Healthy Hot Foods: Soup, Oatmeal & More
Wednesday, 14 January 2015What No One Ever, EVER Tells You About Grief
Wednesday, 03 December 2014Grief is some tricky shit.
I apologize for the language... I tried to think of any other phrase that would set the stage for this blog; for what I’m feeling... somehow “grief is some tricky stuff” didn’t cut the mustard.
I’m fairly cerebral in my life processes; meaning that I tend to make sense of things by “thinking it out.” That is, I try to work everything out in my brain. If I can explain it away, with a reasonable argument and step-by-step analysis, I can process and move on.
I can’t make sense of what’s happening in my heart.
There are varying levels of grief. You can grieve the loss of a loved one (death). Grieve the loss of a loved one (divorce). Grieve the loss of your skinny jeans (just getting fat).
Obviously that last one is super-superficial.
It’s strange how I’ve processed grief in the past. When my grandparents and great aunts and uncles (who treated me like a grandchild) passed, I think I was still too young to realize what this meant. They were elderly; many in the stages of dementia and disease. What I didn’t realize is that while I lost a grandparent, my folks lost a parent.
And, while I haven’t lost a parent, I’ve lost a parent-in-law.
Veterans in Need: Not a Political Problem; a PEOPLE Problem
Monday, 10 November 2014It's Veterans Day.
A day we honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Unfortunately, this day has gotten a bit lost in our ever-growing self-serving society, where it simply means a vacation day from work or an extra 20 percent off at Macy's.
If you ask me, that's a tragedy.
Course, I'm a bit biased in this department. My mom was a nurse in the Air Force. My older sister served in the Air Force as well, and now is climbing the ranks in the Air National Guard. Her husband is retired Air Force. My younger sister served in the Army. My best friend lost her brother, a Marine, in Afghanistan.
So, yeah, I can appreciate what these individuals do... and it's why I have such a hard time understanding why our veterans aren't being taken care of in the way they should. I fail to comprehend how we bring them home from war and then -- more often than not, it seems -- leave them to their own devices to deal with what they've seen and what they've done.
The result is not acceptable.
Unplug & Unwind: My Self-Imposed Device Detox
Friday, 25 April 2014A few weeks ago, social media and other sites blew up with the news that France had banned working after 6:00 p.m. Well, at least sending work emails after that time.
Here in the U.S., we rejoiced for the French and silently hoped that our very own country would follow suit.
It turned out that, in fact, the French did not make it illegal to send work emails after 6:00. Apparently, according to the Washington Post, the buzz stemmed from “an agreement made between labor unions and a federation of engineering and consulting companies, affecting 250,000 people and involving no official laws.”
It was like a bad game of Telephone via the World Wide Web. By the time it made its rounds, the real story had turned into something completely, well, wrong.
tel-e-phone [tel-uh-fohn]: the party game where a phrase is whispered down a line of players, with the goal of that phrase coming out the same by the end. Which, of course, never happens. “John and Amy are having a baby!” turns into “Don and Amy are going to Vegas!” Amy, I don't know who the heck Don is, but if he knocks you up, for the love of all that is sacred, please don't bring your screaming, crying child to Vegas.
So, no. The City of Lights did NOT decide to turn its lights off at 6:00 p.m. so that all French people could go home and watch Game of Thrones.
Besides, if it had been true, what about all the service industry folks? Why shouldn’t they be considered just as hard working as those business professionals and be able to shut down at 6:00? They might even be more physically, emotionally and mentally taxed than those in suits... I mean, have you ever had to deal with a rude American tourist?
It was a good thought, though, and for one fleeting moment, many of us were excited about the possibility of change. What if we didn’t have to be connected to our phones, email, laptops, tablets ALL THE TIME?
Don't Mess with Runners
Friday, 18 April 2014My sister, Rachel, is going to be one among the pack. Last year after the bombings, she made it her mission to qualify and run Boston this year in memory and honor. And she did just that. See, unless you get a special "pass" or run with some sort of fundraising group, you have to qualify to run the Boston Marathon. It's the only marathon in the U.S. that requires you to do so. To make the cut, you must run the entire 26.2 miles under a specific time for your age group. Unfortunately, in my seven full marathons, I have never hit the mark. It's OK, she's faster than me. A little sibling rivalry can be healthy. In all honesty, I'm really proud of her. That's us in the picture, at the start line of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. in 2011. If you can't tell by our body language, it was COLD. We actually did two marathons together that year, both within 30 days.
The Boston bombings rocked us as a nation, as it should. Terrorism is some tricky, nasty stuff. But as a runner myself, it hit especially hard. Runners run for different reasons. They run races for different reasons, too. Some of us do it for health (mental and physical) or to raise money for a cause. Some do it as a healthy competition, with others or with themselves. I've mentioned before that I run for a variety of purposes, but mainly to keep my sanity. I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in memory of my best friend's brother, Mike, who was killed in Afghanistan.
Runners, in my opinion, are a special kind of people. Call us "joggers" and you might get a dirty look or a swift kick to the groin. So, when someone intentionally hurts us – and our supporters – we don't take it lightly. We take it in stride. We rise above. We stay strong. Boston Strong? Hell yeah.
In addition to being a runner, I am, as you know, a writer. So, last year when the bombings occurred, I got out my pen and I wrote a poem. And then I went for a run.
Marriage, Divorce and the New Monogamy
Sunday, 13 April 2014But, that's a generational observation. To my grandparents, who were married 50+ years before they passed on, 21 years was just a warm-up.
Obviously, things have changed.
Divorce is just as common as long-lasting marriages, with an estimated 2.4 million couples divorcing in 2012 (the latest reliable statistics available). In an environment where celebrities often set the standard of what life should look like, divorce is commonplace... even after a measly 72 days if you happen to be a Kardashian.
There's a ton of reasons why more couples separate these days. A hundred years ago, it was unheard of. Couples had to stay together for family strength, financial stability, a pending inheritance. Now, people divorce because they're not happy, they constantly fight, one individual wants financial independence, infidelity, etc., etc.
Which leads me to the question of monogamy: are people truly supposed to stay with one person for an entire lifetime? Or might there be something more to this concept of "the new monogamy"? Would you be OK if your partner suggested that you have multiple partners if it meant it might save your marriage?
Do You Believe in Women's Intuition?
Sunday, 06 April 2014Psychology Today suggests that "...women are, as a group, better at reading facial expressions of emotions than are men. As a result, women are more likely to pick up on the subtle emotional messages being sent by others." That's their definition of the phenomenon; a science-based explanation of why women can sense things better than men.
According to Urban Dictionary, however, the definition of "women's intuition" is this: Something that every woman has where you just know. Whether it's that your lover is cheating on you or you get uneasy vibes from a co-worker, it's that gut feeling telling you that something is wrong. It may come in the form of a dream, deja vu, a funny feeling, all three, or something else. Never doubt this feeling. Ever.
I particularly like that last part... I think regardless of what is behind the feeling/sensation/suspicion, you should always know that it means something.
Hugs for Hire: Would You Pay to Cuddle?
Sunday, 02 March 2014You can, you know. In this world where you can buy pretty much anything -- including happiness -- there are now professional for-hire cuddling companies. HER Radio hosts, Michelle King Robson and Dr. Pam Peeke, recently visited with founder of Cuddle Up to Me, Samantha Hess, to learn more about her business as a professional cuddler and what that even means (listen to the segment here).
What DOES it mean?
My Eating Disorder: Lover, Best Friend, Tormenter
Friday, 13 December 2013When I last left you, I was talking about all the ways an eating disorder can envelop you, taking you to the deepest, darkest places of your soul. It's a sickness – and it really IS a sickness, mentally and physically – that seeps into every pore of your being. It becomes the absolute most important thing in your life and does not care who (or what) is sacrificed in the process whether it's friends or family members... or husbands, marriages.
A positive? You get really good at math. In the good old days of my eating disorder, I was constantly calculating calories consumed vs. calories burned in my mind, figuring out just how many hours of exercise I would need to burn off that apple I had for dinner. To be honest, I still do this to some extent; I'm just eating a more "acceptable" amount of food.
An eating disorder never gives you a rest. It consumes every second, every minute of your day, from the moment you wake until you fall asleep. I even dream about it.
My Empty Plate: The Best Meal an Eating Disorder Can Buy
Monday, 09 December 2013I was going to wait until "Eating Disorder Awareness Month" came around to write this blog, but the truth is we should be "aware" of eating disorders every single day.
If you've never been affected by an eating disorder, or you have never known anyone with an eating disorder, you may be thinking, "So what? What do I care? There's a whole month devoted to people who want to be skinny???" For those of us who DO suffer, most of us would probably answer: we honestly hope you don't care.
Contrary to some beliefs, eating disorders – and the physical symptoms that often follow – are NOT always a way to garner attention. In fact, many people suffering from an eating disorder would rather you just leave them and their eating habits (or in some cases, non-eating habits) alone.
My family and some of my friends (the ones I trust) have come to accept this about me. They know I will not be partaking in family or holiday dinners. I will gladly invite people out to eat, but I will not eat with them. My mom has learned to simply not set a plate for me. I'm not offended; I actually love this about her. My husband knows I will never join him in ordering at dinner. He "eats for two," as I often explain it. And I love him for it as well. The servers at our favorite restaurant know that I may take something to-go, but I will never eat in the confines of the establishment.
Weird? Yes. But bear with me a bit.
5 Healthy Reasons to Take a Cruise
Tuesday, 17 September 2013Cruises have been getting some negative press in the past year or two, with all the fires breaking out aboard, engine trouble, and let's not forget the fate of the Costa Concordia in Europe. But cruise enthusiasts like to think those occurrences are the exception to the rule (and being an enthusiast myself, I agree).
In fact, a cruise is a great venue for a get-away... not only from a vacation perspective, but also from a health perspective.
In the past, cruises have gotten a bad health rap for encouraging over-indulgence. I've been on plenty of cruises myself, and I can tell you that the five-course meals and midnight buffets can be a diet buster. But things are a'changing. These days, taking a cruise can be a truly healthy experience - for body and mind.
Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder... and Healthier
Sunday, 08 September 2013If I had a quarter for every weird look I get when I tell people my husband and I live 2500 miles apart (by choice), I could buy myself a very nice handbag.
The usual responses are, “That must be SO hard!” or “How does that work?” Or, my favorite, “That’s interesting...” with a confused look.
It’s true. Our marriage is unconventional, to say the least. Joe and I have been married for 16 years and have known each other for over 20. We’ve been living apart for seven years. And yes, by choice.
Very few people truly understand the decision to live this way. But it’s a relevant topic... whether you live apart from your significant other by choice or by circumstance, it’s happening more and more in the world we live in. Military duties take spouses away for months – even years at a time. College or continuing education opportunities force couples to live apart. Careers often take precedence over living in the same household.
People generally understand (and accept) those “separated by circumstance” occurrences more than one by choice. Why would one consciously choose to live apart from the one they love?
Here’s my answer: two happy individuals make up a happy marriage, despite the distance.
Naked Juice Pays Big Bucks for Its Deception
Wednesday, 14 August 2013Juice. It has been a staple of American breakfast tables for decades. Over the years it's been introduced to kids' packed lunches, vending machines and even toddlers' bottles. Not to mention the "adult" juice beverages, some of which are packed with things like antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients.
Marketing tactics would have you believe that juice is a healthy beverage option – far better than sugary sodas or energy drinks. Phrases like "All Natural" and "No Sugar Added" bolster that mentality.
Unfortunately, for you, the consumer, these labels may mean nothing at all.