Ease Sore Muscles with These Tools

Simple physical therapy tools can heal minor injuries, ease muscle tightness and prevent injuries. But what do you need and how do you use them? Here’s the 411 for athletes and weekend warriors. Consult with a health care professional before trying one of these tools to make sure you’re using the proper technique, and that […]

Fresh: Training Ground

Certified fitness instructor Amy Hohman of Highland Park has opened a fully equipped free-weight studio that personal trainers can rent to offer their services one-on-one or in small groups. Don’t have anyone whipping your butt into shape? The studio will work with you to help you find the right trainer in their network. “Working out […]

Girls and Knee Injuries

Spring is here and outdoor sports are back in full swing. Girls are kicking, running and jumping. As we encourage our girls to pursue their passion for sports, we also need to help them prevent injuries that could wreck a season, or worse. Knee injuries fall into that category for young, female athletes. I spoke […]

Bike This Summer

With gas prices pushing $5, this is THE summer to embrace biking. You’ll save money, get fit, and eliminate hassle and stress. Plus, your bike is the ultimate convertible that allows you to soak up the warm weather. Get a Tune Up You may need a new bike, but often a tune up will make […]

Get Smart about Sunscreen

After a Chicago winter that has seemingly extended into May, it’s no surprise we’re craving some Vitamin D. To prep for sunshine, now’s the perfect time to reevaluate your skin protection. The supermarket shelves are stocked with different sunscreens, but what should you be looking for? Chemical vs. Physical Sun protection is classified into two […]

A Cocktail Every Night. Okay or No Way?

When it comes to alcohol, how much is too much? And is it okay to drink in front of the kids? After a long, busy day filled with stress, deadlines and anxiety, what do you do to relax? Many people choose to have a cocktail every night, like Rachel G., a 42-year-old working mother of […]

"Forks Over Knives": Veganism Can Improve your Health

Step away from the hamburger. Put down that piece of chicken. And don’t even think about snacking on a slice of cheese. Basically, eat your veggies… or die. After watching the new documentary “Forks Over Knives,” which debuts May 13, you’re definitely going to want to race to your nearest Whole Foods and pick up […]

Indoor Tanning Shouldn’t be a Mother/Daughter Activity

If you’re sporting a tan worthy of Jersey Shore’s Snooki, and you got it from a tanning bed, you might be passing your bad habit on to your daughter. Results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology found that a large percentage of young women and teens who use tanning beds report […]

Hookah Can Be Worse Than Cigarettes

Hookah, narghile and shisha are all names for the same tall, exotic water pipes growing in popularity among teens and young college students according to recent studies. Most commonly called hookah, the pipes employ honey or molasses sweetened tobacco heated by coals. The product is a sweet tasting smoke then passed over a bowl of […]

Healthy Obsession: Cyclocross

Cyclocross isn’t your typical bike ride. Dan Grant of Wilmette compares the sport to one big party and gives us the inside scoop on why cyclocross is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. MIB: What is cyclocross and how do you get started? DG: Cyclocross is a combination of mountain […]