Think Pink Live Green Column

Shiny, Colorful Nails — Safely

Getting a manicure or pedicure is one of the only times that I get to sit still and enjoy a little time to myself. Plus, that nice pampered feeling that comes with freshly shaped and polished nails is ahhh so nice.

But I do have concerns about the possible dangers of the fumes that hit you as soon as you walk into a salon. As …

Fish Benefits Made Easy

I’ve written two Think Pink, Live Green columns on fish: Fish: Landing the Healthiest Choices
and Salmon and Tuna: How to Make the Healthiest Choices of These Popular Fish.

To recap, you might have heard mixed messages about fish. One news report says that fish is good for you because it can reduce the risk of heart disease and promote brain development. But then …

Eating Locally, Eating Fresh

What does eating local mean? To some people, it means eating food that’s traveled fewer than 100 miles from the farm to your fork. That’s because moving food long distances can mean more fuel is used, which means a larger carbon footprint, which affects the environment outside our bodies. Food in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to a grocery …

Plant Milks: Seeking — and Finding — Worthy Alternatives to Dairy

Cow’s milk not only tastes great poured over morning cereal or into a cup of coffee, it’s also an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals. And as long as it’s organic, you don’t have to worry about synthetic growth hormones, because organic standards prohibit their use in livestock. But if you’re avoiding cow’s milk because of health reasons such as lactose intolerance or because …

Keeping Medicine Out of the Water

Researchers have found traces of medicines, from both people and animals, in surface water and drinking water supplies.

The medicines can get in the water supply in many ways. Old medicine is often flushed down toilets (for years we were told to do this; now we know it’s not a good idea). A second source is our own bodies: People who take medicines end up …

Where to Go From Here on the Path of Wellness and Healing

Ask anyone who’s been through it — breast cancer is like a tornado in your life. From the moment you get the news to the ongoing tests and treatments, it’s a whirlwind through the medical system. Instead of just one doctor treating you, there’s a whole team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists to help you deal with all the complex diagnostic and treatment decisions. …

Avoiding Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in many rigid plastics, the lining of food cans, and certain other products. It’s also a hormone disruptor. Hormone disruptors can affect how estrogen and other hormones act in the body, by blocking them or mimicking them. Because estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer develop and grow, many women choose to limit their exposure to these chemicals. Everyone …