Over the past few weeks, we've been exploring the building blocks of metabolic health. We started by learning what metabolic health is and why it matters. Then we identified the signs that our metabolism may need attention, discovered everyday habits that support better health, and learned why belly fat can be more than a cosmetic concern. This week, let's talk about something that quietly influences all of those topics: blood sugar. When most people hear the words blood su

When you look at a giraffe, you see an animal built for visibility. That long neck isn’t just a quirky feature, it’s actually a strategic advantage. A giraffe can see danger before other animals. It can spot opportunities such as food, water, and safety, from far away. It can reach what others can’t. But here’s the part we often forget: that same long neck also makes the giraffe vulnerable. When it bends down to drink, it’s exposed. When it stands tall, it’s a target. Yet the

Over the past few weeks, we've been exploring the importance of metabolic health. We began by understanding what metabolic health is and why it matters. Then we learned to recognize the subtle signs that our metabolism may need attention. Last week, we focused on the everyday habits that can improve metabolic health. This week, let's talk about one of mine and many other concerns from women most common concerns I hear: belly fat. For many of us, especially after 50, the extra

One of the places where the shaking is loudest for me is Mother’s Day. Once my nephew Marcus died unexpectedly my sister no longer had her loving, doting son here to celebrate her. Even though she encouraged me to celebrate, my own joy was muted. It felt strange and wrong to lean fully into celebration mode when I knew her arms were empty and her soul was grieving. Years ago, on Mother’s Day, my heart turned toward another mother: Wanda Cooper-Jones, the mother of Ahmaud Arbe

Over the past two weeks, we've been building a foundation for understanding metabolic health. First, we explored what metabolic health is and why it matters. Then we looked at seven signs your metabolic health may need attention, like fatigue, sugar cravings, brain fog, and stubborn weight gain. Now comes the question everyone wants answered: What can I do about it? Here's the good news: improving your metabolic health doesn't require an extreme diet or hours in the gym. More

Within the last month I have attended the wedding of a dear friend’s daughter, been on a glorious boat ride with girlfriends, had breakfast with neighbors who proved to be the best ones I have ever had, had a lovely surprise dinner party given in my honor, started taking Mahjong (Chinese board game) classes, had a much-needed visit from my grandchildren and former daughter-in-law, played the piano at my monthly music club, received a good report from my annual physical, and a

In a previous blog post, titled “What Is Metabolic Health and Why It Matters”, I shared that your metabolism is about much more than weight—it's how your body creates energy, balances blood sugar, and supports your overall health. One of the most important things to remember is this: your body often whispers before it shouts. Long before a diagnosis, it may send small signals that something needs attention. Here are seven signs your metabolic health may be asking for a littl

Thanks to a kind and skilled teacher (Cheryl), I have now taken three Mahjong classes. Mahjong is a tile game played with four players whose goal is to complete specifics sets to win the game. Although all of the players are new that does not stop us from engaging in a bit of trash talking while we play. I enjoy it but I also get frustrated because the strategy to winning is confusing and quite challenging for me. When I get frustrated I remind myself that I am new and that

Most of us have heard the phrase, but very few people can actually explain what it means — and that’s part of why so many folks are walking around feeling exhausted, inflamed, frustrated, and confused about what their bodies are doing. Metabolic health is really just your body’s ability to turn the food you eat into steady, reliable energy. When things are working well, you feel grounded in your body: your energy is stable, your mood is steady, your hunger cues make sense, an

Stepping away from a paid position wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It came with questions, concerns, and more than a few late night conversations with myself about money, purpose, and what life would look like without the structure I’d known for so long. I still volunteer, but now it’s on my terms; based on my schedule, my energy, and what feels aligned with my health and wellbeing. And while this shift has brought its own challenges, it has also opened a door I didn’t real

For many months, and even as I write this blog post, I’ve been experiencing a warm cup of tea in the evening. I have long since found that there is something comforting about ending the day with a warm cup of tea. Not rushing.Not multitasking.Not staring at another screen. Just a quiet moment to slow down. In a world that constantly demands our attention, many of us are searching for small ways to create peace in our daily lives. We move from one responsibility to another, ca

A while back, I wrote a blog titled "My Green Thumb Has Turned Grey." (Feel free to give it a read—it’s a good laugh: https://www.earringsoff.com/post/my-green-thumb-has-turned-grey.) In it, I laid my aging truths bare, including the delightful new beauty routine of plucking stray chin hairs. Oh, how proud I was of my honesty! I thought I had faced the beast and come out victorious, tweezers in hand. But as it turns out, life had more plans for me. And by "life," I mean a s

In the modern wellness landscape, "inflammation" has become a buzzword often associated with everything from joint pain to chronic fatigue. While acute inflammation is a healthy response to injury, chronic inflammation is a silent driver of many modern ailments. The good news? Your fork is one of the most powerful tools you have to manage it. A great anti-inflammatory diet isn't a restrictive "fad" or a temporary fix; it is a sustainable way of eating that prioritizes nutrien