The Alexander Technique, which was created by Frederick Matthias Alexander in the late 1800s, is a method for improving posture and movement through self-awareness, with the aim of decreasing pain and increasing mindfulness. “The way I usually describe it is that it helps you learn to do things that you do every day, but with less tension, less pain, less fatigue,” explains Angeline LeLeux, who…
ALICIA MILLS OF Method Skin Studio offers skin care through Genesis Salon and aims to provide result-driven healing treatments with exceptional plant-based products. Her goal is to guide her clients toward what they can do from home to make a major difference in the health of their skin, as well as its appearance. What’s…
January 2023 Feature, Keeping your mind and body healthy and active.
Skin and body treatments and what local spas to find them in.
Callahan Wellness
Mae Botanicals
Chances are high that every American has come face to face with heart disease in some form. It’s the number…
Andrew Murry remembers how normal it was to get adjustments at Christmas and Thanksgiving. By 16, he knew he wanted to be a chiropractor–the eighth chiropractor in his family. Over a decade ago at Sehome High School, Andrew met Sammy. His aunt became Sammy’s chiropractor, and Sammy became chiropractic’s “number…
Q&A with Dr. Brita Kiffney of Northshore Veterinary Hospital
Fasting, or intentionally abstaining from food and drink, is often practiced as part of religious rituals, and Benton is performing his own yearly ritual the week before his birthday.
Chinn GYN, LLC
Our largest organ often gets overlooked and taken for granted, but you can start making small changes to your daily routine to see and feel big differences in the health and appearance of your skin.
FLUX Yoga Retreats
A leading voice in Canada’s health and wellness scene, Sonia Jhas offers practical, positive, and down-to-earth advice meant to help people live their best life. I asked her a few questions…
Mother’s Day Specials at Spero Skin Spa Salon
Iodine is an essential trace mineral needed for optimal thyroid function
AFresh Respiratory Therapy Services & Equipment
PURE Skin + Wellness offers Waxings, Lash Lifts, and More
Living Earth Herbs Apothecary
A guide to local gyms
New book & guided program aim to keep knees strong
Combat stress, pain, inflammation, and more with Red Light Therapy.
Bellingham Community Acupuncture
Bellingham’s newest hot yoga studio welcomes everyone.
As your skin changes, so should your skincare routine. Here’s a guide on how it should change through the decades.
Trish Palmer discusses her experience living with MS, her life before diagnosis, and her advice for others who have MS or know someone who does.
Meet the Bellingham cat that has taken the internet by storm, one paw at a time.
Sweat out your toxins and your worries at these featured local saunas.
To learn more about the process of dying gray, we sat down with Katie—a stylist at Bellingham’s Vanity Hair Studio on Dupont Street.
Nutrition blogger and food photographer, Cassie Elliott, utilizes the fresh foods of the season to create this flavorful, gluten-free dish.
Master esthetician and owner of Crosier Skincare, Lisa Crosier, talks acne tips and the importance of seeing a skin therapist for long-term, clear skin.
Wine enthusiast Dan Radil gives readers a delicious alternative to pouring out those half-empty bottles of wine: his single skillet chicken picatta recipe.
Nutrition blogger, Cassie Elliott, provides readers with a colorful, nutritious, and delicious dish—easy to make with only four main ingredients.
Bellingham makeup artist, Elizabeth Marie Hayes gives us some of her top pro tips and products to help your freckles shine all year long.
As part of Bellingham’s waterfront cleanup project, locals can enjoy the ASB Trail and the spectacular views it has to offer.
Beauty connoisseur Lindsey Major is here to share—check out her go-to summertime makeup looks and products, along with hydration and protection tips.
Sara Southerland invites readers to try out a nutritional breakfast that’s versatile, full of greens, and topped off with a delicious lemon garlic aioli.
Master esthetician and owner of Crosier Skincare, Lisa Crosier, talks acne in this age of social media and the effects it can have on self-esteem.
Arlené Mantha, professional chef from Los Angeles, shares her favorite green smoothie so you can take a nutritional breakfast on the go.
Cassie Elliot remembers cooking with her grandmother, Ella Gutknecht and shares a recipe for Cauliflower and Bacon Chowder, part of her 20-Day Sugar Detox.
Learn to make your own natural Tea Tree and Lavender Sugar Scrub to exfoliate and remove dry, dead skin after a long winter.
April’s Online Exclusive spotlights two additional Travel Destinations: Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, and Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
With the coming of Spring, you’ll want to try this recipe for pickling watermelon radishes. They are nutritious and can be preserved for months.
These are the do’s and don’ts when using essential oils. Check out options from Bramble Berry, Target, Living Earth Herbals, and Edens Garden.
Barlean’s Fishery Inc. in Ferndale provides fresh seafood for healthy eating. The company also manufactures and distributes Omega 3 supplements.
Adjacent to Hovander Homestead Park, Tenant Lake Park is an easy walking trail in Ferndale.This scenic hike and park are fun for the whole family.
Tianna Tsitsis of RejuvenationMD shares her favorite foods and bad habits to break to help us achieve radiant, healthy skin.
There are many different ways to exercise your brain and keep your mind sharp. Some techniques include coloring, games, and communicating with others.
These medicinal plants have healing properties. You can look for them in the wild or grow them yourself, like having a backyard medicine cabinet.
A community garden helps us build community with our neighbors; reconnect with our food, where it comes from, and how it grows; and stay healthy!
Eugene Leonard is the owner of Anacortes Cannabis. Many of their products have healing properties to help with symptoms such as anxiety or sleeplessness.
Jenn Bachtel gives a week-by-week summary of her first month with Morgan H Fitness. Morgan Herkert is a registered nurse and personal trainer.
Jenn Bachtel shares a few favorite recipes, like cold Asian salad and protein bread, as well as substitutions to keep your meals varied and nutritious.
After having a baby, Jenn Bachtel is working with Morgan Herkert of Morgan H Fitness to change her life through a rigorous nutrition and exercise plan.
Monika Kristofferson shares tools for change to help you clear away the clutter. Learn how to make decisions to organize your home and feel more empowered.
Robin Robertson is experiencing life in a whole new way since her knee replacement surgery a year ago. Her custom knee was designed by Conformis.
Cassie Elliot shares her recipe for a delicious butternut squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds. It is low carb and fits within her 20 day Sugar Detox.
Lisa Crosier, owner of Lisa Crosier Skincare and Beauty Boutique, shares her secrets and goals for healthy skin care for a new you in the new year.
Arelené Mantha of Twofiftyflora has blackberries and biscuits for a perfect Christmas morning treat. Try her blackberry sauce on buttermilk biscuits recipe!
Sara Southerland shares her great grandmother’s recipe for a fall frittata with a carrot top pesto using fresh veggies from the Bellingham Farmers Market.
Continuing with our series of wellness centers, we bring you a unique type of therapy: hypnosis. Kelley Woods of the Woods Hypnosis Center shares her view.
Makeup artist and owner of Love Beauty in Bellingham Ashley Thomasson shares her secrets to can’t-live-without products for her finishing touches.
With just a little bit of planning, prep, and organization, anyone can use this super simple recipe for instant pot chili.
In the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest lie natural geothermal pools. Here are the quick stats that you’ll need to take a hike to the Baker Hot Springs.
Tianna Tsitsis of RejuvenationMD shows us an advanced, effective natural treatment for cellular rejuvenation throughout the body using blood platelets.
Master esthetician Lisa Crosier shares her secrets on anti-aging and the two types of exfoliation to give you a younger glow.
Beauty professional Cheryl Jason gives us the breakdown on three different types of hair removal: waxing, sugaring, and threading.
Epsom salt float tanks help relax muscles, pressure on joints, and alleviate stress.
Managed by the Lummi Island Hertiage Trust, within the Baker Preserve, a hikers only trail provides stunning views on Lummi Island.
Summer is a great time for buying local and eating fresh foods. Planning meals ahead can save you time for other fun summer activities.
This fall season, get that fresh, clean, bold look with beauty tips from makeup artist Ashlely Thomasson, owner of Love Beauty.
Stay safe this summer and protect your skin from sunburn by learning about UV radiation.
This milestone is worthy of a celebration — and is picnic-worthy!
Proteins, Fats Give Energy Too These days it seems that every other news story is talking about the merits (or pitfalls) of the low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet, also commonly referred to as the Keto Diet. So what is it and should you follow it? In a nutshell, the…
Many people wonder what exactly an esthetician does or how regular facials can help their skin. I am passionate about changing skin through proper education, treatment and most…
Just under two miles past the town of Glacier, after crossing the North Fork of the Nooksack River, a gravel lot sits to the right of Mount Baker Highway. Here, directly…
No wonder HGTV picked Brandon Nelson Partners’ Paulina Antczak as the real estate agent for an episode of their hit show, “Beach Hunters” last year. She’s got…
The art of feeding ourselves, isn’t it a funny thing? From granola bars on the go, to treating ourselves to a gourmet meal, the way in which we nourish ourselves varies wildly by the day. For many of us, it can feel like…
As a makeup artist, one of the questions I’m most commonly asked by my clients is: “Will my makeup last all day long?” My answer? “This ain’t my first rodeo.” The bulk of my business happens in the heat of summer, so I’ve had a lot of practice getting this art down to a science. Whether it’s…
Acupuncture This wellness therapy has become so widespread that people are even taking their dogs in for treatment. But for people, this therapy has been around for eons. Good for helping with: chronic pain, anxiety/depression, high blood pressure, stress management, infertility, sexual dysfunction,…
East of downtown Bellingham just over the Alabama Street hill unfolds sprawling Lake Whatcom—the city’s vast drinking water reservoir ringed by lakefront homes, parkland and an inviting 6.2 miles easy trek…
Doctor Answers Questions About Growing Industry Increasingly, older Americans are looking in the mirror and unhappy with what they see: Scars, skin laxity, wrinkles, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, unwanted hair, skin discoloration, and spider veins top the list of complaints. As skin worries grow, so have new ways to treat them (think Botox) and new places…
Hydration ‘Tis that glorious time of year here in the Pacific Northwest in western Washington, where the rain is constant and everything is oh-so-sopping wet. This is the point of the year where I start to lose it. I comfort myself with the thought that I am in this glorious part of the earth and its ecosystem is that almost of a rainforest. I imagine birds, vibrant colors, animals, exotic plants, and humidity (not too far off from reality,…
Gut instinct. Listen to your gut. What does your gut tell you? In the 1970s through to the 1980s, studies on the connection between diet and depression were being conducted. But they were discontinued due to underfunding, as is so often the case when it comes to nutrition research. Recent studies have again been conducted to determine what the connection is between our brain and our gut,…
Around age 10, I started going with my mom to get her hair cut. Sitting in the corner and watching the staff, I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the salon industry. I didn’t really have an interest in doing hair, but more in the connection that I saw taking place. I tried to sign up for part-time hair-dressing in high school, but my parents wouldn’t allow it, saying “it would be a waste” of…
Whatcom Falls Park is an accessible place for all kinds of activities, even beyond hiking, which makes it one of Bellingham’s most popular destinations regardless of season. Hikers, bikers, fishing enthusiasts, and dog-walkers are all welcome. The miles of wide trails…
In the midst of winter, we are lucky to have some hearty veggies to stave off scurvy. Kale, cabbages, collard greens are the emerald gems of winter eats — packed full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber — and they are extremely versatile in the kitchen. From soups and salads to smoothies and stir-fries, these green goddesses have got your back. SAVE MONEY Winter greens are an affordable option…
As a makeup artist, I often get questions/comments about my own beauty routine, somewhere along the lines of “Do you airbrush yourself every day?” or “It must take you forever to do your makeup in the morning!” But the truth is — no — to each of those things! Just like…
Many parents may remember Nancy Reagan’s anti-drug slogan, “Just say ‘No’ to drugs”, or the anti-drug campaign that used a frying pan and eggs to highlight the effect of drugs on the brain. The messages were simple and catchy. Neither slogan, however, gave parents the full scope of tools to address the risks of drug abuse with their kids. And that is because the physical effect of drug abuse on the human brain was not yet fully understood, especially for dangerously addictive opioids.
10 Tips to Keep You and Your Family Healthy This Winter The medical field has long known people are more prone to catching colds and the flu during the cold winter months. Previously, scientists have primarily attributed to people living and breathing together in enclosed environments. But now, according to a 2015…
Here in the Northwest, January can be such a dreary month. Post-holiday blues, cold and rainy weather that lost its luster long ago. Pocketbooks need a recoup and taxes are looming. Resolutions have been broken and old habits are back. Rather than continuing the eating habits of months’ previous, I prefer to prepare a delicious kale and…
Angeli VanLaanen is Bellingham’s lone, home-grown winter Olympian, and after years of traveling and competing on the high-flying, high-pressure world of international…
Saturated Fat Is Better Than You Think. Happy Holidays! Some good news: Despite what we have been told for the last 50-odd years, fat that is…
While I love creating soft and feminine looks, I’ve never been one for the traditional “girly” stuff. Pink frills and sparkle never captivated me the way it does some. But for…
Sehome Hill Arboretum Trail The Sehome Hill Arboretum Trail is a six-mile network of loose hikes that weaves alongside 25th Street as it summits Sehome Hill. Footpaths, dirt trails, and paved trails give this great hill many options for all skill levels to get out and explore, and is a popular spot among Western Washington University students due to its proximity. The…
It was my first Hopewell Farm carrot that hooked me. I had moved to Bellingham that fall, and bought a two-pound bag of carrots at the farmers market. Sure, they have carrots in Texas —…
For me, 2017 has been the year of travel! Both domestic and internationally, I’ve had the privilege of trekking all over the globe. Now that there are so many great flights coming directly in and out of Bellingham, I have the feeling we’re all going to get the travel bug. Since I’ve constantly been in a state of packing…
Doe, Queen of Hearts Make for Sweet or Sinister Look If you’re looking for quick and cute costume makeup ideas to apply on yourself, your friends or your kids, I’ve chosen two of my favorite and most popular looks to teach you! The doe is…
A couple of things are true about me: 1. Being a mother and a partner has been one of the greatest privileges of…
Ptarmigan Ridge Don’t let the distance of this hike intimidate you. The best part of the Ptarmigan Ridge at Mount Baker is the fact that, no matter how far you hike, the views are spectacular. Due to its high elevation, about 6,000 feet above sea level, the trail has little incline but keeps hikers close to the action….
With the days getting shorter and the temperatures cooler, this familiar Indian dish will bring just enough heat to take the chill off. It’s also sure to satisfy your…
Anyone who knows me knows I love wine. There’s something about wine-tasting and visiting vineyards that transports me to another place and time. Even if I’m only at a winery 10 minutes up the road, I find myself temporarily in Napa,…
WHAT TO WEAR The perfect outfit isn’t one that breaks your wallet, nor is it that adorable LBD (Little Black Dress) that has faded into charcoal grey because it’s worn at least four times a month. The most fashionable outfit is one that you feel comfortable and confident in. It’s a plus if it’s versatile. Clothing that…
In the height of the sunshine season — family vacations, downtown concerts, summer festivities, early sun rises and late sunsets — it can be easy to feel a bit drained by the time fall rolls around. Luckily for us, it’s also the time locally grown produce is at peak production. Community farmers markets and local grocers are bursting with ripe berries and carefully stacked, farm-fresh vegetables. Taking the time to prioritize these foods, grown in our place, is the…
While it may be one of the busiest Washington parks in the summer, Deception Pass State Park is still accessible and nearly as beautiful throughout the offseason. The second major draw of the park is the variety of landscapes visitors will find. Whether you’re looking to spend a day at the…
Eat Local has become a well-known term that Pacific Northwesterners wear like a badge of honor all throughout our sweet little salty town of Bellingham. At least many people I know, both in and out of the food…
Yoga Brings Peace to Women in Transition In one of the least likely places, the chapel of the Lighthouse Mission, women temporarily forget the harsh realities of their daily struggles while yoga instructor Sarah Willett, face aglow, shares a different set of life skills—ones that involve stretches, breathing, and expansion. While there are no lithe bodies dressed in Lululemon active wear here, yoga instructors have been doing their community time (usually…
“You cannot cheat with food. You eat food.” —Robb Wolf When I read those words, I had one of those aha! moments because for as long as I have been talking to people about food and what they should and should not eat, it drives me crazy every time I hear someone say, “I cheated”…
If you want to enhance your image, you have more options than ever before. Like any surgery or procedure, there are always risks involved. But cosmetic enhancements have become easier, less expensive, and more mainstream than you may realize. We are taking a closer…
Spring hikes can sometimes mean giving up those spectacular views we are spoiled with in the Pacific Northwest. It can also mean rain, snow, and mud: not the most appealing conditions for a hike. Luckily, Whatcom…
Spring has officially sprung in the Pacific Northwest and that makes local food geeks like me giddy for several reasons: Spring Is My Favorite Season For Local Vegetables Fresh, spicy greens, beautiful French breakfast radishes, the cutest baby veggies (beets, carrots), sweet, succulent sprouts and peas; it’s heaven. What better way to pull us out of the winter than…
Open Classes Encourage All-Comers A neighborhood cafe links, window to window, with a wide-open space — symbiotically, a dance studio….
Spruced Hair and Brow Studio Last summer, Brooke Becnel, along with the help of her loyal stylists, opened Spruced Hair and Brow Studio in Fairhaven. Opening a modern, hip salon was not necessarily Becnel’s plan, but she always…
The other day someone asked me, “Do you eat salad every day?” To which I replied “I do. Don’t you?” I sometimes forget that most people don’t eat a pound of vegetables a day. A lot of people don’t even really…
Enter a land that is in the process of returning to its primeval origins. The former dairy farm is now grassland, and the peat mine is gone. Portage Creek Wildlife Area is gradually reverting to wetlands wilderness after years of…
Local Food Boxes make for a Healthy You and a Healthy Community When spring comes in northwest Washington, there seems to be a communal sigh exhaled across the land. More rain ahead, yes, but the occasional sunny and almost-warm day gives us the glimmer of hope to keep forging ahead. Spring to me means thinking about all of the seasonal…
As a young child I loved ballet and dreamed about becoming a ballerina. Fast forward to adulthood, and I have found the next best thing. It’s called the Booty Barre® method. I was…
In just two days, I’ll be headed out of town, taking the redeye to New York City. In between sitting down to write this article and penning the last of my emails, I’ve been frantically running around trying to pack and figure how I’m going to fit my entire bathroom cupboard into my carry-on. I’ve never been a good packer (Don’t believe me? Just…
It’s the dead of winter in northwest Washington, but local food can still be found. A brief journey through the whipping winds will lead you to a few meccas of local bounty that are well worth the effort. What better way to celebrate the month of love than with a from-scratch dinner…
Have you ever wondered why most raw food retreats are in sunny, tropical locations? Or why we crave a bowl of hot oatmeal on a brisk morning instead of fresh fruit? When it is wintry outside, our bodies gravitate toward foods that are naturally warming. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), warming foods are foundational during winter. This is…
We all have our stories, the things that shape our character and make us resilient, the things that break us down and make us whole again. Like all of you, my story is too long for this time and place, but there’s something I learned along the way that I want to share with you: Above all else, whatever you do, the…
Though the rest of the country might believe it’s perpetually raining in the Pacific Northwest, we know better. Our weather is…
When I was active duty military I was, in many ways, in the best shape of my life. I could “max” the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) with 60 push-ups in…
Detoxification, detox, cleanse…all hot words in the holistic health industry. Who hasn’t done one (or at least thought about doing one) sometime in their life? As a naturopathic health care provider, I’ve come to respect the power of a good detox for my patients’ health, but also acknowledge how confusing the detox and health world can be. Throughout my ever-evolving adventure within the world of health detox, I have gotten myself lost down more than a few rabbit holes, and…
When my mother died, the very last thing I ever wanted to do again was cook. The task of conceiving of a meal, shopping…
Raise your hand if you have more than an hour a day to do your makeup? Okay, now if your hand is raised, then use it to…
The end of summer and journey into fall is a bittersweet time in Northwest Washington. It’s easy to yearn nostalgic for long summer days, but through the falling…
There’s no denying ’90s nostalgia is in the air with the notable reemergence of baby-doll dresses, Doc Martens, and brown lipstick. Don’t be fooled,…
Shortly after her fortieth birthday, Bothell resident Michele Mehl took some time to re-evaluate. She was concerned about her health…
It’s never been a secret, I’m a summer girl through- and-through. To me, just about everything gets better in the summer. The weather is warmer, the colors are richer, senses…
I remember baking at L.A.’s “it” bakery in 2000 and being sent on an errand to “forage” the very best berries I could get my hands on. I took a wad of cash the chef gave me and headed out on my mission….
Instructor Carly Hayden rewards students who attend her YogaMosa class Saturday mornings at Bluewater Organic Distilling with an extra long savasana, or corpse pose. Savasana is the final relaxation pose of a typical yoga practice. After an hour of stretching, breathing, and balancing, students lie flat on their backs, close…
Enjoy a secluded mountain lake without a long trek or climb. The trail to Coal Lake is more of a jaunt to water’s edge and a starting point to explore further. In this neck…
Take to the Woody Trail for a sensational journey up the Wallace River. It’s one of Snohomish County’s premier hiking venues. Bring a lunch and a camera, and prepare for Wallace Falls to entice you to the top, persevering through an elevation gain of some 1,240 feet in 2.75 miles, though many don’t venture past the middle falls overlook. It’s a family friendly hike and good for all ages. The river and falls pound…
Raise your hand if you have more than an hour a day to do your makeup? Okay, now if your hand is raised, then use it to keep turning pages because this tutorial is not for you. (You’re an everyday “glamazon,” and I completely admire and respect you for that). As for the rest of us, take heart. It’s possible to look fresh…
Considering that roller derby is like the world’s roughest crossfit mixed with gladiatoral combat, it follows that these women are in seriously good shape. You can be, too, if you follow their strength training tips and tricks. I’m not a derby girl, just a wanna-be who makes up derby names for herself all the time, but I have lots of love for the wheeling sport. So if…
The earlier mornings, the not-so-occasional warm breeze, flower buds popping up, blossoms on trees, it’s spring! The time of year when all of us Pacific Northwesterners breathe a tiny sigh of relief; we made it through another winter. But what’s the best part about…
Adults across the world are suddenly going crazy over coloring. This traditional childhood pastime leap-frogged over biographies, histories, and politics to the top of the bestseller lists. Publishers promoted sales by offering a wide, imaginative range of books, some by well known…
Winter in the Pacific Northwest. The near-constant cloud cover brings the sky low and drapes the landscape in shadows. Often it’s dark when…
The former dairy farm is now grassland, and the peat mine is gone. Portage Creek Wildlife Area is gradually reverting to wetlands wilderness after years of commercial use.
The fitness model is simple, really. The six-week class meets just twice a week for one hour, which includes 25 minutes of a track workout focused on speed or pacing (your speed/pace), a sequence of drills like high skipping and lunges, three minutes of core strengthening, and a few minutes of stretching.
The feeling of floating on your stand up paddleboard and being surrounded by the elements as you practice yoga is nothing short of awe-inspiring. No matter where you are, whether a pristine lake, at a tropical ocean or even a marina surrounded by boats, you have the water flowing beneath you and the vast sky above.
Biking is an ideal winter activity both on-road and off-road. It’s great cross-training for avid skiers, and also for those whose knees and back rebel against the idea of carving downhill.
Considering that roller derby is like the world’s roughest crossfit mixed with gladiatoral combat, it follows that these women are in seriously good shape. You can be, too, if you follow their strength training tips and tricks.
The New Year can be a time of fresh beginnings for dietary changes and is a great place to start, but just how do you start eating healthy?
There are numerous kinds of apparatuses used in aerial acts, some of the most popular being hoop, hammock, rope, and silks.
Accounts differ, deities get in the mix, but according to most sources, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as we understand it began with the Shennong, a demigod known as the Divine Herdsman.
When reading labels, we should not only be reading our ingredient lists but learning about them.
simple solutions and product recommendations to help your beauty shine bright despite the wet, blustery winter weather.
As a young child I loved ballet and dreamed about becoming a ballerina. Fast forward to adulthood, and I have found the next best thing. It’s called the Booty Barre® method. I was so inspired by this workout that I went from being a student to a certified instructor. Booty Barre was created…
It’s that wonderful time of year when party invitations pour in. What does that mean? There will be rivers of mulled hard cider, eggnog and champagne abundantly flowing. Over-indulging in holiday libations may take a toll on…
This summer—my, oh my! It feels like this summer started about two months early this year and that beautiful, warm sunshine is continuing to knock it out of the park. As a makeup artist, summer is my busy season and all too often it feels like the sunshine disappears before it even started…
The Intricate Art of Edible Landscaping Western Washington is a gardener’s haven. With a mild climate, known as Zone 8 to fruit and vegetable growers, many plants thrive, often beyond our wildest expectations. Talk to those with a passion for edibles, and you start hearing things like, “Does kale ever die?” and “Do food banks take fresh garden…
Some people remember the strip mall at 196th and 36th in Lynnwood as the former home of Cinema 12, the local rundown theater that featured movies for a dollar. It was also the place you went to cruise on a weekend night in the pre-cell, pre-Facebook era, checking out the kids from other high schools in the area, in-person. Now the locale is a little more sedate—in fact, for women it’s downright relaxing….
It’s not much of a secret that I enjoy traveling long distances on foot—I’ve through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail twice. I love the way miles accumulate…
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and spring just around the corner, there is no question that the air is brimming with love. As women, I think we all can…
Before you hit the pavement running, be sure to choose the best running shoes for your foot type and running gate. This will be the most important decision you will make as a runner, because your running shoes will…
You have no excuse not to do this full-body circuit workout! Not only can you do it almost anywhere, but you don’t need any special equipment (just a timer, jump rope and a chair or bench). The entire workout takes about 20 minutes; first warm up with three-to-five minutes of light cardio, then repeat each circuit for the recommended time. There are 5 exercises in each circuit. The goal is simple — get the most bang for your…
If you aren’t intimidated by all of the acronyms associated with sunscreen, then my floppy straw hat is off to you. Even as a beauty professional I completely understand how labels like SPF, UVA, UVB, PA+++ (yes, that’s a real thing) can leave your head spinning. When boiled down, these terms confirm that without a protective shield between us and that big ball of fire in the sky, we are prone to skin damage, wrinkles and even skin…
It’s not much of a secret that I enjoy traveling long distances on foot — I’ve through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail twice. I love the way miles accumulate and push you forward, the way the sheer volume inspires you to press on for just a few more miles or hours….
Makeup How-To: Step 1: Skin Never skip skincare. You want to ensure that you have healthy skin to create a masterpiece from your perfect makeup canvas. Always start with a moisturizer suited for your skin type and a light…
GLOW Try mixing Mac’s Strobe Cream with your foundation. Use a damp sponge to apply it to your face, and your face will have a subtle glow. GILDED EYE A fancier way of saying metallic looking eyes, and it’s easy to do. Apply a smoky eye and top it off with…
Attempts, tries, uncertainty. Cooking and baking are full of risk. Risk of time and precious ingredients—the milk of a mother cow, eggs from an over-worked, over-laying chicken, beautiful produce that takes so much…
One of the most revelatory moments to be had as a home gardener is realizing the incredible volume of food that can be grown in a small space. A large container or two on your front or back porch, window boxes, and narrow in-ground planting beds can all produce food for you to enjoy. Window boxes and narrow or side-yard planting beds are usually close enough to your kitchen…
It’s here again, the beginning of a new year. As much as we try to maintain that we’re not interested in New Year’s resolutions, there is still a lingering voice in the back of our minds reminding us that with a new year comes new opportunities to do things right; to be better.
How many people get to live the dream of owning a spa? Well Beth and Tom Sanger do. At the beginning of 2014, Beth and Tom were the proud new owners of Ombú Salon + Spa, an Edmonds fixture at the corner of 6th and Main. The spa, on the verge of closing, needed rescuing, and the couple happily stepped in. They found…
Go to desirablebody.co.uk for more
As a personal trainer here in Bellingham for the past ten years, I have seen and experienced what does — and does not — work for clients who want to improve their health. Most people come to me with a goal in mind, but have no…
If your New Year’s resolution combines a renewed focus on beauty and extravagant self-pampering, you’re in for a treat. These fun, DIY skin products are perfect for nourishing your skin and giving you a head-to-toe glow. For ease and convenience, we have included products that you most likely already have in your kitchen. So dig in your pantry and get started on a great way to take care…
The New Year is upon us, and with it the desire to look our best. It would be so nice if we could wave a magic beauty wand, spin around and be ready for the ball. But in reality, we do have magic — it just is found at your local…
The New Year is a beautiful time to re-fresh, re-start, and focus on what really matters. Although I have never been a person to jump on the “resolution” bandwagon, I always love and relish in the scent of possibility each New Year brings. When looking forward to each New Year, one of my favorite things is to take a step-back and reflect on my goals; not just what I’d like to see happen but…
Women of Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties have an excellent option for healthcare that isn’t well-known up here — Citrine…
Everyone loves a bold, glam look for the holidays and this one is no exception. I wanted to create a look that was fun and fresh, but also sexy and versatile….
As fall turns into winter, the scent in the air that tells me it’s holiday time isn’t pine needles, but the hunger-inducing fragrance of potato latkes frying in oil. Hot, crispy, onion-y, this savory potato pancake is the featured item at…
I started out as an avid runner from an early age, from the time my brothers chased me until I became a competitive runner in high school and college. After a series of knee surgeries, I received the news that, at just age 24, I was bone-on-bone with the knee of an 80 year old. My doctor said, “If you want to walk when you are 30, you need to stop all impact sports now.”
It’s that time of year again — vacations are winding down, school is back in session and routine has resumed once more. Although we all know we’ll miss those carefree summer days, I can’t help but feel that fall is Bellingham’s favorite season. We…
Autumn This is it, the time of year in which all that is cozy and good comes out to stay a while. Autumn, fall, the holiday season, harvest, whatever. There is a real…
Owner and nail specialist, or shall I say nail guru, Tara Ellis is still sculpting and manicuring nails but with a few changes — a new location, a new business name, and a bigger staff. The Purple Door Beauty Lounge is a 4000…
Have you ever wondered if you were made for a different era? I sure have. Ever since I was young, vintage styles have always inspired…
Are you feeling out of control? Hypnosis can help. Are you feeling out of control in an area of your life? Do you know what you need to do, but find it hard — or nearly impossible—to follow through? Is there something in your life, like fear, stress, smoking, diet, drinking, or a lack of self confidence that seems to be in control of you, instead of you…
Cleaning Your Makeup Bag Toss anything expired! Do this now. Start with mascaras and toss out anything that is more than 8 weeks old. Old makeup is the most likely thing to cause problems ranging anywhere from skin irritations, pink eye and, in the most severe cases,…
Tucked away on the Guide Meridian, just a short drive down Telegraph Road, is one of the most relaxing, fun and professional day spas around. With an added salon, it has everything a customer could want. Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa, owned by…
Chances are “get in shape” has been on your New Year’s resolution list a time or two, and now more than ever the options for making that happen are varied as the reasons you give yourself for not getting in shape in the first place.
Here is a list of the most popular massage therapy types, including their features and benefits, to help you pick the best massage style for you. Then, work with your massage therapist to get exactly what you need out of your appointment.
Pampering, relaxation just the start of the benefits a spa visit can bring.
Down-home Southern favorite makes perfect New Year’s meal!
In Northwest Washington, we have an environment in which we can follow this lifestyle. We have access to a variety of fresh, local foods and farmers who raise animals in healthy environments to provide us with good quality milk, eggs and meat.
Sure-fire tips for a gorgeous holiday you! Once again, the holidays will fast be upon us and it seems they come faster and faster every year; and every year we vow to get a jump on the shopping, present wrapping and decorating, giving us more time to enjoy our friends, families and certainly all of the spectacular holiday parties this magical season has to offer. This year, to avoid any pre-party hair or makeup meltdowns, let me offer a…
