Skagit’s Wellness Sanctuary | Quantum Health Pilates & Yoga Lounge
Quantum Health Pilates & Yoga Lounge has a natural way of drawing people in. With its relaxed environment, it offers visitors of every ability level a place to recharge and…
Wellbeing
A Relaxing Gateway to Holistic Personal Care | The Wildflower Spa
The Wildflower Spa has fully bloomed on Mount Vernon’s bustling 1st Street after expanding their space and services in 2025. Previously known as Bare Boutique, this spa provides healing experiences in more ways than one. Master Esthetician and Founder Hana LaMay’s 19-year- and-counting career as an esthetician began in the med spa arena, where she realized…
Teaching Self-Care | Skagit Alexander Technique
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 recently opened Skagit Alexander Technique in Mount…
Your Skin’s Best Defense Against Age
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…
Pacific Northwest Health Perks
January 2023 Feature, Keeping your mind and body healthy and active.
10 Must-Try Beauty Treatments
Skin and body treatments and what local spas to find them in.
Personalized Care with a Positive Touch
Callahan Wellness
Beauty More than Skin Deep
Mae Botanicals
Heart Your Heart
Chances are high that every American has come face to face with heart disease in some form. It’s the number one killer in both the United States and the world, so even if you aren’t personally affected, you probably know someone who is. On the bright side, however, there are plenty of ways to prevent heart disease by taking care of this vital organ in your day-to-day life. As 2022…
Connect Family Chiropractic
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 one fan.” After graduating, Andrew…
Heart Health for Four-Legged Friends
Q&A with Dr. Brita Kiffney of Northshore Veterinary Hospital
Intermittent Fasting: A Formula for Health
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.
Mount Vernon Women’s Clinic Aims to Change Lives
Chinn GYN, LLC
Easy Steps to Skin Success
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.
Serenity, Surfing, and Serious Connection
FLUX Yoga Retreats
Q&A with Health & Wellness Expert Sonia Jhas
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 about how to reset health…
This Mother’s Day, say ‘I Love You’ at Spero Spa
Mother’s Day Specials at Spero Skin Spa Salon
The Importance of Iodine…and Why You Might Be Deficient
Iodine is an essential trace mineral needed for optimal thyroid function
AFresh Way to Care
AFresh Respiratory Therapy Services & Equipment
Men Like to be Pampered Too
PURE Skin + Wellness offers Waxings, Lash Lifts, and More
Teas and Tinctures for Your Troubles
Living Earth Herbs Apothecary
Work It Out
A guide to local gyms
Healthy Knees for a Happier Life
New book & guided program aim to keep knees strong
Stressed? In Pain? Try Red Light Therapy
Combat stress, pain, inflammation, and more with Red Light Therapy.
Acupuncture for the People
Bellingham Community Acupuncture
Live with Intent
Bellingham’s newest hot yoga studio welcomes everyone.
Skincare for your 30s, 40s, and 50s
As your skin changes, so should your skincare routine. Here’s a guide on how it should change through the decades.
Living with MS: Q&A with Trish Palmer
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.
Four-Legged Fitness Hero
Meet the Bellingham cat that has taken the internet by storm, one paw at a time.
Where and Why to Sauna
Sweat out your toxins and your worries at these featured local saunas.
A Silver Lining
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.
Autumn’s Comforting Bounty
Nutrition blogger and food photographer, Cassie Elliott, utilizes the fresh foods of the season to create this flavorful, gluten-free dish.
Set Yourself up for Clear Skin Success
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.
Cooking with Wine
Wine enthusiast Dan Radil gives readers a delicious alternative to pouring out those half-empty bottles of wine: his single skillet chicken picatta recipe.
A Recipe for Meditation
Nutrition blogger, Cassie Elliott, provides readers with a colorful, nutritious, and delicious dish—easy to make with only four main ingredients.
Pro Tips for Highlighting Your Freckles
Bellingham makeup artist, Elizabeth Marie Hayes gives us some of her top pro tips and products to help your freckles shine all year long.
ASB Trail
As part of Bellingham’s waterfront cleanup project, locals can enjoy the ASB Trail and the spectacular views it has to offer.
Bringing the Heat
Beauty connoisseur Lindsey Major is here to share—check out her go-to summertime makeup looks and products, along with hydration and protection tips.
The Almighty Breakfast Salad
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.
Acne and Self-Esteem
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.
Smoothie, To Go
Arlené Mantha, professional chef from Los Angeles, shares her favorite green smoothie so you can take a nutritional breakfast on the go.
Seasoned Generously with Love
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.
Scrub Me Tender
Learn to make your own natural Tea Tree and Lavender Sugar Scrub to exfoliate and remove dry, dead skin after a long winter.
Travel Destinations
April’s Online Exclusive spotlights two additional Travel Destinations: Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, and Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
In Spring, Get Radishes for Pickling
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.
The Essentials of Essential Oils
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.
Catch Plenty of Omega 3 With Your Salmon
Barlean’s Fishery Inc. in Ferndale provides fresh seafood for healthy eating. The company also manufactures and distributes Omega 3 supplements.
Tenant Lake Park in Ferndale
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.
Want Healthy Skin? First, Look at What You’re Eating
Tianna Tsitsis of RejuvenationMD shares her favorite foods and bad habits to break to help us achieve radiant, healthy skin.
Keeping Your Mind Sharp
There are many different ways to exercise your brain and keep your mind sharp. Some techniques include coloring, games, and communicating with others.
Plants Offer Options For Backyard Medicine Cabinet
These medicinal plants have healing properties. You can look for them in the wild or grow them yourself, like having a backyard medicine cabinet.
Reconnecting with Our Food
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!
Let the Healing Begin
Eugene Leonard is the owner of Anacortes Cannabis. Many of their products have healing properties to help with symptoms such as anxiety or sleeplessness.
Fit Plan for Life
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.
Fit Plan for Life
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.
Fit Plan for Life
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.
Beyond Clearing the Clutter
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.
First ‘Knee-versary’
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.
Winter Comfort
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.
Skin Care Goals: A New You for the New Year
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.
Christmas Morning Present: Blackberries and Biscuits
Arelené Mantha of Twofiftyflora has blackberries and biscuits for a perfect Christmas morning treat. Try her blackberry sauce on buttermilk biscuits recipe!
Getting Back to Our Roots
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.
Wellness Centers
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.
In Her Last Call, Ashley Shares Her Finishing Touches
Makeup artist and owner of Love Beauty in Bellingham Ashley Thomasson shares her secrets to can’t-live-without products for her finishing touches.
Simple Cooking Yields Easy Chili
With just a little bit of planning, prep, and organization, anyone can use this super simple recipe for instant pot chili.
Baker Hot Springs
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.
Skin Care Rehab?
Tianna Tsitsis of RejuvenationMD shows us an advanced, effective natural treatment for cellular rejuvenation throughout the body using blood platelets.
A Younger Glow
Master esthetician Lisa Crosier shares her secrets on anti-aging and the two types of exfoliation to give you a younger glow.
The Breakdown on Hair Removal
Beauty professional Cheryl Jason gives us the breakdown on three different types of hair removal: waxing, sugaring, and threading.
Therapy: Float Tanks, or Sensory Deprivation Tanks
Epsom salt float tanks help relax muscles, pressure on joints, and alleviate stress.
Island Vista
Managed by the Lummi Island Hertiage Trust, within the Baker Preserve, a hikers only trail provides stunning views on Lummi Island.
Harvesting Suppers This Summer
Summer is a great time for buying local and eating fresh foods. Planning meals ahead can save you time for other fun summer activities.
Seasonal Touch-Up
This fall season, get that fresh, clean, bold look with beauty tips from makeup artist Ashlely Thomasson, owner of Love Beauty.
Getting Serious About Sunburn
Stay safe this summer and protect your skin from sunburn by learning about UV radiation.
Waterfront Picnic
This milestone is worthy of a celebration — and is picnic-worthy!
Is Low-Carb the Way to Go?
Proteins, Fats Give Energy Too These days it seems that every other news story is talking about the merits (or pitfalls) of…
Esthetician to the Rescue
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 of all, addressing the misconceptions you may have about your own skin. I have been a master esthetician for more than 20 years and watched as the industry changed signifcantly. In the past, an esthetician mainly performed relaxation and pampering spa treatments. Today, estheticians are licensed skin care specialists…
Walking With the Nooksack River
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 across Douglas Fir Campground, is the start of a must-do trail: Horseshoe Bend….
A Real Estate Lifer
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 a big personality, a welcoming and telegenic smile, and an emerging talent in the field. With just three years in real estate, Antczak, 30, has earned a spot at the top in Whatcom County. In 2017, the Whatcom County…
Why We Eat Local in Bellingham
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…
Getting Through Tears, Sweat, Heat
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 for…
Working its way into the mainstream
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, asthma, insomnia, menopause, and a variety of other ailments. Theory behind the therapy: Acupuncture is an…
Take a Hike
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 into…
Medical Aesthetics, Explained
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 to seek help. Once mainly the purview of dermatologists and plastic surgeons, only a few hours of television will bombard you…
April Showers Bring May Flowers
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…
Go with Your Gut – It’ll Help Your Brain
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…
Skin Esthetician’s Mission: Empowering Women & Teens
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…
Take a Hike: Whatcom Falls Park
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…
Glorious Winter Greens
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…
Makeup Tips for the Time-Challenged
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 you, I am busy! The last thing I have time to do is to spend time on myself. So, in an effort to minimize my…
Opioid Addiction, Why Saying “NO” Is So Hard
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.
Yes, Cold Can Give You A Cold
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 PBS report, “Scientists Finally Prove Why Cold Weather Makes You Sick,” Yale scientists have the…
Make it a Merry January with A Kale-icious Salad
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…
Bellingham Olympian Angeli VanLaanen
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 freestyle skiing, she is putting down roots where she started. She sounds content, relieved almost, to be watching the 2018 Games that begin Feb. 8 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. “I kind of always thought I would end up back here,” said the 2014 Olympian VanLaanen by phone from…
Pass the Butter
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 normally found in the food we eat (think beef, chicken, pork,…
Adding Easy Glitter Puts a Shine on the Holidays
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 whatever reason, once a year around the holidays, it never fails: I crave…
Take a Hike
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…
Nourishing Roots
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 — the Lone Star State I hail from — but not carrots like this. The perfect crunch, the…
Jet-Setting Makeup Hacks
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…
Halloween Makeup, DIY-Style
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 super-cute, innocent, easy and perfect for all…
Road Trip Yields Dinnertime Discovery
A couple of things are true about me: 1. Being a mother and a partner has been one of the greatest privileges of my life; 2. I am definitely a homebody. I love the pictures and the beauty that I see on social media of all the amazing places this world has to offer and yet…
Maximum View, Minimal Incline
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…
Butter Chicken Smooths, Soothes Transition to Autumn
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…
Tips to Make Your Wine Tour Fashionable (and Comfortable)
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, or Tuscany, or the Columbia Gorge — I’m on a mental vacation from my responsibilities, sharing in a glass that is a universal symbol for hospitality, in…
A Casually Chic Night Out
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 works well as office attire can also be worn for a night out. Let’s say that you and a friend, or…
Celebrating Summer: Self-Care through Seasonal Eating
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….
Endless Possibilities at Deception Pass
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…
Eat Local: Genius Campaign?
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 industry, live by this slogan. These dedicated friends and family shop at farmers…
Reaching for the Sky
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…
But First, Food
“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,…
Cosmetic Enhancements
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 look at some of the more commonplace and minimally invasive procedures on the market today. Permanent Cosmetics More people are popping up with perfect liner, great brows, and fuller-looking hair, all thanks…
Chuckanut Ridge Trail (from Cleator Road Overlook)
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 County still has a variety of hikes that keep you out of the mud and allow outdoor people of all skill levels to enjoy our beautiful scenery year-round. For an easy spring…
Radishes: The Crown Jewel of Spring
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…
Dance in Bellingham
Open Classes Encourage All-Comers A neighborhood cafe links, window to window, with a wide-open space — symbiotically, a dance studio. At the Firehouse Café, lattes are not the only treats on the menu. Open dance classes are offered in the next room over. Ballet, modern, and contemporary are taught throughout the week. An open dance class is…
Shaping Up For Spring And Summer
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 knew she wanted to work for herself, and so Spruced was born. The salon is clean, open, and airy. Comfortable lounge chairs greet customers in the intimate lobby space. Five or six styling chairs line the back wall. Lights reflecting off…
Food Thoughts: the Art of Mindful Eating
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 give much thought to what they eat on any day. And I get it, because I was once like that too. We are living in a time when almost 10% of Americans have Type II diabetes, nearly 70% of…
Portage Creek Wildlife Area
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…
Eating in Season
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 food that’s on its…
The Buzz About Barre
As a young child I loved ballet and dreamed about becoming a ballerina. Fast forward to adulthood, and I have…
Spring Break Travel Essentials
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…
Winter Abundance Bowls: Local Cooking from the Heart
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…
50 Ways to Pamper Yourself
Down and Dirty with Docs
Warm Up from the Inside Out
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…
The Health & Medical Profiles
Self-Care Essentials
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 most important thing you can do, is take care of yourself. Okay. Maybe…
Partly Sunny: Clear Skin is in the Forecast
Though the rest of the country might believe it’s perpetually raining in the Pacific Northwest, we know better. Our weather is more complicated than that, which makes it challenging to know how…
How Pilates “Found” Me
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 2 minutes, 81 sit-ups in two minutes, and could run in formation for five miles in my polished black boots. I could carry a rucksack and an M16…
Detox 101
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…
Grief Cuisine: Nutrition-Packed Easy Meals
When my mother died, the very last thing I ever wanted to do again was cook. The task of conceiving of a meal, shopping for it, preparing it, and cleaning up was a mountain between me and the need to sit with my sorrow. For people with depression, suffering from anxiety, and other difficulties, cooking and eating is hard enough with nutrition as an afterthought. So there’s fast food, taco trucks, frozen dinners — but after a…
Five Minutes to Fresh and Fabulous
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…
The Vegetable that Changed My Life
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 leaves and impending dampness, there is a certain beauty in the air. And, it’s one of my favorite times of year for food, namely late summer veggies. Local jewels like beets,…
Brow Rehab
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, though, when it comes to eyebrows. Women are swapping their pencil-thin brows for a more modern, full look. If you are like…
Excy: Spin Your Way to Fitness
Shortly after her fortieth birthday, Bothell resident Michele Mehl took some time to re-evaluate. She was concerned about her health and felt frustrated by a gym membership she paid for but wasn’t using. She struggled to achieve her fitness goals because of her busy schedule and a commitment to spending quality time with family and friends. Inspiration came during a visit to the skate park with her nine-year-old son. In an attempt to fit…
Berry Beauty
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 are heightened, and the flavors are sweeter. As it always seems to go by ever-so-quickly, I find myself trying to savor each sight and bring the inspiration of the season into everything I do—my beauty routine is no exception. One of my biggest summer inspirations are the…
The Berry Dinner
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…
Stretch and Sip Your Way to Saturday Morning Bliss
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 their eyes, and scan their bodies for tension. They embrace stillness and focus on relaxing each part, feeling the sensation of…
Trail Review | Coal Lake
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 of the woods, the crowds are sparse, the cedars are old growth, and the water is clear and swimming is encouraged. The hike to the lake may be short, but the road to…
Trail Review | Wallace Falls
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…
Five Minutes to Fresh and Fabulous
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…
Roller Derby Workout
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…
Get Fresh with Spring Veggies
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 spring? Well, the food of course! The delicately sweet flavor of sprouts: sunflower, clover, pea shoots; paired with the peppery and delightfully pungent tastes of radishes, arugula, dandelion or mustard…
The Coloring Craze
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,…
ROOM TO BREATHE Organization For The New Year
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 we wake to leave for work and dark once more by the time we return home. For most of us, the colder, wetter, gloomier weather means more time spent indoors. In January, once the festivities of the holidays are over, the winter season can mean a rest from activity…
Portage Creek Wildlife Area
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 Fit School
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.
Stand Up Paddle Yoga
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.
Winter Biking
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.
Roller Derby Workout
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 Key to Eating Well: Meal Planning
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?
Aerial Artistry with Terril Teran Mire
There are numerous kinds of apparatuses used in aerial acts, some of the most popular being hoop, hammock, rope, and silks.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Explored
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.
Conscious Cosmetics – Go Beyond The Label
When reading labels, we should not only be reading our ingredient lists but learning about them.
Fresh Face For Winter
simple solutions and product recommendations to help your beauty shine bright despite the wet, blustery winter weather.
The Buzz About Barre
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 by fitness expert Tracey Mallet in 2009. It has grown from a hot trend available at…
Tis’ The Season, It’s Party Time
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…
Hello, Sunshine! Summer Beauty Tips & Tricks
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…
Tasteful Beauty
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…
Olympus Spa
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…
Trail Running Inspiration
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….
Creating a simple date night look
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 relate to wanting to look our best, especially looking forward…
Hitting the pavement with the right fit
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 determine whether or not you will have a good running experience. Here are some key points to consider while shopping for shoes at your favorite specialty running store: Indentify your running profile In order…
30-Day Body Blast
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…
The Skinny on SPF
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…
Trail Running Inspiration
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,…
Vintage Glamour
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…
Spring Beauty Trends
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…
On Failing Better in the Kitchen
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 time to plant and grow, farmers’ energy and precious…
Small Space Growing: Beautiful Edible Containers
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…
Nutrition Goals for the New Year
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.
Ombú Salon + Spa
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…
15 Exercises you can do at your desk
Go to desirablebody.co.uk for more
Set Goals, Focus on Change and Get Results
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 idea on how to achieve it. Any health-related goal can be achieved by making a few small changes, planning ahead and accepting the fact that there are…
Beauty Resolution
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…
Beauty Magic
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 medspa and beauty bar. Wrinkles, loose and blotchy skin and other imperfections can get in the way…
Keep your skin healthy
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…
Citrine Health
Women of Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties have an excellent option for healthcare that isn’t well-known up here — Citrine Health. Formerly the Positive Women’s Network, this one-stop wellness and health center has been in operation for 20 years. Executive Director Kerri Mallams said, “We changed the name because we also have programs for men.”…
Holiday Glam
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. Glitter is a trend that never goes away and is especially present during the holidays. Here, I’ll teach you…
Latkes: Grated Goodness
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 Hanukkah dinners and parties, and the focus of latke-eating contests. Before the New…
Online Exclusive – Biking
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.”
Styling For the Family Photo
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…
American Pie on the Fly
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 security in leaning into these comforts: food, sweaters, books, wood-burning stoves, puzzles, and Vitamin D. I have become aware that I am submitting to a rhythm that is…
Purple Door Spa
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 square foot pampering paradise that opened in March. “I wanted…
Vintage Inspiration
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 me and I often found myself nostalgic for those simpler days. Today, my Pandora station is riddled with the Rat Pack and Elvis Presley, A-line dresses make…
Hypnosis: Helping You Help Yourself
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…
Warm Weather Glow: Staying Beautiful in the Summer Months
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…
Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa
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 Nova Scotia-raised Darlene Van Larkin, offers massages, hair services,…
Ready For A New Way To Get In Shape?
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.
Get A Better Massage
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.
Healthy Spa
Pampering, relaxation just the start of the benefits a spa visit can bring.
Recipe For Health & Good Fortune
Down-home Southern favorite makes perfect New Year’s meal!
Mediterranean Lifestyle: A Delicious Recipe For Healthy, Happy Living
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.
Glam up for the holidays
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…