Five years ago, I ended up with a mysterious illness. Effectively, my immune system took a roller coaster ride and ended up going completely off the rails. My body never recovered.

Following this incident, I found myself incredibly sensitive to food and the environment around me. Gluten, dairy, canola oil, soy all became off limits. I was not allergic per se. I just felt awful every time I time I came across these ingredients.

Interestingly, over 20% of the American public today say they have a food allergy today. …

PARENTING AND LIFE

Tragedy always strikes when you least expect it. And when it does, it can tear your life apart. It might strike in the form of death, divorce or illness. But these tragedies all share a common thread. Namely — they wreak havoc on you, your family and your relationships.

I should know. I’ve lived this first-hand.

Four years ago, I got sick. So sick in fact, that I had a hard time getting out of bed in the mornings. Most of my days were spent in horrible pain and I struggled to focus on anyone’s needs but my own. …

MENTAL HEALTH

Last year, the death of Lorna Breen, a medical director of the emergency department at New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital, garnered headlines across the United States. She had taken her own life. Her story highlighted a disturbing trend in the medical field, namely — the underlying struggle of physicians with mental health and suicide.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, doctors have the highest suicide rate in any profession. In fact, in the United States, roughly one doctor dies by suicide every single day.

But the plight of physicians is not unique in this country. Physicians are the canaries in…

I am not afraid of many things in this world. But the usual roundup of deadly creatures — like snakes, spiders, and sharks, are always on the top of my list.

I’ve seen Jaws, after all. And it wasn’t pretty. The dah-nah, dah-nah, dah-nah as the music heightens right before the attack, didn’t help. I had nightmares for months after seeing that film. And I’ve never been able to enter the ocean without a slight chill running through my body at the thought of a nearby shark swinging by for a visit.

It turns out, that I am not alone…

PETS AND SATIRE

Dear Toffee.

Are you really a dog?

I’ve never believed in reincarnation. But perhaps, I should. Because I think you might be a dirty old man.

I’ve tried to ignore the signs, but you just keep throwing them in my face.

I woke up to find you licking my face this morning. Which is a sweet gesture. For a dog. But you have the worst breath. Like a man who hasn’t brushed his teeth in days.

And your hygiene, in general, is suspect.

You drink water from the toilet bowl. You eat goose poop in the park. …

FEMINISM AND EQUALITY

Women have always struggled with their periods. Not only has bleeding been perceived as taboo in many countries across the globe, but women through the ages have also been forced to rely on a whole slew of unsavory materials, ranging from moss and papyrus to wooden sticks to keep their periods hidden and at bay.

Today, the stigma around periods has slowly begun to dissipate. And feminine products have become smaller, more comfortable and much safer.

But women in the United States are still struggling when it comes to their periods.

Why?

Because the products they so desperately need to…

POETRY

I woke today a squiggle
I want to be a line
My back is very twisted
My neck is not so fine

I tried to smooth the edges
To pull those ends apart
But when I grabbed my ankles
I gave that line a start

The squiggle she did tighten
Into an angry ball
I ran into the bathroom
But there I had a fall

I bounced right through the doorway
And landed with a sigh
I rolled across the bathroom tile
And kissed that line goodbye

For now that line is twisted At least that’s how it feels My…

SOCIETY AND LIFESTYLE

Finland has just taken home the title of the happiest country on the planet. This frosty nation with a population that could fit inside the state of Minnesota is often shrouded in the darkness between the months of November and February. In Lapland, temperatures can often dip well below freezing.

Clearly, Finland must do something right. Because winter in Finland is not what I picture when I think of my happy place.

But Finns are happy. In fact, this is the 4th year in a row that Finland has been handed this title.

According to United Nations World Happiness Report…