Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Acceptance Hello Anger I just finished Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach... for the second time. If you've been around here for a while, you know I talk about acceptance often. Not because I've mastered it mind you. It's one of the things I struggle with most. It came up again in my recent conversation with friend, fellow mom, and therapist, Theresa Grzebinski, so I pulled the book out again. It is SO GOOD. I know your "Books To Read" list is already...
11 days ago • 3 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Nutrition Protein is good. Fiber is transformational. If there were a supplement that improved digestion, balanced blood sugar, supported hormones, strengthened immunity, and reduced long-term disease risk… we’d all be taking it. But here’s the kicker: it’s not a supplement. It’s fiber. And most women and children aren’t even coming close to getting enough. The average adult woman should aim for ~25 grams/day. Most children need their age + 5–10...
25 days ago • 4 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Parenting Your Kid Isn't The Problem Last week's newsletter clearly struck a chord, so we're staying one more week with parenting struggles. Nineteen years ago, in a therapy session, I shared a story about bossing my husband around. I think I was silencing him in front of others or something. My therapist calmly asked, "Why do you feel you need to do that?" "Because he's such a good guy - I want people to like him!" She paused, then asked, "Why? What...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Parenting The Hardest Leadership Role I've Ever Had Forgive me if I've shared this story before but it perfectly describes the difference in my kids. One night when they were maybe three and seven, I was in Nadia's room putting her to bed. Nose to nose in the dark, I asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Without hesitation (and with a little devilish grin) she said, "A bee so I can STING people!" Part of me was impressed with the...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Vibrant Health Your Game Plan For A Less Miserable Spring Years ago, when I quit my management role at DU (on March 1), I spent the following month or more exhausted. Something wasn't right. I should have been bouncing off the walls with energy as I had a lot to be excited about. It was MY decision to quit! I was looking forward to just focusing on building my nutritional supplement and personal training businesses, I was recently engaged to Ali, and...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Perception Proof Is Everywhere (If You're Looking For It) I can barely get Nadia to watch the videos I take of her. If she gets any time on instagram she'd rather watch funny animal videos than herself. I love this about her. But on our way to Parkour the other day, she stumbled upon my Nadia highlights. A collection of little moments I've saved over the years - things she said, outfits she proudly wore (she had QUITE her own style), funny quirks,...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Savoring Before It's Over We've (barely) survived the flu season here at the Barghelame house. Nadia was on the cusp of pneumonia, bringing her school absence total to 16 for the year, and Izak still doesn't have his voice back... but we survived. We were popping zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, and Quercitin like candy and finally set up a humidifier in Izak's room. Of course if we'd just been better about all that BEFORE the flu hit, we probably would...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Nutrition The Real Answer Is Hiding In Plain Sight. My hope in these newsletters is to help you find the little tweaks that can make the most positive difference for you. Nutrition is one of the MOST IMPORTANT areas of opportunity because what you put IN effects everything your body does (metabolism, thinking, energy, mood, vibrance, immunity, poop...😁) Everything! Did you know selenium, zinc and iodine support healthy thyroid function? Most of us...
2 months ago • 3 min read
I think teaching kids how to interact with all ages helps them realize there is a world beyond their own. Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Social Skills Hear Me Out Of all the health measures - sleep, VO2, grip strength, steps - the most important, if your goal is to live a long, fulfilling life, is social connection. Fitness expert Dan Go wrote in a recent newsletter, A meta-analysis of 148 studies and over 300,000 people found that weak social connections raised the risk of early...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Arete Warriors - spirit, mind, body strong Spirituality A Season Of Preparation and Refocus Nadia came home with the flu a week ago last Tuesday. We didn't realize it was the flu until it was too late to give her Tamiflu. When Izak came down with it Saturday night, we got him on it Sunday morning... and six days later, he is still wrecked. Three months ago I wrote to you about ways to boost your immune system. Unfortunately, these kids have not been consistent with their morning drink...
3 months ago • 2 min read