For women in perimenopause and menopause and post menopause, the stories are the same, and they’re heartbreaking. I applaud those women who have courageously come to me to express their intimacy concerns. It’s time we talk about just how important these issues are to our midlife health and wellness.

Today, I’m handing the microphone to the team. These are the gifts they love to give and the pieces they’re using in their own homes. I hope their picks spark an idea, solve a list, or simply make you smile.

We’re endlessly inspired by the women in our lives. They are busy, brilliant, generous, and juggling more than most will ever know. Whether she needs rest, rejuvenation, or a little everyday luxury, these gifts deliver something she’ll truly love, and absolutely never re-gift.

We all remember the era when red wine was touted as the shortcut to better health and longer life. Turns out, much of that buzz stemmed from studies in yeast and mice—not humans—and the latest research is setting the record straight. Here’s what you really need to know now.

Between travel, jet lag, and nonstop family plans, the holidays can make it tough to stay on track with fitness. But what if you could feel strong and energized no matter where you are? I’ve discovered the key to doing just that. It all comes down to one surprising item I pack every time I travel.

As the pace of life quickens and the holidays approach, many of us start to feel the pull between excitement and exhaustion. It’s that in-between space, full of celebration but short on rest, where our inner balance begins to shift. And one of the first places we feel it? In our digestion, our sleep, our mood, and even our skin.

We’re surrounded by “anti-aging” everything — creams, treatments, filters, touch-ups. It’s almost as if showing signs of growing older is something we should apologize for. But here’s the truth: every wrinkle, every silver strand, every shift in how we move or look is a story.

For many, the newest round of weight loss medications, including the GLPs, has been a godsend and a relief. It has represented, for many, a new lease on life. Individuals taking weight loss medications must prioritize strength training to ensure their weight loss is healthy and sustainable. 

October is the month of cozy cravings, pumpkin bread, chili, and a little Halloween candy “sampling.” But those comfort foods can quietly stir up inflammation, leaving you stiff, puffy, and tired. You don’t have to give up comfort food to feel better. Just make a few small swaps.

Snoring isn’t just annoying. It’s a health issue. A snoring partner can be a huge obstacle to achieving good quality sleep. Your snoring partner negatively impacts your (and your partner’s) cortisol, growth hormone, weight, metabolism, cravings, melatonin, sex hormones, ability to grow muscle and to detox your brain – it really is everything.

Physical therapy has a unique place in the cancer continuum. While other providers focus on treating the cancer itself, PT is where we focus solely on you—your comfort, your function, and your quality of life. As a physical therapist who walks alongside patients during their journey, there are a few things I wish every single breast cancer patient knew from time of diagnosis.

Listen, this is coming from the queen of the no-breakfast club herself. I spent many years, especially when I was working and parenting my toddlers, skipping breakfast completely. But I’ve seen, especially now when I skip breakfast, how I become more stressed, have more cravings, and see less results from my workouts.

One philosophy that so many of our members are now practicing is the 15-minute workout. I want to share with you a few exercises that I’ve really loved lately. You don’t even need any fancy equipment. All these exercises can be paired with one another, and they can be modified in multiple ways. And, when done correctly, they work EVERYTHING–in just 10-15 minutes time!

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve tried every cleanser, serum, or treatment but your skin still won’t calm down, you’re not alone. The truth? When skincare alone isn’t enough, it’s often the gut sending signals through the skin.

Perimenopause starts earlier than most women realize, often while they’re still deep in the parenting trenches. It can begin in our thirties and can last up to 10 years. Layer in your own hormonal shifts, and the smallest disruption can hit like a tidal wave.

When her first lease deal fell through, Danielle Farrah thought her dream of opening a wellness studio was slipping away. Instead, it was the push that led her to create The Lalita Method in North Old Town—a boutique Pilates experience rooted in balance, design, and community.

This summer reminded me how easy it is to put myself last while taking care of everyone else. I see this every day in my patients too, and I’m on a mission to change it. From cancer recovery to pelvic floor therapy, I want women to know the issues we’ve accepted as “normal” are not.

Perimenopause meets parenting—and the collision is real. From mood swings and brain fog to hot flashes and identity shifts, these changes shape how we show up as parents. Join me and Mary Willcox Smith for an honest conversation about finding your power through both seasons of life.

Summer in Alexandria brings sunshine, waterfront walks, and boat rides—but for many, it also brings a wave of anxiety about body image. You don’t need a “summer body” to enjoy summer. You don’t need to hide under layers in this humid heat. You might just need to challenge the way the world has taught you to see your body.

I understand the apprehension many women have about weights, or “loads” as we call them. You may prefer lighter weights because you believe that more reps are better (not always!) or that you’d get bulky by lifting heavy (another falsehood!) or that you’d get hurt. But in my programs, we teach you how to lift correctly, choose the right weights, and design programs that build strength.