Thanksgiving arrives next week, officially kicking off the holiday season. We all hold dear our traditions and ways of sharing our gratitude. It may be a turkey trot in the morning, Friendsgiving, dinner out at a local restaurant, hosting family from out-of-town or traveling to visit loved ones. We asked our contributors to share their Thanksgiving traditions and a few also shared their favorite dish.

The holiday season is almost here and while it’s often a time of celebration and giving, for women in perimenopause and menopause, it can also be a time of hormonal fluctuations, mood swings, and physical discomfort. This year, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of wellness. Here are some ideas that will stretch your pocketbook.

I’m baffled by the number of women who still count calories. We know the dinosaur thinking of “calories in, calories out” is a farce, a myth, and incredibly shortsighted. The fitness industry wants you to believe it so they can sell you something like an app to track your calories. The nutrition industry wants you to continue to search for THE perfect combo of calories and foods so miraculously you’ll have that body of the woman on their IG post. But I want you to know the truth. 

With chlorine, sun and salt water no longer wreaking havoc on our manicures, we’re all in for rocking some new nail looks this fall. Our hands are an extension of our daily look/vibe/mood and keep us feeling polished (pun intended) during the fall madness. While we’ve been out and about in Old Town, we couldn’t help but notice the vast range of shades and styles displayed on our friends’ hands. So we asked our contributors to share the fall hues they’re loving:

So… you are noticing a few things…You’re losing sleep. You are a little more irritable or reactive over the “little things.” You seem to have increased pants sizes overnight. Your allergies came out of left field.  Soon you discover – from a knowledgeable source and NOT from Insta – you are in perimenopause.

I recently sat down with Emily Coccia, Owner and CEO of Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop, a menstrual health boutique for every phase and everyone, to talk about life, how to serve women best, and our upcoming program: Why Fitness at 40 Feels Elusive: Strategies to Feel Your Best at Any Age.

We begin to lose muscle mass at age 30. It’s crucial to keep it!  We have been sold a line that if we sweat, we will lose weight. To many, sweat is the indicator of a “good workout” and you think strength training won’t make you sweat. But that’s simply not true. 

The reality is, summer did fly by, and the kids are already waiting at the bus stop. When you’re on the go 24/7, trying to savor every precious (and humid) moment of summer – August immediately follows July 4th weekend. We asked our contributors to share what they’re squeezing in before fall arrives.

I understand that gym memberships and pre-dawn workouts no longer fit your reality. I’ve been there. But fear not, there are smarter ways to incorporate exercise into your busy schedule. Here are three strategies to stay focused on your wellness during the crazy days of September:

Everyone is an athlete. Whether you're preparing for a global tour like Taylor Swift or simply aiming to stay active, dedication to physical fitness is paramount. Taylor is 34 going on 35, and as she navigates her career, she’s also setting an excellent example for those approaching perimenopause.

While we commonly see celebs sharing what’s in their purse – we prefer to know what’s in the bag you’re toting to the pool and beach, because we inevitably always forget something! So we asked our contributors to share what’s stowed in theirs.

Don't let hot flashes steal your sunshine! By packing some smart essentials in your beach bag, you can transform a potentially uncomfortable outing into a day of pure relaxation.

This summer, I’m recommending you embrace both relaxation and mind-stimulation. A captivating story or inspiring tale can give you just the break you need, whether poolside or tucked into bed. 

While we've been cruising around Old Town – walking, shopping, attending openings – we’ve also been checking out each other’s nails. We asked our contributors to share the summer hues they’re loving; see if any of these shades work for you.

With the Tony Awards this month, I’m looking forward to the fashion and the drama. But do you know what's another red carpet topic? Menopause. Yes, I said it. It's not some dirty word we should avoid; it's something we should celebrate.

With the rising popularity of weight loss drugs and an endless stream of new diets, the false images, unrealistic expectations, and empty promises they sell us are impossible to ignore.

Midlife is a time of incredible transformation. We gain wisdom, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for who we are.

There were days during my perimenopause journey when I would arrive at work sluggish and wishing I could have had an extra hour of sleep.

We tapped two of our local fitness and health experts, Adrien Cotton of Adrien Cotton Wellness and Dr. Shara Posner of Back to Health Center to gain insight into their strength training, energy fuel and sleep habits.

I’m so pleased to share something a little different with you. My friend, Dr. James Simon, Medical Director and Founder of IntimMedicine Specialists, and I dove deep into how women in their 40s and beyond can look good and feel good using medical—and holistic methods.