About My Midlife Mix

About 20 years ago, I visited Canyon Ranch, a health resort nestled in the Berkshire Mountains, and was instantly hooked on the mind-body-spirit connection. Since then, I’ve returned every year, always bringing home a small way to add a healthy element to my life. Some habits stuck for a while, others longer—depending on how busy life happened to be at the time.

Even though I was living a reasonably healthy lifestyle, I began to gain weight—slowly but steadily—and it was driving me crazy. Frustrated, I dove into research and started learning about perimenopause and the changes that come with midlife—topics my doctor hadn’t even mentioned up to that point.

After our youngest left for college, I finally had the time and mental space to dig deeper and put an action plan into motion. Through trial and error, I discovered the diet and lifestyle changes that truly worked for me.

Life is busy—and if you still have kids at home or a full-time job, finding the time and energy to focus on you can feel nearly impossible. My hope is to share a mix of insights, tips, and products I’ve discovered along the way that might make your midlife journey a little easier.

My motto, shaped by all those years at Canyon Ranch, still holds true: small steps can lead to big shifts. Being realistic, and giving yourself grace, is the name of the game.

Photo: Me and My Husband Warren

A Mix of Midlife Must-Reads

"The Menopause Brain" by Lisa Mosconi, PhD

This book breaks down the science behind midlife changes—especially how your brain and hormones are connected. It offers actionable tips (my favorite part!) and reinforces the idea that diet and lifestyle choices really do make a big difference in how you feel.

"Metabolical" by Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSL

“Metabolical” helps you understand the challenges of today’s food landscape—especially the impact of processed foods on our health. While there is a lot of information to sift through, it’s all aimed at helping you take back control and make smarter choices.

"Good Energy" by Casey Means, MD, with Calley Means

I keep this one close by as a go-to reference—especially after getting blood work done. It breaks down optimal ranges for things like cholesterol, hormones, and key vitamins in a way that actually makes sense. Even better? It offers practical, science-backed suggestions to support your health and lifestyle goals.