I continue to practice journalism as a free lance writer since leaving my full time newspaper job. Many are consumer health and fitness stories written for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, (Ca.) a New York Times newspaper.

Here’s a sampling:

THE POWER OF GARLIC
Its benefits are immense; just ask expert Chester Aarons, 87, of Occidental. Occidental garlic expert Chester Aaron, who starts his mornings by chewing three or four garlic cloves, has written three books on garlic and still grows 40 varieties from 30 different countries.
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MASSAGE NOT JUST A LUXURY
No longer considered just a luxury pampering for the rich or a wink-wink euphemism for something sexier, massage or body work has become a popular, legitimate health regimen in the way of herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture.
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MEDITATION GOES MAINSTREAM
No longer just for mystics, meditation is taught in hospitals across the North Bay and encouraged for everyone to help relieve pain and stress.
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FINDING THE DRIVE TO THRIVE
For every healthy reason to exercise — good for your heart, brain, psyche, legs and looks — there are plenty of excuses to not. Here are some easy ways to get motivated and moving.
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WHAT DO EXPERTS on aging do to age healthfully? Scientists endorse various practices - some proven, some not.
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FROM SIT TO FIT Just as Americans began to work on those annual resolutions to really, truly, this year for sure get fit, we learned that our sedentary lifestyle is not only causing an obesity problem — it’s killing us.
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TWISTS ON YOGA: New takes on ancient practice cater to everyone from pregnant women to construction workers
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A SENSE OF SELF Riding therapy helps disabled, those recovering from injuries gain self-confidence
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HEALING RHYTHM In the world of fitness, African dance offers a fluid blend of dance, athletics and a bliss-inducing beat
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SEASONAL SLOWDOWN The tired season is upon us. The days grow short and the wet season begins. Pretty soont the days will be so short well be getting up in the dark, driving home in the dark. Next Saturday night, we turn the clocks back an hour. But when we think…
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BE AWARE, NOT AFRAID Nurse practitioner Paula Kelleher gets to deliver a lot of good news about breast cancer at the Breast Care Center at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa — which might be surprising, since her patients come in dreading the worst.
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TURNS OUT FRIENDS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH As studies show social isolation and depression can contribute to heart disease, local family physician Walter Mills talks of compelling evidence that individuals who have social relationships live longer and are physically and mentally healthier…
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BARING ARMS FOR SUMMER When Betsy Smith’s son announced one January he was getting married in August, she set herself a goal: Eight months to get her arms ready for a mother-of-the-groom dress with spaghetti straps. “I went to a trainer and said I refuse to have old-lady…
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FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH? There are people who don’t need government health reports to encourage them to get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, or nutrition studies to advise that the best diet is to eat your veggies and watch calories.
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