{By: Gina Messina} Like so many of us, I am going through a time of growth. The terrain has been rough and I keep waiting for a smooth path to appear on the horizon; but it isn’t quite visible yet. There are many factors: single parenting, career, the mid-life crisis, menopause…NOT the musical (peri-menopause really, but you know what I mean). It’s like going through puberty all over again with bad skin, mood swings, insecurities abound; but a thousand times worse and with hot flashes, rage, and memory loss. I imagine some of you nodding your heads and laughing as

By: Samantha Covone Being born without her left hand never stopped Nicky Nieves from living her dream. Nieves is a sitting volleyball player and has competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic games where her team won a gold medal. She also won a gold medal from competing in the 2019 Parapan American games, along with two silver medals from the 2014 and 2018 World Championships. In 2011, Nieves found out about sitting volleyball and took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself to her. After attending multiple camps, she decided that it was time to take this sport seriously and dedicate

By: Amanda Cigol Each year, there’s always a new trend within the Wellness Communities. According to research, the wellness sector is set to boom in 2023 as people continue to prioritize health and wellness. From new fitness routines to meditation, these latest wellness trends can be tailored to fit you and your daily routine. Incorporating just a few of these wellness techniques into your routine can improve your mental, physical, and social well-being. Let’s take a look at what wellness trends are all the rave in 2023! Micro Workouts When they say micro, they mean it! One of the newest trends in

By: Gina Messina Imposter syndrome is something we are all challenged with from time to time and further developing your self-esteem and confidence is critical to overcoming it. However, it is important to note that although these traits are often spoken about as if they are the same, they are actually different, and both need to be cultivated.  “Esteem” is derived from the Latin aestimare, meaning “to value.” Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and what you do; it is your sense of self-worth. It also establishes your relationships with yourself, others, and the world.  Confidence comes from the Latin fidere, which

By: Gina Messina What is happiness? We all seek it. And yet, it seems so difficult to define. We often find ourselves drawn to options for artificial happiness — having more things. I am embarrassed to admit that when I am struggling, I distract myself with retail therapy. And now, I don’t even have to leave my bed to do it. A few clicks and a package will show up at my doorstep in two days. However, once it arrives, I usually don’t remember placing the order. It is a transient fix that allows me to avoid feeling. There is no

By: Gina Messina The passing of my mother was very sudden.  At the young age of fifty-six, I thought I had many years to spend with her so I hadn’t worried that any conversation with my mom would also be our last.  Now when I look back, I wish I would have treated every word I spoke to her so delicately, as if those words would be the last she would ever hear from me, but I suppose that is why they say hind sight is 20/20. Preparing for her funeral I went to her home and gathered some of her

{By: Lauren Trunfio} Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of badass women all around the world who have broken barriers, challenged stigmas, and uplifted the voices of others.  This year, the official campaign theme for the day is #EmbraceEquity, which fundamentally aims to get the world talking about why “equal opportunities are no longer enough - and can in fact be exclusionary, rather than inclusive.” Recognizing the barriers, as well as unique circumstances that different people have, is fundamental towards understanding what is needed for everyone to reach the same equal outcome. Instead of championing equality first and

By: Carolyn Price The Garden State Wine Growers Association is in good hands with director Devon Perry. Devon checks off all of the boxes when it comes to experience and knowledge in the field. As an expert in travel and tourism for 20 years, Devon is well-equipped to unite the community and direct the collection of over 50 New Jersey wineries and vineyards. She has big plans for the GSWGA planning a campaign called “Finely Grown” encouraging New Jersey locals to have a taste of the fine quality wines the different wineries and vineyards have to offer. She also plans

By: Emma Bromley A diastasis is a thinning of the fascia in the front of your abdomen. When you peel an orange, think of fascia as being like the white layer between the juicy orange and the thick skin. Fascia is the layer in between your skin and your muscles and it runs through your entire body, connecting and facilitating movement. It’s an incredibly overlooked structure in our body that plays a key role in holding us together and is a very important piece of the body puzzle. With a diastasis (or the thinning of this part of the fascia), think

By: Gina Messina Whether you are looking for a new job, considering ways to advance in your current position, or are thinking about pivoting, paycheck and passion are likely top of mind. The two “Ps” can seem to be at odds with one another and choosing to prioritize your income or your passion is a difficult decision. According to Dr. Andrea Goeglein, CEO of ServingSuccess, “It’s an age-old career dilemma that every generation has had to grapple with.” Sometimes our passion projects come with the paycheck we deserve; however, this decision is especially challenging when our passion and income goals don’t match.

By: Gina Messina Aligning your life with your purpose leads to fulfillment at work and home because you are able to recognize the ways your actions connect to what you value. What’s Your Purpose? Having specific goals that guide the way you life can feel a bit daunting, especially if you don’t know what your purpose is. To help you have a better understanding of your values and how you define your purpose, begin by asking yourself a few questions. What topics or issues do you care about and why? What do you like to spend your free time doing? What have you had success

By: Emma Bromley First of all, let’s dissect the core because the core is made up of four key elements. Think of the pelvic floor as the foundation of your core and being on the bottom. Then you’ve got your obliques, which are your side abs. Your transverse abdominis (TA), which are your wraparound abs that play a huge role in supporting your baby during pregnancy. And then the rectus abdominis (RA), which is commonly known as your six-pack muscles, which during pregnancy stretches out on average an additional half of its original length. You definitely want to be training your