By Shannon Traphagen Families looking to stay busy or get away on the weekends this summer often look for activities that appeal to the whole family while getting everyone out of the house. According to the U.S. Travel Association, nearly three out of four domestic trips are taken for leisure purposes. The following are a handful of local getaway ideas the whole family can enjoy this summer. Hikin... »
By Shannon Traphagen Summer camp is a beloved tradition in many families as parents fondly recall spending their summers at camp, making lifelong friends and learning the finer points of roasting marshmallows and competing in three-legged sack races. There are a variety of summer camps, each offering something different. The following are some local options. Day camps. When attending a day camp, k... »
By Shannon Traphagen Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, is marked by leaders, citizens, organizations, and even bicycling companies, who want to help fight climate change. Our planet is currently under siege from carbon emissions and losing over 15 billion trees each year due to deforestation, land development, and bad forest management, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The meanin... »
by Shannon Traphagen Laughter Yoga is a new take on an ancient form of exercise. First emerging in 1997 in India by physician Dr. Madan Kataria, Laughter Yoga combines yogic breathing techniques with unconditional laughter and creative exercise. Practitioners do not have to master any of the traditional yoga postures. They simply need to laugh — it’s that easy! According to Psychology Today, resea... »
By Shannon Traphagen Data from a 2016 behavioral risk factor surveillance survey along with the 2017 report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s National Program of Cancer Registries shows that in Erie County, more than 39,000 people were diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) last year. Over 17,000 children were diagnosed with pediatric asthma, and more than 540 people... »
By Shannon Traphagen “Life presents us with a variety of challenges, emotional and physical that impact the brain-body connection. It’s all interconnected.” Dr. Kathy Calabrese, a licensed family and marriage therapist, received her PH.D. from the University at Buffalo before becoming certified in neurofeedback therapy from the Biofeedback/Neurofeedback Certification Internationa... »
By Shannon Traphagen Organic food sales are setting records as more mainstream Americans fill their shopping carts with everything from farm fresh eggs to grass fed meats, and one local company is making it both convenient and affordable. Fresh Fix, located in Buffalo, offers the highest quality ingredients sourced from local farms delivered right to your door! Husband and wife owners, Lucia Leon ... »
By Shannon Traphagen Junior Seau, L’Wren Scott, Robin Williams, and just this week Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade–what do these individuals have in common? Unfortunately, they all took their own lives due to mental health struggles. Kate Spade, fashion designer icon, and billionaire had been battling with depression and anxiety for years, according to her husband, Andy Spade, who she ... »
The Buffalo Niagara American Heart Association and Wegmans kicked-off the sponsorship of the first American Heart Association Teaching Garden in Niagara Falls at Cataract Elementary School, 6431 Girard Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14304, today, May 29th from 9 a.m.- 12 noon. The Pre-K assembly began at 9:15 a.m. and Grades 3-6 assembled at 10:00 a.m. After the assembly’s representatives from each cla... »
By Shannon Traphagen The idea of being active in colder weather isn’t always appealing. But February is heart health month and maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires that we keep our bodies moving. Fortunately, Buffalo has many fun heart-healthy activities to try even when it’s cold outside. Visit Explore and More Children’s Museum in East Aurora the first and third Saturday monthly from 11 a.... »
