An article by Shvetank Shah found at Medium.com - Preparing for a journey retracing my mother's footsteps in Seville, I recall her vibrant spirit amid battling pancreatic cancer. From diagnoses to distant treatments, her resilience shone through, even as her health deteriorated. Memories flood as I bid her farewell, her passing a poignant reminder of love's enduring grace.

Reflecting on the profound impact of two generations of women in my life, I'm reminded of our cherished Christmas tradition of receiving soaps, lotions, and potions from my mom, Mrs. Claus. This unspoken gift of self-care passed down through generations symbolizes their resilience, strength, and love. As I honor their achievements, I'm humbled and grateful for the lessons learned and the love shared. Cheers to these incredible mamas!

Alzheimer's robbed us of my mother's vibrant spirit, erasing cherished memories. Despite the loss, she left a legacy of love and resilience. Her warmth and wisdom touched everyone she encountered. Though she's gone, her gifts endure, reminding us to embrace hope and gratitude each day.

Nicknamed Dolores, Babe, Liz, and more, my mom was our rock, our defender, our everything. Her love shaped my world, her strength carried us through. From simple joys to life's trials, she was always there. Her heart, her love, her essence, forever cherished.

Let it emerge from the deepest parts of you unquestioned and as you begin to start exploring, writing, thinking, dreaming about what you desire, don’t simply go to the ideas you’ve already recycled.

March 21^st is around the corner, the first day of Spring, the New Year in ancient traditions and I should add, as the Parsis say, Navroze Mubarak… Happy New Year! A time of renewal, birth, rebirth and nature's glorious profusion of burgeoning color, scent and beauty.

Not all skin damage happens on the beach or in the garden in the peak of summer. The dry and cold weather of winter, not to mention circulated indoor air, can wreak havoc on our skin, and often even hydrated and supple skin can become parched and cracked without a regular moisturizing routine in place.

As we bid farewell to the tumultuous year of 2020, let's reflect and release before diving into resolutions. Take time to connect with your true desires and shed emotional baggage. Embrace a ritual of letting go, allowing space for clarity and growth as we transition into the new year. Let the rhythm of nature guide you through this introspective journey, and may 2021 bring you abundant blessings and fulfillment.

It’s simply impossible to talk about self-care, health and wellness, without also acknowledging that these last several weeks  have felt like we are a nation on the edge, a nation burning with pain, frustration and rage. A nation ripped apart by years of systemic racial injustice and inequity, police brutality and economic disparity on mind-boggling levels. And a nation whose exquisite democratic experiment is in danger of breaking apart.

Is all this COVID stress and anxiety making your skin wrinkly? Patchy and dry? Acne or eczema acting up? Psoriasis flaring again?

Well yes and no. No, stress and anxiety won’t quite lead to wrinkles, but the truth of the matter, is that the mind, body and emotions are thoroughly interconnected and affect each other in myriad ways. So yes, stress and anxiety and the resultant flood of hormones can indeed affect your skin in more ways than one.