I'm sleeping with someone new

She's a redheaded diabetic named Ginger, and it's causing quite a stir in the house. Our two other cats pace outside the bedroom door and howl, knowing Ginger is snuggled into the bed covers in between my husband and me.

Ginger's grandma's cat, and grandma has been sick. After spending nearly a month boarded at the veterinary clinic, Ginger was starting to get a little testy. She's used to a lot of cuddles. So we brought her home and learned to administer her daily insulin shots.

Ginger's an important reminder about what really matters in our lives. For grandma, who lost her husband of sixty-plus years in September, Ginger is her lifeline. Her companion, the first thing she asked about when they took her off the ventilator.

We feel the weight of this responsibility. Somehow Ginger's well-being seems tied to grandma's recovery. So sure, we're pampering Ginger right now. And our cats might be upset, but they'll get over it when Ginger goes back home to her own momma. Until then, this cat can sleep with me anytime she wants.

Breastfeeding ... still

My 15 month old still loves breastfeeding. I get comments, funny looks, but hey, did I mention she likes it? But this article from USA Today makes me wonder, is breastfeeding a young toddler really such a bad thing?

Daily constitutional

That's what people used to call a walk. People have known for centuries that walking keeps you fit, healthy and helps you sleep at night. But for many Americans, in our suburban-sprawl, get-on-the-highway-to-go-to-work lifestyles, walking is no longer an easy and accessible activity. I say it should be.

Even 10 minutes a day improves circulation. A quick walk can improve your mood, too. Yes, I know how jam-packed days are. I know there simply isn't time. But I say make the time. It's for your health and mental well-being.

So my gift to myself today is a walk. I hope to do 30 minutes. That's ambitious. But it'll also keep me fit. And that's worth a lot.

Health care woes

Protecting our families. This is what we all want out of health care. Someone gets sick, injured or worse, it's OK because we have insurance. Right? Not so fast.

The current way our health care system is set up, an insurance company has to get the claim before it decides whether or not to pay it. Got a kid who needs two well visits in a year so that you can discuss some growth issues with the pediatrician? Too bad, insurance only covers one. Flouride treatments for your teeth -- well, we only cover one per year according to our new policy that you can find online at this obscure web address. Then the companies seem so surprised that we're frustrated, that we're demanding improvements.

From their standpoint, things are pretty rosy. Aetna made over $1 billion in profit last year. Profit, not revenue. But you and I are paying ever-higher insurance premiums - doesn't that mean we should have coverage since we're paying into the system every month? - that cover less and less.

We need reform. Period. We pay more for health insurance and have more uninsured people than any other Western country. That's embarrassing, but worse, that will eventually bankrupt our country much more quickly than making some changes now.

I'm sick ... again

And this time it isn't a little ole cold. It's serious. Possibly terminal.

It might take another 40 years, but without health care reform--with a viable public option--I'm just not gonna make it. None of us will.

Whatever your political persuasion, I know you value your loved ones. We all want our families to get the best care. And who can argue that the current health care system is really working?

I know it's confusing. There's a lot of banter going back and forth, but I'm pretty sure you can't find a congressperson who will say costs aren't too high, there aren't too many people uninsured, and a life-threatening medical illness doesn't have the potential to send anyone into financial ruin.

So here's what I'm asking. You don't have to agree with the plan out there right now, but if you do want health care reform, it's time to speak out. I'm terrified we're gonna miss this chance. And I won't be the only one feeling sick over it.

Breaking a sweat

I'm great about hitting professional deadlines. I pencil in a couple of hours - at least - each day to play games, read books and basically enjoy my kids. I make nutritious meals and watch the sun set with my husband. All these are necessary for my relationships. But there's one thing I don't make enough time for: exercise.

I'm not a morning person. Never have been. Getting up at dawn to run isn't going to work. I've tried. I last about a week before I'm absolutely too exhausted to get out of bed. I know some of you have been there with me. The best of intentions and all that. And the evenings are a rush to get kids fed, bathed, read to and in bed for a major melt down. How's a girl to find time for something as mundane as exercise?

Part of the answer for me was to sneak it in bit by bit during the day. While my kids are playing quietly, I may do sit up or squats. We take nature walks (very low intensity compared to the four to five miles I prefer, but it's something). I tread water when I'm in the pool. This all helps, but it doesn't add up to a good heart-pumping workout. That's why I finally joined the local yoga studio.

For me, I have to feel obligated to add more to my daily routine. Now that I've written the check, I want to get my money's worth. That means on the days I have a babysitter, I make a beeline for whatever class is available. I'm teaming up with two other friends to keep the kids for an hour once a week. This give each of us the opportunity to take an extra couple of classes.

Here is what I'm doing for my health today:

1. Eating more veggies. Maybe a huge salad for lunch.
2. Spending an hour in a high-level cardio dance class. Nothing like sweating to a pulsing beat!
3. Scheduling in next week's classes now. That way there's no excuse.

What will you do for your health today?

Berry blues

Last weekend, we picked four pounds of plump, organic blueberries. One of my favorite tastes from summer are berries full of sunshine and bursting with luscious flavor.

As winter melts into spring, I begin to crave those plump blue and red fruits. I can think of a million recipes: smoothies, crisps, jams, pies, cobblers, tossed in salads and turned into syrup for pancakes. We take raspberries to the park and zoo for a quick snack. No matter where we go, berries are as integral to a summer day as sunscreen.

One of the best gifts you can give yourself is a quality diet of whole foods. Berries are packed with fiber, water and phytonutrients that keep you fueled up and ready to go. Hmmm, I think it's time for a snack. Smoothie, anyone?