We all have questions about our feminine health that sometimes just feels a little awkward—or maybe a lot—to talk about, even with your doctor. For some women, it’s just difficult to casually hold a conversation when words such as vagina, sex, labia and the like have to freely flow.

Read on to see what our local medical experts had to say on subjects important to women’s health. Be sure to tell your doctor everything with no fear or hesitation.

Your health is what’s most important, and besides, they tell us they have heard it all! 

What a month this will be! July starts with Independence Day celebrations and ends with the Summer Olympics, giving us a chance to cheer on Team USA as they compete on the other side of the world. I have a background in theatre, so I tune in as much for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as the sports. The amazing performances the organizers come up with always impress.

Q: My 15-year-old daughter is slowly driving me insane! She argues with me about everything and always wants the last word. No matter how well I explain the “why?” of a decision to her, she argues. Even when I offer a compromise, she argues. It’s her way or the highway. Is there a solution?

We’ve all heard that being overweight is unhealthy, and weight loss can help prevent illness and disease, but how? We asked local medical experts to weigh in on the advantages of losing weight. Looking good on the beach is just a fringe benefit!

by Diane G. Bowen, MD

How does being overweight increase risk for Cancer?
According to research from the American Cancer Society, excess body weight is thought to be responsible for about 11% of cancers in women and about 5% of cancers in men in the United States.

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of cancer because:
• There is inflammation in the body.
• Cell and blood vessel growth is impacted.
• The cells’ life span is stunted.
• Increased levels of certain hormones, such as insulin and estrogen, fuels cell growth.
• Because of all listed above, cancer cells can spread or metastasize.

Guys! Guys! Look, your wives, bless their hearts, are having enough trouble putting their children and priorities into proper perspective without you adding to the muddle. Keep it straight, please.

I’m referring to the media voices telling you to be better fathers. Three times in the last six months or so I’ve been invited on podcasts promoting fatherhood. The hosts are well-meaning, sincere, articulate fellows who apparently didn’t know they were interviewing a guy who never says what other people expect him to say.

Happy Father’s Day!
It might seem strange to read that in a women’s magazine, but we celebrate every chance we get!

I only had 15 years with my father, but before he died, he made sure my brother and I saw 47 of the United States and a few Canadian provinces, too! Dad was king of the road trip. Before we all started carrying phones, GPS, and cameras in our pockets, he would spend hours at the dining room table with highlighters and good old Rand-McNally. He would meticulously plan, but never hesitate to take a detour if he saw a sign with an arrow and the words “Rock Shop.” He worked very hard all year so that he could pile us into the Suburban and take to the highway for four to six weeks every summer.

Ahh-choo! It’s  a common sound during this time of year when the flora and fauna are in full swing spreading their yellow pixie dust across the world. Allergies—seasonal or not—are a big buzzword these days, with more people than ever showing signs and symptoms. Obviously we all know the sneezing, itchy throat, watery eyes and runny nose symptoms of allergies, but read on to learn more about allergies, intolerances and what is behind the rise.

Concerning my prior use of the word “addiction” in association with smart phones and children (including teens), some people think I am speaking figuratively. To set the record straight: No, I am speaking quite literally.

When the addiction in question is to a substance, as in an opiate, there is both a psychological and physical component. During withdrawal from an addictive substance, both components come into play. The individual’s thoughts and emotions are in disarray and the person suffers physiologically, as well. When most people think in terms of an addiction, that is their mental picture.

Happy Mother’s Day! I am incredibly proud to be taking the reins of Paisley for our May issue. Over the past few months, people have asked me if I am “replacing” Meredith. I tell them I will try to fill her shoes the best I can, but Meredith is irreplaceable!

Living with pain is no fun. In fact, pain can take all the fun away, especially if you enjoy being active. It’s somewhat of a Catch-22, though. It seems the more active set are the ones who get sports injuries. Makes sense, afterall, doesn’t it take sports to get a sports injury? Not necessarily. Sometimes, just a simple walk to the mailbox, moving a planter in the garden, or a quick clean up of the garage can end in injury. The good news is pain does not have to be forever with many injuries, over use, or degeneration. There are new, modern and effective ways to stop the snap, crackle, pop in the knees, reduce the burn of bursitis and rejuvenate the rip of the rotator cuff. We asked our local orthopeadic experts to tell us all about sports injuries, joint replacements and knee problems. Here is what they had to say:

If you feel the urge to hide your smile, now is your time to say cheese! Cosmetic dentistry has never been so accessible, or advanced. Whether a little whitening will brighten your world, or you need to wear braces as an adult, a beautiful, brilliant smile, worthy of that big screen money shot, it easy to attain. And  no longer do you have to have a mouth full of metal—or head gear, for Heaven’s sake! Want whiter teeth? You can check it off your to do list in about 90 minutes. There are many new and advanced procedures your cosmetic dentist offers that can help you look younger, healthier, and happier! Find your options and watch that frown turn upside down. Now that’s something to smile about.

Concerning my prior use of the word “addiction” in association with smart phones and children (including teens), some people think I am speaking figuratively. To set the record straight: No, I am speaking quite literally.

When the addiction in question is to a substance, as in an opiate, there is both a psychological and physical component. During withdrawal from an addictive substance, both components come into play. The individual’s thoughts and emotions are in disarray and the person suffers physiologically, as well. When most people think in terms of an addiction, that is their mental picture.

A therapist takes a 10-year-old boy into what she calls “therapy.” The young fellow is belligerently defiant toward his parents and throws titanic tantrums when things don’t go his way. At school—virtual, going on a year—he’s distractible and doesn’t finish his work without being hovered over and harangued by his mother, a tactic that frequently precipitates more belligerence and a titanic tantrum.

It’s time for me to create personal projects. I’m ready to pass my role in Paisley Magazine to our new Regional Manager, Kelly Hunter, a big fan of the magazine since we first started in 2008. Kelly will stay true to our mission—empower, inform, encourage and evoke thought—for women and their families with even more verve! Here we are in Historic Downtown Brunswick at Queen Square as I pass Kelly a symbolic bag of “cool paisley things.”

One of the greatest things about reading Paisley Magazine is how our enticing covers and monthly themes connect us all. Living here as an active citizen over 24 years has helped me easily find local inspirational women to share their stories, and featuring each one of them has been a real treat.

“Life tends to slow down on Jekyll Island – a good place to reflect and explore–especially while on a walk on the beach” – Ben Carswell.

Welcome to #Naturescalling–our March issue.

I enjoyed posing with this huge fallen oak at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s most visited beaches. Recently, photographer Nancy J. Reynolds and I got to spend a relaxing time among the many eroded oaks, palms and pine trees. We think they make for the most fantastic photos. Driftwood Beach is a place where Nature always wins.

What’s so scary about being wrong? Will people think
you’re dumb, incompetent, less than? Perhaps being wrong will threaten your leadership skills, or diminish respect? These are valid fears because being wrong leaves us feeling vulnerable and
reveals we are not perfect.

Many people thrive on perfection and find being wrong something they can’t bear. According to author Kathryn Schultz, in her book Being Wrong, humans tend to tacitly assume (or loudly insist) they are right about almost everything. As such, she argues, that error is the fundamental human condition and should be celebrated as such. In other words, not only is it OK to be wrong, it’s human nature, though admitting it is not.

Everyone wants life to be fun, full and heart-y, which is easy when you’re healthy. But it’s hard to follow your heart when it’s sick. Heart disease is still the No.1 killer for both men and women in the US. However, with a little TLC, many risks associated with heart disease, heart attacks and strokes can be drastically reduced. The heart is our lifeline, without it we cease to be. It’s not difficult to take care of, so why not begin marching to your heart’s beat, and take the easy steps to be heart healthy? A healthy heart gives a heart-y life! 

Q: I teach 3- and 4-year-olds in a childcare center in Australia. I always have a few difficult children in any group and the book in which you describe Alpha Speech [The Well-Behaved Child] has been very helpful. My disciplinary options are limited to separating a misbehaving child out of the group for a few minutes and talking, but I cannot isolate or take privileges away. Besides, it seems that the worst kids’ parents undo at home what we accomplish in the classroom. Some of them even side with their children when they misbehave. Meanwhile, we walk on eggshells when it comes to discipline so that a parent doesn’t file a complaint against us with child protection. What suggestions do you have for preschool teachers?

JOY and LOVE. These are two words I get to experience each month as we place Paisley Magazines in hundreds of locations all over Glynn and McIntosh. Here at our Brunswick warehouse for 12.8 years, are our stacks of archive—yes, we’ve had the same warehouse all this time. And I’ve done the math—the “Divas” and I have distributed over 1.3 million copies!

“Habits are more about who you’re being than what you’re doing,” says NY Times bestselling author of the Badass Series, Jen Sincero in her just released Badass Habits. If that doesn’t feel like cold water thrown in your face, I don’t know what does. It’s the New Year and no resolution or goal can be met without identifying the habits that are keeping you from achieving your wants, needs and desires. In the last year, we all have developed a backbone strong enough to get real with ourselves. You can’t change your behavior to aspire to new goals if you don’t change your habits—the pesky routines on autopilot that may be holding you back from reaching your full potential. You don’t mean to be working against yourself, but your bad habits sure do.

Like a grand marshal waving in the first float of the parade, a grand lunar trine kicks off this month on a high note with expectations of ascending tones. A procession of ever-more impressive happenings is on display for anyone inclined to give them attention. Mars will change signs and people begin to relate differently, seeking a connection between their experience and the experience of others.

Read on for your horoscope...

January can get you down with more than the blues. It’s the month down South when the cold really kicks in, and brings with it common winter illnesses such as cold, flu and respiratory infections. Ugh! These winter woes can make you feel terrible. That’s why it’s important to know as much as you can about how to avoid and rapidly cure these sneezing, coughing, stuffy, achy, miserable ailments.

Q: We have a 10-year-old daughter who runs our family. We allowed her to begin dictating to us when she began talking and it’s just gone slowly downhill ever since. She manipulates us with shrieking tantrums, disrespect, and downright refusal to do what we tell her to do. We must have done something right, however, because she gets nothing but praise and compliments from teachers, coaches, and her peers’ parents. We can hardly believe they are describing the same child. Is it too late to turn this around? If not, what should we do? We’re desperate.