Recently my spine decided to stage a small coup — a disc issue that has sent me on an impromptu healing journey. Chronic pain will have you rethinking daily habits: how you sit, move, sleep, and eat. My focus has been mostly on reducing inflammation, and rebuilding muscle strength, and supporting tissue repair. I’ve been trying to eat foods that support recovery rather than add to inflammation. This bowl has turned into a go-to snack or light lunch for me: Greek yogurt for protein, beets for improved circulation, walnuts and olive oil as healthy fats, cucumber for extra hydration, and herbs for antioxidants.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt

• 1/2 cup beets, roasted

• 1 Persian cucumber, grated and drained

• 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

• 1 tablespoon dill

• 1 tablespoon mint

• drizzle of a good olive oil

How to Prepare:

Grate the cucumber and gently squeeze out some of the excess water. Chop the dill finely. Mix the cucumber and dill into the yogurt. Chop the mint finely and stir it into the olive oil, allowing the flavors to fuse. Top the yogurt mixture with the beets and walnuts, then drizzle the mint-infused olive oil over everything. Enjoy! 🧿

Women’s hockey was introduced to the Winter Olympics in 1998. Since its Olympic debut, Team USA women’s hockey has medaled at every game, winning gold in 1998, 2018, and 2026 — one of the most consistently dominant programs in Olympic hockey. Dismissing that legacy, especially compared with the men’s team, who last won gold in 1980, treats excellence as conditional and reinforces a hierarchy. When the women’s team became the punchline and the men’s team joined in with their hoots and hollers, it was clear how derisive laughter enforces boundaries of respect. It limits recognition even for deserving achievers. Moments like these send a message about whose achievements will be seen as legitimate and whose will not.

Watching the men’s team participate in mocking the women’s team to enforce a pecking order revealed the same dynamic that plays out in most workplaces. Early in my career, I worked as an executive assistant for an executive leader who radiated girl dad energy. His confidence in me challenged some unspoken assumptions in our department when he nominated me for a leadership development program — a nomination I was ultimately accepted into. This sparked some questioning within our department about whether such a coveted training was really appropriate for someone in my current supportive role. A meeting was scheduled with our human resource partner for the administrative staff, executives we reported to, and the department head.

According to the HR representative, there were, “many other perks,” within the corporation that were better suited for administrative staff. Interested in growth, I inquired what those perks were. One executive replied that the real benefit of the job was, “receiving souvenirs from their travels.” Laugher spread through the room at his comment, but my manager refused to indulge him. The scale was different, but the dynamic was the same. Mocked, minimized, and expected to laugh along. Triggered and more reactive than I am now, I fired back, “I don’t accept compensation in the form of my name in dolphin font from your Myrtle Beach vacation.” My manager’s approving laugh was enough to shift the room. The punchlines we reward don’t just reflect our culture — they build it.

Moments like these, whether in an Olympic locker room or a corporate boardroom, send a clear message about whose achievements are valued and whose are not. The women’s hockey team lives by the motto, “we are part of something bigger than ourselves,” a reminder that their achievements lift everyone around them, not just themselves. They put this principle into action on the 2/28 episode of SNL, when Hilary Knight quipped, “it was supposed to be just us, but we decided to include the guys too,” and Megan Keller teased, “figured we’d give them a little moment to shine.” True leaders have the wherewithal to recognize that what gets quoted can quickly become the norm. Leaders who use their influence to recognize talent, challenge dismissiveness, and stand up for their colleagues can shape the workplace, and even broader culture. Here’s to those who champion well deserved achievements and create room for others to shine. Happy Women’s History Month to everyone who refuses to let excellence be overlooked.

Her picks included buying an early print edition of her favorite Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. As well as dinner at The Cinnamon Club, a restaurant actress Mindy Kaling described as, “an incredible-looking Indian restaurant designed to look like a giant library.” My friend — she reads. As for me, I proposed seeing The Crown Jewels, tying in my appreciation for jewelry and gemstones. Along with something Princess Diana centered since she has always inspired me, embodying that empathy is a form of strength. Our trip was set for mid September 2022 — deliberately scheduled following what was a predictably stressful family gathering earlier that same month.

Five days prior to our departure, Queen Elizabeth II passed away. As we boarded our flight, the late Queen’s state funeral procession began transporting her casket from Edinburgh to Windsor, arriving in London at almost exactly the same time we touched down. Given the historical circumstances, the city was at capacity and we found ourselves stuck in a colossal traffic jam — the kind of gridlock where you can safely jump out to stretch your legs if needed (it was). Luckily, most of our plans were already in place. Day two in London Town was Crown Jewels day. Thankful we bought tickets ahead of time based off the current congestion of the city, we were surprised at the lack of a line, or queue if you will. We entered the exhibit and were regaled by empty case after empty showcase — exiting back to the stone path outside. Was that it? As it turned out, many of the historical pieces were… occupied.

Including the most famous pieces in the collection: The Imperial State Crown, The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, and The Sovereign’s Orb — which were currently in use by the late Queen Elizabeth II herself. Not to make the situation about me, respectfully may she rest in peace, but it was quite a letdown personally. With more time left in our schedule than previously anticipated we decided to pop in a coffee shop we passed for a little pick me up and to regroup. While sipping on one of the best pistachio lattes I’ve ever tasted in my life, and through great conversation as always, we decided to make an impromptu purchase — Mamma Mia tickets for later that night. Travel detours have a way of unfolding into side quests that feel like they were meant to be along.

Fast forward — the year is 2025. With PTO to burn and an existential crisis a brewing, I book a flight to visit a few family-friends in Paris. I needed something to look forward to. The vibe of this trip was intended to be more laid back so aside from securing tickets to the Louvre to admire the Galerie d’Apollon, I left the rest of the planning for a later date. Two weeks after I booked my tickets, eight pieces of the Crown Jewels were stolen from The Louvre on October 19, 2025 in broad daylight. Now typically I’m pretty horny for a heist, but I began to take things personally. I started to suspect I’m simply not destined to see the Crown Jewels — of any country. My attachment to the original plan almost made me overlook the fact that The Louvre has quite literally 35,000 other pieces of art to offer. The ticket could still be put to good use.

Giving up doesn’t always mean failure — it can make room for better opportunities, unexpected adventures, or new directions you hadn’t considered. The detours along the way often turn out to matter most. It’s okay to step back, recalibrate, and follow the path that feels right, even if it wasn’t the one you originally planned. Let the pull of curiosity guide you as you explore what comes next.

“There is more to life than sushi!” seethes my Dad, a man out numbered by three ladies who requested Little Tokyo again when he want’s to go for Mexican.

The four of us have our order down to a science rarely leaving leftovers BUT I always grab the remaining garnish to make my fav salmon marinade later. The spice level and texture turns out a little different each time since what remains doesn’t make for exact measurements, but such is life we are being resourceful.

Ingredients:

• 1 salmon fillet

• wasabi

• ginger, pickled (or fresh / frozen)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari if you’re GF)

• 1/2 lemon, juice of

How to Prepare:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Throw it all in the blender — that’s it! Pour over top of the salmon and let sit for a little bit. Bake for about 25min.

Meg Ryan delivering her iconic line, “That caviar is a garnish!” from You’ve Got Mail via Rebecca from Old Hollywood Swoon.