This month, FIDE, the Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or World Chess Federation, is hosting the Women’s World Chess Competition in Iran. But when the Iranian government mandated that women from all over the world who compete have to wear hijab, the Muslim head veil, the reigning U.S. Women’s Chess Champion, Nazi Paikidze, made headlines by refusing to attend.
Read moreSuper Confusing Eggs
Eggs are often called super foods because they're super nutritious, but buying them can be super confusing. Is it worth taking the trouble to understanding what we're buying? Absolutely! Should we buy hormone free, all natural, antibiotic free, vegetarian fed, organic, omega-3 fortified, cage free, free range, or pastured? Let me make it easy for you.
Read moreOh Valentine
It's Valentine’s Day — an invitation to express appreciation for the gift of relationship; a day dedicated to celebrating the joys of love and friendship. It's no surprise that retailers assault us with tempting options: satin-boxed chocolate; sumptuous flower arrangements; candlelit restaurants; exotic presents; and luxurious getaways. But truth be told, it's the message of love we value, not its package.
Read morePowerful
I am on a trip to Santa Fe with three strangers, powerful women I am getting to know for the first time. When we arrive at our destination, we meet other strong, competent women who work with us to achieve the goals of our trip. The interaction of these phenomenal women, our similarities and distinctions is heady. There are many myths about the characteristics women must have to be called, "powerful." Let's debunk them.
Read moreCliché
When I write, I try to stay away from clichés. But what you resist persists, so instead of avoiding them, I'm learning everything I can about them. Did you know that William Shakespeare invented the cliché? Shakespeare died in 1616, and even now, 400 years later, his words live on — not just as dialog in his famous plays, but as the clichés we use in our daily conversations. Of course when he first wrote these phrases, they weren't clichés at all; they were fresh, relevant ways to express complicated ideas.
Read more