Did you know that a green (unripe) banana confers its own unique health benefits? Green bananas are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and contain resistant starch which cannot be broken down by enzymes in your digestive system and, therefore, acts more like fiber. Including foods high in resistant starch in your diet may reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease by aiding in blood sugar control and lowering blood cholesterol levels. Bananas have higher levels of antioxidants as they ripen. Fully ripened bananas produce a substance called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF regulates... Read More

I sometimes feel like the universe wants me to be a lesbian, despite (as far as I can tell, after a great deal of introspection) my straight orientation. Many people, including multiple men I’m actually out on dates with–even literally in bed with! make of that what you will– have asked me if I’m really gay or bi. I have owned big, shaggy dogs. I wear corduroy pants and drive a Subaru Outback. I do not, however, have a side-shave haircut. I recently had a friendly chat with a woman at a networking group who suggested we get a drink at a later date. She was a fun conversant and I... Read More

On the surface, the story of Derrick White is hardly worthy of an ESPN 30 for 30.  A former Colorado Buffalo hoopster gets drafted with the 29th pick in the first round by San Antonio, plays his first year in the G-League trying to improve his game, and twelve months later he’s averaging 25 minutes and 9 points a game for the Spurs and Greg Popovich. Nice, but we’ve heard that story before. But what if I told you that there’s a little more to White’s improbable journey from a kid out of Parker, Colorado, to a spot on an NBA roster? Derrick White entered Legend High School (Parker, CO)... Read More

I love seeing actors take risks. Even more so, I love seeing movie stars take risks. It’s not the kind of thing that happens too often because, like criminals, movie stars tend to be a superstitious and cowardly lot. Considering that the era when a matinee icon could guarantee a huge opening for a movie is essentially dead, movie stars are increasingly faced with two choices. They can either retreat into a niche that gets increasingly smaller, or they can adapt. Robin Williams was an early adopter of adaptation. For those of you too young to remember, Williams was a hyperactive stand-up comedian... Read More

Since cannabis is legal for recreational use in ten states and counting, one of the most common question that comes up is “Can I use cannabis before working out?” The answer is yes. More and more athletes are coming out of the green closet to discuss their cannabis use and how it affects their athletic performance.  Olympian and World Champion Joanna Zeiger, PhD is the founder and coach with Train Away Chronic Pain. She is a cannabis advocate and often discusses how cannabis has helped her manage chronic pain symptoms and provide a restful night’s sleep. Other athletes such as Anna Symonds... Read More

Millers and Rossi is a contemporary art gallery in the RiNo art district. They show a wide range of works spanning a variety of media. Representing mostly locals, their artist list is small but resounding. Each and every artist represented is exceptional. Art isn’t the only thing Millers and Rossi has to offer, however. It’s also a speakeasy with an awesome bar in the back. An art gallery with a bar? Take my money! I was a little concerned at first that the gallery might be more of a side note to the speakeasy aspect. This was not the case. The gallery holds its own. They have a diverse... Read More

I have a confession to make. I hope you will still love me after this revelation. I hate snow. I hate winter. That’s right, HATE. But it doesn’t end there. I’ve only skied once in my lifetime, when I was eight, only to fly down the hill and run straight into the shed holding the man who operated the ski lift. To say I’m NOT a snow bunny is the most accurate statement to date, and quite obvious if you meet me in person. After living in Florida (as a kid and again in college), I am more of a palm tree-obsessing, sandy-beach-laying, sunshine-chasing kind of girl. So the snow currently falling... Read More

One capitol hill spot allows you to escape your everyday grind and feel a little more shagadelic, for an hour at least. Sharon Simon and her partner, Randy Kopf, are the bubbly team behind the next neighborhood staple, London Alley Salon, near the corner of East 13th Ave. and Marion St. The hole-in-the-wall, British takeover-themed salon opened its doors in April 2017 to provide services for hair styling, waxing, spa treatments and more. “Our small shop is very community- and family- based. We all love each other deeply and treat each other with respect. Clients all feel at home when they walk... Read More

My last brewventure of 2018 took me down to South Broadway with two of my beer-loving favorites! Having spent little time in this eclectic and hip neighborhood, I was excited to dive right in and check out as many breweries and as much of the beer we could. Stop #1: Alternation Brewing Company (www.alternationbrewing.com). After trying their famed For the Animals—Oreo (milk stout) at the Great American Beer Festival, I knew this was a brewery I had to make my way to. The taproom is strung with lights and has plenty of cozy natural wood. The bartender offered up friendly conversation as we browsed... Read More

Low- and no- carb eating is all the rage these days.  Ditching carbs is tough to do-over the long haul. For starters, adults in the U.S. get about 50 percent of their daily calories from carbohydrates. If you cut out all carbs, you’ll have to give up fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans — which are the building blocks of a healthy diet. If you’re a woman, you may be doing yourself a disservice giving up carbs.  For women, particularly peri-menopausal or menopausal women, carbs stimulate serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that governs our mood.  Some... Read More