By Anthony Latora One of the first doorways we walk through when getting to know an herb medicinally, alongside sight, smell, and even touch, is taste. What if I told you that through taste alone we can gather much about how an herb may act within the body? This is very much true. Not only…
Health Matters, May 2026
Mental Health Matters
By Dr Marli Parobek, DNP APRN Mental Health May is upon us. A great time to address how to achieve great mental health. Let’s dive in. We are all familiar with what is considered good physical health, such as diet, exercise, and avoiding risky behaviors. We are told constantly by medical professionals, the media, politicians,…
April 2026, Health Matters
Why Am I Always Waking Up At 2:00 A.M.?
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Why are you waking up between 2:00-4:00 a.m. every night? This question is incredibly important to answer and it is related to your overall health. Around this time, we are supposed to be in REM sleep with our brains and bodies doing very important cleanup and repair work. Frequent interruptions in…
April 2026, Health Matters
Some Thoughts on How to Manage Migraine, Part 2
By Cynthia Sadurni Welcome to part 2 of this article about migraine and how to minimize the frequency and severity of attacks. Last month, we talked about what changes can be beneficial to reduce potential triggers. Today, we’ll explore some holistic ways that have worked for me. First, it is important to take into account…
Health Matters, March 2026
Some Thoughts on How to Manage Migraine, Part 1
By Cynthia Sadurni Living with chronic migraine can feel like having your wings clipped: Will I be able to travel without an attack? How do I care for myself and minimize stress? What should I eat while I am on the plane or at the airport? If I go overseas or take a red-eye flight,…
February 2026, Health Matters, Island Businesses
At Stillpoint
By Caitlin Rothermel There is something we can probably all agree on. Even right now. It’s something you may or may not think about. You want to take care of your nervous system. You want to be able to calm it down. You don’t want it running on high all the time. You may be…
Editorial Page, Health Matters, October 2025
Against Boosterism
By Caitlin Rothermel It’s time to talk about COVID booster shots and the implications of encouraging their use. Before I go there, it’s important to first summarize some vaccination policy changes that have occurred at the federal and state level. On October 6, 2025, the CDC officially voted to shift COVID-19 vaccination guidance for all eligible U.S. residents…
Editorial Page, Health Matters, September 2025
Health Care Cost-Sharing: A Quiet Shift Away From the Affordable Care Act
By Caitlin Rothermel You are probably outsourcing too many of your health care decisions, and your health plan is one of the biggest drivers of both the costs and choices you are and are not allowed to make. It’s no secret that the price of Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans is increasingly untenable. It’s…
Health Matters, September 2025
Master Your Senses to Master Meditation
By Diana Diaz Have you ever turned down the music so that you can concentrate on the road? Closed your eyes so you can hear something better? From right where you are, take a moment and look around you. Mentally list five things you can see. Then, list four things you can hear. Three things you…
August 2025, Health Matters
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
By Dr. Marli Parobek When we consider summer, our first thoughts may be the carefree vacations, time off school, relaxed schedules, and the beautiful Pacific Northwest sunshine. As any good PNW resident, we are also careful not to tell too many people about our marvelous summers, lest we be overrun with visitors. One topic worth…