Does Your Home's Old Flame Need a Redo?

Fireplaces can create a cozy atmosphere, but if yours is old and woodburning—think heavy red brick or bulky, rustic rock—it may be time to turn it into a more environmentally friendly, not mention stylish showpiece. I spoke to interior designers and a fireplace expert for tips on how to consider the options—from gas to electric and sleek tile to natural stone. It’s all in my new story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Home & Garden section.

Moroccan- and Asian-Inspired Appetizers for Summer Outdoor Entertaining

Now that the June gloom that actually started in April finally — finally! — left last month and summer is truly under way, outdoor entertaining is also in play.

If you’re keen to impress guests with appetizers that both serve as a delightful introduction to your party and can be prepped in advance so you can spend time with your guests, we have a couple that come straight from the reconceived kitchen of The Marine Room, in La Jolla. I spent time with executive chef Mike Minor to write about them in my new story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Food section.

Ozempic and the Risk of Diabetic Gastroparesis

In late July 2023, CNN published a shocker of a story, alleging that semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) was causing severe cases of gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, leaving some patients with stomach paralysis that just won’t go away. While Ozempic has become the world’s buzziest drug because it is so effective for weight loss, the story seemed especially concerning for people with diabetes, because gastroparesis is a common complication of the condition.

The story raises red flags. Do Ozempic (and related drugs) cause gastroparesis? If you already have gastroparesis, could Ozempic make it even worse?

I started writing for the website Diabetes Daily in July and this piece I just wrote was fascinating to research. Ozempic is just one of several drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist category that treat type 2 diabetes. What should people who have the disease know?

Designer Tips for Buying A New Sofa

Buying a sofa can be a confusing process. We want looks and comfort — but most of us also want longevity, given that a sofa can run into thousands of dollars. However, most of us don’t know what goes into the making of a couch, especially the frame and suspension system. I got tips from designers and a long-time upholsterer for what you should consider as you invest in your next sofa. They’re in my June 2023 story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Home & Garden section.

Time for New Outdoor Furniture? Here are Expert Tips

Now that the sun is finally breaking out and San Diego is ready to return to outdoor living after a chilly wet winter and gray spring, that furniture of yours may be ready for a reset. If your Adirondack chairs are splitting, your lounge chairs are rusting and that dining set is cracking, it’s probably time to invest in new outdoor furnishings. For my latest story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Home & Garden section, I spoke with experts about how to look for pieces made of quality materials, some of which could require some maintenance to keep them in good condition, instead of rusting, fading, cracking or otherwise falling apart within a season or two. Here are their observations and tips.

Is Diabetes Making You Sweat?

Sweating is normal — but not at all times and under any circumstances. People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may find that they’ve started sweating excessively or very little at the wrong times. They may also sweat in some areas of their body excessively while not at all in others.

If you have diabetes and you’re finding that the sweat’s pouring off of you, including on a cool day or when you’re only minimally active — or only negligibly when the weather is hot or you’re engaging in a strenuous workout — there could be a couple of reasons. Read more in my new story for new client Diabetes Daily.