Category Archives: General

Meditation May Prevent Colds and Flu

I’ve been reading this week about a study performed by the University of Wisconsin that showed that mindfulness meditation or moderate exercise can reduce instances of cold and flu.  This information comes a little late, as I have been suffering from Read More >

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Beating the Winter Blahs

I don’t get depressed during the winter months, but I do experience what I refer to as the winter blahs (not blue, just blah). I have to fight the urge to stay on of my couch and watch movies all Read More >

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Juggle Your Way to a Healthy Brain?

According to a 2009 Oxford University study, learning to three-ball cascade juggle is associated with a transient and highly selective increase in gray matter in the occipito-temporal cortex.  (That’s just a an incredibly brainy was of saying that juggling is Read More >

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Brain Benefits of Working Puzzles

Puzzles were a prominent part of my childhood. During the winter months, our dining room table often held a large piece of leftover wall paneling covered with jigsaw puzzles in progress.  I would sit with my mom and try to Read More >

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Chief Merchant Scott Brown at World Rummikub Championship

We had a great send off for our beloved Chief Merchant before he traveled to Italy to represent the U.S. in the World Rummikub Championship.  Below you will find Photos of the competition and Scott’s observations on this life changing Read More >

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Do you know your POTUS trivia?

This year, Barack Obama doesn’t have history on his side.  Of the elections held on November 6 in the last 150 years, the Republican candidate has won.  But he also didn’t have history on his side in the last presidential Read More >

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Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) originated with the indigenous cultures of Mexico. When missionaries brought Christianity to the country the celebration converged with the Catholic holy days of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These celebrations Read More >

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Why Do We Love Scary Stories?

Why do we love scary stories? Why do we enjoy that creeping sensation or jolt of terror when we read a ghost story or see a horror flick? Part of the answer has to do with biology. When we are Read More >

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Marbles Makes Design Student’s Dream Come True

In the fall of 2011, I enrolled for a product design course with the Columbia College Art & Design School that challenged students to develop new toys and games for Marbles: The Brain Store.  We were tasked with creating the next Read More >

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Nifty & Handy Things Your Grandparents Knew

If you enjoy books with interesting information and a leaning towards nostalgia, check out How to Build a fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew and How to Sew a Button: and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew.  Compiled Read More >

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