Blog - Melanie Young- Fearless Fabulous You!

Who Let the Dogs In?

On March 18, 2017 / Healthy Living

I am passionate about animal rescue. I have adopted two rescued Maltese pups and would welcome more if my lifestyle allowed it. That’s why a national news story this week about Turkey Dogs captured my attention: CNN.com (How Instanbul’s Street Dogs Ended Up in America Animal rescue organizations are helping to bring abandoned Golden Retriever dogs from Turkey to the USA to find Forever Homes. Once considered a status symbol among the Turkish elite, hundreds of purebred Golden Labs have been dumped into the streets to fend for themselves, often with horrendous consequences. This happens when people need to make decisions

Are You A Clutter Collector?- Fearless Fabulous YOU!

On March 12, 2017 / Healthy Living

The average American home has 300,000 items, many of which end up collecting dust in a spare room or garage. Author Eve Schaub documents her 12 month effort with her family to clean out her home and its stuffed to the rafters “Hell Room” in her book, “Year of No Clutter.” Eve discusses the emotional reasons why people collect things and hesitate to toss or donate them when no longer used or needed. She explains the differences between a “pack rat” and “hoarder” and offers de-cluttering tips. Listen here Buy Eve’s book on Amazon. Click image:

No! Pelvic Pain Is Not “Part of Being a Woman”

On March 12, 2017 / Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Women's Health

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a painful condition of the uterus that affects one in 10 women. However, many women may not recognize the symptoms or seek help. A recent survey by HealthyWomen, a leading independent health resource, reports that less than a one-third of women correctly recognized the painful symptoms of endometriosis which includes pelvic pain and pain with intercourse, among other symptoms. Nearly half the women who responded to the survey who identified themselves as being diagnosed with endometriosis said they were told by their healthcare professionals that their pain was simply “part of being a woman.”

The Best Affordable Health Care- But, Here’s the Catch

On March 12, 2017 / Healthy Living

Many of us have faced the highs and lows of securing affordable health insurance. It’s especially hard for self-employed freelancers and other independent contractors. We are now on our third health insurance plan after our two former insurers were no longer available to us on the New York Health Exchange which is our best option for “affordable” health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Now the ACA is changing, and we are waiting to see how our coverage and costs will be impacted. But, I have news for you: I finally found a good health insurance plan with a low annual

The Power of the Pocketbook

On March 6, 2017 / Making Things Happen, Women at Work

Almost every woman I know carries a pocketbook or purse. It could be a designer bag, a clutch, a leather tote or cloth sac. It could be filled with a wallet of credit cards, a wad of cash or an envelope of “mad money.” What’s more important than the style of the bag or its contents is its impact. As a follow up to the International Women’s Marches held January 21st, this Wednesday, March 8th, is officially “International Women’s Day.” It has also been designated as “A Day Without a Woman.” Women around the globe are being called on to

How to Become Fibroid Free

On February 19, 2017 / Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Women's Health

Many years ago I dated a fabulous man training to be a doctor. He came home one night and said a patient told him, ” I have fibroids in my eucharist!” We both had a laugh about the malapropism. But the reality is, fibroids are no laughing matter. They are painful and can impact a woman’s quality of life. And many women have them. The National Women’s Health Network website says, “according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, about 30 percent of all women will get them by age 35, and about 20-80 percent

Fabulous Women! This Mom of Three Sons Makes Moonshine

On February 19, 2017 / Imbibing, Inspiring Women

Troy Ball is a self-described “Vandy Girl.” (a Vanderbilt University alumna with a certain style for those of you who wonder). She wears pressed jeans and pearls and has impeccable southern manners. She has grit, grace and gumption (my three favorite qualities besides fearless and fabulous). Troy is also the mom of three adult sons, two with special needs. At one point she decided to uproot her family to Asheville, NC, where the climate was better for her sons. There, she started her life over after running successful businesses in Texas. At 50 and faced with the reality she needed to

Fearless Fabulous You! Eat the Cake!

On February 19, 2017 / Attitude Adjustment, Life As We Know It

This week a friend send me this quote below. I immediately dropped plans to work on my taxes and other practical things this weekend and took the day off to go cross country skiing. The sun was out; the weather was warm and the snow conditions were just right. Taxes could wait; the perfect day could not. That’s the meaning of Eat the Cake. Too many times we deny ourselves the joy of stepping out of our routines to take time to do something truly pleasurable, even decadent. Or we are so focused on creating constraints in our lives to

The Voice of the Persisterhood Prevails

On February 12, 2017 / Attitude Adjustment, Making Things Happen

This week the hashtag #shepersisted has been circulating with fervor after Senator Majority Leader Mitchell McConnell invoked Rule XIX to basically tell Senator Elizabeth Warren to shut up and sit down after she gave a lengthy speech and started reading a letter written by Coretta Scott King criticizing Attorney General candidate, Senator Jeff Sessions, whose appointment Warren opposed. He was later approved. The rule states that ““No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.” Senator McConnell said of

No Woman Should Die of a Broken Heart- Feb 13- Fearless Fabulous You!

On February 12, 2017 / Women's Health

No woman should die of a broken heart. But, sadly they do. Heart disease is the #1 killer of all women. One in 2.6 women will die of a heart attack, stroke or other heart ailment. And most women ignore the signs which can be more subtle than with men. Cardiologist Dr. Nieca Goldberg, Director, Joan H Tisch Women’s Center, at NYU Langone and spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s GO RED FOR WOMEN Campaign, joins me February 13 on Fearless Fabulous YOU! to discuss risk factors, types of heart disease and prevention. I am a huge fan of her book, “Dr.

Finding Your Ruby Slippers – Feb 13- Fearless Fabulous YOU!

On February 12, 2017 / Attitude Adjustment

“Finding Your Ruby Slippers” is the name of a book by my February 13th show guest, Psychotherapist and Clinical Social Worker Lisa Ferentz, The Ferentz Institute, on how to overcome self-destructive habits, conquer fear and find your inner strength. With Feb 26-March 4 being National Eating Disorders Week, this is one of the topics we will address, among others. One of my favorite quotes from a favorite movie. Listen now:

Ayurvedic Cooking Tips for a Healthy Diet

On February 6, 2017 / Cooking Tips, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show

It seems like everyone I know is on some kind of diet this winter to lose weight. I have friends on Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutri System, Dr. Oz Diet and The Zone Diet. I’m getting pitched on paleo, alkaline, magnesium, PH balancing, you name it! I have to wonder: What’s Fact and What’s Quack? During my studies at Institute for Integrative Nutrition I learned 100 dietary theories. The simplest approach is the one I adhere to: eat food in moderation and in smaller portions; mainly plants and lean proteins; exercise more and hydrate more. One area that fascinates me is