Ah, the prenatal vitamin. It's the vitamin of choice for many women, whether pregnant or not. Some take it in lieu of a multivitamin to fill in any nutrient gaps in their diet. Others take it in hopes of growing long lush hair and resilient nails. Still others take it because they are trying to get pregnant and want to increase their chances of conceiving.

Whatever the reason, pregnant or not, it's important to choose wisely. Here are 3 quick tips to help you when you find yourself roaming the vitamin aisle in search of a prenatal vitamin.

I'm feeling a little brave today, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. We'll see. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week I wanted to discuss something that may turn some folks off: the multipurpose breast!

I can't tell you the number of times I have spoken with a pregnant woman about what she is planning to do after her baby is born, breastmilk or formula, and she sheepishly tells me she wants to give her baby breastmilk but ONLY by bottle. Now, I have no problem with that. To each her own. Do you boo, but the sheepishness always lets me know there is something more there we need to unpack.

No worries, ladies. I'm not going to try to sell you a new "wonder" supplement. Not my shtik. However, I will arm you with the sound nutrition information you can use to change your eating habits and boost your fertility. Totally my shtik.

If you're anything like many of the patients I see most days, you may have this question floating around your brain, "Can't I just take a pill, a multivitamin, to get what I need? Do I really have to eat healthy?"

The answer: No, a vitamin and mineral supplement is not enough. Yes, you need to eat plenty of healthful, minimally processed foods too. Your best bet is to do both; take a multivitamin AND (more importantly) eat a healthy diet. Do it now. Thank me later.

She exuded confidence. Gracefully, she ascended the delicate silk fabric high above the audience. All eyes were on her as she contorted her limbs into jaw dropping and awe inspiring shapes. I was mesmerized and judging by the looks on everyone else's faces, I wasn't alone.

It's no secret, I adore aerial arts. I was first bitten by the bug at a women's conference years ago. Speaker after speaker spoke about our innate value and purpose as women. It was encouraging, stirring, and uplifting. You have probably been in this sort of environment; one where you suddenly believe anything is possible and you have the confidence to conquer anything. During the conference, the most beautiful aerial dancers would perform between speakers. To me, their grace, strength, and beauty embodied everything the speakers were sharing. They were making the seemingly impossible seem easy. They were fearless, flexible, and captivating. I wanted those traits to permeate every area of my life.

Have you ever seen a woman give birth? It is one of the most powerful, touching, and downright frightening events this world has ever seen. It happens every single day, yet it is anything but ordinary.

After 40 weeks of being molded and sculpted out of sight, a new life readies itself to enter this world. Suddenly, it's time for the world to receive a beautiful gift. A woman bears excruciating pain, bares her most private of parts without shame, and pushes with all she has, all in hopes of finally locking eyes with the child who already holds her heart. But she rarely does it alone.

Surrounding her from start to finish are relatives and friends, all serving as mommy coaches and cheerleaders. There are doctors, nurses, and midwives providing medical care and support. She is cocooned by community, and most within her community are other women. It's been that way forever. Women have been helping other women give birth to and mother children from time immemorial. And from well before this blog was ever even a thought in my mind, I have longed to be a part of that community of women. I have longed to support other women along their journey to create and nurture life.

No worries ladies, women's health is still the focus of this blog. However, in honor of Father's Day and National Men's Health Month, I wanted to share some important information for the men in your life to improve their fertility and health. 

After all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, it takes two to tango (or to make a baby), and err... you get the point. Both an egg and sperm are needed to create a new life. And just like our food choices can affect our fertility, nutrition can affect men's fertility too.

Ah, it's time to breathe easy and live light. Summer is right around the corner and my mind is filling with thoughts of sun, sand, and leisure. The smell of seaweed and coconut oil overtake me as I daydream about lazy days on the beach. 

Living in NYC, my days are more likely to include picnic blankets, grass, and crowded parks than sunny beaches. Trips to surf and sand come a lot less often. Fortunately, enjoying the smell or the beauty and health benefits of the coconut oil, the oil synonymous with summer, doesn't have to wait until the next excursion to the ocean.

There’s something about the Mediterranean that just screams tranquility, wellness, and fertility. Maybe it’s the pristine coastlines or all that lush greenery. Or perhaps it’s the world renowned mediterranean diet, the quintessential health promoting and protecting diet that’s big on flavor and nutrients. 

Boasting ample amounts of fiber, phytonutrients, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and flavor, the Mediterranean diet is one of the best eating patterns to follow for optimal fertility, health, and beauty.