sexual abuse

ESPY Awards Bring Light To A Dark Issue: Sexual Abuse

In this week’s Love Essentially, I interview therapist, Dr. John Gobby on the topic of sexual abuse, specifically the therapy process, how it can help, and why there is hope for survivors. Sexual Abuse Survivors at ESPY awards Offer Hope by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group Watching the 141 women gather on stage … Read more

intermittent fasting

Boost Your Metabolism With Intermittent Fasting

Have you heard of intermittent fasting (IF) and wondered what it’s all about? Well IF simply involves alternating cycles of fasting and eating. Many studies show this can cause weight loss, improve metabolic health, protect against disease, and perhaps help you live longer.1,2 Specific benefits of intermittent fasting include: • Lower glucose and/or insulin levels … Read more

The Benefits Of Eating Spinach And Kale And Other Greens Daily

The benefits of eating spinach and kale and other greens start with the liver, immune system, gut, and more…Spring is the ideal time to introduce these power-packed vegetables to your diet; it’s nature’s time of rebirth, and the greens that grow now are designed to rejuvenate and cleanse your body after the winter season of … Read more

who pays for college in a divorce

Who Pays For College In A Divorce?

In this week’s Love Essentially, I offer a look at Illinois law when it comes to who pays for college in a divorce. Unfortunately, divorced people are required by law to contribute to their kids’ college education, while married couples are not. Doesn’t seem fair to me, but a new court decision might pave the … Read more

mom

Mom With A Drill: Scary Or Sexy?

Mom, (single or married) if you’re like me, you are constantly calling people to do home repairs or home maintenance projects. And, all the people you call are probably men. Well, here’s a way for you to become more independent in this way, and love yourself while you are doing it! Single women can become … Read more

working on myself

How To Stay Excited And Inspired About Work

I’ve been married for twenty-eight years and have watched the Olympics with my husband ever since. During every Olympic season, my husband will say some version of, “I wish there were gold medals in orthodontics.” Did I mention that he’s an orthodontist? He says something similar during the Academy Awards as well. Is my husband … Read more

women over 50

Want To Be Happier? This Is A No-Brainer!

One of the most successful techniques to come out of the Positive Psychology movement (Seligman) is the task of keeping a daily journal where you write down three positive things that have happened during your day. Why is this effective? Because looking out for positive things, either that you observe or that happen to you … Read more

the bachelor season finale

Thoughts on The Bachelor Season Finale And My Issues With Arie

‘The Bachelor’ Breaks The Mold in All the Wrong Ways by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group Typically, I might use the words “predictable,” “scripted” and “formulaic” to describe the final rose ceremony of “The Bachelor.”     You get virtually the same ending — down to the exact dialogue — every season. But last … Read more

my divorce advice site

My Divorce Advice Site Turns Five!

When I realized that the 5th year anniversary of Divorced Girl Smiling, (my divorce advice site) was approaching, I decided I wanted to do something really special, meaningful and important. So, I decided to throw a huge party, and make it a fundraiser for WINGS, an organization that offers shelter, support and education to victims … Read more

coping with the loss of a loved one

One Way Of Coping With The Loss Of A Loved One

People have different ways of coping with the loss of a loved one. Here is a story about one way I found comfort when my dad died. I wrote it with the hope that it might help others. When you’re mourning a lost loved one, how do you keep the conversation going? by Jackie Pilossoph for … Read more

benefits of meditation

The Benefits Of Meditation: For Both You And Your Relationship

There are so many benefits to meditation. They are countless! But meditation can do more than just help people as individuals. Did you know it can help your relationship? In this week’s Love Essentially, I interviewed an expert, Jaci McCarty, on what exactly meditation can do when it comes to love and relationships. Meditation for … Read more