“I’m interested in women’s health because I’m a woman. I’d be a darn fool not to be on my own side,” Maya Angelou *
Women’s health is not one size fits all. It spans our physical, mental, and reproductive well-being across every stage of life. From menstrual health and pregnancy to menopause and aging, women experience health changes that are often misunderstood, overlooked, or minimized. Conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer impact women differently than men, yet too many women still lack access to clear information, preventive care, and early screenings.
Real talk. Real people. These conversations matter because women are often busy taking care of everyone else while putting their own health last. Preventive care, regular screenings, and honest education about nutrition, exercise, and mental health are essential to living longer, healthier lives. When women understand their bodies and have access to equitable healthcare, the outcome is better health and a better quality of life.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Florence Rolston, MD, to talk about a topic we are both deeply passionate about, women’s health. This conversation kicks off Part One of a year-long series dedicated to real, informative, and approachable discussions about the health issues that affect women every day.
In the first installment, we focus on mammogram screenings. We discuss what you should know about mammograms, who should get screened, when you should begin screening, and why early detection is so important. These are the questions women ask quietly or avoid altogether, and they deserve clear, straightforward answers.
This series is about education without fear and information without judgment. Because real women deserve real conversations about their health.
A woman scratches her legs with redness, irritation and pimples from insect bites. Close-up. The concept of protection against mosquitoes, ticks and fleas.
Is Lyme Disease only a summer thing? The answer is No, Lyme disease is not just a summer issue, though the risk is highest in late spring and summer. The black-legged tick (deer tick), which spreads Lyme disease, can be active whenever temperatures are above freezing. In warmer climates, ticks can be a risk year-round. Even in colder areas, mild winter days can bring out ticks, so it’s important to take precautions whenever you’re in tick-prone areas. Read up on an article I wrote back in 2012 when my daughter starting experience symptoms in December and was not diagnosed until March. Lyme Disease, an Accidental Diagnosis
Lyme Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment
3d rendered close up of a tick on the skin
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and, in rare cases, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks). If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to severe complications affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system.
How Is Lyme Disease Transmitted?
Lyme disease spreads through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks become infected when they feed on infected animals, such as mice or deer. Humans typically get bitten in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas where ticks thrive.
Ticks are most active from late spring through early fall, but in some regions, they can remain active year-round, especially in mild winters.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease progresses in stages, and symptoms vary depending on how long the infection has been in the body.
Early Stage Symptoms (3–30 Days After a Tick Bite) • Bullseye rash (erythema migrans) – a red, expanding rash that may resemble a target • Fever and chills • Fatigue • Headache • Muscle and joint aches • Swollen lymph nodes
Later Stage Symptoms (Weeks to Months After a Tick Bite) • Severe joint pain and swelling (Lyme arthritis) • Neurological issues, such as facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), numbness, or tingling • Heart palpitations (Lyme carditis) • Dizziness or shortness of breath • Inflammation of the brain or spinal cord (in rare cases)
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors diagnose Lyme disease based on symptoms, exposure risk, and sometimes blood tests. Early-stage Lyme disease is typically treated with a short course of antibiotics, such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. Most patients recover fully if treated early.
If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can lead to chronic symptoms that require extended antibiotic treatment.
Prevention Tips
Since Lyme disease is caused by tick bites, prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure: • Avoid tick-prone areas: Stick to trails and avoid tall grass or brush. • Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored clothing can help spot ticks. • Use insect repellent: Products containing DEET or permethrin can deter ticks. • Perform tick checks: After spending time outdoors, check your body, clothes, and pets for ticks. • Shower and wash clothes: Taking a shower and putting clothes in the dryer on high heat can help remove or kill ticks.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you find a tick attached to your skin: 1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. 2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure—avoid twisting or jerking. 3. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water. 4. Dispose of the tick properly by flushing it or sealing it in a bag. 5. Monitor for symptoms of Lyme disease and contact a doctor if needed.
Conclusion
Lyme disease is a serious but preventable illness. By taking precautions in tick-prone areas and recognizing early symptoms, individuals can reduce their risk of infection and complications. If you suspect a tick bite and develop symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Hamptons Best Breakfast Picks..breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, it is also my absolute favorite meal of the day. How many of you love a good Breakfast? How many of you could eat breakfast for every meal? When I cannot decide what to cook for dinner, my daughter turns to me and says let’s have breakfast food.
Are you so busy during the week rushing, that breakfast for you consists of breakfast on the go…fruit, smoothie, bagel, boiled egg or cereal? Wouldn’t you love to sit down on the weekend and have a big breakfast? When I have time, I like to indulge my family with a super-duper old style “my tradition” breakfast on the weekends by making omelets, bacon, grits, home-fries, biscuits, waffles or pancakes topped with sauteed bananas in hot maple syrup … I know I go completely over-board but so what. If you are only having this type of meal twice a month, what is the big deal? There are however those days when we like to go out to eat and I thought I would share my favorite breakfast spots with you. There is nothing more exasperating than going out for breakfast and being disappointed, so here are some Hamptons favorites by both myself and my friends. Enjoy!
Hamptons Best Breakfast Picks
Estia’s in Sag Harbor...1615 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor, NY (631) 725-1045 estiaslittlekitchen.com
Breakfast with a mexican touch..It a small place and the wait could be out the door on a Saturday Morning. Tip: try the Omelets* breakfast Burrito with the spicy mexican salsa and the short stack with fresh blueberries and bananas..
Provisions in Sag Harbor..7 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963 (631) 725-3636 www.provisionsnaturalfoods…Tip:try the spinach omelette…really good..then make sure you come back there for lunch…
Sant Ambroeus, Southampton
Sant Ambroeus: Southampton..30 Main St, Southampton, NY 11968 (631) 283-1233www.santambroeus.com .…Tip: Try the French toast (a personal favorite)
Pierre’s in Bridgehampton2468 Main St, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 Try the French toast, it is delicious, melts in your mouth. They are more on the pricey side but if you are on a budget you might want to avoid ordering a Mimosa. pierresbridgehampton.com
John’s Pancake House, Montauk,721 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954 If pancakes is your breakfast favorite, then you will enjoy John’s Pancake House in Montauk. (full disclosure I have only ever had the pancakes)
Fairway Restaurant, Sagaponak at the Poxabogue Golf Center – 3556 Montauk Hwy, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 – Breakfast served all day! That is a definite plus. fairwayrestaurantcafeonthegram.com
Claude’s Restaurant, Southampton Inn – 91 Hill Street, Southampton, NY 11968 | click here to see menu
Sip ‘N Soda, Southampton, 40 Hamptons Road, Southampton – A family friendly place to go with your kids, but bring cash, they do not accept credit cards. On a positive it is affordable. sipnsoda.com
Eckart’s Luncheonette, Westhampton Beach, 162 Mill Road, 631-288-9491 | click here for menu (FYI: cash only)
Breakfast is very important for you to perform at your best. It is not a good idea to skip breakfast in the interest of saving time, calories, or getting a few more minutes of sleep, remember that eating a wholesome, nutritious morning meal will probably save you time in the long run. Some people skip breakfast in an effort to lose weight. Skipping breakfast is strongly linked to the development of obesity.
I love Breakfast food and did you know that breakfast should be your heaviest meal of the day. The benefits of eating your biggest meal for breakfast may have less to do with your body and more to do with your mind. When you eat a larger breakfast, you may feel more satisfied and less deprived throughout the day. This satisfaction can help you to stick to your diet and make you less inclined to overeat in the evening.
There are several other places throughout the Hamptons that have really delicious breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, (my personal favorite is Hamptons Beach Bowls in bridgehampton) Drop me a line and let me know your favorite place in the Hamptons to have Breakfast.
On a cold, crisp day in Sag Harbor, the flag flew at half-staff throughout January 2025. It was a quiet tribute to President Jimmy Carter, who passed away in late December 2024.
There was no ceremony or announcement. Just a lowered flag against a winter sky, noticed by people heading to work, walking the village, or grabbing coffee. In Sag Harbor, those moments speak for themselves. Real talk, real people notice.
President Carter’s legacy was never about power or attention. It was about service, humility, and doing the work long after the spotlight fades. He showed up for people, not for praise.
Lowering the flag felt right. It was a simple act, but meaningful. A reminder that leadership is measured by character, compassion, and consistency.
On that cold January day, Sag Harbor honored a life defined by decency. Real talk, real people, and a moment we all felt.
Hamptons Mouthpiece; Spill the Tea – Allura Leggard speaks with New York State Senate candidate, Skyler Johnson to discuss the upcoming election.
Johnson ‘Spills the Tea’ on his plans for healthcare; the environment; education; Police Reform and that was only a fraction of the Bold Plans he has for the future.
Unlike many of the other candidates who have other full-time jobs, Johnson tells us that his full-time job is being a student, continuing to learn more about how he can bring about change and focus on the many issues that concern Americans in the 1st district.
19-year-old Johnson is this year’s youngest candidate running for State Senate.
Johnson expressed that his use of social media and his command for the facts is important to discuss issues that many people in Suffolk County are concerned about.
Johnson is one of five Democratic candidates running this year for Senator Kenneth LaValle’s NY State Senate seat in the First District in Suffolk County. Senator LaValle has held this position for 43 years and decided he will not be running for reelection this year.
Johnson says, one of his most important issues for his campaign is providing everyone in the state with free and quality healthcare. Johnson says this can be achieved by “rebuilding our healthcare system by passing the NYHA, New York Health Act-Including: free testing, treatment, and telemedicine for everyone.”
You can read more about Johnson’s Bold Plans for a Bright Future on his website. https://skylerforsenate.com
Election day is June 23; (Voting polls). After June 16th, voters may apply in person (over-the-counter) through June 22nd or by Early Voting from June 13-21. Primary Elections POLLS OPEN AT 6 AM – CLOSE AT 9 PM
Register to Vote or update your voter information online: Click here:
