Wellness

I didn’t go looking for Candy Cane. Candy Cane found me. I was at Dr. Barr’s office in West Palm Beach—already someone who knows her way around aesthetics—but still searching for that elusive unicorn: a medical aesthetic professional who understands restraint, regeneration, and the difference between “refreshed” and “who did your face?” Then Candy walked in. First impression? Sunshine. Blonde, bright, warm, instantly disarming. The kind of person who makes you feel relaxed before you even sit down. And while we were chatting—about life, about skin, about absolutely nothing and everything—I had this quiet realization: she wasn’t just talking. She was watching. Studying. Taking it all in. Facial movement, skin quality, energy. Intake by conversation. Genius. Candy has more than 20 years in the aesthetic industry, and it shows—not in an intimidating way, but in a confident, effortless way. She’s not satiated in her approach. She’s intentional. Thoughtful. She believes the patient’s own body should do the heavy lifting—not the syringe—and honestly, that philosophy alone made me trust her immediately. I was specifically looking for someone who could microneedle platinum biologics exosomes—something I had discovered years ago and deeply believe in for stimulating collagen, improving skin texture, and calming inflammation. It’s not a trendy treatment. It’s a smart one. And finding someone who truly understands how to use it properly? Rare. Candy didn’t blink. She knew. Her aesthetic philosophy is refreshingly sane. Yes, there’s a place for hyaluronic acid fillers—but her true artistry lies in biostimulators and neuromodulators, using toxin lightly, artfully, and strategically sprinkled across the face, neck, and chest. No frozen faces. No overfilled cheeks. You still look like yourself. Just better rested. Brighter. Softer around the edges. Candy thinks in plans, not quick fixes. She loves combining chemical peels, laser therapies, microneedling, exosomes, growth factors, and medical-grade skincare into treatments that actually work with your skin. Healthy skin first. Everything else follows. And here’s the part that really sold me: she will absolutely talk you out of things. Candy guides patients toward slower, more natural approaches, giving tissue time to respond so results look better—and last longer. She wants her patients to look pretty and fresh, not tired or oddly aged by aesthetics. And frankly, that honesty is rare. So if you’re new to town and quietly asking around, wondering where the people-in-the-know go—now you know. Candy Cane is an expert. An artist. A listener. A ray of sunshine with a syringe—used sparingly and brilliantly.  Finding her felt a little magical. And once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever trusted anyone else.

Fasting or “Intermittent Fasting” if you want to sound like you read a medical journal for fun, has graduated from monkish ritual to boardroom-brag. Everyone’s doing it: CEOs, athletes, and that one friend who insists she’s “not hungry, just detoxing.” But beyond the hype, science says they’re onto something. When practiced with common sense (and maybe a sparkling water in hand), fasting can reset metabolism, improve heart health, and sharpen brain function. Putting it in another form, fasting is less about starvation and more about strategy and unlike the weekly Ozempic injection, it’s free, natural, and doesn’t come with a waiting list at your pharmacy. THE WEIGHT-LOSS AND A CELLULAR SPRING CLEANING Let’s be honest: most people start fasting because they want to see less of themselves in the mirror in the good way. A 2025 meta-analysis found that fasting significantly reduced body weight and BMI while improving cholesterol levels. Harvard’s researchers added that alternate-day fasting outperformed old-school dieting by about 2.8 pounds(!) roughly the equivalent of one long weekend of bad decisions. But it’s not just about the scale. When you stop eating every few hours, your body flips the switch from burning bagels to burning stored fat. Scientists call it “metabolic flexibility.” You can call it finally getting rid of those love handles. Here’s where fasting gets fascinating. After 16 hours or so, your body begins autophagy (big word) the biological equivalent of taking out the trash. Cells repair themselves, inflammation cools, and you start to feel that mysterious sense of “lightness” influencers love to post about. Think of it as a detox that works, because your liver (and not a $14 green juice) is doing the heavy lifting. Studies show lower levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, meaning fasting can help quiet the chronic inflammation linked to heart disease, arthritis, and even aging itself. By this time, you will thank yourself for skipping that venti-macchiato with whipped cream. It turns out, skipping lunch occasionally might add a few years to your life. Observational studies found that routine fasters have a 45% lower death rate and 71% lower risk of heart failure. Meanwhile, the brain seems to love a little metabolic suspense. In trials with older adults, intermittent fasting improved memory, focus, and executive function (throw that around the office) possibly because it reduces neuroinflammation and boosts synaptic repair. Translation: your brain starts acting like it’s well-rested and hasn’t checked email since 2012! And your mood? well apparently, a little hunger makes some people happier. (Go figure.) MAKE IT SAFE As in anything, your health comes first so understand that fasting is not for everyone. People with diabetes, those who are pregnant, or anyone with a history of disordered eating should talk to a doctor before skipping dinner in the name of longevity. Start slowly, stay hydrated, and eat like an adult when you do eat, which means whole foods, protein, colored vegetables and fiber. Coffee counts for morale, not nutrition and that’s COFFEE, not 12 ingredient drive thru’s. Remember: fasting is a tool , not a punishment. You’re giving your body a break, not sending it to boot camp. You can thank me later…. FASTING TIMELINE (THE CLIFF NOTES VERSION) Hours - What’s Happening - Real-World Translation 0–4 : Digesting your last meal. // Your body’s still partying with the pasta. 4–12 : Blood sugar drops; insulin chills out. // You’re officially between snacks. 12–16 : Fat burning begins; mild ketosis. // The fridge starts whispering your name. 16–24 : Fat burn + cell clean-up mode. // You’re glowing or hallucinating. Hard to tell. 24–48 : Growth hormone spikes; repairs intensify. // Your cells are purging their closets. 48–72 : Deep autophagy; stem-cell reboot. // You’re a highly evolved lab rat, with opinions. 72+ : Max ketosis; immune cell recycling. // Proceed with caution and adult supervision. Fasting isn’t about deprivation but rather it’s about metabolic housekeeping. When you stop feeding constantly, your body finally gets to catch up on chores: burning fat, repairing cells, calming inflammation, and even giving your brain a little tune-up. It really comes down to less in your mouth (at least for a little while) maybe all you need. This is nature’s way of reminding you that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do for your health is absolutely nothing… at least for a few hours. Steve Harrington is a former athletic trainer at UNH who at the age of 60 discovered the art of fasting and can now fit in his college jeans.

Meet the Husband-Wife Duo Behind Liquivida Wellington

Bobbi Brown’s Beautiful Second Act Bobbi Brown’s Beautiful Second Act

We can be obsessed with optimization—of our bodies, minds, and even Monday mornings—so it’s no surprise that health tracking has become both high-tech and high fashion. Today’s wellness wearables do more than just count your steps; they offer real-time biometrics, sleep analysis worthy of a lab study, and actionable insights that could rival your physician’s advice. And they do it all while doubling as jewelry, status symbols, or at the very least, conversation starters in the Pilates studio. Let’s take a look at the health trackers currently dominating wrists, fingers, and even shirt collars—combining beauty, brains, and biofeedback in ways that feel distinctly modern.

Why brain biohacking is the New Status Symbol

Why Taking a Shot Of Olive Oil May Be The Health Boost You Need

The Mini Facelift You Need to Know About

In the ever-evolving world of wellness, new trends emerge