Health & Beauty
Meet Roni – A Better Chance for Westport
Mom of two Staples High School graduates, and the first Executive Director of A Better Chance Westport (ABC), Roni shares that giving back and volunteering was always in her DNA since she was a child. For those who don’t know It, ABC Westport supports up to 8 motivated young men (scholars) who come to live in the ABC House in Westport and attend Staples for their four years of high school. The scholars are provided with wrap-around academic and social emotional resources to support their success and help them thrive in the Westport community and ultimately life. Before ABC, Roni spent much of her career in Human Resources and then focused on philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility. When the opportunity to be Executive Director of ABC came to Roni, she knew it was her calling, and was thrilled to move her work into the non-profit sector. In her spare time, Roni enjoys travel of any kind, oatmeal raisin cookies, and spending time with family. Her goal is to help raise increased awareness about all the A Better Chance of Westport is doing to include more host families and to support more scholars. Lucky Westport to have this program, and to have Roni at the helm!
How to Boost Immunity – 4 Ways to Keep your Family Healthy this Fall
Cold and flu season is upon us, and if you have kids in school or daycare, get ready for all the sniffles and coughs to start coming home with them. Some sick days for kids (and thus, parents) are inevitable, but there are some simple ways to keep your family healthy this year. We asked Whitney Casares, MD, author of Doing it All and My One-of-a-Kind Body, who is not only a pediatrician but also a mom of two, what she recommends to patients and practices at home to boost immunity.
Meet Corrie Smith – and Peter’s Heart!
Mom to four here in Westport, and a respected dermatologist, Corrie shares that she loves helping people feel more comfortable in their own skin (pun intended), and getting to work with her hands. Outside of work, she is thrilled to be involved in Peter’s Heart, a non-profit that was started by her father in Uganda, an organization focused on identifying vulnerable children in the slums and providing them with education, health care and mentorship. Peter’s Heart is having their inaugural fundraising event THIS Thursday, 10/30 at Aspetuck Country Club, and all are welcome! In Corrie’s spare time, she loves reading (she grew up in a house with no TV), indulges on experiences for her children, and swears by Alastin Restorative Skin Complex. In another life, she’ll be a talented cook and perhaps an investigative journalist, but for now, she loves the work she is doing – both day to day and helping those further away. Corrie is an inspiration to us all!
Looking to take better care of your body? Meet Dharma Massage Therapy!
At Dharma, we relieve pain to restore, renew and reconnect your body. We help high-performers in business, sports, life, and motherhood stay strong, pain-free, and resilient. You push hard and give your all—caring for your body and spirit fuels everything you do. Through high-performance bodywork and prenatal & postnatal care, we blend science and soul to enhance mobility, endurance, and recovery—so you can move with ease, perform at your best, and feel strong in every stage of life.
Meet Julie Sweeney of Sproutwell Pediatric
Calling all moms! Meet Dr. Julie Sweeney, an integrative pediatrician and mom of three boys who’s reshaping how families approach children’s health. Through her practice (based in Darien), SproutWell Pediatric Integrative Medicine, she helps parents navigate everything from gut health to ADHD using safe, evidence-based holistic therapies that complement their pediatrician’s care.
Meet Bianca
Who doesn’t love a Westport local now running her own business in town? Meet Bianca, mom of twin boys, who owns The Artist Loft right on Riverside in Westport. She was born into the salon industry as her mom owned many salons in Westport as a kid, and when she snuck into the kitchen at sleepaway camp to get foil to do a color treatment on her counselor at age 11, everyone knew she too had a future in hair! While Bianca loves the creative and artistic side of the salon work, she most loves the ability to connect with her clients, and to see them through the many ups and downs, often with the goal that day to simply make them feel a little bit better! Born in Colombia, she loves South America and would love to possibly live there one day, but for now, loves raising her boys here, swears by sushi, Brazilian Blowout Solution, and loves the community she is surrounded by daily! Bianca hopes to meet many more new people in town, and is always happy to help you feel beautiful!!
5 Ways to be more Present with your Child
We all want to be present with our kids, but some days, nothing feels harder. 💛 From small gestures to mindful routines, we’re sharing 5 simple ways to truly dial in with your kids (beyond just putting down your phone).
Meet Renee Goldsberry – Hamilton’s Angelica Schuyler and creator of new “Satisfied” documentary
If you are a Hamilton fan, you likely know that Renee Goldsberry played Angelica Schuyler on Broadway, and quickly became one of the most iconic and beloved singers and actresses of our time. A Connecticut mom of two, Renee is excited to share Satisfied – her new documentary, which is about the fight to have a family and the miracle of holding onto one while chasing your dreams. For her, that meant balancing the role of a lifetime in Hamilton with the role of a lifetime at home—being a wife and mother. It’s a raw, honest story, scored with original music from her debut album, Who I Really Am. Satisfied will debut in theaters locally September 30th through October 2nd and should not be missed! In addition to acting, writing music, and being a mom, Renee swears by Tostitos (bite sized), is currently binging The Gilded Age, and loves her neighborhood more than anything! Renee has brought so much music and joy to so many, and we are thrilled for her next chapter!
Oula provided by Stamford Health: Midwifery-led maternity care, now in Norwalk
Families across Connecticut and Westchester now have access to Oula provided by Stamford Health, a midwifery-led maternity practice offering comprehensive support before, during, and after pregnancy.
Your Baby’s first Skincare Routine- A Science-backed guide to Gentle Care
Just like you have a skincare routine, your baby should have one, too—although it may look a lot simpler than yours! A gentle skincare routine helps protect your baby’s skin microbiome and barrier, preserving that fresh baby softness. And just like your larger bath routine, it becomes a sweet moment for bonding between you and your little one. The best news? Our favorite non-toxic diaper brand just launched a science-backed skincare line made specifically for little ones It’s never been simpler to find the best products that actually work. Because when it comes to baby care, it’s not about more products—it’s about the right ones.
Meet Abby Dixon
If you (or anyone you know) has experienced postpartum after having a child – or the loneliness that can come with motherhood early on (and over time), Abby is someone you should know! After losing her own mom in early twenties, she experienced the isolation and challenges that can come with giving birth and not knowing how to navigate all that comes next. As a result, Joywell was born to give moms facing similar challenges a space for mental health support and connection in a safe way. Over time, Joywell grew and evolved, and most recently, Abby (mom to three here in town) launched the New Mom School Westport, providing local moms with the perinatal and postpartum support, resources, community, and education they genuinely need. She loves avocados, swears by her Retinol, and her greatest indulgence is needle pointing while watching reality TV (not commonly done, but thoroughly enjoyed!). Abby is an incredible resource for so many, and her New Mom School here in Westport is a treasure for all of us to enjoy!
6 Water Bottles that make Hydration Easy (for moms and kids!)
Choosing a water bottle for your family can turn out to be surprisingly complex. To save you time (that’s what we do!), we polled our network of moms across the country for their tried-and-true favorites. 💧The winners have survived being dropped from highchairs, forgotten in hot cars, and tossed into already overstuffed diaper bags (without creating a soggy disaster).
Swimmer’s Ear: 7 Things to Know and How to Treat It
Ah, summer—the time when kids love jumping right in the water for lots of swimming. Then, ouch. Or, double ouch. Sometime later, the ear pain sets in, maybe with some other unpleasant symptoms. Connecticut Children’s ear, nose and throat specialists, Chris Grindle, MD; Amy Hughes, MD and Katherine Kavanagh, MD, teamed up to explain what swimmer’s ear is, how to get relief and how to prevent it all together so there are no dampers on summer fun.
Meet Dr. Tracy Brenner
If your child is at – or considering sleep-away camp, Dr. Tracy Brenner is a local mom to know! Mom to two kiddos (and two sleep-away campers!), Tracy is a clinical psychologist who launched a summer camp consulting business as “The Camp Counselor” three years ago where she works with camp directors, parents and nervous campers to maximize social and emotional wellbeing at camp. This work stemmed from her own experience as a camper, camp director’s daughter, and parent of a camper. She shares incredibly valuable content on her Instagram (@drtracybrenner) and is a tremendous asset to so many of us! In her spare time, Tracy loves family swim nights in her backyard, travel, pizza and French fries, and makes a mean spicy margarita! Thank you Tracy for keeping so many of us parents sane- and for reminding us what camp is really all about!
Meet Eric – Founder of Recess
Looking for a new workout option? Or wondering what Recess Performance Fit is, that new sleek looking gym on the Post Road? Meet dad of three and Recess Founder, Eric Johnson, who wanted to create something that combined his passion for being strong, healthy and being near family. Before founding Recess, he spent over a decade coaching clients from all walks of life—from Oscar winners and A-List celebrities (including Scarlett Johansson and Charlie Puth) to entrepreneurs and performers, helping them stay strong and healthy through demanding projects. He was part of some major films, coordinating training and nutrition on set for movies like Avengers: End Game, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tick, Tick… Boom!, and The Matrix: Resurrections. While he loved his work, he realized he didn’t want to miss major family milestones anymore, and thus, RECESS was born! In his free time, he loves Pizza Lyfe and beach nights with his family, and shares that much to people’s surprise, he was actually overweight as a kid, so he really understands the importance of being healthy, strong, and fit in the way that works for you. We love having you back here Eric!
Meet Billy Mann
In honor of Father’s Day, we wanted to feature a rockstar dad (literally!)…Weston dad of 4, and Grammy-nominated American songwriter, music publisher and entrepreneur, Billy Mann is truly one of a kind. He shares that after living in his car as a traveling musician for two years, he worked his way up to recording studios and boardrooms, and says his work has always had a four corner approach: music, new media, storytelling and advocacy. He has written and produced songs with P!nk, Celine Dion, The Backstreet Boys, The Jonas Bros, Josh Groban, Ricky Martin and many more. Most recently, he has reconnected with an old classmate – Shawn Stockman of BOYZ II MEN, and while bonding about being autism dads they began singing and writing and will release their album this Summer on Green Hill/Virgin Records. Billy speaks of the challenges – and beauty- that comes with raising a family with diverse needs, asserts that his wife Gena is the coolest person he’s ever known (we agree!), and asks that people be kind in this crazy world we live in. Billy loves the Philadelphia Eagles, Compo Beach nights, and Jamaica. He is funny and creative and tells It like It is. He encourages us as parents to embrace and advocate for whatever passion our kids ultimately find because that is what will make them (and us) happy. Thank you Billy; you rock.
Ultra-Processed Foods and Kids_ How to Choose a Healthy Snack
Recently, the term “ultra-processed foods” has become a red flag for parents trying to feed their families healthy foods. In the last few years, studies have linked ultra-processed foods (UPF) to everything from dementia to diabetes. But those UPFs are, unfortunately, staples for many parents feeding picky eaters. Kacie Barnes MCN, RDN, LD is Mom to two picky eaters herself, as well as the creator behind Mama Knows Nutrition, and advisor to Jennifer Garner’s Once Upon a Farm baby & toddler food brand. We asked Kacie to help us cut through the noise and share the facts about ultra-processed foods—what they are, whether and how strictly our families should avoid them. Plus, some easy and healthy snack choices.
Meet Kim Hausman Athan of Mother’s Day Movement
Almost $36 billion is spent on Mother’s Day each year. Kim Athan is one of the moms behind @mothersdaymovementmdm, a non-profit organization trying to “shift the gift” to help moms worldwide. Since their launch in 2010, Mothers’ Day Movement has given $1 million to charities supporting women and families; this year’s beneficiary is @family.promise, a nationwide organization fighting family homelessness. Learn more!
Meet Dr. Michelle Foley – Pediatric Cancer Specialist at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
Meet Michelle Foley, DO, a Greenwich mom and Yale Medicine pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Meet Bobby Wilson – MD, Medical Director for One Medical
For those who haven’t heard, One Medical is the newest Primary Care Medicine practice here in Westport. We were lucky enough to talk to Bobby Wilson, the Connecticut Medical Director (and a local dad) about how he ended up where he is, and what makes One Medical unique and an option you may be interested in! We are thrilled to have you- and One Medical – here in Westport!