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Raise your hand if you’re an adult or a student and like to curl up with a good book, or get cozy on the floor and read to your kiddos. I sure do with my whole heart and I know so many others keep their heads buried in a book day in and day out, too. Yet the very act of reading certain books is being threatened at an alarming increase of banned books across the United States. Thousands of titles have been removed from public schools across the country over the years.

Rising educational censorship has plagued not only K-12 public schools since 2021 and years before but also a range of institutions, including public libraries, colleges, and universities, according to PEN America. Across these institutions, the public has seen a variety of policy changes and new state laws, which are designed to suppress education about specific viewpoints, identities, and histories; mainly concerning people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and sex. “This broad campaign uses falsehoods, fear, and hatred to dehumanize, dismiss, and diminish important voices in the public sphere, and these efforts are reshaping American public education,” PEN America writers said in the article “Banned in the USA: Beyond the Shelves.”

From July 2023 to June 2024, PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans recorded 10,046 instances of book bans across 29 states and 220 public school districts. When taken all together, since July 2021, they have recorded 15,940 cases of book bans across 43 states and 415 public school districts. 

As of 2025, book bans have become more prevalent and more sophisticated. They're no longer just about removing books from school libraries; they now encompass digital censorship, algorithmic bias, and even social media policing. Unlike the blatant censorship of the past, today's bans often fly under the radar, disguised as algorithmic recommendations or “community guidelines.” This makes them harder to identify and challenge, as the article “Navigating Book Bans and Staying Resilient in 2025” mentioned.

These bans have had detrimental effects on our communities – if every book you read reinforced the same ideas, how would you ever grow or change? The beauty of literature is its ability to challenge us, make us question our ideals, and see the world through different lenses. Book bans threaten this fundamental aspect of our culture.

Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom. There's a growing movement of individuals and organizations dedicated to fighting back against censorship. Groups like the American Library Association and PEN America are leading the charge, providing resources and support to those affected by book bans. What can you do to help fight book bans across the country? Here are some ideas of ways you can help fight book bans across the country:

• Stay informed: Keep up with the latest news on censorship, understand the reasons behind book bans, and know your rights. Websites like the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and PEN America are great resources for staying informed. 
• Build a diverse TBR list: One of the best ways to combat the narrowing effects of book bans is to actively seek out unique and diverse perspectives. Don't just stick to the bestsellers or the classics; explore independent publishers, translated works, and books from different cultures. Check out the banned books list of 2025.
• Support local libraries and bookstores: Local libraries and independent bookstores are often on the frontlines of the fight against book bans. They provide access to a wide range of books and serve as community hubs for thoughtful discourse. My local bookstore even features a banned bookshelf highlighting why each book has been challenged. I have found lots of books here!
• Advocate in your community: Advocacy is another powerful way to combat book bans. Attend local school board meetings, write letters to your representatives, or organize book clubs focusing on banned books. The key is to make your voice heard and to show that there is a demand for diverse and challenging literature. We love this!

As we look ahead to the future, it's pretty evident that the landscape of book bans will continue to evolve. Despite the challenges, let’s remain hopeful. I strongly believe that the human spirit is innately curious and resilient and that our hunger for knowledge and understanding will ultimately prevail. Onward and upward! Learn more.

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With holidays like Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s easy to think of that special someone in your life– whether it’s your mom, best gal pal, or significant other. However, it shouldn’t just be the one day that you think of your family, friends, or partner– it’s something that should always be a key point in your life, particularly your female friendships. “Female friendships are a unique and powerful force in our lives, marked by their distinctiveness and longevity,” Forbes writer Mark Travers said in his piece, “A Unique Reason Why Female Friendships are Stronger– By a Psychologist.” The real question is why?

The answer lies within the concept known as the “tend and befriend” mechanism. Proposed by UCLA psychology professor emeritus Shelley E. Taylor, this theory suggests that “due to different parental roles, females have evolved stress responses centered on nurturing (tending) and forming social alliances (befriending) to enhance survival.” The articlecontinues to say that instead of withdrawing or engaging in conflict, women lean into their relationships, using care to navigate all challenges. This proactive and supportive approach not only alleviates stress but also strengthens the emotional bonds between friends, making the relationship more resilient over time.

Have you heard about the book “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus”? It highlights how we think, act, andsolve problems differently, and are more emotionally than logically driven. Although men and women complement each other, as women we thrive on strong relationships with our girlfriends. 

This is interesting: the psychology behind strong female friendships is pretty powerful. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women with early-stage breast cancer were at least four times more likely to die from cancer if they didn't have very many friends. Those with a larger group of friends with early-stage breast cancer had a much better survival rate. In the study, researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and colleagues at the Shanghai Institute of Preventive Medicine found that women with the highest satisfaction with marriage, family, and friends at six months had a 38% reduced risk of mortality and a 48% lower risk of recurrence when compared with those with poor social ties.

Unfortunately, the reality is it often feels impossible to fit in the time and effort to prioritize relationships. Many people have a group in their lives they consider friends and whom they value deeply, and they would like for those friendships to be even stronger. Yet it might seem like spending the time to cultivate a deeper relationship is something that would take immense effort, time, or planning. It doesn’t have to be, though! Here are some ways to bolster the friendships you have:

- Ask a question you’ve been putting off because you thought you didn’t have time to talk about it.

- Figure out a date that’s important to your friend, whether it’s their birthday, anniversary, or even a difficult milestone in their lives, like a parent’s death, and write it on your calendar so that you will know to do something personal when the time comes.

- Think of a memory that makes you laugh, and text or email it to your friend.

- Plan the next time you can see each other in person, and if that’s not possible, plan a time to catch up, for real.

No matter your age, treasure your girlfriends for as long as possible, as they are the backbone of your support system.

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Knowledge is power, and the turn of a new year is the perfect time to set new standards for our own personal health and wellness. One such way is to pay more attention to the beauty ingredients of items we consume, both internally and externally. In the same way that we might check a fruit bar for any ingredients we deem harmful to ingest, it is important to review the ingredient lists on our skincare, cosmetic, and beauty products. Here are five key products to steer clear of in the new year.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemical compounds that have various uses in cosmetic products, from stabilization to helping lotions stick to the skin, to helping fragrance retain its scent. However, these compounds can also disrupt the body’s endocrine system and may lead to long-term health effects, including cancer and fertility issues. They can be especially dangerous to children. The European Union has banned several types of phthalates for cosmetic use.

May Be Found In: body wash, deodorant, hair products, nail polish, perfume, shampoo

Parabens

Parabens may be one of the better-known beauty ingredients to avoid, but many don’t truly know what the elements are, or why they are harmful. Parabens are chemicals derived from petroleum and, just like petroleum jelly, have a preservative effect on the skin. By preventing the growth of bacteria or mold, they can extend the shelf life of beauty products. While this may sound positive, parabens have also been linked to a host of risks to the body, from short-term effects such as allergic reactions to endocrine system disruptors and breast cancer. Luckily, as they are one of the more well-known toxic chemicals, many beauty companies specifically market their products as “paraben-free.”

May Be Found In: lotion, makeup, moisturizer, sunscreen

Formaldehyde

Even the name of this cosmetic agent seems to scream, “steer clear”! Formaldehyde is a strongly scented gas and commonly known ingredient in embalming fluid. It, along with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs), can also be included in various beauty products, where it similarly works to preserve various breams, soaps, and shampoos. In addition to being a skin, eye, and lung irritant, it is a known carcinogen that has been linked to long-term issues like asthma as well. Formaldehyde is banned from cosmetic use in the E.U., and several states in the United States have taken steps to regulate it as well.

May Be Found In: baby shampoo, body wash, creams, nail polish, nail polish remover

Aluminum

Aluminum is wonderful for foil, cans, or even for beauty product packaging; however, it can prove problematic when included in our skincare routines. Occasionally, it is utilized in beauty products due to its astringent and antibacterial properties. The metal is a common ingredient in deodorants or antiperspirants in particular, working to block the sweat glands and prevent sweat from reaching the skin’s surface. Unfortunately, aluminum can prove irritating, especially to the delicate skin of the underarms. It has also been suggested to create nerve damage, with links to breast cancer as well.

May Be Found In: antiperspirant, cleanser, deodorant, foundation, lipstick, sunscreen

Fragrances

While this may be a term that we regularly see on beauty items, even expect, the actual meaning might be different than we think. Rather, the very loose word “fragrance” on an ingredient list is a way for beauty companies to use an umbrella term and avoid including all the elements that truly exist in a product. The term can include any of the thousands of chemical combinations in a product to create that scent, even those that pose health risks. As these signature fragrances are protected under trade secrets and can remain undisclosed, it can be wise to veer towards products labeled “natural fragrance” or “fragrance-free.”

May Be Found In: all types of beauty products

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I don’t know about you, but “hobbies" have become a way to deal with the difficulties of everyday life. Whether it was my various pandemic hobbies like crocheting, or getting into fitness (again!) after moving hundreds of miles away and becoming a stay-at-home mom at the beginning of the year with two kids under two, I’ve been escaping and distracting myself with hobbies for some years now.

Along the way, we’ve had tons of Settlers of Catan game nights, I’ve tried to crochet a dinosaur with video guides, and then I baked a couple of loaves of bread in my Dutch oven. I was pretty proud of myself. And I would say I’m hardly unique in this regard– many people rely on leisure activities for their many benefits, especially when a new year kicks off. However, you’re not alone if having a hobby is not on your to-do list, whether it’s a lack of time, interest, or even energy. Americans are working more than ever, so it makes sense that there’s less time to pursue extracurricular interests. 

So, what constitutes a hobby? We might have different ideas of what a hobby is, jogging is literally the last thing I ever want to do, but some love the rush of adrenaline when pounding the pavement. So many things fall under the hobby umbrella, from video gaming to cycling to painting. 

The good thing about having a hobby has less to do with the specific activity and more to do with the act of having one at all. To start, doing something that makes you happy engages your reward system. Aside from instant gratification, these activities help deal with the stresses of life. Overall, finding a hobby that you enjoy is a long-term investment in yourself. A 2023 study analyzed the data of more than 93,000 older adults and found that participants with hobbies, defined as activities done for pleasure during leisure time, self-reported higher health, happiness, and life satisfaction. There are so many benefits!

Psychological benefits could include immediate effects on your mood or long-term boosts to resilience skills. Biological effects can include better physical performance (via, say, sports like basketball or pickleball), improved immune function, and less pain across the board. One study found that 75% of people who were creative in their hobbies had lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, after doing so.

Meanwhile, some hobbies unlock a wealth of social benefits, including combating loneliness and supporting stronger social skills. Other hobbies have behavioral benefits, which means they can lead to building optimal habits and routines.Overall, hobbies make life better.

Need help getting started finding a hobby that suits you? Check this out! In the new year, make yourself a priority and do things outside of your daily responsibilities that will make you happy. Cheers to 2025!

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Endless parties, tons of cooking, decorating every nook and cranny of your house, shopping for everyone – the holiday to-do list goes on and on. While it's all about sharing special memories with your friends and family, it can be a little stressful, right?

According to a poll by the American Psychological Association, U.S. adults are feeling joyous but a little overwhelmed this holiday season. 89% say that concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict cause them stress at this time of year. And while stress appears to be pretty common at this time of year, 43% said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them truly. Additionally, 36% said the holidays feel like a competition. So, what can you do to ease the stress? Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic:

• Plan Ahead: Between co-workers, friends, and family, some commitments will inevitably end up on the same day this holiday season. Make sure to plan on what you can attend in person or virtually. If you're hosting the holidays, create a yummy menu ahead of time to help you stay organized and make grocery shopping easier.
• Say No: With holiday commitments, saying no and being selective of your time is OK. It also will help relieve some stress and give you much-needed time to relax.
• Set a Budget: This is an important one! The holidays mean spending money, money, money. This year, make a budget and stick to it. Spending some of your hard-earned money on your loved ones is important, but so is paying your electric bill. Don't buy gifts you'll pay off for the rest of the year.
• Maintain Healthy Habits: The holidays are notorious for ruining healthy habits. A short workout or brisk walk each morning will help your decision-making throughout the day. If you're in a snowy spot, encourage your family to try snowshoeing or sledding to get extra exercise, or find indoor basketball or tennis courts and play together. Also, maintain your skincare regimen from Mojave Skin Shield and nosh on healthy snacks like fresh fruit or vegetables throughout the season. Try to fill up before a dinner party or celebration with tempting but unhealthy foods. Fruit salad, anyone?
• Focus on Productive Conversation: The holidays are always a time that can lead to meaningful conversation. When tensions are already high this season, focus on cultivating productive conversation.
• Take a Break: Remember your own needs. Take a nap, take a short walk, read a book, or watch a funny movie. Finding some time for yourself in the midst of the chaos is a good idea. 
• Be Realistic: You are only one person and can only do so much. Be realistic about how much you can handle this season. Forget about perfection, and relax and enjoy your friends and family!

Find more tips on managing stress throughout the holidays. Cheers to a happy, healthy holiday season!

By Lauren James Budhu

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The highly coveted extra hour for millions of Americans will come soon, as the clocks "fall back" an hour and daylight saving time ends for the year. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time next Sunday, November 3rd, which means you should set your clock back an hour before bed.  Standard time will last until March 9th, when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time. The twice-annual time change was designed to add more daylight in the mornings and evenings, depending on the time of year and the Northern Hemisphere's position from the sun. The hourly change has a rich history, with effects ranging from the environment to individual wellness.

Many think daylight saving time was conceived to give farmers an extra hour of sunlight to till their fields, but this is a big misconception. Farmers have been long opposed to daylight saving time since it throws off the harvest schedule. The concept is based on energy conservation and a desire to match daylight hours to when most people are awake. The first real experiments with daylight saving time began during World War I. In 1916, Germany and Austria implemented a one-hour clock shift to conserve electricity needed for the war effort. The United Kingdom and several other European nations adopted daylight saving time shortly after that, and the United States followed suit in 1918. 

Most Americans only saw the time adjustment as a wartime act, and it was repealed in 1919. However, President Franklin D. Roosevelt re-instituted daylight saving during World War II in 1942. More states continued using daylight saving after the conflict ended, but for many years, there was little consistency with its schedule. Finally, in 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized daylight saving across the country and established its start and end times in April and October (later changed to March and November in 2007).

Yet daylight savings time remains controversial today. Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said it is time to end the time changes and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun and human biology. 

The brain has a master clock set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we are more alert. Morning light resets the rhythm, and melatonin levels begin to surge by evening, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening, that extra hour from daylight saving time, delays that surge, causing the cycle to get out of sync.

Even an hour change can throw off sleep schedules because while the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same. That's a problem because so many people are already sleep-deprived. About one in three American adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens do not get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights. The change is also associated with a heightened risk of mood disturbances and hospital admissions, as well as elevated production of inflammatory markers in response to stress. 

Regardless if you like it or not, it’s probably a good idea to prepare ourselves before we “fall back.” Some people try to prepare for a time change by changing bedtimes little by little in the days before the change and getting more sunshine to help reset circadian rhythms for healthful sleep. Get more suggestions on daylight saving prep here! 

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Heading to the polls this November? Or mailing in your ballot? The 2024 general elections for the United States are fast approaching, and it’s time to get registered to vote if you haven’t already. After all, it’s one of the most important elections in our lifetime.

So, why does it matter to vote? It’s important to reflect on the significance of the right to vote, a fundamental pillar of democracy that many fought to secure. Voting is more than a civic duty; it is an expression of your voice, values, and vision for the future of our country. The fight continues to this day. Unfortunately, there have been efforts to suppress voting rights across the country over the last few years, ranging from obstacles to voting by mail, new voter ID requirements, gerrymandering, and limitations on what officials can do to help promote voter access.

Voting rights have been protected since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 went into effect across the country, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. It is considered one of the most effective pieces of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted in America. The act contains numerous provisions that provide nationwide protections on elections; it expanded on the 15th Amendment, which granted Black men the right to vote in 1870. The measure was strengthened and reaffirmed in 1970, 1975, and 1982. However, within the last ten years, provisions of the Voting Rights Act have been struck down twice – in 2013 and most recently in 2021. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped back from the brink of totally gutting the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act and reaffirmed the precedent interpreting how legislative districts must be drawn.

So what is happening now? According to the Brennan Center, between January 1 and September 16 this year:

- At least nine states enacted 18 restrictive voting laws, the second-highest level of output in any year since the Brennan Center began tracking such legislation over a decade ago (the highest number was in 2021). Louisiana is responsible for eight of these laws. At least four states enacted 11 restrictive laws since May.

- At least two states enacted two election interference laws, with one new law passed in Louisiana since May.

- At least 19 states enacted 28 expansive laws, and at least nine states enacted 14 of these laws since May.

Luckily, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union are fighting to maintain our voting rights despite the efforts against them. Stay informed about the ACLU’s work or donate to support their ongoing litigation and advocacy efforts.

If you haven’t registered yet, you still have time for the November 5th general elections in most states! Check out voting information in your state, see if you’re registered already, request an absentee ballot, and get more voting info here. Exercise your right to vote!

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In a wellness world that is ever-expanding, it is easy to grow fatigued from the seemingly endless slew of terminology, ingredients, and keywords to keep track of. While the scientific terms and regulated standards may seem daunting, the increased transparency of skincare products can be celebrated when paired with enhanced consumer literacy.

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After a whirlwind summer filled with endless beach days, popsicles, and the Olympics, we are enduring the shift towards back-to-school days, football season, and sweater weather. Enter Labor Day!

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday that signifies the unofficial end of summer has roots that date back to the late 1800s when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions that workers have made to America’s prosperity and strength as a country.

According to History.com, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks to make a living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 years old worked in mills, factories, and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult colleagues’ wages. As manufacturing increasingly replaced agriculture as a mainstay of American employment, labor unions became more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and spur employers to renegotiate hours and pay.

On September 5, 1882, more than 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.

The idea of a “workingman’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers nationwide, and many states passed legislation recognizing it. A movement developed to secure legislation for state legislation; New York was the first state to introduce a bill, and Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day in 1887. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday. Finally, on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with family barbeques, get-togethers, and parades – similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that it should be observed with a street parade to exhibit "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, according to the U.S. Department of Labor website.

American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest time of production the world has known. This labor movement has brought us closer to realizing our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy, thanks to all those who help make our country run every day. Here are some fun ideas to celebrate your Labor Day weekend and embrace the true reason for the holiday.

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 When we think of a desert, a dry, sandy locale with cacti and tumbleweeds rolling across a long, winding road might come to mind. Yet what many might forget is that deserts can refer to so much more. Enter “food deserts”-- places that lack direct access to affordable and healthy fresh produce. Unfortunately, this is a reality in various pockets across the United States. 

For an area to be defined as a food desert, approximately one-third of the population must live more than one mile from the nearest supermarket in a city, or more than 10 miles in a rural neighborhood. These predominantly tend to be found in low-income areas, areas where people don’t have cars, and almost always communities of color. In fact, the 2022 U.S. Census reported that individuals identifying as Black or Hispanic accounted for 33% of the U.S. population but nearly 49% of people in poverty. 

Food deserts have significant effects on human health. According to the Food Revolution Network, there is a direct correlation not just between poverty and hunger, but also between poverty and obesity. It’s not necessarily the case that people living in food deserts don’t have plenty of access to calories. These areas tend to be oversaturated with liquor stores, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants, places that sell highly processed foods that provide excessive levels of sugar, oil, salt, and artificial ingredients. There is no shortage of sodas and snacks, pastries and white bread, cookies, and crackers; and there are plenty of alcohol and tobacco products out there, too. Yet healthy food? Not so much. This can lead to higher instances of diet-fueled diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and Type 2 Diabetes in areas with food deserts.

So, what can you do to make fresh food more accessible where you live? You can:

- Start your own community garden!

- Donate to nonprofits like Urban Harvest, a catalyst in transforming food accessibility, or volunteer when you can!

- Create a free, library-like mini food pantry to donate food, personal care, and household items you don’t need, or take items you do. In large cities such as Los Angeles and Miami, you can also find upcycled community refrigerators, where neighbors can share and store food with one another.

- Support special food programs like Wholesome Wave, which uses private funds to demonstrate what might happen if public funds were spent differently. Users shop with SNAP (food stamp) dollars as they normally would, but when buying fruits and vegetables, they get their purchasing power doubled in the form of tokens or coupons called “nutrition incentives.” 

- Invest in healthy school meal programs and local food banks that provide healthy foods for the families they serve!

One step -- and one bite -- at a time, we can help to shift the course of things. While we still have some work to do, my hope is that we can build a world with healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all.

Image: The Food Access Research Atlas, USDA

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