I can still see her hands scattering flour in a circular motion to form a “well” on the kitchen counter. I see her add water, olive oil and yeast to the hollow center, then throw in a pinch of salt before whisking the ingredients together with a fork. I see her reach for some more flour, which she sprinkles all over the big, sticky mess. Then she begins to knead. She applies powerful motions with her soft yet strong hands, rolling the dough away from her, then pulling it back, taking one side of the mound, then stretching it and folding it over the other. She does this with the other side, and repeats these motions over and over until the dough starts to take the shape of a ball.

That’s the vivid image I still have of my mother making pizza dough so many years ago. She had no recipe books, yet she knew exactly how much of each ingredient was needed and had a natural confidence that everything would turn out delicious. She had learned to make pizza by watching her older sisters. She didn’t learn from her mother, whom she lost when she was only 2. And I lost her when I was 13.

Yes, I’m a motherless daughter. And now that I’m the proud parent of two teenage boys here in Northern Italy, there are certain aspects of motherhood that I am winging. I am a motherless mother. … //READ MORE

These days, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t experienced the immense physical and spiritual benefits of yoga. But few people are aware just how far the practice has evolved over the past 2,500 years, from its early development by wandering ascetics who used controlled breathing and body movements to transcend human suffering, to the $27 billion industry it’s become in the United States alone.

Now, the world’s first major art exhibit about yoga may change all that. Yoga: The Art of Transformation—at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, by way of the Smithsonian Institution—unravels the complex history of one of the most popular practices in the world. Culling more than 130 rare sculptures, paintings, illustrated manuscripts, prints and other visual arts from 25 museums and private collections around the world, the show explores the centrality of yoga in Indian culture and the evolution of yoga into … //READ MORE

This is a photo of my Aunt Dorothy in the early 1930s when she was a young woman. At the time, Aunt Dorothy and two of her friends loved to sing together and they formed the Silver Trio, which performed at evening clubs in the Moline, Illinois, area, so I think this may have been a professional photo. I can remember when we used to take the three-hour train ride from Moline to Chicago and our first stop would be Marshall Field’s, where we could find the latest hats, makeup, gloves and, of course, dresses. I think Aunt Dorothy’s favorite purchase was shoes, but she looked smashing in all the fashions of the day—from dresses with butterfly sleeves, nipped waists and midi-length skirts to peep-toe pumps.

Aunt Dorothy became a working woman during World War 2 and continued working throughout her life. In her retirement years she helped to organize another small group of women and they had a wonderful time entertaining at various retirement communities. This year, Dorothy turns 104! She now resides in Florida with her second … //READ MORE

Fashion moves so fast these days that it’s hard to keep up. But the latest trend is a no-brainer: gorgeous head jewelry designed to make you feel like an Egyptian goddess. If the idea of wrapping your pretty little noggin with chains and gems sounds strange, consider this: You wouldn’t think twice about adorning your neck, ears, wrists and fingers, right? So why not bedazzle your most valuable asset?

No longer just for brides, Bollywood stars and princesses, head jewelry is now hitting the mainstream. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Vanessa Hudgens have been caught out and about sporting gold and silver chains draped over wavy tresses or a sleek ponytail. Styles range from simple gold chains to custom pieces ornamented with antique metal accents, rhinestones or jewels. While it’s still hard to find these heady accessories in stores, they’re readily … //READ MORE

We don’t really own anyone or anything. All we have is this moment. Why waste it in worries, regrets and sour fantasies? Why not embrace it with attention, affection and appreciation?

This is what one of my three gurus posted on his Facebook page today. That’s right, I have three gurus—people who are helping to guide me on my spiritual path. And yes, this one is an avid Facebooker and references pop culture in his teachings. … //READ MORE

When it comes to love, sex, marriage and motherhood, French women say relax. And we Americans should listen, according to Debra Ollivier’s bestseller What French Women Know, a witty examination of the French feminine mystique.

For generations, the world has known that French ladies are sophisticated and confident, sassy and sensual, and can rock a bustier like nobody’s business. But what we may not have noticed, says Ollivier, is that their views on relationships are in some ways strikingly different from American women’s, so much so that French females are able to enjoy life exponentially more than we are. Surprise, surprise.

Now, Ollivier, an American who has lived and raised children in Paris, is not saying French women are perfect. She is simply suggesting that we … //READ MORE