About Erika Gruszewski
Posts by Erika Gruszewski
Operation Puppy Rescue: Bringing Noah Home
When my daughter showed me a picture of a little pup found under a storage container in Afghanistan last fall, I was hooked. This puppy was beyond cute. It was a little ball of blond fur with these sad, brown eyes. Inauspicious beginnings Luna was one of nine puppies born among the dirt and rocks…Read More »
What You Might Not Know about the Festival of Holi
It’s almost spring! For me, that means it’s almost time to celebrate Holi, the Hindu celebration marked by a festival of colors. Different parts of India have different traditions to celebrate Holi, a festival that falls this year on March 20. Holi marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. A…Read More »
Thank you, Henrietta Lacks
Earlier in my public health career, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland. There I met a successful nurse practitioner with whom I maintained a close connection even after I relocated to Rochester, New York. Angel and I shared similar interests in community health. Over the years, we traded stories of our professional experiences and inspired each…Read More »
A Grandmother’s story: What you need to know about cystic fibrosis
On September 6, 2011, I was introduced to a beautiful new grandson named Owin. All outside appearances indicated that he was a healthy, handsome little man, and I remember being simultaneously thrilled, thankful and a bit taken aback by the new addition to our family. What made me a little uneasy was his mom, Karee,…Read More »
Will you join me? New York City at 3 mph
Growing up on Long Island and then while attending college in New York City, I had the opportunity to enjoy many of the things that make the “Big Apple” an endlessly interesting and special place. But it was not until several years ago that I was made aware of the opportunity to experience Manhattan in…Read More »
How one person used the NYC Marathon to support those with Down Syndrome
Jack J. Stout decided he didn’t like his weight gain and cholesterol numbers. What did he do to get healthy? He ran the New York City Marathon. The New York City Marathon has been a dream for Stout, but it’s a challenging race to get into. “Everyone thinks the Boston Marathon is the hardest race…Read More »
8 Last-Minute Healthy Gifts For The Holidays
If you’re scrambling to find the perfect gift for that special someone, it’s not too late to give the gift of health. Here are some healthy options: A journal for recording your thoughts, activities or goals A subscription to a health-related magazine. Cooking Light is my favorite A recipe organizer to keep track of your…Read More »
11 Easy Snacks to Help You Sleep Better
Almost everyone loves to grab a snack before they go to sleep. But what you choose to eat could determine whether or not you fall asleep right away. Before you begin nighttime noshing, ask yourself: What’s your motivation? Are you bored? Stuffing emotions? Munching while watching TV? Or, are you really hungry, and if so,…Read More »
I Stand – A Lot. But why does it make others uneasy?
I have an odd habit that’s good for my health, but seems to make others uneasy. I have a tendency to stand, even when asked to sit. You might not think this is odd. Especially since sitting too much could put us at risk for serious health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. This is…Read More »
Five Pumpkin Breakfast Recipes for Fall
(Just about) everybody loves fall. But do you ever get tired of the leaves, the brisk morning air or the pumpkin everything? NEITHER DO I! I don’t just love pumpkin because of the weather. It’s also delicious and really good for you. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, which help promote the health…Read More »