Christmas is nearly here and while you might have avoided overindulging at turkey time, December 25th brings in a whole new batch of temptation. Here, Marla Ahlgrimm answers a few common questions on how to maintain a balanced diet throughout the holiday season.

Q: I have so many parties to attend. I don’t want to be rude; what can I do to enjoy myself without snubbing the food?

Marla Ahlgrimm: How you manage your cravings and temptations starts with breakfast. You’ll be less likely to over-do it if you begin your day with something hearty and heart-healthy such as oatmeal, fruit, and a boiled egg.

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Without women like Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell and Dr. Mary Walker, Marla Ahlgrimm may have never had the opportunity to work in medicine. Here, the retired pharmacist reflects on her foremothers in the hopes that a new generation of female healthcare providers might remember that women were not always on top in the medical field.

Q: When were women first accepted as medical providers?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women’s role in medicine actually dates back to ancient times. As far back as 1500 BCE, there were women studying medicine in Egypt. Greek mythology tells of four granddaughters of Apollo who were respected physicians.

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Marla Ahlgrimm, a veteran women’s health expert and retired compounding pharmacist, says heart disease isn’t what happens when you lose your first love. It’s the #1 killer of women and should be taken seriously from an early age. Here, Ahlgrimm answers a few questions about the condition.

Q: What is the most important things women should know about the heart?

Marla Ahlgrimm: I would encourage young women to take steps to keep their heart — and their entire body – healthy. Heart disease kills more women than any other health condition but it may be thwarted by a lifetime of healthy eating and the right amount of exercise. And women who do eventual develop heart disease can stave off many of its symptoms by modifying their lifestyle.

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Medicine has been a male dominated industry since the 1400s. Marla Ahlgrimm, one of the most prominent pharmacists and women’s healthcare experts of the last century, says that women have always played an important role in healthcare. Here, the author and speaker shares a peek into the history of two of the women who paved the path to her own career.

Prior to the 1400s, women were heavily involved in the health and medical care of those in their community, says Marla Ahlgrimm. That changed when Europe declared that only those with a university degree could practice medicine of any kind. At the time, and largely throughout the next 500 years, women were not allowed to attend college and therefore were ineligible for medical licensure.

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Sweet treats, tiny goblins, and pumpkin spice everything mean one thing. No, not Halloween. October heralds a message far more important than free candy, says Marla Ahlgrimm. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of the spooky feel of the season, Ahlgrimm demystifies a few of the myths surrounding this still-mysterious disease.

Myth: Any changes to the breast are likely cancer.

Fact: Marla Ahlgrimm explains that, while all lumps and physical changes should be monitored, not all tissue changes are cancer. Breast tissue can change throughout a woman’s lifetime. For instance, breastfeeding mothers may notice that their breast become hard and lumpy if it has been a while since their baby has nursed. This is typically caused by engorgement, a painful side effect of overabundant milk stores.

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Sleep is a luxury that eludes many women, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The retired hormone specialist explains that women’s bodies require an average of 20 minutes of additional slumber compared to their male bedmates. But they aren’t getting it and that’s a problem.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women lose sleep for many reasons throughout each stage of their lives. During pregnancy, hormones (and a growing midsection) can lead to insomnia. In the first few years after giving birth, women sleep lighter than before, ostensibly as a biological response to having offspring to care for. Hormones make their presence known at night again during menopause. This time, it’s hot flashes that unveil the unrest.

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