Recent Articles
Technically, summer has the most days of any season, but it never quite feels like that. The bright, toasty months pass by in a flash, which is why planning ahead is so important. Or at the very least, we suggest having some ideas on-hand for when you have that urge...
Every year, more than 300,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates nearly 322,000 women will receive diagnoses. For Bee Brave—a passionate and driven West Michigan community dedicated to supporting breast...
The sun is shining and the great outdoors beckons! But when you’re also working a 9-to-5 job, it can feel like you’ve got a blip of time to enjoy it all. While we wouldn’t turn down a chance to be out in the garden or laying beachside all day, we’ve gathered some tips...
The smell of popcorn, the rush to get a good spot, throwing blankets and pillows in a truck bed, tuning the radio to the required station … the nostalgia of an outdoor or drive-in movie in the summertime is strong. And if you’re seeking that kind of experience in West...
Money—how much we have, spend, and wish we had—can occupy a surprising amount of space in our heads. Getting “there,” wherever that is for you, can feel elusive. And when we arrive, the bar often moves. A nicer car. A better vacation. Bigger goals. There’s nothing...
Does your home and interior design have a personality? Or is it a point of confusion you can’t quite seem to wrangle? Determining what your style preferences are and how they work with your home’s existing features doesn’t have to be a struggle. Courtney Esch knows...
GLP-1 medications, often popularized in media as simply a celebrity weight loss tactic, are so much more than that. For many, they offer relief from various symptoms and conditions, bringing very real benefits to women as they age. And now, you may have seen the...
What on the surface may appear as simply an enjoyable game is truly so much more when it comes to keeping your mind sharp as you age. A cultural tradition dating back centuries, Mahjong is a Chinese tile-based game blending together skill, strategy, and luck. And more...
Ahh, vacation. Whether you’re planning for months from now or have a spur-of-the-moment urge to get away this weekend, we have some destination ideas for you that will make you feel like you’ve traveled far away, yet they’re all right here in The Mitten! Adventure...
Has your favorite big brand discontinued your favorite product? Are other products hard to get your hands on? Or do you simply want to purchase a quality product while shopping small? Enter: local skin and body care! Come along as we explore three local brands you...
Working out isn’t always some people’s idea of “fun.” For some, working out alone at home or at the gym can feel isolating, whether it’s lack of a routine, accountability, consistency, motivation, confidence, or otherwise. However, for some, working out in a group...
How to gift a down payment the smart way. WHY HOME BUYING MAY FEEL HARDER FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN THAN IT WAS FOR YOU If you feel like your kids are working hard and still finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home, you are not alone. We have many...
Chances are, you or someone you know has been faced with infertility. It’s unfortunately not uncommon, with the World Health Organization reporting that about one in six people are affected by this medical condition. And for as common as it is, many carry the weight...
You may have heard the recent news about PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) being renamed to PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome), an updated term that health professionals say better encompasses the condition. A WELCOMED CHANGE According to Nisha McKenzie,...
You don’t need a long trip to feel like you’ve truly gotten away. Just 90 minutes North of Grand Rapids, Ludington offers the kind of summer escape that feels easy, familiar, and exactly what you and your family have been craving. It starts with the drive; quick...
As vibrant spring vegetables and early summer fruits find their way into the sun, it’s the perfect time for farmers market season to begin in earnest. Produce is never better than when it’s in-season, and at farmers markets, just about everything is. That’s not to...
The heaviness in your legs and arms. The painful pea-like nodules under the skin. The seemingly never-ending inflammation. The emotional weight of your legs never responding to diet and exercise. The tenderness and easy bruising. The mental toll of your body not doing...
That’s right, it’s time to eat and drink in the sun. After so many frosty months, many of the restaurants and bars across West Michigan are bursting out onto the sidewalk, into back patios, and across wide open decks. And thanks to our trusty lakes Great and small,...
Major changes emphasize blood-based and at-home stool testing as ACS researchers aim to reduce colorectal cancer deaths by offering options to improve screening participation. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently released updated guidelines for colorectal cancer...
Many women have been there—urging a significant other, father, or other man in their life to take their health more seriously. With June being Men’s Health Month, we’re examining why men are less likely to visit the doctor’s office for preventative care and how to...
As the United States turns 250, we look to the surprising corners of history to dig into the good parts of what makes us who we are. Read on for a look at some stories you may not have heard before. Sometimes the smallest idea leaves the biggest legacy. In 1938, a...
Artists of all ages can let their creativity flow in the sunshine at the fourth annual Chalk the Walk at Windmill Island Gardens on Saturday, July 11 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Spend the day creating artwork and decorating the park’s walkways with chalk creations while...
This summer, John Ball Zoo is making it easy for everyone to help butterflies, bees, and other wildlife thrive. Community members are invited to visit the Zoo’s Habitat Hero booth at events across West Michigan to receive a free native pollinator plant and learn how a...
It’s the perfect season to enjoy all of the delightful towns and cities along the West Michigan lakeshore. Between the beaches, the boutiques, the breweries and beyond, there’s easily enough fun to fill multiple trips (you could even turn it into a staycation with a...
In partnership with First Steps Kent and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program has launched in zip code 49507 in Kent County. Starting July 1, eligible families in Kent County 49507 can now receive $1,500 during pregnancy...
Before a PAWS dog changes someone's life, countless people help shape its journey. For Amy and Garrett, that journey began nearly a year ago with NASH, a Paws With A Cause (PAWS) foster puppy. Since welcoming NASH into their home as volunteer foster puppy raisers, Amy...
Summer is a time for outdoor fun, relaxation, and making memories with loved ones. It’s also a time when children are at risk of experiencing what’s known as the “Summer Slide”—learning loss some students experience when they’re away from the regular rhythm of school....
Looking for a good read? Perhaps even coupled with a welcoming space to enjoy it in? Come along as we share some of our favorite local independent options for bookworms and lovers of all things literary. Cellar Bird Bookscellarbirdbooks.comShoppers here will find a...
Summer has a way of filling up quickly. Between work, activities, and the endless list of things that need attention, it’s easy to look up and realize the season is slipping by. That’s what makes Ludington such a welcome escape. Just 90 minutes from Grand Rapids, this...
Nationally recognized singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark, lead vocalist of The Verve Pipe, and award-winning author and mental health advocate Vonnie Woodrick have joined together to create an original song with one purpose: to change the conversation around suicide...
What’s the point in going about life without some fun and wonderful little moments of joy? When we can take the boring and make it intriguing, why shouldn’t we? So welcome to a season series I’d like to call: Bringing Back Whimsy—an exploration of what it means to...
Reconnecting with your closest friends doesn’t have to require a plane ticket, months of planning, or an extravagant vacation. Sometimes all it takes is a weekend, a beautiful destination, and the decision to finally make it happen. Just 90 minutes from Grand Rapids,...
As the summer days begin to wind down into a new season, a new school year also comes along with it. But before kids head back to the books, families are tasked with ensuring everyone’s set up for success when it comes to their health and wellness once the first day...
While summer begins to wind down, the lakeshore’s lighthouses endure, offering visitors a look at beauty, history, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Read on to learn why August offers some of the best opportunities to climb lighthouse towers, explore the...
Community walk supports free emotional health programs for those impacted by cancer or grief. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapidsinvites the West Michigan community to join the 12th annual West Side Walk for Gilda’s on Saturday, September 26, celebrating and supporting the...
Our lives wouldn’t be what they are without the stellar local establishments found around every corner of West Michigan, from the newly founded to the well-established and everything in between. Those local staples are what the West Michigan Woman Readers' Choice...
Summer means adventure—getting out there and experiencing all the world has to offer. And even though school is getting back in session and the season is winding down, there’s still plenty of time to fit in a last-minute summer adventure. That means zoos, go-karts,...
Community walk supports free emotional health programs for those impacted by cancer or grief. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids invites the West Michigan community to join the 12th annual West Side Walk for Gilda’s on Saturday, September 26, celebrating and supporting the...
While summer begins to wind down, the lakeshore’s lighthouses endure, offering visitors a look at beauty, history, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Read on to learn why August offers some of the best opportunities to climb lighthouse towers, explore the...
As the summer days begin to wind down into a new season, a new school year also comes along with it. But before kids head back to the books, families are tasked with ensuring everyone’s set up for success when it comes to their health and wellness once the first day...
Reconnecting with your closest friends doesn’t have to require a plane ticket, months of planning, or an extravagant vacation. Sometimes all it takes is a weekend, a beautiful destination, and the decision to finally make it happen. Just 90 minutes from Grand...
Summer means adventure—getting out there and experiencing all the world has to offer. And even though school is getting back in session and the season is winding down, there’s still plenty of time to fit in a last-minute summer adventure. That means zoos, go-karts,...
The West Michigan Woman community has spoken: you're a finalist in the 2026 West Michigan Woman Readers' Choice Awards! To help you spread the word and secure your Round 2 votes, we've created these graphics and badges for you to use in your digital promotions. Be...