At 24, Anna M. Park was living a life that most Asian parents dream of for their children. She was working as an attorney in downtown L.A., making good money, and on paper, living a life of prestige. But after six years working in law, she quickly found herself approaching 30 lost and unhappy.

It’s amazing how much of our lives revolve around food. Even more shocking is how our diet choices affect our health and our chances of becoming successful. Just think about how much happier people are when they are healthy: they feel good about their body and talents, as well as their outlook on life. They’re confident—and maybe smarter and richer.
Yes, we should be concerned that nearly half of American children are overweight and obese, putting them at higher risk for developing pre-diabetes, diabetes and heart disease. But a recent New …

The first time I heard of Lynn Chen was when I saw her playing the role of darling Ramona in the 2009 film “White on Rice.” She was such a natural on screen—a testament to the talent of the many underrated Asian American actors out there. But it wasn’t until I researched more about her films and career as an actress that I learned about her lifelong battle with binge eating and anorexia. For a moment, I was completely stunned at how someone so talented, smart and beautiful could ever …

Phones are no longer just for listening to music, taking pictures, checking your email and looking up directions. Mobile apps have completely changed the way we think about our health and are making a difference in the way we live. There are thousands of apps for the Blackberry, iPhone and Android that will give you the real-time support and momentum you need to achieve optimal health and fitness. Whether you’re trying to calculate the number of calories in a slice of pizza or how much time you’ll need to spend on the elliptical to burn off those calories, there’s an app for everything.

Sex is everywhere. It’s harmonized in metaphoric lyrics, illustrated in steamy movie scenes and featured in provocative billboards and magazine ads. Regardless of your gender or relationship status, sex inevitably will cross your mind at one point or another. Yet, particularly among the Asian American community, it is rarely an open topic of discussion, and talking about it is a taboo.

When you’re sexually active, it’s important to find a method of birth control that fits your lifestyle if you’re not ready to become pregnant. The only way to completely prevent pregnancy (or STIs) is not to have sex, but there are also a number of contraceptives that can greatly reduce these risks. Dr. Michelle Sia, an instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University’s school of medicine, recommends speaking with a gynecologist who can review your medical history and personal needs with you to make the best choice.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be transmitted whenever bodily fluids are exchanged, not just during vaginal sex. And while they’re the least fun topic when it comes to safe sex, as long as you’re sexually active, the truth is that you might end up harming your health with some very uncomfortable symptoms.

Preparing for your first time may seem like the most awkward, daunting and uncomfortable experience ever—but you’re not alone. Questions like “Am I ready to have sex?” “Is this the person I want to lose my virginity to?” and “Who can I talk to about this?” may be running through your head. The truth is, sex is complicated, and no one can answer these questions—except you. Whether you’re single and dating or in a serious relationship, becoming sexually active is one of the biggest “adult” decisions you’ll have to make. …

One night several years ago, Jen Wang and Diana Nguyen found themselves sitting by a fireplace, drinking scotch and making jokes about disgraceful Asian celebrities.

“We’d find ourselves always circling back to why it was so significant to have good Asian representatives instead of lame ones—there are so few public figures in the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) universe, that it [unfortunately] places a burden on those in the public eye to represent us all,” said Nguyen.

Besides experiencing new cultures and enjoying different types of foods and entertainment, traveling allows you to become more active than usual. Whether you’re on the road, sailing the seas like Abby Sunderland, roughing it or flying off to a foreign country, here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and happy on your next trip:
Dining Out
When you’re on vacation, chances are you won’t be cooking very often. And if you’re eating at restaurants, unhealthy items are not always obvious. The good news is that you can easily make …

Having trouble packing everything you need for your trip? We’re here to help. Whether you’re planning to hit the road, take a cruise, go abroad or embrace the outdoors, it’s important to pack what’s necessary as well as useful. And that doesn’t mean you have to pack everything—putting together a mix of things you use on a regular basis and what you may use when the unexpected happens is a more practical approach to packing for a trip. For instance, do you really need five pairs of shoes for a …

As the world’s largest and most populous continent, Asia has become a widely popular travel destination. Rich with history, culture, cuisine, languages, religion and people, it’s no wonder that when we think of Asia, we consider it as the entire other half of the world.

Filled with new learning experiences and relationships, college can be stressful and unpredictable. Unless you’re careful, unlimited cafeteria food and drinking at parties can lead to the infamous “Freshman 15,” where first-year students pack on 15 pounds from their new lifestyle habits. We’ve compiled some smart eating and exercise tips to ensure every year is a healthy and fun experience.

How to Develop Smart Eating Habits
1. Breakfast is for champions. It may seem like a no-brainer, but eating breakfast can help you improve your concentration and stay engaged during classes. …

Whether you aspire to become a journalist, entrepreneur, doctor, teacher or lawyer, internships give you an extra edge and a street-smart instinct that you can’t learn from reading a textbook. It goes without saying that having internship experience puts you ahead of those who don’t. Especially today, employers aren’t just looking for applicants with a college degree and a high GPA; they’re looking for someone who is well-rounded and already has the skills for the job. And if you thought looking for an internship or job was pointless in this …

Heidi* was only a freshman in college when she first tried Adderall. “I was getting a grip on college life, hadn’t learned how to procrastinate right and obviously had a hard time handling my workload. I discovered caffeine gum at the campus convenience store and had been getting through all-nighters with that, but then someone told me that Adderall was way better, and I wouldn’t have to eat 10 cups of coffee worth of caffeine in gum,” she said.
Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and heroin—these are the forms of substance abuse one …