Recent content from Allie Shah
Robbinsdale woman travels to the world's poorest countries, bearing one simple gift
Ceallaigh Anderson Smart runs a charity with an unusual focus: traveling to impoverished countries to make photo portraits of people who don't have any pictures of their own.
Duluth sisters want to help you fight the winter blues – on a bus
The Sol Sisters treat sun-starved Minnesotans to a dose of warm light.
Scientists have found out why voices like Bob Ross' is so soothing
Read this story in a hushed tone to see if it evokes the brain-tingling sensation known as ASMR.
Look out, Warren Buffett — Minnesota teen writes book on investing
Maya Peterson was only 9 years old when she sold one of her beloved American Girl dolls and used that money to buy stock in…
Ice cream made out of snow turns a cold shoulder to safety concerns
Do snowflakes pack a hidden punch from toxic pollutants?
At the U, future doctors and nurses learning to treat patients with food
Taught by a doctor and a chef, U class focuses on better health through healthier eating.
Twin Cities book clubs are having a 'senior' moment
Reading and socializing may help reduce the health risks of social isolation, making book clubs a hit with Minnesotans in senior homes.
Full-scale Hogwarts comes to life for Harry Potter fans in Minnetonka
You can tour the ultimate Harry Potter experience created by a Minnetonka business owner for her daughter's college graduation.
Despite major risks, Minnesota teens embracing DIY tattoos
Hand-poked body art is going mainstream, worrying health experts.
Robbinsdale nurse heads to beloved Puerto Rico to help after hurricane
"My heart was getting pulled," said the former Broadway dancer, who has traveled often to the island. "I thought, 'I've got to do something.' "
For parents, monitoring their kids online raises all sorts of conflicting feelings
Most parents monitor teens' digital lives, but where does it become an invasion of privacy?
Minnesota dentists will donate your Halloween candy to U.S. troops, give you voucher for veggies
HealthPartners' annual candy exchange aims to set record.
In opioid epidemic, children are becoming the unseen victims
Many kids of addicted parents have been orphaned or sent to live in foster homes or with relatives. Those who stay at home must fend for themselves.
Minnesota 'water walker' hopes to save waterways from contamination
Every step is a prayer for an Ojibwe woman who leads "water walks" to call attention to pollution in rivers, lakes and oceans.
Minnesota's Native American health advocates use old games as new cures for obesity
Two local Native Americans are leaders in a grass-roots movement to improve Native health by reviving the active ways of their ancestors.
Thomas Vennum Jr., who helped document Ojibwe music, dies at 82
From an early age, music and Madeline Island figured prominently in the life of Thomas Vennum Jr. As a student at Blake School, he played…
Five signs of prescription drug abuse
Two Minnesota doctors on the front lines of the opioid epidemic describe the telltale warning signs of addiction to prescription painkillers.
Heads up: The hottest way to treat lice catches on in Minnesota
One way to get rid of a louse-y problem is to heat the critters until they dry out. Concerns about chemical-resistant "super lice" are increasing demand for this method.
Parental angst over HPV vaccine leads to fewer Minnesotans getting the shot
Despite exhortations about reducing cancer, many parents remain hesitant about HPV vaccine.
Minnesota's pioneering Muslim model featured in new Nike ad campaign
The 19-year-old who has challenged attitudes about the wearing of hijabs has broken yet another barrier — this time appearing in a new Nike ad campaign for a sneaker.
Minneapolis father-daughter team tackle teens and tech use
A father-daughter research team offers guidance for parenting teens in the digital age.
A day later, eclipse watchers ask: Did I hurt my eyes?
Symptoms of eye damage from the sun include blurriness and spotty vision.
Blind Minnesota painter's art created from her 'mind's eye'
Sounds, smells and memories inspire a Burnsville artist's vivid paintings, now on display.
Icky truth: Blowing out birthday candles causes huge spike in bacteria on cake
Blowing out birthday candles causes an astronomical increase in bacteria covering the cake, a new study says.
Brave or dangerous? Graphic anorexia images in Netflix's 'To the Bone' spark debate
"To the Bone" fuels debate over whether graphic portrayal of eating disorders is safe for young viewers.
New U of M project to limit C-sections is showing success
New project at the University of Minnesota aims to reduce the rate of C-section births among first-time moms.
Almost 3% of state teens identify as transgender or gender nonconforming
"It is much higher than what I was expecting," said the study's lead researcher at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Why we get brain freeze when eating ice cream — and tips for avoiding it
We all scream for ice cream, but sometimes snarfing down a cold treat in a hurry makes us scream — in agony.
Overweight Minnesotans are among those who are ditching the diet
Fewer people are trying to lose weight amid a backlash against dieting and growing acceptance of being fat.
Carl Kroening, staunch supporter of Minneapolis schools and parks, dies at 89
The longtime Minneapolis educator and legislator died June 29 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center following a stroke, said his daughter.
Tick alarmism is overstated in Minnesota, experts reassure
Warnings about an explosion in tick populations didn't pan out here.
Deep relaxation is the hot remedy for preventing and curing symptoms of stress
Deep relaxation is hot as a remedy for pain, anxiety and other symptoms of modern life stress.
Sisters offer fitness classes in Spanish at new Twin Cities studio
Language and cultural issues, as well as cost, created a barrier to fitness the two sisters wanted to break.
10 things you should ask your doctor on your next visit
On average, doctors spend a mere 13 to 16 minutes per patient. Here's how to set the agenda for which health issues to cover during your appointment.
5 nasty Minnesota bugs to watch out for this summer
As Minnesotans, we pine for summer all winter, but we're not the only ones emerging from hibernation. To help you survive the season of bugs, here are five nasty ones to watch out for this summer.
Dan Dailey, who helped establish Cedar Lake Park and trail, dies at 68
His efforts to establish Cedar Lake Park contributed to the creation in 1995 of the pioneering Cedar Lake Trail.
Minnesota mural artist pictures a bright future for kids in crisis
Savage artist aims to cheer up children with vibrant murals.
No couch, one car: How these Minnesotans are living with less
The minimalist revolution has led some Minnesotans to shed possessions and embrace a no-frills life.
Ex-boxer Laila Ali fights for a new cause: Healthy living
The daughter of the late boxing legend pulls no punches with her latest venture — a podcast on health.
Does the essential-oil trend pass the smell test with Minnesota hospitals?
Essential oils are a hot item in today's holistic healing world — touted as a natural way to improve your mood, ward off sickness and treat ailments such as arthritis, dry skin and allergies.
Mayo doctor performs 'life-changing' work on kids all over the world
Seeing lives transformed by surgery is the reward for doctor who volunteers for the Children's Heart Project.
Minn. Somali model walks runways in Milan — and cleans rooms in St. Cloud
No matter how incongruous the notion of a model moonlighting as a housekeeper may seem, to Minnesota's Halima Aden, 19, there's nothing at all unusual about it. Both are part of who she is.
Inside 'Little Mogadishu,' the Somali capital of America
The Cedar-Riverside area has long been a magnet for new arrivals. Today, it's mainly East Africans breathing new life into it.
Minnesota medical professionals work to close health gaps for LGBT patients
Minnesota medical professionals are working to overcome "transphobia."
Achoo! The distance germs can travel is nothing to sneeze at
Stand back – way back. Super slo-mo of a sneeze reveals that the germs travel a lot farther than had been thought.
Aging boomers, lack of funding for Alzheimer's may lead to 'major social and economic crisis'
TPT documentary aims national spotlight on looming Alzheimer's "epidemic" and its financial and emotional toll on families.
500 bands in 365 days: Minn. father, son bond on heavy metal mission
A 21-year-old Maple Grove man with cerebral palsy wanted to see 500 rock bands in 365 days. His dad made it happen.
5 tips to get off the couch and start moving in winter
Here's how to resist the urge to hibernate and binge-watch until spring.
Obituary: The Rev. William Brice, veteran and civil rights activist, dies at 91
When it came to fighting for justice, the Rev. William Rhodes Brice was never a bystander. In fact, he preferred to be on the front…
Blue about the cold? St. Paul spa offers way to get warm with infrared saunas
Trendy spa treatment creates light rays that produce heat.
Kidney donation gives old friends from Minn. film industry 'amazing bond'
These two men hadn't spoken in 20 years, but when one of them needed a kidney, the other gave his friend the gift of life.
![Mingo players conferred with each other as five of hearts was called while they played Saturday afternoon at Thompson Hall. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR TRI](https://chorus.stimg.co/21284422/ows_148037037447459.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
At 100-year-old St. Paul club for the deaf, 'your friends are all here'
St. Paul's 100-year-old Deaf Club still draws a crowd but fights to attract younger folks.
'Biggest Loser' nutritionist, a St. Paul native, says not to skip meals
Don't try to imitate contestants' dramatic results, Cheryl Forberg says.
Minn. doctor pushing for cannabis for canines to treat seizures
Dogs have higher rates of epilepsy than humans do, and Leppik believes a cannabis pill could do for canines what it's done for humans.
Definition of 'healthy' food gets a makeover
It's no shock that some of these foods are considered healthful and others are not. Can you figure out which are which? Be ready to be surprised.
Hold the phone: Doctors OK screen time for kids under 2 (with limits)
For the first time, the nation’s largest pediatricians’ group is saying it’s OK to allow children younger than two to be exposed to television, tablet…
Belly up to the TV: Binge watching could lead to more stomach fat
Binge watchers, you may want to hit the pause button for this: watching TV has been linked to more belly fat — even for people who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
We still love our dietary supplements even though they might not help
Use of supplements — including vitamins, minerals and herbs — has become a $32 billion industry.
Can playing 'Pokemon Go' make you live longer?
"Pokémon Go" fanatics, rejoice! Your collection addiction may pay off in the long run, in the form of a longer life.
Remember this: brain game claims can't be proven, study says
An exhaustive review of published studies on brain-training products incuding Lumosity, CogniFit and BrainHQ tests whether brain games can make you smarter.
What causes runner's high? Scientists are still chasing after the answer
For many of the runners in this weekend's Twin Cities Marathon, the reward for pushing themselves during the race will extend beyond the finish line in the form of a hidden perk: runner's high.
Playing with your cat could be hazardous to your health
Warning: Playing with your cat could be hazardous to your health. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there’s…
Missing mist? How to help your kids handle the flu shot
Parents are scrambling to deal with children's fear of shots now that doctors say to avoid the nasal spray.
Hospitals still overusing antibiotics, feds say
Amid rising fears about "superbugs" that are resisitant to antibiotics, hospitals are still overusing antibiotics to treat patients.
Study: Ditch spoon or risk giving your kids wrong amount of medicine
Doctors are urging parents to ditch the spoon in favor of an oral syringe to measure medicine for young children, arguing that using spoons often…
'Mogadishu, Minnesota' HBO series stokes hopes and fears in Minneapolis
Heated debate over a TV pilot for the series reached a boiling point at the West Bank Block Party, when a protest ended with arrests and police pepper-spraying the crowd.
Why people quit their Fitbits
Once embraced with enthusiasm and worn with pride, fitness trackers are now winding up in the bottom of a drawer months later.
Obituary: John Hodowanic, 86, past president of the World Press Institute
John Hodowanic never did anything halfway. The former editor of Twin Cities magazine and president of the World Press Institute threw himself into every job…
Later bedtimes for tots can lead to weight problems as teens
Benjamin Franklin may have been on to something when he prescribed "early to bed" for better health.
Playing through concussion doubles recovery time, new study shows
Playing through the pain of a concussion doubles your recovery time. It also could lead to more severe symptoms, according to new research.
Om power: Minnesota study looking at yoga's ability to offset Parkinson's symptoms
Can yoga help ease Parkinson's disease symptoms? A University of Minnesota researcher aims to find out.
Coffee craving may be hard-wired to genes, research says
If you’re reading this while sipping your second — or more — cup of coffee today, blame it on your genes. Scientists say they’ve identified…
Not so sweet news: Doctors set new limits for kids' sugar intake
A group of heart doctors is calling on parents to stop indulging children's sweet tooths by curbing the amount of added sugars in their kids' diets.
Minneapolis massage therapist offers soothing touch to clients with cancer
Minneapolis massage therapist offers free services with a goal of relaxation and a supported immune system.
