Meet Our Experts!
Alanna Fincke's grandmother and grandfather, an editor and journalist, respectively, both played huge roles in her love for magazines. Visits with her grandparents were filled with spirited discussions and cutthroat Scrabble games, inspiring Alanna's love of words and language. She studied journalism and women's studies at Syracuse University, and started her career in magazines at Elle right after college. "I always thought women's magazines made you feel so bad about yourself. I wanted to work at one and try to do more positive stories." Alanna then continued her career at the celebrity-driven magazines Us Weekly and In Touch Weekly. To combat the stress of her fast-paced life as an editor, she began studying yoga and is now a registered yoga teacher. In February 2006, Alanna, who grew up on an organic farm and has practiced natural health her entire life, became the editor of Body+Soul, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's magazine for healthy living. "This job is the perfect combination of my skills as an editor and my life's passions."
As an undergraduate, Dr. Brent Ridge majored in public health and environmental science, studying the way the state of the natural environment impacts our health choices. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, completed his post-graduate training at Columbia University, and also holds an MBA from New York University. As a physician, he specializes in the field of aging and is currently working with Martha to develop the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai, a new facility for the management of chronic health conditions and for the promotion of healthy aging. According to Dr. Ridge, "aging" is not about a number or a year, but rather "learning ways to maximize your health so that whether you are 30, 50, or 80, you are getting the most out of your life and doing the things you love to do." Dr. Ridge also serves the vice president for healthy living for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can talk to Dr. Ridge live every week on "Ask Dr. Brent" on Martha Stewart Living Radio.
Terri Trespicio has long integrated the values of whole living into her daily routine. "It's as much a practice as a philosophy," she says. "You balance the needs of mind, body, and spirit by making conscious choices." This can be as simple as trying something new, she says, like cooking fresh vegetables in a different way or taking your exercise outdoors. She brings this whole-life approach to the pages of Body+Soul each issue, and to the airwaves of Martha Stewart Living Radio each week. She aims to inspire a fresh perspective and encourage readers and listeners toward their personal goals. Terri holds a Master of Fine Arts from Emerson College in Massachusetts, and currently teaches at Boston University. An award-winning poet, tea connoisseur, and yoga and Pilates enthusiast, Terri invites listeners to engage in practices that ultimately create mindful, satisfying lives.
Raised in a family of foodies, it came as no surprise that Lucinda Scala Quinn began cooking professionally at the age of 16. She has worked as a private chef, caterer, cooking teacher, and freelance food writer. Today, as director of food and entertaining for Martha Stewart Living, Lucinda oversees the coverage of these topics in magazines and books, on television, and on the radio. She says it is the perfect job because it gives her the opportunity to share useful tips and recipes for creating mouthwatering meals that are as simple as they are delicious. Lucinda has written two books: "Lucinda's Authentic Jamaican Kitchen" and "Rustic Italian Kitchen." She lives in New York City with her husband and three sons.
For food editor Sandy Gluck, there was no better training ground than the hustle-and-bustle restaurant scene in New York City. Sandy went to culinary school at the New York City College of Technology, and worked for several years as a chef and caterer before freelancing for magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Family Circle. Over the years, she has worn many hats -- from cookbook editor to test-kitchen director to senior recipe developer. Her encyclopedic knowledge of food can be seen in many of her books, including "The Best of Mediterranean," "From the Farmer's Market," "The Best of Coffee," and "Pasta: Great Taste, Low Fat." As the food editor for Everyday Food and Body+Soul magazines, she oversees every recipe and tastes every succulent dish. She also teaches Martha Stewart Living Radio listeners simple, fast meals every week on "The Everyday Food Hour." "People say you shouldn't play with your food," she says. "But now I can."
Mary Tedesco is not only Martha's personal trainer, but she is also the owner and president of Body Fit Personal Training (www.marytedescofitness.com). She has appeared on "The Martha Stewart Show" numerous times to demonstrate simple stretches, boxing techniques, and how to effectively use exercise balls.
Eva Scrivo is a highly acclaimed hair and makeup artist, designer, radio talk show host, television personality, and entrepreneur. One of the top names in the salon industry, she is the first woman to own two high-end salons in Manhattan -- one in the Meatpacking District and a second that has recently opened at 50 Bond Street. Both Eva and her salons are consistently recognized by the industry's leading publications as among the best for haircutting, coloring, and aesthetics. A few of the most recent accolades have included: "Best of the Best" and "Best Bridal Experts" by Allure, "Best Downtown Salon" by Town & Country, "The [Expert] List" by NY Times Style, "New York Wedding Guide" by New York Magazine, and "The City's Finest Hairdressers" by Gotham. In addition, Eva is the "voice of beauty" on NBC's Martha, the host of Beauty Talk on Martha’s Sirius Satellite Radio channel, and is a favorite go-to expert for beauty and fashion editors who, along with many others, recognize Eva as one of the country's premier beauty experts -- a status she achieved through her experience, expertise, and penchant for teaching.
