Dr. Meghan Lynch-Ljubi from Zest Pediatrics of Westlake put together a simple, practical guide to keeping your kids safe this season. From SPF basics to why floaties aren't a supervision strategy, these are the basics every family should know. Take a few minutes. Summer fun and summer safety aren't mutually exclusive.

Summer planning pressure is real — Dr. Keili Mistovich offers refreshing thoughts on the matter.

This month's Integrative Insights is a good one. Instead of another summer schedule to manage, Keili offers something more useful: a different way to think about the season altogether. Rhythm over routine. It's a small shift in perspective that could make the whole summer feel a little easier — for your kids and for you.

At Zest Pediatric Network, our mission is simple and urgent: Saving Pediatrics. Not just for the doctors who have dedicated their careers to children’s health — but also for the families who depend on them. This bold mission is why, for the second consecutive year, we led the National Direct Pediatric Care Survey  — the only national survey of its type in existence. This year, 99 pediatricians across 30 states responded, representing an estimated 60%-70% of all pediatric DPC practices nationally. The results are simply extraordinary.

What Would Theo Do? A Lesson for Every Parent

I recently finished two books that I cannot stop thinking about — one deeply alarming, one profoundly beautiful. Together, they changed how I think about what we can give our children in a world dominated by screens and social comparison.

One will make you worry. The other will give you hope. And between the two, I think there is a real and actionable parenting lesson worth sharing.

Last month, my wife Linda and I were supposed to be in the UAE and Egypt. Instead, a conflict in the Middle East sent us pivoting to somewhere we never expected — and reminded me of something I think about often as a pediatrician and as a parent.

This month's blog is about the gift we give our children when we expose them to cultures different from their own. Not through grand international travel, but through the intentional, accessible experiences that are available to most of us right here at home. Cultural curiosity builds empathy, resilience, and the kind of flexible thinking our kids will rely on for the rest of their lives.

I hope you'll read it — and I'd love to hear your thoughts and your family's story.

Spring should feel like a fresh start — but for kids with eczema, allergies, or asthma, it often feels like the hard season just changed its name. The pollen, the schedule shifts, the extra time outdoors: it all lands on an immune system that has been working overtime since October.

In this month's article, we break down why spring tends to bring flares — and, more importantly, what actually helps. Not just symptom management, but the bigger picture: sleep, nutrition, the gut-immune connection, and the environmental adjustments that reduce the load on your child's system before it gets overwhelming.

The Olympics offer lessons about character, humility, and how we live alongside people who are different from us. Watching athletes compete fiercely while still showing deep respect for one another raises an important question for families today: how do we teach our children to hold strong values while also practicing empathy and kindness?

In this article Dr. Hertz explores how Zest’s Core Values are demonstrated by Olympians and what the Olympic spirit can teach us about excellence, respect, and guiding children through differences in a divided world.  

As winter stretches on, many families notice a quiet shift at home. Kids seem restless yet tired. Sleep feels off. Moods are more fragile. After months of shorter days, less outdoor time, and disrupted routines, children’s brains and bodies are simply out of rhythm.

This month’s blog explores an often-overlooked reset: movement — not intense exercise or packed sports schedules, but the steady, everyday movement that helps regulate mood, sleep, focus, and emotional resilience. As we move toward spring, small, consistent changes can help kids feel more balanced again — physically and emotionally.

Winter can quietly disrupt a child’s mood, energy, and emotional regulation. In this month’s Integrative Insights, Dr. Keili Mistovich explores why winter feels harder for so many kids—and offers practical strategies around light, movement, nutrition, and sleep to help families restore balance during the coldest months.

After the holidays, a lot of kids feel a little more “off”—stomach aches, constipation, mood swings, sleep disruption. This month’s Integrative Insights is a steady, no-extremes guide to gut health, with a simple “start here” action step you can try this week.

Cold and flu season is officially here — but your child’s immune system doesn’t have to struggle through it. This month, we break down the simple daily habits that make the biggest difference: food, sleep, movement, stress, and a few smart supplements. No gimmicks. No “immune boosters.” Just real, practical guidance you can use today.

Fall brings crisp air, changing leaves… and plenty of germs. Discover practical ways to keep your little ones healthier this season—and remember, your pediatrician is always on your team.

Worried about sugar this Halloween? The good news: candy won’t actually make your kids “wired.” Get practical tips for setting limits, staying safe, and still having fun.

Inflammation isn’t just about sore throats or sprained ankles. Low-grade, chronic inflammation can quietly affect your family’s energy, focus, and long-term health. The good news? Small, daily habits in food, exercise, and sleep can make a big difference.

Introducing Integrative Insights - a new feature from Zest about integrative medicine for children.