Perhaps the only legacy worth having is to have been known as a kind and compassionate person. -Unknown What exactly is kindness? A quick google search gives a simple definition;…
As February comes to an end, I want to reflect on Black History Month. I believe that it is important to recognize that the end of this month does not…
I was 20 when I lost my first pregnancy. I felt betrayed by my body, but at that point in my life, betrayal was all I knew towards her. My…
What is a plant-based diet? A plant-based diet is meals planned specifically around foods that consist of plants and no animal products. Also, a plant-based diet is not the same…
According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, women home ownership is on the rise. 18% of home buyers in 2017 were single women, compared to only 7%…
For women with a known chance of a high-risk pregnancy, finding out you’re expecting can be a terrifying experience. I am one of those women. It's difficult to share such…
Due to a series of unexpected events at the beginning of the year, I had the opportunity to spend 5 days of extreme self-care by myself at the beach. I'd…
Filled with a sense of indifference, I sat and watched as the young sapling's leaves rustled in the light breeze. Its small trunk swayed gently as the wind swirled around it.…
COVID has changed most of our lives in one way or another. It changed our world in what seemed as though overnight. I know that there has been so much…
I have been a divorced single mom now for 18 years. My three daughters are adults now. My former husband and father to my children lives out of state. Basically,…
Need a phrase to silence a crowd quickly? "White privilege exists." Seriously, try it. You will see people stop in their tracks. They will stop then look around and become…
The inherent risk in tackling this topic is that you think I’m crazy, but I hope you think I’m brave. Anything less than bravery could not have brought me here,…
The Blessing of Bonus Littles I’ve been blessed to be the auntie of two of the most loving, creative, kind, and unique kiddos (sure, I’m a little biased). My niece…
Every woman should treat heart health as an important part of living. Why? Because heart healthy living means you understand the risk and preventative measures of heart disease and coronary…
Warning: traumatic birth story detailed below. Please read on with caution as the material or descriptions may be triggering. Every January, as his birthday draws near, I have a tightness…
I was 26 years old when I birthed my daughter, the final child we were to have...the icing on our cake. She was, like her older brothers, a joy to…
The universe gifted me a special needs son. He has a presence about him and is a bright light on my darkest days. The days I have lost all hope,…
A couple weeks ago I was out shopping with my daughter. We saw this awesome shirt (pictured) in the store Zumiez. I posted it on my story on both my…
There's a good chance you've spent more time at home this year. Perhaps you always knew you wanted to remodel. Or maybe being at home more has prompted you to…
“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill I am a proud mother of three beautiful young ladies. Having all girls,…
The wintery days are upon on us, and we are very likely still somewhat limited in where we can go and what we can do, due to the pandemic. So,…
The teen years with your children are typically a challenge, throw in a child with autism adding in further challenges. Today I am sharing some thoughts on helping your autistic…
OK, time management has been my pride for more than a decade of my career life. As a self-confessed procrastinator, I dove into learning all the time management skills and…
Turning 40 recently has me thinking more about the status of my health. Also where I want it to be at this stage of my life. My interest in the…
Toxic positivity is a mindset that I am very familiar with. For years, perfectionism and toxic positivity plagued my thoughts and inner world. This way of thinking affected how I…
How do you know when it’s time to move on? Or to say no to something that you’ve previously said yes to? Are you a “Yes” Person? If you find…
Overwhelm is not a feeling most of us welcome. Our typical response to ever-growing responsibilities and demands is to do more and work harder, rather than take a step back…
In 2016, I became a “girl mom.” But I was determined never to become one of those "Dance Moms." I was already mom to a little boy. He was innately a…
This past summer has been a summer of growing pains. I have outgrown people and things, but more specifically, I have outgrown things that leave my soul heavy. This…
How can you know when it makes sense to move forward into a new job opportunity? How do you know when it's time for a job change? Do you like your…
Each year around half of Americans set a New Year's resolution. In contrast, less than 10% stick to it or remember the goal past February. However, I think most people…
Ever since I was little, I dreamed about getting my degree in Social Work and becoming a therapist. I have lived through a lot and I want to be there…
2020...the year. Who visualized this? It's been something....how's that vision board holding up? Last year I wrote an article about designing your vision board for 2020. Touting its propensity to…
Empathy, forgiveness, and hope are gifts we can give all year long. Empathy Before I started my personal development journey, I wondered what the true difference between empathy and sympathy…
My family and I arrived to the United States from Mexico in 1997, with just the clothes on our back and a handful of personal belongings. As a family, we…
While gathering together for traditional holiday activities might not be possible this year, there are still ways to celebrate. It just may take a little creative ingenuity to put a…
Quick Note Please note, I am in no way an expert on mental health. I am a person who knows I cannot be the one to provide advice. My article…
If you’ve been following me for even a short time, you probably know that I am passionate about Intuitive Eating. It is my absolute delight to help my clients free…
So, What did you accomplish in 2020? Yeah, we get it, it’s the end of the year and we are supposed to be gearing up for happy holidays and…
If I’m being honest, I’m a terrible gift giver. I admire people who have a knack for selecting thoughtful, creative, and practical gifts. From the moment the radio stations start…
Do you find it difficult and are hesitant to ask for and accept help when you are in need? Why do some of us hesitate when it comes to asking…
When I made the decision to go gluten-free 5 years ago to help with my Rheumatoid Arthritis and digestive issues, it was extremely difficult. There are things I was really…
How to educate has entered pretty much every parent’s home this year in a new way. As I write this I am embracing our third month of facilitating online kindergarten…
This year has been one of change and growth for so many. In order to end this year on a positive note I am sharing some ideas on changing our…
“Thank you for your interest, but unfortunately your post was not chosen this time around.” Those words were tough to read, and even tougher to swallow. When I started writing…
I believe that it is important to continually educate ourselves on the prevalence of racism that plagues our society. Recent events have created a new awareness surrounding the treatment of…
The smile spread across her tired face. Appreciation, excitement, and joy were expressed in her eyes. The walls had been painted and organizing the storefront was all that remained. Everything…
Old Before My Time I thought I was old at thirty-nine. Through no fault of our own, my husband and I had suffered a devastating financial setback that left us…
A delightful aroma of roasting oats and nuts spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger wafts from the kitchen into the rest of the house. The tantalizing smell draws family from…
What do you think of when I say the word balance? Do you picture the perfect system or a schedule that FINALLY makes motherhood feel balanced? What we experience in…
Is it that time of year again? Yikes, it is. I don’t know about you, but this time of year always sneaks up on me. One minute I am enjoying…
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brené Brown Imagine, a 41-year-old woman…
Our current political climate has been rocky and down right nasty. No matter your political affiliation, bitterness seems to be the flavor of choice for interactions between those that disagree.…
Being a peacemaker is a lot of work. I’ve been trying to keep the peace in one way or another, with one person or another, for years. And in today’s…
Debit. Credit. Income. Expense. Revenue. Profit. Gross. Net. All the financial words that usually cause a feeling of uncertainty in the realm of money for those that are unfamiliar. Together…
Forgiveness, there would be no chance of it. I had danced with the devil, there would be no second chances. I can remember the morning just like it was yesterday.…
Veterans Day is always a day of great reflection for me. Growing up the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and then later marrying a Veteran from Operation Enduring Freedom, I…
This is a story of trying new things...and the regret of listening to others. It's probably a familiar story to some. Picture this: it's 2010 and I have just returned…
Music. Just the word brings me joy and lightens my mood. What about for you? When the World Seems Heavy... I'm thinking sometimes we need something light, something just simple…
I am tired. There, I said it. It’s not like me to publicly admit such a thing. I am strong and independent and I do my best to soldier on…
Have you ever read a Choose Your Own Adventure book? These stories allow the reader to assume the role of the protagonist and make choices to determine the main character's…
With my cup of coffee steaming, the notion was simple: it was the perfect morning to enjoy some creative writing. Free from any plans and distraction-free, I was excited to…
Going to the grocery store is something we all have to do. The ultimate adulting status is standing in grocery aisle twenty one trying to decide between refried beans with…
My first experience with mediation was in my 20s. I had recently begun attending a spiritually-based recovery program for my food and body issues, but I no longer connected to…
If you are a college student, or are a parent of a college student, then you are well aware that online classes have started and are kicking into high gear.…
I set out on a journey about 3 years ago. A journey of stabilization and healing. At the beginning, there was desire to heal and get better but there was…
Halloween will most likely look very different than it has in the past and I think it is really important to try and have some kind of normalcy. I wanted…
Have you ever tried to follow an “expert’s” advice that just didn’t fit for you? Have you felt like a failure because their advice didn’t work as well for you…
It's been a long journey living with depression and anxiety for 30+ years. I remember with great and vivid detail my very first panic attack. I spent years trying to…
So often we focus on the problem we have at hand, we obsess over why it happened. We complain, we vent, we get it off our chest. I do this…
There’s a popular quote circulating the internet. You’ll find it emblazoned on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and wall art from Hobby Lobby. “In a world where you can be anything, be…
2020 Can Take a Hike! So here we are, going into the home stretch of 2020. To say this year has been hard or unique would be an understatement. It’s been surreal,…
Many of us are never taught to feel what we feel. Instead, we're trained to ignore our emotions, to stifle them. We label them as "good" or "bad," celebrating the…
Months ago, pre-Covid, as I cleaned up after the gathering of friends we had hosted for dinner, a stack of dishes stared indifferently back at me from my sink. I…
Journaling about your hobbies is a great way to stay connected to them when you may not have the time, space or money to actually do your hobby. One of…
Being a caregiver can be very challenging and sometimes difficult to overcome but it can be done. On January 31, 2017, the rest of mine and my mother's lives changed…
History of Hispanic Heritage Month The Hispanic Heritage observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to…
I am once again reminded that there is beauty in the every day moments as I watch the sunrise while holding our 8 week old. It is the ordinary, every…
It's a badly held secret that I am absolutely infatuated with libraries...public, personal, or fictitious. Where there is a gathering of books and information is where I would like to…
I absolutely love having family photos taken, especially in the Fall when the weather starts to change and I start thinking about Christmas card photos. My husband would probably even…
My bookshelves are full of titles like “Present Over Perfect,” “The Way of the Happy Woman,” “The Happiness Project,” and “Rising Strong.” I’ve read and loved them all. Most are…
As she entered this world, she needed me to physically care for her every need. It was essential that she have me hold, change, feed, bathe, clothe, and nurture her. Then,…
As parents we want to do everything we can to help our children grow and these tips for nurturing your special needs child's self esteem plays a huge role in…
“Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing!” It was 2016, and we’d spent weeks repeating that phrase to our pre-teen daughters as we packed up to leave the only…
The current state of the world is daunting, disheartening, overwhelming, and tense. It feels as though there is a constant film of unease and stress covering each day, each task,…
Fall is right around the corner. How are we feeling? Is this even a question anymore? Are people even still asking how we are feeling? 2020 will, without a doubt,…
When I try to imagine what it’s like to have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, I think of the flower that represents the cause — Forget-Me-Nots. Though…
The past 6 months have been unquestionably the strangest time in my life. It has been an unprecedented, unpredictable, and challenging time for the entire world. Not only have we…
El Día de la Independencia de México (Mexico's Independence Day) is a special holiday for all Mexicans, including my family and me. It is a time when our dear Mexico…
I could throw statistics at you all day about the number of people who have thought about, attempted, and died from suicide within the last year. But tell me this,…
I lost a friend to cancer over a week ago. Yesterday was the first time I was able to even speak about her with my husband because I couldn't talk…
We know the day we’re born, but not when we'll die. One bookend of our lives is defined but not the other. In our younger decades we anxiously race toward…
I have a hard time being still and quiet. I always have to fill my time with something. I crave time to just be still but even when I have…
Something interesting happened during all this pandemic lock down and “new normal” we’ve been going through these past months. My new full time job went to part time. Two weeks…
Most people do not feel at peace in the present moment. They are uncomfortable with themselves, unable to be alone with their own thoughts. Think about it. How long has…
Dear First, Before you break his heart, will you hear me out? As I write this, there is a precious, 8-year-old boy asleep in the other room. He has a…
Are you someone who is sensitive? If you are, do you sometimes ask yourself or just question, "Why am I so sensitive?" I have many times throughout my life, so…
Are you a considering entrepreneurship? Wonder what different industries are like? Trying to determine your ideal client? I've been dabbling with my own businesses for the past 5 years. I've…
It is 3:42 in the morning and I can feel her warrior heart beating against mine. I am exhausted and my body aches. It’s been less than 24 hours since…
In the glow of the morning light is, ironically, when I feel the heaviest. When I wake up, I admire the sun seeping through the cracks of my curtains, spilling…
In her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain describes various misconceptions about introverts. She explains that, “At school you might have…
If you are like everyone else on the planet right now, you have a great pile of decisions to make. Should I go to the grocery store? Should I travel…
As a new school year is quickly approaching it is time to start preparing yourself and your special needs child for the school year Every new school year begins with…
An anchor is a heavy object to hold a vessel in its place or it’s someone that delivers you the news on television. It can also be a helpful mental…
In one week we will move my only child into her college freshman dorm room. We will unpack, joke, arrange, laugh, bicker and organize. We will make sure she is…
A giggle escaped from across the backseat of the crowded Ford Super Cab pick-up truck. An exasperated groan escaped my lips as, yet again, my little sister crossed the boundary…
Parents are in an impossible situation when it comes to deciding what their children should do for school this year. There truly is no good answer. But we all have…
When I was in college I got pregnant with my daughter. I gave birth to her at the beginning of my senior year of undergrad. From that moment on my…
One of the biggest obstacles my clients face is what to do when they send their little ones to daycare. They are often found wondering how they are going to…
Self connection is an ongoing journey. As we change through the years each phase of life has its own effect on how we connect to ourselves. Sometimes we may not…
When our world shut down and went quiet in March, I experienced something I'd never experienced before. Truthfully, I've experienced several firsts during this ethereal time, but this one in…
Chronic pain is maybe not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word pain. However, it’s the first thing that comes to mind when anyone…
I love the recognition that humans are never complacent creatures, that we embody different versions of ourselves during different times of our lives. This concept is as equally exciting as…
Many of us hesitate to be authentic with others because we have been hurt in the past or assume we’ll have more time once we come out on the other…
We all know that a good morning routine is a great way to start our day. It’s even touted that the most successful people are those who follow a positive,…
It's been a hot summer, and I think we all have felt a little more stress so far just 2 seasons into 2020 than the Earth usually sees in a…
Worthiness. I am going to be honest with you. This word makes me uncomfortable. Like, to my core. I suffered years of emotional and verbal abuse in my childhood and…
If there’s an upside to the up-side down world we’re living in right now, it’s the slower pace of life. Coronavirus forced us to sit still and stay home. Because…
According to research, people touch their smartphones about 2,617 times a day. Clearly, we spend a lot of time on our devices. I never realize exactly how much until I…
When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new. Dalai Lama Are we really listening or waiting to talk?…
I have a dirty little secret. Actually, for those who know me well, it’s no secret at all. I am a procrastinator. On the surface, I seem to be a…
"A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might…
Mid-March I became a different person...a nesting person. Not only did I "celebrate" another trip around the magnificent sun, I also compulsively began to clean and re-clean and decorate and…
June 30, 2002, I walked into a random church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Little did I know that a handsome man would hit on me there and later become my…
Many people do not recognize the benefits of conflict. Instead, they avoid it at all costs. They've been trained to be nice, and conflict just seems so "ugly." Witnessing conflict…
The memories that get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. I can feel them slipping away. The tiny, every day moments that make being a mom, a wife,…
Frustrated when you can't seem to hit your goals? Me too! This year I've been focusing on productivity and especially in this season - how to create a plan that…
Transformation. I can’t even tell you how many times in my life I have worked to change my form, my appearance. How can I alter, modify my body? What do…
Lessons I've learned from my curly hair. Where do I begin? Curly hair. Love it or hate it, it’s mine. There’s no escaping it. Since the moment my hair began…
Are you ready to get uncomfortable? It’s important to start by saying that I am not an expert on anti-racism, nor am I an expert on mindfulness. I am a…
This year, though we're only halfway through, has been too long and too difficult both globally and personally. Too much to process. My head spins and my heart sinks. Words…
Life with adrenal fatigue syndrome means managing stress in a healthy way
The truth about having a mental illness is this: It is hard and it is draining. There are so many things that are going on in your head and so…
How often have you felt overwhelmed by all the mediums vying for your attention? I can remember a time before podcasts and social media. Books, radio and TV have always…
Do you often believe that you are not good enough? Do you constantly disappoint and judge yourself? Is blaming yourself for making mistakes and expecting perfection a daily ritual? This…
I do have to brag that my kiddos have been great sleepers from a very young age! But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have setbacks and tired nights here and…
"Don't "GO" through life, "GROW" through life. Realize the journey of life is not about being right or pretending to know it all. It's about learning and growing every step…
Over the last 11 weeks I have had some time of self discovery during the stay at home order. During the recent stay at home order many of us have…
If my memory is correct, I was put on my first diet around the age of seven. Looking at pictures of myself back then, I see I may have been…
Early in the lock-down, I realized that I had no area in my house to "take" my yoga class. Work was from home, college was from home, high school was…
Long ago, in a time far far away... My grandfather was an avid gardener. In the acre behind their home he had created a small oasis of vegetables and fruits in…
Having recently spent a week in the hospital with my daughter, I started thinking about a parent's unending love and support. Even now, as a grown woman and parent myself. …
I started out on my wellness journey in May 2018. As you can imagine, when I first started, there was an overwhelming amount of information given to me on how…
The doctor glanced up at me after examining my daughter and gently explained, “We’re going to go ahead and make an appointment for her at the children’s hospital downtown.” Well,…
I am a “glamper.” I have officially traded in my tent for the glamping life. There. I said it. My backwoods, backpacking, teenaged self-of-old would shudder to hear those words…
Have you ever felt like you just want to completely give up and back away from your purpose in life? You have? Me too. Lately, I have felt like it…
These last few months have been disorienting. To gather enough focus to put pen to paper and write down my thoughts has been daunting. The struggle to identify up from…
“When you parent, it’s critical you realize you aren’t raising a “mini me,” but a spirit throbbing with its own signature. For this reason, it’s important to separate who you…
Remembering back to my childhood, I reflected on arriving at the base of my favorite tree. I was ten years old looking up and squinting into the Texas sunshine. I…
Moms and the childless in community? All of us crave the fulfillment of whatever we assume is missing in our lives. Otherwise, life would be practically perfect. But the challenge for…
It seems like a patterned narrative that plays on a loop: a white celebrity says or does something overtly racially offensive on a TV show/social media platform/news outlet; someone notices…
I stood there waiting for the airport terminal train, breathing slowly in and out, squeezing my legs together so tightly my muscles were shaking. I was trying to hold back…
Now that you have an Autism diagnosis it is important to begin creating your support system by educating your family so that they can better understand and help support you…
My best friend of almost 34 years is a wonderful human being. I don't really know where I'd be without her. Her husband sometimes jokes that we share a brain,…
“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again…
We were sitting around her kitchen table. I got back from my psychiatrist and received my diagnosis. I got an answer, but it was an answer I never wanted to…
Raising kids is a high-stakes responsibility and in this age of social media and easy access to information about anything and everything, parents are easily overwhelmed with feelings of guilt…
Money is always such a serious and sometimes taboo topic. We all want more of it and spend a lot of time researching ways to get it. I thought it…
My favorite unwinding activity is baking, even though that's something that be stressful or can go wrong at any given time.
I'll be honest with you, until a little while ago I did not grasp the difference between jealousy and envy. I thought they were synonyms for one another. So when…
I slowed my stroll down the sidewalk and paused to lean against the side of the building. Casually I observed the bypassers and wondered at the look on their faces.…
The low-carb lifestyle may not be for everyone, but I encourage you to do some research and see if perhaps reducing your sugar and carbohydrate intake would improve your overall…
Using a planner for journaling is a great way to reduce your journaling time. One of the biggest reasons people do not journal is the lack of time. We are…
I love helping people. It makes me feel purposeful and fulfilled. Every time I’ve taken an Enneagram test, I’m a 2. “The Helper.” I want to bring meals to you…
One mom’s two cents to get you through those last few tumultuous adult teen years. Parenting is hard. Parenting adult teens is hella hardest. And those last few years will…
After more than 15 years of working in the fitness industry, I recently walked away from teaching indoor cycling classes. Leaving the fitness industry was one of the most difficult,…
There is nothing wrong with you because you cringe at the thought of being around your family (or someone in your family). And, if you are feeling guilty about it,…
Spring is here! It’s hard to feel it right now amid the Coronavirus shutdowns but it’s here. With the change in seasons comes the warmer weather, flowers blooming and, for…
We all, at some point in our lives, have fallen down physically or mentally, ranging from childhood to adulthood. We've collected a treasure chest full of scars from a few…
Writing is a love. A passion. A joy. But it is not always easy. While I immensely enjoy the opportunity to share my heart, to be vulnerable and authentically me,…
I have long known that God created me with the gift of transparency. But have since learned to shroud it in discernment. To pause for a beat. Then, cautiously determine…
So, I have this problem. It’s not, like, a bad problem, necessarily. And it’s not one of those problems where I have brief moments of anxiety, like when I misplace…
I curled up under a blanket on the carpeted floor of our master bedroom closet. Pulling the pillow over my head, I squeezed my eyes shut and turned on the…
My love of all things natural. I was very young when my love of all things natural began. My parents were instrumental in this, although neither them or I knew…
"Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage."-Brene Brown Life is filled with so many amazing moments. There is so much to celebrate, so much to be grateful for, so…
Stress. Tension. Anxiety. Busyness. We have too much to do! Too many hats to wear! Too many places to be! We believe life would calm down and the problem would…
My heart has grown quite disengaged and resentful of late. The world seems so harsh and unkind. Messages of hate and judgment, acts of cruelty and divisive language everywhere make…
I’m the type of person who thinks about the times I’ve said the wrong thing over and over again. These comments will pop into my head sometimes at completely random…
I was fourteen years old as I stepped off the school bus. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I had just experienced deep rejection. Behind me, the voices of former…
If I had a dollar for every time I said that I was fine when I was falling apart I would be rich. I am like the queen at saying…
There is a constant stream of information in our lives today. We have devices that fit in the palm of our hands that have access to all the information in the world. And if we don’t have said device, there is certainly someone in our circle that does and openly shares this information, whether requested or not. How do we weed out the noxious misinformation? Is it possible to define credibility within constant change?
There has been a lot of buzz in the media lately about intuitive eating. More people are waking up to the fact that the "wellness culture" so many Instagram influencers…
Ahh, sleep deprivation. A sleepless state of existence that is near and not-so-dear to my heart. As a matter of fact, I don’t know that I’ve met many individuals who…
One year ago I said I would never write a blog. Two months later, here I am, still writing blogs. Oh no...Not another blog! You may want to grab a glass of…
I. Need. Help. Three words that bring rise to a myriad of feelings, emotions and physical reactions. To ask for help is to be vulnerable. It’s scary. It’s risky. And…
Ever feel like you need a little mid-season boost after the holidays? During the final quarter of the year, we are celebrating with lights and laughter, spending time with loved…
All the little moments that get lost when you are busy running the race to achievement. It's within these moments where belonging waits to be found.
For me, the time between 30 and 40 was truly a decade of transformation. Sometimes it can feel like we haven't accomplished much. Usually, though, when we take time to…
My mom says lots of things. Let me clarify. My mom has a big mouth. Okay, wait, that’s not what I’m going for either. My mom tells me when she’s…
