How Do We Safeguard Our Kids From Toxic Relationships?
It's in the media. It's on so many episodes of crime shows. Toxic relationships turned into domestic abuse. Families are ripped apart by the grief of domestic violence. How do…
Gluten Free Solutions to Holiday Meals: You Can Still Enjoy Thanksgiving
Enjoying holiday meals after a celiac or gluten intolerance diagnosis can be difficult. I know personally those first few years I just didn’t eat that much because I didn’t know…
Goal Setting for the Stage of Life You’re In and Utilizing Tools for Success
Goals, purpose, planners How do you feel when you think about goal setting for the year? Excited, overwhelmed, nervous? They sure feel overwhelming to me. I have so many thoughts…
Your Past: How to Let That Shit Go and Move On!
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "the past is a lesson, not a prison" or something close to that. Dang, why did it take me fortysomething years to figure this…
Mama, Never Give up. Keep Trying, Keep Going.
I sat down on the steps, exhausted, ready to give up believing things could get better, ready to give up trying. The feeling of fatigue covering my whole body. Wondering…
My Favorite Gluten Free Apple Recipes for the Fall
Since having to go gluten free several years ago, I’ve spent some time (and trial and error) trying to make my favorite recipes gluten free. This is especially true of…
Best Business Practices to Keep Your Financial Records Straight for Your Side Hustle
You started a side gig, started making money, and now what do you do? I'm going to share some best practices on what to do first (even if you've been…
Feeling Angry All the Time? 7 Reasons Why and What You Can Do
"Anger is often a secondary emotion."Azevedo Hanks Are you feeling irritable, short-tempered or grouchy? Maybe you snap (or want to) at everyone around you. Yet you don't know why you…
Kindergarten Is Calling: The Bittersweet Blessing of Letting Go
I’ve been counting down the years, watching them turn into months. Always keeping my eye on the proverbial clock that’s been ticking away since she was born. And now, according…
Tips How NOT to Pass Your New School Year Anxiety onto Your Kids
Were you one of those kids that couldn't wait to get the school supply list? Run to the store and gather all those clean crisp notebooks and markers? Well, I…
How Do I Find My Fun Me Again? 5 Ways to Bring Your Smile Back
This past year has been heavy. Ok let's be honest, for many of us, it has just plain sucked! The pandemic, social unrest, dehumanization, political division, virtual school, it has…
Losing My Religion: An Imperfect Journey to Finding My Faith Again
If you’re anything like me, the title of this article may have scared you away. Losing religion? Finding faith? Yikes. Religion can be a touchy subject; delicate at best, offensive…
Where My Girls At? Cheers to the Low Maintenance Friends
This Is A Shout-Out to the Low Maintenance Friend. She’s been on my heart lately and I just wanted to take a minute to tell her how much she means…
Living Through A Home Renovation: 7 Things to Know
In the 14 years I’ve known my husband, we have spent more time living through a home renovation than living in a completed home. When we first met, he was…
What is Juneteenth? Why This Holiday Deserves Recognition
To be clear, I am not a historian, or an expert in African American history or culture. I am a white woman and only learned of Juneteenth during my own…
Have a Successful Summer With Your Kids With a Bucket List That Actually Works
Summer is here and while it's fun to make a bucket list of activities- most families get to the end of summer and forget it. We end up a little…
Set up for Success: 4 Keys to Kickstart Your Business Finances
Whether you're a new business owner or you've been invested in your business for some time, we're going to review a few key items to ensure your business is set…
Stop Yelling at Your Kids: 5 Ways to Find Your Cool
A big struggle moms come to me with, as a mom mentor, is how to stop yelling at their kids. My answers and help always surprise them. It sounds like…
Spring: Moving From A Long, Dark Winter to Restored Hope
Awakened by tweeting and the singing of birds outside my window, my heart did a flip and my spirit soared. What a welcomed sound! It was the reminder I needed…
Life as a Stay-at-Home Mom in a Pandemic: Not What I Signed Up For
Let me start by saying I LOVE my children! Becoming a mom was not an easy journey for me and there were times I thought it might never happen. I love…
Adult Child Guilt: Quick Tips on Setting Boundaries With Your Capable Parents
What is your duty as a child to your capable parents? Is it your job to make them happy? What happens when you have guilt for wanting to lead your…
A Love Letter To A Graduating Senior: Signed, a 30-Year Post Graduate
Dear Graduating Senior, I write to you as one who is now a 30-year post-high-school graduate. One thing I can say is: hold on---oh, what adventure and joy lay ahead…
Guilt Trippin’: Reframing Our Guilt for the Greater Good
Recently, I was chatting with a friend of mine. School had been cancelled for consecutive days in a row, thanks to massive amounts of snow dumped on our side of…
Afraid to Talk About Masturbation? 7 of Your Self Pleasure Questions Answered
Masturbation. Even the word itself conjures up discomfort for many women. The guilt, fear and anxiety that surround masturbation in our society is astounding. Of course this makes sense. Growing…
There is Beauty in Giving! But Do You Have Limits?
I write a lot about how the beauty of giving is a gift itself, literally and figuratively. What about boundaries or cut-off points to your extended hand? If you do,…
Expectations Got in the Way of My Happiness: How to Let Go of Control
Okay, I know what you're thinking. How can expectations get in your way of happiness? You have to have expectations to achieve more. How do your children achieve the high…
Spectacular Gifts of Autism I Learned From My Undiagnosed Friend
The most kind man drifted into my life during my mid 30's. He was like no other. Tall, muscular, kind eyes, quiet and clean cut. He was a man of…
One Year Into Quarantine: 3 Things I’ve Learned About Myself
I'll start by saying this quarantine thing hasn't been easy...at all. I have enjoyed some aspects of it and I've downright despised other parts. But I try to look on…
Living Out Her Legacy: Five Life Lessons My Grandma Taught Me
I’m cuddled up under one of my grandma’s blankets. A Mendoza painting of hers is now hanging in my entryway, a statement piece I’d overlooked countless times when it hung…
Facing the Fear of Change: Why ADHD Makes it More Difficult to Navigate
Facing my emotions has never been easy for me, but the fear of change I would have to say is one of the worst. I don't like to sit with…
Grief: A Delicate State of Being of the Mind and Heart
Hello there and greetings to all who read this article. I hope and pray that everyone is doing well. That is indeed my hope for you. This article was going…
My Thoughts on Navigating Change, Endings & New Beginnings
Change is inevitable and the only thing that is constant throughout our lives. The world is always shifting and changing, even when we are not aware. I have a complicated…
Stop Calling Yourself a Recovering Perfectionist: Perfect Isn’t Always Bad
I used to say it all the time. "I am a recovering perfectionist." What I really meant was more along the lines of, "Yeah, yeah, I know it's a bad…
Trisomy 18 Awareness Day: Sharing My Family’s Journey
March 18 was selected as Trisomy 18 Awareness Day because it is the 18th day of the third month. I'm sure this is a day you've never heard of. Just…
Do I Complain Too Much? 7 Things That Can Help
As I listen to my internal and external dialogue, it strikes me that I hear a lot of complaining. Coming from me. I'm the one doing all the complaining. So…
Women’s History Month: Women Who Empower Us
"People will forget what you said people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelo Women In History Who Did Big…
Where Have all my Adult Friendships Gone? How do I Make More Now?
Where have all my adult friendships gone? This is what I think when I'm cruising "social media" and I see pictures of the girl's weekends I was never invited to,…
Why Try a Plant-Based Diet: Will it Help or Hurt Your Health?
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…
My High-Risk Pregnancy & Journey with a Chromosome Abnormality
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…
Apathy: Managing Emotions in This Uncertain World
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.…
How Do You Raise Three Kids as a Single Mom? A Tribute to Wing Moms
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,…
The Aftermath: Pressing Through the Pain to Find Healing After Trauma
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…
Seeing My Daughter in a New Light: Through the Lens of COVID
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…
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Move On?
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…
Feeling Overwhelmed? 10 Things to do Right Now
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…
Putting a New Twist on Annual Holiday Traditions
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…
Enjoy Your Holiday Food Without Guilt! Busting Myths and Answering Your Intuitive Eating FAQ’s
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…
Reasons Why We Hesitate to Ask For and Accept Help When in Need
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…
Five of My Favorite Holiday Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
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…
Making an Impact on #GivingTuesday: How Can You Give Back?
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…
Autumn Comfort Food: Our Family’s Favorite Granola Recipe
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…
Calling All Peacemakers: Making Peace with the Need to Keep the Peace
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…
I am Tired: Confessions of a Special Needs Mom
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…
What if Life Were as Simple as a Choose Your Own Adventure Book?
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…
Embracing Distraction with Kindness: Tips for Intentional Writing
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…
Hate the Grocery Store? 7 Steps to Become a More Efficient Shopper
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 Meditation Journey: Sitting Still and Listening for the Answers
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…
My Journey Living with Anxiety and Depression for 30+ Years
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…
Extending Kindness: Be Sure To Include Yourself
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…
To My Partner: Thank You for Your Investment in My Friendships
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…
Three Ways to Overcome The Challenges of Being a Caregiver
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…
Why Should You Care About Hispanic Heritage Month?
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…
The Grounding Effect of the Library
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…
Preparing for Your Fall Family Photos: Advice From Photographers
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…
No More Fixing Myself: Giving up the Obsession With Self-Help
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…
Change: Transitioning Well Through the Different Seasons of Life
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,…
A Pandemic, Natural Disasters, and Politics, Oh My! 10 Things Keeping Me Sane Right Now…
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…
Her Very Brave Life: Losing A Friend to Cancer
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…
How to Connect the Dots of Your Life
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…
Sensitivity and Imagery: The Meaning and How They Impact You
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…
My Experience with Racism and Showing Up as My Whole Self
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…
Surviving School: Practical Advice for In-Person or Remote Learning
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…
Daycare: The Importance of Keeping a Sleep Routine
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…
It’s So Quiet I Can Hear My Soul Whisper
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…
Why You Need to Tell Your Inner Circle How Much You Value Them
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…
Enjoying the Slower Pace of Life
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…
Stop Talking So Much: Five Ways to Practice Listening Better
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?…
Confessions of a Procrastinator: From Procrastination to Productivity
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…
Get Uncomfortable! How Mindfulness Can Help You Be Anti-Racist
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…
Life With Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: The Modern Day Stress Disorder
Life with adrenal fatigue syndrome means managing stress in a healthy way
How To Choose Podcasts Worth Listening To
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…
Intuitive Eating: The Fear and Freedom of Giving up Dieting for Good
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…
A Parent’s Unending Love and Support
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. …
Three Unexpected Ways to Expand Your Life Through Stretching
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…
Don’t Give Up On Your Purpose in Life: Endure To The End
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…
The Power of Remembering: Reflections from Childhood
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…
The Challenge for Moms and the Childless Woman to be in Community
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…
Creating your Support System by Educating Family on Autism
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…
Best Friends: Celebrating the Relationships Between Women
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,…
Separation Anxiety in Children: How You Can Help
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…
Too busy to notice the here and now
Learning to Live in the Moment: It Changed my Life for the Better
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.…
Don’t Like Your Family? Five Reasons Why You Can Stop Feeling Guilty
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,…
How to Spark Transparent Connections through “How are you?”
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…
I Don’t Have to Save the World Today and Neither Do You
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…
We’ve All Said the Wrong Thing Before So Let’s Give a Little Grace
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…
Growing Through Rejection, Indifference, and Self Preservation
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…
A Lesson I Learned From My Mom: Be Yourself
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…
The Value Of Our History Begins In Our Thoughts
The Beauty of History The value of our History is such a beautiful thing! Because there’s so much you can learn from it. And by reading the writings left behind we…
Crapper Canvases: Lessons Learned From Bathroom Art
This reflection of the impact my mother’s bathroom decor had on my life lessons got me reminiscing on other lessons I’ve taken from crapper canvases.
My Husband Annoys Me Beyond Belief: Five Reasons Why I Stay Married
I’ve been in a relationship with my husband for almost twenty-five years. We bonded over deep belly laughter and amazing sex. That grew into sharing our perspective and finding out…
The Power in a Personal Development Conference
I recently attended a personal development conference called Rise, created by Rachel Hollis (more info here). This excited me so much that I bought the tickets the day they released.…
You Reap What You Sow: How This Phrase Affected My Mindset.
There is an old proverb that mentions the idea of you reap what you sow. If you've ever heard this growing up, how did you decern it? When I heard,…
Behold: A Powerful Practice to Embrace
I stepped out of the car and happened to glance down at the ground before landing on my feet. An odd-shaped rock caught my eye. I immediately beheld how the stone…
The Importance of Having People Like Us and Un-like Us!
I'm a big believer in finding our circle, squad, or tribe. Individuals who have similar ideas, beliefs, and values is important because they will encourage, support and cheer us on.…
Celebrating the Lives and Legacy of Childless Women
The Lives of Childless Women I often struggle in celebrating the lives of growing families around me. Counting myself among childless women I feel like an anomaly. Although maybe more…
Seven Lessons I’ve Learned from Unplugging for Seven Days
I recently took a trip to Jamaica for a week. It was heaven. The weather was warm and the water was turquoise. It was everything my husband and I needed. Before…
My first Zumba class!
I Hate Going to the Gym: 5 Tips For Making Working Out Fun
Finding Joy in Going to the Gym I have loathed going to the gym my entire adult life. I do not get that “high” that many people feel during and…
This New Year: Resolve to Finally be Your Authentic Self in 6 Steps
“To be authentic, we must cultivate the courage to be imperfect — and vulnerable. We have to believe that we are fundamentally worthy of love and acceptance, just as we…
Looking Back to Get Ahead: Gratitude and Presence, not Perfection
Does the quest for perfection in the world and in your own heart constantly nag at you? Looking back to get ahead can become a key factor in living well…
Embracing The Woman I’m Becoming: An Ongoing Journey
"Life is a lively process of becoming"-Douglas MacArthur Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were a kid? Perhaps a teacher, a doctor, a ballerina or all…
Having the Courage to be Disliked: Why it’s so Important
"It's better to risk being disliked for living your truth than to be loved for what you are pretending to be." -Dawn Gluskin Let’s face it, no matter how hard…
A Diamond In The Rough: Embracing a Beautiful Learning and Growing Process
Dear Friend, I have something to tell you that maybe you didn’t know!I I see you with your head down and tears flowing. I see the discouragement in your eyes.…
I Got You, Babe: Creating Authentic Female Friendships
Every December for the last five years or so, when my husband and I sat down to list our goals and intentions for the next year, I’ve included “make new…
Soup’s On: Delicious and Easy Butternut Squash Recipe
As the wind whips around, red, orange, and yellow leaves swirl around into a frenzy. Large snow clouds roll in across the horizon, threatening to release white, fluffy flakes by…
Finding the Light in the Midst of Darkness: A Walk In Central Park
Last month, my 40th birthday wish came true. I got to tour New York City and see a Broadway show. It was a spectacular and eye opening adventure. Walking through…
Doubt: The Painful Reality About The Path To Healing.
“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt.” -Honore de Balzac Ever since I was little I have trusted myself. If I dreamed it, I could do…
Confessions of a Yoga Teacher: The Honest Truth
Yoga teachers have it all together, right? Not me. Just because I teach yoga does not mean I have it all figured out. Far from it! I have been teaching…
Releasing: Surrendering Control and Understanding
John and Stasi Eldredge have had a significant impact on my life. Through their books and through their teachings, I’ve experienced a deeper understanding of who I am and Whose…
Shame: The Ugly Truth about Secrecy, Silence and Judgment
"Unlike guilt, which is the feeling of doing something wrong, shame is the feeling of being something wrong." –Marilyn Sorensen Some days I look at the woman in the mirror staring…
5 Ways to Utilize Social Media
During the summer months, there is an urge to change things up. Spend more time outside. Go on vacation. Experience longer conversations with loved ones. Catch up on reading. But…
When You Feel Like Your Life is Falling Apart: 4 Things You Can Do Now
“Everything is falling together perfectly, even though it looks as if some things are falling apart. Trust in the process you are now experiencing.” — Neale Donald Walsch Sometimes life can feel exhausting,…
What I’ve Learned From Having a Rebellious Teenager
Teenagers! For me, it's an experience beyond anything I could have ever imagined summed up into one word. I have a rebellious teenager that likes to push boundaries. If something…
Cutting the Toxic Ties: Not Everyone Knows How to Love
My dad was in the military and left early every day for work. When I woke up I would go to the kitchen and find something to eat. Then I…
The Rise of Empowering Females in the Financial Industry!
In today’s market, women understand the importance of work-life balance and taking a more holistic approach to address challenges. It’s no surprise they are starting to emerge as leading influencers in the financial services industry using the same mindset and parameters!
The Big G and how it nearly wrecked me- Finding myself at thirty-eight
Nearly two years ago, I took the biggest trip of a lifetime. I flew to Bolivia in search for my brother who was left abandoned and homeless in the streets…