“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” ~ Gabriel García Márquez Two weeks ago, I celebrated my 31st birthday. And although my birthday was on Saturday, I actually allowed the celebrating to begin on Friday evening and extend through Monday afternoon because, hey, why the eff …
The Myth of Perfection, Gluten-full Cupcakes, and an Unfortunate Spelling Error
I spent my 20s chasing perfection, believing such a thing actually existed, never stopping to ask myself if what I sought was even possible or desirable, heading instead toward my idea of what someone else might deem ideal. I thought a perfect body, perfect relationship, perfect friendships, perfect diet, perfect wardrobe, perfect home, perfect grades would add up to happiness …
Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Cosmetics? 4 DIY Solutions That Are Kind to Your Body, Your Wallet, and the Environment
Since my mother’s cancer diagnosis a few years ago, I have been working to detoxify my beauty routine to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals with which I am coming into contact on a daily basis. I started by switching from an anti-perspirant to an all-natural deodorant, from mainstream shampoo and conditioner to non-toxic alternatives, and from a standard body …
On Time, Abundance, and Being Here Now
“Time is a gift, given to you, given to give you the time you need, the time you need to have the time of your life. ” ― Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth If there is one theme that has been coming up for me most strongly over the past few weeks, it is time. The passing of time, the …
Loss, Gratitude, and the Vulnerability of Fierce Love
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~ Thornton Wilder This past Saturday, there was a devastating house fire two doors down from my apartment, causing $100,000 in damage to my neighbors’ beautiful home in northwest Portland. As I biked past the wreckage on Monday and saw my …
The Personal Impact of Angelina Jolie’s Public Announcement
A few years ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I still remember receiving the devastating phone call, hearing in her voice the fear she felt even as she attempted to conceal it for my benefit, and the way the news hit me in a tangible, physical way as she told me about the lump she’d discovered during a …
A Penny For Your Thoughts: How Journaling Can Help You Heal
Buried in a closet somewhere in my apartment is a ridiculously large box of old journals, some of which date back to the late 1980s and recount the goings-on of my 1st grade self – navigating friendships, playing soccer, riding my bike, starting to discover that boys were maybe kind of cute. There are journals from my high school, college, …
What’s Love Got To Do With It: 5 Reasons to Love Acupuncture
Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but let’s keep the love alive a bit longer to talk about why acupuncture is so awesome . It’s no secret that I LOVE acupuncture. A lot. In honor of last week’s celebration of love and the fact that February is Heart Health Month, I want to share just a few of the many …