TRAVEL BLOG

After the Civil War ended, there rose up a group of individuals who dedicated themselves to promote the need to remember the fallen soldiers of that horrific conflict. No other war before or since had as much devastating and catastrophic results on American lives than the “War of Northern Aggression,” as it was called in the South, or “The Great Rebellion” as it was known in the northern states. Over 600,000 men and women in uniform on both sides gave up their lives in the ultimate sacrifice to fight for what they believed. Regardless of the political leaning of state rights versus the federal mandate of ending slavery and preserving the Union, the true loss as a result of four terribly bloody years of war was that so many died. To honor those who gave up their lives, a national holiday was created to memorialize those individuals. Originally known as “Decoration Day,” the graves were decorated with flowers, flags, and letters of remembrance. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on M

At some point in early human history, mankind discovered fire. That incident must have been one of the most exciting events ever experienced up to that point. No one really knows how fire was originally found. Perhaps it came about through an accident, or maybe it happened through a supernatural occurrence. However fire was first brought about on the planet, the first person to have seen it surely found out quickly that it could at once be a tremendous tool, but at the same time extremely dangerous. After all, fire is hot, and it burns. Fire can destroy your house and all of your possession¬s in less than an hour, and it can reduce an entire forest to a pile of ash and charred wood. It's also a terrifying weapon, with nearly unlimited destructive power. Fire kills more people every year than any other force of nature, according to How Stuff Works . But at the same time, fire is extraordinarily helpful. It gave humans the first form of portable light and heat. It also gave us the ab

One of the most disgusting health care hazards is the one created by the problem of sewage, especially if it is caused by faulty plumbing or drainage issues. Also, it is a severe problem when left untreated or available in open spaces. Not only does it smell, but the medical conditions that are caused by exposure are potentially life threatening. According to www.AmericanRivers.org , every year hundreds of billions of gallons of untreated sewage flow into our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Unknowingly, many Americans and their loved ones risk serious illness when untreated sewage seeps into the water they use for recreation or drinking. The EPA estimates that up to 3.5 million people fall ill from swimming in waters contaminated by sanitary sewer overflows alone ever year. However, the number of illnesses caused by raw sewage could be much higher. Many people that get sick from untreated sewage aren’t aware of the cause of their illness and don’t report it to their doctors or loca

If you have ever had time in the sun, either for work or play or vacation, you know that unless you have a good tan, it is almost certain that without proper prevention for protection against the burning rays of the sun that you are going to get red skin, and a good burn. That’s why you need a sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Formula), especially if you are young. Over time, in particular during the summer when the UV rays are at their peak and can cause the most damage, your level of tanning increases if you don’t have proper coverage of your skin. If you are interested in getting a good layer of tanned skin built up before being a sun worshipper during the hotter months of the year, then by all means start working your way up to a reasonable level without eventually looking like an old leather suitcase. Be smart about your tanning initiative. According to TanningBeds.com, tanning beds and booths basically imitate the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays (the ones that m

Celebrating 49 and Feeling FABULOUS I believe in trial and error and especially when it comes to what works best for my body and my life.   I will be celebrating the last year of my forties this weekend and I am thinking a lot about my life, and reflecting on many things that have got me to this point, how I feel about myself, and realizing that trial and error has served me well personally, physically, and nutritionally.   In my journey of almost fifty years, I have experienced definite trial and error when it has come to relationships and defining what I do not want and what I do want, with healthy being at the forefront of all that.   It has been quite a process and as I look back, all the trudging through the unhealthy to open fabulous doors to healthy has been a blessed learning journey to create who I am right now, and whom I have chosen to share my life and I include my hubby, family, and friends through this healthy pondering.    Life is just too short not to take care of ME a

Sorry for the lack of updates... I'm trying to find time to blog about Dashiel's birth and to edit all the photos from that day but I've been so super busy with taking care of him. Luckily for me, Gillian recorded down the whole birth event for Guide to Life and produced my favourite episode so far... She actually went into the operating theatre with me!! So if you haven't already seen it, here it is: Hope this compensates a little for my lack of updates. I'll try to blog real soon, I know you guys are waiting for Dashiel's pictures and more home decor posts! *stressed* xoxo p/s: Please don't abandon me while I'm on what is technically a maternity leave. 

What Now? So, you’re forty something and beyond and ready to make a change for the hormonal better. Great! Every woman on the planet will suffer from hormonal changes, and as we age, the symptoms increase as our estrogen levels decrease.    Now, what the hell do we do as we all experience our own unique changes that usually suck in a huge way, and we would love to toss in the trash.   Let’s get down and dirty and brainstorm about foods that may reduce symptoms, natural alternatives, and other ways to experience relief from the hormone party crasher.    Many of us are lost in the dark when it comes to hormones and what to do, and many times when our plug gets pulled during this process, we are left holding the chord saying to ourselves… what has happened…really??? And not realizing that the hormone party has begun. Did I have you at hormone?   Then read on. The first step is to realize that you are not going crazy, and now may be a great time to head to the gynecologist for a full bl