9 Creative Ways to make Freya angry

Writing Prompt Wednesday:
For a change in pace, I gave myself a random writing prompt to go off of. Today's writing prompt was brought to me by Inbound now

Apparently tonight, I have a cat who thinks she's going to blog instead of me. Okay, that's  fine with me, I don't have to do any work. I'll leave the thoughts all up to her. She likes the attention anyways, and told me that I need to have more Freya friendly posts, whatever that means. Cats, you can't live with them and you can't live with out them. Sigh!

There's some really creative ways to make Freya angry, and she's willing to lay it all out on the line, just so I, the human girl will pay more attention to her. She doesn't have me wrapped around her cute little paw does she?


9. Refrigerator magnets: There's magnets that get her angry. They're shaped like little pushpins and birds. They are by far the most unsightly thing they're not allowed to clutter up Freya's fridge. She will go out of her way to knock them off the fridge. They look like the little birds in the photo and she hates them.

Super Magnete

8. Forgetting to carry her to her food bowl: Some days she's the most lazy cat I've ever encountered. The only way she'll get to her food bowl is to be carried. It's usually when she know's someone can watch her get carried to her bowl, never when I'm alone with her. 

7. Take her photo: Freya's a sweet kitty as long as you're not trying to take her photo. If she knows you'[re taking her photo, she'll give you a dirty look. She'll find every way to get out of getting her photo taken. As if I'm taking a picture of her bad side. I'm not. 

The spruce

6. Shut the bathroom door before offering to let her go to the bathroom with you: The bathroom door must not be shut. How dare I not include her on my trips to the bathroom. I'm not doing anything fun in the bathroom, but she has to be there  

5. Paying attention to Monkey: Freya believes she's the only cat allowed to be pet. If someone says hi to Monkey or pets him. She will give both Monkey and the person petting Monkey the cat stare of doom. 

4. Tell her you're going to put socks on her: This actually happened today. I bought an Amy's Kitchen, caffeinated candy bar. The package mentioned that I'd have enough energy to put socks on a rooster. I don't have a rooster, so I threatened Freya with a pair of socks. I would never attempt to put socks on her because I don't want to be shredded, but I better not threaten to do so either. 

3. Not allowing her to smell your food: All food must be Freya sniffed and Freya approved. She has to make sure it's not something that you can share with the cat. She also has to make sure it's not going to kill her favorite humans or something. I have to let her smell everything.

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2. Exclude her from your blog posts: If she know's your blogging. It better be about her. Just don't include any pictures on your posts. She will purposely sit on my hands as I'm typing until I tell her that I'm going to write about what an amazing kitty she is. What a silly kitty!

1. Tell her you're writing a blog post about what makes her angry: I told her what my post was about, this is one she was cool with in the beginning like I said, but now, it's "Human, how dare you talk about me, I'm not an angry kitty hmph." I never called her angry. I'm just warning people how to interact with Freya.

10 Reasons to Try Glutino's Strawberry Breakfast Bar

Glutino

You know how I'm trying to reinvent myself and figure out what gluten-free foods to eat, and which ones I should completely ignore? It's what makes shopping at the grocery store a tough trip, I'm staring at almost everything wondering if I should take a leap of faith and try whatever it may be that I'm looking at.

My goal is to try one new gluten-free item a week, at least for a little while, to regain my love for food. That's if I have an appetite. The past week, I've had almost no appetite. Long story short, my thyroid is swollen, and acting like a butthead, so it's hard to find something soft enough to swallow and something that I actually want to eat. I was actually lucky enough to find Glutino's Strawberry Breakfast Bars at my local Meijer! Much to my surprise, they're pretty good.

Maybe you're looking for a reason or two to try the bars, or maybe you're a little bit nervous like I am. I get it. I don't blame you. I wouldn't pick up a breakfast bar blindly, or spend money on something I wasn't sure if I'd even enjoy. I picked my top 8 reasons to try the bars.

1. They taste good: Yeah, I'm one of those folks that usually give zero hope for trying something new. It's just how I am. I go into trying a new food thinking that I'll dislike whatever it is. I was proven wrong as soon as I took the first bite. It actually tastes like a strawberry.

2. They have fiber in them: Glutino Strawberry Cereal Bars have 3 grams of fiber (12% DV).  Your body needs fiber to increase the size and the bulk of your bowel movements (sorry for the TMI).

3. They don't look like they've been massacred: I've opened many cereal bars, protein bars, and breakfast bars that don't look pleasing to the eye. This breakfast bar resembles a pastry, and not a smushed colorless snack made from left over foods.

4. They're non-GMO: These are certified Non-GMO. These breakfast bars are one less item you have to worry about when it comes to genetically modified foods.

5. They're dye free: Yep, as someone who has a dye allergy, I get saddened by foods that still have food dyes as an ingredient! The red color in these bars are from the strawberries and the black carrot juice!

6. They're not that expensive compared to a lot of the other gluten-free stuff: I know I've said a lot of the certified gluten-free stuff isn't cheap, and that it's best to make your own foods. These bars are $4.85 a box at Walmart. A lot cheaper than a lot of the stuff they have on the shelves

7. They actually have other flavors if you don't like a strawberry: They also have the bars in Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry Acai. I've been craving blueberries like crazy! Now that I know the bars taste great, a flavor I try!

8. They're made out of real strawberries: Yes real strawberries, it's even listed as the 3rd ingredient, in the list! It also has apple powder and white grape juice as well.

9. It's Powered by Ganeden 30: Ganden 30 is a probiotic that can boost protein consumption, improve muscle health, support a healthy gut.

Prevention

10. They'd taste great in a breakfast bowl or any other recipe you might want to come up with: Maybe you don't want to eat the bar alone and feel that it's a boring breakfast. I'm pretty sure if you added the bar to a breakfast bowl! Perhaps adding it to a bowl with vanilla almond milk and some actual almonds could work! I guess there's only one way to find out! To the kitchen!

Oh No! Now what Book Do I choose? Three to choose from and I need your help

Ever have that problem where you're having trouble picking out a book to read next? I have three books, that I want to read, but don't know what to choose first. One book an advanced copy, the other two are just plain interesting. I'm going to read them all, I just need to narrow it down to one book! That's why I'm hoping that maybe someone could help me choose, they're all very cool books!

The Three Books To Choose From:

• The Inquisitors Tale Or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz and Illustrated by Hatem Aly
  
  Amazons Description: On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. On the run to escape prejudice and persecution and save precious and holy texts from being burned, their quest drives them forward to a final showdown at Mont Saint-Michel, where all will come to question if these children can perform the miracles of saints.
  Join William, an oblate on a mission from his monastery; Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village; and Jeanne, a peasant girl who hides her prophetic visions. They are accompanied by Jeanne's loyal greyhound, Gwenforte . . . recently brought back from the dead. Told in multiple voices, in a style reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales, our narrator collects their stories and the saga of these three unlikely allies begins to come together.

  

  
  

• The Girl he Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves
  Amazon Description:  New York Times bestselling author of On the Island, Tracey Garvis Graves, presents the compelling, hopelessly romantic novel of unconditional love.
  
  Annika (rhymes with Monica) Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people's behavior confusing, she'd rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.
  
  Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game—and his heart—to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone.
  
  Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She's living the life she wanted as a librarian. He's a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins.
  
  
  
  
• Other bodies by Joel Ohman
  Amazon Description: In a world where immersive VR suits distort what is real from what is not, and the AI Personhood Act blurs the lines between body and bot, the choices sixteen-year-old Hattie Martins faces are very personal.
  
  Welcome to Hattie Martins' dystopian Philadelphia, where everything is not as it seems...
  
  Just as her life is looking up--a new job, new friends, a new date--Hattie discovers not all progress in her beloved, futuristic Philadelphia is for the best. Societal regrets can become personal regrets in an instant. Choices don't always come with second chances, and when they do the cost can be unimaginable. How far will she go to undo her greatest regret? And worse yet, what will she become if it's too late?
  
  In a world where bots are equal to bodies, what does it mean to be alive?
  
  What is real?
  
  Which bodies matter?
  
  What about the other bodies?...

Out of the three books, which would you pick first? For those of you who read either of these books, which one did you like the most?

Which Book should I read first?

The Inquisitors Tale Or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz and Illustrated by Hatem Aly

The Girl he Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Other bodies by Joel Ohman

Created with QuizMaker

The poll ends March 3, 2019. 

6 Things I didn't expect to learn from reading children's books

People would think just because I'm an adult and I love writing, that I would still love to read and buy children's books for myself. I have always enjoyed books for kids, even when  I was growing up and transitioning into bigger books, but right now I'm reading Mort Ziff is not Dead, and I love reading books meant for children a lot.

I think the love for children's books comes from the simplicity of the books sometimes. You can read 10 books in 30 minutes and have 10 different stories in your head, while if I pick up a book, like the other book I'm reading "Other Bodies by Joel Ohman" while yes, apparently "Other Bodies," is a young adults books. They're not the same as children books.

So yes, call me a child if you want, but I really enjoy children's books. They've taught me so many things that I don't think an adult book would have taught me.

1. They've taught me about holidays and customs: When I don't understand a holiday, religion or a custom I try to find a children's book about the holiday. For instance, the Hanukkah books I've read were simple, they explained what Hanukkah was, what people ate for Hannukah, and why the menorah was lit.

2. Mother nature is beautiful: I actually learned about nature being beautiful when I was younger and first read The Bernstein Bears Nature Guide. After reading the book, I wanted to go out into the world and discover nature for myself. I don't think I'd love nature as much as I do, if I didn't read the book.

Amazon

3. Emotions are normal: In adult life, we start telling ourselves emotions aren't normal and we shouldn't be angry. But when I realize emotions are normal, especially when reading children's books. I don't feel like hiding my emotions as much, and they don't come out as toxic as they would if I did hold them in. Like the Grouchy Lady Bug, she was grouchy way too grouchy, so while it's not normal to be overly angry we do need to deal with our emotions.

4. We should be helping people more: I read the book I Can Help by David Hyde, and believe it or not. I took more from the book that I should have. It doesn't take much to help someone. It really doesn't take too much time out of someone's day to do little things to help other people.

5. How to cook new recipes: Children's books that have recipes in the back are so helpful, especially now that I'm gluten-free, the recipes can sometimes be revamped and I can enjoy a new snack, or a new meal. This also goes right back to what I learned in #!1 about customs.

6. I've learned to draw from children's books: There have been a few books that I've read in the past that taught me how to draw a little bit better. One of my favorite books from my Childhood was The Black Cat by Carl Withers' and Alan Cober. In the book it talks about a house, and a cellar and so many other things, but in the end, the drawing is the picture of a cat. It's the way that I learned how to draw a cat!

What kind of nugget are you? Take this quiz and find out!

What do nuggets, Adam Driver and The Grammy's have in common? It's not really a riddle as much as it was one of those internet personality quizzes given by Smiley360. You know Smiley the place I mentioned before that sometimes sends you free things to post about? Yeah, they also have personality quizzes sometimes, just so you can gain some points.

So What Kind of Nugget Was I? 

Apparently, I'm a KFC Popcorn Nugget, just like Rami Malek, a burst of flavor and energy. I don't know about you, but being told that I'm a Popcorn Nugget from KFC, doesn't make me feel too good. Is a popcorn nugget actually a nugget? They're small and bite-sized. Wait--I'm small and possibly bite-sized. But there's no way that. Smiley would have even had known that I was small and bite-sized unless they've been paying attention to everything I post, I'm joking of course. 

Other Fun Quizzes and Activities from Smiley and it's sister sites?

Now that you're on the roll and you know that you're a nugget as well or if you're a Smiley member and didn't take the quiz already, it should be on your dashboard. Remember more points=more opportunities to be approved for missions. Here are some more quick and easy activities, if you haven't gotten to them yet. Please take note that I may get offers that you don't have or visa-versa.

• 10 Resolutions to Reduce Waste in 2019 With Generation Good : You only have to share about the resolutions once on your Facebook, Facebook Page, and Twitter to earn the badge. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. 
• How to Wash Winter Clothes With Generation Good: The only things you have to do for this mission is to share the information once and you're done! 
• Save $1.00 on a Renuzit Snuggle: Who doesn't want a coupon from Snuggle? Please note that the offer ends in 15 hours. 
• Women Driving Change on Generation Good:  Raise breast cancer awareness with these beautiful women by sharing the links. They even have a blog if you're interested in reading about the work that they do. 
• Top 9 Hangouts for Germs on Generation Good: Viruses are going around like crazy lately, do you know where the germs hangout? You will soon and soon your friends will too.
• 10 Best Plants to Purify Your Home from Generation Good: I'm not a green thumb, but perhaps you are. If you are a green thumb and can keep a plant alive for more than a week, you'll love hearing about what plans purify your home. 
• Tips to freshen the air in your house from Generation Good: Maybe the last task wasn't really your fit because, like me, your plants die, here's another idea, some tips to freshen the air in your house!
• Share a good note from Generation Good: Share some positivity to your friends who need that extra push by sending them an e-card. It's how I made my cute little e-card for all you guys! 
• Spread the Message of Generation Good: Another great thing to share is how to make an impact on someone's life, by showing them that they do have some control and that they can help the environment. Let your friends and let your followers know how much Generation Good has taught you.

• Climate Change Quiz by Generation Good: What exactly do you know about climate change? I actually learned a lot when I took the quiz. According to the quiz, "Research done by the CDC reveals that changes in our climate, such as air pollution and extreme heat, are having some concerning effects on our health." that to me is pretty scary. With the quiz, you don't have to share any, you just get your points.
• The Commitment to Clean Energy Grows from Generation Good: The Sierra Club has made Cottonwood Utah, the 100th city to switch to 100% renewable energy! That's nuts! Share that news with your friends! Maybe, they too can jump on the bandwagon. 
• Protect your Skin the winter with All: Now your skin can be happy healthy and protected with all. I left this task last as there's tons of stuff that you can do for your missions.

Hopefully, this list kept my midwesterners busy why the wind, rain and cold are forcing us to stay at home. I really hope that those of you that took the Grammy's quiz aren't risking your lives just so you can get a nugget who's just like, you! 

Friday's Top 5: My Five Favorite Inspirational about being positive Quotes

Lately, I've been in a funk I think it has to do with the weather, it's bitter cold, hazy and the days seem so long. I think that's why I've been trying to find things that inspire me, both as a human and as a creative mind. One thing that's always helped me throughout life has been inspirational quotes. I used to love writing them down or using one as a background on my computer or phone, whatever I had at the time.

I follow this amazing dude on Instagram, who's always so positive and cheery, I won't name names, because I don't know how he'd feel to know that his positivity is what makes him an amazing person. But because sometimes, I can't do it all on my own. To help me, and help other's get out of this crazy little funk, I wanted to share 5 of my favorite inspirational quotes about being positive. I think we all need to see the positivity from time to time.

1. Don’t compare your life to others. There’s no comparison between sun and moon. They shine when it’s their time!

2.  There is literally nothing in nature that blooms all year long, so do not expect yourself to do so.

3.“Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.” – Emily Guay

4. “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

5. You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. 

Tag Thursday: Food Tag, be warned it's extra yummy

One thing I've noticed since I went gluten-free, I've introduced some new alternatives to my diet along with figuring out what I don't have to change. It happened when I went vegetarian and it's happening again now that I'm gluten-free. Gluten-free oatmeal and peanut butter, are literally lifesavers for me. There's so much that you can do with oatmeal! Like mix-and-match breakfast bowls! 

Because I have to reinvent the way I look at food, I figured there would be no better way than to do a Food Tag. I found this one on YouTube many of times, I can't verify the source so if the original owner wants to take claim to the tag, let me know and I'll credit you, but until then, this tag will be uncredited. 

1. What food could you eat every day?

Peanut butter, there's so much you can do with it, put it on bread, put it in cookies, or even eat it straight from the jar! Like my mom has always said, if you run out of peanut butter, you have no food. 

2. What's your favorite restaurant?
I have yet to find a favorite restaurant now that I've gone gluten-free. A lot of restaurants aren't safe because of cross-contamination. But, hopefully soon, I'll be able to find a place around the area that caters to both vegetarians and gluten-free folks.

3. What city has the best food you've ever had?

I haven't traveled much, I really can't say from personal experience what the city has had the best food I've ever had. 

4. What do you get on your sub?Vegetables, if there's an option to have some gluten-free meatless "meats" I would choose those if I could.

5. What do you get on your pizza? 
I haven't found a good vegetarian gluten free pizza yet. But before I went gluten-free my favorite pizza at Pizza Hut was cheese free, with bbq sauce, red onions, roma tomatoes, spinach, and green peppers.  

Amy's Pizza 

6. Is there a food you've always wanted to try? 
Sorghum 

7. Tell me about your worse restaurant experience. 
It was years ago, when I ate meat occasionally, I ordered a chicken sandwich from McDonald's, and ended up getting salmonella from it.  It was so painful, I was in tears every time I had to go to the bathroom. 

8. Who's a better cook; your mom or dad? 
My dad's dead, he's not cooking anymore. But even when he was alive, my mom was a better cook. I don't remember my dad actually cooking anything, most of his food was microwavable or something like mac and cheese.

9. What is one food you just fail at making? 
Fudge, both peanut butter and regular vegan fudge. I've tried and every time I've done it, the fudge ends up being too watery. 

10. Name your least favorite foods 
Asparagus, olives, mushrooms, and cranberries.

11. Raw or cooked veggies? 
I can't choose. I love veggies a lot. 

12. How do you like your steak? 
I don't eat steak. 

13. Do you enjoy cooking or baking better? 
Baking, I love sweets.

14. What's your fav fast food place? 
It used to be Taco Bell.

15. Name a food place you wish was closer to you 
I can't think of any.

16. Ultimate fav desert! 
Gluten-free, peanut butter and hemp cookies. 

17. What food do you gravitate more towards at a party or get together? 
Get-togethers.

18. Favourite food to eat at Christmas? 
Anything with potatoes. 

19. What's the first food that comes to mind... NOW? 
Pasta

20. Do you have any weird food habits? 
I don't think I do. 

21. What holiday is your favourite for food? 
Christmas/

22. What's one food you would NEVER try? 
Anything that's been mentioned on Good Mythical Morning. You know, fish eyes goat hearts, crayons. Stuff normal people wouldn't eat. 

23. Do you know your best friends favourite food? 
Nope.

24. What's the best thing your mom makes? 
Before I went vegetarian, it was her chicken noodle soup. That stuff is awesome. 

25. What's your favourite style of eggs: Scrambled, boiled, poached, over easy or sunny side up? 
I hardly ever eat eggs, I prefer to stay vegan.

26. Name your favourite restaurant that closed down 
It was a little local restaurant when I was a kid. It was a breakfast place. 

27. Do you like your bread toasted light or dark? 
Lightly toasted

28. Do you like spicy foods? 
Some days I do, other's I don't, it really depends on the mood that I'm in.

29. Seafood? 
Never really liked seafood. 

30. First food that comes to mind that is green?
Lettuce

10 Mouth Watering Vegetarian and Gluten Free Desserts

Since I went gluten-free, finding gluten sweets has been crazy, the stuff in the gluten-free section of the store is so expensive, and half the time the sweets taste bland and boring like there's something missing. And I admit it...I love sweets, I have a huge sweet tooth. That's why I'm so thankful for the internet! There are people who have the same problems I do, who cook better than I do, and come up with some pretty good recipes will make my mouth water.

With that said, I turned to my good old friend Pinterest. It's a great place to find recipes for things I haven't thought of trying. These are ten of the many recipes that make my mouth water, by looking at the photos themselves. 

10. Flourless Chocolate Avacado Mug Cake
I love mug cakes! Don't you? You don't have to share your snack with anyone if you don't want to! What's even cooler is this mug cake requires zero flour! Gluten-free flour is hard to get used to! It satisfies chocolate cravings and gives you some added plant-based protein. 

Kirbie Cravings

9. No bake coconut almond bars

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, these are the coconut almond bars of your fantasies and they're also no bake! Yum! What I really like about this recipe is that it actually suggests substitutions for different ingredients!

Joy Food Sunshine

8. Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Donuts

One thing I'm always craving, especially before my migraines are donuts! Imagine my excitement, when I came across this recipe for cinnamon sugar pumpkin donuts! I can indulge in my migraine cravings and still be gluten-free! 

Allergylicious

7. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Do you know what you get when you combine the love for chocolate, peanut butter, and cookies together? Do you even want to know? Texan Erin knows!  You get indulgent peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough bites. I suggest making more than one batch, one batch for you now and one batch for you later. 

Texan Erin

6. Protein Cookie Dough Cups

Love Reese's Cups but hate the calories and the fact that they're unhealthy? I know how it is, I understand. That's why these cups are a healthier and still as tasty alternative to your favorite candy sweet treat.  

Nadia's Healthy Kitchen

5. Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin

If I had to pick between a muffin and a cupcake, I'd pick a muffin! Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are one of my favorite kind of muffins right after blueberry muffins! This recipe is going to be one that I'm going to tape to my fridge, so I have it accessible at all times.

Rhian's Recipes

4. Gluten Free Apple Pie
I've never made a pie before, but I'm willing to try. It doesn't look that hard to do and this recipe is yelling at me while I'm looking at the photos! I'm sure the pie tastes as great as it looks. The thought of adding some dairy-free, gluten-free ice cream to the mix sounds like heaven. 

The Hidden Veggies

3. Chocolate Cupcakes With Salted Caramel Frosting
Just because I choose muffins over cupcakes doesn't mean that I don't like cupcakes. Because I love cupcakes too, I HAD to include a cupcake to the list. This cupcake is exactly that! A tasty little morsel of goodness, with a salted caramel frosting! Caramel is one of my weaknesses. 

Flippin Delicious

2. Chewy, Fudgey, Vegan-Double-Choc Brownie
All dessert lists should have a good brownie recipe! Seriously! Vegan lists, gluten-free lists! All lists! So here's a brownie recipe! It covers all the bases as well! And they're even fudgy! Cool huh? 

The Whole Daily

1. Paleo & Vegan Almond Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter cookies have been my favorite cookies since I was old enough to have cookies. My second cookie in line would be peanut blossoms, whoever thought of adding a Hershey's Kiss to the to a peanut butter cookie was a genius! 

Joy Food Sunshine

Take a step back a moment and ask your self why you're running

Attention Attention is Shinedown's sixth studio album. That's insane! Every time I hear a New Shinedown song, I listen to it half a dozen time. Their songs are so deep, so poetic, and songs that stick with you. On a good day there's a Shinedown song for that, on a bad day there's a Shinedown song for that. Brett Smith's vocals always give me goosebumps.

You see life's too short to run it like a race

So it's never gonna matter if you win first place

'Cause we're all the same

Stop waitin' on your fifteen minutes of fame

'Cause you're not special

We’re all wondering through life, doing our own things. Expecting to see the bigger picture and that things will make sense why some people have it easier than others. But it, in the end, it doesn’t matter. We all wind up the same way, dead. Just because someone’s an actor, movie star, or lawyer, they are no different than anyone else. Like when we walk through a cemetery, there’s just a grave marker, and possibly some trinkets. They were a somebody to someone, at one time, but they’re not anymore.

I'm not different from anyone else. I have my stories, they have their stories. Mine isn't going to be the same as their's, and that's fine. They don't need to be. Just because you're not special doesn't mean you can't teach someone something so valuable.

Don't let someone tell you that your race isn't worth it. Run your race, because it makes you feel good. Thank you, Shinedown thank you for letting me see how beautiful life truly is.

Krabbe Disease: Emmett's Mission & Message

If you’re not reading this post with a box of tissues in your hands, I suggest it. It’s heartbreaking and hits right to the core. It’s a video that I had to post, I it taught me so much, and answered so many questions.

Dr. Paul Thomas is a family medicine doctor out of Oregan state, Emmett is one of his patients. Emmett has Krabbe’s disease. What Emmett has is rare, inherited and fatal. Our nerves have a covering called myelin But with infants with Krabbe, the infant lacks an enzyme called Galactosylceramidase. When the body lacks the Galactosylceramidase it causes demyelinating which damage to the myelin, within slows the nerves or even stop the nerves impulses. There’s no cure for Krabbe, but it’s treatable if caught early, like during an optional newborn newborn screening.

As Dr. Paul says in the video we have a mission here in life, no matter how brief our life must be. Emmett and other Dr. Paul opened my eyes.

Emmett’s mission helped me heal myself and some sadness I had wh Knowing people have a mission and helping them with their mission when they’re no longer around is crucial. It wasn’t my mission to shine light on the Krabbe’s, that’s Emmett’s job to do that. But I’m sure going to be on the sidelines, helping get the message out there.

Sign the petition to make the screening mandatory:

Emmett's Army

To learn more

7 reasons why music is exactly what the doctor ordered

Dr. Ed Hope and Dr. Ali Abdaal, played the acoustic cover of one of my favorite songs in December and I had no clue! Their voices are so amazing and their musical talent, made me think twice about my health. But I don't realize is that music and health go hand in hand more than we even realize. It's not like I needed reasons to why music is good for my health to listen to it, but it's great to know music has my back.

1. It can improve our quality of sleep: Ever hear of the parasympathetic nervous system? That's the part of the nervous system that deals with sleep. Listening to 45 minutes of relaxing music can help people fall asleep faster and sleep longer! Who actually likes having sleep troubles anyway?

2. Music improves our verbal skills: My fellow writers, guess what? Music can help with your verbal IQ and help with your cognition? I wonder what would happen if I combine music and writing together? There's no harm in finding out! It's two of my favorite things together, music and writing.

3. Music helps you eat less: If I knew that music can make me less hungry I would have listened to music everytime I ate. Now that I know it does help music and a meal are going to go together like peanut butter and jelly. Even if it is sitting alone eating my breakfast with jazz music. It's because music helps you relax and when you relax you're not as hungry.

4. It helps relieve chronic pain: There's a link between less pain with fibromyalgia when it comes to music! Scientists think that music can help redirect our attention from pain to something we love such as music. Even when the music has stopped the pain relief is still going.

5. Music cheers you up: I don't need any link to prove that music cheers people up. We already know that! I know some people may beg to differ that a sad song that someone can relate to breeds sadness. I think it's the other way around when I know someone else feels the same way I do. I know I'm not alone, and I'll get through it.

6. Music can improve your immune system: Everytime I'm at the store, I hear a person next to me sniffling and sneezing, and I'm hoping I'm not next. But maybe listening to some music to increase my little antibodies, and make them dance to the music while combating the latest illness going around can help! Dance you little antibodies, dance! There's even a story about how aestheticists played music, during an operation and people's stress hormones were lower! See, Dr. Hope and Dr. Abdaal are lowering my immune system with their music!

7. Music reduces anxiety: Music can reduce anxiety by 65%! I'm never nervous or anxious when I hear a good beat. What's even crazier is that there's a song that they claim can make you drowsy! It's called Weightless by Marconi Union. I even listened to it while writing this blog! It's a beautiful song and it really did make me feel more relaxed!