How seeking help from a naturopathic doctor changed the game for me

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

In a previous post, I shared how listening to my body resulted in me feeling better 🙌🏽

Although I was able to narrow down some of the culprits, there were still some symptoms I couldn’t quite resolve. So last year, I decided it was time for me to meet with a naturopathic doctor (ND)👨🏽‍⚕️

Soon after arriving in the doctor’s office, I listed my symptoms one by one: Digestive issues, Sinus allergies, Headaches, Breakouts, Hair thinning, and a Cyst on my foot, of all places🤦🏽‍♀️

The doctor responded, “Your body is inflamed. All of your symptoms will go away once we get your inflammation down”.

Though it was shocking to hear that every single symptom was a result of inflammation, I was relieved to learn that I could resolve each one of these symptoms by reducing my body’s inflammation.

Next, the doctor said I needed to cut out inflammatory foods, some of which included:

(1) Gluten – like yummy croissants 🥹, most breads, cakes and fried foods. Photo credit: Pixabay | Pexels
(2) Dairy – like ice cream and cheese. Photo credit: Elza Kurbanova | Unsplash
(3) Sugar. God knows I love sugar, but it hates me 😔Photo credit: Bern Fresen | Unsplash
(4) Chocolate. Why?!? When it is so yummy 😋Photo credit: Heather Barnes | Unsplash
(5) Caffeine – like coffee and Coke Zeros for me 🫣. Photo credit: Brigitte Tohm | Pexels
(6) Corn – including grits, tortilla chips and other yummy Central American delights. Photo credit: Karolin Baitinger | Unsplash
(7) Processed foods and snacks – like Cheetos and Doritos, which are some of my guilty pleasures😬 Photo credit: Davner Ribeiro | Pexels
(8) Beef and Pork. I love pepperoni pizza and bacon, so hearing this was a bit daunting😖Photo credit: The Nix Company | Unsplash

The doctor also put me on several different supplements to get my body back in check.

After a year of being gluten-free and dairy-free (most of the time), and trying my best to avoid other inflammatory foods🤞🏽, especially sugar, I am happy to say that nearly all of my symptoms/issues have subsided 🙌🏽😁

What I learned

(1) While it remains important for me to listen to what my body is saying and make modifications as I see fit, it is equally as important for me to seek professional guidance, especially if my symptoms persist.

(2) Through this process, I learned that seeing a naturopathic professional (i.e., naturopathic doctor, holistic nutritionist) isn’t as expensive as I thought it would be. For me, it was less expensive than a regular medical doctor visit.

Seeing a naturopathic doctor cost me $75 per visit, and I only met with him twice.
Seeing a holistic nutritionist cost me $40-50 per visit. I worked with her off and on for years and met with her a total of 5-8 times.
Photo credit: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels

(3) Being gluten-free & dairy-free is not as easy as other diets I have tried, especially when going out to eat. But on this diet, I can still eat and enjoy so many things, without feeling like crap later🙃

(4) Making gluten-free & dairy-free versions of my favorite dishes are not only fun, but delicious too😋

(5) With gluten-free & dairy-free diets becoming more common, there are a lot more options today than there were yes, and I am hopeful there will be even more tomorrow🙏🏽

Challenge

If you haven’t already, join me in taking some time to listen to what your body is telling you.

Have you had aches, pains, or odd things (like cysts or hair thinning) happen to your body lately? If so, try listening and making notes of what you ate, drank or were exposed to (like smoke or fragrances) hours or even days before you experienced the pain. Using a food, consumption, or exposure journal for a week may be helpful.

Have you tried to eliminate or reduce different things that have been giving you issues, but can’t seem to narrow down the culprits? If so, I encourage you to:

(1) Schedule an appointment with a professional. You may even try going to a holistic nutritionist, naturopathic doctor or chiropractor.

(2) Make sure you are getting annual check-ups, routine blood work and screenings done, this includes visits to the dentist and eye doctor too 🙂

We are all different and unique, so it is important for YOU to listen to what YOUR BODY is telling YOU:)

Thank you so much for reading this post! As always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave a comment below.

Sending lots of love & light your way 💗

Until next post😉

Xx,
Raina B ❤

How I took baby steps toward overcoming one of my fears, and how you can too!

July 30, 2024August 1, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 5 Comments

While I can’t quite remember when I learned how to float or swim to survive, I became aware that these skills were not enough when I was given the option to jump into deep water while traveling.

In 2019 and again in 2023, my lack of swimming skills prevented me from jumping into and enjoying the water like other travelers I’d met.

These two instances made it clear that I had a debilitating fear of deep water (and drowning). However, they both pushed me to start taking baby steps toward becoming a stronger swimmer.

In the fall, I decided to make the most of my time back home, by enrolling in a beginner swimming course in September and an intermediate course in December.

By the end of my two courses, I could jump into (and swim) in deep water without hyperventilating (YAY!!) 😀

With these new skills under my belt, my fear of deep water and inability to swim well were things of the past, and could no longer hold me back, especially while traveling!

My fear was put to the test in the spring of 2024, when I traveled a Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. After a few hours of being in this new region, I learned of a place where I could take a 40-foot jump into the lake. As I thought more about it, fear crept in. But then, I asked myself “What I was afraid of”. My response shocked me. I responded, “I am only jumping into water and I can swim, so there is nothing to be afraid of” 🙂

So, just like that I took a boat to the trampoline (jump off point) and took the 40-foot leap! And it wasn’t bad, because I can swim. For proof, SEE VIDEO at the end of this post😉

I will say that I was in some pain for a week or so afterward because of the impact of the water, but I have no regrets and would be open to doing it again. I would just make sure I am straight like a pencil when I enter the water 😉

What I learned

If I am afraid to do or pursue something, I have three options:

(1) I can, just do it, with fear and all

The adrenaline and feeling of accomplishment would likely give me a high like no other.

(2) I can work up to it

I don’t have to do it all at once. I can take baby steps toward facing the fear. I can equip myself with skills or tools (i.e., swimming lessons) that would help me face my fear in the future (i.e., jumping into deep water).

(3) I can decide not to do it at all

Usually, I try to only reserve this option for if deep down inside, I don’t want to do it. I may be doing it for other people, or to boost my ego.

Challenge

Is there something you are afraid to do? Or pursue? If so, can you think of something you can start doing today that will help you overcome your fear?

If so, what is it? And can you start today (or soon)? Can you take baby steps towards overcoming your fear? Are there any skills you can acquire that will give you the boost or confidence to take the leap?

Maybe you don’t need to take baby steps. Maybe you can just take the leap.

Only you know what is best for you! I encourage you to follow your heart, most times it won’t lead you astray. If it does, I’m hopeful you will be rerouted and will learn a lesson that will propel you to where you should go next.

Thank you so much for reading this post! And as always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave them in the comment box below (or reach out to me directly).

Sending lots of love and light your way💗

Until next post!

Xx,

Raina B.

How two surprisingly simple acts enhanced my most recent trip abroad

May 10, 2024July 29, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 1 Comment

Last year, I went to Colombia to learn Spanish, and had an AMAZING time💗

Cascadas de Marinka in Minca, Colombia
Photo credit: Amy | spellboundtravels.com

This year, I went to Guatemala to continue learning Spanish, and it was a bit more intense than learning Spanish in Colombia😬🙆🏽‍♀️

Guatemala was beautiful, and overall I had a wonderful time!

During my trip, I learned more than ever the importance of giving myself grace and remembering to smile 🙂

Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala | By far the hardest hike of my life 🙂

(1) Giving myself grace (practicing self-compassion)

In addition to this being my first time in Guatemala, I was also working part-time, taking 20 hours of Spanish each week, and living with a local family ALL AT THE SAME TIME😬

Me and my Spanish teacher | San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala

While it would have been ideal for everything to work out the way I’d planned, it didn’t actually work out that way🙄

So after one week in Guatemala, I was a little disappointed in myself.

Fortunately, in week two, I had a wake up call

I acknowledged that I was doing some really hard S#%T! And it was time to ‘give myself some grace’.

And a little bit of space to enjoy beautiful Antigua (Guatemala), its gorgeous weather, and delicious food 😀 without getting too caught up on how much my Spanish was (or wasn’t) improving.

I also needed to dedicate more time to doing things I enjoy with some of the cool people I’d met🥰🙌🏽💗

(2) Remembering to smile

During week one, I noticed the local people did not smile very much. In week two, I noticed I wasn’t smiling very much in the first week either🙃

So, I decided to start smiling! Once I started smiling, there were so many more local people smiling😁

Even though I was going through some S#%T mentally, the simple act of me smiling at people resulted in them smiling back, and an instant mood boost for me! #WINNING

Now that I was focusing on all the smiling faces and the joy this simple act was spreading, I was reminded to smile at myself too 🙂 I was doing the best I could in my circumstance, and that was an accomplishment worth a bit of grace (or self-compassion)🥰

Smiling at La Cosecha, one of my favorite places in Antigua, Guatemala

How I am applying what I learned

In the past, I would have been really hard on myself for not posting in March or April.

But before being too hard on myself and allowing the critical thoughts to take over, I gently reminded myself of the two things I learned during my second week in Guatemala.

Remember to smile and Give myself grace 💗

With that said, Please pardon my delay in posting🙃 I am not only learning, but growing too 😉

Challenge

Is there something you are currently doing (or working on) that is really challenging? If so, are you giving yourself a hard time about it?

I encourage you to smile at yourself and give yourself some grace (or self-compassion)🥰 Acknowledge that what you are doing is difficult! If you have not reached or attained your goal, I am sure you have made some sort of progress 😉 So give yourself a pat on the back and a hug for that🤗

As I continue preparing next month’s blog post, I wanted to share more photos from my trip to Guatemala 😀

Thank you so much for reading this post! And as always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave them in the comment box below (or reach out to me directly).

Sending lots of love and light your way💗

Until next post!

Xx,

Raina B.

How I started tapping into my “true self” and how it transformed my life

February 23, 2024October 21, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Have you ever been offended? I have🙋🏽‍♀️

I used to get offended all the time when I was younger.

Now that I am a little older, I still get offended, but not nearly as much.

One thing that helped me deal with offense was getting in touch with (and identifying) my true self. I first learned about the true self in an interview Oprah did with Father Richard Rohr.

Sooooo, what exactly is the true self?

True self

/who we are in God (that grounded foundational being); our inherent dignity that no one can give or take away/

The self we had before we put on all the labels, costumes, and identities (i.e., gender, race, occupation, education, etc.)

The face we had before we were born (and got all the labels)

Anchored self, eternal self, God self, Christ self

Tapping into my true self

When I am offended, I usually go straight into defense mode. Before I know it, countless defensive thoughts are running through my mind🤦🏽‍♀️

‘How could they say that about me?”

“How could they think that about me?”

“How could they do that to me?’

When I am overwhelmed with feelings of offense, I find it helpful to take a walk outside (or do some yin yoga).

Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I identify too closely with the labels I (or others) put on me, I tend to lose sight of my true self, my intrinsic self, who I am in God. Going outside helps me connect with the being the grounds me, God.

Spending time outside also helps me identify the part of me that was offended. Usually it’s my false self.

Connecting with my true self after having such intense feelings of offense, allows me to not just shake off the offense, but to turn inward and check if there are any truths I need to unpack.

If there are truths to unpack, I try to come up with ways I can improve that part of myself.

If there aren’t, I focus on connecting more deeply with my true self, which helps me see myself the way God does.

We are not defined by the labels we put on ourselves, the labels others put on us, what we do, what we have or don’t have, our gender, occupation, race, nationality, education, etc.

We are inherently valuable because God created us and loves us no matter what, and in my humble opinion God does not make mistakes.

We are all beloved children of God, and no one can ever take this away from us!

Note: I can’t take credit for many of the enlightening words and phrases in the post, as it is heavily inspired by sermons and interviews of Father Richard Rohr.

What I learned

(1) Whenever I feel offended, I take Father Rohr’s advice and ask, ‘Is it my true self or my false self that is offended?’

Most times it’s my false self, since I usually take offense when I feel I have something to prove or a label to defend.
Once I identify that it’s the false self that’s offended, I tap into my true self and remind myself that I am valued, loved, and cherished regardless of what I do, say, or how others view me.

(2) I should not identify so closely with the labels I put on myself (or that others put on me).

(3) I am God’s favorite and YOU are too 😉 Whenever I am feeling offended or down on myself, I remind myself of this truth 🙂 You should too!

Reflection/ Challenge

(1) Are there any areas of your life where you tend to take offense?

(2) I encourage you to tap into your true self today. Remember you are not defined by your labels.

YOU TOO are valued, loved, and cherished regardless of what you do, say, or how others view you, because God created YOU in His image. And YOU ARE HIS FAVORITE ❤

(3) Are there any truths you need to unpack? Do you need to lean more into your true self and/or God’s unconditional love?

Lagniappe /a little something extra/

The interview Oprah did with Father Rohr was absolutely life changing for me, hence the title of this post 😉 While much of the post is a regurgitation of the interview, I still encourage you to take a listen for yourself.

Thank you so much for reading this post! And as always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave them in the comment box below.

A field near Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Deutschland (Germany). Photo credit: Stephanie Eley | ELEY PHOTO

Sending lots of love & light your way ❤

Until next post😉

Xx,
Raina B ❤

Saving for your goals is easier than you think (and may increase your happiness too!)

January 19, 2024July 29, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 2 Comments

YOUR JOB or whatever you do for money HAS VALUE! Not only can it provide for your wants and needs today, but it can also FUND YOUR CURRENT AND FUTURE GOALS 😀

A bit of my story

Growing up, I DIDN’T LEARN much ABOUT MONEY. I just knew I WANTED TO BE RICH 💰. Whatever the heck that meant to me at the time🤑🤷🏽‍♀️ .

As I grew older, I worked and SPENT MOST OF MY MONEY treating myself and others.

It wasn’t until I RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF MONEY that I realized how important it was to save.

From then on, I became EXTREMELY FRUGAL. I am still pretty frugal to this day, but have learned to start TREATING MYSELF again.

And this time around, I treat myself while LOOKING OUT for MY FUTURE SELF too😉

Taking care of ourselves today and tomorrow

While it is important for us to TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES TODAY, I believe it is also important for us to TAKE CARE OF OUR FUTURE SELVES, especially IF WE HAVE SPACE in our budgets for it 🙂

Towfiqu Barbhuiya Tbwozgqyesw | Unsplash

NOT HAVING ENOUGH money for the things you need can be VERY STRESSFUL. I know this from firsthand experience. This is why saving has such a special place in my heart ❤

While it’s still stressful when something unexpected happens, HAVING MONEY SET ASIDE for the unexpected helps REDUCE THE STRESS😌.

Side note: I totally get that some people may not have money left over to save for their future selves just yet (I was in this exact place some years back). If this is where you are today, it is okay. I am hopeful YOU WILL EVENTUALLY INCREASE YOUR INCOME and be able to put some MONEY ASIDE FOR YOUR FUTURE SELF soon😊 You may not be able to apply all the tips in this post yet, but you can keep them in mind for the future.

How I started saving for my goals

Once I began earning enough money to start saving, I started an EMERGENCY FUND and started investing into my RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. When I had extra money, I usually SAVED ALL OF IT without a GOAL IN MIND.

This was until I learned I could allocate money TOWARD MY GOALS and bucket list items.

Two of the things I enjoy most are 1) TRAVELING and 2) GIVING to others. So, it’s no surprise that the first two savings funds I created were for travel and giving.

When I get paid, I add money to these funds. Even though I have them, I still try to FIND GOOD DEALS when I buy stuff, SO MY MONEY CAN GO FARTHER 😉 .

I also put 1% of what I earn each month into an OPPORTUNITY FUND, which I use TO FUND MY GOALS and bucket list items. If I make $1000, I save $10. If I make $2000, I save $20.

Most recently I used the money in my opportunity fund to purchase:

A financial freedom book ($23),
Spanish lessons ($10 per session), and
Intermediate swimming lessons ($65), which included six lessons

Without my opportunity fund, I DON’T THINK I WOULD HAVE EVER STARTED Spanish or swimming lessons.

I would probably still be saving every single penny WITHOUT MAKING ROOM for the THINGS THAT INCREASE MY HAPPINESS and JOY today.

I am also pretty darn sure I WOULD NOT be nearly as GRATEFUL for the things I do to earn money if I DIDN’T USE some of this money to FUND MY GOALS and DREAMS!

Side note: I have different accounts for each of my funds (i.e, travel, giving, opportunity), but you don’t have to. The only reason I have separate accounts is because it helps me be more disciplined with my saving and spending, and it’s the method that works best for me right now.

What I learned

(1) It is important to save for the future.

SAVING for an emergency HELPS ME STRESS LESS when unexpected expenses come up.

Saving FOR TRAVEL allows me to TRAVEL MORE without racking up credit card debt.

Having a giving fund allows me to GIVE TO OTHERS without putting the finances of my current or future self in jeopardy.

(2) I can save AND enjoy my life now.

I went through a period where I SPENT ALL the MONEY I SAVED and found it hard to figure out exactly WHERE ALL THE MONEY WENT.

After learning I could SAVE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES, I started to. This made it a lot EASIER for me TO SPEND ON MY GOALS and things I enjoy today. And I was able to SAVE FOR MY FUTURE SELF too!

(3) Having savings funds for my goals and the things I enjoy helps me set boundaries.

Before I created these special savings funds, I would SPEND WAY MORE money than I ACTUALLY HAD on travel and gifts, which would result in me either:

CARRYING A BALANCE on my credit card because I DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY to pay it off, or
Using my ENTIRE PAYCHECK to pay the credit card bill, which left me with VERY LITTLE to cover MY NEEDS (i.e., food, gas, etc.).

Now when I RUN OUT OF MONEY in a specific category (like Giving), I HAVE TO WAIT until that fund is replenished to start giving again. The same is true for my travel and opportunity funds.

This sometimes sucks in the present, but the future me is THANKFUL😊
Plus, when these accounts are empty, I can usually (1) ENJOY the new skills I’ve acquired, and (2) RECOUNT MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES I made while spending the money.

Challenge

1. Write down (or think about) YOUR GOALS and/or bucket list items.

2. Do you have money to SET ASIDE for one or two of them now? It does not have to be a lot, EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS. You can even start by saving 1% of what you make toward your goal(s).

If YES, can you start saving toward them today, this week or this month?
If NOT, what is an amount you’d like to start contributing to your goal(s) in the future?

Lagniappe /a little something extra/

One of the things I found MOST MONUMENTAL in the beginning of my saving journey was to save an EMERGENCY FUND.

If you don’t already have one, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO START ONE. This is a great way to LOOK OUT FOR your NEXT MONTH and/or NEXT YEAR SELF. This fund can prevent you from overspending (and stressing) if something unexpected comes up.

Some experts recommend starting a $1000 emergency fund while others recommend building a 3-6 month emergency fund. If you decide to take on this extra challenge, remember that the CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS, you can make modifications, if you see fit 🙂

Thank you so much for reading this post! And as always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave them in the comment box below.

Sending lots of love & light your way ❤

Until next post😉

Xx,
Raina B ❤

Why I traveled to Medellín (and why I am looking forward to going back one day!)

December 8, 2023January 19, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 1 Comment

With so many people hyping up Medellín, Colombia, I wasn’t sure it would measure up, but after spending five weeks in this beautiful city, there are SO many reasons why I’m hoping to go back!

The HYPE was what initially put Medellín on my radar, but here are the five things that convinced me to buy a $200 one-way ticket:

(1) To learn Spanish: Most Colombians don’t speak English, so it was the perfect place to learn and practice Spanish! – Photo credit | Jon Tyson | Unsplash
(2) To escape winter: Medellín is known as the City of Eternal Spring, because of its year-round spring-like weather. – Photo credit | Mike Swigunski | Unsplash
(3) Low cost of living: I was told by a tour guide that 60% of Colombians earn $400 or less each month, which makes just about everything relatively inexpensive for foreigners. – Photo credit | Alexander Schimmeck | Unsplash
(4) Colombia is diverse: So, it was easier for me to blend in here than in some other countries. – Photo credit | Canva
(5) Relatively safe city: Medellín is one of the safest big cities in Colombia. – Photo credit | Artem Kovalev | Unsplash

Things I enjoyed DOING in Medellín:

(6) Free (tip based) walking tour.

I learned so much about the history and resilience of the Paisas, and it gave me a really good understanding of the city and its people.

(7) Participating in a language exchange.

This was a great way to meet nice people and practice my Spanish.

(8) Living in Laureles.

There’s so much to do, lots of cafes, restaurants and nightlife, and there was even a cute little park not far from where I was staying.

What I LOVED about Medellín:

Terms I used in the video that may be a bit unfamiliar

People of Medellín (also known as ‘Paisas’)
“Con gusto” or “Con mucho gusto” which translate to ‘With pleasure’ or ‘With much pleasure’.
Three neighborhoods I lived in were El Poblado (least favorite), La Floresta, Laureles (my favorite).
Gringo is a term sometimes used for foreigners.
Masaya in El Poblado has a great rooftop view.
Lemonade de Coco is a delicious and refreshing drink that I fell in love with in Colombia.

Other beautiful places I visited in Colombia (outside of Medellín):

(1) MINCA had such beautiful views and sunsets and it was extremely tranquil!

What I want to do next time:

(1) Guatape again!

But next time I’ll stay overnight and maybe go Glamping (1-2 days.)

(2) Botanical gardens in Medellín.

(3) Sabaneta again.

It’s a cool and very local neighborhood outside Medellín that I’d love to explore a bit more.

(4) Take private salsa lessons.

(5) Go to Salento.

(6) Minca again.

(7) Do more things that local Colombians do

Now that I got most of the touristy stuff out of the way.

What I learned about myself while here:

I can travel for over a month! In the past I got really homesick, but I didn’t get too homesick here. These are some things I think helped combat the homesickness:

(1) Being in the same time zone as the United States. (2) Getting out and exploring and meeting people. (3) Moving to different neighborhoods. Switching things up made me feel like I wasn’t in the same place for such a long period of time. (4) Felt pretty safe, especially during the day. (5) Making friends with people who were similar to me. (6) Having a routine. (7) Living in a co-living hotel.

Take away:

I’m glad I decided to go to Medellín! It is such a beautiful city and well worth a visit! I hope this blog post allows you to see Medellín in a different light than what you may have seen portraited in movies and television. Medellín’s past is plagued with drugs, cartels and crime, but the people of this city have overcome so much and are extremely resilient! They have so much joy and they don’t mind sharing it with others😊 I hope you are inspired to visit Medellín or Colombia in general, it’s such a beautiful country filled with lots of kind and warm-hearted people.

Thank you so much for stopping by! As always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave a comment below 😉

Waterfall near Tayrona National Park in Colombia. Photo credit: Kat

Until next post!

XX,

Raina B ❤

How I started listening to my skin, and how you can too!

November 10, 2023November 11, 2024 by Raina B ♥ 2 Comments

Growing up, I never had severe problems with my skin, but I definitely had breakouts from time to time. My breakouts were often unpredictable and so annoying when they did occur 🙄. As I transitioned into my 30s, the occasional breakouts were soon accompanied by bigger pores, hyperpigmentation and less of the youthful glow I had grown accustomed in my 20s.

Before the pandemic, I wore makeup almost everyday to cover up my pimples and uneven skin tone and texture. During the pandemic, wearing makeup became impossible, so I decided it was time for me start working on improving my skin!

As I scoured the web for skin care products and routines that would help me on my quest to improve my skin, I came across blogs and interviews with celebrities discussing how they’d obtained and maintained their natural and healthy glows!

By learning more about my skin and what it needs, I was eventually able to revive MY YOUTHFUL GLOW! Here are some of the things I did:

(1) Drinking lots of water helped reduce the size of my pores! And I had less breakouts. YES, PLEASE!
(2) Reducing my sugar, dairy and gluten intake resulted in less pimples, YAY!
(3) Using serums (Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Exfoliating) helped revive my youthful glow! #LIFESAVERS
(4) Using sunscreen protects skin from UV damage and sunburn. It’s also believed to prevent wrinkles.
(5) Getting adequate rest reduced my undereye circles/discoloration and my skin seems to glow a bit more.
(6) I wash face with a cleanser at night, and only rinse in morning. (If I wash in the morning, it dries out my skin. NO BUENO!)

Before purchasing new skincare products, I typically look for ones that are NON-TOXIC (or low in toxins) and WON’T BREAK THE BANK!

(1) To check the toxicity of products, I typically use EWG’s Skin Deep database.

(2) I occasionally splurge on expensive products, if I think they will work.

I have a self-care savings account that I fund every month. I usually pull the money from here to pay for all of my skin care!

After doing lots of online research (and learning that I have sensitive, combination skin), I decided to give MAD HIPPIE (a mostly non-toxic brand) a try, and their products have been AMAZING FOR MY SKIN!

Here are some of MY FAVORITES

(1) Vitamin C serum, (2) Vitamin A serum, (3) Exfoliating serum and (4) Cleansing Oil

OTHER PRODUCTS I LOVE

(5) Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleaner (Favorite cleanser!)

(6) Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF (Favorite moisturizer!)

(7) Melan-In Skin Nourishing Serum+ MPF (All natural serum that makes my skin glow! It’s pricey, but a little goes a long way!)

(8) Aloe-Papaya Moringa Oil Facial Moisturizer (All natural moisturizer)

(9) The Ordinary’s Caffeine serum (For those day when I don’t get enough sleep…eeekks!)

(10) M-16 PowerSpot Cleanse (Great for breakouts!)

(11) Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing Face & Body Mask (Favorite pore cleansing mask!)(12) Sweet almond oil (Great oil for face and body too!)

(13) Dark Spot Eraser (also a bit pricey, but it’s all natural and is amazing at treating hyperpigmentation)

WHAT I LEARNED

(1) I can glean from others with similar skin types as mine, but I ultimately have to listen to my OWN skin, and YOU SHOULD TOO!

(2) It took me a while to figure out what my skin liked and didn’t like, but I have settled into a skincare routine that works for me.

(3) I don’t have to use toxic products to maintain my glow; there are natural products that work very well for my skin!

(4) I don’t have it all figured out, and that’s okay. I am far more comfortable going foundationless than before and that is progress!

We are all unique, so it’s important for each of us to listen to what our bodies and skin are telling us. If you’ve problems with your skin, like me, you may find some of what I shared helpful!

If you are looking for some products to add to your skincare routine, or opt for less toxic alternatives, some of products I mentioned may be nice to try, especially the Mad Hippie products.

CHALLENGE

(1) Try listening to your skin and observing how it responds when you try something new.

(2) Do you have breakouts or issues with your skin from time to time, including allergic reactions or eczema?

(3) If you answered yes to the question above, maybe you can try checking in with your skin. Here are some questions you can ask:

How much water am I consuming? Is it enough?
Do I tend to breakout or have skin issues after consuming certain foods/drinks?
Have I started using new products on my skin? Certain products can cause allergic reactions.

If you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comment section below. I’m always open to trying new products, namely those with less toxic ingredients;)

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Coffee farm near Lake Kivu in Rwanda. Photo credit – Chi

Until next time!

XX,

Raina B ❤

Why it’s okay to listen to your heart (and pivot)!

October 13, 2023November 10, 2023 by Raina B ♥ 5 Comments

For years, my “goal” was to get to conversational Spanish. And for years, I went without learning or speaking much of it. This year, I decided it was time to buckle down and learn Spanish already! After doing some research, I decided to go to Medellín, Colombia to learn Spanish and escape winter😊 So, I made a plan and was determined to stick to it!

After one week of private, in-person Spanish lessons, I quickly realized that the time restrictions of my lessons were getting in the way of me enjoying this beautiful new city. In week two, I got an Airbnb in a “local” Colombian neighborhood, and traded my in-person lessons for online lessons. The online lessons were CHEAPER and MORE FLEXIBLE!

After two weeks of private, online lessons, my Spanish was improving, and I had a lot more time to explore and enjoy Medellín! Things were going well, but I missed being around other travelers. One friend recommended a co-living hotel in a neighborhood where more foreigners lived. I was hesitant at first, because I knew this move would result in me speaking more English (and a lot less Spanish ).

The idea of giving up on my initial goal of getting to conversational Spanish before leaving Colombia was a hard pill to swallow, but I decided to LISTEN TO MY HEART. And just like that, I canceled my Airbnb and booked a room at the co-living hotel!

Moving to the co-living hotel enhanced my experience to a level I did not expect! And it was A LOT cheaper😉 This move gave me the perfect balance between having my own space and having community. The move also allowed me to meet so many AMAZING people; and TOGETHER we went to cafes, restaurants, language exchanges, fútbol games, and parties. Like me, these people:

(1) Worked remotely, (2) Enjoyed traveling, (3) Were learning Spanish, (4) and/or Wanted to learn more about Colombia, its culture and all the beautiful things it had to offer.

Getting to a point where I could acknowledge that I no longer wanted to live in an Airbnb in a “local” Colombian neighborhood, was a huge step! My Spanish had improved since Day One in Medellín, but it was still challenging to communicate in Spanish alone. If I had not turned inward to evaluate what could make my experience better, I would have missed out on SO much! This abandonment of (or shift in) my goal is what I now recognize as LISTENING TO MY HEART and PIVOTING!

This is only one example of many times where I had to turn inward, listen to my heart, and decide if a pivot was necessary. Sometimes I needed to pivot more than once, until it felt right😊

These pivots often happened after I’d romanticized an idea or been so focused on a goal, only to find that when I’d gotten a taste of it, I no longer wanted or desired it.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Over the years, I have learned the importance of LISTENING TO MY HEART and giving myself space to ask:

Why am I pursuing this goal? Am I doing it for myself? To please others? Or to prove something (to myself or others)?
Is it still something I really want or desire? Or have I grown to a place where I no longer desire it?
Are there other ways to achieve this goal? That are less painful? Easier? Or require less energy or time?
Will the goal be more or less fulfilling than I’d originally anticipated?

We are all unique and should listen to what OUR HEARTS are telling us! After all, God created each of us in His image, and I believe it’s only right for us to pursue the things He’s placed in our hearts 🙂

Maybe you desired one thing in the past, but it no longer fits who you are or what you desire, today. It’s okay to pivot (and change your mind)!

CHALLENGE

I encourage you to embrace where you are right now, then take a moment to reflect (without judgement).

Is there something that is making you feel uneasy?
Is there some area of your life that used to spark joy, but no longer does?
Do you want more joy (or happiness) in a particular area of your life?

Make space, turn inward, and listen to YOUR HEART. Is your heart telling you to:

Stay where you are?,
Turn around?,
Pivot?,
Or something else?

Can you continue on the same path, but with a different outlook? Are there other ways to achieve your goal? Should you abandon your goal all together?

Only YOU can do this and decide for YOURSELF. You may get advice and ideas from others with more experience who can help you brainstorm or strategize, but you have to LISTEN TO YOUR HEART, because it belongs to YOU, and nobody else 😊

Trust yourself and the power you have to (1) shift your perspective, (2) pivot, and (3) change your circumstance (and eventually your reality). If it worked for me, I am hopeful it can work for you too!

Thank you so much for reading this post! As always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave a comment below.

Really high up in Medellín 😀
My fearless pilot was smiling for the camera, so I had to include this one 🙂

Sending lots of love & light your way ❤

Until next post😉

Xx,
Raina B ❤

When was the last time you listened to your body?

September 8, 2023November 10, 2023 by Raina B ♥ 1 Comment

Believe it or not, our bodies usually tell us what they like and don’t like. We just have to take a moment to listen 🙂

MIGRAINES: For years, I wondered why I got debilitating migraines. I could never predict when they would come, I just knew sometimes I had them and other times I didn’t.

After years of popping painkillers, I started wondering whether my migraines were being triggered by something in my diet. After weeks of observing and making notes of what I consumed, I noticed that the migraines usually occurred after I had eaten (or drank) way too much sugar (i.e., CocaCola, ice cream, candy, cookies, donuts, and other sweet treats).

CHEST PAIN: Years later, I began having sharp chest pains. The pain was so bad, I thought I was having a heart attack! This happened multiple times in the span of a week before I finally went to the doctor. The doctor ran multiple tests and told me, “everything is fine, your chest muscles were just tightening up.” He also mentioned that I should use an ice pack whenever I had the pain and could start taking painkillers daily, if I wanted to. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I was way to young to start taking Aleve daily, right?!?

After this visit, I checked with my sister to see if she’d figured out where her chest pain was coming from. “Refined sugars!”, she replied. With this information, I decided to start observing whether sugar was also the culprit for me. After several observations, I figured out that sugar (not just refined sugar) was causing my sharp chest pain!

WHAT I LEARNED: My body speaks to me all the time! Now that I am listening, I can hear it telling me what it likes and does not like! If my body starts doing things it doesn’t normally do, I make a note of what I consumed recently. This way, I am able to eliminate foods that make me feel bad and keep eating foods that don’t make me feel bad. Using this method has allowed me to observe the following:

Culprits: Sugary drinks, snacks and candy (with over 15g of sugar)

Symptoms – Migraine headaches, acne breakouts, chest pain

Culprits: Pasta, rice, oats, ice cream, yogurt, popcorn

Symptom – Acid reflux

Culprits: Beans, avocados, dairy, sometimes nuts

Symptom – Digestive issues

Culprits: Dairy, gluten

Symptoms – Acne breakouts, cysts

MY ACTION STEPS: While I still eat sugar, I have become a lot more conscious of how much I eat and have been experiencing far fewer migraines and chest pains. Thank God! Because, boy, were they painful!

I am still on a quest to figure out whether my body likes gluten. I think gluten may be causing me to breakout, and it may also be causing a cyst on my foot to flare up.

For my digestive issues, I will try using kombucha, water kefir and/or prebiotics to see if they can help me digest avocados and beans, better. If not, I will continue to limit how much I eat or eliminate them from my diet completely.

CHALLENGE

Join me in taking some time to listen to what your body is telling you. It may surprise you!

Have you had aches, pains, or odd things happen to your body lately? If so, try listening to it and making notes of what you ate (or drank) hours or even days before you experienced the pain. Using a food journal to log what you consume and any symptoms you feel can be helpful.

I think doing a food journal for one week is great! You may decide to keep it for longer, if you enjoy it. Personally, a week is plenty for me!

We are all different and unique, and this is why it’s so important for YOU to listen to what YOUR BODY is telling YOU:)

Thank you so much for reading this post! As always, if you have any tips, suggestions, questions and/or comments, please leave a comment below.

On a street in Jiufen, Taiwan. Photo credit: Em

Until next time!

Xx,

Raina B ❤

Highlights from South Africa

February 13, 2019September 7, 2023 by Raina B ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It was SO AMAZING being back in South Africa after being away for over 3 years…YIKES!! Needless to say, this trip was long overdue!! While seeing friends was a priority and by far the best part of my trip <3, I did manage to check a few more things off my list. Below, you will find 3 (or more) highlights from each city, plus some things I hope to check off my list next time 😉

Durban

This time:

1. Umhlanga Village/ Umhlanga Rocks

2. Walk from North Beach to South Beach (or the other way around)

3. Florida Road is a must. I ate at Republik the food was great and so was the atmosphere!

Next time:

Bike the Golden Mile
Take cable car to top of Moses Mabhida Stadium (to get a great view of Durban)
Eat more Bunny Chow 😉

IMG_20181114_171210233 — YUMMY Bunny Chow

Cape Town

This time:

1. Eat braii at Rands

2. Hike Lion’s Peak (or some other part of table mountain)

3. Go to Victoria & Albert Waterfront Mall

IMG-20181119-WA0005 — Enjoyed a lovely meal at Primi!

4. Bonus 😉 Visited my old church, Every Nation in Rondebosch (formally His People)

Next time:

Go to the Clifton Beach
Go to Old Biscuit Mill
Explore Oranjezicht neighborhood (don’t even think about asking me how to pronounce it…lol)

Johannesburg (aka Jozi)

This time:

1. Go to a rooftop restaurant (and/or bar) in Maboneng

2. Go to NeighbourGoods Market in (Braamfontein or ‘Braam’ for short)

This is also a MUST if you are in town on Saturday morning/afternoon!

3. Go to Soweto (I took a tour through Curiocity Backpackers)

Finally made it to Soweto 🙂 SOWETO = Southwest Townships

Bonus: Go rowing at Zoo Lake

Next time:

See Black Coffee! I left a day before his show this time around 😦
Go to 27 Boxes in Melville
Go to Gallery MOMO (for my contemporary art fix)
Go on a night bike ride with the group from LoveRevo (in Maboneng) (Again ;))

I hope this trip has inspired you to visit one (or more) cool places, even if they are in your own backyard! I am always looking for cool things to see and do, so if you have any suggestions, please reach out and let me know. Also, feel free to ask questions about South Africa. I will try to answer them the best I can 😉

REFLECTION

Have you visited somewhere cool or exciting in the past year? (It can even be in your current city.) If so, what were some of your highlights?

ALTERNATIVE – (If you haven’t, you will! I have faith in you 😀 )

If you weren’t able to visit somewhere cool or exciting recently, what is one place would you like to visit this year?
What are some of the things you hope to do?

If you have any suggestions, comments and/or questions please leave a comment in the section below or send me a direct message (DM) on Instagram.

LAGNIAPPE / a little something extra./

South Africa has a very special place in my heart ❤ It is a place where I had the privilege of meeting some AMAZING people who not only loved Jesus, but also loved me, right were I was (an imperfect place). I joined a small group to further develop my relationship with Christ. Since my first trip (back in 2009), my life has not been the same. My recent trip was a sweet reminder of how much Jesus loves me!

I want to take this time to let you know that HE LOVES YOU TOO, unconditionally, right where you are! You are the apple of His eye, He knows you (even better than you know yourself!). He cares about you and everything you are going through. No issue, problem or pain is too big (or small) for Him to carry. Rest in knowing that you are dearly loved and accepted by Him.

REFLECTION POINTS

What are some ways God has shown you He loves you this year?
Are there some things you are going through that seem to heavy to carry? Try surrendering those things to Jesus. Trust me, He can carry the weight.