• Uncategorized

    Personal Update: Grieving and Healing

    Dear Readers, Thank you for stopping by. I am currently taking some time to grieve the loss of my beloved soul dog, Sofie. She transitioned on October 4th 2024 after blessing us with love and happiness for 16 years and 2 months. Though she bravely overcame lymphoma and enjoyed many happy months in remission, she developed dementia in her final…

  • Self-Discovery

    The Effects of Growing Up With a Gambler Parent

    For the last decade, I’ve been working hard to heal my trauma from domestic childhood abuse and growing up as the child of an alcoholic. But it’s only in recent years that I’ve also come to realize that my father’s gambling habits affected me in ways that I wasn’t aware of. It seems to me that gambling and alcoholism tend…

  • Health

    Balancing Hormones With Moon Salutations

    In Japan, the arrival of the harvest moon marks a time of serenity and contemplation. As we gaze up at its luminous glow, a sense of calm washes over us. This peaceful time is known as Tsukimi, the moon-viewing festival, where we relax eat dango and appreciate the beauty of the moon. Since ancient times, the sun has symbolized power…

  • Beauty

    The Best Hatomugi Toner

    As we age, our skin’s natural shedding process slows down, leading to dull-looking skin. I am definitely guilty of overusing exfoliators and experimenting with chemical peels in hopes of combating those pesky whiteheads and ughh…clogged pores, but overdoing it can sometimes backfire. My skin reached its breaking point and let me know it was done. Despite trying various remedies, nothing…

  • Healing - Self-Discovery

    My Daily Affirmations For Healing Childhood Domestic Abuse

    According to studies, millions of adults worldwide are survivors of childhood domestic abuse, enduring the impact of trauma well into their adult years. The scars left by such experiences can manifest in various forms, from emotional distress to physical ailments, shaping the way survivors perceive themselves and experience the world around them. As a survivor of childhood domestic abuse myself,…

  • Pet

    How to Support Someone Facing Pet Cancer or Terminal Illness

    Pets hold a special place in our hearts, often becoming beloved members of our families. Unfortunately, just like humans, many pets can face terminal illnesses such as cancer. According to global statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cancer affects millions of pets worldwide. Approximately 6 million dogs and 6 million cats are diagnosed with cancer each…

  • Health

    Vitex: The Natural Way I’m Keeping My Prolactin Low

    Well, I have hyperprolactinemia. Over the last few years, I have tried various supplements to keep my prolactin levels low after treatment with Cabergoline. Some people choose to take Cabergoline indefinitely, and while it works very well to lower prolactin levels, it didn’t suit me. It made me very nauseous, I didn’t feel like myself and I had bad nightmares.…

  • Health

    How I Lowered High Cortisol: In Simple and Practical Steps

    Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” plays a vital role in our bodies’ daily functions. In appropriate amounts, it helps regulate metabolism and manage stress. However, excessive levels of cortisol, often resulting from chronic stress, can take a toll on our bodies. The Consequences of High Cortisol: Years of unresolved childhood trauma, demanding personal obligations and a stressful…

  • Health

    What is Hyperprolactinemia? Notes From Symptoms to Diagnosis

    When I first got diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia. I had never heard of it. For my own understanding, I spent hours online reading about it. Here’s a condensed summary of what I found out. High prolactin levels occur when there is an overproduction of the hormone prolactin by the pituitary gland in the brain. This condition is called hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin is…

  • Healing - Self-Discovery

    How I’m Healing Childhood Trauma And Getting To Know Myself

    A Japanese proverb goes, 自己知識は万事の基準 (Jiko chishiki wa banji no kijun) “Self-knowledge is the foundation of all things.” Looking back at my childhood, I have tremendous compassion for that little girl who had to carefully wade through a complex world at such a young age. It was a delicate balance, leading a double life between the charming and sweet side…