A Poem inspired by my painting entitled The Flirt
The perfect smoothie, if you're fasting, meal replacement, or just because. It boasts a host of benefits from anti-inflammatory to digestive health.
Many people tend to think of anchors as things that weigh us down, but I would like for you to consider them, for today's purpose as things which help us in staying grounded and connected, those things which help us to deal better with uncertainty.
Peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom are just some of the "prayers" said to be carried through Prayer Flags.
Affirmations are like exercises for our mind and outlook. Here's a simple activity to create your own affirmation cards.
What brings your heart joy?
I find so much healing in all things art and creativity. Finding creativity in everyday life is one of the best medicines you can take.
We need to be fertilized in order to bloom. What are you releasing? What are you calling in? What gets you to flower?
I love doodling to relieve stress. Don't you?
As I meditated one morning, the following thoughts came to me, and I had to write them down.
The poem, Kissed by the Sunset was inspired by a painting that I created recently, also by the same name.
It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. What do yours say? What lies behind your eyes?
Does creativity come easily for you? Here's a clue! It will never feel like the right time. Do not wait for someone to give you permission to begin. Nobody is going to tap you, nominate you, appoint you, or choose you and say, “Now, it’s time to start.” Create!
If you're looking for the best banana bread recipe out there, look no further!
A desert plant that curls into a ball and “hibernates” during dry weather can teach us many life lessons.
I have lots of ideas about how to use temporary tattoos to create fabulous Halloween costume effects (a glam zombie, a cracked porcelain doll, a Día de Los Muertos sugar skull, a tribal queen, and more). I will share them with you here.
It may be called tea, but it's actually a soup! I always loved this soup when I was growing up in the Caribbean, and today it is still one of my favorites. My kids love it, too.
If you feel like you never have enough energy, making an effort to tone out distractions and tune into your body may be the first step to feeling better. Balancing your Chakras is an excellent way to find balance within your body and mind.
In September 2017, I did something bold, daring, scary, BRAVE. I did something most women would never consider doing in their lifetime, given the choice. This is what I've learned so far.
If you love to make homemade Christmas decorations, you will adore this unique Snowman's Hat. It’s a cute, easy, and fun Christmas craft.
Leaf of life is widely used as an herbal remedy for many ailments, especially bronchial conditions, and it is very easy to propagate.
It is difficult to find another food richer than Moringa Olifeira. I truly believe that everyone should have one of these trees in they yard.
Though they require a little patience and care, it’s by no means impossible to grow asparagus in containers. In this guide, I will show you how.
Asparagus beans are heirlooms, very vigorous climbing vines that are easy to grow. I grew these for the first time this year. Here are my results.
This moringa lentil soup was the delicious result of experimenting in the kitchen. I will definitely be making this again.
If you don't have room for a full garden but want to grow sweet potatoes, you might consider growing your sweet potatoes in containers.
Cassava is a drought surviving crop which is easy to grow and very simple to harvest. It is also a staple food in many parts for western and central Africa and is found throughout the humid tropics.
Growing vegetables in bags of potting soil is probably the easiest way to garden.
Being a mother must be the hardest job in the world. Being a chronically-ill mom takes motherhood to an even more challenging level.
There are a few more days left in National Poetry Month, so I decided to try to write an Acrostic Poem. Here are a few dedicated to my kids and grandchild. Have you written an acrostic poem?
Throughout my journey, I discovered the incredible resilience required of the creative mind in overcoming serious adversity. The journey fosters growth and helps me find new meaning.
Just a short haiku about the observations of Summer.
What is the "leaf of life"? The leaf of life, also known as the Goethe plant, is an alternative remedy that can benefit respiratory conditions.
The forest breathes. It speaks. It listens. It answers. And it echoes....
This article discusses how chronic illness can change one's life and provides 10 useful tips for living well with chronic illness.
I have undertaken a challenge for April, National Poetry Month, where I will write a Haiku poem each day. Will you join me?
Potatoes are easy to grow, and you don't need a lot of space. All you need is a container, some seed potatoes, and some soil. Learn how to plant Irish potatoes.
When I started to lose my eyelashes due to illness, I found that regular mascara did not give me the effect I wanted anymore. Then I discovered a two-step mascara by Physicians Formula, and it changed everything.
The Arts have been my therapy for as long as I can remember.
Almost a year ago, I had an implantable cardiac loop recorder placed in my chest to monitor my arrhythmia. This is a short tale of that experience.
I love the rain, but I hate the way my body reacts to it now. If you have an inflammatory illness like lupus, you understand what I am talking about.
If you currently have a friend or a loved one going through some significant health challenges and you are trying to come up with gift ideas, I have tried to put together a great list here.
Mancala is actually considered to be the world’s oldest game. The word Mancala comes from the Arabic word naqala, which means “to move.”
Sweet potatoes don’t actually grow from seed but rather a slip or sprout that forms off of old sweet potatoes. There are a few ways of growing the slips.
Turmeric is one of the most talked about super-foods. It's the buzz word in the health world. I love using it in my recipes, including this baked spiced turmeric potatoes recipe.
Every so often a product is introduced that changes the way things are done. Paverpol is one such product.
Have you always wanted to create sculptures? Try Paverpol, an environmentally-friendly material used to harden fabric in a process similar to paper mache. Learn how to create an indoor or outdoor sculpture with this simple tutorial including step-by-step photos and videos.
If you've ever wanted to put together an art exhibit but weren't sure how to begin, here are a few tips based on my own personal experience.
What really matters in life?
Searching for the perfect holiday gift, but stumped on what to buy that person in your life who is impossible to shop for? The person who has everything? Look no further.
December is an important month because it sets the stage for the new year. Use this time to reflect on your goals and focus forward with clarity.
Most of us don't think twice about things like getting out of bed, sitting in a car, or eating a meal. These very same activities can be extremely challenging for people with inflammatory illnesses. Check out these gift ideas for items that can help.
The ornaments that we place on our trees represent so much...from a baby's first Christmas to a memory of a vacation or of a grandmother's story.
Christmas in the Caribbean is very different, from the sandy yards to Santa's arrival and even the music.
Ginger is an herb/spice that I always have on hand. I eat the crystallized ginger and use the powder for teas and cooking. Find out how to grow your own.
So many of us are used to the traditional Christmas carols and forget that there are many other beautiful Christmas songs that have been written. I've highlighted some of my favorites here.
Grocery shopping is such a mundane activity that I didn't consider spending extra time there on a field trip. However, our trip to Publix proved me wrong!
I've always had a fascination with the sunrise. I think it's the appeal of a new day filled with new opportunities, a new canvas for us to create a brand new masterpiece.
Those of us who were touched by the storm this past week have all been surrounded by some messes in its aftermath.
I can’t believe it’s been a year since I wrote my first article about home-schooling. My youngest son is now in the 5th grade, and I am still on the home-schooling train. Here are lessons learned.
Not only is Poor Man's Stew easy to make, it costs very little to make, and really is delicious.
Science projects can be an exciting, especially when it comes to the hands -on nature that can be experienced. Instead of growing Lima beans, we grew Moringa seeds.
This blend of herbs helps to combat symptoms such as congestion, aches, and sore throat, providing comfort and restoration, but they also help to prevent the common cold or flu.
If you have a natural first aid kit, you’ll want to include this trauma oil amongst your primary items.
How many of us are “trapped in the clutches of a memory?”
The spookiest time of the year is almost here! This article will show you how to make 13 spooky wreaths for the Halloween season.
As I sat drinking my tea this morning, I decided to write down (almost) everything that I saw happening. It's amazing what we see when we take time to notice.
One of my dreams was to have my art become "wearable art." I had always admired artists like Antthony Mark Hankins who had their own wearable art. I was so excited when I got the opportunity.
Cerasee is probably one of the most bitter medicines, feared by most people from the Caribbean (and anyone else who tries it) because of its taste. It holds numerous medicinal benefits.
Students will look closely at the work of Louise Nevelson, and then will create their own assemblages using recycled materials that they have collected.
This poem is just a fun expression of a recent Caribbean festival experience.
This poem is basically about breaking free, and becoming the best you possible.
As an Art teacher, I am always looking for ways to teach multiple concepts using one assignment. This optimizes materials as well as time. This assignment is perfect for that.
In Ayurveda there are six digestive spices that have been used for thousands of years with incredible success. They are fennel, coriander, cumin, cardamom, turmeric and ginger.
Teach middle school students how to make art in the style of the ancient Japanese practice of maki-e lacquerware.
There are a lot of articles about people seeing angels. I decided to write a short piece of prose about my own experience. Have you had experiences with angels? Have you seen angels?
I'm not sure when my fascination with pearls began, but I heard about them at a very young age from my Grandmother. As I got older, the fascination got stronger. Now I have my own small collection.
An essay on domestic violence. You think you've won, and you stand behind the hope that I'm broken on the ground, but you don't know the plans in place nor do you know the strength that I have found.
Each day is a small fragment of a lifetime. We can never return to the past, except in our memories. We don’t know what the future holds. The only time we can spend is today. We've only this moment.
Most of us are familiar with the paintings and drawings of Pablo Picasso, but do you know he was also a great sculptor?
"It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like… gravity moves… suddenly. It's not the earth holding you here anymore.
Bone broth was a way our ancestors made use of every part of an animal. Bones, marrow, skin, feet, tendons and ligaments can be boiled and then simmered over a few days to make a healing compound.
Getting to know Ayurveda and following it’s wisdom-rich principles has been one of the best things that I have done for my health and well-being. Now I listen to my body and give it what it needs.
Emotional manipulation is not acceptable, and the longer you allow it to continue, the more power and confidence the manipulator gains in this one-sided relationship.
My heart did travel beyond the infinite boundaries of time. Searching, perusing for a love, defying reason for the ages to define. I found that in you.
Do you find it hard to reveal your feeling for someone? Why is that?
Circles are all around us every day. We don't often pay attention to them, yet we have an unending fascination with them. Why is that? Let's explore that thought.
Have you ever held onto keepsakes from previous relationships, or from love interests?
As a young girl, I was always intrigued by graveyards, by the dates that I saw on the tombstones, the art on the tombstones, and just the "stories" behind the bodies that lay there. Still intrigued!
Some popular methods designed for detoxification can be uncomfortable and extremely stressful on the body which is why detoxing with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy is healthier and safer.
Do you ever feel that stuff gets in the way of your being able to get things done? Do you have a chronic illness in addition? Here's how Minimalism can help.
Life is meant to be enjoyed, but you have to intentionally design your life in order to experience that. Here are some things that I do to help make my life easier and more enjoyable.
I remember when I was first diagnosed with lupus. Getting the diagnosis took several years and many different diagnoses. I hope this list will help you in your lupus journey.
Over time I have found ways to deal with dyspnea using natural remedies rather than having to immediately turn to an inhaler. These also help me with fatigue. These natural remedies include essential oils.
I was diagnosed with emphysema about 10 years ago. As time went on I have had to learn how to manage COPD symptoms resulting from emphysema, as well as a host of other chronic illnesses..
The summer months can spell trouble for those with respiratory ailments, such as COPD. As outdoor temperatures rise, so does the risk of landing in the hospital.
Some people may think that they can only enjoy life when they already have a lot of money or a successful career. But that’s not true. You can enjoy your life where you are with what you already have.
Just about everyone experiences fatigue and exhaustion at some point in their life, but people living with chronic pain or chronic fatigue experience them everyday. Essential oils can help.
We carefully watch what we put into our mouths, but think so little of what we put into our homes! Here are some surprising ways to detox your home.
Ayurveda’s insightful perspective on inflammation and chronic pain—combined with natural remedies—can help you soothe the symptoms of fibromyalgia, lupus, neuropath, arthritis, and so much more.
Think dealing with chronic illness is easy? No one who has any form of rare, undiagnosed or chronic illness does. Being sick requires a new normal AND a new level of courage.
Whether it’s mild or chronic pain, essential oils can provide pain and tension relie while reducing inflammation in a range of ailments, like arthritis, swelling, muscle, joint, back or nerve pain.
When chronic illness enters your life you may encounter some of those big questions: "Why would God cause me to suffer like this?" More importantly, you may be wondering, "Where do I go from here?"
Systemic diseases such as lupus may include some sort of oral involvement. Good regular dental care with a trusted dentist can help discover and alleviate any problems that might arise.
"Everyone is down on pain, because they forget one important thing about it: Pain is for the living. Only the dead don't feel it."
Coloring books are no longer solely the domain of children. Adults are now immersing themselves in this fun, creative and therapeutic past-time.
Are you still trying to figure out how to live life to the fullest? If so, you’re far from alone. The sad thing is that most people go through life never really experiencing what life has to offer.
By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts, and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age. — Charaka Samhita: Sutrasthana: V: 88-89
I'm sure none of us enjoy feeling envious, but I am almost sure there are times we find ourselves wishing we had what others do.
When inspiration does not come, I go for a walk, go to the movies, talk to a friend, let go… The muse is bound to return again, especially if I turn my back! ~Judy Collins
Your birthday approaches. You are becoming a beautiful 19 year old young lady. I just wanted to tell you some things in case I forget to tell you these things later on, when I’m tired, or too old that I can’t even remember. Over the last few...
Have you read the label on your toothpaste recently? The list of ingredients in commercial toothpastes is a little frightening, to say the least.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal. From an Irish headstone”
Homeschooling while dealing with your own pain and suffering, whether temporary or long-term, can be a difficult thing to do. Trust me, I know. However, know that it is not impossible.
My role as a parent has changed since I’ve become ill in many ways. Some good, some bad, but the fact is, chronically ill parents have a lot to face up to.
Amazing hidden gem in Merritt Island, Fl. Learn about native people, foods they grew, caught, how they survived, nature trails, interactive displays , ancient Indian village with burial mound.
The waters of the Cayman Islands can be very therapeutic. I have not been home in a few months, but the waters are calling my name.
When we allow our joy to be extinguished, we forfeit our purpose. We miss the vibrant beauty of life and we neglect the joy of this very moment. We stray from our compass and lose our way.
The fear of the dark is a common fear or phobia among children and, to a varying degree, of adults. Fear of the dark is usually not fear of darkness itself, but fear of possible or imagined dangers.
"If you don't hurry up and let life know what you want, life will damned soon show you what you'll get." Robertson Davies, Fifth Business
All of us are slaves to time. We wear wristwatches with quarter-hour beepers to keep us on schedule. We have digital clocks in our car and alarm clocks on our nightstands.
We all have a story to tell, whether it's one of sacrifice, struggles, or heroism. All of our adventures make up the story of the life we live.
There are first times for everything. The first time you drove a car, the first job, the first kiss, the first love of your life, but no one expects there to be the first night homeless.
“Too many souls shall pass idly through life without blooming into their fullest and most vibrant of colors.” Life lessons can be found in the simplest of places. Check out these lessons from roses.
I live with a sound that I cannot turn off. Four years ago I noticed that the night was extremely busy with the sound of crickets. Turns out they weren't crickets, just horrendous ringing in my ears.
The next time you think on viewing some artwork, rather than a trip to the museum, visit a local cemetery. You'll most likely find it just as pleasant, illuminating and peaceful.
Do you really need an excuse to go to the Cayman Islands? If you do, here are 30 reasons why I love it, and why you will, also.
"If you want to know strength and patience, get into the company of trees." Paraphrased from a quote by Hal Borland
Show your body some love this winter with this powerful blend of honey, elderberries and a few spices. It is a powerful immunity blend, delicious and so easy to make.
Have you felt like this before? Chances are, if you have lupus, you have contemplated your former life, and what life after lupus will be like.
I've mentioned oil-pulling many times in my writing, but I am dedicating this article to the topic. In it I will tell you what it is, why I started oil-pulling, and why you should too.
When we have passions or dreams or visions, we try our hardest to make those passions and dreams come true. One of the ways that I make this happen is by having a bucket list.
If you've never seen the movie, Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, then you must put it on your list. My "WHY" for creating a bucket list came about from a near death experience.
Today I will share with you my journey with essential oils, and becoming an Aromatherapy Consultant, sharing with others what has helped me in my journey with lupus, and sharing a wellness lifestyle.
When I was diagnosed with lupus, and after a collapse on the verge of a cardiac arrest, I went on to explore the health benefits of herbs as a way to heal my body.
There are several narratives that describe my life, but never thought that chronic illness would be one of the stories that would play out in mine.
5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self. Live out your purpose!
So many people fail to realize that a new beginning starts every second one is breathing. When one becomes aware of this life can take on a whole new meaning, full of vigor and vibrancy.
It's been 28 years since I went on the Mission Trip to Taiwan with the Council for World Missions, but it is an experience which lingers with me to this day for so many reasons.
I remember visiting Hattiesburg Zoo over 20 years ago as a college student at the University of Southern Mississippi. It was great being able to visit with two of my children and to see the growth.
I received my first degree black belt 10 years ago when everything started to go haywire. I was diagnosed with lupus many years later. After a few years of recovery, I am back in training.
Moringa has many known health benefits. Is it possible this easy-to-cultivate tree is too good to be true? Read about my extensive experience with my own Moringa tree, also known as a Drumstick Tree, from leaf preparation for supplements to hair treatments.
Knowing the history of the Caribbean region goes a long way toward understanding its people, the unique cultural identity and the people's ability to throw an amazing party! Fun, Colorful, Energetic
Why are so many people so stressed out on a regular basis? Many of them reach a breaking point or sink into deep depression.
My son gazes out the slightly foggy window, trying desperately to get the first glimpse of that beautiful country I have been telling him about for the last few weeks. I was raised in Jamaica for over 10 years, and so when I speak of my childhood,...