Hello readers! It’s been awhile since I had decided to make some simple freebies for you all. With the holidays being busy and alot of my time being taken up with work and drama and everything else; I just haven’t been able to do what I wanted for those of you that look forward to these. I promise to have more coming in the next few months!
*If you want the version without the blog name, please comment and I will be happy to send it to you. ๐
Hello my Unsanity readers and friends. This year has had MANY ups down lefts and rights for myself and my loved ones. How did I cope? Through you guys and blogging mostly! Even if it was just networking and working with all of you to get your stories shared and published, you made it all happen. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and for attempting to keep me sane through the rough last half of this year. 2019 is definitely a year I won’t forget, that’s for sure. So let’s go out with a bang!
Four years ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. At the time, I didnโt realize there were signs years before and of course I didnโt know what to look for, so I treated the symptoms and not the cause. I broke out in a horrific case of hives, conveniently when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. The hives were so bad, the doctor wanted to me to essentially sign my life away by agreeing to some egregious amount of steroids to get the issue under control. I was already on a serious course of steroids, and had put on at least fifteen pounds, coupled with a moon face. I was terribly depressed and in pain. My ex-husband suggested another allergist, who was less aggressive and my husband was all for the second opinion. In about a month the new doctor had the hive condition in remission and the swelling began to go down. Nevertheless, my personal life was in shambles and even though I was getting better physically, I believe I was becoming a bit unhinged mentally.
I never really believed in โmental illnessโ, โanxietyโ or โstressโ. I thought one could just stop being sad, or depressed or anxious. I figured if you want to feel good, you will. Make yourself snap out of it! Boy was I mistaken. When your life is in turmoil and your health is in question, you cannot just snap out of it. I wasnโt sleeping, I wasnโt eating. There was one night when my sixteen-year-old daughter stayed up most of the night with me, comforting me as if sheย were the mom. I was that far gone. There was no way I could gain control of my emotions without help. I ended seeing a psychiatrist and he put me on an anxiety med and a sleeping pill. I learned exactly why sleep deprivation was a form of torture. I slowly got my life back on track.
A few years later, I was promoted from assistant principal to principal. The only catch was we had to relocate to North Carolina from Florida. My husband and I were elated. Before I was to report to work, we planned a trip to my hometown of Manhattan. It was hot and grimy in the city and my feet and hands began to seize up as we walked around town. I felt a shooting pain from my finger tips to my elbows and my fingers were so swollen, I couldnโt even wear my wedding ring. I thought the heat was getting to me but once I started the job and began to deal with the stress of a boss who loved to bully and belittle me, the shooting pain in my feet, fingers and arms, and the move from one state to another I realized there was something really wrong. I didnโt want to get out of bed, I would cry at the drop of a hat, my best friend came to visit and didnโt recognize me. My husband and bestie wanted me to walk away from the job. The stress was clearly breaking me down and once again, I wasnโt sleeping or eating.
As time went on, I had the wherewithal to not let the bully win. My primary doctor recommended a great neurologist who began to test for various auto immune diseases and I began the process of treatment. The medications are not only nerve blockers, but also used to treat depression and anxiety, which seems to accompany Fibromyalgia (my eventual diagnosis).
I believe the mind can control health. Stress can manifest itself as a disease. You cannot control the snowball effect of anxiety or depression without help. I suggest you donโt even try. Thereโs no shame in admitting you have a problem.
Hi everyone! Nice to meet you!
Iโm Gabriela โ vegan + baker + proud owner of a new subscription box โ TokiBox (which I created back in May this year.)
My box is all about healthy vegan goodies like superfoods, healthy snacks and eco-friendly accessories.
I became vegan a few years ago after watching a documentary about animal cruelty and Iโve been vegan since then. I donโt think I could ever eat animal products again, thatโs why I created my box. A place where you can get healthy snacks and superfoods that nourish your body and gives you energy and happiness. Because it is true that you are what you eat.
I have started cooking and baking around the same time of becoming vegan โ because I was discovering a new world filled with foods I never tried. I grew up a small village in Romania โ so there were some of the fruits, vegetables and pantry items Iโve never seen.
Now I cook because it makes me relax, distress and create amazing stuff! It has become on of my hobbies.
When I donโt work at my box (being an online business is sometimes a 24hr job) I enjoy taking photos in nature, running and doing yoga J. I love photography and the outdoors.
Iโm super happy to do write for this blog and I want to thank to Koral for the opportunity to connect with each one of you and share one of my favorite recipes.
If youโd like to check out my box head over to our website: http://tokibox.co
Iโm happy to introduce you to one of my favorite fall recipes, perfect for the holidays and fall season.
These cookies are a healthier version of the traditional chocolate chip cookies that I love to recreate in the fall โ winter season, because makes me feel so cozy and happy!
Ah, and I have to mention that it has one of my old time favorite ingredients: PUMPKIN.
Cookies are my favorite dessert and I enjoy decorating them with all sorts of stuff and serving them with
โweirdโ combinations like peanut butter and nut milk or plum jam and almond butter!
I love baking them as well because they are easy and fast to make, plus everyone in the family loves them!
I have tried tons of cookie recipes since going vegan, but I personally fell in love with this one and I hope you do to!
This recipe is healthy, with no dairy or butter and with delicious vegan chocolate chips-it can be optional in caseย youโre going for a healthier treat, and it is under 30 minutes.
THE INGREDIENTS:
These cookies are going to come out super fluffy and not oily. I like serving them with a glass of non-dairy milk. For this photo I used pea milk from Ripple, but you can use any kind of milk you want and toppings! Go crazy with them!
This is a super healthy cookie recipe you can make ahead of time and snack on throughout the week. It is filled with protein and vitamins from the tahini and pumpkin. Eat food that nourishes your body.
About 2 weeks ago we had a pretty epic drive towards Mount Rainier. We didn’t hit it, but we got so close we couldn’t even see it anymore. It was a good winding drive from our home in Lacey, back roads meant for race cars and going fast .. as long as there’s not a motorcyclist in your way going half the actual speed limit and doesn’t know how to bike. Yes, we came across this as we turned around from the actual mountain to head to the lookout not far back towards home to take these shots. He was quite possibly the worst bike rider I’ve ever been behind, however, at least he was careful with the twisting turning roads.
Anyway, you can see a bit of history with the first photo and amount Rainier. Definitely excited to call this place home once we actually get more settled, he has a job, and we can do way more that we want to. I’d like to buy a house within the next two years. By then we’ll be married and his credit score will be on its way up up up and for he better. Mines pretty decent right now, and I’m pretty excited for it. I hope it can stay that way and keep going up.
The second photo is of the Hasselblad camera I actually grew quite fond of quickly. Seems though it was dirty and needs some cleaning in which we tried to do ourselves, but turns out the person before us had it taken apart and never put it back together correctly and we need to send it out for cleaning, fixing and new screws. There’s others like it that he has I can use, but this was my favorite.
Enjoy the photos and gaze upon the beauty that is Rainier. I can’t wait for summer to go into the park! ๐ปโค๏ธ๐ท
xoxox
Koral Dawn
2017 was a big year for me. Let’s run through some highlights:
Things are going pretty good. Helping my partner get passion back in his life is the hardest part right now. We’re both a bit under the weather and depressed and thought maybe this would help with the move, but so far, it’s just remained the same and maybe even potentially gotten a bit worse. I’m not too worried though. We’re still in the beginning and we have a lot to get done still including finishing setting up the apartment and finding him a job yet. I’m also in the market for a car, so I’m hoping that falls into place soon. Sadly, I sold Hannah at the end of December, but it was time for an upgrade and possibly a more adult car… (like I said, possibly.)
Things have a way of working out. Even though I miss my friends and family, I know some of them will be out in time to see me (and us) its just a matter of when. I feel that if I keep those close to me, I’ll slowly break from the depression I might be feeling these days. I’ll get used to it out here… soon.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is sometimes a part of you must die. It’s what separates the newer version of us from the old. If you have ever been in the limbo of death and rebirth you know how hard it can be. To let go and say goodbye to a part of you, so a new and better part can grow.
We should strive to be like the Phoenix when we need to. To die and rise from the ashes of what we once were. We must say Goodbye, so we can say Hello.
Love Always,
Koral Dawn
Happy (Belated) New Year!
I know it’s a late post, and I meant to post this sooner, but my life is crazy right now. Between being swamped at work recently with backlogged stuff the other person left me to do and trying to learn everything about the Worker’s Comp Law business and dealing with Attorneys – I feel like I’m drowning at work sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, and it pays well, but the drive and having to pay for parking (which I think is stupid) and once I need to pay for Health Insurance myself, I don’t think I’m going to make it money wise anymore. I’m trying to figure out ways to make some money on the side and get a little extra cash flow in here, but the only way that I know how to do that is to sell photos that I’ve created, or make more art, or something else like that. Also, Photoshoots are a good thing for me also, but then the factor comes in as to when I have the time to do that. I’m trying to figure out when I can do that.
I’m running a special right now for the winter, so if you’re in the area of Northeast PA, let me know. I can also travel to NJ and do other areas like that since my family is there. $60 will get you 5 edited digital images and an hour of shooting on location within 10 miles of Wilkes Barre, PA. Or for an extra 20$ in another place (NJ mostly.)
I’ve been listening to alot of Childish Gambino, Kid Cudi and The Weekend lately, what’s up with that? But I mean come on, who doesn’t love Donald Glover though? If you don’t love him then you’re silly. My music tastes go all over the place recently and I kind of enjoy it. Right now I’m listening to Up Up and Away by Kid Cudi and it just makes me want to dance and sing- which is what I need.
I’ll be up up and away, up up and away cause in the end they’ll judge me anyway so whatever.ย
I’ve also still been playing a lot of Diablo 3 again – I almost forgot how much I loved that game until I started again recently. And I’ll be starting Season 5 this weekend if anyone wants to play with me! KayeRavyn#1220 on Battle.net to add me and run some rifts or something. There’s also WoW too that I’ve been playing, but not as much and then I started on Guild Wars 2 because well, it’s free, haha. I like free things, like Diablo and GW2. WoW I understand is big and all but I don’t think there’s any reason to charge monthly just to play the game when you can one shot done pay for a game on Steam or even a console for a certain amount.
Moving on now –
I’ve made some new sections in my Etsy shop to try and sell different things and I want to make some other art like cards and geeky things like that. Here are some sample pictures – they are all Macro shots and are shot with my iPhone and the lens attachments I got for Christmas. Which, by the way, was an amazing gift in itself, lol. They are awesome and I can’t stop using them at all. Here’ have a look and see if there’s anything you like. You can purchase these on my Etsy HERE.ย Hopefully I start to make some sales from this to help with my money problems I’ve been having recently also. So please help out! ๐
Anyway, it’s noon on a Saturday and I’m waiting for laundry to be done so I can go out and get some shopping done and what not for house things. I need to get food for lunches (which usually consist of lunchables because I’m poor and they fill me up, lol.) But nonetheless, I still need to eat so I have to go out and get some stuff. Also cat food for the little monsters because they’re fat and need food too.
More later everyone! Enjoy the photos and remember every little bit helps me out if you can, I definitely need more excuses to help me pick up my camera again – it’s been awhile.
Cheers, xoxox
Greetings, folks!
So I wanted some input on these I made for my photography. I asked a couple friends about their ideas and I’m going to be altering them to encompass their opinions as well. But for now, I’m working on business cards and need to know thoughts.
Now, some things people have said so far to me include: take out location, might be too busy with the bokeh on the back, change the color of one letter on the front to red to stand out, put the K correctly on the front so people understand.
I agree with some of them. I’m going to take out the location off the back. I think I’m also going to change the front “K” to red, but still keep it backwards. It adds a bit of flair in my opinion and I’m not normal so, I’m sticking with thay decision. I think it’s sleek and interesting, but I’m not too sure about the back.
Your opinions are greatly appreciated on this one!
Anyway, it’s hump day and only 2 more days of 8-430 working this week. And I even have some OT in my schedule for this week (only 45 minutes but still.. that’s still some.) I wish we could do unlimited OT.. I’d be working all the time since I need the money.ย But then that’d be frowned upon and I wouldn’t be allowed. Hence,I need a new job. ๐ฆ or a part time one on top of this one. Something to save for small car things and Vegas in October.
More later, I need to get some sleep. I’m exhausted and haven’t been sleeping well again for all this week. Go figure right?
You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality. – Walt Disney
Cheers!
xoxox
||KoralโกDawn||
Virtually Yours, Koral Dawn 