life, travel, stories – Join the journey, Love Raven
Dear Reader, Okay, I’m not 100% positive about how much weight I gained over the summer but it’s in the realm of 6 – 10 lbs, but for the sake of catchy titles, we’re going with 10. Also, no, I’m not going to show you before and after photos (not sorry). Anyway, here’s the story.... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, I strained a muscle, and now I am seeing the world differently. Hopefully, dear Reader, you have not injured yourself recently (or like ever), however, when you do, it can really change things both physically and mentally. Not too long ago, I posted about hitting 100 barre fitness classes (more here). Along with... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, For those of you who were fortunate enough to grow up with an abundance of physical activity, you may not be able to fully appreciate how hard it can be for those who view exercise as a chore. Nowadays, exercise is a big and enjoyable part of my life, but it wasn’t always... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, This is kind of gross, but I am writing to you at the moment on a Deutsche Bahn train with a runny nose. As mundane as this sounds, I am astounded by this development, as I haven’t been sick since 2019 — over two years! Before COVID-related social distancing measures, I would catch... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, Do you have a sweet tooth? I certainly did (and I have the cavities to prove it!). Hundreds of years ago, sugar was known as a “fine spice,” however, today, you would be hard pressed to find products without even a dash of added sugar. Believe it or not, even my Listerine mouthwash... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, There’s nothing like sickness to help put things into perspective. And, no, I am not talking about the coronavirus today. Instead, I am considering my recent experience with a migraine headache. I am no stranger migraines; however, this recent episode was particularly long and agonizing. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, however, before... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, Are you still able to make it outside during these uncertain times? If you are, how much of that outdoor time do you spend in nature? A new study has found that living close to nature and spending time outside has significant and wide-ranging health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain diseases.... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, Can cake ever really be healthy? In my search for carrot cake recipes, I stumbled upon quite a few sites that claimed to offer healthy versions. I usually prefer to make sweet breads rather than cakes, because they seem (if only slightly) ‘healthier.’ Today, I wanted to bake something with the carrots in... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, We (in the United States) have a complex and convoluted relationship with alcohol. At the dawn of our nation, alcohol was seen as a far more sanitary alternative to water and a healthy digestive aid. In 1830, drinking-aged Americans consumed an average of 7.1 gallons of pure alcohol a year, which is extraordinary... Continue Reading →
Dear Reader, How is it that one person can look like a college student and the other middle-aged while both are in their early 30s? Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Elissa Epel get to the bottom of aging in their book The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer. Telomeres are the... Continue Reading →
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