Shades of Sunshine

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 31, 2025 You know those items you reach for every single day without even thinking about it? The ones that make you feel more balanced, energized, calm, and cared for? That’s my wellness basket —a little collection of tools and products that support my body, mind, and mood in a really gentle (but powerful) way. And because I get so many DMs asking “What do you actually use daily?” — here’s a peek inside my real-life, no-fluff favorites that I truly swear by. ✨ My Daily Wellness Basket Must-Haves These are the tried-and-true products that have earned a permanent spot in my routine. They keep me grounded, supported, and feeling like me again—especially through stress, hormone swings, and busy days. 🍋   CBD Nano Jellies (Green Compass) My go-to for daily calm, focus, and emotional regulation. They help quiet the mental noise, take the edge off anxiety, and give me a clearer, more centered start to my day. I take one ...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 29, 2025 Let’s get real for a moment. Living with bipolar and anxiety isn’t a neatly packaged wellness story. It’s messy. It’s layered. It’s exhausting at times. But it’s also made me fiercely self-aware—and deeply committed to healing in a way that honors my whole self. I’ve spent years learning how to support my mental health— not just with prescriptions or appointments , but with everyday habits, tools, and choices that help me stay grounded and well. This isn’t about “fixing” myself. It’s about supporting my brain, body, and spirit with compassion. ✨ First: Let’s Drop the Shame Mental illness doesn’t make you weak. Taking meds doesn’t make you “less holistic.” And needing support doesn’t mean you’re broken. For me, bipolar and anxiety show up in different ways at different times—high energy followed by burnout, racing thoughts, mood swings, and deep overwhelm. But what’s helped most is building a lifestyle that buf...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 27, 2025 100 days. That’s how long I’ve been using CBD consistently. And let me tell you—it has truly changed the way I feel in my body, mind, and spirit. When I first started this journey, I was hopeful… but skeptical. Could something natural actually help with stress, mood, sleep, and focus? Could it support me without numbing me out? I’ve tried a lot of things in my wellness journey—some helpful, some not. But after 100 days of CBD, I’m here to say: this is one thing I wish I’d started sooner. ✨ Why I Started Using CBD My stress levels were through the roof My sleep was inconsistent at best My mood felt like a rollercoaster And my nervous system never got a break I was burnt out, anxious, and overwhelmed—even when things seemed fine on the outside. I didn’t need a quick fix. I needed nervous system support. Enter: CBD. Specifically, Green Compass USDA Organic CBD , because sourcing and purity matter so much to ...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 25, 2025 Mornings used to feel like chaos. I’d wake up already behind, rushing through tasks, mentally spiraling before my feet even hit the floor. But over time—and through a lot of personal growth—I realized something big: 👉 How I start my morning shapes my entire day. And it wasn’t about overhauling my routine. It was about shifting my mindset . These 5 gentle morning mindset shifts changed everything for me—and they might help you find more calm, clarity, and control in your own day too. ☀️ 1. “I   get   to start fresh today.” Instead of waking up with dread or overwhelm, I remind myself: this is a new beginning. Not everything has to be fixed. Not everything has to be perfect. I just have to show up—gently and honestly. 💛 This simple shift helps me release yesterday’s stress and focus on today’s possibilities. ☕ 2. “Slower mornings are still productive.” I used to think if I wasn’t up at 5am crushi...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 23, 2025 Hair loss isn’t just about hair. It’s about confidence. It’s about identity. It’s about grief—and healing—and the stories we carry quietly. As women, we’re taught to tie so much of our worth to how we look. So when your hair starts thinning, falling out in clumps, or changing in texture… it can feel like your world is shifting underneath you. I know, because I’ve lived it. And today, I want to share what I wish more people knew—especially other women navigating this painful, personal, and often silent experience. 💛 1. Hair Loss Is More Common Than You Think You’re not alone—seriously. Millions of women experience hair thinning or loss due to stress, hormones, medications, autoimmune issues, nutrition, and even the products we trust most. But because we rarely talk about it, so many of us suffer in shame and silence. It’s time we normalize this conversation. Hair loss doesn’t make you less beautiful. It ...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 21, 2025 Since January 21st, I’ve lost 41 pounds —and yes, I’m proud of that. But what I’m even more proud of? The strength I’ve found within that journey. For years, I thought weight loss would feel like hitting a goal. A number. A finish line. But now, I see that healing my relationship with my body isn’t about shrinking—it’s about listening. It’s about letting go of shame and stepping into strength. 🌿 What I Thought This Journey Would Be: ✅ Eat better ✅ Move more ✅ Lose the weight ✅ Feel amazing And while yes, I do feel more energized, lighter, and more confident in my skin—this journey is teaching me that it’s so much deeper than that. 💛 What This Journey is   Actually   Teaching Me: ✨ 1. My Body Isn’t My Enemy I used to feel like I had to “fight” my body into changing. Now? I’m working with it—nourishing it, resting it, celebrating it. This shift in mindset changed everything. ✨ 2. Progress Isn’t Just on...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 19, 2025 Healing in your 20s is all about “fixing.” Healing in your 40s? It’s about understanding . In my 20s, I thought healing meant solving every problem, proving I was strong, bouncing back fast, and never letting anyone see me struggle. Now, in my late 40s, healing looks a whole lot different. It’s softer. Slower. Wiser. Kinder. It’s less about forcing a glow-up—and more about coming home to myself . ✨ Healing in My 20s Looked Like: Pretending I was fine (even when I wasn’t) Numbing with distractions, overwork, or people-pleasing Trying to be “low-maintenance” at the expense of my needs Seeing rest as weakness Constantly chasing a version of “better” I wore burnout like a badge of honor. I didn’t set boundaries—I barely knew what they were. And when my body or heart gave out, I blamed myself. 🌿 Healing in My 40s Looks Like: Letting people see me—even in the messy moments Saying no without guilt Pri...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 17, 2025 There’s something no one really tells you when you become a mom: You don’t just give birth to a baby. You give birth to a whole new version of yourself. And while it’s beautiful, it can also be incredibly overwhelming—especially when it comes to your mental health. For a long time, I was in survival mode. Waking up to crying. Rushing. Multitasking. Pouring from an empty cup. And then wondering why I felt disconnected, anxious, and exhausted. If you’ve been there, I see you. If you’re in it right now—I’m sending you a giant, gentle hug. Because motherhood is a lot. And it’s okay to admit that. 🌿 I Lost My Rhythm… and That’s Okay There was a time when I had a great flow going—morning routines, journaling, workouts, quiet coffee moments. But slowly, between night wakings, school drop-offs, messes, and mental overload, that rhythm fell apart. I stopped checking in with myself. I started skipping things that ground...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 15, 2025 Let’s talk about something no one wants to go through—but way too many of us do : hair loss. After losing nearly 50% of my hair’s volume and density, I found myself in the middle of a confidence crisis I never saw coming. My hair was thinning, breaking, and falling out in clumps. I was embarrassed, devastated, and desperate for answers. If you’re going through it too, please hear me when I say: you are not alone —and there is a path forward. 💛 Today, I want to walk you through what a typical week in my hair recovery routine looks like. It’s not an overnight fix, but it’s gentle, consistent, and focused on real healing from the inside out. 🗓 My Weekly Hair Recovery Routine Here’s a breakdown of what I use, why I use it, and how it all works together to support regrowth, scalp health, and stronger strands: 🧴   Daily: Gentle Shampooing Yep—daily. I used to be afraid of over-washing, but my dermatologist assured me that cle...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 13, 2025 Reading pet food labels shouldn’t require a degree in nutrition—but sometimes it feels that way. Between flashy marketing, buzzwords like “natural” or “grain-free,” and ingredient lists a mile long, it can be hard to know what’s actually good for your pet… and what’s just well-packaged junk. As a pet parent (and wellness advocate), I’ve made it a mission to feed my pets with intention—because their health starts in the bowl, just like ours does. 💛 Here’s what I’ve learned to look for (and avoid!) when reading pet food labels—and what we personally use and trust for our own fur babies. 🚫 What to Watch Out For in Pet Food Labels So many pet foods on store shelves are filled with cheap fillers, vague ingredients, and artificial additives. Here are some red flags: ❌ Meat By-Products or “Animal Meal” If the source of the meat isn’t named (like “chicken” or “beef”), that’s a problem. “Animal meal” can be anything —an...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 11, 2025 Let’s be honest—when anxiety hits, it doesn’t care if you’re at work, in the car, or making dinner with little ones at your feet. It doesn’t wait for the “right” time. It just shows up. Sometimes it feels like racing thoughts. Sometimes like tightness in your chest. And sometimes, like you want to crawl out of your own skin. I’ve lived it. And I want to share a few grounding techniques that have truly helped me reclaim my calm—not just in theory, but in real life. These aren’t fluff. These are tools I come back to again and again, especially during my busiest or most emotionally heavy days. ✋ 1.   5-4-3-2-1 Grounding (Sensory Reset) This one’s simple and incredibly effective. When anxiety hits, you turn your focus outward using your senses: 5 things you can see 4 things you can feel 3 things you can hear 2 things you can smell 1 thing you can taste This technique pulls you out of your racing mind and in...

Once I started paying attention to what I was putting in my body (hello CBD, collagen, and clean nutrition), I started thinking more about what I was putting on my body and using around my family and pets too. Turns out? A lot of “everyday” products are full of hidden chemicals, artificial fragrances, and toxins that can mess with everything from our hormones to our moods to our immune systems. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. You can make one small swap at a time—and those little changes add up in a big way. Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite non-toxic swaps to help you create a cleaner, calmer, more supportive environment for you, your family, and your pets. 🧽 1. Ditch the Fragrance Bombs Swap this: Candles, plug-ins, and sprays For this: Essential oil diffusers, soy/beeswax candles, or just fresh air + open windows Synthetic fragrances are one of the biggest hidden disruptors of our endocrine system—and can t...

If your pup has been acting a little off lately—extra anxious, restless, or just not themselves—you might be surprised to learn that the root of the problem could be… their gut. 🦠 Yes, gut health and behavior are deeply connected —not just in humans, but in our pets too. And as a pet wellness advocate (and dog mom to two very sassy Yorkies!), I’ve seen this connection firsthand. 🧠 Why Gut Health Impacts Behavior Your dog’s gut isn’t just where digestion happens—it’s home to their gut microbiome , a complex system of bacteria that affects everything from nutrient absorption to immune function to mood . In fact, up to 90% of serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone) is produced in the gut—even in dogs. When the gut is out of balance, it can lead to: • Increased anxiety or nervousness • Reactivity or aggression • Restlessness or hyperactivity • Poor sleep or pacing at night • Compulsive licking or chewing • Trouble focusing or training Sound f...

If you’ve ever lost your hair—or watched it thin, shed, or fall out in clumps—then you know the pain is more than just physical. Hair loss impacts your confidence, your identity, your reflection. It’s a grieving process most people don’t talk about enough. And today, I want to open up about mine . 💔 The Truth About Losing My Hair I didn’t expect it. I didn’t think it could happen to me . But after using a “popular” shampoo brand (you probably know the one), I began to notice more hair in my brush… in the shower… on my clothes. Eventually, I realized I had lost around 50% of my volume and density . It was devastating. I felt like I didn’t recognize the person in the mirror. I stopped wearing my hair down. I took fewer photos. I smiled less. Because I didn’t feel like me anymore. 🌿 Choosing Recovery Over Resentment I could have stayed in that place—but I didn’t. Instead, I started fighting for my confidence and my hair. I saw a dermatologist. I did my re...

Let’s talk about something I really wish more people knew… Not all CBD is created equal. I didn’t realize this when I first started exploring natural wellness. I figured CBD was CBD—right? But after doing my research, trying a few products that didn’t do much, and eventually finding Green Compass, I realized just how big the difference can be. If you’ve ever tried store-bought CBD and felt disappointed or unsure if it was “working,” this post is for you. 🚫 Store-Bought CBD: What You Might Be Getting Let’s break it down. Most CBD products you find on the shelves of convenience stores, gas stations, or big box retailers are: • ❌ Low-quality or untraceable hemp – Often not organic, and sourced without transparency • ❌ No third-party testing – Which means no guarantee of purity or potency • ❌ Misleading labels – Some don’t even contain the amount of CBD they claim • ❌ Fillers and artificial ingredients – Added sugars, dyes, synthetic flavoring, a...