Anti Body Shaming from a Skinny Girl

The life of any woman is not an easy one. We endure so many issues and obstacles throughout our lives. Always being judged and criticized on how we behave and how we look. We follow silly trends and listen to foolish critiques. No one is safe from body shaming, both male and female go through this. It's easy to look at someone and judge them on their appearance, instead look inward and start loving yourself. People who love themselves have no need to pick at other's insecurities. We're all beautiful and unique in our own right. Just accept and respect the next person, regardless of your opinions.  

I don't have time for any form of body shaming. Why should we all look alike? We are individuals. So it makes no sense attacking someone on their appearance. Our grandparents, parents, siblings are all beautiful. Let's embrace and celebrate that.
Being the mother to 2 beautiful girls and a son, makes this an important topic to me.
My son is a teenager, so he is obviously going through the searching for his identity phase. He doesn't need foolish people mocking his appearance.
Then there is my 6 year old daughter. Who attends school, so she gets hurtful comments from her peers. I have heard adults mutter under their breathe that she is chubby (fat). I choose not to react to those comments because I don't want her to be aware of them. She has mentioned that people call her fat. Of course I went to the school to find the culprits and resolve it. What kind of person says such horrible words to a child?
Fortunately the last one is only a baby. Thankfully there have not been negative comments (as far as I know). I do want to protect her from any and all harm. Life will be better as soon as people learn to love others.

Having been skinny all my life. Throughout my childhood as well as a majority of my adult life, I've had to tolerate silly comments. A lot of people have told me that I have some form of eating disorder or the other. I have even been compared to people in Ethiopia. Having Children, brought comments about how, "you're so lucky, you just shot back". People mocked me. I was put down because I didn't have the 'perfect' body. I lack 'curves'. For a very long time I felt unworthy and not easy on the eye. Recently I have realized there is nothing wrong with me. I am no better nor am I worse than anyone else. I still admire many other women and there appearance. Difference is now I don't feel the need to compare myself to any of them. I can appreciate their beauty as well as my own.

People who have known me all my life will tell you, I've not been known to have the healthiest lifestyle. Recently I have started eating healthier, as well as trying to workout often too. It's not easy, especially when you have a household that depends on you. I do my best with the time I get. With healthier habits you can start to see change happen within your body, depending on your goals. After all, it's more important to be healthy and happy regardless of shape.

Go on, live your life, be happy, love others. Life is meant to be enjoyed. So let's do that with all our hearts. 

15 Uses For Baking Soda

For some time now I have been using baking soda; also known as sodium bicarbonate, as a cleaning and beauty product, as well as an all round health and wellness product. I use it in every area in my life and it works wonders. Works fast and no harmful chemicals. These have been tried and tested by myself. With baking soda I am at peace knowing I am giving my family the best. They are in a clean environment without the use of poisonous products. 

1. Washing household clothing - White clothing is whiter, colors are brighter. Protects and cleans baby clothing too. For extra dirty whites I add some vinegar to the wash.
2. Cleaning and freshen carpets and couches - Since using baking soda, it's quick and easy. I add some fabric softener to add fragrance.
3. Oven - Looks brand new. Without using too much elbow grease. For very bad ovens use vinegar in addition.
4. Teeth whitening and freshen your breath - Why spend unnecessary money at the dentist when you simply make a paste with lemon juice and coconut oil. Use regularly with your usually toothpaste. you will definitely start seeing results in no time.
5. To exfoliate face, lips and body - I use coconut oil to make this paste. apply this once or twice a week depending on my need.
6. Lighten pigmentation - After the birth of my daughters my skin couldn't decide on one color so I ended up with a two toned face. Found this recipe online and it's worked wonders. 
7. Clean counters and tiles - With dish-wash soap. If need be I will add vinegar to this too, but works just as well without.
8. Neutralize bad odors - So many bad smells in our homes from shoes to fridge. As much as we clean up some smells can't be avoided. That's where baking soda comes in handy. 
9. Clean stained nails - Wearing nail polish all the time come at a price. By soaking it in baking soda clears that right up. 
10. Cleaning kettle, microwave, and fridge - This is something that really grosses me out. These are items we use daily. So it's vital that they are clean. The kettle I boil few times with some lemon juice, afterward I rinse it. Boil boil it some more with clean water. The microwave, I also sometimes add some lemon juice as well. I add vinegar in water with the fridge and clean it out. Also keeping some bicarb in the fridge helps with bad smells. 
11. Heartburn relief - This one saved me numerous times during my pregnancy, Its an amazing antacid when you need something urgent. Also helps constipation.
12. Cleaning brushes - Brushes often need a deep clean. So a good soak and comb out does the job. 
13. Cleaning blocked drains - Often things wash down the drain. So they need to get cleaned. Adding salt before lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes, then throw boiling water over. 
14. Clean and freshen dustbins - I throw some baking soda directly into the bin then add handy andy and start washing and dry. Finally allow to air dry completely. 
15. Hair cleanser - Add a teaspoon to shampoo to lift any residue remaining in your hair.

Dealing with Death/ Loss

The loss of a loved one is difficult for everyone. Each person will process their feelings different. It does by no means mean that the person has no feelings. Men, women and children we are all different and unique.
Death hits each person differently. I have recently lost my grandmother. I say grandmother because that is who she is biologically. Yet she was (is) so much more. She was my mother, best friend, life, rock, anchor. I feel lost and am unsure how to deal with the internal turmoil I currently am undergoing.

I have felt alone many times in my life, even though I have always had her. I knew that regardless what was happening in my life. I always had her. Even when I didn't see her often. We were just the perfect pair.
She was the person who simply understood me without trying. Raising me from birth, I guess, bonded us closely. She could read me with complete ease where (even today) many people are confused by my actions and intentions. She was the one person who didn't try to "fix" me. She saw me as perfect. When others pointed out my flaws she always reminded me I am perfect for her, so why care what others say, think and feel!

I am not sure how I should feel. For the most part I simply feel numb. I feel other emotions too. All my emotion feel heightened. Constantly feel like I am on edge. I am drowning and no one understands, knows or even cares. This is the best way I know to get some of what I am feeling off my chest. I feel as if people are constantly looking at me and judging me.

Having a SO and children adds to my difficulty. As I feel I need to be on the ball 24/7. They don't understand how I feel nor do I expect them too. I do though wish they would give me a break. I am doing the best I can. Obviously having trouble eating and sleeping is going to add to my stress. I am barely functioning.

Unfortunately, life will not pause or stop for my benefit until I catch up. So I will have to keep keeping on. I am exhausted and completely run down.

WAIT... There's more,
Also dealing with terrible toothache. Usually with any aches, pains and qualms I may have, I usually contact my best friend. Now I dread all and any daily activity.

Well, time to ends this blog.
I love you Mommy. Thank you for the amazing woman you have been in my life. My inspiration, my Hero. You have taught me many valuable life lessons. I appreciate all you have done for me and apologize for all the agony I caused you.

RIP!

I LOVE YOU!