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Vegan Athlete in UK Holds 20 Powerlifting Records

October 6, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Sophia Ellis, a UK-based vegan athlete, and two-time British champion proves that eating plant-based doesn’t make you weak. In April 2022, she made history and broke six national records at the British Women’s Classic Championships in Scotland.

She competed in the U76kg open class, deadlifting heavier weight than any female in British powerlifting history. She deadlifted 237.5kg (524lbs), holding a new British record in both Classic and Equipped categories in every weight class. Even more remarkably, it’s an unofficial record across all of Europe.

At the same powerlifting competition, Ellis also squatted 170kg (374 lbs) and bench pressed 118 kg (260 lbs). She broke records for the bench round as well. Her weight lifted amounted to a staggering 525.5kg (1,158lbs), marking another British record in both Classic and Equipped categories.

In addition, she broke the European deadlift record of 230.5kg at the 2021 European Championships held in Sweden. Ellis was also a bronze deadlift medalist at the IPF World Classic Championships in October 2021, an impressive feat considering it was her first appearance. She will soon compete in the World Championships in South Africa in June 2022. We wish her the best of luck!

Ellis began her powerlifting journey in 2018, earning twenty national and international records in only four years. When asked what makes her successful, she believes a vegan diet plays a huge role. As an athlete, proper recovery depends on a healthy, balanced diet.

Sophia Proves That You Can Be Vegan and Strong

Ellis says being vegan helps her keep on track with nutrition goals while also giving her more energy for workouts. She also prioritizes plant proteins in order to gain muscle and aid in recovery.

She says that many people don’t realize that going vegan doesn’t automatically increase your energy. It all depends on the quantity and quality of the foods you eat. For instance, if you consume mostly processed vegan foods such as chicken nuggets or pizzas, you won’t feel as vibrant.

Also, if you restrict certain foods like healthy fats, you may feel fatigued due to nutrient deficiencies. However, if you include nutrient-dense foods and make sure to balance fats, carbs and protein, being vegan will benefit you more.

Of course, diet isn’t everything when it comes to being a successful weightlifter. Ellis says that along with being vegan, she makes sure to train consistently and drink plenty of water. Also, she prioritizes sleep, allows several rest days per week, and keeps her stress low.

Many people don’t consider stress’s effect on every aspect of life. While exercise can reduce your cortisol levels, chronic stress may negatively impact your recovery time. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep stress at bay to optimize your performance if you compete professionally.

Hopefully, Sophia can inspire you if you’re on the fence about becoming vegan! She’s been vegan for ten years and holds twenty powerlifting records, a true testament to the lifestyle. She enjoys being able to show people that eating plant-based doesn’t make you weak. In fact, if you do it correctly, you could break world records like Sophia! Even if you don’t want to lift heavy weights, a vegan diet still offers plenty of benefits.

Other Notable Benefits of a Vegan Diet

Even if you aren’t a powerlifter, you can reap these benefits by eating plant-based foods

1. A Vegan Diet May Provide More Nutrients

When you start eating a vegan diet, you will inevitably have to find substitutes for meat, dairy, and eggs. Most people on a healthy vegan diet opt for eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds instead.

You may find that you have a higher intake of nutrients on a vegan diet compared with an omnivore diet. In fact, some studies have found that vegans tend to eat more fiber, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, folate, and Vitamins A, C, and E.

Some vegans may also consume more iron than meat-eaters due to higher volumes of food consumed. However, the form of iron in plants isn’t as bioavailable as the type in animal foods. This means your body may not absorb it as well (many vegans take iron supplements for this reason).

You can also choose fortified foods that have added nutrients like iron, B12, calcium, and zinc. Supplements may help you meet daily recommended intakes of important vitamins and minerals as well.

2. You May Lose Weight When You Eat Plant-based Foods

Many people choose to eat a plant-based diet to lose weight or meet other fitness goals. Of course, other factors besides diet play a role in weight loss, but veganism could certainly help. For instance, one study found that vegans tend to have a lower BMI and thinner frame than omnivores.

Several randomized controlled studies also discovered that vegan diets lead to more effective weight loss than other diets. Even compared to the Mediterranean diet, a healthy way of eating by most standards, vegans lost more weight on average.

However, more research is necessary for scientists to understand what makes a vegan diet so effective for weight loss. High fiber content and eating whole foods appear to play a significant role, though.

3. A Vegan Diet Could Lower Your Blood Sugar

Studies show that eating a plant-based diet could also benefit people with type 2 diabetes or high blood sugar. The research discovered that plant-based eaters tend to have lower blood sugar and higher insulin sensitivity.

A 2006 study even found that vegan type 2 diabetics have lower blood sugar than those who followed the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Final Thoughts on the UK Vegan Athlete Who Holds Twenty Powerlifting Records…While Eating Plant-based Foods

Many other reasons to eat solely plants exist, and we can’t possibly list them all. However, being more robust and healthier seems to appeal to some people on the fence about going vegan. And, of course, animal welfare and environmental concerns top the list of most people’s reasons for ditching animal products.

You don’t have to forgo all meat and dairy to reap the benefits. Even eating a few more vegetarian or vegan meals can make a difference. If you’re concerned about losing muscle or feeling weak on a plant-based diet, hopefully, Sophia can ease your worries! Many of the strongest athletes on the planet follow an herbivorous diet, proving that you don’t need meat to build muscle.

Therapist Reveals 3 Mistakes People Make When They Fall in Love

October 5, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

When people fall in love, all caution tends to be thrown out the window. The idea that you might have found the love of your life makes you willing to do anything for that person. Whatever they need or whatever they ask you, you’d do it. Or, on the contrary, you might be way too cautious about falling in love. You might be trying to shield your heart and stay away for anyone who could be a potential new relationship.

Love is one of the trickiest things to handle in life. There’s no way to master love. No matter how cautious you try to be, you will make mistakes. But, when it comes to falling for someone new, people seem to make even more mistakes than usual. Not only that, but we tend to make the same mistakes repeatedly.

Starting a new relationship and finding new love can be immensely fulfilling. But you also need to know how to build that relationship if you want to ensure you don’t get hurt. So, here are three of the most common mistakes people make when they fall in love.

3 Mistakes People Make When They Fall in Love

Keep reading to know what they are and how to avoid those errors.

1. They Don’t Know How to Manage Trust

Managing any interpersonal relationship is complex. When that relationship is romantic, it becomes even more complex. And that’s mostly because people don’t know how to manage their trust. Sometimes people trust too much. Other times, they trust too little or don’t trust at all. If you don’t find a way to manage your trust, you won’t have a good base for a new relationship.

When people have trust issues, that’s probably because they have gone through some traumatic events in the past. If your exes were abusive, lied, and cheated on you, it’s normal to have some issues trusting again. But these trust issues can also come from childhood trauma. People whose parents didn’t communicate and were strict will also struggle to trust. People dealing with mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, can also struggle with having trust issues.

Understandably, you’d want to get to know someone properly before trusting them. But having unresolved trust issues doesn’t help you or your partner. If you have trust issues, you are probably afraid to let people in and create intimacy. Your mistrust could interfere with the relationship, as you’ll likely project your insecurities on your partner. You might have baseless suspicions that you allow to blow up into full-on arguments.

A romantic partner should be there to help you work through your issues, but they aren’t responsible for putting up with your trust issues. If you don’t fix them, you’ll drive your partner away. Sometimes, the problem isn’t that you trust too little. Is that you trust too much. Some people are naturally more susceptible, and that can be a detriment. Whenever you look for a new relationship, you need to be a little cautious.

Even if a potential partner seems like the most fantastic person alive, that might not happen. But when people fall in love, they can be blinded and overlook critical signs. Remember that it takes time to get to know someone. Just because you like a person, it doesn’t mean you should give them all your trust.

Trusting someone too much can bite you because you won’t be ready for a potential betrayal. That said, it’s not like you shouldn’t trust people. You need to be patient and make sure you know someone before giving them all your trust. You need to learn that people need to earn your trust. Of course, you might assume someone might betray you because you’ll be prepared for the worst. And, you can give them more of your trust whenever they do something to prove their worth.

2. They Don’t Know How to Enforce Boundaries in a New Relationship

Boundaries are potentially the most important thing you can have in a relationship. No matter how well you think you get along with someone, things will always make you uncomfortable. Just as we have rules in society to ensure no one gets hurt, we can have some rules in relationships. Some people believe that boundaries force relationships, but that’s not true.

Learning to enforce boundaries can deepen your connection with your partner. It also creates a safe communication environment and lets others know your feelings. When people fall in love, things like boundaries are the last thing on their minds. When you feel blissful and things flow, you probably don’t feel the need to have a stern talk about rules. And that’s fine in the first few weeks of the relationship. But, if you never discuss boundaries, your relationship could be at risk.

Some people associate the need for boundaries with toxic relationships. But you don’t need to be harmful to make a mistake and unintentionally hurt someone. And that’s precisely what limitations aim to avoid. Imagine that your partner’s love language is physical touch, but you have an issue with being constantly touched. Maybe you don’t like it or have some trauma associated with being touched. If you don’t communicate and don’t specifically ask your partner not to do that, there’s no way for them to know they need to stop.

So, they might continue touching you, which can create problems in the future. This issue could build over time and blow up into a big fight. Or imagine your partner is a big spender, but you are more of a money saver. In that case, how much you spend and why will need to be discussed, especially if the relationship becomes serious. If you have hopes of building a life with that person, you need to talk about what each of you needs and how to respect that.

All you need to do to create healthy boundaries is talk about your needs and wants in a relationship. Talk about your values and share how you view life. Talk about what you can compromise on and what’s a definite deal-breaker. As long as you are being open and honest with each other, you should have no problem enforcing good boundaries. And, if you see that your partner isn’t available to this idea, that’s a sign you might be wasting your time.

3. They Ignore the Red Flags When They Fall in Love With an Unsuitable Person

When someone falls in love, they don’t just fall in love with a person. They fall in love with the idea of a person, with what that person could be. People do this because they hope to find love like the one described in the stories. But that makes it so we ignore many red flags that should be deal-breakers. In other words, love can make people blind, and that can be dangerous. We ignore the red flags because we risk ending up in toxic and abusive situations that can make our lives a living hell.

When you first meet someone, chances are they will only show you their best parts. On a first date, no one will tell you about their negative attributes. They won’t yell at you or insult you in any way. But that doesn’t mean that the signs aren’t there. Maybe they are being sweet towards you, but they are being mean to others. That’s something that people accept too often, sometimes even idealize.

This whole idea of “they’re being nice to me and no one else because they love me” can be our downfall. When you start falling for someone, that doesn’t mean you should excuse all their actions. You need to keep your eyes open and mentally note all the destructive behaviors they display. Even better, you need to hold them accountable. If you are scared of starting a fight, that should tell you the relationship is not what it should be. You should never be afraid of talking openly to your partner about things that bother you.

Your relationship is healthy if your partner is open to discussion and takes responsibility for their action. No one is perfect, and people can always learn and grow. But you always need to have these healthy conversations. Otherwise, you’ll end up suffering. What’s more important is talking to other people about your relationship. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to solve all your problems alone. Your friends and family can offer you a more objective perspective, and you should always value their advice.

Final Thoughts on Mistakes People Make When They Fall in Love

Falling in love can be the most beautiful experience someone can go through. But love and relationships are serious things that can entirely change your life. A robust and healthy relationship can fill your life with joy. But a toxic, unstable relationship can even destroy your life. So, no matter how much you want to fall in love, you should always be cautious about who you allow into your life.

When people fall in love, they feel so euphoric that they tend to throw caution out the window. Plus, relationships are complex, and there’s no guideline as to how to go about building one in the right way. Because of that, people tend to make many mistakes when starting a new relationship. But the good thing is that all these mistakes are avoidable if you are a little careful.

People often have trouble knowing how to manage their trust. Sometimes they trust too much, and sometimes, too little. Besides, they find it hard to communicate and enforce boundaries early in the relationship. These issues can be solved by simply communicating with your partner and letting them earn your trust. But potentially, the most significant mistake people make is ignoring red flags. Try to stay rational through all the emotions. And don’t get your hopes up too much. Let the other person prove they deserve you before diving head-first into anything.

Psychology Reveals How to Let Go of Pettiness

October 5, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Pettiness is one of these behaviors that are neither evil nor good. You can’t say that pettiness is inherently wrong, but some people use it for bad reasons. People can feel like being petty in many situations, mainly when they can’t express their anger or disappointment.

On the surface, it seems like it doesn’t do much harm. But making snide comments about things that are pretty trivial is much worse than you might think. The problem with being petty is that you might not even realize you’re doing it. It’s maybe too easy to ignore your flaws in moments when you feel like complaining. Because of that, many people don’t even realize they are engaging in this behavior.

And, even if they do, they might have grown accustomed to acting that way. It might be hard to learn to let go of it once you let pettiness become part of your default responses to certain situations. But there are always ways to let go of destructive behaviors. And pettiness might be one of the easiest unwanted behaviors to release.

Why Are People Petty?

Pettiness is the tendency to get bent out of shape over trivial matters. Whether these trivial things stress you out or straight-up anger you, it doesn’t make much difference. The bottom line is that petty people care too much about unimportant things and complain about every minor trivial inconvenience. For instance, a petty person complains non-stop about the weather, no matter how hot or cold it is.

Some studies have even gone so far as to define pettiness as a faucet of neuroticism. And while it can undoubtedly escalate to become that, it doesn’t always happen. Most of the time, pettiness is just an annoying behavior more than anything else. The main problem with pettiness is that petty people tend to be unkind towards others. They don’t care who they hurt whenever they complain as long as they let their frustration out.

Of course, that doesn’t make them bad people. But it doesn’t make them the nicest to be around either. Pettiness and small-mindedness are synonymous in most cases, so you can imagine how unlikeable petty people can become. Pettiness is something that mainstream psychology often overlooks. This is mostly because there is no scale on which one could measure just how petty someone is. The concept has started to gain traction in “pop psychology.”

What Causes Pettiness in People

Newer self-help books discuss this topic, analyzing its impact on daily life. Because pettiness gained traction in these circles, mainstream psychology has noted that there might be some value in studying it. This field still needs studying, but some developments have been made. One of the main things that psychologists found about pettiness is that it’s tightly correlated to culture.

Research finds that people tend to be pettier on average in stricter cultures than in looser cultures. For example, in places like Finland, people tend to complain less about unimportant things, such as having to drive behind a slow car. But that doesn’t mean that the level of pettiness isn’t also affected by other factors. Someone could be living in a very flexible culture and still be petty because that’s what their family might have taught them.

External factors such as your social life and education will also play a role in determining how petty you become. But sometimes, the reason why people are petty is much simpler than that. Sometimes, people get a kick out of being insignificant. Let’s be honest. Complaining like a small child can be fun sometimes. We do it even if we know it’s immature, and it will do us no good. But that isn’t an excuse for displaying toxic behaviors.

When your pettiness starts affecting other people’s lives, or even your own, that’s a sign you need to let go of it. At some point, you need to learn to find better ways to cope with annoying situations.

How to Let Go of Pettiness?

Step back and honestly assess if you see these traits within yourself.

1. Learn to Acknowledge When You Are Being Petty

One of the main reasons why people can’t let go of toxic behaviors is because they don’t even know they are doing it in the first place. Or maybe they know they are doing it, but they don’t understand why it’s wrong and how it could affect others. When people make mistakes repeatedly, it can be easier just to become complacent and keep doing them instead of trying to change.

After all, others already labeled you the petty friend. Why not live up to the expectations? This mentality does more harm than good, and that’s the first thing you need to let go of. If you constantly hear from others that you are being petty or they don’t like the way you act, the best thing you can do is listen to them. Don’t immediately get defensive and try to find excuses for everything you do.

Listen to other perspectives, and try to be more objective in assessing your behavior. You might think that complaining about everything is a good thing, but that’s your opinion. You need to take the step and make an effort to listen to other views. Otherwise, you’ll stay stuck in your bubble. Understand that people can always help you become better if you let them and if you acknowledge that you need to fix something.

2. Practice Kindness

In most cases, pettiness stems from the fact that you are being unkind to others or because you are being selfish. If you start being petty in traffic, you don’t stop to think about what the other person might be going through. Maybe the car in front of you is driven by an older adult moving slowly because they are trying to be cautious.

If that was the case, and you knew that for sure, would you still get mad? Probably not. And this fact should put some things into perspective for you. You need to empathize with people because you never know what they are going through. While it’s true that sometimes people are mean, that’s not the case most of the time. In most cases, everything that happens has a logical explanation. But even if it doesn’t, you need to learn to let things roll off your back.

You can’t always control everything around you, and that’s fine. Sometimes, the person that you should be kinder towards is yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and let things be. After all, one day of rain might be annoying, but it won’t last forever. So, you have to put things into perspective. Please don’t get mad and let things pass, instead of complaining when there’s nothing you can change either way.

3. Keep Your Pride in Check

Whenever people act petty, it can be because they feel like their pride took a hit. Feeling the need to complain about everything is something that people with a hurt ego do to compensate for feeling hurt. Pettiness is often a sign of insecurity. If you complain about someone else’s appearance, you are just projecting your insecurities on them. That being the case, if you feel like you are being petty, you need to learn to keep your pride in check.

Whenever you act petty, all you are doing is starting a conflict or adding fuel to the fire. Your comments have the power to take an already tense situation and make it blow up. And all of that happens because you don’t know how to give up. In these situations, you need to think of the long game. Being petty might make you feel good at the moment, but it won’t bring you advantages in the long term.

So, giving in and accepting things for what they are is the more practical and mature approach. That’s not to say you can ever complain about anything. But don’t go throwing tantrums if things don’t go your way. Often in life, we have to learn to deal with less-than-ideal situations, and pride will only stand in our way. But be careful not to let people walk all over you. While pride is not something that’ll do you any good, knowing your value will.

Final Thoughts on How to Let Go of Pettiness

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with pettiness, you’ll find that this behavior will do you more harm than good. While people are allowed to complain, complaining about everything all the time will unavoidably become annoying. No one likes a whiner, and no one wants to befriend someone small-minded who only thinks about trivial things.

That’s not to say that if you are petty, it automatically means you don’t have any values and depth. But that’s probably how others will view you. And no matter how good it can feel to be petty, it won’t bring you advantages in the long term. Once you become accustomed to being petty, it might be hard to let go of that behavior. It becomes part of your automatic response to an uncomfortable situation.

But, if you work hard enough, you can rewire your brain to default to other behaviors. And the first step you need to take is recognizing that you are acting petty. Listen to other people and let them help you become a better person. Learn how to invite kindness into your life. Allow yourself to empathize, but also be kinder to yourself. It’s important to understand that complaining will not improve the situation.

And, if you want to let go of frustration, there are better ways to do it, like taking a walk. Lastly, it would help if you learned that pride will never be your best friend. While it’s honorable to be proud of your achievements or the people you love, excessive pride isn’t desirable. Sometimes, you need to learn to give in and just let things roll off your back. And remember that there’s no use crying over spilled condiments.

Indigenous Man Travels Thousands of Miles to Granddaughter’s Graduation

October 5, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

For most young adults, graduation from high school or college marks an important milestone. As they transition from adolescence to adulthood, they take on new roles and responsibilities. No matter what path they choose, the wisdom of grandparents will inevitably provide opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

And no graduation would be complete without friends and family coming together to celebrate. Fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents gather to honor their loved ones on this particular day. It makes it even more memorable if your grandfather travels nearly 2,000 miles to celebrate with you.

When Sasha Mulungunhaway Yambulul graduated from Worawa Aboriginal College in 2015, it marked a massive accomplishment in her life. She’d been attending the boarding school for a little over two years before graduating in year 10. Located northeast of Melbourne in Healesville, the college appeals to young Indigenous residents of Australia.

When Worawa founder Hyllus Maris founded the college in 1983, she had a clear vision in mind. She aimed to teach young Indigenous people about their culture while also educating them for the future.

Because of her well-rounded education, Sasha still feels strongly connected to her culture but remains excited about the future. Now, she “walks proudly in both worlds.”

When Sasha’s grandfather Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi learned of her graduation, he made the nearly 2,000-mile journey to Healesville. He flew from remote Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island in northeast Arnhem Land, where Sasha also lives when she isn’t in school.

He doesn’t speak much English, mostly speaking in the mother tongue of the Galpu clan. However, when he touched his heart and said “proud” after arriving in Healesville, it spoke volumes about his feelings toward his granddaughter.

Indigenous Man Travels 2,000 Miles for Granddaughter’s Graduation

His wife Jane Garrutju translated for him, saying that he dreamed of dancing with his granddaughters at their graduation someday. Eventually, he saw this dream come true. When Gali spoke about his grandchildren Sasha and Alicia, he said he felt happy they received a good education. And he felt proud of their achievements as well.

Known as the Morning Star dancer, Gali served his tribe as the Yolngu Mala leader. While he did not keep track of his age, he never felt too old to perform a traditional dance! Even though he felt unwell on Sasha’s graduation day, he still insisted on partaking in a particular group dance with his two granddaughters.

The traditional dance is called Lunggurrma, or north wind involves a feathered ceremonial morning star pole known as Banumbirr. Sasha said that when people visit Elcho Island, they always perform the traditional dance with their grandpa. She never tires of dancing with her elders, and her graduation day made it even more special.

Despite graduating from college, Sasha will always have strong roots back home. Plus, her time in college only deepened her love and appreciation for her culture since it caters to Indigenous Australians.

Sasha said she enjoys hunting, fishing, and searching for mangrove worms and oysters at home. She also holds the traditional dances close to her heart and shares the stories of her grandparents at night around campfires. She does miss home when she’s away at boarding school. But the Indigenous teachings made her feel less homesick.

For avid enthusiasts like Sasha, hunting is more than just a pastime—it’s a cherished tradition that connects her with her heritage and the natural world. When preparing for a hunt, having the right gear is essential to ensure a successful outing. From reliable hunting supplies to training a skilled hunting dog, every detail contributes to the experience. The Buzzard’s Roost is a trusted name in the hunting community, offering a wide range of high-quality equipment and accessories designed to enhance every aspect of the hunt. With the right supplies and a skilled canine partner, every hunt becomes a memorable adventure that honors the skills and stories passed down through generations.

She speaks three Indigenous languages and learned even more from different cultures during her college years. Sasha’s absence wasn’t easy for her loved ones, but her grandmother said the family wanted Sasha to have plentiful opportunities. The sacrifice was worth it for Sasha to have a bright future.

Sasha Makes the Best of Both Worlds–The Modern World and That of Her Grandparents

Gali made sure his grandchildren valued their culture and know where they come from. Jane said they view their culture as sacred, just like the land and sea. Knowing who they are while embracing Western ideas will help them become balanced in life.

Sadly, Gali passed away in 2020 at approximately 80 years old. However, Sasha will always revere and remember her grandfather because of his love for traditions. He was an internationally acclaimed artist whose Morning Star poles had been featured in exhibitions worldwide.

He inherited the sacred knowledge of the Banumbirr tradition from his father, the last surviving clan member who possessed this wisdom. Gali made sure to keep his culture alive by performing sacred dances with the traditional Morning Star poles. The feather tassels hanging down from the wooden stick represent the various clans that practice the Banumbirr tradition. The tuft of feathers represents the Morning Star itself, a sacred aspect of the Galpu culture.

Sasha learned from the best since she values her culture but remains open to other perspectives. She hopes to complete years 11 and 12 at Clontarf Aboriginal College in WA. Then, she dreams of becoming a nurse and will serve her community along with Melbourne.

In addition, she wants to keep her cultural ties strong and hopes to teach others about them. Above all, Sasha aims to show other young Indigenous girls that they can branch out and become whatever they choose. However, that doesn’t mean they have to give up their values and culture in the process.

Perhaps we need only to remember our roots to find balance. By knowing where we came from and from the stories of our grandparents, we can understand where we’re going on a deeper level.

Final Thoughts on Man Who Traveled 2,000 Miles for Granddaughter’s Graduation

When your granddaughter graduates, you hope to be there for her special day. However, when you live in a remote area of Australia, traveling thousands of miles for graduation isn’t easy. Like most grandparents, Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi wouldn’t miss his granddaughter Sasha’s big day for anything. He traveled nearly 2,000 miles to watch her walk across the stage and perform a sacred dance at the ceremony.

Sasha worked hard for her diploma and was thrilled to see her grandfather in the audience. While he passed away in 2020, his love, respect for Galpu culture, and wisdom will live on forever.

Random Strangers Help Out at a Short-staffed Denny’s

October 5, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Dining at a short-staffed restaurant can cause frustrations for both diners and servers. Some patrons leave to find other food options if waitstaff can’t keep up with demand. But in this story, kindness took over when customers stepped up and lifted the burden on workers.

Restaurant owners or managers may also need to check the condition of their kitchen equipment and tools. They’d be glad to know that parts for hobart d300 and other mixers are available online.

After leaving a concert, Sylvia Arrendondo and her mother, Idalia Merkel, wanted to find somewhere to eat. Since it was already after 11 PM, they thought most places would have closed for the night, except for IHOP. When they drove into the parking lot, it surprised them that the restaurant wasn’t open due to staffing shortages.

So, they tried the next place they thought of, a Denny’s just down the road. Only one side of the dining area remained open when they went inside. Customers occupied just a few tables, but many others waited for someone to seat them.

A Volunteer Host and Hostess Greeted Guests at the Door

A man they later learned was Lynn Roberts approached the two women, saying he hoped they weren’t in a rush. He explained that only one waitress and cook operated the short-staffed Denny’s. To their surprise, the man mentioned that his wife Amy had started seating people since she used to work at Denny’s and knew their systems.

Sylvia explained the situation in a Facebook post, noting that other customers also pitched in to help.

“We are looking at each other and his wife comes to us and asks how many and seats us. She asked what we wanted to drink and brings it to us. Another lady, who clearly did not work there, comes to take our order. She assures us she has no clue what she’s doing, she was just trying to help. She goes on to tell us there is really only one waitress and one cook. The waitress attempted to call her manager several times and no response. This little waitress was in tears!” the post read.

The chef also broke down occasionally, but the workers tried their best to comfort each other.

The Two Women Showed Kindness and Volunteered to Help the Short-Staffed Denny’s

The situation at the short-staffed restaurant prompted the two women to jump into action. They immediately headed toward the kitchen to assist the waitress and chef, who looked college-aged. Idalia offered to help cook food while Sylvia began serving customers. Their act of kindness also encouraged other patrons to help run the establishment.

One couple started bussing and cleaning tables while another man worked the dishwashing station. Everyone seemed to know what to do and never complained about the service. They only wanted to ensure the short-staffed restaurant could keep serving customers.

“Could we have frowned upon this establishment and walked away angry, like so many others? Absolutely! All we knew was this sweet young lady and young man showed up to earn a paycheck, and we were all determined to not let them sink!” Sylvia continued in the post.

She proudly explained that she had never experienced such a “beautiful act of American unity” before. A community came together for one purpose: to serve each other and ensure no one left the restaurant hungry.

The short-staffed restaurant quickly transformed into a bustling diner, and the mood shifted along with the environment. Thanks to the kindness of strangers who helped save the day, the stressful atmosphere became lighthearted and fun. Of course, the orders didn’t always come out perfectly, but no one seemed to mind. They just felt grateful to have food on their plate.

Sylvia jokingly said, “No one had the audacity to argue with us! And the best part, we couldn’t get fired!”

The two kindhearted women helped the short-staffed restaurant into the early morning. Their “shift” ended at 3 AM when they finally convinced everyone to go home for the night.

The Unexpected Experience Moved Them to Tears

Even though they didn’t get to eat dinner, they didn’t feel hungry anymore. The women just felt grateful to have shown up when they did to offer their support.

“We sat down to take a breather and my moms eyes filled with tears, and so did mine shortly after. It was at this moment it hit us! We take so many things for granted. Here these two young adults were just trying to do their job, and were failed by many people. Our hearts hurt for them,” Sylvia’s post continued.

She also noted how the resilience and courage of the two workers deeply moved her. Sylvia and her mother felt honored to help the short-staffed restaurant in its time of need. At the end of the shift, everyone expressed gratitude for participating in such a beautiful display of humanity.

“Once it was all said and done, strangers were hugging strangers and thanking each other for coming together and for their helping hand. It literally took a village. It was so heartwarming to see others pitch in to help and Do The Right Thing!!” Sylvia said.

Of course, it would have been easy for the two women to leave the short-staffed Denny’s and find somewhere else to eat. Instead of complaining about the service or getting angry, though, they decided to help. They couldn’t leave the restaurant in such disarray, especially when the workers felt overwhelmed.

Many restaurants have recently cut their hours due to rowdy customers and employee shortages. The pandemic, supply chain issues, and economic disruptions have taken a toll on the food service industry. However, this heartwarming story reminds us that we can still count on each other to get through hard times.

Final Thoughts on a Community Showing Kindness by Helping a Short-Staffed Restaurant

When most people see long lines at a restaurant, they turn around and pick somewhere else to eat. However, two women who entered a short-staffed Denny’s one night couldn’t bring themselves to leave. They felt called to help the two college-aged workers run the restaurant, so they immediately headed for the kitchen.

One started cooking food while the other served tables, doing whatever they could to help. Other customers waiting for a host to seat them pitched in as well. This incredible act of kindness proves the importance of community, as we’re stronger when we work together.

Here’s Why a Seattle Couple Moved Permanently to a Cruise Ship

October 4, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Would you ever live on a cruise ship full-time? It may seem like a strange idea, but it’s right up their alley for one Seattle couple. Angelyn Burk and her husband Richard have always loved exploring new places and being out on the open waters. After their vacations ended, they already felt excited for the next adventure awaiting them. They both decided that it made more sense to make cruise ships their permanent home one day. After all, with the cost of living rising every day, it seemed like a no-brainer.

Angelyn, a retired accountant, realized how much money they could save by hopping from one ocean liner to the next. While crunching some numbers at home, she determined that they could live on cruise ships for just $43 a day each.

Compared to living on land, this seemed like a drop in the bucket! Burk said that between their mortgage, internet, electricity, property taxes, and insurance, living in Seattle cost them around $3,500/month.

This didn’t even include transportation, food, and entertainment expenses. After comparing the costs of traditional and cruise ship life, it wasn’t hard for Burk to decide.

So, she talked with her husband about living on cruise ships permanently. They both enjoyed traveling to exotic places and had been on several cruises before. Angelyn immediately fell in love with the ocean after experiencing her first cruise in 1992 to the Caribbean.

Richard also loved visiting new places without dealing with the hassle of airplane travel. So, after Angelyn revealed her genius retirement plan, he wholeheartedly agreed to it. It certainly beats living on the land since the cruise ships don’t charge extra fees!

Seattle Couple Makes Cruise Ships Permanent Home

The couple calculated that they could live comfortably on about $100 a day with their retirement savings. So far, they have booked 86 cruise days that cost around $89/day for both of them, on average. Their retirement plan includes room, food, entertainment, transportation, port fees, taxes, and gratuity.

Burk noted that since they have taken so many cruises, they received significant discounts through loyalty programs. So, living on cruise ships might only appeal to those who already travel often.

Still, retiring at sea comes with plenty of perks you can’t get on land. Owning a home comes with its own set of worries, such as costs of repairs, insurance, a mortgage, and other fees. You can’t travel as often because of the high living costs in many locations.

However, you get an all-inclusive room, board, entertainment, and transportation by living on a cruise ship. Plus, moving out to sea offers another advantage: getting to travel while lounging by the pool or taking a nap! Having someone else do all the legwork while you get to relax seems like the perfect way to retire.

The Couple Gave Cruise Ship Life a Try

The couple decided to do a trial run of their retirement plan in 2021. While the pandemic temporarily devastated the cruise industry, it’s made quite a comeback in recent months. Last November, they began with a nine-day Carnival cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. After that, a seven-day Carnival cruise took them from Long Beach, California, to the Mexican Riviera.

Finally, the couple embarked on a 21-day Holland America cruise in mid-May. It sailed from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal, taking them to Vancouver. The Burks plans to visit other locations this year, including Costa Rica, Alaska, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

They will board their next floating home in July, so they have decided to take a break until then. Currently, they’re visiting family in Seattle while anxiously awaiting the arrival of their fourth grandchild. Their son also graduated from the University of Washington in June, so they wanted to stick around to celebrate.

After that, they plan on cruising around the globe for about nine months. Of course, they will take a few breaks on land, crashing at Airbnbs, hotels, and friends’ houses. Luckily, they have plenty of credit card points saved up for accommodations on land. But, for the most part, these sea-loving adventurers will call the ocean home.

Other Benefits of Living on Cruise Ships

Some people might feel anxious about living permanently on cruise ships, especially if they’re prone to seasickness. However, the Burks say motion sickness doesn’t affect them since they have traveled the oceans frequently.

Living in small cabins also doesn’t bother them because they come furnished with comfortable beds. And, they don’t spend much time in their houses besides sleeping. They travel lightly, bringing only a backpack each on their cruises. The Burks say they prefer being minimalists since they don’t have to worry about extra luggage.

While they constantly have to sift through websites searching for good deals, it still beats working a full-time job! They usually book cruises through Holland America because of the entertainment options. That makes it easier to schedule their trips by going through one company.

Perhaps the best part of living on cruise ships is the sheer relaxation. The Burks says it’s nice to have a beautiful dining area, living room, and a hot tub that doesn’t require maintenance.

Plus, you get to meet people worldwide who become like family after a while. And you don’t have to listen to sirens, ambulances, or other stressful noises of modern life. It’s the “suite” life, indeed!

Final Thoughts on Retiring on Cruise Ships

Have you ever considered calling cruise ships your home after retirement? Many couples like the Burks have decided to sell their homes and explore alternative living arrangements in their golden years. As they explained earlier, beating an all-inclusive, permanent vacation worldwide is hard!

You don’t have to worry about bills or maintenance fees when traveling on cruise ships. The stress of everyday life melts as you bask in the sun and discover new horizons. If life seems monotonous and tiresome these days, perhaps you need a cruise to shift your perception! Does this retirement plan appeal to you? Let us know in the comments.

Counselors Explain the Five Stages of Divorce Grief

October 4, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Are you trying to muddle through the heartbreak of a divorce? It is critical to understand the stages of divorce to help your heart heal.

While marriage isn’t nearly as revered as it once was, it still holds value. Plus, it’s an important step that couples make. Some people take that step because they love each other and want to build something with their partner. Others rush into it. But that doesn’t change the fact that many people still value the idea of getting married.

The only problem is that divorce rates are higher than ever. And while a divorce is necessary to ensure people do not stay in unhappy or unsafe situations, it doesn’t mean that it does not affect people. After vowing that you’ll be with someone forever, not having them in your life can be hard to imagine. So, going through all the stages of divorce, grief can seem inconceivable.

Divorce symbolizes the loss of your life as you knew it. You end one chapter, and even if you’re preparing to start another, it doesn’t feel like you’re progressing. It feels like you gave up all your happiness, and you will never find it again. When you get divorced, it feels like you are letting go of the love of your life. And even though that’s probably not true, you have no way of knowing that at that moment.

Even if you get divorced for the right reasons, you still experience a loss. True, the person you are divorcing isn’t dead, but they’re out of your life, or they’ll never be in your life like they used to be. So, it’s only natural to go through a period of grief right after a divorce. But how does this grief manifest? And how can you get over it and allow yourself to heal?

The Five Stages of Divorce Grief

Grief goes through the same stages in almost all instances. The only thing that differs is how these stages manifest. But the steps you go through when you lose someone are the same as those you go through after a divorce. While there is no way of comparing these experiences, psychologists still found that you can categorize them differently.

1. Denial

Whenever a life-changing event happens, the first thing you feel is denial. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you refuse to acknowledge the truth, though that might be a part of it. In most cases, you might rationally understand what’s happening but cannot process those emotions. This occurs because the brain often cannot deal with a change that big and that sudden in a short time frame.

So, it denies reality to shield itself from all the grief, anger, and hurt it knows it will have to feel. You have probably gone through this stage, even if you haven’t gone through a divorce. What you think when you are in the denial stage of your divorce is similar to what you’d feel when going through a breakup. A divorce is a breakup but with some added legal steps if you think about it. So, you are probably familiar with how denial feels.

In this stage of the divorce, you’ll keep telling yourself that your partner was not serious about wanting to separate. That they’ll eventually realize divorce is not the answer and come back. Even if you initiated the divorce, you could still go through the denial stage. There’s not much you can do about this stage other than staying rational and letting go of any hope. It will only make you feel worse if you hold on to the idea that your partner might come back, and they don’t.

2. Anger

After a few days or maybe a few weeks, you’ll come to terms with this divorce, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. Once you stop being in denial, the most natural next step is to feel anger. You start to realize that your life will fundamentally change, making you mad. This stage can become very pronounced, especially if you have been deceived or lied to by your partner.

Even if anger is not a positive emotion, it’s natural to feel this way. When you get married to someone, you give them all your trust, and you never expect them to turn on you. So, when that divorce happens, your trust gets broken by the person who was supposed to protect you the most. Anger is natural, but you must be careful regarding how you express it.

In this stage, it’s essential to communicate with people who are close to you and can keep you in check. Many people in this stage of divorce turn to destructive behaviors to feel better. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol because they feel betrayed.

You might feel irritation, frustration, and a lot of anxiety. You’ll have many unanswered questions that could haunt you. It would help if you learned to let go of all these worries and always have someone you can talk to when you feel things are getting too harsh.

3. Bargaining

When people reach the bargaining stage, they have let go of their anger but still haven’t let go of hope. Even if you are sure that the divorce will happen, you’ll still try everything to get your life back. Even if divorce is the best thing for both of you, change is something that the brain wants to avoid at all costs.

So, you’ll try to say or do the right thing to get your partner back. You might even make promises you know you can’t keep, hoping you’ll get back together. This stage of divorce is more harmful than people give it credit for. Because of this stage, people accept staying in toxic situations even though they know they deserve better. Parents might bargain to remain married for the sake of their children even if they know it’s a bad idea.

Someone who cheated on their partner might feel guilty and promise never to do it again if forgiven. Some people might even try negotiating with whatever higher being they believe in. Whatever trade they can do, whatever promise they can make, they’ll try to make it. Again, to get past this stage, you need to have a robust support system that can keep you in check.

4. Depression

Naturally, someone going through a divorce will go through a stage of depression at some point. After seeing that anger and bargaining don’t help you, you’ll start to feel the emotional toll of the separation. Ending a marriage is never easy, and it will make you feel sad, lonely, and even isolated. The truth is that, no matter how social you are, once you get married, you start devoting most of your time to that one person.

So, when that person disappears, you can feel like you’re all alone in the world. Depression can also stem from guilt, believing that you didn’t do everything you could to save the marriage. When going through this stage of divorce, you might want to isolate yourself from the world. Simply getting out of bed could feel like too much.

These feelings are valid, and you need to allow yourself to feel them. But the most important thing you need to keep in mind is that you need to communicate how you feel. Don’t push your friends and family away. And if you feel like you can’t talk to them, you could always reach out to a specialist.

5. Acceptance

The fifth stage of divorce is acceptance. This stage won’t hit you suddenly. Instead, acceptance is something that will come in bits and pieces. One day, you’ll wake up and feel better, a little more at peace. That feeling might not last, and on other days you might feel like the world is crashing down.

But there’s one main difference between this stage and the others: you’ve finally come to terms with the fact that the marriage is over. Even though you’ll have ups and downs, you’ll know that you’ll be alright in your heart. In this stage, you will let go of any false hope. You’ll let go of anger and understand that what’s most important is to move forward. You’ll want to get your life back on track.

This could mean going out more, watching what you eat, or working out. It could mean finally finding the power to get out of bed and make sure your house is in order. Slowly, day by day, you’ll get better until your marriage is just a memory. Your heart will heal, and you’ll even find that you’ll allow yourself to fall in love again.

Final Thoughts on the Five Stages of Divorce Grief

The end of a marriage (and most breakups, for that matter) is something that’ll change your life forever. Even if no one dies, you’ll still have to bury your past and start a completely new chapter. The grief you feel when your partner leaves and the grief you feel when you lose a loved one for good are very similar. And it even has the same five stages.

The five stages of a divorce are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages don’t have to come in this order, but they usually do. Either way, you’ll feel all these emotions when coming to terms with your divorce. The most important thing you need to remember is that you need to keep your friends and family close no matter how you feel.

You need to make sure you have a robust support system to ensure you don’t shatter to pieces. When you go through something so traumatic, you can be very vulnerable. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to develop toxic coping mechanisms, like drinking. But when you are surrounded by people you can rely on, you can feel safe. Communicating can become your coping mechanism, and you’ll get through everything healthily.

20 Unsafe Foods That Contain Petroleum and Toxins

October 4, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

When you’re at the grocery store, it’s easy to convince yourself that everything on the shelf is safe. You assume that harmful ingredients aren’t in favorite snacks and that it’s okay to treat your children to these items. However, this isn’t the truth, as many of these items are unsafe foods, containing petroleum and other toxins.

Many of our favorite snacks contain unhealthy ingredients, including petroleum. Research shows that these unhealthy foods link to mental and physical health issues. Even with science backing the problems, the federal government still allows it to be in food.

Petroleum products can cause cancer, behavior disorders, and other health concerns. Since the ingredient is in food that won’t decompose, it’s a sure sign that it makes for unsafe foods.

What Is Petroleum?

Petroleum is an oil that runs your car, powers planes, and lubricates heavy machinery. It is used in computers, clothes, cleaning products, bottles, containers, and other objects. Petroleum is also found in lotion, shampoo, makeup, and other beauty items.

This ingredient is used so often because it prevents them from becoming rancid. The only reason it can stop things from going bad is that it isn’t truly food. However, this supposed benefit can have detrimental effects on your health.

Petroleum is known as mineral oil in the food industry, and many manufacturers claim that it’s safe to consume. However, some scientists state the opposite and show that you should avoid unsafe foods.

How to Find Petroleum and Other Toxins on a Food Label

It’s sometimes hard to determine if your favorite foods contain petroleum. Manufacturers often list it differently, making it hard to identify. As you read food labels, look for the following ingredients:

tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
methyl benzoate
ethyl methylphenidate
blue 1
blue 2
yellow 5
yellow 6
red 40
Mineral oil

Unsafe Foods That Contain Petroleum and Toxins

Avoid consuming these things.

1. Fruit Snacks

The same of this snack might fool you because it doesn’t often contain fruit. Most fruit snacks have Red 3, a food coloring with petroleum. Red 3 is considered a carcinogen as it links to cancer.

The snacks get their fruity flavor from added ingredients instead of the real food. Red 3 is banned from being used in cosmetics because it is associated with thyroid tumors. You shouldn’t be eating it if you can’t use it on your skin, and it’s something to keep in mind.

Fruit snacks aren’t the only gummy food to avoid. Any sugary or sticky snacks with false claims of containing fruit are likely unsafe foods.

2. Graham Cracker Bears

Graham cracker bears are an easy and delicious snack, but they are on the list of unhealthy foods. They’ve existed for decades, leaving many people assuming they’re healthy. However, they are full of petroleum in the form of TBHQ, a toxic ingredient common in foods.

TBHQ can cause problems such as vomiting, ringing in your ear, weakness or collapse, and delirium. Studies show that it can also cause cancer and damage cells. It can also cause restlessness, anxiety, and worsening ADHD symptoms in kids.

Regularly eating this snack and others with TBHQ can have lasting effects. It poses dangerous health risks that you could avoid by making better nutritional choices.

3. Snack Cakes

These snack cakes are fun and sometimes delicious, but they are one of the most unsafe foods you can consume. Many of them contain TBHQ, preventing oxidation or spoilage. While it can stay on your shelf longer, it won’t promote a healthy lifestyle or make you feel good.

Processed snack cakes also contain saturated fat, sodium, carbs, and sugar. Plus, there are very few nutrients in these products.

4. Candy Coated Chocolates

This chocolate candy contains Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40, all derived from petroleum. It can increase your cancer risk because they are carcinogens. They can cause hyperactivity in kids, too, so parents will want to remember this one. Additionally, these harmful ingredients can also damage DNA and cause allergic reactions.

5. Mac and Cheese Dinners

Kraft dinners are a popular option for families because they are convenient and quick. Plus, children love them, but these dinners can be detrimental to your health. Kraft dinners contain artificial dyes with petroleum.

6. Chewing Gum

You don’t swallow chewing gum, but you consume the ingredients anyway. Many chewing gums contain Butylated hydroxyanisole and Tertiary butylhydroquinone. It also often has Tocopherol, another chemical compound.

7. Cooking Oil

Petroleum preserves cooking oils, and you’ll commonly find TBHQ in unsaturated vegetable oils and animal fats. These ingredients allow cooking oil to maintain the flavor or odor of the foods you use it in. They also ensure the oil doesn’t become discolored.

Vegetable oils, including peanut and soybean oil, commonly contain TBHQ. Fish oil also has TBHQ. However, palm and walnut oils include BHA, BHT, and PG.

8. Potato Chips in a Can

While stacked chips in a can are a yummy snack, they’re one of the most unsafe foods. The spicy variations and the pizza flavor are full of petroleum-based toxins. It is linked to attention problems and is a carcinogen, meaning it could cause cancer.

9. Thin Wheat Crackers

Many people consider thin wheat crackers a healthy snack, but that’s far from the truth. They are highly processed, containing canola oil and refined sugar. Wheat thins have even been banned in some countries because they contain BHT.

10. Cheese Square Crackers

When you eat cheese squares, you consume flour, oil, and a little cheese. The oil contains TBHQ to increase the shelf life. The color of the crackers makes you think it’s cheese, but the color comes from the paprika used in the recipe.

11. Crispy Fried Cheese Snacks

This cheesy orange snack has become increasingly popular due to social media videos that show unique ways to use these crispy, cheesy snacks.. However, it’s best to ignore these tips because these are unsafe food. They contain yellow 6, methyl benzoate, and ethyl methylphenidate.

12. Ramen Noodles

Many people turn to ramen noodles because they are cheap, quick, and easy to prepare. However, these so-called benefits cause you to consume toxic ingredients. It’s not worth saving money when it can cause severe health issues.

Ramen noodles are full of sodium and preservatives, including TBHQ. The TBHQ isn’t digestible and offers no benefit to your body.

13. Frozen Waffles

Frozen waffles contain dyes, soy, and oil, making them a health risk. They may also contain GMOs, and the long-term effects are unknown. Your best bet is to make homemade waffles in big batches to heat up throughout the week.

14. Fast Food

Fast food is often the most unsafe food you can choose. Some fast food items contain TBHQ, including Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Taco Shells.

Additionally, some restaurants use caramel coloring. The caramel coloring gives chili, barbecue sauce, oatmeal, and other items a darker color. Some of the caramel colorings contain 4-methylimidazole, a potential carcinogen. It also comes from wheat or dairy and could trigger food allergies.

15. Sandwich Crackers

Crackers are an easy snack, making them a popular option for busy people and parents. However, many sandwich crackers contain TBHQ as a preservative. Not only can it cause cancer, but it can also disturb vision.

16. Chicken Nuggets

Children tend to favor chicken nuggets over other foods, but they should only be an occasional treat. They contain TBHQ and other harmful toxins and additives. Then, if you or your child like to dip your nuggets, the sauce likely contains more toxins and other harmful ingredients.

17. Microwave Popcorn

Some microwave popcorn contains TBHQ and palm oil, making it an unhealthy snack. Plus, it can contain high amounts of salt and fat.

18. Breakfast Toaster Pastries

Often used as a breakfast food, breakfast pastries you pop into the toaster are highly unhealthy. They contain artificial dyes, synthetic additives, and tons of harmful sugar. They can cause sugar addiction, liver problems, and diabetes.

19. Cooking Spray

TBHQ is used to offer a longer shelf life as it stops and prevents deterioration. Research shows that sesame oil for cooking spray becomes unhealthier as it heats up. It also passes the harmful ingredients to the foods you fry in it.

20. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

This candy isn’t allowed at some whole foods and health stores. It contains TBHQ, making it one of many unhealthy foods. Reese’s peanut butter cups contain other chemical preservatives, too, furthering the detriment to your health.

What to Eat Instead

After reading about these unhealthy foods, you’re likely wondering what’s safe to eat. You can choose from many easy and quick healthy snacks, even when you’re in a hurry.

Keep organic fruit and vegetables on hand, and opt for homemade snacks. You can make a large batch of granola bars using fruit, nuts, and other healthy ingredients. Finding recipes online is simple, so look for recipes for alternatives to your favorite snacks.

Preparing food at home ensures you know the ingredients without deciphering a label. Aim for organic ingredients whenever you can, as you will encounter fewer toxins. Some foods labeled as organic have hidden ingredients, though, so don’t forget to check the label.

Final Thoughts on Unsafe Foods That Contain Petroleum and Other Toxins

You want to live a healthy life and provide your family with the best foods, but many hidden ingredients are unhealthy. Don’t keep buying these unhealthy foods, and turn to homemade or organic foods.

Once you switch out your unhealthy favorites with better options, you’ll find new staples in your diet. Plus, you’ll feel better knowing that you and your family are healthier.

15 Things That Suggest You Had a Past Life

October 4, 2022 by Chris Butler

Reincarnation is a subject that we can no longer ignore. How does one explain a child who claims to have been here before and knows things that aren’t possible? What about odd feelings, unsettling dreams, and being able to speak languages you’ve never learned before? All these things indicate a strong connection that your past life is spilling over into your current one.

Fifteen Signs You’ve Had A Past Life.

Maybe you’ve experienced unexplainable things and believe you were from another time and place. Perhaps, you’ve kept these things to yourself for fear of feeling judged or that you would look silly. Here are some signs that indicate a person has lived and walked this earth before, and you may find that many of them resonate with you.

1. Déjà Vu Might Show a Past Life

Déjà Vu is an unexplainable feeling that is hard to put into words. You may have instincts or be disoriented by a smell, taste, or sound. Did you know that more than 60-70 percent of people experience this transient state at least once in their life, according to the Cleveland Clinic?

Take, for instance, a woman visiting the great Titanic exhibit in the Smokey Mountains. She doesn’t understand what’s happening, but suddenly she feels like she’s choking. She feels like water is filling her lungs, making breathing impossible.

Then, she sees an exhibit with memorabilia pulled from the wreckage, and she instantly knows one of the pieces is hers. There’s no way to describe these feelings and no way to justify why she knows an artifact is hers that she’s never seen.

2. Unexplained Phobias

Having a phobia or irrational fear is not uncommon. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, over nineteen million Americans suffer from this mental health concern. Take, for instance, arachnophobia. The fear of spiders may develop after being bitten and having an anaphylactic reaction to the bite.

Consequently, when a person develops a phobia without any trauma or verifiable connections, it can signify something that happened in a past life. Could you have been here before and suffered from a trauma affecting your present life?

3. Understanding Foreign Languages

Xenoglossy is a phenomenon that allows you to speak, read, write, or understand languages that are not familiar. It frequently happened in Biblical times, such as on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-38. Though, it’s a modern-day occurrence too.

If you can suddenly understand another language in some capacity, it can signify that you’ve been here before. Could your previous lives be coming through into your present one?

4. Unexplained Pains

Everyone will experience some physical pain at some point or another. Consequently, when you’ve pains with no medical explanation, it could be your past life coming back to remind you of an occurrence. Many people undergo past life regression to understand their pains when nothing else makes sense.

Take, for example, a lady who kept having chronic discomfort in her shoulders and arms. Through regression treatment, she discovered that a bear once attacked her, and it caused her untimely death. The soul took those pains from the attack with her into the next life.

5. Reincarnation May Cause a Current Life Fascination with History

Some folks are natural history buffs, and they don’t even need to study to get an “A” on their test. Could this be a sign that they’ve lived in another time and place, and history fascinates them because it connects them to their other life?

6. Persistent Dreams

Your dreams tell you many things, but the biggest thing is that your brain is trying to process something that happened in your past. It can be a significant sign that you have a past life, especially when things in the dream seem odd yet familiar, and it’s as if you’ve been to this place or experienced this event before. A solid historical knowledge can mean you have a connection to the past.

7. Strong Intuition Might Come from Your Past Life

Can you predict events long before they happen? Those who have a solid intuitive side could be because of a link to their past. It’s believed that when you have past lives and experiences, you learn and grow from these events. These things allow you to have wisdom and enhance your intuitive nature.

8. Reincarnation Can Cause Fascination with a Specific Era

A past life can cause an affinity for folks who lived in another time frame. These kinships can also be for a particular world area, like Ancient Rome. There are no logical explanations for these fascinations or feelings, but you know there’s some connection between you and another time and place.

9. Gender Identity Questions

Is it possible that those who suffer from gender identity issues have been reincarnated? Experts in reincarnation often believe that the gender of a person is decided by the period in which a person lives. So, if you feel a draw to be a nurse, it’s possible you were a woman in the time frame when women were predominantly nurses.

Dr. Stevenson is renowned for his analyses of reincarnation; many of the things he uncovered are phenomenal. According to an article published by Scientific Studies, an odd occurrence happened to a little girl with a birthmark around her inner thigh. She often complained to her parents about missing Japan, even though she’d never been there.

She preferred masculine things and wanted manly clothing as she grew. After some past life regression, she discovered that she was a soldier in a previous life, and the birthmark was where she was shot and killed.

10. You Feel Like a Stranger in a Strange Land

Do you feel like the world around you seems odd, and you’re out of place? Everything feels weird to you. This can be a sign that you’ve lived before. Did you know that some folks believe that people reincarnate from other planets, so it’s only natural that these folks would view the current world differently?

11. Out of Place Memories Might Reveal a Past Life

Your memories are an essential part of who you are as a person. If you didn’t have your memory, you wouldn’t recall family or events that have happened to you. However, when you have memories of things that don’t fit your current life, it can be a sign that you remember something that happened to you in a past one.

12. No Connection with Your Parents

Many people don’t have good relationships with their parents, which doesn’t mean anything. Oddly, weak parental bonds can tell that you long for parents you haven’t seen in years, decades, or centuries.

You can’t feel at home with your current parents because your soul longs for other parents that were special to you. If you died young and were reincarnated, this could answer these strange feelings and the loss of connections. Maybe, the person who feels disconnected from family has another explanation.

13. You Have a Soulmate

Ironically, finding your soulmate can be part of your past life. A soul connection might mean that you were connected to this individual long ago. People who meet, fall in love fast, and are destined to be together, might find that they have a past life that carries into their current life.

14. Birthmarks May Indicate a Past Life

Birthmarks are not that spectacular in and of themselves. Reincarnation and birthmarks have a strong link. One specific case was a boy with a birthmark on his chest that was quite large. After speaking with the child, Stevenson found that the boy believed he was shot in a previous life, and the birthmark was merely the exact area the bullet entered his body.

How can this be true? Some folks would say that the child watched too much television, but it’s hard to refute when a kid with no knowledge of such things tells you of their previous life.

15. You’re Well Beyond Your Years

Do people refer to you as an “old soul” because you don’t fit with today’s modern society? This can be a sign of reincarnation and a past life. If you’ve been reincarnated several times, you may have a deeper understanding of things that you would have no way of understanding in your current realm. Your old lives may be spilling over into the present one.

Final Thoughts on Signs of a Past Life

Many people question whether reincarnation and past lives are real, but it’s no different than believing in God or Baal as you go on your gut instincts and believe. When it comes to this phenomenon, there is medical and psychological proof that there are things one cannot explain.

In ancient writings from India, Greece, and the Celtic Druids, the occurrences that may reveal reincarnation go back more than 3,000 years. If you’ve experienced anything listed above, it can indicate that you’ve been here before, and things from your previous life firmly grip you.

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