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Showing posts from September, 2025

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Healing After Pet Loss: Navigating Your Grief

Losing a pet is a uniquely painful experience. For many of us without children, our pets aren't just animals; they're our family. They're our confidants, our daily companions, and a source of unconditional love. So when they're gone, the silence they leave behind is deafening. I recently lost my guinea pig, Cinnamon, after almost five years together. The worst part was that I had to sit there and watch her die, completely helpless. There wasn't a single vet in a 100-mile radius who would see her. The feeling of watching a beloved friend suffer and not being able to do a single thing about it is something that will stick with me for a long time. R.I.P. Cinnamon! ðŸ’” This kind of loss brings a complicated type of grief. It's not just sadness; it's layered with guilt, anger, and a profound sense of failure, even when there was nothing you could have done. The world keeps moving, but your little world has stopped. People, often with good intentions, might say t...

A Lactose Intolerant’s Guide to Eating Dairy Again

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Being lactose intolerant is no fun. I know from personal ( and painful ) experience. So, when I get invited to dinner and someone serves a creamy lasagna or a cheesy pizza, I just feel left out. The thought of that delicious, melty cheese and the creamy sauce is so tempting, but the result is always the same: bloating, gas, and a whole lot of discomfort. It's a real bummer. It’s a challenge to enjoy things with everyone else. I've tried a bunch of stuff to help. I've eaten those chewable lactase enzyme tablets, and they work pretty well, but you have to take them right before you eat. And let's be honest, I often forget. Then there's the whole "lactose-free" trend, which is a lifesaver, but finding lactose-free ice cream in a small town can be a mission. So, when a new product called Bactose came across my path, I was hopeful. Bactose is supposed to be different. It’s a probiotic that works long-term. You take it for a week, and then you’re good to go fo...

SHAMPOOHOTEL: The Best New Beauty Brand at Ulta?

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I’ve been on the hunt for new hair and body products for a while. I like to switch things up and try out different brands. I’m always looking for something that not only works well but also smells great. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the SHAMPOOHOTEL Rio line for free, and let me tell you, I was pretty excited. I’d heard about the brand and their destination-inspired hair and body care products, and I was curious to see if they lived up to the hype. The Rio line is inspired by a warm and intoxicating destination, with a scent that includes lush vanilla orchid, coconut, and sandalwood. The brand says the Rio shampoo and conditioner are supposed to add volume and body to fine, flat hair, thanks to key ingredients like bamboo extract and biotin. They also have a body wash and body lotion in the same scent. The idea of the whole line smelling the same is great. It means you don't have to worry about clashing scents from different products. Disclosure: I received the...