Kristin Jillian Shropshire, MS, ROHP, R.Ac.

07/07/2024

☀️ 😎 ☀️

Sunny thoughts for your Sunday! ☀️ What sunny thoughts would you add to this illustration?

01/30/2024

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05/17/2023

It’s generally common knowledge amongst the holistically health inclined that vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc can help support the immune system, but many people are surprised to discover that magnesium can also act as a powerful agent against severe and/or prolonged sickness.
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More than just a natural muscle relaxant, magnesium has been shown to improve the white blood cells’ ability to seek out and destroy germs. Pair it with vitamin D (through judicious sun exposure and/or supplementation) and the benefits appear to be even more pronounced. This is likely at least partially because magnesium helps to activate vitamin D in the body.
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It has been estimated that somewhere between 50% and 80% of North Americans are magnesium deficient. As such, we might all do well to assume that we could be among that number and make sure our stores are topped up. Our odds of deficiency are at least 1 out of 2, after all.
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So where can we find this seemingly magical mineral? Good sources of magnesium include h**p hearts, pumpkin seeds, black beans, cashews, buckwheat, spinach, kale, collard and dark chocolate. Supplements are also an option.
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Did you know magnesium can help support the immune system? If not, are you surprised?
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(Note: Contents reposted because I accidentally used a picture with watermarks in my original post.)
**p

03/26/2023

It’s generally common knowledge amongst the holistically health inclined that vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc can help support the immune system, but many people are surprised to discover that magnesium can also act as a powerful agent against severe and/or prolonged sickness.
🦠 🤧 🦠
More than just a natural muscle relaxant, magnesium has been shown to improve the white blood cells’ ability to seek out and destroy germs. Pair it with vitamin D (through judicious sun exposure and/or supplementation) and the benefits appear to be even more pronounced. (This is likely at least partially because magnesium helps to activate vitamin D in the body.)
🦠 🤧 🦠
It has been estimated that somewhere between 50% and 80% of North Americans are magnesium deficient. As such, we might all do well to assume that we could be among that number and make sure our stores are topped up. Our odds of deficiency are at least 1 out of 2, after all.
🦠 🤧 🦠
So where can we find this seemingly magical mineral? Good sources of magnesium include pumpkin seeds, black beans, cashews, buckwheat, spinach, kale, collard and dark chocolate. Supplements are also an option.
🦠 🤧 🦠
Did you know magnesium can help support the immune system? If not, are you surprised?
🦠 🤧 🦠

03/03/2023

I’m going to be honest. I eat about 150 grams of dark chocolate a day — and have for years.
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If you saw my post on Monday, you are likely aware that the recent Consumers Report revealing very high levels of cadmium and lead in almost every chocolate bar tested compelled me to tests my own levels of heavy metals.
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Well, the results are in and I am both thrilled and kind of surprised to report that NONE of my heavy metal levels were elevated. In fact, they were quite low.
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I can’t tell you whether my low levels of heavy metals can be attributed to the high quality chocolate I eat, my very healthy diet, my whole food supplement regime, my regular far infrared saunas or a combination thereof, but something is obviously working in my favour.
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Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not recommending that anyone else consume the same outlandish quantity of 70-80% dark chocolate that I do. I’m just saying that it’s possible that, despite reports indicating high levels of lead and cadmium in dark chocolate, a high chocolate intake doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be a substantial buildup of heavy metals in the body.
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I think I’m going to go do a happy dance now.
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03/03/2023

I’m going to be honest. I eat about 150 grams of dark chocolate a day — and have for years.
🍫 💃🏽 🍫
If you saw my post on Monday, you are likely aware that the recent Consumers Report revealing very high levels of cadmium and lead in almost every chocolate bar tested compelled me to tests my own levels of heavy metals.
🍫 💃🏽 🍫
Well, the results are in and I am both thrilled and kind of surprised to report that NONE of my heavy metal levels were elevated. In fact, they were quite low.
🍫 💃🏽 🍫
I can’t tell you whether my low levels of heavy metals can be attributed to the high quality chocolate I eat, my very healthy diet, my whole food supplement regime, my regular far infrared saunas or a combination thereof, but something is obviously working in my favour.
🍫 💃🏽 🍫
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not recommending that anyone else consume the same outlandish quantity of 70-80% dark chocolate that I do. I’m just saying that it’s possible that, despite reports indicating high levels of lead and cadmium in dark chocolate, a high chocolate intake doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be a substantial buildup of heavy metals in the body.
🍫 💃🏽 🍫
I think I’m going to go do a happy dance now.
🍫 💃🏽 🍫

02/28/2023

As an avid chocoholic, I was horrified when I saw the recent Consumers Report article casting aspersions on dark chocolate.
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Long touted as a health food on account of it’s nutritional profile (including high Mg and Fe) and ability to promote cardiovascular health, chocolate is now being put under the health microscope again. Why? Because the Consumers Report article suggested that, despite any health benefits ascribed to it, chocolate has a very real danger: heavy metal contamination.
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Many of us, myself included, were shocked to discover that almost every brand of chocolate tested—both organic and conventional—contained extremely high levels of cadmium and/or lead. One bar often contained more than 100% of the recommended daily maximum for at least one of these neurotoxins. This is a ✨definite✨ bad news situation.
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I’ve known for many years that cacao has an affinity for pulling heavy metals out of the soil (as is the case with many plants high in iron), but I never dreamed that the level would be so high.
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Over the years, I’ve taken active steps to minimize potential heavy metal buildup in my body, including choosing brands that source cacao beans low in cadmium and lead; supplementing with vitamin C, barley grass, and targeted homeopathic detox remedies; and taking frequent far infrared saunas [*not during pregnancy], but has this been enough to counteract eating over 100 grams of dark chocolate almost every day for over 10 years?
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Given my “impressive” chocolate intake, I figured my best option was to get my levels tested. Hopefully, my cadmium and iron levels aren’t too bad but, heaven forbid that they are, I would rather know it so that I can address the issue—even if it means trying to dramatically cut back on my chocolate intake.😭.
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I got my requisition to test my mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and thallium levels last month (via my ND for $64), but only just made it to the lab to have my blood drawn today. I won’t lie. I’m nervous about the results. Wish me luck, friends!
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10/07/2022

When I sit peacefully, consciously tune in and listen to my inner voice, this is almost always the message that I hear. And it’s been the same way for years, which I actually find a little funny since I don’t really swear a lot. Except in my head, apparently.
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For someone who is prone to overthinking and over analyzing, this message is probably on point. Instead of over processing and worrying things to death, I need to accept what is, acknowledge it and then simple focus on what I can actually do.
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It amazes me what messages our bodies will communicate when we just take a moment to listen.
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Do you make a habit of tuning in and listening to the messages your body wants to give you? If so, do you also have messages that tend to come up often?
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06/27/2022

For some reason, it occurred to me to wonder whether there might be a correlation between sleep disturbances, such as apnea, and iron deficiency. And what would you know. There is.
💙💚💛🧡
Recent research suggests that there is a strong correlation between iron deficiency and sleep problems. Even obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which many of us think of as strictly structural, has been associated with low levels of iron in the body. Surprised? I was.
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There are a great many reasons why people might suffer from sleeping challenges, including excessive stress, obesity, overindulge in alcohol, etc., but research is showing that the sleep challenged might do well to investigate their iron status.
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Just imagine if regular good sleep could be as simple as optimizing your iron levels.
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If you suffer from sleep disturbances, have you ever considered the possible role of iron deficiency?
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Clinical Note: For many of us, our ferritin levels are an insufficient marker of our iron levels. A protein that stores iron and releases iron when the body needs it, ferritin can be within normal range even when iron stores, transferrin, and total iron binding capacity are depleted.
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06/12/2022

Inspiration can be found in so many different ways and so many different places.
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What is one of the things currently inspiring me? As of yesterday, my stepdad was ranked number four in his age category in a world sailing event.
🌊 ⛵️ 🌊
My stepdad has been a sailor for many years, but he really got back into it when he retired. It took a lot of time and effort to prepare to compete at an international level, but the results speak for themselves. We all have natural aptitudes, but hard work really does pay off!
🌊 ⛵️ 🌊
What is something that is currently inspiring you? Is it Inspiring you to do anything in particular?
🌊 ⛵️ 🌊

03/15/2022

I couldn’t even begin to tell you why, but I’ve been craving curried cabbage like it’s my job. I have tried making the exact same dish, but substituting the cabbage for another vegetable like cauliflower, but the end result just doesn’t satiate, or hit the spot, in the same way.
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Generally speaking, when cravings hit me, I find that they are typically rooted in nostalgia—a desire for “comfort food” or foods I joyfully associate with different seasons and/or holidays—and/or my body‘s desire for a specific nutrient (e.g. beef when I need iron). I mean, I might still desire certain foods because they taste delicious, but I wouldn’t necessarily call those cravings. They are more just my taste buds displaying interest.
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So why cabbage? I really couldn’t tell you. I am not aware of holding any nostalgic associations with this cruciferous veggie. Nutritionally, green cabbage (and I want green, not red/purple) is a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K, but so are many other foods I enjoy regularly, including kale.
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So maybe the answer lies in the phytonutrients?
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Did you know that researchers have now identified nearly 20 different flavonoids and 15 different phenols in cabbage, all of which have demonstrated antioxidant activity? The surprising array of antioxidant phytonutrients in cabbage is one key reason why an increasing number of studies link cabbage intake to decreased risk of several cardiovascular diseases.
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No matter the reason for my craving, I’m not going to get too fussed about eating large quantities of a dish composed of cabbage, onions, extra-virgin olive oil, (mild) curry powder, garlic, and pink salt. I’m just going to go with it and assume that my body knows best on this one.
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Are there specific healthy foods that you find yourself craving? If so, do you have any guesses why? I would be curious to hear.
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03/08/2022

As I suspect that most of you already know, I am now the proud new mother to a sweet and wonderful baby girl.
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I may be out of the clinic on maternity leave, but my desire to educate and inspire has not left me.
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in order to not overload this account with all things new mom and baby, I decided to create a new account that would focus more on those topics. If you would like to follow along with me on my journey into motherhood and holistic parenting, I would love to see you over at my newly created account:
💗 🤱🏻 💗
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Warmly,
~Kristin (& Baby M)
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03/03/2022

As some of you may know, I have been a registered acupuncturist with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) since acupuncture was regulated in Ontario in 2013.
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For some reason unbeknownst to those of us in the profession, the government of Ontario is looking at de-regulating acupuncture.
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I will be honest. Regulation was a huge pain in my butt. A big part of the reason for this is that I started my school program before regulation came into effect.
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In order to meet the criteria to sit the four board exams required for me to practice acupuncture in Ontario, I needed to complete extra training. I had to work my butt off in order to be eligible to practice. It was a stressful experience, but I didn’t begrudge it because I do think that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine should be regulated. Untrained individuals could cause a great deal of harm.
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If this bill is passed and acupuncture is de-regulated, it is my understanding that acupuncture will return to the public domain and everyone from your butcher to your baker to your candlestick maker would be able to perform what is currently a controlled act.
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If you agree that acupuncture should continue to be regulated in Ontario, that we need strict standards in order to promote public safety, I would ask that you please consider signing the petition linked below.
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Thank you very much for your consideration on this matter.
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Warmly,
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~Kristin 😊
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ottawahealth

02/23/2022

Whether your health and wellness goal is to achieve and/or maintain your healthiest weight or optimize your energy levels, striving to keep your blood sugar balanced can go a long way towards helping you achieve your goal.
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Check out these great tips (on slide #2) from on ways to optimize your blood sugar levels. I have used all of them over the years, both personally and professionally, to great effect.
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Are you concerned about your blood sugar levels? Do you take active steps in order to balance them? I would be curious to hear.
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02/21/2022

One of the things I’ve learned—both personally and professionally—over my years of conscious, healthy eating is that meals don’t have to be unhealthy in order to be indulgent and/or decadent.
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Exhibit A: My husband made us a delicious (mostly certified organic) osso buco yesterday. Made with pasture-raised beef from , onions, carrots, celery, homemade chicken broth, red wine, and natural herbs & spices, there is no doubt that this dish was indulgent, but I see no reason why it wasn’t good for me. Especially given that it was balanced out with a large serving of red cabbage & onion.
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Sure, some parts of the beef were a little fatty, but pasture-raised meat has a more beneficial fatty acid profile than conventionally raised meat, including higher amounts of omega 3 essential fatty acids and significantly lower levels of saturated fat. Pasture-raised meat has also been found to be higher in vitamins A, E, and other antioxidants compared to the more standard grain fed meat.
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Do you have any favourite foods that you consider healthy, but indulgent? I would love to hear about them. I might just have to add them to my list of things to make in future
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02/15/2022

This quote really spoke to me when I saw it the other day. I have seen so much anger, judgment, finger-pointing, etc. over the course of the past couple of years. Unfortunately, things have escalated even more over the course of the past few weeks and months. (For those who are unaware, I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where the big trucker convoy/protest has been taking place.)
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Maybe it’s just me, but I think a big part of the problem we have all run into is getting stuck in our own viewpoint (which social media algorithms don’t help because they tend to show us the type of content that reinforces the beliefs that we already hold) and neglecting the exercise of trying to put ourselves in another person‘s shoes.
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So here is my challenge to all of us: The next time we find ourselves judging another person or situation, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves whether our egos may have somehow gotten involved. Are there thoughtful and compassionate questions we could ask in order to better understand someone else and/or their situation instead of jumping directly towards judgement? I could be wrong, but I feel like this simple act might help us all to move forward with greater love, kindness, respect, and empathy.
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I certainly don’t expect everybody to share the same values and perspectives, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could remember how to love and respect one another, not just in our own lives, but on a global scale?
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02/12/2022

Baby M: “Midday Squares. Fuelling Mommy, so that Mommy can fuel me.”
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As I drew closer to my due date, more and more of my mom friends started to recommend that I proactively make and/or purchase healthy meals and snacks that I could eat one-handed since, as I think most moms (and dads!) with infants might agree, there are numerous occasions during the day where one is really hungry, but unable to either sit down for a full meal or liberate both hands for a quick snack. Hence the value of nutritious foods that can be prepared and/or purchased ahead of time and eaten one handed. Enter,
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Here are just a few things that I like about Midday Squares:
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👉🏻 Nutritious.
👉🏼 Convenient.
👉🏽 Made exclusively with natural and/or organic real food ingredients.
👉🏾 A good source of fibre, prebiotics, and complete plant protein.
👉🏿 Blood sugar friendly.
👉🏻 Tasty & satisfying.
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I think that Midday Squares hit the nail on the head when they referred to their product as being, “Everything a [mainstream, conventional] chocolate bar isn’t, everything a protein bar wishes it was.” Simply put, while nothing is perfect for everyone, this products ticks all of the boxes when it comes to a quick, convenient, and nutritious snack. As previously mentioned, it also has the bonus of being easy to eat with one hand.
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I might currently be relying on these bars to offer me quick and convenient (not to mention delicious!) nutrition as the mother of a newborn, but they could benefit so many other people, including individuals with busy jobs who don’t always feel like they have the opportunity to sit down for a full meal, individuals who are frequently on the go, individuals leading active lifestyles, etc. The list goes on and on, but essentially includes anyone who is looking for a tasty and nutritious snack and/or meal replacement bar—and who isn’t sensitive and/or allergic to any of the ingredients, of course.
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Have you tried Midday Squares before? If so, what did you think? Would you agree with my assessment?
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02/11/2022

So often, perspective and positive framing are everything.
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How different might life in general—or a particular troubling situation—look if we made an effort to reframe it? Is there a possibility to be seen instead of (just) a problem?
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Some situations are horrible and brutal and I do not wish to take away from that. And yet, it has been my experience that, if we can train ourselves to look for the good in a situation—however much or little there is to be found—we can learn to see the world in a whole new way. What was once dark and devastating can become an opportunity for growth, enlightenment, and communion with parts of ourselves that we have forgotten or never knew existed. Our lives can transform into a journey in which positive possibilities abound.
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Are you a fan of positive framing? If this is something you have successfully incorporated into your life, what tips might you have for someone who is struggling to look on the bright side of life? Let’s share and help lift each other up.
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02/06/2022

I posted this earlier in one of my personal accounts, but decided that it could do well here, too.
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💞 🤱🏻 💞
I’m currently lying in bed, eating an organic dark chocolate bar (85% this time) with extra organic maple chunks, while my sleeping newborn cuddles up against me. My husband is sleeping after taking the lead on her care last night so that I could get some much needed rest. I am so grateful to him and the many blessings we enjoy as a couple and as individuals.
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I feel like this is one of the precious moments in life. A “Kodak moment,” if you will. I need to savour it so that I can fully soak in its goodness.
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The world isn’t only a madhouse right now. Nuttiness aside, there is so much good still going on. Let’s take some time to focus on that, too, shall we?
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If you feel inspired, tell me something amazing that is going on in your life right now. Share a happy picture in your Stories or on your Timeline (and maybe tag me in it, so that I can be sure to see it?). Tell me about something funny or amazing that has happened to you recently. Let’s help each other to shift the dialogue and remember how to connect with each other in kind, compassionate, and loving ways. The world still has a whole bunch of things to work through, but we might reach greater and faster resolution—and feel one heck of a lot better in the process—if we remember to connect with love, joy, respect, togetherness and all the other positive adjectives that you can think of.
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Let’s get the positivity train rolling! After two years of pandemic life, I suspect that we could all use the boost.
💞 🚂 💞
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Warmly, ~Kristin :-)
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💞 👨🏼‍🍼 💞

02/05/2022

This quote was shared with me by my friend and colleague, Kenton and I just love it.
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I find it particularly poignant given everything going on in the world these days.
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What do you think? Does this quote speak to you, too?
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02/02/2022

Gong hei fat choy! / Happy Lunar New Year!
🧡 🐯 🧡
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2022 is the year of the Water Tiger. It is predicted that the year will bring us greater opportunities to step into our own power and embrace our own courage, make big changes, take risks, rediscover our innate enthusiasm, and connect more deeply with our own generosity, especially where family is concerned.
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The water element suggests that we may have greater opportunities to explore our emotions and make decisions that benefit all.
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On the more cautionary side, Tiger energy can be very aggressive. As such, we might all do well too be attentive to the ways in which our motivation to lead and take action manifest.
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I tend to take things like zodiac predictions with a massive grain of salt. And yet, I find them interesting to read every now and again.
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Do you believe in the predictive power of zodiacs and/or horoscopes? I would be curious to hear!
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📸: This picture was taken by one of my sisters, while we were travelling through Southeast Asia. We were told that the tigers were well treated and not drugged. For multiple reasons, I hope that’s true.
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P.S. This post is a day late, as the first day of the lunar calendar was yesterday, February 1. And yet, given that I have a newborn at home, I will allow it.
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02/02/2022

Gong hei fat choy! / Happy Lunar New Year!
🧡 🐯 🧡
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2022 is the year of the Water Tiger. It is predicted that the year will bring us greater opportunities to step into our own power and embrace our own courage, make big changes, take risks, rediscover our innate enthusiasm, and connect more deeply with our own generosity, especially where family is concerned.
🧡 🐯 🧡
The water element suggests that we may have greater opportunities to explore our emotions and make decisions that benefit all.
🧡 🐯 🧡
On the more cautionary side, Tiger energy can be very aggressive. As such, we might all do well too be attentive to the ways in which our motivation to lead and take action manifest.
🧡 🐯 🧡
I tend to take things like zodiac predictions with a massive grain of salt. And yet, I find them interesting to read every now and again.
🧡 🐯 🧡
Do you believe in the predictive power of zodiacs and/or horoscopes? I would be curious to hear!
🧡 🐯 🧡
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📸: The tiger pictures were taken by one of my sisters, while we were visiting south east Asia. While I can’t know for absolute sure, I was told that the tigers were well treated and not drugged. For multiple reasons, I’m hoping that’s true.
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🧡 🐯 🧡
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P.S. The lunar new year was actually yesterday, February 1st. As such, I am a day late in posting this. And yet, given that I have a newborn at home, I will allow it.
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🧡 🐯 🧡

01/28/2022

I received the most thoughtful and heartwarming gift box from Bridgitte upon the announcement of my daughter’s birth. This quote, “Kindness, like a Boomerang, always returns,” was written on the outside of the box.
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I have been buying Giddy Yo(yo) products for close to a decade. Mainly the chocolate, but also the Love Butter (which leaves my—and now my infant daughter’s—skin feeling moisturized and smelling like chocolate decadence) and a few of the superfood powders.
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Not only do I like the flavour and selection of their product offerings, I have been continually impressed by the extra care that they take in sourcing their products and ensuring the highest quality standards. For instance, did you know that they evaluate heavy metal content (a big issue with chocolate) when selecting their cacao products or that they offer unrefined mountain salt because it lacks the plastic and other contaminants so often found in “natural” sea salt?
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Thank you, Bridgitte, for your generosity and unexpected kindness. Talk about a fantastic reminder of why I like to shop local and support small (compared to Hershey’s, at least), caring businesses like yours. You make a difference and I appreciate you!
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Have you ever received an unexpected gift from a person or business? If so, I would love to hear about it. Let’s spread the love and promote awareness for these wonderful, thoughtful people and businesses.
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