Harvesting My Own Aloe

It's a bit of a messy job, but it's totally worth having soft hands at the end of it! 

Aloe has a ton of benefits. It can be used for burnt skin, dry skin, as a laxative, and even for your hair! There are a ton of reasons to use it and why not do it yourself? The plants are a cactus-like plant....sooo, it's easy to grow for non-green thumb peoples of the world! I'm thinking of you! 

I used both of these websites for guidance, but really it's easy. You're basically scrapping out the gel inside once the initial bitter yellow goop comes out. You don't want that part because it can harm your skin and body.  

Style-Inked & Herbal Academy of New England

I also re-used a baby food jar to store my aloe in! All I need to do is re-label it.

So far, I've used it as a moisturizer on my skin and face. And it does wonders! I've also tried Aloe as a drink before and it works well as a laxative if you need something easy and natural. 

Ditching the Smartphone

Last year around this time I got my very first Smartphone. At first, it was fun and I enjoyed being connected to the generation around me. You know, everyone had one. And still having my flip phone seemed out of place at the time. 

But as a year had gone by, I feel like I've lost more of myself and the relationships around me. I feel like I communicate less, I don't do things I use to do (like ART, finishing a book, photographing), and I get so bored easier. It's boring scrolling on your phone. Does anyone else have this problem? 

Though there are some pros for my Smartphone, like GPS and games to keep me occupied whilst flaring. But I do own a regular GPS and I have a computer when I'm stuck in bed. And I think those things are enough. I already feel like I'm turning into a Zombie having a smartphone. I really find it unsettling that people rely on them so much when a regular phone does justice. 

I'll be making my change back to a flip phone with just call and text in September. And I'll be glad I did it! And not to mention, it's going to be a whole lot cheaper! 

Birthday and Christmas Wishlists

*Borrowing from my best friend, (Cut the Frills)*


"As my birthday is less than two months away it's time for my recurring post of "Please don't buy me more crap!": I would prefer not to be given gifts of things." -Sterling

~

As this is becoming more and more of my lifestyle, minimalism is something I've been exploring in the last two years and I'm taking it more seriously as this year approaches. I don't want to be living life with stuff. I want to experience life for what it is and what's around me. I'm expecting less things and more life. It's a step into the simple world and I would like to keep it that way. It's far less stress and more happiness with what I have. As a spoonie though, this may be challenging. But I feel that the rewards of minimalism will benefit my spoonie life beyond recognition!


I know my birthday just past, and I appreciate the gifts I have gotten. But it's time to get into this thing. Especially after going through my wardrobe, I'm ready to keep this simplicity thing up and going!


Here is my ode to gifts and such for special occasions:


"If you are desperate to buy me an actual item, please don't. Take me out for a meal or plan a nice experience. Buy a giftcard as an item. Or something useful- like a yummy snack or baking some cookies from scratch or homemade bee's wax candles or something! If you do buy me something don't get upset if I don't keep it. I genuinely appreciate being thought of, but that doesn't change the fact that I am trying to be a minimalist and adding more things when I am trying to subtract doesn't help with that goal. In any case, I am thankful and grateful for anything and not expecting much, just wanted to let everyone know clearly how I feel (again! haha! Will be posting every year!) /end post!" -Sterling


~

And if you do have a great need to purchase anything for me. The list below is a wishlist of things that are useful to me and I plan on buying/do buy for the sake of my health.


Pinterest Wishlist (all the things are here in one spot!)

or if you want a cheat list rather than click on the Pinterest Wishlist, look below

- Himalayan Salt Lamp
- Bees wax or Soy candles
- Luna Pad Gift Card
- Nuun Tablets
- Amazon, Wegmans, Sheetz, or Vitacost Gift Card

The only two more expensive items on my list are a new camera for work and a record player of my own.

*ALSO I don't need more socks! I got some for Christmas 2015 that will last me for awhile*

POTS Information POST: Everchanging Wardrobe

Sigh,

Wardrobe.

~

So, I want to narrow down the things I own and what I use in day to day life. I believe going minimalist for a chronic illness person is hard BUT useful. It's easier to get around, less things to worry about and less things to do. In life of chronic illness, less is MORE!

But as I have a lot of stomach issues and a very fluctuating weight, keeping the same clothes that fit you a year ago kind of go to waste. Everything changes. Your pants size, bra size, shirts.....and it's a pain to have to purchase new things. I guess it's like being pregnant every other year and not ever wearing the same clothing month to month.

I have done my research in narrowing down my wardrobe and paired it with chronic illness and this is what I got.

I'm going to have a box, in which I'll store the wardrobe that currently doesn't fit me. (aka) My clothing for when I'm only 100 lbs and sick. (I'm currently in the happy I'm a healthy weight stage). This way I can switch them back and forth and not waste clothing or have too much laying around. I mean how can you throw away good bras that you wore for a few months???? Crazy!!!!

THE BREAKDOWN: 

2 trousers/jeans*
3 tank tops
4 short sleeve shirts
2 long sleeve shirts/sweaters
2 skirts*
3 dresses*
1 fancy dress*
2-3 lounge pants/PJ bottoms
2 winter scarfs/gloves/hat
3 good bras*
Undies!
2 swimsuits (one larger, one smaller)*
1 winter jacket
1 spring jacket
Work Clothes
        2 pairs of shorts
        5 t-shirts
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of flats
1 pair of boots
2 pairs of flip flops


I know I'll still have double of some of this breakdown. But those are sick clothing, that are only going to be some items from this list (*). Those items being the things that really change when I loose/gain weight. I've managed to still wear some things better than others and so they can work for me anytime!