be unapologetically you.

I have worked as a registered nurse with cancer patients for the past six years. This is a population that I love with all my heart. My patients have inspired me, made me laugh until my abs hurt, made me cry, pray and hope. But most of all, they open my eyes to a more true meaning in life. 

This article has a great insight into how courageous cancer survivors learn to live.

My two favorite parts?

"People who survive cancer tend to get feisty... They say what they think. They laugh often. They don't make excuses. They wear purple muumuus when they want to."

-and-

"People who survive cancer have a whole new appreciation for health. Those who haven’t been there may take it for granted. So stop smoking. Eat healthy. Drink in moderation. Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid toxic poisons. Get enough sleep. Above all else, prioritize self care."

Amen sisters! I felt a little lighter after reading it--hope you do too!

xoxo,

naturally feisty and unapologetically me

a love story.

I am a firm believer that the health of the relationships in your life are great contributors to physical health.

This story is an amazing example of how love can lead to healing.

Get your kleenex handy :)

A Love Story.

Sushi, as harmless as it looks?

This weekend I went to sushi with friends. We went to my favorite sushi place in the city.

When eating sushi, I never think twice about what I'm eating. My only thoughts consisted of, Do these flavors go together? and Do I need to dip my roll in the soy/wasabi concoction I just made?

I then started reading Eating Animals, recommended by my boyfriend James, and suddenly I cannot stop thinking. Don't get me wrong, I love sushi, but I love the ocean more (I may have referenced Finding Nemo three times on my last trip to San Francisco.).

Where is the fish I'm eating coming from and what, if any, damage to the environment is caused by catching it?

According to Foer, "the average shrimp trawling operation throws back 80 to 90 percent of the sea animals it captures overboard, dead or dying, as bycatch (Endangered species account for much of this bycatch.) ... Or take tuna. [There are another] 145 species regularly killed--gratuitously--while killing tuna... Imagine being served a plate of sushi. But this plate also holds all the animals that were killed for your serving of sushi. The plate might have to be five feet across."

Wow Foer! Way to open my eyes to an unknown case of collateral damage--one my heart, and stomach, do not take lightly. I'm not telling you to stop eating sushi completely. My hope is that you'll think before going to your local all-you-can-eat sushi joint, or  before buying that last roll you just might not finish.

Xoxo,
Nemo Lover

(Photo courtesy of Katie Hansen, edited by me.)