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North Carolina Facts: Yes, There Are Pelicans in North Carolina!

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I have always loved pelicans. As a child, my family would make trips down to Florida, and I would spend the whole drive with my face practically pressed against the car window searching for two things: palm trees and pelicans. The moment I spotted either one, I was absolutely thrilled. So imagine my delight when I discovered that you don't have to travel all the way to Florida to see these magnificent birds! Are there pelicans in North Carolina?? Are there pelicans in North Carolina? Yes! And a couple of years ago, I had the most wonderful experience photographing them right on the coast at Harkers Island, NC. The images I captured of these beautiful birds are some of my favorites, and I am so excited to share that I am heading back in just a couple of weeks. I am hoping to come home with even more stunning photos of these amazing creatures. The Two Types of Pelicans You Can Find in North Carolina According to NC Audubon, North Carolina is home to two species of pelicans, and each ...
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Stress Relief and Self-Care: Yoga and Stress Relief

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  Let’s continue on with our series on stress relief and self-care. As I’ve mentioned throughout this series, not every method is going to be the right fit for everyone, and that’s completely okay. The goal is to explore different options and find what works for you. Today I want to talk about yoga. Now, I’ll be upfront with you. I am not a yoga guru. My go-to stress relief when it comes to exercise is cardio. I love Zumba and Body Combat, and those have been fantastic for my stress levels. But I decided to step outside my comfort zone and give yoga a try as a beginner, partly to add another tool to my stress relief routine and partly because, let’s be honest, I could use some flexibility work! So consider this my honest, beginner’s take on yoga as a stress relief method. Before We Get Started: A Word of Caution Before beginning any new exercise routine, including yoga, please check with your doctor first, especially if you have any physical limitations, injuries, or health conditi...
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Navigating Healthcare After Divorce: What I Wish I Had Known-Intro to my E-Book

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  After nearly 40 years of marriage, my ex left without warning. And in the middle of everything that followed, the grief, the logistics, the complete restructuring of my entire life, I had to figure out something I had never had to think about before. Healthcare. For nearly four decades I had been covered under my ex-husband’s insurance through his job. I never had to think about premiums, deductibles, networks, or enrollment windows. I just handed over a card and that was that. Suddenly that card was gone and I was standing in the middle of a system I did not understand with no roadmap and no one to guide me. I will be honest. I made mistakes. I panicked. I went without care I needed because I was afraid of costs I did not understand. I sat in doctor’s offices nodding along to terminology I had never heard before, like facility fees and Good Faith Estimates, feeling completely lost and completely alone. But here is what I have learned over the years of trial, error, and a whole l...
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Stress Relief and Self Care-Need Stress Relief? Try Taking A Bath!

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Need Stress Relief? Try Taking a Bath. Life has a way of piling things on. Work, relationships, responsibilities, the nonstop mental chatter that follows you from room to room. We all need a release valve, and most of us are looking for one that does not require a gym membership or an hour we do not have. I am not typically a bath person. Showers have always been my go-to. But when I started reading about the therapeutic benefits of a warm bath, I was genuinely surprised. The research is real, and the benefits go deeper than just relaxing your muscles.   What a Warm Bath Actually Does for You Before I tried this myself, I did some reading. Here is what I found: Improves your mood  and acts as a natural mood booster Reduces stress and anxiety , giving your nervous system a chance to downshift Releases muscle tension and soreness , making your whole body feel looser and lighter Helps you fall asleep  more easily afterward Stimulates circulation  and calms the nervous s...
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Recipes – From Italy to My Kitchen – Kathiey’s Bruschetta

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There is something about warm weather that makes me want to slow down, open the windows, and eat something fresh and beautiful. That’s exactly what led me to Kathiey’s Bruschetta. Bruschetta (and yes, it’s pronounced brus-ket-a, not brus-shetta!) is actually an antipasto with deep Italian roots, dating all the way back to at least the 15th century. At its heart, it’s simply roasted bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. But over the centuries it has grown into something wonderfully versatile, with toppings ranging from spicy red pepper and fresh tomatoes to beans, cured meats, mozzarella, and fragrant basil. Humble ingredients. Big, gorgeous flavor. After browsing through several recipes, I decided to do what I always do: make it my own. I gathered my ingredients, put on some music, and let the kitchen do its thing. I gathered my ingredients…. Fresh Tomatoes   Fresh mozzarella cheese…Yum:-)   Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar...
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