May was Mental Health Awareness Month: Living with Panic and Anxiety

Hi everyone, in case you didn't know, May was Mental Health Awareness Month. Of course, I only found out about it at the end of the month, when people "came out" as having a mental illness. Today, I want to come out to you. I suffer from a panic and anxiety disorder that I was only diagnosed with recently. How do you know you suffer from either of these? Well let's see, I'll start with something simple. You over think and over analyze any criticism. You may worry about what people may think  of you, so maybe you don't leave the house except for work and comfortable activities. Big, loud places make you extremely anxious. You get unexplained chest pain and feel totally overwhelmed by life. You suffered a traumatic loss or event, and your grieving process is complicated.

In my case, I lost two family members within the course of a year. My grandfather passed away after suffering for three years. My father and I were his primary caregivers, even though he was in a nursing home, and we spent hours a day with him making sure he was well cared for and received attention. His loss left me sad and empty, but I began feeling better about six months after he died. In June of 2014, my mother died suddenly from sepsis and a massive stroke. To say our relationship was rocky was an understatement. After she died, I began having night terrors and panic attacks. I barely left the house because I couldn't deal with all of the input around me. I was empty and angry, and therapy only took some of the edge off. After months of suffering, I finally spoke to my doctor, who had a similar experience. She recommended cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. I now had someone who listened and gave me a way to refocus my energy and thoughts. It was okay to be anxious, it just couldn't control me. The medication slowly stopped the panic attacks. Two months later, I feel like a new person.

I decided to write this personal story because I wanted you to know that you're not alone. There are many avenues for help, and you can get free or very low cost assistance. Many people I know go to therapy and/or take medication. There is no stigma attached to taking care of yourself. Love yourself and get help if you need it. If you need to talk, feel free to message me.

Hugs,

Miss Shelly

Intro & Gluten Free Flour Blend

I have so many allergies and random health stuff that it should have been no surprise when my doctor told me it was time to go gluten free in an attempt to improve my health, but it really was.  I love research and development, it's my favorite part of creating products for 13th Moon, taking a bunch of ingredients and turning them into a something new that's completely different from what you started with.  It's the alchemy of it all, which is also why I love cooking and baking.  So why had I never even thought about the gluten free world, what it was, and how to happily exist in it?  Well, it was time to get started......and off I went down the rabbit hole....

Now, my gluten tolerant friends, please bear with me, as I promise I do not want to see your eyes glaze over while we talk about this whole gluten free thing that I know some of you don't even think is a real thing (but I assure you, it is totally a real thing). To make everyone happy, I will be sharing at least 2 versions of most of the recipes here; the gluten free version, plus a regular version.  I shy away from most dairy, so my recipes will tend to show Coconut Milk, you can always substitute regular milk in place of it, but you may have to play with the ratios.I use organic eggs from a local farm, so I am not vegan, but I have played with vegan versions as well.  I will always share what works and what is a total fail so you don't have to waste your time or money testing.  Sometimes those flax eggs just change the texture of things, there's no getting around it.

Find on Amazon

The first thing I set out to make was donuts!  There is nothing I love more than a good donut.  So, after learning that I was supposed to get new bakeware to cook my gluten free goodies in, it was the perfect excuse to get this bad boy for my birthday!  The Babycakes Multi Treat Maker makes cupcakes, mini donuts, cake pops (as they list it, or as I call it, donut holes) with it's three different plate options.  It makes 7 donuts in about 5-7 minutes depending or recipe and 12 donut holes or cake pops in 4-5 mins or so.  I believe it takes about 12 mins for 7 cupcakes.
 This is not an ad for Babycakes, I just really love this little guy, it's served me well and figured it was worth sharing with you since I love it so much.

On my Pinterest adventures, I found that there were more disasters than successes in attempting to duplicate "the best gluten free" this or that.  So, I set out to try to take good notes on my adventures and maybe I can help some of you save on the waste of ingredients and time.  So, the best way to start off is with the basics, an all purpose four!  Below is my favorite blend of gluten free flours to make a light, airy, not gritty end result as an All Purpose Flour substitute.  This is what I will be referring to as the SR Flour Blend in future recipes. :) 

SR Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend

3 parts White Rice Flour

2 parts Brown Rice Flour

2 parts Tapioca Starch

1 part Corn Starch

1 part Potato Starch

I do not add Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum to this base, I add it to each recipe individually.

Enjoy!

I'll be back tomorrow with my favorite donut recipe for National Donut Day!

~Selena of 13th Moon
XoXoXo

Joining the Sinister Rouge Crew

When I was approached by Selena about contributing to SR, I couldn't say no! After being a lover of 13th Moon Creations (aka the reason why I always smell so good) for a few years now and learning about the self-love messages SR promotes, it was a good match.

So now I want to introduce myself and what I do!

I'm Keith Blackwell. I've been labeled everything from tarot reader, psychic, witch, more, and everything in-between. I think what I do speaks more than any label could! I am a co-owner of a counseling business in Lehighton, and conduct tarot readings, astrological consultations, and ministerial services.

I help people get clear and get through the things that are causing a lack of flow in their lives. People bring their problems to the table, anything ranging from school/relationship issues, business advice, to paranormal activity and beyond! When I shuffle the deck, I am literally putting all the different aspects and possibilities of the Universe into motion and I'll also let you know what the planets have to say.

Here on the SR blog, I'll be posting every so often about the latest astrological happenings or addressing any questions or topics that are thrown my way! (You can leave these in the comments below!)

You can find me online at www.KSBlackwell.com or email me at kblackwell7 @ gmail.com

XO 

Keith

#TakeMeHomeTuesday: Please meet Star and Benny

Hi everyone! I'm back again with two more rescue cats to highlight from Itty Bitty Kitty!

The first cat is Benny.

He's adorable. This picture doesn't do him justice!

He's a young stripy cat. He's totally adorable and ridiculous. When I walked over to his cage to initially meet him, I found him flopped over and kneading the air. I knew I was in trouble. I opened the door and picked him up, and he proceeded to climb up on my shoulders and onto my head, purring and kneading the whole time. He eventually flopped over into my arms, where patrons walked over to pet this amazingly docile cat. He remained in my lap for a good half hour, ignoring all of the dogs walking through with their guardians. He's a love bug and needs a good home.

Benny!

I mean look at him - he's a big bigger now, but he's a silly boy!

Next is Star. 

This is her favorite position.

No, seriously.

Ok, maybe this is.

Just look at her!

Look into my eyes. You're feeling sleepy. I can make you cluck.

But seriously, Star is super sweet, sedate, and adorable. She's a gorgeous furball, and she needs a loving home. She just wants to flop and be petted. In fact, you may see her stay in the same spot all day soaking up the sun. That's just the kind of laid back kitty you'll get if you adopt her. 

If you're interest in having a pet highlighted, contact me! I would love to work with your shelter!

It's a Good Time to Get Down

Spring has sprung in NEPA!  For me that means it is time to come out of 'hibernation' and become active again.  Most weekends you will find me whitewater kayaking or at a music festivals.  My first music festival of the year will be Goodtimes Getdown. 

Last year was my first time attending Goodtimes Getdown.  Part of the fun was competing in their glamping competition.  Glamping or glamourous camping sounded right up my alley.  We ended up winning first prize.

Everyone should have roses while camping.

Our winning setup got us invited to attend another festival, Opple Topple.  At Opple Topple we met some people that are now close friends.  It is crazy when you think of the domino effect that can happen when you put yourself out there.  

Getting my glow on.

I understand that sometimes it is hard to take that first step.  Whether it may be striking up a conversation with someone, dancing in public, or trying something new.  I encourage everyone to get outside their comfort zone, try something new or something that you've always wanted to do.  

Our "lava" floored living room.

If I have happened to inspire you to come to Goodtimes Getdown, stop by the blue glowing tent and say hello.  You never know what you could happen next!

-NéNé

I am not a juggler!

That was confirmed the first time I visited the Pocono Juggle Fest.  However, I have seen the fest grow to now include other circus arts.  At this year's event, Cheryl "Twinfinity" Honchen was vending and teaching twin hooping.  "Twinning" also isn't my thing.  My left hand is not a team player.  But if twin or body hooping interests you, Twinfinity is an amazing instructor based in Lehighton, PA.  You can checkout Twinfinity on Facebook.

Pictured left to right:  Knotty NéNé, Kim (Co-Organizer),Twinfinity

Crack!  That familiar sound got my attention.  The gentleman making the sonic boom was Kyle Mertz of Kyle's Kracking Whips.  My boyfriend's son shares my love of whip cracking.  Kyle and I looked on with pride (and ringing ears) as we watched him crack his whip.  

Kyle was curious about corsets.

Human sized hamster balls, rolla bolla, hover craft it is easy to understand why it is a three day fest.  If your curiosity is peaked, you can keep up to date on their website.

I have a year to get better at handling balls.

#TakeMeHomeTuesday - Itty Bitty Kitty - Rescue Spotlight!

Rescue Spotlight: Itty Bitty Kitty

First a little back story: When my parents moved to PA in June of2003, my dad decided that he needed a kitten of his own. Lancelot, a polydactyl tuxedo, known as Morpheus at the time, weaseled his way into his heart. I had recently moved to MA, and wanted a cat of my own. In October, I came home to visit, and his grumpy littermate, named Neo, wasn’t yet adopted. Kathy, who worked with Peaceable Kingdom at the time, brought Neo (who is now known as Loki) to meet me. Loki purred at me and chilled in my lap. After an 8 hour drive, we settled into my apartment, and we’ve been best buddies ever since.

Flash forward a few years, and Kathy started a fo ster only organization known as Itty Bitty Kitty. They’re currently raising money for a shelter, since the cats are either housed at a home or in a Pet Store.  Those of us who volunteer go to the stores, answer questions, play with the cats and take care of their enclosures. It’s not the best environment, to be sure.  If you’re interested in helping at all, please click on the link above!

Let me highlight two of the older kitties we currently in the mix, Big Dude and Jill.

Big Dude (https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/31419585) is adorable and a big love bug. All he wants to do is eat treats and catnip. He loves playing with toys, being brushed, and petted. He just needs a home where he will be showered with affection and love!

Jill (https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/31967773) was recently returned. This is her second time coming back to IBK. She’s super sweet and just needs a forever home!

If you’re interested in adopting one of these sweet kitties, just click on the link above to get more information and contact IBK. We’re always looking for volunteers and foster families too!