Just a little over 7 years ago, I faced an incredibly difficult challenge. I was about to be homeless.

I had gone through a separation and was working out my divorce. Dividing property, money, coming to agreements. With the house sold it was time to move.

I was raising and caring for 4 young kids (with NO help) and no job and exhausted beyond all comprehension.

Because I did not have a job or good credit, it was incredibly difficult to find a place to rent. No one wanted to take a risk on me.

Thankfully, I found a place to rent, but had to pay a year of rent in advance. However, the timing to move in didn’t match up to my needs. With the house sold and the move-in date 6 weeks away, I needed a temporary shelter.

A kind friend with a large home, extended us an invitation to stay during our time of transition. It was a godsend. There was more than enough space for all of us.

I remember the panic that ensued leading up to that time. I was so worried we would have no place to go,...

I'm a bit of an addict when it comes to getting out on a hike as often as I can. I love to move my body, because I feel so good when I do.  I also enjoy finding new trails close to me and changing them up as well.

Today we headed to Chestnut Hill and hiked the Forbidden Drive trail. The weather was a crisp 70 degrees and it seemed like the entire community also had the same idea as us.

Brett and I figured out a way to make our hikes a little more challenging when we are ready using some body weight movements (more in a future post). We also decided to bring cash and do a longer version of the trail next time and stop for lunch at the Valley restaurant.

If you live in the area, I highly recommend you plan a date to get to Wissahickon Valley Park  and trek over Pennsylvania's trail of the year; Forbidden Drive Trail. We only did a section of the trail and hiked about 5 miles total. There are side trails off the main trail as well so the possibilities are endless.

We only...

I'll be 44 next week and as a woman in my 40's, I'm starting to really pay more attention to my skin. You see, it's common as a woman in your 40's to start to have tiny lines appear around your eyes, forehead, and crow's-feet start to set in. Even brown spots or broken capillaries may start to show up and your pores could look larger.

That said, you can do a lot to care for your skin and keep that youthful glow every woman truly wants. I am sharing my secrets with you today. Ready?

Diet Tips for Glowing Youthful Skin

First and foremost, healthy skin starts from the inside out. What you put in your body will show up through your skin.

It's important to stay hydrated to keep your skin glowing and rid your body of toxins. Just increasing your water consumption and staying consistent can give your skin that look of radiance.

Consuming a clean real food diet with plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, preferrably organic, will also be key.

Fresh greens like arugula, kale and collards...

No one enjoys feeling deprived. I associate deprivation with punishment, and it feels lousy to me. That's why diets don't work, IMHO...a dieting body is a starving body.

I can still remember it; I was on the Fat Flush diet, sitting in my kitchen frantically obsessing about my next meal. Starving and irritable. I went from just living day to day, eating as I pleased, when I was hungry, totally happy go-lucky; to feeling like a crazy lunatic, not enjoying my days, voracious appetite, impatient, wanting to find a way out of my newly committed diet.

Experiencing intense hunger, wanting to binge or hide and binge, eating much larger portions in some meals. I became a slave to food and eating. I spent exorbitant amounts of time, meticuloulsy planning meals, searching for recipes and food shopping. Buying new cookbooks and kitchen gadgets that were recommended for every new diet plan.

So many times I'd commit to a diet plan, go buy all the stuff for a week of a regimented meal plan, then...