SARITA'S LIFE

Tomorrow is the big day where I go to Florida! I feel like I have been running around like a headless chicken because there are so many small things to take care of around the house. Fortunately though, majority of my packing is already finished so I woke up a bit early today to complete everything else.

I have also just posted a new video on my YouTube channel of everything I am packing for this trip, so if you'd like to watch that, you can find it here or watch it at the end of this post. The goal was for both Dimitar and I to share a suitcase together like we usual do for traveling; however, my shoes are too chunky this time around so we're taking two checked bags now. Yay.

I really wanted to pack light for this trip because I really don't like dealing with luggage. As it turns out though, I can now at least bring a few more items that I would have automatically left behind if we only had one bag with so, I suppose it all worked out for the better. Also, I really miss the days where everyone was given one free checked bag - what happened to those?

Packing for a vacation is so exciting to me. It's the start of a new adventure where everything starts to feel a bit more surreal. The idea of getting away from your day-to-day routine is like a breath of fresh air. Some may travel much more often that I do - and I seriously envy that!- but this vacation feels extra special to me since it's been almost two years since my last vacation.

For this trip, I'm bringing a bit of everything; shorts leggings, dresses, skirts. I know Florida is going to be hot and humid so anything tight or dark is a big NO for me. I want to feel comfortable in hot weather; not like I'm an egg frying on paved concrete in the dessert. I'm also bringing a bit of beach accessories as well like a Sand Free Blanket that prevents sand from getting on your towels as well as my beach bag from Myrtle Beach.

Of course, I will also vlog the entire trip because I'm hoping - fingers crossed - that I will be able to see all of the attraction I have my eyes on. I've heard that Florida has a surplus of bike stations all around Miami so it should be easy to get around. We'll only be in Florida for four days so we really want to try to make the most out of each day.

I also don't know if I will be able to upload my video by next Friday since Friday will also be the day I come back; there is also a cat coming to board with me. The vlog may come on Saturday instead which may be better since many people are home on Saturdays anyways. I am highly considering getting a new laptop just to edit my videos while away from home!

Right now, I am finishing up laundry, I'm about to setup the guinea pigs cage so that it holds extra hay, and then I need to make a stop to get some earplugs because we are going to be in Miami after all! Dimitar is actually returning from Bulgaria today in the afternoon so I want to try to get everything done before he arrives.

I think this will complete todays post and again, if you want to watch my packing video on YouTube, you can below. I'll be back in a few days and I can't wait to share all the goody details with you!

Until next time! xoxo - Sarah

It's been two days since I had my wisdom teeth extracted and it's been somewhat challenging - as usual. Overall though, it's really not as bad as I thought it was going to be but then again, I've literally done the most to make sure I recover fast. After all, even with my wisdom teeth out - all but one that is - I still have to fix one of my cracked molars so I'm not completely out of the woods. That will obviously have to come when my mouth heals but it's definitely on my to do list.

The first day of being home I wasn't able to do much. I had gauze in both sides of my mouth for the first few hours and I mostly felt tired as the drugs in me wore off. As for pain, there wasn't much apart from the stiffness in my jaw. My throat was sore though and it was hard to swallow or drink much which was expected.

I did start my period the day before the procedure so by the time I was home, I was feeling pretty light headed. I knew I had lost a lot of blood so I made sure to rest before I was able to make myself a protein shake. I did have everything laid out for me in the kitchen for convenience and by the time I had taken my gauze out and had my first sip of water, I was able to enjoy my first protein shake.

What I prepared for myself:

Salt water
Protein shake
Chicken soup (no chicken, veggies taken out but saved)
Electrolyte powder
Multivitamins, Vitamin D 2k+ ICU
Vitamin C (Speeds up healing)

Day 2 was the first official day where I had to start taking care of myself. I drank protein shakes 2x a day along with taking the pain medicine as needed with my multivitamins. I drank water as often as I could and did my best to relax as much as possible. By the end of the day, I had a cup of electrolyte water which really helped me fall asleep even though my head was elevated. For the first 4-7 days, it's recommended to keep your head elevated to prevent swelling which I wasn't too happy about.

Despite not being in much pain though, I was stressed out. I had little energy to do much around the apartment, I was on my period, I could hardly eat and always felt hungry, and I found myself thinking about personal issues that really had no business in my space to begin with. As hard as it was trying to be optimistic and comforting, on my second day of recovery I had a good cry - which as you can imagine is very hard to do when you can't move your mouth!

I always like to be productive in my spare time so feeling fatigue throughout the day is very weird for me. Normally when I have "off" days, I surrender my desire to control everything and find ways to enjoy myself instead - no work, no obligations, just chilling out. So that's what I did; watched YouTube videos and took naps.

Day 3 felt more normal for me. I made myself some delicious zucchini soup and it was so comforting! I stopped taking the pain medication I was given just because I wasn't in any pain and I noticed I started to feel even more fatigue. My hunger was still crazy though so I ended up finishing up the entire soup before dinner time which left me hangry.

That following night I developed mild chills. It was roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside and the AC was on in the apartment and I found myself putting two blankets on to stay warm. I then became really hot out of the blue so I got up to wash my face with cold water which really helped me relax and eventually helped me fall asleep. As it turns out, I developed a small cold which explained why I was feeling funky. I also developed a cold sore on my lip - yay.

On Day 4, I still felt very fatigue. I managed to eat some scrambled eggs which took me half an hour to eat because I was so worried about getting food stuck in my gums. I also swept the entire apartment which wasn't very smart since I had little energy to begin with. Since my sweet tooth was going wild, I even made some homemade ice-cream before taking a long two hour nap.

I did manage to sleep much better that night. I didn't toss and turn as much nor did I have the chills either. Before bed, I drank a cup of baking soda water which is said to help restore the Ph levels in your body to make it harder for bacteria to thrive in. By the next day, I felt a bit better and more energetic.

Day 5, I noticed my jaw was beginning to loosen up and my overall bite seemed aligned. It felt crooked before and it was weird to move my mouth in general. By this time, I made an effort to brush my teeth - no tooth paste - and brushed my tongue too since it was gross. I basically repeated my entire routine of making sure to eat, take my vitamins, drink plenty of water while taking naps when tired. My body was going through a lot so it was important not to stress it out.

Day 6, I feel much better and my cold seemed to have passed. Sleeping really helps so as much as I don't like sleeping during the day, it has to be done. My jaw isn't as tight now but opening is still limited; it's also not as swollen either. It does feel like something is lose in the back of mouth because I felt it with my tongue - but it could be the sutures coming undone as the wounds heal.

I have uploaded a complete video of my wisdom teeth extraction on my YouTube channel below for those interested in watching. I hope you find it inspiring and helpful incase you also need to get your wisdom teeth taken out!

Until next time! xoxo - Sarah

Last night, one of my molars cracked. The thing is, it's been cracked for some time now but I've been procrastinating on getting it fixed because of "everything" going on lately. As usual though, it cracks when I least expect it (while eating cauliflower pizza, so good) and now I am running around like a headless chicken trying to get it fixed because now the crack is even worse than it was before. Yay.

I am normally the kind of person who takes cares of problems before they get worse but not when it comes to my tooth. For starters, going to the Dentist is expensive even for the basics like teeth cleaning. If you have insurance - you'll get a decent deal - but if you're like me and you don't have insurance, it's a huge blow to your wallet.

After realizing that my tooth had cracked even more, I set up an emergency dentist appointment for the next day; I was going to take care of the issue once and for all so I could move on with my life. Nope. As it turns out, my wisdom teeth are growing out which likely caused my tooth to crack even more so now I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled AND repair a cracked tooth. Double yay.

I've always known that when you put important matters off, they will only find their way back around and sure enough, that's exactly what happened. I've never had issues with my wisdom teeth - no pain, none of mine are impacted - and for that I've been fortunate. However, now I have no choice but to get mine pulled because I don't want my teeth to suffer.

When I very briefly trained as a Dental Assistant, I remember sympathizing with patients who were distraught about their teeth and the cost of the different procedures. It broke my heart really because everyone knows that a great smile is what gives us all confidence. Sure, insurance exists to make everything more cost effective, but it just seems too limiting to me; If insurances can lower your prices, why aren't they lower to begin with?

I guess I'm a little annoyed by how all of this has escalated in just the past 12 hours but my point is, going to the dentist is not my cup of tea mostly because of how pricey everything is. I think if it were more affordable, we'd all have the smiles we deserve or at least consider going to the dentist more often.

I believe in the signs though and one lesson I've taken away from all of this is that I should never wait last minute to take care of a serious issue; especially when it is health related. So now, I have a consultation scheduled today for my wisdom teeth removal and hopeful during that process, I can also get my other tooth fixed as well. Fingers crossed.

Until next time! xoxo - Sarah

As you all may know from my post about my traveling plans, I am preparing for a getaway to Florida next month and I want to make sure I have everything ready. I've been doing more shopping than usual as a result and since every month I try to recap on my favorites, July is full of goodies that you'll want to try!

* This post may contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See disclosure for more details.

* This post is not sponsored.

Lately I have been super busy that sitting down to write a post has just been so hard to do; I'm so looking forward to getting away! With my side business picking up and taking more of my time than I thought it would, down moments are hard to come across but cherished even when they do make an appearance.

I'm grateful for it all nonetheless and spend everyday expressing gratitude for it. If you're ever in need of good meditation music, I highly recommend listening to this YouTube video for at least an hour every day. Every since I have been listening to it daily, so much for me has manifested in my life that I can only pass on the good vibes to someone else.

With that said, lets jump into July Favorites!

Toms Recycled Canvas Slip On

Two years ago I bought my first pair of Toms and I loved everything about them except for the fact that they were too small. Since I have small feet (I'm small in general) I bought a size 5 and while they were snug on my feet, I assumed the fabric would loosen up as I walked in them more. Nope. I had to throw the pair out during my trip and it really sucked. Fast forwarding to the present, I decided to buy a bigger size this time in the same design and sure enough - they fit like a glove!

Japanese White Chocolate Kit Kat

Inside the Mall, there was a new store that had just opened up that I was excited to check out. They sell international snacks and I really wanted to try the Matcha Kit Kat but unfortunately they were all sold out. I decided to buy the next best thing which was the White Chocolate ones. Now, I am not a white chocolate fan - but these were amazing! Dimitar and I devoured them because they were so good. Also, I feel like the Japanese Kit Kats aren't as sweet as the American ones which probably explains why I liked them so much.

Vega Protein & Greens Powder

Since doing Keto, I've noticed a few things changing within my body, not including weight loss. First, more of my hair falls out and second, my periods are always late. This may seem like a red flag to anyone just starting Keto but it's quite normal and fixable; sort of.

I've read that hair loss could be a result from not getting enough protein on a Keto diet so I went to my local BJ's and bought a big container of protein powder from Vega; It's Keto friendly and very tasty. I enjoy a shake first thing in the morning for breakfast or right after a work out. As for my late periods, I normally just take vitamins and eat dark chocolate and it normally triggers my period!

Soda Buckle Sandals

I've always wanted a pair of espadrille sandals but never got around to looking into them. I feel like they're the perfect sandal to wear during the Summer time because they practically go with every outfit! Since I don't care too much for heels in general, these sandals give me the best of both worlds and I'm so happy I finally bought a pair. They fit perfectly too and come in a variety of colors so I may just go back and buy the black pair as well!

Sun Bum Heat Protector Hair Spray

I have spent that past two years repairing my hair and it has been such a long process! Now I make sure I do everything I can to keep my hair healthy and protecting it from the sun is a big must! I came across Sun Bum's heat protector spray and since it protects hair against UV rays, I decided to give it a try. I've used it twice so far and I'm absolutely blown away by how smooth it makes my hair. I can now style it and be in the sun without worrying too much that my hair is going to get fried!

Kawaii Bee Keychain

Another new store in the Mall opened up and to my surprise they actually sell Kawaii stuff! I was so happy to discover this store and it was really hard to stop myself from buying everything! I decided to buy a cute bumble bee key chain along with a multi-color strawberry pen. I love them both but I really can't get enough of my keychain. It's the cutest thing ever - just look at the bee! I tried to find a similar keychain on Amazon, but unfortunately it seems to be pretty exclusive.

Spaghetti Strap Summer Dress

Since I've lost a lot of weight, I've been meaning to update my wardrobe to celebrate. I've heard that Florida is going to be very hot and humid so I wanted a dress that was cute yet breathable. I searched for so long to find the perfect dress and I finally found one that I like and bought a black one and white one; one for the evening, and one to wear during the day. The dress has a very low cut - something I am not used to - but I still like the dresses and will wear them!

Ghost Hunters TV Show

Back in early 2000's, I remember obsessing's over a show called Ghost Hunters. I waited every week for the show to air and it was literally the highlight of my week. I even bugged my dad to buy me the first season! Well, I ended up forgetting about the show until just recently and it's such a throw back. Whether the show is real or not - it doesn't matter - as I still enjoy watching it for history aspect of it. If you like paranormal stuff, this show will keep you entertained!

Kdrama Nevertheless

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had the chance to find any new Kdrama's to watch. I had a slow evening one day though and discovered a recently aired drama and I ended up watching it the entire day! I loved all of the characters too as the show portrays the importance of self-love and trust. If you're looking for a romantic Kdrama show to indulge in, watch this one!

Well this completes my July Favorites for this month - August will be a crazy month for sure but I should have some more goodies to share with you all by then! Stay tuned for my YouTube video also which you can watch below.

Until Next Time! xoxo - Sarah

There used to be a time long ago where I unintentionally surrounded myself with people who didn't have my best interests in mind. They would constantly ignore my boundaries because I was too scared to establish any. As time went on, the patterns of toxic people around me grew even more to the point where I had no choice but to face reality; If I didn't develop some kind of standards in my life, I would never be happy.

The hardest part about being honest with yourself is realizing that once you take a step forward, you can't go back. Once you raise your standards and realize how liberating it truly is, you will never be able to approach your life the same as you once did before. As my relationships began to crumble because of the pressures I was forcing myself to carry, I did my best to bottle up my concerns and not express myself. For me, it was better than starting a fight because I had been around too much of that growing up.

It took getting hurt many times by friends, partners, and family members, for me to reach a tipping point. It took going in an out of depression, isolating myself to figure out my own inner truth just to grow into the woman that I am today. For majority of my life, I felt like I didn't have a choice or the right to disagree because I grew up being the youngest amongst three sisters. Whenever I wanted to do something my own way and my sisters didn't agree, they would turn against me which always made me question myself. I had a fantasy of living my life exactly as I wanted to and this thought reassured me that I'd get to one day. Years later, I was able to do just that.

When I moved to Baltimore from Texas for the first time at the age of 19, I was scared out of my mind. I only had a few thousand dollars in my bank account and I was moving to a state I had never been to - I didn't even have a place to stay. I just saw one picture on google that impressed me and I decided that I was going to move there. As scary as it all was, it was the best decision I had made for myself in a long time and one I will always cherish. Living on my own and building up my own worth made me realize once and for all that I had something to offer this world.

It was this point where I learned to welcome going out of my comfort zone. I took advantage of my own independence by doing things I had wanted to do like trying new hobbies. I made an effort to speak my mind more often, even if it was just to order at a café I had never been too. The more I dipped myself into this new world where I was the rising star, the more I enjoyed my life. Many around me criticized me for being impulsive or distant even, but I was finally living my life and I was actually happy.

Going out of my comfort showed me who I really was. It pushed me to try new things, but also showed me how valuable my own company was. I gained confidence within myself, I improved my own spirituality, and life just overall started to become much more enjoyable. I came to realize that trying new things and giving myself new experiences made me feel free. If I was faced with an issue constantly, I'd push myself to face it. If I wanted to do something badly enough to where I couldn't stop thinking about it, I'd push myself to finally try it.

I came to see my life as a big game that I could only win if I at least tried to play. For majority of my childhood, I felt like I was constantly being cornered, only existing in someone else's shadow. Going out of my comfort zone felt like an internal battle (because it was) but when I saw how much happier I was in the end, I wanted more. Slowly, my fears and insecurities drifted away and I became eager to improve myself. I wanted to learn more about this girl hiding within me and watch her grow into someone I could admire and present to the world proudly.

So leave your comfort zone if you want to see how exciting your life can truly be. Empower yourself to be your own best friend and you will always feel supported in everything you do. Be the best you can be no matter how much criticism or judgement you get from the outside world. Your life is your own and it depends on you to be there every step of the way. After all, even stars shine against the darkest night.

Until next time! xoxo - Sarah

It's quite common to become dehydrated on a Keto diet, mostly because of how our bodies change from within; going from relying on carbs for fuel to burning fat instead is a big deal for anyone aiming to lose weight on Keto. Because of the changes your body is undergoing, staying hydrated is key to a successful Keto experience, especially now that Summer is here.

* This post may contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See disclosure for more details.

* This post is sponsored.

To have a successful Keto experience, it's important to understand how our body changes on a Keto diet. That way, we can better take care of our body and prevent what's commonly referred to as the Keto Flu, or other complications as a result of dehydration. Since I plan on doing Keto for the rest of my life, learning the ins and outs gives me the confidence I need to achieve my fitness goals and it will help you succeed with yours as well.

When you first start Keto, your body is not used to burning fat for fuel, but instead it relies on carbs and sugar. Once you've done Keto long enough to put you into a state of Ketosis, your liver starts to produce ketones. After this, your body shifts to becoming fat adapted as it starts to target the fat stores in your body, which will then help you lose weight.

For as long as your body is in a state of Ketosis, your body has a good amount of sodium within it due to the high levels of ketones. Because of this, staying hydrated will not only help remove the excess sodium from your body, but it will also prevent your body from holding onto excess water too, often known as water weight. Whether you're working out, spending time in the sun, or you're on certain medications, doing Keto isn't just about eating fewer carbs, but also about staying hydrated to avoid dehydration.

Here are some common signs that your body is dehydrated while doing Keto:

Constipation
Dry eyes
Dry mouth
Water retention
Brain fog
Headaches
Body aches or spasms

To prevent your body from becoming dehydrated, you can do any of the following:

Drink plenty of water daily
Eat plenty of vegetables
Drink smoothies
Take electrolyte supplements

Since I personally like convenience, I use supplements as a way to ensure my body is being properly hydrated. Even with a proper Keto diet, drinking plenty of water, and working out every other day, supplements simply give me an ease of mind that my body is being cared for. One product that I personal enjoy using now that summer is here and I am sweating much more, is by Perfect Keto and it's their Daily Electrolytes supplement.

Perfect Keto's Daily Electrolytes

Perfect Keto's Daily Electrolytes comes in a 10.6 oz container, giving you at least 46 servings; that's a lot! You can choose from many different flavors, but I chose the Black Cherry flavor since I wanted to try something new for a change. I found the flavor to have a subtle sweetness and tang to it but you choose their other flavors that meet your taste buds or even flavorless capsules. To enjoy the Daily Electrolytes powder though, I use one scoop of powder with about 10-12 oz of water and mix it using a Blender bottle.

46 Servers per Daily Electrolytes container

I love Perfect Keto's Daily Electrolytes because it really makes it easy to keep my body hydrated. Sometimes on my workout days I feel pretty tired and restless but by taking this supplement right afterwards, I find myself not only less sore but more energetic; I hardly get the Keto Flu too! With it being extremely hot outside now, I notice how much better I feel and how regularly I even go to the bathroom just by taking this supplement.

Shown above: Black Cherry flavor

Additionally, daily Electrolytes is formulated specifically to offer maximum hydration so that our bodies can be at their best while on Keto. It's formula has a combination of sodium, chloride, Potassium, and magnesium. It even has Vitamin D in it; a vitamin I have come to adore taking because it keeps my mood boosted and keeps my immune system strong. Last but least, Perfect Keto's Daily Electrolytes has no sugar, no carbs, no calories, and all natural flavors; giving you one less thing to have to worry about!

So, whether you're a beginner to Keto or you're more experienced, you will definitely find your daily routine much easier with Perfect Keto's Daily Electrolytes. To stay hydrated this Summer and look and feel your best, Perfect Keto is offering $10 off their Daily Electrolytes supplement from July 18 to July 22; so be sure to head on over to get your favorite flavor and use promo code "SALTY10" during check out ( $30 in cart minimum).

$10 OFF Daily Electrolytes - 7/18-7/22

Until next time! xoxo - Sarah

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