I have a passion for learning about health and wellness. As I started discovering what foods felt best for my body through research and trial and error, I also started thinking about not just what I put inside my body, but what goes on the outside of my body. My skin was really breaking out and my hair was falling out and I needed some answers. As I started changing the food I eat, and what I put on my body, it helped my skin clear up, my hair to get fuller and helped me feel better overall.

Guest post by Aamira Martinez I was so happy when my friend, Aamira, decided to share her journey and wisdom about her marathon journey with lifepoints. Aamira is a respected actress, runner, and world traveler. I hope you are inspired as much as I am about her post below. Sometimes, you need a huge goal to remind you of how strong you truly are. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS, a hormonal imbalance that occurs in about 20% of women.

I have always admired the “Love Your Body” movement and celebrating your own size! This became harder during my pregnancy journey. Right before I started trying to conceive, I did the Whole 30 program, thinking this would be the best way to get myself in optimal health. I had read many success stories of people conceiving, right after whole 30, and thought this would be the best plan of action. I felt amazing after following the program, loved how my clothes were fitting, and was definitely feeling “body love”.

My husband and I are foodies or shall I say “whole foodies” and we absolutely love Trader Joes. We have always said that we want our home to always be near a Trader Joes and luckily that has been possible in our life. Since having our baby boy, my husband has voluntarily done the grocery shopping for us, which has been so helpful to our family. There are so many great whole foods that you can find there, at a reasonable price.

The other day, a mom friend and I decided to venture out to a coffee shop with our babies. As a first time mom, I am still getting used to taking my baby out, so I needed to find a coffee shop that understands kids, is spacious, and where you don’t feel like everyone is staring at you, if your baby starts crying or babbling. Candlewood Market Coffee and Tea Emporium was the perfect spot!

I have been Paleo several times in my life, and it always makes me feel great, but having a baby, I felt I should include grains in my diet. Recently, I realized that Gluten, Soy, and Dairy bother my baby boy and corn bothers me. This makes options for eating out limited. I am so glad I stumbled upon this gem of a place. You will not find any gluten, soy, dairy, or corn here.

It is hard to feel productive as a mom. As I type this, my 5 month old is doing tummy time, by my side, and I am cheering him on. As a mom, you definitely learn to multitask. As a woman who is always thinking up ideas and new goals, including starting this blog, I needed to figure out ways to feel productive during the day. Some days taking a shower is the most productive thing I do.

I eat about 90% organic, and try to limit grains. I used to be strictly paleo and I also have followed whole 30. The tricky part about dietary restrictions is going out to eat. Where can you go and still stick to your diet or shall I say lifestyle? HU Kitchen is your place! Their slogan is “Get back to Human.” When you enter, you will not find any conventional sweeteners, gluten, soy, GMO corn, commercial lecithins, no carrageenan, no preservatives, no chemically decaffinated coffee, no conventional chocolate, no canola/vegetable oils, no unverified natural flavors, no industrially-produced ascorbic or citric acids, no dextrin/maltodextrin, no refined sugar, no msg, and no gums.

I love reading inspirational books. I guess once I read Chicken Soup for the Soul as a youngster, I was hooked. Self-help books always seem to get me thinking and some are so powerful that they are able to change you. Below are the top books that have impacted my life and my favorite quotes from them. My dad gave this book to me and although it is fiction, I think about it often.

I love coffee, like REALLY love coffee! It all started when I was young. My family is Italian and mornings always started with coffee, holidays ended with coffee, and for fun we would go to diners for a midnight coffee. I know a lot of people don’t think coffee is healthy but it is my one vice, so I am leaning toward the fact that it is healthy. Below you will find my 10 favorite coffee shoppes around the world.