About
We’re sisters living in separate cities on the East Coast, and this is our corner of the web to share with each other and you pieces of our daily lives, things we’re learning, and things we love.
About Steph
Hi! My name is Steph. I live, go to church, and lake hunt in Northern Virginia. I was raised in the Midwest for nearly 20 years, went to college in middle Tennessee, grew up in New York City, flirted with living in South Florida only to realize summer and palm trees lose their luster when they never go away, and now I’m here in Northern Virginia and loving every acre of it.
I left New York City and the music industry in 2010 to pursue a degree in Family Therapy with the dream of working with couples and children, but after a quick stint at a school in South Florida I met the love of my life online (eHarmony y’all – I’m serious, give it a try!) and ended up in Northern Virginia. And I can decidedly say it’s where I’m meant to be right here and right now. I love it.
I dream of making my own earrings, having a better camera, and renting jet skis at a beach house on the east coast, preferably the Outer Banks, and racing my sister and the boys (and winning). In the meantime, now that I’m not pushing records in the music industry anymore… I’m blogging. And job hunting.
About Kim
Hi, I’m Kim. I live in Brooklyn, New York City where I’m doing my best to follow Jesus, get 8 hours of sleep, and fit as many people as possible into my apartment for regular dinner parties.
I once was sick, and now I’m better. During that time, I realized how desperately broken I am and how good God is. I like to talk about how He rescued me and gave me new life and hope, as well as all the other things I learned along the way. That is, when I’m not geeking out about nutrition, hunting down the best organic burgers in NYC, or dreaming up road trips with the boyfriend my fiance.
I worked in marketing and publicity for 6 years, where I rubbed elbows with rappers and even earned a gold record on my wall (holla!!). In 2010 I left the music business to follow a crazy God-inspired dream to help hurting people feel better. So far it’s taken me into the classroom for nutrition, behind the front desk of a busy dental practice, and most recently into an assistant position in a world-class medical center, where I’m blessed to observe the day to day operations that go into positively impacting the health of our community.
Right now I’m busy planning (and saving up for!) our wedding, but I hope to be back in the classroom soon and on my way to helping others find the health and healing that God has so amazingly blessed me with.
I like to read emails: walletfriendlywellness@gmail.com
Trackbacks
- Welcome to Wallet Friendly Wellness « Wallet Friendly Wellness
- How I Started My Total Money Makeover: Emotionally Preparing to Be Debt Free « Wallet Friendly Wellness
- Getting Ready for Lyme Disease Awareness Month « Wallet Friendly Wellness
- How I Ended Up in South Florida Twice This Summer « Wallet Friendly Wellness
- Welcome to Wallet Friendly Wellness « Steph and Kim
Hi Kim,
I saw your comment! Another Lymie- I just read your “about you” i had exactly the same symptoms- and then some would go- now many back. Like you I was running around from doctor to doctor- and was finally diagnosed this past fall – but wasn’t until Late May that a doctor had even considered this may be a possibility.
you can email me directly to stay in touch- I will update my blog with how I do with hormonal aspect- my new LLMD really helped clear up a lot of the confusion. The other day my panic attacks started up again- bad – I called his office- at first nurse called and she already shed great amount of light on what is happening and list of possible ways to mitigate until i kick infections. she then said she wasn’t sure what to do with me and had my doctor call me – he called me a couple of minutes later and was so kind and understanding. In the end he told me to take smallest dose of XANAX before bed while the hormones act up and see if it helps for now. I can tell you volumes about my hormones and this – don’t want to get into on here.
I am so glad to read that you are almost back to old self! Like you – I refuse to let this bring me down! BUT it has been a hard struggle.
Best- Lyme Girl
Hi Lyme Girl! Thanks for checking out my blog, too. I love finding new Lyme bloggers to share with.
I’m so glad your new LLMD is helping so much and I’ll definitely be checking out your blog for updates. Right now I’m considered “98% done” but my last major symptoms are the headaches and the endocrine stuff, so I’m hoping my docs can address those early this year and put them behind me for good. It’s definitely been a struggle like you say, but I’m glad to have met another Lymie to share with and stay positive with! I’ll be checking out your blog daily 
Hi Kim – This is another 27 year old named Kim from the Midwest who also has Lyme
I have started writing guest posts on Lymenaide, and have my own blog Affairs of Living (www.affairsofliving.com) and The Healing Journal (thehealingjournal.blogspot.com). After years of weird health issues, I was diagnosed in 11/09 with Lyme, and I’m now on antibioticss. Anyway, I love your approach to wellness and your wallet-friendly ideas. I tend to blow a lot of my budget on food (good thing to spend money on, in my opinion) but it is hard when there are also so many medical bills. You have me curious about Total Money Makeover – I may just have to read it. I’m hoping to start grad school for acupuncture and Oriental medicine this fall, which involves moving to Portland, OR, and I’m freaking out about finances!
anyway, i’m glad to hear that you seem to be on the road to recovery (both healthwise and financially!) and that is really inspiring. i’m excited to learn more about your healing journey, and look forward to more posts!
best-
Kim
oh, i messed up my own URL – it is thehealingjournal.wordpress.com
anyway, thanks again for sharing yourself on this blog, and I look foward to reading more!
Hi Kim, Thanks for the comment! I actually bookmarked a couple of your recipes just last week to try out.
Congrats on finally getting a diagnosis and on being on your way towards health. Lyme is a super tough disease, but I honestly believe we can beat it.
And I hear you on spending all your money on food. That’s why I started my $50.00 a week grocery budget… I had to reign myself in! It’s exciting to see all the good things we can eat even with dietary restrictions and budget restrictions.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts on Lymenaide and your blogs! I’m hoping to go back to school too for nutrition, so here’s to 2010 for us!
I love the idea behind your blog. This disease is so expensive without having to worry about what we eat. Unfortunately I think this is where most people skimp. I also believe it is one of, if not the most important part of healing and living a healthy lifestyle.
Your attitude is awesome! I can’t wait to read more.
Ashley (www.lymenaide.com)
Hi Ashley, Thanks for the comment! Agreed – changing my diet totally changed my life! I was just checking out your article about FAR Infrared on Lymenaide the other day and am adding one of the sauna blankets to my in-the-future wishlist. Thanks for sharing all your research and experiences with us, too.
Wow, your story sounds a lot like mine, except perhaps you were undiagnosed for longer? How old were you when you were bitten?
I can’t imagine the medical costs had I been American. At the same time, there’s the possibility of still being undiagnosed in Canada- I was really only diagnosed by chance.
I just recently stumbled upon this little collective of Lyme bloggers that you (ladies?) seem to have. Maybe I should have started blogging earlier/reading earlier. It’s good to hear you’re doing better, it really gives me hope. Sigh, I have so many questions for Lyme patients but I don’t actually really *know* any. (For example, what antibiotic were you on and on what dose?)
Sorry for bombarding you, haha.
http://lymedlife.wordpress.com/
Hi Deena, Nice to meet you! I was bitten under the age of 8 (father was a deer hunter at that time) but that’s about as much as we can estimate. It definitely took a long time to diagnosis and then over 2 years of treatment. I just stopped the medicine very recently. So far I’m feeling great, so I’m praying I can keep it up!
You can email me at walletfriendlywellness@gmail.com with any questions, and I’ll write you back as soon as I can. There are a lot of great online resources that I can send your way. And definitely check out the blogs by the other ladies in the comments. They’ve posted a ton of great info and recipes that are really helpful.
Just sent you a brief email. Thank you!
Kim – I just happened upon your web site and want to say thanks so much (-: you are doing an amazing service here with all that you are sharing.
I was actually doing a web search on stevia and being an avid wellness seeking individual who is also living with a chronic illness (multiple sclerosis) can very much appreciate what you’ve been through. I was diagnosed in 2006 at 34 and initially thought I had Lyme disease… hiking in the woods in Maryland and West VA with my dogs and having to sadly see my dog die from Lymes (despite frontline/tick repellent being used) I was so sure this was also my fate – even if humans can be treated to an extent – there is much suffering with this and unknowns and uncertainty – all the same issues with MS too.
Striving for wellness – this is the cure where there is no cure through lifestyle, nutrition and mindset (-: I wish you well and will keep reading your site. I was just so touched I had to pause and write you this note. be well Jen S.
Hi Jen, Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your comment. I’m sorry to hear you’re also living with a chronic illness, and I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your dogs. Lyme and MS are ugly diseases! I’m glad you’re finding wellness through your lifestyle changes. Keep in touch, I’d love to hear your feedback and tips. And I’ll be praying that you can continue to experience health and happiness.
Wow you have such a great story and so much knowledge to share. You’re really an inspiration!
Thank you! I’m glad you stopped by. I’ll definitely be checking out your blog today.
I gave you a Happy 101 Award! It was given to me, and now I am passing on the joy. Follow the link to my blog for all the details! http://tinyurl.com/yzw7vr7
Have a wonderful day
– Kim | http://www.affairsofliving.com
Yay! Thank you!!
Kim, would you be willing for your story to be reprinted in a new Lyme blog? I would need your email address to send you the letter of info/permission. You can check out the new blog at http://www.lyme-overtheedge.blogspot.com. Thanks, Sandy Sheppard, assistant to Brandilyn Collins
Hi Sandy, I’d love to! Will email you shortly.
So glad we can meet, Kim! Thank you for visiting my blog. What a compelling health & life story you have here! When you pass by Savannah, GA on your way to visit your sister in Florida, please let me know! Would love to get to know you better!
Hi Kay! I’d love to! I’m itching for some Southern sun after this cold NYC winter