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Hey, Blogger world. I have been insanely busy with my new job, working as an RN in primary care, and with school, and...

It's time for the annual Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo!

Hey folks. It's that time again. Next weekend (wow I am posting late!) is the annual Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. It's July 21-22, 10 am- 3 pm both days. Tickets are $15 per adult for one day and $25 per adult for both days. However, I STILL have free tickets to give away, so make sure you hit me up!

You can get more info by heading over HERE. There are classes, over 100 exhibitors, including our sponsors Enjoy Life, BFREE, Smart Flour, and, one of my favorites, Canyon Bakehouse!


I hope to see ya'll there on Saturday! I can't go Sunday because I'll be at the FOO FIGHTERS in FENWAY!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July, America. Okay, that's all the American pride I can muster with what is going on these days. ANYWAY, we are having some folks over to celebrate our independence. I found some great gluten-free recipes on Pinterest to try out today.

• Vegan Avocado Caprese Pasta Salad from Emilie Eats. This looks so awesome and I am excited to share it, especially with my vegan m-i-l. I did buy some mozzarella too for on the side. I used Tinkyada organic brown rice spirals, which I get at my local Shaw's. This will be my first time making gluten free pasta in many years. I hope it works out well. It sure tastes good! 
• the recipe is found here on this link

• one word of advice, cook the pasta so its AL DENTE. 
• Herbed Potato Salad w/o mayo from The Tasty Bite. I am stoked for this! It is SO yummy (b/c, of course, I tried it already)! It reminds me of my family recipe of German potato salad. 
• The recipe is from The Tasty Bite, whom I LOVE. Here is the link 

I'll get back to you about how it all turned out! We are doing the traditional burgers, hot dogs, and I have vegan "burgers" from my veg folks (Dr. Praeger's black bean patties) . Keep an eye out on Instagram too. 

ALSO, keep an eye out for the yearly blog post about the Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo, which is coming up July 21-22 in Worcester, MA. 

Mental health

I trust you, folks. I'm an open book at times. I posted this elsewhere.

The other day I felt an urge I haven't felt in a long time. It was the urge to cut. I quickly suppressed it, addressed what was wrong, and looked at the tattoos that cover some of the old spots. I had the urge to get a tattoo instead, but I didn't. I recalled why I like tats and how they became a replacement almost for the act of self-mutilation. I ran my fingers over the ink and reminded myself of how far I've come. (1 tat says hope faith love).

I'm fine, by the way. I've been feeling more energy fatigue and grief lately. Some of it is the loss of my grandmother, the giving up of my cat Pippin, and the loss of famous strangers I looked up to. Some of is the normal day-to-day stress. I've been feeling fractured and having a hard time keeping the cracks together.

I'm writing this post because I AM okay. I did "get better". But the reality of mental illness is that whatever the demons are, PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, etc, they do not go away. They are merely suppressed or dealt with or handled. Every. Single. Day. Mental illness doesn't GO AWAY. I know we all know that.

I'm writing this because of the shit in my life, and despite the greatness in it, I still battle with my demons. I have depression, anxiety, and PTSD, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain. I'm a sexual assault survivor, an orphan, a poor "white trash" kid, someone who had an abortion, who tried to commit suicide at least 2 times in my life. I have secrets only a few of you know. I'm also a bisexual cis White woman with LOTS of love and support, with 2 Bachelors degrees and nearing a completed Masters.

My point here is that I have demons too. I take meds for them, antidepressants and supplements. I exercise, meditate, color. I have good and bad days. Despite all my support and love I have moments where I feel alone, scared, angry, etc. Mental illness is a real thing. Its a COMMON thing. We all need to wake up and face this reality. Mental health IS health. I say this as a survivor and an RN.

Write to your political officials. Speak out. Shout. March of you want. Do something about it. We need to be taken seriously! And if you're struggling, if your illness allows you, reach out. I'm alive because I did reach out all those years ago (Dec. 2006 I think). If you're worried about someone, call/text/email/visit them. Support each other!
Love you ☆Ment

Apathy and lack of time

Yes, this blogsite still exists but it's pretty defunct. I don't have the time, nor the care honestly, to keep it maintained. I post mostly on Instagram (here) and FB (here). I am busy with grad school (Master's in Nursing), clinical, and the day-to-day stuff of living.

I'll be at the GFAF Expo again this year, in Worcester, July 21-22. Check out the details here (GFAF Expo Worcester. You can buy tickets or you can wait until I get discounted ones! Check back for those tickets as I will post them here and FB (maybe IG if I can figure it out).

Come see me on Instagram (@cynikalkat) and FB!

Cheers
Kate