Over the years I have collaborated and partnered with several local businesses and providers and today I want to highlight the beautiful artistry of the award-winning Melissa Hayes of Hayes Fine Art. I recently had a chance to meet Melissa and tour her studio and WOW! Aside from being a long time follower of her work, I was thoroughly impressed with her space & accommodations, workflow and passion for her art. Melissa is more than a photographer-she creates and captures one-of-a-kind lifetime memories. I loved Melissa's energy and felt an instant bond as we discussed what it's like to be a twin, North Carolina implants and mompreneurs.

Highlights from my studio tour:

• ​The Studio- I loved the entire studio space as a whole and all the little details that made it so welcoming. It was open, calming, clean, organized and aesthetically pleasing. The studio was complete with various set ups for photos including the newest one for Fairy sessions, a diaper changing station, a playroom, kitchen & snack area, a laundry area, prop room with over 10,000 props & accessories, clothing/costume closet, a photo review room along with Melissa's office. Even the waiting area has plenty of room for families to be comfortable while surrounding you with Melissa's eye-catching work.

• Melissa's approach- While touring her stunning space, Melissa gave me an overview of what a photography session is like and how she and her team ensure that expectations are discussed and set during pre-session consultations, parents are reassured and able to sit and relax during newborn sessions, how siblings are included and cared for after the sessions (snacks, playroom, etc.) and that every little detail is in place for a well executed photoshoot even before clients arrive. Because Melissa is so well prepared, her sessions typically last about an hour which is very convenient for maternity, newborn and family portraits.

​

• Timing- As a mother herself, Melissa knows all too well how precious time is to us all. She described in depth how she can accommodate families who may have had their babies early. She also explained her "wait and watch" process and how she takes her time and waits for the perfect moments to present themselves to capture the best photos because patience can be the bring some of the most memorable moments in life. Communication is a key element for her artistry and she wants to give her clients the best experience possible no matter when they work with her. Every client that Melissa works with has a top tier experience with a plethora of ideas and options for family keepsakes.

​When looking for the right person to capture those precious family moments, from pregnancy to the early days with a newborn & parenthood, Melissa is the expert artist to call on for a luxury experience from start to finish. It only lasts a short while, so be sure to secure those cherished memories and book a session with Hayes Fine Art.

​A Special Gift
Best of Both Worlds Doula Services is excited to offer a complimentary photo session with Hayes Fine Art that includes a keepsake portrait. A limited number of these sessions will be available for 2023. Contact me for more information.

Did you know that September is:

• Sexual Health Month
• PCOS Awareness Month
• Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month
• Chronic Pain Awareness Month
• National Self Care Awareness Month

​Now that Fall is officially here, I wanted to revisit last year's "Self & Soul Care Season" and highlight some information related to the issues mentioned above. It is well known that the daily practice of self care keeps you in tune with your body. It becomes even more beneficial when something happens to the body such as illness, trauma or stress because you can quickly identify the problem and begin to process, reset & heal. And if you're anything like me, the balancing act we call life can get more than a little stressful at any given time. This week's guest blogger is my new friend, Shannon Thomas, Founder & CEO of Undiwash. Shannon and I connected through Endo Black earlier this summer and to say we hit it off is an understatement! I am so excited to have Shannon share her entrepreneurial journey with my followers.

1. Give me a brief background on yourself and Unidwash.
My name is Shannon Thomas the owner of UndiWash, UndiWash is a plant based vegan laundry detergent. UndiWash kills the bacteria that causes vaginal infections. I have worked in an Ob/Gyn office for the past 7 years so I am no stranger to the struggles women have with recurrent infections

2. How and why did you start Undiwash?
I have had my fair share of vaginal infections and have encountered so many women that just wanted a solution, I started UndiWash because taking antibiotics on a monthly basis was not something I wanted to continue doing. I figured there had to be another way to either stop or reduce the amount of infections I was having.

3. What were the best & most challenging parts of starting your business, both personally and professionally?
The best part about starting UndiWash is the response I have received from my clean panty crew members, the fact that my product is actually helping people get a piece of their life back is amazing to me. The challenging part personally is not being able to reach more people, I know there is a need for this product but it has been a little challenging trying to get to the masses.

4. What did you learn about yourself an­d your support system during the product development process?
I learned that we as a people can do anything that we set our minds to. There was definitely a challenge to get the correct ingredients and consistency but I was determined to figure out a way to make this product. During the entire process my crew made sure I had all the tools I needed to make this a reality.

5. Where do you see your business in 5 ­years?
I see UndiWash as a household name, We will be known for our detergent as well as the education we provide to anyone that will listen. Most people have not been taught proper hygiene techniques especially when it comes to our delicates.

6. What advice do you have for anyone looking to start a bu­siness?
The advice that I have for anyone looking to start a business would be to pray to be able to handle all of the things that comes with having a business especially if that is not the personality you have. For example, I am not used to talking to people. It takes me a while to be comfortable enough to hold a conversation with a stranger. With my type of business I have to talk to people to explain my product, I have to pray to be able to be comfortable enough to get that part of my business done. If i didn't pray I know anxiety would take over because this is something I would be uncomfortable doing.

7. Who do you look up to or admire in the holistic health community?
The person I look up to would be Bea Dixon, she is open and honest about how she started her business and she gives great advice to help others in this realm.

8. Tell me about your most recent business wi­n.
UndiWash is officially a part of the Spice Girlin Tribe, Being a Spice Girl with The Spice Suite gives our crew a brick and mortar place where they can come to chat with me while purchasing the products they need.

To learn more about UndiWash follow us on Instagram @Undiwash or visit our website ww.undiwash.co

It's been two years since I was diagnosed with endometriosis. A lot has changed for me since first sharing my journey. And while I am seemingly managing my pain and symptoms better, I am always learning something new about endometriosis and how it is affecting me and my body on a daily basis.

If you don't know, endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus causing chronic, debilitating pain and menstrual irregularities. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years and there is currently no cure (not even surgery). That is about 176 million women worldwide. Because endometriosis is a full body disease, it has the potential to spread to other places in the body outside of the reproductive organs such as the chest cavity, lungs, liver, kidneys, bladder and bowels. Many people don't know that there are different types of endo and there are four different stages (I-minimal, II-mild, III-moderate, and IV-severe).

So two years after my diagnosis, what's changed?

My daily life: Overall, my daily life has improved drastically. New meds and adjusting my health regimen again reduced my pain a lot and I am so grateful for this stage of my journey. My brain fog has also decreased which has been such a relief. Last year, business picked up for me drastically which meant more clients. I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep up since I am a solo doula. Even with a backup doula, I was working all the time. Not to mention my part time job. The community center where I teach my Zumba classes closed the building for over a year so I wasn't teaching classes, but my body was still taxed due to stress and pandemic restrictions. I just started teaching again a few weeks ago and it has been great for my mental health and my body is adjusting well too.

My physical health: I have more good days than bad days now. I have changed my diet yet again (surprise surprise). I started pelvic floor therapy a few months ago after being on the waitlist for 8 months, but that was short lived due to scheduling and my extensive dental surgery so I am going to start again in the Fall. The great news is that my endo flares and bad days are few and far between now. Y'all, I can sleep again!!! And of course that has led to me having more energy and time to do all the things. Never could I imagine getting up with the sun after a good night's sleep with endo. But here I am. There are days when I know I need to slow down and rest because I know the signs.

My mental health: I spent a lot of time last year focusing on my mental health for various reasons. I created my Black Tea IG Live series to have a safe space to talk to with others about Black issues, family, life, love, entrepreneurship and health. I have also been writing and praying more which always helps me release and refocus. My walk with God has been very comforting during the highs and lows of this past year. Especially when I have felt the loneliness of this disease. Since my diagnosis, my self care has been a top priority and it entails all of these things.

New revelation: After learning about sciatic endometriosis earlier this year, I believe that I may have this type of endometriosis. I'm looking more into it while I search for the best endometriosis specialist closest to me (Endo specialists are scarce and some individuals have to cross state lines just to find one). Sadly, I am also looking for a new doctor. Dr. Summers was amazing and most importantly, she listened to me. But I was notified in March that she was going on medical indefinitely.

New products: I have been embracing holistic options more and more these days. I take herbal supplements, prebiotics and probiotics daily now instead of countless ibuprofen which I know has made me healthier internally. Last October, I ditched my NuvaRing for Norethindrone at the suggestion of my doctor. She had suggested it months earlier, but I finally decided to give it a try. Not only did it balance my hormones (my estrogen dominance was very real), it reduced my pain by 90%! I went from having pain 5 days a week to maybe once a week. In April, I started taking ENtouch supplements created by my friend and fellow endo warrior, Samantha Denae. They have helped me so much! I am planning to post a full review of the capsules soon. The also recently started using Lilas Wellness pain patches which have been so helpful for my sciatic, hip and back pain caused by my endo. The other day I finally picked up some Semaine supplements from Target and I can't wait to try them.

New considerations: If I'm being honest, I feel like my nervous system needs a total reset and I'm trying to figure out how to best do that. I have been looking into non-traditional treatment options like acupuncture, sound therapy, reiki, womb massage and regular chiropractor visits. I know that I said before that I do not want to have another surgery after the long recovery from my myomectomy. But due to the fact that I have tried nearly everything under the sun to reduce my pain and heal my endo holistically, I am not seeing the results I thought I would at this point. So, I have put surgery back on the table as a treatment option. Is this ideal for me? Absolutely not. But if you know anything about endo then you know that an official diagnosis can only come from surgery. And Lord knows the worse thing that could do is have another surgery just for the surgeon to tell me they didn't find anything (I have heard stories and this is a real fear for many who believe they have endometriosis).

Earlier this year, I became an Endo Black Ambassador. I am responsible for raising awareness about endometriosis and sharing my personal experiences while living with this disease. I have found so much comfort in the Endo Black community because we all have similar stories & experiences that we each can relate to on a deep level. As always, I am working on collaborations and partnerships with other endo warriors as well as some businesses & organizations to continue to spread awareness, increase research & studies and hopefully get some disability legislation passed for those of us with endometriosis and other chronic diseases and illnesses. We deserve more care and support and we will fight for it just like we fight to have normal lives while living with endo. If you would like to collaborate, please feel free to contact me.

When I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2019, I was so relieved. Not only had I found a doctor who actually listened to me, but she had an answer for my debilitating pain. After years of confusion, dozens of doctors and several misdiagnosis, I felt like I could breathe again.

But last year proved to test me even more physically and mentally as well.

I thought the height of my pain was a few years ago when I became the caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. What I didn't yet know was that I had endometriosis and my chronic pain was just one symptom of many that I was experiencing. For over a year, I ignored my pain, put my business on hold & got a nanny job so that I could properly care for my mother all while still homeschooling my son and continuing my education through trainings and doula courses.

While I have been able to somewhat manage my physical pain since being diagnosed, I was not at all prepared for how endometriosis and stress would affect my mental health.

If 2020 taught us nothing, it taught us to focus on health and whole body wellness, especially mental health. Many things changed for me professionally and navigating a business during a pandemic was more than challenging. And due to the nature of my work, I had to make huge operational changes that completely modified the way I worked and connected with my clients. To say I was stressed was an understatement. Thank God for my husband who proved to be my saving grace and comfort more often that not after a long day of Zoom consultations and birth support. During this time, my main source of stress relief was halted overnight: exercise. I am a Zumba instructor as well as a doula and when Covid-19 began to rapidly spread across my city, county and state, everything was shut down including my classes. Truth be told, I was already planning the next phase of my fitness journey, but I did not anticipate how long my classes would be on hold. It has been over a year since I taught my last Zumba class and yes, I miss my students and the dance floor terribly. But it didn't matter. My body was holding on to so many emotions, it was presenting itself as physical pain and suffering which left me no energy or desire to exercise anyway.

May 2020 proved to be one of the hardest months to endure due to the murder of George Floyd. Between the news and social media, I was in a constant cycle of being triggered and when I am emotionally triggered, my body responds well before my brain has a chance to even process what is happening. This is likely due to my childhood and the sexual abuse I experienced as a young girl. Believe it or not, this was a HUGE revelation for me. Why you ask? Making the connection between my pain and what I was consuming (news, gossip, negativity, lies, videos of unarmed black and brown people being murdered, political propaganda and yes, even food) helped me to make the necessary changes to slow and break the continuous cycle of triggers and pain so that I can permanently release all the built up negativity and projections that I am physically and mentally holding on to.

I have known for some time that I have a stronger intuition about certain things than most people. Attunement is a word often used in the birth world when describing the way doulas connect with our clients. My son has actually helped me to tap into my own empathic power. What I have learned on my healing journey is that I am also an empath. However, I have recently discovered that this spiritual gift has been blocked in one way or another since I was a kid. So the more I teach my son to lean into his own power, the more I learn about my own and that has given me a peace I haven't had in long time. It assures me that I am indeed headed in the right direction with my healing.

This year I am continuing to focus on my mental health and releasing any blockages that may be holding me back from fully realizing my purpose. I have started writing and journaling again. I have been meditating and practicing Reiki therapy. I am moving my body intentionally through yoga and nature walks. I am also exploring acupuncture and sound therapy. I am open to any and all things that will facilitate healing and mental wellness. The most important thing is that I am happy and whole so that I can properly care for myself, my family and my clients. You can read my complete endo story and learn more about endometriosis here.

As an Endo Black Ambassador, I am responsible for raising awareness about endometriosis and sharing my personal experiences while living with this disease. I have found so much comfort in the Endo Black community because we all have similar stories & experiences that we each can relate to on a deep level. Below are testimonies from some of my fellow "endo warriors" about how endometriosis has effected their mental health. If you did not know, endometriosis is a FULL BODY DISEASE and that includes the physical, mental and emotional. There is no cure so we share our stories in hope that research will give us the answers we want and need someday. Please consider making a donation to Endo Black, Inc. today.

Seasons Greetings!!

Who wants a sweet treat just in time for Christmas?

Recently, I became an affiliate for Nightfood Ice Cream and I had to share my review of this creamy goodness!

I discovered Nightfood nighttime ice cream over the summer while on the hunt for some new snacks to stock up on. It just so happened that a rep from Nightfood reached out to me to review their "sleep friendly" products. If you've been following me for a while, then you know I have a sweet tooth and I have loved ice cream since I was a kid. Needless to say, I was uber excited to try their ice cream!

I tried both the Milk & Cookie Dough and After Dinner Mint Chip ice cream flavors. Both ice creams were smooth, creamy and light. The After Dinner Mint Chip had a cool, minty flavor that was refreshing and fun with the the slight crunch of the chocolate chips. I do wish the Milk & Cookie Dough would have had more cookie dough pieces in it, but overall the flavor was tasty and the pieces were good-sized. I will admit that I ate both pints in one sitting on two separate evenings. But at ~300 calories per pint, there is no need to feel guilty. With less sugar, fat, calories and lactose than the average ice cream AND higher protein & fiber, Nightfood is a healthier option for those late night cravings. Because what you eat before bed matters!

​And there are several other flavors to choose from including Bed & Breakfast, Midnight Chocolate, Cookies & Dreams, Full Moon Vanilla, Cold Brew Decaf, Cherry Eclipse and Pickles for Two.

More about Nightfood nighttime ice cream:

• ​It is filled with sleep supporting minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes
• It was developed by sleep & nutrition experts
• It is certified Kosher
• Five of eight flavors are gluten free
• It contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweetners
• It contains no milk hormones, rBST-free milk only
• It is formulated with added minerals to cause less heartburn
• It is a good source of protein
• It is the official ice cream of the American Pregnancy Association
• Parent, doctor, fitness coach, athlete and crave monster approved

Okay, so I know what you're thinking... is Nightfood only for pregnant people? No. Nightfood wasn't even originally formulated for pregnant people, but they are no doubt a big part of Nightfood's customer base which is why I highly recommend it to my clients, friends, family and followers. Nightfood has become my go-to snack when I'm craving something sweet before bed. And the cherry on top is that Nightfood is a delightful snack during pregnancy or postpartum (frankly anytime) and approved by children & adults alike so why not stock up for the entire family!

Want to try Nightfood for yourself?

Follow my affiliate link to order all the Nightfood you can store in your deeper freezer!

BONUS for expectant parents: Click here to see how you can get a free pint of Pickles for Two AND FREE SHIPPING!

Be sure to use the store locator to find out where you can get your free samples locally. 

And come back here after you try Nightfood for yourself and leave a comment. I'd love to know what you think! Happy Snacking!

And come back here after you try Nightfood for yourself and leave a comment. I'd love to know what you think!