u/wingsofbrilliance

I did an Ombre microbiome test a year ago (after traveling and dealing with some dysbiosis) and these were my results:

• Bifidobacterium: 0.1% of total bacteria — very low. This genus is one of the main groups thought to compete with and help keep opportunistic fungi/pathobionts in check.
• Lactobacillus: 1.4% — also on the low side for what's often considered a healthy range.
• Akkermansia: 0.6% — low. This one is tied to gut lining/mucosal health.
• Bacteroides (30.8%) and Prevotella (28.7%) together make up about 60% of your entire bacterial population — extremely dominant, which is a very lopsided ratio.
• Firmicutes came in around 37% vs Bacteroidetes ~61% at the phylum level, another sign of an atypical balance.
• Beneficial short-chain-fatty-acid producers like Faecalibacterium (6.5%) and Roseburia (0.7%) are present but modest relative to the Bacteroides/Prevotella dominance.

Despite eating a primarily raw vegan low fat fruit based diet for the past few years, I still deal with candida overgrowth (don't come at me with fruit feeding candida - i haven't dealt with issues unless i'm eating more fat)...

My symptoms:

- bumps all over back and chest

- rashes sometimes if it gets bad

- yeast infections if I eat sauerkraut, coconut aminos etc.

I'm thinking the missing key is my imbalanced gut microbiome. thoughts?

I've experimented with removing all overt fats while eating as much fruit as I want, and my candida has subsided. Fat keeps sugar in the bloodstream longer so removing it for a short period of time allows the candida to rebalance.

This shows that the anti candida diet with no fruit is absolutely unnecessary. Processed sugar, starches, and high fat are the problem. Plus the fruit actually cleanses the body. Give it a try!

I’m looking for a show that’s not too violent, too sexualized or too dark in any way. It doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect but I don’t like gruesome sex scenes, violence, drugs, etc. Here’s some shows that I’ve really enjoyed:

Paradise
Pleuribus
Outlander
Silo

I love sci fi and also period pieces and also modern shows.

Can you share your testimony/stories/experiences working on the log in YOUR eye before focusing on your husband's? For example: he does this or that thing which isn't cool, which hurts you, etc., but you stay obedient to Christ and process/resolve the feelings of resentment/injustice in your heart, without getting mad at your husband?

if you could do it all over again, what sorts of issues would you have worked harder to resolve BEFORE getting married?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for perspective on whether my current rate is fair and what I should ask for.

I work as a 1099 contractor in California for about 25 hours per week at $34/hour. I’m paid monthly, no taxes are withheld, and I don’t receive benefits, PTO, healthcare, retirement contributions, or paid holidays.

My work includes executive assistance, scheduling, occasional invoicing, administrative tasks, list building, email marketing support, some strategy, occasional project management, and sending conference invite/outreach emails.

For background, I have a bachelor’s degree in social science and about 2 years of marketing experience from running my own business. I’ve been contracting with this company since last April. This is my first time working under a company in this type of professional role.

Given the scope of work, California location, 1099 status, no benefits, and tax responsibility, does $34/hour sound low? What hourly rate or monthly retainer would you consider reasonable for this type of role?

I’d especially appreciate input from executive assistants, virtual assistants, operations/admin contractors, or people who hire for these roles.

I'm curious what your first year of marriage was like - please be honest!!! Arguing? How'd you adjust? Communication issues? All happy and dandy? Clunky transitions?

See post from yesterday below for context -- i explain some challenges i'm having with my current BF of 9 months.

i realized i've been keeping record of wrongs and highlighting only the negative things about my bf.

A few things that are so great about him:

- he is so firm and surefooted in his faith

- he is a blessing to those around him... at bible studies and groups he leads with vulnerability, he shares openly about his past and his testimony, and he reaches out to those in need

- he is so affectionate and always checking on me, asking if i need anything. He thinks of me and cares about my needs and heart

- He wants a family, wants to get married, and is a provider. He works hard and is generous

- He is funny and joyous to be around, he makes me laugh, he's fun, we laugh a lot

- We love similar things... backpacking, DIY, grocery shopping, being active

- He comes and apologizes when he acts out in anger/lust/etc.

I feel like it is not right to only highlight the issues we have, so i wanted to put this out there as well. It's easy for people on the outside to simply look at the yellow/red flags out of context (i mean that's inevitable on the internet).... but I don't feel i gave the whole picture.

*****************

YESTERDAY'S POST:

I've been dating my boyfriend for about 8 months. We're both newish christians, me 3 years him 6 years. I'm 34yo F and he is 31yo M.

He's a good guy and loves Jesus, but he still has issues around lust, addictive tendencies (specifically with his phone), anger, and emotional reactivity altogether.

He wants to change, or says he does, but the change is slow going. He agreed to do christian counseling and he's been doing that for a month or so. I'm seeing some small changes, especaily right after the calls, him trying to not be as reactive or to listen to me better, but as the week goes on he falls back into the same patterns (losing his temper at me, lusting after me, etc).

We are also meeting with an older christian couple who is walking us through a counseling program around how to have a healthy biblical marriage. It's not pre marital counseling per se, since we aren't engaged.

Some examples of anger/emotional reacivity/lust:

- This morning I told him i was upset that even after so many times of him saying he wants to stop sinning sexually (he is typically the one to instigate and tempt me into it), he still makes advances on me. I brought up that i am upset that i have to swat him away from me and that he doesn't practice more self control around it. I brought it up with a whiny and emotional tone (which I admit). He then responded by saying "I didn't let it go any further" and "you can't talk to me like that" and "you're so annoying, just shut up." I then said, "ok, i see that i'm bringing it up in a whiny way. I'm sorry. I just am really upset about this." To which he responded, "Just stop talking. Give me an F***** minute!!! (in a very loud and angry voice).

This is a great example of what we deal with.

- His anger/emotional reactivity

- His cussing/crudeness

- His disrespectful words (I understand that he also feels disrespected by me, however I don't call him names or tell him to shut up

- His continuing to tempt me into sin, even after sitting and talking with both his counselor and our christian couple counselors saying how important it is for him to not do so

I'm at a loss. I've fought hard to give him a chance and after 8 months of this type of behavior and multiple break up attempts, he always talks me into staying and to give him time to change. I always see his point in that and stick around. But at this point it just seems like he is not truly repentant. He doesn't tend to take full responsibility (and change) his anger and emotional reactivity. He says he wants to change but i don't see it happening in the moment. I know that it takes people a lot of time to change often, and I don't doubt that he will mature and change in time, but we're deciding if we want to get married and I don't want to waste my time and marry someone who isn't showing me that he is going to change.

I've had older christian women (2 now) tell me to leave him, that he needs a lot of time to grow and heal... and yet here I am. I feel God has given me hope for this man to change, but at the same time I feel i'm just enabling him by continuing to be with him when he continues to blow up at me, call me names, cuss and lead me into sin.

***I'm especially interested in people who have moved through similar situations with partners and seen them change. Please pray before reacting to this post and offering advice. I'm desiring nuanced advice from people who have moved through similar situations with their partners***

I've been dating my boyfriend for about 8 months. We're both newish christians, me 3 years him 6 years. I'm 34yo F and he is 31yo M.

He's a good guy and loves Jesus, but he still has issues around lust, addictive tendencies (specifically with his phone), anger, and emotional reactivity altogether.

He wants to change, or says he does, but the change is slow going. He agreed to do christian counseling and he's been doing that for a month or so. I'm seeing some small changes, especaily right after the calls, him trying to not be as reactive or to listen to me better, but as the week goes on he falls back into the same patterns (losing his temper at me, lusting after me, etc).

We are also meeting with an older christian couple who is walking us through a counseling program around how to have a healthy biblical marriage. It's not pre marital counseling per se, since we aren't engaged.

Some examples of anger/emotional reacivity/lust:

- This morning I told him i was upset that even after so many times of him saying he wants to stop sinning sexually (he is typically the one to instigate and tempt me into it), he still makes advances on me. I brought up that i am upset that i have to swat him away from me and that he doesn't practice more self control around it. I brought it up with a whiny and emotional tone (which I admit). He then responded by saying "I didn't let it go any further" and "you can't talk to me like that" and "you're so annoying, just shut up." I then said, "ok, i see that i'm bringing it up in a whiny way. I'm sorry. I just am really upset about this." To which he responded, "Just stop talking. Give me an F***** minute!!! (in a very loud and angry voice).

This is a great example of what we deal with.

- His anger/emotional reactivity

- His cussing/crudeness

- His disrespectful words (I understand that he also feels disrespected by me, however I don't call him names or tell him to shut up

- His continuing to tempt me into sin, even after sitting and talking with both his counselor and our christian couple counselors saying how important it is for him to not do so

I'm at a loss. I've fought hard to give him a chance and after 8 months of this type of behavior and multiple break up attempts, he always talks me into staying and to give him time to change. I always see his point in that and stick around. But at this point it just seems like he is not truly repentant. He doesn't tend to take full responsibility (and change) his anger and emotional reactivity. He says he wants to change but i don't see it happening in the moment. I know that it takes people a lot of time to change often, and I don't doubt that he will mature and change in time, but we're deciding if we want to get married and I don't want to waste my time and marry someone who isn't showing me that he is going to change.

I've had older christian women (2 now) tell me to leave him, that he needs a lot of time to grow and heal... and yet here I am. I feel God has given me hope for this man to change, but at the same time I feel i'm just enabling him by continuing to be with him when he continues to blow up at me, call me names, cuss and lead me into sin.

I'm addressing sagging, enlarged poors, dullness, texture and fine lines.

THE BLEND — 4oz batch

• Frankincense-infused Jojoba — 25% (30ml)
• Squalane — 34% (41ml)
• Rosehip Seed Oil — 25% (30ml)
• Pomegranate Seed Oil — 10% (12ml)
• Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil — 12 drops
• Bakuchiol 99% — 24 drops
• Vitamin E — 12 drops

MORNING

1. Plain jojoba on terry cloth — cleanse
2. Rosewater mist
3. Aloe + glycerin on damp skin
4. Oil blend — 2-3 drops
5. Zinc oxide sunscreen

NIGHT

1. Plain jojoba on terry cloth — cleanse
2. Rosewater mist
3. Aloe + glycerin on damp skin
4. Oil blend — 3-4 drops