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How do you describe half a year of marriage?

In a lot of ways, we’ve had it pretty easy. Our first 6 months of marriage consisted of long distance, only this time 97 miles compared to 8,142 miles.

Whatever the case, distance is distance, and has made our hearts grow fonder.

When we met in 2011, I didn’t think I was meeting my husband. At the age of 24, there was so much to still learn…

gluten-free icebox lemon tart

There’s something about Summertime and freshly squeezed lemons that just weerrrkkk. I made this Gluten-Free Icebox Lemon Tart for dinner with my friends tonight. Of course, they didn’t say no to my self-invite. How could you? This buttery, nutty crust and smooth, tangy lemon filling makes for a special after (or before) dinner treat.

What you need:

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup…

it’s gonna be okay.

Yesterday, a talented author died. I never met her, nor have I read any of books, yet I broke down and cried. I cried as I read excerpts of her work. Including her ominous last blog post pertaining to lamenting. I cried reading tributes from her family and friends about her life and influence. I cried because I know the feeling of loss.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been so impacted by a…

nutritionist vs dietitian. With the blatant, "stay in your lane," mentality, now more than ever, staying abreast of fad diets is now part of the job. Misinformation is so harmful to public health.

As if nutrition isn’t confusing enough already. Where you get your nutrition advice from can be just as confusing and sometimes harmful.

All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.

What is a Nutritionist?

A nutritionist can be anyone.

Anyone who claims knowledge of nutrition at any level can call themselves a nutritionist.

Anyone with or without

tips on saving money in while in graduate school

This post contains affiliate and referral links.

As most of you all know, higher education is not cheap. Even with assistance through fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and even loans, expenses still occur here and there. When most of our time is in the classroom, it can impact the ability to save or earn money.

While I’m no expert, I have a few tips on what I have done to…

skillet chocolate chip pumpkin bread

I won’t make any more promises about pumpkin recipes.

I feel as if cast iron skillets are quintessential for Fall baking. They remind me of the warmth of fireplaces and the heartiness of stews and soups cooked during this time of year.

I still wonder what America would look like if Starbucks made debuted a sweet potato latte instead of a pumpkin one. Anybody else? Maybe not. Is it only weird to…

ramblings on food recreation and thanksgiving.

Entering this season of Thanksgiving, I realize how thankful I am for much in my life.  This year has taken me to so many new places and has exposed me to so many new experiences; I will forever be grateful.

I was reading an article today (read: not my revolution) which made me realize how thankful I am for food.

Now, hear me out.

In myworld, I am able to go to the store and buy food I need to…

Originally posted: July 24, 2013

Since I am getting more clicks on my camera, I’ve been wanting to update my recipe pictures from years gone by. Part of the reason I stopped posting recipes is because my pictures just couldn’t hang with the many food bloggers out there, and learning photography was a daunting for me.

Well, here I am.

Mango Shrimp Tacos

Taco filling: 1 tablespoon olive oil 15-20…

Some of us may never have the opportunity to travel abroad to enjoy international cuisines. Fortunately, in a world of increasing globalization, food is no longer isolated to its place of origin and can spread across all borders.

Super Cao Nguyenis located in the heart of the Asian District of Oklahoma City. It is the largest international grocer in Oklahoma City and was opened by Vietnamese…

pumpkin spice nice cream

It’s PSL season, y’all.

While I am thankful to be back in the US where I can witness each season change, I am not quite ready to give up my summer favorites such as fresh berries and the most quintessential treat of the summer…ice cream.

I’m finally catching on to this new wave of nice cream. (I think I will be saying this for awhile to all the trends I missed out on from 2016 until now). By the…

close of service conference.

The Close of Service (COS) Conference was held March 12 – 16, 2018 in Windhoek. COS Conference gives volunteers an opportunity to review their Peace Corps experience, figure out how to document skills and experience gained during service, prepare for re-integration to the States (or wherever they may go), and of course, celebrate the accomplishment of completing 2 years of service.

The week…

Shitenges or kitenges are fabrics similar to sarongs worn mostly by women. Shitenges are commonly designed into garments such as dresses and tops, or even worn alone as head wraps. Shitenges are sold by the meter and can cost as little as N$10 (a little less than a US dollar) per meter, although more popular or “waxy” prints can cost N$70+ (~$5.40 US) per meter. Most of these prints are made in other African countries, so prices can be a tad higher to account for importing.

Many local tailors can put a needle to work without the use of patterns. All of the outfits below were made from a simple WhatsApp picture I sent to the tailor (excluding the dashiki print top.)

Tailors have styled me for weddings, everyday wear and Peace Corps events. The most expensive custom-made outfit cost me about N$450 (~$35 USD) and the least expensive was about N$80 (~$6 USD). Also, check out my Wambo earrings made by the ladies at Work of Our Hands, a non-profit based in Okahandja which focuses on empowering women through employment opportunities. Check out their IG page and better yet, support them.

I loved falling in love with Namibia and the styles of this country which I will miss when I move back to the States.

The pink striped print is called “odelela”. It’s traditional Wambo print and is worn mostly at celebrations…everything else is just me embracing the beauty of this country.

❤ Krystal

See how Peace Corps Volunteers help spread the message of girls empowerment with reusable pads and organizations like SisterPADS.

When it’s that time of the month, I don’t have to worry about having proper hygienic products to manage my period.

Unfortunately, this is not the reality of every woman.

In Namibia, some women without access to proper feminine products will use mattress filling, newspapers, and even leaves during menstruation. Although I haven’t encountered any women that have used any of these methods, it…

Taking a look back can provide the chance to see more of what your country of service has taught you and less of what you taught them.

I was selected along with 16 current volunteers to serve as a RV (Resource Volunteer) during PST (Pre-Service Training) for G47. Last week, I attended GTOT (General Training of Trainers), in preparation for the incoming group of business and health volunteers next week.

I am still coming to grips with the fact that my time as a volunteer is coming to an end. I am experiencing many feelings of…

Throwback Thursday to a letter I wrote in July 2017 to my friends and family back home.

Another month has come and gone! July was a pretty exciting one.

I posted quite a bit on my blog this month, so if you haven’t read it lately, check it out. Also, the beginning of August marks the single month countdown until COS (close of service). Wow! Doesn’t even seem possible, but it is.

So, July, July, July (insert Decemberist, here). We had our 4th of July braai. That was fun. I also…

Perks of being a Peace Corps Volunteers include opportunities to travel and see the world. Namibia is a country of contrasting beauty, a sentiment included in the nation’s anthem.

Last August, seven volunteers and I took on the challenge of hiking the second largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon. Located in southern Namibia, Fish River Canyon hiking trail stretches about 90 kilometers and is one of the most visited attractions in Namibia.

Fish River Canyon hiking trail contains a steep descent, boulders, rocks, deep sand, slippery river crossings, baboons, snakes, scorpions, and wild game throughout the canyon.

Being a beginner hiker, here are some things to consider if you plan on taking on Fish River Canyon.

Tips if you plan to hike Fish River Canyon:

Print a route map to carry along. Luckily, one person in our group thought to do that, otherwise, we’d probably still be hiking to this day.

Know your fitness level. Although minimal hiking experience is needed, the trails are a mixture of stones, deep sand, grass, bedrock and in some places steep ascends or descends. It requires moderate fitness level. You will be spending the major of the days walking under the blistering sun, which can add to the difficulty of the hike. Many groups finish the hike in 5 days, but taking the shortcuts can cut about a day and a half off of the hike.

Food and drink

A water filter pump is a huge advantage. Water purification tablets if not.

5-day meal plan for Fish River Canyon

Sleeping

You can either sleep in the open or in a lightweight tent. We had a mix in our group, and those sleeping in tents got the better sleep. The wind picked up at night and sand in the face isn’t a great thing to wake up to. Take a super-warm sleeping bag regardless.

❤ Krystal