Life and DIY

I Got an Insanely Rare Infection Abroad (H. Heilmannii)

Holly — Thu, 28 May 2026 12:49:37 +0000

I almost refused the upper endoscopy - it felt unnecessary at the time. I'm so glad I didn't. The biopsy came back positive for H. Heilmannii instead of the common H. Pylori - a rare bacteria you catch from animals rather than people. Here's how I think I picked it up in Thailand, what the treatment was really like, and the surprising change that happened weeks later.

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Is This At-Home Anti-Aging Device Worth It? ZIIP Halo Honest 1st Impressions

Holly — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:18:58 +0000

I'm a skeptic when it comes to skincare devices, but this one surprised me. My honest first impressions of the ZIIP Halo at-home anti-aging microcurrent skincare device. Is it worth it? Here's what surprised me after my first days using it.

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My Favorite Meat Sticks & Jerky-Type Snacks: Lineage Provisions (Not Sponsored)

Holly — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:30:05 +0000

I've been meaning to share these for the longest time. Lineage Provisions makes some of the cleanest meat sticks and jerky-style snacks I've come across - no sugar added, 100% grass-fed, with beef heart and liver. With my limited diet from food sensitivities, finding nutrient-dense snacks I trust is tough. These have become a regular for me. Not sponsored. Honest Opinions.

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The Last “Microplastic Free” Affordable Mineral Sunscreen Just Got Discontinued

Holly — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:07:46 +0000

Native is phasing out their original Unscented Mineral Sunscreen, the only truly clean affordable microplastic-free mineral sunscreen I could confidently recommend. The reformulated replacement is a real downgrade - going from mostly natural ingredients to mostly synthetic ingredients.

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Microneedling vs. Chemical Peels – Which One Gets Rid of Wrinkles?

Holly — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:04:13 +0000

How I Look Younger at 43 Than I Did at 35 - microneedling, peels and what actually works after 10 years of testing both and documenting everything with before and after photos, here's the honest breakdown.

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Dr. Pen Hydra H6 Review – First Use, Demo & Results Update

Holly — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:50:16 +0000

I've microneedled for years and never seen results this quickly from a single treatment. The Hydra Pen H6 is Dr. Pen's most unique innovation - and after one treatment, it's become my favorite device they've made. I share my full demo, honest first impressions, and results that I genuinely didn't see coming.

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Starting Over at 43 – Why Staying Feels Harder than Leaving

Holly — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:40:34 +0000

At 43, I chose to start over. This is the honest story behind that decision and the reasons I'll be moving to Japan in the near future.

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BPPV Exlained: What Happened & What You Need to Know

Holly — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 16:35:34 +0000

If you’ve ever felt a sudden onset of severe dizziness and nausea the moment you turned your head, you’re not alone. I recently went through one of the worst episodes of my life and later discovered it was BPPV - something many people experience without realizing what’s actually happening.

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Microplastics in Mineral Sunscreen – What You Need to Know

Holly — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:22:09 +0000

You may have switched from chemical to mineral sunscreen for cleaner ingredients, but most mineral formulas still contain microplastics. So even when you think you’re choosing the safer option, you might still be putting plastic on your skin every day without knowing it. Almost every mineral sunscreen I checked contained microplastics. I did manage to find two clean, affordable options.

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FDA Microneedling Update Late (2025): News & Where to Buy Authentic Dr. Pens

Holly — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:10:39 +0000

In 2024, Amazon pulled nearly all Dr. Pen microneedling devices, leaving users wondering if the FDA had banned them. Here’s what’s really going on — including the latest FDA warning about RF microneedling risks, where you can safely buy authentic Dr. Pen products again, and a first look at the new Hydra Pen H6 that dispenses serum as you microneedle.

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