What’s one thing you wish you had started doing earlier in life? Drink water. It seems like such a simple change, but it has led to real improvements in my health and weight loss. My preferred drinks have always been fruit juices, agua frescas, or lemonade (and yes, I do love a Dr Pepper!). But unless they're homemade, fruit-based drinks are loaded with sugar. When my weight reached a point where I had to make some serious changes, traditional diets felt impossible because food allergies already restrict so many of my choices. Instead of cutting out more, I started simple: adding fruit-infused water into my rotation.
Best Pets
Leo here, settlin’ the age-old debate once and for all! Learn why us noble poodles take the crown as the ultimate companions, while sneaky felines remain the absolute worst.
Two Essential Ways to Strengthen Our Local Community
A community thrives when it serves all of its residents. From building a free, child-friendly splash pad to beat the Texas heat to tackling the gap between decent and affordable housing, investing in local infrastructure and support services makes our town stronger, safer, and more welcoming for every family.
Meet the Big Guy
Ever wonder how The Big Guy and I met? It wasn't a fairy-tale romance—it involved a busy grad school cafeteria, a long trench coat, and a series of hilarious near-misses across campus! Here is the full story of how a friend's "weird Aggie friend" became the love of my life.
5 Everyday Things That Bring Me Pure Happiness
Finding joy doesn't always require major milestones. Most days, it’s the quiet, ordinary moments that anchor us and make life sweet—like morning quiet with a locally roasted brew, snuggles with my dog Leo, or watching lives transform at Camp of the Hills.
Positive thing
against me learning to read fluently. In fact, experts warned I might never read at a grade-school level, let alone complete college. But my mom—a dedicated Texas educator—refused to let a diagnosis define my future. To ensure I had every tool needed to succeed, she became a reading specialist and a pioneer in special education, turning daily tears and 15-minute reading struggles into a lifelong passion for books. By the end of middle school, I had read over 1,000 books—proving her favorite piece of wisdom true: "If you can read, you can do anything." Here is the story of how my mom's unfailing commitment transformed my life.
Best Tip for Budget Travel
riting Planning is my best budget travel tip! From dog-friendly getaways with Leo to exploring Disney and national parks, I’ve learned that a little research can save a lot of money. Sometimes the best trips are the ones where we slow down, enjoy the experience, and don’t try to do everything.
