SAMPLE WORK

Over the years, my work for clients, people I have met, travel, and life kicking me in the ass have given me some pretty interesting perspectives on the world and the universe. Here are a few of my favorite stories.

The Microbiome Is Revolutionizing Skincare

Published on May 31, 2022 by VItajoyUSA.com

Most of us know by now that overexposure to the sun is the number one offender when it comes to damage to your skin. If you were a sun-worshiper, beach-baby (or beach-bum) when you were younger, your theory was most likely “the tanner the better.” Slap on that baby oil and lay back with your tri-fold sun reflector and soak in those rays! We can’t turn back the hands of time, but we can move forward utilizing products that help restore and condition our skin to make ourself look and feel our best.

If there were ever enough bandwagons to jump on and off of, it’s within the skincare industry. From charcoal and glitter peels to mud and Dead Sea diamond masks (that’s not a real thing), one could get whiplash trying to keep up with the latest trends and skin care treatments.

A New Landscape of Skincare: The Microbiome

The microbiome, which lately has been the hot topic when it comes to enhancing gut health, has now become the rage in skincare with probiotic and prebiotic skincare treatments. When it comes to the microbiome and skincare this seems to be more than a trend. It is a movement toward changing the way we look at skincare all together. Microbiome skincare, including probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics is backed with years of scientific study1. This is more than a bandwagon it’s more like a racecar to healthy skin.

So, What is the Microbiome of the Skin? (Get to the point writer person!)

On the surface of our skin there are billions of bacteria (fun thought, right?), some of which help safeguard the skin from pathogens which can cause skin damage. Just like the microbiome in your gut there is a balance which needs to occur, otherwise certain skin conditions like acne, eczema or other unpleasant conditions can arise. This dense ecosystem of microbiota on our skin, known as the microbiome, is important to understand for proper skincare. By restoring the balance of the microbiome of our skin we nourish and restore the largest organ in our body: (you saw this one coming) our skin.

How the Microbiome in Your Skin and Gut are Interconnected

Just as we need “good” and “bad” bacteria in our gut to create a heathy balance for optimal gut health, the same thought process applies to our skin. For example, using antibacterial soap daily would not be a good decision, because you would be removing all bacteria, good and bad, creating an unhealthy imbalance2.

Our gut health has been linked to the health of many organs in our body from heart health3 to our mental health3. There is also a direct link from your digestive health to obtaining that glowing, radiant skin we all crave. Without receiving the proper nutrients from the food and supplements in our diet your skin will suffer the consequences. It makes sense if you think about the skin being the largest organ of elimination. If you want a gross random fact to share at parties here’s one: the skin releases about two pounds of toxic waste in the form of sweat a day! (your welcome).

Are the Probiotic Skincare products worth it?

Probiotic skincare products can be beneficial for all skin types. For those with specific skin conditions such as acne, chronic inflammation or rosacea probiotic moisturizers and other treatments can be especially helpful. According to dermatologist’s here are the main benefits of using probiotic skincare:

• Naturally produce antibiotics, called antimicrobial peptides, which combat acne and rosacea

• Aids in regulating oil production

• Improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture

• Enhances the skin’s capacity to protect itself from harsh external elements such as UV sunlight, air-borne allergens, pollution

• Balances the skin’s PH level4.

It’s important to remember that beauty always lies on the inside (as cliché as it may sound). Whether it be balancing the microbiome of our digestive system for radiant skin or expressing a kind word to a complete stranger that you might not have shared otherwise. It is an inner job for outer results.

Contact your sales rep. or email us at sales@vitajoyusa.com to take advantage of special pricing.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

1. Health effects of probiotics on the skin, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24364369/.

2. The Skin and Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Common Dermatologic Conditions, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6920876/.

3. The Link Between Your Gut and Heart Health, https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/the-link-between-your-gut-and-heart-health.

4. Here’s what a dermatologist says about using probiotics on your skin, https://www.protektonline.com/2020/09/here-is-what-a-dermatologist-says-about-using-probiotics-on-your-skin/.

Caffeine, Gamers & Cryptocurrency: A Curious Connection

Published on April 18, 2022 by VitajoyUSA.com

As technology advances more things have become available to either purchase, stream or conduct online rather than in the physical world. The fairly controversial topic of cryptocurrency has had a resurgence in the last year due to an upswing in the NFT Market. Whether you have bought cryptocurrency or invested in the NFT market, believe it’s a scam or know nothing about it, this digital market has taken off extensively in the last year.

Huge caffeine-centric beverage corporations, such as Red Bull, Monster Energy and Gfuel are ramping up their marketing strategies and placing sizable investments into cryptocurrency along with the slightly mystifying, intangible NFT market. The same energy drink companies have also been directing their advertising toward the Esports gaming industry.

This got the wheels in our brains turning as we scratched our chins wondering what the connection was between these three seemingly disconnected worlds: gamers, caffeine and cryptocurrency. Then the light bulb went off over our heads, as if in a cartoon, and the connection, which first appeared obtuse, became crystal clear.

Let us introduce you to the players in this game:

Player #1 The Gamer

In 2021 the Esports market raked in a whopping 1.84 billion dollars worldwide. Gamers play in teams in tournaments that are streamed live across the planet. The connectivity within this industry is quite inspiring. One gamer in the U.S. could be playing live with another gamer in Tokyo, Japan. Some of the top gamers can earn a salary of 50k, have sponsors, health benefits and a retirement plan. This is a far cry from the early 1990’s, playing Nintendo’s Mario Brothers or Duck Hunt with friends from your block.

Gamers need to have excellent hand-eye coordination, dexterity in their fingers and hands and rapid response to ongoing external stimuli. This is when we proposed the question: what over-the-counter drug would enhance all of these abilities improving a gamers chance of winning? Caffeine.

Player #2 Caffeinated Beverages

Do you remember Jolt Cola? For some of us who are pre-internet, pre-cell phone and pre-social media (what did we do all day? conversations, we had conversations face to face), Jolt Cola was the only beverage on the market that was known to have a heaping amount of caffeine to get you nice and hyped-up. Then in 1997 “we got our wings.” Red Bull was introduced to America from Austria and the rest is energy drink history. Since then, nearly all beverage companies have jumped on the caffeine bandwagon, convenient store coolers were filled with Noz, Monster, and a countless other brands that were clawing their way into the over-saturated caffeinated market.

Caffeine, while beneficial for you in many ways if consumed in a moderate dosage, can have ill-effects when consumed around the clock on a daily basis. Caffeine dependency has been known to lead to other disorders such as caffeine-induced sleep disorder and anxiety disorder. Caffeine withdrawal has also been linked to depression and anxiety when attempting to stop altogether.1 Not a fun time. This is why moderation is key. Moving on to the last player in our cryptic game.

Player #3 Cryptocurrency & the NFT Market

In January of 2009 the birth of the first decentralized digital currency, called Bitcoin, ushered in a new age of blockchain technology and skepticism from every corner of the Earth. Since many people are scammed on a monthly to weekly basis, it is only natural that when digital currency was created there were questions raised concerning its validity as well as its improbable longevity as a legitimate new form of money.

A more recent and perplexing type of currency is known as the NFT market. NFT, an acronym for non-fungible token, was built using similar programing of other cryptocurrencies with some major differences. One main difference is that cryptocurrency and physical money can be exchanged and traded (making it fungible) as opposed to NFT’s which have a unique digital signature making it impossible for one NFT to equal another. This is where the skeptics start wagging their fingers and pulling out their hair to an admittingly complex system to fully understand.

One popular NFT marketplace called “Opensea” is a place where you can buy and sell collector’s item such as a rare books or paintings as a digital file. The CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey recently sold his first “tweet” as an NFT for $2.9 million. In the last year the NFT market has surged and the energy drink companies are one of the many big players in the game. Monster Energy filed for an NFT trademark which will focus on downloadable virtual goods such as beverages, food, gaming music and apparel. Are you starting to see the underlying connection?

The Game

Caffeine is for the majority of Americans, and most people across the globe, a regular part of their daily routine and diet. For those involved in Esports, our gamers, caffeine is a necessity and a tool used to enhance their performance while gaming. The benefits of caffeine for gamers are:

• Improved Reaction Time

• Vigilance

• Judgement

• Attention-Span

• Alertness2

Energy drink companies have been using a “play-to-earn” model, where gamers are able to earn cryptocurrency by completing certain tasks or by beating levels of a game. When one of the items you can buy with cryptocurrency are energy drinks, what do you think any self-respecting gamer is going to do with their crypto? Buy more energy drinks! And our game has come full circle.

Gfuel, which is the official energy drink of Esports, created virtual versions of their energy drinks that were purchased with NFT’s (if you are slightly or even still completely confused with the logistics or reasoning behind NFT’s, don’t worry, you are not alone). Red Bull notoriously known for their non-conventional marketing tactics, installed a Red Bull vending machine at a hackers conference which only accepted Bitcoin.

When looking back to when credit cards were being offered as alternative to using cash there were skeptics and people who believed it was a way of “Big-Brother” to keep tabs on our financial records. With new innovations and technological advancements, historically there is always fear and resistance to accept change. Change is uncomfortable and can create fear.

Whether cryptocurrency and the NFT market will take over our financial system is yet to be determined. But is safe to assume, caffeine is here to stay. Stories have been passed down for generations about an Ethiopian farmer who noticed his goats becoming restless and full of energy after eating berries in his field. When these berries were dried out they turned out to be, what we know refer to as, coffee beans.

Caffeine has been part of our global history for thousands of years, way before a small Seattle-based company called Starbucks opened their doors. Whether traded for a flock of sheep or paid for with NFT’s by selling your latest viral tweet, caffeine will dominate the market for a long time to come.

References

1. Caffeine Addiction Symptoms and Withdrawal, https://www.verywellmind.com/caffeine-addiction-4157287.

2. Caffeine – A good way for gamers to improve their performance, https://www.gscience.io/resources/caffeine-performance-gaming.

MARIGOT BAY RESORT | SPA | MARINA

Freelance Writing for Marigot Bay Resort’s Luxury Curated Adventures: Sunset Cruise, Boat Charters and Fishing Charters

When arriving at the exquisite luxury hotel Marigot Bay Resort on the island of Saint Lucia one can’t help but be mesmerized by the crystal turquoise waters that stretch out to the horizon. Most of our guests want to know what the options are for exploring the deep seas surrounding Saint Lucia. Well quite simply put, the options are endless! From Sunset Cruises, fishing boat charters, to custom private boat charters, the possibilities are exciting and would peak the interest of any guest at our luxury resort. The major advantage that Marigot Bay Resort has compared to other resorts is one of the best private luxury marinas in the Caribbean. This allows for the ease and convenience for all the charter boat companies to schedule luxury boat charters directly out of the Resort, avoiding the hassle of having to travel to a public marina saving time and energy.

For the Sports Fisherman or guests looking to experience some deep sea fishing you would only need to travel one mile offshore, for the surrounding waters of Saint Lucia are some of the deepest in the entire Caribbean. Deep sea fishing can begin anywhere from one to eight miles offshore and are usually offered in three time intervals, leaving the guests with the choice of four, six, or eight hour charters. The fishing charters include the boat, captain and crew, all necessary fishing gear, and refreshments usually including a local beer. Frequently caught species include the Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Yellow and Black Tuna, Barracuda, King Mackerel, Rainbow Runners and the Yellow Tail Snapper.

Saint Lucia Boat Tours can be arranged to engage in an assortment of enjoyable experiences out on the water. Dolphin and Whale watching is a popular charter with more than twenty five varieties of these amazing mammals spotted regularly in the Saint Lucia waters. Being able to see them in their natural habitat, feeding, mating, playing with their babies leads to an unforgettable escapade on the Caribbean blue. A snorkeling charter may peak your interest to explore the underworld with its bright tropical fish weaving around the healthy coral reefs. Guests who have explored this hands-on experience have encountered a multitude of our sea friends including Seahorse, Spotted Eels, or even an Octopus. Again these Luxury Charters include the boat, guide, and all the gear necessary to get the most out of this underworld fantasia. Popular destinations of the Saint Lucia Boat Tours include the exotic botanical gardens, Sulphur Springs, The Diamond Waterfalls, and the therapeutic Sulphur baths. All of these tours can be prearranged as a private tour to add more of an intimate personal touch to your excursion of our Caribbean Seas.

A must-do experience is a Sunset Cruise on a large catamaran boat. Usually a two hour trip, there is no other way to properly view the Saint Lucia sunset than from on the water. Hors d’oeuvres and local beer are served. There is dancing and excitement on these romantic Sunset Cruises. Our guests have the chance to mingle with travelers from other properties and to watch the sun sink into the west reflecting off the water, refracting light in its own unique beautiful way.

TOP FIVE BENEFITS OF NATURE FOR THE ELDERLY

Freelance

A serene walk through a forest, shell collecting on the shore of a brilliant beach, a stroll through a city park or a leisurely hike on a trail in the woods. We call this communing with nature. The vivid images this brings to mind are pleasant and appealing. A multitude of studies have been conducted for years across the globe proving the health benefits of nature and its direct effect on the human mind and body. This is especially relevant for the elderly community, who are perhaps facing an uphill battle when it comes to health issues or an ailing mind. I will focus on five of the major benefits when it comes to nature and the significant role it plays in keeping our older loved ones vivacious, healthy and mentally sound.

The list of benefits that nature supplies is a lengthy one because we are still discovering new ways that the world at large is interconnected, and this includes our connection with nature. Sifting through these extraordinary benefits and concentrating on which ones would have the greatest impact for our elderly community, I produced a list of the top five benefits that the aging person could easily access in their life. There is no need to climb Mount Everest or swim the English Channel to gain enormous satisfaction and improvement in your overall health. The top five benefits of nature for the elderly are: a boost in your immune system, reduction of blood pressure, a reduction of stress, an accelerated recovery from surgery or illness, and an overall improvement in mood. For the skeptics out there who might be thinking: “ I just need to hug a tree and I’ll live longer?” There is actual scientific proof backing these benefits and with nature being free of charge, I believe it’s well worth any effort put forth in this area.  

Anyone who has suffered through the Flu knows the importance of keeping your immune system strong in order to never have to spend another week on the couch with a box of tissues.  As we grow older we become more prone to illness. Our actual T-cell count doesn't generally decrease but the ability of the T-cell to function decreases with age, opening the door for illness to creep in. By simply spending time around trees our immune system is given a boost. Trees produce air-born chemicals called phytoncides, that help to boost our immune system, enabling us to remain healthy longer and to fight off illness quicker. So as the old saying goes “ A breath of fresh air” is actually scientifically proven to be beneficial if that fresh air is coming from a surrounding of nature. In Japan they have a popular therapy called “Shinrin-yoku” or “ Forest-bathing” where people spend a few hours in a wooded area, because they too have acknowledged the amazing benefits that nature provides.   

Most of us have stressful lives, it’s practically unavoidable, which leads to us to rarely take the time to “stop and smell the roses”. These cliches probably became cliches with good reason. Spending time just to look at nature, whether it be a still pond or a beautiful butterfly chasing after its mate in the woods, can reduce your blood pressure. In the United States about 77.9 million adults are reported to have high blood pressure, that is one out of three people. And the numbers increase as the age of the population increases. Getting into a routine where nature is visible to you at some point during your day, even through a window, can aid in the lowering of your blood pressure.  

Everyone’s life seems to be on fast forward these days. By taking yourself away from a more hectic environment with the ringing of cell phones, TV’s , computers and placing yourself around nature there is a natural reduction of stress in the body. A whole article could be written about the harmful effects of stress on the body. If the opposite of stress is relaxation then finding ways to relax in a natural environment becomes very important and beneficial. Everyone has different ideas of what they find relaxing, so finding new ways to relax that involves nature can be enjoyable. Reading a book on a beach, a bench in the park or taking a friend to go bird watching around your neighborhood, are just a few examples of combining hobbies you might already enjoy and simply adding the element of nature.

As we age, it is the natural life progression that we begin to lose the people we love. The loss of a loved one such as a spouse, friend or family member is very taxing emotionally. The older a person gets the more this occurrence takes place which could lead down a path of depression or an overall case of “ the blues”. A wonderful benefit of nature is an elevation in mood and feeling of well-being. Sometimes the quiet and peace that one receives from nature has a tendency to help focus and clarify your thoughts allowing you to heal and move past any grief that may be dragging you down. Watching a show on the nature channel or leafing through a National Geographic magazine can aid in raising your mood and to combat feelings of depression. Therapists who are helping patients with mild to moderate depression use ecotherapy, a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature. Depression is a serious matter and should be monitored by professionals, but it is always helpful to have as many tools at your disposal when it comes to simple things you can do to elevate your spirits.

As an elderly person, we don’t have the bounce back that we once did when we were younger. If an older person is post-operation or simply healing from a common cold, the reduction of stress in the body can decrease the time it takes for the body to heal. Studies have proven that even if a patient is healing in a hospital bed , a patient with a window with a “greener” view took less time to heal than the patient who had no access to nature. It was suggested that by looking at pictures, as I mentioned before, in a hospital bed can still have an affect on the bodies ability to heal quicker even though the patient is not being directly exposed to nature. Our minds have a powerful recall system that allows us to retrieve memories of being in nature which then leads to reduction of stress and increase in relaxation. This is why in many hospitals dogs are brought in to long term patients to spend time and interact with them. Animals, being part of nature’s world, have a huge intrinsic value for someone in recovery from surgery or illness. The joy that is displayed on a patients face when a Golden Retriever bounces into a hospital room is priceless.

If you yourself are elderly or have a loved one that is further along in the aging process sharing these benefits of nature could be a life-changing experience. Moving away from the lifeless TV sets, computer screens and engaging with the natural world that surrounds us is beneficial in an overwhelming way. Getting out of the house and connecting with friends while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of our glorious earth can enable you to live a healthier happier life. By taking a few of these suggestions and putting them into action you can take back control of your health and foster a life filled with joy and well-being.

MARIGOT BAY RESORT | SPA | MARINA

Freelance Writing for Marigot Bay Resort’s Luxury Curated Adventures: Zipline Experiences

For the more adventurous spirit, another experience at Marigot Bay Resort would be one of the Zipline tours through the jungle canopy of Saint Lucia’s exotic rainforest. This Caribbean Zipline adventure is tucked within 1250 acres of protected rainforest, the longest stretch of the island of Saint Lucia. There are a few options when it comes to sightseeing this pristine jungle canopy, all of which will awaken the inner-child and create a bold memorable experience. The Saint Lucia Ziplines are connected to a series of platforms throughout the rainforest. With experienced guides, guests safety is of the utmost concern and triple check features on the harness and safety straps, allow you to cross your legs, hold onto the handlebars and enjoy the ride. A helpful tip to enjoy the best ziplining is to keep your eyes open! A 2000 foot long cable can take about sixty seconds to reach the next platform, so keeping your eyes peeled to absorb and admire the beauty that surrounds you is advisable. The Ziplining in Saint Lucia will take your breath away and create a one of a kind experience of sightseeing.

If Ziplining doesn’t fit your fancy, another option to explore the upper canopy is to hike across multiple net bridges. They have been designed for the guest to choose their own pace to view and discover the magnificent flora and fauna that is aboriginal to Saint Lucia. A second slower paced option to observe the striking, majestic rainforest is an Ariel Tram set up in the heart of Saint Lucia’s reserve. These open-air trams noiselessly ascend the rainforest biosphere offering guests a panoramic view of the jungle and cool breezes from the shade of the canopy. Each tram is accompanied by a knowledgeable guide to explain the many facets of the rainforest, providing entertainment with their experience within this ecological treat. These creative tours of Saint Lucia are another very popular experience among our guests here at Marigot Bay Resort. We continue to receive endless rave reviews detailing their exhilarating time in the awe-inspiring rainforest here on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia.