: About Me

Hello, fellow Heliumites. I'm Hope; 30 years old, I live south of the Mason-Dixon line in Florence, Alabama with my husband and our four furry children - three feline, one canine.

I have been a writer since birth. My first published work was the phenomenal story of "The Magical Pancake." Granted, it was bound in pink construction paper with a spine of blue yarn, the pages handwritten and the illustrations less than Louvre-worthy, but not too shabby for a first-grader. My adult life has brought freelance work from local and national magazines and newspapers (most recently American Fitness Magazine), Barnes & Noble, and various Internet mediums. Always seeking new work, I invite any prospective employers and publishers to contact me* at the first inkling of interest on your part.

Aside from writing (is there a world aside from writing, really?) I am a yoga instructor, a certified group fitness instructor, and I travel as often my husband can book our flights.

I am thoroughly enjoying Helium, though I do fear it is becoming an addiction. Hopefully no one will stage an intervention anytime soon, so I can keep slinging words around here.

Recently, I have been given the honor of being named the Pilates & Yoga Channel Manager. As a yoga instructor and someone who believes that everyone in the world should reap the benefits of yoga, the opportunity to spread awareness, information, and ideas is extremely exciting. My door (and inbox!) is always open, so please drop in if you would like to take part in the sharing. Actually, feel free to drop in anytime, as messages make me feel special.

My passion is ...

Sleep. Now if only insomnia would allow us to be together!

I know too much about ...

Relationships. Dr. Joyce Brothers has nothing on me.

My parents always told me ...

"If you get stuck in that tree, we're not climbing up to get you!"

My childhood ambition ...

To be the world's first female veterinarian in space, with a best-selling book about teddy bears.

My favorite memory ...

Sitting under the Weeping Willow tree in my grandmother's yard, stringing white flowers into necklaces until I fell asleep on the grass.

Why I write ...

Because I breathe.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Devouring books on Vlad the Impaler, in preparation for our upcoming trip to Romania, and listening to Eva Cassidy to take the scary parts away.

My first job ...

I believe I was 6. I drew little pictures on scraps of paper and bullied my neighborhood friends into buying them.

My best moment ...

When I paused a beat too long before answering, "I do" just to mess with my groom :)

My inspiration ...

My dysfunctional extended family and my ridiculously vivid dreams.

Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Is sunlight essential for health?

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We all know the dangers of over-exposure to the UV rays emanating from the sun. The sunscreen industry has boomed in the last ten years, thanks to the sun-wary education of the masses. More and more, people are slathering on high-SPF creams, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, and avoiding the sun entirely. Unfortunately, this over-protection prevents our bodies from being able to carry out basic functions that not only improve our quality of life, but also prevent disease. There are two byproducts of sunlight that are intrinsic to our body's defense system: melatonin and Vitamin D. These two ...

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Writing:

• Marketplace Approved Writer
• Creative Writing Bronze
• Channel Manager Pilates & Yoga
• Helium Charter Member