Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure means salt isn’t just a seasoning—it’s sabotage. After three reckless days of comfort food, I learned (again) that a few bites of joy can turn into days of swelling, exhaustion, and regret. Chronic illness has a way of reminding you that indulgence always comes with interest.
Labor Day may feel bittersweet for most, but for me—a chef living with sarcoidosis and heart failure—it’s a relief. Summer’s heat, crowds, and entitlement give way to autumn’s crisp air, golden leaves, and the quiet comfort my body and spirit crave. Here’s why fall feels like freedom, and why I’ll always celebrate the end of summer.
Feeling left out by friends or coworkers can hit hard, especially when you’re already battling chronic illness or the daily grind of writing your first novel. Here’s how to deal with being excluded—without wrecking your peace or your relationships.
Burned out, exhausted, and held together by caffeine and sarcasm, I decided not to wait until September for a beach vacation. Here’s why I booked a chronic illness-friendly escape to Cape Cod—with nothing but my Kindle, portable oxygen, and a deep craving for ocean air and silence.
After years of drowning in headlines, outrage, and “breaking news” pings, I finally unplugged—and discovered that peace, calm, and mental clarity are a lot more satisfying than doomscrolling. Here’s how quitting the news improved my mental health, lowered my stress, and helped me start living again.
Tate Basildon 