Breaking Points and Clean Living
How hitting rock bottom led me to rethink wellness—and why I’m recommitting to it now.
All local events have moved to our new event calendar at www.lifeatplay.co! We’re in a bit of a limbo this week as we get everything added, but by next week it will be fully updated. Stay tuned for more details!
This week, I had a plan. I was going to tell you about Allchemy and its founders, April and Tony. But then I realized, to tell their story right, I need to start with a personal one first.
And since I’m just under 500 subscribers—mostly people I see every day in this tight-knit community—I figure it’s about time I tell a story about my whoo-ha. 🙃
Boys, you might want to skip this one. I’ve decided that if I’m going to do this, I’m doing it all in—honest, raw, and a little messy. Because real stories aren’t always neat and tidy.
And these are the conversations I want to have. The real, messy, unfiltered ones. So, here we go…
In Today’s Issue:
😩 Breaking Points: How They Shift Us
🧴 My Clean Living Journey (and why it’s getting a reboot)
💫 Dinner with Nilima Bhat: A Chance to Reconnect
📍 Local Happenings: Don’t Miss These!
😩 Breaking Points: How they shift us
I’ve got this theory that we all hit pivotal breaking points in life—moments that force us to pause, reevaluate, and change. Sometimes they look like a midlife crisis, other times a major shake-up—a divorce, illness, loss of a loved one, cancer, or job loss. They push us to take a hard look at how we’re living and motivate us to make real changes.
For me, that breaking point hit in 2019 when I found myself stuck in a cycle of illness and frustration—first with bacterial vaginosis (an itchy whoo-ha), then with perioral dermatitis (a relentless face rash). I was miserable. I’ll spare you the gritty details, but the pain and itch from the BV was so intense that, in the moment, taking antibiotics felt like the only option. I just needed relief. At the time, I was naive about how harsh antibiotics can be on your body.
That desperation led me into a vicious cycle. One round of antibiotics would give me temporary relief, but it never lasted. A few months later, symptoms would creep back, and I’d be back at the doctor, begging for something—anything—that might work. Looking back, I can’t even count how many rounds I went through that year. I was stuck in a loop, and nothing was working.
So, naturally, I turned to the internet.
My Clean Living Journey
That year became my crash course in clean living. I started peeling back layers, questioning everything I put on or in my body. It wasn’t the first time I’d explored healthier choices (I started a my yoga practice in highschool and dabbled with being vegan in college), but this time was different. I was on a mission to figure out what was causing the face rash and BV, and it felt like I was diving into a sea of conflicting advice.
So I did my best. I started swapping things at random—things that felt like they could do no harm (other than to my bank account). Soap nuts for laundry, charcoal toothpaste, crystal deodorant, cotton only underwear, mineral sunscreen, let things grow naturally (down stairs). I was looking for simple, clean ingredients. I was desperate and fumbling through it all, relying on random internet searches and vague recommendations from strangers. It felt like I was on my own, throwing darts at a wall and hoping something would stick (and hoping I wasn’t doing more harm)
Looking back, I realize what I really needed was a guide—someone who actually knew how to navigate the overwhelming world of clean living and holistic health. (My god, how I wish Allchemy was around back then.)
Eventually, the BV mysteriously went away.
Then came the face rash. It started small, but soon it spread—angry, inflamed, impossible to cover up. I was embarrassed, overwhelmed, and frustrated. Every doctor I saw had a different theory and a different prescription. Primary! Gyno! Derm! Gut! Allergist! And once again, I found myself on an antibiotic carousel.
I hit a wall.
One night, sitting in bed, ugly crying, I felt completely defeated. I’d tried everything—clean products, random internet tips, countless doctor visits—and nothing was working. I was just so tired of feeling awful.
So, I decided to take control of the one thing I had been avoiding—my diet. I went on an extreme no-sugar diet to heal my gut: the Candida Diet. No sugar in any form. No alcohol, no gluten, no dairy, no peanuts, no fruit, no honey. No joy.
It was brutal, but I was determined—and it worked.
After a couple of months, my skin cleared up, my body calmed down, and I felt more like myself again. Was it the diet, the clean products, or the stress relief of finally leaving a toxic boss? Probably all of the above.
Looking back, I still wonder how much faster I could have healed if I’d had a guide who actually understood holistic health and clean living—someone like April and Tony at Allchemy. At the time, though, I was just figuring it out alone. I’m grateful for that experience now. It was a pivotal moment that shaped how I think about my body, my choices, and my own resilience. It forced me to get curious, take ownership of my health, and embrace the trial-and-error process.
Now, six years later, I’ve settled into more of an 80/20 approach to clean living. I’m not obsessive, but I still make small, intentional choices every single day. It’s less about perfection and more about balance—finding what works and leaving space for real life.
But here’s the thing: since becoming a mom, I’ve started slipping. Life gets busy, routines get messy, and it’s easy to fall back into old habits. Sometimes I catch myself reaching for convenience (Hi, Amazon) instead of intention. And while I know balance is important, I also know that I don’t want to wait for another breaking point to remind me to take care of myself and my family.
So here I am—recommitting to more intentional choices. Not because I’m chasing perfection, but because I know how much better I feel when I prioritize my well-being.
I’ve got a plan to get back on track, and this time, I’m finally pulling in some guidance—no more figuring it out alone. Next week, I’ll share how April and Tony at Allchemy are helping me rethink clean living, plus why I’m so grateful to have them right here in Serenbe (even though I haven’t really taken advantage yet). I’ll also pass along some of their best tips for making the most of their store… because if you’re anything like me, it can feel a bit intimidating at first.
Dinner with Nilima Bhat: Conscious Leadership and Connection at Serenbe
Picture this: an intimate dinner at one of my favorite Serenbe homes, good conversation, and a thoughtfully prepared meal by Chef Julia LeRoy. Julia is a well-regarded chef in Atlanta (previously at The Bookhouse Pub) who blends her culinary skills with a passion for local sourcing and community vibes. It’s going to be delicious!
Now add Nilima Bhat—an international speaker and coach traveling all the way from India to share her insights on leadership and personal growth. Nilima co-authored Shakti Leadership: Embracing Feminine and Masculine Power in Business and has inspired leaders around the world to rethink how they show up—more balanced, more authentic, more present.
Saturday Dinner Details: Saturday, May 31st | 5pm | RSVP by 5/24
More Details & Reserve Your Spot
And/Or the next day, join for a free community labyrinth walk and meditation with Nilima.
Sunday Labyrinth Walk & Meditation: Sunday, June 1st | 4 pm | Serenbe Labyrinth | Free (RSVP: info@kindredlane.com)
For the Locals: In Case You Missed It
Serenbe Stories – Christina and Jeff Escalante discuss planting roots in a close-knit community and their journey from NYC to Serenbe. Listen here
Bear Creek Nature Center Makeover – Finally revamped after 30 years! Thanks to a grant from Fulton County and Chatt Hills, plus a mural by Morgan Boszilkov. Reopens Tuesday!
Pork Rib Fest at the Next Farmers Market! – Saltz and Peppa Pork Community Farms is cooking up 100 pounds of Mangalitsa pork ribs at the next Serenbe Farmers Market! Choose your rack style—wrapped in foil, butcher paper, or both—with their signature sweet heat sauce or mustard-based Carolina style sauce. Saturday, May 20, from 9 am to 1 pm. Don’t miss it!
Grange Herb Garden Refresh – Fresh mulch, new plants, and an irrigation system! Big thanks to the ROMEOs and Landscape Committee.
Dance Party in the Woods – Summer kickoff with live DJs, foam party, laser show, and more at Sleepy Hollow Meadow. Silent disco starts at 11 pm—bring your headphones! Saturday, May 31, 6 pm–12 am.
Country Life Camp – August 5-8 (or 9) – Fun summer camp for kids ages 9-12, hosted by the Weidmann-Smith family and Marika Van Brocklin. Choose day camp (Aug 5-8) or day camp + overnight campout (Aug 5-9). Email Julia for more details.
Terra Middle School Recipe Book – Got a story or recipe from Palmetto? Terra Middle School is creating a community cookbook. Send submissions by May 20 to palmettoproject@terraatserenbe.org.
New Juices at Bamboo – Sip on summer with Bamboo’s seasonal blends! Try the Strawberry Banana Smoothie or Strawberry Lemon Juice—both packed with antioxidants and flavor. Limited time only!
Welcome, Joe & Sydney Luckett! – Joe just joined the Art Farm at Serenbe as Marketing Manager! Show some love by supporting their meal train as they welcome baby #4. Sign up here.
Mobile PT with Laura McMurrain – Need physical therapy at home? Laura offers in-home concierge PT with 30+ years of experience—Medicare accepted! Call 770-681-9690 to boo
Have you ever hit a breaking point that made you rethink how you live? I’d love to hear your stories. Hit reply and share—I promise to read every one.
Here’s to being real, messy, and figuring it out together.
See you on the trails
Gina
Quick note to say that your ad inside Switchyards Club Paper is working!
Candida is no joke. I wish conventional doctors would consider testing for it!!