February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partn February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partnered with @MedIQCME and Duke Health to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib), also known as irregular heartbeat which affects 12 million people.My father was diagnosed with AFib and my family has a history of this condition, so I do my best to learn as much as I can about it.

I’ve learned that when the atrium’s squeezing becomes irregular, blood doesn’t flow as smoothly through the heart and clots can form. Those clots can travel to the brain, disrupting the oxygen supply and causing a stroke. People with AFib are at approximately 5 times greater risk for stroke than those with regular heartbeats. Stroke is a leading cause of death and also of serious, long-term disability. It is essential to get to a hospital quickly if you suspect a stroke in yourself or others.Learn the acronym FAST to recognize the signs of stroke: 

F = Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

S = Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T= Time. If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Take this survey (link in bio) for the chance to win 1 of 5 $100 VISA gift cards—takes less than 10 minutes.

Thanks, @mediqcme, and Duke Heart. Supported by an educational grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance.
Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time w Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time with roses and a little Stevie Wonder. I could do this all day! 🌹 #traderjoes #flowers #roses #therapy #selfcare
Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is my absolute favorite meal and @louieswinedive in Clayton treated us so well! I will definitely be back. 

#brunch #stl #stlouis #food #stlfoodie #hosted
Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis
A generous heart is always open, always ready to r A generous heart is always open, always ready to receive our going and coming. In the midst of such love, we need never fear abandonment. This is the most precious gift true love offers – the experience of knowing we always belong.” — bell hooks
One more week before she goes back to school for h One more week before she goes back to school for her second semester. Reppin #stl and @seriessixcompany. 

#stlouis #collegekid #stlmade #mykid
Flower arranging has become the self-care I didn’t know I needed. It’s a tranquil and relaxing experience for me. Get into it. 💐 #traderjoes #flowers #therapy #selfcare
It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me toda It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me today as I spent the first day of the year taking care of my mind, body, and soul. It went something like this…. #newyear #selfcare #overforty #fortyish
We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A time was had and memories were made. Grateful that I got some extra days with these guys (thanks Southwest—now run my son back his reimbursement 😂).
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Fashion, Midlife, On A Personal Note · October 26, 2022

I Like Eating Alone. No I’m Not Lonely


I like eating alone. But for some, a table for one signals that you are alone and it's not by choice. This is not true in my case.

Recently, I decided to take myself out to lunch. I hopped in my car and took the twenty-minute drive to one of my favorite chain restaurants to indulge in one of their salads–they are so good, and I am sorta kind of addicted. Anyway, after asking for a table for one and taking a seat in an out-of-the-way booth in the corner, I commenced placing my order.

When I eat alone, I usually bring a book to read or I listen to an audiobook while I visit my favorite blogs on my iPhone. When it comes to lunchtime, this is one of my favorite things to do–by myself.

While I sat and waited for my salad to arrive, a young man walked by my table and doubled back.

“Are you eating alone?” he asked.

I nodded.

“As attractive as you are, it’s surprising that you are eating by yourself,” he mused. And yes, I am paraphrasing.

“I like eating alone,” I said in response and he gave me The People’s Eyebrow. Like–is it hard to believe that I would choose to eat alone versus eating with a companion?

He continued on with his day and I was glad about this, as he was interrupting my audiobook listening and blog reading.

My salad arrived and the server, a young woman, asked if I need anything else. I told her no.

“Is someone else joining you?”

I try to smile. “Nope. It’s just me, myself, and I.”

She looked puzzled. “I could never eat by myself,” she said, almost as if she was embarrassed for me.

“I actually like to eat by myself. Sometimes, I prefer it.” I said.

When she walked away, I could tell that she was bewildered at my response, and it got me thinking. I am not sure how many times someone has chimed in about me eating alone when I was eating alone. It happens more than I’d like it to, and this puzzles me.

Is it a sin for someone to want to eat alone?

I’ve been told things like:

“You are far too pretty to be by yourself.”

“Don’t you have anyone to join you?”

“Where’s your man?”

All while sitting at my table for one minding my business. The truth is none of the above. I eat alone because I choose to. I want to. There are times when I go on a lunch date with friends and coworkers and there are times when I like to go solo. It doesn’t embarrass me to eat by myself and it doesn’t bother me that others are confused by it. Why does it have to mean that I am lonely or don’t have a man if I opt to eat alone?

I was married and I ate alone plenty of times. On purpose.

I had a man, been in relationships, and been engaged and I ate by myself often. Intentionally.

I have close girlfriends and I’ve turned down invitations to lunch in order to eat by myself.

I enjoy my own company sometimes, and I make no apologies.

Simply stated, I like eating alone.

The notion that one has to be lonely, unattractive, not wanted, or has no friends because they eat by themselves is something that I fail to understand. For many of us, it’s a choice. A preference. Nothing more.

So, boom let me make it really clear and plain: my name is Danyelle and I like to eat alone sometimes. And I do so because I want to.

via GIPHY

Eating alone doesn’t mean I am desperate or I am unwanted. Neither of those things is true.

I think these types of black-and-white all-or-nothing views are terrible. We all don’t fit into a preconceived notion or ideal–some of us do what we like without caring what it looks like to others. And yes, some of us like eating alone. Some of us enjoy spending time with just ourselves. Some of us like being around other people without having someone to join us.

In fact, I don’t trust people who can’t be by themselves sometimes. It’s giving– that they are avoiding something about themselves, so they surround themselves around others. Or, is it me now being the judgmental one?

I know that this won’t be the last time that I will have to defend my table for one, and I guess that is okay, too. People are going to people and think what they want to think. This is just my place on the web to explain my position.

Check, please.

Do you like to eat alone? Are you appalled at the thought of a table for one? What are your thoughts?


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In: Fashion, Midlife, On A Personal Note · Tagged: food, midlife, personal life, restaurants

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February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partn February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partnered with @MedIQCME and Duke Health to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib), also known as irregular heartbeat which affects 12 million people.My father was diagnosed with AFib and my family has a history of this condition, so I do my best to learn as much as I can about it.

I’ve learned that when the atrium’s squeezing becomes irregular, blood doesn’t flow as smoothly through the heart and clots can form. Those clots can travel to the brain, disrupting the oxygen supply and causing a stroke. People with AFib are at approximately 5 times greater risk for stroke than those with regular heartbeats. Stroke is a leading cause of death and also of serious, long-term disability. It is essential to get to a hospital quickly if you suspect a stroke in yourself or others.Learn the acronym FAST to recognize the signs of stroke: 

F = Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

S = Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T= Time. If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Take this survey (link in bio) for the chance to win 1 of 5 $100 VISA gift cards—takes less than 10 minutes.

Thanks, @mediqcme, and Duke Heart. Supported by an educational grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance.
Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time w Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time with roses and a little Stevie Wonder. I could do this all day! 🌹 #traderjoes #flowers #roses #therapy #selfcare
Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is my absolute favorite meal and @louieswinedive in Clayton treated us so well! I will definitely be back. 

#brunch #stl #stlouis #food #stlfoodie #hosted
Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis Brunch vibes. #latergram #brunch #stl #stlouis
A generous heart is always open, always ready to r A generous heart is always open, always ready to receive our going and coming. In the midst of such love, we need never fear abandonment. This is the most precious gift true love offers – the experience of knowing we always belong.” — bell hooks
One more week before she goes back to school for h One more week before she goes back to school for her second semester. Reppin #stl and @seriessixcompany. 

#stlouis #collegekid #stlmade #mykid
Flower arranging has become the self-care I didn’t know I needed. It’s a tranquil and relaxing experience for me. Get into it. 💐 #traderjoes #flowers #therapy #selfcare
It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me toda It was about a mellow mood & self-care for me today as I spent the first day of the year taking care of my mind, body, and soul. It went something like this…. #newyear #selfcare #overforty #fortyish
We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A We made it a family night at @stlouiswheelpark. A time was had and memories were made. Grateful that I got some extra days with these guys (thanks Southwest—now run my son back his reimbursement 😂).
My family gifted me $250 worth of Sephora gift car My family gifted me $250 worth of Sephora gift cards as one of my Christmas surprises. Take a look at my haul which includes makeup for oily skin and a some faves! #sephora #haul #skin #oilyskin #beautyproducts #overforty #midlifewomen
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