Hi, I’m Kristen, creator & owner of saltandpepperthearth.com.

Thank you for visiting! 

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My Background:

My educational background consists of a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Florida State University and a Masters of Business Administration from East Carolina University.

 (from 2007 to early 2014) was in the finance and banking industry.

I am no longer suited to work in a traditional business environment due to the realities of long-term mental illness including rapid cycling bipolar disorder type I (with psychotic features), and a secondary diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder which I don’t necessarily agree with, but that’s what’s on my chart.  

 

I regularly cycle through macro-periods of depression and mania over the course of weeks and months, but my “micro”moods also shift sharply and, sometimes, dangerously throughout the week itself, inducing the impulsivity and recklessness of a mixed episode.  

The worst episodes are the mixed which include psychotic mixed mania with delusions (auditory and visual).  I am extensively medicated now and things are under control to the extent that I am seeking and completing freelance writing work.  

Personal/Family Life:

Healthy living has always been a lifestyle in my family. I grew up in a household of runners and salad eaters.  As an adult, I have continued to run and eat salad, but living healthfully can be both challenging and costly.  Over the years, I have relied on mainstream channels for my food, ignorant of the resources and potential within my own FRONT! yard.

Link to Channel 9 News Photos of My Front Yard Garden TWO Years Ago IN THE MAKING! 

As previously mentioned,  I’ve had a long, destructive history  with Mental Illness.  My blog post topics have evolved towards being primarily focused on Mental Health Advocacy and related issues.

To see a more thorough explanation on Why and How the Transition Occurred, please read My Ecotone.

My Diagnoses: 

Bipolar Disorder Type I, (Rapid-Cycling), Schizoaffective Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (?), Chronic and Acute Anxiety, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.

Organic Gardening:

Helping to create something useful from the earth through organic gardening has been more therapeutic than expected.   It’s provided me with a healthy outlet and it continues to keep me challenged. I enjoy learning and sharing as I go.

Exercise:

Running and Fitness is also therapeutic and vital for mental clarity.  However, because of my long-term history of Disordered Eating, it can be a slippery slope if I begin to rely on exercise as my primary coping strategy.

Writing is the center of my world.  It’s what I do, what I want, and what’s kept me alive.  Writing is the glimmer, the tiniest of happy sparks that suggest I may, one day, be successful at doing that which I love.  It brings me hope that I might be helping someone out there like me who is likewise afflicted. Every time I get a message, comment, or private email from someone saying that I have put to words that which they could not, I am replenished.  Every time someone says “thank you for understanding, I feel less alone”, and I do too.  

More Information:

For more information on the topics I write about, you can click on the pink hyperlinks included in each of the blog posts.  These will redirect you to either a related blog post I’ve written or a third party source of information I’ve cited.  Either way, you will get a clearer context and, hopefully, understanding of the topic.

If you still have questions about the topics or about me personally, I am happy to answer.  Feel free to post your comments at the bottom of any post or page, and I will respond within 24 hours or less.

If you wish to reach me privately, you may email me or message me on .

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-Kristen Polito, M.B.A.

ARTICLES PROFESSIONALLY PUBLISHED ON OTHER SITES CAN BE FOUND *HERE*

Press:

News Clip on My Front Yard Garden 

http://wftv.com/videos/news/south-daytona-womans-front-yard-garden-causes/vCYXNQ/

Link to Channel 9 News Photos of My Front Yard Garden TWO Years Ago IN THE MAKING! 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

Unless otherwise specified, all concepts, ideas, stories, and images are the property of me, Kristen Polito, and saltandpepperthearth.com.  Please do not use any of my photos or any portion of my writing without my express permission.  If I do grant you permission to use a specific excerpt or image, I ask that you source me and provide a hyperlink back to my specific blog post.  Thank you.  🙂

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a licensed therapist, psychologist, registered dietitian, nutritionist or medical doctor.  The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice.  Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your diet or exercise.

Regarding Eating Disorder recovery, I can only offer my own personal anecdotal experiences here on this blog.  For suggested professional Eating Disorder Recovery help, please visit the NEDA homepage.

Affiliates: Please note that affiliate links and sponsored posts may pop up on my site from time to time. I greatly appreciate your support!