Hello from quarantined Manhattan! Yep – I’m on Day 7 of social distancing — meaning…it has been a long week for this extrovert.

Yesterday I had 6 Skype dates with my friends, and let me tell you — we were all a little loopy. I think I got an abdominal workout from all the laughter. Most of which, was at my embarrassing expense. 🙂

I’ll tell you what. You think you’ve got some idiosyncrasies? Try being cooped up in a 500 sq. foot studio apartment for a week straight, and then let me know!
Things be getting crazy. And by things, I mean…me.
OK — that’s not the purpose of this post, just a little light humor to brighten our cabin fever 🙂 ((And heads up, I’m posting a lot more on Instagram, so please join me for my crazy candid content. — #BananaGate, anyone?))

SO – One of the most interesting things I’ve watched unfold during this Coronavirus hysteria, is that, whether people fully realize it or not, all of these drastic measures, with the social distancing, and the travel bans, and the working from home…these are all measures to protect life. For the first time ever, we’re all on team “prolife!”
We, as a country – and as a global community – are completely upending our lives, tanking our economy, and flirting with the line of sanity, because we’re protecting the elderly and most vulnerable people. It communicates our recognition of the value for human life. And I’ve got to say, as a prolife millennial — this beautiful teamwork and unity is not lost on me.
I went to the grocery store yesterday (it’s basically the only errand you’re “allowed” to run during these quarantined times), and I, of course was nervous about having to be at a public space. As a young woman with an autoimmune disease, I am hyper vigilant about not contracting Corona. So my MO is: head down – get in, get out, touch nothing, speak to no one, then sanitize until the cows come home.

So, you can imagine how, phobic-me was internally freaking out when this darling 72 year old woman struck up a lengthy conversation with me in the avocado aisle of our natural food store.
I made eye contact and gave a little smile at her, which proceeded to launch her into a full, blown monologue — meanwhile I’m just wringing my hands, thinking, “Please just let me get me out of this germ hotbed” and praying to God that this sweet old woman wasn’t contracting COVID19 from the handlebar of her shopping cart.
But in that moment, as I found myself growing irritated, the Holy Spirit moved in my heart, and gave me a spirit of compassion for this woman. And so I actually began listening to what she was saying.
She lived alone. She was 72. And she was saying that she wasn’t worried, because she keeps herself so healthy by dancing. She said she dances the merengue every afternoon in her apartment — and she even whipped out a couple moves right there in the produce section.

And it was at this moment, sharing in this human connection and moment of joy with this older woman — laughing together and smiling, albeit at a “socially distant” 6 feet apart from one another — that I realized that this precious woman was just in need of some love and warmth, during a time where fear and uncertainty are running rampant at an exponential level.
This gentle, kind and eccentric woman could have been my grandmother. And she’s out here – alone – fending for herself against a virus that is being hawked as the “elderly killer.”
As we went our separate ways, I thought to myself: This is who you’re protecting.
She is who we’re protecting. She is why we’re keeping social distance and staying inside.

It is her life – her value – that has the world taking such dramatic efforts. And realizing that, it brought a smile to my face.
Because as a defender of the unborn, I believe that all life – from conception to natural death – has an innate, inherent value that cannot be stripped away or commoditized, or denied.
One of the most common arguments that pro-abortion people make is that by having the baby, it will detrimentally inconvenience the mother.
But here we are, as not just a nation — but an entire global population — “detrimentally inconveniencing” our livelihoods, our relationships, our economies, our physical and mental health, our leisure time, our lives – in order to protect and defend the lives of the most vulnerable.

I just pray that people realize that connection. And that we reevaluate our judgments on how we protect and defend the most vulnerable and truly voiceless population in the womb. According to the WHO, abortion was the leading cause of death in the world in 2019 — with roughly 125,000 deaths per day.
Can you imagine the outcry and the lengths we’d take to stop that, if, as a society, we cared and recognized the value, dignity, and sanctity of life in those little babies?
The world has — rightfully — come to a screeching halt, for — as of publication — 10,025 deaths.
Each one of those precious lives matters. It’s someone’s mother, father, sister, friend, spouse.
So too, do the lives of those babies. All 42 million of them that died in 2019 alone.

Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay positive. Stay sane. And next time you eat an avocado, please think of our sweet 72 year old friend, busting out the merengue moves in an NYC grocery store.
I love you all.

***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
A big thank you to my foundational sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy. I cannot begin to express how beneficial therapy was for my recovery from anorexia. Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.
Sign up below for my free newsletter!
Get my daily videos, recipes and posts delivered straight to your inbox!
[mc4wp_form id=”30616″]
Here was yesterday’s video! https://youtu.be/8pmp4ZI968A
MAGIC TOOTHPASTE? Yes! I am in love with this superior whitening toothpaste. It keeps my smile sparkling, without sensitivity or bleach! I made a website where you can directly order this miracle product! So if you want to give it a try, you can go ahead and grab a tube for yourself. I promise, your smile will thank you!
I had so much fun going through the FabFitFun winter box — it’s filled with awesome products — from beauty, to fitness, fashion, skincare, home — all full size, valued at over $250, but sold for only $39.99 when you use my code “SANTABABY!”
Be sure to check out my affiliate, Audible. Listening to audiobooks while I cook is literally my new favorite thing. And just for you, they’re offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership. And with this free membership, you’re going to get 2 free audiobooks! Literally. Free. It is the best deal ever. And if for some reason, you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within those 30 days and it’s zero money out of your pocket, plus, you get to keep the 2 audiobooks. Soooo…it’s pretty much a no brainer. Plus, it’s a free and easy way to support this blog! So thank you!!
Huge shoutout to my favorite: Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center in Summit, New Jersey! Located just outside of NYC, this gorgeous medical spa keeps my skin healthy and bright! Stop in and treat yo’self! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram

For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! It’s only $2 a month!! You make this blog possible 🙂
And really quickly, I’ve had several questions concerning my Amazon link (amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones) — You do not need to buy one of my specific highlighted products on my page, in order for it to “credit” my account. Any purchases that you search or make from anywhere on Amazon, after first visiting my Amazon page, will credit this blog and help support this blog ministry. I am truly so grateful and appreciative to those of you wanting to do so! So thank you! Again, it is an absolutely free, and easy way for you to help keep this blog going!







Sorry to focus on the humor in this piece. I am not making light of death or anything, but one can get a bit delirious stuck in a small place for a long time. Me and my kids were sad about there being no bananas at the store yesterday, so we made up jokes about it.
What did the goat say to the banana? Baaah-na-na.
Are there bananas at the store? Ba-no-no!
Anyway, I also remember a Seinfeld episode about the lady stealing all the toilet paper and Elaine asking for one little square and she wouldn’t even spare a square.
Anyway, more seriously, thank you for the reminder that many are killed unjustly than die from the flu or related illnesses usually. The world has its priorities mixed up and that is why judgment is coming. Hope people wake up from their sinfulness during this crisis and remember what is most important.
Take care.
P.S. You can come up with lots of new recipes using bananas now!
LikeLike
No worries! Haha oh gosh i love that – Ba no no! I’m sorry there weren’t any! Wish i could mail you some! Stay well friend. Recipes coming soon! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
What a brilliant observation, Caralyn: We’re all on the pro-life team right now! I pray the team stays together when this is all over.
LikeLike
Aw thank you Nancy! You’re right! We’re all in this together! Me too 🙂 big hugs xox
LikeLike
Stay safe in New York
LikeLike
Thank you friend. I will certainly try. Stay well. Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing! Your post is a good perspective shift ❤ if only people really did take such selfless measures to protect the unborn…i can only imagine..God bless you with peace and health girl 😊
LikeLike
Thank you Riley! Can you imagine?! That would be amazing. Stay well. Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Bingo! We’re all in this fight together. 🙂 Both my mother and I ran into a woman at the grocery store that resembled an older relative of ours and she was telling us of how her mother was constantly blowing her phone up with her using the Life Alert. All we could do was laugh and just communicate with her. She told us that she stays in prayer and believes, prays, and loves God… just as we do. It was all God’s miracles happening throughout this disaster.
We felt like you: Just get in and out, but when random folks only want to chat with us out of nowhere, I remember that God is doing this for a reason. Yeah… we just wanted to get whatever item we needed and leave, but that was a moment (including yours as well) that God just wanted to calm us down for a moment. It’s our human instincts to think of ‘something could go wrong’, ‘I could get the virus even if someone dares to look at me wrong’, etc. But what we all have to remember is that the Lord is supporting us and loves us indefinitely under His Wings. We have to trust and believe in His Words.
After we all found out that all 3 of us at home (my grandmother (74), my mother and myself with the auto-immune disease of MS) could be at risk of catching the virus, we stacked up on food to hold us up for a while, and just stayed in prayer and kept on moving. My grandmother didn’t stop her midnight job and me and my mom just keep enjoying things ourselves at home like always. Of course, we make sure to communicate with our friends and family members, but nothing really has changed much for us. I will admit that it feels like our streets are more abandoned than ever since we rarely see people walking outside.
Stay Strong and know that we are in this Fight Together!! You’re not alone and never was, especially since the Lord is already walking by Your Side. 🙂 Love ya’. Chat soon.
LikeLike
We really are all in this together! Yes – prayer changes things! Amen to that. Thank you for sharing your heart and your experience. What a comforting truth. I appreciate the reminder! Stay well friend. Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
This is a truly profound perspective. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
Aw thank you Kara 🙂 so glad you enjoyed it. Stay well! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
A nice, informative, educational, easy to digest piece. Kudos and blessings.
LikeLike
Thank you friend. Glad you thought so. Stay well! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Life & death decisions are not a matter of convenience. – Oscar
LikeLike
You’re right about that Oscar. Stay well. Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Truthful, thoughtful and humorous. I enjoyed reading this during this lockdown time. It also, reminds me of myself. I went to the grocery store and prior to leaving. I sprayed myself with lysol from head to toe!
LikeLike
Thank you Paula. I’m glad this could bring a little light to the lockdown. Haha good work! Stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox!
LikeLike
Yes!!! Thank you for saying what I have been thinking!! Wonderfully written!!
LikeLike
Thank you friend 🙂 so glad this hit home with you! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
You really made me smile. Thanks for that!
LikeLike
Oh good I’m so glad it did 🙂 stay well! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
So beautifully written. This is such an important message. Stay safe!!!
LikeLike
Thank you so much 🙂 I’m glad it hit home with you! Ditto! Stay safe! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Very astute observation and very well stated.
I wrote an article this week observing how we went from a wants-based economy to a needs-based economy within a few days.
No one cares about fashion, cars, or what breed of dog you own. They care about milk and eggs and toilet paper.
It’s amazing to see how our world is transforming in minutes. It’s a historical moment few people in the history of humanity have lived through.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Jay 🙂 I’m so glad this resonated wtih you. Yes – that transformation has been astounding. big hugs to you xo
LikeLike
That little lady may well have a granddaughter that she can’t see or be in contact with and you reminded her of that person…and then, some folks are just chatty no matter what! Lol
Thanks for sharing your story. Hope your folks are doing well where they are!
LikeLike
You’re so right – i didn’t htink about that. thanks for sharing that 🙂 yes – they are doing well – we facetimed twice today! haha stay well! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Heard about what is happening in New York from Trump’s coronavirus task force meeting on TV! Stay safe and be wise!
LikeLike
thanks Annalee — yeah scary times, my friend. scary times. stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Thank you for this beautiful post! Wow. I hadn’t thought of this correlation, but you are 100% spot on. This post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for stopping by Take Heart, World! Peace and health!
LikeLike
Thank you friend. So glad this resonated with you 🙂 stay well!! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
We’re on day 5 in Indo, and thank you for sharing this.
LikeLike
Praying for you and your community Britt! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
wow Coronavirus and abortion. Only in America. Abortion. What about poverty or capitalist genocide. Ecocide. But you use an emotive misogynistic topic to monetise yr site and spread the kind of hate that kills those outside the woman’s body. Logging off the site.
LikeLike
Hi Julia, I’m sorry you feel that way. Wishing you health and safety during these frightening times. God bless. Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
I love your banana collection — The Primal Gourmet (Insta & blog) has a great paleo banana bread recipe that I highly recommend.
LikeLike
Haha thank you! I’ll have to check it out! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike