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BuenQamino is a San Diego-based, Health-Conscious and Award-Winning Gluten-Free Travel and Lifestyle Blog designed to inspire adventure and healthy living without limit.

Celiac, Gluten-Free, Food-Sensitive Travel, and Lifestyle

Navigating the Path of Wellness and Adventure - A Personal Note

Living with food sensitivities, and a myriad of health challenges since infancy has shaped my journey. I was first diagnosed with chronic illness, specifically Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)/ Dysautonomia in my teens, and later with Celiac Disease (CD) in 2012. These diagnoses prompted a profound transformation in both my diet and lifestyle choices, leading me to embrace a gluten-free and holistic way of life. Alongside dietary changes, I have also prioritized radical self-care and spiritual well-being, which have proven to also be life-changing.

Recognizing the need for a dedicated platform to support individuals with Lyme Disease, chronic illnesses, and various health restrictions, BuenQamino has now become the official blog and online magazine for Begin Within Today (http://beginwithin.com) and Within Me App (http://withinmeapp.com)

At BuenQamino, our mission is to empower and help individuals like you with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to navigate the world of travel and wellness, regardless of dietary restrictions or health challenges. Together, with Begin Within Today's services, and resources and Within Me App, we can break down barriers, discover new possibilities, and create a life that embraces adventure, vibrant health, and limitless potential.

Join me on this transformative journey as we explore gluten-free travel, cultivate a health-conscious lifestyle, and inspire one another to rise above limitations. BuenQamino, in collaboration with Begin Within and Within Me App, is here to guide you, providing insights, practical advice, and a supportive community that understands and celebrates the triumphs and joys of living life to the fullest.

Remember, with awareness, preparation, and an unwavering spirit, we can transcend the boundaries that food restrictions and other health-related challenges may present. Let's embark on this path together, embracing the richness of life and shaping a future where wellness and adventure intertwine.

As always, Buen Camino, - Christina P. Kantzavelos, LCSW, MSW, MLIS, CTA

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Christina P. Kantzavelos obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and her Master's degree in Library and Information Sciences from San Jose State University (SJSU). In her international clinical practice (@BeginWithinToday), she specializes in treating and advocating for individuals with chronic illnesses, including Lyme Disease, autoimmune and rare diseases, and physical, developmental, neurodivergent, and age-related disabilities. She also has expertise in psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration therapy (MAPS trainee). In 2020, she published the internationally-sold Begin Within Daily Health Wellness Journals for Chronic Illness and Mental Wellness, which has now been extended into the WithinMe App. Additionally, she volunteers as a group support facilitator and serves on the board of the San Diego Lyme Alliance (Bay Area Lyme Foundation affiliate).

As a neurodivergent and first-generation (third culture) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), life coach, writer, and chronic illness warrior, she brings a unique perspective to her work. With an impressive 14+ years of clinical experience across various settings, Christina has experience in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services, acute inpatient hospital services (telemetry, medical/surgical, labor and delivery, ER, Behavioral Health, and ICU), insurance case management, assertive community treatment (ACT), home health, hospice, applied behavioral analysis (ABA) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), disaster mental health (humanitarian work), psychedelic-assisted therapy, and private therapy and coaching.

Christina approaches her clients with sensitivity and compassion, meeting them exactly where they are on their journey. She specializes in working with individuals facing chronic health conditions, as well as those who have experienced complex trauma, including medical trauma.

Understanding that chronic medical conditions, such as dysautonomia, EDS, Lyme Disease, Bartonella, PPD, Hashimoto’s, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), vasculitis, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME), vertigo, IBS, IBD, diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, mold illness, and others, can significantly impact one's life, Christina helps her clients navigate the challenges they face. She recognizes that chronic illnesses can be partly rooted in trauma, which triggers a chronic stress/fight-or-flight response, hindering the body's natural healing process. To address this, Christina employs a range of holistic evidence-based treatment modalities and practice-based evidence, including EMDR therapy, to identify and address the underlying causes. She also incorporates mindfulness techniques, positive psychology, neural retraining, and strength-based therapy into her practice.

In addition to her clinical work, Christina offers life coaching, case management, and elder and disability care planning and support, ensuring comprehensive care for her clients.

Christina's dedication to her field, her commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of her clients, and her passion for promoting holistic well-being make her a valuable resource for those seeking support and guidance on their journey toward healing and personal growth.

Why is travel so important to me?

Travel has changed me time and time again, to be more conscious, grateful, curious, cultured, confident, and overall, more wise and knowledgeable. I believe a lot of ignorance is fear-based, especially when it is regarding other cultures, religions, beliefs, traditions, etc. If you choose to stay in one place, and only socialize with those who look like you, dress like you, believe in the same things you do, you tend to isolate yourself, and not always, but sometimes create stigmas involving things that are 'not like you.'

Traveling has a tendency to force you (in a good way) to experience someone else's culture, traditions, cuisine and in exchange you may realize that the people you thought were so different, are not so different from you after all.

In doing this and alleviating any stigma based fear, you essentially bring home the most priceless of souvenirs, which include but are not limited to stronger cultural competence, a deeper sense of gratitude, wisdom, an experience like no other, and getting to share that with others. I personally have learned and experienced more via travel, than any book I've read, or documentary or television show I have watched (sorry/RIP Anthony Bourdain). There is something about traveling that needs to be kinesthetically experienced, and I look forward to offering others the opportunity to do just that.  

As always, Buen Camino,

Christina P. Kantzavelos, LCSW, MSW, MLIS, CTA

All thoughts and opinions are expressed as my own on this website.

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