The ALS ice bucket challenge was really the most brilliant publicity stunt of 2014, and it has brought worldwide awareness for a barely-known disease.

Lyme has brought me to my knees; this disease is a silent killer and does not have a face.

I do have my insecurities, but I feel good in my skin, and my heart is full of love.

Trash talk is poisonous and a bad habit!

In 2013, after a challenging two years of long-term IV antibiotics and six weeks at a clinic in florida, I received the ‘Star Light’ award from the Lyme Research Alliance for my advocacy and strength to light the way of Lyme disease awareness.

I think I’m a disciplined mom versus a strict mom. But also, that job – the disciplining was from birth until about 12, and at 12, I set my kids free, and they learned to become independent human beings.

Although I am not Jewish, I have been to many Friday night Shabbats at my friends houses, and I absolutely love it. It’s a great and inspiring tradition to keep the family close.

I grew up cleaning stalls and milking cows.

I have tried the fancy, superficial life in my past, but I quickly learned that diamonds are not my best friend.

It’s hard for me to be involved in superficial friendships with other women.

I believe acknowledging our own mistakes is half the problem solved.

There is nothing harder for me than to sit at the sideline, not being able to be productive.

People probably perceive me as a bit boring because I am a little slow in the humor department, but it’s just hard for me to get jokes when they’re told in English. I am always the last one to get it.

Every essential oil has a healing purpose, so I think it’s a great gift because it’s something that elevates your mood and your health.

While the majority of my career has relied on my aesthetics and how I look, I worked hard at keeping a spiritual connection with what was most important, what is inside me.

There is very little magic in the world of the chronically ill.

The tabloids so easily throw people under the bus for a one-day sensation on the newsstand but sadly don’t care about the long-term damage it does to those involved.

Some people come into our life as a blessing, while others come into our life as a lesson, so love them for who they are instead of judging them for who they are not.

I feel that when you take the responsibility to host something, it is your job to make sure that all your guests are taken care of equally.

It’s sad that people forget sometimes that there is a whole legitimate world of artists and actors out there that work their entire life, every day on perfecting their craft, but yet don’t get any acknowledgement for their extraordinary commitment to their profession.

It’s interesting as a mom to reflect on your own parenting skills. The core of our beliefs may stay the same, but our perspective changes over the years and evolves with each child that comes through us.

All of my gifts really come from a place of healing. I have homemade essential oils with a diffuser, which I’ve given to all my kids.

I took the same pride in my dishwashing job as a child as I take in running my company today.

Fake friends believe in rumors. Real friends believe in you.

I choose to live in the present because when you suffer from chronic illness, you don’t have a choice. It’s day by day, one foot in front of the other. When there is a good day, you soak up that moment. Those ‘good selfie’ moments are captured because they’re a gift.

Getting chronic Lyme disease is probably the fastest way to figure out what and who is real in your life.

I have never in my life let a man disrespect me, verbally or physically, and that will never change. I feel very strongly about this because it’s something my mother instilled in me and that I have instilled in my daughters.

I love the American openness and use of language; I just don’t know how to be that way.

Having been raised very disciplined, I had to iron for my mom every Friday afternoon after school.

Unfortunately but absolutely fair to all, the one thing money can’t buy is health – and happiness.

Since losing my health, I also feel strongly about making each new day worthwhile.

Religion is a very sensitive subject and reason for wars all over the world.

I am extremely proud of my heritage, and I would never use being Dutch as an excuse but rather an explanation of our cultural differences.

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in Beverly Hills, but I was born with a great deal of self-worth.

I have been driven by romance my whole life because I crave the intimacy that comes with that.

Finding that financial independence away from a broken relationship is probably one of the most powerful places a woman can get to.

I am righteous and not afraid to speak my truth. My delivery might not always be as diplomatic as I would like it to be, but my words are truthful – spoken from the heart and to the point.

I have always been fascinated with romance and the fact that it is so effortless when we first fall in love but how it then becomes a conscious effort to stay creative and connected. Thats why I always say, ‘Get wise: keep your romance alive.’

I will continue to pave the way and share my health journey with the world until I find a cure and proper diagnostic testing for this silent killer called Lyme disease.

I have always said, ’40 is the new 20,’ and I truly believe that, but it for sure takes a lot of hard work, education, and discipline to keep it all together as we make our way to 50 and beyond.

I am open and respect everyone‘s religious and spiritual choices because at the end of the day, in my opinion, I hope that we are all praying to the same God.

Anyone that was raised with a Germanic language will agree that our tone is strong, especially once translated into English.

I have worked since I was 12 years old and started providing for my family in Holland by the age of 17 – and I still do today.

I have faith that God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling.

When struggling to get out of bed in the morning due to pain and exhaustion, the last thing on the priority list is going to get a blow dry.

I believe the core of most of us women is very simple. We want to feel appreciated, acknowledged, and something as simple as flowers with a little note or some love letters goes a long way.

I never had the college experience, so I have raised my girls to be more work-oriented and motivated to be financially independent.

‘Through sickness and through health’ sounds so simple on your wedding day, but in reality, they become significant words that are a huge responsibility and show true character to navigate.

It took me a while to learn the true meaning of patience and surrender, but I have finally accepted that healing doesn’t happen on our schedule. It doesn’t have a clock or a calendar.

There are many different shapes of friendships to be had.

The only reason I ever shared my health journey with the world was because I felt it to be my duty to sufferers that are bed-ridden and dying because there has yet to be found a proper diagnostic test for Lyme Disease in this country.

At 12 years old, I raised a premature baby cow on our farm because her mom had died. I bottle-fed it every day, let it suck on my chin, and babied it until it was stable.

The Lyme disease had so severely affected my brain functioning that it was extremely hard for me to think, form sentences, and stay focused.

When the chips are down, life forces you to take inventory and reevaluate the people in your life.

I am proud to be an American and finally call this my home!

Being acknowledged and appreciated by your child and stepchild is the greatest gift for all the hard work we put in as parents.

We are all blessed to be on the Bravo train because it’s a fantastic platform for meeting new people, getting our messages out there, and connecting with fans around the world.

When done with heart, commitment, and integrity, every job is equally important.

The core of people don’t change… what you see is what you get.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and we don’t always act in a way that represents who we are. What matters is that these moments become teaching moments.

Looking good and feeling like death is a difficult combination for people to understand.

Trash talk is dangerous, especially when it comes from hearsay.

My favorite holiday memory is making gingerbread houses. It’s something I’ve done with my children since they were born.

The Lakers and the Clippers teams play against each other; friends shouldn’t.

A lot of great medicines and ancient therapies are blocked by the FDA, so that’s why I choose to travel and recognize the value of diverse points of view in medicine.

Establishing a friendship after divorce takes great effort and a lot of swallowing of your pride and ego.

In my culture, whispering in the company of others is considered rude.

Being raised by a Catholic father, a Protestant mother, and marrying the Muslim father of my three children, I encourage people to respect and at least try to understand different religions.

My life is raw, authentic, and focused on giving back to the journey God has given me; I want to leave this earth a better place with answers and education on Lyme and invisible chronic disease.

I always like to remind myself that the most honorable people of all are not those who never make mistakes, but those who admit to them when they do and then move on and do their best to right the wrongs they have made.

We who suffer from chronic Lyme can only ask for our loved ones to try to understand and be compassionate about this invisible disease.

I have learned that friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest, it’s about who came and never left your side.

Even though I struggle with severe diminished brain function, I take 100 percent responsibility for every word that comes out of my mouth and gladly admit to my mistakes.

Having lost my own father at such a young age, I have a soft spot for dads in general, but especially for Guy Glanville. He is a really good man inside who loves his family but may not always be capable of showing that.

I’m not very diplomatic and wear my heart on my sleeve.