Exploring our home state is one of my favorite ways to spend family vacations every year. As the kids have gotten older, we've spent more time doing road trips to visit other states and fun locations. But we always find our best times spent together are in New York. Our most loved area to spend [...]
Travel, to me, is one of the most important MUSTs for humans. International travel provides opportunities to those who want to experience new cuisines, history, and new types of people. But, domestic travel? Well, traveling domestically allows people to learn more about their own country, their people, and, the unique cultures found in the most [...]
Life's better with boundaries. Why do I say this? What are the benefits of setting boundaries? Honestly, I didn't truly understand how important it was to have some personal rules and regulations when interacting with loved ones, and even people I didn't even like. It was only after my therapist brought up that I couldn't [...]
In a world where white men are still making decisions for women, it's important to remember not only what BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS women have fought hard to reclaim, but also the women who did the fighting! Today, on International Women's Day, I'm all about remembering women who have made history and honoring all of their [...]
In the darkest days it's hard to find things to be grateful for. What I eventually realized was the importance of gratitude when I was drowning in depression. It never occurred to me to take time to not just think of things to be grateful for, but also to really sit in the gratitude. Why? [...]
Growing up, I used to squirrel away my allowance, birthday money, and Christmas money to buy lots of books. I have no clue why my obsession with reading has lasted an entire lifetime. I recollect nothing from my childhood about being read to, but I'm told I was. However, I DO remember seeing my parents [...]
Everyone tells us we need to create healthy plates of food with all the colors of the rainbow. What's that mean? You need to add more veggies to your diet, that's what! Truth is many people don't enjoy vegetables. I have a kid who has been slow to embrace your greens. It took a lot [...]
It’s understandable why some animals hibernate through the coldest months of the year. The animals stay warm and cozy as they await the warmth of spring. Humans can learn from animals about how to keep warm in the cold months. You just need a winter wellness plan that includes ways to stay healthy and energized. [...]
When you don’t have a healthy thyroid, symptoms can be difficult to manage. Constant fatigue paired with mood swings and uncontrolled weight fluctuations along with all of the other less-than-fun symptoms has a way of making you feel like a stranger in your own body. Foods that Boost Thyroid Function With winter settling in, we’ve [...]
One of my life long dreams is to never rely on corporate jobs as my main source of income. Escaping the nine to five is always the goal, am I right? We aren't meant to sit in offices and cubicles eight hours a day, five days a week. And working from home is just more [...]
It's the season most of us crave comfort foods. Something in the cold air has our minds aching for a big bowl of macaroni & cheese, a dozen chocolate chip cookies, huge bowls of chili, and large portions of lasagna. It's science, isn't it? If you live in warmer climates, I'm not sure what kicks [...]
Winter is, quite possibly, the harshest season for not just our mental health and bodies, but also our skin. Keeping it from drying out is a massive undertaking and there's a lot of moving parts when trying to hydrate skin. It isn't all about lotions and potions. Some of the work is internal, which maximizes [...]
Whether you have hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s, or post-ablative hypothyroidism, maintaining your health and fitness is an essential part of your overall wellness. With the New Year, you might be feeling the pressure to enhance your thyroid fitness and work toward a healthier lifestyle. Follow along to discover some essential thyroid management basics. Essential Thyroid Management & [...]
When life is just kicking me in the balls and I can't seem to find the motivation to not only set goals for myself, but then create action steps to achieve goals - I turn to movies (and music, but we're focusing on movies for now). But, not just entertaining movies that spark laughter. No, [...]
We all know desserts aren't exactly the healthiest things to eat. But guess what? Sometimes you just want a sweet treat, and if you're going to indulge on a regular basis, might as well incorporate some fresh fruit into the mix! Cupcakes are perfect little portions of sweetness, and fruit cupcake recipes incorporate all the [...]
Whenever I hear cocoa, I immediately think about a chocolaty, steamy, whipped creamy, marshmallowy liquid hug in a mug! A hot cup of cocoa is the truest way to feel comfort when you don't have someone to wrap you up in a hug. Imagine my surprise when I went hunting around the internet for a [...]
Clicking on that ‘Buy Now’ button whenever you see something you like can be tempting. It feels so rewarding to treat yourself to some new things, like investment clothing pieces. Or maybe you like hitting up the stores in person and splurging. Either way, there’s something undeniably exciting about adding new pieces to your wardrobe, [...]
Embarking on an adventure journey is exciting, but deciding what to pack for a camping trip can be daunting. Having the ultimate camping trip packing list can help you choose all the right gear, making the difference between a seamless experience and a troublesome one, especially if you plan to camp after hiking through expansive [...]
As a seasoned traveler would know, forgotten items, getting stranded, and many other unpleasant experiences can greatly ruin a much-anticipated road trip. Detailed planning and preparation may be a huge hassle, but the peace of mind, safety, and delightful experience it can offer during your trip make it well worth the effort. Ultimate Road Trip [...]
Autumn used to be all about a crisp chill in the air and wearing sweaters.....now, our temperatures are all out of whack in New York. We can go from summer-type temps on a Friday and snow the following day. However, the one thing that remains a constant: the changing of the leaves. It happens at [...]
There’s a saying that beauty comes from inside out. While this might be true on many levels, when it comes to taking care of your skin, that sentiment is spot on. Even though there are a number of topical products designed to address the signs of aging, holistic skincare starts with what you put in [...]
Weeknight pasta dishes need to be simple and quick, right? After spending a long day at work, school, or doing whatever, no. one wants to start cooking from scratch. We all want fast and easy, and what's easier or more comforting than pasta? NOTHING! Simple, Quick Weeknight Pasta Dishes Even though I try not to [...]
I like to feel cozy for fall so I light candles, and wear layers of soft, comfy clothing, eat comfort foods, and sip on hot cocoa. I'm sure others feel this way more often than not. Because, sometimes fall brings chilly temperatures. It can bring rain, and we know it brings less daylight hours. With [...]
I get it. Everyone thinks ghosts, witches, costumes, and candy when October hits. It's the Halloween season, after all. But hear me out - instead of consuming buckets of candy after trick-or-treating - how about savoring some scary good Halloween desserts?!!! If you've got kids who love to trick-or-treat, don't keep them from doing it. [...]
Although I'm not a Halloween lover, I gave birth to two Halloween fans. One is more into the whole spooky, scary, gory aspects of the holiday. The other one enjoys scoring enough candy to last him for a year just for dressing up, or attending neighborhood events. Since we're also fans of traveling, it didn't [...]
If I can avoid utensils at dinner, or lunch, or breakfast for that matter, I'm down for it. It's truly amazing how many dinners require absolutely no forks, spoons, or knives. It's a beautiful thing. When I plan out my cooking for the week, I look for meals I can use my hands: pizza, gyros, [...]
It's fall y'all. Time to get out on fun dates around New York (not just New York City). New York fall day date ideas can range from indoor activities requiring absolutely no subways to outdoor adventures requiring hiking boots! I know what you're probably thinking: who wants a date that requires hiking boots? Totally get [...]
Some people are coffee lovers because they need the caffeine. They drink it just because they NEED it. And then there are coffee lovers who love to swim in the flavor. Our true love is the taste, and a great side benefit is the caffeine. But we're super weird and drink decaf varieties, too. Even [...]
As they get older and start dealing with new people, guiding teenagers through relationships, platonic, romantic and professional, becomes more important than ever. With your advice, your teen will be more equipped in finding a good friend. They'll also be ahead of the game when they wish to find a good mate so they can [...]
If you have issues with digesting cheese, break out your lactose meds, because it's time to learn some creamy Queso dip recipes to make whenever you want to enjoy a great snack! When you want to enjoy a cheesy treat late at night and there's no restaurants open, it makes for a huge downer! However, [...]
