Adding Tea to Your Wellness Routine

One of my favorite escapes is brewing a cup of steaming tea, grabbing a fluffy blanket, and snuggling on the couch with a good book. A cup of tea is not just a drink, it is an experience.  It can be used to wake yourself up after a late night, relax after a challenging day, heal you when you’re not feeling well, and a way to join together with friends and family. For me, 2021 is all about wellness and self-care, and I can’t think of an easier way that with a cup of tea. Here are some easy ways to incorporate tea into your wellness routine:

WHY DRINK TEA?

(more…)

10 Books to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

January equals a new year and with that come new year’s resolutions.  We all have habits we want to create and vices we want to stop.  Unfortunately, studies say that about 80% of New Year’s resolutions are broken by the second week of February!  It helps if you learn new strategies that will reinforce the habit you’re trying to create.  I know it helps when I find books on the subject and spend some time every few days reading up on it.  Here are some books that may help you with your New Year’s resolutions.

Enjoy!

Prayers for Calm:

Meditations, Affirmations, and Prayers to Soothe Your Soul

By: Becca Anderson

Prayers for Calm is the perfect inspirational gift or encouragement gift. This book will help you:

Slow your racing mind in this fast-paced world.

Calm your thoughts enough to see the big picture in overwhelming situations.

Assert control over your mind and believe in yourself.

Overcome nagging worries and fears that hold you back from life.

Deepen your connection to spiritual serenity.

Discover meditative mantras and actualizing affirmations to reduce your anxiety.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK:

(more…)

Blue Lagoon with Kids: 10 Tips

When many people imagine Iceland they immediately think of the Blue Lagoon.  Pinterest is flooded with pictures of this amazing man-made geothermal pool.  It is a great way to start or end your vacation since it is so close to the airport and the whole family will have fun there. 

Here are 10 tips on doing the Blue Lagoon with kids:

  (more…)

My First Time Glamping!!

There was a time when I would go camping.  I think we all remember the start of a new relationship where you would pretty much do anything just to spend time with one another.  You want me to sleep in the middle of the woods in a sleeping bag, on a hard ground, in a tiny tent, and wash my hair in a lake?  Sounds like fun babe, let me pack my bag.  Fast forward 20 years and I have a new appreciation for my mattress, blow dryer, and some electrical outlets.  Glamping is a trend that has taken off in the last decade for many reasons.  Some people like the fact they are leaving a relatively small footprint.  Others enjoy being one with nature without having to sacrifice comfort.  And some people are looking for once-in-a-lifetime accommodation experiences like luxurious tents, lighthouses, tree houses, and tiny homes. 

COLLECTIVE RETREATS

The creators of Collective Retreats designed this concept because they love travel and believe in its power to help people connect- to places, to people, and to themselves.  They have built these retreats that make it possible for luxury to coexist with ruggedness.  After spending just one night there, I think they have hit the nail on the head because I left feeling relaxed, recharged, and more connected to nature than I’ve felt in a long time.

Click here to read all about my first time GLAMPING!!!

20 US Trips I Want to Take

An important lesson COVID-19 has taught me is to not take travel for granted.  When I start getting that travel itch, it helps to think of all the amazing places we can go someday and all the adventures we can do together.  Creating a list of travel dreams can help you see that one day we will grab our passports, pack our bags, and head out to make some memories. 

Here are 20 USA trips I can’t wait to take…

Listen to country music in Nashville

Go on a morning hike to Havasu Falls, Arizona

Do a wellness retreat in Arizona

Swim with manatees in Crystal River

(more…)

Nonantum Resort

THE NONANTUM RESORT

KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE

Since it was the first time I’d be traveling after being home for 6 months, I was very particular about where my first stay would be.  I knew there was no other place I wanted to stay in Maine…The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport.  The Nonantum is one of the most beautiful resorts in Maine and the perfect destination for families, a girlfriends’ getaway, a couple’s romantic escape, or a solo trip, like mine.  Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or one filled with adventure, this is the resort to look at.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT MY STAY!!

Travel Like a Local: 15 Ways to Plan the Perfect Trip

Vacations are the perfect time to immerse yourself into a new culture.  Many people like to feel like they are part of a new community and experience what everyday life is like there.  So how can you feel like a local when you are a tourist?  Sounds impossible?  Here are 15 ways to travel like a local:

STAY IN A CONDO OVER A HOTEL

 If you want to travel like a local, a condo/townhouse/house will surround you in everyday life.  Staying at your own place lets you immerse yourself into the community.  Enjoy some coffee in your backyard, people-watch from your front stoop, and say hello to your new neighbors.  Check out my article on how to choose the perfect rental. 

(more…)

Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School Review

For the past few years, every time I am on the Maine seacoast, I wish I could find the time to do a class at Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School.  Last October, I finally got the chance to do it on my way home after staying in Freeport.  I am so glad I did because it was a fun way to spend the morning! Take a peek…

(more…)

Tips for Staying in a Hotel During COVID-19

After not traveled for six months, I was finally ready to step out of my comfort bubble, kiss the kids goodbye, and peel out of my driveway head to one of my favorite states…Maine.  I base my travels on risk vs. reward and for a while I felt safer at home with my family during this pandemic. I had to come to the realization that travel would not be the same right now.  However, it was doable.   I knew that one day I would feel comfortable packing my bags and heading off on an adventure, but I also knew I would have to put new safety measures on my agenda.

Here are 10 tips I learned from my first trip during COVID-19.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WISELY

I decided that the first place I would go to would be somewhere I’ve previously stayed so I’d know exactly what it is like. Ask yourself the following questions: Is the hotel in an area that has a high amount of positive cases? Does the state have any requirements for quarantining before you go? Are attractions open, like beaches, state parks, or hiking trails.  I chose Maine because they were so strict with self-quarantining, and I knew I’d feel safe. Is there enough to do on the grounds of the hotel or will you just be confined to your room?

RESEARCH HOTEL SAFETY MEASURES

Does the hotel stress what they’ve been doing to sanitize rooms? Have they changed the amount of people they allow to book? Does the hotel offer contactless check-in? Do they provide sanitation stations throughout the hotel? The hotel may have closed many amenities, so make sure you research before you book.

SANITIZE YOUR ROOM

(more…)

Happy New Year!!!