TRAVEL BLOG

At the end of this month, All Hallows Eve, an explosion of candy greater than at any other time of the year is going to happen, whether you like it or not. The last day of October is historically celebrated in the US as Halloween, harkening back to the days when people believed in evil spirits, witches, goblins, and all things netherworldly. Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition, according to History.com. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by c

Advertorial Don't we all wish to have smooth, baby soft and clear skin? Except on our head, eyebrows and eyelashes, it is best if the rest of our body has no hair at all!! Unfortunately, hair grows in all the undesirable areas... For me, I'm hairy everywhere... Sigh. If you can believe it, I started shaving my leg hair (and underarms) when I was TWELVE! There was just one day I saw my mom's razor in the toilet and decided to try shaving my hairy legs for fun. For a day, I was very pleased with the results as it made my legs look smooth and shiny - but only for a day. Afterwards, I found that the hairs grew back out prickly and gross. From that day onwards I shaved every few days... Then it became weeks when I grew lazier... I am horrified if my boyfriend (then) touches my legs because I know my shins are prickly! Since I was young I've tried all kinds of hair removal methods... THEY ALL COME WITH PROBLEMS: I tweeze for eyebrows and armpits - It's acceptable for eyeb

Enjoying Maui last month I am such a wimp when it comes to the cold or extreme heat and it calls for creative indoor workout preparation for the long winter months ahead.  There is this motivational poster that says “There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people”.  Well pull up my socks and call me soft…because I am definitely not one to venture into the cold, sleet, snow, or hail for a walk or WOG (walk/jog).  I am a fair weathered fitness gal and am happy to say that I may be soft on the inside, but my body tells a much different story on the outside without facing the weather extremes.   I believe it is just all preference of course when it comes to working out, and I choose to exercise without battling the elements.  Hats off to those who love all that stuff, and in a way it sounds really cool when I read workout stories that deal with extreme environments.  This gal would literally freeze into some sort of ice crystal mess with aching ears, and numb hands and feet.  That

Are you one of those adults who is now responsible for taking care of older adults?   Are you responsible for overseeing parents or older family members who now look to you for care? Or, are you someone who is in the business of elder care, and that is either your profession as a caretaker or business owner? Regardless of your status, if you are dealing with issues related to helping seniors or older adults and their health care and lifestyle, then you may need some additional advice along the way.   According to LifeHealthPro, elder care planning is essentially a comprehensive strategy that helps define a senior’s wishes and assists designated caregivers and/or advocates in handling the physical, personal and financial affairs of a senior aging into the last phases of life. Long-term care (LTC) is just one, very important segment of total elder care planning. Unfortunately, LTC as well as other elder care issues are topics of discussion often avoided or delayed by families. But planni

There is a certain population that suffers from a disorder causing individuals to cut themselves, known as “Cutting.” According to info on this website, http://www.ulifeline.org/topics/135-cutting ,   cutting is the act of intentionally inflicting harm on oneself. Cutting isn’t a suicide attempt, though it may look and seem that way. Cutting is a form of what is known as “self-injurious behavior” or “non-suicidal self-injury.” Other types of self-injury include scratching, burning, ripping or pulling skin or hair, swallowing toxic substances, self-bruising, and breaking bones. While cutting may occur on any part of the body, it is most common on the hands, wrists, stomach, and thighs. Tattoos and body piercing aren’t usually considered self-injury, however, unless they’re meant specifically to cause harm. Self-injury is an unhealthy way to cope with emotional distress. Some people cut themselves when they feel overwhelming sadness, anxiety, or emotional numbness. Others do it to fee

How is your physical stamina? In other words, when you exercise or are engaged in any physical acitivity, are you breathless and exhausted within a few minutes, or can you keep going until the task is finished? Do you look for ways to help improve your physical stamina? Stamina means having the strength and energy to endure an activity, illness or stressful situation for an extended period of time. People most commonly use the word stamina when referring to exercise, sports and other physical activities of the body or cognitive exercises of the brain. Generally, however, increasing stamina means decreasing fatigue when performing the activity. There are several ways to accomplish this task, according to health care writer Claire Walters: Increased Physical Stamina is Beneficial for All Aspects of Health: There are many aspects to a healthy lifestyle, and while the majority of the focus seems to be on diet and mental agility, it’s important not to underestimate the long term health bene