The Riviera Maya, Where Nature Heals
The beach at Xpu-Há in the Yucatan I’m posting this from the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, now known to most visitors as the Riviera Maya. Yes, this is one of those carefully coined tourism catchphrases, but at least in this case it’s not too far-fetched. One glance at the photo to the right and you’ll [...]
Seeking Health and Solace in Chimayó, New Mexico
Can a spoonful of dirt transmit a miracle of healing? The more than 40,000 people who make a pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayó near Santa Fe, New Mexico believe it can.
Bed Bug Alert: What to Know Before You Go
Okay, it’s gross and no fun to read about, but frequent travelers everywhere are buzzing about…bed bugs. Is this for real? Apparently it’s all too real; a pest we thought was a relic of depression-era tenements is now taking up residence in hotels across the globe. What surprised me the most, I must confess, is [...]
Seven Foods That Help You Lose Weight
Explanatory note: This is an article I originally wrote for Caring.com, which then got picked up by MSN Health. (Both versions are linked here for proper credit, since I was paid for my work.) Don’t get me wrong, this kind of exposure is great, and much appreciated. What isn’t so great is that bloggers across [...]
Women + Travel + Hotel Rooms = Sleep? Not Always!
Would you book a hotel room if you knew the bathroom was a walk away — outdoors? That subject came up recently when I recommended TreeBones, an incredible eco-resort in Big Sur, to a friend. I told her TreeBones was one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed, but warned her that the elegantly furnished [...]
Germs on a Plane: 5 Myths and Truths About Healthy Flying
Is it true you get sick every time you fly, or does it just seem like it? It’s a common belief that planes are germ factories and with every passing minute you spend in the cabin, you’re more likely to get sick. So what’s myth and what’s fact?Test your knowledge about planes and germs by [...]
Tis the Spa Season: The 5 Best Spas In Napa and Sonoma
It seems lately like every hotel is suddenly a “resort” or at least includes a spa offering the latest herbal-infused therapies. But if you’re hoping for a truly therapeutic approach to relaxation or, better yet, some relief for your aching back or racing mind, that’s not so easily found. With my back and shoulders perennially [...]
7 Reasons You Need Vitamin D to Stay Healthy in Winter
The days are getting short and dark now that it’s mid-November, and at the end of many a busy day I realize I haven’t managed to get out in the sun once all day. That’s not a good thing, because more and more evidence is pouring in that getting enough vitamin D — sometimes called [...]
Highway 116 Revisited: A West Sonoma Escape to Foodie Heaven
I’m very lucky; I don’t have to go far for one of most soul-soothing, health-enhancing, consciousness-raising adventures on this beautiful planet. All I have to do is drive north on 101, turn off on 116 north through Sebastopol, and suddenly I’m passing apple orchards, heirloom plant nurseries, bakeries, even a crazy hippie café with a [...]
Of Photos, Guidebooks, and Sunsets
Just a quick note to announce my excitement that a photo I took of the incredible desserts at Sucré in New Orleans has been featured in the Schmap Online Guidebook to New Orleans. This is a first for me. I’ve been working hard to advance my photography skills, but still think of myself as a [...]
