How You Can Eat Healthy While Traveling?

It’s no secret: You want to have fun and kick back and relax on your vacation. You want to let yourself go and indulge in everything you can, including food. Perhaps you want to dive into a chocolate soufflé from a Parisian chef. Or maybe you want to sink your teeth into a mouthwatering Italian meal. Can you taste the homemade pasta and sauce?

Just the thought of eating and drinking everything you want puts a smile on your face. But what will happen if you eat and eat and eat?

You could gain extra weight, say about 20 lbs. that may send your hips, butt and thighs and doctor into a tizzy.

So, isn’t it better to indulge here and there instead of eating everything and anything?

Read on to discover articles that can help you to eat healthy while traveling. You can still enjoy tasty meals and stay on your diet at the same time. Keep the phrase “everything in moderation” in mind before you put a piece of seven-layered chocolate mousse cake into your mouth. [Read more…]

How to Stay Safe While Traveling

This is my post that was originally published on The Huffington Post.

Admit it.

How to stay safe while traveling may be on your mind. Right? With attacks happening at popular destinations, you may be too scared to travel. But don’t allow fear to ground you. Don’t allow others to take away your power.

Traveling the world or even throughout your own country is a great way to enhance your life. You can meet new people. Learn new things and immerse yourself within rich cultural experiences.

Let’s face it; the world is a wonky place right now. People are fed up with their lives and maybe even the politics and policies of other countries. Thus, they act out and wreak havoc wherever they go. It’s sad.

Unfortunately, you have no control over the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and actions of others. You can only be responsible for you. If you give into others, you’ll only strengthen their control over you. You don’t want that, do you?

I understand that travel may seem scary to you.

When I told my mom and dad that I was solo traveling to the UK, my dad, who served in the U.S. Army, almost had a heart attack. He didn’t want me traveling alone. Why? Because if something happened, he felt that I wouldn’t be able to handle it. After all, he served in the U.S. Army and I didn’t.

While I appreciated my dad’s concern, I knew I would be okay. Why? Because I have street and books smarts.

But my dad traveled with me to the UK. It was the first and only trip we took together. But that’s for another blog post about traveling with family.

Read on to discover how you can stay safe while traveling. You don’t have to remain at home in bed with the covers thrown over you. You can experience safe travels! [Read more…]

10 Reasons Why Women Need to Solo Travel

This is my post that was published on The Huffington Post.

In August 2007, I sent myself to Edinburgh, Scotland as a graduation (I graduated with a Master of Science, Management degree) and birthday gift. This wasn’t my first time to Edinburgh, but it was my first time as a solo traveler. Was I nervous? Yes, I was. And it surprised me.

I stayed in a hostel, and some of my work colleagues teased me about it because of a horror film about a group of people who were terrorized while staying in a hostel. Plus, I don’t think they believed I would travel by myself to another country.

Solo travel is a great way for women to break free of codependency and strengthen communication skills. You have to walk up to people and ask for directions to a museum, restaurant or store. Your family and friends can’t help you navigate to your hotel or the airport. You are responsible for you.

My trip to Edinburgh was fabulous! I met many people from around the world, like China and Australia, and blended in so well that a retail service rep from a fashion store asked me if I wanted to open a credit card. I said, “Thank you, but I’m from The States.”

Below are 10 reasons women need to solo travel. Don’t be afraid to travel alone. You can learn about others and yourself at the same time. And you can release any prejudices and preconceived notions you may have about a country and its people. [Read more…]

Solo Travel Helped Me Understand Why People Become Expats

Learn Why Solo Travel Leads to Becoming an Expat from MisticCafe.

Photo Credit: Road to Everest. Stuart Ward. Free Images.com

 

I have confession to make. Here it goes. I’m in love The UK and traveled there several times. However, I’ve always traveled with a friend or family member. In August 2007, as a graduation (graduated with a Master of Science, Management degree) and birthday gift, I solo traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to experience the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival. Was I nervous? Yes, I was. And it surprised me. Why? Because it wasn’t my first trip to Scotland, but it was my first time traveling alone.

Rather than book a hotel room, I chose to stay in a hostel. I was supposed to stay in a 6 bed mixed dorm room. However, due to an influx of guests, I was bumped to an 8 bed mixed dorm room.

Before I left for my trip, some of my co-workers teased me about staying in a hostel because of a horror film about a group of people who were terrorized while staying in a hostel.

I also don’t think they believed me when I told them I would travel by myself. Their doubts gave me more courage to travel alone.

Getting to Edinburgh via Heathrow was a trip in and of itself. Why? Because I missed my flight to Edinburgh and had to get another ticket. The ticket agent at Heathrow wasn’t too thrilled he had to issue me another airline ticket. Oh well…

I was grateful to meet people who helped me navigate the ginormous airport.

Once I arrived in Edinburgh I was taken aback by the number of people who attend the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival. Furthermore, I was surprised at the number of expats living in Edinburgh. Some of the people who worked at the hostel were from the U.S., Canada, and other countries. [Read more…]