Author: Jenn

The Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit that is close to home.

It’s hard to think of a place that has this many things to do as the Riviera Maya does, mostly in the great outdoors. Where else can you swim with whale sharks, dip in cenotes, and spend the night in a jungle bubble all in one day? It’s all possible in Cancún’s surroundings. 

Since the jumping off point for most people to explore this peninsula is Cancún, I’m here to share all of my favorite things to do in and around the city.

You probably don’t need me to tell you that there are bars and nightclubs in Cancún, and that the hotel zone has all kinds of all-inclusives that you never have to leave, but this post is for people who want to get out and explore. Ready for

When visiting Winnipeg this winter, I wanted to keep up with my health and wellness commitment to myself. Thankfully, I found that the city and it’s surroundings had plenty of peaceful, relaxing, and meditative experiences to explore. 

Ranging from spas to perfectly peaceful, natural experiences, these were the health and wellness experiences that helped me find my winter zen in Winnipeg:

Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature

Similar to the Spa Nordik that I experienced in Québec and my old favorite, Vabali in Berlin, the Thermea Spa offers a complex with several pools of different temperatures, steam baths, saunas, and relaxation rooms as well as massages. 

It wasn’t until my first spa experience in Finland that I realized how wonderful this Nordic tradition is. Alternating between hot and cold has been shown to promote better circulation, and athletes often do it to speed up recovery time. I just love the body

We’re up to the fifth chakra! Now, we’ve moved into the upper three chakras, which are the most spiritual of the seven. Beginning with the throat chakra, these energy centers are all in the uppermost part of the body and are concerned with more ethereal principles rather than physical ones.

Keep reading to learn all about the throat chakra, or check out the first four posts in this series, beginning with the root, to read about the first four chakras in the chakra system!

The Throat Chakra at a Glance

The throat chakra, or vishudda chakra in Sanskrit, is located at the center of the neck. It acts as the individual’s force of expression and individual truth, both internally and externally. A balanced throat chakra helps to set us free from the fear of judgement or need for approval from others. This chakra helps us to embrace our originality

Emerald Bay State Park in South Lake Tahoe is a dream for hiking, swimming, and catching that sunrise view.

Located on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest alpine lake, Emerald Bay is one of the most-loved and most-photographed places in the states.

It’s beautiful in any season, and when I moved to Reno, this was one of the first parts of Lake Tahoe that I saw. I’ve been in love ever since! Here’s some advice from a local on how to best enjoy Emerald Bay:

Striking Features in Emerald Bay:

Lake Tahoe, and by extension Emerald Bay, as some of the clearest water you can hope to find on Planet Earth. Think deep, rich blues, aquamarines, and a hint of emerald too! The colors change as the sun moves in the sky and the wind dances on the water‘s surface.

One of the first things you’re likely

I don’t know about you, but the first time I saw photos of Lake Aloha I immediately got to planning. Would the water really be that clear? Was it actually that beautiful out there? Could it be that desolate? I just had to know, and the answer is yes, yes it is!

While Lake Aloha is no secret, there are ways to get it all to yourself, and to get away from the mosquitoes!

Though this can be done as a day hike, I spent four days backpacking around Lake Aloha and the surrounding area, including Mt. Tallac. This post is designed to help you whether you’re just doing it as a day hike or planning a backpacking adventure. 

Here’s your ultimate guide to Lake Aloha from a local:

Day Hike or Backpacking Trip?

That is the question! The answer depends on your willingness to hike with weight