Getting Things Off My Chest: Give Yourself Permission!

I recently had the opportunity to check something off my travel “bucket list”- hunting for Mother’s Nature’s black and white diamonds in Italy. (aka truffles). The season for the best truffles is short, October to December, and restaurants around the country lure devoted fans with pricey “truffle dinners.” I’ve only enjoyed truffles shaved over dishes at places like SD26 (sadly now closed), Spago Beverly Hills and Spiaggia in Chicago. So, an invitation to go to the source was a dream come true. Our generous host was Livia Colantonio, proprietor of Castello delle Regine in Umbria, who opened up her majestic home- literally a small

Read more

A Road Warrior’s Travel Health Tips

I’m an adventure traveler. But sometimes the adventure comes with a detour I didn’t plan: getting sick.  I’ve traveled the world and collected some amazing memories and photos for my scrapbooks. But sometimes I picked up a bit more than I wanted. I’ve had a few unplanned trips to doctors’ offices and pharmacies in various locations for an assortment of travel related conditions from food poisoning and many gastro-intestinal ailments to allergies, hives, rashes, nasty bug bites and even (ugh!) worms and scabies. I know! – Too much information! But you can never have to much information when it comes to

Read more

Thoughts on Staying Om for the Holidays

Some people view the holiday season as one of high festivity. Others view it with high anxiety. I bounce back and forth and I find many people feel the same way. Maybe it’s because we are bombarded with temptations to shop more, eat and and drink more and be on our cheeriest best behavior. Maybe it’s because the year is closing to an end and we start to reflect on what has/has not happened in our lives. Maybe we lost someone we loved or have yet to find someone who wants to love us back. For me, I reflect on

Read more