Disney Magic

Cruise lines reported more than a 50% increase in families setting sail with children under the age of 3 in tow. To accommodate families with small kids, many cruise ships offer kid-friendly pools, children’s menus and 24-hour room service. As the mother of a 2-year-old, I decided to take the time to do a little digging into the cruising realm, and found the best “kid-friendly” cruise lines around.

Why Cruise?

Cruises are the perfect vacation option for families because you never have to stress about where to eat or how much dinner will cost. Cruise ships are like all-inclusive floating hotels with 24/7 buffets, abundant entertainment and best of all, a place to keep your belongings. Visiting different destinations without having to pack and unpack the family is definitely a golden plus!

Ok, So Which Cruise Line?

Since there are so many ships out there promising a kid-friendly experience, finding one that’s right for your family can take some time. While many cruise lines guarantee a balance of family togetherness mixed with adult-only relaxation and downtime, there are certain ships whose amenities trump the others.

I was able to speak with a representative at LastMinuteCruises.com who instantly recommended Disney Cruise Line. “Disney cruises are great for families with younger children,” he said. “Flounder’s Reef Nursery on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder is well equipped for babies under 3, and the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships’ It’s a Small World Nursery cares for children 3 months old to 3 years old.”

The ships’ nurseries are filled with toys, bottle warmers, snacks and cribs. They even have separate rooms for active and sleepy babies. With great supervision for both, parents can enjoy “alone time” knowing their little one is well taken care of.

What’s best? Both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have adopted some eco-conscious practices. Their laundry facilities use water generated from their air conditioning systems. They were also the first to apply a non-toxic coating to the ship which accounts for less drag. Disney has been innovative in many of its practices, resulting in over 405 tons of recycled material and 8,000 gallons of saved fuel.

Royal Caribbean International was also recommended. Their in-cabin babysitting program is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. for children 12 months and over, and if mom and dad want to join in on the fun, the ships have an Aqua Tots and Aqua Babies area featuring 45-minute staff-led music and storytelling play sessions!

Royal Caribbean has also taken an ecological stance; shutting one engine off during those months that air conditioning is not always needed. They have recently set out to establish an environmental management plan, which began with eliminating plastic bottles and buying in bulk.

Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines both offer camps for those ages 2 to 5 years old. There is one strategic difference, however, which may make you prefer Carnival just little bit more… Carnival changes diapers.

While Norwegian has great entertainment like Nickelodeon at Sea and character breakfasts with SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer, its counselors will page you when your little one needs a fresh change. The line, however, has adopted environmentally-friendly practices. They donate used cooking oil to farmers in port cities, and have an eco-ballast system that ensures water leaving the vessel doesn’t send out toxins.

After learning more about what cruise lines have to offer, hitting the high seas seems like the perfect fit for me. It’s nice to know beforehand all the amenities, excursions and deals that are available, and I look forward to taking advantage of them all!

Kristin Serio is a food-nut and social media enthusiast, working as a public relations professional at Uproar PR, an Orlando-based firm specializing in consumer brands. She enjoys staying up-to-date on the latest trends, including those in food, social media, marketing, travel and parenting. During the rare times she is disengaged, she enjoys being a mom and spending time outdoors. You can find her online on Facebook or Twitter. Go Packers!

A Better Way to Travel…With the Family is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Shayna

Shayna – I set an intention at the beginning of this year to give myself a clean slate. In work, play, love, and business, I hit reset…sort of. Intentions aren’t changes you can (or are supposed to) make overnight, they’re an evolution of our being. Letting go is hard, but the excitement of moving forward is a pretty great incentive. As we dig into the third month of 2012 (already a quarter of the way through!), there were some areas in my life where it was suddenly painfully clear I hadn’t yet put my intentions into action. As it turned out, that clarity allowed me to finally let go. This month, I’m rediscovering the thrill of performing music again, traveling to visit family and meet people, settling into my super-satisfying (and deliciously challenging new job) and not letting fear or worry cloud my instincts. “When you’re happy like a fool, you should let it take you over. When everything is up, you gotta take it in. This is gonna be a good life.” – One Republic

Steve

Steve – My journey is a daily one, striving each day to find new value in the world around me and to continually offer the best value that I can. Living outside the conventional economic system, my journey is to find other conduits for abundance beyond the limitations of the monetary structure. My journey is not so much about doing away with money, but more about pointing out there is life beyond it, and usually, it is much more rich and bountiful than the wealth-hoarding mindset we’ve become so accustomed to can comprehend. It’s a challenging journey, but I think that the most worthwhile journeys are.

Nadya

Nadya – I am writing this from another side of the planet, enjoying a cup of chai on the porch of an ashram in Haridwar, India. After spending 7 days listening to yoga and Vedanta lectures, meditating, and doing yoga at sunrise on the Ganges, I feel peaceful, content, and slightly detached from my laptop, and all-pervasive internet. This trip made me realize that the world inside me is just as enormous and beautiful as the world outside. Surprisingly, it is less explored compared to the outside one. Discovering this secret makes exciting adventures possible any day. Just close your eyes and off you go! Observation, contemplation, and meditation are my tour guides in this internal world. They skillfully guide me to the eye-opening discoveries about the way my mind works, cue me to internal peace, and lead the way to a better understanding of self. Rewarding, deep, cheap, and green!

Jody

Jody - 2012 brought a lot of new changes for me. It has quickly become a year of growth and development, reaching far and wide to conquer my dreams. As I said in the last editor’s collab, writing is my passion. This year I have learned a lot about what I want out of life and what to do in order to get there. As the hero of my life adventure, I have vowed not to settle and keep pushing myself until I’ve reached my dreams. Last but not least stay positive, as my dad always says, ABR— Ask, Believe, and Receive.

Jaszy

Jaszy – Travel & Adventure…Travel AND Adventure…hmm, well…that nutshell is so very vast. My physical and emotional journeys over the last year or so have certainly been adventurous to say the least. Due to my newfound “single lady” status I’ve lived in four or five (I lost count) locations within the same city. Some really cool places, a Ralph Twitchell home near the water, and some emotionally taxing…that’s a whole ‘nother article. Suffice it to say that my many moves certainly were a humbling experience and helped to bring me closer to the person that I’m evolving into. My faith, strength and resolve to take my life by the proverbial balls, have become stronger and definitely more pronounced. So much so that I am excitingly looking forward to a possible opportunity to go on tour with a new documentary film project, Peace Across America. If that happens I will be on the road for 5-6 weeks, visiting over a dozen prominent locations throughout the US, from Florida to Los Angeles! Travel and Adventure, yeah…I’m all in!

Regardless of where we are in our lives, life always beckons us to move forward and take a journey toward the person we want to be. What journey are you on?

Photo courtesy flickr, karolajnat.

Where is your world taking you in 2012? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

While hotel gyms are often quite uninspiring, small and dark, you can still do a fun workout while traveling. No equipment required, just click one of the links and let your body savor the benefits of exercise!

Here is something that you can do right at your hotel room as long as you have at least 4 minutes to spare:

1. POP Pilates: Saddlebag Shaver  – Cassey is like a very funny and a super motivating workout buddy. Her videos will whip you into a great shape while you giggling at the screen. Try this workout for core, waist, and thighs.
2. 10 min Booty Shaking Waist Workout -I love TiffanyRothe and her happy energizing videos! This video claims to help you lose inches off your waist and tighten your core. Shake, stretch and roll your way to a sexy body.
3. Morning Yoga for Flexibility – Tara Stiles is a Calm, Slim, Sexy yogi who is also very cool and down to earth. Try this routine when you wake up to release tension in tight areas including hamstrings, chest, back, and your brain.
4. 25 Minute Abs and Obliques Workout - FitnessBlender offers full length workout videos, printable workout routines, healthy recipes, & more all 100% free @ FitnessBlender.com. Their videos are very well structured, clean, and with no distractions.
5. BURN FAT FAST Tabata Workout : You Have 4 Minutes – Learn how to live your best, most beautiful life with healthy-living fitness & yoga master, Bex! By the way, this hottie has 4 kids so whatever she is doing must be working! Recently, Bex shared some of her lifestyle secrets with us in a Sexy Mamas interview.

Now you don’t have an excuse to skip your workouts even when you are away from home. Let’s get it moving!

Question to you: what is your favorite hotel room workout?

If you liked the post and found it useful, please share it on facebook and twitter! We thank you for that!

Working Out On the Road: the Best Youtube Trainers is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

The classic design of the Camper Mobile Van has been taken from an EV, airstream and microbus. This inspired design is declared to be emission free vehicle of the future generation. The ECCO Camper Van is a wind–resistant car, it is also capable of folding in on itself according to the requirement. The cutting of shape occurs specially to minimize the resistance of air from the opposite side. The elongated structure of the camper van enables it to bend down to the ground, its structure becomes very close to the ground. Being closer to ground helps to reduce the sir resistance and provide more space inside the van for passengers.

Zurich with new eco-friendly design

The new ECCO camper van concept is developed by Zurich based NAU Design team; this project is totally eco-friendly and promises to emit zero emissions. This camper van is constraint free mobility and environmentally sustainable. This amazing van will take you to your desired place without the worry about the fuel or whether the tank is full or empty, with no worries of the cost of fuel or environmental harm from emissions.

Spacy rooms make journey comfortable

The concept of camper vehicle is that, it is stud with the PV cells on its membrane. The PV cell membrane folds out into machine mode and the membrane makes use of solar energy. Therefore when the membrane is folded, extra solar energy is radiated out. Here the process of expansion takes place so as to turn the Camper Van into dormant garret, the remaining membrane contains the kitchen, extra bed, living area, including shower and toilet.

These all rooms are featured within a space of 8 feet width and length of 15 feet. The passenger will have a safe and comfortable journey. The temporary home made within the car makes it more stylish. It is aerodynamic on the road and when it is parked, the van expands to give level-space and space for others.

Eco-friendly uses solar energy

The ECCO camper is for those who love to travel but not at the expense of environmental damage. This ECCO camper van is 100 percent eco-friendly, using electricity. Its battery is rechargeable and can be charged at any of the 240 Volts station. If there is no availability of charging station, the battery would charge itself using the energy of the Sun. Its photovoltaic panels with solar sail roofs help to absorb the solar energy.

Aerodynamic shape

The clever design of the Ecco van using aluminum & glass makes it look more like a work of a sculpture figure. It can cheat the opposite blowing wind by its smooth aerodynamic shape. In its wider section, the ECCO measures 2.55 meter wide & 4.62 meter in length.

The roof is made to slide and enlarge the inner space. You can also have a good view of the stars through star-observatory effects. The large semi-transparent windows allow you to have clear view of the nature so that you feel the riding joy of this eco-friendly vehicle.

Photos courtesy Nau.

Alyssa Clarke is a blogger who also happens to be an eco enthusiast. She is a big fan of hybrid bicycles and plans to own one soon. Being an eco lover, she is also big supporter of green architecture and fuel-efficient gadgets and vehicles.

Ecco Camper: An eco promise to get zero emission travel is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

If you are planning on jet-setting around the globe, why not schedule in a few weird and wonderful events into your itinerary and experience the world in style?

Check out these fantastic customs and festival and have a whole lot of fun every month of the year.

January – Chinese New Year/Spring Festival

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Book a life changing trip to China over the Chinese New Year and experience an event to remember. The Spring Festival begins on the 1st day of the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th day with a spectacular Lantern Festival. Beautiful red and gold decorations decorate the street, fireworks light up the sky and the atmosphere is full of merriment.

February – St Valentine’s Day

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Feel your hearts flutter as you spend a romantic day in Terni, the Italian hometown of St Valentine himself. Celebrate the most lovey-dovey day of the year with a grand feast outside the Basilica di San Valentino and enjoy time with your loved one amid beautiful surroundings. Take part in a jewellery-making competition and even see who wins the “A Year of Loving” award.

March – Holi, The Festival of Colours

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Experience the incredible festival of Holi, a spectacular event celebrated by Hindus to welcome the start of spring. Enjoyed primarily in India, Nepal and Pakistan, people run through the streets throwing brightly coloured paint and powder at each other and everyone really lets their hair down. Bonfires are also lit to commemorate the story of Prahlada – a Hindu figure who prevailed over the demoness Holika with the power of his devotion – and many people join in the festivities.

April – Songkran

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Come along to Thailand in April and celebrate the Buddhist New Year in style. Songkran takes place over three whole days and the aim is to cleanse everyone and everything insight using buckets of water, water guns, water hoses and anything else you can get your hands on. You’ll certainly get a soaking but it will definitely be worth it. Cool huh?

May – Cheese Rolling

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If you’re brave enough head to Gloucestershire in the UK to watch a group of nutty adrenalin-seekers race down Cooper’s Hill in pursuit of an 8lb Double Gloucester. A traditional event that attracts media from across the world, cheese rolling has become a sight to behold. Considered extremely dangerous the event was actually banned, however, loyal fans made it go ahead anyway.

June – The Baby Jumping Festival

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Head on down to Spain in June and you might see the traditional Baby Jumping Festival in Castrillo de Murcia. First staged in 1620, the event celebrates Corpus Christi and sees grown men dressed as the devil jumping over babies lying in the street. While some may find this extremely disturbing, the event is actual designed to cleanse the newborns of evil doings.

July – Boryeong Mud Festival

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The Boryeong Mud Festival first took place in 1998 and now attracts more than a million visitors to the South Korean city. Designed as a clever marketing technique for Boryeong mud cosmetics which are rich in minerals, the mud festival last for around two weeks and is a great laugh.

August – La Tomatina

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Do you want to join in the biggest food fight in the world? Then come along to Valencia in Spain on the last Wednesday in August and experience the madness of La Tomatina. Taking place in the city since 1945, the event has become popular around the world with people flocking from all corners of the globe to pelt tomatoes at each other – after all, what could be better?

September – Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup

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One of the most unusual and exciting events in the world is the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. The ground literally trembles as the largest heard of buffalos are rounded up by cowboys on horseback and driven into corrals. With over 1,500 majestic animals running around this is a spectacular sight and designated viewing spots guarantee you to be in the thick of the action.

October – Oktoberfest

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Reportedly the biggest festival in the world attended by over 6 million people, Germany’s Oktoberfest is a real delight. With incredible beer tents and awesome fairground rides the beer festival takes place in Theresienwiese over several weeks and is great fun. Beginning with an impressive procession, Oktoberfest is nothing short of epic and is well worth a visit.

November – Monkey Buffet Festival

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600 monkeys are invited to a grand feast in Lopburi Thailand to say thank you for bringing tourists to the area. It may sound weird, but these cheeky creatures are given the chance to dine on over 2 tones of grilled sausages, fresh fruit, ice cream and other treats – so why not witness this special event for yourself?

December – Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes)

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If you are in Mexico in December, why not make your way to Oaxaca to witness one of the weirdest festivals around? Radishes were brought to the Americas in the 16th century and vegetable sellers used to create sculptures to help sell their produce. Since 1897 the custom has been celebrated with an annual festival and skilled sculptors are awarded cash prizes.

So there you have it, an unusual festival or event for every month of the year.

This article was written on behalf of Hotel Club; where you can book hotels across the world all year round.

Unusual Customs is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

However, these days, there are quite a few tips and techniques that people can follow in order to lessen the amount of money spent during the entire family vacation.  Below are some of these:

1. Browse through last minute deals.  There are cancellations that can happen and in this instance, many airline companies are selling the air seats for a much cheaper price. You can take that seat with a slashed price; although this is relatively risky when the entire family is vacationing and traveling, it still is a worthy option to take.
2. Use your miles during this day.  If you are a frequent flyer and you are able to collect miles, then this may be the right time for you to use the miles. You can check airline websites that offer great deals for mile collectors. Redeeming miles during this time will help the entire family save up more money.
3. Choose a destination that is equally beautiful but maybe not as popular. Airline companies know which tourist destinations are visited frequently and more often they have a different price for these tourist spots. These spots are always priced high and very rare that they go on a sale.  Research a high trafficked tourist spot and then look for an alternative place to vacation without the need to spend much money.
4. Choose the accommodation which can be as comfortable and as relaxing. If you have a large family, instead of getting a big room in a hotel, consider a house for rent near the beach or the forest.  There are many house or condo units for rent for vacationers. These often include kitchen, dining, and living area and at times they have lawns and garden where the family can have outdoor activities. These accommodations are at times cheaper than the hotel rooms.

Indeed, a family vacation would be a breather not only to the parents who are working so hard to raise the family better but also to the children who are also tired and exhausted with their own problems in school, with their peers, and their own personal challenges.  A family vacation would give them the chance to strengthen their relationship with the entire family and with themselves, too.

Image courtesy flickr.com, esdaxphotography.

Simon Jackson is the man behind the Channel Voyager, a popular travel blog in Technorati. There you can find all kinds of useful travel tips and a lot of information about how to find cheap plane tickets (interesting to know is that the Danish term is billige flybilletter).

Top 4 Tips to an Affordable and Within-the-Budget Family Vacation is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

1. Make a plan. Google where you’re going ahead of time to find juice bars, farmers markets, and health food stores. Even if all I can find is a regular grocery store I can make a beautiful meal out of a box of greens, some pre-made guacamole and salsa and the best quality dark chocolate I can find for dessert. Find a beautiful spot outdoors to sit and eat, while soaking up some fresh air and sunshine.

2. Stay hydrated. Air travel especially is incredibly dehydrating. Take along some lemons to bring freshness and life to your water. I always travel with a bag of lemons, packets of herbal tea, and a bottle of NuNaturals stevia (an herbal sweetener and a lifesaver). Vegetable juice, if it’s not already a part of your routine, would be a great thing to consider. It’s such an important part of my day that I bring along frozen jars of it to store in the hotel mini-fridge. If I’m somewhere for more than a week I’ll actually bring my juicer. Do my fellow travelers think I’m crazy? Probably. Though when they suggest I do anything else and my automatic response is to look at them like THEY are crazy they pretty well leave me to my freaky green-juice drinking ways

3. Stay centered. I always have my laptop and ipod loaded up with my favorite yoga classes and guided meditations. Take some time in the morning at your hotel, in the car on the road, or on the airplane to calm down the inner craziness. Travel can be exhilarating but sometimes stressful (airport security anyone??) and getting yourself grounded will make a fun, new experience even more enjoyable since you’ll actually be present for it.

4. Enjoy yourself! Know the steps you need to take to feel good in your body, take them, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, and have a good time! Find ways to indulge that won’t compromise your life-experience: sleep in, get a massage, soak up the new sights and unfamiliar routines, find healthy treats that you REALLY love but might not buy regularly at home (for me it’s always the expensive, local, raw goat cheese for my salad!), scope out the local juice bars, and enjoy the company you’re traveling with (or make some new friends!).

Choose a diet and lifestyle support you to live to your fullest whether you’re out-and-about in the world or at home doing your day-to-day thing. Make it a priority and I promise you’ll have a better time on vacation with a clearer head and a body that’s excited to go out and have some fun!

Question to YOU: How do you stay healthy on the road? Please share your tips!

Image Courtesy of www.come2india.org.

Rande McDaniel is a Flight Attendant and health-nut food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest. She started blogging after experiencing the life-changing effects of a detox diet-lifestyle and wanted to share them, along with her veggie-loving kitchen adventures, with the world. When she’s not in the kitchen you’ll find her in downward dog, singing show tunes to her apartment complex, or being an anti-social bookworm. You can find her and her juicy recipes at www.TheVegetableCentricKitchen.com, facebook.com/thevegetablecentrickitchen, or on twitter @rande_m.

Staying Healthy On The Road is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Bardessono Boutique Hotel

Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Yountville, California
The Bardessono has the impressive distinction of being an LEED Platinum certified hotel, and it’s one of only three in the U.S. to receive the high distinction. Located in a popular winre region of California, this 62-room hotel is incredibly luxurious. Not only is it a high-class hotel, it’s a place that was built with nontoxic, recycled materials and reclaimed wood. The hotel is heated and cooled with an underground, geothermal system, and there are 940 solar panels on the roof. Guest rooms use organic bedding and motion sensor lighting. Organic, local ingredients and products are used all throughout the hotel, and water is conserved whenever possible. There are even carbon-fiber bicycles and gardens on site.

The New York Palace

The New York Palace
New York City
This incredible 55-story hotel in midtown Manhattan is high-class and exquisite. It has 899 guest rooms and 1.2 million square feet, and for its sheer size it does an excellent job at staying eco-friendly. It earned an LEED Gold certification and uses 100 percent renewable energy. The New York Palace also purchases enough renewable energy certificates to offset all of its electricity use. Organic ingredients are used in cooking, and natural, eco-friendly products are used throughout the hotel. In addition, gently used amenities are donated to the Clean the World nonprofit organization. Details on Clean the World recycling programs can be found online at CleantheWorld.org.

Hotel Terra Jackson Hole

Hotel Terra Jackson Hole
Teton Village, Wyoming
The Hotel Terra is a modern, sleekly-designed and LEED-certified hotel. It is probably the most eco-friendly hotel in the entire United States. This hotel has so many green initiatives that it’s impossible to list even a fraction of them. It was designed from the ground up with green practices in mind; 90 percent of the rooms have windows and 80 percent of steel building materials were recycled. Dual flush toilets and low-flow faucets greatly reduce the use of water throughout the hotel. Recycling is done whenever possible, and organic materials are used everywhere. There are even soap dishes made from recycled glass and bamboo wastebaskets.

Hyatt at Olive 8

Hyatt at Olive 8
Seattle, Washington
This Silver LEED-certified hotel is trendy and cool. It’s located in downtown Seattle, which is known to be an eco-friendly city all around. The Elaia spa is a great place to relax and receive organic and all-natural beauty treatments. After it was constructed, 95 percent of the construction debris was recycled. The building is made of an all-glass exterior, and the landscaping uses a highly efficient irrigation system that saves 24,000 gallons of water per year. There are also low-flow fixtures and dual flush toilets, and those combined with other water-saving initiatives conserve up to 2.4 million gallons of water per year.

Passport at the ready, Maddie Sharp loves to travel and live green. A sun junkie, her favorite places to stay are Cabo San Lucas Resorts and Bahamas Hotels.

4 Amazing Green Hotels is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Every time I travel something inside of me transforms. During my last trip I was more aware of all the internal developments, trying to observe and analyze them. What I came up with seems to be relevant to any trip because any change of the environment makes us more aware and therefore allows us to learn more about ourselves and the world.

Here are a few tips on how to make your vacation an “awareness boosting” Zen experience:

• Keep an open mind. You are likely to see things that you would not see at home. Whether it is a cathedral, a museum, a music performance, or a weird local custom it it has the power to help you learn more about yourself. Take a moment to reflect on the way a new place makes you feel, the emotions it arouses, the thoughts it brings to your mind. For example, art can often show how some people see reality in a very different way than you do. It can serve as a reminder to be curious and not to make judgements.
• When in Rome, eat like Romans! And when in Chinatown, experiment with authentic Chinese! Try local cuisine anywhere you go. Savor each piece, try to notice new flavors and smells. When you are done pay attention to the way the food makes you feel. Going to a different country and switching to a traditional local cuisine for several days will make you more aware of the effect that food is having on your body and mind.
• Play Monkey games. While visiting a new country, keep an open mind about the way locals are acting and communicating. It can be subtle and you will need to pay attention to the way natives carry themselves in their daily life situations. Next time when you travel, make sure to spend some time outside of touristy areas with true natives and observe their behavior. Are they easier going and more hospitable, more reserved and formal, does every person try to give you a hug from the moment they met you? Observing cultural behavioral differences will make you more aware of the way you behave in your everyday life and maybe wonder where this behavior came from. Is your behaviour based on your personal values and feelings or are you just repeating what your parents taught you? This experience can make you more authentic and own your every action.
• Walk, run, or lounge but Be Present! Traveling to a new place will make you more aware of the effect certain activities have on your body. Even though I walk at least an hour a day in NYC, I tend to walk more as a tourist! Walking is good for everyone and considered a universal exercise by Ayurveda. Choose a place where you can get some sightseeing done and walk there. Walking will make Kapha types feel lighter, take the agitation out of stressed out Pittas and even out disturbed Vatas. Beach vacations on the other hand may make you more aware of the effect that lounging and swimming has on your body. Kaphas, make sure you get some walking on the beach done so you don’t feel sleepy and tired from too much resting. Pittas don’t overindulge with sun to avoid skin irritations, rashes, or flashes of anger. Vatas, sun is good for you to warm up but don’t forget to stay hydrated and eat lots of watery fruits and vegetables. Think about possible activities for your next vacation and turn any trip into an Ayurvedic retreat!
• Be a tourist at home! If you decide to come back home, keep a little bit of a tourist inside of you. It will help you to maintain a fresh perspective and notice small things that we tend to run by in a day to day life. Tourists are usually more aware of the unusual, beautiful, mesmerizing sights that we as natives tend to pass by! Being away from home for a few days gives you a fresh outlook on your ‘at home life’. You look different on your apartment, the food that you eat, people that you spend most of the time with, your daily routine. It might also make you appreciate certain things that you stopped noticing: your comfy couch, your favorite tea shop on the corner, a quick delivery to your door from a vegetarian restaurant, or the best health food market.

Question to YOU: What is your favorite part about traveling? Did you have any eye-opening, life-changing travel experiences?

Safe travels and lots of adventures on the way! To stay healthy on the road, check out 11 Must Know Ayurvedic Tips For Maintaining a Strong Immune System While Traveling.

Image Courtesy http://badtraveler.com

5 Ways to Travel With Zen is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

What I’m not getting away without, however, is all of the stuff I use in the course of a normal day. Having switched my transit from a car to a bicycle doesn’t mean I no longer need my laptop, a lunch, a constant supply of water… for something that’s about being footloose and fancy free, biking can really weigh a girl down! I’d like to share some of my favorite finds with you; they make my life easier and keep me riding high and feeling fantastic.

Takeya

Takeya Modern Glass Water Bottle I am tough on my bottles. They go everywhere with me, I drop them, they get dirty. I’d been sticking with stainless steel for that very reason. But my switch to glass left me smitten; ergonomic design makes these bottles fit beautifully into the hand and their silicone sleeve makes cleaning a cinch. Glass means no off-gassing or plastic leaching, and the design of the cap also means it’s less likely to roll. In a few months, I’ve dropped it notably less than my old Earthlust bottle – and no chipping! A slim line means it slides into almost any bag I carry; I have a feeling I may have made a lifelong friend in hydration.

Aladdin

Aladdin Insulated Tiffin Lunch Set My quest for a bento box, or tiffin, style lunch container is legendary. I work long hours at multiple jobs, and have a penchant for elaborate lunches. Coworkers often teased me about the alchemy of my meals, which always seemed to need to be at different temperatures and mixtures to thrive. But you can’t mess with good taste. This leakproof lunchbox is as sleek and adaptable on the inside as it is sturdy on the outside, coming with interchangeable screw top lids and a divider. Best of all? It’s microwave safe, foam insulated, and BPA free. Now the only limit to lunchtime creativity is my own imagination.

Baggu

Baggu Bags Just about everyone has heard about these addictive and useful little stunners. They are my update to the old Parisian stereotype. Instead of walking along the Seine with a baguette and a hearty red wine, I’m biking home with one slung over my shoulder, kale sprouting from one side. They are stylishly indispensable. But did you know that when you do need to dispense with them, the company will take them off your hands to recycle? The fabric takes a licking and keeps on ticking; melted down, it is then turned into more nylon. Infinite recyclability results in a loop you can just keep closing – and as an incentive, the company takes $1 off your order of new bags for every one you send in.

Wren

Wren Carryall Bag But what about when I’m carrying something more substantial: my laptop, for example, or heavy bottles or cans? This is when I turn to the big guns – my gorgeous Wren carryall. I change purses extremely infrequently, largely because I’m quite picky. But save an exterior pocket, this bag has everything I need. Meticulously handmade in South Africa from an upcycled Brazilian coffee sack, it fits all of the above like Mary Poppins’ magic carpetbag: three Baggus, my lunchbox, my laptop, my water bottle, my planner, a book or three, wallet, camera, umbrella, sunglasses… friends have been known to check the table for a false bottom as the parade of things I haul out of it increases. It has a gorgeously slim line so its weight balances perfectly on the shoulder, and best of all: last week when it rained, I discovered that it released the warm smell of roasting coffee beans.

The Basket Lady Rattan Bicycle Basket There is something so classic about a vintage bike with a basket. It speaks to a bygone era, braces and newsboy hats. This sweetly curved basket captures some of the flair of that time and combines it with sustainably harvested and handwoven rattan. I haul a lot of stuff, and occasionally I do worry that my schlepping will be too much for the elegant leather straps. But riding home from the market with flowers in the basket and a grin on my face is absolutely unbeatable.

Do you have any indispensable biking paraphernalia? Share it with us in the comments! My next bike roundup will focus more on safety gear; if you have any suggestions, please feel free to get in touch.

Disclosure: Wren Design and The Basket Lady graciously provided sample products for review. All opinions expressed here are solely those of the author. The receipt of samples does not guarantee a favorable review or endorsement from Modern Hippie Mag, its writers, or any of its affiliates. All images courtesy of their respective companies.

Form Meets Function on Two Wheels is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag