7 Gold Shimmer Body Oils to Indulge In

When the first summer sun rays come out and playfully relay across all services warming up the bricks in the walls and the tile under our bare feet, playing hide and seek among the leaves on the treetops.  We look up with our eyes closed warming our faces and exhale as if we were holding our breath waiting for this very moment. Ah, yes summer is magic! 

When we are just in the beginning of the summer season and months of glorious warmth and sunshine stretch in front of us, it may be tempting to just go with the flow and abandon ourselves to chance. Of course if you've been reading us for a while, you know that to Live Like You're Traveling take preparation. It's about getting in the right frame of mind to enjoy the summer. To create and savor the moments. 

One thing we can do is to savor summer everyday as if each day is unique. We can take cue from our northern neighbors from Scandinavia, who after the months of winter darkness frame their days and lifestyle around summer sun to give themselves as much enjoyment as possible to last through the year until again the sun once again comes up high in the Nordic sky.    

Three years ago (has it been so long!?) we wrote about the gold shimmer oils and it's time to do a refresh of IDEA114 with an updated list. 

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The 7 Natural Gold Shimmer Oils To Savor The Summer With

I am still using my beloved Nuxe oil. 

Still loving Omorovizca oil from Budapest

and Elemental Herbology from England. 

From Estonia, shimmer oil from the brand Joik is bringing us the Nordic tradition of an almost reverence of the summer sun. The brand is named after the ancient form of song of the Sami people.

Lovely gold shimmer for your hair? From Australia, the hair stylist Kevin Murphy created a non "oily" but nourishing and repairing shimmer oil spray. His products are made with great attention not only to the ingredients but also to the sustainable farming practices. (You can buy it in a salon in many major cities.)

Mystical sunstone and citrine oil from the USA. 

And how about just dusting yourself with goddess dust! Or you can mix in a bit of this shimmer powder into any organic body oil you're already using for your own semi - DIY shimmer oil!

Now that you're all shimmered up, it's time to go outside and glow in the sunshine!

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How to SAVOR the summer rays even during a busy work week? - Here are 7 ideas!

1 - Grab your morning coffee (or tea, or juice or smoothie, you get the point) and bring it outside with you. Find a sunny spot, stand and sip your drink. Notice your surroundings in the morning light, look up! (SAVOR + SAVOR)

2 - During lunch time, grab your co-worker, maybe one from a totally different department and invite them for a little lunch time stroll. You both get some fresh air, and get to know what each one does and exchange ideas. You will both go back to the office with renewed creative ideas! (SAVOR + CONNECT) 

3 - Pack a picnic lunch and head out to a park near your work, or a fountain, or near a waterfront, or simply near a big tree. (SAVOR + EXPLORE + NATURE) 

4 - Go street art hunting. Grab a camera (or let's be real, your phone) and go for a walk trying to notice as much street art as you can! You can even google ahead of time for some street art spots near you. (SAVOR + EXPLORE)

5 - Make a date, go to an outdoor terrace, even just for one drink or a desert, have some actual face time with someone special. (SAVOR + CONNECT)

6 - Get out of the train or the bus a stop earlier either going to work or coming back. Walk the extra way!
(SAVOR + MOVE)

7 - Go sunset chasing! Simply look for the best view point to observe the sunset, a walk on the beach? Or a rooftop!? (SAVOR + NATURE)

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Be Healthful Retreat & Four Seasons - 5 Natural "Recipes" for that Island Getaway Feeling

Oh wait...relaxing is a purposeful activity? Due to the scheduled down time when traveling, we actually allow ourselves to choose activities that help us to slow down and enjoy the moment. When we're in a greater state of awareness, we tend to focus more on what we're putting in our bodies, eating well and re-fueling, which often sets the stage for personal insights and reflection. This very sentiment was at the core of a BeHealthful retreat I recently participated in held at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Our intimate group of women learned beauty secrets from various cultures during a weekend stay with wellness workshops and activities.

Inspired by our weekend's activities which incorporated LLYT concepts of looking to nature for nourishment and beauty, and slowing down to savor more in our everyday life, I've pulled together 5 natural "recipes." These recipes can serve as rituals that will help you getaway more often and prepare your home spa so that you're able to channel Bali or the Caribbean at a moment's notice.  

Let’s savor together…shall we?  

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PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN INC

1 - Wake Up to a Stunning Water View

Wake up to a room with a view...bonus points if it has a view of the water. Is there a stunning lake, river or ocean near you? Make use of what ever body of water might be near you and feel a whole world away.

Behealthful Retreat guests were spoiled with lake view rooms, green juices in the morning, a detox box and other goodies to support a cleansing and nourishing weekend at the hotel and back at home.  

Getaway Recipe: Add Scenic View of Nature Near You + High Thread Count sheets + Abundant Fluffy Pillows, mix... and savor!

*Spa Day bonus: If you choose any of the Four Season spa treatments, even just a mani/pedi, as long as it's a 50 min. service, you'll have access to the pool, steam sauna, whirlpool, fitness center etc. Indulge and make a day of it with a friend!  Book a spa service here.

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2 - Indulge the Senses with Nature's Bouquets

Nothing transports my mind to a beachy spa more quickly than taking in intoxicating wafts of essential oils. Before I even step out of bed, my morning ritual starts with a spritz of aromatherapy spray on my face while I take in a deep <inhale>. The cool mist and vibrant scents instantly refreshes and gives me a spa moment...everyday.

Our DIY Aromatherapy Workshop was Lead by Sarah Baker, a plant-based nutrition & health coach and our event co-host. Much like any good flavor profile, I learned that in creating an ideal essential oil blend, 3 types of notes should be considered.

1 - A Top Note, Energizing and cleansing (ex. Peppermint, Eucalyptus)
2 - Middle Note, Robust for focus and healing (ex. Nutmeg, Frankensense)
3 - Low Note, Warm and calming, (ex. Cedarwood, Sandalwood)

Revitalizing Spray Recipe:
4 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
5 drops Lemon Essential Oil
4 drops Peppermint Oil
Distilled water

Fill a 2 oz spray bottle nearly full of distilled water. Add essential oils. Shake to blend. Option to include a few drops of vegetable glycerine helps to attract moisture and assists in absorption of the essential oils into the skin. Start with less and slowly adjust the intensity of the scent desired.  

*Tip: Keep one by the bed, in your purse or your office desk. Good for whenever you need a pick-me-up!

• • •

3 - Sip on a Nourishing Island Drink

Tropical vacation days almost always begin with an exotic juice or smoothie. Vibrant colors and wellness boosting ingredients will perk up your mood and fuel you for your day's adventures. *Bonus, fun smoothies pair well with annoying chores too. Ugh, need to organize that closet? Fix yourself a drink and watch how things almost become <gasp>...fun?! 

How adorable are these juices? And they tasted so delightfully smooth and complex in flavor. Four Seasons's Chef Michael Ross, proves that healthy food can actually be exciting and maybe even sexy? He prepared these juices to accompany a bento box assortment of healthy but sumptuous bites. On the menu for breakfast: Kale & Egg White tacos / Smoked Salmon Tartine / Quinoa Porridge / Greek Watermelon Yogurt with Chia & Marinated Watermelon. 

Get that tropical beachside feeling with these smoothie recipes:

Tropical Recipe
½ ea mexican papaya; chopped
1 ea mango; chopped
¼ ea pineapple; chopped
1 tsp agave
½ cup greek yogurt
½ cup bahia juice
1 cup ice
1 scoop protein powder

Acai Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
1 cup blueberries
½ pkg acai berries
1 tbl protein powder
½ cup greek yogurt
1 cup ice
1 tbl agave
1 tbl cranberry and pomegranate reduction
 

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4 - Take a Cooking Class Featuring Exotic Ingredients

Get that "WOW, I made this?!" feeling and learn to use ingredients that are outside of your usual grocery list rotation. Working with exotic ingredients will naturally connect you to new tastes and cultures around the world. *Bonus if they remind you of places you've traveled to, or want to visit soon!

We headed back into the kitchen where Chef Mike had prepared a demonstration for us to make a refreshing salad suited for spring and reminds me of the East Coast. I loved learning how to "segment" a grapefruit and other prep techniques. It was also my first time plating using the "swoosh" effect! I've included the recipe here so you can welcome spring into your home and try it out yourself.

Peekytoe Crab Salad Recipe

Pea Purée
3 cups fresh english peas
1 quart fresh spinach
3 avocados
24 oz veggie stock

Boil vegetable stock in a small rondeau. Add peas and cook until tender, but still bright green. Add spinach to wilt. Season with salt, no pepper. Place the mixture with avocado and purée hot until smooth. Pass through a chinois and then cool over an ice bath in med. sized bowls. 

Crab Salad
#3 Fresh Crab, picked through
5 oz mayonnaise
35 grams minced washed preserved lemon
1 cup minced chive

Delicately with gloves, mix with your hands to ensure you don't break up the large pieces of crab.

Grapefruit
3 grapefruits segmented with a sharp knife (reserve the juice) 
30 grams of sugar
1 cup grapefruit juice from segments plus water

Boil water/juice with sugar to dissolve and pour over grapefruit segments in an ice bowl. Allow time to cool down. 

Garnish
"Window pane" radish slices
French snap peas and micro greens
Finishing olive oil

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5 - Slowww Down with a DIY Body Scrub

Reward yourself after a long day of work or adventures! Focus on soothing your body with a much deserved exfoliating self-massage. Allow this act of self-care to bring you back to center, and to be in the moment, daily.

Vanilla Body Scrub Recipe:
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2-3 drops of Vanilla Essential Oil

Create this simple scrub by mixing ingredients in a bowl with a spoon or gloved hands to help melt the coconut oil. Massage with loving intention to exfoliate your body while in the shower. Rinse to remove excess.
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For more healthy recipes, DIY Home Spa Ideas, and updates on future BeHealthful retreats, head over to balancedbabe.com.

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Saalhof Vineyard : Be A Bon Vivant Anywhere

Does one have to live in France to be a Bon Vivant? Or be present in Italy to experience La Dolce Vita? And why do we strongly associate certain delicious experiences with a particular place... Most importantly, how do we translate "living the good life" for ourselves and set out to create a lifestyle we want right where we live!

To me, being a Bon Vivant has a lot to do with enjoying what your local region has to offer. And I feel nothing inspires this appreciation more than eating and drinking of the land. Just like the mysterious concept of terroir suggests that the taste of wine embodies climate, terrain, soil and even traditions of a place, similarly why not we as people enjoy where we live by truly embracing all the elements.  

So the other week I went on a Bon Vivant excursion to experience the bounty of my adopted land, The Netherlands! Why not go wine tasting and see how the 'terroir' here affects the wine. We decided to go to Saalhof Vineyard in Wognum.

Vineyard!? In the cold and wet Netherlands? My surprise was big as yours, but apparently yes, there are more then 170 commercial vineyards according to Winehoek. 

The Saalhof Vineyard or, Wijngaard in Dutch, is in the region of West Friesland which is in the North West of The Netherlands. Historically fiercely independent and a bit stubborn people live there. I mean, how many floodings would you put up with before deciding that maybe you should not live in an area that's not meant to be above water? Well, none of that for West Frisians. They keep plugging away, sucking the land dry... for centuries! This resilient spirit is probably what's responsible for the success of Siem and Ada Loos, the creators of Saalhof Vineyard. 

To grow wine in such a cold wet climate is tricky to say the least. The vines must be planted further apart to give grapes a chance at catching those illusive rays of sun for a few minutes a day. The foliage must be trimmed often so that grapes are well ventilated and stay dry otherwise they can rott. Thus the position of grapes on the stalk is important... the list goes on. And even after all that, not just any ol' grape will grow in this climate. It takes a special kind of grape! For example the Souvignier Gris, a grape variety invented in Germany in 1983, and the Rondo, created in 1964, a grape very resistant to winter frost and mildew.

So what in the world possessed Siem and Ada to start a vineyard? Apparently one too many bottles of wine... literally. They were sitting around with neighbours, drinking wine and talking about France and the art of enjoying life. About the romantic atmosphere of the French vineyards, of reaping the fruits of your land and then gathering with family at the end of the day to enjoy a big meal all together. For Siem it wasn't just wine fueled talk, it sparked a realization of the kind of lifestyle he wanted, and inspired a mission to create it right here in his own country. 

My family immediately felt the joyful vibe as we pulled into the vineyard with its neat rows of vines, large tables set up outdoors for communal eating, and an inviting guest house. It was a gorgeous fall day with sun shining and with a glass of sparkling wine it did feel like we were somewhere in the French countryside. We came with my husband's cousin's family and their two kids for the open day and spontaneously decided to linger on for dinner.   

It was such a pleasure to walk through the vineyards, of course the kids ran around, exploring and playing hide and seek between the vines. I tried Secco "Het mirakol uit Westfriesland" (The miracle of West Friesland), a sparkling white wine. Made with Johanniter white grape, created in 1968 specifically to grow well in cold and moist regions. After falling in love at first sight with the place, I was worried the wine may not match the expectations. But those worries proved unfounded. From the first sip Secco is an absolue delight. True to the name, the wine is pleasantly dry, and fresh with a delicate aroma of green apples and melon. Light sparkle brought out further the citrus undertones of lemon and grapefruit. Yum!

We stayed to eat the most delicious burgers and home fries at the restaurant, Saalig. The sun was setting and we poured another glass of Rondo, a red wine made with Rondo and Pinot Noir grapes, to help "wash down" the satisfying dinner.  

It was a perfect afternoon! Also the family and staff are really welcoming and happy to chat with you about their work. Of course the best part is the feeling of joie de vivre that washes over you from spending a leisurely afternoon with your family without rushing and just giving each other attention. 

I grabbed a few bottles of wine to bring home and made a note to come back for one of theme dinners at Saalig. Oh and you bet I signed up to be on the list of volunteers to harvest the grapes! 

I challenge you to think about what does being a Bon Vivant mean to you? And how can you make it happen right where you live! Maybe a visit to a local vineyard can help with some inspiration...

Here is a video interview of the owner of Wijngaard Saalhof by Tasty Tales: 

IDEA166: Create a Personal Sanctuary that Keeps your Travel Memories Alive

I have a woman crush on Claire, of Centerd by Design! A woman who marries the principles of yoga with her love of interior design...AND a passion for travel?! Seriously, where did you come from? The interior design junkie and yoga instructor in me was immediately hooked. So how exactly does she apply yogic teachings with the aethestics of creating a modern home? Well, she starts a design company about finding personal sanctuary. We're excited to have Claire today to share how her travels shaped her path and continues to inspire her along the way.  

• • •

Claire: I’ve always yearned to travel. I think it might have started with my dad’s stories of climbing Mt. Everest to base camp, but a bit of wanderlust has always filled my soul. In college, I spent a summer in Cameroon, Africa. When I graduated college I enrolled in AmeriCorps and lived in San Francisco. Several years later I lived abroad in New Zealand for a year with my fiancé. These major life milestones shaped the way I view the world. 

We are all the same. We all have different struggles.
Be kind. Be as giving as your situation allows.
Everyone wants to create a home, a safe haven, 
a place to feel at peace...a sanctuary.

During these years, I became a yoga teacher and kept various creative day jobs in marketing. I had an “aha moment” during a long and labor-intensive renovation project at work. It was then that I realized, interior design is my calling! Fast-forward to present day, and I am happily completing my degree in interior design and I have opened a design and decorating business, Centered By Design. It took me a little awhile to assess my values and blend my love of design (often material) with my passion for yoga (often spiritual). I came to the following conclusion, which I guess you could call my design mantra! 

Taking the time to re-center ourselves and find a personal sanctuary is more important than ever in today’s fragmented and fast-paced world.

I believe that sanctuary is much closer to home than you think. My approach to working with clients blends my intuitive nature as a yoga instructor with my passion for interior design. Daily, I see how the connection between the body, mind, and our physical environment can have powerful influences on our personal well-being.
 

• • •
 

So how does one create a personal sanctuary? 

The best part is that no one’s ideal space looks the same! Just like no one’s favorite yoga pose is the same. We all feel and experience life differently. I find that incorporating my travel memories, family heirlooms, nature and color creates what feels like sanctuary to me. I’d love to share some of my tips for bringing your travels, your personality and your special mementos into your home! It’s all about creating what feels good to you! What do you want to look at and be reminded of on a daily basis? 

1 - Decorate with Textiles

• Textiles are light and easy to pack. Every country or culture has designs, colors and patterns unique to their heritage. 

• Textiles go just about anywhere! Pick-up a unique tablecloth that reminds you of your favorite restaurant in (for example) Paris. Create an eating nook in your space that feels like that memorable al fresco spot where you drank wine for hours and smiled the night way!

• Textiles are the perfect art piece, whether draped over the bed, hung on wall, framed behind glass, or even placed on the floor – don’t under estimate the power of a beautiful textile as art. You can even frame a coffee bag and make it look amazing!

• • •

2 - Use your own Travel Photography

• Affordable and personal! 

• Frame various photos (landscapes work well for color – think ocean, sky, farm land, flowers) in different size frames and combine them with other mementos for the ultimate shelf styling.

• For visual impact, use a consistent color palette. In this example, I used my client’s photography and chose to print the images in black and white. Placed in matching style frames the look is professional and clean.

• • •

3 - Thrift your Heart Out

I’m a sucker for a good DIY project. Traveling out of Chicago is always awesome because I’m on the look out for vintage finds. Not only will these items tell a story (since you’re on an adventure when you find them!) but with a little TLC they can become a true mark of pride and creative prowess.

• Re-purpose an old window frame as an art piece; this one is backed with colorful paper and some decoupage. 

• Look for classic designs, like this George Nelson inspired clock. I took they dingy old brass thing, and spray painted it black for a modern look.

• Even a cool looking shirt or hat can become décor when styled in an interesting way. I keep my favorite printed shirt and lucky hat hanging in my room. If you get bored of the same look, it’s easy to change!

I hope next time you travel, whether near or far; you will keep your eyes peeled for souvenirs that are personal, inspiring and functional. You may just find the perfect item to decorate your home!

~ Your design happy neighbor, Claire of Centered By Design

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CLAIRE HURWITZ STASZAK

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KM Zero Tours : Slow Travel for a Taste of the Sweet Life in Tuscany

This special edition of "Take Us To Lunch" is actually an invitation to a virtual dinner! Our new friends Arianna, Olivia and Alessio of Km Zero Tours take us to an authentic polentata al fresco at a Tuscan casa.  

• • •

Alla: What is Polentata? Arianna tells us all about this traditional Italian peasant meal...

Arianna: Polentata is an old recipe from the Abruzzo region, the birthplace of Alessio. This recipe was born as a traditional dish for poor people who could not afford to buy many ingredients or even enough plates for the entire family. It is made with corn flour, a type of flour that typically cost less than wheat flour. People cooked polenta in a large, deep pot, stirring constantly for a long time. When polenta was ready, they poured it directly onto the table, eating it right away, all together, not using any dishes!

The traditional sauce for polenta was tomato sauce enriched with a single sausage (given the high cost) which was used to give flavor to the entire sauce and was eventually designated to head of the house. We have decided to re-propose this ancient dish for our guests, enriching it with more sauce and sausages! ;-)

The best thing about this experience is that we eat together at the same table, sharing values and ideas and becoming friends.  

How did this idea of sharing Italy with visitors come about and what does Km Zero mean?

The expression “Km Zero” (literally “no distance”) products, refers to a conscious choice to buy quality products and to consume them as close as possible to their area of production, ensuring freshness, seasonality and biodiversity, as well as strengthening connection with the land.

Arianna: Inspired by this concept we developed our project “Km Zero Tours,“ wanting to give people authentic tasting experiences, letting them re-discover ancient traditions and refine their palettes by understanding the journey of a product from farm-to-table.

Alla: When your guests return home, what would you like them to bring back to their countries from this experience?

Arianna: The best souvenir our guests can bring home is to become fully aware of how a product originates, understanding its history, tradition and the hard work and passion of the producers. We'd love for them to rediscover the pleasure of sharing experiences and values with others, which encourage them to interact with local people, actively engaging with them.

Alla: How did you and your partners meet? How did you decide to start this business together?

Arianna: Olivia and I are sisters, so we didn't actually "meet," but Alessio (my boyfriend) and I met 9 years ago in Bologna and immediately felt we had in common an endless love for our land and for its products. Precisely this love and genuine passion has led us to get to know a lot of different local producers and to taste their products. It opened our eyes. In most cases we felt that there was no real information about what we eat, and most of all there was no way to witness the passion, experience and knowledge of producers.

We created Km Zero experiences to help people to get a taste of Tuscany from a local perspective, through authentic products and meeting genuine and passionate local producers. 

Alla: Is there a specific moment you can share when you felt especially inspired to be on this journey of sharing Italy with the world?

Arianna: We love to tell the story of a time we went shopping at a local market to buy vegetables, cheeses and other products. It was our turn at the stand of fresh vegetables and we asked the lady if she could give us some fava beans (fave toscane). It was late in the afternoon, and she told us that unfortunately the fava beans were already gone. In any other country, perhaps the conversation might have ended at that point, but in Italy, the market is not only a place to buy products, but a place where you can exchange experiences and stories...and you always finish your day with some nice surprises!

In Italy, those who are not in a hurry, ready to stop just to have a chat and listen to people...are the ones who gain the most!

The lady invited us to wait until the end of her working day, to go with her to her house, where she would give us fava beans directly from her garden. We were not in hurry, so we decided to wait. Not only did we get fresh and delicious fava beans, but we saw her beautiful country house, met her family, and even stayed there for dinner! We returned home with new vegetables and  friends, having tasted incredible food while sharing inspiring stories. 

Alla: What is your greatest challenge for you in your business?

Arianna: The most difficult thing being able to transmit a real experience through virtual channels such as the web. Despite this difficulty, we are still managing a method that allows us to overcome this obstacle and to be able to express our philosophy, passion and project. 

We "Live Like We're Traveling" every single day as we discover and encourage our guests to discover a different and charming world...from the artistry of olive oil making to woodworking.

Every experience represents an interesting journey and collection of stories, experiences, parfumes and flavors, that deserve to be savored. The best way to live the "dolce vita" is to follow the rhythms of this beautiful and charming country, enjoying its atmosphere and observing the people. To comprehend their gestures, listen to their stories and take part in the slow and creative lifestyle.

• • •

Thank you Arianna, Olivia and Alessio! For sharing your work with us today and for sharing Italy with the world in a way that brings us closer to it's people and their way of living. Your advice for living la dolce vita is a great inspiration for us to get to know our own local producers wherever we happen to live. Thank you for reminding us that our taste buds are made happier not only by healthy food but by truly connecting over a meal and taking the time to talk with each other and listen to each others stories. 

{ Experience the Sweet Italian Life }

With Km Zero Tours you can really touch Italian culture. Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a wine maker? You can now experience it first hand. What about making goat cheese yourself along side cheese artisan themselves...or prepairing a slow cooked meal from the freshest ingredients while learning Italian? 

{ Live The Sweet Life In Tuscany }

For a complete immersion in the Tuscan way of living, stay in a stone villa, Casa Montrogoli, on the hills overlooking vineyards and rows of Cyprus trees. Perfect for bringing your entire family along!        

ALL PHOTOS VIA KM ZERO TOURS

• • •
For more ways to connect with the people and world around you,
get everyday ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

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IDEA165: Create a Coffee Shop Atmosphere by Day and Dining Lounge by Night

Are formal dining spaces really necessary these days? My husband and I didn't think so. We live in a modest 100+ yr old Brick home in Chicago. We remodeled it a few years ago and made sure to maximize every corner of space with functionality and style.  One of our key concepts was in creating a dual purpose (work space + dining room). 

As more families and couples use the dining room in a less formal setting, we maximized our small dining room design, by turning it into a workspace. It's a place where we might sit down to work on the computer or spread out our latest art projects. It is a creative space for daily use and when the tables are put together, it makes for a traditional dining area. It's super cozy corner channeling a morroccan lounge, teasing you with throw pillows to come in, relax and stay for a while. 

Cafe Workspace : BY DAY
 

On most days, this room acts as a workspace for us. We had custom tables built to act as "cafe tables" by a designer in Chicago who re-purposes the bases of Charles and Ray Eames' pieces. When separated, they become a his and hers workspace. We find this to be most convenient and functional for our everyday lifestyle.

To give it that inviting and cozy space you might never leave... add small touches of vibrant bud vases with fresh flowers, favorite mugs, and soft neutral pillows with accents of color bring out the cheer. Wood tables made by hand evoke a sense of warmth, counter balanced by clear barely-there chairs.

Building in a few secret compartments in our bench seating, and it becomes a fully functional office space as well.  In the drawers, we have hidden and housed our office supplies, file cabinets, and even our printer!

Lounge Dining : BY NIGHT
 

Push the tables together, add an additional chair at the end, a center piece and other ambience making details...and voila! We are ready for entertaining! 

For more background on our design, head over to our feature for -->  About.com : Home

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Design Details:
Light fixture & pillows: West Elm, Pottery Barn 
Mid-century mirror: An Orange Moon
Tobias clear chairs: Ikea 
Mid-century Teak Shelf :  Broadway Antique Market Chicago
Built-in Cabinetry : TriStar Custom Cabinetry

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup - Share a Taste of Home with Friends

When traveling, few things unite people like a great meal prepared and shared together. Food is such a natural and direct way to learn about a culture, which is why I love to cook with friends, a tradition that started many years ago abroad. To me, the kitchen is a creative space. A place full of experimentation, chaos and laughter and our friend's kitchen over at Wilson Creek Pottery is no exception. Recently, we traded in the hustle of the city for a scenic weekend visiting them in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

• • •

In their lovely kitchen, we were surrounded by the warmth of their hospitality and their pottery.
It was the perfect spot for trading secret ingredients and resources. 

Our friends love to travel out in the world and from their own kitchen. They can't help but bring back inspiration from their travel. Their last big trip in India, solidified their love for Indian cooking and Ayurveda. When we last visited, they treated us to Indian fare. From handmade chapatis to showing us how to make our own ghee! 

• • •

This time their adventurous mood was set on asian noodles and a perfect chance for me to return the generosity. They knew of my love for noodles and asked if I could show them how to prepare a dish. There was no question. I had to share with them one of my favorite noodle dishes: Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup. (Pictured above) What is delightful about this dish is the complexity of the broth. It's an iconic staple and something I grew up on. To understand my love for noodles is to know me and I was more than happy to share a piece of my home with them. I can have it morning, day or night and my husband couldn't really comprehend this until he saw for himself...the land, people and food of my first home. After a few days into our trip to Taiwan, my husband looked at me knowingly and said, "I get it now."  

• • •

And so today we would all join in culinary adventure to experience the flavors of Taiwan from a cozy house in farm country, Wisconsin. Our plan was ambitious but we made sure to give ourselves ample time. The plan was to prep the broth, the most effort and time intensive part of the dish and we'd prepare it to a point, so that the flavors could be melding while we took a hike nearby.   

And when we tired ourselves of the snowy hills and neighboring animal friends...we would come back home to a simmering broth that would be ready for us. 

• • •
I'm happy to report that our bellies and hearts were full...Now it's your turn! Try it in your own global kitchen!
--> Head over to The Dining Traveler where I shared with her the recipe.

What taste of home would you share? 
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How to Live Like You're Traveling : Part 2 - What Makes Us Happy When We Travel?

Welcome to "How To Live Like You're Traveling" series, where we explore what is it that makes us happy when we travel and how to achieve this happiness in our everyday lives. Join us on this adventure, and write out your very own travel day that stands out in your memory using this template in part 1 of the series. 

In this Part 2, we are going to break down one of my favorite travel days to see what makes us happy when we travel and if these elements are transferable into our everyday life. 

Let's take a look at a favorite travel day together...

The Set-Up
Family vacation in France, staying at the lovely Les Mathes Camping in a delighful mobile home, as one does. 

The Characters
• Alla - that's me!
• Vito - my other half
• Mo - our delightful oldest son 
• Vin - our equally delightful youngest son
• Dan - my high-school sophomore brother visiting from NY
 

1 - Waking-up
How did you wake up? When? What did you do?

We were woken up by Vin who must have been treckking through the Sahara desert during the night judging by his thirst. Once the milk bottle was in hand we were able to continue waking up propensed by Mo who decided to contribute to the process by running into our room and joining us all in bed. Mother's joy is complete... when all children are within an arms reach!
 

2 - Breakfast
Think about your first meal, what did you eat, who did you eat with? How did you feel about the coming day spread out ahead of you? 

Breakfast would usually start with a walk to the little market together with Dan. We would talk about life and universe and so on and so forth. My brother is totally smarter than me... and better looking. At the market we picked up freshly baked croissants, with chocolate for me, plain for Mo and Vito, and a pecan pastry for Dan and a baguette for everyone. Back at the house we'd sit down at our little table to eat and plan our day. (Well, usually I would just tell the family what I wanted to do and expect complete and immediate agreement.) 

3 - First part of the day
Write down everything you did in the first part of the day. Did you sight see? List all the activities and think about how they made you feel. 

We (I) decided to drive over to La Tremblade, a little fishing village to just check it out. A quick google search revealed very little information about the town so we had absolutely no idea what to expect. Plus, it just so happened to be Bastille Day, and judging by other towns we drove by on the way, everything in La Tremblade would be closed. Lo and behold we arrived to a PARTY. To our amazement the tiny town was filled to the brim with people! There was a market happening in the central square and many shops lining the streets were opened. We strolled and promenaded and bought presents for family back home. 
 

4 - Lunch
One has to eat! What did you eat, where did you have lunch? Remember the tastes, aromas, views... 

For lunch we sat down at one of the sidewalk cafe's ordered cappuccinos, and juices. The cafe we were at did not serve food but we noticed a long line next door at the bakery. We thought it would be a good idea to get in line and buy whatever it is they were selling in there. My brother and I joined the line to continue our earlier conversation about the universe. Mo joined us, and since I'm priming him to become aerospace engineer it's good that we expose him to the relevant topics early on. At the bakery there were all kinds of delights! We ordered baguette sandwiches and got a few different little cakes and pastries to try. They were delicious! We then sat, chowed, people watched and took turns taking bites of the pastries. Ahhh...  On the way back to the car, we ducked into a very atmospheric indoor food market to get meat for a barbeque we decided to have for dinner. Mo was introduced to various sea creatures... 

5 - Second part of the day
What did you do after lunch? How did you feel? Who were you with? Who did you meet? Why did you enjoy it?

After lunch we happily drove back to the house for a nap. Then it was time to grab towels and head over to the pool, the pool is nice, but you know what else is nice? The bar right next to it. So after an hour or so of splish splash, Vin and I headed over to the lounge to polish off a 51. Well, a 51 for moi, and Vin got a drink and a banana. 

6 - Dinner
How did you decide what you will eat? Where did you have dinner? What did you eat, who were your dinner companions? What was your favorite part about this dinner? 

Dinner was a barbeque outside of our little home. The meat and the shrimp from the market were going to be our hero dishes. We tossed some salad together and cut-up amazingly sweet melon as side dishes. A couple of beers made the everything complete. Dan and Vito did the manly things like grilling and Mo, Vin and I did the rest, like chowing down on the sweet melon. It was sunny, we were eating al fresco, random things were hilarious for no reason, and everyone was happy! 
 

7 - Evening time
What evening activities did you do? Did you do some more sightseeing, did you relax? Did you go to a party?

Remember how you felt. Embarrassingly enough Vito and I went to bed quite early. Dan on the other hand went to hang out with the neighbors, a rowdy French family. 
 

8 - Night
Perhaps you stayed up all night? Or maybe just the opposite, you had the best night of sleep?

We did have a great night of sleep, with our little window open, hearing fireworks in the distance...

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THE 6 ELEMENTS

So what DID we do all day to be so happy and was it directly tied to the specifics of the location? Let's inspect...

I think it's pretty clear that we spent quality time with each other all day. We had nothing else on the agenda but to spend time together. What and where was pretty much secondary. 

The day started with us daring to discover something new and being pleasantly surprized stumbling in on a local town Bastille Day party. 

Something important to notice is that we did not have a schedule, we did not rush, we did everything at our own pace.  We took a nap, some of us read, having a drink.

We all got creative. I took photos, Dan wrote in his blog. Vito read a novel. We got creative in our own ways and took on activities that we immersed ourselves in.  

We spent most of the day outdoors. 

We frolicked at the pool, and walked a lot.

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Which elements were most abundant in YOUR travel day? 

These six elements were in abundance during my travel day. It turns out that all the elements had nothing to do with the actual geographic location.  In the next installment of How to Live Like You're Traveling, we are going to look at the science behind these elements and why they make us happy.

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How to Live Like You're Traveling : Part 1 - Anatomy of a Travel Day

Have you ever stopped and wondered what is it that makes us so happy when we travel?

Why are we so engaged and interested in our surroundings? Is it really because we're visiting amazing places, or is it something within us responding differently? These are the questions we tirelessly try to answer here at Live Like You're Traveling headquarters. The question of why we are happiest when we travel and even more importantly, how to bring that high into our everyday lives so we can be just as excited and tuned-in. 

We are excited to introduce a new how-to series that will explore these very concepts by exploring the science behind it. We invite you on a journey to discover once and for all what it is that makes us feel happy when we travel and exactly how to bring those elements into our everyday. In other words we want to help answer the ultimate question...

How do you live like you're traveling?

PART 1. Anatomy of a Travel Day (Template) 

First, we are going to re-create one of your favorite days. A Travel Day...a day that brought you inspiration, a day that made you feel excited about life all over again. We will re-live this wonderful day and write down absolutely everything that made you feel amazingly happy. In doing this we will create the ultimate model day that we wish we can live daily. This is the first step to understanding what is it that makes us happy when we travel. After that we will look at each element separately to understand why it made us happy and of course how we can achieve this happiness when we're not traveling. 
 

• • •    LET'S REMINISCE    • • •

Start by thinking back to one of your holidays. Think about a favorite day you spent, copy and paste the questions below into a document or grab a notebook and describe everything that went on that day.

1. Waking-up: How did you wake up? When? What did you do?
    
2. Breakfast: Think about your first meal, what did you eat, who did you eat with? How did you feel about the coming day spread out ahead of you? 
    
3. First part of the day: Write down everything you did in the first part of the day. Did you sight see? List all the activities and think about how they made you feel. 
    
4. Lunch: One has to eat! What did you eat, where did you have lunch? Remember the tastes, aromas, views... 
    
5. Second part of the day: What did you do after lunch? How did you feel? Who were you with? Who did you meet? Why did you enjoy it?
    
6. Dinner: How did you decide what you will eat? Where did you have dinner? What did you eat, who were your dinner companions? What was your favorite part about this dinner? 
    
7. Evening time: What evening activities did you do? Did you do some more sightseeing, did you relax? Did you go to a party? Remember how you felt.
    
8. Night: Perhaps you stayed up all night? Or maybe just the opposite, you had the best night of sleep? 

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In the next post I will share one of my favorite travel days and together we will take apart our day to individually look at the elements that came together to form this amazing day. Stay tuned... 
 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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IDEA161: Try the Powerful Practice of Eyegazing

These days, especially in the city... most people don't look at each other. In it's own quiet way, it can be one of the most aggressive ways to dismiss another person. Choosing not to see someone. If you have noticed a bit of a disconnect and or life moving at a pace where direct eye-contact seems to be non-existent, you may want to explore a practice called eye gazing, often referenced by the Sufi Poet, Rumi. 

According to Will Johnson, author of Spiritual Practices of Rumi, it's "like iron filings being drawn to a powerful magnetic source, we experience ourselves as being ineluctably drawn closer to a shared feeling of union, relatedness, and love. Where formerly we were two separate beings, we join together through the practice and become something that neither of us could quite be on our own. When hydrogen comes into the presence of oxygen, suddenly there's water..."

Likewise, through such a meeting, two people lose their sense of separateness and drown together in the waters of love and union.

I first tried eye gazing at the Sukhava Bodhe Yoga & Music Festival at the Stonehouse Farm Retreat over the summer. It was the near the end of one of the workshops and I was paired with a man next to me. Unsure about what to expect, we sat across from each other in crossed-leg, easy pose and gently began to gaze in each other's eyes for the next 5 min or so. I settled into my gaze, and as I began to focus less and less on any one particular aspect of his face or eyes, it's as though I began to melt into a space within his eyes.

Towards the end of the practice, I felt a letting go, and it was at this moment that I began to tear up.

I tried to hold it in. I mean this was a stranger, so why would I be crying? I was overcome by a feeling of connected-ness and a sense of compassion, knowing nothing about this person other than the experience of two human souls acknowledging each other. Initially I thought that trying this with a stranger would create a more closed experience, however the exact opposite was true. Because I had no preconcieved notions or back story with this man, I was able to maintain a neutral space of openess and curiosity.

It is said, that when eye gazing with someone that you have a past with, that many types of emotions can emerge. One can feel uncomfort or raw emotions, but the act of sitting with it and allowing it to pass is healing, so for some it can be an interesting check for a relationship to see if anything comes up. Naturally, I wanted to try this at home with my husband. We decided to try it once or twice a week for several weeks to see what would happen.

Now that it was going to be with someone that I knew deeply... what would I feel or experience? 

Our first time, we locked eyes and I felt a vulnerability from being so fully seen and acknowledged. I was giggly and remember the time going by so fast that we had to keep turning the timer back on. We held hands as we gazed and it just felt really nice, it was almost as if our eyes were smiling even though our faces were still. Trying it again, a second time...we couldn't stop laughing! I would see just a slight twitch in the corner of his mouth and we both would end up belly laughing. We've practiced it several times and each time seems to bring a new experience. The last time we gazed, I remember thinking my husband's face had such an innocence and sweetness as he looked at me. For us, it is a fun activity that connects us in a way that normal day-to-day life doesn't typically offer and we definitely plan to continue exploring it. 

{ Fun Fact: There are actually speed dating events that start off with a few minutes of eye gazing }  

So are you curious about trying it? Below are a few tips to help if it's your first time. 

Eye Gazing Exercise 

• Set a timer for 5-10 min. 
• Take a few deep breaths to center. 
• Begin by gently looking at your friend’s left eye only.
• Then move your gaze to the other eye.
• When that feels comfortable, gaze into both eyes.
• Breathe naturally and relax your gaze gently on your partner. No staring :) 
• Share your thoughts and reflect on the experience afterwards.
   

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