Tips for a feel-good home

When pursuing a healthy lifestyle, your physical environment can greatly impact your motivation. Try making simple changes to create spaces that feel good and help you be your best. 

Clear the air. Use an air purifier to remove allergens. Swap traditional candles for soy ones, which don't release harmful chemicals. Houseplants also help to purify the air, and many people say caring for plants can relieve daily stress.

Add a standing desk. To encourage yourself to move more, try an adjustable height desk, or use a fixed standing desk with a stool so you can alternate between sitting and standing. 

Create a serene bedroom. Make your bedroom a haven by minimizing clutter, limiting the amount of technology and decorating with items you love. Consider investing in blackout curtains and sheets with a high thread count to promote better sleep.

Organize your family schedule

Spring schedules are often filled to the brim with extra travel, sports, recitals, and school activities. Evaluate your household's needs and choose tools that can help you stay organized.

• Create a shared calendar. This could be a paper calendar, a dry-erase board posted in the kitchen or a digital shared calendar. This ensures that all family members know what to expect each week and can see the big picture for the month.
• Color code your family. To organize your calendar, assign a color to each family member, and record activities in corresponding colors for quick reference.
• Use organizational apps. Check out apps like Cozi or Wunderlist to share to-do lists, grocery lists, reminders, and more.
• Have a weekly scheduling session. Adults and older children can gather briefly to discuss the upcoming week's activities and any changes to the schedule.
• Create routines. Having a predictable morning and evening routine will keep your household from feeling too rushed.
• Schedule "free" time. Whether it's pausing the chaotic routine for a casual dinner, an evening walk or a Saturday morning breakfast, take the time to slow down and enjoy being together.

5 Exciting travel trends

When booking your vacation this year, consider some of the current trends in travel. You may find an unexpected journey is just the destination you were looking for. 

Micro trips
Elle.com calls 2019 the "year of bite-sized travel" because more people are taking frequent day-trips or weekend getaways, as opposed to week-long vacations. One hallmark of these quick retreats is booking an unconventional accommodation such as a glamping tent, a yurt or an Airstream. 

Picture perfect
Social media continues to drive the travel industry with what Forbes Travel Guide calls "Insta-tourism." Some travelers are making itineraries based on photogenic spots they've seen on Instagram and hope to capture for their followers. On your next adventure, Forbes suggests booking a session with Flytographer, a photography service available in more than 200 destinations around the world.

In touch with nature
Visiting natural hot springs and taking bicycle tours are popular trip options this year. Colorado boasts several relaxing hot springs, and in Arizona, Tucson is a beautiful destination with a myriad of bike tours to choose from, plus exceptional, "Instagrammable" food. 

Zero-waste 
Sustainable travel options are booming. You can choose an eco-resort experience in Fiji, or visit destinations that are committed to reducing waste such as Vancouver; Flanders, Belgium; and Capannori, Italy. You can also make any vacation a zero-waste trip by choosing sustainable options when you travel. 

Surprise destinations
Curated travel experiences like Pack Up + Go are seeing a surge in popularity. Simply answer a travel questionnaire, input your budget and availability, and Pack Up + Go creates a mystery three-day vacation for you. To some, the concept of a surprise destination may sound frightening, but fear not. Instead of getting lost in the details of planning your trip, you can give in to the excitement of the journey.

Green Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients
1-2 cups unsweetened almond milk
¼ ripe avocado
2 medium ripe bananas (previously sliced and frozen)
1 cup frozen mango chunks 
2 large handfuls spinach 
1 small handful kale
1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
2 Tbsp. creamy almond or peanut butter (optional)

Toppings
Fresh banana slices
Blueberries
Dried goji berries
Chia seeds

Directions
Starting with 1 cup almond milk, combine all ingredients in a blender jar. Blend until smooth, adding more almond milk as needed to create a consistency thin enough to pour, but thick enough to eat with a spoon. Pour into two bowls and finish with toppings.

Serves 2