There must be a moment of every book lovers life, when they come across a book and at just look up from the pages asking: “Where has this book been all my life?” I experienced this moment while reading Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes. A magical book that has been praised and quoted countless times here on PD as well. It became a New York Times bestseller and appeared on the bestseller lists of USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal. Many women I met during my travels had heard of this book, but only a few of them actually read it. But all of who read it, agr ..read more

In 2021, I had an adventure of a lifetime. I walked a combination of the epic Camino de Santiago del Norte and the Camino Primitivo, extending the walk to Muxia and Finisterre. My  Camino ended up being an incredible, over 1000-kilometer trek across Northern Spain. The trail begins at Irun and crosses the mighty mountains of Spain and the beaches by the Atlantic. For almost 40 days, I trekked across Northern Spain through mountain ranges, forests, farm fields and vineyards, and beautiful sandy beaches until I reached the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, the final resting place of Sain ..read more

Nature provides an abundance of clean air and fresh water, and in return, people should protect and give back to Mother Earth. The good news is that small steps can go a long way, and there’s no need to transform your entire lifestyle overnight. Here are 12 simple ways you can give back to nature daily.  Simple ways to give back to nature 1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reducing waste is a fundamental and effective way to help nature. Limiting the amount of single-use plastic and other disposable items you use decreases the pollution in oceans and landfills. Reusing shopping bags and container ..read more

The second largest Portugal city with 1.3 million citizens is one of the most beautiful places in Western Europe. It’s personally my favorite big city as I do not like crowds. Despite its large population, the city still feels quiet and not as crowded as other big European cities. What really put this place on the map was the world-famous Port wine, but there is so much more to it! Surrounded by the beautiful beaches of Costa Verde shoreline, the heart of Porto is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and it’s a must-visit destination for every history lover. You can spend hours wandering ..read more

It is vital to move your body, especially as you age. The gym can be intimidating, and starting a strict regimen can seem daunting. You might wish you could go back to the days of recess or playing in the backyard.  Becoming an adult doesn’t mean you must forfeit the fun, carefree ways you played as a kid. These 12 exercises can help you get and stay healthy while reconnecting to your inner child.  Exercises to get in touch with your inner child 1. Blowing Bubbles Blowing bubbles has physical and mental health benefits. You must use controlled, deep breaths to make these fun soap cre ..read more

Pride Month (June every year) might be over now, but that does not mean the fight for equality is. Pride is a time to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Yet, the last year has seen an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, legislation trying to take away the rights of queer people, whether it is about marriage, adoption or, most recently, gender-affirming care and even simply the education about sexuality and gender diversity in schools. A majority of these legislative measures are targeted at transgender people. Trans people of color were at the forefront of fighting for equality and the rights of ..read more

In the grand scheme of seasons, fall may very well be my favorite. With fall comes a slew of beloved seasonal traditions: pumpkin carving, apple picking, Oktoberfests, and the creeping out of cozy sweaters. And yet, there’s one aspect of fall that I enjoy least. That’s the annual raking of leaves from my backyard, only to bag them up and send them off to landfills where they’ll take time to decompose—while damaging the environment.  If, like me, lawn maintenance has your fall feelings down and out, then I have some good news for you. According to the United States Department of Agricultu ..read more

Picture this: You’re in a yoga class doing chataranga number 100, or so it seems, when suddenly your teacher asks, “How can you take your practice off the mat and connect it to the rest of your life?” You might be thinking to yourself, “I guess I can go home, do wheel pose, take a picture, and then post it on my Instagram, right?” If you’re anything like me when I first began my physical, or asana, yoga practice, I had no idea how to “take my yoga off the mat.” While asana can be a great workout for our bodies and give us a great sweat, it also allows us to become deeply intimate, honest, and ..read more

Craving that special autumnal bliss but still stuck in warm weather?? Try these tips for ways to channel Fall. Although I am not one to wish away time, I have to admit that I feel a little blue when the rest of the country is experiencing autumn, and I’m still sweating through my clothes in south Texas—and probably will be for another month or so—until “winter” comes, bringing welcome cooler weather. I probably complain too much about missing the leaves turning colors to too many people (palm trees have no interest in participating in this seasonal festivity). My husband—brilliant man that he ..read more

The Western world—especially anglophone world—lives for happiness. We use the world repeatedly throughout the day: “Happy to be here,” “are you happy?” “I just want to be happy,” etc. I also remember how the French equivalent, “je suis contente,” seemed so much milder than “I am happy.” We English speakers don’t want to settle for being content—we want to feel buoyant and ecstatic! But for all our seeking, happiness eludes us. A widely reported 2020 poll found that only 14% of Americans considered themselves “very happy.” While it was taken during the height of COVID, the downward trend from t ..read more