My first ever trip to Europe was to Paris almost 30 years ago. I tagged along with my mother and brother on what would be an epic, and quite memorable, trip. We’re all three foodies so we managed to book a day at the School Ritz-Escoffier in the Ritz Paris. Despite the entire class being taught in French (which none of us spoke), we had a blast. So on a recent trip to France for…

I’m an adventure traveler. Or I should say a foodie adventure traveler. I love exploring new places through the food. So when I was invited to spend a week at a cooking school in France, I jumped at the opportunity. I’d be learning classic cooking techniques at this French cooking class, including all those classic French mother sauces, along with exploring the local foods and wines of the region. And in true empty nest style,…

What would you expect to find in a town with 400 Asian restaurants and just 210,000 people, 65% of Asian descent? You’d find some of the best Chinese food this side of, well, China. Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver, is home to a large population of Asians who settled here in the late 1970s (they translated Richmond to “Rich Man”) and opened restaurants because they missed their food from home. So how does a small…

There’s a reason people love to travel to Mexico. For me, I’m torn between the beautiful beaches and the authentic Mexican food. Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorite spots in Mexico. It is home to my favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurant, some really fun food tours, and tons of really unique activities. Take This Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta Vallarta Food Tours offers some really great experiences. We took the nighttime taco tour. If you’re…

I have flown business class on Qatar Airways, Jordanian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Air, British Airways, Jet Blue, American Airlines, and others for less than full fare. I am tenacious and crafty when it comes to finding cheap flights from business class to long-haul economy. Finding cheap airfares can be a bit of a challenge, but with some strategies and tools, you can often find great deals. While last-minute deals can occasionally be found, generally,…

Wellness travel is certainly hot right now, and I hesitate to call it a trend because I truly hope it’s here to stay. Wellness means different things to different people, so defining your unique style of wellness travel is key. It could be as simple as staying at a resort that offers yoga and fitness classes, indulging in spa treatments, or immersing yourself in local healing practices. Alternatively, you might seek a transformative weeklong program…

Retired or thinking of retiring, or simply leaving a full-time job, but you still want to have some extra cash? If you’re a woman over 50, you may be looking for ways to earn a little extra income while staying flexible, finding purpose, and (hopefully) enjoying what you do. Whether you’re retired, an empty nester, or just ready to take on something new, these side hustles for women can be a great way to have…

I come from a long line of sleepers. I can remember being in high school and while my friends were up late chatting on the phone, I went to bed at 9pm like my parents. I’m proud to say that I’ve raised two kids, now 28 and 30, who value sleep over a social life. We’ve all heard it—sleep is essential, and especially as we age. But getting quality sleep – and especially deep sleep…

True confession: I’m a diva when it comes to travel. I like full-service hotels, I like to have a very detailed itinerary (that’s why I created this site – to share my OCD planning tips), and when I fly overseas, overnight, I must have first class flights with a lay flat seat. Who the heck sleeps sitting up? But I’m also not a millionaire or lottery winner. So I guess that makes me a champagne flyer on…

Have you succumbed to the guilt trip of those dog food ads telling you to feed your dog fresh, human-grade food? As an obsessive dog mom, the idea has certainly piqued my interest. I have tried a couple of them, but with an 85-pound Labrador Retriever with a humongous appetite, I’d go broke with most of those subscription-based products. We know that fresh, whole foods are better for us as humans, but is homemade dog…