It’s Not Too Late! Night of Lights OC Brightens Up the Holiday Season.

This year, getting into the holiday spirit may be a bit of a struggle. We miss our friends, family, and celebrating the holiday traditions that bring us all together. But even though these traditions are on hold at the moment, you can find the yuletide spirit at the Night of Lights OC, a drive-thru holiday light show at the Orange County Fair & Events Center.

My family attended, and the 40-minutes of family-friendly socially distanced fun gave us a good dose of that good ol’ holiday cheer!

Upon arrival, our vehicle was ushered into a lane according to our ticket* and guided by friendly attendants. I highly recommend tuning into the radio station as instructed by the signs you’ll see along the way. The festive Christmas soundtrack of holiday tunes will really put you in the mood—and may even get you singing along!

As we entered Toyland Carnival—the first of many themed holiday scenes—we were greeted by a lineup of toy soldiers and snow fairies on stilts. It was so festive and colorful that you could almost believe that the 1,000,000 lights featured throughout the event were all displayed here!

As we continued on the mile-long route, we came across a fun snow flurry with an adorable penguin waving us through, snow princesses elegantly waiving at us from elaborate icicle thrones, and Santa greeting us from his holiday adorned platform. Throughout the event, there are other special effects like bubbles and animated light shows, as well as humongous Christmas trees that make you feel as if you were in a scene of the Nutcracker!

For a fun, safe holiday event, I highly recommend attending. Families who may not be able to gather in person for safety reasons may consider caravanning to experience the fun together. The giggles and cheers I heard from the families and children in other cars—as well as my own—are confirmation that this event is kid-approved!

Night of Lights goes on through January 10. And if you’re looking to add a little flavor to your experience, you can preorder in-car holiday food treats like hot cocoa, cinnamon sugar donuts, Mom’s Bake Shoppe cookie buckets, and more before entering the event.

*Entry to the event is through online ticket purchases only at NightOfLightsOC.com. Entrance begins at 5 p.m. with time sessions available until 9:30 p.m. Limited reservations are available. Early Bird general admission starts at $39.99 per vehicle (up to five people) on select nights. Larger vehicle tickets (six to nine people) start at $59.99 on select nights.

Article originally posted HERE

Three Reasons Why It’s Time to Retreat and Reconnect.

Throughout history, women have come together to support each other in an array of intimate facets of life, ranging from fertility cycles to emotional and physical healing. However, as society grew, we grew apart. The idea of individualism took over and caused a detrimental wedge among us that negatively impacts our ability to thrive and nurture our well-being. And as a result of this disconnection, we are left feeling depleted, overwhelmed and longing for reconnection.

As I write this, I can’t help but reflect on the fact that I am in exactly this state. I cannot remember the last time I was alone with myself and my thoughts. And like most women I know, it is not often that we get – or take- the opportunities to reconnect with ourselves and others, which is why, as I write this, I am simultaneously Googling wellness retreats for women. And, there are so many to choose from.

The recent surge in the female-driven wellness and self-care movement has reignited our natural inclination to unite and engage in restorative, healing practices and seek solace from the monotony of our daily lives. So, if you’ve been on the fence about booking that retreat, here are three reasons why you shouldn’t wait any longer:

1. We NEED time to rejuvenate – Whether we are parents, professionals, partners, friends, siblings or a combination of all of these, we tend to get overwhelmed with our obligations to others, leaving no time to replenish the energy we give.

2. We NEED to connect with other women – Sisterhood doesn’t have to be biological. Sisterhood represents a connection we establish with our fellow females. A retreat is a great way to meet and bond with women who are on the same, if not very similar path as you.3

3. We DESERVE it – We can always find reasons to neglect our self-care. If you have ever said “It’s too expensive,” “I have to take care of (partner, kids, parents, etc.),” “I just don’t have time,” “I’m so busy,” you have put yourself aside for far too long, and a getaway just may be what you need.

As we continue on our journey of self-care, I find it inevitable that a resurrection of the female connection to each other and ourselves will continue to emerge. Women of today cannot afford to keep-on-keeping-on the way we’ve been: overworked, overstressed, overlooked, overprescribed, and overwhelmed. We have no choice but to regain control over our health and well-being and reestablish our connection to other like-minded women.

Article originally posted HERE

‘I Love Being A Woman.’

I love being a woman. It has taken me over three decades to understand the power that being a woman epitomizes, but now that I am aware and continue to develop my sense of womanhood, I fully embrace it in all its glory.

Yes, periods and cellulite suck, and it is overwhelming to be expected to adhere and abide by all of the rules, standards, expectations, and roles that are assigned to us by others and society; but there is nothing more divine than being a woman. We are educators, caregivers, communicators, relationship developers, life sources, and liberators. We are mothers, sisters, partners, friends, and pillars of support; we are a force to be reckoned with.

In honor of International Women’s Month, I would like to share the four reasons why we should all be proud to be women. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done on a larger scale to support us in our existence, but to establish personal empowerment and cultivate the state of mind that we are worthy begins with us.

1. Perseverance – Women throughout history have regularly broke barriers, pushed boundaries, and continued to strive for equality and justice in the face of great adversity. It is because of this determination that progress has been made.

2. Strength – No strength compares to that of a woman. The power we embody to endure the physical pain of childbirth to the emotional strength we have to overcome suffering, violence, and discrimination and remain a source of strength for those closest to us, now that is strength.

3. Passion – And I’m not just talking about in the bedroom. Passion has been a characteristic that has been negated by society, when in fact it should be fostered. To be passionate means you have a strong belief in something, and when you have unwavering faith, action follows. As the saying goes, “well-behaved women rarely make history.”

4. Nurturers – Whether we choose to have children or not, our tendency to nurture is intrinsic. This quality enables us to establish connections on deeper levels, whether it be with nature or others and supports healthy emotional and social development.

There are many more reasons why I love being a woman and these four are just a snapshot. Each one of us embodies what it means to be female in our way, and that is our right. Society doesn’t have the right to dictate our womanhood and men don’t either. It is us that determine what it means to be a woman, and there is no one size fits all. So, in conclusion, I would like to say to all the women, past and present, who have dedicated their lives to our advancement, given their lives to the support of their children and others, and those who have lost their lives because of their womanhood, we honor you today and every day.

Article originally posted HERE.

Ditch Those Resolutions! (And Set Intentions Instead.)

2019 is here. And, though it arrived in a whirlwind, I am glad it has finally come.

For some, myself included, the transition to a new year signifies a time of renewal; a chance to shed the proverbial skin of the previous year’s self. It serves as a time for reflection when we honor our accomplishments, confront personal vices, and recognize mistakes.  Overall, the new year gives us consent to make a significant change. 

We have been conditioned to believe that each new year should be welcomed with a laundry list of goals, and very high expectations, that will ultimately lead to living our ideal lives and achieving our perfect self. 

You might recognize the pattern. It goes:

1.    Set astronomical personal goals

2.    Execute them for a short period

3.    Lose momentum after goals are failed to be met

4.    Fall back into old patterns

5.    Drown in guilt, and resume negative thought patterns

6.    Repeat cycle the following year

Sound familiar?

Now, there are those that are successful at accomplishing their resolutions, and for that, deserve an applause for their achievements; however, that does not represent the majority of us. What I have learned throughout my own pattern of setting and failing numerous resolutions, is that we immediately set ourselves up for failure when we assign our personal value to the high expectations we hold ourselves to; when we base our worth on how many goals we can check off our list. That is where we do ourselves a disservice.

Which is why setting intentions, rather than resolutions, leads to greater fulfillment and success. The world-renowned pioneer of integrative medicine and personal transformation, Deepak Chopra, states that an “intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love.”

Here are three reasons why 2019 should be the year you should ditch resolutions and start setting intentions. Or, if you must, make a resolution to stop making resolutions, and begin setting intentions instead.

1.    Our intentions are a reflection of our true authentic self, versus resolutions, which often mirror the superficial version of self. An example would be instead of aiming to lose 20 pounds, set the intention to be more mindful of the food you eat and show yourself kindness by making better food choices. 

2.    Author, and intention setting guru, Chandresh Bhardwaj, states that “setting an intention is like drawing a map of where you wish to go — it becomes the driving force of your higher consciousness. Without an intention, there is no map, and you’re just driving down a road with no destination in mind.” Who doesn’t need direction?

3.    Setting intentions gives you the chance to take a closer look at the things that motivate you, and what aspects of your life are most important. Realizing our true motivators, aid us in deciding what we really aim to achieve, versus what society tells us we need to achieve, to be deemed successful.

So, make this year, a year of abundance, happiness and ultimate fulfillment. And, in the words of the amazing Oprah Winfrey, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

Article originally posted HERE.

Holiday Thrills At CHILL : Queen Mary Holiday Christmas Wonderland

A cultural Christmas winter wonderland has taken over the grounds of the World-Famous Queen Mary this holiday season, offering an entertaining array of wintertime activities, international cuisine and live entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.

Inspired by the largest ice adventure park in the world, CHILL is the only one in the United States and features international holiday-inspired activities from six countries and over 38,000 square feet of ice and lights galore. Guests can explore the park on ice skates by gliding through 1,200 feet of ice thoroughfares that zigzag throughout the event or by foot.

There are various exciting rides and attractions for adults and kids to enjoy including the Shanghai Speedway in China, where families can take to the ice on big wheels and race to the finish line; saddle up on the world’s largest rocking horse in Germany; and take a whirlwind ride on the illuminated Amsterdam bumper boats in Holland. For the more adventurous members of the family, there are a couple daring options such as speeding down Matterhorn Mountain, the two-story 145-foot ice slide and gliding 34 feet above the event on the 300-foot-long zip line.

Author’s Three-year-old son, Jackson.

The little ones can also partake in the merriments with a variety of exciting interactive activities such as creating their own stockings with help from Santa’s elves; gingerbread house making with Ginny Gingerbread, and meeting Santa himself at Claus Cabin!

For the foodie family, The Taste of CHILL passport offers an international mélange of seasonal-inspired food and drinks from every region for guests to experience, including savory Chinese dumplings, fresh-from-the-oven German apple strudel with Bavarian cream, and indulgent Dutch doughnuts and pancakes – a breakfast for dinner treat!

Other happenings also include a nightly tree lighting ceremony and spectacular light display, live entertainment and a fantastic firework show every Sunday night.

This event offers a fun and fulfilling experience for every member of the family and is the perfect holiday celebration for guests of all ages! 

CHILL is open daily from 4:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. from December 13th to January 7th at the ‘World-Famous Queen Mary’ in Long Beach, California. Buy tickets here.

Article originally posted HERE