Start Your New Year Ready to Move Forward with New Year New Vibration-2021 Virtual Live Streaming Sound Healing Event

Learn About Locally Founded The Mindful Pro and  New Year New Vibration-2021 Virtual Live Streaming Sound Healing Event this January 2, 2021

Chicago area wellness leader, yoga instructor and friend Antoinette (Toni) Morales has recently launched a community called The Mindful Pro which offers wellness, mindfulness and holistic practices to clients both at home and in the workplace. Toni is a leader in the wellness field and uses her experience in the stressful corporate environment, personal journey and skills in wellness, mindfulness and exploring self-awareness to help others achieve calm, deeper learning and desired change. I met Toni a few years ago and she has such a gentle and accepting manner. Her inner fire inspires those that take her classes as she helps guide you along on change while moving towards a path of wellness whatever that looks like for you. With Mindful Pro, she has been able to provide a range of wellness experiences and include other fantastic wellness practitioners to spread opportunities for focusing on self care, mindfulness, healthy living and learning to the community. I happy to share a little about Mindful Pro as well as an upcoming New Year's event!

Read More

Evening Hike on Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado

Hiking During Golden Hour on Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado

Our last evening in Colorado, we knew we needed to soak in the mountain scenery as the sun waned. We had just eaten dinner with a river view in Golden and opted to head up nearby Lookout Mountain. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, we quickly learned that Lookout Mountain lives up to its name providing perches with absolutely magnificent views.

Read More

River Rambling Along the Fox River at Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Illinois

River Rambling Along the Fox River at Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Illinois 

Coursing through Northern Illinois, the Fox River charms nature lovers throughout the state with dazzling views from towns and preserves along the river. A few weeks ago, we marveled at the realization that despite visiting St. Charles so many times, we had somehow missed wandering through Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve. With the benefit of a balmy late fall day, we went in search of splendid river views and were certainly rewarded at Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve.

Read More

Continue Exploring Nature This Winter With A Printable Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt

Enjoy Fresh Air This Winter Exploring Nature Using My Printable Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt

With winter on the mind, I put together a little  printable scavenger hunt for my friends for winter hikes! As we move into the winter, I have really been marveling in fantastic forest hikes and have already had some great woodpecker sightings. Plus, the frozen lakes and ponds have really glistened creating magical scenes! Last weekend, I splendored in snow dusted trees! Over the past year, the way the winter sun highlights unique trees and tree parts throughout the forest has really caught my attention. Pay attention and you will notice phenomenon. Some trees seem to be highlighted over others. Enjoy a little fun challenge this winter and remember to pause a few moments just taking in tranquil, grounding scenery.

Read More

Appreciating the Spiritual Nature of Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve

Appreciating the Spiritual Nature of Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve in West Chicago, Illinois

Spiritual and sacred land of Native Americans threads throughout Illinois. This past fall, we experienced the sacred nature of Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve where remnants of three burial mounds remain. We visited the preserve toward late afternoon and enjoyed peaceful hike full of admiring the quiet nature around.

Read More

Weekend Windup: 27 Family Fun Events in the Chicago Suburbs December 18-20, 2020

27 Family Fun Events in the Chicago Suburbs December 18-20, 2020

The weekend is nearly here and we are fully into holiday mode! Here are my picks for this week including virtual, outdoor and safe indoor experiences. It has been amazing to see how creative everyone has been during this time!

Read More

Winter Hike into the Snow Kissed Gorge at Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve

Winter Hike into the Snow Kissed Gorge at Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve in Rockford, Illinois

In search for a unique landscape, we wandered to Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve in Rockford, Illinois last weekend. Our hike through Kishwaukee Gorge certainly did not disappoint with spectacular views up on top of the bluff down towards ravines and the river below as well from spots climbing down into a ravine.

Read More

Short Hike to Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs Delights as a Water Veil Tumbles Over Bronze Rocks

Short Hike to Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs Delights as a Water Veil Tumbles Over Bronze Rocks

Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs, Colorado tumbles over bronze rocks on the side of Pikes Peak as it flows to Fountain Creek towards the Arkansas River. The hike to the natural treasure is quite short making this adventure an easy one to add to any Manitou Springs excursion.

Read More

Weekend Windup: 29 Family Fun Events in the Chicago Suburbs December 11-13, 2020

29 Family Fun Events in the Chicago Suburbs December 11-13, 2020

This week's list of Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs is a great mix of holiday, nature, virtual and outdoor! Take a peek at my picks for the weekend:

Read More

Walking the Holiday Tree Trail in St. Charles, Illinois

Walking the Holiday Tree Trail in St. Charles, Illinois

New traditions emerge as we craft a holiday season during these unusual times. During this holiday season, we have been encouraged to reimagine holiday celebrations and explore adventures we may not have in an ordinary year. Just like cities and towns across the country, St. Charles transformed its usual Holiday Homecoming Event to better accommodate these times. This year's holiday event features a cheerful Holiday Tree Trail crafted by local businesses and organizations. We were in the area this weekend, so we took a little stroll through St. Charles checking out the trees!

Read More

Late Fall Amble at Bode Lake

Late Fall Amble Soaking in Amber Views and Lake Serenity at Bode Lake in Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Fantastic fall weather encouraged us to hike through new preserves this fall. One glorious day, we ventured to Bode Lake for the first time. While not overly busy, the preserve was certainly abuzz with fellow nature lovers enjoying the exceptional weather.

Read More

Weekend Windup: 23 Family Fun Events in the Chicago Suburbs December 4-6, 2020

23 Family Fun Events in the Chicago Suburbs December 4-6, 2020

I am back with my weekly list! I took a little time off so that we could all recalibrate with the ongoing situation. We have been so lucky to have mostly nice weather, so perfect for getting outside! Here are my picks for this weekend -- a mix of holiday lights, in person outdoor adventures and virtual experiences. Patterson Glass does have socially distant glass working by appointment only as well!

Read More

Waffle Likes Falafel by Local Author Carrie Steinweg Inspires Children to Explore Food with a Whimsical Tale

 

Waffle Likes Falafel by Local Author Carrie Steinweg Inspires Children to Explore Food with a Whimsical Tale

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

When my daughter was younger, I had quite the time inspiring her to try new foods! I remember our doctor saying that it could take up to 30 times of introducing a food for the child to actually try it. Wow! I certainly would have loved a book like Waffle Likes Falafel to motivate my daughter to at least nibble a tiny little bit of new foods! Fortunately for moms today, award winning Chicago area author and foodie Carrie Steinweg has written a whimsical book charming children into being at least a tad more adventurous when eating. Take a moment to learn a little about this adorable read with me:

Read More