As we drove down to Horseshoe Bay (in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), I could immediately see that I’d previously been there. The view and ferry terminal were unforgettable. Growing up, I spent summers in interior BC. We always drove to the same destination and back. It took nearly two days to reach our summer destination—without air conditioning to cool our sticky bodies. Dust from the rough gravel roads coated our auto, inside and out. However, one summer, we hopped on a few BC ferry boats instead. They took us a good distance toward our usual destination. I still remember my dad ..read more

Settling into the Vancouver, BC, region has been wonderful. I love Canada so much. I have a lot of history in Canada. It’s also a coincidental time for me to be in this region. While here, I can do more than just enjoy Canada’s natural beauty and kind people—I can help protect Canada from the abuse currently directed at this country and all its people. To start, I’ve been navigating my surroundings to get my bearings again ..read more

As someone who spent a great portion of my life surrounded by abusers, I had to learn how to see (and handle) humans who harm. So I want to share my personal opinion on this topic. One can encounter abusers anywhere they travel or live. They’re frequently before us. Yet most don’t know when they’re looking at an abuser. I define abusers as those who have a pattern of harming—whether they harm strangers, acquaintances, household members, employees, institutions, or leaders. Abusers might be rich or not. Abusers might be white or not. Abusers might be old or not. Abusers might be male or not. I ..read more

As a female who has spent much of my life happily doing things alone, I also always wanted to find a global travel community for women. After a long search, I found Wanderful. When I first joined Wanderful, I wasn’t positive how things would go—since so many groups start great, but will they last? I knew I’d have to experience this travel group to find out. Now that I’ve been a part of Wanderful for several years, I can share how lovely it’s been to feel fulfilled as a member. This travel group for women still impresses me. As someone who typically feels more comfortable connecting with peopl ..read more

We stopped by the Chimacum Corner Farmstand (in Chimacum, Washington) one last time before we left the Olympic Peninsula to head up to Canada for a bit. I consider this rural natural grocer equal to inhaling oxygen. It’s entirely necessary. It helps us live. And it’s such a relief to experience. The Chimacum Corner Farmstand is also a beacon of hope—embracing kindness and respect. I consider much of the Olympic Peninsula rural. I consider this farmstand and the oldest part of Port Townsend diverse. I love diversity. One might mistake the Chimacum Corner Farmstand for a muddy parking lot in wi ..read more

Once I knew that we were headed to Canada for a bit, I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared for the adventure. This meant I needed to buy some organic cotton bed sheets. My French linen sheets had served me well and were still in good condition. So why would a minimalist buy new sheets when she already has two? Those two older linen sheets were needed in my partner’s vehicle as part of our car camping kit—as extra padding under a double sleeping bag, atop a slightly raised slatted platform. Also, I was ready to pack new sheets in my luggage for practical reasons. The washing machines we’d ..read more

I’m traveling and living in the Vancouver, BC, region for a bit, so I want to shop locally. I want to support these ethical, sustainable, clothing brands that are made in Canada and/or Canadian. I must emphasize that it’s easy for me to care about Canada. Not just because I’m currently in this region, but because I have more than fifty years of personal history with Canada. I spent childhood summers, and adulthood, deep in Canada’s interior. Childhood friends have always lived in Canada. Canada and Canadians have always been kind to me. Extended time together means we care about one another ..read more

My packing checklist below (for foreign, international, overseas travel) includes items that provide me with long-term comfort. This is because I travel slowly. This packing list allows me to take my luggage into any season, often not knowing where I’m going or for how long. I am prepared for just about anything. Some items on this packing checklist might seem quirky. Yet I find they make all the difference in the world when travel can last a month or three, a year or two, or never end. I must pack items that allow me to handle my everyday needs everywhere I go. Including celiac disease, alle ..read more

I first learned how to make homemade almond nut milk about fifteen years ago. Now that I’m traveling and living in a more remote location, this recipe feels like a lifeline. If I were not in this more remote location, a location where it’s harder for me to access food, I don’t think I’d be making almond milk again. And that would have been a shame. I love how pure this nut milk is. I find it rich and delicious. Fresh out of the fridge, it’s so beautiful to look at that I find myself staring at it as if it were an art form. Yet its ingredients are so simple to handle. I soak organic raw almond ..read more

When I began eating a plant-based whole food diet, I needed to know where I could find easy and filling recipes that were truly plant-based (and for beginners).  Below I’m sharing the wisest sites—what I consider the best plant-based whole food diet recipes at my fingertips… nutrition facts recipes straight up food recipes nutrition studies recipes Nutrition Facts I deeply value Nutrition Facts recipes because the ingredients are based on the best available research from around the world—research that Dr. Greger stays on top of. “Each recipe in our collection uses only ..read more