M Magazine August Los Altos 2022

Landscapes for Living

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A Voyage on the Disney Wish

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR

By C I N D Y C R U Z

Little Mermaid

ALL ABOARD

At long last, we arrived at the airport in Orlando, Florida to begin our adventure on Disney’s newest and grandest ship, Wish. As the Disney bus turned the corner to deliver us to the boarding area, we got our first glimpse of this brand spanking new boat, and, as with all things Disney, you could immediately feel the magic. The largest in the fleet of Disney ships, Wish is Disney’s first Triton-class cruise liner with 1,250 staterooms and the capacity to

hold a whopping 4,000 guests. We have yet to see ships as beautiful as those that belong to Disney and the Wish is no exception. With its shiny black hull, bright yellow trim and two red smokestacks embellished with the famous mouse ears, it is always the most magnificent ship on the dock. Each Disney ship is graced with a character on its stern and Rapunzel, with her long flowing yellow locks, adorns the Wish.

Before entering the ship, you and your family are welcomed aboard with great fanfare as your entrance is announced for all to hear. You enter the Grand Hall where a bronze statue of Cinderella stands at the foot of a grand staircase beneath a sparkling starry chandelier.

From the rugs to the ceiling there is so much to see.

Don’t miss Cinderella’s glass slipper encased in a glass cloche. And if you’re traveling with little ones, the curved slide that delivers them down to the Oceaneer’s Club is the only way to travel. Disney is all about these little details. If you’re imagining a fairy tale wedding, the Grand Hall would be the perfect spot.

As with all cruise ships, Wish is a floating city with several shops, including high end stores selling jewelry and handbags, a hair salon, movie theaters, a candy store, a spa, bars, cafes, six swimming pools, and all things obsessively kid-friendly, including amazing play spaces, water slides, and even an AquaMouse roller coaster – all sprinkled with Disney’s magical fairy dust.

Grand Hall

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THE ROOMS

The rooms on Disney ships are surprisingly roomy and laid out to maximize space. One of the best features are the split bathrooms with a shower and sink in one room and a toilet and sink in another which makes sharing so much more convenient!

Our stateroom had a lovely balcony, but on this short cruise, a window should suffice (whereas on a cruise to Alaska, a balcony is absolutely necessary for viewing the varied scenery outside). Our stateroom was designed to comfortably sleep at least 5 people with a queen-size bed, a bunk bed, and a small murphy bed. Linens were luxurious and the décor was practical, providing ample storage space, yet beautifully tasteful.

THE FOOD

Dining is one of the highlights of any cruise vacation. With Covid-19 still a concern, buffets are, well, no longer on the table.

But that doesn’t mean the variety of delicious options aren’t available. Rather than buffet style, food is encased in glass and served to guests by staff. There are all the favorites: pizza, tacos, barbecue, and the famous Disney chicken fingers and soft serve ice-cream. There are fancy adult-only dinner options that offer gourmet menus for an additional fee. And of course, the themebased restaurants on rotation which include: Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure – My little niece loved seeing characters from the Frozen movies singing and dancing center stage during this dinner-and-a-show and was star-struck when Elsa came to our table for the meet & greet. My sister and I (the adults at the table) feasted on scallops in a tarragon sauce baked in flaky puffed pastry (if I could do it again, I would order this tasty appetizer for all three courses), rib-eye steak, meatballs

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intrigued, Ant Man (Paul Rudd) is the star of the show, narrating our adventure in which the entire ship is in peril.

It will take all of us passengers to come to the rescue. Oh yeah, the food. Our favorite thing on the menu: the rib-eye with truffle butter. The bao buns are pretty good, but huge for an appetizer, so share if you plan to eat anything else.

I heard from a young man who tried all of the entrees that the Shitake and Tofu Udon was absolutely the best entrée on the menu. Next time.

1923 – Named for the year the Walt Disney Company started, 1923 is a more subdued dining venue. The restaurant is very classy, low-key glamourous, and…not very entertaining for kids. This might be the night that you choose to send the kids down the slide to the Oceaneer’s Club. Order six of the burrata with prosciutto – it’s delicious and everybody will want some – kids included.

The seared salmon and the filet mignon were good. The ice-cream sundae was the best. All of the sundaes on the cruise were scrumptious. When in doubt, order the sundae – you won’t be disappointed.

DISNEY CASTAWAY CAY

Wish’s single port of call is Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, where guests from Disney’s Wish, Dream, and Fantasy ships are the only visitors. There’s the family beach where the whole family can grab some beach lounges and relax in the sun, or swim, snorkel, or kayak in the blue lagoon. There’s a water slide, BBQ lunch and soft serve at Cookie’s BBQ, a small splash zone for tots, tetherball, volleyball, basketball, foosball, ping pong (and more!) for game playing fanatics. For teens, there’s The Hideout where they can lounge away from bothersome parents. And for adults there’s Serenity Bay, a quiet kid-free stretch of beach with hammocks, a bar, massage services, and a BBQ lunch spot.

ENTERTAINMENT

There is never a shortage of amusing things to do aboard this ship. There are pool parties, live Broadway-style musicals, first run movies (we saw Lightyear), character meet & greets, games, and so many places to hang out, you would be hard-pressed to do everything. There’s even a fireworks show one night of each voyage to conclude the lively Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party. Tip: Find a spot on the upper deck for a good view.

GROWN-UP FUN

with egg noodles, and butter cake. The kids ate like kings: pizza (every night) for my nephew and steak and shrimp for my niece.

Worlds of Marvel – I’m not a super Marvel fan but, being the mother of two complete Marvel nerds, I geeked out a little at this venue; I barely recall what we ate. As soon as you’re seated the show begins. The dining room is wall-to-wall screens and there’s an interactive quantum generator in the middle of each table that guests are instructed to activate at intervals during dinner. My nephew was completely enthralled. And to keep us (me) further

For the adults, there are a number of bars, café’s, and lounges. We enjoyed drinks at The Bayou, a beautiful lounge with magnolia blossoms cascading from the ceiling. The Bayou is not enclosed, so if you want to enjoy a drink with the kids in tow, it’s an option and options are good. The Keg & Compass is a quiet pub with a subdued vibe. Sip craft brews while watching sports or enjoy quiet kid-free conversation – you can talk about the map that covers the entire ceiling. The place to be is the ever-popular Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge.

I wish I could tell you more but it was forever busy and we could not get in without a reservation. The cruise was only three days, so mathematically, it just wasn’t adding up. I heard the buzz about the galactic cocktails (one M

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JUST FOR KIDS

It’s great to be a kid on the Disney Wish! Even adults wouldn’t mind joining the Disney’s Oceaneer Club. This playspace is for kids ages 3 – 12 years old and features a variety of themed spaces including Marvel Superhero Academy, Star Wars Cargo Bay, the Imagineering Lab, and Mickey & Minnie Captain’s Deck. And for little ones ages 6 months to 3 years, there’s It’s a Small World Nursery. The designs for each theme are so richly detailed that kids can fully immerse into fantasy. And there are plenty of activities from art and games to story time and character meet & greets that will keep kids busy for hours!

TEENS TOO

Sense Spa

even costing $5,000!) and the jump into hyperspace. I was jealous, but we’ll have to leave it to the imagination for now.

Senses Spa is a must for complete relaxation. The Senses Spa on Wish has an outdoor spa area where you can chill in peace and quiet after your treatment. There are the standard wet and dry saunas and the Disney Rainforest experience, but the spa on Wish also includes the addition of a very cool (pun intended) ice lounge. But the outdoor area with the giant swinging papasan style chairs were everything for me – a book in a chair with a cold spa beverage – yes please!

Wish has three hangouts for teens and tweens: Edge, Vibe, and the Hideaway, broken up by age group. There are hi-tech and low-tech games, dancing, karaoke, and other fun stuff that doesn’t include cell phones that I’m sure teens would roll their eyes at. But the spaces look very cool and teen-friendly, furnished with sectionals and disco balls. With a cool set-up like that, it’s gotta be fun.

ITINERARY

The Disney Wish currently offers 3 and 4-day round-trip Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral. Tip: To make the trip from California worth the trek to Orlando, a cruise would be the perfect way to begin or end a trip to Walt Disney World Resorts including visits to one or all four theme parks including Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.᯽ Plan your trip on disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruisedisney/wish/

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B Eessentials AUT Y ·

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Our favorite beauty products for the summer.

MAKEUP BY MARIO ULTRA SUEDE COZY LIP CREME

GAME BEAUTY

We love the vivid hues in the Game Beauty eyeshadow palettes! Rich Earth tones, shimmery jewel tones, soft pastels – whatever your mood, there are so many vibrant colors to match. You won’t need any other eye shadows with a single, portable palette. Game Beauty is PETA-certified and cruelty-free and come in a variety of gorgeous color palettes. Palettes: $45 at Gamebeauty.com.

This smooth, long-wearing lip crème is luscious! It’s rich and deep and makes lips look delicious. The texture is soft and creamy and leaves lips soft and feeling nourished. The unique doe-foot applicator allows you to easily define your lip shape and smooths on color in a single swipe. $24 at Sephora.

COS DE BAHA NIACINAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1% SERUM I love the serums from the Cos De BAHA skincare line because they are effective and very inexpensive in terms of what skincare can cost these days. The Niacinamide serum helps shrink pores and addresses uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.

Other plusses: they are made with organic ingredients and packed in paper and glass, making them sustainable. A bargain at $12.95 at cosdebaha.com.

IT COSMETICS YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER CC+ NUDE GLOW WITH SPF 40 This is our favorite skin tint this summer. It’s light, it hydrates, has built-in sun protection, provides great coverage, and gives you a healthy glow. Best of all, it’s clinically tested to address brightness, skin texture, and uneven skin tone. The formula is infused with 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract and SPF 40. $42 at ITCosmetics.com and Ulta.com.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY COLLAGEN SUPERFUSION FACIAL OIL We are big fans of the Charlotte Tilbury makeup and skincare lines and here’s another CT product that we’ve fallen in love with. This Superfusion oil will give your face that glassy glow that’s all the rage. Super enriched collagen ingredients make the complexion appear smoother, plumper, and more radiant, while visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles. $80 at CharlotteTilbur y.com.

JACK59

Jack59 shampoo and conditioner bars have changed our way of thinking when it comes to sustainability and the impact bottled soaps and shampoos have on our environment. Best of all Jack59 makes high quality shampoo and conditioner bars using high-quality ingredients and botanical extracts. The suds-ability and the delicious scent of the tropics are pure luxury.

Shampoo & Conditioner Bars: $16 at Jack59hairco.com.

NATURAL NOOR FACE SERUM This serum is made with skinnourishing ingredients like Salycilic Acid, Black Seed Oil, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (found in Botox), and Vitamin B, C and E, that address hyperpigmentation, dullness, dryness, scarring, dark spots, oily skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. The attached derma-roller enhances the delivery of the serum into the deeper layers of the skin to increase collagen production and skin renewal to reveal more youthful, brighter skin. $59.99 at naturalnoor.com.

LIP SERVICE

Take care of your lips with our favorite line of lip products from Charlotte Tilbury.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAGIC LIP SCRUB

Sugar crystals exfoliate dry, dead, peeling skin on the lips while jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa seed butter and olive oil moisturize, making lips plump and pretty. To use: massage over dry lips in small, swirling motions allowing the natural sugar crystals to buff away dead skin cells. Wipe away to leave a filter of hydrating oils and butters to nourish and comfort the lips. $28 at CharlotteTilbur y.com.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAGIC LIP OIL CRYSTAL ELIXIR

After applying the Magic Lip Scrub, hydrate the lips with this elixir, either as a balm by day, or as a lip mask at night. This lip oil contains Hyaluronic Acid which provides intense hydration for up to 24 hours, Aloe Vera which is rich in anti-oxidants, enzymes and Vitamins A and C, and is known for its soothing properties, and plant extracts which help lips look smooth and hydrated. $40 at CharlotteTilbur y.com.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY’S MATTE REVOLUTION LIPSTICK

Love love love the subtle nudes, deep reds, and bright pastels in the Matte Revolution lipstick line!

Plus, the texture of these rich and creamy lip colors isn’t too slick and oily or too thick and gloopy, and the colors are to die for. The lipsticks are packaged in a lovely gold tube; you’ll feel like a movie star. $34 at CharlotteTilbur y.com.

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Expert Tips for Budgetfriendly Travelling

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oogle search interest for the phrase 'cheap summer holiday' has risen by almost 167%* in the past month, as people look for budget-friendly getaways to recharge after two years of travel restrictions.

With this in mind, Forbes Advisor reveals how travelers can get the best value for their hard-earned money this summer, amid rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

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Pay attention to traveler reviews Advice from fellow holiday makers is invaluable when deciding how to plan your upcoming trip. Reviews can provide useful tips on major attractions, including which ones to steer clear of, the best times to go to avoid the crowds and maybe even how to get a cheaper ticket.

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Utilize local knowledge Locals are always the best source for recommendations on authentic (and cost-effective) experiences. Make the effort to learn some basic local phrases, as this will make it easier to strike up genuine conversations with residents who know the best spots.

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Contemplate booking everything separately For many of us, holiday packages can be the right option from both a financial and enjoyment perspective, but the convenience could also cost you more. Don’t be afraid to look outside of these ready-made deals and consider booking everything individually. Often you will find savings in making these micro-decisions yourself, as well as greater freedom over what your holiday will involve.

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Buy the essentials in advance Many essentials such as sunscreen and insect repellent can be more expensive at your destination, especially if you are purchasing in a touristy area, or the airport.

Stock up on these items before you leave home. Also, double check what your weight allowance is, as most airlines will charge you a lot for any excess baggage, so it is worth

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weighing your suitcase before you leave for the airport to ensure you are underweight.

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Try self-catering accommodation With the rise of sites such as Airbnb, it’s now increasingly easy to find and book an entire apartment or residence when going on holiday, as an alternative to hotel accommodation.

If you decide to go down this route, check to see that everything you need to whip up a storm in the kitchen is included or you may find yourself having to eat out anyway.

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Do your research & shop around When you know which type of trip you’re looking for, it is worth shopping around, checking the prices across various outlets (in incognito mode!), and even gaining a basic understanding of airline booking codes and how they affect your fare. This can help make sure you’re getting the best deal on your holiday. It is also worth noting that Sundays are usually the cheapest times to book flights, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the cheapest days to fly, but this can fluctuate depending on the destination and airline.

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Go all-inclusive If a package deal suits your holiday needs best, consider going full board or all inclusive. It might seem pricier at first, but your holiday’s meal

(and often alcohol) costs are managed before you even get on the flight. Some destinations also offer bundles for sightseeing tours and attractions, where buying tickets in advance can save you money.

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Be flexible Amongst all of the holiday planning, try to leave some room for impulsive, last-minute decisions. This could mean taking part in a new guided tour based on recommendations, or perhaps the opposite for something you choose to avoid. In these circumstances, flexible tickets with free cancellations can be very useful and relatively cheap.

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Staycation to save money?

Many of us will be considering an internal holiday to save a bit of money, but with the cost of rail travel and sky-high gasoline prices, a staycation can often end up costing you more. Especially if you are heading to a popular destination or one of your country’s beautiful coastlines.

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Purchase travel insurance just in case It's important to buy travel insurance as soon as you book in case you need to cancel your trip. Your policy will also cover the cost of emergency medical treatment and give you financial protection against the loss or theft of your baggage and belongings. Crucially, you can tailor your policy to suit your destination and the type of holiday you're planning.

For more information visit www.forbes.com/ uk/advisor/loans/.᯽

THE BEST VALUE IN CLASSIC DIAMOND ESSENTIALS

51 UNIVERSITY AVE, LOS GATOS, CA 95030 | 408.354.9500 | BLACYS.COM

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h s c e T ck H a Use

to en ng W h ve l l i Tra

Courtesy of Bespoke Software Development Company

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RAVEL IS FUN, but there’s a lot of preparation and organization involved beforehand to ensure that it’s stress-free. Here are some smart travel tips to help your next trip go smoothly.

Take photos of your travel documents You always need identification when travelling, but it’s also wise to have a digital backup. Should there be a scenario in which you lose your wallet or it’s stolen, it will be a lot smoother getting to and from your destination if you have photos of all your important documents.

The easy way to do that on an iPhone is to use the handy document scanner built into the native notes app. Alternatively, on an Android device, you can take some photos and mark them as favorites in your gallery.

This will take away all the hassle of finding your documents in your luggage.

Additionally, it is also worth saving your identifying documents as PDF files and transferring a copy to other devices, such as a Kindle. As a result, you will be able to access documentation offline. This is especially useful when you don’t have a secure internet connection.

Keep track of your belongings

Losing your belongings on holiday is devastating and can leave holiday makers stressed out when they should be relaxing. To combat this, use a digital tracker that can help you keep an eye on your valuables and track them if you lose

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anything. These trackers can be used on laptops, phones, wallets, keys, and luggage.

There are many different types of trackers that can be used, some will be Bluetooth and others will use GPS. A quick search online will provide you with trackers at a range of prices so you can ensure the safety of your items even on a limited budget.

Don’t rely on paper boarding passes It’s easy to misplace paper

boarding passes so you would be wise to take advantage of the digital option.

To access the digital version, you can log in to the airline’s website and arrange for them to email your boarding pass.

There is also the option to download your airline’s app to access it!

It is also worth remembering that some airlines will charge you to print boarding passes so it is worth having a digital copy.

Especially if you are already on a tight holiday budget. If you do decide on this option, bear in mind that it relies upon you having a charged device to display the boarding pass. Or, alternatively, you could bring a power bank to ensure that you never run out of charge.

Make use of a GPS tracker

It is likely that you will be travelling to one of the many popular tourist destinations and with that brings travel chaos. Due to congestion on the roads and large crowds gathering to admire local attractions, you will be subject to hold ups.

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To avoid this, it is worth making use of a GPS that gives you navigation details and traffic details. Meaning you don’t need to wait in long traffic queues when you could be enjoying your holiday. To alleviate any navigation issues in a destination that you are unfamiliar with, it is sensible to make use of apps, such as, citymapper to reduce the chances of you getting lost.

Booking your stay

All holiday destinations will be packed with visitors, particularly during the peak season. To ensure that you have a place to stay, it is worth booking well in advance and to make use of the varieties of apps that are available to search for accommodation in different locations. Make sure you check the reviews and get them booked so you have a guaranteed place to stay.

It is worth remembering the loyalty schemes that will help you save money on accommodation. For example, you can use Expedia points or Booking.com’s genius program which gives people the opportunity to get 10% of their booking cost.

There is also the option of buying Airbnb gift cards on Amazon alongside the occasional discount that they offer. Gift cards are a great option if you are planning on going on a big trip and would like to store travel credit.

Load your playlist When travelling, there will be periods where you are bored waiting in queues or on a layover. Therefore, it is important to ensure you have entertainment to hand. By creating a personalized Spotify playlist and downloading podcasts, you will never be bored!

As you will have no signal on the plane, it is important to have all your playlists, podcasts, and films downloaded so you can access them offline. You can go one step further and make your entertainment productive by listening to a travel podcast about your destination so you are clued up just in time for your arrival.

Get your digital driving license

A digital driving license is useful as it can be used as identification when travelling abroad so you don’t need to carry your passport with you at all times. A digital driving license updates quickly with new information, such as change of address. Heaven forbid, your phone gets lost or stolen, but if an unfortunate event unfolds you can wipe the digital ID before getting a new one. ᯽ Learn about Bespoke Software Development Company at www.bespokesoftwaredevelopment.com/

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A Room with a View The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

By C I N D Y C R U Z

W

ith the astronomical gas prices, the lack of available and convenient flights, and the (still) hovering threat of covid, faraway travel seems like the impossible dream right now. Lucky for us, we live in beautiful California where we can find drivable getaway destinations within a few hours from the Bay Area!

Monterey has always been a go-to destination for us – and it’s an easy, effortless getaway – just hop in the car and go. In about 45 minutes, you’re there!

Upon arrival, we checked into our hotel, the iconic Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, a luxury property that sits, literally, on top

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of the ocean. Needless to say, the views are stunning. We sat in a little bit of traffic on the way over, but once we stepped into the lobby, we were warmly greeted with a glass of wine and all tension melted away.

We had just enough time to finish our wine while admiring the stunning ocean view from our balcony before freshening up for a much-anticipated dinner at the hotel’s premier restaurant, Coastal Kitchen.

Having undergone a recent renovation, the restaurant now features cozy banquettes and tables that all offer a view of the ocean. The

restaurant is open only for dinner, so if you time your reservation just right, you can enjoy your dinner with a view of the sun setting into the sea. So romantic!

The food at Coastal Kitchen is absolutely fresh, the ingredients having been delivered from vendors within a short radius from the restaurant.

Chef Michael Rotondo creates a fivecourse masterpiece from the day’s seafood, meat, and produce. Feast on scrumptious delights such as perfectly al dente housemade tortellini served from a wheel of luscious cheese, black cod with spring peas and morel mushrooms served in a delicate

coconut au jus, and tender, savory braised short ribs with horseradish sauce and whipped potatoes. The food was beautiful and delicious, and Sommelier Conrad Reddick makes sure that the wine selection is on point for each course.

After dinner, we stopped for a night cap in the hotel’s lobby where there is a bar area featuring live music, then headed

to the rooftop hot tub at the spa to prime our bodies for a good night’s sleep. A perfect way to end the evening and rest up for tomorrow’s busy day.

One of the best things about the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is its incredible location – walking distance from Cannery Row and the distinguished Monterey Bay

Aquarium. Nearby is Fisherman’s Wharf and there are many nearby activities to choose from including whale watching, kayaking, biking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Everything is conveniently close!

All in all, an incredible mid-week (less crowds) or weekend getaway without the hassle! ᯽

Quick & Easy Don’t feel like cooking but still want something delicious to eat? We love the recipes from the “I Don’t Want to Cook Book!” by Alyssa Brantley.

The book contains 100 quick and easy recipes that require minimum effort and can be prepared in just minutes!

Korean-Inspired Beef and Rice Bowls with Cucumbers and Kimchi Combine a simple yet flavor-packed Korean-inspired sauce, ground beef, rice, sliced cucumber, store-bought kimchi, and scallions for a fast and tasty meal that everyone will think is better than takeout. Save time by reheating leftover or frozen rice. If you are feeling extra fancy, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top of the ground beef right before serving.

Prep time: 5 minutes l active cook time: 10 minutes l hands-off cook time: n/a Serves 4

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For Sauce

1⁄4 cup tamari 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1⁄8 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

Preparation

1. To make Sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine all ingredients. Set aside.

For Beef

1 tablespoon avocado oil 1 1⁄2 pounds 80% lean ground beef 3 cups cooked white rice, reheated 1 cup store-bought kimchi 1 large English cucumber, cut into 1⁄8" half-moons 2 medium scallions, thinly sliced

Preparation

1. To make Beef: Heat a 12" skillet over medium- high heat.

Once hot, add oil and ground beef. Sauté́ 5 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking up beef with a wooden spoon or spatula, until most of the pink is gone.

2. Pour Sauce over Beef and continue cooking 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until Sauce is thickened and meat is cooked through.

3. Remove from stove top. Divide rice, beef, kimchi, cucumber, and scallions into four bowls and serve.

PER SERVING Calories: 645 | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 1,591mg | Carbohydrates: 62g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Protein: 37g

Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Sweet Corn Save time and prep work by using frozen, uncooked, peeled, and

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deveined shrimp and frozen sweet corn kernels. Boil them together and toss with fresh avocado, red onion, basil, and a simple lemon olive oil dressing for a showstopper salad that is practically effortless.

Prep time: 7 minutes l active cook time: n/a l hands-off cook time: 4 minutes Serves 3

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pound frozen, uncooked, peeled, deveined large shrimp 1 cup frozen yellow sweet corn kernels 1⁄2 medium red onion, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced 1 ounce (about 1 cup packed) thinly sliced fresh basil leaves 1 large avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

2. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

Once boiling, add shrimp and corn. Continue boiling 3–4 minutes until shrimp are cooked through and pink.

3. Immediately drain shrimp and corn and add to bowl with oil mixture.

Toss to coat.

4. Add onion, basil, and avocado to shrimp mixture. Gently toss to combine and serve immediately.

PER SERVING Calories: 446 | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 1,830mg | Carbohydrates: 18g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Protein: 23g

Lasagna Soup with Italian Sausage, Fresh Basil, and Grated Parmesan Homemade lasagna is a true labor of love. With this easy lasagna

soup, you will get all the flavor and goodness of homemade lasagna but without all the work. Whip up a batch about 30 minutes ahead of time and impress your family with a dinner they will absolutely love.

Prep time: 5 minutes l active cook time: 10 minutes l hands-off cook time: 15 minutes Serves 8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped 6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pound bulk uncooked mild Italian sausage M

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1 (28-ounce) can unsalted crushed tomatoes, including juice 1 (14.5 ounce) can unsalted diced tomatoes, including juice 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1⁄2 pound uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into small pieces 16 ounces full-fat ricotta cheese 8 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 8 teaspoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered 15 minutes. Gently stir in ricotta until well incorporated.

5. Serve topped with Parmesan and basil.

PER SERVING Calories: 532 | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1,730mg | Carbohydrates: 37g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Protein: 24g ᯽

Preparation

1. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, garlic, and spices. Sauté 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add sausage to pot and continue cooking 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up sausage with a wooden spoon or spatula, until most of the pink is gone.

3. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and broth. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil.

4. Once boiling, add lasagna noodles.

Excerpted from The "I Don't Want to Cook" Book by Alyssa Brantley.

Copyright © 2022 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. Photographs by Kelly Smith. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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IDEAS FOR EDUCATIONAL ROAD TRIPS

by DR. REBECCA JACKSON

W

ith summer in full swing, you may be planning to take a trip with your whole family. According to a recent survey by AutoNation, Inc. 80% of Americans will take a summer road trip this year. If you are planning to make this year's vacation a road trip, there are ways that you can make time in the car educational, fun, and less stressful!

Get your kids involved in the planning of the trip. Find an age-appropriate book

on the area and let them come up with ideas or suggestions of what they’d like to do and why. Have them make a pros/cons list for the activities. Example - a theme park. Really fun, but long lines. You could ride the awesome roller coaster, but there can be long lines.

Let Your Kids Navigate. Have your kids

help you get where you're going by letting them navigate. Consider handing them a hardcopy map to trace your route as you drive. Let them tell you where to turn off and what exits to take, so you can help them develop map reading and geography skills. Reading maps and developing navigational skills helps the brain to form more neural pathways and improve spatial awareness.

can be great, but seeing a park, waterfall or different types of vegetation and landscapes can be interesting as well.

chain restaurants, or animals. The alphabet game is perfect for emerging readers.

If you’re in a different region of the country, have the kids start a list in the car of Same/Different - what is the same as at home, and what is different. Example Starbucks are everywhere, but cactus do NOT grow in NC.

an opportunity to teach your kids about different landscapes across the country. Stop at different parks and natural sites to look at things you can't see around home. Consider visiting a waterfall, a forest, a mountain with a view, and more. Going through many different parts of the country is a good opportunity to show kids natural phenomena they don't get to see on a daily basis.

Drive by Famous Landmarks. Let your kids be the teachers! Tell them where you’re going, and they get to be the tour guide to tell you all about it! Plan your route so that you will be going by famous landmarks along the way. When you go by each, stop or point them out. Then tell your kids about the significance, what happened there, and why it matters. If you have older children, consider giving them information about the landmarks in advance, then quiz them along the way.

For older children and teens, let them do the research and guide the family through each landmark as a docent in training!

Have the kids plan out your stops!

Listen to Podcasts or Audiobooks. Pick out some audiobooks or podcasts that are kid-friendly and educational. Play those on the car radio while you drive. Consider picking out a podcast or book that is related to the trip you are taking or one that is linked to something that they are learning in school.

Balance the trip with city/country adventures. Theme parks and museums

Play Counting Games. Help little kids learn how to count and bigger kids learn to be observant by playing counting games along the way. Consider having kids count things like certain color cars, particular

How long will it take you to get to the next town where you could have lunch?

Mileage, time, planning, but it feels fun!

Stop at Natural Sites. Take a car trip as

Going on a road trip with the family can be stressful. However, you can make the most of downtime spent in the car by focusing on learning opportunities. By helping your kids learn while you drive, you can keep them occupied and make the trip a low-stress, enjoyable time for everyone involved.᯽ Dr. Jackson is currently the VP of Programs and Outcomes for Brain Balance.

Dr. Jackson graduated from Life University as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2001.

You can find her recently peer-reviewed research in the Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research 2021, Effect of the Brain Balance® Program on Cognitive Performance in Children and Adolescents with Developmental and Attentional Issues. Jackson has appeared on national broadcast including ABC’s The Doctors Show and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and has contributed to numerous national print outlets including Forbes, Business Insider, TODAY, Huffington Post and many more.

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