The World’s 10 Most Romantic Destinations | Carolyn Scott-Hamilton
Paris, France
With its beautiful public parks, ubiquitous sidewalk cafés, famous art museums, and historic churches and palaces, Paris is a city that you come back to again and again. There is so much to see and do, especially out of doors. Whether you choose to stroll hand in hand along the Quais, ride a Bateau Mouches around the Ile de la Cite, browse the wares of the bouquinistes, or cross the Pont Neuf, the Seine is the lifeblood of this ancient city and its chief point of reference. But if you really want to know why Paris is the city of lovers, visit the tomb of Abelard and Heloise at Pere Lachaise Cemetary. Veggie & special diet locales of note: La Victoire Suprême du Coeur & Saveurs Végét’Halles.
New York, New York
Romance is always in the air in the Big Apple. The city that never sleeps is always ready to host lovers around the clock and year-round. What’s more romantic than a carriage ride in Central Park in the spring or skating at Rockefeller Center in the winter? Shopping, museums, theater, river cruises, fantastic dining, it’s all available in NYC. Take in the neon lights of Times Square along with a spectacular Broadway show, or make your way to the alternative SoHo and funky Greenwich Village. Cuddle up on the Staten Island Ferry, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and take your time lingering over a romantic candlelit dinner at any one of New York’s fabulous restaurants. Veggie & special diet locales of note: Candle Cafe & Pure Food and Wine are the “can’t miss” restaurants in NYC. Other sumptuous surprises can be found throughout the City, including at The Cinnamon Snail Food Truck and John’s Italian.
Hayman Island, Whitsundays Queensland, Australia
Ah, the Great Barrier Reef. If you haven’t seen it for yourself, you would be forgiven for thinking this sailing and water sports hub at the tip of the country is the figment of someone’s imagination. Crystal clear waters, pristine sandy beaches and a world-renowned reef make this the quintessential sun, sand and sea romantic paradise island holiday. Seventy-four islands make up the great Whitsundays, and while there are ten resorts on eight of the islands to choose from, Hayman is the place to be. Renowned for its luxurious surroundings as well as outstanding chefs and cuisine, it’s the epitome of romantic indulgence. Wouldn’t you want to be surrounded by a huge lagoon pool overlooking tropical vistas and sandy white beaches? Quaint island boutiques, sumptuous dining and killer sunsets with a cocktail in hand are the stuff romantic vacations are made of. Veggie & special diet locale of note: Azure at The Hayman Island Resort.
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The World’s 10 Most Romantic Destinations | Carolyn Scott-Hamilton
Guangxi Province, China
Located in the south of China on the Gulf of Tonkin and sharing a border with Vietnam, Guangxi Province enjoys a subtropical climate, lush landscapes and rugged mountains. If you saw the film The Painted Veil, then you are already familiar with this picturesque region. After visiting the colorful caves, pagodas and former royal complex in the capital Guilin, drift lazily down the river amid otherworldly karst peaks towards Yangshuo. Then visit the dramatic Longsheng rice terraces and sample the region’s famous rice noodles with its chili sauce made of fresh chili, garlic and fermented soybeans. Veggie & special diet locale of note: Pure Lotus.
Nassau, Bahamas
All Caribbean islands know how to pour on the romance, but for my money, Nassau Paradise Island in the Bahamas not only has the requisite pink sand and turquoise waters, but also offers the greatest variety of places to eat, nightlife, and resorts. Stroll the cobblestone streets, indulge in water sports, shop for traditional Bahamian handicrafts, or sip cocktails overlooking the ocean. Take a romantic carriage tour. Check out the Changing of the Guard every other Saturday at the Government House, make a trip to the Straw Market to purchase some handmade souvenirs, or spend a day sailing the island on one of New Zealand’s former America’s Cup yachts. Then head back to your luxury room and drift off into sweet slumber and perfect Caribbean dreams. Veggie & special diet locale of note: Carmine’s.
Costa Rica
Stunning natural rainforests and exotic landscapes make Costa Rica not only a superb romantic getaway, but also an eco-friendly one. There are so many romantic things to see and do in Costa Rica that it’s hard to know where to start, but be sure to include at least a few of the following: a trip to the Irazu and Poas volcanoes, the romantic La Paz Waterfall and Butterfly Gardens, or a tour through the Braulio Carillo National Park. Bond with your loved one as you zip-line through the rainforests or take a rafting trip. Only in Costa Rica can you see big cats in Corcovado National Park, monkeys and turtles in Tortuguero, or oodles of orchids in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Veggie & special diet locales of note: Lands in Love Vegetarian B&B, Casa Metta Vegetarian B&B, & Waterfall Villas Eco & Veggie B&B.
Tahiti
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Tahiti is the largest island in a cluster of 118 islands, grouped inside the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. Deep valleys, clear streams, and high waterfalls make it a picture-perfect destination and help explain why its intimate resorts, small peaceful villages, and miles of quiet pristine beaches are considered one of the best places in the world
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Attachment Parenting: You Can Never Love Your Baby “Too Much” | Karen Ranzi, M.A.
Attachment Parenting:
You Can Never Love Your Baby “Too Much” by Karen Ranzi, M.A.
W
e are all natural beings who crave close attachments to the people we love the most – especially our children. But in today’s fast-paced world, our ability to connect has become hampered, and our focus on our children less directed. Huge corporations tell us to feed our children formula from bottles, and society often sits in judgment of mothers who breastfeed for “too long,” hold their children “too much,” or (gasp) allow their babies to sleep with them. The
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effects of this unnatural influence on parenting can be seen in our society’s increasingly troubled families and youth. But what’s the solution? In my experience, we need to return to a natural approach to parenting; one that centers on the developmental needs of our children rather than societal pressure. The loving approach of “attachment parenting” is the best way I have found to rekindle the vital bond between parent and child and to raise secure and happy children.
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Attachment Parenting: You Can Never Love Your Baby “Too Much” | Karen Ranzi, M.A.
What is Attachment Parenting? Attachment Parenting is a philosophy originally coined by author and pediatrician, Dr. William Sears. This parenting style supports focused love and attention, which is crucial for a child’s positive self-esteem and emotional development. Following the philosophy of attachment parenting, you keep your children close to you and hold them until it is their choice to be more independent. You should carry your baby constantly in contact with your skin, inside your clothing, during the first hours, days, weeks, and even months after birth. Babies that are held in this way feel safe and right in the world, a feeling that, like breastfeeding, is a continuation of life in the womb.
The human infant fears being attacked and eaten by an aggressor. When your baby enters our world, he or she does not know or understand the new surroundings and wholly depends upon you for survival. Carrying your baby affords security, trust and increased brain development. Your baby craves being close to you, warmed by your skin and close to your heart. People may also scare you into thinking longterm nursing is unacceptable in our “modern” civilized world and that sleeping next to and holding your baby all day is “strange” or will spoil him or her. You as a parent need to take a step back from what is considered “normal” in society and choose those actions that will best serve your child and your family. Ultimately,
Attachment parenting also encompasses the notion that breastfeeding and co-sleeping with our young children are the most beneficial ways to raise healthy, well-adjusted children. In a nutshell, attachment parenting places your baby at the center of your attention during his or her crucial initial development processes.
Overcoming Societal Pressure Many women feel insecure about carrying their baby skin-to-skin because of outside pressures to put the baby down. I hear from many mothers who report they are told everything from: “Put your baby in a stroller or her torso will not develop properly” to “you are spoiling your baby by carrying him around so much” to “your baby will not learn how to crawl or walk.” Attachment parenting means putting your baby’s development But carrying your baby against your skin is a natural instinct of our species. needs front and center by holding your baby skin-to-skin, breastfeeding and even sleeping together.
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Mark Reinfeld ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Reinfeld is the winner of Vegan.com’s Recipe of the Year Award for 2011 and has over 20 years experience preparing creative vegan and raw food cuisine. Mark was the Executive Chef for the North American Vegetarian Society’s 2012 Summerfest, one of the largest vegetarian conferences in the world. He is described by VegCooking.com as being “poised on the leading edge of contemporary vegan cooking”. He is the founding chef of the Blossoming Lotus Restaurant, winner of Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Ilima Award for “Best Restaurant on Kaua’i”. Mark is also the recipient of a Platinum Carrot Award for living foods – a national award given by the Aspen Center of Integral Health to America’s top “innovative and trailblazing healthy chefs. Looking for more great videos and recipes from the award-winning vegan chef Mark Reinfeld? Check out “Cooking Healthy Lessons”, a fantastic online vegan cooking program with a huge selection of vegan recipes. Click here to find out more
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SPOTLIGHT
ON COMPASSION
Love: The Key to Radiant Health