Introduced to the West by the mystic George Gurdjieff, the nine Enneagram types represent nine essential tendencies that help explain why individuals act, think, and feel the way they do. Some argue that the Enneagram types have been in use in the Middle East for over four ...read more
You probably already know that consuming alcohol on an empty stomach is an excellent recipe for gnarly hangover symptoms. Or that drinking lots of water on a night out can make the next morning a little better. But plenty of other factors can affect the severity of alcohol's ...read more
It’s a fortunate time in human history and you most likely live an abundant life, with plenty of food, shelter, and opportunities. But do you still feel like there's not enough – and that there will never be enough? There’s not enough time in the day to get everything done. We ...read more
Everyone seems to have an opinion on antidepressant drugs, and this is mine. My name is Shilo, and I suffer from depression. Looking back at my life, it is easy to see bouts of depression – ‘funks,’ I called them – looming like dark clouds over the timeline of my years. But I ...read more
Make it easy to commit to your biggest, longest-term, most terrifying goal with the Japanese philosophy of kaizen. Kaizen is the Japanese term for improvement, the literal translation of “good” (kai) and “change” (zen). But the idea behind it is one of continuous, deliberate ...read more
Grab your tote bags and fill them with squeaky green zucchinis, rambunctious leafy greens, and delectable local foods that scream: It’s summer! Whether you pop down to your neighborhood market on a weekly basis or make a special trip into the city every month, strolling the ...read more
You don’t have to be a serious cyclist to go on an adventure to the best vacation spots for bike tours. If you can ride a bike, you can head off on the open road and see a whole new side of the world. Bike tours are slow travel. There’s nothing between you and the place you’re ...read more
Does it sometimes feel like your thoughts are trapped on a looping roller coaster that you can’t slow down? Do you ruminate over past mistakes or upcoming conversations? Racing thoughts are no fun. They’re intrusive. They’re exhausting. They pull you out of the present moment ...read more
Do you dream of experiencing the magic of the Northern Lights? Aurora Borealis is one of Mother Nature’s most soul-stirring phenomena, a dance of color and light in the deep nighttime sky. Brilliant greens and pinks frolic together with the stars, illuminating the evening with ...read more
If you’re hosting unwelcome invaders in your body, perhaps it’s time for a parasite cleanse. You may associate parasitic infections with far-away places, but according to the CDC, millions of Americans are hosting parasites. Often, they don’t know. Roundworms, hookworms, ...read more
Do you love pickle juice snow cones? Is the pickle your favorite part of a sandwich? Are there several open jars of pickles in your refrigerator right now? Pickles are loved by many for their zippy burst of flavor, but they can also bring you some pretty cool health perks. At ...read more
I bounced over dirt roads in an open-top jeep, eyes wide open as I searched the forest for animals on an African safari – and I saw them around every turn. Three cheetah brothers lazed in the shade on the side of the road. Leopards slinked away on the sand of dry creek beds ...read more
Do you love the feel of soft moss and cool ground cover plants under your feet? Grow a living garden rug this season with hearty, low-lying perennials and create a living work of art right under your feet. Use herbs, plants, and moss that grow densely and employ a range of ...read more
Busy much? When life gets busy (which is always), little to-dos tend to pile up on your task list. Change out the bathroom light bulb. Sort through the mail. Read that brochure on your health insurance plan, hang up that new piece of artwork, and reply to that email from an old ...read more
Staying positive is a horrible value to have, according to "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck," the #1 New York Times Bestseller by Mark Manson. You are not special, your desire for happiness is a problem, and you are 100% responsible for everything that has happened to you. ...read more
Eating purple fruits and vegetables is an easy and fun way to make sure you’re consuming a diverse array of nutrients and vitamins. While some fruits and vegetables are purely purple of their own accord – such as blackberries and eggplant – some have been purposefully bred to ...read more
When was the last time you deep-cleaned and descaled your coffee maker? Yeah, we thought so. Coffee makers are right up there with smartphones when it comes to devices we use every day but rarely think about or know how to clean. Scale: The Flaky White Funk Hiding in Your ...read more
Drink a flute filled with sparkling wine like Champagne, Kava, or Prosecco and you may feel the alcohol go right to your head. The bubbly effervescence that makes Champagne so delightful is the same reason that causes headaches. Learn the science behind the brain pain and you ...read more
Do you wipe down the equipment every time you hop on an exercise bike, pick up a dumbbell, or run on a treadmill at the gym? Maybe you should. Whether it’s flu season or not, your local fitness center is a hotbed of germs. While you’ll find illness-causing bacteria in almost ...read more
Humans have always flocked to hot springs for their healing mineral waters and spirit-calming vibe. From volcano-heated pools in the wilderness to accessible beachfront spas, unique natural hot springs bubble up in almost every corner of the globe. Find your favorite and ...read more
If you feel like you have too much to do and too little time to do it – you’re experiencing a time famine. Are you starving for a few more hours every day? Hungry for more downtime, me-time, or quality time with your family - or all of the above? Has this been going on for a ...read more
I’ve been religiously exercising with a gym workout for years: 30 minutes each of cardio and strength training three times a week. I was stronger than ever. My body was lean and toned. Exercising made me feel incredible, and I was proud of my healthy lifestyle. Then I quit – ...read more
Troubled sleepers have a new trend to try: the weighted blanket. The idea behind these 5 to 25-pound blankets is that they apply the same calming pressure as a hug or cuddle. Weighted vests and blankets have traditionally been used as part of occupational therapy for autistic ...read more
Could you eat avocado toast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Have you ever dreamed of having a swimming pool full of guacamole? Are you eating an avocado right now? Riding a tidal wave of good press for its good fat, the avocado is a foodie darling (never mind the dirty ...read more
The Japanese enjoy the longest life expectancy on the planet, and some researchers attribute it to their concept of ikigai. Ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) combines the words iki (life) and gai (value or worth) into one idea: your purpose and happiness in life. Ikigai is your ...read more
“Brothers come quickly, I’m drinking stars!” Monk Dom Perignon reportedly uttered this exclamation upon discovering how to make sparkling wine in Reims around 1700 CE. Ever since, the Champagne region has been synonymous with the bubbly beverage. Nowadays, flutes of bubbly wine ...read more
You wouldn’t take ten pills for a migraine if two would cure it – and you can apply this same approach to time management. Free up your schedule and give yourself more time by finding your minimum effective dose. What Is the Minimum Effective Dose? Originally coined by ...read more
The heady aromas of frankincense and myrrh have been part of the Christmas tradition since the very beginning. Valued alongside gold as high-status gifts for the new king, these aromatic resins were presented by the three Magi to the newborn Jesus: “On coming to the house, [the ...read more
Raising Narragansett turkeys requires patience, persuasion, and a few tricks up your sleeve. I was appointed the lofty title of “Poultry Queen” at Kelmscott Farm in Maine in the winter of 2002. The farm was dedicated to the preservation of endangered livestock breeds, from ...read more
Being optimistic isn’t easy today. News feeds shove horrible stories of war, terrorism, disease, and atrocities down your throat every time you look at your phone. Bumper stickers scream If You’re Not Outraged, You’re Not Paying Attention. CNN’s current headlines warn of ...read more
$1.56 million: that’s how much a scribbled note containing Einstein’s secret to happiness just sold for at an auction house in Jerusalem. Written in 1922, the note was given to a deliveryman when Einstein was short on a tip. It said: “A calm and modest life brings more ...read more
Working out with a personal trainer can whip you into shape. Personal trainers keep your exercise routine interesting and diverse. They guide you through tough moves, spot you on heavy weights, and offer encouragement when you need it the most. They are also really expensive. ...read more
Do you think you’d like to live in a tiny home? Sell everything you own and downsize your life? I did – and I learned some valuable lessons about living in a much smaller space. In 2004, I moved into a 120-sq-ft apartment on the Left Bank in Paris along with my boyfriend and ...read more
Many people believe that the alcohol in a cocktail kills cold and flu germs. While ethyl alcohol does kill viruses of many kinds at concentrations of 60-80%, that’s far below the strength of alcohol in your average cocktail. Working as a bartender a 4-star and 5-star hotels, I ...read more
Do you know your type? Many people don’t know their blood type personality or even their blood types, especially in Western cultures. But in East Asian countries, particularly Japan, a person’s blood type provides essential insight into their temperament and character. In ...read more
You may not be into eating insects – but your ancestors were. Since the dawn of time, humans have been munching on bugs. They’re packed with protein, easy to catch, and they're everywhere. Today, over 2 billion people on the planet practice entomophagy, or eating insects. In ...read more
You exercise and watch what you eat religiously on your quest to improve your health, lose weight, or maintain your level of fitness – and by God, you deserve a cheat day. After six days of making healthy eating choices instead of grabbing for cake and cheese, it’s natural to ...read more
Most people assume that their sleep habits relegate them to either being labeled a night owl if they stay up late or an early bird who turns in early and wakes up refreshed. But a new theory by Dr. Michael J. Breus posits that there are actually four, not two, basic sleep ...read more
Jet-black cocktails juiced with activated charcoal are the coolest new beverages at trendsetting bars across the country. With a dark and mysterious appeal, charcoal cocktails are perfect for Halloween season – and they’re surprisingly healthy. Discover what activated charcoal ...read more
Along everyone’s journey there are stumbling blocks that trip us up – but some people stay down for the count while others bounce back and go on their merry way. The difference is resiliency: the ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions. But it’s not like you either ...read more
Hot honey is trending in restaurants and you can bring the same slap of flavor to all kinds of dishes that you eat at home. This Thai pepper honey adds major pizzazz to vegetables, meats, desserts, and even pizza – and it’s super easy to make. Easy Recipe: How to Make Spicy ...read more
If you planted seeds or seedlings in late spring, your tomato plant should be coming to fruition right about now. But if you are seeing problems instead of perky ripe tomatoes, you might need to troubleshoot your garden. The tomato struggle is real. Match your tomato plant ...read more
Get a head start on next year’s harvest by saving your heirloom tomato seeds. With odd shapes, rich colors, and incredible flavor, heirloom tomatoes are unique and welcome additions to gardens and recipes. Learn how to save your seeds for the future and create your own living ...read more
Discover dog parks on an epic scale in America’s amazing National Parks. Most parks aren’t pup-friendly, owing to delicate ecosystems and native wildlife – like cougars. But some National Parks are tail-wagging wonderlands with short hiking trails, off-leash play areas, and ...read more
We all know that a good romp in the sheets can make you feel fantastic – but having sex can also boost your health in myriad ways. Studies continue to show that like exercise, sex is a near-universal tonic that can help you to lose weight, relieve pain, boost your immune ...read more
I hold the cup filled with the strange white beverage up to my lips, but before I can take a sip the pungent aroma of the cocktail makes me seize up. Seizing the day sometimes tastes horrible – but I proceed, and the salty-sour liquid shoves its way down my throat. Its flavor ...read more
Are you using your garden hose and paper towels for window cleaning? Or even worse: synthetic chemical and detergent laden products? Opt for eco-friendly methods instead and enjoy streak-free, crystal-clear windows without the waste or worry. What seems like a large-scale task ...read more
Are you planning your next vacation and wondering which destinations are the healthiest countries in the world? Bloomberg recently released its 2017 Global Health Index, which ranks 163 countries on numerous factors including: Life expectancy Mental health Availability of clean ...read more
I spent $1270 on landscaping services last year. After seeing the total, I decided to handle my own lawn care at the start of this season. What began as a purely financial decision and an Internet search for mowers led to a series of lessons in soil quality, types of grass, ...read more
Make your Swiss Family Robinson dreams come true at a treehouse hotel. Demand has never been higher to sleep in a forest or jungle canopy, as the world fills up with city dwellers who yearn for a back-to-nature experience. From sumptuous luxury digs to rustic retreats, you’ll ...read more