*This is a collaborative post 

Eating more seafood is good for your body and mind. It’s high in nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, and low in calories. Seafood is an excellent source of protein. You can also add it to your diet to improve your health, or manage your weight (if that's a goal of yours). 

 

Another year, another reading challenge. I get so excited every year when the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge is released. I truly look forward to it every holiday season. It's a gift that gives all-year round. There are many prompts for the POPSUGAR 2022 Reading Challenge I'm looking forward to, but I will say I'm feeling hostile towards the '#BookTok' prompt, because let's be real, BOOKSTAGRAM started it all.

You can always keep up with my progress at the top of the page (under the 'books & reading' tab, you'll find all of my previous and current reading challenges). You can also catch me on Goodreads and Instagram! I've included POPSUGAR's printable graphic below, which I usually save on my phone so I can mark as I go. Feel free to grab it to keep up with your completed prompts, too!


2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 


01. A book published in 2022

 

 

 *This is a collaborative post. 

The beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations for people worldwide. People flock to beaches in droves and take time off from work or school so they can spend some time just playing in the sand and relaxing by the shore. I love the beach and mountains equally, and both are places that put me into a happy relaxation mode. I just recently figured out that Turks and Caicos is super close - I thought it was somewhere in Asia. But now I'm obsessed with the idea of visiting Turks and Caicos ASAP. Below are some of the reasons why.



Choosing the perfect resort

Turks and Caicos is a beautiful place to spend a beach holiday. With white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and plenty of activities available, it's no wonder this destination is so popular. But with so many resorts to choose from, how do folks know which one is the right choice for them? This guide to the best Turks and Caicos resorts will help you decide.



Swimming, snorkeling, and diving

The crystal clear waters of Turks and Caicos are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. With visibility often reaching up to 100 feet, you will be able to explore the vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish that call these waters home. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there's something for everyone.



Beachcombing and sunbathing

The miles of white sand beaches in Turks and Caicos are perfect for beachcombing and sunbathing. Relax on the soft sand, take a swim in the crystal clear water, or enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the breathtaking views. With so many beautiful beaches to choose from, you're sure to find one that's perfect for you.



Waterparks

If you're looking for a way to cool off and have some fun, waterparks are the perfect place to go. There are great waterparks in Turks and Caicos, so you'll be sure to find one that suits your needs. Whether you want a relaxing day by the pool or thrilling rides that will get your heart pumping, everyone will be able to find something to enjoy. 



Relaxing day at a spa

Spending some time at a spa is one of the best ways to make sure you are getting enough rest on your beach holiday. Many hotels, both small independent ones or large chains, can accommodate even larger groups for treatments or day passes. 



Different watersports

There is a range of watersports on offer, so whether you're an experienced diver or just looking to try something new, there's plenty on offer. Snorkeling is a great way to get up close and personal with marine life, while windsurfing and kitesurfing are perfect for those looking for a more adrenaline-pumping experience. Why not try out a jet ski or parasailing? 

*This is a collaborative post.

 

Too often, people take certain aspects of their health for granted until things get out of control. However, the little things can drag into real health surprises. At that stage, an individual may start to wonder why tbey never caught on to compromised health at the very early stages. Unfortunately, it's the story of 40% of Americans who reportedly ignore carrying out the medical tests requested by their physicians. Realistically, there's a greater concern here in terms of the American healthcare system and its inequities across the population. When possible, it's necessary never to ignore certain aspects of health, including some of those listed below.

 

 

 

*This is a collaborative post.

Living in a world being constantly bombarded with stress and worries, there’s no doubt why many people feel down, exhausted, and burnt out. The important thing is understanding the simple ways in which we can boost mood, productivity, and self-care. Check out these tips that can suit any lifestyle or budget. Don't worry about trying them all at once, but it’s easy to try to incorporate them into your lifestyle just a little at a time. 

*This is a collaborative post.

When planning your holiday trip, there are many things to consider. Of course, the first decision to make is where to go. Maybe a warm-weather destination or will it be a winter wonderland? Once you decide on a location, you'll need to start thinking about the logistics of your trip. How will you get there? What kind of accommodations will you have? And what will you do once you're there? 

One of the things that’s most important in life is family - at least for me. Keep in mind that family can be given or chosen, and doesn’t necessarily have to be the family we were born into. We need to spend time with family while we still have the chance, and this is what a lot of people don’t understand. Making time for those that are important to you in life should be a priority, and this might mean arranging some much needed family time. Tell whichever family members you want, and then make sure that they’re coming. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of the ways you may be able to do this, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.



Set a time and date

The first thing that you’ll need to do is set a time and date. When people know when something is going on, they’re more able to make the effort to be there. For example, my family hosted a family reunion earlier this year and we created a Facebook event over a month in advance so everyone could make plans to be there. We had great turnout! But if you spring it on people last minute and just expect them to show up, this likely isn’t going to happen.

If you don’t have family time though, apart from using an app to track everyone and know where people are, you’re not going to know what’s going on in their lives. You can visit Family Orbit here which is an app that allows you to do this if you are interested.



Have fun activities planned

Once you have set a date and time, you can work on having fun activities to do. Think about the people who are going to be there, think about what they like and what they don’t, as well as what you can all do together. It might even be the case that none of you want to do anything and you just want to sit there and talk for the duration of the time you spend together. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. And is what ends up happening in my family 99% of the time. 



Be excited for it

The final thing that we are going to say is that if you’re excited for it, then your family members will come. There’s nothing worse than feeling as though you have let a family member down and we’re sure that yours feel the same way. Talk to them about how excited you are to see everyone, make a group chat  and we bet that your family will make every effort possible to be there when you have said to be there.




We hope that you’ve found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you could be doing in order to ensure that everyone’s attending family time. It can be difficult to get the entire family together, we know, but it can be done if you are dedicated enough to it. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you have a lovely time with everyone.

As you're shopping for holiday gifts this season, check out these Asian-American Pacific Islander owned brands and AAPI-written books to find perfect gifts for everyone.

 

Thanks so much to Holiday Road Atlanta for hosting my visit free of charge. All opinions are my own.

A brand new holiday light show has made its way to Atlanta, and I dare say it’s better than the nationwide-known holiday lights show at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Holiday Road is a half-mile walking trail full of festive lights and cheer, and it’s not only Christmas festivities. There are installations celebrating Kwanzaa and Hanukkah as well!

Holiday Road is originally from Calabasas, California and has found additional homes in Virginia and Georgia this year. The event is entirely outdoors, so be sure to bring some cold weather accessories. The day my husband and I went, it was 75 degrees during the day, but when we got to the event around 6:30, we were freezing our butts off. But if you like a warm drink, try out the Dirty Snowman cocktail to warm up (or just a straight hot chocolate). 

There’s more to Holiday Road than just the trail of exciting scenes and installations. There are wonderful setups for photoshoots - cute little cutouts, sleighs, and seats. But the trail itself is incredibly Instagrammable. 

Definitely choose Holiday Road (LA, Atlanta, or Virginia) for your holiday festivities this season. It’s more affordable than plenty of other holiday festivities, starting at only $24.99. There are food trucks and drinks available on-site. 

I won’t share all the info because I don’t want to ruin it. You’ll just have to see for yourself. 

Holiday Road Atlanta is located at The Hourse Mansion @ Bouckaert Farm at 10045 Cedar Grove Road in Fairburn, Georgia. 

 

*This is a collaborative post... and one of the things that scares me most about ever going abroad. 

 

 Getting sick abroad is more common than you might think. And because you are away from your home country, it can be distressing.

In this post, we take a look at some of the ways that you can prepare before you travel and what to do if things go wrong. Read on to learn more.


Prepare before leaving

Don’t go abroad without adequately preparing first. Traveling can put you at a much higher risk of getting sick than simply remaining at home (particularly during a global pandemic).

Before you go, make sure to buy travel insurance that includes medical cover through a reputable provider. Policies should cover you for several tens of thousands of dollars worth of treatment which foreign medics can then claim back at a later date. (You don’t want to pay for medical treatment out of pocket. It's extremely expensive). Make sure that you always have your health insurance card or ID on-hand. Keep it in your wallet, so if you require treatment, you can show it to the medics.

Note that if you’re traveling from the US, medicare does not apply in other countries. You'll need to buy separate medical coverage for travel.

Make sure to take all your medications with you, ensuring that they're legal in your destination country. Countries differ in which drugs they permit. Substances that are perfectly legal in your country may not be abroad.

Lastly, you’ll want to catalog all of the English-speaking medical practitioners operating in your travel destination. This way, you can easily explain your condition, symptoms and medical history if you fall sick.


Find reputable clinics

As Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers point out, medical treatment can result in severe injury. A failed hernia mesh, for instance, is a medical emergency. So if you’re a medical tourist, make sure that you go to a reputable clinic. Find doctors who have positive online reviews. Look for clinics that other patients trust.


Find special care

If you are already abroad and illness strikes, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for a list of medical providers in the area. They should be able to direct you on where you need to go and who you should see.

If your medical condition is serious, you should be able to call your insurance company and get them to organize treatment on your behalf. Before you fly, make sure that the insurance company covers you in your target destination. If they don’t, then you may need to arrange treatment through other means.

If you fall ill abroad, don’t panic. Almost always, medical services are available, even if you are not a citizen. Just make sure that you carry your insurance confirmation and medical cards with you so that you can prove your ability to pay.