Healthy Trekking

Got iPad? Our new book is now available!

Got iPad? Our new book is now available!

First, an apology: We're guilty as charged of not updating this blog. Our defense: We've spent the last few months feverishly at work on completing the first book in our Healthy Trekking series, 300 Healthy Travel Tips. And now, it's available for you to purchase on Apple iBooks (with versions for the Amazon Kindle and other ebook formats coming soon). And yes, we're totally excited. 

This inspires me. May it inspire you.

This inspires me. May it inspire you.

Take three minutes to watch the YouTube video in this post about a man who reinvented himself. He committed himself to changing from being badly overweight to finishing the Boston Marathon. 

What follows is a remarkable transformation, and a story of what love can do.

How to get healthy on your next vacation

How to get healthy on your next vacation

This time of year, you’re probably dreaming about escaping fluorescent cube farm enslavement, fleeing the oncoming winter gloom and finding yourself under warm sunny skies, likely on the beach. With a few simple steps, you can use your next trip to create healthy habits you follow after you return. If you do, your vacation will be forever.

Surf Into Yoga With Rochelle Ballard

Surf Into Yoga With Rochelle Ballard

Dynamic. Fearless. Inspiring. Insightful. Healing. Spiritual. These words describe Rochelle Ballard, one of the greatest female professional surfers ever, a film and TV star from hits such as Blue Crush, Step Into Liquid and Beyond The Break. Rochelle is an educator, a successful entrepreneur, expert on yoga, healing, wellness, massage and more. She is a legendary big wave surfer, and has been instrumental in the growth of women’s surfing. And today, Rochelle is owner of Surf Into Yoga. 

Vitaly Caffé: An Italian gem in Southern California

Vitaly Caffé: An Italian gem in Southern California

Many epicureans consider Bologna, the provincial capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy, to be the exemplar of what Italian food should be. This tradition of incredible food was brought to Southern California by Bologna natives Maurizio and Barbara Cocchi, owners of Vitaly Caffé in the unique Camp complex in California’s Orange County town of Costa Mesa. From rich imported Italian coffees, to hand-made artisan pastas, piadina flatbread, pastries and gelato, Maurizio and Barbara serve only the freshest food using the best ingredients. 

Like suntanning? We have some bad news.

Like suntanning? We have some bad news.

We all love a suntan. It makes you look healthy and sexy. Or so you think. The truth is that to your skin, there’s no difference between a healthy-looking suntan and a severe sunburn. 


BS, you say? Think again. The ultraviolet rays of the sun that make that nice, dark tan are hard at work trying to create genetic mutations in your skin cells, which lead to melanoma, or skin cancer. And this damage is cumulative and irreversible. Here’s what you need to know, and how to protect yourself.

Support the little guy.

Support the little guy.

All across America, you can discover amazing little businesses with great ambition and big ideas hidden behind small town storefronts, overlooked websites and farmers’ markets. On my recent journey to the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, I was deeply impressed with the creativity, quality and service of many local small businesses. They typify the dynamic enterprise and hard work of countless small companies across the United States. 

Read on to find some fascinating examples...

 

Dispatches from Paradise: On Kauai, life's a beach.

Dispatches from Paradise: On Kauai, life's a beach.

Kauai overwhelms your eyes and senses with extraordinary beauty everywhere you look. Not the least of which is the island’s beaches. Varying from rugged lava rock coastline and crashing waves, to favorite surfing beaches, beaches graced with palm trees and miles of sand, incredible snorkeling havens and beaches gentle enough for a baby to wade in their parents’ arms, there is something for everyone to discover. 

Whatever you seek in a beach, it awaits you on the island of Kauai. 

Going to Kauai? Get to know ActivityKauai.com.

Going to Kauai? Get to know ActivityKauai.com.

We could not have succeeded with our research trip to Kauai for our upcoming book, The Healthy Trekking Guide to Kauai without the help of Aaron Martin of ActivityKauai.com. Everybody and their sister on the island is a tour guide, but as you quickly learn, it’s often a sideline to another business they might have. It’s simple enough to help a visitor book a dinner, tour, helicopter tour or zipline experience on the island. But it’s something else again to meet and work with a genuine expert on Kauai who can safely guide you to activities and destinations that are ideally suited for you.

Aaron is that man. Rather, when it comes to Kauai, he is THE MAN. Read on to learn more...

Tripus Interruptus

Tripus Interruptus

We're on our way to Hawaii to research and photograph everything we can for our upcoming book, The Healthy Trekking Guide to Kauai. Well, sort of. At this moment, we should be at 30,000 ft. half way across the Pacific Ocean. We would be if not for a mistake by an American Airlines gate agent in Terminal 4 at LAX. Her error caused us to miss our flight, and now, we won't be able to leave LAX until this evening on a different flight. Continue to learn more...

Coming soon: Dispatches from Paradise

Coming soon: Dispatches from Paradise

After more than a year of planning, we’re finally about to embark on an 11-day journey to Kaua’i to research our book, The Healthy Trekking Guide to Kaua'i. Our trip itinerary will be a nonstop, dawn-to-dusk race, putting every available second to work. Read on, brutha...

Enjoy the sun. But be careful.

Enjoy the sun. But be careful.

We love the sun. It makes us feel good. It showers is with Vitamin D, raises our spirits, warms us and for those blessed with good skin pallor, gives us a tan. It's what we strive for on many vacation trips as we flock to sun-blessed spots around the globe.

But you should be careful too, no matter how dark skinned you may be. The reason is because skin cancer is cumulative. Read on to learn how to protect yourself.

Choose your path

Choose your path

Life is a journey. It's a path filled with challenge and opportunity, and sadly, it eventually comes to an end. The path we choose will determine whether it's a happy trek, or one filled with regret. I came across an amazing article this morning, one I hope could change your life. Written several years ago, the simple article "Top Five Regrets Of The Dying" recounts the lessons learned by a hospice worker in Australia from her departing patients. It's a must-read.

Spend your next vacation on a bike

Spend your next vacation on a bike

Most people spend their vacations on their backs, sunning on a beach or around a pool. Or riding in a car or train. But if you're looking for a vacation that lets you tour some of the most beautiful scenery and best food in the world while challenging yourself to days of serious, high tempo exercise few activities beat a hosted cycling tour. Find out more...