Before I jump into how amazing this resort is, I wanted to share some tips that made travelling during COVID times safe and easy.

• Keep your COVID records on you. If you are vaccinated or took a test before travel, place the records in a water safe covering for safe-keeping and easy access.
• Carry plenty of masks with you and in your suitcase so you can have a fresh one each time you go somewhere.
• Order Instacart! As soon as we checked into the hotel in Hawaii, I ordered Costco on Instacart. Keep in mind, our room at the Hilton Hawaii Village has a full kitchen, so we ordered breakfast and lunch foods along with an assortment of drinks and snacks. It was delivered to us within an hour!
• Be respectful of others’ space.
• Hand sanitizer is your friend!

Now that we got that out of the way, lets talk about the resort! The Hilton Hawaii Village is nothing short of amazing. The photo above was taken from our balcony! Here are some other great things we loved about our room:

The Room

We rented a two bedroom suite since there are 5 of us. As soon as we walked in the room, we knew that we were in Hawaii! As we walked through the entry (pictured below), we are greeted by a beautiful hula dancer. To the left is the living room and kitchen. To the right is the two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Living Room

The living room is extremely spacious, as you can see below. With a couch, two chairs, coffee table, end tables and entertainment center, there was still plenty of room to walk around. As a matter of fact, the couch pulls out into a sofa bed, which is where my older son slept. Even with the couch pulled out, there was still more than enough room!

In addition, the entertainment center houses a Playstation and vending machines in the lobby to rent games. This made my younger son extremely happy! He was able to enjoy some downtime doing what he loves to do most!

Dining Room / Kitchen

The living room lead into the dining room and full kitchen. With enough room to seat 8, we were able to enjoy our breakfast together every morning. In addition, the full kitchen with walk-in pantry stored our Costco purchases out of the way, ensuring there is plenty of space to prepare our meals.

Balconies

Just off the living room and dining room are two (yes two!) balconies. The first with a table and 4 chairs. This is the perfect spot for coffee in the morning or cocktail in the evening.

The second balcony has two lounge chairs, perfect for, well, lounging! We used this space to relax in the morning while still waking up as well as late at night while listening to the waves. We also spent some time out here just enjoying the stunning view!

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

The bedrooms in the suites at the Lagoon Tower at the Hilton Hawaii Village are spacious as well. The main bedroom has a king size bed with adjoining bathroom. In addition, there is a two sitting areas directly in front of the windows.

The second bedroom as two twin beds with a dresser and closet.

Across the hall from the second bedroom is the second full bath.

The Resort

Everyone loves to hang out by the pool, even if you are right next to the beach! The pool below was right next to our room, but there are multiple accessible pools with the the village.

Staying at the Hilton Hawaii Village means immediate access to the beach. Each of the towers is located steps from the beach which is convenient for everyone!

In addition, lounge chair] and umbrellas rentals are available for the day. Staff will set them up at the location you choose and you have the perfect spot to relax for the day!

The Hilton Hawaii Village is a grouping of multiple towers along with dining and restaurants, all within walking distance. From fine dining to quick eats and shopping at an ABC store to Louis Vuitton, there is something in the village for everyone.

We loved staying at the Hilton Hawaii Village. Not only were we able to access the food and shopping in the village, there was additional shops about 10 minutes away on a walking path along the beach. We enjoyed relaxing time in the room as well and the easy access to all of the amenities.

In addition, there is a nightly Luau on the lawn. We didn’t attend a Luau this trip, however since the lawn was located just outside of our tower, we were able to catch a glimpse each night.

We would definitely return to the Hilton Hawaii Village the next time we are in Honolulu.

Click here to check out all of the places we visited while in Honolulu!

The post Beautiful Honolulu Escape – Hilton Hawaii Village appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

1. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is at the top of our list for a reason! We love to snorkel and make sure to schedule it in during any tropical vacation.

At Hanauma Bay, there are so many beautiful fish and coral to see and you don’t have to venture too far off the shore.

If you plan on visiting Hanauma Bay, you definitely have to plan. Post-Covid, Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve allows only 1,000 visitors a day. To sign up to be one of the lucky 1,000, visitors must go to the Hawaii Parks website and sign up for a time to enter the park.

There is a catch though…time slots are released each morning at 7am two days in advance. Time slots are typically sold out within 5 minutes! We were fortunate to get an early time slot during our visit so we were able to spend the entire day.

As of August 2021, the park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and the entry fee is $25 per adult. To secure a time slot, visit the Honolulu Parks and Rec website.

2. Hike Manoa Falls

While there are many hiking locations around Honolulu, we chose to hike Manoa Falls because it was close to where were staying at the Hilton Hawaii Village. Plus, we wanted to see a waterfall!

Even though the feature view is the waterfall at the end of the trail, the views along the way are breathtaking. Some of the views are also familiar, as Manoa Falls Trail was the site of filming shows like Jurassic Park and Lost.

Once we got to the falls, it was stunning! We visiting in July after a fairly dry summer, so the fall was more of a trickle. However, we were told that after the rainy season the sight is even more amazing.

The Manoa Falls hike is 1.7 miles round trip (in and out). The hike itself was primarily uphill to the falls. The trail tends to be muddy and rocky, so close-toed shoes are highly recommended. We bought L-Run Hiking/Water Shoes off Amazon. It turns out that they were perfect!

3. Visit Pearl Harbor / USS Arizona Memorial

There is so much history in Honolulu. While visiting the island, you will want to take a day to visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. I have had the pleasure of being there twice, but this time meant more because I was able to share it with my teenage sons.

I wasn’t sure how they were going to feel about a ‘history lesson’ while they were on vacation, but they soaked it all up. Learning the history of Pearl Harbor through the museums, videos of personal accounts of military personnel who survived Pearl Harbor, along with the USS Arizona Memorial.

Inside the USS Arizona Memorial, there is a wall of names for those who did not survive the Pearl Harbor attack. In addition (and not pictured below) are names of survivors who requested to buried at sea once they passed.

If planning to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, tickets are required and sell out fairly quickly. I would suggest buying your tickets at least 1 month in advance.

4. Lounge by the Beach

Since you traveled all the way to Honolulu to enjoy the ocean, sun and sand, take time to do it! It can be easy to swept up in all of the fun things to do, that you forget to just relax!

We rented umbrellas and beach chairs for one day. We basically hung out on the beach all day, taking ‘breaks’ to jump in the water or get something to eat!

5. Float/Swim in the Ocean

While you are lounging on the beach, enjoy the water! I suggest heading to the nearest ABC Store to purchase a raft. They will most-likely have ones that are already blown up! Take it out to the water and just let the waves move you. It’s very relaxing!

When you are done with your vacation, gift them to another visitor. They will appreciate the sentiment!

6. Go to a Luau

Attending a Luau is a Hawaiian tradition that every tourist must experience. Not only do you get the opportunity to eat great food and enjoy Hawaiian culture through dance, you will also hear stories of Hawaiian history.

A good Luau will have hula dancing, fire dancers, and audience participation!

7. Visit/Hike Diamond Head Crater

While in Honolulu, take the time to visit Diamond Head. The crater was formed over 300,000 years ago during an explosive volcano. When the ash settled, it formed the crater that is still there today.

Visitors will drive through the crater (as you see in the photo below) to enter the center of the crater.

Inside the crater is a 475-acre panoramic view. Once inside, visitors can opt to hike to the top of the crater in the section that was once used as a look out for military to get first sight on ships before they approached the harbor.

While we did not attempt the hike on this trip, it’s something that we will want to do on our next visit. The Diamond Head Summit Trail hike itself is 1.6 miles round-trip, gaining over 550 feet in elevation. The trail takes you through the crater and gives hikers a sense of the military history of the crater.

8. Visit North Shore

The island of Oahu is pretty small. Even when staying in Honolulu, it’s simple to head to North Shore for a day trip. North Shore is much more mellow and relaxing than Honolulu, which tends to have more ‘big city’ attractions.

Take a day trip to North Shore and stop at one of the various beach access areas and enjoy the sand and water. While on your road trip, you will also discover numerous fruit stands with fresh pineapple, mango and other locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Make sure you stop and at least get some fresh Hawaiian pineapple! You’ll be glad you did!

9. Shop/Eat at the International Marketplace

The International Marketplace, located in Waikiki, is a great way to shop and dine. From high-end fashion stores, to the local ABC market, you will be able to find the perfect souvenir.

In addition, the International Market is the home to multiple restaurants, from quick eats to upscale steakhouses and everything in between.

When visiting the International Marketplace, seek out the hidden treasure of the local vendors. Located on a small street across from the Waikiki Beachcomber hotel, visitors can find local vendors selling hand-made Hawaiian souvenirs, which are always my favorite to purchase!

10. Watch the Sunrise/Sunset

The sunrises and sunsets in Honolulu are absolutely stunning. While we were there, we tried to catch at least one each day. Whether it’s from the beach, your hotel room balcony or any other location, make sure you catch the sun as you start or end your day!

11. Visit Banyan Trees

You will find Banyan trees in multiple locations in Honolulu. The Banyan Tree is distinctive due to the multiple root system that resembles vines which create the trunk of the tree. They grow separately, then come together to support the top of the tree.

We found the banyan trees in the photo below at the International Marketplace, previously mentioned in this post.

12. Have lunch at a local eatery

While visitors can find chain restaurants all-around Honolulu, I highly suggest that you also stop at small, locally eateries. We try to do this on each vacation we take, and this is no exception.

We found a great Chinese place near Manoa Falls after our hike, and Kokonuts in a shopping center near Hanauma Bay. To be honest, the small local eateries are my favorite places to go!

13. Visit Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is a famous beach in Honolulu. The photo below shows the reason why…

Green grass, palm trees, white sand and blue water. Enough said!

Vacationing in Hawaii is a dream come true! We have been fortunate to visit Honolulu a few times in our lifetime and hope that if you visit, our suggestions are helpful.

Looking for a place to stay in Honolulu? Check out my review of the Hilton Hawaii Village here!

Check out some of our other favorite things to do in Hawaii here!

The post 13 Best and Fun Things To Do in Honolulu appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

We had stayed at the Hotel Valencia years back but it had been a long time since we visited Santana Row. I don’t know if it’s because of a year of quarantine, the fact that it was our anniversary or the beautiful view from our hotel room, but we knew we were going to be a great time.

We arrived a little early for check-in, but were able to head straight to our room. There were a few things that I was hoping for; 1) a bath tub, 2) a fabulous view, and 3) a comfortable bed. I was not disappointed, Hotel Valencia has all three!

Our Room

Upon entering our room, I was pleasantly surprised at how room there is. Once past the entry way, there was a living room, full bathroom and a bedroom.

Not only was the living room spacious, we were greeted by this thoughtful welcome package of water, soda, and snacks!

As we made our way into the bedroom, we realized that there was even more space than we realized. In addition to a very comfortable bed, there was a desk area, sitting area, large closet and full size mirror.

As you can see, the decor is modern and elegant, yet welcoming.

Even more amazing than our room was the view from our bedroom.

Once we opened the French Doors, I just stood there soaking in the beautiful view of Santana Row and the Santa Cruz Mountain in the background.

Our Bathroom

I know it seems strange to dedicate an entire section to the bathroom, but there’s a reason!

Not only is the bathroom spacious, there is a large shower as well as a large tub. And yes, I did take a bubble bath and enjoyed every moment of it!

Dining Experience at Oveja Negra (Valencia Hotel, Santana Row)

There are still dining and occupancy limitation due to the pandemic, so the only restaurant that is open is Oveja Negra. The restaurant is serving in the stunning courtyard patio just off the main lobby. The atmosphere is elegant, the food is amazing and the staff is welcoming!

Being a tappas restaurant, we ordered 4 different dishes to share. Our favorite is the charcuterie tray pictured below. We loved the various salami’s and you can never go wrong with cheese! One of our other favorites is the roasted cauliflower. Sorry – we that we ate so quickly, I didn’t get a photo!

A few things to note:

If you are planning a visit to Hotel Valencia on Santana Row, there are a few things you should know before you go:

• The parking garage is around the corner. I suggest unloading your bags first in the front of the hotel before you park.
• There is ALOT of shopping. There are fun shops and restaurants on Santana Row including Tesla and B8ta, though I suggest eating at Oveja Negra.
• If you are looking for more shopping the Westfield Valley Fair Mall is across the street.
• You never know who you will see when you stay at Hotel Valencia. During our stay, we discovered that the Oregon Ducks hockey team was also staying there. (They had a game against the San Jose Sharks that evening.)
• Bring comfortable shoes and walk around during the day.
• Bring a evening look for dinner too!

Looking for more things to do while visiting Northern California? Check out some of my favorite spots:

Beautiful Hiking and Ocean Views at Wilder Ranch

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Mystery Spot

California’s Great America

The post Hotel Valencia, Santana Row – A Stunning Escape from Reality appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

Making small changes in your life will have a long-lasting positive impact on your health. Implementing one small change at a time, building on them over time, can be more successful than making drastic changes.

Implement one of these small changes in your life every few weeks and you will be on your way to living a healthier life.

Drink Water

Drinking water has many benefits. Staying hydrated helps to regulate body temperature, combat fatigue, reduce wrinkles and helps the kidney’s function properly.

It is recommended to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water a day. For instance, if you weigh 130 pounds, you should drink 65oz of water a day.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of drinking water and what kind of water you should be drinking, click here.

Get Moving

Moving your body is vital to living healthy. However, you don’t have to commit to a rigorous work out schedule; start by moving more.

If you don’t have an exercise routine currently, start with walking 15 minutes a day. You can build from there. If you have a workout routine already, step it up a bit. Add additional time to your work out or increase the intensity of the exercises.

If you work a ‘desk job’ this is important for your circulation as well as your overall health.

Eat the rainbow

Healthy eating includes increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Simply by eating more fruits and vegetables, you will be increasing your vitamin and mineral intake.

Try to simply prepare them, meaning don’t add a lot of butter, sugary dips, etc. If you need those things start with, use them sparingly, then begin to remove them.

There are so may healthy and delicious recipes online. Start trying some! You many find out you actually like your veggies!

Eat fewer Carbohydrates

Everyone loves carbs! Bread, pasta, crackers….they are all so good. However, did you know that many people have some level of allergy to the ingredients that is used to make these foods? These allergies can be so subtle that you don’t realize it, yet be causing bloating, weight gain, digestion issues, etc.

Try limiting the amount of carbohydrates you eat by limiting the number of times you consume carbs during each day. For instance, if you eat a lot of carbs, try to limit to eating carbs during just one meal each day. Once you accomplish this, limit further by once every other day, and so on.

Get enough sleep

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Getting the recommended amount of sleep will help you maintain a healthy body weight, lower your risk for serious health issues, help you think more clearly and aid in better decision-making, among other things.

Getting enough sleep will also limit the amount of external stimulants needed to stay awake, such as caffeine, which also has multiple benefits as well.

Have a Positive Mindset

Be positive and surround yourself with positive people. Each morning when you wake up remind yourself that you can accomplish whatever the day has in store for you.

If you don’t have positive support around you, seek it out. Join online or local groups. Find people on social media that inspire you and connect with them. You would be amazed at the support you can find on Instagram and Facebook!

Remember, taking the time for yourself to live a healthy life is not selfish. The healthier you are, the more energy you will have for those around you; you family, your job and your friends.

The post Simple Ways To Live a Healthier Life appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

One of the ways that our family gets moving is hiking. We recently hiked at Byrne-Milliron Forest in Corralitos, CA. Haven’t heard of Corralitos before? That’s ok, you’re not alone! Corralitos is a small town in the redwoods of Santa Cruz County.

The Byrne-Milliron Forest is a 402-acre forest and part of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. There are multiple hiking trails and a view that you won’t want to miss.

Hiking Trails

The main hiking trail, Byrne Trail, is fairly flat and wide as well as easily accessible. Hiking any of the loops on the main trail is a beginner level hike.

New Leonard Bartle Trail

If you are looking for a more challenging hike, there are plenty of trails to take from the main trail. On our hike, we took the New Leonard Bartle Trail, which lead us to the ‘Cathedral Rest Spot’ and Porcupine Hollow.

The New Leonard Bartle Trail is definitely for experienced hikers. We really didn’t know what we were getting into when we turned onto the trail. When we kept hiking down farther and farther, we realized that we would eventually have to go back up!

At the bottom of the trail, is the ‘Cathedral Rest Spot’. There is an area of momentos that hikers have left over the years. In addition, there is a mailbox with notebooks that hikers have written in during their visit. It’s was a fun little discovery that we weren’t expecting.

The hike out of the New Leonard Bartle Trail was rigorous. It was straight up. I consider my husband and I in pretty good shape, and we had to pace ourselves and rest along the way.

AJ’s Point of View

If you only hike one trail, you HAVE to hike up to AJ’s Point of View. The trail to get there, Rattlesnake Trail, is a moderate hike. It’s not as flat as Bryne Trail but not difficult either.

Once you get there, there is the most amazing view of Pajaro Valley and Monterey Bay; pictured below. However, this photo does not do it justice!

There are a few trails that we didn’t get to on our first visit. I have no doubts that we will go back again. One of the hikes that we want to complete is the hike to the ‘Great White’ Redwood Tree.

As always, we used our Gaia GPS to help navigate our way. Gaia keeps track of our distance, elevation and location. We simply access the trail map from the Gaia map and we always know where to go!

A Few Things to Note

The road up to the parking lot at Byrne-Milliron Forest is very narrow and has private property on it. Please drive slowly and carefully on your way in and out.

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County does ask that you register your visit with you can do from your smart phone when you get there.

More Hiking…

Getting outdoors and hiking is easy in Santa Cruz! There are many great hiking spots to visit. Below you will find links to some of our other favorite hiking spots in the area:

Beautiful Ocean Views and Hiking – Wilder Ranch – Santa Cruz, CA

Experience Beautiful Hikes at UC Santa Cruz

Hiking Trails at Nisene Marks – Aptos, CA

Hiking Trails at Pfeiffer State Park – Big Sur, CA

The post The Beautiful Outdoors at Byrne-Milliron Forest appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

This post was sponsored by Chapel of the Chimes from Memorial Group. All opinions are my own.

Even though it’s not something that many people want to think about, it’s a smart idea to plan in advance for end-of-life arrangements. There are multiple benefits to advanced planning and many reasons to plan with Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward, CA.

About Chapel of the Chimes

Some individuals aren’t sure how they would like to celebrate their life, while others know exactly what they want. Either way, Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward is here to help.

Offering funeral, cemetery and cremation services, they will be happy to review each option with you. In addition, Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward is offering virtual services during the COVID pandemic time.

Being culturally diverse, they have many ethnic and cultural events that are sure to satisfy everyone. If would like to know if they can accommodate your needs, simply reach out to them! They will be happy to hear your specific requests and discuss accommodations.

As you can see, Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward is surrounded by natural beauty. From the rolling hills to the beautifully placed structures, they take pride in your final resting place. There is a serene sense of calm while you are on the grounds.

Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward is still serving families during this pandemic, taking all recommended safety precautions. Offering outdoor and virtual funerals, they bring peace of mind and proper accommodations.

Why Advanced Planning is Important

One of the most important reasons to planning in advance is guarding against inflation. In addition, it’s one less thing that your loved ones will have to worry about during an already difficult time.

You can start your advanced planning process simply by requesting a Free Funeral Planning Guide. Head to the Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward website and click the ‘Plan Ahead’ tab and fill out the form at the top of the page. You can also call them at 510-400-4442. The staff is extremely friendly and ready to help!

David Madden, General Manager

Grant Pollard, Sales Manager

Mayra Banda, Funeral Location Leader

Jacky Amezquita, Office Manager

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During a recent vacation, we realized that while we travel a lot, we tend to go to the same destinations. We made a decision that we want to experience new things and new destinations within the United States.

Our solution: Make a pact to travel to all 50 states. The only rule that we set for ourselves is that for a state to count, it has to be the destination. It can not be a layover or a pass-through. We have to spend at least one night and visit at least one destination while we are there.

Check out where we have been and feel free to offer suggestions on where we could go in the comments below!

Current status: 11 of 50 states visited

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona ✓ (only 1/2 ✓)

We traveled to Willow Creek, AZ on a trip to Las Vegas. We did not stay the the night, however we did take a 4-hour kayak tour.

I am actually only marking this one 1/2 complete becuase we need to visit again and actually stay the night in Arizona. My thoughts are going to:

• Grand Canyon
• Sedona
• Hoover Dam

Arkansas

California ✓

We live in California, so this was an easy one. There are still some destinations in this amazing state that I want to visit, but for now, I am focusing on the other 49!

Colorado ✓

Having close friends that live in Denver, we have visited there a few times. We were able to attend the Colorado Renaissance Fair the first time we were there and had such a great time!

We also took a drive to Estes Park and went horseback riding. Estes Park is known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, home to wildlife including elk and bears, plus miles of trails.

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida ✓

When the kids were a lot younger, we had the opportunity to go to Disney World. I was going to be in Orlando for work, so on the last day of my conference, my husband flew out with the 3 kids.

Our youngest was only 2 at the time, so while he probably doesn’t remember, the rest of us do!

Georgia

Hawaii ✓

We are extremely fortunate to have visited Hawaii a few times.

We went to O‘ahu for a softball tournament in 2005. I was pregnant with my youngest at the time. Then, many years later, my husband and I went to Kauai alone. We left the kids at home. They weren’t too happy about that.

Then, a few year later, we went back to Maui. We took the kids and my mom with us on that trip. To date, Maui is our favorite island. Below are some of our favorite places while we were there.

Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Villas

Makai Adventures Snorkel Tour

Down the Hatch / Breakwall Shave Ice Co.

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts ✓

On the same trip to New York with my sister-in-law and her husband, we took the train from New York to Boston. It’s a 4 hour ride and was an easy way to see an additional city on the East Coast.

I loved Boston! It was rich with history and welcoming. It was much more than I had expected!

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada ✓

Since we live in California, we have been to Nevada many times in our lifetime. Las Vegas multiple time for multiple reasons and Tahoe to ski!

Check out some of our favorite spots in each of these locations here!

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York ✓

We have not been to New York as a family, but most of us have been there at one time or another.

My husband and I was in New York City with my sister-in-law and her husband. We stayed in Times Square, went to a broadway show and Central Park. Our sons, both were in New York but at different times with their school. They each took a World Strides trip in 8th grade.

Learn about World Strides here.

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma ✓

My sister lives in Tulsa. She moved there with her husband, kids and grandson a few years ago. We had the opportunity to go visit her for a week and took my mom with us! We stayed at her house but found some really cool thinks to do while we were there!

Safari Joe’s H20

Redrock Canyon Grill

Tulsa Air & Space Museum

Oregon ✓

I have been to Portland a few times. Once for work, but I was by myself. My husband and I went back and hiked Multnomah Falls. We have done a lot more hiking since, but this was one our our first times. It was absolutely stunning.

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah ✓

We have been to Salt Lake City once. My husband completed his master’s degree online and there was an optional in-person graduation there. We went as a family, including my in-laws.

On the same trip, we took a day trip to see Park City. It was the middle of the summer, and while it was beautiful, I do want to go back in the winter and ski!

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

The post Ultimate Family Goals – Travel to Each of the 50 States appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

Having a healthy mouth is part of living a healthy lifestyle. Good oral hygiene can contribute to your overall good health.

There are a few things that you can do to ensure that you and your family have a healthy mouth. Incorporating the following practices into your routine will ensure great oral health.

Brush twice a Day

Most of us think about brushing in the morning, mostly because we have morning breath. But did you know that the most effective time to brush is at night?

Brushing before going to sleep helps protect against plaque buildup, tooth decay and gum disease. It doesn’t matter if you use a manual or electric tooth brush, however I would recommend electric.

Use an effective mouthwash

LISTERINE® Gum Therapy Antiseptic Mouthwash. We use it morning and night, each time we brush.

Click to learn more about LISTERINE® Gum Therapy Antiseptic Mouthwash and click on the image above to purchase at Walmart.com.

LISTERINE® Gum Therapy Antiseptic Mouthwash is formulated with anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis essential oils. Yes, essential oils. This ADA accepted mouthwash cleans below the gumline where brushing can’t reach helping to freshen breath.

Found at Walmart, LISTERINE® Gum Therapy Antiseptic Mouthwash can lead to 4x healthier gums in 3 weeks versus brushing alone and reverse early signs of gum disease.

Floss in the morning and at night when brushing and using LISTERINE® Gum Therapy Antiseptic Mouthwash for a great routine.

Visit the dentist twice a year

It is recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months. Professional checkups and cleaning limit plaque buildup and allow a professional to keep an eye on more serious oral issues.

Most dental insurance plans will cover a dental visit every 6 months.

Limit sugar in take

Limiting sugar intake is part of a healthy lifestyle, period. It’s common knowledge that sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity. However, a high sugar intake can also lead to cavities as well.

So, if you needed one more reason to limit sugar, you got it!

Bonus: Chew gum with Xylitol

After meals, chew gum with xylitol. Xylitol is a non-cavity causing sweetener added to sugar-free gums. As a matter of fact, xylitol has been shown to help clean the mouth of bacteria and keep plaque causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth.

The post 5 Ways to Ensure You have a Healthy Mouth appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

I honestly had no idea that there were hiking and biking trails at UC Santa Cruz. My son attends outdoor parkour classes and they meet at UCSC on Saturdays. The class is 2-hours long and roughly 30 minutes from our house. I figured why not make use of the time I am there and see if there were places to go hiking.

We consulted our favorite hiking GPS app, Gaia GPS, to see if there were trails in the area. I was excited to find that there were quite a few, and were actually on the USCS campus.

Called the UCSC Upper Campus Natural Reserve, there are paths for hiking as well as biking. There are multiple trails to choose from, ranging from .9 miles to 6.5 miles round trip. As a matter of fact, one the trails actually leads to Wilder State Park, a location that we have previously hiked.

Click here to see the map trail on the UCSC website.

The UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves are a 40-acre research plot where all of the woody plant species that are the width of your pinky or bigger are tagged, mapped and identified to a give a detailed picture of the spatial layout of the forest.

There are signs that specifically ask hikers not to touch, move or remove anything in the Upper Campus Natural Reserves. Of all of the hikes that we have taken, this one was the most peaceful. There were not many other hikers and were able to truly enjoy nature.

Taking hikes through the Northern California Redwood trees is always a beautiful site to see. It does not matter how many times we hike through the redwoods, they are still breath-taking.

The post Experience Beautiful Hikes at UC Santa Cruz appeared first on Carrie Marie is me.

This post is sponsored by Evolution Expeditions however, as always, all opinions are my own.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, my husband and I decided to get out of the city and kayak. We chose Evolution Expeditions‘ Emerald Cove Tour. The departure location is Willow Beach, AZ, about an hour from Las Vegas.

The tour was 4 hours in total with 2 stops and lunch provided. Michelle and Aaron were our tour guides. They were so nice and helpful. We could tell they loved what they were doing!

After departing Willow Beach at 10am, we kayaked about a mile to our first stop. This stop was the site of a River Gauger’s home from the 1920’s.

The narrow opening in the river that you see in the photo above was a potential site for the Hoover Dam. The River Gauger hiked 1 mile up the Colorado River multiple times a day to report water levels throughout the day during the year.

Below, is what remains from the foundation of the River Gauger’s house. It was an unexpected but fun stop on our kayak tour.

After our stop, snack and short history lesson on the River Gauger, we continued up the Colorado River to Emerald Cove. As we kayaked the additional mile, the views were stunning.

Emerald Cove

Once we arrived at Emerald Cove, it became clear how it got its name. The water is a sparkling emerald green. The day was overcast, due to smoke from California fires, but we are told that on a sunny day, the green is even more vibrant!

The cove itself was pretty small. We were able to fit 7 kayaks inside and not much more. Michelle came through and took each of our photos in the cove, which I thought was a nice touch!

After we learned about Emerald Cove and had our photos taken, we started the trip back to Willow Beach. We stopped ab out 1/2 way and had lunch provided by Evolution Expeditions from Jason’s Deli. It was delicious!

Once we finished our lunch, we jumped back into our kayaks to complete our tour. We pulled back into Willow Beach around 2pm.

We had such an amazing time with Evolution Expeditions. If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon or the Hoover Dam, make sure you look them up for your own kayak adventure!

Check out some of our other recent fun adventures HERE!

Hiking Tails at Pfeiffer State Park – Big Sur, CA

Cancun – Mayan Adventure Snorkeling Tour

Walks of Italy – Colosseum Night Tour, Rome

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