Cultivating Health, Happiness & Joy through
CULTIVATING HAPPINESS
Cultivating happiness begins with happy living. Happiness if an effect of doing things that create those feelings of happiness. It is not a destination one arrives at and remain at. There will be happy days and sad days. Happy living is the conscious building of practices in one’s life that create more of those feelings of happiness and less of the sad.
The Latest Happy Living Posts
Club Wyndham Kingsgate Review, Williamsburg, Virginia
We stayed at the Club Wyndham Kingsgate resort during our trip to Williamsburg in August of 2021. While we focused primarily on sightseeing, the resort offered many amenities we didn’t have the chance to use. For guests seeking rest and relaxation, this property has...
Southern Utah Vacation – An Unexpected Journey
It was October 2020—a moment suspended between the chaos of what had been and the hope of what might be. The world was cloaked in uncertainty, and so was I. Like many, I’d been tethered to the familiar walls of my home for months, yearning for a taste of something...
The Santa Clara Petroglyphs: Ruins, Rock Art, and Resilience
Petroglyphs. There's something about them, isn’t there? The way they speak across time, telling stories without words, sharing a thread of connection that stretches from the past to the present. They are a quiet invitation to pause and reflect, to listen to the...
Mindful Eating: From Traditions to Travels. Embracing Food with Purpose
By nature, I am a foodie. Food is more than just fuel – it’s a sensory experience that connects me to the places I’ve been, the people I’ve shared meals with, and the memories that make life so rich. Mindful eating has become my way of truly savoring each bite, paying...
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things – Part 2
Some things stay with us over the years, quietly weaving their way into the fabric of who we are. These favorite moments and simple pleasures have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, grounding me in a sense of gratitude and joy. In this second part...
Art Therapy for Chronic Illness: Healing through Art
Living with chronic illness is like wandering through a garden that is both beautiful and broken. There are moments of bloom, but there are also thorns—grief, anger, and fear—that seem to sprout unexpectedly. These emotions are often too big for words, too complex to...
Jamu Juice Recipe
Jamu juice, a vibrant and health-boosting beverage, originates from Indonesia, where it has been cherished for centuries as a traditional herbal remedy. Rooted in Javanese culture, Jamu is more than just a drink—it's a symbol of holistic healing, combining natural...
Snow Canyon State Park, Utah: Photos, Hiking Trails, and Tips for Travelers with Disabilites
Often, when I’m in the St. George, Utah, area, I can’t resist stopping by Snow Canyon State Park to soak up its beauty and snap a few photos. This park just keeps calling me back. It's peaceful. Snow Canyon State Park is one of Utah’s gems, tucked into southern Utah...
Visit to the Fredericksburg Battlefield
Visiting the Fredericksburg Battlefield was a moment I had dreamed of for years. When I was homeschooling my children, I envisioned taking them to the hallowed grounds of Civil War battlefields as the centerpiece of our three-month US History field trip—a journey...
Pineapple Quinoa Salad (With Fresh Pineapple, Toasted Almonds, and Cucumber)
My Pineapple Quinoa Salad is a vibrant medley of flavors, colors, and nutrients that come together to create a truly satisfying and nutrient-dense dish. I developed it in an effort to add more pineapple to our families diet after a doctor recommended a pineapple a day...
Veyo Pies in Veyo, Utah: A Sweet Slice of Utah’s Dessert Scene
Renowned for its delicate crusts and an extensive list of specialty fillings, Veyo Pies has gained widespread acclaim over the years. The iconic pie shop is the undeniable main attraction in Vego, UT, drawing in large crowds o every time I have been there. From the...
Turmeric Aioli
Jump to ContentTurmeric aioli is a delicious and healthy dip that can be used as a spread or a sauce. Turmeric adds a warm, earthy flavor and a beautiful golden color to an aioli. Plus turmeric has numerous health benefits. This aioli is made with pre-made mayo to...
On Orange Brunch Restaurant in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
On a recent trip to trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I found myself wandering the charming streets of downtown Lancaster, drawn by the promise of a cozy, welcoming spot for lunch. My destination was On Orange, a little gem celebrated on countless review lists...
Kitchen Kettle Village, Lancaster, PA
On a trip through the gentle countryside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I found myself drawn to the charming embrace of Kitchen Kettle Village, nestled in the heart of Intercourse, PA (Yes, that is the name of the town). It is a delightful haven, a tapestry of...
Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George, UT
There is a quiet magic in the way nature speaks to us, how it whispers in colors, textures, and shapes, captivating our senses with its simple yet profound beauty. The Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George, Utah, is one such place—where the arid landscape of the...
A Look Inside Central Market Lancaster County Pennsylvania
I wandered through Central Market on a recent trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I literally stumbled upon it as I was photographing the charming curb appeal of homes in Lancaster . At the time I had no idea how much history there was around the market. Central Market...
Curb Appeal Ideas from Lancaster Pennsylvania
Downtown Lancaster Pennsylvania has many homes with some great curb appeal. Lancaster is the oldest inland city in the United States. It has a lot of old historic buildings. So many of the homes and businesses in downtown Lancaster has some great details to give...
3 Days In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
I have wanted to go to Lancaster Pennsylvania for many years. It started back in my early twenties when I spent my time creating and selling handcrafted items. I guess I wanted to go see what the Amish, who are expert homemakers, did. I always said I wanted to go...
6 Ways Art Can Benefit Your Health & Happiness
Viewing Art Contributes to HealthThe Nord-Trondelag Health Study, conducted in Norway, collected information from 130,000 people ages 13 and up. The facilitators questioned more than 50,000 men and women about how often they participated in arts-related activities,...
Canyon Villas at Coral Ridge
The town homes at Coral Canyon are one of our favorite places to stay. I have stayed here for 21 days over the past few years. The place is spacious with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, a large pantry, and plenty of kitchen space. It sleeps 8 comfortably. And it well...
The Creamery in Beaver, UT. Our Southern Utah Road Trip Tradition
The Creamery in Beaver, Utah, holds a special place in my heart—a delicious waypoint that has become a cherished road trip tradition in southern Utah. Ice cream has always been a thread in the tapestry of my life, woven through memories of Sunday nights with my...
Perspective Makes All the Difference in Our Happiness
Life will bring you plenty of experiences that you can use to grow from and opportunities to change your perspective. You will grow as your experiences expand and eventually everything works out in its own perfect way. However, most often, we fail to see the benefit...
6 Strategies to Create Your Own Happiness
Many people come to believe very early in life that life is a game they can't win. They spend the rest of their lives collecting "evidence" to prove why they don't deserve to be happy or that I can't be happy because "this happened" to me. They spend time thinking...
