Can you believe it? Another year gone by and another Gift Guide for our readers (15 years!). For the newbies, what makes our list extra special with an extra special sauce is that we curate this list ourselves and get NO kick-backs or other remuneration for our recommendations. We pick these goodies based upon one presiding factor: appeal! We even have a couple of the items "on the way."
In surfing culture, there’s this thing about keeping mum when you find an amazing and uncrowded break—a place that lifts your spirits, clears your mind, works your body, and insists you return for more. Locals, understandably, want their piece of undiscovered paradise unspoiled by the masses. And when an outsider stumbles upon the hidden treasure, they too can’t help but think, “I’m keeping this to myself.”
I'm always amazed how much confusion there is about what is and what is not a lap pool. Time and time again, we'll ask a hote, is there a lap pool? And we will hear, YES! And it's Olympic sized! Then upon arrival, there is a small rectangle that may or may not have any lanes!
Here are some criteria to help those uninformed land-loving souls identify true lap pools:
A. If the pool is any shape other than a rectangle -- this includes kidney, round, S-shaped, heart shaped, etc., it is NOT a lap pool.
Ask a Southwest Airlines representative about the cost and size restrictions to check your bike on board and their first response likely will be, "I don't really know."
We know. We looked.
First is cost. $75 EACH WAY. So yes, you may have booked that non-refundable ticket and now you have another $150 add-on. In the old days, if your case met the size guidelines, it was free. BUT, the size guidelines were completely unrealistic, so you still had to pay up.
We have previously shared the mind and body healing benefits of sound through a sound bath.
How many protein bars are out there? So many. We've sampled at least 100 over the years and scored them based upon all sorts of categories. The same with protein cookies. There are less of those. People always ask us TWO things:
1. What is the best protein bar?
2. How do I choose a protein bar or cookie?
We try to show discipline. We even avoid going too often. But alas, we can't resist what others often don't have.
Whole Foods Market is smart. Its 365 Brand's reasonable pricing lures cost conscious shoppers into the store. And once they are "in", they buy MORE, whole-paycheck style. We do. It's how our small basket adds up to 3 figures in a shopping nano second. BUT if one sticks to sales, Whole Foods can be VERY reasonable!
So what are some products that we love to buy there especially when on sale?
Whether traveling across town or across the world, you need essentials on your person for the day or as long as you have the urge to explore. Athletic-minded traveler Jake has advice.
Why should you follow his advice? Because Jake has been traveling the world NON-STOP for the last 5 years. Okay, Jake, tell us what you have learned.
** Editors Note: This post was updated January, 2023
America is a snacking nation. Read any article and you'll read stats about how people look to snacks as a main source of nourishment for the day. No more breakfast, lunch then dinner. Nope. Instead it's more snack, snack and snack. And there are a bevy of snack options out there...the selection puts the cereal aisle to shame.
By now you hopefully know that we've been putting out an annual Gift Guide for YEARS! (View past guides here). You also hopefully know that our Gift Guide comes from the heart. There are no $$ incentives or any other "perks" that drive our recommendations. These ideas are simply ones that we think someone on your list will like. This year in particular has seemed more challenging than others. Is it just us?
