There must be a moment of every book lovers life, when they come across a book and at just look up from the pages asking: “Where has this book been all my life?” I experienced th… Read More

In 2021, I had an adventure of a lifetime. I walked a combination of the epic Camino de Santiago del Norte and the Camino Primitivo, extending the walk to Muxia and Finisterre. My  Cami… Read More

The second largest Portugal city with 1.3 million citizens is one of the most beautiful places in Western Europe. It’s personally my favorite big city as I do not like crowds. Despite… Read More

It is vital to move your body, especially as you age. The gym can be intimidating, and starting a strict regimen can seem daunting. You might wish you could go back to the days of recess or… Read More

Pride Month (June every year) might be over now, but that does not mean the fight for equality is. Pride is a time to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Yet, the last year has seen an increa… Read More

In the grand scheme of seasons, fall may very well be my favorite. With fall comes a slew of beloved seasonal traditions: pumpkin carving, apple picking, Oktoberfests, and the creeping out… Read More

Picture this: You’re in a yoga class doing chataranga number 100, or so it seems, when suddenly your teacher asks, “How can you take your practice off the mat and connect it to t… Read More

Craving that special autumnal bliss but still stuck in warm weather?? Try these tips for ways to channel Fall. Although I am not one to wish away time, I have to admit that I feel a little… Read More

The Western world—especially anglophone world—lives for happiness. We use the world repeatedly throughout the day: “Happy to be here,” “are you happy?” &l… Read More

Nature provides an abundance of clean air and fresh water, and in return, people should protect and give back to Mother Earth. The good news is that small steps can go a long way, and there… Read More

Smudging bundle. Credit: Kayla Maurais, via Unsplash.com What is Smudging? The term “Smudging” is very specific. It comes from a traditional practice carried out by some Native A… Read More

Portugal is the perfect combination of sandy beaches, beautiful ornate architecture, rugged coastlines, and a vibrant city life. And of course, a lot of wine. Portugal also happens to be on… Read More

Factory farms are an animal rights and environmental nightmare. At these hellish farms, animals are packed close together, denied medical care, separated from their young, and brutally slaug… Read More

Iceland is the trendy new tourist spot of the year, hosting just over 1.7 million tourists in 2022 alone. From hiking glaciers to exploring active volcanic sites, there’s a reason film… Read More

In 2008, I bought my first house. I had done it, the American Dream. I had a husband, three kids and now a house of my own, and I wasn’t even thirty years old yet. This was what I grew… Read More

Raising a child is a difficult task. You want to make sure they are doing well, are happy and healthy and feel loved. Part of raising children is making sure they are well fed and get the nu… Read More

Tom Kha is a wonderfully delectable coconut soup, filled with wonder and delight. Tom Kha is a very basic soup made with coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, kefir lime leaves, lime juice, an… Read More

“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will I will go to it laughing” –Herman Melville Fifteen facial muscles, the lifting of the upper lip, the half closin… Read More

A good morning doesn’t start as soon as you open your eyes. It actually begins once you lay down to go to sleep—a night’s worth of deep, rejuvenating rest can make or break… Read More

As summer winds down into fall, there is tons of delicious fresh produce available to enjoy. Sweet corn, strawberries, peaches, watermelon, summer squash, tomatoes…there are many ways… Read More

I’m a big believer in the act and art of bucket lists—a clearly defined list of what is most important to accomplish in the span of a lifetime. Bucket lists center us. They grou… Read More

Many women in their 20s try their best not to get pregnant during their decade of personal fulfillment and growth. Then in the next decade, many try to have children—to mixed results… Read More

Is coffee your frenemy? For a while now, I’ve warred with myself over my coffee habit. There was even a period of a few months when I didn’t drink it at all—only to find my… Read More

We’ve all been there: the first day jitters upon arriving at your new job, eyes darting back and forth to find a familiar face—or anyone who looks remotely friendly—to mit… Read More

About a year ago when I first heard about a whole foods plant-based diet, I learned that oil was not part of the diet.  “But how do you cook?” I thought.  “What a… Read More

Are you good at making decisions? Is “Equanimity” your middle name? I pride myself on being a good decision-maker with very little regrets. While I’m highly emotional, my b… Read More

Cows everywhere can rejoice.  These cauliflower steaks certainly aren’t a replacement for a real steak…they are better!  You can bite into these steaks and feel great… Read More

We’ve all been there. The season changes from spring to summer or summer to fall and, as you survey last year’s wardrobe, you suddenly have the urge to get rid of all of last yea… Read More

The Barbie movie has been one of the most highly anticipated and top grossing films of the year. The film is projected to make over $1 billion in box office sales as it heads into the third… Read More

Most people who experience negative and unwanted emotions try to push them away. You may experience fear, sadness, hurt and irritation throughout your life, but instead of acknowledging thes… Read More

As a Shiatsu student practitioner and Reiki Master Teacher, I work with energy (or Qi/Ki). I’m going to explain a little about how energy behaves in its “Earth” phase; its… Read More

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important functional wellness habits I have. When I get 8 hours of sleep, my mood is stable and calm. I have enough energy to stay focused and w… Read More

Do you celebrate rare astronomic events? I typically don’t, other than giving a nod to the summer and winter solstices and the spring and fall equinoxes. But recently, I’ve been… Read More

As record breaking heat rocks the world, farmers are struggling to contend with triple-digit heat, droughts, and other manifestations of climate change. These variables are putting more stre… Read More

By the end of 2022, the American household debt hit a record of $16.9 trillion dollars, up $2.7 trillion since 2019. Each household now faces the challenge of rapid inflation and economic u… Read More

Summer has arrived, and it’s HOT. The temperatures vary depending on where exactly you live, but for many states throughout the U.S. summer means heat waves, forest fires, and copious… Read More

I remember the time when I hit my rock bottom and was depressed. It was the worst feeling in the world because you feel like you’ll never find happiness again. You want to just stay in… Read More

Our world depends on oil. It heats our homes, it makes our cars run, and it produces electricity which we use for the majority of modern technology. The oil industry now represents an $4.3… Read More

Vacation season is fully upon us! I haven’t booked my tickets yet due to an impending jury duty, but I know I’ll be traveling somewhere beach-y soon. I’ve said it before bu… Read More

Majority of the people who lead a conscious life style try to be zero waste in every area of their lives. The more I discuss such topics with people, the more I realized that there is one ar… Read More

A few months back two of my nearest and dearest friends cooked me this totally amazing tofu dish. The sauce was super rich and unctuous; it had this incredible depth of flavor and just the… Read More

On this street we don’t return dishes empty. A cup of flour given to a neighbor circles back as a warm brownie. The little metal container that once held turmeric is returned with kale… Read More

On this street we don’t return dishes empty. A cup of flour given to a neighbor circles back as a warm brownie. The little metal container that once held turmeric is returned with kale… Read More

 I have always loved salamanders. Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, every spring my mom would take my brother and I out on “salamander hunts.” Armed with rainboots and… Read More

When you think of ‘hipster paradise,’ I guarantee you a small city in South Dakota isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.  And yet, with a bustling brew scene and c… Read More

By now, I know enough about wellness—but I don’t always live the “wellness lifestyle”! Truth be told, my wellness habits are hardly picturesque, most of the time. I a… Read More

By now most of us are aware of the growing plastic pollution pandemic in the world. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), 300 million tonnes of plastic every year, and most of it… Read More

In the past several weeks, I’ve been dealing with chronic fatigue and lack of motivation. For me, this is a big deal. I’m known as a hardworker, and my work ethic is one of the m… Read More

Every summer, millions of people from all over the world flock to United States National Parks. More people are off school and on vacation, so it makes sense why summer is the busiest season… Read More

Lab grown meat was recently approved for commercial sale in the United States. This innovation uses stem cells from various animals to cultivate meat in a laboratory. Lab grown, or cell cult… Read More

Nestled right in the middle of this coast-heavy state, Portland, Maine is the most populous region of Maine, offering the traditional coastal charm with a twist. Unlike the bougie Cape Cod… Read More

If you live with an anxiety disorder, you know that silencing your thoughts can be a real struggle. When traditional methods fail, many people resort to unsafe measures in an attempt to quie… Read More

Are you eating enough vegetables and fruits? If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you might automatically assume that you are. Without plant-based foods, we literally don’t have anythi… Read More

When I started working as a tree planter, I believed that we’re helping the planet with all these tree-planting initiatives. But are we, really? Working in forestry (mainly as a plant… Read More

Boasting regular sales, slashed prices, and the affordability that the rest of the furniture industry lacks, it’s all too easy to get drawn into the glitz and glamor that is Wayfair… Read More

A qualitative research study recently released by Faunalytics and Sentient Media found that major news organizations frequently fail to mention the role of our current food systems, specific… Read More

Is the wish to be attractive one of the most fundamental human desires? Judging by the explosion of the beauty industry—from makeup and skincare to injectables, plastic surgery, YouTub… Read More

Do you have a favorite workout or sport? Or do you need constant variety? I’m in the former camp where if I find something I like, that becomes my tried-and-true for years. Running and… Read More

We can thank technology for advancing us into a globally connected society. A society with people that can rapidly converse with others anywhere in the world, stream things straight into the… Read More

Back in early to mid-2000s when I was a susceptible teen, noticeably tanned stars were all the rage. Abercrombie & Fitch sold the beauty ideal of tanned legs and seashell anklets. Girls… Read More

Household cleaners are an essential part of our everyday lives. Including paper towels, disinfectant wipes, all-purpose sprays, and sponges, it is impossible to escape using cleaning product… Read More

Although the Great Resignation following the pandemic has shifted the focus a bit, we still live in a society that highly values productivity. Even work-life balance isn’t possible wit… Read More

Let’s face it: There’s something almost magical about walking into a fast fashion clothing store. The floor length mirrors seem to elongate your legs, the pure white walls make… Read More

Carbon capture and sequestration has been a point of debate during the climate crisis. On one hand, proponents argue that this is the only way we can reduce atmospheric carbon and warming te… Read More

Having literally spent the past few years of my life on the road, living out of a backpack, I’ve faced a fair share of travel ailments: horrible tummy troubles, skin fungus, all kinds… Read More

If I had a nickel for every time someone said “you must spend so much money being vegan,” well then, I wouldn’t have to be a vegan on a budget. Obviously, I’m exagger… Read More

It’s no secret that South Korea has taken the international beauty world by storm. From fermented skincare products to sheet masks, k-beauty has elevated the way the world sees skinca… Read More

A new study recently published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Nutrition compares the nutritional benefits of plant-based yogurts to dairy-based yogurts. Peaceful Dumpling readers are… Read More

It is inevitable in life that there will be good times and bad, peaks and troughs, elation and suffering. No matter how much you focus on your positive affirmations, healthy diet, and daily… Read More

Earlier this year, I reached my goal to double my running distance. Shortly thereafter, I discussed setting SMART goals. It turns out my initial goal wasn’t “realistic” aft… Read More

As the summer season begins, so does the yearly battle against mosquitoes and other pesky insects! Annoying as they can be, many of us still feel hesitant reaching for bug sprays. Often, the… Read More

This generation has a different definition of kindness that is often controlled by the viral impact on social media. Branded goods from conscious companies are touted as a kind of badge; inf… Read More

We’ve all been there. You assembled the perfect wardrobe, meticulously planned, carefully packed, hopped on a plan, and landed. You’re exhausted, ready for a shower, and likely… Read More

Over the last few years, the popularity of crystals has been increasing fast, and the industry is worth billions of dollars. Today a wide range of people are finding crystals beautiful, usef… Read More

The word anti-aging has gone out of fashion over the past several years. Now it’s in vogue to embrace the aging process with aplomb and froideur; it’s decidedly not cool to care… Read More

Back in the day when I had an office job, I used to run 3 times a week and often signed up to competitions with my dad who introduced me to BCAA. Now I do not run anymore, because my forestr… Read More

We’ve covered a lot of eco-friendly celebrity businesses over the years. From Nikki Reed’s recycled gold jewelry line, Jessica Chastain’s vegan truck, and Beyoncé&rs… Read More

Some destinations are extremely well known and popular, but there are other places around the world that deserve one’s attention. Stunning nature, amazing sights, delicious food and be… Read More

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if you are anything like me, then you’re clueless as to what to buy your Dad (or the father figure in your life) for this special holi… Read More

In March 2022, 175 Member States of the United Nations pledged to help formulate an international, legally binding treaty to address the world’s plastic pollution problem. Since then… Read More

One day I woke up and realized something. I’m tired of being tired. It may sound cliche, but it’s true.  I was tired of the constant fatigue, the post-lunch slump, the earl… Read More

Acupuncture can be traced back to at least 100 BCE. Needles have been found in the tomb of Liu Sheng, a King of the Western Han Empire of China. In simple terms, it involves needles, heat, a… Read More

A while ago, I had a Zoom meeting with some writer friends. Somehow the conversation turned to Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. Having read it only in the past few years, I was excited… Read More

Want to feel like a mermaid? Try this simple DIY Sea Salt Hair Spray. Splashing around in the gulf for a few hours was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Corpus Christi to apartment… Read More

Skepticism filled my mind when I first encountered lupini pasta. Checking off so many boxes for desirable nutritional qualities, this alternative type of pasta just seemed too good to be tru… Read More

I skipped my Master’s graduation ceremony and headed to the coast! I was “so over” school. About this time ten years ago, I was trying to suppress tears as I sat in the den… Read More

Consistently ranked as one of the most vegan friendly states in the U.S., Hawaii boasts a stunning array of plant-based cuisines. From exotic fresh fruits to fully vegan sushi menus, Hawaii… Read More

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been indulging in a lot of sweets recently. My partner’s love language is definitely desserts, and he brings home a treat a day like a… Read More

If you’re like me, you probably avoid using any kind of disposable cup or lid. But on occasion—like when you’re socializing and don’t want to “make a fuss,&rdqu… Read More

As I write this, my wedding is exactly two months away! Once upon a time, I thought I’d gleefully plan and execute an intense bridal beauty regimen. When it actually came down to it, I… Read More

Looking for vegan party ideas? Turn to your favorite seasonal cookbook for food inspiration. After all of the socializing at our wedding, I felt myself longing for another party. When… Read More

In terms of getting naked, on a scale of Tobias Fünke the Never Nude to Jerry Seinfeld’s constantly naked and sneezing girlfriend, I’m right in the middle. Like a Rory Gilm… Read More

I recently moved from California to Idaho in my small car packed with all my belongings,  plus my cat, Cleo. The trip took two days, several stops, and one sleepless night. I’m et… Read More

Founded in 2000 by the American Turtle Rescue, World Turtle Day celebrates turtles worldwide. This holiday takes place yearly on May 23rd. Like many other creatures, turtles are facing incre… Read More

We’ve all seen “those influencers” on social media—the ones that land butter side up no matter what they do. They walk through life with an iced coffee in one hand a… Read More

We’re forgetting the natural world. So many of us now are spending longer and longer indoors, at offices, staring at computers, hiding from the outside world. I come from a family who… Read More

The trees have popped and lovely shades of pink and purple blossoms dot the increasingly green landscape.  As we move into May we look forward to longer days, warmer weather, and&ndash… Read More

Being fat is normal Recently, singer, icon, and vegan goddess Lizzo drew attention for declaring in a TikTok that she “IS the beauty standard.” While we agree Lizzo is flame emoj… Read More

What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is known as a “silent disease.” This means there is little indication one has it until something goes wrong. More likely to affect women than m… Read More

Parisian streets with coffee shops on every corner, palm trees gently swaying in the breeze, street markets sprawled across the streets every weekend—this is Palermo, Buenos Aires&rsq… Read More