The Best 10 Tips For Traveling With Children From A Globe-Trotting Family

Taking your kids to see the grandparents on a train is one thing, but heading out on safari by way of multiple international flights is another! No matter which travel feat is before you this season, we've got tips and ideas from a pro jet-setting family of four. Sean MacLean and Amanda Wagner are founders of the Alignmode  App and between meditation sessions, the couple loves to tote their kids along for trips across the globe.

The foursome recently trekked to the Serengeti and back with their two little girls in tow and we asked Amanda how they made it look so easy! Here are their best tricks and tips for keeping everyone safe, healthy, happy and sane!

10 Essential Tips For Traveling With Children

01 Pack Carry-On Only | We always choose to pack only what we can carry on. This avoids potential lost luggage, makes checking in and arrivals so much faster, eliminates extra fees, and encourages us to bring only what we need.

02 layer up | On travel day we all wear our heaviest layers: long comfortable pants, t-shirt or tank, a light coat or sweater tied around our waist, the bulkiest shoes we are bringing.

03 cross body essentials | I (Amanda) wear a cross body pouch—hands free—with the family essentials: passports, cash, car keys, my phone, earphones, gum, throat lozenges, lip balm, hair elastics, bandaids, a couple essential oils, and individual electrolyte powder packets to add to water. I will also have my carry-on-sized bag filled with my clothes, travel size toiletries, supplements/meds, and any of the kids clothes that fit.

04 kids backpack essentials | The kids wear a small backpack filled with items of their choosing like small toys, coloring pages, a travel journal, a card game, and Ziplock bag of travel-friendly snacks such as granola bars, trail mix, dried mango, crackers, pepperoni sticks, etc.

Dad will be responsible for two carry-on-sized bags. One with his items in it (including tech equipment such as laptop, hard drive, cameras, and chargers) and one with the kids combined clothing in it.

In total we travel with three carry-on-sized bags, my personal item cross body bag, and the kids’ two small backpacks. Arrival is typically very efficient and we are exiting the airport within 20 minutes total from landing—thank you carry-on luggage!

05 Our Long-Haul Flight Strategy | We aim to choose evening/overnight flights when it's a long-haul flight with a time change. That way we can tire the kids out all day long, and by the time we board they are ready to get comfy and settle down to sleep. Our next best option would be the first flight of the day around 6am. This flight time would require us to leave our house in the middle of the night to arrive at least three hours before departure, disrupting everyone's sleep and by the time we are in-flight everyone is tired and ready to catch up on the missed sleep.

06 Plan layovers | When we have travel days with multiple long flights, we look to break it up with a layover of three to six hours. This allows everyone to stretch, move their body, get some sillies out, use a real bathroom, possibly change their clothes, grab more nourishing food options, and stimulate their brain by exploring the airport shops and activities.

07 The Packing Approach | Our Tanzania Safari trip also had luggage weight restrictions due to the small bush plane we are required to take in and out of the Serengeti. So our usual carry on only style of travel was even more refined. Here’s what we took:

+ Layers. It’s cool in the morning and evening and can get really warm during the day. Long pants, t-shirts or tanks, sweaters or light coats.
+ Natural earthy colors are best. Neutrals, greens, browns, whites, etc. wearing dark colors like black could attract mosquitos and wearing bright loud colors like hot pink can be distracting to animals.
+ A hat option is a great idea to keep the sun off of you when you are in the trucks midday. Comfortable closed-toe footwear is the best choice so if that’s a running shoe, a casual slip on or a light boot you should be good.

08 Bring a bag of snacks if you'll be traveling in an exotic place like our game drives. You never know how long you will be out there depending on what animals you come across so having snack options especially for kiddos is a huge win. We brought fruit pouches, beef jerky, pepperoni sticks, crackers, dried fruit, mixed nuts, protein bars, and granola bars.

09 bundle travel | The travel company we partnered with, Roane Travel, had arranged all ground transportation, hotel reservations and domestic flights, so it's seamless to exit the airport and find your guide waiting to take you to the first accommodation. We stayed two nights at The Gran Melia before heading to Arusha Airport for our prop plane ride direct to Lobo Airstrip located within Serengeti National Park. We landed directly on the grass where our Lodge staff is waiting to greet us with beverages, snacks, and big hugs.

10 The SafarI Experience | Our Safari began the moment we landed in the Serengeti. I always find it hard to articulate in words the magic of this experience. The energetic impact of this trip needs to be felt with the senses, it can't be fully described. I think safari allows humans to return to our primal roots in a way that we likely have never really understood before journeying to the vast sights, sounds and smells of the open savannah. It's you, your family, and your guides alone with no internet service and nothing but the wild surrounding you. It's like being transported directly into a nature channel documentary.

Being in an open-air vehicle a few feet from a pride of lions with a fresh kill, or trotting zebra, baby elephants next to their giant mothers is surreal. I've never felt so alive in all my life. Sleeping in canvas tents, with no fences or gates meaning you are fully immersed in the wild life around you, waking before dawn and climbing into a truck that takes off into the first morning light... there is no way to put that into words.

Crisp morning breeze in your hair and on your skin, views as far as you can see, unmistakable "Serengeti" scents of trees, wild mint, citrusy grasses and wild animals, no other people around. Every day is a new adventure, no moment is the same. To give this type of heart-expanding experience not only for ourselves but also to see it through our children's eyes is likely what we will remember and cherish for the rest of our lives.

Anyone who travels knows people and food can make or break an experience. The people in Tanzania are kind and eager to help or learn about you. The overall vibe of the food is locally grown with flavor influences from all over Africa and Europe. Expect everything from humble comfort food options to fine French-inspired breads and pastries. Our 5-year-old was the first to the dinner table every night after game drives, excitedly looking forward to the fresh soup of the day.

The people we met at our lodge, TAASA Lodge, were otherworldly. They instantly became family. Never have we traveled anywhere before where we immediately felt such close connections. My children and I cried when leaving them, a big part of us just wanted to stay there at the lodge forever, the energy is so special and sacred. The guides and trackers are experts. They know the land and the animals on an intuitive level and they educated us on every drive. Without a doubt, this is our happy place. Our very favorite place on earth.

This trip is the absolute adventure of a lifetime, and experiencing it with your children takes it to another level.

Read Next: The 8 Supplements We Swear By While Traveling

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The 12 Best Clean Beauty Gifts In Our Holiday Shop

Our favorite clean beauty brands have launched incredible gift sets this year. We haven't been this excited about a beauty gift since unwrapping our first Caboodles!

While some beauty gift sets are a waste of money (and packaging!), others are well designed to allow you to test great products in meaningful sets or sizes. A gift set can be a great way to get your besties hooked on a brand you're obsessed with! Hunt through The Shop to find our favorite beauty inclusion -- from ILIA's gorgeous sets of balms and best-sellers to Merit's set straight from this year's runway. Ellis Brooklyn's rollerball set will help you select a anew clean fragrance for the year and Manucurist's alt gel mani set will help you break an addiction to gel manicures (a TCM team fave)!

We've also included beauty gifts like Bon Charge's red light mask (the gift of the year!) and Cuyana's leather travel cases (a perennial TCM fave too!). The Salt & Stone set has been a reader best-seller, ARMRA's daily supplement will support optimal skin health (glow from within!), and an ice roller is a stocking stuffer must. There's not a beauty lover in the world who's not obsessed with May Lindstrom -- her gift set this year is super sexy and luxurious. Anima Mundi's collagen booster powders are a no-fail gift the ZIIP device is a splurge they'll swoon for!

Discover all our favorites in The Shop and hit that share button to send your favorites the Santa in your life...

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This Founder Wakes At 3:45AM Daily + Her Time-Saving Hacks Are Incredible

Emily Volaski is a Queens, NY native with an unorthodox 3:45AM morning routine. As both the Vice President of Design for American Eagle and the founder of her own jewelry line SKN, Emily has carefully honed a daily schedule that works for her unique lifestyle.

Yes, her early bird hours get her a few sideways glances from friends and colleagues, but if we've learned anything over the years of interviewing top professionals, there's really no one right way to do things. Find what works for you and embrace it.

We asked the busy, style-driven professional to join our series, What I've Learned So Far to tell us all about the juggle, good working relationships and the down-low on conflict-free diamonds and recycled gold..

On managing two careers: I truly believe in the quote: “Creators never separate from their work because they are their work.” When I’m consistently in a creative state the more creative (and happy) I become. While balancing two careers does require careful time management and a clear sense of priorities, it's about finding harmony in a dual pursuit and being passionate about both endeavors. For me both careers complement and enrich the other even on the days that feel a little exhausting.

Wake time: 3:45AM weekdays, 5:30AM weekends

Morning routine: Snuggle with my husband and cats before getting out of bed. My cat knows my routine and takes part in it every day. While I drink my coffee, Ty (my cat) cuddles in my lap as I work on my laptop, watching the sunrise over the ocean from my home office window. I enjoy the morning peace and quiet; I like to ease myself into the day. Then, I work out and head into Manhattan around 7:45AM.

Why I started my own jewelry brand: Jewelry is my love language, whether I'm treating myself or surprising someone else with a gift!

I’ve been buying myself fine jewelry since I was in my early 20s. I have a soft spot for fine pieces, but as my collection grew, I began to see a clear need for semi-fine pieces that still screamed luxury without breaking the bank. SKN’s first collection was semi-fine and launched in 2020. To my surprise it was very successful. I could see the demand was there for this type of aesthetic and that led me to expand into more affordable fine jewelry using recycled solid gold and ethically-sourced diamonds. My customers mix and match from both collections. Shopping high and low is really the key to personal style and curating a unique look.

The brand in a nutshell: Effortless, ageless and pretty. Elegantly sexy, affordable luxury for anyone from all walks of life.

Uniform lately: Right now I’ve been loving anything cherry red, vintage denim and a Chanel bag—the new Mini Kelly has not left my arm lately—and of course, layered gold jewelry.

Favorite piece lately: Fine Pavé Diamond Tennis Bangle and Rope Chain with Diamond Pendant. Once I put these on, I never took them off!

Energy hack: 15-20 minute brisk walk in direct sunlight is my go-to.

Time-saving hack: Put your cell on do not disturb mode and complete your top three critical tasks first. This was a game changer for me.

Wellness habits that make it all work: The Tracy Anderson Method has been my go-to practice for the past 10 years. I’m convinced I’m reverse aging due to her method (or at least aging with grace)! Going to bed early and getting a good night’s rest. Intermittent fasting on days where I feel I need a digestive rest, eating natural foods and avoiding seed oils. I do indulge—Friday night pizza is a tradition in our home and I love a piece of dark chocolate post lunch or dinner (maybe a brownie if I’ve been extra good).

Productivity tips I live by: I focus on managing energy, not just time. We all have our unique daily rhythm, so I try to keep my energy levels high by steering clear of unnecessary drama and issues—those tend to sidetrack me from what really matters. Remember, not every issue or person needs your attention; choose where to shine your energy wisely. Surround yourself with positive and high achieving people. It is amazing how productive you can become by simply surrounding yourself with happy people who have integrity within themselves and in their work. Energy is contagious, and it goes both ways.

Thoughts on quiet quitting and similar trends: I can empathize with this trend. I started in corporate America when I was 22 and before that was an intern in high school. We all know it’s not easy, it’s not sunshine and rainbows and some jobs feel thankless and can crush your spirit. However, quiet quitting can be a subtle but powerful indicator of inner discontent or the need for change. The desire to quietly quit (to me) is really just not feeling fulfilled or perhaps a lack of receiving appreciation in one’s circumstance. It could be used as an opportunity for self reflection and making more aligned decisions for one's future. We hold more power than we think in creating a life we dream of.

Fave tech tools that make it all work: Canva, Google drive, sheets and docs, etc.

How I find balance in my life: Balance looks different for everyone. I find balance in my life by carving out dedicated time for downtime and social activities that are important to me. I also embrace a little spontaneity and adventure when it pops up. I do my best to create a concord where both work and play coexist, allowing me to recharge and appreciate the lighter side of life.

How I wind down at the end of day: My husband and I always have dinner together. Sometimes we’ll play “Thankful, Grateful, Work On” where we share a few points of our day that we’re appreciative of and something we need to focus on. Nighttime is when I watch TV, while my husband prefers to watch any sport game. He’s kind enough to share with me in watching my fave shows (before I eventually doze off on the couch) which could range from Suits, Seinfeld, Ozark (for the 7th time), The Big Bang Theory, Ancient Aliens, or anything from The Marvel Universe (just finished Loki on Disney+ and I am obsessed!).

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Green Kitchen Stories’ Berry Chia Pudding With Hazelnuts + Mint

It's the perfect week for a big batch of chia pudding. We first ran this beautiful recipe in 2016, but love it so much we wanted to pull it up out of the archives...

We'd love to give a big hug to whoever first came up with the genius concept of chia pudding. Instead, we'll just rave about our new favorite recipe for it. This berry chia pudding comes from our wellnessy couple crush, Green Kitchen Stories - and yes, this hazelnut butter, mint and raspberry recipe is as delicious as it looks.

Like everything else we love from this team (including this nice cream), their chia pudding offers what is essentially dessert with a punch of major nutrition: coconut, herbs, and hemp seeds to start, then raspberries for anti-inflammatory antioxidants, and superfood chia seeds to provide omega-3s, fiber and plant protein (7 grams for every 3 tablespoons of raw chia!). Try this gorgeous recipe, then make your way through everything else inside their newest cookbook, Green Kitchen Smoothies.

This raspberry variation of a chia pudding is simple, satisfying and very delicious as breakfast or a snack. You could even serve it for dessert if you sweeten it slightly by blending dates with the milk. It is also perfect as a quick, on-the-go breakfast to keep in the fridge. Add whatever toppings you prefer. We like to add some nut butter, as it balances out the sweet and tangy fruit flavors.

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For more chia pudding perfection, snag our recipes for this chocolate pomegranate version and these fruity chia breakfast bowls!

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This AI-Enabled Wellness App Knows More About Your Wellness Than You Do (It Tracks Biomarkers!)

Are you tracking any biomarkers lately? Everyone wants to track their health markers these days. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a hike or lunch date interrupt our conversation with a slew of sleep stats, recovery data, or their heart rate variability. It’s part of how we all wellness these days. For a long time, I passed on the health tracking data trend. As someone who is already anxiety-prone, I wondered how it could possibly be better for my health to be tracking so much data.

However, after being introduced to the new AI enabled wellness app, Attune Health I’ve finally changed my tune.

The Attune App is the latest innovation from Somavedic founder Juraj Kočar. It is one of the first non-wearable health trackers that use AI-enabled, video-based tech to measure key health biomarkers like blood pressure, oxygen saturation, HRV, and stress levels -- all with  a simple face scan on your phone.
Sound intriguing? We thought so. TCM asked me to give the app a try and, while I consider myself to be pretty healthy, I was curious what new data AI and the Attune App could reveal. Here’s my experience with the app...

Tapping Into Your Daily Wellbeing: The Science Behind Attune

The Attune App is one of the first of its kind, so I had a lot of questions. I caught up with the brilliant biohacking mind behind the app to get a deeper understanding of how the AI tech behind Attune could help me create live-time readings of key health metrics on my own phone.

Attune was not created in haste. For the past three years, Juraj and team have been researching and developing this new way for people to access information about their daily health and wellbeing. “There are so many people that have access to a smartphone, but don’t have access to a doctor. At the core, that’s what has motivated me. Around the world there are approximately 500M people with high blood pressure, for example, and 10s of millions of people with diabetes, and they don’t even know about it.”

Attune relies on Remote Photo Platismography (rPPG technology), which is not as new as you may think. In fact, PPG tech has been used in hospitals to help measure heart rate and other health markers for over 50 years.

I’m going to try to make this as easy to understand as possible -- basically, your camera sensor is able to measure and compare the light that is reflected from the surface of your skin and the light that is reflected from underneath the surface (veins, tissues, etc). With the help of AI-machine-learning algorithms, Attune measures more than eight vital signs with pretty high precision to give people an overall snapshot of their wellness—day by day, hour by hour, even minute by minute.

Note, of course, that the app is not meant to replace traditional doctor’s appointments any more than your Fitbit does. Wellness tech like Attune is just one more way to help empower individuals to track and adjust their own wellness daily.

The Biomarkers Of Wellbeing

Attune’s current biomarkers have been chosen based on what the current state of technology allows vs. all of the different things Juraj would hope to test for one’s wellness snapshot. For the time being, Attune’s key biomarkers are…

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) | Provides valuable insights into a person's health and wellbeing and can be used to monitor and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Heart Rate | Can help identify irregularities, evaluate the response to physical activity, and monitor the effectiveness of medical treatment.

Oxygen Saturation | Measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and helps to assess the efficiency of oxygen delivery to the body's tissues.

Breathing Rate | Can be an important tool for monitoring respiratory function, assessing fitness levels, and tracking overall health.

Sympathetic Stress | Is a measure of activity in the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response. High levels of sympathetic stress can indicate chronic stress and lead to various health problems, such as heart disease and anxiety.

Parasympathetic Activity | A key component of the autonomic nervous system that regulates various bodily functions, including digestion, heart rate, and sleep. Monitoring it can help identify imbalances and guide interventions to improve overall health.

Pulse-Respiration Quotient (PRQ) | Provides Valuable insights into a person's health and wellbeing, and can be used to monitor and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Blood Pressure | An important indicator of cardiovascular health. Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

The app also measures hemoglobin and Hemoglobin A1c. Users receive an email with these measurements.

Juraj and the Attune team hope that measuring these biomarkers often enough can be useful for both preventative and reactive medicine. For example, if you get a certain result often enough, a trainer, wellness coach, or even doctor can either make suggestions or look deeper into any specific concerns.

My Own Experience With The AI Attune App

I was sure there were going to be one million steps and hoops to jump through just to figure out how to get my health data on the app. However, this was absolutely not the case.
After setting up my age, height and weight, I was ready to measure my vital signs, which involved patiently sitting in front of my camera for one minute (no backlighting, please!).

Every morning, I would do an initial reading, and then, depending on how I felt about that reading, I would continue to measure throughout the day.

Some use cases included: Pre-workout, post-workout, at my doctor’s office, while in my car on errands, before writing this piece on a deadline, and before going to sleep.

I was pretty alarmed during my first reading, which was pre-Pilates. I got a score of—don’t judge me—3/10, which is not considered good on the wellness score. Luckily, by the end of the day, I made my way up to a 5/10, but the factors that remained consistent were my HRV and PRQ. Thankfully, these results came in just in time for a visit to my naturopathic doctor’s office, where I was able to express my discontent with my score. “But I’m healthy,” I cried!

She validated the app’s reading, which had to do with my overall stress response. She explained that it was less about my being in a dier health state and more about how my body was remaining in a constant state of duress (which is not news, let me tell you).

With a stamp of approval from my ND, I felt motivated throughout the week to continue using Attune as a way of testing which factors were affecting my biomarkers. Just as a fitness tracker makes you oh-so-aware of how many steps you’re getting in a day, Attune made me aware of just how much I needed to slow down throughout the day, measure my breath, and stay grounded.

Just before writing this piece, I measured at a 6/10, which is my highest and best score to-date. Apparently my PRQ is still high, but it gives me a small sense of accomplishment that I’m chipping away at those factors that keep me in that state of duress.

Where Do I Go From Here? Final Thoughts

Attune is a sign of the times. Year after year, I hope to have better high-tech tools that help me measure the kinds of biomarkers that matter in my daily life. So many of my friends are measuring steps and sleep. For me, the app helped me make a dent in my conquering stress.

The Attune team’s hope is that the app helps individuals to advocate for their own health. For some, Attune may provide a new basis of daily awareness. For others like me, who are healthy and near biohacker status, Attune may play into your strategy for optimizing wellbeing and making shifts in your regular habits.

I asked Juraj if he had any overarching lifestyle advice for people looking to improve their health at a baseline. His tips are simple, but hit me in the comments if you’re actually adhering to all of them well:

+ Be aware of the food you eat—organic, not much processed food. Of course if you have a guilty pleasure, enjoy, but have it sparingly.

+ Be mindful of the water you drink—quality and filtration matter.

+ Good sleep hygiene—sleeping doesn’t mean you’re getting proper sleep. Never go to bed on a full stomach. Try not to eat at least three-to-four hours before going to bed because sleep is the most crucial time when your body regenerates.

+ Some kind of regular exercise, whatever you are drawn to. Just getting up and having some kind of movement every day is key!

Tracking apps like Attune can help us bridge the gap between our beliefs around health and our actual routines each day. Knowledge is power and tracking my own data this month has been empowering – and surprisingly fun.

the app now offers Family Profiles: With one license, people can add up to 3 family members to do limitless scans and have their own statistics. Save big!

TCM Readers: Get 10% off with code TCM. The Attune App goes for just $89.99/year, a 6-month subscription for $49.99, or 3 months for $24.99. A great gift for the biohacker in your life who likes to stay on the cutting edge – and equally as useful for the parent or spouse who may need a nudge in the right direction. Attune feels like a no-brainer and can support your overall healthcare plans with daily data to support a preventative lifestyle.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This story is brought to you in partnership with Attune. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.

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Grab Your Matcha + Head These 8 Incredible Holiday Markets In L.A. + NYC

There's nothing like a holiday market this time of year. And we were so inspired by the inaugural MARCHÉ marketplace at The Bridge Yard in Oakland last week that we decided to help you find the next great live shopping event before the season ends. MARCHÉ showcased all women-owned and led brands and gave us our very first spark of holiday shopping bliss for the year. Grab your matcha and a good friend and head to one of these incredible holiday markets around Los Angeles and New York this year! 

L.A. Holiday Markets

The Parachute Holiday Village | Open all day on December 2nd and 3rd. 40 brands popping up in miniature shops for festive activities, gifting, treats, joyful entertainment and more. there Expect festive photos, monogramming and gift wrapping on site, an area to make s'mores and hot chocolate. Oh and there will be snow!

Midland Market - a Market for Makers | December 2nd and 3rd from 10am-5pm. Presale tickets $12, door tickets $15 Hosted by Paige Appel and Kelly Harris of Midland Shop, Midland Market brings together over 60 artists and makers among community and friends for joyful, festive shopping. Makers and artists include Moon Canyon, Shaina Mote, Nucifera, AndSons Chocolatier, Lucy Michel Ceramics, Bliss & Mischief, and Nopalera.

Decades Presents 100 Years of Style at The Georgian | Friday, December 8th - Sunday, December 10th Vintage expert, Cameron Silver curates a century of fashion for a weekend-long pop-up at the iconic Santa Monica hotel.a curated collection of vintage, pre-loved, and contemporary pieces, featuring renowned brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Valentino, and YSL. Additionally, Decades will be featuring pieces from female-founded sustainable brands such as ReWeave and Angel Chang.

W Los Angeles — West Beverly Hills: Holiday Shoppe & Social | November 18th (4-8pm) Hosted at the W LA's Living Room Bar and Terrace, join us in your best cocktail attire and be welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne! Sip hot cocoa and apple cider and nosh on seasonal bites and delights as you peruse local vendors from the LA area. Enjoy live music, along with a complimentary spirit tasting experience featuring esteemed spirit brands like Diamanté Tequila, Mario’s Hard Espresso, Papas Pilar & more.

The Garland Hotel: The Front Yard Holiday Block Party, Sunday December 3 (2-5pm) Tickets are available at the door for $55 per adult. Head out to Hollywood for a block party that's anything but garden variety. We'll have live music by Voodoo Lounge, a pop-up shopping soiree, gourmet samplings and the best beer and wine tastings California has to offer. The best part? You'll be helping us give back to Toys For Tots, a U.S. Marine Corps mission to provide new unwrapped toys to the less fortunate during the holiday season.

New York Holiday Markets

Winter Village at Bryant Park Holiday Market November 24, 2023 – January 2, 2024. A European inspired open air market with over 170 artisans housed in custom-designed jewel box-like kiosks surrounding the Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink.

The Makers Show Fridays to Sundays November 24 – December 20 Expect 60 small businesses at City Point in Brooklyn over these long weekends. Shop unique crafts and innovative products from up-and-coming small businesses.

Union Square Holiday Market November 16 – December 24, 2023 Union Square Holiday Market is outdoors also and filled with local artisans offering artwork, jewelry, candles, home goods and tons of food and experiential events for kids.

Read Next: The TCM Reader Gift Guide: 12 Of Your Favorite + Editor Approved Gifts

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The Best Black Friday Weekend Wellness Deals of 2023

If being bombarded with Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers this week has left you feeling a little overwhelmed, we've got you! So take a moment to ground, employ your essential oils, and pour your favorite wellness bevvy. We’ve done the work so you don’t have to sift through all those notifications. There’s really never a better time to invest in your wellness with these amazing offers from brands we love. Here are the most exciting sales we’re shopping this week...

Please note exclusions may apply to some of these top brands' offers.

The Best BFCM 2023 Deals On Essential Wellness Brands

Alo Yoga | 30% off sitewide and 70% off sale.

Anima Mundi | Get up to 33% off everything from this cult-fave herbalist brand, plus free shipping and extra samples, too. Take note of the discount codes here!

Apollo | Get up to $70 off an Apollo wearable or $250 off three Apollo wearables!

ARMRA | Save 20% off sitewide and 40% off your first subscription order.

BON CHARGE | 25% off sitewide, including their Infrared Sauna Blanket and all red light products.

BTR Bar | We love these superfood bars and right now you can get 30% off sitewide with code BTRHOLIDAY.

Cymbiotika | Get 25% off plus free shipping with code BF25.

Fatty15 | Get a 90-day starter kit of this new essential fatty acid supplement for $99. Or purchase a limited-edition annual supply of fatty15 for $379.95. Offer only available until November 26!

Fleur Marché | Get 25% off sitewide with code CYBERSALE.

Hiya | Get 50% off your first order from our favorite kids supplements brand.

LMNT | Don’t miss getting 8 free single serving packets with your order.

Pvolve | Get 20% off Jennifer Aniston’s fave workout and fitness equipment with code HOLIDAY20.

Seed | Receive 50% off your first month until November 28. Plus, gift a month to friends at 50% off and earn a $25 credit through the holidays.

Tala Activewear | Save up to 50% off sitewide.

The Best BFCM 2023 Deals On Clean Beauty

Credo | Get 20% off in stores and online, starting on Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

Detox Market | Get up to $80 off in their Black Friday offer.

ILIA | Enjoy 20% off sitewide.

Sephora | Multiple offers available for their 'Clean at Sephora' category.

The Best BFCM 2023 Deals On Sustainable Fashion

Alohas | Get up to 40% off in their Better Than Black Friday Deal.

Aritzia | Up to 50% off sitewide, SuperPuff excluded.

Christy Dawn | Up to 70% off regenerative, ethical and timeless dressing.

Cleobella | Get 25% off sitewide.

Groceries Upcycled Apparel | 30% off sitewide

Everlane | Save up to 50% off sitewide.

Jenni Kayne | Save 25% off sitewide.

Madewell | Get 40% off with code LETSGO.

Mejuri | 20% off everything with a minimum spend of $150 online and in stores.

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The Best BFCM 2023 Deals On Clean Home

Caraway Home | Up to 20% off the viral cookware brand.

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LOMI | Get 50% off the Lomi Classic composter for a limited time.

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The post The Best Black Friday Weekend Wellness Deals of 2023 appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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I Tried This Infrared Sauna Blanket At Home + The Hype Is Real

When infrared sauna blankets came on to the scene, I was a bit skeptical at first and here's why: I grew up with a sauna at home, built in paneled wood that my Finnish father built with his own hands. I have jumped out of saunas and into a lake outside of Helsinki and understood it as a ritual, a way to commune with friends and loved ones.

Could I really sauna—in a sleeping bag? I crave heat-therapy as a part of my everyday wellness routine, but having a sauna at home has been more of a dream than a reality. So when TCM asked me to try the Infrared Sauna Blanket from BON CHARGE—one I could easily stash in my apartment!—I jumped at the chance. Climbing into the blanket is like wrapping myself in a pocket of heated coziness—I settle into a meditative state and let myself sweat. Climbing out my muscles are soothed and my mind calm—plus there's the after-sauna glow! Here's my review...

This could also be the sign you needed to bring an infrared sauna blanket home: BON CHARGE is offering a whopping 25% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday including their Red Light Face Mask too!

So, What Is An Infrared Sauna Blanket, Exactly?

Traditionally saunas are made of wood and are heated with rocks, with the option to pour water over the rocks to produce steam. This is the ultimate definition of a traditional sauna. By the way, sauna is pronounced “sow-na”, not “sah-na”. Sound out those vowels, friends. Do it for the Finns!

Instead of rocks, an infrared sauna blanket actually uses electromagnetic waves to heat your body directly. Essentially a form of light that has been well-researched and lauded for its many health benefits. You've probably spotted the tech in your favorite spas or in the home tours of celeb wellness advocates like Gwyneth Paltrow or Selena Gomez.

Infrared heat deeply penetrates the body at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna. That means a quicker, more convenient sweat at temperatures between 110 and 135 Fahrenheit (traditional saunas can go up to 195 F). That convenience factor has made infrared saunas ubiquitous in gyms and spas around the world.

A sauna blanket has that infrared heat built right in—that means you can wrap yourself into a pocket of heated coziness in the comfort of your own home—without the space required for a full size sauna, traditional or otherwise.

Trying The BON CHARGE Sauna Blanket At Home

As someone that works in front of a computer and is also a regular weight lifter, my muscles can often be pretty loud in their dissatisfaction with me. I’m also going through a period of massive change in my life that can bring extra stress to the picture, alongside the state of the world. That is, to say, I’m always looking for tools to soothe, relieve and calm my entire system. So I welcomed the delivery of the BON CHARGE Infrared Sauna Blanket with open arms.

Zipping open the bag to reveal the folded sauna blanket neatly tucked away inside with the plug attachment. There wasn’t any of that “new car” smell that I expected (the BON CHARGE Sauna Blanket has no toxic chemicals, SGS tested and approved!) and the waterproof PVC was soft and smooth to the touch. It has some heft to it but rolling it out was simple and easy. The bag fit perfectly both on our queen-sized bed and in our usual workout zone downstairs.

Plugging it in and turning it on was simple. All I had to do was select my time and my heat level and wait for it to ping with a beep when ready. I wasn’t even finished changing into my loose pants, long sleeve and socks (Very key useage tip! It gets warm in there!) before it was heated up. Grabbing a pillow for my head, I tucked into the cocoon of radiating heat for twenty minutes.

The sauna bag also gave me the feeling of a weighted blanket that helped me begin to relax. (Double whammy!) Taking some deep breaths, I settled into a meditative state and let myself sweat!

Once my session ended, I noticed that I didn't feel overheated—and yet there was a glisten of sweat across my entire body, that after-sauna glow. Climbing out I felt calm, comfortable and relaxed, not drenched and red faced. Okay infrared, I see you!

What Are The Benefits Of Infrared Heat?

Studies have shown a wide range of benefits for infrared heat therapy that penetrates deep into the body. Infrared therapy may support:

+ Soothed muscles
+ Lower stress levels
+ Pain relieft
+ Improved circulation
+ Detoxification support

Like so many holistic wellness protocols beloved for centuries, the science is still catching up. But more and more studies are being done to understand the protective adaptive responses to heat stress, similar to what we are continuing to learn about cold exposure. Infrared may support your immune system, cardiovascular health, weight loss, glowing skin, and quality sleep. Conditions studied so far include high blood pressure, heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headache, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.

We’ve been raving about the benefits of infrared saunas here at TCM for years, finally having an opportunity to access a blanket at home really is the dream! You can read more about infrared heat here too.

BON CHARGE has done the work on their infrared sauna blanket to heat up super quickly, provide as much heat as safely as possible, plus ensure any risk of harmful EMF radiation is mitigated.

Final Thoughts On The BON CHARGE Infrared Sauna Blanket

Being a lover of saunas already, I started using my sauna blanket at 130 F for 20 minutes a few times a week. Usually, I'd set up my bag on days between resistance training days for recovery support -- that heat can really melt sore muscles.

I even managed to slip in a few BON CHARGE Infrared Sauna Blanket sessions during a month of frequent travel—a major stress relief that I felt helped me avoid getting sick as I often do this time of year. It was a welcome reprieve to come home, set up my cozy cocoon and spend 20 minutes in the heat with that subtle weighted blanket effect each time. I noticed an improved overall sense of calm and resilience during my day-to-day stressors and workouts. Plus, I've noticed that I've been able to fight off any viruses pretty easily which is an added bonus. Lastly, this new routine makes a welcome addition to my mindfulness routine, a few evening sweats each week really complement my morning meditations.

I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of benefits I feel with continued use, both for my muscles and my mindset! And while I will continue to seek out those traditional Finnish experiences as often as possible, I already feel more like myself having this infrared heat therapy tool right at my fingertips.

Get 25% Off Everything At BON CHARGE

After my first dip into having light therapy at home, I'm ready to try everything else BON CHARGE has to offer. That red light therapy I get during my monthly facial? This Red Light Face Mask would help me get that therapy at home while doing meal prep on the weekends. Or I could take their Mini Red Light Device with me on my next trip. Maybe an Infrared PEMF Mat for my morning yoga sesh...

Save 25% off the BON CHARGE sauna blanket, mask and ALL red light therapy products for a limited time!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This story is brought to you in partnership with BON CHARGE. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.

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The TCM Reader Gift Guide: 12 of Your Favorite + Editor Approved Gifts

Sometimes, the best gift ideas can be found on your own wish list. However, in building that list at the end of the year, it can be tough to remember all the clean beauty products, great books, clean snacks, top supplements, and sustainable fashion items you've found throughout the year.

Never fear -- we've built a whole gift guide with that very idea in mind this year. We've rounded up twelve incredible gift ideas -- for you and your loved ones -- that come from among our most shopped stories and most clicked products in 2023!

Whether it's a pair of great mules you already bought yourself and should gift your bestie (these were popular!) or a book like this one that you greatly enjoyed, but completely forgot about already. These are some of the top picks our readers have shopped all year long that make great gift ideas to share with loved ones, too...

12 Holiday Gift Ideas That Are Reader + Editor Approved

Jenni Kayne Cocoon Cardigan | Is there anything better than getting a luxurious piece of knitwear for the holidays? Our readers and editors alike love this Jenni Kayne cardi for its lightweight feel and perfect slouchy fit. The best-selling Cocoon comes in an endless array of styles and colors too. We're partial to this olive green cotton version, but snag the luxe cashmere or cropped version too! Shop them all at Jenni Kayne for 25% off through their Black Friday holiday sale now.

B.T.R. superfood Bar sets | These TCM reader faves are the perfect gift for anyone who loves to eat clean, but is always on the run. We go through boxes of these superfood bars fast -- and with zero guilt. Dessert-like flavors pair with adaptogen-enriched functional recipes — no added sugar, sugar alcohols, stevia or allulose. Buy their sampler pack as a healthy stocking stuffer or wrap up this 3-box set in flavors like peanut butter, cinnamon cookie and chocolate!

Our Place Wonder Oven | Don't just take our word for it, readers are also raving about Our Place's best new product of the year. Our Place is the maker of the cult hit Always Pan that has likely been gifted more than any kitchen pan this decade! Already gifted the pan to everyone you know? Consider the Wonder Oven a perfect next step. Your sister wonders about air fryers? Your little brother just moved into his first apartment? Your mom loves all forms of kitchen gadgets? Gift this 6-in-1 countertop cutie — an air fryer, oven, roaster, toaster, reheater and broiler. Their annual sale is on so you can also save up to 45% off!

Merit the Runway Set | For the fashion-forward friends in your life. TCM Readers seem to love Merit, the clean makeup brand that simplifies daily beauty routines with gorgeous essentials. Fashion pals will be thrilled with this curated set of five essentials from the Proenza Schouler S/S ‘24 runway. The set features the brand's award-winning brush, cream blush, lengthening mascara and more.

Tekla 3-Piece Towel Set | Pay close attention: if all their t-shirts and sweaters are striped, they're going to need these towels too. Earlier this year, our reader's drooled over these striped organic cotton towels from cool brand, Tekla and now we're seeing stripes on towels everywhere! Gift the stripe-lover in your life this unexpected, yet timeless set from Tekla—a fresh and stylish addition to any home.

LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix | If you're not yet on the LMNT bandwagon, consider this your sign. Nutrition pros and wellness influencers alike swear by the cult-fave electrolytes and both our readers and our editors do too. Pick up this deeply hydrating stuff to add to your wellness arsenal through the holiday and you'll get 8 free single serving packets with your order. Stocking stuffers solved!

Dry Farm Wine Set | Need a gift for the wine lover in your life? TCM readers love Dry Farm Wines. Of any clean wine supplier we've ever featured, Dry Farm is by far the most shopped. Dry Farm offers only organic, sugar-free natural wines and they never compromise on taste. This set is great for your in-laws, the holiday hosts, or to stock up on at home for last minute celebrations.

Salt + Stone Black Rose Set | Salt + Stone has become a cult hit with wellness lovers who know that non-toxic deodorants are a non-negotiable. Featuring what might be our all-time favorite natural deodorant scent, we love this clean beauty set from Salt + Stone in Black Rose. Includes a body wash, hand cream, and the cult-fave aluminum-free deodorant. Practical, yet gift worthy. And if they've not yet switched away from aluminum containing products, this gift is good for them too!

Hiya Children’s Multivitamins | Nutritionists, pediatricians, and parents approve of these sweet-tart-like daily vitamins. Most importantly, kids actually love them too! A subscription supplement makes an incredibly thoughtful gift that'll help parents stress less all year long! Get 50% off your first order of Kids Daily Multivitamin -- check out their Kids Probiotic and Sleep Supplement too!

Pvolve Transformation Bundle | If Jennifer Aniston is into low-impact, functional workouts, then we're into low-impact, functional workouts. Readers are loving this set from Pvolve that provides quick, low sweat, but high impact workouts -- equipment and online classes included. All Pvolved sets are 20% off right now with code HOLIDAY20.

Sweet Laurel Cookie dough set | Send them the gift of easy holiday baking! Homemade cookies are made easy thanks to the beloved Sweet Laurel bakery, specializing in grain-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free treats. This trio set includes their best-selling cookie doughs: Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip, and Gingerbread. The doughs are ready to go so all your recipient has to do is slice, bake and enjoy fresh warm cookies at home!

Anima Mundi Collagen Oil + Gua Sha Bundle | Gua sha stones have quickly become our favorite gift for clean skincare lovers, but this set from Anima Mundi take the beauty ritual above and beyond. This bundles pairs the rose quartz tool with their best-selling Collagen Booster Face Oil, the perfect facial massage oil packed with adaptogens and potent botanicals, minerals and antioxidants. Your in-the-know bestie will thank you for this one all year. Definitely a 'one for you, one for me' kind of holiday gift!

Want More Ideas? In The Shop: Our 2023 Gift Guides Are Here – Send Them To Santa For The Best Holiday Ever

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11 Clever + Delicious Recipes That Put Thanksgiving Cooking Scraps To Work

While Thanksgiving is a holiday of excess, it doesn't have to be one of waste. We've got our leftover game on lock, and love coming up with creative ways to use up all the extra food from dinner -- but what about everything that gets tossed in the process of pulling together your feast? We think those Thanksgiving cooking scraps deserve a shoutout too.

Turning your Thanksgiving cooking scraps into something delicious can be a fun culinary puzzle and an amazing opportunity to practice reducing food waste. We can't think of a better way to harness a sense of gratitude this season than putting a little more effort into living a low-waste lifestyle and learning to make the most of what we have -- even if what we have is just a bunch of cranberry sauce and celery root bulbs.

11 Delicious Recipes For Those Thanksgiving Cooking Scraps

From veggie scrap dumplings to carrot top pesto, we're showing you a few genius ways to transform your Thanksgiving cooking scraps...

Celery toast | Meet the unexpectedly amazing recipe that's giving avo toast a run for its money. We discovered it this summer from Hayley Feldman, who owns the stylish, Cali-French restauarnt Chez Tex. Make use of the remains of any part of the celery you used for Thanksgiving. READ MORE

Camilla Marcus leftovers galette | Save those food scraps and make a stunning galette from waste reduction advocate, Camilla Marcus. Find the fun recipe from last year's holiday prep guide HERE. 

Carrot top pesto | (Shown at top) This bright and tangy carrot top pesto trumps the traditional version in every way. It’s free of cheese and pine nuts but is still loaded with flavor that pairs perfectly with roasted veggies. READ MORE

turkey Bone broth | Don't toss the turkey just because the meat is gone. Save the bones and make this magical, gut-soothing, adaptogenic-packed recipe from our friends at Erewhon. READ MORE

Claire Thomas Leftovers Soup | Simple, warm, homey and light -- this soup recipe is just what we want to eat over Thanksgiving weekend. Make this one a tradition! Don't skimp on the fresh herbs and green onions. GET THE RECIPE

CRANBERRY OVERNIGHT OATs | Get Pamela Salzman's cozy AM recipe from her full guide to fun leftover ideas! Chia seeds, oats and almond milk make this fun and easy work to feed a crowd in the morning. GET THE RECIPE.
Veggie Scrap dumplings | When you're cooking, save any and all of your veggie scraps in a bag and make this game-changing recipe later. It doesn;t matter if the scraps are ugly or seemingly in-edible. Mixed together with some key condiments and folded into delicate bundles of rice paper, your Thanksgiving cooking scraps will take on a whole new life.  READ MORE

Pumpkin pie bread pudding | We love this festive bread pudding recipe from clean cookbook author, Pamela Salzman. What we love even more is the genius low-waste tip she gave us last year: sub half the bread in the original recipe with an equal measurement of cubed leftover pumpkin pie — it is to die for!  READ MORE

Cranberry smoothie | We love this adaptogen-packed, blood sugar balancing smoothie from celebrity nutritionist, Kelly LeVeque. It is a heavy-hitting – and totally delicious – defense against getting sick when everyone else seems to be, thanks to chaga mushrooms and vitamin-rich berries. It's also a great way to use up the last bits of that bag of cranberries. READ MORE

Cranberry Avocado Toast | Excess cranberry sauce is not the easiest thing to find a use for beyond a topper for turkey. At least, that's what we thought until we added a dollop onto a slice of avocado toast. We love this festive remix of a wellness diet staple, especially as a way to use up Thankgiving cooking scraps.  READ MORE

Alfia's Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffins | Spiced with cinnamon and a hit of ground ginger, sweetened only with maple syrup and not an ounce of butter in sight, they might even get your metabolism up and running again! GET THE RECIPE

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Finding Yourself in the Kitchen: 8 Mindful Habits For Simple Everyday Joy

We're officially obsessed with this charming book about life in the kitchen by author Dana Velden. From cover to cover, Dana nails some of the inexplicably beautiful elements of life spent over the kitchen sink. The book aligns mundane tasks with strikingly appropriate meditations, identifies a good handful of ideal, all-purpose recipes and other cooking instructions, and insists that we stop and appreciate the minutia that makes life all that it is.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a few copies of Finding Yourself in the Kitchen to gift the mindful home cook in your life -- and for yourself as the holiday hubbub begins. Make it a point to enjoy every last moment you spend in the kitchen during the soon approaching holiday season.

This excerpt from the book originally appeared as part of Dana's popular column at The Kitchn -- the piece's cozy and practical charm has withstood the test of time...

8 Simple Happiness Habits from Finding Yourself in the Kitchen

I hope this list inspires you to consider what makes you happy in your kitchen. If you don’t know or have never considered this question, take a moment to find out. Pay attention to when you’re happiest in your kitchen. Take note of the causes and conditions that help to create this feeling and be sure to practice and celebrate them as often as possible.

KEEP A WELL-STOCKED PANTRY | A well-stocked pantry is fundamental in any kitchen, no matter what our aspirations are for happiness. So it’s important to give our pantries enough attention and consideration. What we keep in our pantries (and refrigerators, for that matter) is a very personal reflection of who we are as cooks. The items reflect our interests and abilities, our income, food culture, space limitations, and time constraints. These are the things we reach for without thinking too much and have no problem remembering to restock when needed. The basics. I also like to think of cooking time and convenience when I’m stocking my pantry so that there are a variety of things available that can be cooked up quickly as well as things that work for longer, slower projects. It is also important to have a few unknowns in your pantry, a wildcard item or two that inspires you to cook outside your usual habits. This could be as simple as an unusual variety of dried bean or as exotic as a jar of dried Iranian limes.

GROW FRESH HERBS IN POTS | I don’t think I’ve ever met a devoted cook who doesn’t believe in having fresh herbs on hand. As a black-thumbed gardener, this is a challenge for me as I have a hard time keeping plants alive. But I persist because I am quite convinced of the benefit of fresh herbs. They add a freshness and flavor that is impossible to duplicate (dried herbs and fresh herbs are not always interchangeable). If it is impossible to grow herbs in your home, purchase them from the farmers’ market or grocery store and keep them in water on your counter. Treat them much like fresh flowers by trimming their stems and changing the water frequently.

EMBRACE THE CLUTTER (SORT OF) | While we can admire the sleek, streamlined, nearly empty kitchens we see in blogs and magazines, the truth is that most home kitchens have a lot more going on in them if they are truly being used. How you manage this and what it looks like is completely up to you. Maybe you have the space to stash it all away behind closed doors or maybe you’re more of an out-of-sight, out-of-mind kind of cook and need to keep things visible. Whatever your style is, it’s always more pleasant to cook in a clean kitchen with lots of available counter space with equipment and utensils in their proper place. So if you find that you just can’t avoid the clutter, keep it as organized as possible and don’t be afraid to purge every now and then.

LOVE YOUR STUFF | It’s important that you enjoy using the tools of your kitchen. If you sigh with displeasure every time you reach for that wobbly, dented frying pan, then your cooking experience with it is always going to be lacking. Invest in a few good pieces of kitchen equipment and plan on maintaining them for the rest of your life.

FILL THE SINK WITH WARM, SUDSY WATER | In an interview, the brilliant cook and cookbook author Deborah Madison once recommended filling the kitchen sink full of warm, soapy water before starting on a recipe. This is one of my favorite pieces of kitchen advice for it is practical and sensual and calming all at the same time. Washing my utensils as I use them is a pragmatic thing to do, but it also feels really wonderful to plunge my hands into warm, soapy water and clean off any stickiness or mess. And knowing that the tablespoon I just used and quickly cleaned will be ready for the next thing relieves some of the stress and confusion that can come with cooking, too.

KEEP SHARP KNIVES | Having sharp knives in your kitchen will make a world of difference in your cooking. Contrary to what cookware stores tell you, you don’t need a lot of them, so spend your money on quality over quantity. A simple chef’s knife and a paring knife or two are a good place to start. Equally important are cutting surfaces. Wood boards are best and most popular; plastic will also work, although plastic is not as sanitary as wood. The most important thing is to keep your boards very clean and toss out any that are severely scuffed up as they will tend to harbor bacteria. It also helps to have a few sizes available to match the task at hand.

LEARN TECHNIQUES, NOT RECIPES |  I have nothing against recipes, but when it comes to being able to play in the kitchen – to experience the freedom to improvise and turn on a dime, if needed – having an understanding of basic cooking techniques is far more important. Understanding fundamental techniques will free you up to experiment and allow you to feed a group of people a delicious meal with nothing more than a sack of potatoes and a few pantry items.

PAUSE AND BREATHE | If you’re in the kitchen and you’re wired and stressed, pause and take a few breaths to see if you can’t find a little calm in the middle of the chaos. If you’re in the kitchen and you’re happy as a lark, then pause and take a few breaths to let it all in, to really steep yourself in your enjoyment. If you’re in the kitchen and you’re bored, pause and take a breath, noticing what might be a little different about today’s task at hand. No matter what your circumstances, pause and breathe. Look for where the sunlight is coming in, or notice the particular texture or color of the ingredient you are working with. Sniff the air. Every moment is endlessly fascinating and equally as fleeting. Don’t let it slip away.

BE AS SEASONAL AS POSSIBLE | This is my bonus recommendation. To the extent that you can, try to eat seasonally. I find that when I’m living within the rhythms of the seasons, I have less anxiety, and I can clearly see where and how I am sustained. This connection, this acknowledgment – that even though I am living in a crowded urban area, I am still closely bound to the earth – is a never-ending source of comfort and joy.

Read Next: 7 Beautiful Ways To Prep A Guest Room Before Holiday Guests Arrive

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