A couple of years ago my precious daddy snapped this picture of me running as he wept. For my dad who fought for my life so hard it was a priceless moment and beyond that a miracle...

speechless and amazing to think that 6 years prior to this picture/moment he needed to carry me out of my bed in order for me to leave it, push a wheelchair at points in this journey, and help me for a couple of years when I couldn't even walk down the hallway of our home to get to the bathroom, and then help me learn to walk again.

I am so glad that my dad got to see those huge beginning steps of healing before he died...I remember breathing so hard when this picture was taken I could hardly catch my breath and he said "one day you'll make it to the point walking/running"...I laughed (it's a mile away)but he was serious and said he would be cheering me on...but this morning...two years later and four years after getting #courtneytheportney for extreme and more intensive treatment (then I have often talked about) I made it to the point.

I have fallen in love with starting to learn to run again and all I can think is ..."thank you, thank you, thank you" to everyone who has been part of this journey. *tears*

For a girl who was told by some of the most well known medical doctors and hospitals in the world that I would never walk again let alone run (or dance again).I can't wait to revisit some of them and share the miracle.

Don't let anyone ever tell you something can't be done. It may take WAY longer than you could imagine (it was a more than a decade long battle for me) but don't ever lose hope. Miracles happen every single day...I am living proof and my precious daddy is cheering me on with a huge smile. #loveyoudaddy #takethatlyme

Happy Thursday friends! I hope that this finds you doing well this week!

A couple of weeks ago I addressed a travel topic here on the blog that was difficult to write about but I have been so overwhelmed by the response from y'all. If you missed the post, it was about surviving and thriving on a long road trip with difficult people. You can find it HERE. Vulnerably in the post I shared about an incredibly difficult trip that I was on a couple of years ago that was extremely difficult. I shared deeply from my heart about how this was a wounding experience for the last couple of years that only my family and closest friends knew about.

After carefully and selectively sharing those 11 tips, I heard from nearly a thousand of you in the span of 72 hours about the trips that you have had that have been similar experiences. I am so thankful that it was helpful to each of you and continue to appreciate your heartfelt and kind emails regarding this sensitive subject. I hope that those tips and with time each of you find healing for that experience.

At the same time though I also received so many requests for writing tips for thriving with awesome people on long road trips and I was immediately excited to write about this topic! I have experienced so many amazing road trips with friends and family members that I hope that this post inspires you to have the best road trip possible. This post is going to center around the relationship aspect of traveling together on long road trips. If you are looking for general practical tips for road trips (packing, saving money, rewards, fun surprises on trips, etc. check out this post HERE!)

I am using references from last years Alaskan Road trip that I did with my sister Emily and a dear friend, Sue. They were incredible to travel with and it was one of my favorite road trips ever!

So all of that to say ... here are 10 Tips for Thriving on a Long Road Trip with Loved Ones!

(1) Relax and Enjoy the Moment

(2) Discuss Finances Ahead of Time
One thing that always helps is to talk about finances ahead of time and who is going to pay for what. I think that this just takes away any stress as it is best to be on the same page so that there is no surprises about money. In doing so, everyone clearly knows what they are to be paying and then there are no awkward discussions or tension on the trip.

(4) Embrace "Easy Going" Vacation Mode
One of the best things about being on vacation and traveling is the opportunity to embrace a completely different time schedule without the commitments that often accompany us in our normal lives. In doing this it makes everything enjoyable and relaxed and just adds a "lightness" to a long road trip.

I immediately noticed the importance of this at the very beginning of our trip. Despite a long day of travel the day before (especially for Emily whose flight was severely delayed), we were up bright and early the next day to start our adventure. We were driving over to Whittier (through the Whittier Tunnel) that day and we chose to just get up, go eat a relaxed and yummy breakfast at Snow City Cafe (a favorite y'all!) and then start driving over to Whittier along the beautiful Seward Highway. It was a gorgeous day and along the way we stopped at Beluga Point, snapped some pictures, and just took our time getting to Whittier. It was the perfect "first day" in Alaska (we loved our time in that charming town) and it was the perfect start to our vacation.

We continued that same relaxed vibe the entire day as we checked into the beautiful Seward Windsong Lodge, ate a delicious (and largest meal- hahaha) at the Resurrection Roadhouse Restaurant where we sat and talked for a couple of hours, and then took a walk along the beautiful property. It was the perfect way to start the vacation and if you are going on a long road trip it is always great to have days like this included in. On each of the road trips that I organize I try to alternate days like this with longer days of driving to break things up and really enjoy the experience.

If you are interested in reading about any of the experiences that I noted above you can click on the following blog post links:

Whittier, Alaska
The Whittier Tunnel (Anton Anderson Tunnel)
Whittier YouTube Video
Anchorage Travel Guide (from the 2018 Alaskan Road Trip)
Beluga Point, Alaska
Scenic Seward Highway (from the 2018 Alaskan Road Trip)
Seward Windsong Lodge
Resurrection Roadhouse Restaurant
Evening Walk at Seward Windsong Lodge

(6) Embrace Flexibility for "Travel Glitches"

If there was ever a trip that could have something go wrong with travel glitches ... this was it. This road trip started things on the first day (before Sue and I flew out to Alaska) and concluded on the last day. The very first night I had issues with my phone and Sue and I had to run around a mall that was closing looking for a Verizon store that we couldn't find, a restaurant whose manager on duty didn't know about the job that I was writing on them (which created an awkwardness), delayed flights, slow travel at times, hotels without plumbing, hotels that didn't have appropriate medicine, flat tires (on the Denali Highway of all places), and even a very scary and serious situation with a hotel that I eventually filed a complaint with the ADA for non-compliance with the disabilities act.

But here is the thing. In any or all of these situations we could have been stressed, grouchy, and frustrated but instead we chose to laugh about it and make the best of things and it changed the entire atmosphere of the trip. At one point Sue said something along the lines of, "we are just going to be flexible" as we hurried to pack up a room to leave within a few minutes so we didn't get a charge fee we hadn't been aware of. Embracing this motto (as did my sister as she slept on so many floors throughout this trip!) was imperative and created an incredible trip with tons of memories that we still laugh about to this day. (#weescapedthecrp)

On even the best of trips "travel glitches" that are little or big can occur and flexibility is key. Embrace this - especially on a long road trip and it will make a world of difference.

If you are interested in reading about any of the experiences that I noted above you can click on the following blog post links:

(7) Find the Laughter Wherever you Can

Laughter is incredibly important on long road trips. Find it, fight for it, and just choose to laugh. At one point as we attempted to get off Denali Highway as quickly as possible because we were seeing the tire pressure gage dropping more quickly then the number of miles we had left I hit a bump and Emily hit her head really hard on the top of the car. She could have complained, but instead she grabbed a stuffed whale and stuck it on her head and said it was her "head protection". We all couldn't stop laughing about the whole thing. It was just funny and brought so much laughter to a tense and concerning situation.

Some things that we couldn't stop giggling about were things that were "travel surprises". One of these was the Kennicott Glacier. Up until this trip I had no idea that glaciers could be brown. After seeing the beautiful Holgate Glacier earlier in the trip (and the Worthington Glacier on the 2018 trip), I was happily chattering away to Emily and Sue about how beautiful and big the Kennicott Glacier would be. We arrived and then we "looked for it"... it was right there... and brown (see above). Hahaha. For those of us out of the Alaska area it was not what we had in our minds at all.

Another time when we were hiking on the Kennicott Glacier Hike we all giggled about how many people kept passing us and about the possibility of seeing bears... and the fact that we had been told the hike was only about 2 miles (side note: it's not). Again, the laughter was so key and when you are on a long road trip look for it- even if it is in silly things like grabbing "head protection".

If you are interested in reading about any of the experiences that I noted above you can click on the following blog post links:

Kennicott Glacier, Alaska
Holgate Glacier, Alaska
Worthington Glacier Hike
Kennicott Glacier Hike

The hardest part to these incredible road trips is when they come to an end because they have been so wonderful, but the best news is that there is always the opportunity to do another road trip!

I also want to add this trip had deep and beautiful meaning to how incredible a road trip can be with the right people. It came shortly after the precious loss of my sweet father and I was (and am) deeply grieving. This trip was filled with love and filled with sweet grace for each day as it was my first work trip back after the horrific loss. Emily and Sue were patient, encouraging, relaxed, and made each day a gift. And a special shout out to Sue who enveloped both my sister and I in that horrendous time. This is what I wrote at the end of the incredible summer trip last...
"When I first was planning this trip, I knew that the three of us would have a good time...but I never expected how amazing it would be. 35 hours in the car together, 10,000 miles of travel (between planes, boats, and driving), and tons of laughter and amazing memories has made this trip truly priceless. Thank you so much to "the assistants" 😉 for taking this adventure with me, for the easy going attitude (especially when things always didn't go as planned...aka: hotels without plumbing and no way to get back to the car to leave), the decision to laugh quickly at everything (even weird bug bites that make your hands swell and no opportunity for medicine and head concussions), for the adventure spirit to go to a remote place that many people never venture to, the excitement over the beauty, patience with the intricacies of a travel work trip like this that holds so many different components to it, and being loved ones who make it so sad to see a once-in-a-lifetime trip come to an end. I love you both dearly. Where should we go to next?"

There is nothing worse than starting the day in a bad mood. It can affect everyone you speak to and everything you say when you wake up upset or angry or stressed. The morning you have should start well, and the best way to do that is to learn how you can add a little flavor to your day. With the right beginning, you can have the best middle and a more relaxing end to the day, but if you don't know how to start the day off well, this isn't going to happen for you. You want to keep your morning as positive as possible so that the rest of your day goes without much incident.

If you begin your day feeling happy, centered and ready for anything, you’re going to handle better any stress or worry that may be plaguing you. There is nothing wrong with doing what you can to start your days in the right way. Life is far more enjoyable when you know exactly how your day is going to go - and you’ll know how positive the day can be when you work on it being right. So, with that in mind, we’ve put together some of the best lifestyle habits you can weave into your morning routine. It’ll leave you able to handle any situation, and you’ll be ready to take anything that comes at you in your day. Let’s take a look at six smart ways you can start your day:

Image Source: Pexels

Start With Music

We've all felt the benefits of a song with an excellent beat, and there are plenty of studies that show that music therapy can reduce stress and have a positive effect on your health. A therapist isn't needed to tell you that you can enjoy the benefits of music and what it has to offer, but if you crank up the music and start your day, you will put a skip in your step before you've even left the house. Listening to music and dancing like crazy also creates a sense of fun, and that's more of what you need to feel good! The music complements your workout in so many ways, so why not breakfast with it on? It'll stimulate your mind, get your body moving and elevate your mood!

Take A Shower

Everyone thinks that a bath is an excellent idea to relax, but a shower is the best way to feel upbeat and invigorated to start the day. Many people shower in the morning, but they rush it to get washed and get on with the day. A shower should make you feel alive; the water makes the blood rush to the surface of your skin, which wakes you up and makes you feel ready for the day. The water should loosen your muscles and at the end of the shower, blasting the cold water can help you to wake up properly. Give yourself more than a lick and a promise and center yourself.

Drink Something Green

The ultimate battle of apple cider vs apple juice is one thing, but green tea is the ultimate green way to start the day. A warm cup of tea is one thing, but green tea is warm, soothing and prepares you for the day ahead. You’ll feel nurtured and nourished, and as it’s loaded in antioxidants, you’re going to feel fantastic to the fingertips. It’s a good habit to start your day with, and green tea supports a healthy lifestyle choice.

Image source: Pexels

Eat!

So many people skip breakfast in the morning. They do it to save time, or they say that they’re not feeling too hungry to have any breakfast. The thing is, breakfast could be the very thing that revs your engine in the day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a very good reason, and without it, you’ll feel weaker both mentally and physically. Breakfast can be anything you want to eat; these breakfast recipes are an excellent place to start if you’re stuck for what to eat to fuel your day. Try and go for things that are more protein loaded; they’ll support your m muscles, and they’ll make you feel more satiated.

Start A Diary

Those who have a thing for diaries will know the weight that gets lifted off your shoulders for letting go of your stress. Sometimes, writing down your feelings can have an enormous impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. Journaling will help your stress and help you to manage your emotional health far better while being something that leads to greater self-awareness. The things that you write down can be revisited at a later time so you can assess your feelings and learn from them. Use journals as a reflection!

Go For A Walk

Most people like to do their exercise first thing in the morning. It helps to set them up for the day, making them feel energized and ready to go. They’re not wrong. Starting your day half an hour earlier and setting the alarm to go for a walk is a smart thing to do. Not only will you burn off any early stresses in the day, but you’ll also get your steps in and get that heart pumping. You will sleep better at night, lower your stress levels and really improve your risk of numerous other health conditions, too. Take the dog if you have one; either way, your walk will give you some clarity for the day ahead.

Starting your day the right way is so important. It’s not just about your physical health - though that is important - but your mental health and well being. Take the time to get to know what works for you in the morning, and you will be able to start every day positively. Your morning should be a happy one. Are you ready to begin your day in a better way? Now you’ll be able to do it!

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It is not uncommon for older adults to experience a decline in their appetite. However, the fact that it’s normal does not mean you should ignore it. Older people need to be well-nourished, it will keep them healthy and strong enough to recover from any medical condition they encounter. There are several reasons why people experience a loss of appetite, but here are simple ways to deal with it. 

1. Seek Professional Help

When you notice a loss in appetite, the first thing you should do is to talk to a doctor about it. They should further conduct a check-up to ensure that the cause of the loss in appetite is not as a result of a serious underlying health condition ora side effect of some medication. A check-up will help guide your doctors on what prescriptions work best for you. 

Common illnesses that can influence a person’s appetite include mouth and throat infections, cancer and Alzheimer. In some severe cases, like when a person is suffering from wasting syndrome, doctors can consider the recommendation of cannabis – you can click here for more information.

2. Trick the Brain with Small Meals

The thought of eating a plateful of food at once can leave you feeling groggy, but you can stop yourself from feeling overwhelmed by eating in small portions. For instance, you can divide your meals into six portions and eat them at different periods all through the day. 

Another way you can trick your brain into eating more is by using a big plate to serve your food. Studies show that an increase in plate size makes your food look small which will thereby trick you into eating more.

3. Drink Your Meals

If you do not like eating, drinking your meals can be one way to stay nourished. You can do this by replacing meals with fruit smoothies, green smoothies, or nutritious drinks that are high in calories. When making your smoothies, try incorporating good sources of protein like yogurt, protein powder, and whole milk for additional nutrients.

4. Incorporate Herbs and Spices

One of the problems people who are aging encounter is the inability to taste foods and this can influence the desire to eat. Herbs and spices will help bring out the flavor in your meals however, you should consult your doctor first to know what spices you should avoid based on your health status. Another additional benefit of incorporating seasonings like carminative herbs and spices are, they can help reduce bloating. Examples of these carminative herbs are ginger, cinnamon, and peppermint.

5. Consider Food Supplements

Food supplements can also act as appetite stimulants. Certain foods that contain vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B1, Zinc, Echinacea, and Fish oil can help boost the immune system, fight diseases, and improve appetite as a deficiency in these nutrients could be the cause of your appetite loss. Also, naturopathy advocates claim that bitter herbs can have a positive influence on a person’s desire to eat and aid indigestion. Examples of these bitter herbs include wormwood and gentian. However, you should see a naturopathic specialist before going down this route.

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Summer is the best time for a fun-filled road trip, and there are plenty of beautiful destinations to choose from. As you’re planning your trip, keep these five applications in mind. All of these offer a range of great features to ensure that your road trip runs smoothly.

1 . Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is an amazing app for travellers; you can use it to plan adventurous road trips and discover new destinations. Whether it’s the perfect route, nearby attractions, hotels or national parks, Roadtrippers has all the information you need. Users can plot seven waypoints using the free version, for a more extensive road trip, simply upgrade to Roadtrippers Plus.

2. Waze

Waze is a community application which supports users to exchange info about incidents and traffic jams. With the Waze app, you’ll receive voice alerts and notifications about speed cameras, and police whereabouts. Users can check their speed, and report any traffic info that they have. The application uses the data on your phone, meaning you can store pre-planned routes and access them offline.

3. The iExit Interstate Exit Guide 

The iExit application detects exactly where you are located on the Interstate and provides information about what’s ahead. The application offers info about gas stops and prices, nearby restaurants and hotels. If you’re looking for specific prices, deals or hotel chains, iExit can search for exactly what you’re looking for.

4. GasBuddy

GasBuddy is another useful application to find gas stations and compare prices. For driver’s on a budget, this is certainly the app you need. The application stores info on over 150,000 gas stops across North America, plus twenty-seven different ways to save money. The app can help you to improve your fuel economy and offers special access deals from retailers like Circle K, Shell and Murphy.

5. Trip Advisor

The Tripadvisor app is the perfect travel planner, it’s simple to use plus it’s free. Here you’ll find millions of reviews of vacation rentals, hotels, flights and activities. The handy planning tool helps users to organize travel, save ideas, and view their plan clearly on the map. From Trip Advisor, you can also book tours and reserve tables and restaurants.

6. Trivia Crack 2

When the road trip is getting a little dull, it’s time to spice things up with a fun trivia game! Trivia Crack 2 spans many different categories including geography, sport, history, science and art. The application helps you to improve your trivia skills with plenty of challenging questions; you can even collect characters and win prizes!

Road Trip Safety

Before you set off on your road trip, it’s vital to get your car serviced, to ensure that everything is in good working order. When you’re going on a long road trip, it’s especially important to consider your safety. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, so it’s a good move to invest in a car Heads Up Display. These devices project data from your dashboard or iPhone onto the windshield, so you can check this data while keeping your eyes on the road. If you do get into an accident, it’s advisable to seek the help of a car accident lawyer.

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Set your mind on a positive path this summer and learn to breeze through the stress of returning to work. Mindfulness is all about being aware, taking your time, and finding inner peace. It’s a practice that can easily be adapted to everyday life and any situation. 

This year has been challenging and embracing calm and happiness has been a little more difficult. Now that it’s time to prepare for a return to work and school, many people are feeling the pressure. Here are five mindfulness tips to channel your inner zen this summer.

Stop chasing inbox zero

Trying to clear your inbox of emails might feel like a never-ending task. Chasing the idea of “inbox zero” almost becomes procrastinating in itself. This is a proven way to increase stress and reduce productivity. Some people in fact prefer to accept the fact that they will always have infinite emails.

Try checking your emails at set times, rather than every five minutes. Whether you’re heading back to the office or working from home, this will definitely help you maintain your inner calm. If you’re feeling anxious about work you could consider telehealth. If you’re wondering what is telehealth, find out more online.

3-4-5 breathing technique

If you feel like you’re losing yourself in worry about the future or past regret, then this breathing technique is a good mindful practice to anchor you in the present. Mindfulness is about letting go of past regrets and focussing on the present, rather than being preoccupied with future uncertainty.

The 3-4-5 breathing technique is very handy if you’re feeling anxious and need to calm down. Breathe in for three seconds, hold it for four, and breathe out for five. 

Meditate on your commute

If you’re having to face the challenges of a socially distanced commute, then why not reduce your anxiety by meditating? It’s stressful returning to work and spending long periods out in public. Here’s how to meditate on your commute.

Sit or stand somewhere comfortable. Take twenty seconds to note all the sounds you hear, then repeat this for all the other senses, sights, smells, tastes, and touch. This combined with your breathing exercises will help you take yourself away from all the “mental chatter” distracting you. 

Kakeibo (the Japanese art of saving)

The Japanese art of Kakeibo recommends making a money journal to prevent money from causing you too much stress. It’s a five-step mindful process. On the first page of your journal you write your money goals, and on the next you write your budget. You’ll need to review this plus your weekly spending. 

The idea is that by forcing yourself to write everything down you’re being more mindful about your spending. 

Unlock your creativity

Creative hobbies are perfect mindful practices. You allow yourself to relax by engaging in more stimulating activities. Even if it’s as little as keeping a journal by your bed, and writing your first thoughts in the morning, this will help you to gain some perspective. 

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