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We've said it over and over: getting outside with your family is one of the best things you can do for your mind, body and spirit. That said, we also understand that camping—that age-old ritual of packing the car full to capacity with gear, food and reluctant kids and driving off to an outdoor paradise full of biting bugs, far-off bathroom facilities and, again, those reluctant kids—can be, quite frankly, the worst. Camping with kids can be challenging (to say the least) but it's so important to get outside as a family. Outdoor family adventures can be enjoyable with a just little planning. 

The buzz is all around you and you’re getting the feeling the universe is trying to tell you something. The ski season excitement is slowly winding down and your friends are starting to think about summer. You’ve heard the mention of a family trip here and there, but someone the other day mentioned how pumped they are to go to overnight camp — the endless activities, the sweet traditions, the friends they’re excited to see, the trips they get to go on — and no parents? It caught your ear in the moment but you think, 'There is no way my parents would go for that.'

Long, cold winters can be tough for many people in an average year. With the added sense of isolation and social restrictions, the darker months can feel even more difficult. It’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of depression on a seasonal cycle. When they have limited sunlight, our bodies can simultaneously struggle to produce enough serotonin (the chemical in our brain that regulates our mood), and over-produce melatonin (the chemical that causes drowsiness). These two factors can sometimes result in what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Fortunately, there are several effective ways to treat this form of depression. First, let’s make sure we know what symptoms look for.  

Screen time: We love it for educational purposes, Pinterest recipes, and for when “Mommy needs a minute!” but not so much when it turns our kids into disconnected zombies. Also, it’s important to acknowledge that screens aren’t evil, and our devices can prove to be very helpful at times.

Perhaps it’s the incessant traveler and outdoor nomad in me, but in the last 5 years or so, my desire for more things and extra stuff has all but disappeared. I have always been one to make a gift rather than buy one, but I have also recently become acutely aware of the impact that consumerism has on our increasingly fragile planet. These days I value new experiences, yummy food, the odd meaningful trinket and a reliable sleeping pad. In the spirit of living environmentally connected and being kind to the earth this holiday season, I am sharing a few eco-friendly ways to create personalized, unique, thoughtful gifts that have a very low carbon footprint.