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  • Pack The Right Items for Your Travels

    A very important part of traveling is packing, and let me tell you something. ShenZhen is very hot. The humid sort of hot. Not one day will go by during the Summer months where you won’t sweat. The moment you step outside, whether it be sunny or cloudy, you will almost immediately start to perspire. Of course, that’s an exaggeration, but it will be very hot, so dress lightly. Pack your lightest shirts and pants. Pack with intent. Ask yourself how many days are you staying and pack clothing items accordingly. Don’t forget to pack a sun hat because you do not want those UV rays hitting your face and eyes. Make sure you bring sunscreen, it gets harsh in the afternoons. Don’t forget the essentials like medications and toiletries. Those should follow along with you in your carry on in case you need them right away. And if you get periods, bring your period products in your carry on luggage. Just be sure to store them in a clear zip lock bag. If anything, check the guidelines of whichever airline you would by flying with. 

    Wisely Pack Please

      Of course, while there are things that you should, need and are legally able to pack for your trip, there are also illegal things that airlines do not allow or are allowed under certain limits, under special instructions and are designated to be in your checked bag or carry on bag. So, therefore, take a good look at the items you have in your luggage. Then, you hop onto this handy website: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all and look up your items. If you’ve never been on a flight before, it’s better to be safe than sorry because you don’t want to end up on a list. 

    Get Out There!

         Luggage is an important thing when traveling. Make sure you are carrying legal items though. When you are sure you’ve got your bag packed properly, hustle to that airport! Safe travels!

  • The Sun Isn’t Always Our Friend

    I love going out and feeling the sun against my skin. The warmth and comfort that the sun brings my skin is always a wonderful experience for me. Not to mention, it is a great way to make sure you get your dose of vitamin D.  Sadly, the sun isn’t always our friend. Too much sun exposure can have negative effects. Let’s discuss what some of these negative effects are and what we can do to prevent them.

    We’ve all heard of UV rays by now but what are they? UV rays are ultraviolet light radiation that can harm our skin. The negative effects of exposure to UV rays through sun, tanning beds, and other UV sources can cause not only various degrees of sun/skin burn but also cancer. This is because UV rays affect your skin cells and DNA which in turn can lead to skin cancer. It is also important to know that UV rays are not only the strongest during the summer, they’re still very much present throughout the year. UV rays reflect off surfaces like snow and sand and can still affect you during cloudy or colder days! Weather channels and apps on our devices now tell us the UV index, which is key to understanding how low or high they are. This is why sunscreen is your bestie all year long.

    Sunscreen Is Your Bestie!

    Sunscreen provides all sorts of benefits for your skin! It prevents sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging. Who doesn’t want to stay youthful looking? You’ll often see sunscreen products with a “30 SPF”-”60 SPF” label on it. SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and as you can assume, the higher the SPF value, the more protection your skin will receive. For those of us who wear makeup with SPF, it alone is usually not enough to provide protection and it’s often recommended that we double up with regular sunscreen. Remember to always reapply every couple of hours especially on days when you’re outdoors! Have safe fun in the sun!

    Read more about our health, beauty tips and skincare product recommendations!

  • Menstrual Hygiene, A Fundamental Subject

    Personal hygiene can be an uncomfortable topic to talk about. We’re all human and we all have a personal responsibility to keep up with our own personal hygiene. One personal hygiene topic that may appear especially uncomfortable to talk about is menstrual hygiene. Talking about personal hygiene is how we educate ourselves and others on the topic. It is how we avoid facing negative consequences of poor hygiene and continue to keep up with it. Women should have the liberty to speak freely about menstrual health and hygiene.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has great information on how to keep up with your personal hygiene during your menstrual cycle. When it comes to applying and wearing a menstrual product, Whether it’s a pad, tampon, cup, or underwear, remember to follow the instructions and wash and replace the items as recommended! Unscented products will be your best friend during this time. This goes for toilet paper, pads, and tampons as scented products can cause irritation and pH imbalance. Believe it or not, what you wear also impacts your menstrual hygiene. Cotton and lightweight clothing is recommended as tight clothing and underwear can cause unwanted bacterial growth.  Hydration is key on any day but it is also key during your menstrual cycle! It is also important to know that the vagina is self-cleaning. Using soap or other cleaning products on your genital area can cause potential infections such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Although infections caused by improper menstrual hygiene can be treated, its best to avoid them altogether!

    Other Items to Consider

    Whenever certain things seem unusual, it’s best to act! For example, experiencing extreme pain or unusually heavy flows is reason enough for you to either visit an ER or make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider. Remember to take it easy during these days! I like to stock up on my favorite snacks, dark chocolate, and teas. I usually keep a heating pad handy as well.

  • It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

    Although celebrating Thanksgiving with friends was fun, I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my family. Many families celebrate Christmas differently and again, because my family comes from Mexico, we tend to focus more on Christmas Eve. This is also due to religious reasons. My mom tends to decorate the house and makes it look like a Christmas workshop. It can be quite overwhelming but still very festive and beautiful. My favorite decoration is always the Christmas tree! She keeps it very traditional. It’s always green and has hints of red, gold, and white. She always makes sure to include any ornaments my brother and I have made.

    On Christmas Eve we tend to stay up past midnight. We start our night off by enacting the birth of Jesus. We carry a porcelain baby Jesus, pray, and lull it to “sleep” before finally placing it on a nativity scene. We then eat and pass around bags filled with holiday treats known to us as “aguinaldos navideños”,  to children and adults if there are any left over. The children usually light up party sparklers at the end of the night too. We usually stay up dancing and talking well into Christmas morning. The children usually make an attempt to stay up past midnight so that they have a chance to open their presents. My family and I have celebrated Christmas this way since I was a child, I wouldn’t change a thing about it but I would suggest adding a new tradition.

    New Traditions?

    I have always wanted my family and I to participate in a secret santa. I have always felt that there was pressure from each adult to get every single family member their own present. This can be costly and stressful during the holiday season. I think secret santa is a great way that everyone can end up with a present without the stress and over spending. After all, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and creating valuable memories together.

  • Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and More!

    My family comes from Mexico and Thanksgiving is not a holiday we participate in. However, having been in the United States for many years, certain aspects of the holiday are adapted. We regularly like to have friends and family over for dinner and so we use Thanksgiving as another day to do so. There isn’t a specific dish that anyone prepares but my mom enjoys cooking a big ham that always comes out so decorative and delicious. This Thanksgiving was different for me.

    It has been two years since my parents have moved out of state and because I usually only get Thanksgiving day off, I’m unable to visit my family for the day. I instead find comfort in knowing that I have friends and family nearby who are more than willing  to have me over for this holiday. This year, I went to a friend’s house whose mom dedicated the entire day to preparing all sorts of dishes. They kept it very traditional with turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, Spanish rice, and sweet potatoes.  My favorite had to be the baked sweet potatoes, but I always enjoy sweet potatoes! Since it was warm enough, we had all gone to a nearby park to enjoy a late night walk.

    If I could have spent Thanksgiving at my family’s house I think I would have requested that we make penne alla vodka with shrimp, which happens to be my dads specialty. I would not be able to walk you through how he makes it because he has yet to pass his recipe on to me. Here’s a recipe for someone else’s shrimp penne alla vodka if you’re curious to try it! I would request this dish specifically because it is very nostalgic to me and my dad only makes it on special occasions. Remember to always share your gratitude for your loved ones, even when it isn’t a holiday!

  • Dressing and Styling Made Fun

    As someone who works in retail, I always find it fun and amusing to help others put an outfit together. I always ask several questions such as, is this for a specific occasion? Is it formal or casual? Do you prefer lighter or darker shades? Do you value your comfort or style more, or is it a blend of both? When styling a person, their personality and uniqueness has to be taken into account. At the end of the day, what you choose to wear is a form of self expression. No pressure but your outfit is one of the first things that people notice when observing you. Your outfit can also have the power to make you feel confident! Have fun and don’t be afraid to explore styles outside of your comfort zone!

    For this styling session, I will be grabbing some items from H&M and one accessory from the & other stories. Other Stories is a sister store to H&M. This outfit could be for someone who wants to stand out for any occasion but prefers darker shades and an edgier look.

    Explaining The Vision

    I decided to go for a classic white button up that I would keep a little unbuttoned at the top. This would be paired with a black zip-up corset to layer on top. For the bottoms, a satin midi skirt and a pair of chunky combat boots to pull the look together. I chose silver rigid necklace and silver pearl earrings with a silver cone drop. These would be amazing with several silver rings too! The oversized leather bomber serves as the coat. The emerald scarf for added warmth and a POP of color and contrast. I believe these items capture the essence of what could be requested by this fictional individual!

    Let me know how I did! What would you do differently? All of these items can be found on the H&M website. The green emerald scarf can be found on the stories’ website.

  • Curbing Your Cravings, Challenging But Not Impossible!

    The members of Kindly, Beautiful aim to be open and honest with all of you, our audience. This particular topic is one that I personally struggle with and if we’re being honest, many of us do. Full disclosure, my family health history consists of members that have struggled with diabetes. It is one of the many reasons that I make an effort to watch what I eat, the amount, and always try to make time for any sort of exercise. It’s important to acknowledge that food isn’t bad, even the extra sweet, extra savory foods that we hold close to our hearts. Problems usually arise when we lose control over how much we have and how sedentary our lifestyle can be.

    We all experience cravings, it’s natural, but let’s discuss healthy ways to curb them and why they pop up in the first place!

    According to research, cravings can stem from an imbalance of your hunger hormones which are often a result of stress, poor sleep, diet, and lack of exercise. Targeting these issues can be a great start to curbing cravings. Another great tip is to increase the amount of fiber in your meals. The order in which you eat your meal has an effect on your bodily reaction too! Fiber aids in slowing down digestion and helps reduce glucose levels. Research suggests that we eat our vegetables first! This is something that my mom has always suggested but I thought it was a myth. Staying hydrated also helps avoid unnecessary cravings as thirst and hunger cues can be mistaken by your body!

    Finally, make time to plan meals if you can! Take fiber and protein into consideration as they help you feel and stay full. Keep heavily processed foods and snacks out of your kitchen or home so you don’t feel tempted to have more than you should. Most important of all, don’t skip meals! Hunger is a sign that your body needs nutrients and energy so don’t neglect it. Remember, it’s ok to give into a craving here and there, never feel guilty for doing so but make an effort to avoid over consumption! Take care of your body and the rest will follow.

  • Balancing Act: How to Juggle a Healthy Lifestyle with a Busy Schedule | Through Quick and Nutritious Meals

    Hey y’all, we’re She Ate Dat and we’re collaborating with Kindly Beautiful. I’m sure most of us want to be healthy but always say we don’t have enough time. Well, we’re here to help. Not talking about going straight to exercising but taking steps starting from the inside. Your gut. A healthy meal doesn’t have to be time consuming or take over your morning routine. Here are some recipes and tips to balance your busy schedule to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle.

    First off meal prep. Some might say it’s too much work starting to cook most of the meal just to finish another day but it really does help. More than anything, you don’t necessarily have to start an actual meal to meal prep. If you know most of your recipes will call for diced onions, chopped bell peppers or any other cut up vegetable you’re gonna want to cut them up in bulk and freeze them. This way for any upcoming meals you won’t have to spend any extra time cutting up the veggies.

    Overnight Oats Recipe | Starting Breakfast at Night

    Overnight Oats are a game changer for those who have a busy morning schedule. Recipe courtesy of Feel Good Foodie.

    Ingredients

    • Oats
    • Milk

    Optional Add Ons

    • Chia seeds
    • Vanilla extract
    • Sweetener

    Instructions

    Combine equal parts milk and oats in a jar until the mixture is a smooth and creamy texture. Store your fridge for two hours or overnight. It’s literally that easy.

    Leave Dinner at the Stove

    Now for dinner we’re gonna cheat a little bit. If you refer back to our Kick You In The Mouth Spicy Crispy Chicken, it’s a great meal that shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to make especially when you implement the meal prep method from before.

  • Spend Good Quality Time with A Destination to San Diego, California

    I have several places in mind for future destinations, in which I have yet to experience. However, one of the places on my bucket list is visiting San Diego, California. San Diego, California is a city known for top attractions in the arts, activities, food, beautiful nature surroundings, and more. It’s a great destination to plan for a summer vacation as the weather is terrific and the peak of the season for travelers to have a good time.

    A tourist attraction to look forward to, while in San Diego, California is Balboa Park! Oh my, just looking at the photographs online makes me excited! Truly remarkable architecture, and green space. And filled with a myriad of activities for families or with friends. It’s like a WOW! Almost as if you can spend your whole vacation in Balboa Park.

    Are you in your wonders? Because I am! Things to experience in this marvelous place, is the endless of explorations ranging from museums (18 museums!), well-known San Diego Zoo (home to rare and endangered animals), activities such as hiking, carousel, going for a walk around the gardens (such as Botanical Buildings and Lily Pond or Japanese Friendship Garden), and last but not least a pleasant time of entertainment of performing arts. It’s a dream vacation my family and I are planning for a summer vacation.

    Traveling is a wonderful way to give yourself, family, or friends a relaxing, explorative, enjoyable, or connect with each other experience. Traveling is all about happiness and having fun, indeed. And definitely place a positive impact on your wellbeing, especially your health. Planning a vacation destination varies from person to person and depends on personal preferences and interest. If you are planning a vacation with your loved ones or with friends, it’s best to plan and decide together.

    Is there a dream destination you have yet to experience?

  • The Musings of a Girl for a Far-Away Place

    Once upon a time there was a little Chinese girl who ate dinner at a big table surrounded by red plastic chairs and many pairs of chopsticks. She played with her cousins and then got scared by a really big dog. And, she danced in the square with the older ladies and the taller pieces of grass tickled her feet in her little white sandals. She gets a happy meal toy from McDonald’s, but loses it on a paddle boat ride. And just like that in ShenZhen, China, in her grandmother’s house, she spends her Summers until the weather gives way to Fall and she gets brought back to the West, even though she wishes she could have stayed.

    Regular Summer Days

    All of this sounds like regular days of ordinary Summers with nothing special in particular. There’s no hotels or rushing here and there. There’s no tour groups or time limits. It was just a girl living her life in a different part of the world. Odd thing was, she belonged there better than she does where she was born. 

    The Smells of Airconditioning and Durian

    The stores are freezing cold, the air conditioner blasting. The smell of durian mixed with AC smell suddenly got associated with home and in the West, when the first time I smelled that exact same smell, I ached for Summer to come again and for my Grandmother’s house. 

    Recommendations

    This is my far-off place. And maybe you could take this as a recommendation for a place to go during vacation. Or, maybe not. There’s a whole ton of other places you could travel to if you’ve got the means to do so. ShenZhen is a great little place to be for just a short while, y’know, if you want to and can do so.

    In Conclusion

    Go out there, find a place in the world out there that will bring you an absurd amount of joy. Of course, not all of us can afford to go on a trip, or have the means to drop whatever they are doing just to go on vacation, but we can still dream. For all we know, it might come true. Persistence and hard work are key. It sounds really optimistic, but a bit of optimism just might make life feel easier. 

         Remember, work hard, persist, dream of a better future, and just try your best.