Planning Your Summer Vacation Through Technology

Summer is here. That time of year when we love to travel  visit friends , relatives or even visit somewhere new. If you plan to visit a new destination, you want to make sure that you not only chose the right place, but also received the most enjoyment of that visit. How do you do that? Well, we found a useful article from Mashable to assist you in your summer travels.

1) Decide where to go

Our must-see destinations list keeps growing after scrolling through many travel-planning apps in our spare time such as Minube.

Minube is an iOS and desktop app. The app works its magic by suggesting vacation spots that fit your mood, how much time you have or region of the world you want to see. If you're looking for a culinary adventure, the app might suggest slurping up a bowl of authentic Vietnamese pho soup riverside in Ho Chi Minh City or visiting the seaside town of Islantilla in Spain for paella.

On the app, you can explore any city in the world. You'll find plenty of sights to see, places to eat and lodging — plus pictures and tips from fellow travelers. The app accumulates user-uploaded photos and content. Since launching in 2007, the Madrid-based startup's community base has grown to more than 500,000 travelers and locals everywhere. The app is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, French and Italian. It's a mobile must-have for busy travel planners.

For another photo-heavy guide, try Trippy — the Pinterest of travel sites. It's a hotbed for inspiration and advice. Your Facebook and Twitter friends fuel the conversation. On Trippy, users harness their social networks to find personal recommendations about travel spots. It's a place where you can follow someone who has been to a place you're going to simply to ask for recommendations.

2) Finding Affordable Flights 

Once you've narrowed down your list of possible destinations, it's time to find the best airfare. Your roundtrip ticket will likely be the biggest cost of your trip. From experience, it's best to check travel sites several times a day and throughout a week because ticket prices fluctuate hourly. It would also be ideal to book a few weeks in advance and to check with smaller carriers as well as the major airlines. To keep costs low, make sure to do your research about seasonal prices.

We asked travel blogger Geraldine DeRuiter aka The Everywhereist how she scores the greatest airfare deals year-round. Her secret is starting the search with Kayak.

Kayak, recently acquired by Priceline, scans hundreds of airfare sites for top deals. Searching the Kayak website, iOS or Android app can surface top-notch deals in seconds. The best part besides saving money — if you create a profile, your flight itinerary can be accessed across platforms.

3) Budget Hotels 

Where to stay is a huge component of any trip. After a long day of eating delicious food, meeting locals and sightseeing, tired travelers need a quiet, comfortable, clean and affordable place to rest.

Luckily, for us, in recent years there's been a growth of online resources helping us hotel hunt.Gogobot is a people-driven hub for top hotels, vacation rentals, things to do and restaurants. Looking up hotels for our next trip to Mumbai, India, as an example, we received 427 hits for hotels. Vacancies are searchable by popularity, ratings and price per night.

If you have lots of friends who travel or follow wayfaring bloggers on Facebook, Foursquare and Instagram, you can use Tripbirds. Tripbirds is a travel website that makes hotel recommendations based on your social network. The website turns your friends' mentions, hotel check-ins and mobile photography into a guidebook.

Firstly, you must enter in where you want to go — we used "London" in our test run. After signing into Tripbirds with our Facebook account, the network told me we have friends who have stayed at The Savoy. From here, you can privately message any of your friends for a personal review.

For something a little more authentic, we're told to do as the locals do. The travel bloggers Laura Siciliano-Rosen and Scott Rosen behind Eat Your World recommend using Airbnb to find local short-term accommodations. Travelers can choose a wide range of shared rooms, private rooms and entire apartments or houses.

"We've moved toward staying in more apartments than hotels lately, finding them more comfortable, better situated in (real) local neighborhoods, and definitely providing more value for the cost," Laura wrote in an email to Mashable.

Another online resource for finding short-term housing is Tripping. Tripping is platform that connects travelers with locals who are renting out their homes around the world. There are over 750,000 rental spaces ranging from luxurious penthouses to rustic beachside stays.For last-minute lodging deals, try Hotel Tonight, a free mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

4) Coordinating With Travel Buddies 

Finally, you can share all the details with your travel mates.

TripIt is a helpful mobile and desktop application to get everyone on the same page. Users can plan trips on TripIt privately or in tandem with co-travelers. Creators can choose to share the itinerary by email or link with anyone. Here, you can discuss flights, car rentals and other transportation options. Plus, add additional details about lodging, restaurants and activities.

TripIt is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7. It's an easy way to turn all the confirmation emails from airlines, hotels and restaurants into an easily sharable itinerary. If there are any flight delays, cancellations and gate changes, TripIt will conveniently email real-time updates to the group's phones. Plus, it conveniently syncs to your mobile or desktop calendar.

5) Itinerary

All that's left to do is plan how you'll explore a new city, island, coast or country. There are plenty of apps and websites to help you make the best of your time.

If you want to rappel down waterfalls, take a private boat ride through hidden grottos and go swimming in an underwater cave, Vayable is a great resource to find and book unique experiences. The startup created an online marketplace for local experts and certified guides to connect with interested travelers. On the website, individuals can purchase guided tours, expeditions and adventures.

To find other unique experiences, Siciliano-Rosen from Eat Your World also recommends consulting local blogs and online travel communities including Lonely Planet's Thorntree travel forum (organized by continent, country and trip categories). "[It's] still our favorite for asking other in-the-know travelers specific questions, especially for more off-the-beaten-path destinations," she said.

This should give you the tech tools to plan a very special summer vacation. Thank you to Mashable for this invaluable  travel planning information.  If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, please contact us by email.

Thank You for Visiting!

Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Host A Easter Egg Hunt

Spring is year. Every Spring brings us Easter Holiday. That special time of the year that we spend time with family and friends. This is a time that you can feel like a kid again and host Easter activities. We wanted to give you some ideas to host the best Easter egg hunt ever which was found at purpletrail.com.


What’s Easter party without an egg hunt? Set the tone with stylish Easter party invitations. Whether it’s an egg hunt for a handful of your child’s friends or kids from the entire neighborhood, our tips are sure to help you pull off an outstanding event.

1. When do you want to have the Easter egg hunt? - Decide when you want to host the egg-hunt. It might be easier to host an egg hunt for the neighborhood before Easter Sunday, as many families will be at church or traveling to their celebrations that day. You also want to consider what time of day would be best. Late morning or afternoon is the most popular choice. If hosting on Easter Sunday, having the event in the afternoon would be better, as many people attend services in the morning.

 

2. Who is the hunt for? Easter egg hunts are great for all ages, from toddlers to adults. The age of the participants is important to help determine what treats to put in the eggs, as well as where the eggs will be hidden. If your hunt is only for young children, hide the Easter eggs in places they can reach. For the youngest kids, you can blanket a lawn with eggs for easy picking. For the four to six age group, place eggs in slightly more obscure spots (like porches, windowsills or potted plants). For older kids, stow eggs higher in trees, in bushes, atop car tires, and in mailboxes. If some adults will be participating in the hunt, set aside some eggs especially for them. Hide the eggs in very obscure and high places.

 

3. Where is the Easter Egg hunt going to be held? Plan ahead where you will be hosting the Easter egg hunt. If you plan to have the event outdoors, remember to have a backup plan just in case the weather does not cooperate. Hide the eggs in a large area if possible to make it even more fun for the children. If hosting a block or neighborhood egg hunt, you may also consider spreading the hunt over several adjacent yards, or even hosting in a nearby park. If you prefer an indoor hunt, or have no other option, be sure to spread the hunt over several rooms and only hide the eggs in place you would want the participants to look.

 

4. Enlist help- When it comes time for the event, there will always be too many tasks to handle. Ask for some help from your spouse, neighbor, or a friend. This is such a fun event, they will be happy to be a part of it.

 

5. Set a boundary for the Easter egg hunt game –Before hiding the eggs, set a boundary for where the eggs will be hidden. For example, with an outdoor hunt you may set the boundary as the backyard and no eggs will be hidden beyond the fence. You will want to communicate the boundary to the children participating. All of this will help keep everyone in the same area and will help with safety. In a group of children, one child’s absence could go un-noticed for a while and you definitely don’t want any child wandering away from the group.

 

6. Make a list of all the hiding places – It is a good idea to have a list of places where you will be hiding the eggs. With the list you can go about hiding the eggs or the clues in a planned manner. While the hunt is on the list would come in handy to direct children to some of the unfound eggs.

 

7.Follow “color codes” or have different areas marked for different age groups – Following a color code makes it easier to manage the egg hunt if you have different aged children. To do this, have different age groups of children look for a different color of egg. Another option is to having separate areas for different age groups. Either ways ensure that the younger kids do not get shoved or pushed around by the older ones, and everyone gets a fair share of the eggs.

 

8.Give away a couple of random prizes – The egg hunt should be all about having fun. It’s not a competition. Rather than a big prize for the child who found the greatest number of eggs, plan on having a couple of random prizes including one for the child with the most eggs found. Here are some other ideas for special prizes:

• Hide some special “jeweled eggs” or “golden eggs” with special prizes. If you have different age groups, you can give instructions that only the young age group can find the “red jeweled egg”, and the older age group can find the “green jeweled egg”, etc.
• Hide an egg with a special prize mentioned on a note inside. The child who finds it gets a gift . It could be a friendship band or any other trinket, or maybe a book or a CD.
• Announce a “hard luck” prize at the end of the hunt for the child who finds the least number of eggs.
• A prize could also be given to the child who found the egg at “the most difficult to find” place.

9. Let each child go back with heaps of treasure – The fillers for plastic eggs could be fuzzy chicks, temporary tattoos, stickers, small toys, friendship bracelets, coins, candy or even play dough. Children will love opening all of their eggs and discovering their treasure. If you also have adults participating in your hunt, you can even put special treats in the eggs that only adults would find. The adults are sure to appreciate things like Godiva chocolates, chocolate covered coffee beans, movie tickets, etc.

10. Be Safe – Keep these tips in mind to be sure everyone is safe:

• Keep hidden eggs far from electrical outlets or plugs.
• Do not hide eggs in holes in tree trunks or the ground.
• Hide eggs at or below the eye level of your children.
• Do not hide eggs around fragile, glass or breakable items.
• Keep eggs out of thorny plants and other foliage that may be poisonous.
• Do not hide eggs in any animal’s home, food bowl or play area.

These ideas are great to use so that you can host the perfect Easter egg hunt. Thank you to purpletrail.com for their useful information. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, please contact us by email.

Thank You for Visiting!

Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team

Charitiable Ways To Celebrate Valentines Day

See that picture. That says it all. We have experienced many a Valentines Day with loved ones. However, we do not always share love with others not just your loved one. So, it would be a good idea this year to do what the picture says to  and be involved in charitable causes this special holiday. Here is how you can do this.

There are plenty of ways to do good and feel good this Valentine's Day. Here are a few.

1. Will You Be My...Volunteer? There's no shortage of ways you can help. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or favorite nonprofit, or offer to tutor a child in reading or math. You can find loads of opportunities on VolunteerMatch, or check your local college campus for organized events.
2. Put the "Fun" in Fundraising. If you're taking that special someone out for a pricey dinner, why not have your bill go to a good cause? Check your newspaper or online city pages for Valentine-themed fundraisers that support local nonprofits. Or better yet, throw your own happy hour or party, and donate the proceeds to charity.
3. Send Love Letters. Not just to your sweetheart, but to people and organizations that are doing good things for the world. Tell them why you respect and appreciate their work, and that they really do make a difference. If you're feeling extra romantic, include a donation in the envelope.
4. Reach Out to Those in Need. Deliver homemade Valentine's cards or heart-shaped cookies to the sick, the elderly, the homeless -- and their caregivers. Call a local children's hospital, domestic violence shelter, or nursing home and ask how you can help.
5. Give Gifts That Give. There are dozens of charitable shopping sites and online nonprofit stores selling gifts for a good cause. Look for red Motorola phones, Gap T-shirts and iPods from Apple to support the Red Campaign, or try Henry's Hearts, Greater Good, or Shop4Charity online. Sweet deal: When you make a gift donation through Save the Children, they'll send you a free Valentine's Day scarf and card.
6. Remember Those Who Serve You. In the spirit of service, think of all those people who make your life easier and more convenient -- every single day. Give a thank-you card to the bus driver or the barista who serves you your latte. Personally thank the janitor who keeps your office or campus clean, or the people who pick up your trash. Leave your waiter an extra tip, and smile -- big -- at the gas station attendant.
7. Clean Your Closets. Get a head start on spring cleaning and donate clothes, toys, furniture, household items, and old computers to nonprofits accepting them. Check your local Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, or Goodwill Industries.
8. Get Your Heart Pumping. Charity walks and runs raise money for a good cause and get you moving in the great outdoors. Bring the family or your co-workers along to make it a team event. To find an event, check your local American Heart Association or your local runners' clubs, like Road Runners.
9. Adopt a Pet for a Day. Offer to take care of a pet for an ill or homebound neighbor. Volunteer at your local animal shelter to take the dogs for a walk. Or adopt an endangered species through the World Wildlife Fund, and you'll get a lovable stuffed pet and adoption certificate.
10. Be a Fair-Trade Valentine. Buy certified fair-trade chocolate from companies that ensure that small-scale farmers receive higher and more stable prices for their cocoa. Try Divine, Theo, or the many gourmet organic bars at Equal Exchange cooperative. Or get a fair-trade Valentine's Day Action Kit -- complete with chocolates, cards, and more -- at Global Exchange.
11. Love the Environment. Don't say it with flowers -- unless they're organic. Buy fresh organic blooms from your local farmer's market, or send a bunch from Organic Bouquet, which donates 10 percent to charities like CARE, the Global Fund for Women, and the American Red Cross.
12. Support Disaster Relief. Hurricane Katrina may be history by now, but the devastating effects in the Gulf region are far from forgotten. When you buy Love Letters to the South, a photography book of celebrities paying tribute to those affected by Hurricane Katrina, your purchase will help with rebuilding efforts. Proceeds support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and Habitat for Humanity's Operation Home Delivery.
13. Say "I Do" to Charitable Weddings. If you've decided to tie the knot with that special someone, consider creating a charitable gift registry through the I Do Foundation and its many retail and nonprofit partners.
14. Celebrate with Small Acts of Kindness. Valentine's Day isn't the only holiday this week: February 12-18 is the 13th annual Random Acts of Kindness Week. What can you do? Buy coffee, lunch, or a toll payment for the person behind you in line. Tape the exact change for a soda to a vending machine. Send cards with joyful messages to strangers. Collect canned goods for a food bank. Shovel a neighbor's driveway, or babysit -- for free. Visit actsofkindness.org for hundreds of other ideas.

Well, these are wonderful ways to truly share the love with others around you not just one person. A big thank you to the case foundation website for their useful information. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, please contact us by email.

Thank You for Visiting!

Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team

How To Look And Feel Younger

Don't we want to look and feel this way? Of course, we do. To accomplish this goal, it will not be a miracle drug or some expensive surgery. It will take change. Yes, you must change within and your daily life to be able to look and feel younger. We found some proven techniques that you can use to feel young again.


Want to hold on to -- or recapture -- your youth? These simple steps promise maximum vitality.

1. The single best thing you can do for your health and longevity is quit smoking. Smoking has been indicted for a laundry list of ills from heart disease to lung disorders, all of which can foil your longevity plans.

2. Drink only in moderation. Alcohol infuses every cell, damaging genes and inflaming your liver. A glass of wine a day for women and maybe two for men, but no more, may be mildly beneficial.

3. Get your Zzzz's. Your body needs down time to repair cells and rest your heart. And your mind needs dreaming to stay sane.

4. Find a doctor who specializes in geriatrics or anti-aging. Barbara M. Morris, RPh, author of Boomers Can Really Put Old on Hold, recommends an anti-aging doctor. But according to Marc R. Blackman, MD, chief of the laboratory of clinical investigation of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the National Institutes of Health), a geriatrician would be more mainstream and recommend fewer unproven treatments. "Anti-aging is like saying anti-puberty or anti-pregnancy. This is a natural process," he says. Whatever his or her style, your new doctor may recommend yearly assessment of various biomarkers, including lipids, DHEA, estrogen, cortisol, thyroid, lung function, and micronutrient assays.

5. Cut saturated fat, up omega-3 fats. It's gospel by now: eat less or no red meat; lose the cake and ice cream; consume more complex carbs, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; and get plenty of fatty fish. The healthy fats in salmon, mackerel, and sardines help keep oxygen free-radical molecules from damaging your cells.

6. Consider moderating your total food intake. Studies in rats show that a 30% calorie restriction means longer life (no, it doesn't just seem longer!). Blackman also cites studies in rhesus monkeys showing a gain in years from a reduction in food. Obviously, losing excess pounds means less strain on your system.

7. Be careful when tweaking your hormones. Morris swears by controversial human growth hormone -- for her. Blackman is no fan. "There have been big studies to determine the relationship between decreases in human growth hormone and thinner bones, more body fat, and mood swings. Giving growth hormone can build muscle, but it has not been shown that the muscle is any stronger." HGH has also been associated with water retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, and blood-sugar fluctuations. "[HGH science] is not at a point where any responsible provider could recommend it," Blackman says. And what about the other substance -- a steroid called DHEA -- often recommended for aging? "Dramatically less evidence than HGH!" exclaims Blackman. As for estrogen and progesterone replacement, it's been in all the papers. The combo therapy may increase, rather than cut, the risk of cancer and heart disease. Many natural alternatives to these substances exist -- your own situation should dictate your decision, but always consult your doctor.

8. Supplement, supplement, supplement. Most of us suffer from "overconsumption malnutrition" -- too much of the wrong things, Morris says. She takes a fistful of vitamins and minerals each morning. Even the cautious American Medical Association recently endorsed taking a daily multivitamin. In addition to the effective antioxidant vitamin C, Morris says CoQ10, vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid (another antioxidant), and perhaps some of those "mental acuity" mixtures in the health-food store should be in your medicine cabinet. Again, your doctor can help you fashion routine.

9. Reprogram your vision of old age. A study at Yale recently showed that those with a positive view of growing older lived seven years longer than those who griped about it. Morris works with young people and "they forget things all the time and never refer to 'having to a junior moment.'"

10. Kick guilt out of your life! Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Living Your Best Life, says: "Be future-minded. Guilt and regrets are part of the past. Evolving and changing is how we stay young."

11. Don't be afraid to make a big change. Fortgang says it's never too late to move, join the Peace Corps, change careers, get married, or get a divorce. "Don't say you're too old," she says. "Sometimes [earlier] decisions need to be changed." She and Morris also say plastic surgery can be life-enhancing if you do it to look and feel better, not to change your life overnight.

12. Morris also half-jokingly advises that people never retire. "Retirement is a contagious, debilitating disease." Take some time off for a vacation and smell the roses, she advises. But don't get so intoxicated by the roses that you don't come back and do something useful. "Those roses could turn into daisies," she says, "as in pushing up daisies."

This is a useful list that if followed will make you feel recaptured youth. Thanks to Medicinenet.com for this proven advice.If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, please contact us by email.

Thank You for Visiting!

Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team