Welcome to the second quarter of 2023! Today, Fay Smith, a mother of two young children and three lovable Pomeranians, sat down with Adventures from Elle to share words of wisdom for my mommy readers. Self care is important but mothers often forget to take care of themselves in the full-time profession of motherhood which requires 24 hours of love and dedicated service seven days a week. Here’s what Fay had to say:
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March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Those who suffer from endometriosis know that it can be a very painful debilitating disease. Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where the lining of the uterus (womb) can be found in other parts of the body such as the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, abdominal cavity and even in the brain and lung! This ectopic uterine tissue responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle and results in inflammation, chronic pain and even infertility. Unfortunately, not a lot is known about why this condition exists, and there is currently no cure.
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Inspiration to write this article popped into my head over the weekend as I restocked my beauty must-haves, but it wasn’t until the Google Doodle reminder of International Women’s Day on March 8 that I committed to writing it. Why? Well, my favourite Jamaican beauty brands all happen to be female-owned too! Thus, in belated celebration of International Women’s Day this week, here are three Jamaican natural hair and skin care product brands which I believe you should know and support.
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Jamaica is a popular tourist destination for anyone wanting to enjoy clear blue waters and white sands, and for the active traveler who likes to explore. Before the pandemic hit, Jamaica welcomed 4.2 million visitors in 2019, but Covid had a searing effect on tourism. In 2020, Jamaica saw just 1.33 million arrivals, and this deeply impacted one of the country’s major industries. However, the pandemic helped to drive up the popularity of many outdoor activities including kayaking. In some areas, sales of kayaks increased by 50% as people grew tired of lockdowns and sought to enjoy the outdoors more. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, Jamaica is once again a destination for watersports lovers.
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The sightseeing detours on a road trip are almost as exciting as the destination itself. On the drive home from my weekend getaway at Animal Farm, my partner and I made two sightseeing detours. Our first was the Persian Water Wheel in Falmouth which I covered in January; Stewart Castle was the second. Present-day Stewart Castle lies in ruin but was once an impressive cut stone mansion, built in the 1760s by enslaved Africans. Here’s everything you need to know about Stewart Castle near Duncans, Trelawny.
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Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
February around the world is a special time for people of African descent, such as myself. We celebrate the achievements of our race and our rich heritage, while pausing to reflect on the atrocities of chattel slavery which our ancestors endured and which interrupted our history for three centuries. However, in Jamaica, February has much more special meaning.
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Cashless transactions are growing significantly on a global level. Countries like South Korea are leading the change with 77 percent of its citizens preferring cashless payments. Even those that are slower in adoption are already seeing a big uptick, with the Philippines seeing 33 percent of its citizens leaning towards cashless payments. With how feasible it is to get a credit card now or set up a digital wallet, it’s worth considering how practical this is when going on a trip around the world. As global travel continues to grow in the wake of the pandemic, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of travelling with a credit card.
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Today, let’s take a break from the tropics to explore Houston, Texas. Houston is the USA’s fourth-largest metropolis and offers endless opportunities for adventure and excitement. Whether it’s soaking up the history and culture of the city or having fun in the sun, Houston has it all. This article will highlight the best adventures and activities for kids in Houston, Texas. Whether you’re looking for outdoor excitement or indoor adventures, this article covers you.
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If at first you don’t succeed, try again, right? I tried visiting this waterfall one lazy afternoon in November 2022, but my travel partner and I were warned by three different residents in Cudjoe Hill that the river “come down” (was swollen) after recent heavy rainfall so that wouldn’t be a good idea. We heeded their warning and went home feeling despondent that we didn’t get to cross this one off the list. One month later we returned mid-morning and achieved success! Thus, now I can tell you all about the Mountain River Cave and Cudjoe Falls in St. Catherine. There’s some interesting Taino (Amerindian) history behind this one.
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The best way to experience Jamaica is by car at your own pace. Jamaica has a wide variety of landscapes ranging from reef-lined beaches, hot dusty plains, cool rugged mountains and sweeping river valleys. This landscape diversity makes the island perfect for road trips. Jamaica has over 17,000 kilometers of road networks which connect all major towns and cities. There is always something to see out the window such as colorful urban murals, street markets, omnipresent mountains and remnants of the island’s rich colonial past such as centuries-old churches, aqueducts and courthouses. You may even pass waterfalls flowing right next to the road. Self-driving in Jamaica gives you the independence to stop as you please and absorb everything.
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