The reality for most people is that even though they want to travel, they may not have the time or funds to do so. BUT you don’t have to sit on the sidelines and miss out on exploring things just because you can’t go somewhere new. You can explore your own area and see it through the eyes of a tourist.

Read on to find out more about how you can take advantage of what you have at your fingertips and how you can grow as a person through travel and local exploration.

Read a little, or read a lot. I think everyone can find something that applies to them in my bi-weekly newsletter, Taste Travel Transform.​

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Travel Insight of the Week

The area I live in is surrounded by mountain vacation destinations but it was only recently that I realized that it’s not just locals who enjoy these destinations. People come from all around the country to explore. The Sawtooth Mountains are absolutely gorgeous and offer camping, hiking, fishing, rafting, and more. If you want to plan a unique getaway come summer, this is definitely one worth considering.

One of the most popular Idaho destinations in the Sawtooths is Stanley. People visit this quaint town for its breathtaking natural beauty and relaxed vibe. Stanley offers stunning views of the rugged Sawtooth Mountains, pristine alpine lakes, and vast forests. If you fly in, Stanley is just under 3 hours from the Boise airport and easily accessible by road once the snow melts off.

I’m ashamed to say that I have actually only been to Stanley one time… and I have lived in this area for 35 years. I suppose that’s because I grew up around other mountains in my backyard yard so I never thought to venture out further. So many regrets now that I am peacing out of the area for a few years. Go enjoy it for me!

Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Stanley’s endless opportunities for adventure, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping. In the winter, it transforms into a snowy paradise perfect for snowmobiling, skiing, and soaking in natural hot springs. Its small-town charm, paired with access to some of the most scenic wilderness in the United States, makes Stanley a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

You can absolutely camp at one of its many campgrounds, but there are also many available vacation rentals worth checking out, and you can even find guided tours and attractions online through websites like Trip.com if you want some help planning your getaway.

​Trip.com is a great resource for finding transportation, lodging, tours& attractions.

What’s Cooking

This week has been slightly busy and I haven’t been doing as much in the kitchen, but I am ready to rock and roll with meal prep for the week. One of my favorite things to meal prep is overnight oats. It’s cheap, quick, and easy. PLU,S they are low-calorie and high-protein.

I threw this recipe up on my blog a while back and it’s still my go-to. I tend to switch up the fruit I use and yogurt flavors but otherwise, the gist of it stays the same.

Peachy Berry Overnight Oats

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 tsp chia seeds ​
• 1 tbsp powdered nut butter
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 ish cup of berries or other fruit
• 1/4 cup Fairlife 2% milk
• 1 container light & fit Greek yogurt

​Check out my blog post for all the details and flavor variations!​

If you’re a peanut butter lover, you can try my peanut butter banana or fudgy peanut butter brownie variation. If fruit is more your thing, check out my strawberry shortcake and warm apple pie variations!

I love how versatile overnight oats are and the fact that they are easy to grab and eat on the go.

Transform Yourself

I live in a truly beautiful place, but I will admit that I am guilty of sticking to what I know. I rarely try new restaurants or go into new shops. I often see new places on social media and add them to my local attractions folder and Google Sheets, but I don’t actually go to them like I do when I go to a new city.

I have gotten better about this though. When an out-of-town friend visits or my significant other, who doesn't live locally, comes into town, I try to pick a place to eat or an area to explore that I haven’t been to before. I suggest you do the same.

There are great tools like Viator and airbnb experiences that can help you find attractions and activities to do near you and of course, pretty much all cities have local influencers who share content about new places to eat and things to do in your area.

This week, after getting my hair done, I went to a new local Italian Cafe’ I had seen on Instagram. I had some time to kill before my next obligation and it was nearby, so I figured why the heck not. It was so cute and the couple who owns it was so sweet. It’s a quaint place with the best vibes.

Of course, since I am moving to Italy I was especially excited about it since the couple who owns it has Italian roots and the husband’s family members have owned cafes in Sicily for years. I am a sucker for culture and I think that learning more about other cultures is one of the best ways to TRANSFORM yourself.

While in the cafe I talked to a young man who told me he had ‘summered’ in Italy. We had a great chat and he was excited to share his experience and wished me luck with mine. By going to new places, you expose yourself to new people and that is one of the best ways to encourage personal growth.

A little insight from Dr. Amber…

Psychological research has shown that exposing yourself to new people and places fosters personal growth by challenging your beliefs, expanding your perspective, and enhancing your skills.

Theories like Piaget's concepts of assimilation and accommodation explain how new experiences reshape mental frameworks, while Self-Determination Theory highlights how novelty fulfils psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and connection.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory also shows how discomfort from new ideas can drive open-mindedness and change. These experiences ultimately broaden your worldview and deepen your empathy.

So, do what you will with that information.

Unwind With Book Time

This week I’m doing a throwback to two books that I ‘read’ nearly a year and a half ago. I read the first book when I was going through a tough time and they really stuck with me. The second book was one of the first suspense novels that I read and it really sucked me in.

I love listening to books during runs and when doing yard work or chores around the house.

Heart Felt Read

What We Carry is a thought-provoking response to the author's own miscarriage and lack of fiction surrounding the topic, which she and many other women in her situation crave.

​Everand is my platform of choice for listening and Amazon is my go-to if I want the book in my hands.

Suspense Read

Each guest has a guilty secret. And when they’re all forced to wear a memory-tracking device that reveals their dark and shameful deeds to their fellow guests, there’s no hiding from the past. This is no luxury retreat―it’s a trap they can’t get out of.

​Check out more of my favorite reads here.​

Fit & Functional

Running truly changed my life about 6 years ago, and I am convinced that it can change the lives of most. Because of this, I became a certified running coach, and I love sharing insights on how to get started with others.

This week we’re starting week 1 of a 4-week Beginner Runner Ramp-Up Plan! This plan is designed to help you start running by gradually increasing endurance, building confidence, and keeping you healthy and uninjured in the process.

This plan combines walking, running, and rest days to ease your body into a new routine.

Week 1: Build a Base

Goal: Focus on time and consistency, not speed.

• Day 1 (Mon): Start with a 5-minute warm-up walk → Alternate 1 minute of running + 1 minute of walking (x6) → 3-minute cool-down walk (Total: ~20 minutes).
• Day 2 (Tue): Rest or cross-train (light activity like yoga or cycling).
• Day 3 (Wed): 5-minute warm-up walk → Alternate 1 minute of running + 1 minute of walking (x8) → 3-minute cool-down walk (Total: ~24 minutes).
• Day 4 (Thu): Rest.
• Day 5 (Fri): 5-minute warm-up walk → Alternate 1 minute of running + 2 minutes of walking (x4) → 3-minute cool-down walk (Total: ~20 minutes).
• Day 6 (Sat): Rest or cross-train.
• Day 7 (Sun): 15–25 minute brisk walk (light activity like yoga or cycling).

Tips for Success

It’s important to listen to your body. It’s okay to adjust the plan if needed — slow down or take extra rest if you're too sore or too tired.

It’s important to stay fueled and hydrated. Make an effort to drink water before and after runs, and eat balanced meals for energy. Don’t forget the electrolytes; LMNT is my preferred electrolyte of choice.

By the end of this plan, you should be ready to run for longer intervals or transition to continuous running for 20–30 minutes!

Subscribe to the newsletter to get the upcoming weeks directly to your inbox.

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Coffee is life. Prove me wrong. A few years ago, a good friend mentioned how much she loved her Nespresso coffee machine. I like coffee, and I was totally good with my traditional cup of American coffee brewed from grounds scooped into a filter.

BUT then I tried a cup brewed from a Nespresso machine. I liked coffee before, but once I got the Nespresso Vertuo, I began to LOVE coffee. This coffee machine is a freaking game changer and I always feel a tinge of sadness when I travel and know I have to be without it.

I truly don’t even buy drive-thru coffee anymore (Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Dunkin, etc…) because it all tastes so bad compared to what this baby brews for me.