Yes it's that time of year again. Whether you love it or you dread it, the holidays have arrived. For some this may mean a time of stress. Perhaps you're scrambling to finish finals, or maybe you don't know what to buy for your medical assistant or nurse. Or you could even be in the middle of big life changes, and awaiting what the near year and new decade brings.

I'm sure you've heard in the media information on the importance of a meditation practice, and perhaps being more mindful. Now, most people are aware of what meditation is, but what exactly is mindfulness?

As you may know, the medical profession has high rates of burnout, higher than many other professions. Some studies estimate physician burnout at 50%, with nurses experiencing almost as high of levels of burnout as physicians! Studies also show that medical students and residents are burned out too. I have yet to come across a study related to NP burnout, but there is no doubt that NPs are burned out as well.

As you've seen in the news, the coronavirus has made its way around the world. Unfortunately there have been many deaths, and thousands more have become severely ill. The virus has caused an upheaval in the daily life of millions of people in multiple countries, and there doesn't seem to be an end to this in the near future.

In today’s society, there are a thousand and one fad diets out there on the market. From low carb to Atkins to Paleo, and everything in between, there are too many to keep track of! Many people begin a diet to lose weight, and will typically bounce from one diet to the next, trying to find one that works for them. Unfortunately, most of the time the weight loss that they may have achieved is gained back once the diet stops-and they may even gain back more weight than they originally lost.

Recently, there’s been a lot of information in the news about plant-based products, and even more hype around switching to a plant-based diet. You may have seen big chains such as Burger King® and Dunkin'® advertising products containing plant-based meat such as Beyond Beef® and Impossible™ meat. So why all the excitement about going plant-based?

If you’re looking for a great vegan-friendly city with Southern charm, check out Wilmington, North Carolina. Located in Southeastern North Carolina, Wilmington has views of both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean among other beautiful sites. With a university (The University of North Carolina Wilmington), an abundance of outdoor activities, amazing beaches, and a hip downtown, who wouldn’t want to visit? Not only has Wilmington got a lot going on, it also boasts a ton of vegan-friendly food and activities.

Hilo is a quaint town located on the Eastern side of the island of Hawaii. More commonly known as the Big Island, this Pacific Island is Hawaii’s largest, hence its name. Hilo is a sleepy town with access to some of the best and most beautiful sites that the Big Island has to offer. From lava flows, to volcanos, to plenty of exotic plants and foods, Hilo and the surrounding areas has it all! If you’re spending time on Big Island it’s highly recommended that you rent a car since public transportation is limited. This can be done at the Hilo airport as they have multiple rental agencies to choose from. However, both Uber and Lyft are operating on the island and is a viable means to get around Hilo town and the surrounding areas.

The Berkshires is geographic region located in Western Massachusetts known for its gorgeous scenery and numerous quaint towns. Due to the numerous small villages and towns, we’ve decided to group this region into one vegan city guide.

New York City is known as one of the greatest cities in the world, and rightfully so. Renowned for its world-class dining, theater, buildings, and museums, NYC has it all. Although it may be challenging to find an abundance of vegan-friendly options in certain areas of the country, if you’ve come to NYC, you’ve definitely landed in vegan heaven. New York City is even listed as one of the top ten vegan-friendly cities of the world!