Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. April 2023. One of the best ways to explore the country of Jordan is by taking a road trip along the Dead Sea. On the winding road that runs along the coastline, you can watch the dramatic scenery change from arid deserts and rocky cliffs to serene turquoise-blue sea. With detours to […]

Khabar Magazine. April 2023 print. I’m embarrassed to admit that even as a well-seasoned traveler, I did not know much about the country of Rwanda until recently. About the same size as the U.S. state of Maryland, this tiny landlocked nation in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa has made headlines for the gruesome […]

Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. April 2023. There’s no other place in the world where you can float in saltwater far below sea level and witness out-of-this-world landscapes within a short distance. From walking through one of the seven wonders of the modern world and stepping back in history to tasting authentic local dishes under the desert […]

Khabar Magazine. April 2023 print. Walking into Kailash Parbat, I am reminded of those carefully decorated, modern Indian restaurants I grew up with in big cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. Dark velvet green booths, Arabic-style lanterns, and shiny gold mosaic floors contrasting against the playful, colorful wall murals are attention-grabbing. As my eyes wander, […]

TIME Magazine. March 2023.

Georgia Trend. March 2023. If you have traveled to Europe, you may have been inspired by beautiful dinners set on large rustic dinner tables with unique pottery and dishes. Even if it’s a humble meal, the scene may appear like a magical work of art. If you want to attempt to recreate that same magical […]

HuffPost. March 2023. Maya-Camille Broussard is a Chicago-based chef, author and social entrepreneur who believes people living with disabilities have a superpower. As a Black woman and a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community, Broussard started the bakery Justice of the Pies as an L3C (low-profit limited liability company) for social impact. She also runs workshops for elementary-age […]

Khabar Magazine. March 2023 print. Besides being a festival of colors, this is also a festival of flavors. Here are some classic food customs associated with this joyous thewaar. Holi is all about play, laughter, celebration, vibrant colors, and… food! This joyous Hindu festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the triumph […]

Georgia Trend Magazine. March 2023 print. Peachtree Corners is bustling with new restaurants, and Jinbei West is one of the newest additions. The Town Center’s two-acre green space and children’s play areas attract families to shop, entertain and dine without having to go far out of the neighborhood. A large glass-window front opens to the casual and […]

Georgia Trend. Feb 2023. If you are like me, you have by now forgotten your New Year’s healthy eating resolutions. If you want to throw caution to the wind, you can make an escape for the north Georgia mountains to satisfy your cravings while also getting some fresh air. Dahlonega is especially fun to visit […]

HuffPost. Feb 2023. Chef Toya Boudy grew up in New Orleans, and refused to give up her roots to blend in when she became a private chef and television celebrity. She has competed on “Food Network Star” and appeared on “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Best Home Cook,” in addition to publishing two cookbooks.  Boudy encourages Black youth to […]

Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Feb 2023. Harriet Tubman Davis not only escaped slavery herself, but she also became one of the most important abolitionists in U.S. history and helped approximately 70 enslaved people reach freedom. Tubman also served as a cook, spy and armed scout for the Union forces during the Civil War — making her […]

AAA The Extra Mile. Feb 2023. As you plan your trips for the new year, consider how weather and timing can affect the cost of your vacation, as well as your mode of travel and the destination’s amenities. Peak and off-peak pricing vary greatly, and traveling during unfavorable—or unpredictable—weather can put a damper on getting […]

Khabar Magazine. Feb 2022 print. If you have driven down Peachtree Road near the Ashford Dunwoody Road intersection, you may have seen random neon signs for Indian or Bangladeshi restaurants. An old stand-alone building here has changed hands a number of times, introducing a few tried-and-failed South Asian restaurants. But Ruchi is the first that […]

HuffPost. January 2023. Eric Nelson is the creator of Portland’s hot new cocktail bar pop-up Shipwreck and co-owner of Eem, Phuket Cafe and Langbaan restaurants. As a sober bartender, he is also on the forefront of the local no-proof movement. After hitting rock bottom, Nelson attended a 45-day rehab program and emerged sober and more focused.  In […]

Georgia Trend Magazine. Jan 2023. Neat rows of Swiss chard and broccoli heads, towering bright yellow sunflowers and friendly chickens running around — that is not your typical school scene. But Chattahoochee Hills Charter School(CHCS), located in the city of Chattahoochee Hills in southern Fulton County, is an exception. The K-8 charter school is on a […]

AAA The World. Jan/ Feb 2023 print. As they explore Mexico, curious visitors soon learn that agave is behind many of their favorite spirits. Native to Mexico and part of the Caribbean, agave was considered a sacred plant in pre-Hispanic culture and played a major role in Aztec religious ceremonies. It is believed that the […]

HuffPost. January 2023. Gabriel Rucker is the chef and owner of Le Pigeon and Canard restaurants in Portland, Oregon. He is a two-time James Beard Award winner, and a relentless advocate for sobriety and helping people in the Portland community who are struggling with addiction. In this Voices in Food story, Rucker talks about why it is important […]

AAA The Extra Mile. January 2023. Tired of layering in winter gear, shoveling snow from the driveway, and spending the evening in darkness? Winter blues, aka seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a real thing. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend the entire season in hibernation as there are plenty of spots around the world that […]

Fodor’s Travel. January 2023. n the opening scene of the blockbuster James Bond movie, Spectre, you may notice the intriguing tall skeleton puppets and skeleton-clad dancers parading the cobblestone streets. Many of these puppets were created by a third-generation local Mexican artist who is one of the few carrying on this artisanal Mexican tradition. Hermes Arroyo […]

Georgia Trend Magazine. Jan 2023 print. On a Friday night, downtown Alpharetta is bustling with families celebrating, groups of friends grabbing drinks and romantic couples having a date night by candlelight. In the past few months, this suburban enclave has become a hotspot with the opening of new, innovative restaurants, such as the Spanish-Latin restaurant […]

HuffPost. December 2022. While many familiar Christmas traditions originated in Western countries, people from all around the world and from different cultural backgrounds celebrate the holiday with the same spirit of gratitude and togetherness. No matter where, recipes passed on through generations are central to family gatherings. From callaloo to chicken tikka masala, find out […]

Georgia Trend. December 2022. The first thing that you think about during the holidays? Food. Parties, family gathering and baking together are integral to the festive season. A new book shows us how to approach our food with kindness, respect and dignity. If you are inclined to eat well and give back not only this […]

Atlanta Journal Constitution. December 2022 print. The one-room History Museum in the former Mount Carmel Baptist Church on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, contains a sewing machine, rocking chairs, an old piano, coins, black-and-white photographs and other random artifacts that reflect life on the island. The provenance of those objects may have been lost over time, […]