All you need to know about visiting the Emergency Department.
Most Emergencies really aren’t. Stop procrastinating on your health!
Improve your health in just 5 minutes. Simple suggestions to help you feel better.
Sleep- It all starts with getting a good night’s sleep. Learn how here.
Want to give up soda? Sugar? Cigarettes? Alcohol? Learn how here.
WebMD- more reliable than Dr. Google
The What-The-Hell Effect. Don’t let it take you down.
For Physicians
EM:RAP- entertaining and informative monthly audio reviews of emergency medicine topics
UptoDate- evidence-based summaries on nearly all health-related topics
Grand Canyon- Rim-to-Rim in a day! Read the post here.
Havasu Falls aka Havasupai- amazing waterfalls. Read the post here.
Highline Trail- see the Mogollon Rim in a whole new light.
Prescott Circle Trail- the other PCT. Read the post here.
Tahoe Rim Trail- learn about 10 days of amazingness.
Urban Hiking in San Francisco- Read the post here.
Gear
Copper Spur Tent- ultralightweight with doors on both sides. Think of it like a tiny house.
Darn Tough socks- like a hug for your feet, quick-dry yet comfortable when wet. Total game changers.
Ghost Whisperer- ultralight down jacket. See this post to score a great deal.
Icebreaker Pocket Hat (Beanie)- listed as men’s, but too small for most men and fits me perfectly
Outdoor Gear Lab- Dream Backpacking Gear List with reviews and recommendations
Ryka- athletic shoes better for working out or walking around town than hard-core hiking, but they’re beautiful and motivate me to get moving.
Saucony- hiking shoes. I love the Peregrines.
Salomon- these shoes have traction like nobody’s business.
How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Gregor, MD. Don’t believe everything big pharma says, as they have an inherent conflict of interest. Sometimes broccoli and turmeric can be just what the doctor ordered.
Food Dehydrator- Nesco with solid and mesh tray inserts. See this post on dehydrating.
Ranch Dressing- with ingredients you can actually pronounce! I like to use a little less milk to make it thicker.
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Broccolini- delicious!
Nonfiction Favorites
Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits-to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project. Read the post here.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert- read the post here.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Cloud and Townsend- possibly the most helpful book I’ve ever read.
The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die by John Izzo- read the post here.
Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan. Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants. Read the post here.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz- read the post here.
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown- practice courage, compassion, and connection to allow yourself to truly belong. Read the post here.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls- a memoir that will make you laugh and cry and crave chocolate, but most of all it will make you love your crazy family more.
How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Gregor, MD. Don’t believe everything big pharma says, as they have an inherent conflict of interest. Sometimes broccoli and turmeric can be just what the doctor ordered.
How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up by Emilie Wapnick. If you’re a multipotentialite, learn to make the most of all your interests. You DON’T have to choose!
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton- learn to be your true self instead of a fabricated ‘representative’ you send out into the world. Read the post here.
Love Your Life, Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You Want by Rachel Cruze, Dave Ramsey’s daughter- stop comparing yourself to others to truly thrive (and get control of your finances!). Read the post here.
No Baggage: A Minimalist Tale of Love & Wandering by Clara Bensen- meet a guy online and take off on a three-week international adventure sans suitcases- why not?
The Power of the Other also by Henry Cloud- make sure you have the right people in your corner. Read the post here.
The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. Read the post here.
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. The sequel to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing that started the decluttering revolution. Read the post here.
The White Coat Investor: A Doctor’s Guide to Personal Finance and Investing by James Dahle. Read the post here.
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Ind ependence by Robin and Dominguez- you earn a lot less per hour than you think, and every time you buy something you trade hours of your life for it.
Fiction Favorites
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett- personal stories that make the emotions of WWI come to life. Super-long, but one of my all-time favorites.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green- simultaneously heart-wrenching and hilarious.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes- beautifully written love story. I stayed up all night because I couldn’t put this one down.
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult- a page-turner that might inspire you to start a life-changing conversation on race-with yourself.
Dave Ramsey- Financial Peace University Class
Love Your Life, Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You Want by Rachel Cruze, Dave Ramsey’s daughter- stop comparing yourself to others to truly thrive (and get control of your finances!). Read the post here.
The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. Read the post here.
The White Coat Investor: A Doctor’s Guide to Personal Finance and Investing by James Dahle. Read the post here.
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Ind ependence by Robin and Dominguez- you earn a lot less per hour than you think, and every time you buy something you trade hours of your life for it.
Turbo Tax- Choose Deluxe if you itemize deductions or Home and Business if you own your own small business or work as an independent contractor.
CityPASS- save up to 50% on combined prices for admission to US and Toronto attractions.
San Francisco- urban hiking like it’s your hometown. Read the post here.
Southwest Premier Rewards Visa- earn up to 50,000 Rapid Rewards points if you spend $2000 in the first 3 months. This is worth approximately $830 in Wanna Get Away flights. $99 annual fee. If you get both Southwest cards, you’re almost to a companion pass that lasts through the end of next year. Read the post here.
Southwest Plus Rewards Visa- earn up to 50,000 Rapid Rewards points if you spend $2000 in the first 3 months. This is worth approximately $830 in Wanna Get Away flights. $69 annual fee. If you get both Southwest cards, you’re almost to a companion pass that lasts through the end of next year. Read the post here.
Staycation- the ultimate hometown tourist’s guide. Read the post here.
Tripadvisor- excellent source of information, ideas, and reviews.
Uber- cheaper, friendlier, and more convenient than a cab. Use code julies1868 to get your first ride free.
U.S. National Parks- you can get into all of them with one $80 annual pass! Better yet, it’s free if you’re in 4th Grade, in the Military, or permanently disabled. Only $10 for a lifetime pass if you’re 62 or better.
Urban Farm- for desert gardening tips and classes.
Vegan Athlete Jake Mace- more desert gardening tips and videos.
Why I Don’t Mind Being a Terrible Gardener- It’s a process of trial and error, joy and nature. Read the post here.
CreaClip- super-helpful tool for cutting your hair at home.
Declutter like a pro. Learn how here.
E6000- the world’s best glue. Your object will break in another place before this stuff becomes unstuck. Holds up car bumpers and gives new life to toys, shoes, and furniture.
Hem Jeans- learn how to keep the original distressed hem.
Why I Clean My Own Home- and What I Use to do it.
Distractions- how to avoid them and stick to what matters.
Email- learn how to keep it under control here.
Evite- free online invitations for your next gathering.
Family- time together is better than a night on the town.
Nagging- just DON’T do it.
Priorities- make sure you see a lot of the people you love.
Cait Flanders- formerly known as Blonde on a Budget, join Cait in her pursuit to become a more conscious consumer.
Freedom is Groovy- make wealth not debt.
Frugalwoods- Financial Independence and Simple Living.
Get Rich Quick’ish- Join Ty as he shares common sense with a big heart.
Make Smarter Decisions- Maximize Satisfaction. Minimize Regrets.
Mr. Money Mustache- Financial Freedom Through Badassity.
Our Next Life- early retirement, happiness, and adventure.
Physician on FIRE- finances and physician issues.
Rockstar Finance- not technically a blog, but “a collection of awesome money articles.”
She Picks Up Pennies- a teacher’s deep and witty thoughts on purpose and frugality.
White Coat Investor- Helping Those Who Wear the White Coat Get a “Fair Shake” on Wall Street.

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