My Birthday: 30 Thoughts At 30
My Birthday: 30 Thoughts At 30

I turned 30 yesterday!  A lot of people get freaked out about turning 30, but I think it’s a blessing to age! I’ve never felt stronger, more confident, wiser, or happier. I know myself and am not afraid to speak my truth! I feel like I have my life together. Life is good at 30. 

I wanted to do something a little different on my blog. At first, I was thinking about writing a “30 Lessons I’ve Learned By 30” blog post, but then I thought that was kind of cheesy. Instead, I’d like to do something a little different and give you a small tour of what’s going through my mind .

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lifestyle 2Lina ForrestalBIRTHDAYComment
Krabi, Thailand: An Unfiltered, Honest Review
Krabi, Thailand: An Unfiltered, Honest Review

We are not beach people. This is ironic because John and I both grew going to the beach on family vacations and our house in America is in a beach town . Thailand is known for it’s beautiful beaches, so we couldn’t live here for a year and not go to the beach. Luckily, one of my best friends, Beth, was coming to visit and she wanted to see the beaches, so we had the perfect excuse to go check it out! We decided to go to Railay Beach in Krabi after some recommendations from our friends Sven and Alix!

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travelLina ForrestalKRABI, THAILAND, TRAVEL, BEACH Comments
Intuitive Eating, Loving Myself, and Finally Opening Up About My Eating Disorder
Intuitive Eating, Loving Myself, and Finally Opening Up About My Eating Disorder

I’m honestly a little nervous about putting this blog post out into the world because it’s so personal and is something that I’ve hid for so long. But at 29, I feel like I’m finally comfortable enough to tell my story. I hope that my story helps those who suffer from a mental illness feel like they’re not alone.

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lifestyle 2Lina ForrestalEATING DISORDER, INTUITIVE EATINGComment
The Relaxed Guide to Enjoying Chiang Mai
The Relaxed Guide to Enjoying Chiang Mai

We spent a total of 10 days in Chiang Mai during our road trip around Northern Thailand. Wow, we spent a lot of time in Chiang Mai, come to think of it. It’s easy to use Chiang Mai as a hub for travel into Chiang Rai, Fang, Pai, and Mae Hong Son. A lot of people only think of the beach when they think of traveling Thailand – but Thailand has so much more to offer! Especially for those who like a good adventure!

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travelLina ForrestalCHIANG MAI, THAILANDComment
A Unique Experience: We Stayed on a Farm in Fang, Thailand
A Unique Experience: We Stayed on a Farm in Fang, Thailand

Let’s be honest: there are tons of fancy shmancy resorts in Thailand. It’s easy to book something fancy. We all travel differently, and trust me, I like nice things (and staying in nice places) too. Are you getting the most authentic experience when you stay at a resort? While resorts manufacture “authentic” experiences, a homestay offers something more raw.

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travelLina ForrestalTHAILAND, TRAVELComment
Mae Sot: Practicing Responsible Tourism in Thailand
Mae Sot: Practicing Responsible Tourism in Thailand

Last Saturday, we arrived at the far reaches of Thailand – far west – on the border of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city of Mae Sot is bustling, international, and unsuspectingly cool.

Not many tourists venture out this far, which is exactly why we wanted to go!

Located just across the border with Burma, Mae Sot has felt the result of the military dictatorship that has ruled Burma since 1962. Due to repression and civil war, hundreds of thousands of Burmese came to Thailand for safety, work, and to take advantage of better education and health-care. Visiting Mae Sot and spending money here gives you the opportunity to do some good: support the local economy that’s made up of Burmese immigrants and refugees.

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travelLina ForrestalTHAILAND, TOURISMComment
A Day Trip to Ayutthaya By Motorcycle
A Day Trip to Ayutthaya By Motorcycle

A few weekends ago, we took a little day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya on our motorcycle . We left early in the morning, packing our ponchos, and an extra change of clothes in case we got caught in the rain . It is rainy season after all!

Even though our end goal was to see the ruins, we ended up taking two detours at the Bang Pa In Royal Palace and the Japanese Village Museum. They were on the way and well-worth the visit!

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travelLina ForrestalTHAILAND, TRAVEL, DAY TRIPComment
I tried Instagram Engagement Pods and This is What I Learned | 2018
I tried Instagram Engagement Pods and This is What I Learned | 2018

I think Instagram pods are ruining Instagram . I admit it, I’ve been a member of not just one Instagram pod, but several. Like most, I joined because I wanted my content to get infront of new audiences. Naively, I was also hoping to foster some real relationships with like-minded individuals: fellow food and travel bloggers living abroad. If my content could get a boost while building lasting, meaningful relationships, it felt like a win/win!

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Lina ForrestalINSTAGRAM POD, BLOGGING, INSTAGRAM Comment
Khlong Bang Luang Artist House (Baan Silapin) in Bangkok
Khlong Bang Luang Artist House (Baan Silapin) in Bangkok

The hustle and bustle of Bangkok can be completely overwhelming. I don’t do well in large crowds – they completely tire me out and I just shut down and my eyes glaze over. Can anyone relate?  LOL. So when we decided to explore Thonburi, I was mentally prepped for the crowds, only to discover that the Artist House area is a total hidden gem. It’s a little off the beaten path, but it’s well worth it. It was nearly empty – a stark contrast to nearby Wat Arun, which is totally mobbed on a good day.

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travelLina ForrestalBANGKOK, THAILAND, TRAVEL Comment
Eating Adventures in Hong Kong
Eating Adventures in Hong Kong

After living in Bangkok for two months, I was really excited to visit Hong Kong to see another big city in Asia. Hong Kong truly is a foodie city!  Most people come to Hong Kong and think dim sum. Although we didn’t actually eat any dim sum on this trip, we did have some truly amazing pizza . We start off this blog post at the Blue House Cluster at an awesome little vegan restaurant called Local Ginger. Then, we get an afternoon snack at Mammy Pancakes and then finish off the night at Mother of Pizzas. The next morning, we head to The Flying Pan for some brekkie. Are people still calling it “brekkie”? 

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travelLina ForrestalHONG KONG, TRAVEL, FOODComment
Day Trip from Bangkok: Visit the Monkey Temple (Prang Sam Yot) in Lopburi, Thailand
Day Trip from Bangkok: Visit the Monkey Temple (Prang Sam Yot) in Lopburi, Thailand

There is a TON to do in the city of Bangkok. Like any big city, there are so many tourist attractions (and tourist traps!). If you’ve exhausted Bangkok tourist attractions and are looking for a fun and different day trip- visiting Lopburi is for you!

Lopburi is a city that’s run by monkeys. If you’re from the West, I can guarantee that you’ve never seen anything like it!

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travelLina ForrestalMONKEY TEMPLE, TRAVEL, THAILAND, BANGKOK, lopburiComment
Easy Thai Peanut Vegan Rice Bowl
Easy Thai Peanut Vegan Rice Bowl

It’s been a month since we moved to Thailand! I lost a little weight since being here, which is a miracle given that I’ve been eating ALL the delicious things, most of which are fried 

I’ve been really into rice bowls lately. They’re my go-to “healthy” food, because…you know. I’ll eat anything but salad  Rice bowls are the perfect way to get your protein, carbs, and veggies all-in-one! If you’re a meat eater, you could easily throw some grilled chicken in this and call it a day. I actually prefer tofu to chicken. I make the best tofu! The secret is to fry it on medium to high heat until golden brown and to season it like you would meat. When the tofu browns on the outsides and becomes crispy, it has a really great meaty texture to it.

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lifestyle and motherhoodLina ForrestalVEGAN, RICE BOWL, THAI Comment
Biking Around Bang Kachao Island | Bangkok, Thailand
Biking Around Bang Kachao Island | Bangkok, Thailand

If you’re looking for a day trip from Bangkok that isn’t too far out but involves fresh air and bike riding, this one’s for you. Feel the sense of adventure as you explore an island that isn’t mobbed by other tourists!

We visited Bang Kachao twice now and I have to clarify that I’ve been calling it an island but it is actually not an island! There are a few different spellings of it, “Bang Kachao” and “Bang Krachao”. When you look at a map of Bangkok, Bang Kachao is the section where the Chao Phraya river snakes around like a horseshoe. Bang Kachao is known as Bangkok’s “Green Lung” as its located in an area adjacent to Bangkok. It’s only a 5 minute speed boat ride across the river but it feels like you’ve traveled miles away from the city!

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travelLina ForrestalTHAILAND, BANGKOK, bang kachao, lung of bangkok Comment
Supanniga Eating Room in Bangkokg, Thailand
Supanniga Eating Room in Bangkokg, Thailand

Bangkok is definitely a foodie city . With John being a vegetarian, it’s sometimes a game going out to eat – trying to find a menu with ample vegetarian options is more of a challenge than you would think! As a meat eater, I never really thought about it! Next time you go out to eat, pay attention to the menu and see what doesn’t have meat in it. Sometimes when we go out to eat, there are only 1 or 2 true vegetarian options (no fish sauce, no beef stock, no bacon bits). But! At Supanniga Eating Room, there were vegetarian options a-plenty!

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travelLina ForrestalBANGKOK, PAD THAI, VEGETARIANComment
My Thoughts 2 Weeks Before Moving to Thailand
My Thoughts 2 Weeks Before Moving to Thailand

I woke up this past Saturday and the first thought that popped into my mind was: “It’s our wedding anniversary. A year ago, I said ‘I Do’ to this crazy dude. And oh my god, in two weeks, we’ll be on a plane to Bangkok!” 

I wanted to do something a little different and give a mini life update of my thoughts, feelings, and what I’ve been up to. Admittedly, it’s been hard though it all to stick to a consistent blogging schedule, but I’m hoping that when the dust settles and we’re in Bangkok, I’ll be blogging more regularly.

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travel, lifestyleLina ForrestalComment
6 Fun Places to Eat in San Francisco in 2018
6 Fun Places to Eat in San Francisco in 2018

I travel to San Francisco two or three times a year for work and I have to admit I don’t hate it. My best friend Haylee moved out to the Bay Area 2 years ago, and it’s always a treat to hang out with her. Also, the food scene in the Bay Area is insane. Every time I travel to SF, I get so excited to eat. So this time, I decided to keep track of my favorite meals and places. Here they are below, enjoy!

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travelLina ForrestalCALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCOComment