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Giving Back…Zumba for Haiti

October 17, 2016 Lisa Rossmeissl Fitness, For Fun No comments

One of the great things about being in the travel industry and having my own agency is that I combine my passions and do the things I enjoy in life. One of the near and dear things to my heart is giving back to others in and outside of my community. If you visit our webpage, you will see there are several donations and conservation efforts that the agency participates in.

Over the weekend, I had an exceptional opportunity to give back in a fun and unique way thanks to my travel industry connections. My Aussie mate, Melissa Watt, from Travel2 invited me to her Zumba studio BellaVita and the event they were running to help Haiti after Hurricane Matthew’s devastating effects.

My daughter and I, who also participated with me in the event, were more than eager to help as we were much luckier on the other side of the island than Haiti’s poor people. During Matthew’s rage, we arrived in Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic. For those who don’t know, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are two countries on one island in the Caribbean. As Matthew approached, we were lucky that its course had shifted, but it did not shift quite far enough to miss the island altogether. While the sun came out for us and we had little to no signs of the storm ever being near, Haiti was not so lucky. The country continues to add to its death toll from mother nature’s beating. I believe upon the last check before writing this; there were now 1000 people dead. What is even worse now for people is the fear of a cholera outbreak due to poor water conditions.

To help with Haiti’s conditions, BellaVita came up with the idea to provide a free Zumba class for patrons and new guests to enjoy an hour of exercise and fun. The event asked for donations in any size to be given and would go to Haiti’s relief efforts. The particular funds from this event went to Hope for Haiti. As a bonus, for each $10 donation made, participants were entered into a raffle for a free massage.

While my daughter and I did not win the massage, we got a great sweat dancing Zumba style to tunes inspired by Haiti. What a great opportunity and setting for me to combine my fitness, travel, and giving passions. There are so many opportunities for us to do our part, and it doesn’t have to be taxing. In a world that seems upside down these days, I encourage you to make your positive mark on life.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Mind Your P’s and Q’s

October 2, 2016 Lisa Rossmeissl For Fun No comments

What do I mean by mind your P’s and Q’s?

On a recent flight to Mexico, I was sadly made aware of how rude our society has become. I was on a United flight from Newark to Cancun at 8 am. The flight attendants on board were bubbly and friendly. One, in particular, caught my eye as she was very conversational with many of the passengers. Listening to her speak with the passengers in front of me we learned she was in her seventies, from Hawaii, and still had 9 kids living at home. She didn’t look a day over 60, and needless to say, we were all shocked when she shared her age.

Later in the flight during the in-service, she was the one who happened to serve me. The standard “What would you like to drink?”. I said, “May I have a ginger ale, please.” Her response completely caught me off guard when she thanked me for my manners. She told me it is not very often that anyone uses the word please anymore and that I was very well-mannered. I was shocked.

Is please not an automatic word to use when requesting something?

After hearing this, I decided to keep my ears open through the rest of the flight and service. And oddly enough, she was right. Almost no one was using their manners. I even heard her voice again from the back compliment another passenger like myself. All I could think was have we really strayed so far from our common roots that I am sure most all of us were taught as children.
If your parents didn’t teach you, then certainly using good manners was posted in some cute poster form and practiced by your teachers at school. Seriously, how hard is it to remember words such as please, thank you, and excuse me? Obviously, one simple word can totally change your interaction with a stranger or even a friend. Have we not all grown up hearing, “one kind word can change someone’s entire day”?

For those of us who have forgotten, or get to busy in our lives to remember here is a list of things we learned as toddlers that should never be forgotten:

Use good manners every day.

Say “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me”, “you’re welcome”
Respect others, particularly those elder
Be kind to others
Respect other people’s property
Help keep a clean environment.
Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
Greet people with “Hi” and “How are you?”
Put your electronics down when speaking with someone.
Open doors for others
SMILE
The next time you’re on a flight, standing in line, or out shopping, I challenge you to use your manners and see if you can brighten someone’s day!

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

For A Good Time Call…

August 14, 2016 Lisa Rossmeissl For Fun, Travel Tips No comments

Looking for a good time?

Call me! I’m your friendly travel professional (aka travel agent, travel consultant, travel concierge).

I’ve now been in the travel industry for just over eight years, which still makes me a baby by some standards in the travel world. However, the best of us, new or old to the industry, is worth your time to call if you are looking for the best value in your travel experiences.
Why may you ask do I need a travel agent when there is so much available online? That, my friend, is exactly why you need a travel consultant (we prefer this over the antiquated use of an agent). The internet is awesome and is how I perform my business’s daily operations, but it is also daunting if you don’t know what to be looking for. It has its uses, and there are times when I will tell my clients it is in their best interest to go ahead and grab what they see online, but in most cases, your travel consultant will outperform any booking engine out there.

Here’s why…

Knowledge-Travel professionals, in general, know more than you do. In fact, we invest a lot of time, energy, and money into our profession. It is an ever-changing industry, and we are forever in learning mode. Through tourism board certification programs, supplier webinars, trade shows, personal development, and hands-on destination visits, we further our knowledge every day. Nothing teaches you better than visiting the destination. Besides seeing the destination, we experience what there is to do. There’s nothing like getting down and dirty with the locals and being able to come back and share with our clients the best tours, restaurants, or pubs to visit. Believe me, and we often can tell you if a place truly is what you see on the web. What is even better is a lot of us are now specialists in a specific type of travel or destination. Some are even hyper-specialized, like me, in the destination of Australia. I don’t call myself an Aussie Expert without good cause. Besides the continued online education I do with Australia Tourism and my suppliers, I will be making my 5th visit in 5 years this August.

Resources-All the visits, trade shows, and conferences lead to something even greater…a network of other highly specialized individuals at our disposal. We develop relationships with key people in our industry in the destinations we service, and we work with other agents. Yes, you heard me. We are not competitors. We are collaborators. I’ve even been known to have one of my fellow travel partners book my client’s vacation instead of me. What??? If it is in my client’s best interest to be matched with someone with greater expertise than myself, that’s exactly what I do. It all works out in the wash, and the ultimate goal is to provide my client with value and a trip they will never forget. I guarantee that your online booking engine is not consulting with other trained specialists to offer you the best choice.

Personal-Probably the best reason to use a travel professional is we care about you. Our primary goal is to get to know you! The best of us want to know everything about you. The more we know about you, the better we can match the right experiences to your trip. The longer you work with your professional, the greater the relationship becomes. Another bonus of working with a travel professional is we are there 24/7 to take care of your travel mishaps. Canceled flights, lost luggage, stolen items, whatever the case may be, you will get a person to help you through it. Crazy stuff doesn’t happen often, but believe me, when it does, you will be glad you booked your trip with your travel consultant.

I could go on with why you should call a travel professional. I challenge you to call me or another travel professional you know and experience what we can do for you. We are in an industry that is hard work but work we absolutely love. And when it is work you love, it isn’t working at all. When you build relationships with your clients, they aren’t clients but friends. There is a lot of passion that goes into what we do. Our greatest joy comes from following your journeys.

“Do something you’ll never forget”-Funjet Vacations.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

SMOOTH SAILING! Uncommon Essentials to Pack for Your Next Cruise

June 12, 2016 Anjana Duff Cruise, For Fun No comments

Summer is just around the corner, and the vacation season will be underway. If you are cruising this summer, I’m sure you’re getting excited and starting to think about what to pack. Of course, your mind will be on the fun stuff – swimsuits, shorts, cute dresses and tops, comfy pants and loose shirts, fun shoes and sandals. However, there are lots of other things you may not have thought about – things you don’t necessarily need for a land vacation. Cruises are different. Here is a list of things that have come in handy for my family and me when we take a cruise vacation.

Alarm clock/watch – Most cruise ship cabins don’t come with clocks, so if you want to know the time and set the alarm (rather than a phone wakeup call), bring your own. If you’re using your cell phone for this job, make sure you don’t incur roaming charges simply by leaving it on in foreign waters. That can become very costly!

Night light – Once the lights are out and the curtains are drawn, it is very dark in the cabin! Usually, there are no small or dim lights to leave on if a trip to the bathroom or for someone coming in late.

Power surge strip – With today’s technology, everyone has at least one – and often several- devices that need to be charged regularly – phones, laptops, tablets, Kindles, cameras, GoPro’s, etc. Most cabins only have a few extra outlets. If you have several people in a cabin with several devices, pack an outlet strip (or two). This way, everyone can recharge as necessary.

Space savers – Cruise ships do a great job of maximizing the space in the cabin for storage. Yet, it can still get cramped in there – especially if you share a triple or quad cabin. It’s not a bag idea to pack a few hangers, over-the-door hooks, over the door shoe holders (which have up to 20 plastic pockets and great for shoes or for organizing lots of little things – scarves, socks, anything small.

Money savers – Other items you might want to pack because they’re not provided and can be very expensive to buy on board include: bug spray, sunscreen, aloe for sunburns, over-the-counter meds (Dramamine, aspirin, antacids, decongestants, cough remedies), batteries, camera memory cards, earplugs, plastic bags for transporting liquids or wet things (or keeping water out of your gear on water-based tours).

Communication: Once you set sail and turn off your phones, communicating with your fellow cruise mates is not so easy. A great way to stay in contact is to bring a sticky note pad or a dry erase board and markers. Use them outside your cabin doors so that you can leave notes for others in your party. And synchronize your watches – if you still wear one! Another popular option to stay in touch while you’re all scattered about the ship is walkie talkies.

Quick fix – Duct tape goes a long way and is multi-purpose. If you have room to throw in a roll, do it. You’re bound to find the need for it at least once or twice.

Drinks – Bring your own coffee mug if you like to have more than 10 oz at a time. Pack a refillable water bottle if you enjoy the water all day. Water is safe to drink on board. If you enjoy wine, you are allowed to bring one bottle on board with you. Also, bring a corkscrew if necessary.

Money – But be sure to take small bills – 1s, 5s, and 10s – for tipping cab drivers and porters as you travel to and from the port.

Besides, here are some important things to keep in mind:

ALWAYS keep all important documents with you. Make sure you pack your necessary IDs and cruise documents in your carry-on bag. Never pack them in your checked luggage. So even if your suitcase misses the boat, you can get on board.

Carry on: When you check-in at the port, your big suitcase will be taken and brought to your cabin. You may not see it again for a few hours – sometimes not even until dinner time …or, unfortunately, sometimes later if it has been misplaced. Make sure to take a “day bag” with you and keep it with you when boarding the ship. Pack a change of clothes, maybe even your outfit for dinner that night, a bathing suit, cover-up, flip flops, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a book in your carry on so that you can enjoy the afternoon – and evening- even if you don’t have your luggage. Of course, keep any medications, valuables, contact lenses, glasses, and other important items in your carry-on bag.

Follow these tips and ensure that you will be sailing smoothly on your next cruise!

Anjana Duff is the owner of Travel Connection, a boutique travel agency specializing in tropical escapes and worldly adventures.

She creates customized vacation packages for individuals and groups. With her expertise, clients can relax before the vacation even begins. They are able to focus on what is truly important – connecting with their favorite people in their favorite places.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

My Lunch with True Blue Aussie-Bushy and his Wife

May 8, 2016 Lisa Rossmeissl Australia, For Fun No comments

I had a real treat this week when my past client, Jean Lakey, replied to my weekly e-zine to ask if I had any time during the week to meet up with her brother and his wife from Western Australia. Here was her email:

“My brother is here from Perth Australia for 4 weeks. He enjoyed reading your email post this morning.
He said to tell you he is a tru- blu dinky di Aussie
Bushy. He is sitting at my table in Eads, Tn.
He says they spell “bushy” with a y . 😊😃
He would love to drop by and meet the lady who is promoting his wonderful Australia.
I told him you had helped us several years ago when we made our trip to Perth.”

Given my passion for this country and her people, I jumped on the opportunity to spend some time speaking with true Aussies. I immediately responded with a lunch invite. Jean’s email response was:

“Thank you so much for the lunch invitation.
Ken would love it, as would we. I must warn you,
his nickname is “Bushy” and he is a bit of a rounder.
He loves His Western Australia and is a volunteer at the
Round House in Perth. He is a history buff and loves
Sharing Australian facts and history so meeting someone
who is promoting his Country would be a treat.”

Of course, I told her the treat was all mine and we sent a date for lunch.

You see, Jean and her husband Bryan were my first Australia booking in 2011. That same year, shortly after booking their trip to visit their relatives, I was invited to my first FAM (familiarization trip) to Australia to complete my Australia Specialist Certification. It was a booking and a trip that soon changed the path of my life.

Thrilled to have the opportunity to get down and dirty with Australians, we met at O’Charley’s for a leisurely lunch. Ken, a.k.a. “Bushy”, was a wealth of information and a true historian. He and his wife, Madeline, shared all the great spots that you, my clients, should see in Western Australia. What most Americans don’t realize is the size of Australia. Western Australia is the largest state at nearly 3 times the size of Texas. Depending on how long you can escape will determine what you can choose to fit into your itinerary.

Bushy grew up around the aboriginals and currently volunteers and teaches at the Round House. The Round House is outside of Perth in Freemantle and is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is the oldest building in Western Australia and was first a prison in 1829. It didn’t actually house any convicts until 1850. In 1900, a dropping time ball and signal were erected. It was used each day at 1p to signal the correct time to navigators on ships entering Fremantle Harbour. While the procedure was discontinued in 1937, the Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides now re-enact the ceremony, and a member of the public may be invited to be the Honorary Gunnery Officer to fire the sound signal. The chance to fire is free, but a nominal donation is nice. It is the only place in the world remaining where you can have the opportunity to fire the sound signal. The person receives a free certificate as well. Upon her visit in 2011, Jean said this was an absolute highlight of her trip.

Lunch continued, and I must say I could have spent the whole afternoon listening to Ken, “Bushy”, and Madeline. It got a bit fun when “Bushy” decided he was going to test a bit of my Australian slang. I told him if he slowed down I might make out a bit, but if he spoke at full speed I wouldn’t be able to get enough of the context to decipher. Once he slowed down, I was somewhat fair. The Aussies like to do a lot of rhyming things and often shorten words. Truly, learning their slang is like learning another language. Just like here in the states, the different regions have different ways of saying and pronouncing things. Apparently, I speak more Eastern Australian, but no surprise since most of my friends and colleagues are from Sydney. Here is one he said in reference to our day at lunch:

“Bloody wind would blow a brown dog off a rusty chain”, meaning the wind had picked up quite a bit since we had entered the restaurant.

My favorite from Madeline was the Fremantle Doctor, aka “the sea breeze”. I think we could all use treatment from this doctor.

I compiled a list of must do’s from our conversation. To learn more about them or how to include Western Australia in your vacation plans contact us!

Western Australia Top “To Do” Items from an Aussie Perspective:

In Perth, Kings Park and the beaches (some the of the best beaches Australia has to deliver)
Go North to see the Lancelin Sand Dunes
A 2 hour run outside of Perth is the Pinnacles
Rottnest Island– take a ferry over and see the famous Quokkas
Freemantle War Memorial
4-5 hours visit the Natural Bridge
Go North to Broome to see the Stairway to the Stars
For wineries, stop by Margaret River or Swan River
See championship surging at Margaret River
Visit wildlife at Kahuna Wildlife Park
Visit the Living Rocks
Go to the Lighthouse where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet

I’ve certainly got Western Australia on my radar and with an open invitation to visit my new friends, I can’t wait to make it a reality.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Tipping Ain’t Just for Cows

April 24, 2016 Judy Jay For Fun, Travel Tips No comments

Have you ever heard of cow tipping?

If you were ever a teenager, you probably know exactly what it is. Hopefully you never participated and if you did…well, hopefully the farmer was too slow to catch you. Cow tipping is just not the nicest thing in the world to do to an innocent cow, but tipping for good service, is not only good but also quite proper – most of the time.
So how do you know when and where and who and how much to tip? That’s a mighty big question and the answers can certainly vary depending on the service, on the country, and even on your mode of travel. One very important idea is to ‘know before you go.’ When traveling (whether in the US or abroad) be sure to educate yourself. Know which people along your journey are expecting a tip, which ones are depending on a tip, and which ones are deserving of a tip. And most importantly, know how much is appropriate for a tip. One of the best sources for detailed tipping advice and lots of other helpful info is a good guidebook. Guidebooks are almost as important as a good travel professional when it comes to creating a smooth and memorable adventure. In this article, we hope to offer you a quick and easy guide to tipping that will get you through most situations.
First of all, on many cruise ships, the gratuities are already built in to a total of about $9 – $13 a day, but for service above and beyond, you can always leave extra. You should consider tipping for great service from the dining room staff (including servers, waiters, bus boys, and maître ‘ds.) You should certainly consider tips for spa services, tour guides, and drivers unless specifically discouraged by the particular cruise line.
The second and most confusing area of gratuity rules are those for service in other countries. Most westernized countries are open to, encourage, or even expect gratuities for service oriented workers. In these western countries, you can feel safe in using customary US rules for tipping. However, it is almost always preferable to tip in the currency of the particular country. You should consider tipping any person who provides you a service including servers, bellman, concierges, maids, drivers, guides, etc. In non-westernized countries, it is very important to know the customs and the culture. You should always check to see if the tip is included in your bill. Anything extra is up to you. Doing the right thing can make or break your time in that country. For instance, if you don’t tip certain workers in India, they may chase you down the street looking for you to correct your mistake. Workers in some Asian countries will wholeheartedly refuse your tip. Some European countries prefer a discreet token of your appreciation while in Russia “giving in style is good practice.” And if you’re down under (in Australia or New Zealand), they do not want a tip for what they consider to be just proper service. You’re considered a guest the first time around and family the second time. You’d never expect a tip from guests or family members and neither will they expect it.
No matter where you are, you should always try to tip with proper change. It just makes the exchange that much easier for everyone. When traveling, always use your larger bills for purchasing things like trinkets and dinners and keep the smaller bills for those people who make your travel more pleasant. If you’re unsure, consider an amount between 5 and 10%. But no matter what, your instincts are a great start when trying to follow local customs about tipping. If it feels like the service person has earned it, tip for it. If they’ve gone above and beyond, tip for it. When in doubt, look around and follow suit. And, discretion is almost always appreciated.

Just remember, in a world where people not only hope for a tip, but sometimes even demand it, you make the choice. You decide who and when and where and how much? Be generous when it’s well deserved and when it’s not…well, just follow your instincts and be ready for whatever response you might get.

For more information on these and other travel topics, visit our web page and like us on Facebook.

Gratuity Expected? Acceptable Gratuity % Other Notes

Restaurants Hotels Taxis
USA Yes Yes Yes 15 – 20% Tip for everything
Canada Yes Yes Yes 10 – 20% Tip for everything
Mexico Yes Yes Yes 15% Tips are their only wages!
France Included Yes/Included No 15% or more Also tip your tour guides
Germany No No No 5 – 10% Workers get higher wages
Italy No No No Just round up Look for cover charges
Switzerland Included Included Included None Can tip other service people
England Yes Yes Yes 10 – 12.5% Pint of beer as a tip!
Egypt Yes Yes Yes Undetermined Tipping is expected for all
Brazil Included Included No 10 – 15% Tips are discretionary
Singapore No No No None Tips are frowned upon
China No No No None Foreigners are charged more
Hong Kong No No No None Except taxis to the airport
Japan No No No None Absolutely no tipping!
New Zealand No No No None Only for exceptional service
Australia No No No None Only for exceptional service

Judy Jay is the owner of Signature Tours Travel. Signature Tours Travel specializes in the designing of unique travel experiences.

Travel is my Passion!

When I was young, I use to dream of traveling to different parts of the world to experience other cultures. In 1968, I became a Flight Attendant for one of the world’s largest airlines. After retiring in 2001, I still had my passion for travel and the desire to share my expertise; I decided to open my own agency with my daughter to provide custom and unique luxury travel experiences.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Tattoos-The Meaning Behind the Ink

January 17, 2016 Lisa Rossmeissl For Fun, New Zealand No comments

At the New Year’s Eve party this year the topic of tattoos came up. A good male friend of mine was like, “how many do you have now.” I said, “I have five.” He just shook his head saying he had gotten his second and was planning a third, but wasn’t going to be able to keep up with me. Now it is not an actual race, but when I started my tattoo journey a year ago, he was inspired to finally get his first tattoo because of the meaning. What do I mean by this?

Not all tattoos are mistakes done on an evening of heavy drinking where you stumble into a late night tattoo shop. While you will run into a few who did it by mistake or thought the picture of it was cool, you will find most people who adorn themselves in ink do so because there is deep felt meaning to that person and that person alone for what the ink or tattoo represents. Tattooing has been around for thousand of years with many of the early cultures using them as rites of passage and to recognize status in a tribe. Many cultural artists are still around doing the work of their ancestors, however, in most cases the methods have been brought up to the current century due to health standards and government laws.

I had always wanted a tattoo for years, but for most of my life I never got one because others said I shouldn’t. However, when I found something I was truly passionate for, it was almost like I couldn’t help myself from pulling that passion from within to the skin. Last year I did a blog called “Souvenirs That Last A Lifetime”. It goes into a description about my first tattoos and the meaning behind them. In October of 2015, I had the pleasure of taking my son to Australia and New Zealand and it was here that we shared a special bond by getting traditional Maori tattoos done in Rotorua.

We had them done by J.P., a Maori, at Whakarewarewa The Living Maori Village. The process began with an interview by J. P.. He then did a drawing based on the things he drew from our interview that were special and held meaning for us. Before he began the inking process he performed a traditional Maori blessing over each of us. I can’t even express in words the feelings that come over me when I am allowed to immerse myself in another’s culture. He gave me a print copy of what is etched upon my upper left arm. (seen below) A tattoo on the left generally will represent family. The swirls (as I call them) represent the people.

The meaning behind my tattoo…..

The main interlocking swirls located in the center of the tattoo represents my mother and father.

If you follow them to the upper right you will see to smaller swirls(hooks) interlocked. Those are my grandparents on each side. In addition you will see 3 individual swirls located on the upper end of the tattoo. These represent my niece and my two nephews.

If you follow the main center swirl down to the bottom, the longest swirl represents me. The single swirl just under my parents is my sister. Coming off of my long swirl you will see a swish with two curls and those represent my daughters, while the single one represents my son.

At the very bottom of the tattoo you will see a small swirl linked (overlapped) with my swirl. The small swirl represents a very special friend and our bond. The friend restored my hope and faith in the existence of good people and made me believe again. These are gifts I will be eternally grateful for.

The swirls are surrounded by other symbols FOR BLESSINGS AND PROTECTION
The ocean waves represent good HEALTH, VITALITY, and CLEANSING
The mountains represent paying RESPECT TO NATURE, the land of your births, and your travels
The >>>> represent ABUNDANCE, DIRECTION, FREEDOM, and TRAVEL
The ////\\\\//// weaving pattern represents close knit FAMILY and loved ones
The ))))) represent GOOD vibes, for only good things to come to my LIFE, HAPPINESS, LOVE, ABUNDANCE and FREEDOM.

My son’s tattoo photographed above has similar meaning. The swirls represent the important people in his life. Represented upon his shoulder are his dad, myself, his siblings, his cousins, his baseball coach, and his two closest baseball teammates. The other symbols will follow the descriptions listed above. It was a special afternoon we shared, not soon to be forgotten.

You see, for me, my tattoos are so much more than ink on my body. They have spent a long time in the waiting and making, and each has been done to represent my passions in life.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Snacks to Go

September 13, 2015 Lisa Rossmeissl Culinary, For Fun, Travel Tips No comments

As a busy travel professional, I find myself on the road quite a bit. I average approximately one trip a month now, and being gone and away from the kitchen and home can really test your eating habits. Over the past couple of years, as my travels have increased, I have learned smart ways to tackle the array of bad choices presented to me at every airport, on every flight, and even in a lot of restaurants. While I still like to dive into the local cuisines, I do take measures where I can to make sure I stay on track and don’t sabotage my hard work.

One trick has been learning to never leave home without healthy options in either my purse or carry-on. Many things are small enough and easy enough to pack in these small bags. Surprisingly, a lot of them can be found even in nice “to-go” individual servings at your local grocery store.

Some of my best grab and go snacks….

Nuts ( almonds, pistachios, walnuts, soy, etc.)
Seeds (pumpkin and sunflower are my two favorites)
Fruit ( small cuties, bananas, apples, grapes, or even a small Tupperware full of berries)
Eggs (Boil them and take them to go. One warning they can give off a sulfur odor)
Avocado or guacamole ( I have recently found great little to go servings of the guacamole. Note it is a refrigerator item, so you don’t want it in your bag all day)
Vegetable sticks (baby carrots, celery, red peppers)
Olives (green, black, or kalamata can now be found in convenient to-go cups)
In addition to my healthy snacks, I always carry water with me. Staying hydrated during travel is vitally important. I also need it for my Shakeology that I bring with me. Shakeology is a great protein high-density nutrition drink and can be ordered in great individual packets. (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry)

I use similar rules when I travel to my friend’s homes. If I am bringing a dish, I make sure it is one of my healthy options, so I always know I will have a good choice. When I put out the game spread at home, you will find similar snacks to the list above, along with your chips and dips. The keys to any healthy eating plan, whether on-the-go or at home, is first to make good choices 80% of the time and second to remember moderation. It won’t do you any good to eat nuts if you decide to eat the whole 16-ounce bag when a serving size is more like a 1/4 cup. Next time you are taking a trip, think of the list above and make a plan.

Happy Snacking!

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

How to Create More Happiness

May 16, 2015 Carmen Perez For Fun No comments

When you finally manage to steal a moment for yourself do you:

Get right to the enjoyment and fun, or…

Lay on the sofa waiting for something fun to come along and entertain you?

About 18 years ago I became a mom again, to the world’s most amazing, gorgeous and genius babies–my twins, Roque and Reyna. (I’m sure you feel the same way about your babies, human or otherwise.) Well, although they are amazing, gorgeous geniuses, caring for them was exhausting. They ate every other hour. For fun they decided to alternate their feeding hours so just as I got one baby fed and to bed the other was waking up to eat. I remember thinking, “If I could just get 4 hours of sleep in a row I’ll be set.” From time to time my mom would take them for the day to give me a break.

That was the perfect time for me to play, right? Not.

I had no idea what I wanted to do. I’d always clean, do the laundry, groceries and run the errands. Then I’d be home, exhausted half asleep on the sofa watching TV while they were gone. Now please understand, if I was super engaged in what I was doing and enjoying it, I wouldn’t say that was a crappie way to spend my time. However, the fact is I was completely disengaged and wouldn’t have recognized FUN if it tried to smother me as I slept.

It never occurred to me to do something I enjoy, something fulfilling. Granted I did enjoy having the chores done but that left me feeling sad and lonely with little energy to do more than sleep.

Fast forward to today and I can tell you with a clarity I did not have before, it’s CRITICAL to stay connected to what you like and enjoy. Otherwise, you’ll fall off the path to Joy-ville, and end up in Funky Town.

After my 2008 Breakdown I learned about self-worth and realized how abusive I was to myself. Nothing will teach you that faster than acquiring an autoimmune disease and becoming disabled. I disconnected from any sense of what felt good and fun.

When I started learning about mind, body and soul wellness, well-being, I realized I was ill-equipped to live a life of love, happiness and peace. No one ever talked about not working too hard, getting enough sleep, and taking a timeout when you needed it. It happens so fast and easily without you noticing.

It would take some time, but I finally figured out what I enjoyed. Before the 2008 Breakdown I couldn’t get there. I didn’t understand how our bodies are affected by living in a society where “busy-ness” is valued more than “effectiveness” and how this way of thinking has left 93% of the population feeling stressed out, guilty, and/or exhausted.

How to Use Time to Create Happiness
The first thing I had to do is be mindfully present. We hear about this concept of being present and in the moment but how often do we actually do it. To help keep grounded in the present focus on what you are doing and nothing else. Notice your bodily sensations, the thoughts running through you mind, and how you are emotionally feeling while being where you are.

Then create time for play. Play is art, books, cooking, movies, music, comedy, traveling, flirting and daydreaming. We tend to dismiss play for adults. Usually play is perceived as unproductive, petty or at its worse, a guilty pleasure. We are made to believe once we’ve transitioned to adult status it’s time for us to get serious. As a result, between personal and professional aspirations and obligations we leave no time for play.

Last, journal every day. Write about what you did and the things you accomplished. Notice how you felt and celebrate your wins. Before you know it, you will be completely tuned into what you do that fulfills you and brings you joy.

Be committed to never lose touch with your inner child. The one that loves to laugh at silly jokes and sing as loud as she can while dancing wildly to her favorite song.

Put It To Work: This week practice being mindfully present, create time for play and journal about your days. At the end of the week read what you wrote out. Start a list of things you enjoy doing. Things that make the time fly and make you feel passionate and energized when you do them. Keep this list on you and when you get a minute go do one of the things on your Play-List. I keep my Play-List on my phone.

Play Time is one of the Happitunities I talk about often. Play time is meant to be purposeless, voluntary, fun, and pleasurable. Give yourself permission to enjoy the healing and connectivity playing brings to a heart-centered, joyous lifestyle.

Carmen M. Perez, is the founder of www.EffortlessLivingOnline.com, a lifestyle e-magazine for entrepreneurs.

We help entrepreneurs understand they do not have to sacrifice their health, happiness or lifestyle to succeed. by sharing strategies to help them reclaim their time, calm the chaos and transform the way they experience their world. Sign up for your FREE content packed e-book, “Let’s get on with it! How to Survive Life’s Thriving Lessons” and receive her weekly advice on bringing order to chaos, busting through stress, and making the most of your time and living with passion, purpose, and play, visit www.EffortlessLivingOnline.com.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Tahitian Pearls

May 9, 2015 Lisa Rossmeissl For Fun, South Pacific No comments

“An irritating, tiny grain of sand cultivates layers of luminous, miraculous, one of a kind beauty just as life challenges cultivates and evolves each of our souls.”-unknown.

As I sit here reflecting, drawing my hand along my throat, I am drawn back to my time in Tahiti and the little orbs that hang from my silver chain. They were a gift I bought myself in December 2014 while in the Islands of French Polynesia. My particular pearls were bought at the Tahiti Pearl Market in Vaitape. I remember the day well. We began the day with a shark and sting ray excursion. As we were finishing our day out on the ocean and lagoon of Bora Bora, a storm moved in. Here the 10 of us were on a small boat and the captain had us sit steadily facing the shore as we waited for the storm to pass. We entertained ourselves with various camp songs and could not resist singing the theme from “Gilligan’s Island”. Once we made it back to the resort, it was a quick change to catch our ferry to the mainland to have some lunch and shopping in Vaitape. We were caught in another downpour and waited it out in the restaurant before venturing to the stores. Black pearls are really a must purchase you see and we were on a mission that day to come home with some.

The black pearl is known as the Tahitian Pearl.

This organic gem is formed from the black lip oyster and primarily earns the name Tahitian Pearl because they are mostly cultivated around the islands of French Polynesian. The pearls actually aren’t true black; they’re charcoal, and they also can be found as silver or dark green. At the Tahiti Pearl Market you had the option to purchase a piece already made or could design your own. I opted to make my own design so that it would be one of a kind. The pearls range in size, shape, color and luster. The price ranges too, depending on the size, color, and luster you choose for your setting.

Looking at the boxes and boxes of pearls it was so hard to decide, but fun at the same time.

It was like having a bag of marbles, but on smaller scale. I finally chose a charcoal, green, and white to place on an “S”-shaped pendant I had picked out. The amazing part is they actually assembled and crafted your design while you waited. You could watch the French Polynesian woman behind the glass. I truly must say the French Polynesians are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet in your travels. After about 30 minutes my creation was complete with certificate of authenticity. I was so excited to collect my treasure and return to the shuttle with my friends. Almost all 10 of us had something either made or purchased throughout that afternoon. It is truly a treasure I will cherish for a lifetime.

updated July 19. 2020

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

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Use good manners every day.

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Call me! I’m your friendly travel professional (aka travel agent, travel consultant, travel concierge).

Follow these tips and ensure that you will be sailing smoothly on your next cruise!

Given my passion for this country and her people, I jumped on the opportunity to spend some time speaking with true Aussies. I immediately responded with a lunch invite. Jean’s email response was:

Have you ever heard of cow tipping?

You see, for me, my tattoos are so much more than ink on my body. They have spent a long time in the waiting and making, and each has been done to represent my passions in life.

Some of my best grab and go snacks….

Happy Snacking!

“An irritating, tiny grain of sand cultivates layers of luminous, miraculous, one of a kind beauty just as life challenges cultivates and evolves each of our souls.”-unknown.

The black pearl is known as the Tahitian Pearl.

Looking at the boxes and boxes of pearls it was so hard to decide, but fun at the same time.

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