Holiday Gift Guide 2019

Happy Holidays & Happy/Safe Trails! Our top picks this year are simple. Please consider purchasing your poles (and rubber tips) from REI or your local outfitter. If you click thru this blog, you support AdventureBuddies and we thank you!

These poles have an ergonomic 15 degree angled cork grip which makes your hands/wrists/elbows/shoulders happier than the straight grip poles. Cork is absorbent and comfortable. These trekking/hiking poles come in 2 sizes: Regular & “Women’s”

“Women’s” model is more compact (shorter) and fits hikers under 5’2″ and walkers (who are not adjusting out long): (click next or previous to see poles/tips)

Then, and yes this makes our list every year, there’s the Spot Headlamp – still one of the best, most practical gifts imaginable.

Lastly, we love this aloe cream. Ever since radiation I’ve searched for a good aloe cream (without petroleum and fragrance) and this one is amazing! It’s my go-to gift.

Don’t forget to order rubber tips when you purchase poles. These are the ones that fit trekking poles:

Golden Milk – a healthy way to start your day

What’s the FIRST thing you ingest in the morning?
Is it healthy?

My morning “Go To” drink is Golden Milk and my Health & Hiking Poles Retreaters love it!
I purchase the custom blend of spices from Oaktown Spice Shop. They have tested their turmeric to ensure high potency of curcumin in the turmeric they use.  I took a class there and have refined the recipe.

The custom blend of spices includes:

• 6 TB ground high quality turmeric
• 1 TB each ground cinnamon (I add more) and ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp finely ground pepper (critical for absorption)
• 1 tsp cardamom (I add more)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• I add vanilla, ground cloves and experiment with all sorts of other things

Gently heat 1/3 to 1/2 cup coconut oil (or ghee)
Add spices (since I order the blend, I use 1/3 to 1/2 cup) to bloom

Meanwhile, heat to boiling about 1 cup water. Add to blooming spices and whisk/stir until quite thick (up to 10 minutes)
Cool for about 5 minutes then add honey (1/4 to 1/2 cup to taste).  Use local honey!  Honey is a preservative as well as a flavor enhancement. Pour into a glass jar and store in the fridge.
Each morning I heat a cup of about 1/3 Calafia Farms Toasted Coconut Almond Milk with 2/3 cup water. I spoon a generous tsp of the golden milk paste into the heated “water.”
You can also use this paste as a topping for sweet potatoes, oatmeal, squash soup. I use it in my ricotta whip dessert (that’s another post). I’ve not yet tried Golden Milk Cheesecake, but I bet it will be wonderful (and colorful).

Question that’s come in already – how long does this last in the fridge? I go thru it way before it ever begins to age. I’ve made 1 cup spice to proportionately more water and oil and it lasts. The honey is the preservative.

Also, depending on your ratios, stirring and other factors, you may end up with a paste or a more liquidy blend that you’ll have to stir. Have FUN with this and know that you’re starting your day off in a healthy way.

p.s.  Be careful as turmeric is YELLOW and can stain.

 

 

 

Gourmet Health & Hiking Poles Weekend Retreat at Point Reyes

The Point Reyes website is limited in space so I’m posting info here for anyone who is interested in this weekend event, which is only offered once per year.

Location:  Clem Miller Environmental Education Center – we are SO lucky to have access to this amazing facility.  If you read the description of our location, you know we are OFF the grid at CMEE.  There is ZERO cell reception.  There is no electricity in the cabins.  There are 5 cabins on the property and one large bathhouse.  Each cabin sleeps about 20 and we will be 3 to 5 per cabin, depending on your selection.  Point Reyes provides 2 excellent/experienced facilitators for our weekend and s/he can assist with cabin selection.

Retreat Description:  Are you getting older? We hope so. But how to age as gracefully as possible?  You love the outdoors!

If you’ve ever considered consulting with a fitness coach or personal trainer, this is an excellent way to get started in understanding how to weave fitness into your life so that you can continue to enjoy your outdoor activities.  This retreat is designed so that each participant can connect with nature, rejuvenate and experience a variety of classes and activities specifically designed to help you maintain your ability to enjoy the outdoors.

Together we’ll enjoy Point Reyes and learn transformative skills focused on improving and maintaining your skeletal structure and quality of life.

The weekend will include structured classes, group movement and exercise sessions as well as a variety of health and wellness discussions. Participants may enjoy all or some of the activities.
Learn and practice skills and progressive routines to enhance your health as well as optimize, personalize and PROGRAM your fitness.

Expert instruction will help you improve your ability to hike efficiently and comfortably using poles. A variety of top quality poles will be provided – learn which model fits you best and will enable you to achieve your hiking goals.

Weekend rate includes two nights’ accommodations and most (healthy and delicious) meals.

Hikes: Saturday’s short hike is part of the hiking poles training. Sunday’s hikes: 2 levels will be offered (easy/gentle and stronger/exercise) so you can practice skills and experience the magic of Point Reyes.

From prior participants:
“I went from never having used poles to feeling confident. The food was amazing as were so many other aspects of the weekend.” Jaime
“Activities from day one that provide guidance on how to get the most out of the weekend. Jayah puts a lot of thought into her teaching methods to achieve individualized goals.” Julie
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your 1000% effort to teach us, care for us and inspire us to be fitter and healthier. I know you made each of our lives better in so many ways.” Clarice
“Exceptional training in a natural environment.” Carol

10:30 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2019 to about 4 pm on Sunday, August 25, 2019

Most retreats at Point Reyes run well over $400 and do not include the food.  This one is $315 (members) or $345 (non-members) and includes most of the food – see note at end of this post to see how you can experience a truly magical culinary experience as well as the training and camaraderie of this retreat.

Schedule:

Activities and times are approximate and subject to change due to weather or whim.

Friday:
• 10:30 to 11 Arrive at the Clem Miller Educational Center at Point Reyes National Seashore
• 11 to 12:30 Unload car, sign in with facilitator, get parking pass and repark car in nearby lot. Select cabin, arrange bedding. Settle in, lunch on your own.
• 1:00 Fitness for the Trail class
Six key elements determine your ability to maintain physical fitness. This interactive session progressively helps you create a more structurally-solid foundation. Individualized movements focus on improving joint health, balance, posture, endurance, flexibility and strength.
This is a combination lecture and participation which will give us a common language for the weekend and give you tools for establishing a healthy exercise routine. Participants will be able to assess their level in each category and learn movements and exercises in each that will help facilitate optimal physical health. Extremely easy, low to medium level of exertion.
• 4:45 Dinner Prep
• 5:30 Dinner (Discussion: individuals’ intros, issues, interests and goals)
• 7:00 Hiking Poles lecture, anatomy discussion and pole fitting (gearing up – variety of quality poles provided). Learn which poles fit you best and will help you achieve your goals.
• 8:15 Qi Gong guided meditation for organ health and relaxation with Master May Chen

Saturday:
• 7 to 8:30 Morning movements, Tai Chi & Breakfast (discussion: outline of the day)
• 8:45 Hiking pole training session and short hike (< 2 miles): Beginner to experienced hikers learn techniques which help improve performance on the trail. Optimal use of poles on uphill will improve your power, endurance and spine function; on the downhill, you’ll develop skills for improving confidence and saving your knees.
• 12:30 Lunch (Discussions: personal care tips, metabolism)
• 2:00 Strength & Balance session with bands (provided)
• 4:30 Dinner Prep
• 5:30 Dinner (Discussions: Gear, Trail Tips, what’s in your pack?)
• 7:00 “My Feet!” Session on feet including blister prevention followed by Qi Gong Meditation with Master May

Sunday:
• 7 to 8:30 Morning movements, Tai Chi & Breakfast
• 8:30 Practice Pole Hikes: Weather Permitting – Enjoy nature and experience the magic of Point Reyes. Two levels offered (Easy, gentle, nature hike or more energetic exercise training hike).
• 11:45 Stretches, Recovery strategies, including Foam Roller session
• 12:45 Lunch (Discussions: nutrition, wellness, fitting it all in)
• 2:15 Pack & Clean up
• 3:30 Farewell & Feedback gathering

Facility: – See description on the Point Reyes website   Scroll down to read about the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.  There are 5 separate cabins, each of which sleeps over 20 and our retreat will be under 20 people total, so it’s 3 to 4 people per cabin.  We have LOTS of space!

Food

Our system is UNIQUE (and, if I do say so myself, brilliant) at Point Reyes, but it requires a little up-front coordination which, in the long run, will save you a BUNCH of time and trouble.

Meals are coordinated ahead of time via a website that makes the food for the weekend easy, creative and fun. Rather than having to prepare all your meals for the whole weekend, you will be able to bring 2 to 3 items plus a few staples. This easy and well-organized website will enable us to see what everyone is bringing as our culinary experience unfolds.

Our focus is on healthy, nutritious, yummy meals that connect us as we share stories and enjoy health-related discussions. You will be able to contribute in a way that you’re comfortable, whether it’s a main dish, side dishes, snacks or staples (which will be listed so all you have to do is sign up for that item).

A full-service, commercial kitchen is provided.

Participants will need to advise the instructor of any food allergies or limitations.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS: Instructor will want to reach out to you 2-3 weeks before the class so you can get the custom and updated list of what to bring as well as prepare your food contributions. WHEN YOU REGISTER, you will want to ask the field seminar office for the instructor’s email so that you can reach out and receive the info you will need in order to participate in this retreat. The sooner you reach out to the instructor, the easier it will be for you to prepare.

What to Bring:

Point Reyes Health & Hiking Poles Weekend Retreat  Instructor’s Custom List of What to Bring

This is significantly more comprehensive than the “standard” what to bring on the Point Reyes site.  I suggest you START A PILE.  In the past, participants were “sure it was there,” and left home without something really basic.  If you are lacking anything, let instructor know as Jayah has extra of almost everything. When in doubt, pack extra.

• Variable, layered clothing:
• Your food contributions (via the sign-up genius website)
• Your own cloth napkins (no paper please)
• Toiletries (including soap)
• Ear plugs (in case of snorers)
• Hat and sun protection.
• Good quality hiking shoes (with tread).
• Your favorite face and body lotion (for one of our health discussions)
• WARM sleeping bag or linens & pillows (linens not provided for bunkbeds, basic foam mattress only)
• Any other linens, air mattress, foam mattress pad, etc. for your comfort (this is “glamping”). Instructor is seriously “princess and the pea” and has multilayer air mattress, foam pads, comfy sheets, tons of pillows and a teddy bear
• Towels
• Shower shoes
• Flashlight, headlamp, lantern
• Your favorite mug for Golden Milk (morning drink which will be provided), tea & coffee
• Yoga mat
• Extra pad(s) for under the mat (something to protect your knees)
• A rag to wipe off your poles if they get dirty or wet
• Rain gear, if necessary.
• Fanny Pack OR Day pack with chest strap (or add bandana or something to TIE straps); water bottle(s) – note there is excellent filtered water at Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.

Optional Items:

• Your favorite small piece of exercise equipment. Be creative, as we’ll be sharing our success stories.
• Yoga strap (or terrycloth bathrobe belt)

Instructor has extra and you may request one especially if you’re an early responder:

• Chair for outdoor seating (lawn or camp chair)
• Foam roller
• Fingerless bike gloves

** Hiking poles?  I have lots.  Bring your own or let me know if you’d like to borrow a pair/be fitted.  When you email me about this, please include your height.

To Register, click here

 

 

Pace Matters

Click to read a Great article

Finding time in a full work schedule to get exercise is really tough.  This article is a reminder to me about how important pace is.

Happy Hiking!

 

Your body wants to heal, great article to read

I love this article. It is fascinating, but not surprising – it resonates of Feldenkrais to me.

If you subscribe to this blog and are unable to access the link, please visit the blog to click on the article.

While you’re at it, here are some tips that everyone should know about preventing food spoilage.

New Book on California Plants

Matt Ritter, professor of botany, wrote a new book and it’s fantastic.  If you enjoy the outdoors, especially CA, you will enjoy this book:

 

The cover is the only thing about this book that’s boring. It’s really well done and will make a lovely gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiast 🙂

Article on using POLES for Hiking & Walking

April 2018_Pole Walking Article

This is an article that appeared in a local paper.  The writer told me that it was one of the “most fun” articles she’d ever written.

Just click on the link and Enjoy!

The forbidden topic

Constipation.   No ONE wants to talk or read about this – unless you’re having problems.

Doctors prescribe drugs.  I have a client whose primary care doctor told her that it was OK to take Miralax every day.  Are you KIDDING ME?

Yesterday a client said – in passing – I think I’m constipated all the time.   Last night it hit me.  This is something we should talk about.  It’s important.

Both my mother and grandfather dealt with this and, as a teenager, I had a hemorrhoidectomy.  It was grim.  Since that time, I have had a toilet seat bidet wherever I lived.

I’m reminded of a dear client – Allie – with whom I walked and worked for 12 years – from when she was 89 to just over 100.  She had a SYSTEM.  That’s what everyone needs – a “system.”

I’m the most “regular” person I know.  But when I travel – even one night away from home – blammo, I’m stopped up.  I have a “system” to proactively and prophylactically prevent that.

If you ever get into an accident or have a procedure done and have to take pain meds – BLAMMO – you’re instantly stopped up.   You too need a “system.”

Here was Allie’s system – fine tuned to a TEE – 12 dried prunes soaked in water.  2 prunes every day for 4 days, 5 prunes on the 5^th day and 2 prunes + ½  cup of the soaked “juice” on the 7^th day.   DO NOT use this system – this was her regimen that worked for HER.   I put it here as an example of the level of thought and fine tuning that went into keeping HER regular.

My system – a very good diet with lots of fiber.   Bidet wash every morning.  My favorite herbal laxative taken when I travel.  For travel, I also carry 1 or 2 Smooth Move tea bags.

There are stool softeners, fiber/bulk additives.  I know someone who swears by coffee enemas (which I think is nuts).   With the current awareness of our microbiome, consider how you are treating your elimination system.  Consider the problem – the cause – before just taking a laxative as a fix to a symptom.

What’s your “system?”

 

Fall Recovery: How to get up from the floor

If you find yourself unexpectedly on the ground, take a moment.  Don’t get up.  Assess.

Don’t offer to help someone up who has fallen.  Encourage him/her to take a moment to assess.

Interesting video on how to get up from a fall.

Note:  When rising from floor using the step forward movement, the OUTSIDE leg should be away from the stable surface.

 

Back Health

Interesting article on back health.

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