Chant for 2017

I love this chant!

I learned it from my good friend Renee

written by: Ravyn Stanfield

Holiday Gift Guide Top Pick

Our Top Outdoor Gift Idea is a HEADLAMP.  See link at bottom of this post which will take you directly to our favorite source.  Why a headlamp?   Because we care….PLUS:

For those of us who use poles, it’s a no-brainer.  Put in your pack even if you know  you’ll be done before dark.  Stuff happens OTT (on the trail). Explore caves, tunnels, enjoy!  Why this model?  Black Diamond Spot is lightweight, waterproof and has great features.   The red light is used at night so we don’t blind our buddies or lose our night vision.  It comes in great colors – get a bright one for yourself and your favorite hiking buddy.
But also use for:

• Travel ~ If you’re in a hotel room and want to continue reading while your partner wants the light out – BINGO! The aim-hinge helps your neck and posture.   (So does putting your book on a pillow)
• Safety ~ for those of us in earthquake land, we know to keep a pair of sturdy shoes under our bed, at the ready. A pair of socks goes in one and the headlamp (when not in the hiking pack) goes in   the other.  That way we have our hands available.
• Neck Health!  Reading with a headlamp is SO much better for your neck, eyes and shoulders (for so many reasons).

As we get older (beats the alternative), we need ways to stay safe.  Once you get accustomed to using a headlamp, you’ll never go back.  But – please – use it.

Note:  when in your pack – LOCK IT  so you don’t end up with a dead battery/useless headlamp.  So read the instructions and use in health!

Custom Directions:

I find the directions a little murky, so here’s a recap:  Open with the little lever on the side &  install batteries (included).   Then give yourself a tutorial:

• One press for strong spot. One press for off
• 2 quick presses for double (reading) light
• 3 quick presses for flashing lights
• Press and hold (about 2 seconds) for red (night) light

Keep pressing (4 to 6 seconds) to lock – again – VERY IMPORTANT to keep light from accidentally going on and draining the battery – blue lock light will come on.  Press and hold (4 to 6 seconds) to unlock.

Notice battery monitor – cool huh?

Once on, if you press and hold, all lights will dim.

Power tap on side will alternate between custom dimmed setting and full strength.

This really is the coolest headlamp – now practice, have fun and please USE IT.   Aim it vs. straining your neck.  If reluctant, try reading with it and we hope you think it’s the best reading lamp ever!

Holiday Gift Guide 2016 #2

Staying fit and healthy as we age involves 6 vital areas:  Function, Balance, Posture, Endurance, Flexibility & Strength.  Below is a link to a great place to shop for your loved ones.  They have deeply discounted pricing on Yoga mats, mat carriers, foam rollers, adventure gear – so many presents to show your loved ones that you care about their continued, healthy presence on this planet.

Several posts on this blog discuss exercises that involve getting onto the floor.  It’s important to be able to get up and down from the floor – once you lose this, it’s REALLY hard to get it back.  A Yoga mat is great for exercising on the floor.   Sierra Trading Post has Yoga mats + a wonderful return policy.

Another very special holiday gift idea that gives all year long – and this one makes our cut every year – is a gift subscription to Bay Nature Magazine.   Bay Nature is full of natural wonders – parks, trails, creeks, wildlife of the Bay Area as well as the people protecting them.

• 30% savings on gift subscription
• 1 subscription $21.95 (regular price $25.95)
• 2 or more only $19 each!

 

 

Holiday Gift Guide #3

Take care of your feet!  These massage balls saved mine and keep me hiking.  (5 part series on Plantar Fasciitis on this blog)

I keep at least one ball  in my car ALL the time – it lives under the passenger seat. After a hike (IF I’m a passenger of course), I can soothe/fix my feet by just using the relaxed weight of my leg and gently holding or slowly rolling the bottom of my feet. It’s SO healing.  I also use in the morning to relieve the plantar flexion that occurs in bed and tightens my feet.  If you get all 4, keep 2 and gift 2 buddies 🙂

Another tip for keep feet in neutral at night – I put a pillow at the foot of the bed to make a little “tent” space so the blanket does not weigh down on my feet all night long.

If you have not discovered Amazon Prime – it’s AMAZING.  The free shipping pays for the fee pretty fast and I love  the convenience and time-saving of finding almost anything and getting it fast.  It’s truly a gift (like Bay Nature Magazine) that gives all year long.

In case you have someone who has trouble getting out of your car (aging parents?), here’s a handy tool – I keep one in my car.

Annual Gift Guide – 2013 Top Picks

Now for the radical gift idea !

Growing up in South Florida, my parents knew a man who created (invented?) a special toilet seat bidet.  You remove your existing toilet seat and this replacement toilet seat washes and dries your bottom.  Down with Brown!  Virtually no more toilet paper.  I’ve had one my entire life.  The one I own costs about $750 and is amazing.   Other companies have them (like Toto).  Adding a Toto toilet seat bidet to your existing toilet costs A BUNDLE.

I’ve found a company that is importing a simpler – but still highly effective – version that you can purchase for about $55 delivered.  They’re easy to install right under your existing toilet seat and take up almost no space.  They require NO electricity.

The reactions I get from people when I mention this are quite varied.  Some people are instantly opposed to the idea.  Anyone – I mean EVERYONE – who tries it –  LOVES it.  It’s great for people with back problems.  It’s SO hygienic.

I gave one to a friend facing surgery.  He LOVES it.

I share this info because I deeply appreciate my blog readers.  This is a life-enhancing-changing item.   It saves paper.  It’s gentler on fragile aging skin. It’s even a bit stimulating for helping elimination.  Below is the one we have that I LOVE (replaced our $750 one when it finally bit the dust after 20 years). Be sure and get the shape that fits your toilet (round or elongated):

Plantar Fasciitis? Annual Gift Guide Idea for Hikers & Walkers

If you have feet – or know anyone who does – here’s the perfect gift for the hiker or walker in your life!   This inexpensive little item makes the cut every year for our annual gift guide.   Our feet are our foundation. 

• See tips below for keeping your feet happy using these massage balls.  Also:
• Maintaining ROM (range of motion) in the ankle joint is hugely important for balance.
•  Do you know someone with dreaded hammer toes?  Keep your toes moving (not clenching the ground for balance).

As always, anything else you purchase on Amazon after clicking thru on one of these links results in a small commission (that costs you nothing – it’s called Affiliate Marketing) that benefits this blog and we thank you!

Tips and How To Get the Most Benefit from the Massage Balls:

• Keep one in your car (on the passenger side of course :)).  When Bob drives, I use 1 or 2 on the way to and back from our hike.
• Keep one by your bed so you can stretch the bottom of your feet early – they’ve been in plantar flexion all night.
• Let the relaxed weight of your foot settle onto the massage ball.
• For more pressure, cross your other leg over (shoes & socks stretch).
• If in doubt, slow down and relax your foot on the ball 🙂

Annual Gift Guide: Ecology Cooking Pick

We’re so lucky to live in the land of plenty.   But does that give us license to waste?  How about using more of those yummy organic vegetables we so painstakingly select and bring home?

Consider this gift for the cook/chef in your life?  Maybe it will come back to you and you’ll be able to enjoy recipes from this book called Root to Stalk Cooking: The Art of Using the Whole Vegetable ?

The essence of ecology cooking is finding fun ways to conserve, preserve & economize in the kitchen. Here’s our Holiday Pick this year, discovered from an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

 

p.s.  Anything else you purchase on Amazon after clicking on this link results in a small commission which supports this blog.  Thank you!   🙂

POLES for Hiking, Mobility List of Classes

Here’s the calendar (so far) for 2013. Click on the calendar link for full info on times, locations, etc.  I’ll do a separate category post so that if you are looking for a hiking class or a mobility class, it will be easier to find.

Wed Jan 23	POLES for Mobility: Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center – Phoenix AZ – Phoenix
Thu Jan 24	REI Tucson – Free Clinic – How to use POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – Tucson REI
Sat Feb 2	Fitness for the Trail & for LIFE! Kennedy Grove – Fern Cottage, Kennedy Grove, El Sobrante
	Using POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic (Functional) Walking, Kennedy Grove, El Sobrante
Wed Feb 6Feb 13	Using POLES for Mobility & Walking, Petaluma Senior CenterFitness for the Trail & for LIFE! Mill Valley Community Center – Mill Valley
Sun Feb 17	POLES for Hiking & Canyon Exploration – Anza Borrego – Anza Borrego State Park, CA
Sat Feb 23	Practice POLE Hike: Black Diamond Mines – Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, Antioch
Tue Feb 26	FREE Clinic: How to use POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – Fremont REI
Wed Feb 27	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking, Alameda Mastick Senior Center
	FREE Clinic: How to use POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – Concord REI
Thu Feb 28	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Pacifica Community Center
Sat Mar 2	POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise, Monterey Area – Garland Ranch Regional Park
Wed Mar 6	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Mill Valley Community Center
Tue Mar 12	FREE: Alta Bates Arthritis Group – Berkeley
Wed Mar 13	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – San Anselmo
Fri Mar 15	Botanic Gardens Practice POLE HIKE – Tilden Botanic Gardens, Berkeley
Sat Mar 16	Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise: Basic Skills, Black Diamond Mines, Antioch
	Practice POLE Hike: Black Diamond Mines – Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, Antioch
Tue Mar 19	Fitness for the Trail & for LIFE! Berkeley – Live Oak Park, Berkeley
Wed Mar 20	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Margaret Todd Senior Center
Thu Mar 21	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Avenidas Senior Center in Palo Alto
Tue Apr 2	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking, Alameda Mastick Senior Center
Sat Apr 6	Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – Sunol Regional Wilderness
Tue Apr 9	Using POLES for Easy Hiking, Walking & Outdoor Exercise – Live Oak Community Center, Berkeley
Fri Apr 12	Using POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa
Sat Apr 13	Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – Spring Lake, Santa Rosa
Sun Apr 14	How to use POLES for Hiking & Exercise Field Seminar, Pt. Reyes – Pt. Reyes National Seashore
Thu Apr 18	Botanic Gardens Practice POLE HIKE – Tilden Botanic Gardens, Berkeley
Wed, Apr 24Thu Apr 25	Using POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking, Petaluma Senior Center & Temescal Regional Park, Berkeley
Sun Apr 28	Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise: Basic Skills, Black Diamond Mines, Antioch
	Practice POLE Hike: Black Diamond Mines – Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, Antioch
Tue Apr 30	POLES for Easy Hiking, Walking, Balance & Mobility – Albany Senior Center
Sat May 4	Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – Mt. Tam, Marin County
Wed May 8	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Mill Valley Community Center
Tue May 28	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking, Alameda Mastick Senior Center
Sat Jun 1	POLES for Hiking & Exercise Field Seminar – Pacifica Coastal Hike
Tue Jun 11	Using POLES for Easy Hiking, Walking & Outdoor Exercise – Live Oak Community Center, Berkeley
Wed Jun 12	POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – San Anselmo
Thu Jun 13	Using POLES for Balance, Mobility & Basic Walking – Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa

Holiday Gift Guide: Our top picks for your outdoor enthusiast!

Our yearly search for the best gifts for your outdoor enthusiast, Enjoy!

Click thru any link.  Your purchase benefits AdventureBuddies (and costs you nothing). Thank you! Shop Amazon – Top Gift Ideas

Anyone who uses poles knows how important a headlamp is.It’s one of our favorite travel accessories.We can read at night without keeping the light on or get up in the night more safely. This particular model has a red light for seeing better at night and other helpful options.Those of us who live in earthquake land know to keep our shoes by the bed. Keep your headlamp in one of your shoes, your socks in the other.  Remember to pack it when you travel!  Shop any headlamp or any item at all at REI by clicking on the headlamp.

Quality vs. Quantity. Do you really need 37 band-aids? AdventureMedical Sport Specific Medical Kits are designed by an emergency room physician. These two are our favorite day kits, but you can look around and see what suits you best. I like to put a few extra things in the handy zipper pouch to customize it. The .5 is $17; the .7 is $27. Use in a day pack or in a car.Adventure Medical Kits UltraLight / Watertight .5 First-Aid KitAdventure Medical Kits UltraLight / Watertight .7 First-Aid Kit
Winner of Best Stocking Stuffer Ever! Over and over we’ve said it. Take good care of your feet!  They’re the foundation of your body. These massage balls are magic!  Use to treat or prevent plantar fasciitis.  Use the relaxed weight of your leg and allow your foot to relax on the ball.  These balls are not for everyone, just for people who have FEET!
Do you love your teeth? We’ve covered this in a separate post all its own, but it really belongs here in our top picks. Both Bob’s dentist and my beloved hygienist recommended exactly the same thing. Replacement Brushes: Philips Sonicare Brush Heads

We LOVE our Soda Stream.We have wonderful water, this handy, space-saving Soda Stream helps us save money.  We also don’t buy any more plastic soda bottles. Add a spash of lime, a slice of cucumber, a sprig of mint or a drop of lavender and it’s gourmet Fizzy Water!Or, my favorite pro-biotic beverage: 2 parts Fizzy Water 1/2 to 1 Part Good Fruit Juice (orange, tangerine, pomegranate, etc.) 1/2 Part Organic High Quality Kefir This makes an amazing, healthy SODA CREAM

Free Shipping at REI! Bay Nature Magazine, Special Holiday Offer

	Shop any Amazon or Kindle Item from this link
	Gift Certificates available: Percussion Therapy for plantar fasciitis or tendonitis Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) session or consultation Massage therapy session Personalized Pole Fitting Pole Coaching Session for small groups of hikers Pole Coaching Session for loved one with mobility challenges Foot care/foot massage session Photo is Wall of Windows at Bryce Canyon

Stay tuned for part 3 of the Utah journey; this post will focus on some pole tips as well as stunning vistas.  Thanks for visiting our blog!

Trail Tip: ALLERGIES

My ENT doctor strongly recommended something that has changed my life and significantly reduced my allergy response to CA 🙂   Nasal Saline Spray:

• non-addictive, non-invasive, simple stuff
• spray as many times a day as I like
• I put a spray bottle everywhere – my car, my bedside table, my purse, my hiking pack
• Spraying after a hike is HUGELY helpful (as well as during)
• I’ve reduced my intake of OTC allergy medication to almost none, even in peak season
• I’m happier!
• I got the Walgreen’s generic brand in both sizes.

Very Important:  Spray outward towards your cheekbone, not straight up your nose.   Click for  More allergy tips on this blog.

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