Get Lost, Take A Hike

One of my favorite ways to get some exercise outside of a gym is through hiking.  And, it just so happens, Washington has some incredible places to hike!  I was hoping to make one more hiking trip before fall officially set in but I had to face reality that our gear desperately need some updating before we go on any more serious hiking adventures..  Since it is such a great way to stay in shape though, let me share a hike I went on over the summer.  Hiking is a great workout for the entire body and is a great way to clear your mind.  If ever in the Northwest, Crescent Lake is beautifullll.  Not only does this place make you feel as if you just walked into a painting, it also has some great places to hike for all skill levels.  The hike we did here over this past summer was up pyramid mountain on a shorter trail known as the Pyramid Peak Trail.  This is a good hike for the less experienced, although be aware it does continuously incline so your legs will feel this hike!

Not Just For The Body

With technology all around, sometimes we forget the pure beauty of nature and how incredibly amazing this planet is we inhabit.  We take it for granted and life can seem hectic and dull.  If you feel this happening, get away from the nonstop rush, get lost & go for a hike! Im not joking.  Nature has an amazing ability to clear and reenergize the mind.  Breath in the fresh air, take some time to reflect & also just focus on being fully present. Think about how incredible it is that this planet even exists being that the universe in itself is said to be so unstable.  Somehow though everything aligns just right and this crazy journey we call life is possible.

Trees and plants grow all around us to give us the oxygen needed to survive, the land itself allows for nutrients and food to thrive, and without the immense amount of water on this planet we would be in serious trouble!  And this is just breaching the surface, there is so much to be grateful for.  By immersing yourself in nature on a hike you can remind yourself of the beauty on this planet & how much of a blessing it is to even exist here at all.  Not only this, hiking forces the mind to stay present with constantly changing new scenery and shifting terrain which forces you to stay aware of every step along the way.  People are constantly caught up in thoughts of the past or plans for the future, that sometimes we forget to enjoy the journey, to enjoy the present moment as is.  

 
That Burn...

You really don't realize how much of a workout hiking is until half way through a hike and you literally feel the burn in your thighs and glutes.  Is the stair stepper at the gym getting a bit repetitive?  If so, take your stair stepping to the mountains! ;)  Even though Pyramid Peak is an easier hike, your legs are still going to feel this mountain stair stepper effect.  Hiking various terrains brings variety and ever changing scenery that a gym can't offer.  In the northwest during spring (and fall for that matter), the views and the colors around are unbelievable.  If you are in the area, take advantage and go for a hike.  Whether with a group or with a friend, hiking is a great way to stay active.  Mountain terrain challenges each and every leg muscle while also promoting healthy bone alignment, a stable base for the spine, and muscle tone.  Not to mention by the end of a hike, it's likely you will create a serious cardio workout.  Be sure to keep your weight evenly distributed as you walk and engage every step with the ground to really activate your muscles.  Many hiking apps and websites will not only give a rundown of hikes in your area but also give an accurate measure of the distance you'll be covering and some will even provide a rough estimate of the amount of stairs you'll have climbed by the end of the hike.  Two of my favorites include the website called AllTrails and an app called MapMyHike.  After a good hike my mind  always feels refreshed and the feeling of accomplishing a difficult terrain is always rewarding.  Check this view out! 

For those who haven't done much hiking I recommend starting with an easier trail before trying any advanced trail with more extreme terrain.  Know your body and what you are capable of and always be prepared.  Either way, the body will get a serious workout in a fun environment and another great thing about hiking, most trails are free! :)

A Few Things To Remember:

Bring water. Its crucial to stay hydrated, especially on a hike, otherwise its likely you'll be doing the body more harm than good depriving your poor hard working cells of the water they direly need.  So don't forget it and drink up!

Invest in shoes with good traction!  If terrain gets rough you don't want to be sliding around... especially on the side of a cliff or in slippery conditions.

Watch Your Footwork. When hiking, stay present and fully aware of your feet.  Trails may have large tree roots you must watch out for and step over, loose rock or muddy conditions. 

Bring snacks.  If you are interested in taking a longer hike, you are going to need to refuel to keep the body strong.  Protein bars, trail mix, or fruit are great options being nutrient dense and easy to carry. 

Do your research.  Make sure you know what type of hike you are getting yourself into, know what wildlife is around, and check to make sure the weather is optimal.   Above all be smart and be safe.  

The full body workout from the hike, along with the dose of vitamin D intake from the warm summer sunshine made for a memorable and rewarding day.  And why not a picnic on top of a mountain?  Perfect way to fuel up again for the hike back down, and a rest period to enjoy the view.  It really puts life into perspective when you look out at a vast landscape and realize how small you are.  Angel our dog, loves being active, making her perfect for hiking.  As usual, I think she enjoyed herself..

Our other dog... he's more of a sit back and chill out type of guy, but we decided to give him a little bit of exercise too.  He moved slower, but with the help of a few rest stops in between, he conquered that hike like a champ. 

 No matter your location, there are always new trails to explore.  Be sure to check back for future posts where I'll share some more of my favorite hikes.  And remember, you don't have to go to a gym to get a great workout!

Much love,

Bri

Gingersnap Crusted Salmon with Mango Cream Sauce

Today I'm excited. It's time to share one of my all-time favorite salmon dishes!   Even for those who are not fond of the fishy taste salmon holds, try this recipe.  This is a dish that has made even the pickiest of eaters I know clean their plate and salmon is so good for you to not love it! 

The recipe comes from my mother in law, who can literally whip up any food and turn it into a masterpiece.  I admire her so much.  It's one of those recipes she created with what she had on hand in the house, almost accidentally, which in my opinion is how some the greatest recipes are made, am i right?!  I miss her home cooking so much now that she's moved back to South Korea but I can always count on this dish to bring back some good memories.  This dish is full of flavor and provides the body with a healthy dose of omega3's, protein, selenium and other trace minerals essential for the health of the body from the salmon, as well as vitamins A, B6, vitamin C and E from the ripe mangos.

Before you start, always check to make sure you have all the ingredients.  Too many times have I started to make a recipe, only to realize half way through that I don't have an essential ingredient, so always double check.  You will need:

•  1 Box of Gingersnaps
•  2 lemons
• Sour cream
• Paprika
• Worcester sauce
• & 2-3 semi ripe mangos.  Buying the right mango is key to this recipe.  Find mangos which are not too hard and not too soft, just in between.  They should have a nice greenish red color to them.  This will allow the mango to melt into the sauce slightly while still remaining softly intact.

The Salmon

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, lay out the fillet of salmon on an ungreased baking sheet.  If you have it, parchment paper is nice to have under the fillet so there is no sticking to the sheet.

To prepare the salmon for the crusting, take one beaten egg and coat the salmon fillet lightly with the egg mixture.

The crusting is super simple.  Break up the gingersnaps up until they reach a fine consistency. If you have a stone mortar (grinding bowl) this works great. If not however, a simple way to get the job done is to put the gingersnaps in a large ziplock bag and then use anything hard, like a glass bottle for instance to pound and crumble the gingersnaps.  It's amazing how creative you get when low on income, this was my go to method when I was in college with few materials for cooking!  And, it works great!

Once the gingersnaps have formed a fine consistency, sprinkle evenly over the fillet of salmon until the pink of the salmon is completely covered.

Next place the crusted fillet in the preheated oven and cook for about 25 minutes or until the pink of the salmon is fully cooked.

The Sauce

While the salmon is cooking it's time to start on the mango cream sauce. Cut your semi ripened mangos into small cubed shapes and place in a medium sized pot on medium heat.

Stir occasionally until you notice the mangos beginning to soften.  Then, add in three generous large spoonfuls of sour cream, followed by the juice of a lemon (not the seeds!), a few splashes of Worcester sauce and paprika. Mix until you have a balanced mixture and turn the heat down slightly while you wait for the salmon to finish.

And now, for the best part of all... time to devour this masterpiece. I love dishes that can combine both sweet and savory flavors and this dish does just that.  The sweetness of the mangos combined with the savoriness of the salmon and creaminess of the cheese is mouthwatering. Literally.  Paired with a side of rice and some greens and you've got yourself a dinner packed full of nutrients and vitamins which leave guests fully fueled and fully satisfied.

Hope you all enjoy and feel free to share a comment!  

Peace & love,

Bri

Greetings!

The time has finally come! This blog has been a mere thought for a few years now and seeing it finally come together is so cool.  Between multiple jobs, family time, and my incredible lack of computer skills I am so happy for having finally gotten to this point.  From juicing, to how to stay in shape, to keeping a determined mindset, I'll share my thoughts and experiences here on the blog.

 I'm 24 and constantly evolving and learning.  I don’t claim to be an expert on these subjects as I will stress more than once I'm sure, but I do have a strong passion for health and hopefully I can teach you something new, or at least open your perspective to new ways of thinking.  Stay open-minded and do your own research.  Along with healthy posts be sure to check out the side bar to the right which I'll be updating with motivational quotes,  good reads, and further research on topics shared.   

I will try to keep posts fairly brief yet still informative.  Don't be afraid to comment and share your thoughts too!  :) For a deeper look at what to expect in future posts, check out the About page where I go over the mission of this blog and what I consider makes up a fully balance life!

Keep the vibes positive and have an amazing day!

Peace & Love,

Bri