For those of you who subscribe to my weekly newsletter, this post might not necessarily feel like catching up because you already know all the things. But for those random readers who may not subscribe or haven’t check in for a while, I thought I would write one big post to share some of the more important events that have happened since I took my little sabbath from the blog at the beginning of March.
Let’s see if I can get everyone up to speed…
I’m Experimenting With My Food
This was one of the hardest winter seasons I have had in a long time as far as fatigue and other health issues are concerned. I have been meeting with my naturopath to hopefully get to the bottom of what might be causing it.
Testing shows my iron is okay which I am glad to see with all the work I have been putting into that. But my inflammation is higher than it should be and that is troublesome. Some is expected with my arthritis but I am all about doing what I can to keep inflammation as low as possible.
I also decided to do some food sensitivity testing to see if there maybe some foods that are not agreeing with my intestinal system. I have been having issues in the bathroom and feel that I am not digesting my food properly and this may mean not getting all the nutrients I need.
The results are in and only half my fears were realized. I was worried that eggs and coconut would be on the list but I guess I should consider myself lucky eggs was the only food with the higher intolerance. Yes, eggs. No eggs for me. For awhile anyway. The list had other random things like mushrooms, green beans and sunflower seeds. And a variety of seafood. But the good news is that I just have to minimize rather than avoid those foods.
NO EGGS FOR ME.
I am taking it all with a grain of salt because the science is mixed on what food sensitivity testing actually shows. But my goal is to see if avoiding these foods helps my gut work better so it is a place to start. I just have to figure out what I am going to eat for breakfast now. Or another recipe for mayonnaise. Ugh.
On a side note, I think that I may have deduced that avocados do not agree with me. I swapped out eggs and started using avocados more and it has been NO BUENO. As in the worst gas. I think I want to cry. What will life be like without avocados and guacamole? I’m still testing this theory out but it doesn’t look good right now.
And of course, I’m not sure how this is all going to work out in Spain.
I Joined A Washington Trails Association Trail Crew
I have been volunteering with the Pacific Crest Trail Association for three years not but never with the WTA. My friend Emily who is a volunteer power horse invited me on a few trips with her to clear trail on Cougar Mountain east of Seattle. It was a lot of fun and I hope to get out more with her this summer and into next year.
I Can’t Get Enough of Podcasts
I am going to totally sound like an old person but I finally figured out podcasts. Despite having written an entire article on outdoor podcasts for the WTA, I really only listened to them on my computer and around the house when I had WiFi.
Determined to get more out of this fast growing medium, I finally learned what button to push to DOWNLOAD them to my phone so I could listen to them everywhere I would normally listen to music without needing a connection to WiFi.
What an amazing difference this has meant in being able to keep up with the news and other important topics. All that and there are some pretty entertaining hiking and backpacking, paleo and health podcasts out there!
I Updated Recipes
I did spend some time during my sabbatical going back over the 70+ recipes here on the blog and sprucing them up. I took more appetizing photos and made recipe instructions more consistent and easier to understand. I still have a few more pictures to take but it was rewarding to spiff them up for you.
I’m Dehydrating More Veggies
There have been a few times in the last couple of months when I did not have any dehydrated vegetables for recipes I wanted to make. I had to make my Guava Kale Energy Balls with cacoa powder instead! I can’t call more chocolate a travesty but it’s not quite the same nutrition profile. So, I am taking a little time each week to throw a few veggies into the dehydrator. It is as easy as buying an extra bunch of kale or spinach with each shopping trip.
I Joined A Gym
It came to the point where what I was doing to take care of my body was not working so I decided to up my game. It isn’t one of those gyms with rows of treadmills. It is a small box gym with set workout sessions three times a week I found as a deal on Groupon.
Although I am hiking, lifting weights and exercising at home, I am not truly pushing myself. I have lost any real routine. I don’t know if it is because I have had enough injuries over the years (crushing my shoulder, umbilical hernias, tearing things in the knee) or the arthritis, but I don’t give the same effort I used to when I was younger.
Maybe it is knowing that the staff at the gym are going to ask me what I did that week or the soreness of the muscles I have neglected.
It has been several weeks already and I am already seeing a difference in not only what I am doing for myself at home but how I feel physically. Maybe it is knowing that the staff at the gym are going to ask me what I did that week or the soreness of the muscles I have neglected. Either way, I am excited to see where this takes me.
I’m In Search Of Words I Don’t Have To Write
I was at the book store looking for a devotional for my sister’s birthday gift when I saw a book of word searches.
The last three years since starting Must Hike Must Eat have seen a great reduction in many of the little activities I used to do in my free time. Watching movies, crafts, and reading actual books.
Determined to not have all my waking minutes sucked up here, I impulsively bought this book to prove it. What is more leisurely than word puzzles? It’s sometimes by the bed so I don’t end up my night on a screen and other times in my purse so I don’t automatically reach for my phone when waiting for things.
I Got In Some Hiking
Yes, there was some hiking. I didn’t spend a lot of time writing up trip reports here on the blog but I jotted down some details over on Washington Trails Association. Spring is here and the snow is melting from the mountains. Wildflowers are popping up spreading color to meadows and river trails. You can click on any of the photos for more details about each hike!
I’m Hiking El Camino Primitivo This Summer
My mom and I took the plunge and bought our plane tickets for Spain!! We will be walking about 200 miles on the original El Camino (there are more than a few pilgrimages). It is shorter than the French Way and more mountainous. I am over the moon excited and really can’t think of anything else but planning this trip. You can read more about it here.
Well, I think those are some of the most important highlights from the last two months. I hope to share more about some of these things in future posts.
What have you been up to lately? I’d love to catch up with what is new with you. And if you are a blogger, feel free to leave a post link below to share your latest news!
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