Go Adventure Magazine Winter 2014

Go A d v e

e r u t n

WINTER 2014

M AGAZ I N E

www.GoAdventureMom.com

STORYTELLING IMAGES OF YOUR LITTLES 6 tips for great photos!

GET OUTSIDE THIS WINTER 5 ways to keep you and baby warm

FROSTED MINT BROWNIES

NEW YEAR, NEW COOL

Your kids will love them

Hello Adventure Moms!

Winter 2014 is in full swing and we hope you’ve had a chance for fun winter family adventures!

Adventure Mom’s Founder Kathy started her year out welcoming baby number three to her family.

The other gals at Go Adventure Mom have been busy too.

Check out Kristin’s interview on Utah’s #1 television lifestyle show, Studio 5.

The new year has also brought a few more contributing Adventure Moms to the team. Welcome to Jamie Moesser, Mae Kiggins and Ann Weaver. Each are excited to share their unique perspective about raising outdoorsy kids.

We sincerely hope you’ll enjoy our Winter 2014 issue featuring a variety of topics every Adventure Mom will be interested in.

Be part of raising a generation of nature-loving outdoorsy children.

Adventure Mom offers easyto-replicate exploration ideas and field tested product reviews that enhance outdoor recreation.

We also supply family travel tips, colorful infographics and family focused articles designed to inspire family activites and togetherness.

If you have a product you’d like to see the Adventure Mom Team feature, email us

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Kathy Dalton and the Adventure Mom Team

We’d love to hear from you! Let’s stay in touch: info@goadventuremom.com 801-901-0515 Twitter www.twitter.com/GoAdventureMom Facebook www.facebook/GoAdventureMom Instagram www.instagram/GoAdventureMom Pinterest www.pinterest.com/GoAdventureMom

info@goadventuremom.com

subject line “Review.” goadventuremom.com

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Featured Adventure Mom Bios Meet our team of real women, adventurous gals who love their kids and want to enjoy nature with them. Is this you?

Kathy Dalton: Adventure Mom’s founder is off on a new adventure adding a new baby making her and husband Jon parents of three! As a former ski instructor, Kathy has taken her love for outdoor recreation and through the power of social media share her passion with the world.

Kristin Sokol: I’m an early thirties mother of two and wife to a husband who is pretty much the wind beneath my wings (and the money behind my debit card). I enjoy writing and laughing at the things I write.

Mary Edwards: I’m in my late 30′s and a mother of 5-yearold twin girls. We enjoy adventures outdoors, from catching butterflies to dipping toes in rivers, to making S’mores up the canyon.

Christine Bowman: I am the token baby boomer in this group.

The one who is stalling when it comes to elastic waistband pants and evenings in the recliner.

We aim to create the next generation of children that love the outdoors by offering easy-to-replicate exploration ideas through field tested product reviews, family travel tips, colorful infographics and family focused articles.

To submit a product for future review, email us info@goadventuremom.com subject line “Review” and our team of field testers will get back to you!

Contributors in this issue Cover Photo: Andie Thueson’s cover photo captures what being an Adventure Mom is all about! She shares her adventures on her blog Maybe I Will.

Geocaching: Jamie Moesser is a mother of two and is a blogger at HobbyMamas.com. She is a a compulsive volunteer, waterskier, wakerboarder, scrapbooker, dirt biker, fictionwriter, reader, geocacher, r/c car driver, camper, fisherwoman, gamer, etc., etc.

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Recipe: Krista Dearden spends her days chasing around 4 little boys. She cooks out of necessity but find her greatest pleasure in nourishing her family and sharing it with her readers on her blog Budget Gourmet Mom. Photography tips: Nikki McLaughlin is the owner of Oliver Blue Photography and shares her tips on capturing storytelling images of your little adventurers.

Baby wearing advice: Emily Knight is baby wearing, extended breastfeeding, and cloth diapering to two young boys (4.5 and 1 year old). Her blog Our Knight Life follows her family, fitness, and fun adventures in Las Vegas.

Winter Activities: Mae Kiggins loves the outdoors and grew up hiking and camping in the Rockies. In college she studied natural resouces and worked as a park ranger, research assistant and policy intern. These days her adventures include her two children (1 and 4) and husband. Mae is also blogs at Mommy Loves Trees.

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Not all those who Wander are lost.

J.R.R. Tolkien

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Contents table of

Take great photos

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Winter 2014

6 Tips for Capturing Storytelling Images 6 5 Ways to Stay Warm with Baby this Winter 10 Winter Safety Reminders 12 Humans Were Not Meant to Hibernate 14 5 Olympic-Themed Family Activities 18 10 Reasons to Fall in Love with Baby-wearing 20 Women’s Gear: Who’s Getting it Right? 22 Of Altitude and Attitude 26 Family Geocaching Fun 30 Frosted Mint Brownies

Ways to enjoy cold weather this winter.

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Find some adventure this spring!

Page 30 Finding meaning and positivity in the face of adversity

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Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes are specifically designed to perform like adult versions. Featuring a tapered tear drop shaped frame for a natural walking gait and made with durable decking material and a Single Pull Binding (SPL) system that won’t come loose or freeze up. The kids model is recommended for children up to 65 lbs and fits up to a size 5.

MSRP $89 For kids over age 6 look to the Silver 13 snowshoe. goadventuremom.com

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6 fun

t i ps &t ri cks

capturing storytelling images

FOR OF

your little ADVENTURERS!

By Nikki McLaughlin oliverbluephotography.com

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One of my students recently asked me if I have a single all-time favorite image. With no shortage to pick from (My hard drives currently houses 50,000+ images), I took a few minutes to mull that one over.

One image came to mind over and over. I am confidently calling it my all time fave: It is not because of perfect exposure or dead-on composition or even magical light that I adore this photo.

It is the fact that I can look at it and be brought back to that place in time – that place when my baby had just learned to sit upright to play – that place when the back of his hair had just started to hint at curls behind those tiny little ears…

I love this photo because the dimple on the back of his neck – the dimple I still want to kiss a million times daily – was the focus.

This image is priceless to me. It captured elements of a fleeting story I want to remember always.

Set images of your littles up for storytelling success in the New Year with these simple tips and tricks:

1. Let there be {magical} light! Great light is a great place to start!

Often times the settings we shoot in choose us and there is no time for tweaking (i.e. little Lucy is screaming down the mountain - her very first time on skies… just grab your camera and shoot!).

However, there are plenty of times we can choose our locations/settings purposefully. Whenever possible, aim for the BEST light! Find {gorgeous} natural light even indoors by dimming the artificial light and taking advantage of light filtering in through windows, open doors, and sky lights instead!

When shooting outside adventurers in harsh mid-day sun, avoid shadows on those sweet faces by finding open shade offered by nearby trees, hills, and buildings.

With open shade, your subject is shaded from harsh light but is still open to the bright sky above and reflective light (light bounces beautifully off white walls, concrete floors, snow…) from below.

Whenever possible, shoot in the golden hour for the most amazing light! (Very. Best. Light. Period. – 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes prior to sunset).

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2. Focus on the little things: camera settings to help you “hone in” on the little details that bring you a giant smile!

When my son Oliver was born, I went to work mastering the art of using my camera to focus on all the sweet tiny details… baby toes, tiny eyelashes, (and later) chunky thighs, favorite toys, messiest dinnertime face… the details that I NEVER wanted to forget!

I quickly learned my favorite way to focus on details… shoot WIDE OPEN! Set your camera to APERTURE MODE and use a low aperture (f- stop) to achieve a focus on your subject while creating a buttery/blurry background, avoiding distracting background noise.

(I am obsessed with photos focused on tiny toes so I shoot at a low aperture A LOT!) Often times the littlest details tell the biggest (and best) stories!

3. Have a continuous (and quick) shutter!!! Kids are fast!!! (and not normally keen to the idea of halting their adventures in order for you to get the perfect shot!) Just keep shooting!!

Setting your camera to continuous shutter mode simply arms you with more ammo to keep up with those ever-moving and super expressive cuties!

Always remember to increase your shutter speed if you find you are capturing motion blur when shooting moving little ones.

4. Be patient! I swear at times my kids probably think that my camera is actually physically attached to my face.

Because of this, I make an effort to be “less intrusive” by taking some time to simply join in the adventure for awhile before picking up my camera and shooting, whether with my own boys or with clients. Take time out shutterfly and PLAY! (May I suggest racing hot wheel cars down a hallway an hour a day?! So therapeutic!!!) This really does make a world of difference!

I want my boys (and all of the children I work with) to know that my camera is not meant to stop them in their tracks but rather to record the (sweet, fun, fleeting) tracks they are making.

5. Bring out their personality by using yours! I LOVE candid portraits taken when I’ve sat back as a quiet observer and snapped away (often peering in, unknown with a long lens). That being said, I am also a total sucker for sweet little mug shots!

My number one tip for getting these shots: BE AS GOOFY AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE! Dance like a monkey, snort like a pig to capture a big, bright smile! And for bright eyes, try this tip: Stand above your little one (with the bright sky behind you) and (in the funniest, most excited voice you can muster), ask them if they can see the superhero/princess that that lives inside

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camera! I shot 300+ frames the other day when we took our boys to explore an old army fort and the neighboring beach. I did not get one single great shot of Oliver looking at the camera. I did, however get some FUN photos that captured who he is right now: a restless four year old, full of adventure and exploration, disinterested in staying still (or listening to mommy)…

your camera! The bright, wonder-filled eyes will light up your image!!!

6. Capture the story! My dear friend, mentor and teaching cohort Me Ra Koh (Creator of the DVD Series “Refuse to Say Cheese” and author of Your Baby in Pictures and Your Child in Pictures) brilliantly coined the phrase “Refuse to Say Cheese.”

Never have I followed a philosophy more closely in my life than I do this one. I am a historian behind my

GRAB your camera for those toothless first day of school smiles but also when that smile is covered in chocolate cake, or when it is turned upside down or even when it is headed (fast as can be) in the opposite direction of you!

Whether your little ones are sitting up for the first time, learning to ride a bike, playing quietly with a favorite toy, or racing fearlessly down a mountain, It’s one (fleeting) adventure after another – story after story unfolding before your eyes (and your lens!). Use your camera to creatively capture these moments, to capture the true stories of those you call your own biggest adventure(s).

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Tips for Keeping Cozy with Baby This Winter

Any new mom knows that getting out of the house works magic on newborns.

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Been crying for an hour? Take them outside and suddenly baby is calm and taking in her surroundings.

Won’t nap? Strap on a baby carrier, head outside, and before you know it that little person is snoozing away.

When winter weather hits, getting outside gets just a little more complicated. Here’s a quick list of tips for planning a successful outing, keeping yourself and your baby comfortable and safe in the process:

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The Kowalli Baby Carrier Cover (www.kowalli. com/shop/baby-carrier-cover) is a snap to put on and looks great on dads too. Take that, Mother Nature.

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Veteran babywearers know that it’s nearly inevitable for little pant legs to ride up while cruising in a baby carrier. Look for long socks, tall booties, or pant legs that cover the vulnerable ankle area.

SnuggleBoots (www.kowalli.com/shop/ snuggleboots) are designed longer than most baby booties so they can be worn rolled up or down for maximum coverage and versatility.

The hidden ankle elastic ensures that the boots won’t end up somewhere along the hiking trail.

Make sure you and your baby stay well fed and hydrated. Bring along water and proteinrich snacks to keep your energy level up. Easy options: nuts, cheese cubes, and hard-boiled eggs.

You’re busy. Why waste time worrying about how to keep your baby warm in your favorite carrier? Having a baby carrier cover will streamline your get-out-of-the-house routine quicker than you can say 1-2-3. Simply grab it and go.

Babies’ relatively large heads are especially susceptible to heat loss, so make sure to keep them covered.

Kowalli KozyHats (www.kowalli.com/shop/ kozyhats) are a colorful and plush option that are designed to stay put and never ride forward.

An extra fuzzy fleece earband makes for a super-cozy fit.

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Check your weather forecast! Nothing spoils an excursion faster than a passing storm.

Getting outside, even in the depths of winter, is one of the best gifts you can give your baby.

With a little forethought and the right gear, you can let spontaneity be your guide. To see a full selection of winter baby products, including the award-winning Kowalli Baby Carrier Cover, visit their online shop (www.kowalli.com/shop). Keep cozy!

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The Kowalli Story When Kowalli Founder Alizah Holstein’s son was born in 2008, she often took him on long walks in his baby carrier. But New England weather is famously challenging, and so Alizah devised a cozy fleece cover to keep him warm, and to make it easier for her to get out with him in tow.

That original cover evolved into The Kowalli, a fully adjustable and versatile baby carrier cover that fits over any soft carrier, sling, or wrap to keep baby protected from the elements.

The Kowalli has become a staple for babywearing moms who love the brand’s commitment to quality,

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smart design, and the exceptional customer experience it delivers.

In 2010, the Kowalli line grew to include cozy and coordinating fleece baby hats and booties which were recently awarded “Best Baby Gear” in the 2013 Best of Rhode Island Awards. All Kowalli products are made with love in New England.

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Winter

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safety reminders

By Mae Kiggins

The long winter months don’t have to be spent indoors avoiding snow and cold weather. The Adventure Mom team are HUGE proponents of getting families to enjoy winter.

Because extreme temps can bring extra hazards, here’s just a few reminders to help you safely enjoy outdoor winter activities with your family.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends dressing babies and children in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear.

Wear sun glasses. The glare off the snow can be horrible on your eyes.

Wear sun screen. Once again, the glare off the snow can reek havoc on your skin.

Don’t ignore shivering; It is a sign your body is loosing heat.

Take warm up breaks. Get in the car, in the house or drink some hot chocolate. Some our our favorite trails have a nature center or museum on the property. Great place for taking a break and warming up.

Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

Know the Signs of hypothermia: Uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.

Treatment: move person to a warm location, remove wet clothing, give the person non-alcoholic, warm drink to warm them from the inside out. Get medical help as soon as possible.

Signs of frostbite: Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

Let someone know where you are. I know, duh! But if you are like me, you enjoy some outdoor alone time. Even if you are taking your children, it is a good idea. You never know what will happen.

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Humans were NOT meant to hibernate

By Kristin Sokol

Humans were NOT meant to hibernate in winter!

Go Adventure Mom invites you to resolve to find new ways to enjoy cold weather.

Winter isn’t a time to go stir-crazy inside. There are lots of amazing outdoor (and some unique indoor) activities to keep families having fun and being active together all winter long.

Here’s a list of things you could and SHOULD be doing this winter.

1. Go Sledding. If you haven’t slid down an icy hill in 10 years, it’s time. Don’t let your kids have all the fun.

You don’t have to go far from home to find a place. Many neighborhoods have retention

basins to catch excess storm water. They make perfect sledding hills for little ones.

If you have bigger kids wanting more adventure, our favorite place to sled is in Utah up Big Cottonwood Canyon at Jordan Pines area.

Walk up the trail a bit and you’ll see several hills perfect for kids big and little. Just take a minute to look around your surroundings and notice and identify any potential dangers in the landscape and avoid those areas.

Don’t have a sled? Check out Zipfy Sleds.

They’re the perfect sled for little kids who need something to hold while they slide down an icy hill.

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2. Don’t forget about the ice skating rink. There’s always lots going on. Public skating, ice hockey, short and long track skating (at larger facilities) make it a “cool” place to hang out for an afternoon. Expose your kids to top level athletes and winter sports. You never know what might make an impression on your kid’s young minds.

3. Go skiing. Go especially if you never have gone before.

Don’t think you can’t ski just because you never have before? Skiing is great at most resorts through March. Holiday crowds are gone and now is the perfect time for first-timers to get up on skis. Check out some screaming deals at SkiUtah.com under their deals tab.

Did you know you can ski in Utah at the worldclass Alta resort after 3 p.m. for just $5. Seriously!

The lifts are only open for about an hour and a half, but if you start right at three you can usually get in 5 or 6 runs. They also offer rentals for around $10 too. It’s perfect if you’re a new skier or are skiing with kids. Their interest and abilities don’t usually last all-day anyway.

4. Get into the canyon. If skiing isn’t for you, don’t let it keep you out of the canyon. Put on your snow clothes and take the kids up any canyon for a winter walk.

We love Salt Lake’s east bench Millcreek Canyon.

The snow plows only go so far up and the rest of the canyon is unplowed. The roadway fills up with 5 feet of snow creating a perfect place to walk the dog, walk the children, snow shoe or cross country ski.

5. Try Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing (It’s easy!) A few years ago I decided to give cross country skiing a try. I’d never done it before, but was able to rent everything I needed from Sports Chalet for $8.

Me and my husband went with some inexperienced friends and gave it a try. It’s an easy sport to catch on to and we had a great time

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and got some great photos. If you can walk you can do either of these sports.

6. Visit the National Parks. Did you know they are still there and still open in the winter?

We visited Zion’s National Park, stayed in a fabulous room for less than $50 a night and were the only ones in the park. We had the whole place to ourselves.

The only thing to mention is that you need to bring your own food and make sure your room at least has a microwave. It’s a seasonal town which is mostly, but not all closed down in the winter.

The temps were much warmer in Zions Park than at home in Salt Lake. It was a nice break and we got some amazing family photos.

Bryce Canyon is also a great winter destination if you like snowshoeing, hiking and cross country skiing.

7. Get to the Lake. Really. If you’re looking for an all-afternoon outing, pack up your thermos with hot chocolate and any leftover candy canes and go check out the lake.

Most people have never been in the winter.

One of my favorite things is to pick up ice chunks and throw them onto the frozen lake to watch them shatter. I know that sounds simple, but don’t knock it until you try it. Your kids will LOVE it! It’s very exciting! It’s a really unique experience to be near a frozen lake.

Just exercise caution and keep your kids close.

8. Get your indoor skate on. If you really don’t want to be outside but need something to do as a family, consider hitting the roller skating rink. We’re not above a little family outing at our local rink, especially if you don’t mind a little Junior High PDA. Did you know they allow scooters and wiggle cars in there too?

The lights and music make it entertaining for the whole family.

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Swiss Made. Since 1908.

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5 OLYMPIC-THEMEd FAMILY ACTIVITiES

By Mae Kiggins

I love the Olympics.

I spent hours while growing up watching them with my family. Some of the Adventure Mom team is lucky enough to live in Salt Lake City, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Teach kids to love the Olympics. Salt Lake and other Olympic cities like it come alive during the weeks and months before an Olympic games with various qualifying events.

Attending these events are magical and so good for young minds learning about sporting and the international community of athletes.

Those of us in non-Olympic cities may not be

attending events but are still excited to share the Olympic tradition with our families.

Here are a few things a few Olympic themed activities you should try: Try a new Olympic sport.

This year we introduced our kids to ice skating.

Figure skating is one of my favorite Olympic events.

My son spent 20 seconds on the ice and decided it was “too slippery�. My daughter, on the other hand, loved going fast. I was so happy

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they had skates that fit an 18 month old.

Even thought the activity didn’t go exactly as planned, we still created wonderful memories. Get outside and enjoy winter activities as a family.

Make Olympic ring fruit pizzas.

I love fruit pizza but I love it more that I found a healthier version a couple years ago.

We used raspberries for red, blueberries for blue, bananas for yellow, blackberries for black and green grapes cut in half for green.

We made the Personal Pan Fruit Pizzas recipe from How Sweet It Is. We just made 5 pizzas instead of the 4 called for in the recipe.

Do you know what the colors on the Olympic flag represent? Do your kids?

Talk about the it while making and eating fruit pizzas. You might be surprised by what they know. Just in case you don’t know (I didn’t), the five rings represent the five inhabited continents of the world and the colors (red, blue, yellow, black, green & white) represent all the colors of the national flag of the world.

What do the interlocking ring mean to you?

Watch an Olympic-themed Movie.

There have been so many movies made about past Olympic games. This is a great way to explain the Olympics to your kids and get them excited about the games.

Learn about the athletes.

One of my favorite part of the Olympics are all the stories of athletes and their incredible lives. Most have overcome amazing odds to compete and represent their countries.

The Olympics website even has a section dedicated to athletes.

We’d love to know: what are ways your family celebrates the Olympics? Comment on our Facebook Page!

One of my favorite Olympic movies!

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10 reasons to Fall In L ve with Baby-Wearing

By Emily Knight

1. It is a natural way to soothe your newborn.

Think about it – for 9+ months your baby was smushed up inside of a quiet, dark water world.

He listened to your heart, heard your voice, and was soothed by your movements. Babywearing a newborn is very similar to being inside your womb. If you start wearing from the get go, you’ll have a wonderful, natural way to soothe your newborn.

2. Baby-wearing can make breastfeeding in public easier. If you choose to breastfeed your child, baby-wearing allows easy, discrete, and hands-free access while out and about.

3. Baby-wearing keeps your child sheltered from wandering hands. Having my child near to me while out in public kept others from reaching out to touch him. This is a great benefit during cold and flu season.

4. CUDDLE, CUDDLE, CUDDLE!! – Baby-wearing allows prime cuddle time, anytime of day. As my boys got older, wearing them was one of the only way I got to cuddle.

5. Baby-wearing can help your child to be a more confident around others. Baby is at adult level and listening to adult conversation. I personally feel that baby wearing helped both

my boys with separation anxiety. They knew I was always there for them and so they were more confident in exploring their world. On the other side of that if you have a child who is very anxious in public, keeping them close to you will ease the anxiety they feel.

6. Wearing your child allows you to have both hands free. Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean your meals will magically appear, and your house will clean itself. When I wore Squish, I could get the housework done while soothing and bonding with my baby, and could use the time he was resting to rest myself.

7. Using a baby carrier allows you to eliminate dragging a bulky stroller around. This is awesome especially for crowded areas, or quick runs in the store. I always leave a carrier in my car so it’s there when I need it.

Many parents worry about it getting to hot for baby. Don’t be afraid to bring a damp towel for

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Emily is babywearing, extended breastfeeding, and cloth diapering to two young boys (4.5 and 1 year old). Her blog Our Knight Life (www.familylifeinlv.com) follows her family, fitness, and fun adventures in Las Vegas. She is passionate about natural parenting and all things baby/kid and loves sharing products reviews on her blog in an effort to make other mom's lives easier.

You can find her on IG (instagram.com/ OurKnightLife), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ ourknightlife), and Facebook (www.facebook. com/ourknightlife).

the back of baby’s neck. If it’s really warm I’ve even poured water onto the back of the carrier. In the winter your body warmth will keep baby warm and they make carrier covers, baby-wearing jackets, or even a bulky fleece will help to shield baby from the elements.

8. Baby-wearing helped me manage the transition from being a mom of two. Being able to play at the park with my older son while not worrying about the baby, nurse my baby while still holding my older child’s hand, and manage baby’s nap time with an older child wouldn’t have been as easy without baby-wearing. I rarely have to choose between my children.

9. Baby-wearing isn’t just for moms. Babywearing can be a wonderful bonding tool for Dad’s and Grandparents too. Caregivers can wear your infant, while playing with your older children. It is really for anyone!

10. When my husband was deployed, and my son was too young to go to gym daycare, I could workout while wearing him. Walking while wearing your baby, doing lunges, or joining a mom fitness group are great options. Or if you’d rather workout at home there is even a DVD! The Baby-wearing Workout is a great option with the added bonus of putting baby to sleep!

I’m often asked what my favorite carrier is. Truth is I have three…

• Boba Wrap for the newborn phase • Ring Sling for quick wears. (Grocery stores, school pick-ups…)

• Lillebaby COMPLETE Carrier for longer carriers, back carries, and traveling.

There are so many reasons to love baby-wearing – What’s yours?

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Appropriate gear is imperative to having a good experience.

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Women’s gear: who’s getting it right?

By Mary Edwards

I remember being sent off to the slopes for my first ski experience with poor gear. I was frozen from head to toe and miserable. I promised myself I’d never ski again. And I haven’t.

But when I recently saw my sister, who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, participating in winter activities with her family and enjoying it, I realized appropriate gear is imperative to having a good experience.

When it comes to women, there are three issues companies should consider when engineering gear specifically for them: 1) the 5 obstacles preventing women from getting outdoors, 2) don’t just pink it and shrink it, and 3) some women’s bodies change over time.

5 obstacles preventing women from getting outdoors* 1. There’s not enough time with work and family responsibilities 2. How does one include small children 3. Needing the right gear for things they like doing 4. The weather is too cold or too hot 5. It’s too expensive to buy gear

One female in Spawn’s women’s study 2013 said: “Women want the same gear as men, so don’t just shrink it and use ‘girlie’ colors. Design women specific products that are based on real differences.”

Women’s gear needs the right balance between solid performance and a flattering cut and color (we don’t all wear pink).

Some women’s bodies change over time One 55 + year-old woman stated: “I think that in the years women raise their families, women forget about themselves, and the market forgets them.”

Clothing fits differently, outdoor interests change, and activity levels fluctuate throughout a woman’s life. We need companies to show how their equipment can be used throughout various stages of our lives and keep us involved.

Companies getting it right Kudos to Athleta, Patagonia, REI, and Smartwool for excelling in women’s gear.

There are some additional companies requiring notice:

Women’s gear needs to help solve these obstacles. It needs to be more functional, durable, affordable, and attractive – enabling women to go from trail running to lunch with friends.

Aventura. This casual lifestyle line has flattering cuts and styles for women middle-aged and older with over 80% of its clothing made from environmentally friendly fabrics.

Don’t just pink it and shrink it I’ve used my husband’s backpack, gym bag, sunglasses, and snowshoes too often. The truth is, they are uncomfortable and don’t suit my unique needs as a woman.

anon. This company is more committed to technically innovative products made specifically for women with the new WM1 goggle fitted for a woman’s profile and their first women’s-specific helmet, the Keira.

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Burton has designed women’s snowboards, boots, and bindings for years and has a section of its website devoted to women’s interests: “Burton’s Girls.”

Fivesse gym bags help women go from home to the gym to work thanks to lots of pockets and a garment bag that keep all of your things organized and your clothes free from wrinkles and smells.

Katie K Signature Collection helps women of all sizes (Misses S-XL and Women’s 1X-3X) feel confident and motivated with flattering fits and styles. Try the comfy Signature Pant.

MSR Women’s Lightening Ascent Snowshoes possess Women’s 360° Traction™ frames that are ideal for women who possess narrower gaits than men.

Vim & Vigr. These aren’t your grandma’s compression socks. "This line of knee-high compression socks for women will inject some color and style into your recovery routine.

Available in nylon, cotton and (winter appropriate) wool, you won't catch flak for wearing these to the office." (Triathlete Magazine.)

Whatever your activity level or interest, make sure to find the right gear engineered for women and you’ll have a better experience.

Sources: •

• • •

*Spawn’s women’s study 2013. Spawn’s report summarizes what they heard from nearly 300 women in Alaska about what they want from their outdoor experiences and their gear.

Outdoor Women’s Coalition Burton Girls website Boardsportsource.com

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This line of compression socks for women will inject some color and style into your day.

Available in nylon, cotton and (winter appropriate) wool. You won’t catch flak for wearing these to the office. $29.95-$34.95 vimvigr.com

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Attitude. It’s more than a word. Attitude can drive us to go beyond all expectations or it can smother us in fear, doubt, and even failure.

of Altitude and Attitude

By Christine Bowman

Failure was not an option for Cody Walker, a survivor of a horrific snowboarding accident March 1, 2013 at Northstar California Resort in the Lake Tahoe area.

years experience tackles the mountain as an expert.

It is incomprehensible to him that he will soon fracture both hips and three vertebrae.

Last year, at thirty-five years old, Cody Walker was living the dream. He’s married to the lovely Lori, and he’s the cherished father to five-year-old June, three-year-old Max with a little girl who is on the way.

After multiple surgeries and months and months of continuous, grueling rehab (six sessions a day), Cody walks, works, and plays with his children. His belief in his God, his healthcare professionals, and himself has afforded him life lessons that could not have come any other way.

Now finished with school and employed as a pharmacist, it’s time for the much-anticipated, annual ski and snowboard trip with the guys to Lake Tahoe.

As soon as they get there, Cody, with more than 25

This interview with Cody Walker, nearly one year later was emotional and filled with the upbeat attitude that has fueled his recovery and is the story of his life.

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I have a really great group of friends. We’ve been friends since we were young and we all love the mountains. We would try to sneak in a couple of hours of skiing and boarding every day after school.

They’ve been a huge influence in my life.

One of our friends has a cabin in the Lake Tahoe area. So they all started going there in 2007 to ski. I always wanted to go with them but I couldn’t because of school commitments. I was finally able to make the trip last year.

thinking this is going to be bad... I didn’t know how badly for some time.

Did you remain conscious on impact? What happened at that moment?

I hit hard and then instantly started sliding 40’ down the run but I didn’t feel anything not even the cold snow that was pushing up onto my bare skin under my jacket. It seemed like my friends were with me right away. One of them is an ER doctor and he was going through the medical checklist while waiting for the ski patrol to arrive.

[Cody and his friends are LDS [Mormons] and while waiting for help to arrive they knelt in a circle around him, placed their hands on his head and prayed for a blessing.]

“

I hit hard and then instantly started sliding 40’ down the run but I didn’t feel anything — not even the cold snow that was pushing up onto my bare skin under my jacket.

So this is the first time to you were able to go along with your friends to Northstar California Resort and that’s where the accident happened, right?

Yes. The plan was to spend all day, every day on the mountain from February 29 through March 2, heading back home on March 3.

I remember that first day out, we made a few runs on the groomers. The snow is different out there [from Utah snow}.

While we were riding up the lift, I saw a jump that was right under us. It was a massive riser. I wanted to board down as close as I could to find the best spot to hit it.

I started for the jump and lifted off. Everything was perfect as I landed and rode out off the mountain. I was so excited that I had done it. My friends were so excited for me. Naturally I wanted to feel that again.

Now that the nerves were gone, I wanted to take it all in and really experience the weightlessness and exhilaration.

The second time I approached the jump, I knew that I had too much speed as I went off the crest. From the beginning, I was off-balance and I remember

“

Cody, tell me a little about your passion for outdoor sports and activities?

Growing up so close from the mountains, being literally 10 minutes away meant that it was natural for me to want to play there. I was very young when I started snowboarding. In fact, I learned to board before I learned to ski.

My friends gave me a Priesthood blessing and it was really powerful. I will never forget it. Instantly I was calm and relaxed and I… felt like I was in somebody’s arms. I literally felt no fear, only peace.

The ski patrol got to me right away and they started to stabilize me and go through their protocol. I could see on their faces that I was in serious trouble. They loaded me into a helicopter and I’ll say it again, I never felt alone or afraid. I still had that feeling of being held by the Savior.

After we arrived at the hospital in Reno, I don’t remember much. The medical professional got

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gratitude for her but I also felt bad that I had even put her, and us, in this situation.

What were your injuries Cody and what was the prognosis?

Well I fractured both hips and I fractured three vertebrae in my neck, which caused spinal cord damage.

As far as a prognosis, they don’t tell you much because every injury is so different. They don’t want to set limits on anyone who is recovering. It is both frustrating and empowering not to hear from them the outcome.

Why do you think that you are walking today when so many others with severe spinal cord injuries are not?

I have ideas but nothing solid. I believe it was faith in God and that this wasn’t suppose to be my fate in the end. I remember thinking, just relax and let’s get this over with so you can get back to living your life. I never thought that this is the end for me so the panic never set in.

The next thing I remember is hearing my wife’s voice in the hallway asking where I was. She had flown in from our home in Salt Lake City and so I called out, “I’m in here.” I tried to let her know with the tone of my voice that I was still with her and I tried to prepare her by letting her know that I was still me… Cody.

Tell me about your wife Lori.

See is the strongest person I know. When she walked into that hospital room and leaned over the bed… just being able… to look into her eyes was that second comfort for me. It was a sigh of relief to see her and draw on her strength. I felt so much

“

“

me started on CT scans, pain meds, and other procedures.

This experience hit the “reset” button for me. All the things that were consuming my life before the accident no longer rule me.

I had another [LDS] blessing in the hospital and was told that I would walk again. This gave me additional confidence that the ability to move my legs was going to come back and I knew that no matter how long or how much work I had to put into it that I was going to get better.

Tell me more about the “work’ involved in your rehabilitation?

My surgeries were performed at Renown Regional

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Medical Center in Reno and I spent two weeks there. Then I was transferred to the University of Utah Hospital that happens to have the best program for spinal cord injuries in the nation. They knew exactly what to do and even though I had no idea what to expect, I was all in.

I would stay late. I have never worked so hard learning simple things like to how get in and out of my wheelchair or how to hold silverware again.

All of the medical costs must have been terribly expensive.

I knew that my insurance was going to run out after only a stay 15 days in the hospital. Then the amazing High Fives Foundation out of Reno contacted me. They sent me $20,000 so that I could stay in the hospital for more rehabilitation.

Then the foundation gave me an additional $5,500 to keep me at Neuroworx for more rehabilitation.

Additionally many of our friends and family and even strangers created a website at SupportCody.com and a fundraising event to help with my medical bills. {Editor’s note: SupportCody.com is no longer live, but you can share your well wishes with Cody at www.facebook.com/ SupportCody}

What have you learned from this experience Cody?

Obviously I appreciate the little things now. Like getting out of bed and walking up the stairs. This experience hit the “reset” button for me. All the things that were consuming my life before the accident no longer rule me.

How far along are you in your recovery?

Today I am walking unaided. My hands are still the most frustrating things right now. They are tight.

Keyboarding seems impossible and I want to be able to work the twist-tie on the bread package. I am happy that I am back to work and I am almost full time.

I know the things that are truly important. My family; being able to provide for them; helping Lori with anything she needs and being actively engaged with my kids. I want so bad to be part of their lives. Not just that, I want to be an active part.

And even though my legs are getting stronger every day, I still cannot run or skip down the road with my daughter. That will be a great day when... I can hold her hand and skip down the road.

This entire experience has also given me patience. It’s been almost a year now and I’m still recovering. It’s definitely a marathon that I’m running and it requires perseverance.

My final question for Cody was, when will you get up on a snowboard again?

With a twinkle in his eye he simply said, “Not this weekend, but soon.”

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FAMILY

GEOCACHING FUN

By Jamie Moesser

We all find “adventure” in different ways, right?

Finding it as a family can be difficult, as the possibility of finding something that appeals to everyone’s tastes often decreases the more people that are involved.

There is one kind of adventure, one hobby, though, that can often meet a variety of needs. It has met our family’s diverse fun needs well over the years. It is the hobby of geocaching.

Geocaching can be done at any time of year, in both urban and rural settings, and even virtually or in real life.

It is a hobby that requires only a GPS or a smart phone, some trinkets, and whatever amount of time you and your family are willing to give it.

worldwide, there are over 350 within five miles of my house in Utah.

We settled on a bookswap cache located along the beautiful Jordan River trail, a trail that stretches for 40 miles along the Wasatch Front.

A bookswap cache is simply a semi-large container filled with paperback books that people can trade.

To find one, one searches on Geocaching. com or on a geocaching smart phone app (I use c:geo) by a keyword like “book,” and then either downloads the coordinates provided (e.g. N 38° 52.456 W 009° 12.287) to their GPS, or pulls them up into their app, which then acts like a compass, guiding one to within 10 feet or so of the cache.

A search of Geocaching.com shows that, of the over 2,200,000 geocaches hidden goadventuremom.com

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You then consult whatever hints or logs are provided, or skills of cunning, detail-orientation, and patience they possess to find the actual cache.

This one was found on a beautiful Fall afternoon, and will provide me and my kids with reading material to enjoy with hot mugs of cocoa in the evening.

Caches can be as small as a fake nut (we have found those), and as large as a five-gallon bucket (those as well). The larger ones are obviously easier to find (usually), and better to seek if you have small children with you.

The smaller ones may be harder to find but tend to provide a greater sense of accomplishment to older kids.

Whatever adventure you find for your family, and whatever time of year you seek it, may you always find joy in your quest. goadventuremom.com

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Frosted mint brownies 1 cup butter 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla

4 large eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Filling 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 2 cups confectioners sugar 1/2 teaspoon mint extract Chocolate Ganache 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup heavy cream Instructions 1) Preheat oven to 350° and butter a 9”x13” baking dish. 2) In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave on high at 20-30 second intervals, stirring and repeating until melted. 3) Cool slightly. 4) Beat in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. 5) Add the flour and stir until combined. 6) Fold in the chocolate chips. 7) Pour into the baking dish and spread. 8) Bake for 25 minutes.

Frosting In a medium bowl beat the sugar, shortening, and mint until fluffy. Add a teaspoon or two of water or milk if necessary.

Spread evenly over the cooled brownies.

Ganache In a medium saucepan heat the chocolate chips and cream over medium heat,stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted. Pour over the frosted brownies. Allow to chill then cut and serve.

Photos by Krista, www.budgetgourmetmom.com

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goldilocks JUST RIGHT

Salt Lake, Utah: May 10th Boise, Idaho: July 12th Las Vegas, Nevada: October 11th Scottsdale, Arizona: TBA 2015

SUPER COOL, NON COMPETITIVE, FULLY SUPPORTED, WOMEN ONLY BIKE RIDE to register and for more information visit:

goldilocksride.com

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Make your memories COMPLETE

líllébaby® COMPLETETM offers more carrying positions, features, and years of baby wearing than any other baby carrier.

From birth

1

FETAL

. . . and every step of the way

2

INFANT

3

FACE OUT

4

TODDLER

3-4 years (45 lb)

5

HIP

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BACK

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Resources Here are a few of our favorite resources. Do you have a favorite resource or site not listed? Please let us know! info@goadventuremom.com

Sites worth checking out American Hiking Society

americanhiking.org

Great Nature Project

greatnatureproject.org

National Geographic Kids

kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids

Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition

oiwc.org

Outdoor Industry

outdoorindustry.org

Outdoor Industry Jobs Outdoor Foundation

outdoorindustryjobs.com outdoorfoundation.org

Visit Salt Lake

Mountain Mama Maternity

visitsaltlake.com mountain-mama.com

Joovy Balance Bikes

joovy.com

Blogs you should follow Tales of a Mountain Mama

talesofamountainmama.com

Climb With Kids

climbwithkids.com

Chasqui Mom

A Nature Mom

chasquimom.com anaturemom.com

Bring The Kids

bring-the-kids.com

Rocks and Sun

rocksandsun.com

Get on The Beaten Path Kid Project

getonthebeatenpath.blogspot.ca

kidproject.org

Big Grey Rocks

biggreyrocks.com

Family On Bikes

familyonbikes.org/blog

Nature For Kids

Natureforkids.net

Rockies Family Adventures

rockiesfamilyadventures.com

Wild Tales Of

wildtalesof.com

Mommy Hiker

mommyhiker.com

Walk Simply

walksimply.com

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The Active Explorer

theactiveexplorer.com

A Little Campy

Alittlecampy.com

Adventure Tykes Adventurous Parents

adventuretykes.com

adventurousparents.com

Active Kids Active Family

activekidsactivefamily.blogspot.ca

Val In Real Life

valinreallife.com

Brave Ski Mom

braveskimom.com

Ground Truth Trekking

GroundTruthTrekking.org/blog

Fun Orange County Parks

funorangecountyparks.com

Maybe I Will

maybeiwill.com

HobbyMamas.com

hobbymamas.com

Budget Gourmet Mom

budgetgourmetmom.com

Oliver Blue Photography

oliverbluephotography.com

Our Knight Life

familylifeinlv.com

Mommy Loves Trees

mommylovestrees.blogspot.com

AKontheGO ‪

akonthego.com

ActiveKidsClub activekidsclub.com Crag Mama cragmama.com Rockies Girl rockiesgirl.wordpress.com Adventurous Moms

adventurousmoms.com

Velo Mom

velomom.com

Back Country With Kids

backcountrywiththekids.com

Moose Fish

moosefish.com

Go Explore Nature

goexplorenature.com

Garage Grown Gear

garagegrowngear.com

Wilderness for Kids ‪

wildernessforkids.com

Active Kids Active Family ‪activekidsactivefamily.com

Mommy Loves Trees

mommylovestrees.BlogSpot.com

The Outdoor Adventure

www.theoutdooradventure.net

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