Responsible Travel: Ecotourism #NepalNow: Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability GRAND TETONS: 5 FAMILY FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO Reduce Your Carbon Footprint TIPS TO RESPECT WILDLIFE PET Recycling in Nepal Favorite Autumn Recipes
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Hello Adventurers!
Hello Autumn! We can’t help but revel in your crisp air, your crunchy fallen leaves underfoot, your colors, your football games, and your pumpkin flavored everything. Go Adventure Mom’s crew hopes you’ll find something in this issue to inspire you to get outdoors and enjoy one of the most sensual seasons of the year. Happy Adventuring! Kathy Dalton and the rest of the Go Adventure Team P.S. Use the tag #GoAdventure on Twitter, Instagram and FB for a chance to win great prizes and products from our sponsors!
Be part of raising a generation of nature-loving outdoorsy children. Adventure Mom offers easy-to-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 activities and togetherness.
We want to hear about your adventures! info@goadventuremom.com 801-901-0515
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table of
Contents
Responsible travel
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#NepalNow: Corporate responsibility and sustainability 4 Ecotourism 8 Gear review: Indoor air mattress 10 5 Family friendy things to do in the Grand Teton 12 Autumn recipe: Multilayer ribbon Jello 18 Climbing tips from Kevin Jorgensen
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How to make bottled apple pie filling 20 How to reduce your carbon footprint 17 outdoor apps
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8 must know tips to respect and protect wildlife
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Respecting wildlife
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Global company empowers women: PET recycling program in Nepal 30 Family football activities
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How to build fantastic forts 36 7 fall outdoor activities 38 Nepal: Trek & give back
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Is barefoot running for me?
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Magnging fatigue and stress 44 How to make most of fall
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How Coca-Cola empowers women in Nepal
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#NepalNow: How One Corporation is Leading in Social Responsibility and Sustainability By Mary Edwards
Water. It’s easily taken for granted. Whenever we’d like we may drink, cook, and wash in our homes. We think about water when we venture outdoors and we know our water sources will be limited. We fill our water bottles and hydration bags, and we take our water purification systems to ensure clean drinking water in the backcountry. Having access to water plays an essential role in the lives of women in developing countries. When women don’t have to travel long distances to clean water sources, they have more time to financially support their families and seek educational opportunities.
Having access to water plays an essential role in the lives of women in developing countries. Nepal Earthquake For decades, trekkers, climbers, and adventurers have journeyed to Nepal to be surrounded
by the tallest mountains on earth. On April 25, 2015, a destructive 7.8 magnitude earthquake forever changed the lives of 8 million Nepali people in greater Katmandu and Pokhara. Over 9.000 were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced. The immediate need of clean water was apparent. The Nepali Coca Cola management team, first provided care for its employees, then assessed the damage to the bottling facility and within 44 days got it running. They donated 20,000 cases of clean Kinley water to support the community and the Coca Cola Foundation supported the Nepal Red Cross Society with a $1 million grant. In doing so, they were able to assist 75,00 people in 15,000 households. Bhurunchuli Village Bath House for Women Understanding the need for resilient low cost housing to rebuild, Coca Cola partnered
with NGO, creasion, to rebuild the badly damaged Bhurunchuli Village. They engaged the community by providing raw materials to villagers to build their own homes. In rebuilding, they saw a need for the 154 village women to have a community based facility traditionally called a Pandhaero (a stone spout) so they could have access to water for cooking, cleaning, health and sanitation. While in Bhurunchuli, I attended the foundation ceremony of the villages first Pandhaero. Currently, it takes all day for Bhurunchuli village women to wash clothes because they share a watering hole with three villages. One woman says she wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning
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Images courtesy The Coca-Cola Company
With the time these women will save from traveling [to get water]... they will be able to help financially support their families. to avoid the long lines for water, while another said she’s looking forward to the Pandhaero because she’ll no longer have to walk 30 minutes and wait in line to get water twice a day. With the time these women will save from traveling 30 minutes each way, twice and sometimes three times a day, they will be able to help financially support their families working in the fields, making bricks, and creating candies and pickles from fruit grown on trees to sell in the market. goadventuremom.com
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Bhurunchuli Village School After the earthquake, children suffered emotionally. They didn’t have access to mental health professionals and they struggled to return to school. Coca Cola and creasion decided it was important to motivate the 325 children and 20 teachers at the Shree Bhimsen Secondary School to return. They laid the foundation for the school’s first private sanitation facility for boys and girls, with hand washing basins. This will not only help with health and sanitation, but it will motivate students, particularly girls, to stay in school.
“If you get girls and young women early and educate and empower them, you change a nation.” Dr. Ngozi, former Managing Director of the World Bank
Women economic empowerment begins with keeping young girls in school. Dr. Ngozi, former Managing Director of the World Bank said “If you get girls and young women early and educate and empower them, you change a nation.” Once a girl reaches puberty it’s difficult to stay in school because of stigmas, seclusion, and lack of access to private toilets and water. In Nepal, 30 percent of girls report missing school during their periods. This one addition to the village school will have a lasting impact. WATER Replenishment and PET Waste In Nepal, Coca-Cola has committed financially to rebuilding and economically empowering women. It has some work to do with its bottling plant and PET waste. Currently, Coca Cola is at 16% water
replenishment, however, it’s on track to be at 100% by 2020. Coca-Cola plans to replenish the water it uses in Nepal through comprehensive wastewater treatment at its facilities (about half of the water use) and then through rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge to replenish the water used in its product in Nepal.
On Aug. 29, 2016, Coca-Cola announced they’ve met their goal to replenish the equivalent amount of water used in their global sales volume back to nature and communities. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company said “We are keenly aware that our water stewardship work is unfinished and we remain focused on
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Images courtesy The Coca-Cola Company
exploring next steps to advance our water programs and performance.”
In Nepal, Coca-Cola has committed financially to rebuilding and economically empowering women. While each plant may not replenish all water to its direct source, Coca-Cola requires all plants work to ensure they do not negatively impact water sources and work with the community on longer term solutions.
Currently Coca Cola supports the Himalayan Climate Initiative (Friends of the City) to help waste workers get a fair price for PET bottles, making it more profitable and respectable, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that its product contributes to Nepal’s growing PET waste. Coca-Cola’s Nepal team continues to work with NGOs and government leaders to affect policies about waste and recycling. Large companies aren’t perfect, but I believe we should recognize positive corporate-community partnerships when we see
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them. During my visit to Nepal, it was clear Coca Cola is leading corporate responsibility and sustainability with its rebuilding efforts and its 5by20 initiative. Disclosure: Coca-Cola sponsored my travel, accommodations and other expenses to Nepal. I attended as an independent blogger who is passionate about empowering women (especially in the outdoor industry). All opinions are my own.
CONNECT >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
@cocacolaco @Thecocacolaco (Instragram) #NepalNow #5by20
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ecotourism RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
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Ecotourism • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
ECOTOURISM
: responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education
By Kathy Dalton
When you look at the word “ecotourism” it’s pretty self explanatory, however, there’s a lot more to ecotourism than meets the eye. The best definition I’ve found that describes ecotourism best is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2015). Operate Low Impact Facilities Ecotourism includes keeping things the way nature intended them to be. Low impact facilities are important because the environment deserves to remain unchanged. It’s a great thing that tourists can still enjoy travel while
hardly impacting the places they are traveling. Generate Revenue in a Healthy Way Ecotourism helps provide income for environmentally sensitive areas, while still allowing visitors to enjoy the area. There are places in the world that are highly important to keep around, but they also take funding to stay stable. Generating revenue in a responsible and healthy way is a win-win for all involved. Eco-friendly Lodging Does Exist In a world where everything is hustle and bustle, we forget to stop and enjoy nature. When booking a hotel, make sure you
Ecotourism allows you to travel, while respecting the great world around you.
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look for eco-friendly hotels that care about the environment and the impact they’re leaving. Low Impact Travel When you decide to travel somewhere, you don’t have to leave a huge carbon foot print. Make sure you travel low impact style to help preserve the world for future travelers. There are even certain trips that are being classified as ecotourism. However, when you are booking an ‘ecofriendly tour’ make sure it truly matches the mission of ecotourism. Understanding ecotourism is a bit tricky, but the point behind it is to be more earth-conscious. Learn to help take care of our earth, so she can help take care of us. Humans take away so much, but give so little back.
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GEAR
Gear Review:
INDOOR AIR MATTRESS By Mary Edwards
It was 2 o’clock in the morning when little feet pitter pattered across the wood floor to hop into our new SoundAsleep Dream Series air mattress. We were in the middle of remodeling our master bedroom and the mattress arrived just in time. To be honest, we weren’t looking forward to two weeks of sleeping on an air mattress. The thought of sleepless nights: • squished together in the middle • bounced around when either moved • sheets slipping and sliding around • rolling over onto our hands and knees to get out of bed
These images of lost sleep caused serious anxiety. However, this air mattress was a pleasant surprise from day one and here’s why: Comfort and Support of a Traditional Mattress The bed stayed flat and firm and we stayed asleep – even when the other person moved around. This was because instead of a big air filled mattress, this one has ComfortCoil Technology where 40 top air coils inflated and provided stable support for both sleepers.
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Gear Review • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
In addition, the mattress is fortunately quite durable and puncture resistant. We found our kids jumping off the couch onto the mattress with their friends. Although I certainly wouldn’t recommend kids jump on it, I was impressed by it’s ability to have survived and not punctured. True Queen Size We were able to “make the bed” with our regular queen-sized sheets. The velvety top and ridge all the way around the mattress held our pillows and bedding in place. They didn’t slip around like our other air mattresses. The raised double height allowed us to get out of the bed easily. We simply placed our legs over the side to stand up.
Waterproof Top Seriously a wonderful perk if you have young kids. The extra thick, durable waterproof flocked top makes for easy clean up for bed wetters. I know, because when our kid hopped into bed with us, we woke up with a wet kid. I didn’t even know this feature existed until I checked how to clean the mattress. It was so easy!
With our little kid snuggled next to us in bed, it was hard to believe we were sleeping on an air mattress!
Built-in Pump In the past, we’d need to charge a battery by plugging it into the wall for a full 12 hours before we could inflate our mattress. And when we had to refill our sagging mattress with air, we’d forget to recharge the battery and have to wait. I love, love, love this air mattress for the sake of it’s easy inflating and deflating capabilities. The EZ pump is a one-click inflation and deflation mechanism. To inflate, simply plug it into the outlet and watch it inflate under 4 minutes. Firmness can be adjusted while laying on the mattress without the threat of air escaping. I noticed no sagging and loss of air pressure. And when it’s time to pack up it automatically deflates ALL THE AIR with the click of a button. No more pushing, rolling and squeezing the air out of the mattress before folding it up for storage. The cord is neatly stored inside a compartment in the mattress.
Indoor Use Only I was sad to learn that I couldn’t take this amazing air mattress on my outdoor camping trips. The unit has an internal motor which can only be powered with a wall outlet. No external motors or battery operated motors can be used to inflate the mattress.
Also, the mattress thickness is designed for a clean, flat indoor surface and is not meant to withstand punctures from rocks and sticks. Customer Service I haven’t had to use it, but I’ve read about amazing customer service through reviews. They’ve been extremely responsive and helpful. Most air mattresses provide little to no service, it’s usually up to you to figure out problems or concerns. Conclusion The SoundAsleep Dream series air mattress is designed to be a very durable mattress. While the real purpose of any air mattress is for a temporary basis, closer to a couple of times a week or month, this mattress provided us with continued excellent comfort for 3 weeks straight. Disclaimer: Although I was given this air mattress to review, every opinion, recommendation and story is entirely my own.
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5 FAMILY FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN THE
Grand Teton
By Ashli Nudd Former Park Ranger and Blogger at Dirt In My Shoes
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Grand Teton • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
The National Park Service is hosting a campaign this year to Find Your Park. Twenty years ago, as a little girl on a family vacation, I found my park. It most definitely is Grand Teton, and I have been back to visit almost every year since. Seeing those mountains on the horizon lifts my spirits and cleanses my soul. It may sound a little cheesy, but I don’t know what I would do without the Tetons in my life. You can imagine my complete elation when I was offered a job as a Park Ranger at Grand Teton National Park. I
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Driving through a herd of elk almost every day on my way home from work, watching bears play in the meadow behind my house, and trekking to the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen became a normal way of life for me.
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lived in the shadow of the Grand for six glorious months and had the experience of a lifetime. Driving through a herd of elk almost every day on my way home from work, watching bears play in the meadow behind my house, and trekking to the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen became a normal way of life for me. I love Grand Teton National Park so much that if I find out a friend hasn’t been, I personally take them on a weekend trip to show them the sights. Obviously I cannot do this with all of you, but consider this my attempt to offer myself as your personal tour guide!
HIKE TO PHELPS LAKE ON THE LAKE CREEK TRAIL Phelps Lake is a sparkling blue natural alpine lake that has gorgeous views of Death Canyon and the Teton Range. The Lake Creek Trail is one of the newest trails in the Park. It is a beautiful trail that follows water for most of the way and twists among the trees.
Phelps Lake 13
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Lake Creek Trail and the Woodland Trail form a loop so I usually end up taking the Lake Creek up and the Woodland back. The trail starts from the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve, which is an experience in and of itself. It has an incredible sound room and a beautiful picture display. The thing about the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve is that it has extremely limited parking. I mean EXTREMELY. I have waited for 45 minutes just to get a parking spot. I know I say this a lot, but get an early start and get there as soon as you can. This is one that you will not want to leave to chance. RV’s are not permitted in this area. The alternate is to drive to the Death Canyon Trailhead (high clearance needed) and hike to the Phelps Lake Overlook. You won’t be right on the water, but you will get a stunning view! One last thing, Phelps Lake has an epic jumping rock. It’s about 30 feet high and so much fun! I once did a midnight hike there with a bunch of friends, and when we got there we encountered three drunk, naked men playing banjos. So there you go. Another story for another day. But really, if you are interested in jumping off a rock into a lake, contact me. The Lake Creek/Woodland Trail loop is 3 miles round trip and is a great family hike. GETTING HERE From Jackson, head north on US-191 and turn left at the Moose
Taggart Lake Junction. Pass the main Visitor Center. Across the street from the Post Office, and before you hit the entrance station, you will see the Moose-Wilson Road on your left. Turn here and travel on this road until you see the turnoff for the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center on your left.
HIKE (OR SKI) TO TAGGART LAKE The hike to Taggart Lake is a great introduction to the lakes and views that Grand Teton has to offer. It sits at the base of the range with spectacular views of the Grand. I often see bears and moose on this trail as well, so if you are looking to see some bigger critters, this is a good place to start. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Taggart Lake is a busy hiking area, although once you get to the lake there is plenty of room to spread
out and find solitude. The hike itself is gorgeous and features several unique landscapes along the way. This is a great family friendly hike. It’s also one of my favorite trails to cross-country ski in the winter. The trail to Taggart Lake is 3 miles round trip, with the option to continue the loop to Bradley Lake which makes it 6 miles round trip. GETTING HERE From Jackson, head north on US-191 until you get to the Moose Junction. Take a left at the junction, pay the $25 entrance fee at the entrance station, and then continue on for 3 miles until you see the Taggart Lake Trailhead on your left.
BOAT ACROSS JENNY LAKE TO HIDDEN FALLS The Jenny Lake and Hidden Falls areas are probably the most popular spots you can find in Grand
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Grand Teton • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
Teton. The Falls are beautiful, surrounded by trees and as they spray glacier-cold water on your face. This area can be accessed by a trail that circles Jenny Lake, or you can take a shuttle boat across Jenny Lake and get awesome views of the Teewinot Mountain. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Jenny Lake area and I have a love/hate relationship…..mostly hate. It is beautiful but the crowds are overwhelming. In my opinion,
there are so many better places to go in the Park. That being said, you need to visit Hidden Falls once. The waterfall really is nice and the boat ride is fun for the whole family. Beware of the squirrels and chipmunks in this area. They have become so dependent on humans, they have no fear. Your lunch will get snatched in the blink of an eye if you are not careful! The trail to Hidden Falls is 1.1 miles round trip if you take the shuttle boat, 5.2 miles if you hike around the lake. If you are feeling really adventurous, continue on the trail to Inspiration Point. The best part of this area, however, is beyond Inspiration Point and into Cascade Canyon. GETTING HERE From Jackson, head north on US-191 until you get to the Moose Junction. Take a left at the junction, pay the $25 entrance fee at the entrance station, and then continue on for 9 miles until you see the turnoff for South Jenny Lake on your left. Turn here and follow the road to the parking area. Walk on any sidewalk that heads toward the lake and you will be led to the shuttle boat service on the dock. Continue past the dock if you are going to hike around the lake.
SWIM IN STRING LAKE
Hidden Falls goadventuremom.com
String Lake is the best place to get your feet wet in the shadow of the Teton Range. I love String Lake! The water is so shallow (especially in the northern part of the lake) and in some parts you can walk all the way across to the other side. The bottom is sandy for the most part
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so it really is the perfect spot for kids to splash around. Every time we go on vacation as a family, we bring our blow-up pool loungers and just relax with the most beautiful view before us. It is also a great place to bring a canoe or a stand-up paddleboard. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The secret to String Lake is to hike up the trail toward Leigh Lake until you find a great sandy beach. My favorite spot is about 0.5 miles up the trail in an area where the trees open up to the lake and there is a bench. It is always my go-to. And yes, I have been spotted making the hike in my swimsuit and flipflops carrying a bunch of pool toys. If you opt to stay closer to the parking area, there are some picnic tables and sandy areas (though not as shallow) that you might be able to snatch up. This area is popular
String Lake
for a reason, and it can sometimes be difficult to find a parking space. GETTING HERE From Jackson, head north on US-191 until you get to the Moose Junction. Take a left at the junction, pay the $25 entrance fee at the entrance station, and then continue on for 10 miles until you see the road to North Jenny Lake on your left. Turn here and take a right at the stop sign to follow the road to the String Lake area. Do not park at the first parking lot you get to and continue on to the end of the road. If the parking lot at the end of the road is full, you may need to backtrack to the other parking area that you passed on your way in.
SNAP A PHOTO AT OXBOW BEND Oxbow Bend is one of the most picturesque places to snap a photo
of the Teton Range. I love how the beautiful Mount Moran is reflected in the still waters of the Snake River. Often times you will see river otters splashing around in the water. Occasionally you will find a moose grazing along the shoreline. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW From the parking area, take a very short hike down a steep hill to get to the water. This is the best place to get a great picture. If you want the best chance of seeing wildlife, get here early in the morning or at dusk. GETTING HERE From Jackson, head north on US191 for 30 miles until you reach the Moran Junction, US-287. Turn left and stop at the entrance station to purchase a $25 entrance pass. Continue on US-287 for 3 miles and you will see the Oxbow Bend turnout on your left.
Oxbow Bend
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AUTUMN RECIPE: Multilayer Ribbon
JELL-O
Rainbow Jello • 2 small boxes Jello, same flavor for each layer (in the Ten years ago I joined a family Jell-O I made above I used 8 who’s mother was a Home different flavors and 16 boxes Economics teacher. She has a of Jell-O total) million tried and true recipes that • 1/3 Cup Sour Cream for each everyone knows and loves. To creamy layer bring something she is planning • 1/3 Cup Ice water for each to make is a family faux pas. You clear layer just don’t do it. • Boil one cup water ( I use a glass measuring cup For the first few years of my in microwave), add Jello marriage I struggled to contribute contents, dissolve. until I noticed something missing • For clear layer add the ice at the family table. There was no water or for creamy layer add Jell-O. And really, we’re a big sour cream Mormon family. How can we not • When mixing in sour cream, have Jell-O on the table? I use a submersion blender. It takes about two seconds I remembered one of my friends to mix and makes very few moms in college made a bubbles (you don’t want multilayer rainbow jello, so I got bubble) the recipe from her and year after • Allow two hours for each layer year it’s always the showstopper. to set before pouring the next By Kristin Sokol And…It’s delicious. layer. • Note: Avoid using peach or I’ve used a variety of methods green jello, although their and created it in different ways. delicious, they look bad when And…for the record. The number mixed with sour cream or of layers to beat is 22. other colors. By Kristin Sokol
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Interview with Samantha Brown• Go Adventure Magazine • Spring 2015
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How to Make
Bottled Apple Pie Filling By Mary Edwards
In the Fall, I love to stock up for when I’ll be hunkered down for the Winter. During the cold months there’s nothing like sitting down to a warm apple pie or apple crisp. My mom and sister have been bottling apple pie filling for the last three years. This year, I was lucky enough to participate. Bottling is one of those activities that strengthens relationships because it takes preparation and work and everyone can have a specific job. APPLE PIE FILLING RECIPE: (makes 7 pint jars) 12 cups sliced cored apples 2 ¾ cups granulated sugar ¾ cup ClearJel 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg 1 ¼ cups cold water 2 ½ cups unsweetened apple juice ½ cup lemon juice
DIRECTIONS: • Prepare canner, jars, and lids. •
In a large pot of boiling water, working with 6 cups at a time, blanch apple slices for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm in a covered bowl.
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In a large stainless steel sauce pan, combine sugar, ClearJel, cinnamon, nutmeg, water and apple juice. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
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Add lemon juice and return to a boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Drain apple slices and immediately fold into hot mixture. Before processing, heat, stirring until apples are heated through.
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Ladle hot pie filling into jars, leaving 1 inch headspace.
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Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace by adding hot filling (if necessary). Wip rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight.
Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 30 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.
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How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Sue Kellogg
This morning I sat down with a friend and found myself stressing over writing this article. When I was asked to write this focusing on my company, Mello & Co, and our recent union with a recycling facility, 3R, I was not thrilled. I only know my kind of recycling…… passing clothes down to others when my daughter outgrows them, turning a milk jug into a bean shaker, or how about turning a baby jar into a “stained glass” candle holder…The list could go on!
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We “modern day” moms are more aware of engineering acronyms and toxic chemicals than say a mom 15 years ago. However, There’s a lot of pressure to be current with all this knowledge, and let’s not even talk about the guilt associated with NOT being current. So what does it mean to be aware of our carbon footprint? I know as a business woman, it means doing my part as a business owner to ensure we
There’s a lot of pressure to be current with all this knowledge, and let’s not even talk about the guilt associated with NOT being current.
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create as little waste as possible. Mello & Co earned its first seed money by hosting a bottle fundraiser for a month.
caregivers will utilize our recycling offer when their child has outgrown their Nawgum Teether.
That’s right, we started by recycling. Three years later, we are now engaged with a recycling company, 3R, and are creating a program for our product(s) to be recycled when the child has outgrown them.
As a mom, dad, caregiver……I say we keep recycling those milk jugs, and continue to pass down those outgrown clothes.
We are proud of this program, and hope many parents/
Every step we take together to minimize our waste is a step closer to a cleaner hike, and crystal clear water. I can only do my part, and trust you’ll do yours.
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To learn more about the Mello & Co recycling program, please visit the recycling link found at the foot of our homepage at www.melloandco.com
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OUTDOOR APPS
by Mary Edwards
Be sure to download these apps before your next outdoor adventure.
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Using technology in the great outdoors may seem strange but there are great apps for Android and iphone users to keep you safe and prepared.
AllTrails An easy way to find trails near you, whether you want a gentle hike, a mountain bike track, or a place to fly-fish. You can create your own trails with GPS tracking, photos, and text, and save them for later or share them with others. Platform: Android | iOS FREE
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Chimani National Parks This is the perfect app to help you plan your next tour of a national park. This provides you with maps and up to date news all 59 national parks. It also provides apps to some of the most famous parks like Grand Canyon and Yosemite where you can hear audio tours, find hiking trails and points of interest. Platform: Android | iOS FREE
First Aid – American Red Cross This app contains basic first aid information for burns, injuries, or other issues that can PRO CAMERA happen while outdoors. A “Learn” mode lets you read about injuries and basic first aid treatments, Looking to take some high-quality pictures and the “Emergency” mode provides immediate first or video on your iPhone or iPad? This is a aid instructions and a one-button shortcut to call 911. professional nature photography app and is userPlatform: Android / iOS FREE friendly. It allows you to set the focus, exposure and white balance points when taking photos. MapMyHike GPS Hiking You can also edit photos afterward to adjust Want to track your hike or cycle? This app exposure, brightness, saturation, contrast and is geared toward workouts and details your color temperature, as well as crop, filter and rotate route, your average pace, distance covered, pictures. calories burned, and more. You can record hiking Platform: Only iPhone | iPod Touch | iPad. $2.99. routes and share them easily. You can also find popular local routes and compete with others to record the best times. Platform Android | iOS FREE
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17 Outdoor Apps • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
Project Noah Stands for “Networked Organisms and Habitats”. This app allows you to explore and document wildlife on your phone. We love this app because its main purpose is to protect nature and educate people about wildlife. Platform: Android / iOS FREE
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SAS Survival Guide Want to know basic survival tips? This app will teach first aid and help you know which plants are edible, medicinal, or poisonous. You can also signal with Morse code. You can also download 16 instructional videos for survival. Platform: Android / iOS $5.99
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GPS Trip Journal Google awarded this the #1 Travel ap. It’s great for documenting details of your trip with photos and notes. You can share your adventures with others. Platforms: Android / iOS $2.99
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MotionX GPS Track your location while you hike, geocache, run, cross country ski etc. The best part is you can map out your trip first and then download various topographical maps – quite helpful when there’s no cellphone coverage. Platform: iOS $0.99 (Android alternative Backcountry Navigator PRO GPS for $9.99)
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GotoAID Be prepared for sprained ankles, sunburns, poison ivy and cuts. This app takes you through how to respond in an emergency step-by-step and it has three different tabs to separate treatments for humans, cats or dogs. Available on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. $4.99.
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Geocaching This is an awesome high tech treasure hunt app for the entire family. Because there are hidden treasures based on GPS locations make sure you geocache as a group. Platform: Android / iOS $9.99
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MyNature Animal Tracks Perfect to keep kids engaged in the outdoors. This app identifies animal scat and footprints when hiking (only in North America).
Images and illustrations are clear and the app includes a journal that works online and offline Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. $6.99.
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Star Walk Perfect astronomy app that can be used on a nighttime walk. Look up at the night sky and hold your device to the skies while it maps out what you’re seeing. Search for constellations or planets and it “guides” you to them. Platforms: iOS $2.99
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National Parks by National Geographic View beautiful National Geograohic quality photos and get detailed information about national park information including maps, guides, tips, and “park secrets”. Platforms: iOS FREE
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DisneyNature Explore Some app’s activities are intended for kids to do outside with a parent on a mobile device; others can be done inside or outside. Through exploring the habitats and lives of five realistic, animated animals kids learn about wildlife behavior and nature. Platforms: Android / iOS FREE
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Backpacker GPS Trails Lite If you get lost easily this is the app for you. This is perfect for trail navigation and works in remote places like national parks, wilderness areas, and backcountry spots without relying on data and cell signals. Platforms: Android / iOS FREE
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Knot Guide You’ll probably need to tie a few knots while camping or hiking. This app is a great way to make sure the knots you tie aren’t going to slip at inconvenient times. Platform: Android / iOS FREE
>>>
One more tip: Switching your phone to Airplane mode will help you conserve your battery when you’re off the grid.
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8 Must Know Tips to Respect and Protect Wildlife By Kathy Dalton
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Respect Wildlife • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
Today we’re talking about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Specifically, respecting Wildlife, can they get a little respect please? Humans have become so complacent in the world that it’s a forgotten art to respect wildlife. The animals of the forest and the trees growing up from the ground are living creatures. While they are not in a position to respect us, it means that the whole “respect” thing falls on the shoulders of humans. Most of the time on the news, you hear about hurt animals or someone hurting a wild animal. You hear about poachers, animal killers, and people who abuse animals. Wildlife is a gift to all of us and it’s important
to take care of wild animals. Maybe you don’t know how to start respecting wildlife or you’re confused on while wildlife even needs respected. Don’t bother wildlife This may seem like a natural thing to understand, but humans just-don’t-get-it. Respecting wildlife is super important to the earth. While it’s okay to be curious, it is not okay to get in the way of wildlife. For example, you see a bear minding its own business, don’t get in its way. Let it keep doing its bear thing and you keep doing your human thing.
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Don’t try to touch the wildlife, don’t try to feed the wildlife, just don’t bother the wildlife at all. You may want to get that selfie to brag on FB, but trust us, just leave them alone. Don’t attempt to feed wildlife Most people know this, but as a firm and friendly reminder, don’t feed wildlife. Don’t leave food behind for wildlife to get into either. You will see that there are always signs saying “don’t feed wildlife” posted in national parks. It’s there for a reason. Once humans start feeding wildlife, the animals start to become dependent on it. Once
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the food source is gone, the wild animals will start to search for “food” in human habitats. If you do plan on going camping and taking food out into the wild, make sure you store your food appropriately. Food that humans eat is not the same as what animals eat, it can be detrimental to their health. Don’t pick up wildlife Every now and then you’ll see a cute picture of someone holding a baby bird or even another type of baby animal. Although it may look cute it’s not. No one should touch an animal without being experienced. If your child wants to pick up an injured or hurt animals, it’s important to explain to the importance of waiting for an expert. While your heart may be hurting, it is vital that the animal get the right care, which
most likely you cannot provide. Not to mention-wildlife could have a disease or sickness that is detrimental to humans. Touching or picking up a wild animal could make you sick. And the same thing goes for them, you could carry germs to them, which could also result in them getting sick. Leave things the way you found them This seems to be a hard concept for humans to understand as well. So much of the earth has been destroyed by humans already, it only makes sense to leave things the way you found them. Obviously if you see something that is a mess, clean it up. However, leave things as naturally as you can. Don’t leave trash, food, or anything else for wildlife to get into. When humans pollute nature, it impacts animals more than anyone could ever imagine.
Wildlife depends on us As much as we don’t think wildlife depends on us, they do! They don’t depend on us for food and to take care of them, but for us to leave them alone. Since humans have destroyed so much of the earth already, it’s important to leave animals alone as much as we can. While it’s so cool to see animals, it’s best to do it from afar and leave them alone as much as possible. If you see others approaching wildlife it is your duty to tell them not to. Those of us that are educated about wildlife must stand up for the animals, even if it means confronting others. Talk to your children As much as you think children would know to respect wildlife, it’s not always that easy to comprehend. Children depend on their parents to help them
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Respect Wildlife • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
appropriately in the wild. Going to the zoo is one way your children can learn to respect animals. Watching animals and how they react in their environment is one way to teach a child about natural wildlife. Sometimes it’s hard for children to comprehend that a wild animal is nothing like their pet cat or dog. Teaching them the difference could actually save their life. understand everything about wildlife. From how to treat, understand, and care for animals is an important part of raising a good kid. Teach your children how to observe animals in the wild. Kids are kids and that means that sometimes they get excited. There is a lot of excitement in finding any type of animal in the wild. It’s important to teach your child how to observe animals
Find fun ways to teach your child about respecting wildlife. It is eventually easy for children to understand all about respecting humans, but when it comes to respecting wildlife, it can be harder. One solution is to find fun ways to teach your child about wild life. Going to the zoo is one way. Taking hikes is another way, see what kind of wildlife can be discovered and help your children understand how to respect the wild animals. Another way would
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be to pick up a few books about wildlife. Help your children learn what wild animals do and why they do it. These activities will help your child learn all about respecting wildlife. Education is always the key in teaching anything, especially something as complex as respecting wildlife. Children and adults alike need to understand the importance of respecting wildlife. I touched on the ‘teaching children’ aspect so much because children depend on adults to show them the ropes. If you’re polluting, touching wildlife, and not following natureprotocol, your children are sure to follow. By following these steps in respecting wildlife, everyone can stay safe. When humans get too involved with wild animals, it’s usually the wild animals that end up killed or hurt. Let’s do our part in respecting and taking care of what’s in the wild.
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PET RECYCLING PROGRAM IN NEPAL:
How One Global Company Empowers Women By Mary Edwards
Recycling in the United States is simple. We pay our recycling management to take our containers to the recycling plant. It’s a respectable job and we’re grateful we don’t have to take it on our own, because let’s face it, it might not get done. After reading Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo’s “Behind the Beautiful Forevers”, a must-read book about a teenage boy who sees a future beyond counting recyclable garbage in a Mumbai undercity, I traveled to Nepal with Coca-Cola.
As an outdoor blogger who’s passionate about preserving and protecting the environment, I had some questions about Coca-Cola’s contribution to Nepal’s growing PET waste.
During my life, I’ve visited several developing countries, and seen individuals make a living from collecting recyclable waste. It’s a hard existence and many are discriminated against. Since there’s no formal recycling collection these workers play an essential role in keeping the environment clean. Currently, Nepal has 17 tons of PET waste thrown onto the ground EVERYDAY. As an outdoor blogger who’s passionate about preserving and protecting the environment, I had some questions about Coca-Cola’s contribution to Nepal’s growing PET waste.
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In addition, most women in Nepal can’t work during regular hours so they like working odd hours. The sorting center provides flexible hours and a safe environment for women, many of whom were sold and trafficked as children, because they are supervised by women. They reach out to uneducated women looking for work and provide jobs for them. Friends of the City wants to show how recyclable waste management is profitable.
Images courtesy The Coca-Cola Company
When I meet with Coca-Cola Bottlers Nepal Director, Puneet Varshney, he was quite open about their contribution to PET waste and their responsibility to create more efficient packaging and invest in recycling programs. He believes the best way to accomplish a green Katmandu is to work with government leaders to shape recycling policy, and non-profits who support PET waste workers. Friends of the City A well known non-profit outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists support is the Himalayan Climate Initiative. The CocaCola Foundation and CocaCola Bottlers Nepal support the
Himalayan Climate Initiative’s lead Nagar Mitra Program (Friends of the City). I had the chance to visit Friends of the City’s PET sorting center. I spent the day interviewing women and learning about their improved livelihood. Before Friends of the City’s involvement, PET collectors were getting a very low return - just 12 rupees (1.5 pennies) for 40 bottles. There was no incentive to pick up PET waste, so it was left on the ground. Friends of the City made PET waste pick up and sorting fair and sustainable by paying twice the amount.
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The best way to accomplish a green Katmandu is to work with government leaders to shape recycling policy, and non-profits who support PET waste workers. One of the biggest contributions has been the enhanced social status of waste collectors. Something as simple as an official jacket helped overcome stereotypes. Citizen’s began to appreciate their efforts to keep the city clean. One worker said they’re not just looked down upon anymore. While interviewing the president of Friends of the City, I was told how grateful they are for the continued financial and political support of Coca-Cola. When they asked the bottler to look
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Image courtesy The Coca-Cola Company
into making their label and cap holders easier to take off they were presented with a new tool engineered from the local plant specifically to help them speed up the process. We went out to give the new tool a try and found the women extremely capable at handling their razor blades better than the tool. But the tool demonstrated how continued conversations with their partner made them more aware of how they could make it easier to recycle their products waste. Although, India recently banned importing PET waste from Nepal.
They want to show how recyclable waste management is profitable. Friends of the City and Coca-Cola are working with the government to find ways to move recycling forward in Nepal. I support Coca-Cola’s efforts in this project because global companies should be socially responsible and accountable in the areas they function.
Next time you place your PET bottle in the bin to be recycled, be grateful for those who make it possible. Coca Cola has a goal to economically empower 5 million women across their value chain by 2020 in developing countries. One way it’s able to do this is by providing opportunities for women to have sustainable and profitable PET recycling jobs. Disclosure: Coca-Cola sponsored my travel, accommodations and other expenses to Nepal. I attended as an independent blogger who is passionate about empowering women (especially in the outdoor industry). All opinions are my own.
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Expression in Compression
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
Launch Collection 2013 goadventuremom.com
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Family Football Activities by Christine Bowman
It’s that time of year when football fans from Pee-Wee leagues to the NFL raise their Buffalo wings and cheer! The fall is a time for family football activities such as tailgate parties and watching the game!
As an adolescent, I watched football games with my parents and little brother in the early 1970’s. We’d pick our favorite teams, based on little to no criteria, and then we’d yell, groan, tease each other, and eat snacks around our smallish, block of a television console.
I don’t remember if I even liked football all that much but I know how I felt. I belonged to them. We belonged to each other and football was in the middle of it all. Whether you’re a fan or not, football games can, and should, make for laugh-out-loud, inexpensive family adventures.
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Family Football • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
So gathering kith and kin together for these enduring falltime traditions: Tailgate Party at Home Plan to watch football at home with a smorgasbord of tailgate party food like wings, pizza bites, chili, dips, chips, cheese, and crackers. I was so inspired by these healthy tailgate food ideas from Dashing Dish. Or set the television up in the garage, pull out the vehicle, and drop the tailgate for an afternoon of football frenzy. Tackle This Test You may not know the difference between a Wishbone or a Skinny Post but taking this Football Trivia Quiz can get you pointed in the right direction. Friday Night Lights There is nothing, and I do mean nothing, like bundling yourself and your family in blankets to watch the local high school team play football. For the last forty years my uncle and auntie have never missed watching their local high school games. The school has even designated reserved seats for their two best fans! Pass the Pigskin For generations families have been tossing a football around in the backyard. And why not, it’s a no-brainer family tradition for all ages. In some families, Thanksgiving is not complete without tossing the ball or a game of touch football.
Play Jackpot Everyone decides the point total that each player must reach to win. Then, the someone is selected to throw the football toward the crowd of players who are gathered about 30 feet away. All the while calling out how many points the throw is worth. Whoever catches the throw earns the points. The first player to reach the predetermined point total wins the game and becomes
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the new leader. If during the course of the game the person throwing the football calls out, “Jackpot,” the person who catches the ball wins the game. Alright now team let’s do this. Huddle and… break!
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S T R O F C I T FANTAS
How to create
As children the sky’s the limit when it comes to imagination. They can become anything as long as their imaginations are allowed to run wild. When I was a child, we didn’t have cable television, apps, and game consoles children today. I had to rely on outside play and my imagination to get me through the days. Often times the kids in my neighborhood would gather together and we’d spend countless hours dreaming up new games to keep us busy. Creating Forts is Part of Creative Play One memory I recall is the summer my friends and I decided to make a tree fort in the wooded area just beyond my home. We spent the summer gathering supplies and although we never completed the fort, the hours and days we spent doing our best to work together to build our beloved fort will stand vividly in my mind. For years, the half built fort was a fond reminder of the carefree summer we all spent together letting our imaginations run wild. As I continued to grow into my teenage years, I often looked back on that summer wistfully and wished I could go back and redo that summer so our dream might have become a reality.
Teaching Kids how to Make Forts Now that I’m a parent and have a household of little ones, I do my best to encourage their imaginations and outside play. In a world where video games and smartphones have all but claimed our children, I’ve made it my mission to help my children reclaim a childhood that I looked back on fondly. I can give them the kind of childhood I was able to enjoy. Playing outside, utilizing their imaginations and engaging in play time rather than parking in front of a television screen is my aim. If I can give them the kind of childhood where they’d rather spend time outside making attempts at putting together forts than holing up inside, I will do it. Great resource for Fort Making Fantastic Forts: Inspiration for Wild Hideaways is the perfect book - especially with Autumn in full swing. Written by Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks, Fantastic Forts uses descriptive text and ample pictures to inspire children to build amazing forts outside. Oh, if I had only had this book growing up, our half attempts at a fort might have been a fully realized dream.
By Kathy Dalton
play place to both kids and adults alike, forts can be constructed virtually anywhere and made out of just about anything. As long as the desire to build and the creative juice is flowing, you can make a fort out of just about anything. Fantastic Forts gives you the complete run down about how to make a functioning fort as well as how to waterproof it, furnish it and specific advice on different kinds of forts. Advice on how to construct and care for your fort ranges from Sleep Out Forts, Party Forts, Beach Forts, Nature Detective Forts, Miniature Forts and more. The authors have taken every child’s fantasy and made them possible. Fantastic Forts is a wonderful building block if you’re looking to reconnect with your children and give them the childhood outdoors that you had while growing up.
Everything you need to know about building a fully functional fort for your little ones can be found within the pages of Fantastic Forts. As a universal
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Some parks take us back to the birth of our nation. Others, to the dawn of life itself.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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ďŹ ndyourpark.com
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7 Fall Outdoor Activities goadventuremom.com
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Fall Outdoor Activities • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
After a long hot summer, the fall season with it’s cooler weather and beautiful colors is such a welcomed change. Here are 7 fall outdoor activities that we enjoy doing. By Mae Kiggins
It is perfect time to be spending lots of time outdoors. While there are lots of activities that are more enjoyable in the fall (hiking, camping, backyard bonfires, etc.) because of the cooler weather, here is a list of activities that you can only do in the fall. Don’t miss out, GET OUTDOORS AND HAVE SOME FUN! Fall Activities for the Whole Family • Apple Picking – This is my favorite fall activity. As kids we use to pick apples with our best friends, then spend days canning and making apple cider. •
•
Pumpkin Patch – Last year we visited our first pumpkin patch. It was a great deal. We got to pick a pumpkin, enjoy a hay ride and explore a corn maze for one price. Look around your area and see what you can find. Corn Maze – I didn’t find it particularly interesting but my four year old thought it was great. Gave him a lot of space for running.
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Rake & Play in the Leaves – May not seem like much but the kids will love it.
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Leaf Art Project – One really easy way to preserve leaves is to cover them in
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Mod Podge. Just paint it on the leaves using a paint brush, place them on tin foil or wax paper to dry. Once dry, you can make a collage, garland or make a mobile . Possibilities are endless. Check out my Pinterest board at the bottom of the post if you want more ideas. •
Fall Festivals – We are attending a wildlife expo by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife in a couple weeks. I am excited to get an introduction to OK wildlife and enjoy outdoor activities.
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Halloween Party: Put together a party and include races in potato sacks, bobbing for apples, and tie donuts on a string. Kids love getting together together to play games and it builds lasting bonds.
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Nepal: Trek and Give Back By Mary Edwards
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The midst was so heavy I couldn’t see three feet in front of me. There was a bone chilling breeze and my sense of disappointment was palpable. I had awakened at the unearthly hour of 5:00 am to glimpse the sunrise over the Himalayan mountain range. It was my last morning in Nepal. I had traveled there for work and my plans to trek through the mountains never materialized. What happened was a seed was planted in my heart to return the country and people I had come to love.
climbers could add a few more days to their travel plans to make a difference. It just takes a little research and planning ahead.
“Going on an adventure to a new place has the power to change you, but you can also change a place—for better or worse. Make a positive impact with...trips that are full of adventure and also benefit local communities and conservation.” Kate Siber
Trekking in Nepal is an outdoor blogger’s dream. However, after witnessing the devastation from the May 2015 earthquake and the scarce resources given to communities to help rebuild from their government, I was impressed to give back the next time I visited. I saw NGOs and large companies pulling up their sleeves and getting to work. The outdoor recreation industry has helped support many initiatives and NGOs to rebuild communities and motivate adventurers to return to Nepal. While in Nepal, I spoke with Aanand Mishra, creasion.org CEO and Founder. He said there were numerous opportunities to volunteer for change - trekkers and
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National Geographic writer Kate Siber has said “Going on an adventure to a new place has the power to change you, but you can also change a place—for better or worse. Make a positive impact with...trips that are full of adventure and also benefit local communities and conservation.” When planning your next trekking vacation make sure to take part in an ongoing community project. Creasion.org, Volunteer For Change Nepal, mondochallengefoundation.org, and humanoutreachproject.com are great starting points.
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Is barefoot running for me? By Mary Edwards
If you’re like me, running is an active way to keep in touch with yourself and the outdoors. Recently, my husband and I trained in barefoot running shoes for Ragnar’s Wasatch Back and we were surprised by our experience.
running a more visceral experience.
Why Barefoot Running? The New York Times calls it “running in your birthday shoes.”
The New York Times calls it “running in your birthday shoes.”
In the book “Born to Run” Christopher McDougall’s description of Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians who run barefoot made me want to try barefoot running because it seemed like a more natural way to run. I believed feeling the earth beneath my feet would make
The premise for barefoot or minimalist running: 1. Injury prevention 2. More efficient running style 3. Better posture
Can Barefoot Running Benefit You? The biomechanics of running are not simple and runners have different running forms. Some will benefit greatly from barefoot running while others will not.
I’ve found specialty running stores extremely helpful in determining the type of shoe I should wear. According to Men’s Health Matthew Silvis M.D., a sports medicine physician at Penn State, has studied injury rates among barefoot runners and has seen an “alarming number of foot stress fractures, calf tears, and Achilles strains in runners transitioning to barefoot or minimalist running.” Yes. Give barefoot running a shot if you’re options are limited due to injuries. There are many runners out there who suffer from chronic injuries and have found barefoot running help to reduce them. One runner said “I have an old knee injury that gets aggravated…I
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Barefoot Running • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
would not be running if I were not running barefoot.” No. Don’t change to barefoot running if you’ve never had a running injury. This was my situation. I changed and then I had my first serious injury. I started training slowly, walking for two weeks, then running a mile or two. Then one day I ran 5.5 miles and I felt a tweak in my calf and suddenly I couldn’t move my leg without significant pain. Within a week I saw a physical therapist who wasn’t surprised when I told her I was using bare foot running shoes. She said barefoot running had brought her a lot of new clients. Dr. Allison Gruber, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Massachusetts Amherst says “Each runner runs a certain way for a reason, likely because of the way they were physically built. Unless there is some indication that you should change things, such as repeated injury, do not mess with that plan.”
Making the Switch Runner’s World says anyone who’s making the switch from conventional shoes to minimalist footwear needs an extensive training period to ready the foot for barefoot style and reminds runners “not everyone’s foot is able to tolerate barefoot running, even with the training period.”
“Unless there is some indication that you should change things, such as repeated injury, do not mess with that plan.” Dr. Allison Gruber Essentially if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It seems intuitive but one can get sucked into barefoot running’s beneficial claims and I’ll admit, those minimalist shoes look pretty cool.
Barefoot Running Shoes There are plenty of minimalist thin-soled shoes on the market to support barefoot running. I personally like Zemgear because it is a female-owned small
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business started in 2010 to help active individuals find their Zone of Endless Motion (ZEM). I also like Vivobarefoot because I can actually pack these around they are so flexible AND they are very socially responsible in manufacturing their shoes. I love my barefoot shoes for walking, hiking, and running errands. I would buy them specifically for these activities. I love the way my feet feel wearing these types of shoes…just not running.Whether you stay with traditional running shoes or make the switch to barefoot running you’ll notice a difference in the way you feel when you run in the correct shoe for your feet.
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MANAGING FATIGUE AND STRESS By Mary Edwards
“Mom! I really don’t like it when
freezing cold and drearily rained
from work demands, children’s
you’re grumpy!” yelled my little
for a week.
schedules, social encounters, and the dozens of balls we juggle.
six year-old daughter while trying to get ready for bed. Managing
We spent our time indoors
fatigue and stress can be quite
reading, doing homework, and
However, constant brain fatigue
difficult.
keeping snugly warm. It was
and stress can affect our behavior,
maddening. I needed the evening
relationships and health. The Mayo
to rejuvenate and my kids knew it.
Clinic says that recognizing the
I had been impatient with them
symptoms can help us manage
as I got teeth brushed, PJs on, and our book read. It had been
Most women feel moments
fatigue and stress.
of mind fatigue and stress goadventuremom.com
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Managing Fatigue and Stress • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
One simple strategy: Get outside and stroll around the park, canyon, or nearby trail. REALLY? It’s true. A new study from Scotland says you can ease brain fatigue by going outside and smelling the flowers! The study showed that people who live near green parks and trees have lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone). It also stated that children’s brains performed at higher levels after walking through the park or an arboretum. It even suggested that if one can’t access those sites, that people
A new study from Scotland says you can ease brain fatigue by going outside and smelling the flowers!
who viewed photographs of natural scenes were calmer than those who viewed photographs of urban scenes. I finally found a scientific reason to why my life seems to be more focused and at peace when I am hiking a trail. If you can’t get outdoors and are stuck inside (like I was) for too long, take a break and look at some wonderful nature photographs and imagine being there. Here are some for your viewing pleasure.
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How to Make the Most of Fall By Kathy Dalton
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Make the Most of Fall • Go Adventure Magazine • Fall 2016
Nothing fills the senses quite like the smells and colors of autumn…Fall is my favorite season, from the sweet taste of apple pie, to the crunch of leaves underfoot, to the rich smell of wood smoke.
Pick Fruit It’s harvest time for apples, pears and apricots and there are local orchards and farms willing to let you pick your own fruit. I f you’d like to find places to harvest in your area visit www.pickyourown.org. If you’d rather not spend the money, ask a friend or a neighbor who has fruit trees and offer to help pick them with your children. They may be grateful and let you keep a few. I remember picking apricots and apples from an orchard with my mom - I felt totally connected and at peace. Visit a National Park People who travel to the countryside in the Eastern states to see the changing leaves are called “leaf peepers”. One of my favorite autumn nature hikes for children of all ages is the Middle Fork Taylor Creek along the
Zion’s Kolob Canyon just outside of Cedar City. It provides leaf peeping pleasures and national park beauty rolled into one. The hike leads to a beautiful red rock double arch alcove at the end. But the best part about this hike is that it’s lovely from start to finish. You may lengthen or shorten it as your family requires. The total hike is 8 miles start to finish.
Did you know? The average amount of apples picked from a single tree is 840 pounds! That’s enough for over 400 pies. Make a Craft As you hike through colorful foliage take the time to collect leaves, sticks and rocks along the way in brown paper sacks. Then make leaf collages at home.
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Make Sugar Cookies Sugar cookies are our favorite treat to make together because they can be adjusted to any season. Cookie cutters from the dollar store can be found representing any season. Get some fall leaf cutters and decorate cookies for family and friends. Make Fall Educational Focus on geography and find out where the best leaf peeping in the world exists. Talk to children about the importance of trees and how they take in carbon dioxide and how the leaves turn colors. Whatever you do this Autumn, make time to get outdoors and pick fruit, leaf peep, smell the aromas, feel the wind blow and hear the leaves crunch underfoot.
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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 Coca-Cola #5by20 Get Away Today International Bird Rescue and Research Center Outdoor Foundation Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition Outdoor Industry Outdoor Industry Jobs Outdoor Nation National Geographic Kids National Park Conservation National Park Foundation National Park Service Splore The Marine Mammal Center Trip Advisor Utah Outdoor Recreation Office Visit Salt Lake Blogs you should follow A Little Campy A Nature Mom Active Kids Active Family Active Kids Club Adventure Awaits Adventure Tykes Adventurous Parents AKontheGO.com Backcountry Parenting Big Grey Rocks Brave Ski Mom
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Bring The Kids Climb With Kids Chasqui Mom Crag Mama Day Trips L.A. Family + Footprints Family Adventures in Nature Family On Bikes Fun Orange Country Parks Get on The Beaten Path Go Explore Nature Ground Truth Trekking Kid Project Moose Fish Mommy Hiker Mommy Loves Trees Mountain Mom and Tots Nature For Kids OutdoorsMom Outdoorsy Mama Rain or Shine Mama Rocks and Sun Rockies Family Adventures Rockies Girl Tales of a Mountain Mama The Active Explorer TravelingMel Tropic of Candy Corn Val In Real Life Velomom Walk Simply Wild Tales Of
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