How can you tell if the company is trying to sell you an inferior product when it is dressed in so many health claims? Food labels assert healthful claims on packaged products to get you to purchase them. Knowing what to look for in the ingredient list lets you quickly determine how worthy it is. There is so much conflicting information out there. How do you know who to believe? Most people with special dietary needs are adept at reading labels to determine if the food contains hidden ingredients or […]
Yearly Archives: 2011
18 posts
Do you ever notice your lips tasting like salt or feel grainy salt crystals on your face after hiking in hot weather? Maybe your eyes burn as sweat drips off your eyelids. Those are electrolytes—what is left when the water component of sweat evaporates. They need to be replenished by drink and diet. An electrolyte imbalance is not just a theoretical concern. It can lead to muscle cramping and fatigue, especially during prolonged activities like backpacking or hiking. This imbalance is caused by the loss of water through sweat or elimination. […]
Sprouting on the trail is similar to sprouting seeds at home. The process requires soaking, draining, and rinsing seeds regularly until they germinate, which takes about 48 hours. The main difference to sprouting on the trail is that the mechanism you’ll use may be different. A regular mason jar is more convenient at home but heavy and bulky for backpacking. A fabric sack works well for the trail. The entire process of growing sprouts is easy and is great for long hikes. You can take the sprouts on shorter trips, […]
Sound is a signature of our environment, a narration of the scenery around us. The familiar clamor of vehicles, sirens, leaf blowers, and dinging phones is characteristic of living in populated areas. While the city soundscape can become mundane and unnoticeable, it can be a deafening annoyance to others. Part of the wilderness experience is to escape this cacophony of man-made sound and serenaded by wind and wildlife. The streetscape noise fades away once in the wilderness, but the skies overhead have become less quiet. The echo of aircraft propellers […]
Preparing meals is an essential step in planning a backpacking trip. You want to make sure you pack out foods that can withstand the conditions of outdoor travel, require minimal preparation, provide you with adequate nutrition, and taste good. You want to remember crucial items like your morning coffee. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your backpacking food. 1. Purchase Common Dry Goods from Grocery Stores There are so many dry packaged foods that can be purchased from grocery stores or markets that are ideal […]