Travel Challenge

Included states i've been to without my whole family: Alaska and Arizona

I have a huge passion for traveling and adventure, but something I haven’t really mentioned is when I first got the travel bug!

Growing up my parents emphasized the importance of being “well-rounded”. This meant we were given real responsibilities from a young age to teach us the importance of hard work, and were then rewarded by going on awesome trips where we learned about our great country! We camped, skied, hiked, biked and explored cities all across the United States.

When I was in elementary school my Mom challenged us to travel to the 48 continental states by the time I graduated High School. 

The only caveats were:

1.     We had to actually DO something in each State (a layover in Minneapolis doesn’t count as going to Minnesota).

2.     We had to go together to reach her goal.

This may seem a bit daunting to many, and pretty pricey. However, equipped with a AAA membership (shoutout to Trip Tiks during pre-GPS era), a very organized planner (Mom) and three kids who didn’t mind spending hours in the car, it was an attainable goal! I graduated 7 states shy of reaching this goal, and since then have checked off a few more.  

Inspired by my friend Hannah, I thought I could bring a new series to my blog featuring some of my favorite places and spaces in various regions of the US.  I hope these upcoming features inspire you to get in your car and go explore!

Plant Based 7-Layer Dip!

This Super Bowl Sunday I wanted to try a healthier version of a snack table classic that everyone would enjoy. The traditionally fat and cholesterol loaded dip becomes something you won't want to avoid with a few simple swap-outs. While all the ingredients could be created from scratch, I made this batch from pre-made items.

Layer 7: Trader Joe's Sweet Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa

Layer 6: Chopped romaine

Layer 5: Heidi Ho's Delicious Plant Based Cheese: "Spicy!"

Layer 4: Chopped romaine

Layer 3: Trader Joe's Guacamole

Layer 2: Chopped romaine

Layer 1: Trader Joe's Traditional Style Fat-Free Refried Beans

As someone who loves to cook, but became self conscious about my pot-luck style contributions, this dip gave me a serious confidence boost! It was loved by all, and no one was missing the shredded cheese and sour cream! 

Finished within 10 minutes!

On-the-Go Snacks

When you’re on-the-go and living a healthy active lifestyle, having go to favorite snacks are a must. Here are a few of mine that you can almost always find stashed in my purse, car or gym bag!

Some of my favorites!

1.     Fresh and dried fruit: Fresh is always better the number one choice, and usually will be an apple, banana or dates. However, my go-to dried fruit is Trader Joe’s “Just Mango Slices”. I usually bring these on hikes as my own plant based “Jerky”.

2.     Bars: while I’m not proud of it, I don’t make NEARLY as many homemade granola bars as I used to and picking up some bars on-the-go is extremely convenient. 

a.     High Activity: Luna Bars, Lara Bars Clif Bars and Clif Builder Bars. These extra calories, Carbs and Protein are definitely needed.

b.      Low Activity: Lara Bars, Clif Kid’s Bar, Trader Joe’s Just Fruit bars, local natural bars. 

3.     Coconut Water: after a hike, or a long day of being in the sun, I look to Coconut Water (regular, not flavored), to re-hydrate!

4.     GORP : Good ol’ raisins and peanuts, AKA trail mix!

5.     Pretzels/Chex Mix:  definitely not the healthiest option, BUT sometimes after a long day of hiking (and sweating away all your salt) you want something crunchy and salty!

Comment below some of your favorites!

Bear Mountain & Snow Summit Ski Weekend

Since landing back in California after Thanksgiving break with ski bags in tow, I’ve been itching to make it to the mountains! After debating making the trip to Mammoth, we decided to save some time and money and spend the weekend at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit instead. 

Leaving bright and early on a Saturday morning, our anticipation was pretty built up by the time we pulled in to Big Bear Lake just two-hours later. However, it seemed the rest of LA thought this was a great weekend to go skiing as well, and long lines were everywhere. After picking up some rentals for Hannah, waiting in line for the shuttle, and finally getting to Bear Mountain it was around 11:00. While the crowds, late start time, and overall chaotic vibe of Bear Mountain were frustrating at the time, it was a great first day of the season! We were all pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming beauty of Big Bear Lake. It provided an almost "Tahoe-esque" feel to skiing in Southern California.

After a great meal and some sleep, we arrived at Snow Summit for Day 2 feeling optimistic and ready to go with a beautiful blue bird day ahead of us. Geared up and parked by 7:30, there was plenty of time to grab some breakfast and caffeine (they serve Starbucks!) before the lifts open at 9:00 AM. We got in a great morning of groomers before the California sunshine turned the snow to mush by 2:00 PM. Finally leaving Big Bear Lake around 3:30, we made it back to the city by the time the sun was setting. 

Overall, a great first time the mountains for the season! Next time, I will only ski Snow Summit, as Bear is a bit crowded and rowdy. 

PC: btfleming.com

Southern California Speed Tour: LA and Orange County

With a few visits from friends and family in the books, we have created a list of destinations we tend to take our visitors. With my brother living in Orange County, and me up in LA, we’ve figured out how to cover quite a bit of ground in a short period of time. Some of these are touristy and cliché, but that doesn’t make them any less great! 

Orange County

The spots we go in Orange County are pretty easy to cover in a day, depending on the weather and how much time you want to spend in each place. Starting in Newport Beach and ending in Laguna Beach, these stops are a great way to see a lot of what Orange County has to offer!

Newport Beach- I may be a bit biased towards Newport, but this is the beach we regularly went to when I first moved here, and one of my favorites. The beach is nice, clean, and parking is rarely an issue. There are good food options, and plenty of activities outside of working on your tan. Beach cruisers are available for rent year round, along with boogie boards, surf boards, stand up paddle-boards and kayaks in the warm(er) months.

 Laguna Beach-  Laguna is small, but if you want a quaint town to mosey along with a coffee in hand, this is a great place to do so.  There are also some great trails in the Laguna, including Top of the World and the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

Perfect Day: Breakfast at Stuft Surfer, rent beach cruisers and ride all the way down to “The Wedge”, head down the coast to Laguna for some window shopping, a meal, possibly another quick hike and catch the sunset.

Los Angeles

Due to the infamous traffic, LA requires you to be a little more selective when deciding what to pack in to a day.

Santa Monica- Downtown Santa Monica has tons of restaurants, shops and of course the Santa Monica Boardwalk.  While this area is a little busier, it’s a cool area to walk around and definitely do some shopping. I have yet to make it down here without stopping at either Patagonia, REI or both. 

Griffith Observatory- Seen in many movies, and has a great vantage point of the city and the Hollywood Sign. There are also tons of trails leading up to the observatory if you would rather hike than drive!

LACMA- Los Angeles County Museum of Art is another great place to spend a few hours if you’re with someone who appreciates museums. We found there were some really cool exhibits, and a few floors we definitely skipped. Make sure to check out the Tar Pits!

Rodeo Drive- Because these stores are ridiculous.

Runyon Canyon- a solid workout, great view of the city AND celebrities are often spotted here.

            Hollywood Sign- A longer hike than Runyon, but another                   great view of the city!

Other Day Trips

- The San Diego Zoo
-Potato Chip Rock (San Diego)
-Mt. Baldy

If you've visited out here and have any other great suggestions to add to the list, leave a comment below! If you're planning a visit, let me know and we can meet up!

PC: btfleming.com

Runyon Canyon

Perfect Day: Start the day with a hike at Runyon or the Hollywood Sign, grab a smoothie or lunch at Urth, Rodeo Drive, possibly stop at Griffith before heading down to Santa Monica for shopping and a sunset along the PCH.

Strength means _____ ?

When you think of a big brother, usually the first thing that comes to mind is someone wiser and stronger. [Most days] my oldest brother lives up to this stereotype. For as long as I can remember, he has encouraged me to challenge myself to become my "best self". He has recently asked the question over on his website , 'What is strength?' 

For me, the answer is very simple.

For me strength = health.

When I think of strength I think of health. When I am feeling mentally and physically strong, I feel healthy. With that, my aim is to have the strength to tackle any challenge I face, or have the right tools to get me there.  I work towards this goal by challenging my body daily. Doing so allows these two strengths to work together, to make me feel as healthy as possible.

Physical strength often seems more straightforward. I work on this through lifting, hiking, running, eating well, and living an overall active lifestyle.

Mentally I challenge myself through reading about concepts that interest me and asking questions about things I don’t understand, working hard on things I’m good at, and not as good at. But, most importantly, by surrounding myself with positive people. 

I encourage you to stop and think about what makes you feel strong? Is it going to the gym every morning, or taking the dogs for a long walk at night? Who is there supporting you? Is there anyone holding you back? 

Life is too short to not be as healthy and strong as you can be!

DIY Eazzy-Peazzy Pizza

Pizza gets a stigma for being extremely unhealthy, that you have to give up when going plant based, but you don't!  DIY pizza is something you can whip up quickly after work, or invite some friends over and make a night of it!

Base Ingredients:
- Tortilla flats
- Tomato sauce
- ANY topping you want

Topping Ideas: onion, broccoli, spinach, carrots, beans, avocado, mushroom, tomatoes
-cheese (vegan or dairy)
-meat or meat substitute

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Top pizza and place on cookie sheet (don't use aluminum foil as shown in the picture!)
3. Bake 10-12 minutes until crust is golden or cheese is melty
4. ENJOY! 

Green Smoothie Bowl

This perfect green smoothie bowl is packed full of nutrients, without tasting like you're drinking a handful of spinach!

Layer in blender:
- 2 cups spinach
- 8 oz. Coconut Water
-1 cup fresh papaya
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple
-1 frozen banana

Top with my 'Must Make Muesli' and Enjoy!!

Camp Meal 1: LAZY Grilled Veggies

Frozen mixed vegetables are a game changer when it comes to preparing dinner quick and easy, with the least amount of dirty dishes. Regardless of what type of camp gear you have, veggies are easy to make, provide nutrients needed to refuel your body, and can be used as either the main dish or a side. We had this plant based meal after black bean soup, and were completely satisfied!

Ingredients:
- Frozen mixed vegetables (I used Asian Stir-Fry)
-Two cubed sweet potatoes
-Seasoning of choice

1. Separately wrap cubed sweet potatoes and mixed vegetables in aluminum foil. Using a metal bowl covered with aluminum foil works as well. 
2. Place sweet potatoes on rack over fire. If your fire doesn't have a rack, you can place them in the coals. 
3. After 20 minutes add mixed vegetables to fire.
4. If you have a burner: Remove sweet potatoes and vegetables from fire, add seasoning of choice, and finish sautéing on a skillet over the burner.
   If you do not have a burner: Remove sweet potatoes and vegetables from fire, add seasoning of choice, and return to fire until finished cooking.
                                  
                                                                              

Enjoy!

Joshua Tree New Years!

PC:B.Fleming (btfleming.com)

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the places i've been most excited to visit since moving here! It is a strange, beautiful place, resembling a movie scene or maybe another planet. Filled with the areas native trees (aptly named Joshua Trees), massive rock formations, and even some tumbleweed, all that was missing was Road Runner. Well, on New Year’s Eve weekend I finally made it out there!

With my new sleeping pad and tent in tow, we set up camp for two nights at Black Rock Campground!  Something unique to camping in the desert is how drastic the temperature changes throughout the day. While we were there the temperature reached 60 during the day, and plummeted 40 degrees by the time we were fireside enjoying our pre-dinner soup (simple camp dinner recipe in my Cookbook!)

As this was my first time to Joshua Tree, and over 1,000 square miles of park to discover we tried to pack in as much as we could! Throughout the weekend we explored 49 Palms, Arch Rock and my favorite, Hidden Valley. 

PC: B.Fleming (btfleming.com)

PC: H.Labadie (hannahlabadie.com)

Mt. Baldy Sunrise Hike

We all have those moments in life when we are 100% content with what we are doing. Your mind isn’t wandering, wishing you were somewhere else, or doing something different with different people.  These are the moments we have to stop and pay attention to. 

At some point along the 4,000 ft. hike up to the summit of Mt. Baldy, with only the moon and our headlamps lighting the way, I had one of these moments. 

Dressed in running tights, base layers, an awesome Patagonia Nano-Puff, my Michigan State winter hat (still celebrating the B1G Championship Game win from the night before), and a head lamp to top it all off, we started our hike around 3:00 AM.  Stowed in our packs we had cameras (mine being a Cannon Rebel SL1) thicker gloves for the top, snacks (Clif Bars and dried fruit), and of course water (we each fill our CamelBak’s and carry another 1L water bottle). This hike is strenuous, and the path can get a little unclear at times, but I felt safe. I had done the hike twice before, and was with more experienced hikers.

Honestly, when I’m doing a hike for the first time all I can think about is getting to the top. I’m working on this. Yes, I wanted to make it to the top, I wanted to be able to relax and take in this AMAZING sunrise. But I wasn’t as anxious as usual to get there. This is important. During this hike I was genuinely enjoying the challenge, which made me realize how important being outside is to me.

PC: BF

The takeaway is simple: 

make time for whatever it is that you enjoy doing, challenges you, and helps you gain perspective AND GET OUTSIDE!

Dadventures

When your Dad visits you in Southern California for the first time, all the way from Alaska, there is really only ONE place you need to go: the beach. So we did. Three times in one day.

After picking my Dad up from LAX, we headed South to Orange County where my brother lives to escape from the city a bit. My family has always been the type to go to little artsy towns, so I knew we had to go to Laguna Beach. After a long beach walk in Laguna, we ate lunch at one of our favorite spots in Newport Beach, The Stuft Surfer (where you are actually eating on the beach) and ended the night with one of the most memorable sunsets i've seen yet. 

We ended the weekend by going to Los Angeles County Museum of Arts or LACMA and had a good time checking out some of the exhibits. Since being in LA i've spent so much time exploring outdoors, and not as much time exploring the city. This needs to change. Comment any suggestions for places I should explore in the city!
 

**Editor's Note: We also went to In-N-Out. My Dad loved it. Vegan choice-fries.**

[Healthier] Marshmallow-Free Rice Krispies

Growing up Rice Krispie Treats were always a QUICK & EASY dessert, that I LOVE. This is a plant-based spin on a true fall classic.

Ingredients:
  4 Cups Puffed Rice Cereal
  2/3 Cup Brown Rice Syrup
  1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
  Dash of Salt
  1 Tbs. of Vanilla
  Food Coloring

 Next time I will add in nut butter, and possibly some chocolate chips!
  

Girl's Weekend: Seattle Edition

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One of my biggest pet peeves about traveling throughout the U.S. (and i'm sure others share this one with me) is how expensive flights are! I can travel between two different countries in Europe for the price of an extra checked bag in America! With that being said, when I do get the chance to travel somewhere awesome, for a reasonable price, I will definitely take it!

This past weekend we travelled to Washington for the first time (bringing my count to 43/50 states!) to visit a friend in Seattle. This was also my first time going on a quick getaway since working full-time, and my first time flying since Europe!

We were extremely excited to go, so it was easy to make up a list of the things we knew we wanted to do ahead of time. This made it easier to fit in as much as we did, because all we had to do was adjust when we did activities, according to the weather.

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First stop: Pike's Place Market. The flowers were beautiful and the fruit was amazing. I had hands down the best mango i've ever tasted (which i'm SURE was locally sourced), apples, and even tried a bourbon infused caramel.

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PC: H. Labadie

We then had a fun brunch, as you do on a girl's weekend, and made a quick stop at the original Starbucks. The afternoon was spent getting our "Fall Fix" in by going to the pumpkin patch, having donuts and hot apple- cider, and soaking in all the beautiful fall foliage. As Mid-Westerners this is something that is an IMPORTANT part of Fall. After checking out Freemont Brewing, we turned in [relatively] early, to be ready first thing for our beautiful Sunday hike at Bandera Mountain!

PC: L. McGlinn

Hiking Time! We started the 8-mile round trip hike by 10 AM, with plenty of time to beat the potential afternoon rain. The hike was described as "easy-moderate" online, and this was true until the last mile where my trekking poles sitting at home in California were definitely missed (as they aren't allowed in a carry-on!)                      

Gear-wise I wore many layers: athletic shirt, fleece quarter zip, rain coat, and Eddie Bauer "on-the-go" pants. I would also recommend a hat and gloves. 

We hiked up to just around the first summit (or roughly that area), where we had an amazing view of Mt. Rainier and Mason Lake. The second summit was little further, and not as highly recommended.                                                        

Nonetheless, the hike was BEAUTIFUL, and I truly can't wait to go back! As a kid I spent a large amount of time exploring outside, both in and out of the Mid-West. I recently realized how great of an impact this time spent outdoors has had on me. Connecting with nature, and disconnecting with the rest of the world for a few hours, is the best way to re-gain perspective. 

This trip gave me a SMALL taste of what I know the Pacific Northwest has to offer, and i'm already day-dreaming about my next adventure.

Comment below where you think I should go next on a weekend getaway!

A Letter to California Pumpkin Patches

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First time my Pumpkin has had cactus friends..

Dear California Pumpkin Patches,

Going to the Pumpkin Patch is one of the best parts of Fall, and should be treated as such. A trip to the Pumpkin Patch is one of my top three favorite Fall things (behind Football and Foliage).  I suggest taking a quick trip to a Mid-Western state to learn what makes them so amazing.  But in case that is not possible, I have compiled a short list of things that one should experience at the pumpkin patch.
       
      The necessary Trio:

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1. Pumpkins: this one is obvious, and you do a great job. But they're ridiculously over priced, and I ended up getting one for 1/5 of the price at Trader Joe's.

2. Apple Cider: This is a BIG one you're missing. Basically, people care about this just as much as pumpkins.

3. Donuts: because, DONUTS. 
   
   Bonus item: Apples. Apples are ideal, and i've rarely been to a pumpkin patch that also doesn't sell apples.

If these changes are made, I predict a huge increase in revenue, resulting in a corresponding increase in overall Fall cheer amongst Californians!

Best,

Hannah 

Side Note: Shoutout to Trader Joe's for providing me with a great pumpkin to carve, delicious apple cider, Organic Pumpkin Puree, and Brownie Mix. They saved the day, and paved the way for a relaxing day of Football and Baking. 

Fall Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Brownie Recipe:

1 can pumpkin puree + any brownie mix + mix and bake as normal = delicious vegan brownies

Strawberry-Banana "Nicecream"

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Banana "nicecream" is all over the internet, and for a darn good reason, it's delicious.

You can create these ice creams just as you would any smoothie, but the key is to use frozen fruit, and as little liquid as possible.

Base: Bananas make the perfect base because of the creamy, amazing whipped texture they have once blended. Add in any additional fruits or flavorings such as cocoa or vanilla.

Toppings: Once you have the base add any toppings you please. I prefer granola, more fruit, or sometimes cocoa nibs/chocolate chips!

Side note: I eat banana ice cream for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anything in between. 

Boogie Boards and Busy Bodies

Being a busy body gets way too bad of a rep. Constantly going from one thing to the next, cramming the most into each day. I understand how it can seem chaotic, but it's also incredibly rewarding. For me, there is nothing more satisfying than checking everything off of my to-do list. However, sometimes I have to tell myself it's okay to relax and watch TV for a night, but most of the time I like to be busy. 

With that, planning becomes even more important. It seems like there is a constant list of everything I WANT to do, friends to see, places to explore, hikes to go on, while making sure the things I NEED to get done make it onto the list too.

Going into the weekend there was a strong possibility I was going to try surfing, however that very quickly changed to boogie boards, and it was a blast! We also went hiking in Palos Verdes and were able to see Catalina Island from a different perspective. It's amazing how much i've been able to see in such a short time, just by making the most of every weekend.

Paddles and Poles: Newport and Mt. Baldy

Paddles and Poles.  Boards and Boots.  Ocean and Mountains.
 

SUPing in Newport.

California is a unique place to live, since I now live here! You can be in a completely different environment by driving an hour in any direction. This weekend we got the best of both worlds, a day spent at the ocean and a day spent hiking in the mountains. 

We kicked off the weekend with breakfast at Stuft Surfer in Newport, followed by renting Stand Up Paddleboards and playing in the waves for few hours. Not a bad Saturday.

Sunday we headed North to Mt. Baldy. The hike starts around 6,000 ft., increasing to 10,064 ft. over the course of 3.8 miles. This hike was not only my longest hike, reaching the highest elevation, but definitely the hardest. I'd like to say it was because Friday was leg day, but I know that would be a lie. Investing in a pair of trekking poles was a great decision.

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Part of the hike up to the top of Mt. Baldy.

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The descent across Devil's Backbone.

Typically the descent is six miles, the last three of which along a fire road. We chose to ride the ski lift down, cutting off around three miles.