Tag: Hiking

• Mount Si – How Hiking Relates to Life

  Posted at 7:50 AM by Brittany, on June 2, 2014

  I’m not sure where my running bug went, but I don’t care to find it anytime soon. OK, so that’s not entirely true. I still think about running all the time, I just don’t DO IT all the time. Instead I have been filling my soul with the trees and rocks of mountains.

  

  OH HEY that’s me! Standing on a mountain and stuff.

  I’ve always been able to relate my running endeavors to life, and in all reality any difficult physical activity can probably relate to life in a round about way. Since hiking is my adventure of choice these days it just seems fitting to reflect on how a difficult climb can mean so much.

  

  Mt. Si –  4 miles up, 4 miles down. Beautiful 8 mile hike.

  

  Last Thursday I made my way to a new hiking location, which will be a common theme on the blog during the summer months. I’ve been lucky enough to find a couple friends that are willing to hike weekly.

  Life Lesson One: Conquering a new mountain is like letting new and exciting changes occur in your everyday life. Getting out of your comfort zone is good for the mind, body, AND soul.

  

  

  These woods were quiet, peaceful, and aside from conversation with my hiking partner, they offered alone time with thoughts.

  Life Lesson Two: Quieting the outside world, and learning to quiet the mind is powerful. Chaos internally causes chaos externally.

  

  

  Sometimes the climb gets tough, this one was moderate, and while my heart-rate spiked I never felt like I needed to stop. Keep moving.

  Life Lesson Three: Pushing through tough times often leads to beautiful things, or views. Don’t give into the desire to quit.

  

  

  

  Life Lesson Four: Sometimes making new friends happens when you least expect it. Embrace and delight in those around you everyday.

  

  

  

  I was so scared…

  Life Lesson Five: Curve-balls are common, and being mentally prepared to handle them confidently will make a world of difference. You cannot prepare for everything. Things like changes at work, or a ballsy bird trying to steal your well deserved sandwich.

  

  Quick side note/story. That bird ^^^^ legit tried to steal my sandwich and scared me so hard I almost fell. I was in such a zone of pure bliss due to finding the peak/eating that I didn’t even see it coming.

  

  Life Lesson Six: Perspective is everything. Change your mind, change your life. Sometimes it’s not what you see, but how you see it.

  

  Life Lesson Seven: In the end, after fighting and climbing to the top of the hike or closing the page of a difficult chapter, you reward yourself, because you’re worth every slice of chocolate cake and tofu stir fry. You’re tougher and stronger than you first might think.

  

  

  I actually ate this BEFORE the hike, because obviously cake and coffee is the right choice for fueling…

  Life Lesson Eight: Never.Give.Up. Never stop exploring, and never stop growing. Fight until you reach the top, and life will find a way of sparkling and gleaming in a way you’d never expected.

  Lately my days have looked like a unicorn sharted glitter all over me.

  Q: How does hiking/running/swimming/anything physical (keep it PG guys) relate to life for you?

  

  | 57 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Hiking, Life, Mount Si, Mountain, Nature

• Making my Meals Taste Better

  Posted at 6:12 AM by Brittany, on May 30, 2014

  I find that food takes so much better when I “earn it.” I always like to earn my treats such as cupcakes, cookies, or cupcakes AND cookies, but getting a good sweat in before an actual meal is just as rewarding. Running is my go to when I want to earn something like this…

  

  

  Local GF/Vegan chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. Ohhh my swoon.

  These were savored and swooned over after a morning run.

  Another way I like to earn my meals is with a solid hike. I’ve been able to squeeze a good hike in every week lately, sometimes two in one week. My favorite local mountain is an easy default and after 9 miles on my feet and 3.5hrs in the heat/sun I head straight for food.

  

  View from the top.

  

  View from the restaurant.

  Sunshine and open decks mean sunnies and lots of water.

  I ordered a vegetable curry bowl, because for some reason I like hot foods even on hot days. I also always drink hot coffee, never iced.

  Can’t say I claim to be normal.

  

  Not a fan of the white rice, but I ate every last bit.

  I didn’t even attempt to use those chopsticks on the side of my bowl, give me a fork STAT. I usually give chopsticks my best shot despite looking like a sloth trying to pick up a piece of rice, but I was much too hungry for that nonsense. This meal was devoured. Moving on…

  I’ve been doing a lot of yoga lately. I start every morning with 10 minutes of sun salutations, and go to a class at least once a week-Ideally twice. I enjoy eating something light, but filling after a yoga class. Tofu spring rolls always hit the spot.

  

  Last, but certainly not least refueling after spin class always varies. Early morning spin classes usually result in a cous cous veggie bowl, and evening spin classes result in something lighter like a snack bowl.

  Early morning spin classes also earn me my coffee.

  

  

  Starbucks reserve coffee is such a rare treat!

  

  How I really feel.

  The Starbucks I work at is not a Reserve Store, so I don’t get to have reserve coffee as often as I would like. Anytime I find myself near a reserve store I get myself a clover brewed reserve coffee.

  I love coffee, I love to eat, and I love getting my sweat on. Life is good.

  Q: Would you agree that meals taste better after a good workout?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Coffee, Hike, Hiking, Run, Spinning, Starbucks, Vegan, Yoga

• Green Mountain – Par Baked

  Posted at 7:56 AM by Brittany, on May 26, 2014

  I was a hiking machine this weekend. Between Saturday and Sunday I conquered 18 total miles of pure nature bliss. Hiking season is here.

  

  

  

  

  I just can’t get enough!

  Along the way I found Sasquatch.

  

  Ah, nope that’s just me. I assure you this balancing act was much harder than it looks. I debated walking across the log for a whole second and quickly shoved that idea south. I decided I wanted to live.

  

  

  Post Sat. hike I came home and made myself the most epic pizza. I had been craving pizza for WEEKS, and finally got around to “sorta” kinda making some. I say sorta because this was a “semi” homemade pizza.

  

  I usually like to make my dough from scratch, but I also like to try new things. I snagged this gluten free flatbread on my last trip to TJ’s and OH MY it was good! I was pleasantly surprised. I mentioned a while back that too much wheat causes my stomach to rebel, so I limit my intake on breads. Next time I’ll try making my own GF dough.

  

  Most people can’t live without cheese on their pizza, for me it’s potatoes. Two years ago (I love blogging because I can dig back in my archives for moments like this) I was introduced to potatoes on pizza and I never looked back…ever. I’ve had them on every pizza since.

  First time using sweet taters, and all I have to say is yes. Just yes. I baked my sweet potatoes, my beets, and my garlic in the oven before my hike to ensure they were ready when I came home ravenous.

  For this I just sliced them thin, wiped my pan with coconut oil, topped with a little sea salt and baked at 375 for about 45 min – an hour. The garlic will need to come out after about 20 minutes. I also cheated on this pizza and used a store bought sauce! All kinds of crazy over here.

  

  I am in love with these Bolani sauces!! They are amazing, and they are LEGIT using minimal ingredients. I love making my own sauces/pesto and as a vegan I usually have to, but these are a fun treat and I totally approve of the nutritional stats/ingredients.  Random Costco find!

  

  I could have definitely eaten two.

  

  Q: Who’s embracing the hiking season!?

  

  | 47 Comments Tagged Adventure, Hike, Hiking, Pizza, Recipe, Trader Joes, Vegan

• Poo Poo Point

  Posted at 7:13 AM by Brittany, on April 16, 2014

  Hi, my name is Brittany, and I am 25 going on 12.

  

  When I first heard about the poo poo point trail, I wanted to hike it simply because of the name. I knew nothing about this hike other than the fact that it had “poo” in its title.

  

  Much to my surprise, this was not only a legit climb, but it had one of the best vantage points of any of the hikes I’ve done. Yeah, that’s a big deal. The journey to the top had some photo worthy scenery as well. I was very impressed with this trail!

  

  

  

  I was able to wrangle a fellow nature lover along for the ride. This meant I was finally able to see what I look like in my natural habitat – aka taking photos of nature.

  

  So serious.

  Round trip this hike was about 7.5-8 miles, and the vegan scone I had tucked safely in my Camelbak kept me moving on the way up. Despite my heart feeling like it was going to burst a few times, I didn’t dare stop moving.

  

  I lasted all of 30 seconds at the top for a photo before digging into my scone.

  

  

  Remember that time I ventured to Seattle and missed my chance for a vegan scone? I made sure to get one this time…and nearly bought 10 things. SWOON. Made my world. Ironically, I also got a free piece of chocolate from the same chocolate shop I wandered into after missing out on my scone last time. Originally $2.25 for the chocolate, I got fo free.

  Good things come to those who wait.

  Q: Anyone else chuckle at the name of this trail….please tell me I’m not alone. 

  

  | 60 Comments Tagged Adventure, Explore, Hiking, Nature, Vegan

• Unleashing My Inner Billy Goat

  Posted at 6:56 AM by Brittany, on April 5, 2014

  I love hiking. Most of the hikes I go on in WA (state) are dirt trails that go up. Up, up, and up. Green trees towering all around me, and rivers and creeks streaming below me. While on the east coast I was able to conquer a different kind of hike, one where the trails are not paved. Instead, there are blue markers that you must “find” while crawling over rocks.

  

  Click to make larger.

  

  Megan and I met up with Sophie for a 2 hr hike at Great Falls in Maryland, and we hiked the Billy Goat Trails! Despite the snow and chilly wind, the hike was absolutely gorgeous! The snowy backdrop made for amazing photos.

  

  

  

  

  

  This was such a unique hike for me. I’m used to having visible paths to follow, so having to hunt for where to go while unleashing my inner billy goat was a ton of fun. I felt like a legit mountaineer. I now feel the need to buy tons of mountain gear and get lost in the woods.

  

  

  Can you spot the deer?

  Yea, this was definitely one of my favorite hikes.

  

  

  There were times I could barely see these markers…

  The season for outdoor exploration has arrived.

  Q: Do you prefer easily visible paths, or would you enjoy hunting for your next step?

  

  | 33 Comments Tagged Adventure, DC, Exploring, Hiking

• Nourishing my Soul

  Posted at 10:51 AM by Brittany, on March 24, 2014

  Nature nourishes my soul. Fresh air, big trees, empty trails, all of it. Green is my favorite color, and the Washington mountains just so happen to flourishing with mossy green trees.

  

  One final hurrah before my vacation to the east coast included an 8.6 mile hike through the Washington trees. Best idea ever. I’ve hiked this trail over 10 times now, but each time I go I find something new that captures my soul and takes my breath away.

  

  

  This was just the adventure I needed to counteract all the baking I’ve been doing. For multiple reasons, one being justification. I completely justified eating cupcakes and cookies this past weekend! It’s all about balance, I like to earn my treats.

  

  Conquering a mountain gives me a sense of accomplishment, like I’ve earned the body I have so graciously been given to live in. Also, nothing beats the view from the top.

  

  

  Awkward hand placement…haha.

  To go along with the the nature theme, when I came home I ate the most epic meal out of the bowl I painted a couple weeks ago. It’s the perfect size, and I love it!

  

  

  Did I mention I have a thing for trees..? 😉

  Q: What nourishes your soul? Food and the great outdoors! 

  

  | 44 Comments Tagged Balance, Cupcake, Green Mountain, Hiking, Mountain, Nature, Vegan

• Post Vacation Blues

  Posted at 9:40 AM by Brittany, on January 6, 2014

  I’ve always been fascinated by the ability of an aircraft to take me from a place that looks like this..

  

  Brown, dry land.

  To this..

  

  Green, snow-capped land.

  Airplanes are fascinating, but that is beside the point of this post. Despite the wonder that was the fog line on the evergreen trees upon my arrival in Washington, this post is dedicated to some of the amazing adventures I encountered while away in Arizona.

  

  This will never get old. Fog laying on the tree line is my favorite.

  One blogger meet up. I met up with a fellow plant based blogger and had a lovely time talking blogs, food, life, and of course…coffee. =)

  Two big decisions. I researched and purchased my first DSLR camera and it should arrive in my arms sometime this week. I also set up my 401K..boom, big girl pants ON.

  Three  mountains climbed. Self explanatory.

  

  Four trips to Sprouts…in less than a week. We don’t have one in Washington!

  Five toppings on my grilled pizza. Spinach, pineapple, potatoes, rosemary, & brussels sprouts. It’s January and I was able to stand outside by the grill in shorts/tank top.

  

  Six packs of sugar in my dads coffee. I was one proud daughter when my dad attempted to get away from Splenda after I told him real sugar was “better” (your body recognizes real sugar and can properly digest it, fake sugar..not so much), however we need to figure something else out because six packs of sugar for one small cup of coffee is not good!

  This article breaks it down perfectly. I’m just happy he tried..baby steps. Love you dad!

  Seven family members attending The Sound of Music together.

  

  

  This is why I bought a DSLR..this quality is horrific.
  

  Eight Harry Potter movies watched. After a complete HP marathon, I have finally seen EVERY movie and after the last one ended I felt a piece of my soul die. I’m still recovering.

  

  Nine *plus six* miles run with my Garmin. Gary held out for 15 miles of casual running.

  Ten days without my retainers. If you know me, you’ll know I wear my teeth huggers EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. Very rarely do I miss a night, and when I discovered I left my retainers on my bathroom sink in Washington I was DISTRAUGHT! Convinced my teeth were being shifted by tiny gnomes every night, I was so happy to be reunited with them.

  Until next time Arizona, keep it classy.

  Q: What was the last vacation you went on??

  

  | 54 Comments Tagged Adventure, Arizona, Family, Hiking, Random, Running, Vacation, Vegan

• Balance is Bliss

  Posted at 8:06 AM by Brittany, on January 3, 2014

  I have been running nearly every day since being on vacation in Arizona, if you could call it that. My runs have been getting progressively worse, starting at 4 miles and going down to 2 miles. My body feels heavy and I can’t really get into a groove. Thankfully I have found other activities to get me moving, so that I can eat my weight in these almonds.

  The mountains in Arizona are nothing like the mountains in Washington. I go from green- moss filled paths, to brown- dirt filled paths. The change up is fun though, and I love hiking in both states. I just love hiking in general. Give me a path that goes up and I am happy.

  

  I went hiking with my sister and my dad a few days ago and the weather was perfect.

  

  I have hiked this mountain many times, but it’s still just as exhilarating and exciting reaching the top. Looking down over the city is magical, and surprisingly peaceful.

  

  I had a sudden desire to partake in some mountain yoga, and thankfully my photographer was happy to oblige. Thanks dad, I never claimed to be normal.

  

  

  Close up

  

  Far away, and stamped with an Instagram filter

  Balance is bliss – this is clearly my phrase of the century.

  I’m amazed by the weather in Arizona right now, and going back to temps in the 30’s wont allow for leisurely bike rides in a tank top. I’m taking full advantage while I can.

  Q: What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Mine changes by season…and by day! 

  

  | 50 Comments Tagged Arizona, Balance, Hiking, Mountain, Outdoor, Running, Workout, Yoga

• Three Way “Cheese” Sauce

  Posted at 9:09 AM by Brittany, on February 22, 2013

  You know something is good when you use it not once, not twice, but three times in less than a week. I have found the most amazing “cheese” sauce recipe for my vegan friends, and those of you that enjoy vegan foods. I did not alter this recipe ONE bit, I left it completely alone..it is perfect. With that said you can find this nacho, movie theater like “cheese” sauce by clicking right here. Using water, cashews, nutritional yeast, red peppers, lemon, corn starch and spices…you get this.

  

  OH my gosh I died. I seriously died. My vegan body died and was reborn, all at the same time. I enjoyed this recipe with chips the first time I ate it. The very next day I made some mac and cheese.

  

  There are greens under these shells, but the shells steal the show.

  
  

  I have no complaints about this sauce. Not a single one. The ingredients are amazing. The third time, I made an enchilada/lasagna like creation. I love Pinterest.

  

  Before making that enchilada/lasagna, I earned my meal by going on my first hike of the year. It was COLD.

  

  Creep

  Despite the cold, the views were gorgeous.

  

  Maybe if we wore pants it wouldn’t have been so cold. Owell, I love my state!

  Q: Have you started hiking yet this year?  

  

  | 37 Comments Tagged Green Mountain, Hiking, Recipe, Vegan, Washington

• That Time I Crab-walked Down A Mountain

  Posted at 8:40 AM by Brittany, on January 6, 2013

  If anyone has a spare parka or blanket made out of seal blubber, I would gladly take it off your hands. That’s not very vegan of me, but it’s been very hard to get out of bed in the morning because it’s so cold. Inside AND outside. I’m in Arizona..what gives!?

  

  I know some of my Canadian readers are laughing at me, and anyone else that’s in weather wayyy below this. Laugh away, I am a wimp.

  Fortunately going hiking means the blood flows and helps with heating up the body.

  

  

  Ohh the beautiful red rocks of Sedona. What a lovely hike, UNTIL we reached the destination.

  

  This vertical wall of death was the scariest thing I have encountered all year. I was shaking, breathing heavy, sweating, and planning my funeral just looking at this. Finally after telling my brother I would do it if he did..he was gone in a flash climbing up like a spider monkey. Finally I climbed, all while breathing like a cow in labor. So scared. Luckily the view at the top was well worth it.

  

  What goes up, must come…falling down to a painful death  down.

  

  To ensure maximum safety, I put my 5th grade PE skills to use and crab-walked down.

  

  Oh and I was wearing jeans since it was so cold. BAD idea. I went against everything I have ever stood for when it comes to hiking. I will never do that again. NEVER EVER.

  I’m sure you can figure out by now I survived. Once I came back down, I was able to resume regular breathing and my armpits started to dry off. I was glad to say I did it. Accomplishing such a grueling task required some serious nourishment.

  

  While taking this picture of my beautiful black bean burger, I didn’t notice I was missing a bun. Come to find out I kinda liked it sans bread. The world was realigned once again.

  Q: Have you done any scary hiking before? I get scared all the time, it’s either vertical walls of death, or rustling bushes. Like I said, I’m a wimp. I also watch too much Animal Planet.

  

  | 52 Comments Tagged Arizona, Cold, Hiking, Photography, Vegan, Wimp

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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