Granite Mountain Prescott AZ Before the Fire June 8, 2013

 

This post comes today with joy and sadness.  Just last week we went to Granite Mountain, Prescott National Forest, AZ for a camping and hiking trip with some friends.  We had a wonderful weekend enjoying all the beauty of AZ desert life and now, it’s all gone.

 

The 4 mile hike up to the summit of Granite Mountain was full of beauty, life, and adventure.  The cactus was blooming, the birds singing, the lizards scurrying, and we were good and tired by the end.  At times the hike up was intense and hot, but you could take a break in the shade for a few minutes until you were ready to start again. 

 

A couple of my favorite shots where of the Mazanita's, it’s a beauty shrub you find in the pines of AZ that has an amazing red bark.  Second where some of the unique junipers that where older than I could imagine, trees that where gnarled and twisted with a unique beauty of their own.  

Ever since my first visit to AZ I have loved the sight of Granite Mountain.  Depending on what time of day and season you look upon her, you will see something different, from the rocks that sparkle like gems as the sun hits it, to the sky a flame with red's and gold's, to the blanket of snow, she changes daily.  I have a deep respect for Nature and keeping things as Natural as possible.  One of the big rules in AZ is whatever you bring in you take it back out; even the trees that fall are left where they lay to keep the forest natural.  On the hike you could see some of the trees had fallen over the path, and they were just cut to clear the path and left where they lay. 

Monsoons are coming soon, with the rains we have a cleansing of some of the damage done and new life can start again.  I hope to take another trip up soon, but afraid of what I will see.  I think I prefer to remember Granite Mountain as I saw it before the fire instead of the scared blacked earth I am sure it is now.

As we were hiking we came across a little Nature teepee someone had made out of sticks and rocks.  This was probably built by another hiker along enjoying the views as well, but left it for us to enjoy.  One of the favorite photos is of this slide of the mountain.  The picture does not do it justice and must be scene with your own eyes, absolutely breathtaking.

As I watched some of the videos today, it brought tears to my eyes knowing most of this will no longer be there.  The fire is zero percent contained and over 7,000 acres have been destroyed.  I know this is part of life, things die and new life starts again.  It just amazes me that we were just there and how much can change so fast.  I find myself truly blessed to have been there and experienced it the way we did before the fire. Thank you God for the beauty you create.  I pray for the residents that are still facing this fire, the Fire Fighters, and the healing to come.
 

 

This Weeks Tucson Sprouts Advertisment 6/18

This weeks Weekly Circular is out.  Just a reminder, at Sprouts when you shop on Wednesdays you get last weeks deals along with this week's!  Here is this week's Savings.

You can view the rest of Ad here. 

 

 

I love their Organic and Non GMO selections. 

 

Move It Monday Back to Running!

 

I am finally running again, but I have to remember to take it slow.  I broke my toe back in April, but the real set back was that I broke it a second time.  So it has been almost 2 months since my last run.  This was a time frame an experienced runner and friend gave me, along with start back slow and listen to your body. Saturday was the first day back and I started with just a simple one mile run.  While I was really happy to find that my toe was not sore or hurting, I realized this is going to be a long road back to my old pace and miles.

It’s important to take things slow because my body is still healing.  I really do not want to risk re-injuring my foot, which would make it even longer before my next race.  I did make a great decision in staying active with my core workouts, during the healing time.  These where exercises with low impact to my toes, except the plank and squats that I worked into the last 2 weeks.  This will be a huge help to get me back to my old pace.

Circuit Workout Routine Abs and extra
50 crunches, 15 leg lifts, 30 seconds plank, 15 pushups, 60 squats.
Then do circuit 3 more times.
Making a total of 200 crunches, 60 leg lifts, 120 second in plank, 60 pushups, and 240 squats.  This is too much for someone just starting this.  If you would like to work up to this you can just do one circuit 3 times a week and add a circuit each week.  By the end of the month this feels totally awesome and you abs will love you for it.

Monday: 2 miles and P90X Cardio
Tuesday: Circuit Workout (4 rounds)
Wednesday: 2.5 miles and Yoga 20 minutes
Thursday: Circuit Workout (4 rounds)
Friday: 3 miles and P90X Power Yoga.  "Family Yoga Friday"
Sat: Circuit Workout (4rounds)
Sunday: REST

I was an active teen.
As a teen, I was always out biking, hiking, swimming, and doing cheerleading and softball throughout high school.  My body feels best when I am active and I start to gain weight when I am not.  Does that mean I have to do these intense workouts all the time? NO.  Staying active is the important thing, but I am doing these workouts to help me train for a ½ marathon this year.  I have only completed a 1/4 marathon and now I have my eye on the half marathon.  The great benefit of training for these events is that your body is stronger and leaner, fighting off illnesses, balancing emotions, and especially heart disease which tend to be very high in woman.  The ultimate benefit is being able to say "I did this!"  So I was really bummed that I broke my toe because it set me behind in the schedule I gave myself, but this is life, things come up and we have to reorganize and keep going.

TMC Get Moving Tucson Event: A-Mountain Half-Marathon, Tucson Lifestyle 5k & Cox Charities 1-Mile

What are you exercising for?

Brew at the Zoo Tucson Events, Saturday June 15th

Tucson Events!

Join us, Saturday June 15, for a great event with a GREAT cause.  Reid Park Zoo and Craft Tucson is hosting "Brew at the Zoo" to help build funds for a new Brown Beer habitat.  I am so excited!  This will be an awesome addition to the Reid Park Zoo, which is one of our favorite places to visit with the many exhibits and animals that bring us a little closer to the animals. 

Jun 15, 2013 6-9 p.m.

While you are there you can walk around in the cooler AZ temperatures, see the animals, and sample some great Brewing Company's with Craft Beers.

 What does your admission cover?

Sample a wide variety of craft brews (see below)

Keep a commemorative recycled beer bottle sampling glass – limited quantity available

Enjoy games, animal encounters and presentations

Listen to live music by HEARTBEAT – playing your favorite rock oldies from the 50s to the 80s

Purchase pub-style food in our Event Gardens and Zoofari Market

Presale:  No Tickets will be emailed/mailed. Check-in list at night of event.

ORDER HERE
 $40 / person
$30 / member
$20 / designated driver

Day of the event: (if not sold out)
$50 / person
$40 / member
$30 / designated driver

Tickets are limited, reserve yours today!

While your there be sure to stop by the Prescott Brewing Company and Sentinel Peak Brewing Company!

These are two of my personal favorites! 

Tell them Hi for me!

Sentinel Peak Brewing Company will be featuring Haboob IPA, Heat Wave Hefeweizen, Salida Del Sol Mexican Vienna, and Monsoon Dunkel

There will be pub style foods at the event, but remember to eat and drinking responsibly. 

Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead Movie and Giveaway

(Sponsored Post- I received a free product for an honest Announcement, but was already a huge fan and supporter.)

I have been a huge fan of the Movie "Sick, Fat, and Nearly Dead" with Joe Cross.  It is an inspiring movie about a Aussie named Joe Cross who decided he was sick of being sick.  In this movie he shows how he went for a "walk about" in the US juicing and talking to people along the way. He talked to people about what they ate and did not eat.  He visits with his doctor and checks in on his improvements and by the end of the movie he is Thinner, Healthier, and very much Alive. 

"Audience nears six million people worldwide as Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead celebrates second anniversary of its release. To date, Documentary’s audience has lost more than 6 million pounds and consumed more than 93 million glasses of fresh juice."

While on Joe's Walk about he meets a young man with the same problems as Joe.  The movie changes pace a little to follows a couple people and their Juicing Journey, focusing on people who have trashed their bodies by pharmaceutical meds, food choices, and lifestyle.  The juicing journey last for 2 months of only fruits and vegetables.  This is a detox of the average American Diet and Lifestyle.  I have personally done 30 days of Juicing and loved the experience.  When watching you see how they done feel so well the initial first couple of days, but they start to transform right after.  Understand, this is not about losing weight.  While that is a wonderful perk to getting healthy, the goal is to get of meds, feel better, and improve the quality of life. 

I have had friends and readers say "I could never live by juice alone", and similar comments.  While I agree it is hard to imagine, it is a wonderful experience that after the first few days you crave the juices you make.  While juicing I found I craved the burst of energy, clear consciousness, and happier emotions.

In the book "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead: How fruits and Vegetables Changed My Life", Joe explains in more detail about the benefits discussed with him, with his doctor, and his experience.  In the 177 page guide and recipe book, he opens with how he was very active throughout school, thin and fit, and it was in the corporate world he started to gain weight.  Everything creeps up fast, and he developed many illnesses along with his weight.  Then in chapter 3 he explains more of the benefits of Juicing like improved hair, increased energy, increased joint flexibility, improved vision, feeling calmer, and many more.  These are all things we wish to have and spend a lot of money to obtain artificially.  What I love most is that you are allowing the body to heal and super saturating with micronutrients many people deprive themselves of.  Some people think to fast or juice is to starve yourself, but really more people are starving eating the nonfoods, junk, restaurants, and processed foods so easy consumed.  That is a true tragedy, to think you are eating foods when really dirt might have more nutrients than a lot of foods found on shelves today.  In chapter six he talks about his great American Road Trip with his struggles and accomplishments.  Chapter seven he is in Winslow, AZ day 50 and dropped an amazing 70 lbs., greatly reduced his prednisone intake.  At the end of the book he gives steps on preparing for a reboot, talks about organic produce, his recommended juices throughout the day, and a couple of his favorite recipes for after a reboot.  If you have a chance to purchase and read this book, I find it a great asset to the movie. 

Juicing is so much easy than you think, and I personally think every person needs to watch this DVD.  I think it will, and has, changed lives across the world.  I encourage you to watch this video.  I was posting when the movie was offered for free, if you missed it, you can purchase a DVD in link below.  I also included a link to watch on Netflix if you happen to have an account.  That was how I came across the movie last year!  Also, I am having a giveaway of the DVD!!  I am excited that Joe gave me a DVD to give out to one of my readers and think that they will forever be changed after watching it. 

Looking for new Juice Recipes be sure to follow Joe's Pinterest Boards with awesome recipes for Juices, salads, and more.  Eating healthy happens everyday, are you? 

You can Buy the Movie, Guide Book, and Starter Guide in one bundle for 29.95
Movie Price $14.99 (Av Value $19.99)
Book Price $19.99
Watch on Netflix Here

Follow Reboot with Joe Website

Follow Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Facebook

Follow on Twitter

Follow great recipes on Pinterest

Subscribe on YouTube

Now for the giveaway.  Just enter the simple rafflecopter form below.  Winner will be contacted by email to respond to prize with 24 hours, with address no P.O. Boxes, or a new winner will be chosen.  US ONLY.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wellness Wednesday Green Delight Summer Juice #5

 

Parsley in Juicing?

 

Why add parsley to your juice?  Parsley contains Vitamins A,B1, B2, B3, and C, Foliate Acid, Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Copper, Silicon, Sulfur, Calcium, and Cobalt.  Because parsley increases bladder release it can be use to aid bladder infections and function.  While detoxing naturally this summer you can aid your release of toxins through the bladder.  The addition of some great fruits and veggies can help cancel out the stronger parsley flavor. 


Green Delight Summer Juice #5                 
Parsley handfu
1 handful spinach
1 lemon, peeled
handful carrots
1 pink grapefruit, peeled
half cucumber with peel
1/2 red delicious apple
Easy to make, just juice everything into the glass and enjoy!  In this juice the apple and grapefruit off set the taste of parsley wonderfully! 

Three Bean Tomato Soup Recipe

Three Bean Tomato Soup   
(South African Chili)

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
Drizzle of Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
10 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cup cooked garbanzo beans
1 cup cooked red kidney beans
1 cup cooked black beans
1 cup corn, GMO FREE
A bunch of spinach, chopped finely
fresh chopped basil
Greek Plain Yogurt
Chopped Green onion
Sea Salt

 Drizzle oil pan adding onions and garlic stirring until translucent.  Add in spices of cayenne and paprika and mix everything together well.  Then add in chopped tomatoes.  Cook this on low until the tomatoes are cooked down and disintegrated.  Now add in beans and corn heating until everything is of the desired temperatures.

To Serve
In a bowl add a small handful, think layer, on bottom of bowl.  Add in soup and then top it off with a spoonful of yogurt and/or cheese.  To garnish add a pinch of bail, or green onions, salt, and pepper to taste.

You can easy add in your favorite meat to this dish but I prefer it vegetarian, the assortment of beans pack in enough protein in the dish.

Six Layer Fruit Salad Recipe

I love easy to throw together salads that are refreshing, healthy, and tasty.  We made this for a family and friends brunch and I loved how pretty it was.  I used my Pampered Chef punch bowl, which really showed off the colors of the antioxidant rich fruits. 

 

Six Layer Fruit Salad

Cherry's
Watermelon Balls
Pineapple
Red Grapes
Strawberries
Blueberry's

Arrange in the order you like, mind is in order from bottom to top.  Once we arrived at the brunch I then mixed the fruit up for a blended scoopful. 

The great thing about summer is enjoying some delicious cooling tasty salads.  We prefer to not mix anything in the fruit, but you could have a side of topping to add over your fruit salad.  I sometimes will mix yogurt with some orange juice to make a citrus addition. 

Looking for a few more Brunch ideas?

See Chilean Salad Recipe and Delicious Easy Quiches , making the perfect Family Brunch. 

What are some favorite fruit topping recipes?

Chilean Summer Salad Recipe

 

 Chilean Summer Salad
2 Avocadoes, cubed
1/2 bunch of cilantro
2 tomatoes, diced
I Lemon, juiced
salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl, mix everything together, but not so much that you mush the avocado.  I like to have some nice chunks in my Chilean Salad.  Enjoy!

This is a fast and filling salad.  I love to have this any day of the week, but especially at Bunches and BBQ.  It taste amazing over a nice veggie or hamburger too. 






Looking for some Brunch ideas?
See Delicious Easy Quiches and 6 layer Fruit salad, making the perfect Family Brunch. 

What are some of your Favorite Summer Salads?

Delicious Easy Quiches

 

Delicious Easy Quiche
2 unbaked pie crust
8 eggs
1 cup cheese
2 whole small zucchini, shredded
1 handful of baby spinach
2 green onions
1 plum tomato, sliced
6 slices cooked turkey bacon, crumbles
heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

This makes 2- 9 inch Quiches

Easy Kids Quiche

Place pie crust in two 9 inch baking pie plates.  In a mixing bowl beat in 2ggs, cheese, zucchini, salt, pepper, bacon, and 1/2 cup heavy cream.  Mix everything together and poor half the mixture into the first pie. 

Then add in the rest of the ingredients above for the Vegetable packed Quiche, reserving a couple sliced tomatoes for the top, pour into second pie and if there is some Quiche mixture left over make little muffin size ones, without pie crust. 

We made these for a family brunch, this way you have two similar quiches that will be loved by anyone. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. 

See Chilean Salad Recipe and 6 layer Fruit salad, making the perfect Family Brunch.