camping – Page 6 – Mommy Hiker

Why Wait til the New Year to Make Your Resolution?

Posted on December 17, 2012February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

I have never really subscribed to the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. So I’m starting something new! New Day’s Resolution! If there is something you want to change in your life, why not start immediately?

This year has been filled with New Day’s Resolutions!

One of my resolutions earlier this year was to get organized. Of course, with a toddler in the house and two adults who work from home, this is always a work in progress, but something as simple as a few baskets to hide the clutter of books and toys immediately makes the living room feel less chaotic. I found these baskets on Craigslist for 80% less than retail!

organize children's toys and books with baskets

Another big resolution is one that I try to make daily; My decree to get out of the house! To introduce, enlighten and instill a sense of curiosity and confidence in Vivi.

toddler exploring los angeles county museum of art

Vivi exploring the Urban Jungle at LACMA

Los Angeles has such diverse geography and culture. There are so many amazing things to do and see here, we have yet to scratch the surface! And certainly, with the creation of our Mommy Hiker Community, we are never want for a reason to get outdoors with the babes! These ladies continually inspire me and push me to better myself and as a result, I am a better wife and mom.

With fellow Mommy Hiker Megan

(For a more in-depth look into our favorite Los Angeles children’s activities, stay tuned for the New Year’s Blog!)

My most recent resolution was one that I resisted and procrastinated on for at least the last two years! Blogging. Ha! I most certainly had the support and encouragement, but was lacking in the confidence. I have been pretty active in social media for years now, on Facebook and Twitter and have a modest yet loyal following. I also write in many different fashions, but there was the personal element attached to blogging that kept me at arm’s length. I thought what could I possibly write about my day-to-day life that would interest people? Then, I realized how easily I have been motivated and inspired by others who are brave enough to share their personal stories, thoughts, insights, anguish and passion with the rest of the world. It’s cathartic. It incites me to think more, to write more, to want to DO more and I’m so glad I didn’t wait until the New Year to start!

What will your First New Day’s Resolution be?

[Food Series] Easy Trail Mix Alternative! Wheat Berry Salad

Posted on December 12, 2012February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

I watched Giada De Laurentiis turn Wheat Berries into a gorgeous summer salad on The Food Network and thought: “that looks easy”, so I ran out and bought a package of whole wheat berries and… they have been sitting in the pantry for close to 4 months now! Every time I would open the pantry door, I would see them staring back, mocking me. Finally, I decided enough is enough, so I googled “how to cook wheat berries”. I couldn’t believe how easy it is, then I mocked myself for ever being scared of a wheat berry to begin with! So, I say, “Don’t be afraid! Here’s how!”

alternative trail mix wheat berry salad with blueberry, garbanzo bean and cucumber

Ingredients
2 cups of wheat berries
2 bay leaves
4 cups of cold water
4 cups of chicken stock
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup blueberries
1 cup garbanzo beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

Start by soaking 2 cups of wheat berries in water, in the fridge, overnight. Throw the wheat berries in a deep pot with 2 bay leaves 4 cups of cold water and 4 cups of chicken stock, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and let them simmer away! Depending on what texture you prefer, your cook time will vary, but the minimum should be about an hour and can go up to two hours if you like them really soft. Drain your wheat berries in a colander and allow them to cool. That’s it! Yep. Really!

Now the fun part! Wheat berries are so versatile! You can throw in whatever you’re in the mood for! Giada’s recipe features strawberries, mint and goat cheese! I decided to go a more ‘finger food’ route with my first attempt, making sure to include V’s favorite ingredients, thinking it would be a great trail mix type of snack to bring hiking. Over my chilled wheat berries, I threw in chopped cucumber, blueberries and garbanzo beans, then mixed it with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of one lemon.

Discovering Big Sur California – The Land of Supreme Beauty

Posted on December 10, 2012February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

My husband and I discovered camping together, 11 years ago. Neither of us had ever really been camping before, so when we got a wild hair up our @#! to go, I did a quick search online, found a campsite that looked pretty and we jumped on the 101 and headed north. Little did we know, the place we were headed would make a deep and everlasting impression on our lives.

Big Sur, California. Photo by Kerem Hanci

If you’ve never been to Big Sur, do yourself a favor. Go! It is a sleepy little town where majestic mountains, coastal prairies and the magnificent force of the Pacific Ocean meet to create a continual energy of renewal and peace.

We have gone back almost every single year since that first visit. We have introduced our closest friends to its luscious rivers. When we lost one of our best friends, Katie Kitty a little over two years ago, we knew that was where we would set her (ashes) free to run about the clover beds.

Katie’s Place in the Clovers. Photo by Kerem Hanci

So it goes without saying that when we found out we were adding a new member to our family, we immediately started planning our trip to Big Sur. So many things to consider! I mean, we were tent camping pros by this point, but we had never done it with a newborn baby! I jumped on the World Wide Web and started reading! (A little too much)

Mommy Went Crazy, Mistake #1: I bought the biggest tent I could find under $200. One that my 6’1″ husband could fully stand up in! A tent so large we were able to create a bedroom, dining room and storage room! It comfortably fit a queen size air mattress, a pack and play, a large cooler (our dining table), 3 camping chairs (our dining chairs) and all of our gear with room leftover!! Ok, yes, I went a bit overboard. (we have since sold that one and got a mid-size tent that fits us perfectly…for now).

camping with an infant in big sur california

Our Big @#! tent! Photo by Kerem Hanci

Mommy Went Crazy, Mistake #2: I brought the pack and play. This may sound sane to most, but we didn’t end up using the pack and play… because Mommy Went Crazy! When the temperature started dipping in the early evening, I knew she would not be warm enough there and so I took the cushion part of the bassinet attachment off and made a nest out of it, bundled her up excessively and put her between us in the bed. On this one, trust me, that a picture is worth a thousand words and let’s just say that not only did I not sleep at all that night, but the visual of me aiming a red headlamp into the face of the baby every 5 minutes with a crazed look on my face is forever etched into the memory of my husband’s brain!

Our little bundle of joy! Photo by Kerem Hanci

I remember, during those many months on bedrest, sitting there, the excitement bringing tears to my eyes, thinking soon we’ll be able to show her the streams, the rocks, the waterfalls, the birds, the mist and the bed of clovers where Katie Kitty plays. What a gift to watch her soaking it all in.