Along the FitPath

aste la vista Baby...

It has been a week already since we were offering our "Boot Camp", Hiking and Fitness, Vitality boosting Program in Baja Mexico. I'm missing the warm hospitality of the staff at Rancho La Puerta, the spring flowers and bird song, the delicious herbs and veges from the organic gardens, and the wind sculptured rock forms lining the trails to Mt. Kuchuma. I'm also missing the new friends and veterans that joined Jeff and I over our 3 week pilot at the Ranch.

Our Program dovetailed seamlessly with the smorgasbord of quality activities and services offered at the Ranch...and much to our Guests happiness, led to excellent results in all aspects of fitness, weight loss, de-stressing, and detoxification.We'll be back!...look for us in November and February.

Kirk

Reinventing Aging - Part 1 - Inflammation

Years ago, I had a discussion with a medical doctor regarding what we thought contributed to cellular breakdown in the body. We both agreed it was chronic high blood sugar as well as constant inflammation in the body. Inflammation occurs as a response to something foreign or broken in the body. Think of your finger when you get a sliver, how immediately the body responds to the area by swelling. This is system is self regulated meaning the inflammatory response will start reactions to stop further inflammation. However, when our bodies are overwhelmed with "irritants" (creating by foods we eat, environments we are exposed to, stress, as well as the ability for our body to detox to name a few), our inflammatory response is continually "on". It's like your body is constantly on fire. This adds to tissue breakdown. Tissue breakdown (without adequate repair) can lead to an increase in the aging process ie. increase in wrinkles, longer recovery times, more illness. 

Okay, now that we know, briefly, what inflammation is and the problem it can create, what's the cure? Remember, the body has an amazing capacity to rejuvenate.  Lessen inflammation in your body. There's great references out there that discusses inflammation in great depth (ie. more science), however it comes down to a few simple steps...increase the amount of plants in your diet (colorful food is recommended), reduce processed foods, adopt stress busting strategies which work for you, and make sure you incorporate detox practices weekly. 

jp - reading at the moment "You, Staying Young" and the Wrinkle Cleanse

The Skinny on Mountain Trek in Mexico

Mountain Trek in Mexico..... oh-so-nice! I don't know where to start, or even harder, where to stop in my ravings of Mountain Trek at the Ranch:) Kirk and I are here at Rancho La Puerta running a new Mountain Trek program. It's a unique experience to dovetail our program inside another - one we've not had the pleasure of enjoying before. The usual routines of yoga, 4 1/2 hour daily hikes and an exercise class after dinner still exist, with some additions. Rancho La Puerta is so well-equiped with various gyms, therapists and renowned fitness instructors that guests can (and do) supplement their daily routines with up to 3 more hours of various classes of their own choosing. Everything from yoga to fitness to art classes are offered daily at great times. And whilst the Ranch focuses on a la carte fitness classes, our style of hiking and our meal program are certainly new to then Ranch. The result has been as-ever exceptional weight loss, with our Mountain Trek group being reverred as the 'hard-core' hikers losing all the weight! Stay tuned for more from down south......... Jeff

Reinventing Aging

We have to thank the rock stars like Mick Jagger for continuing to push the limits of what we can do at any age (I know he sorta looks like a piece of grizzled chicken). And I can thank our guests who continually give us feedback on what the program has provided for them. From our turkey burn program, a woman who was in her early 60's was with us for the two weeks. At the end of it, she believed we had "de-aged" her which is what we call vitality. 

I won't lie and say I haven't thought about aging before but this woman's comment to me stuck. What do we do here at Mountain Trek that people leave feeling uplifted, less heavy, and really, less wrinkles on their faces!  Of course, I do know what we do (exercise, eat well, detox) but I wanted to go deeper into the whole "aging" thing. 

This is the beginning of a series that I will explore aging, what it means, and what measures we can take to not necessarily stop it, but prevent it's acceleration. 

Stay tuned! 

jp 

My Year of Eating Less Meat

One of my new year's resolution (besides mastering the use of chopsticks), is to reduce and possibly eliminate my consumption of meat and poultry. I'm not a high consumer of meat, never have been and I always considered myself a compassionate carnivore; I buy and eat only organic meats and eat only wild fish. It's not for ethical or environmental reasons I'm doing this (although I am aware of the impact of consuming meat has on the earth) it's more like my body is telling me this. Each time I go to the market looking at the array of meat I can buy, I just can't do it,  doesn't feel right. No sound reason for it, it just is. I've never gone fully vegetarian probably never will I'll be more like quasi-vegetarian. I think that would best describe what my goal is this year to be a quasi-vegetarian. Sometimes eat meat more likely not. 

Legumes, lentils and beans always come to mind as a meat substitute (I can't eat soya products). Endless cookbooks on the variations of what to do with them like veggie burgers, chili, and simply adding them in a salad. I did experiment with lentils, made the MT Captain Ainsworth soup sans the turkey adding in cooked lentils instead. Wow! What a pleasant and satisfying soup! I had worried that not using the turkey juices would lessen the taste but was mistaken. I made the soup again (I'm invested in cooking most of MT recipes for the upcoming soon to be published official MT cookbook..watch for it) this time I added in a can of pre-made dal which again pleasantly surprised me on how awesome it tasted. 

And then there's quinoa. Challenged like the rest of the population in what to eat for breakfast, quinoa will make for a delicious and warm breakfast. It's actually a seed not a grain and reportedly yields 18 grams per cooked cup (in case you are counting). I'm even considering using quinoa for sushi rolls but that will be another cooking adventure. 

I'm excited about my entry to the semi-vegetarian world. I've always known about the beans, lentils etc, but to be honest with you, I was a bit lazy on tackling them thinking it would be time consuming and perhaps, not that appealing. I love proving myself wrong. 

I'll keep you posted on my new found culinary discoveries, my disasters and my pleasures. 

till then...signing off..jp..who still is clumsy using chopsticks but committed. 

As David Bowie sings...ChChChChanges!

Time to make the change...chchchchanges....ah yes, it's entering the third week of the New Year, our lists are posted on our fridges, this is the YEAR I want to and will  1. lose weight 2. get fit 3. have more energy. Change, if it was easy, would negate the endless diet books, endless motivation books, and endless books in general with advice on how to incorporate and stay with our goals. 

What is our motivator to make change? What continues to motivate us to continue to pursue our goals when life seems to interfere with our plans? I read somewhere that training new habits takes courage and compassionate resolve - its purpose enables you to transform or assimilate change through endurance or to step into your power by following your heart or standing up for your choices. It's a challenge or a test of character that comes from facing your fears or training new habits and it relies on perseverance or the powers of persuasion to hang in there. 

For those of you out there, who feel at times the universe conspires against your well intended plans (did you hear the joke about how do you make God laugh? You tell him your plans.) remember to hang in there. Allow yourself the space and grace to flow with what life offers and to be mindful of the choices you make in the moment. It's the little things we do bit by bit that eventually add up to bigger changes. There is no such thing as failure, just opportunities for learning. So remember to reward yourself every week for your efforts, to journal or somehow keep track of your progress and to find the support you need and to use them especially when times get a bit challenging. 

And remember to believe that you can do it! 

jp - guide/facilitator 

A Brand New Year...2010...

I had every intention of writing a list of New Year's resolutions for this blog before 2010 descended upon me. However, like all good intentions, things get in the way. I have a good excuse (as far as excuses go) as Mountain Trek's Turkey Burn program was in full force and I can say I hit the ground snowshoeing after the holidays. Whew! We were a full house of 14 guests, some new to our snowshoe program and some familiar with us. So as a guide and New Year's Eve host, my dance card quickly filled up and only now, I can kick back and start my list. Perhaps, I shouldn't call them resolutions but suggestions for the year to support you on your journey to finding vitality in your life. 

In the area of Nutrition: 

1. For two weeks every three months, adopt a mini-cleanse. Limit and if you can, eliminate, dairy, wheat/flour products, sugar (all forms), processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol. This supports the body's own natural cleansing process and supports what we promote at MT, detoxing through dietary changes. Enjoy more veggies, fish like salmon, lean meats, and be generous in using good fats like flax oil or Udo's Oil. 

And speaking of Detox:

2. Brush your Body. Dry skin brushing is an easy way to help the skin eliminate toxins, drain and cleanse the lymphatic system, and help support the immune system. Gently sweep the brush in a circular motion, moving from the outer areas of the body (legs and hands) towards the heart. Try it three times a week for 5-10 minutes before your morning shower. Dry skin brushes are available at most drugstores or health food stores. 

How about fitness?

3. Text yourself messages reminding you to work out. 

And of course, we can't forget, relaxation or destressing.

4. Breathe. That's it. Take a moment each hour of each day to simply take a deep breath. 

jp- simply breathing and enjoying the moment 

 

Hot news straight from the hills of Rancho La Puerta

Kirk here. I've been hiking in the Chaparral country of Baja California which is the area surrounding Ranch La Puerta, the next base camp of MT. In all my guiding and hiking experiences, I find this area uniquely spectacular. My senses have been stimulated ... seeing eon eroded boulder sculptures, touching and feeling the yucca and eucalyptus plants, listening to the beckoning birdsong while I hike and enjoying the feel of a cool breeze. This is nice. 

On the look out for undulating trails and good elevation gains suited for the MT program (one of the reasons I was here), I'm happy to report that there is plenty of opportunity to get one's heart rate in that sweet spot! Ahh...just what we want, great hiking, great fat burning, and a place to completely destress.

And I can't say enough about the facilities, simply first rate! And the food, I'm looking forward to how Jeff (our dietician/guide) and the kitchen here at Rancho La Puerta recreate our delicious spa cuisine. They have their own organic farm and support the local farms which one of the beauties of this particular spa...local and organic food. 

Mountain Trek...Baja/Mexico style...hope to see you there in February! 

Kirk out. 

(Kirk - MT's program director/guide) 

The Perfect Holiday Dip

Looking for a quick, easy, and most importantly, delicious dip to serve up at a holiday party? It's a simple hummus recipe yet it is by far the best tasting I've ever had. Of course, it comes through family, my sister's recipe (don't tell her I'm sharing it with you) and the trick is, follow the recipe. Any slight change in measurement (be accurate) ever so subtly changes the taste. And one most important piece of information: process it for a long time (at least 4-5 minutes) to create a smooth texture. For me, I don't think hummus should be thick and chunky. 

Zsa Zsa's Hummus

1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste, can find it in regular supermarkets) 

1/3 lemon juice (squeeze real lemons, not what comes out of a bottle)

1/2 cup water

1 clove garlic - minced 

1/2 tsp sea salt

I 19 oz can of chickpeas (washed) 

In a food processor, add the water, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt. Blend for about a minute or so. While the processor is still on, begin to add the chickpeas. Once completely added, blend for a least 5 minutes or until the now created hummus is a smooth paste. Remove from food processor into a bowl. 

Let stand in refrigerator to chill. It tastes the best the next day. Serve with a variety of vegetables for dipping. I usually serve the hummus in the center of a plate and then drizzle flax oil around the perimeter of the hummus other people use olive oil. My niece likes it with tomatoes on top with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Others add chopped parsley on top. 

Enjoy! 

jp

Mountain Trek in Baja California, Mexico

A tropical Trek this time in Baja California. With Costa Rica on a hiatus we decided to set our sights a little closer to home, still tropical, and still our boot camp program. We've created base camp amongst the splendor and beauty of Rancho La Puerta nestled in on 3000 acres of property. Kirk at this moment is trail blazing getting the most varied and challenging hikes for our guests. 

From what I have heard you can expect great sunny weather, access to a variety of fitness studios (including a swimming pool) and the food is supplied by their own organic garden. It is shaping up to be a fantastic Mountain Trek venue! 

Hope to see you there!