Tales from an adventurous family @adventuremama-blog - Tumblr Blog

Recovery food

Along the lines of recovery food I’m totally on the chocolate milk bandwagon. Being a dairy lover and a chocolate lover it’s the perfect fit.

I would have to argue that peanut butter on crackers with honey could also be a very good recovery food. (Stoned wheat thins, of course.) It would be interesting to compare the nutritional values between the two.

File that under: recovery foods that make me feel like I’m a kid again!

Happy campers! Baby balaclava, kept him warm on a chilly night.

3 secrets for new mamas - New Mama Welcome Pack Blog Hop

I was asked to share some tidbits about being a new mom, as part of the New Mama Welcome Pack. There is so much I would like to share with you. I'd love to have you over for a pot of tea, so we can chat it out. But as a new mom - or about to be, our time is precious. So I will try to be as brief and helpful as possible.

1. Your world will return to some sense of normalcy. At some point.

Everything will change, but everything stays the same, too. If you were adventurous in your pre-baby world -- whether you loved to run, bike, hike, climb, ski, or explore museums and urban environments, you will reconnect with that part of you, again. Hopefully, you will get to share that with your little peanut, too. Because, that's really fun.

Give yourself time to adjust, everything happens at its own pace.

2. Take care of yourself.

As an Outward Bound instructor, we used to remind each other, "If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else." I heard and repeated this advice as necessary, throughout many courses - but I could never embody this, like I did after having a kiddo. If I am not nourishing my body, mind, and soul - as best I can at the moment - I can't take care of my kiddo.

Nourishing myself can look very different at different times - depending on time of day and all the other factors that are going on. Sometimes, it is just shutting the door when I use the bathroom. Or having my partner check on the baby when he's crying, instead of jumping up to take care of it. Taking deep breaths and remembering to smile. Looking around and noticing with all my senses. Snapping a picture. Sometimes it is taking a hot bath with essential oils. In the middle of the day. That can feel luxurious.

Always it is drinking adequate water and eating nourishing food.

Which brings me to my final secret...

3. Drink adequate water and eat nourishing food.

I know this one sounds basic, but it bares repeating. This really made the difference between feeling haggard and feeling comfortable and in control for me. In the beginning, I had a hard time seeing straight, never mind remembering how much the baby had ate - now I had to remember to feed and water myself, too? Where was my mom?

So, I had to mother myself.

Every night, before bed, I set out, in water bottles, the water I would drink for the next day. I found that a gallon was just right for my body - and if I needed more, which was entirely possible, it was easier at that point to refill one of my water bottles.

I also planned out my lunch (usually leftovers) and a few snacks. Sometimes I would make a list for myself. Just because I like lists.

So, there it is ~ short and sweet. I hope it helps you to feel your best and love on your little one as much as possible. Best of luck in your journey along the road of motherhood.

Being a first-time mama is an amazing experience. The New Mama Welcome Pack blog hop is a celebration of this life changing event!

Follow the links to discover more unmissable advice, stories and essential tips.

And if you’re a new mama who wants to rock motherhood without guilt, overwhelm or losing yourself, check out the New Mama Welcome Pack here.

New Mama Welcome Pack / Lotte Lane / Dreaming Aloud / Zhendria / Birthing in Conscious Choice / Natalie Garay / Eli Trier / Knecht Ruprecht / Lise Meijer / Naomi Goodlet / A Lifestyle By Design / Story of Mum / Like a Bird / Holistic Mama / Birth Geek / Joyful Parenting / Stroller Packing / My Healthy Beginning / Mums and More / Kate Beddow - Growing Spirits / Ellen Nightingale / Stacie Whitney / Maternity Leavers / Photography for Busy Parents / Close Enough To Kiss / Atelier Susana Tavares / Offbeat Family / Katie m. Berggren ~ Painting Motherhood / Winship Wellness Blog / Liberate From Weight / Jessica Cary / Art + Craft / Raising Playful Tots / Peaceful Mothering / Play Activities / Lauren Nenna / Nurture You / The Adventure Mama / Be Wise Be Healthy / b.a.d.momGoodmom / Doula in Your Pocket / Making Mom Strong / Adrienn Csoknyay / Joyful Parents / Alison Hummel / Simple Solutions for Photos / Lynne Newman / Euphoric Birth / Mumpreneur Mentor / A Walk in the Clouds / Parenting on the Fence / MiaMily

Recipe / Cookbook Review: America's Test Kitchen, DIY Cookbook

I love to cook. And I love good, reliable, easy recipes that are healthy and work with my lifestyle. And I have some of the gumption of a two-year old - when in doubt, I'll just do it myself. You name it, I've made it.

So, really, it's like America's Test Kitchen made this cookbook specifically for me. Recipes for carmel, marshmallows, graham crackers, tonic water! My only limitations have been having time to make everything.

I'm getting ready to spend a few days in the desert. It will be Baby-Love's first camping experience and I'll be flying solo. We're planning on meeting a few friends, but Dad won't be able to make it.

So, I figured I'd whip up two of my favorite recipes for easy breakfasts and snacks on the go. They're both similar (I like what I like!) so they're easy to do at the same time - granola and granola bars.

Both recipes are delicious. The olive oil in the granola bars gives such a good balance to the sweetness, that it's perfect for eating on the go. The granola has dried fruit added, and is a great breakfast with milk. I've played around with different nuts and using coconut oil - you can't go wrong, it's delicious any way you mix it!

Like all the other books, magazines, and media in the America's Test Kitchen Series, this cookbook is chock full of quality recipes that taste delicious.

About Me

Hi There! Thanks for finding me. I’m Kirsten, an outdoor adventurer and new-ish mom. I’ve been an outdoor educator - working for wilderness therapy programs and leading courses for Outward Bound. I’m a ski instructor, specifically focusing on teaching women to telemark ski or learning big mountain techniques for skiing steeps, trees, powder, and rocks. I’m currently a massage therapist, owning and operating a massage clinic in beautiful Crested Butte, CO - which is where I live, play, and raise my 8 month old son.

I grew up as an active kid - loving adventures and excitement. I was a swimmer, competitive gymnast, I sailed with my dad, and skied with my family. As I got older, I began backpacking and camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, and fell in love with trail running.

For a long time, I felt like I wasn’t ready to have kids, because I wasn’t willing to give up on the adventures in my life. After long discussions with my husband, we figured there would always be another adventure and that we were ready to start figuring out how to bring kids on the adventures we were already having. 41 weeks and 2 days later, Baby-Love joined us, and we have been spending time enjoying fresh air, wildflowers, and sunshine ever since. Not that our adventures have been on the same level as they had been. At the beginning, just walking to the farmer’s market seemed like a big adventure. Now, going on a 5-hour, 10-mile backcountry ski and lifting the sled up and over - or sliding under downed trees our biggest adventure to date. Not that we broke any land speed records or anything. But we might have set the record of teamwork and laughter!

So, here we are. A mom and her babe - trying to figure out how to make it work. How to share nature and adventure with a little one, while breastfeeding, learning to eat, and wearing diapers. Some days, it all seems overwhelming. Some days, it lights a fire in my belly stronger than I’ve ever felt before. To look at the world through a baby’s eyes again. I feel so lucky.

My hope is to share any tips and tricks that I learn along the way, to make it easier to get out and enjoy the world outside - with baby, any time of year. Here’s what I’ve learned, so far.

Here is a basic guide to babywearing safety and proper positioning for baby's development that I found over at Sweet Baby Wraps.

Because baby should be comfortable, too.

The importance of ergonomics

As a massage therapist, athlete, mom I really value ergonomics.

Why? you ask - let me explain.

Ergonomics provide stability and efficiency. As a busy mom, in life, stability and efficiency are two of my priorities.

So I value ergonomics - standing up straight like my mom wanted me to. Like my dance and gymnastics teachers wanted me to. In a way that uses my muscles and skeleton as efficiently as possible to avoid muscle imbalances and injuries, and to be able to play with my kids and in nature as much as possible. Of course I value ergonomics! When I put it that way, who doesn’t?

In massage school, gymnastics, ballet, yoga, pilates, and ski lessons I had someone beside me, coaching me (as I have done with others) into the best, most efficient, most stable stance. It’s been wonderful and made me feel strong and limber. Problem is, there are only a few hours every day for me to do these activities that make me think of my posture. There are a lot more hours in the day, where I’m doing repetitive action activities without any thought of whether or not there is a better way to stand, hold the baby, or stretch my body. I’ve been finding, in the 8 months since having Baby-Love, that there are many things I could be doing better.

I’d love to share a little of what I’ve learned, here on the mom + ergonomics front. Mergonomics, if you will. (Or maybe I’m just being a dork.)

Anyhow!

How to load and unload the washer / dryer, without killing your back.

Here’s what I’ve found helpful at my house. I hope this inspires you to find a solution that works best for you Chez Vous, as well.

Our washer and dryer are on the floor. They are both front loading. In running a massage therapy clinic, I do a lot of laundry. And that was before having a kiddo in cloth diapers. Between Baby-Love’s wardrobe changes, massage sheets, my laundry, my husband’s dirty carpenter laundry, bedsheets, bath towels, and kitchen rags, we do a lot of laundry. I’ve been a nanny for a household of six (plus me is seven) So, I’ve seen a lot of laundry before. I’m not scared. But I don’t want back pain, either.

I do love my front loader washer, it’s big and efficient, but my one complaint is that it twists and twists my massage sheets together, like it’s trying to weave them into a chinese finger trap for giants. (Is that racist to say? I’m not sure…) So, when I go to switch the load into the dryer, I’m not just bending over to pick up one water-soaked twin sized flannel sheet, I’m actually grabbing the seven other fitted and flat sheets that it has crocheted itself to. Bending down at the waist and grabbing this load can be exhausting, day after day…

So, here’s my solution! I figured this out, when I was pregnant and couldn’t physically bend over to grab anything, without becoming nauseous and potentially throwing up. Not my prettiest moment, I can assure you.

What did I do?

I grabbed a little step stool that my sister had made in shop class in high school and given to me as a Christmas present about 15 years ago. I sat on the step stool and pulled the load of laundry out of the washer, into the waiting laundry basket. I make sure to keep a straight back and as I unweave the knitted sheets, I lift them overhead, providing a great arm and upper back workout in the process - bonus! I didn’t have to worry about it before the little guy went and stretched out my abs, but now, I also think about engaging my lower abs, as well.

Works like a charm!

What about you? What ergonomic tips have you found to use while doing laundry?

Getting out of town...

Mama and Baby are heading up to Winter Park for a little nordic getaway with a couple of girlfriends. At least 6 packing lists later, we got on the road.

First solo trip with baby - fingers crossed I didn't forget anything important!

I'm back!

Went for a ski with the dog, sans bebe -- it was the first time I felt like myself again. I was doing intervals, passing grannies on the trail, breathing hard, and feeling like my abs were strong and contracting again...

What a relief to feel normal again.

Another day in paradise... perfect day for an x-c tour!

#crestedbutte #nordic ski #ski baby #nor-dork #xc ski #backcountry

Bliss...

Today was the perfect day for a nordic tour with the little man. It was the kind of day I had been dreaming of all season, but didn't have a chance to enjoy yet. The sky was completely bluebird, sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect.

The thermometer read 28 degrees as I was getting ready. As I walked outside to start bringing gear to the car, the breeze felt pretty chilly - so I grabbed an extra layer and warmer gloves. They ended up only being used for training weight, but I was happy to have them, just in case.

Since the weather was so nice, I decided to go out for a longer ski and bring a lunch with me. I skied for about 2 hours out Slate River, veering off the road and onto the skin track, eventually crossing the river. Baby-Love was snoozing in the kinder shuttle.

I wore power stretch fleece pants, a sports bra, my dry-climb jacket, a softshell/hardshell combo jacket (the perfect nordic jacket), thin gloves, a brimmed winter hat, and sunglasses. I was dressed perfectly - taking the outer jacket off when the wind was at my back and zipping it up when the wind blew down the valley.

I kept Baby-Love in his regular clothes, he wore a thin cotton hat, and I had plenty of extra layers for him stuffed in the back of the sled - also training weight. He had a foam pad underneath him, his lambskin, and down blanket on top. It was pretty sunny, so I tried to make sure that he was shaded - next time, I will probably bring a muslin swaddle with me, to provide a little extra shade.

This was really the perfect conditions - great snow, warm temps and sunshine, but not too hot. And getting to stop in the woods and eat lunch was my version of an ideal day. Hoping for more like this!

Family Ski Day

After the 7 plus feet over the past two weeks, when temperatures climbed this weekend and the skis were overcast we weren't very motivated to head up to the hill for some lift-assisted turns. So we decided on a quick nordic ski out to the golf course, instead.

It was great going out with company. That and the milder temperatures allowed Baby-Love and me to try using the ergo baby carrier on my back, instead of front. Having someone alongside me allowed me to have help, if we needed any adjustments - which we didn't, but I felt better to be prepared. Just in case.

I wore power stretch fleece, a nursing tank, my dry climb jacket, and a thin soft shell top. I had on thin gloves, sunglasses, and a hat.

Baby-Love wore a cotton onesie and sweatshirt, capilene pants, wool socks and booties, fleece pants, a synthetic jacket, wool hat, and sunglasses.

Wearing the ergo on my back, while skiing felt ah-maz-ing! Much more, well... ergonomic. Which I guess is the point of a baby carrier with the name "ergo". It made me realize that wearing it on my front was beginning to hurt my back. Baby-Love is getting chunky, now that he's eating real food! His legs and feet did get chilly, but I don't think it was out of the range of "babies have cold extremities". His core was certainly warm, as was my back. A jacket with insulation on the front and power stretch fleece on the back would definitely have helped.

Other than that, our layers and systems were great! Baby even fell asleep part way through.

A good time had by all....

Mother Nature doesn't care.

After our success using the kinder shuttle last week, we decided to give it another shot. I was feeling like I needed a little exercise and to shake up our routine a bit. And the chances of Baby-Love actually napping for as long as I wanted him to, without me having to repeatedly run downstairs to his crib and put his binky back in his mouth to settle him were seeming kind of slim.

The weather was mild as I got ready: just a gentle breeze, temperatures were mid-twenties, and though overcast it was almost sunny. The same would not be true by the time we reached the trailhead.

Since he was so warm during our last adventure, I put on power stretch fleece pants, a thin wool shirt and dry climb jacket, and grabbed my favorite mammut soft shell jacket. I wore my thin synthetic puffy in the car, along with my hat, glasses, and gloves.

Since Baby-Love was so insulated last time, I left him in his regular clothes, put on his booties, a hat, sunglasses, and grabbed a few options for outer layers, so we could dress appropriately at the trailhead.

After driving the three miles from our house, to Washington Gulch winter trailhead, we got out of the car to howling wind and blowing snow. What a difference 3 miles makes.

There was new snow and the wind kept filling everything in. Usually, Washington Gulch sees a bit of snowmobile action, which can help to pack down the trail, but today there were none in sight. Just a narrow, deep track, where a handful of skiers had broken trail.

It was tough going, between the side-hilling of the trail, the narrow deep path, and the howling winds. The trail hadn't been broken very far and with the extra weight and width of the sled behind me, I couldn't make it very far. Determined, I doubled back over a couple of flatter sections - pacing back and forth, keeping my heart rate up and baby peaceful snoozing, though the dog was quite confused.

It was a good learning curve. Baby-Love stayed toasty warm inside his cocoon. He also wasn't really fazed when the sled flipped on it's side, due to the challenging conditions of the track. Bonus. Next time, I'll call a friend who lives by the trailhead and ask her to look outside, before driving up.

While I'm at it...

We also love to go down to the pool, so I figured I would make a swimming checklist, too. Just one less thing to think about later on...

swimming diaper bathing suit extra diaper extra set of clothes for baby towels - 1 for everyone and 1 extra shampoo and conditioner coconut oil my bathing suit waterproof camera

Almost forgot! A bag for the wet clothes

A list or two...

I've been reading a bit about efficiency lately (since I seem to be painfully inefficient, ever since Baby-Love was born) and I was reading about how having to repeatedly make decisions can wear us down and make life generally more challenging. Check and check...

In the past, even though I skied almost every day or was in and out of the field on various trips, I used a checklist - every single day, to make sure I didn't forget any essentials. (I have been known to show up at a ski area without my ski boots. More than once.)

So, I thought that it would be easier for Baby and me to get out the door and go for a ski, if we had a checklist to use. Here it is...

Baby- Love's Layers

capilene onesie and pants fleece pants and jacket or one piece wool socks shoes or booties down suit hat sunglasses sunscreen

My Layers

wool long john bottoms and soft shell pants -- OR Power stretch fleece pants -- ski socks ski boots skis poles nursing tank dry climb jacket soft shell jacket insulated jacket thin gloves warm gloves hat sunglasses sunscreen

Baby Carrier

-- OR --

Kinder Shuttle

Foam pad sheep skin down blanket muslin swaddle, for shade extra diaper and plastic bag Water bottle and food

Its a powder day in Crested Butte, Colo. Nine inches of fresh snow have fallen overnight, and its still snowing sideways.

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