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Boost your Bite during your Hike!

We are gearing up to go to Asheville this weekend for our friend’s Rachel & David’s wedding.  We are pumped about a 3 mile hike that Rachel has recommended for us. We’ll be getting up early on Saturday morning before the wedding to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway’s changing colors and glorious hiking. It’s going to be a bit chilly, so I finally washed all our gear from our Mt. Fuji trek. It’s finally on the wooden rack drying.  I know, I am really really behind on laundry 🙂

Hiking is so incredible for you. Not only does it get your rate up, but you use completely different muscles in your legs – the ones that help stabilize your balance while trekking on uneven surfaces.  I love this!  Hiking is perfect for cross training your body.  Hiking can burn some serious booty, you can burn up to 400 calories an hour during a moderately challenging incline.

But what’s the the best benefit of hiking?  Your imagination gets rejuvenated! While you are hiking, your body and mind work together to experience all 5 senses – Seeing the colorful landscape, hearing the sounds of the birds and wind, feeling the sun and your feet on mother earth, tasting the sweetness of morning dew running off your lips and smelling the freshness of the air, leaves and trees – there’s nothing quite like it.

If you haven’t been hiking in a while – Please go! And take some these bites for your hike!

Food Babe’s Bites for your Hike:

1. Coconut water + travel pack of Chia Seeds . I put this at number one because coconut water has a ton of electrolytes and potassium that will not only help you stay hydrated but also keep your body from getting any cramps. It is completely natural and very low in sugar compared to other sports drinks out there that are full of gut busting GMO sugar, cancer causing artificial sweeteners and immune system destroying colors.  Combine this with a packet of chia seeds and you have a 1-2 punch!  Chia seeds are incredible energy food – Full of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Protein, Fiber and the ablity to keep you from getting dehydrated because of they can hold 9 times their weight in water! The travel packs don’t need refrigeration either – perfect for just throwing in your backpack.

2. The Amazing Avocado – First off, you don’t need any packaging and if you drop it and it rolls on the ground, who cares!  It’s got a nice thick skin to protect its sweet creamy flesh inside.  Avocados are super energy food with serious staying power. Avocados saved me in Mt. Fuji. My guide laughed at me because I took 3 up the mountain with me – those suckers can be heavy! Avocados help regulate blood sugar, provide an even flow of energy during longs hikes, are anti-inflammatory, and help your body absorb nutrients.  I remember when we went hiking on the island of Saba, and we spent a few hours knocking down fresh avocados from the trees to eat right there on the spot. I have a great shot of our sailboat captain Greg, biting right through one. Pretty amazing!

3. Dates – For quick energy, dates are a must. Forget the gatorade, quick goos, and candy bars. Dates have a larger percentage of glucose, which your body can almost immediately use in the form of energy with little digestion time needed.  Say you are approaching a steeper climb in 10 mins – pop a couple of dates and see what happens. You’ll feel like an energizer bunny zipping up that mountain. For longer energy boosts – combine them with some pre-packaged Organic Raw Almond Butter to squeeze in the middle. Delicious!

4. Goji & Raw Cacao Bar – First off gojis are loaded with a mega dose of antioxidants, boost the immune system, protect the liver and improve circulation. And then when you combine it with raw cocoa – it adds a whole another dimension.  Raw cocoa can mimic the feeling of love in your body because it has a triple dose of these substances -phenylethlamine, tryptophan, and anandamide. These are feel good naturally occurring chemicals .  Your senses will be on cloud 9 after trying this bar!
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5. Sprouted Wheat Pretzels and Small Packs of Organic Mustard – You will lose a lot of sweat on a hike, so it’s natural to crave something salty.  Sprouted Wheat Pretzels are perfect for that salty craving especially when combined with your favorite mustard.  I save the little packs of organic mustard I get from health food salad bars and the like.  They come in handy, especially while hiking.

6. Oranges – I pick oranges because they are juicy (extra fluid your body can use) and easy to throw in your bag, again without worrying about washing it or it getting scuffed up or dirty.  Oranges pack vitamin C to boost immunity and improve circulation, which is great when you are at high altitudes.

7. When all else fails and you forget to prepare.  Do a google search for local organic bakeries and raw vegan restaurants – they are bound to have homemade goodies without chemicals that will keep you energized during your hike. Checkout these Pumpkin Seed Kale Crackers I get from Twin Cakes Bakery.  We plan to hit up some of the fabulous natural food places in Asheville the night before our climb.  I can’t wait to see what goodies we will find!

If you are interested in seeing more pictures from our Mt. Fuji Hike or interacting with me and other Food Babe readers – Check out the Food Babe Fan Page!

Ciao for now,

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7 responses to “Boost your Bite during your Hike!

  1. I love your blog! My mom told me about it and I’ve been following ever since. In fact, you have helped my mom change her diet for the positive. She has even got me hooked on Chia seeds! I put them in my morning oatmeal, along with goji berries and a small dab of honey. Mmmmmmm…… Thanks for all your helpful advice, Vani! Keep it up!

    1. Thank you so much Mandev. You have no idea how happy I am hearing that I am actually influencing people’s lives for the better. Chia seeds are an incredible superfood! I’ve got my travel packs already in my bag for my weekend getaway! Your oatmeal sounds fantastic – mmmm. Nice to hear from you! Say hi to your Mom 🙂

    1. Can’t wait to make more memories with you Greg – remember our deal! I am looking forward to cooking for you soon!

  2. Just met you in line at earthfare. Like your blog and your adventures. I could feel your positive energy the minute you walked up. I am visiting Asheville as well and have been mountian biking and will be riding my sport bike on the blue ridge to Mount Mitchell tomorrow. You two have fun at your wedding!

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