Extra Life and Thoughts

Per usual I am behind on posting anything about my latest trip and/or what I created.  I will certainly get around to it but it was a truncated trip so I didn't even get to re-hydrate my dinner.  I am working on something more important as of late.....

I'd like to take a moment to talk about what I am doing on Nov 7th.  I am a nerd and nerds play video games.  Except, in a few short days, my gaming will be purely for the benefit of the Children's Miracle Network and specifically Duke's Children Hospital.  People from around the nation will be playing games for 24 hours in a nerd-a-thon in order to raise money for their chosen hospital.  I've been trying to get some sponsors and donors but haven't made it very far into my $500 goal yet so I am extending out to the world, strangers, and anyone reading my blog to donate a couple dollars to this cause.  I'd rather you donate to this over clicking any of my affiliate links.

If you have a big heart and some spare money, please consider donating through this link.  I wish I had something to offer like a prize to win as incentive, but I do not.  Instead, use it as a tax write-off or to kick-off the holiday season with a gift to pay for the care of some really sick or injured kids.

For the GearHeads!

I'm sure most of you have seen the news so far that REI will be closing for Black Friday.  Kudos to them and I hope it sets a trend for others.  In fact, as of last night, I read that Outdoor Research will be doing the same.  BRAVO to both of these companies.  Earlier in the week I had contacted Outdoor Research due to some adhesive goo in my aging bivy sack.  This thing is nearly 20 years old.  The return response is that that want to replace my bag completely with a brand new one.  Outdoor Research just went way up the chart in my reputable companies list, not to mention they have some pretty decent gear.

I'd like to start adding in some reviews on my experience with gear and or companies in the near future to complement my lack of updates with Paleo-specific posts.  I know you can get reviews all day long from various sites but I wouldn't mind pitching in my own thoughts every once in a while.  Would anyone be interested in reading more of my drivel on the equipment I use?  Let me know.

Thank you all for anyone that has read this blog in this past.  I know I don't update often but I want to share what works for me and I certainly hope it helps others.

Inspired to do Asian Paleo for the trail

I haven't done much in the way of updating this blog nor my other plethora of websites due to an unrelenting year in IT.  I've done a few day hikes and I am prepping for a trip out to the Smokies for a weekend in October.  So, I thought it would be a good time to blow the dust of this thing.  I'm planning on some different recipes for this trip.  I've been experimenting with myself a bit so I think I will be changing up for the upcoming weekend with a heavier carb load in the evenings.  From the past trips I've tried to stick with a pretty strict Ketogenic style but it seems to have left me without as much energy as I might require.  I am a pretty thin person and I blow through any meal I consume so I think I will be safe with a carb load in the evening to restore glycogen levels.  My next dinner recipe should reflect that....after I figure out what I want to try and dehydrate.

Having said that I picked up a copy of Russ Crandall's Paleo Takeout: Restaurant Favorites Without the Junk.  If you're not familiar with The Domestic Man's site then do yourself a favor and head over there for some recipes.  Russ tends to lean more into his own version of Paleo and isn't afraid of dairy or starchier items.  It may not be the best approach for those battling SIBO, Candida, or other intestinal issues but I don't find a problem with it generally speaking.  I'm sure the more fanatical Paleo people will recoil in horror at some of the recipes.  Regardless, I've found his recipes to be very flavorful so he must have an excellent palate.  So, I didn't hesitate to grab a copy of Paleo Takeout.  It's mostly Asian meals (and yes rice is sometimes used) but there are also some American favorites.  I have been thoroughly impressed so far with all of the meals that I have chosen to create.  Do yourself a favor a grab a copy of this.  If you use the link above then, well, you'll do me a favor as well via Amazon but it's really only a few pennies at a time.  Anyway, it's worth the money for this title and has given me some inspiration for my next meal to try and prep, specifically; perhaps something with a little rice to up the carbs.  A year ago the mention of rice probably would've made me cringe but like anything else, moderation is always key.

Back to work I go, and when I return on here, I should have a perfectly crispy dehydrated meal for the trail and maybe something else new if I feel particularly inventive.