Wellness

2016 may go down as the year that kicked the $%^& out of just about everything. The world seems like a more uncertain, angry and challenging place than it did one year ago. While I’m not one to ignore reality (my daily newspaper subscription won’t allow that), I do want to reflect on this year in a meaningful way, with heartfelt gratitude. Courtesy of my wellness retreat at Mountain Trek, I do a gratitude exercise every evening before sleep. Not…

Everyone looks forward to the break from routine while they’re on vacation. For many, the break in routine includes a break from regular physical activity. After all, you’re on holiday. This may not be an issue for individuals and families who are away for a few weeks and who are otherwise active. But for those who find it difficult to keep the momentum of activity going in their daily routine, taking a break from physical activity when you are on…

So I hiked for miles in the Kootenay Mountains, and lost 4.5 pounds and 6 inches. But what did I gain at Mountain Trek Retreat? As it turns out, a heck of a lot. Here are nine lessons learned from being brave and finding vitality during my week at Mountain Trek. 1. Carpe Diem – Seize the Day I remember the exact place and moment when the importance of enjoying the moment – seizing the day –  hit me. It was on the…

Our family is a pretty healthy bunch. We try to eat right, exercise, and wash our hands often. As a seasoned mom of teenagers, I have a well-stocked medicine cabinet and travel bag. Both contain our family’s go-to creams, pills and medications for just about any ailment. I have my favorites (burn ointment is a wonder), but I’m always open to trying new things, like Boiron homeopathic medicines. I’m particularly happy if they come from natural sources and offer homeopathic…

Okay, these aren’t really my boots. My hiking boots are green, Vasque boots from France. They haven’t been worn in more than ten years. Of course, I’ve been hiking many times during those ten years, in British Columbia, Italy, and Switzerland. I love hiking with my family, trying to keep up with my teenaged boys who are always miles ahead. But I’ve been using lighter, all-purpose shoes for those trips, and they’ve served me pretty well. This time, those shoes aren’t going to cut…