Tag: health

What I Love About the BWCA!

What do I love about the BWCA? 
Have you heard of the Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA)? If you are a faithful follower of my blog you have. The BWCA is a magical place. There is so much about the BWCA that I love. Want to know what tops my list? 
  1. Quiet! – It is an area for canoeing; truthfully that is your only way in. There are no motorized vehicles, no noisy motors zipping around. You paddle your way through it. You have what you bring in and what nature provides, nothing else. When you get to land you pick up your stuff (including your canoe) and carry it till you get to land. All you hear is nature and the occasional paddles hitting water. It is shocking to come back to reality after so much isolation and quiet. 
  2. Nature– It is the only place I have been to where nature is really left alone. The camp sites consist of a pit toilet and a cooking grate, lots of trees, and critters. It is really you and nature. You hear the wolves howl. We saw a moose swimming across the lake, have been visited by ducks, and heard bears over on an island. It is beautiful!
  3. Privacy -The campsites are spread out; maybe 2 on a small lake and 5 on a bigger lake. You may go the whole time and see only the people you brought with you or see others on the paddle in and the paddle out. Emy and I skinny drip. It is so freeing! Why bother with a swimming suit when it is just you and the critters? 
  4. Beauty – The BWCA is one of the prettiest places I have ever been. Serene beauty is everywhere you look. Shimmering lakes, undisturbed forests, big skies, and wildlife. It is where I feel God! Nature is my church; nowhere (that I have been) is as undisturbed as the BWCA. 
  5. FUN – And a lot of work, but it is the kind of work you feel real proud of when you are done. You feel like “Hell ya! I just did that!”. You can fish if so inclined. Everything is cooked over an open campfire (or a camping stove). You sleep in a tent and spend the rest of your day outdoors. If it rains hang  out under a tarp. I am telling you – there is nothing like it! 
There are so many more reason I love the BWCA…. but for 7pm on Monday night this is a good start. I love you all and appreciate you for stopping by and reading my blog! I look forward to the next time. Have a wonderful rest of your Monday! 

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, like so many beautiful areas, may be at risk from exploitation. If you feel so moved please sign the petition below to save this amazing natural resource!

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/tell-department-interior-and-bureau-land-management-protect-boundary-waters

11 Ways to Improve Your Immune System

It is the season when people are coughing and sneezing around every turn. It seems inevitable that we will catch something. This is not necessarily true. You can protect yourself by ensuring that your immune system is in top working order. Here are some simple things you can do to pump up your bodies natural guard team.
1. Eat your leafy greens. Fill 2/3 of your plate with leafy greens, cook them into your eggs or wilt them into soups and stews.
2. Get your Zzzs. Getting your nightly rest helps your body put its energy toward the immune system. Everybody’s sweet spot for sleep is a little different. For me it is 7-8 hours.
3. Vitamin C. Vitamin C is such a great immune booster. Whether you get is naturally or as a supplement it can really help you power through this time of year untouched.
4. Echinacea. This pretty plant, when dried and taken as an herb, can really help support your immune system. It is part of the trifecta I take if I start to feel like I am coming down with something.
5. Zinc. Be careful with this one. With this mineral more is not better. But using zinc lozenges or taking a tablet a day for a short period of time can be effective in preventing the sniffles from taking hold.
6. Put down the soda! Trading your sugary or artificially sweetened soda for water can help your body too. If your body doesn’t have to process the chemicals it can work on battling the bugs.
7. Choose beneficial foods. Shiitake mushrooms, garlic, onions, broccoli are all helpful in combating attackers.
8. Chicken soup. If you are not a vegetarian like me this old wives tail is worth a shot. I have seen it be very beneficial in clearing up a stuffy head.
9. Hot tea with honey and lemon. This is one of my moms fixes for a sore throat. Honey has great healing properties and a nice hot cup of tea feels great on a cold day.
10. Move your body. Exercise not only feels great but it helps keep you body running like a well oiled machine. Even better if you can do it out in the sun to get some natural vitamin D.
11. Starve a fever, feed a cold. This may just be an old wives tale, but I find it beneficial to allow myself to take in lots of good healthy food to give my body plenty of fuel to make the germ fighting white blood cells it needs.
I hope you find these tricks helpful to pump up your immune system. Remember to check with your doctor prior to taking vitamins, minerals, and herbs if your health is complex or if you have questions.
What are your go to techniques to keep yourself healthy?