Category Archives: Education

Digital Detox Coming Right Up

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“Dinner’s ready”…”DINNER’S READY!”….”GET DOWN HERE NOW BEFORE I FEED THE DOG YOUR DINNER!!!”.

I’ve found myself having to do this more and more each evening because my family is usually consumed in the movie they are watching, the video game they’re playing or the website they’re scouring.

Now I can’t put it all on them, I have my moments of screen consumption as well. But lately I’ve been bugged by it much more. I’ve become aware of the conversations with no eye contact, the “huhs and whats”, and the frustrating need to repeat things. And this is coming from a household where screen time is monitored and getting outdoors is encouraged greatly.

All this screen time and its side effects is causing concern to more than just me. Did you know there is now a  National Day of Unplugging to urge everyone to step away from the screen. This year its set for March 23-24. I encourage you to look into it. It might be something you and your family may want to experiment with.

The latest research by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that the average child in the U.S. between 8 and 18 now watches more than 7 1/2 hours of entertainment media per day! And in recent years technology has provided us with multiple forms of screen opportunities in our home. And it’s no secret that it contributes to obesity. It’s hard for me to watch a movie without something to snack on in the process. And it just feels good to be lazy sometimes.

Click on this link and Watch these obesity trends change from 1985 to 2010. This amazing visual is provided by the CDC. In 2010 some states reported having up to 34% of its population being obese. Colorado was reported having the lowest obese population at 21%…anybody else want to relocate? :)

Here’s another obesity visual for you but this is specific to children and adolescents rather than adults:

That steady incline is hard to ignore. But it’s not fair to say all screen time is bad. I think I heard it somewhere that it’s like saying an ax is bad because you can kill someone with it. When in reality an ax can be used to cut firewood to stay warm or build a home to protect you. To me it all comes down to monitoring your time and use.

Here Are Some Ideas For Digital Detox:

  • Put digital devices like phones in a basket during dinner and have a real conversation.
  • Set aside specific screen time. (use an egg timer or you’ll enter the black hole of no return)
  • Unplug more on Sunday so you can reboot refreshed at the beginning of the week.
  • Say these four words…”Go Outside And Play”

Now as far as dinner time is concerned, I think I’ll be serving up a little digital detox of my own if they don’t come the first time I call. I’ll just save my breath and take my utility scissors to the cord…mwahahaha (evil mom laugh).

How do you monitor your families time and use of digital devices?

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Learn From My Dutch Oven Mistakes

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I ran across a recipe the other day for Dutch Oven Cheesecake. Damon had a birthday coming up and he loves cheesecake so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try it out.

In my mind I had visions of this becoming a family favorite, with my children gathering around me with praises of my exquisite dutch oven abilities, my husband requesting it every year for his birthday and sharing the success of it all with you here.

WRONG!


The entire experience reminded me of a quote I put in my last post. “The word adventure has gotten overused, to me, adventure is when everything goes wrong. That’s when the adventure starts.” - Yvon Chouinard

So, uh, this was an adventure I guess because everything DID go wrong!

Wrong Turn #1 – The recipe is for a 10 inch dutch oven, mine is a 12. So I did some mathematical modifications on my own. Let’s just say some continuing education wouldn’t hurt.

Wrong Turn #2 – I was impatient and didn’t let my charcoal become totally white before putting it under and on top of my dutch oven. So instead of taking 1 hour to cook it took 4 hours, and that’s after I tried adding more charcoal and eventually just sticking it in the oven.

Wrong Turn #3 – When I took the lid off I tilted it to one side, allowing ash to pour onto the cheesecake.

The kids were in bed and by 9 o’clock Damon still hadn’t blown out any birthday candles. Finally after a movie and scraping off the top layer of ash we took our first bite. The crust had a faint taste of lighter fluid and the cheesecake itself was lacking…sugar.

Overall it was an adventure and next year Damon may be getting a hostess cupcake for his birthday. And although this post sounds pessimistic I really am a “the glass is half full” kind of gal. I will be trying more dutch oven recipes in the future and hopefully have some successful ones to share with you all. But until then hopefully you can learn from my dutch oven mistakes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AWESOME HUBS! My best friend and companion in adventure! P.S. My dutch oven skills are nothing compared to my love for you. ;)

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An Epic Journey To Inspire You

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Over the weekend we watched 180 South. It was available to watch instantly on Netflix and the synopsis sounded cool so we gave it a try. Little did I know that this adventure documentary would inspire me beyond words.

The story features a man who retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes to Patagonia. There’s a lot of surfing and climbing along the way and a simple reminder that journeys and difficult experiences can help us grow and learn. The film also has an underlying story of the environment and our consumption habits as a society, but it’s not overwhelming so you don’t have to be a tree-hugger to appreciate it.

trailer

If you’re going to watch it have a pencil and paper ready because this film is overflowing with quotes to live by. Here’s a couple of my favorite…

“I’m drawn to open country. It’s where everything becomes clear, where the world makes the most sense. When I put myself out there, I always return with something new. A friend once told me: The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning, you didn’t even think to ask.” - Jeff Johnson

“The word adventure has gotten overused, to me, adventure is when everything goes wrong. That’s when the adventure starts.” - Yvon Chouinard

“I think first and foremost, people only protect the things they love. And you can’t love something unless you inherently identify with it.” -Kris Tompkins

“And in response to people saying,’You can’t go back.’ and I say, ‘Well what happens when you get to the edge of the cliff. Do you take one step forward or do 180° turn and take one step forward? Which way you goin? Which is progress?’ The solution to many of the world’s problems is maybe to turn around and to take a forward step.” – Yvon Chouinard

“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.” -Alex Huxley Chouinard

One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Yvon talks about these rich people who pay a ton of money to have someone take them up Mt. Everest. They have someone set the ladders for them, cook their food and roll out their sleeping bags putting a chocolate on their pillow. He goes on to say that “The whole purpose of climbing something like Everest is to effect some sort of spiritual and physical gain. But if you compromise the process you’re an a#! when you start out and an a#! when you get back.”

I found this a metaphor for life. Even though it definitely gets hard at times YOU have to go through it without compromising the process or else you won’t change or progress. That’s what this life is all about…learning from our experiences and becoming better.

Although this movie makes me want to go on an epic journey of my own I realize that it doesn’t have to be to Patagonia on a boat to make it successful. I have to figure out what my own epic journey will be. And to tell you the truth I think our faimly is on a mini journey each time we go out exploring. Every hike or climb seems to teach us a life lesson along the way. And I’m grateful for those moments with my kids.

What would your epic journey be?


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Outdoor Apps I May Try To Figure Out

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If you think because I run this website I’m techno savvy you’re mistaken. I don’t even have a smart phone. Which bugs me cause it implies that my phone is stupid…poor little guy, he can’t help it that he doesn’t know where the cheapest gas is.

I’ve tried to remain faithful to my phone but I’m starting to see the major benefits of the smartphone. These outdoor apps may push me over the edge to buy one.

Outdoor Apps I May Try To Figure Out

  1. Dutch Oven Calculator (free) – I was looking through a scouting magazine the other day and came across this one. You just input the size of your pan in inches, the target cooking temperature, and the desired cooking method (bake, roast, fry). The calculator then tells you how many charcoal briquettes to place on the top and bottom of the oven. For Android Users
  2. Moon 3D (free) – This allows you to calculate the moon phase on any given date. So if you want to plan a night hike you’ll be sure to have enough light. For Android Users
  3. Scats & Tracks Of N. America ($1.99) – This app lets you figure out what animals have been on the trail before you. I’m sure my kids would love this one, trying to match up footprints. For Android Users
  4. Star Chart (2.99) - Just point your phone up at the sky and this app will tell you what constellation it’s looking at. Great way to  make your kids think you’re a genius! For Android Users
  5. Backcountry Navigator (9.99) – The most spendy outdoor app I’ve come across but I hear it’s worth it. If you don’t have a GPS this is a great way to see what it’s all about. See where you’re at on a hike using a handy topographic format. You can also save waypoints and share info on social networks. For Android Users
  6. Let’s Go Chipper (.99) – This app is for the little ones in your family. It’s a little cartoon squirrel that entertains and educates about nature through music, movies, coloring pages etc. For i-phone Users
  7. Ski And Snow Report (free) – Gives you snow reports for any resort around the world! For i-phone Users
  8. Pano (1.99) – Allows your phone to take panoramic pictures, perfect for sharing your summit view with friends and family. For i-phone Users
  9. Knot Time (3.99) – Use this guide to refresh your memory on all those useful knots, tying the sled up to the dog, lashing your friends to the outhouse etc. For i-phone Users
  10. All Trails ( Free) – Helps you find trails to explore wherever you may have ended up that day. For i-phone Users

Okay I admit it, my phone has been outsmarted. Maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

So do you have a smartphone? What apps are your favorite?

UPDATE: (1/6/12) Here are some other great apps that many of you have brought to my attention…

  • Ranger Rick Apps (1.99) – Ranger Rick has some new wildlife apps for kids, three in fact. Click The Birdie (ages 7 & up), What Did The Snakey Eat? (ages 2-5), and Raiders Of The Last Aardvark (ages 7 & up). They’re educational games with a focus on nature. For i-phone Users.
  • Google Sky Map (free) – This app turns your phone into a window on the night sky. It tells you the name of stars, planets and constellations. Sounds similar to Star Chart but free!


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Using Outdoor Metaphors To Teach Your Kids

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I often use metaphors in my counseling with adults and youth.  One of my favorite wintertime metaphors is cross-country skiing and following rules.

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Unlike snowshoes or snowboards, cross-country skis are made for nice groomed tracks.
Having nicely groomed trails with cross-country skis help increase the distance of the kick and glide, is a great way to get out and get some exercise and cover a great deal of distance.  Without a groomed trail those long skinny skis struggle in the snow, tips cross, and travel is difficult and frustrating.

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Rules are similar to these nicely groomed trails.  They give us boundaries with which to kick and glide through our lives, reach our goals, and enjoy the scenery.  It is hard to enjoy life if we are constantly worried about getting caught.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place to blaze our own trails and cut through the deep powder, but even then there are rules to staying safe and surviving the run.  If we break too many rules we get buried in the avalanche of consequences.

We don’t always need adrenaline to be happy, there is a peace and joy that comes from the smooth kick and glide in life.

How do you use the outdoors to teach your kids? In 2012 I hope you will strive to recognize teaching opportunities while outside recreating with your kids.

If you liked this post you may also like:

Lures – Talking with your kids about drugs, alcohol and peer pressure

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