Local Hikes: PCT from Inspiration Point to Grassy Hollow

I had the pleasure of going for a short hike by myself the other day.  I must say that there is a certain freedom and joy in going for a walk in the woods all alone.  I feel like I tend to notice more than when I am with a friend.  Granted, I definitely have heightened awareness and tend to spook easier, but when I get the chance to hike alone I usually take it.

I have been going hiking around Grassy Hollow a lot lately.  The higher elevation makes it cooler in the scorching summer months, which is even more important now that I am often hiking while wearing a baby.

If you're looking for a short local hike to get some exercise, I recommend any segment on the PCT.  Around Grassy Hollow area, there are a plethora of different loops you can take.  From Inspiration Point (or "Inspo" as the kids call it), there is a large parking area to the North and South.  Park in the North lot, where the outhouse and horse stalls are at.  From here, head North on the PCT (though at this point of the 2,650-mile trail, it is more like West... so we will say head North-West).  If you're one of those people that always want the description in "left or right" terms, then head left as you are facing the outhouse.

The trail is refreshing and the elevation is nice and hilly.  

Getting Outdoors with Your Baby: Warm Weather Clothing and Eating on the Trail

Today is part two of my series on tips for getting outside with your little one.  This video is a continuation of last week's discussion on how to dress the baby.  It can be tricky if its hot out- you want to keep the baby out of the sun, but you also don't want to put on so many clothes that they overheat!  Keep in mind that it can be even warmer in the carrier, especially if they are close to your chest!

In the last video I referred to a washcloth-type-thing that is made for hot weather that you could use to stick in your baby carrier in hot weather.  I don't know why I seem to remember it being called a "froggie" or something- but I think I'm totally whack.  Must be the teething and lack of sleep that has be making things up.  But I did find something similar on Amazon here so you can get your froggie (that's what I'm calling it anyways).

This video also covers eating on the trail- pretty similar to eating when you're out and about, but you may just want to make sure you feel like you know what you're doing before you go outside.  Let me assure you- you know what you're doing!  You got this, momma!  (or dadda, or grammy, or grampie...)

Getting Outdoors with Your Baby : Clothing, Carriers, and Packs

This post is something new for me- a video post!  All about hiking with your little bundle of joy.

I have been slowly recovering (still not 100%) from childbirth almost 10 months ago- BUT I have been able to enjoy getting outside and being active. (You can read my last post on my birth story here if you're interested)

This is the first video of a four part series.  This post will cover how to dress your baby, and I talk about my baby carrier.  Also, what to do to carry your water, snacks, diapers, etc... AND carry your baby (oh yeah- don't forget the baby!)

Have a watch and take a look at the photos.  Hope you enjoy!

Such a happy baby when he's outside!

Notice our super awesome stylish warm long muslin triangle wrap technique.  One more layer for these winter hiking days.

Even our baby enjoyed these views of Mt. Shasta.

I am breastfeeding in the above photo and you can't even tell!  My awesome friend Sarah is carrying our pack full of trail necessities AND her baby.  What a gal.

Yeah, so I was kinda out of shape when we went to Yosemite, so luckily my friend Deanna is super fit and could carry my baby for me.  Notice Canyon's lil hat.  It lets in airflow and creates shade, plus has a velcro strap so it won't fall off.

Can-man passed out on the boat.  The muslin swaddle kept him cool but covered.

Had to get one family shot in there... :)

Canyon's Birth Story

I have taken a looong break from blogging, and for the record, I hate it when I read a blog and the blogger spends time apologizing for not writing for an extended time. It's like get over yourself, if I am reading this its because I googled something and your blog popped up... I have no idea how often you normally blog...B U T I feel like I kinda got a good excuse here to say that I haven't blogged in a while... I had a freaking baby! Of course I feel the need to write about my experiences with him, so he may be the subject of some posts from now on... but I digress. Here is the story of his arrival with likely too much detail for the average reader, but just enough for myself (I am sure my future self is thanking me riiight now). So... here's the story:

Canyon Nehemiah Overduin was born March 16th at 5:14 pm at Fontana Kaiser Hospital.  He weighed 6 pounds and 4 ounces (tiny though he was 6 days overdue! He was in the 3rd percentile for weight).

Canyon’s birth was pretty crazy (though I am sure every new mom feels this way about their labor and delivery!).  I basically did not follow the typical signs of labor progressing.  My contractions were 10 minutes apart up until about 15 minutes before I started pushing, and the closest they ever got were about 5 minutes apart.

On Friday the 11th (my due date was the 10th) I woke up in the middle of the night from some fairly painful contractions.  After they didn’t go away after an hour and were about 10 minutes apart, I decided to wake up my husband.  At this point I wasn’t completely sure if what I felt were in fact contractions.  For me they felt like period cramps at first, then I could feel tightening up to the top of the uterus.  My husband could see my stomach tightening, too.  After about an hour the pain went away, but I could still feel periodic tightening.  Eventually they died out and we went back to sleep.  This was the first of our bad nights of sleep :)

During Sunday I felt these contractions off and on.  We thought I was probably in pre-labor (yay!) which I was happy about especially since my OB wanted to induce me, though she was respecting my wishes to wait until I was 41.5 weeks, which I really appreciated (there was no medical need to be induced).  Sunday night they were painful enough to wake me up again, and that I needed to breathe through them.  I am accustomed to very painful periods that I also need to breathe through, and I teach yoga, so this came pretty naturally to me.  I found that I simply used the long inhale and exhale with an “O” mouth during my entire labor.  It was simple and allowed me to visualize what was happening in my body.  I visualized my cervix opening and the muscles of my uterus like blue ribbons (a technique from the hypnobirthing method).  Sometime on Monday I started to have bloody show, which continued up until Canyon’s birth.

My contractions continued throughout Monday, but were spaced pretty far apart.  It seemed that my labor always picked up at night, and by Tuesday at 2 am, I had 3 contractions in 10 minutes so we headed to the hospital.  We live about an hour away, and I had been in labor for a while so I didn’t want to wait too long.  This was the closest my contractions ever got before pushing (though I didn’t know it at the time), however, once we got in the car my contractions slowed down to about 1 every 10 minutes again.  In triage they examined me and said I was about 3-3.5 cm dilated and after 2 hrs of monitoring I was about 3.5-4 cm.  The nurse and midwife had looked at my birth plan on file and since I did not want any interventions or drugs, recommended that I come back when I have progressed further.  We went to Denny’s in hopes of making some progress, but then ended up going back home for another night.  At home I walked about a mile and a half, sat on the birthing ball, sat on the dilation station, did it all!

By Wednesday morning I was getting exhausted.  My husband had the routine down by now.  Every time he heard my breathing, he would bring a cold rag with lavender oil on my forehead and cheeks.  This happened all through the night so we woke up every 10 minutes for three days.  I was ready to do about anything to get this baby out of me.  I called the advice nurse and she said to stay home until my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart for 2 hours, which is the same  advice they gave me at the hospital.  I asked if it was normal to feel like this for so long to which she said, “girl, I was 4 cm for a month!”  This was crushing news.  I could not see how anyone could live like this for a month.  Looking back, I am sure that what I experienced was very different than what she experienced.  I had missed my last OB appointment the previous day (Tuesday) since I was at the hospital.  I knew they were going to start doing non stress tests on me since I was overdue.  I decided to call to schedule one, or try to talk to my OB.  My Ob was out, so I made the appointment for an NST.  Thank God that they had an appointment the same day at 1 pm.

We drove back down for the appointment, my contractions still 10 minutes apart and just as intense as they had been the whole time.  They were definitely too difficult to talk through and maintain focus on my breath.  When they examined me, they found that my fluids were low, so they said they were going to “induce” me (whatever that means when you’re already 4 cm).  I went across the street to the hospital and was settled in by about 3 pm.  As I was walking to the delivery room the OB commented, “you’re looking pretty good for being 4 cm!”  Well, once I was examined by the nurse she exclaimed “I can’t believe you’re not feeling this; you’re at 7 cm!”  I was shocked and so very happy!  I had mentally prepared for the worst but was so pleased that I was progressing even though my contractions were spaced far apart.

I told the nurse before I was examined that I preferred a natural childbirth, but that I was at the point where I would pretty much do anything to get this baby out.  We decided to wait and see how it went, and obviously once we knew I was at 7 cm the answer was clear.  I didn’t even need them to break my water.

Thank God I went in for the NST; I progressed extremely quickly but I still had the outer symptoms of being in early labor.  Within about 2 hours I was fully dilated and I pushed for about 10 minutes.  No drugs or interventions needed!  My bag broke once I reached 10 cm (though Canyon still had the bag partially around him and there was some debate by the nurses if my bag needed to be broken), where I IMMEDIATELY felt not only the urge to push, but the uncontrollable reaction by my body.  Had I not come for the NST I would have given birth at home!

The first two pushing contractions were kind of a mess.  But once I understood what my body was doing, I was able to focus and use “J breathing” to help birth him.  I felt like I could have birthed him slower so that I wouldn’t tear, but they were telling me the baby’s heart rate was dropping so I needed to push hard.  This of course gave me ultimate determination.  In my hyper-focused state I realized one of the nurses was on the phone requesting an immediate O2 tree; there was supposed to be one there and there wasn’t.  I realized even more that I needed to focus and listen to instructions.  They told me to breathe deeply during contractions and helped me push more effectively.  I got him out in about 4 pushes, but it was all such a blur that time slowed immensely.  I don’t remember when my Mom walked in the room, but I remember her saying, “I can see his head!”  Once he was born and brought right to my chest, I was filled with wonder.  All I could say is “Oh my gosh!” Over and over again.  He was beautiful, and I felt as though I recognized him from one of the later ultrasounds I had done.  His umbilical cord was still attached and really cool looking; it was curly!  I birthed the placenta with the next contraction; and I was surprised that this also hurt.  Everyone says it’s no big deal, which is true, but it’s not painless.  I requested to look at the placenta, which seemed huge!  Honestly, the worst part for me was being stitched up.  I had 2 tears and needed 2 stitches.  I also bled a lot, likely because I had high blood pressure.  They were very close to putting me on blood pressure medication while I was in labor.  The nurse said it was likely because I was internalizing the pain of labor.  Ummm, yeah I would think someone in labor for 3 days might have slightly elevated blood pressure!  But the tears are worth it to know Canyon is healthy.  He was alert from the moment they put him on my chest, but didn’t cry until they suctioned him, and even then for a moment.  A testament to natural childbirth!  After this experience, I actually believe it would be so much more difficult with an epidural.  But this was the right choice for me.  Following your instincts is absolutely the best path possible.

Update:

At four months postpartum I am just recently feeling like I can be active again.  It wasn’t until Canyon was three months that I felt able to work out and be able to do anything in the bedroom (sorry, Mom, hope you’re not reading this!).  It was extremely hard for me to not be active like I wanted to be during this time.  I thought that I did everything naturally, plus I worked out during my pregnancy, so recovery should be a breeze, right??? Well, not in my case.  But I am healing.  I am still not 100%, but I am slowly getting there.  Hopefully in a few months I will feel completely like my old self again.

K.I.S.S. Smoothies

I love smoothies.  Cool, refreshing, and delicious... I don't know anyone who can't get down with that.  I used to be somewhat intimidated by smoothie making... I thought it was only on those days where I had extra time to sit around and sip on a straw while sitting on my porch and reading.  But since then I have realized that it's a great go-to meal on busy days (especially when the heat is so intense that you don't have much of an appetite anyways).

The internet is full of inspiration for recipes for smoothies.  I'm just here to remind you of this concept: K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid)!  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the list of ingredients in these recipes, and then I discovered that pretty much anything works- so if it's in your fridge and it sounds good, try it!

Here's a general guideline as to what I usually include:

Half a cup of kale
2 teaspoons chia seeds
Plain yogurt
1-2 teaspoons agave nectar
Whatever fruit I have on hand
1/2 cup water

Sometimes I throw in some ice, too.  I usually have bananas since it's so easy to buy a bunch, then freeze them so they keep on hand.  Just make sure you break them up in smaller pieces so they blend easily!  Peanut butter is always a tasty addition to a banana smoothie.

I use a regular-old blender, a cheapie I bought for $20 at Target.  There are many fancy juicers and blenders out there, but don't be afraid to use your regular blender!  The important thing is to just try it!

What do you like to include in your smoothies?  I love hearing other folks' recipes!

Beginning Yoga Series: What Should I Wear to Yoga?

I have practiced yoga for about 6 years.  I remember walking into my first class, unsure of what to wear, what to, where to set up my mat, and what the words or traditions were.  Yoga is meant for everyone, but since it originates from a culture very different than our own, being a beginner yogi can feel very intimidating.  Not to mention the use of an entirely different language (Sanskrit) by some yoga teachers, and some classes that focus on chanting or meditation.  Yoga can feel like a very alienating experience, when it is in fact supposed be a very unifying experience.

I recently began teaching yoga, and through teaching beginners I am reminded of all the emotions I felt at the beginning of my yoga journey.  I wish I had had someone there to guide me through some of the questions I was experiencing in my mind, but did not feel comfortable enough to vocalize immediately.  As a result I will be writing a series of blog posts geared towards those new or newly interested in yoga (or if you just want to learn more).

This post: what to wear to a yoga class.

 Disclaimer: this will surely be geared towards women since I am drawing on first hand experience, and, well, I am a woman.  That being said, men will gain some insight from this post as well.

The first and most important guideline is to be comfortable.  You want to feel confident as much as possible, and what you wear can help your confidence.  Wear clothing that you can move around in, bend over in, and spread apart in where you won't feel overly exposed or restricted.  If you are unsure about an outfit, do these simple tests to see if it will work:

1.) Bend over and touch your toes
2.) Walk around and do a few lunges

How did that work?  Did your pants fall down?  Did your shirt fall up?  Were your pants so tight in the hips that it restricted movement?  [begin radio voice here] If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, this might not be the yoga outfit for you. [end radio voice]

Generally speaking, tighter fitting spandex-type clothing usually works well for yoga (with the popularity of yoga pants today, I am sure all of you had an idea that this was true).  The reason for this is because you can move freely and don't have the problem of shorts exposing your unmentionables as some loose fitting running shorts might do.  A loose shirt may fall up as you bend over in certain poses, and for this reason a tight fitting top may be more comfy (or you could try to tuck in a shirt, but again you likely won't feel as confident like this).  This isn't to say you can't wear running shorts, just make sure YOU feel comfortable in them first.  My first yoga teacher wore running shorts all the time, but I tend to feel uncomfortable and like I might show my undies off at any time... not my idea of confidence.

Yoga pants can be baggy!

If the idea of painted-on-looking yoga pants is repulsive to you, check out some new styles of yoga pants.  I have been seeing a new fad of pants that are very airy and baggy; they kind of look like the pants Aladdin and Jasmine wear.  This might be your cup of tea.  Though, I will say that it is helpful from the teacher's perspective to have students with tight clothing in order to check for proper form.

Secondly, wear shoes that you can slip off easily.  Yoga is done barefoot on a mat.  You can wear any shoes you like, but I like to wear sandals or Tom's so that I can easily slip them off right by my mat.

Leg warmers and other layers can be helpful

Thirdly, wear layers.  This tip is somewhat dependent on where your class is at and what type it is.  For example, if you are taking hot yoga, well, it's going to be hot.  Don't really need layers in that case.  The important thing to remember is that you ideally don't want to be cold since your goal is to warm up your muscles sufficiently so they aren't injured during any pose.  If you get cold easily, wear a sweater that's easy to zip off.  I teach outdoor classes, so this point especially applies when there is no climate control.  If in doubt, it's always easier to take a layer off rather than not have a layer to put on.  I really like the style of legwarmers and arm warmers, and they are really practical in this setting.  It's easy to wear capris with legwarmers until you move around and warm up, and then take the legwarmers off.  For outdoor yoga, you may even like to wear a tight-fitting hat to keep the sun off your face.

Fourthly, were your hair off your face.  Like with any exercise, those with long hair will likely find it more comfortable to have it out of your way.

And that's it!  You should be stylin' at your first yoga class!  Really, wear whatever you have and get started on your own personal yoga journey.  You shouldn't feel as if you need to go out and spend money on specific yoga clothing.  Wear what you have that you will feel the most comfortable in.  All I have provided you with are some guidelines that may help you feel more confident in those clothing choices you make.

As a side note, most of these suggestions will work great for when you try rock climbing, as well!

If you live near Wrightwood, California, I want to invite you to attend one of my outdoor yoga classes.  We have a lot of fun out in the mountains together, and I hope you can be a part of it!  Here is my website for more information: http://ceoverduin.wix.com/outdooryoga 

If you have any questions on what to wear, or any specific yoga questions, please leave me a comment below.

Namaste!

Local Hikes: Observatory Road

My knee has been giving me trouble lately, and as a result I have needed to take it easy on hiking.  Yesterday I felt up to trying something easy, so my husband and I opted to "hike" Observatory Road (Or, at least this is what I have always heard it called.  I am not sure if this is the real name).  I use the term hike sparingly; it's more like a meandering walk with rolling hills, and just a couple steep portions.  We usually use this road when we feel like running (something my knee definitely can't take right now), and I have had friends who like it to run with a jogging stroller since it is paved and wide.  It's also a great trail for mountain biking.  In all honesty, I am not sure as to what the rules are for being on this trail since it is there for access to JPL Observatory.  If there were ever issues with using this trail there are several hiking trails that intersect the road anyways, so it would be easy to enjoy the area but just avoid the paved road.

Paved path, wide and open, sweeping vistas; what more could you ask for?

The walk to the top from the turnout is 3 miles.  Once at the top, there is a radio tower and an observatory building.  Please do not mess with these buildings!  I want to continue to enjoy the area, and I would hate for access to be shut down due to irresponsible visitors.  {rant now over}

The trail provides 360 degree views.  In the beginning of the walk, there are views of Mountain High East ski resort, and as you continue there are views of the San Gabriels to the South.  Once you meander away from this (and are almost to the top), you will find views of the desert to the North, including portions of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Something that my husband pointed out as being interesting is that you are in a Yellow Pine Forest most of the walk (you know- Jeffery Pines, Ponderosa Pines- basically all the trees you find in the town of Wrightwood), but as you reach the top (and are at a higher elevation) you find yourself among Pinion Pines.  The desert really does meet the mountains at this point, and with views of the desert for miles, you really feel you are indeed on the edge of these two plant communities.  {botany rant now over}

During the summers we like to use this trail for a night hike on a full moon.  There is less chance of tripping over a root, etc. on this smooth trail.  During the day, bring plenty of water since there is a fair amount of sun exposure on this trail.

To get to this road/trail, drive up Table Mountain Road from Highway 2 (this is where there is a fork in the road at Mountain High West; Table Mountain Road is the fork on the right).  Wind up this road, once you have a good view of Mountain High West, pull over in the large turnout.  Park here and walk on the gated road to the East.

Overall, this is a great trail if you would rather "take it easy," or if you want to bike or run it.  The elevation is pretty high (about 8,000 feet), so its great for training for 5k's or 10k's.  Keep your eye out for wildlife!  We always see at least some red-tailed hawks flying around our heads.

Happy trails!