Feb 18 2010

Grand Canyon Hike – Day 1

Posted by JacQ

It was awesome that Barna and Erin was able to stop by Arizona and have a few days of fun with us. We really enjoyed their company.

Erin wanted to hike the Grand Canyon, so we planned a day hike from Bright Angel Trail and see how far we were able to go. By the time we reached Plateau Point, it was about half way down the canyon. So Jeremy suggested that we should just continue the hike down to Phantom Ranch and spend the night.

Amazingly, we were able to get online with Jeremy’s Blackberry to check the contact info for making reservation for Phantom Ranch, and Erin called to book us the rooms and dinner for the night. This is why Verizon Wireless rocks! The staff was amazed that we were able to call from Plateau Point!

It was a 11.5 mile hike day~ We were really tired by the end of the day, but also really happy that we did it.

The gang at the trail head of Bright Angel Trail - 6860 ft Elevation A little icy on the top Grand Canyon Grand Canyon Lots of swtich backs Grand Canyon Grand Canyon Taking a quick break at the Mile-and-a-half Resthouse - 5729 ft Elevation Jeremy looking cool~ JacQ self portrait with Erin~ Erin, the sprinting hiker~ Plateau Point in the distance Mule supply chain~ Working mules at Grand Canyon Cowboy chatting with hikers Jeremy taking the lead~ The valley leading into the canyon Looking back, we came down from the top of that cliff... A little black and white action~ Plateau Point Trail on the left - about 3800 ft Elevation Taking a quick break at the beginning of Plateau Point Trail Plateau Point Trail on the left view of the Tonto Plateau Cool Purple Prickly Pear Cactus The guys were talking, so they slowed down~ Panoramic view of the South Rim from Plateau Point Trail Plateau Point - 6.1 miles into the hike - 3760 ft Elevation You can hear the majestic Colorado River roaring 1,300 ft below Ah, the view of Inner Gorge~ this is the right way to experience Grand Canyon J2Davis shot~ Barna at Plateau Point Awesome shot of Jeremy At the edge of the Plateau Point Panoramic view of the Plateau Point Layers and layers of history~ Barna and Erin taking a break Taking in the view... Begging squerrle at Plateau Point Cute little squerrle who comes out when he hears and smells food Say hello to the camera He realized I did not have food~ Oh, found some from others Leaving me to find more food from other hikers Begging squerrle at Plateau Point Jackpot for the begging squerrle at Plateau Point Helping himself with some snacks Begging squerrle at Plateau Point checking out J2Davis.com Another look at the awesome view before heading towards Phantom Ranch Taking a quick break at Indian Garden before the 5 mile hike to Phantom Ranch Cool trail along the rock face More awesome rock features Jeremy taking some photos Erin and Barna at Grand Canyon Beautiful weather for a hike at Grand Canyon Lizard at Grand Canyon Another short break Creek crossing Meandering trail down the canyon... yes, that is where we are heading... Grand Canyon Quick photo break The trail that just kept going... Some cool white plants along the trail JacQ's self portrait at Grand Canyon Love the pattern of the rocks in the wall Jeremy in Grand Canyon Taking a snack break by the River Resthouse / Pipe Creek - 9.5 miles into the hike, 2480 ft Elevation View of the Colorado River from the Bright Angel Trail JacQ in Grand Canyon Awesome view from the Bright Angel Trail Jeremy having a blast Awesome plants on the trail Finally, the Silver Suspension Bridge - 10.5 miles into the hike JacQ and Jeremy on the silver suspension bridge Taking a look at the south bank of the Colorado River from the north bank Sign about the Silver Bridge Trail leading to Phantom Ranch Cool bench Bright Angel Creek by the Phantom Ranch - 11.5 miles into the hike - 2546 ft Elevation Girls' dorm room Girls' dorm on the left, boys' on the right JacQ soaking her sore feet in the cold Bright Angel Creek Crystal clear water of the Bright Angel Creek JacQ's crazy blister on top of her toes Beautiful view from Phantom Ranch Cloud in the sky that is shaped like the word Big steak dinner at Phantom Ranch My after long hike meal~

Feb 12 2010

Food Matters – You are what you eat~

Posted by JacQ

Thanks to Cage Free Family, I learned about the movie – Food Matters.

It is true… across cultures and countries, we all know – you are what you eat. Today, through the fast food chains, over-processed food, frozen dinners, unbalanced diet, we are heading into a world constantly managing poor health and weight issues. Let me correct myself, we ALREADY ARE in a world constantly managing poor health and weight issues.

A good start is to start supporting organic farming by finding out about your local farmers markets, purchase from local farmers who practice organic and sustainable farming. Learn more about how well balanced diet can help increase energy.

Since we are now staying in Phoenix, AZ area for a while, I have found out about the Arizona Community Farmers Markets. They post a calendar for all the dates and locations for you to see.

I have been to half of the locations they offer and I am in heaven!

The latest one I went was the Skysong Farmers’ Market at ASU Skysong Center (Thursdays from 3pm – 7pm). I saw a few of my favorite vendors there!

Big Happy Farms for their wonderful selection of locally grown fresh produce and satisfying collection of locally grown citrus. I am addicted to the Meyer Lemon they have at their booth. I have been making fresh squeezed Meyer lemonade with a few leaves of fresh mint for a refreshing and healthy drink. Tastes much better and healthier than store bought juices and sodas~

Gibson Girl Greenery for their great selection of beautifully potted herbs and plants. Josie, the owner, is incredibly kind and helpful. Please stop by to say hello and start your own herb garden today!

Arizona Buffalo Company for their selection of all natural Arizona buffalo meat products. I got a 1.5 lb of buffalo tenderloin and made a Japanese Steak House style stir fried rice with it, oh~ I can’t wait to make it again… Jeremy and I were both extremely happy with how that dinner turned out~ If you want any particular cut of meat, they recommend you call ahead and tell them, so they can check availability and bring the meat to you or the market you are going to be visiting.

I wish I have photos to show, maybe next time I go, since every time I went, I ended up buying so much my hands were too full to hold the camera too~

Another great thing I have learned from the movie Food Matters, is about Andrew W. Saul, the author of Doctor Yourself. The mega dose vitamins treatment is in ways much safer than prescription drugs. You will be amazed with what high dose of vitamin C can help you recover or even prevent the most common cold and flu. However, I don’t want to claim that it works for everyone. So far it has worked awesome for me. Whenever I feel the start of a cold/flu, I will take roughly 3000 mg of vitamin C and about 90% of the time, I don’t have to deal with being sick, or if I do, I recover from it within 24 hours.

For example, I woke up with a swollen right tonsil and it hurt really bad whenever I tried swallowing… not sure what to do but I took in 3500 mg of Vitamin C and lots of water to see if I can fight it off~ ( I think this was a result of having party food from the night before, double dipped hummus…)

By that evening, the swollen tonsil was almost gone and I did not have to take anything beside vitamin C with lots of water.

All I wanted to say is that Food Matters offers information that you might find helpful and surprising, and if you are willing, give their advises a try, and see if it makes any difference for you. I have asked Blockbuster to add the movie to their collection and they did, so you can get it from their online rental. They even offer the film to be viewable online for $4.95 if you would like to watch it now!

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