A few weeks ago, while still in Romania I decided finally to get on top of the mountains that I’ve seen from my window my entire life as a child. It was always one of my dreams to go hiking, but because of my spinal fusion and titanium implants I was always concerned about my back health. Ever since I changed my diet onto a plant based one, my back health improved and so have my pains. However, I am still careful about some of the activities I choose to do. I still can’t say yes to sky diving, but I can well be in between clouds up high.
All of a sudden hiking seemed like the right thing to do and there I was, off to conquer peak Omu im Bucegi Mountains, Romania, at over 2500m, for the first time. All I knew is that I needed good shoes and I went full on ahead. I had the excitement of a child and I was up at 5 blending and preparing my food for the day.
At 7am we were in the woods looking for our route. We decided to choose the more difficult one but shorter instead of the lighter one but longer. So far, so good, until… I’ll be honest with you and tell you that after the first 30 minutes through the muddy woods all I thought was “Why am I doing this?! What was in my mind to come? How will I make it up there?”… Then another voice would come and say “You can do this, there’s no way back now. And it’s not so much anyway. You’ve done 1 hour, got 5 more to go. “
It was challenging indeed. But I never, ever thought of giving up. Ever. Not even when my legs decided to stop. It was a mind over matter situation. I’ve had some of the deepest talks with my self, with my body and with my departed father. I also renegotiated with my body for every step and rock climbed. For a while I’ve had this scene from Facing the Giants playing in my mind. It’s on my running playlist too so I knew it by heart. I so recommend watching it! It always gets me going that extra mile.
Along the way I’ve also stopped and took in all the nature I could.
The scenery was breathtaking. I entered the zone and I left myself guided. Tears fell on my cheeks as I reached the top and my group was waiting for me clapping. Maybe it’s not Kilimanjaro or Everest, but for me, this was one of my biggest achievements. Never mind the hole in my heel! Once I was up I wanted to do it again. I forgot about the 5 hours of endurance.
That’s how I crossed a limit imposed unconsciously on my body and I gained more than I could have ever wished for. What did it take? Knowing that I should just keep going, there’s no way back and I can definitely do it. Looking back now I feel that it was a walk in the park. Amazing how we look back after we’ve achieved something. What can you do once you cross some of your limits and get out of your comfort zone? Think about it…
Something that definitely helped was having the right fuel. I’ve taken care of my nourishment properly, knowing that without it, I wouldn’t even make it past the first half.
This is what had for the day:
- 1 bag Trail mix – cacao nibs, soaked almonds, dates, coconut flakes – everyone’s favourite
- 1l Green Smoothie – before and during the hike
- 1 Amazing Rainbow Salad
- 2 Bananas
- 2 Alkaline Water – PH balance drops
- 1 vegan rice milk chocolate
You have the recipes below for the smoothie and salad. They are great for any work out or even as a daily pick me up.
Enjoy.
Mountaineer Green Smoothie2014-09-04 02:13:01To alkalise, energise and help recoveryNutrition FactsServing Size407gServings3Amount Per ServingCalories 102Calories from Fat 9% Daily Value *Total Fat 1g2%Saturated Fat 0g1%Trans Fat 0gPolyunsaturated Fat 0gMonounsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mg0%Sodium 97mg4%Total Carbohydrates 22g7%Dietary Fiber 9g34%Sugars 10gProtein 5gVitamin A217%Vitamin C92%Calcium15%Iron21%* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.Ingredients
- 2 cups blackberries
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 banana
- 1 handful sprouts
- 4 spoons chia, soaked over night
- 1 spoon maca
- 1 spoon turmeric
- 1 inch knob ginger
- 1/2 spoon spirulina
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Soak the chia overnight to pack them with water. If you don't have a high speed blender i recommend blending the blackberries first and strain them. It will remove the seeds and make the smoothie easier to drink and creamier.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well until smooth.
Denisa Maria - Rose High Priestess - Coach https://second-nature.co/Nourish Me Salad2014-09-04 03:15:23Nutrition FactsServing Size1275gServings2Amount Per ServingCalories 709Calories from Fat 192% Daily Value *Total Fat 23g35%Saturated Fat 3g16%Trans Fat 0gPolyunsaturated Fat 5gMonounsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 0mg0%Sodium 207mg9%Total Carbohydrates 109g36%Dietary Fiber 36g144%Sugars 34gProtein 30gVitamin A123%Vitamin C239%Calcium29%Iron59%* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.Ingredients
- 1 pepper
- 2 cucumbers (small)
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/2 red onion, small
- 1/2 kohl rabi
- 1 avocado
- 2 handfuls baby greens (I used water cress)
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1 handful sprouts
For the dressing
- 3 spoons olive oil
- 1 spoon mustard
- 1/2 lemon, peeled
- salt to taste
- 1 spoon soaked chia
- 1 slice ginger
Instructions
- Chop and slice the salad ingredients and add to a bowl.
- Add the dressing ingredients to a blender and mix until they become creamy. Combine the two and enjoy.
Denisa Maria - Rose High Priestess - Coach https://second-nature.co/
