Chickpeas Gone Wild

Normally, I make small packages/baggies of my favorite hiking snacks, but it is a little thrilling to find something that is already a single serving and doesn't need refrigeration.

I found these little beauties in World Market.  They are going to be best for day hiking or maybe weekend backpacking where you don't have to worry about pack weight or the extra space these will take up.

Looks like they are available nationwide or get them online here.

Hummus is a great tasting, protein rich snack.  Just bring along some tortillas or crackers (careful not to crush them into teeny tiny crumbs).

For longer trips, there are a few options for hummus loving folks.  My first ever backpack trip was a short overnight with some amazing ladies.  One of them brought a bag of hummus dry mix.  I'm not sure what brand she had, but it was similar to the one made by Fantastic Foods.  There are others though, so choose your favorite.  I have not personally seen it in stores near me, but everything under the sun can be purchased online.  The directions may call for added oil when mixing, but I'm positive we didn't have any oil on the trip and it turned out just fine.  Just add water.

For one or two people a bag of mix could last for several days of snacks depending on how much or little you mix at a time.

You can also dehydrate your own.  I would recommend making it yourself and not buying.  You would not want much if any oil in your dehydrated hummus.

Working with what you've got.

So, I've just been invited to backpack a few passages of the Arizona Trail in the spring.  Nothing is set in stone yet, but I think we can make it happen.

A little background:  I have been in a rather tenuous work situation for almost a year.  I am technically employed but not working full time or even close to full time.  I have been job hunting without success for a while.  I have also been sitting on my butt and inserting copious amounts of food into my face.  So I have been taking steps to A) stop wallowing in my own self pity and B) get out of the house.  I am going to work with the cards I've been dealt until something better presents itself.

Those cards are basically saying that nothing is going to change anytime soon.  Soooooo, I am going to get back into hiking shape (for me that is rounded but perfectly capable).  My 33 year old legs are a bit weak after months of being sedentary.  That was made only too clear on my recent snowshoe trip.

I look happy (and I am) but I am worn flat out.

I hiked 30 miles of the AZT last May.  I learned a lot from that experience.
First:  I am not going to complete a passage in one day if it is over 12 or 13 miles.  That's just my limit.  I am a firm believer that hiking should be fun and I just don't have fun when I am struggling.  Normally, I can hike more miles than that in one day, but carrying a pack on a multi-day trip is something I like to take my time on.
Second:  Wear amazing shoes/boots.  Last year I wore the boots I had.  They were old and the fit was less than perfect.  My feet bore some very impressive blisters as did the feet of my dear friend.  Our planned 60 mile backpack turned into a 30 mile backpack and two days of sightseeing at the Grand Canyon because, and I think you'll back me up on this, it ain't fun to limp for 30 miles on torn up feet.  I believe in happy, blister free feet.

So since then I have found the most comfortable hiking shoe ever made by the hand of a man.  Last Oct I hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim over four days and had ZERO hot spots and almost no soreness...in my feet that is.  I'm not paid to recommend them, I just love them.  So check them out here or don't.  Yep they are astronomically expensive, but I have managed to get them for 40% off at a local shop.  Probably because the color is odd and must have been discontinued since I can only seem to find it on clearance.

Disclaimer:  No one shoe will be right for everyone.  I just know these are right for me.

So I am committed now to my daily walks with PS, getting out on the weekends to hike those mountains, and yoga in my living room.  I have about 3 months before hitting the AZT again.  Peace out.  Time for stretching.

Outgoing VM messages...Why bother.

When my work cell starts ringing, I go through several stages of emotion.  Panic, annoyance, anger, and eventually the devastation of defeat.  It is probably something I can't just ignore.

Today, I decided to ignore that bad boy.  Not 5 seconds later it rang again.  This time the caller left a garbled message in my vm which clearly states my name and company.  And then called again. And again.  No less than five times until I decided to answer.

"This is P****. . .Hello"  Hang up.

It rang again.  "Hello, this is P****."
"Hello?"
"Hello."
"Who is this?"
"This is P****. Who is this?"
"Uh, I must have the wrong #."
"Yeah, a lot 'o times."

It cracks me up that people will leave a message for a stranger.  I could say my name is Princess Prissy Pants and no one would bat an eye.  I once got a message from someone talking about needing to hear back because they had to get people off the plane!  Yeah, ok.  I'll get right on that.

Lightening fast change of subject:  I have been obsessed with spring rolls lately.  I'm not a recipe person so here's the best I can do.

Buy veggies, spring roll wrappers, and dipping sauce. 
Saute veggies with whatever spices or sauces you prefer.  (Or leave 'em raw.)
Roll 'em up.
Dip 'em in sauce.
Insert in mouth. ( I think you can take it from here, right?)

Yum.  I added some tempeh to the last few batches.  So if you ever find yourself wondering why that idiot didn't listen to the name stated in your outgoing vm message, make some spring rolls.  Veggies make things better. :)