Mountain biking Fromme and Squamish
Rupert, Entrails, Bony Elbows, Hueso, Recycle, Upper Oil Can, Pipeline.
Bravery/ Love & Relationships/ Meaning & Passion/ Perseverance/ Zesty Adventures
The Trail of Impermanence
The Noble Path
Trees lose their leaves, sunshine turns to rain, trails break down and your favourite features shift from one to another as your riding ability improves—impermanence is an undeniable and inescapable fact of human existence.
Buddha stated that in this world nothing is fixed or permanent. Nothing remains the same—human life, trees, mountains, streams, thoughts, feelings, perceptions and emotions. And part of the suffering we experience in life is because of our attachment to impermanent things. We mistakenly believe these impermanent things like people, relationships, careers and circumstances are what make us suffer. It’s not impermanence that makes us suffer, it’s wanting things to be permanent when they are not. Continue Reading…
The dirtier the ride, the better
I always feel better once my tires hit the gravel and I set off into the woods. The further I go, the dirtier the ride, the happier I am at the end. But is this increasing ease and pleasure we experience in nature simply coming from escaping reality to de-stress?
Nope. Scientists have discovered that bacteria living in mosses on tree branches and in the dirt are floating through the air and interacting with us—in particular, with the bacteria in our gut. And this dirt bacteria has been proven to enhance our well-being and have antidepressant effects. Microbes like bacteria and fungi are often associated with disease, however most microbes are beneficial. Continue Reading…
Riding in circles of animosity
You’re riding down a trail and you get a flat tire, what’s your next move? Do you stop and take a moment to fix it or do you get angry, keep riding and blame whatever gave you the puncture for slowing you down, ruining your ride and destroying your rim?
So often in life people hurt each other, and then carry a heavy burden of bitterness that consumes their heart. And if forgiveness does cross their mind, they often say the offender deserves it, I’m not apologizing until they do or I can’t let them win.
Continue Reading…
Ride your own ride
If you’ve ever tried to keep up with someone beyond your skill level or who’s style is different from yours, than you understand how it can deplete your confidence or cause you to crash. This happens because you’re not being present in your mind—and you start to become careless and reckless.
It’s important to take responsibility for yourself, and this fact is the same in all aspects of your life. When you’re mindful of your needs and feelings, you become a much better versions of yourself— you can focus on the right things, and everything gets better. Continue Reading…
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
I picked up some in-season stinging nettles from Nutrient Dense Farm at the Squamish farmer’s market this weekend! Although you may cringe at the memory of a sting from this little bugger, nettle is actually a very nutrient-dense food and a remedy for many medical conditions including allergies and arthritis. Nettle tastes much like spinach when cooked, and it’s a fantastic substitute to try in things like pasta, pesto, soups, smoothies, pizza and gomae.
Nettle is esteemed as a famous longevity herb in chinese medicine, containing high levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene and chromium — all important nutrients for muscle growth and health. Continue Reading…
Health Tips/ Nutrition for Sport/ Plant-Based/ Vegan/ Wellness
Zesty Fuel: What I eat on an average day
Eating healthy is a form of self-respect
I’ve always eaten quite healthy, but since switching to a plant-based vegan diet, I’ve seen accelerated effects on my well-being. I’ve had improvements such as enhanced energy, healthier skin, improved digestion and a less expensive grocery bill—it’s anything but a hindrance.
I don’t subscribe to the “low carb”, “high fat”, “paleo”, “ketogentic” etc. fads. I’ve found that by eating whole, nutrient-dense plant-based foods, I don’t need to worry about my weight or taking supplements. It doesn’t need to be complicated—eat real food!
Continue Reading…