by Jill Schuman |
June 27, 2017
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Let’s start with the obvious: You should really buy shoes that fit. One of the biggest reasons people get blisters is because they’re wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. (You can read more about that here.) But let’s just say, hypothetically, you’re favorite pair of shoes are just a hair too small. Or those heels that were on sale for crazy cheap are a wee bit wide. For whatever reason, if you’re stuck with a pair of shoes that aren’t a perfect fit, try these three eNZees techniques to help soothe your sole!
These Shoes Are Too Small!
Your new running shoes are a great fit, except when you’re going downhill. That’s when you realize your toes are rubbing against front of the shoe. Try lightly covering the front of your toes with eNZees to reduce the friction. You can wrap it between your toes to help hold it in place as you pull your sock on. The wool will weave into the front of your sock over the course of your run.
These Boots Are Too Wide!
Sometimes when your boots are too wide, your foot can slip side to side. Try putting some eNZees underneath your forefoot. This will protect the skin from friction caused by even the most subtle movements. Hold it in place as you pull your sock over your foot. It will eventually weave into the fabric and stay in place.
These Heels Are Too Big!
Are your heels sliding up and down against the back of your shoe? Heel blisters can be some of the most painful. Take a big wad of eNZees and stick in the back of your sock. The wool will reduce the friction caused by up and down rubbing and prevent painful blisters.
Goldilocks says the shoes that are just right are the ones that fit! We recommend shopping at stores that specialize in boot or shoe fit. (Read more about how to find the perfect fit.) Spend some time walking around the shop and make use of those ramps to test how your new shoes perform on upslopes and downslopes.
Tagged:
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what causes blisters on foot
by Jill Schuman |
June 22, 2017
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With over 300 breeds of sheep around the world, understanding the difference between a Romney and a Rambouillet can be a bit confusing – or shall we say, woolly. Sheep are one of the most common agricultural animals, bred for their wool, milk, meat, and even for their good looks. Here’s a selection of some of our favorite sheep breeds.
Icelandic Sheep
Or shall we say Viking sheep? The Icelandic Sheep was brought to this small island nation by early Norwegian settlers. It’s as cold hardy as its forbearers and thrives in harsh, inhospitable environments. They’re raised primarily for their meat, but the wool is becoming sought after for its unique texture and quality.
Herdwick
Herdwick Sheep Grazing on the Old Man of Coniston, Cumbria Photo courtesy of Barry Marsh
The author Beatrix Potter (of Peter Rabbit) was a great champion of the Herdwick. She won a number of prizes for her show ewes and donated 4,000 acres of farmland to the National Trust. The Herdwick is traditionally raised in the Lake District in the north of England. This is another hearty breed – Herdwick’s have been known to survive for three days in the snow, eating their own wool (which, incidentally, is highly prized for its anti-blizzard properties!)
Coburger Fuchsschaf
This reddish-brown German sheep was nearly wiped out during World War II. Their distinct color is most pronounced in lambs, but adult sheep retain some of that rich hue around their heads and legs. After a recent movement to preserve the breed, the Coburger Fuchsschaf is now used primarily in landscape preservation.
Manx Loaghtan
Count ‘em – four, sometimes six horns on a single sheep! The Manx Loaghtan is a rare Northern European breed that exists primarily on the Isle of Man. Its meat is considered a delicacy, though the wool is often used in various tweeds.
Romney
Originally from England, you can now find Romney sheep all over the world – from New Zealand to the United States. It produces a strong, heavy wool that is often used in rugs and cushions. If you’re looking to take up handspinning, Romney wool is great for beginners as its fibers are significantly longer than other breeds, like Merino.
Rambouillet
Also known as the French Merino, the Rambouillet officially became a breed when King Louis XVI purchased 300 Spanish Merinos for his royal farm. The Rambouillet produces beautiful merino wool, but is also prized for its meat as well.
Tagged:
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romney sheep
by Jill Schuman |
June 20, 2017
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We’ve all seen the price tag on fancy, ultralight backpacking gear. (And if you haven’t, you might want to take a seat first.) Dropping some serious ounces – and even pounds – from your load doesn’t have to break the bank. Try out these three cheap and easy tricks, because remember, it all adds up!
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Swap out the footprint that came with your tent for Gossamer Gear’s Polycryo
This is probably the quickest and easiest way to drop at least 7 ounces. Gossamer Gear’s Polycryo groundsheets don’t look like much – something akin to folded cellophane – but this ultralight and surprisingly durable material is a thru-hiker’s favorite. To test its strength, we stretched a sheet of Polycryo over a layer of sharp rocks… then drove a truck over it. The result? Only minimal puncture wounds. One Polycryo package ($9.95) includes two sheets, which can then be trimmed to fit your tent. Each sheet weighs 1.6 oz.
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Use small travel containers for sunscreen and other toiletries
Who said you had to carry the whole bottle? Grab a few of Nalgene’s 2 oz. containers to only carry what you need. Because, really, when was the last time you used an entire tube of sunscreen on an overnight hike? A 2 oz. bottle retails for only $1.55. You can also use a travel-size tube of toothpaste instead of the big one you keep at home.
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Become a bag lady
Who says you need a fancy, waterproof stuff sack to keep your sleeping bag dry? Put your sleeping bag in a trash bag before stuffing it into its normal compression sack. Be sure to twist the trash bag closed before sealing it all up. This will help keep your bag dry in the event of a sudden rainstorm or slip into the river. You can also use Zip-lock baggies to keep your extra socks and underwear dry. There is no shame in this.
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Practice layering at home
One of the heaviest things in an inexperienced backpacker’s kit is too many clothes. Most people worry about getting cold, but a good layering system should keep you comfortable in a variety of temperatures. Take all your puffies, fleeces, rain shells, and base layers outside and spend a few hours in your backyard after dark. A good layering system is comprised of a base layer, an insulating layer, and a rain shell. Depending on the weather, I'll sometimes carry a fleece as well as a light puffy. Did you know that you can also wear your rain jacket to keep you warm? It will help trap your body warmth as well as block the wind. Figure out what you need at home, before heading into the field. You’ll be surprised at how many layers you don’t need!
Tagged:
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by Jill Schuman |
June 16, 2017
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One of the best things about summer in the Rockies is that you’re never short of adventure. Whether you’re mountain biking after work or climbing at the local crag, we thought we’d share of favorite quick and easy post-adventure meals. Of course, it doesn’t matter what part of the country you live in to enjoy these tasty bites!
Tuna Niçoise Salad
Packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, a Tuna Niçoise Salad is a quick fix after a long run or hard workout. Plus, it’s super classy – especially compared to your sweat-stained shirt and muddy shorts! Basic ingredients include a can of dolphin-safe tuna, free-range eggs, spinach, tomatoes, and boiled or baked new potatoes. This recipe from the BBC shows just how easy it is!
Vegetarian Texas Chili
No, this is not an oxymoron. With three different types of beans and sweet potatoes, our favorite veggie chili is filling and rich in protein. The sweet potatoes add a lovely texture and sweet flavor to balance the spice. Make a big pot of this at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have several easy meals to re-heat after a hard ride. This recipe from Cookie + Kate is a good place to start, but we typically double the chili powder and add a tsp of oregano.
Spicy Thai Peanut Stir-fry
This another multi-meal dish that can be made in advance. (We’re fans of leftovers, if you couldn’t tell!) This can be made with either chicken or tofu and any mix of good stir-fry vegetables like onions, garlic, broccoli, mushrooms, red bell peppers, and plenty of ginger. Make it with a hearty brown rice or egg noodles. Epicurious has a fantastic peanut sauce recipe (more protein!), but we typically double it for multiple meals.
Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Halloumi
Another meal to make you feel trés sophisticated after a gnarly climb. Ratatouille is a vegetarian French country dish made of zucchinis, eggplants, tomatoes, and lots of basil. Jamie Oliver’s recipe makes several days worth of ratatouille. Pair it with pan-fried halloumi (also known as grilling cheese, which can be grilled or pan-fried without melting) and a fresh baguette and you’ll be feeling quite healthy!
Tagged:
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ratatouille recipe,
tuna nicoise salad recipe
by Jill Schuman |
June 13, 2017
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Whether you’re dreaming of going somewhere this summer or need something to read on the plane, these new travel and adventure books will get you raring to go! Best get your bags packed now!
The Camino Way by Victor Prince
To be released on July 13th, Victor Prince’s new book is part guidebook, part memoir about his experience on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This 500 mile trail has been a pilgrimage for hundreds of years. Prince shares his experience and explores the ways in which the journey taught him valuable life and leadership skills.
Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World by Nell Stevens
Nell Stevens’ plan was to spend three months alone on a remote island (population 2) in the South Atlantic, writing 2,500 words a day and finishing her novel in one fell swoop. That didn’t quite work out. There were no means of contacting the outside world. No food supplies, except what she brought with her. And no one to offer company. Bleaker House is not the book she wrote on the island, rather it’s a hilarious memoir about her adventure in the Falkland Islands.
Ruthless River by Holly Fitzgerald
When their plane crashes, two newlyweds are stranded in the Amazon basin. To escape, they must raft hundreds of miles across Peru and Bolivia. Holly Fitzgerald’s new book is an epic adventure as well as a striking love story.
Murder in Matera by Helene Stapinski
Helene Stapinski’s new book certainly doesn’t fit the travel memoir mold! Stapinski grew up hearing stories about her great-great-grandmother who supposedly committed a heinous murder in Italy. To uncover the truth, she spends years travelling to Basilicata where she discovers the crime wasn’t at all what she’d been lead to believe.
I’ll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair by Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck
Another tale from the Camino De Santiago. Patrick and Justin were best friends, practically from the day they were born (same hospital, just two days apart). When Justin was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease that left him unable to use his limbs, much less feed and care for himself. Unwilling to give up, Justin wondered if someday he’d ever be able to do something like the Camino. Patrick’s response was, “I’ll push you.” Their new book is a story of true friendship on the one of the world’s greatest trails.
Tagged:
best new travel writing,
bleaker house by nell stevens,
I'll push you by patrick gray and justin skeesuck,
Murder in Matera by Helene Stapinski,
new travel writing books,
ruthless river by holly fitzgerald,
the camino way by victor prince
One of the heaviest things in an inexperienced backpacker’s kit is too many clothes. Most people worry about getting cold, but a good layering system should keep you comfortable in a variety of temperatures. Take all your puffies, fleeces, rain shells, and base layers outside and spend a few hours in your backyard after dark. A good layering system is comprised of a base layer, an insulating layer, and a rain shell. Depending on the weather, I'll sometimes carry a fleece as well as a light puffy. Did you know that you can also wear your rain jacket to keep you warm? It will help trap your body warmth as well as block the wind. Figure out what you need at home, before heading into the field. You’ll be surprised at how many layers you don’t need! 
