This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Orchard Valley Harvest. The opinions and text are all mine.
As the seasons change many people, myself included, find joy in Autumn time. The cool crisp air and breathtakingly beautiful colors found among the trees seem to beacon everyone to get out and enjoy the beauty of the earth.
No matter where you live, you can search for local hiking and walking trails that will invite this euphoric feeling into your life.
One of my favorite things to do is to go on hikes that follow streams or rivers and ultimately lead to waterfalls. Nothing helps clear my mind and bring peace to my soul like taking in a glorious waterfall. I can sit for hours listening to the water rushing, birds singing, and nature bustling around me. It is as if the atmosphere recharges my inner core and connects me to a higher being.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, where I am now living, I am surrounded by what seems like hundreds of waterfalls within a couple hours’ drive. Some of the waterfalls are easy to access by paved paths, while others are more difficult to get to and require planning and preparation.
No matter the difficulty of the hike, it is always important to be prepared. Here are a few things to consider doing and taking with you as you embark on nature’s journey….
1. Bring a backpack with snacks and water
It is extremely important to make sure you are prepared to hydrate and fuel your body with proper food and drinks. Using a backpack can help guarantee that all this is obtainable. Water can be very heavy and take up a lot of space in a backpack, so you want to make sure your snacks are lightweight, but healthy so your body can be adequately strengthened while being active.
By incorporating antioxidants into a healthy diet, the body is able to have additional strength to fight off illnesses. Additionally, adding omega-3 helps reduce effect of depression, ADHD, rheumatoid arthritis, and other aliments the body has.
One of the best snacks to have on hand to help fuel your body with the proper nutrients needed during a hike should consists of nuts and fruit. Orchard Valley Harvest offers antioxidant and omega-3 wellness packages with the perfect blend of nuts and fruit, ready to be used on the go.
2. Tell someone where you are going and what you are doing
Unfortunately, life is unpredictable and no matter how prepared you may be, things can happen. If you tell someone where you are going and what you are doing, it could save your life in an emergency.
3. Check the local weather before leaving
Knowing what the weather will be like will help you determine the safety and enjoyment of the hike. Nothing is a greater buzz kill than getting to your destination only to find conditions are less than desirable. I do not find joy in hiking while it is raining continuously or extremely cold, so I change my plans when needed if the weather isn’t in my favor for the day.
4. Make sure you have a fully charged cellphone
Nearly everyone has a cellphone these days, so hopefully this one isn’t a problem for you. Cellphones are great to have on hand for emergency purposes and photographic opportunities. Taking pictures help preserve the memories and can bring back those peaceful moments of serenity when your life need a little pick-me-up.
5. Wear proper shoes
Athletic shoes are highly recommended when going on a nature hike. Most times the terrain is unpredictable and if you are embarking towards a waterfall, wet. If you are not prepared with proper shoes, you could risk injuring yourself by slipping on the unsteady and moist ground. Even with proper shoes you could experience injury, but the chances are greatly reduced. Your feet will thank you for wearing proper shoes with good support.
These five ideas are applicable for both the simplest and most complex hikes. Plan now and thank me later.
What ways do you find joy in the Autumn time? Where have you gone, hiking or walking, that bring serenity to your life? I would love to hear your experiences, please comment below.
This post was sponsored by Orchard Valley Harvest.
Orchard Valley Harvest announced two new wellness mix varieties of Non-GMO Project verified, no artificial ingredient, fruit and nut Multi Packs (eight, one-ounce pouches)
These two new offerings, Omega-3 Mix and Antioxidant Mix, are now available at select retailers (such as Walmart, Acme, TJMaxx..etc) beginning this month.
The eight, one-ounce inner pouches inside each Orchard Valley Harvest Multi Pack are perfectly portioned for consumers to include in their backpack, lunch bag, or briefcase for a convenient and delicious midday snack at work or on-the-go.
For additional information about the Orchard Valley Harvest product line and retailer availability, please visit www.orchardvalleyharvest.com
Giveaway: One lucky reader of The Big Apple Mama Blog will win a $50 Visa Gift Card along with Orchard Valley Harvest snacks prize pack!
Updated: The Winner is Lori J. of FL
Congratulations!!
RULES: To enter – just fill out at least one of the entries on Rafflecopter form below! This contest will end November 22, 2016 at 9:59 pm Eastern time and is open to US only. Good luck! Winner will be chosen randomly by 11/24 and be notified by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen, and so on and so forth. The prize will be fulfilled by the sponsor. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Orchard Valley Harvest. The opinions and text are all mine.
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I would like to try the Orchard Valley Harvest Dark Chocolate Cherries. 🙂
The products all look delicious, but I would love to try the Orchard Valley Harvest Dark Chocolate Cherries!
I want to try the dark chocolate almonds
I would like to try the Dry Roasted Salted Pistachios.
I would love to try their Dry Roasted Salted Pistachios! I’ve been enjoying fall by taking walks with my husband.
I want to try the dark chocolate almonds
I would love to try the dry roasted salted pistachios!
I’d like to try the dark chocolate almonds or the cashew halves. On the weekends we drive the Alum Creek lake and walk the trails.
Of course the dark chocolate looks good but I would stick with the dried fruit! I would love to try the cherries!
I want to try the DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS.
I am lucky enough to live in northern New Hampshire where the scenery is just beautiful. Everyday I take my two dogs for a walk on a hiking trail. I never know what I will see. A moose, deer, and bears are common and I always keep my distance. With the mountains surrounding me the whole walk is a beautiful view.
All the Orchard Valley Products look great — but I want to try the chocolate covered blueberries.
I love the waterfalls around Portland thanks for posting the pretty pictures.. I love hiking in the Fall and seeing the changing leaves.
I would love to try the DRY ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS. I try and get out and walk!
I love walking up by the lake in the crisp air with all the colorful leaves around.
I would love to try the dark chocolate blueberries.
I love cashews so I would like to try their Cashew Halves and Pieces.
I would like to try the Chocolate Raisin Mix or the Cashews. They all look good. Thanks for the chance.
I like to take the ATV’s out on the trails in the autumn time to see the beautiful foliage here in the north country. We get to see beautiful views out there that most don’t see.
Dark chocolate almonds sounds delicious.
Love to take healthy snacks on our road trips. Fruits, nuts, jerky, cheese & crackers. All good stuff!
I’ve gone hiking where my parents live, they live in the mountains and there are hiking areas all around them. I go with my dad who still can hike.
I would like to try the Cranberry Almond Cashew Trail Mix.
I would love to try the DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS
I would love to try your almonds. We love almonds.
I am a huge fan of fruit and nuts. I honestly cannot eat candy anymore lately. I do sometimes, but I find it too sweet now. The best thing is chocolate covered nuts… it’s just right. I would LOVE to get their chocolate covered Almonds… sound so good
I would love to try the Dark Chocolate Blueberries, the tang of the blueberries with the sweet of the chocolate, what a delicious snack.
I’d love to try Orchard Valley Harvest Dark Chocolate Almonds!
I would really love to try Chocolate Raisin Nut Trail Mix – it sounds delicious!
I would love to try the dark chocolate cherries!
I live 15 minutes away from Manhattan so I enjoy walking through Central park. I love the cool autumn weather.
I would like to try Cranberry Almond Cashew, Dark Chocolate Cherries and I need the Energy Mix
they look awesome for when we are out hiking with the dogs
I would love the salted pistachios and so would by husband.
I’d love to try the Dark Chocolate Blueberries. I LOVE berries!
We love to go camping in the fall! We do it every year. We adore gathering around the warm fire with hot apple cider!
I want to try the DARK CHOCOLATE BLUEBERRIES. They look yummy.
I would like to try the dark chocolate blueberries. I like to ride my bike on our new bike trail in our town.
Everything on Orchard Valley Harvests page looks amazing but the one I would be interested in trying first is the OMEGA-3 MIX. Has a little bit of all of it in there.
I would love to try the Cranberry Almond Cashew Trail Mix.
Living in South Florida, now is the perfect time of the year to go hiking as its not so hot out. We love hiking near Biscayne bay!
Dry Roasted Salted Pistachios sounds good
we find joy by getting outside . i like the dark chocolate cherries
I would like to try the Orchard Valley Harvest Omega-3 Mix.
I would like to try The Omega3 mix
I would really love to try their Dry Roasted Salted Pistachios! My hubby loves pistachio.
We take advantage of the numerous small parks in our city. Walking around our city and the parks are a joy.
Mmm! There are several products I would like to try. The one I want to try the most is CHOCOLATE RAISIN NUT TRAIL MIX
We just hiked through a small nature preserve and saw 3 wild deer. Very nice!
I enjoy walking in the fall. In fact I will walk to the park on my lunch hour at work and hubby and I like walking outdoors on the weekend. I even try to walk at 10,000 steps at least 5 days a week. I enjoy the peace and fresh air when walking in the fall while enjoying the beautiful autumn colors.
this >>Antioxidant Mix<< looks like something I would love to try…the Hubby and I and the grandkids walk everyday
I would like to try the whole natural almonds. Bet they are delicious! Thank you for the chance! 🙂
I would like to try Almond dark chocolate
I’d like to try the Chocolate Raisin Nut Trail Mix
The whole natural almonds for sure. Almonds are my favorite!
I love taking my shelties hiking in the mountains in the fall to see the gorgeous colors of foliage.
I love DRY ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS! I love the autumn because it is much cooler here in the southwest.
I currently live in Florida but I spent my childhood and early adulthood in Tennessee. I miss the beautiful fall. There is a hiking trail near my childhood home that circles around a waterfall. That is the walk I miss every fall.
DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS
I live in south central Kentucky and there are many parks and wooded trails on which to walk or hike. I also own wooded land in northeast Tennessee where I have camped with family & friends. I especially love the parts of the trails that take me by lakes, such a spectacular sight!
I would like the Dry Roasted Salted Pistachios.
The DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRIES looks amazing!
Our favorite fall activity is Geocaching! It gets us out of the house, moving and exploring, it’s cooler and we don’t have to worry about snakes & ticks as much! Super fun activity! =)
THW WHOLE NATURAL ALMONDS LOOKS SO GOOD.
I would like to try the dark chocolate blueberries or the CRANBERRY ALMOND CASHEW TRAIL MIX!
I would love to try the Dark Chocolate Cherries.
I’d love to try the DRY ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS! Love that they’re Non GMO!!!
My mom and I enjoy kayaking to find peace. A flat water and beautiful tree surround make it the perfect peaceful spot
I would like to try the Dark Chocolate Blueberries.
I want to try the Cashew Halves & Pieces
I like the almond dark chocolate ..what i do in the fall love taking my dogs for walks and playing fetch with them