Today I turned 40 years old with a bottle of champagne and my family on a summit overlooking the North Cascades. We kicked off the weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail at Harts Pass near Canada. The PCT was the first “big girl” trail I hiked after moving to Seattle in 2013. Spending time in complete silence (for hours) was a first for me. It truly changed my life. When I finally grew comfortable paying attention without immediately reacting, I was really able to listen and see life around me in a way I never had before. If someone asks what really led to the end of my career, it was an internal shift I have a hard time describing but ultimately resembles self-awareness, and it probably began on the PCT. I met several through hikers this weekend who started at the Mexico border and were almost done. I asked what they planned to do after such an accomplishment. “Go home and get back to work,” most said. At first it seems anticlimactic but I remember Trent Peterson, a young man whose story I told years ago, as he rode wild mustangs along the PCT. He used to say that the PCT is just a trail, what matters is that we slow down, pay attention and see clearly whatever path we’re on. I looked up a quote from that report to share with you all.
“This isn't to advocate for the PCT. The PCT is just a trail. Get out of the rat race and slow down. Pay attention to the little things, not just the big things, because it's the whole picture we need to be aware of," he said.
Sundae’s kids will only drink off her right teat, and the left one gets so big it looks like it’s about to explode. This exact same thing happened when she had triplets last year. We are milking the left teat to try to keep it small enough that the babies will eventually latch and do the work for us. Sundae also produces more milk than her kids can drink - it’s a great problem to have as a mom!
Another great problem to have… is lots of teeth to brush! I used to get chronic cavities and started taking the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture. This was 15 years ago and soon after my dentist was remarking at the health of my gums, and cavity free teeth. Use promo code “ALISON” at check out for 10% off. https://greenpasture.org/
Our mini Nubian milk goat, Sundae, gave birth to a boy and girl while we were gone yesterday morning. We've been on baby watch for days and she is such a stinker for having them right after we left for a couple hours! That said, we are always happy to return to good news as there are so many things that go array when we leave. Lily has named the new additions "David" and "Olivia". Both are doing well and as cute as can be.
Don't forget you can support the farm adventures and your health with the fermented cod liver/butter oil blend from Green Pasture. It's not just any old fish oil - it's fermented organ meat oil mixed with a high vitamin D butter oil. The two work together to make sure you get the most out of all the vitamins and omega 3s. I used to get chronic cavities and this stuff saved my mouth. Use "ALISON" as your promo code at check out for 10% off. https://greenpasture.org/
Here is a short clip from last Sunday's show where Carl DiPiazza of Organic Gut Solution and I discuss how candy and grocery store waste is often fed to cows, from beef to dairy - though I have seen reports that the same can be said for pigs. It is not just surprising to me that candy is fed to cattle with the wrappers included - but that so many mainline agricultural "experts" recommend this as part of a beneficial and cost effective calorie source for cows.
Calories are not just calories - and the same can be said about fish oils - which is why I get mine from Green Pasture. I started taking the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil 15 years ago and it stopped my seemingly endless battle with chronic cavities. They have lots of other great products and you can get 10% off with promo code "ALISON" at check out. https://greenpasture.org/
