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.
I was a chronic first-thing-after-waking-up coffee drinker for probably 20 years. I didn’t think anything of walking from my bedroom straight to the stove to start boiling water for my French press. I thought that was “healthy” - especially since my coffee was organic. Little did I know the abuse I was putting my gut through, spiking stress hormones and increasing stomach acid.
When I hit my 40s, my body rebelled against my routine. I switched my morning drink to meat broth about 3 years ago. I learned from Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride (GAPS diet) that meat broth is better for beginners than bone broth because it has fewer histamines. Bone broth is still highly nutritious because the longer simmering time produces a high mineral content, once you've begun healing your gut with meat broth and your body tolerates it.
I still drink matcha or coffee but never first thing. I no longer “get right to work” while the kids are still sleeping. I start my day in silent communion with...
My friend's cow ran off during her grandson's birthday party. We went on the chase in her peach fields and found Emmy enjoying freedom with a side of fresh grass.
Emmy produces 6 GALLONS of milk a day at peak! It's full of vitamin K2 which our body needs to absorb vitamin D into our bones. That's why I take the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture. Instead of JUST a butter oil or JUST a fish oil, it's both packed together so I get the most bioavailability out of both. It ended my battle with chronic cavities. Get yours at https://greenpasture.org/ and use promo code "ALISON" at check out for 10% off.
Sassy got a pedicure today and the farrier used a blowtorch. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen this done but she didn’t seem to even notice. Then again she wasn’t looking at the fire blowing on her hoof! 🙈
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