Discovering What Nature Gives Us

Last year I took a class concerning herbs and making teas and that's when I learned about Chaga.  Chaga is a mushroom that grows exclusively on birch trees.  While hiking today in the woods, I took a picture of a Chaga mushroom.  Despite the weird look, Chaga is rich in antioxidants and nutritional benefits.  Supposedly, Chaga has medicinal qualities to fight cancer and cancerous tumors!   

In this photo, you can see the Chaga's are growing up the entire birch tree.  From what I learned, you can finely grind the mushroom and make a medicinal tea.  Will I try making this tea?  Yes, I'm considering doing this.  The Chaga's are plentiful in the woods I hike, so why not try this natural tea.  I will get back to you about my experiment!

I found another deer carcass in the woods today.  I suspect this deer was taken by a coyote during the fall or winter months.  Kind of weird though that I did not find any other deer body parts or the head!  The other carcass I found in January did contain the head and rack (antlers).  Just an interesting observation today. 

It stayed cool and cloudy today, but my woodland hike was much appreciated.    Thanks for checking in with me today. 

Calling of the Woods

I can't help but feel blessed everyday when I can get out in the woods to snowshoe or hike.  I just can't even find the right words to express my joy for taking in the beauty of being outdoors.  You see, the last fifteen years I was confined to a 100-year old stone building that didn't breath and left me feeling so unhealthy, so tired and so unhappy.  Everyday I thought about the lousy air quality in my workplace and I always suffered with chronic sinus problems.   And then there were the incidents with being exposed to asbestos.....all kept hush hush of course and administration never wanted to address the issue.  That's when I said enough is enough, and I will never look back. 

2016 is my rebirth to a new healthy lifestyle.  In a sense, I am taking control of my overall health and happiness.  

So you see, if you hear about this crazy little woman from Tainter Lake that spends all her time outdoors, now you know why....I am finally free. 

Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to my friend Caryn, who lets me hike her woods as often as I wish.  Caryn is also coming with me on the hikes and it's so fun to have a buddy that enjoys the birds, plants and animals like I do.