30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 18- Get a Job, Lose Weight

When I was a zookeeper, I stayed in pretty damn good shape. For the most part. Especially when I created ZooFit, but zookeeping is a very active profession, so we move a lot. We carry heavy stuff a lot. We run from one exhibit to another. A lot. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 18- Get a Job, Lose Weight

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 17- Father’s Day

Did you remember Father’s Day? What favorite memories do you have of your father, or father-like figure in your life which helped connect you to nature?

For me, I was always Daddy’s Little Girl. Dad took me to all kinds of sporting events. We loved going to baseball games. I’d get some Hawaiian shaved ice, some hotdogs, and hang out with my dad all night. It was so much fun. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 17- Father’s Day

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 15- Secure Your Butts

I quit smoking about three years ago. Before I quit, I smoked about a pack of cigarettes a week. Not a lot to some folks, but more than I or my family would have liked.  Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 15- Secure Your Butts

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 14- My Mini Triathlon

It’s amazing what exercise and getting outdoors can do for one’s mood. I ended up staying over a half an hour at work because para-gliders were packing up from an evening paragliding excursion. They apologized for taking so long, and were very grateful for my patience.

I didn’t really understand why I was so patient until they left. It was my Friday, it was past 10pm, and I still had a 30 minute drive home. But I wasn’t really visibly annoyed or impatient with them as they packed up their sails and equipment. I listened to my book, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont, enjoying the scenery. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 14- My Mini Triathlon

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 13- Making Nature a Family Affair

Starting a new summer job has been more difficult than I imagined. I have a lot of ideas still floating in my head and a lot of things to do for ZooFit before summer is over.

Work is a great way to get outdoors where I thrive, and feel somewhat productive towards my community and contributing to my family, but it’s hard to juggle my priorities. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 13- Making Nature a Family Affair

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 12- Guilty Pleasures, Weed Whacking Edition

My allergies are acting up. My medication and my allergy treatment of honey and even the homeopathic allergy treatment are barely working. I feel if I wasn’t going triple threat on my symptoms, they would be unbearable.

I am having these issues, but still, when I am asked to get the weed eater at work, my eyes light up. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 12- Guilty Pleasures, Weed Whacking Edition

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 11- The Conservationist’s Dilemma

A healthy garden is a blessing for amateurs and professionals alike. It is such a joy to see the fruits of our labor unfold in front of us. Each day, I smile as the food I am growing gets one step closer to our dinner plates. It’s magical and uplifting.

But there is a dilemma gardeners have, a curse, if you will. And conservationists will understand this problem because they suffer it as well. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 11- The Conservationist’s Dilemma

30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 10- Taking Advantage of Nature’s Bounty

Experiencing nature doesn’t necessarily mean doing recreational activities, workouts, or spending time in the woods. You don’t have to go to a park, or a lake, or hike a mountain to appreciate what nature does for us. You can take advantage of nature’s bounty by buying your food with nature in mind. Continue reading 30 Days of Experiencing Nature: Day 10- Taking Advantage of Nature’s Bounty