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Taking Time to Make Memories!

by Gordon Raza, BSc

June 20, 2019

Summer is upon us, and what could be more perfect than a family hike punctuated by a picnic near a babbling brook. Nice in theory, but good luck juggling everyone’s schedules! Please don’t judge me, but I was inspired by an advertisement on network television. The theme was “Bring Back Wildhood,” a slogan coined by the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association, featuring adults and children alike, acting wild, crazy, and spontaneous. It gave me goosebumps, but from my experience, I’ve learned that locking down these “minutes to memories” takes planning.

Before all your recreational time is engulfed by the same old summer routine, get together with family or friends to plan an adventure or two. With a little research, you can unearth hiking trails—that are closer than you thought—which can suit a wide variety of fitness levels. Hiking is full of discovery, and you’ll be surprised how many times you’ll stop and call over your fellow hikers to say: “Look what I found!”

A scavenger hunt can also be both fun to plan and participate in, along with discovering how clever your friends and family can be. The beauty of these activities is they are well-suited to rural settings, but can also be a way to discover some hidden pockets of wilderness within a city setting that may be a bus ride or subway stop from home.

Getting a group together for a bike trip can also be fun; set a modest goal for distance, and you’ll be amazed at the sense of accomplishment everyone will experience. The same goes for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up boards; a day trip or several-day adventure also could prove priceless. You’ll be amazed at how many participation-oriented walks, runs, biathlons, and triathlons are held every weekend. They’re well-organized and do a great job accommodating “hardcore athletes” while welcoming casual newcomers with open arms.

The goal is to get folks together, develop a sense of community, and maybe even venture out of our comfort zones a little. Among the common denominators for group activities—along with creating a sense of event—is keeping the troops fed, fueled, and hydrated. We feature a couple of energy-laden, delicious snack foods loaded with healthy fats and plant-based protein, equally suited for a white glove dinner or a trail-side refuelling. Check out our culinary corner for well-researched, nutritious recipes including cinnamon pumpkin protein energy balls and coconut crunchy bark for energy without the sugar crash of many snack bars. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), in either liquid or powdered form, are a great addition to ice coffee, tea, or homemade lemonade. A loot bag of original snacks and beverages is always appreciated.

Come day’s end, it’s fun to chill out, share some pics, and perhaps enjoy a potluck barbecue with everyone sharing their own personal culinary creation. On a rainy day, you could relive your memories making a scrapbook at home. You can also use one of the many photobook apps to a custom scrapbook, captions and all, to arrive by mail within weeks.

Here’s to summer!