Exploring the Outdoors: A Conejo Valley Guide

Located 45 minutes north of Los Angeles, just off the 101 freeway, the Conejo Valley is a splendid outdoor playground, virtually undiscovered by its cosmopolitan neighbors. The gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Center, the area originally settled by the Chumash people spans both southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County and offers a wide variety of opportunities to get outdoors with the family.

Given its close proximity and easy accessibility, the Conejo Valley makes for the perfect date night, day trip or weekend getaway, and its thriving craft beer and wine scene is an added bonus when looking to balance outdoor play with nightlife merriment. The rural beauty of this area is hidden in plain sight, boasting more than 500 miles of hiking and biking trails making it a unique destination that is friendly for the entire family.

Here are just a few ways you and your family can get off-the-beaten path and explore the hidden gems the Conejo Valley has to offer.

Hiking & Biking

Paramount Ranch Hike

A photo posted by Jennifer Fontaine (@jennifer_fontaine) on Nov 5, 2015 at 6:04pm PST

• Distance: 4 miles round trip 
• Elevation Gain: 150 ft 
• Open to: Hiking, Biking 
• Difficulty: Moderate

Directions 

2903 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills, CA, 91301

Take the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) to Kanan Road exit. Head south on Kanan for 0.5 miles. Turn left on Cornell Way and veer to the right. Continue south for 2.5 miles. The entrance is on right side of the road.  

Grasslands Hike - Malibu Creek State Park

• Distance: 0.75 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 105 feet
• Open to: Hiking, Biking, Equestrian
• Difficulty: Easy

Directions

27000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

From Highway 101, take the Las Virgenes Road exit and go south for 3.1 miles to Mulholland Highway.  Take a right on Mulholland Highway and almost immediately, look for the Grasslands Trail on the left.

Los Robles Hike - Los Padres

A photo posted by Jennifer Fontaine (@jennifer_fontaine) on Nov 6, 2015 at 3:11pm PST

• Distance: 6 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 900 feet
• Open to: Hiking, Biking, Equestrian
• Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

From the 101 freeway, drive to the south end of Moorpark Rd, turn right on Greenmeadow Ave., and go a half mile to the parking lot.

Paradise Falls Hike - Wildwood Park

• Distance: 2.5 miles (loop)  
• Elevation change: 260 feet
• Open to: Hiking, Biking
• Difficulty: Moderate

Directions

928 W Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Take the 101 Freeway to Thousand Oaks to exit 45 for Lynn Road. Drive north for 2.5 miles on Lynn Road, and turn left on Avenido de los Arboles. Drive to the end of the street and park in the lot on the left.

Pedego 101 Electric Bike Tour

Biking is a great way to explore a new city, allowing you the ability to cover a ton of ground, and connect with your surroundings without being confined to the interior of a car. Electric bikes give you more flexibility to discover farther distances even if you're with young kids or grandparents.

During our time in the Conejo Valley we hooked up with Pedego 101, who offers a full fleet of electric bikes with a variety of models that fit all shapes and sizes. They were so knowledgeable and welcoming, after our 13-mile bike ride across picturesque bridges and through tree-lined canyon roads, we felt as if we had gained a family.

Pedego 101
2859 Agoura Road Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 379-9245
www.pedego101.com

Family Friendly Dining

The Malibu Cafe

Nestled in the gentle, rolling hills of its word-famous namesake, Malibu Cafe is a cornerstone of coastal, rustic living. Eat decadent corn and lobster chowder, listen to down-home live music and lounge under the canopy of centuries-old California oak trees tastefully decorated with elegant chandeliers.

Malibu Cafe is as kid-friendly as it gets with 100% outdoor seating and plethora of fun kid games such as jumbo Jenga and air hokey set up on the lawn for all to enjoy. The biggest challenge you might have to face at this laid back ranch-style restaurant is leaving. 

The Malibu Cafe

327 Latigo Canyon Road Malibu, CA 90265

(818) 540-2400
http://www.themalibucafe.com

A photo posted by Jennifer Fontaine (@jennifer_fontaine) on Nov 6, 2015 at 3:19pm PST

Tavern 101 Grill & Tap House

Another kid-friendly tavern to try when you have a hankering for mouth-watering BBQ is Tavern 101. Located just off the 101 freeway, this hidden little gem of a restaurant offers a laid-back atmosphere, hand-crafted cocktails and more meat than any one person could ever attempt to consume. 

Tavern 101 Grill & Tap House

28434 Roadside Drive  Agoura Hills, CA 91301

(818) 991-7227
http://www.taverngrills.com

"Adults Only" Offerings

101 Cider House

Some of the most interesting and unique cider this year is coming out of a dark corner in an unassuming industrial park in the Conejo Valley. A budding pioneer of the craft beer industry, Mark McTavish and the rest of his talented 101 Cider House team are self-proclaimed cider evangelists.

A photo posted by Jennifer Fontaine (@jennifer_fontaine) on Nov 5, 2015 at 10:26pm PST

Sourced locally, their product is raw, made with natural ingredients and 100% fresh pressed juices. the end result is vibrant and daring and sure to knock your socks off.

101 Cider House
Tasting Room Hours: Thursday 5pm - 10pm, Saturday 1pm - 11pm, Sunday 1pm - 5pm
31111 Via Colinas, Westlake Village, CA 91362
(818) 851-9018
http://www.101cider.com

Sunland Vintage Winery

Michael and Debby Giovinazzo are making old school hip again with their throw-back vintages that conjure up thoughts of Old Italy and its robust yet delicate wines. Their award-winning Sunland Vintage label tickles the palate and their bright and cheery tasting room will have you coming back for more.

Sunland Vintage Winery
Tasting Room Hours: Thursdays & Fridays 6pm - 9pm, Saturdays 1pm - 6pm, Sundays 1pm - 5pm
1321 E Thousand Oaks Blvd. #108 Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 379-2250
http://www.sunlandvintagewinery.com

11 Stroller Friendly Los Angeles Hikes Guaranteed to Get You and Baby Outdoors

After 6 months of bedrest and the subsequent unplanned cesarean section recovery, you can only imagine how I yearned for long hikes and fresh air, but coordinating all of it with a newborn, nursing and continuous diaper detail was all a bit overwhelming. I was the first of our group of friends to have kids and so it was all pretty much uncharted territory. I started venturing out fairly early, making great use of our baby carrier, but stayed pretty close to home, even still, I must say I'm so happy I got out there. Not only did it make me happy, keep me sane and helped me to recover quicker, it also primed our daughter for a life spent outdoors. A life where hiking, exploring and outdoor play are her go-to activities.

In honor of all of the new mothers out there, here's a beautiful Mother's Day gift; 11 stroller friendly hikes that I lovingly share with the rest of the 10,000,000 Los Angeles county residents! Happy Hiking!

...

3 Ways Mother Nature Helped Give Me a Hand Up and Out of Depression

The face of depression has an infinite number of sides. Its expressions may even seem, at times to be smiling right back at you. But, when it settles in for an extended stay, often times, depression can become a way of life. This is where I found myself, a seemingly endless, 6 months ago. 

Depression runs in my family. We talk about it frequently and we all have a pretty good idea of what it looks like when it manifests in us. I have battled it a few times in my early 20's and spent many sleepless nights trying to drug it away, drink it away, and even submitting to it completely. I wear my battle scars as badges and am proud of what I overcame and who I am today as a result of it, which is why I was blind-sided in late January when I woke up and found myself peeking through a haze which I (later) discovered I had been sitting in for going on two months.

Everyone has their own set of reasons and their own triggers and it is important to mention, their own CHOICE to allow those reasons and triggers to carry you to that dark place. In the end, no single reason or trigger is worthy of taking your joy and power away, but I'll be damned if I didn't have some pretty great justifications. A miscarriage, two failed insemination attempts, all of the crazy hormones that come along with said attempts, not being able to get pregnant; all of them, my reasons. And I allowed all of them to affect me, my husband, our daughter, my family and my friends, whether they actually realized it or not.

Waking up to depression is only the first step. Then, there are the subsequent steps that you have to remain hyper aware of every single waking second until you reach the colossal steps which you then must arduously climb upward and finally out. I am happy to say, I am finally out and I am sharing with you, for whatever it is worth, the most precious moments that, even while I was still in the dark, helped me to climb every single one of those massive steps, up and out and back in to the beautiful world of my life.

Feel the Warmth of the Sun

This first one just takes one step. That first crucial step. Just get out. Get up, get out and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. That's it. It may seem so simple and maybe even silly, but it can be the turning point for many. That one baby step forward has the potential to propel you towards a reawakening which in turn can lead you to a path of healing. The first step is the hardest. I know. Just do it. Seriously. Trust me.

Listen to Soft Sounds of the Creek

The simple act of sitting and listening to the sounds around you has a wonderfully calming effect. It allows you the time to see the immense beauty that is constantly surrounding you. For me, personally, there is nothing in the world that is more calming than sitting creek-side, listening to the trickle of the water passing by, imagining where it has come from and pondering what other wonders it will see on its journey. A perfect metaphor for our lives, just like all of us, moments are fleeting and nothing stays the same forever, we float by the hard times, the good times and everything in between and we are always the navigators of our course. Oh! And while you're at it, smell the roses and the honeysuckle and the evergreen and feel roughness of the the dirt and the softness of a smooth rock and watch the bees buzzing by and the ants trek across the terrain and...everything else! Just be still and soak all of its wonder in to your soul.

Seeing the Bigger Picture Instills Hope

We are big fans of  volunteering in our family. We have witnessed first hand how Giving Back, Gives Right Back to YOU. Try donating your time and your services to paying it forward and it will come back to you a thousand fold. Putting yourself in the service of those who need help is one of the best ways to not only give a smile to someone else, but it will, most-assuredly put a smile on your face! When we place ourselves in a situation where we have the ability to empathize with others and realize a bigger picture of the world around us it helps keep us grounded in reality and is a great way to keep our own problems in perspective. 

So, go out in to your community and give a helping hand! Plant a tree, pick up trash, get dirty, find a way to reconnect with Mother Nature and all of its inhabitants and you will immediately feel her loving arms wrap around you like a warm, comforting blanket. I know it worked for me!

Hiking the Santa Monica Mountains: The Peter Strauss Ranch

One of my most favorite things to do is to just jump in the car and drive... and keep driving until something in my soul tells me to take a left, then my fingertips tell me to veer right and somehow, we end up somewhere we've never been. Nine times out of ten it's someplace magical and that is exactly how we happened upon the Peter Strauss Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains.

We were heading back down to LA after a weekend visit with my mom up north. We had no plans for the day and so I decided to take the Pacific Coast Highway up instead of jumping on the boring 101 freeway. Driving along, watching the waves crash along the shore, enjoying the brown pelicans zoom down the beach, an itch in my nose whispered, "take Kanan." 

Solitude.

Kanan is one of those gorgeous canyon roads that begins at PCH and meanders through the Malibu hills and meadows. I kept my eyes open for a state park sign or a trail head marker, knowing this road had many to choose from and it wasn't long before we spotted exactly what we were looking for: a new discovery! Peter Strauss Ranch!

Where there's a tree, she will climb it!

This 64-acres of ancient live oaks and chaparral was once home to the Chumash Indians, later it was the perfect backdrop for pre-WW II dances under the light of the moon and rumor has it even some of Charles Manson's gang hung out there! Now, as our luck would have it, Mother Nature has reclaimed it as her own and it is the perfect spot for an easy hike, a lazy picnic or a game of hid and seek!

Hide & Seek!

Its parking lot is huge and its trails are on the short side and super easy, making it a perfect starting point for moms just getting back out there with their infants or toddlers clocking in their first tiny-footed trail miles. Nestled in the quiet Malibu hillside, this hidden gem of a park is rich in history and offers plenty to explore and discover!

Meandering Among the Majestic Monarchs - A Recharging Family Roadtrip

The day-to-day grind of being a work at home mom can definitely get overwhelming and trust me, I've had more than a few Calgon moments over the past few months. Don't get me wrong, I consider myself very lucky. My husband and I have thriving freelance businesses which allow us the luxury of maintaining our own schedules which in turn, give us more family time, but sometimes the itch to unplug and recharge becomes so great that we just have to "get out of dodge"! 

So, needless to say, when my mom told me she was headed up north to Pismo Beach for some meetings, I cleared our schedule and we jumped in the car! Pismo Beach is a sleepy little beach community a few hours north of Los Angeles, up the famous Pacific Coast Highway, nestled in between wine country, state parks, majestic mountains and white sand beaches. It offers peaceful solitude, lazy walks, monumental sunsets and an awe-inspiring Monarch Butterfly grove!

Sometimes, the very act of changing your scenery can adjust your outlook and it was just our luck that our hotel was steps from the white powder-sand beach, the boardwalk and a huge pier, perfect for watching the sunset. Since birth, I have had an affection for the sounds of moving water. When I was younger, I had a secret place I would go to when I needed to be alone. It was basically just a drainage ditch dressed up with rocks and foliage. To me, it was a babbling brook where I could sit in silence for hours contemplating my teenage angst. I think I got it from my mom. She is happiest when the sound of the surf is within earshot.

We whiled away most of the weekend just spending time with each other, searching for sea glass, building sandcastles and running in the surf. On our way back down to Los Angeles, we made sure to stop at the Monarch Butterfly Grove and it just so happened that it was Western Monarch Day. We seriously couldn't have been luckier! 

As we entered the butterfly grove we walked into a full blown festival complete with art activities for the kids, a drum circle, CAKE and educational exhibitions. They brought to life "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and had magnifying glasses for the kids (and adults) to see, up close and personal, the life cycle of the Monarch, starting from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis. It was a beautiful day full of moments we will keep close to our hearts forever.

There's a very delicate line we must constantly walk, it's a sweet balancing act between expecting independent play while mommy works and both of us losing our minds. I must say that the outdoors is not only a place for V to run, jump, explore and discover, it's a shining beacon of sanity for me! If we are cooped up in the house for too long, we both start to lose our minds and so it is into the woods we go (even if mom's on deadline).

The one thing I've learned with our newest adventure in parenting is, when the walls start closing in, it's exponentially more beneficial to all of us to simply stop and get out on a trail, even if for an hour. There truly is nothing that hits the reset button more quickly than a nature walk. The crunch of the leaves under foot, a distant woodpecker knocking, the sun warming the back of our necks, all aid in calming our minds and bringing the smile back to our faces.

[Wandering Wisdom Wednesday] One Touch of Nature Makes the Whole World Kin...

Hiking the Charlie Turner Trail to Mt. Hollywood - 360 Views of the City of Angels

Griffith Park is a treasure to behold. Smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles and spanning over 4000 acres, it's one of the largest urban parks in North America. It's been called the Central Park of Los Angeles, but luckily for those of us who love hiking and the outdoors, it offers 53 miles of trails that are more rugged and untamed than its East Coast Counterpart. A true wilderness oasis where kids and parents can quickly escape the noise and chaos of the busy city to decompress and re-energize!

Getting to the Charlie Turner Trail is really easy. Drive up to the Griffith Park Observatory and as soon as you enter its parking lot take a left and park. The trailhead starts at the north end of the lot. This hike is 100% stroller friendly, well maintained and if you make it all the way, you'll be rewarded with the most spectacular 360 degree views of Los Angeles.

It's about 3 miles round trip, so that means a full day's hike, if you're with a toddler! Just kidding! I've done this hike with a gaggle of kids and it took us about 3 hours to complete, including many water breaks and lunch at the top of Mt. Hollywood.

I've also done this hike with kids where it took us 45 minutes just to make it a quarter mile up the trail, but that's what hiking with kids is all about; going at their pace, encouraging endurance, engaging them in exploration, exercising listening skills and, most definitely practicing patience. Last time we did this hike, V sat in a newly discovered cave for (what seemed like) half an hour, hunting bears, bats and spiders! Oh My!

Please keep in mind that this hike offers little to no shade, so make sure to lather on the sunscreen, wear your hat and bring lots of water! Picnic tables at the summit provide a comfortable and spectacular place to relax, eat and soak in the views. If you don't want to go back down the way you came, there are plenty of interconnecting trails and summits to explore, just make sure to use a map!

I would say the second best thing about this hike is that if you're still up for more discovery once you've done the trail, the Griffith Observatory is right there with an entire universe of (free) exhibits to spark the imagination and inspire!

What a perfect way to spend the day!

[Food Series] Mom's King Cake - A Treasured New Orleans Tradition

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm from New Orleans and as most Crescent City natives are, I am extremely proud of my hometown! Tradition runs deep in my family and I strive to pass it down to our daughter along with my husband's family traditions. And so, it is with pleasure that I introduce her (and you) to the King Cake!

Ingredients
16 oz of Sour Cream
1/3 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Butter
1 teaspoon Salt
2 envelopes (1/4 oz/each) Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm Water (100° to 110°)
1 tablespoon Sugar
2 large Eggs, lightly beaten
6 to 6 1/2 cups bread flour*
1/3 cup Butter, softened
1/2 cup Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

Start by cooking the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts. Set that aside, and allow the mixture to cool to between 100° and 110°. Next, stir together the yeast, 1/2 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar in a measuring cup; let it stand 5 minutes. Beat the sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs and 2 cups flour at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add enough remaining flour (4 to 4 1/2 cups) until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until dough is doubled in bulk. Punch down dough, and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 22- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread 1/3 cup softened butter evenly on each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter on each rectangle. Roll up each dough rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side. Place one dough roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bring ends of roll together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. Repeat with second dough roll. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 to 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 375° for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden. Slightly cool cakes on pans on wire racks (about 10 minutes). Drizzle Creamy Glaze evenly over warm cakes; sprinkle with colored sugars, alternating colors and forming bands. Let cool completely. 

Optional Cream Cheese-Filled King Cake: Prepare each 22- x 12-inch dough rectangle as directed. Omit 1/3 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Increase 1/2 cup sugar to 3/4 cup sugar. Beat 3/4 cup sugar; 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 1 large egg; and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on each dough rectangle, leaving 1-inch borders. Proceed with recipe as directed. Enjoy with a little Dixieland Jazz or When the Saints Go Marching In!

[Food Series] Roquefort Stuffed Chicken Provençal

I first made this dish, what seems like a lifetime ago, but I guess it was only about 8 years ago. It was a romantic, candlelit and conversation-filled evening with my husband. Fast-forward to our present dinner table, serving it up for a busy and laughter-filled family meal, where the joy is in watching our daughter scarf down Roquefort and leeks in any fashion. It's bliss in all of its many forms. Enjoy!

Ingredients
4 large Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 medium Leek
1/2 cup Roquefort
1 tablespoon Thyme
1 tablespoon Rosemary
1 tablespoon Marjoram
1 tablespoon Oregano
3 cloves Garlic
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper

Start by preparing your stuffing. Thinly slice the leeks and crumble the Roquefort. In a bowl add the leeks, Roquefort and half of the pepper, mix well and set aside. In a smaller mixing bowl, add all of the herbs, minced garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Butterfly the chicken breasts by cutting them in half length-wise, then pound them out to about a quarter inch thickness. Spoon about a tablespoon of the leek and Roquefort mixture into the middle of one chicken breast, then roll it up and place it in a baking dish. Repeat this process until all of your chicken breasts are filled, rolled and nestled in the baking dish. Evenly spread the provençal and olive oil mixture on top of the chicken. Bake for 40 minutes and serve! We ate this with rice and green beans. So delicious!

After Dark Adventures - Encouraging Nocturnal Exploration with Kids

It is officially winter and just because the sun goes down earlier, doesn't mean you have to head inside. For two years, I have been looking forward to the day that my toddler was old enough to start doing a little nighttime exploration, so as soon as the fall time change was in full effect, we threw on our jackets, grabbed our flashlights and headed outside!

Night exploration unlocks a whole new outdoor world to a curious toddler. Even the most seemingly mundane things become fascinating and I'm telling you, from our very first night walk, our 2 year old was begging to go out every single evening!

A few things to keep in mind before heading outside at night with your kiddos:

• Dress for the weather! After the sun goes down, the temperature can drop several degrees in a very short amount of time, so be prepared! Grab a sweater and a snugly hat and that will ensure your walk won't be cut short by a cold, uncomfortable kid.
• Check the batteries! Make sure your flashlight isn't going to run out of juice halfway through your walk because that's one toddler meltdown which is totally avoidable.
• Be safe! Make sure to wear light colored clothes and reflectors of some sort. Glow sticks are a huge hit in our family, as you can imagine. Just make sure the whole family is visible to passing cars, bikes and pedestrians.

The benefits of a nighttime family tryst are far-reaching and the activities are limitless. Here are 8 that our family thoroughly enjoys! 

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!

I found that one of the greatest benefits of taking our toddler outside after dinner, is to expel all of that early evening energy, making her more relaxed and ready to move in to our bedtime rituals more smoothly. We actually created a routine during our nighttime walks that almost always ensure at least 10 to 15 minutes of full tilt running. This was obviously done in a well lit area!

Explore the Stars

For me, there is pretty much nothing better than lying down in the grass, cheek to cheek with my little peanut, looking up at the night sky. 

This activity is all about gazing up into the wide open sky, whispering secrets, telling stories, finding constellations and sometimes saying nothing at all. It's moments like these that I live for, listening to the soft sound of my child's breath while we eavesdrop on the hoot of a far off owl. Priceless.

Search for Creepy Crawlers

We are lucky to live in a place where crickets and roley poleys and worms abound. It's probably the part of our nighttime walk that V looks forward to most. 

Although, trying to catch crickets might seem like a pretty futile endeavor to most adults, it's an activity that has the potential to capture a child's attention for much longer a time than any cartoon or mobile app I've ever seen! And the fervent hunt for the elusive roley poley is one that could tire even the most active kids.

Track Nocturnal Animals

While out on our walk, we are always on the lookout for our nighttime friends. We've only been lucky enough to spot one raccoon so far but, just being on the lookout for them can spark a valuable and fun conversation about what it means to be a nocturnal creature, how they use their senses differently from other animals and how they live in harmony with diurnal animals.

Do Some Rock Climbing

Ok, well maybe it was more like pebble hopping, but this is a must-do activity on our nighttime walks! V loves navigating these rocks, pretending that she's a monster, over and over and over and over again. 

It really is remarkable how things, which in the daytime are old hat to a toddler, can take on a fantastical transformation in the twilight hours.

Engage Your Senses

This is something that we also love to do when we are hiking. Keep your eyes and your ears, your nose and your hands open. The night sky opens itself up to all sorts of sounds that you aren't privy to in the daylight hours. One of my and V's favorite is passing by our neighbor's house and listening to the trickle of their garden fountain. Talk about serenity.

Track the Moon

This is a new discovery for our family and I can't begin to describe how fascinated V has been with this new found activity. Watching and understanding the different phases of the moon has allowed V to begin to recognize the bigger picture of the earth and how we fit in to the solar system. We printed out a simple moon tracking sheet and take it with us on our night walk to sketch that night's moon.

Revel in the Lights

Being that it's the holiday season, I would be remiss not to mention the abundance of lights and festive decorations that adorn houses and buildings in neighborhoods all over the world. Go out, celebrate life's beauty. There is much to see, even when it's dark out! Happy Holidays!

Now it's your turn! Does your family have a nighttime walk ritual? What are some of your favorite activities?

[Food Series] Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

We aren't too big on sweets in our house and I am by no means a baker, but every now and then, especially around the holidays, my domestic, nostalgic side kicks in to overdrive! Cue the cookies! I make Oatmeal Banana Bread with some regularity, so this is a variation of that recipe. I tried to stay away from too much dairy and keep it as healthy as possible, that's why I was shocked when they turned out soooo yummy! The perfect healthy Christmas Cookie alternative! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/4 cup half & half
1/4 cup water

In a large mixing bowl, add all of the dry ingredients and stir well. Then add the wet ingredients and make sure that everything is fully incorporated into the dough. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Let the dough sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes. On a lined baking sheet, drop 1 ounce spoonfuls of your dough on to the pan, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Make sure the cookies are about half an inch thick and about an inch in diameter. Bake them for 15 minutes. Allow them to cool for a minute or two, then devour!

[Food Series] Maw Maw's Totally Southern Macaroni and Cheese

This may sound a little sappy, but this dish represents so many things I am thankful for. This recipe has been passed down from my great-grandmother, to my grandmother, to my mother then, to me and it always has a place on our Thanksgiving table. This year, it is with honor, that I pass it down to your family! Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 16 oz bags of Rigatoni

4 16 oz bags of shredded Sharp Cheddar

10 eggs

1/2 gallon of Whole Milk
1 tablespoon of Ground Mustard

2 teaspoons of Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning

Begin by par boiling the rigatoni. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Split the pasta up evenly between two 9 by 12 by 3 baking dishes. In a large mixing bowl whisk together half of the eggs, half of the milk, half of the ground mustard and half of the Tony Chachere's, then mix in one bag of cheese. Once the cheese is fully incorporated into the mixture, pour over pan number 1 of noodles and stir it around making sure to coat all of the pasta and evenly distribute the cheese. Repeat this process for pan number 2, then put both into the oven. After 20 minutes, stir both dishes well, scrape the sides and put them back into the oven. After another 20 minutes, stir them both again and put them back into the oven for another 10 minutes, then add one bag of cheese on top of each pan and put them back into the oven until the cheese is all melted and starting to slightly brown (about 15 minutes). Slice, serve and count your blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!

[Wandering Wisdom Wednesday] We Don't Stop Playing Because We Grow Old...

[Family Volunteering Series Pt. 3] Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project

Only 10% of California's wetlands still exist today and Ballona is the last remaining coastal salt marsh in Los Angeles County. As we sat on its serene bank listening to the call of endangered terns and the buzzing of native bees, I couldn't help but feel saddened by its destruction and uplifted by the hands of more than 75,000 volunteers working diligently for more than 35 years to protect and restore its precious ecosystem.

Finding solitude at the Ballona Wetlands

The Friends of Ballona Wetlands has an award-winning volunteer restoration program geared towards hands-on restoration that is perfectly suited for families who are looking to get outdoors and get dirty! Similar to our TreePeople experience, we headed out early on a Saturday morning, lunches packed, sun block applied, ready to roll up our sleeves and dig into some dirt!

Ballona boasts an almost 600 acre protected ecological reserve nestled smack dab in the middle of urban sprawl and is home to about 300 bird species and hundreds of species of plants. Unfortunately, large swathes of its delicate landscape have been overrun by invasive, non-native plants such as the South American Pampa Grass and Australian Ice Plant. 

Removing Australian Ice Plants

A primary focus of the restoration project is removal of these non-native plants and in the last 8 years over eight thousand four hundred cubic yards of invasive plants, trash and debris have been successfully cleared by the caring hands of the LA community. Meanwhile, volunteers work diligently to plant native vegetation back into the wetlands' rare and expansive network of dunes, highlands and estuaries.

Hiking and Bird-Watching on the Ballona Creek Trail

This program also offers its volunteers a rich and vibrant educational experience complete with docents and printed material to help us to understand the importance of supporting community environmental stewardship within these unique wetlands. 

Using provided educational materials as a guide

V thoroughly enjoyed referring to the diagram of commonly-spotted ducks and birds who nest in the marsh. As we hiked along the ridge we were able to revel in the elegant flight of a red-tailed hawk and discover what distinguishes the Great Blue Heron from a Snowy Egret. What a treat!

The importance of restoring and maintaining Ballona is far-reaching and guaranteed to give back to future generations ten-fold. Preserving our wetlands is vital for Earth and our well-being on so many different levels. They provide a place for migrating birds to rest and refuel as they make their long journey across thousands of miles, from the most southerly point of South America to the northernmost tundra of Alaska. Tantamount to humans, though is the undeniable significance of the wetlands' ability to filter toxins and heavy metals through its vegetation, in turn sending cleaner water back into Los Angeles' aquifers and rivers.

Serenity at the Ballona Wetlands

For our family, learning the seriousness of our effects on the environment and taking responsibility for the destruction, caused by us, to our most fragile ecosystems by taking part in amazing programs like these can only help lead us on our quest to understanding the true importance of environmental stewardship. It allows us to give thanks and reminds us what is most valuable in our lives; each other and the natural world that envelops and supports us.

[Guest Blogger Series] Outdoor Playspaces: Seven Features that Your Kids Will Love by Linda McGurk

This month, MommyHiker.com welcomes Linda McGurk from Rain or Shine Mamma to our Guest Blogger Series! Linda's blog is a wealth of information for all thing play and she has put together a beautiful and comprehensive article to help us all revamp our kid's outdoor playspace!

The idea of creating an outdoor playspace for your child may seem contradictory at first. After all, don't we send our kids outside so that they enjoy simple pleasures like climbing trees, chasing after butterflies and using their creativity to think up their own games in nature, not to have some designated play area designed by adults? True. Kids today certainly don't need another structured activity or pre-fabricated toy added to their already over-scheduled lives and crammed toy arsenals.

That’s the beauty of a natural playspace. It does NOT mean you need to go and buy a $2,000 play set with double swings, a 15-foot slide, gym rings, monkey bars and a climbing wall. And it does NOT mean that you have to build a state-of-the-art play house or have a professional landscape architect create the ultimate, kid-friendly backyard. Don't get me wrong - those things would be nice to have, but that’s not the point of an outdoor playspace.

Outdoor playspaces can be created inexpensively, and in some cases completely free, by using natural, existing, recycled and repurposed materials. Essentially, it can be anything you and your kids want it to be. In a backyard in the city, a small garden or a mud kitchen (more about those later) might be a good way to encourage outdoor play. If you live in the country and have more space, the sky is really the limit when it comes to creating playspaces outside. But don’t get overzealous with the design – the most important thing is to let your kids take an active part in the process and shape the space in a way that invites to play. Done well, it will entice imaginative and open-ended games that will captivate your kids for hours on end. Here are seven features that your kids will want you to include:

DIRT AND SAND

We recently had some construction done and ended up with two big piles of top soil in the backyard, and, unsurprisingly, my girls have found at least a dozen different ways of entertaining themselves with the dirt: Rolling down from the top, doing somersaults (forward and backward), digging, diving, mixing it with water, pretending to rescue each other using ropes…well, you get the idea. If having a pile of dirt in the yard is not part of your landscaping plan, a mud kitchen might be a good alternative. A mud kitchen can be made simply by putting a 2x10 over a couple of tree stumps and giving your kids some old pots and pans to place on it or, if you happen to be handy, as elaborate as you want to make it. For more detailed instructions, check out outdoor play guru Jan White’s ideas here.

Got Dirt?

WATER

There’s something about water that naturally attracts children. They love to scoop it up, pour it, splash it, jump in it, float things in it, mix it with dirt, spray it, race things in it and – inevitably – get wet. And you don’t need a creek in your backyard to take advantage of the great play potential of water. A couple of buckets, some empty milk jugs and yogurt containers combined with natural objects like tree nuts, sticks, leaves and other things that may or may not float are a great way for your kids to start having fun with water. And if you’re feeling creative, check out this Pinterest board on how to make a water wall.  

CHALLENGES

According to Play for All Guidelines, “without taking risks, children cannot learn to their full potential.” By all means, that doesn’t mean that the playspace should be hazardous, just that it should incorporate different levels of challenges to keep your child’s interest. A tree to climb, plants to jump over, a log to balance on, stepping stones to hop on, and tunnels to crawl through are some playspace features that will keep your child challenged. We just made a tunnel from a leftover culvert and can report that it is getting used heavily.

Tunnels!

ANIMALS

Children are instinctively fascinated by bugs, birds and other critters, and regardless of where you live there are ways of attracting them to a playscape. Combine dirt, rocks, pine cones and some old log pieces in a designated area, then wait and see who moves in! The kids will love crawling around in the dirt and lifting the rocks to see what’s hiding underneath. If you want to go all out, check out these amazing bug hotel designs from Inspiration Green. To attract birds, help your kids make a simple birdfeeder – Spoonful has several ideas.  

 

LOOSE PARTS

Loose parts are exactly that: materials that can be moved around, changed and redesigned to create new games and keep the children’s creative juices flowing. In an outdoor playscape loose objects could consist of rocks, wooden blocks, tree nuts, sticks, leaves or other objects that your kids like and are readily available where you live. Loose parts can also be used to count and categorize different items. The more materials that are available, the more opportunities for engaging play and no risk of boredom! 

Pieces and Parts!

SENSORY STIMULATION

I think the best way for kids to experience the outdoors is with all five senses. Using a wide range of materials, colors and textures in the outdoor playscape will help stimulate touch and sight. Add flowers and herbs to bring in different smells: for example chamomile, lavender, sage, bulbs, thyme, and native flowers, and plant them in creative places, like a hollow stump. For taste, plant some berry bushes and fruit trees – foraging edible fruits and berries makes for unforgettable childhood memories. For hearing, try creating an outdoor music station; Let the Children Play has some cheap DIY ideas.

Nature's Senses!

NOOKS AND CRANNIES

Kids love nooks and crannies where they can hide and make their own secret places, as well as different levels with views. Boulders and logs are great for this purpose, and so is vegetation. Use plants that are native, fast-growing and low-maintenance – bushes and tall grasses planted in clusters will become hideouts or places to gather in. Sunflowers work well too, since they’re both cheap and versatile. The Green Education Foundation has good instructions for how to plant a sunflower house.

Climb!

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About the Author

Swedish-born writer, photographer and mother-of-two Linda McGurk believes that the best childhood memories are created outside, while jumping in puddles, digging in dirt, catching frogs and climbing trees. She blogs about restoring the connection between children and nature at Rain or Shine Mamma, and hopes to inspire other parents to get outside with their children every day, regardless of the weather. 

Hiking Eaton Canyon - An Active Kid's Paradise

Tucked away in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Eaton Canyon is a gorgeous nature area comprised of 190 acres, offering everything from nature walks and environmental educational programs to hiking and stunning waterfalls.

Eaton Canyon Waterfall

During the summer, you can find us at Eaton Canyon at least once a month! It's such a great hike for kids. There are two different places you can start from to get to the waterfall. If you want to hike the entire 3+ mile loop, then start at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center located at 1750 North Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001. If you want to get to the waterfall quicker to have more time to relax on the rocks and splash in the water, then cut the hike in half by starting at the Pincrest Gate Entrance. To get to the Pinecrest Gate drive past the Eaton Canyon Nature Park main entrance, heading north on Altadena Drive about a mile. Turn Right on Crescent, then right again on Pinecrest and be careful to observe street parking signs carefully!

Gorgeous Eaton Canyon Trail

We have done the hike starting at both entrances and prefer the Pinecrest Gate Entrance because you get in to the most scenic parts of the hike quicker. Descending the large fire road down, you'll walk the large bridge which crosses the Eaton Canyon Creek bed. Just at the other end of the bridge, the trail dips down and around doing an almost 180, bringing you underneath the bridge and in to the canyon proper.

Creek Crossings!

Eaton is a gorgeous, towering canyon full of tons of wildlife, half a dozen small creek crossings and tons of little people-sized boulders to scramble over, perfect for kids of all ages to navigate and explore!

Small Boulder Scrambling!

You don't even have to make it all the way to the waterfall to enjoy some water play! There are several great places to stop along the way for a quick water break or a full blown lunch under the shady canopy of trees.

Mid-Hike Snack!

Make sure to bring an extra change of clothes, socks, a bathing suit and even towels because this is, for sure, a wet and wild hike!