I admire Patagonia's Founder, Yvon Chouinard for his love of living simple.  "So, there’s a movement for simplifying your life: purchase less stuff, own a few things that are very high quality that last a long time, and that are multifunctional. I drive old cars, all my Patagonia clothes are years and years old. I hardly have anything new. I try to lead a very simple life. I am not a consumer of anything."

Try something new this week that's special to you!  A few ideas to get you excited:

• Eat dinner outdoors by a fire wrapped in a blanket
  
• Run where air is pure and reflect on all of the important people you have in your life
  
• Hike up a mountain; focus on nature's beauty
  
• Canoe or kayak to have a picnic on the water
  
• Eat a whole-food, plant-based diet.  Start crowding out unhealthy, processed foods with nutrient-dense foods such as hemp seeds, root veggies, wild rice, quinoa, raw nuts, spices, healthy fats, etc.

MAILBOX PEAK (NEW TRAIL)
9.4 miles, roundtrip 
Gain: 4000 ft.
Highest Point: 4822 ft.

FYI:

• Pack water and plant-based foods that are easy to digest and have high net gain.
  
• Wear shoes/boots with good tread.
  

Looking for a mountain hike that's longer, mixed with adventure and has a fun summit reward at the end?  Gear up and hit the trailhead towards Mailbox Peak.  Located near North Bend, WA, Mailbox Peak is nothing short of an adventure.  The moment your foot hits the trail, switchbacks and incremental incline begin along the northwest face of Mailbox Peak as you set out for the summit.

"The old trail up Mailbox Peak was the stuff of legend. It inspired potential Rainier climbers, challenged adventurous day hikers, and occasionally Mother Nature used the trail to bite back.... While still relatively steep, this new route, built in part by WTA volunteers, offers a safer way for folks to attain the summit of this formidable peak."  - WTA.org

At about 850 of elevation gain per mile, your thighs will definitely feel the burn right away, and it won't let up until you're standing next to the Mailbox.  The switchbacks continue for about 4 miles, and then you will meet up and rejoin the old trail. (@ 3860 feet)  This is by far the most technical part with lots of loose gravel. You might prepare to fuel up and hydrate for your final push up 960 feet of elevation (in a half mile) to reach the famous mailbox.

The views are breathtaking!  Looking out to see Seattle, Bellevue and Rainier in your face...Mailbox Peak's climb so very worth it!

Don't forget to bring something to leave in the mailbox. You will find lots of interesting, unique "stuff" of all kinds.

"Automatic" - Miranda Lambert's new song delivers a touching and important message around keeping life simple and enjoying what really matters. 
TODAY, life and everything that tags along with it (career, balance, family time, health, etc.) is so packed full that the simple, loving things are often forgotten.  It's also a time in history when we are communicating more rapidly than ever – via texts, tweets and email volleys, one after the next.  Miranda Lambert's hit, "Automatic" brings us back to the slower-paced life...when things took more time. This goes hand and hand with overall health, wellness and nutrition.  Meal time should be a time of celebration!  Celebration of nourishing your body with home-cooked meals as well as spending quality time with the ones most important to you.  Conversations around the dinner table should be full of laughter and creating forever-lasting memories.