Exercise and Depression - Go for a hike!

Exercise and Depression – Go for a hike!

After my first post on exercise and depression, I decided to take my own advice, get off the couch and move, but not right away…

Today Rob said, “Do you want to go for a hike?” I tend to be a more sedentary person by nature and really wanted to spend some free time sitting and crocheting a blanket I’m making for one of my nieces, so I considered the merits of taking my own advice and said, “sure, let’s go for a hike”.

We suited up and headed out. A short drive later we were at a nearby Audubon refuge that has trails that lead through the woods to a neighborhood and then on to a pond. We could have parked in the lot at the neighborhood, but decided to attempt the two step hike.

We hiked for 50 minutes round trip. It wasn’t a particularly challenging terrain, but it had ups and downs so it wasn’t a wimpy hike either. By the time we got through the woods to the neighborhood, I was ready to turn back. My back was starting to spasm (I have scoliosis, and although I’m strengthening and doing better all the time, sometimes my back rules how much I can do). There was a point coming back where I said to Rob, “How did Lewis and Clark get to the Pacific Ocean? I have no idea where I am.”

Obviously we made it back to the car, and headed home for a treat I want to share with you now.

What would be delicious on a cold day after a good hike in the woods? Hot chocolate!!

I put together a quick and easy non-dairy recipe that I want to share with you here:

2 cups unsweetened almond milk

2 tablespoons organic cocoa

3 teaspoons xylitol

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Heat and serve. For some unknown reason (this is my first experiment with almond milk), the cocoa got very thick and creamy… almost a thin mousse, and was delicious. We also shaved some 72% chocolate and mixed that in. The version above makes 2 servings.

I hope you’ll try it and will let me know what you think!

Helping you achieve Major Wellness in your life!

Cheryl A Major, CNWC