Camping While Raw

It’ been while since I posted. Sorry about that ladies. It’s a long story. So I’ll just say in short, “Life happens”.

I don’t know how many of you readers go camping, but I have to tell you I love it. One of my happiest memories when I was young, was camping with my family. My Dad loved taking us camping as often as he could. We’d go to places like Champlain park and other sites along the St. Laurence river. We’ve pretty much camped in different places all over Canada and a few places in the US. Even though I don’t remember all the places that we camped, I do remember the camping experience itself. Dad taught us how to make a fire, tie knots like the boy Scouts, canoe, and we did a lot of exploring and hiking as well. Finding out about the natural habitat that surrounded us was of great importance to my Dad. My young mind just soaked it all up. I having so much fun, that I wanted to stay forever.

This desire has always stayed with me. My husband and I have always had this same love, and we’ve instilled it in our children while they were growing up. I am so glad that we did. This summer we decided to go camping again as we hadn’t taken a vacation in years and we all need it. Our closest friends Jim and Cindy brought their four children as well, plus one extra, and we all went camping in Kejimkujik national park. You can check it out on line. If you’re ever in Nova Scotia it is one of the most beautiful places to camp. You can even take canoes, packed with your supplies and go on one of the islands. It’s more like being in the wilderness, just watch out for Bears. So bring your Bear guide book with you. I’ve included some pictures of our camping trip. I hope you enjoy them.

We hadn’t gone camping since my husband and I had gone raw. So on this trip I decided that in order to stay raw, I would need to prepare all the raw food that we needed before hand. For the children I would bring some of their vegan foods, since they are not 100% raw. So first thing I had to do was plan all the meals we would be having so that things would go smoothly and we’d have everything we needed. Remember there is no electricity. So I made enough almond-milk to last us and place the almond-milk in glass containers with lids in our large cooler. You can freeze them before going on a trip, this way they thaw slowly and will last longer. The cooler was packed full with nuts, fruit and veggies that needed to be kept cold, hemp seeds, flax, chia seeds, etc. I spent two days before the trip filling my dehydrator with foods like: burgers, crackers, bread, lathers, buckwheat crispies: chocolate and vanilla flavor, things that would keep well and not go bad. I also packed a large tote with all the kitchen supplies I would need: raw agave nectar, Vega smoothie pouches, spices, real vanilla extract, vanilla beans, dried: cranberries, blueberries, goji berries and cherries, herbs, maple syrup for the children, grains and other seeds for sprouting, more fruits and root vegetables.

Not to worry I brought all the tools I would need as well. No, not my blender, although that would have been nice. The tools that I did bring were things like my cutting boards, knives, spiral slicer, vegetable peeler, large spoons. Basically things that I would need to make my life easier, and relaxed.

So we packed up the tents, the bikes, back packs, sleeping bags, etc. and off we went. After setting up camp it started to rain, but we were prepared. We had place three large tarps up over the tents and picnic table so that we would be able to sit outside and enjoy the rain when it came. And enjoy we did. The children went down to the beach, which was just a 2 minute walk down the trail from our camp site and went swimming. When they came back they played cards until the rain stopped.

Then they took their bikes and hit the trails. Can you imagine 9 kids in a straight line riding down these wooded trail. Kaylee was the youngest , but she had 8 big boys to take care of her and give her attention. And me, I sat back put up my feet and soaked everything in that day. Can you believe I even got to read a whole book while camping? I haven’ done that in years. The meals were so easy and quick to prepare since I had done most of the work ahead of time. So this left time for all of us to go hiking, swim at the falls, you name it, we did it. But most of all it was the feeling – no stress. I was in my realm again, were I felt so “at home” for the first time in a very long time. Nothing we did was rushed, just the calm sounds of rushing water, rain dancing in the trees, the gentle sound of the wind, the birds singing. I loved this world I was in, and I wanted so much to stay. My children felt the same way. They were having to much fun!

When I think about it more and more I realize this is the world we are ment to live in. Not this world that separates us from nature. It’s no wonder that our bodies and minds can think clearer, and feel so in tune when in natural surroundings. I know for myself that if I could, I would stay. For this is where home is to me and always will be.

Until next time, enjoy life, maybe even camping.

Monique

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