Do not follow the recipe on the package. Add the following:

One half cup of good oil, 2 eggs (just whites, if you wish), Liquid (water, undiluted frozen/thawed orange juice, milk, buttermilk, or other juices)

To sweeten include:

One half cup of molasses, honey or maple syrup (this may not be needed if you add a can of cranberries, blueberries or pumpkin)

Each time you bake you can add one or several of the following (2-4 cups) to change the texture and flavor of the muffins:

Chopped nuts, A little cornmeal, Kasha, Sunflower seeds, Wheat germ, Shredded coconut, Oat, wheat or rice bran, Orange rind, Grated lemon peel, Yogurt, Dry milk (boost calcium), Mashed bananas, Oat, wheat or rye flakes, Crushed pineapple, Cinnamon, or other spice, Applesauce, Pumpkin pie spice, Ginger, Cloves, Grated apples, Leftover breakfast cereals, Blueberries, Raisins, Currents, Chopped figs, Chopped prunes, Cherries, Peanut butter, Can of refried beans, Cooked pumpkin, Can of cranberry sauce,
Grated carrots, Apple juice concentrate.

Or anything you find in the refrigerator or cupboard you think might be good. Anything!!

Mix all wet ingredients separately, then mix together with dry ingredients, adding enough liquid of whatever kind you choose until you have a medium stiff batter that will fill to heaping paper muffin cups, placed in muffin tins. You can top your muffins before baking with sunflower seeds, nuts or whatever else you like. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. After a time or two you should get the feel of your oven. Once baked, muffins can be frozen and taken out one at a time, or will keep in the refrigerator. Use your microwave to make them taste like they’re fresh out of the hot oven.

This is commonly known by most of us who enjoy walking.  Still over the years I have come to realize that physical health is not the only benefit and sometime is eclipsed by the mental benefits one gains from walking.

A walk early in the morning alone or with a friend can jump-start the whole day in a very positive way.

Walking with a child will give you the opportunity to have some of the most memorable conversations you could ever hope to have.  This experience may give the child the time needed to open up and discuss things that your busy day otherwise wouldn’t permit.

Walking at night even in a familiar location can provide a whole new perspective.  You will see things that were always there but you never saw.

Over the years I have walked where every I find myself.  This has included  in New York City,  along the Great Wall of China or is some small forgotten place.  In each of these locations otherwise undiscovered insights treasures or new revaluations have resulted.

Start slowly and take it one step at a time.  Let your body catch up with the pleasures of the experience and before you know it you will have walked hundreds of miles and changed your outlook on whatever has been holding you back.

It really is very simple, GO TAKE A WALK.   You will be better for it.

That is certainly the case with this weblog.  There are things one has to learn and test and often it is a trial by error process.   Although it can be frustrating it also is a mental challenge and provides for simulating issues to think about.

Life really is better when you have these things to consider.  Whether its how to get everything into your suitcase for a long  journey or trying to locate the right person to speak with on finding a job  it all really is just one big adventure.

Often the end result is not exacly what you expected when you began but through the process you have learned and that learning makes you a better person.  If nothing else, the next time you have to deal with a similar “problem”  you will be more apt to know what to do.

That is a very good thing!  You can “bank” on it.

Books have always been an important part of the foundation of my thinking which shapes my outlook.  Not long ago while creating a profile I was asked to list my “favorite” books.  I hadn’t thought of it before so when I finally came up with a short list it was interesting to see what came to the top and why.  It was a useful exercise and worth doing.

I discovered that old books came out way ahead of the latest shinny sensations.  These are all books on my bookshelf and in some cases I have had them well over thirty years.

Here is my list:

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Bowser The Hound by Thornton W. Burgess
Of Men and Mountains by William O. Douglas
The Importance of Living by Lin Yutang
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

In doing a search on each of these books the internet gives forth a host of detail about both the authors and the books.   I guess the list also says something about me.

For the profile I was also asked to provide my favorite movies.  Like the books above my choices are not this years box  office hits.

It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946
“La guerre du feu” Quest for Fire, 1981

These two films have been at the top of my movie list for over 25 years.   They like a time tested book are resilient and continue  to provide thoughtful lessons and points to consider.

Here is an organized way to save energy and spend more time outdoors having fun.

Take as little as possible but remember everything needed.  Being safe and having fun requires choosing the right equipment.   A moment’s thought before starting out will better prepare you for the pleasures of your outdoor adventure.   To use this list simply print and then highlight each item needed with a colored marker.  then check each item once it has been added to your backpack, mail drop box, canoe or vehicle box.

Click on Mount-Hood.com in the right column to get to my check list and be safe in the outdoors.    HAPPY TRAILS!