Safety First

Safety, Safety, Safety can not be expressed enough when it comes to hiking. I listed a few tips before you head out on your hike to avoid potential injury or death.

1. Plan your rout.
2. Tell a Friend or Park ranger what area you will be hiking.
3. Carry a first aid kit.
4. Always have plenty of water.
5. Know where shelter is on your rout.

These small but important issues before you begin any hike should always be addressed. Your  planning should encompass all aspects of your trip. These steps are just a few important ones that I like to think about before my adventures. Stay safe.

Millbrook Mountain

For the 4th of July celebration I will be heading out to Millbrook Mountain located near Kerhonkson, New York. According to All Trails web site the hike is roughly two and a half hours away, with a distance of 4.7 mile loop (http://alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/millbrook-mountain). One of the more attractive points in this particular hike for me is that Lake Minnewaska is along the trail, which means you can swim after a long hike. But if swimming is not what you had in mind the views alone are spectacular. Once complete this hike I will take more pictures to show the full feel of the trail.

Using Good Form While Hiking

When hiking, you should use good form and technics in order to prevent injury. When hiking people have a tendency to lean forward when walking uphill and lean backward when walking downhill. By doing so you will put a lot of strain on your back. Some useful techniques to remember while you’re hiking the trail is to have good posture and form. Be as upright as possible while on mild or moderate hills. With a steep decline you may require to lean ever so slightly, but be aware of how much weight is on your heels, which could cause your feet to slip out from under you. While walking up an incline, push upward and forward with your toes, while pumping your arms like a piston to propel your momentum upwards. For hiking downhill, relax your knees a little bit to allow them to absorb some of the impact.

If you have some stairs or a hill in your area, I’d suggest practicing before you go on a long hike. Don’t load your pack, but instead put just a little weight to get the feeling. Also wearing your hiking boots while practicing is also good idea since they are your foot wear of choice on the trail.

Real Estate Agents Are Useless

Not to offend rental real estate agents, but I believe I will with this particular post. I have a hard time understanding what a rental real estate agent actually does besides taking a phone call, opening a door, and printing out a generic contract. When I have done half the work by finding the listing, calling an agent and showing up to the rental. How does this warrant 10% of an annual rent? It doesn’t and should be outlawed. This isn’t to say a rental real estate agent shouldn’t be paid for their time, but the compensation should fit the position.

My idea is when the day will come where technology will supersede the agent. People will no longer have to haggle with an agent like one haggles with a used car sales person. Imagine a virtual app that will give you directions to the home, unlock the door for you and give you an audio tour. I sure can, this will cut agents out and probably lower the coast of the home, since agents over price homes to make the most money for themselves.

Twelve Foods To Eat For a Triathlon

Later this year I agreed to raise money for the Semper Fi Fund, a none profit organization that helps wounded, ill or injured Marines recover, and run in the New York City triathlon. I started my training by engineering a healthy diet plan that would give me enough energy and allow me to train as hard as can without feeling tired. I came across a particular diet in the Magazine called  Men's Health, but made a few changes to the list and combinations.

Food List

1. Irish Steal Cut Oats.
2. Eggs
3. Quinoa
4. Chicken
5. Sauerkraut
6. Steak
7. Sweat potatoes
8. Cottage Cheese
9. Blue Berries
10. Walnuts 
11. Almond Milk or Coconut milk
12. Whey protein

Moring

•  Irish steal cut oats ( Make sure to follow how to cook these. You will have to leave over night in fridge for them to be edible).
• One or two eggs. ( Boil or pan, doesn't matter)

Snack

• Milk and whey protein  ( I do this to get my protein and actually its a great treat )

Lunch

• 1) Grilled Chicken
• Sauerkraut ( I know weird but its low calorie and tasty)
•  Quinoa 

 Snack

• Milk (can be Almond or Soy) and whey protein

Dinner

• Steak (I just get a skirt or flank steak nothing to crazy and put some A1 souse on it) 
• Sweat Potatoes ( I bake them with some olive oil)

Late night snack

• Mix the cottage cheese with blue berries and walnuts.

Feel free to make changes to this particular diet with foods you enjoy. Keep in mind not to add to much but can substitute meat or chick for fish.  The diet is a high protein with low carbs diet. I have lost about ten pounds since I started my training and have more energy then before. Also Booze isn't mentioned here because if your training for an event you shouldn't be drinking.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge during the weekend is like standing online at Six Flags adventure park. I suggest if you need to scratch walking over the bridge from your bucket list, to go during the morning on a weekday.

Hiking Socks

Wearing the right pair of socks, while hiking, is just as important as the boots you use. Without a proper sock to protect your feet you will surely succumb to blisters that can ruin a hike. I suggest using a sock made of the material called merino wool. It will provide cushion, naturally wicks moisture, doesn’t smell, provides warmth in the cold, and helps keep feet cool in the heat. So when you’re looking at what socks to buy keep in mind merino wool.