Pacific Kale: I am Obsessed!

Pacific Kale just got a new look and it gives me an excuse to talk about them.  I'm totally obsessed with these kale chips!  The Glacier Peak especially, but any of them really.  Kale Chips are my favorite snack, I can't get enough.  I make my own, but can never put any aside, between myself and my son, the second they're ready, they are gone--consumed as fast as I can make them. 

Buying them packaged accomplishes what I might be able to do on my own if I had any self control.  The concept of having a ready made leafy green snack that is this delicious---it's Fabulous!  Raw greens, but any time we want them, right out of the pantry (or backpack), ready to eat.  The trouble is they're too good and it's an expensive habit.  But when you consider the health benefits, I think it's worth it.  And when I'd rather have this than pretty much any other snack including chocolate chip cookies or chip-chips, etc, I'd say that's pretty great.   I'm particularly fond of Pacific Kale because they don't over-flavor their chips.  They are melt-in-your-mouth light and crispy and subtle, and....well they are just perfect.

Anyway, they've gone from bags to boxes (presumably to keep the leaves in tact) and they are even easier to scarf down---uh--munch on.  If you haven't tried them already, you must.  Find them HERE. 

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NEMO Cosmo Air Pillowtop Camp Pad

Can't decide between a super comfortable or light weight sleeping pad for camping?  That's usually what it comes down to--car camping luxury or an ultra light backpacking pad and you end up getting one for each type of camping.  Nemo's Cosmo Air with Pillowtop gives you both options in one mat.

What a great way to have two pads in one.  With the pillow top, you've got your luxury, and when you need a backpacking sleep mat, just slip off the pillow top and you have a light weight (1lb 13oz) and still comfortable pad.   As with all Nemo gear I've tried, this thing screams quality. 

Horizontal baffles keep your weight more evenly distributed, you won't sink into the middle as can sometimes happen with vertical baffles.  It's a wonderful mat for us side sleepers and feels stable.  An integrated foot pump makes for a quick set up, and a raised pillow area can either function as one, or it will help keep your pillow from sliding off the mat.  Really nice design with the Cosmo, very comfy for such a light weight pad.  I am spoiled rotten and love my comfort and I would be perfectly satisfied with this in a backpacking situation.  But if I'm car camping, I like decadence.  

Enter the pillowtop.  The washable fabric is very soft and substantial microsuede, and there's about an inch of foam that makes for extra comfort and warmth between you and the mat, for a total of three inches between you and the ground. This adds warmth and makes the pad useful for three season camping.   I can toss around on this and never feel the ground, it's very comfy and cozy. 

The whole system packs down quite small into an included stuff sack which is great if you are limited in your cargo space or storage space at home.  If you could have only one pad, the Cosmo Air with Pillowtop is a solid choice, find it HERE.

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Kelty Base Camp Kitchen

Wanna spice up your camping repertoire?  Literally?  Making elaborate meals outside is so much fun, and if you're car camping, why hold back.  Kelty's Base Camp Kitchen will keep you organized, facilitate preparing more complicated meals (bye bye ramen and oatmeal), and keep picnic table space free.  Also--it's light weight at 18lbs which is important.  I once had an REI camp kitchen, but it was so big and heavy (around 30lbs) that it was unwieldy for me to manage myself and ultimately too much trouble to bother with.  The Kelty is something I can handle on my own and find well worth the effort.

It comes in a carry case, and set up is simple, the whole thing unfolds and comes together with ease and tears down just as easily.  There's a storage compartment for gear (it's a pantry, but I'd be very careful about storing food in there, we put ours in the car while we sleep lest racoons or bears decide to raid the kitchen).  The whole unit is compatible with Kelty's Binto system, but works wonderful without it. 

There's a space for your two burner stove with a removable wind screen, and two counters for food prep.  There's also plenty of extra space for hanging tools and towels, and a handy shelf under the stove which we used to store water.  It really makes cooking at camp such a pleasure.  We made black beans and rice, stir fry, and blueberry pancakes, among other things, and it couldn't have been easier. 

Having a kitchen area at your camp site just makes things run smoother, particularly if you have kids.  The more organized you are, the more time you have for play, and this definitely makes food prep go faster.  Once you use this, you won't want to go without it and you'll wonder how you managed before.  It's a big upgrade to the car camping experience.  Find it HERE.

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Patagonia Reflip Chip Flip Flops

I'm the pickiest person in the world when it comes to flip flops and only started wearing them when I discovered Reefs.  They're the only ones that were comfortable to me--until now.  Patagonia's Reflip Chips are at least as comfortable and even better, they are made from soft recycled materials and are totally recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads recycle program.  The fabric that fits between your toes (what can make flip flops so uncomfortable) is sewn perfectly and is soft and thin and barely noticeable. Perfect for travel, they are super light weight and comfy enough to support some extended walking. 

They're vegan too.  And did I mention they're cute?  They come in three colors, all bright and cheery and perfect for summer.  Find them HERE.

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New for Summer: Sierra Trail Mix CLIF BAR

Need some easy access energy for your summer hikes and travels?  Clif Bar has come out with a new flavor, Sierra Trail Mix.  It's 70% organic, gmo free and contains sustainably sourced cocoa from farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance.  I'd like to see that USDA Certified Organic seal on Clif Bars as well, it looks like they might be moving in that direction.  Seirra Trail Mix, as the name implies, contains trail mix ingredients like raisins, peanuts and chocolate.  It has a little bit of salty-sweet going on and is super kid friendly.  My son goes bananas for Clif Bars of any kind, and boy do they come in handy when you are caught out too long without a snack.  Pulling one of these out of my bag when things start to go cranky can turn the whole day around.  Find them HERE.

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Grand Trunk Parasheet: Beach Bag Must Have

Headed to the beach this summer?  If you're traveling and don't want to bring along bulky towels, Grand Trunk's Parasheet is a great solution.  They are super light weight at 20oz (less for the single), come in a handy attached stuff sack, and easily fit right in your beach bag.  They come in a rainbow of colors and single and double sizes.  I'd opt for double as I think bigger is better in this case, though the single is more compact and would be perfect for kids or those who want to minimize bulk even more. 

The blue is gorgeous and soothing, like your own portable oasis.  Sand shakes off with ease, so you don't have an accumulation at the bottom of your bag the way you do with towels that have been on the beach.  It also dries very quickly.  Pockets are sewn in the corners and sides to fill with sand and weigh it down so it will stay flat and won't blow away, and there are stake loops too.  It's perfect for picnics and no worries if you spill food on it, you can just throw it in the wash when you get home.

Grand Trunk has a lot of innovative gear, and they're an eco minded company.  Find the Parasheet and other travel necessities HERE. 

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Just in Time for Summer: LUST FOR LEAF

Hot off the presses--I just got this in my hands just now or I would have insisted you pick up a copy for the Fourth.  Maybe there's still time to grab one locally?   LUST FOR LEAF is a fresh, sassy and slightly risque vegetarian cookbook packed with recipes for some inspired eating this summer and beyond.

Meals perfect for camping, picnicking, and potlucks but with some serious originality.  I haven't seen a cookbook come my way in a while that made me stop what I was doing and read.  Yes, read.  The prose is entertaining and it's full of glossy photos.  I haven't had a chance to try recipes yet but I will for sure, and most often you know by looking at a recipe whether or not you're going to like it.  First on my list (and on the menu for tomorrow) is the Watermelon-Strawberry Aquas Fresca (with cilantro) and I can't wait to try the recipe for squash blossoms.  V's let you know instantly whether a recipe is vegan while fabulous recipe titles and cool info-icons with drink and music suggestions add to the fun.  Amusing it is, but there's real substance here.  It's full of creativity and made me laugh while making me hungry.

The Kindle version is available now, but unless you have a color display, I'd get the hard copy for the abundance of photos on every page.  It's not for everyone perhaps, I've never been told to stir the shit out of something in a cookbook before, but it's raunchiness definitely gives it a unique voice.  And I think that edge just might appeal to some who otherwise might not be interested in a vegetarian cookbook.  It would be an awesome host/hostess gift if you're headed out for a Fourth of July party tomorrow (or any summer party for that matter).  Find it HERE. 

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