Monday, October 28, 2013

In the Blast Zone

This week's hike took us into Mount St. Helens' blast zone. We were searching for sunshine again, but we didn't find any. We never even found Mount St. Helens!

Rainbow at Norway Pass

What we did find  was the beauty of rebirth in an area completely devastated by a volcanic eruption 33 years ago. The area we hiked has been protected to return to it's natural state. It was simply fascinating and beautiful. 


Snow on Mt. Margaret trail


It was also rainy, windy and even snowy at the height of our climb. I can't wait to go back when Mount St. Helens is not hiding behind clouds!

Spirit Lake from Windy Ridge


Have you ever felt your life was nothing less than a blast zone? I have. But I believe when we let Him, God can bring beauty for ashes not just on a mountainside, but in our precious lives as well. 

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

~Isaiah 61:3






Since we will be falling back soon and any time change messes up our inner clock I want to share my favorite energy smoothie. I don't drink coffee or caffeinated tea, but this really does the trick when I get drowsy.  

Love Chocolate Energy Smoothie

1 banana
1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
1 tablespoon maca powder
2 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa
1 teaspoon cinnamon
about 1 cup milk
(almond, soy or cow's milk)
ice



Place banana, peanut butter, maca powder, cacao, cinnamon and about 1/4 cup of the milk in a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice and fill with more milk. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

This makes one smoothie. I like to use the Magic Bullet, but you can use any blender. All of the amounts can be changed to your liking and some sort of sweetener can be added.




Linda <><






6 comments:

  1. How brave you are to scale those mountains to see one big one! The smoothie sounds really good!

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  2. What a beautiful post! It really speaks to me:) Can't wait to try the smoothie too!

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  3. Tho the mountains are clad in fog - underneath it, they are still there, just like He is always there no matter what seeks to cloak Him.

    The smoothie sounds lush.

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    1. Beautiful and truly suits the day. And many days here:)

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  4. I can't believe the eruption happened thirty three years ago. The shake sounds yummy! What is maca powder?

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    1. I know, I can't believe it has been thirty-three years either. My husband and I married a month after the eruption, so I remember it well. This is from the Amazon description for Maca(it is optional in the smoothie): "Maca root has been used as a stress-fighting adaptogen to increase stamina, boost libido and combat fatigue. Maca is a nutrient-dense whole food packed with vitamins, plant sterols as well as many essential minerals, fatty and amino acids."

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