Archives May 2020

Three easy, at-home workouts that you can do to have stronger legs

There is nothing more embarrassing than being the one to plan a day hike for your family or friends and then be “that girl” who is the out-of-shape squeaky wheel. Day hikes are usually all day, that’s why they call them “day” hikes. Because of the various terrains, you might encounter, building strong leg muscles are important if you expect to keep up with your family while hiking.

A couple of years ago my husband and I were in Las Cruces, New Mexico for his job. When I’m out on the road with him I love to find the closest hiking trails. I fill my backpack with water and snacks and then head out for the day.

Motivation Can Sometimes Be Spawned On By Others

One particular Sunday during our stay in New Mexico I suggested that my husband and I hike one side of the Organ Mountains. He has only been hiking with me a few times, and although he didn’t really want to go, he agreed to it.

After what seemed like forever, we finally found the Pine Tree Loop Trailhead. Although my husband would have rather been watching the NASCAR race back in our camper, he made a valiant effort in coming with me and even carried my backpack. At least for a short distance.

As we maneuvered up the trail, him leading the way, I noticed that although I consider myself to be in excellent shape, he was zipping up the hills with ease and I was gasping for air and sweating profusely.

Every half mile I found myself to be winded and needed to rest. By about the second mile up the mountain, my legs were on fire and needed relief.

I am a hunter and I walk what seems like a million miles during hunting season. But this trek was totally different. The elevation change and the climb to the top were more difficult than I imagined and my legs weren’t as strong as I thought they were.

When I returned home to Missouri I committed to strengthening my lower body. I knew that particular area needed a lot of work and that the starting point would be to build strong leg muscles.

I want to share some of my favorite “stronger legs” exercises with you that I continue to do, even now, to not only prepare you for hunting season but especially for hiking season. Because believe it or not, that time is upon us.

Squats

One exercise I include in my “leg day” workout is SQUATS. I am not always able to get to the gym and lucky for me, and you, squats don’t require you to have a membership anywhere. In fact, you don’t technically even have to use weights. You can squat wherever, whenever, and as many times as you choose to.

I have several sets of dumbbells in various weights that I use. The important part isn’t the weight so much as it is in the motion of squatting and coming back up. When you come down to that 90-degree angle, execute your squat by PUSHING your weight BACK UP. Thus building not only your thigh muscles but your butt muscles as well.

Be sure, however, to stand with your feet hip-distance apart when performing this exercise. I change it up some by pointing my toes out occasionally or keeping my feet CLOSER than hip distance. The changing of your stance will determine which part of the muscle you strengthen and build.

Walking Lunges

Another favorite workout, and one that I ALWAYS do, is the WALKING LUNGE. These are EXCELLENT for building strong leg muscles and you will feel the burn if you do very many. But remember that burning is good!

Basically, you are just taking GIANT steps forward, coming down to a 90-degree angle with the outstretched leg. I love this exercise and do it almost every day.

This is another exercise that you can do WHEREVER YOU WANT! Adding weight the walking lunge gives you a bonus, although you will notice your heart rate going up even more with the extra poundage. Depending on my mood and how I’m feeling on a particular day, I may or may not add weight.

And it’s as simple as carrying one dumbbell with two hands or a dumbbell in each other over your shoulders as you take your steps forward. My arms begin hurting with two so I tend to just use one. This is an easy effective exercise. You’ll notice stronger legs quickly.

Reverse Lunges

My last “favorite” for strengthening legs is REVERSE LUNGES. This exercise is a butt kicker for sure but so effective for building strong legs.

Standing with feet hip-distance apart take a step forward as if you’re going to do a front lunge. Instead of bringing that front leg back to standing position, you just lower yourself until your leg is at the 90-degree position.

Make sure that the knee of your extended foot does not come down past your foot or toe of your athletic shoe. Squat deeper if you have to. The undue pressure will be placed on your knee, and possible injury, if your knees go over your foot too far. Be very mindful of that. It’s not worth injuring yourself. Not to mention it would put a halt to your hiking adventures.

These 3 Workouts Can Literally Be Done ANYWHERE

These three exercises to build strength, as well as “sexy” legs, are easy and can be done anywhere. Not surprising but I have done them in the various campgrounds as well as hotels we’ve stayed in over the years.

We were in Denver last year and I was ” walking lunging” up and down the hallways and executing the “reverse lunge” in the stairwell of Cottonwood Suites. I might have gotten a few stares (little pun there) but I didn’t really care. I was focused on keeping my legs strong and no amount of humiliation or embarrassment was going to keep me from my goal.

“A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

As far as how many reps I do of each, I normally do three to four sets of 15, depending on my mood. Three sets are a great starting point.

Strong legs are important for life in general. Not just for hiking or hunting. As I inch through my 50’s I am reminded of that every day.

As my grandchildren get older I want to be able to run and play with them as well as share my love of hiking and exploring all that this big, beautiful world has to offer.

I’ll bet that if you’re like me, you want to enjoy those same things.

Building a stronger body and mind is key to a long and happy life.

Stronger legs are a great place to start.

This Simple Deer Steak Recipe Will Be One That Becomes A Family Favorite

I don’t know if you do it in your family, but in ours, we do the “birthday dinner request” thing. This means that on birthdays you get to pick what you want to be cooked and then we all gather together for a family dinner and I make it. And as luck would have it my husband’s birthday is the first day of the year so we can always count on having his yearly favorite Cream of Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe over rice or pasta with my famous Baked Caramel Cheesecake from scratch. Yes, he’s spoiled!

Personally, I would rather have a smoked turkey with a side of strawberries and shortcake but he ALWAYS picks this recipe so it makes it easy to plan for. This simple deer steak recipe will become a family favorite in your house as well as in mine. And you’ll find that on those nights when you have very little time to whip something up, my Cream of Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe will be a go-to time and time again. I promise, with only a few ingredients, and just a short amount of time to prepare, you will be sending me a nice note to say THANK YOU, KELLY!

Cream Of Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe

What You Need:

• 2 lbs of deer steak (cut into small chunks)
• Canola oil
• 2 Family Size Cans Of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 C Milk

Directions:

First, in a large skillet, I place a small amount of canola oil and turn the heat to medium heat. When it gets hot I put in the meat chunks and I brown them until good and done on both sides. You’ll need to season the meat to your own taste but for my husband, I normally season with garlic salt and pepper. We LOVE garlic salt. I put garlic salt on just about everything.

Next, I put the brown deer steak chunks on a paper towel to let the grease drain from the meat.

Time To Prepare The Cream Of Mushroom Soup!

After the meat drains I open up the two cans of soup and put it in a large saucepan and turn the heat on low and let it cook. This is the time I add the milk. You must continually stir or else the soup will scorch to the pan. I have done that before and it tastes like burnt milk. It’s horrible, so stir, stir, stir until it’s creamy.

Once you have the soup ready it’s time to add the meat. What I do is just scoop the deer steak into the large saucepan of the cream of mushroom soup and continue to cook on low until it’s bubbly and blended together well.

And that’s it! It’s done!

Cream Of Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe Goes Well With Just About Anything

My husband and I have a difference of opinion on what to serve with this recipe. He loves rice. Wild rice or white, he doesn’t care but it has to be poured over rice.

As for me, well I like mine poured over pasta. Whether it be angel hair pasta or just plain old egg noodles, I want PASTA! Usually, since it’s his birthday meal, I give in and do the rice. What kind of wife would I be if I demanded my way on his birthday?????

As for sides, I usually do garlic bread and peas and potatoes or some other green vegetable. I know, I know, potatoes and rice…too much starch. But around here we love our starch!

Regardless of what choices you decide on, I promise that my Cream of Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe will be a hit with your family and it might even become a “birthday request” recipe. I would be tickled to find out that it sparked a new “tradition” in your house. Be sure to let me know if it does! I’ll be sure to pass that on to my husband so he can have bragging rights. It was him who came up with this simple Cream of Mushroom Deer Steak Recipe. Who knew he could come up with something so tasty? Not me.

Although It’s Held More Than Just Tools, Underneath That Old Red Shed Has Been A Part Of God’s Plan

I remember the day Dad had this “thing” hauled down the driveway. He bought it from a woman, who was a lifelong Greenfieldian and lived just about two miles outside of town. It cost $100. Yes, that’s right! My dad paid ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS this piece of crap! Or so it seemed like a piece of crap at the time. But, who knew that Dad’s red-eye sore coming down the driveway would end up being the old red shed that would one day become one of my greatest blessings.

When the old dilapidated red shed first showed up, I thought it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen. It was a two-room shack that had three windows and one old wooden door. It had a flat metal roof.

Of course, Dad poked it right back behind my house so that every morning, from the kitchen sink, that would be the FIRST thing I would see. Ugh! I HATED that shed!

That Old Red Shed Started Out As Storage

Over the years, it became our “storage” place. We put EVERYTHING extra out in it. From fishing poles to box fans to old beds and dressers, you name it and it got thrown out there. It became almost unbearable to even walk through it to find what you were looking for.

But as it is with everything that seems to initially be an ugly duckling, somehow that old red shed transformed into a beautiful swan. Not really, as in looks-wise. But in other ways.

The First Sighting Of Life Undeneath That Old Red Shed

I remember the first time I took notice of “life” underneath that old red shed. Years ago I had planted a raised garden right behind my house. There were tomato plants, zucchini, green peppers, cucumbers, and so much more. Hard work was an understatement when it came to putting in my garden.

One morning, while making coffee, I noticed something outside our sliding glass door and as I got a closer look I realized it was a groundhog. A groundhog sitting up in THE MIDDLE OF MY GARDEN eating my new plants. I threw that door open and yelled some things probably not appropriate for my blog and he ran as fast as he could. Where? Right underneath that old red shed.

Because I’m a huge nature and animal lover, my inside chuckled quite a bit. Although I was a little perturbed about my garden getting maimed, that soft spot in my heart thought “They’re only plants. Who cares if it gets eaten.”

It’s been 11 years since Mom’s died and really nothing has changed when it comes to the shed. As far as crap in it goes, well we’ve put more in and it’s even worse trying to find anything. The fact that the old wooden door is now hanging on by ONE hinge makes it even harder to get inside. But what’s inside isn’t what keeps my heart drawn to it. It’s what’s underneath that comforts me, especially when I’m here on this wooded wonderland by myself.

Over Time Underneath The Red Shed Has Acquired Multiple “Tenants”

You see, over the years that old red shed has been the home to generations of my favorite furry, fat groundhogs. I know, I know. They dig holes. They tear up foundations. They destroy your yards. Yada, yada, yada. But for me, they are company when no one else is around. When my husband is working on the road those pesky varmints keep me company and I truly do not know what I’d do without them hanging around.

Crazy? Oh probably. Trust me when I say that I’ve had to keep Wes and the boys at bay from shooting every last one of them. But deep down they know that of all my critters that come in and out of these woods, the groundhogs are my absolute favorite.

Did you know that groundhogs live to be 9 or 10 years old? Well, now you know! It’s funny but I have seen so many come and go. I’ve dragged dead stinky carcasses out from underneath when one of them dies. I’ve even accommodated them by rearranging the stacked timber on the side to make sure they have easy access for quick escapes from predators.

The Red Shed Has Grown On Me

I sound like one of those crazy cat ladies, except with groundhogs, and maybe I am. But the “mama” in me goes to great lengths to make sure they stick around a while longer because I truly do enjoy watching them between spring and when they hibernate for the winter.

Here lately, the red shed has seen a little bit more activity than normal. Not only has 2020 started out weird, but springtime here on the Chigger Farm has been like an episode from “The Twilight Zone.” It’s been strange, at best, and I’m not sure if the stars are out of whack or if nature has finally figured out that I’m a weak link and they’ve all decided, at once, to congregate here. Dr. Doolittle has got nothing on me these days!

First of all, I am seeing squirrels by the dozens scampering around the yard. I’ve never noticed gray squirrels like this before. Oh, we usually have a few but I think I counted twelve the other evening.

Which might be why I had a bobcat sitting under my car the other evening, hunkered in pounce position. Yes, you heard me right. BOBCAT! I just happened to be taking Puppy out to go to the bathroom and as I looked out the screendoor glass, I notice something sitting underneath my car. At first, I thought it was a little rabbit. But because I didn’t have my glasses on, I wasn’t for sure. Nope, it was a bobcat and after I ripped the door open and chased him (stupid that I didn’t have my gun with me) he ran to the backside of the red shed and turned toward me and brazenly looked. Like “haha, you can’t catch me.”

The squirrels might have been the next snack idea for the bobcat, but my first thought was the family of red foxes that moved the groundhogs out about two weeks ago. I can’t make this stuff up, I swear.

Every year around here we usually have two foxes that come in and out of our place. They’re very elusive but they, along with the opossums, come up and eat whatever scraps I throw off the deck. However, this year has been a bit different.

The Latest Red Shed Shenanigans

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a mama fox and four little ones coming out from under that old red shed. Whaaaaaaaaaat? What happened to the groundhogs. As you may know, foxes are predators to groundhogs. So, that definitely was not going to work. At that point, I was beginning to think I needed a revolving underground door and was possibly even thinking about writing up a lease agreement for my new tenants.

While I love my groundhogs, foxes come in as a close second so of course my heart was torn there. And I hate to admit it but those little fox babies were awful cute to watch frolicking around so playful and funny. However, all good things come to an end and within a few days, I no longer witnessed any fox sightings.

That said, the groundhogs began showing up, AGAIN! Out with the old, in with the new, and then out with the new to bring the old back…to the old red shed. And over the last couple days, I’ve been able to enjoy my two groundhogs, coming and going like there life has returned to normal to their red homeplace.

In fact, on Mother’s Day, just a couple of days ago, my daughter, Kirsten, and I witnessed not two adult groundhogs but two adult groundhogs and FOUR babies. What the what? I’m in a natural time warp! I have never seen the likes of what’s been going on lately. I will say though, that I’m loving it! They are so stinking cute!

But, guess what? Yep, you got it! While enjoying a nice, quiet cup of coffee this morning Puppy starts going crazy barking at what was outside our front door. And WHAT was outside our front door? THE FOX!!! I tell you I can’t make this stuff up! I don’t know what will be here tonight but I’m both excited AND exhausted to find out! I will be sure to let you know!

Oh Red Shed!

Oh, red shed! You have more action that a rifle during hunting season. Over the years, you went from two groundhogs living under there to foxes and now back to groundhogs. I’m having a hard time this season keeping up!

But one thing is for sure, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This old red shed is a hunk of junk on the outside but underneath it has seen more life take place than a lot of people. It’s not only been a shelter to many critters but also their sanctuary and safe place from a vast number of predators. Most importantly, though, it’s been my greatest enjoyment over the years and a huge comfort just knowing that when I’m alone here, I’m really not alone.

No Matter Where We Travel To When God Wants To Teach Us Something We’re Going To Get The Lesson

If you’re looking for God these days, you’re bound to find him.  It seems we’re always so busy.  Even though we’re all desperately trying to find an answer for what our world is going through right now, some of us still haven’t learned that the true “answer” is found in the day-to-day.  In fact, He’s found in the EVERY DAY and the EVERYWHERE.  We can’t escape him, especially when He’s trying to get our attention.  Our adventures are lessons that God sends us on so He can teach what He needs us to learn.

Sometimes, when our minds are set in a certain thinking pattern, that He wants to change in us, He will show up in the least likely places.  Even when we travel 15 hours from our homes.  He WILL show up and you’ll learn the lesson you were meant to be taught.

Negativity is so rampant! My goodness, it’s in the news, social media, it’s even in our own homes amongst our loved ones. It seems like it’s everywhere these days.  It’s almost like we’ve lost sight of what’s most important.  In a crazy weird, way this chaos that we’re going through, right now with the Coronavirus, is in a roundabout way bringing us back to our roots and giving us a firm foundation again.

I have two extremely cynical family members.  When I’ve asked them in the past if they believe the world is a bad place full of bad people they always reply with a big, fat YES!  Every time.

I emphatically disagree.

Fearful Mindsets Will Make You A Prisoner And Hold You Captive

If you watch the news 24/7, which I used to do, then yes you will believe the world is a dangerous place full of hardened criminals just waiting for you to leave your home so that they could rob you and steal all your belongings. 

Or worse yet,  your fearful mindset stays is a place of thinking you’re always on the verge of being harmed, leaving you to figure out how you are going to recover from the trauma and get on with your life.  You become a prisoner to a negative merry-go-round of thoughts.

While I do believe there are people out there that wish us harm and will hurt us if, given the opportunity, I believe more strongly that the world is full of really good people.   Folks who just want to live their lives in a positive way helping others and just show kindness.

I’ve traveled around this great big beautiful country, even outside the U.S., and I wholeheartedly believe love trumps hate and good trumps evil.  Every time.

Case in point.  While visiting New Mexico several years ago, where my husband was working at the time,  I needed to drive up to Albuquerque to get a new phone because mine had broken.

On this particular day,  on my way from our campground in Belen, New Mexico (which is a good 35-minute drive), I stopped on the outskirts of Albuquerque at a gas station to fill up and get a drink. I might go ahead and add here that when I travel alone I am very cautious and careful.   Traveling alone as a woman I am constantly aware of my surroundings.   My husband has instilled in me to always pay attention in case I run into a situation that warrants quick action.

God Will Place You In Situations In Order To Teach You The Lesson You Are Supposed To Learn

It was early morning and while I pumped the gas, I noticed a man walking from car to car asking for money.   He was with his wife and baby.   Unfortunately, their car was out of gas.    I overheard him say that they needed to get to Socorro, New Mexico.   Socorro was at least another good hour from where we were.

I  watched him walk from person to person and prayed that he would not come over to me.  Watch out what you pray for because sometimes God has a different idea in mind for you.   

With a sincere smile, the man walked over to me, and politely asked if I could spare any money for him and his family to buy some gas.

I quickly said I didn’t have any cash on me. It was being honest.  I didn’t have any cash on me AT ALL.  That part was true.   But I did have my debit card.

Again with utter politeness, he said “Thank you and God bless you” and then he walked away.

While I finished pumping my own gas I wondered if this was a scam or did they REALLY need gas money.

My heartstrings got yanked and I mean YANKED!  I opened my console where I found a bunch of change and filled my hands and walked over to the man. I told him that this was all I had but he was welcome to it. Again he said, “Thank you and God bless you.”

It’s In The Little Things Where Adventure Lives

That little bit of change just didn’t seem like it was enough. Not just enough for him, but enough for God. Was I doing God’s work?  Was I doing what God asked me to do?  My head told me, YES but my heart was impressing upon me NOT.

I paid at the pump but something pulled me into the actual gas station.  When I got inside there was a line of people waiting to donate their money to this man’s cause.

When it was my turn at the window, I told the clerk I wanted to give the man five more dollars.   The two men in front of me were each giving him ten dollars. 

God Uses Strangers Sometimes As Messengers To Teach Us The Lessons

While I waited in line,  the young man in front of me and I started discussing the act of giving.   He said these words to me that I’ll never forget.

He said, “My mom always told me never to judge others.  And when I give something to someone I am to let it go and not worry about what they’re going to do with it. What they do with the gift is between them and God.   And our giving from our hearts is between us and God.”

Wow.  Just wow.

Keep in mind that although this young man was around my son’s age, I couldn’t believe the wisdom coming from this young soul’s words. I was impressed with knowing that there is a generation younger than my own that still believes in God.   And that still believes in giving from the heart. I wanted to pat him on the back or hug him or something but I chose to just tell him I agree and that his mother raised him right.

As I walked back to my car the man who needed the gas money came up to me with a smile and said,  “Thank you.”

Was it a scam?   Was it the actual truth? Who knows.   And really who cares. The truth is that it is between him and God. It is also the truth that my giving and the tugging at my heartstrings were between ME and GOD!!!! No one else.

As for my two negative family members I chose NOT to tell them about my experience mostly because I just didn’t feel like listening to the negative feedback I would receive. I wanted to revel in the goodness that I witnessed and just enjoy the fact that I was right.  There is more goodness in the world than there is bad.

Let us always remember this young man’s mother’s words…

“My mom always told me never to judge others.  And when I give something to someone I am to let it go and not worry about what they’re going to do with it. What they do with the gift is between them and God.   And our giving from our hearts is between us and God.“

I still believe, today, that there is more goodness in this world than we can even imagine.  And because we’ve read our Bibles and know how the story ends…we know that evil loses the battle. We should have peace about that.  That alone should give us the strength to continue the good fight in life.  We should be encouraged to travel around this beautiful world that we’re living in and spread kindness as often as we can.

A Successful Archery Season Requires More Than Just A Pretty Bow

With the close of last year’s archery season and the warmer days coming in like a hard rain, literally, I am finding myself thinking about NEXT archery season.   In our household, not only do we hunt as a family but we also practice as a family.    Generally, we get really excited thinking about preparing for the next “round” of hunting and we start practicing and putting in countless hours of flinging arrows. 

Hunting for us is serious business.

Bow Tournaments Are A Great Way To Get In Some Extra Practice

One way we get in some practice, and my favorite way, is shooting bow tournaments.   As a rule, it’s my job to get online and seek out shoots that are close in proximity to our house.  For us, the 3D target shoots are best because you are actually using targets that look like the animals and the vitals are clearly marked to really help you know where on the animal you need to fire that arrow. 

The best place I have found to find a shoot near you at the website 3DShoots.   The website is easy to navigate through, making finding a tournament for your family a piece of cake.

Bow tournaments are actually a lot of fun and if you get a group together, it makes it even more enjoyable.  If you’ve never been, you definitely need to try it out. 

There are several of us in our family that shoot bows and getting up early on a Saturday morning to shoot a tournament is usually the ONLY way I can get three boys up without struggle…unless they’re getting up to go hunting of course.   Once we’ve up, though, we’re ready to put the hammer down on each other. 

It’s competitive in our family and I mean competitive.    But once we shoot at the first target all bets are off and we’re all on our own.  

 There are usually 30 to 40 3D targets at the bow shoots.  Normally you go through half of them and then come back for the second half.   There is absolutely ZERO stress during the competition.  It’s a laid back atmosphere and you meet a ton of new people.  Really the only stress you encounter is with your own family. 

Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect. It Makes Progress.

I am very competitive in bowhunting but mostly with myself.  And let me tell you that the day is ruined, and everyone else’s, if I lose an arrow.  It’s not uncommon for me to lose one per tournament.  I might mention that I have gotten better about hurling an arrow into the abyss of no man’s land…never to be found again.   Over the years I’ve stock piled up and now have quite an arsenal of arrows so if I lose one (or two) it’s okay.  

All in all, tournaments give you a lot of quality practice and after several hours of walking around and laughing,  you don’t even realize you’ve shot forty times.  It’s a ton of fun.

Working Out Is Another Way To Prepare For Bow Season

Another way I get ready for bow season is running and working out.  I used to run anywhere from 3 to 5 miles a day getting my heart rate ready for those long treks through the woods.  But this year I’ve changed it up by lifting weights to increase my strength. My goal is to increase the poundage on my bow.

I also, occasionally, use an AccuBow Bow Trainer.  I love my Bow Trainer.  It’s a rubber band system that allows you to strengthen the muscles needed to pull back your bow easily and without injury.  In the past, this method has actually allowed me to increased my poundage so I would definitely consider it to be an important tool. 

Backyard Targets Work Perfectly For Getting In That Extra Shooting Time

Put up targets in your back yard and you will have 24/7 access to them.  We’ve actually done that and normally at least one of us daily will go back there and take anywhere from 20 to 30 shots just to keep loosened up.  We’ve even been known to have competitions amongst ourselves just for the fun of it.   There are some good climbing trees not too far from the targets and we’ve also put our climbers up and shot out of them for even more practice. 

The possibilities are endless of what you can do to get in some good old fashioned practice. Whatever you do, don’t get discouraged and give up. It’s a constant work in progress. But you’ve got to put the work in. But when you’re out there practicing and having fun it doesn’t seem like work at all. That’s just the way I like it.