Mountains, Summits, Fresh Air and Finding a New Passion!

A few years back a girlfriend of mine invited me with her family for a hike. My outdoor experience at this point extended as far as a 4WD on the trails---the END!

 I still remember the excitement and the nerves! Googling what to pack.... Yes I googled and hit print! As I recall Mike the avid outdoorsmen laughed when he saw my list. Then the questions??? What if we run into a bear? What if we get lost? Lose the trail? Meet a cougar? And let's be honest here, basically a city girl at this point- the bathroom?! Um drop my pants in the woods?! Regardless of all my neurotic worries I was completely comfortable with my hiking comrades and knew I would be safe. 

Up bright n early in the morning and then we were off.... And oh my goodness! Every corner holding a mystery and a new surprise from changing terrain, beautiful lakes and oh yes to the view at the top of a summit! It is so amazing to have worked your ass off climbing to a summit in some cases literally telling yourself right, left, right to get there.... Then it opens, instantly forgetting how tired you were just seconds before. Taking in the breathtaking scenery with no signs of modern life visible within 360 degrees radius.  There are no words to describe it! Right from the first hike I knew I was addicted! 

When I reflect over the last few years many of my happiest memories are of times with my friends on these hikes! My tale of doing a superman down a mountain, creating several wounds causing Mike to 

have to come home early from a golf game to clean and bandage me. You will have to ask me one day how these events actually led to a night to remember insert>>Lobster and Tequila Fest! 

 To enjoying shots with friends at a summit and in one occasion even a bottle of Champagne. Yes we may be outdoors but we still do things with style!

 Jump shots on a summit ledge, push ups challenges, random yogi shots through out the trail, sliding on our butts down a snowy hill, making snow angels and jumping into icy lakes and in some cases waterfalls!

 It's all about high adventure, enjoying each other's company, appreciating the beauty of nature and oh yes building up one wicked appetite! You can be guaranteed for the last hour or two of a hike my conversation is filled with FOOD! What I'm going to eat after, things I made and things I am just then deciding I need to make. That post workout meal--- oh my! The BEST! Imagine a table filled with your hiking comrades, chatting about favourite moments, rehashing the funnies, enjoying a liquid nourishment, showing off our chosen meals as they arrive. Then the blissful drive home with some falling under the spell of the hike and having a nap. My best nights sleep "always" happen after a magical day of hiking!

Celebrating Positive Female Relationships!

This past weekend was my annual "My Favourite Things" evening! 

A wonderful evening spent with amazing, strong and confident women. 

Discussing current exciting events in our lives, what we have accomplished and 

even more exciting- what's next?!

How did this idea come about?! A couple of years back I was googling my little heart out, a favourite pastime. I was searching things involving women- women in business, women's mentorship programs and as always with Google one search leads to another. I kept coming across these amazing large scale events with women dressed up in their best and having an opportunity to meet other women outside of their immediate circle. Most importantly to me was the image of women having an evening together that involved a hundred percent positivity! Speaking about the future, goals, dreams, what are you up to now, what are you planning next, celebrating any victories. An evening of female empowerment! 

With my Google inspiration and my personal desire to attend an event like the one's pictured in my search. The good ole hamster jumped on the wheel and started running. Reality was the first stumbling block.... All the events I had looked at were done at a LARGE scale. I didn't have the funds to be renting a convention centre. Then the thought, why does it have to be big? I partnered with one of my girlfriends and gave her my rough idea of what I was thinking and voilà the creation of "My Favourite Things" 

The concept of "My Favourite Things" 

The Women- the vital key! Who are you going to invite? I recommend starting with the women in your life who encourage you. Think of those who you consider to be your cheerleaders.  Don't limit yourself to thinking within your immediate circle. This is not an event where you invite the negative drama filled friend because you feel obligated. This is an event for building relationships with positive women throughout the community and expanding your network. Think outside of the BOX! You may be like me and those who surround you are your cheerleaders and positive influences. Or perhaps this event could be your opportunity to meet some new people who you would like to be more involved with. *Keep thinking- networking opportunity! Get out of your comfort zone. Who wouldn't be happy to have someone they have a slight relationship with come up to them and say "I am planning a women's evening! I'm looking for people who are positive, successful and who I think would be a lot of fun at a dinner party. Instantly, I thought of you!" Hello! Instant new friend! If you can only think of one or two people awesome! Go to them and let them know about your evening and ask them who in their circle would be a great fit for the evenings entertainment! Remember we are on a mission to expand everyone's network! Each year it's my goal to have new women invited to keep growing not only mine but all my friends social networks as well. At this point I have been lucky with it only being two years the number in attendance have still been manageable. Who knows maybe one of these years I will be renting that convention centre?! How cool would that be.....

Next step.....

Fun Factor and WIIFM?! As my plans for the original event rolled out the date was getting closer and closer to Christmas which prompted the ideas of gifts. Secret Santa etc. I don't know if your secret Santa events have been better then mine but the gift selection is usually well crap! With trying to keep costs down so it's manageable for everyone I thought of the theme "My Favourite Things"! Who doesn't have a favourite thing that they use daily that costs under $10. Great price point and with it being a favourite thing you know it's going to be something good. A container of body butter, a favourite spice selection, candles..... You name it! 

Final Stages....

It's as simple as creating an event on Facebook and sending out your invitations. A month prior to the event I take final role call on who is 100% committed. Pick your venue of choice and make the reservations. Let's say you have 11 women in attendance yourself included. You would then advise your guests to buy "10" of their favourite thing! At the event have individually tagged gift bags with tissue paper ready. Each guest upon arrival deposits their favourite thing into each of the gift bags minus their own. In tradition with my crew after dinner we will grab one of the bags and show off the goodies that each guest will be going home with. In both events there hasn't been a person who didn't think "SCORE" when it came to the goodies! 

This truly is one of my favourite evenings of the year and I hope my blog inspires you to create your own "Celebration of Positive Female Relationships" I know I eagerly await this event each year and I think the ladies of this event stated it quite clearly.... it doesn't have to be another year before we do this again. I think it's time to put that hamster back on the wheel and start thinking of a semi-annual event! 

*If this blog does inspire you to create your own evening I would love to hear about or if you have any additional questions please feel free to reach out to me. Email me using the subject heading "Women of Power"  2eatwellbeactive@gmail.com