Craving peanut butter cups? These will do the trick!
Everything about them is so satisfying! The rice chex mix cereal give them a nice airy-crunch, and of course the peanut butter-chocolate combo is a classic.
I make these more than you should know…and as a matter of fact, I’m eating one as I write, right now.
oops.
But that is just because they are so delicious and are sure to satisfy any sweet craving!
You can bring these bad boys to parties, or I like to bring a few on a long hike, or camping trip so I can reward myself for hiking all day long. The more you move the more you can eat, right? I like to think so.
I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips because they’re not too sweet. But surely you can use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter & richer flavor.
Dunk that bad boy.
Ingredients (visit thefitnut.com for printable version)
5 T. butter, melted
½ cup almond meal (or finely ground raw almonds)
1 cup organic peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
1¼ cup Rice Chex Mix Cereal
1¼ cup powdered sugar
12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, almond meal, peanut butter, Rice Chex Mix, and powdered sugar. If the peanut butter is hard, nuke it in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften up.
When you have mixed everything together, form small balls with the peanut butter mixture using your hands. Place the balls on a plate and set in the refrigerator to harden up, about 30 minutes- 1 hour.
Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet covered in wax paper (easy clean up!)
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler, or in the microwave in 30 second increments.
To coat the peanut butter balls, drop one ball at a time into the melted chocolate, and with two spoons cover each ball completely with chocolate.
Set the chocolate covered balls on the cooling rack to allow for the extra chocolate to drip off.
Once all the balls are covered in chocolate, stick them back in the refrigerator to completely firm up, 30 minutes-1hour.
Always store in the fridge so chocolate does not melt.
There’s a good reason why one pieces are slowly making a comeback. They are warmer, more windproof and keep out snow on deep days. With an influx in one-piece outerwear production, like Strafe Outerwear’s Sickbird Suit, it seemed only natural that a one-piece baselayer design would follow suit.
Enter the Patagonia Women’s Capilene 4 One Piece. Constructed using the softest and most comfortable of all Patagonia’s beloved Capilene fabrics and designed with every detail in mind (more on that below), the Patagonia Capilene One Piece is a game changer for the camper, hiker, skier or snowboarder who wants more warmth, comfort and breathability in their baselayer.
The purrrfect baselayer (in our opinion)
The Test
I first wore the Patagonia Capilene 4 One Piece beneath the Strafe Outerwear Sickbird Suit. I think I may have discovered my perfect outerwear/baselayer combination. It was a cooler day, I was skiing at Vail with my family who hails from New Jersey — so I wasn’t exactly skiing my hardest. On that day I needed warmth since my body wasn’t working that hard and temperatures weren’t exactly warm and the wind was whipping. The Patagonia Women’s Capilene 4 One Piece delivered. The brushed fleece interior was soft against my skin. Thanks to the lack of seams that two-piece baselayer kits have and the spandex in the fabric I felt unrestrained and comfortable. That’s not exactly what I was expecting with a one piece, next-to-skin baselayer. I liked how the one piece moved beneath the Sickbird Suit, which also boasts a fabric with a four-way stretch. The one-piece baselayer and outerwear combination made me feel as if I could move freely and organically.
The second time I wore the Patagonia Capilene 4 One Piece was this past Sunday. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny spring day and I decided to test the one piece’s breathability by hiking up Aspen Highland Bowl. It was a little windy at first so I decided against opening my pit and thigh zips, plus I wanted to see what the Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency fabric was made of. As I begin breathing heavier and exerting more energy I noticed I was able to keep great pace with my stride and my breathing. I quickly realized this was because I wasn’t focused on how hot I was. Mid-way up the hike I decided to open the zips for some air. Immediately I felt sweat dry off my skin. By the time I reached the summit I was quite comfortable. I never got chilled from wet fabric because the one piece had already dried. The Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency open grid fabric truly works seamlessly with your body temperature.
Patagonia Women’s Capilene 4 One Piece Baselayer
There are several huge details that went into the Capilene 4 One Piece that keep female anatomy in mind. The biggest and most obvious one is the potty flap on the butt. The flap is designed with two side zips that extend low enough so you can sit on the toilet and take care of business. While it’s truly great that how a lady relieves herself was taken into consideration when designing this piece, this is also the area where the Patagonia Women’s Capliene 4 One Piece comes up short. The top of the zip-down flap has an overlayed piece of fabric that is meant to keep air out and warmth in. Unfortunately it doesn’t do this very well. I found my butt to be quite chilly most of the time…and because our hiene’s have a much higher fat content then men’s they get colder and stay colder. My suggestion to prevent this issue is to install soft, pliable velcro along the top of the flap so it can be sealed better.
Another major plus for ladies is the articulated bust area. I have to say this one piece is flattering to the female figure which is always appreciated. The sleeves stay in place thanks to stretchy thumb straps and you have reinforced neck warmth thanks to the high zip collar.
The Rating
4 (out of 5)
Design: Just about every design detail was clearly and thoroughly thought-out. The one area that could’ve been explored more was how to keep cold air out of the butt flap. +.5
Style: A flattering cut, high collar and great color (purple) make this one of the cutest baselayers out there. +1
Performance: The Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency open grid, brushed fleece fabric is warm when it needs to be and breathable when it needs to be. It’s a revolutionary fabric. The one place where this one piece fails at keeping its wearer warm is the butt flap because it lets in too much air. +.5
Durability: Because the fabric has spandex in it, the one piece moves as the body does ensuring there’s no rips or tears.+1
Comfort: The brushed fleece, spandex and lack of seams create one of the most comfortable one pieces I’ve ever worn.+1
The Black Diamond Compactor is a key addition to any backcountry setup.As I perfected my splitboard kit, I searched high and low for a perfect pole. Most don’t collapse small enough, and stick dangerously from my pack while I shred. Others are generally a heavy addition to my pack which is already loaded with my camera, probe, shovel, snacks, etc. Then the Black Diamond Compactor Pole came into my backcountry experience and changed everything. And they aren’t just for the snowboarder, but also a great four season pole that skiers, snowshoers, hikers and pretty much everyone will love just as much as I do.
The Breakdown
Nothing packs lighter or smaller. Folding into three sections it packs nicely inside my backpack. Lightweight rubber grip and fluted interior of shaft shave the ounces off this pole, so that I barely notice when I throw it into my pack. The ultra-compact package makes for easy storage, and the Compact Powder Baskets have a two-section pole capture to keep everything in place. Using the simple release button, the pole collapses down to three compact pieces, which are stay connected with a flexible cord which runs through the center. This makes it very easy to stow and keep everything together. To reassemble, the Black Diamond Compactor Pole locks back together as quickly as it came apart. Fluted tubing makes it lightweight, but reinforcement at the joints makes these as stong as any poles out there. This simple and effective design allows you to deploy and dismantle the poles in a matter of seconds, with no muss and fuss.
The FlickLock® Pro system offers up to 20 cm of adjustability once deployed, as well as reliable stability for tough terrain. Only a snowboarder can appreciate the need for a shorter uphill pole and longer downhill pole for the long trek out of steep landscapes. I’m no skier (yet) so I am unused to pole straps. Conveniently theses poles have a widened straps so that your can maneuver while changing pole length or reaching for risers
The kicker for me is the lip on the handle, which flips up risers really easily. Other poles I tried where lacking this feature, meaning I had to awkwardly kneel down on my splitboard, usually on a steep angle, to blindly feel for the risers to pop them up or down. The handle on the Compactor Ski Poles is a game changer for skinning in steep terrain, saving time and energy for the pow turns ahead.
The Downside
I have one little nitpick point, the release button to break down gets sticky when the temperatures drop. I am not a fan of taking off my glove to jam my thumb to get the button to depress. This has only happened a few times in really cold weather, and I am hoping it gets smoother over time.
Wanderlust Yoga Festival O'ahu 2014 pc:Christen Vidanovic
Backcountry Babes
Whether you and your gals are looking to learn a new outdoor skill or simply experience a new outdoor adventure, Backcountry Babes has a getaway up your alley. You can turn your Breckenridge ski vacation into an education with one of Backcountry Babes’s Level 1 AIRE Course’s or venture up to Alaska for a backcountry traverse. In the summer months, Backcountry Babes takes women on rafting trips down Idaho’s Salmon River or mountain biking along the Grand Canyon. To discover your perfect, outdoor girls trip visit Backcountry Babes website.
Wanderlust Yoga Festival
Wanderlust Yoga Festival O’ahu 2014 pc:Christen Vidanovic
Wanderlust O’ahu 2014
pc: Ali Kaukas
Gather your yogini pals for the ultimate yoga retreat. This international festival travels to Australia, New Zealand, New England, Colorado, California and Canada and attracts the world’s top yoga instructors, musicians and performers. Many of these events are held at ski resorts during the spring and summer months and include Stratton, Vt., Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., Squaw Valley, Calif. and Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia. A mountain setting provides plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding hiking and biking trails. Wanderlust also features incredible dining opportunities provide by top international, health-conscious chefs and fun, lively nightlife. To learn more about this incredible festival and the events’ dates visit the Wanderlust website.
Trek Dirt Series
Whether you’ve mountain biked a handful of times or have years’ of experience under your belt, Trek Dirt Series will help you and your ladies improve your skill set. In its 13 years Trek Dirt Series has helped 10,000 women conquer new mountain biking skills. The two-day camps are held in famed and beautiful mountain biking destinations like British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, California, Utah and Colorado. To learn more about the camps and dates check out the Trek Dirt Series website.
Pro-athlete and sustainable living activist Alison Gannett teaches you how to conquer your fears. Her Steep Skiing Camp helps women learn how to confidently ski steep, big mountain-style lines. The Mountain Bike Camp, held all over Colorado and in Moab, Utah, teaches women skills progression and single-track biking in confidence-building steps. The Surf Camp, held in November/December in El Salvador, is the perfect no-frills surf camp for never-evers to intermediates looking to learn and master the basics. To learn more about these educational and inspirational camps visit the Rippin’ Chix website.
Not only does this vessel pull triple duty as a thermos, mug and water bottle, but the double-walled construction and vacuum insulated interior keep hot liquids hot for six hours and cold liquids cold for 24 hours. And since it’s the do-all, drink-everything-out-of-me bottle the 100 percent stainless steel ensures easy cleaning and that lingering flavors won’t stick around.
The Klean Kanteen Vacuum Insulated Bottle & Mug comes in 12 oz, 16 oz and 20 oz sizes so everyone can have their perfect size.
The Test
I’ve been able to spend a couple days now with Klean Kanteen’s Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle & Mug and can I say: it’s the best drinking vessel I’ve ever come across. My favorite attribute is indefinitely the fact that my coffee or tea will stay hot for nearly an entire work day. I didn’t really believe this claim when I was reading over the product description, but I quickly learned that Klean Kanteen wasn’t exaggerating. My coffee, even with the Cafe Cup drinking hole open, stayed hot or very warm from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. It’s incredible. Conversely, the bottle keeps liquids refreshingly frosty for longer than I could keep track of. The bottle fits into just about every cup holder including the narrow tray in my car.
“The purrfect thermos for warm milk.”
Lily the Puss approves of Klean Kanteen.
Purchasing the separately sold Cafe Cup is an absolute must if you really want the Vacuum Insulated Bottle & Mug to perform to its full potential. The leakproof Stainless Loop Cap is great for outdoor activities and gym time.
The Rating 4.75 (out of 5)
Design: Considering it’s the do-all vessel with performance and durability to spare, I’d say the design behind the Vacuum Insulated Mug & Bottle gets top marks. My only comment is that a lightweight rubber or plastic bottom may make this bottle even more versatile. The stainless steel bottom seems like it’d be slippery when trying to place the bottle on say a rock, snow or ice surface. +.75
Style: Sleek and understated, the Vacuum Insulated Mug & Bottle flies under the radar with cool colors like moss green and black. +1
Performance: It does just about everything a bottle/mug/thermos is capable of and it does it really well, aka keeping liquids hot or cold for extended periods of time. +1
Durability: It’s made of stainless steel, need we say more? +1
Innovation: The double-walled, vacuum insulation is not necessarily new. Thermos companies have been making their products with similar technology for some time, but Klean Kanteen’s use of this technology as an ultra-versatile product is creative and beneficial for active people on the go. +1
The Stats
Insulates hot food or beverages up to 6 hours
Insulates iced drinks up to 24 hours
Durable, double-walled construction
High-performance vacuum insulation
Large opening (external threads) accommodates ices cubes
Compatible with most backcountry water filters
No BPA, phthalates, lead or other toxins
Made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel (no liner needed)
Electropolished interior does not retain or impart flavors
Rounded corners are easy to clean with no hard angles where dirt, germs or bacteria can stick
The Altai Hok is described as the love child between a backcountry ski and a snowshoe. It is a short wide ski with a fully integrated climbing skin underfoot and enough length to be fun going downhill. They’re designed to ski where ever and whenever.
Altai skis are inspired by the people of the Altai Mountains, the origin of some of the earliest written records of skiing exist. Altai Skis was conceived by Nils Larsen and Francois Sylvain in 2009.
The Hok comes in two lengths, 145 cm, and 125 cm, has metal edges for turning, and is wide enough to float on fresh snow.
Like a snowshoe binding, the Trace binding can be worn with any boot. The Hok comes with inserts matching the extended 75mm norm hole pattern. This is compatible with current 75mm 3pin bindings as well as the universal binding we are offering with the ski. An adapter plate is available that is compatible with new Rottefella NNN BC and Salomon BC bindings
The 145cm ski rides more like a ski than a snowshoe and is great for more mountainous terrain, and for backcountry skiers who can tele-turn. The 125cm are more comparable to a snowshoe, yet is great for backcountry, cross-country skiing where there are ups and downs and tighter trees and shrubs. Its shorter wider platform is more maneuverable than a long cross-country ski.
The Test
During my first experience with the Hok, I borrowed a friend’s 145cm pair and used it with winter/Sorel-type boots and the Trace binding at a closed ski area. The climbing was so easy and light and I loved that I could just ski downhill whenever I wanted to without having to take the skins off. These are great for powder laps. I found I wanted a more stable boot when coming down at faster speeds since I don’t know how to tele-turn.
After that day, I thought they were so unique and fun that I wanted more time to test them, and was sent the 125 cm Hoks to test and review.
Since the Hoks arrived, it’s snowed about three feet so the conditions here have been perfect for testing. I’ve tested them on rolling meadows, hiking trails, and woods runs on the 500 or so acres and 600 vertical of conservation land behind my house in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. I’ve tested the Hoks with both winter boots and my snowboarding boots.
Klean Kanteen Vacuum Insulated Bottle & Mug for the lady on the go
Holding cold liquids for 24 hours and hot liquids for six hours, Klean Kanteen’s Vacuum Insulated Bottle & Mug is the ultimate, all-time vessel. Perfect for water, coffee or even soup, this handy three-in-one bottle comes in three convenient sizes (12 oz., 16 oz., 20 oz.) and features a durable double-wall construction to stand up to your active life’s demand. Be sure to get the coffee cap for the penultimate vessel. Check out the full review of Klean Kanteen’s Vacuum Insulated Bottle & Mug.
Bamboo Bottle Co. for the environmentalist
Bamboo Bottle is not only constructed in environmentally sound ways, but it actually helps the plant. The more bamboo grown, the better. Bamboo releases 35 percent more oxygen than equivalent strands of trees. And it can sequester up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare. The bottle features a protective bamboo shaft which encases a glass bottle, which is a sustainable product, a nut to secure the bamboo shaft to the screw top. It’s quite easy to assemble and dissemble for cleaning. The only downside to this product, is that it’s quite heavy, but in our humble opinion the environmental impacts drastically outweigh a couple of ounces.
Vapur Anti-Bottle for the multi-sport enthusiast
The Vapur Anti-Bottle resembles a hiking/biking water bladder. And like a hydration-system bladder the Vapuranti-bottlesare compactable making the the perfect do-all sport vessel. The Vapur Element , Eclipse and Microfilter go a step further though, they actually roll up into a 3 x 1.5 inch cylinder making it the ultimate day hiking or camping essential. The screw-on cap not only ensures the cap is never lost, but its carabiner feature ensures the rolled-up vessel stays in place and that the vessel that the can be secured to a belt loop or backpack strap for easy accessibility. The new Vapur Microfilter makes this ultra-versatile design even more useful as this new, compact filtration system purifies 99.9999% of bacteria.
Clean Bottle the Square for the clean freak
Clean Bottle’s the Square not only unscrews from both ends for easy cleaning, but its less-traditional shape prevents the bottle from rolling away when dropped. Clean Bottle donates 10 precent of profits to cycling and eco-friendly charities.
CamelBak Glass Eddy for the pragmatist
It’s no secret that drinking out of glass bottles is both healthier and better for the environment because glass is a sustainable material. CamelBak has created the ultimate utilitarian water bottle in the Glass Eddy. The bottle holds 25 oz of liquid and the CamelBak “Big Bite” sip cap ensures there’s no tipping required. The silicone sleeve adds extra protection and all the bottle’s components are top-rack dishwasher safe.
I found a couple awesome videos of ladies backflippin’ to keep you on your toes this lovely Wednesday. Enjoy!
The talented Tatum Monod is the first women to land a double backflip in the backcountry.
Meghan Kelly sends a backflip on tele skis. I love how she notes in the description that she was so nervous she could hardly put her skis on. But she still pushed through and did it! I found this gem on femalewolfpack.com.
