Let’s go hiking!

Autumn season in South Africa means many public holidays that lend themselves to forming some great long weekends, as well as the perfect weather or those long, leisurely hikes. Apart from many nature trails throughout our country to pick and choose from, you need not go hungry or eat boring foods either – thanks to Burst Botanicals’ multiple choices of dehydrated fruits, vegetables, edible flowers, herbs, and spices. The balance between good food and healthy food that packs a punch but is light enough to log around in your backpack for 4 or 5 days can be a daunting task at first until you find BB and see the amazing range available.

Today, I shall attempt to show you step-by-step how to prepare for a culinary feast high up in some mountain range while also ensuring that you have energy, a strong immune system, just enough sweetness to keep the heart happy and a lot of crunchy goodness to keep those feet stomping up and down the hills and valleys, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful sunrises and sunsets our country has on offer.

To have a successful hiking experience, preparation is key. Not only the fitness levels but also the right equipment and clothing. The same goes for food preparation: Visit the BB website and order your choice of dehydrated foods well in advance.

Suggestion 1: Start creating your own combinations of BB infuser granules in the provided teabags for your daily water bottles and that steaming cup of tea in the early mornings or in the evenings. Just pop a new ready-and-prepared teabag in your clean water bottle or a hot mug of tea daily for a taste explosion filled with energy, essential vitamins, and minerals to keep you hydrated and even a slight sweetness to keep the serotonin levels up.

Examples of combinations: *The options are endless. Build your own! *

• Apple granules, blueberry buttons, hibiscus petals and ginger granules
• Rose petals, pomegranate kernels, apple granules and ginger granules
• Lemon granules, ginger granules, ruby grapefruit slices and apple granules.
• If you need help falling asleep, try the lavender in warm milk.

Suggestion 2:  Create a trail mix of crunchy goodness to nibble on while hiking. The chewiness releases feel-good hormones in the brain while packing a much-needed energy punch to help you get through the tough bits. Have them ready-mixed in small Ziploc bags that do not take up space or weigh you down.

Examples of combinations: *The options are endless. Build your own! *

• Blueberry buttons, fig rounds, kiwi slices, banana slices
• Persimmon shavings, pineapple shavings, apple slices

Suggestion 3: For a healthy, hearty, and tasty breakfast, use either oats, quinoa, or chia seeds to stand overnight in your cup/bowl and the milk of your choice. (Just cover it with something; it will be cool enough not to need a fridge)

Add:

• Any array of BB dehydrated fruits – granules, shavings, buttons, or slivers.
• Some cinnamon powder to balance the sugar levels.
• A handful of almond slivers.
• A little bit of honey if you so choose.

Remember to go “uhmmmm-hmmmm” as you eat!

 

Suggestion 4: For a quick and “on-the-go” lunch stop, have your ready-cooked brown rice, lentils, or quinoa.

Add: *The options are endless. Build your own! *

• BB red onion slices, brinjal shavings, black olives, tomato slices

 

 

Suggestion 5: At your overnight stop, there will be time to light a fire, bring out the cooking gear and cook up a storm. Whether it be a lovely piece of meat, some pasta, or a hearty stew.

Add: *The options are endless. Build your own! *

• A crunchy BB-inspired salad
• An array of BB vegetables, herbs, and spices to the stew. From garlic to ginger, onion, brinjals… you decide.
• Your choice of BB vegetables, herbs, and spices for your pasta. It all rehydrates in the cooking process without losing all the nutrients your tired body needs to recuperate after a long, hard day of hiking.

Since Burst Botanicals operates from the beautiful Cape Town, do not forget to pack a bottle of red or white, sourced from the Cape Winelands region, to end a perfect day. After all – since your food will take up so little space, thanks to Burst Botanicals dehydrated fruits, vegetables, edible flowers, herbs, and spices, there most certainly will be space for that bottle or 2 of the best wines ever.

Pack your binoculars, camera, sunscreen, and hat and enjoy the beauty and fresh air our country offers. Get away from those screens and the noises and stresses of everyday life and treat yourself to a country-culinary feast for the ultimate body and soul rejuvenation.

#sipthesurprise #vegan #plantbased #cleanlabel #forthewholefamily

Author – Elma Vertue.