Hydration & Nourishment on the Trail + Gear up Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of "Gearing Up Families to go Screen Free"!  If this is your first time hearing about the event, please check out our updated tab here.  Make sure you check out the giveaways at the end of this post (they are ONLY open for 24 hours- midnight to midnight EST!)

Photo courtesy of Jenny

Proper hydration and nourishment are crucial all the time, but especially while you are outside being active.  Sun, wind, sweat-loss, energy-used and altitude all contribute to the importance of keeping your body running smoothly. by being properly fed and hydrated.  While the subject is vast, I want to address at least parts of it in the light of a full week of lots of active time outside (right?!?! :)) next week.

**Hydrate Up!**
Water accounts for nearly 60% of our total body mass.  Therefore, it obviously plays a huge role in how our body runs and performs.  Way too many people just don't get enough water, plain and simple.  Unfortunately, the long-term effects of severe dehydration are pretty serious and could eventually lead to death in extreme cases.  On the upside, a well-hydrated adult/child feels the benefits of:
- Better blood flow
- Higher energy levels
- Decreased muscle soreness after exercise
- More attentiveness and an easier time concentrating
- Healthy kidneys
- Body temperature regulation (which is HUGE as we head into the summer months.)

Signs of Mild Dehydration (don't let it go further than this!):

- Dry mouth

- Fatigue

- Head rush

- Dark/yellow urine (you should "pee clear"!)

- Chills

- Dry Skin

- Thirst (Do you know when you feel thirsty you are actually already too dehydrated?!?!)

- Constipation

*Gear Review* Liberty Bottle Works + Giveaway

*Giveaway Closed!* Congrats to #34, Kristie S; #5, Susan S. and #24, Tiffany.  Please email me at mountainmamatales(at)gmail(dot)com with your first, second and third choices!  

Water bottles are exploding out of our cupboards more often than not.  Or our car.  Or the bike trailer.  


We use them constantly in an attempt to stay hydrated in the dry climate of Wyoming.  The benefits of water are abounding (we'll save that information for another day), and we know that running out of water (or just plain not drinking enough) can have disastrous results.


Our local gear shop, Wind River Gear, carries Liberty Bottles and they got my attention right away.  I simply loved that the lid only required 1/4 turn to close it (instead of turning and turning and turning...)


I looked into the company a little more and was thrilled to have a chance to try some out (and give some away.)  


We what love (and what makes Liberty Bottles different):
- BPA-free ("our coating insures no heavy metal leaching or porous surface for bacteria build up.")
- Made in the USA
- Made from recycled aluminum cans, and recyclable too.
- Food-grade coated interior prevents chips from the aluminum entering your drinking water.
- Varying designs from "everyday" artists.  AND you can make bottles with your own logo (if you order a minimum of 72 bottles)!!  One day, when I am rich, maybe there will be "Tales of a Mountain Mama" bottles ;)  Donations accepted ;) HA!
- They fit in "normal" spaces like cup holders (SO annoying when your bottles don't fit in those spaces!)