Munk Pack Variety Pack Giveaway!

The folks over at Munk Pack have been kind enough to do a product giveaway of one of their Munk Pack Variety Packs to one of our readers. Their Variety Pack contains each flavor of the flavors in our review! Munk Pack makes a variety of healthy oatmeal fruit squeezes. They make three different flavors of Munk Pack; Apple Quinoa Cinnamon, Blueberry Acai Flax and Raspberry Coconut. The oatmeal fruit snacks are packed with certified gluten-free oats and fruit bites. They’re also packed with fiber (3 or 4 grams each, if you’re counting) and omega 3. Munk Pack oatmeal squeezes are also certified gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and kosher. Driven by the need for convenient, portable, whole food snacks, and inspired by nature, Munk Pack provides delicious, on-the-go nutrition for sustained energy to last throughout the day. You can find our review of Munk Pack by clicking Here. Make sure to check Munk Pack out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Details of Contest: Please leave one comment on this post or Facebook page, about which hiking adventure Munk Pack will fuel for you? Feel free to leave as much or as little detail as you want about the particular hike you plan on bringing your Munk Pack on. You must leave your name in the post, anonymous posts will not be considered. The contest will be open through next Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Midnight. Only one entry per person. Ashley and I will select one winner next weekend! We look forward to reading everyone's submissions, good luck!

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Mile Square Regional Park Present The Sixth Annual Monarch Butterfly Day

MILE SQUARE REGIONAL PARK PRESENTS THE SIXTH ANNUAL MONARCH BUTTERFLY DAY

(Fountain Valley, Calif.) – OC Parks invites families to learn all about Monarch Butterflies and their natural habitat with an up-close look at the magnificent creatures during the sixth annual Monarch Butterfly Day on Saturday, February 7 at Mile Square Regional Park.

The free event takes place inside the Butterfly Garden at the park's Camp Sycamore located near parking lot E.

Children can take part in planting native plants to attract the Monarch Butterflies. Participants are invited to step inside a netted butterfly enclosure. Butterfly experts will be on-site to provide educational information and answer questions about the beautiful and unique specimens. Additional activities available at the event will include children's crafts, face painting and guided nature walks. 

The event is recommended for ages 4 to 12. Bringing a camera is recommended.

Monarch Butterfly Day

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2015

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Location: Mile Square Regional Park

Address: 16801 Euclid Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Website: http://www.ocparks.com/milesquare/

Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle

Public Contact: (714) 973-6600

Special Instructions: Recommended for ages 4 to 12. Rain will reschedule this event.

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Munk Pack Product Review

Recently, Ashley and I were sent several products to test out from the people at Munk Pack. Munk Pack makes a variety of healthy oatmeal fruit squeezes. They make three different flavors of Munk Pack; Apple Quinoa Cinnamon, Blueberry Acai Flax and Raspberry Coconut. The oatmeal fruit snacks are packed with certified gluten-free oats and fruit bites. They’re also packed with fiber (3 or 4 grams each, if you’re counting) and omega 3. Munk Pack oatmeal squeezes are also certified gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and kosher. This was a healthy product that Ashley and I were looking forward to testing out on the hiking trail.

About the Flavors & Their Motto: Munk Pack makes three flavors: Apple Quinoa Cinnamon, Blueberry Acai Flax and Raspberry Coconut. For nutritional information click on the individual links to each flavor. Their brand centers on the chipmunk whose adventurous spirit and healthy diet is their inspiration. Chipmunks are curious creatures that love a good adventure, always exploring everything on their path. They are highly selective eaters, with a diet of fruits, nuts, seeds and grains. Like the chipmunk, Munk Pack gathers only high quality, real ingredients from nature for balanced nutrition on the go.

Our Review: The packaging of Munk Pack is durable, waterproof and will hold up to the conditions of a long hike. Unlike a granola bar or other similar snack, you do not have to worry about it getting crushed or turned into crumbs during a hike. Both Ashley and I found this product durable, functional and easy to put in your backpack. We taste tested our Munk Packs on our recent snow hike in the Cleveland National Forest as well as our hike to Vulcan Mountain, near Julian, California.

Ashley and I enjoyed the different individual Munk Pack flavors. We found that our respective favorite flavors were the Apple Quinoa Cinnamon (Ashley) and the Blueberry Acai Flax (Brian). You could really taste the blueberries extremely well and the Apple Quinoa Cinnamon was packed full of flavor. Obviously each person will have their favorite flavor of the three. The fruit flavors of each Munk Pack tasted great and were well balanced to complement the oatmeal. Ashley would note that the texture might take some getting used to for some. Overall, we enjoy their taste and the healthy nutrition they provided. Munk Pack is a healthy snack to bring with you on the hiking trail and is an easy alternative to many of the more unhealthy snacks on the market. It is always nice to be able to bring something with you that is on the lighter side of the calorie spectrum that still packs a nutritional punch. They range in calories from 80 to 100 calories each. They each weigh 4.2 ounces and no refrigeration is needed. Ashley and I enjoyed sampling the different flavors of Munk Pack. Munk Pack could also be used as a quick breakfast or snack at work or school. Price-wise, Munk Pack is comparable to other higher end products, they sell for $2.50 per individual pouch or $14.99 for a pack of six. They are sold on Amazon or you can use Munk Pack's Store Locator to find a store near you where Munk Pack is sold.

Munk Pack's Story: Here is a portion of Munk Pack's story taken from their website:

From our corporate lives to our camping adventures, we were always looking for portable, healthy, great tasting foods. We were tired of bars. We wanted real food that was minimally processed, without the sugars, syrups and fillers you find in most bars and snacks. We got started in the kitchen, funneling homemade oatmeal and smoothies into bottles. Then we discovered the convenience of pouches, which allow you to keep foods non-perishable without the use of artificial preservatives. Turns out, the spouted pouch is not just for kids’ snacks or apple sauces – adults love it too. Inspired by nature, we sourced all kinds of super-foods from farms and mills, and set up a tent at our local farmers’ markets. As we've expanded, we maintain our hands-on approach to sourcing ingredients. Taste and quality are always our priority. 

Make sure to check Munk Pack out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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New Years Snow Hike In The Santa Ana Mountains

On new years day, Ashley and I had the chance to do some hiking in the fresh snow that fell in the Santa Ana Mountains. It was a fantastic way to start the new year off right, with a little outdoor adventure. Needless to say we were not alone in enjoying the snow, as many residents from both Orange County and Riverside County were out enjoying the significant snowfall in the Santa Ana Mountains. Ashley and I have seen snow in the Santa Ana Mountains many times (it falls on the higher peaks several times every year), but nothing in recent memory compares to the amount of snow that fell with this last cold winter storm. The snow level was likely below 1,000 feet in places in the Santa Ana Mountains. Even foothill cities like Rancho Santa Margarita got a dusting of snow with this last storm. On our drive up from Orange County, on the Ortega Highway, we started seeing snow along the side of the road well below the Ortega Oaks Candy Store. There was probably at least 6 inches of snow that fell at the 3,000 foot level and greater amounts at the higher elevations.

We hiked a portion of the El Cariso Nature Trail in the Santa Ana Mountains. This hike is right near the community of El Cariso. For our detailed trail write-up on the El Cariso Nature Hiking Trail, click Here. The El Cariso Nature Hiking Trail is a fun short hiking trail in the Santa Ana Mountains that is 1.2 miles roundtrip with minimal elevation gain. Ashley and I wore our cold weather gear and enjoyed several hours of fun in the snow. Here are some pictures of the significant snowfall that occurred with this recent storm. My guess is the snow will be around, hopefully, for several more days, given the cold temperatures at night. If you have not had the chance to get out and explore this area in the snow, now is a great opportunity to do so! Here are some, of the many pictures, from our adventure hiking in the snow to hopefully inspire you to get out and do some hiking in 2015!

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OC Parks January 2015 Calendar of Events

Here are some highlights from the OC Parks January Calendar of events, if you are looking for hiking ideas or other outdoor events to start this new year off, make sure to check out some of these great events!

OC Parks JANUARY 2015 calendar of events

January 1 – Fitness Hike at Ridge Park

8:30 – 11 a.m.

Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this difficult, strenuous and fast-paced, 6.5-mile hike (700-ft. elevation gain) over very steep, uneven terrain with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.  

Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/

Contact: (949) 923-2235

Special Instructions:  Ages 15 and up. Online reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Not for beginners. Hiking poles suggested. Ridge Park Staging Area (Newport Coast Drive to Ridge Park Rd. east to end; meet at the gate.) For questions, call (949) 497-8324.

January 2 – Nature Explore for Little Ones: Treeventure 

9 – 11 a.m.

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteers and OC Parks staff to explore our local trees and the wildlife that uses them.  Enjoy a tree story, a tree song, a tree-venture, a tree-snack, and decorate your own tree necklace! An easy half-mile walk.

Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/

Parking: $3 per vehicle

Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special Instructions:  Ages 3 and up. Online reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, this month at Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat - Sun.

January 3  – Redwood Hike

8:30 – 10 a.m.

Join OC Parks' trained staff on the first and third Saturday of the month for an easy 1.1-mile interpretive hike to the park's Coastal Redwood grove. You will use your 5 senses to engage with nature as you stroll to the Redwoods. You will also have an opportunity to learn about our native plants along the way. The hike begins at 8:30 a.m. from the park's Nature Center. Don't forget to visit our Nature Center when you are there, too!

Location: Carbon Canyon Regional Park. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, CA 92823

Website: http://www.ocparks.com/carboncanyon/

Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle

Contact: (714) 973-3160

Special Instructions: All ages. Participants should remember water, sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes. Meet at Nature Center located at east end of the park. Reservations preferred, please call (714) 973-3160 or email carboncanyon@ocparks.com.

January 3 – It’s a Dilley of a Hike  

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Raise your spirits as well as your heart rate on this strenuous, fast-paced, 5.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (900-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.

Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/

Parking: $3 per vehicle

Contact: (949) 923-2235

Special Instructions:  Ages 15 and up. Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. James Dilley Preserve (405 South to 133 South to stoplight at 73 turn-off; make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 M-F or (949) 923-2235 Sat/Sun.

January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Nature Walk 

9 – 10:30 a.m.

Join our Naturalists on a nature walk and learn about Trabuco Canyon animals and nature. Light to moderate walk on mostly paved roads. Meet at the Nature Center just inside the main entrance of the park.

Location: O’Neill Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678

Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/

Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle

Contact: (949) 923-2260

Special Instructions: All ages welcome. Event is conditional on the weather.

January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Guided Interpretive Hike

10 – 11 a.m.

Join our naturalists on a nature walk and learn about the local plants, animals and history of Irvine Park. Light to moderate walking on both paved paths and trails.

Location: Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869 Website: www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/

Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle 

Contact: (714) 973–6835

Special Instructions: All ages welcome. Meet at the Nature Center near the OC Zoo in parking lot #19.

January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Campfire Program

7 – 8 p.m.

Every Saturday night, join us for a campfire program that may include a slide presentation, wilderness safety, games and activities for children, animal adaptations, skins and skulls, a live animal demonstration and a chance to visit the Nature Center. Topics may vary weekly.

Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers/

Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle

Contact: (949) 923-2210

Special Instructions: All ages welcome!