Ok so who doesn't love chocolate and salted caramel? All of us want to indulge once in awhile except with Luna Protein Bar you won't be guilty consuming them. Consume it everyday if you must:)  LUNA has always believed in the power of women. Championing them in all their pursuits from day one. "Equality won’t happen overnight, but we can get closer everyday". LUNA support women’s equality today and every day and they won’t stop until equal is equal. A great tasting, health-conscious protein bar that has a mission any mom would agree with! Available in wild varieties - berry greek, chocolate chip, cookie dough, lemon vanilla, mint chocolate and chocolate peanut butter....Yum!

6) Balega Women's Enduro No Show Socks

Any active moms deserve a comfortable pair of socks. Balega socks are engineered with the company's proprietary drynamix moisture management technology that keeps feet cool and dry while allowing free Airflow for maximum comfort, performance and durability.  All of Balega running socks have been race tested and incorporate a hand linked seamless toe, eliminating abrasion across the top of the foot. The company also knits an extra deep heel pocket ensuring that each sock fits the foot perfectly and does not slide down during a run. Designed with a medium volume construction. Drynamix Polyester 86%/Nylon 12%/Elastane 2%.

For active moms that are also into fashion, Garmin Vívomove HR is the watch for her. This stylish hybrid smartwatch features a touchscreen with a discreet display. Precision hands show the time and dynamically move away when you swipe through your messages, heart rate and more. It counts steps and calories while monitoring wellness, including all-day stress tracking.

Canada’s Great Trail was 25 years in the making, and now that it’s open for the nation’s recreationalists, we can start to appreciate what a marvel it really is. Let’s start off with the basics – it is now the world’s largest hiking trail, stretching 24,000 kilometers (15,000 miles) from coast to coast to coast. It is so large and so epic that 80 percent of all Canadians live within 30 minutes of the Great Trail.

The perfect trail for recreationalists of all kinds

What is even more impressive is that the Great Trail (officially known as the Trans Canada Trail, or TCT) encompasses 400 smaller trails that are scattered over 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada. And that’s not all – the Great Trail is so expansive and so diverse that it actually requires several modes of transport to see all of it. More than one-quarter (26 percent) of the Great Trail is under water, meaning that you’ll need a canoe or kayak to see part of it during the summer months.

As you can imagine, the Great Trail has captured the imagination of recreationalists across the country. The Great Trail is a trail not just for hikers, but also for bicyclists, kayakers, runners and, yes, horseback riders. In wintertime, the Great Trail transforms into a vast winter wonderland for cross country skiers and winter hikers.

But just a word of advice here – in order to get the most out of the Great Trail, you’ll need the proper equipment. For example, if you plan on hiking the Great Trail during the peak of the Canadian winter, you’ll want to make sure that you have ice grips for your shoes or boots. Without these snow cleats, you’ll be slipping and sliding on these trails.

A great way to discover Canada

Another remarkable features of the Great Trail is that it crosses through several of Canada’s biggest cities – including Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton. This has the real potential to bring the love of the Great Outdoors to millions of Canadians who live in these cities. Getting outside and becoming a recreationalist no longer means that you have to live in a remote part of Canadian wilderness. You can literally set out on an urban hike and end up in a wonderfully preserved part of the Canadian outdoors.

And the creators of the Great Trail are certainly encouraging this spirit of exploration. On the website for the Great Trail (www.TheGreatTrail.ca), you can find all types of adventures that are now possible. For example, if you are an avid bicyclist, you can find “6 Unmissable Cycling Routes.” If you are an artist looking for inspiration, you can find “11 Stunning Masterpieces That Capture the Great Trail.” There is something for everyone.

And, as amazing as the Great Trail is going to be for Canadians, it’s easy to see how it also has significant tourism appeal for people living outside of Canada. Hikers, bicyclists and skiers from all over North America could soon be making their way to Canada, eager to explore the world’s largest hiking trail.

Are trees social beings? In this international bestseller, forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in his woodland.

“This fascinating book will intrigue readers who love a walk through the woods”—Publishers Weekly

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was the most famous scientist of his age, a visionary German naturalist and polymath whose discoveries forever changed the way we understand the natural world. Among his most revolutionary ideas was a radical conception of nature as a complex and interconnected global force that does not exist for the use of humankind alone. In North America, Humboldt’s name still graces towns, counties, parks, bays, lakes, mountains, and a river. And yet the man has been all but forgotten. 

In this illuminating biography, Andrea Wulf brings Humboldt’s extraordinary life back into focus: his prediction of human-induced climate change; his daring expeditions to the highest peaks of South America and to the anthrax-infected steppes of Siberia; his relationships with iconic figures, including Simón Bolívar and Thomas Jefferson; and the lasting influence of his writings on Darwin, Wordsworth, Goethe, Muir, Thoreau, and many others. Brilliantly researched and stunningly written, The Invention of Nature reveals the myriad ways in which Humboldt’s ideas form the foundation of modern environmentalism—and reminds us why they are as prescient and vital as ever.

Anecdotally, many people already know that spending time in nature makes them feel better. They feel more alive, more creative, and more at peace with the world around them. And now a growing body of clinical and scientific evidence is showing that time spent in nature, indeed, is good for both the mind and body.

A healthy boost for your immune system

Just a half day hanging out at the park or hiking in the local woods can do wonders for your immune system, say researchers. That’s because time spent in nature can actually help to stimulate the production of white blood cells that are known immune system boosters. So the next time you’re thinking about blending up a tasty fruit and veggie smoothie to boost your immune system, why not go outside for a breath of fresh air instead?

Lower levels of stress and anxiety

Let’s admit it, it can feel pretty Zen to spend time outside. It’s the reason people love to go for long, solitary hikes – you can almost feel your worries and cares melting away. And now researchers have found that simply spending time in green spaces can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Stress is the result of the body’s production of a stress hormone known as cortisol. But time in nature helps to curb the production of that hormone. And that leaves you feeling better and more energized.

A healthier heart and cardiovascular system

When you’re spending time in nature, you could just be sitting down on a park bench and (literally) taking time to smell the flowers. But, more likely, it means that you are actively moving around. Maybe you are biking around the neighborhood, or going for a long walk, or simply taking your dog out for some playtime in the back yard. But you are moving around, and that qualifies as aerobic exercise activity. Thus, you are boosting your heart and cardiovascular system, and it doesn’t even feel like exercise!

Enhances creativity and inspiration

It’s a technique that writers, painters and poets have been using for centuries – any time they have a creative block, they simply go outside to be inspired for ideas. Some writers, in fact, love to carry around a little notebook with them so that they can immediately jot down new ideas as they occur. Even if you are not an artist, you’ll feel more creative and inspired. You might even hit upon a fantastic new idea that you can use at the office the next day, or some new insight about parenting that can help you become a better parent.

A more relaxed mood

Did you know that the Japanese have a word for spending contemplative time in nature. They call it “Shinrin-yoku” and it can be interpreted as “forest bathing.” You are literally soaking up the good vibes of the forest, and that has a very relaxing effect on your mood. It’s the same reason why people listen to the gentle surge of the waves at the beach or the sounds of a forest whenever they want to calm down and relax – there is something about nature that is very soothing.

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So, as you can see, there are many benefits to spending time in nature. Try getting outside on a regular basis, and you’ll be surprised at how much better you think and feel.

Check us out at Yatta Life.

Are you a passionate hiker with a case of wanderlust? There are hiker’s paradises all over the world that allow you to explore your passion and explore new places, landscapes, scenery and cultures. The best hiking trails in the world are places that will make for an incredible journey, a physical and mental challenge that will push you beyond your boundaries and let you explore the deep beauty of the earth in its various forms. Here are multi-day hiking places to add on to your bucket list for an unforgettable experience:

1) Appalachian Trail, USA

This trail is through a wilderness covering up to 3500 kilometers with numerous access points along it making it a great trail to hike for days, nights or just a few hours. The trail is far from civilization and is best tackled in the spring and autumn. It challenges all skill levels depending on which section you choose to hike. There is a lot more of details about hiking the Appalachian Trail in guidebooks and it makes for one of the best places to go hiking around the world.

2) Inca Trail, Peru

Want to combine hiking with cool sightseeing through an archaeological site? The Inca Trail offers a 3 to 4 day trek through ancient sites, mountain passes and rocky paths- the trail used by royal Incas when going through the Andean mountains. Starting from Cuzco, it is not only a great way to reach the archaeological site Macchu Picch but also offers stunning views of the white tips of th mountains, ruins in the cliffs and a high cloud forest.

3) Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The highest mountain in Africa in a spectacular country full of breathtaking scenery and teeming with wildlife, climbing the Mount Kilimanjaro is an entry in many hikers’ bucket list.  The trail lasts for at least five days and goes through the rainforest, plateaus and peaks with snow and glaciers once you gain high altitude. It should be avoided during the rainy season spanning March to May. Since it is a challenging trail posing risks from the weather and wildlife, a guide is advisable and you should choose the more popular routes such as the Marangu Route if you do not want to completely be in isolation.

4) Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

An ancient route, this circuit is regarded as one of the most spectacular places to hike. The circuit takes 15-25 days to complete and altitudes can go as high as 18000 feet. There are many hotels on the way and great views of towering peaks and at summit passes such as Poon Hill and Thorung La respectively.

5) Fjordland, New Zealand

If you have watched “The Lord of the Rings,” among other epic and picturesque movies, then you can appreciate the scenes shot in New Zealand. This area makes for a great walk with the mystic mountains and landscapes a hiker’s paradise indeed.

Running knows no boundaries, language or geographical. It is a global sport that you can take part in from any country in the world. All you need is great physical fitness and a determination to be part of a challenge. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 1000 marathons each year according to Running USA. However, did you know you can take part in marathons outside your country while also feeding your wanderlust? Here are several global marathons you should join this year and why:

The Great Wall Marathon

Held in China’s popular attraction, the Great Wall, the marathon consists of two sections the first of which covers 9km of running across and down the wall’s thousands of steps. In the second section however, runners run through rice fields and quaint villages a trail made of asphalt and gravel. In case you only want to take part in a half marathon, this will require you to run through a local picturesque village, up the wall and  over it and then a downhill 5km run to complete the half marathon event. First established in 2002, the yearly event’s Great Wall Marathon and Half Marathon starting time is at 7.30 am while a Fun Run starts at 8.10am.  With drink stations at every 5km, a pasta party and post-race dinner an option, this marathon is one you want to run indeed.

The 3 Waters Marathon Bunbury, Western Australia

This festival consists of a 50km Ultra Marathon, a Marathon spanning 42KM, a 21km Half Marathon and race and walking events spanning 5km and 10km. The yearly event is a great way to showcase the amazing scenery in Bunbury as it offers great views of the Leschenault Inlet, Koombana Bay, the Indian Ocean and also includes viewing of the Bunbury Big Swamp which is a conservation wetland providing wildlife sanctuary.

Marathon Des Sables

Have you wanted to push your limit beyond the usual 50km? The Marathon Des Sable will do just that for you. It is a 215 km race in Morocco, underneath the Sahara Desert’s sun. I’ll let you collect your dropped jaw! This Marathon of Sands was first run in 1986 and attracts over 800 runners yearly. It has 6 stages one of which is a non-stop stage spanning 80km and runners are expected to carry their own gear, that is, food (minimum 14000 cal.), clothes, survival kit, stove and water. It usually takes 10 days to go from Paris to Morocco and back. An adventure you don’t want to miss.

Marathon of the Midnight Sun

The summer race is held in Tromso, Norway, the heart of the Arctic Circle. Where the sun doesn’t set during the summer. Known as the world’s northernmost race. Most of the city is located on the island of Tromsoya, surrounded by calm waters and spectacularly rugged snow-topped mountains. 

Bagan Temple Marathon

If you are a fan of great scenery and picturesque buildings, this marathon is one you should sign up for. It takes you through sacred pagodas and amazing temples across beautiful rolling plains in Bagan Central Burma.