Family Friendly Hiking Black Moshannon, PA

Pennsylvania Hiking In Black Moshannon State Park

In past years I have spent relaxing Winter weekends holed up in the Black Moshannon State Park cabins, so a recent trip got me thinking about a return visit.

Black Moshannon State Park is in Centre County, Pennsylvania. On a recent visit to Williamsport, PA I thought I would find a nice hike and ventured to Black Moshannon State Park which is surrounded by Black Moshannon State Forest. I found a remote lake on top of a plateau with assorted trails surrounding it. We stayed over night in one of the PA State Park cabins and enjoyed the next day hiking and enjoying the beautiful Fall weather.

Family Friendly Hiking

We found the stay to be very family-friendly as the trails were not challenging and the scenery was beautiful. There are many long hikes that go off into distant state forest lands or around the lake and because of the flat top of the plateau they are all relatively easy hikes for all ages. You could literally hike all day here without ever dealing with any steep inclines or declines. The visit was too short to do any of the long hikes but we did take a lovely loop hike that was about 8 miles and perfect for our afternoon.

Starting at a scenic bridge, the trail followed a lovely rambling stream that runs into the lake. Hiking alongside the lake we enjoyed the view and water fowl. We passed the lake’s spillway and headed into the woods on a meandering trail that could not have changed elevation more than 100 feet at any point. We crossed the lake twice, went through a bog and enjoyed many wildlife encounters. It took our family of five three hours to complete the hike.

The trail was perfect for my 65 year old Aunt as well as my young niece. Parts were through meadows and light brush; we traveled on gravel and dirt roads, and over boardwalk bridges. I recommend Black Moshannon State Park for families of all ages. It is a bit of a drive from everything so the conveniently located park cabins make a nice addition to your stay. If I go to Black Moshannon State Park again, I would make sure I have time for a two-day stay and take advantage of some of the longer hikes. It is a peaceful and lovely park and the trails are great for the whole family.

Black Moshannon State Park, PA is located at:

4216 Beaver Road
Philipsburg, PA 16866-9519
814-342-5960

Plan A Healthy Thanksgiving Meal

Planning Your Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner

Tryptophan is not the real culprit in putting everyone to sleep after Thanksgiving dinner.  The real problem is all the extra fat and sugar calories.  You can plan a healthy holiday meal with a few simple changes to your menu.

Best Thanksgiving Dinner

The best Thanksgiving dinner is a healthy holiday feast. Thanksgiving is the best time of the year to serve your family a healthy meal. Give your family the gift of a healthy Thanksgiving feast.

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

With a little planning your Thanksgiving can be a healthy one and also stress-free. Enjoy this Thanksgiving recipe e-book for some good ideas on how to plan a healthy holiday feast! The electronic book includes an audio recording of holiday menu planning and tips, as well as easy-to-prepare recipes for your holiday dinner

After completing the form you will be directed to a PDF download that includes an hour-long recording and recipes on how to create a Healthy Holiday Feast! Save the PDF to your computer by clicking the file link in the top left of your browser then “save as”. After saving the Healthy Holiday Turkey E-Book to your computer, the audio will become active and you can send it to family and friend by attaching to any email.

NOTE: Plan on 1 person per pound. Basically 1 pound per person is good until about 16 pounds. Actually the ideal size for a turkey is 14-16 pounds.  That is your ideal bone to meat ratio.  After 16 pounds your bone goes up and your meat does not increase proportionately. If you have 30 people you should get (2) 15 pound turkeys.  Cook one the day before and carve it up and put it on a platter.  Cook the other on the day of your dinner.  The precooked one can be warmed after the second turkey comes out of the oven on the big day.

• 2 weeks before Thanksgiving: Have your guest count completed.
• 2 weeks before Thanksgiving: Stock up on staples, non-perishables and paper supplies
• 1week before Thanksgiving: Purchase a frozen turkey.
• 1 week before Thanksgiving: Decide on the table centerpiece.
• 4 days before Thanksgiving: Thaw out turkey under refrigeration. (You need one day per 5 lbs of turkey.)
• 3 days before Thanksgiving: Shop for perishables.
• 3 days before Thanksgiving: Begin preparations. The Holiday E-Book gives you ideas on plan-ahead foods that you can prepare in advance.

More Healthy Food Recipes

Your family deserves healthy food year round and especially at the holidays. Learn how you can stay on the right side of good healthy by joining the healthy living online club. Visit some of the links below for more turkey recipes, videos and holiday ideas from the past.

Eating To Prevent Aging

Top 10 Anti-Aging Foods

The most common causes of death in modern rich countries are heart disease and cancer. With all the anti-aging creams, pills and lotions on the market today we sometimes forget that food really is our best medicine! We really can eat a healthy diet to prevent aging!

Do you remember the James Bond movie when Bond and his boss discuss health?

Boss: “Too many free radicals, that’s your problem.”
James Bond: “Free radicals, sir?”
Boss: “Yes, they’re toxins that destroy the body and the brain, caused by eating too much red meat and white bread, and too many dry martinis.”
James Bond: “Then I shall cut out the white bread, sir!”

Some of the best foods to combat aging are antioxidants because they eliminate free radicals that damage the body and cause cancer.

Food To Fight Aging

Here is a list of 10 foods that help fight the aging process. Add as many of them as possible on a regular basis to your diet to maintain good health.

1. Berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and acai are high in vitamin C and other antioxidents. However, it is best to eat only those berries that have not been sprayed with pesticides, because this stimulates the plant to produce the antioxidents necessary to fight off insects.
2. Grape seed powder contains the miracle antioxident resveratrol that helps French wine drinkers live a long life despite high consumption of alcohol, tobacco smoke, cheese, butter, and fatty desserts. As in many plants, the seed is the most  nutritious part, and the pulverization into powder makes it easy to eat.
3. Green tea is a miracle drink that contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  Like grape seeds, EGCG eliminates free radicals that cause cancer. It also fights harmful cholesterol, or low density lipoprotein (LDL) that clogs arteries, and boosts beneficial cholesterol, or high density lipoprotein (HDL) that prevents heart attacks.
4. Water! Most drinks containing sugar raise the level of insulin in blood. Drink water or soup before a meal to prepare your stomach for the feast to come and reduce your desire to eat too much.
5. Prunes eliminate free radicals even better than blueberries and James Bond,  violence is never necessary. Prunes are also a good source of fiber.
6. Garlic keeps the heart healthy by reducing bad cholesterol.
7. Avocados contain fats that fight harmful cholesterol (LDL) and boost beneficial cholesterol (HDL). It contains minimal calories and is a natural pill rich in nutrients such as vitamins E, C, and beta-carotene.
8. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids that keep weight down and inhibit hardening of the arteries. Salmon is also high in protein and Vitamin D. Salmon caught in the wild do not suffer disease as is common in aquaculture salmon.
9. Sardines, like salmon, contain omega 3 fatty acids and are low in calories. Sardines are low in the food chain, so are not a source of mercury like larger fish such as tuna and swordfish.
10. Nuts are a natural food that humans and our primate ancestors have been biologically adapted to eating for millions of years. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pecans are nutritious nuts that reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Healthy Recipes

There are hundreds of healthy anti-aging recipes on this site so, check out the healthy recipe category for more healthy food ideas.