Baked Pumpkin Cookie Cake

Pumpkin+cookie+cake+creamy spiced frosting= the best fall dessert combination known to (wo)man, according to yours truly anyway. Perhaps a bit premature but I think I’ve got my Thanksgiving dessert covered already

Why is pumpkin so popular around the Thanksgiving holiday anyway? Yes, these are the questions I ask.

After doing a little digging, it turns out that pumpkin recipes gained more mainstream exposure during the late 1600s. It wasn’t until the 1800s when sweeter versions of pumpkin dishes, such as pumpkin pie (or “pompion pye” as it was called) increased in popularity.

Take a pound of Pompion, and slice it; an handful of Time, a little Rosemary, sweet Marjoram stripped off the stalks, chop them small; then take Cinamon, Nutmeg, Pepper, and a few Cloves, all beaten; also ten Eggs, and beat them all together, with as much Sugar as you shall think sufficient; then fry them like a Froise; and being fried, let them stand till they are cold; Then fill your Pye after this manner: Take Apples sliced thin round-wise, and lay a layer of the Froise, and another of the Apples, with Currans betwixt the layers; be sure you put in good store of sweet Butter before you close it. When the Pye is baked, take six yolks of Eggs, some White-wine or Verjuice, and make a Caudle thereof, but not too thick; cut up the lid and put it in, and stire them well together whilst the Eggs and Pompions are not perceived, and so serve it up.

Now, I’ve read this recipe at least a dozen times and I still wouldn’t know what to do if I were to attempt following it (what would you bake the pie in?). It’s a reminder of how grateful I am for modern instruction and kitchen equipment, which you will need for this soft baked pumpkin cookie cake recipe (go ahead and say that three times fast!)

Oh, and we’re using a pie dish for baking. So it’s kinda like cookie+cake+pie, right?

Making the batter is pretty straight forward, and it’ll be quite thick.

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Ingredients

For the Soft Baked Pumpkin Cookie Cake:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup pure pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Spiced Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• Spinkles (optional)

Instructions

For the Soft Baked Pumpkin Cookie Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9.5 inch glass pie dish and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg together until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
3. Using a standing mixer or a medium bowl that can accommodate a hand-held mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium speed until creamy, about two minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until just combined. Add pumpkin and beat until just combined. Scrape sides of bowl between each addition.
4. Add half of flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Scrape sides of the bowl, then add second half of mixture and beat at low speed until just combined.
5. Add dough to greased pie dish and using a rubber spatula, press the dough out to the sides so that it is easily distributed. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow cookie cake to cool completely before frosting.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY JUICES AND SMOOTHIES

HEALING INFLAMMATION THE NATURAL WAY

Sizzle isn’t just about summer weather or the patio grill. Inside your body, where you can’t see the “smoke and fire,” there may be an internal slow simmer or a rolling boil at work called inflammation.  It is the engine that drives the most feared illnesses of middle and old age.

It is estimated that more than half of all Americans are inflamed, with most people not knowing they are. Most ailments associated with chronic inflammation, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, could be helped with an anti-inflammation diet.

If inflammation has been turning up the heat inside your body, you can cool the simmer with a few key changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Certain foods, such as dark red cherries, ginger, dark chocolate, berries and hibiscus, offer superior anti-inflammation properties. The following delicious recipes not only spark your taste buds, they dial down inflammation:

Berry Power Smoothie
Berries help prevent damaging effects of free radicals and inflammation by turning off the inflammatory signals triggered by cytokines (cells that regulate the immune system’s response to inflammation) and COX-2 (an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain) making them an ideal part of your anti-inflammation diet.

Serves 1
1 cup unsweetened plant milk such as hemp, coconut or almond milk
½ cup blueberries, raspberries or blackberries
1 pear
½ cup baby spinach
1 tsp. Indian gooseberry extract (optional)*
1 tbsp. flaxseed
Ice cubes (optional, depending on how cold you like your smoothie)
Add all the ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.

Ginger Twist Juice
Ginger has been shown in scientific studies to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Serves 1
1 handful parsley
½ lemon, peeled
4 carrots, scrubbed well, green tops removed, ends trimmed
1-inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled
Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Juice ingredients and stir. Pour into a glass and drink as soon as possible.

Hibiscus Iced Tea Refresher
Hibiscus has powerful antioxidants, even more than green tea.  It has been shown to lower high blood pressure and uric acid for people with gout.  It also helps to quench the fires of inflammation.

Serves 6
Chopped hibiscus flowers or 5 hibiscus herbal tea bags
12 mint leaves (optional)
Juice of 1 lime (optional)
2 quarts purified water

Steep hibiscus tea or flowers in water. I put it all in the refrigerator. In about an hour you have iced tea.

You can take anti-inflammatory drugs and supplements all year long, but if you don’t get rid of pro-inflammatory foods and toxins, you’ll simply be pouring good things on top of toxins and fueling inflammation.

credits.mybeautybunny. com

5 No-Sugar Snacks

Snacking becomes infinitely more important once you start watching your sugar intake. When the munchies suddenly hit, finding something to hit the spot is a little harder when you can’t just run to the nearest vending machine and grab a bag of M&Ms.

Even though it takes a little more effort and creativity, sugar-free snacks can be way more filling. Plus, they won’t leave you spiraling toward a sugar crash before you can toss out the wrapper. These simple snacks are great to make in bulk and just keep on-hand—whether that’s in the freezer, your backpack, a jar by your bed, or maybe just in your pocket. (We won’t judge!) That way, you’ll be prepared to spring into snacking action whenever and wherever the next bout of hanger hits.

These snacks are all refined sugar-free so you can guarantee you're not getting any of the white stuff in there. A couple of these recipes include a little bit of maple syrup (as in just one or two tablespoons in the whole batch) so feel free to leave it out if you want to cut back even more.

1. Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

In our opinion, roasted chickpeas are the new popcorn. Not only are they salty, snackable, and super simple to make, but they’re packed with protein and fiber to keep you energized and full for longer. Make a big batch by doubling this recipe and keep extra around the house in mason jars or bring baggies to work (or the movie theater) for on-the-go eating.

2. 3-Ingredient Healthy Chocolate Cookies

Refined sugar is a no-go, but tapping into the natural sweetness of bananas is just peachy with us. These three-ingredient cookies make perfect portable breakfasts (yes, really), afternoon treats, and midnight snacking material.

3. Turmeric Roasted Cashews With Chia

These aren’t your everyday spiced nuts—this recipe is pure gold. And with that, cue the turmeric, our favorite golden spice! Seasoned with chili flakes and dried rosemary, these cashews will cure even the worst case of the munchies in just a few handfuls. We love keeping these on standby for the next snack emergency or to sprinkle on top of a salad or a stir-fry that needs a little kick and crunch.

4. Soft and Chewy Baked Granola Bars

No matter how organic they may claim to be, even the most “granola” of granola bars you can buy will likely be packed with sugar. (Womp, womp.) Making your own means you can control what goes in—and what stays out—of your bar. What goes in, you ask? Oats, Medjool dates, dried cranberries, nuts, and seeds come together for a chewy experience you’ll want to take on the trail or your morning commute. Make a few extra and freeze 'em for later.

5. Roasted Carrot Dip

Sick of gnawing on raw veggies all the time? Listen—just because you’re not eating sugar doesn’t mean you have to eat like a woodland creature. Try sprucing up your cucumbers, tomatoes, and broccoli bites with this carrot, pepper, and tahini-based dip. Paleo and Whole30-compliant folks, this dip is great for giving new life to your veggie sticks or for spreading on top of low-sugar crackers.

Credits greatist.com

Diet Plan:KETO DIET THE MOST EFFECTIVE DIET???

These diets are becoming more and more popular among both recreational and professional sportsmen, as well as for those who have only to lose pounds.

While some claim they can not imagine training and carbonless hydration, others argue that it is also possible to use only fat as a source of energy.

What is this diet?

Drastic reduction of carbohydrate and substitution of fat rich foods. Reducing carbon dioxide intake puts the organism into a metabolic condition called ketosis. In the ketosis phase, the organism becomes very effective when using fat as the primary energy source. In the liver, the fat turns into ketones, which provides the energy for brain function. The ketogenic diet may cause a drastic reduction in blood sugar levels and insulin levels.

Kinds of these diets:
Standard Ketogenic Diet (SKD) – Low carbohydrate intake, inadequate protein intake and high levels of fatty foods. (healthy fat just!)

Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD) – a nutrition plan where carbohydrate intake is increased during certain days, such as 5 regular days followed by 2 days of high carbohydrate intake.

High Protein – The same as standard that only includes more protein. The ratio is 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% charcoal hydrate.

Targeted Ketogenic Diet (TKD) – Enables increased carbohydrate intake during periods of increased physical activity (training)

Only the standard ketogenic diet has been studied in detail, while the other types are advanced and applied only by athletes and builder athletes. We also wrote about LCHF nutrition – answers to all questions and concerns can be read here.

What’s the point?
The point of this diet is that carbohydrates are completely replaced by fats, proteins and vegetables. So, salami and ham and sausage, ham, ham, all meat, fish, eggs, strong cheeses, full-bodied cream, and wild-growing vegetables (green salad, cucumber, cabbage, tomato etc.), lemon and avocado are also allowed. All this is made exclusively on pork fat, walnut or coconut oil, and olive oil is used for pickling. Fruits are allowed but moderate. Sometimes you can put berry fruit in the menu, but not in the restriction phase. And one more thing – you eat unlimited until you find that you’ve ate enough.

How does weight loss work?
Under normal conditions, carbohydrates from food are transformed into glucose during cooking, which is further used as energy for cells. However, if the organism is in the ketosis phase, the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketones used for the same needs.

During the ketogenic diet, drastically limited carbohydrate intake to a maximum of 50 grams per day is thus drastically reduced, thus causing fat burning.

Increased ketone levels play an important role in reducing blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, however, achieving optimal ketosis levels is not an easy task.

Side effects
The experiences of those on these diets say that the most difficult starting phase is the first 2-4 weeks, or until the body is disposed to use carbohydrates as energy to use fat.

Following symptoms are fatigue, malady, dizziness, moodiness, shivering, shaking hands, etc.

It should be noted that in this initial phase there is no need to force strong, intense training because your body will not withstand. Do not be depressed if, for example, you run, swim or ride a little slower than usual – that’s just the initial phase you need to overcome, you will soon return the old rhythm.

Health:WISE WAYS FOR WEIGHT LOSS THAT ARE WORTH THE TRY

Remember our message of the day:Stay healthy and trust in health

Although we all know that exercise and physical activity are ideal for weight loss, there are also cunning ways to help you.

Here are some tricks that you can apply outside the gym.

Do not sit in one place

If you are a nervous type of person and you have a habit of tapping your feet or clawing your nails while sitting in one place, you are lucky. On average, such activity can burn between 300 and 350 calories per day.

Laugh

As many studies have shown, 10 to 16 minutes of laughing daily can burn about 40 calories, which are about 5 kilograms a year.

Spice your food

Studies show that spicy foods can accelerate metabolism and accelerate calorie burning even up to a plus 50 per day.

Chew gum

Chewing burn calories. Practice chewing gum so you do not recharge calories and avoid cavities.

Clean

Easy home cleaning, such as dust removal, burns about 170 calories per hour. If you catch a harder job, such as cleaning the car, you will burn more than 204 calories per hour.

Drink cold water

The inclusion of eight cups of ice-cold water in the body will end up burning 123 calories, until the water in the body gets warm. Therefore, when you drink water – the cooler, the better.

Dance

Just 20 minutes a day of dancing your favorite music can help you burn over 100 calories. If you do not know how to dance, lower the blinds, play loud music and move your body in your way.

Health:CLEAN THE LUNGS: A DRINK OF 3 INGREDIENTS

If you are a smoker or former smoker, your lungs are probably under the influence of tobacco toxins. In order to purify you, we present a powerful drink of three ingredients – ginger, onion and turmeric.

Ginger helps to eliminate excess mucus in the lungs. The onion, so as garlic have anti-cancer properties, and is a great fighter against numerous malignant conditions. It is especially effective in preventing various diseases of the respiratory system. Turmeric is rich in vitamins and minerals, and contains super healthy omega-3 fatty acids. This spice has antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer properties.

Ingredients required:

• 14 ounces of onions
• 4 cups of water
• 14 ounces of sugar (if you want a healthier version, use honey or maple syrup)
• 2 tablespoons turmeric
• 1 ginger root

Preparation:

1. Add sugar in the water, place it on fire and allow to boil.
2. Cut the onion on quarters, chop the root ginger and add them to the water with sugar. When the mixture boils again, add the turmeric and reduce the temperature.
3. . Allow the mixture to cook until half of the water evaporates. Then strain and sag in a jar. When completely cool, place the mixture in the refrigerator.
4. This prepared elixir is consumed in the morning, two teaspoons, and then in the evening, two hours after the meal.

Health:THIS TEA PREVENTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER

Studies show that tea from this herb slows down the development of the tumor and prevents the occurrence of malignant cells.

Macha is a famous green powder that has long been part of the Japanese tradition. This powder is much richer with antioxidants and polyphenol than green tea, making it the main fighter against cancer.

A high level of antioxidant makes new blood vessels that slow down the development of the tumor and help develop liver enzymes to eliminate toxins from the body. Also, this drink will make you better than coffee, and new research confirms that it also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Place 2 grams of macha in hot water and stir until they are united. Do not drink more than two glasses of the day.

Health:FOODS THAT REDUCE THE RISK OF COLON CANCER

Studies have shown that a diet based on vegetarian foods reduces the risk of colon cancer.

The new study offers even more evidence in favor of the indicated trend because it proves that such a diet reduces the risk of colon cancer and the rectum that increasingly affects younger individuals.

A team of researchers who carried out the article and published it in the Journal of the American Medical Association say it’s clearer why the vegetarian diet lowers the risk of cancer. They found that subjects who had a vegetarian diet had 20 percent less chances of getting colon cancer than those who consumed meat.

Fish – “Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like tuna and salmon reduce inflammation of the gut, and these inflammations are associated with tumors,” oncologist Mitchell Gaynor says.

Oat flakes – “Oat flakes are rich in dietary fiber, and the fibers are key to healthy digestion,” explains oncologist Jennifer Fitzgibbon.

Olive oil – “despite all the other qualities that it possesses, olive oil also contains omega-2 fatty acids that are also associated with a reduction in inflammation,” Gaynor says.

Beans – “The various beans are rich in folate, vitamin B and fiber that contribute to the recovery of abdominal DNA in the gastrointestinal tract,” Fitzgibbon said.

Turmeric – “the unavoidable spice of Indian cuisine contains curcumin that can protect the gastrointestinal tract from the onset of a tumor and can slow the growth of the already existing,” Jennifer claims.

Cooked tomatoes – “this may be an excuse to consume more pizza or pasta. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which acts as a prevention of colon cancer, but cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene than raw, “explains Gaynor, who emphasizes the need to avoid red, especially processed meat and refined sugar.

COFFEE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH – A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

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The opinion of the experts is clear – the coffee of an empty stomach can by no means be a good idea. And there are three clear reasons for this attitude:

The amount of gastric acid is increased

The increased amount of gastric acid causes bloating and digestive problems that you will feel throughout the day. A high level of acidity over time can lead to serious problems in the area of the abdomen, such as stomach ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, and reflux. And cheaper coffee (less quality) usually has a higher acidity that can additionally increase harmfulness.

Higher levels of stress and difficulty

Drinking a large amount of coffee can make you feel unwell and stressful, and when you drink coffee on an empty stomach, this problem is getting worse. On the other hand, food and digestion can act calmly to your body. In order to reduce the negative effect of coffee on the nervous system, always try to eat a small meal with coffee.

The level of hormones is reduced

The main reason that coffee increases the level of stress and difficulty is hormonal imbalance, which is the main culprit – caffeine. Morning coffee on an empty stomach can disrupt the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for the feeling of enjoyment, happiness and well-being. And research has shown that if we stop drinking coffee on an empty stomach, we will be better mood and generally better and we will feel.

Health:5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD INSERT THE CINNAMON INTO DIET

Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices. He suits in salty specialties, but is also great as part of many desserts.

This spice has a wonderful aroma, and its aroma creates a sense of comfort in the home. In addition, the cinnamon is incredibly useful. The popular spice is great for use at any part of the year, but it is mandatory for the upcoming autumn period.

Here are five reasons why you should use your cinnamon every day.

It is rich in vitamins

Cinnamon is full of vitamins that are necessary during the autumn season, when there is a period of flu and colds. The spice contains almost the entire spectrum of vitamins B, vitamins from group A, PP and, of course, vitamin C.

Strengthens immunity

Thanks to the essential oils, iron, potassium, phosphorus and zinc in its composition, cinnamon helps produce antibodies that are great fighters against modern viral diseases.

Improves mood

Cinnamon normalizes pressure, purifies blood vessels and tones the skin. Additionally, it contributes to a better concentration and focus that often lack for adults and children during the cold autumn days.

Fights against common colds

Even in ancient times, cinnamon was used in problems with the respiratory organs, cough, and sore throat. Thanks to essential oils, he fights with the cold better than any other drug.

It maintains the ideal weight

Cinnamon has a stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract and helps overcome the increased appetite during the cold period.

Mom Cured Her Son's Eczema With Homemade Breast Milk Soap

A Scottish mom is making international headlines for the brilliant way she treated her son's eczema. Joy Evans, a breastfeeding peer support worker, says she had tried everything under the son for her little boy, Finlay, who had suffered from the skin condition since he was just 6 months old. From steroid treatments to emollient creams to over-the-counter remedies, nothing worked. But then, she thought to try something she had read about online: homemade soap made from her own breast milk—and it did the trick for her now 20-month-old.

Evans took to Twitter to share her experience, writing, "Last month I made breastmilk soap hoping it’d help baby’s eczema. Wish I had before photos, it’s totally cleared! No steroid cream, moisturisers, expensive products, just switched to this and his skin is completely clear. #breastmilk #homemade #soap #eczema #magicstuff #organic."

According to the U.K. publication Metro, Evans used stale pumped breast milk from her freezer. "I was a bit skeptical when I found it, but I hoped it would work," she said. "I hoped it would at least take the edge off or make him less itchy and uncomfortable. That was my hope, just to make him more comfortable, but it exceeded all my expectations. We just got to the point of wanting to try anything. I had some old expressed breast milk that was too old for him to drink still in the freezer and just decided to give it a go. One day at baby group he had been stripped down to his nappy because they were doing messy play. I just looked at him and thought, 'It's all gone.' I was amazed."

She now plans to keep a supply around to treat her son's eczema and any other skin conditions that may pop up. "It comes out like a normal bar of soap but a little bit softer," she said. "It’s like when you buy a really posh soap and they’re oil-based so they’re a bit squidgy." 

Sure, this may not be every family's skin care solution, but how heartening that something so cost-effective and simple could work. Props to Evans for sharing this "magic" trick with the world.

There's Usually No Lump in This Rare, Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer. Here's What You Need to Know

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer that tends to develop quickly, sometimes in just a few weeks or months. IBC starts in the milk ducts of the breasts and, by the time it has been diagnosed, has usually already spread to the lymph nodes and further.

The distinctive symptoms of redness, swelling, and tenderness are “because cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin overlying the breast,” says Jessica Maxwell, MD, assistant professor of surgical oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

The lymph vessels carry lymph fluid, part of the body’s infection-fighting system, throughout the body.

Although IBC accounts for only about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers, it has a steeper mortality rate than other malignancies in the breast.

The symptoms of IBC are often mistaken for an infection. Redness and swellingtypically cover at least a third of the breast, which may also be warm to the touch.

The most characteristic symptom of IBC is ridged, pitted, or dimpled skin caused by the buildup of lymphatic fluid in the skin. This is called “peau d’orange” or “skin of an orange.”

“The skin gets very swollen and thick and the pores get larger,” explains Lauren S. Cassell, MD, chief of breast surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Sometimes the nipple may be flattened or inverted, the skin may look red, purple, or bruised, and lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone may be swollen. Some women also have a feeling of heaviness or burning in their breasts. Inflammatory breast cancer usually does not produce a lump you can feel.

Inflammatory breast cancer causes

No one knows exactly what causes IBC other than it usually starts in the milk ducts of the breast.

“We know it generally begins like other cancers where you have an abnormal cell within the breast and typically a mutation within that cell’s DNA instructs the cell to grow or divide very rapidly,” says Dr. Maxwell.

IBC differs from other cancers in that “rapidly dividing cells accumulate and clog those lymphatic vessels and skin,” she adds.

Inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis

IBC is easily confused with a breast infection, especially in younger women who may be breastfeeding. In fact, it’s often first treated with antibiotics, says Dr. Cassell. “If you have a patient who does not respond to antibiotics in seven to 10 days, then you have to have a very strong consideration for IBC.”

If that’s the case, the next step is usually a biopsy, she adds. “You don’t wait six months trying to treat this with antibiotics.”

A mammogram doesn’t usually detect IBC, but it can help with diagnosis. “We still usually get imaging to look at the breast tissue itself to see if there’s any kind of underlying abnormality,” says Dr. Maxwell. “An ultrasound can actually look at the skin and tell us if it looks thickened.” MRIs may also be helpful in diagnosing IBC.

Ultimately, though, a diagnosis can only be made with a biopsy, which is taking a sample of tissue and studying it under a microscope. Then you may need other tests like bone scans or chest X-rays to see if and where the cancer has spread.

Inflammatory breast cancer risk factors

The biggest risk factor for inflammatory breast cancer is being a woman, although men can get it as well.

Black women are at an even higher risk than white women. People who are obese have a greater chance of developing IBC than those at a normal weight.

IBC tends to occur in younger women, with the average age at diagnosis being 52, versus 57 for other types of breast cancer.

How a Rock Climbing Trip Taught Me How to Trust

So there I was—about three-quarters of the way up a 100-foot rock formation in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. I was tired. But more than that, I was pissed off that this one section, which I dubbed “the Crack,” was giving me so much trouble. Below, my crew of strong women was cheering me on. Above me, Savannah Cummins, an adventure photographer and expert climber, was balancing on a rope like a ninja. She was offering me tips while capturing my every move, but with fatigue and frustration setting in, it sounded more like Charlie Brown’s teacher—“whaa-whaa-whaa.”

This particular rock face was nothing like the indoor climbing walls I had practiced on back in New York; it was infinitely harder. You see, in the gym, there were defined routes marked by colors, which represent degrees of difficulty, as well as pronounced nubs you use to grab or step on. But in the outdoors, I was unable to map out a clear path. So each chalky-hand move or toe placement felt like trying to fit a piece into a challenging puzzle—and my guess was often wrong.

Knowing that I needed to make a move, I gripped a section of rock, and it peeled away like a pistachio shell. I fell a bit before feeling my rope tighten. It was then I was reminded of my mortality. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against the rock. “You can do this,” I said to myself. More important, I told myself to trust my belayer (the person on the ground charged with securing me).

Fundamentally, the art of rock climbing is about two things: overcoming physical obstacles and trusting in people. For me, the first part was no big deal. I’m not saying that using every muscle in my body to grip tiny crevices and sliding my frame along rock surfaces is easy, but I’ve run several marathons and even trekked through the Alps. Translation: I’m comfortable with physical discomfort and have taught myself how to persevere. But trusting others is tough for me. So the fact that the rope I am attached to is literally tied to the waist of another person and that is the only thing keeping me from smashing into this mountain, or worse, freefalling 100 feet? Yup, it’s my worst nightmare.

Knowing that, you may wonder what possessed me to try a sport that consists of putting my life in the hands of another person. Well, “sport climbing” is making its Olympic debut in 2020. For the most part, it’s male-dominated, and the North Face wants to change that, so it invited a group of female editors on a trip to explore the activity. Honestly, it seemed like a good idea while sitting at my cushy desk in New York City. I love athletic challenges and was into the whole female-empowerment angle. I didn’t even think about the trust aspect.

So on that rock—torn between giving up and fighting like hell to finish—I gave myself a moment to regroup. I allowed myself to shed a few tears, because it was hard AF, but also because I was grieving the loss of my Uncle Russ, who had died the day before I set out on my adventure. I looked down at my belayer and thought, "Let’s do this.” In that moment it became clear that, yes, I needed to draw on my own strength, but that I could also use the strength of those around me—in this case, the person holding my rope and my editor friends cheering me on from below.

With renewed determination and a greater sense of support, I inched my way farther and farther up until I reached the top. I was proud of myself for conquering the mountain, but even prouder that I had allowed myself to relinquish control and trust other people. Those moments on the rock taught me that even though I am capable of facing obstacles alone, it doesn’t mean I have to.