Sam Bauman: Baking soda for good

I get lots of email hyping dietary supplements or health products. Most I just delete, but sometimes the headline catches my eye. This is one from the “editor” Steve Thompson of the American Patriot Daily News Network was headlined “Baking Soda & Death.”

Since I use a mixture of baking soda and sea salt to brush my teeth, I thought I better check it out. I did and after a lengthy spiel I found praise about baking soda, and I did find out something about a product that apparently is just about magical, according to the comments from some of 23,497 users. The claim:

“It’s a super-drink that was originally created for older guys in the Coast Guard to help them keep up with the younger guys in their unit. The secret behind Patriot Power Greens is the health-boosting power of the 21 organic fruits and vegetables, 10 probiotic strains, and 6 digestive enzymes in each serving.”

“And while Patriot Power Greens has delivered some life-changing results for the members of the military that have tested it, it also can help support your health in 9 different ways.”

“With Patriot Power Greens, you’ll have the power to alleviate your unbearable pain and joint discomfort with a combination of 6 digestive enzymes.”

Cost of this products is $49.95 plus shipping and handling.

I checked the Internet for comments about this product and came up with many complaints, from “no help with problems,” to inability to talk to agents. You can check out those comments on the web. The site appears to be a patriotic conservative firm, but that’s just window dressing:

“Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using our products.”

So why buy?

BEAT THE HEAT AND HIKE

Seniors may be itching to get on a mountain trail but check the weather and it seems a little hot to be on the trail. But it’s just a matter of setting the alarm clock and raising with the birds. Early morning is lovely on the hills and it’s still comfy cool at 7 a.m.

An easy hike for Carson folk is Dead Man’s Creek off old 395 toward Washoe Lake State Park. There’s a small parking area on the right just before the park entrance with the remains of an old tree on the ground, which used to mark the parking.

A couple of signs warn of rattlesnakes (never seen one there) and that the trail is a little over a mile to the top gazebo. Usually, there’s a trickle of water under the bridge over the creek, but there wasn’t any during a recent visit.

The trail is labeled “moderate” and is lined with metal information signs identifying plants and terrain. One starts off to the left, a scramble up loose gravel.

A couple of hundred yards along the sloping trail is a cutoff to the right (where stinging nettles abide — avoid them). This is the trail head for the old way up the hill, but it is not maintained by park rangers as it interfered with a breeding area for small game, so don’t take it.

The trail steepens slightly until one reaches a split. The left leg goes into a nature viewing area which early in the morning can be quite busy. The right leg continues up the hill on a diagonal. There are a couple of benches built, but the trail levels off when the gazebo comes into view. It was rebuilt a couple of years ago and is now sturdy. It’s a fine place to sit and enjoy the view of the lake (when it exists) and of Slide Mountain, void of snow now except in small patches.

There’s a road that continues up the hill and sometimes a pickup truck makes it to the top. On both side are overhangs where some hikers spend the nights. No trails exist, so it’s scramble time.

A personal aside: I like to hike with a climbing stick. Mine is about 5 feet long with a handle of athletic tape and a roughly pointed end. I also sometimes use a pair of ski poles when it’s big rocks and high steps.

The pause at the gazebo is the right time to snack and take photos; the view is awesome.

You can return via the trail you took, or you can take what’s left of the old original trail to the left when facing downhill. As mentioned, this trail is not maintained, so there’s some steep steps. If you run into a ranger, apologize and claim you are lost. Some fine views along this old trail.

There’s more hiking in Washoe Park, mostly flat. The area of the dunes offers an insight into how the sand all got there, blown off Mt. Rose and Slide Mountain across the lake.

If you’re still looking for a higher trail, head for Mt. Rose. It’ll be cooler there and from the newly built trail head there is a variety of trails of various difficulty.

Sam Bauman writes about senior affairs, among other things, for the Nevada Appeal.