Cedar Ridge Academy Students Visit the Grand Canyon

Recently, Rob Nielsen took some of the girls on a karate camp in Arizona. On our last day in Arizona the six of us decided we would take a detour through the Grand Canyon before heading back to Cedar Ridge Academy. High up in the mountains, the scenery was very different from the barren desert we students were all used to. Green fields and monstrous evergreens surrounded the road, as we entered the park. It was beautiful!

Grand Canyon July 2013

Not long after we arrived, we began to hear the roar of thunder and see flashes of lightning off in the distance. And then the rain started pouring. We parked and attempted to get out to actually see the canyon, but it was hazy and dangerous with the lightning so close. Disappointed yet hopeful, we got back into the car to wait out the rain. Ten, twenty, thirty minutes went by before the storm finally let up.  We turned off Rob's Ipad, which we had all been playing on, and got out of the car.

Student visits Grand Canyon on karate trip.

If you didn't believe that everything happens for a reason you would after the breathtaking sight that was waiting for us outside. A magnificent double rainbow stretched above the Grand Canyon. As we stood on the ledge overlooking the canyon we were amazed by the absolute brightness and vividness of the rainbow. It appeared to be so close to us, inches away, as if we could reach out and touch it. That combined with the actual Grand Canyon itself made the moment perfect. Words cannot express the Grand Canyon. It is massive, extraordinary, and beautiful.

After spending time and taking pictures at this view point, we all went for a hike. The trail was narrow and looked over the canyon. There were ledges on both sides of us that steeply dropped off to the unforgiving canyon. As we were walking, the sun set and the brilliant colors were reflected all around us, off the wet, shiny ground. Everything was so shiny and vibrant. Off to the left we could still see that rainbow. It was as if we stepped into another world! Everything was so surreal and dreamlike, our wonderland.

Another view of the rainbow.

That evening, we left the Grand Canyon still in awe of what we had just seen. I know that the six of us will always remember this adventure as practically life changing. Everyone should experience the Grand Canyon. It is purely unique, it is unlike anything else in the world.

Students at Cedar Ridge Academy Therapeutic Boarding School Review The Brain Fix

Many of the boys and girls who come to Cedar Ridge Academy are here because of destructive behavior. Whether they're here because of drug abuse, an eating disorder, or depression there always tends to be a great deal of damage done to the brain. The book, The Brain Fix, by Ralph E. Carson, is packed with great information for those who want to recover or improve their brain function.

The reviewer reflects as she reads The Brain Fix.

The book begins by explaining that no matter how considerable the damage is, the brain is elastic and can recover and grow. Short-term memory can be improved, along with focus and concentration. This is perfect information for students who come to Cedar Ridge struggling with their academics. The Brain Fix also covers what you can do to heal your brain in the best way to have a successful recovery from addiction and eating disorders.  For those who struggle with depression and anxiety, The Brain Fix explains how to conquer these threatening issues in a natural way. At the end of the book, it describes the perfect mindset for making changes and outlines how to go about doing so.

The book is broken down into different sections. The first section of the book contains several chapters about nutrition. What you'll find is that what you eat really does affect the brain. The brain needs specific nutrients to grow stronger and function at its highest level. Certain foods will even increase your capability of recovering from addiction and other psychological problems. The next few sections focus on lifestyle and behavioral changes that can help your brain. The initial chapters talk about exercise and its healing properties. Getting a sufficient amount of exercise can make a big difference on your mood, focus, and energy level. A lack of exercise can greatly damage the brain just like many of the bad habits Cedar Ridge students come in with. After this, the book explains how underrated yet important sleep is for the brain. Sleep impacts the brain enormously, and is as equally important as exercise is for the brain. The Brain Fix is packed full of interesting facts.

This book is for everyone, not just those in recovery. It can be a huge help to anyone who commits to making the changes that the book describes. In other words, if you have a brain The Brain Fix can help you too.