food Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Nine Reasons to Stay in Saint-Sauveur Quebec

Paula — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:10:27 +0000

It’s no secret that we adore Quebec in any season. In the wintery months, we often take at least one road trip to Mont Tremblant ski resort and village to revisit the extraordinary trails where we learned to ski as a family. While Tremblant is a huge draw for tourists both nationally and internationally, there’s so much more to see in the Laurentians. In this area of Quebec there are numerous villages and cities that are charming, relaxing, scenic and affordable. You won’t have to search too long to find great food or a spectacular relaxing spa for the day. Places like St Agathe, St Jerome and Saint-Sauveur Quebec each offer an alternative to the more well known Quebec ski resort locales. If you want to save money while visiting the nearby Tremblant ski resort then you can easily opt to stay in a quiet spot like Saint-Sauveur Quebec. Many Reasons to Love Saint-Sauveur Quebec Saint-Sauveur is located in between Montreal and Mont Tremblant which makes its location ideal. We arrived here via Chelsea, Gatineau and Ottawa areas where we visited and explored for a couple of days prior to driving two more hours into the Laurentians. Location Saint-Sauveur is an easy drive from Gatineau, but that said tune into the winter weather reports if you are driving in the snowy months. Roads can be slippery during ski season. Head out on a hiking trip or a ski trip, depending on the season. Saint-Sauveur Quebec is a small town with gorgeous scenery, architecture, food and history so you might even consider staying here simply for a quiet break. The Architecture The Food Saint-Sauveur has quite a few bars and restaurants who serve alcohol, the atmosphere at these places varies from classy wine tastings to drinking at the local pub with friends. Either way, it is à great way to unwind and enjoy your evening regardless of the season. The Shopping Saint Sauveur has a super cute Main Street that is highly walkable and fun. Closer to the nearby Saint-Sauveur Quebec.. A few of my personal favorites were à handmade soap and beauty products store, a crystal shop, an antique store, as well as an art store with works from local artists. There is a vintage candy shop that has been operational for 50 years, a great place to take the kids and enjoy the sweets and vintage toys. The History Saint-Sauveur was established in 1855, and a lot of the original architecture still remains in the area. The city combines the charm of a small historical town with modern amenities and culture to create a colourful and rich area for tourism. The Community When we visited Saint-Sauveur, not once did we feel like outsiders. The community and people there were so friendly and helpful, many were fluent in English and French which makes it easy for those who are not fluent. The servers gave great recommendations and made us feel so welcome. The town itself was very accessible, everything was within walking distance making it very easy to travel around the town. Skiing Obviously there’s a lot to be said for skiing in the Laurentians. There’s a cute local ski hill open all year round called Le Sommet Saint-Sauveurs. Use their adventure activities and water park area in the summer and stop by for a lift ticket in the winter. Visiting Saint-Sauveur When travelling with family through Quebec and planning to spend some time in the Laurentians exploring, it pays to think outside the box and widen your search to include small friendly areas such as Saint-Sauveur. From gorgeous architecture, to relaxing accommodations and a walkable Main Street, this destination is well worth exploring. Happy Travels!

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11 Ways to Save on Groceries Now!

Paula — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:19:00 +0000

Have you been to the grocery store lately? Or any store for that matter? Prices have gone up dramatically since the pandemic began and the cost of food continues to rise. It’s frustrating and depressing and no fun at all to grocery shop anymore. So, I thought it was time to share some of my ideas about ways to save on groceries. It’s no longer optional, unless you are independently wealthy you have to find ways to save on groceries this year. Of course, we all love to save money at the grocery store in general, but these days that’s harder than it ever was in recent memory. In a recession, it’s more important than ever to trim costs where possible. So shop smarter and make food go farther. How to Save on Groceries First, let’s talk about how to save on groceries while we’re at the store. This is where it all begins. Before we can make our food go farther, we have to actually buy it. These tips will help you get more for your money every time you hit the aisles. Check Sale Flyers Anyone who’s been grocery shopping for any appreciable amount of time knows this one, but it is worth repeating. Always check your local sale papers for what’s on sale. That’s the first and easiest step to save on groceries. Don’t Commit to One Store Many people shop exclusively at one store just because they always have. If you live in a metropolitan or suburban area, there’s no reason to stick to one store. Remember those sales I just mentioned? Look at all of them for all stores in your area. Often times, you can find different items for better prices at different stores. If you live in a populated area, it might only take you a couple of extra minutes to drive to another store to stock up on items you need that are cheaper there. Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs Some grocery stores offer loyalty programs that allow you to get discounts on items, special coupons available only to members of the program, or points that build up as you shop. Always take advantage of these programs, even if you only buy a few items at a particular store. Over time, the points can add up. I have redeemed Optimum Points many times over to purchase gifts for the kids. Some Christmases when they were younger, redeeming these points for gifts meant the difference between having a magical Christmas morning and missing out on gifts under the tree. Use Apps to Your Advantage Technology is your friend if you want to save on groceries. There are tons of apps out there that can help you save money on your groceries. These days I use Flipp app a lot and a new friend got me into Flash Food. From apps that scour every circular for you to apps like Ibotta that let you get cashback on your receipts and apps for those loyalty programs I mentioned earlier, technology can help you save a lot of money! Plan Your Meals Meal planning is a great way to save on groceries. Try planning your meals around what you find on sale and those special deals you can get with loyalty programs. When you plan your meals, it makes it easier to shop and stick to your budget, especially if you can find the things you need at a discounted price. Buy in Bulk When you find great deals on items that can be stored for long periods of time, stock up. Buying in bulk can help you get the most bang for your buck. Canned goods and other non-perishables along with frozen foods and meats are all excellent choices when on sale. Stock your pantry with the canned goods, rice, beans, and pasta that you buy in bulk on sale. If you have the room and the money, invest in a deep freezer, so you can buy meats and other frozen items in bulk that are on sale. Shop Late This is a pretty well known one I think now. At the end of the night after 7:30 or 8 p.m., if you have to go get food either check a Flash Food app, or visit a nearby store and check the racks near the bakery and in the produce section. Produce and baked goods are discounted at the end of the night especially if they are approaching the end of their shelf life. How to Stretch Your Groceries Now that we know how to get the most out of our money while we’re at the store, let’s talk about how to get the most from our food after we’ve purchased it. This is the other key player in making sure you make those food dollars go farther. Freeze Your Meals This goes hand in hand with meal planning. If you buy in bulk, cook in bulk, and then freeze your meals. This allows you to make meals faster during the week and ensures that you don’t waste any food due to spoilage. Don’t Throw Out Blemished Food If you see food beginning to go bad in a certain spot, don’t throw the whole thing out. Rather, cut around it, and eat the good part. For example, an apple with a big brown spot is still good everywhere else. Likewise, a banana that has gone soft and brown in certain spots can still be eaten if you cut those spots away. Or, you can use them in another recipe Use Your Pantry to Your Advantage Before shopping, always look in your pantry to see what you can make with what you have. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there are more meals in the pantry than you might think. I’ve already organized the pantry this year as decluttering is one of my goals here. Check out your pantry for things like canned vegetables, creamed soups, beans, rice, and other staples that have gotten pushed to the back or that you simply haven’t gotten around to using. Remember, the less you buy, the more you save. It’s Easier Than You Think to Save on Groceries It’s a lot easier than you think to save on groceries. Simple things like meal planning, using apps, and being careful not to waste food can really add up to savings over time. Try these tips on how to save on groceries, and I’m certain you’ll see a decrease in the amount of money you spend. Right now, every penny counts.

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Your New Tea Journal

Paula — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 17:13:00 +0000

Enjoy this cute tea journal printable activities its to help keep your teas organized.

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Luxear Fridge Containers Organizing Fresh Food

Paula — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:55:00 +0000

If you are anything like me at all then you buy a fair bit of local fresh produce in the interest of feeding your family healthy foods. But, you don’t always get around to eating it before it spoils. Well, Luxear Fridge containers are changing that for my family. I received product for consideration here. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. My fridge can sometimes be like the black hole. Food goes in but gets lost in there sometimes. This year, we are all about the Produce Guyz fresh produce delivery so we always have fresh fruit and vegetables on hand at all times. I like the convenience of the delivery and the cost is great too. Now, with Luxear Fridge containers for fruit and vegetables, I am able to keep the food fresh for longer than before. That means less food waste and that’s also important to me. Organizing Your Food These cute and slightly containers keep your food air tight and ready to eat. Here’s a bit more about what makes them different. Updated 2026 to note that these now come in three colours: green, white and charcoal grey. Luxear Food Containers Features: Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission for purchases made via qualifying links. These are available on Amazon. Get Your Own Now! If you are interested in getting a set of these you can order them off of Amazon. Remember these are BPA Free Food Grade Materials and have high ratings in reviews on Amazon. Keep your fridge organized and lose less food. https://www.amazon.ca/LUXEAR-Produce-Veggie-Storage-Containers/dp/B07PM28GF1?maas=maas_adg_E0AA5B598E934F83D1C3774885ECAAA2_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Enter this discount code to save 10 % B7CWJ43S Expiry date: 2022/6/30

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Holiday Sweets Gift Books

Paula — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 15:25:00 +0000

Get into the holiday mood with amazing cookbooks full of fun food dishes and sweet treats! These holiday sweets gift books will knock your socks off. Posts may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission via qualifying links. I received product for consideration on Thrifty Mommas Tips. Holiday Sweets Cook Books From a beginner chef to the pros, there’s a cookbook for you to enjoy this holiday season. Create an indulgent night of holiday sweets and enjoy! In this fun-filled step-by-step dessert cookbook, Ann Reardon teaches you how to create delicious and impressive pastries, cakes. There are so many sweet creations. Join food scientist Ann Reardon, host of the award-winning YouTube series How to Cook That, as she explores Crazy Sweet Creations. An accomplished pastry chef, Reardon draws millions of baking fans together each week, eager to learn the secrets of her extravagant cakes, chocolates, and eye-popping desserts. Her warmth and sense of fun in the kitchen shines through on every page as she reveals the science behind recreating your own culinary masterpieces. Love Desserts? If you are buying for a home cook who loves desserts, cakes, and ice creams and wants them to look amazing, this book will be a winner. Named Amazon’s Best Cookbook for Month of June 2021 and Editor’s pick Best Books of 2021 So Far #1 Best Seller in Chocolate Baking, Confectionary Desserts, Pastry Baking, Garnishing Meals, Holiday Cooking, Main Courses & Side Dishes, Cookies, Cooking by Ingredient, and Pie Baking How to Cook That – Crazy Sweet Creations is a treat. Dessert cookbooks How to Cook That: Crazy Sweet Creations Join food scientist Ann Reardon, host of the award-winning YouTube series How to Cook That, as she explores Crazy Sweet Creations. An accomplished pastry chef, Reardon draws millions of baking fans together each week, eager to learn the secrets of her extravagant cakes, chocolates, and eye-popping desserts. Her warmth and sense of fun in the kitchen shines through on every page as she reveals the science behind recreating your own culinary masterpieces. For home cooks and fans who love their desserts, cakes, and ice creams to look amazing and taste even better. Take your culinary creations and holiday sweets to the next level. Learn to make treats that get the whole family cooking. Create baked goods that tap into beloved pop culture trends, and impress guests with beautiful desserts. More Sweet Treats to Share 52 weeks, 52 sweets 52 Weeks, 52 Sweets features unique dessert recipes using seasonal ingredients and distinctive flavour combinations by Vedika Luthra. These sweet holiday treats recipes are for all occasions throughout the year. Looking for a stunning pumpkin spice cheesecake to welcome fall to your household, or a festive pavlova that serves as the grand finale to your Christmas party? This book provides you with a recipe repertoire fit for all occasions. These sweet treats serve as gifts for friends and family or an indulgent sweet treat for yourself. Vedika invites you to explore desserts from her Indian heritage, her Polish home base, and other dishes from around the world. Indulge in her unique 52 recipes. There’s one for each week of the year, obviously. Accompanied by breath-taking photographs this will kick-start your sugar cravings and inspire you to create something special. Make these and you will feel more confident in your confectionary creations. Practice makes perfect whether it be lemon cakes, Bundt cakes, banana bread, or cookies. Seasonal Baking An ode to seasonal baking, 52 recipes is a great resource. Vedika Luthra crafted unique dessert holiday sweets and recipes using seasonal ingredients and distinctive flavour combinations for throughout the year. Uncomplicated baking. Is your favorite flavor chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet? Vedika has easy desserts to bake for you. She wants everyone to feel confident in their confectionary creations. Practice makes perfect. She guides you on your dessert journey whether it be lemon cakes, Bundt cakes, banana bread, or cookies. How to Buy: Discover this amazing author on Mango and never run out of delicious recipes! Or buy this holiday sweets cook book on Amazon now.

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Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner in 4 Simple Steps

Paula — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:53:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get ready for some festive fall vibes, great food, and quality time with your loved ones. Thanksgiving is also the ideal time for you to express gratitude over everything you have in your life, and what better time to say thanks than when you’re celebrating with your family and friends? Follow these simple tips to throw the perfect Thanksgiving dinner How to Organize a Scrumptious Thanksgiving Dinner Throwing your own Thanksgiving family dinner is a fabulous idea in theory, but can be a challenge to execute. You have to prepare the food, send out invites, decorate, and pay for all of this by yourself. This year, try out a new strategy for Thanksgiving and throw the ideal holiday dinner without having to empty your wallet or fill your mind with stress. If you’re unsure of how to go about it, here are some fun-packed tips to get you started. Set up a festive fall theme The first step to planning any party is to set the scene. And this includes coming up with a fun, exciting theme to plan it around. If you’re struggling to come up with the perfect theme, you can’t go wrong with a classic fall vibe. Thanksgiving is often associated with the fall weather, and that’s what makes this theme so perfect for your party. You can come up with some fabulous DIY decorations too without having to buy out the store. Attach some cardboard cutouts of fall leaves and pumpkins to a string of fairy lights and hang them around the venue for a soft, autumnal glow. Turn off the rest of the lights to let your decor shine through. Candles always give off a nice, autumnal vibe. Set some up around your table for a warm, elegant glow. Plan Out Your Menu Now that you have your theme planned out, it’s time for you to move on to the menu. After all, what’s a Thanksgiving dinner without the perfect menu? And this year, why not add some fun, new twists to the classic turkey dinner and surprise your guests with a bunch of creative, mouthwatering treats? Alongside your classic roast turkey entree, try out some fabulous appetizers, drinks, and desserts to fill up your dinner table. The great thing about all of these is, you probably have a lot of these ingredients in your pantry, ready to be assembled. Don’t forget to add a few special treats for the kids, like some gumdrop turkeys or fall-themed cupcakes. Throw in a little something for the adults as well with some spiced cranberry cocktails and a festive fall maple-infused punch. Keep the Party Alive with Fun Thanksgiving Activities Your menu may be ready and your decor may be set up, but that’s not enough to keep your guests entertained throughout the night. Plan out some exciting games and activities that everyone can take part in and enjoy. Try to make your Thanksgiving games inclusive enough to be played by guests of all ages. A fun holiday version of Family Feud or maybe a series of Minute to Win it activities are a great way to encourage your family to bond with each other. You can also add a fun twist to a classic gratitude game by passing out some colored tokens at random and setting up a code for each color that dictates what each person talks about being grateful for. For instance, a red token would ask a person to name one person they’re thankful for, and a green one would require them to talk about what memory they’re grateful for. This will be a great way to keep up with the thanksgiving theme while keeping things fun and interesting. 4. Create your own Thanksgiving party posters You’ve set up your party decorations, and you’ve planned your table set up. But who’s coming to your party? How do you plan to invite them? Create a bunch of custom Thanksgiving party posters and invites to send to your friends and family. This may seem like an expensive option, but the internet is here to help you turn this into a cost-effective DIY activity. Use PosterMyWall to get free access to a wide range of Thanksgiving posters and customize them according to your needs. Add your party details to your poster. Include important information like RSVP details. Add in a festive touch with some Fall themed animations and a warm, elegant color palette. Send it out to your loved ones and post it on your social media so you can get word out about your upcoming Thanksgiving party. Final Thoughts Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with your loved ones and truly reflect upon everything you appreciate in your life. It’s also one of the few holidays where you can plan out a fun, eventful dinner party for your family and friends. Follow these tips to liven up your Thanksgiving celebrations this year and have your loved ones be grateful for your hosting skills.

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Festive Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread

Paula — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:32:00 +0000

Pumpkin spice is one of my all time favourite seasons. Wait, that’s right, I said seasons. All the pumpkin recipes are timeless and scrumptious in my opinion. But this one, pumpkin spice monkey bread, is a showstopper. So easy to make too. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I make a small commission off of purchases made via qualifying links. Such a tasty way to enjoy the autumn flavours of pumpkin spice monkey bread. You need to start with a Bundt pan though, so don’t forget to get one before you start. I love this Bundt pan. If you make these regularly then you can also use a Bundt cake keeper to keep the baked goods and cakes that you make fresh all week, or all day long, depending on how fast you each these and how big a sweet tooth you have. Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake So much to love about pumpkin flavoured foods, drinks and treats. Monkey bread is basically sticky, tasty and super simple. If you have Pillsbury cinnamon rolls you can substitute those and rip them apart when cooked. There are a lot of ways to do this recipe with bread or buns that you probably already have in your home. Celebrate the Fall and Winter Season There are so many reasons to enjoy fall and winter. Once that cooler weather hits I am always hunting for easy things to make in the crockpot or the air fryer. And, I crack open a wide range of teas as soon as the temperatures dip. These days, I am drinking all the tea, to stay hydrated and warm. Apple Cinnamon is my favourite actually. Check out my recipe for this easy apple cinnamon fog latte. It is a great way to soothe that chill in October, November and December.

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Gulf Coast Shrimp Dishes to Make You Swoon

Paula — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 13:41:00 +0000

I am the world’s biggest shrimp lover. So, if I am ever on the gulf coast or somewhere else in the world where shrimp are huge, fresh and plentiful, juicy and meaty, then I am going to order a heaping dish of shrimp. That is a given. Amazing Gulf Coast Shrimp So, when we did a 12-day girl’s getaway starting in New Orleans, stretching through Louisiana Northshore, Coastal Mississippi, Mobile Alabama and finally Gulf Shores Alabama, I was all over the shrimp dishes at each restaurant. At first, it was not intentional, but then it became purposeful and a bit of a joke amongst my gal pals travelling with me on our epic adventure through the southern United States. Oh, what will she order this time? Shrimp. Always shrimp. To be fair, I also adore scallops, mussels and oysters. But shrimp is my favourite. Best Gulf Coast Shrimp Dishes Our girlfriend’s adventure began in New Orleans and the most memorable shrimp dish that I had there was at the legendary historical Napoleon House. After a tour of the facility by Chef Chris Montero we sat down to order and sampled several top dishes. Napoleon House is an essential part of any girl’s trip to New Orleans. Head to Napoleon House for a Pimms Cup, cocktail made with Pimms, a British gin-based liqueur with lemon-lime soda, and a slice of cucumber, which is über refreshing, then add a Muffuletta sandwich made with cured meats, cheeses and olive spread served on a warm seeded bun. Insanely delicious. The shrimp Po’Boy sandwich by Napoleon House is one of my favourite dishes and the best Shrimp Po’Boy I’ve had. Visit New Orleans School of Cooking After a busy day of walking, we headed to the New Orleans School of Cooking in the French Quarter for what would be one of the biggest highlights of our New Orleans girl’s getaway. The hands on cooking class started with a little bit of information about the cooking school, the chef and range of dishes we were going to make. Cajun food derives from Acadia and relies on flavours layered in one pot. We started with a Shrimp and Tasso Maque Choux, a Duck and Andouille Gumbo and then finally moved on to Bread pudding. Paired with wine and beer, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever cooked. The entire experience was worthwhile and we kept the details of the recipes, so I can revisit that recipe at home! In Louisiana Northshore In walking distance of the romantic De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast, Nuvolari’s is Italian food in a casual fine dining atmosphere on Girod Street, moments away from Lake Ponchartrain. We had dinner here on our second night in Old Mandeville and service was flawless. The oysters appetizer was scrumptious, but the Genoa Shrimp with candied pecans and fettuccini was exceptional. Candied pecans added texture and a dash of sweet and earthy flavour, making the Genoa Shrimp one of the best shrimp dishes you could find in Louisiana. Coastal Mississippi There’s a lot to love about the food in Coastal Mississippi and the charm of the place itself is undeniable. The biscuits at The GreenHouse are tasty and the creative menu at Vestige could rival that of any major metropolitan area. Unfortunately shrimp was not on the menu the night we dined there, but fortunately for us crab cakes and grouper were specials. Dinner at Vestige was a highlight for me and their crab cakes were sublime. Open Tuesday through Saturday, this is one restaurant you should make reservations at now. It would be the perfect romantic dinner if traveling as a couple. Mobile Alabama Old Mobile Evening Tour with Bienville Bites Food Tour The Bienville Bites Food Tour was a highlight of the visit to Mobile Alabama for me. Starting at Dauphins, located on the 34th floor of the RSA Trustmark Bank Building, with breathtaking views of the 75 nautical surrounding miles, we tasted the Gumbo and got a tour of the kitchen as well as a private discussion with the chef. From there, we walked throughout Mobile and on to The Cheese Cottage. The guide was knowledgeable and we enjoyed her insider’s insights into the architecture and history of Mobile. Gumbo In fact, I discovered gumbo on this trip through the Gulf Coast. My first ever true gumbo was in New Orleans and I had no idea it could vary so wildly. The basic concept is the same, but the flavours and the time spent layering spices makes the most difference. The gumbo we had at Dauphins was very good, but the stop there was mostly about the views and the time spent with the chef. Dinner at Southern National A sensational new restaurant, Southern National, is blessed with an extremely talented executive chef. Chef Dwayne Nutter, a James Beard finalist for best chef in the south is right out front at an island cooking table ensuring every plate is perfect. Gulf Shores Alabama Until I visited Gulf Shores Alabama for the second time, I had never heard of Royal Reds. These are basically big prawns that are super delicious. This might have been one of my favourite Gulf Shores Alabama foods. Huge tasty shrimp more than worth trying, which you can find on the menu at DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen. There are more than enough ways to savour shrimp dishes along the Gulf Coast. Raw, flavoured with garlic, candied, in a salad, a gumbo, or a Po’Boy sandwich, there are endless options for shrimp lovers. There’s no beating fresh seafood or a great adventure along the coast. When you combine the food, the sunsets, expansive clean beaches and charming people it’s easy to see why the Gulf Coast is a destination to return to over and over.

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Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice: Inspired by Travel to Cartagena Colombia

Paula — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:06:00 +0000

Stuffed Peppers with ground beef and rice are a family favourite now and a recipe that we frequently enjoy together. Hard to believe that 20 years ago before a trip to Cartagena, Colombia, I’d never even heard of this dish. Now we have this one in the rotation routinely for dinner. My youngest daughter asks for these stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice and many nights she enjoys helping to make them too. There are a few variations you could take on these. Add cheese on the finished product if you want. Add corn into the mixture. Get creative if you want. You could even remove the meat for a vegetarian version of this and just go all in on veggies. I don’t eat corn because of the Crohn’s disease, but I know many people love corn in all of their tex mex stuffed vegetable kinds of meals and appetizers. My favourite time to buy green peppers is in the fall well before the snow. I love to get them fresh at the market and turn them into stuffed green or sometimes red peppers. I built this recipe here at home in London after a trip to Cartagena, Colombia many years ago. For our first wedding anniversary my husband Jim and I took a trip to Cartagena, Colombia. I recall the exotic beaches and stunning architecture in the old section of the city. The food was rich and fresh and unexpected. We enjoyed a week of touring the city during the day and then relaxing on the beach and indulging in the Colombian meals at night. To be clear though it was an all inclusive resort so it was big batch cooking and buffet style meals. Generally that means the food sits a bit longer and also it is occasionally less flavourful. One night we tried stuffed Bell Peppers and I fell hard for this delicious meal. It is a regular recipe in the rotation here because my entire family loves these. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. First Steps: Brown the lean ground beef in a frying pan. Add diced onion and garlic. Add a dash of soya sauce and dash of Worcestershire Sauce and remaining spices. Follow the recipe above. Don’t forget to drain those peppers well though because otherwise they will be watery. Some people might not cook the peppers first but I do because I like them to be a bit softer for everyone in my family (mostly me.) This actually lasts us two meals sometimes so the four peppers provides plenty of leftovers unless you have huge appetites. An Affordable Family Dinner That Brings Back Memories For me, stuffed peppers is routine now and it is also a fairly affordable recipe. The only variations really are the peppers. I mean occasionally I swap out for red peppers which my kids seem to like more than green and sometimes I go with the entire rainbow – green, red, yellow and orange. The level of heat can be tweaked with a bit of chili pepper flakes. This one often reminds me of that first trip to Colombia. I have been back a couple of times since. Cook for one hour covered at 350 or 375 degrees. Scoop and serve one stuffed pepper per person. (Sometimes my kids only eat half of a pepper so we have lots of leftovers. These are overflowing typically here. So don’t be shy with the stuffing. Enjoy!

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Essential Guide to Camping Food Safety from Animals

Paula — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:29:00 +0000

How do you keep animals away from food while camping? Let’s face it – having your food decimated by critters when you camp is no fun. It’s not something you want to have to deal with when you are out with your family having a fun time exploring nature. Animals are just as interested in getting an easy meal as you or I. When camping, it can be a challenge to prevent the critters from helping themselves to our dinner. If you are basecamping, metal containers may be provided, or your car is a relatively safe cache. But what should you do if you are backpacking away from a vehicle? “Bear,” probably raises the most anxiety when thinking about losing food to an animal. But chipmunks and squirrels can cause complete devastation of food supplies. Mice pollute and ruin foods. Even insects or slugs can create problems if food is handled improperly. But the worst of all are raccoons, which will scavenge your sight for crumbs and wreak havoc. Reading about strategies to prevent animals from sneaking your food is wise. Do this before you begin your wilderness lifestyle adventure. How to Keep Animals Away From Food Here are a few basic tips: Never keep food in your tent at night. Never leave food open and unprotected for extended periods of time. Try to cook a significant distance from your tent. There are different styles of camping. In some areas you will be required to camp in designated locations. These more traditional family campgrounds may have greater animal problems than where dispersed camping is allowed. Animals will have identified those established campsites as prime food collection areas. In some areas, such as the eastern Adirondacks, the bears simply come through every day and take what they want. Some have been observed opening “bear-proof” canisters. Recently, we’ve all seen those posts about bears trashing cars to get food. Don’t Let Critters Ruin Your Trip Here are five tips to minimize the chances that you will need to cut your trip short because some small or large beast has enjoyed a free meal at your expense. Out of Sight… Hang your food, toothpaste, lotions, etc. from a high branch or bear pole in order to keep animals away from food while camping. Line your food bag with a plastic bag. Animals can still smell it, but not from as far away. The plastic will also protect it from rain and heavy dew. There are several methods of roping a cache bag over a high branch out of the reach of animals. To be bear safe, the bag must be 12 feet off the ground and at least 3 feet from the trunk of any nearby tree. In areas where bears are “savvy,” you can not simply loop the rope over a branch and tie it off; the bear will know enough to slash the rope. Research alternate roping methods. Bear Canisters Consider a bear canister. These canisters have smooth sides with nothing for an animal with paws to hold on to. The disadvantage is that they are too small for extended trips, and they are expensive. The kind that open by using a tool or coin to unscrew the lid are more secure. Tough Materials The Ursack is a bag woven of bullet-proof material that a bear or other animal can not bite through. It packs better than a canister, but is also too small for extended trips. Dispersed Camping If dispersed camping is allowed, this will reduce the likelihood of animal encounters. Dispersed camping allows you to create a small, low-impact campsite anywhere you like. Usually, there are restrictions on distance from waterways, trails, and roads. The local wildlife has not had the chance to learn that people and their foods will be in that location, so animals stay away from your food. Time Your Meals Cook your hot meal at noon. Cooking odors can easily transfer to fabrics. If you cook during the day your tent will have few odors attached. If you must cook in the evening, do so 300 feet and upwind from your tent. Try to keep cooking smells from drifting on the wind toward the place where you will be sleeping. Clean Up Leaving food out is a sure way to attract slugs in damp climates. Even a cup with a bit of leftover drink can attract them. Keep a clean camp and your will have fewer problems with pests of any kind. Don’t feed anything but your family. Don’t Be Part of the Problem You don’t need to be a camper that contributes to the problems of wildlife/ human encounters over food. And you don’t want your trip spoiled. Keep animals away from food while camping by being clean and keeping food secure. Keep Animals Away from Food When Camping Did you know that animals which become a dangerous nuisance often end up needing to be destroyed. Instead, secure any items which may be attractive, minimize odours, and be clean. You and the animals will both be happier in the long run.

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