Did you know that the Trans Canada Trail is the world's longest network of recreational trails? When fully connected, the Trail will stretch 23,000 kilometres (14,000 mi) from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans. More than 16,800 kilometres (10,400 mi) of trail are currently usable, making it approximately 75% complete in 2014. Two hundred forty gaps totaling 6,200 … [Read more...]
8 One Pot Meals for Busy Families
Work beckons, kids have activities and places to be, you've got errands that still need to be run, and dinner isn't going to cook itself. Am I right? Though I will never sacrifice flavour and a good meal, I do have a little secret. I try not to spend hours in the kitchen. Who has the time, right? Don't get me wrong. There are evenings when I love a slow cooked meal, but … [Read more...]
On Childhood
I remember my Summer days as a kid as if they were just yesterday. My parents believed in letting us just be kids and enjoy our childhood "because kids grow up too quickly and before you know it, it's adult problems, responsibility and stress." I'm laughing now, but those were my mom's exact words. Boy, was she ever right! I cherish my Summer memories and just being a … [Read more...]
PC Cooking School for Kids
Cooking is love made visible." Some of my earliest memories consist of being in the kitchen with my grandparents, learning how to cook traditional Filipino dishes. Afritada, Menudo, Sinigang, Tortang Talong, Adobo, Sio Pao are just some of the foods that transport me back to my childhood. I learned a lot about life and family in my grandparents' kitchen. I also learned that … [Read more...]
10 Fun Watermelon Recipes
Nothing screams Summer better than watermelon! I have to admit that I am a big watermelon fan. On hot Summer days when I feel too hot to cook, I just want some nice, cold, sweet, juicy watermelon. That's it. That's all. My husband has told me on more than one occasion that watermelon has some surprising health benefits. According to livescience.com, watermelon is packed … [Read more...]
17 Awesome Zoku Frozen Treat Recipes
Do you remember sweltering hot Summer days and running out of the house or jumping out of the pool to run after the ice cream truck whenever you heard that ice cream truck song? Growing up in the suburbs, my brothers, cousins, friends and I used to race out of the pool and jump over our backyard fence to get to the ice cream truck! We only realized once we caught up to it … [Read more...]
7 Tips for Perfect Patio Entertaining
School is almost out and Summer is officially here! There's nothing better than spending the afternoons out on the patio with loved ones. We spend a lot of time on our patio. As soon as the weather warms up, we're out there having dinner every evening. My patio is also my oasis. It's a place I go to for some quiet time with a cool beverage in hand or a cup of tea. It's … [Read more...]
Celebrating Father’s Day with Summer Fresh #FreshBBQ
Father's Day is a day to celebrate Dad. Though we appreciate the important men in our lives every day, Father's Day is a great time to remind them of how special they really are to us. In our family, we celebrate with gathering together and sharing a meal. On special occasions like Father's Day, we let Daddy and Grampy choose their favourite dish. It seems that … [Read more...]
13 Amazing & Practical Uses for Mason Jars
There's just something so rustic and homey about mason jars. Living on a farm, mason jars are aplenty in our old farm kitchen. Friends and family joke that I work for Bernardin! I don't, but I sure do use their mason jars regularly and have hundreds in use all the time. I'm not kidding. Hundreds! Okay, maybe about two or three hundred! That's still a lot though! … [Read more...]
How to Sprout Seeds, Grains, and Beans
From my earliest recollections, sprouting our own bean sprouts has been something our family did. My Dad, being an expert green thumb and fan of all things innovative and science-based, always had some kind of "science project" going on. Whether it be hybridizing and creating new species of fancy Japanese goldfish to cross-pollinating flowers like orchids and daylilies, or … [Read more...]
How Being Different Teaches Children Acceptance
It's okay to be different. At least, that's what we keep telling our six year old daughter. She's quirky, a bit feisty, sometimes very stubborn and oftentimes goes against the grain. She's that kid who doesn't like fried food or sugary food. She loves vegetables, meat and fish. She's often the last to finish at any activity and sometimes doesn't finish at all. She … [Read more...]
Summer Fresh #FreshBBQ Twitter Party!
I know I'm not the only one who is excited about BBQ season! The sun is setting later in the evening, the days are warmer, the birds are chirping, the grass is green...and the aroma of food cooked on the BBQ just permeates the air! What's not to love, right? I've been a devoted Summer Fresh fan for years. Their hummus and dips are perfect for … [Read more...]
Should Screaming Kids Be Banned From Restaurants?
You know the situation. You've probably witnessed it before or you've probably been the parent of a child throwing a tantrum at a restaurant. I recently read yet another story about a restaurant banning screaming children. This time, the story on Global News featured the Facebook post from The Lobster Pound and Moore. The restaurant issued an apology on social media … [Read more...]
Soupe aux Petits Pois
My six year old is an unusual child. She has a refined palate for someone so young. She's not shy to tell me whether she thinks a dish needs more seasoning or whether it needs more acidity. How she knows this, I have no clue! She certainly loves flavours from all over the globe and asks me to make dishes from the Philippines, Korea, Thailand, Japan, the Caribbean, … [Read more...]
26 Fun Easter Treats!
The weather is warming up, the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping! It's definitely starting to feel like Spring! When I think Spring, I think of grass peeking through the snow and flowers blooming. I also think about Easter dinner with family and all the dishes to make! We love sharing a meal with loved ones. Here is a collection of great Easter treats to make … [Read more...]