March 29, 2014

Earth Hour 2014

As global citizens, we are witnessing the devastating effects of climate change, and we understand that these impacts are a result of human behaviour that will, without action, only get worse. 

Since 2007, millions of people across the world have rallied together in a symbolic demonstration for action on climate change. It all starts with a simple flick of the lights at 8:30pm on March 29. This hour of darkness is a time to come together to display our commitment to the one thing that unites us all, the planet.

This global phenomenon and the largest grassroots action in history is called Earth Hour.




This year when you turn off your lights, take a moment of darkness, a moment of reflection and introspection, be inspired to choose a future where climate change is no longer a threat. Earth Hour is a chance to step away from our every day activities and think about what is happening to our planet, what we'd like to see in the future, and most importantly, how we can help. For one hour, focus on your commitment to our planet for the rest of the year, and into the future. Why do you care about the planet? Why is making a difference and making a change important to you? 


So, join millions of people across the world who will switch their lights OFF q for an hour on March 29 at 8:30pm, all to raise awareness for the planet. Instead have a candle lit dinner, take  a nap, read a book by flashlight, talk with friends, stargaze, play board games, join a community event, or reflect on the changes you will make this year. The possibilities are endless. 


Whatever you chose to do for the hour, know that hundreds of millions of others across the global will be doing the same. Uniting behind a common goal provides a powerful message that WE CAN make a difference. 

We only have one planet, you can help protect it.

Will you join me?

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March 27, 2014

DIY Salad Dressings

Do you enjoy eating salads? The key to a good salad is not only what's in it, but also the dressing. It's really what brings the salad together.

It's easy to make your own personalized salad dressings with items you already have at home. The basic ratio of sour, sweet and oil is easily modified and infinitely variable. Once you taste your own homemade salad dressing, I promise you won't be able to get enough. Plus, you'll be saving money and valuable fridge space when you nix the bottled crap from your grocery shopping trips.

They key to remember for any good salad dressing is 2:1:1 - 2 oil, for every 1 sour and 1 sweet. Dijon mustard is not necessary, but helps bind the ingredients so the oil and vinegar don't separate. And might I suggest maple syrup as your sweet. I promise you, the maple flavour is not overpowering.



Ingredients:
1 c. extra virgin olive oil (or canola oil)
1/2 c. any vinegar
1/2 c. honey or maple syrup
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
1 tbsp. any herb
salt + pepper

Directions:
Decide which ingredients you'd like to use, add to a Mason jar, close the lid and shake vigorously until combined.


Simple, right? 

Do you have your own homemade salad dressing recipe to share?

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March 25, 2014

Getting Hooked


"To my mind, hunting and fishing is the big lure that takes us into the great open spaces and teaches us to forget the mean and petty things in life." 
- Leon Leonwood Bean

Some of the best fish that we have ever tasted we caught with our own two hands. We didn't mind getting down and dirty, if it meant filling our freezer and bellies. Sometimes we were more successful than others, and sometimes I was just more successful than Steve.

One of the best experiences we ever had was catching a salmon and then eating it hours after it was pulled out of the water. Nothing fancy, just a little butter, dill and lemon on the BBQ... Mouth watering. I even got to fillet that baby. 

Alaska has some of the best fishing in the world and is an angler's absolute dream. Fishing is a way of life up there, and we were hooked.

Halibut fishing and shrimping in Prince William Sound


Clamming at Clam Gulch



Salmon fishing in Bird Creek, Ship Creek, Skilak Lake, Kenai River and Kasilof River


Pretty proud of that fish. Between Steve and I, that baby holds the record.


Do you enjoy eating fish? Do you have any memorable fishing experiences? I'd love to hear!




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March 22, 2014

H20


I grew up on the shore of Lake Huron and spent every free second in or around water. Ever since I can remember, I was drawn to the water. This love paved the road I've taken in life, and today, I couldn't imagine my life without water.



Today is World Water Day. So in honour of a resource we could never ever live without, here are some interesting water facts...
  • Waters covers 70% of the Earth's surface.
  • 80% of the Earth's water is surface water, the other 20% is either ground water or atmospheric water vapour.
  • Only 3% of the Earth's water is freshwater, the other 97% is salt water.
  • Water found at the Earth’s surface in lakes, rivers, etc. makes up only 0.3% of the world’s fresh water; 68.7% of fresh water is trapped in glaciers; 30% of fresh water is in the ground.
  • Canada holds 20% of the world's fresh water.
  • A gallon (3.8 L) of water weighs 8.34 pounds.
  • Water makes up between 55-78% of a human’s body weight.


Water is life. All living things depend on water to support life functions. So, whether you are drawn to it like me, or absolutely terrified of it, please take a moment today to appreciate water.

What does water mean to you?


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March 18, 2014

Driving the Al-Can

The Alaska Canada Highway, or Al-Can, traverses a vast wilderness in a remote expanse of North America, from Mile 0 in Dawson Creek, BC all the way through the Canadian Rockies and Yukon Territory, 1422 miles to Delta Junction, AK.

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On our ultimate road trip home last summer from Alaska, we picked up the Al-Can in Tok, AK on our way out of the great state. Although an exhilarating and ultimate road trippin' experience lay ahead of us, one of the toughest days I've ever had was crossing that border...


Day 2: We spent the night in Whitehorse, Yukon with friends.


Day 3: We had a picnic lunch at Watson Lake, Yukon, spending a few minutes walking through the Sign Post Forest to take in the thousands of other travellers that have been on the same exhilartating adventure as us.


We camped at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park in northern British Columbia, enjoying a much needed soak in the hot springs.


Day 4: We stopped in Muncho Lake, BC to fill up the tank, a pricey $2/L! The usual turquoise colours of the lake muted by the rain.


We saw wildlife galore - from black and brown bears, to stone sheep, bison, coyote, caribou and more.


We passed the Mile 0 sign in Dawson Creek, BC, stopping to only snap a few shots, give a quick high five, and continue on our 4500 mile journey...


And we can't forget about this little guy, who did the entire ride with us, whether he liked it or not.


Some frequently asked questions:

How long will it take?
Plan on driving for about 5 days, at 7-8 hours each day, with limited stops but plenty of scenery and wildlife to view. Make sure you have a good camera to document the adventure.

Is the road paved?
When the road was originally constructed in 1948, it was a mixture of gravel and dirt. Nowadays it is completely paved. But, that does not mean it doesn't still present its challenges. In some parts it is fairly windy through the mountains and there is no guardrail to hold you back. In other parts the harsh weather and freeze/thaw cycle has taken its toll on the road, with frost heaves creating a bumpy ride that can do some damage to your car if you're not careful. In the summer road construction is ongoing, so be prepared for some stoppages.

What kind of car should I drive?
Whatever kind you want. We saw cars, trucks, suvs, trailers, vehicles pulling trailers and motorcycles. The most important thing is to make sure it is in good shape, including the tires. We took ours for a check up before we left to be sure. The last thing you want is to break down in the middle of nowhere.

Do cell phones work?
Be prepared for some stretches with no cell or satellite reception. This also goes for satellite radio. 

How far apart are services?
Fuel, food and lodging can usually be found in the small towns you'll come across. But be prepared to go at least 150 miles without seeing a gas station. Pay attention to your gas tank and fill up when you see a pump, even if it's to top off the tank. Also, be prepared to pay more for services.

Extra tips:
This road trip definitely requires some planning. If you're feeling adventurous and want to experience the Al-Can for yourself, please invest in the Milepost. This is the bible of all Alaska/Alberta/BC/Yukon/Northwest Territory road trips and marks every stop, including things to see, gas, lodging, campgrounds, etc. 




Do you enjoy taking road trips? What's your most memorable road trippin' experience?


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Linking up with A Compass Rose for Travel Tuesday.
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March 15, 2014

What is your dream vacay?


My brother and I at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, circa 1999ish. 
Go ahead, make fun of our mad style and the caterpillars crawling across my forehead.





March break (as us Canadians call it) always meant a family vacation. Be it Florida, Mexico or somewhere else a flight away, it was always somewhere warm. The perfect winter break. And while my brother, sister and I may now be "grown up" with somewhat "grown up" jobs that keep us from jetting off to those tropical destinations as a family, I can still dream.

Here are 3 of my dream vacations, in no particular order...

Safari in Kruger Nat'l Park, Africa
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Road Trip to the East Coast of Canada
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Scuba diving in the Galapagos
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Ya, I know those are sharks. Call me crazy, but diving with sharks is on my bucket list. Poor guys get such a bad rap.

Check out these two lovely ladies' dream vacations...

Andi @ ap loves design: My dream vacation would definitely be somewhere warm. Not crazy uncomfortably hot, but warm enough to wear a tank, a maxi skirt, and a cute jean jacket at night. An island would be nice like Turks and Caicos. Hopefully the flight would be fairly quick since I HATE to fly. We would swim with the dolphins, go zip lining, and I know I'm going out on a limb here, but if there was a waterfall nearby I wouldn't be mad at that. I would definitely want to get pampered with a couples massage and some other spa treatment we wouldn't normally be able to afford. And we would eat succulent fresh seafood and drink alcoholic beverages…duh, lol. 
Etsy  |  Instagram  |  Facebook

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Jenn @ A Country Girls' WorldMy dream vacation, at the moment, would be to visit southern Africa!  Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa are very high on my list.  I would love to do a Safari and experience unspoiled Africa!
Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest


Now it's your turn,

What's your dream vacay?

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March 12, 2014

Him + Her





him: professional hockey player
her: conservation & education coordinator

him: 5'11"
her: 5'6''

him: scotch, IPA
her: chardonnay, IPA

him: 1989 honda accord
her: 2006 pontiac pursuit

him: youngest of two
her: oldest of three

him: broken collarbone, leg
her: broken fingers, toes

him: blue eyes
her: blue eyes

him: sweet
her: salty

him: big city boy
her: small town girl

him: book before bed
her: crossword before bed

With the continuous growth of this blog, I love being able to [re]introduce myself to all of my friends. Thank you for this cute idea Harley & Jane and Life of Lane.


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March 11, 2014

Kale + Couscous Salad Recipe

Another day, another recipe using one of my new faves, kale...

While we are not vegetarians, on occasion we do cut meat out of our meals. This vegetarian recipe is  a favourite of ours. It is not only healthy, but also quick, easy, affordable and can be made in large quantities and stored for the week. Like kale, couscous has become a staple in our house because it cooks in the blink of an eye and is foolproof. This salad's flavour is light and refreshing, making it the perfect addition to any lunch or dinner.

kale and couscous salad recipe

Kale & Couscous Salad

Serving size: approximately 4 cups


Ingredients

  • 6 leaves of kale, deribbed and chopped
  • 1 c. couscous 
  • 1 c. stock or water
  • 1/2 c. slivered almonds
  • 1/2 c. dried cranberries
  • 1/2 c. onion, finely minced
  • 4 tbsp. olive oil
  • juice of one lemon
  • salt + pepper, to taste


Directions

  1. Cook couscous: In a small pot, bring 1 cup water or stock to a boil, over high heat. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. If the couscous has not absorbed all of the liquid, let sit for a little longer. Gently fluff the cooked couscous with a fork. 
  2. While couscous is cooking, wash kale and pat dry. Derib and shred. 
  3. Once couscous is cooked, allow to cool slightly. Add chopped kale, cranberries, almonds and onions. Toss with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine. Chill until ready to serve.
  4. Keeps (covered) in the fridge for up to 5 days.

kale and couscous salad recipe


Like I said, so simple. Ingredients can be adjusted to taste, based on the quantity of couscous prepared.

If you missed my other kale recipes: Frozen Kale Cubes for Smoothies  |  Kale + Quinoa Patties


Is this a recipe you'd try?

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March 7, 2014

Life Lately

Every since we stepped foot back on Canadian soil last June, life has had its ups and downs. (Sometimes I can't believe it's been almost 10 months since we said our goodbyes.) Life has given us many happy moments, but has also tested our limits, morals and ultimately, our relationship. Living in a big city has been a tough adjustment, but we may finally be getting the hang of it. It's not ideal, but for right now, it is what it is and we're making the best of it. In the perfect world, I would escape the hustle and bustle, the pushing and shoving, the limited eye contact and unpleasant exchanges, the lack of door holding and thank yous, and the cement and tall buildings. In the perfect world, I would spend more time with my husband, go on unlimited adventures and stop to smell the flowers more often.

This past weekend I went and visited my parents'. Lately, visiting them has been my escape from this concrete jungle. Two days at their house is just long enough to allow me forget about how much I sometimes despise this city, before I'm tossed right back into it.

Today's post may not be much of a Photography Friday post, but it is my life lately, or lack there of, according to my iPhone...


1//  Take me back to the day when there was a big white tent filled with so much love on this lawn.
2//  Nice view, and choice of beverage, for a quiz.


1//  Breaky date with a best.
2//  This little cutie melts my heart.


1//  Found this gem in the closet at my parents'. The dance lessons didn't last long, but being a tomboy did.
2//  So I was on the curling team in grade 8 and 9. No big deal.


1//  We finally got some salmon at work. Is it wrong that it makes me want to go fishing in AK?
2//  Best purchases of life - LL Bean boots, wool socks and Prana winter jacket.


1//  Pancake Tuesday.
2//  Sharing some pancakes with Katniss Everdeen.


1//  I wish this could be my every day.
2//  I have a love/hate relationship with this city, but sunsets like this one, get me every. damn. time.


What have you been up to lately?

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Linking up with This Analog Adventure for Photography Friday.
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