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Leanne's Lemony Orzo Soup

Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup - Makes about 8 cups   1 TB olive oil 1-1/2 c. chopped onions 1 c. each: diced carrots and diced celery 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. dried thyme 1/2 tsp. each: dried marjoram and dried tarragon 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric 6 c. reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/4 c. freshly-squeezed lemon juice 2 bay leaves 2 tsp. grated lemon zest 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 c. uncooked orzo pasta (or rice for gluten-free) 2 c. chopped cooked chicken 1/4 c. fresh chopped parsley   Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables start to soften -...

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Wild Ice Skating

Wild Ice Skating Here in southern Alberta we’ve been locked in a deep freeze for what feels like the better part of a month now. Thankfully, that must mean we’re due for a chinook and with it, warmer temps that’ll allow us to escape our homes and head out for some much-needed wilderness therapy. Despite what it sounds like, wild ice skating is not girls gone wild on ice...although that might be a million-dollar idea! To put it simply, wild skating is just skating on a natural body of frozen water, as opposed to your community rink.  Here in the Canadian Rockies, a trifecta of optimal conditions are needed to make that perfectly smooth, crystal clear ice that skaters desire....

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Leanne's Homemade Mac n Cheese

Leanne's Homemade Mac N Cheese Lots of carbs, lots of cheese. It's like a gentle hug for your mouth. Rating: 5/5 Because it's creamy, and comforting, and perfect. Pro Tip: If you don't have the kinds of cheese called for, use whatever are your favourites, or whatever you have on-hand in the fridge! 1/4 c butter1 small onion, finely chopped3 cloves garlic, minced1/3 c all-purpose flour4 c hot milk (be careful not to scorch it!)2 TB dijon mustard1 tsp salt1/2 tsp pepper1/4 tsp cayenne pepper1 c Gruyere or Gouda cheese, shredded1 c Old Cheddar, Edam, or Bleu cheese, shredded/crumbled1 lb elbow macaroni, penne, or other short-cut pasta shape1 c coarse breadcrumbs (or, I like to use panko) In a saucepan,...

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Snoeshowing 101

Snowshoeing 101 Every snow often, we all enjoy a little snow adventure! Snowshoeing is an excellent way to stay active outdoors during our coldest months. In addition to the snowshoes themselves, the sport requires little specialized gear and if you can walk or hike, you’ll be able to snowshoe. Here’s our guide to getting started and some recommendations for where to snowshoe near Calgary. Clothing: -Be bold, start cold! Remember to dress in layers (refer to our previous post about dressing for winter activities), so you can regulate your temperature effectively during periods of activity and rest.  Gear: -Snowshoes (if you don’t have your own you can refer to this post for our favorite rental places). -Poles (they can provide...

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Harvesting Your Own Christmas Tree

Harvesting Your Own Christmas Tree If you celebrate Christmas and enjoy having a decorated tree in your home, this post might be for you. I was unwilling to set-up an imitation tree, and was fed up with the overpriced trees on commercial lots, so a group of friends and I decided to find and cut down our own. That was a decade ago and has now become an annual tradition and a treasured experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Plus with all the supply chain issues we’re seeing right now, this might be your only option to obtain a real Christmas Tree this season. If you’d like to partake in your own Christmas Tree hunt this holiday season,...

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