Sweet Love and Ginger

10 Sun Burn Remedies from a Ginger

Backpack Tuna Mac

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This might very well be one of the best things to bring on a hike
ever. I love that they make tuna in a pouch with flavoring already! I mean does
it get easier than that?
You could basically just spoon it out of the package with crackers
and call it a meal, but I decided to up it a notch by cooking pasta for it. I
also chopped up some cucumbers, and carrots, but those are totally optional.
For this recipe I used the classic deli style tuna, but Ranch is
also a great option.
If you have a fireplace with a grate just
cook the pasta in a pan over the open fire. If you just have a fire pit without
a good grate it may be a bit more complicated. In order to cook the pasta you need
to get a pretty big fire going and then let it burn down to coals. You can
place the pot right on the coals, depending on your equipment or you can place
it on a rock in the middle (you may want to get that in place ahead of time).

The water may not actually boil like it would on the stove, but it
will get hot, and cook the pasta. Be sure to stir the pasta often and test it
to see when it’s done. Cooking times will vary based on the temperature of the
fire, but it should take anywhere from 10-25 minutes. If it is taking a while
feel free to build up the fire around the pot using small sticks, just make
sure you can still access the handles, and that they are not in danger of
melting. Note: It’s important to have the right gear for cooking over a fire. I
am working on a camping gear page now, but in the mean time, this pot is a
great example of the type that we use. 
Once the pasta is done, just drain it and stir in the tuna, and
any other ingredients. I mean how easy is that?
Another note: If you are backpacking water is a precious commodity,
I suggests saving the drained water for other uses. You could use it with
bisquick in the morning for pancakes, or stir simply in hot cocoa.

Part Time Vegetarian – 6 Weeks In

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It’s been about 6 weeks and I think this whole being a part time vegetarian thing is around to stay. It’s been so easy  and I feel so much better that there seems to be no reason not to keep doing it. There were a few times like vacation and camping where it got hard, and I gave in a little, but it’s flexible and that works.

Things that are different since the change:1) I can’t get enough rice, especially wild rice. It’s almost taken over my pasta addiction, almost.

2) I eat some really weird combinations of food. Oh we have some leftover cobbler? Sweet, there’s rice pilaf, and a cucumber left perfect, now let’s toss some dried mango in there and call it lunch.

3) I’m getting 10 x the variety of veggies that I was getting before.

4) Chuck has even decided that it’s ok to eat vegetarian more often, and he doesn’t really complain about it (gasp).

5)Hummus is a new house staple.

6) I have random cravings for chicken nuggets, that’s never happened before, and I’m thinking it might just be a mental reaction to the reduction in processed food in my life, I’m dealing with it.

7) I really like these burgers. I never thought I would go for something like that, but having them in the freezer at work is a lifesaver on days I don’t have lunch made.

8) Our grocery bill has gone down by a few bucks. It’s not a whole ton, but it’s a little, and I will take it because every little bit helps.

When I started this whole Part-Time Vegetarian thing I was already trying to cut back on processed food and grains, so adding in vegetarianism was another step toward finding the diet that best suits me and my life.

I think I my diet is something that will be ever evolving as my life changes and the needs of my body with it. Right now this feels right. It feels good both politically, physically, and emotionally. I’m going to stick with it.

Hobo Chicken & Rice

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This was an experiment that turned out wonderfully! I’ve been making tin foil dinners for about forever, but rice never really seemed like it was a viable option since it requires so much water.. even instant rice, but modern day offers a lot of options. So we tried a new experiment.

We used chicken with instant flavored rice, some veggies and
it worked like a charm. The chicken was moist and flavorful; the rice perfectly
cooked and while the broccoli was slightly over done, I won’t complain I mean
it was so easy and delicious.
We used Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice because the instructions required no
additional water to cook, so we thought it might work in the foil, and it did,
wonderfully. In preparing this meal I cut up the chicken ahead of time and
tossed it with the oil, salt and pepper in a small ziplock bag before tossing
it in the freezer. We do this to ensure our food stays fresher on our camping
trips, and we have less work to do in the woods.
Hobo Chicken & Rice
1 chicken breast, cut into bit size pieces
½ a package of instant, flavored rice
1 cup cut vegetables of choice

Take two large sheets of tin foil and place one on top of
the other. Place the chicken in the middle along with oil, salt & Pepper.
Toss the chicken to coat. Add rice on top and vegetables. Bring the sides of
the top piece of foil up together and roll downward to create a closed tube.
Roll the side openings up to seal the tube and flip the package over. Repeat
the same folding technique with the other piece of foil and place packet on hot
coals. Cook for 20 minutes or so turning and flipping the package regularly. Remove
from heat and allow the package to cool for a minute before opening. If you
open the package and the chicken is not thoroughly cooked refold the package
and return it to hot coals until the chicken is fully cooked. (Serves 1)

Brody Story: Camping at our Secret Spot

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Oh HAIIIIIIII EVERYONE!!
Hi!
Hi Hi HI!
Brody here!

I’m back again to tell you about the awesome weekend I had with my parents last weekend. I may still be recovering from all of the fun; I’ve been sleeping for days.

On Friday morning my parents packed everything we needed up and headed into the woods. I even had my food and bowls packed up for the trip. We hiked into our secret spot and set up camp, well Mom and Dad set up camp, I had some discovering to do.

 

There were so many sticks you guys! So. Many. Sticks.
One of my favorite things to do was swim in the lake. Whether my parents were tossing sticks for me to get or not I was in that water every chance I got.
On the third day this big spiky thing came into camp and I had to bark and growl at him to get him to go away. Mom said it was a porcupine. I’m pretty sure is was a bear. It was terrifying, but luckily I have a pretty big bark and he moseyed his little tush right outa there.

It was really nice to see my parents without their cell phones, or TV, or computers around. They were able to pay so much more attention to me, and I could tell they are so much more relaxed now. I think we need to do this more often.

 

 

I can’t wait to head back next year.
Until the next adventure.

 

Brody out-
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