I was introduced to the fun of sleeping under the stars and enjoying nature for more than just a day at a time, late in life. Like many things, my best friend Greg shed some light on the incredible amount of fun one can have camping and hiking. It is really too bad that I came into this hobby and activity so late in the game (2001, when I was 21), because of where I lived—close enough to the Canadian Rockies that I could have enjoyed camping and hiking every weekend—in the almost 10 years ...
summer
Outdoor Eco-Friendly Lighting For Evening Entertaining
Although I am not someone who believes that there should be a ton of outdoor lighting that remains on —because I don't like the light pollution of it all—I do like the idea of choice lighting for special occasions. When choosing outdoor lighting, why wouldn't you choose something that is eco-friendly? Solar lighting is great for places that get enough sun (unlike Vancouver, most of the year) during the day, so that the lighting can shine at night. I like the look of these mushroom-y looking ...
Tips for Summer De-Cluttering
A cluttered home or workspace can be stressful and distracting. Although summer de-cluttering can sometimes seem overwhelming, by taking small and manageable steps you can quickly and easily reclaim your space, helping you to feel more calm and productive. “Nothing is more exhausting than the task that's never started.” “When deciding what to buy, remember that some things are easy to buy—but then we have to use them. If they're not used, they don't enhance our lives; they just contribute to ...
6 Crucial Whitewater Rafting Safety Ideas
Are you wondering what to do during your vacation that is both adventurous and fun? Do you love rafting? Then, you have a perfect idea. Rafting near Denver should be your first option as it is one of the best places you can miss enjoying yourself with family. Whitewater rafting is a refreshing outdoor activity for anyone who loves the outdoors without much experience or the ability to raft. The sporting activity is mainly done along streams with rough waters. Without many skills, you ...
15 Vegan Picnic Food Ideas
I don't know what it is about eating outside, or al fresco, that makes the food taste so much better! Our senses really feel alive outside with so much to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. This heightened dining experience is often something I enjoy during the warmer months of the year, so it feels quintessential summer to me. I know that many people partake in al fresco dining on a patio, but my favourite way to eat outside is with a picnic. I have a whole binder worth of vegan picnic food ...
Vegan Alternatives to Summer Food Favourites
Vegans—you don't need to feel left out when your friends are enjoying the best summer foods! Whether you're vegan or you're having one over for a summer get-together, these ideas will have you re-thinking the whole notion that vegan food is bland and difficult to put together. I like bringing delicious food to potlucks or get-togethers so that everyone can see and taste how yummy vegan food is. For the Grill Vegan Alternatives Grilled tofu is pretty delicious! Enjoy it on its own or sandwiched ...
Get your Car Organized for Summer Adventures
The mention of the word summer conjures up all kinds of wonderful associations—beaches, fields to run through, yummy food, road trips, and time spent with friends and family. Summer is a time of spontaneity for me. I like to keep my schedule light so that I can throw a few things in the trunk and be off on a summer adventure on short notice. I like to think that I'm a fairly organized person, yet every summer, my trunk ends up looking like a disheveled mess! I recently spent some time ...
Top 10 Essentials for Summer Overnight Guests
It's summertime and I'm getting my apartment ready for the arrival of a few guests! Because I live in another province from my immediate family, I often have summer overnight guests who stay between one and 5 days. I want to make my guests' stay as comfortable as possible for the time they're staying with me. Little details make all the difference. These essentials don't cost much money and in fact, you could use things you already have at home. With a list like this, you may run the risk of ...
How to Plan Your Summer
Though we've had awesome-ly good weather here in Vancouver for a couple weeks now, summer always seems way too short to fit in all the things that I want to do. The problem is, at a certain point, temperatures get too hot and I end up thinking about ways to beat the heat (which often takes me away from my goals for the summer months) over everything else. ...
Menchie’s #MenchiesMyWay Summer VIP Contest
When it starts getting hot out, it's all "summer, summer, summertime" in my head. Yeah, like from the DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince song. Other than daydreaming of being up in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, I constantly have cold treats on my mind—all summer long. Lucky for me, as a Menchie's Ambassador, I'll be enjoying cold treats at Menchie's locations this summer! Yippee! There's a location (with an awesome view of the Burrard Inlet and Lower Lonsdale) nearby where I live, in ...