Bugs - The Great Camping Event - Day 6

It's Day 6 of 12, we're halfway through! There are more reviews coming next week but for now, I'd like to talk about bugs. This post was inspired by Beth of Create Your Traditions.

Bugs live outside. If you go camping, you are going to encounter bugs, there's no doubt about that. Bugs is a big reason I think why some people are not interested in camping. But I love bugs! Sure there are some that I don't like and run away from. Earwigs and centipedes and June bugs mostly. I used to be more scared. I'd scream at spiders. When I was about 5 I had to have an x-ray and there was a small spider on the wall in the x-ray room. It was up so high it was near the ceiling and was nowhere near me but I refused to have that x-ray until it was gone. They had to send for someone to bring in a ladder and go up there and dispose of it before I would cooperate. Now I catch most spiders and set them free.

So how did I get desensitized? I did lots of outdoor things and got used to them. Also as a Girl Guide leader I had to teach the girls how to be respectful of nature and to not scream every time they saw a bug. So I had to stop myself from freaking out in front of them.

Just keep reminding yourself... they were here FIRST!!!

Oh and you can only complain if you see the Rhinoceros Beetle or something equally huge and menacing.

*Photo Credits: 
Spider - Flickr User Annieta under Flickr Creative Commons License.
Beetle - Flickr User Leslie Kirkland under Flickr Creative Commons License

Camping Guest Post - The Great Camping Event - Day 5

It's Day 5! I've got another guest post for you today. All photos belong to the guest poster.

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Every summer, my family has a Great Camping Trip and I've been going since I was about six.  My father is a huge outdoors fan and is basically the heart and soul of our planning, hiking, and camping.  Perhaps it's because of I was raised on minimalist camping, but I didn't even understand what "car camping" or "cabin camping" was for many years.  Camping, to me, meant carrying everything you need on your back, which encourages you to give up a lot of things you don't need.  (Mind you, I always managed to bring at least one small paperback with me.  No need to be without reading material.) I learned to pack my clothes for a week into a single gallon-sized ziplock bag.  Our food was light, our tents were small, our extras comforts were minimal.  The night before a GCT, we would all be cramming things into my dad's collection of ancient external frame and highly uncomfortable backpacks (we've since updated, but not that recently).  Each pack would be weighed and each person would try it on to see just how much they thought they could carry.  It was a time for bragging, but also a time for admitting to being a wimp.  I still remember the year we went when I figured out that my dad was approximately three times my age (20 or so) and was still carrying twice as much weight (my pack was near 30 lbs). 

Back when I was six, I didn't go on the long trips.  I only started those when I got to be about 11 or 12.  I remember the first time I got to go on the Big One.  This trip entailed traveling across a basin surrounded by mountains (Uinta Mountains in Eastern Utah) about 7-10 miles a day.  We would hike from early morning until afternoon, until we got to a new lake, make camp, fish, eat, and then fall into our sleeping bags, exhausted.  Usually the next day we would pack up and move another 7-10 miles to the next spot.  Occasionally, we would rest for a day between hikes, but not always.  It was hard, but it was so rewarding.  Despite living for a week with aches and blisters and very poor sleep (we don't carry much in the way of padding to sleep on), it was so thrilling to be out in such a remote location.  I think that is the best part about camping where we went.  Very rarely we would run into other hikers and campers.  It was a time to escape from the craziness of modern living and your regular life to be in a peaceful and beautiful place.  Even if hauling my butt up the almost-70-degree-incline 50-foot unnamed (because no on should be crazy enough to climb it) pass led to utter exhaustion, there was still a sense of accomplishment and the thrill of being on top of the world looking down.  I imagine that is how extreme mountain climbers feel. 

Of course, camping like this has its drawbacks.  The food is anything but gourmet.  The sleeping arrangements, as I mentioned, are uncomfortable.  And there is the latrine.  We have a special little shovel and always nominate a strong and unlucky individual to find a place close enough to

camp to find at night without getting lost, but also offering some privacy.  And then they dig.  The deeper the hole, the more time before you have to dig another (assuming you stay in one place for a few days).  It certainly makes the trips to do your business shorter.  Most of us will wait as long as possible before giving in.  All these things are small prices to pay, I think, for the privilege of being surrounded by such beauty and serenity.  I'll be the first to admit, I like car camping.  You can bring lots of things you can't when you are carrying it all on your back. 

But even if you're a car-camper-only kind of person, everyone should try this kind of camping at least once.  If only to say you've dug a latrine :)

Author Bio:
Melissa is a reluctant academic librarian longing for a public library job (preferably in the children or teen area).  Her secret love, aside from reading of course, is minimalist camping.  She blogs about books and bookish experiences (and very occasionally about camping trips) at One Librarians Book Reviews.

Keeping the Tent Clean - The Great Camping Event - Day 4

Welcome to Day Four! I have a short one for you today.

For those of you who tent camp, what does your tent look like during the day? In Girl Guides we learn to roll up our beds in the morning to keep them warm and dry and we keep our stuff in our bags so we can find what we need. Also everything is kept away from the sides of the tent in case it rains (see Day 2)

We teach this to our Guides and we had two Guides last year who were better at keeping their tent clean than we are!

See for yourself!

What does the inside of your tent look like?

Choosing a Campground - The Great Camping Event - Day 3

Well it's Day Three. I hope you've been enjoying it. Don't forget to check out what's happening at SMS Book Reviews as well.

Today I have a guest post for you. Enjoy!

Choosing the Right Campground for Your Upcoming Trip

As the weather gets warmer, you are probably itching to grab a tent and head out into the wilderness! Of course, much of the success of your camping trip has to do with the campground that you choose, which should be your number one priority.

Safety First!

It is important to practice safety by setting up in a designated camping site, which will keep you protected from wildlife or any other dangers. If you are camping in a group or family, it is also best to choose a camp site that has bathroom facilities to make the whole process much easier.

Location, Location

Deciding where you want to go should be at the top of your list. Many people choose to camp in their surrounding area, while others may travel several states or cross-country to an ideal destination. However, it may be difficult to check out the quality of campground based on the website alone, so make sure to ask for brochures from the campground or referrals from friends.

Activities Galore

Another thing to keep in mind is the access available to adult activities on your camping trip. You may want to take out a boat, go fishing, or go hiking, which are all important activities to take into consideration when choosing a camp site. Many people choose to leave the city to go camping for rest and relaxation, and if that is the case, you do need to choose a camp site that will not be full of younger people partying all night long.

Proximity to Civilization

You may want to camp near a city so that you can go shopping or eat in the daytime, or you may want to be as far away from civilization as possible. How close you are to a city will dictate what type of supplies you need to take with you, yet it is often helpful to be close to a nearby town if you happen to forget a loaf of bread or pegs for your tent.

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For a great selection of the Bunn home coffee maker, check out Bethany North's website, The Coffee Bump.

The Great Camping Event - Day 2:

This is Day 2 of The Great Camping Event. Check back all week for reviews, giveaways, guest posts and more.


Tent Camping Tips

• Pick the right size tent.
  A two-man tent fits two average sized people with NO gear. You want at LEAST one size up from what you need, two for extra room for a lot of gear or larger people. If you want it to be more like a house, go even bigger. We use an 11-man tent for 2 adults and 2 kids. We have a room for kids, a room for us and room for our stuff PLUS an entry room for shoes, camp chairs, rain coats etc.
• Prep the tent.
  Before you even use it, read the instructions carefully and practice putting it up and taking it down. If it's confusing, add some colored electrical tape to remind you what pole goes where. Pay attention to how the tent was folded as you unfold it so you know how to fold it back up. Some tents are folded in thirds and some in quarters. The instructions don't always say. Basically it should be the width of the pole bag when you roll it. You should also put seam sealer on all the seams before use.
• Setting It Up
  Before you put it up you need to clear the ground of twigs, rocks and other debris and make sure you aren't setting it up in a valley or you'll be underwater if it rains. Put a tarp down so that it covers the entire area the tent will be in but does NOT stick out from underneath it. This will provide extra warmth and padding but if it sticks out, water will pool underneath you if it rains.
• Use and Care
  When you get in and out of the tent, make sure you open the vertical zipper as tall as you are and the bottom zipper at least halfway over. If you try to squeeze through the opening, you can wreck the zipper and catch your hair.
• Rain
  The tent has a fly to help keep rain out of your tent. Sealing it before use helps too. Also make sure your guy lines (the ropes from the fly to the ground.) are kept tight. Check them everyday. If they are loose, the fly will touch the tent and rain will get in. Your gear and yourself should NEVER touch the sides of the tent or that will cause leaks. If you do get a leak, use your finger to touch where it's leaking and run your finger slowly down the wall to the bottom. This should make the water run down instead of in your tent.
• Putting It Away
  If it is raining or did rain before you put the tent away, you will have to put it up again at home, as soon as it's done raining so it can properly dry. NEVER put away a wet tent for good.

Do you have any Tent Tips?

The Great Camping Event - Day 1

Well it's officially begun! The Great Camping Event is running starting today for 2 weeks on this blog and SMS Book Reviews. Each blog will have reviews, giveaways, guest posts and general camping posts from me. If you put the blog button on your sidebar before Aug 2 and comment here you'll get 5 extra entries for every giveaway you enter.

So why do I like camping?

• Getting close to nature
• Eating fire cooked food
• Sitting around the campfire
• Smores!
• Seeing the stars (unobstructed by the city buildings and trees)
• The peace and quiet (generally, unless you're beside a group of young drinkers.)

I prefer car camping although some day I'd like to try backpacking. I live in South Western Ontario (the southernmost city actually) so there are no bears where I camp. I don't camp anywhere near as often as I'd like to because of funds (or lack thereof.)

So enjoy the next two weeks on both blogs! They won't have the same content (except for the intro post.)

If any PR or companies still want to have me review their product or book and can get it to me before Aug 2 I'll include it. I'm also still accepting guest posts from bloggers about camping. Just shoot me an email (callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca)

It's a Bird, It's a Potato... it's, a potato!

This is a REAL potato I took from the bag of potatoes my husband got from the store. I didn't do anything to change it, this is what it looks like for real.

Guest Post: How to Makeover Your Unhealthy Lifestyle

As I'm away at camp this week, I have the pleasure of bringing to you a guest post from Alexis Bonari about healthy living. Enjoy!
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We’ve all heard that diets don’t work, that bad habits take 21 days to change, and that most weight problems are more likely to be related to cultural/emotional trends than to physical problems. For many of us, these little tidbits of fact serve to highlight an important truth: living a healthier life requires a lifestyle makeover, i.e. a fundamental change to the way we approach our daily lives. Here are some basic strategies to improve your health, lose weight, and re-make your life.

Exercise doesn’t have to hurt.

When most people think of exercise for weight loss, they think of intensive aerobics classes, running five miles a day, or doing weight lifting.  While all of these are great ways to get in shape, they’re not for everyone.  Some people enjoy rigorous exercise, others don’t. 

Find a type of exercise that’s enjoyable to you.  If you like the outdoors, go for hikes or walks every day.  Try to increase the distance you travel until you are walking at least five miles a day.  If you enjoy dancing, enroll in a dance class. Turn music on when there’s no one there to make you feel self-conscious and dance around your house.  If you get creative, you’ll soon figure out some fun ways of spending at least a half-hour a day doing exercise.  Exercise doesn’t have to be painful to count as physical activity.

Where you live can affect your level of fitness.

It’s been proven that the healthiest people in our country live in warmer, more temperate climates. If you live in Alaska, you’re fighting the weather whenever you want to exercise. Also, your body tends to crave higher carbohydrate, higher fat foods when it’s cold outside.  If you live in a cooler climate, realize that the weather is the source of your cravings.  Try eating slowly when you do indulge high calorie foods. That way, your body will have more time to register that you’re full. You can cut hundreds of calories per-day by taking this one, simple step.

Don’t deny yourself food. Substitute instead.

Denying yourself food on a regular basis leads to binging. It’s a proven fact. Instead, limit your portion sizes and substitute lower-calorie options for higher-calorie parts of the meal.  Here’s an example: if I would usually get a pepperoni pizza, I would instead ask them to make it with only half the cheese, more sauce, half the amount of pepperoni, thin crust, and tons of veggies.  This way, you cut your caloric intake in half without sacrificing flavor in the process. You still have the flavors of cheese and pepperoni, but you’re not ingesting nearly the same number of calories per slice.

Friends can undermine your health.

While it’s proven that having friends is good for the soul and for your health, they can sometimes sabotage your efforts to take up a healthy lifestyle.  If they’re unhealthy themselves, your new routines can make them insecure.  Don’t let their comments get to you.  If you want to order a salad instead of chicken strips, or want to have a sandwich without the cheese, that’s your business. Most will eventually come around when they realize you’re not judging them for their lifestyle choices.

Know what you’re eating.

In many restaurant entrees and pre-prepared foods there are tons of hidden calories.  Salads that would have normally contained only 400 calories can easily be made to carry a whopping 1,000-calorie punch.  Extras like cheese, cream based dressings/sauces, etc. can easily destroy your efforts to lose weight.  Figure out what’s in your food, and substitute healthy choices or simply reduce the portion sizes of higher-calorie foods.

With only a few small changes, you can overhaul your lifestyle and lose excess weight.  Don’t let other people convince you that it’s harder than it really is.  While eating all organic foods, running marathons, and working out 5 days a week might be ideal; it’s not necessary to look and feel amazing!

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at onlinedegrees.org, researching areas of online college degree programs. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

*Photo Credit: Used under Creative Commons License from Flickr User FL4Y.

I'm off camping!

I'm off to camp today. The younger girls and me will be sleeping in a cabin (it's easier with my three and four year old although they can and have slept in tents.) and the older kids sleep in tents.

I have at least one post set to go up this week while I'm gone. If I get a chance to set up another one I will, if not, I won't.

Don't forget when I get back it's the start of The Great Camping Event.

Camping Week Preview: Sleeping Bag from CSN Stores!

If you frequent blogs, especially women bloggers, I'm sure you've seen CSN Stores all over the place. CSN Stores sells all kinds of products and has over 200 different stores.

The newest is Dining Rooms Direct which sells dining room tables. There's also toys and games, furniture, home decor, pet, health and fitness and tons more.

I decided I'd like to review a sleeping bag for one of my daughters for The Great Camping Event!

This is the Wildkin Princess Sleeping Bag with pillow. It's more of a slumber bag and is not intended for outdoor use but should work well for my purposes. She'll be in a cabin or tent, not directly on the ground.

You'll see the review sometime during the two week event.

Want to sign up for blog campaigns (or offer an opportunity if you are a compnay?)

Are you a member of Business 2 Blogger?

As a blogger you can be alerted to blog campaign, review and sponsored post opportunities and more. If your blog fits the requirements, you can submit your interest and hope for a spot in the campaign.. all for FREE!

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Plus right now there is a contest for free ad space on the Business 2 Blogger website. You just have to be a member to enter (although there are lots of chances for extra entries.)

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Celebrate Canada Blog Party!! + Giveaway

Happy Canada Day!

This post is part of the Celebrate Canada Blog Party!

I go by Callista online and I've technically been blogging since 2003 but I have only been blogging regularly since the end of 2007, beginning of 2008. My blog has evolved quite a bit over the years and it's only now evolving into what I want it to become.

I'm a Canadian focused blog for women and parents on parenting, house and home, life, health, cooking and food and more. I am a mom of two girls ages three and four so I am a Mom Blogger technically. However I don't really blog about my kids that much.

In honour of Canada Day and the Celebrate Canada Blog Party, I have a little giveaway. I have another blog, a book blog called SMS Book Reviews. Normally all my book talk is there but the only thing I can give away right now is a book.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

This giveaway is open to all Canadians, for today only. I forgot the Blog Party is more than one day. The giveaway is open July 1-4. You don't have to be a participant of the Blog Party to enter but you get an extra entry if your blog is participating!

I'm giving away We Know What You're Thinking: What Canadians Think and Why by Darrell Bricker and John Wright of Ipsos Reid. It's linked to my review of it on SMS Book Reviews if you want to know what I thought of it.

Summary: Bricker and Wright (of Ipsos Reid Research Company) share the insights they've found from thousands of polls and unlikely people they've met. Their latest book is filled with fascinating facts about Canadians from every province and territory, of all ages and income brackets. Also featuring "The Great Big Canadian Quiz" with 100 hilarious and eye-popping questions and answers.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED


Happy Canada Day and I hope you stick around. You can find my blog on facebook, follow me on twitter or subscribe. Good Luck!