They Want To Pave Paradise & Put Up A Racing Spot

Protect Campbell Valley Regional Park!!!

I am writing my blog post today out of concern. Concern for our local piece of forested heaven. I grew up in Langley BC Canada and lived there for 24 years until I moved a short distance away into Cloverdale. Over the years I’ve seen Langley change dramatically from a rural farm area with fields of cows to a densely populated bustling city.

My concern is for our local park, Campbell valley park. I’ve posted many pictures of Muffin and I’s walks through this beautiful serene, peaceful park. Yesterday while on one of these walks I learned that the local racing society is lobbying to have stock car racing return to this nature park. Racing came to an end in the park almost 30 years ago and since then the 1/4 mile track has been nothing more the a QUIET,peaceful walking track and a large field in a quiet corner of a 535 hectare (1400 acres) forested nature park.

The racing came to an end almost 30 years ago for a number of reasons. Mainly noise concerns from locals and the fact the racing venue didn’t fit into the future vision of the park as a nature area. The area was set aside in 1979 as a nature park.

Campbell valley park is home to many types of birds, animals, frogs, fish, owls, deer, etc. Not to mention eco sensitive at risk species such as the red-legged frog and western toad! The park itself contains 29 kilometers of walking trails and 14 kilometers of equestrian trails, as well as cycling trails. The park attracts visitors from all aspects of life from picnicking families to marathon runners training for their next big race. Elementary school students frequent the park on field trips to learn about nature, see the turtles, and hand feed the chickadees. I personally visit the park weekly and view it as an escape from the congestion and over population the Lower Mainland of British Columbia is currently experiencing.

The society trying to reinstate stock car racing in the park is claiming it won’t cause any environmental damage to the park. I wholeheartedly disagree with this based on the fact the sheer amount of reconstruction that would need to occur to even bring the track up to racing standard. Not to mention the area currently lacks proper lighting, proper sanitation, proper parking, etc to house such a venue.

This is what the track looked like 30 years ago…

(Note I do not own the above photo…it showed up in various locations online and in newsprint if you have it copyrighted and want it removed please email me)

And this is what it looks like today…

As you can see the track itself is the only portion remaining and has been in fact claimed a heritage site in Langley. It however is nowhere near racing shape ready! The hillside that once housed seating is now nothing more then a hillside of trees and a sole staircase. The hillside seating, start towers, fencing, most guard rails and buildings, etc have long since been removed from the location.

The hillside this spring faced the wrath of Mother Nature and was victim to a slide.

Now I’m not an environmental engineer or anything but I do have a sound knowledge of how erosion works and I know it’s safe to say that removing those trees for seating would render that hillside insanely unstable! Costing a fortune in environmental safety studies and even more to properly secure the hillside. Have I mentioned the society claims there won’t be any environmental consequences?!?

If the environmental conditions are not enough the track is neighbored very closely by Pacific Riding For Developing Abilities, a non profit society that offers therapeutic horseback riding for those with cognitive, developmental, psychical and emotional disabilities. This facility is located on the end of a narrow dead end rural road and lies in very close proximity to the racing track. As common sense may tell you horse back riding and loud car engines do not mix! Having been a volunteer at PRDA in the past I can tell you a calm quiet environment is needed for a safe execution of the amazing work they do at the facility. The last thing anyone wants is a rider being tossed from a spooked horse. Loud car racing noises spook horses. Doesn’t matter how well trained an animal sudden loud/sharp noises are startling, just as they are to humans.

This issue is near and dear to my heart because I have watched so much of Langley’s pristine land be gobbled up by development and I sincerely hope Campbell Valley park doesn’t become the next cemented piece of paradise in this community!

Please make your voice heard no matter where you are from and call the East area office at 6045304983 and express your opposition to The Langley Speedway being reopened to racing regardless of number of yearly race days! Campbell valley park is a nature park and needs to remain this way!

Krause Berry Farms

May26

Krause Berry Farms has to be one of my favorite places to visit locally. Every summer we go to pick plump red strawberries fresh from the fields and enjoy the tastes, sounds, and sights of this beautiful family owned farm! Yesterday my husband and I were lucky enough to be invited to the friends and family event they held to show case their brand new Estate winery.

Our visit started out with an amazing helicopter flight over Langley. Sky Helicopters took us on an amazing fight, I’d never been in a helicopter before and I have to admit it was amazing. Our pilot Matt was great, He had a fun sense of humor and made me feel very comfortable. It was a neat way to see the farmlands at Krause, the views of Langley and the Fraser river were spectacular!

Sky Helicopters will apparently be offering flights out of Krause berry farm some weekends this summer for a low cost. I suggest you check it out if you get the chance. It truly is a spectacular experience.

Once we were back on the ground we headed inside to start our sampling! First we were greeted with fresh baked apple pie, homemade donuts with strawberry or blueberry frosting, tea, coffee, and juice!

Krause is a sweet tooth haven. They make and serve an amazing assortment of sweet treats, from fudge, pies and cookies to fresh berry milkshakes. They also sell fresh baked buns and breads as well as an assortment of jams, sauces, cheese, eggs and of course in season berries! They have a huge market on premises with all sorts of amazing offerings and gift items.

If sweets aren’t your thing you can also order many lunch items including, soup and corn pizza on the Porch and enjoy a farm fresh lunch on a real working farm.

After our donuts were down we headed over to the winery for the real reason we were there! Fruit wine!!! I am a huge advocate of eating locally and eating healthy… I guess now is a good time for me to admit my love if local wines as well.

The new winery is amazing. It is absolutely gorgeous. They have gone with a western theme and nothing was over looked in the design. If you visit be sure to look up because the ceiling is very pretty.

The wine we tasted is all made on site from their own or locally sourced fruit. The apple wine was my favorite, but the raspberry, blueberry, and sparkling wines all tasted delicious as well. We came home with a bottle of Raspberry wine and of course a bottle of the Apple. I will be back for the sparkling wine once it’s available for sale.

Once our tasting was completed I chatted with Alf, the owner of the farm briefly and then retreated to the beautiful patio to nibble on some snacks and of course sip another glass of wine.

The farm is absolutely beautiful. The fruit when in season is so much fun to venture into the fields and pick yourself. It is the perfect place to take kids, complete with play area. Lots to see and do for sure. The new winery just offers that much more to an already great place.

In My Next Thirty Years…

May22

My only advice to you these days is live your life! Don’t fear failure, if you’ve never failed you’ve never lived.

I turned 31 a few weeks ago. I know, I had to let it sink in for a while myself. But like the song says “In my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun…I’m gonna do it better in my next thirty years”!!!! My life is nothing like I planned it when I was younger. I’m not a teacher, I’m a nurse. I don’t have children, I have my Muffin. I haven’t been married all that long and I don’t live on a farm or have horses. Life never goes according to plan, at least not for anyone I’ve ever met! Don’t get me wrong I don’t think this is a bad thing. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and life is only what we make of the series of events we are dealt.

As I reflect back on my life this far many events stand out. I don’t mean life milestones like high school, university graduations, first love, first heart break, etc. of course like anyone I can recall those well. I’m talking about those life moments that at the time may not seemed like a big deal but 5, 10, 15, 20 years later sneak back into your brain and make you realize things. Moments like a kiss on the beach, a glance goodbye in an airport, a hand picked flower, or a few words mumbled in anger. Simple things, the way wine tasted on the patio in the middle of summer. The sting of regret, the overwhelming clarity of realization. All of these things band together to form who I am today. Who I am today is not who I was a week ago, a year ago, 10 years ago. I’ve realized that everyday lived is another chance to be better, to do better.

I’ve had to make some major life choices recently. I had to face things I didn’t expect to face. I had to make choices regarding my health, love, feelings, etc. The one thing I took away from all of these events was that in actuality things in life are going to happen and sometimes you have no control over them. What you do have control over is your reactions and where you go once the event happens.

I’ve decided to just try to be better. Everyday just try to be a better person, make better choices and to enjoy life.

Be Better

May13

Dear everyone,

Someone’s value and self worth does not go down because their pant size has gone up nor does their worth go up as their pant size goes down.

I am seriously disgusted at how some adults expect their children to learn to not bully others because of body type yet grown ass women think its okay for them to snicker because not everyone is a size 2.. Be better ladies!

That girl at the gym my not be tiny and yes she out weighs you. She out weighs you as a better person! She can change her appearance but your ugly comes from the inside!!

Dear Girl at the gym,
You are beautiful! You are beautiful the way you are. You will be beautiful if you change or stay the same. Don’t let those ladies discourage you. You are there because you love yourself or because you’re learning to love yourself! Either way don’t stop. Do it for you, not for the size tag in your yoga pants.

Sincerely,
The girl who’s been there and back again.

Homemade Banana Bread

Apr26

I always seem to have over ripe bananas because I only eat green bananas! So what’s a girl to do with all these yellow and over ripe bananas?!?!? Bake banana bread of course!

This recipe produces a dense, moist loaf with lots of banana flavor. Kevin likes it best when I add chocolate chips. It’s a versatile recipe and works well with other additions like nuts, coconut, dried fruit, etc. Today I will share with you the basic no fail chocolate chip banana bread recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 3 to 4 ripe bananas to equal one cup mashed

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Method
Cream together butter and sugar once creamed add in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.

Once these ingredients are combine add in banana and combine again.

In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients. Once dry ingredients are mixed add to wet and mix.

Fold in chocolate chips, transfer to greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

I always like to have this banana bread slathered in peanut butter, however I can tell you from experience it makes delicious French toast!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Apr18

Want to bake the easiest muffins ever? Six ingredients, no mixer, extremely low fat, and delicious! These pumpkin spice muffins are moist and taste awesome. Here’s the secret….the base is a boxed spice cake mix! Don’t judge! I won’t tell if you don’t! These muffins come out of the oven tasting like they were baked right from scratch!

Ingredients
1 box Spice cake mix
1 can pumpkin purée
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup of raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Method
Dump cake mix into a bowl, add pumpkin purée and water, mix well. Fold in chocolate chips, raisins, and pecans.

Divide evenly into 18 regular lined or sprayed muffin tins and bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

These muffins are so quick and easy you will be amazed something so simple can taste do good.

Cilantro Lime Tilapia

Apr16

Happy Tuesday Blog Friends! My consumption of lime and cilantro is seriously out of hand! I think I’m edging dangerously close to the need for an intervention!!!

Earlier today I decided to make cilantro lime marinated tilapia for dinner and luckily I remembered to document the super easy process!!! (Blog fail/slack that Katie)

So with minimal time, effort and ingredients you can whip up a tasty healthy dinner and knock a fish serving off the must eat list for the week! I used Tilapia but this would also work on cod, halibut, salmon, etc.

Ingredients
1 cup cilantro leaves
Juice and zest from 2 large limes
1 garlic clove
Fresh jalapeño – base amount on how much kick you want your fish to have
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste
Fish of choice -This amount of marinade will work for 4 filets of fish as well.

Method
Place filets in a shallow baking dish and dust with salt and pepper. Zest limes directly over fish. Set aside.

In a mini food processor, Magic bullet or blender place cilantro, lime, jalapeño, olive oil and blend until combine.

Pour over fish and place in refrigerator to marinade for a few hours.

Bake covered in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, it’s fresh, easy, healthy and filling. Plus it’s a pretty color! I promise to lay off the cilantro lime inspired recipes.

Mini Apple Pies

Apr12

So as I no longer sleep past 7 am because my body hates me, I decided to make some mini pies!

This is a recipe I created and quite enjoy as is. Feel free to add more cinnamon or nutmeg to your liking. I keep the cinnamon content low as my Dad can’t have much cinnamon. I however love cinnamon but find the amount in the recipe while mild is still enough. Enjoy!

Ingredients

12 Tart shells

Filling
3 cups peeled and chopped apples
1/8 brown sugar
1/8 cup white sugar
1/8 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla

Crumble Topping

1/2 cup oats
1/2 brown sugar
1/4 flour
1/4 butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg

Glaze (optional)
1/2 icing sugar
1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Method
Place frozen tart shells on a cookie sheet and set aside to defrost.

Peel and chop apples into small cubes mix medium bowl with remaining filling ingredients and set aside.

Note: I use vanilla sugar instead of plain white sugar and fresh ground cinnamon and nutmeg. These are options but not necessary .

Mix all ingredients for crumble topping together until mixture resembles course breadcrumbs.

I use my hands for this as I find working the butter with my fingers yields the best results.

Divide apple mixture equally among the 12 tart shells. Do not over fill the tarts.

Divide crumb mixture equally among
the tarts to top them.

Place in preheated 375 degree oven on the middle rack and bake for 25 minutes.

At 25 minute mark place on lowest rack and bake for another 5 minutes

Pies are done when topping and tart shells are nicely browned and apples are soft!

Hello Blog!

Apr9

Never fear I still love you! I just had a busy weekend that sort of got away from me time wise! I will post very soon I promise! Until then I will leave you with a Muffin and random food fix 😉

The Cowboy Burger

Mar29

So the weather has been spectacular and it got Kevin and I thinking about making some burgers on the barbecue. So last night when we went grocery shopping we made sure to pick up all the ingredients!

I got to thinking a stuffed burger was what I wanted so I went to work and came up with these honking burgers! They are stuffed with all sorts of good stuff but the key is the cheese and the bacon!

Like with the Turkey burgers I posted I suggest making these burgers in advance and letting them sit covered in the fridge so the flavors can really come together.

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/3 cup finely chopped pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup real bacon bits
1 cup cubed jalapeño jack cheese
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/3 cup oats
1/4 cup crushed nacho chips
1/4 cup crispy onions
4 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt free seasoning
Pepper to taste

Method
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and combine well. Form into patties and cover then refrigerate.

Cooking
I would imagine these could be pan fried but barbecued is best! I started them on foil liberally sprayed with cooking spray and then transfer to grill for the last five minutes of cooking. Be sure to cook to a safe internal temperature.

I served these burgers with maple bacon, havarti cheese, hot peppers, mini pickles and sautéed onions and mushrooms!!!

Ummmm delicious!!!!

Life With The McGavins

100% Not Sugar Coated