After months of eating, drinking and being merry, I seem to have developed a “muffin top” or five pounds of white squishy flab that’s spilling out over top of my jeans. Up until now it was largely hidden by big bulky sweaters, but the warmer weather means less clothing.

I’m not looking forward to squeezing this year’s body into last year’s bathing suit.

In order to avert a “whale spotting” at the cabin, steps must be taken now to gently bring my body back to it’s former shape and glory.

Not a person who enjoys gyms or repetitive toning classes, I prefer to exercise in a more natural setting i.e. the cottage. I want to know the best way to get in shape at the cabin without having to drastically alter my lifestyle. Simply put, I want to have my cake and eat it too.

After a little bit of research on the Net, here are eight activities I can do to get in shape at the cottage:

Highest Calorie Burners (Based on a 155 pound person)

1. Swimming - 420 cal/hr
2. Waterskiing - 420 cal/hr ( I don’t know anyone who can ski for that long)
3. Construction/Renovating - 390 cal/hr ( we’re going to build a new dock this summer!)
4. Golf (carrying clubs) - 390 cal/hr ( 9 holes that’s 975 calories)
5. Kayaking - 350 cal/hr
6. Painting - 320 cal/hr
7. Windsurfing - 210 cal/hr
8. Fishing and walking tied - 180 cal/hr

If, at the end of the day after doing all these activities I’m too tired to do anything else, I can relax. Sitting doing nothing burns 91 calories. If you have any tips or ideas, please feel free to share them with me.

Cheers,

Julie

P.S. One hour of canoeing burns 280 calories

Gary Shelton makes his living training people on how to survive bear encounters. In addition to his Bear Safety Training Program, he’s authored two books: Bear Encounter Survival Guide and Bear Attacks - The Deadly Truth. Having lived most of his life in “bear country,” Shelton knows a thing or two about fending off a deadly attack.

Taken from his website, Shelton writes, “There are three possible strategies for dealing with bears, and each has a different success rate.” They are:

1. Play dead/fight back - 30 - 40% success rate

2. Bear spray - 75 - 80% success rate

3. Firearms - 95 - 100% success rate

Shelton has recorded numerous bear attacks and strongly recommends if you have no defense system at all, do not yell at a bear that is blowing, growling, or popping its teeth and trying to locate you visually. He suggests stand still and be quiet; it will most likely leave in a hurry after about a minute.

Given the above statistics and the fact that most people don’t own a firearm, bear spray offers the most accessible defense weapon. I must admit, I have a can of bear spray, but I have yet to ever take it from its holster.

Shelton admonishes, if you’re going into bear country you’d better have bear spray. He writes,”Every year in B.C. there are three to four people who save themselves from death or injury with sprays. Even though spray success runs at about 75%, it is a far better strategy than the ‘play dead/fight back’ concept.”

Here are his tips on using the peppery spray:

1. You need plenty of spray; the 260 gram size can or two smaller can- a small can only has two blasts in it
2. Your spray must be in a holster on your belt for quick use
3. Everyone in the group must have spray and be ready to use it simultaneously
4. The effect on the bear may be temporary, so leave immediately
5. If you’re dealing with a persistent bear and you’ve used up all your spray, beat the bear off with anything available
6. The bear must be sprayed at close range so if the wind is blowing in your direction, the bear will get more spray than you.

Bears, like people are unpredictable. It’s better to be prepared than caught off guard. If you’ve had any bear encounters I invite you to share them with us.

Cheers,

Julie

Now that the weather’s warmer everyone is coming out of hibernation and heading outdoors. From now until late fall, an average of six people will be attacked by bears, here in BC.

Bella Coola Valley BC, situated in the Central Coast mountains, about one-third of the way up the province, has been described as “The Killer Bear Capital of the World,” due to its high level of human bear conflicts. It’s an area with special grizzly bear management issues.

It was here, this past Saturday, where the province’s first bear attack of the year took place, according today’s Globe and Mail article, Animal Control. It has yet to be confirmed whether the attack was related to a food or garbage problem, but the article goes on to explain that over 700 bears are destroyed each year because they pose a danger to the public, largely because they’re looking for food.

It’s carelessness with garbage and food that attracts bears into areas where they shouldn’t be.

Our cottage, and many others across Canada is located in bear country. Below are are 10 tips from the Bear Aware program designed to reduce the incidents of problem people - opps, that should read bears.

Bear Aware Tip Sheet

1. Keep Garbage inside the house
2. Don’t add meat products or cooked food to compost, turn it regularly and keep it covered
3. Pick ripe and fallen fruit daily*
4. Remove unused fruit trees*
5. Use bird feeders only in winter*
6. Keep ground free of seeds
7. Clean barbecue grill after each use
8. Store grill in a covered area
9. Bring pet dishes inside and clean up spills
10. Store pet food indoors

* Our cottage association discourages us from having fruit trees and bird feeders at the lake

Tomorrow we will test your bear knowledge and provide tips on how to use bear spray.

Cheers,

Julie

So for the last month I’ve been doing a count-down to opening weekend - only to discover that I was out by a week - and NOBODY corrected me. It seems the long weekend is not THIS weekend, but next - May 16th - 19th. In my enthusiasm to get there I skipped a week.

On that same note, I received my Cottage Life e-newsletter. In it is an Opening Weekend check-list . No offense to Penny, and the good folks over at Cottage Life, but I won’t likely get around to doing most of the things on that list - this whole summer. UGGGGG - like cottages aren’t enough work?

The more my cottage resembles a home, the more work I create and the less I enjoy it. Listed below are just a quarter of the things they recommend you do:

• Find out why pads under deck posts are shifting
• Make ring game for kids
• Sharpen blades on trimmer and chainsaw
• Put up the flagpole and replace worn halyards
• Clean barbecue
• Fix tippy dock
• Inspect flotation in floating docks
• Fix friggin’ potholes in lane
• Tighten or reinstall loose dock cleats and rings
• Hammer in raised nails on dock and repair loose boards
• Inspect life preservers for damage; make sure there are enough for everybody
• Do kids’ lifejackets still fit?
• Make horseshoe pit before family reunion!!!
• Clean and set out porch furniture
• Sit down, have a beer

With the exception of the last item, I doubt I will do any of these things.

I’ve actually come up with my own list, designed for those folks living in western Canada, who might consider themselves to be a little more laid back then their eastern counterparts.

A Westerner’s Guide to Opening up the Cabin

1. Call and make a ferry reservation for the long weekend - chances are if you haven’t done it by now it’s too late
2. Call the marina and check on the boat - arrange a time to pick it up
3. Upon arriving at the cabin, walk around and find out who made it up for the weekend, spend most of the morning visiting with them and arrange for happy hour later in the day.
4. Make sure fire-pit is cleaned out and ready to go for evening’s campfire
5. Quick trip into town for plumbing supplies, marshmallows, beer and appetizers
6. Make a list of everything that needs fixing for the season and solicit advice over happy hour
7. Grab a bucket to prime the pump, making sure valves are all closed, and get ready to spend the next 2 hours on your back in the mud swearing at anything and everyone.
8. Haul out the deck chairs and rest - what didn’t get done today will still be there tomorrow - as long as the toilets flush, God will look after the rest.

Cheers,

Julie

Sizzling T-bones, fat juicy hamburgers, baby-back ribs dripping with barbecue sauce, these are just some of the sights and smells of summer. I must admit, the aroma of barbecue smoke makes me instantly hungry.

If you are a griller, or have a spouse that’s into it, trying new recipes can be a bit daunting. Thanks to my good friend Cheryl, I recently learned that Weber, as in Weber barbecues published a weekly email recipe - it’s free, and according to my savvy friend (think Martha Stewart only much prettier) they’re delicious.

I came across this recipe, Turkey Burgers with Chunky Peach-Cranberry Ketchup on the site. If you’re interested in receiving their free recipes click here to sign up.

Turkey Burgers with Chunky Peach-Cranberry Ketchup

According to the site, this turkey-based version cooks up, “Moister and juicier. Topped with this special “ketchup” it’s anything but ordinary.” Personally, I might skip the ketchup and just go straight for the burgers, but it’s a nice recipe to have especially when peaches are in season.

For the ketchup:

For the burgers:

To make the ketchup: In a sauté pan, warm the oil and sauté the shallots for 3 minutes. Add the peaches and sauté for about 2 minutes or until juices release from the fruit. Add the rest of the ketchup ingredients and blend well. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and chill thoroughly.

Cut the onion into 4 thick slices. Brush onion slices with oil and season with salt and paprika. Grill over Indirect High heat until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Remove from grill and keep warm.

To make the burgers: In a medium bowl, combine all the burger ingredients and mix well. Form into four patties, each about 3/4-inch thick. Grill over Direct High heat until juices run clear, about 6 to 8 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time.

Place burgers on buns and top with grilled onions and chunky peach cranberry ketchup.

Makes 4 servings.
Bon Appetite!

Cheers,

Julie

Are you starting to get excited yet? For those of us keeping track, there are only 12 more days until the May long weekend - a weekend that heralds the start of cottage season. I must admit, the weather isn’t exactly inspiring me to think summer, at least not here in Vancouver.

In between burst of rain, the temperature is still unseasonably cool. In some places, the lakes are still covered in snow - guess those folks are going to have to hold off putting in the dock - or maybe break the ice first and then install it.

Mentally I’ve started to prepare for the upcoming migration. I’ve been making little piles around the house of “things to take to the cottage”. There is the bedding - stuffed into green garbage bags, a new table cloth, wet suits and old coats.

I’ve finally talked Bill into buying a new boat which opens up a whole new can of worms. And the summer guest list - who we’d like to invite, is being bantered about. If any of my friends are reading this, now is a great time to take me out for lunch and butter me up - so to speak.

If I had to say what I’m looking forward to the most - it’s just being back at the lake. I miss sitting on the couch staring at the water - something I never seem to tire of. I’m also hoping to get out my kayak and go for a paddle - the middle of the lake is a great place to do some soul searching and navel gazing.

So today’s question is - what are you looking forward to the most this summer? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Cheers,

Julie

For anyone considering a pontoon boat, the Loon, built near Orilla, Ont., is an emissions-free electric boat. Solar-assisted, this pontoon boat comes with built-in battery charger. The panels charge the eight - six volt deep cell batteries that operate the Briggs and Stratton electric outboard motor.

On a sunny day, the boat can travel up to 50 km at a cruising speed of about five knots. The six-metre, eight passenger Loon weighs about 1,000 kilograms, slightly heavier than it’s gas-guzzling cousin. According to the boat’s builder, Monte Gisborne, the Loon can travel at least eight times further on a unit of energy than the most efficient gas-powered boat.

Monte concedes that the solar panels (installed on the roof) will provide about 16 km of free travel on a sunny day and you can even stretch it to 32 km, but you won’t be going anywhere after that, as the batteries will need to be recharged, either by sun or by plugging in the boat the grid.

The boats sell for anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000, but a new prototype is currently under construction so don’t quote me on that figure. While the boats save money on gas, the break-even point is somewhere between five to seven years, assuming people spend $100 a weekend on gas over 16 week period.

If you’d like more information on Tamarack Lake Electric Boats visit www.tamarackelectricboats.com TheNew York State Energy Research and Development department recently offered this company a $500,000 grant, so there is a chance they may be relocating to the US, but according to Monte, the Loon will still be available for sale in Canada.

Cheers,

Julie

Weeds across Canada are breathing a sigh of relief as Home Depot announced Wednesday it’s going to discontinue selling pesticides by the end of this year.

I must admit while visiting my brother’s cabin last year on Lake Qu’Appelle, I did try to hide his gallon of Roundup. He has a beautiful lush green lawn, the kind my feet love, especially after a pedicure. Unfortunately, beautiful lawns are not always good for the environment.

Curious as to what people should be using on their lawns instead of pesticides I consulted one of my favourite websites, Living By Water. Started by Clive Callaway and Sarah Kipp of British Columbia (longtime shoreline residents), this site is a great resource for cottagers. It explains how to prevent erosion, maintain water quality, site planning for cabins and good day-to-day living habits for those of us on the water.

Below are their suggestions for lawn maintenance. It seems the best way to get rid of weeds is the old fashion way - bend down and dig ‘em out. Their yard maintenance tips are not only relevant for the cottage but also at home.

Home and Yard Maintenance (from Living By Water)

Plan for the smallest possible lawn, built on the opposite side of your home from the water. If you already have a property with a lawn to the water’s edge, read the tips on starting a buffer zone.

Consider replacing some of the grass in your lawn with clover or other groundcovers that don’t need watering. Good lawn maintenance practices will keep your grass healthier and reduce your need for fertilizers and pesticides.

• “Grasscycle”: Use a mulching mower and leave grass clippings on your lawn where possible. They can increase your soil’s fertility by up to 50 percent! The clippings will be gone in about two to three days as they turn into food for your turf’s roots.
• Keep clippings well back from water and drainage ditches. Never push them over the edge of a bank into a ravine, river or lake.
• Mow when the grass is dry to prevent clumping.
• Increase the mowing height of your lawn to approximately 8 cm (2.5 cm). Taller grass provides shade for better root growth, which helps with absorption.
• Keep lawn mower blades sharp so you don’t tear the grass; this can result in increased water loss and susceptibility to disease.
• Before you consider fertilizing your lawn, aerate it and see if that improves its health. If you still believe fertilizer is necessary, take a sample of your soil to a nursery or agricultural field office for testing.
• Choose a fertilizer high in Water Insoluble Nitrogen (WIN). WIN is released slowly and helps prevent “lawn bum” and groundwater contamination. WIN fertilizers cost more, but they’re worth it.
• Remove dandelions and other unwanted plants from your lawn using long-handled tools. Invest in a good quality weed remover; check with your local gardening centre. If you feel you must use a pesticide, do not apply it to the whole lawn. Instead, use an applicator which allows you to direct a small spray towards each unwanted plant. Avoid products like the fertilizer / herbicide mixes which provide blanket applications.

Cheers,

Julie

If you happened to miss Wednesday’s Globe and Mail article, Retro Cuisine Goulash Goes Haute, then you likely aren’t aware that crock-pots are making a comeback. According to the article “The crock-pot is back transforming cheap, cuts of meat…into fashionable home dinners.”

I have been crock-potting for the last 11 years, largely a result of my husband. He crock-potted his way through university. We are still using his original pot and the recipe book that came with it.

While the crock-pot is usually reserved for cold nights and comfort food, it’s a great appliance to have at the cabin. You can make dinner in the morning, leaving you free to enjoy a good book or your guests.

One of my favourite dishes is Braised Lamb Shanks - think Osso Buco made with red wine.

Ingredients - makes 6 servings

• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth
• 2 heaping tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 5 to 6 pounds lamb shanks, not trimmed of fat
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 large carrots, peeled and cut in 1/4-inch slices
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
• 2 heaping tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Directions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add lamb and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Transfer to slow cooker.

In a small bowl mix the red wine, chicken broth, mustard, salt, and pepper and place in the insert of the slow cooker. Layer the shanks in the insert so they fit. Scatter the remaining ingredients around and on the shanks. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. Use tongs to reverse the position of the shanks, top to bottom. Reduce the setting to LOW and cook for an additional 6 hours.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shanks to a serving platter. Skim the fat from the cooking juices, taste, and add salt and pepper, if needed. Pour the juices over the shanks, and serve. Alternatively, puree juices in a food processor and then simmer for 5 minutes in a saucepan. Pour over meat and serve on a bed of egg noodles.

Cheers,

Julie

PS - Did you know peeking or removing the crock-pot lid adds 20 minutes to your cooking time?

Buying a cottage for pleasure may necessitate renting it it our for profit to help cover some of the operating and maintenance costs. Renting your cottage can be financially beneficial if you want to use the income to pay taxes and utilities like hydro and phone. But don’t expect to get rich from the rental income and try to pay a mortgage with it, especially if you plan on using the property too. If done properly you can easily cover your operating expenses for the year.

It’s important to remember with renters comes work. A friend of mine who owns a two bedroom condo in Whistler and rents it out to cover expenses gets calls from irate guests at all hours of the day. One person even called to complain about traffic on the Sea to Sky highway?!!!!

While there is no such thing as easy money, I do believe in using a rental management company, especially if I know I’m not able to respond quickly to renter’s concerns and I don’t live nearby.

When it comes to selecting a rental management agency, Heather Bayer, author of Renting your Recreational Property for Profit, recommends people consider the following:

Types of Agencies

Check first with the agency to determine their renting criteria. For example, some agencies may insist on having the property available for rental for a certain number of weeks, including peak season and other holiday periods. It may not be worth their while to spend money advertising and marketing your cottage if you’re going to be spending a lot of time there yourself. This means you may not be able to pop down on the spur of the moment. The rental management agency’s contract should cover owner occupancy, so make sure you agree on this before signing it.

Agencies have two customers: you the owner, and the renter. The agency representing your property should deal promptly with both parties. If it doesn’t than you won’t get the customers you need to rent your cottage effectively.

Booking Agencies

The upsurge in demand for cottage style vacations has led to an increase in the number of rental agencies in Canada. Many concentrate in a single region, while the larger ones have many properties ranging from basic cabins to luxury high end homes. Most offer booking service only. They will inspect the property, advertise it on their website, process contracts and rental agreements. However, they do not have the facility to manage rental changeovers, check for damage and cleanliness, or respond to any problems that may arise during rental.

Full Service Agencies

Full service agencies will undertake the same tasks as booking-only agencies but will also offer additional services. Examples of these services include: guest care, maintenance or emergency repair, linen rental, cleaning, bicycle and equipment rental. It’s important to determine what you require from an agency.

Travel Industry Regulation

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) regulates travel companies in Ontario ensuring compliance with the Ontario Travel Act. All agencies offering vacation homes for rent on behalf of a third-party, should be registered with TICO. The alternative is an agency that has a connection with a realty brokerage and who operates a Trust Accounting system in accordance with provincial real estate regulations. If you list your property with a management agency not regulated in this way, you are putting your rental income at risk.

Ask the Right Questions

When you start looking for an agency, prepare a list of questions to ask. In this way you can be sure you’re asking each agency the same question and can compare answers. Ask for their information package to be sent to you so you can compare their commission rates. You shouldn’t expect an agency to give you an estimate of rental potential without first visiting your property.

A reputable agency will provide information on the following:

• Operating policies
• Where they advertise and market their services
• What experience they’ve had on managing properties
• Testimonials from current owners registered with them
• Their website - you should pay close attention to how it looks and if it promotes year-round rentals

Agency Rates

Commission rates rates vary from 12% to 30%, with a renters booking charge between $25 to $65 per week. Some charge a flat commission rate that is only payable when the cottage is rented.

Viewing

When you contact agencies, they will want to arrange a viewing of your property. Even if you’re inviting several agencies to view, expect them all to take photographs and carefully question the facilities and amenities available, and any restrictions you may want to impose. Make sure the cottage looks its best, as photographs will reflect the way it looks on that day.

Prepare in advance of the booking a detailed sheet listing room dimensions, bed configurations, additional features and kitchen appliances.

Making the Decision

Good agencies will provide you with references from their clients, so look at their websites and property lists and ask for references from cottage owners of your choosing. Select properties in your rental price bracket.

Renting out your property takes time and energy. Some people prefer to save money and do it themselves. Getting a good agency will save you a lot of money and frustration. My friend with the condo in Whistler has slowly come to realize this and is now shopping for a rental management company.

Cheers,

Julie