Scotiabank, in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, wants to recognize and celebrate the impact small businesses make across Canada.

What does your business do to make your community a better place to live?We have started Cape Breton's first and ONLY Disc Golf Course. We also create and grow healthy food products that sell at our roadside stand, the Cape Breton Farmer's Market and at various businesses through out Cape Breton.

Why have you chosen to take this approach?We are taking a key role in trying to promote healthy living in Cape Breton. Through education and training we are helping our community and the visitors to our area realize a healthier way of living, playing and eating. Introducing Disc Golf, which is an inexpensive, inclusive sport, has created an enthusiasm for alternative sports in Cape Breton.
What advice would you give other business owners who might be considering this idea?Creating outdoor spaces where community members can enjoy with their friends and family, while at the same time playing and staying active is something we support whole heartedly. Making healthy, easy food available to our neighbors and community members is also something we hope that more businesses will make a priority. This area is filled with incredible people, and we want to do our part to make sure that people are living their lives to the best of their abilities.

With the help of our friend Wayne and the generosity of a school in Membertou, we got our hands on 18 pairs of snow shoes, so we were more than covered in the loaner department.
Our first tour, at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning had exactly two participants. I know, I know, what was I thinking planning anything for Sunday morning. 
Luckily Stephen is a trooper, and woke up bright and early to shovel snow, check on conditions and dig the outhouse out of it's winter slumber.
Our next tour, the afternoon variety had a whopping 23 folks eager and ready to follow our lead!

We geared up, clipped in and headed out into the back woods of Catalone Gut.
It was 6 degrees, with a little breeze, and about 3.5 ft of snow beneath our feet. A perfect day if you ask me.
There were a hand full of first time snow shoers... and from the sounds of it, it won't be their last time. phewf. 
The event was part of a larger initiative by the CBRM to get people out, active and enjoying themselves during the winter months. And when you think about the fact that most of Canada (except for my smirking friends on the West Coast) endures at least 5 months of winter, it really is a no brainer. 
We've got to get outside and enjoy our surroundings. Hibernating in this type of weather really does lead to sulking, lethargy and more drinking than one really needs.
So kuddos to all of those smiling faces who made it out on Sunday!

On the last official day of school my kids got off the bus, shimmering with a sugar buzz and the look of children who had been watching Christmas movies for a few too many days...

The official start of the Christmas vacation!

We decided to stay home this year, and to relish in the simple things. Good food, a hot, crackling fire and some cheesy holiday tunes. Besides that, we have kept our expectations relatively in check.

Our tree has been trimmed, our advent calendar hung, and our fridge stocked.

Now, the older I get, the more noticeable the traditions that I held so close to my heart as a child become. My favourite times were my visits to Oma and Opa’s house; where the food, the people and the smells are still so fragrant in my mind.

But, now that we are living so many miles away, and we are a family unit unto ourselves, we are well on our way to creating our own traditions.

So when my daughter hopped off of her school bus asking to make reindeer food, I reminded her that WE leave carrots for the reindeer.  That is just what WE do.

But, after a little coaxing she convinced me that not only was reindeer food fun, it was something that the kids and I could do together.

So, our tradition of making reindeer food began.

First, I rummaged through the pantry to find food suitable for birds… eer, reindeer, and I came out with oats, parsley, coloured sugar and millet. 

The concept behind the reindeer food is that you make it and sprinkle it on your lawn on Christmas Eve to attract reindeer. Pretty cute stuff.

So, here is the recipe, for adult and kid alike. It is a fun craft, and a neat gift for kiddos if you are trying to avoid the sugar highs.

We used craft bags and layered the ingredients- each bag contains about 1 cup of goodies, so depending on how many you would like to make you can just double accordingly. Here is the recipe for 6 bags. 

Ingredients:
2 c Oats
3 c Millet
Food Colouring
1 c Parsley
3 different colours of sugar

Directions:
Divide millet into two bowls. Drip red food colouring into one and green into the other. Start with around 8 drops and mix in. Add more as needed.
In a separate bowl combine oats and parsley.

Once desired colours are reached, simply layer the oat mixture, sugar and millet  alternately until you reach the top of the bag. squeeze out the extra air and voila.

After the bags are made, you can write a little poem to accompany the food and adhere it to the back of the bag. The kids each chose to write their own poem, which really adds a nice touch.

I used some adress labels and a clip art reindeer to make little labels for the front, but the same can be done with hand drawn pictures on a piece of paper. Time to get creative!