August 2017 IncSmart Newsletter

   Camping Adventures

From camping in your back yard to the family car or RV, we love being the weekend warrior.  Being outdoors gives us a sense of freedom.  Not only do you get a chance to relax with your friends and family, but just watching the stars makes you feel good.

Campfires

Campfires today cast a nostalgic spell.  Fellowship start y staring into the flicker.  Some people would not think of camping without a campfire.  In our parks, permanent steel fireplaces are provided and should be used. Leave No Trace fire cleanup

Campfire Stories

Escaped Convicts, things that go bump in the night, Wild Animals, Indian Guides and the Lost Hunter. The storyteller spins a web of fantasy while the campfire sends a shower of sparks into the night sky to drift among the stars.  Watch the faces of your listeners and know the value and significance of keeping alive our time-honored traditions of oral history.

Nothing tastes better than a meal shared around a campfire. There's something special about camping food. Cooking turns into an adventure, and being in the outdoors seems to make everything taste better. Plan all your meals before you leave, making a list of every ingredient you'll need. This way you won't forget anything, and you'll be sure to bring the right amount of food. so everyone will be extra-hungry: bring plenty of snacks! Bring some firewood: you can't always count on being able to find enough around your campsite, especially if it's a heavily visited one.

The Chili Cook Off

Get your teams together.  Challenge your friends, co-workers.  The Chili Cook Off is on.  This not only involves cooking, but showmanship.  All chili is prepared from scratch, and then a panel of judges picks the best.  There are over 450 chili cook offs a year.  But if you can’t find one, create one.

Basic Chili

2 tablespoons   vegetable oil
6 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
4 cans stewed tomatoes – Do not drain
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons jalapenos, minced
Shredded cheddar cheese                                                
sour cream

Heat oil in pot over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes.  Crumble ground meat; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and salt.  Cook 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes and beans.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 20 minutes.

Texas Spin
2 lbs ground beef
½ Cup of Green Chili’s diced
2 cans pinto beans
1 1/2 cups picante sauce
Chopped cilantro

Buffalo Spin
2 ½ lb ground buffalo
2 bell peppers -- diced
2 cans of Kidney beans
6 cups of beef stock