Veggies

Sorry it's been quite a while since I've written, but I've been quite busy here in my last weeks at Camas. Anyways I'd like to briefly share a bit about the food here, 'cause it's a huge part of living at Camas. The food here is pretty darn good! Each of us staff take turns cooking meals, so usually you are cooking about one or two meals a week, and man we have been blessed to have some wonderful cooks amongst the Camas ranks.

Like I've alluded to in past posts, we eat vegetarian here. Yeah, I know what a lot of you are thinking (in particular those red neck Alberta type folks who say, "salad is for rabbits" and believe that a real meal consists of a large portion of beef-Alberta AAA Angus Beef of course- and a side of potatoes counting as the veg.)- you're thinking how on earth can you say that eating vegetarian could be anything close to good?!

Well, I hate to bust you're pretty little bubble of comfort, but it's true. I honestly never thought I'd say it and even though I've talked a lot about various types of meat products (and had the occasional meat binge when I've gone into "town") I've got to say I haven't missed it as much as it may seem. If it came down to it I think I could be quite content being a vegetarian. (*shocked gasps*)

For those of you who may have been alarmed by my previous statement, don't worry, I don't think that I'd honestly ever become a full time veggie. BUT I'm going to definitely eat less meat and try my best to at least be more conscious of the type of meat I do eat and where it comes from. Don't worry though my friends, I promise not to be like THIS.

To prove to you how good eating veggie can be, here is an example of a delicious delicacy I've enjoyed many a time over this glorious summer. I DARE you to eat it with no meat - some baked potato wedges and a mixed salad go nicely with this (even though some bacon on top would be heavenly.)

Golden Slice

150g oats

3 large carrots, grated

1 medium onion, finely chopped

150g cheese, grated

50g margarine

2 medium eggs

Pinch mixed herbs and paprika

Salt and black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 200C
2. Put oats, carrots and onions into a large bowl and mix.
3. Add 2/3 of the cheese and season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs
4. Melt margarine in a saucepan and add to the mixture
5. Lightly whip eggs, add to the bowl and mix well
6. Place in an oiled baking tray and flatten out to 2 cm thick.
7. Sprinkle rest of the cheese on top, then sprinkle on the paprika.
8. Bake in oven for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

In honor of eating veggie, here is a cute Highland Cow- who turns out to be not so cute and much more terrifying when it's charging at you with all it's massive body weight and gigantic sharp horns. I may or may not know this because of recent events that may or may not have occurred to yours truly.

Here are some Mackerel which we have actually caught and eaten at the Camas Bay- not really vegetarian, but it's a pretty picture.

This is my favourite Camas mug. Many a good time had with him around.