blog - mapsgirl.ca

Travel Essentials to Take to Hot Climate

May 23, 2022 by Wendy S

When travelling to a hot climate, you often need to take extra precautions to ensure that you stay safe and comfortable throughout your trip. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few essentials you should definitely pack for your next trip to a hotter climate than you’re used to.

Merino wool

This might sound strange to some people, but Merino wool is great for just about any climate It keeps you cool in hot climates and warm in cool climates, so you should always pack some wherever you go.

Moisture-wicking underwear

Moisture-wicking underwear will keep your most delicate parts dry and comfortable no matter how hot it gets. So, you can explore your vacation destination without having to worry about freshness or getting any itchy heat rashes which can be oh so annoying.

Eye drops

If you are prone to getting dry eye, then it is a really good idea to take moistening eye drops to hot climates with you. Hot weather is a particular trigger for dry eye, and as you know, it can get pretty irritating and uncomfortable, so you really don’t want it to ruin your vacation. That’s why you really should not forget to pack eye drops.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses will also help to protect your eyes, this time from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.

Water bottles

Taking your own water bottle with you will encourage you to keep dehydrated. Just bear in mind that, in some countries, tap water is not safe to drink, and if that is the case, buying bottled water throughout the day is likely to be safer.

Cotton clothing

Not only does cotton clothing enable your skin to breathe, so that you are less likely to overheat, but it dries very quickly. So, if you get hot and sweaty, you can wash and dry your clothing in no time at all.

Lightweight shoes

Your feet can get really hot in a warm climate, so it is a good idea to pack sandals, along with a good pair of lightweight sneakers or trail shoes, depending on what kind of activities you are likely to be getting up to.

Lots of sunscreen

Of course, one of the most important things you should pack when travelling to a hot climate is sunscreen. Lots of it. You should never be out in the daylight hours without having lots of sunscreen on. The risk of being burned is so very high that you absolutely cannot afford to skip even one application.

It might be a good idea to also pack some alive vera gel because, if you do get burnt, it will help to soothe your pain significantly.

A sun hat

A sun hat will help to stop you from overheating, prevent your head from burning, and provide you with some much-needed shade when you’re on the beach, so be sure to bring one along.

With these essentials in your suitcase, you can be sure that you’ll have a safe, comfortable, and most important of all, fun time, on your next hot climate vacation.

The 6 Things To Keep You Focused on Your Fitness Journey

May 23, 2022 by Wendy S

Photo by Annushka Ahuja from Pexels

You have planned your cardio workouts and invested in the clothing or equipment, but you are still struggling with your fitness regime. Sound familiar? If you’re finding it hard to stick to it, you are not alone. The fact is there can be many reasons why we don’t stick to our fitness journey. We can fall off the wagon because it’s too difficult or we hit a bad run in our lives, but there are many things you can do to keep yourself focused, including the following:

Consistency With Your Diet

We all have a focus on getting fit, which means that we think we’ve got to exercise and everything else doesn’t matter. The reality is that nutrition is more important. Have you heard the expression “abs are made in the kitchen?” If you hit a bad patch in your life, ensuring that you stay consistent with your diet, your hydration, and your supplements can help you to feel energized, while also reminding you that you are on this journey which doesn’t happen overnight. When it comes to supplements, there are plenty out there, since 2007, Steel Supplements have been providing supplements for plenty of people looking to achieve their fitness goals, and there are also plenty of supplement websites that provide invaluable exercise support. Even if you’re not able to exercise for whatever reason, keeping your nutrition dialled in means you should still see the benefit!

Work Out With Someone Else

Motivation can be a major factor, so if you go and exercise with someone, you’re more likely to stick to it, so it can become a habit. The benefits of having a buddy can go beyond motivation. For example, you can spot each other so you are both working out with the proper form. And when it gets to the point where it becomes a habit, you can start to mix it up and incorporate that friendly competition! This is another key motivator so many athletes have at the forefront of their minds. Even if your workout buddy can only do 21 push-ups, you aiming for 22 can be a little thing that really ignites your mindset.

Mix Up Your Training

If you hit a plateau, which everybody does at some point, mixing it up can really achieve better results. You don’t have to stick to the same things but you can try any of the following:

Boxing workouts.
Medicine balls.
Using your body weight.
Resistance bands.

And the list goes on! Because when we get into the same old routine, we’re not shocking the body, which means that we’re not stimulating growth or adaptation.

Setting Yourself Clear Goals

Many people decide that a goal is “to get healthy” or “lose X pounds,” but these are very muddy goals. When you set out clear goals, this gives you a better idea of how you need to meet these goals. For example, for anybody that is looking to train to get into the fire service, the criteria are laid out; they have to lift a certain amount of weight over their shoulders, which means that anybody that is looking to go down this career path will focus more on their shoulders, as well as their cardio training. When you start to set yourself clear goals, this will dictate the program, but it also keeps you building towards it.

Remember Your Mindset

There are going to be times when you won’t want to exercise because you’re too tired or you’ve had a long day, but the fact is you just need to shut up and train! Feeling confident about your progress is usually motivation enough on those difficult evenings when you don’t want to hit the gym, but it’s also important to note if you’re feeling demotivated because you are plateauing, because there is such a thing as overtraining! If you are doing too much, think about having a rest for 48 hours and see how you feel after that.

Get a Personal Trainer

If you are keeping an eye on your finances right now, this is not necessarily a worthwhile option, but there’s a lot to be said for having a personal trainer in your life as they will help you stay focused, but they have the qualifications and experience to ensure that you are hitting your goals.

Keeping the focus on your fitness journey is not always easy. One of the biggest things you need to do is to start slow. Exercise is not about doing everything all at once, but giving it time, so while you might be chomping at the bit to lose weight or lift your body weight, the reality is that the route to complete fitness is a gradual one.

20 Kitchen Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

May 18, 2022 by Wendy S

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

As a busy working mom, I am often finding ways to make life easier by being more efficient. Sometimes it is difficult to plan ahead, and I admit, I have often failed at this. But I am human. Our family tries our best to work as a team. With work, school, sports, choir, Pathfinders, and band, things can get tricky at times. So keeping ourselves accountable and working together is key.

In general, anything that we can do to make our life more efficient helps to reduce stress. Here are some kitchen hacks that make things easier for our family:

If you’re short on counter space, try hanging a pot rack from the ceiling. It’ll give you extra room to store pots and pans, and it’ll also add a bit of style to your kitchen.
Don’t let your knives get dull – sharpen them regularly with a sharpening stone. It’s easy to do, and it’ll keep your knives in top condition.
Get organized with a spice rack. This will help you find the spices you need quickly, and it’ll also free up space in your cabinets or pantry.
Invest in a good set of baking tools – they’ll make all the difference when you’re baking cookies or cakes.
Keep your kitchen clean with a daily cleaning routine. Wipe down the counters, sweep the floor, and wash the dishes – it’ll make a big difference in how your kitchen looks and feels.
Make mealtime easier with a slow cooker. You can throw all of your ingredients in the pot in the morning, and dinner will be ready when you get home from work.
If you’re short on storage space, consider using mason jars to store food. They’re perfect for storing dry goods like flour or sugar, and they look cute, too!
Keep your fridge organized with labeled storage containers. This will help you find what you need quickly, and it’ll also help keep your fridge clean.
Prevent kitchen disasters with a fire extinguisher. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and a fire extinguisher can help put out a small fire before it gets out of control.
Make sure you have all the essentials – a good set of pots and pans, some basic kitchen utensils, and some good-quality knives. These things will make cooking much easier.
Get a dishwasher – it’s worth it! You’ll save so much time by not having to wash dishes by hand, and your dishes will come out clean and sparkling every time.
Get a set of measuring cups and spoons so you can make sure you’re using the correct amount of ingredients. This will help you make better-tasting food, and it’ll also save you money.
Use an oven thermometer to make sure your food is cooked at the correct temperature. This will help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your food, and it’ll also help prevent accidents.
When cooking, use fresh ingredients whenever possible. They’ll taste better and they’re usually more nutritious than processed foods.
If you’re having guests over, set the table the night before so you’re not rushed in the morning. This will help you entertain your guests more easily, and it’ll also save you time.
Make sure your kitchen is well-lit so you can see what you’re doing. This will help you avoid accidents, and it’ll also help you cook more easily.
If you’re short on counter space, use your walls! Hang a pot rack or install some shelves – this will give you extra room to store pots and pans, and it’ll also free up space on your counters.
Keep a clean kitchen towel on hand to wipe up spills quickly. This will help you keep your counters clean, and it’ll also save you time in the long run.
When cooking, use a timer to keep track of how long your food has been cooking. This will help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your food, and it’ll also help you stay on schedule.
Put your shopping list on a whiteboard in the kitchen! When you run out of something, put it on the whiteboard right away. When you are ready to go shopping, take a picture of that list with your phone so you can cross-reference it while shopping.

These kitchen hacks will help you save time and energy, and they’ll also help you create better-tasting food. By using these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your kitchen more and stress less.

So what are you waiting for?

4 Tips for Healing your Soul if you have Experienced a Loss

May 16, 2022 by Wendy S

Do you feel as though your soul is in need of some healing? Maybe you have experienced a loss but you do not know how to go about dealing with it, on a personal level. Either way, it is vital to know that there are things that you can do to try and help yourself.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Be Present

It is normal for you to want to escape from the feelings of grief that you have. It is also normal for you to want to turn to things that you feel may numb you. This could include comfort food or even shopping. Instead of doing things like this, you need to try and pour all of your energy into something more positive. This could be your work or your creativity. If you can do this, you will be able to heal yourself.

Raise Awareness

Do not try and push the pain away. Instead, try and bring awareness to it. Try and do what you can to relax in the midst of all the chaos, and also try and use it to your advantage. Now is the time for you to try and build yourself to be a stronger person and prove to yourself that you can work through just about anything. Now may even be the time for you to look into cremation jewelry crosses so that you can begin to heal your spirit as you work through the difficult time you are going through.

Plan for a Special Day

It is an excellent idea for you to look to your calendar. Map out any days that you may feel triggered on, and also take the time to learn how to cope. Nourish and even comfort yourself on days like this and also find healthy ways to cope. It may be that you try and spend more time with your family or that you simply try and reach out more. If you can do this, then you will soon see that people are in fact there to support you, and this can work wonders if you are on a spiritual journey.

Know that Grief is Fluid

Grief is fluid. It can change over time and there is no set path that you can follow to get through it. Sometimes you may move to denial and then acceptance, but shortly after you may find yourself feeling angry again. Either way, you have to know that grief is always changing and that you are never going to experience things in a logical or linear order. The sooner you can accept this, the more leeway you can give yourself when it comes to coping and this can work in your favour in general.

If you want to help yourself, then remember that talking to someone, or a friend is always a good idea. You may find that they can then give you the support that you need and that you can also count on them to pick you up when you are feeling down, so keep that in mind if you can.

Organizing A Move Abroad In Three Simple Steps

May 13, 2022 by Wendy S

Organizing a move abroad might seem like a daunting task, and it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a range of different things that you have got to get sorted, but if you can manage to keep a level head and not freak out, it’s not going to be too difficult. If you don’t know how to even begin going about this process, it’s a good thing that you have come across this article. Down below, we’re going to be looking at some helpful advice, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.

Photo by Marina Leonova from Pexels

Find Somewhere To Live

If you know that you are going to be moving somewhere new, it would make sense that you start looking for somewhere to live as soon as possible. As such, this is the first thing that we will suggest. Even if you are just dipping your toes in the water to begin with and seeing what’s out there, at least you are starting to get some sense of what to expect for your price range.

You can contact a real estate agent, tell them what you need and ask them to look at some properties for you. Then, you can arrange to go and see them yourself, deciding which, if any, are a good fit for you.

Ship Your Items To Storage If Needed

If you haven’t found a place to move into but you are no longer able to live where you currently do, we recommend getting your items shipped into personal storage in the country you are moving to. This makes it a lot easier for you to stay somewhere temporarily until you find somewhere permanent.

When you do find a place, you can hire a company such as Allied Van Lines to come and pick up your items, helping you move them into your new home. As soon as you have the move-in date you should start looking at companies like this to find out who is available.

Correct Documents

The final thing that we are going to mention in this article is that you need to ensure that you have the correct documents for travel, and the right to work in that country. Make sure that you take a look at the requirements online, fill out all of the necessary forms and wait until all of the documents are approved before you start planning a whole life in a new country. We promise you that it’s better to wait in case anything is denied or needs redoing.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now have a better understanding of how you can go about organizing a move abroad without making the process too complicated. Of course, it’s a stressful time with all the new changes that are going on, but you’ve got to keep your head on and maintain your organizational skills to avoid it all falling apart. We wish you the very best of luck and hope that you manage to keep it simple.

5 Tips For Printing Documents While You Are Travelling

May 11, 2022 by Wendy S

Image by Joshua Woroniecki from Pixabay

Gone are the days when you had to hardwire your PC or laptop to a printer to print out your documents. With the advancements in technology, the field of printing has been revolutionized. The size of the printers as well as the time taken to perform a certain print job has reduced significantly.

Most of the individuals who print regularly face a common concern regarding printing their documents while they are travelling. In order to address this concern, I am going to showcase 5 tips that will enable you to print your documents while you are on the go.

1. Mobile Applications

Mobile apps have literally changed the way we go about our daily activities. Even printing is not left untouched by them. Setting up mobile printing at your home or office by accessing your printer is quite easy. However, consider a situation where you have to perform the print job from an unfamiliar printer. There are quite a few apps that are available both in the App Store and the Google Play Store of your printer’s manufacturer. These apps will also enable you to detect any of the accessible printers which are available at places like copy shops and office stores. By paying a certain fee, you will be able to print your documents while you are on the go.

2. Mobilize Your Printer

Connect your printer to the internet over a wireless network. You can even make use of an email-based sending application that will allow you to print to it remotely. If you are using an iOS device, you can either make use of the manufacturer’s printing app or through Apple’s own AirPrint feature. For an Android device, you can make use of Google Cloud Print service. Regardless of the brand, the service will work efficiently with all of them including both old and newer devices.

3. Look For Public Print Locations

ePrint by HP is one of the most sorted mobile printing solutions. Through the app, you will be able to print to machines that are at the FedEx office locations and at the UPS stores. The ePrint app is available for both iOS and Android users. The app will locate all the accessible ePrint Public Print Location printers and enable you to make printouts quickly. In most cases, you will get an access code for releasing the printout when you get to the printer. For taking the print, you will have to pay a fee. You can also find public printing at libraries, hotels, and airport lounges.

4. Office Supply Stores

If you want to get your documents printed quickly then the perfect place to go to is office supply stores. You will be offered on-the-spot printing and copying. If you are printing copies in large numbers, then you will likely get volume discounts. This will enable you to save a lot of your money along with getting the print job done. There is a wide range of other options which will be available for you which include stapling, collating, hole punching, laminating, binding, and more.

5. Copy/Print Shops

You would find a number of print shops no matter where you are traveling. These will prove to be quite handy for you in making printouts on the go. Depending on your location the print prices may vary. This is because a majority of them are owned by the local people. But still, these shops will prove to be quite handy as they will allow you to perform many different printing jobs.

In The End

I hope that all the tips which are mentioned in this post will prove to be quite beneficial for you. These will help you in getting the printing job done where you cannot carry your own printer.

Personal volleyball bests at the OVA Provincials

May 4, 2022 by Wendy S

Lauren has been playing rep volleyball for the last 2 years. The first year started during the fall of 2020 when the pandemic was still fairly new. Their team was their cohort and they practiced and practiced. Many times they stopped because restrictions changed. It was a strange season with no games against other teams.

Fortunately, beach volleyball is outdoors and the summer of 2021 was filled with lots of volleyball. Lauren’s skills continued to grow and develop. She worked so hard at the court and at our local park… getting her overhand serve was her biggest challenge. She worked so hard.

Tryouts arrived. She went. She tried hard and stayed so positive! And she made the team!

Practices were twice a week, exhibition games with other club teams, league games with other clubs, and the pièce de ré·sis·tance… OVA Provincials!

Day 1

The day started out great! Lauren surprised us all… in 8 months Lauren went from barely getting an overhand server over the new to jump serves!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl)

They won the first match in 2 sets — 25-11, 25-12! And the 2nd match was just as successful — 27-25 and 25-20!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl)

The third game was more of a fight… won 1st set 28-16, lost 2nd set 22-25, and came back to win the 3rd set… 15-10!

Day 2

The girls went into day 2 with a lot of confidence and excitement!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl)

First match was a tough fight which ended in a loss (Set 1 – loss 20-25, Set 2 – win 25-11, Set 3 – loss 15-13)

The girls were pretty down. Coach Shayne was great! He gave the girls time to be sad and then built them back up!

The 2nd match was so much better! The girls won both sets — 25-12, 25-20! It was so amazing to watch them play! It was great volleyball.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl)

The third match of the day was going to be a challenge. The team they were playing had 4 wins and 1 loss… just like them. The girls were ready!

They won both sets — 25-15, 25-23 !!

During the 2nd set, Lauren had a 6 server run… all jump servers… with one of the serves being an ACE! I was the proudest mom in the whole place.

She has worked so hard to improve and be a better volleyball player and at that moment she was a shining star!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl)

Day 3 – Playoffs

The girls were excited. The girls were nervous. Playoffs was going to be tough… one loss and you’re out!

The team had their ups and downs during their last game. They were playing a team that they beat on the first day, but that other team must have found their grove and by day 3 they came into their own.

We lost in 3 sets — 25-19, 13-25, 10-15.

There were a lot of tears.

But I made sure to remind Lauren of how far she has come. Personally, Lauren was a winner. The photo below is a pretty cool example of what she can do!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl)

A huge thanks to Coach Shayne for his amazing leadership. The way that he was able to work with a group of girls with varying strengths, encourage the girls when they were down, and have a lot of fun is really appreciated from the view of a parent. I am very happy that Lauren was able to learn as much as she did from him.

Shayne is setting out to make his own personal best… he’s on the path to being a police officer! And he’s going to be a very good one!

The end

The provincial championship is the end of the season. Some of the division 1 teams are headed off to nationals in Calgary and we will cheer loudly from Ontario.

The club will have an end-of-the-year banquet at the outdoor courts so that should be a lot of fun!

Congrats Lauren on your amazing season! Dad, Rach and I are so proud of how hard you worked and you should be proud of all you achieved!

The 5 Top Reasons Why You Need a Rental Storage Unit

April 27, 2022 by Wendy S

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

“I don’t need extra space in my house”, said no one ever. There always comes a point in life where we all start feeling the need for more space in our homes. From our clothes to furniture, to small appliances and old books, there are always things that you don’t have the space for, but at the same time, you need and don’t want to get rid of.

This is when the rental storage facilities come into play. Rental storage units are paid for spaces, garages, or other portable containers to store additional stuff. You might especially need one if you’re in one of the following situations:

1. You Travel a Lot

Whether it is a business trip or you’re traveling for leisure, if you’re one of those people who travel a lot, renting a storage facility/space is a blessing for you. Rental storage units will store your stuff, save you house rent costs, and keep your luggage secure and free of damage.

It is impossible for one to bring along many of the house items, if your job calls for changing cities often, so make the most out of this facility while you can.

2. You’re a Student

We can totally relate to how you’re always on a budget during your entire student life. So why not prioritize your expenses? Since most of you are probably living in a shared apartment, you will only have so much space to place your things.

Instead of cluttering your space with unwanted stuff, you can rent a storage unit to keep important stuff safe and secure. That in no way means you have any less access to your luggage than you would if it were right there. Rental storage units have flexible packages that allow you to access your belongings a certain number of times.

3. You Want to Cut Accommodation Costs

If you’re looking for a smaller apartment and are worried about managing your household stuff, then you’ve got one concern shrugged off.

Pack away all the stuff that you will not be needing on an immediate basis and save yourself some space and lots of money. Getting a smaller apartment is no more an issue with the rental storage units that allow you to freely access your belongings at all times.

See for yourself after you do a cost-benefit analysis of the apartment rent versus storage unit affordability.

4. You Need Additional Storage Space

Almost half of our belongings are comprised of items that we won’t be using in the near future, but occupy the lion’s share of space. If you’re a shopaholic, you can totally relate to the need for additional space at all times.

One tip to fix this is packing away seasonal things and renting a storage unit for the time being. This way, you have nothing to worry about and can simply do the same for the next season too. Whether it’s the wooden furniture you purchased in 2002 or mattresses you’ve kept for when guests come over, store anything and everything in these units without giving a care in the world.

5. You Are Renovating Your House

While some renovations may take up a few days, others may last months. Depending upon the time span of your house renovation, get a rental storage unit plan that suits you best.

Instead of moving everything to one or two rooms, which is almost impossible, you can pack the furniture up and store it in a rental storage facility for as long as you desire.

No space? No worries. Find a storage facility close to your house and pack away your stuff alongside your worries.

The Benefits of a Cardio Workout

April 20, 2022 by Wendy S

When it comes to staying healthy and fit, most people think of lifting weights and doing strength training. While strength training is definitely important, another key element of a well-rounded workout routine is cardio. This blog post will discuss the many benefits of a cardio workout.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

1) Cardio strengthens the heart and lungs

When you do cardio exercise, your heart rate and breathing rate increase, this helps to strengthen the muscles in your heart and lungs, making them more efficient at pumping blood and oxygenating our cells. A strong cardiovascular system reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Additionally, regular cardio workouts can help to lower bad cholesterol levels and raise good cholesterol levels in the blood. This further reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

2) Cardio helps to burn calories and lose weight

Cardio workouts are great for people who are looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. When you do cardio, you burn calories both during and after the workout. Of course, the number of calories burned depends on the intensity of the workout, but even moderate-intensity cardio can help to boost metabolism and promote weight loss.

HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is a type of cardio that alternates between periods of intense activity and periods of rest. HIIT workouts are very effective at burning calories and have been shown to be more effective than traditional aerobic exercise at promoting fat loss.

3) Cardio improves mental health

Regular cardio exercise can help to improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Cardio also helps to increase energy levels and enhance the quality of sleep. All of these factors can lead to improved mental well-being.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your overall health and fitness, consider going to a premium online bike store and adding some cardio to your workout routine. There are many different types of cardio exercises that you can do, so there’s sure to be something that fits your preferences and needs. And, best of all, you’ll reap the many benefits that come with a regular cardio workout!

4) Cardio increases energy levels

In addition to improving mental health, regular cardio exercise can also lead to increased energy levels. This is due to the improved cardiovascular function and increased endorphin production that comes with exercise. So if you’re feeling sluggish and low on energy, a quick workout may be just what you need to get your energy levels up.

There are many different ways to incorporate cardio into your workout routine. Some people prefer to do steady-state cardio, such as walking or jogging, while others prefer HIIT workouts or other types of interval training. No matter what type of cardio you choose, you’ll be sure to reap the many benefits that come with it!

So next time you’re planning your workout routine, don’t forget to include some cardio. Your body (and mind) will thank you for it!

Ingredients Everyone Should Have In Their Kitchen

April 20, 2022 by Wendy S

Image by Matej Madar from Pixabay

Are you busy rolling your hours between your job, school, and family? Then trust me you need this list that can ease out your daily meal preparation? Below mentioned are the most essential ingredients that can easily lift your regular cooking game.

Eggs

Eggs can be a go-to snack – whether boiled, omelette, fried, or scrambled. It’s always good to choose eggs for your little hunger pains. They also meet-up your protein requirements, which makes them a perfect option for Breakfast. Our family loves deviled eggs.

Good Quality Bread

Bread is such a staple that we always have it in our kitchen. Good quality bread can be a base ingredient for many meals, be it a sandwich, bread with an omelette, bread and butter, garlic bread, a bread pizza, and a whole lot more.

Canned Beans

Apart from having a good shelf life, canned beans can also be added to many dishes for some extra protein and flavour. Canned beans can add substance to your tacos, pasta, and salads.

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Honey

Honey is one of the best natural sweeteners, and adding it to your diet can result in amazing health benefits. Add it to your tea, use it has a dip for pretzels, or use it in glazes for meat or poultry.

Dried Pasta

Families with kids will know what a saviour pasta can be. When your little ones demand some quick snacking, all you need to do is boil some pasta, and when ready, add some tomato sauce. The pasta is then ready for them to devour. For a health kick, add in some vegetables to the sauce.

Tortillas

These thin, crispy bites are an amazing go-to snack. You can pair them with some cheesy dip or some marinara sauce and enjoy a quick meal.

With some handy tortillas, you can prepare some quick tacos. All you need is some ground beef, salsa, lettuce, and grated cheese, and your fulfilling wholesome meal is ready.

The best part about tortillas is that they can be stored for 3-4 weeks if you pack them up properly in an airtight Xiplock bag.

Cheddar or Parmesan Cheese

Cheese is a must ingredient in our kitchen. Whether it’s bread or pasta, pizza or salads, cheese can add an abundance of taste to almost all meals.

We all know cheese for its amazing and mushy taste, but little do you know, it’s a great source of Vitamin D as well.

Image by iSAW Company from Pixabay

Salsa or Hot Sauce

Are you someone who loves spicy flavour in your food? Then stocking up on some salsa and hot chilli sauces should be on your list. You can add them to season up your pasta, sandwiches, or add it to your tacos or nachos. And the best part – these store-bought sauces can last for months in your kitchen.

Rolled Oats

Are you planning on having a healthy and nutritious start to your day? Then what’s better than some nutrition-packed rolled oats. Oats are a great source of antioxidants – natural fibres that maintain a healthy gut, and keep your muscles healthy.

Manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), calcium, potassium, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and vitamin B3 (niacin).

With all of that, rolled oats is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can consume.

Spices

Garnishing your meal with spices can immediately make it flavourful and amazing. Spices also have a longer shelf life and are easy to store, so it’s a great idea to stock up some common ones like black pepper, oregano, garlic powder, salt, cinnamon powder, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and chilli flakes. Craig and I love to use different spices when we cook to enhance the flavour of our dishes.