Spanish Theme Party – Part 2
Written by Mike Cheliak on July 16, 2009 – 8:37 am -WHITE SANGRIA (Sangria Blanca)
This clear version of Sangria is a very refreshing and tasty summer drink that is a nice contrast to the traditional red version. Both the spiked and virgin versions are really great and they look fantastic on a table side by side with the red sangria. While recipes are important as a basic guideline, it is always nice to experiment as well. Try adding some berries (my daughter LOVES raspberries) or try a different combo of fruit. Any way you slice it, this is a really nice presentation at any party table!
INGREDIENTS
White Grape Juice for making ice cubes
2 cups water
2 small bunches fresh mint
3/4 cups sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
6 cups white wine (I used CASTILLO DE MONSERAN VIURA)
(If you are making Virgin Sangria, used a good White Grape Juice such as Welch’s)
4 Peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced
4 Pears (I used Anjou), cut into chunks
4 medium oranges, sliced crosswise
4 lemons, sliced crosswise
6 cups White Champanade or suitable sparkling white grape cider
Mint leaves, to garnish (optional)
PREPARATION
To make the grape juice ice cubes, pour the juice into two ice trays and freeze until the sangria is ready to serve.
Combine the water, sugar, mint leaves and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Remove the cinnamon and mint. Transfer the liquid to a large non-reactive container.
Add the wine, peaches, pears, and the orange and lemon slices to the serving bowl. Mix well, and refrigerate overnight.
To serve you will need a very large punch bowl (or two smaller). Add the mixture and the sparkling beverage to the bowl along with grape juice ice cubes. Garnish each glass with some fresh mint. As an alternative, you can separate your mixture pitcher by pitcher. Just add equal amounts of mixture and fruit to a glass pitcher, add some of the ice cubes and top with sparkling cider.
Makes 16-20 servings
Next post will be Red Sangria and then into the FOOD!
In happiness and health as always!
Mike C.
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Spanish Theme Party – Part 1
Written by Mike Cheliak on July 15, 2009 – 9:15 am -Everyone loves a theme party! Family, friends, adults, kids and puppies too! It isn’t really all that difficult to come up with any number of endless themes. Holiday themes, character themes or any number of other specialty party ideas can be hatched from anything!
My favourite themes are always the ethnic based ideas. Pick a culture from around the world and research a little bit. You will be amazed and delighted with how much you can learn about any culture by researching their food!
A lot of people are intimidated by the idea of cooking. Mostly it is lack of exposure to the kitchen. If you can follow instructions, you can do it! There are millions of resources on the Internet that explain in detail how to prepare certain recipes. Even if you just follow the basic recipe and don’t get creative; you will come out looking like a Genius!
Food is the one common denominator that everyone has. In North America, we take much for granted with our food consumption and often it becomes more of a “feeding frenzy” or a “Grab and Go” meal than anything.
The love of food and the importance of how food can bring us together as families and friends are far more prevalent in other cultures around the world. The meal is a time to gather, give thanks for what we have and to spend time in each other’s company.
While it isn’t always possible to dedicate a day to making a special night; you should at least attempt to make a special meal once or twice a week. Every week we have a nice meal with my Dad, brother and his girlfriend where we decide on a “theme” or style for the meal and then get it done.
When we entertain friends, it is much in the same. We decide whose house, what we would like and then split up the duties. We love trying new food tastes from other cultures and build around that central idea. Greek, Moroccan, Italian, Middle Eastern, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Canadian or American regional styles and the list can goes on!
THE SPANISH THEME PARTY
That entire lovely prologue now brings me to the heart of this series of posts. Our latest summer bash is going to be a Spanish Theme. We have a 
nice back (side) yard with a pool and lots of patio and deck space so that is a plus. We are having around 20 people (adults and kids) and the food and celebration will last pretty much from 11AM until 11PM or so.
The idea of a Spanish theme is neat because there are so many tapas courses that we can serve throughout the day. Cold and hot tapas are a great way to enjoy a long day with friends while not overeating.
Beverages will range from beer and wine to a fantastic assortment of Sangria both Red and White, with and without alcohol. I have combined recipes and products and come up with some really fantastic tastes that are equally as good virgin as they are spiked! My kids LOVE the white virgin Sangria.
We will be highlighting the day with an amazing Paella dish. While true Paella will be cooked all in one HUGE Paella pan, most of us don’t have that in our kitchen. I do have a very large (I mean enormous) sauté pan that I use and the final dish is served on a giant rental platter from a local supply company.
Top off the evening with Spanish Coffee, assorted fruits, and an Orange Flan. You can’t get much better than having an entire day devoted to gathering with friends and family over some great fun, hot sun and wonderful tastes for any palate.
My next few posts will have a bunch of recipes and info that I have collected, tried and tweaked. If nothing else, it will give you some ideas as to how to plan your next memorable occasion!
In happiness and health as always!
Mike C.
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Photo Tip – Camera Lenses
Written by Mike Cheliak on July 13, 2009 – 9:56 am -WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET…
Much of your success in your photography pursuits will depend on the quality of the lens you have. The optical quality of the lens whether on a point and shoot fixed lens camera or on a DSLR will give you results 
that vary greatly. What your sensor sees is truly what it gets.
Most consumer digital cameras are sold with a fixed zoom lens that can’t be removed or replaced. One big advantage is that the camera is sealed so no dust can get on the image sensor. Digital SLR cameras have removable lenses so you can change them when circumstances dictate. While most of your initial budget with a DSLR will be on the camera; it is always a good idea to really research your lens needs in advance and provide a higher price budget to get a better quality lens. Your lens will be with your through your first, second, third and fourth camera and beyond if you take care of it.
Commando Fact
Although it may sound like a SCI-FI movie, there are a number of liquid lenses now being used in some camera phones! They focus by changing shape when controlled by electrical impulse controls.
THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER…
Many lenses display information that is useful in your photography. Be sure to consider this information when choosing a lens and take the time to read any printed information that comes with a lens. You camera lens is truly what gives you the photos you are looking at. Your photos are only as good as the lens that sees them.
FOCAL LENGTH
The focal length of a lens has a huge impact on your images and is one of the most important tools in your creative tool box. On fixed lens cameras you change the focal length by using your zoom lens. On DSLR’s you can do the same or change lenses. T he various focal lengths you can use are referred to by terms that can be confusing at first.
- Wide-angle, short focal length, short lens and zoom out refer to the same thing lenses that capture a wide expanse of a scene.
- Telephoto, long focal length, long lens and zoom in refer to the same thing lenses that bring distant subjects closer.
The focal length you choose is a creative choice because it has two effects on your images:
Angle of view refers to how much of a scene the lens covers. Fisheye lenses, the widest available, can capture up to 180-degrees. As you zoom in or change lenses to increase the focal length, the field of view narrows and you can isolate small portions of the scene without moving closer to the subject.
Magnification is related to the lens’ angle of view. Since using a short focal length lens or zooming out includes a wide sweep of the scene, all of the objects in the scene are reduced to fit into the image. Zooming in or using a longer focal length lens gives a much narrower angle of view, so objects in a scene appear larger.
Your choice of lens depends in part on what you plan to do with the camera. Wide-angle lenses are best for photographing buildings, landscapes, interiors, and street photography. Telephoto lenses are best for portraits and many nature scenes. Normal lenses are a compromise.
ZOOM…ZOOM
Most fixed lens cameras have a built-in zoom lens. Zooms are also the popular choice with most DSLR users. These lenses are popular because they let you choose any focal length within the range the lens is designed for. A zoom lens for a DSLR’s can range greatly in price based on a number of factors. Optics quality, features such as IS (image stabilization) or VR (Vibration Reduction), the range of the zoom, a floating or fixed f/stop and more can bring your lens anywhere from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars. You have to take into consideration where the lens will be used, what you are willing to budget and truly ask yourself, “Do I need this feature?”
IT’S THE NORM…
A “normal lens” for a 35mm camera usually refers to a fixed focal length lens of 50mm or a zoom lens zoomed in a little from its widest angle. When using a lens of this focal length, the scene looks about the same as it does to the unaided eye. With a longer focal length, everything appears closer than it actually is. With a shorter focal length, everything looks farther away.
THE SHORT OF IT…
Using a short focal length lens or zooming out gives you a wide-angle of view that lets you capture a wide expanse of a scene. This view is ideal for use in tight spaces, such as when photographing landscapes and in small rooms where you can’t position the camera a great distance from the subject.
A short lens also has great depth of field so it’s good for street or action photographs. When responding to quickly unfolding scenes this depth of field lets you respond quickly without worrying about focus.
Short lenses also let you focus very close to your subject, and the effect this can have on the perspective in your images can be dramatic. Objects very close to the camera loom much larger than those farther in the background. This distortion in the apparent size of objects can deliberately give emphasis and when carried to an extreme, give an unrealistic appearance to a scene.
LONG, LONG AGO…
A long focal length lens acts somewhat like a telescope in that it magnifies the image of your subject. This is especially useful when you can’t get close to your subject— or don’t want to. Long lenses are ideal for wildlife, portrait, and candid photography, whenever getting close to a subject might disturb it. The long focal length lets you keep your distance and still fill the viewfinder frame with the subject. Keeping at a distance eliminates the exaggerated perspective caused by working very close to a subject with a shorter focal length lens. It also helps relax your subjects if they get uneasy, as many people do, when a camera comes close.
As the focal length of a lens increases, the depth of field gets shallower so you must focus more carefully. Also, a long lens visually compresses space, making objects in the scene appear closer together than they actually are. The primary drawback of a long lens is that most (but not all) such lenses have a smaller maximum aperture. This may force you to use a slower shutter speed. Also, since a long lens magnifies movement, just as it magnifies the subject, you may also have to use a tripod instead of hand-holding the camera. Fast lenses, shutter speed and the advent of image stabilized lenses have reduced the need for a tripod, however if you have a monster 400m f/2.8 lens attached to your pro DSLR camera, you are going to need a monopod, tripod or extremely strong arms!
THE SAME…BUT DIFFERENT
Canon and Nikon, with their vast arrays of lenses, have a real advantage over other camera companies that make DSLRs. Since developing a lens line-up is hugely expensive, there are only two ways companies can overcome this disadvantage:
The easiest way is for the company to license the lens mount from one of the leaders so their lenses work with your camera. Fuji has done this with Nikon so you can buy a Fuji camera and use it with Nikon lenses. Sony has also acquired Minolta and is using their lens mount in a range of new cameras and lenses.
A more expensive way is to join with other companies to share the costs of development. Olympus (along with Kodak, Fuji Photo Film, Panasonic, Sanyo and Sigma) are doing this with the Four Thirds System.
There are also independent third-party companies that make lenses for cameras. To reduce costs, their lenses can be used with more than one camera make just by changing the mount, sometimes using an adapter. Many of these lenses are quite good and usually less expensive than those from camera companies.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW…
Digital SLR cameras use electrical connections to set the lens aperture and adjust focus. When you upgrade to digital you can’t assume that your older lenses will work with your new camera. It depends on how old they are. Lenses with mechanical mounts definitely won’t work, but even some older lenses that have electrical connections may not work or lose some of their features.
Many camera companies that use smaller image sensors in their digital SLRs are introducing lenses designed specifically for these sensors. Because they create a smaller image circle, these lenses can be lighter and less expensive. However, if you ever upgrade to a model that has a full-frame sensor you won’t be able to use these lenses because the image circle will be too small to cover the sensor. Camera companies make this obvious by designing the lens mount so it won’t attach to a full-frame camera.
ADD SOME PUNCH!
If your camera has a fixed lens, you may be able to use lens converters to decrease or increase its focal length. There are two popular accessories for cameras with interchangeable lenses. Both fit between the lens and the camera body. Extenders extend the range of the lens. For example, a 2x lens converter will make a 100mm lens into a 200mm lens. Most interchangeable lenses also can be fitted with a teleconvertor. This will increase your focal length but will also move your f/stop up by two or three stops making your lens a little less functional for shooting action sports.
Commando Fact
A Macro lens is a specialty lens that allows you to get very close to a subject. Floral, insect and small item photography is its primary use. The catch is that macro lenses have a very shallow depth of field and therefore your focus has to be exact!
This post is an exerpt from Mike’s Commando Guide Cameras and Equipment. Sign up for our Newsletter and you get a complete free copy of the Commando Guide!
In happiness and health as always…
Mike C.
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Nearly Famous Egg Burger
Written by Mike Cheliak on July 9, 2009 – 4:10 pm -I love eggs and so do my wife and kids. We are always “cooking up” different ways to have them and don’t care if it’s for breakfast, lunch or 
dinner. We eat Organic, Omega 3 fortified eggs from a local farm and love the nice, deep yellow colour of them. We also know how really fresh they are!
As a quick breaky or lunch, I have concocted a mix of different ideas to come up with our family favourite, The Nearly Famous Egg Burger. It is a great and super easy way to get a complete meal that you can hold in your hand.
INGREDIENTS
1 Egg (of your choice)
1/4 cup Egg White (I use the Carton variety)
1/3 cup of “The Mixture” (recipe to follow)
1 Slice Real Cheddar Cheese (or your favourite)
Lettuce
Sliced Tomato
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Thin Pita Style Burger Bun (They look like a burger sized pita)
METHOD
Spray a cereal bowl with no stick spray
Crack your egg and add your egg whites
Scramble and add “The Mixture”
Season as desired (I add Cayenne Pepper)
Cook on high for about 90 seconds (1000 watt microwave)
Toast your pita bun
Dress with the lettuce and tomato and slice of cheddar
When the egg is done, add it on top and voila…an Egg Burger!
The Mixture
I make a tonne of this and keep it in the fridge for omelets as well.
1 green pepper chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1 medium onion chopped
3 cups of chopped mushrooms
Saute all the indgredients until crisp but tender.
Enjoy
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Tri or Du
Written by Mike Cheliak on July 3, 2009 – 8:33 am -As a sports photographer, I have had the pleasure of shooting some amazing action over the years. Professional football, baseball and hockey as well as high level University athletics and of course my running events and the little league hockey, baseball and soccer that is always fun.
There is however a special place in my heart for the Triathlon and Duathlon races that I cover. I have been the official photographer for the MultiSport Canada Series(now sponsored by HSBC) since 2003. Now my 7th year, I still marvel at the amazing feats of athletic achievement that happens every time there is an event. I cover 10 Triathlon/Duathlon events every summer and it still leaves me wanting more!
There is something about watching people of all shapes, sizes and ages challenge their limits to compete or just complete one of these events. Having completed a Duathlon (run/bike/run), I can tell you that regardless of your level of fitness; you WILL be challenged.
The emotions that are captured at these events is a glimpse of a person without anything in the way. It is truly that person with no guard up, just letting themselves be caught up in the moment. Being allowed to share in that emotion is a pretty profound feeling and one that I cherish every time I witness it.
What are YOU doing this weekend? Trust me when I tell you that Multisport events are on the climb in popularity. Triathlon, Duathlon, On-road, off-road, eco challenges and more are all becoming a lot more common in a lot of areas.
Most event organizers have entry level events called Give it a Tri or Try a Tri. These events can be done by literally anyone who can swim a little, bike a little and jog a little. It is a fantastic way to introduce yourself to something that most people become hooked on! If you can’t swim try a Duathlon (Run/Bike/Run). A lot of events will offer a sprint Duathlon which would be between a 3-5 km run a 20-30k bike and another 3-5 km run.
If you do decide to try it, SMILE and remember to truly enjoy and savour the moments of your own personal challenge!
In happiness and health as always!
Mike C.
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Canada Day
Written by Mike Cheliak on July 1, 2009 – 9:45 am -Happy Canada D’EH!
The true love of being a Canadian comes from deep within your heart. It doesn’t mean you love cold weather or normal beer and it doesn’t mean 
you have an obsession with hockey (although I do). Being Canadian isn’t about the Queen, although MAN you have to admire that lady for hanging in there this long!
Canadians don’t whine about our taxes (much) and we don’t complain about politics (much) but we do have a SERIOUS problem when someone disses our hockey team (See Hockey Obsession note above).
Being Canadian is loving the fact that you can be proud of your ethnic heritage and equally as proud about being a Canadian. It’s about a desire to celebrate our differences and celebrate our commonalities even more. Being Canadian is about freedom, equality, humanity, friendship and generosity. It’s about fighting for the right cause, helping when you can and never asking for anything in return.
I am Canadian and I love my country. I also love the fact that we have the Coolest neighbours in town just south of our border! In celebrating our Canada Day, we just take time to enjoy and be thankful for our great country, great friends, great family and the freedom to enjoy it.
This Canada Day, take some time to truly reflect and be thankful for all we have and recharge yourself to continue on being a good Canadian!
In happiness and health as always!
Mike C.
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