A guide to getting the most out of a short but sweet season
Tips for cookouts, camp-outs, getting out or just hanging out
In summertime, it has been sung, the living is easy. The question is: Can it be even easier?
If you take the advice of NAIT grads, yes!
We’ve gathered a list of summer essentials for better eating, roadtripping, staying active and keeping well, each tip from an expert in the field. If good times are your goal, we’re singing from the same songbook!
Happy summer from the team at techlifetoday!
Best burgers ever
The burger may be a summer staple but that shouldn't keep it from being special. From Culinary Arts instructor Chris Short (class of ’96), here’s all you need to know about meat, buns and toppings to make you the season’s go-to grill guru.
Check out Chris Short’s burger tips
Get fancy with mustard
Speaking of burgers, let’s talk mustard. And not just any mustard – we can get creative, thanks to the work of Carly Minish (Culinary Arts ’11). Minish is the creator of Smak Dab, a line of gourmet mustards that, while great on burgers, are just as good in marinades, potato salads and even caesars. Spice up the season by learning some new tricks with a classic condiment.
Learn more about Smak Dab (and where to get it)
The complete guide to car camping
Do you have a patch kit? How about a clothesline? Tweezers? If you’re considering a getaway and answered no to any of these, Forest Technology instructor John Caldwell (class of ’94) has the ultimate list for your next car-camping adventure.
Get John Caldwell’s camping list
Look after your eyes
ZZ Top offered bad advice about eyewear – think twice before you “go get yourself some cheap sunglasses.” Listen instead to Tana Currie (Ophthalmic Dispensing – Glasses ’06, Optical Sciences – Contact Lenses ’08), owner and lead optician at The Vision Parlour in Sherwood Park. Her guide on what to look for in a pair of shades will be like music to your eyes.
See Tana Currie’s eye-care advice
Get a locally made beer
We know: Your ol’ reliable, mass-produced lager is already made in Alberta. But a craft beer from an independent, rather than multinational, brewery is made by a local small business that supports other local small businesses by using local ingredients and supplies. It’s also delicious. Check out our list of breweries owned or operated by grads.
Find a craft brewery owned by NAIT grads
Spend less on gas
Gasoline is expensive – according to Stats Canada, we spend as much on transportation as we do on food. In the summer, that cost rises with more driving. To squeeze a few more miles out of every tank, here are tips from two Automotive Service Technician grads.
Learn how to improve your fuel efficiency
Eat all your zucchini
Zucchini is the plant that just keeps giving – sometimes even more than you know what to do with. To help, Karl MacKinnon (Cooking ’14) and baker Amy Mancor (Baking '08) have seven simple but delicious ideas.
Keep wildfire smoke out of the house
Summers in Alberta can be smoky, making your home a pocket of clean air when skies get hazy. To keep it that way, follow this advice from Building Automation Systems Technology interim chair and ventilation expert Justin Evernden.
Limit smoke in your home with Justin Evernden’s tips
Help Fido keep cool
The dog days of summer can be “ruff” on our furry friends. “Prevention is best,” when it comes to protecting pets from high temperatures, says Dr. Elaine Degrandpre, senior veterinary medical officer for NAIT's animal health programs. Check out her advice for keeping canines cool.
See Dr. Elaine Degrandpre’s safety tips
Pass an afternoon on a patio
Summer is a great time for doing very little. That’s an activity that pairs well with snacks and drinks outdoors – ideally at a spot owned or operated by a NAIT grad. Here’s your list. Cheers!
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