Take a break from your routine…change your place of adventure…meet exciting people, young and old, along the way…that’s what we’re saying to our guests, so in April we took our own advice…

To have An Adventure A Day (not in Cape Breton) but in Switzerland.

Time for a family reunion with the added blessing of Alijah’s birth to nephew Alexi and Porsha…hiking in the Alps with Nico, builder of the wood-fired pizza oven and even a meeting with a beekeeper high in the Tessin mountains near Spruga…with waterfalls galore (that and good food making Dr. Paul very happy…) and with the sound of water dripping down ancient rocks and the craftsmanship of stone houses and walls fascinating Barbara.

Stone Roofs & Walls

Waterfalls feeding Waterfalls

So you already may have some kinds of plans for the months ahead, but I encourage you to enjoy a change of place.  And we’re finding, early in the season, folks coming all the way to Cape Breton from Australia, China, Germany, France, British Columbia and even Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with family and often in couples and solo…all bringing with them the energy of changing place, of discovery, of sharing the gifts of travel and adventure.

Welcome to the spirit of Cabot Shores, a spirit of an adventure a day wherever you are…

Spring has finally sprung here on Cape Breton and along with the first garden and wild greens have also come a series of guests who observe a gluten-free diet.

Rice cakes for breakfast go only so far until they become oh so boring. So I finally screwed up my courage and attempted to bake a loaf of gluten-free bread. Just reading the ingredient list is a challenge: xanthan gum? tapioca flour? potato starch? Never mind where I might find these on this island that at times feels like it’s located at the end of the world…

But after a bit of research I discover the place that carries all the needed items – hurray!

Once I get started I notice the recipe calls for eggs. Now, what about the gluten-free vegan guests?  With them in mind, I decide to use my favorite egg substitue instead: ground flax seed mixed with hot water and allowed to gel.

So, how did the bread turn out? It smelled heavenly and had a nice crust. It was a bit on the heavy side and definitely needed to be toasted. But it’s crunchy and it’s satisfying for someone like me who is oh so bored with rice cakes.

As far as the early wild and garden greens go – how about trying this lunch suggestion:

On the next sunny morning, take some time off and go out in the woods – it’s fiddlehead time. My neighbor, Joan, brought over a bunch of them the other day. These tasty morsel are really the unfurled heads of an Ostrich fern (so called because the leaf of this fern resembles an upright ostrich feather). They push their way up through the wooded soil in April and May and are best harvested when they are about an inch or two tall.  One work of caution: be sure that you are picking the correct fern heads as other types of ferns are not edible.

To repare, wash, then steam them for about 10-15 minutes – don’t overcook; they are best when bright green and a bit crunchy. Serve with melted butter and a dash of white pepper.

We recently served them with a brown rice salad:

Fiddleheads with curried Brown Rice Salad

To about 2 cups of left-over, cold brown rice add:

3 T chopped chives or scallion
1/4 c diced celery
4 T dried cranberries
2 T toasted Sesame seeds
3 T toasted sesame seed oil
4 T orange juice
1/4 c grated carrots
1/4 t curry powder
salt to taste

Mix well and serve.

Enjoy!

Did the Chinese actually explore Cape Breton before John Cabot & the Europeans?

A documentary film crew stayed 4x at Cabot Shores over the last 3 years
and now the film “Mysterious Ruins: Cape Breton” is shown often on the history channel.  The one hour documentary was replayed most recently on March 29th.   (Best scheduling is followed on history.ca.)

)

In the film you’ll see the helicopter take off from Cabot Shores–and land along a path leading to our apple orchard. The film helicopter then heads over Church Pond to Kelly’s Mt. and Cape Dauphin. Some of you have been near there when you hiked with us to Glooscap Cave.

You can read more in earlier blog entries bout author Paul Chiasson and the crew from Ellis Entertainment in Toronto, before they arrived and after where you’ll see the  aerial shot , similar to those shots in the documentary. There
is an earlier posting with background and you can see the trailer to the documentary as well.
Go to see the documentary trailor if interested and see if you catch Cabot Shores and do you believe in that majestic settlement appearing and reappearing in the clip?

From history.ca, here’s an image based on Chiasson’s theory:

Above, the photo by Nyani Quarmyle, you see author Paul Chiasson, along with the assistant producer

and a local archeologist.

Director Peter Findlay’s Review

“Thanks, Dr. Paul. What a treat to have your gorgeous retreat as the base for our filming (of “Mysterious Ruins: Cape Breton:”).

Not only is it a spectacular setting and a home away from home, but it also allowed own team our own little headquarters and clubhouse.

If only every shoot was so much fun! (Peter Findlay: Toronto, Ontario)”

And a trailer from Mysterious Ruins” on the History Television of Canada, produced by Ellis.

You don’t have to be famous like Charley Boorman of  Long Way Round fame (with actor Ewan McGregor)

to have a great getaway, gathering or even make an adventure movie here at

Cabot Shores on Cape Breton Island.

Whether on a lobster fishing boat like Charley Boorman directed by Russ Malkin for Extreme Frontiers Canada (channel 5, London)

or author Paul Chiasson  in “Cape Breton: Mysterious Ruins” on (history.ca)  or simply a couples getaway, family or friend’s reunion

you are at the edge of the Wilderness here but with the support and comforts allowing you to make that movie or celebrate your adventures with something as simple as a big bonfire, feast or live music (often all three!)

or Dr Paul and

Barbara on a

WGBH/AARP  webseries on the trials and joys of creating Cabot Shores in the first place…called “5 Weeks to a New Life”

You can create and experience a wide variety of adventure here, as Dr Paul says, “Mild to Wild”,—outdoor, cultural, personal.

And there is as at the same time the opportunity for Retreat…for restoring balance, for re-connecting and for focusing your energy

…

The Tan Chalet  at Cabot Shores is  wheelchair accessible, designed with you in mind. 

There is a ramp, the doors are wide and there is clearance within the downstairs kitchen/dining room/living room.
The bathroom has a roll in shower.

The living room has a magnificent patio door offering a panoramic view of Church Pond,
the beach, the Atlantic and the Bird Islands.

There are paths from your parking space right next to the Tan Chalet, between the chalets and
over to Whiff’s Lodge.

You will also find entry to our main lodge and its Bistro wheelchair accessible, so that as you motor
over to the lodge, you can enter up a ramp.

Here are some more pictures of the Tan chalet…

Bathroom

                            Kitchen/Living Room/Dining Room
      Bedroom

PACKAGES

Special rates through May lst

Family & Group Rates Available- Call 902-929-2584 for Details!

*****************

2 Night Basic LODGE Package $115*/per person/per night (Based on Double Occupancy)

2 Nights Accommodation in the Lodge

2 Meals per person/per day- Featuring a  feast prepared by Chef Carl & Breakfast

Access to Canoes, WIFI & Infrared Sauna

Saturday Live Jam Session in the Lodge with David Rankin

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS PACKAGE ONLINE

ADD to your PACKAGE: Massage, Acupuncture, Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tubs, Additional Meals, Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza

***

1 Night Basic LODGE Package $125*/per person/per night (Based on Double Occupancy)

1 Night Accommodation in the Lodge

2 Meals per person/per day- Featuring a  feast prepared by Chef Carl & Breakfast

Access to Canoes, WIFI & Infrared Sauna

Saturday Live Jam Session in the Lodge with David Rankin

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS PACKAGE ONLINE

ADD to your PACKAGE: Massage, Acupuncture, Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tubs, Additional Meals, Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza

***

2 Night Basic CHALET Package $115*/per person/per night (Based on 4 person Occupancy)

2 Nights Accommodation in a private Chale

2 Meals per person/per day- Featuring a  feast prepared by Chef Carl & Breakfast

Access to Canoes, WIFI & Infrared Sauna

Saturday Live Jam Session in the Lodge with David Rankin

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS PACKAGE ONLINE

ADD to your PACKAGE: Massage, Acupuncture, Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tubs, Additional Meals, Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza

***

1 Night Basic CHALET Package $125*/per person/per night (Based on 4 person Occupancy)

1 Night Accommodation in a private Chale

2 Meals per person/per day- Featuring a  feast prepared by Chef Carl & Breakfast

Access to Canoes, WIFI & Infrared Sauna

Saturday Live Jam Session in the Lodge with David Rankin

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS PACKAGE ONLINE

ADD to your PACKAGE: Massage, Acupuncture, Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tubs, Additional Meals, Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza

*********

CALL 902-929-2584 to Book Your Package Now!

 *Price does not include tax, alcohol, gratuity

Dinner & Jam Session Package (No Accommodations) $35*

Are you our Neighbors? Call 902-929-2584 for a local community rate!

Trade in your high heels for hiking boots…

Soak your stress  away in one of our outdoor Japanese Cedar  Ofuro Tubs…

Forget all about traffic jams as you glide down Indian Brook…

Relax into a Therapeutic Massage….

Throw out the same old boring box lunches and try an outdoor wood fired pizza….

Like Music?

Hear David Rankin in concert and afterwards, join us for a music Jam!

4 Star Chalet or Cozy Lodge Room….your choice!

Whats YOUR idea of a perfect getaway?

At Cabot Shores, one size doesn’t fit all….

Create your own adventure by

clicking here!

Tired of…

Traffic?

Long Work Hours?

The Hustle & Bustle of the City?

So Get Outta Town!

Pack your bags, ditch the city and click here to visit Cape Breton Island!

Carrot Ginger salad

serves 4

6 large carrots, peeled grated – place into large bowl

juice from 1 lemon – add to carrots and mix in

2″ section of fresh frozen ginger, grated – mix into carrots

1/2 c diced parseley or chives – add to carrots

3 T olive oil – add to carrots

season to taste with salt & pepper

Cauliflower Mango Curry with Cashew Nuts

Serves 4-5

3 T olive oil, heated in large wok or cast iron frying pan

Add 1 large diced onion – slowly caramelize on medium heat, stirring frequently

When onions are caramelized, add 1 stalk diced celery, sautee with onion, stirring frequently

Add 3 cloves diced garlic, stirring frequently

Add 1 large head cauliflower florets, sautee, stirring frequently on medium heat, until cauliflower florets are half cooked

In a small bowl, mix together:  3 T soy sauce, 1/4- 1/2 c apple juice, 2 T peanut butter dissolved in 1/4 c hot water – add to cauliflower mix and cover,  turn heat to lowest setting

simmer for a few minutes until cauliflower is cooked through – “al dente” (not too cooked)

If needed, add a bit of water so the sauce isn’t too thick

In the meantime, cut a fresh mango into small pieces, add to the cauliflower, simmer briefly

Place cauliflower dish onto platter and sprinkle with 1 c roasted cashew nuts

Garnish with chopped cilantro

Serve with Basmathi rice or Qinoa

Can substitute broccoli or winter squash for cauliflower; can substitute 8 dried apricots cut into small pieces for mango; can substitute peanuts for cashews