Depending on what you are prepared for, travelling the rainy season can be fun or the most boring time you have ever had. You have to know what to expect during the rainy season. Focusing on the negative things that you face will only rip away your fun and fill the whole moment with worries and grief. If you want to experience travelling in the rainy season, you have got to go out and experience everything that comes with the rains

At times, however, the level of complications that you get travelling during the rainy season is overshadowed by the unique experiences and beauty. The monsoons make up some of the rainiest seasons of the world. But why would some people choose to travel in this time? For this who have the tolerance of the rains, they will tell you the fun they get whenever they are out in such a time. You will be able to make the best deals there can ever be and also experience the unique cultures of the people living in the areas with such rains. The key to every trip is preparation. When you are planning and packing for a trip during the rainy season, you need to put in mind the following things

Pack quick-Dry and Waterproof Items

During the rainy season, you can never avoid getting wet. Water will be all over your, splashing running and falling from the trees and the sky. There is very little that you can do about that. All that you can do is packing the items that can help you keep your personal stuff dry when it rains. One of the items that can save you is a water repellant lightweight jacket that can easily be folded and put into a bag. When you go about shopping or visiting different places and the skies open up abruptly, this kind of jacket can save you a big deal. When moving from one place to the other, a waterproof bag will help you keep your items dry all the time. Moreover, a waterproof watch or phone cover will save you from having to replace your gadget or keeping it away such that you will miss out on some connection. Waterproof shoes are needed

Look For Deals

Most of the people will tend to stay away during the rainy season. This means that tourism will drop and everything will possibly drop. At such a time, excursion tickets and hotel rates are offered at a very low rate hence they can save you from spending a lot. However, you should know that some of the excursions may be cancelled due to low or even lack of attendance. To avoid being disappointed, do a little research about the excursion that you are about to get into.

Look For Modern Tourist Opportunity

Rains tend to disrupt the usual way in which activities are carried out. This simply means that the traditional tourist activities like may be cancelled due to lack of attendance or bad weather. You can look for alternative nontraditional activities that are done in the area which can be fun for you. You can never miss out on things like nature trails that connect the mountains to the roads which will give you a jungle experience.

Avoid Staying Dry

Travelling during the rainy season is not for the people who are worried or complaining about getting wet. The secret to such a season is being open and exploring as much as you can. At the end of the day, you will get to the hotel so you do not have to dive into a local restaurant or bar to wait for the rains to stop because they might not stop.

Be Ready For Delays

Delays are very common when rains fall. Travelling during the rainy season is always caught up between incidences that cause delays. Make sure that you verify that your travel insurance covers all the possible interruptions and delays that you may encounter. It will be less stressful if back in your mind you know that everything is covered by the insurance.

Those who have travelled during the rainy seasons have enough experience about how things are done. If you want to try the same, there are a few things that you need to know in order to avoid being stranded or stressed when you are already out of the house. Travelling during the rainy season can be fun and at the same time stressing if you are not prepared for it. This article gives you the most essential tips that you need to know when travelling.

Those seeking to replace their travelling shoes are charged with great responsibility. A lot of factors must be considered before deciding on the exact shoe to choose. Choosing a travelling shoe is not like just going out to the store and picking any kind of shoe that is wearable. Even mud boots can be worn but are they really meant for travelling? Different places and various occasions need a certain type of shoes that require to be specifically chosen.

The climate of the areas you are travelling to be one factor that should be considered. If you are travelling to the Sahara desert in Africa or somewhere in Abu Dhabi, it would be a lot easier to keep away waterproof travelling shoes. These places do not see rains in ages hence the chances of meeting aquatic environments in such area are very limited. Moreover, waterproof shoes are made with materials that lead to a lot of heat in order to warm the feet. With the climate of these places, you would be boiling your feet if you would choose to wear such shoes. However, if you are travelling in places like the Amazon forest where it rains almost every day, you will need something more than just travelling shoes. You will need waterproof shoes that can protect you from the intense rainfall and yet keep you looking fresh and stylish. Moreover, when you are not certain of the weather, it is very necessary to take extra precaution. It would not be a burden to have a shoe that provides you with more protection than the usual kind of shoes. In such a case, a waterproof travelling shoe can be your best option.

Body Type

If your body needs a little more support than the kind of support offered by usual travelling shoes, you have not yet gone out of options. Waterproof shoes are made in a way that they are a bit more stable than the usual kind of shoes. The sole offers more traction and they are tougher than the usual ones. This means that they offer more stability than any other kind of shoes in the market. This makes them the best option for anyone who needs more stability. Also, they are good for people who do not have issues with the stability and strength of their legs. Waterproof shoes unlike the usual kind of shoes carry a little more weight. For the people who can sustain such weight without having their joints being affected, this kind of shoes may be better since they would even offer a little more protection.

When You Need Extra Protection for the Feet

We wear shoes so that they can protect our bodies from external factors like cold and injuries. This has however been achieved by wearing different kinds of shoes. However, sometimes we might need a little more protection. We might need more warmth than the other kind of shoes can offer. We might also need shoes with tougher surfaces in places where we might encounter rough terrains. The fact that waterproof shoes offer more traction and are made f

When You Want a Shoe for Multiple Uses

Waterproof shoes are known to be versatile for multiple uses. Travelling shoes, for example, are well designed and stylish making them ideal for travelling around the world. However, you can use such shoes to navigate around places that need more traction, they can be used for hiking or even running among other uses. This is due to their stability, high traction and their waterproof nature that helps warm the feet and at the same time

Conclusion

Regardless of the nature of travelling shoes that you wear, you need to be stylish. There is no substitute for good looks hence picking a shoe that will make you look more elegant is recommended. Waterproof travelling shoes are made in different styles and designs that you can always choose from. Therefore, you should go for the best-looking footwear that fit the climate, your body shape, need for extra protection and multiple uses.

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For me, one of the surest signifiers of chilly weather is soup, specifically butternut squash soup. My dad used to make this for us frequently growing up, and watching the sweet orange concoction cooking down on the stove and then thinning out in the blender always seemed comforting and fortifying, especially against the rapidly decreasing temperatures of autumnal Chicago. When we’d sit down at the dinner table, each plate would be garnished with a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream and an herby sprig. Now I try to make this soup at least once each fall, and encounter trouble only when my feeble arms attempt to break down the squash itself.

I’ve used this recipe with the reduction of 6 cups of chicken stock to 3 (I like it chunkier), and the addition of some cayenne pepper:

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe [Courtesy of Cathy Lowe and foodnetwork.com]

I just wrote this up for Marie Claire, and thought I might share it with all of you!

1. Pan-Roasted
While delicious, pan roasted is not the healthier option you might think. Generally, pan roasting means cooking meat or fish in fat, and continually basting it. If you’re looking for a lighter option, stick with a grilled protein.

2. Confit
While the French word confit simply means “preserved,” the culinary term refers to cooking meat, vegetables or fruit at a relatively low heat in either fat (meat and vegetables) or concentrated sugar syrup (fruit.) If a menu lists meat (usually duck) served confit, it means that it’s been cooked in its own fat, rendering it unbelievably tender. Vegetables confit are prepared in oil, while fruits confit are cooked in a very thick sugar syrup.

3. Lardo vs Lardons
These two words, of Italian and French origin respectively, both refer to pork fat, but in slightly different preparations. Lardo is thinly sliced pork fat served as one would salami, or sometimes whipped into a thick spread (sort of like páté, but without any actual meat.) Lardons are small strips of pork fat more of the bacon variety, and often come in French frisée salads alongside fried eggs. Extra tip: the Italian version of lardon is pancetta.

4. Tartare vs Carpaccio vs Crudo
While these terms all refer to raw meat or fish, they have rather different preparations. A tartare is generally presented as a small mound of cubed meat or fish, frequently accompanied by a sauce (steak tartare being the most famous, but tuna and salmon are also common). Carpaccio, often made from beef, veal or tuna, is very thinly sliced then pounded paper-thin. Crudo, in Italian and Spanish, simply means “raw,” so the preparations vary. Crudo often refers to fish served in thin slices similar to sashimi.

5. Farro
Of late, this ingredient has been popping up on all manner of menus, from Italian to farm-to-table American. Farro is a wheat grain with a slightly earthy taste and hearty, chewy texture similar to wild rice. It often serves as the base for grain salads featuring vegetables and herbs.

6. Reduction / Gastrique
Consider these more fancy names for “sauce.” Chances are, if you’ve had a dish with an artful drizzle of very flavorful sauce, you’ve had a reduction or gastrique. A reduction occurs when a liquid is boiled down, therefore thickening the consistency and intensifying the flavor. A gastrique is a form of reduction, but the liquid is always a combination of vinegar and sugar. The sticky sweet/sour sauce is then infused with a different flavor, which can be almost anything, often including citrus, liquor, onions, or herbs.

7. Tostones / Tostadas
While these two words sound familiar, their only similarity is that they are both fried snacks. Tostones, a common Latin American snack, are crunchy slices of plantain, a large banana-like fruit that is mostly consumed cooked. Tostada literally means “toast,” and in Mexican cuisine it consists of a fried crispy tortilla topped with other ingredients—like a flat, inside-out taco.

8. Burrata vs Fresh Mozzarella
We’re all familiar with the water packed fresh Mozzarella you can get at many stores. Burrata, a fresh Italian cheese that has seen immense popularity in the last 5 years, is made from mozzarella and cream. The outside of the cheese is solid, but the inside is very soft and creamy—almost liquid.

9. Sweetbreads
Though this word may conjure visions of pastries, sweetbreads actually refer to certain prepared internal organs of animals. Sweetbreads often come from the lamb or calf, and include organs in the throat and/or stomach region. They are considered a delicacy in many cuisines.

10. Crostini / Bruschetta
These two Italian bread-based appetizers are virtually indistinguishable, except for two things: firstly, crostini are served on small slices of bread (baguette style) whereas bruschetta are served on larger slices on bread (think a country loaf.) Secondly, bruschetta are often rubbed with garlic after toasting, but crostini are not. Both are toasted then topped (or served alongside) various dips, spreads, cheeses or meats.

Greetings! I’ve been drowning in work these past few weeks, but am back on the Hungry Pickle horse just in time for the best holiday to ever exist: Thanksgiving. I thought of a few common mistakes that should be avoided. Good luck and get ready for many more posts on Turkey day:

10 Thanksgiving Mistakes You’re Already Making

1. Not Brining Your Turkey (or not buying one pre-brined.) Turkey can often end up dry and tasteless, brining makes for juicier and more flavorful meat .

2. Not Pre-Ordering The Turkey. The last thing you want is to be 20 people deep in the checkout line sans turkey on Thanksgiving day. Order ahead and pick it up the day before or morning of.

3. Incorrectly Timing the Turkey Cooking. Search for cooking times online by your bird’s weight. Once you’ve decided on all of your recipes, plan an oven schedule and make sure to give the turkey enough time to rest, without cooking it so early that it becomes dry.

4. Stuffing the Turkey with, well, Stuffing. While it may be traditional to actually stuff the turkey, buck the norm and only cook it in an outside pan. Often the stuffing doesn’t reach the right internal temperature (even if the turkey is fully cooked), and you may be eating stuffing contaminated with raw turkey juices or, if you use them, uncooked eggs.

5. Not Having Enough Leftovers for Friday Afternoon Sandwiches. Everyone knows that leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches filled with turkey, stuffing and a slick of cranberry sauce are one of the highlights of the holiday. When you’re buying ingredients, make sure to consider meals for the following day as well.

6. Not Straining the Gravy. Nobody likes lumpy gravy, so before you serve it, pour it through a strainer to remove any clumps and extra pieces of vegetable or meat.

7. Planning to Make Pie Crust the Day Of. Pie crust is not only somewhat labor intensive, it also requires chilling time in the refrigerator before use. Make the dough a few days or weeks in advance, freeze it, and thaw when you’re ready to use.

8. Not making vegetarian or kid-friendly options. If you haven’t checked on dietary restrictions and/or are expecting children at your Thanksgiving table, make a quick pasta with tomato sauce in advance. It’ll eliminate any awkwardness, and vegetarian guests won’t have to cobble a meal together from just sides.

9. Trying Out a Fancy New Recipe. Cooking for Thanksgiving is already stressful enough- having to master timing, juggling multiple dishes and entertaining guests. This is not a time to experiment with dishes you haven’t prepared before. Unless it’s a very simple recipe, stick to what you know and do it well.

10. Forgetting to Buy Liquor. If you’re planning on serving cocktails, wine or beer at your Thanksgiving, head to the store a day or two in advance. Many states require liquor stores to close on national holidays, and many close by choice.