Make the most of Monday

With the statutory holiday on Tuesday, we're making the most of our Monday here at Maximum. We're busy with new students starting courses and other students testing and moving forward to start into their new careers.  So even though it's cold outside, there's a holiday waiting for us tomorrow and so many people just wanted to enjoy an extra long weekend, I am reminded of a quote. “The world belongs to the energetic.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

So bring it on Monday! We're energetic here and we won't miss out on the opportunities presented to us.

Thirsty Thursday - Hot Chocolate!

So fall is here, cold/flu season is upon us and on a cool night one of the best things to enjoy is some hot chocolate with the kids and family. I found this recipe on a blog that I'd like to share with you.  Why? What does hot chocolate have to do with Maximum Training? WELL around here we really do enjoy our coffee and hot warm-up beverages on cool days.  Our team spends lots of time outside with the trucks and students so having something comforting to warm up with is a must around here! http://www.thefarmgirlrecipes.blogspot.ca/2012/12/polar-express-hot-chocolate-aka-best.html?m=1

Polar Express Hot Chocolate!

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 1/2 cups whipping cream 6 cups milk 2 tsp vanilla Optional: whip cream and marshmallows to top it off

1.  In a large, heavy bottom sauce pan combine sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips over medium heat. Stir constantly until chocolate is completely melted and smooth.  Add whipping cream, milk, and vanilla, whisking mixture together till smooth and completely combined.  Serve warm with whip cream or marshmallows. Enjoy!

Tip: If you are making this for a party the mixture can be put in a large crockpot 3-4 hours before serving time, stirring every hour.

Since after today we're supposed to cool down to temperatures below zero it's a great time to share this recipe so you can try it this weekend!

Maximum Family

You get the chance every now and then to be forced to look at the great people in your life.  Life gets busy and we often get caught up in the rush rush of daily life. The past week we've all had the chance here at Maximum to look at the greater picture and see how we are a true family.  It's been a tough year for many of the Maximum team members but thru all the hard times our team has come together as a family to support each other.  Today I'm taking the moment to appreciate our team.  Having the chance to be thankful for those in your life is a gift.  Thank you to the whole Maximum family, the support is felt by everyone!

Friday's Recipe to share with Friends and Family

Canada has had a very sad week this week.  There is talk everywhere about the events in Ottawa and how it has affected our country and everyone living in it.  For me I think all we can do is take the moments to cherish our family and friends.  Things are happening all around us everyday and we are only in control of ourselves.  So take some time this weekend to share memories and moments with family and friends.  Today's recipe is an easy one that pleases even the most critical crowds, what better way to gather those you love together than around the kitchen table to share a meal. Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Ingredients:
4 thick-cut pork chops, bone in or boneless
1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup (I used 98% fat free)
1 (1 oz) package dry ranch dressing mix
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
pepper to taste

Directions: Combine soup, dressing mix, garlic, and broth.  Sprinkle chops with pepper (do not salt).  Place chops in slow cooker and pour soup mixture over top.  Cover and cook on high 4 hours or low 6-7 hours.  Serve over rice or hot potatoes.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

As I looked outside this morning and saw the windshield of my car completely frosted over, I started to think of cozy winter sweaters, socks, hot chocolate and comfort food.  So I think today is a great day to share a slow cooker beef stew recipe that you could easily make on a cool fall or winter day. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Beef Roast, cubed
  • 1/2 cup Flour
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Thyme
  • 1 tsp minced Garlic
  • 1 Bay Leaves
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • 2 cups Beef Broth
  • 1 lb Potatoes cubed
  • 1 lb Baby Carrots
  • 2 stalks Celery, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Brown Gravy mix
  • 2 cup Water

Instructions

  1. Place meat in slow cooker.
  2. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper.
  3. Sprinkle flour mixture over the meat and toss to combine until the meat is coated.
  4. Stir in remaining ingredients.
  5. Cover and cook on high for 4 - 6 hours or low for 10 - 12 hours.
  6. Remove bay leaf
  7. Serve and enjoy!
Super simple and very tasty! Give it a try! Have a great weekend.

Gobble Gobble

Today is a great day to enjoy some turkey sandwiches and leftover pumpkin pie for lunch.  We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend and hope it hasn't been too hard to get back into the swing of work after the long weekend.   Things are right back to normal here at Maximum Training with new students who started yesterday and a full class starting Monday again. Good luck to all our students and cheers to a great last half of the work week to everyone!

Fresh Recipe Friday! Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins

Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone! We hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend with family and friends.  And to make that weekend even more enjoyable here's a recipe for you to try out.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins

MUFFINS:

  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 (200g) cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

FILLING:

  • 8 ounces (200g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 5 tablespoons (75g) sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans) (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F (180C) Mix canned pumpkin, oil, and sugar together, either by hand or with a mixer on low. Add in eggs, one at a time, combining thoroughly after each.Add vanilla. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Slowly add flour mixture to liquids, combining thoroughly and scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula until well combined.

Mix together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla until well combined.

Grease your muffin tins or line with paper cups. Drop in spoonfuls of pumpkin mixture then add smaller spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top. Swirl with a skewer.

Bake as follows, turning the tins half way through baking times: Mini muffins: 20-25 min Standard muffins: 25-30 min Jumbo muffins: 30-40 min

These little treats will be perfect for snacks all weekend or for leftover lunches next week! Enjoy!

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It's Trucking Tuesday!

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For those trucker's out there...the Government of Saskatchewan has a useful site where you can have access to information you might need.  If you aren't already familiar with it, take some time to check it out. You might just find some information or answers you've been looking for! Have a great day!

http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/trucking/

 

 

It's Motivational Monday!

To get your week off to a good start everyone needs a little motivation.  What motivates you to be productive? Do you have a goal for the week? If you woke up this morning and had that moment where you just didn't want to get out of bed and go to work or school, you're not alone! Mark Twain said "The secret of getting ahead is getting started" and this morning when I was dragging my feet I thought of that.  I have goals...small ones, big ones and in-between ones and I'll never accomplish any of them unless I get started.  So get going with your Monday and focus on those goals ahead of you.  There's a whole week full of possibilities!

Chili for those Chilly days ahead

With cooler weather arriving this is a perfect time to share a recipe for some comforting chili! You can make a big batch of this and enjoy it for supper or lunch any day, anywhere. Beef Chili

1 tbsp Olive oil or Canola oil

1-2 lbs Ground Beef

1 medium Onion –diced

2 cloves Fresh Garlic

1 cup Celery- chopped

1 can Mushrooms – or 1 cup fresh chopped

1 can Diced Tomatoes

1 can Tomato sauce

1 can Beans in tomato sauce

1 can Red Kidney Beans

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1 tbsp Chili Powder

1 tbsp Oregano

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Vinegar

1 tsp Sugar

 

Heat oil in skillet. Add beef and onion.  Once meat is fully browned add in garlic, celery and mushrooms. (You can add any additional vegetables you like such as bell peppers too).  Cover and let cook for 5 minutes.  Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and beans.  Stir and cover until it’s lightly bubbling.  Add in all dry seasonings, mix well and then add the vinegar and sugar.

Reduce heat to simmer and cover.  Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Dish up and serve or let cool and place into freezer safe containers to save for later.

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Looking for something new

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Are you looking for something new or needing a change to better your future? 1A Driver's are in DEMAND!  Opportunities for people with a 1A license are increasing daily.  So for those people looking for a change or wondering what to do with their lives, getting your 1A license might be the answer for you!  Take a look at our Max Jobs page for some of the current local job listings, that's only a few of the jobs out there.  Options are there, opportunities are endless and your future is up to YOU! Call today to inquire or book your course!

Saskatoon 306-931-7638   Regina 306-545-9904

For the students out there...

I have been thinking on this fine Friday afternoon about all the things on my to-do list.  It seems there's always something that has to be done and something else waiting next in line.  I think today's

an appropriate time to plan the weekend...plan on sitting back, relaxing and spending some time away from work and school.  Lots of our students come for training and then head to work in the evenings after a busy day with us.  You all deserve a nice quiet weekend!

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Fall and Winter 1A Driving Course

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We have had a very busy summer and now that fall and winter are just around the corner we still have lots of inquiries about our 1A driving courses.  New courses start every Monday in Regina and Saskatoon.  We can usually get new students started within a few weeks, but we do book up fairly quickly.  All you have to do is call the office, pick a date and put down your deposit to save the spot.  For people looking to take the course you DO NOT have to have your 1A learner's before starting the course, though it is recommended as it makes the course a little smoother.  We offer more than just the 1A course so give us a call if you're looking into something else.  Call 306-931-7638 to book your course today!

Motorcycle Gearing Up 2014

With our summer season winding down and fall just around the corner we have ended our Gearing Up courses for 2014.  Thank you to all those people who came to our courses this year and we look forward to starting it up again in 2015! For anyone interested in taking the course please check back with us once the snow is gone in the spring for our 2015 start dates. Ride safe out there!