Let's get booking!

Thank you to anyone who came to see us at the Crop Production Show this week in Saskatoon.  We had a busy few days at the show and are now back to business as usual at the office.  Our schedule is getting busier and our courses are starting to book up, so if you're interested in taking your driver training course in the next couple months, call today and book in advance! Happy Friday everyone!

Welcome 2015

It's officially back to normal for 2015.  We are busy and back to our usual routine.  Both Regina and Saskatoon are booking a week or two in advance so please call today if you are thinking about getting your class 1A license.  To all our new students...Good Luck! We are here to support you as you take on 2015 by educating yourselves and starting something new. Bring it on 2015!

As the year ends...

As the year comes to an end most people take time to look back on their passing year.  What memories were made? What was lost? What we gained? New Year's resolutions are made and most of us start the new year out with the best intentions for ourselves and families.  If you're thinking about changing your career and life, maybe embarking on something new, give us a call! It's a great time to get your 1A license and take charge of your future.

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Stew

Over the holidays my family often spends our time in the kitchen.  Making comforting winter suppers together and sharing many laughs together.  Here is a simple slow cooker recipe anyone can try over the holidays. Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Stew

Ingredients:
4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast
halves, cut into cubes
10 medium red potatoes, quartered
1 (8 ounce) package baby carrots
1 cup chopped celery
2 (26 ounce) cans condensed cream of
chicken soup
6 cubes chicken bouillon
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) bag frozen mixed
vegetables
Directions:
1. Combine the chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, chicken soup, chicken bouillon, garlic salt, celery salt, and black pepper in a slow cooker; cook on High for 5 hours.
2. Stir the frozen mixed vegetables into the slow cooker, and cook 1 hour more

Festive Fun

This past weekend our entire team got together for our Christmas party.  It's been a long while since we've had all team members in one spot, so as we enjoyed a wonderfully prepared homemade turkey dinner we shared laughter, stories and holiday cheer. It's back to business as usual around here this morning but we would really like to thank our host and hostess, Earl and Dannette, for the wonderful evening! And thanks to those who came in from out of town or helped out in any way for the evening. The Maximum Training Christmas Party 2014 was a grand success and we hope you all get to enjoy some time spent with your friends, family and co-workers as well!

December Special!!!

2015 is just around the corner!  We are running a course special for the month of December 2014.  If you book your course for January 2015 AND pay for that course in full by December 31, 2014 you will pay the 2014 course rate.  But if you do not pay the course in full by December 31, 2014 your January course will cost the new 2015 rates. Rates will be announced in the coming weeks. Course availability is first come first serve, so take advantage of the savings and call today to book for your course!! 306-931-7638

Monday Meltdown

It's been horribly cold all weekend and today is no different.  Today I've decided instead of having a minor meltdown because I can't seem to get warm enough to retain any proper body temperature I will share a comforting recipe with you.  Comfort food goes a long way in cheering up a person and warming up someone on a cold day with this Crock-pot soup recipe might be just what the doctor ordered! And if you were celebrating Thanksgiving with our American neighbours, use up some of those leftover....Double BONUS! Turkey Barley Soup (SlowCooker)

Ingredients

  • 11-12 cups Turkey stock (from your leftover turkey)*
  • 3 cups celery, chopped
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 5 sprigs thyme
  • 8-9 medium carrots, shredded (about 4 cups total)
  • 1 large potato, peeled and shredded
  • 2-4 cups cooked turkey
  • 1 cup barley, rinsed
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper
  • fresh sage, chopped*
  • fresh rosemary, chopped*
  • fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

    1. Add the turkey stock, celery, onions, and thyme to a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low and simmer covered for about a half hour, or until the celery is tender.
    2. Use a food processor or cheese grater to shred the carrots and potato. Add to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and simmer, covered for another half hour, or until the carrots are tender.
    3. Add the turkey (however much you want) and the rinsed barley. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium low. Simmer for another 45-60 minutes, or until the barley is tender.
    4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (How much you need will really depend on how salty your stock is.)
    5. Just before serving, stir in chopped sage and rosemary. (look for the photo below to see how much I used.)
Slow Cooker instructions:
  1. Add the turkey stock, celery, onions, thyme, carrots, and potato to a slow cooker. Cook for 4-6 hours on low.
  2. Add the turkey, barley, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another hour on low, or until barley is tender.
  3. Add fresh sage and rosemary before serving.Top each serving with parsley.

Notes

*You can still totally make this soup even if you didn't make stock from your turkey. You can sub good quality chicken stock, or I've even seen Turkey broth at the grocery store lately. Remember, stock is always better, but use what you've got.

*Use whatever fresh herbs you have leftover from Thanksgiving.

Give it a try tonight and enjoy!

Business as Usual

What a snowy weekend we've had! It might be slow going out there on the roads and there's lots of shoveling and snow clearing, but we're right back to our normal Monday business.  New students arrived this morning for their courses, the trucks are warmed and out on the roads and the snow is being cleared around our yard. It might feel more like winter now but we are still "trucking away" at what we do best. Have a great week and drive safe out there!

Workman's Slow Cooker Roast Recipe

Here's a recipe to try out on a cool day.  Easy to make and tender to eat!

Workman’s Roast
Prep time: 
Cook time: 4-
Total Maximum time: 
Serves: 6-8
You can use any cut of roast that you prefer. I love to serve it with steamed rice or mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. Last time I made it my roast was still quite frozen when I put it in. I was worried, but it still came out great!
Ingredients
  • 4-5 lb Beef Roast
  • 2 10.5 ounce cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1 pkt Lipton Onion Soup Mix
  • 1½ Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • Dash of garlic powder (about ⅛ tsp)
  • Small squirt of ketchup (optional)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste (I use about ¼ tsp salt and ⅛ tsp pepper)
Instructions
  1. Put everything into the crock pot or if cooking in the oven you need a roasting pan that has an air tight lid.
  2. (I usually mix all the sauce ingredients and then put the roast in it and spoon some of the sauce onto the top of the roast.)
  3. Make sure crock pot lid or roaster lid fits air tight. If it doesn’t put a layer of tinfoil tightly over top and then put lid on.
  4. Set crock pot to low or oven to 250 degrees and cook for at least 8 hours and no more then 10 hours. Or high for 4-5 hours.
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Busy busy busy

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We are definitely keeping busy here at Maximum Training.  We have been receiving lots of calls to book in for a variety of the courses we offer, to those people wanting to get in next week or sooner please know we will do our best to get you into the program you are wanting as soon as it's possible, but we do book on a first come first serve basis.  Spaces are booking up fast and if students are a little flexible on location and/or date we might be able to accommodate your course a little sooner. That being said, we REALLY APPRECIATE all the calls, inquiries, bookings and referrals!  We must be doing something right to receive so many referrals from former students and businesses that have used our training services in the past. So thank you all for keeping us so busy! Have a great Thursday!

Our Sympathies

In the news today there's the sad story of a semi rollover near Meadow Lake. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the victim. You can read about the story : http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/saskatoon/Fatal+semi+rollover+near+Meadow+Lake/10389345/story.html We'd like to take today to remind everyone, trucks and all other vehicles on the road, to take care out there. Drive carefully because you never know what the winter roads will bring. Stay Safe!

It happens every year...

This year is no different....it has snowed.  The ground is slowly being covered and turning white.  Though it takes a little to adjust to the colder temperatures I always find it refreshing when winter finally arrives.  Tobogganing with the kids, building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate and spending lots of time visiting with family and friends.  I know it's not everyone's favorite thing, but I have a hard time thinking there isn't at least something for everyone in winter. Happy Snow days everyone!  Get out there and enjoy what the change of season brings.