Sometimes you just need some comfort food and for an outdoorsman, that comfort food is, of course, ELK!  The outdoorsman looked like he was getting a little thin the other day so I whipped something up that I knew he would devour like a rabid wolf.  I threw an elk roast in the Crockpot with a little of this and that and set that baby on high for the day.  When I got home the house smelled positively drool worthy, so with a hungry, impatient outdoorsman stealing bites over of shoulder, I made up the taquitos.

The roast made enough meat to make A LOT of extra taquitos, so I made them up and put them in the freezer.  Little did I know that the outdoorsman would offer to “cook” dinner every night for a week until the taquitos were gone.  He said he couldn’t stop thinking about them.  I myself am plum ready for something new for dinner!!   So here ya’ go!  Enjoy!

ELK TAQUITOS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Elk Roast- sized based on how many taquitos you would like to make
• 1 Medium Onion-diced
• 3 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
• A Healthy Dose of Salt and Pepper
• 1 Large Can of Green Chilies- Diced
• 1 Can Black Beans, Rinsed
• 2 cups shredded Parmesan Cheese
• Corn or Four Tortillas- As many as you want to roll out- based on your preference (the corn are hard to roll, but taste much better)

Dipping Sauces:

• Ranch Dressing (Homemade Buttermilk Ranch is UNBEATABLE)
• BBQ Sauce
• Nacho Cheese

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

1. Throw your frozen roast into the Crockpot with the onion, garlic, salt and pepper.  Set on High for 8 hours. 
2. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
3. Shred the meat with two forks and add green chilies, black beans and cheese.  Stir.

STEP 2

1. If using flour tortillas, simply make a row of the meat mixture and roll up.  I like to place a toothpick in the center to hold everything together.  Then place on a baking sheet.
2. If using corn tortillas, you must microwave them for about 15 seconds and then quickly roll them, otherwise they crack and it’s a disaster.  I usually heat about 3 at a time so that I can roll them before they get cold and stiff again.  Toothpick and place on baking sheet. 

STEP 3

1. Once your pan is full, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 
2. Take out, Drool, Dip, Drool and Enjoy.
3. If you have extra meat, you can roll the taquitos and then freeze them.  All you have to do is take them out of the freezer and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes and Waaaaallllaaa!  Even an outdoorsman can do that!

Okay…Now I am hungry.  

___

Kristen Berube lives a crazy, laugh-filled life with her outdoorsman husband Remi and their three camo-clad children in Missoula, Montana. A graduate of Montana State University and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, she loves being a mom and enjoys hiking, fishing, and camping. “Confessions of a Camo Queen: Living with an Outdoorsman” is her first book. - 

It is available for purchase at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1560376287/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Stretches & Exercises - Dunroven Ranch (Live session Thursday 5/5, 3:00pm MST)

Fitness is an essential part of life for all living beings. As horse men and women, it is our duty to ensure that we provide an appropriate fitness plan for our equines, which helps ensure a healthy lifestyle. Whether our horses are young or old, sick or injured, or training in a specific discipline, we can tailor a fitness plan around their specific needs in order to strengthen their bodies and help alleviate and/or prevent pain and injury from occurring.

Soreness in the back is highly common in horses. This is not surprising due to the amount of stress that is put on a horse’s spine and surrounding muscles throughout the course of its working life. Poorly fitted saddles, unbalanced riders, excess workload, and misalignment in the spine and hips can all lead to serious spinal issues, and it is not always apparent your horse is experiencing pain. Long term problems such as kissing spine disease and hunter’s bump can occur as a result of imbalance, lack of proper core fitness, or injury, and occur over time. Physical issues such as these often go unnoticed, or can even be misconceived as a desirable trait in specific breeds or disciplines.

While chiropractic work is sometimes needed, and often helpful, it is very important to address any underlying causes of imbalance. A great way to battle imbalance is through stretching, calisthenic exercises, and range of motion exercises. Performing these exercises daily without the weight of the rider allows the muscular and skeletal structure to move freely without compensation, and can help solidify any corrections that your chiropractor may have made. Your horse will be well on his way to achieving proper self-carriage, better balance and increased fitness.

Stretching and stabilizing exercises are easy to do and should be incorporated into your daily routine whenever possible. They can make a significant impact on your horse’s overall well-being, and do not require rigorous exercise. Below is a fantastic video to reference and help you better understand the importance of developing a routine for your horse. Tune in Thursday May, 5th, 3:00 pm MST for a live demonstration.