As you may know we've been adding a few theme posts every month (as noted by our pretty banners like the one above), and this month was devoted to Camping and Cottaging (or Cabining out West).

Here's a re-cap of all the C&C related posts that went up this month -- there are some great tips in there so do check them all out.

• Discuss & Vote: S'mores vs.Campfire Banana Splits?
• What's Your Favourite Cottage/Camping Dish?
• Camping with a Caribbean Twist
• Family Friday: The Urban Campfire
• Ask a Mixologist: An Easy But Impressive Cocktail for the Cottage?
• Ask a Vegetarian Chef: Some Veggie Meal Ideas for a Camping Trip or the Cottage?
• Ask a Pastry Chef: Some Easy Dessert Ideas for the Cottage?

For September we'll be looking at trends -- what's new and exciting in food.

We went straight to the source and asked some of our favourite hosts and chefs -- including Michael Smith, Daniel Boulud, Laura Calder, Lynn Crawford and Roger Mooking. We'll be rolling those out slowly over the month, along with other trend-related posts, so be on the look out for those starting next week.

Can you taste it now? Mmm crushed peas  -- I think not! OK, perhaps it's the colour, but this particular image of baby food doesn't scream tasty to me. And I feel as though children deserve to eat some flavourful food. With that in mind, I asked the Community for their thoughts and experiences with their kids: Do/did you cook homemade baby food? 

I found out that homemade was a popular choice. Here's why selysia makes it:

"I made my daughter's first foods. She was especially fond of broccoli, and I could get her to try almost anything if I mixed half a banana with it - then gradually weaned off the banana. I like the fact that when you make your own, you control not only what goes into it, but what flavours your baby gets to experience. I certainly never saw jars of pureed broccoli in the baby food aisle at the store! Or beets, another one of her early favourites. Hmm, reminds me I must get on the Cooking Club Challenge!"

How about you?

Do you know what this is? A lamington is a sponge cake soaked/dipped in chocolate and then rolled around in coconut. It sounds pretty heavenly, and actually looks that way too. I'm thinking about doing this but rolling it around in some nuts. That would be pretty awesome (I'm not much of a coconut fan - something about the texture.) 

Anywho, thanks Dan Clapson for sharing this Australian dessert. Super cool and pretty easy. If you're interested in knowing how to create this lovely cake, check out Mardi's tutorial. Here's the gist of it, you get a sponge cake, and dunk into a chocolate concoction (butter, icing sugar and cocoa) and roll in your topping. Then let it cool so that the chocolate hardens a bit, and voila perfection!

Would you eat it?

Related:

• Last week's Pic of the Week: Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
• Post your cooking masterpieces in our photo gallery
• Food chatter happens in our forums (not a member sign up!)
• Join our flickr group

Remember a few weeks back, I asked you to send in your questions for Mark McEwan about his passions? Well you asked questions (really great ones btw) and we've got answers. 

Chef, Food Network Canada host, grocer and arguably the busiest chef in Canada (he's currently looking to open another gourmet grocery store AND another restaurant) sat down with ET Canada host Cheryl Hickie to about his many passions.

For example did you know Chef McEwan started the Chef's Table in Toronto? And that he collects power tools? Check it out!

Related:

• Anna & Michael Olson Answers Your Questions About Their Passions
• Mark, Anna and Michael Divulge their Passions!

Got any suggestions of a kitchen product you really enjoy? If so, join Ange D and the gang and share you best kitchen tools.

Product Recommendations/Warnings

"I don't have a picture, but I love my Oxo Good Grips Corn Stripper. It looks like a computer mouse.  The kernels collect inside the mouse instead of flying all over.

Comes apart for easy cleaning."

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How do you flavour your food? JoeMilli99 knows which spices and herbs he really enjoys, but has a few questions. Check out his response to see if you can help.

Herbs & Spices Chat

"I use a lot of Cumin… powder. I also use lots of fresh basil and thyme from my garden. And I would really like to use sage more, I have 2 huge plants in my garden, sage and purple sage and no really good uses for them. Also Cardamom, I love the smell not sure where to use it."

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Figuring out dinner can be a daunting task, but CC1 knows what to do to get the job done.

How Do You Decide What You're Cooking Tonight?

"I have been put on a very restricted food "diet" so I find it easier to plan for the week ahead, reading lots of recipes on FN and re-vamping them so that i can have them. I am in the process of writing a cookbook for others with my dietary needs. I like to try making at least one new recipe a week. I too love to focus on what is fresh at the local farmers market."

Related:

• Last week's Chatter Box: Anthony Bourdain, Celebrity Drinks & Bubble Gum
• Join our chatter in the forum
• Post your cooking masterpiece in the gallery