Saturday, November 12, 2011

My Passion For Pets

I Have A Passion For Pets!

I love my dog and cats…I love your pets too…I love shelter pets and pets in rescues…I am a passionate pet lover and it breaks my heart to see a pet suffer.
Look into those eyes...

Four Boxer/American Bulldog mixes are currently being held at our local shelter. These dogs have been tortured. The person who owned them chained them in their backyard. He starved the dogs and didn't provide them with shelter or medical care.

The horrible, evil, animal who owned these dogs cut one of the dog’s ears off! And despite the cruelty these dogs have suffered….These dogs are friendly! These beautiful battered souls are so full of hope. The momma dog with no ears…”Smiles” when you talk to her.

How does this happen?
Why? 
Will this person be punished by our local officials?
 Do people care?
How Do We Allow This To Happen In Our Community?

Chained and left to die...

A FEW YEARS AGO:

My “Late Greyt” Tyler Mae, My first Greyhound, became ill. She was sick to her stomach and couldn’t get over it. After several test: x-rays, blood work, scans… the Vet determined her kidneys were failing…but why? We needed more test. Tyler Mae was hospitalized….nothing…no answers…just more questions until my Vet called me…"Sonja what food do you feed Tyler Mae?"

Oh My God! Tyler Mae’s food had been recalled. Tyler Mae’s food was toxic. Tyler Mae’s food was KILLING HER! I Was Killing My Dog!

I had purchased good food! I Thought!  The food was made of meat, rice, fruits, and vegetables. This was a premium food. I did my research! I studied the facts…..I tried…yet…I poisoned my dog! Tyler Mae would be on medication the rest of her life. Tyler Mae’s kidneys, liver, and heart had been compromised….I poisoned my dog!
I had always cooked for Tyler Mae…to supplement her kibble but I began cooking 75% of her food or feeding her pet friendly human foods like cottage cheese, plain low fat yogurt….and raw or gently cooked fruits and vegetables.

One crisp “Good Friday” morning my Tyler Mae fell while playing…She was gone! Her big beautiful heart just stopped….I poisoned my dog! She trusted me to provide her with proper care and I foolishly trusted the Pet Food Industry!

The Guilt Is Still Unbearable!


TODAY:

I have found a couple of commercial foods that I feel comfortable recommending: Primal, a frozen raw patty made of human grade meat (We use chicken.) vegetables, and fruits, NO grains...and... Orijen, a grain free kibble made human grade meats (We use the fish.) vegetables, and fruit. I still cook at least 50% of my dog, Candi Suzanne’s, food. I also search the Internet constantly looking for recalls or hints of recalls and I talk with the managers at the store where I shop...Nashville Pet Product Center in Spring Hill, TN...Great People!
Candi Suzanne's Organic Fruit & Vegetable Birthday Cake. Baked by our friend Ashley Hooten!

Candi Suzanne’s Chicken & Rice
Served with kibble twice a day

You Will Need:
1 Chicken (I Sometimes use wild Salmon)
2 cups rice uncooked brown rice
1 cup carrots (chopped fine)
1 bag spinach (chopped fine)
1 cup yellow squash (chopped fine)
¼ cup fresh parsley
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 can plain pumpkin

Directions:

In a large pot boil the chicken. (DO NOT ADD SALT OR PEPPER) When chicken is done remove the skin and bones. Chop or shred all the meat and return it to the pot with about 5 cups of the broth and water if needed...NO SALT, PEPPER OR OTHER SEASONINGS!

Rinse the rice in a colander and add to the pot of chicken.
Bring the chicken and rice to a boil and add the chopped vegetables and olive oil…
Reduce heat to low and cover.
Cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender….It may be a little soupy…That’s fine…
Add the canned pumpkin and gently stir.
Allow to cool slightly before freezing.


Candi Suzanne Loves To Celebrate Her Birthday In Style!!!
(Because I do not recommend keeping the meals in the refrigerator for more than two or three days at a time). Measure out two or three days of food into freezer bags or other appropriate containers and freeze them. Thaw and serve as needed.
Let me know what your dog thinks!!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thanksgiving, A Day For Family, Friends, Fun & Food!!!

Thanksgiving is almost here and I’m putting together my menu…

We Have a Mixed Marriage (I'm Southern...He Is Not) So We Cook Honoring Both Cultures….

What Do Y'all Think??


Turkey (Filled With Yankee Stuffing & Chestnuts)
Cornbread Dressing With Pecans
Sweet Potato Casserole (With Brown Sugar, Pecans, And Marshmallow)
Dirty Rice
Mashed Potatoes
Asparagus (Hollandaise Sauce)
Brussels Sprouts
Cranberries With Orange Zest
Giblet Gravy

Sweet Potato Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Red Velvet Cake

Coffee
Sweet Tea
Assorted Wines (A Sparkling Italian Wine for Dessert)

I Know It’s A Lot Of Food…But “Less Is Simply Less And More Is Always Best!!!”

The Celebration!

I Like To Serve Buffet Style & I Do Not Care For One Large Table With Everyone Shoved Together....I Set Several Small Tables In The Room And Family And Friends Can Move Around And Swap Seats Between Helpings....There's Plenty Of Food So Get Seconds Y'all!!! Storytelling Is Encouraged!!!


Have fun with centerpieces…nothing to formal!
Thank You Susan Jones For The Picture


A Recipe And A Helpful Hint......

Hollandaise Sauce





You Need:
A Double Boiler
A Whisk
1/3 c. butter, at room temperature, cut into small pieces
2 egg yolks well beaten
The juice of half a lemon…and a little zest
A pinch salt & pepper

Instructions:
·         Bring the water in the double boiler to a slow simmer…Not a boil!
·         Add the top pot/bowl…(the bottom of the top pot/bowl should not touch the water.)
·         Add half the butter and whisk well
·         Add half the egg yolk continue whisking until well blended
·         Add the remaining butter
·         Add remaining egg yolk…..keep whisking ….
·         Add lemon and zest a little at a time…until sauce is smooth and creamy…
·         Whisk in salt and pepper to taste
Serve over asparagus…..YUMMY!!!

Asparagus Tip….I Love Asparagus But I Don't Like Tough Asparagus…So I Never Cut The Tough Bottom Ends Off My Spears….I Break Them Off….I Wash and Pat My Asparagus Dry Then Hold The Asparagus Spear in My Hands One At A Time & Gently Bend it…It Will Break At A Tender Spot Every Time….I Chop The Clean Tough Ends Very Fine And Add Them To My Dogs Food!

My Greyhound Candi Suzanne Loves Fruits and Vegetables....

Don't Get So Involved With Cooking That You Forget To Have FUN!  Your Family And Friends Are The Most Important Thing....Spending Time...Sharing, Laughing, Loving, and Making Memorize That Will Last For Generations....I Love My Family And Friends,,,,Enjoy!

We Laugh Too Loud...



We Play Hard...


We Enjoy Nature & Her Bounty...

And Sometimes We Slip Into A TURKEY COMA!