When the kind folks at CloudStar.com approached me to do a review of some of their Wag More Bark Less products, I leapt off the couch at the chance. My first order of business was to do a little research on the company. I nosed around their website and discovered that Cloud Star began their wholesome, healthy dog treat line with a product named the Buddy Biscuit. It may be coincidence or kismet but it is kind of neat that I began my residency in Massachusetts at a shelter called Buddy Dog. This had me feeling like my buddies from Cloud Star and I were off to a great start.

My treat package arrived quickly and quietly. It is interesting to note that a new delivery guy started servicing my area around the same time my Cloud Star package arrived. He seemed to intuitively know – or had he been warned? – to drop the package at the garage and slowly back away toward his truck. Either way, this simple, smart act he delivered along with my treats made me immediately Wag More and Bark Less. Thanks, new delivery dude.

Okay, okay, I am getting to the good stuff: the treats! I received a box of Wag More Bark Less Oven Baked Dog Treats in the Pumpkin Pie Recipe flavor. Mom is kind of a stickler when it comes to ingredients and she was thrilled with these all natural, wheat-free treats. With glee she read off some of the ingredients: barley flour, oatmeal, rice bran, pumpkin, whole oats, and chickpea flour. Those words made her happy which meant I got to move on to the taste test. Finally! I am happy to report that the Pumpkin Pie Recipe treats boast a nice crunch to go along with their delectable flavor. I look forward to trying the Apple Smoked Bacon, Chicken Pot Pie, and Peanut Butter Cookie varieties soon. Very soon. Like, if you are reading this please arrange for a delivery, okay?

Moving on to the Wag More Bark Less Soft & Chewy Dog Treats. I received two varieties of these soft and tasty nuggets of a dog treat: Apple Smoked Bacon and Peanut Butter Cookie. The fact that chickpeas are the first ingredient listed in these natural and wheat-free treats made mom ecstatic. She is a chickpea kind of chick. Whole chickpeas go in a whole lot of her favorite recipes: chilies, soups, lasagnas, and salads. Given this, I may have tasted a “just dropped on the kitchen floor delicious and nutritious” chickpea or two in my time. I am happy to report that my new favorite soft dog treats have chickpeas as a main ingredient. The Apple Smoked Bacon has a sweet and smoky flavor while the Peanut Butter Cookie has a sweet and nutty flavor. The Chicken Pot Pie and Pumpkin Pie Recipe varieties are on my “must try soon” list as well.

Some people have me confused with a sommelier because during my walks I am often overheard rejoicing, “smelly, yeah!” I am not in the business of pairing wine with food, but in the spirit of being a good sport, I highly recommend pairing any of the Wag More Bark Less treats with a clean bowl of H₂O from the 2013 Household Tap Collection.

PS Thanks for the Wag More Bark Less stickers and magnets. I have put them to good use!

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Cattail shoots are a spring treat waiting to be discovered by those of us who typically forage for our food at our local supermarket. Pull on your highest rubber boots and get ready for a trip to “Big Sky Grocery” where the freshest, tastiest produce is always free!

The look of cattail shoots resembles a scallion – with white bottoms and green tops, they have multiple layers and are watery. The scent and flavor is like cucumber. Cooked lightly, they retain their crisp texture. They can also be eaten raw (some people report being allergic to them so try them cautiously at first).

Ready to dig in? Or wade in? First, find a nice stand of cattails, away from the road or any other runoff. Look for green shoots sticking 12” or more out of the water. Reach in, a few inches below the surface of the water, and pull/snap the shoot. Repeat. You might need 25 – 30 for four side servings.

Once you collect a bucket of shoots and are back on dry ground (and hopefully avoid getting a boot full of swamp water as my son did) you will want to trim them to about 4”, so you have mostly the white part remaining.

Take them home and wash them really well – you know where they’ve been! Oh, and while you’re on the hunt for cattails, look out for wild chives – they will provide some of the flavor when you serve them.

My first try was lightly steaming the shoots and then adding a little butter & salt. The next night I was more adventurous and tried them in a light cream sauce.

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On a recent typical spring New England afternoon, with the weather still in a state of hesitation, the soon-to-be Mrs. and I arrived at the Wachusett Village Inn just shy of our scheduled 4:00 pm tasting, with the in-laws soon to follow. After meeting the hostess, we were seated immediately after being greeted and the food, from that point on, came in an onslaught to the taste buds for close to forty-five minutes. May it be noted that prior to the tasting, we were asked to choose various items for each respective course of the 4 course meal. We had 5 choices for hors d’oeuvres⁶, 2 for the appetizer, all of the salads were offered for tasting, and 4 entrees. Keeping our guests in mind, as a considerable amount of them are vegetarians, our choices and the results are as follows:

Course 1 – Hors D’oeuvres

• Caramelized Onion and Apple Tart with Thyme and Gruyere Cheese
• Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Chutney
• Vegetable Spring Rolls with Zesty Orange Glaze
• Pan Seared Scallops served in a Phyllo Cup drizzled with Basil Oil
• Mini Beef Wellingtons Wrapped in Puff Pastry and filled with Mushroom Duxelle

Originally, we intended to taste the Mediterranean Display, which consists of hummus, red peppers, Kalamata Olives, and a plethora more, however, it was not available for private tastings, which ours happened to be, so one of the aforementioned items was thrown in as a wildcard. After everyone sampled each hors d’oeuvres, discussion was brought forth about which were keepers and which, if any, would be lost to the Mediterranean Display. It was unanimously decided that the Mini Beef Wellingtons, although quite tasty, would be cut.

Course 2 – Appetizers – Two choices enter, one choice leaves

• Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque⁷
• Ravioli with Ricotta Cheese in a Roasted Garlic and Chive Cream Sauce

To be honest, the winner should be a given. As good as the Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque was, and this is coming from someone who typically does not prefer squash, it had no chance. The ravioli will, by far, be a better fit for the guests…(well, I hope.)

Course 3 – The Salads

• Bouquet of Mixed Greens with Garden Vegetables with Creamy Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Dressing
• Classic Caesar Salad with Romaine Lettuce tossed with Garlic Croutons, Parmesan Cheese, Cracked Black Pepper and Creamy Caesar Dressing
• Radicchio, Bib, Belgian Endive, Crumbled Blue Cheese and Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing
• Red and Yellow Beefsteak Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Aged Balsamic Glaze

This course was chosen solely out of consideration for our guests. Normally, the Radicchio, Bib, Belgian Endive or the Red and Yellow Beefsteak Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella would have been our choice, with more preference going towards the latter for me. However, those are some choices for people who really get into their salads, those who want something more than just the normal greens, shredded carrots and other standard topping. Seeing how a large portion of our guests are not those kind of people, we decided to go with the Caesar salad. I mean, like it says, it is a classic.

Course 4 – Entrees – Two to be chosen

• Maple Teriyaki Caramelized Salmon Filet – Marinated Filet of Salmon, Maple Glazed finished with a Citrus White Wine Butter Sauce
• Chicken Saltimbocca – Chicken Breast topped with Proscuitto Ham and Cheese, served over Sautéed Spinach in a Sage Cream Sauce
• Portobello Eiffel – Grilled Marinated Portobello Mushroom layered with Zucchini, Summer Squash and Baby Spinach served with Saffron Beurre Blanc
• Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus – Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef

Coming to a decision for the entrée was a little more complicated than we originally anticipated. Every course had a wonderful presentation and was tasty in its own way. What came to light, after giving everything a once over, was the limited options for those who are not vegetarians. If we decided to have one meat dish and one vegetarian dish (of which there was only one option) it wouldn’t be as diverse a choice for those who do eat meat. Seeing how everything tasted great, we asked if there was the option of just ordering the number of vegetarian plates needed. Thankfully, the venue was flexible (as they have been with many other things) and said it would be no problem. In the end it was decided that the Chicken Saltimbocca and the Maple Teriyaki Caramelized Salmon Filet would be the winners. This way, if there were any pescetarian’s or people with dietary restrictions, there would be a choice for them as well. Both the bride-to-be and I were extremely pleased with how we were able to meet everyone’s needs, and with excellent food at that.

Thus ends this chapter. What will the next post be about? It’s hard to say, but it probably won’t be as tasty as this one.

¹ Quick realization
² For those dying to know which “Save the Date” we decided to send…after more deliberation (much more) we finally were able to settle on sending them on flat paper, rather than glossy.
³ Which is all that has been done
⁴ My vote is for good old Cheese Wagons
⁵ Apparently black Florsheim Hugo’s are NOT ok
⁶ Said in the most obnoxious way possible
⁷ Not to be confused with “soup”

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On May 18^th and 19^th, 2013, I will be walking in the Boston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I am walking for the many women in my life who have been affected by this unfortunate disease. Though I’m required to raise at least $1,800 to walk, I hope to raise more! The money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those who most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures. I’ll be just one of thousands of people who will walk up to 39.3 miles over two days, raising awareness and promoting education. If you would like to help support me and my efforts to reach my goal, please consider making a donation using this link. Early detection is key!

Thank you-

Michelle

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One of the best parts of the trip was always driving the car off the ferry when we arrived on the island. We would breathe in those familiar smells, and check out what had changed as we drove to our rental. One year, just off the docks, we saw the sign for a new cookie shop, the Nantucket Cookie Company. Though of course we had brought baked goods–likely both something my mom and I had baked the day before the trip AND cookies my Gram made and packed for us in an old Ritz tin–we knew we would be stopping to check this place out. (We never met a cookie we didn’t like.) Soon this shop became a place we had to visit once or twice during a trip. They made great Nantucket cranberry-oatmeal, snickerdoodles, chocolate chipotle, and iced lemon cookies. We would buy an assortment, bring them home, and cut them into pieces so that everyone could try a piece of the different flavors. On the sad day when we had to pack up the car and return to the mainland, someone would run to the cookie shop and get our favorites to accompany lunch on the boat ride home.

Our favorite cookie of all was the mocha polka (now called the mocha frost). This was a lot like a chocolate crinkle cookie, but it had chips and a hint of espresso. My brother and his wife loved the cookie so much that they ordered them to give as favors at their wedding. It became my mission to figure out how to replicate these cookies at home. My version of these cookies has met with the approval of my favorite cookie tasters–those who have tried the original and those who have not. I always try to make them for my brother and sister-in-law for their birthdays at the end of April or for their wedding anniversary. In fact, I dropped off an early birthday batch yesterday. I wonder if there are any left today…

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We’re thrilled to welcome back guest blogger Carla Boucher to share her experiences fostering Greyhounds as we participate in Blog the Change for Animals.

“April is Adopt a Greyhound Month” How often do we see that type of headline, sign or internet meme? But, no…really…it IS Adopt a Greyhound Month! I look forward to seeing this each spring, as I HAVE adopted a greyhound and fostered 10 of them, to help them prepare for their forever homes.

(“Adopt a Greyhound” video courtesy of Friends of Retired Greyhounds)

I have loved the breed for years and was finally able to begin fostering in 2008. Our first foster, Boca, became a “foster failure”. So called because we failed at fostering and made him a member of our family.

I don’t know a lot about how foster parents of other breeds do, but it seems that greyhound foster families “fail” at it quite often. The group that I am involved with, Greyhound Options, sees this happen fairly frequently. The foster program is, in my opinion, the best way to learn about a dog’s personality and then match up the right greyhound with the right family. Our group encourages a home visit, for up to a month, in order for the adopter to see how the dog fits in to their lifestyle.

There is just something about this breed that makes even non-dog lovers fall in love with them. Is it the soulful eyes, the elegant demeanor, the legends (urban and otherwise), that make us so passionate about these dogs? We do crazy things with them like buy them special apparel, pose them in hats, use their photos on our Christmas cards, have reunions and cookouts, and countless web pages and Facebook groups.

I admit, I did not used to be a dog person. I was a cat person because cats are so cool and aloof. They aren’t needy like dogs and don’t really seem to know if we are around much at all. Then I met Amber. A friend asked me to dog sit and being between jobs, I thought, “why not? I can tolerate a dog for a week.” Amber was a beautiful, fawn-colored greyhound and the queen of her house. Like most greyhounds, she would spend 14 to 16 hours a day sleeping. She was not at all high maintenance. Sure, she needed 3 or 4 walks a day, but since we were dog sitting at the beach, it was not a chore at all. Amber loved her human and looked suspiciously at me for the first day or two. Once she warmed up she was a love. Most greyhounds “love the love” and will sit happily while they are petted, groomed and generally worshiped.

One of the wonderful perks of adopting a greyhound is that they are very used to their crate when they come into a home and are almost housebroken when they arrive. Their crate is their safe place and most are very happy to be in them. Greys are generally very healthy, having been raised as athletes, and can live 12 to 14 years.

Many greyhound groups, like Greyhound Options, host “meet and greets” nearly every weekend. As they are based in Weare, MA, there are more events in the western part of the state, but the eastern branch of the group also hosts meet and greets in the Boston area as well as around the Merrimack Valley. May 5, 2013 is our eagerly anticipated annual Spring Fling at Northwest Park in Windsor, CT.

I can’t say enough good things about these dogs and would encourage anyone to “meet” a greyhound and “greet” him or her into your home. It was the best thing that I ever failed at.

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Kat

Like the writers at theKitchn, I have also found Rachael Ray’s garbage bowl to be one of the simplest tools to make cooking efficient. Without this, I feel the counter is less tidy, my movements increase, and there is a greater likelihood of some discarded bit making its way into a dish. If you haven’t tried this, please do. I bet you’ll quickly adopt this practice too.

Beth

I like to play by the rules, if at all possible. Sometimes we use images in our blog posts that other folks have created and allowed to be used through a Creative Commons license. I found this really handy infographic about Creative Commons license with all sorts of great tips and details from foter.com.

Andy

If, like me, you are a fan of dystopian novels (ex. 1984, Brave New World, Zulus), then reading Feed by M.T. Anderson is a must. The population in the prosperous 1^st world America of Feed all have a built in “feed” connecting individuals to a never ending stream of what can be compared to the contemporary internet. Relationships, amongst other things, are not based on intrinsic worth, but rather materialized worth. At its core, Feed begs the reader to examine the epoch we live in now and what could be in store for us, if we continue to stand by apathetically, as morals and ethics decline while objects take their place.

Michelle

I am completely smitten with Today’s Letters. It is a sweet and uplifting blog about a married couple and their journey through life together.

Ruby

My mom, dad and most of the neighbors seem to think I live the good life. I thought so too, but then I came across this article about pet owners in Japan and the types of homes they are designing with and for their furry housemates. I expect the architect to arrive any day now!

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