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Open House: Seasonal Storage

casasugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:00:35 -0700

It may be officially Fall, but depending on where you live in the country, you may still be spending your time outdoors enjoying the warmth of Summer weather. The temperature is about to drop though, and you'll soon be sporting all of your 2008 Fall apparel and heading indoors for your extracurricular activities. I'm curious though: What you do with your Summer gear when things get chilly? Do you pack up your short shorts and send them to the attic? Do you put your surf board and your tennis racket in storage? Do you pull your heavy sweaters out of a cedar closet? Or, do all of your seasonal possessions have a place in your home year-round? Tell me by commenting below!
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In Season: Long Beans

YumSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:12 -0700

Yard-long beans, or asparagus beans, are at the peak of their season right now, which runs from late Summer to early Fall, with the exception of places such as California and Mexico where they grow year-round. They've been springing up in local farmers markets, but you can also find them at most Asian grocery stores. Do you know much about these leggy legumes, which are a relative of the black-eyed pea? To find out what to look for,

Throw Some Fruit on the Barbie

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:15:41 -0700

I've always loved barbecued fruit, such as grilled pineapples and peaches. So for a recent dinner party, I fused shish-kebab style skewers with fruit to create a warm, juicy dessert! I used figs, nectarines, and pineapple, but other fruit such as apricots, mangoes, and cantaloupe would be equally delicious. As the fruit grills, the natural sugar caramelizes, enhancing the sweetness and creating perfect grill marks.

My guests gobbled up all of the kebabs. They were such a hit that my next gathering is going to be a three-course skewered meal!

I'll start with Party's Caprese skewers, follow with a simple meat and veggie kebab, and finish with these scrumptious fruit kebabs! To throw a little fruit of your own on the barbie,

Do Tell: What Are Your Go-To Cool Off Methods?

PetSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0700

In California, it's not unusual to get some pretty hot temps in September, and last weekend was no exception. LilPeaPod took Samson camping for the first time, and not only was he totally overwhelmed with nature, it was also super hot. It's pretty well known that smooshies don't do well with heat or swimming, so taking a dip in the lake was out of the question. LilPeaPod explains how she kept little Samson cool in the blazing hot 95-degree weather with a little ice:

Since Samson can't swim, I decided to bring the water to him by using our melted ice from our cooler. I soaked his collar and a towel to keep his body temp down while he slept in the shade. We also gave him plenty of ice to snack on (which he loves, obviously) – it kept him cool until the temps dropped that evening!

If your pets can't swim, it's pretty easy to keep them comfy with a few ice cubes and some water! What are your surefire ways to keep your pets cool in the hot weather?

Yum's September Must Haves

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:01:31 -0700

For me, September means hoarding as much Summer produce as possible before it's gone and savoring each day of beautiful weather — while we still have it— with pool parties, picnics, and fireside campouts. On the social front, this month also brings more political banter as we approach the presidential election. Here are five of my essentials for September.

Dog Days of Summer: Treating Minor Burns

PetSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:15 -0700

Don't leave your grills (or pets) unsupervised at any outdoor parties! Have some extra sticks and balls to distract him from hovering around the BBQ and your yums. If your speedy pup grabs something piping hot, or gets too close to the grill, you should have a plan, and supplies, to treat paw burns.

If your dog is walking as if in pain, incessantly licking his paws, or you spot any cracking or blistering on the pads, he could have a minor burn. (Remember the dangers of sidewalks and hot sand, too.)

If he suffers a burn such as this, apply a cool, wet compress to sooth. Clean the wound then cover with a pet-safe burn ointment or spray – yet another use for aloe – and wrap with gauze. I especially like this first aid kit ($18) because it includes an antiseptic, liquid bandage spray, sterile eyewash, non-stick pad, and gauze roll for all those emergencies.

Dog Days of Summer: Keep Pets Out of the Trash!

PetSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:45:31 -0700

Keep the trash safe from your nosy pets! In addition to the obvious dangers of cleaning product poisons or choking hazards, the bacteria and molds found in rotting foods can seriously endanger your furry friends . . . they can't distinguish between spoiled and fresh yums!

The millions of bacteria found in your old take-out or spoiled meat can lead to food poisoning and inflammation or bloating of the intestinal tract and abdomen (bacterial enteritis). What's more other foods like cheese, nuts, and pasta are ripe environments for a variety of molds that can produce the scary-sounding tremorgenic mycotoxins, substances that cause symptoms similar to snail bait or strychnine poisoning. If your pup has ingested these metabolites, look out for muscle tremors, spasms, seizures, and elevated temperature – it can require overnight hospital care so bring a pet to a vet if you suspect it!

Even if your trash is safely contained, learn one more risky spot pets can find these threats when you

Dog Days of Summer: Rat Poison

PetSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:15:47 -0700

While there are times I wish North had more outdoor space to frolic, quite often I'm grateful for my pooch's sheltered city lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, he still takes nice long walks . . . but I'm on the other end of the leash making sure his nose (and mouth) stay out of mischief!

While we know not to have hazardous chemicals like rat poison around the house, you can't be certain that all your neighbors behave the same way. If a pet is not decontaminated immediately after ingestion, these agents are absorbed into the blood and ultimately alter the ability of blood to clot normally.

Learn what to look for when you

Dog Days of Summer: "Death Cap" Mushrooms

PetSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:49 -0700

As if the ominous name didn't clue you in, death caps are very dangerous. This species is responsible for the majority – 95 percent! – of fatal mushroom poisoning of people and pets. Not commonly found throughout the US, the fungi have been reported in areas as wide-reaching as upstate NY and New Jersey over to southern Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you're taking a walk with your pooch, know how to recognize and avoid the (scientific name) Amanita phalloides. They grow year-round and thrive in moist environments commonly found on the roots of live trees. Although the above picture is one example, exact identification is unreliable because their appearance can vary . . . translation: Don't eat, or let pets eat, any wild growing mushrooms.

Learn how this affects your pets and should be treated when you

Icy, Spicy Cantaloupe and Cucumber Paletas

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:15:56 -0700

With the end of Summer fast approaching, I made a Popsicle inspired by Mexican paletas, a mostly pureed frozen fruit dessert that's either ice- or cream-based. After chopping up a cantaloupe last week, I wanted to combine it with a crisp cucumber and spicy jalapeño to create a refreshing yet snappy paleta.Zealous with my jalapeño, I chopped up an entire thing, seeds and all, and threw it in the blender. The result was too spicy for my taste, so I balanced the heat by adding a touch of sugar. Depending on your personal taste, I would recommend removing the seeds and the white flesh, the spiciest part of a jalapeño, before blending. These peppery paletas are perfect for a scorching hot day, so to learn how to make them,