We visit Thinking Cup for great coffee. But, last weekend, we added a Boston Cream Pie to our order and discovered that they do a great job with this classic Boston dessert.
Freshness is something they certainly have mastered with their coffee drinks. And, fresh, fresh, fresh, moist, creamy, and delicious are words we muttered between bites of this lovely cake.
In this side view, you can see the layers of cake and cream.
The other important element in a great Boston Cream Pie is the chocolate ganache frosting. Thinking Cup makes theirs with an excellent quality chocolate. You can taste the difference. And, we love the little tray (complete with a tiny grab handle) to lift the cake from the case.
This week, our Sunday Dog is a cat named Lion. This healthy, young fellow starred in one of Penny's City Paws newpspaper columns about the warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats. Happily, he's part of a smart and caring family who will take good care of him and be alert for any sign of illness.
Now that summer is here, we spend a bit more time outside sitting with our dogs and inside enjoying the air conditioning and stroking our cats. This is the perfect opportunity to take a good look at our furry friends and combine cuddles with a bit of detective work.
This closeness can contribute to longer, healthier lives if we use that proximity to notice little changes in our companion animals that might be an early warning sign of cancer. Just as with people, early detection and treatment can save lives.
The Animal Cancer Foundation estimates that 1 in 3 people, 1 in 4 dogs, and 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer in their lifetimes.
Warning Signs
If you’ve learned to watch for signs of cancer in yourself and your human family members, you already know some of the things to look for in your dog or cat.
Lumps and bumps (especially those that are new, changing, or growing) and coughs (especially dry coughs with signs of difficult breathing) should be reviewed by a veterinarian.
Wounds or sores that don’t heal, abnormal discharges, and swollen lymph nodes need a professional check. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to feel the lymph nodes behind the jaw and knee. Once you know what normal feels like, you can check anytime you’re petting or grooming your pal.
If you brush your dog or cat’s teeth, you should take the time to look around the mouth and to sniff for any abnormal odors. A foul mouth odor can be a sign of an oral tumor. You should also be alert for changes in the way your dog or cat chews food, treats, and toys.
Changes in digestive habits from chronic vomiting, straining to eliminate, diarrhea, or blood in urine or stools means a visit to the vet. There are many other causes for these symptoms and your doctor may prescribe other treatments first. But, if the problem continues, it may require a biopsy or other techniques to rule cancer in or out.
Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, especially when combined with another sign, are causes for concern. This is a reason to weigh your cat or dog regularly and to keep a weight chart. You can teach larger dogs to sit on a scale or you could stop by your animal hospital between visits and ask to use theirs. With small animals, stand on a scale holding your critter and record that number. Then, weigh just yourself. Deduct your weight from the combined total and you have the animal’s weight.
Signs of pain, lethargy, or depression without another explanation could be a red flag. Pain in a dog or cat can be anything from limping to inactivity. You may notice that your cat doesn’t want to play or your dog is reluctant to go for a walk.
Breed Differences
You should have a discussion with your vet about the warning signs you need to be most vigilant in reporting about your companions. Certain breeds of dogs have a genetic predisposition to specific types of cancer and the slightest change should put you on alert.
You must be watchful on behalf of your dog or cat. Get them used to having you check their paws, ears, mouth, and run your hands along their body. Have your vet show you how to look for cancer signs and give you some idea of the ones that should be considered urgent and those that should be communicated at the next visit.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs (and other critters) at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Details: Words: Penny Cherubino edited for BostonZest from her CIty Paws Newspaper Column. Photography: Laurie Thomas
This week, our Sunday Dog is a cat named Lion. This healthy, young fellow starred in one of Penny's City Paws newpspaper columns about the warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats. Happily, he's part of a smart and caring family who will take good care of him and be alert for any sign of illness.
Now that summer is here, we spend a bit more time outside sitting with our dogs and inside enjoying the air conditioning and stroking our cats. This is the perfect opportunity to take a good look at our furry friends and combine cuddles with a bit of detective work.
This closeness can contribute to longer, healthier lives if we use that proximity to notice little changes in our companion animals that might be an early warning sign of cancer. Just as with people, early detection and treatment can save lives.
The Animal Cancer Foundation estimates that 1 in 3 people, 1 in 4 dogs, and 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer in their lifetimes.
Warning Signs
If you’ve learned to watch for signs of cancer in yourself and your human family members, you already know some of the things to look for in your dog or cat.
Lumps and bumps (especially those that are new, changing, or growing) and coughs (especially dry coughs with signs of difficult breathing) should be reviewed by a veterinarian.
Wounds or sores that don’t heal, abnormal discharges, and swollen lymph nodes need a professional check. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to feel the lymph nodes behind the jaw and knee. Once you know what normal feels like, you can check anytime you’re petting or grooming your pal.
If you brush your dog or cat’s teeth, you should take the time to look around the mouth and to sniff for any abnormal odors. A foul mouth odor can be a sign of an oral tumor. You should also be alert for changes in the way your dog or cat chews food, treats, and toys.
Changes in digestive habits from chronic vomiting, straining to eliminate, diarrhea, or blood in urine or stools means a visit to the vet. There are many other causes for these symptoms and your doctor may prescribe other treatments first. But, if the problem continues, it may require a biopsy or other techniques to rule cancer in or out.
Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, especially when combined with another sign, are causes for concern. This is a reason to weigh your cat or dog regularly and to keep a weight chart. You can teach larger dogs to sit on a scale or you could stop by your animal hospital between visits and ask to use theirs. With small animals, stand on a scale holding your critter and record that number. Then, weigh just yourself. Deduct your weight from the combined total and you have the animal’s weight.
Signs of pain, lethargy, or depression without another explanation could be a red flag. Pain in a dog or cat can be anything from limping to inactivity. You may notice that your cat doesn’t want to play or your dog is reluctant to go for a walk.
Breed Differences
You should have a discussion with your vet about the warning signs you need to be most vigilant in reporting about your companions. Certain breeds of dogs have a genetic predisposition to specific types of cancer and the slightest change should put you on alert.
You must be watchful on behalf of your dog or cat. Get them used to having you check their paws, ears, mouth, and run your hands along their body. Have your vet show you how to look for cancer signs and give you some idea of the ones that should be considered urgent and those that should be communicated at the next visit.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs (and other critters) at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Details: Words: Penny Cherubino edited for BostonZest from her CIty Paws Newspaper Column. Photography: Laurie Thomas
Regular readers know we are big fans of the Edible Boston magazine, website, and team of talented writers, editors, and photographers. The summer issue is a real keeper. It has lists of all the area farmers' markets and a list of food trucks. Along with a feature on Essex and Ipswich as an Edible Destination, this issue makes a great summer bucket list.
List of Good Businesses, too! (they call them advertisers!)
May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement.
Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.
And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!
Regular readers know we are big fans of the Edible Boston magazine, website, and team of talented writers, editors, and photographers. The summer issue is a real keeper. It has lists of all the area farmers' markets and a list of food trucks. Along with a feature on Essex and Ipswich as an Edible Destination, this issue makes a great summer bucket list.
List of Good Businesses, too! (they call them advertisers!)
May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement.
Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.
And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!
June was a great month for us. We took a lot of time off to play tourist in our own area. One of the things we did was take a daytrip for lobster rolls at the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA. (map)
Yes, those are baked beans in the cup on the side. The folks at the Lobster Pool believe in giving you choices. They were happy to make our lobster rolls with just lobster and melted butter, but they do offer a lobster salad version if you're a mayo fan. And, you can have a side of fries, onion rings, baked beans, and other choices with your sandwich.
We did get some fries but the onion rings at the next picnic table where getting rave reviews, so we'll opt for those next time.
We added a cup of clam chowder to our lunch – they do a very nice version with an abundance of clams and not too thick broth.
Often, when a dining spot offers spectacular views like the one above, you don't get the high quality food that the folks at the Lobster Pool are proud to serve. Everything is freshly caught, freshly prepared, and plentiful.
What's more, they even announce on their website that they are dog friendly at their outdoor picnic tables. We brought Poppy along and she enjoyed meeting the nice people at the next table and had a picnic of her own when we finished our lunch.
The next time you're looking for a destination out of the city, point your GPS to the Lobster Pool and relax with a great meal by the rocky shore.
And, if you want to make a full day of this adventure, explore Halibut Point State Park. It's just a half mile away and offers its own spectacular views!
June was a great month for us. We took a lot of time off to play tourist in our own area. One of the things we did was take a daytrip for lobster rolls at the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA. (map)
Yes, those are baked beans in the cup on the side. The folks at the Lobster Pool believe in giving you choices. They were happy to make our lobster rolls with just lobster and melted butter, but they do offer a lobster salad version if you're a mayo fan. And, you can have a side of fries, onion rings, baked beans, and other choices with your sandwich.
We did get some fries but the onion rings at the next picnic table where getting rave reviews, so we'll opt for those next time.
We added a cup of clam chowder to our lunch – they do a very nice version with an abundance of clams and not too thick broth.
Often, when a dining spot offers spectacular views like the one above, you don't get the high quality food that the folks at the Lobster Pool are proud to serve. Everything is freshly caught, freshly prepared, and plentiful.
What's more, they even announce on their website that they are dog friendly at their outdoor picnic tables. We brought Poppy along and she enjoyed meeting the nice people at the next table and had a picnic of her own when we finished our lunch.
The next time you're looking for a destination out of the city, point your GPS to the Lobster Pool and relax with a great meal by the rocky shore.
And, if you want to make a full day of this adventure, explore Halibut Point State Park. It's just a half mile away and offers its own spectacular views!
On a June Monday afternoon, we slipped into Neptune Oyster with a meer half hour wait for two seats at the bar – another reason why June is our favorite month to be in Boston!
We make a habit of checking the menu while we wait and seeing King Salmon cooked rare on the entrees made Ed's decision an easy one.
Ed said it reminded him of a piece of black & blue tuna with a slight crust, tender – an almost sushi interior.
A second indication of how much he was enjoying this fish … he wasn't eating his veggies, "They were prepared well (al dente), but I found myself ignoring them until I devoured every last morsel of salmon." But, rest assured, the plate went back to the kitchen wiped clean of veggies and sauce.
By 3 pm, there were a few walk-in seats available and the staff was taking a well earned moment to breathe. Ed was talking about ordering a second plate of King Salmon. It was that good.
The final word from Ed. "I always know that I’ve had a special dish when I keep thinking about it hours (or in this case days) after the meal."
While King Salmon may not be on the menu when you visit Neptune, our advice is to try the fish that Chef Michael Serpa has decided is perfect to put on his menu that day. You may find yourself thinking about it for days to come.
Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.
On a June Monday afternoon, we slipped into Neptune Oyster with a meer half hour wait for two seats at the bar – another reason why June is our favorite month to be in Boston!
We make a habit of checking the menu while we wait and seeing King Salmon cooked rare on the entrees made Ed's decision an easy one.
Ed said it reminded him of a piece of black & blue tuna with a slight crust, tender – an almost sushi interior.
A second indication of how much he was enjoying this fish … he wasn't eating his veggies, "They were prepared well (al dente), but I found myself ignoring them until I devoured every last morsel of salmon." But, rest assured, the plate went back to the kitchen wiped clean of veggies and sauce.
By 3 pm, there were a few walk-in seats available and the staff was taking a well earned moment to breathe. Ed was talking about ordering a second plate of King Salmon. It was that good.
The final word from Ed. "I always know that I’ve had a special dish when I keep thinking about it hours (or in this case days) after the meal."
While King Salmon may not be on the menu when you visit Neptune, our advice is to try the fish that Chef Michael Serpa has decided is perfect to put on his menu that day. You may find yourself thinking about it for days to come.
Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.
Only in Provincetown could Kermit the Frog flaunt his fluorescent colors and ride proudly through the town on the handlebars of a bike, on the way to work at an art gallery.
Provincetown is a place where it is actually easy, "Bein' Green." If you haven't seen this video in a while, please watch it. You are okay just as you are. Kermit says so!
Be Green as often as you can.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
or find more local food in the 
and support this site!
from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.
