Tag: tips

Holiday Visiting Etiquette for Dog People

Holidays can be stressful and sometimes the issue of dogs and cats can be divisive, especially if one person considers them family members and another can’t stand animals in the house. We have always considered our dogs family members and that our home is their home. However, we don’t expect other people to open their homes to our dog.

We also are very specific when we make invitations to friends with dogs. For years dogs were included because our Maggie Mae loved having company and was great about sharing. Poppy, on the other hand, will bark at any dog in her territory, so we’ve been reluctant to test her reaction to other dogs in her home.

When someone invites us to visit, we assume that invitation does not include Poppy. Even when she would love to come and has dressed for the occasion to convince us to take her as she did in the photo above.

We would never ask anyone, even people who have dogs or who love dogs, to include her in our visit. What’s more, sometimes a dog or cat waiting for you at home might just give you the perfect reason to limit the time you spend visiting one of your less amusing relatives.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

November 19, 2017
Holiday Visiting Etiquette for Dog People

Holidays can be stressful and sometimes the issue of dogs and cats can be divisive, especially if one person considers them family members and another can’t stand animals in the house. We have always considered our dogs family members and that our home is their home. However, we don’t expect other people to open their homes to our dog.

We also are very specific when we make invitations to friends with dogs. For years dogs were included because our Maggie Mae loved having company and was great about sharing. Poppy, on the other hand, will bark at any dog in her territory, so we’ve been reluctant to test her reaction to other dogs in her home.

When someone invites us to visit, we assume that invitation does not include Poppy. Even when she would love to come and has dressed for the occasion to convince us to take her as she did in the photo above.

We would never ask anyone, even people who have dogs or who love dogs, to include her in our visit. What’s more, sometimes a dog or cat waiting for you at home might just give you the perfect reason to limit the time you spend visiting one of your less amusing relatives.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

November 19, 2017
Winter & Holiday Preparations for Families that Include Dogs
When you think about preparing for winter, your first thoughts might be about snow tires or weatherproofing windows, but there are some dog related items you might want to add to your winter preparation list.

Maxie looks great in her winter sweater!

Before all the de-icing supplies for your building are purchased, you might ask that pet safe de-icer be used rather than salt or other toxic chemicals. This will not only benefit your dog, but also all the dogs who pass your home. It may even help some inside kitties since the people in the family won’t track in potential poisons.

Poppy loves winter more than we do. This is her response when we say she's been out too long.

If your winter gear is in storage, it’s time for a switch. Put away the beach gear, life jackets, and sun shades. If you haven’t taken a good look at your dog’s winter supplies, such as jackets, boots, sweaters, and your own cold weather walk equipment, now is a good time to assess and resupply before a sudden storm calls for full winter gear.

If you have a car and your dog travels with you, winter requires protection for seats from snowy, muddy paws. If you use car services, be sure to bring a towel or waterproof pad when your dog shares your ride. We always contact the driver to say we’re bringing a dog and something to protect your car seat.

Zipcar requires that members use a travel crate or bag when they take a pet along. In addition to the crate, we cover the back seat with waterproof pads so that Poppy can walk to her crate without leaving behind paw prints, sand, mud, or salt.

Here are a few more of our winter tips for dog families:
Marley is a well-traveled dog and a perfect guest in any home.

Travel Plans

The holiday season often requires special arrangements if you plan to travel or spend time with nearby family or friends.

Even with hotels and other lodgings you have visited with your pets in the past, confirming current policies and fees can prevent a nasty surprise when you arrive. We find that some fees are unreasonable. For example, Disney recently decided to allow pets in some of their hotels. However, they are charging a $50 per night cleaning fee.

Should you plan to have your favorite pet sitter, boarding kennel, friend, or family member take care of your critter while you are away, it’s a good idea to discuss this now before all spots are filled or other plans are made.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)
November 12, 2017
Winter & Holiday Preparations for Families that Include Dogs
When you think about preparing for winter, your first thoughts might be about snow tires or weatherproofing windows, but there are some dog related items you might want to add to your winter preparation list.

Maxie looks great in her winter sweater!

Before all the de-icing supplies for your building are purchased, you might ask that pet safe de-icer be used rather than salt or other toxic chemicals. This will not only benefit your dog, but also all the dogs who pass your home. It may even help some inside kitties since the people in the family won’t track in potential poisons.

Poppy loves winter more than we do. This is her response when we say she's been out too long.

If your winter gear is in storage, it’s time for a switch. Put away the beach gear, life jackets, and sun shades. If you haven’t taken a good look at your dog’s winter supplies, such as jackets, boots, sweaters, and your own cold weather walk equipment, now is a good time to assess and resupply before a sudden storm calls for full winter gear.

If you have a car and your dog travels with you, winter requires protection for seats from snowy, muddy paws. If you use car services, be sure to bring a towel or waterproof pad when your dog shares your ride. We always contact the driver to say we’re bringing a dog and something to protect your car seat.

Zipcar requires that members use a travel crate or bag when they take a pet along. In addition to the crate, we cover the back seat with waterproof pads so that Poppy can walk to her crate without leaving behind paw prints, sand, mud, or salt.

Here are a few more of our winter tips for dog families:
Marley is a well-traveled dog and a perfect guest in any home.

Travel Plans

The holiday season often requires special arrangements if you plan to travel or spend time with nearby family or friends.

Even with hotels and other lodgings you have visited with your pets in the past, confirming current policies and fees can prevent a nasty surprise when you arrive. We find that some fees are unreasonable. For example, Disney recently decided to allow pets in some of their hotels. However, they are charging a $50 per night cleaning fee.

Should you plan to have your favorite pet sitter, boarding kennel, friend, or family member take care of your critter while you are away, it’s a good idea to discuss this now before all spots are filled or other plans are made.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)
November 12, 2017
Habits That Work in the BostonZest Kitchen

If you watch an experienced cook in the kitchen, you could pick up some good habits. There are things they do without thinking that should be part of all our cooking routines.

Work Clean

Wash your hands when you enter the kitchen to prepare to cook. This habit should be part of your food safety plan. As a person who prepares food for yourself and your family, you should be as serious about the topic of food safety as the restaurant chef who holds a Food Safety Certification.

If you are making a number of items, prepare the ones that will be used raw (such as the compound butter above) before you work with items that will be cooked, like the carrots and celery in this photo.

Beware of cross contamination. Use separate cutting boards and knives for meat and fresh foods or wash these items completely in hot, soapy water before changing what you are cutting. And, work on these raw proteins last. Keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut them.

Cross contamination is also a factor if you are cooking for someone with a serious food allergy.

In our small space, we have to clean as we go or there wouldn’t be any counter space left. While involved in a major cooking session, you'll see a container with hot, soapy water for us to toss in soiled utensils as we work.

Hand wash and dry your knives as soon as you finish using them. Knives in a bucket of soapy water are dangerous. Knives sitting on a counter among other cooking detritus are just waiting to cut someone.

Mise en Place and "Meanwhile"

There are times, like when you’re making a stir-fry, risotto, or a complex new recipe, when you should set up a complete collection of ready-to-use ingredients. Chef Sara Moulton came up with the term “meanwhile” for times when you should gather all the ingredients and equipment you need to make a dish and then get started.

Moulton suggests you, “Decide in what order you should prep the ingredients. For a pasta dish, for example, you should start by getting a large pot of water on to boil; meanwhile you can heat the oil in a skillet slowly while you chop the onion. Add the onion to the oil and cook it while you mince the garlic. Add the garlic to the onion while you chop the tomatoes, etc.”

Do you have a favorite habit that works in your kitchen? Share with us and our readers in the comments below!

Related Post:

The Kitchn's "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks" Series Is Our Friday Link

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

October 4, 2017
Habits That Work in the BostonZest Kitchen

If you watch an experienced cook in the kitchen, you could pick up some good habits. There are things they do without thinking that should be part of all our cooking routines.

Work Clean

Wash your hands when you enter the kitchen to prepare to cook. This habit should be part of your food safety plan. As a person who prepares food for yourself and your family, you should be as serious about the topic of food safety as the restaurant chef who holds a Food Safety Certification.

If you are making a number of items, prepare the ones that will be used raw (such as the compound butter above) before you work with items that will be cooked, like the carrots and celery in this photo.

Beware of cross contamination. Use separate cutting boards and knives for meat and fresh foods or wash these items completely in hot, soapy water before changing what you are cutting. And, work on these raw proteins last. Keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut them.

Cross contamination is also a factor if you are cooking for someone with a serious food allergy.

In our small space, we have to clean as we go or there wouldn’t be any counter space left. While involved in a major cooking session, you'll see a container with hot, soapy water for us to toss in soiled utensils as we work.

Hand wash and dry your knives as soon as you finish using them. Knives in a bucket of soapy water are dangerous. Knives sitting on a counter among other cooking detritus are just waiting to cut someone.

Mise en Place and "Meanwhile"

There are times, like when you’re making a stir-fry, risotto, or a complex new recipe, when you should set up a complete collection of ready-to-use ingredients. Chef Sara Moulton came up with the term “meanwhile” for times when you should gather all the ingredients and equipment you need to make a dish and then get started.

Moulton suggests you, “Decide in what order you should prep the ingredients. For a pasta dish, for example, you should start by getting a large pot of water on to boil; meanwhile you can heat the oil in a skillet slowly while you chop the onion. Add the onion to the oil and cook it while you mince the garlic. Add the garlic to the onion while you chop the tomatoes, etc.”

Do you have a favorite habit that works in your kitchen? Share with us and our readers in the comments below!

Related Post:

The Kitchn's "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks" Series Is Our Friday Link

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

October 4, 2017
Portion Control: Small Dishes Are Healthy Eating Tools

For the past year, we have both been eating in a much healthier way. Today's "Friday Link" is to some reports on portion control and how important the concept is to our overall health.

First you have to understand that what we consider a "portion of food" today has changed over the years. Business insider gives a breakdown of the change in size of some popular items we eat.

Over on VegKitchen there is a breakdown of how the size of dinnerware has increased.

The Mayo Clinic has a post on visual cues you can use to remember what a portion of various food groups should be. For example, your protein portion should be the size of a deck of cards and four dice-size cheese cubes = one portion.

Tips and Tricks

One of the tricks that Penny has used in her successful weight loss program is serving herself on smaller plates.

This light supper of avocado toast and vegetables looks like a full plate when it's served on a small bread & butter dish.

A little treat like ice cream is served in espresso cups. That way a treat does not become a threat to a healthier lifestyle.

Other nibbles, like almonds, are measured out in mini mason jars in the morning, assuring that she knows how many she's eaten that day.

In fact we have lots of mason jars in various sizes. These can hold about one portion of pretzels or grapes for snacking or pre-measured servings of soup or a casserole for a meal.

When Dining Out

Often Penny will order an appetizer as her main course or we'll share an entrée and appetizer or an entrée and dessert. She has also discovered that if she chooses a food that takes time and attention to eat – such as clams, mussels, chicken wings, or artichokes – she'll take her time and eat less. And a slice of grilled bread (like the one in the photo above) is always shared with Ed, the resident bread-a-holic.

When faced with an oversized portion, you can decide how much you can eat. Ask for a sharing plate. Put the portion you want on that plate and either offer the rest to your dining companions or ask the server to put that in a take-out container to have for another meal. While there are certain dishes we love ordering, the portions are often so large that we can enjoy two or sometimes three meals from them.

If you make yourself more aware of what a portion should be, you'll eat healthy quantities and perhaps decide that you would rather buy smaller portions of local, sustainable food instead of large portions of cheap food from big commercial producers.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 15, 2017
Portion Control: Small Dishes Are Healthy Eating Tools

For the past year, we have both been eating in a much healthier way. Today's "Friday Link" is to some reports on portion control and how important the concept is to our overall health.

First you have to understand that what we consider a "portion of food" today has changed over the years. Business insider gives a breakdown of the change in size of some popular items we eat.

Over on VegKitchen there is a breakdown of how the size of dinnerware has increased.

The Mayo Clinic has a post on visual cues you can use to remember what a portion of various food groups should be. For example, your protein portion should be the size of a deck of cards and four dice-size cheese cubes = one portion.

Tips and Tricks

One of the tricks that Penny has used in her successful weight loss program is serving herself on smaller plates.

This light supper of avocado toast and vegetables looks like a full plate when it's served on a small bread & butter dish.

A little treat like ice cream is served in espresso cups. That way a treat does not become a threat to a healthier lifestyle.

Other nibbles, like almonds, are measured out in mini mason jars in the morning, assuring that she knows how many she's eaten that day.

In fact we have lots of mason jars in various sizes. These can hold about one portion of pretzels or grapes for snacking or pre-measured servings of soup or a casserole for a meal.

When Dining Out

Often Penny will order an appetizer as her main course or we'll share an entrée and appetizer or an entrée and dessert. She has also discovered that if she chooses a food that takes time and attention to eat – such as clams, mussels, chicken wings, or artichokes – she'll take her time and eat less. And a slice of grilled bread (like the one in the photo above) is always shared with Ed, the resident bread-a-holic.

When faced with an oversized portion, you can decide how much you can eat. Ask for a sharing plate. Put the portion you want on that plate and either offer the rest to your dining companions or ask the server to put that in a take-out container to have for another meal. While there are certain dishes we love ordering, the portions are often so large that we can enjoy two or sometimes three meals from them.

If you make yourself more aware of what a portion should be, you'll eat healthy quantities and perhaps decide that you would rather buy smaller portions of local, sustainable food instead of large portions of cheap food from big commercial producers.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 15, 2017
Grilled Cheddar Cheese with Onion, Thyme, and Tomato on a Rustic Bread? “Yes, Please!”

The lunch in the photo above was pulled together from what was left in the house before farmers market day. The sandwich is grilled cheddar cheese with onion, thyme, and tomato on a rustic bread.

Thanks to a tip I follow from David Leite, I had a jar of sautéed onions in the refrigerator. I always sauté extra, since I bought the New Portuguese Table, years ago. (Here's more about that in our post: Cook's Treasure: Sautéed Onions and Garlic.)

Since I was being lazy and trying to make a quick lunch, I don't think I would have sautéed an onion to add to these sandwiches. But since I had these softly sautéed onions all ready, I sprinkled a few on each pile of goodies as I prepared a platter of grilled cheese. The thyme came about because I keep a vase of herbs on my counter right where I do food prep.

My other helper in making this meal was my induction burner. It makes controlling the temperature of the pan, to get just enough toast on the sandwich, easier. Since I added this to my kitchen, I seldom use my stovetop. Induction gives me faster heat, better control, and a much easier clean up.

My electric stovetop has become extra counter space and the place where I setup my induction burner, since that puts it under the kitchen vent. I place a large wooden cutting board under the induction burner and a full sheet pan covered with newspaper or parchment over the burners next to it. This makes clean up a snap!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

August 16, 2017
T-Shirt Weather for Dogs, Too!
Summer is t-shirt time around here. Not only for us humans, but also for our Westie Poppy.

We have told you about how we use a t-shirt as an extra layer of warmth in winter. This time of year, we use it as a way to keep Poppy cleaner and drier on wet and muddy days.

How dirty does a doggie t-shirt get?

This dirty!

We always say it is easier to clean the dog t-shirt than the dog. So, while we will dip her feet and wash down her legs after a messy walk, we just hang the messy t-shirt to dry over the tub.

Ed has come up with a great solution to brush and shake all that gunk off the shirt without making a mess around the house. He puts it into a plastic shopping bag for clean up. Once the loose sand and dirt is off, it can go into the wash for a final cleaning.

More T-shirt Tips!
- There are t-shirts for dogs. The black one in the photos is a 16 inch size that fits our 17 pound Westie perfectly.
- We have also used t-shirts made for small humans on our dogs. A pony tail tie will work to fit the shirt to the pup's waist.
- Rolling up the sleeves and tacking them with a stitch will make sure your dogs doesn't trip over or get caught-up in a long sleeve.
- We highly recommend a pre-soak in a product like Nature's Miracle, if a shirt smells doggie.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny Cherubino

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