A Mr. Cheddar Pet Peeve Post- Shaving Dogs in Summer
Mr. Cheddar here.
Yes, the DOG-DAYS of summer are just around the corner.
And today, I want to talk about…
D-O-G-S and one of my Summer Pet Peeves:
Shaving/clipping off a dog’s fur in summer.
I’ve asked one of our online canine pals to join us, the fabulous Rumpydog.
Yes, I know he’s a dog and I’m a cat but he is one cool dude, even if he is a canine!!!
Ain’t he a cutie? And look at that gorgeous coat!
So here’s the scoop and I’m not talking litter this time!
We live in a small city where there are a lot of dogs and usually very hot summers. Every year, there are so/too many dogs walking around with their coats shaved off. The humans who live with these dogs must think they are doing them a favor shaving off their fur, but in reality they aren’t.
Here’s one of many articles online about why you shouldn’t shave off your dog’s fur, unless it is for medical reasons.
Meowmie also asked a couple of veterinarians about this and they said the same thing.
A dog’s coat is to protect them not just the cold but from the heat too.
As far as the groomers who routinely clip off dog’s fur for the summer, well it’s just $$ in their pockets. They aren’t going to tell clients not to do this are they?
Save some $$ this summer and save your pet from getting sunburned, overheated…
Don’t shave your pooch!
There, I feel better already. Glad I got that off my chest! 
Looks like Rumpy feels better too. 
Visit Rumpydog for more pet care tips and lots of other interesting pet-related posts!
It’s Almost Ice Cream Time Again!
Tasted a delish commercial coconut milk ice cream this past week (I’ll be reviewing that product soon) but it also got me thinking about making my own coconut milk ice cream, at home.
Here’s the review of the Hamilton Beach ice cream maker that I use, works great!
Found this excellent list of coconut milk based ice cream recipes over at the Mother Nature Network. These all sound so yummy!
Have you tried coconut milk ice cream?
If you haven’t yet, you’re in for a treat. Every bit as rich and delicious as dairy types.
Bring on summer and ice cream, all kinds!
Last Chance to Enter the Spring Yarn Lover’s Contest!
If you haven’t entered already there’s still time, contest closes April 30th!
Click to read the details and enter to win a fab yarn-lover’s package valued at over $75.
Good luck and Happy Crafting!
Another Kitchen Glass Experiment!
If you are a past, present, happy or disgruntled…. user of Pyrex or Anchor Hocking glass bake/storage ware, you might want to read this recent (positive) review/report, over at my product review blog: My Real Life Reviews for Simax Glass Bake/Storage Ware.
Suffice to say, my research and experiments with these glass products have been a real eye-opener! And not entirely in a good way. 
But there is a happy ending! Don’t ya love those?
More News About Power/Snack/Energy/Nutritional Bars
Here’s a recent post from my product review blog: My Real Life Reviews with some important information about questionable processing methods/ingredients used in a number of popular nutritional/snack bars. Also includes links to some homemade alternatives for making your own snack bars that are: easy to make, healthier, oh so tasty and cheaper too.
And another “eye-opener” on this topic from: Natural News
It really is worth the time and effort to make as much as you can ”from scratch” whenever possible and for so many reasons!
If you have a good recipe for a homemade snack/nutritional bar, please share a link if you can!
Happy Snacking, AND Buyer Beware!
A New Blog to Share!
A new blog is born!
Woven Dreams Prompts is my newest blog, just started this past week.
This is a creative prompt blog, for participants to post and share all kinds of creative offerings: poetry, short stories, photos, quotes, sketches…in keeping with a particular week’s prompt word or phrase.
Things got started on Sunday with the prompt BLUE and I’m encouraged by the interest that’s been shown already.
I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and I hope there will be a lot of creative bloggers stopping by on a regular basis to share their work.
This upcoming Sunday’s prompt is TRANSFORMATION.
Prompts will be posted for whole week starting on Sunday, so plenty of time to stop by, post your work and of course visit other participant’s blogs too. That’s really what prompt blogs are all about. The community spirit of sharing each other’s creativity.
Hope to see you there soon!
Happy Week.
What’s a Burger Without a Great Bun??
With BBQ season just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about burgers, hot dogs, buns…and healthier alternatives for all of them.
Today at my product review blog, I’m posting a review of Sol Cuisine Mushroom Rice Burgers.
This was a product I liked until I received an email from their company yesterday, with some “details” about their production process that I am NOT impressed or happy with.
Stop by My Real Life Reviews to read the full review. Suffice to say, sometimes even reading labels and checking information online is NOT enough. This company has lost a long-time customer, that’s for sure.
On a more positive note, it’s definitely doable to make a lot of the “basics” like veggie and (yes…) meat burgers and buns to go with them, from scratch.
These are my all-time fav burger buns:
Bread-Machine Rosemary Flax Buns
and not just because they are my own recipe.
If you’ve never made your own burger and hot dog buns, this is definitely an easy way to get started. And if you aren’t a fan of rosemary, you can definitely leave it out.
A burger is JUST a burger, without a great bun to go with it!
I’m amazed at how many people who seem to be so particular about the burgers they buy or make , spend lots of $$$ on all sorts of toppings, but don’t pay any attention to the quality of buns they use; usually ending up with the cheapo, white-bread, soggy kind that are absolutely tasteless!
It’s not right and it’s not necessary.
Here’s the link to the complete recipe for these delicious and oh so easy to make buns
If you give these buns a try, do let me know how you like them!
And on the topic of all things burger, what is your fav, absolutely MUST have topping ?
Mine is: dill pickles, sliced very thin and lots of them. Yummm….
Happy Baking and BBQ!
PS: On a completely unrelated topic, I am testing the waters with another blog idea (just what I need, another blog)
This would be a weekly creative prompt blog.
Stop by: Woven Dreams Prompts if you’d like to know more.
Homemade Energy Bars vs Commercial Choices
I was doing a search today for good/tasty/healthy energy bar options.
Wow, there’s a lot of junk out there that is being hyped as the answer to this ongoing (and for so many people) culinary/snack quest.
Most of the commercial bars that I checked out either looked yucky and tasteless and/or they had ingredient lists that left much to be desired.
I did find these energy bar recipes over at the Rodale Press site that actually look good. Very simple combos of healthier ingredients, in flavours that sound appealing too: Raw Lemon-Coconut Bars, Chocolate Cashew Cookie Bars, Apple Pie Bars…to name a few.
I’m going to give these a try soon, need to get some ingredients to test out a couple of these recipes. But they do sound like good alternatives to some of the commercial energy bar offerings that are currently available.
Anyone know of a good commercial energy bar? Do tell!
And do let me know if you give any of these recipes a try too.
Happy Snacking!
20 Great Holiday Gift Ideas Under $20 !
I just posted this year’s 20 gift ideas under $20, over at My Real Life Reviews.
I hope you find the list helpful with your own holiday shopping!
Happy Holidays!
Pre-Holiday Book Lover’s Contest at My Real Life Reviews!
One lucky winner will win all of these great books!
Stop by soon to read all the details and enter the contest.
Contest closes November 30th!
Good luck and Happy Reading!
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