Ticked Off
August 10, 2008
You may be familiar with having ticks in our environment, but did you know these facts? Our common ticks are Deer Ticks and American Dog Ticks. They survive in hot and cold weather. Some of the diseases they carry are Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia,and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The only way to acquire these diseases is from a tick bite or tick fluids getting in to an open wound. Dogs are very susceptible to Lyme Disease, Like people, but interestingly cats are not. Multiple infections can even be acquired at the same time!
Symptoms of Lyme Disease are: Shifting leg lameness (seems to move from one leg to another), fever, lethargy, depression,and decreased appetite. If caught early, Lyme Disease can be treated with antibiotic. If not treated soon enough, it can cause irreversible kidney failure and death.
Preventative measures include topical flea and tick products such as Frontline, Advantix, and Revolution
available from your veterinarian. Frontline spray can be applied just before an outdoor trip to the woods or camping for quick effect. An exception to the “don’t use a flea and tick collar” rule is a Preventic collar which deters and kills Ticks for up to 3 months and is also available from your veterinarian.
There are Lyme vaccines currently available for dogs. This is not a guarantee against acquiring the disease but it can be helpful for dogs that are exposed. The Lyme vaccine doesn’t replace good tick control and vice versa. They are two measures that should be used together to fight ticks and the diseases that they carry. Remember to check your pet often if he goes outside and especially after a hike in the woods or a camping trip.
Cantaloupe Martini
August 10, 2008
A friend of mine just retired from Montgomery County Police Department with 33 years of service so needless to say at her retirement party the spirits were flowing. My friend Carolyn introduced me to this wonderful, refreshing drink. It is absolutely delicious.
Cantaloupe Martini
1 cup cold water
About 12 oz of precut cantaloupe
2 tbl. Sugar
1 lime juiced and 1 lime for garnish
Ice cubes
Melon vodka
In a blender add water, cantaloupe, sugar and lime juice. Puree until liquid consistency. Strain into measuring cup. Fill martini shaker with ice cubes. Pour in one part melon vodka to 2 parts cantaloupe juice. Shake vigorously. To serve pour into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with slice of lime
Lydia’s Italian Roast Beef
August 10, 2008
10 lb roast beef
1 cup of carrots (diced small)
1/2 cup celery (diced small)
Medium onion (diced small)
Garlic (4 whole cloves and 4 crushed)
6 oz can of tomato paste
3 cans beef broth
1 cup of red wine
2 tsp of ea. Salt / Pepper
Basil (a few leaves, take out after cooking)
About 2 dozen Buns (We use semi hard but whatever you like)
*I do this part a day ahead. I cook the beef, shred it and put in the refrigerator, separate from the juice, until the next day when I’m going to serve it.
Make 2 holes in each roast. Put a clove of garlic in each. Salt/Pepper the roasts. Place roasts in roaster with water ? the way up the roasts. Cover and cook at 350 for 3-4 hours. Take the roast out (keep juice) and shred with a fork. It’s better to do when they are still warm.
The next step is to put the juice back into the roaster and add the rest of the ingredients. After you mix it, add the shredded beef. Cook for another 1-2 hours @ 350.
*You could also use a crock pot for this step if you like.
Tasty Tips from Tina - August 2008
August 10, 2008
I want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments I received about my first article. I was so excited that people actually tried the zucchini pizza and enjoyed it.
Going through my mother’s recipes brought back a lot of sentimental and funny memories. My husband Ron and I laughed about how we never went to a family picnic where there were hamburgers or hotdogs. We always had Aunt Franny’s homemade spaghetti, (more like sinkers) with hard boiled eggs sliced on top, (don’t ask), lasagna, Italian sausage and Italian Roast Beef. Growing up we thought that was normal picnic food. Come to think of it, we had that menu for all family functions. There were two things you could always count on. Something was going to be swimming in sauce and there was going to be a ton of food.
I am going to share with you my cousin Lydia’s Italian Roast Beef. Again, this feeds a group of people. It’s great for a get together because you can make it ahead of time and just warm it up instead of standing in front of a hot grill. Also, you can separate and freeze it and you’ll have dinner already prepared.
Ciao! Tina
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