Posts Tagged by Stairs
I’m obsessed…..
March 8, 2013 | Posted by Ruth under Inspirational & motivational, Recipes, Soul food, Training/Behavior |
……with Brussels sprouts. Who knew?
I’ve hated them all of my life. Too bitter, too smelly, too cabbagy. Just “too”. The thought of cooking them was intimidating & unsettling. Yet, all of my foodie friends were enthusiastic about them. So a few months ago, I went on a mission to figure out what all the fuss was about. I tried all incarnations of sprouts in restaurants & in recipes at home. Much to my delight, I finally stumbled upon an easy way to roast some charisma into the little green guys. And now, I’m a fan.

Ruth’s Brussels Sprouts:
Trim & halve 2 lbs. of sprouts. In a large bowl, toss sprouts with 2T olive oil, 2T maple syrup, 3 slices of bacon cut into 1/2 in. pieces, and sea salt/ground pepper (to taste). Roast @ 400 degrees for 30 min., turning every 10 minutes or so, until sprouts are tender & caramelized, and bacon is crisply golden. Yum!
What does this have to do with pets? Everything, in my opinion.
We all (us & our pets) get stuck in ruts that prevent us from trying new things. New is suspect. New is hard. New is scary. But new can be wonderful. It’s in the absence of stepping outside your box that you miss the wonderful. Here’s an idea: Today, try something new, and include your pet. It’s uber-easy, really. For example, walk in a new neighborhood or in a different direction. Or – Wake up & consider what you’re grateful for. Sit silently with your pet as you do this. Just breathe & be. I think you’ll find that your day is a little brighter, and your pet will respond to your light.
My little guy, Rusty, had to try new things when we adopted him.
I know that my attitude about “new” is contagious to animals, so I presented each experience with a balance of enthusiasm & patience, @ his pace. Soon, Rusty’s list of things he never knew he liked grew rapidly. He now loves tuck-ins, the stairs to our bed, catch games, rides in his car seat, and beach walks. (See? Once you get started, you’re more optimistic that the next thing you try will be fun, too. Suddenly, you’re craving & relishing “new”.)
That brings us back to those crave-worthy Brussels sprouts. Can your dog try them?
Well, maybe just one from your batch. But ideally, roast a few separately when you cook yours. Only use olive oil & a bit of honey (optional). No salt, pepper or bacon for Pup. Cool completely, and only give 1/2 a sprout to your dog, as a treat. If all goes well, a sprout a day for only a few days should be fine. (As always, check with your vet 1st before changing your pet’s diet.) Sprouts contain isothiniocyanate, a chemical from mustard oil that can be a gastrointestinal irritant. Fortunately, roasting seems to minimize its offensive effects on humans & dogs. Same goes for other members of the cabbage family: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage itself.
So I’m taking my own advice, and I’m on another quest to like something new: Cooked cauliflower.
I love it raw in salads or dips, but cooked is another story. Roasting might be the way to go again. What do you think? If you have a tried & true way to tastily cook cauliflower, please share. Please.
©2013 The Soulful Pet
First steps
March 4, 2013 | Posted by Ruth under Inspirational & motivational, Pup culture, Training/Behavior, Videos |
Hey, we all fall. Just ask Jennifer Lawrence …… or me.
As a teenager, I fell down the front steps to my high school while wearing cute new heels. (Everyone saw; 5 guys were on the stairs, too; no one helped.) It was not a fashion moment. I was a hot mess. So what’s a girl to do? Don’t let the fall define you, that’s what. Pick yourself up, be charming & move on. Your attitude during your recovery dictates what happens next.
Sometimes, you get a standing ovation & gracefully accept an Oscar.
Sometimes, you grab your shoes & catch the bus home, barefoot. (Me, then.) Sometimes, after a bit of burnout, you realize that you’re really a writer who took a 20-year detour as a pet trainer/behaviorist, and you start a new blog. (Me, today.) Sometimes, you’re just a young pup navigating your first stairs. No matter what, a little help & inspiration along the way is always appreciated.
(I love how Simon knows just how to balance leading by example, never force, with comforting/nudging little Daisy while she takes breaks. He sets a great example for humans socializing pups or fearful dogs. Simon doesn’t pity Daisy or consider that she can’t handle the stairs. Simon says, “Let’s go, girl!”)
Most of the time, folks are happy to help. (What is up with high school guys, really?) So chin up, get up & try again. Ask for help if you need it. You can do it – in pumps or on paws!
©2013 The Soulful Pet