Lose Your Vulnerabilities With Fresh Step Cat Litter with Odorshield

As you probably know we've got a cat and not a small wimpy one at that, but a large in your face orange tabby.  Unfortunately, sometimes his cat box is large and in your face even though you're using odor control cat litter.  That's why we were thrilled to find Fresh Step Cat Litter with Odorshield at Sam's Club and in such a large 42 pound bag!

Seven is no longer a spring chicken at 13 years old and he's also borderline diabetic due to his magnificence.  Borderline diabetic means from time to time that he uses his cat box a lot.  Like really a lot and everyone knows it.  Being a food blogger it's important to me that his cat box be as smell free as possible since its right around the corner from the kitchen.  That's where Fresh Step Cat Litter with Odorshield comes in, it uses chlorophyll to naturally deodorize the litter box.  Let me tell you now, that it truly works wonders!  There are no longer odors you don't want in your kitchen at my house.

When I used to live in Seattle, Seven would camp out in the other cat's box until he needed to use the facilities just to make them mad.  That's the kind of persnickety cat I have.  He's incredibly stubborn and when he doesn't want to do something, he doesn't do it.

Which brings us to cat bearding, have you seen it?  Its basically where you tip your cat's head back so their nose, mouth and chin look like they are yours instead.  Seven does not like cat bearding at all.  He doesn't like to tip his head back or move when he doesn't want too.  He does not want to expose his vulnerable neck not even for his favorite humans.  Trust me, 30 pounds of orange tabby is hard to work with especially one that has all of his claws.  :)  

We decided to try a cat Afro instead.  While this was easier to get Seven to agree to, he's a little hefty to hold over your head for any amount of time.  As well as his dislike of being raised high into the air.  This cat is one that doesn't like to expose himself for fear of being weak.  So, the fresh step litter is a way for our kitty to hide his scent, meaning he has one less thing to worry about.  Now, he can avoid smell detection and spend all his time demanding the treats he deserves while honing his seasonal disguises.

Now through October 31st, when you buy the big 42 lb bag of Fresh Step Cat Litter with Odorshield at Sam's Club you can earn double paw points!!  But only if you purchase Fresh Step at Sam's.  Have you tried your hand at cat bearding?  If you have, Sept. 30th is the last day to submit your cat bearding photos to win a $1000 prize!  You can read all about it on Brie Brie Blooms.

Do you have a bathroom monster?

There is only one thing worse than having the urge to go and rushing to the bathroom to find it preoccupied.  Admit it, you've experienced the awkward dance as you tried to hold it in.  Desperately pleading with the person on the other side of the door.

At our house, this is less common than pleading with our pets.  Namely the yellow monster also known as Rosie.  She has a love for sleeping in her old age.  Her chosen spots are any padded surface.  In particular she loves the bath mat, which is just long enough to allow her entire body to rest upon the green fluff.

How, did she discover this spot? Why her love of relentlessly tailing her humans.  She found one day being particularly quick to enter the bathroom before the door closed that this spot was most coveted.  Not only could she lie on this rectangle but she could be forever by her human's side assisting them in all their needs.

If you have a dog, then you may be familiar with the joy in their hearts when their human pack members appear before them.  The wiggling and alert greeting is normal.  However, in the confined space of the bathroom when you have to go and you have to go RIGHT NOW.  Rosie and her love are a burden.  Having to negotiate and bribe her out of the way is no small task.  As the positioning of the bath mat is in the middle of the bathroom. Walking over Rosie is no simple feat, for as she notices you she will want to spring to her feet to better take advantage of your presence.

This is manageable under normal circumstances.  Yet, when you are in urgent need to relieve your bladder or worse the entire contents of your digestive tract, the wiggling and kisses are torture.  Worse still is the necessary sniff check.  You have seen it or experienced it yourself.  The dog sniffs with its nose pressed as closely to your butt or crotch as is physical possible.  This leads to an unpleasant experience for both parties when you are gassy.  Not even Rosie wants to smell the foul odors of a meal gone awry.  Imagine that scenario if you can with a distressed dog unable to retreat because you and her are trying to occupy the same space.  The mayhem and chaos is quadrupled by your need to use the bathroom.  Let me tell you, any comfort you can gain in that situation is like a piece of heaven.  Not even Rosie can complain after I use Cottonelle paper and wipes.

If you don't believe me, then check out this video of Cherry seeing how people feel about Cottonelle's wipes and #LetsTalkBums.

Grilled Thai Turkey Meatballs

Meatballs are a mixed topic in our household.  There are those that prefer the traditional oven baked variety you find in spaghetti.  There are the Swedish variety that you coat with a cream sauce.  There are many more varieties that we consume but usually each kind is a recipe that one person doesn't like.

I decided to find something new.  Meatballs are a dish that I like to make because while there is extra time spent crafting them by hand, there is an ease and versatility to the way you can eat them.  Not just how you compose your meal, but when you serve them be it as an appetizer or at dinner, you generally can't go wrong with them.  Unless of course, you find that one family member scrunching their nose at them.

This recipe has been an equalizer.  The flavor is far apart from any of the ways we have made meatballs in the past.  The sweet and savory with a tiny kick of heat made these an instant hit with my family.  The best part is that I made them on the grill so it was an easy summer dish that we could make outside of the house.  No need to turn on that pesky oven.  This is a meal you can make outside with the whole family hanging on that sizzle as you turn them over on the hot grill.

Grilled Thai Turkey Meatballs

1 pound ground turkey
2 tablespoons flour
4 sprigs fresh oregano
2 inches of fresh chives
1 egg
2 tablespoons jam
1/4 teaspoon asian chili sauce

Sauce

1/3 cup peach jam
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon asian chili sauce
2 tablespoons water

Mix all meatball ingredients in a large bowl with your hands.  Using a tablespoon sized cookie scoop, scoop meatballs out onto a baking sheet.

Pre-heat grill to 400-500 degrees.  Line grill with a non stick grilling sheet, like cookina.  Grill 4 minutes per side or until done.

Combine all sauce ingredients in small saucepan.  Cover over medium high heat until sauce starts to bubble.  Toss with meatballs and serve.

Confession Time: I've Never Taken a Cooking Class

Today, I have to confess that I've never, ever taken a cooking class.  I didn't even take home ec in high school. First, there wasn't time in my schedule and second, it wasn't a required class at the high school I attended in Kentucky.  You're probably wondering why I'm telling you this, right?

Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago asked me to come check out one of their new classes next week.  This will be a first for me.  While I've worked in a restaurant setting, I've never taken a cooking class.  I've always been a natural in the kitchen and now with youtube, if I don't know how to do something I can find a video to give me some instruction.  I've also got a secret source.  A guy I went to high school with is a chef, so if I really get stuck or have a completely weird question he's just a text message away.

Rarely do I get nervous, but I am nervous about this class next week.  Make sure to follow Rosie Discovers on facebook, instagram and twitter as I'll be posting photos most of next week!

Confession time, what makes you nervous?

What do you use on your bum? #LetsTalkBums

There is a secret we have been hiding from you.  Perhaps our readers are in on the secret too, but I shall confess.  We use wipes and dry paper.  Why?  Well, as you can hear from Cherry below, it is more efficient!  Think about it, how many times a day are you going to use the bathroom?  How much time do spend on your majestic throne?  Don't you want a more pleasant experience?  Time to do away with pride and welcome attention to your bathroom habits.  You only have one bum, so why not try treating it better?  It's time to find out what you've been missing with Cottonelle's Disposable Wipes.



So, where else do you start besides at home? Well, by telling a friend you are a brand ambassador for Cottonelle!  Oh really?  Why yes, they have disposable wipes!  To my shock and delight she uses them too!  This job is easier than I thought.  I don't have to spread the word, I just have to mention them.  I fully expect a bunch of emails and texts and tweets from my friends telling me that they and their bums use Cottonelle wipes!

If you don't, then you are missing out.  The word has spread and the conspiracy has begun, just how exactly do you treat your bum?  You should buy some to try, because we may not share about our derriere, but we all secretly spend some extra time and care.  I know that I am fresh and clean.  How about you?

Can You Say, Challah?

If there were any dish that summed up childhood for me it would be this challah bread. There are few particularly ridiculous stories attached to it.  The family jokes and traditions of our own attached to this bread.  Challah is a traditional Jewish bread symbolizing manna with the multiple strands woven into each loaf.  Ours does not have the same significance as we use only three strands.  The taste is still phenomenal.

The one thing I would never grow bored of watching was seeing my mom braid the loaf.  I loved that this bread was different than the others.  It was special because even more care went into forming it before it was placed in the oven.   Often you'd find it in our kitchen and it would easily be devoured.  The task of waiting for it to cool before we sliced it always a hard one.  The rich and velvety texture of challah adds substance to the usual slice of bread.  While we have used it for sandwiches or in french toast.  I believe it is best eaten alone with perhaps a spread of butter.

I think this bread helps to explain my childhood as well.  The variety of which we were exposed to as children shows up in our kitchen.  Challah as well as many other dishes that we found on our table are from my mom's never ending quest to feed us not only good healthy food but culture as well.  I have learned a lot from merely asking questions about where everything comes from on our table.

Challah

3 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees), divided
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon salt
3 large eggs at room temperature
5-5 1/2 cups flour

Glaze

1 egg yolk + 1 tablespoon water, beaten
sesame or poppy seeds optional

Dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1/3 cup warm water, let sit 5 minutes until frothy.

In the large bowl of a mixer, combine the 1 cup warm water and honey.  Add oil, salt and yeast mixture.  Beat in 3 eggs.  With a whisk, stir in 3 cups flour and then add the rest 1/2 cup at a time to form a stiff, sticky dough.

Turn out onto a floured countertop and knead for 5 minutes, adding flour as needed to keep dough from sticking.  You'll know when its done, dough will be elastic, smooth and hardly sticky.  Place in an oiled bowl and set aside to rise, until doubled.

Punch down dough, separate into three equal pieces.  Roll and stretch pieces into 20-inch long logs.  On a piece of parchment paper big enough for a 10x15-inch baking pan, braid dough making sure to seal and tuck ends.  Cover and let rise till doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, brush with egg glaze and bake, 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Letter to My Blog

Hi Blog,

This summer has been pretty involved.  First we started eating differently, we're trying to follow a flexitarian diet.  Flexitarian means you eat mostly fruits, veggies and whole grains with limited animal proteins.  We've been doing this most of the summer and let me tell you it definitely works.  My midsection has shrunk.  This has been awesome, but it hasn't been so great for you as I've been mainly eating fresh fruits and whole grains.  I promise this fall, we'll be doing more actual cooking and baking.

Second, we had a death in the family.  This put a lot of things on the backburner, including your redesign.  I promise you'll be in your new home soon with a fresh new logo.

Third and last but not least, we participated in the craziness that was BlogHer'13.  We had a blast, met a lot of new people and the emails we've been receiving have been awesome.  So many opportunities are headed our way.

I promise things are going to be more active now that summer is winding down.  I hope you're ready!

Alison