Operation Save Scruffy - How I Became a Foster Mom

I want to impact people and make positives changes in the world. I try to help out wherever and whenever I can fit it in my schedule. This past year after throwing a fundraiser for Friends of CACC (we raised $15K!) I became a volunteer at Chicago Animal Care and Control. 

The shelter is one of the most depressing places I've ever been. There are so many dogs and cats in need of homes. Ever week various rescue organizations will help to place dogs by either finding them a forever home, a foster home, or replacing them in a no kill shelter. 

During my orientation one of the regular volunteers showed me around and explained the various duties and areas of the shelter. I was back in the On-boarding room (this is where they bring animals in that have either been seized by the state or found on the streets), when I saw him. His poor face and body brought me to tears. I couldn't believe that someone could allow their dog such pain. 

Scruffy's 1st Vet Visit

His name was Rodney and the city took him from his home due to neglect. He had mange, severe flea allergies, and major infections. He was scheduled to be put down on the afternoon of Dec 2nd, 2013.

The Post on CACC's Transfer Team FB

On Dec 1st I got a text from my girlfriend. She was going to save "Scruffy" (previously known as Rodney). I told her I would go to the shelter with her to pick him up.

Freedom Ride!

We got the vet and found that he had a number of issues, one of those being fleas. While he'd already been treated, he could still possibly be infected. The vet was also worried that he could have kennel cough and told us that he needed to be quarantined for the first week. My friend was upset that her dog might catch something so I told her that I would step up and take him.

He was such a good boy when he came home. He seriously is one of the sweetest dogs in the world. After a day or two I noticed that his behavior was off; he wasn't eating and hadn't gone to the bathroom, so I decided to take him back to the vet. They told me had issues with his pancreas and need to stay for a couple days. A week later he still wasn't improving and was transferred to another vet and another rescue Rain Dog Rescue. 

The new vet found that his pancreas was just fine, the issue was in his back and his bladder. He had extreme infections in both, which needed to be treated. Scruffy was transferred to a neurologist to verify the issues and have an MRI done. Finally we had gotten down the core issues. With some meds, the vet assured me that Scruffy would be just fine and that for a senior he's actually in great shape!

So here he is, Scruffy and here I am... a foster mom!

My Boy Scruff

For more information on Rain Dog Rescue, Scruffy, Fostering, or Donating check out their website HERE and their Facebook page HERE.

Doesn't he look fancy in his new sweater?!

Painting My New Apartment - Goodbye Butter, Hello Dovetail Gray!

A week after signing the lease, I decided it would be a good idea to paint my new place before I moved in. So I said goodbye to the horrendous butter color and Hello to the beautiful Dovetail Gray!

Look at the comparison!

Oops, sorry I didn't move my massive bamboo plant.

I love the gray against the white trim...

... and it really compliments the wood floors.

I had the trim painted gray too. I'm toying with the idea of paining it white.

White cabinets, counters, and appliances blend well together against the gray.

Vegan Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters with a Spicy Cream Sage Sauce Recipe

I love trying new recipes. So when my Vegan BFF said she wanted to have a vegan food party I was excited to try something different. I decided on Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters with a Spicy Cream Sage Sauce. they were amazing and people couldn't believe they were completely vegan! The combination of sage and jalapeno in the sauce was addicting as it was cool and hot at the same time. I think next time I'm going to make them as mini-sliders.

They were the hit of the party!

Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters Source
vegan, makes 6-7 small round fritters
Takes 60-90 Minutes

1 Can Chickpeas, drained
1/2 Cup Organic Pumpkin Puree (canned)
1/4 Cup Hemp Seeds
1 Tsp Garlic Granules
2 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
a few dashes of Pepper, Cayenne and Salt to taste

optional: 1-2 Tsp Flour to assist in binding if needed
1 Cup Panko bread crumbs for coating
1/4 - 1/2 Cup Safflower Oil for frying

Substitutions Note: if you'd like you can change up the pumpkin for butternut or acorn squash. Even sweet potato will work for a slightly different flavor. You can also change up the bean. Cannellini of even nutty lentils will work nicely.

If you don't have hemp seeds - you can sub with other seeds like sunflower. But those buttery hemp seeds are lovely!

*baking note: you could also bake these little cakes instead of fry them if you'd prefer! Bake on parchment paper or a lightly greased baking sheet at about 350 degrees for about 20 minutes - or until toasty. BUT the panko bread crumbs are really made for a light fry. So if you can't fry - perhaps use a finer, moister bread crumb.

To Make:
Add the chickpeas and pumpkin to a large mixing bowl. With a large fork or potato masher, mash the beans until at least 75% of them have been mashed together with the pumpkin. Add in the spices, apple cider, hemp seeds and optional flour. Fold together until a moist mixture forms.

Preheat a few tablespoons of safflower oil in a large skillet. When the oil is hot, for the mixture into golf ball sized balls and roll in your panko crumbs until well covered - pat down into flatter cakes and place in the hot oil - carefully. Continue until the pan is full - leave about an inch space between each cake for easier flipping. Cook on each side only about 1-2 minutes - or until toasty brown. Try not to burn, although a bit of crisping is nice.

Transfer cooked fritters to a paper towel to cool. Serve in about 5 minutes after cooling a bit. Store in the fridge and reheat in the oven if desired. You can freeze as well. However, these fritters are best hot off the skillet!

Sage Cream Sauce of the side (super easy)

I blend up 4 Fresh Sage Leaves with 1 Cup Silken Tofu, 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice, 1 Heaping Spoonful of Vegan Mayo and a Pinch of Fresh Parsley. For a spicy sage sauce I add in either Cayenne or a Tbsp of Chopped Jalapeno.

How to Make the Perfect Mojito!

I love summertime so much... the beach, wearing cute dresses, warm sun on my face, BBQs, smell of oil and suntan lotion, laying out with my girlfriends and a cocktail.

This past summer we made a lot of Mojitos. YUM! They are easy to make and extremely refreshing.

You'll need...

1 Ltr Club Soda

1 Bottle Clear Bacardi

Sugar Syrup or Sugar in the Raw

Limes

Fresh Mint Leaves

Muddler

Put 1 Tbs sugar into the bottom of your glass with 10-13 leaves of mint. Add Bacardi (depending on how strong you want it, but I usually do a shot and a half) and muddle. You'll want to do this until your leaves are broken down into small pieces. Add a piece of lime and muddle again. Fill glass with ice, top off with the club soda, and stir. Insert a straw and Enjoy!!

Ingredients

2 of my favorite things... Mint and Rum!

Moving to the World of Butter - A Look at my New Apartment

Two years ago, I decided to leave the comforts of my moms house and make the move downtown to Chicago. It's interesting how quickly life can change. On a Monday I broke up with my boyfriend, the next day, Tuesday, I saw an old friend needed a roommate. That Wednesday I drove to the city to check out the space and signed the lease Saturday, which would allow me to move in 2 weeks later. My poor mother, she was so upset to see me move out. As a consolation prize, my grandma moved in... Poor Mom! LOL

Anyway, a year after living in River North at an awesome high rise with a pool, view, workout room, and more, I decided it was time for me to be on my own.  So I made the trip 10 blocks North to the Gold Coast. I left the comfy confines of my 1500 sq ft 2 bed/2 bath apartment, to a 750 sq ft studio with a wardrobe. 

Do not be fooled by these pictures. The wall color was not this good. It was actually the color of butter. Yes I said it, BUTTER. The super yellow, fake looking kind of butter too. UGH. And EVERYTHING was painted in this color, even the closets.

This color did not last very long!

The Eating Area

The Kitchen

The Living/Bedroom

The Bathroom

The Walk-in Hall Closet

The Epic Wardrobe <3

How to Etch Glasses! It's a Quick, Easy Craft that Anyone Can Do!

My mom and I recently went to her friends house to etch glass. I wasn't sure how this was going to work, but it was surprisingly easy. All you need are some glasses, stencils, masking tape, foam paint brushes, and Armour Etch.

First clean your glasses. Tape on the stencil of your choice (I chose a mustache). Apply the Armour Etch with a foam paint brush. Be sure to dab the paste evenly and thoroughly on the glass, so that the Armour Etch doesn't get under the stencil. Let sit for 5 minutes and apply a second coat. Let sit for another 5 minutes (this gives a darker, more etched look). Remove the tape/stencil and wash off with cold water.

Letting the paste do it's magic

Don't they look awesome!     

Me, my mommy, and our awesome glasses!

Greek Frappe Recipe - My Favorite Iced Coffee Using Nescafe

I love coffee! I love it so much that I could drink it All. Day. Long.

Here's my favorite coffee recipe. It's call Frappe and uses Nescafe - YUM!

(1 Serving)
1 ½ Cup of Cold Water 
2 Tsp Nescafe Frappe

2 Tsp Sugar 
Milk - Optional 
Ice 

Pour 3-4 tbsp of cold water into a shaker. Add 2 tsp of Nescafe and 2 tsp of sugar. Shake well for about 30 seconds, until water becomes foam. You can also use an electric hand mixer. Pour Frappe into a glass that if half full of ice cubes. Add a little milk and then slowly fill the rest of the glass with water until the foam reaches the top of the glass.

I’m always told that I drink my too quickly, but it tastes so good that I can’t help myself! 0_o

Enjoy it at home...

...or on the go

Yeah, I'm going to need to go make one of these right now!

Quick Easy Breakfast - Microwaved Eggs and Veggies Recipe

I love breakfast, but I am NOT a morning person. So instead of waking up 30 minutes earlier, I usually prep my breakfast the night beforehand. For this quick and SUPER easy recipe you'll need...

1 Egg

Chopped Veggies (I like Green Peppers, Onions, Spinach, Jalapenos)

Cheese (as much or as little as you like; I like Pepper Jack or Colby)

1 English Muffin (if you want to add a carb.)

Salt and Pepper to taste

The night before chop up all your veggies, put them in a container with your egg, and muffin. 

Take to work.

Crack your egg into a mug, scramble, and add veggies, salt/pepper.

Put in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir and cook for another 30 seconds (you usually only need 1-1 1/2 minutes).

Eat directly out of the mug or put between muffin and Enjoy!

I can't even handle how quick and easy it is! And the eggs come out nice and fluffy.

*Little side note, clean your mug out ASAP, because caked on egg is not easy to clean*

2012 Chicago Blackhawk Stanley Cup Champions

As a Chicagoan I grew up loving 4 things. The Sox, The Bulls, Da Bears, and of course The Blackhawks. This past year our amazing team defeated the Boston Bruins in 6 games to win the Stanley Cup! 

The season ended middle of summer due to a lockout, which made for perfect weather during the Blackhawks' Parade and Rally!

If felt like the entire city of Chicago was at the Parade, there were fans EVERYWHERE.

The streets were packed for blocks on end!

Our Group in the MIDDLE of Madison Street

This guy was trying to get a better view by climbing on a pole!

My good friends Shana and Bobby

I love my city!

GO HAWKS!!

Chicago's Red Line Holiday Train!!

If you've ever been to Chicago you've probably seen the El Trains. The El, standing for elevated, is one of the most popular forms of transportation in the city. Every year, during the holidays, the city runs the Holiday Train. The holiday train is sure to turn the grumpiest scrooges into happy, holiday fun loving people. The interior of the trains are decked out with lights, bows, and garland. The cars are pumped with the scent of cinnamon and gum drops. The hand poles are transformed into candy canes and Santa Clause even rides on an open-air flatcar, waving to passerby-ers. Everyone who rides the Holiday Train has a smile on their face, it's inevitable!

Me and Santa

There he goes, off to the next stop!

That's not Starbucks in that cup!

Outside of the holiday train 

My best bud, Veronica's the one who took me for a Holiday Train/Birthday ride!

We're so happy!

What we saw when the train pulled up

Even the seats are cute!

I don't know who wouldn't love the holiday train! <3 <3 <3

The Zeus Burger Recipe

Growing up Greek/Italian in America, my mom was always creating new food creations. She's an amazing cook and is constantly inspiring me. My uncle told me about this great idea he had for a Greek Burger, he said, why don't we put Saganaki on a burger? BRILLIANT

To make the Saganaki you'll need...

(1 serving)
1 Slab of Kasseri Cheese  (1/2" thick)
1 Cup Flour
2 Cups Metaxa (or Brandy)
4 Tbsp Butter or Oil
2 Lemons
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Salt

Season both sides of the cheese with salt and pepper. Place the cheese in a shallow dish and cover with Metaxa. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Remove the cheese from the plan, reserving 1/4 cup of the brandy and dredge in the seasoned flour, coating completely. In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter (or oil if you prefer). Pan fry the cheese for 2 minutes on each side. Add the reserved Metaxa and carefully flame the liquor, shaking the pan back and forth several times. Top off with lemon juice.

To make the burger you'll need...

(makes 4 patties)
1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
1/2 Onion, Finely Chopped
1 Clover Garlic, Minced
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tsp Dried Parsley
1 Tsp Dried Basil
1 Tsp Dried Oregano
1 Egg
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Preheat your grill on high. In a large bowl mix together the ground beef, onions, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, egg, and salt and pepper. Form into patties. Grill for 5 minutes per side. Once your burger is done cooking, put it between 2 buns and place the Saganaki on top, with a side of tzatziki sauce.

To make the Tzatziki Sauce you'll need...

*forewarning: This recipe takes 3 hours so you'll want to start with this first or make the sauce the day before*

(Makes 3.5 cups)

3 Cups Greek yogurt (also called Yogurt Cheese, see below for alternative **)

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 Garlic Clove, Minced

1 Large Cucumber, Diced

1 Tbsp Salt

1 Tbsp Fresh Dill

1 Tbsp Fresh Mint (if you like mint, otherwise you can leave this out)

Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Put diced cucumbers into a colander and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of salt, which will help to draw out all of the water. Cover with a plate and sit something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 min, drain well, and wipe dry with paper towel.

In a food processor add cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill and/or mint and a few grinds of pepper. Process until well blended, then stir in yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving so flavors can blend.

This will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.

** If you can’t find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out. The consistency of the yogurt should be like that of sour cream.

Now Enjoy!!

Worlds Best Guacamole Recipe

I love guacamole so much! I love everything about it. A couple years ago while in Puerto Vallarta I learned how to make the best guac ever. The recipe is very simple, so simple that I would often be found making it at my desk at work. I think the trick to great guac is by tweaking your recipe and going more off taste than exact measuring amounts.

You'll need...

1 Avocado
1/4 of an Onion
1 Small Tomato
1 Small Jalapeno
10 stalks of Cilantro
1 Juicy Lime
Garlic Powder
Salt

Start by cutting your avocado in half, the long way. Remove the pit. The best way to do this is by carefully striking the pit with the sharp edge of your knife. Once you do this, put the pit to the side, as you'll be needing it later. A lot of restaurants put all their ingredients in a food processor to speed up the guac making process, but I like mine to be chunky so I recommend cubing it.

Cut into the avocado lengthwise at even intervals. Next, cut into the avocado at a 90 degree angle using even  intervals again to create a crosshatch pattern. Then scoop out the contents into a bowl.

Next chop up your tomato, onion and cilantro and add it to the bowl and stir in. The cut your lime in half and add half the juice to your mixture. Sprinkle the top with salt and garlic powder, to taste and mix. Now, if you like some heat to you guac go ahead and add the jalapeno. Again everything should be to taste. At this point you may need to add more salt, garlic, or lime juice. Keep adding small amounts until you've got it just how you like it!

Now that your guac is ready, have some fun with it. There are so many other variations you can do. Add corn, a little bit of sour cream, or even some cumin. The possibilities are endless!