Fostering Nancy and Ronald!

Everyone who knows me at all knows that I love my dogs! My days more or less revolve around them. They are both rescues and as sweet as you can imagine. 

Pippa and Jasper

But, I have been wanting a new pet for a long time now. However, I travel a lot for work and getting a new dog really isn't the most feasible option. In the summer my schedule is a lot more flexible so I talked it over with Andrew and we decided that fostering made the most sense! So, I signed up at Pet Helpers and got two of the cutest babies about two weeks ago!

Nancy and Ronald

These two are really the cutest. They were part of a litter of 7 and just started to walk around and show some personality. When I first got them they had to be bottle fed but they can now eat some mush on their own.

Jasper and Pippa definitely do not know what to think of them because they are so tiny and messy! 

Jasper was really put out by that picture....

I get to keep watching them for about another month before they will be up for adoption! I am so glad I had a chance to watch them when they were so little so I could start training them and getting them prepared for their new families (they are going to be the best additions).

I am so glad we decided to foster. it opened up space in the shelter and I think it will help them with their future placement into a good home. I definitely recommend doing this for anyone that wants to make an impact in the community. I am a big advocate for adopting instead of buying animals (since there are so many in need) and cannot wait to get these little ones into their permanent homes!

Kristin

Delicious Breakfast Smoothie

For the past few months (when I am not traveling) I have been much better about making smoothies for breakfast. It is such a great way to eat something healthy when I am rushing around before work. Today I mixed it up a little and added some new ingredients and the recipe is below!

Recipe:
1 cup greek yogurt
1 cup milk (I used 1%)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup blackberries
1 banana
handful strawberries
1 orange
1 handful spinach

Let me know if you have any tasty variations! My criteria is that it must be very quick to prepare.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Easy Made-from-Scratch Biscuits

This morning for breakfast I made the easiest (Julia Child) biscuit recipe. It takes virtually no effort and they taste amazing!

The majority of the ingredients are already in your cabinet so it is very affordable too!

Recipe:

1. Set oven to 425
2. Pour 2 cups (all purpose) flour into a bowl and add 1 2/3 TableSpoon Baking Powder, 1 Teaspoon of salt, 1 Tablespoon sugar
3. Cut in 1 cup of fat (I used crisco)
4. Add in 1 cup milk and mix with wooden spoon
5. Roll out dough on surface that is dusted with flour and then use a cookie cutter to cut your biscuits
6. Place on a tray and brush with melted butter
7. Cook for 15 minutes

I really like how these can keep and be eaten throughout the week. I made mine with jelly today and I made one for Andrew with bacon, egg, and cheese - so they are very versatile!

If you have any biscuit recipes let me know :-). i would love to explore some variations.

Kristin

Simple and Delicious Pancakes

When I am not traveling for work I love to get in the kitchen and cook. I crave homemade food because I eat out so often when I am on the road.

Recently I made breakfast for a few of my out of town guests and I made the easiest pancake recipe. It is so simple and quick! Trust me when I say this is very easy and all of the ingredients are items you probably have on hand!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose four
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons of melted butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
a handful of fresh blueberries (or whatever fruit you have on hand!)

**I used my homemade vanilla extract that I keep on hand to make this even easier.

Directions:
1. Heat skillet over medium-high heat
2. Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl
3. Create a well at top of dry ingredients and pour in milk, egg, butter, vanilla extract
4. Mix all ingredients in stand mixer for 2 minutes
5. Fold in fresh blueberries
6. Use an ice cream scoop to pour into individual pancakes on skillet
7. Flip each pancake when batter is bubbly
8. Store extra pancakes in the freezer for breakfast during the week!


To finish the meal I added some mixed fruits and some homemade whipped cream on top! Best of all, I am going to freeze the leftover pancakes to toast throughout the week for a quick option on mornings when I am heading into the office.

Kristin