Seeds of Hope...Don't Give Up On Us Mother Nature!

You may know that Mario Batali is an Italian chef, restaurateur, author and television personality, but did you know that he is a tree-hugger too? (He did grow up in the Pacific Northwest, after all..!)

He is actively advocating for the planet's health by taking actions such as no longer serving bottled water at his many restaurants, promoting the preservation of heirloom seeds, and encouraging kids and their parents to grow gardens, eat local and live sustainably. You can read more about his thoughts on these topics courtesy of The Nature Conservancy: Eat Smart

In honor of Earth Day, Batali will be giving away seed packets of Arugula at his restaurants with this message:

Dear Earth,
We are sorry.
We are working on it.
Please be patient a little while longer.
We think the world of you. Love, The Human Race.

Pretty much sums up how I feel. How about you? Ready to take action?

Here are 5 things that you can do on Earth Day and the rest of the year too, as suggested by the Nature Conservancy:

EAT SMART-Learn what’s in your food, where it came from and who it impacts.
EAT LOCAL- Where possible, buy food that is in season from local food producers.
EAT SUSTAINABLY- Eat sustainable seafood — one of the only things that we eat that we still get from the wild.
EAT GREEN- Eat more fruits and vegetables — it's good for your health and the planet's.

PICNIC FOR THE PLANET- Join in on the fun at a "Picnic for the Planet" in your neighborhood on Earth Day. Find a location here or create your own: PICNICS

Thanks for visiting!

All Stirred Up

Illustration Friday

(theme:"stir")

Most likely due to cruel taunting as a child, Cat Lady Betty Cracker never uses box mixes when baking, and prefers to stir up her baked good from scratch with the help of kitchen supervisor Ginger Snap. Here is an all-time favorite recipe that is super-easy:

Gold Rush Brownies

2 C. graham cracker crumbs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 C. pecans or walnuts, chopped

Mix all ingredients together. Spread in a lightly prepared 11 x 7 x 1 1/2-in. pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 min. Cut into squares while still slightly warm.

ENJOY!

Cat Ladies in the News...and Cat Hams

Cat Lady Rose would like to thank everyone who voted for the photogenic Billy the Cat and made a donation in the recent Spay Day 2010 Online Pet Photo Contest. Congratulations to Billy who was one of the 3rd Prize winners in the fundraising category! See his handsome image at this link, as photographed by Rose: Billy the Cat

Says Rose: "The best part is the money raised will go to spay and neuter stray cats to help end pet overpopulation!"

Not to be outdone in the "look at me" ham category, Billy's pal Cecil always enjoys providing a good photo op.

This one is called CATsserole

(photo copyright Rose Gates)

This one is called "Cool Cat"
(photo copyright Rose Gates)

For her entry in the Spring Celebration Giveaway, Rose reports:
"My orange tabby cat Cecil would be a comedian and have his own comedy show on TV. He is very silly, and funny and likes to do goofy things just to make people laugh and shake their heads and say... 'OH THAT CECIL!' He's a character!"

If your cat had a profession, what would it be? Leave your answer in the comments section of this link: Giveaway for a chance to win a custom portrait. But hurry--giveaway ends tonight!

Cat Lady No. 273...Apple Slump

Cat Lady Ruthie and Hubert have just returned from a lovely afternoon of picking apples in the back yard. Ruthie can't wait to try out an old, hand-written recipe that she found tucked away in the back of the recipe box of her dear departed grandmother. The recipe is called Apple Slump and here is how it goes:

Peel and core some apples and slice them up nice and put them in a stew pot. Cook with a little sugar and water until soft but not too soft. Then in a bowl, sift 2 cups flour and 1 big pinch of baking powder with a pinch of salt, add 2 cups of milk, and stir. Roll out to fit into the stew pot and set on top of the apples. Put on the lid and cook for 10 minutes. Don't peek until that 10 minutes is up! Serve with fresh cream.

For more old-timey apple recipes visit the Apple Journal where there are dozens of recipes reproduced from The Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture published in 1914 in North Yakima, Washington.

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 245...Zucchini Anyone?

Cat Lady Jantzen recently saw a sign that said: "It's zucchini season...Do NOT make eye contact with your neighbor!"

It's been a bumper crop this summer and Jantzen needed some new ideas...She tried grinding it up and sneaking it into Pepe's and Crystal's dinner but that was a no go.

Luckily, last week she discovered the miracle of Chocolate Zucchini Cake

The shredded zucchini magically disappears into the cake, yet makes it so moist it melts in your mouth. The cakes can be frozen, or given as gifts.

And the best part is, her neighbors are no longer avoiding eye contact...

[Author's note: I have tried this recipe and it is out of this world!]

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 104...Slow Food

Budding chef Annika peruses her favorite cook book while Dumplin looks on and hopes for tuna casserole...

Annika is a member of a new movement called Slow Food USA. It was created as an alternative to the concept of fast food, and is a "global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment."

There is also a Slow Food International website. Both have great information and links about the joys of healthy, home-made, and environmentally-responsible food and cooking. Bon Apetit!

Thanks for visiting!

Purrfect for organic gardening, home cookin', and SLOW FOOD, I have dozens of Cat Lady Aprons to choose from at my Cafepress Shop

Cat Lady No. 59... Secret Family Recipe

Cat Lady Betty is whipping up a fresh batch of molasses cookies under the watchful eye of Crocker. Her grandmother always made molasses cookies and kept them in a ceramic cookie jar that was in the shape of an alarm clock. The clock had a jolly face and was winking and at the bottom it said, "Time for Cookies"! Here is the Secret Family Recipe:

• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1-1/2 tsp ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar together. Mix in remaining ingredients except 1/4 cup sugar. Form one-inch balls and roll the balls in remaining sugar to coat. Press with bottom of a drinking glass to flatten . Place on ungreased baking sheet; bake 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Cat Lady No. 58...Sweetie Pies

Cat Lady and Baker Amanda is known far and wide across the county for her pastries. Each morning she wakes up at 4 a.m. and heads for her bakery, The Sweetie Pie, where she is greeted by alley cat Delilah.

Here is her secret recipe (and the secret is to use three different apples: granny smith, golden delicious and gravenstein). This pie is pretty sensational, but Delilah knows she will always be Amanda's favorite Sweetie Pie...

8 medium tart apples
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
Peel, core and slice apples thin. In a bowl, stir sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together and toss together with apples stirring to coat. Place in pie crust and top with another crust. Cut vents in top crust and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

Thanks for visiting!


A baking essential for Amanda: a Cat Lady Apron from my CafePress Shop! Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed. There are over 100 designs to choose from... click here: Cat Lady Aprons

Calling All Cat Ladies! Don't forget to enter to win a free Cat Lady tote bag!! Contest ends February 28. Details are in this post: CONTEST TIME!

Cat Lady 56...Cupcakes Anyone?

Cat Lady and Cupcake Queen Jovanna is always testing out new recipes. Mister Midnight loves baked goods and is always available for taste-testing. Today's recipe is for Gourmet Fudgy Chocolate Cupcakes and here is the recipe:

Gourmet Cupcake Recipe

Mr. Midnight gives it a four-star rating, reserving five stars for the day Jovanna comes up with a Seafood Delight Cupcake with Tuna Cream Icing. He may have a long wait...

Need to keep track of your cupcake recipes?
This blank book or journal is the perfect solution! Jovanna and Mr. Midnight can also be found on kitchen aprons, t-shirts and other great gifts at: www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye.

Thanks for visiting!