YES....I DO BOOK AND PRODUCT REVIEWS!!!

 

I will be very glad to do a book review or a product review for you in exchange for book reviews of my books available on Amazon.com. Just email me for further information by simply emailing a photo of your book or product and a simple description of it, then I will promptly get back to you with further directions.

I am also currently seeking book reviewers for my newest book. Please contact me for further information.

Thanks.................

uniquecozytreasures@gmail.com

Dogs Will Travel

                                                       

Many dog lovers love to travel with their faithful companions..their dog or dogs. Traveling with dogs can be a real challenge at times but with a little bit of  planning ahead of time, traveling with your canines can really be a lot less stressful plus a lot of fun. Following are a few tips that will make your trip more enjoyable for you and your dogs.

1) Take plenty of their favorite food and treats. Running out of these items during a trip can cause a lot of havoc not only for your dog but for you. Why? Because if you cannot find the brand of food and treats that your dogs are accustomed to, substituting with a different brand can upset your dogs digestive system causing them discomfort and at times either loose stools, constipation or possibly an allergic reaction.

2)  A couple of their favorite toys, blanket, etc.

3)  A portable kennel comes in handy at times.

4)  Their collar, dog tags and leashes.

5)  Having your dog micro chipped is a good idea when traveling. However, remember that there are different types of micro chips. Most chips will just identify the dog with a number which is associated with your contact information IF someone has found your dog and has the number checked.  However, this will not help you locate your dog if he/she is lost. A tracking microchip can locate your pet but you will have to pay for the tracking service.

6)  Grooming brush and comb.

7)  Flea/Tick control product, heart worm preventative (etc.) and any medications your dog takes regularly.

8)  Water and bowls.

9)  Vaccination Records, including your Vet's contact information.

10) First Aid Kit and contact information of available Vet's in the area you are traveling to.

These are just a few tips that will make your dog travels more comfortable and please remember that if you have to leave you dog in your vehicle briefly...leave a window open at the top with the proper air available. Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle when it is too warm, hot/cold outside. The temperature inside a vehicle may rise or drop to dangerous temperature levels very quickly,  risking your canine's life.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOG TRAVEL TIPS IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW.

"NO FAIL" BANANA BREAD

Ymmmm..... It's Banana Bread time again. With Banana Bread being one of my most "favorite things",   I've struggled to find just the perfect recipe that I can always count on to bake perfectly inside and out.  This recipe turns out a beautifully baked Banana Bread with just the right amount of moistness on the inside, yet is perfectly baked inside and out.

Have you ever experienced the disappointment of cutting into your freshly baked Banana Bread only to find that it is undercooked on the inside? Most of us have, I know I have had that experience  and it left me very frustrated so I avoided baking it at all for many years.

Several years ago I stumbled upon a Banana Bread recipe in a vintage cookbook. I baked it up and it was very good. However, I felt that it could definately use some improvement. So, I many a few adjustments and also added a few ingredients to come up with this fantastic Banana Bread that I am certain you and your family will enjoy eating with your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, as well as, many other occasions.  Enjoy!


"NO FAIL" BANANA BREAD

1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup softened butter
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 water
1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas (3-4 medium)
1 2/3 cups all-purpose white flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash of  ground cloves
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease the bottom of an 8 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan with a little softened butter. Grease only the bottom of the pan being sure to grease the corners. Do not grease the sides of the pan.

In a separate bowl slightly beat the eggs then set aside. In another bowl mix the granulated sugar with the butter. Stir in the eggs and blend well. Add the mashed bananas, blend.  Add the water. Manually beat the mixture for 30 seconds.

Mix well all of the  dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add it to the moist ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated and are moistened. Add the walnuts and stir well again. Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake on the center rack of your oven at 350 degrees for 72 minutes. Cool for  5 minutes, then loosen sides of loaf with a knife; remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing.

QUICK & EASY HOMEMADE PIZZA

                         Red Pepper and Cheese Pizza

Here is a quick and easy homemade pizza recipe that your family will absolutely love! You may never go to another pizza restaurant again.........

PIZZA CRUST (Makes 2 large crusts)

7 Tab. Olive Oil or Softened Butter(I prefer butter crust)
1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast or  2 1/2 teaspoons
4 cups Flour
2 Tab.  Sugar
1/2 Tab Salt
1 1/2 Cups warm water

In a small bowl dissolve the yeast in a little of the warm water. Add the sugar. Stir to dissolve. Add the rest of the warm water, then the softened butter or olive oil.  Mix.  In another bowl  mix the flour and salt. Now, slowly incorporate the flour and salt mixture into the wet ingredients. Knead dough until smooth and elastic about 3-5 minutes, adding additional flour as needed to keep the dough from getting too sticky. Place into an oiled bowl and cover with a light cloth. Set in a warm place away for 15-20 min.

While the dough is resting turn your oven on  to 400 degrees F.  Get out your pizza pan or stone  and oil it with olive oil or butter. Chop up vegetables that you are going to put on your pizza,  such as  peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. You can add a variety of toppings to your pizza or just make cheese pizza. If you are adding meat just be sure that it is pre-cooked.

After your dough has rested for the 15-20 minutes, divide it in half. Oil up your hands, then press and shape your dough onto your stone or pan. Press out flat, then roll the edges to the inside to form the edges of the pizza dough. Cover the entire dough with olive oil to prevent shrinkage during baking.

Place  your pizza stone or pan with the shaped dough into your pre-heated oven for 7-10 minutes or until it is slightly brown on top. Remove from oven. Add your pizza sauce or tomatoes, then place on your meat, then vegetables or whatever other toppings that you prefer. Cover with your choice of cheese or cheeses. Place in the oven for another 7-15 minutes depending on how many toppings that you have added to the pizza.

Cut to serve. YOU AND  YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE THIS PIZZA!

*TIPS - This recipe makes 2 large medium thickness pizza crusts. The dough can also be frozen for later use. You can let the dough rest and rise longer than 15-20 minutes if desired.

I would love to read comments about what toppings you add to your pizza. Please feel free to comment below.

Happy Eating!

Hot Weather Tips for Dogs

With the warm summer weather, keeping our dogs and pets safe is a priority. Remember, dogs and other pets can easily develop heat stroke just like us humans. Keeping them cool and comfortable during hot summer days is vital to their heath. Here are a few tips for keeping your dogs safe during the dog days of summer. :)

1. When your dog is outside please be sure that he/she has a shaded area to seek relief from the sun.

2. If your dog must stay outside during the hot weather providing him/her with a shallow unbreakable pool of water is a welcome relief from the heat and will help keep their body temperature at a healthy level. Also, providing them with a fan will do wonders at providing them with added comfort. However, please use caution with fans. They need to be placed out of reach from the dog so that they have no chance of injuring themselves on the circulating blades or electrical cords.

3. Mist your dog with water to cool him/her down. Remember to wet all areas of the body including the paws and under belly.

4. Walk or play with your dog in the early morning or evening hours when the temperature is cooler. If you are walking them on pavement, check the temperature of the pavement with your own hand. If it is too hot for you, chances are that it is too hot for your dog. Paw pads can easily become burned or scorched on hot surfaces.

5. If possible, provide a cool area inside a cool building or your home for your dog during the heat of the day.

6. Take your dog to a shallow lake or pond for a cool swim. However, use caution when visiting public lakes, rivers and recreational areas, checking that there are no fish hooks, broken glass, etc. laying in the areas where your dog will be playing, swimming or walking.

For more Hot Weather Tips for Dogs your may enjoy the information for found at these websites:

http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/seasonal/top-summer-tips/

http://www.dogskool.com/hot-weather-tips.html

How To Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide

I am so excited to announce that my second Kindle book, "How to Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide" 2012 Edition, is now available for purchase in the Amazon.com Kindle Book Store. This comprehensive step-by-step  guide is a must have for everyone  who has ever dreamed of publishing their very own book.

"How To Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide" shows how anyone with basic computer skills can easily publish their book into a Kindle eBook for FREE.  Thousands of Kindle eBooks are being purchased everyday through the Amazon.com Book Store. It's time for you to cash  in on the some of the high profits being made by free lance authors around the globe.

Not only does "How To Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide,"  easily take you through the process of self-publishing your book for FREE, it offers tips on copyrighting, marketing, how to design a digital book cover and more. Your dreams of becoming a published author will certainly become a reality by following this easy guide to success.

For a limited time only,  "How To Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide", will be offered for a low introductory price of $0.99 in the Amazon Kindle Book Store at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AQ4DT6
  or  you can purchase a PDF copy at my Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/uniquecozytreasures . GET YOUR COPY NOW while supplies last at this very low price!!!

If you do not own a Kindle Reader but would love to read "How To Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide," you can download a FREE full color display Kindle Reader for your PC or Apple computer.  There is a link on the lower right of my Amazon book page which will take you to a page where you can get it for FREE. Also, most Android phones, iPads, iPhones, and other Smart phones either have a Kindle Reader Application already installed or you can get a Free App from the "App Market" in your smart phone.

My Amazon Author Page can be accessed at: http://www.amazon.com/author/debrashenkle

 *If you are interested in receiving a free copy of  "How To Self-Publish A Kindle Book, A Step-By-Step Guide "  by doing a book review, please contact me at: uniquecozytreasures@gmail.com for more information.