greeneryart's Profile

Awww, let the little guy walk :) Put one of those tiny Camelbak's on him to make him feel like a big hiker, pick super short routes, settle for the awesomely slow pace, and take lots of breaks. Even if you just go a quarter mile, you'll experience it so much differently at his pace. (but maybe have your Ergo on hand as a back-up!)

@jenmaselli : too funny -- we had a vicious hammie when I was a kid too! But, before we got our hamster I read modern (especially dwarf) ones are bred to be way sweeter than those hamster/monsters of the 80s :)

I also agree that rats are AWESOME pets, but the fact that hamsters are more aloof was actually a selling point for our "first pet" scenario. We hold the little critter regularly when she happens to be awake at the right time, but otherwise don't wake her, and limit our daily interaction to freshening her water bottle, quickly scooping out her "potty corner" and watching her stuff a piece of veggie in her ridiculous cheeks.

Our cage was really easy -- a 40-in glass reptile terrarium (with a firmly attached wire lid--we have a cat too) filled with bedding, pet-safe driftwood "logs", rocks, a low dish full of sand, and a noiseless wheel. The stuff in the reptile and bird sections of the pet store was much more nature-oriented, we just checked online to make sure materials were hamster-approved.

I sound like some kind of nutso hamster-advocate, but she's a great little pet for our situation.

I think what really dates the look is actually the contractor's white walls and the fact that the cabinets don't go up to the ceiling -- my MIL just redid her kitchen, spent $65,000 to replace oak with oak (I know, WTF?) but the new ceiling-height cabinets instantly modernized the space. I wonder if you could move some up, or fill in above with additional glass-fronted cabinets?

I don't think you *have* to be vague, but I do find that generally, when people ask "why," they're really just looking to find out whether you're doing it for 1. ethics, 2. health, or 3. a combination of the two. Brief answers usually satisfy their curiosity. Sure, certain people will be ready with glib or even hostile comments, but I just make a joke and move along.

@ASeasonToTaste:
Oh, I don't think this (to disregard rennet or gelatin once aware of its source) is at all the norm for lacto-ovo vegetarians, not at all. I'd be sort of sad to find food prepared by a vegetarian friend contained one of the main things I avoid. I'm not bashing your choices, just saying they're certainly more on the unique side.

No, not for groceries, that's just silly.

But...

if anyone's willing to drive the minimum of 8 hours from KC to the nearest IKEA and fetch me a truck full of stuff, that'd be completely sane and really super :)

I picked up 4 at Costco last summer, may be worth a check to see if they're still stocked.

I too find this thread depressing. I suppose we must all also conform to the host's religious and political beliefs for the day so as not to cause any offense?

I don't think it is at all rude to take a side dish if you've spoken to the host in advance and, for the love of God, no one is obligated to suffer through any part of a meal just to please the cook.

Sheesh people, lighten up on the vegetarians.

Is your friend vegan? Her list of restrictions reminds me of the way I used to have to explain my food needs, since, sadly, a lot of people don't realize that "no animal products" means much more than just "pick the chicken parts out of the chicken soup." It could also explain why she needs to pick the wine (isinglass).

101cookbooks.com has a lot of recipes that are healthy/vegan or offer modifications. My favorite (not at all fancy) safe-bet is her peanut butter cookies (whole wheat flour, natural pb, maple syrup, olive oil, no eggs, no butter, but really the best pb cookies I've ever had). You could also serve something piecemeal like a simple baked fruit plus side options of toasted nuts, shortbread cookies, and vanilla ice cream to please everyone.