CURRENTLY DIGGING: November | December
Currently Digging is a collection of things we have enjoyed throughout the month. Great Instagram accounts you should follow, stuff for you, for your dogs/cats, as well as great things to eat/drink or listen to; and of course, cannot forget a great read.
So, here it is, what we are Currently Digging in for the months of November and December… even if it is a bit late.
Well Read: Pukka’s Promise: The Quest for Longer Lived Dogs by Ted Kerasote
I am probably late to this party. Ted Kerasote’s books have been on my to-read list for a long time. I inadvertently started with his latest book regarding dogs, Pukka’s Promise (the first being Merle’s Door). Deeply emotional, informative and at times a little shocking and controversial, Pukka’s Promise has definitely given me tons of food for thought. With two dogs of our own, 11 and 4 years old respectively, their health, well-being and quality of life is at the top of my priority list; and it was this topic, that consumed Kerasote and catapulted him to do extensive research. It is well-worth a read and an informed way to open a door, or at least a window into things we may never have thought about regarding our own dogs.
Get it Here
Instagram Follow: @catmantoo
It is about time people stop painting cats as untrainable, uncooperative and impossible. Find a cat’s motivation, and there’s nothing you won’t be able to teach them to do. I think cats will have a great new year, with more people finding ways to enrich their cat’s lives and including them in their own enjoyable activities, and there’s no better example of this new cat age than Catmantoo’s Instagram and YouTube page. You think Border Collies doing tricks is amazing (and it is), wait till you see the likes of Didga and Boomer!
Follow @catmantoo Here
Bone Broth with Turmeric by The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen has always made it easier to feed our animals a home-cooked meal. Using human-grade ingredients only, local produce and organic when possible; their foods have been a constant addition to our dogs’ and cats’ lives. In Corbin’s older years, I have found it especially helpful in keeping him stay fit, limber and Cancer-free. Bone broth is easy to make at home, it is full of benefits and the addition of turmeric gives it an extra added boost due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. As easy as adding water, I mix it with their food. It is especially delicious on a cold winter day.
Get it Here
For the tastebuds: Sonoma Rye Whiskey by Sonoma County Distilling Co.
This one comes with some local pride for me. Describing themselves as a team that proudly ignores modern trends in the pursuit of a new legacy steeped in the old ways, this whiskey created a mere few blocks away from my house can stand up to the bottles with big names. It has hints of vanilla, allspice and a tiny kick of white pepper at the end. Delicious neat, on the rocks or dressed up as an Old Fashioned or Hot Toddy; it makes a great winter drink or a gift for those who love whiskey, and better yet, want to support local artisans.
Get it Here
For the trail: Asolo Fission GV -Woman’s hiking boot
I have always regarded REI as my go-to place for outdoor gear, so when it was time to get a new pair of hiking shoes, it was my first stop. This time however, I really wanted to be smart about it. Two REI guys spent close to an hour with Bill and myself, helping us compare and test out shoes, educating us on the proper way to tie the laces (yes, apparently there is a wrong way!), the best socks to use and how to determine whether the shoe is the right fit for you. This is how I came across my new pair, the Asolo Fission GV. It is a serious shoe and a serious investment, but the benefits and features are worth every penny. Waterproof yet breathable, it is solid and ready to tackle different types of terrains and inclines. I cannot recommend them enough, but better yet, I recommend you go see your REI guys to get schooled on your next hiking shoe search. It has changed the way I hike for good, and my feet will never suffer for it again.
Get them Here
Tune in: She & Him A Very She & Him Christmas
I confess to loving Christmas music, the classics in particulars, but I am picky. No Britney Spears singing Santa Baby for me (please!). I am more of a Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald type. However, a classic redone by the smarts behind She & Him may be my favorite Christmas album in recent years. Zooey Deschanel’s voice is something special, and her rendition of I’ll Be Home for Christmas instantly makes me long to be a child again, cuddled next to my dad by a crackling fire.
Tune in Here
Lusting after: Persimmons
This beautiful orange fruit is one I long and wait for year after year. Most commonly seen around here are the two varieties of persimmon, Fuyu and Hachiya. Fuyu persimmons are round and taste sweet as honey, with a smooth flesh and a deliciously satisfying crunch. I eat them raw, but have been known to enjoy them in salads alongside pears, or most recently, in a sandwich with arugula and havarti cheese. The Hachiya variety is heart-shaped and is similar to a plantain in the sense that it is better to bake or cook with. It is very tannic if eaten raw or too early. You’ll know if you have bitten into a Hachiya versus a Fuyu if you suddenly feel your tongue has dried out! It is not just a lovely and delicious treat, it is packed with vitamins and minerals too. Persimmons tend to be in season September through December. Look for persimmons with taut, glossy skin, avoiding fruit with soft spots or bruises.
Learn more about Persimmons Here
