strawberry meringue pie, for your Memorial Day Cookout

ingredients
1  rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust (1/2 of a 15-oz. pkg.)
3  egg whites
1/2  tsp. vanilla
1/4  tsp. cream of tartar
1/2  cup sugar
7  Tbsp. lemon curd
5  cups fresh strawberries (halve large berries)
Snipped fresh mint
directions
1. Let unbaked crust stand at room temperature according to package directions. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Unroll and line 9-inch pie plate with crust; flute edge, if desired. Prick bottom and sides of crust with fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
2. Meanwhile, for meringue layer, in large mixing bowl let egg whites stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Add vanilla and cream of tartar. Beat on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar. Beat on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is almost dissolved. Spread in baked piecrust, building up meringue along edges. Bake 35 minutes. Cool on rack. Meringue will fall slightly.
3. In large bowl microcook lemon curd on 50 percent power (medium) 15 to 20 seconds. Spread 4 tablespoons warm curd on meringue. Add berries to remaining lemon curd; lightly stir to coat. Spoon into pie shell. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes. To serve, top with fresh mint. Cut with serrated knife. Makes 8 servings.
nutrition facts
Servings Per Recipe 8 servings Calories 262, Total Fat (g) 8, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Cholesterol (mg) 16, Sodium (mg) 143, Carbohydrate (g) 46, Total Sugar (g) 29, Fiber (g) 4, Protein (g) 2, Vitamin C (DV%) 89, Calcium (DV%) 2, Iron (DV%) 3, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

In Remembrance of those men and women who gave their lives for this country.

All of us here at Garage-Girls would like to extend our sincere thoughts to all of those soldiers who have given the greatest sacrifice of all, their lives. Have a safe and thoughtful memorial day weekend.  Just wanted to share with you all if you have never watched the National Memorial day Concert, you can catch it on PBS and NPR, the concert is performed on the west lawn of the US Capital and the music is in respect to the men and women who gave their lives for our country. It’s a great way to experience what this holiday is all about.

REMI

If you like your dogs big, beautiful, and furry, then I’m the dog for you! Remi’s the name, and fun’s the game! I’m athletic and love to run around the yard and play with other dogs. I do really well with my canine colleagues and can even be very pleasant around cats too (provided I meet them first).
I can come across as a little aloof, but that’s just my Husky breeding. I’m really a very sweet dog! My big problem is life is that I’m very noise sensitive! I don’t like loud or sudden noises, so I’d do well in a quiet environment without small kids.
Like many Huskies, I need constant training or I’ll get bored or too confident (then watch out, cats!). But I’d love to be an exercise partner or a ball-chaser for you! Come meet me at Animal Friends!

How Accidents Occur… and How to Avoid Them

This upcoming memorial day weekend is the first long holiday weekend that kicks off the good weather season, and that usually means more people will be on the road.  If you are heading out be sure to stay safe and watch out for others on the road.
The following is a list of some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.  Take steps to avoid them and you will reduce your risk of an accident significantly:
Unseen Riders – Research shows that the major cause of motorcycle accidents has been and continues to be the failure of other motorists to see motorcyclists in traffic, especially at night.  Almost 60% of motorcycle fatalities occur after dark.  This is yet another reason why making every attempt to be visible on the road is of vital importance.
Lack of Experience / Poor Riding Skills – as we’ve seen above, lack of training and experience on your bike can cause you to be a danger not only to yourself but to others on the road with you.  Take the time to develop basic skills and good techniques before ever venturing on to public roads.
Bad Road Conditions / Undivided Highways – Bad road conditions such as potholes, debris and uneven places in the roads can have a tremendous impact on a motorcycle and rider.  Also important and a large contributor to accidents is roads which lack a divider between opposing or facing traffic.
Excessive Speed – Speeding is a major factor in accidents as well.  Speeding displaces the alignment of the motorcycle, as it causes the front end to become unsteady.  It then becomes easier for the motorcyclist to lose control and possibly collide with either a stationary object or another moving vehicle.
Drunk / Impaired Driving – Statistically speaking alcohol in any amounts impairs judgment and slows reaction time.  With both judgment and reaction time being essential to safe riding, it makes good sense to refrain from drinking and drug-use (including some prescription and over-the-counter medications) while operating your motorcycle.
Poor Weather Conditions – Because of the open nature of a bike, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to the elements.  Extra precautions – including being willing to pull of the road and stop during bad weather – are needed every time you plan a ride.

Memorial Day Cookout Quick-N-Easy side dish

Heading out to a cookout this memorial day weekend?  Enjoy this quick-n-easy recipe as a side dish to go with your barbeque!
Ingredients
6  cups broccoli florets
3  cups cauliflower florets
1/2  cup golden raisins
1/3  cup walnut pieces, toasted
1/4  cup olive oil or canola oil
1/4  cup cider vinegar
1  tsp. honey or sugar
1/2  tsp. dried basil, crushed
1/2  tsp. ground black pepper
1/4  tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)
directions
1. In a saucepan bring 2 inches of water to boiling. Add broccoli, return to boiling. Cook, covered, for 2 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well.
2. In same saucepan cook cauliflower in water using same method as Step 1.
3. In 2- to 2-1/2-quart bowl layer half the broccoli, cauliflower, raisins, and walnuts. Repeat layers. Cover and chill. In a screw-top jar combine olive oil, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, the honey, basil, black pepper, and red pepper. Cover tightly and shake well. Add dressing just before serving; toss to coat.
nutrition facts
Calories 128, Total Fat (g) 8, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Monounsaturated Fat (g) 4, Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 261, Carbohydrate (g) 13, Total Sugar (g) 2, Fiber (g) 3, Protein (g) 3, Vitamin A (DV%) 0, Vitamin C (DV%) 105, Calcium (DV%) 4, Iron (DV%) 5, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

KAHUNA

Like many dogs that end up here, I was a stray. Someone found me wandering around and took me to Action for Animals, who took care of me and then transferred me here. When they got me, they had to take off my old collar that was beginning to dig into my neck! Boy, life out on the road isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I like it a lot better here; I get to hang out with other dogs, which I like very much! My old owners taught me to sit and walk, and I love going for long strolls. If you sit down next to me, I’ll cuddle right up next to you!
Really, the only thing I don’t like is being poked or picked up in my hind quarters. Because of this I wouldn’t do well with young kids, but otherwise I’m a lot of fun. With a little training, I could be the dog for you! What do you say?
Why don’t you come check me out at Animal Friends!

O’Hara

Hello, I’m O’Hara, and I’m a great example of just how hard everyone here at Animal Friends is working to help rehabilitate dogs like me. I came from a bad home environment where I was kept in a cage and when I first got here, I didn’t know what to do!  I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to go outside at all!
But lately I’ve been getting better. I still get very, very excited when someone comes to see me in my cage, and I’d probably grow to love a whole house too. I’m still a little nervous when we’re out walking around, but I’m getting used to it…especially when I discovered how fun it is to sniff around! I’m very loving and gentle and only get a little aggressive around other dogs, so I’d do best in a home by myself.
I think that with some training and a strong handler, I could become a fantastic dog to have around the house; I already have the wiggling happily and begging for affection down cold. Can you help take me the rest of the way? Come see me at Animal Friends!

Don’t forget to Stretch!

Stretching is so often something people neglect to do at the end of a training session because they are usually too tired to do anything else.
Also we have seen people RUSH through each stretch and this totally doesn’t allow you to get the full benefit of stretching.
Why do we need to stretch?  It is to improve our flexibility, the range of motion that is available to our joints. Flexibility is important because:
It improves muscle balance around a joint, thus improving posture, It also reduces the chance of injury when playing a sport or in performing our every day activities.  Flexibility also increases the blood and nutrient supply to muscles and cartilage, which helps in reducing muscle soreness after training.
Stretching should not be done as a warm-up before working out, you could risk injuring your muscles if stretching them when they are cold.
The best way to warm up before a work out is At least 3 to 5 minutes of cardiovascular training.
At the end of your workout is where you should be stretching.
Each major muscle group should be stretched slowly and with control, holding each stretch for 1 to 3 minutes. Remember, hold each stretch at the point of mild tension or tightness, not to the point of pain.  
The reason It’s so important to stretch after doing any physical activity is because during exercise when muscles perform, they tighten and shorten as a result of your workout. Stretching helps to restore and improve their length.
Make sure your stretching properly after your workouts!