Monthly Archives: January 2011

The Machine

Wizards wants to celebrate 25 years with you!

Check this out,
Wizards is celebrating their 25th Anniversary! 2011 marks Wizards Products 25th year of producing high quality finishing products.
To celebrate, they would like to say thanks to their loyal customers by offering a great promotion in their Online Store — all year long! From now until the end of the year, spend $25 or more in Wizards Online Store on the 25th day of the month and receive free shipping on your order.* Just use coupon code “25YEARS” in your shopping cart to receive the free shipping discount!
The first time this promotion will be offered is tomorrow — Tuesday, January 25th, so get your orders ready!
Cruisin' Companions

TINA

12 year old Akita mix
The first thing you’ll notice about Tina is that her legs are a little bowlegged. We’re not sure why, but it doesn’t bother her too much at all! Sure, she doesn’t like to go for runs, but she loves getting outside as much as she enjoys some quiet time indoors with you! This twelve year old Akita mix is very social and eager for attention. Stop by and meet her today at Animal friends!
Cruisin' Companions

ARENA

6 year old female pit bull
Arena is one of the lucky dogs who came to Animal Friends as part of our New Year’s Eve Rescue. The first thing you’ll notice about this girl is her huge smile and wagging tail! Arena is a wonderfully mature dog who is confident and easygoing, a really laid-back kind of gal. She likes treats but prefers attention and affection. 

You can’t be around this girl without smiling! Arena would do well in an adult household or a household with older children; she is not recommended with small children simply due to her size and strength. She’ll make a wonderful sidekick and companion for some very lucky human!  Stop by Animal Friends and meet her today!

6 year old female pit bullArena is one of the lucky dogs who came to Animal Friends as part of our New Year’s Eve Rescue. The first thing you’ll notice about this girl is her huge smile and wagging tail! Arena is a wonderfully mature dog who is confident and easygoing, a really laid-back kind of gal. She likes treats but prefers attention and affection. 

You can’t be around this girl without smiling! Arena would do well in an adult household or a household with older children; she is not recommended with small children simply due to her size and strength. She’ll make a wonderful sidekick and companion for some very lucky human!  Stop by Animal Friends and meet her today!

The Body

If you have the Flu, do your job, STAY HOME

Along with lousy weather winter also brings in another unwelcome friend, the FLU.  For some reason more and more people are talking about dealing with sick people at work, the gym, the grocery store etc.  This is so annoying to those who focus real hard on trying to maintain their health.  What it comes down to is, if your sick and have the flu, your only job is to STAY HOME.
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu is different from a cold. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
•Fever
•Headache
•Tiredness (can be extreme)
•Dry cough
•Sore throat
•Nasal congestion
•Body aches
•These symptoms are usually referred to as “flu-like symptoms.”
•This virus is passed from person to person or if some comes in contact with the flu virus on a surface and then touches their nose, mouth eyes, etc.
Follow these easy to handle Flu Prevention:
•Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and following food preparation, before eating and after using restrooms or changing diapers.
•Be careful what you touch. Hands transmit germs.
•Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
•Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
•Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing by washing with soap and water or cleaning with an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
•Get plenty of rest, eat properly, and dress appropriately for the weather.
•When ill, prevent the spread of germs by staying home from school or the workplace, if possible. Return to work only after being fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducers.
•During flu season, minimize time in crowded areas, such as shopping centers, and avoid contact with those at high risk for the flu, such as the elderly and those with chronic illness.
•If over the age of 65, pregnant, or if you have a chronic illness or disease, talk with your doctor about a flu and pneumonia vaccination.
As you can see, flu prevention is up to you, don’t spread your germs if your sick, STAY HOME!
Cruisin' Companions

LEMMIE

10 month old domestic longhair
Hello there!  My name is Lemmie and my purr can fill a stadium, like a true Motorhead. Keep on reading for more information on my rockin’ lifestyle. 

In addition to my gorgeous long fur, there are two distinct features you will notice about me: one white facial whisker and an eartip. The whisker is genetic. The eartip is from my recent days in a feral colony. This past summer, my littermates and I were clever enough to take up residence in the back yard of an Animal Friends employee. After feeding the four of us for several days, she determined that we were feral and immediately proceeded to trap, neuter and return all of us. I was neutered, tested, got all of my shots and was returned with the rest of the colony to live outside. For a while, that was our daily life and we were happy. Imagine my caretaker’s surprise when my sister and I decided that humans are pretty cool and we started to let her get close to us while eating. That turned into petting, petting turned into picking up, picking up turned into eventual socialization. It took a few months of daily sessions outside with us, learning how to like humans and how to use our chirpy meows to communicate. My sister jumped on the “I would rather live inside where it is warm” bandwagon first and our caretaker took her inside to live the life of leisure with her other spoiled cats. A month or so later, it was my turn to be placed in a carrier and brought to Animal Friends for placement. I am looking for a forever home that will brush me everyday, indulge my love of catnip and let me be all that an indoor cat can be. I have put my past behind me and am ready to lounge on the couch, play with cat toys and eat like a king. I respect my two siblings that remain feral and are well cared for outside. Me, I like being on this side: having the opportunity to be a cherished indoor feline. I will make a great addition to your family and get along with other cats. Come see me at Animal Friends today!
Cruisin' Companions

FORREST

14 year old cocker spaniel

Forrest is an older cocker spaniel, almost fourteen years old, but he’s still got lots of love left in him. When he first came in, Forrest had medical issues and was very nervous, but he’s doing well in foster care and would love to make the transition to his forever home. He’s done enough playing and running around – a quiet home where he can relax would be great for our little gentleman. Please call Animal Friends today to learn more about him!

The Machine

Stabilize your Fuel, especially during periods of storage

The question we are most commonly asked is, “Why do we need to stabilize fuel?”     So, We have done lots of research to find the answer….
Overtime and more commonly with the use of ethanol based fuels
gum, Carbon and varnish deposits will modify how gas and diesel burn, this results in Incomplete combustion, which not only wastes fuel, but it also causes a buildup of harmful carbon deposits that further reduce engine efficiency and tougher starting.
Recently while digging into this topic we have heard a lot of people talking about Star Tron as a great fuel additive enzyme treatment.
The enzyme package breaks down fuel sludge and allows water to be dispersed throughout the fuel as sub-micron sized droplets that can be eliminated as the engine operates while also cleaning the entire fuel delivery system. Contaminants are either safely burned off or filtered out, and fuel chemistry is stabilized for long-term storage.
Why is it so important to stabilize fuel during periods of storage?
Diesel fuel and gasoline are not formulated to be stored for more than 90 days. After this period of time they begin to oxidize, forming sludge, varnish, gum and other harmful deposits. The ability of the fuel to burn properly is diminished as its chemical components start to break down. Once hydrocarbon fuels deteriorate, the process of cleaning and rejuvenating them is extremely expensive. No one wants that bill when spring time finally rolls around… Preventing gum and varnish buildup is critical for good gasoline performance. This is especially important in E-10 fuel, where the introduction of ethanol into the fuel delivery system may cause old gums and varnish to break off tank walls and contaminate the fuel.
We also learned that Star Tron is not affected by and does not affect any fuel treatment that may already be in use. There is no possibility of any negative chemical interaction. It is formulated for use in all 2 and 4-cycle gasoline engines and in all diesel engines.
Star Tron uses its enzyme technology to maintain fuel quality and slow the deterioration of fuel components. Gasoline or Diesel fuel treated with Star Tron has a shelf life in excess of two years.
So, to sum it up, treat your fuel before storing your bike, car, lawn mower, whatever, this way when you do start it up that initial time you will have no problems and more importantly no expensive service bill as you have to pay to have your carb or injectors cleaned out….
UPDATE, we received this question from Victoria and Rollin from Spectro Oils has given us some info to share;
“Is it okay to use it when you ride your bike a few times during the winter? Or only when sitting it away for a few months at a time? I didn’t know about fuel stablizers i often wondered though about additives for the fuel tank. Thanks for this article! As always you ladies Rock!”

“It’s ok to operate your bike with fuel stabilizer in it. It won’t cause any problems, and is perfectly ok to do.
With the current 10% ethanol/ gas mix that’s mandated by our government, it’s a good idea to use a fuel stabilizer / additive such as Spectro Fuel conditioner year round. It will counteract the negative effects of ethanol, keep your fuel system clean and prevent rust and corrosion. The government is proposing moving to E15 (15% ethanol) which will only make the situation worse.”      Thanks to Victoria for sending in the question and to Rollin for helping out!
The Body

pork and sweet potato stew

Perfect for these freezing winter nights!
ingredients
•1  2-1/2- to 3-lb.  pork loin, cut into 1-1/4- to 1-1/2-inch cubes
•3  to 4 Tbsp.  all-purpose flour
•3  Tbsp.  olive oil
•1  large  onion, chopped
•2  to 3 stalks  celery, chopped
•2  to 3 cloves  garlic, minced
•1  14-oz. can  chicken broth
•1  10-oz. bottle  apple-cranberry juice
•2  large  sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-1/4-inch cubes
•1  to 2 Tbsp.  snipped fresh sage
• Grated fresh nutmeg
•Fresh sage leaves
directions
1. Sprinkle pork lightly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place flour in a large bowl; add pork and toss to coat. In a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add half the pork; brown on all sides. Remove. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining pork. Remove pork from pan.
2. Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan along with onion and celery; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic. Sprinkle with any remaining flour; stir to coat. Slowly stir in broth, juice, and 1 cup water. Return pork to pan; add sweet potatoes and sage. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook 20 to 25 minutes more until potatoes and pork are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. To serve, top with nutmeg and fresh sage leaves. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
nutrition facts
•Calories481, Total Fat (g)24, Saturated Fat (g)7, Monounsaturated Fat (g)12, Polyunsaturated Fat (g)3, Cholesterol (mg)131, Sodium (mg)600, Carbohydrate (g)23, Total Sugar (g)10, Fiber (g)2, Protein (g)41, Vitamin C (DV%)40, Calcium (DV%)7, Iron (DV%)11, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet