My Dog is Suffering From Seasonal Affective Disorder...but I am A- OK!!

Aww Winter...I used to love you but now it seems that you are taking your evil toll on the ones I love. You couldn't just stop with the humans could you? You had to take out my poor sweet angels in your frosty spell!

I was talking to Blaire today about the odd things that both dogs (mainly Sadie) have been doing lately. Blaire has diagnosed them both with Seasonal Affective Disorder...I laughed...then I looked up the symptoms.

• Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration True...they are sleeping more
  
• Carbohydrate cravings Anyone who knows Beau-dog completely understands as Beau is addicted to Carbs...but it is beginning to rub off on Sadie.
  
• Decreased interest in work or other activities Well they are still pretty interested in doggy stuff, but Beau-dog is finding it harder these days to give a crap about a tennis ball.
  
• Depression that starts in fall or winter Not so much the fall/winter. Beau-dog and Sadie have highly enjoyed the snow...but the little time they are allowed outside is beginning to take a toll on them.
  
• Increased appetite with weight gain Ummm...how do you judge an increase in appetite when they eat crumbs off the floor? Beau-dog was caught licking the carpet yesterday...and Sadie has been licking chairs and my shoes. HMMMMMM....could be considered increased appetite.
  
• Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness They only seem to be awake for about 3 hours a day.
  
• Lack of energy
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Social withdrawal Here is the one that got me. Beau-dog who is wildly independent will usually play with other dogs, but when put with the Partch's pups he distanced himself and tried to play alone. Sadie on the other hand has become very bad. She's trash talking and bullying. She acts like she has never been around another dog before.

So that being said I can officially say that this horribly cold, wet, icy, snowy, windy winter is messing with us all. Do they make anti-depressants for dogs?

While only having a very slight case of the winter blues...I feel I am doing better than most. I am so lucky that I have this project and this blog. I am inspired to watch documentaries and read. I want to learn! I am looking at cooking classes offered at Whole Foods and the culinary school here. I have found the Farmer's Market and Trader Joe's here, so I can have better food products for my meals. I have a whole yard and garden to plan since it will be time to plant soon. Not to mention Christi and I are going to take some of those Home Depot classes. Not sure on what...but we may just get really handy. :) I have so much to plan and so much to keep my busy and to daydream about that this winter is flying by and I hardly notice the cold icky weather...Well that is until I have to stand outside in my pj's because the dogs have to potty. Fuzzy slippers A) do not go with everything you own...and B) hardly provide adequate protection from the elements.

So I wondered if Pakistan was suffering from the winter blues...and as I expected they are experiencing temps in the low 60's. I can't wait to be in the low 60's again! The country of the week was Pakistan and the dish is Biryani. Biryani is a traditional food that they make for special occasions like weddings and they almost always serve it during Ramadan. You can make Biryani with mutton, beef or chicken and I found great recipes for all of them, but I chose to make Chicken Biryani.

PAKISTAN

CHICKEN BIRYANI

INGREDIENTS

• 1 stick butter (preferably with the tsp measurements on package)
• 4 small Yukon gold potatoes cut into pieces
• 3 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger root
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp and 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 2 medium tomatoes chopped
• 3 tbsp plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ground fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 tsp and 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken pieces cut into chunks
• 1 pinch powdered saffron
• 3 whole cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 pound basmati rice
• 4 cups chicken stock

PREP

Cut your potatoes, tomatoes and onions (2 onions in one bowl and one onion in another) and cut your chicken into small pieces. This is best done before cooking so that the transitions will be fluid.

METHOD

In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp butter and fry the potatoes until brown. Remove from heat and reserve until later.

In this skillet add 2 tbsp and fry onion the two onions, garlic and ginger until onion is soft and golden.

Once golden add chili, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt and the tomatoes.

Once the tomatoes are warm add yogurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon stick.

Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes are cooked to a pulp. It may be necessary to add a little hot water if the mixture becomes too dry and starts to stick to the pan.

In another large skillet heat 2-1/2 tbsp butter and fry the onions until they are golden. Then add in the saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and rice (uncooked). Stir continuously until the rice is coated with the spices.

In a medium-size pot, heat the chicken stock and salt. When the mixture is hot pour in your rice mixture, cover and cook until rice is plump but not finished.

Add rice mixture, potatoes and the chicken pieces to the large skillet containing the tomato mixture. Cook on low heat (about an hour) stirring often, until rice and chicken are cooked.

The extreme starchiness of this meal made me want a little green. So in the tiny remaining butter from the stick I used for the meal I stir fried some zucchini as a side dish.








Other than the depressed dogs, I can say that we are blessed and even despite the crappy weather we have had some fun!


Last Friday we were invited to Jason and Christi's house for dinner.








I had no idea that I liked Italian sausage! Yum!










I redid Jason's To Do list! This was a total pee your pants good laugh!





AND WE GOT SERENADED BY A TRUE ROCK STAR!!!!