A Holiday Staycation and Pet Safety

I have not been writing recently because I have been working on completing my cookbook Read, Cook, Eat which is now available through Amazon.com, Kindle and other fine bookstores. I also spent the month of November writing a new novel to a book series. I'm currently sending our queries for my  Murder in the Stacks series. Naturally, this has curtailed my travel plans, but I am planning a cross country road trip to the East Coast for next year.  

My activities have curtailed my travel and as Mom's know that happens. This year, we are spending the holidays at home and something that has been especially on my mind this season - our new kitten! She has made me especially anxious this season and has me asking, "How do I keep her safe during Christmas and New Year’s Eve!"  To help , I discovered that following hints so let's help keep your dog, cats and other pets safe during Christmas and New Year’s Eve so they can enjoy the holidays with you. 

Many of us do not realize that Christmas traditions we take for granted are actually dangerous to our pets.

Holiday Foods and Beverages

Alcoholic beverages during the holidays are tempting to some pets. All mixed drinks, such as eggnog and rum punches, are toxic to pets but are tempting since they are mixed with items that generally attract their interest. Chocolate poisoning can be fatal, so place foods, such as chocolate chip cookies, away from pet and discourage the kids from “treating” your pets with human food.  Signs of chocolate and other food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.  If your pet shows, signs of any of these symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately.

Christmas

Christmas decorations such as ornaments, decoration hooks, and tinsel when swallowed can cause choking and internal trauma. Christmas tree water is often overlooked at a hazard. Stagnant or preservatives in the water can cause stomach upset. Certain holiday plants such as holly, poinsettias, lilies, and mistletoe are toxic to pets. Keeping these plants in a home with cats is especially dangerous since cats are naturally attracted to them by their scent and can climb to reach them. 

Small toys and parts, if swallowed, can cause pets to choke or damage their intestinal track. Make sure children watch pets at they play with their new toys on Christmas day. Their pets will be excited to see new things in their environment and investigate. Purchasing special toys for pets helps keep them occupied while open gifts.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s is a noisy holiday. Try to keep you pets confined if you are having a party indoors. Loud noises often frighten pets and may cause them to run off. New Year’s Eve decorations such as balloons and confetti can cause choking or intestinal blockages if ingested.  Alcohol is toxic to all pets so avoid leaving out beverages where animals can access them.  

Mago Grill & Cantina: Too expensive for Quality

We enjoyed a meal at Mago Grill &Cantina on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. This was not the first time I went to this restaurant because I believe on giving a place more than one chance before reviewing it. The first time I tried one of their “famous” margaritas, it tasted wonderful; but was overpriced for the size of the drink. I particularly enjoyed the fresh squeezed lime, which added an additional dimension to the drink. Unfortunately, I think $9.00 for only 15 ounces is too much for any alcoholic beverage. 

I also tried the guacamole prior to this visit. The first time I tried the guacamole was too spicy even though we asked for a milder version. The second time the guacamole was perfect though it was served with our entrées instead of as an appetizer as we expected. I believe the staffing issues are more a matter of proper training than malic on their part. The staff seems young and inexperienced as opposed to purposely inept.

Both times, I have visited Mago the service has seemed disjointed. Our servers were courteous and friendly their meal timing with appetizers was off.    I do not enjoy having my main meal cool as I eat the appetizer I have ordered. In addition, the quality of the food, except for the guacamole, was not up to the standards of a high quality Mexican restaurant. The steak Fajita order came to the table with all the appropriate sides but the meat was tough and tasted microwaved warm.  Having eaten at a number of Mexican restaurants, the cost of $19.00 was overpriced in comparison to the quality of meat served.

Overall, I cannot recommend this restaurant. The meal left me dissatisfied considering I could have purchase this two meals for the price I paid at Mago  closer to home at Super Taco  in Plainfield. Their food is authentic and the quality is wonderful. If you are ever in the Plainfield area, try them out. You will be surprised at the freshness of their food and its quality. As far as eating Mexican at Mago located at the Promenade in Bolingbrook, consider what you are getting for the price.  

Will be positing content soon!

Hello, I just want to thank my readers for saying with me as I finish the last edits on my first Fiction mystery novel called “Murder in the Stacks.” I will return to posting new blogs in the coming weeks. Your suggestions on the topics you are interested in reading are always welcome