I went on a road trip to Santa Rosa, California for a long weekend getaway. It was my first time traveling since the pandemic started and I had the BEST time. Looking for road trip ideas? Get my "Foodie Weedy Weekend Guide to Santa Rosa" for where to eat, drink, shop, and places to see. 

Left unsupervised and up to his own devices, Mr. Baking With Chickens did a BAKED With Chickens LIVE episode takeover and made Infused Olive Oil Ice Cream in his new Whytner Ice Cream Maker. He makes the most excellent ice cream and shares his super-top-secret ingredient for soft, scoopable ice cream without weird additives like xantham gum.

Exciting news! I'm now a contributing writer for MedMen's EMBER blog, writing recipes and articles. Currently working on a creativity and cannabis series where I interview well-known chefs about the best dish they ever cooked while high, then make the dish they describe to create a recipe and photography. First up was Chopped 420 winner Chef Wendy Zeng's Passion Fruit Scallop Crudo (pictured above). 

Our beloved dog and chief chicken-poo-eater Miles Woowoo passed away last month. If you've ever lost a pet, you know the heartbreak. The house feels quiet without his woo-woos and bells ringing when he'd ask us to open the door. With 4th of July coming up, thought you'd like a Homemade CBD Dog Treat recipe in Miles' honor -- scroll down. It's easy to bake, cheaper and better quality than buying pre-made treats at the store.

Woo-woo-WOOoooo!

Christina

New to Edibles?

Remember These 3 Things:

• Edibles take up to 90 minutes to 2 hours after eating to kick in. Eat a small dose portion and wait at least 2 hours before eating more. Start with 5 mg or less. If you don’t know the exact dose, less is better because you can always have more. 

• Edibles will feel much stronger than smoked THC because of how it's metabolized; a little goes a long way. 

• The effect of edibles will last much longer. You may feel the effects for hours after you’ve eaten it. 

If you’ve had too much THC and feel too high here are some ways to lessen THC’s effects to help ride it out: 

• CBD: Helps balance and reduce THC’s effects
• Black Peppercorn: Sniff or chew on black peppercorns 
• Drink Cold Water: Stay hydrated with cool water and try to relax
• Squeeze a Lemon: The bright citrus terpenes from lemon oil is known for its anxiety reducing effects
• Sleep: Go sleep it off and wait for the high to pass 

"Spices are best whole and grind fresh to use. A jar of ground spices oxidizes and loses aroma and flavor faster over time".

-- Chef Wendy Zeng interview with Ember

CBD for Pets

Fireworks and 4th of July can be terrifying for pets. CBD can help ease their stress and stay calm during the the loud booms and crackles. You can buy CBD oil or treats, which can be expensive, or bake a batch of wholesome CBD infused treats at home. 

Can I give CBD to my chickens? I know you're thinking it. YES, chickens have an endocannabinoid system and may benefit. CBD (cannabidiol) is an anti-inflammatory and stress reliever. Dose according to weight, 1-2mg CBD (a drop or two) per chicken should be enough. I wonder how chickens feel about fireworks.

Only use CBD oil for your pets, not THC. Please DO NOT give your pets THC, small amounts can be toxic for cats. My favorite brands for pets are VetCBD, Papa & Barkley, Care By Design, and Charlotte's Web. Learn more about CBD for pets from Health.com.

Friendly reminder to put collars and tags on your pets during the days around 4th of July so they can be easily identified and returned if they get scared and run away. 

Recipe: CBD Pet Treats  

These wholesome pet treats contain CBD for calming, and turmeric, cinnamon, and oregano for anti-inflammatory and immune health. 

Makes 48 cookies (2-inch diameter rounds)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup quick-cook oats
• 1/2 teaspoon tumeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 egg 
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened organic applesauce
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil
• CBD oil (recommended 5mg CBD per treat for dogs and cats, 240mg CBD total)

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir to combine. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. If the dough feels too dry, add a little more olive oil or coconut oil.

2. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes with a round 2-inch cookie cutter. If you don't have cookie cutters, roll into balls and press flat with your hand. Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

3. Bake 25-30 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool and store in a sealed container in the fridge or freeze for later. Slightly underbaked treats will be soft and prone to mold if kept too long in a warm place. Slightly overbaked, hard treats will last longer and less likely to mold. 

Watch our Dog Treat episode to see how I make them and Miles showing off his best tricks.