The Omlet Blog Archives: December 2018

Celebration Chocolate Cake

What’s on your Christmas list when it comes to cake? Easy, healthy, indulgent, gluten free, no added fat? Using eggs and veg from the garden, this recipe ticks every box…


Ingredients:

100 g good-quality dark chocolate

250 g grated raw beetroot

4 large free-range eggs

100 g ground almonds

150 g golden caster sugar

2 tablespoon good-quality cocoa powder

2 tsp mixed spice

1 teaspoon baking powder (gluten free if required)

Decorations of your choice: icing sugar, chocolate shavings, almond slivers, etc.

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 180c and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking parchment.

2) Melt the chocolate in bowl over hot water.

2) In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, almond, sugar, cocoa powder, mixed spice and baking powder.

3) Fold in the melted chocolate, followed by the grated beetroot.

4) Pour mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 40 minutes, it’s cooked throughout when a clean metal skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

5) Allow to cool and decorate as you choose!

Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Hen Cornerwww.hencorner.com

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This entry was posted in Recipes on December 16th, 2018 by linnearask


Does My Pet Need a Friend?

Animals can either be social or solitary, which you’ll find information on below. But which category does your pet fall under, and do they have their own friend already?

Social animals

An animal that exhibits a high degree of sociality is called a social animal. This means they need contact with their own kind. Being kept on their own causes these animals to experience boredom, frustration and fear. Unless you have plenty of time to socialise with them, it is recommended these pets have a buddy.

Solitary animals

Solitary animals on the other hand spend a majority of their lives without others of their species, with possible exceptions for mating and raising their young. They are often territorial and do not like the company of another animal, especially an animal of their own kind. Some solitary animals will even start fighting when kept together, which can harm or even kill one or both animals.

Does my rabbit need a friend?

Wild rabbits spend their lives as part of a large group, known as a warren. Rabbits are very sociable animals and need to be kept with at least one other rabbit. It is easiest if rabbits are kept together from birth, but rabbits less than 3 months old will usually live together happily. The best combination is a neutered male and a neutered female. Two litter brothers or two litter sisters will also get on well, but to prevent fighting it is important that they are both neutered.

Two rabbits playing under Omlet Zippi Rabbit Run Platforms

Does my hamster need a friend?

Syrian (and sometimes Chinese) hamsters must be kept alone. If kept together, these hamsters will get very stressed, even if they are housed in a large enclosure. For owners who want to keep two or more hamsters together, Dwarf hamsters are recommended (such as Roborovskis or Winter Whites). These species can be kept in pairs or groups as long as they are given adequate space.

Does my guinea pig need a friend?

In the wild guinea pigs live in groups of 10 or more, they are social creatures, and like company. As pets they are usually kept in pairs; two females (sows) will live happily together, as will two males (boars), particularly if they are brothers. Two boars of different ages will usually live together, as long as there are no females around. If a female and male live together the male should be castrated.

Does my gerbil need a friend?

Due to their social nature gerbils need the company of their own kind, the exception being Fat-Tailed gerbils. It is always advisable to get a pair of gerbils because it can be difficult to introduce two gerbils to each other when they are adults (around 16 weeks old). You can keep either two males or two females. Whilst gerbils are social and can live in groups, unless you have a very big area to keep them in, it’s better to keep no more than 2-4.

Does my dog need a friend?

Dogs love nothing more than attention and affection, whether it be from you (their owner) or their fellow dog friends. They can be perfectly happy with just the attention from their owner and family, which means getting another dog is not essential. It is often thought that adopting another dog will instantly solve all problems associated with your first dog’s separation anxiety, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. When adopting a second dog you must consider a number of different variables, including gender, temperament, energy requirements and size. You can find out more about setting your furry friend up on a successful doggy playdate in this previous blog for some more tips!

Does my cat need a friend?

It is thought that cats don’t actually crave companionship from one of their own. Often they are perfectly happy being the only cat in the house. Cats are indeed a solitary species but they can and do live in groups. But an extra cat friend (or partner in crime) does provides extra mental and physical stimulation. The major benefit to getting two cats is that they will keep each other company whilst you are away. Getting kittens from the same litter of cats is always the best choice.

Does my chicken need a friend?

Free-ranging chickens are social animals. Hens and chicks are the core, while roosters live independently. Because chickens are social animals they prefer to live in a flock. Furthermore, a chicken without a buddy will get lonely and stressed out. When you have a group of chickens or add new chickens to your existing flock, they will have to establish the pecking order and you might start to wonder if they are social animals after all. Read the guide on our website for more information on how to introduce chickens to an existing flock.

Hens nesting together in Omlet Eglu Go Up Chicken Coop nesting box

For more information on what else you need to know about getting a new pet, have a read of the Omlet Pet Guides. You can also shop everything you need for your furry or feathered friend on the Omlet shop!

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This entry was posted in Pets on December 14th, 2018 by linnearask


Save $20 on your order this weekend!

 

You will save $20 on orders over $100 when you enter code XMAS20 at checkout this weekend! A perfect opportunity to save on those last minutes Christmas presents!

Terms and Conditions:
Enter code XMAS20 at checkout to get $20 off your order. Purchases must be over $100 in total. Subject to availability. Omlet ltd. reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any point. Omlet cannot take responsibility for third party supplier delays such as courier service. Cannot be redeemed on delivery or courses. This offer is valid from 8/12/18 until midnight ACT on 9/12/18 only. This offer cannot be used on existing discounts or in conjunction with any other offer.

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This entry was posted in Offers and promotions on December 7th, 2018 by linnearask


Apple and Cinnamon Dog Cookies Recipe

These delicious Apple and Cinnamon Dog Cookies are a great Christmas treat for your pooch this festive season, and they’re healthy!

Ingredients
Makes 10 cookies

70g coconut flour
1 egg
3 teaspoons of coconut oil
Pinch of cinnamon
1 apple (grated)

And a cookie cutter

180 C for 15 minutes
(160 C fan assisted or gas mark 4)

  1. Preheat the oven to 160c and prepare a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Heat 3 teaspoons of coconut oil in a bowl in the microwave for 1 minute, or until soft.
  3. Mix together the egg, coconut oil in a bowl.
  4. Grate 1 apple into the bowl and mix.
  5. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the mix.
  6. Weigh out 70g of coconut flour into a separate bowl, and start to add a bit of flour at a time to the wet mixture, stirring as you go.
  7. Continue adding coconut flour and mixing until you get a dough like consistency. You may not need to use all the flour to achieve this. The texture will be sticky and slightly crumbly.
  8. Dust some coconut flour onto a clean surface and place the dough on top.
  9. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin or your hands until it is approximately 1 cm thick
  10. Use a small cookie cutter (approx 5cm diameter) to press out shapes in the dough and place them onto the baking tray. Handle these carefully as the dough can be fragile due to the lack of fat in the recipe (too much fat is unhealthy for dogs!)
  11. Once all the dough has been used and the cookies are all placed on the baking tray, place them in the oven for approximately 15 minutes, keeping an eye that they do not burn.
  12. Take them out the oven and leave to cool, at this point they will firm up a bit more, so handle carefully.
  13. Once cool, store in a cool dry place, and treat your dog to a delicious cookie!

Health Benefits

  • Coconut flour is gluten free, perfect for dogs who suffer an intolerance of wheat. It’s also low in sugar and high in protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
  • In small quantities, coconut oil can promote a healthy coat, improve digestion and assist the immune system.
  • Eggs are also great for extra protein in your dog’s diet
  • Did you know, cinnamon can be incredibly helpful for senior dogs who are suffering with arthritis? Adding a small amount to your dog’s diet can be incredibly beneficial.
  • Apples are a source of Vitamin A and C so make a great, healthy treat for your dog, but don’t feed them the core when you have finished grating the apple, as the seeds are harmful.

As always, treats should be given to dogs alongside a healthy balanced diet, and do not feed them too many at a time.

We’d love to see your photos of this cookie recipe, tag us on Instagram using #OmletPets.

 

Sources:
https://www.chewchewtreats.ca/blogs/chewchew-treats-blog/coconut-flour-benefits-for-dogs
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/nutrition/dog-approved-people-food
https://www.dogster.com/dog-food/about-cinnamon-for-dogs
https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-apples/29085
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

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This entry was posted in Dogs on December 6th, 2018 by linnearask


Don’t miss the last day for delivery in time for Chrismas

Get you delivery in time for Christmas.

Make sure you order before these dates to get your delivery in time for the big day:

NSW Metro, Melbourne & Brisbane – Monday 17th December
SA, TAS, VIC rural, NSW rural & QLD – Thursday 13th December 
WA & NT – Monday 10th December

Deadlines depend on the product you are purchasing and your chosen delivery method. If you live outside of the main cities then delivery times will be longer. This date is a guide only, we recommend that you place your orders early to avoid disappointment. Please call us to confirm delivery if you are uncertain, or if these dates have already passed. Omlet cannot take responsibility for third party supplier delays such as courier service.

No delivery service available on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day.

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This entry was posted in Offers and promotions on December 4th, 2018 by linnearask