Jane Blacker | Arizona Homeowner | July 2021 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 8 Issue 7

Problem-Solving Pet Products

Something’s Brewing

Choose Your Best Coffee Beans

Queen Mine Bisbee, AZ

Mango Mousse

GoodNes

LOCAL VENUE Queen Mine Bisbee, AZ

The Best Beans F

eel like your morning coffee routine needs a little pick-me-up? Why not perk things up with a different type of java bean … you’d be amazed at how a new coffee variety can add a jolt to your day. Here’s how to choose the perfect bean.

Among the thousands of species in the coffee bean family, surprisingly only two main types are used to make coffee: Arabica (offering a smoother, sweeter taste—about 80 percent of the coffee sold today is Arabica) and Robusta (with a stronger and harsher taste, with more caffeine than Arabica, lending itself to espresso). If you like a milder cup, stick with Arabica. Looking for a rich, more complex flavor? Opt for Robusta beans.

Join the thousands of visitors who embark each year on Bisbee’s underground adventure of one of the greatest copper mines in history. For nearly 100 years, Queen Mine produced billions of dollars’ worth of precious metals. When the mines closed in 1975, volunteers re-worked the tunnels to make them safe for public tours. Now, visitors can partake in an authentic mining experience.

Wearing the traditional miner’s hard hat, head lamp and yellow slicker, guests descend 1,500 feet into the mine guided by veteran miners who share firsthand knowledge of the excitement and dangers of mining life.

Source: QueenMineTour.com

Growing location also matters. Most coffee beans are grown in a band or belt that runs roughly across the middle of the planet, including regions of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Each specific area has its own flavor profile: beans from Central and South America provide smooth and sweet tastes, beans from Africa are fruity and floral, and Asian beans can best be described as earthy and woody. Similar to wine, the coffee bean’s taste depends on the elements in which it is grown. The amount of rainfall and sunlight, humidity, altitude, soil conditions, and processing techniques all affect the flavor.

When it comes to harvesting the coffee beans, the cherries or fruit of the plant are picked when the color changes from green to a deep red ripe hue. Once picked, the beans are dried and roasted, which again impacts flavor. The roasts vary by company but generally fall into the categories of light, medium, medium-dark, and dark. The darker the roast, the stronger it will taste, however darker roasts do not have higher caffeine levels. Whether you choose preground or whole beans, note that the size of the grind will also affect the flavor; if the grind is too small the coffee can taste bitter, too large and the coffee will lack taste.

Whether you brew in a standard drip coffeemaker or a French press or another method is up to you. Try experimenting and see what you like best … just remember that the grind of the bean needs to vary based on the brewing method. Finally, look for the roast date on the packaging and use within three weeks for optimal flavor. Now sit back and enjoy that hot cup of Joe.

LIFEWISE

food up to 10 times better. The maze design requires animals to carefully follow the contours or eat from one section at a time rather than scarfing their meal in a few big bites.

TO KEEP YOUR PETS HAPPY Video Treat Dispenser – For the pets that suffer from separation anxiety, try a wireless pet camera that allows you to check in from anywhere in the world. The Furbo Dog Camera has extra features including a wide-angle lens, a sensor that alerts you if your dog is barking and the option to speak to them through the device. You can even command Furbo to dispense a treat!

W

hether they prefer cats or dogs, pet parents love to shower their fur babies with all the best. Here are some interesting toys and accessories you might not have heard about, but you definitely want to try.

TO KEEP YOUR PUP SAFE Paw Protection Cream – With the temperatures rising, dogs need extra defense from scorching pavement and sidewalks that can burn their paws. A waxy cream full of rich butters and oils will sooth and moisturize paw pads, adding a protective layer when they come in contact with rough or hot surfaces.

Pet Seatbelt – Hitting the road this summer? Make sure your dogs are buckled in. Pet seatbelts attach on one end to the headrest in your vehicle and to your dog’s harness or collar on the other.

The firm straps with a bungee-like section keep pets comfortable while preventing them from climbing all over the car or slipping and sliding on seats.

Smart Toy Treat Dispenser – To keep your pet busy while you get work done at home, a puzzle-toy treat dispenser is a great option.

Treats are hidden inside the toy for your pet to discover as they play and problem solve. You can find wobble toys filled with small kibble or larger, stationary toys with hidden compartments. These smart toys are guaranteed to keep your pet entertained for an afternoon.

TO KEEP YOUR HOME FRESH Odor-absorbing Charcoal Pads – Along with all the love and fun our pets bring, they also bring a variety of unpleasant smells.

Charcoal pads are perfect for absorbing the excess odor from gas, litter boxes, stinky breath or just that general animal smell.

True, your pets probably won’t notice a difference, but this is a treat for all the owners out there.

FLAVORFUL

TO KEEP YOUR PETS HEALTHY Slow Feeder – Available as a bowl for dogs or a mat for cats, these maze feeders help your pets eat more slowly and digest

Mango Mousse INGREDIENTS ¼ cup

Water

1 packet

Unflavored gelatin (7 grams)

2 cups

Mango pulp

1/3 cup

Sweetened Condensed Milk

¾ cup

Heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS Microwave gelatin mixture on HIGH (100%) power for 20 seconds or until mixture liquefies. Whisk in mango pulp and sweetened condensed milk.

Beat whipping cream in medium mixer bowl on medium speed until cream thickens but peaks have not formed. Beat in mango mixture for about 1 minute. Cool and serve.

GoodNes.com

J

ane Blacker has been a widely-respected member of the Valley of the Sun real estate industry since 2000. With over 30 years as a real estate professional, her

track record remains spotless-something she attributes to always placing her clients’ interests first, providing unsurpassed service, meticulous attention to detail, and staying abreast of market trends and changes affecting the real estate industry.

Jane joined Russ Lyon Realty Company in March 2001. She achieved a topproducer ranking within two years and continues to be a top producer with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Originally from England, her career in real estate began when she joined a commercial real estate company in London and worked for ten years as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner.

Her many community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. In 2013 and 2014 Jane was recognized by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding contributions to the community and has been the recipient of two prestigious business volunteer awards.

Jane Blacker REALTOR | SRES

Cell 480.283.3009 Fax 480.624.3711 Jane.Blacker@RussLyon.com Call Jane today if you are thinking about a new home!

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by Prime Source & DLP • 480.921.0511 • PrimeSourceAZ.com

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About Jane