The Machine

Stabilize your Fuel, especially during periods of storage

The question we are most commonly asked is, “Why do we need to stabilize fuel?”     So, We have done lots of research to find the answer….
Overtime and more commonly with the use of ethanol based fuels
gum, Carbon and varnish deposits will modify how gas and diesel burn, this results in Incomplete combustion, which not only wastes fuel, but it also causes a buildup of harmful carbon deposits that further reduce engine efficiency and tougher starting.
Recently while digging into this topic we have heard a lot of people talking about Star Tron as a great fuel additive enzyme treatment.
The enzyme package breaks down fuel sludge and allows water to be dispersed throughout the fuel as sub-micron sized droplets that can be eliminated as the engine operates while also cleaning the entire fuel delivery system. Contaminants are either safely burned off or filtered out, and fuel chemistry is stabilized for long-term storage.
Why is it so important to stabilize fuel during periods of storage?
Diesel fuel and gasoline are not formulated to be stored for more than 90 days. After this period of time they begin to oxidize, forming sludge, varnish, gum and other harmful deposits. The ability of the fuel to burn properly is diminished as its chemical components start to break down. Once hydrocarbon fuels deteriorate, the process of cleaning and rejuvenating them is extremely expensive. No one wants that bill when spring time finally rolls around… Preventing gum and varnish buildup is critical for good gasoline performance. This is especially important in E-10 fuel, where the introduction of ethanol into the fuel delivery system may cause old gums and varnish to break off tank walls and contaminate the fuel.
We also learned that Star Tron is not affected by and does not affect any fuel treatment that may already be in use. There is no possibility of any negative chemical interaction. It is formulated for use in all 2 and 4-cycle gasoline engines and in all diesel engines.
Star Tron uses its enzyme technology to maintain fuel quality and slow the deterioration of fuel components. Gasoline or Diesel fuel treated with Star Tron has a shelf life in excess of two years.
So, to sum it up, treat your fuel before storing your bike, car, lawn mower, whatever, this way when you do start it up that initial time you will have no problems and more importantly no expensive service bill as you have to pay to have your carb or injectors cleaned out….
UPDATE, we received this question from Victoria and Rollin from Spectro Oils has given us some info to share;
“Is it okay to use it when you ride your bike a few times during the winter? Or only when sitting it away for a few months at a time? I didn’t know about fuel stablizers i often wondered though about additives for the fuel tank. Thanks for this article! As always you ladies Rock!”

“It’s ok to operate your bike with fuel stabilizer in it. It won’t cause any problems, and is perfectly ok to do.
With the current 10% ethanol/ gas mix that’s mandated by our government, it’s a good idea to use a fuel stabilizer / additive such as Spectro Fuel conditioner year round. It will counteract the negative effects of ethanol, keep your fuel system clean and prevent rust and corrosion. The government is proposing moving to E15 (15% ethanol) which will only make the situation worse.”      Thanks to Victoria for sending in the question and to Rollin for helping out!
The Body

pork and sweet potato stew

Perfect for these freezing winter nights!
ingredients
•1  2-1/2- to 3-lb.  pork loin, cut into 1-1/4- to 1-1/2-inch cubes
•3  to 4 Tbsp.  all-purpose flour
•3  Tbsp.  olive oil
•1  large  onion, chopped
•2  to 3 stalks  celery, chopped
•2  to 3 cloves  garlic, minced
•1  14-oz. can  chicken broth
•1  10-oz. bottle  apple-cranberry juice
•2  large  sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-1/4-inch cubes
•1  to 2 Tbsp.  snipped fresh sage
• Grated fresh nutmeg
•Fresh sage leaves
directions
1. Sprinkle pork lightly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place flour in a large bowl; add pork and toss to coat. In a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add half the pork; brown on all sides. Remove. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining pork. Remove pork from pan.
2. Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan along with onion and celery; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic. Sprinkle with any remaining flour; stir to coat. Slowly stir in broth, juice, and 1 cup water. Return pork to pan; add sweet potatoes and sage. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook 20 to 25 minutes more until potatoes and pork are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. To serve, top with nutmeg and fresh sage leaves. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
nutrition facts
•Calories481, Total Fat (g)24, Saturated Fat (g)7, Monounsaturated Fat (g)12, Polyunsaturated Fat (g)3, Cholesterol (mg)131, Sodium (mg)600, Carbohydrate (g)23, Total Sugar (g)10, Fiber (g)2, Protein (g)41, Vitamin C (DV%)40, Calcium (DV%)7, Iron (DV%)11, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
The Machine

Mustang Tripper FastbackTM

Mustang does it again, a great looking seat with all the comfort needed built in.
Mustang’s one-piece Tripper FastbackTM design offers a super clean, custom style.
Cut low and sleek, this seat provides good back support for the driver.  Smoothly tapered in the back, the Tripper FastbackTM still gives passenger comfort for “tripping” around town.
Mustang’s One-Piece Tripper FastbackTM is priced right at only $339; models are available to fit Road King, FLHT, FLHX and FLTR 1997-up.
Mustang offers a full line of replacements seats for Harley-Davidson® and Metric Cruisers, all proudly handcrafted in the USA.  For more info, visit MustangSeats.com or call 800-243-1392.
Cruisin' Companions

CATNIP

Hey there, I’m Catnip. Not only do I have good looks, I am one special kitty. I only have three legs, but I don’t let that hold me back. I live life to the fullest and want a family to share it with!

I love to play and snuggle with people, but I’m not happy living with other cats. I’m not sure how I feel about small children or dogs, but we can talk about it and figure something out.

Why don’t you come to Animal Friends and ask to meet me? I’d love to show you all my toys!

The Body

How Creative is Your Child’s School Lunch?

By, Alyson Walls
Much has been written over the past few weeks about passage of the Child Nutrition bill, known as the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010. As children head back to school in the new year, I decided to dig in and take a closer look at the new legislation.
In doing some initial research, I discovered an interesting blog called Fed Up with Lunch. It’s the story of a Chicago-area public school teacher, “Mrs. Q,” who ate, photographed and wrote about 160 elementary school lunches — one per school day for a year.
In writing the blog, Mrs. Q, who protects her identity for fear of losing her job, learned that for kids and adults, “food is personal, food is life, food is health.” She ultimately changed her own eating habits, began cooking healthier for her family and became an accidental crusader for school lunch reform. (Her photos of unidentifiable meat and grease-slogged pizza from the cafeteria alone are proof school children need healthier lunch options.)
Read the blog here: http://fedupwithschoollunch.blogspot.com/
Enter the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010.
The bill, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of a strategy to combat childhood obesity and hunger, aims to expand the school lunch program and provide children with better access to healthier foods, including more fruit and vegetables. It sets new standards for school cafeteria foods, as well as those sold in vending machines and offered through school sales.
Proponents say the bill will help address problems including childhood obesity, poor nutrition and hunger. Opponents say it’s just another example of government intrusion, now in school kitchens.
Among other things, the new bill, which reauthorizes the Child Nutrition Act first enacted in 1966, provides the first increase in federal support for school lunches in 30 years — 6 cents per meal above the inflation rate.
The bill isn’t perfect – no legislation ever is – however, with childhood health problems increasing and visual proof in Mrs. Q’s blog that school lunches leave a lot to be desired, it does offer a starting point for providing healthier meals for the children most in need (those receiving free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch).
While reducing childhood obesity rates goes beyond offering kids plastic-wrapped carrot sticks and syrupy fruit cups, a recent article in The Washington Post outlined five myths about school food, including the notion that kids won’t eat anything green.
Schools in Compton, Calif., have introduced salad bars, which are now one of the most popular options for students. In New Orleans, a school chef conducts fruit and vegetable tastings with kindergartners – one for each letter of the alphabet – as they learn their ABCs (Apples, Bananas, Carrots, Daikon radishes).
Education goes a long way toward helping kids and adults make healthier choices. For example, in a San Francisco Elementary school, children made “funny-face” sandwiches using pita, hummus, raisins and raw spinach, with the school’s nutrition coordinator. What’s more, they actually ate them! In fact, research has shown that when presented with healthy foods in creative ways, kids will try, and perhaps even enjoy, eating them!
Read about the funny-face sandwich lesson here:
http://motherjones.com/environment/2010/12/taste-change-flynn-elementary
Teachers around the U.S. say they have observed students eating all sorts of stuff that is “good for them,” especially if they first encounter the food in a school garden or classroom cooking demonstration, help to plant seeds or harvest vegetables as part of a science lesson, or meet the farmers growing their greens.
However, studies overwhelmingly confirm kids are far less likely to try healthy foods on their own, especially if there is a vending machine filled with junk food nearby.
School officials and nutritionists agree that federal legislation can do only so much to get kids to eat balanced meals. We need to do more for both adults and children in terms of increasing nutrition knowledge, presenting food in creative ways and making sure that what we offer in the cafeteria reflects what we are teaching in the classroom and what is reinforced at home.
Education, creativity and fun go a long way with kids in general, not just in terms of healthy eating. When I student-taught Kindergarten a few years ago, I actually observed this. Give a kid a whole orange on her tray, and she probably won’t take the time to peel or eat it. But cut it in quarters, take a big bite and make a silly smiley face with the peel in your mouth, and just watch how fast they all do the same.
Read more about the myths of school lunches here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/17/AR2010121702561.html
The Machine

Ladies and Gentleman,……. Start your snowblowers!

Much of us are dealing with a few inches or even a few feet of snow this week and the emails have been coming in on how to properly get the snow blower started. Here is a great video we found showcasing the proper starting procedure. Note you may have a different model that what is in the video, but the general idea is the same. If you find yourself with a snowblower that refuses to start, call your local sales or repair shop for help in trouble shooting.  Now, get out there and move that snow!

Cruisin' Companions

HEIDI

Heidi is an affectionate and mild-mannered Pit Bull mix who was abandoned and found on the street in a nearby county. She was brought back to Animal Friends and is so content to be safe, warm and cared for. Although, what she hopes for most of all is to find a loving and caring forever home where she can take walks on a leash and chew on her favorite toy – a pig’s ear.

Heidi would do best in a home with older children, and one where she would be the only dog. This sweet senior has had enough excitement in her lifetime and she looks forward to lounging around in her “golden years.” She has lots of love and affection to give. 

The staff and volunteers feel that Heidi would benefit, as well as enjoy, taking some of the classes here at Animal Friends with her new lifetime companion…it is such a great bonding experience.

If you have the loving, quiet home that Heidi is looking for……stop by the adoption desk at Animal Friends and arrange to meet her