The Omlet Blog Archives: February 2018

Perfect British Pancakes Recipe!

Pancake Day

Pancakes in the UK are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday as the last meal before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Historically, people would use up the goodies and treats in their larders before a 40 day fast as they pray and prepare themselves for Christ’s death and resurrection at Easter.
This is a great recipe to enjoy in February as pure breed hens are just coming back into lay and, hopefully, you’ll have eggs aplenty!

This quantity of batter makes 6 pancakes.

Ingredients:

7oz plain flour
1/5 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup of milk

To cook:

Vegetable oil (we used organic rapeseed oil)

To serve:

Sugar and lemon wedges

 

Method:

1) Combine the flour and salt in a large jug, make a dip/well in the middle of the flour and crack the eggs into the well.

2) Begin to whisk the eggs together with a couple of tablespoons of milk starting to incorporate some of the flour as you go.

3) Continue to add the milk a few tablespoons at a time, whisking as you go, gradually incorporating the flour. This will help create a smooth batter.

4) Once all the ingredients are combined, leave the batter to rest for 30 minutes.

5) Preheat a non stick frying pan over a medium heat, brushing the inside with a thin coating of oil.

6) Pour in a small amount of batter and swirl it around the pan for an even coating.

7) As it cooks, watch for the pancake to start coming away from the edges of the pan, then loosen under the pancake with a spatula.

8) Confidently toss your pancake (or carefully turn over) to cook the other side, they are ready once lightly browned each side.

9) Continue cooking the rest of the batter, brushing the pans with a little oil in between each new pancake.

Serve sprinkled with sugar and lemon juice, or any indulgent topping of your choice!

If you want a great way to keep your eggs fresh and in the correct order, why not treat yourself to a fabulous Egg Skelter?

 

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This entry was posted in Recipes on February 13th, 2018 by sammorley


Become a Course Host!

Running your own course is a fulfilling and rewarding way for you to share your hobby. Whether you keep chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs or another type of animal in your Eglu you can apply to set up your own course.

We like to encourage the best duty of care for animals therefore we encourage our more experienced customers to share their knowledge with new starters. Particularly when it comes to keeping chickens. In recent years backyard chicken keeping has massively increased in popularity although lots of people still don’t know how to get started or they’ve put off getting their own flock as they’re not too sure how much care and upkeep it entails. Whilst you can easily watch a Youtube clip or read blogs to get a better idea, nothing beats face to face and hands on teaching.

How much you charge for your course is entirely up to you, you need to analyse and value what you think your course is worth, for a 2 hour beginners guide to chicken keeping we would recommend charging $30 per attendee depending on what you provide the attendees with (refreshments, pamphlets, guidebooks, printouts.) Courses are booked through the Omlet website and you must have an Eglu to qualify to host a course.

The courses you host don’t have to be very long they could simply be an afternoon or evening, designed to appeal to a range of ages. We recommend offering a form of refreshments for your course attendees when they arrive, a really nice touch is to perhaps bake something using your farm fresh eggs to demonstrate how great they taste. We would then suggest telling your attendees a bit about your background story and how you got into chicken keeping and how it has affected your lives. Ideally the weather will be good so you can take your guests out to your Eglu coop to demonstrate how to use it.

You will then want explain the needs of chickens, their daily, weekly and monthly needs. How to care for chickens, what to look for if you think a chicken is poorly, different weather conditions and how to alter your chicken care, supplements, cleaning, how to store eggs etc.

Perhaps offer them the opportunity to ‘hug a hen’ and see what nice and friendly animals they are. A good way to round off your course is a Q and A session so people have the opportunity to ask you the questions the internet has not been able to answer for them. You don’t need to know the answer for all of them, it can become a discussion and all you can do is offer them your best advice from you experience and wisdom.

To apply to become a course host and receive more information either login or create an Omlet account here and then click on the Courses section of the portal. 

 

 

 

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This entry was posted in Pets on February 9th, 2018 by sammorley


#UnlikelyLove Valentines Competition

 

Now’s your chance to win a $200 Omlet Voucher and a 16″ x 12″ Pet Portrait courtesy of Splendid Beast Pet Portraits this Valentines Day!

All you have to do is share a picture of a time you’ve captured a surprising friendship on our Facebook posttweet us or tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #UnlikelyLove, winners will be announced at midday on Friday 16th February so you have until then to enter! Good Luck!

Terms and conditions apply: The competition closes at 11.45am EST on Friday 16th February 2018.  Entries are only applicable from social media channels. The winning entrant will be selected and notified by social media on Friday 16th February 2018. Omlet reserve the right to withdraw the competition at any point. Prizes cannot be transferred to cash. This competition is only open to US residents.  Splendid Beast will produce a 16″ x 12″ pet portrait of your choice. Please allow two months for the portrait to be produced.

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This entry was posted in Competitions on February 9th, 2018 by sammorley


Heading on a road trip with your dog?

Terrier dog travelling in the car resting on Omlet's Luxury Faux Sheepskin dog blanket

Heading out on a road trip with your dog? It’s great fun having a four-legged companion by your side for a long drive. Barking and singing along to your favorite playlist with the summer breeze blowing in your hair sounds blissful but, before you start your engine, buckle up for our doggy road trips dos and dont’s.

Safety first

Preparation is key to making sure your dog’s safety stays the number one priority on your adventure. As of right now in the US, dog microchipping laws are defined by each state, but it’s highly recommended for the safety of your pet. Once this is ensured, you should also check your pup is up to date with their vaccinations and in good health before heading out.

If you’re planning on a long road trip, slowly ease your dog into spending more time traveling in the car. Just like us, some dogs suffer from motion sickness when in the car, so it’s important to assess how they cope on shorter trips first. If car sickness is something that they experience, contact your vet to see if they can prescribe medication.

Seatbelts on?

So, you’ve taken your dog to the vet and know they’re a good traveler – now what? It’s time to consider how you plan on restraining your dog on the journey. Using a dog seatbelt, dog crate or a dog guard are 3 ways you can keep Fido secure whilst in the car. And, depending on what state you live in, using a dog restraint whilst traveling is mandated by law. 

If a crate is your dog’s desired method of transport, the Fido Classic is the ideal choice. Available in 3 sizes, the crate can fit dog breeds as small as a Yorkshire Terrier to those as large as 70 lbs. The crate can easily be folded too, making it perfect for packing away once you reach your destination. 

Crate training your dog is an invaluable tool and will make traveling a lot easier for both you and your furry friend. Rather than seeing it as somewhere restrictive, a crate is a safe space for your dog to retreat to, anywhere they go. It will also make the journey and trip away a lot less stressful for everyone involved. Follow our dog crate training guide and see how simple it is for your dog to settle when they’re away from home.

Reminders of home

Road-tripping is great, but pangs of homesickness can set in at some point. Dogs can experience this too, so it’s a good idea to pack a few of their favorite things to remind them of home. Dog toys are essential for going away with your pup, just as they are back at home. Keeping your dog stimulated is super important once you arrive at your destination, so take along a long-lasting toy such as a Kong that will keep them entertained for hours, even in a new environment.

Or how about taking along their cozy dog blanket or super soft dog bed for them to rest on when you stop? Omlet’s Cushion dog bed is the go-anywhere bed, perfect for taking from place to place whilst promising a pillowy soft sleep. 

What’s more, you can even match your dog’s bed to their collar and leash with Omlet’s Dog Walk Collection. Shop from a range of designer dog collars and leashes in 8 signature prints, inspired by the beauty of the humble dog walk. Plus, don’t forget about a dog poop holder, also available in matching prints to add a little flair to not so fun part of pet parenthood.

Pit-stops pending

Your and your dog’s bags are packed and you’re ready to go! But just before you hit the road, make note of any breaks you’ll need to take. It goes without saying you should never leave a dog alone in the car. Regardless of the time of year, the temperature your car can reach unattended can be fatal for dogs, albeit dangerously hot or too cold. Cracking open a window is not enough to keep your dog safe from the elements when trapped in a car, so you’ll need to choose suitable pit-stop locations that are dog friendly. A quick search will bring up a number of locations where your pup will be able to stretch their legs, use the toilet and have a drink. Whilst your dog might not need to go potty as frequently, depending on their age, it’s wise to stop off somewhere every couple of hours for a break.

Omlet and your dog’s adventure

Whether you’re heading out on a big adventure or staying at home, Omlet has the products your dog needs to continue thriving. From ultra-soft dog beds to easy-to-travel dog crates and cozy dog blankets, we expertly engineer everything you need as a pet parent to ensure your four-legged friend lives their life to the fullest.

Dog in the car boot sat in their Omlet Fido Classic Dog Crate

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This entry was posted in Dogs on February 5th, 2018 by sammorley