HELP OUT: ORPHANS OF THE STORM WAIVES CAT ADOPTION FEES IN JUNE TO HELP FIND NEW HOMES FOR ORPHANED CATS

June Is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month

Free Medical Exam and Micro-Chip included with Adoption

Ready to be a forever home?

Come to Orphans of the Storm, where you will not just adopt a pet, but a “friend for life.”

Orphans of the Storm (OOTS), one of the best respected and largest animal shelters in the Chicago area, will waive adoption fees for cats two years and older every weekend in the month of June 2018. In partnership with Ruth Helen Wolf Animal Hospital and Animal Medical Center in Skokie, they will also be offering a free medical exam and micro-chip with each cat adoption. Orphans of the Storm is located at 2200 Riverwoods Road, and also has satellite locations in Northbrook, Gurnee and Highland Park. 

In honor of June Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month, the goal of the weekend promotion is to find as many homes for loving, adoptable cats by waiving the typical $90 adoption fees. (Additional vaccine charges still apply).

“As a longstanding Riverwoods institution, we have made it our goal to find good homes for all adoptable pets that are brought to our doors for 90 years,” said Gail Donahue, Shelter Administrator. “This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone to come to explore our beautiful facility and find the next loving and lovable addition to their family.”

The Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat offer will begin Saturday, June 2 and continue Saturdays and Sundays in June through June 30. All cats over the age of two are available for free adoption (typical veterinary charges still apply, although a free health examination and microchipping is included). Those looking to adopt should bring valid identification with their current address. It is recommended that adopters also bring as many members of their family as possible (including other cats or dogs) to ensure that the pet they are hoping to adopt is a good fit.

About Orphans of the Storm
Orphans of the Storm®, a longstanding animal shelter in Chicago’s northern suburbs, takes responsibility and helps to find a home for every cat and dog that reaches its doors. Originally a country refuge, conveniently located west of the Tri-State Toll Way just north of Deerfield Road, Orphans of the Storm has provided exceptional shelter, nutrition and medical care for orphaned, abandoned, abused or neglected cats and dogs since 1928.  Over the course of the shelter’s almost 90-year history, more than 120,000 pets have found new homes as loving and beloved additions to families. 

At any given time, visitors to Orphans of the Storm’s beautiful woodland facility in Riverwoods can choose from up to 400 healthy, affectionate and faithful animals who would be their companion for life.  At Orphans of the Storm, animals enjoy 10 acres of land for daily exercise under the caring attention of our staff and a dedicated army of volunteers.  The shelter’s mission is that no dog or cat is ever without a loving home. We always strive to make the lives of our animals and our community better, one happy ending at a time. 

Orphans of the Storm is located at 2200 Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods. Satellite locations are located in Highland Park, Northbrook Court Mall and Pet Supplies Plus in Gurnee. Animals may be adopted at any time; no appointment is necessary. Orphans of the Storm is a not-for-profit, non-government subsidized, section 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information, visit orphansofthestorm.org or call 847-945-0235.

Finlandia: Because Everything's Better With Butter And Cheese

June, AKA: National Dairy Month, may have morphed into July in a rush of graduations, end of the year school events and activities, and weddings, but every month is dairy month in our family. We adore cheese and butter and Finlandia's is an incredible addition to the summer cooking season. 

Check out ChiIL Mama's Coconut Banana Bread recipe below with Finlandia butter in and on it. This week we've also been enjoying Finlandia butter when we grilled out sweet corn and red potatoes, and on French Toast. I've even made Grilled Turkey Rubens With Melted Finlandia Swiss. 

My daughter even made Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispie Treats in Finlandia colors for the 4th of July and beyond, which are extra tasty with Finlandia butter.

In late June, ChiIL Mama was invited to celebrate National Dairy Month by joining Finlandia's campaign. Thanks to them, we were sent a free Dairy Delight Kit which included salted and unsalted butter, swiss cheese, and a cute and practical lunchbox which we're still enjoying on a daily basis. We're thrilled to partner up with them for this sponsored post.

Finlandia Butter and Cheese is made from pure, hormone-free milk, which comes from happy cows that live on family-owned farms in Finland—the greenest country on Earth. No hidden chemicals, no factory farms—just pure, creamy goodness. 

My 15 year old son devours banana bread!

ChiIL Mama's Coconut Banana Bread: 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 1/3 cups of overripe, mashed bananas (approx 4-5 bananas)

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1/2 cup of Finlandia butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

coconut oil spray

15 min prep time

1 hour cook time + 10 min cool down

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. We recommend coconut spray or silicone bread pans so you don't need extra spray at all.

Combine flour, coconut, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.

Cream butter and brown sugar in a smaller bowl. Stir in beaten eggs, coconut oil and mashed bananas. Blend banana mix into flour mixture and stir well. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool bread in the pan 10 minutes then remove from pan, slice and serve. It's extra delicious topped with Finlandia butter, banana slices, and/or fresh berries.

My family and I eat butter and cheese almost everyday. And part of my job as a mom is making sure my family eats healthy foods free of harmful growth hormones, preservatives, and dyes. I trust Finlandia Cheese for my family, a brand that has been crafting some of the highest quality cheese and butter for over a century. Their products taste better and are better for you than those laced with additives, BGH and more!

Finlandia's cheeses and butters are all-natural and hormone-free, and they taste incredible. Imported from Finland using milk produced by well-cared-for cows, Finlandia Butter is rich and creamy.  It's nothing like any butter you've ever tasted.  And you could eat Finlandia Cheese straight from the package—no crackers needed.

GET SOCIAL: 

Want more excellent recipes, deals and fab food photos?Follow the #finlandiacheese and #finlandiabutter hashtags and tag your creations too. Follow @finlandia.cheese on Instagram and @finlandiacheese on Twitter and Facebook.

Here at ChiIL Mama, my husband and son cook just as much as my daughter and I do. Getting your family (and kids of all ages) involved in the kitchen can help create lasting memories and start an important conversation around nutrition and health. It also preps kids to grow into self sufficient adults who have a clue about feeding themselves and others in healthy ways. If you're in need of some culinary inspiration, check out the Finlandia Cheese Facebook page.

GET FINLANDIA: 

Ready to get grilling and baking with the best? Click HERE for a handy Finlandia product locator to find stores in your area.

Disclosure: Thanks to Finlandia for providing complimentary review samples. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Potbelly Celebrates National Turkey Lovers' Month Throughout June #FoodFun

Did you know June is National Turkey Lovers' Month? Thanksgiving may be half a year away, but spring and summer are perfect seasons to gobble up some lean protein turkey! Potbelly Sandwich Shop has toasty turkey sandwiches and fresh turkey salads to ring in the celebration.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is pleased to partner up with Potbelly once again. We have been compensated with product or payment in exchange for spreading the word. As always, all opinions are our own.

With a variety of sandwich and salad choices, Potbelly Sandwich Shop is the perfect destination for turkey lovers. The traditional Turkey Breast and Swiss Cheese Sandwich, packed to the brim with sliced oven roasted turkey breast, fresh Swiss cheese and your preferred choice of toppings as well as the new California Turkey FLAT with freshly sliced avocado are fan favorites. 

For folks looking for a healthier option, try the signature A Wreck Salad filled with turkey, roast beef, ham, salami and Swiss cheese. Patrons are sure to enjoy their favorite turkey-filled sandwich or salad while listening to great music in a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere.

Here at ChiIL Mama we like it hot, hot, hot. Potbelly brand Hot Peppers are awesome on a turkey sandwich, or take a jar to go. Spring and summer can be crazy busy times for families, but fast food doesn't have to mean sacrificing  taste and quality. Belly up to Potbelly for old fashioned quality and value, combined with new lower carb options like the tasty California Turkey FLAT. Eat in or grab 'em to go.

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is pleased to partner up with Potbelly. We have been compensated with product or payment in exchange for spreading the word. As always, all opinions are our own.