Conference misery::feline_v1

I believe your concern is about the disease toxoplasmosis, which
is the only thing I'm aware of that a pregnant woman needs to be
careful about in regards to cats.  See notes 1940.25 and 2110 for
information on this.

Pam

    Your daughter will most likely have a blood test for toxoplasmosis
    which will show a level of immunity.  I am expecting my first child in
    May, grew up with 1 cat, and presently have 3 cats.  My husband REFUSES
    to touch the litter box.  I tested pretty high to toxo which shows
    I've been exposed to it somewhere along the line and have built an
    immunity to it.  I am supposed to wear gloves and a mask when tending
    to the litter box, and I am quite careful I do not touch any part of my
    face until I wash my hands afterwards.  I was told by a doctor that
    many times women are not exposed to toxo by kitty boxes, but by raw
    hamburger meat (when making burgers or meatloaf).  Your daughter's best
    bet is to have her husband take care of the litter box so she won't
    have to worry about anything.
    
    CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a grandmother!
    
    Mary
    

    I'm 7 months pregnant and have 2 siamese cats.  Since day one of
    my pregnancy, my husband has been tending to the cats.  I think
    this is great.  It has given him the responsibility that I wanted him
    to have.  My doctor told me not to have anything to do with the
    litterbox just to be on the safe side.  When hubby was away, I
    had my cousin come down and change the box.  I don't want to take
    any chances no matter how slim they might be.
    
    Besides, now that my husband is conditioned to do the kittybox,
    he's all prepared for the baby's diapers. (ha ha ha!!!!)
                                              
    All I have to worry now is that the two won't be too jealous come
    February when I bring the new one home.         
    
    			Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
                                           

    My father-in-law is a gynocologist....and he doesn't think that
    litterboxes are much of a problem.  He also said to be more concerned
    about raw hamburger, chicken and beef because your more likely to touch
    them.  
    
    I mean, really, how many of us actually touch the "stuff" in the litter
    box???  
    
    He suggested using a scooper with a long handle, and washing your hands
    throughly with soap and water after.  Not just a quick rinse with
    water.  
    
    Same thing with the raw meat...ALWAYS use soap and water when washing
    after.  
    
    cin
    

    From what I've heard lately, poultry is a very real culprit - I'd
    worry more about that than litter boxes.  Just an opinion.
    
    Always wise, as Cin said, to wash very well with soap.

    For those of you that have litterboxes to change and are pregnant
    you could also go to your local drugstores and ask for a box of
    surgical gloves to wear when scooping the box.  I would also consider
    wearing gloves when handling meats.  These gloves can be purchased
    sterilized and you throw them away when you are done.
    
    They are also great for delivering kittens, puppies, whatever when
    the time comes.
    
    Nancy

    Wouldn't washing with soap make the chicken taste funny?
    
    Deb

    Funny Lady !!!!  Yeah, really does wonders for it - specially if
    you cook like I do !!  It probably would improve my meals !!
    I have to actually bake cookies for a party next week - lucky
    thing they are REAL EASY !!
    
    E

    >   <<< Note 3126.8 by EM::TRACHMAN "Exotic Shorthairs=NO Grooming" >>>
    >        -< After the stuff I read today, any attempt is GOOD. >-

    It can't be as bad as the dusty deck FORTRAN that I've been trying to
    vectorize for the past week. (I'm looking at something that is used to
    forecast the weather. No wonder the weather reporters on the evening
    news are so goofy!) 

    Deb

    E.T.
    
    Your not really "baking" those cookies!!!!!  They don't even require
    you to heat the oven!!!
    
    But, then again, you can cook a great steak, and corn dinner! ;-)
    
    cin
    

    Did someone say  COOKIES...? HMMM do you need an assistant.. sre they
    chocolate.. I make a great quality control person... heh-heh..
    Kate

    I know I know - thank God they are SO easy - maybe you will kind
    and put give folks the recipe!  You are more than welcome to
    QC them, Kate, but you will have to fight off the other 18
    inspectors that will also be 'helping' me create these
    delights!  I think they are called chocolate orgasims.
    Right, Cin??  When I signed up to make them, I saw that 
    they were listed on the signup sheet as chocolate treats -
    I wonder why?
    
    E.

    No probelm. I am sure I can convince "everyone" that Auntie Kate
    really does need any assistance in the Q.C. "arena.. that translates
    to Look little sweeties Auntie brought youa Christmas Tree....heh-heh
    I could not resist..
    regards
    Kate

    E.T. If you have the recipe for Chocolate Orgasms may I PLEASE
    PLEASE have it??  I want to make some for christmas presents.
      N

    Okay, here it is...
    
    1 12 oz package of chocolate chips
    1 can of CONDENSED milk....make sure it's condensed, not evaporated!
    
    mix together and then melt until the mixture is creamy....I used 50%
    power in the microwave, but you could use a double boiler on the stove.
    
    once it's nice and creamy, add 1 tsp of vanilla (this makes it shiney)
    and stir.  After it's all mixed, add 2 to 2 1/2 cups of raisins and 1
    cup of walnuts and mix.  Drop by tsp full onto aluminum foil and
    refridgerate for 5 to 10 minutes.
    
    That's it!!!
    
    

Thanks for the recipe. Judging by the title of this note you'd never
guess one of the reply's would be a cookie recipe!!

Stephanie

    Forget diets, folks - wait until you taste these little jems!
    I'm really serious - they are UNREAL and so EASY.  Spend 15
    minutes to obtain oral bliss and gratification!!

    Just to keep this rathole going a little longer...
    
    These cookies seem very similar to some I had in high school that
    I used to love, they were chocolate and oats (I think).  I have
    been trying to find that recipe everywhere.  Do you think (lousy
    cook that I am) that these could be made with oats too?  They 
    sound wonderful the way they are but I just get this craving
    every now and then (so high school was 15 years ago, I still get
    it)...
    
    Jan

    Hey Jan, forget the oats!  These things are so good you won't
    even care that there are no oats in them.  Honest!  I may try
    adding cherries just for grins!  Lordy, they are really 
    something else!  mmmmmmmmmmmm drool, I wish I had them
    made already - I"m gonna have to make about 4 batches
    to make sure there are enough for the party and the
    cookie swap!

    Well, I'm not really very fond of raisins but, if you say
    they're good I'll take your word for it and give them a try 
    (don't tell my Weight Watchers group).
    
    Jan

    Yeah, they are great - you can skip the raisins if you want to
    and use cherries and nuts or dried fruit, or just nuts.  
    I won't tell - but, they are really somethin' else!
    The nice thing also is that they are easy AND fast to make.
    
    E.

    Easy...Fast...this is my kind of recipe.
    
    Jan

    	I guess this note start off good with the litter. But being that
    the person is Pregnant It would end up talking about food. I would like
    to know if there are any more good recipe out there for me and for my
    three cats. they always love it when they try new foods
    
    Mike

    OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Thanks Cin  Now I know what to give everyone for whom I don't
    have a present yet.
      Nancy "lover of chocolate orgasms" DC

    Yeah, I bet you could use oats, cherries, chinese noodles, peanuts,
    cashews, pecans, figs, dates, maybe fresh strawberries if you were
    going to eat them quickly, dried apricots, pineapple, or banana chips. 
    I guess the combinations could be endless.  The mixture is pretty thick
    before you add the fruit or nuts, so I don't think you'ld have to worry
    about the oats turning to Oatmeal!!!  
    
    You could probably also substitute butterscotch or peanut butter chips
    for the chocolate, or try half and half....Hmmmmm, peanutbutter cups,
    only better!!!  
    
    Happy Cooking!!!  ;-)
    
    cin
    

    
    	When I was in junior h.s., a friend's mother used to
    	make these with chinese fried noodles and peanuts, using
    	chocolate or butterscotch chip...I've been wondering
    	about this recipe on and off ever since...thanks for 
    	posting it!!
    
    	p.s. - do they make lo-cal choc chips yet?? :P  wonder 
    	       if carob chips would work....
    

Re: .19
    
    >These cookies seem very similar to some I had in high school that
    >I used to love, they were chocolate and oats (I think).  I have
    >been trying to find that recipe everywhere.  Do you think (lousy
    >cook that I am) that these could be made with oats too?  They 
    >sound wonderful the way they are but I just get this craving
    >every now and then (so high school was 15 years ago, I still get
    >it)...
  
Well, Jan, I have a recipe that's sort of similar to the "Chocolate Orgasms" 
and has oats:

2 cups sugar
1 stick margarine
2 1-oz. squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 cup milk
3 cups quick oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the first four ingredients.  Using a double boiler (or a microwave),
heat mixture to a "rolling" boil and let it boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from
heat.  Stir in the quick oats and vanilla.  Drop by tablespoon full onto wax
paper and refrigerate for about 15 minutes. 

These cookies taste great and are certainly quick and easy to make.  All
this cookie talk has made me hungry--I think I'll stop at the grocery store 
on the way home this afternoon and get the ingredients for the Chocolate
Orgasms!

Lisa

    Re:  .28
    
    Gee, it only took 15 years for me to find the recipe (I wasn't 
    really looking that hard), now I can have my cookies and be
    happy.
    
    Thanks very very much,
    
    Jan
    
    P.S.  Maybe we should start a FELINErs favorite recipe topic.  ;-)

    
    RE: .29  I think we did!!!
    
    Feline Hungry, and I've already baked 25 DOZEN Christmas cookies this
    month.  I may have to make a few more now!!!
    
    Feline Hungry,
    
    Sue & Panther (Who likes chocolate) & Spot (Who likes EVERYTHING)
    

    Careful, Sue ...
    
         I think that chocolate isn't supposed to be good for kitties ...

    .30..
    Tee.. hee and they were very, very very good........ 
    Kate

    
    RE:  .31 
    
    Thanks Andrea, I don know that chocolate isn't good for Panther, she is
    only allowed a taste whenever she can steal it.  (She has been known to
    take a bite out of a cookie in my hand when I'm not looking!!!)
    
    Spot mostly likes meat and onion rings and junk food.
    
    Feline Fine
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot