Friday Cooking Demo - Ice Cream

Mint Chocolate Chip

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• or 2 Cups Half and Half (instead of milk and cream)
• 3oz Sugar
• 5oz Plain Chocolate Grated
• 1 tsp. Peppermint Essence or 2 TBSP Fresh Mint
• Optional: Two or three drops of green food coloring

Directions

1. Place the milk* and sugar (or 1/2 of the half & half) into a saucepan with sugar & mint. Heat gently to dissolve sugar. 
2. Strain through mesh strainer & cool. 
3. When cold stir in the heavy cream* (or rest of half & half) & food coloring. 
4. Transfer the complete mixture to ice cream maker & once the mixture begins to thicken add the chocolate.

Banna Churro

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Cups Heavy Cream
• 3oz Sugar
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 3 Bananas Frozen and defrosted

Directions

1. Peel & puree the banana into a smooth puree. 
2. Stir in cream & sugar into banana mixture. 
3. Mix well & strain through a mesh strainer. 
4. Chill in fridge for 2-3 hours. 
5. Add cinnamon & transfer mixture into ice cream maker.

Being Beary Safe

During our 24^th Annual Teddy Bear Days, our grizzly bears, Emmitt and Digger, got an opportunity to visit a non-bear proof campground. (No worries, the bears were still at home in their habitat, we just added a mock campground to one of their areas.) During this demonstration you saw the curiosity, strength, and intelligence of these animals. The two grizzly bears proceeded to find all food sources left within the campground, not leaving one stone or tent unturned. Needless to say, there was not much left for the campers to use once these two were done visiting.

In honor of Emmitt and Digger, we want to remind you of a few bear safety tips.

• If you encounter a bear, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. 

 

• If you see a bear but the bear doesn't see you, detour quickly and quietly.

• Never run from a bear! They will chase you and bears can run faster than 30 mph.

• Throw something onto the ground (like your camera) if the bear pursues you, as it may be distracted by this and allow you to escape.

• Remember a standing bear is not always a sign of aggression. Many times, bears will stand to get a better view.

Have a safe summer from your friends Emmitt and Digger!

Bank on it!

 The piggy bank’s origin dates back to around the 15^th century when peope were crafting useful items, including dishes and jars made out of pygg, a type of orange clay, to hold spare change. Around the 18^th century, people realized the word “pygg” was pronounced the same as the animal “pig.” People began to form “pygg” into the shape of a “pig” to hold spare change, and the piggy bank was born. 

In a new take on the piggy bank, we’re shaping it into an elephant. The white elephant banks are a blank canvas, allowing your inner Picasso to come out and shine. A photograph of your original artwork will be part of a one-of-a-kind art installation in the Encounter Africa exhibit, allowing you to be a part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s largest project ever. The exhibit features new homes for our elephant herd, African lion pride, meerkats, and the critically endangered black rhinoceros.

Follow these three easy steps and Bank on it!

Step 1: Visit any one of 17 U.S. Bank branches in Southern Colorado to get your very own elephant bank with just a $50 donation. You can also find the banks at the zoo’s front gate (open daily 9am to 4pm) or on-line (shipping & handling fees apply).

Step 2: The bank is yours to keep, so make it your own by decorating it. Don’t forget to email a photo of your bank to bankonit@cmzoo.org for inclusion in the one-of-a-kind art installation. All photos must be received by April 1, 2012.

Step 3: Fill ‘er up! Make an elephant-sized impact by adding to your donation. We’ll gladly accept any additional money saved in your bank at the front gates of the zoo.

For more information on the Bank on it! Program visit www.cmzoo.org/BankOnIt. 

“All I Want for Winter is…”

Winter is upon us, and so is registration for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s winter camps! There are two sessions to choose from, December 19-23 or 26-30. The sessions are five days long and run from 9am to 3pm daily.

This year’s theme is “All I Want for Winter is…” Children ages 6-10 will explore how we keep “hot” animals staying warm in the winter and how the “cool” animals enjoy the Colorado weather.  They will learn more about the different climates our animals are native to and how they adapt to those climates, as well as what type of acclimations they have made for Colorado.  We will spend some time learning about our Rocky Mountain natives and finally find the answer to the question, “Do the zoo’s bears hibernate?”  Each day will include time inside and outside, as well as some up close and personal time with animals right in the classroom. 

Each day’s program is different based on the daily schedule listed below.

v     “…Mountains with Snow”: Learn about the animals adaptations to survive the winter in the Rocky Mountain areas and how to track their movements in the winter.   Monday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 28

v     “…Different Places to Live”: Learn what makes a climate and investigate the types of climates the zoo’s animals are from. Tuesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 29

v     “…A Nice Heat Lamp”: Learn how we help keep our African Savannah animals comfortable in the winter.  Wednesday, December 21 and Monday, December 26

v     “…A Thick Fur Coat”: Learn about the adaptations all kinds of animals have to the colder times of the year, and the difference between the words adapt and acclimate. Thursday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 27

v     “…A Warm Place to Go”: Learn about what it really means to hibernate or migrate and which animals practice these techniques to cope with the cold weather, as well as some other special weather fighting techniques.  Friday, December 23 and Friday, December 30

Participants may register for all five days of a week, or any number of days during the week. 

Members: $40.25/day or $166.25 for one week.  Non-members: $45.25/day or $176.25 for one week.  Cost includes long sleeved youth t-shirt and take-home items made throughout the day/week. 

Registration is available via phone (719-633-9925 ext.127), mail, fax, or online at www.cmzoo.org. Just remember, registrations are not complete until a zoo camp health form is completed and returned. Forms can be printed off at http://www.cmzoo.org/docs/zoocamphealthform.pdf. 

We hope to see your child this December!