Animals Made Of Fruits and Vegetables

Have you ever tried to get crafty with your food? Cake and chocolate are one popular medium, but there is another level of difficulty with fruits and veggies that are soft or difficult to carve, change color when exposed to air for too long, or vary widely in color throughout. I would love to try making animals for parties or to get kids interested in eating more fruit and veggies.

Some of the images I found are more simple, while others are true works of art.

Cucumber Orca Whale
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(source)

I like the use of the shape of the veggie and how it looks as if it is coming out of water. The fins as pieces of skin carved off but still attached to the main cucumber. Wonderful and impressive!

Eggplant Penguins
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(source)
I like that with just a little bit of cutting and slicing (and some eyes) these eggplants are made to look like penguins. Again, the fins made from the skin itself is genius.

Poodle made of broccoli
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(source)
An innovative use of broccoli! I like this dog for the nature of the piece – its simplicity and look. I think it is just one head for the body and legs, with a piece which was cut off placed as the dog’s head.

Watermelon Pig
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(watermelon carving)
I like this one for its simplicity, you can easily recreate this for your next party. If you would like the list of basic supplies and directions see Watermelon Carvings.

Watermelon Dragon – admittedly not the cutest animal, but this piece is incredible art! I would not imagine how you make something like this.
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(carvingnations)

Birds of Fruit:

I found quite a few birds made out of various fruit, they seem to be a very popular subject.

An owl made of pineapple, melon, orange peel feet, and a few other veggies. It was created to be a display for a cruise ship.
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(Ruby Princess Cruise ship)

Apple Duck
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(apple duck)

This duck is amazing for its simplicity in lines and the few elements that it needs to convey what it is. I think with enough effort I might be able to make one of these. I would simply eat all my failures!

Apple Swan
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(Iana_Star)

Okay, these swans add a new layer of complexity to the idea of an apple bird. With many more layers in their wings and tails I do not think that I could make one.

Kiwi Duck
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(Adrastia217)

Yep, I would not be able to make something this beautiful out of a kiwi! I would end up with kiwi goo because they are too soft and small.

Bird in Egg
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(source)

This cantaloupe, orange, and carrot (?) hatching bird is very cute! I love the feet sticking out, a very nice touch. I just wonder why they did not scoop the seeds out of the melon first? Maybe it acted as “glue” to hold the egg top on the orange head?

Orange birds sitting on pineapple trees
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(source)

These are fun display pieces. I like them, and I think kids would too.

Eagle
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(AFP PHOTO / Jan Woitas)
This masterwork was created at a German event in 2011 at the European Vegetable Carving Championships by Vadim Nefedov. This takes the idea of carved birds to a whole different level! So much detail with all the feathers, out stretched wings, and thin legs.

Bunny
bunny
(Xinhua/Wu Ching-teng)

I have no idea what these bunnies are made out of, but the simplicity makes them so cute! They were created for a fruit carving contest in Taiwan. I really like that they have little white puff tails.

Panda Family
panda
(Xinhua/Wu Ching-teng)

This is another piece from the fruit carving contest in Taiwan. The pandas are very impressive. I have no idea what kind of food was used in their construction.

Lion
va4e
(inspirefirst)

I love this lion! It looks like a whole squash for its body, banana peel legs/tail, melon head, and maybe a bean sprout mane. A very good use of multiple types of veggies and fruit to get different textures.

Frogs –
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(AFP PHOTO / Jan Woitas)

These two are made from cucumbers and carrots, whimsical and creative!

Crocodile
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(A. Shaikmohideen)
Made out of bitter gourds at vegetable and fruit expo in Courtallam. I do not think I have ever seen this kind of gourd before, but it makes the perfect skin texture.

Two dogs and a crocodile
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(source)

I do not know where this picture originated, I found it linked from a number of places without any identifying information. The veggie dogs are adorable! I think the crocodile might have been made out of the same gourds as the above one?

Have you ever made animal art out of veggies or fruit?

–Fizz Pig

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Dalmatian of Another Color

When you mix some children with access to markers and a black and white dog, this can happen:

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(source)

If the markers were nontoxic, this is funny and kind of adorable. It makes me wish some dalmatians came with rainbow fur.

That being said, you should always monitor things like pens and markers around your dog. From a toxicity standpoint, most things (even sharpies) are nontoxic. Your dog might end up a bit sick, and if you are worried contacting a vet is best. Consuming too much can make them very sick. However, the most danger is when your dog chews up something like a pen or marker and then eats the plastic which can cause an obstruction.

-Cola Pig

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Biggest Pokemon Fan?

I thought I really liked Pokemon, but after seeing these pictures I am very wrong about how big of a fan I am. I grew up with the games and tv show. I played the games, collected the cards, and had a few toys. Nothing I have compares to the love this woman has for the property and Pikachu. I am guessing that she too grew up with this, but had more money (and probably love) than I did to invest in her collection.

Pikachu for future reference in the photos:
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Her tv area is covered in Pokemon, mostly Pikachu. She even has an episode on the tv with a scene featuring multiple Pikachus.
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She has a Pikachu outfit and more stuffed Pikachu toys than I want to count:
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Book shelves covered in Pokemon toys, even some duplicates. I like the yellow Peep rabbits, one with black ear tips and red cheeks like Pikachu.
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A wider shot of the room with book cases and stuffed toys:
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I love the sign “Pokemon put me in the poorhouse.” I can only imagine how much all of these items cost. Especially because many of them had to come directly from Japan or China and shipping is not cheap.
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Proof of collecting various other Pokemon:
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She has a Pikachu Bug! Look at that car!
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A wide shot of her desk area covered in Pokemon things. There are so many they even line the valences above the windows.
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(source)

If you want to see more pictures of her collection please visit webpark to see 40 photos!

What Pokemon would I pick if I were to have collected so many items dedicated to one Pokemon? Well, it would probably be Eevee. But I love all of her evolutions as well so I think my collection would never have been as homogeneous as this one. Plus, I would never own a car dedicated to something like this. Cars to me face too much danger to invest so much in aesthetically (something so unquie and probably expensive to fix if needed). The more I think about it, there would also be Vulpix, Ninetails, Charizard, Pikachu, and many more characters in my collection. My imaginary collection would never have looked this good in one place!

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(source)

Are you the ultimate Pokemon fan? Think you have more items or money invested in Pokemon than this woman?

–Fizz Pig

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Wednesday Woof!

Wednesday is here again, need a little dose of cute to help you make it towards the weekend? Your Wednesday Woof! is here to help.

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(source)

Puppies are adorable enough, but add some clothes meant for babies and they reach a whole new level of adorable! Footies! I love that this puppy allowed for this picture, and hope that he was quickly released from the baby pjs.

–Cola Pig

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Pokemon Gotta Catch ‘Em All Contest

Calling all Pokemon lovers! There is a new contest called Gotta Catch ’em All to honor the upcoming release of Pokemon X and Y! You hunt for Pokemon codes to enter for a chance to win Pokemon themed prizes.

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To begin the contest you have to go to GottaCatchEmAll.com (pictured above) and enter the first code given in this video:


(If you don’t want to look for it, the code is XY1012.)

Once you enter the code and your information you reach a page of Pokeballs that when scrolled over provide clues to where you can find the next clues. A code will open a Pokeball to reveal the Pokemon inside, its information, give you an entry into the contest drawing, and a digital download of some kind (mp3s, alert sounds, backgrounds, etc). If you cannot find the codes, you can get one code to gain an entry for the prize drawings but won’t get a download. There will be four drawings over the next few weeks.

The contest is only open to the US and related territories. Prizes include a 3DS XL, copies of Pokemon X and Y, Pokedex guide, cards from the Pokemon card game, and stuffed toys – over 50 items per week will be given away.

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I wish all entrants the best of luck finding the codes and in winning something!

Pokemon X and Y come to stores October 12!

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All Screenshots from GottaCatchEmAll.com

–Fizz Pig

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Husky Puppy’s First Week

A husky puppy named Wolfie has his first week at his new home documented on youtube and it is adorable!

I know the video is a bit long, but it is worth it. I love watching Wolfie sleep, play, and try to figure out how life in his new home works. When I next get a puppy I hope to have the time to take lots of videos and pictures!

Here are couple more husky puppy photos (not Wolfie):

3 month old puppy – look at those paws!
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(source)

Sleeping puppy-
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(source)

Look at that sweet face –
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(source)

Such beautiful eyes!
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(source)

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Funny or Strange? Dog Horse

I saw this picture and could not figure out if I think it is funny or just too odd:

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(source)

This dog is almost exactly the right color for that strange rubber horse mask! I can only imagine that the next photo (if there were one) would be of the dog shaking or pawing the mask off. I think it is crazy the dog left the mask on long enough for a picture!

What do you think, funny or weird?

–Cola Pig

dog funny No comments

IKEA Monkey Update

Darwin, the infamous “IKEA Monkey,” escaped from his owner’s car in Toronto, ended up inside a nearby Ikea, found by store staff, and taken to an animal sanctuary. Owning a pet monkey in Toronto is illegal.

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(source)

Darwin’s owner took the case to court against Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary to have the Japanese macaque returned to her, stating she was the best owner for him because he bonded with her and would be happiest in her home. Darwin lived for 5 months with his owner and her family, with many Youtube videos as proof of this and how well they cared for the monkey.

On Friday, September 13th, an Ontario judge dismissed the suit and stated that Darwin should remain at the animal sanctuary. The judge felt Darwin was a wild animal and not a pet, and that his owner lost custody of the animal when he escaped the car. After Darwin was taken to the sanctuary, his owner signed a paper turning him over to the city but later said she was tricked into signing the document.

The judge explained that the case shows the problem with having different laws about exotic or wild animals as pets in different areas, and enforcement of these laws. The judge stated:

“A high onus regarding provision of secure housing for wild animals is appropriate to place on their owners,” her decision reads. “Wild animals, particularly exotic ones, can be dangerous to the public.”

So once such an animal escapes the owner no longer has valid ownership.

I do not know if Darwin’s owner has further legal recourse, but for the time being Darwin remains at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.

This case is a difficult one. I do not truly know if Darwin’s owner knew it was illegal to own him in Toronto, and I do think she would have moved to keep him. Their family had bonded with Darwin. But, I also agree that he could be considered a “wild animal.” Primates are very intelligent and often require levels of care and socialization that a normal family simply cannot provide. Maybe they were properly educated on everything they needed to do and know, maybe not. He probably should not have been in a cage in his owners car while they were off doing other things. I am not sure what kind of proper care that is for any animal. Moreover, Darwin was young and there is no telling what would happen to his personality once he reached maturity. An animal that is not domesticated will still have wild instincts and unpredictable behavior.

Under how the law was written I am not sure if the seizure of Darwin was correct, but being with others of his own kind in an environment made to be like his wild home in an animal sanctuary seems to be in his best interests.

What do you think? Was Darwin a truly “wild animal” and if he escaped could cause harm? After only 5 months of life with people, would he be more happy there or in a sanctuary?

— Fizz Pig

Origianl story: The Globe and Mail

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The Panda Cub is a Girl!

The National Zoo’s recent panda cub born in August has been confirmed female by a DNA test.

Mei Xiang is a good panda mother who still spends a lot of time in her den. As the cub gets a bit older she will start to leave more. So zoo staff are still mostly observing the cub, and will do more when they can.

Here are some great moments from the panda cam all put together:

Panda cub:
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(spiderxcat)

You can see more screen captures of the cub from the panda cam on flicker.

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