Annual Labor Day Race - the best event of the year.

This Saturday - September 3rd, 2016 - we will be hosting our 12th Annual tortoise vs. the hare race.  As usual we will be substituting a turtle for the tortoise and a rabbit for the hare. Its amazing how each year this race gets more exciting.

Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend. 

Ralph & Gabe     

Rabbit Fur and Sexual Arousal

Rabbit legends abound in every culture and all the friends of Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch who have been out to the ranch have seen the huge piles of letters we receive each week from across the country asking various questions about rabbits and the folklore tales about rabbits. 

As many of you are aware we have tried to occasionally share our answers to the most popular questions we receive - like: “Does a Rabbit’s Foot Really Bring Good Luck” and “Can Rabbit Meat Seasoned with Paprika Really Accelerate Weight Loss and Increase Fertility” and "Were There Really Such Things as "Jack-O-Lopes in the Past". 

Without a doubt though the most often question we receive is - “Is Rabbit Meat Really an Aphrodisiac - Can it or does it really improve the desire and quality of active sex lives?”

Well not long ago, a 54 year bank teller from Toledo, Ohio wrote us to ask “Is it possible to Heighten One's Romantic Feelings or Stimulate One's Sexual Desires by using Rabbit Fur during sexual foreplay?” Well the short answer is - “it depends”; and the long answer is “Absolutely”!

Now, anthropologists know from their site excavations that civilizations around the globe have been using rabbit fur as part of their romantic, foreplay for centuries. The Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Mayans and just about every other advanced ancient civilization always considered rabbit fur precious as it was an integral part of their mating rituals. 

In 2011, 99% of the couples who were surveyed in Europe reported having achieved greater sexual results and more intense sexual interactions with their partners when they added rabbit fur to their sexual foreplay. However, like with most situations, there are always exceptions to every rule. 

Regrettably, people with overly sensitive skin such as red heads, light blonds and Albinos, as well as individuals who are prone to peanut, milk and shellfish allergies seldom report any significant benefits from including rabbit fur in their intimate encounters.  Many believe the tinsel strength of their hair follicle's are different; thus the feel little or no significant impact when they incorporate rabbit fur into sexual foreplay activities.

Now with that one caveat stated - rabbit fur does seem to heighten the sexual arousal and passionate feelings as well as prolong the gratification among most couples during their conjugal interludes. 

Here's what I know from first-hand knowledge. Remember this is not based on any scientific study.  However years ago when we first opened Ralph’s Ranch we had a small gift shop near the front gate (just off of Hwy F).  In this gift shop we sold a variety of rabbit products: primarily rabbit’s feet, rabbit jerky, rabbit fur lined gloves, rabbit fur boot liners, rabbit fur ear muffs, rabbit fur hats, rabbit fur hand muffs, rabbit fur collar extensions (which people loved because they cold easily be adjusted for just about any winter coat).  

Anyway Gladys who was our feed blender at that time, was from Austria. She convinced us to offer a fur lined personal foundation garments - for both men and women. The items she suggested were rabbit fur lined brassieres and panties for the women and jock strap type foundation garments for the men.  

We went ahead and took Gladys advice and developed an assortment of garments she said where always popular in Austria, Bavaria, Tryollia and the Czechoslovakian areas of Eurpose - all nears the Alps. The garments we designed were lined with ‘Grade IV’ rabbit fur. These foundation garments were sold as items outdoor enthusiasts and winter adventurers might enjoy to help keep them warm. You know people who skied cross county and down hill, as well as snowmobilers, hunters, hikers and ice fisherman, etc.

Our initial thought was these quality fur lined foundation garments would help protect and keep the erogenous zones of men and women warm and cozy while they were out of doors for extended periods of time during cold winter weather. 

Almost immediately, feedback began to pour in from those who bought and wore our fur lined foundation garments.  Some wore them for work like late shift police officers, linemen for utility companies etc. as well as those you just went out and played on the weekends in the snow.   Many I remember were initially embarrassed to share their feedback.  However almost everyone giving feedback noticed a significant surge in their amorous feelings after wearing our fur lined garments during the day.  Everyone wanted to know if it was the rabbit fur contact that heightened their sexual arousal and was it normal to have such overpowering primal urges after wearing rabbit fur foundation garments.

The feedback was so consistent - and evenly spit between men and women – we actually considered marketing our fur lined foundation garments nationally.  Barbra our office manager at the time contacted several big national retailers such as Macy’s, Adam & Eve, Victoria Secrets, Maidenform, Venus' Workshops, Cupids Corner and Wicked Temptations. Though there was considerable interest from all the outlet merchants we got nowhere because of PETA. PETA raised major objections with all the retailers and threatened to initiate boycotts with them thus their interest subsided.

Now I digressed - and I apologize - forgive me. The initial question was - “Can rabbit fur actually induce or heighten carnal delights”? Definitely! Rabbit fur is often thought by many to be a 'magic bullet' something that can re-ignite or re-kindle romantic flames and passions. 

Just a small swatch of Grade IV (by the way, for those of you not familiar with this term, Grade IV rabbit fut is the rabbit fur harvested from rabbits in late fall or mid-winter when the rabbit full is at its thickest and densest).  The reality many people encounter is that when rabbit fur is gently rubbed over their erogenous zones or their partner's erogenous zones (oh by the way human erogenous zones are those areas on the human anatomy that tend to ignite and perpetuate sexual arousal) it is the areas on our bodies that awakens our sensual arousal - almost to a point of where one becomes uncontrollable in their appetite for more.

For example, have you ever wondered why rabbit fur feels so luxurious to the touch or why it generates such great warmth when we wear it? It is because rabbit fur is one of the densest mammal furs on the planet. Unlike satin and lace which are both synthetic and lightweight and look very nice - rabbit fur has a feel similar to silk and the best part is it actually breathes.  Also rabbit fur unlike satin and lace rabbit fur is never affected by body heat or body moisture (such as perspiration) so it always says soft and luxurious to the touch and feel.

Any of you who studied history may recall that during the ancient Sanskrit era, it was the Hindus from India who began to identify and codify the seven principles of the art of the Karma Sutra (the seven ways to enhance sexual desires and ensure meaningful sexual pleasures). 
  No long after that - the ancient Greeks began to promulgate and encourage communal orgies - who many say were based entirely on the Karma Sutra principles. Ancient scripts written by both the Hindu and the Greeks detail the procedures for gently rubbing rabbit fur over a partner to unleash their conjugal hunger.

What it truly amazingly is that it doesn't take a lot of rabbit fur to arouse oneself or their partner; just a small rectangular swatch of rabbit fur approximately 6” x 9" can produce unbelievable carnal urges most people never dreamt of. 

A word of caution.  There is no doubt I am prejudice; but I can tell you wild rabbit fur will not work for sexual arousal for obvious reasons. The quality of any rabbit’s fur is directly linked to its daily diet. Wild rabbits forage on whatever edible food they can find in the wild; whereas domesticated or commercially raised rabbis - such as those we raise here at Ralph's rabbit ranch - are fed a consistent diet of good nutritious grains and other wholesome foods which results in all of them having a superior grade fur.

So the answer to the question for the bank tell from Ohio:  "Can rabbit fur really ignite sexual arousal and clear a path for greater personal contentment - The answer is an unconditional Yes - for most people!

Feel free to join us Ralph's Rabbit Ranch on face book at www.facebook.com/ralphsrabbitranch to learn about more rabbit legends and folklore. Better yet, link with us on ‘Linked In’ at www.linkedin.com/in/ralphsranch. 

If you have a questions about rabbits or rabbit fur send them to 

ralphsrabbitranch@gmail.com

As time permits we will get back to you. 

Epilogue:

Now for those of you wondering - remember it is always late December, the entire month of January and the first two weeks of February that we here at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch begin to harvest the winter rabbit fur.  Our rabbits are Wisconsin raised and that is the time of the year in the northern hemisphere when their fur is at its thickest. It is only during this time period that we feel comfortable to produce Grade IV rabbit fur swatches.


Be advised however that our rabbit fur swatches are always pre-ordered well in advance by couples interested in exploring rabbit fur sexual arousal. Though we actually produce over 14,000 personal swatches we are typically sold out of all our swatches by the first week of March of any given year. 

This is the Primary Reasons We Went Into the Rabbit Ranching Business

The Japanese Banker and Erotic Intercourse

A respected banker from southern Japan is arguing with his wife about he wants her to perform highly erotic sex.

The man: "Sukitaki. mojitaka!"

Wife replies: "Kowanini! mowi janakpa!"

The man now angry says: "Toka a anji rodi roumi yakoo!"

Wife literally on her knees begging: "Mimi nakoundinda tinkouji!"

The man shouting: "Na miaou kina Tim kouji!"

I can't believe you just sat there trying to read this – you don’t know Japanese.  Boy some people will read anything as long as it is about sex or politics.

Brass Monkeys and Cold Weather - an important lesson from Ralph's Rabbit Ranch

Like most people you might think the old expression 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey' is an inappropriate term and somewhat of an color expression which should never be said in mixed company.  Well after reading this article you will learn this term can definitely be said anywhere - anytime - without offending anyone. This term really does have a significant historical meaning which is based on scientific principles.

It seems during the heydays of sailing ships, many vessels including freighters and trawlers had huge iron cannons mounted on their decks. 

The cannons were necessary to provide protection should a hostile or enemy vessel try to attack.  Remember Pirates also roamed the high seas back them.  Anyway those iron cannons fired 'large round' iron cannon balls and it was necessary for each ship to keep a good supply of cannon balls near each cannon.

The problem most ships faced was that those sailing ships always pitched and yawed when across the waves.  They needed some way to prevent the supply of round cannon balls from rolling around the rocking decks? The solution sea captains devised was simple and effective. 

They would stack the round cannon balls in a square-based pyramid - with one ball on top of another.  The balls were placed sixteen on the bottom, followed by nine laid on top and then and four would rest on the nine.  With one final ball on top.

Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked and secured in a small area right there on the ship's deck next to each cannon.

There was however only one problem with this ingenious method of stacking cannon balls.  How could the ship's crew prevent the bottom layer of cannon balls from rolling about from under the other cannon balls during rough seas?

The solution that seemed to work was the invention of a flat metal plate called a 'Monkey'. The monkey - and it took four monkeys total - were screwed to the ship's wooden deck. Each monkey had round indentations hammered into them. These indentations in the metal where were the bottoms of 16 'round cannon balls' rested in.

Initially all Monkeys or metal plates were made of cheap iron. However it soon became obvious that the iron cannons balls resting on iron plates began to rust due to all that salt water spray and mist in the air. So to prevent the cannon balls and monkeys from rusting naval engineers began to develop Monkeys made of bass - as brass is one of the few inexpensive metals that does not rust.  Thus the term Brass Monkey was coined.

Unfortunately, brass itself is not a perfect metal; it tends to expand and contract with the weather. Consequently, when the wind temperatures on a ship sailing in the north Atlantic or Pacific dropped to around 32 degrees the indentations in the brass monkeys would shrink or pop up thus the iron cannonballs on the bottom tier had no secure resting place and they would often roll right off the brass monkeys causing a disaster of cannon balls rolling around the deck. 

Sailors quickly saw for themselves the limitations Brass Monkeys had and any sailor worth his salt knew that whenever the outside temperature began to fall to around freezing it was literally 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey'.  

Hope you enjoyed this brief and relevant history lesson.

Remember - here at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch - Home of Gabe's Gourmet Rabbits - we not only sell great tasting rabbit meat and quality fur products we also provide valuable information and knowledge you can use. 

The Joy of Cooking Rabbits

Each month the ranch receives a variety of questions, mostly from Face Book and Linked In friends; people wanting to know more about rabbits. Regardless of the type inquiries received we try to take time to answer them all. Recently, Teri Nowak, a good friend of Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch suggested we share some of the questions we have received along with our replies as she believes others might find the dialogue useful. 

 

Well with that said here is a question we received regarding cooking of rabbits. Take a moment to read this post and share your feedback; we would like to know if sharing questions is worth the time and effort.

Inquiry we received:

“Ralph I have two questions. What is the easiest way to cook rabbit and what is the correct number of rabbits one should serve for a dinner party of eight (8)?” Melinda – Joplin, MO

Our reply:
Dear Melinda, It’s important you not think of rabbit as ground beef, chicken or pork. Rabbit is not meant to be a meal staple; rabbit should be considered a special entrée for important events - similar to how a “bone in ham” is a special entrée for Easter, a turkey is a special for Thanksgiving and a lobster a special for New Year's Eve. Rabbit is a meal that should be enjoyed and treasured not just consumed.

How to portion meat rabbit? Our recommendation is one rabbit for every two adults. If you are planning a dinner for 8 adults we suggest 4 good sized rabbits. Be aware there is a significant difference between domestic rabbits (those raised commercially) and those harvested in the wild. Wild rabbits seldom grow as big as commercial rabbits and they never contain as much meat per bone.

If this meal you are planning is for a special occasion by all means go with commercially raised rabbits like those we raise here at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch - Home of Gabe's Gourmet Rabbits. Commercially raised rabbits are easy to purchase. You can find them at local organic farmers, full service butcher shops, established meat lockers as well as a high-end retail grocery chains. 

The reason we suggest serving commercially raised rabbits is that the meat will not only be much tenderer - but it will also be more savory. Wild rabbits seldom enjoy consistency in their diets – they eat whatever they can find; where as commercially raised rabbits are fed a regulated quality feed. Here at our ranch our feed is unique proprietary blend of high protein corn, oats and barley coalesced with fresh IPA (Indian Pale Ale) beer to add nutrients and a tangy hop flavor the rabbits enjoy.

Now in regards to your first question, there are really only four basic ways to prepare rabbit: 1) Roasted 2) Braised, 3) Fried and 4) Slow Cooked. Either method will produce a succulent meal; however if you are a novice rabbit chef - someone preparing rabbit for the first time then our recommendation is to slow cook or crock pot your rabbit. A slow cooker will allow you to create an easy yet delightful meal.

We would caution you about braising rabbits for a dinner party - braised rabbit meat should be limited to couples dining for two important reasons. First, braised rabbits tend to cook at different rates; the last thing you want is some meat overcooked while other meat is under cooked. Even more important we’re sure you are aware of the folklore surrounding the aphrodisiac effects of rabbit meat. This aphrodisiac effect only occurs when rabbits are braised. 

I am not a Chef or chemist but experts say braising accelerates the production of amino acids in rabbit meat. The amino acids in rabbit are identical to the amino acids found in oysters and chocolate. Consequently consuming braised rabbit often heightens romantic thoughts, lowers inhibitions and intensifies amorous inclinations. So never serve rabbit for guests you don’t know.

Hope this helps.

Ralph's Rabbit Ranch - Home of Gabe's Gourmet Rabbits

Interesting Pun Humor - but only for the educated

A County Deputy cited a dog for giving birth to puppies near County Hwy 12 for littering.

Do Rabbit’s Feet Really Bring Good Luck?

Interesting question so let’s start at the beginning to answer this question correctly. 

History tells us the ancient Chinese believed the human foot was very important because they saw every organ in the human body had a pathway or a what they call a “meridian’ to the foot. Consequently individuals who practice alternative medicine today still believe our feet provide access to all of our body’s internal organs – just think acupuncture. 

Scientists estimate there are approximately 7000 nerve endings in every human’s foot - so many nerve endings, in fact, that main stream doctors often recommend their patients walk barefoot whenever possible when they are on grass or in sand just to help stimulate their nervous system and generate better health throughout the body.

Now with all that said are rabbit’s feet really lucky? As the owner of a large Rabbit Ranch we see thousands of rabbit feet each year and to tell you the truth I am not sure if they bring good luck or not. In fact, most “expert’s" I know and have talked to can’t agree if they do or not. 

For many the luck of a rabbit's foot is just an old wives tale or  superstition that should be ignored.  However, the reality is that the rabbit's foot is the most common good-luck charm found around the world. A far distant second would be the shamrock (a 4 leaf clover) which is then followed by soft piece of bark from a eucalyptus tree coming in third.

The origin of the rabbit's foot providing good luck goes back to around 6 BC; though there is no connection between the luck a rabbit’s foot with any scriptural references many European Christians associate the rabbit’s foot with the goddess Eastre the goddess of fertility.   (Coincidentally, Eastre is the goddess many associate with Easter today). 

True believers say you can only get the benefits of good luck from a rabbits foot if you carry it in your right front pocket or hang it from your garment on the right side. Others say you will get good luck if you keep it secure in the glove box of your car while you travel.  Still others say it should be tucked away in a purse or handbag and never hang from the purse strap or on a key chain.

Here is a good fun experiment I encourage you to try.  The best part is it’s easy. The next time you watch an awards program on TV like the Oscars - the Emmy’s - the Golden Globe Awards - the Grammy Awards etc. quietly count the number of actors, actresses, directors, producers, songwriters, artists etc. who are holding a rabbit's foot in their hand during the evening. Pay attention to watch how they gently rub their rabbi's foot as the list of nominations are called out. 

It’s amazing how many celebrities who held a rabbit’s foot at an awards night actually won an award: Earl Flynn, Meryl Streep, Henry Fonda, Loretta Young, William Holden, Betty Davis, Burt Lancaster, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro, Gina Davis, Al Pacino, Kate Winslow, Michael Douglas, Ben Affleck, Spencer Tracy, Sylvester Stalone, Humphrey Bogart, Kathryn Hepburn, Tom Hanks, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg just to name a few you might know? Did they deserve the awards they won? You bet! Did the rabbit’s foot help? I really don’t know.

Now if you are not in to watching award shows here’s another exercise you can easily try. Observe the number of NFL, NBA, MLB and college coaches you see holding rabbit’s feet during title games or super bowl events,  Heck you can even see NASCAR pit crews and PGA caddies holding rabbits feet.

Personally, I was amazed to learn that Michele Obama clutched a rabbit’s foot during both of her husband's (President Obama’s) Presidential debates. Was that just a coincidence? Perhaps. It could be! I just don’t know.

Finally look at the old hand painted portraits of Christopher Columbus, Admiral Byrd, Captain Cook and even Captain Morgan (that’s right the Caribbean pirate who after he retired from high seas began to distill spiced rum in Jamaica).  Look closely at all their belts, sashes and straps boots - look for the small rabbit’s foot dangling? Did they carry or wear them for luck?  I don't know.

All I conclude is people from all walks of life from around the world think rabbit’s feet are lucky.  I encourage you to decide for yourself.  For me it was a no brainer.  I try to keep a rabbit's foot with me where ever I go and people always comment I am a pretty lucky guy.   

How Do You Use Facebook

Interesting Animal Triva

In 1957 little was known regarding the impact of space travel on a living creature.  Therefore as part of its space exploration testing program the Russians - the formerly known as the USSR sent the first animal up into space.

No it wasn't a rabbit as many had thought instead it was a dog.  A stray dog that was found on the streets of Moscow.  The dog was named Laika which in Russian means little barker.