Homemade Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers For The Holiday's ♥

Here is a doggy treat recipe that I made earlier in the year for my dog Gia, these are perfect for your furry friend for christmas, or why not bring them to your next holiday party as a hostess gift for their furry friends! ♥

Ingredients ♥

2 cups whole-wheat flour 

1 tbsp. baking powder 

1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth) 

1 cup milk

Directions ♥

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 15 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. 

Homemade Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers For The Holiday's ♥

Here is a doggy treat recipe that I made earlier in the year for my dog Gia, these are perfect for your furry friend for christmas, or why not bring them to your next holiday party as a hostess gift for their furry friends! ♥

Ingredients ♥

2 cups whole-wheat flour 
1 tbsp. baking powder 
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth) 
1 cup milk

Directions ♥

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 15 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. 

Homemade Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers For The Holiday's ♥

Here is a doggy treat recipe that I made earlier in the year for my dog Gia, these are perfect for your furry friend for christmas, or why not bring them to your next holiday party as a hostess gift for their furry friends! ♥

Ingredients ♥

2 cups whole-wheat flour 
1 tbsp. baking powder 
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth) 
1 cup milk

Directions ♥

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 15 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. 

Copycat Frosty Paws Ice Cream Treats! ♥

So it's summer and we all love to keep cool, but we also love to keep our pets cool as well! So I always buy Frosty Paws for dogs in the summer, and I thought why not make my own? supercute and Gia just loves it! ♥ 

Ingredients ♥ 

32 oz plain yogurt
2 ripe bananas
1/8 cup honey
1/2 cup  peanut butter (you could use a bit less if desired)

Directions ♥ 
1) Place bananas in a large bowl and mash thoroughly. 
2) Add in the peanut butter, honey, and yogurt and mix well. 
3) Once all of the ingredients are combined, pour the mixture into your desired containers for freezing. I used this cute puppy paw mold I got here by Etsy shop Yummy Pleasures
4) Place in the freezer for at least an hour.

Note If  you don't have a mold, you can use an ice cube tray, or dixie cups! 

Wellness Pet Food and a Healthy Doggie Recipe ♥

So I was approached by Wellness Brand Pet Food to tell you about their awesome products! I love this pet food, it's Gia's favorite brand! ♥ ("This is a sponsored post, however all views expressed are my own".)

                         One member of the family truly is always ‘there’ for you.
You know, the one who runs to meet you at the door when you get home? The one who wants to play, exercise, and sleep next to you no matter how their day has gone? Heck, they’ll do just about anything to make you happy.
You know who we’re talking about, right? Your dog!♥ That furry family member who offers you unconditional love every day of the week, and who you love back just as much, if not more.
But how do you return your dog’s love? Besides taking him or her for walks, playing fetch, cuddling on the couch and offering the occasional treat? Do you feed your dog a healthy, natural diet? 
Did you know that a diet formulated with wholesome, natural ingredients could help your dog live a longer, healthier life, but that most dog foods aren’t made up of natural ingredients?

As a leader in natural pet food, Wellness uses natural, high-quality proteins and fats in their dog food recipes. They also include fruits and vegetables for natural vitamins, minerals and other benefits, especially antioxidants that occur in blueberries, cranberries and some vegetables, which help make their dog food products some of the healthiest options in the marketplace.
Just watch this video it explains why a healthy diet and proper healthy dog food is essential!

Wellness recipes do not include added artificial colors, flavors or ingredients, and they’ve even created a helpful “Check Your Bag” website that you can use to compare their natural dog food to those from some competitors who claim to be natural.Some of the biggest benefit s to Wellness® Complete Health® Recipes include:

 ♥ Live Active Probiotics – Added after the cooking process to promote a healthy intestinal tract and overall digestive health at guaranteed levels 
♥ Omega 3 & 6 Mix – Offering guaranteed levels of essential fatty acids for cellular function and healthy skin
♥ Essential Vitamins & Minerals – Designed for cellular health, immunity and disease resistance
♥ Fruit & Veggie Antioxidants – A proactive step in improving your pet’s nutrition
♥ Rigorous Safety Testing – A Quality Assurance program that maintains strict standards for food safety 
♥ Excellent Nutritional Standards – Every batch of dry food is tested throughout the entire manufacturing process, from its basic ingredients to the finished products

To pick up a bag of some of this high-quality, natural dog food, you can order it online or stop by one of the retail locations listed in the Wellness Store Locator.

Connect with their Naturally Well Pet Community a free online program that provides exclusive savings offers, fun contests and helpful tips about keeping your pets happy and healthy. 
Follow their Facebook here Wellness Pet Food Facebook page 

and Twitter feed here Wellness Pet Food Twitter,

Where you can join in on the fun with a huge group of fellow animal lovers who share heartfelt, funny stories, entertaining photos and videos of their pets.♥

#checkyourbag,#wellness

Here is a healthy doggie recipe I give my dog Gia that you can make at home.

Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers

Ingredients ♥

2 cups whole-wheat flour 
1 tbsp. baking powder 
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth) 
1 cup milk

Directions ♥
Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 15 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. 

Gia's Homemade Doggie Candy Cane Cookies ♥

Here is a great recipe for my dog Gia I got from my friends at Dogvacay.com This holiday recipe was provided by Dogtreatkitchen.com It's a perfect healthy treat for your four legged friend. enjoy! ♥

( recipe by dogtreatkitchen ) 

Ingredients ♥
    3 cups all purpose flour
    1/2 cup nonfat powdered milk
    1/2 tsp baking powder
    1 cup warm water
    1 chicken bouillon cube
    2 large eggs
    2 tsp red food coloring (see tips)
    1/2 tsp peppermint oil flavoring (optional)
    1 large egg (for an egg wash)

Directions ♥

    Whisk together the flour, powdered milk and baking powder.
    In a small bowl, pour the warm water over the chicken bouillon, stir until dissolved.
    Whisk the eggs into the chicken water.
    Form a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the wet ingredients.
    Stir until thorougly combined.
    Knead the dough for about two minutes.
    Add more flour until the dough is no longer sticky.
    Seperate the dough in half.
    Form a well in one of the balls of dough.
    Add the food coloring and peppermint flavoring.
    Wearing food safe gloves, knead the coloring and flavoring throughout the dough.
    Cool the dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours or in the freezer for 30 minutes.
    Preheat the oven to 350° F
    Divide each ball of dough into tablespoon sized balls.
    Gently roll each ball into a "worm" shape, letting the dough rest when needed. Each strip should be about 5 inches long.
    Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
    Twist one plain strip with a red strip, and curl the end to shape a candy cane.
    Place on the baking sheet.
    Whisk the extra egg in a small bowl.
    Using a pastry brush, thoroughly coat each candy cane with the egg wash.
    Bake for 10 minutes.
    Cool completely on a wire rack.
Storing - Our free dog treat recipes do not contain preservatives, so they will need to be refrigerated. These dog candy canes will keep fresh for two or more weeks in the refrigerator. They also freeze beautifully. Keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Yield - If you roll out 5 inch strips of dough, and twist them together, you should yield at least 20 sugar free dog treats.♥

Merry Christmas Love Gia! ♥

Happy Birthday Gia! pupcake recipe ♥

 Sorry for the late post..had too much fun at Gia's doggie bday party! It's my Minature Pinscher Gia's 3rd birthday today, here are some birthday photos and a recipe for her birthday pupcake for dogs, enjoy! love you Gia! ♥

Ingredients ♥ 

1 cup white flour
1 top baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Directions ♥ 

 Mix flour and baking soda together and then add all other ingredients.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
Frost with wiped non-fat cream cheese.
I doubled the recipe and made cupcakes out of the batter which made about 13 cupcakes. I baked them for about 20-25 mins. enjoy!


love you Gia Happy Birthday xoxo

Love and kisses..mommy! ♥ 

Russian Easter 2013 ♥ ..

The traditional russian orthodox easter isnt until May 5th but here are some ideas for you that you can incorporate for your Easter year ..Христос Воскресе!

 Here is a typical russian easter dinner..

russian deviled eggs ♥

Ingredients ♥

8 hardboiled eggs
2 generous tablespoons fat free or light sour cream
1 tablespoon fat free or light mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
A small jar of red or black caviar (I think I useda total of about 3 tablespoons of caviar for this recipe)
1/3 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill
Peel the eggs and cut lengthwise into halves.

Take out the yolks and mash well together with the mayo, mustard, sour cream and salt. Start with a fork and you can use a blender to finish mixing it into a nice lump-free homogenous mixture.
Return the mixture back into the empty egg halves. You can use just a teaspoon, or any utensil you might employ to pipe filling or decorate a cake.
Once all the eggs are filled with the filling (you may not use it all up), spoon a little bit of the caviar on top of each one.
Garnish by sprinkling fresh dill over the eggs and enjoy! ♥


Russian Easter Ham  ♥ http://europeancutie.blogspot.com/2013/03/russian-skinny-easter-ham-buzhenina.html

Ingredients ♥

1 (8 -10 lb) fresh ham extra lean

1/3 cup Dijon mustard

1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

salt, to taste ( you can use low sodium salt)
1 cup beer (miller 64 )

1 cup apple cider

3 cloves
2 bay leaves
fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Directions ♥

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Using a sharp knife, score the skin of the ham in a diamond oattern.
3. Mix together the mustard, brown sugar, and salt and spread all over the ham.
4. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan, add the remaining ingredients, and roast, basting with the juices, until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees F or the juices run clear when you insert a skewer into the thickest part of the roast, about 3 hours.
5. Let the roast stand, covered with foil. for 15 minutes.
6. Carve into thin slices and serve with gravy, if desired. enjoy!

low fat version of russian "piroshki" ♥

1 medium head cabbage grated ( I grade this on a cheese grater the old stand up aluminum kind)
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 tsp. salt and pepper to taste
Flaky Butter Pastry (recipe follows)
1 egg

salt and pepper to taste

extra virgin olive oil

Smart Balance buttery sticks

3 cups all purpose flour

2 tbs low fat milk

1 tbs lemon juice

Measure 3 cups all-purpose flour into bowl. Cut in 1 cup Smart Balance buttery sticks, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix 1 egg with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 4 tablespoons ice water. Sprinkle over flour mixture. Toss with fork until dough gathers into a ball. If necessary, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Chill, if desired, to make handling easier.

Add the extra virgin olive oil about 1 tbs, half cup water, toss in cabbage and cook until tender and golden brown.

Add the onion, cook until tender then add the thyme and salt and pepper to taste. place cabbage mixture aside.

Prepare the pastry. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out 4 inch rounds. Fill each with a rounded tablespoonful of cabbage filling. Fold pastry over filling.

Place on ungreased baking sheet, pressing edges together with fork. Brush with mixture of egg and milk.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until pies are evenly golden. Serve hot, cooled to room temperature, or chill and reheat for serving later.

Makes 2 dozen piroshki, goes great with the creamy beet salad "vinegret" enjoy
 

russian "vinegret" ( beet salad,my low fat version) ♥

Ingredients: ♥

• 1 lb cooked beets, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup sour cream fat free
• 4 tbs mayonnaise fat free
• juice of half a lemon
• 2 tsp sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 handful chopped fresh dill or parsley for garnish
• 1-2 scallions
• 1-2 dill pickles
• 1 hard boiled egg
• 1 small cucumber peeled and cubed
• extra virgin olive oil

Directions:  ♥
Bring some water to a boil,(boil beets like you would potatoes) put beets in the pan and simmer until the beets are tender easily pierced with a knife--45 minutes to an hour. Let it cool.

Cube the beets into a salad bowl. Add the following, cubed, 1 small, peeled cucumber;(I substituted the cucumber for potatoes in the original recipe for a lower fat version) 1-2 scallions; 1 hardboiled egg; 1-2 good dill pickles; and a handful of fresh dill

For the dressing, I used a combo of a little extra virgin olive oil, juice of half a lemon, fat free sour cream, fat free mayo, salt and pepper.and a pinch of sugar. ( about 3-4 tablespoons, I usually eyeball it.)

Mix all ingredients together, chill for at least 20 minutes before serving and enjoy! ♥

for dessert...

russian "kulich" recipe low fat version ♥

this is a traditional russian easter bread here's my low fat version of my grandma katrina's recipe enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water 
1/4 cup low fat margarine, softened 
1/4 cup sugar 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/4 cup milk, scalded 
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 
1 egg, slightly beaten 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 
1/4 cup chopped candied red cherries 
1/4 cup chopped candied green cherries 
2 tablespoons chopped toasted almonds 
3/4 cup confectioners sugar 
4 teaspoons milk

Soften yeast in the warm water.
Put butter, sugar, and salt into a bowl; add the scalded milk and stir until butter is melted.
Cool to lukewarm.
Beat 1/2 cup of the flour into milk mixture.
Stir in the yeast, then beat in egg, extract, and cardamom.
Add remaining flour gradually, beating thoroughly after each addition.
Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Punch down dough; let rise again until almost doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Dis tribute cherries and almonds evenly over dough; knead about 15 times.
Shape dough into a ball and put into a well-greased 1-pound coffee can.
Cover; let rise again until doubled, 30 to 40 minutes.
Place can on a baking sheet, if desired.
Bake at 350°F 45 minutes, or until bread is well browned.
Cool in can 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Blend the confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth.
Spoon icing over Kulich and allow it to drip down sides. I like to add a sprinkle of lemon zest!
enjoy! ♥
 russian  "pascha" low fat version ♥

8-oz pks. low fat Cream Cheese
1/2 pint low fat cottage cheese or farmer's cheese
1/4 pound sweet butter ( I can't believe it's not butter brand)
1/4 cup confectionery sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
cheesecloth
clean flower pot about 6" in diameter or "pascha mold" to buy the pascha mold click here....
http://marketplaceadvisor.channeladvisor.com/storefrontprofiles/deluxesfitemdetail.aspx?sfid=78319&c=946232&i=231702470
With a mixer or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until it is smooth. Add the low fat cream cheese and low fat butter and blend until smooth. Add the two types of sugar and blend smooth. Add raisins, sliver almonds, fruits as desires. Line the flowerpot or pascha mold with three layers of damp cheesecloth. Pour in mixture. Put a weight on top (10 pounds is good) and let sit in the refrigerator until no more drainage is seen (at least 2 days). Remove from mold and unwrap cloth. Make an XB on it in sugared almonds. Serve with Pascha bread "kulich" and enjoy~!

Don't forget the doggie! special easter treats Gia loves!
find them here at Posh Puppy Boutique http://www.poshpuppyboutique.com/Easter_Dog_Treats_p/sbz-eastmini.htm

me as a child at easter ♥

 

heres a great article on russian easter... ♥
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frussianreport.wordpress.com%2Freligion-in-russia%2Feaster-in-russia%2F&h=RAQHxrT4w

Христос Воскресе! Happy Easter (Christ is Risen!) ♥Воистину Воскресе! (Yes Christ is Risen!) 

homemade frosty paws for doggies! ♥

So I always buy Frosty Paws for dogs in the summer, and I thought why not make my own? supercute and Gia just loves it! ♥

Ingredients:
1 (32 oz.) container of low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 bananas
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in your blender. Divide amongst some small, plastic cups and freeze.

"doggie" birthday cake ♥

this is a great safe dog birthday cake recipe for dogs! (Happy Birthday today, to my minature pinscher Gia! xoxo!) ♥

1 cup white or whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup honey (optional)
1 egg

Mix the dry ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients and mix quickly. Bake in a greased ring mold at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Icing recipes

Basic Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

4 ounces of low fat cream cheese
3 tablespoons of canola oil
1 tablespoon of vanilla
1 dash of honey

Faux Chocolate and Banana Icing

 2 cups of mashed bananas
1 tablespoon of butter
6 tablespoons of carob powder
2 tsp of vanilla
3 tablespoons of flour
 1 tsp of cinnamon


Peanut Butter Icing

8 ounces of low-fat cream cheese
4 ounces of all natural peanut butter (creamy works best)
2 tablespoons of canola oil


Strawberry Delight Icing

8 tablespoons of whipped, low-fat, strawberry cream cheese
2 tablespoons of plain, low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons of honey
2 to 3 tablespoons of flour


Serve to your doggie and he or she will love you for it! ♥

homemade doggie treats ♥

2 teaspoons dry yeast 1/2 cup lukewarm water 2 tablespoons dry parsley 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 3 tablespoons honey 1 egg 5-6 cups whole wheat flour Directions: Preheat oven to 350 ° F (180 ° C). In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in the parsley, garlic, broth, honey, and egg. Gradually blend in flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough. Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Shape the dough into a ball, and roll to 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick. Using small bone-shaped cookie cutters, make biscuits! Transfer to ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1/4 inch (6 mm) apart. Gather up the scraps, roll out again, and cut additional biscuits. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn over. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until lightly browned on both sides. Let cool overnight. (After I finish baking all batches of biscuits, I turn off the oven, then spread all the biscuits out on one baking sheet and set them in the oven to cool overnight. The extra time in the oven as it cools off helps make the treats crispier and crunchier.) Makes several dozen small bones that keep and freeze well enjoy! My dog Gia loves them!