HOMEMADE TREATS FOR YOUR "BEST-FRIEND"

Hey everyone....hope your weekend is going well. A bit chilly in Texas these days. I've been eating healthy-r and it made me realize that my four-legged dear friend might too. I have a sweet neighbor that has a border collie named Missy...she reminds me of the one I had years ago. She will run to me every time I'm outside for a dog treat. I don't have a dog anymore so she really makes my day! I was searching healthy dog treats recently and I did a minor twist on a fast and easy recipe. I had a blast making these and I thought what a fun time with your kiddos in the kitchen....baking treats for your family's "best-friend". They are very easy and "MISSY-APPROVED"....have to say,..."I had to test them too" :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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Quilt blog: www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

Here's my twist....I added more peanut butter and a 1/4 cup less of the whole wheat flour then what original recipe called for...basically see what would be best for your pets digestive system.
Instead of using a rolling pin...I divided the dough in half and using a double hand palm method, starting in the middle, I smoothed dough into a flat 1/4 " thickness....rotating dough while doing so.
Note: use some flour on surface to help dough from sticking!


Here's all you need:
*1 3/4 -2 c. whole wheat flour
*1 c. quick cooking oats
*1/3-1/2 c peanut butter
* 1 1/4 c. hot water

Here's all you do:
Pre-heat oven to 350*
Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.
Fold in peanut butter with the hot water. Blend well....dough will be sticky :-).
Knead dough well....add flour if needed if it's hard to handle.

Using my tip above....roll dough to 1/4' thickness & cut with a dog-bone shaped cookie cutter.
If you don't have a cookie cutter you could shape into flat round cookies or whatever you design :-)

Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 40 minutes (ovens vary)
Let cool completely (preferably over night but out of their reach) :-)

Store in airtight container....original recipe states you could freeze them up to 6 mos.
I put some in a container in pantry and then a few in freezer to test myself.

Most of all....have fun making these "fun treats" :-)

"TOASTING in the New Year!"

Hey everyone...hope your week is going well. Recently, while shopping I heard a couple of ladies talking about their New Year's Resolutions. Honestly, I had to laugh. We all look different but we all have the same values and ideas....be kind...workout....family time, etc. Mine was a bit different this year because I actually started eating Healthy-R last October....note...not by choice. This past Holiday season was my first ever "Meat-less dinners"....we decided to cut meat out to help with digestion issues and inflammation in joints, & hopefully all over improvement :-) At first, it was a shocker due to I'm a "meat and potatoes gal" but now I'm not missing it at all and down 10 pds. One thing that I will say I've gotten addicted to "Toasting my nuts", especially Almonds. Toasting or roasting enhances the natural oils in the nuts which improves the overall tastes of the nuts. I never realized how much flavor and how easy it is when adding to your favorite recipes.
I prefer "toasting" due to usually doing small amounts at a time per recipe. I will "roast" when doing small amounts when baking or larger amounts and store in airtight container in fridge and add to salads, oils etc. Seriously you can't go wrong....a few minutes of your time is very rewarding. Needless to say the aroma is wonderful. You will find when I blog, I don't post nutritional value and why I state "Healthy-R"....I'm not a nutritionists so I don't feel it's correct for me to state the nutritional value in the recipes. My recipes and products are what I've found that works great for me and I always say check with your doctor before starting any nutritional change in your diet. Also, email me any great tips you have to share as well.
 Below is some tips for toasting and my "Healthy-R" energy bites....warning they are addicting :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Pinterest & Facebook
Quilting blog: www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

"Toasting Tips"...
*Toast nuts before chopping
* Heat in a dry skillet over medium heat...1-2 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning and even cooking.
*Remove...let cool....use right away or store in air-tight container (preferably glass) and keep in refrigerator to keep freshness longer.
*Store in refrigerator 1-2 weeks or freezer container up to 3 mos.
*Label & date :-)
*If you are watching your salt intake (like me) purchase farm fresh nuts if possible or unsalted.
*Recently I've discovered on the back of nut bags you sometimes see "may have come in contact with other nuts while processing"....just be careful if you have nut allergies but love this is stated!

 "Cats Energy Bites"

Here's all you need...
1-14 oz. can Fat Free sweetened condensed milk
1 c. smooth peanut butter (healthy brand is better)
1 3/4 - 2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 c. 50 % less sugar dried cranberries
1/2 c. "toasted' sliced almonds (addicted to and used Nature's Eats products)
pinch of salt (optional)
tsp. of butter

Here's all you do...
Melt butter in non-stick pan with sweetened condensed milk ....stirring constantly until sides pull away from sides of pan.
Remove from heat and add peanut butter then fold in oats & cranberries until all incorporated.
Let cool (in a rush transfer to a bowl and put in fridge for about 10 minutes)
Drop by spoonful on parchment paper and then roll into balls
Tip....I like to place in tiny foil liners....makes it easy to eat plus kinda cute-c if giving as a gift :-)
Enjoy!

"HAPPY NEW YEAR & THANK YOU!"

Hey everyone....wanted to wish everyone a Blessed New Year & to say "thank you" for following my blog. Especially thank you to all the emails during my back difficulties. It's been a trying year but with the Grace of God all is good! I've done some lifestyle changes now for 7 weeks and you might see some "different style" of my cooking recipes but the décor will always stay the same....sweet and simple :-) My passion is design....cooking and quilting so again I thank you for following me and please continue to email me with your q's....always glad to help!
May we all be Blessed with more dirty dishes and a home full of love!

Blessed Cooking from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Pinterest
Quilt Blog.....www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com