Cheesy Carrot Muffins

Cheesy Carrot Muffins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated carrot
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups.

Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots, and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well distributed.

In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture, and stir gently until just combined.

Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste-testing. If he's a medium to large dog, one muffin will be a great snack. Make it half a muffin for a toy or small dog.

We Share Because We Care: Dining with Your Dog or Cat

Home-made treats are a healthy and delicious option to processed products. And a wonderful side effect of making sure the food you share with your pet is healthy is that your health can benefit too! Nutritious treats and snacks can easily be made at home and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what you’re giving your animal companion, and the other members of your family. If you have children in the house, then you know they are a magnet for hovering hounds and mooching mousers. By choosing treats wisely, you can rest assured that both the kids and pets are sharing food that is good for them. And children learn from the example set by adults, so preparing and enjoying healthy and delicious food is an invaluable habit to instill in them.

Here is a recipe that is super-easy to make and so delicious that everyone in your house will want some. And that’s okay; they’re good for everyone…you and your pets!

Almond Fudge Logs

• 1 cup raw almond butter
• 1/2 cup raw shelled almonds, chopped
• 1/4 cup raw carob powder
• 1/4 cup raw honey

Combine almond butter, carob, and honey until well blended. Form into “log” shapes (if they’re too sticky, add more carob) or roll into 1” balls. Roll in chopped nuts, chill until firm, and slice logs into pieces. Keep refrigerated. Makes about 1 1/2 cups, or three 7” logs.

The nutritional scoop: Cocoa and chocolate contain theobromine, an alkaloid that can be lethal for some animals, including dogs and cats. Hooray for carob, the chocolate alternative! Not only is it safe and delicious, but it’s nutritious as well, and contains 60 percent fewer calories than chocolate. Carob is a great source of calcium, with approximately 358 milligrams per cup. It also contains appreciable amounts of iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, selenium, B vitamins, and vitamin A. With 4.8 grams of protein per cup, it also contains many essential amino acids. Carob’s high pectin content makes it useful for digestive disorders, especially diarrhea, and it’s easy to digest. Carob is mentioned often in historical texts (including the Bible) as a food and medicine for both humans and nonhumans alike. In ancient times, almonds were also used as both food and medicine. Raw almonds are a good source of enzymes, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E. Food-source vitamin E is an antioxidant that may provide important health benefits including the ability to inhibit lipid (fat) oxidation. Purchase nuts from a store that restocks regularly, as you’ll want the freshest ones possible. Store shelled almonds and almond butter in the refrigerator.

To get the most flavor and nutrients from your food, you’ll want to purchase organically grown food whenever possible. Organically grown food is the fastest-growing sector of agriculture today, and for good reason: It has higher levels of nutrients, including cancer-fighting compounds, than most conventionally grown food. Nutritionally, you get more for your money with organic food; plus, the Environmental Protection Agency warns that 60 percent of the herbicides, 90 percent of the fungicides, and 30 percent of the insecticides that may be used on non-organic crops are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Plus, organically grown food usually tastes much better than conventionally grown food! If you cannot get organically grown food, don’t let it deter you from enjoying the great taste and nutrition of fresh whole foods. Buy the best quality that you can and be sure to wash all produce before using.

This recipe is a great alternative to unhealthy chocolate sweets. In fact, everyone in your family may love them so much that you’ll need to remind yourself that rich treats like these are best given in moderation. They should not replace regular meals of species-appropriate food. This simple recipe will allow you to share a treat with your pet and also treat yourself to peace of mind, knowing that it is actually good for both of you! Sharing healthy food is not “spoiling” a pet any more than it would be a child; in fact, when you choose recipes to prepare that are delicious and nutritious, you truly prove how much you value those you care about. And you’re in very good company: Famous physician, humanitarian, and philosopher Dr. Albert Schweitzer shared food and care with his animal friends and was moved to say “We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe.” Bon appétite!



Credit: Kymythy

Liver Treats

Liver Treats

• 1 lb raw sliced beef liver (in the meat freezer section at Safeway, or better, go to your local health food grocery)
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup self rising cornmeal mix or rice flour
• 1/4 cup quick cooking oatmeal
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tBsp brown sugar (I don't use this...)
• 2 tBsp canola oil
• 1 beaten egg

Preheat oven to 350 deg F

Boil liver in 3 cups of water until no longer pink

Remove liver and set aside the liver water.

Puree the liver and 1/4 of the liver water.

In a large bowl combine the rest of the stuff in the list with the
liver slurry plus 1/4 more of the liver water.

Roll out the dough 1/2" thick for large treats, 1/4" for small treats.
Cut into shapes and bake on a greased cookie sheet for 10 min.

Flip and bake for 10 more min.

Cool for 2 1/2 hrs to make extra crunchy.

Refrigerate in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks (they get moldy otherwise). Freeze for longer (bet they are really crunchy frozen!).

Makes 3-5 dozen

Banana Biscotti

Banana Biscotti

• 5 cups flour
• 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups banana, pureed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• water

Place dry ingredients in large bowl. Make a well in the center. Blend egg, oil and banana together. Add into the dry ingredients in well. Start combining together.

Add water, one teaspoon at a time as needed. Knead by hand on table until mixed thoroughly. Form into logs approximately 2 to 2 1/2-inches high. Flatten so that log is 6 to 7-inches wide by 1-inch high.

Place on non-stick baking sheets or lightly greased sheets. Bake 30 to 40 minutes.

Remove and cool for 10 minutes. Slice into 1/2 to 3/4-inch slices. Place on baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Store in airtight container.
birds & parrots also love this one…