Homemade Dog Treats

Here are some easy and yummy treats to make at home. No processed ingredients like you'd find in the store bought stuff!

Bark-B-Q

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup white flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup barbeque sauce

2 tablespoon honey

3 tablespoons oil

1 egg

1/2 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix barbeque sauce, honey, oil, egg, water. Add to dry ingredients. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 F. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Beg-for-more Peanut Butter Treats

2 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup water

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups white flour

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour, one cup at a time, forming a dough. Knead dough into firm ball and roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Chick'N Fingers

2 1/2 cups white flour

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal

1/4 cup chopped chicken

1 cup chicken broth

4 tablespoons softened margarine

1 egg

2 T milk

Preheat oven to 325 F. Combine flour, cornmeal, chicken, chicken broth and margarine. Form into a soft dough and knead for 3 minutes. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into 3 to 4 inch finger shapes. Beat egg and milk together and apply to top of biscuits with brush. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 F for 35 minutes. Makes 24 fingers.

 

Spicy Treat-balls

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup white flour

1/2 cup bran

1/2 cup brewers yeast

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons corn oil

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat honey, corn oil, egg and milk. Gradually add mixture to dry ingredients to form a dough. Form into 1-inch balls and bake at 350 F on an ungreased cookie sheet for 15 minutes. Makes 18 balls.

Soup for One recipes

Yesterday, I was searching for some recipes for "one"...especially soup or anything I could microwave...I ran across a couple of ideas and this is what I came up with...I got everything I needed for less than $20 and I used coupons, too...I was able to measure everything out to make 6 individual chicken noodle soups, 6 vegetable beef soups and 4 potato soups...I put everything into sandwich sized zip lock bags and put them in the freezer...I made one of the vegetable beef soups for lunch and it tasted like I spent all day on it and it only took about 10 minutes to cook and I didn't have to add any salt or pepper!...(I tried the potato soup the next day and it was yummy!)...enjoy! (I already had cheese, milk, bacon bits, dried parsley flakes, dried celery flakes and dried minced onion. The bouillon granules were cheaper in the Hispanic section where I found the noodles.)

Chicken Noodle Soup
Divide the following ingredients into 6 zip lock sandwich bags:

1- 7oz bag of Moderna Fideo noodles (with the Hispanic foods) You can use egg noodles if you prefer
1- small bag of Tyson Ready Grill Chicken Breast strips (cut into small cubes)
1 - snack size carrot, celery and broccoli veggie tray (slice celery and baby carrots thinly and place about a teaspoon in each bag, eat the broccoli and dip while you work, LOL)
Place 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules in each bag
Sprinkle a little parsley flakes on top.
Seal bag and freeze until ready to use.

To cook, add 1 and 1/2 cups of water, bring to a boil and then simmer until noodles are done. Enjoy!

Vegetable Beef soup
Divide the following ingredients into 6 zip lock sandwich bags:

1 - 16 oz. bag of frozen mixed veggies (I got the ones with the green beans)
1 - 20 oz. bag of Simply Potatoes, diced potatoes and onions (in the dairy section, by the eggbeaters)
*I only added about 10 potatoes to each bag. I saved the rest for the potato soup.
1- small bag of Tyson Ready Grill Seasoned Steak strips (cut into small pieces)
Place 1 teaspoon of beef bouillon granules in each bag
Sprinkle a little parsley flakes and dried minced onion on top.
Seal bag and freeze until ready to use.

To cook, add 1 and 1/2 cups of water, bring to a boil and then simmer until veggies are done to your likeness. Enjoy!

Potato soup
Divide the following ingredients into 4 zip lock sandwich bags:

1 - 20 oz. bag of Simply Potatoes, diced potatoes and onions (in the dairy section, by the eggbeaters)
*if you don't make the vegetable beef soup, you can probably make 2 extra bags of potato soup
Place one teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules in each bag.
Sprinkle a little dried parsley flakes, dried celery flakes and dried minced onion on top.
Seal bag and freeze until ready to use.

To cook, add 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and then simmer until potatoes are done. Add 1/2 a cup of milk or cream and a little butter or margarine (I used about a tablespoon), do not boil, simmer a few more minutes. Remove from heat and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits, if you like. You can mash the potatoes to thicken the soup if you'd like. Enjoy!

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent!

I was looking for a better way to make laundry detergent, because they one I tried first, didn't seem to be getting the job done.  Then, one of my customers put all of these items up on the counter to check out. I knew instantly she was making homemade laundry detergent! She had some items up there I hadn't included in mine and knew it was a better recipe. She gave me the recipe and I made it up the next evening! So, here you go...

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

4 lb 12 oz box of Borax
4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
3 lb 7 oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
2 bars of Fels-Naptha soap (or Zote)
3 lb container of Oxy Clean, or two of the smaller ones, to make about 3lbs
1 container Purex Crystals (you can use the Downy or Gain crystals if you prefer those)

You'll need a large container to mix and store it in, as well. I used a 5 gallon bucket and lid I got from the paint department at Wal-Mart.

Before you begin, you'll need to grate the bars of soap, with the fine side of the grater. Or you can use your food processor. Just make sure you run it through the dishwasher afterwards to get all of the soap residue off.  I read somewhere else, that you could put them in the microwave for 1 minute and they'll puff up like a big marshmallow (use a microwave safe plate or bowl). Let them cool completely, then you can just crush them easily into a powder with your hands. I haven't tried this, but I think I will the next time I need to make more detergent.

Pour a little of each ingredient into your storage container and mix well. It seems a bit easier to mix it a little at a time until you have it all added. You can re-purpose the Oxy Clean scoop or, you can re-purpose the Purex Crystals bottle like I did.  The cap has lines on it for small, medium and large loads when using the crystals.  For this detergent you only need to use 1-2 tablespoons, so use the first mark for small loads and the second for large loads.  I removed the label and used a permanent marker to mark the bottle "Laundry Soap, Use 1-2 Tablespoons per load as marked on cap".

You can use this in HE machines, but add it to the tub and not the dispenser. (That's what I'm reading everywhere!) This detergent doesn't created a lot of suds, so it's actually good for all types of washing machines. Low suds are easier on the machine's parts and hoses.

Let me know how you like it! I made this is less than a half an hour for around $20, depending on where you shop and if you have coupons. And! it will do approximately 250 loads of laundry. That's a LOT of savings!

This is what mine looked like after I put everything together.

Homemade doggie treats!!

From: FreeSpiritSiberianRescue

Stop giving your dogs crap from China that is killing our dogs!! Here is a Pumpkin Recipe that is healthy for them :) Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons dry milk

1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 cups brown rice flour *
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine.

Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.

* Brown rice flour gives the biscuits crunch and promotes better dog digestion. Many dogs have touchy stomachs or allergies, and do not, like many people I know, tolerate wheat.

Makes up to 75 small (1″) biscuits or 50 medium biscuits

— with Tammy Sharitz.

Some great recipes can be found here as well!

bullwrinkle.com 

By making your own doggie cookies and treats you KNOW what's in them!! I have some really cute doggie cookie cutters for my big and small dogs!  Enjoy!

Like "sea glass" or colored glass? Try this!

I ran across a really cool post the other day...same place I got the single serve cookie recipe. Whenever we would to down to West Palm Beach, Florida, we would go to the beach and look for sea glass. Sea glass is actual pieces of glass from shipwrecks off the coasts. The pieces look really cool in a decorative container or glass. Here is a way to imitate it. I'm trying to figure out a way to make it permanent, because it would save me some money on amber glass I'm going to be using for my business. Here's how you do it, but if you don't find a way to make it permanent, it will wash right off or run if you get it wet. You might want to consider that the color will stain your hands, clothes or what it is sitting on if it does get wet. Someone suggested trying Aleen's OK to Wash It glue. I'm thinking of trying some clear coat spray paint. I'll let you know what I figure out! Here's the how to:

Mix Elmer's glue with food coloring to paint onto anything glass to create a sea glass effect when dry.

(Photo courtesy of Lizzies Tips for Everday Living)

A lot of people were asking how much glue to how much food coloring. I'm sure all you really need to do is just experiment until you get a color you like. As usual, it may dry lighter or darker, depending on the color you use. The good part is, if you don't like the results? Wash it off and try again... :o)

Single serve chocolate chip cookie!

How cool is this?! My cousin Jessica just sent me this! It's a deep dish, single serve, microwave, chocolate chip cookie! YUMMY!! Can't wait to try it!

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

1 tbsp. butter, melted 1 tbsp. white sugar 1 tbsp. brown sugar 3 drops of vanilla pinch of salt 1 egg yolk 1/4 c. flour 2 tbsp. chocolate chips MICROWAVE 40-60 SEC IN A CUP OR BOWL. {single serving} deep dish chocolate chip cookie

Photo courtesy of Lizzies Tips for Everday Living  Now go like her on Facebook! :o)

Feeling kinda down? Try these!

Feeling kind of down? Need a boost or a pick-me-up but want to go natural? Try one of these:

If that doesn't work for you...try these! Tee Hee

Common Remedies to rid your garden from pest

Common Remedies to Eliminate Common Garden Pests

April 13, 2011

By WeatherBug Meteorologist Dustin Devine

Nothing is more frustrating that seeing the hard work you put into your garden be ruined by pests. The good news is common garden pests can be prevented, and simple homemade remedies can help you fight off the damage.

The easiest way to prevent insect damage in your garden is to discourage them from coming in the first place. Pull out any weak plants, as they may already be infected or will attract damaging insects. Pull the plant and dispose of it away from the garden area. Minimize insect habitat by clearing the garden area of debris and weeds which are breeding places for insects.

Homemade remedies are inexpensive and, best of all, you know what is going into your garden. Many homemade sprays have been used with good results to control harmful insects. They usually involve noxious (but non-toxic) ingredients such as garlic, cayenne, stinging nettles or horsetail which are diluted in water and blended to be sprayed on the plants. Here are a few simple formulas:

Soft-bodied insects (mites, aphids, mealybugs):

Mix one tablespoon canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray plant from above down, and from below up to get the underside of the leaves. The oil smothers the insects.

Grubs:

For lawn or garden grubs, there is a natural remedy called milky spore . The granules are spread on the soil and cause the grubs to contract a disease that kills them. This natural control affects only the grubs, leaving the beneficial organisms, like ladybugs and praying mantis, unharmed. Milky spore multiplies over time and will sit inactive, waiting for grubs to infect. One treatment is said to last 40 years. The grubs are actually the larvae of Japanese beetles. So, when you kill the grubs you kill the beetles, so no more need for those unsightly green hanging beetle catchers!

Mites and other insects:

Mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle and apply as above. Shake container frequently during application.

Earwigs, slugs, and other soft-bodied garden pests:

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over plants and around edges of garden beds. Diatomaceous earth comes in the form of a chalky powder, and is the natural fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. The diatoms particles are very small and sharp - but only harmful to the small exoskeletons of insects, slugs and snails. Insects cannot become immune to its action, as it is a mechanical killer - not a chemical one.

Fungal diseases:

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and spray affected areas. Repeat this process every few days until problem ceases.

Powdery mildew:

Mix equal parts milk and water and spray on infected plants. Three treatments a week apart should control the disease.

Insects and fungal diseases:

Combine one tablespoon of cooking oil, two tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and apply as above.

Insects on fruit trees:

Lime sulfur and dormant oil, available at nurseries and garden centers, can be sprayed on the trunk and branches of dormant fruit trees. This concoction will suffocate insect egg cases. Because the oily spray is heavy compared to the other water-based sprays, you`ll need a pump sprayer. These are fairly inexpensive, and are available to rent from some nurseries. Only use this method while the tree is dormant, however, or it can kill the tree.

Rodents:

First, secure any open food sources, especially the compost bin. Sealed compost bins, such as compost tumblers, are recommended if you have rodents in your garden. As a deterrent, soak a rag or cotton balls in oil of peppermint (found at most health food stores), and place in areas of rodent activity. Place under an eve or under a cover that will keep the rain from diluting the peppermint. Rodents are allergic to peppermint and will avoid it. This method is also effective at deterring rabbits.

Source: http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm

How to Make Homemade Jelly from Bottled or Frozen Juice (apple, pomegranate, raspberry, blueberry, peach, etc.) - Easily!

How to Make Homemade Jelly from Bottled or Frozen Juice (apple, pomegranate, raspberry, blueberry, peach, etc.) - Easily!

I just made this with grape juice, (100%, no sugar added) and it was so easy! It took longer to gather my supplies than to make the jelly! :o) It's cooling now, I've read to wait 24 hours after processing to check for sealing and then tighten the rings before storing. I put my labels on and all I have to do now is wait to taste the finished product! YAY! I can make jelly!

This is the apple jelly I made for neighbor gifts this Christmas.

Breakfast idea, courtesy of Jamie Foxx!

Does this look yummy or what??? If you don't like your eggs sunny side up, I'll bet you could scramble them, put them in the Canadian bacon cups and bake them up, too! It looks like it's begging for some shredded cheese, too! That's probably how I'll do it! Bet it smells good while it's cooking, too! Serve it up with some cheese grits and some raisin toast and I'd be in heaven!!