Homemade Holiday : Blue Birthday

This Tuesday I am making gifts for the Four Legged members of the family. Every Christmas I make a big batch of dog treats to pass out to Four legged members of the family. But this week I am celebrating Blue’s Birthday. Our Rescue Dog Blue -turns 1 year old this month. So I am making an early batch of treats. If you are visiting for Thanksgiving -take a bag with you.

Dog Treats:

Sweet Potatoes

Using a dehydrator

1. Slice the sweet potatoes ½ cm thick.
2. Place the slices on the food dehydrator racks.
3. Set the dehydrator to 135˚ F.
4. Dry for 6-7 hours, depending on how crunchy you prefer the treats to be.
5. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

using an oven

1. Preheat oven to 250˚ F.
2. Slice the sweet potatoes at least ½ cm thick.
3. Place the sweet potatoes rounds on a silicone mat or parchment paper on baking sheets.
4. Cook for 2½-3 hours.
5. Turn the potatoes halfway through.
6. Check at the two-hour mark to see if they’re done, then every 15 minutes until they reach your desired crispness.

Biscuits

• 3 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• ⅓ to ½ cup water

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix flour, eggs and water in a large bowl, forming a stiff dough with your hands. Add more water if necessary.
• Dust surface with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough about ¼ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut into shapes (or use a pizza cutter wheel or knife to cut into small strips).
• Place onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.
• Cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

Substations

• Add-Ins:  Add 2 tablespoons of one the following, if desired.  Start with 1/3 cup of water when using add-ins and add more water if necessary to form a stiff dough.
  • mashed banana
  • pure pumpkin puree
  • mashed sweet potato
  • peanut butter *** make sure it does not contain xylitol
  • honey
• Water can be substituted with beef or chicken broth

Happy Birthday ! Blue Please Support Your Local Rescue and Shelters in your Area. Lisa

Dogs and Thanksgiving:

• Thanksgiving tends to coincide with an uptick in vet visits, due to dogs being fed unsafe human foods.
• Turkey meat, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are all safe, healthy foods to share with your dog.
• Bones, sweets, alcohol, and fatty foods are all things that should be avoided by dogs.