Canine Recipe: Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Pumpkin Dog Biscuits    
Ingredients

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

Directions

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, ask first – 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

Please note: This is not professional medical advice. These biscuits are a healthy everyday treat, and useful for a dog with a sensitive stomach, or minor digestion issues. If your dog is showing any signs of serious distress, remove all food and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Credit: Simmer Till Done © 2012 All Rights Reserved.

2 Recipes: Home Made Popsicles & Popsicle Mold Link

Popsicles are my favorite cool down treat during the summer. I buy sugar free Popsicles and eat several a day during these hot Texas heat waves.
I thought it would be fun to bring to you Popsicle recipes you can make at home.
 
Orange and Cream Pops
from Mr.Food.com

Ingredients

• Grated peel of 1 orange
• 1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
• 1 pint orange sherbet, softened
• 10 craft sticks

Instructions

1. Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap.
   
2. In a medium bowl, stir the grated orange peel into the softened vanilla ice cream.
   
3. Spread half the vanilla ice cream mixture over the bottom of the loaf pan. Spread the orange sherbet over it and top with the remaining vanilla ice cream mixture.
   
4. Place the craft sticks into the ice cream about two inches apart in two rows. Cover, and freeze until firm.
5. Cut into 10 pops and serve. Cover any leftovers, and keep frozen.
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   Watermelon Popsicles      

   Ingredients

   • 1/2 watermelon, seeded and cut into chunks
   • Chunks of fresh fruit, such as grapes, strawberries, or kiwi fruit

   Instructions

   1. Puree watermelon and pour into Popsicle molds. Drop in chunks of fresh fruit, insert caps, and place in freezer. Serve when frozen.

   Adapted from recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Where do you buy Popsicles molds how about here for $9.95.
   This photograph of the Popsicle mold is property of www.landofnod.com
6. 
   http://www.landofnod.com/mealtime/kids-gear/ice-ice-baby-ice-pop-mold/f3564

Keeping Dogs Safe This July 4th

More dogs get lost on July 4th than any other day of the year.
Help keep dogs safe this independence day!
1.   Ensure that your pet’s information is up to date. If your pet doesn’t have a collar with a tag that has contact information on it, as well as a microchip with your current information, now is the time to get them.


2.    It is recommended by professionals Not to take your dog to Firework displays. The anxiety can become to much for most dogs.


3.  If your dog stays in a fenced in back yard be sure the fence is secure with no holes or unsure latches on fence doors. If you dog has shown past history of severe anxiety during firework seasons, speak to your vet who may prescribe a sedative to help relax your dog.

Review: Country Bob's Cookbook

Happy June to you, YEA summer has arrived. 
I wanted to share this great grillin time cookbook review with you. 
I know it is somewhat of a blur so hope you don't get dizzy. As usual I am so excited and move to fast on my videos. I am working on that!!


Please visit this fine company on Facebook and their Country Bob's website to order this book. 
If you have used this companies products, such as Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce let me know what you think!

Credit: This review is my own opinion and no compensation was received on my part for this review. I am not associated with Country Bob's business in anyway. Except being a fan of their products. 

Family Health: Swimmer's Ear

Both of my children suffered from time to time with swimmer's ear. It is totally preventable. So I felt like a bad Mom when I didn't put alcohol in their ears. To my defense they were tweens and hard to slow down for drops. I found this article and thought I would share it with you.

Understanding Swimmer's Ear -- the Basics
By WebMD.com
   Known to medical professionals as otitis externa, swimmer's ear is an inflammation of the ear canal. Its common name comes from the fact that it often occurs in children and young adults who swim frequently. However, any cause of dampness in the canal can lead to irritation and chafing, very similar to diaper rash in babies. An inflammation of the skin can sometimes lead to an infection that can be very painful.
   Despite its name, you don't have to be a swimmer to get swimmer's ear. It's often caused by excess moisture in the ear from routine showering. The moisture can cause the skin inside the ear canal to become chafed, dry, and cracked. A break in the skin, which may result from trying to scratch the persistent itch of the dry and flaky skin, can allow bacteria or (more rarely) a fungus to invade the tissue of the ear canal and cause an infection.
Preventative options:
If your ear is itchy, try nonprescription swimmer's ear drops, such as Star-Otic or Swim-Ear. Use them before and after swimming or getting your ears wet.    
  Of course only a doctor can give you an exact diagnosis of swimmers ear. So medical care should be taken whether in person or via the phone.
Credit: I have taken a portion of this article Understanding swimmer's ear the basics from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ear-canal-problems-swimmers-ear-home-treatment.