#140 - Happy 6th, James Dean!

It is hard to believe that James Dean is already 6! I adopted him from a local pug rescue when he was just 7 months old, and on Friday we celebrated the fact that he is now 6 years young. He enjoyed a lovely day of playing with Ringo and his friend Lily, gorging on pugcakes, and indulging in his favorite dinner, Shepug's Pie. The neighborhood pups love our cupcake recipe so much that we just had to pass it along! These cakes make the perfect treat for holidays and special occasions.

Pugcake Ingredients:
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tsp. baking powder
2 Tsp. cinnamon
1 cup filtered water
1 large carrot, shredded
1 egg
1/2 Tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 TBSP local honey
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Frosting Ingredients:
3/4 cup goat cheese
1 Tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 TBSP local honey
3 TBSP unsweetened almond milk

Pugcake Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mash the banana in a large mixing bowl. Add the water, carrots, the egg, vanilla, honey, and applesauce to the bowl. 
• In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
• Add the flour mix to the wet ingredients.
• Spray a 12 slot regular muffin tin or 24 slot mini muffin tin with a safflower or vegetable oil spritzer. If you do not have one, non-stick cooking spray will do the trick. While we used cupcake papers, we find that the cake tends to stick to them. Oiled, paperless baking is best for this recipe.
• Spoon the cake mix into each slot until each is approximately 3/4 full.
• Bake for 22-30 minutes, or until a baking stick or knife can be stuck in and come out clean.
• Cool before frosting.

Frosting Directions:

• In a small mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to mix all frosting ingredients. Whip until smooth and creamy.
• Use a blunt baking knife or spatula to spread the frosting over your pugcakes.

These cupcakes are human grade, so you could dig in if you were really tempted to! These cupcakes are more savory than those that we are used to, and contain much less sugar than our usual desserts. These are all natural and can be made with organic ingredients to make them even kinder to your pet's well-being. With Thanksgiving and Christmas creeping closer, this recipe is a wonderful way to include your dog in the pleasure of the holiday feast. Stay tuned for our Shepug's Pie recipe that JD cannot wait to share!

#139 - Cheesy Autumn Oatmeal Bowl for Dogs

 

It's been awhile since we have posted, but we look forward to diving back into the blog and bringing you all new posts about our adventures! All You Need is Pug was recently featured in InTouch Magazine, which was a lovely surprise and introduced us to many new furry friends. It also brought us many hat orders for the holiday season, so we are busy knitting and crocheting each day to send our handmade hats to dogs and pet lovers all over the world!

It is an exciting time, and as busy as we are, we never pass up the chance to take a break and make a good homemade meal in the kitchen. I don't know about your dogs, but both JD and Ringo have food allergies and JD was born with a crooked jaw, so traditional kibble and canned dog foods are not healthy options for my boys. I make all of my pugs' meals right here in my own kitchen. Today's breakfast is a savory, comforting treat for a cold fall morning. Our Cheesy Autumn Oatmeal Bowl is packed with protein and healthy carbs to start your dog's day. Here's what JD and Ringo are eating this morning:

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup filtered water
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1 heaping TBSP diced sweet potatoes
• 1 heaping TBSP goat cheese
• 1 TSP ground flax meal
• olive oil 
• raw honey (optional)

 Directions:

•  First, chop the potato, as it will take the longest. Dice the potato into small bite-sized cubes. Spritz a small pan with olive oil and allow to heat up. Add the potatoes and cook them for 8-10 minutes, or until they become soft and easy to eat.
•  Next, add the distilled water to a small pot a bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the flame to a simmer and add your oats. Stir occasionally. Allow the oats to cook until the water is gone, which takes approximately 4-5 minutes. Place the oats in your dog's bowl and allow them to cool.

• Add 1 TBSP of cubed potatoes and the TSP of flax to your dog's bowl.
• Next, spritz a small frying pan with olive oil and cook your fresh spinach until it is wilted.
• Place your goat cheese in a small bowl and soften in the microwave. This should take only 20-25 seconds.
• Once the spinach is cooked, stir it into the goat cheese and add this cheesy topping to your dog's dish.
• Finish with a thin drizzle of honey for natural sweetness.

Your dog will have a happy tummy and enjoy the long-lasting energy provided by these foods. As always, it is important to be aware of your dog's allergies and appetite. It is also important to consult a vet about your dog's diet before making any permanent changes. This is a great dish to add as an occasional treat, or to adopt as a morning staple if you plan to switch your dog to a home-cooked diet under a vet's supervision.

We are ready for a lovely weekend and we hope that you are, too!