Gimme Shelter

I love you December! The whole month feels like a big love fest and it kicked off in the very best way this year! Stonyfield invited its bloggers to participate in its Pay it Forward campaign to spread joy and goodwill during the holidays. I only had to look as far as my amazing circle of friends for my joy project inspiration.

I’m incredibly inspired by the friends who open up their giant hearts and homes for people and animals. People who ask nothing and give everything for the sake of another living being ❤ But there seemed to be lots of organizations helping people in need at the holidays so my thoughts turned instead to animals. My friend Lee has been especially tireless in her volunteering and work to re-home  and re-trian animals in crisis. She’s proof  that all it takes is one passionate person’s advocacy to make a positive difference  in their lives.

Offers of home made treats were enthusiastically welcomed by local animal shelters so I rolled up my sleeves and got baking! But why stop there? One of my besties who just happens to be a maker of gorgeous hand crafted pet collars, toys and pillows crittergear.com wanted to spread the joy, too. And so the Shelter Santas set off for the Manchester Animal Shelter manchesteranimalshelter.org to deliver joy. The shelter’s manager was awesome! She took time to show us the facility,  explain what a no kill shelter is and let us visit with the cats and dogs. I’ll just say that I have a whole new respect for catnip and its effect on cats lol.. It was great to be us! I’ll close by saying thank you friends for being amazing-love you all ❤ Thanks Stonyfield for helping us do this kindness ❤ and please please PLEASE open your big heart and adopt your next pet  from one of these worthy organizations ❤

 

 

Dog Treats

Makes about 50

Heat oven to 400 degrees

1 cup King Arthur White Wheat flour
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat
1/2 cup Stonyfield Organic plain yogurt 

Combine dry ingredients until mixed.  Mix in bacon fat and yogurt until well combined. Turn out to floured surface and roll until 1/2 ” thick. Cut out with dog biscuit shaped biscuit cutter and place on baking sheet.  I LOVE the new Silpat sheet I got and use it in place of greasing baking sheets. Nothing sticks to it! Bake for approx 10 minutes based on the size of your treats. Cool completely  before packaging.

 

 

Cat Treats

Makes about 50

Heat oven to 350 degrees

1 8 oz can of tuna fish
1 cup fresh raw spinach 
1 cup quick cook oats
1/4 cup of Stonyfield Farm Plain yogurt 
1 1/2 Tablespoons of catnip
1/4 cup King Arthur White Wheat flour 

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until completely mixed.  I got a set of these new self leveling Levoon measuring spoons and I’m obsessed! Just squeeze and they level off the ingredients for a perfect measurement every time.Drop the dough on a floured surface and roll out to a thickness of approx 1/2″. Cut in small shapes (I used a plastic water bottle cap) and place on a baking sheet. Bake for approx 10 minutes and cool completely before packaging.