Yammin' it up with Green Beans for Dogs

After I made this simple recipe for Ms. Maru I read about the “Green Bean Diet” for dogs. I had never heard of this, but Ms. Maru is highly active and naturally lean. “The Green Bean Diet” seems to be well known in the world of overweight dogs and there is a lot of opinions about it. Green Beans are used as a partial meal replacement because of the high fiber content making dogs feel full faster while being low in fat and calories. Here are a few articles that explain it further; Petmd and Fox News.

 

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Benefits of Ingredients

Yams: Contain Vitamins A, C, B6, Manganese, Copper, Potassium and Iron. Yams are a great source of nutrients and studies have proven that they help stabilize blood sugar levels and lower insulin resistance in dogs. 

Green Beans: Low-Fat and high in fiber.

We do not intend this recipe to be part of a meal replacement. We suggest you add a 1/2-1 C to their normal food regimen for added nutrients and flavor! Yams are high in starch, so do not feed daily if your dog has a weight problem.

 

 

Recipe

Prep time: 5 Min.

Cook Time: 1.5 Hrs.

Total Time: 2 Hrs.

Level: Easy

1 YAM

1 C FRESH GREEN BEANS Chopped (if not use frozen, canned are very high in sodium)

1 t OLIVE OIL (optional)

PINCH OF SALT (optional)

1. Wash yam, wrap in tin foil and bake for 1.5 hours at 375 degrees. Cook chopped green beans in 2 Cups water for 20 minutes.

2. Rinse green beans and take off the skin of the yam (pulls right off once cooked). Combine in bowl and mash together, adding the olive oil and salt for flavor if desired.    

Make sure cooled before serving

Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream Q & A

We frequently are asked specific questions about our Dog Ice Cream. This Q & A hopefully answers some of those frequent questions. 

Q- Why Dog Ice Cream?

A- Why not? People love this frozen dessert treat year round, so should our best friend! If pups are going to have a frozen treat, it should be a treat designed around their unique digestive system. We would hate for pups to consume large amounts of processed ingredients. Our dog ice cream takes into consideration pup's sensitive stomachs. 

Q- My dog has never had Dog Ice Cream, how do they eat it?

A- Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream comes in a 4 oz. container and contains 3.3 oz which is a single serving. Most dogs know to start licking as soon as the cup hits the floor. Tiny dogs sometimes need you to hold it for a bit, and a small amount of dogs prefer it to defrost a tad. If your dog tends to eat everything in sight, we recommend that you squeeze out the contents into their bowl so they don’t eat the plastic container (which is bpa free).

Q- I thought dogs couldn’t have ice cream because of the dairy?

A- Real ice cream is made from milk or cream which contains large amounts of lactose. Lactose is hard for some people to digest, and that is the same for dogs. Using yogurts with live cultures breaks down the lactose so it can be easily digested. 

Q- What kind of yogurt does Arrfscarf use in their Dog Ice Cream?

A- We use both Greek non-fat and regular low-fat yogurts. None of which have any added  sweeteners. All contain live cultures and probiotics.

Q- Are their real benefits to having your dog eat Dog Ice Cream?

A- Yes. The yogurt is an excellent source of protein and calcium for your dog. The probiotics aid in a healthy immune system and keep the bad bacteria in check.

Q- What makes Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream different than others?

A- A lot! We only use quality yogurts, real ingredients (no flavorings), and no preservatives. We do not add stabilizers, sugar, or salt. The meat used in all of our Dog Ice Cream is sourced locally in Chicago and every batch is handmade. For example, when we make the Beef Brisket flavor, we slow roast the beef for 8 hours so it can get real tender before being added to the Dog Ice Cream. 

Q- What if my dog can only have certain fruits or vegetables, or has a sensitive stomach?

A- At Arrfscarf we have worked hard to select and use only ingredients that are good for dogs. All Dog Ice Cream we make is grain and wheat free. There are many flavors we have done in the past that are not listed on our site using strawberries, mint, blueberries, carob chips, etc. 

Let us know if you have any other questions, and please remember that Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream is a treat and not a meal replacement. 

 

Watch a video of Pretzel eating our dog ice cream

A recipe using Human Super Foods for dogs

In our previous post we talked about superfoods for dogs, to continue the trend we created a recipe using a few top ingredients. 

Kale- Now known as a Super Food for Dogs, it has been proven to help at least 5  types of cancers in humans and research has shown it provides the same benefits to dogs. It lowers cholesterol, is full of nutrients, is an anti inflammatory and an antioxidant. 

Quinoa- Is thought of being one of the most complete foods in nature. It contains protein, magnesium, fiber, manganese, and copper. Quinoa is NOT a grain so it is easily digestible and good for dogs with food allergies and digestive problems. 

Carrots- They are high in fiber, contain beta carotene and vitamin A. A great low-fat snack that is good in raw form too.

Olive Oil- This is an ingredient most dog owners probably don’t think to feed their dogs (in small amounts). It contains high levels of antioxidants and is very effective in helping with disease. Adding olive oil to your dogs food can help with premature aging and cognitive decline as they get older. For more benefits and an in depth look at Olive Oil for your dog check out this link...

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Kale- 1/2 Ib. cleaned and chopped

Quinoa- 1 C

Carrots- 7 medium peeled and chopped

Olive Oil- 1 T

Chicken Breast- optional

Kale, quinoa, carrots, olive oil, and chicken breast

 

First, in a medium size pot warm up the olive oil on low heat and add carrots (cover pot). Cook for 20 minutes stirring from time to time. Add chicken breast slices at the 15 minute point to get the flavors cooking together. In a small pot cook the quinoa in 2 cups water (cover pot) for 20 minutes on low heat.

Second, pour the carrot mix into a bowl and use the same pot (it has olive oil residue and flavors) to cook the kale in with 8 cups of water (cover pot). Another option is to cook the kale in some chicken or vegetable stock (low sodium) to get more flavors incorporated for pickier dogs. Cook kale for about 20 minutes, until soft.

Finally, drain the kale and mix everything together in a large bowl that can be sealed the fridge. It will last approximately one week.

We try different recipes all the time to incorporate in to Ms. Maru’s food. I am not going to lie, but I wasn’t sure she would eat kale, as much as I wanted to think she would. The first day I scooped a cup full out and put it over her dry food. The first day the kale took a few extra minutes to chew and landed outside of her bowl, but it was all gone. Day two, everything was eaten in a matter of minutes, this is better than I expected. I did add chicken to the recipe as optional, and thought she might be more inclined to eat it this way. I am ecstatic that she is loving her Super Foods!

our finished superfood for dogs

What's in your Dog's Treats?

 Do you know what is in your Dog's Treats or where they are made? It is a hot topic lately with quality control lacking and tricky labeling. Take a look at the back of your dog's treats next time and see how many ingredients you can't pronounce or don't know why they are there. Just like many human foods many dog treats can be labeled all natural because the preservative is "natural". But how can a preservative ever be natural? It’s the wording, "made with natural ingredients" is different that "all natural". For example- bacon can be labeled "nitrate free - all natural" because they use celery juice or powder instead which is found naturally. But the celery additive turns into a preservative acting as a nitrite when combined with the cured meat and there fore really not "natural" anymore. Most treats on the market have many of these "natural preservatives".

 Many treats are being recalled lately. Here is just one to check out http://dogingtonpost.com/recall-alert-milos-kitchen-chicken-jerky-and-chicken-grillers/

 It is important that you know where your Dog Treats are coming from and what is in them. 

Top Nutritious People Foods and Super Foods for Your Dog

 Here is a list of top “People Foods” and some “Super Foods” that pack a big punch when it comes to your dog. Research has shown that in most cases dogs get the same benefits from eating them as people do. These types of foods are rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and proteins that provide your dog with many health benefits and a balanced diet.

 Our Dog Treats and Dog Ice Cream are handmade locally in Chicago in small batches so we can control the type and quality of ingredients that are being used in our products. All of the meats used in our Dog Ice Cream are sourced from a local Chicago Butcher and the jerky in our treats is sourced from a small farm in Michigan. We do not add one single preservative, not even natural ones. And we don’t use flavorings, you can see every ingredient. This is what makes our treats different. Just because it is a treat, doesn't mean it can't be nutritious.

Our handmade Dog Treats and Dog Ice Cream contain one or more of the following People Foods.

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The Food

Carob Chips (PB&CC’s)- 

Comes from a tree and boasts vitamins B1, A, and Iron. Naturally sweet, rich in protein, and high in fiber. They contain no caffeine, are lower in fat then chocolate and dog friendly.

Dried Cranberries (Macaroons)- 

High in antioxidants, especially vitamin C. Just like in humans, cranberries can help with dogs having kidney issues and urinary tract infections.

Fresh Blueberries (Twists)- 

"Blueberries have been touted one of the top “Super Foods”, because it contains a high level of antioxidants it can help prevent a vast array of diseases. Antioxidants prevent cells from free radicals which can cause cancer, heart disease, and many other illnesses". The following link gives you more in depth information on what berries can do for your dogs health http://raisinghealthydogs.com/can-dogs-eat-berries

Fresh Carrots (Dog Pizza)- 

One of the greatest treats for dogs and is loaded with powerful phytonutrients. Full of Vitamins A, K and C, carrots have a ton of antioxidant power. Additionally, carrots help a dog’s vision, heart, and blood sugar levels. They are a great treat cut up or cooked a little to soften. 

Lean Meats (Dog Ice Cream) (Dog Pizza)- 

Lean meat is an excellent, balanced source of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle in your dog’s body. Meat is also a great source of B vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine, and Cobalamine). These vitamins are involved in energy metabolism in the body. 

Organic Flaxseed (PB&CC’s, Twists, Dog Pizza)- 

Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids for your dogs skin and coat. You can find a whole article on the benefits here http://www.ehow.com/about_5143014_flax-seed-benefits-dogs.html

Peanut Butter (Dog Ice Cream, PB&CC’s)-

High in Protein. In our treats we use peanut butter that has no added salt or sugar.

Pineapple (Pumps)- 

Contains calcium and potassium which are good for their bones.

Pumpkin (Pumps)- 

A good source of fiber and beta carotene (vitamin A). All dogs need fiber in their diet.

Unsweetened Organic Coconut (Macaroons)- 

An excellent source of fiber, another factor in cancer prevention.

Unsweetened Yogurt (Dog Ice Cream)- 

A great source of calcium and protein. The active live bacteria found in yogurt is good for their stomachs, especially if your dog is on antibiotics. We only use a low-fat unsweetened one because the added sugar and calories are not necessary. On our site we go in to a little more detail on why our Dog Ice Cream is dog friendly v.s. regular ice cream made for people with milk.

 To further reading about human foods you can incorporate in to your dogs diet here are a few articles and sources that talk more about the benefits. 

 

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http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/10-people-foods-dogs/1896

http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/10-more-people-food-dogs/9241

http://dogtime.com/people-food-for-pets-ernie-ward.html

http://goldenretrieverrescueofsouthernmaryland.org/blog/2012/top-ten-super-foods-for-your-dog/