food Archives -

Cricket’s Birthday Celebration with Natural Balance Delectable Delights

on June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 By Kelley 2 Comments

Big thanks to Natural Balance for sponsoring today’s post! The opinions expressed are, as always, my very own 🙂Cricket recently turned 11 years young and she’s never looked or felt better! Geez, what is that in dog years- 77? Well this pup is one spunky granny! She’s still running, and easily clocks 8 miles on the beach with my mom (because I don’t run that far, haha!). Her coat is shiny and soft, her eyes are bright and full of youthful life, and her athletic slender shape would be the envy of all the other dogs at the park!

I came across Cricket over a decade ago at a horse show. She was a 8 week old fluffy black and white fur ball up for adoption, and I just couldn’t resist her. Her wet pink tongue licked my hand, her little milk teeth nibbled my fingers, and she stole my heart. I proudly brought her home and my life was forever changed for the better.

Cricket has been by my side ever since. We are best friends, truly. She comes everywhere with me, has lived in 6 different states and has moved with me all the way across the entire country…not once, but TWICE!

So this year I wanted to make her birthday extra special to show her how much I love her and appreciate her. I thought of all the things she loves to do and planned a very special day for my loyal and lovable pup.

We started off the morning with some bacon, of course! She did her usual beggin’ dance while I was cooking up the crispy bacon. It’s pretty hilarious to watch. She paws the air with her left, then shifts her weight, and waves with her right paw, and back and forth she goes, all the while moaning and groaning like she can’t wait another second for that juicy bite. I mixed in her bacon with a cup of Natural Balance Surf n’ Turf Delectable Delights, which is her favorite wet food!

We went out for our daily walk, and we took her favorite route to the park. Cricket adores this park. It’s large expansive green grass fields stretch as far as the eye can see. As we approached her tail started waging with extreme velocity and her excitement was palpable. As I unclipped her leash she darted to the nearest tree to check for squirrels and have a sniff. (She is part Beagle, so she smells EVERYTHING!) Once she checked out all the park’s various aromas she had a quick roll in the grass, and then off she went! Cricket is lightening fast, quick and agile. We played her favorite game of chase. She runs at me full speed and I’m suppose to guess if she is going to fake left, or fake right, and I’m usually wrong. Well today was no exception. I made a move to the left to attempt and interception, and she leans left to lead me on, and THEN GOES RIGHT at the very last second. She flies by me just out of reach and I then proceed to trip and fall flat on my face. Before I know she’s on me attacking me with exurbant wet kisses, so fast and furious I can barely breathe.

After Cricket was well tuckered out we headed home to have our afternoon snack of her favorite grain-free wet food, Natural Balance Delectable Delights. If you have read my other posts about Cricket, then I am sure you know how picky she is, right? She is not your average dog that eats everything in sight. NO. NO. This girl likes her bacon, fresh grilled chicken, savory steak, and she loves Delectable Delights! She goes bonkers the minute I peel back the lid and she can smell the deliciousness.

I am very picky about what I feed Cricket because I believe food and nutrition are one of the key elements of health and longevity. Natural Balance Delectable Delights are made with the highest quality ingredients, and it’s grain-free, so it’s my first choice in prepared dog food! You guys should definitely check it our for your furry four legged family members. They will love it too, birthday celebration or any day! Here is the link to the Natural Balance Facebook Page.

Be sure to check out the Natural Balance Instagram Page for absolutely adorable doggie pics! They will make your heart smile 🙂

Cricket’s Salmon & Sardine Chow

on April 11, 2016April 10, 2017 By Kelley 1 Comment

Cricket’s Salmon and Sardine Chow is an easy, no cooking required, and super healthy meal you can make for your pup! Salmon and sardines are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation and promote healthy joints, skin and coat! This meal takes a few short minutes to make for your pup and you can customize it using your doggie’s favorite veggies!

As you may already know (if you frequently read my blog) Cricket is a PICKY eater to say the least. She doesn’t like kibble unless it’s dripping with bacon fat and sliced chicken. In addition, since her accident when she was just a puppy, I have chose to cook my own food for her as a way to promote better health. I have stayed away from grains in her diet, and provide her with a great variety of natural meats, and fresh veggies and some fruit (like blueberries), and she loves to chow down marrow bones.

As you can see, she absolutely LOVES this salmon and sardine dish! I use Wild Selections canned salmon and sardines as a quick and easy base for this fancy dish. The salmon and sardines provide tons of healthy protein and omega-3’s. I also mix in a variety of veggies including kale, green bean, carrots, and sweet potatoes for lots of vitamin and minerals. You can use any veggies you’d like, just make sure they are dog-friendly (fyi dogs shouldn’t eat garlic and onions).

Cricket’s Salmon & Sardine Chow

1 can salmon (drained)
1 can sardines (chopped)
2 tablespoons green beans (raw or lightly cooked, diced)
2 tablespoons kale (lightly steamed, chopped into very small pieces)
2 tablespoons cooked sweet potato (diced)
2 tablespoons carrots (finely chopped)
Optional Add-in's: chia seeds (flax, extra virgin olive oil, or coconut oil)

Pick your veggies and cook them if you’d like. (Sweet potato is best cooked, but others you can serve raw. I prefer to lightly cook all the veggies to make the nutrients more bioavailable.)
Mix the canned salmon, with the chopped sardine and veggies.
Serve to your pup!

Super Bowl Round-Up: 24 Grain-Free Recipes!

on January 31, 2016March 11, 2021 By Kelley

The Super Bowl is almost here! Who are you rooting for? Since the Patriots didn’t make it I need to choose a surrogate team for the big game. I think I’m going to go with the Broncos simply because Manning is 39, and is still kicking butt. I think that’s pretty impressive, don’t you? It makes me feel young to know that there are still professional athletes that are older than me! Haha.

You know what helps keep you looking youthful and feeling youthful inside and out? A healthy diet! I used to use special occasions and holidays as excuses to go wild and eat what ever the heck I wanted. Sometimes I would eat super light all day just so I could indulge at the Super Bowl party, birthday celebration, or holiday feast. I know some of you out there can relate to that story, am I right?! Now that I have discovered a healthy recipe alternative for all my “dirty” favorite foods I can “have my paleo cake, and eat it too!” There is no missing out on any of my game-day favorites, and I feel great post-game because these recipes are clean, grain-free, and good for you.

For the Super Bowl parties, we usually have a large spread of savory junk foods like nachos, wings, and chips & dip. Here is some of my favorite grain-free and/or paleo recipes that will MAKE your Super Bowl! You’ll be able to indulge and feel good about what you’re putting in your body- now that’s a true WIN!

MEXICAN STUFFED AVOCADO from Emilie Eats