Mixed Berry, Cream Cheese Muffins

About a week ago I had some cream cheese that was about to expire and I was in a baking mood so I decided to go online and find a recipe I could use with my cream cheese. 

I originally wanted to do something chocolate - brownies, cupcakes, etc.  But then I started thinking about what if I could find a recipe I could use and modify so that it would taste good to me but also be okay for Aries to have a small portion too as a treat.

I found this: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Cream-Muffins-2/Detail.aspx  recipe and modified it a bit because of the ingredients I had readily available to me.

So here is my ingredient list:

Ingredients

• 4 cups wheat or cake flour (making it a little more dog friendly but still delicious)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 6 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg (I used one egg because I only had 2 eggs total but I would suggest using TWO eggs here)
• 2 cups milk (non-fat)
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
•  2 cups mixed berries - fresh or frozen (do not thaw if frozen, just add them right in. I used strawberry pieces, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries - use whatever you like!)
• FILLING:
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• Dash salt

This recipe made about 24 muffins for me - so cutting in half would probably be a good idea if you're just baking for yourself.

Okay first step:

In large bowl combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt.

Then, combine and beat together the eggs, milk, and butter. (As mentioned, I only used one egg, but I would suggest using two because my batter and finished product did turn out a little dry)

Then stir your liquid batter into your dry batter until moist. Don't forget to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so you get all the dry ingredients mixed thoroughly. 

Then, as mentioned previously, I used mixed berries because it's what I had in my freezer.  Fold in your berries - do not over mix these.

Aries is a very good helper in the kitchen - always cleaning up any spills on the floor.

Then spoon about 2 Tablespoons of batter into greased or lined muffin tins

It's now time to make your filling - In a small bowl mix together all of your filling ingredients until you get a nice creamy texture.

 

Then put about a tablespoon into each muffin cup on top of the batter you all ready put into the cups.





Finally, add about another tablespoon on top of the cream cheese filling. These will be full, tall muffins.

Lastly, put them in the oven.  Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes - if you like them a little more well done and brown, like I do, bake for 23 minutes. And you will soon have beautiful, delicious muffins that everyone (including your spotted/furry friend) will love.

Overall, they turned out to be good muffins.  The cream cheese filling in the middle soaked a little into the surrounding batter to incorporate itself into all of the muffin. I prefer light, airy muffins and these were not that kind.  These are a heavy, dense muffin that reminded me a bit of cobbler.  However, they were very delicious and I loved the fruit.  I liked the variety but you could obviously make it with just one type of fruit as the original recipe calls for.  Aries also really enjoyed the half muffin she got while practicing her training tricks! I meant to take a picture of the inside of the muffin but forgot before my friends and I had gobbled them all up.

Happy Baking!


Disclaimer: Do NOT ever feed your dog too many sweets etc. but since these were a dense muffin a small portion was suitable for her.  Know your own dog and what they can and cannot tolerate.

Bruno's Blog

Without this turning into a novel, I’m going to share my experiences with a dog that would change me –

This is Bruno’s Blog.

 This sweet, big, young, male, unaltered pit mix followed me home on Friday morning while I was out walking Aries and my brother’s dog.

He is a seriously good looking dog, and absolutely fell in love with Aries.  He was wearing a black collar (no tags) and appeared to be very healthy.  It was obvious he was just a young, slightly scared, big goof ball, that wanted nothing more than to play with Aries.

I thought that once he followed me home and we went inside and closed all the doors and ignored him, he would leave.  Two hours later, I step outside my front door and he’s there, and not only is he there, but he growls at me.  I quickly closed the door and thought “Crap, I have an aggressive pitbull (Begin Rant: Who I DO NOT discriminate against – my moms dog is a pitbull and I lived with her for ten+ years and you could not ask for a better dog. Discriminate against owners NOT breeds, end Rant.) right outside my door.”  However, he seemed to love me when I had my dog, so I got her on a leash, and confidently walked outside.  I knew he was just afraid and unsure of people but when I had Aries he turned into a totally different dog.  I wasn’t sure what to do with this guy that showed up outside my door and refused to leave, I tried rescue groups which were all full, I couldn’t and was reluctant to take him to a shelter.  With the opinions of others I decided to let this semi-aggressive dog stay outside the front of my house because I knew that once night fell and I turned off all the lights he would get bored and leave.

I went outside Saturday morning to find that big pit bull grin staring at me.  I was reluctant to approach but suddenly he bounded towards me, jumped up to my face, and started licking me all over like we were long lost friends. That day I let him into my backyard to play with Aries – and boy what a good time they had.  I searched neighborhoods, posted ads, and continued relentlessly to look for his owner to no avail.

 Then that thought started to creep into my mind: I want to keep this dog.  I want to keep this dog. He’s perfect. A nice big dog – his head reached my waist.  A good protector.  The perfect energy level for Aries. Gorgeous.

But then I had to face reality – I’m a substitute teacher, I have a very jealous possessive dog, I take care of a 7 month old unneutered Bulldog rather frequently, I barely have the money for my rent and groceries, I just couldn’t do it.  I knew that I could not provide the financial needs of this dog. 

But it didn’t stop me from falling in love with him and naming him.  I thought of him as my guard dog, he would growl (and even lunged at) anyone, besides myself, that would pass by, reach to pet him, or get too close to me.  So I wanted to give him a tough, traditional name.  I started with Fido but that was too cliché.  I then thought of Bruno because that’s a good strong name, and the name of the dog in Cinderella.  My friend also pointed out it was like Bruno Mars – the dog and Bruno Mars being both very handsome individuals. 

Sunday, I was in contact with a couple more rescues and started asking friends to ask around if they knew of anyone that could home this dog. 

But then I started to get the feeling something was wrong.

Bruno suddenly became a very picky eater for a young, big dog. By afternoon, he didn’t want to run and jump and play anymore. 

This morning I went outside and he greeted me with his happy tail and a gentle lick to my hand, but he immediately went back to the bed of blankets I had made for him.  I noticed he had gotten very sick in my yard during the night/morning.  I covered him with more blankets and sat next to him while he shivered.

I knew at that point, I had to let Bruno go. 

It was not fair for Bruno to suffer and for me to keep him, thinking that I could heal him, I could help him, without the care of a vet. 

Once again, I knew I didn’t have the means to take care of Bruno.

I contacted the proper authorities and they’re coming to pick him up.  

(**Update: The officer said she would report him as lost, instead of a stray, so he would receive medical attention immediately) 

Quick Reality Check:

Hundreds of dogs are lost, stolen, or just turned out each and every day for a variety of reasons. Opened/unlocked gates, insecure fencing, financial hardship.  Thousands of dogs are placed in shelters every month.  There isn’t space or means to care for all of these precious dogs.  Shelters are often labeled as the ‘bad guy’ because of what they are forced to do every day.  The dogs are often afraid, they’re stressed, they’re confused, yet they’re expected to act happy, calm, and cute in hopes of that one special person coming along to take them home, I knew this dog wouldn’t pass the test.   I know the realities and I know you do too… and please, I don’t want to hear your opinion on them.

So today, as I sit on my front lawn next to Bruno and write this, he’ll be taken out of my life forever.  I don’t know what will happen to him but I do know what will most likely happen.  I think the worst, but still hope for the best.  I tell Bruno, even though he doesn’t understand, if it does happen, he’ll feel better. He’ll soon run, jump, and play again.  He won’t ever have to worry about being cold or hungry, heartbroken or unwanted.  He will have his place.

And me?

Once he leaves I’ve downloaded 68 minutes of Bruno Mars songs to my ipod.  I’m going to take my dog and walk with her for the entire 68 minutes while listening to his songs. We’re going to walk for the too many ‘Brunos’ out there and reflect on how lucky we are.

Then, I’m going to contact a rescue, or the humane society, and see how I can help. I don’t have money or the space/means to foster a dog at this point in my life, or to open my own adoption agency – but I will someday.

Right now? I can volunteer me. I can go to adoption events on Saturdays and volunteer my time and effort to getting other dogs, that were once Brunos, permanent homes.

I keep asking why, why, why?! Why was this dog brought into my life at this time?  But maybe, in only 72 hours, it was so Bruno could show me the way.  So I would finally stop thinking about helping, but to actually start trying.

PS I fully support RESPONSIBLE breeding – dogs that are bred to better their breed line, to uphold the breed name and bring healthy, happy, loved dogs into this world.  I do NOT support ‘backyard’ breeders or irresponsible pet owners who DO NOT spay or neuter their pets because of laziness, selfishness, or being just plain irresponsible pet owners.  Please, please, please spay or neuter your dog (or cat) there are low cost and even no cost programs out there. I’m located in Arizona and if you need help I know of some resources and would be happy to help you get help. You can also contact your local ASPCA, shelter, or Petco/Petsmart who often have ideas and flyers readily available. 

Further, dogs are a HUGE and EXPENSIVE responsibility.  That puppy looks cute now but it is a LIFETIME commitment and costs money for its care and upkeep. Please think before adopting because that puppy/dog doesn’t deserve to go to, or even back to, a shelter because you didn’t think things through before getting it.  I understand job loss (going through it now), sickness (been through it with family members) and even death (dealt with that too unfortunately), please have a plan in place if any of these issues were to arise.  They deserve it.

For Bruno.

“My mission is to rescue. In hope, that one day, I won’t have to.”  ~Tia Torres, Animal Planet Pitbulls and Parolees

Homemade Food for Pets

This is an interesting link I've found about making your own pet food. I've considered doing this, but that food that comes right out of a bag is always just too convenient. However, for 2012, this Spring Break I am going to make my dog homemade meals for an entire week. I can't wait for March to start experimenting! Who knows, I may get hooked.


Homemade Food for Pets

Check it out, it's interesting.

A Happy New Year

Christmas and New Years has come and gone - both were wonderful.

I made a list of New Year's Resolutions this year, which is a very first for me.

Since I decided I didn't exactly want to share my list, Aries has decided to share hers:

A Dalmatian's 2012 New Years Resolution

*Eat more hotdogs

*Enjoy food more (as opposed to swallowing it whole)

*Always be bigger than the pesky English Bulldog

*Give more kisses

*Give more smiles

*Play every day

*Dig more holes

and

*Always be there when needed

It Feels Like Christmas

I wrote an entire blog - and deleted it.  I didn't want to offend anyone or come off too selfish.

26 hours (and counting) until Christmas.

I have never spent a Christmas Eve or Day (24 years) without my grandma - this will be the first.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is still my favorite movie.  (Even when family members talk throughout the entire thing.)

I grasp bits and pieces of that Christmas spirit here and there, but it just doesn't seem to want to stay with me this year.

Smile on the best of days - and the worst.

"It's in the singing of the street corner choir
It's going home and getting warm by the fire
It's true wherever you find love
It feels like Christmas

It is the season of the spirit,
The message if you hear it
Is make it last all year

It feels like Christmas"

Thanksgiving Safety

I have grown up with dogs my entire life, I can only remember a couple of times that I lived without a dog and they included my life in college.  So I have quite a bit of experience with what dogs can and cannot eat. It's amazing to me that there are people out there who do not know that chocolate is poisonous to a dog! You also need to be very careful with thin bones such as chicken bones, and this time of year, turkey bones.  Bones can be fatal to a dog if swallowed as they are not digestible and can puncture the stomach.

In doing research about Dalmatians, I discovered that most are literal chow-hounds, and Aries is no exception.  I have not found a single food item she will not eat.  This includes an entire salad, raw potatoes, fish, fruits, and onions, just to name a few.  With that being said I have to be very careful as to what I offer her and pay attention to what she is stealing off of counters. 

This Thanksgiving, if you are unsure if what you're feeding your dog is going to be harmful to them, do not feed it to them! It's better to be safe than sorry. 

A few things to watch out for:

Nuts of any kind - they are hard to digest
Turkey - only a few bites, it's hard on the digestion system
Cooked onions - can be fatal to some dogs
Turkey bones - these can, and most likely will be, fatal
CHOCOLATE - this can be instantly fatal

Just please use common sense and feed in small portions and moderation.

Thanksgiving is a Dalmatians favorite holiday!

Uhmmm

Uhmmm I dont understand why I can leave a comment as an annonymous person, but others cant leave comments when they're logged in.  I mean, its not the worst thing in the world because no one probably wants to leave comments, and even if they do, they're probably not very nice.

Uhmmm so today, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before going to bed I'm going to make a list of things I'm grateful for.  I will have no required number or anything like that just a fun gratitude list.  I'll post it here on Thanksgiving or the day after.  I know a lot of my friends are doing the post a thing their grateful for everyday on facebook, and I like that idea but it seems almost counterproductive to me.

Uhmm yeah so until then.

Have I ever mentioned Dalmatians like to bark? Because they do. 
A.
Lot.
Non.
Stop.

Or maybe it's just mine.

"It's the Twilight Bark, Pongo." 101 Dalmatians