The sun’s supposed to be shining bright and sunny in my little corner of the world this weekend, so when Suzi Beber from Smiling Blue Skies emailed me with her Frosty Paws recipe I thought it was a perfect time to share this with you. Refreshing and nutritious, with almost limitless combinations as you choose and mix nutritious ingredients, Frosty Paws will have Rover barking for more (kids of the human variety love them too!).

Here’s the recipe, if you have any particularly good combinations you’d like to share, let me know!

 

Frosty Paws

1 small container of plain or vanilla yogurt  (175 grams/4ounces)
1 ripe banana
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) filtered water

Blend ingredients, using a food processor or blender.  Freeze in ice cube trays, and then transfer to Ziploc freezer bags, for easy storage. Molds can also be used, or small Dixie cups.  If using Dixie cups, fill them 2/3 full, to allow for expansion.  A large measuring cup, makes filling trays, cups, or molds, very easy.  Frosty Paws are great for teething puppies.

In place of regular yogurt, why not give goat milk yogurt a try?  Goat milk has 13% less lactose than cow milk, and because its milk particles are small, goat milk is very easy to digest.  Goat milk fatty acids have a unique metabolic ability to limit cholesterol deposits in body tissues. Compared to cow’s milk, goat milk has similar amounts of protein, fat, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin D, but has more natural vitamin A, and more vitamin B.

Remember, you can use any kind or combination of fruits to make your Frosty Paws, or use a medley of vegetables instead.  Banana strawberry is a yummy combination, or how about fresh cranberries, or, one of the very best sources of antioxidants . . . blueberries.

Many dogs absolutely love wheat grass, so how about making your canine buddy a super Frosty Paw treat, combining wheat grass (1 teaspoon per ice cube) and homemade broth or filtered water.  Wheat grass juice is a concentration of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.  One ounce of wheat grass juice is the equivalent of more than two and a half pounds of leafy green vegetables.  Isn’t that amazing!

Here are some other similar combinations for you to try.  Preparation remains the same.

1 large container of plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt (1 litre/32 ounces)
1 ripe banana
2 tablespoons peanut butter, with no added salt or sugar
2 tablespoons honey (optional – This is a great time to try Manuka Honey aka "the healing honey.")

OR

1 large container of plain or fruit bottom yogurt
2 ripe bananas
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

OR

1 large container of plain yogurt
1 cup pure pumpkin pureé
1/8 teaspoon carob powder (a big pinch)

OR

2 cups melon, e.g., seedless watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe  (Mango and Passionfruit are also doglicious!)
2 cups filtered water
2 tablespoons honey (optional)

OR

2 cups applesauce, with no added sugar
2 cups filtered water
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon ( a big pinch)

 

For other cool summer eats, check out these treat ideas.

 

Have a great weekend!!