Skin Soothing Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

Image from http://nutritiongyan.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/21/


Yes, dog shampoo. I know, I know, it's kind of lame and rather specific, but if you have a dog (or 2) and you've had to pay more for dog shampoo than you do for your own shampoo, this post will be helpful!

We've recently inherited an old Labradoodle and I'm not sure if this is breed specific, but she has really dry itchy skin and needs some kind of special shampoo to help. I looked around and was not happy with what I found in the stores. So I Googled Homemade Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and found tons of recipes. I used the most commonly listed ingredients that I had on hand and viola, super cheep, toxin-free puppy shampoo!

It seems to be working well, so far. Our doggie isn't scratching nearly as much and smells pretty good too! Here is the recipe if you're interested and want to save some cash!

Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

-1 Cup Oatmeal (I don't think it really matters if you use instant or rolled oats, I found recipes with both. I used rolled though)

- 1 Cup Baking Soda

1 Quart Warm Water

-A couple drops of essential oil

Grind oatmeal into a powder using a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder.
Mix ground oatmeal and baking soda. Add warm water and essential oil and mix until well blended. Pour on to dog's coat and let sit for about 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Good luck! The only word of advice from me is to try and get the oatmeal ground as fine as possibly, because if it is slightly chunky and your dog shakes while it is soaking, you'll have a bit of a mess on your hands (and wall and pretty much everywhere!).

Orea Birthday Cake

I love cake really, I do. But I personally prefer a health-ified version of cake. But my Adam on the other hand likes his cake rich and chocolaty, topped with cookies and a heap of ice cream on the side. And when its your birthday around, you get what cha want. So, here is my latest smoosh up of recipes, that if I do say so myself was friggin' delicious! The frosting was basically a creation of things I had on hand that sounded like they'd mix together well (and they did!).

Oreo Cake
(recipe and picture from My Recipe Finds Online)

1 boxed devil’s food cake mix (with or without pudding)
1 small box instant chocolate pudding (5.9oz)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Frosting:

8 oz. package Light Cream Cheese
8 oz. container Lite Whip Topping
2 - 2 1/2 cups Powder Sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
10- 15 crushed Oreos

For Cake:
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Spray 2 9" round cake pans (or line with parchment).
In a large bowl hand mix together the cake, pudding mix, salt, vanilla, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and divide batter into the prepared pans.
Bake 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. (mine took more like 40 minutes). Remove from oven and let cool at least 30 minutes in pan and then cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Frosting:
Mix softened cream cheese and sugar together until well blended. Add Vanilla. Mix in thawed whip topping and then fold in crushed Oreos.

Ice the top of on cake and place the other on top. Frost all the way around and top with halved Oreos.



This cake was a hit! Small slices were the key for me. I don't want to even know how many calories the sucker has. But, all in all, sooo tasty!!