Why my dogs think I'm crazy

Pork congee.

The dogs were very excited about their breakfast this morning. 

Yesterday was not a good cooking day for me. I attempted to make what was going to be cream of spinach soup but it turned out, well, let's just say that it went downhill in a spectacular fashion.

But early this morning I noticed (that for the billionth time) I was out of kibble - so yesterday's cooking disaster was magically transformed into a pork congee for the dogs.

Not really all that magical since I did have to add in a bunch of broth, brown rice, a pork chop and let everything simmer for a couple of hours:-)

But during those two hours the dogs got more and more excited.

This is a picture of Connor howling with joy and congee anticipation:

This is the look Abby gave me when I placed the dog bowls (now piled high with the fragrant congee) into the freezer to cool down.

She was not pleased...

Yes, my dogs think I'm crazy.

I had a simple stir fry for breakfast. I didn't feel like eggs this morning so I added in a Morning Star grill burger for a dose of protein.

Stir fry cucumber, carrots, celery and sweet peppers with a Morning Star burger.

I like my burgers topped with a dollop of barbecue sauce and some mustard.

Since my feet have finally finished healing - today I am going to start the Couch to 5K program. Not that I couldn't run a 5K right now but I am trying to re-establish the running habit more than trying to hit any time or distance goals.

So, wish me luck - and here are a couple more shots of the food this morning(and I might actually get some work done this morning since the dogs are currently passed out with food comas :-).

My breakfast is on the left.

 Sigh, the congee looks so much better than my breakfast.

Welcome home meal

I don't know why jet lag is worse when you travel from the east coast to the west coast.

I have been tired beyond belief for the last 3 days.

I did pick up the dogs the second the kennel opened.

And I made them a wonderful beef stew.

We definitely have a routine when I pick them up from the kennel.

They get a rubdown with baby wipes. They are not truly dirty but just a bit dusty from the kennel and they adore the attention.

They moan and groan and twine between my legs and just revel in being home.

Then I start cooking. Usually they are standing at the doorway to the kitchen and are eager to watch my movements as the pots get pulled out and I start chopping ingredients.

But when they get home from the kennel, as soon as I start cooking, they curl up on the bed and sleep soundly. They know a great meal is coming soon.

Yesterday I made beef stew for the dogs and myself.

And yes, they were a bit excited before the cooking began and they lapsed into a coma.

The ingredients in the dogs stew:


1/2 pound of beef (stew meat) browned
1 carrot, chopped
1 cup of frozen collard greens
3 cups of beef stock
1 bay leaf
1 tsp of rosemary
1 cup of sweet potato, chopped
1 cup of frozen peas
1/2 cup of shitake mushrooms, chopped
1/8 tsp of Worcestershire sauce


The ingredients for my stew:


1/4 pound of beef (stew meat), browned
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 cup of frozen collard greens
2 cups of beef stock
1 bay leaf
1 whole garlic clove
1/4 of a chopped yellow onion
1/2 tsp of rosemary
1/4 tsp of paprika
1/2 cup of sweet potato, chopped
1/4 cup of frozen peas
1/4 cup of frozen corn
1/4 cup of marinated artichoke hearts, chopped 
1/4 cup of shitake mushrooms, chopped
1/2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce


For the dogs meal I put in a bit of cooked rice -

 And then a generous helping of stew.

And I added a bit of yogurt with some Kyo-Green.

They woke up as soon as I started spooning the stew into their bowls - gobbled it down and went straight back to sleep with many contented groans and sighs.


I enjoyed mine with a bit of yogurt and a sprinkle of parsley.

Yup, the first home cooked meal you have when you arrive home from a trip is the best:-)

Bed and breakfast for all

One thing I really enjoy about my dogs? They always let me sleep in.

As long as they get a walk just before bed - they won't budge until I get up.

Even when I had a regular schedule during the week, on weekends they embraced endless hours of laying in with the enthusiasm of a sleep deprived teenager.

So when I eventually decided to get up (today it was 10:15am) I decided that we should all have a special brunch.

My breakfast.

The dogs breakfast.

I cooked 1 1/4 lb of ground turkey over medium heat with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil.

I pulled out 2 cups of the cook turkey for the dogs and 1 cup for mine. 

Next, I added in two generous handfuls of fresh spinach and let it cook until wilted.


I pulled out 1/3 of the spinach and put it aside with my ground turkey. 


For the dogs meal, I put 1 chopped apple back into the pan along with the spinach and added in 1/4 cup of chicken broth and a few dashes of fish sauce. I let this cook down until soft and mixed it into the dogs cooked meat.


I seasoned my meat with a dash of soy sauce and a tiny amount of chili paste. 


Then I added one egg cooked over easy to complete my meal.

Time to get some things done before I had off later today for a family birthday party.