Living La Vida Holoka


A Day in the Life of Hunter

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

Do you ever wonder what your dog would say if they could talk?  Today, I’m sharing “A Day in the Life of Hunter,” written in the perspective of my dog.  Or, at least, what I think Hunter might have to say about his daily routine!

Morning

It’s 7:30 in the morning.  Why isn’t Mom awake yet?  I guess she decided to sleep in today.  I’ll wait for her to wake up, but I’m starving!  As my stomach starts to grumble, I can’t take it anymore.  I need breakfast!  HEY LADY!  So I start to make a little fuss to get her attention.  She wipes the sleep from her eyes, stumbles to find her shoes, and brings me outside for some fresh air.  “Race you to the stairs!”  I dart back inside ready for breakfast.

The rest of the morning is quiet.  I sit up on the couch and watch Mom check e-mails on her laptop as she drinks her Kombucha (whatever that is). I’m not quite sure what e-mails are, but I watch her type furiously and break every now and then to scratch my head. After this, I follow her around as she gets ready for the day.  

I’m lucky that my Mom gets to work from home!  During the summer, we usually spend a little time outside in the morning. She waters the garden and I follow, trying to chase the hose and grab a berry or two from one of our bushes.  Sometimes, I even get to have a green bean from the garden!

Noon

After we come inside from spending the morning in the garden, Mom goes back to work.  Soon enough, it’s lunchtime!  I love this time of day because, not only do I get to eat again, but I get to hang out with Mom some more.  When we’re finished with lunch, we play tug with my toys for a little bit.  

If it’s really nice out, we’ll even go for a car ride or take a walk around the neighborhood!  After our break is over, I’ll go take a long nap under the bed. It’s one of my favorite places to sleep because it’s dark and cool! Plus, I know my mom will need a break soon and come get me for my afternoon snack!

Later in the afternoon, I always get a special treat!  I love Pup-Peroni Dog Treats because they’re made with real meat like beef, steak, and bacon! Dogs, like me, love the taste of meat, so I’m happy that it’s the #1 ingredient!  The Original Beef and Original Bacon flavors are my favorite!  Woof yeah!


Evening

Yay!  Dad is home from work!  Now, I get to give Mom a break and just be one of the guys!  We wrestle on the floor and play with my toys!  We’ll go get one of my favorite balls and play fetch outside.  Getting active is never a problem in this house!  Most days, we’ll go for a short walk after dinner, too!

The day starts to wind down and we all hang out together in the living room.  After all the fun I’ve had during the day, I start to get sleepy around nine o’clock.  I go outside one last time and then settle into bed with my favorite blanket.  It’s been another great day and I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!



If Hunter could talk, I’m pretty sure that’s what he would have to say about his day!  To say he’s a lucky dog is a bit of an understatement!  He’s definitely treated with a lot of love from the whole family!

The next time you want to treat your dog with something special, pick up Pup-Peroni Dog Treats at Walmart! With real meat being the #1 ingredient, it’s a treat you can feel good about giving your dog! Your pup will thank you for it!

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What do you think your dog would say if he/she could talk?

Carob Bacon Donut Dog Treats

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This post may contain affiliate links. Making a purchase through one of these links helps support this blog.


It’s National Donut Day!  On Tuesday, I started the celebration early with an easy Jelly Doughnut Hole recipe. Today I’m going to share a recipe for donuts that your dog can enjoy!  These Carob Bacon Donut Dog Treats will allow you to celebrate this sweet holiday with your favorite fur buddy!  Plus, they’re chock full of ingredients that your dog will love!

If there’s one food that dogs and humans seem to share an insane love for, it has to be bacon!  I don’t think there’s been a week that we haven’t had bacon in the house.  We usually don’t share table food with Hunter, but every once and a while he gets a special treat (like a strawberry from the garden or some kind of veggie that I happen to be chopping).

I mean, I have yet to try bacon donuts myself (which I bet are amazing since they have that sweet and savory thing going on that I love), but here I am whipping up a batch of bacon donuts for my dog!  Spoiled, spoiled Hunter!


These treats start off with a basic whole wheat dough.  Then, some crumbled bacon gets mixed in along with a little broth.  Save some of those bacon crumbs!  We’ll be adding them to the top of our treats!  Once these donut treats are baked, they get dipped in melted carob.

If you’re unfamiliar with carob, it’s a completely safe alternative for chocolate.  It’s low in fat, high in antioxidants, caffeine-free, and vegan-friendly, too!  Melting the carob chips was a little tricky at first, but if you add a little oil to it during the melting process (olive or coconut works), you’ll have no trouble at all getting a smooth consistency!


Carob Bacon Donut Dog Treats
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Ingredients
  1. 2 cups whole wheat flour
  2. 1 egg
  3. 1/2 cup water
  4. 1/4-1/2 cup vegetable broth (or low-sodium chicken broth)
  5. 2 strips of cooked bacon, crumbled and divided
  6. 1 cup carob chips
  7. 1 tbsp. coconut or olive oil, or more as needed
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350º and grease a mini donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, mix flour egg and water together.
  3. Pour in 1/4 cup broth. If dough is on the dry side, continue to add broth until it's slightly sticky to the touch.
  4. Mix in 1/2 of the crumbled bacon.
  5. Spoon dough into the mini donut pan and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
  6. While the dog treats are cooling, pour carob chips into a microwave safe bowl.
  7. Add a tablespoon of the oil to the carob chips and microwave for 10 seconds. Continue to melt in 10 second intervals.
  8. If carob chips aren't melting smoothly, continue to add a little oil at a time.
  9. Carefully dip a donut dog treat into the melted carob chips and place on a wire rack.
  10. Sprinkle the other half of the crumbled bacon onto the donut dog treats.
  11. Allow carob chip "frosting" to solidify before treating your dog.
  12. Treats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a week.
Living La Vida Holoka https://www.livinglavidaholoka.com/

I love making toys and treats for Hunter.  It’s nice to know the ingredients that go into his treats when they’re made from our own kitchen!  If you couldn’t tell by his picture, Hunter couldn’t wait to devour one of his donuts!  As I was I taking photos for this post, Hunter was lingering around the table like a hungry shark! These treats are definitely Hunter approved!

Now that I have you craving donuts, too, I believe Dunkin Donuts is giving away a free donut with a purchase today.  At least that’s how they usually seem to roll on National Donut Day!  If Dunkin’s not your thing, you can make my super easy, homemade jelly doughnut holes instead!

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If you liked this dog treat recipe, you might enjoy these as well:

Giving Back to Shelter Pets with RescueBox

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This post may contain affiliate links.  Making a purchase through one of these links helps to support this blog.


Sometimes you come across a deal that’s just too good to pass up.  That’s what happened when a Groupon offer for a RescueBox recently popped into my e-mail.  The pet industry is booming and I love discovering new subscription boxes for Hunter.  I never knew that there were so many unique pet companies until I became a pet owner.

RescueBox is a little different than other boxes we’ve tried.  Hunter still gets some amazing new toys and treats.  But with every subscription that’s purchased, shelter pets get food and necessary vaccinations, as well. In each box, there’s a card that tells you how your donation has helped.  I love that I get to treat Hunter while helping animals in need.

Firehose Squeak n’ Fetch

I’m all too familiar with this toy.  We bought one for Hunter in the past.  He didn’t play with it too often, so I gave it to Cooper.  Cooper’s a toy destroyer and this firehouse is really durable and can take a beaten from frisky pups!

Amazing Squeaker Ball

Hunter loves to play ball with any kind of ball.  I knew he would love this toy!  The outer ball is a great material for pups to chew on, while a smaller ball inside provides a fun squeak.  I can tell this toy is going to get a ton of play!

Low Odor Bully Sticks

Bully sticks are the dog chews we’ll never escape.  Even though these are considered “low odor,” they still stink. But Hunter loves them!  Bully sticks are better for your dog than rawhide (please read up on the dangers of rawhide if your dog currently enjoys them).  They’re pretty gross, but they’re safe and natural chews.

Big Bakes Blueberry Cheesecake

With a flavor like blueberry cheesecake, I’m almost jealous over this dog treat!  I love its fun, fire hydrant shape.  It’s quite a large treat that I’ll break into pieces for Hunter to enjoy.  It’s sure to last him a while!

Insulated Cup

Unlike other pet boxes we’ve received, RescueBox included an item for pet owners!  I absolutely love this adorable insulted travel cup.  It’ll definitely get a lot of use!

RescueBox is definitely Hunter approved!  We loved it so much than I might grab another Groupon before the offer runs out!  It’s a great box to treat your pup and shelter pets in need!

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How do you give back to animals in need?

Lemon-Rosemary Lamb Chops with Herbed Potatoes

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 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyNutrishPeak #CollectiveBias


We’ve had some unseasonably warm days here in Jersey the past couple of weeks.  The weather’s been such a treat (but also a really big tease since Spring is still weeks away)!  One of our favorite places to go when the weather is nice – Hunter included – is the park. During the weekend, we’ll pack up a backpack, take Hunter’s ball launcher, and head to one of the larger parks near our house. The park is a great place to let Hunter off leash to sniff around, play, and explore. 

The park isn’t the only place Hunter gets to run around and play.  We’ve taken him along on hikes in the woods. He absolutely loves running around in the snow!  He hasn’t been on the beach yet, but he’s gone for walks by the bay.  We are definitely an outdoor family and love to get outside in the fresh air!  Even if we only get so far as our backyard or a walk around the neighborhood.



An outdoorsy dog deserves food inspired by the great outdoors.  We are always careful to choose food for Hunter with wholesome, natural ingredients.  So we recently bought Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® PEAK from Target in both varieties:  Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® PEAK Northern Woodlands Recipe™ with Turkey, Duck & Quail and Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® PEAK Open Range Recipe™ with Beef, Venison & Lamb.  Hunter’s already a fan of other Nutrish® products, so we knew he would love PEAK.

PEAK is made with a protein-rich, grain-free recipe to satisfy your dog’s cravings.  Real U.S. farm-raised beef is always the #1 ingredient in the Open Range Recipe.  The Northern Woodlands Recipe uses real U.S. farm-raised turkey as the #1 ingredient.  

Each PEAK recipe is made up of 30% high-quality protein to ensure your pup stays happy and healthy!  You won’t find any poultry by-product meal or fillers in the ingredient list.  They’re also grain-free – a big plus for us!  Since we also like to help animals in need, we love that a portion of the proceeds from PEAK goes to The Rachael Ray Foundation.  The foundation provides food, medical supplies, treatments, and more for animals in need through Rachael’s Rescue.  It’s definitely a cause close to our hearts.



I like to cook with simple, wholesome ingredients. That why I believe it’s only fair that Hunter eats food made with wholesome ingredients, too.  Since the same goes for our dinner table, our dishes are usually made with fresh ingredients and lean meats.  I absolutely love lamb chops marinaded in a mixture of lemon, garlic, and rosemary.  They’re perfect for grilling outdoors, but they’re also easy enough to cook inside on a skillet.  

I definitely recommend letting your lamb chops sit overnight in this marinade.  Give them at least a couple of hours to marinade if you’re short on time. This marinade makes lamb chops tender and juicy.  It also packs them with a ton of delicious lemon, rosemary, and garlic flavor!  

Herbed potatoes are a perfect accompaniment to this dish.  They’re seasoned with a mix of fresh herbs and roasted until golden brown.  As far as I’m concerned, you can’t go wrong with roasted potatoes.  They’re a perfect side dish to just about any meal!

Lemon-Rosemary Lamb Chops with Herbed Potatoes
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For the herbed potatoes
  1. 4 baby red potatoes, chopped
  2. 1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves removed
  3. 1/2 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
  4. 1/2 tsp. fresh sage, chopped
  5. 1 tbsp. olive oil
  6. 1 tsp. garlic powder
  7. Salt and pepper, to taste
For the lamb chops
  1. 4 lamb chops
  2. Juice of 1 lemon
  3. 1/4 tsp. lemon zest
  4. 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
  5. 1 garlic clove, minced
  6. 1 tbsp. olive oil
  7. 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
  8. Salt and pepper, to taste
To make the potatoes
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Prepare a baking sheet with foil.
  3. Mix chopped potatoes with herbs, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
  4. Spread potatoes evenly on baking sheet, pouring any left over olive oil mixture on top.
  5. Cook for 45-60 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through, until golden brown.
To make the lamb chops
  1. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, lemon zest, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and salt and pepper together.
  2. Add lamb chops to a storage container and pour in marinade.
  3. Close the container, give it a good shake, and allow lamb chops to marinade overnight.
  4. Heat a cast iron skillet (or a large skillet) over medium.
  5. Add lamb chops to the skillet and cook on each side about 3 minutes on each side.
  6. Allow lamb chops to rest a minute or two before serving.
  7. Serve with herbed potatoes.
Living La Vida Holoka https://www.livinglavidaholoka.com/


You can find Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® products including Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® PEAK Northern Woodlands Recipe™ with Turkey, Duck & Quail and Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® PEAK Open Range Recipe™ with Beef, Venison & Lamb in the pet food aisle at Target (it’s also available at Wal-Mart, Chewy.com, and your local grocery store).  Click here to save $4 on PEAK!  This coupon can be printed twice.

Before switching your dog over to PEAK, gradually introduce the food to them, mixed with their current food, over the course of 7-10 days.  Follow along with Hunter’s adventures on Instagram by searching #hunterholoka or #livinglavidapets!

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Where’s your favorite place to take an outdoor adventure with your dog?