I have been baking up a storm in the kitchen today!
And making a big mess in the process. 
It all started with the batch of homemade dog biscuits I have been dying to make for a while.
I followed Lori’s recipe for Apple Whole Dog Biscuits and added a big scoop of peanut butter to the mix.
The results weren’t the prettiest thing ever
But, Maddie didn’t seem to mind at all.
She loved them!
While I was grocery shopping today I was debating buying a $5.69 box of granola when it suddenly occurred to me – Why don’t I just make my own? I already had all the ingredients in my cabinet and it took less then 15 minutes to throw together.
Kath’s recipe for Coconut Almond Granola is my go to no-fail granola recipe. Only instead of almond slivers I used chopped walnuts.
Of course I had to have a sample bite to make sure it came out right.
Yum!
I had saved my MixMyGranola tube for an occasion just like this one.
The tube is perfect for storing my homemade granola.
I took a break from breaking for a very green lunch.
My beloved massage kale salad is back in the picture. The massaged kale salad consisted of kale that had been ‘massaged’ with olive oil, salt and lemon juice before being refrigerated for an hour.
Other toppings included
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Chickpeas
- Sprouts
- Tabouli
- Raisins
- Cashews
On the side I had a whole grapefruit.
Citrus is such a pain to peel and chop, but always worth it. The fresh grapefruit was very refreshing and much tastier then its juiced alternative.
My sweet tooth kicked in after lunch and since I was on such a role baking in the kitchen, I decided to bake a batch of cookies.
Specifically Gina’s Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Unfortunately I was missing a few key ingredients – including the chocolate chips – so I improvised!
I didn’t have any chocolate chips, but I did have a million Merci Chocolate bars that did the trick.
I chopped them into small pieces and added them to the mix.
I was also used the last of my canola oil and had to use applesauce.
The applesauce made the cookies a little spongy and funny looking, but they still tasted amazing!
Now its time to clean up the kitchen and get my butt in gear. I have plans to meet Caitlin for Happy Hour at 4:00. Bring on the beer!
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fun day of baking! Those dog biscuits are a great idea. I’m glad little Maddie liked them
yum! Ill have to make those treats for my dog too (even though he’ll eat just about anything!)
Have fun at happy hour as well
xo- Molly
http://www.givinganythingbutup.wordpress.com
Wow! looks like a ton of goodies! It feels great just to bake everything at once, too, because it’s only 1 time cleaning up
man that really IS a lot of baking . . . and now I want oatmeal for some reason!
Have fun at Happy Hour!
Those dog treats are too cute!!
I make these pumpkin peanut butter dog treats for my dog all the time–he loves them! Unfortunately now he won’t eat store-bought dog treats so I have to keep making them! http://delishfood.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/pumpkin-peanut-butter-dog-treats/ Plain canned pumpkin is really good for dogs.
Today was DEF a baking day…I spent the day making cookies, granola, and soup!!
Love the dog biscuits…might have to try that sometime for my little fur ball!!
And I can not wait to try the granola recipe!! I’ve been wanting to do that for a while, but all the one’s I come across want you to dehydrate them and I don’t have one those.
Fun post!
Love the dog treats! I need to try making them for my pup – he has such a sensitive tummy that a lot of store-bought ones make him sick.
Is anything more fun than baking the day away? I don’t think so!
Looks like a fun day of baking! Did you really use the spelt flour that Gina’s recipe calls for, or did you use whole wheat or all purpose flour? I don’t have spelt flour around but I’d like to try the recipe!
Thanks and have fun at happy hour!
What a cool project to tackle! Have a good happy hour
You weren’t kidding about your bake-fest! There’s just something so comforting about baking….and then eating the goods
p.s. you have one lucky pup!!
Looks good! Homemade cookies are the best! I’m glad Maddie liked hers too!
I need to ask….did you try the dog treats? HAHA! Those ingredients look awesome!
Yay for being innovative in the kitchen!
Yummy treats!!
Those cookies and the granola look so good! I was already in the mood for baking but after looking at those pictures I think I have to now!
Can people eat the dog biscuits? Did you try them?!
I loveee big baking days
the other day I did 24muffins and a biiiig batch of museli – it was productive 
That lunch looks delish btw! Bar the grapfruit..I’ve never had the real thing, but the juice is foul :s so bitter and nasty!! Maybe American grapefruits are better…?
Have a good happy hour!
Aw those doggie biscuits are too cute
Those doggie treats are so cute. I love that you got a bone cookie cutter
Oooh, I want to make dog biscuits! Thanks for linking the recipe.
My mom bakes my dog biscuits too! Tito hasn’t had a store bought treat in years and he loves them!
Those dog treats look so cute! I love the bone cookie cutter. I bet Bradley would love them
Have fun at happy hour with Caitlin.
yum, the granola looks perfecto
hope you ladies have a fun happy hour!
I’m buying kale! So that I can try this massaged kale salad! ;] Woman you were tearing it up in the kitchen today, phew – has the dust settled yet?
Yay for Happy Hour! :]
You’ve inspired me to try making my own granola!
you are a baking machine!
the cookies look amazing- those are my favorite
have fun tonight!
I love when I get into baking zone and want to bake all day. I love the dog biscuits, I should make some for my dog.
Those dog treats are so cute! I’m sure Maddie appreciated them
Hope you had a blast at happy hour!
Those cookies look delicious!
I’ve been wanting to try those cookies for a while. i might just have to do that sooner rather than later… good idea on improvising! And your salad sounds fantastic!
Awww…you are such a good dog mom! My dogs are jealous of Maddie
Aw, I love that you made her dog biscuits! How fun.
Grapefruit is always worth the pain of peeling in my opinion. And it’s so pretty too!
Thanks for the mention! What a great idea with adding the peanut butter. The doggies would love that. Maddie is such a cutie!