Tag / dog cookbook

Treats, dog treats cookbook, biscuits, ice-creams, cakes to make at home / Gluten-free recipes for dogs / Baking for dogs / Dog food recipes created by nutritionist and approved by vets (C) Natalia Ashton
by Natalia

No tricks, just TREATS

Something happened two weeks ago. Something that meant a lot to me.

I published Treats – my second and much-treasured cookbook for dogs. I know I should probably be cool and content, but this recipe book was such a joy, such a heartwarming venture, that I wish I could sing about it from the roof tops.

Treats was a natural progression of Beyond the Doughnut. Same concept, different ideas. The Doughnut was all about meals and treats directly inspired by some of the famous staples to allow dog parents make a meal or treat that looked like human food but was definitely dog-friendly and safe.

Treats were purely about treats. Treats that are easy to prepare. Treats as we see them when we think of our dogs. Treats in a form of biscuits. Lots and lots of different biscuits. Treats for summer because it’s lovely to have some ice-creams a pup can enjoy. Treats for holiday celebrations and birthday parties because “party without a cake is just a meeting”.

Treats, biscuits, ice-creams, cakes and baked by Natalia Ashton (C) The ultimate dog treats cookbook / over 30 recipes including gluten-free recipes for dogs and puppies of all ages by canine nutritionist. Home cooking and baking ideas for dogs.
(C) by Natalia Ashton, taken from Treats, the ultimate dog treats cookbook

I looked for inspiration in my boys’ eyes… places we visited… flowers and seasons… Even books. I spent hours in the kitchen, inventing, cooking, testing over and over again. I got into food styling because everything had to be beautiful, tell a story, put a smile on my readers’ faces. And I fell in love with my camera for helping me to capture my ideas. I became a small animal nutritionist, food stylist and photographer in one. It was a huge challenge to take on, but life is dull without challenges.

And once I was done with the images, I designed the text pages to compliment the photos, take you away daydreaming with me. Even if for a second. It was a one-woman project that instilled me with happiness… and anxiety for the unknown future of my paper baby…

This book makes me buzz. It makes me want to dance.

Do get a copy. I know you and your pup will adore it.

Available on amazon worldwide as paperback, hardback (selected countries only) and Kindle


Image credit: cover and pages design by me, illustration of the dog by Xenia Voronicheva, food styling and photography by me, photo of me, Cooper and Fred by Elizabeth Clarke

beyond the doughnut cookbook of gluten free healthy home made dog treats and meals by qualified nutritionist / Perfect cocker spaniel blog / dog blog, nutrition advice, nutrition diet tips for dogs, healthy eating for dogs, English cocker spaniel breed advice, treats, grooming and diet
by Natalia

Beyond the Doughnut

Well, this was unexpected… Almost too good to believe, to be honest. A feast in time of pandemic. A project to create something positive using flour in a manner of magic dust. The long-term and well-nurtured “what if” became an instant “why not” and my happy project named “Beyond the Doughnut“, the cookbook of dog treats.

Writing it felt very different to Perfect cocker spaniel. The puppy guide was conceived and written in memory of Oscar, a tribute to him. Back then this loss felt like a deep wound, still open and painful. By the time I finished the book, the wound healed somewhat… It has been sore for a long time… The book helped to face it. Right now it’s more like a scar, very visible scar that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Needless to say, everything about Perfect cocker spaniel was deeply emotional. Every positive review and comment brightened up my day, any dose of negativity felt as if somebody insulted the memory of my boy (often without even reading the book or knew the subject well enough, but because they felt like it…)

Beyond the Doughnut had to be different. It needed to be sweet, beautiful and full of goodness.

I rolled up my sleeves and got cooking, pups in tow.

The initial plan was to create the recipes, write them up and then hire a professional photographer to do the imagery.

Half-way through the book I realised that styling and shooting 30 completely different recipes in a day would either kill or bankrupt me. Plus, the virus was having a ball and I refused to be invited.

Two sleepless nights later I decided to DIY everything. From cover to cover and in between.

gluten free recipe for home made easy simple gluten free dog treats by Perfect cocker spaniel from Beyond the Doughnut cookbook of dog treats and meals (C) copyrighted image

I spent hours on eBay looking for vintage props, styled and photographed the results, designed the cover, edited every page, letter and image and made it into a book.

I even created two editions…

Beyond the Doughnut, the big book of dog treats is almost as big as Perfect cocker spaniel. It comes with 30 recipe ideas for meals and treats plus scientifically-backed evidence-based information about nutrition and every ingredients I used throughout the tome.

Beyond the Doughnut: Best Bites is an adorable  book of 10 recipes taken from the main title, and comes without nutrition articles. It’s like a tester for those unsure about the big edition, or a collection of the most simple, gorgeous and very do-able treats that need very little effort. Also these 10 treats are what my pups love the most, so I know it could be used all year and please every pooch under the sun.

And it is most definitely a happy book… For the happy dogs and families who love to hug and dance in the kitchen.

Give it a go. I hope it will add a little sunshine to your day.

 

Photo credit: Beyond the Doughnut book cover designed by me, photo of the Bunny biscuits is style and photographed by me, taken from the Beyond the Doughnut: Best Bites little cookbook of dog treats