As I get to know Ruby better I’m discovering more of her weird quirks.  She barks at strange smells, goes nuts if you blow on her face and LOVES vegetables.

Pugs are notorious for being obese fat lards and I am determined to shield Ruby from this fate. I know that if she gets a taste for delicious, fatty, people food her stubborn butt will refuse to  eat anything else so, if I do give her food from my plate it’s always fruits or vegetables. My thinking was after she found out what spinach tastes like she would decide it wasn’t worth the effort and learn to stop begging, but I was wrong. Whenever I give her a carrot, or a piece of lettuce or pineapple she always comes back for more.

I did some research online and found out the leafy greens, carrots and pineapple actually have a lot health benefits for dogs.  I just hope she never finds out how delicious hamburgers are. 

One day I gave Ruby a taste of my green smoothie and she loved it. Now she looks forward to getting her own delicious little morsel every morning.

Now this wouldn’t be a real blog without a green smoothie recipe right? So here’s mine.

Don’t be fooled, just because a dog will eat it doesn’t mean it’s gross, I promise.  I truly believe that changing the way you eat changes the way you feel, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to eat your veggies. Like kale. I really hate the stuff, but it’s strongly anti-inflammatory which is great for a sad little asthmatic like me. I’ve been experimenting with green smoothie recipes for a while, and this is the one I’m sticking with.

*Please keep in mind this is a human food recipe. When I share it with Ruby she only gets a few tablespoons, basically whatever is left in the blender after I’ve poured it into my cup. I understand too much sugar and fruit can be bad for dogs, so unless you like a sick puppy and diarrhea all over your house, please serve in moderation.*

1 cup Dole brand Orange Peach Mango juice

1 cup fresh pineapple

1/2 banana

1 handful spinach

1 handful kale

3 or 4 ice cubes

Blend it all together until smooth. Pick out your favorite vintage Karl Malone collector cup.

Wait, your husband doesn’t collect vintage Karl Malone Big Gulp cups?

And enjoy while still cold…because if it gets warm you can kind start tasting the kale.