How to Make Soap for Dogs

Do you think your dog is better off bathing with homemade soap than any brand picked off the shelf? Well, making soap for your dog requires a level of expertise that is thankfully not unattainable, as long as you know what you are doing and are determined.

Before making your dog’s soap, there are a few things to consider. What do you seek to achieve with the soap? Do you need to repel insects or attain a shinier coat? This is where the essential oils come in, and while they may not be as effective as chemical pesticides, they are natural and have a nicer smell. Let's break down some of the benefits of these oils before dropping the recipe and instructions on how to make soap for dogs.

Essential Oils for Dog Soaps

 

Lavender: Lavender is famed for its sweet smell, and it also repels fleas. It is one of a few essential oils that are considered safe when diluted for dogs, but not all essential oils are safe for pets.

Cedarwood: Cedarwood is a sweet-smelling base that blends in well with the other oils and is flea and mosquito repellant.

However, be cautious while shopping for essential oils as some are reported to be a bit harmful to pets.

Materials Needed for Dog Soap:

•                3/4 cup of distilled water

•                1/4 cup of lye (also known as 100% sodium hydroxide)

•                2/3 cup of olive oil

•                2/3 cup of oil blend (sunflower or safflower works)

•                1/8 cup of castor oil

•                1/8 cup of white distilled vinegar or lemon juice

•                A few drops each of the essential oils earlier listed

Instructions:

•                Pour the lye into the distilled water, stir it in, and set aside till required.

•                Blend the essential oils together, boil using mild heat where the temperature is below 100°F.

•                While stirring constantly, add the oils to the lye mixture.

•                Stir for at least five minutes, using a stick blender where necessary until it has a yogurt-like consistency.

•                Pour in the cup of castor oil, white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, and the drops each of the essential oils.

•                Properly blend all ingredients.

•                Pour into molds and leave for at least 24 hours to cool and form.

•                Cure for 3 to 4 weeks.

With that, your dog's soap is ready for use. While this may seem time-consuming, it is worth it as dogs are known as man's best friend hence the best is required to keep yours clean and healthy. Besides, dogs unlike humans, bathe only occasionally and a few bars of homemade soap can last for quite a while before new batches are required. Or, if you don’t want to make your own dog soap, try Doggie Shampoo Soap Bar by Good Earth.

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Photo by Autri Taheri on Unsplash

How to Make Old Fashioned Bean Cakes

Finger foods that can be made from leftovers are not only energy saving but practical. Bean cakes are no exception, whether you have leftover cooked beans or you make them fresh they are delicious and can be eaten with any topping of your choice. For this particular recipe, I recommend good old dried pinto beans. They are amazing and packed full of the needed nutrition.

Nutritious Value of Pinto Beans

Fiber: High in fiber, pinto beans are a welcome addition to your daily food intake. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that is good for the body, as it promotes weight loss, proper digestion, gets the heart beating properly, and improves regulation of blood sugar.

Antioxidants: Pinto beans are packed full with antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids, specially kaempferol, which help suppress free radicals that contribute to diseases in the body. Kaempferol, according to recent research, reduces the risk of stroke and inflammation.

Asides these many benefits, pinto beans are chock full of nutrients such as protein, fat, sodium, thiamine, iron, magnesium, and calories. All good stuff, I assure you. Now that we know what is going into our systems, let's get to the nitty-gritty of how to make old fashioned bean cakes like grandma used to make with our own little twist.

Old Fashioned Bean Cakes Recipe

•                Pinto beans

•                Water

•                Onion

•                Black pepper

•                Salt

•                Any seasoning of your choice

•                Red and yellow bell pepper

•                Green onion

•                Cilantro

•                Lime juice

•                Salt

•                Flour

•                Egg

•                Peanut oil

If you are particular with measuring the ingredients that go into your food, I sincerely apologize for the chaos, this is an old fashioned bean cake recipe, and you have to make it from the heart, measuring with your intuition as you go, and trust me you won't be disappointed.

Instructions:

•                Pick out any dirt or broken beans before rinsing.

•                Bring to boil in a big pot, making sure the water tops the beans by an inch or two.

•                After an hour add the onion and black pepper while it is still cooking.

•                Add the seasoning and salt when it is almost tender.

•                Remove from heat and let it cool at room temperature before refrigerating overnight.

•                Mash the beans in a large bowl. This can be done manually or mechanically using a blender or food processor.

•                Add the green onion, salt, lime juice, cilantro, flour, and egg, and stir properly.

•                Pour peanut oil into a skillet over medium heat and allow to heat.

•                Using a tablespoon drop the mixture bit by bit into the oil and let fry until golden brown, and then turn the other side for the same effect.

•                Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and serve with any topping of your choice.

This is by far one of the easiest recipes ever made, right? It can be enjoyed while entertaining guests or at the breakfast table with your family.  There is no way you won't score points with this recipe, as it has been around for a very long time, and aside its numerous nutritious values, it is quite delicious and easy to make. I hope with this little effort you now know how to make old fashioned bean cakes.

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Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash