Here it is:
Make Your Own Flavored Chew Sticks Take any (preferably fresh) vegetable or fruit without a pit and cook or steam them until fully cooked. (steaming is best as it retains more nutrients and more of the color) Place the food in a blender or mash by hand. Place the chew sticks in the food ... cover and let simmer about 30 minutes in a double boiler ... do not remove lid ... as it cools it will make a vacuum and force the flavor and color into the chew sticks. After it has cooled completely, scrape off excess food and place in the oven on about 150 to 200 degrease until completely dried. Cool and serve ... They will go through them like crazy!
Microwave method:
Place fruit or vegetable in a plastic bowl ... no water ... Cover (with plastic rap, another plastic bowl that is exactly the same, a tight fitting lid, or a saucer or plate) ... anything that will seal it tight. Microwave until done and mushy. Mash or blend. Place back into the same dish with chew sticks in the food, make sure they are covered with the food. Cover, microwave about 5 minutes. Allow the food to cool slowly. The vacuum caused by the tight lid will cause it to force the flavor and color into the chew sticks. Scrape off the excess food. Dry them out in an oven or a dehydrator. Cool & serve!
This is OK if you know what veggies/fruits your chin likes the flavor of, but it is a big mess and the sticks need to be refrigerated if not used rather quickly. They last only a few days. I did it a few times and my chins seemed to like them, but it was not worth the hassle when I discovered I could do the same thing with baby food and/or a natural fruit juice.
You can do this by placing Popcicle sticks in a mason jar, cover with apple juice and refrigerate. Take them out as needed,wipe off excess moisture and make sure you use all of them within the week. Give the stick to the chin, do not put one back in the jar after it is taken out.
Jo Ann
