This weekend, I'm at The Station in Richmond, North Yorkshire for an Arts and Crafts Event.    I've done lots of baking including Cheese and Apple Pupcakes, Big Peanut Butter Bone Bix along with all the usual Treat Bags.   Hope to see you there.....

Darlington and Stockton Times Friday, April 25th 2014

Dales Festival of Food and Drink
3rd, 4th, 5th May 2014

The North's Premier Food and Drink Event including the Yorkshire Dales Real Ale Festival
At Leyburn, in the heart of Wensleydale
10.00 am to 5.00 pm each day
see www.dalesfestivaloffood.org.

Each batch of biscuits is tested by terrier Welly
prior to despatch...

If there is such a thing as the best job in the world for a dog, then it probably belongs to Welly, the Jack Russell Terrier!...

He's the chief taster for Wellybix, a thriving cottage business making doggy treats run by keen baker Alison Walton, of Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle.

Her business began almost by accident after she decided to bake some biscuits for Welly shortly before Christmas of 2012.

Soon after she began supplying a local hotel and holiday cottages for guests to give their dogs - and now she supplies pet shops and farm shops around the region.

Welly does his bit by enthusiastically testing each batch to ensure quality control, as well as lending his moniker to the company name.

The biscuits come in a range of doggy-licious flavours including Chicken and Parsley or Thyme, Lamb and Fresh Mint or Rosemary, and Beef with Wheatbran.

There's even a wheat-free variety, Peanut Butter with Spelt Flour, as some dogs suffer from wheat intolerance.

For more details, check out the website at wellybix.blogspot.co.uk
or email wellybix@live.com

Ginger - Good For your 
Doggie


Yes, ginger is high in vitamins and minerals, and it has many health benefits such as anti-viral, anti-toxic and anti-fungal.
It can be very good at relieving carsickness in doggies as will decrease the vomiting and nausea.
It is good for tummy problems, and it can help with reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Ginger can also help treat allergies as it is a antihistamine.
Studies also prove that ginger can improve blood circulation and help lower your dogs cholesterol levels.
Today I've just made some Ginger and Molasses Doggie Bone Shaped Biscuits, yum yum............

Herbs That Are Good For Dogs

Rosemary


Is high in calcium, iron and vitamin B6.  It acts as a anti-oxident and aids digestion. 
It is also good for your doggies heart and helps calm the nerves.
My Lamb Treats are packed full with fresh rosemary from my garden.....yum

                 Hardwick Park Visitor Centre

Just delivered some doggie treats to my latest stockist, Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield, County Durham. Which is now a Visit England accredited attraction.  You can stroll through the historic parkland, admiring the natural beauty of the lake, woodland and wildlife.  There is also a education centre with cafe and gift shop.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead between 9-6pm and during bird nesting season.
I saw loads of doggies while I was there so hopefully will be heading into the shop for some doggie treats.....

Pumpkin Seeds - A Yummy Treat!

Whilst researching ingredients for a new product I am developing, I came across some interesting facts about pumpkin seeds.....

Pumpkin seeds are healthy for your dog and actually are a natural way to de-worm dogs.  They also rich in protein, essential fatty acids, magnesium and minerals that help your dog live a healthy lifestyle.  They can also be used to treat blood hypertension and chronic diseases.

You can either grind into a powder and add to feed, or pulse in a food processer till small knibs. 
Pumpkin seeds don't have a long shelf life so check the date!...

BISHOP AUCKLAND FOOD FESTIVAL

Welly gives home-baked biscuits wag of approval

TASTY treats for man’s best friend will be on offer from a fledgling business visiting the Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

TAKING THE BISCUIT: Alison’s dog Welly stands guard over home-baked Wellybix treats

Alison Walton set up Wellybix after making her dog Welly some biscuits before Christmas 2012.

The keen baker, of Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle, received such positive feedback after handing out the treats as presents to friends with dogs, she decided to set up her own business.

Less than 12 months on, Wellybix products are on sale in more than 20 outlets, and Mrs Walton is looking forward to sharing them with more people at this month’s food festival.

Mrs Walton said: “I had to give up work to care for my mother and it was at that point I thought I can now have a dog.

BIGGEST FAN: Alison Walton, of Romaldkirk, has set up a dog biscuit company Wellybix after her dog Welly fell in love with her baking

“I decided one day to make some biscuits for Welly, which is where the (company) name came from and it just went from there.

“I started to research it on the internet and discovered it is the fastest-growing new start-up business in America. I got loads of ideas, made them and handed them out. People said I should sell them.

“Welly is my chief tester. I tell him he is the happiest dog in County Durham. He has a choice of biscuits available.”

She started selling them at craft fairs, but now plans to expand her audience with a number of food festivals, including Bishop Auckland and Leyburn.

In addition to biscuits, she is now selling dog cupcakes, which are also proving very popular.

“I am very passionate about what I am doing and I think that is the driving force. I haven’t been to the Bishop Auckland Food Festival before, so I don’t know what to expect.

“I make everything fresh, so I will have a lot of work to do in the days leading up to it, but I am looking forward to it.”

We're in the News!
Today Welly and I are in the Northern Echo it shows a photo of us at Bishop Auckland Castle promoting our stall at the Food Festival on 26th/27th April selling Treats and yummy pupcakes .......

Four-legged friends in for a treat at food festival

4:09pm Tuesday 8th April 2014 in Bishop Auckland News

WELLYBIX TREATS: Alison Walton with her dog Welly ahead of the Bishop Auckland Food Festival

THERE will be something to tickle everyone's taste buds at a popular food festival this month, including the four-legged visitors.

Alison Walton, of Barnard Castle, will be taking her hand-baked healthy dog treats company Wellybix to the Bishop AucklandFood Festival.

“I'm really excited about doing the food festival,” she said. "It's great that we have such a fantastic location on our doorstep for this event.

“Everyone is so interested in local food and producers these days; how brilliant that there will be the chance to wander around and try so many locally-produced goodies here in County Durham.

“And I’ll have doggie biscuits and pupcakes to make sure any four-legged visitors are happy too.”

She set up Wellybix in 2013 after she began supplying local hotels and holiday cottages with her products.

Approved by a veterinary laboratory, the treats are available in three flavours, all of which have been personally approved by her two-year-old Jack Russell, Welly. There will also be a wheat-free treat for pets who suffer from a wheat intolerance.

For more information about the festival, which takes place on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 in Bishop Auckland market place and the grounds of Auckland Castle, visit bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk