{Out of the Box}: April 2014 Bugsy's Box Review

Out of the Box is a feature I do to showcase and give a brief review of products in the subscription boxes that I receive.

Today's Out of the Box review is of Bugsy's Box, a subscription box service for dogs.  Bugsy's Box offers "high quality, gourmet, exclusive" and made in the USA dog treats.  You can click on the image below (or the same to the side) and it will take you directly to the Bugsy's Box website.  By using my exclusive referral link, you get $10 off your order.

 
I was sent this month's box for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

(Starting at the bottom and going clockwise:  Incredibubbles Toy, Barksters Treats, Tall Tails Dog Pocket Towel, It's Purely Natural Jerky Bars, Wylie's Naturals Jerky)

1.  Incredibubbles Toy

As you can see, Luna is interested.  She's my dog that actually likes to play, and I think she would go nutzo over bubbles.  It's too bad that I can't trust her off the leash just yet (she tends to run away), but I think we could still have a good time playing with these, either in the house, or while she is still on her long leash.

I'll be honest, I may have squealed like a little girl when I opened the box and found these.  I LOVE bubbles!  
2.  Barksters Treats

I haven't given this to the dogs yet, but I'm sure they'll love it! 

3.  Tall Tails Dog Pocket Towel

This super-soft towel came in handy this past week when it was so rainy.  I love it! 

4.  It's Purely Natural Jerky Bars

This is another something we haven't tried yet, but again, I think it will be a hit.

5.  Wylie's Naturals Jerky

This is a favorite!  I could hardly get the bag open before they started dancing around!  And I'll be honest, they smell pretty good.  Not that I'd eat them, but sometimes dog treats don't always smell the best.  You can tell these are natural.  So far, the kids haven't had any stomach issues, either.  

I'd like to thank the lovely people at Bugsy's Box for sending me this box in return for a free and honest review.  Don't forget to click my referral link for $10 off your order! 

{Out of the Box}: March BarkBox Review

I recently found subscription boxes and discovered how awesome they are!  Generally, how they work is, for a fee (either monthly, or every 3/6/12 months), you get a box every month filled with 6ish items (so 5-7) whose value is more than the price of the subscription. 

Today, we're looking at my March BarkBox.  If you're interested, please use my referral code (it helps me earn free boxes).  I like BarkBox as they give a portion of the proceeds from each subscription to animals in shelters, or you can donate a box to a shelter dog in need.

Here is a look at the March box:

1.  Simply Fido monkey toy.  It's stuffing free and made from organic cotton.  It's also filled with something crinkly (almost like part of a plastic bottle).  So I was a little skeptical, the last thing we need is a noisy toy!  But, Luna loved it!  Skipper doesn't play with toys, but he didn't get a chance.  I found it on Amazon for $9.49

 

Luna playing with her toy

Luna sleeping with her toy.  I didn't place that, she carried it with her. 

2.  N-Bone Puppy Health dental bones.  Even though Skipper is an old guy, he still got to try them (his teeth aren't that good).  Both dogs seem to like them.  On Amazon, $7.06
3.  Nootie Yumzies training treats.  We haven't tried these yet, mainly because we're in the middle of another bag of training treats.  When we're done with that bag, we'll give this one a whirl.  Other flavors on the Nootie website go for $7.99
4.  Safemade silicone bowl.  We'll probably use this as a travel water bowl, but haven't yet.  It's a very heavy, nice quality, though.  There are two similar bowls on the website, so prices range from $4.99-11.99
5.  Barkworthies bully stick.  Ok, this puts me in quite the pickle.  There is only one, and I have two dogs who love food.  I can either cut it in half, or give it to one and give the other something else.  I'll probably do #2, mainly because, as I said, Skipper's teeth aren't that great, so I'm afraid it's a little too hard for him.  Luna will devour it, though.  On the website, bully sticks start at $3.15

So, if we err on the side of caution, my $19/month (for 6 months) subscription landed us: $32.68 worth of treats and supplies.

{Gone to the dogs}: Sweet Potato Dog Treat

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE our Barkbox subscription (see here for post about our last order, and here for just a general "what is a subscription box?" post), and the treats that are inside.  But, I like to cook and I like to spoil "the kids".

I had made peanut butter based treats for Skipper before (BL, or "Before Luna"), but haven't made anything since we got her.  Knowing how much they both enjoy apples and carrots, when I saw this recipe for sweet potato treats, I thought I'd give it a go.

I found it on Pinterest, though the link that the pin takes you to is a recipe that uses a food dehydrator.  If you click here, you'll be taken to the original post by Dog Treat Kitchen.

But, I thought I'd show you, in step by step photo format, how I made these:
1.  Purchase sweet potato (you'd think this would be a no-brainer, but I went to the store several times before I remembered to pick one up).
2.  Preheat oven to 250*.
3.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  I don't have parchment paper.  I really hope wax paper is ok. 4.  Cut a little slice off the side of your sweet potato so that it lays flat and you can then slice the rest of it easier.

 

(slice and then lay the potato on its' side to continue to slice)

5.  Slice the rest of your sweet potato, about 1/3in to 1/4 in thickness.
6.  I then cut the slices in half again (horizonally), as I didn't want the chew to be too big.

7.  Arrange on cookie sheet.
8.  Bake for 3 hours.
9.  Enjoy!

Sorry I couldn't get a better photo, Luna devoured her treat.

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