Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Scotty Health Food




Scotty Health Food

I have cooked for several of my Scotties over the years. I find that they enjoy good health and vitality with the home cooked meals. Here is our basic daily diet but I add lots of variations to provide variety and interest. By cooking their food I have better control over what they are eating and never have a weight problem.

Please don’t be overwhelmed over this regime. With a little practice it only takes a few minutes to prepare and it cooks in about 30 to 40 minutes. I only need to cook about twice a week as the basic food keeps very well in the refrigerator.

BASIC MEAL


2 cups dry lentils or mung beans, or quinoa
1 cup dry millet
3 cups water (more or less)
1 heaping Tbs crushed or chopped garlic
1 – 1.5 cups chopped spinach, green beans, chard or other greens of the season

Cook on medium temperature on the stove top until water is absorbed (add more if necessary) but food should not be dry. Just practice a bit.

I also use chopped carrots (these are sweet so I use the only on occasion), cubed potatoes, peas, green beans etc. I avoid too much corn as it binds and offers little nutrition. NEVER give the dogs onions; they are not good for them. I do not add salt but my little girl likes pepper so I add a little black pepper. Sometimes I put a spoonful of yoghurt (unflavored and unsweetened) on the side.

For breakfast my Scotts like a hard boiled or scrambled egg or occasionally buttered oatmeal.

My dogs seem to like their plate with the foods separated in a circle. I serve this basic meal with other “treats” on the side such as chopped apple, carrots, selected table foods, etc. I have found that the dogs do well with about 2 Tbs of good quality canned tuna or roast beef. (Costco has canned roast beef sold for human consumption. I am vegetarian but friends have told me it’s very good.) On the side I offer some dry dog food “crunchies”.

Be creative as long as you are paying attention to a balanced diet.

Suzanne Jackson