Next Batch of Chop

[OutlawedSpirit]

I have been attempting to move Aria away from pellets to full fresh food. I want to make sure, before I completely transition her to fresh, that there is enough variety to ensure she is getting all the nutrients she needs. My last batch of chop included:

Broccoli
Cauliflower (just because I had a little left over from a recipe I made from dinner or I probably wouldn't have added both)
Frozen peas and carrots (although I may do frozen peas again, I won't do the frozen carrots because she definitely likes fresh ones better.)
Turnip Greens
Kale
Bell Peppers (even though she still won't eat them. I've tried every size and shape I can think of, but she throws them out with a vengence)
Cooked sweet potato

Then I give her some fresh fruit, but that differs every day and it is cut fresh every morning. She really likes kiwi, but she's also gotten mango, pineapple, banana, strawberries, and I've attempted blackberries. Sometimes a piece of orange or apple, but I try not to do too much of that.

I am going to make another batch of chop either tomorrow or Friday, depending on when I get to the grocery store. She has enough in the freezer now for 3 days, so I have time. I did get some beans to put in her next batch. What else should be added to help make it more nutritionally complete?

 

[Weezerj]

I chop the peppers (bell, Jalapenos, and Serrano) very fine with food processor and then add it.....that way they eat them as they go for their favorite morsels.

 

[dazg]

I have been attempting to move Aria away from pellets to full fresh food. I want to make sure, before I completely transition her to fresh, that there is enough variety to ensure she is getting all the nutrients she needs. My last batch of chop included:

Broccoli
Cauliflower (just because I had a little left over from a recipe I made from dinner or I probably wouldn't have added both)
Frozen peas and carrots (although I may do frozen peas again, I won't do the frozen carrots because she definitely likes fresh ones better.)
Turnip Greens
Kale
Bell Peppers (even though she still won't eat them. I've tried every size and shape I can think of, but she throws them out with a vengence)
Cooked sweet potato

Then I give her some fresh fruit, but that differs every day and it is cut fresh every morning. She really likes kiwi, but she's also gotten mango, pineapple, banana, strawberries, and I've attempted blackberries. Sometimes a piece of orange or apple, but I try not to do too much of that.

I am going to make another batch of chop either tomorrow or Friday, depending on when I get to the grocery store. She has enough in the freezer now for 3 days, so I have time. I did get some beans to put in her next batch. What else should be added to help make it more nutritionally complete?

Do you cook all your veg or do it raw?

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

The only thing I really cook is the sweet potato. I try to do as much raw as possible. The carrots will be lightly steamed, but I don't count that as truly cooked.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

So I made a new batch and she seems pretty good with it so far, she is eating at least some of everything, from what I can see. I just wonder if I am missing something important in this new batch that she needs. The new batch has:

Broccoli
Carrots
Frozen peas
Yellow Squash
Radishes (both the veg and tops)
Turnip Greens
Jalapenos (next time need gloves, chopping them made my hand burn for days)
Cooked Sweet Potato
Cooked Bean Mix
Cooked Brown Rice and Quinoa Mix

Then she does get a few pellets mixed in, dye free. She also gets 2 or 3 types of fruit, depending on the day. Today was raspberries and mangoes. She really likes raspberries, but they are the only berry she will eat so far. There may be more in the chop, I was chopping stuff up for HOURS. I really should have gotten out the food processor, like so many of you do, but that would have been smart

 

[Anansi]

You've got some good stuff there, already. Good spread of Vitamin A. You've got some calcium in there as well. Proteins. Iron. Just remember to keep rotating in other nutritious foods. Variety is very important. Not just for the sake of optimal nutrition (though that is the biggest factor) but to make it less likely that she'll grow tired of the foods you are giving her.

Here are some suggestions for foods not yet in your mix:

Sprouts
Dandelions
Pomegranates
Blueberries
Endives
Papaya
Fennel

Things that can be mixed in (typically one type per meal):

Hibiscus
Star anise
Calendula flowers
Chamomile flowers
Milk thistle
Elder berries
Rose hips
Bee pollen (Occasionally)