for those interested...

TilliesMom · 11-14-2012, 04:09 PM

I took a few pics today as I had to do Tillie's veggie puree today!

When I first started home cooking (balanced through Sabine ~ dog nutritionist) the veggie part was THE most confusing part for me. It would easily take me 3 hrs to do her veggies. And I choose to make enough for 6 weeks because honestly, THIS is the part I dislike the most as I have to set aside real time (not just 10 min.) and do quite a bit. But since I only have to do it every 5-6 weeks AND I have it down to about an hour of work time, I don't dread it TOO much.

Here are a couple pics of my process...

TilliesMom · 11-14-2012, 04:12 PM

a few more... sorry these are out of order!!

TilliesMom · 11-14-2012, 04:12 PM

doesn't that loooook yummy?? lol

Tuss · 11-14-2012, 04:31 PM

Very cool! I love Tillie looking up from under the table in that photo! Have you ever calculated how much it costs to make your own food? I would guess it would end up cheaper overall (though even if it isn't they are worth the cost). I woudl love to do this but am limited by time and convenience (cna't beat kibble when you travel a lot)

davetgabby · 11-14-2012, 04:44 PM

Good stuff Tammy , I just convinced Jemma to go with Sabine, she will be homecooking too. Piece of cake. I'm just waiting to retire and I'll get my apron on.

sandypaws · 11-14-2012, 04:46 PM

Wow, that's quite a process, Tammy. As I said before, you're such a great Mom to Tillie. Looks like she's waiting patiently for a taste.

TilliesMom · 11-14-2012, 05:44 PM

lol, Dave, look forward to the day when you join us crazies...

Mary, thank you so much, like I said I just try to take care of her and love her. everything I do for her comes from me wanting the best for her.

It really isn't much work once you get used to it. even if I HAD to work full time I would still be able to find the time to make her food...

As far as the cost, I did calculate the cost before I even started and knew that long term is was the cheaper way to go. Up front it was a little pricey (but not outrageous) because I had to invest in the vitamins/minerals and supplements. BUT they have lasted me nearly a year and a 1/2 and I have only had to reorder 2 products, they are lasting that long. It REALLLLLLLY helps and is nice that she IS so small ... lol I don't know that I could have kept up with all this if Tillie ate a lot.

So, for cost, every six weeks I do her veggies which totals about $12 (I buy bags of organic from Trader Joe's.). Then once a week I make her actual "food" and I need hamburger, so that's another $3.49 ... THEN about every 2 weeks I have to make up her sweet potatoes which is another $2 ... so total for 6 weeks worth of food (without calculating supplements...) is about $45 ... or $7.50 a week.

Now that I add it all up, it is probably about equal to buying a high quality, allergen free kibble ... lol oh well!

RitaandRiley · 11-14-2012, 06:17 PM

I hope you don't mind me asking some questions. Do you use only fresh vegetables,as in, not frozen? Does Sabine specify which brands of supplements to buy? I don't like that some are made in China. Can you use different meats (chicken, lamb, etc)? Does the meat have to be ground or can you cut up, say, a round steak into small pieces? Is there an option for giving raw meaty bones? I would feed the meat raw. Wow, more questions than I thought. Sorry!

atsilvers27 · 11-14-2012, 06:21 PM

Wow, I really admire you for making her food from scratch. Hamburg and veggies? I think Hanna would like some of that. Although she's much pickier than my mom's old chihuahua. That fat little chi would eat ANYTHING.

whimsy · 11-14-2012, 06:28 PM

wow!! what a nice Mom you are! That is extra work no matter how you look at it.