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cynthia lair - feeding the young athlete

8/28/12
Dear Cynthia and The Cookus Gang:
Just made the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad again, first time this summer-- it continues to utterly amaze and delight! My mom loved it! My four yr old and 18 month old loved it! Happy and healthy dinner was had by all. Thank you so much!
Jen

8/27/12
Hi, I wanted to let you know that I just did the Danskin Triathlon (my first such event), and I took Lime Boost in my water bottles. It was great.
Jami

7/29/12
I printed this a year ago, but finally got around to trying it (Gays Mini Pot Roast). I was afraid of all the steps and thought my 8 quart le Creuset pan would be too big. I took the plunge and boy am I ever glad I did!! This was amazing!!! I used dried herbs since that's what I had and it still turned out amazing. I used fingerling potatoes cut up and I used a few extra parsnips. It was soooo good!! I think you are the best Cynthia!!!! You give me SUCH confidence in the kitchen. I am almost 40 and finally gaining some self esteem in the kitchen - THANKS TO YOU!!!
Rebekah

7/23/12
This is simply delicious. (Bourbon BBQ Shrimp) Words overheard at dinner tonight from my hubby and two kids in regard to this dish: stellar, amazing, the best shrimp, and soooo good. Thanks for another winner recipe! (Oh, and I served this cornbread; it was a great match.)
Hillary

6/14/12
Cookus Interruptus - you guys are a hilarious team! You really pulled out all the stops to give Ms. Selengut a warm welcome. I love what you guys do x
Tui

6/13/12
That was killer. (Hoppin' John) Made with andouille sausage, cheesy corn grits and braised bok choy and kale from the garden. Everyone loved it, and my 3 year old cleaned her plate, much to my delight! Did wish I had a nice blob of sour cream, though...
Stephanie

3/8/12
Chinese Vegetable Fried Brown Rice:
WOW - I want that for breakfast, too! (I am talking about the stir fry people!)One of the funniest interruptions yet! Have to share this one with my mom...
Heather

1/5/12
Firstly, this looks delicious and amazing and I can't wait to try it. (Chicken and Kabocha with Chocolate Enchilada Sauce). Secondly, Matt completely cracks me up in this. Cynthia makes a great foil to his craziness. Well-done!
Kymberlee

12/11/11
My 2 year old daughter and I watched this video before making our own. We went into the kitchen, popped the Mochica into the oven, and next thing I know she is stretching on the ground with her feet in the air. Then, biting into the finished product she says, 'come here little sizzler!'. I was in fits laughing. Thanks for great recipes and great fun.
Stephanie

11/29/11
So, I've said it before and I'll say it again...my 5-year old daughter LOVES this soup. Tonight she had 2 bowls full with olive tapenade on top. And when I was packing up the little bit that was leftover, she asked that I save it for her to eat tomorrow, The recipes says this serves 6-8, but in our family it barely feeds 4. We can't get enough of it.
Anna

10/25/11
you guys are silly but it helped me to keep watching.
Rob

1/25/12
I find that everything here "speaks" to my instincts. Everything I see here just feels intuitive to me. Maybe it's because we're in the same camp, or maybe also because the "loose pattern" of philosophies you've woven together here fits so well for so many of us. Thank you!
Jennifer

9/18/11
As a newbie to whole foods and anything that isn't meat and potatoes...your recipes and fun way that you give lessons really are making the transition to healthy eating easy. Thank you so much!
Raquel

7/17/11

you guys are BRILLIANT with your videos. The entertainment value opens up the floodgates of people who want to watch and (inadvertently) learn from you about the wonders of whole foods. I use them in our kids' cooking classes all the time. Lots of laughs and learning! "Who doesn't like applesauce? I'll tell you who, freaks and crazy people!" We love Jane!"

Marirose

5/19/11

My 2 year old LOVES this soup (Yaki Soba). She scoops the broth with her little spoon and picks up every last bit of tofu, bok choy, and mushroom with unbridled enthusiasm. I love your recipes and best of all my family does too! Thank you!

Heidi Denis

5/5/11
Keep up the great show! LOL...my kids watched 5 episodes today... my oldest loves Jane and keeps watching to see if she's going to get together with what's-his-name and my boys couldn't stop laughing at Darrell and they all want to know why they can't see Captin J.
Tomena Reed

3/19/11
I made this soup tonight and it was, by far, the best homemade soup we have ever had. 3 generations ate together, even my 5 and 2 year olds! Thank you from the bottom of our empty soup bowls!
Taylor Hope

I've been consistently cooking your meals for over a month, now, and I love all the recipes I've made. Even my husband loves them, which is amazing because, in the past, he's usually complained when I made 'healthy meals', calling them 'a snack'. Thanks for making it so enjoyable to eat healthy!
Erin Fields-Johnson

2/11/11
This is my 3rd recipe this week since Saturday night-it's only Monday! I'm hooked on your site. such great food and love the videos. Thanks to all!!!
Josie

1/13/11
Wow, what an amazing site. I made your fish tacos for dinner last night and my 13 yo commented on how good they were. In fact she said, Mom everything you've made from Cookus Interruptus has been good! Yes, delicious and easy!! Thank you so much
Ruby Cacchione

12/29/10
while watching this video (Be Bop Breakfast) my 7yr old daughter was totally perplexed that you would eat cooked greens for breakfast. (we do green smoothies, but my kids are pretty skeptical about other usage of greens) But after watching it through she asked if we could try it tomorrow! I think we are going to watch a few more videos!
Annie Moore

12/15/10
Pacific NW Magazine loves Cookus! Read the story by superfabulous Greg Atkinson.

10/29/10
Rosemary Red Soup: I make this soup for my birthday every year. It was the soup that got me to reconsider beets after hating them since birth. Now I love them, as long as they're fresh!
Anne

10/14/10
For my birthday last week, my friend helped me make the apple pie with butter crust. We couldn't stop congratulating our pie while we were eating it. It was delicious...and we had no hesitation about serving our daughter nice hefty slices. Thank you, Cynthia Lair. Your recipes make my life better every day.
Anna

10/8/10
I've been cooking from your website for the last few weeks, and every single recipe I've tried has turned out Incredible. Thank you so much for doing something like this! The videos make it very simple for a visual learner. I look forward to any new recipes you post :)
Susan

9/21/10
I just have to say, once again, how much I love your website. I've been a huge fan of the cookbook for years and the website makes it fresh. True story: my kids (5 and 2) and I will sit and watch your videos. My son, the 5 year old, loves them!
Hillary Mizia

9/10/10
Where have I been? I just now came across your site. I have never enjoyed looking at recipes as much as yours and had such a laugh plus great info. and learned something. You are ALL a kick. Thank you for being here, keep up the great work and info. There is nothing out here like you, what a joy. Must say, I watch you everyday. Thanks
val greene

"My 4-year-old son referred to it as 'the phenomenal noodle salad' and kept offering additional helpings to everyone at the table! I will definitely be making this again. :-)"
-Lindsey Parks
(see Asian Noodle Salad)

"Cooking for my family had become a chore. I was basically in a rut until I came across your site via the OCA. I have actually began enjoying cooking again. My kids are now even trying simple recipes on their own. I feel such a sense of satisfaction knowing I am preparing food that's nourishing and delicious. I have learned so much. Thank you, thank you :)"
-Kaylla

"I must tell you what an inspiration your blog and videos have been to me....and my kids. We love watching you and learning great tips."
-Laurene

Townsend Letter raves about Cynthia's book and Cookus Interruptus in October 09 issue!

Danny Jensen at Take Part loves Cookus Interruptus. Read about it!

"This has to be the best cooking show EVER!!! Besides being so funny, they make this type of cooking seem so approachable. Kudos on doing a great job!!!!"
-Cheryl

"I have been cooking more. I made some really good fried tofu, delicious soba noodles, Bok Choy (from the collard greens vid), Blanched red cabbage, fried rice, some thing else I can't remember, and almost every day for breakfast I eat either quinoa or steel cut oats. Not only that my knowledge on food has increased 10 fold. All thanks to you. xo"
-Joel

"Can I just say that your videos make me laugh my butt off? Is that ok? Did I mention I am totally by myself when I do this? Loooove you guys!"
sunbronzedbabe

"Besides providing amazing how-to recipes on whole, organic foods, you weave a gentle little funny-family story-line throughout that always leaves me wanting more. I forward your site to friends with the spoiler, "pssst, bet you can't watch just one!" There's just nothing like your program anywhere!"
Lynne Lillie

"What a really well conceived, and nicely organized website. Being gut-bustingly funny is an added bonus. Nice job, Fam."
Steven Lee

"I've been cooking uninterrupted for the past 3 days and I'm loving it. I watch the videos with my toddler then we cook our family meal together. It's lovely:) Thank you guys for a great book &website."
Yasmine

"Clean, easy to use, and informative, the videos get to the point, and on the plate, in 4 to 8 minutes..." Read the whole glowing blog post!
Maggie Dutton, Seattle Weekly

"Your steel cut oats recipe did change my life!"
Julie

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Printable version

Homemade Dog Food

The Balance:
40-60% raw meat/protein
20-30% cooked starch
20-30% raw vegetables/fruit

40-60% Raw or Cooked Meat/Protein Options:
Raw lean beef, lamb, chicken and turkey are good options. It is convenient to buy the meat pre-ground. If the meat is on the bone that is fine as long as the bone is raw. If you choose to feed raw protein, get ingredients from a source you trust. Variety is important. Don�t use the same meats or other foods every week.

Other suitable protein options include: eggs (raw or cooked), organ meats, sardines, cottage cheese, plain whole milk yogurt. Dairy products should be used more as a supplement, less as a main ingredient.

If your dog is a senior, ill or has digestive problems or if you are concerned about the risk of food borne illness from raw protein, you may want to use only cooked protein sources. Stewing or poaching meat is best. Carol White, MS, RD has a good recipe for cooked dog food here.

20-30% Cooked Starch Options:
Freshly cooked whole brown rice, quinoa, millet, barley and buckwheat are good sources of carbohydrates. Cooked potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes and squash are also suitable starches. Use flour products very sparingly, if at all. Do not give dogs raw potatoes or uncooked grains.

20-30% Raw Vegetables/Fruit Options:
Dark green vegetables add lots of nutrients: kale, chard, parsley, cilantro, mint work well. Other vegetables to use include carrots, zucchini, peas, corn. Bananas, apples, mangos, pears and berries are also fine. Placing the vegetables and fruit you use in a food processor and giving them a few pulses makes a very digestible texture. Grating or finely chopping also works.

For information on how much to feed, transitioning your dog onto a natural foods diet, foods to avoid, recipe for cooked food and references used for the video and article, download the Homemade Dog Food pdf here.

Thank you to Laine S. Lum, Carol White, Marion Nestle, Dr. Adawna Windom and others for your input.

CLICK HERE

17 Comments:

nina bean
Great information, thank you. About 4 yrs ago we switched our dog to an organic dog food with a higher protein content. we saw a change right away. His energy level went way up. He also suffers from arthritis & his was a lot less stiff.I wonder if making homeade woukd make even more of an improvement.
September 29, 2010, 1:55 pm

Matt Flath
Now this is a great article! Can't wait to get started on putting this together. My lab is 14, and anything I can do to make him happier than what he already is, works for me. Does this mean I should totally cut him off of his hot pizza and cold beer diet he's been on 19996?
September 29, 2010, 2:37 pm

Lisa
Why are you recommending so much grain and vegetable matter? We have been rawfeeding our dogs for about 8 years and they get no starch and very minimal veggies. They do, however, get organ meats--an essential component of a healthy whole foods diet for carnivores. Check out http://rawlearning.com/
September 29, 2010, 3:28 pm

Leigh
I'm inspired to try this again!! We did it a number of years ago and it felt overwhelming; now you've made it seem easy and do-able!! Thanks! Leigh homeschooling mom to five lovelies, three dogs, two cats and one bird!
September 29, 2010, 6:57 pm

Joan Davidson
I have two young Havanese, 11 lbs. and if given the choice will eat anything put in front of them How much homemade dog food shall I give them?
September 30, 2010, 11:08 am

Cynthia Lair
Joan, Download the pdf. It gives recommended feeding amounts.
September 30, 2010, 12:56 pm

Juliana Caton
Our dog Jake isn't a big foodie and usually doesn't eat right away, especially in the morning. How long can this stay out? They already eat darwin raw food in the evening, but Jake doesn't like to eat at night, usually our other dog eats a bit of both bowls.
October 3, 2010, 8:02 pm

Cynthia Lair
Juliana, You would not want to leave raw meat out all day. Most dog experts agree that food should be served and when the bowl is clean, taken away rather than leaving food out constantly. This allows dogs to work up an appetite.
October 4, 2010, 11:40 am

David Gobeli
Great idea! I just want to mention that some foods are bad for dogs, such as onions. Research, then feed away!
October 4, 2010, 5:10 pm

Cynthia Lair
Hi David, there is a complete list of foods that you should avoid giving your dog in the easy downloadable pdf (link on the recipe).
October 4, 2010, 5:28 pm

pouya namdarian
How about parasites? My family and my only concern about raw food diet is parasites which might be in meat! Is it going to be big deal or the dogs can get rid of them without letting them free in our yard, you know what I mean.
October 21, 2010, 10:53 am

Cynthia Lair
pouya, I buy very high quality meat from trusted sources such as rancher's at the farmer's market. Please read the pdf (link on the recipe) which addresses this question.
October 21, 2010, 3:18 pm

pouya namdarian
Can I give her raw chicken bone?
October 26, 2010, 7:42 pm

Paula
I have been joking around with my husband about this lately. Hmmmm... now it seems like it could actually be doable. Our dog loves any people food so much more than his kibble anyway. And I heard recently that dog food has one of the highest markups of any grocery item.
October 31, 2010, 5:53 am

Cynthia Lair
RAW chicken bones are ok Pouya.
November 1, 2010, 3:33 pm

Jessica Roberts
Hello! I have enjoyed all of your posts, included this - with your ADORABLE dog. However as a vegetarian I am upset that now humans are feeding their animals meat too! I understand they are carnivores but there are nutritional veggie diets for dogs too! Just wanted to put that out there. Thanks, Jessica
March 3, 2011, 3:46 pm

Brenda Meador
In regaurd to the comment on meat parasites was a concern of mine aswell, I have been doing some research on my own and what I found is that if you are worried about this you can freeze your meat for 24 hrs.
March 18, 2013, 2:42 pm