By: Debbie Nix

For those of you that remember Sanctuary on the River event center and spa on Eagle Drive, you probably remember my yellow lab, shepherd mix, Rocco. My pup came to work with me every day and considered himself part of the health and wellness staff. He is still with me at seventeen years old and is still getting around pretty good for a large breed dog. Hip dysplasia is common in large dogs, so his diet has always been important to me. I’m going to share a variation of a recipe my mom always cooked for her dogs who also lived long, healthy and active lives. I firmly believe that real food is important for our k-9 friends if time and budget allow. As a working dog mom, I didn’t always have the option of cooking homemade dog food but now that I understand how beneficial it is, and having more time, it’s a great option for longevity.

The recipe sounds a bit overwhelming, but I have figured out some shortcuts. This recipe is a bulk recipe and can certainly be cut down to fit your time and freezer space. This is a pretty close match to some of the fresh pet food that can be ordered online and much more budget conscious.

This recipe is prepared in stages then all mixed together. You will need the following:

Food processor, blender, 2 banquet size foil pans, large rubber gloves, 7-8 cup freezer containers. Wide foil if you want to line your aluminum pans for easy clean up and reuse.

Cook 8 cups of brown or white rice. Set aside.

5 lbs. ground turkey

3 lbs. bag carrots, sliced

2 lbs. fresh broccoli

5 lbs. sweet potatoes cut into chunks

1 dz. eggs (blend WITH shells in a blender)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a food processor, pulse sliced carrots into small bits, do the same with the sweet potatoes. Gently pulse the broccoli into a rough chop.

Mix egg INCLUDING shells in the blender (shells are good calcium).

In one large foil pan mix all ingredients with gloved hands. Shape like a giant meatloaf so juices can run to the edges. Bake 375 degrees for one hour.

6-12 oz. cans of chicken (Sam’s or Costco)

2 lg. bag frozen peas

Open 6-12 oz. cans of chicken. Put into foil pan and break apart with gloved hands.

Add cooked rice. Mix with gloved hands.

Add cooled meatloaf mixture, breaking it apart.

Add frozen peas and fold gently so they won’t get mushy.

Place mixture into 8 cup plastic freezer containers. This should make about 7 containers.

With approximately 70 cups of food. Depending on the size of your dog, 1/2 to 1 cup morning and evening. Cats love this too.

I also add 1/2 tsp of MSM to Rocco’s food and he acts like a youngster. Maybe I should try it!

Debbie Nix is an El Rito Contributor and Lifecoach. She can be reached at: lifecoach@zianet.com