@riverlover like potatoes or sweet potatoes that have a higher glycemic index than whole grains. Too high a protein leans to kidney issues. Purina would like it if I bought a separate bag of feed for each type of animal I have, plus supplements.

Yeah for hydroponics, fresh vegetables without risking getting your cast wet.

Unlike my previous dog, not a carrot fan at all. I am choosing grain-free dog foods, last dog became diabetic. Got suckered in to buying a Purina formula and realized Purina and Nestle are now conjoined. Never again.

My dog is interested in anything I eat. Of course. She will eat hydroponic lettuce now, grown at home. I will start mustard greens soon, a new taste challenge for her.

@Mark from Queens @Mark from Queens to use more hunter gather skills. I got better at those when I lived in Portland a couple years. I miss the variety of family owned small shops. I hardly every shopped at the major grocery store. I knew which sausage shop carried the best cured meats and sausages I could use for seasonings. Where to find the best price and quality for local produce, favorite brand of coffee beans, source of bulk spices and where to by the ethnic takeout to stretch into a couple of meals. I have only really explored New York City around Central Park and the Theater district. Until I visited NYC didn't understand why we keep trying to copy deli food around the country.

The smarter the dog, the more humor they show. Not above teaching us a few lessons. You were lucky to have experienced such a canine companion.

Did everything with me. Was so smart, friendly and mischievous. Could negotiate city streets and the hustle and bustle of people and cars by himself. Walked with me without a leash. Though strong-willed and independent, he'd follow me up a slide at the park, or catapult himself over a six foot fence if I called him, or run alongside my Harley down the block of my parents' home. So many stories...Still dream about him.

Thanks for the stories and tips of resourcefulness. Wish I had more of a penchant for that type of life, of living off the land. Brought up in the suburbs but have spent most of my adult life in the city. Don't think I'm cut out for it - but one never knows!

Up extra early today (for the past couple of hours) because the baby's been waking earlier - so thought I'd check in while I can. This mid-life parenting takes it out of you...

@Lookout @Lookout This area gets about 10-12 inches of moisture a year. You have had some serious rain this week. My rhubarb is starting to show.

The easiest crop to grow is pasture grasses. It either needs to be harvested as hay or eaten by grazers. I am terrible at running and maintaining machinery. Use the traditional English estate method to clip my lawn grass - sheep. I only breed for self consumption, just do not like having animals I bred going to a commercial stockyard or slaughterhouse.

It is interesting to watch the different species of grazers enter a pasture and scout out their favorite weeds, grasses and shrubs. Have a neighbor's pasture I rent every year or tow for winter feed. The cattle who have been in the field previously will race across it for the raspberries leaves and shoots that have crossed the fence line.

The less choice of feed they are provided the more complex it becomes for us to provide their nutritional needs. It amazing how simple or complex the issue of feeding, depending on our management practices.

Thanks for the recipes, SoE.

One of the most challenging classes I took in school was feeds and feeding. Lots of math (simultaneous equations) needed to balance all the carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals (as well as minimizing the cost of ingredients). I did learn a lot about nutrition in those classes (one of the B vitamins was discovered by one of my profs).

We don't raise many animals. All the years of travel with the band precluded much in the way of animal husbandry. We do eat meat, but not everyday. Fortunately we have some organic producers in the area. Pasture raised pigs, yard eggs, grass fed non hormone cows, and goats are available.

We almost have lettuce ready to harvest, and potatoes and onions are up and growing. We still lack a week for our frost free date. We've had over 2.5 inches of rain this week.

Here's hoping all your plants are doing well and your weather is fine!

@mhagle If determining allergies I use white rice an as a base. Then rotate different ingredients to try and determine their sensitivity. Also look at their environment to to see if something they are walking on or rubbing could be contributing.

Most nutritional deficiencies take time to develop. One to two months on a restricted diet generally does not cause a problem in an adult animal.

When I started the dog food I was purchasing 40 lbs of kibble for $26.00 and have kept my homemade dog food about the same. I spend no $$ on vet visits or prescriptions for arthritic pain for the older dogs. The cat food is more expensive, but I have no longer have vet bills due to teeth problems or diabetes, so for me it was a cost savings.

Most days I fill a large oval crock pot in the morning, turn off in the afternoon, feed in the evening and then into the dishwasher. Repeat next day. I save the muffins for occasional feedings. Cook 24 at a time, since I already had two 12 count muffin tins. If I did not have them I would use cake pans.

Wow. Time and commitment involved, but it sounds like a good idea. We have 6 dogs and 5 cats. One of the little dogs is a chiweenie and she has serious skin issues. We bathe her a lot, and occasionally take her to the vet for allergy shots. Maybe a better diet would solve it?

All of our meat based kitchen scraps go to the dogs, and vegetable scraps go to our chickens. Most of our dogs like meat and veggies though. Sounds like we need to give it serious consideration.