Cooking with Chickpeas

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Did you know some of the higher end dry kibble dog foods that are grain free have Chickpeas in their formulation as a protein source. Baked chick peas in the oven also make a great snack for a dog who is on a grain free diet. In fact one of top rated dry dog food was rated Number One in 2009, 2010, 2011 by a company called Orijens which is a Canadian made dog food. When you look at their list of ingredients you'll see why it's rated so high. Orijens Puppy Large Breed INGREDIENTS Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless turkey*, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols), fresh whole eggs*, fresh chicken liver*, fresh boneless lake whitefish* fresh boneless walleye*, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, fresh boneless herring*, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium.

DELIVERED FRESH, preservative-free and never frozen. No dry dog food on earth can match the quality, quantity and freshness of ORIJEN’s fresh regional poultry, fish and meat ingredients. As I mentioned before our dog's eat a combination of dry kibble dog food either Orijen's Large Puppy or another premium dog food called "GO Fit".

GO Fit Large Puppy Breed Ingredients Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, de-boned trout, potatoes, peas, tapioca, lentil beans, chickpeas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural chicken flavour, whole dried egg, apples, duck meal, herring meal, salmon oil, alfalfa, de-boned duck, de-boned salmon, sweet potatoes, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, potassium chloride, pumpkin, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, broccoli, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, blackberries, squash, papayas, pomegranate, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, inositol, niacin, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, beta-carotene, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate , iron proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, calcium iodate, manganous oxide, selenium yeast), sodium chloride, taurine, yucca schidigera extract, dried rosemary, green tea extract, peppermint, parsley, rosehips, zedoary, dandelion, chamomile, ginger, fennel, tumeric, juniper berries, licorice, marigold extract, cardamom, cloves.

When I cook for my dog's many of the same fresh ingredients I use are often the main ingredients in the top rated premium dog foods. Our dog's typically eat kibble 4 out 7 days a week, as we alternate their meals between Kibble one day, and Home Made Meals the opposite day. We never feed them kibble and home made on the same day. I always slightly under cook all their meat's, many people have their dog's on a full raw diet. Which I think is one of the healthier diets for dog's. But I enjoy cooking, and I like to eat my meal's warm, so why shouldn't my dogs get to eat a nice warm meal too. We use to feed our dog's a full raw diet, but we switched our dog's from a full raw diet, to home made cooked meals. It is important to note that over cooking meat destroys the digestive enzymes in food. Here is a great recipe for dog's made with Chick peas 2 Cups of Lundberg White or Brown Basmati Organic Gluten Free Rice ( cook per packaging instructions) 2 Cups of Regular Ground Beef ( lightly browned on outside, pink on inside) 1 Cup of Frozen or Fresh peas ( puree) 1 Large Banana ( puree) 4 Organic Hard Boiled Eggs Mashed up(20 Mins Max Do not over cook) 2 Cans of Low Sodium White Tuna ( In Water NOT oil) 1 Cup of Organic Cooked Chick Peas ( mash up) 2 Table spoons of Organic Smooth Peanut Butter (All natural Unsalted no sugar Added) Lightly cook the ground beef. Cook Rice as per packaging. Puree Peas and Banana. Mash up the cooked eggs. Mash up the chickpeas. Mix together the peas, banana, eggs, peanut butter, tuna, chickpeas, and add rice and hamburger to mixture and serve! A little about Tuna. Now I don't give my dog's fish foods very often just because I am always concerned about mercury in most fish products.But every now and then I give our dog's a little bit of tuna in their meal's

Keep in mind some dog's may get a bit gassy from Tuna, especially if you have your dog on a full dry kibble diet. Never feed your dog any canned fish that is in oil, always buy the low sodium "in water" tuna or salmon the water packed is better than oil-packed, since the oil is not a 'natural' oil. NEVER FEED your dog RAW SALMON. Salmon is a fatty fish which is also a good source of omega- 3 fatty acids for humans and Dogs. These fats support the immune system and can be beneficial for skin and coat health. There has also been some indication that they may benefit dogs with allergies. You can feed salmon or salmon oil. If feeding salmon, make sure it’s cooked before serving, as raw salmon can carry a parasite that can make your dog sick. I do supplement my dog's diet by giving them an Omega 3 Fish oil pill every day. .

Believe it or not, over the last decade there have been a number of different studies that have all shown that your dog will benefit from taking fish oil supplements. A study by veterinarians at the University of Pavia (Italy) did a study with German Shepards. They discovered that even within the same species, dogs with lower Omega 3 DHA in their system are much more aggressive. This is because it is essential for proper brain cell membrane function. Essentially, a lower level of Omega 3 in your dog can impact it’s behavior and make it more aggressive. Reduces Joint Inflammation studies have been released that prove your dog will benefit from taking fish oil on a daily basis. They note that it can improve your dogs ability to move and play after only 6 weeks of taking fish oil supplements, the best fish oil supplements can help dogs with arthritis as well. EPA and DHA (the two compounds related to Omega 3 fatty acids) have shown to not only make your pets skin healthier, but it can also reduce hair loss and help with dry, itchy skin. It can also help prevent flaking which is common with some breeds. Now I've talked a lot about healthy recipe's and human foods that are excellent for our dog's. But there are very dangerous foods that we keep in our pantry, or in our fridge, that could potentially harm our dog's or even more serious cause death.

Here is a list of Human Food's that Are Dangerous to Dogs and should NEVER been fed to a dog. Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine - These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Macadamia Nuts- Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Avocado -The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal. Grapes & Raisins -Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough- Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days. Onions, Garlic, Chives -

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods. Milk Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!