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- EXERCISE | The Boneheads
Discover effective ways to exercise your dog with our comprehensive guide. Explore various tools designed to make dog exercise easier and more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Among all the investments I have made in my dogs, the Garmin GPS tracker is by far the most important. These trackers aren't just for hunting dogs; they're perfect for hiking, camping, or scooter runs when you prefer not to use a leash. This tracker has reunited us with our dogs countless times after they've chased a wild animal or wandered off. With a tracking range of up to nine miles, the Garmin Alpha 100 has been our go-to for over seven years. We added a second collar when Kayuh joined our family. It's truly a lifesaver! They are pricey, but ask yourself... if your dog was missing, how much would you be willing to pay to get them back? Garmin Alpha 300 Handheld Advanced Training & Tracking System for Dogs Stay Connected Xiaomi MI Electric Scooter 4 Pro 31 Miles Long Range & 18.6mph Caroma Electric Skateboard 28 MPH Max Speed 16 Miles Max Range Got a bike, scooter, or skateboard? Hop on and let your dogs run alongside you! In nice weather, I ride an electric scooter while my husband rides an electric skateboard, and we let our dogs run behind us. It wears them out quickly and is a lot of fun for us. When we're in a remote area on a dirt road, we let them run behind our 4-wheeler or Jeep. In the winter, we use a snowmobile or take them cross-country skiing. Whatever you choose, make sure it's enjoyable for both you and your pup. During your exercise sessions, stop periodically to give your dog commands like "come," "sit," and "down." Reward them with lots of praise and treats. This provides mental stimulation along with physical exercise. If you're nervous about letting your dog off-leash, especially in remote areas, I highly recommend using the tracker below. Get Moving Whether your going for a short walk in the neighborhood, or on a long hike, consider outfitting your dog with a backpack. Not only does this offer a great workout, but it also provides them with a sense of purpose. Carrying a pack can be incredibly fulfilling, especially for dogs bred for work. A dog can carry about 10% to 12% of their body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds, they can safely carry around 5 to 6 pounds in their backpack. If you're using a pack with saddlebags like the one we have for Kayuh, it's important to balance the weight evenly on both sides. We typically include a water bladder in each saddlebag, a collapsible bowl for giving our dogs a drink during the walk, and a few snacks. Kayuh is rocking the Widlerdog Dog Backpack with a built in harness and d-ring leash attachment. We love the quality and they have a lifetime warranty on their products, that we have benefited from. Add Weight A Tired Dog is a Good Dog No matter the season, our dogs need to burn off their energy. Without proper outlets, they can become destructive, chewing on things they shouldn't, digging up the yard, or bothering you and your other pets. It's crucial to provide both mental and physical exercise for our fur babies. Ideally, incorporating 10-15 minutes of training along with a walk or run is perfect. Personally, I'm not a runner, but we have high-energy dogs that need to run to release their energy. That's why I've included some tips and tools to make training and exercising our dogs easier for us.
- Contact Us | The Boneheads
Get in touch with us at The Boneheads Blog. Use our contact form or email us directly for any inquiries, feedback, or questions. We're here to help and look forward to hearing from you. How to Reach Out Have a question or a suggested topic you'd like me to cover, send me an email at info@mysite.com . I'd love to hear from you. Alternatively, you can reach us by filling out the contact form below. First name* Last name* Email* Phone Message Submit
- Toys | The Boneheads
Discover safe and durable dog toys on The Boneheads Blog. Learn about the best toys for your dog's playtime, ensuring they are both fun and safe. Instead of this... Although popular, tennis balls can be dangerous. Dogs with strong jaws can break them apart, leading to choking hazards. The felt on tennis balls can also wear down a dog's teeth. While I love these types of toys, anything with long legs, tails, or other sewn on features like eyeballs, are the first point of failure and there's a good chance your dog will swallow and possibly choke. Try to get toys without the added bling. The manufacturing process of rawhide often involves chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and other toxic substances. These chemicals can be harmful if ingested and can cause digestive irritation, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Get this... I have used the Chuckit balls since Bear was small. He has yet to break one open or destroy one. I highly recommend them for your dogs that love to play fetch. Chuckit also makes an Ultra Fetch Stick - we have that too and love it! Bear is a gentle giant and still has his very first plush moose toy, but Kayuh is a destroyer! The Joyhound and TUFFY brands both make high quality toys with multiple layers & extra stitching for added durability. Your dog will get through these, but it will take a while. Chewing on elk antlers helps scrape away plaque and tartar buildup, promoting healthier teeth and gums. Plus they are full of essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals, which support bone density, muscle function, and overall health. But be careful, they can cause tooth factures if chewed too aggressively. Dog Toys Choosing the right toys for your dog can make a world of difference in their happiness and well-being. With so many options available, it's important to know what to look for and what to avoid. I have included some good options below based on years of trial and error. For the record, NO TOY IS UNDESTRUCTABLE . If a dog can grind down bones and antlers to nothing... there are few materials that wont get destroyed over time. Remember, always be present during play time with toys and dog chews.
- Food | The Boneheads
Discover how much fresh dog food to feed your dog based on their size and weight goals. Get tips on portion sizes, transitioning from kibble, and maintaining a healthy weight. Explore budget-friendly, quick, and convenient recipes, plus effortless meal options delivered to your door. How much Do I feed my Dog? How much Do I feed my Dog? How much Do I feed my Dog? How much Do I feed my Dog? How Much Do I Feed My Dog Fresh Dog Food? Determining the right amount of fresh dog food to feed your furry children depends on their size and whether they need to gain or lose weight. Here's a handy guide to get you started: Small dogs: Approximately ¼ lb per meal Medium dogs: Around ½ lb per meal Large dogs: About 1 lb per meal For instance, I have two large dogs (140 lbs. and 82 lbs.), and I feed each of them a pound of fresh dog food once a day. For their second meal, I offer a high-quality kibble, often supplemented with some fresh meat based on what we're having for dinner. This approach not only extends the homemade dog food to last for over two weeks but also ensures my dogs receive a highly nutritious meal every day. This is just a guide, so use your best judgment for how much to feed your dog. You can always adjust later if they are losing or gaining weight unexpectedly. Additional Tips for Feeding Fresh Dog Food Consult Your Vet: Always check with your veterinarian to tailor the feeding amounts to your dog's specific needs. Monitor Weight: Regularly weigh your dog to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight. Adjust portions as needed. Observe Behavior: Pay attention to your dog's energy levels and overall health. If they seem lethargic or are gaining/losing weight too quickly, it might be time to adjust their food intake. Transition Gradually: If you're switching to fresh dog food from kibble, do so gradually to avoid digestive issues. Mix increasing amounts of fresh food with decreasing amounts of kibble over a week or two. Puppy Puppies require high protein for muscle development, DHA for brain and vision development, and balanced minerals like calcium and phosphorus for strong bones. High protein for growth DHA for brain development Balanced minerals for bone growth Nursing Mother Nursing mothers need increased calories to support milk production, high protein, essential fatty acids for milk quality, and calcium and phosphorus for bone health. Increased calories High protein Essential fatty acids Calcium and phosphorus Adult Dog Adult dogs need balanced protein for maintenance, moderate fat for energy, essential vitamins and minerals for overall health, and fiber for digestion. Balanced protein Moderate fat Essential vitamins and minerals Fiber for digestion Senior Dog Senior dogs require lower calories to prevent obesity, high fiber for digestive health, antioxidants to combat aging, and joint support nutrients like glucosamine. Lower calories High fiber Antioxidants Joint support nutrients (e.g., glucosamine) Budget-Friendly What saves us money, usually costs us in time. This recipe is identical to the Quick and Convenient one but takes more time to prepare and clean up. If you have more time and less money, this method is perfect for you! Instructions Quick and Convenient If you prefer spending a bit more to save time, this convenient recipe is for you. It’s the same as the budget-friendly version, but with easier prep and cleanup. Use tips from both to find what works best for you and your dog. Instructions Effortless Meals Nothing beats the convenience of having two weeks of prepackaged dog food delivered to your front door. but it comes at a premium price. Check out my reviews and recommendations. Options Homemade Dog Food Recipes Nutrional Needs for Life Stages Nutrional Needs for Life Stages Nutrional Needs for Life Stages Nutrional Needs for Life Stages Adjusting your dog's diet according to their life stage ensures they receive the appropriate nutrients to support their growth, maintain their health, and manage age-related changes. The recipes provided on the website are a good foundation that can be adjusted according to your pet's needs.
- Effortless Meals | The Boneheads
Explore my recommendations for effortless dog meals delivered to your door. Save time with frozen, ready-to-serve fresh dog food from top companies. Enjoy substantial discounts on your first order and find the best options for convenient, nutritious meals My Recommendations Having fresh dog food delivered straight to your door, frozen and ready for your freezer, couldn't be more convenient. While the cost might seem high, don't let that discourage you. Many companies, like the ones listed below, offer substantial discounts on your first order. Even if you only take advantage of the trial period (1-2 weeks of food) at a reduced rate, the time you save is invaluable. I personally tried the food from all three companies below, and it was definitely worth it. I didn't have to prepare dog food for a while! It's a great option when you simply do not have time to make it yourself. 1 1 1 1 The Farmers Dog The Farmers Dog was my first experience with fresh dog food and was my favorite. The delivery was packaged nicely, and the individual food packages were frozen flat and ready to stack nicely in my freezer. The food packages had the flavor and my dogs name which was a nice touch and super helpful if you have more than one dog that requires a different amount and diet. I only had Bear at the time and he loved the food! Also, their app was easy to use and the communications great. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Ollie Ollie was my second experience with fresh dog food. The food itself was great, but the packages didn't include the dogs name, but had other information to know what belong to each dog. The packages were easy to open and they send a nice food storage container and scoop for free. Their app and communications were clear and easy to use. 3 3 3 3 Nom Nom Nom Nom was third experience and the food packages were tied together with elastics which make them freeze in funny shapes and made it hard to separate and stack in my freezer. They also did not include names on the packages and it the net weight wasn't super prominent making it harder to see. Also, it wasn't visibly obvious what food belonged to each dog as one would assume that the larger packages were for Bear and the smaller for Kayuh given their weight, however it turned out to be the opposite. I had to use the included instructions to know what to feed each dog. The food itself was great - the dogs had zero complaints. It is possible that they have made improvements since I ordered last year.
- Training | The Boneheads
Explore effective dog training tips and techniques on The Boneheads Blog. Learn how to train your dog with positive reinforcement, address common behavioral issues, and enhance your bond with your furry friend. Unleash Your Dog's Potential: Essential Training Tips First and foremost, I am not a professional dog trainer. However, I have had seven dogs throughout my life, with the last four being the most stubborn of them all—Northern breeds. We've gone through beginner and advanced obedience training with several dogs, and our husky, Ruger, passed all courses to receive his AKC K9 Good Citizen certificate. The most important thing to remember is that the training is more for you than your pooch. Our actions and behaviors dictate the responses from our dogs. Many things we do may feel good to us in the moment, but could be creating poor and even even anxious behaviors in your dog. Predictable routines and consistent training can reduce anxiety in dogs. They learn to anticipate what will happen next, which can make them feel more comfortable and less stressed. Just like with humans, dogs learn new things throughout their life. So make training a part of your everyday interactions. Do's Stay Calm When Arriving Home: I can't emphasize this one enough. When you come home, try to stay calm and avoid making a big fuss over your dog. In fact, I would ignore your dog for the first five minutes. This helps prevent them from developing anxious attachment and teaches them that your comings and goings are a normal part of the day. Be Consistent : Dogs learn through repetition. Using the same commands and rewards helps your dog understand what is expected of them and helps build trust between you and your dog. For example, my dogs know that they have to sit before we will give them their food. They now do it without command. Use Positive Reinforcement : By rewarding your dog for good behavior, you reinforce that behavior, making it more likely to be repeated. This helps your dog understand what is expected of them and promotes effective learning. Do this consistently throughout the day, not just during specific training sessions. Good behavior should always be recognized and rewarded. Keep Training Sessions Short : When teaching your dog a new trick or command, aim for 5-10 minute sessions. Long sessions can lead to frustration for both you and your dog. Short, positive sessions ensure that training remains enjoyable and productive. End on a Positive Note: Finish training sessions with a success. Positive endings make training sessions enjoyable, keeping your dog motivated and eager for the next session Don'ts Don't Overexcite Your Dog : When you come home, avoid overly enthusiastic greetings. This can help prevent reinforcing anxiety and making your dog overly dependent on your presence. If you shower your dog with affection and excitement the moment you walk in, they'll start to anticipate it every time you leave, leading to hours of anxious waiting and stress. Don't Use Physical Punishment : Never hit or physically punish your dog. This can lead to a breakdown in the trust between you and your dog and make them fearful and aggressive. All of which can result in dangerous behaviors towards you or others. Don't Punish After the Fact: Dogs have a limited ability to connect past actions with current consequences. If you punish them hours after they've done something wrong, they won't understand what behavior is being corrected and it could lead to other behaviors you don't want. It is important to only correct behaviors while they are occuring. Don't Overwhelm Your Dog: Avoid trying to teach too many commands at once. When too many commands are taught at once, your dog might mix them up or respond inconsistently. This can make training less effective and more frustrating for both you and your dog. Don't Train When You're Frustrated : Training when you're frustrated can negatively impact your dog's learning. Dogs can sense your emotions, and frustration can lead to confusion, fear, and a lack of trust. It's best to take a break and resume training when you're calm and positive. Training the Beast Having successfully trained Ruger (our husky) and Moose (our first malamute), I thought training Bear would be a breeze. We had all the tools, the do's and don't, but Bear was by far the most challenging dog to train. I don't mean the commands themselves (sit, shake, down, come, etc), he learned most before he was ten weeks old. In fact, he'd do almost anything inside the walls of our home. The problem was as soon as we took him to a public setting, all was lost. What do you do when a dog is not motivated by treats in public? When he cares more about the other dogs and playing than he does you? After attending an entire course of obedience training at PetSmart with little progress, we were at a loss and turned to the professionals at Innovative K9 Academy in Utah. Our dog trainer was Sean Knudsen and he has since started his own dog training business The Dog Training Institute . I cannot say enough great things about Sean. He transformed Bear into an obedient well mannered dog that can heal off leash, come, stay, and everything else you can think of. After all, not being able to control a 140 pound dog in public spaces is not safe for me or Bear. If you are dealing with a similar situation, I recommend seeking out the professionals. The tools Sean gave us will help with future stubborn dogs like Bear. Bear at one of his first jobs - a photoshoot in Provo, UT. Several photographers came out to grab photos for their portfolio with many different props, all including dogs. Bear just happened to be the "wolf" in Red Riding Hood.
- Our Story | The Boneheads
Learn about the creator of The Boneheads Blog and her two Alaskan Malamutes. Read their bios and discover the passion behind the blog. Get to know the team that brings you valuable dog care tips and recipes. Hi, I'm Julie! I'm married to my high school sweetheart, Jeremy, and together we share our lives with two wonderful dogs, Bear and Kayuh. Our furry children are the heart of our family and inspire much of what I do. I have a deep love for the outdoors and enjoy spending my free time camping, hiking, and gardening. Whether it's a weekend adventure in the mountains or a quiet afternoon in the garden, my dogs are always by my side, making every moment special. In addition to my outdoor passions, I have a creative side that I express through baking and crafting. My main goal in life is to ensure that my dogs have the best life possible. This blog is a reflection of that mission, filled with tips, stories, and ideas to help other dog lovers provide the best care for their furry companions. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope you find inspiration and joy in the stories and advice shared here. Bear is our 8-year-old Alaskan Malamute. He's a big boy, weighing around 140 lbs. Bear is our very first dog star! You might recognize him from a few social media ads for Ryoken Instinct (protein bars for dogs on the go). His earlier debuts included a web commercial for laundry sheets, and he's been a model featured on several photographers' websites to showcase their skills. We are proud of our bonehead! Kayuh is our very first female dog, a 1.5-year-old Alaskan Malamute. She's sweet and dramatic, weighing in at 82 lbs. She adores Bear the most, then probably me, and then my husband. As the family's hunter, she catches small rodents as well as, if not better than, the local fox. Her patience and tenacity set her apart from all other dogs, making her the best hunter I know.
- Home | The Boneheads
Welcome to The Boneheads Blog. Discover homemade dog food recipes, treats, toys, and training tips. Learn about seasonal care for dogs and enjoy fun facts. Explore a gallery of Alaskan Malamute photos. WELCOME Welcome to The Boneheads! If you're like me, your dogs are more than just pets—they're family. It's as if they were born from our hearts. The one challenge with our furry children is that their lives are far too short. My mission is to ensure that my dogs, both now and in the future, live the happiest, healthiest, and longest lives possible. I'm constantly researching and trying out the best food, supplements, toys, training techniques, and more to give them the best care. If you're new here, welcome! Let's embark on this journey together to give our dogs the love and care they deserve. - Julie Livsey A Guide to Dog Care Whether you're just starting out on your journey as a dog parent or you're a seasoned pro looking to up your game, I've got the ultimate resource for you. This eBook, "My Best Friend - A Guide to Dog Care," is packed with everything you need to become the best dog parent ever. This guide covers all the essential topics to ensure your pup is happy and healthy. From choosing the best ingredients for your dog's food to understanding the importance of supplements and exploring different diets for various ages, we've got you covered. You'll also find crucial information on spotting allergies, maintaining excellent dental care, dealing with parasites, the importance of regular vet check-ups, mastering grooming techniques, vaccination essentials, and thoughtful tips for spaying and neutering. Plus, they've included some great advice for making bath time a breeze. So, whether you're new to this or looking to refine your skills, this guide is your key to becoming an unparalleled dog parent. Happy reading and happy dog parenting! Food Treats Toys Training Pawsome Facts About Dogs Dogs have unique nose prints. Just like human fingerprints, each dog's nose print is unique. The pattern of ridges and creases on a dog's nose can be used to identify them, much like fingerprints are used to identify humans. Some organizations even use nose prints as a form of identification for dogs! Photo Gallery Check out the latest pictures of the Boneheads! Go Seasonal Dog Care Tips for keeping your dog safe and happy throughout the year Spring Dog Care Monitor for allergies: Monitor for allergy symptoms such as excessive scratching, licking, or sneezing, and consult your vet if needed. Flea and tick prevention: Use preventive treatments to protect your dog from fleas and ticks, and check for ticks regularly, especially after outdoor activities. Grooming : Brush your dog regularly to manage shedding and keep their coat healthy, and give them a bath to remove any winter grime. Hydration: Provide fresh water at all times to keep your dog hydrated, especially as temperatures rise, and monitor their water intake during outdoor activities. Exercise: Gradually increase your dog's exercise if they have been less active during winter, and take advantage of the pleasant weather for walks, hikes, and playtime in the park. Paw care : Inspect your dog's paws for cuts, abrasions, or foreign objects after outdoor activities, and use paw balm to keep their pads soft and prevent cracking. Spring cleaning: Clean your dog's bedding and toys to remove any accumulated dirt and allergens, and ensure your home is free of any spring cleaning chemicals that could be harmful to your dog. Garden safety: Avoid planting toxic plants in your garden and ensure your yard is securely fenced to prevent your dog from wandering off. Parasite control: Ensure your dog is on heartworm prevention medication, as mosquitoes become more active in spring.
- Budget Friendly Food | The Boneheads
Learn how to make budget-friendly homemade dog food with step-by-step recipes. Save money by buying ingredients like sweet potatoes and carrots in bulk or growing them yourself. Discover tips for cost-effective meal prep and ensure your dog gets nutritious, homemade meals. Ingredients Yield: 17-18 lbs. of food 10 lbs. meat (beef, turkey, or chicken) 1 lb. of organ meat (we like chicken hearts and they are usually close to a pound per package) 3 lb. bag of sweet potatoes 1 lb. bag of lentils (or chickpeas) 1.5 lbs. of spinach or kale (fresh or frozen, whatever is cheaper) 1.5 lbs. fresh carrots 2 - 14.5 oz cans of green beans (no salt) or frozen (whichever is cheaper) 3 tbsp. Oil (olive or safflower) Optional: blueberries, apples, omega 3 fish oil, parsley (I usually add these to their dog food when I serve) Note: Remember that 16 ounces is a pound. Don't stress about getting exact weight, close enough will do. Step 1: Meat/Organs Cook your meat using a method that suits you best. I personally use a 10-quart pressure cooker, which can accommodate all 10 pounds of meat and cooks it in an hour. If you don't have a pressure cooker, don't worry! You can use a large stock pot or an oven roaster instead. For the organ meat, place them in a pot, cover with water, and boil until cooked. Be careful not to overcook, as preserving the nutrients in the meat is important. Additionally, dogs can eat raw meat, so slightly undercooked is perfectly fine. Step 2: Potatoes Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into 2-3" squares for quicker cooking. Put them in a large pot covered in water and bring to a boil. Boil until the potatoes are cooked through (poke with a fork - if they slide off easily they are done). Note: potatoes MUST be cooked. Step 3: Lentils Sort through your lentils on a cookie sheet to make sure there are no sticks or other foreign objects. Rince with fresh water and place in a large pot. The lentils will double in size as the cook, so make sure the pot has enough room and several inches of water covering the top. Bring to boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until soft. Drain, rinse and set aside. Step 4: Carrots You do not need to peel your carrots, but do wash them to remove any pesticides. Slice the carrots and set aside. Cooking is not necessary unless you want to. Raw carrots help clean dogs teeth. Step 5: Kale/Spinach Steam the kale or spinach. It makes it easier for your pup to digest. If frozen, cooking makes it easier to mix. Step 6: Beans Drain the cans of green beans. If frozen, you can cook until soft for easier digestion. Step 7: Mix This recipe makes a generous amount of food! I use two large pots, dividing all the ingredients equally between them (except for the organ meat). Be sure to add the oil and mix everything thoroughly. Step 8: Measure & Pack Use a kitchen scale to measure the food into the appropriate portion for your pooch. Package into Zip lock bags or Food Saver bags along with the organ meat (I divide the organ meat across all bags of food) and remove as much air as possible. Seal and place in your freezer. Budget Friendly Homemade Dog Food What makes this recipe budget friendly, isn't the ingredients, but how you buy them. Many times, buying a 3 lb. bag of sweet potatoes and peeling and cooking yourself is cheaper than to buy the same amount frozen or even canned. The same is true for carrots. If you have a green thumb, I recommend growing both. They are super easy to grow and seeds are dirt cheap! The Best Tools for the Job! Using a vacuum sealer helps with freezer burn. This is a budget friendly option with great reviews. Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine + 40 Vacuum Bags 200 Quart Size 8" x 12" Vacuum Sealer Bags with BPA Free and Heavy Duty. Don't worry about getting name brand, I have used this brand and they work perfectly. Hands down these are the best 10.5 qt. pots by Faberware. A must for cooking and mixing large amounts of food. This is trusty little scale I use. I have had it for over three years now with no problems. A pressure cooker is the easiest way to cook large amounts of meet without having to tend to it. I recommend a 10 quart or larger to do the job. I also give my dogs these multivitamins daily. They have Glucosamine chondroitin, Probiotics, and Omega Fish Oil. The best tools for the job!
- Treats | The Boneheads
Discover delicious and easy homemade dog treat recipes. Make nutritious and tasty treats for your furry friend with simple ingredients. Perfect for dog owners who love to bake and spoil their pets. Microwave Mug Pupcake Ingredients 3 tbsp peanut butter (real peanut butter preferred) 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 4 tbs wheat flour Prepare Heat peanut butter in a microwavable bowl for 30 seconds or until it starts to melt. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix well until combined. Transfer dough to a a greased mug or ramekin Heat in microwave for 90 seconds. Top with additional peanut butter and chopped up dog jerky treats Note: This pupcake recipe is from bitzniggles.com, but I changed the frosting and toppings. More Recipes Coming Soon
- Gallery | The Boneheads
Explore a stunning gallery of Alaskan Malamute photos. Discover the beauty and charm of these majestic dogs through captivating images. Perfect for dog lovers and enthusiasts
- Quick and Convenient | The Boneheads
Discover a quick and convenient dog food recipe that saves time with precut, steamable veggie bags. Invest in a pressure cooker and freezer containers for easy prep and cleanup. Perfect for those who value time over cost. Quick and Convenient After several months following the budget friendly version of this recipe, I realized that steaming all my veggies in the microwave, in precut portioned steamable bags was the way to go to save time. You'll likely pay a bit more, but time is money. Also, the up front investment in the pressures cooker and freezer container makes this version so dang easy and clean up is a breeze! Ingredients Yield: 17-18 lbs. of food 10 lbs. meat (beef, turkey, or chicken) 1 lb. of organ meat (we like chicken hearts and they are usually close to a pound per package) 6 - 10oz. bags frozen sweet potatoes 1 lb. bag of lentils (or chickpeas) 2 (10-12 oz.) bags of frozen steamable spinach or kale 2 (10-12 oz.) bags of frozen sliced carrots 2 (10-12 oz.) bags of frozen steamable cut green beans 3 tbsp. Oil (olive or safflower) Optional: blueberries, apples, omega 3 fish oil, parsley (I usually add these to their dog food when I serve) Note: This is the version I use today, and I double it. That gives me approximately 35 pounds of fresh food and lasts about 17 days for my two large dogs. Step 1: Meat/Organs Cook your meat. I prefer using a very large pressure cooker (I actually have two of them) and I put ten pounds of meat in each with about a cup of water. Sometimes I will mix half turkey and half ground beef into each pot. Set your pressure cooker for 1 hour. If you don't have one, no problem, use a large stock pot or oven roaster and cook that way. For the organ meat, place them in a pot, cover with water and boil until cooked through. Step 2: Potatoes & Veggies Cook your potatoes, kale, beans, and carrots in the microwave according to the instructions on the bag ( I do two bags at a time and cook for 7 minutes). I typically do not cook my carrots, but rather let them thaw on the counter while everything else cooks so that they aren't stuck together when I mix all ingredients together. Step 3: Lentils While your veggies are cooking, sort through your lentils on a cookie sheet to make sure there are no sticks or other foreign objects. Rince with fresh water and place in a large pot. The lentils will double in size as the cook, so make sure the pot has enough room and several inches of water covering the top. Bring to boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until soft. Drain, rinse and set aside. Step 4: Mix This is a lot of food! I use two large pots and divide all the ingredients equally, minus the organs. Add the oil (about 1-2 tbsp. per pot) and mix everything together until evenly mixed. Step 5: Measure & Pack Scooping food into bags can be a hassle. To save time and money, I recommend Snapware Total Solution 3-cup containers (available in other sizes too). The 3-cup size holds 1 pound of food perfectly. Here's a simple method: Place an empty container (without the lid) on your kitchen scale and turn it on to zero the scale. Add 2-3 chicken hearts (or other organs) Fill the container with food until you reach your desired weight. This makes portioning food easy and efficient! The Best Tools for the Job! These making measuring and storing food a breeze. I've purchased 50 of them since I make triple batches at a time. Hands down these are the best 10.5 qt. pots by Faberware. A must for cooking and mixing large amounts of food. This is trusty little scale I use. I have had it for over three years now with no problems. A pressure cooker is the easiest way to cook large amounts of meet without having to tend to it. I recommend a 10 quart or larger to do the job. The best tools for the job!
- Terms & Conditions | The Boneheads
Welcome to The Boneheads Blog. By using this Blog, you agree to the Terms and Conditions. All content is protected by copyright laws. Information is based on personal experience and not professional advice. Use at your own risk. Contact us for any questions Terms & Conditions Introduction Welcome to The Boneheads (the "Blog"). By accessing or using this Blog, you agree to comply with and be bound by these terms and conditions (the "Terms"). If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the Blog. Intellectual Property All content on this Blog, including text, images, graphics, and other materials, is the intellectual property of Julie Livsey or its content creators and is protected by copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content from this Blog without explicit permission from the owner. Personal Experience Disclaimer The information provided on this Blog is based on personal experience and is for informational purposes only. Julie Livsey is not a licensed professional, and the content should not be considered professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided on this Blog. Limitation of Liability Julie Livsey will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in the content or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any content posted on this Blog. Use of the information on this Blog is at your own risk. User Conduct All content on this Blog, including text, images, graphics, and other materials, is the intellectual property of Julie Livsey or its content creators and is protected by copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content from this Blog without explicit permission from the owner. Changes to Terms Julie Livsey reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the Blog constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. Affiliate Disclosure Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This does not affect the price you pay for the product or service. We only recommend products and services that we believe will add value to our readers. Our participation in affiliate programs helps support the maintenance and operation of this website. We appreciate your support and trust in our recommendations. Contact Information If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us using the contact form.