CAGE'N BIRD

THOUGHTS ON WEANING AND DIET

By

Wanda Barras

Most aviculturists are concerned about the ability of their bird’s diets to supply needed nutrients for growth, health and reproduction. Obviously, seeds alone or even manufactured diets such as pellets do not constitute a well-rounded menu for hookbills or any cage bird. Providing a well-known manufactured diet as a primary food choice certainly makes sense and many veterinarians and avian experts do recommend pelleted diets. However, feeding any one food as a total diet no matter how nutritionally sound it is or claims to be, can prove monotonous and unhealthy.

 There Is No Such Thing As A Total Diet

Manufacturers are now beginning to realize that birds deserve a healthy and fun diet. Many companies are coming up with creative new snacks and treats for birds. A nutritious manufactured diet combined with natural vitamin/mineral rich foods can be an effective way of making sure your bird receives the nutrition that his body needs for health and well being. But, it is important to remember that there is no such thing as a ‘total diet’. There is no one food, with its uniform size, shape, texture or color, which satisfies both the nutritional and psychological needs of our birds.

In order to live a long, healthy life, cage birds require a nutritionally complete diet. That diet should includes the proper balance of protein, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fiber, fat and carbohydrates. High-quality protein, vitamin A, vitamin K and calcium are seriously deficient in total seed diets. For most species of parrots seed should be fed sparingly, only a few times a week, as a treat or for interest, a small portion mixed in with their pellets. The trick is to get our birds interested and eating nutritious foods.

 Parrots Can Be Picky

It is a known fact that parrots can be picky eaters. They often demand seeds and refuse everything else. In order for birds to develop a taste for manufactured diets and other healthy foods it is essential that hookbills and parrot-types be introduced to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, pellets, and supplements, etc., as soon as possible. The best time to acquaint parrots to healthy food choices is at the weaning stage. This is a critical time, a period of transition, a time when a chick is becoming more independent and will explore his environment and sample all foods made available to him.

Body Changes

The short period prior to and during weaning is the time chicks are becoming juveniles. They are becoming more assertive and independent. This is the beginning of the slimming down process in readiness for flight. The crop shrinks and begins to tighten in preparation for a more mature and varied diet. A diversity of weaning foods, fruit and vegetables, pellets, millets a good fortified seed mix and water should be available at all times.

Of course most adult birds will not readily accept dietary changes and try new foods as readily as young birds. But over a period of time, by gradually making consistent little changes they will begin to accept them as part of their routine. It is essential that we provide our birds with a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures in their food. Foods good for us are good for our birds. Those high in vitamin A, vegetables and fruits are essential to a caged birds diet.

Recommended edibles include the orange, yellow and green foods such as sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, collard, turnip and mustard greens, kale, winter squash, broccoli, peppers, apricots, peaches, nectarines, papaya, mango and cantaloupe. Toasted whole grain cereals and breads, brown rice, enriched pasta, nuts, hard-cooked egg, yogurt and even tofu. Also fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, grapes and berries including small amounts of reduced-salt cheeses, fresh well-cooked chicken or turkey, beans, beets, corn and natural sugar free breakfast cereals are all foods that can be a part of a well rounded diet for your birds.

Weaning should be a gradual and well thought out process. Introducing a varied selection of healthy, nutritious foods in small amounts, just when babies begin to feather can encourage early weaning. Young birds will pick at any food as soon as they have eye/beak coordination. Chicks will play with their food thereby becoming familiar with it long before they actually begin to eat it. This is a normal, healthy and important part of the weaning process.

 Variety Stimulates Interest

A combination of colors, shapes, textures and flavors all serve to stimulate interest and encourage independence and ultimately weaning. Birds taste is highly individual and of course completely unpredictable. The larger variety of healthy foods made available during weaning, the more likely a bird will be a healthy eater as an adult. Convenient and nutritious weaning products are numerous and readily available---though somewhat expensive. Just because the snack or treat is pretty and your bird likes it, doesn’t mean it is good for him. It is important to read labels, research the quality and food value of new products. Not all are worthwhile but some are excellent sources of nutrition and psychologically satisfying. The same goes for pelleted diets. There is a vast difference in the nutritional quality of many of the manufactured diets on the market today, but most are superior to a total seed diet and should be included as part of your feeding regimen.

 
Weaning Foods Are Found In The Pet Store & Grocery Store

Kaytee, Lafeaber, Pretty Bird, Sun Seed and others offer interesting and nutritious weaning foods, pellets, treat items and bean diets. Most birds appreciate pretty Birds’ Birdie Banquet and weaning pellets. Crazy Corn has a full line of cook and serve diets which make great weaning food. Dry cereals (those without excess sugar) such as Cheerios, Checks, Rice Krispies, and other puffed grains make nice additions to any weaning program. Don’t forget whole wheat bread and rice cakes. Monkey Biscuits can be soaked in warm fruit juice or offered dry.

Sprouts By Far The Best

By far one of the best, least expensive, healthiest and most appreciated weaning foods are sprouted seeds and beans. Germinated seeds are chock-full of vitamins and other nutritional elements. Seed and bean sprouts are rich in vitamins A and E, which are essential parts of the diet of birds. Vitamin A is absent in most seed diets. This vitamin is most commonly obtained in vegetables, some fruit, and of course, bean and seed sprouts. There is a marked increase in the vitamin content of all sprouted seeds. Sprouted seed is a healthy and tasty treat for your birds. In fact, when sprouts are offered, other foods will be ignored while birds devote themselves to the sprouts. They are just that good and nutritious to boot. Germinated seed can easily be mixed with soft foods or fed separately. Most birds are keen on sprouts especially during the rearing of young. Of course, sprouts are an excellent weaning food.

Most seeds and beans are easy to germinate. Some suggestions are whole oats, maize corn, winter peas, mung beans, rape, sunflower, safflower, wheat, white milo, red milo, canary and several millets. My favorite is lentils. Stay away from the large beans for sprouts as they ferment easily and can prove toxic if not cooked before eating. Don’t sprout soybeans, lima beans or kidney beans. They have an enzyme that needs to be inactivated by heat.

During the soaking period (prior to germination) the starch in the seed changes to sugar (dextrin).  It is important not to over soak seeds as this could result in the sugar turning to alcohol by fermentation. Ingestion of fermented seed can lead to serious illness and digestive disorders.

5 TRIED AND TRUE METHODS FOR SPROUTING SEEDS

NOTE: GSE or Apple Cider Vinegar can be used as a mold and fungus preventative on sprouting seeds and fresh fruits and vegetables. A few drops (about 20 to 30) added to rinse water or 32 ounce spray bottle will get rid of any bacteria and prevent mold and fungus growth.

Method 1:

·         Soak seed (or a mixture of seeds) in lukewarm water overnight. You may want to add a little Nolvasan solution to the water to inhibit mold and fungus growth.

·         Place seeds in a stainless steel or similar sieve or colander. Rinse several times in cold running water.

·         Shake and manipulate the sieve so that the seeds are not stuck to the bottom of the container. Allow water to completely drain off.

·         Cover seeds with a moist cloth and place in a warm (not hot) location. Above the refrigerator or near the kitchen stove usually works.

·         Shake and rinse the seeds regularly, several times a day. This will prevent fermentation. Seeds should not smell sour.

·         First signs of germination will appear within 24 hours.

·         When seeds are sprouted an inch or so, place drained sprouts in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Sprouts will remain fresh for five days or longer and can be fed as needed.

Method 2:

·         Soak a variety of seeds (such as whole oats, maize, corn, Austrian winter peas, sunflower, safflower, wheat, canary and several millets) overnight.

·         In the morning pour seeds into a colander and rinse thoroughly. Drain well.

·         Place seeds in clear plastic bags (be sure not to overfill bags) and place in a warm area for about 12 hours, until just beginning to sprout.

·         Place sprouted seeds in tightly covered container in the refrigerator.

Method 3:

·         You will need a quart jar or larger if needed. A piece of screen to fit over the top and something to fasten the screen to the top of the jar. A canning jar ring or elastic or string.

·         Fill the jar about 1/3 full with your choice of seed or beans. I like lentils or black sunflower seeds.

·         Fasten screen over top of jar. Rinse several times with cool water. Soak for several hours or overnight (for large hard beans). You may want to add a few drops of Nolvasan to your soaking water.

·         Drain and rinse with cool water. Turn jar over to let water run out. I do this on my sink drain basket.

·         Thoroughly rinse and drain the seeds, several times a day. This is important.

·         Seeds will sprout in a few days.

·         When sprouted to your liking cover drained sprouts and store in refrigerator or use immediately.

Method 4:

·         Put about ½ cup of wheat, or seed of your choice, in a  mason jar. (use lesser amounts when using smaller seeds.

·         Cover the seeds with warm water. Soak for about 8 hours.

·         Drain of water. Reserve. (This water is rich in water soluble vitamins and minerals. Use as liquid in the following recipes.)

·         Cover with a jar lid that has had holes punched out for drainage. Tilt the jar top-down in another container to allow for drainage.

·         Keep in a warm, dark place, such as under the kitchen sink.

·         Rinse seeds in cool water 2-3 times a day --- and drain well.

·         When sprouts are well-developed they can be left out on the cabinet, in the light, for a few hours so they turn green.

·         Save sprouted seed in refrigerator. 

Method 5:

(Pot Plant Method)

·         In shallow flat container* such as old cake pan or seed flat, spread soil about 1½ inches deep.

·         Thoroughly moisten soil. Cover the entire surface with parakeet seed mix or any small seed. Seeds should be touching each other … about 1/3 cup per square foot.

·         Cover the seeds with about ¼ inch of fine soil or potting soil.

·         Cover the soil with a wet cloth or paper towel, and keep it moist.

·         In about three days remove the towel and gently spray or sprinkle water on the soil.

·         When sprouts are desired height, about 2 inches or so, feed to your birds.

·         You may want to use several small containers, for flights use large size. Simply place container and grown sprouts inside cage. Cockatiels and all Australian Grass Parakeets especially love this.

A Handy Kitchen Sprouter

Can be purchased from a hand-feeding supply company.

Human Food For Your Bird

Birds love to eat what their owners eat. The more varied a bird’s diet the healthier the bird will be. Other food items to include, in small quantities, are as follows: Cheese, pasta, rice, pancakes, biscuits, peanut butter (most prefer chunky). Some birds even like well-cooked small pieces of steak and chicken! You do not have to feed the same items every day.

An inadequate diet will not effect your bird immediately, but be assured that an improper diet will eventually cause problems. Convert your seed junkie now! Get your babies off to a healthy start.

A Collection of Recipes You Can Make For Your Birds:

“Easy Breeder/Weaning Soft Food Mix”

·        1-cup fresh or frozen mixed vegetables (yellow, orange and green), thawed, cubed

·        1-cup or can fresh or frozen beans (any kind or combination), thawed and cooked to just   tender or use straight from the can, rinsed and drained

·        1-cup fresh fruit  (apples, pears, grapes, etc. What ever is seasonal.) cut to size

·        1-cup or more sprouts (seed, bean or both)

·        1-cup fresh peppers (jalapeno, chili pepper, bell pepper, etc.) cubed

·        1 tablespoon Hagan Prime or other multi-vitamin preparation

·        Spirulina sprinkled on each serving or proportionally mixed in*

Optional: cooked pasta, cooked rice, left over French fries, raisins any dried fruits

Mix well and serve a small portion each morning. Allow 1 tablespoon per bird or as much as they will eat (adjust portions accordingly for weaning babies). Remove any uneaten portions before spoiling.

For adult birds 1% of the diet. Weaning babies, about a 2% by weight ratio (A 2% ratio can be added to hand-feeding formula in younger babies). Spirulina is an edible blue-green microalgae food supplement, is extremely high in protein and vitamin. A, 100 % of which is Beta carotene. Contains B12, Thiamin (B1) Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Iron, Vitamin K, and Calcium. Greatly enhance health, fertility and color in birds.

Caution: Fruits are high in sugar and spoil easily, so they are not as important (or as nutritious) as fresh vegetables. They also attract flies (germs!) and ants (annoying!). You may want to serve them in a separate dish so they can be easily removed from cage. Don’t leave cooked and fresh foods in the cage for more than a few hours to avoid spoilage. Avoid strawberries unless they are certified organic they may contain harmful pesticides.

“Breeders Rice, Corn and Bean Diet”

This recipe is suitable for all types of parrots. This nutritious mixture of foods is relished by babies and adults, including breeders who feed it to their babies in the nest. The mixture is very similar to the popular prepared ones, but is much less expensive. It can be easily tailored to the individual taste preferences of your birds. Use seasonal fruits and vegetables. Substitutions can easily be made.

·         Soak half a large stockpot of dry shelled whole corn or popcorn, overnight. Also, soak a pot of dried beans, any variety--- your choice. Many birds favor garbanzo beans (chick peas) but you can also use kidney, cranberry, pinto, lima, northern, chili, black beans or any mixture of these or others.

·         Next morning cook the corn and beans, separately.

·         Bring soaked corn to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat for several hours, or until the corn is plumped and soft in the middle. Water may need to be added several times as it is absorbed by the corn, which more than doubles in volume. If there is any water remaining drain and reserve. Let corn cool.

·         Cook beans for an hour or less or until “al dente”. (Beans are done when you can just pinch your finger nail through the bean.) If there is any water remaining drain and reserve. Let beans cool.

·         Place one or two boxes of Uncle Ben’s Original Brown Rice or a large bag of brown rice into a large pot that has a cover.

·         Add any or all of the following ingredients to the rice: chopped sweet potato, raisins, currants, any dried fruit, cranberries, any fresh green yellow or orange vegetables (frozen mixed vegetables may be added to rice mixture after it is cooked), shelled sunflower seeds, shelled pumpkin seeds, wheat berries, barley, whole oats, pasta, small whole peppers, nuts, and cinnamon, cloves or ginger for added flavor and what ever else you can think of.

·         Fill pot with any water left over from cooking beans and corn. Add enough water so level is about ½ inch above rice mixture.

·         Cook uncovered, on high until water level boils down to level even with rice mixture. Cover and simmer on low for about 45 minutes to an hour until just cooked. (You may add any frozen items at this time.) 

·         Combine all ingredients in a large container or clean sink. Mix and allow to cool.

·         Add a proportional amount of Spirulena, Wheatgrass and vitamin such as Prime to cooled mixture. Don’t forget to add your sprouts at this time. Serve to birds. (If freezing add vitamins when ready to use.)

NOTE: You may seal daily portions in plastic bags for future use. Be sure to press flat for faster thawing. To serve, leave out the night before (if your house is cool) to serve in the morning or thaw in microwave. Be sure to allow for cooling before feeding. For faster cooling, add frozen fruits and vegetables at this time. We suggest the frozen mixed vegetables, garden peas, green beans or individually frozen fruits, such as cranberries or blueberries, etc. The heat from the mix will thaw the peas or fruits. Do not leave this mixture in the feeding dishes long eno ugh to spoil.

“Easy Bird Bread “

This is “heavy” full bodied bread, not as light as you would prepare for yourself, your birds will love it! Notice that it contains very little baking powder (some baking powders contain aluminum), no added sugar or other sweeteners, and iodized salt.

·         2 ½ cups whole ground yellow corn meal

·         1 ½ cup whole wheat flour

·         ¾  cup of  powdered nestling food such as Kellogs Budgemine, Petamine or CeDe’ Eggfood or CeDe’ Dry Insect Food

·         l cup currants or raisins

·         Nuts and seeds can be added in any combination as long as they equal 2 cups. These and many ingredients can be found at the health food store. Use all or some of the following (substitutions can be made):

½ cup nuts (pine, almond, walnut, pecan)

½ cup hulled sunflower seeds

½ cup 7 Grains

½ cup hulled millet seeds

·         1 cup sprouts (optional)

·         2 teaspoons iodized salt

·         1 teaspoon granular kelp (optional)

·         3 eggs including shells

·         1 twenty-nine ounce can of solid pack pumpkin or you may use yams

·         1 thirty-two ounce bottle of papaya nectar

·         ½ cup of sunflower or safflower oil

·         2 teaspoons baking powder

·         1 tablespoon Baking Soda

In a large bowl combine all ingredient. Add enough fruit juice to make a pourable batter (you can use your sprout water if you run out of papaya juice). Use two or 3 large well-greased baking pans. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. Cool and slice. Can be easily frozen.

“Conure Bread”

This bread is particularly relished by Conures, but any species enjoys it, including finches.

·         1 cup whole wheat flour

·         1 cup yellow corn meal

·         ½ cup canary seed mix

·         1 heaping tablespoon dry pepper flakes (of the kind found in pizza parlors)

·         2 teaspoon baking power

·         ¾ teaspoon salt

·         ½ teaspoon baking soda 

·         3 eggs with shells

·         3 Tbl safflower oil

·         1  cup buttermilk

Grease an 8” pan with Pam. Mix dry ingredients. Wash eggs then pulverize in blender. Mix in oil and buttermilk, then mix in dry ingredients. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and cut into small squares and freeze.
Variations: Fruits, veggies, peppers, nuts, hulled sunflower, etc. can be added to the mixture if you like add more buttermilk as needed.

“Dump Muffins”

This recipe makes 90 or so standard muffins. Basically you go through your cabinets and add what ever you like. Measurements are not exact. Anything edible and healthy can be dumped into the mixing bowl. Anything can be added or omitted.

·         3 cups cornmeal or 3 packages cornbread mix

·         1 cup oatmeal

·         1 cup whole wheat flour

·         1 ½ cup canary seed mix

·         1 cup bird pellets

·         1 cup raisins or currents or dates

·         1 cup dry red pepper flakes

·         1 or 2 can(s) of beans

·         dump in any fresh, frozen or canned vegetables you have on hand

·         4 or 5 diced apples, pears, etc.

·         1 cup diced fresh peppers, any kind

·         1 or 2 cups sprouts

·         5 eggs with shells

·         1 cup powered milk

·         1 cup dry nestling food. Such as Kelloggs Budgemine, Petamine or CeDe’ Eggfood or CeDe’ Dry Insect Food

·         1 cup Cheerioes or other sugar-free cereal

·         any left over pasta, rice or potatoes

·         1 heaping tablespoon baking soda

·         about 3 tablespoons Spirulena

·         2 teaspoons iodized salt

·         enough fruit juice or liquids to make batter stirable.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Into a very large mixing bowl proceed to dump all ingredients (if you use a smaller mixing bowl use smaller proportions). Bowl should be just about full with enough room to mix ingredients. Finally, add fruit juices so batter can be mixed by hand, fairly stiff, not runny. Spoon batter into well greased muffin tins. Fill about ¾ full.

Bake in hot oven for about 30 minutes. Muffins are cooked when they are firm when touched. When I begin to smell them I know they are done. These muffins freeze extremely well. Give one muffin per pair of large parrots or half a muffin for smaller species. Waning babies enjoy these too.

“Quinoa Mix”

Quinoa (pronounced “keen-nwa”) is a South American grain that is high in protein, calcium, and phosphorous. It is an excellent food for parrots, either sprouted and served raw, or cooked. It is available in most health food stores as a bulk grain. This dish is especially relished by smaller parrots such as lovebirds.

·         1 cup quinoa

·         2-3 cups water(use soak water from sprouts)

·         Whole Corn kernels, canned or frozen

·         ½ cup Chopped carrots or other orange vegetable

·         ¼ cup canary seed mix

·         a handful of raisins and/or dried apples, cut to size. (unsulphured, found in health food stores)

·         Optional: 1 or 2 tablespoons of dry nestling food. Such as Kelloggs Budgemine, Petamine or CeDe’ Eggfood or CeDe’ Dry Insect Food

Boil 2 cups of water, add quinoa. Cook for 10 minutes, then add veggies and dried fruit and canary seed. Cook another 5 minutes or until the quinoa grain is clearish and has a tiny tail sprouting from it. You may have to add a little more water if it gets too dry too quickly. Let cool. Stir in nestling food. Serve. You can put almost any veggies or fruits in this recipe.

“ Nestling Treat” 

Yams are an excellent source of vitamin A. The corn is a good addition because most birds will eat corn, and the yam mixture sticks to it, so they get to learn how to like yams if they’re wary of new foods. This is a great nestling food. It’s easy to digest and regurgitate for babies.

·         2 Medium/Large Yams, sweet potatoes or 2 ½ to 3 cups pealed, cubed fresh pumpkin or squash

·         ¼  cup Raisins (unsulphured)

·         1 tsp. Sunflower or safflower oil

·         ½ tsp. Pumpkin spice

·         ½ cup Corn (canned, frozen or fresh)

·         1 or 2 heaping Tbls. of  powdered nestling food such as Kellogs Budgemine, Petamine or CeDe’ Eggfood or CeDe’ Dry Insect Food

Cut yams into quarters then boil until soft. Drop in raisins for the last 5 minutes of boiling. Drain and cool. (Reserve liquid to use in other recipes.) Peel off skins. Put peeled yams back in pot and mash, adding oil. Add raisins, corn and nestling food, mix into the yams. Serve in glass bowls for maximum visual stimulation.

Warning: Do not leave this or any soft, moist food in the cage for more than 2-3 hours, especially on a hot day.

“ Cornmeal Mush for the Birds”

·         1 cup corn meal

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         1 cup cold water

·         3 cups boiling water

·         ½ cup hulled millet and/or cracked sunflower seed or 7 grain mix (found at health food stores)

·         ½ cup mashed or pureed vegetable(s)

·         ¼ cup applesauce

·         1 tbls. of  powdered nestling food such as Kellogs Budgemine, Petamine or CeDe’ Eggfood or CeDe’ Dry Insect Food (optional)

Stir fine ground corn flour into salted boiling water until it starts to thicken, and continue stirring for another minute or two until it turns to a pudding like consistency.

If you want to embellish the recipe, you can now add pumpkin puree, mashed yams or sweet potatoes, apple sauce, or any mashed fruits or veggies in any combination. Stir in your millet or grains and nestling food at this time.

This can be refrigerated for several days or frozen in squares for later use.

“POP Cakes”

Use popcorn, whole wheat or rice cakes, available in all health food stores and most supermarkets. Spread on the top of the “rice” cake a thin layer of peanut butter. Top with your birds’ favorite foods, such as: grated carrots, chopped broccoli, thin-sliced apple, apple sauce, fresh peas, grated mozzarella cheese, etc. No cooking required.

“Sweet Potato Puppies”

Peanut butter, oatmeal, coconut or any fruit or vegetables can be recipe.

·         1 large sweet potato, microwaved until soft

·         ½ cup raisins

·         1 mashed banana

·         1 cup mixed fresh or frozen mixed vegetables

·         ½ to ¾ cup canary seed mix

·         1 cup diced apples

·         1 ½ cup uncooked oatmeal, corn flakes or granola cereal.

·         Enough fruit or vegetable juice to moisten batter

In a medium bowl mix all ingredients together. Add just enough fruit or vegetable juice to form stiff batter. Form into small balls. Feed fresh or freeze balls individually and place all in freezer bag. Defrost as needed.

“For the Birds Rice Pudding”

·         1 cup brown rice or wild rice

·         1 ½  cup rolled or cracked corn

·         ½  cup unsulphured dried banana

·         3 ½  tablespoon split green peas

·         2 ½  tablespoons raisins

·         1 ½  tablespoons pistachio nuts (unsalted)

·         1 tablespoon dates broken in pieces or substitute raisons or currents

·         1 teaspoon dried milk powder

·         ½ teaspoon iodized salt

·         ¼ tsp allspice or apple pie spice

Place dry ingredients in medium saucepan. Add 1-quart water. Bring to boil, lower heat, cover and boil gently for 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Yields 2 lbs. Approximately 1 ½ quarts. Keep a 3-day supply in fridge to reheat in the microwave. Serve no more than can be consumed in a few hours to avoid spoilage. Be extra careful outside in hot and/or humid weather. Can easily be frozen in ice cube trays, then put the frozen cubes in baggies in the freezer. They will keep for a month. Simply pop 2 cubes in the microwave on DEFROST, cool (do check, it can get to hot) and serve.

“Pellet Cornbread”

Handy recipe to help convert birds to pellets

·         1 package cornbread mix (try to get one low in sugar)

·         2 eggs, shell included

·         ½ cup canary seed mix

·         ½ cup pellets (Any brand will do. I like the colored ones)

·         1 cup mixed vegetables, fresh frozen or canned

Mix ingredients together per package instructions and adding the extra ingredients above. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

 “Healthy Corn Cake”

·         1 cup whole ground cornmeal

·         1 cup raw wheatgerm, toasted OK

·         ¼  cup groats

·         ¼  cup buckwheat

·         ¼  cup soybeans finely ground

·         ¼  cup nuts coarsely ground

·         1/8 cup olive oil

·         1 cup fresh, frozen or canned corn

·         1 cup shredded carrots

·         1 cup greens chopped

·         5 eggs with shell

·         1 apple chopped fine

·         ½  cup soy milk

·         any left over rice or beans or pasta (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Prepare 9x13 inch pan or muffin tin with olive oil. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then at 350 degrees for another 30 minutes or until done. Freezes well. 

Over the years I have been collecting these recipes but I neglected to keep the original clipping and no longer remember whose recipes these are.  I have added or omited ingredients but if any look familiar just contact me and I will give you credit. 

Copyright © 2001 Wanda Barras. All Rights reserved. WWW users are granted the right to download a single copy of this catalog and Mrs. Barras articles for archival on electronic media and/or conversion into a single printed copy for personal use. All commercial or educational use or reproduction of this material is strictly prohibited. It may not otherwise be reprinted or recopied, in whole or in part, in any form or medium, without express written permission of Wanda Barras.

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