Homemade bench, freezer full of cat food and the first few photos from our China/Tibet Holiday

Whilst we were away gallivanting on our adventure in China and Tibet  we found out that our eldest son had been having an adventure of his own creating his own wooden framed long mirror. Initially I thought he had meant that he had assembled it however finally it dawned on me that he had actually purchased planks of wood and tools to actually build, shape, and stain a lovely mirror. I think in jest he may have said he would like to make  a bench which I accepted eagerly as I've been wanting a garden bench forever. We went and acquired the wood and then the process began. In the photo he is smiling or is that a grimace as by the end of the project it had taken a lot longer than he foresaw, mainly due to the weather and the intricate design he chose. However as you can see, we now how a bespoke 1.4m bench, long enough to put my feet up and something that is extremely sturdy. It is beautiful, I've never had something made by hand just for me.

Just before we went away I made sure that there were supplies of cat food in our freezer to last. Well the little piggies had nearly wiped out the whole lot, all the mice had gone and we were down to our last 6 tubs of food. Therefore I needed food and I needed food fast, Morrisons were doing pork at £2.99 kg so with the offal that made a really cheap volume of food at 30p a 100g or cheaper. There is a site called Kiezebrink
Kiezebrink - animal foods
which supplies  a range of different meats for Zoos etc, so on looking all were within my £5.50kg max i.e. the most was £4.45kg. Therefore we ordered the rabbit, then went onto Kangaroo and Guanaco plus other stuff. By 9.30 the next day the delivery came fully frozen and I was up to my elbows in mincing meat and making up food.The photo left shows a fully filled free freezer which had been empty before this session. As you can see it has gone straight to Luna's tum. Little fatty.

It seems so long ago now but only a week ago we came back from our gorgeous holiday to China. It had been a long wait especially for my husband who I had not seen since the beginning of January. A holiday. We had filled an 8 page form to get our Visa and finally got the passes for going into Tibet. Now I did phone up enquiring about the weather and I did ask my OH about what I should take, to say I was lead a little astray, well maybe. We actually had good weather but for a mortal that freezes down the chilled aisle at Tescos I should have wrapped up for the arctic, as it was I took hand warmers and my hot water bottle, honestly. The issue was when you're at altitude it is chilly, especially at 4,750m or even on the plateau at 3,500m above sea level.

These photos were taken in the first few days when were were in the warmer areas, every piece of ground was cultivated and the people were gorgeous. Very humble.

Raw Cat Food

I've always try to make sure I read around subjects I am interested in, even when I buy something new I have to research that I have the best against my values.

When we got our first cat I made sure we gave him the best food possible, at the time I assumed from advertising and promotions at the vets that this would be dried cat food. 

Researching it became obvious that a cat without a natural thirst drive would find dried food an issue. Cats,especially male cats had a greater chance, when fed dry food, with blockages, crystals and cystitis. Obviously wet food was preferable.

Wet pouches and tins come from so many manufacturers however supermarkets seem to focus on a few. Again looking into these the methods of collecting the meat derivatives, the fillers and cereals made me question their quality. Why would an obligate carnivore require cereals? Food intolerance, allergies and obese cats are on the rise. Why would they need sugars? Mice aren't sweet! : ) Some tins of famous brands had as little as 4% meat! 

Trekking down brands of good wet cat food showed me they are available but with difficulty! Germany seems to be where thought about  ethics and quality transferred into a fair abundance of producers. Organic cat food, fair trade, sustainability had all been considered. 

You could find different protein sources- beef,lamb,chicken, ostrich, kangaroo, reindeer, sea bream, tuna etcetera. Meat quantities in the high eighties. 

I had delivered quality cat food from a site called "fuettern-mitt-spass-de", delivery very, very quick. Two days! From Germany! And delivery the same as Britain! Also I was able to get many tins from "Zooplus."

In researching these I came across more and more information about RAW/BARF food. Why was it not obvious to me that, yes, a cats natural food is meat, not cooked, all raw, and with all the extra bits!!

There are suppliers of frozen RAW cat food available, we have tried Natural Instinct ( NI ), Honeys, and Nurture through nature. They love NI, especially the Wild game, Rabbit and Venison flavours and all human grade meat etc. Honeys, they adored some flavours and not others. I will try soon www.nutriment.co. A company just starting out but with the best ethics from the sound of it.

My cats have never been healthier, coat and health shining through. Vets mentioning perfect weight and glistening teeth.

NOW I have started to make my own.

Minced Rabbit with bone in, plus heart, kidney, and liver and  supplements. Next is a bowl of cut up wing tips, and at the end some spare kidney.

Below is my first bowl of RAW I made working on the 80:10:5:5 ratio and supplements.

I'll write more about RAW when I have a bit more time!!!!