What do vegans feed their pets?

I get this question frequently. I am vegan and I keep two cats and one dog. Are they vegan too? The answer for me is no.
I honestly have always felt a little bit strange about it though. I mean I love snakes but I could never keep one because I personally would feel horrible feeding it mice, but when the dead animal comes prepackaged and cubed I am OK with it? This topic is complicated.

Feeding animals whether you are vegan or not is complicated! First off commercial pet food is bad.
I mean really really bad! What are our alternatives though?
The BARF diet (sounds delicious!) which consists of Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
I have thought about doing something like this. The problem is I really can't convince myself to buy meat. Not even for my pets. Also this diet is scary. We have always been taught that commercial pet food is the best thing for our pets. Shaking this feeling is hard!

There are people who actually do feed their dogs a vegetarian diet. This also scares me. I am not an animal nutritionist so I really have no idea whether this is a healthy diet or not, but it scares me even more than BARF does.

There are also people who feed their pets homemade but cooked food. Don't forget the kitties too!

Back to my dilemma. For now, I still feed commercial pet food. However, since my dog has the privilege with living with vegans I try and supplement her dog food with healthy vegetables. Why do that? Well same reason we should eat fresh veggies of course-- fiber and vitamins to name a few! Here are some basic guidelines for what to avoid feeding your dog. Stella enjoys carrots, broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms ect. I sometime give her ground flax seed for her coat.


The cats remain skeptical.... But Stella is a real fan!
(Click the photo below to enlarge and check out that driblet of drool dangling down.... dang!)


So my jury is still out but what do YOU think? Vegan or omni what do you feed your pets and why? I would love to hear other perspectives!

The Joy of Snacking: Kale Crisps!

I am not a sweets kind of person. When I get a craving for junk food it is for something crunchy and salty like potato or corn chips. My solution?
Kale crisps! Sound a little strange? Well maybe. But they are super easy, oh so chrispy and tastey. I can not take credit for thinking of this of course. Someone brought these to a potlock I attended and I was hooked. Making them is just as easy as eating them too!
Ingredients

• Fresh Red Kale (I ussually by one bunch and use 1/2 of that at a time)
• salt to taste (about 1 tsp)
• olive oil ( I use a mister for the olive oil so I only use a little bit!)
  

To Make: Preheat oven to 350
Chop the kale and spread onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle/mist with olive oil and then salt.
Bake for about 10 mins or until dry and crispy but not burnt!
They don't look like much but if you love crispy snacks then you will love these I promise!