u/butterflygirl1980

My husband came home with two 16 oz jars of unsweetened, natural (oily) crunchy peanut butter. What can I do with this stuff? Most recipes I’ve seen that use PB specifically call for the processed kind. Does this cook/bake the same, even though the oils aren’t emulsified or hydrogenated or whatever?

I have a cat with complex dietary needs due to UTD and IBS. There seems to be exactly TWO things on the market that look to be safe to feed him -- Hills Prescription d/d Duck formula, which I've ordered but is out of stock everywhere (again, apparently) and the aformentioned Blue. But the Blue has very mixed reviews regarding the palatability. I would like to get hold of a few cans to make sure he'll eat it (and that it doesn't trigger his gut) before I go spending $90 on a case of it. Does anyone know of any local vets in the Colorado Springs, CO area that carry it (my own vet does not), or have some that they can share?

I have an older male cat with urinary tract disease AND food sensitivities/IBD. I need a food that meets ALL of the following criteria:

• Grain free
• No chicken or fish
• lower mineral/ash content (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus)

He did great for two years or so on Merrick's Limited Ingredient Diet canned duck formula, but the manufacturer discontinued it (curse them!). I have been having difficulties trying to find a replacement. The limited ingredient foods that I have found that meet the first two criteria -- including Nulo Beef/Lamb and NutriSource Country Select -- have NOT met the third and started triggering his bladder. He's actually in the ICU at this moment after becoming blocked. (Yes, on canned only food.)

Right now the only foods I have found that appear to be okay are the Nacho turkey recipe, and Instinct limit ingredient duck/rabbit (he was not eating them at the time he got blocked, but appeared to improve symptoms in the past). I am looking for any other options in the event that he starts showing symptoms again, or they are discontinued and I'm screwed again.

If you have not specifically fed your suggestion successfully to a cat with urinary issues, please do not suggest it. I cannot risk trying something unproven and having him get blocked again.

My 13-y-old boy has both urinary tract disease AND food allergies to grain, chicken and fish. As a result I am extremely limited in what I can feed him — has to be canned, grain-free, and a protein other than those two. I’ve recently had to find a new option because the one I had him on was discontinued by the brand. Nutri-Source had two options, and I bought a case of each, but he’s turning up his nose at the turkey one. I won’t order it again, but I can’t afford to waste it. What can I add to make it more appealing to him?

Edit: apparently I wasn’t clear – – I DO NOT NEED SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW FOODS! I have foods I can feed him. I just want to make WHAT I HAVE more palatable to him so I can use it up.

A bright, fresh tomato salad is a summer staple in my house, it’s a perfect side for anything grilled or fried. Quantities here are estimates, it’s all really ‘to taste’. Leftovers keep for 4-5 days.

Ingredients:
3-4 medium/large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cucumber, peeled*, seeded and chopped
1/4 of a red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

Dressing:
2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Toss all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least a couple hours before serving.

(*Thin-skinned English/Persian cukes don’t need to be peeled.)

Variations:

Mint —
Omit onion. Dress with 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tbsp sugar, and 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh mint.

Sweet corn —
Replace 1/2 the tomato with two ears of fresh sweet corn. Put the corn in a pot of water with a couple tbsp of lemon juice and sugar and bring to a boil. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heat. Let sit for ten minutes, then drain. When corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cob and make the rest of the salad.