Grandma's Aches-Away Stew

CassiaDawn's Note:

From 1001 Old-Time Household Hints, by Yankee Magazine. Their description says it's "...believed to ease the aches for people - and dogs - with arthritis." I don't know if it does anything for aches, but about a cup of this stew mixed in with her kibble every night has gotten my old dog eating regularly again. Note: I sometimes have trouble finding beef heart at the meat counters. I've substituted a mix of beef liver and chicken hearts, and my dog seems to be just as happy with the stew.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 40

• 2 cups pot barley
• 2 cups brown rice
• 2 cups diced carrots
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups chopped beef heart
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 10 cups water

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot, combine all ingredients.
2. Bring the mix to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Put a lid on the pot and stir every 15 minutes or so.
3. You may need to add more water (I always do).
4. Allow to cool before offering to your dog. Leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen.

Reviews

[sugarpea]

My dogs and my husband both gobbled this. Dh didn't know it was beef heart and I didn't tell him. Dogs should not have offal except in smaller, infrequent quantities; it's hard on their kidneys when eaten excessively.