Burritos?

[GreenWing]

If you read my last post you will find that I agree with you in the fact that we should not share with them anything which we know is harmful to them or anything we are unsure of.

I suspect that the act of sharing what we eat with them is a mutual bonding activity and not simply the projecting ourselves upon them. I think if one thinks of it in those terms that the basis for it would be one of our being envious of our notion of what it is like to be one of them.

The act of sharing food with them also has roots in the fact that it is a normal part of their flock behavior, a normal part of family groups throughout the animal kingdom in nature, as well as a normal part of human social behavior. From this one could conclude that going against this behavior would be to deny our own natural state of being, unless one considers oneself to be above or better than those ( animal or human ) in our social/family groups.

just my take on this topic

I agree, well said, Wolf. Sharing food is indeed a mutual bonding activity and when I cook in my iron skillet I separate the lightly grilled vegetables before adding sauces that contain dairy or milk. The burritos in question seem to be okay to feed a parrot due to the nutrition... the only concerns are what Pajarita mentioned. In moderation, I'd say at least some of Amy's organic burritos are okay.

Of course, I can always call the Avian Vet clinic to check. One parrot clerk told me that it's not really healthy to give refried beans but cooked beans are excellent.

Sort of off topic (lol) but I wonder if beans give parrots gas? I've never heard of a parrot um, farting.

[Pajarita]

Yes, eating together (sharing food) is a huge part of flock dynamics and it's a great bonding tool but CML is not denying that, all that he is saying is that instead of them eating our food, we should be eating theirs. It's the same to the parrots because sharing is sharing but it's healthier because, I don't know about anybody else but, compared to my parrots, I eat CRAP. Now, there are a limited number of foods I buy that I use for myself and them, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, calabaza (Spanish pumpkin), organic whole grain pasta, brown rice, etc but although the product/item is the same, theirs is cooked without salt, of course.

As to prepared food, the only thing they get is, on special occasions, these organic oatmeal and graham cookies (you should see their reaction when I come in and say: "Look what I have for youuuuuuuuuu: COOKIES!" http://www.homefreetreats.com/p-86-glut ... okies.aspx) and these http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-439202-an ... b2166becc&

[cml]

Yes, eating together (sharing food) is a huge part of flock dynamics and it's a great bonding tool but CML is not denying that, all that he is saying is that instead of them eating our food, we should be eating theirs. It's the same to the parrots because sharing is sharing but it's healthier because, I don't know about anybody else but, compared to my parrots, I eat CRAP. Now, there are a limited number of foods I buy that I use for myself and them, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, calabaza (Spanish pumpkin), organic whole grain pasta, brown rice, etc but although the product/item is the same, theirs is cooked without salt, of course.

Exactly, thanks Pajarita!

There are "human foods" perfectly fine for parrots and are actually excellent for them: Quinoa, quinoa pasta, whole grain wheat, etc.

Oh, absolutely, I give them that in moderation as well. But I then prepare it for them. Do you see the distinction ?

I know it might be a bit unclear what I try to convey, but I would not give them anything I prepare for us to them (see how I managed not to make anything more clear ?).

An example is, if I cook veggies for myself, there's bound to be some salt in the water. Same with pasta, actually way to much of it. You are also likely to use other spices etc when cooking that's not good for parrots. Also, if you fry stuff you do so in oil or butter right? Why give cooked stuff to the parrots? Veggies are healthier raw!

When I prepare food for them, I do it only with them in mind!

On the other hand, just as Pajarita says, I can, and often do, eat their food!

[GreenWing]

Well, I basically eat like a bird (lol) as for breakfast this morning I had toast and an apple. I also had coffee, though, which isn't bird-like.

I definitely eat some of what Chance eats, I mean I'm not going to eat safflower seeds, lol, but I love Pumpkin seeds and raisins and the fruit and vegetables I give her. Perhaps it's because of my predominately vegetarian diet, but do eat very healthy. And I'm aiming to grow a lot of my own foods as an urban farmer.

More on cooked beans, though, just as an addendum: they are great for parrots because they're filling and nutritious, but also low in calories and won't put weight on a bird.

Oh, absolutely, I give them that in moderation as well. But I then prepare it for them. Do you see the distinction ?

I know it might be a bit unclear what I try to convey, but I would not give them anything I prepare for us to them (see how I managed not to make anything more clear ?).

An example is, if I cook veggies for myself, there's bound to be some salt in the water. Same with pasta, actually way to much of it. You are also likely to use other spices etc when cooking that's not good for parrots. Also, if you fry stuff you do so in oil or butter right? Why give cooked stuff to the parrots? Veggies are healthier raw!

When I prepare food for them, I do it only with them in mind!

On the other hand, just as Pajarita says, I can, and often do, eat their food!

Okay, glad we cleared that up. Anything I cook is seperated for her before I add in certain human foods, like dairy sauces, as I mentioned above. Also as I've stated in other posts, and as recommended by MD's, I lightly cook her organic veggies in an iron skillet with organic coconut oil. You should never cook with any other oils -- olive oil is great but don't cook with it as cooking destroys its nutritional properties.

Chance and I drink purified water and many who live in my area receive water from the local mountain. We've had a lot of people try to put fluoride in our water which natives such as myself are strongly against, but I digress...

And some spices are good for parrots, such as cayenne pepper or cumin. Since I grow my own herbs and dry them, adding a little basil flakes adds some flavor.

[Pajarita]

Indeed! And most spices have medicinal properties, too. My parrots get oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, cinnamon, paprika, crushed peppers, chili powder, etc on a regular basis

[cml]

Chance and I drink purified water and many who live in my area receive water from the local mountain. We've had a lot of people try to put fluoride in our water which natives such as myself are strongly against, but I digress...

Good thing with the water purifier!

[GreenWing]

Indeed! And most spices have medicinal properties, too. My parrots get oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, cinnamon, paprika, crushed peppers, chili powder, etc on a regular basis

Awesome! And yes, it's true -- herbs are a gift. We are so dependent on modern medicine that many have forgotten the benefits of herbal medicine. This is why I also really agree with you on feeding garlic to parrots (in moderation, of course). Garlic is an herb and is known to fight anti-microbial infections and I do wonder if it could also aid in the prevention of aspergillus.

Chance and I drink purified water and many who live in my area receive water from the local mountain. We've had a lot of people try to put fluoride in our water which natives such as myself are strongly against, but I digress...

Good thing with the water purifier!

Agreed.

[Weka]

As someone who has to follow a rather annoyingly strict diet due to a wrecked GI tract (presumably due to genetics + too many bouts of food poisoning and courses of antibiotics) I've learned that in the U.S. there are still a lot of additives and fillers that do NOT have to be legally included on an ingredient label, even in regards to some of the more health-conscious companies.

So personally I'd just make my own parrot-safe "burrito" out of cooked or sprouted beans, wrapped up in a fresh leafy green and share that way.

Your mileage may vary, of course. As I said, I've been forced to be super-careful even with my own grub, so...


--Weka

[GreenWing]

Oh, I agree, Weka! I have to avoid gluten products as wheat hurts my belly. So there's that. I was tested for celiac but it came up negative, but I swear, I am definitely sensitive to it. Every time I eat wheat I wake up with a stomach ache.

Very off topic but have you heard of the fodmap diet? Yes, fodmap is the correct spelling although it should be "foodmap" lol. A GI recommended it to me. It works for the most part although I do eat some of the foods that are on the map.

[Wolf]

Well, I guess that wolves truly make strange birds. We have a tendancy to think differently. I must confess that for the most part I eat just about anything that don't eat me first, along with a few that have tried. I like a large percentage of the veggies that I eat raw because they just taste better to me. When I fix food to eat I always consider who is going to consume it, so if the birds are going to get some of it ( I know it is only a small amount ) I prepare it with that in mind and do not use anything in it that will hurt them. I have a very tight budget and as a result all of us eat the same foods, it just cuts down on waste. I also eat very little salt or sugar, just don't care for them and there are other spices that I use that are good for all of us. All of the animals also get things to eat that are specific to their dietary needs and preferences that are for them alone. So I guess I just approach it backwards and with their needs first. Just me.