Originally Posted by ally173 (Post 2775809)

sorry to ask so many questions; where do you get the coconut oil from? and how much colustrum do you give?
thanks again:)

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy (Post 2776057)

Not a problem at all!!!! I get my coconut oil from the health food store. I prefer either the Garden of Life or Nature's Way brands. A jar that costs $12 will last about 4 months.

With the colostrum, I give it at night (when I remember - which on average is about 3 nights a week). It needs to be given on an empty stomach - 2 hours after the last food. I usually use a whole capsule as both my girls will drink it, but you can easily use 1/2 capsule as they are pretty easy to put back together once you get the hang of it. Sissy is just under 5 lbs and Angel is just over 5 lbs.

Please don't hesitate to ask any more questions.....

Originally Posted by Ladymom (Post 2775264)

The Animal Essentials line is recommended by many holistic vets.

I use their Plant Enzymes and Probiotics. I found it cheaper on Amazon than on their main website:

Amazon.com: Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics (300 grams): Kitchen & Dining

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy (Post 2775732)

First - you don't need to add a multivitamin with already giving the vitamineral green. This is a whole food product that you use instead of a traditional vitamin. I would still add the probiotic though.

If you add your own protein to The Honest Kitchen Preference, it will increase the amount of food. Even feeding twice a day, the amount looks small. My girls get Preference as their dinner with approximately 1 oz of cooked Talapia in it. Although that is a small amount of talapia, it pretty much doubles the portion of food. If you broke this up into four small meals, it should work just fine. When you feed a high quality diet, you're giving so much less food than you would think. Keep in mind that if our human stomachs are approximately the size of a hand, just how small their stomachs must be - so even 1/4 cup fills it pretty quickly.

I would definitely not add oatmeal or rice to the food. Rice is difficult to digest normally, even more so when they are having gastric issues. Oatmeal would be a healthier option if you are using steel cut or oldfashioned oats, but not necessary. If anything I would add a little more veggies - like some pure canned pumpkin.

You may want to consider adding colostrum (you can get this from askariel.com as well). You can give this each night, or every other night. It helps build the immune system and they love the taste. Simply take a little warm water and open a capsule on top of it.....

Originally Posted by ally173 (Post 2777406)

would you know if i have to keep the vitamineral green in the fridge?
so far ava is liking THK force; she doesnt eat it right away; not sure if she doesnt like the smell; but then i add a teaspoon of gerber banana and she will eat it all. do you know if another THK formula has better aroma or flavor; or are they all basically the same?
thanks again

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy (Post 2777501)

The Vitamineral Green does not need to be refrigerated.

It the Force possible too warm for her right away? You only need warm water when you mix it. All the formulas smell about the same to me, except for the Preference - just veggies and fruit that you add your own protein to. Also, if you begin using the coconut oil and melt it to mix in with the food, that will also change the smell a little. And since they love the coconut oil so much, you may want to mix the Force and put the melted coconut oil on top!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ally173 (Post 2777603)

how do you melt the coconut oil? do i just add 1/4 tspn to the food; or is there any special directions.
i do add warm water; wait 10 min and then give it to her ; for some reason she will taste it and then back away; then i add 1 tspn of gerber baby banana and then she will eat it all; so i am guessing she likes the banana; i dont mind to keep buying and adding banana; but i want to make sure i am not giving her too much sugar daily; but anyway, i am just glad that she has an appetite and she's eating;:)

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy (Post 2777620)

I put a little coconut oil in a glass dish and microwave for 20 seconds, then mix in with the food.

I never wait more than 2 or 3 minutes before the girls get their food. Too much torture making them wait!!!!!! I don't see any problem with adding the banana, other than the added sugar.... And you are correct - appetite and eating are good things :)!!!