I’ve been making meals for myself for 15 years now. No more planning dinners for my significant other since I no longer have one. My ex was a meat eater and I’m not, so I cooked him a typical Midwest meal of meat and potatoes with a side of vegetables thrown in for good measure. I, on the other hand, enjoy anything without a face, like my roasted tomato-vegetable casserole, salad on the side.

Oh, how times have changed. Once I’d acclimated to cooking dinner only when I felt like it (even though my ex never expected me to cook for him), I’d just wing it. For instance, I’d simply enjoy cheese and crackers followed by fruit with yogurt. Or maybe I’d have breakfast for dinner, something my dad always enjoyed.

So now I’m back to cooking for those in my home who depend on me for their daily sustenance — my 10 pets. They’re the opposite of my ex in that they expect and actually insist I make their meals. It better be ready at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, or I’m gonna hear about it. Most of my pets aren’t much larger than a bread box (am I dating myself?) and since I definitely am larger, one would imagine they’d think twice before being so demanding.

What happened is this…my 3 dogs had been having diarrhea and generally not enjoying the so-called “good quality” kibble I offered them along with various canned dog food I topped with chicken or hamburger. But at some meals they’d look at their bowl, look up at me, look back at their bowl, take a tiny bite, then begrudgingly eat. It was pitiful.

That’s when it finally dawned on me that the food I offered them sucked even though it purported to be healthier with quality ingredients, unlike the kibble and canned food one buys at the supermarket. I did a bunch of research, talked to my veterinarian and also to friends who feed their pets real food. So I made a list of different options and we were off to the races.

Seems there’s no such thing as truly healthy kibble. About 95% of dry pet foods are cooked at extreme temperatures, essentially degrading most of the nutrients. I liken it to eating crunchy rocks that contain calories. So now I’m back to cooking each night and also buying meat, something I try not to think too much about when I’m slicing turkey, dicing chicken or frying hamburger.

Now don’t get me wrong; it’s actually much simpler than I imagined and I wish I’d started long ago. Skip, Wally and Taffy now can’t wait to eat, or should I say scarf like boot camp trainees who are given mere minutes to eat. I actually timed Taffy the other night and it took her a mere 17 seconds to clean her bowl. My routine: 40% protein, 50% veggies that dogs can safely eat, 10% starches, then a probiotic and multivitamin stirred into their food.

A couple times a week I steam batches of veggies, cook oats and rice, and roast various meats all at the same time so it’s done within an hour. It’s simple. Yes, kibble and canned food is easier and convenient but not nearly as healthy or satisfying. How do I know? Now my dogs are so excited for their meals, they’re practically drooling while waiting for me to hurry up and feed them already. Pushy little ones, but I don’t mind.

I’m also introducing my 7 cats to a healthier diet. Being stubborn as mules, they’re much more challenging and so far mostly ignore the new healthy cuisine. But I’m taking it slowly and I don’t give up easily. They haven’t figured that out yet, but I’m betting they soon will.