That list of staple greens that im supposed to feed my dragon...im a cook and ive never heard of any of that before. Is it fine to just feed him bell peppers and mangos and parsley all the time? Thats all i have found really that's both he and i can eat (exclude the mango).Inappropriate comment removed by moderator Is there somethings im not feeding him? And is it bad to feed him bell peppers?
Nope, that doesn't work as a daily salad. His salad should be about 80% dark leafy greens (collard greens, dandelion greens, endive, escarole, mustard greens, turnip greens) and then the rest of it can be made up of veggies and a bit of fruit. You want to limit the fruit he gets because it's high in sugar and so is more of a treat or garnish to a salad than a main part of it. Parsley is another food you only want to give a little bit of, not really a main staple. That list posted above is quite helpful for how often it's good to offer each type of food to your dragon.
My girl's salads are usually at least 2 of collard greens, dandelion greens, endive, and kale because these are what I can find in good quality in the grocery stores around me, although I use kale maybe one week a month because it's an "occassional" food I beleive. To this I add sweet red peppers, squash and/or sugar peas (pod included) regularly. I occassionally add different fruits or vegetables for variety, what I've listed here are just the things I've been able to find easily in my area and which Randal likes.
Greens:
collard greens and dandelion leaves (staples), with kale thrown in once in a while. Parsley, cilantro, carrot and celery leaves are added once in a while as well.
Vegetables:
green peas, snow peas, green beans, sweet potato, butternut squash, zucchini, bell peppers (red yellow or green, all occasional), grated carrot, etc. I try and have a mixture of green and yellow/orange veggies each week.
Fruit:
cactus pear (staple), apple, strawberry, raspberry, mango (all other fruits are occasional).
I usually make a weekly mixture of whatever vegetables I feel like using, and ust use a teaspoon or so as a topping on the greens. I usually keep the fruit and vegetables separate until the last minute to keep the moisture out of the vegetables. All are very easy to find locally.
I get my greens from Zehrs, Canadian Superstore, and Remark Farms (produce store) usually. Sometimes Price Chopper also has some of the greens. Collard greens, dandelion greens, and endive are the ones that I can generally find without too much of a problem. Farmers markets can also be a good source of fresh greens depending on the time of year.
These are what I feed my dragon: Grated parsnips, winter squash, green beans, sugar snap peas, snow peas, string beans, mustard green, collard green, dandelion green, escarole, and endive. Occasionally, I mixed in kale, turnip green, chards, brussel sprout, arugala, parsley, and cilantro.
I get my greens from Zehrs, Canadian Superstore, and Remark Farms (produce store) usually. Sometimes Price Chopper also has some of the greens. Collard greens, dandelion greens, and endive are the ones that I can generally find without too much of a problem. Farmers markets can also be a good source of fresh greens depending on the time of year.
Remark Farms is a fairly local place (Windsor and London only, I believe), but has great quality produce.
Not sure where in Canada that the OP is located, but Zehrs and Canadian Superstore are both part of the Loblaws group of stores. Collards, dandelions and kale are usually located with the other greens such as chard, etc. Collards, dandelions and kale are almost always in stock around here.
I have always just chopped them up and mixed it with the rest of her salad toppings, seeds and all. It has never caused a problem. If I were to do it again, I would likely pick out the seeds for a smaller dragon.
Cactus pear is probably her all-time favourite fruit/veg.