Here's a vegan variation of the Barefoot Contessa's granola bar recipe:
* 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
* 1 cup sliced almonds
* 1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
* 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 2/3 cup honey
* 1/3 cup maple syrup
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
* 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 by 12-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
Place the olive oil, honey, maple syrup, and vanilla in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.
Vegan Lentil Vegetable Soup (look for a variation of this to come soon using a slow cooker to prepare...)
1 medium onion - chopped.
3-5 cloves garlic - coarsely chopped
2 cups chopped carrots and celery
2 cups champagne lentils
1 medium leak - rinsed of hiding dirt, chopped.
4 cups filtered water
5-6 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tsp cumin
Saute the onion and garlic in ~2 TBS water until translucent, but not browned. Add the rest of the water and all of the other ingredients except the champagne lentils. Boil for 25 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer, add the lentils and simmer for 20 minutes.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Today's Eats - greenie, oven roasted BN squash with mashed potatoes
Drank this Greenie before teaching / taking yoga this am:
3 leaves organic green kale
1 organic banana
~1-1/2 cup organic apple cider
1 TBS flaxseed oil
Whirled in vitamix for 20-30 seconds.
For lunch i ate yesterday's potatoes mashed with oven roasted butternut squash (by the way it's made with some of the boiling water reserved to make it more creamy, not butter, not milk, not cream, etc - no dairy or oil whatsoever and they ARE delicious!)
And some organic frozen corn.
Side salad of organic spinach, red+green cabbage shredded with carrots.
Balsamic vinegar and flaxseed oil as salad dressing.
Freshly squeezed organic juicing oranges for a refreshing beverage!
No salt? -check
No flour? - check
No oil (other than flax)? - check
No processed sugar? - check
Satisfying, filling? - check
Nutritional? - check
Delicious? - check, check!!!
It's only 2 pm so what'll dinner be? Have to wait and see...
Blessings
3 leaves organic green kale
1 organic banana
~1-1/2 cup organic apple cider
1 TBS flaxseed oil
Whirled in vitamix for 20-30 seconds.
For lunch i ate yesterday's potatoes mashed with oven roasted butternut squash (by the way it's made with some of the boiling water reserved to make it more creamy, not butter, not milk, not cream, etc - no dairy or oil whatsoever and they ARE delicious!)
And some organic frozen corn.
Side salad of organic spinach, red+green cabbage shredded with carrots.
Balsamic vinegar and flaxseed oil as salad dressing.
Freshly squeezed organic juicing oranges for a refreshing beverage!
No salt? -check
No flour? - check
No oil (other than flax)? - check
No processed sugar? - check
Satisfying, filling? - check
Nutritional? - check
Delicious? - check, check!!!
It's only 2 pm so what'll dinner be? Have to wait and see...
Blessings
Monday, November 1, 2010
Today's Eats - home-made granola
Skipped breakfast.
A few large scoops of "Hairy Inspired Oat-Bean Casserole" warm out of the oven.
Recipe: 1 can organic adzuki beans, 2 cans organic cannellini beans - all drained and rinsed.
5-6 cups organic rolled oats; 2 cups shredded green, red cabbage and carrots; 2/3 cup olive oil; 3/4 cup filtered water; 1 tbs garlic powder; bake in a casserole dish for 30 minutes at 325.
Greenie - with kale, apple cider, bananas.
Potatoes mashed with oven roasted butternut squash (no dairy, oils, just used some of the boiling water from the potatoes to make creamy) and about 2 cups of steamed broccoli with chopped raw garlic sprinkled on top.
Small amount of home-made granola:
Recipe -
3 cups rolled oats, 2/3 cup flax seeds, 1/2 cup shredded (in zylis grater) pecans and 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, 3/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup coconut flakes. Sprinkled with cinnamon. Spread on rimmed edge cookie sheets and bake in 275 degree oven for 40 minutes stirring every 10 minutes.
That's all for today.
A few large scoops of "Hairy Inspired Oat-Bean Casserole" warm out of the oven.
Recipe: 1 can organic adzuki beans, 2 cans organic cannellini beans - all drained and rinsed.
5-6 cups organic rolled oats; 2 cups shredded green, red cabbage and carrots; 2/3 cup olive oil; 3/4 cup filtered water; 1 tbs garlic powder; bake in a casserole dish for 30 minutes at 325.
Greenie - with kale, apple cider, bananas.
Potatoes mashed with oven roasted butternut squash (no dairy, oils, just used some of the boiling water from the potatoes to make creamy) and about 2 cups of steamed broccoli with chopped raw garlic sprinkled on top.
Small amount of home-made granola:
Recipe -
3 cups rolled oats, 2/3 cup flax seeds, 1/2 cup shredded (in zylis grater) pecans and 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, 3/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup coconut flakes. Sprinkled with cinnamon. Spread on rimmed edge cookie sheets and bake in 275 degree oven for 40 minutes stirring every 10 minutes.
That's all for today.
some favorite recipes so far
As you may know from my previous post, i'm trying to follow the Gerson (anti-cancer) Diet.
I actually followed it pretty darn closely for 14 days about 3 weeks ago. And as you might expect I lost a lot of weight on it, but it is important to note that i was not hungry on it because you can eat and should eat a lot. The key to weight-loss on this diet is that the food you're eating is actually food; healthy, nutritious food!
Some of my favorite recipes so far are:
Baked potato with lots of garlic and steamed broccoli
The Hippocrates Soup - YUM!
This home-made salad dressing:
-handful fresh cilantro, ~1 TBS flax seed oil, ~1 TBS fresh lemon juice, ~1 TBS pure, organic maple syrup, 2-4 cloves garlic, 1 inch section of a jalapeno pepper, +/- 1 tsp nutritional yeast flakes. Grind in small food processor until dressing consistency.
Butternut Squash Soup (quicker and easier if purchase pre-cut squash)
Cover 2 pkg of BNS (or 2 medium sqaushes, peeled, cut into chunks) with just enough water to barely cover all of the squash. Add 1/2 of medium onion, 5-7 cloves garlic, +/- 1 pear, +/- 1 leak. Boil about 20 minutes. Puree in vitamix, including most of the water if it'll fit in vitamix. Enjoy!
Dandelion Salad: coarsely chopped red and green organic dandelion (or is this really chicory??), halved grape tomatoes, 1 TBS chopped onion, salad dressing.
Drinks:
6-7 carrot sticks, washed, topped and bottomed, but not peeled.
1 stalk celery, washed.
Press through vegetable juicer for a dose of Ayurveda Gold, PO (save the pulp for inclusion on casseroles)
Greenie (Green Smoothie)
1-1 1/2 cups chilled organic apple cider, 2-3 leaves kale, washed, 1-2 bananas. Blend in vitamix for 30 seconds.
Freshly squeezed orange juice 5-7 organic juicing oranges, either halve and hand squeeze, or peel and press through juicer. Ayuveda Gold Too!
Filtered water with a slice of organic lemon or lime.
Fruit Smoothies
Filtered water, oranges or apple cider can be used as liquid component. And combine any of the following: grapes (seedless), strawberries (tops ok to include), bananas, pine apples, raspberries, peaches, blue berries, mango, apples, oranges, pears, grapefruit, melon, and cherries. Whirl around in the vitamix for 30 seconds.
Desserts:
Wash and slice some nectarines or plum. Warm in a skillet with enough water to keep bubbly moist. Serve warm and enjoy how amazingly delicious this simple dessert is.
Bowl of fresh strawberries
Or take a bowl of fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches, raspberries) and a cup of ice. Blend in vitamix until fruit-ice dessert is made.
More to come.
I actually followed it pretty darn closely for 14 days about 3 weeks ago. And as you might expect I lost a lot of weight on it, but it is important to note that i was not hungry on it because you can eat and should eat a lot. The key to weight-loss on this diet is that the food you're eating is actually food; healthy, nutritious food!
Some of my favorite recipes so far are:
Baked potato with lots of garlic and steamed broccoli
The Hippocrates Soup - YUM!
This home-made salad dressing:
-handful fresh cilantro, ~1 TBS flax seed oil, ~1 TBS fresh lemon juice, ~1 TBS pure, organic maple syrup, 2-4 cloves garlic, 1 inch section of a jalapeno pepper, +/- 1 tsp nutritional yeast flakes. Grind in small food processor until dressing consistency.
Butternut Squash Soup (quicker and easier if purchase pre-cut squash)
Cover 2 pkg of BNS (or 2 medium sqaushes, peeled, cut into chunks) with just enough water to barely cover all of the squash. Add 1/2 of medium onion, 5-7 cloves garlic, +/- 1 pear, +/- 1 leak. Boil about 20 minutes. Puree in vitamix, including most of the water if it'll fit in vitamix. Enjoy!
Dandelion Salad: coarsely chopped red and green organic dandelion (or is this really chicory??), halved grape tomatoes, 1 TBS chopped onion, salad dressing.
Drinks:
6-7 carrot sticks, washed, topped and bottomed, but not peeled.
1 stalk celery, washed.
Press through vegetable juicer for a dose of Ayurveda Gold, PO (save the pulp for inclusion on casseroles)
Greenie (Green Smoothie)
1-1 1/2 cups chilled organic apple cider, 2-3 leaves kale, washed, 1-2 bananas. Blend in vitamix for 30 seconds.
Freshly squeezed orange juice 5-7 organic juicing oranges, either halve and hand squeeze, or peel and press through juicer. Ayuveda Gold Too!
Filtered water with a slice of organic lemon or lime.
Fruit Smoothies
Filtered water, oranges or apple cider can be used as liquid component. And combine any of the following: grapes (seedless), strawberries (tops ok to include), bananas, pine apples, raspberries, peaches, blue berries, mango, apples, oranges, pears, grapefruit, melon, and cherries. Whirl around in the vitamix for 30 seconds.
Desserts:
Wash and slice some nectarines or plum. Warm in a skillet with enough water to keep bubbly moist. Serve warm and enjoy how amazingly delicious this simple dessert is.
Bowl of fresh strawberries
Or take a bowl of fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches, raspberries) and a cup of ice. Blend in vitamix until fruit-ice dessert is made.
More to come.
what i'm eating
I love the Gerson Therapy's success stories so much, I've decided to use this blog to track how well i'm doing following it...
as per usual, i'm adjusting the Gerson (anti-cancer) Diet to a version that's a bit easier for me to follow (hopefully!!).
The food i prepare at home will be a slightly less extreme version of the gerson diet, but it will stick much more closely to it than the Standard American Diet (SAD).
Then when I go out to eat I will follow my vegan diet, but not the Gerson Diet.
Here's what I'm planning:
As much as I want:
All organic:
Fruits (including strawberries, pine apples, cucumbers and avocados - even though they're not allowed on Gerson) and vegetables (including peppers, mushrooms, fresh herbs, and whatever other veggies may be banned on the Gerson Diet).
Brown rice occasionally, oatmeal as desired.
Teas - herbal and green (only herbals are allowed on Gerson)
Sweeteners: honey (i know not exactly vegan - but I am trying) and maple syrup
Oil: Flax seed oil only
Beyond Gerson:
All types of beans (great northern whites, garbonzo, lentils, black, aduki, pinto, kidney, etc) - drained and rinsed of course!
Nuts - pecans, pine nuts, pistachio, walnuts, almonds, cashews - all salt free.
Grains/seeds: millet, amaranth, quinoa, couscous.
Now for the No-No's (besides all the vegan no-no's of animal products):
no salt
no sugar
no store bought salad dressings
no soy sauce, tofu, or miso (too much salt!)
Let's get started!
as per usual, i'm adjusting the Gerson (anti-cancer) Diet to a version that's a bit easier for me to follow (hopefully!!).
The food i prepare at home will be a slightly less extreme version of the gerson diet, but it will stick much more closely to it than the Standard American Diet (SAD).
Then when I go out to eat I will follow my vegan diet, but not the Gerson Diet.
Here's what I'm planning:
As much as I want:
All organic:
Fruits (including strawberries, pine apples, cucumbers and avocados - even though they're not allowed on Gerson) and vegetables (including peppers, mushrooms, fresh herbs, and whatever other veggies may be banned on the Gerson Diet).
Brown rice occasionally, oatmeal as desired.
Teas - herbal and green (only herbals are allowed on Gerson)
Sweeteners: honey (i know not exactly vegan - but I am trying) and maple syrup
Oil: Flax seed oil only
Beyond Gerson:
All types of beans (great northern whites, garbonzo, lentils, black, aduki, pinto, kidney, etc) - drained and rinsed of course!
Nuts - pecans, pine nuts, pistachio, walnuts, almonds, cashews - all salt free.
Grains/seeds: millet, amaranth, quinoa, couscous.
Now for the No-No's (besides all the vegan no-no's of animal products):
no salt
no sugar
no store bought salad dressings
no soy sauce, tofu, or miso (too much salt!)
Let's get started!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Pet's 10 Commandments
I don't know who originally wrote this. It was sent to me in an email, and I hope the author won't mind my sharing it here with you:
A PET'S TEN COMANDMENTS:
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.
~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
Poodle
A PET'S TEN COMANDMENTS:
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.
~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
Poodle
Thursday, August 12, 2010
What flower are you?
Evidently I'm a daffodil. This was fun. I'd like to find a way to get it to be like a gadget on my blog page and not an entry. will see what i can do.
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More Reasons to Feed Homemade
As if there were not enough reasons already to feed home prepared food to our animals, here are some more:
This article identifies human illness (Salmonella infections) linked to feeding contaminated dry dog and cat food. It's published in the journal PEDIATRICS.
Now I wonder what The Delta Society will do? Ban all dogs fed dry food and raw food from being visiting Therapy Dogs?
Until the next recall - no wait, there will probably be 10 more recalls before I can write more - so until next time,
Infinite blessings to you and your little ones,
Poodle
This article identifies human illness (Salmonella infections) linked to feeding contaminated dry dog and cat food. It's published in the journal PEDIATRICS.
Now I wonder what The Delta Society will do? Ban all dogs fed dry food and raw food from being visiting Therapy Dogs?
Until the next recall - no wait, there will probably be 10 more recalls before I can write more - so until next time,
Infinite blessings to you and your little ones,
Poodle
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Can one person make a difference?
In a recent conversation I had with another veterinarian, we were talking about the humane slaughter of animals. My friend was arguing that she can help ensure that meat animals are slaughtered humanely by purchasing meat only from butchers who assure her that the meat they sell is only from animals that were slaughtered humanely. I was highly suspect of her method.
My argument was that by refusing to eat meat, I'm making sure no animals were killed in order for me to eat. But she said that there will never come a time when everyone stops eating meat; that it's wishful thinking on my part, so my approach doesn't really have any force of impact.
Why I disagree. One of my past jobs was as a government regulator of food safety. In fact, I completed the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service's (FSIS) Public Health Veterinarian training. All meat inspection, by federal law, has to be performed by a veterinarian who has completed this training. As a result I've been to a lot of slaughter plants. I have first hand knowledge of our meat and poultry industries in the US. I can tell you that all animals (poultry are not considered animals under this law, by the way, so they have even less protection) are required by federal law to be slaughtered humanely. So you see, every butcher can tell you that all the meat they sell is only from animals that were humanely slaughtered.
I'm sure it's no surprise to you that what's required by law, and what actually happens are not one and the same. (Here's a link to a gruesome video of what initiated the largest meat recall in this nation's history - an undercover video taping of inhumane treatment of cows at slaughter. The meat of those cows, over 140 million pounds, entered our food supply.) Have these butchers been to the slaughter plants where the cows', sheep, and goats' meat comes from that they sell? Doubtful.
We both wonder about the other's method for affecting change in how animals are slaughtered. But hey, we're both trying. Can either one of us make a difference?
According to President Kennedy: "One person can make a difference. And every person should try." Keep trying girlfriend, and I will too!
Wondering Why
I just read two letters to the editor in one of my veterinary medical journals that upset me. Both of them were belly-aching about clients who love their pets like children, one even went so far as to make fun of a client who had a profound attachment to his cat. I found myself wondering why these two vets even bothered with all the hard work of vet school? What kind of service do they provide their clients? More importantly, what kind of care are they providing their patients? Why are they even vets?
I love my clients who love their pets. It's only because of dedicated, loving animal guardians that I can do my life's work. I love people who love animals. I would never make light, or worse, make fun of them. If you want a vet to care about your animals the way you do, be selective in who you take your business to. Is it a big, slick corporate type place where innumerable vaccines are pushed and homemade diets are advised against?
I'll answer those questions for you here. Yes, I make homemade meals for my animals. No, I don't feed them the same food day in and day out. No, I don't vaccinate my dog or cats every year. It really isn't necessary. Unless, of course, they're in it for the money.
I love my clients who love their pets. It's only because of dedicated, loving animal guardians that I can do my life's work. I love people who love animals. I would never make light, or worse, make fun of them. If you want a vet to care about your animals the way you do, be selective in who you take your business to. Is it a big, slick corporate type place where innumerable vaccines are pushed and homemade diets are advised against?
I'll answer those questions for you here. Yes, I make homemade meals for my animals. No, I don't feed them the same food day in and day out. No, I don't vaccinate my dog or cats every year. It really isn't necessary. Unless, of course, they're in it for the money.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Delta Society and Raw Dog Food in the news
Anyone familiar with therapy dogs? These dogs and their handlers visit patients in hospitals and nursing homes. The Delta Society is one of the groups that certifies therapy dogs for these patient visits.
The reason they are in the news of the animal world is that they recently adopted a policy of banning all dogs fed raw food diets from being therapy dogs.
Curious that a woman who works with the Delta Society also works for Nestle Purina - a manufacturer of commercial pet food. How much you wanna bet Purina does not make any raw pet foods?!?!
Bad policy. Shame on you Delta Society.
The reason they are in the news of the animal world is that they recently adopted a policy of banning all dogs fed raw food diets from being therapy dogs.
Curious that a woman who works with the Delta Society also works for Nestle Purina - a manufacturer of commercial pet food. How much you wanna bet Purina does not make any raw pet foods?!?!
Bad policy. Shame on you Delta Society.
Disappointing
Pet Food and Supplements Recalled
The following are from the FDA's recall website. It's amazing and disappointing the number of recalls.
All the more reason to feed your pets homemade food! Who can keep track of all these recalls!
From June 22, 2010 it began with a limited recall: United Pet Group Voluntarily Recalls Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement for Dogs Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
and was expanded to include a whole heck of a lot more supplements on July 2nd, 2010.
And that was only the supplements. Now for the foods recalled, note that both raw and processed foods/treats were also recalled.
Merrick dog treats and Feline's Pride raw cat food
And that's just pet products. You should check out all the human food and supplements that have been recalled within the last two weeks alone. It's scarey, unacceptable and a disgrace to our country. This is a problem.
The following are from the FDA's recall website. It's amazing and disappointing the number of recalls.
All the more reason to feed your pets homemade food! Who can keep track of all these recalls!
From June 22, 2010 it began with a limited recall: United Pet Group Voluntarily Recalls Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement for Dogs Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
and was expanded to include a whole heck of a lot more supplements on July 2nd, 2010.
And that was only the supplements. Now for the foods recalled, note that both raw and processed foods/treats were also recalled.
Merrick dog treats and Feline's Pride raw cat food
And that's just pet products. You should check out all the human food and supplements that have been recalled within the last two weeks alone. It's scarey, unacceptable and a disgrace to our country. This is a problem.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
so much happening
WOW - I leave Friday for my first class with Shiva Rea at Kripalu in Massachusetts. I'm so excited i can hardly stand it!
Today is the 11th day after the last full moon. I think some people fast on this day, but I didn't. Instead I ate only fruits and veggies - some from my container garden! For lunch I had a sliced tomato sprinkled with two kinds of fresh basil - both from my garden! It was sooo good! Then I went to the local farmers market and bought some fresh blueberries, corn on the cob, kale, cukes, and some fruit spreads made with honey and fruit, rather than sugar and fruit. Can't wait to try them out! Oh, and of course, how could I forget the carrots. I made some carrot juice as soon as i got home and have been sipping it and eating the blueberries all afternoon. Very refreshing in this HOT HEAT wave!
And I've been working on some of my business ideas - vet, food, and yoga-wise! It's all very exciting and has me energized.
I envision developing a couple of different kind of businesses, all of them energy-efficient, environmentally green, vegan-animal compassionate. I'm reviewing a few web designers at the moment and have even thought of a few domain names as well. Just need to find the perfect place, afterall, locatio is everything! Location, location, location.
Until next time,
infinite blessings to you,
Pood
Today is the 11th day after the last full moon. I think some people fast on this day, but I didn't. Instead I ate only fruits and veggies - some from my container garden! For lunch I had a sliced tomato sprinkled with two kinds of fresh basil - both from my garden! It was sooo good! Then I went to the local farmers market and bought some fresh blueberries, corn on the cob, kale, cukes, and some fruit spreads made with honey and fruit, rather than sugar and fruit. Can't wait to try them out! Oh, and of course, how could I forget the carrots. I made some carrot juice as soon as i got home and have been sipping it and eating the blueberries all afternoon. Very refreshing in this HOT HEAT wave!
And I've been working on some of my business ideas - vet, food, and yoga-wise! It's all very exciting and has me energized.
I envision developing a couple of different kind of businesses, all of them energy-efficient, environmentally green, vegan-animal compassionate. I'm reviewing a few web designers at the moment and have even thought of a few domain names as well. Just need to find the perfect place, afterall, locatio is everything! Location, location, location.
Until next time,
infinite blessings to you,
Pood
Monday, July 5, 2010
Light on Slippery Elm
Today's spotlight is on the botanical herb slippery elm.
What a wonder drug! Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is considered a Western herb (as opposed to a Chinese or Ayurvedic herb). It comes from a hardwood tree native to North America, and it's the inner bark that's harvested and powderized for medicinal purposes. It was used topically in salves for wounds, burns, and skin inflammations by Native Americans. It was taken by mouth as well to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea and upset stomachs.
Holistic veterinarians will use this herb to treat a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, stress colitis, and some cases of vomiting in dogs and cats. And I will recommend it to my clients' animals topically for certain skin conditions and burns.
It's an herb that should not be given to pregnant animals and since it coats the stomach it could decrease absorption of other medications given by mouth. But otherwise, it has a reputation of being a safe herb.
If your dog or cat is suffering from chronic GI or skin problems contact Dr. Busch for advice on ways to help your animal return to radiant health!
What a wonder drug! Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is considered a Western herb (as opposed to a Chinese or Ayurvedic herb). It comes from a hardwood tree native to North America, and it's the inner bark that's harvested and powderized for medicinal purposes. It was used topically in salves for wounds, burns, and skin inflammations by Native Americans. It was taken by mouth as well to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea and upset stomachs.
Holistic veterinarians will use this herb to treat a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, stress colitis, and some cases of vomiting in dogs and cats. And I will recommend it to my clients' animals topically for certain skin conditions and burns.
It's an herb that should not be given to pregnant animals and since it coats the stomach it could decrease absorption of other medications given by mouth. But otherwise, it has a reputation of being a safe herb.
If your dog or cat is suffering from chronic GI or skin problems contact Dr. Busch for advice on ways to help your animal return to radiant health!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Heartworm preventives not working?
The Companion Animal Parasite Council issued a statement in May 2010 noting reports of resistance to heartworm preventives (e.g. Heartgard, Interceptor, Sentinel) in cases involving dogs in the south-central US.
Additionally, the American Heartworm Society has assembled a commission to publish recommendations for the development of protocols for heartworm preventives to minimize the potential for resistance.
Heartworms are transmitted to dogs and cats by mosquito bites and can cause heartfailure and death. It is fairly safe and easy (for the moment at least) to prevent, but can be costly and dangerous to treat once an animal is infested.
This is one disease that I still recommend giving monthly preventives to your dogs in order to prevent. The only kind I recommend is the kind given by mouth (oral, PO) and specifically NOT the topical or injectable formulations, except in extreme cases. And in Southeastern Pensslyvania, I recommend year round heartworm preventive, that is, give a dose every month on the same day of each month, year'round.
All that said, with increasing reports of resistance to the preventives, good nutritional and immune support should not be overlooked in terms of their importance in preventing heartworm infestation and disease. This is relevant because not all unprotected dogs bitten by heartworm carrying mosquitoes become infested, and overall health is likely a significant a factor for this.
I'm not convinced that most cats need heartworm preventives, perhaps cats that spend the majority of their time outside, but probably not cats that live entirely indoors. Of course, there is a safe preventive available for your cat should you prefer to have your cat on a heartworm preventive.
Pood
Additionally, the American Heartworm Society has assembled a commission to publish recommendations for the development of protocols for heartworm preventives to minimize the potential for resistance.
Heartworms are transmitted to dogs and cats by mosquito bites and can cause heartfailure and death. It is fairly safe and easy (for the moment at least) to prevent, but can be costly and dangerous to treat once an animal is infested.
This is one disease that I still recommend giving monthly preventives to your dogs in order to prevent. The only kind I recommend is the kind given by mouth (oral, PO) and specifically NOT the topical or injectable formulations, except in extreme cases. And in Southeastern Pensslyvania, I recommend year round heartworm preventive, that is, give a dose every month on the same day of each month, year'round.
All that said, with increasing reports of resistance to the preventives, good nutritional and immune support should not be overlooked in terms of their importance in preventing heartworm infestation and disease. This is relevant because not all unprotected dogs bitten by heartworm carrying mosquitoes become infested, and overall health is likely a significant a factor for this.
I'm not convinced that most cats need heartworm preventives, perhaps cats that spend the majority of their time outside, but probably not cats that live entirely indoors. Of course, there is a safe preventive available for your cat should you prefer to have your cat on a heartworm preventive.
Pood
Who owns what?
I'm sure it's available online somewhere, but suffice it to say that there are some very big corporations that own a large number of pet food brands. Del Monte (manufacturer of Milk Bone, Meow Mix, Kibble and Bits brands of petfoods, as well as human snack, fruit cups, etc), Proctor and Gamble (who just bought Natura petfood products, also manufactures Iams and Eukanuba brands), Colgate Palmolive (the maker of Hills, Science Diet - including prescription diets - petfoods), Mars (also the maker of Snickers candy bars). Amazing isn't it?
Another one bites the dust
Another high quality, independent pet food company has been bought by a big, no make that HUGE, corporation that also happens to sell pet foods. Proctor and Gamble bought out Natura, the maker of Innova, EVO, and California Naturals among others. You can read P&G's press release if you like. Here is the press released letter from Natura's President Don Scott commenting on the acquisition.
Why am I upset about this? Well, because it's been one of the commercial products I've fed my own cats and dogs over the last several years. But why would I be upset just because it was bought out? Because in the past, when the big corporations bought out small, independent, high quality pet food companies the quality deteriorated, in my opinion.
But the good news is that I've found another high quality, independent pet food company to replace the one that was bought. So now, on those days when I don't prepare the food I feed my pets myself, I know I can rotate among Wysong and Orijen and they will have good food, almost as good as homemade! It's good to have options.
pood
Why am I upset about this? Well, because it's been one of the commercial products I've fed my own cats and dogs over the last several years. But why would I be upset just because it was bought out? Because in the past, when the big corporations bought out small, independent, high quality pet food companies the quality deteriorated, in my opinion.
But the good news is that I've found another high quality, independent pet food company to replace the one that was bought. So now, on those days when I don't prepare the food I feed my pets myself, I know I can rotate among Wysong and Orijen and they will have good food, almost as good as homemade! It's good to have options.
pood
Monday, June 28, 2010
What kind of plant does green tea come from?
Have you ever wondered where green tea comes from? Have you ever wondered what the plant looks like? If not, you can rest assured that you are probably a normal human being. If you have, you are like me, and that may be something to worry about.
There are people who can "divine" what effects a plant will have on your physiology based on its "look." So take a moment and consider all the things green tea can do for your health and then take a look at the picture of Camellia sinensis (hint: it's the green, leafy plant pictured at the top of my blog's homepage!)
The image is from Henriette's Herbal website. As stated in my earlier post, she is the go to person for info on herbs.
Green tea, Camellia sinensis! Enjoy a cup or 3 a day!
Infinite blessings,
Poodle
All time FAVORITE site for info on all things HERBAL
You are in luck! I have found a wealth of legitimate information on herbs to share with you. This is the single best site I've found for information on herbal remedies, both culinary and medicinal.
Henriette's Herbal
Infinite blessings,
Poodle
Henriette's Herbal
Infinite blessings,
Poodle
pet nutrition link
Here's a blog by Dr. Susan Wynn. She's a well known holistic veterinarian with a strong interest and lengthy background in veterinary nutrition. Her blog is especially useful for getting alerts on pet food recalls, and tracking the recalls as well as other useful, and safe pet nutrition information.
Dr. Susan Wynn's nutrition blog
Poodle
Dr. Susan Wynn's nutrition blog
Poodle
New GPS dog tracker available
The idea is exciting and for every time it works to help find a roaming-too-far-from-home dog, it's worth it. The biggest drawback I see with it, however, is that it is attached to the collar, so if the collar is lost or removed, then there would potentially be a dead end at that point in a search. That said, I still think it's a great device for finding a lost dog!
Check out the Zoombak dog GPS online:
Zoombak GPS for dogs
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Check out the Zoombak dog GPS online:
Zoombak GPS for dogs
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Sunday, June 27, 2010
We Missed It
Did you see it? We missed it, but I hope you got to see the Lunar Eclipse yesterday morning. It was supposed to be a sight to see, with June's full moon and the lunar eclipse all at the same time. I'm so sorry we missed it, but if you saw it, please tell me all about it.
Yesterday was Pooper's (surprise) birthday party. We had a good time with friends and family. Though I don't think he was very surprised, but he definitely was tickled to have everyone gathered together.
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Yesterday was Pooper's (surprise) birthday party. We had a good time with friends and family. Though I don't think he was very surprised, but he definitely was tickled to have everyone gathered together.
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Light on Herbs
The herb in today's spotlight is Milk Thistle, known by its scientific name as Silybum marianum. You may recognize it as the purple-spikey-flowering, stalky plant you'll see growing wildly in meadows and along country roads. (Don't use plants growing along roads for herbal remedies, they are exposed to too many pollutants and environmental contaminants!)
Milk Thistle has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for liver problems. Silymarin (the active part of the plant compound) has been used in the treatment of hepatitis C, mushroom toxicity (liver toxins), and even liver cancer and alcoholic hepatitis. Luckily, we don't see too many cases of alcoholic hepatitis in veterinary medicine! But animals on steroids for any length of time risk damage to their livers from the steroids and milk thistle may help protect the liver from steroid hepatopathy.
If your dog or cat is on steroids, has any elevated liver enzymes, or if you think could be helped by Milk Thistle please contact Dr. Busch at 215-287-3206.
Milk Thistle has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for liver problems. Silymarin (the active part of the plant compound) has been used in the treatment of hepatitis C, mushroom toxicity (liver toxins), and even liver cancer and alcoholic hepatitis. Luckily, we don't see too many cases of alcoholic hepatitis in veterinary medicine! But animals on steroids for any length of time risk damage to their livers from the steroids and milk thistle may help protect the liver from steroid hepatopathy.
If your dog or cat is on steroids, has any elevated liver enzymes, or if you think could be helped by Milk Thistle please contact Dr. Busch at 215-287-3206.
Getting Ready
Namaskaram!
After meeting with the website designer, I realized a couple of things. One is that I should write up a few short blog entries in preparation for my vet website-blog. It would be good to have a few things already written in advance. He told me I'd need to commit to weekly blog entries (of approximately 200 words) to keep it (the site) looking alive and active, which of course, reflects on my practice, as being alive and active as well.
And the other thing I decided to do after visiting with him is to use only my own photos on this blog. I hope you like the picture of the lighted trees at Longwood Gardens. I know it's kinda grainy, but it reminded me of a name I'm considering for my website.
Here are some more ideas for domain / practice names:
LightOnVetDOTcom - for a few reasons: I'm often the last place owners try before euthanizing their pets, that is, they come to me for some last ditch ideas, and ideas are often expressed as light bulbs. Also, I will shed light on vet med, sharing the inside scoop on some commonly used but questionable practices in vet med, instead using more holistic and natural approaches to vet med and animal health. Not only will I shed light on some less than ideal approaches to animal health, but I will not be applying typical western vet practices on my patients. That is I will not use the commonly prescribed steroids and antibiotics for anything and everything that so many vets default to. In this sense I will be light on vet med. And there's the book, Light On Yoga, which is considered a sort of bible on yoga for yoga practitioners and I like tapping into this established approach to practice, yoga, vet med, and life in general. And it just sounds like Right-On and is just kind of a cool name I think. It feels good to me.
HaverfordHolitsticVetDOTcom - this will work as long as I'm in Haverford, currently we live in Haverford Township and it has a better "vibe" than Havertown, the part of Haverford Twnsp we live in. Havertown is more down and out during this recession than the more affluent Haverford part of Haverford Township. And it, like the other names I've listed to date can work for a mobile or stationary practice. Can't overlook the fact that this name gets the important word Holistic in the name, which my web designer stressed as being singularly important, though I've already questioned this in my last blog post...
NaturalPetVetDOTcom - seems pretty easy to remember. This is important, the web name has to be memorable and easy to spell, without any spelling variations that would make it difficult to find my website.
LotusVetDOTcom - The lotus is frequently cited in yoga practice because it is a flower that starts its life down in the muddy muck at the bottom of a murky pond and grows up through the water to blossom into a beautiful flower on the water's surface. I like the connection with yoga, the sense of reviving the down and out to the beauty of healthy lightness, and I just like the name. I hope this name is not taken yet. I am currently leaning towards this name, but a close second is LightOnVet.
Please let me know what you think of my ideas. Please share your ideas and you know I will let you know once a name is picked.
Until next time, Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
After meeting with the website designer, I realized a couple of things. One is that I should write up a few short blog entries in preparation for my vet website-blog. It would be good to have a few things already written in advance. He told me I'd need to commit to weekly blog entries (of approximately 200 words) to keep it (the site) looking alive and active, which of course, reflects on my practice, as being alive and active as well.
And the other thing I decided to do after visiting with him is to use only my own photos on this blog. I hope you like the picture of the lighted trees at Longwood Gardens. I know it's kinda grainy, but it reminded me of a name I'm considering for my website.
Here are some more ideas for domain / practice names:
LightOnVetDOTcom - for a few reasons: I'm often the last place owners try before euthanizing their pets, that is, they come to me for some last ditch ideas, and ideas are often expressed as light bulbs. Also, I will shed light on vet med, sharing the inside scoop on some commonly used but questionable practices in vet med, instead using more holistic and natural approaches to vet med and animal health. Not only will I shed light on some less than ideal approaches to animal health, but I will not be applying typical western vet practices on my patients. That is I will not use the commonly prescribed steroids and antibiotics for anything and everything that so many vets default to. In this sense I will be light on vet med. And there's the book, Light On Yoga, which is considered a sort of bible on yoga for yoga practitioners and I like tapping into this established approach to practice, yoga, vet med, and life in general. And it just sounds like Right-On and is just kind of a cool name I think. It feels good to me.
HaverfordHolitsticVetDOTcom - this will work as long as I'm in Haverford, currently we live in Haverford Township and it has a better "vibe" than Havertown, the part of Haverford Twnsp we live in. Havertown is more down and out during this recession than the more affluent Haverford part of Haverford Township. And it, like the other names I've listed to date can work for a mobile or stationary practice. Can't overlook the fact that this name gets the important word Holistic in the name, which my web designer stressed as being singularly important, though I've already questioned this in my last blog post...
NaturalPetVetDOTcom - seems pretty easy to remember. This is important, the web name has to be memorable and easy to spell, without any spelling variations that would make it difficult to find my website.
LotusVetDOTcom - The lotus is frequently cited in yoga practice because it is a flower that starts its life down in the muddy muck at the bottom of a murky pond and grows up through the water to blossom into a beautiful flower on the water's surface. I like the connection with yoga, the sense of reviving the down and out to the beauty of healthy lightness, and I just like the name. I hope this name is not taken yet. I am currently leaning towards this name, but a close second is LightOnVet.
Please let me know what you think of my ideas. Please share your ideas and you know I will let you know once a name is picked.
Until next time, Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Help! I need a name
June's New Moon has started and I do feel like my energy is up right now. The creative juices are flowing, but I need your help!
I met today with a web design and hosting company and it is clear I need a name for my acupuncture housecall practice. He strongly recommends have a name that identifies what it is I do. But all the obvious ones are taken:
Gone are: Animal Acupuncture, Holistic Vet, Holistic Pet Care, etc, etc.
But you all know me and my philosophy, so I was hoping you could help with this! Plus, I am not convinced that holistic, etc needs to be in the name of my practice, website, etc. Primarily because he said they can put "key words" behind the scenes of my website that would direct searches to my practice's website.
Since you all know I'm a vegan, a yogi steeping in some Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, that I do more than acupuncture housecalls, etc, I could use your suggestions for names!
Before you read my ideas below, could you please brainstorm some of your own first? I'm worried that once you read my ideas you'll be thinking in certain directions rather than coming up with your own ideas. So please take a minute and write some of your ideas down first!
Here are some I thought of: Balancing Vet (as in energy balancing to bring about an animal's health), Ahimsa Vet (this is a Hindu concept of not hurting any creature), The Vegan Vet (Vegan vet is taken), Energy Vet or Energetics Vet or Energetic Vet, Attuning Vet, Prana Chi Vet (of course all of these would be written together on a web address like - BalancingVet, PranaChiVet, etc. The reason I'm so drawn to some of these yoga-themed names is because most of my clients will know what these are, and the clients I want to attract will know what these are, too. There is a method to my madness.
So, quick, while June's New Moon is still in power, please write to me with your ideas. You can send them in the comments section below, you don't even have to open up your email.
Thank you and Infinite blessings to you!
Poodle
PS - In the past three days I've done 8 hand stands in 3 yoga classes - without crashing!
I met today with a web design and hosting company and it is clear I need a name for my acupuncture housecall practice. He strongly recommends have a name that identifies what it is I do. But all the obvious ones are taken:
Gone are: Animal Acupuncture, Holistic Vet, Holistic Pet Care, etc, etc.
But you all know me and my philosophy, so I was hoping you could help with this! Plus, I am not convinced that holistic, etc needs to be in the name of my practice, website, etc. Primarily because he said they can put "key words" behind the scenes of my website that would direct searches to my practice's website.
Since you all know I'm a vegan, a yogi steeping in some Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, that I do more than acupuncture housecalls, etc, I could use your suggestions for names!
Before you read my ideas below, could you please brainstorm some of your own first? I'm worried that once you read my ideas you'll be thinking in certain directions rather than coming up with your own ideas. So please take a minute and write some of your ideas down first!
Here are some I thought of: Balancing Vet (as in energy balancing to bring about an animal's health), Ahimsa Vet (this is a Hindu concept of not hurting any creature), The Vegan Vet (Vegan vet is taken), Energy Vet or Energetics Vet or Energetic Vet, Attuning Vet, Prana Chi Vet (of course all of these would be written together on a web address like - BalancingVet, PranaChiVet, etc. The reason I'm so drawn to some of these yoga-themed names is because most of my clients will know what these are, and the clients I want to attract will know what these are, too. There is a method to my madness.
So, quick, while June's New Moon is still in power, please write to me with your ideas. You can send them in the comments section below, you don't even have to open up your email.
Thank you and Infinite blessings to you!
Poodle
PS - In the past three days I've done 8 hand stands in 3 yoga classes - without crashing!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Full Moon Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a full moon and tomorrow we fly to Michigan to visit my Dad in Canada. And unfortunately, my Living Saddhana took a nose dive and is in desperate need of resuscitation if it's going to survive.
Currently I have a black eye from having a MOH's surgery two days ago to remove a basal cell carcinoma. That's not really an issue for me, though it did prevent me from practicing yoga for two days because it hurt to hang my head. But the week earlier I had to take Doxycycline for a different procedure last week. In the past I have never been able to swallow pills that big. But I discovered that if I ate a couple of pringles potato chips before attempting to swallow these large pills I could get them down without choking. Of course, eating pringles was not part of my plan of eating well. And to top it off, we hosted a party at our house over the weekend for John's retiring running coach. So, on several fronts my plans for eating well were sidelined and took a detour. I'm worried how well I'll eat while visiting my carnivorous father in Canada...
However, the other part of my Living Saddhana has been going spectacularly well! I LOVE this translation/edition of the Bagavad Gita! It is readable, accessible, and a pleasure to read.
I'm enjoying the sensations in my mind this book elicits that I can only describe as the feeling of synapses popping open and re-circuit-ing neural networks as I try to wrap my brain around some of the concepts presented in this phenomenal book.
Unfortanely, I have to drive back to the other house now and pack. Otherwise I would fill you in on the book's details in more depth. But that will have to wait for another day.
Enjoy the full moon and Happy Memorial Day!
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Currently I have a black eye from having a MOH's surgery two days ago to remove a basal cell carcinoma. That's not really an issue for me, though it did prevent me from practicing yoga for two days because it hurt to hang my head. But the week earlier I had to take Doxycycline for a different procedure last week. In the past I have never been able to swallow pills that big. But I discovered that if I ate a couple of pringles potato chips before attempting to swallow these large pills I could get them down without choking. Of course, eating pringles was not part of my plan of eating well. And to top it off, we hosted a party at our house over the weekend for John's retiring running coach. So, on several fronts my plans for eating well were sidelined and took a detour. I'm worried how well I'll eat while visiting my carnivorous father in Canada...
However, the other part of my Living Saddhana has been going spectacularly well! I LOVE this translation/edition of the Bagavad Gita! It is readable, accessible, and a pleasure to read.
I'm enjoying the sensations in my mind this book elicits that I can only describe as the feeling of synapses popping open and re-circuit-ing neural networks as I try to wrap my brain around some of the concepts presented in this phenomenal book.
Unfortanely, I have to drive back to the other house now and pack. Otherwise I would fill you in on the book's details in more depth. But that will have to wait for another day.
Enjoy the full moon and Happy Memorial Day!
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Monday, May 17, 2010
Living Saddhana - take one!
In case you missed it this past Friday, May 14th, was the first day of the new moon in May. In Hindu traditions the new moon is considered an auspicious time (~2 weeks). As part of the yoga teacher training program I recently enrolled in, I am supposed to design a 30 day practice ("saddhana") based on a theme and begin the 30 days on a new moon. The reason we start this on a new moon is in order to enhance the success of our saddhanas. This 30 day practice or "saddhana" is designed around a theme with goals and daily projects, written out and planned for far in advance. I haven't been that organized, but I didn't want to waste this opportune time to begin an inspiring project. Loosely organized my first living saddhana is a combination of Healthy Eating and Reading the Baghavad Gita.
The first thing I did to jump start my 30 days of healthy eating was buy a Champion Juicer. And that same day (Friday May 14th) I went to Costco and bought a 10 pound bag of organic carrots and a 13 pound (22 count) box of California oranges. Afterall, it takes about 8 medium-large carrot sticks and 1-2 stalks of celery to make one glass of carrot juice. And it takes about 7 large (depends on juiciness) oranges to make one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, using the juicer.
I LOVE this juicer! Very easy to use, super easy to assemble and clean, and it makes delicious juice! And I can make banana whips (a custard-like dessert made of 100% frozen banana -- oh so good!)with this juicer.
As it happened while I was at Costco there was a demonstration booth on the Vitamix mixer. I already own a Vitamix, but have mostly used it to make fruit smoothies and some hummus and soups. It was so much fun watching their demonstrations on all the things you can make with this super easy to use and clean machine! If you like fruit smoothies and delicious, easy to make home-made soups you should check this out!
As you might have guessed, so far my 30 days of healthy eating is off to a roaring start! I will update you on the Bhagavad Gita once I've read enough to report back to you (written sheepishly).
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
The first thing I did to jump start my 30 days of healthy eating was buy a Champion Juicer. And that same day (Friday May 14th) I went to Costco and bought a 10 pound bag of organic carrots and a 13 pound (22 count) box of California oranges. Afterall, it takes about 8 medium-large carrot sticks and 1-2 stalks of celery to make one glass of carrot juice. And it takes about 7 large (depends on juiciness) oranges to make one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, using the juicer.
I LOVE this juicer! Very easy to use, super easy to assemble and clean, and it makes delicious juice! And I can make banana whips (a custard-like dessert made of 100% frozen banana -- oh so good!)with this juicer.
As it happened while I was at Costco there was a demonstration booth on the Vitamix mixer. I already own a Vitamix, but have mostly used it to make fruit smoothies and some hummus and soups. It was so much fun watching their demonstrations on all the things you can make with this super easy to use and clean machine! If you like fruit smoothies and delicious, easy to make home-made soups you should check this out!
As you might have guessed, so far my 30 days of healthy eating is off to a roaring start! I will update you on the Bhagavad Gita once I've read enough to report back to you (written sheepishly).
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Time to Transition
Greetings from the Delaware Valley! (Yes, this is Poodle's Blog, just a new look!)
It is time to update this blog, don't you think? You'll quickly notice I've edited the layout and added some features - moon phases, search bar option for this blog, and my music playlist. There's no time like the present to transition from the old to the new.
The new involves yoga teacher training and healthy living (and hopefully some Spanish, too). A big part of the yoga teacher training project I've just enrolled in
(Shiva Rea's Samudra Yoga) involves tracking the phases of the moon and tapping into the ebb and flow of life. Let the journey begin.
(Yes, I know I need to somehow edit this so 1. the playlist box fits, and 2. so that it doesn't automatically play when you open this blog, but I ran out of time for today. Something to work on...in the meantime, let me know what you think!)
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
It is time to update this blog, don't you think? You'll quickly notice I've edited the layout and added some features - moon phases, search bar option for this blog, and my music playlist. There's no time like the present to transition from the old to the new.
The new involves yoga teacher training and healthy living (and hopefully some Spanish, too). A big part of the yoga teacher training project I've just enrolled in
(Shiva Rea's Samudra Yoga) involves tracking the phases of the moon and tapping into the ebb and flow of life. Let the journey begin.
(Yes, I know I need to somehow edit this so 1. the playlist box fits, and 2. so that it doesn't automatically play when you open this blog, but I ran out of time for today. Something to work on...in the meantime, let me know what you think!)
Infinite blessings to you,
Poodle
Thursday, April 22, 2010
on track - sort of
hello,
my goal was to keep this blog active for a year. once a month counts I guess!
First the news!
Poopers ran in his first race since his surgery, and not only did he run - he placed! Congrats Poopers!
I've been living vicariously through my Spanish travelling friends. Lots of people went to Spain in April and by all accounts - it's lovely. But, one of my friends is there now, and I'm curious to hear how she coped with the volcano plume's interuptions of her European travel plans. Maybe someday I'll get there...
Some sad news from Poopers side of the family. His Uncle, who volunteers three days a week on house-building projects for Habitat for Humanity, fell while working on the roof. He suffered a spinal cord injury. He had to have emergency surgery and is currently paralyzed from the waist down. He's starting a month of rehabilitation and hopefully will show signs of ragaining feeling and motion in his lower body.
We're still not moved in / out yet, but one of these days...hopefully.
But the tulips i planted last fall all bloomed this spring. The peonies and echinacea are coming up too. The azaleas are in full bloom right now and it is lovely!
Happy Spring.
Until next time,
Poodle
my goal was to keep this blog active for a year. once a month counts I guess!
First the news!
Poopers ran in his first race since his surgery, and not only did he run - he placed! Congrats Poopers!
I've been living vicariously through my Spanish travelling friends. Lots of people went to Spain in April and by all accounts - it's lovely. But, one of my friends is there now, and I'm curious to hear how she coped with the volcano plume's interuptions of her European travel plans. Maybe someday I'll get there...
Some sad news from Poopers side of the family. His Uncle, who volunteers three days a week on house-building projects for Habitat for Humanity, fell while working on the roof. He suffered a spinal cord injury. He had to have emergency surgery and is currently paralyzed from the waist down. He's starting a month of rehabilitation and hopefully will show signs of ragaining feeling and motion in his lower body.
We're still not moved in / out yet, but one of these days...hopefully.
But the tulips i planted last fall all bloomed this spring. The peonies and echinacea are coming up too. The azaleas are in full bloom right now and it is lovely!
Happy Spring.
Until next time,
Poodle
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Spring has Sprung
Happy Spring!
Yes, Spring has sprung, the weather is warming up, the birds are chirping, the days are lighter longer into the evening. Feels so good to be on this side of a rough winter, doesn't it? I don't think it matters where you are in the country reading this, we all agree, good riddance winter!
There's nothing like spring to get you in the mood for starting over. After a long hiatus from exercise it feels good to be running and yoga-ing again! Good, except for the initial sore muscles protesting after 4 months of rest! Luckily muscles protest only briefly.
Is it just me, or do you find it extremely hard to stay motivated and exercise during the winter, too? I very clearly need sunshine and warming temps to get my tush in gear and get going. I started slowly - walking. It's sad to admit, but, yes, I was sore from walking (head hanging sheepishly). That's how out of shape I had become after 4 months of no exercise. The first day I walked for 40 minutes - over a hilly route mind you - but I was surprised by just how sore I was from merely walking. The next day I walked for 50 minutes over the same hilly course and I was less sore the following day. Thank God! But I was smart and wore my running shoes. Not that I had any intention of feeling compelled to run, but rather wore them instead of those "barefoot running shoes" that lamed me up for over a month last summer/fall.
And then I started running again. That's it, two days of walking and then running. Yes, slowly and occasionally walking, but more running than walking. And I started doing the yoga classes that I teach. Which is not very strenuous seeing as how they are either beginner/gentle yoga or a "silver sneakers" yoga class for the elderly. But hey, when you're coming from the empty set of ZERO, even gentle stretching can be positively, uh, what's the word? Painful. But again, luckily for only a little while.
And two weeks ago I signed Poopers and myself up in a running club. And I've been twice. The first week I ran/walked 3 miles and last week, I ran the entire 4.75 miles. We go again tonight - after 3 days of cold rain mixed with huge snowflakes and strong winds - to today which is sunny and perfect temps for running - about 58 degrees.
The house is done - as you know, but we haven't moved in yet. Soon I suspect, but it's like a friend said recently after finishing her kitchen remodel - we don't wanna mess it up. They were using a make-shift kitchenette on their front porch for weeks after their renovated kitchen was completed, before they made the plunge and started using their new kitchen. They didn't want to use their sparkling new kitchen for fear of ruining it's perfection. I can relate!
Happy spring. Enjoy the flowers, the warmth, the sunshine.
Until next time,
Poodle
Yes, Spring has sprung, the weather is warming up, the birds are chirping, the days are lighter longer into the evening. Feels so good to be on this side of a rough winter, doesn't it? I don't think it matters where you are in the country reading this, we all agree, good riddance winter!
There's nothing like spring to get you in the mood for starting over. After a long hiatus from exercise it feels good to be running and yoga-ing again! Good, except for the initial sore muscles protesting after 4 months of rest! Luckily muscles protest only briefly.
Is it just me, or do you find it extremely hard to stay motivated and exercise during the winter, too? I very clearly need sunshine and warming temps to get my tush in gear and get going. I started slowly - walking. It's sad to admit, but, yes, I was sore from walking (head hanging sheepishly). That's how out of shape I had become after 4 months of no exercise. The first day I walked for 40 minutes - over a hilly route mind you - but I was surprised by just how sore I was from merely walking. The next day I walked for 50 minutes over the same hilly course and I was less sore the following day. Thank God! But I was smart and wore my running shoes. Not that I had any intention of feeling compelled to run, but rather wore them instead of those "barefoot running shoes" that lamed me up for over a month last summer/fall.
And then I started running again. That's it, two days of walking and then running. Yes, slowly and occasionally walking, but more running than walking. And I started doing the yoga classes that I teach. Which is not very strenuous seeing as how they are either beginner/gentle yoga or a "silver sneakers" yoga class for the elderly. But hey, when you're coming from the empty set of ZERO, even gentle stretching can be positively, uh, what's the word? Painful. But again, luckily for only a little while.
And two weeks ago I signed Poopers and myself up in a running club. And I've been twice. The first week I ran/walked 3 miles and last week, I ran the entire 4.75 miles. We go again tonight - after 3 days of cold rain mixed with huge snowflakes and strong winds - to today which is sunny and perfect temps for running - about 58 degrees.
The house is done - as you know, but we haven't moved in yet. Soon I suspect, but it's like a friend said recently after finishing her kitchen remodel - we don't wanna mess it up. They were using a make-shift kitchenette on their front porch for weeks after their renovated kitchen was completed, before they made the plunge and started using their new kitchen. They didn't want to use their sparkling new kitchen for fear of ruining it's perfection. I can relate!
Happy spring. Enjoy the flowers, the warmth, the sunshine.
Until next time,
Poodle
Friday, February 5, 2010
Ta-Da!!!
It's Done!
Hello Blog Followers - I know you're out there, even if you don't post comments, so hello there!
Yes, the House Project is done. Alleluja! (or however you spell it - the feeling is one of rejoicing). The FiOS is installed. We have internet, we have cable TV (as in CNN, A&E, Animal Planet, etc) and long distance phone service and wireless printing on the printer in my new office, aka the Den.
Thought I should post pix from the very beginning. And then show the finished product immediately following so you can appreciate the differences of before and after. Here we go.
First the attic - before and after:
And now the basement before and after:
Next, the living room before and after:
Now the Kitchen/Dining area before and after:
And so there you have it. I tried to post a before picture taken from the same general position in the house as the next "after" picture. Hopefully, this successfully conveys the improved flow and features of the renovated house. Looking forward to seeing you all soon for dinner, hopefully!
Hello Blog Followers - I know you're out there, even if you don't post comments, so hello there!
Yes, the House Project is done. Alleluja! (or however you spell it - the feeling is one of rejoicing). The FiOS is installed. We have internet, we have cable TV (as in CNN, A&E, Animal Planet, etc) and long distance phone service and wireless printing on the printer in my new office, aka the Den.
Thought I should post pix from the very beginning. And then show the finished product immediately following so you can appreciate the differences of before and after. Here we go.
First the attic - before and after:
And now the basement before and after:
Next, the living room before and after:
Now the Kitchen/Dining area before and after:
And so there you have it. I tried to post a before picture taken from the same general position in the house as the next "after" picture. Hopefully, this successfully conveys the improved flow and features of the renovated house. Looking forward to seeing you all soon for dinner, hopefully!
Until next time,
Poodles
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Drawing to a Close
After so many months of planning, reviewing, ordering, returning, watching and waiting, it is almost a let down to realize The House Project is drawing to a close. Don't get me wrong, there is still a significant amount of work needing to be done, however, my responsibility is significantly less.
So I've been thinking about my next project. Some have been put on hold (primarily learning Spanish and eating those 10 fruits and veggies (fnv)) during The House Project. At one point I asked you if you'd be interested in a blog based primarily on food. Granted, I only got one response, but it was a negative one. But that's never stopped me before, in fact, if anything it motivates me. Sorry. But it's looking like I might be transitioning away from a House-based blog and towards a Food-based blog.
Unfortunately, the 10 fnv thing just never took off. So I think I need to regroup. Question is what plan do I follow or do I start my own? Suggestions? I have a few cook books that I really like, and MaryLu Henner's is very good - just not vegan. Have any of you seen Gillian McKeith's books? I like how healthy her recipes are.
I'm soliciting suggestions from you. Please write in the comments what works for you! Maybe I can start plan based on a composite of your responses - of course, this would require more than one response! So everyone - write!
I'll start. So far this week I have not eaten after 5 pm. And I must say, I sleep better, and it's easier to exercise in the morning when I don't go to bed with a full stomach. Now your turn! Just click on the comment box and send me your success stories!
Until next time,
Poodle
So I've been thinking about my next project. Some have been put on hold (primarily learning Spanish and eating those 10 fruits and veggies (fnv)) during The House Project. At one point I asked you if you'd be interested in a blog based primarily on food. Granted, I only got one response, but it was a negative one. But that's never stopped me before, in fact, if anything it motivates me. Sorry. But it's looking like I might be transitioning away from a House-based blog and towards a Food-based blog.
Unfortunately, the 10 fnv thing just never took off. So I think I need to regroup. Question is what plan do I follow or do I start my own? Suggestions? I have a few cook books that I really like, and MaryLu Henner's is very good - just not vegan. Have any of you seen Gillian McKeith's books? I like how healthy her recipes are.
I'm soliciting suggestions from you. Please write in the comments what works for you! Maybe I can start plan based on a composite of your responses - of course, this would require more than one response! So everyone - write!
I'll start. So far this week I have not eaten after 5 pm. And I must say, I sleep better, and it's easier to exercise in the morning when I don't go to bed with a full stomach. Now your turn! Just click on the comment box and send me your success stories!
Until next time,
Poodle
Sunday, January 10, 2010
House Updates
Greetings!
And the saga continues. Believe you, me, when I say the house is The House Project, it is!
To recount - I think you all know this whole thing started with 25,000 gallons of water destroying the house, right? And then during the project the roof (not), chimney (not), chimney mortar leaked into the attic. Then the den waited to leak until after it was all insulated, primed with paint, with new floors installed, etc. The sewage line backed up, twice. Bleeder pipe in den leaked. Some radiator pipe in basement leaked. The lines to radiators spewed gallons of water down through ceiling to front foyer - requiring it to be replaced - the one ceiling that remained from original house.
Then I ordered Pooper's Christmas gift - a flat screen TV and home theater blu-ray dvd system. Only to find out that "home theater" does not always mean "home theater". Had to return that. Ordered new home theater system - only to find out contractor forgot to put access in ceiling to the most important Center Speaker - of course, the ceiling is already painted!
Ordered two mirrored medicine cabinets. Was sent one that I ordered and one that I didn't order. Had to arrange returning the wrong one and getting the correct one - anyone familiar with the painful experience of automated phone service lines that are not really automated and of no service? I think you can imagine how much fun that whole experience was. But eventually it was returned and we got the right one.
Renting and driving a BIG 16 foot Penske truck around Philly picking up all of my Craigslist findings - which I must say has been a HUGE success for the most part. So far I've found an 11'8" by 14' wool rug for the Master Bedroom, our dining room table and 6 upholstered chairs by Broyhill, an antique Chippendale Secretary desk from the early 1900s, a loveseat/twin sleeper that is actually very comfortable to sit on, 4 area rugs (one leopard print - oo-la-la!), the brass and crystal chandelier, and a Casablanca ceiling fan. Not too bad, not too bad, considering what all of that would have cost new!
SIT-REP (NIMs/ICS-speak for Situation Report) on The House Project. According to our insurance agent the house has to be 100% completed by Feb 1st - so here's what's been done since my last post.
New basement stairs (still need some work though), most of the tile installed in all 3 baths, back entry and sunroom, living room crown molding installed, LR walls painted (trim still needs painting), stairway walls painted (railings still need painting), pendant lights installed (see picture), outlet cover plates installed (but not the right ones, need to be dimmers), electrical connected to bathroom ventilation fans, cabinet pulls installed on kitchen cabinets, upstairs toilets installed.
Still pending: all "lavs" (that's plumber-speak for faucets), garbage disposal, shower heads, vanities and med cabinets, washer/dryer hookup, water filters, hookup range, frig, range hood, floor heat in kitchen, hardwood floors sanded and sealed, sunroom paint, stairwell railings paint, trim paint throughout, glass-mirrors installed in kitchen cabinets, ceiling fans installed, bathroom light fixtures installed, and I could go on, and on, but will spare you the rest. As you can see there is a lot of work to be done yet!
Here is a picture of the front bedroom painted:
Here is the Living Room painted Bungalow Gold.
This is a picture of Pooper's sister and her three children in the kitchen with the pendant lights installed (love the leopard print jackets!).
This is the terra cotta colored tile I picked for the back entry and powder room.
This is the back bedroom painted brown and lavender.
And the saga continues. Believe you, me, when I say the house is The House Project, it is!
To recount - I think you all know this whole thing started with 25,000 gallons of water destroying the house, right? And then during the project the roof (not), chimney (not), chimney mortar leaked into the attic. Then the den waited to leak until after it was all insulated, primed with paint, with new floors installed, etc. The sewage line backed up, twice. Bleeder pipe in den leaked. Some radiator pipe in basement leaked. The lines to radiators spewed gallons of water down through ceiling to front foyer - requiring it to be replaced - the one ceiling that remained from original house.
Then I ordered Pooper's Christmas gift - a flat screen TV and home theater blu-ray dvd system. Only to find out that "home theater" does not always mean "home theater". Had to return that. Ordered new home theater system - only to find out contractor forgot to put access in ceiling to the most important Center Speaker - of course, the ceiling is already painted!
Ordered two mirrored medicine cabinets. Was sent one that I ordered and one that I didn't order. Had to arrange returning the wrong one and getting the correct one - anyone familiar with the painful experience of automated phone service lines that are not really automated and of no service? I think you can imagine how much fun that whole experience was. But eventually it was returned and we got the right one.
Renting and driving a BIG 16 foot Penske truck around Philly picking up all of my Craigslist findings - which I must say has been a HUGE success for the most part. So far I've found an 11'8" by 14' wool rug for the Master Bedroom, our dining room table and 6 upholstered chairs by Broyhill, an antique Chippendale Secretary desk from the early 1900s, a loveseat/twin sleeper that is actually very comfortable to sit on, 4 area rugs (one leopard print - oo-la-la!), the brass and crystal chandelier, and a Casablanca ceiling fan. Not too bad, not too bad, considering what all of that would have cost new!
SIT-REP (NIMs/ICS-speak for Situation Report) on The House Project. According to our insurance agent the house has to be 100% completed by Feb 1st - so here's what's been done since my last post.
New basement stairs (still need some work though), most of the tile installed in all 3 baths, back entry and sunroom, living room crown molding installed, LR walls painted (trim still needs painting), stairway walls painted (railings still need painting), pendant lights installed (see picture), outlet cover plates installed (but not the right ones, need to be dimmers), electrical connected to bathroom ventilation fans, cabinet pulls installed on kitchen cabinets, upstairs toilets installed.
Still pending: all "lavs" (that's plumber-speak for faucets), garbage disposal, shower heads, vanities and med cabinets, washer/dryer hookup, water filters, hookup range, frig, range hood, floor heat in kitchen, hardwood floors sanded and sealed, sunroom paint, stairwell railings paint, trim paint throughout, glass-mirrors installed in kitchen cabinets, ceiling fans installed, bathroom light fixtures installed, and I could go on, and on, but will spare you the rest. As you can see there is a lot of work to be done yet!
Here is a picture of the front bedroom painted:
Here is the Living Room painted Bungalow Gold.
This is a picture of Pooper's sister and her three children in the kitchen with the pendant lights installed (love the leopard print jackets!).
This is the terra cotta colored tile I picked for the back entry and powder room.
This is the back bedroom painted brown and lavender.
The granite tiles in bathroom floor and shower (are also on the ceiling) need to be supported up on the ceiling until the grout could securely hold them up. The sticks are doing it until the grout takes over...(two views, one of the floor and one of the ceiling)
And finally - some of my craigslist findings - chairs and chippendale secretary desk.
Until next time,
Poodle
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year!
Some photos from Longwood Gardens
Happy New Year! With all of the holidays it has been hard to get online to upload some pictures. Poopers and I made our semi-traditional trip to the beautiful Longwood Gardens on Christmas Eve. (This is where he proposed to me a couple of years ago on Christmas Eve.) All of these pictures are from the former DuPont estate west of Philly called Longwood Gardens. I hope you enjoy them, but like all amateur photos they leave a lot to be desired compared the actual beauty experienced in person...
And, it is with great excitement and anticipation that I can announce that as of February 1st we will have (drum roll please................) YES! Internet, cable, and FiOS long distance phone/TV! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!
Lesss than a month now!
Hope you are all healthy and warm! Oh, and long over-due, is the final update on Dad's trip Down Under. He arrived back home, still single, and still itching to travel some more!
Until later,
Poodle
Happy New Year! With all of the holidays it has been hard to get online to upload some pictures. Poopers and I made our semi-traditional trip to the beautiful Longwood Gardens on Christmas Eve. (This is where he proposed to me a couple of years ago on Christmas Eve.) All of these pictures are from the former DuPont estate west of Philly called Longwood Gardens. I hope you enjoy them, but like all amateur photos they leave a lot to be desired compared the actual beauty experienced in person...
And, it is with great excitement and anticipation that I can announce that as of February 1st we will have (drum roll please................) YES! Internet, cable, and FiOS long distance phone/TV! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!
Lesss than a month now!
Hope you are all healthy and warm! Oh, and long over-due, is the final update on Dad's trip Down Under. He arrived back home, still single, and still itching to travel some more!
Until later,
Poodle
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