Are you with it? 2011 started already! Three weeks already done.
Before I forget I wanted to share my FAVORITE Greenie recipe with you!
4-5 leafs (or is it leaves??) of organic kale
4 chunks of pineapple
2 TBS flaxseed oil
3/4 C organic apple cider
1 banana
Blend on highest Vitamix setting for about 40 seconds. Enjoy!
I just had braces put on my teeth last week and OMG did my teeth hurt - that dull throbbing pain until you go to gently and gingerly chew on something soft you put in your mouth and then WHAM that dull pain is excruciatingly ShArP and makes you almost pass out. So much for chewing.
Well that was about 4 days ago. Even 3 days ago it was still pretty painful. Yesterday not as bad and today still better. However, I still can't eat a salad with anything crunchy in it. What salad is not crunchy? Exactly. That's my problem. How the hell am i supposed to eat?!
I guess I'll be drinking my food for the next 18 months. Yup, 18 months of a painful mouth and unable to chew anything crunchy. Good thing I love carrot juice, Greenies and fruit smoothies, then eh? That could be good for my health and diet. The problem is that I wanted comfort food when my mouth hurt and I was anxious about not being able to eat anything. So I tried some soft and easy-on-the-teeth vegan chocolate cake, Amy's I think isthe brand. Yum. I'm ashamed to admit just how much of that cake i've eaten in the past week.
Mashed potatoes, veggie juices, fruit smoothies, greenies, pureed soups, and that's about it, oh and some green tea with honey.
wish me luck!
Blessings,
pood
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A couple more recipes
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.
* 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.
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
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