Category Archives: food

Pet Food Execs Eat Their Own Food

Pet360.com Challenges Pet Food Execs to Eat Their Own Food

The Pet360 team recently traveled to the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida and put representatives from major pet food manufacturers to the test. Spokespersons from twelve pet food companies were asked to eat their company’s pet food live on camera, and each one graciously accepted the challenge. These videos are the first in Pet360.com’s ongoing “Eat Your Food” series which will continue to put pet food brands to the test.

“For the longest time, the biggest decision regarding pet food was whether to purchase wet or dry,” explains Jon Roska Jr., VP of Merchandising at Pet360. “Now-a-days, pet owners are faced with a multitude of decisions, and there are a variety of gourmet options to choose from. We want to give brands the opportunity to prove that their food is the highest quality option for our customers’ pets, and what better way is there to do that than by consuming the food themselves?”

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Designed to highlight many of the most popular pet food brands, the “Eat Your Food” series also provides manufacturers the opportunity to promote the nutritional benefits of their pet food formulas. To check out Pet360.com’s “Eat Your Food” video series, click here.

*Pet360 strongly discourages consumers from eating their pet’s food at home. Participants in the “Eat Your Food” series are representatives of professional pet food companies.

About Pet360

Pet360.com is a personalized website dedicated to simplifying pet parenting. At Pet360, each member’s experience is tailored to their individual needs based on the type, breed, gender, age and size of their pets. By offering relevant tips and expert advice, connections to others with similar pets and the convenience of home shopping all in one place, Pet360.com is the ultimate resource for pet parents – available anytime, anywhere. For more information, watch the Pet360 Video or visit www.Pet360.com.

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Hare today: rabbits in the raw

If you live in the Monterey Bay area from Carmel to Pacific Grove, Marina to Gilroy, there is a rabbit farmer in Hollister who delivers raw ground rabbit food for dogs for FREE in the area with a minimum purchase of 10lbs..

He feeds them native grasses, each package is 2 lb. which can be fed to a 60 lb. dog for a week, approximately.

Cici has been scarfing up the raw rabbits. She loves it.  I try not to think about the bunnies. The 2 pound package lasts about a week, so five packages should last the month, if you mix the ground rabbit with kibble or Dr. Harvey’s as I do and feed twice a day. Longer, if your dog is smaller than Cici. She weighs about 53-60 pounds. She has stopped itching, too. No more allergies… allergies be gone dog food !

It is all natural raw dog food, ground rabbit with bone and organ meat included. It has NO preservatives, additives or antibiotics. It is all fresh and healthy. It comes frozen in 2lb packages. And it is very affordable. I did some research on other sites and found prices of $100 for 10 pounds of raw rabbit meat.  Feed your dogs rabbit tartare. Or you can cook the meat and feed your dog cooked rabbit. Either way, it is a nice change of pace (see health benefits below).

Check out the Rabbit in the Raw facebook page

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If you have any Questions feel free to call Charly at 831 673 2287. He can answer your questions and will enjoy meeting you and your dogs!

Rabbit Meat:  Is classified as poultry.  Like chicken or turkey but is extremely lean with more protein and significantly less fat.  But unlike the common proteins of chicken and turkey dogs and cats that are allergic to poultry can usually digest rabbit without allergy symptoms.  Other benefits of rabbit meat include the following:  there is no cholesterol found in rabbit meat making it a fantastic option for dogs that have a history of cardiac disease.  Rabbit meat contains fewer calories when comparing ounce per ounce of chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb making it a fantastic option for dogs needing to lose a few pounds without significantly cutting the portion size.  Rabbit meat is a very “heart-friendly” protein source, and makes a great choice for allergic, overweight or sensitive pets.

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A Dog’s New Years Resolutions

New Year’s Eve is almost here… some tips from last year that are still relevant.

http://celiasue.com/2011/12/29/party-animals-play-it-safe-for-new-years-eve/

Do you set goals? Write New Year’s Resolutions?

http://celiasueink.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/new-years-resolutions-for-champs/

Some dogs who are ready to party hardy…

Screen shot 2012-12-28 at 10.14.22 AM

http://thefw.com/new-years-dogs/

Fun New Years Resolutions for Pets, check out Animal Planet’s ‘official’ pet resolutions!

Cici’s Top 22 New Years Resolutions

1. Eat more treats. (Have Mom, get more Dr. Harvey’s Power Patties).

2. Scavenge for more food other than the bread left out for the birds.

3. Get more belly rubs.

4. Give more kisses.

5. Take more walks and runs at the park.

6. Get yourself to the beach and swim.

7. BOYCOTT  BATHS, and NO SLATHERING CREAMS.

8. Chase more cats, squirrels and birds.

9. Dream more about chasing cats, squirrels and birds.

10. Dine on fine cuisine and travel more.

11. Play more with neighbor dogs.

12. Start a barkday list a few months early.

13. Hoover the food off the kitchen floor while it’s fresh.

14. Dig a hole in the back yard to recline in for the spring/summer.

15. Squirm out of taking photos and dressing up.

16. Learn how to drive to feel my fur in the wind.

17. Be a good ambassador and END BSL.

18. No more itchies.

19. Make more doggie friends.

20. Eat more.

21. Get more bones, deer antler chews and Chew On.

22. Help doggie pals get adopted.

  • Feel free to share your pet’s resolutions in the comments.  We wish you and your furries a very happy and healthy 2013!

 

 

 

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

 

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turkey day feast for pooches

ok, this year Thanksgiving and my birthday are one and the same day…

so what are you and your dog up to for turkey day (remember, be good, it’s a day to be thankful and grateful and appreciate all you have…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/23/dogs-dressed-like-turkeys_n_786977.html#s188391

Genetically modified ingredients can be an unwelcome and hidden guest at your Thanksgiving celebration. This year, GMO Inside, a new coalition that advocates for increased consumer awareness of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in foods, is offering tips and suggestions for consumers on how to remove unwanted GMOs from their holiday feasts. From identifying GMO–laden products and offering non-GMO alternatives to giving tips on how to help spread the word on genetically engineered foods, GMO Inside hopes to give consumers the information they need to celebrate a non-GMO Thanksgiving.

Alisa Gravitz, president, Green America said: “Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Consumers should be able to do this without worrying about feeding hidden GMOs to their loved ones. GMO Inside’s Thanksgiving campaign allows people to make educated decisions about what will be served at their holiday gathering.”

Some common Thanksgiving products that are suspect for GMOs include: Campbell’s Tomato Soup, Wesson Canola Oil, Bruce’s Yams, Hershey Milk Chocolate, Pepperidge Farm Crackers, Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing, Rice-a-Roni chicken flavored rice, Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, and Kraft’s Stove Top Stuffing. GMO Inside provides alternatives to these foods here:  http://gmoinside.org/launch-thanksgiving/.

If you already purchased holiday food containing GMOs, you can check to see if food containing GMOs has money-back guarantees. If it does, you can send food back to the manufacturer and ask for your money back.

Sixty countries around the world have labeled GMO foods. GMO Inside believes that all U.S. citizens have the right to know what is in the food they eat. Genetically engineered foods have not been adequately tested for human consumption. It is unethical to put an experimental technology into the food Americans feed their families without providing information on the label that allows Americans to choose whether or not their food contains GMOs. Americans deserve to know if there are GMOs inside.
and here are some no no foods to not feed your pooch

http://www.ilovedogs.com/2011/10/10-thanksgiving-foods-dangerous-to-your-dog/#.UKPSAxW-amA

and instead of and/or in addition to eating turkey, you could adopt one… Adopting a turkey is a great way to give “turkey day” a new, kind meaning.

http://thekindlife.com/blog/post/farm-sanctuary-adopt-a-turkey-2012

Anyone want to adopt me??? LOL…

here are some yummy sounding recipe items…

http://thekindlife.com/blog/post/my-thanksgiving-menu-2010

a turkey day feast for pooches

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=3678

If you’re looking for a delicious grain-free treat for your pooch, follow a standard turkey meatball recipe and omit the breadcrumbs. Here is one of our grain-free personal favorites:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 egg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. sweet basil
1 1/2 tsp. parsley
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup romano or parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients together and roll into small balls. Place shaped meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

http://dogs-a-jammin.tumblr.com/post/1659924222/thanksgiving-dog-treat-recipes

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My itchy dog

Cici’s got the itchies again. am trying the raw Apple Cider Vinegar and Wild Salmon oil cures…  she did not like being sprayed with the ACV but I will find a way maybe sponge it on her. Started giving her the Doggy Goo again, bathed her with Dr. Harvey’s herbal shampoo and took away any kibble. The itchies started with her tearing apart this chair she has been sleeping on. The fabric mess seemed to bother her so I put a sleeping bag over the torn chair. Still itching away and getting worse every day. Drastic measures. Here we go again.

“…Fleas, flies, ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ring worm, fungus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, mange, etc., are unlikely to inhabit a dog whose system is alkaline inside and out. Should you ever experience any of these with your dog, bathe with a nice gentle herbal shampoo — one that you would use on your own hair — rinse thoroughly, and then sponge on ACV diluted with equal amounts of warm water. Allow your dog to drip dry. It is not necessary to use harsh chemicals for minor flea infestations. All fleas drown in soapy water and the ACV rinse makes the skin too acidic for a re-infestation. If you are worried about picking up fleas when you take your dog away from home, keep some ACV in a spray bottle, and spray your dog before you leave home, and when you get back. Take some with you and keep it in the car, just in case you need it any time. Obviously for major infestations, more drastic measures are necessary. ACV normalizes the pH levels of the skin, makes your dog unpalatable to even the nastiest of bacteria and you have a dog that smells like a salad, a small price to pay!”

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/acvfordogs.html

raw Apple Cider Vinegar has worked wonders for me internally, when I have had indigestion and other tummy upsets.

  • Use apple cider vinegar as a pet bath to treat fleas and skin irritation. Wash your pet first with a mild shampoo and then wash again with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Rinse off when finished with cool water and repeat this bath as needed to fleas and skin allergies.

  • Mix equal parts apple cider and vinegar with fresh water and put in a plastic spray bottle. Spray your furry friend daily to treat fleas, heal hot spots, stop itching, and increase the health and luster of your pet’s coat.

Read more: How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Pets | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2066146_use-apple-cider-vinegar-pets.html#ixzz2Bxb8GW83

Apple cider vinegar can be sponged onto a dog’s coat after bathing to remove soap residues and improve hair condition. Vinegar’s acidity and live enzymes are said to kill bacteria that cause flaking skin conditions. Soak the coat to the skin and let it air-dry. This same treatment is said to repel fleas and ticks.

Apple cider vinegar cools the skin when applied to burns, wounds, or hot spots. It can be massaged into sore or sprained muscles and is the foundation of many herbal liniments that relieve pain and inflammation.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/2_6/features/5220-1.html

Benefits

  1. Apple cider vinegar has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties that give the immune system a good boost, arming your dog with the strength to ward off pests like fleas and ticks and also diseases like parvo virus in dogs and parvo in puppies.
  2. Apple cider vinegar is also the king of skin and hair remedies.  It is effective at fighting itching and scratching from allergies or bites.  When applied directly to a hot spot on your dog’s skin, ACV will calm the redness and swelling all while providing your dog with some much needed relief.  ACV can be poured directly on your dog’s fur after a bath and then rinsed, which will cure dandruff, rejuvenate hair and help balance the PH levels in the body.

http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar.html

I also am giving her the apple cider vinegar internally, one tablespoon in her food every day and I am taking it too.

I am also giving her Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for the itchy problem. It is a premium source of OMEGA-3 Fatty Acids and also goes in her food. These nutrients are linked to healthy heart and brain function, supple and shiny skin and coat, normal functioning immune system, and healthy joints.  This is the brand, Alaskan Bear Treats Wild-Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs. There is also Grizzly Oil.  You can get the cider vinegar and both oils at Amazon.

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Filed under allergies, animals, au natural dog, bugs, dog health, dogs, food, healthy dog food, itchy red ears, keep pets safe, natural health remedies, pet care, self help, Uncategorized

oh brothers Doggy food

Brothers Complete is a family-owned and operated Pet Industry business – not a wholly-owned subsidiary of some conglomerate with fingers in any number of different pies.  Brothers Pierre and Aaron Earling believe good nutrition is the key to a pet’s health and well-being. As proprietors of The Doggy Store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, they’ve  recommended foods to their clientele for years. And determined they would formulate a product on their own that would surpass anything currently available.


 

Brothers Complete is a grain free, white potato free dog food, with white meat, red meat, allergy and fish formulas.

Cici was excited to try out all the yummy foods and treats. Drooling… delicious… she is a big fan and has enjoyed every bite and below are the things I am most happiest about. Feels good to feed her high quality foods and treats.

The Brothers Complete White Meat Formula uses Chicken as its main source of protein, with a good portion of egg and turkey meal included for added animal protein. Because white meat has a low ash content, this formula allows for high absorption of nutrients. The tapioca starch is obtained from the roots of the cassava plant (manihot esculenta) and is a natural source of very low glycemic carbohydrates. The tapioca starch used in Brothers does not contain the additional ingredients (like sugar and milk) normally added to tapioca for human consumption. This low glycemic starch allows Brothers to formulate a food that is closer to a dog’s historic diet which is based predominantly on animal protein, fat, and bone.

Ingredients: Chicken meal, tapioca, turkey meal, dried eggs, sweet potato, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Menhaden fish meal, dried chicken liver, pumpkin, flaxseed, alfalfa meal, carrots, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, blueberries, cranberries, apples, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, spinach, DL-methionine, L-lysine, taurine, mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary extract, Green tea extract, lecithin, Vitamin A supplement, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, folic acid, biotin, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, L-ascorbyl 2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C activity), zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, cobalt carbonate, Vitamin B12 supplement, Organic branched Inulin/FOS, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, Amylase (Aspergillus oryzae), Protease (Aspergillus oryzae), Cellulase (Trichoderma reesei), Lactase (Aspergillus oryzae), Hemicellulase (Trichoderma reesei), Lipase (Aspergillus oryzae).

In the last few years, some commercial pet food manufacturers have eliminated or restricted the use of grains but have substituted white potato instead. White potatoes have a higher glycemic index than white sugar (80 to 110 versus sugar at 65) so it puts a strain on the adrenal and pancreatic systems when it spikes the blood sugar and produces a large insulin response every time the dog eats. The high glycemic property of the white potato also feeds the Candida Albicans yeast in the colon which, when overgrown, becomes a fungus whose rhizomes grow into the mucosal lining of the intestine and contribute to a condition known as “leaky gut” which allows matter from the colon, including the Candida Fungus, to get into the blood stream which usually leads to a host of skin conditions and allergy-related problems.

One of the problems with white potatoes, under less than perfect conditions (when too old, sprouting small roots, exposed to warm temperatures above 50 to 65 degrees F for too long, or exposed to light for too long) is that they generate a neurotoxin called solanine which can be extremely toxic. Potatoes rejected from the human food chain, and used in the dog food industry, are all too often a source of excessive solanine in dog food.

Potatoes and grains (due to improper preparation) are also a source of “Lectins” which compromise the effectiveness of the colon and can severly reduce the ability of the cilia to extract necessary minerals and vitamins from the food they eat.

Another possible problem when potatoes are heated to high temperatures is the production of acrylamide which is a recognized carcinogen. For these, and other reasons relating to a dogs health, all of Brothers Complete Formulas are grain and white potato free.

Brothers is the only dry dog food we are aware of that stores their food in air-conditioned storage facilities to maintain the freshness built into it.

Most dog foods spend 3 to 6 months in hot warehouses before reaching the retail outlets. Then they can sit on shelves in pet food stores for several more months before being purchased by the customer.  At Brothers Complete, two days after the food is made it is put in a dark, air-conditioned storage facility where it stays perfectly fresh until it is shipped to  customers or sold in the store. Brothers manufactures only small batches and sell directly to the consumer. There are no middle men.

Cici also got to try the dog biscuits On The Lamb, Country Chicken, Red Meat Raves and the Dehydrated Chicken Breast, (which she scarfed up right away!) and the Dehydrated Canadian Beef Liver, YUM…

Brothers Complete “On The Lamb” dog biscuits are a departure from the “same-old, same-old” – a real taste sensation your pet will get excited about. Made in the USA, these healthful biscuits contain only wholesome real food ingredients, and, of course, are grain and white potato free. “On The Lamb” Dog Biscuits will keep your pet happy as a bunny.

INGREDIENTS: Lamb Meal, Tapioca Starch, Green Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chicken Liver, Sweet Potato.

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Pumpkin is good for dogs

    • Pumpkins are everywhere… I got some pumpkin butter from Trader Joe’s, have not tried it yet…Pumpkin is good for dog tummies…

      “adding two teaspoons of canned pumpkin in you dog’s food helps the digestion process”

      http://raisinghealthydogs.com/discover-the-health-benefits-of-canned-pumpkin-for-dogs

      I made my own version of this pumpkin meat loaf with ground turkey for cici and she loved it…Healthy Digestion Pumpkin Meatloaf

      AllNaturalPetCare.com

      1.5 pounds lean ground beef
      1 cup mashed or unseasoned canned pumpkin
      1 egg
      2 TBSP plain active yogurt
      1 tsp aloe juice
      1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
      1 cup of finely chopped parsley
      1/2 cup peas
      1 cup finely chopped cooked greens, such as turnip greens
      1.5 cups rice infant cereal
      1 tsp seaweed/algae
      1 tsp calcium montmorillonite clay
      1 tsp paprika
      1/2 tsp cinnamon
      * Optional supplements

      Preheat oven: 350F
      Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
      Pack firmly into loaf pan greased with extra virgin olive oil.
      Bake for about 1.5 hours.
      Cool & slice.
      This meatloaf freezes very well in convenient, single-slice portions

      this sounds yummy and I think can be adapted for dogs, too…

      Pumpkin Whoopie pie

    • This Wicked Pumpkin Whoopie Pies recipe is adapted from the recipe printed on the 207 Show’s web site on WCSH6.com (the NBC TV affiliate in Portland, Maine). I have not changed the substance of the recipe, but I have revised the wording a bit for clarity and added some of my own helpful tips and notes in italics.
  • I have broken out this recipe into two parts — the pumpkin whoopie pie shells recipeand the cream cheese whoopie pie filling recipe — to make it easier to follow since the cake shells and filling are made separately and then sandwiched together.

Ingredients

  • 1 15 oz can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (heaping)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Grease a large cookie sheet or line it with parchment paperand set it aside.

I always have needed two or more cookie sheets for mine, but it depends on the size of the scoops you use (which also determines the number of whoopie pies this recipe will make).2. Beat pumpkin, eggs, oil, and brown sugar together until fluffy with an electric mixerStir in the molasses.

A handheld mixer is fine.3. Combine the dry ingredients together and mix them into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. The batter will be thick (it should hold its shape when placed on the cookie sheet).

Make sure you measure 3 heaping cups of flour (approximately 3 1/2 level cups) and 2firmly packed cups of brown sugar so you get the correct amounts of each in the batter.

Also, feel free to use different spices if you prefer. For example, if you don’t care for ginger, you could substitute a smaller quantity of nutmeg.4. Scoop large, rounded spoonfuls of the cake batter onto the prepared cookie sheet(s), spacing them at least 2 inches apart.

Feel free to make your whoopie pie shells larger or smaller by changing the size of the mounds of batter. Remember to adjust the baking time accordingly and keep a close eye on the cakes so you don’t under- or over-bake them.

Both Amy and I recommend using an ice cream scoop to remove the same amount of cake batter for each whoopie pie shell and to form the batter into neat, uniform mounds. Using the ice cream scoop to portion and shape the batter helps you make cake shells that are uniformly sized with round edges that are easy to match up in pairs, rather than the unevenly sized shells with wonky edges that often form when anything other than a scoop is used.5. Bake the whoopie pie shells for 10-13 minutes (depending on the size scoop or spoon you used to portion the batter).

6. Cool the whoopie pie shells on a large wire cooling rack while you make the cream cheese filling with marshmallow creme / fluff (see recipe below).

7. When the whoopie pie shells have cooled, turn over half of them (flat side facing up) and place a scoop of cream cheese filling in the center of each cake shell. Top with the remaining cake shells.

Use the same ice cream scoop you used to portion out the cake batter to top half the cake shells with a mound of the cream cheese filling.

Ingredients

  • 6 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 c.) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 3 heaping tablespoons marshmallow creme (such as Marshallow Fluff)
  • 2 teaspoons water

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy.

Note: 3 heaping tablespoons of marshmallow creme is equal to approximately 4 level tablespoons of fluff.2. Sandwich pairs of cooled pumpkin whoopie pie shells together with scoops of this cream cheese filing.

http://www.squidoo.com/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-delicious-halloween-and-fall-treats#module162356029

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups (200g) flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup (200 g) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin purée*
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped walnuts

* To make pumpkin purée, cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff, lie face down on a foil or Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until soft, about 45 min to an hour. Cool, scoop out the flesh. Freeze whatever you don’t use for future use. Or, if you are working with pumpkin pieces, roast or boil them until tender, then remove and discard the skin.

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

2 Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.

3 Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.

Can easily double the recipe.

Yield: Makes one loaf.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pumpkin_bread/

http://icanhas.cheezburger.com/dogs/tag/pumpkin/page/4#post-3514484736

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 large eggs
2/3 cup pumpkin purée, canned or fresh
3 tbsps peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place all ingredients in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium for about a minute or until the dough looks like a bunch of little dough balls. If you pinch a piece and it crumbles, add a little water. If it’s really sticky, it’s too wet and you’ll need to add a little flour. Gather the dough together and form into a ball. Place on a lightly floured work surface and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. You can either use a cookie cutter to cut out cute shapes or use a knife to cut squares or strips. I am pretty sure the dog doesn’t care, but I rather prefer the cute shapes. I gather the scraps together and roll them out again and again until I’ve used up the dough. Place the cookies on a baking sheet. They can be crowded pretty close together since they don’t expand much. Bake 15-20 minutes for softer treats or 30 minutes for hard treats (Kaweah likes crunchy treats, just like her person – me). Let cool completely. Makes 100+ 1-inch heart-shaped dog treats.

http://userealbutter.com/2012/04/18/pumpkin-peanut-butter-dog-treats-recipe/

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Filed under dog friendly, dog health, dog treats, dogs, food, four paws up, halloween for dogs, healthy dog food, holiday tips, homemade dog food, K9 approved, keep pets safe, pet food, Uncategorized

Chewy Chewy

Chewy.com formerly Mr Chewy sent us an amazing Merrick sample kit. Cici scarfed up every bit of food and relished every bite of the wet and dry foods.

http://www.chewy.com/ci/brand/merrick.html

Yummy package includes:

Merrick Classic Real Chicken Brown Rice + Green Pea Recipe (Toy/Small!Breed)

Merrick Classic Real Chicken Brown Rice + Green Pea Recipe (Puppy/All Breeds)

Merrick Classic Real Chicken Brown Rice + Green Pea Recipe (Adult/Large Breed)

Merrick Grain free Real Buffalo+Sweet Potato Recipe

Merrick Grain free Real Chicken+Sweet Potato Recipe

Merrick Grain free Real Duck+Sweet Potato Recipe

3.2 oz can of Merrick Grain Free Grammy’s Pot Pie Classic Recipe (Toy/Small Breed)

13.2 oz can of Merrick Grain Free Smothered Comfort Classic Recipe (All Breeds)

Merrick Branded Wooden Spoon

8 oz. Le!Creuset® Petite Round Casserole

Merrick Bandanas

Merrick Lane Book

http://www.chewy.com/s/merrick

Merrick Classic brand recipes have a balance of 60 percent meat/poultry/fish, 20 percent fruits and veggies, and 20 percent whole grains. Wet or dry, the recipes are all made in America with no grain fillers or ingredients sourced from China.  All recipes are cooked in the test kitchen and plants in Hereford, Texas. Features regional farm-fresh ingredients.

For Garth Merrick, founder of Merrick Pet Care Inc., creating a family-owned company meant getting his family and friends involved. Together with his wife, Susie, and their four children, Garth built the company at their ranch in Hereford, Texas, near Amarillo.

Deboned Duck, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal (source of Omega 3 fatty acids), Sweet Potato, Peas, Lamb Meal, Potato, Duck Fat (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols), Pea Protein, Natural Flavor, Apples, Blueberries, Organic Alfalfa, Salmon Oil, Minerals (Salt, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Rosemary Extract.

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Filed under dogs, food, four paws up, pet food, product review, Uncategorized

Snacks on the go

If you are anything like me, when you go to the dog park, travel with your dog, or take your dog to the beach, you bring snacks and treats and other doggie stuff but do you remember to bring snacks for yourself? I get low blood sugar so it’s important for me to have sweets on hand. Otherwise, finding a candy bar at the beach or dog park is often fruitless. Pun intended. Also, candy bars are chocolicious but not the greatest snack.

I’ve bought trail mixes of different kinds with dried fruits but found them too much to pack and forget to bring them. Some dried fruits come with too much sugar and/or sulfites and preservatives.

So when the folks from Peeled asked me to review their organic fruit snacks, I agreed. The Mango is delish. No added sugar no sulfites. And organic to boot.

I was amazed, no astonished, when Cici surprised me and ate a Mango treat all by itself. Definitely thought I’d have to wrap it up with meat jerky of some kind…

My favorite flavor was the Much Ado about Mango, definitely the best. It was not all sugary like other dried Mango snacks I’ve tried. And organic. and no added sugar! Much-ado-about-Mango is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A.

Excellent source of: 2% Calcium, 2% Iron, 20% Vitamin C, and 30% Vitamin A. Gluten, dairy, wheat and cholesterol free.

The other flavors were apricot, pineapple, figs and dates (my least favorite just because I do not like figs and dates).

Paradise found

Organic mango, pineapple & banana

would love to try the Cherry-go-round and any berries (blueberries, strawberries, if they are going to offer them)… 

http://www.peeledsnacks.com/

Dog treats

The Barkers Dozen

http://thebarkersdozen.com/inside.html

Thanked us for helping them let people know about a fundraiser they had. They sent Cici several bags (three bags of three different flavors of dog treats) Delicious dog goodies… Cici especially LOVED the new organic Blueberry Bone-anza treats.  She also liked the Sweet Paw-tato Gluten-Free, Organic Dog Treats and the Chicken treats.

Ingredients:

  • Organic Sweet Potatoes
  • Organic Steel Cut Oats
  • Vitamin E

All of the treats they sent Cici are gluten-free, meaning they do not contain wheat flour or products. This ensures that dogs with allergies or sensitive systems can enjoy wholesome, gourmet dog treats, and their owners can provide them with confidence. These dog treats contain no artificial flavors or preservatives, and the treats are baked on-demand to ensure freshness and quality.

We measured the treats for their “drool-worthiness” and “tail-wag velocity” and other scientific measures.

Lacey’s Barkery

Cici got to review the peanut butter bacon dog treats, which comes in different sizes… Cici thought that they were yummy, although not many to share with her pals.

Lacey’s Barkery has other yummy dog treats too. Oat treats made with banana, blueberry, sweet potato, carrot, or carob. And they also have dehydrated sweet potato, banana, or apple treats. These dehydrated treats are organic.

http://www.laceysbarkery.com/

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Filed under dog travel, dog treats, dogs, food, four paws up, organic, product review, Uncategorized

Planting Seeds


Remember back in the 60′s when the hippies wanted to live in peace on the land, in self-sustaining communities and the establishment made fun of the dirty hippies lifestyle? True, there were a lot of druggies. And people got distracted. Nowadays, we hear similar remarks about the Occupiers. Bringing the message that Inequality exists is a gift from the Occupy Movement. Birthing a new awareness. And optimally, creative new ways of making changes happen.

In my humble opinion, that is not going to happen with the focus on protesters and police battles. The Occupy movement can (and some are) bring their energy and enthusiasm to local communities and making needed changes (ie, helping people unfairly being foreclosed, stay in their homes).  What interested me initially about the movement was the lifestyle … walking the talk… this needs expansion and creative solutions. Forget about camping out and doing battle. Instead, little changes add up to BIG ONES.

a little bit of history of the roots of capitalism

…”Using Adam Smith’s own estimates of factory wages being paid at the time in Scotland, a factory-peasant would have to toil for more than three days to buy a pair of commercially produced shoes. Or they could make their own traditional brogues using their own leather in a matter of hours, and spend the rest of the time getting wasted on ale. It’s really not much of a choice, is it?

But in order for capitalism to work, capitalists needed a pool of cheap, surplus labor. So what to do? Call in the National Guard!

…If having a full belly and productive land was the problem, then the solution to whipping these lazy bums into shape was obvious: kick ‘em off the land and let em starve. 

…“Poverty is therefore a most necessary and indispensable ingredient in society…It is the source of wealth, since without poverty, there could be no labour; there could be no riches, no refinement, no comfort, and no benefit to those who may be possessed of wealth.”

 http://truth-out.org/news/item/8612-recovered-economic-history-everyone-but-an-idiot-knows-that-the-lower-classes-must-be-kept-poor-or-they-will-never-be-industrious

could this Great Recession (what is so great about it?) be a systemic, entrenched way of dealing with the masses?  hmmmm…

Two other powerful items passed my desk this week… now I know about Monsanto and their seeds…and Monsanto free seeds

GMO foods/seeds

I now understand why I cannot get raw healthy goat’s milk nor fresh farmers eggs, it’s ALL politics… why have healthy empowered citizens when you can make money off of sick, overweight, uneducated, wage slaves.

“Americans’ right to access fresh, healthy foods of their choice is under attack. Farmageddon tells the story of small, family farms that were providing safe, healthy foods to their communities and were forced to stop, sometimes through violent action, by agents of misguided government bureaucracies, and seeks to figure out why.

Filmmaker Kristin Canty’s quest to find healthy food for her four children turned into an educational journey to discover why access to these foods was being threatened. What she found were policies that favor agribusiness and factory farms over small family-operated farms selling fresh foods to their communities. Instead of focusing on the source of food safety problems — most often the industrial food chain — policymakers and regulators implement and enforce solutions that target and often drive out of business small farms that have proven themselves more than capable of producing safe, healthy food, but buckle under the crushing weight of government regulations and excessive enforcement actions.

Farmageddon highlights the urgency of food freedom, encouraging farmers and consumers alike to take action to preserve individuals’ rights to access food of their choice and farmers’ rights to produce these foods safely and free from unreasona-bly burdensome regulations. The film serves to put policymakers and regulators on notice that there is a growing movement of people aware that their freedom to choose the foods they want is in danger, a movement that is taking action with its dollars and its voting power to protect and preserve the dwindling number of family farms that are struggling to survive.

http://farmageddonmovie.com/

Radical Idea: What if women’s work, ALL work, were VALUED, respected and compensated properly???

“Why do women who contribute by producing the whole workforce have to plead for maternity leave that would allow them to recuperate from childbirth, get to know their children and their children to know them, and feed babies the best possible food?

“Why are such basic and humane demands so controversial? What qualifies those who favor formula to deny the overwhelming evidence and individual personal experience that favor breast milk?

“The wealth of information assembled here also strengthens the case for acknowledging women as perhaps the greatest producers of food. The individual production and one-to-one delivery of breast milk often goes hand in hand with subsistence farming on small plots of land “too small to count,” perhaps with a few chickens, a goat or cow, and individuals’ endeavors day in day out which benefit mainly those with little political clout or social status. Entire communities are surviving on that work—up to 80 percent of the food consumed in Africa is grown by women almost all outside the market. Are those of us who spend long hours of every day in this work also “too small to count?”

…Between breastfeeding and agricultural work, women are feeding the world!

http://womensenews.org/story/books/120414/work-breastfeeding-moms-unwaged-unvalued

…Cruel, unsustainable factory farms have come to produce more than 99 percent1 of the animals grown in the United States. Globally, livestock now cover 30 percent of the earth’s surface,2 and as a result of modern fishing techniques, scientists are measuring an overall drop in the health and diversity of ocean life. During this same period, these new farming methods have devastated rural communities by reducing the number of farmers in the nation by 85 percent—even as the U.S. population more than doubled.3 Given this scale, it is no surprise that the choices we make when we eat and produce food have a bigger impact on animal suffering, global warming,4 and other major environmental concerns than anything else we do.

 http://www.farmforward.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/square-foot-gardening-adventure

Change Needs to Happen

“A group of politicians led by Rep. Pete Stark of California are taking Mitt Romney at his word—that “all moms are working moms”—and plan to introduce an act that would allow mothers receiving welfare support to count their childrearing duties as the required “work activity” until the child turns 4. Stark told Ryan Grim at the Huffington Post that the Women’s Option to Raise Kids Act (WORK) arises naturally from the Republican presidential candidate’s stated positions:

“Mitt Romney was for forcing mothers into the workforce before he decided that ‘all moms are working moms,’” Stark told The Huffington Post. “I think we should take Mr. Romney at his most recent word and change our federal laws to recognize the importance and legitimacy of raising young children. That’s why I’m introducing the WORK Act to provide low-income parents the option of staying home to raise young children without fear of being pushed into poverty.”

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/04/18/ann_romney_mommy_wars_and_welfare_the_women_s_option_to_raise_kids_act.html

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Filed under animals, around the world, California, eco friendly/green, economy, farm animals, food, gardening, goat, green, Made in USA, occupation wall street, organic, Uncategorized, war on women