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orchid-a-day · 11 months

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What Can You Do With Your Pet Budgies?

Whether you're a first-time bird owner or an experienced pet owner, budgies are wonderful small animals. Budgies have character and affection, as well as being easy to take care of.

To keep your budgie healthy and happy you must provide them with everything they need. From food to toys, cages and exercise equipment Here are some suggestions for you.

Feeding

Budgies are omnivores. They need to have a nutritious diet of seeds, pellets as well as fruits, vegetables and nuts. To make them feel special the animals should receive boiling eggs (the yolk and white) or eggs as food.

Seed mix is the biggest component of your budgies' diet with 60 to 80% of the. But, diets based on seeds can be lacking in essential nutrients, including vitamin B12.

Pellets On the other hand include a wide range of fruits, seeds, grains, veggies as well as other nutritious ingredients. Additionally, they provide your pets with the right amount of minerals, vitamins, proteins, amino acids and the fats that they require to remain fit and healthy.

Vegetables ought to comprise around 40%- 60% of your budgie's diet Fresh fruits and vegetables should form the other third. It is recommended to feed your pet Marrow, stem and root vegetables with high levels of dietary fiber. Limit fruit consumption to one teaspoon per day.

Exercise

The importance of exercise is for the health of your pet and is a great way to build a bond. Budgies need daily physical activity for their health.

It's essential to give your dog a chance to exercising in the open air. It is possible to give them things for them to play with like trees and perches.

Addition of fresh branches with active buds and leaves will provide your birds hours of stimulating habitat. They love eating the leaves and bark, perching upon branches or hanging toys like feathered squirrels.

A lot of budgies are attracted to their toys and love playing with their toys. It's better to keep their toys in a rotating basis. This will prevent the development of obsessive behavior.

Socialization

The process of socialization can help your pet adjust to new people as well as new environments, locations, and circumstances. It's important to socialize them as young as they are and to continue exposing them to new environments as they grow older.

Pets are more prone to becoming frightened and fearful, so you'll want to expose them to as many things, sounds, sights, and people as possible. It could include walking in the public park, trips to doggie daycares or classes. You can also take your pet on car rides.

Make sure that you do not force your puppy too hard in their interactions with others, as it can result in overly stressed puppies that will have negative relationships. Start with the one person at a moment gradually increasing the number of people you invite. Request them to come up to your puppy in a non-threatening manner and provide them with plenty of food. Your puppy will learn to connect meeting people from a new perspective with positive experiences.

Healthier Alternatives

youtube

You are responsible for the wellbeing of your pet. It is essential to do all you can to ensure that your pet buddy is healthy so he will be able to enjoy as much time with you as possible.

It's not always easy to keep your pet healthy, but with the right tools it can be easier. The free, simple application is simple to use and helps to prioritize your pet's health so that you don't skip an appointment or fail to take the necessary actions to ensure they are healthy.

The World Health Organization defines health as "complete physical wellbeing, as well as mental and social as opposed to the mere absence of illness or disease." The organization also states that health is the result of complex interaction between genetics, lifestyle and the surroundings. It includes eight major domains of function that include exercise, nutrition socialization, sleep and Stress Management, as well as Spirituality, Emotional Balance and Overall Well-Being.

#Pet Budgies #Pet #Birds #Youtube

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ocean1wavesin · 3 years

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BEST PET BIRD FOOD

What is the best diet for my bird? Well, there is no single perfect diet and birds are very picky (and messy!) eaters. Birds will often pick out their favorites and leave the rest, which can make providing the best nutrition challenging. In the wild, birds eat a vast variety of foods: seeds, nuts, grasses, flowers, fruits, insects and so on. The change in seasons brings new types of foods, and birds nourish themselves on what’s available. At home, your bird also nourishes himself on what’s available, so it should ideally be the most nutritionally balanced, natural and wholesome food possible. A bird’s diet is critical to his health. A bird, like any other pet animal, on a poor diet will not live out his full life span, and will most likely succumb to any viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. A good diet boosts the immune system and helps the bird ward off illness. Also most importantly, a good diet keeps a bird in good spirits, keeps his feathers in great condition, and improves his life span.

In order to feed pet birds properly which gives them the building blocks for good feather production, healthy skin and a happy attitude, they should have a buffet of healthy options. Since birds like to pick at their meal throughout the day, make sure your bird’s bowl is always about three-quarters full of fresh food.

While choosing nutritious food for your bird, there are quite a few options :

Seeds & Nuts

Birdseed is the most common choice to feed birds, but veterinarians say birdseed is too high in fat to be a healthy main course for most birds. In fact, too much of this fattening combination can lead to health issues and inappropriate behaviors. It is best to keep this to a minimum.

Pellets

Pellets are intended to be nutritionally complete. Every bite is nutrient-packed and does not allow your bird to pick-and-choose only their favorite. Pellets also come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, which helps provide variety in the food dish.

Vegetables

Your bird’s diet should include fresh vegetables. Most birds love dark, leafy greens, zucchini, broccoli, squash, shredded carrots, snow peas, parsley, cucumbers and Romaine lettuce. Avoid avocado, onion and garlic, which are all bad for them.

Fruit & fiber

This is the tasty stuff that your bird loves, but a small percentage of your bird’s diet should come from fruit, grains and legumes. Favorite fruits include papaya, banana, melon, mango, orange, kiwi, and apple. Try to remove the seeds from any fruit you serve.

Rice & Pasta

Once a week, serve your bird a small portion of plain, cooked brown rice, cooked pasta, cooked beans, cooked barley or cooked oats.

So, what is the best food for your feathery friend ?

Both seeds and pellets are nutritious foods, and one is not necessarily superior to the other, depending on what else you’re feeding your bird in conjunction with it. Fruits and vegetables make great daily snacks, especially the dark green or orange in color. Try various fresh foods to see what your bird likes the best. If you have a picky pet bird, offer fresh foods in a variety of ways: chopped, mashed, whole, grated, and so on. Don’t give up too soon on feeding a certain nutritious item; it may take a while for your bird to get curious enough to try it.

When you feed fresh foods, make sure that they only stay available to the bird for a few hours. After that, many fruits and veggies start to go sour or attract pests. Here’s a short list of some nutritious fruits and veggies you can try. Make sure to rinse everything very well before serving them to your pet bird, and use organic produce whenever possible.

Fruits that are good for your pet bird : apple, banana, berries, melon, orange and pineapple

Vegetables: asparagus, beans (cooked only), broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, leafy greens, peas, peppers, soybeans, sprouts, squash, yams etc.

While feeding your bird, make sure to give him a whole array of food types so that he receives all the necessary nutrients from seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates from bread, rice and pasta.

Supplements to Your Bird’s Diet

Avian veterinarians often recommend dietary supplementation for birds that refuse to touch anything other than seeds. If your bird is eating packaged bird food, you have much less to worry about, because these diets are nutritionally complete. Still, you may have a bird that is molting, laying eggs, or recuperating from an illness or injury, or perhaps your bird is stressed from a recent move, loss of a mate or other stressful situation. In these cases, you should consider a dietary supplement to keep your bird in good health. Also, just as you may sometimes take vitamins, it’s often good for a bird to have a vitamin and mineral supplement just to make sure that he is getting the nutritional elements he needs to remain healthy. Speak with your avian veterinarian about dietary supplementation before you start giving them to your pet bird. You can harm your bird by over-supplementing, but it can’t hurt to offer a supplement a couple of days a week. If you add a powdered supplement to the water, change the water at least twice a day, and offer only fresh water (without the supplement) at night to ensure that bacteria doesn’t grow in the dish.

Healthy Snacks For Your Pet Bird

Along with your bird’s base diet and other healthful foods, it’s great to offer nutritious snacks, but most importantly, snacks should be fun to eat, like boiled or roasted Popcorn(not the microwave variety as it is harmful for your bird). Ideally, you’ll offer snacks formulated for birds rather than salty, fatty, or sugary treats that might be in your cupboard. Snacks should make up no more than 10% of your bird’s diet during the week. Healthy snacks can also include rice cakes, whole-wheat bread, no-salt added whole-wheat crackers, but in moderation. Once a week, serve your bird a small portion of plain, cooked brown rice, cooked pasta, cooked beans, cooked barley or cooked oats. If your bird takes more than four hours to eat any fruit, vegetables or other goodies, take the leftovers out of the cage and try serving less next time. Otherwise the food will catch bacteria and make your bird sick.

Happy Feeding!

#birds birdsfood petfood bestbirdsfood birdssnakes petbird

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fiti-vation · 5 years

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Is Eating Healthy Really More Expensive & Time Consuming? (A heartfelt post)

Hey guys,

I noticed that a pressing debate has taken place under one of my posts (Healthy Lunch Recipe Ideas); some people have been debating about healthy eating and I’m happy to see many people share their point of view! That being said, while I am happy to see many thoughts being shared, it is important for me to emphasize that I never want the comment section under any of my posts to become a battleground for nasty arguments.

As someone who studied in criminology and completed numerous undergrad law courses, I have always been open to intelligent debate, as long as it is conducted with respect and diplomacy. Always remember it is rain that grows flowers, not thunder, so don’t raise your voice, but improve your argument instead.

When I post content on my blog, it is never intended to create tyranny, but always to educate. Simply put, my blog is an educative space. The comment section under my posts is not a place for radical ideologies, shaming or pointing fingers at others. Someone who truly advocates for healthy eating on a budget will never shame or point fingers at those who can’t. On that note, here’s my 2 cents on the entire debacle.

Before I start, I’d like to stress that everything written below is from my perspective as a Canadian! I live in the National Capital Region, so there are many places where one can get nutritious food at affordable prices. Canada has for the most part some good places where healthy foods can be purchased while on a budget. Obviously, for people who live in the Territories (Yukon, Nunavut and NWT) that’s a different story…

P.S. I will be counter-arguing many of the points stressed by @nerdgul • Time • Availability • Seasoning

SO, WHAT DO I REALLY THINK ABOUT HEALTHY EATING ON A BUDGET?

Before I begin to present my counterarguments, it is important as always for me to stress the importance of healthy eating. For those of you who have been following me for years, you know how much I advocate for taking good care of our body. Our body is our temple. It is a gift, and it is the only one we will be given in this life. I believe that fitness needs to come from within you. You need to respect your body. Only then will you have the zeal to maintain it. No one should ever downplay the importance of eating healthy simply because of their financial/socio-economic situation.

The body is amazing, and if you’re not healthy and do not take care of it, it will affect many aspects of your life. The body can heal itself of anything if it is given the tools that it needs and the conditions it requires for natural healing to occur. If we take responsibility for our health, we will develop a desire to accomplish our exercise and fitness goals. The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.

Minimizing the importance of healthy eating is so prevalent in North American society that obesity, which is linked to many chronic diseases, has become a pervasive and critical issue that many people turn a blind eye to. In Canada and US alone not to mention the other parts of the world, we have far too many people suffering from obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, hypertension and stroke. Studies after studies have shown that we can reduce the risk of these diseases, and maintain our good health by eating properly, getting enough regular exercise, avoiding stress and breathing clean, fresh air. While it may not always be possible to avoid stress and breath clean air, it is indeed possible to control what we eat by choosing the right kind of foods.

The idea that healthy food costs more than junk food is something I hear far too often. People generally believe that ‘healthy’ equals ‘expensive, but as I’ve come to find out over the years from personal experience this is not completely true. One part of the problem is that many people confuse “healthy” with other labels that do increase costs, like “organic” or “gluten-free.” However, unless you have a diagnosed medical condition, you can have a nutritious diet without worrying about those extra labels. I personally don’t buy organic or gluten free food, I just buy heathy food periodt. They key is to eat more whole foods and fewer processed ones. The other part of the problem is where one shops.

My definition of healthy eating, as stated in Body, Mind, & Mouth...Life's Eating Connection is: "Eating food that is enjoyable to you, in the quantity that is good for you." This means the fruit and vegetables you find enjoyable can be eaten in a larger quantity than the chocolate cake you find enjoyable that should be eaten in a much smaller quantity. It means that you don't deprive yourself, but you learn to make choices congruent with your desired results. It also means your grocery cart is full of the food that nourishes you, and less or none of the food with no nourishment. In the grand scheme, it cost you less.

My food philosophy is: Embrace gorgeous greens, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, sea veggies, fruits and vegetables galore. It is good to eat foods that keep your body alive, but it is better to eat food that keep your body healthy; it is best to regard your body as a temple and eat appropriate food. The point is you have to invest in your health - it is your biggest asset in life!! Feed your body only best quality food, you deserve it! You eat better, you perform better, you feel better, you look better. It all ties together.

Now that I am done rambling about healthy eating here are my counterarguments.

Money – Responsibility

As someone who has been on both sides of the socio-economic spectrum, I can say with certainty that eating healthy while on a budget isn’t impossible. I have experienced poverty, homelessness and financial stability. That being said, when I experienced financial instability, it never stopped me from eating healthy.

Over my 25 years of existence of this earth, I have never let my socio-economic situation define who I am and what I can accomplish. When I hear people say that they can’t eat healthy because of their financial situation (e.g. my family is on welfare), it strikes a chord in me. To me, asserting that poor people cannot eat healthy simply because of their financial status perpetuates and reinforces the stigma and representation of the unhealthy lower-class individual. It insinuates that eating healthy is only for rich people – this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The circumstances of our lives, especially when they seem stressful or intense, do have an impact on us, for sure. However, all too often, we give away our power to these circumstances and situations. At some point, you have to take control of your existence. You cannot keep on blaming your parents or your circumstances forever. You are totally responsible for your life.

Like discipline, responsibility is one of those words you have probably heard so many times from authority figures that you've developed a bit of an allergy to it. Still, it's one of the most important things to grow and to feel good about your life. Without it as a foundation nothing else really works. Not taking responsibility may be less demanding, less painful and mean less time spent in the unknown. It's more comfortable. You can just take it easy and blame problems in your life. But there is always a price to pay. When you don't take responsibility for your life you give away your personal power.

Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the high road to pride, self-esteem and personal satisfaction.

The fact of not having the financial means does not necessarily mean that one cannot eat healthy. Everyone can rise above their circumstances.

Note, I’m not referring to homeless people here, but to people who either live on financial assistance or a modest salary. Also, keep in mind that again I am sharing my 2 cents as a Canadian. I perfectly understand that in terms of social benefits, Canada and the US cannot be compared (I’m assuming that @nerdgul, you are American).

At the beginning of my last year in high school, my mother developed a mental illness. Eventually, she ended up not working anymore and we started living on social assistance. If you’ve been following me since I started my blog, you know that at that time I was obese type 2. Fast forward, when I graduated high school and entered college, that’s when I really turned my life around and took responsibility for it. Despite being almost broke, buried under college assignments and dealing with personal life issues at home (taking care of my mentally ill mother), I managed to lose 70 pounds on my own, going from 220 pounds to 150 pounds – by exercising and starting to eat healthy while on a budget.

I didn’t have the time, but I made the time. I didn’t have the knowledge, but I did what I knew. I didn’t have the support, but I learned to support myself. I didn’t have the confidence, but the confidence came with results. I had a lot going against me, but I had enough going for me. I had plenty of excuses, but I chose not to use any of them.

When I look at my old pictures, all I can see is what I used to be, but am no longer. I think what I can see is what I am not… It's not my story anymore: whenever I speak about the past now, I feel as if I were talking about something that has nothing to do with me. All that remains in the present are the voice, the presence, and the importance of fulfilling my mission. I don't regret difficulties I experienced; I think they helped me to become the person I am today, I feel the way a warrior must feel after years of training; he doesn't remember the details of everything he learned, but he knows how to strike when the time is right.

I wasn’t in the best shape of my life, but I wanted to prove to myself I could do something that seems insurmountable and inspire others by showing them no matter where they are in their fitness goals, they can do it, too. “You just do it. You force yourself to get up. You force yourself to put one foot before the other, and God damn it; you refuse to let it get to you. You fight. You cry. You curse. Then you go about the business of living. That’s how I’ve done it. There’s no other way.

One thing that college and university have taught me is how to be resourceful. RESOURCEFUL! One more time for those in the background: RE·SOURCE·FUL! Resourceful in terms of money, time and sources! Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties will get you far in life! Not having much is not a reason that should prevent someone from realizing greatness. As a post-secondary student, I learned to make the most of the little money I have, I never let my lack of money prevent me from being healthy. Obstacles don't have to stop you. Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

There are so many great places where food can be purchased at affordable price. Stores such as Dollarama, Dollar It, Dollar Three, Walmart and Giant Tiger (a.k.a GT Boutique) have so much to offer. As of late I’ve most of my grocery shopping at GT. Y’all postsecondary students in Canada need to stop sleeping on GT boutique!

10 Healthy Things You Can Buy at the Dollar Store [X]

What's VEGAN at Dollar Tree? Frozen Foods Edition - ON A BUDGET [X]

Never Pay For Food Again In NYC [X]

Why Do We Waste Perfectly Good Food In The U.S.? [X]

I purchase most of my fruits and veggies at Giant Tiger. As you can see in the images below:

Mangoes are ¢79 each (60 cents USD) – Third pic

A bag of 5 avocadoes $1.99 on sales ($1.51 USD)/Regular price $3.97 ($3 USD) – First pic

A bag of apple $1.97 ($1.49 USD) – First pic

A bag of oranges $2.97 ($2.24 USD) – First pic

A pack of 4 bell peppers $1.97 ($1.49 USD) – First pic

Cantaloupe $2.47 each ($1.86 USD) – First pic

Cucumbers ¢97 each (73.17 cents USD) – Second pic

Mushrooms $1 (75 cents USD) – Fouth pic

Pasta ¢79 (¢60 USD) – Fifth pic

Here’s a list of stuff that I regularly purchase at these stores.

When it comes to meat I always check for specials. When the meat is on sale I stack up my freezer. In the image below you can see I grabbed on some chicken at $1.91 CAD and $5.55 CAD + Pork ribs $4.72 CAD.

Essentials

Since many cooking commodities such as herbs, spices, flour and oil can be purchased in dollar stores, it seems a little misleading to say that these products are expensive. It’s $1 per seasoning at Dollar Tree [X]. That being said, they sell flour at many dollar stores, Walmart, Target, Giant Tiger.

Availability

Unless you live in a remote area, Dollar stores, Walmart, Target stores, and many similar stores are everywhere. That being said, there are numerous blogs and websites that give great advices on how to eat healthy while living in a remote area. While it may be difficult to have access to affordable, healthy and nutritious food in remote regions, it still isn’t impossible.

In consideration of the foregoing, it should be emphasized that very few people in North America live in remote areas. Today, the most urbanized regions include Northern America (with 82% of its population living in urban areas in 2018), Latin America and the Caribbean (81%), Europe (74%) and Oceania (68%). The level of urbanization in Asia is now approximating 50%. In contrast, Africa remains mostly rural, with 43% of its population living in urban areas [X].

Time

Time, don’t we all wish we had more of it. As I have indicated above, one of the most important things that college and university taught me is how to be resourceful! As a varsity athlete I work out 4 HOURS per day, go to class, work, and still manage to make time to prepare healthy meals. It’s not about having time, it’s about making time. Many things aren't equal, but everyone gets the same 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We make time for what we truly want.

Prior to being on social assistance - before developing her mental illness, my mother worked 12 hours a day as a cleaning lady; from 8 am to 4 pm, then from 5 pm to 9 pm. Despite her 12-hour shift, she still found time to cook. Now that I’m older and thinking about it, that wild…

There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be fancy. There are so many healthy recipes out there that require very little time to prepare. Sometimes I end up preparing my lunch right before leaving for work. These below are all meals that I prepared right BEFORE leaving for work in like 15-20 min.

It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters. The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to prepare. By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail...

Here’s a chicken salad I made in 30 min.

I bought a whole cooked chicken for $6 which I boned and then seasoned

Boiled some pasta for 10 min – then put in the freezer for 15 min

Cut some broccoli and cherry tomatoes

Mixed the pasta with the broccoli and cherry tomatoes and some extra seasoning + Mayo

P.S. Here are a few more of my recipes:

Tuna Alfredo Pasta

Cranberry Tuna Salad

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

As a final word

Although, I have much more to say, this post is definitely longer than I expected, so I will stop here. That being said, before closing this post, I would like to emphasize here that we all have our own struggles and by no means I am trying to invalidate the struggles of others with this post.

If someone is tired after working 5 hours and you worked for 7, it doesn’t mean that they’re not allowed to be tired. It doesn’t mean they can’t feel what they’re feeling just because you’ve had it worse.

It is true that there’s a lot more to the price of being healthy than just money, but in the end it all comes down to responsibility. Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. Nobody chooses to be broke; nobody wants to be broke, and nobody likes to be broke, but again —our financial status doesn’t have to define us. Your financial situation does not have to dictate how you live your life – rise above adversity. As stated in one of my previous posts, the moment you leave your future in the hands of things outside of your control, is the moment you place it in the hands of circumstance. And, circumstance doesn’t much care about your success. Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power. Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. If you do not have money, time and resources to eat healthy, do not give up, figure out ways to change your lifestyle. You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination.

I am a firm believer in the law of attraction.

“Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

If you constantly say that you cannot eat healthily because you do not have money, time and resources, it will become a habit. You won’t make an effort to eat healthy because you think you can’t – you will have this misconception in your head that eating healthy is out of your reach. But if you start to change your mind and think more optimistically, you will change your actions. If you start telling yourself “you know what I don’t have much but let me see what I can do with the little that I have”, you will improve your eating habits. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. The path to a healthy lifestyle is never easy, but the road to it is always rewarding.

Thinking that you can’t eat healthy because you don’t have money, time and resources is a detrimental way of thinking. It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. Everyone is a victim of circumstances they accept. If you decide not to eat healthy because you don’t have money, time and resources – well you have let your circumstances win. Never let your circumstances prevent you from achieving greatness.

A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you. Your mind is the most powerful force you will ever face. It will tell you lies— it will tell you: you can’t do that – you’re not meant for that; you’re not good enough for that, you can’t go on anymore – you don’t have the energy. You must thank it for its opinion and carry on. The only locked doors that exist are in YOUR own mind. The doors in reality are open and all you have to do is walk through…

Don’t be that person who thinks that because they cannot eat healthy, they are not going to eat healthy.

#me #Fitblog #fitblr

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creaturecompanion07 · 3 years

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Can I Give Chapati To My Dog

While Indian Pet proprietors currently approach and cheerfully enjoy their pets in business pet food brands like Royal Canin, Pedigree and the preferences, which give healthy adjusted suppers to their pets, it is practically inconceivable for them to fight the temptation of sharing a couple of pieces of their dinners with their fuzzy companions. can i give chapati to my dog

However these activities are simply out of affection, Indian food accompanies a ton of fixings and flavors that can't be arranged as pet cordial. In any case, fortunately a portion of the dishes that are staples in Indian families can be a wellspring of proteins, fats, carbs, nutrients and minerals for our dearest hairy companions.

In this article, we will investigate the rundown of endorsed v/s opposed food things for your canines and find how we can improve the medical advantages stowed away in staple food sources in Indian families.

First of all!

Regardless of how sustaining we feel a specific fixing is intended for people, it might not have similar impact on our pets. Accordingly, consistently check with your vet about the sorts of food that can be helpful v/s destructive to your pets as it can contrast from one variety to another. What to take care of your pet and the amount of it to take care of them relies upon the variety as well as their age, level of their active work, and environmental elements that your pet is experiencing childhood in. Construct an appropriate dinner plan for your canines by talking with your vet.

Will The Combination Of Roti/Chapati and Milk Be Constituted As A Meal For Your Pet?

Giving roti and milk is right around a well established practice in Indian culture. Be it taking care of strays or taking care of our pets, sooner or later in their lives, we have given them a bowl of roti dunked in milk. Nonetheless, in view of an overview led by the branch of domesticated animals items innovation at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), it was tracked down that an eating routine comprising just of roti and milk is inadequate for the general advancement of your canine's wellbeing. Along these lines, it is fundamental to incorporate organic products, vegetables and meat in your pooch's eating regimen plan and not depend just on the humble roti/chapati and milk for every one of the nourishing necessities of your pet. If it's not too much trouble, note that milk ought not be given to pups under a half year old enough and for grown-up canines, it ought to be weakened with a little water.

How Important Is It To Include Eggs and Meat In Your Pet's Diet?

Creature protein ought to be an essential part in your pet's supper plans. Protein sourced from eggs and meat is exceptionally helpful for your canine's wellbeing. Meats like Fish, Chicken, and Mutton are normal in a couple of families; nonetheless, it is urgent to guarantee the meat is uncooked and doesn't have any flavoring or flavors. Cooked bones are not suggested as they are weak and have the capability of causing oral wounds and can likewise cause hindrances in digestion tracts, which could require a medical procedure.

With regards to Eggs, it is prescribed to one or the other bubble or scramble the eggs without adding any fixings as crude eggs contain a protein called 'avidin' that is known to diminish the retention of nutrient B and may cause issues with the coat and skin.

For veggie lover families, presenting meat/egg into their pet's dinners can be interesting, in any case, is urgent for the pet's prosperity. That is the point at which the mix of home-prepared dinners, grains, vegetables, organic products and business canine food brands acts the hero.

Job Of Grains and Pulses

As opposed to prevalent thinking, grains don't hurt your pets and rather are a rich wellspring of nutrient B-complex, fiber, and iron. Along these lines, when pet proprietors succumb to the misdirecting publicity around sans grain abstains from food for their pets, they wind up looting off fundamental supplements that add to their canine's wellbeing, development, and working of real chemicals. A blend of earthy colored rice and bubbled pounded vegetables comprises for a sound, quick bite for your pet. Like a few of us people, a couple of canines can be oversensitive to gluten, be that as it may, for most of canine populace entire grains like earthy colored rice, wheat, oats, grain, millet, and quinoa are sound and nutritious. You can likewise test little divides of soya bean to check whether your pooch obtains a jumping at the chance to it.

Ideal Utilization Of Vegetables

Vegetables are a force to be reckoned with of fundamental supplements and can be remembered for your pet's dinners to give assortment as far as taste, surface, and shading. Vegetables like potatoes (try not to utilize green regions that create on potatoes), yams, green beans, pumpkin, bottle gourd, and peas ought to be bubbled and pounded, particularly, in case they are in bigger amounts.

New and texturally crunchy vegetables like cucumber, carrot, broccoli, and spinach can likewise be remembered for your pet's eating routine, which can give the essential alleviation and variety from normal nourishment for your pooches. These can be served new or bubbled.

Tomatoes (should be ready) can likewise be remembered for your pet's eating regimen; notwithstanding, additional consideration should be taken to guarantee that your canine doesn't burn- through leaves or stems of tomatoes as they can accomplish more damage than anything else.

Vegetables that ought NOT be remembered for your canines' eating regimen are Onion and Garlic (in any structure – crude, cooked, powdered, dried), as these contain a harmful fixing called thiosulphate, which can cause conceivably deadly hemolytic paleness in canines. Subsequently, fight the temptation of taking care of your pets our everyday curries/dals.

Counting Fruits During Snack Time

An extraordinary choice to utilize particularly for nibbling for the two people and canines between dinners are organic products. In any case, guarantee that you don't take care of your canines with grapes, raisins or currants as they could irreversibly harm their kidneys. When taking care of them with apples, guarantee that they don't devour seeds as they contain cyanide and are noxious for canines.

Different natural products like melons (water and musk, without skins), berries (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries) can be remembered for your pet's eating routine. Serving a bowlful of an assortment of new occasional organic products, cut up in bit sizes can help in empowering your pooches to have these solid treats.

Dairy Products

Like gluten, a few pets may be lactose narrow minded. Be that as it may, for the greater part, bubbled milk/homogenized container and purified milk can be given. Milk isn't intrinsically terrible for your grown-up canine; notwithstanding, giving milk with some restraint and in weakened structure is the key.

You can likewise add little amounts of curds, curd/buttermilk every once in a while for your pets to appreciate.

Aside from the previously mentioned food things, underneath are other food things that you ought NOT take care of your canines:

Chocolates: Dark chocolate, preparing chocolate and cocoa beans contain undeniable degrees of theobromine and caffeine, which can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, muscle jerks, expanded pee, and unnecessary gasping, whenever devoured in enormous amounts. It is ideal to try not to take care of any sort of chocolate to your pets.

Espresso/Tea: Like chocolate, espresso and tea additionally contain caffeine, which can cause loose bowels, spewing, and is destructive to the heart and sensory systems of your canine.

Avocado, Plum, Peaches: Though these natural products are not really remembered for the rundown of poisonous food sources for canines, they contain a kind of cyanide compound that can harm your canine in the event that he eats enough of the stems, seeds, and leaves, which can bring about widened understudies, breathing hardships, hyperventilation, shock, and apprehensiveness.

Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a mainstream flavor utilized while getting ready Indian desserts and mithai. Incidentally devouring nutmeg can cause seizures, quakes, focal sensory system issues, and even passing in certain canines.

Like whatever else, even the things that are healthful to your pets like grains, organic products and vegetables, treats, and meats when given in inordinate amounts can be destructive. Consequently, it is vital for segment your pets' dinners and check about the recurrence of their suppers with your vet. Also, hypersensitive responses to specific food things shift from one canine to another, so it is consistently a decent practice to notice your canine each time you feed it another food thing.

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creaturecompanion0117 · 3 years

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Can I Give Chapati to My DOg

First of all!

Will The Combination Of Roti/Chapati and Milk Be Constituted As A Meal For Your Pet?

How Important Is It To Include Eggs and Meat In Your Pet's Diet?

Job Of Grains and Pulses

Ideal Utilization Of Vegetables

Counting Fruits During Snack Time

Dairy Products

You can likewise add little amounts of curds, curd/buttermilk every once in a while for your pets to appreciate.

Aside from the previously mentioned food things, underneath are other food things that you ought NOT take care of your canines:

Espresso/Tea: Like chocolate, espresso and tea additionally contain caffeine, which can cause loose bowels, spewing, and is destructive to the heart and sensory systems of your canine.

#dog #pet #food #petmagazine

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trenttrendspotter · 5 years

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Fresh from Expo West: 10 Top Natural Trends for 2019

The interest in naturals continues to evolve and capture the imagination of consumers. It’s an exciting time for the industry with the popularization of the plant movement, the emergence of CBD and shoppers’ obsession with wellness. The 2019 Natural Products Expo West, held at the Anaheim Convention Center, March 6 – 9, was a convergence of mainstay and up-and-coming brands vying for the spotlight.

There isn’t a trade show that engenders as much passion as Expo West. Everyone who has ever been to an Expo West remembers it and thinks of their time there with great affection. Great news: The show continues to flourish under new management and to lead the way on natural alternative trends and products.

“Every year at Expo West we foster the connection between emerging brands who are impacting the landscape and industry pioneers who have paved the way for decades,” said Lacey Gautier, group show director at New Hope Network. ”This event highlights the importance of community engagement and the role everyone plays to create a more sustainable packaged goods industry. With so much to celebrate in organic agriculture and ethical business practices, you can feel the energy throughout the campus.”

Here the top 10 trends spotted by globe-trotting trend watcher Nancy Trent:

1. CBD bubble or boom

What’s happening with CBD is reminiscent of the internet bubble of the 90s…or is it?Everyone is racing into the game, but it’s not a game, it’s just the beginning of one aspect of the plant-based revolution we are seeing change the way we live. Just as the Internet bubble resulted in the failure of many individual companies but not the Internet industry itself, the CBD business is likely to thrive but not all of the many companies coming out with CBD products will survive.

According to Sebastien Hebbelinck, founder of Prana Principle, “We are just scratching the surface of the potential of this revolution as we wait for guidance from the FDA.” Hebbelinck, who has been in supplements for over 25 years, began his career in the Netherlands and settled in Colorado as a sought-after expert. Hebbelinck figured out how to maximize the potential of CBD with a line of full spectrum hemp oil extract sublingual tinctures that contain non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids and synergistic compounds such as Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabichromene (CBC), and a range of naturally preserved terpenes. Terpenes is expected to be the next buzzword in plant-based healing.

Hebbelinck’s focus is crafting CBD tinctures without THC and he feels there is a lot of confusion in the market about full spectrum vs. broad spectrum, the safety of THC and claims that manufacturers can accurately make. But the country is moving forward and manufacturers need to be responsible to the FDA, retailers and consumers.

2. Shots are the juice

The juicing trend has reached an all-time high. So has “the awareness of sugar content in our foods, including juice, which has lead to the ‘shot’ movement,” says Kristina Dermody, CEO of California Juice Company. Consumers and people that influence these trends have realized that most of the nutrients we need from juice can be consumed in one delicious shot. This has lead to the success of companies like California Juice Company. The California-grown, organic, nutrient-dense, premium full ingredient fruit and veggies are mindfully formulated to optimize authentic flavors and give the health we need in condensed servings. They are delicious, too!

3. Putting more fun in Functional Foods

Just the Berries has a special species of Organic New Zealand blackcurrants, which are the most nutrient-rich berries in the world, used primarily for eye and vision health. They are very popular in Asia, as top baseball teams from Japan love this brand. Just the Berries is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is launching its first store in the U.S.

Likewise, Wishgarden Herbs, an almost 40-year-old whole herb company, combines the fast-acting power of its whole herb liquid extract formulas with an enjoyable social connection via remedy-drink pairings. “This takes wellness and lifestyle to a whole new level that delivers octaves on ‘functional drink’ efficacy and is also fun, tasty and shareable,” says Catherine Hunziker, CEO of Wishgarden Herbs.

Move over cauliflower pizza: “There can be no doubt that vegetable crust pizza is of interest. Who doesn’t want healthier and tastier pizza alternatives?” asked Benjamin Frohlichstein, CEO of Cappellos. The latest entry into that category is almond crust, with plant protein, healthy fats, nutrient-dense and grain-free pizza crust perfect for keto appetites.

4. The new superfoods

Buyers are inundated with snacks that are so smart, marketers have to find snacks that are not only Keto, protein-rich and grain-free but also have a certain je ne sais quoi too.

“There is a focus on ingredients because people are reading labels and demanding better ingredients,” says Jeff Brinkhoff, CEO of Hopapops. For instance, lotus seeds, the main ingredient in Hopapops, are trending in Europe because they are a true ancient superfood with roots in Aryuvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for helping to maintain health blood sugar levels.

Vegan, all natural TahiniBars are made of sesame seeds with amazing taste and texture, all for only 100 calories. The texture is so appealing, TahiniBars made an ad campaign around their smoothness called “my first crush.”

Brami Snacks, made with lupini beans from Spain, have more fiber than edamame and fewer calories than almonds. To make them even more appropriate for the U.S. market, they come in scrumptious flavors, too. How did we not know about these incredibly delicious wonder beans before?

5. Focus on simply healthy ingredients

Elma Farms latest introduction is POSHI, which stands for the “Power Of Simply Healthy Ingredients.” These plant-based snacks are gluten-free, non-GMO, convenient and low-calorie. Everyone is talking about innovative fermented snacks!

Much of the hummus we buy at the store is pasteurized by heat. Anyone who has had or has made their own fresh hummus knows that it’s all about the freshness of the ingredients. Starting out in farmer’s markets, discovered by Wegman’s, they continue to keep high standards for ingredients. “It’s not about flavor to catch attention,” said Chris Kirby, of Ithaca Cold Crafted. He buys whole lemons and squeezes them in his hummus, which also includes raw garlic.

And when hummus is good, it’s easy to eat too much. That was the concept behind Blue Moose, one of the first organic snacking hummus with portion control 100-calorie cups and dehydrated carrot sticks.

6. Basics, made even better

We all would be eating more beets if they were easier to work with. Thank you Beetroute from the Netherlands for sourcing the most delicious beets and doing the messy prep work. I know I will be eating more beets as you launch in the U.S. market.

Another classic to get a fresh spin: Dates. Joolie’s, with the help of superior technology, produces the most succulent organic Medjool dates I have ever tasted.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the National Peanut Board partnered with Crazy Richards Peanut Butter to roll out an entirely new category with the introduction of its new frozen snack line, Wholly Rollies – Frozen Protein Balls. Wholly Rollies was developed to make healthy snacking simple. “As consumers continue gravitating toward snacking, the National Peanut Board is excited to be part of bringing new products to the freezer case. As a delicious, nutritious and portable snack, Wholly Rollies embodies everything consumers are looking for,” says Ryan Lepicier, SVP, marketing & communications, National Peanut Board.

7. Brands that go above and beyond

“Every year consumers get smarter and more discerning in their decision-making process, whether it’s non-GMO or vegan–these are specific values,” says Sabrina Banadyga, the chief marketing officer of EnerC. EnerC is a caffeine-free, low-sugar vitamin C supplement committed to the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit.

Teatulia, a Bangladesh-based single-garden direct line of organic loose leaf teas, demonstrates a thorough commitment to sustainability by supporting a cooperative and establishing a cattle-lending program. In exchange for maintaining the garden, collective members (who are overwhelmingly female) receive cows instead of the more popular microfinance loans normally associated with Bangladesh. In return for fresh milk, members of the program pay down the loan with milk and cow dung which helps fertilize the tea garden. Teatulia is now introducing a totally innovative line of tea sodas.

It’s about time people started getting picky about their eggs. “There is an increased desire for eggs from chickens that are pasture raised,” said Ryan Miller of Farmers Hen House. People want more protein, they want better protein and they are willing to pay for it. Another reason these eggs are amazing is they only get eggs from authentic sustainable family farms that produce their grain to feed their chickens. And, their processing plant is 100% solar powered!

8. Hydration cleans up

Hydration was one of the hottest categories. We’re thirsty for natural ways to hydrate. Electrolytes are a great way to stay healthily hydrated, but they are hard to drink without calories, sugar, carbs or caffeine. That’s what lead to the success of Ultima Replenisher, a stick pack containing all 6 macro electrolytes without the things you don’t want. It’s made with all plant-based flavors, colors and sweeteners and vitamin C, another thing we like to add to our water.

One water company, Essentia, has done some rigorous testing to prove its hydration value. A clinical trial, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN), showed Essentia has a 9.5pH or higher alkaline water that is better at rehydrating than regular water.

9. Seriously smart supplements

As people continue to push themselves to new limits, the use of brain-health supplements has become an expanding industry, with expected growth to $11.6 billion by 2024. Quality of life is dependent on the healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system. Meaningful improvements to cognitive function can impact the quality of communication and connection in relationships. It gives us more of the mental energy we might need to turn our good intentions, in areas like diet, exercise, and sleep, into reality. And, it supports our ability to adapt to environmental stressors. Neurohacker Collective, a company focused on creating best-in-class wellbeing products using a unique research methodology based on complex systems science, understands that different systems in the body don’t act in isolation. Neurohacker’s flagship product, Qualia Mind, is a premium nootropic used to help stimulate and support overall mental performance of the brain. Qualia Mind incorporates high-quality ingredients to ensure optimal results and transcend basic cognitive enhancement. Neurohacker’s brain supplements, while designed to support increased cognition, also are designed to improve the entire body to support peak performance.

10. Chemical free, from cosmetics to OTC remedies

Increasingly, people don’t want to put anything on their body they wouldn’t put in their body. And that means more interest in plant-based ingredients. But even plants can be processed. Skinny & Co provides one of the only chemical-free, additive-free, and non-acidic coconut oil in the world. Every product starts with handpicked, raw coconuts from the jungles of Vietnam, processed through a patented Nutralock System that keeps the oil cool and 100% raw. With 5 or fewer ingredients in each product, these cleansing balms, body scrubs, deodorants and more, are proving that healthy really is beautiful. As the use of essential oils continues to rise with more people leaning toward natural methods of care, Oilogic says its three collections are safe and impactful for babies & toddlers, kids and adults. A trailblazing leader in family natural wellness, Oilogic Essential Oil includes the right concentration of each powerful oil, diluted appropriately to create a safe, yet effective formula that is ready for use. Natural Products Expo West 2020 will be held March 3rd-7th at the Anaheim Convention Center. Natural Products Expo East will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center September 11th-14th, 2019. Follow @NatProdExpo and #ExpoWest on Twitter and Instagram, and visit us on Facebook for ongoing conversations.

As seen in Whole Foods Magazine

#expo west #Natural Products Expo #naturalproducts #trends #CBD #juice #chemical free #supplements #hydration #superfoods

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feedpetpurveyor · 7 years

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What is Ketosis?

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which fat provides most of the fuel for the body. It occurs when there is limited access to glucose (blood sugar), which is the preferred fuel source for many cells in the body.

Who is a Ketogenic Diet ideal for? A Ketogenic Diet is ideal for both humans and dogs suffering from various health issues like treating and curing diabetes, skin rashes, hot spots, itching and almost all allergies, controlling seizures, and cancer. It can also be used with healthy humans and healthy dogs to help prevent future sickness.

What exactly is a Ketogenic Diet? A Ketogenic Diet is a high fat, moderate to low protein and low carbohydrate diet.

What is a 2:1 Ketogenic Diet? 2:1 refers to the specific type of ratio that compares the amount of fat to the amount of protein and net carbohydrate. A 2:1 ratio means for every 2 grams of fat, there is 1 gram of combined protein and net carbohydrate. In terms of percentages this equates to 82% of calories from Fat and 18% of calories from Protein and Net Carbohydrate.

How long should my dog stay on a 2:1 Ketogenic Diet? There are many factors that come into play here that will determine how long your dog should stay on a 2:1 ketogenic diet. Depending on the health of your dog, and their current metabolic markers, he or she may be on this ratio diet for a number of months. Once we are comfortable with their metabolic markers, we may suggest a ratio change and start throwing in some higher protein (1:1 ratio) days. This will help prevent muscle loss that often is associated with a low protein diet.

How long can my dog be on a Ketogenic diet? If your dog is suffering from some form of metabolic disease, like cancer, epilepsy, or diabetes, it would probably be a good idea that he/she remains on ketogenic diet. Also if your dog is suffering from an autoimmune disease like allergies, lupus, skin allergies or even arthritis, it would be a good idea that they remain on a ketogenic diet as well.

What is the long term effects of a Ketogenic diet? One of the most common long term effects of a ketogenic diet would be weight loss. Caloric intake should always be closely monitored and adjusted to meet the nutritional needs of the dog.

Can my dog eat this diet while on chemo or radiation? Yes they can. As a matter of fact, a ketogenic diet can improve the outcome of these treatments as well as mitigate the harsh side effect often associated with standard of care therapies.

What is 70/30 Ground Beef? Meat is typically labeled by percentage of fat. You’ll see 96/4, 90/10, 80/20 sometimes you’ll even see 75/25 and all that means is the percentage of lean meat to fat content. We recommend using 70% lean meat and 30% fat content because it is a 2:1 ketogenic ratio. You can ask your local butcher or meat dept. if they can make you a 70/30 ground beef if you don’t see it at the store. If you are absolutely not able to get anything less than an 80/20 or 85/15 meat, please let us know and we can give you the additional amounts of fat that we’d like you to add into the meals.

Does the beef have to be grass-fed? If you can afford grass-fed beef, then by all means buy it, because it is a better option for your dog. What a cow eats directly effects the types and level of nutrients you get from eating meat from that cow. Meat from a grass fed cow is loaded with even more nutrition then a cow fed a corn or grain-based diet. At the end of the day it call comes down to what you can truly afford.

What about bacteria and pathogens in the meat? Raw meat should be handled with the same safety precautions you use when you prepare burgers or steaks on the grill. There is no risk of contracting GI parasites from USDA-inspected, human grade meat. If you are still concerned, you can freeze the meat for a few days before you feed it to your pets. Please make sure you are washing pet bowls after feeding and sanitizing eating surface regularly. Also make sure your hands are clean when handling all raw meats.

Is beef the only meat I can feed my dog? No, you may feed other meats, but we always suggest starting with the fattest cuts of meats available to you. Meats like Chicken, Turkey, Venison and Elk are very lean and high in protein, so in the beginning stages if your dog is on a higher ketogenic ratio diet, we suggest you try stay away from those. If you can only get access to leaner cuts on meat like those mentioned above, you will need to add an fat source (fat source list mentioned below) to the meals in order to meet the suggested ketogenic ratio. Also I want to mention that if you don’t see a certain cut of meat it in the store coolers, ask the butcher if he can prepare it for you (most of them will).

What fat sources do you use? Besides the fats found in the beef we use, we rotate the fats source often as it is healthy for them to get a variety of fats in their diet. Rotation also helps prevent our dogs from developing an aversion to a certain fat. We suggest that you rotate fat sources from week to week. The fats sources we suggest are the following:

Monounsaturated Fat Sources: Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Mayo. Saturated Fat Sources: Coconut Oil, Red Palm Oil, Ghee, Kerry Gold Unsalted Butter, Unsweetened Coconut Cream and Heavy Whipping Cream.

What about the risk of fatty liver disease with the high amount of fat consumption? Your dog will not develop fatty liver disease from the high fat consumption of the Ketogenic Diet. Fatty liver disease is often the result of abnormal bile flow in the liver and deficient hepatic function. Serious deterioration of the hepatic function can affect the liver’s capacity of detoxifying the bloodstream. Therefor toxins accumulate in the body and can cause further complications.

What vegetables can I give my dog? Now for the fibrous veggies, you can choose any of those listed below, but make sure you finely dice them up or puree them and then mix them up good in the food before you feed them. Please stay away from other veggies sources due to their high carbohydrate content.

Fibrous Veggies: Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans, Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus

My Vet suggests that I do not feed RAW. What do I do? Most vets are anti-raw diet due to the threat of bacteria or salmonella. If done properly you will have zero issues with either bacteria or salmonella. Also freezing the meat for a few days before serving can successfully avoid exposing your raw fed pet to parasites.

Can I cook the food? We do not recommend that you cook the food. Dogs have the proper gut bacteria and enzymes to naturally break down RAW food. Also cooked animal fats can lead to pancreatitis, organ failure, and can be deadly if left untreated.

Why is the food measurements you gave me is in grams? We want to be very strict on the caloric intake of your dog, so it is best to measure in the food in grams. If you don’t already own one, you’ll need to purchase digital food scale which will help you make sure you are delivering the exact amount of food suggested.

Are these food measurements correct? This doesn’t seem like a lot of food. Yes, the measurements are correct. The standard kibble diet is roughly 30 calories per pound. This is the #1 reason that approximately 25-30% of the general canine population is obese in North American. Unless the dog is already extremely lean, we start most dogs at 15 calories per pound. This allows us to get the dog into a metabolic state to fight disease. As weight fluctuates, we will make the necessary caloric adjustments.

Why Calorie Restriction? Excess body fat – or obesity – is also linked to cancer in dogs. The precise link is not yet completely defined, but new research has shown that fat cells secrete a chemical called adiponectin, which actually lessens the development of cancer cells. Fat cells secrete much less adiponectin when the body has excess fat in storage, which happens in a heavy dog. Fat cells secrete more adiponectin when the fat cells are being burned for fuel, which happens in a leaner dog. During a ketogenic diet, the dogs are burning fat for fuel.

My dog has very loose stools since starting the Ketogenic Diet. How can I fix this? When changing from a kibble based diet you many experience a short time when your dog has very loose stools. This is due to the sudden change their diet. This will eventually go away as they adapt to the consumption of this higher fat diet. You can add a teaspoon of chia seeds to their meal if they are experiencing diarrhea.

How do I know if the diet is working? The ketogenic diet is the only diet that you can validate with a simple blood ketone test. If the blood ketone test shows 0.3mmol or higher, then the diet is working.

What Glucose/Ketone reader do you suggest? We suggest the Precision Xtra blood glucose and blood ketone reader. You can purchase it on amazon.com. Also make sure that you buy both blood glucose and blood ketone strips.

Where is the ideal location to draw blood to test both glucose and ketones? To draw blood, you can use the side of one of the pads on the paw or the loose skin on their front elbow.

How often do you suggest that I test blood glucose and blood ketones? We highly suggest in the beginning you test blood levels every other day, right away in the morning before you feed them their first meal. Once we see numbers consistently where we want them to be, we can back off a bit and test twice a week (Mondays and Fridays).

What are the numbers we want to hit for blood glucose and blood ketones? Blood Glucose: 75 mg/dL or lower Blood Ketones: 0.3mmol or higher

I recently discovered Ketostix (urine ketone strips). These are much cheaper than the blood ketones strips. Are these ok to use? Ketone urine test strips truly will only work for the first few weeks of a ketogenic diet. In the early stages of a ketogenic diet your body will produce small amounts of ketones, but since your body doesn’t know how to use them yet as fuel, your body will pass these trace amounts of ketones in your urine. It is not until your body has burned off all the glucose that it will start to use the ketones as a fuel source. This is often referred to at keto adapted. Once keto adapted, ketones will no longer be present in your urine. So you can see these urine strips are not the most accurate means to measuring ketone levels.

My dog is losing too much weight, what do I do? The thing about the ketogenic diet is that once in ketosis, the body switches into fat burning stage. The end result of this is weight loss. While this is normally a good thing, we don’t want them losing weight at a rapid pace. Closely monitor your dog’s weight and if they are losing weight too rapidly, please let us know and we can make some dietary adjustments.

My dog doesn’t want to eat their meal. What do I do? It is perfectly ok if your dog misses a meal or even a few meals. They may not be interested and/or even hungry at the moment. If they are not interested, place the meal in the fridge and try feeding at a later time. Please don’t feel like you have to force feed them. Your dog should eventually eat when they are hungry. Often if you exercise them, they’ll eat afterwards. Now, if it has been multiple days and they still haven’t eaten, let us know and we can offer a few tips to try to get them to eat.

Speaking of exercise, how often should my dog get exercised and what exercises do you recommend? As far as metcon (Metabolic Conditioning) is concerned we like to give our dogs (2) 20-30 sessions per day. We like to get them running and get their heart rate up so if possible I’d like you to do the same. Even a long game of fetch for one of the sessions would suffice.

Exercise is also a very important part of our program and works hand in hand with our ketogenic diet protocol. The goal is to get these doggies into a regular exercise schedule daily to increase heart rate, burn calories and stimulate their mitochondria. This keeps insulin low and helps battle their cancers.

What treats can I give my dog? I know you’re probably wondering about what type of treats are ok to feed your dog. To be honest with you, we do not feed our KPS doggies treats. All of the calories our dogs get are in the two meals we feed them. Now I would try to avoid feeding treats as they can easily add a bunch of extra calories to their diet, not-to-mention many of them are full of carbohydrates and protein. Adding these can in fact prevent us from getting your dog into ketosis due to spiking their glucose. It is ok however to give your dog a bully stick once a week to help keep his teeth clean. Also if you must give them a treat, try freezing a tablespoon of coconut oil or unsalted butter in a hollow bone or Kong. Just make sure you give this to your dog outside or on a hard surface so it doesn’t make a mess on your carpet.

Are there any Supplements I should give to my dog? You may want to deliver calcium, potassium, magnesium and an omega 3 supplement with each meal as well as a good prebiotic, and probiotic. We give our doggies the following: Garden of Life Prebiotic Fiber, LivPro Probiotic Fiber, and Yes Oil. But you can go online and purchase similar products on amazon.com. Just do a simple search and you should find a bunch.

** Please avoid giving your dog a multi-vitamin. These contain both Iron and Folic Acid which can feed cancer. **

Suggested Supplement dosing: Probiotic Fiber: 1g per 50 lbs twice a day Prebiotic Fiber: Small dogs: 3.5g, Medium and Large dogs: 6g once a day with AM meal Yes Oil: 0.03mL/lbs twice a day

Why plant based omegas compared to fish/krill? The reason we don’t use fish or krill anymore is because you can’t convert direct EPA DHA into what the body needs. You need to have the parental oil’s which are things such as coconut oil, flax borage oil or evening primrose and high oleic sunflower oil as the 3, 6 and 9 Omega oil’s to be able to make our own…these oils are needed as the precursors. Less than 1 percent is converted to EPA and DHA. So we need the parent oils to convert.

The human body does not produce significant amounts of EPA or DHA on its own, so you must get these important nutrients from Yes supps or Udos (as brand examples).

There are others, but we’ve checked into these companies and their processing of the fats.

And also too often people stuff themselves as much as I can with omega-3’s and you really need the balance of six and nine to make everything work and be able to convert appropriately too much omega-3 is actually bad for you which the general population doesn’t know quite understand yet but more and more is coming out about that we actually need a lot more omega 6 than people realize but 6 from the right places.

Are there any other supplements that are safe for my dog on a ketogenic diet? You want to be careful when selecting additional supplements to give your dog while they are on a ketogenic diet. One reason for this is we don’t want you giving them a supplement that will prevent them from getting into ketosis. There are many supplements that can raise blood glucose levels, so before you give it to them, do some research and/or ask your Vet for advice. Turmeric, Turkey Tail Mushrooms, and Metformin are a few of the safe ones to give them.

My dog has seizures. Will they benefit from a ketogenic diet? Yes, they will most likely see a benefit from eating a ketogenic diet. Often you may even be able to lower the dosage of seizure medications.

Will a ketogenic diet help a dog with diabetes? Yes. If you follow the diet properly and stop feeding your dog non-fibrous carbohydrates, you will be able to lower your dog’s blood glucose numbers significantly. Often our dogs at KetoPet have blood glucose in the mid 50s to low 60s.

Will a ketogenic diet help a dog with arthritis or joint issues? Yes. A diet full of high glycemic carbohydrates will cause a lot of inflammation in the body, especially in the joints of older dogs. Eliminating these carbs and increasing the consumption of healthy fats will often eliminate a lot of the inflammation and joint pain.

What are your thoughts on CBD oil. Can I give to my dog CBD oil? We have never used CBD oil with any of our dogs at KetoPet Sanctuary and because of this we cannot validate its efficacy. If you still feel this is something you want to try with your dog, we highly recommend that you discuss this decision in detail with your vet.

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bestillmybeefyheart · 7 years

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Health, misinformation and you.

The ads here have taken over. I have at least 1 every 2-5 posts, I cannot block them, I cannot remove them, they are just there. So, out of curiosity, I clicked on one. Im up at 7am, bored, I figured what the hell. So I watched one from a Dr Gundry who made claims of toxic super foods and body health etc. With a big disclaimer below that the FDA hasn't approved this message. LOL. So this Dr is telling me the food Im eating is poison but his statements haven't been evaluated by the FDA, yeah, I'm going to take that guy seriously. Just like those fraudsters who make "50 States legal hemp CBD oil". Snake oil people. Any website who claims to have important medical information for you followed by "The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease" is pretty much like someone holding up a sign that says "car crash ahead, take side exit". You need to take the side exit unless you want to get stuck in possibly hours of traffic. But what he said in the video made me think. So I did some research. I am no stranger to suppliments, super foods etc. And I like to learn. So, I took what he said and looked it up to see if I could find any truth to it. I wanted to be able to backup my slams, like any good human. :D His first claim... Soy is toxic for the body. Why? Well he says it contains chemicals that directly affect the thyroid and thus impact your health. Even the MayoClinic says this is simply not true. And Columbia University says that soy is perfectly fine and only really has a small impact on those who have an iodine deficiency. Dr. Grundy, 0. Facts, 1. Second claim, wheat grass is toxic and the human body cannot process it. his claim was that cows have multiple stomachs to digest grass and then went on to say there's a reason dogs eat grass to throw up. I found lots of sites debunking wheat grass and its benefits, and they did indeed claim that humans could not process it. And I did find proof that "wheat grass" is just grass (yep, you are paying $3-10 a pop for a shot of lawn clippings.) and that since our bodies do not have the enzymes to digest the grass, we cannot effectively get the chlorophyll out. However, I found many studies and lots of information that chlorophyll, in its pure form given to patients directly, can have an impact on the body and its systems. Keep in mind this is processed chlorophyll not lawn clippings. So the hard part, the part your body cant do aka digest it to get out this chlorophyll has already been done for you. So Dr Gundry, 0. Facts, 1. That is 2 wrongs out of 3. And as we all know, when you have 2 out of 3 wrong, that means you dont pass the test. If I tossed 3 basket balls at a hoop and missed 2, that third one would be useless regardless of how it went because I'd have already lost. Next, he claimed that Goji berries are bad for you. And I found that for the most part he was right, or at least in the right area. Goji berries contain toxic compounds and chemicals, and these can affect how your medications work, especially for diabetics. They also can cause digestive issues and in rare cases cause your blood not to clot as efficiently. Note that much of our health is dependent on two things... having a healthy gut and a healthy mouth. I know this for a fact as I have spent the last 2 years fighting disease linked to both. And I've had doctors tell me to work on my oral health and my diet to make my gut happy. I already brush my teeth regularly and floss, so I focused more on the diet and gut health side. Ive had nutrition studies done on me as well as been checked for assorted things I might be missing and I know for a fact that this is important. Your gut is the center for your health. Eat shit, feel shitty. Eat well, feel good. It's not BS, its science. Science I've lived. So on this one, I'm going to give Dr. Grundy a .5 for trying. He means well, so that has to count for something. He mentioned early man being healthy because of their diet, then as they got more modern, they got fat and unhealthy. And this is actually because they switched from healthy foods to less healthy ones as they modernized. Gone were the massive amounts of berries and plants and the low meat input, and the gluten and other things started to dominate. Heard of a paleo diet? There's a reason why it works for people with gluten issues. It focuses on things that dont bring in the bad stuff found in wheat etc, and brings in more of what our ancestors ate. Lets talk about two of the important things about this gut health thing that impacts your whole body... Lectins & polyphenol Lectins - These are a protein found in many foods that can have many negative effects on our bodies. These include damage to our GI tract and organs, metabolism issues and other things. You'll find Lectins in beans, grains, many fruits and veggies and stuff like nuts and seeds. Even dairy has lectins. Do some research and make a list and try some foods that are lower in lectins in place of your standard diet and see how it impacts your health and life. Dont take my word for it or this Dr Gundry. See for yourself. Everyone is different, so its not a "one size fits all" kind of situation. Polyphenol - This important photochemical, found in many anti-oxidant foods, help with diabetes, cancer, and heart problems and blockages in your viens according to sources on the internet. Cloves, Cocoa (Dark chocolate especially), oregano (Mexican), flax seeds, blue berries, green tea, coffee, red wine, some seeds and even margarine, which is fatty so be careful with this one. Also try peppermint, star anise, black elderberries, rosemary, safe, thyme, plums, strawberries and more. The highest items are cloves, peppermint, star anise and cocoa powder with the first two being way up there. Also, Im sure you've heard of Probiotics, the stuff in your gut that helps you digest and deal with the foods you put in? We'll, these probiotics actually use polyphenols, feeding on them and allowing them to interact with them in a way that makes them more powerful and gives them energy more or less to work, improving your gut health. If you've ever taken anti-biotics, your doctor probably (or should have) also recommend a probiotic. I know a little about this, as I've spent the last two years fighting GI problems, most of which were caused by Antibiotics destroying my gut health and causing the probiotics to become less effective. DO some searching on the web, looking for WebMC, the MayoClinic and other reputable sources, ask your doctor, and don't listen to the quack doctors like Dr Axe who make crazy claims to get attention. Listen to your body, your gut, and your doctor. Trust me on this from experience. So while Dr Gundry was right a little, he was also wrong a lot. Just going to show you that having a fancy title and medical history does not mean he or anyone knows what they are doing. As always, your doctor and you know more then anyone else about you and your health. And its your job to investigate these things. Don't just let someone tell you, look into it before you take action. And skip the overpriced grass. You can go out into your yard and cut some grass up and eat it and it will be no different then that $3-10 shot of "wheat grass". This is just my opinion based on my own life, some internet research and talking to my nutritionist and doctor as well as my GI doctor. I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice, and I always suggest you talk to your physician before making any diet changes or doing anything with supplements. Better safe then sorry. Hope this helps some of you and if not, feel free to fire back some of your own experience. Any hateful or angry comments will be ignored. And good luck to you.

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immanueldsouza559 · 4 years

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Kid’s healthy eating plate: What to include and what not to

The eating habits of kids has always been a matter of concern for parents, with food industries spending billions of rupees on advertising junk foods and attracting kids.

We understand that you as a parent are concerned about your child’s picky eating habits or excessive consumption of junk food. However, it is your duty to make sure that you feed your child the right food for his/her proper growth.

“What to feed my child?” is the most asked question by a parent to a nutritionist. But, what we forget to remember is that the rules of adult nutrition apply to kids as well, except for the caloric requirements.

The daily caloric requirement of an adult hovers around 2,000 calories, whereas a 3-6-year-old kid requires 1,000-1,400 calories. A 10-14-year-old kid may require 1,400-2,200 calories daily, depending on his/her physical activity level.

Calories aside, the most important thing to consider when it comes to your kid’s healthy eating plate is what foods to include and what to avoid. But, what exactly is a kid’s healthy eating plate?

According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, a kid’s healthy eating plate is a visual guide to encourage and educate kids to eat healthily. It is a graphic representation of the type of foods to include in their daily diet and also stresses on staying physically active for a child’s overall health.

Kids Healthy Eating Plate

Before we jump into the kind of foods to include, here are a few healthy eating rules to include in yours as well as your kid’s daily life.

Prefer whole grains over refined grains

Cut down on sugar or keep it to the least you can

Have a whole fruit instead of a fruit juice

Do not exceed your daily calorie intake

Stay hydrated throughout the day

Eat a variety of foods and keep alternating them to get a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

What to include

At a glance, a kid’s healthy eating plate must include 50% of varied fruits and vegetables, 25% of whole grains, 25% of healthy proteins, a bit of healthy oils or fats, water and dairy, and physical activity.

Fruits and vegetables

The simplest rule while eating vegetables and fruits is to make it as colorful as possible. This means, include as many varieties of fruits and veggies as you can in your daily diet. This is because no single fruit or vegetable will be able to satisfy all your nutrient, vitamin, and mineral requirements.

Including fruits and vegetables in your diet provides you with beneficial fiber to promote digestion and also helps in maintaining low blood pressure and blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of heart diseases and chances of cancer, improves eyesight and also prevents your kid from eating junk by keeping his/her tummy full.

That being said, avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes as it has a negative impact on the blood sugar levels.

Whole grains

While fruits and vegetables provide the required nutrients and fiber, whole grains being healthy carbohydrates provide fuel to your kid’s body by digesting slowly and without spiking the blood sugar levels.

Refined grains, unlike whole grains, are stripped of their nutrients and spikes the blood sugar levels. The more processed the grains are, the more harmful it becomes.

You may use whole grains such as (semi) brown rice, whole wheat flour, quinoa, oats, corn, and others instead of white rice or refined flour (maida).

Try to avoid providing your kids with processed foods like burgers, pasta, and pizzas as much as possible as they are made of refined flour and easily converts the food into sugar.

Healthy protein

Protein is a macronutrient and the primary source of body development and growth. It is important to include substantial amount of protein in your kid’s daily diet. Protein deficiency may result in growth stunt, decreased immunity and heart health, loss of muscle mass, and many others.

Your kid requires approximately 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of his/her weight. For example, if your kid weighs 20 kgs, he/she requires 20 grams of daily protein intake.

Beans, peas, peanuts, seeds, and dal are some of the best plant-based protein sourced you can feed your kid. You may also choose animal-based protein sources like fish, eggs, and chicken.

Limit the intake of red meats like pork, or lamb as they have more amount of saturated (bad) fat and are also hard to digest.

Healthy fat (oils)

Fat is generally misconstrued to be unhealthy, however, there are good fats and bad fats. Our body requires good fats or unsaturated fats like olive oil, sesame oil, canola oil, or peanut oil for energy, absorbing certain vitamins and nutrients, and to maintain heart and brain health.

Ghee, a superfood is one of the best sources of healthy fats. You may include ghee or the above oils in your kid’s diet and limit the usage of butter.

Dairy, water, and active lifestyle

Apart from the above foods, make sure your kid gets a daily dosage of milk, water, and an active lifestyle to have a balanced and overall development.

Milk is another healthy food and a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D that you can include in your kid’s daily diet. However, it can be provided in smaller quantities compared to the above foods.

It goes without saying that water is essential to maintain a healthy life, so inculcate the habit of drinking lots of water from a young age.

And finally, no matter what you feed your kids, it is important that they also have an active lifestyle. That does not mean that they need fancy equipment. Having fun and being active in the playground is also considered as physical activity.

With all, that’s said in this article about the kids healthy eating plate, if you still have any queries or would like to know more about what to feed them, you can always contact us on +91 88-00-644-744 to consult with top nutritionists near you.

https://www.redheal.com/blog/nutrition/kids-healthy-eating-plate-what-to-include-and-what-not-to/

#kids healthhealthy eatinghealthy foodnutritionwhole grainshealthy proteinhealthy fatty oilsonline doctor consultaionbest general physician i

0 notes

sudharao · 4 years

Text

Kid’s healthy eating plate: What to include and what not to

The eating habits of kids has always been a matter of concern for parents, with food industries spending billions of rupees on advertising junk foods and attracting kids.

Kids Healthy Eating Plate

Before we jump into the kind of foods to include, here are a few healthy eating rules to include in yours as well as your kid’s daily life.

Prefer whole grains over refined grains

Cut down on sugar or keep it to the least you can

Have a whole fruit instead of a fruit juice

Do not exceed your daily calorie intake

Stay hydrated throughout the day

Eat a variety of foods and keep alternating them to get a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

What to include

Fruits and vegetables

That being said, avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes as it has a negative impact on the blood sugar levels.

Whole grains

Refined grains, unlike whole grains, are stripped of their nutrients and spikes the blood sugar levels. The more processed the grains are, the more harmful it becomes.

You may use whole grains such as (semi) brown rice, whole wheat flour, quinoa, oats, corn, and others instead of white rice or refined flour (maida).

Try to avoid providing your kids with processed foods like burgers, pasta, and pizzas as much as possible as they are made of refined flour and easily converts the food into sugar.

Healthy protein

Your kid requires approximately 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of his/her weight. For example, if your kid weighs 20 kgs, he/she requires 20 grams of daily protein intake.

Beans, peas, peanuts, seeds, and dal are some of the best plant-based protein sourced you can feed your kid. You may also choose animal-based protein sources like fish, eggs, and chicken.

Limit the intake of red meats like pork, or lamb as they have more amount of saturated (bad) fat and are also hard to digest.

Healthy fat (oils)

Ghee, a superfood is one of the best sources of healthy fats. You may include ghee or the above oils in your kid’s diet and limit the usage of butter.

Dairy, water, and active lifestyle

Apart from the above foods, make sure your kid gets a daily dosage of milk, water, and an active lifestyle to have a balanced and overall development.

It goes without saying that water is essential to maintain a healthy life, so inculcate the habit of drinking lots of water from a young age.

https://www.redheal.com/blog/nutrition/kids-healthy-eating-plate-what-to-include-and-what-not-to/

#kids health #healthy eating #healthy food #nutrition #whole grains #healthy protein #healthy fatty oils #online doctor consultation #best general physician in hyderabad #general physicians in hyderabad #best doctors in hyderabad

0 notes

sreekarkumar56 · 4 years

Text

Kid’s healthy eating plate: What to include and what not to

The eating habits of kids has always been a matter of concern for parents, with food industries spending billions of rupees on advertising junk foods and attracting kids.

Kids Healthy Eating Plate

Before we jump into the kind of foods to include, here are a few healthy eating rules to include in yours as well as your kid’s daily life.

Prefer whole grains over refined grains

Cut down on sugar or keep it to the least you can

Have a whole fruit instead of a fruit juice

Do not exceed your daily calorie intake

Stay hydrated throughout the day

Eat a variety of foods and keep alternating them to get a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

What to include

Fruits and vegetables

That being said, avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes as it has a negative impact on the blood sugar levels.

Whole grains

Refined grains, unlike whole grains, are stripped of their nutrients and spikes the blood sugar levels. The more processed the grains are, the more harmful it becomes.

You may use whole grains such as (semi) brown rice, whole wheat flour, quinoa, oats, corn, and others instead of white rice or refined flour (maida).

Try to avoid providing your kids with processed foods like burgers, pasta, and pizzas as much as possible as they are made of refined flour and easily converts the food into sugar.

Healthy protein

Your kid requires approximately 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of his/her weight. For example, if your kid weighs 20 kgs, he/she requires 20 grams of daily protein intake.

Beans, peas, peanuts, seeds, and dal are some of the best plant-based protein sourced you can feed your kid. You may also choose animal-based protein sources like fish, eggs, and chicken.

Limit the intake of red meats like pork, or lamb as they have more amount of saturated (bad) fat and are also hard to digest.

Healthy fat (oils)

Ghee, a superfood is one of the best sources of healthy fats. You may include ghee or the above oils in your kid’s diet and limit the usage of butter.

Dairy, water, and active lifestyle

Apart from the above foods, make sure your kid gets a daily dosage of milk, water, and an active lifestyle to have a balanced and overall development.

It goes without saying that water is essential to maintain a healthy life, so inculcate the habit of drinking lots of water from a young age.

https://www.redheal.com/blog/nutrition/kids-healthy-eating-plate-what-to-include-and-what-not-to/

#kids health #healthy eating #healthy food #nutrition #whole grains #healthy protein #heathy fatty oils #online doctor consultation #best general physician in hyderabad #general physicians in hyderabad #best doctors in hyderabad

0 notes

peacefulheartfarm · 4 years

Text

The Blueberry Jam Journey

Blackberry jam. That’s today’s topic. Seedless blackberry jam of course. I can’t abide those tiny seeds between my teeth. I’m also starting to preserve veggies from the garden. So much to talk about today.

But first, a shout out to you all. Thank you and welcome new listeners. I hope you’ll stick around, subscribe and share my podcasts. Welcome back veteran homestead-loving regulars. I truly appreciate you taking time out of your day to listen to me.

There are tons of things going on at the farm this week. Let’s get to it.

Our Virginia Homestead Life Updates

Scott is still having to do so many other things. The creamery work is creeping along. After tomorrow that will change. Part of the reason he has less time on the creamery is the twice daily caring for the steer and bull that are going to processing.

Cows and Calves

Training the steer and bull to be comfortable with the trailer has been quite the job for Scott. I talked about the small corral he built to enclose them in close proximity with the trailer. They had to go into the trailer to get their hay. Twice a day Scott has been feeding them hay and filling their water. The space is quite small so they ate their ration and were ready for more when he showed up. He has been doing this for two weeks now. It was quite time consuming but it worked. They got very comfortable with the setup and would willingly go into the trailer to eat their hay within a short period of time. Cattle are such creatures of habit. They don’t like things that are different or new, but once they get used to things being a certain way, they just go on about their business.

As far as the girls go, I think we have finally completed the AI breeding. At least I hope so.

Fly control is working. Even the ag tech asked what we were doing and commented on how well it is working. It does have to be done twice a day, but that is easy for us because we are milking twice a day. Scott does it while the milking machine is running. Well, except for Cloud. She is so touchy about anything from her underbelly down. He can spray her back and sides easily enough, but as soon as he tries to spray lower, she starts kicking if the milking machine is hooked up to her.

Recently he tried it again while the milker was running. He had been spraying her either before or after the machine and she was okay with that. Something about being hooked up to the machine combined with the spray was upsetting to her. But he thought surely by now, she must have gotten used to the spraying and would tolerate it while the milking machine was running. Nope. She kicked and kicked and kicked. Of course, she kicked the inflations off. Scott was able to get the equipment out from under her feet before she destroyed it but it was a close call. So back to square one with her. Use the fly spray either before or after, but not during, the time that the machine is running.

Goats

Let’s talk about the intelligence of goats. Do they have any? They do actually. They are quite adept at escaping captivity – except for one specific circumstance. They can get their heads caught in the fence over and over again. Some have a hard time figuring out that it is unwise to put your head through there because your horns are going to get in the way of pulling your head back out. This morning, not one, not two, but three had to be rescued from their self-imposed imprisonment.

Sheep and Donkeys

Not much to say about the sheep. The lambs are healthy and growing. Moms are also doing well. The donkeys are doing their job well and keeping the predators away. We couldn’t ask for more.

Quail

There are 53 quail chicks in the brooder. They are a week and a half old and nearly fully feathered. They are doing great. This week I figured out how to save money and time cleaning up their mess with the food. When eating, they fling the food around. They literally put their head in the opening and start shaking it back and forth and spreading the grain all over the place. What I discovered quite by accident was that once the feeders got down to a certain level, the shape of the container prevented them from slinging it outside of the feeder.

The feeders are half gallon jars screwed onto a base. Ideally, you fill up the jar, screw on the lid, turn it over so the jar is upside down and the feed empties into the feeder tray. As they eat the food, more drops from the jar into the feeder tray. What I found out was that once the jar is empty, the feeder tray starts to get emptied. And as I said, the level is low enough that they can no longer strew the food all over the place. They still sling their heads back and forth but the food stays inside the feeder tray. It means I have to keep a closer check on their food, but the amount that is being wasted is nearing zero.

Before the change, I would fill up that half gallon jar and in a couple of days it would be nearly empty so I would refill it. That’s a lot of feed. The problem was that most of it was on the floor of the brooder being trampled and pooped on. It was quite a mess. Now, with my new system, they still make a mess because they are birds and they poop a lot and there are a lot of them. However, there is no longer a whole bunch of wasted feed mixed in with the poop. The jars are still there but they are empty. Instead of filling them up, I only put a little feed in the tray. It works. Yay. They were literally wasting at least four times what they were eating. Now the brooder doesn’t require as much changing of bedding and we don’t have to buy as much feed. It’s a great solution.

The previous batch of chicks can be considered grown at this point. They are a little over seven weeks old and I am getting 15 to 18 eggs daily from the penthouse. There are 50 birds up there and it is likely that 25 or so are hens. We could easily see those 15 to 18 eggs daily reach 25.

Garden

The garden is still going great guns. I have to water a lot. Sometimes we get afternoon thunderstorms but most days I have to get out there and give them some water.

A few of the tomatoes are starting to turn yellow. There are so many out there. It won’t be long now and they will start ripening by the gallons.

The sunflowers are blooming. Just in the last week or so, some of them have shot up to about 12 feet. It is interesting. For most of the time they were all relative close in height. But now there are lots of varying heights. But almost all are blooming. I’ll keep you posted on how that goes. I hope to have lots and lots of seeds from these flowers.

The peppers are coming on strong as well. They need to be fertilized to make bigger peppers but I’m okay with them being a little smaller. There are just so many. I’m trying to figure out where to set up the dehydrator. The one I have is pretty big. Last year I had it on my countertop in the kitchen. This year my countertops are full of milk cans and butter churn stuff. I may end up just putting it on the dining room table.

Some of the peppers I’m going to use in making pickled peppers. You know those great peppers that they have at Subway? I think those are pepperoncini. They are similar to the banana peppers that I have. I actually like banana peppers better than pepperoncini. Both peppers are mild and sweet, but the banana peppers are tangy where the pepperoncini are slightly bitter. So I’ll be slicing and canning some of those. I also plan on canning some of the jalapenos. I may even try my hand at a mixed hot pepper batch. The serrano peppers are coming along more slowly but there are a ton of them out there. I’m going to have so much fun with peppers.

Blackberry Patch

Now for the main topic of today. Blackberry jam. In order to have blackberry jam, I need to have some blackberries. Therein lies the problem. You know I’m always saying how much there is to do and so little time to do it. The blackberries canes have been neglected over the past couple of years. I already had too much blackberry jam and syrup that I didn’t worry about it. The birds and other animals were getting them all. I was okay with that. Unfortunately, the canes and vines need to be trimmed and cut back regularly because blackberries are very prolific.

The berries grow on the new growth and the old canes need to be removed regularly. Then there is the fact that the vines grow very fast and spread all over the place. We have the original plants all in nice rows and a trellis erected to keep them trained to the row. Well, that doesn’t work out so well if you don’t go out there and actually train them to the trellis.

There are vines out there that shot up from the ground and arched into the air well over my head. They are thumb thick. And you know they are not going to arch over the trellis just because it is there. They will do that sometimes, but they are just as likely to arch across to the next row. And not just on one side. No, no, no. This cane arches this way and that cane arches that way. Not only do the vines go across from one row to the next, but they also touched down in the middle of the rows. Rooting blackberry canes is really easy. Just stick them in the dirt. So everywhere they arched over and touched the ground, a new cane was born. It has become quite a jungle out there.

I was going to go out there with a pair of hedge trimmers and a couple of different pruning tools and work my way through the mess. However, Scott offered to use the chainsaw instead. I immediately took him up on that offer. We had already decided not to worry too much about making it pretty. We just needed to cut through the jungle so I could get to the berries. There are so many berries out there. But it was impossible to get to them. There were no actual rows left. So that was the first task. Re-establish the rows.

Scott took the chainsaw out there and cut a path between the rows. Well, he did most of the rows. There are still a few rows to go. But it was enough for me to get in there with a couple of buckets. I think I got enough for a batch of jelly. And now that the path is clear, I will be able to get more. There are still lots of red ones out there that will be ripening over the next couple of weeks. I think by mid-August they will have played out.

We will still need to get in there and clean it up. As I said, the old canes need to be removed. The ones that grew into the middle of the paths need to be cut all the way to the ground. Hopefully, we will keep those trimmed back from now on. Another issue that arose was the encroachment of wild blackberries. Wild blackberries have wicked thorns. Well some domestic ones do too. But we planted thornless blackberries. Now there are a bunch of wild blackberries mixed in with our thornless varieties. They are easy to spot. They will rip your clothes off. As I said, wicked thorns. Some of them are pretty big too.

In general, blackberries grow really well in our area. We use the goats to keep them under control in the pastures, but we can’t use the goats in the orchard. Goats won’t care whether they have thorns or not. They will simply eat them all.

So long story short, I was able to harvest some blackberries. Folks at the farmer’s market have been asking for jam and I’m going to make some tomorrow. It’s quite the task. As I mentioned earlier, I can’t stand seeds in my blackberry jam. Fortunately, I’ve come up with a system for getting those seeds out that is not onerous. I used to watch my mom using a food mill. Back in the day, it was all done by hand. Today, we have tools that make that task much easier.

I have a food mill attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer. It is quite simple to use. Hook it up. Turn it on. Put the blackberries in the hopper and the fruit and pulp are separated from the seeds. I use it for tomatoes also. There is quite a bit of cleanup afterwards, but for me it is still worth the effort. The end product is out of this world. I love blackberry jam.

I have a stainless-steel pot made specifically for making jams and jellies. The bottom is weighted. It has pint increments embossed on the side. There is even a pour spout in one edge. I usually dip, but it is nice to have the pour spout there when I want it. The biggest advantage of this particular pot is the shape. It is perhaps eight or nine inches in diameter at the bottom and maybe 12 or so inches at the top. What that does is provide a greater surface area for evaporation. And this is important to me as I like to make my jams without added pectin. Instead of jelling after a couple of minutes at a boil when using pectin from a box, it takes 30 minutes or so to reach the proper temperature for jelling without it. Again, the extra time is worth it to me.

The ingredients are simple. Blackberries and sugar. I use the recipe in the Ball canning book. It takes nine cups of berries and six cups of sugar. Thirty minutes of cook time and it’s ready to go in the jar. Jams and jellies are sealed by using the water bath canning method. Basically, covering the jars with boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Perhaps 20 for our elevation. Whatever the recipe indicates is what I do.

Canning used to be a task that I put off as long as I could. It seemed quite complicated. Now, having done it many times over many years, it seems quite simple. It’s amazing how that happens. In the beginning, reading the recipe over and over to make sure I have everything just right. Now, more often than not, I only pull out the book to refresh my memory on how long it needs to boil.

What do you think? Would you like to learn how to can jams and jellies? Once the creamery is completed, the commercial kitchen will come next. How about a few classes in cooking and preserving food?��

Final Thoughts

That’s it for today’s podcast. Life is full here and the craziness of the world seems far away. We are blessed with this life that we have built over the last 17 years. It feeds us physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is always purposeful activity and a sense of connection with our Lord in every moment. I know you all have that too. But for me, this environment makes it so much easier. God’s creation is always there at our fingertips.

I hope you enjoyed the trip around the homestead and through the blackberry brambles. And if you did, please hop over to Apple Podcasts, SUBSCRIBE and give me a 5-star rating and review. Also, please share it with any friends or family who might be interested in this type of content.

Thank you so much for stopping by the homestead and until next time, may God fill your life with grace and peace.

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reddawnborders · 4 years

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How To Choose The Best Dry Dog Foods (And Our Recommendations!)

Are you a certified dog lover? Those who are would want the best for their pup – from the best gear, hygiene products, to the best source of nutrition and energy. It is then a must for pet owners to know more about the specific food and nutrition requirements that their dogs must have. Let us guide you into discovering what essential information you must have in order to choose the best dry dog foods for your beloved canine.

Best dry dog food ingredients: What should they contain?

Giving their dogs premium-quality and well-balanced food options is one of the best ways that a pet owner can carry out their promise and goal to keep their pups healthy. A healthy dog is characterized as having a shiny and beautiful coat, high immunity to diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, and a great digestive system. One cannot deny how important food is when it comes to building a good healthy condition for dogs, so choosing the best dog food is important as well. So, in this case, what should we look for in a dry dog food option?

As humans, we know what food tastes good and what they need to have so it can be good for our bodies. The same logic should apply to our furry pals. We, their owners and human companions, should help them consume flavorful food with the right amount of nutrients to supply their body’s energy and immunity. So what should your dry dog food options contain?

Protein

Notice why weightlifters and bodybuilders drink protein shakes? Because proteins build muscles. This is the very reason why this macronutrient is the number one ingredient that you should find in the best dry dog foods. Dogs are innately active, so their bodies need strong muscles to move freely. Most dry dog foods contain a considerable amount of protein. dog food manufacturers get them from meat, meat by-products, and grains like rice, quinoa, oats, and flaxseeds. What you need to check is if the dry dog food brand that you choose uses high-quality sources. Make sure to read the label and see that meat meals (the ones that use beef, poultry, fish in their kibbles) list them as the number one component. If the meat appears in the middle or end part of the ingredients list, it is safe to say that they only used a small part of it to flavor the food and not to provide the necessary nutrition.

Fats

If you think that getting a dry dog food variety that contains low fat is great, think again. If humans prefer low-fat meals, dogs actually require fats to make their food tastier and to make their bodies take up and absorb other essential nutrients. But not just any fats. Make sure that your ideal dry dog food, or any dog food for this matter, has omega 3. This component does wonders for your pet’s body. Omega 3 is great for your pup’s heart (battles heart conditions), skin (resolves dry scaly skin), coat (makes the fur shiny and easy to manage), as well as improve their visual and cognitive development. If your dry dog food is made with meat, chances that it contains the good fats are high. also, you can look for dry dog food brands that contain fats from soy oil, cottonseed oil, fish oil, or any vegetable oil that you can see on the label. These are good fats that can be beneficial for the overall health of your canines.

Carbohydrates

As humans, we know that carbs are the components that convert to energy as the fuel of our bodies. Well, it is also the same thing that happens to your dogs. Carbohydrates provide food to different cells in the body, making them function correctly through the energy it provides. Making sure that your dog gets high-quality food sources is the key. You see, not all ingredients that contain carbs are ideal. As a tip, look for grains (oats, lentils, barley, and other legumes like peas) so that your dog will feel full longer and the breakdown of the sugar is slower. As much as possible, steer clear from corn, wheat, and soy. These components are used as fillers, deceiving pet owners about the right amount of nutrients their furry children can have. It is hard, though, to find a dry dog food brand that does not contain these. Here is what you should do: make sure that these simple carbs are located at the bottom part of the ingredients list. This means that more nutritious components are inside that bag.

Essential vitamins, minerals, and other healthy supplements

Dogs need vitamins and minerals too! They can be sourced out from fruits and veggies that are included in the food mixture for flavor combination. Some dry dog food manufacturers include this information in their packaging and use this to market their products, saying that their dry dog foods contain essential vitamins and minerals to make your dogs stronger and healthier. Just make sure that the supplements are in the easier-to-absorb forms (for instance, proteinate minerals instead of sulfate minerals).

Don’t forget gut health! One of the common diseases that affect our pals is gut infection among other digestive problems. This is where good bacteria like probiotics and prebiotics come in handy. Probiotics form the stool and improve your pet’s digestion. Prebiotics, on the other hand, act as the food source of the good bacteria so they can continue aiding to your dog’s digestion. They also provide fiber content to their diet, preventing diarrhea and other infections.

Here is a recap of what we can recommend you should look for when choosing dry dog food for your furry pals. The best dry dog foods:

Contain premium-quality sources of protein, fats, and carbohydrates

Meat meals should mention what type of meat was used and mention it in the ingredients list first

The protein-fat ratio is ideal (amount and percentage would depend on the size, age, and breed of your canine)

Essential vitamins and minerals from premium-quality food sources

Must have probiotics/prebiotics and fiber for better digestion

How can we distinguish high-quality dry dog food ingredients from average ones?

An ideal dry dog food variety should pass the requirements of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) when it comes to the nutritional information on the label. Just like humans, dogs need the right amount and combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to have energy. The exact components and computation would differ depending on the dog food brands and their target breeds. Of course, it is already a given that small dogs require fewer calories compared to big dogs, so getting the appropriate and best dry dog food for your own dog is essential. But as a rule, a dry dog food variety should be a great source of protein, fats, and fiber so the dog can have the minerals (like calcium) that he needs and still be easier for it to digest.

What we suggest: Consult your vet when choosing the best dry dog food as he can best explain what nutritional requirements your dog would need that is appropriate for his breed. Once you know the specifics, read the label of the dry dog food brands and compare them to other brands so you can choose the one that fits your canine’s needs.

How long does dry dog foods last?

Do you know why pet food manufacturers come up with dry dog food products? Because, while wet dog foods are yummier and more flavorful, they need to be refrigerated once you open them. It makes it hard to store canned wet dog foods even if they can last a long time if unopened. To solve this dilemma, dog food manufacturers came up with a food choice that does not need refrigeration while having the same nutritional value as the wet option.

But how long do dry dog foods last? The best way is to check the expiration date in the package. However, technically speaking, if unopened, dry dog foods have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months (1 – 1 ½ year). If the product is already opened, dry dog food should be consumed within six weeks after opening, so as to maintain the quality of the food.

Choosing the best dry dog foods

Here are some of the things you need to consider when choosing between the wide array of dry dog food brands you can see in supermarkets and pet stores.

The dog breed

The brand name and reputation of the manufacturer (reviews and established years)

The stage of development of the dog (preference from puppies to adult canines)

The dog’s special diet or known allergies

The vet or nutritionist’s recommendation

Dry dog food brands we can recommend

Now that we know what factors we should look for in a portion of ideal dry dog food, here are some of the dog food brands that we can recommend for your canines to try:

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food Small Breed Turkey & Oatmeal

Pros

Specifically prepared for small breed dogs

Nutritious and flavorful

Made with natural ingredients

Has flax seeds for a healthy coat

Cons

May contain allergy-causing ingredients

Wellness Pet Food is a brand trusted by so many pet owners as a manufacturer of well-balanced and delicious pet foods that canines and felines all love. With their Complete Health product series, Wellness made sure that the right amount of protein-and-fat ratio is achieved for either small or large dog breeds!

Available in delicious Turkey & Oatmeal flavor, this dry dog food specifically for small dogs is jam-packed with flavors and nutrients from turkey (protein and fats), tomato (vitamin C and lycopene), and flax seed (omega-3).

Available at amazon:

4-pound bag $16.49

12-pound bag $35.88

Buy On Amazon

Instinct Original Small Breed Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

Pros

Contains cage-free organic chicken meat

Yummy perfectly-sized kibbles

Contains natural vegetable and fruits

Made by a trusted brand in high-quality dog food

Has flax seeds for a healthy coat

Cons

May cause bloating or gas for first-time users

One of the food ranges Nature’s Variety is deeply proud of is its Instinct The Raw Brand. It contains real chicken meat, making it a great source of healthy protein. Their unique recipe also offers the right amount of vitamins and minerals needed for dogs to have good digestion, strong bones, and beautiful coat, and shiny hair.

Available at amazon:

4-pound bag: $19.99

11-pound bag: $39.99

Buy On Amazon

CANIDAE PURE Real Wild Boar, Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Premium Dry Dog Food, 12 Lbs

Pros

Ideal for all dog breeds, big or small, pup or adult!

Protein-fat ratio as food diet is above average

Has the right amount of premium-quality wild boar meat combined with real fruits and vegetables

Has probiotics and rich in fiber for healthy digestion

Cons

It is considered one of the more expensive options in the dry dog food brands

We may have mentioned earlier that a good combination of high protein and fats, with low carbs, is a must when it comes to giving the best dog food option to your pup, and CANIDAE PURE is proud to have that concept as a priority when creating treats and kibbles

for our pets. Using 7 to 10 high-quality, synthetic-free key food materials, all of CANIDAE PURE’s dry dog food recipes are undoubtedly one of the best choices you can have for your pups!

Available at amazon:

4-pound bag: $19.99

12 -pound bag: $38.57

24-pound bag: $64.99

Buy On Amazon

Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Recipe Premium Dry Dog Food with Roasted Fowl

Pros

Contains real roasted fowl (quail, duck, and turkey) meat that are high sources of protein

Has another variety that contains High in protein and fatty acids for stronger muscles and beautiful coat sourced out from ancient grains (like millet, quinoa, and chia seeds)

No artificial flavorings and color; all-natural recipe

Has antioxidants from added fruits and vegetables

Cons

Not suitable for dogs with known high sensitivity to different food varieties

All Taste of the Wild dry dog food options has the reputation to be made with premium-quality ingredients sourced out solely in the USA. Made by the leading manufacturer of dog foods, Diamond Pet Food made sure that each option contains all the right nutrients that every healthy dog needs to become healthy and active, no matter their age, size, and breed!

Available at amazon:

5-pound bag: $13.99

14-pound bag: $29.99

28-pound bag: $48.99

Buy On Amazon

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Pros

Made with real chicken meat; no chicken by-products

Calorie content compatible and can satisfy typical adult dog requirements

Easy-to-follow meal size instructions for small or large breeds

Contains Lifesource Bits® – Blue’s exclusive combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for holistic growth and development

Cons

A bit more expensive compared to other dry dog food options

Blue Buffalo Co. is a well-known pet food manufacturer that started in 2003. Standing true to their goal to treat pets like family, their products surely make it possible for every pet owner to feed their animals with the right amount of all-natural food and ingredients that make their bodies healthy and active. Named after the company owner’s furry family member, each Blue Buffalo dry dog food variety will surely contain all the vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, and fiber that your dog needs to remain satisfied and energized!

Available at amazon:

4.5-pound bag: $18.98

11-pound bag: $29.97

24-pound bag: $46.43

Buy On Amazon

These best dry dog food recommendations are not in any way sponsored or advertised with a commission. We would also like to reiterate that your pet’s veterinarian can better recommend a compatible food variety for your furry companion to make sure that their food options are safe and suitable for their size, age, and breed.

The post How To Choose The Best Dry Dog Foods (And Our Recommendations!) appeared first on .

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accuhunt · 4 years

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11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle.

Veganism had been on my radar for a few months when I arrived in Jordan. The idea was daunting, scary even. But the things I had learnt about the food on my plate tugged at my heart. So I decided to set myself a deadline. After leaving the country (September 2015), I’d completely cut out animal products from my diet and lifestyle. No matter the challenges, I’d figure out how to turn vegan.

Since then, I’ve made plenty of vegan friends and everyone’s journey has been different. Some turned vegan overnight. Some took months, even a year, to fully embrace the change.

If you’re curious about how to transition into veganism, this post is for you. Based on my experience and that of some friends, I’ve tried to address some pressing questions: How do you stay motivated, mentally prepare to deal with family and friends, eat healthy, travel and connect with other vegans?

Here are my 10 practical tips on how to turn vegan:

In this post:

Figure out your motivation

Do your research

Transition into veganism at your own pace

Ensure you eat healthy as a vegan

Monitor your nutrition, especially Vitamin B12 and D3

Mentally prepare yourself to break the news to your family and friends

Connect with other vegans

Look up vegan-friendly cafes / restaurants in your location

Learn to read the labels and figure out alternatives

Subscribe to inspiring vegan bloggers, Youtubers and Instagrammers

Share your journey and spread the awareness

*Bonus* When the going gets tough, remember your reason for turning vegan

Have you ever wondered how to transition into veganism? What are your major challenges?

Figure out your motivation

Veganism is a choice that stares you in the face every single day. Every meal, every visit to the supermarket, every time you buy something, wherever you travel. People often ask me how I stay vegan, especially since I’m always on the road and often reliant on others to feed me.

Over the years, I’ve realised that the only way to stay committed is to figure out your strongest motivation.

For me, the primary motivation is animal suffering. The moment I visualise the pain inflicted on animals so I can consume that little bit of meat, milk, cheese or ghee, I know I don’t want to contribute to it.

You might feel the same way for animals. Or about the environment (the global carbon emissions of raising livestock for food is 14.5%, more than the entire transport sector). Or your own health.

Among my friends, Bhavna Kapoor turned vegan when it helped her deal with some debilitating health issues. Aakash Ranison turned vegan when he learnt about the environmental impact of consuming meat and dairy. Vinita Contractor turned vegan while pregnant, upon realizing how a whole foods plant based diet could ease her pregnancy.

In Iran, I met three generations of a vegan family. The grandmother embraced veganism after it helped reverse her diabetic condition. Her son and his wife turned vegan motivated by their spiritual guru. And their daughter turned vegan after learning about the plight of animals.

Think long and hard about what YOUR motivation is. What tugs at your heartstrings? What drives you? Because when the going gets tough, you’ll need to remind yourself of all the reasons you transitioned in the first place.

Also read: [BBC] Confessions of a Slaughterhouse Worker

Do your research

Whatever your motivation(s), it’s important to learn about the hard truths.

Watch documentaries and read credible articles about the horrors of meat, dairy and other animal products, their impact on the environment and how they affect our bodies. Earthlings, Cowspiracy and Game Changers – though America focused – are a good place to start. Better still, find ways to practically verify what you see and read online.

I’ve lived with small-scale cattle farmers in the Himalayas and visited free-range dairy farms in India and Europe, sheep rearing facilities in Lesotho, animal rescue sanctuaries and horse riding estates. I’ve learnt to ask tough questions and gathered some shocking answers.

When I think of cheese, I immediately remember that it comes by forcefully impregnating a cow and snatching the kid away from its mother – unfortunately even in so called “free range” farms. When you feel like riding a horse again, remember the male horse is often castrated and its spirit broken just for you to be able do that.

If you ask me, in-depth research is the best way to deal with any cravings. They’ll go away once you associate them with animal suffering, environmental degradation and the adverse impact on our personal health.

Also read: How a Chicken Bus in Nicaragua Transformed the Way I Travel

Transition into veganism at your own pace

There is no right or wrong way on how to transition into veganism. For me, it was both a slow and overnight transition. I gave up meat and seafood overnight as a teenager. After many years of living under a rock, I finally learnt what happens behind the scenes to produce eggs and milk products. It took me a while to digest those facts, then I gave up eggs and dairy overnight.

Your journey could be very different from mine or anyone else’s. Here are some things to consider:

How to turn vegan slowly: If you prefer to make changes in small doses, by all means start slow. Maybe it means eating vegan every Sunday. Or for one week every month. Maybe it means first cutting out all animal products except that one thing you really can’t get yourself to give up (chai or curd in many cases). Or allowing yourself one cheat day a month. Maybe it means setting out a timeline for yourself and slowly eliminating animal products from your diet. Maybe it begins with the commitment to never buy cosmetics tested on animals again. Or silk or leather or wool products.

How to turn vegan overnight: If you believe in all or nothing, by all means turn vegan overnight. But do your research, especially on how to stay healthy through the transition. Which brings me to my next point.

Also read: The Ultimate Vegan (and Vegetarian) Survival Guide for Japan

Ensure you eat healthy as a vegan

Many people think that just by virtue of eating vegan, they’re eating healthy. But things like potato chips, coke, maggi and refined sugar are vegan too. Whether to eat junk food or not is your call, but especially as a newbie vegan, try to incorporate major foods groups into your diet. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, leafy greens, veggies, fruits, millets, grains, nuts, seeds. There are tons of incredible vegan recipes online, of which smoothies are my favourite. They’re easy to make, delicious and pack in a ton of nutrition!

While it’s possible and often easy to get enough protein, calcium and other nutrients on a vegan diet, we do need to eat more consciously. This guide by the NHS is a good starting point to work out what to include in your food.

Also read: [NHS Report] Might a Vegan Diet be Healthy, or Even Healthier

Monitor your nutrition, especially Vitamin B12 and D3

Many people ask if eating vegan is natural since most vegans need to opt for Vitamin B12 and D3 supplementation. So allow me to bust some myths.

First, many non-vegans (vegetarians and meat eaters) are also deficient in these essential vitamins. In my family for instance, I’m vegan, my dad is vegetarian and my mom eats meat and seafood. We all take B12 and D3 supplements. Irrespective of your diet, you must monitor their levels.

Second, the natural source of Vitamin B12 is bacteria in the soil and spring water. Unfortunately much of our soil and spring water is contaminated now. These days even poultry animals are given B12 supplements!

The natural source of Vitamin D3 is sunlight, but not all human bodies are able to process D3 directly from the sun.

As you consider how to transition into veganism, it’s a good idea to do a blood test to monitor your nutrition, including calcium, iron, Vitamin B12 and D3. If you can compare your diet now and 3-6 months after you transition, you’ll discover what food sources to include in your diet.

Also note that it’s important to balance two major amino acids – lysine and arginine – on a vegan diet. While most vegan sources have a higher arginine:lysine ratio, only a few like beans, avocados and lentils offer the reverse. Make sure to incorporate plenty of those into your food.

Also read: What No One Tells You About Writing and Publishing a Book in India

Mentally prepare yourself to break the news to your family and friends

I won’t lie. When you think about how to turn vegan, you should know that this big transition will likely affect some of your relationships. When people close to me heard that I no longer consume animal products, they either made fun of me or went on the defensive. My food choices were scrutinized way too often – so much that I often wished for a meal where we’d talk about anything else.

Over the past 4 years though, I’ve learnt to pick my battles. I try to make things easier by catching up with friends over tea rather than a meal, or doing my research and suggesting a vegan-friendly place if they’re up for it. When I visit family, I’m super grateful that they go out of their way to ensure that I’m well fed.

Perhaps it was easier for me to adapt my lifestyle because I don’t live with family. But if you live at home, know that after my friend Monica Chopra turned vegan, she convinced most of her family to go vegan over time too! She says what really worked for her was making her family try things they love (vegan variations of cheese, curd, meat etc). She also enrolled in a nutrition course and was able to answer all their questions about calcium and protein scientifically. Her mom ended up reversing her thyroid problems, and that was reason enough to embrace a plant-based lifestyle.

Also read: An Open Letter to Indian Parents: Let Your “Kids” Travel

Connect with other vegans

Remember that everything you’re going through – from wondering how to transition into veganism to the challenges and deep anger / sadness / guilt that might follow – someone has already been through it. Being a vegan in a non-vegan world can feel pretty lonely. Join vegan groups in your area on Facebook, follow vegan hashtags on Instagram, participate in a vegan event in your area (or initiate it), go for vegan potlucks, attend vegan festivals and conferences, and meet fellow vegans in person as much as you can. Friendships built on strong common grounds are some of the strongest.

Also read: Inspiring Indians Using Social Media to Drive Positive Change

Look up vegan-friendly cafes / restaurants in your location

At first, I was sad to figure out that many cafes / restaurants I frequented in my pre-vegan life could no longer offer me satisfying food. But believe me when I tell you that in the months and years since, I’ve had some of the best food of my entire life! I’m thinking of forest mushroom sandwiches, vegan cheese pizzas, homemade smoothies, chocolate desserts and much much more. It’s not always easy to find such food, but as the vegan movement grows, cities around the world are becoming increasingly vegan-friendly.

As you figure out how to turn vegan, make sure you download the HappyCow App that maps vegan-friendly places near you, wherever in the world you are. Look for cafes and restaurants with vegan options on Tripadvisor / Zomato. Ask for recommendations in your location’s vegan Facebook group. Scout Instagram hashtags for delicious finds.

Also read: How to Travel as a Vegan and Find Delicious Food Anywhere in the World

Learn to read the labels and figure out alternatives

I’m sure most vegans will identify when I say how tired my eyes felt from squinting, trying to read every label of every product in a supermarket! Besides looking for the obvious suspects, I’ve learnt to look for ingredients like whey powder (made from milk), gelatin (obtained from boiling the skin and bones of animals), isinglass (obtained from fish bladder) and casein (milk byproducts).

The good news is that after the first few times, you’ll figure out what is accidentally vegan and what is not. In India for instance, Uncle Chips contain milk solids while Hide and Seek biscuits are accidentally vegan!

Vegan alternatives are pretty contentious in the vegan world. Some feel that we don’t need alternatives for cheese, milk and meat at all. Some are wary of their environmental consequences (almond milk for instance, can be a huge drain on water resources).

Personally, I think it’s important to use local and sustainably sourced products as much as possible. Other than that, it’s upto each individual to decide whether or not to opt for alternatives. If consuming peanut curd and adding some oat milk to your chai makes it easier for you to stay off animal products, go for it.

Also read: 8 Easily Available Alternatives for Cow’s Milk in India

Subscribe to inspiring vegan bloggers, Youtubers and Instagrammers

Social media can be a treasure trove of inspiration if you follow the right people. And luckily, there are many who’ll inspire you to stay vegan. I love Bite Size Vegan‘s extremely informative Youtube videos and SimpleVeganBlog‘s seriously easy vegan recipes. I follow several vegan hashtags on Instagram. And have started my own #TSSVeganSundays series to answer popular questions on veganism.

Also read: Amazing Vegan Travel Bloggers to Follow in 2020

Share your journey and spread the awareness

Once you’ve worked out how to transition into veganism and embarked on your journey, chances are, you’ll want to spread the word. Like I said, being vegan is a choice that stares you in the face every single day. If your motivation is strong enough to stay vegan, you’ll likely want to do something more than being vegan on a personal level.

Most vegans I know have also transitioned into work that enables them to spread the word about veganism. Many of my vegan friends are now animal rights activists, health consultants, chefs, vegan business owners, yoga teachers, climate activists and more. Others have weaved in elements of a vegan lifestyle into their existing professions.

Personally, it has been an internal battle to figure out that my strength is writing, even when it comes to spreading the animal cruelty message. I’ve written about my vegan travel adventures for National Geographic Traveller, Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveller. I’ve reported on India’s vegan movement for FirstPost, started #TSSVeganSundays to discuss hard hitting perspectives on Instagram and have many more stories in the pipeline.

Also read: 15 Responsible Travel Tips for Authentic, Meaningful Experiences on the Road

*Bonus* When the going gets tough, remember your reason for turning vegan

You know you’re serious about making the transition if you’ve made it so far in this post. So here’s a bonus tip for you. A few days, weeks or months into your vegan journey, the going will likely get tough. You might crave something you loved (or didn’t care for) in your pre-vegan life. You might feel exhausted from all the jokes thrown at you by friends, family and random acquaintances. You might find yourself walking the familiar aisles of your favorite store, realizing there’s nothing there you can eat anymore.

Having survived those phases, I want to tell you that this too shall pass. Don’t be hard on yourself. If you must give into a craving, do it. If you must explode from anger or sadness or guilt, do it. If you must escape it all and seek refuge in a vegan potluck or vegan group or vegan cafe or vegan friend, do it (my Instagram DMs are always open for you, btw).

Most of all, remember why you quit animal products in the first place. Reach within you to find that conviction, strength and compassion again. Remember, if you think that being vegan is difficult, imagine how difficult it is for the animals that you’re not vegan.

Have you ever wondered how to transition into veganism? What are your major challenges?

The post 11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle. appeared first on The Shooting Star.

11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle. published first on https://airriflelab.tumblr.com

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pearcar93-blog · 5 years

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After School Snacks That Won’t Ruin Dinner!

Need after school snacks that won’t ruin dinner? Yes, it’s possible!

Kids area always hungry when they get home from a hard day of learning. They need brain food to power them through their homework! But that doesn’t mean their snacks have to fill them up so much that they won’t want to eat dinner. In fact, there are some snacks that will fill them up just enough to get them through and still leave them hungry enough to eat what you put on the evening dinner table.

EASY SNACKS FOR KIDS TO MAKE:

One of the biggest gifts we can give our kids is learning how to feed themselves well. This lesson can easily start with snacks! Kids feel empowered when they know their way around the kitchen, and giving them healthy options is the best way to ensure they learn how to work with healthy, real foods. Simple snacks are something all school aged children should be able to manage. So set them up for success! Make sure the fridge is stocked and that they know what they can help themselves to when they get home. It takes the stress off of you too!

KID APPETIZERS:

If you feel a little lost trying to stock the fridge for the kids, think of kid appetizers. Just small, healthy bites that are easy to serve and have a nice dose of nutritional value. Think whole, real foods in small pieces. Things like, carrots and hummus or celery and nut or seed butter. Real foods they can easily grab from the fridge and put together without cutting or cooking.

HEALTHY SCHOOL SNACK LIST:

Make a list. Life is always easier with a list. Think of all the real, wholesome foods your kids actually like, and the pair them together in tasty ways. Posting that list on the fridge does double duty because then your kids also know what is available to them with a simple glance at the fridge door. I actually found a magnetized white board that I attached to the fridge so Mini Chef can easily cross things off as he eats them. This way I know I need to get more when he runs out.

EASY TO MAKE SNACKS WITHOUT COOKING

If your kids come hope to an empty house, it can be a little nerve-racking to think of them turning on the stove while you’re still at work. Especially if they are on the younger side. Using real foods that can be eaten raw or things that can be taken out of the fridge and don’t need warming are your best bets. Even if your kids know how to work the microwave, fresh, real foods are the best nutritionally. So make sure they have access and know how to put together combination they will enjoy.

AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS THAT WON’T RUIN DINNER:

FROZEN GRAPES (Photo & Recipe courtesy of eMeals)

After a long day at school, few things are as refreshing and refueling as these little goodies. Kids love them, they won't make a mess, and they are easy to put in a bag or bowl to munch on while doing homework.

HUMMUS WITH WHOLE GRAIN PITAS OR VEGGIES (Photo & Recipe courtesy of eMeals)

This one is fantastic. It gives your kids fiber and whole grains and/or veggies and is just filling enough in smaller amounts to still leave them hungry for dinner.

WATERMELON CUBES WITH FETA (Photo & Recipe courtesy of eMeals)

This delicious treat gives them a little bit of sweet with a little bit of tang along with some hydration. Not a bad deal after a hard day of learning!

GRANOLA (Photo & Recipe courtesy of TheTomatoTart.com)

Granola is always a wonderfully portable and filling snack. This delicious recipe won't leave you or your kids wanting.

CUMIN DUSTED CARROT FRIES (Photo & Recipe courtesy of KitchenTreaty.com)

If you have a little time before you pick the kids up, or your looking for a way to get the kids helping in the kitchen, nothing could be more fun than making these Cumin Dusted Carrot Fries! Yum!

AFTER SCHOOL CRACKERS

If your kids like a little more crunch in their after school snacks, try nut butter on whole grain crackers and top with a little fruit!

PERFECTLY HEALTHY BANANA PUDDING

You can't go wrong with only the purest of ingredients in a bowl of pudding. If your kids want a little something sweeter after school, you can give them this without any guilt or worry whatsoever! Check it out here.

COCONUT POPCORN

Popcorn is the ultimate kid's snack. I haven't met a child yet who doesn't like popcorn and it's quick and easy to make! Try this recipe here for Coconut Popcorn. Soooo good!

BLUEBERRY COTTAGE CHEESE

Most kids don't generally go straight for a container of cottage cheese. But add a little fruit, some chia seeds and maybe a touch of honey, and they'll be asking for it again and again. Check it out here.

CHIPS & GUACAMOLE

Guacamole is easy to make and will definitely help fill up those little tummies without getting them too overly full. Try this recipe!

BANANA WRAPS

If you're looking for a fast and easy snack they can even eat on the go (like in the car on the way home!), this is a wonderful option.

Edit

What do you think? Pretty good list? What do you typically feed your kids after school?

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From the Gracious Pantry archives. Originally posted 8/10/13.

Source: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-after-school-snack-ideas/

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