Healthy Pet Food

parker

My husband and I have a 8 year old Old English Sheepdog named Parker. Since he was little, we have raised him on premium whole dog food. He typically consumes Wysong or Fromm, but also likes the new food that Ellen Degeneras produced called Halo. Yes that is right…all the food that you shutter at when you get the bill at the cash register. The way I see it, I can’t feed myself well without feeding our 4 legged friend well too!!

So, the other night we were out at a friend’s house and Parker was there and we didn’t bring any food for him. So he had what I like to call the “McDonalds of dog food” … Caeser! Now he can typically switch between different brands of quality food all of the time and have absolutely no problem. But for 4 days after he ate the Caeser he had diarrhea. His diarrhea was so bad that he was waking me up all night long for 4 nights in a row. I finally had to feed him rice for 2 days to get it to calm down…the poor guy.

This experience just reaffirms why I pay the big price for quality food. It is the old saying, pay me now or pay me later!! He has been an extremely healthy dog, with very few health concerns and just like people – he is what he eats!!

If that is not enough to turn you around…keep reading (taken from 100 Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald)

Four of the largest US pet food companies are subsidiaries of multinational corporations that also produce processed foods for humans. Americans spend almost $11 billion annually on pet food that has been made from scraps, rejects and wastes known as the 4D meat (dead, diseased, dying, disabled). It has been found that these meats are mixed with restaurant refuse, euthanized animals from shelters, sawdust, cooking grease and then mixed with colourings, preservatives and fat stabilizers.

Wet foods contain preservatives such as ethoxyquin, which allows the food to last for an eternity but has also been linked with cancer.

BHA and BHT are the most common stabilizers added to foods to prevent rancidity. These chemicals are known to cause liver, brain, reproductive and kidney problems. What about the food colourings added to these foods, since when does the dog care what colour his kibble is? Food colourings have been linked to a multitude of problems in humans from allergies to hyperactivity. It has been found that with respect to these chemical sensitivities…humans and animals are very similar.

If processed foods, hydrogenated fats and chemical additives are creating health problems in humans they are also affecting the health of our pets. I agree that the food is more expensive…but so are vet bills. Let’s start looking at preventative medicine for the whole family!! Your pet is worth it!!

Check out these local stores that carry great quality food

Bark and Fitz – http://www.barkandfitz.com
Global Pet Food – http://www.globalpetfoods.ca/home/home.htm
Creature Comfort – http://www.acreaturecomfort.com

Grated Raw Beet Salad

This is a recipe that I received from my local organic food box from Re-Root Organic Farm. The recipe taste fantastic, and is a great way to incorporate beets into your diet which are great for your liver.

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium beets, peeled
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp chopped shallots
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 small clove of garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1-2 tbsp finely chopped dill

Instructions:

  1. Put the grated beets in a large salad bowl.
  2. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, mustard, and garlic in a large jar.
  3. Shake the jar until the olive oil and vinegar are thickened.
  4. Pour the dressing over the beets and toss until well coated.
  5. Season with salt and pepper and let marinate for an hour in the fridge.
  6. Add dill and serve over fresh greens.
  7. Enjoy!!

Psyllium Breakfast Pudding … a “regular” original

This dish is hearty like porridge, but with a delicious lemon flavor. Set out 5 medium sized glass bowls or cups and add a couple scoops or slices of your favorite
fruits.

Blend well:

  • 1 cup water
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ cup of honey or dates
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup almonds
  • ¼ lemon with peel, seeds removed

Add 4 tsp psyllium powder while blender is running. Quickly pour into the bowls onto fruit. You can make as many layers of psyllium and fruit as you desire. The pudding will solidify within minutes. Serves 5.

Hot Cocoa Dream

We made this beverage for our winter Cleanse & Rejuvenation Retreat. It was a huge hit. It is so packed with nutrients, we actually had it as our dinner and everyone was satisfied!

  • 3 ripe avocados
  • 3 Tbsp raw cocao powder
  • 3 Tbsp carob powder
  • ¼ cup raw honey or raw agave
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 6 cups water

Blend together until creamy. If using a high speed blender, blend for 4 minutes to warm. Otherwise, transfer to a pot on the stove and warm on low heat, stirring for 10 minutes. Add more water or sweetness as desired.

Un-chocolate Cake

Raw whole food goodness! Serves 12. I recently made this recipe for my friend’s birthday. Everyone loved it! I never would’ve imagined that this combination of ingredients could become such a decadent dessert.

Warning! 100% of the original nutrients are present in the final product. Since none of the vitality has been destroyed with heat, you may experience feelings of health, happiness and enlightenment with each bite.

Cake:

  • 5 cups ground walnuts
  • 3 cups raisins
  • 3 tbsp raw carob powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup dry, hulled buckwheat
  • Mix well and form into a cake shape on a serving plate/platter

Icing:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup raw tahini
  • 4 tbsp raw carob powder
  • 1 tps vanilla

Pour the water into the blender first, then add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy. Spread icing evenly over the cake or squeeze using a decorating bag if you want to be even more creative. Decorate with fruit, berries and or nuts (I used lots of raspberries on top). Chill.

Live Cocoa Truffles

You won’t believe how delicious these are!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Walnuts (unsoaked)
  • 1 Tbsp almond butter
  • ½ cup dates
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 2-4 Tbsp raw carob or cocoa powder
  • 2-4 Tbsp water
  • ½ cup dried coconut (optional)

Directions:

  1. Blend the walnuts and dates in a food processor until smooth
  2. Mix in the almond butter, cocoa, salt and water. Add more water if necessary so mixture doesn’t stick
  3. Roll into small balls and roll in coconut or cocoa powder if desired

Raw Falafels

  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup loosely packed parsley
  • 1 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
  • 6 cups sprouted chick peas (garbanzo beans)
  • 1 minced onion
  • 2 Tbsp cumin
  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Blend the first 3 ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add the remaining 4 ingredients and blend again until smooth and combined. Grind the sesame seeds in a spice or coffee grinder. Mix into the falafel batter. Form into balls or patties and place on a cookie sheet. Dehydrate at 100F for 10 hours. If your oven doesn’t go this low, keep the door slightly open. Flip once during drying time.
Sprouting chick peas: cover peas with water and soak for 24 hours. Rinse 2x per day until spouts are as long as the bean itself (approx 2 days). Create your falafels and enjoy all the tasty goodness!

Marinated Italian Salad

This distinctively Italian salad is a popular summer favorite. It’s fast and impressive!

Serves 5 prep time: 10 min

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved and seeded
  • 1 medium green pepper, seeded
  • 8oz provolone or mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup black olives
  • 1 med red onion
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh basil leaves, torn
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 3-4 grinds fresh pepper

Wisk dressing ingredients and toss with chopped veggies and cheese. Serve immediately or marinate 1-2 hours in refrigerator.

Homemade Nut & Honey Energy Bars

These delicious high protein, high fiber treats are great as a pre or post workout snack.

  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1 cup granola
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup flax seeds
  • ½ cup wheat germ
  • ½ cup bran
  • ½ cup protein powder, soy or whey
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup pecans
  • Optional: ¼ to ½ cup coconut, raisins, or dried fruit

Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan or 10 x 10. Mix dry ingredients. Mix peanut butter, honey and maple syrup in a saucepan and stir until very hot, but don’t boil! Pour and mix over dry ingredients. Press into pan. Let it sit for 24 hours in fridge. Cut into bars. Wrap individually or store in airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Eggless Mayonaise

To avoid excess cholesterol, use this spread as a replacement for butter when possible. Mixing it with chicken, tuna or salmon makes a great sandwich.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp ground brown rice
  • 8 tbsp pure water
  • 2 tbsp soya flour
  • 3 tbsp wine, cider vinegar or
  • lemon juice
  • 8 tbsp sunflower oil or flax oil
  • 2 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp sea salt (optional)
  • 1 tsp gluten free ready made
  • mustard

Preparation:

  • Place the ground rice in a small saucepan with the water and cook while you stir for about 4 minutes. The mixture should be smooth and thick. Leave it to cool.
  • Press the soya flour with the back of the spoon to remove any lumps and place it in a blender with the rest of the ingredients and blend to a cream
  • Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week…use as required