As January comes to an end.....

January 26, 2015-

The end of January is going out like a LION! Wait isn't it March that is supposed to come in like a LION?!?!?!? Oh well, WINTER final feels like it is here! Winter is a great time to have our wonderful green named KALE!.....Did you know after the first freeze that Kale is supposed to be sweeter?......This is what I read before, no really I did!

Frost is predicted. Should I pick all the kale and store it?

Frost actually sweetens kale. This is the most cold-hardy of all vegetables and will take quite a few of the early frosts before a hard freeze, or “black frost” as it sometimes called, kills it in colder regions. In zones 7 and warmer it often continues to produce leaves all winter long.

 

Yes, it is true! Just think about it....you can grow your own Kale all year round and be picking it all year round and the frost will sweeten it up! WOW!

 

Skyler, Scout, myself, Candycane, and Benji all love KALE! Do you?!?!?!

 

Okay tomorrow is definitely going to be a snowball day for me....as I get snowballs on my paws and legs as I make my way though the snow! Pam has to keep checking on me to be sure the snow balls aren't  collecting on the pads (or between them)of my paws! She also needs to check on all of us as the temps can take it's toll on all of us.....BUT I know she will make a dugout for us to hang out in while she shovels the driveway!

 

Until tomorrow and hopefully lots of snowy photos and videos of us all,

Sandy

 

 

A new challenge and fundraiser......

January 25, 2015-

Starting on February 1, 2015- Pam and I will be starting a challenge to live by our new lifestyle while writing our book on it! Our new lifestyle will be called the "Paleo Vegan Raw til 4 Lifestyle!" taking the best of all the lifestyles and making them our own- since we love both these lifestyles and want to take them one more step in our own lives we want to bring it more to everyone elses attention!.....We will attempt to go oil free (wait, we will be including coconut oil- and will be talking about this more in the blogs and our upcoming book)....we will be going salt free- still getting our sodium from other sources once again discussing this as well. Our fundraiser will be for the North Shore Animal League who brought Pam and myself together, and bringing our whole pack to ME for a great life!

Our fundraiser link is:
https://www.crowdrise.com/healthylifestylechallenge/fundraiser/pamelaschmidlin

More coming tomorrow....
Sandy

Sandy's Healthy Blog- Refined Sugars

January 10, 2015-

Refined Sugar- is it all it's hyped up to be? Simple answer NO!....Sugar isn't really good for YOU or YOUR DOG!....So, read your food labels- not just your but read your dog's food label too!

It has been said over and over by tons of doctors than it's the SUGAR (refined) that makes you fat NOT the fat! So read the labels!

Sandy reads her food labels.....do you?!?!?

 

Sandy approves this brand of dog treats because they will not make her fat!
Can you say the same thing for your dog foods?


 

Tomorrow we will be going back ahead and making our VISION BOARDS, ya ready-we'll be doing them a bit differently but it'll be fun I Promise. So tune in to see how....See Ya!

Sandy's Healthy Blog- Vision Board Part One......

January. 8, 2015-

Ok, This is a few hours late for the 8th but nevertheless important......

Tomorrow, Skyler, Scout, Candycane, myself and oh yeah Pam will be making our vision board.....we'll be making one vision board into one big board......There really are no rules to making a vision board of course, except to think about what it is you really want from life and put it onto your board! Gather images, sayings that will motivate and inspire you and help you keep those goals in mind and put them onto your board. Below is a sample of a vision board that I found online.....
what will you put on your board? Will you make your board tomorrow with us.....or this week?......

So are you ready to getting going and make you vision board with us?....Are you ready to take a good look at what you really want and what will help you achieve them? Ok, tune in tomorrow or later in this case and find out more on how to go about it and more about VISION BOARDS!

See you tomorrow!

Sandy's Healthy Blog- Tofu Scramble

January 7,2015-

Tofu isn't just for people anymore.....yes, we dogs love it too!......Of course, in the video your about to see I would leave out the onions and green onions (every so often Pam gets something just for herself that she cannot share, but we accept that!- As long it is not a everyday occurrence!)

Ingredients: Tofu (a block)
                    Carrots (2-3)
                    Onion (Humans only! PLEASE!)
                    Raw Coconut Aminos
                    Tumeric (a few shakes from the bottle)
                    Red Pepper
                    Whatever veggies you have on hand

Put all the veggies in a pan or pot and let with the coconut aminos, to taste,them soft and or brown to your liking.....then add the tofu by crumbling it into the mixture and mix it all together. Let everything cook together and add the turmeric, mix well. Let everything cook together for another minute or two. Now take the Tofu Scramble and enjoy!

 

Hope you enjoy this with your best friend, enjoy!

 

 

Sandy's Healthy Blog- Sleep!

January 6, 2015-

Sleep- How important is it?....VERY! We should be getting 8-10 hours of it everyday, no matter who we are.

Yep that is me......

 I always tell Pam and the rest of my pack, that over the years I have learned that a great nights sleep is of utmost importance. In all the years of training with Pam, Skyler, and Candycane (among other countless dogs)whenever I got a great nights sleep I always performed better at whatever it was that I needed to do the next day.

This is our friend Buddy,  he and Pam, whenever he sees Pam, she brings him for a walk and then he likes to lay down right beside her. She is like a security blanket for a little while. He likes to get really comfortable as well. Maybe a little too comfortable! The last time he smothered Pam to lie right on tip of Pam's face, imagine 90 lbs of Golden Retriver on your head! Thank goodness Pam is in good shape!

Buddy sleeping in a comfortable bear like position.

 

The whole pack- Skyler,Candycane, Scout, and myself sleeping comfoterablly on our temperpedic mattress. Wish there was more room for Pam, sometimes she sneaks in their with us and gets comfy cozy with us.

Notice the lack of tv, and right after the shot was taken the lights went off.

 These are important parts to getting a good nights sleep. The blue light that the tv gives off  (not to mention the noise) can interrupt a good nights sleep. You may also want to get rid of all electronic devices from your immediate sleeping area, this can interrupt a peaceful rest.

I like to take the whole bed for myself, and chase everyone out of the room and hog the remote during the day, as well as Pam's socks and other soft pieces of clothing to sleep on, so that I am close to her throughout my slumber.
 

What helps you sleep at night?

Oh, and when you sleep you lose a significant amount of water as you sleep, so when you wake up- you should immediately drink a glass of water to replenish that water that you lost. It will pick you up and energize you a little bit to start your day!

Check back tomorrow for some more healthy tips and info

Good Night, Sandy!

Sandy's Healthy Blog- Bananas and Pineapples

January 5, 2015-

 

Are bananas good for dogs- the answer YES.....They contain amino acids, electrolytes, minerals, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, and potassium, fiber, and manganese. There is a high sugar content so be sure to work your dog and keep your dog moving when you give them a banana or limit their intake.

 

And of course they are good for people!

 

Can my dog have pineapples, sure! In fact, through my research- I have found it is a cure for eating their own poop (Coprophagia). I would limit the amount of pineapple you give your dog as well, the once again high sugar content of the pineapple can lead to diarrhea. So keep the amounts small.

 

As I mentioned yesterday, we as well as you are all bio individual and should be treated as such.

 

 

Check this video out, Pam made an awesome smoothie which she shared a little of with all of us.....

 

 

Check out our new book.....I co authored it with my pack Skyler, Scout, Candycane, and Benji....and oh yeah, Pam!



http://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-Leash-Healthy-Companion/dp/1500897957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417514980&sr=8-1&keywords=get+your+leash+on



Healthy people foods for dogs.......

January 4, 2015-

Myself (back), Skyler (middle), and Candycane (front) enjoying our homemade healthy treats made for us by Pam herself!

As promised we will be talking about some healthy human food for our dogs. Honestly, all dog and human foods are based off the same ingredients. There are just a few things that are more beneficial or dangerous to our dogs or to us.

These are baseline findings and just as we are bio individual in what is right for each and every one of us, the same hold true for our animal companions. So get to know your companion and make your own call on these items mentioned the next few days. NOTE: I am in no way telling you it's okay to go give your dog a chocolate bar or a bunch of raisins.....I am just saying each dog is bio individual and may or may not be able to handle certain foods for him or herself. And really getting to know your dog and what is on the good and bad lists is essential.....once again the ASPCA has a somewhat complete list of these foods (honestly, can anything truly be complete with all the new information found each and everyday!)

Today we shall talk about: CHOCOLATE

 

Yes, that sweet wonderful food that has it's good and bad points for us, can be toxic for our dogs!

 

Through my research I found a toxicity meter for chocolate and dogs......let me share the link with you now: www.petmd.com/dog/chocolate-toxicity

 

You can put in your dogs weight and the chocolate type and amount consumed and you can see the toxicity of what was consumed. This can determine if your dog needs to be rushed to the ER, or if you can monitor your closely at home (a vet should always be consulted). Let's face it, dogs will get into things if something is their reach and it's tempting enough. Wouldn't you go for that piece of chocolate sitting on the counter if you were left alone and bored?!?!?!?

 

What makes chocolate so toxic is the theobromine and caffeine, which dogs are sensitive to (humans are also sensitive to this but not as much as our dogs!) These substances are called methylxanthines. The darker the chocolate, or more bitter it is- the greater the damage.

The theobromine is broken down a lot easier by humans than in dogs.

 

If your dog does get a hold of chocolate, check to see the kind of chocolate and watch your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, high body temperature, increased reflex responses, rapid breathing, high heart rate, low blood pressure, seizures, and other advanced signs like coma, cardiac failure, and weakness.

 

There is an alternative to chocolate for your dogs though if you want to share a treat with him or her. That being CAROB!

I use it when making treats for my dogs and I to share!

 

 

Carob doesn't contain theobromide or caffeine. And has a similar taste to Chocolate, a little different but it passes really well for it!

 

So when making treats for your dogs like Pam does for us and you want to add something dark and Chocolately go for the CAROB instead.

 

Check back tomorrow to see what we have in store for you.....Until then healthy living with informed choices!

 

 

Sandys Healthy Blog- Miso Soup Style

January 3, 2015-

Today we're in the mood for a hot warming soup.....the temps have dropped a bit and it's time to warm or bones with some nice SOUP!

So we'll be sharing our favorite soup with you today......

Here is a photo of all the ingredients except the water.......

 

I have two varieties of Miso there BUT only one is needed.....

 

Watch the video attached to see more about making this soup......

Let me stress NEVER boil the MISO as it will lose all it's goodness!

 

 

 

And once again, if serving the Soup to your dogs LEAVE OUT THE ONION! You can put any other veggies in it's place.....trying adding broccoli, or beans or anything else.....you can check with the ASPCA for a whole list of foods that should not be  given to your dog.

Here is one link for you:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

 

 

Hmmmm....this is fun and I like sharing what shall I blog about tomorrow?!?!?!? Maybe more on what foods you shouldn't feed your dog!

Check out our new book.....I co authored it with my pack Skyler, Scout, Candycane, and Benji....and oh yeah, Pam!



http://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-Leash-Healthy-Companion/dp/1500897957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417514980&sr=8-1&keywords=get+your+leash+on

Sandy's Healthy Blog Tip for Today!

January 2, 2015-

A good brushing every so often is essential for your dog.

 

Every dog should be brushed regularly, preferably everyday, but if time doesn't allow for this.....one should put time in their schedule at least once a week to properly brush their dog.

 

 

If possible, wash and groom your dog regularly....this includes clipping nails, brushing their teeth, etc....

 

The benefits of brushing your dog are: a happier dog, a well groomed dog, removal of any stray hair/ fur,  you can control that loose fur and dispose of it where you wish, as opposed to all over the living room floor and or couch, and you will be able to bond with your dog more during these times.

 

As much as your dog needs to be groomed, people should SKIN BRUSH! What is skin brushing you may ask?

 



 

Skin brushing is just that, brushing your skin.  When you do this you remove any dead skin, after a few weeks or days of this your skin will feel like a baby's bottom.

Sandy's Healthy Blog

January 1, 2015-

That's me Sandy!

This year I will be bring you healthy tips, suggestions, and ideas....for you and your four legged companion to live a healthy and happy lifestyle!

From day to day I will bring many different healthy topics to choose from.......from recipes, to workouts, to simple things you can do in your everyday life to live that life just a little more healthier than before!

So tune in everyday to see what I have in store for you!
Oh and check out the book I coauthored with my pack- Skyler, Candycane, Scout, Benji, and oh yeah- Pam!



http://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-Leash-Healthy-Companion/dp/1500897957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417514980&sr=8-1&keywords=get+your+leash+on