Garden Harvest 11/13/16

 11/13/16 - Today's Harvest - Swiss Chard, Red Russian kale and Curled Scotch kale

11/13/16 - Today's Harvest - Dino kale

Garden Harvest 11/9/16

11/9/16 - Today's Harvest - Dino kale and Curled Scotch kale

Garden Harvest 11/2/16

11/2/16 - Today's Harvest - Curled Scotch kale & Swiss Chard

Garden Harvest 10/29/16

10/29/16 - Today's Harvest - Curled Scotch kale, Dino kale and Swiss Chard

Garden Update & Harvest 10/23/16

 10/23/16 - Before tomato and dead leaves clean up

 10/23/16 - After tomato and dead leaves clean up

 10/23/16 - After tomato and dead leaves clean up

 10/23/16 - After tomato and dead leaves clean up

 10/23/16 - After tomato and dead leaves clean up

 10/23/16 - After tomato and dead leaves clean up

10/23/16 - Today's Harvest - cherry tomato, Curled Scotch kale, Dino kale and Swiss Chard

Garden Harvest 10/19/16

10/18/16 - Today's harvest - Swiss Chard, Red Russian kale, Dino kale and Curled Scotch kale

Garden Update & Harvest 10/2/16

 10/2/16 - Ground Cherry tomatoes popped up from leftover seeds from last season's garden!

  10/2/16 - Dino kale

  10/2/16 - 1 of 2 Ground Cherry tomato plants popped up from leftover seeds from last season's garden!

  10/2/16 - Curled Scotch kale

  10/2/16 - Strawberry patch

 10/2/16 - Swiss Chard

 10/2/16 - Giant Green Onion

 10/2/16 - Swiss Chard

 10/2/16 - Dino Kale (after clean up)

 10/2/16 - Today's Harvest - Swiss Chard, Red Russian kale, Curled Scotch kale, Dino kale and Basil.

 10/2/16 - Today's Harvest - Basil.

Binky's food update 2 - What I feed my puppy

Her schedule now goes something like this:

6:30am - 1/2 wafer vitamin (NuVet Plus K-9 Wafers)

7:00am-8:00am - Breakfast - Usually cooked chicken, cooked turkey, or cooked salmon with  (Complete Probiotics for Pets), Krill Oil Liquid Pump for Pets, Astaxanthin, and Digestive Enzymes.

As mentioned in my Supplement blog, I also include Curcumin for Pets and Organic Mushroom Complex for Pets occasionally, especially if her immune system needs a boost. She eats both just fine in a small amount of the meat of choice.

I also try to feed her up to 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil, but sometimes she won't touch it, while other times she'll gladly lick it all up. So this isn't daily.

12:00pm-1:00pm - Afternoon Snacks - My vet told me that at her age she's ok with just two meals. So instead of a new meal at lunch, I usually giver her the food she didn't eat at breakfast. She rarely eats up all her breakfast, so finishing it up at lunch makes sure she gets all her supplements without giving her extra foods.

I give her this once a week for a general detox, or more often depending on what she's going through health-wise - Liver and Kidney Support for Pets

This is also the time we do training so I use Liver and Berry Bites, dehydrated sweet potato bits, or peanuts, or other treats received from her Bark Box, as an extra treat.

Through the day she also snacks on low caloric veggies, such as carrots, cucumber, zucchini and peas while I'm eating my meals. At breakfast, if I have some banana in my cereal she excitedly hops on the couch as she patiently sits and stares at me until I share some. It's quite adorable, she doesn't usually like to eat banana, if I randomly offer it to her, but if I'm eating it at breakfast she gets super excited about eating it with me, plucked out of my almond milk cereal. 

5:00pm-6:00pm - Dinner - I try to encourage her to eat her NutriSource puppy kibble, by the suggestion of her vet, but am not opposed to giving her some freshly cooked meat like chicken, turkey, salmon or beef if there is some available, and I can use it to train her. Since she sits down for her morning meal, I like to have her dinner meal to train her with, as this is the time for her Basic training class on Wednesdays too. 

Snacks - She gets plenty of veggie bits while I'm cooking my dinner, so I don't have to serve that to her in her dog bowl. This helps keep her happy and occupied while I cook. Same thing with fruit, if I'm eating a fruit she will eat I will always offer some to her (apart from grapes and others not recommended for dogs). Another treat I give her almost daily, especially after running around outside, is a kefir/fruit frozen treat that I make for her. In silicone molds, I mix kefir (for her to get some probiotics from) with either blueberries, banana, papaya, pineapple or peanut butter as an extra special treat. She absolutely loves her frozen treats, and sometimes settles for plain old ice! Another hydrating loved treat.

I still do leave some kibble out for free feeding, but now I'm more conscious of how much, since she's past the stage of being at high risk for a blood sugar drop, because of her little size, she eats plenty so I only put a very small portion for her to snack on freely.  $47.99 NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 35-lb bag

Used for training and a healthy treat between meals. $18.97 Liver and Berry Bites: 1 box

*All the meats I feed her (chicken, turkey, beef, deer and salmon) area always organic and free of antibiotics.

Garden Update & Harvest 9/7/16

 9/7/16 - Garden update - So much rain! No time to come clean up. Just quick harvests. Mosquitoes were so bad that I wished I had a bee suit on!

 9/7/16 - Basil blows me away every time. I harvest as much as I can, and when I return there's twice as much, and the leaves are twice as big. Love it ^_^

 9/7/16 - Plenty of basil! Tomatoes are mostly cracked from the abundance of rain, but there are a few salvageable ones yet.

 9/7/16 - Lots of amazing Swiss Chard to pick...really need to do some clean up...but the bugs were just too bad to stay there a second longer past harvesting.

 9/7/16 - Today's harvest - overfloweing bowl of basil, 2 large tomatoes and cherry tomatoes

9/7/16 - Today's harvest - Swiss Chard, Curled Scotch kale and Red Russian kale

Binky's food update - What I feed my puppy

Her schedule now goes something like this:

6:30am - 1/2 wafer vitamin (NuVet Plus K-9 Wafers) 

7:00am-8:00am - Breakfast - Usually cooked chicken with either peas, zucchini and or carrots with (Complete Probiotics for Pets), Krill Oil Liquid Pump for Pets and Digestive Enzymes.
I also add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil to her toothbrush that she chews at grooming time. Occasionally some tiny bits of raw meats like organic steak, Deer or chicken, but she almost always prefers the cooked chicken. 

12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch -  My initial plan was to feed Binky ZiwiPeak for lunch, but after the first can of 12, she completely turned her nose up to it, no matter what I add to it to make it more appealing.  I often give her bits of my food, since they usually include raw cucumber, lettuce, sweet potato and other foods that are very healthy for her, as I've always done, and she has come to look forward to. I try alter her lunch with different meats, usually chicken, because she always will eat it, but try to alternate it with steak and deer. I always make sure to add veggies, such as carrots, cucumber, zucchini and peas. She snacks on dehydrated sweet potatoes that I use for training. I also give her some Berry and Liver treats for training. She does absolutely love those two.

I give her this once a week for a general detox, or more often depending on what she's going through health-wise -  Liver and Kidney Support for Pets



5:00pm-6:00pm - Dinner - I usually feed her a meal similar to her lunch, or alternate a meat. If I have a new can of food opened I will try to give it to her, but it's usually a hit or miss with her, and I got back to her favorites like little pieces of frozen peas, zucchini, cooked carrots and chicken. To make sure she is digesting everything well I include enzymes in her dinner as well. I will also give her some of my dinner if it's natural and safe for her, such as cooked veggies or veggies from my salad. 
As mentioned in my Supplement blog, I also include Curcumin for Pets and Organic Mushroom Complex for Pets occasionally. She ate both just fine in a small amount of chicken.
 

Snacks - Unlike my first food blog on Binky, she no longer has to wait for me behind a gate while I cook. She now has access to the kitchen and just lays by my feet while I cook. She's a very clingy dog, and I love her to bits. While cooking I will give her tiny bits of what I'm cooking if she sits up and looks like she could use a treat and if they're veggies, and she will either eat them up or chew on them and leave them them laying on the floor somewhere. She's not a fast eater for even the tiniest pieces, so it keeps her occupied and happy while I'm busy cooking. I bought many different bags of treats for her, but at this time my favorite treats for her is one called Liver and Berry Bites. From the Mercola site. I truly trust their products because they focus on clean healthy and high quality products, always worth the high cost.


Liver and Berry Bites provide this vital, top-quality protein dogs require, along with beneficial antioxidants from organic berries.
Liver and Berry Bites are a stand-out treat because they:

• Contain 100% pure, free-range, grass-fed beef liver – what I consider the most premium meat available
• Include organic pomegranates, blueberries, and raspberries with high levels of antioxidants
• Are hand made in the United States (with all ingredients sourced in the US)
• Contain only high-quality USDA inspected meat
• Include NO rendered by-products or unidentified meats of any kind

She also still loves her dehydrated sweet potatoes, that I continue to use for training and small snacks through the day. She also snacks on her NutriSource kibble. 

Her kibble, that is left out for free feeding. She eats small amounts through the day. $47.99 NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 35-lb bag 


Used for training and a healthy treat between meals. $18.97  Liver and Berry Bites: 1 box

Wet food I have gotten for Binky. She usually likes it the first time I give it to her, but then after a few times completely rejects it over fresh food like cooked chicken, steak and veggies!
$51.88  ZiwiPeak Daily-Dog Beef Cuisine Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12 

$1.83 Health Extension LID Vegetarian Entrée Adult Wet Dog Food, 13.2 Oz

$1.83 Health Extension LID Duck Entrée Adult Wet Dog Food, 13.2 Oz

$1.83 Health Extension Turkey Entrée All Stages Wet Dog Food, 13 Oz

$1.83 Health Extension Salmon Adult Wet Dog Food, 13.2 Oz

$2.34 Evanger's Signature Series Turkey Stew Wet Dog Food, 12 Oz

Binky's Supplement - Dog Health

Nothing is more important to me than the health of my Binky Boo!  I try to do everything I have control over to keep her healthy and happy. To do that I start off her day with a NuVet Plus vitamin, followed by breakfast with Complete Probiotics, and Krill Oil. I put those two in some cooked chicken, which she always accepts. She's quite picky with food. Because the chicken is cooked I also add some Digestive Enzymes. Mid day, during grooming she chews on a eco-friendly bamboo tooth brush to keep her mouth occupied as I brush her hair. On the toothbrush I put 1/2 a teaspoon of coconut oil, that she licks right up. 

When needed, or at least once a week I give her a portion of the Liver and Kidney Support for pets to keep her organs in tip top shape. Other supplements I have for her to help support her organs and immune system include Curcumin for pets and Organic Mushroom Complex for pets. I also have some Zen Pet to give her before stressful events, that she hasn't tried yet, all purchased on the Mercola site.

 

$53.15 NuVet Plus K-9 Wafers

NuVet Plus® is the culmination of 8 years of research and development, formulated with the goal of creating a nutrient-rich formula that would surpass mere vitamin replenishment. Instead, the supplement provides full-spectrum nutritional support that focuses on boosting your pet’s immune system and overall health.

Our team of pet industry scientists, veterinarians, and medical specialists created NuVet Plus® to be a high-quality supplement that incorporates a precise formula of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, herbs and more. NuVet Plus® brings together vital ingredients that perform synergistically to help improve your pet’s health and keep them healthy. Our supplement is made using Natural, Human-Grade ingredients that are formulated in an FDA-registered Pharmaceutical Laboratory.

NuVet Plus® ingredients and nutrients are compounded to maintain their integrity and bio-digestibility for complete cellular infusion. We use special “paddle dried,” whole chicken liver that provides vitamin potency, as well as a taste your pet will love. Please view our full Ingredient List and descriptions to understand how these essential elements can help your pet get started on a path to optimal health as well as help them maintain a quality life full of vigor, vitality, comfort, and energy.

$69.97 Complete Probiotics for Pets (90g per Container): 3-Pack

Complete Probiotics for Pets (per container: 90 grams powder, 30 servings)
Bowel health is one of the top 10 reasons owners bring their pets for healthcare.
Supporting your pet’s gastrointestinal health is a key factor in helping to make sure your pet is living the best life possible.
The remarkable Complete Probiotics for Pets:

• Brings together over 10 of the most powerful strains of beneficial bacteria that are most effective for promoting optimal gastrointestinal health in your cats and dogs
• Provides over 58 billion bacteria in every serving when used by the expiration date printed on the package
• Supports your pet’s immune system function by helping them remove toxins
• Is a powerful way for you to help offer your pets a happy and healthy life
• Supports your pet’s production of B vitamins, especially folic acid and biotin, and vitamin K

 

$9.74 TropiClean Fresh Breath Puppy Water Additive, 16-oz bottle

TropiClean Fresh Breath Puppy Water Additive is specifically formulated for puppies, and addresses plaque & tartar before it starts. It promotes healthy gums & fresh breath for up to 12 hours. Without proper dental care, 80% of dogs start to show signs of oral disease by age 3. Oral disease can eventually lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems. Address plaque & tartar before it starts!
Key Benefits

• For puppies 16 weeks & up
• Address Plaque & Tartar Before It Starts
• Cleans teeth & freshens breath
• Promotes healthy gums
• Made in the USA

 $53.00 (1-year supply) Custom Parasite Prevention RoadrunnerPharmacy.com 

I'm still not 100% on board with putting Binky on a parasite preventative medicine for her entire life, but at this time this is the custom protection prescribed by her vet. 

$34.97 Krill Oil Liquid Pump for Pets (268 Pumps): 1 bottle 

Ensuring adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids has a profoundly supportive effect on your pet's overall health.

It's so important that I had to figure out a unique (and easy) way to help you supplement your pet's diet.

If you've ever taken on the task of cutting open fatty acid oil capsules, you will be thrilled at this next bit of news I'm about to share.
You no longer have to deal with messy pills.

For my Krill Oil for Pets, we use a revolutionary dispensing method that keeps freshness in and contamination out.

A technologically-advanced airless pump delivery system locks air and contaminants outside the container.

And there's no guessing. One or more gentle strokes of your fingertip delivers the precise amount of Krill Oil spray (just one spray for every 5 to 10 pounds of body weight). No mess. No sticky, oily fingers. Just the right amount of healthy omega-3 fatty acids exactly where you want it!

You'll even save money since there's no waste. You're assured that the oil at the bottom of the container is just as fresh and pure as the first spray.

Plus, my Krill Oil for Pets is completely sustainable, and is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a global leader in sustainability standards.
In a recent sustainability report of 24 fisheries by NGO Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), the fishery that supplies the krill for our Krill Oil for Pets was awarded the only “A” rating for sustainability and management strategy.

The fishery uses patent pending technology that helps ensure unwanted by-catch (non-krill species) aren’t caught, and that the krill are kept alive until processing in order to maintain freshness and nutrients. You can even trace Krill Oil for Pets back to its sustainable place of harvest using the coordinates on the bottle! 

To be frank, today’s commercial pet foods lack healthy natural enzymes. In essence, the food is dead, over-processed and in-organic. Production of both canned food and dried kibble require very high temperatures, which destroy any live enzymes present in the food. Enzymes are needed to help unlock these food nutrients and aid in digestion.

$14.97  Healthy Pets Digestive Enzymes (5.26 oz): 1 container
 As your pet ages, production of enzymes declines. And this can lead to unwanted consequences for your pet.
Using only the finest ingredients available, I’ve selected these enzymes to include in my Healthy Pets Digestive Enzymes:

• Betaine HCl - break down proteins into peptides and amino acids and fats into triglycerides
• Bromelain (pineapple) – one of the safest and most powerful  enzymes to help break down and digest protein
• Papain (papaya) – a natural plant-sourced enzyme that works  together with bromelain to digest protein
• Pancreatin – an animal-based pancreatic enzyme providing all three of these enzymes:
  
  
  • Protease – helps break down proteins into amino acids for digestion
  • Amylase – for splitting and breaking down long-chain carbohydrates, including starch and glycogen (the energy-storage molecule in animal tissue) for digestion in the small intestine
  • Lipase – helps break down and digest fats

When used this way, after meals, the enzymes circulate throughout her body via the bloodstream, helping to:

• Support the healthy circulation of blood through arteries
• Maintaining normal immune function
• Clear cellular debris while cleansing tissue
• Stimulate healthy new cell growth
• Promote normal cell growth
• Promote a healthy immune response
• Support normal detoxification processes
• Clear away undigested proteins, cleansing the lymph and blood

Unlike so many animal supplements available today, the ingredients used in my Healthy Pets Digestive Enzymes are human grade – meaning, they’re not any different than those you or I would take.

  $12.97 Liver and Kidney Support for Pets (39g per Container): 1 Container

Mercola Healthy Pets Liver and Kidney Support is a product that I've personally formulated, based on my extensive research and experience. I've brought together a total of 14 nutrients to support your pet's kidney and liver health.

And I'm excited to say there's nothing like it on the market…

Liver & Kidney Support contains a blend of 14 ingredients:

• L-Glycine
• Phosphatidylcholine
• Meriva Curcumin Phytosome
• Taurine
• Milk Thistle
• N-Acetyl L-Cysteine
• Resveratrol
• Schisandra Extract
• Green Tea Leaf Extract (decaffeinated)
• L-Glutathione
• Chlorella
• Superoxide Dismutase
• Dandelion (leaf)
• Silica

You can use Liver & Kidney Support daily, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, depending upon your pet's exposure and overall vitality:

• If your pet spends time outdoors and may be exposed to toxins.
• If your pet is relatively healthy and not exposed to a great deal of toxins indoors or out (a "green" home and lawn).

Liver & Kidney Support's ingredients are safe for regular, daily use.

$29.97 Curcumin for Pets (4.3 oz per Container): 1 Container 

The first-ever bioavailable curcumin formulated for dogs and cats, my Curcumin for Pets offers your pet a major stride in supporting his health.

What is curcumin? Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. Along with curcumin, there are two other important curcuminoids in turmeric. You’ll find all three in my Curcumin for Pets.

How might your pet potentially benefit from Curcumin?

• Support for a normal immune response
• Increased protection from free radical damage
• Support for normal healthy digestion and gut defense
• Support for a normal inflammatory response
• Support for comfortable, flexible movement

One of the biggest challenges with curcumin in humans and dogs and cats is its poor absorption and bioavailability. Curcumin tends to be unstable at intestinal pH levels and is quickly eliminated from the body.

We use advanced technology to enhance the bioavailability of Curcumin for Pets. MicroActive® technology creates micro-particles of curcumin that helps protect the fragile, active nutrients until they reach the absorption site. And it provides “sustained release” of nutrients over time so your pet may benefit from more efficient absorption.

 $19.97 Organic Mushroom Complex for Pets (2.12 oz per container): 1 container 

No matter what you feed your pet – raw, canned, or dry food – Organic Mushroom Complex for Pets provides extra support your pet may need.
This proprietary blend of 8 mushrooms...

• Contains 100% Certified Organic, biologically active, whole food mushroom and mycelium (not isolated extracts) to optimize the life cycle of the mushroom
• Is an excellent source of fermented foods for digestive and immune health
• Contains protein and high levels of natural whole food vitamin D2, B6, B12, beta glucans, chelated minerals, fiber, antioxidants (including L-ergothioneine) and natural glucosamine
• Is grown and produced entirely in the U.S.
• Uses oats instead of rice for its substrate, adding valuable plant beta glucans and enhancing the mycelia's bioactivity
• Retains its bioactivity through carefully controlled processing methods
• Contains an array of beta glucans, each with its own beta glucan structure
• Does not contain additives, fillers, gluten, and unhealthy levels of heavy metals

$16.97  Zen Pet (35g per Container): 1 Container

Many everyday events can stress even laid-back pets - thunderstorms, fireworks, car trips, vet visits, grooming, boarding, and guests.
I've created Zen Pet to help comfort your pet during occasional stressful times using a custom blend of all my favorite calming agents. Safe for both cats and dogs, I have used each of these ingredients for years:

• Organic Holy Basil (or Tulsi) - From our certified organic growers in India
• L-Theanine - Stimulates mentally alert, yet calming, alpha brain waves
• Organic Rhodiola rosea - A true adaptogen harvested in Siberia
• Ashwagandha (or Indian Ginseng) - Another exceptional adaptogen to help your pet's body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stress
• German Chamomile - A popular herb with calming qualities
• 5-HTP - Converts to serotonin which supports feelings of well-being
• GABA - Helps tell the brain to slow down during times of stress
• Vitamin B6 - Supports a healthy nervous system and mood, and helps with serotonin production

Zen Pet is intended for occasional use before or during stressful events. Although it works best if given to your pet a day in advance, you can still use it at the beginning of the event. Simply stir chicken-flavored Zen Pet into your pet's food or feed with a treat.

$6.50 Synergylabs Richard's Organics Incredible Skin Spray For Dogs, 12 Fluid Oz 

Effectively soothes irritations and speeds healing of a wide range of skin problems. 100% natural. Soothes irritations: A blend of 15 plant extracts provide fast, dependable relief from hot spots, insect bites, rashes, sunburn, eczema, dry skin, ringworm and minor wounds. Speeds healing: By nature, these 15 plant extracts are quick to provide antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory action and reduce small wound discharge and bleeding.

$9.49 Vet's Best Flea + Tick Home Spray for Dogs, 32-oz bottle (repels mosquitoes as well) 

Vet's Best Natural Flea + Tick Home Spray uses a unique blend of peppermint oil and clove extract (eugenol) to control and kill fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact. And, repels mosquitoes too! Our natural flea and tick spray uses absolutely no chemical pyrethrins, permethrins, or cedar oil, so it's safe for the whole family. The non-staining formula is great for home surfaces like furniture, bedding, carpets, flooring, and countertops, so it can be used everywhere you need it. Safe for use on or around dogs and cats 12 weeks or older.

Key Benefits

• Kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact, while also repelling mosquitoes
• Natural, key ingredients feature peppermint oil and clove extract - absolutely no pyrethrins, permethrins, or cedar oil
• Kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks and mosquitoes on contact
• Safe for use on or around dogs and cats 12 weeks or older
• Non-staining formula that is great for home surfaces (furniture, carpet, flooring, countertops) and not harmful to plants
• Safe for use around children

$49.47 Repellent Kit for Small Dogs - Spot On Topical Herbal Repellent For Dogs & Puppies  x3 & Herbal Repellent Collar For Small Dogs & Puppies