Homemade Dog Food Diet Supplements

The dog food industry is one that dog owners are understanding as part of the reason more cancer, scratching, itching, licking skin problems and obesity are happening in their beloved dogs. It has more people turning to alternative homemade dog food diets to keep their dogs healthy happy and living longer lives.

The True Horrors of Pet Food Revealed will most likely send you over the edge to find a diet that you can feel good about feeding your dog. Besides the fact that the ingredients aren’t what you thought they were, there is the fact that an all kibble diet is also an all processed diet.

All Processed Food is A Problem

Eating or feeding all processed food leads to all sorts of problems in humans and as it turns out, it is affecting our dogs’ health as well. Thus, the reason many have turned to making their own dog food. Before you go off and start making your own dog’s food though, make sure to know a few things that need to be added to all dog’s diet to keep it balanced and your dog in the best health.

The right vitamins and minerals are essential to your dog’s health. In fact you dog could develop health problems with the lack of these essential vitamins and minerals.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Homemade Dog Food Diets

Dogs need calcium, oil and fat and vitamins A, B, C & E

Calcium

Dogs and most certainly growing puppies need calcium in their diet. Calcium is not only found in bones and teeth, but it is also circulating in the blood.

Calcium in the blood is essential for several important functions. Blood clotting, hormones, nerve function and muscle contraction, which includes the heart cover the major needs for calcium absorption in a dogs body.

Homemade Dog Food Diet Calcium Supplementation

As with many commercial dog food, certain supplements can include ingredients such as a “natural source of minerals derived entirely from imported cattle bones”, and other sources that may or may not be something you really want to feed your dog.

If you are feeding your dog a balanced homemade dog diet include making your own bonemeal out of egg shells.

Making eggshell powder is easy.

  • Get in the habit of saving your egg shells.
  • A minimum of 12 usually makes this process easier.
  • Make sure the egg shells are completely dry before you create the powder.
  • Make sure your food processor is dry.  Not only will it be difficult to make the powder but it can cause the ground eggshell to mold as well.
  • Put the eggshells in a food processor and grind to a fine powder.
  • Store in a dry sealed container.

To make a homemade diet of meat and vegetables work for your dog it is important to balance it with calcium. The above recipe was carefully calculated and tested by a veterinarian, Dr.Pitcairn, in his book, The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. If you cannot make eggshell powder because you do not have a food processor, you can purchase pharmaceutical bonemeal for calcium. Do not buy agricultural bonemeal, it includes harmful agricultural chemicals. According to Pitcairn, the correct ratio is 2 slightly rounded teaspoons of bonemeal per 1/2 lb. or 1 cup meat.

The importance of bones or bonemeal into the diet and other sources of calcium should always be discussed when feeding a homemade dog food diet. If you want to go the natural route, and feed bones instead of eggshell powder or pharmaceutical bonemeal, according to The BARF Diet, chicken necks and backs are usually the only way to purchase soft, chewable bones in order for your dog to get enough calcium. Large marrow bones are too hard for your dog to chew off what they need. *Make note that these bones need to be fed raw and NOT cooked.

In weeks to come Big Island Dog will publish more on vitamins, minerals and other essential things you should add to your dog’s diet for optimal health. Please subscribe to Big Island Dog to stay updated on healthy habits for you and for your dog too whether it be things you do or what you and your dog eat.

Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

The Sand Castle

Building a Sand Castle Fulfill Your Need to Play

Hawaii brings visions of beaches, ocean, tropical flowers, fresh fruit and island music to the senses. It is one of those places that brings out the best in noticing the wonderful outdoors.

Playing more is part of losing stress, concern, anger, untoward feelings towards life in general. How better to play like a kid then to build a sand castle?

Fulfilling Feelings and Needs

This week if you live anywhere near a beach whether it is cold or warm go build a sand castle. Write a word about how it made you FEEL. Was it inspiring, engaging, calming, vibrant, engrossed or some other feeling?

What need do you get fulfilled by building a sand castle? You could feel present, stimulated, warmth, discovered, or participation. Any need that you have is a good one to acknowledge. Sometimes it takes playing to reconnect with what our personal needs are. Write a word about what you NEED and how building a sand castle fulfilled it.

How to Build a Sand Castle

If you haven’t built a sand castle in a while, or perhaps you have never build a sand castle here are some resources to give you sand castle tips, tricks and ideas. Don’t try to get too technical on your first one. The point is to enjoy the moment. You don’t need to be perfect. You need to play.

 Sand Creatures and Castles:  How To Build Them

If you don’t happen to live by some sand think of another kid thing you could do.  Go do it.  Then write a word about how you are FEELING and what you are NEEDING after you do it.

I’m doing it this week on a beach where my dogs can go.  My dog in training gets to go play too… that’s what we call training here in Hawaii.  Play!

Mahalo for reading.  If you liked it please subscribe to Big Island Dog and follow me on Pinterest, Twitter, & G+
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Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

Pumpkin Love Recipes and Remedies

Holidays all seem to call for goodies, food, something to make us feel good. Holidays like Valentine’s Day usually call for sweets, big sugary send your body into shock treats. Treats that cannot be given to our most loyal loves, our dogs.

When it comes down to it, treats with added sugar should not be part of our human diet either if we are really going to stick to a habit of “I eat very little sugar.” *recipes for you and dog below

Pumpkin Healing and Healthy Properties

  • Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
  • Pumpkins are high in fiber.
  • Pumpkins are low in sodium.
  • Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, iron and B vitamins
  • Pumpkins are high in beta-carotene which is an antioxidant.
  • Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
  • Scientific research believe that eating a diet rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.
  • Research also believe pumpkin helps to delay aging.

Healing Pumpkin Properties Specific to Dogs

All of the above properties apply to our best friend the dog as well. In fact, a dog that suffers from soft stools can greatly benefit form the healing properties of pumpkins. The fiber, protein and antioxidant added to any dog food diet is beneficial.

The properties of pumpkin are beneficial for soothing dog stomach upset.

The antioxidant properties apply to our dogs and the increased risk of cancer.

Studies by herbalists have found the seeds of the pumpkin additionally function as an efficient de-worming agent for tapeworms and various intestinal parasites in dogs and humans.

Pumpkins consist of an amino acid called cucurbitin, the compound is efficient in getting rid of worms. The de-worming properties in pumpkin seeds paralyze and eradicate worms from the digestive tract in dogs and and humans.

How to Use For Dog Parasites

The most efficient parasitic treatment comes from pumpkin seeds.

Grind pumpkin seeds into a powder and sprinkle on your dog’s food.

You can make a paste by adding water. Let your dog eat it as a snack by feeding a dollop on your finger or from a spoon. Doses can range from 60 grams to up to 500 grams per dose, subject to dog size and are typically administered two times a day until parasites are gone.

Pumpkin Nutrients

1 cup of cooked pumpkin flesh contains:

  • Calories 49
  • Protein 2 grams
  • Carbohydrate 12 grams
  • Dietary Fiber 3 grams
  • Calcium 37 mg
  • Iron 1.4 mg
  • Magnesium 22 mg
  • Potassium 564 mg
  • Zinc 1 mg
  • Selenium .50 mg
  • Vitamin C 12 mg
  • Niacin 1 mg
  • Folate 21 mcg
  • Vitamin A 2650 IU
  • Vitamin E 3 mg

Baked Pumpkin Recipe – For Human

Ingredients:

  • One whole pumpkin
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • 1 cup chopped tart apples
  • ½ cup chopped pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Cut top of pumpkin and save for lid. Scoop out the inside seeds and pumpkin flesh, leaving a ¼ inch thick shell.

Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Fill the pumpkin and place on baking sheet. Bake uncovered 1 hour. Place the top back on pumpkin and cook another 30 minutes, until bubbling. Allow to cool 15 minutes and serve.

Pumpkin Recipe for Dogs Treats

Use the pumpkin seeds and insides from the baked pumpkin recipe to make a fresh topping for you dog’s food.

Mix seeds and other pumpkins innards in a blender until it becomes a paste.

Divide paste in half.

Keep 1/2 in bowl and refrigerate. Add 1 tablespoon to each meal until finished.

Fill an ice cube container with the remaining seed paste mixture. Freeze. Give out as treats once the fresh mixture is gone.

Enjoy and make sure to love those you care about like it was Valentine’s Day every day just like your dog acts like it is using that special unconditional love quality they are so good at!

Thanks for reading.  If you enjoyed this post please subscribe to Big Island Dog and connect with me on Pinterest Twitter and G+


Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

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Was It Supposed to Go This Way

Three days a week I go paddling in an outrigger canoe. I get to be out on the ocean in the morning, soaking up the healing energy of the earth, the water, the sun. I develop relationships with those I paddle with.

As with any group there are certain personalities one is more attracted to, and some not so much. It is those that fall into the “not so much” category that has me really thinking this last week.

A couple of months ago I changed paddle crews. There were a number of factors that went into that decision.

I have always been one to want to workout at a level that is somewhat uncomfortable for the majority. I wasn’t getting that wow factor.

I’m also one to shy away from complaining, arguing, and just plain difficult to be around people. There were a few on my old crew that held these qualities for me. And lastly which probably falls into the same category, I’m not good with crude comments, sexual innuendoes, that type of thing.

So I moved on. I am grateful to find a crew to paddle with who are not only supportive and enthusiastic about life, but they paddle hard and enjoy so much about the ocean. We’ve scene whales and dolphins together and celebrated life as it is in the moment each day.

We’ve supported one another in just a simple, “Great job today, it was so much fun, have a fabulous day,” comments. It honestly is those little things that I love about this crew.

Of course it doesn’t mean that each and every one of us doesn’t come with our own issues. The movement we do, the focus on the togetherness, one rhythm and blend, all the paddles working as one on this particular crew has drawn a common joy while out in the majestic Hawaiian waters.

Tragedy on the Ocean

I received a text from one of my current paddle members this week about an accident with another paddling club. I looked at the time the crew went out and knew without a doubt before I opened the link, it was my previous crew. It was the boat I would have been in.

A double hull flipped while caught in a wave. Waves were rolling in. Everyone went suddenly from a recreational paddle like every other morning to survival. There was a high surf warning and this canoe though it was big and stable, fell to the power of the waves.

People who have been in the ocean for years did things that they normally wouldn’t consider, like swim into the rocks instead of parallel to the shoreline and into the safety of the bay. One person on that crew did not make it that day. It is more than sobering to think about.

Was it supposed to go that way?

I’m not sure why tragedies happen. I’m not sure if things are supposed to go that way. How can someone go out for a recreation morning paddle like they do all the time and not make it back?

What I do know is it made me think about each and every day and all the people that are part of my life. I may not paddle with that crew anymore, but I was deeply affected and connected to every one of these people.

It made me realize how practicing the habit of mindfulness is so important. It made me think about how complaining and crude comments may not strike me as something I want to take part in, but those in my life who happen to fall into saying things out loud are still good people. Their mindfulness may be out of practice and they may be seeking the attention we all crave in ways they don’t even know. But they are all good people.

We are all connected.

How many times have I complained? How many times have I been less than enjoyable to be around? How many times have I said something inappropriate? Many. We are all connected.

My heart goes out to the paddle crew that lived through this tragedy and to all of those who lost someone that day. It makes me more mindful of every single day and every single person that comes into my life. It makes me realize that gratefulness is about the good that happens every single day as well as those moments that may feel uncomfortable. After all, it could be a mirror on how to deal with difficult people including ourselves.  Today I am here to see the mirror because I too am sometimes difficult to deal with. We all are, right down to our own well trained and not so trained dogs on some days.

I want to use the reflection to create the best day possible for me, my life partner, my dogs and all those people that are in my life.

Thank you for reading. If this resonated with you in any way subscribe for more on replacing bad habits with good habits.  A concept I’d like to fill everyone’s mind with!

 Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is How to Swim through Your Fears and Come Out a Champion.

Walking on Clouds a Mauna Kea Perspective

When one thinks of Hawaii, images of beaches come to mind first. The Big Island Hawaii is different and quite majestic in that it has several volcanoes, one being 14,000 feet tall.  It is called and celebrated in the name Mauna Kea.

We went to Mauna Kea to watch the sunset this week while a friend was visiting. The feeling of walking on clouds and gratitude was what came of it.

Mauna Kea and Walking on Clouds

The visit was one where unexpected connection came to mind. We traveled from our home to the top of the mountain, about an hour and a half trip by 4 wheel drive with our two dogs and our friend, who is originally from India. As I stood at the top I thought about what would bring these beings together and how we got here. We’d all come from very different places yet the grounding of the earth, at 14,000 feet and above the clouds was a shared experience.

There were moments where we all stood at the top and looked out in our own awe of the beauty and it felt as though we had each realized the vastness of our lives, the real beauty of the earth and the amazing feeling of actually being above the clouds. It was a time where we did not have to say it out loud but a feeling of gratitude for our mere existence was shared.

Nature and the Lesson from Dogs

I often times wish my dogs could tell me exactly what they are thinking. On this particular trip simply riding in the car with us one could tell was pure joy. I try to take those moments and apply them to the things I do. In this instance just simply to enjoy the ride with my life partner and our friend and the dogs.

Once on the mountain the connection to outdoors, breathing, running or moving is easy to see.  My Weimaraner is much like me in that she gets cold easily. She dealt with it by moving, checking out all that was around her and the connection to the earth. Movement is a natural course of action for a dog.

Why is it that we humans tend to become sedentary when the feeling of uncomfortable comes over us? Another lesson I have learned from the dogs.

  • Move
  • Breath
  • Warm your body by taking in all of the surroundings, especially when in nature. Even if it’s just a walk around the block to replace a sudden feeling of anxiety the movement works.

Perspective

Somewhere in the hour and a half drive to the top we encountered cloud cover. I’m one to love the sun. Clouds make me feel not so happy. The perspective I gained from this particular trip once we broke through the clouds as we started for the summit was a matter of perspective.

The sun is here. It is shining on us. It may be covered by the clouds but it is still above shining in all it’s glory. Though it may be covered by the clouds if we dare to get out in it, we will soak it up. It may look different under the clouds, it is a matter of perspective. It is a matter of how we choose to look at it.

Yet another lesson from the dogs. Given the chance they will go out and play, or run or simply smell the outdoors whether the sun is clearly shining or not and the benefit of the oxygen, the movement and the time outside bring good in, stale out!  The excuse of clouds is not one to stop a dog from enjoying and the belief that there is sun anyway is the beauty of a dog’s attitude towards it.

Go outside today. What is your perspective? What does the movement, the breath, a plant, the smells, the sounds add to your connection to the earth do for you?  Can you soak up the sun from any perspective?

 Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is How to Swim through Your Fears and Come Out a Champion.

 

The Reflection of Dislike

Have you ever heard that the qualities that bother you the most in others are actually those that you don’t like about yourself? How about this one; your dog’s behavior reflects your own?

Both of those statements are kind of hard to take and usually get the brush off real quick, especially when the behavior isn’t that cool and you immediately feel a sense of dislike. In fact many times we find ourselves shaking our head and calling someone silently an idiot, sometimes we don’t hold the silence and say it out loud as an automatic reaction.

When it comes to the dog, anxiety or fear aggression of course have nothing to do with you. Nothing. At all.

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.” -Carl Jung

Yes, most of the time, behavior that really disturbs us is in fact a reflection of our own behavior. It is a reflection of the things we cannot stand about ourselves, or things that we have never even admitted out loud to ourselves.

For years I have scene the reflection of dogs and their owners and the behavior that is driving the owner crazy. The frustration comes when owners try to change the behavior of the dog without realizing that there is an underlying reason the behavior keeps appearing. It usually is about themselves. It’s usually about a habit.

The other side of that story is people get great success with new behavior in their dog when they realize that a habit needs attention and the that without doing the work, the habit is going to stay the same.

The Note Card Game Naming Idiot Behavior in People and/or Dogs

Recently I’ve started playing a game that has helped me realize so many things about myself. It has started a wonderful healing process and it has helped me react in a whole new way, a much less judgmental way.

I’ve been acutely aware of the reflection owners and dogs have had for years. It is why my job is so easy when it comes to training dogs. The realization that the reflections are really about connections to people, our pets, our things, the picture we hold of ourselves in our minds’ eye.  It has come clear through the work I have done with all of those dogs and their owners.

You may have read this so far and laughed a little to yourself but still are holding on to the fact that you are just simply not a reflection of your loud mouthed co-worker, or sister, or husband, wife, best friend, or ex BFF. The dog’s behavior has nothing to do with your personality, after all the dog is a rescue and came this way. (more on how we attract our friends and dogs in another story)….

Play this game for the next week and see what you learn.

1. Whenever you have a negative thought about someone, even your dog write it on a note card. You may need to put it as a note on your phone app since frequently this happens while out and about. List the person’s (dog’s) name and short description.

Spend some time every day when you have a chance to sit down and think about the incident and list all the things that make that person or dog seem like an idiot, or at least you don’t think is cool to be that way, or in fact is incredibly irritating.

2. Reflect all of the qualities you listed back onto yourself. It is amazing how many of the qualities you write about someone else you actually have yourself. I play the game and quite frankly it blows me away. Things I find awful in someone else I have either played out in my mind, in front of someone else or most certainly in front of my dog.

3. Forgive. Healing does start with forgiving. Once you start playing this game regularly it’s much easier to forgive the person or dog about the way they are. Take the energy you would have used being irritated and put it to work on your own reaction. Honestly how we react even in our own head is what kind of person we are.

*note this is also how we can begin new habits with the dog since their language is different than ours it becomes about pictures and what habits we form become the picture of what they should be doing, taking the attention away from what they shouldn’t be doing. ** another note, the same thing works astoundingly well with people.

The Note Card game is my own version. One of my new blogger friends Tim McAuley wrote his version of this game in one of his articles: Huge mahalo Tim for adding more thoughts to my ever increasing awareness. Tim has written an awesome book all about reflection call It’s All About Me I highly recommend as well. Check out Tim’s website and read his amazing insights.

It is a disturbing to think about when it comes right down to it. That person that really bothers you, you are in fact like. Really? Play the game and find out for yourself. I’ve come to a recent conclusion. We are all in fact connected.

I’m trying to use my connection to reflect as many good things, behaviors, reactions as possible in a day. How about you, where is your attention? Your connection? And are there a lot of “idiots” around you?

Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is How to Swim through Your Fears and Come Out a Champion.

 

Fear of Failure, Joyfear & The Dog

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown own your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”—One can derive the life lessons that can only come from trying, failing, learning, and trying again. This is the epitome of having no fear of failure. ~Steve Jobs

The Fear of Failure

Unless you are living under a rock and have been for a long time you know about Apple products and the raging success they have made on our digital market, from music to computing. We have Steve Jobs to thank for that. Well, him and a bunch of people that worked with him. But he was one to stand up and talk about failure and how he chose to use it as a catalyst to success.

Fear is the base for the probability of failure in our minds’. It is the biggest thief of our dreams, our passions and becoming our best selves. It is even the base of disappointment in our besties including dogs.

Fear is a safe place to hide out. It is the reason we don’t get what we want out of life and only talk about what we are going to do some day soon. Fear makes sure that everything stays the same. Fear sucks.

Is Fear Defining Who You Are?  How you React to the Situation of Life Everyday?

Do you listen to the drone of others telling you… “not a good idea”, “you shouldn’t do that”, “you can’t do what you want to do it’s just not the way it is”, “life is difficult”.

Is it that it’s said enough, “you should be afraid”, that we believe it?

And then we repeatedly say it to ourselves. Unconsciously. I am afraid to do something new. I am afraid to be who I am.

Something changes when adulthood shows up. When we were kids we believed we have the powers of SuperMan or Ms. Marvel.  For real.

We had plans to be an astronaut, a scientist, an artist, make the whole world a better place, the best teacher ever, a fireman. What is it that changes so drastically? What makes us afraid to be who we are, make our dreams reality, find our true passions?

What Fear Does

It steals who we are, what we do and how we act.

It changes the face of our own dogs, who by nature are very in the moment. In fact if you have a dog that suffers from fear aggression or separation anxiety it’s time to take a look at what is going on in your own life. Yes, of course seeking a professional dog trainer’s help this case is high recommended, but….

Consider the fear is projected from your words, your actions, all that you comes with you upon entering a room.

Joyfear*

original word creator: Leo Babauta at ZenHabits

Recognize fear in the moment and start rewriting your story right then. Write it down. What are the reasons you have fear around it? You’ll start seeing a pattern or big fat ugly excuses.

Begin the transformation to joy.  Take your fear and create joy.  Joyfear.  Really, like love and hate, it’s a fine line.

When it comes to the dog… well they can’t write their own fears down but if you should be dealing with this issue, look at all that is around when the fear happens and then come up with three things you could do to change the picture for your dog. *Note, an easier project when understanding how dogs think and learn.

You have the control panel to change the fear in your life. It’s starts with recognizing that it exists and every time it jumps up and rears it’s ugly face, think differently.

“What if I let myself enjoy this moment? How can I appreciate myself and take action in a new way today? What is good around me, and how can I contribute to it?”

“What steps can I take to feel calm? To write the book I’ve dreamed of? To move from the city to a quieter more serene life? To move to New York city? To become a (fill in the blank)?

Take This Fear and Shove It

My friend and colleague Tess Marshall has written and teaches a course called “Take This Fear and Shove It”. If any of this resonated with you check it out. It could just be the start of your dreams come true.

If you do have a dog with fear issues, it is worth having a clearer understanding of your own fear. The picture will be much brighter when it comes to communicating calm to your dog and ultimately when it comes to your own daily habits.

Jt Clough lives In Kailua Kona on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a habits coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.

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