Go Green For Your Pets

These are my pups, Ziggy (right) and Zoey (left). I'm a Pitbull mom and I love my dogs as if they were my kids (yes, I'm a crazy dog lady). Zoey is a pure-bred pit and Ziggy is a pitbull, German Shepard, Irish wolfhound mix. These two loveable dogs are 2 and 3 years in age and have A LOT of energy. Believe it or not, they share the same mother. Wonderful that brother and sister get to live together but unfortunate that they also share momma's bad skin. Nothing makes me more upset than my two babies being in pain or discomfort, so you can imagine my reaction when I see them scratching and biting their skin to the point of bleeding. Summer months are their favorite time to run and play but winter is always the worst. Many dogs will suffer from dry, itchy skin in the winter due to drop in temperature, low humidity, and forced central heat in the home. Just like humans, dogs need special treatment in the hard winter months. The question is; How can you help your dog(s)? You will find my own personal remedies later in this post. But first, let's talk about keeping those babies warm!

To keep my dogs happy, healthy, and warm I have a few DIY projects that have brought great results as well as a few effective and cheap products to buy. Zoey has always been the one that nuzzles under the covers with you to cuddle for warmth. I never mind it but I worried about how she stayed warm while I wasn't home. I have a big house that doesn't exactly stay as warm as I'd like on those below zero days. My mother used to use these heating plates for our cats when I was a kid but most of those products are very expensive. I search all over for something cheap that wasn't electric so the dogs don't some how break the wires or get hurt. After all my online searching I found chewy.com. This site offers a wide variety of pet supplies, including a Self-Warming Crate Pad. It works by taking in the pet's body heat and radiating it back to keep them warm. The fabric is micro fleece so it is soft and comfortable, not to mention super easy to clean. I purchased one for Zoey and she loves it! I lay it on her dog bed and she's usually sprawled out on it when I come home. I still leave a blanket for her, just in case, but she's no longer shivering and sad when I get home.

Ziggy is my more warm blooded pup. He doesn't usually need a blanket or heating pad to stay warm inside. I usually find him laying by the window and the air vent, getting that cycle of cool and warm air. When I let him outside is when things get too cold for him with a yard full of snow. We all use coats, scarves, gloves, hats, and boots in the winter right? So who's to say our dogs don't need these things to? Ziggy loves playing in the snow, like many big dogs do, but you can tell he freezes a bit because he's over the snow within minutes. I may not be able to get him to wear booties but he certainly loves wearing an extra coat for warmth. He's one of those dogs that takes forever to pick a spot to do his business. To keep him warm, I take my old hoodies and make them a perfect fit for the pups. It keeps them warmer when they need to take some extra time outside and gives this Pit Mom a bit more reassurance that they aren't freezing.

Now let's get back to helping all those pups out there with dry, itchy skin. All dogs are different and you should always consult your vet first before using a home remedy. Like humans, dogs can have all types of allergies. If your vet lets you know those dry spots are nothing more than winter weather results, then try this homemade oatmeal shampoo recipe. I have found it to be cheap and effective for both my pups.

Recipe: 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 1 quart warm water.

Be sure to grind the oatmeal into a flour powder, using a food processor or even a coffee grinder. Stir the ground oatmeal in with the baking soda and then add warm water until everything is nicely mixed. When you are ready to use it, get your pup in the tub and wet him/her down before applying the shampoo mix. Once your dog is nice and lathered, let it sit for about 5 minutes and then rinse. Be sure to dry your dog after so they aren't too cold after the bath. I usually wrap these big babies in a fresh towel after drying and snuggle up on the couch until I know they are dry and warm. Other ways you can help your dogs skin is by using coconut oil (organic extra virgin coconut oil). You can apply it topically (straight to the skin) or by mouth. Here's a few facts:

Coconut oil is rich with fatty acids that help to keep skin moisturized and also create a protective barrier. This type of oil has many health, antiviral, and antibacterial properties for humans and pets. The main acid responsible for the health benefits is called lauric acid, which is also found in breast milk. This tells us that it is safe and natural for pets to use.

Application:

To apply topically, get a nice amount in your hands and massage it into your pet's coat. The oil will immediately begin soaking into the skin, helping the dry, itchy feeling. To treat your dogs by mouth you will first need to know their weight. Dogs 10lbs. or less should be given 1/4 teaspoons per day for two weeks. Dogs 30lbs. or more can be given 1 tablespoon per day for two weeks. If you are treating your dogs by mouth, the oil will help the problem from the inside out, creating a healthier coat.

My lesson for you today is to be careful and pay attention to your pet's needs. Always check with a vet first and if it is nothing too serious, try natural home remedies before a store bought medication. We never really know what some medications will do to us, so we need to be cautious about medication with our pets. I prefer all natural remedies for myself so I will always stick with natural remedies for my babies. Going green for your pets is a great idea to try and I'm sure they will thank you for it!

Be sure to watch for my future pet posts: Homemade dogs treats/food, homemade dog beds, and other homemade natural pet remedies.

Clean Eating on a Budget

            I’m a college student with a busy life. I struggle every day to pay the bills and still feed myself. Minimum wage isn’t exactly ideal so when it comes to budgeting, it’s all about having a system. The dreaded fast food industry has taken my money for the last time.

 Nothing about processed foods is healthy for you. Taking a nutrition course in college was probably the best thing I ever did for myself. I am learning healthy living habits that I can easily practice every day. One of the things I have been focusing on is clean eating. Below, you will see what I WANT my fridge to look like. Unfortunately, this is not the case…

This hippie child loves eating a vegetarian diet. Where do I get protein? My answer to you is beans, nuts, and seafood. If you visit choosemyplate.gov you can easily find a meal plan that works for you. After using this site in my nutrition class, it has been easier for me to set goals. I have a set grocery list that I now follow: 

I’m one of those girls who are addicted to Pinterest. It has helped me find fun vegetarian recipes to follow. There is something new for me to try every day so I don’t fall into a boring routine and break my healthy habits. If you don’t have a Pinterest and you love to cook, my advice is to give it a try. By following this new diet, I have lost 15 lbs. within a span of 2 weeks. There is nothing more exciting than getting on that scale and seeing the number lower than it was before.

So how do I manage to budget for healthy foods? My way might not be for everyone but it certainly helps me. Whenever I have cash on me I take out every $5 bill that I have. I put them away in a jar and at the end of my 2 week plan I have a decent amount set aside for groceries. I constantly check for coupons and sales at multiple stores. Making a plan that fits you makes it so much easier to reach your goals.

Now that my body feels good, so does my mind. I stress less about money and have more energy for my day. If you are like me and are constantly on the run, it might be a good idea to pre-make meals. I portion out meals for an entire week every Sunday night. This helps me to grab and go rather than waste time when I’m already running late.

Something I strive for is all organic foods. Shopping at the Farmer’s Market or stopping at a local farm that sells its produce are great places to find organic foods. These places can provide foods that have not been exposed to countless chemicals and hormones. If the food is exposed to chemicals, that means we take it all in when we eat. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the sound of that. Clean eating doesn’t have to be something that comes from Walmart or Kroger. In my experience, a lot of booths at a Farmer’s Market offer cheaper prices than a grocery store. This is super beneficial to my strict budget. 

Clean eating doesn’t mean cutting out snacks. I have found plenty of recipes that satisfy my sweet tooth without eating junk. One thing that I really love is frozen grapes. You put them in a plastic bag so they don’t dry out and leave them in the freezer until frozen. It is a perfect substitute for sugary popsicles.  If you love potato chips, I have a substitute for that too. Slice an apple into thin pieces and bake them for 2 hours at 200F. After the first hour you will want to flip the slices so that both sides get crispy. Let them cool and prepare for a sweet treat. Instead of paying for the pricey store brands, you can simply make them at home with your favorite kind of apples.

Cutting out sugary drinks has done my body wonders. I constantly carry a water bottle with me so that I can keep myself from having an empty stomach. This helps me stay away from binge eating. I let myself have one coffee or soda a day and stock my cupboard with different types of tea. At the moment, I have 12 different flavors of tea. I might add a small amount of honey from time to time but I stray from too much sugar. Water has been a crucial part of my weight loss. They say you should get at least 8 glasses of water a day. By carrying a refillable bottle with you, it is easy to reach that goal.

Figure out a goal, set a budget, and make a plan that you can stick with. This college girl has really turned her life around just by changing eating habits. Clean eating has made me happier and healthier. Hopefully my experiences can help you too.

Namaste.