Quick Meal Idea

It's summertime! Because of that we need quick meals, so that we can get back out the door to have fun in the sun!  Here is a great one for any time of the day and it's healthy to boot!  You can modify it with other ingredients as you wish!  Smoothies are of our own creation. Just remember that the basic ingredients to make it work are the ice, water and/or milk, bananas and/or yogurt.  Add the fruit and for sure the spinach to make it healthier!  

Go for it!

No Bake Energy Bites

Here is another great recipe!  This one was shared on Facebook from Budget101.

Tip from Budget 101:  You can also roll them in powdered coconut flakes (just pulse dried coconut in a blender) to keep them from being sticky.

Take time to be healthy. Instead of reaching for really "bad for you" snacks, make some of these and keep them in the refrigerator to grab instead of other naughty treats!   

From: 

Pet Myth #1

I am always trying to feed my pets what is the best for them, so when I saw this article via Organic Gardening I had to share it!

Pet Myths Debunked

Get the facts straight to keep your pet safe. 

Recent dog food and treat recalls may have you thinking a bit more not only about what's on your plate, but what's in your dog's bowl, too. After all, pets are part of the family, and we want to keep them healthy. So we (Organic Gardening) invited Shelly Rubin, VMD, director emeritus of Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago and past president of the Illinois State Veterinary Association, to debunk common pet myths so we can keep our furry friends safe and healthy. (Rubin also served as veterinarian to Oprah's dogs for 15 years!)

 Myth #1: Table scraps are good for dogs. The reality: With the dog treat recall and past dog food scandals, such as the melamine-tainted food that killed thousands of pets in 2007, it might seem that people food could be a better choice for your animal companions. But Dr. Rubin warns against going there, because our animals' health improves when they receive a consistent source of fat, protein, and carbohydrates—and that's not how human diets generally work. 

He recommends a high-quality natural food, such as the Wellness and Holistic Selectbrands. Other good options include Organix, a high-quality pet-food line that's certified organic; Annameat is also a high-quality, made-in-the-USA dog food that doesn't source ingredients from China. 

Be sure to feed your dog appropriate portions of a high-quality food twice a day, as opposed to letting food sit out in a bowl all day. And forget about doling out excess treats—the majority of America's pets are already obese. "Show love with petting and attention rather than feeding them," says Dr. Rubin. 

Healthy dog treats include baby carrots, cauliflower, cut-up apple pieces, lettuce, pear pieces, and even watermelon (just don't give them the seeds, and avoid produce that has a stringy texture—it could cause digestive distress and get stuck in their teeth). 

Also, never feed dogs grapes or raisins because they often cause canine renal failure. Avocado pits are also extremely toxic to dogs.