Nutrition and Health Information for you and your pet

This is a new topic and it will be ongoing.  I will be adding information about healing foods, herbs, nutrition, and health products for both you and your pets.

Most do not realize that our pets enjoy and benefit from the same healthy foods and herbs that we humans do, although you do need to follow some common sense here.  Have you ever fed your dog carrots, broccoli, or green beans?  They love them!  Have you ever seen your dog or cat eat grass when it's stomach is upset?  Animals instinctively know grass contains constituents that aid in indigestion and calm the stomach.

Like I said, Mother Earth provides all that we need to keep ourselves healthy.  That goes for all of her creatures, big and small.  Knowing this I also use alternative health therapies, herbs, and "super foods" for my huskies.  They are healthy, happy, alert.  I can thank Dr. D, (Craig Dvorkian) for this.  He helped to educate me in this area, as did White Wolf.  I will be sharing some of this knowledge with you. 

• Your Huskies Health!
• 5-22-2007 FDA Pet Food Recall Update!
• Is your pet being poisoned by the food it eats?
• Goji Berries
• An Ancient Account of the Goji Berry
• Growing your own Goji plants from seeds
• To Order Goji berries, seeds, seedlings, plants

Your Huskies Health! In it's natural habitat, huskies primary diet consists of salmon.  Huskies have never had an incidence of salmonella poisoning from eating raw fish.  Huskies can be prone to zinc deficiencies, especially when under stress, reach puberty, are in heat, pregnant, or nursing.  Huskies do not store Zinc like other dogs do so it is important that the diet that you chose for your Husky provides the zinc that it needs.  Liver, salmon, and lamb are all good sources of zinc.  You can also supplement your huskies diet with Pet Tab Plus or another good pet vitamin.  I purchase my pet vitamins (Super Pet Vites) from Puritan's pride online because they constantly have specials where you get a bottle free for each 2 that you buy.  *Be sure you get the vitamins with the added miinerals. The first signs of a zinc deficency are dry scaly skin and scabs around the eyes, mouth and ears.  The hair easily falls out if you pull on it.  If you suspect a zinc deficiency a blood test should be performed by your vet.  My philosophy is the best cure is an ounce of prevention and this starts by education.  I hope that this information helps you understand the need for a proper diet for the health and well being of your Siberian Husky.  Please do not hesitate to email me if you have additional questions regarding your huskies dietary needs.

5-22-2007 FDA Pet Food Recall Update! The FDA continues its investigation to ensure that all of the contaminated wheat gluten has been identified and contained. While the FDA further investigates how melamine was introduced into a historically safe and good food ingredient, it is suspected that the melamine contamination may have been caused by tampering. 80% of the U.S. demand for wheat gluten is fulfilled from Europe and Asia due to limited supplies in the U.S., where the remaining 20% is sourced. If the contamination was intentional (and slipped through the cracks at FDA,) what other food products might have also gotten by the FDA inspectors? This is some pretty scary stuff people. Think about it.

Is your pet being poisoned by the food it eats? By now most have heard that pets are dying from pet food contaminates from Chinese shipments to the US that were sold to pet food manufacturers. FDA laboratories have found a substance called melamine in samples of pet food and in the wheat gluten used as an ingredient in the pet food. Melamine is a small, nitrogen-containing molecule that has a number of industrial uses, including as an industrial binding agent, flame retardant and as part of a polymer in the manufacture of cooking utensils and plates. Melamine has additionally been used as a fertilizer in some parts of the world. It is not registered for use as a fertilizer in the United States. For more information on the FDA studies click on the links below: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/MenuFoodRecallFAQ.htm http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html A full list of the pet foods on the recall list can be found at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/#Dog As I went through the list I (and to my horror,) I found my dog food brands were listed. Chicken Soup puppy food is on that list as is Diamond Lamb and Rice Formula. I know that several of those that have purchased pups from me feed their Huskies this food, so please, if your dog shows symptoms of illness, take it to your vet and have it tested for Melamine poisoning. Your pets life may depend on it.

Goji Berries Having studied Native American, Chinese, and Western herbs, I learned that the Chinese are much more advanced in this area than we from the Western world are.  Once in awhile an herb is discovered, or surfaces that we know little about, even though the Chinese have been using (and curing,) with these herbs for hundreds of years.  Just recently such an herb was discovered by Dr. Mindell.  It is known to us as the Goji berry.  Although we still do not know a lot about it, clinical studies and testimonials about this rare berry are phenominal.  Goji berries origin is Ningxia, China.  They are nutritionally rich, containing beta-carotene, Vitamins C, B1, B2 and other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.  They are good for nourishing lung and liver, improving eye-sight, nourishing blood.  It increases energy levels, helps aid those suffering from back pain, ringing in the ear, internal heat, poor eyesight,  blood deficiency..etc.  It is said to have cured some cancers.  It is good for chronic and reoccurring skin conditions, and the list goes on.  After doing a lot of studies on this remarkable berry, I learned that it not only benefits humans, but benefits our pets as well.  I found this to be true as I fed it to two of my nursing huskies.  I will tell you, they absolutely love Goji berries. Huskies are not able to store zinc, as other animals do.  Because of this they are susceptible to zinc deficiencies, especially when they enter puberty, become pregnant, are nursing, or another illness depletes their system of vitamins and nutrients. One of my young females who was pregnant came down with a horrible rash around her eyes, mouth and in her ears as a result of zinc deficiency.  I read that Goji berries were a great aid in healing skin conditions.  They are full of vitamins and nutrients, moreso than any other natural food source.  I started feeding her a handful of Goji berries daily.  Within a couple of days the rash quit spreading.  By the end of a week the rash was almost completely healed.  My huskies and I are now taking Goji berries daily as they are known to increase energy levels and aid in longevity.  They are indeed classified as "super foods," are organic and a natural food and some are calling it the fountain of youth.  Eating these berries actually makes you feel and look better.  Testimonials from those who have taken them over a period of time state they no longer get sick!  I don't know about you, but I find that in itself amazing.

An Ancient Account of the Goji Berry Amazed at the magic of the Goji Herb, the merchant bowed to the lady with respect and asked, "May I be so bold as to ask the lady what type of magical herb do you posses?" The lady replied, “This herb has five names. You want to take a different part of the herb each season. In Spring you take its Leaves, which is known as the Essence of Heaven. In Summer you take its Flowers, which is known as the Longevity of Life. In Autumn you take its Fruits, which is known as Chinese Wolfberry. In Winter you take the Bark of its Roots, which is known as the Skin and Bone of the Earth, or the Staff of the Almighty Creator. Taking these Four Parts in the Four Seasons respectively, will give you a life as lofty as Heaven and Earth."

Growing your own Goji plants from seeds Now the best way to beat the high prices of Goji berries is to plant your own seeds.  Find a good, reliable, trustworthy source to buy your seeds or berries from.  An alternative is  buy plants from reputable growers and we have these available too.  I have found out first hand that seedlings do not fare well in shipping.  It is best to spend a little extra and get 18 - 24" plants, unless you have a local source that you can buy the seedlings from direct. I have written an article and published it on our family blog on how to grow Goji plants from seeds because I found out that a lot of the information you read on the web regarding seeds (berries or pods,) is a lot of hype.  Keep in mind they are trying to convince you to buy from them so their marketing strategy is to knock the competition. Do your own research and talk to to others who have had success growing the Lycium Eleagnus Barbarum plants.  These plants are actually quite hardy and grow easiy to grow.  To see the article go to: http://hamannfamily.blogspot.com/2007/04/growing-your-own-goji-plants-from-seeds.html If you would like to comment or have questions please feel free to e-mail me.

To Order Goji berries, seeds, seedlings, plants We are growing our own Lycium Eleagnus Barbarum so that we will always have a constant, fresh supply of Goji berries on hand.  We offer seeds, seedlings, and plants to the public. For more information on availability and pricing please do not hesitate to contact me. You can use the links to the right to order Goji berries.  I have 2 sources, one for Certified, wild crafted, USDA approved Tibetan Goji Berries and the other, also Tibetan berries,  for our overseas clients.  Both berries are true Himalayan Goji berries. Thank you for your interest.