Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Best Way to Feed Your Dog


What are you feeding your dog? - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}What are you feeding your dog?

Is it the typical dead, crunchy kibble that is so popular? Kibble can be to dogs what fast food is to humans - it is convenient but not so healthy. No animal will thrive at its full potential if given the wrong food. Just like us, our pets are made up of living cells, and they need LIVING FOOD to nourish those cells!

While humans are meant to be herbivores, our dogs are meant to be omnivores. The chart below shows just a few examples of the differences between carnivores / omnivores vs herbivores.

The best food for dogs is a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet. This diet consists of raw meats, finely ground raw bones, fruits and vegetables.

Most commercial dog foods contain large amounts of grains, fillers, chemicals and by-products. Dogs can not utilize these ingredients and the empty calories lead to obesity and other health problems. Dogs digest moisture through their intestines so even with fresh water available, kibble can lead to dehydration and urinary tract problems.

Carnivores / Omnivores Herbivores
Long, sharp teeth capable of capturing prey Flat molars for chewing
Claws capable of hunting and trapping prey Hands for picking fruit and harvesting vegetables
Intestines are 3-6 times length of body Intestines are 10-12 times length of body
Smooth intestines shaped like a pipe to allow meat to pass through quickly Bumpy, winding intestines to allow plant foods to pass through slowly for optimal nutrient absorption
Jaw moves up and down to rip and tear flesh and swallow it whole Jaw moves side to side and front to back, good for chewing and grinding
Stronger stomach acidity to break down animal flesh and kill viruses present in the meat Stomach acidity not capable of killing viruses such as E. Coli and salmonella.
Eat up to 25% of their weight at a time Humans can not eat a 40-pound steak...

Raw bones are very good for your dog and much safer than cooked bones which tend to splinter. Chewing on raw bones will keep your dog's teeth white and greatly reduce any halitosis.

You can start feeding your dog raw with either dehydrated meals or frozen meals. You will need to look online to see where they are available near you or you can order online in most cases. Feeding your dog raw foods will look like the cost is much greater. But, the food lasts longer than the typical dog food. With Sojo's, for example, one pound of food makes approximately five founds of fresh, raw dog food once it is re-hydrated. You also give less food to your dog because there are no fillers. You are just giving your pet high-quality, nutrition-filled food.

Here are some great raw foods for your dog. There are several varieties available. This is just a sample of what is offered. (Be sure to get the grain free varieties)

Sojo's
Complete
The Honest Kitchen
Force
Primal Pet Foods
Canine Chicken Formula
BARF
Juicy Chicken Recipe
Sojos Complete
The Honest Kitchen
Primal
BARF
Raw, Dehydrated
Raw, Dehydrated
Raw, Frozen
Raw, Frozen
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, USDA turkey, whole egg, broccoli, celery, apples, flax meal, pecans, tricalcium phosphate, pumpkin, cranberries, basil, dried alfalfa, ginger root, dried kelp, zinc sulfate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin D3 Ingredients: Dehydrated free-range chicken, organic flaxseed, potatoes, celery, sweet potatoes, apples, alfalfa, organic kelp, honey, zucchini, green beans, cabbage, bananas, papayas, basil, garlic, rosemary, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate. Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Necks, Ground Chicken Bones, Chicken Hearts, Organic Kale, Organic Carrots, Organic Yams, Chicken Livers, Organic Broccoli, Organic Apples, Organic Ground Flaxseed, Cranberries, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Parsley, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Kelp, Alfalfa, Mixed Tocopherols (source of vitamin E). Ingredients: Chicken, Finely Ground Bones, Chicken Liver, Egg, Broccoli, Celery, Spinach, Carrot, Ground Flax Seed, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Apple, Pear, Grapefruit, Orange, Dried Kelp, Cayenne Pepper, Cod Liver Oil, Garlic, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide
sojos.com thehonestkitchen.com primalpetfoods.com barfworld.com

Most of these brands can also be ordered on a convenient website, www.petflow.com. On PetFlow you can place your order online and have the food shipped right to your door. You can even set up an auto-delivery schedule that fits your needs! This is the option that I use because the closest store that sells healthy dog food is 45 minutes away. Now, Jesse's food is delivered to our door and we pay the same amount we did at the store (including shiping) and now we don't have to pay for the gas.


Jesse - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}Jesse - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}Meet my dog, Jesse. He is a rescue dog and was obviously neglected and very hungry. When we first got him, we fed him regular dog food because we didn't know any better. He had some apparent reactions to the corn that was in the foods. After doing some research, we found out about feeding him raw foods. We knew raw food was what humans needed, but hadn't put two and two together yet!

We started feeding him Sojo's Complete and The Honest Kitchen. We switched back and forth between the two but decided on Sojo's Complete because the chunks are bigger. We also give him "table scraps" - but our table scraps are healthy ones! When I am preparing our meal, I will toss him pieces of tomatoes, apples, carrots, the crunchy part of romaine lettuce, zucchini, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, and even kale and collard stems! He loves it all! We have even caught Jesse sneaking some compost while we are juicing and stealing veggies from our garden!!!

Jesse - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}After switching Jesse to a raw food diet, all of his digestive issues went away! He is full of energy and the vet commented on how healthy his teeth and coat are. He loves to run and play and get out all of his energy. He is one healthy dog!



SOURCES:
http://www.vetinfo.com/dogs-eat-naturally.html
http://www.longliveyourdog.com/careguide/carebehavior/carebehaviorcanine/TheDietofWildDogs.aspx

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Brussels Sprouts Salad

Ok, here is a new one for you: RAW Brussels Sprouts! Brussels Sprouts are one of those vegetables that most people cringe at the thought of. That is because most people cook them to death!

Brussels Sprouts are part of the cabbage family and contain sulfur compounds that become increasingly pungent the longer they are cooked. Overcooking causes them to lose their nutritional value and emit the unpleasant sulfur smell. Eating them raw allows you to benefit from the full nutritional value and avoid the stink bomb.

Another tip for tasty Brussels Sprouts is to chop off the ends and discard any leaves that easily fall off.

Adding even more to the tastiness of this salad is the knowledge of how healthy it is. Brussels Sprouts:
  • are high in fiber
  • help lower bad cholesterol
  • are loaded with antioxidant ingredients such as Vitamins C, E and A and Manganese
  • help fight inflammation in the body
  • can aid in digestion, prevent constipation and maintain low blood sugar
  • are high in Vitamin K which promotes healthy bones and is essential for proper brain and nerve function
Brussels Sprouts Salad - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}

Brussels Sprouts Salad

By Maddy Miller
Serves 6-8
 
6 cups Brussels’ sprouts, cut bottoms off, shred sprouts
¼ tsp Celtic sea salt
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
½ lemon, squeezed
½ Tbsp black strap molasses
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup walnuts
¼ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup Vegenaise or more to taste
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard or more to taste
1 cup raisins

Mix together in a bowl.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Holiday Sweet Potato Slaw

Raw sweet potato? Who knew that you could eat raw sweet potato??? This sweet potato slaw is a delicious salad that everyone will enjoy! It is better than the best carrot salad you have ever eaten and even those who don't like sweet potatoes love this salad!

Let me tell you a story of a man who joined us for lunch one day. He had gone back for three helpings of this salad. He was loving it! After finishing off his third helping he started filling his plate with number four while telling us that this was "the best carrot salad I have ever eaten!" We politely told him that it was sweet potato, not carrot.

He looked at his wife with daggers in his eyes and said, "You know I hate sweet potatoes!!!" He then pushed his plate away and would not finish the dish that he so clearly enjoyed.

This goes to show the power of the mind. We need to look at raw food with an open mind and realize that foods we have disliked in the past can actually taste good! I hope this story has encouraged you to try this unique dish. You will not be disappointed!!!

Holiday Sweet Potato Slaw - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}


Holiday Sweet Potato Slaw

3 cups sweet potatoes, raw
1 medium sweet apple
1 cup fresh pineapple tidbits
½ cup pecans, chopped
¼ cup organic raisins

Dressing:
½ cup Vegenaise
1-2 Tbsp raw unfiltered honey
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest

With the shredding blade, process sweet potatoes and apples in the food processor.

In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, apple, pineapple, raisins and pecans and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth. Combine with salad ingredients and mix well.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Kale with Curry and Bruschetta

Kale is a powerhouse of nutrition. It can help to lower cholesterol, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and is one of the healthiest vegetables there is. Check out the nutrient content in just one cup of kale!

Nutrients in Kale (from whfoods.org)

Kale with Curry and Bruchetta is a tasty salad that makes it easy to enjoy this nutrient-packed vegetable. The key to making this salad delicious is in massaging the kale. You may think, "Massaging is for people not for food," but rubbing the dressing into the kale helps to break it down some and make it nice and tender.You want to rub deeply until the kale has shrunk to about half its original volume.

Another great benefit of this salad is that if you make too much, you can dehydrate the leftovers! Everyone is always looking for a healthy snack and this is a great one! Just put your leftover salad into a dehydrator (we use the Excalibur Dehydrator) at 105 degrees overnight. Check it in the morning and if it is crunchy it is done. If not, leave it in for a few more hours.
Kale with Curry and Bruschetta - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}

Kale with Curry and Bruschetta

By Sherry Orcutt
Serves: 6-8

Dressing:

2-3 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp. curry
1 Tbsp cumin
4 Medjool dates (remove pits)
½ cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
1 tsp. sea salt

3 bunches curly kale

Remove stems from kale and put in food processor. Chop until fine. Place in a bowl.

For dressing place garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, cumin curry and dates in blender and blend until smooth. Pour dressing over greens massaging dressing into greens and marinate for two hours.

Bruchetta

2 large tomatoes, diced
½ cup fresh basil, chopped
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp Splash
1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt

Toss all ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.

Add to salad just prior to serving and toss.

Avocado Reuben Sandwich

14-year-old Aaron Van Kirk created this appetizing sandwich to mimic the traditional Reuben sandwich. You would not believe how delightful it tastes. It is a hardy sandwich that satisfies even the largest of appetites.

At Hallelujah Acres, we recommend eating 85% raw and 15% cooked. Raw food is where we get our healing. Raw food has the living enzymes that our living body needs. Most of us are raised on 95-100% cooked foods so the cooked portion serves as our comfort food. Having foods that are similar to what we are familiar with is what helps us stick to eating right.

Aaron sets a great example for us all. No matter how much experience you have in the kitchen, YOU CAN DO THIS! Take some of your old favorites and convert them - just replace the unhealthy ingredients with healthy ones. You just have to have it set in your mind that you want to be healthy and you want to take care of your body (God's temple).
Avocado Reuben Sandwich - {Back to Eden Health Ministry}

Avocado Reuben Sandwich

By Aaron Van Kirk
Serves 6

12 slices whole grain bread or whole grain rye
6 tsp Dijon Mustard
3 haas avocados, sliced
3 cups sauerkraut
1 small onion, very thinly sliced

Thousand Island Dressing:

¼ cup Veganaise
1/8 tsp onion powder
1 pinch garlic powder
4 tsp sugar-free ketchup
1 pinch sea salt
2 ¼ tsp sweet pickle relish (opt)

Mix well.

Preheat skilled to about 300º - 325º.

Spread one slice of bread with the mustard, the other with Thousand Island Dressing. Place them, dry side down, in a lightly oiled skillet. Top one slice with avocado, the other with sauerkraut and onions. Over medium heat, grill until slightly brown and hot – approximately 5 minutes. Put the sandwich halves together, slice on the diagnonal and enjoy!

Note: For a whopper sandwich, use 3 pieces of bread, spreading the one in the middle, both sides with mustard; the other slices with dressing. Use an entire avocado per sandwich.

Welcome to Our New Blog!

Dave & Sherry Orcutt, Owners of the Hallelujah Acres Lifestyle Center in Plant City, FloridaWelcome to our new blog! Our mission is to provide support and reach people, one by one, in our churches, and in our community to educate, empower, and encourage them to take control of their health and bodies by offering hope in place of despair, God's peace rather than fear, and to get in balance; body, mind and spirit. We hope to improve quality of life so we can fulfill God's purpose for our lives.

We will be posting recipes, articles, testimonies and more so check back often!