Food for Thought: The Humble Potato
Potatoes are considered to be one of the most important foods in the world. They provide a good source of Vitamins B3 and B6, Vitamin C, Potassium, Iron, Copper and Fiber. Significant quantities of manganese, molybdenum, chromium and selenium can be found just beneath the potato’s skin.
Rebecca Wood’s New Whole Foods Encyclopedia notes that potatoes have a number of medicinal properties, including being anti-inflammatory (except in some arthritic conditions), as well as being able to neutralize body acids and benefit stomach ulcers.
In Ayurvedic medicine, potatoes are considered ‘beneficial in function for the spleen-pancreas and reduce Pitta and Kapha.’ In Traditional Chinese Medicine, potatoes are considered neutral, with a propensity for the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians. Potatoes calm and heal the digestive mucosa as well as work as an antispasmodic, diuretic and emollient.
This seemingly trivial vegetable helps to fight against toxins and due to its rich potassium content it helps to eliminate uric acid.
Potatoes have been associated with some adverse publicity in the past due to their content of glycoalkaloids. These nerve toxins can develop in the stems, shoots and green parts of the skin of potatoes that are improperly stored and where the skin is subjected to excessive or prolonged exposure to light. The shoots and green parts of potatoes should not be consumed by people or animals for this reason and should be removed before serving.
Sacred Seed – Quinoa
Quinoa -pronounced (keen-wah), was originally revered as a sacred food by the Incans of South America. It is a protein and nutrient- packed food, considered a grain by some, but not a true grain. It is actually a grass-less seed. For trade commodity purposes the USDA categorizes this into the grain category for import/export. Quinoa is actually more closely related to beets, spinach. It’s seeds are very high in protein (12-18%), containing a balanced set of amino acids. Quinoa also contains good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron and is gluten free.
Our Certified Organic, Fair-Trade Quinoa is grown in Bolivia, South America – the land that’s famous for this amazing ancient grain. Our Quinoa is sourced from more than 1000 small, indigenous family farms to provide the families with a valuable, fair-trade income. Read about all our ingredients here. To learn about how our quinoa is planted, cultivated and harvested by hand in Bolivia, please watch the following video clip.
Quinoa is found in our Thrive recipe, a gluten-free, low carbohydrate dog food. Thrive is ideal for sensitive dogs who need gluten-free dog food but with a little grain, to help maintain a healthy body weight. Thrive is a very minimalist, nourishing diet which is also recommended for dogs with sensitivities: It contains NO fruits, potatoes or flax. Suitable for all life stages; puppies, pregnancy, lactation, active adult dogs & healthy seniors. Thrive is naturally low-carb, with about 39% carbohydrates. Low carb diets are often indicated as part of a holistic approach to cancer recovery.
The Honest Kitchen Launches two new Herbal Teas for Pets
Producer of dehydrated whole foods for pets unveils two new tea formulations for urinary tract health, and combating anxiety in dogs and cats.
San Diego, Calif. (June 23, 2011) The Honest Kitchen today announced the launch two new herbal teas for pets to complement its existing Lithe Tea™, and expand the company’s supplement offerings – Easy Peesy Tea™, for urinary tract health, and Quiet Tea™, to promote calmness.
Easy Peesy Tea™ contains human-grade Horsetail, Cleavers, Couch grass, Nettle and Marshmallow root. It’s intended to help support normal healthy functioning of the urinary tract, including bladder control and the alleviation of urinary irritation. It’s suitable for both dogs and cats.
Quiet Tea™ is made from human-grade Oatstraw, Chamomile, Passionflower, Skullcap and Valerian root. It’s designed to help promote calmness and alleviate anxiety, tension and excitability during stressful or over-stimulating situations for both dogs and cats. It’s particularly suited to combat separation anxiety, and anxiousness when traveling or during thunderstorms.
The new teas join Lithe Tea™, the country’s first ever herbal tea for pets, which is intended to support joint health and mobility in dogs.
“Our herbal teas can be prepared similarly to loose-leaf tea. Pet owners measure the recommended quantity of herbs, steep in hot water for five to ten minutes and strain if desired. The tea can be served alone, added to our dehydrated whole foods, or mixed with Ice Pups™ liquid treat, twice daily,” stated Laurette Lamontagne, the company’s Director of Operations and resident herbalist. “Steeping these herbs in hot water really helps to release the medicinal properties,” she continued.
In addition, the company is re-launching its popular line of three existing nutritional herbal supplements in brand new, beautifully designed packaging. The eco-friendly, recyclable steel canisters feature a custom, hand-drawn botanical illustration which showcases the herbs and whole foods used in the supplement.
The teas and supplements will be available for purchase through The Honest Kitchen’s online store July 7, 2011, and in more than two thousand pet specialty stores nationwide, as well as in some holistic vet offices, and select Whole Foods stores in late July.
Images
Teas Group Shot
Supplement Group Shot
Quiet Tea
Easy Peesy Tea
Lithe Tea
About The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen produces a line of dehydrated human-grade whole foods for dogs and cats, which are made with love in a human food facility (not in a pet food plant) for the highest possible quality standards. Dehydration is a gentle technique that removes only the moisture and retains most natural nutrients found in raw, whole foods. The private, family-owned company is based in San Diego CA. The Honest Kitchen’s products are developed with uncompromising attention to detail, by a company of pet lovers with a passion for food.
For more information, please visit www.TheHonestKitchen.com.
Praise for Prowl
We recently received a great email from a veterinarian in Ottawa, Canada, that we wished to share with all of you! Thank you, Dr. Auger!
“Just thought I would drop a line to tell you how impressed I am with your Feline product “Prowl”.
“One of my Traditional Chinese Herbal medicine clients told me about your product a few months ago. I have been treating her 17 year old Bichon naturally for the last 6 months and have had great success improving the dog’s quality of life and I recommended a raw or homecooked diet to her. After searching some of the local stores, she came across your dehydrated raw products. The dog’s activity level and overall condition inproved greatly when she switched over to your product while also on my herbal therapies. I was so impressed that I looked into your products and decided to put my cats (10 year old and 1 year old) on “prowl”. After a few days of transition I am pleased to report they are BOTH doing very well on the product and both Love the taste.”
“I have seen dramatic improvement in both my cats, to the point that I am now recommending your products to my clients, but in particular my Traditional Chinese Herbal Clients. I am also recommending it to my ferret owners as well.”
“I am a co-owner of an integrative small animal clinic in Ottawa, Canada and our views of nutrition mesh well with your products and philosophies.”
“I’m thinking of starting my Akita on your products as well. She’s currently on a grain free, low-carb high protein food but with her weight, going to strict raw would be cumbersome.”
“Keep Up The GREAT work !!”
Dr. Daren Auger DVM CVCHM
Ottawa, Canada
I had to let you know that my dogs LOVE the Thrive food. I am gradually making the change, but they have NEVER eaten their food with such vigor and gusto. They just LOVE this food. And, the best part is, even with just the small amount they are eating right now, their stools have totally improved. No more mushy stools. I am so happy I cannot tell you. Thank you so much for a wonderful food for my babies. I will be talking to all of my doggy friends about it. Everyone should be on this food.
I had to let you know that my dogs LOVE the Thrive food. I am gradually making the change, but they have NEVER eaten their food with such vigor and gusto. They just LOVE this food. And, the best part is, even with just the small amount they are eating right now, their stools have totally improved. No more mushy stools. I am so happy I cannot tell you. Thank you so much for a wonderful food for my babies. I will be talking to all of my doggy friends about it. Everyone should be on this food.
- Audrey
