a message from the honest kitchen
03/20/08
Spring is in the Air
Welcome!
The sun is shining and the office pups are acting like very happy bunnies! Could it be the top secret taste-testing they've been helping us out with, this week? (Did you know we humans taste everything ourselves, too - just one of the many assurances that our products Honestly are human grade.) Check out our Blog for More
This month’s newsletter has two exciting promotions, some valuable info on managing epilepsy – and a recipe that’s sure to tempt the taste-buds!
The sun is shining and the office pups are acting like very happy bunnies! Could it be the top secret taste-testing they've been helping us out with, this week? (Did you know we humans taste everything ourselves, too - just one of the many assurances that our products Honestly are human grade.) Check out our Blog for More
This month’s newsletter has two exciting promotions, some valuable info on managing epilepsy – and a recipe that’s sure to tempt the taste-buds!
Too Special!
First things first – The cats keep hounding us! We're pleased therefore to introduce new, lower pricing on our delicious grain-free Prowl Cat Food. Enjoy!
Why not simplify life! Did you know we offer an Auto-ship Program for online orders? This program is designed specifically for customers who order frequently in our online store. If you get the same items each time, you can sign up to receive it automatically once a month and free up your mind a little for important things, like cuddles with your pup!
We’re offering a free jar of cookies of your choice, with each recurring shipment order over $50 that is set up before March 30th. That means that your regular order of food will be sent to you each month - and every time, the shipment will include a jar of cookies as our gift to you! To sign up, simply email autoship@thehonestkitchen.com with your name, phone number, and a good time to reach you and a representative will call you to take care of the details.
Our second special this month is a 15% Discount off 4 lbs Thrive Dog Food. Thrive will be marked down in our online store thru April. Thrive is our gluten-free, low carbohydrate dog food.
This diet was designed to cater to dogs of all life stages including adults, puppies, pregnancy and nursing. 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 contains NO fruits, potatoes or flax!
Ingredients: Hormone-free Chicken, Organic Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Parsley, Organic Kelp, Rosemary, Vitamins and Minerals
First things first – The cats keep hounding us! We're pleased therefore to introduce new, lower pricing on our delicious grain-free Prowl Cat Food. Enjoy! Why not simplify life! Did you know we offer an Auto-ship Program for online orders? This program is designed specifically for customers who order frequently in our online store. If you get the same items each time, you can sign up to receive it automatically once a month and free up your mind a little for important things, like cuddles with your pup!
We’re offering a free jar of cookies of your choice, with each recurring shipment order over $50 that is set up before March 30th. That means that your regular order of food will be sent to you each month - and every time, the shipment will include a jar of cookies as our gift to you! To sign up, simply email autoship@thehonestkitchen.com with your name, phone number, and a good time to reach you and a representative will call you to take care of the details.
Our second special this month is a 15% Discount off 4 lbs Thrive Dog Food. Thrive will be marked down in our online store thru April. Thrive is our gluten-free, low carbohydrate dog food.
This diet was designed to cater to dogs of all life stages including adults, puppies, pregnancy and nursing. 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 contains NO fruits, potatoes or flax!
Ingredients: Hormone-free Chicken, Organic Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Parsley, Organic Kelp, Rosemary, Vitamins and Minerals
Giving Back
This month, we were proud to make several large charitable product donations to animal welfare and rescue organizations in California, Utah and Baja California, Mexico.
$8000 worth of food was sent to Best Friends Animal Society (click here to view their web site) in Utah. This renowned organization has taken possession of 22 of the dogs that were rescued recently from the estate of ex-NFL player Michael Vick, after he was arrested and charged with "conspiracy to engage in dog fighting in violation of the animal welfare act." Best Friends is home to about 2000 cats, dogs and other animals on any given day.
$7000 worth of food was sent to Baja Animal Sanctuary (to visit them online, click here) near Rosarito Beach, Mexico. This organization provides a safe haven for abused, starved and abandoned animals rescued form the streets of Mexico. Baja Sanctuary’s ultimate goal is to find each animal a permanent loving home, though some animals make the sanctuary their home for life.
$5000 worth of food was sent to Help For Pets (click here to find out more about them) in Alpine, California. This animal welfare group was formed as a network of foster homes in response to the overwhelming number of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats in the San Diego area. They help to place all types of needy pets into caring "forever" homes.
This month, we were proud to make several large charitable product donations to animal welfare and rescue organizations in California, Utah and Baja California, Mexico. $8000 worth of food was sent to Best Friends Animal Society (click here to view their web site) in Utah. This renowned organization has taken possession of 22 of the dogs that were rescued recently from the estate of ex-NFL player Michael Vick, after he was arrested and charged with "conspiracy to engage in dog fighting in violation of the animal welfare act." Best Friends is home to about 2000 cats, dogs and other animals on any given day.
$7000 worth of food was sent to Baja Animal Sanctuary (to visit them online, click here) near Rosarito Beach, Mexico. This organization provides a safe haven for abused, starved and abandoned animals rescued form the streets of Mexico. Baja Sanctuary’s ultimate goal is to find each animal a permanent loving home, though some animals make the sanctuary their home for life.
$5000 worth of food was sent to Help For Pets (click here to find out more about them) in Alpine, California. This animal welfare group was formed as a network of foster homes in response to the overwhelming number of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats in the San Diego area. They help to place all types of needy pets into caring "forever" homes.
Managing Epilepsy
The term Epilepsy refers to a collection of disorders in which seizures occur without an identifiable cause. Diagnostic testing is used to rule out causes such as tumors, trauma, poisoning or infection, before a diagnosis of epilepsy is made.
Epilepsy most commonly begins in pets between 6 months and 5 years of age. It is most common in dogs and relatively unusual in cats. There is some evidence that heredity is partly responsible - so pets who suffer with epilepsy shoudl never be bred - and much speculation that continued annual vaccinations are a primary cause of this disease. Nutrition is also thought to play a significant role.
The goal of seizure treatment is to reduce the overall incidence, length and frequency of seizures; worryingly, the more seizures a pet has, the more predisposed they are to further seizures – so early diagnosis is very important.
Medication is usually prescribed when the frequency of seizures reaches one per month.
Conventional epilepsy medications include Phenobarbital (which has several unpleasant side effects such as wobbly gait, excessive thirst and urination, increased hunger and excessive sedation) and potassium bromide which is not yet approved for use in dogs and cats but becoming increasingly prescribed for canine epilepsy because it has fewer side effects.
Diet may have an effect on the incidence of seizures in some pets. Anecdotal research shows that a diet free of chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin may help to reduce seizure frequency. Artificial flavors and colorings should also be avoided in seizure-prone pets. A minimally processed, home made or other natural diet is thought to be beneficial; such diets are richer in natural antioxidants, enzymes and other important compounds that are necessary for optimal health.
The goal of nutritional therapy is to nourish the brain and nervous system, while detoxifying the body and the pet’s surrounding environment. Limiting consumption of organ meats (especially liver) is also wise during detoxification, since these are the most heavily contaminated with antibiotics and other medications.
Going Gluten-Free: A 2005 article in the Whole Dog Journal implicated gluten in the epileptic seizures of certain dogs; one dog in particular was suffering at least one grand mal seizure every week until the owner switched him to a gluten-free diet. The dog went a number of months without a single seizure after going gluten-free, and then only suffered on when the owner ran out of food and had to purchase a glutenous, lamb and rice diet. To learn more about our grain free and gluten free food options for pets click here
Supplementation with choline or lecithin is also recommended by many holistic vets. These compounds are used in the treatment of human neurological disorders. Lecithin (commonly made from soy) contains a compound called Phosphatidylcholine which, when consumed, is broken down into choline. Choline promotes methylation and assists with the formation of acetylcholine – vital for brain function.
B Vitamins are beneficial for the nervous system. Vitamin C and Zinc are also useful. Discuss the appropriate dosage for your pet, with your holistic vet.
Rescue Remedy, a combination of five Bach Flower Essences, is useful when a seizure does occur, to help calm the pet.
Homeopathy: Under the guidance of a homeopathic vet, supplementing with Silicea or Thuja (30c) is sometimes helpful. Arnica Montana (specifically for seizures that begin after an injury to the head) is also recommended. The Tissue Salts Kali phos (when nervousness, irritability or other nervous disturbances are present), Ferrum phos (when head congestion accompanies seizures; head is hot and eyes are bloodshot), Natrum sulph (for epilepsy that began after a head injury) and Silicea (for seizures that occur at night) - all in the 6x potency - may also be helpful. As with all the suggestions in this article, these remedies should only be used under the supervision of a holistic vet.
Environment: A holistic approach to the management of epilepsy also involves helping your pet to stay clear of environmental pollutants such as exhaust fumes, pesticides used in your yard, cigarette smoke, air fresheners and household cleaners as well as exposure to new carpets which are often pre-treated with formaldehyde and other toxins.
The term Epilepsy refers to a collection of disorders in which seizures occur without an identifiable cause. Diagnostic testing is used to rule out causes such as tumors, trauma, poisoning or infection, before a diagnosis of epilepsy is made. Epilepsy most commonly begins in pets between 6 months and 5 years of age. It is most common in dogs and relatively unusual in cats. There is some evidence that heredity is partly responsible - so pets who suffer with epilepsy shoudl never be bred - and much speculation that continued annual vaccinations are a primary cause of this disease. Nutrition is also thought to play a significant role.
The goal of seizure treatment is to reduce the overall incidence, length and frequency of seizures; worryingly, the more seizures a pet has, the more predisposed they are to further seizures – so early diagnosis is very important.
Medication is usually prescribed when the frequency of seizures reaches one per month.
Conventional epilepsy medications include Phenobarbital (which has several unpleasant side effects such as wobbly gait, excessive thirst and urination, increased hunger and excessive sedation) and potassium bromide which is not yet approved for use in dogs and cats but becoming increasingly prescribed for canine epilepsy because it has fewer side effects.
Diet may have an effect on the incidence of seizures in some pets. Anecdotal research shows that a diet free of chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin may help to reduce seizure frequency. Artificial flavors and colorings should also be avoided in seizure-prone pets. A minimally processed, home made or other natural diet is thought to be beneficial; such diets are richer in natural antioxidants, enzymes and other important compounds that are necessary for optimal health.
The goal of nutritional therapy is to nourish the brain and nervous system, while detoxifying the body and the pet’s surrounding environment. Limiting consumption of organ meats (especially liver) is also wise during detoxification, since these are the most heavily contaminated with antibiotics and other medications.
Going Gluten-Free: A 2005 article in the Whole Dog Journal implicated gluten in the epileptic seizures of certain dogs; one dog in particular was suffering at least one grand mal seizure every week until the owner switched him to a gluten-free diet. The dog went a number of months without a single seizure after going gluten-free, and then only suffered on when the owner ran out of food and had to purchase a glutenous, lamb and rice diet. To learn more about our grain free and gluten free food options for pets click here
Supplementation with choline or lecithin is also recommended by many holistic vets. These compounds are used in the treatment of human neurological disorders. Lecithin (commonly made from soy) contains a compound called Phosphatidylcholine which, when consumed, is broken down into choline. Choline promotes methylation and assists with the formation of acetylcholine – vital for brain function.
B Vitamins are beneficial for the nervous system. Vitamin C and Zinc are also useful. Discuss the appropriate dosage for your pet, with your holistic vet.
Rescue Remedy, a combination of five Bach Flower Essences, is useful when a seizure does occur, to help calm the pet.
Homeopathy: Under the guidance of a homeopathic vet, supplementing with Silicea or Thuja (30c) is sometimes helpful. Arnica Montana (specifically for seizures that begin after an injury to the head) is also recommended. The Tissue Salts Kali phos (when nervousness, irritability or other nervous disturbances are present), Ferrum phos (when head congestion accompanies seizures; head is hot and eyes are bloodshot), Natrum sulph (for epilepsy that began after a head injury) and Silicea (for seizures that occur at night) - all in the 6x potency - may also be helpful. As with all the suggestions in this article, these remedies should only be used under the supervision of a holistic vet.
Environment: A holistic approach to the management of epilepsy also involves helping your pet to stay clear of environmental pollutants such as exhaust fumes, pesticides used in your yard, cigarette smoke, air fresheners and household cleaners as well as exposure to new carpets which are often pre-treated with formaldehyde and other toxins.
Gluten-Free Garlands
A simple, minimalist diet is helpful any time a chronic health condition that may be food related, is present. Thrive is our most simple recipe with just five whole food ingredients, plus vitamins and minerals (and, it’s on special this month!) This recipe makes a nourishing treat for more sensitive dogs.
2 cups Thrive food
1 cup hot water
1 cup ground chicken
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine all four ingredients in a bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Using a teaspoon or your bare hands, mold the mixture into small patties and place on a greased baking tray about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly and store in an airtight container.
For crispier treats, turn off the oven and allow the garlands to cool inside it for about 3hours.
A simple, minimalist diet is helpful any time a chronic health condition that may be food related, is present. Thrive is our most simple recipe with just five whole food ingredients, plus vitamins and minerals (and, it’s on special this month!) This recipe makes a nourishing treat for more sensitive dogs. 2 cups Thrive food
1 cup hot water
1 cup ground chicken
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine all four ingredients in a bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Using a teaspoon or your bare hands, mold the mixture into small patties and place on a greased baking tray about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly and store in an airtight container.
For crispier treats, turn off the oven and allow the garlands to cool inside it for about 3hours.
THK In The WDJ!
Did you see The Honest Kitchen in The Whole Dog Journal this month! Two articles, on grain-free diets and solutions for fussy dogs, gave paws-up to our human grade product line!
We were also in a series of articals on the benefits of home made diets, in 2007. click here to search the archives of this, our most favorite publication!
Did you see The Honest Kitchen in The Whole Dog Journal this month! Two articles, on grain-free diets and solutions for fussy dogs, gave paws-up to our human grade product line! We were also in a series of articals on the benefits of home made diets, in 2007. click here to search the archives of this, our most favorite publication!
