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Alterna-Use For These Lovely Log Bowls: Doggie Bowls!

PetSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:00:50 -0700

I came across these Log Bowls as I was cruising Craftzine the other day, and drooling (from me, not North) quickly commenced. Although I wouldn't pass up the chance to see these in my cupboard, I had a grand idea on how to talk myself into buying a few: use them as doggie bowls instead!

Since these are all handmade from local trees, then artfully put together with a glass bowl by skilled craftsmen, I'm guessing the price for a whole set is pretty steep. But with the varying sizes and heights, it would make buying a platform almost a nonissue, so incorporating one or two shouldn't be too hard for my pocketbook to handle. Have you ever used human bowls as doggie bowls?

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To the Rescue: How To Report a Pet Food Problem to the FDA

PetSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:45:15 -0700

My heart stops anytime I hear pet food recall news and, sadly, it doesn't seem like this issue will be fixed anytime soon. Luckily, North's brand has never been recalled but I now know what to do if I've got any suspicions.

If you think something is wrong with your furry friend's food – problems, adverse reactions, infestations, etc. – there's actually a FDA district office for all 50 states. Look up the consumer complaint coordinator for your geographic area, call them, and they can take it from there.

Source

Major Pet Food Recall – Is Your Brand One of Them?

PetSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:00:45 -0700

I'm kind of a stickler about pet food. North eats pretty well, and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. So if the last pet food scare had you up in arms, then you should take notice to this news. Fourteen brands of pet food were placed on a voluntary recall list after two people may have contracted salmonella poisoning since coming in contact with food that was made between January and July of this year.

One of these is a top seller - Pedigree! I know a lot of you stick to all natural pet foods (and some of you even serve vegetarian or raw foods to your pampered pets), but I know there will be tons of you that are affected by this recall, so listen up! To find out which brands are being pulled from the shelves, and how to determine if you have one of them, just read more.

Brands that are being pulled include:

Pedigree
Ol' Roy
Retriever
Paws & Claws
Member's Mark
Natural Dog Food
Natural Cat Food
Doggy Bag
PMI Nutrition
Red Flannel
PetPride
Special Kitty
Country Acres
Wegman's Bruiser
Wegman's Buju & Ziggie

All recalled foods were produced between January and July of this year. Look for these specific notations on the UPC bar code of your products:

For Pedigree brand pet foods, consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line - the sixth, seventh, and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

For all other brands listed above, consumers should look for “17” as the first two digits of the second line.
Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

If you have a supply of recalled food from one of the brands listed above, return the food to the retailer for a full refund.

Source

Pampered Pals: Dehydrated Raw Food From Honest Kitchen

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:00:38 -0800

One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving – with the indulging and feasting on sweet potatoes, spinach, cranberries, yams, and . . . excuse me while I drool! Since we know that some kinds of people food can be dangerous, Honest Kitchen has come to rescue us from the guilt of eating yum yums in front of a pet – and confusion over what can be shared – by including those delish items (and others) in their special line!
Honest Kitchen's line of pet food is filled with 100 percent of the appropriate human grade goods (minus any wheat, soy, or corn to keep digestive systems healthy), which means that you won't wonder what is going into the chubby belly of your fave pet. It's all whole food, all the time, just dehydrated. Fans of Honest Kitchen have boasted about their pets' newfound energy, shinier coats, and all around better health. Prowl ($7-$50) is formulated for the felines in the house and Preference ($25-$52) is made just for your beloved pups. You can add the protein of ~~your~~ their choice to the food, but don't need to cook up an entire meal everyday! Would your furry family dig in?

Source

Quiz: It's Snacktime. . . For Who?

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:00:41 -0800

I'm craving a snack, but what will it be? Even though I once accidentally ate North's dog treat, that won't happen again! These snacks look so tasty, they are almost tempting me – try to pick the yummy pet snack from the yummy people food. Thank goodness, you're still only picking the picture out and not tasting it! Bone-appétit.

Take the quiz

Fittingly Green: BPA-Free Food Containers

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Ever since the BPA/Nalgene scare of 2008 - in which we learned that bisphenol A could cause all sorts of health problems - manufacturers have been churning out BPA-free plastic water bottles and baby products. Now, BPA-free food storage is also becoming easier to find.

Since we know that bringing your lunch to work is a healthy habit, make it even healthier by packing food in BPA-free plastic containers. I love these fittingly green food storage containers from Preserve made from 100 percent recycled plastic. Buy two square containers for $5.99, a large round one for $2.99, or the smaller version for $2.79. Rubbermaid also has an extensive collection of BPA-free containers to help you go green.

Are You a Fast Food Junkie?

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:50:07 -0800

In case you haven't been looped in, yesterday wasn't just Monday. It was also what some might argue to be the biggest food holiday of the year. No, not Thanksgiving; I'm talking about National Fast Food Day!

To celebrate the momentous occasion, I thought I'd test your knowledge of the drive-thru world. Have you been able to keep up with all of the newest offerings at your favorite fried franchises? Start playing to find out.

Question 1 of 8

Bacon & Cheese Angus Third Pounder

If You're Drinking This Holiday Season, Go Green

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:28:54 -0800

To me, being healthy involves more than exercise and a balanced diet - I also try to live in ways that are eco-conscious and sustainable. I recycle, eat organic and local food, and do my best to cut down on waste. I feel better knowing that I'm helping preserve our planet, and a good state of mind is essential for healthy living!

This philosophy shouldn't stop at cocktail hour. Luckily, there are more choices than ever before when it comes to organic alcohol. Since the holidays often involve parties and grand meals, why not choose responsibly made alcohol if you're imbibing this season?

To see a list of organic spirits, beer, and wine, read more.

Tru Organic Vodka ($20). Tru vodka is made from organic ingredients, and the company plants a tree in Central America for every bottle sold. The company uses less glass to produce its bottles, and the glass that is used is recycled. Top that off with a synthetic cork, soy-based ink, and packaging that converts into a shelf and you've got yourself a carbon negative rating! Aside from its straight vodka offering, choose from lemon or vanilla flavored vodka too.
Casa Noble Tequila ($40-130). Award-winning Casa Noble is made from 100% organically farmed Blue Agave plants and is USDA certified organic. All the tequila is made harvest-to-bottle on the Casa Noble estate where water usage is carefully monitored and organic cleaning products dominate. Choose from silver, resposado, anejo, single barrel resposado, and single barrel anejo.
Juniper Green Gin ($20). Juniper Green has the bragging rights of being the first organic gin ever, and is made using organic ingredients like grain, juniper, and coriander. Besides being USDA certified it also has certification from the British Soil Association for its use of sustainable farming practices.
Papagayo Organic Rum ($28). The organic sugarcane used to make Papagayo single estate rum comes from small family farms in Paraguay, and the rum is distilled using organic practices. Available as a white or spiced rum.
Benromach Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($60). The raw ingredients of Benromach are all organic, and the company is certified by the British Soil Association. Though it's not reclaimed wood, its casks are made from materials that come from sustainably managed forests.
Parducci Wine ($12). Parducci wines are not only affordable they are made using organic grapes from family owned farms and come delivered in eco-friendly packaging. The Parducci estate uses solar and renewable energy to power itself, as well as sustainable farming practices.
Domaine Carneros Sparkling Wine ($30). Made from organic grapes, bubbly from Domaine Carneros is also vegan. (If you didn't already know champagne and sparkling wine has animal products like egg whites in them.) The winery uses solar power and is a big fan of composting.
Wolaver's Organic Ale ($10 for a 6-pack). Wolaver's uses organic ingredients and its sustainable farming practices include the use of bio-diesel fuel, free-air refrigeration and relying on local ingredients. The company also donates profits to research in organic farming. There are eight varieties available that include pale ale, oatmeal stout, and alta gracia coffee porter.

You Asked: Could Wine Give Me a Headache?

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:50:53 -0800

Dear Fit,
In college, I was more into sipping cocktails and drinking beer, but recently I started drinking wine with dinner. I love the taste and how it pairs with more complicated dishes I have started to cook. I've noticed that I get this dull headache when I drink it though. Is this common? Is there a way to prevent it?
- Whining About Wine

As Thomas Jefferson said,"Good wine is a necessity of life for me." Although Jefferson's "necessity" is considered a relaxant and offers a variety of health benefits, drinking wine can cause some unfortunate side effects, including headaches. To find out why, continue reading

Wolfgang Puck's Newest Venture: Iced Coffee

YumSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:37:08 -0700

Watch out, Frappuccino. There's a new iced coffee in town, and it's been created by world famous chef Wolfgang Puck. Amidst a nasty lawsuit, guest judging on Top Chef, and juggling his nearly 20 restaurants, the celebrity chef is rolling out a new line of ready-to-drink iced coffees.

The bottled beverages, which will compete directly with products like POMx Iced Coffee, will cost $2.39 each or $7.99 for a four pack of Vanilla Fusion, Double Blend Mocha, Creme Caramel, or Café au Lait.

Puck explained how his drinks would be different from those on the market, citing the fact that the coffees are sourced from certified organic farms in Ethiopia, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico and contain certified organic and kosher ingredients.

Whole Foods stores nationwide will stock the coffee by the end of the year. Would you be more inclined to buy iced coffee because it's by Wolfgang Puck?