![]() That probably grabbed your attention! I know what you've heard, read, been told by vets, breeders, family, friends, rescues, etc., but garlic is not toxic to dogs. But, like the poor poinsettia plant mistakenly labeled toxic to children and animals, garlic has gotten a bad-rap. (Research in the 1990s dispelled that myth, so here I am working to dispel the myth about garlic). The confusion results primarily because garlic is part of the Allium family, along with onions, shallots, leeks and chives, and one study done in 2000. The Allium family contains sulfur-based compounds, n-propyldisulfide, as well as small amounts of thiosulfate, which, when ingested in large quantities over an extended period of time, could lead to anemia or death. Farmers found this out in the 1930s when feeding onions to livestock like cows and seeing signs of toxicity. But, is it really bad to feed your dog garlic? No. So, how'd we get here? The panic began with a study published in 2000. In the published results researchers noted that while the dogs in the study never showed outward signs of toxicity, there was an effect on red blood cells, and “We believe that foods containing garlic should be avoided for use in dogs.” To understand the dynamics here, however, we have to look more closely at the Hokkaido University study. First, it was conducted with a total of eight mixed-breed dogs. Four receiving a garlic extract and four receiving water. Blood work and other tests were conducted over the course of 30 days, including before, during and after administration of the extracts. The four dogs receiving the garlic were given 1.25ml of garlic extract per kg of body weight every day for seven days straight; the equivalent of 5g of whole garlic/kg, or 1.2 teaspoons, once a day for seven days. The other four dogs received water. Since I'm not great with math, I kept reading and found an article noting that 1.25ml of extract per kg of body weight for seven days would be the equivalent of a 40 pound pup ingesting 20 cloves of garlic. My thoughts on this study are too many to mention. To start, WOW, that's a LOT of garlic. Then, my background had me questioning the use of extracts as they are typically considered more potent than whole, raw herbs/plants a like a clove of garlic simply because the whole plant contains other compounds plus fiber. Next, the abstract I found wasn't clear if the garlic was extracted using water or alcohol, which could alter the impact/results. (We typically avoid using alcohol extracts with animals and children...because it contains alcohol). All this to say that, in the end, the study did more harm than good because it scared many of us away from incorporating garlic into our canines' healthy lifestyle where it can:
Garlic is also antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic; lowers blood sugar and cholesterol and can be used as a natural flea/tick repellent! The sulfur in garlic is excreted through your dog's skin, helping drive those buggers away. Plus, the healthier your companion (see bullets above), the less likely they are to get infestations of anytype. At this point, you should be realizing that you've been mislead and it's probably time to add a little spice to your dog's diet! So, how do you get started? Low quantities introduced slowly! In her book The Complete Herbal Book for the Dog, Juliette de Bairacli Levy suggests the following dosages:
Since cloves can vary in size and weight, it's probably easier to use these standardized measurements set forth by the National Research Council (for chopped, raw garlic):
Like the poor poinsettia plant mistakenly labeled toxic to children and animals, garlic has gotten a bad-rap. (Research in the 1990s dispelled that myth, so here I am working to dispel the myth about garlic). You can help dispel the myths by sharing this piece with your loved ones and safely incorporating garlic into your canine's diet! PS - If you don't believe any of this, you can trust that I fed my beloved Sir. Duncan McDougle garlic for most of his 18+ years on the planet. No, his breath wasn't always fresh, but he remained feisty and active til the end. Questions about incorporating holistic health practices into your canine's care? Email me at: [email protected].
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![]() From air fresheners to candles, birds are especially sensitive to toxins in the home. For years, this had many avian aficionados avoiding EO. But, that’s not necessary! Since birds have very delicate skin and coating their feathers with EO could be harmful, the best ways to safely introduce EO is through misting/spritzing or diffusing oils around them. Learn more in this free, downloadable PDF: PPBirds We’re so often told forgiveness is the key to freedom.
Or, to “just let go”. I’ve spent the better parts of 40+ years working on healing a litnay of challenges from early childhood sexual abuse and familial alcoholism, to physical abuse at the hands of a sibling and numerous injuries, illnesses that allopathic medicine couldn’t “fix”. Something I feel confident of, also backed by ancient modalities, spiritual practices and, more recently, science: trauma is stored in our bodies. It is passed down from generation to generation not only by learning poor coping skills, being trained not to see options/lack of awareness of something “different” and modeling less than useful behaviors, but in our very DNA. I can honestly say I’ve worked HARD to forgive, to let go, to heal. Counseling. Trauma therapy. Self-help groups, books and retreats. Studying herbs, nutrition, essential oils, psychology, communications and more. Yoga, exercise, breastwork, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc. And, today, I’m settling on this: LET IT BE. If we could forgive or let go, we would. Sure, maybe not all of us, but most of us. We’d LOVE to be able to pull out every strand of pain, every fiber of anger, wavelength of rage, frustration. The deep GRIEF, WOUNDEDNESS, hurt, sorrow. To have the abandonment leave our hearts, minds and bodies forever. To feel like our soul is whole. To not have that hidden and lingering impression of something stolen from us that everyone else on earth has… We’ve literally given up our health first to keep the secrets, then lost our families and friends for telling them. All in attempt to heal. We’ve been ridiculed, called liars, abandoned, excluded, isolated, hurt (physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually) for not only speaking up, attempting to change, heal and survive — but because of WHO WE ARE. Because we are different. Different from both our family because we are working to heal AND from society because we don’t have the tools or genetic make-up that others with less/different ancestry and experiences do. To deny this fundamental aspect of trauma is to deny us our hearts, souls, strength… our essence. People will say “you are trapped in victimhood.” To quote my dad “No shit Sherlock”….how can we NOT be when it is a response WIRED into our minds and CODED into our DNA? “Gandhi survived his challenges and forgave, you can too…that lady who lost her arm in a shark attack turned it into gold…and…and…and…” While well-meaning, what it feels like to folks in a fog of chemicals triggered bodily responses, ones they might not even be fully cognizant of, is more victim blaming. And, on many levels it is. Especially, if we do not fully know someone’s story. An assumption that someone is not living up to their potential is still a judgement that can carry a hefty weight for those of us working to find balance. You may assume we are needing to ‘rebalance,’ but what I’m saying is many of us never felt balance. Never felt safety. Peace. Not at fundamental core levels. So, the “pick yourself up by the bootstraps” approach may be a nice game we can play (and many of us have only known this our entire lives) is simply another notch on the side of trauma on our scoreboard of life. That’s not to say I don’t believe in accountability. I do. But, hell, many of us have been accountable for not only ourselves, but our entire family and family systems throughout our lives. My point in sharing all this, well, there are probably many. But, for now, I just want anyone who cannot fathom the path to forgiveness, all of us whose path to “letting go” is riddled with grasping on, to realize both phrases are highly inaccurate. The point we are aiming for is PEACE. And, peace may be very different place for you than for me, based on our unique circumstances. Here, we acknowledge our growth and our limitations, not as another failed attempt to meet society’s, our family or friends’ standards, but to settle into new sensations, beliefs, hopes, dreams. The foreign territory of learning to feel safe when life is going well. That perhaps, just perhaps, this time…the other shoe will NOT drop. To create NEW chemical responses. And, when the old chemical freight train courses uncontrollably through our bodies, to pause, breathe and LET IT BE. That’s it. Let it Be. Let YOURSELF BE. Allow the hate, rage, hurt, anger, mis-takes along your path. Allow the seeming unending grief, pain, jabs and triggering. To sit in that sea of chemicals understanding (as best we can) what it is and popping our noses up like a manatee, dolphin or whale, to catch a breath. My trauma, YOUR trauma, literally is a wound trying to heal….on so many levels. When the scab is “picked-at” (aka you are triggered), your body is trying to help save you by dumping all those intense hormones we call “fight, flight, freeze and fawn.” Your system calls it “survival” and “normal”…life. So, like the sore on your skin that itches, breaks open occasionally as it heals, we Let It Be when it comes to the scratchy, red, swollen pain of our emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual trauma. You don’t need my permission to Let It Be, but you have it if you want it. If you’d like some support as you work to create a body, mind, spirit that can hold health and wellbeing, I’m here to help. [email protected] I weep in gratitude for what I have and frustration for what I want
I sigh in despair and awe at life I am baffled by how far I’ve come and how far I’ve yet to go I am weary, worn, drained…yet the scent of trees, the sight of snow and touch of love sustain me eternally How can I, we, be both flawed and whole This is pure mystery to me, waiting merely to unfold ~mag ![]() Today, I’m shining a light on the body’s master antioxidant: GLUTATHIONE. You’ve read about it in Suzanne Somers’ books, seen it discussed by medical professionals on TV and by influencers online — all for good reason! Without geeking out too much, this antioxidant made of up 3 amino acids (protein building blocks of the body) is astounding. Made in our liver, it is SO crucial to our wellbeing, it’s found in EVERY CELL IN OUR BODIES:
Some researchers believe that glutathione levels in our cells may be a predictor of our longevity and, unfortunately, our production of this crucial compound declines with age. Options for boosting levels range in price and effectiveness:
“Glutathione is best known for repairing damaged cells in your body. It may help ward off a variety of diseases, such as neurological disorders, liver disease, certain heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, respiratory diseases, and other medical conditions.” Source: WebMD Other research shows an improvement in skin’s appearance, relaxation, detoxification, immunity and overall wellbeing. Have you tried glutathione yet? Let us know. To learn more about services and to try the patch: [email protected] Project Pet: Equines & Essential Oils![]() Ideally, horses, mules, donkeys and minis encounter essential oils (EO) naturally while grazing on live plants and as flavoring in their feed. With many equines now kept in less natural surroundings due to space and time considerations, EO can play a vital role in helping your companions stay healthy. Click button below for more tips and 4 essential oils to use with your equines! The Well-Oiled Pet Part 3: Tips for Using Essential Oils with AnimalsWe’re back with Part 3 of The Well-Oiled Pet, designed to provide facts and dispel fears about using essential oils (EO) with the animals in your life. In the first article of this series, we explored some necessary factors to consider when supporting the well- being of your animals with EO, such as species-specific sensitivities, cautionary compounds, the simplest ways to introduce EO to your animals and the importance of using the highest quality, organic, therapeutic- grade essential oils. In the second article, we reviewed how important it is to use a high quality oil and discussed how to introduce your animals to essential oils. Then, we covered the crucial “what to avoid” for their safety. Here, we delve into dosing – quantities: bit.ly/WellOiledPet3 The Well-Oiled Pet-Part 2 Tips for Using Essential Oils with AnimalsAs promised, we’re back with Part 2 of The Well-Oiled Pet, designed to provide facts and dispel fears about using essential oils (EO) with the animals in your life. In the first article of this series, we explored some necessary factors to consider when supporting the well-being of your animals with EO, such as species-specific sensitivities, cautionary compounds, the simplest ways to introduce EO to your animals and the importance of using the highest quality, organic, therapeutic-grade essential oils.
Here, we delve deeper into what to expect when incorporating EO into your animals’ care routines: bit.ly/Well-OiledPetPart2. Project Pet is an educational effort designed TO EMPOWER YOU & YOUR
PETS TO LIVE NOURISHED LIVES! Today, we share about using Essential Oils with cats. Contrary to what you may have heard, MANY essential oils are safe for animals.* However, there ARE essential oils (EO) to AVOID with felines as some cats simply don't carry the liver enzymes needed to process EO high in specific compounds. Click cat_eo_pp.pdf for more info., including 5 EO purrfect for your favorite felines. The Well-Oiled Pat Part 1 - Tips for Using Essential Oils with Animals![]() There seems to be an extensive amount of information and mis-information on the internet about using essential oils (EO) on or with animals, especially with cats. So, how do we know where to begin? Let’s start with this article, one in a series designed to move us from fear to fact while caring for the animals in our lives naturally! A holistic health practitioner who specializes in animal reiki shares expert tips on safety, use and key oils she always has on-hand for the animals in her life in this series. Link to full article; https: bit.ly/4dQuIVi and found in BRAINZ Magazine online. Source: BRAINZ Magazine |
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I'm Mary Ann. I am a storyteller using skills, interests, education and experience to help others. Together, we'll explore your story and write a new ending for your journey along the nourished path. Categories
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February 2025
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