Category Archives: Healthy Living

Get Happy and Healthy in 30 Days

Fresh Start Fun & Sweet Things Healthy Living 04 Feb

So here we are at the end of our Fresh Start 2012. Do you feel more organised? More Active? Healthier? Happier? I hope so! And you know what? Even if you don’t just yet, go easy on yourself. Just feeling energised to make a start is all you need to make 2012 fabulous. Remember – every moment of brilliance and beauty started with one small detail.

So to leave you with that final bit of motivation to make this year Your Time to Shine here are some tips for the next thirty days. Try to cross one off each day and I promise, by the end you and your pooch will be happier, healthier and ready to take on the world…

HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN 30 DAYS
1. Give your dog a hug. Daily.
2. Take a photo of a moment of beauty you see in everyday life.
3. Brush your dog.
4. Cook a healthy meal from scratch.
5. Write down 5 awesome things you love about being you.
6. Write down 5 awesome things you love about your dog.
7. Turn off the phone and spend an afternoon watching your favourite comedy.
8. Have a Nana Nap in the middle of the day.
9. Try a sport or a gym/dance class you have never done before.
10. The night before, pack a healthy lunch to take to work the next day.
11. Make some home made treats for your dog.
12. Get a skin cancer check at your local doctor.
13. Floss.
14. Make a ‘Get Happy’ iTunes playlist to use when you’re feeling low.
15. Go to bed early.
16. Try a new dog park or destination you and your dog have never visited.
17. Give yourself an at home mani/pedi.
18. Choose your next holiday destination.
19. Get an eye check up at your local optometrist.
20. Learn how to stretch properly.
21. Stand up straight.
22. Clean up your work desk or office space.
23. Treat yourself to your favourite dessert or snack.
24. Play a new game with your dog.
25. Buy yourself some fresh flowers and display them in your home.
26. Tell someone you love them. (Your dog counts!)
27. Drink more water.
28. Fill a treat ball for your dog and watch them enjoy it.
29. Moisturise your neck as well as your face.
30. Write a list of 10 Failsafe Things that have left you feeling happy and healthy in the past 30 days. Put it on your bathroom mirror ‘In Case of Emergency’. Keep the fun going…

Wishing each and every one of you nothing but the best for the year ahead xo

IMAGES: (From Top) The AMAZING Sitting in a Tree Events, Pepper Buttons via Pinterest, Cupcakes & Happiness Print by Gayana – buy it here.

You might also like:

DIY: No Bake Healthy Treats for You & Your Pooch!

DIY Fresh Start Healthy Living 27 Jan

To wrap up our GET HEALTHY week of Fresh Start 2012 I’ve got two fabulous recipes to share – one for you and one for your pooch! Now, for me, when I start looking at healthy food options all too often I get demotivated by a) the effort it takes to make complicated recipes and b) the amount of ingredients I have to purchase for one dish.

Well today I’m here to put those problems aside by sharing two recipes that are not only NO BAKE and can be made in UNDER 15 MINUTES; they each have UNDER 5 INGREDIENTS and ONLY 5 STEPS to follow! So whip on your chef’s hat and prepare to enjoy some yummy treats – for you and your dog.

First up, some PUPPY PEANUT BUTTER BALLS. These are perfect for your pooch as a healthy treat or end of session training reward.

YOU’LL NEED:
1/2 Cup Low Fat Milk
1 Cup Peanut Butter
3 Cups Rolled Oats

TO MAKE:
1. Combine the milk and peanut butter in a mixer until it forms a paste.
2. Add the oats 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time ensuring they are fully coated and no dry spots form. You will be left with a heavy mixture.
3. Scoop out bite sized pieces with a spoon and roll into little balls.
4. Place on a flat tray lined with baking paper.
5. Pop them in the fridge for one hour.

HANDY HINTS!
* Makes 25-30 treats.
* Treats can last up to 2 weeks stored in the fridge.
* Use a gentle pressure when rolling the balls. The mixture can be sticky and heavy handedness can cause it to crumble.
* Milk can be substituted with other dairy free variations for dogs with allergies.

Next, are some yummy bite sized pieces of sweetness for yourself! This recipe for APRICOT BLISS BALLS calls for muesli, which means you can easily make your own using your rolled oats from recipe one (here’s a handy tutorial) or you can use store bought. Both will be equally yummy and healthy!

YOU’LL NEED:
2 Cups Toasted Muesli
60g Unsalted Butter
1/4 Cup Honey
1 Cup Dried Apricots
1 Cup Desiccated Coconut

TO MAKE:
1. Melt butter over a low heat.
2. Combine muesli, melted butter, apricots and honey in a food processor. Mix for approximately 3 minutes until well combined, with a consistent texture.
3. Fill a shallow dish or plate with coconut.
4. Scoop out bite sized pieces of apricot mix with a spoon and roll into little balls. Coat them in coconut and place on a flat tray lined with baking paper.
5. Pop them in the fridge for 15-30 minutes.

HANDY HINTS!
* Makes 20 treats.
* Keep treats stored in the fridge for up to one week.
* Apply the coconut liberally to ensure an even coating.
* When making your own muesli consider adding almonds, sunflower seeds, dried apple or other variations to spice up this recipe!

** The above recipes are for treats only and should not replace your dog’s regular meal plans. Always check with your vet about any major changes to your dogs diet.

You might also like:

Lincolnbark – Healthy Treats for Healthy Dogs

Fresh Start Healthy Living Shop It 25 Jan

In the spirit of our good health week on Pretty Fluffy I just had to share these little gems with you. Lincolnbark is a brand spanking new company which is all about healthy treats for healthy dogs. Made with 100% natural, human grade ingredients like yummy peanut butter, sweet pumpkin and crunchy oatmeal, the snacks are made by hand and baked in small batches for freshness. They contain no wheat, soy, corn, preservatives, additives, artificial colors or flavors – making them suitable for even the most common canine allergies. But enough about how awesome they are – your dog wants to know what he gets to EAT!

Sweet Little Butterpup

  • Apart from the adorable name, this treat comes in 3 flavours – Oatmeal and Peanut Butter, Salmon and Pumpkin.
  • A handy treat to use for rewards and between meal snacks.

Treatsmart

  • Living up to their name these treats are smart! Powered by Chia Seeds – the super-food for the modern ages – these soft nutritional treats are loaded with protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, phytonutrients, all 9 amino acids, age-defying antioxidants, are gluten free and contain more calcium per ounce than milk.
  • A yummy, well balanced option to use in training, and treat-balls.

Doggie Sprinkles

  • Available in 5 scrummy flavours – Shrimp, Salmon, Duck & Pea, Roasted Peanut, and Chicken Liver – these Sprinkles are a quick and easy way to enhance your pet’s food while adding a dash of protein.
  • A little sprinkle of the nutritional supplement will have even the fussiest eaters chowing down on their healthy meals in no time!

Possibly the thing that I love the most about Lincolnbark is that the range was created for the owner’s own pooch. From creator, Bobbye:

The story of Sweet Little Butterpup™ snacks began when our two-year-old pup Sophie was diagnosed with Addison’s disease. To boost her food intake, we tried every dog treat available. Nothing worked. Determined to help Sophie, we did extensive research on canine nutrition. Then we started baking our own treats. Healthy and delicious, they were made with 100% natural, human grade ingredients like yummy peanut butter, sweet pumpkin and crunchy oatmeal. To our joy, Sophie couldn’t get enough! Nor could all the dogs in the neighborhood.

I love to read stories like this, because when you’re buying a treat for your own dog you want to know that the makers would feed it to their dog. In the case of Lincolnbark – it was CREATED for their dog – you can’t get much better than that!

So for a healthy pup with a healthy appetite make sure you check out the full range over at Lincolnbark.

You might also like:

Wellbeing for Dogs

Fresh Start Healthy Living 23 Jan

Our third week of our Fresh Start 2012 series is all about GETTING HEALTHY. So what better way to start things off than with the fabulous fresh range Wellbeing for Dogs.

Now the world of dog food can be fraught with danger. For the average dog owner you never know exactly what to feed your dog. For me, I like to consult my vet, focus on fresh ingredients and also look for what Soda enjoys eating. And with the Wellbeing for Dogs range I can have the best of both worlds…

The first option is the Wellbeing Meals Plan. These individually packaged meals give me a serious case of food envy. They start with premium quality ingredients – lean, grass fed meats & organic veggies. Each ingredient is then hand cooked for a dog’s taste buds & digestive system, making the meals perfect for dogs who are fussy eaters, or who have sensitive stomachs or allergies.

Once the ingredients are cooked, essential proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants are all added to the mix, along with ground nuts, seeds, minerals and oils, before being snap frozen to hold in the revitalising goodies.  And what do you get at the end? Human grade meals ready to heat up for your dog’s dinner – fresh, fast, easy and most importantly HEALTHY. (An added bonus: they can be delivered right to your doorstep!) The range includes:

  • Lamb Hotpot & Vegetables with Pearl Barley
  • Sauté Beef & Vegetables with Quinoa CousCous
  • Steak & Kidney Casserole & Vegetables with Pasta
  • Stir fry Chicken & Vegetables with Basmati Rice
  • Turkey & Millet CousCous

Looks good right? Well you’re going to love Option Two. It’s called the Wellbeing Mix. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, phytonutrients and pre and probiotics, all from premium human food ingredients – it’s the perfect option to add those extra health nuggets into your dogs food no matter what lifestyle or budget you may have.

While it may not be a complete meal plan like Option A, it is a great alternative for those looking to compliment their dog’s diet without breaking the bank. The perfect addition to home cooked meals, raw diets or commercial dog food, it helps expand the nutrition that your dog has to draw upon for long term health and wellbeing, in one small spoonful! So no matter what meal base you are giving your dog, you know they’re getting that extra kick of nourishment.

Designed to be delicious, and easy to use – you just sprinkle onto your dog’s food and watch them radiate with goodness. Here’s to your dog’s health in 2012!

The Wellbeing Meals are available for delivery across the East Coast of Australia. The Wellbeing Mix is available for Australian-wide delivery. For more information and to order visit the Wellbeing for Dogs Website.

You might also like: