Watching my daughters grow has been the greatest joy of my life. Seeing them smile for the first time took my breath away. Everyday they learn something new and the world is fascinating to them. Recently they learned how to drink out of big girl cups and now refuse to drink from sippy or straw cups.
They have been talking for awhile now. Nadia believes food is fish. When she is hungry she says fish and points to the pantry. Nicole has picked up on this and calls food fish also. They have been saying mom and dad since they were about 10 months old.
Nicole learned two things today. She has loved giving adults hugs and often greets Grandparents and Dad with a huge hug when she sees them. Today though she has discovered she can also give her sister hugs. She spent quite a lot of time following Nadia around today giving her hugs. Nadia didn't seem too impressed.
The other thing Nicole learned today was to tell us no. She isn't terrible about it, yet. She started telling us no if she doesn't want the "fish" we offered, or no to are you ready for bed. During bathtime tonight Charles asked her if she could say Daddy and she said no. After bathtime he asked her again if she could say Daddy and she told him no again.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Scary truth of Pet Food
Today the news is reporting on chemicals in Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo that are possible carcinogens. MSNBC story This does worry me and makes me happy that I pay more for natural soaps and shampoos for my children. It also makes me think of the things that are added to animal food that have been long ago been deemed unsafe.
The majority of animal foods found in supermarkets, discount stores, and large chain pet food stores contain ingredients that shouldn't be considered food or are so filled with fillers you end up feeding your animal huge quantities to get the nutrition they need.
Most pet food contains corn. Animals do not digest corn and it is used as a filler. All foods containing corn require you to feed large quantities as most of the food is corn. Our rottweiler, Atrus, was on a corn free diet and ate 4 cups of food a day, he weighed 140 pounds. Corn based foods suggested feeding him over 12 cups a day.
Another ingredient often found in pet foods are by-products, which are heads, feet, bones, blood, intestines, lungs, spleens, livers, ligaments, fat trimmings, unborn babies, and other parts not generally consumed by humans. If they only state meat by-products, you have no idea what type of animal these parts are coming from.
The dry kibble is so unpalatable, companies spray it with fat to entice the animals to eat them. Then the problem of the fat spoiling comes into play. To deal with this, most companies mix in BHA and BHT as preservatives. These are known carcinogens.
Healthy pet foods do exist, but they are not found at chain stores. Do research on your pets food and read the ingredients. You will be surprise what you find. These healthy foods do cost a bit more up front, however, in the long run you feed less. It can also help your pet live longer.
For further information:
Bornfreeusa
Natural News
The majority of animal foods found in supermarkets, discount stores, and large chain pet food stores contain ingredients that shouldn't be considered food or are so filled with fillers you end up feeding your animal huge quantities to get the nutrition they need.
Most pet food contains corn. Animals do not digest corn and it is used as a filler. All foods containing corn require you to feed large quantities as most of the food is corn. Our rottweiler, Atrus, was on a corn free diet and ate 4 cups of food a day, he weighed 140 pounds. Corn based foods suggested feeding him over 12 cups a day.
Another ingredient often found in pet foods are by-products, which are heads, feet, bones, blood, intestines, lungs, spleens, livers, ligaments, fat trimmings, unborn babies, and other parts not generally consumed by humans. If they only state meat by-products, you have no idea what type of animal these parts are coming from.
The dry kibble is so unpalatable, companies spray it with fat to entice the animals to eat them. Then the problem of the fat spoiling comes into play. To deal with this, most companies mix in BHA and BHT as preservatives. These are known carcinogens.
Healthy pet foods do exist, but they are not found at chain stores. Do research on your pets food and read the ingredients. You will be surprise what you find. These healthy foods do cost a bit more up front, however, in the long run you feed less. It can also help your pet live longer.
For further information:
Bornfreeusa
Natural News
Halloween
As I have said before, I have never been a huge fan of holidays. This is the first holiday season my daughters are old enough to enjoy. Nicole really enjoys holiday lights but gets a little nervous around all the "scary" decorations. Nadia is bomb proof and thinks the decorations are great fun.
Last night they had their first adventure in Trick or Treating. We first visited a friend early in the afternoon to ease them into ringing doorbells for candy. At first they both were hesitant but got the hang of it when candy made its appearance. We visited our friend for awhile then headed to my Mom's neighborhood.
They may have learned a bad lesson when they rang Grandma's doorbell and she gave them candy. I hope they don't think this will happen every time we visit Grandma. We spend time visiting with Grandma and a few of her neighbors.
Nadia dressed as a parrot, her costume took a little getting used to as she dislikes things on her head. Once she discovered everyone thought she was super cute she consented to the hat.
Nicole originally was going to be a cow but she decided that her costume was not ok. She was then made into a kitty which she approved of. Nicole LOVES cats and starts every day with hugging at least one of her kitties.
Both girls had a lot of fun, but were worn out afterwards. I am glad we did the trick or treating early though as it got crowded in our neighborhood as the night wore on. I was surprised how many older (teenage) kids were trick or treating. I saw many high school age kids asking for candy, one even asked for money.
They may have learned a bad lesson when they rang Grandma's doorbell and she gave them candy. I hope they don't think this will happen every time we visit Grandma. We spend time visiting with Grandma and a few of her neighbors.
Both girls had a lot of fun, but were worn out afterwards. I am glad we did the trick or treating early though as it got crowded in our neighborhood as the night wore on. I was surprised how many older (teenage) kids were trick or treating. I saw many high school age kids asking for candy, one even asked for money.
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