So there are a lot of elders out there who LOVE apple cider vinegar and feel it is the tell-tale cure for a number of maladies. Well I have to say I too am a convert……. Let’s talk indigestion that hits you without warning. I cannot stand taking OTC drugs and will not subject myself to the little purple pill, but let me have a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water and the symptoms subside, as if by magic. When my partner started to suffer with this her naturopath suggested this wonderful inexpensive cure and it works! So that started me thinking about what other things it is used for……….

Vim & Vigor

We know that many herbalists use this as a base for herbals and tonics, and one of my favorites is carried by the Mennonites in Maryland, called Vim & Vigor. One shot of this a day and I think you could take on Godzilla……..we love stopping in Flintstone to pick up this wonderful elixer.

“Our Indiana based product combines extracts of wild mountain-grown Gingseng Root, Goldenseal Root( also known as yeller root), Black Cohosh Root, Black Walnut Leaves, Star Anise Pods, Echinacea, Chamomile Berries, Licorice Root, Chickweed, Cinnamon,Fenugreek Seeds, Cloves, Ginger Root, and Valerian with aged apple cider vinegar and then flavored with concentrates of apple and grape juices, resulting in a unique elixir which, according to our customers, has produced some interesting results.”

Even WebMD has scientific evidence to back up some of the claims made about the health benefits of this simple fermented apple juice.

I started thinking about all of this while at dinner, listening to a young man at the table next to me talk about how bad his acid reflux was, and what he could not eat (including some great foods) because of it. Boy did I wish I had some Apple Cider Vinegar to hand to him So go on, grab a teaspoon and perhaps you will find this a good habit to form!

Increasingly animal companions are being diagnosed with the same illnesses that their human owners are struggling with. This is not without reason. The environmental stresses as well as the commercial foods many pets eat, even the tap water affects their health as seriously as the prepackaged foods people buy for themselves affect them. As a result allergies, diabetes, kidney problems, arthritis, lethargy, heart and liver problems, cancer, anxiety, fearfulness and other illnesses occur at an increasing rate. These are health problems that were not seen at the same rate 20 to 30 years ago. If you use as an example type 2 or adult onset diabetes, excess weight and heart disease in humans, diet and lifestyle issues are tightly connected to it. These illnesses once diagnosed often necessitate the use of medications. This is true with humans as well as pets.

In a human population, if one again takes diabetes as an example; when meaningful changes are made with regards to smoking, weightloss, use of foods low on the Glycemic scale, increase in fiber and good fats decrease in bad fats and an increased level of physical activity there is a significant decrease in occurrence of diabetes in that population. Diet and physical activity is a therefore a critical component in treatment which in many cases can be effective on its own.

In the case of our companion animals, veterinarians also recommend meaningful dietary changes, appropriate organic foods for dogs and cats. Similarly animals need regular daily physical activity as well as activities to relieve boredom and stress to stay healthy. I would add to this, give your pet fresh filtered or spring water instead of tap water. Our pets have one advantage over the human animal when trying to maintain weight; somebody else controls the refrigerator and cupboard doors.

While I was studying Chinese Herbal Medicine my teachers, Michael Tierra L.Ac. and Leslie Tierra L.Ac., had a favorite saying; “one can pay up front or pay later”, meaning of course that one can either pay up front for healthy, appropriate organic and pastured foods, clean water, increased physical exercise and stress relieving practices or pay for illnesses later. While no one can guarantee health, and medication may indeed become necessary at some point, healthy foods and lifestyle practices go a long way to maintaining physical and mental health for all animals, two or four footed.

The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book

This post is dedicated to one of our own Woofettes, Cindy, who LOVES her hounds! The recipe is from “The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book” by Michelle Rivera.

Yield 40 (2- 3″) biscuits

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup Vanilla soy creamer
• 1/4 cup carob chips melted
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons vegan margarine
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F: Lightly oil 2 baking sheets.

Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined to make a dough. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Roll half the dough on 1 of the baking sheets. Cut it into the shapes of your choice, then remove the surrounding dough. Roll and cut the remaining dough on the other baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off but do not remove the biscuits. Allow the biscuits to cool in the oven for 8 to 12 hours, until they are hard and crunchy.

Store in sealed containers or zipper-lock bags, Hound Dog Delights will keep for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer.

The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book, Cruelty Free Recipes for canines is available at The Big Bad Woof for $9.95