IN-HOME REPLACEMENTS: Helping Prevent Cancer

As promised, here's the list of what I feel are safer alternatives- ones that I personally have used (see previous post). When choosing to reduce our pet's exposure to less toxic products in the home, we are taking a proactive, holistic approach: addressing the possible causes of cancer rather than treating or suppressing the symptoms.

NOTE: Some alternatives are safe for dogs, BUT UNSAFE , even DEADLY for FOR CATS AND BIRDS (see comment section) PLEASE do your OWN research BEFORE USING ANY of the things I personally choose to use around my dog!!!

• Non polluting, natural laundry detergent w/o petro chemicals, phosphates, formaldehyde, or alcohol-based scent (personally, I like Trader Joe's liquid laundry detergent which is plant-based and scented w/lavender oil)

• I also use Trader Joe's lavender filled dryer bags instead of chemical laden dryer sheets

• Here is some great info on alternatives to monthly flea products. There are many effective options- please do your own research and experimentation to see what works best for you and your pets.
  

Simply put:

1. cedar chips in pet bedding and outdoors
   
2. diatomaceous earth on baseboards (available online)
   
3. nematodes for the yard (available online)
   
4. combo of powdered Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Fennel, Yellow Dock, Wormwood and Rue (all available individually online or at most independent co-ops or health food stores) put in a shaker can and rubbed into pet's fur (NOTE-some herbs toxic and deadly to cats)
   
5. combo of Citronella, Eucalyptus, Cedar, and citrus oils rubbed on hands and then rubbed on dog's ears, belly, etc. (NOTE-some oils toxic and deadly to cats)

• A simple google search of "organic non toxic lawn fertilizer" will give you many safe, affordable alternatives. Remember- your pet absorbs everything it's walking on through its paws.

• Glass or stainless steel bowls for food and water are in my opinion, much safer than ceramic or plastic bowls which can leach chemicals into their contents. Be careful not to place a glass bowl anywhere in sunlight where it could possibly start a fire!
  

• Air fresheners- this should be a no-brainer. Read the labels- why inhale all those chemicals?!?!? Instead, boil some lemons on the stove- (you can then use the cooled liquid to kill fleas on your pet!) or some oranges, cloves and cinnamon- makes your house smell wonderful. Or get some 100% pure essential oils and make your own scented potpourri w/cloth bags and "oiled" cotton balls. Or buy some naturally-scented, non lead wick candles at Whole Foods, or purchase an aromatherapy diffuser (they even make plug-in models!) which will also enhance the mood of everyone in your home instead of exposing them to potentially harmful chemicals. DO your research, however: SOME essential oils CAN be harmful or toxic to some animals including birds and cats!
  

• And finally, replacing negatively-focused, dramatically inclined people :) Well, the best remedy I have found/experienced for that can be found by clicking right here!

COMMENT QUESTION: Have you replaced anything in your home with something natural that's not included on this list?

PREVENTING CANCER IN PETS

Holistic treatment is all about prevention. Start listing the chemicals many of us use in our homes, and it's easy to see see how dramatically we may be adding to the toxic overload of our beloved pets' immune systems.

The following is a short list of things I made sure were not in Buttons' environment. We stopped the cancer she was diagnosed with at age 8 and she lived to be a vibrant 19.

A Quick & Easy Home Toxin ✔list :

• Pet or human bedding or cloth toys washed in non natural laundry detergent or non natural fabric softener

• Pet or human bedding or cloth toys dried in chemical-laden dryer sheets

• Monthly flea products

• Chemical lawn fertilizer

• Non natural rug and floor cleaners

• Secondhand cigarette smoke
  

• Plastic food or water bowls

• Most plug-in or spray air fresheners and non-naturally scented candles

• Negatively focused, dramatically-inclined people (Don't laugh-or actually, DO! Animals are highly sensitive and tend to act as emotional shunts for the people they love and are devoted to.)

COMMENT QUESTION: Which, if any of these things are you currently using around your pet?

Please stop back for my next post: NON TOXIC REPLACEMENTS

Health & Beauty For You AND Your Dog

Early last year, a dear friend of mine turned me on to the health benefits of extra virgin coconut oil. I always heed her nutritional advice and immediately began my own research because:

A. - Everything she has ever shared with me regarding health and physical well-being: green smoothies, rebounding, eating raw, has been incredibly beneficial

AND

B. - She's approaching 60 and looks and lives like a vibrant 40-something

I did a lot of reading about extra virgin coconut oil then, because like so many other people, I was only aware of the negative smear campaign it got several years ago especially regarding movie theater popcorn. But then, thanks to Hanna- MY EYES WERE OPENED!
This stuff is not only EXTREMELY healthy and beneficial, but it's the only oil that doesn't turn rancid when heated. Tropical Traditions is a brand I prefer. They also make a killer (pun intended, I guess, *grin*) botanical broad spectrum disinfectant that I love using at home and consider totally safe to use around beloved pets.

I have also read numerous articles about the health benefits of extra virgin coconut oil for dogs. Most testimonials and vets say adding a little to a dog's diet is a sure-fire way to clear up skin allergies and other skin sensitivity conditions when nothing else has worked. Worth some research for interested pet parents.

Do you use coconut oil for yourself or your dog?
What's YOUR experience with it?