Another Word on Pet Food

Since my blog on pet food I've gotten many questions regarding the nutritional value of particular brands of dog and cat food. My answer is always the same: READ THE LABEL. The main ingredient in any pet food should be meat, i.e., chicken, fish, beef and not meat-by-products or meat meal (which actually contain very few micronutrients). Twenty years ago the main ingredient in many pet foods was corn meal. I am shocked that this is still the case for some popular brands. I don't believe dogs or cats should be fed corn. But cats, unlike dogs who are omnivores, are carnivores and have much higher protein requirements than dogs. Corn is simply a cheap source of calories. It is also a common allergen for pets and people alike. In my opinion, you should avoid pet foods that contain corn meal, soy meal or wheat. These are empty calories that will make your pet fat. Then I hear things like, "Oh, but Fluffy just loves this food!" (Fluffy is probably a 20 pound cat who is more fat than Fluffy!) I'm sure many children love Wonder Bread and potato chips but I don't think that should be the basis of their diet! Obesity causes a whole host of metabolic problems and diminishes your pet's quality of life. Feed your pet food that will allow him to thrive!

Reflections on Walking 500 Miles

Today I crossed the halfway mark on my thousand mile journey for the women of the Congo, two months from the day I started. So how do I feel? Strong, exhilarated, hopeful. There are a few imbalances in my body: I have plantar fasciitis in my left foot and bursitis in my left hip. The foot pain is sometimes a challenge but that's certainly not anything to keep me from walking another five hundred miles. I've been asked how I stay strong. I believe there are five main reasons, and these are not in any particular order: The love & encouragement from family & friends, my healthy vegetarian diet, the fact that I practice Bikram Yoga at least 3 times per week (I go to Bikram Redondo; they are fabulous), my favorite LMP, Ui Eli (Her Integrative Muscle Therapy is very deep work and definitely not for sissies.), and the fact that I am surrounded by animals all day.

Another question I get a lot is, "How much weight have you lost?" I really have no idea but I've dropped down one size. What have I learned? I've learned that many people, particularly friends, really don't like it when you ask for money. But I am letting people know that there are so many other ways they can assist me in my cause so hopefully I haven't offended anyone. At the same time, I've also learned that so many people are amazingly generous with their money, their hearts and their time. It takes my breath away.

So when people ask if I'm at all discouraged because I've completed 50% of my journey and raised only 3% of my fundraising goal the answer is absolutely not. Some are waiting until I complete my task and some are still waiting to learn about it. So pass it on. We are making a huge difference in the lives of Congolese women and it means something to them that the world actually cares.

My Journey continues...

Ruined

Have any of you seen the play, RUINED? It won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for drama and is now being performed at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. "Lynn Nottage's Ruined is a powerful portrayal of the triumph of the human spirit in a war-torn country. Guided by music and the rhythm of life in the Congo, Ruined transports us to Mama Nadi's bar, a small town refuge where intimacy comes at a price." It plays through October 17. I definitely plan on seeing it. I've heard it described as powerful, provocative, moving, emotional and disturbing. It gives a face and a voice to the women of the Congo. I'll let you know what I thought but if you get the chance then please do see this play.

What To Eat

As some of you know, I have been a vegetarian for over 25 years. My latest nutrition guru is author, Michael Pollan, who has written numerous best selling books on the subject of food--- my favorite of Pollan's is In Defense of Food. I encourage everyone to read it. Pollan basically suggests that we should eat real food instead of edible food-like substances (i.e. anything that comes in a package).

As I try to convert my diet to nearly all food, I have been pondering the question of what to feed my cats. Shouldn't I be feeding them "real" food instead of something that comes in a bag or a can? Nearly all commercial pet food is very highly processed, particularly dry food. Now I love my cats dearly but I'm not sure I'm ready to start preparing meat dishes for them every day. So while I continue to ponder this I will let you know, as I am asked frequently, what I feed my cats and what I feel is the best pet food on the market. (Drum roll, please.) While there are a number of high quality pet foods to choose from, I believe the best one is...

WERUVA Weruva is all human grade, minimally processed and comes in BPA-free cans. They only make canned food for both dogs and cats. They also have incredibly high safety standards. My girls love the Paw Lickin' Chicken (it looks just like chicken) and the Asian Fusion. It also costs more than most pet foods but I think it's worth it. They are a most impressive company. Please visit the Weruva website. And by the way, the company was named after the owners' three rescued cats, Webster, Rudy and Vanessa. You gotta love it!

Home Again

Well I'm back home again, missing my sister but happy to be walking with all my four-legged friends. The dogs all very happy to get back to their walking for Congo women. I should hit mile 400 this week. I believe I am right on target for a November finish. The grand finale walk should be very exciting--- a 25-30 mile race with the sun. Stay tuned for more info about that. Someone asked how my foot was doing. It still hurts (I have plantar fasciitis) but it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. I'm sure I have another 600 miles in me. The Congo has been in the headlines a great deal over the past couple of weeks. I'm hoping that this awareness will generate some healing for this region of the world.