News for You and Your Pet
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September 15, 2009
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Dear ,
-What's new with Ingrid?
I had a wildly successful and fun weekend at the National Capital Cat Show this past weekend. A warm welcome to my many new subscribers - it was wonderful to meet so many cat lovers and I'm thrilled with your interest in Buckley's Story. I hope you will enjoy receiving updates about the book, future events and book talks, as well as the bi-monthly E-Zine News for You and Your Pet.
Buckley's Story is currently going through final proof revisions and will go to print shortly after they are completed. Not much longer now!
-In This Issue:
Fall is a time when lots of people fertilize their lawns one more time before winter. But did you know that lawn chemicals can be deadly for pets? Learn why pets and lawn chemicals are not a good combination.
Do you find that you always put yourself last when it comes to taking care of yourself? Find out why making time for yourself is vital for your health.
-Ingrid Recommends
The Conscious Cat Store has a new holiday department, and it's filled with all
sorts of spooky, scary and spirited items with a feline theme. From decorations
to cookie cutters, there's something for every cat loving Halloween fan!
With best wishes for you and your furry family members,
Ingrid.
Phone: 703-309-4296
 
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Pets and Lawn Chemicals - Not a Good Combination
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By Ingrid King
While a green lawn is pretty to look at, you should think twice about how you go about achieving that lush, green look. The pesticides we apply to our lawns and gardens are hazardous to our pets. Pets can absorb pesticides through their paws or lick it off their bodies. In addition, pets can be exposed to pesticides when they eat grass. Some of the chemicals found in herbicides are also easily tracked indoors on your shoes. An EPA funded study in 2001 found that 2,4-D and dicamba (a chemical used in herbicides) are easily tracked indoors, contaminating the air and surfaces inside residences and exposing children and pets at levels ten times higher than pre-application levels.
This should be enough to make any pet owner think twice about using chemical fertilizers. There are plenty of natural and organic alternatives to these chemicals that are not only safer for your pets, but also friendlier to the environment.
Insecticide and pesticide poisoning is always an emergency situation and requires immediate veterinary attention. Symptoms of insecticide poisoning are:
- Excessive salivation
- Tearing of the eyes
- Excessive urination
- Muscle twitching
- Weakness
- Difficult breathing
- Collapse
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Unsteady gait
Repeated exposure to phenoxy herbicides (example: 2,4-D) may affect the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscles. Some pesticides contain chlorophenoxy acids and are poisonous to the blood, leading to anemia, neutropenia (low white blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and feline distemper.
Don't put your pets' health at risk - look for natural alternatives to keep your lawn green and your yard weed-free. GreenerChoices.org contains some great information on alternatives to chemical lawn care.
(c) Ingrid King 2009
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Make Time for Yourself
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By Woody McMahon
Don't Put "Me" Last
You hear it too often. I don't have time to take care of myself because I am
(you fill in the blank). Everybody and everything else seems to come first
instead of you taking some time to exercise, eat a nutritious breakfast or
spend a few moments in quiet reflection. The next thing you know the old body is acting-up in response to neglect and you ask "why me?"
Giving from a Position of Strength
If you are going to give of your time to others, make sure you are coming from a position of strength. Just like you wouldn't lend someone $50 if you have to go hungry; consider yourself first before giving to others. Yes, I can hear you thinking, that would make me selfish and a bad person. But in reality, people will know when you are not taking good care of yourself. They will watch what you eat, notice when you look tired and in need of a rest and see if you give off good, positive energy. The last thing you want is to give of your time to a good cause and have everybody thinking they should really be helping you instead.
Try 3 Ways to Help Take Better Care of Yourself
1. Create a "You" Calendar
Place a calendar on the wall or the refrigerator for everyone to see. Mark in
those times for your workouts, quiet time and other healthful pursuits. Make it known that these times are for you and not times to be besieged with a "honey do" list. There are enough other available hours in the day that you can be ready to do your collective part.
2. Make Time to Relax
Having activities that you find relaxing are a great way to take care of
yourself. Here are a few suggestions:
Massage is one of the best, natural ways to relieve pain, enhance circulation, lower blood pressure, improve flexibility, reduce stress levels and relax. Massage will help to restore your sanity and neutralize a hectic and fast paced lifestyle. It's good to know there is still a simple, practical and extremely effective way to improve your health in this world of high tech solutions.
A quiet walk where you can take in the wonders of nature or feel the warm, soothing rays of the sun is another terrific way to reduce stress and improve "me" time. Take off the pedometer and forget about how many calories you are burning and just feel the pure joy of moving your body. It doesn't have to be fast or on any particular time schedule. Focus on being aware of your surroundings as much as possible as you walk and take lots of deep breaths.
3. Get a Good Workout
Like it or not, exercise is still your best "me" time going. From the health
benefits to the boost in self esteem, participating in a regular fitness
program has a lot to offer your health and quality of life. Keep it fun and
consider a partner to help make your workouts more productive.
Follow our Fresh Start Healthy Weight! system and you can reduce your weight and improve your health at the same time. We provide the education, motivation and accountability necessary to improve your health while helping you feel and look your best. For a free consultation, please call Woody McMahon at 703-464-5171 or email Woody@SequoiaHealth.com.
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