New Product: SFRAW Pumpkin Parasite Powder

A few weeks ago I decided to add another one of my “tried & true” traditional herbal recipes to our product line; a simple blend of ground organic raw pumpkin seeds, fresh raw organic garlic & food grade diatomaceous earth we’ve decided to name PUMPKIN PARASITE POWDER. It is available for sale this week at the warehouse for $15 for an 8-oz. container that we suggest storing in the freezer. If you like garlic, you’ll think it smells really yummy. Most pets find it palatable and will readily consume the powder when it’s added to their food.

SFRAW’s newest product offering: PUMPKIN PARASITE POWDER – $15.00 for 8 oz. cup. Please store in freezer.

After making the decision to produce this new product, we happened to see parasites, pumpkin seeds & garlic pop-up a few different places in the media (a Dogs Naturally Magazine article & Dr. Oz show)– being the start of spring, parasites and intestinal health/cleansing do seem to be regular topics of discussion. We just thought it was pretty nifty that others were featuring the topic & these remedies during the very same week after we had just made plans to put this product into production at SFRAW.

In the past, I’ve incorporated other herbs (such as wormwood, oregon grape, aloe and fennel seed) to this blend, but have found that combining these three simple ingredients is the most elegant and well-tolerated solution. For example, wormwood should not be used long-term and can be contraindicated for pets with liver disorders/issues – and I wanted to make something even puppies, kittens, geriatric and pregnant/lactating pets could consume.

When to use PUMPKIN PARASITE POWDER:
* If your pet is young or newly adopted and you have not yet used a chemical worming medication.
* If your pet’s coat condition is a little dull, appetite is either ravenous or inconsistent (particularly if you notice fluctuations in their appetite relating to the lunar cycle), weight or digestion are not in tip-top shape and you suspect these minor issues could be because of parasites, but have not seen any evidence of them or received a formal diagnosis yet.
* If your pet has obvious signs of intestinal parasites: you had a fecal float test done by your veterinarian confirming parasites, you have found worm segments or worms in their stool or vomit, or dried worm segments near their anus, but they do not have ANY serious complications or symptoms such as fever, frequent vomiting or GI distress, low-energy, anemia, pale colored gums, severely hard and/or swollen abdomen, you can use our PUMPKIN PARASITE POWDER first before opting to employ a chemical wormer. This treatment protocol is an option because most relatively healthy pets do remain clinically stable and reasonably healthy, even with the presence of common intestinal parasites.

When to use chemical anti-parasitic or anthelmintic medications instead:
If you do not see improvement after a few months on our product, or if your pet ever becomes unwell/sick or experiences any serious symptoms, please immediately consult with your veterinarian for advice and diagnostics. If parasites are the diagnosis, you will want to consider using a chemical anti-parasitic medication – Panacur (Fenbendazole) or Droncit (Praziquantel) are the two I recommend. I like that they are “old” standards, having a long history of being commonly prescribed, inexpensive drugs; because of this, we can refer to years of experience and information available to us about their safe use. Panacur can be used for everything other than tapeworms; Droncit is the drug to use for tapeworms. These drugs are both safe and effective. If your pet’s health is suffering, please do not hesitate to employ these chemical remedies.

While I recommend using a herbal remedy to keep parasite numbers at bay and chemical worming medications to be used when a pet’s health is clearly suffering from a high parasite load in the gut, I hold the controversial opinion that all parasites are not necessarily bad for our pets (or us). If kept to low numbers, some common intestinal parasites may even provide us & our pets with a protective effect against inflammation and lower the risk for chronic autoimmune diseases such as asthma, Crohn’s disease, colitis, arthritis and allergies. There is some interesting research supporting this idea (simply Google ‘parasites autoimmune disease’ to find more). The idea even has a name: Helminthic therapy.

I do not think being 100% parasite-free is necessarily healthy; humans, dogs, cats and other animals are complicated mammalian beings that co-evolved with various organisms (including parasites). Our systems have adapted to enjoy and thrive on symbiotic relationships with many different organisms – including bacteria and parasites – and I agree with many researchers and others that think these “bugs” may have a protective effect on our immune systems.

This is not a popular mainstream viewpoint, and I understand it is controversial (the Hygiene Hypothesis has been in the media lately, too); but I do believe that a “little dirt won’t hurt” and some microbes and bugs can actually assist us in keeping our bodies functioning just as they should.

Now that you understand my position a little better, you can see why one of the things I really like about the PUMPKIN PARASITE POWDER is that it probably does not eliminate the parasites entirely. Does this mean it is not effective? It is not, if your goal is to eliminate parasites from the gut completely. However, if your goal is to gently keep parasites at bay and reduce the load in the gut to a level that supports the overall health of the animal, I think it’s pretty perfect for this. In my experience, this combination of ingredients seems to lower the number of parasites to a level that eliminates any outward symptoms of infestation while allowing for pets to enjoy good health.

Additionally, the ingredients we use in our PUMPKIN PARASITE POWDER provide some nice nutritional and health benefits:

Pumpkin Seeds are considered an anthelmintic (a substance that helps expel intestinal worms); they do not kill the worms like a poison, but the high levels of cucurbitins may paralyze the worms so that they can be expelled from the body. Pumpkin seeds are also good source of minerals: magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc; they also provide antioxidants such as lutein & the gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E. In Chinese Medicine, pumpkin seeds are considered to have a sweet and bitter taste, which influence the Large Intestines and Stomach.

Garlic is a potent antimicrobial. Fresh, crushed cloves are an excellent source of allicin, which is anti-parasidic. Garlic can strengthen immune and cardiac function; if your pet’s immune system is stronger, they will be more resistant to infections – including the adept handling of common parasites and microbes. Garlic is a health promoting powerhouse rich in antioxidants, selenium, helps improve iron metabolism, and has shown to be protective against various cancers. In Chinese Medicine, garlic is considered “warming”, providing many benefits for the digestive system.

Diatomaceous Earth is a a fine powder made from mined shells of ancient marine life (diatoms). It is an excellent source of silica, which has many health benefits and is a nutrient lacking in our depleted modern soils. Silica promotes healthy, thick hair and strong nail growth, and helps make calcium and phosphorus more absorbable. The diatoms also likely bind with and absorb fungi, protozoa, viruses, endotoxins, pesticides, drug residues, harmful bacteria, and heavy metals such as mercury and aluminum, then helps to draws them out for elimination from the body. We consider DE to be a useful, health promoting daily supplement.

Enjoy in good health!

Kasie Maxwell

Founder, SFRAW

Pastoral Plate Now Offering SFRAW Branded Treats, Formulas, Grinds & Meals

SFRAW brand formula, treats, grinds & meals are now available through the Pastoral Plate website!

Check it out:

http://pastoralplate.com/category/for-fido/

We’re thrilled to announce this exciting update with our strategic partner & good friends. Now people that source exceptional, local food for their family can purchase exceptional fresh food & snacks for their four-legged family members, as well.

 

 

Special note to SFRAW members: You’ll start to see the SFRAW (and Rara Avis — yes, working on bringing all the herbals back!) branded line of products out and about in more wonderful and like-minded locations/outlets, as we expand this aspect of our business. Please don’t be concerned for how this will impact you as a member; nothing is changing for our members at the warehouse or online. In fact, this type of growth is our plan for how we will effectively sustain and support the heart & soul of SFRAW: our members & buyer’s group. As long as you purchase through us directly, SFRAW members will continue to receive the special perks of membership – discounted member pricing, access to the full catalog of the buyer’s group/ordering & delivery, continued expert mentoring/education/support, camaraderie with all the amazing members that make up our awesome buyer’s group, etc.

Please support our continued efforts to make SFRAW a truly viable and sustainable operation by helping us with this expansion – let us know about any cool local businesses where you’d like to see our products on the shelf & encourage people to shop locally at these great small businesses.

Photos from our Feb 2013 Top 10 Herbs for Dogs Class

Photos from our Wed night class about our favorite herbs for dogs.

Putting it all together.

Healing herbal salve being prepared with local beeswax & propolis.

Herbs used in the salve: calendula, chamomile, lavender, oregon grape root.

Adding a little sweet almond oil to the salve.

Adding the essential oil.

Pouring into jars.

Our February Raw Feeding Workshop For Dogs

Photos from our workshop today. We had a great time preparing five different types of diets from start-to-finish & participants went home with what they made.

Workshop stations ready for students.

Participants ready to begin!

Kasie started the class with a review of the different meals we’re preparing at each station.

Duck & beef “frankenprey” meal with beef & duck grind meal in the background.

Beef & tripe meal that was to be prepared for two participants that needed a cooked diet option for their Frenchie and Boston Terrier.

Participant’s GSD, Lucy, enjoyed the chicken breast & liver for breakfast.

Yum!

Duck & beef meals being made.

Chicken meals being prepared for Corgis and GSD.

Low-carb chunky turkey meals being made for a dog with skin & GI issues (Bloodhound) and two bulldog puppies.

Beautiful beef patties to be brought home for cooked diets; they can be lightly seared or baked.

Patties on food grade papers & boxed up to go home.

Turkey grind all mixed up and ready to package into 32 oz. containers.

Duck & beef meals being packaged into serving sized bags.

Top 10 Herbs for Dogs: Slippery Elm Bark

Last night we held our first class about the use of herbs at SFRAW: Top 10 Herbs for Dogs. It was a great success and a lot of fun! I had a wonderful time talking about some of my most favorite herbs, and everyone gathered around to watch while I prepared an incredibly delicious smelling healing salve. Students took home samples of this special blend I prepared just for their class. Participants will also revieve a document I wrote that profiles all 10 herbs featured for this class. I decided to share one of these profiles with our blog followers as well.

Enjoy!

Kasie

 

Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)
Slippery elm is a large, deciduous tree native to North America; the inner bark is used for herbal and nutritional applications. Considered one of the most valuable remedies in herbal practice, this wonderfully strengthening and healing herb has been used for centuries for everything from a highly nutritional, restorative food to treating skin conditions to calming respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Native American populations prepared slippery elm bark as a porridge for infants and the elderly during times of famine, and it works incredibly well as a nourishing gruel for very young, sick and old animals.

 

PROPERTIES & ATTRIBUTES

• Mucilage that coats, lubricates, soothes, tones, and protects the entire digestive tract. Has a similar action on the respiratory system, so it is useful for reliving the discomforts associated with Kennel Cough and bronchitis; makes swallowing easier, soothes pain from coughing & reduces inflammation.
• Being tolerated by the stomach when other foods fail, slippery elm is a highly nutritive food that contains fiber, bioflavonoids, calcium, magnesium, sodium, vitamins A, E, C, K and B-complex.
• Considered a prebiotic; helps to promote a healthy, balanced gut flora.
• Normalizes the bowels; acts as a bulk forming laxative that relaxes smooth muscles while tannins tighten digestive mucosa to reduce inflammation and inhibit the entrance of excess fluids into the intestines to help combat diarrhea. Soothes ulcers & reduces stomach acid. Oily mucilage helps lubricate the digestive tract to assist in the elimination of waste; draws out impurities and toxins from the body.
• Aids in healing and protecting, slippery elm has antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and astringent properties. It is used in a popular herbal remedy for cancer patients (Essiac Tea) and helps to stimulate the immune system.

HOW TO USE SLIPPERY ELM

Internally for convalescence, fasting, gastrointestinal or respiratory distress:

• During sickness: Mix 1-2 teaspoon slippery elm bark powder steeped in 8 oz of liquid (broth or hot water) with 1 teaspoon of unfiltered raw honey, grade-B maple syrup or blackstrap molasses.
• For constipation, add 1 teaspoon of organic goat or cow’s milk whole, unsweetened, unflavored yogurt.
• Prepare a soothing, nutritive treat by blending slippery elm bark powder with a small amount of equal parts unfiltered raw honey, grade-B maple syrup or blackstrap molasses & raw, unfiltered virgin organic coconut oil & raw organic tahini (sesame paste). You may also choose to add a small amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint, fennel, chamomile or ginger. Make a stiff dough and press/roll together to make bite-sized balls. This is a healing, nutritional power treat for pets and people. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Feed any of these options as often as needed throughout the day – slippery elm is medicinal food and you do not need to be concerned about overdosing.
• For weaning puppies and lactating bitches (starting at 4 weeks of age), prepare a nutritive gruel of warmed raw goat’s milk, raw local unfiltered honey, pastured raw egg yolks, chamomile or dill, and slippery elm. You may also add a small amount of soaked organic oat bran. This incredible Natural Rearing supplement was first recommended by the highly respected herbalist Juliette de Bairacli Levy; used for generations by NR breeders to promote optimal health, bone structure and muscle development, and overall strength and vitality in their litters.

Externally for all skin conditions and tissue trauma:

• Make a poultice (prepare a paste with small amount of warm water) of slippery elm bark powder and apply directly to wounds, ulcers, boils or abscesses. It is soothing and healing; reduces inflammation and pain, while drawing out impurities.

CAUTIONS & RISKS Possible allergic reactions are rare, but this is the only known possible risk for using slippery elm bark. Slippery Elm is very well tolerated and incredibly safe. Look for fluffy beige to light pink fibrous bark or a soft powder – it is sweet and nutty.Because this herb coats the digestive tract, there is a concern that continued long-term use may inhibit the absorption of nutrients. This is merely a theory of possible risk and has not been demonstrated or proven. However, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend limiting the use of slippery elm to acute periods of distress, and limiting long-term administration to three month periods of time; taking regular breaks from continued long-term use.

Slippery elm could theoretically slow down or decrease the absorption of medications or supplements taken by mouth due to hydrocolloidal fibers, although there is a lack of actual interactions or experiences reported.

If not collected carefully, you may end up contaminating your herb with the *outer* bark, which is not the part that should be used. This contamination is not a risk at all when purchasing this herb from any reputable sources. The outer bark may cause irritation to the digestive and urinary systems, and may induce abortion in pregnant animals.

 

NOTE: Slippery elm is considered at risk for being overharvested and populations in the wild are threatened by some common elm diseases, so responsible use is important. If you would like to use a different herb that acts similarly to slippery elm, you may also consider marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) as an alternative. Marshmallow is another excellent nutritive food herb that soothes, lubricates, and protects internal tissues and mucous membranes. Combine in equal measure marshmallow root with goldenrod or raspberry leaf for best results to match slippery elm’s action on the digestive and respiratory tract. Externally, common plantain (Plantago sp) would work similarly for skin ailments.

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Posted: 2013 SFRAW Classes & Workshops Schedule

Making Pet Food Demonstrations

Workshop Description: Watch & learn how to prepare meals for your dog or cat at home using SFRAW sourced ingredients. Every Saturday afternoon we make food for our own dogs & cats – we’re happy to share what we do and how we do it with you, our members and customers. This is a drop-in class with a casual atmosphere.

Cost: FREE

All classes are 2:00pm-3:00pm with 30-minutes Q&A and group discussion until 3:30am

When: Every Saturday

Introduction to Feeding Fresh Foods to Dogs

Class Description: This class is an overview of the many different ways to feed a natural, whole foods diet to dogs. Topics include common myths & concerns including bacteria, nutritional balance, parasites, digestibility, safety, expense & difficulty/convenience. Why & how to feed a fresh foods diet when you don’t normally handle meat (vegan or vegetarian)? How to feed dogs with common health concerns (allergies, dental disease/missing teeth, sensitive digestion/digestive disorders), toy breeds, giant breeds and specific breed concerns; feeding puppies and older dogs.

Cost: FREE

Dates & Times: 7:00pm-8:00pm with 30-minutes Q&A and group discussion until 8:30pm

Monday, February 11^th

Monday, April 15^th

Monday, June 10^th

Raw Feeding Workshop For Dogs

Description: During our hands-on workshop we will teach you how to put together a sample menu/diet for your dog(s) at any age. While making food we will answer general questions about preparing raw diets on a practical level. Participants will prepare a meal that they can take home to feed their dog(s). Pick-up practical tips and tricks from seasoned raw feeders on how to feed fresh foods properly and how to manage every-day feeding with ease.

Space is limited to 12 participants (6 food prep stations will be set-up with two people per station). Cost for the seminar includes food/ingredients, packaging and supplies involved in making the food you’ll take home. Please let us know in advance if your pet has any food allergies or intolerances so we will have ingredients that will work for your pet ready for you.

Prerequisite: Please attend one of our FREE Introduction to Feeding Fresh Foods to Dogs classes or have a basic understanding of feeding fresh foods.

Cost: $65

Dates & Times: 9:00am-11:00am with 30-minutes Q&A and group discussion until 11:30am

Sunday, February 17^th

Sunday, April 21^st

Sunday, June 16^th

 

Class: “Top 10 Herbs” for Dogs

Description: In this class, we will review which herbs you should keep handy at home and how to use them safely for your dog. Five each of the best first aid herbs & nutritional herbs will be discussed with a demonstration on how to prepare one of the remedies featured. Participants will go home with a sample of the remedy made during the demonstration.

Cost: $35

Dates & Times: 6:30pm-7:30pm with 30-minutes Q&A and group discussion until 8:00pm

Wednesday, February 13^th

Monday, April 17^th

Monday, June 12^th

 

 

Introduction to Feeding Fresh Foods to Cats

Class Description: This class is an overview of how to feed a natural, whole foods diet to cats. Topics include common myths & concerns including bacteria, parasites, digestibility, safety, expense & difficulty/convenience. Why & how to feed a fresh foods diet when you don’t normally handle meat (vegan or vegetarian)? How to safely & successfully make the switch to raw for kibble-addicted cats, cats resistant to eating fresh foods & cats with common health issues (dental disease, renal problems/disease, hyperthyroidism, obesity & diabetes). Special nutritional needs of felines and how to ensure the diet is nutritionally balanced.

Cost: FREE

Dates & Times: 7:00pm-8:00pm with 30-minutes Q&A and group discussion until 8:30pm

Monday, March 11^th

Monday, May 14^th

Monday, July 15^th

 

Raw Feeding Workshop For Cats

Description: During our hands-on workshop we will teach you how to put together a sample menu/diet for your cat(s) at any age. While making food we will answer general questions about preparing raw diets on a practical level. Participants will prepare a meal that they can take home to feed their cat(s). Pick-up practical tips and tricks from seasoned raw feeders on how to feed fresh foods properly and how to manage every-day feeding with ease.

Space is limited to 12 participants (6 food prep stations will be set-up with two people per station). Cost for the seminar includes food/ingredients, packaging and supplies involved in making the food you’ll take home. Please let us know in advance if your pet has any food allergies or intolerances so we will have ingredients that will work for your pet ready for you.

Prerequisite: Please attend one of our FREE Introduction to Feeding Fresh Foods to Cats classes or have a basic understanding of feeding fresh foods.

Cost: $65

Dates & Times: 9:00am-11:00am with 30-minutes Q&A and group discussion until 11:30am

Sunday, March 17^th

Sunday, May 19^th

Sunday, July 21^st

Q & A: Diet for 7-yr old Chi-mix with UTI

QUESTION:

Hi! My Ollie is a 7 year old chi mix with his first UTI. He did have crystals a few months ago which resolved with adding extra liquid and vitamin C to his diet. We treated the UTI with Clavamox and then on his most recent culture we found resistant bacteria and now he is being treated with two different antibiotics (one a sulfa drug and the other is Baytril). I am supporting him with Pet Dopholis and Organic Cran-Aid tea. He is currently eating Honest Kitchen Preference with chicken necks. I am making sure he goes out to pee every 4 hours at least (he likes to hold it for looong times!), and I’ve added a little ACV as well. Do you have anything else to recommend? Thanks so much, you guys are awesome! – Jessica Rollins, SFRAW Facebook fan

ANSWER:

So sorry to hear about Ollie’s troubles. UTIs can be difficult to deal with sometimes. Unfortunately, antibiotic use can ironically make them more resistant and recur more frequently.  It is good you did a culture & sensitivity test because that is critical to ensuring you are giving the correct antibiotic, if you choose to go this route.

Homeopathy can be extremely helpful for these cases – you should consult with a qualified classical homeopath if you decide to try this. We have a referral list on our website here: http://sfraw.com/faq.htm#vets

For UTIs, we strongly recommend d-Mannose as a treatment option; it can be extremely effective, you can use it safely with other treatments, and it is safe for long-term use:
http://www.integrativehealthreview.com/eating-nutrition/d-mannose-the-simple-sugar-that-prevents-and-can-cure-urinary-tract-infections/

Do keep giving the probiotics for as long as possible as it will take some time to replenish the friendly flora in his body after the use of antibiotics.

Diet Suggestions:  Foods to Avoid

You may want to consider eliminating carbohydrates and sugars from his diet. Preference is a convenient high-quality pre-mix, not a balanced diet (must add plain muscle meat to it as directed on the label, not just chicken necks), but it does have carbohydrates. If you can switch to a food without any carbohydrates, we think that would be best for Ollie. We reccomend avoiding venison, seafood/fish & shellfish for pets with urinary tract imbalances. 

Reccomended Foods Provide nutritional balance by feeding a variety of different foods over time. In our experience, the most desirable protiens for this type of issue are rabbit, chicken gizzards, pork, egg, beef, and small amounts of chicken.

For example, you may choose to feed some of the following meat/bone/organ raw pet food grinds in rotation:
• GreenTripe or Xkaliber products
• Hare-Today rabbit, goat, mutton, pheasant, pork, etc.
• SFRAW duck grind ombined with 50% muscle meat/offal (such as Marin Sun Farms or Prather beef pet food)
• Various other pet food grinds such as EcoPawz turkey or chicken grinds

Alternatively, you can combine whole parts as meals over time within these guidelines:
65% muscle meat (beef, turkey, pork, duck, chicken, etc.)
25% chicken necks, feet or similar boney/low meat consumable RMBs
5% liver
5% variety of other offal such as: gizzards, heart, kidney, tripe, sweetbreads

To these products, we recommend adding our Healthy Powder & Seasonal Herbs, small amounts of raw fresh garlic, raw/organic/unfiltered ACV, a high quality EFA & Vit E.

Make a home-made broth & serve as much as your dog will enjoy – extra liquids are helpful in this case.

Frequent walks for potty & encouraging urination through praise and positive experiences will help a lot, too. Hope Ollie feels better soon & the UTI goes away for good!

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION “Thank you so much for your response! It is very helpful. I will start him on the D-Mannose and switch him to a raw diet that is lower in carbs. We have also increased his liquids and will take him out to potty more. Are you saying you would have not recommended antibiotics at all? – Jessica”

ANSWER & CONCLUSION

Hi Jessica,

Well, for my own animals, under these circumstances, antibiotics would not be something I would choose to employ. However, I am not against the use of antibiotics entirely. I would consider antibiotics as a last resort treatment in extreme, life-threatening situations, under specific circumstances, for certain animals. Because of the way I now manage disease and employ Natural Rearing style health care, I have not used any antibiotics since 1989.  Since this time, I have followed a different path for treatment and disease management; using classical homeopathy, herbs, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle changes as my first choice for treatment. These have all been completely successful for the animals under my care, so far.

However, I’m truly respectful of other people’s health and medical choices for themselves and their loved ones. So if conventional treatment, such as antibiotics, feels right to you for Ollie at this time, then I hope my suggestions for how to do so in a way that minimizes damages/risks associated with this route is helpful to you.

The two most important things when treating infections via antibiotic use are:
a) to do a culture and sensitivity analysis test to choose the correct antibiotic before ever giving a single dose of antibiotic for any infection
b) minimizing the damage/side-effects of antibiotic use as best you can by incorporating plenty of probiotcs/prebiotics in the form of living/cultured foods & supplements, as long as necessary

In addition, I’d recommend measuring your animal’s laboratory values (including renal & hepatic function tests) to ensure they remain healthy before, during, and after any period of treatment with chemical medications, so you can pay close attention to any potential side-effects and swiftly counterbalance these effects as needed using diet, supplements, and herbs.

You and Ollie have your own unique & special journey together; you will make decisions that make the most sense to you and feel right for Ollie as an individual. As Ollie’s caretaker and biggest advocate, you alone know what is truly best for him. I really respect this and honor the care you obviously put into supporting his best interest & wellness!

Kasie Maxwell

Founder, SFRAW