When asked this question, I sometimes joke to the person inquiring that it’s good they’re going to start taking responsibility for their own emissions and stop blaming the dog! But seriously, frequent gas in your dog shouldn’t be ignored. It can be much more than just unpleasant aromatherapy.

First the question: What causes gas in dogs? Unfortunately, there is not one simple answer as the reason can range from bad food to parasites to illness. To get to the, uh, bottom, of what’s causing gas in your particular furry friend, you first need to look at the whole animal. Is the dog healthy and in good condition other than having gas? If your dog is not in good health, then a trip to your favorite veterinarian (preferably one who practices alternative medicine) is in order. If your dog is in good health, other than occasionally clearing the room, then it may be time to try a few simple natural remedies. Read the rest »

Dear Kymythy,
I’ve heard that spinach is good for me, but I don’t like the taste. Do you have a good recipe?

You’re correct about spinach being good for you – Popeye was right! This “superfood” is loaded with good nutrients including protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, enzymes and fiber. It has a great calcium to phosphorus ratio and is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, K and B. Spinach also contains a large amount of the carotenoid lutein, which protects cells from free-radical damage and must be obtained from food because it’s not made within the body. Read the rest »

Dear Kymythy: Do you have a good replacement for soda pop?

Great idea! The average American drinks about 56 gallons of soda every year! When you consume even just one soda, you’re ingesting approximately 10 teaspoons of refined sugar and 50 milligrams of caffeine, along with artificial food colors and other chemicals. What you’re not getting is any nutritional value.

There’s a strong link between soda consumption and many health problems including obesity, tooth decay, behavioral disorders, diabetes, and bone loss. And the connection between soda consumption and childhood obesity is so strong that a few schools are now beginning to remove the vending machines from school grounds. Hurray! Read the rest »

When your child’s verbal loop switches from “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do” to “I don’t wanna go to school!” you know the time has come to do your parental duty and properly prepare them for another academic year. You’ll buy them notebooks, backpacks, pencils and books. But, are you also putting every effort into insuring that their brain is fully charged? A child with good brain health has the opportunity to be more successful in their schoolwork, and that translates to a better school year for both of you. There are many factors that affect brain health, and in this article we’ll focus on a few things you can do to make a positive difference in your child’s learning and memory function. Read the rest »

If you have children, then you know they’re a magnet for hovering hounds and mooching mousers. Living in a busy home that includes kids, pets, and adults, the line between who eats what can sometimes become blurry! Picking up dog or cat treats at the store can seem pointless if your furry family member is gobbling up whatever the kids are eating. And it can be frustrating to constantly guard the toddler from eating the pet’s treats!

But hey, you’re in good company; humans have been sharing food with their animal companions since the beginning of our relationship with them. The practice dates back to the time when early human first invited their primitive pet into the sanctity of their home and, much to the animal’s delight, their kitchen. Perhaps it was a child that first earned the affection of a wild kitten or pup by sharing her lunch with them. Sharing food with our animal friends is a time-honored tradition that has helped bond our species together. Plus, it’s fun! It brings out the nurturer, the companion, and the guardian in us; even in young children. It feels good to share a special treat with a furry friend, and millions of animal-lovers do it on a regular basis. Read the rest »