ECO TIP | 38 NATURAL PET

HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERING

THE GIFT OF GIVING

As we indulge in magnificent feasts and open gifts in cozy living rooms, let’s pause to express gratitude for all that we have and look for ways to help those less fortunate. The holiday season is the time for giving. One of the best ways to get into the spirit is by volunteering time and treasure to meaningful causes and underprivileged individuals. Here are a few ideas.

ADOPT A FAMILY

Find a nearby impoverished family that could use a houseful of gifts, including toys, blankets and warm clothes, then do a little shopping and make their holiday dreams come true. Local social service agencies can help identify the lucky family.

HANDMADE HOLIDAY CARDS

Spend an afternoon making holiday greeting cards to warm the hearts of lonely seniors, U.S. armed service members and children in hospitals battling serious illnesses. This is a great activity to do with kids—teaching them important lessons about kindness and generosity. For card-making ideas and distribution help: RedCross.org, LoveForOurElders. org, CardsForHospitalizedKids.com and ColorASmile.org.

TOYS FOR TOTS

Nothing is sadder than a child without at least one holiday gift. Fortunately, several organizations and thousands of generous people do their very best to fill those empty little hands with merriment. Here are a few places that need donations of time, money and gifts: ToysForTots.org, SamaritansPurse.org, SalvationArmyUSA. org and OperationHelpAHero.org.

MAKE A BLANKET

Some kids could really use the cozy warmth and comfort of their very own security binky. Here are two organizations that provide blanket-making ideas and instructions, and also help facilitate their collection and distribution: ProjectLinus. org and BinkyPatrol.org. This is a wonderful group project for families or classrooms.

HOLIDAY MEALS

Food insecurity is a serious problem in this country, and low-income families that rely on government assistance and food banks for everyday nutrition will likely not have the wherewithal for a holiday feast. Here’s where our help comes in. The following organizations either serve free holiday meals or give away food baskets: local churches, temples and mosques; MealsOnWheels America. org; neighborhood food pantries and soup kitchens; and SalvationArmyUSA.org.

CHILDREN BATTLING ILLNESS AND TROUBLED FAMILIES

Here are a few charities that accept monetary donations and sweat equity to aid children battling serious diseases or troubled family situations: StJude.org, OneSimpleWish.org, Wish.org and Prison Fellowship.org.

HELP FOR NEGLECTED PETS AND IMPERILED WILDLIFE

These organizations accept donations of money and time: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org); National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org); Best Friends Animal Society (BestFriends. org); Friends of Animals (FriendsOfAnimals. org); Animal Welfare Institute (awionline. org); Alley Cat Allies (AlleyCat.org); Jane Goodall Institute (JaneGoodall.org); and The Humane Society of the United States (Humane Society.org).

Holiday Treats for Cats and Dogs

EASY-TO-MAKE FESTIVE RECIPES TO DELIGHT PETS

by Tonya Wilhelm

The holidays are a great time to connect with loved ones, including family pets. Although treats bring such joy to their lives, keep in mind that not all foods around the holiday table are safe for dogs and cats. There are, however, plenty of pet-safe ingredients, some of which are actually beneficial.

Cranberries, for example, have been classified as a “superfood”, which means they provide many beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamins C, E and K, plus manganese. They are also high in fiber, which supports gut health. When feeding them to a pet, it is important to choose 100 percent cranberries that do not contain any sugars or preservatives.

When cooking up a batch of pet treats, coconut flour is healthier than the traditional, all-purpose flour, because it contains more fiber, protein and healthy fats. It is also gluten-free, making it a better alternative for pets with allergies.

Beef gelatin is chock-full of health benefits for pets, as it contains amino acids that help break down food, repair body tissue, support the immune system and provide energy. Among its numerous advantages, gelatin strengthens bones, muscles and cartilage, while also improving gut health, skin and fur. Always check the ingredient list. Use 100 percent gelatin and make sure there is nothing else included, especially Xylitol or birch sugar.

Sweet potatoes provide a wealth of nutrients from which both dogs and cats can benefit. They are a good source of fiber and high in antioxidants, including beta carotene, which is rich in vitamin A and supports good cognition and lung strength.

Turkey breast supplies a wide range of B vitamins, including B6 and B12. It also provides iron, potassium, zinc and selenium, which help support a healthy immune system.

All of these treats make great presents. Place them in a decorative container and gift them to pet-loving friends and family.

Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer with a holistic approach. For more information, visit RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com.

SWEET POTATO GUMMIES

This recipe is cat-friendly, but a kitty may not dive into the delight.

YIELD: DEPENDS ON MOLD SIZE

3 cups water ½ cup sweet potato 3 Tbsp beef gelatin Silicone molds and cookie sheet Measuring cup with a spout for pouring Boil 2 cups of water. Remove the skin from a sweet potato. Dice the sweet potato and place ½ cup into the boiling water. Boil until the sweet potato is soft and then drain it. Mash the sweet potato into a smooth consistency and set it next to the stove.

In a small saucepan, boil one cup of water. Once the water reaches a boil, quickly whisk in the gelatin. When the gelatin is dissolved, lower the heat and add the mashed sweet potato and stir over the heat. Pour the mixture into the measuring cup. Then quickly pour the hot liquid into the silicone molds. Don’t fill to the top. Because many silicone molds are floppy, place them on a cookie sheet prior to filling them. The molds will need to be refrigerated to cool, so find a spot before pouring. Be ready: The gelatin will start to set up very quickly. Carefully place the molds into the refrigerator to set up for approximately three hours.

Remove the treats from the molds and break them into bite-sized pieces before feeding to pets. Store the gummies in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving.

HEALTHY CRANBERRY MUFFINS FOR PETS

These muffins are full of flavor and nutrition, and are healthy for both dogs and cats, although a finicky cat may turn her nose up to them.

YIELD: VARIES

1 cup coconut flour 5 eggs ⅓ apple or ⅓ cup diced apple ⅓ cup liquid (water, or bone broth) 2 cups water ¼ cup cranberries 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil 1 tsp baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water. Place 2 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Place the clean cranberries into the water and boil until they pop, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain the cranberries. Set the cranberries aside to cool.

Remove the seeds and core from the apple. Dice ⅓ of the apple into small bits. Mix the flour, eggs, apple, ⅓ cup liquid, melted coconut oil, cooked cranberries and baking soda in a large mixing bowl until well-blended.

Grease a muffin tin with coconut oil. Fill the muffin tins ⅔ full and place them into the oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Carefully remove and place on a cooling rack. Serve as a special treat. Place treats in a glass container and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve.Thaw completely before serving.

EASY TURKEY JERKY FOR PETS

This easy turkey recipe will have felines purring with delight. It’s a healthy snack for a cat and a great dog-training treat for the clever pooch.

YIELD: VARIES

Fresh, boneless and skinless turkey breast Thinly slice the turkey breast into strips—the thinner, the better. Place strips on a dehydrator tray. Do not overlap the strips. Dehydrate at 145° F until the turkey is crispy, which can take between eight to 12 hours. Allow the turkey to cool completely before removing it from the trays. Break into little bite-sized treats for cats and dogs. Store the jerky in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving.