Do you Feed your Dog Better than Yourself?

Picking up on the theme of my last blog, "Are you as Healthy as Your House Plants?", the same principle applies to our pets.  About a year ago we started experiencing some health issues with our beloved dog Kadie.  The main evidence was in the loss of sheen and thickness in her coat.  Based on a health check-up, the vet advised we be more selective about her food and avoid dog food that has wheat and corn as the leading ingredients.  Easier said than done.  Have you ever read the ingredients listings for pet food?  Most of them, dry, canned or snacks, lead with either corn or wheat or both! 

Well, we found a premium dog food that came highly recommended at our local mom and pop pet shop.  Within a few months, we noticed a significant improvement in Kadie's energy levels and appearance.  And, as you can see in the photo, she once again has a beautiful, shiny coat of thick soft hair.  Although we're paying more for dog food, we know we're saving money in vet bills in the long run.  And we have a happy healthy dog.  

I'm sure the parallels with our own human health are obvious.  Just like our pets, if we don't eat nutritious, high quality food, it will show in our skin, nails and hair.  After all, our outer appearance is a reflection of what's going on (or isn't going on) inside of us.   But isn't it amazing how many of us will spend money on our pets without thinking twice about it, but when it comes to feeding ourselves good quality food, such as organics and supplements, we balk at spending the money.

One perhaps less obvious parallel I want to point out is that of time.  So many of us spend years ignoring our health, and then when we decide or are pressed for health reasons to seek out a solution, we often expect instantaneous results and cures.  But just as it took Kadie months to get her shine back, so too it can take months for our bodies to fully process the healthful changes we're making.  Some things are noticeable almost immediately, such as an increase in energy and weight loss, while others take longer to materialize.

Be patient.  Investing in your health with good nutrition requires a consistent effort.  But the payoff is worth it:  in your overall feeling and appearance of good health and the reduced likelihood of illness down the road.  Just like we want to avoid costly vet bills, we should all be striving to avoid costly hospital stays and reduced quality of life due to ill health.  The solution is simple.  Eat and live well.

For more on this theme, see my blog, "Giving your Body Time to Shift".