From Our Resident Nutritionist

For those who don't know Linda Antonelli yet, she is our resident nutritionist and the care giver of many Bostons who come to us in a horrific state, especially the most heartbreaking skin conditions you will ever see. I've lost count of how many she has healed over time - and it doesn't happen overnight.

She has a lot of knowledge and you can tell she doesn't mind sharing it.

This is for all of us who foster.

First, go out and buy one or more of these books which are my favorites:

• "Reigning Cats & Dog"s by Pat McKay, which covers good nutrition. She will tell you about what every fruit and veggie does for the body, and you'll learn how to feed yourself from this book.
  
  
• Then, her other book, "Natural Immunity and Why You Should Not Vaccinate" by Pat McKay. After reading this book you won't want to vaccinate your kids. It's a personal issue that you just need to research.
  
• Then my favorite, The Goldstein's Wellness & Longevity Program from Dr. Robert Goldstein, the holistic vet who saved my Rotties.
  
  Okay, now my opinion on dog food. I don't feed it to my dogs. If you can't do a home cooked/raw diet, at least get a good food like Wellness dry. Can food even at its best has 74% moisture, which means what, 74% is water. The protein is 9% meaning if it is beef, chicken or whatever meat, it's only 9%. If you are paying $3.00 per can, why don't you just go get some chop meat, saute it up and that is your new can food. It will cost less. Read the label. Check the crude analysis.
  
  Favorite Snacks and flavor inhanscers: apples, pears, melon balls, bananas, apple sauce, brussels sprouts, zucchini, carrots, popcorn, shredded wheat, grated cheese, plain no fat yogurt, eggs,
  cottage cheese, and I'm sure I missed a few.
  
  When I watch a movie and eat popcorn, I throw a handful of popcorn on the floor and my dogs eat it like cattle (LOL).
  
  Detox Atioxidants: Vitamin C: 250 mg. 2 x per day; Vitamin A: 2,500 iu once a day; I use this for kennel cough too.
  
  Vitamin B6 is a natural antihistamine. It will help clam and quiet the nerve endings of the the skin and reduce inflammation and itch. 25 mg. with meals.
  
  Skin Savers: Cabbage and cucumber.
  
  Growing hair: My favorite, Kale & Carrots - this is how I grow hair on my mange dogs after the cabbage and cucumber.
  
  My stew recipe: Provides sodium, potassium and minerals to heal inflamed joints & skin and stomach disorders:
  8 medium sweet potatoes, 6 celery stalks, 4 broccoli stalks, 6 carrots, 3 cloves garlic chopped
  Fill a large soup pot with 4 quarts filtered water. Cut everything small and add to water and simmer 1 hour. Use as "canned food". Refrigerate for no more than one week.
  
  I have a few more recipes that I'll send another day. If anyone has a special request for a special reason, give me a yell and I'll give you a recipe.
  
  Love ya, Linda