Everybody needs protein, but not everyone enjoys eating meat. Fare including the usual suspects like beef, chicken, and fish, is among the best sources of protein available.

Just check out the amount of protein in a single serving of the following cooked meats and fish:

• 3 oz of chicken breast: 13 grams 

• 3 oz of steak: 23 grams

• 3 oz of salmon: 21 grams 

All that protein is made up of varying combinations of molecules called amino acids, dubbed the "building blocks of life." Your body really can't function without them and relies on amino acids for everything from repairing tissue to digesting food.

So, does this mean you have to be a meat-eater if you want your body to get all the nutrients it needs to thrive? The answer is ‘No!’ In fact, whatever your reason for exploring non-meat protein substitutes, you'll be pleased to know you have plenty of alternative options. Here are a few simple ones you can start with:

• Eggs

Like chicken, beef, and fish, eggs are considered a complete protein source. Crack just one open and you'll find six grams of protein inside. If you skip the yolk, you'll still get about 4 grams of protein from just the egg whites. 

Eggs may be a good choice for people who follow a vegetarian lifestyle or simply want to cut back on their meat consumption. Not so good of an option for people with egg allergy, however. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 2 percent of kids are allergic to eggs, although most (70 percent) will outgrow the allergy by age 16. There are vegan and plant-based egg alternatives that have similar amounts of protein as well.

• Plant Protein

Plant-based diets are an integral part of human history, but for several reasons (e.g., ethical, environmental, taste, health) they've become even more popular lately. A 2018 study found that 14 percent of Americans regularly consume plant protein sources, even though the majority of them (86 percent) do NOT consider themselves vegan or vegetarian. 

Replacing some of your calories from meat protein with plant protein can even lower your risk of heart disease and early death, according to a study from Harvard Medical School. In other words, the animal vs. plant debate isn't necessarily an all-or-none choice, and you don't have to swear off meat completely in order to enjoy the health benefits of plant protein. 

One of the most delicious ways to get your plant protein is in a convenient powder that you can mix into water, smoothies, pancakes, baked goods, oatmeal and more. Our delicious plant protein mixes have 13-14 grams of protein and 100-120 calories in every serving — that’s more protein and less calories than half of a chicken breast! 

Other top plant protein options include pumpkin seeds, buckwheat, hemp, spirulina, and quinoa. Like meat, these plants are considered complete protein sources. Additional options include rice, legumes (lentils, peas, peanuts, and beans), and other nuts and seeds including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. 

• Dairy 

Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk also earn a spot on the "complete protein" list. A 16 oz glass of skim milk has a little over 16 grams of protein, while 8 oz of cottage cheese has a whopping 25 grams. 

About 65 percent of people are unable to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy. This explains why so many of us experience uncomfortable symptoms (like diarrhea, gas, and bloating) when we eat dairy products. If dairy intolerance symptoms sound familiar to you, you may consider avoiding this protein substitute. 

• Soy, Tempeh, and Tofu

Soy and soy-based products like tofu and tempeh are also good sources of plant-based protein. We're mentioning them separately from other non-meat protein substitutes because many people avoid soy due to allergies or other health reasons. (Keep in mind a lot of plant-based protein supplements are made with soy, so if you're trying to avoid this ingredient be sure to look at the label carefully.)

For reference, just one ounce of dried soybeans contains 12 grams of protein. One cup of tempeh (fermented soybeans) contains over 30 grams, and one cup of tofu (soybean curd) has about 20 grams.

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When meat's not on the menu, you'll need to be sure you fill your plate (or shaker bottle) with other good protein sources. Why? Because protein is made up of amino acids, which our bodies must get in order to grow, repair, and stay healthy.

Remember, even if you do eat meat and other animal products, consuming plant-based protein offers additional health benefits and may even reduce your risk of certain diseases. So, in addition to non-meat protein substitutes like dairy and eggs, be sure to get more plant protein in your life.

July 5th is one of the busiest days in both veterinary hospitals and animal shelters for many reasons — panicked pups bolt over fences leading to injuries and lost pets, unattended food gets scarfed down causing gastric problems, overheated canines experience heat exhaustion, and the list goes on.

The good news is that we know what to anticipate, which means we have the opportunity now to plan ahead and help keep the Fourth fun and safe for everyone. Here are five tips to make sure you and your pet have a great Independence Day.

1.  Keep the barbecue food away.

   Summer barbecues are delicious for us but full of hazards for pets. High-fat foods like burgers and hot dogs can cause pancreatitis, kebab skewers can wreak havoc in the stomach, corn cobs are a leading cause of GI surgery, and ribs have bones that can splinter and pierce the intestines. Make sure all your grilled goods  are securely out of the way of nosy pets, and keep an eye out for party guests (especially kids) who accidentally leave plates in precarious locations.
   
   

2. Avoid putting glow-sticks on your pet.

   Although they may look cute, please resist the urge to put a glow stick around your pet’s neck. They really aren’t designed for pet use, chiefly because the liquid they contain can be quite irritating if ingested. Fortunately, there is another option! If you want your pup to look bright and patriotic, LED-lighted collars are designed to be both adorable and perfectly pet-safe.
   
   

   
   

3. Update your pet’s ID info.

   Is your pet’s tag and microchip up-to-date? If you’ve recently moved or your phone number has changed, getting a new tag and calling your vet to update a microchip are inexpensive forms of insurance for a potentially scary problem. When fireworks go off, even well-behaved, mild-mannered pets can panic and bolt. One of the main reasons pets languish in shelters after the 4th is due to incorrect or missing identification.
   
   

4. Provide a happy distraction at home.

   If you must leave your companion animal home alone when fireworks are likely, take some precautions to help minimize anxiety. Some may even surprise you! For example, some pets find classical music soothing, while others enjoy TV. There are non-drug calming options such as the Thundershirt or a pheromone collar. And, last but not least, try the tasty distraction offered by a treat-dispensing toy filled with healthy dog treats or cat treats!
   
   

5. Consult your vet before the 4th.

   If your dog or cat are prone to levels of anxiety that over-the-counter remedies can’t address, your veterinarian might prescribe medications to help him or her through the night. We can’t stress enough how important it is to plan ahead for this holiday! Vet’s offices are often slammed on July 3rd with pet parents in a panic asking for a new prescription, and it may not be available on short notice.

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While the Fourth of July can be a source of stress for many canines and felines, it doesn’t have to be! As you can see, just a little bit of planning can make a world of difference.  We wish you a safe and happy Independence Day!

 

We’ve all heard the advice to trust your gut, or listen to your gut instincts. You may have even had a gut feeling deep down inside that you should make one decision, or avoid another. People are always listening to their guts — but are they really paying attention to their gut health? 

The fact of the matter is, your gut can tell you a lot more about your overall health than you may realize. These are just a few of the reasons why your gut health is so important:

• Your Gut Plays a Key Role in Your Central Nervous System

Often when people think of the nervous system, an image of the human brain comes to mind. However, the gut is actually home to one of the most important elements of the entire nervous system — the Enteric Nervous System, or ENS. The ENS is sometimes called the body's second brain because it contains more than 100 million nerve cells that communicate directly with the brain. The ENS primarily works to aid digestion, and a gut that’s out of balance may not have the ability to maintain a strong ENS.

• Your Gut Contains Bacteria that Controls Inflammation

Your gut is host to a wide variety of bacteria, and on the surface, that may sound kind of gross. In reality, we need good bacteria in the gut in order to improve digestive health and keep inflammation at bay. Your microbiome, the good bacteria in the gut, protects the walls of the digestive system. When these walls are compromised, we can be at risk for a variety of short-term and long-term complications, including allergies, asthma or Alzheimer's. 

• A Healthy Gut Results in a Happy Person

You know now that your gut routinely talks directly to your brain, but did you realize that your gut actually produces most of the serotonin that your body needs? When you actively support your gut health, you will find that your body produces more serotonin. 

Serotonin is the hormone that makes you feel happy. In fact, when your gut health is compromised, you may find that you feel more anxious or depressed than usual. Many people who include a probiotic supplement as part of their daily regimen find that they generally feel an improvement to their mood. 

• Your Gut Controls Your Metabolism

Your gut needs to be in tip-top shape in order to properly digest the food that you eat. When you eat  healthy and exercise, both of which promote gut health, you will be able to have a better handle on your metabolism. You will find that you feel more nourished by the food that you eat, and that you have less cravings. People who support their gut health often feel more energized by their food, and they feel more capable of leading an active lifestyle. Remember, your metabolism is responsible for fluctuations in weight — that means taking control of your metabolism and gut health can help you take control of your weight as well. 

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One way to support positive bacteria in the gut is to take a daily probiotic supplement. Of the five beneficial strains in our probiotic at Life's Abundance, one has even been shown to support overall digestive health, including bowel habits. Further, we’ve included a strain that is native to humans, rather than cows like typical supplements. 

It can be tempting to ignore that little voice inside, but when you pay it some attention, you just may feel like the best possible version of yourself!

I don’t know about you, but one of the unexpected benefits I’ve gotten from working from home so much lately is the abundance of cats I’ve seen on various Zoom calls. Dogs can be put on the other side of the door, silenced with a snap of the fingers or at least a distracting treat, but cats - no one puts kitty in the corner. This is their space, we’re just borrowing it for a while, and don’t you forget it.

In honor of World Cat Domination Day this June 24th, let’s celebrate our feline friends who hold such dominion over our homes and our hearts. It’s summer- yikes! Where did the time go? - and with all the extra time you’ve spent together, why not spend some of it making sure your cat is set up for optimum health! Here are five ways you can optimize your cat’s health and honor the fantastic feline in your life:

1. Schedule that overdue vet visit.
   

   Even before the COVID-19 lockdowns, people were a little reticent to bring their cat to the vet unless they really had to. I understand this. It’s hard to get them into the carrier, they freak out, and it can be an overall super stressful experience for your pet.
   

   With businesses easing back into the swing of things, most veterinarians are open for business as usual in terms of providing wellness services and yearly exams for pets. Even if curbside drop off is still being implemented, think of it as a silver lining- with you waiting in the parking lot, staff members are doing their absolute best to work efficiently and minimize the time you and your cat spend away from home! And if that is still too stressful, calling in a home visit vet is a perfect solution.
   
   

2. Teach your cat a new trick. 
   

   No, I don’t mean the one where they walk on your keyboard and stick their rear end straight into the webcam every single time you’re trying to start a video call (or is that just my cat?)
   
   Start with a simple sit command, as you would a puppy. Incentivize your cat with a delicious treat or whatever they find motivating. And if it’s not their thing, it’s not their thing- but for the right prize, you can almost always make it their thing.
   
   

   
   

3. Get in that deep-cleaning.

   OK, this one isn’t nearly as fun as crocheting a cat bed but it’s really important. Most people are good about cleaning out the cat’s food and water dishes, but when’s the last time you cleaned out the litter box?
   
   I’m not talking about scooping it, which should be done daily regardless, but a full top-to-bottom clean where all the litter gets dumped and the box cleaned thoroughly and left to air dry before filling with all new litter. Ideally you can use eco-friendly cleaners once-a-month part of your routine, but if you’ve fallen behind, you’re not the only one. If your human commode needs regular cleaning, don’t forget the cat’s does too.

4. Become a cat chef.

   Like most of you, I have to say cooking for my cat is a bit of a stretch, especially when I have an entire pantry full of Life’s Abundance food and treats at my disposal. It’s not something I would do all the time, but if you’re cleaning out the freezer and have some chicken breast or fish that’s probably a little freezer burned, you can make it into treats for your kitty with a dehydrator.
   
   Cats don’t need much, so I usually slice the meat into thin, 1-inch squares before putting them in my dehydrator for 6-7 hours. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use the oven on its lowest setting. These treats are best kept in the fridge where they’ll stay good for about three weeks, and voila! New best friend. 

5. Take on some cat-friendly home improvements. 
   

   Time to toss that old, scratched up cat tree where the carpeting is all unraveled? Why not build your own!
   
   OK, maybe that particular project doesn’t appeal to you and, like me, you shy away from anything that involves wood cutting. Fair enough. Maybe you prefer cloth-based projects, and in that case I direct you to the arm-crocheted cat bed I tried a few weeks ago. I mean, it’s a cat bed, and it’s yarn- two of their favorite things combined! No sewing required. Watch here:

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As we speak, my cat is dominating my dog by sleeping in his massive bed while her little cat bed sits unoccupied five feet away. Is there any better analogy for life with a cat? And we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, DVM

 

If you’ve ever dealt with breakouts (or acne), you have likely heard that oily skin is the most common culprit. It may sound shocking, but in reality, your natural composition combined with oil-based products can be your skin's best advocate. Read on and take charge of your skin’s health and appearance.

What Causes Breakouts

Breakouts are caused by skin congestion, which is the result of excess oil clogging your pores. This is what you may have NOT known: If you over dry your skin to reduce the oiliness, your body can overcompensate by producing even more oil.  This can end up leading to more clogged pores and skin congestion, which in turn leads to breakouts. In short, that squeaky clean feeling after washing your face could be working against you.

What Products to Look For

Skin care products that closely match your skin's composition are going to have the biggest payoff. Oil-based products are some of the best to keep your skin nourished and hydrated precisely because certain botanical combinations resemble your skin’s sebum, they’re readily accepted by a variety of skin types and help the skin to self-regulate. But, be on the lookout for harsh chemicals that may be lurking in the ingredient list. Look for products that use organic, botanical ingredients.

3 Products Every Skin Care Routine Needs

When you find the right products, your dream of a simple skin care routine can be reality.  Start with a gentle Facial Cleanser.  As a major added bonus, the best ones will also be effective at removing make-up.  A nourishing daily Facial Moisturizer is the next must-have. To really beef up the nutrient delivery, complete your routine with a Facial Serum.  Even if you only use it once or twice a week, it will help strengthen your skin with an additional nourishing barrier.

• Facial Cleanser: Remove the day’s buildup without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

• Facial Moisturizer: Soften and smooth the skin without irritating chemicals.

• Facial Serum: Promote a healthy barrier that nourishes and protects your skin.

More Tips to Help Clear Skin

If your daily routine just isn’t enough to keep your skin glowing, it may be because things like diet, exercise and environment play a role in your skin clarity as well. Pick a couple of the suggestions below and stick to them to see if they make a difference:

• Eliminate any irritating skin care products from your routine

• Drink water and stay hydrated all day

• Try cutting out as much processed sugars and foods as possible

• Include fruits and vegetables in your daily diet

• Eat fermented foods that are rich in probiotics

• Exercise regularly to help your body remove toxins 

At Life’s Abundance we created a skin-loving care line that’s handcrafted and organically sourced. Our skin care products are made with organic, plant-based and nourishing ingredients.  Best of all, they really work — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

At Life’s Abundance, we believe that every ingredient should provide a benefit. We also believe  in a whole-health, or holistic, approach to product formulation.  Our dog foods include all the nutrients that we know their bodies need — including some cutting edge ingredient choices we’ve made over the years that can pay big dividends to your dog’s health, taurine among them.

As the canine heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), started making headlines in 2018, taurine publicly emerged as an important nutrient for dogs. For many, many years, our dry dog foods have included taurine at guaranteed minimum levels.  That’s because we don’t believe that formulating to just be “good” is good enough. 

What is taurine?

Taurine is an amino acid that dogs need in order to maintain proper body function, including keeping your dog’s heart pumping strong.  Because dogs can naturally make it themselves and it doesn't build protein, taurine is not considered to be an essential amino acid. However, there are other health benefits of adding guaranteed taurine to their diet. 

Here are some of the benefits of taurine for dogs:

• Strengthens heart muscles and vascular function

• Promotes reproductive health 

• Supports healthy vision and retina health

• Promotes healthy liver function

What is taurine deficiency in dogs?

Just like people, dogs can have nutritional deficiencies.  Sometimes they are harder to diagnose because many times there are no obvious symptoms of taurine deficiency in dogs. 

When taurine levels in your dog’s blood are low, the heart will become weaker and will not be able to circulate blood through the body properly. Taurine deficiency is one of the causes of a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — this is when the heart muscle thins and the chambers become enlarged. Research to uncover more about DCM and its possible causes is ongoing by the FDA. 

Although DCM can be genetic, it can also be caused by, you guessed it, taurine deficiency. Some breeds that are predisposed to taurine deficiency include:

• Golden Retrievers

• Cocker Spaniels

• Doberman Pinschers

• Great Danes

• Dalmations

• Newfoundlands

How do I support my dog’s heart health with taurine?

Keeping an open dialogue with your veterinarian about your dog’s health is an important first step. Next, choosing a food with guaranteed amounts of taurine for your dog’s daily diet will add nutritional support for your dog, and peace of mind for you. Check out our line of dry dog food at Life’s Abundance, which includes taurine in every kibble.   

Here’s an insider tip when it comes to dog food formulas: Taurine isn’t considered an essential or traditional amino acid because its primary function is not to build proteins, like other amino acids do. This is why finding taurine in dog food brands other than Life’s Abundance has been practically unheard of. At Life’s Abundance, your search for dry dog food with taurine is at an end.

You only want what’s best for your dog.  We know because we’re pet parents too.  Armed with a bit of useful information, we hope you can feel confident in making the right, informed choices for your furry friend. 

 

Updated April 2024

Grooming your dog at home can be a fun, cost-effective bonding experience.

Ever tried wrangling a wet, soap-slippery dog during a home grooming session, only to end up looking like you've taken a bath instead? Let's give a round of applause to those magician-like professional groomers who transform our four-legged friends from scruffy to fluffy without breaking a sweat.

But, hey, sometimes life happens, and you find yourself reaching for the shampoo bottle at home. Whether you've got a mess that needs attention right away or just embracing the DIY dog grooming spirit, we’ve got a treasure trove of tips for grooming your dog at home.

At Life's Abundance, we believe every pet grooming session can be a spa day (yes, even with the clippers). We aim to empower pet parents like you, armed with towels, a trusty brush, and our botanical Bath Fresh Mist that makes tackling grooming adventures easy–all from the comfort of your home!

What Do I Need To Groom My Dog at Home?

Before we get into the sudsy depths of DIY dog grooming, let's make a pit stop at the most crucial step: assembling your grooming toolkit. Here's what you'll need to ensure a smooth bathtime:

• Towels
• Shampoo
• Washcloth
• Bath Fresh Mist
• Brush
• Ear wash
• LOTS of treats

Now, let's work up the suds and the fun with these 15 tips for grooming your dog at home. And who knows? By the end of this, you might just add 'home groomer extraordinaire' to your resumé!

Before Grooming

1. If your furry friend gets stressed during grooming, give them a cup of room-temperature chamomile tea with honey about 30 minutes before bath time, followed by a carb-rich treat like our Antioxidant Health Bars. The glucose in the treat will deliver the calming tea straight to your dog’s brain. (Make some extra tea for yourself if you're nervous too!)
2. If you don’t have a waterproof apron to protect your clothes, be sure to change into something that can get wet. Preferably it will have pockets to stow savory-smelling dog treats while keeping your hands free.
3. Using a high-quality cleanser, like our Revitalizing Shampoo, makes a difference. The luxurious lather won’t strip your dog’s protective oils or leave a soapy residue on their coat. The natural fruit extracts have a soothing fragrance that both you and your dog will appreciate.
4. Long-haired breeds should be brushed with a fine-toothed comb first. Otherwise, you could end up making knots in their coat even worse.
5. If your dog especially seems to dislike outside baths, it might be a good idea to try the bathtub. Many dogs respond much better to lukewarm water.

During Grooming

1. Start by wetting your dog at their neck and then move backward. Then, get those suds going! Use a gentle massaging motion and give soothing words of encouragement. (Research shows your voice can be soothing to them.)
2. Wash their face last. So you can start on one side, then move to the other, and then down their legs and tail.
3. Make sure you don’t miss any commonly missed spots, like their fuzzy underarms and in between their toes.
4. To begin rinsing, start at your pup’s head (avoiding the eyes). Soak a washcloth and wring it out just above their head to keep it gentle. Use a washcloth to wipe their muzzle and around the eyes.
5. Continue rinsing by moving backward. Rinse one side of their body first, then the other, before thoroughly working through their chest, underarms, belly, and legs.
6. After rinsing, use your hands like squeegees to remove excess water. This also allows you to feel if you have left any soap behind. Rinsing all the soap off completely is important, as any soap left behind can make your dog itchy. Let them shake all the excess water off (ideally outside).

Take your dog outside and let them shake off excess water

After Grooming

1. Now you’re ready to dry your dog using towels. If your dog has long or cottony fur, try using a patting motion rather than rubbing to avoid matting the fur.
2. Once they’re dry, follow up with a skin and coat conditioner, like our Bath Fresh Mist. This conditioner helps keep their exterior hydrated, healthy, and smelling fresh.
3. Don’t forget about the ears! Many breeds of dogs need to have the hair in their ears cleaned regularly. This helps fight off bacteria, dirt, and grime trapped inside the ear canal. Our Ear Care Formula gently and safely removes dirt and debris while nourishing the tender skin in this area.
4. To finish the grooming session, remember to offer your dog their favorite treat. This helps seal the experience in your dog’s mind as a positive one.
5. Bathe your dog no more than every 2-3 weeks. In between baths, you can use Bath Fresh Mist to neutralize odors and condition the skin. Just spray and brush it in. It’s that easy. You’ll love the smell and your dog will love the attention.

Remember: Make DIY Dog Grooming Fun!

So that’s a wrap on turning your pup from shaggy to chic right from your bathroom (or backyard)! With these pro tips and some patience, you’ve become a good pet parent AND a grooming guru. At Life’s Abundance, we believe every dog deserves their day in the grooming spotlight. And remember, the journey from a towel tornado to tail wags is all part of the fun!

If you found this interesting, check out these related stories:

The 10 Breeds That Shed the Worst Plus Dog Shedding Tip
5 Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make

 

We’re pleased to announce that South Florida’s beaming sunlight is now shining down on the brand-new solar panels located at the Life’s Abundance headquarters in Jupiter, FL!

While there are multiple benefits of solar energy, we are most excited about the environmental impact that will also get us closer to our goal of becoming carbon negative as a company — this means that we will be removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than we emit. It is a lofty but worthwhile goal that we project to achieve within the next two years.

Our mission of empowering people and pets to live healthier and happier lives is about more than the products we offer — here are some other ways that Life’s Abundance is making a difference.

Ways we are reducing our carbon footprint:

• Planting trees, nearly 140,000 and counting

• Going digital and eliminating paper products

• Utilizing smarter shipping practices

• Eliminating plastic bubble wrap

• Reduced energy and water consumption at our facilities

  
  

How We're Giving Back:

For each skin care product purchased, a tree will be planted by Trees for the Future in a community suffering the environmental and economic effects of deforestation. We are also part of Trees for the Future’s carbon sequestering program, which captures carbon by planting trees.

Quarter by quarter, we are offsetting the calculated carbon footprint of our headquarters and all six of our warehouse locations. And we are not stopping there!  The plan in place will completely offset the footprints of the daily commute of all employees, the transit and delivery of all packages we ship and receive, and even our annual convention.

At Life’s Abundance, we want to make this world a better place for all people and their pets, from the products they consume to the world we all live in — side-by-side with the support of customers, we’re fulfilling our purpose of empowering healthier, happier living!

 

If you've ever wondered if dogs can sense emotions, they can! Dogs are social animals, and they want to understand us as best as possible. That’s why they read our emotions through subtle postures and facial cues.

Since humans have no tails to wag, our furry friends have to decipher other signals to uncover our emotional states. And they’re really good at it! For example, when dogs bare their teeth it’s often a sign of hostility. But when a dog sees a human smile at them, they are able to recognize a smiling face as non-aggressive. Over time, dogs have become so good at judging human behavior, they’re even more successful than chimpanzees at reading human social cues!

Researchers tested canine reactions against a variety of expressions by people and other dogs, according to a report from the Canine Science Forum. They were able to conclude that dogs were more sensitive to the facial expressions of other canines … not surprising, right? But they also found that dogs responded differently when exposed to positive and negative expressions in humans. One other interesting note, dogs viewed neutral human faces (neither smiling, nor frowning) as negative or threatening.

In another study, researchers trained nine dogs to touch their noses to the photos of their pet parent’s smiling faces. The dogs were then shown the smiling and neutral faces of strangers. When shown all of these photos together, the dogs selected the smiling faces, both of their people and of strangers, more often than neutral-expression photos. However, not all dogs were able to do this exercise, which suggests that some are more sensitive to human cues than others.

While this information is interesting, it can also help us further our bond through communication and training. When you interact with your dog, remember that they are always reading your face, looking for clues to your emotional state. If you are happy or pleased, let it show on your face with a big smile!

This is particularly vital when training, as it lets your dog know what actions or behaviors you want from them. You can also reinforce your smile with a dog treat, like Tasty Rewards, which are perfectly sized for training.

Using a combination of facial cues and treat rewards to train your dog is the most efficient and encouraging way to let your dog know they are doing the right thing. Now, if your dog does something that displeases you, let it show on your face by frowning and through voice tone. But don’t overdo it because, as we just mentioned, when our faces are neutral, dogs assume that we’re displeased.  

What about you? Have you known some dogs who seemed more highly attuned to your facial expressions or emotions? Leave your own experiences in the comments section.

Many people have turned to the satisfying task of making their own bread while they are stuck at home. In fact, so many people are baking bread that yeast demands around the country have been soaring!

Bread making is a time-consuming yet rewarding task that many people have found to be therapeutic while social distancing. Try it for yourself —here’s our unique recipe for sweet potato protein bread that the entire family will enjoy. 

Ingredients (one round loaf)

• 3 chopped and boiled sweet potatoes (About 3.75 cups)
• 1 tbsp of active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water
• 1.25 cups of milk of choice (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 + 1 tbsp of butter
• 1/3 of a cup of maple syrup
• 2 tbsps + 2 tsp of organic cane sugar
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1 scoop of Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour + more to dust
• 1.5 cups of whole wheat flour

Directions

• Peel, boil and mash the sweet potatoes.
• Heat the milk and 2 tbsp of butter until the butter is slightly melted. Stir in the sugar and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
• Add the yeast to the milk and put it aside to activate. After about 7 minutes it should start to form a froth, with a lot of movement and yeast activity.
• Mix the mashed sweet potato into the yeast mixture.
• In a large mixing bowl sift together the flours, salt and protein powder.  Add the yeast mixture and start mixing until the dough starts to form.
• Stir the yeast into the water and allow the yeast to bloom until foamy.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt by hand. Once incorporated, create a small well in the middle and pour in the water and yeast mixture.
• Mix by hand, wetting your working hand before mixing so the dough doesn’t stick to your fingers. The water and flour should come together and form a rough dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour in small increments, about 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Once the dough comes together, cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 ½-2 hours).
• Uncover the dough and give it a few pokes with your finger. If the dough has risen properly, it should indent under the pressure of your finger and slowly deflate.
• Using your hand or a rubber spatula, start from the rim of the bowl to work the dough loose from the sides and fold it up and towards the center of the bowl. Turn the bowl 90 degrees, and repeat until all the dough has been pulled from the sides and folded towards the center.
• Once finished, cover and let the dough rise again for another 1 ½-2 hours.
• Once the dough has doubled in size again, gently transfer it from the bowl to a lightly floured surface.
• Sprinkle a bit of flour on top of the dough. Using your hands, begin to shape it into a loaf. Fold the dough under itself several times to form a ball, then pinch together the seams of dough underneath.
• Place the dough seam-side down in a clean bowl that has been lightly coated with olive oil and dusted with flour.
• Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place a 6-quart Dutch oven (or heavy cooking pot with oven-safe lid) inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 450˚F (230˚C) with the pot inside for 45 minutes-1 hour.
• Carefully remove the pot from the oven and place it on a trivet or heat-safe surface. (Be careful! It’ll be VERY HOT.)
• Turn the proofed dough over onto a lightly floured surface and carefully place it inside the pot.
• Cover with the lid and return the pot to the oven.
• Bake for 45 minutes, removing the lid for the last 15 minutes.
• Remove bread from pot, cover, and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!