Winter-Wise Weather Tips for Pets

Manage outdoor activities. The safest, most comfortable place for your pets is where you are. When temperatures dip below freezing or during severe weather, it’s imperative you keep pets indoors with you and make trips outside shorter.

Offer a warm place for your pet to rest inside. A pet bed works perfectly, just make sure it stays clean and dry.

Don’t cut your dog’s fur in the wintertime. Your pet’s winter coat is a natural barrier from the harsh, cold elements.

Consider a canine coat. Dogs with lots of fur probably don’t need an extra layer to go on walks in the winter. But smaller dogs and those with shorter coats may be more comfortable in a dog sweater or jacket.

Check for frostbite. After bathroom breaks and walks, check your pet’s ears, paws and tail for any sign of frostbite or ice and snow build up in the paw pads.

Wipe down after walks. Keep a dry, clean towel handy to wipe down your pet’s legs, belly and paws after each outdoor excursion. Ice-melt chemicals can irritate their skin and cause serious illness if ingested.

Be careful with chemicals. Antifreeze smells and tastes sweet to pets, but it’s toxic to them. Quickly clean up any spills, and consider using a brand made from non-toxic propylene glycol instead.

Keep your pet hydrated. Ensure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. Winter air is dry!

Clear a path. Use a snowthrower to make quick work of snow removal and create a path to your pet’s bathroom area. Always keep kids and pets away from the equipment.

Don’t leave your pet in a cold car. It’s just as dangerous to leave a pet in a cold car during winter months as it is to leave them in a hot car in the summertime.
To learn more about the benefits of “outsider life” for pets and people during all seasons, go to SaveLivingLandscapes.com and TurfMutt.com.

About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) Research and Education Foundation and has reached more than 68 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt is an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017 and 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.

5 Tips To Washing And Detailing Your Car

Your car is a valuable investment. This is why you should strive to protect it through regular maintenance. One of the best ways to maintain that glowing showroom look is by washing and detailing your car. A well-maintained vehicle will save you money by preventing costly repairs and will also attract a higher resale value.

How do you make your car look show worthy? Here are 5 tips to washing and detailing your car.

1.    Wash Your Car Regularly

The most important thing you can do for your car is to wash it regularly. Dirt, bird droppings, road gunk, and other contaminants can do great harm on your car’s paintwork if left for too long. Ensure that your car is cleaned at least once every week.

However, if you live in a very dusty area or you park your car under a tree ensure that you wash your car immediately you notice an obvious problem. Don’t wait too long to avert further problems.

2.    Avoid Scratches By All Means

Scratches are your paint job’s worst enemy. Not only are they unsightly, but scratches also open up the cars finishing thereby allowing contaminants to penetrate under the surface and create further damage. Always use soft materials when detailing your car.

Ideally, a microfiber cloth should be used since it is easy to wash, rinse and dry your vehicle without scratching or scrubbing. Remember to separate the wash and the dry clothes and also remove all labels and tags before using the cloths to avoid scratching.

Never attempt to remove a stain using steel wool, sandpaper or scouring pad. Take your car to a professional to have the stain removed.

3.    Clean The Top Of The Windows First

One simple tip to remember is to clean the very top part of the window. Excess product and water buildup on the window jamb can cause streaking and other unpleasant marks. To avoid this, wind down the window an inch or two and give it a thorough clean to ensure that all the debris, water, and product are removed.

4.    Keep A Good Coat Of Wax Or Sealant On Your Car

After you have washed your car clean, you can apply a sealant or wax to protect the paint finish. Remember to apply the wax when the car is cool. It is also easier to wax one section of the car at a time. Consumer reports recommend that you should wax your car every 2 to 3 months.

5.    Use The Right Products

Before you begin the detailing process, you will need to gather the right cleaning products. Use high-quality automotive formulas only. Avoid using dish soap or other home cleaning detergents as they could hurt the protective wax coating of your vehicle. Buy formulated cleaners and polishes, keep them simple and your car will have the best looks for a long time.

Conclusion

There you go; 5 tips to washing and detailing your car; Need more information on how to detail your car, product research and guides, and car modifications? Go to https://mycarneedsthis.com/ and learn so much more.

Discipline Tips that Really Work

Discipline is an important part of parenting but it often leaves parents wondering if they are doing things right. Children do need to be disciplined as this is the main way they learn how to behave before entering school and the adult world.

The key to effective discipline is for you and your child to have a close and understanding relationship. You know what they’re feeling and how they act with certain emotions and they know the same with you.

We, of course, want our children to achieve high in school and do the best that they can in life and this partly depends on their behavior and their response to the consequences of bad behavior. The way that we discipline children can influence that.

There is also the question of ethical discipline too, for example, what are acceptable boundaries and when can disciplining a child step over the line and become harmful?

For example, spanking was previously a common mode of discipline for parents but it has now become somewhat taboo. There’s evidence to suggest that spanking, shouting and shaming children for doing wrong has a negative impact on them and their behavior.

With that said, let’s look at some healthy child discipline tips that work well but are also fair and don’t cross ethical boundaries.

Set Expectations

For a child to be able to understand between correct and incorrect behaviour, you need to let them know what is expected of them. This means being concise and consistent at all times on what is right and what is wrong.

This may vary form age to age, some rules which you would expect a kindergartner to follow may differ from those of a toddler, so ensure that when you explain rules to them that it is age appropriate.  

Understandably, it can be slightly difficult to convey your expectations to children of toddler age and younger, as they may not fully understand what you mean. This is where the next tip comes in.

Explain and Demonstrate

Show them the correct way to behave through your own behavior. Even if they have done something wrong, speak to them in a calm manner to explain what it is that they have done wrong, and show them what they should have done instead.

This is a lot easier to do with toddlers as they are now at the age where they are starting to copy adults, build a vocabulary and improve their articulation. They particularly like to copy mom, dad or their primary caregivers and will respond well to being shown how to behave properly.

An example would be if it came to play time, they may have all their toys out over the floor, going from one to the other, as kids do. Don’t just expect them to tidy up after themselves, but don’t tidy up after them either. Position it as if you are helping them tidy up, showing how easy it is to do, and how better it is now that the place is tidy!

This way, they’ll not just learn to tidy up by themselves independently, but they’ll also be more likely to tidy as they go, instead of having a large mess to tidy up at the end.

Follow Through with Punishments

If your child still decides to break the rules after having them explained clearly, even if they have demonstrated that they understand, they need to know that there is a consequence for their decision.

If, for example, they outright refuse to tidy their toys up after themselves, you can let them know that the consequences for that decision, is to have their toys taken away from them for the next day or two.

It’s vital that if you do set a consequence that you follow through with it and don’t just give in if they protest. This can set a precedent for them to get away with receiving punishment from then on.

Attention Seeking

Sometimes a child will use bad behaviour deliberately as a means of getting attention, even if it’s bad attention. They usually do this when they are bored, or jealous.

It’s ok to ignore bad behaviour at times, especially if it’s something trivial, such as them acting up. Sometimes no attention is the best route of discipline, as long as it’s not something that causes harm or damage to property.

It can also be good to find your child something else to do rather than continual acting up because they are bored. Usually activities on tablets or smart phones keep children entertained, especially in periods when they are away from their usual activities.

Plenty of Praise

A great way to keep a child from acting up in order to get the attention from behaving badly is to make sure they get good attention and encouragement for good behaviour instead. This means recognizing when they have done something right or commendable and making them feels good that they have done it.

Things that you may sometimes overlook are also important, like tidying up after themselves, making their bed, being polite and brushing their teeth should all be regularly praised. However, don’t overdo it because the child might then expect the praise every single time and may stop behaving well when the praise stops.

Time-Out When Things Get Heated

Sometimes young children can get too much; they throw tantrums and refuse to cooperate no matter how calm you try to be! It sounds like a situation that calls for a time-out. Time-out can also be used as a punishment for breaking specific rules.

The aim is to take them away from what they are doing, to somewhere quiet, where they can’t access their toys. This gives you an opportunity to explain to them what they have done. Set a time for them to stay in time out and then they can leave once they have calmed down and thought about what they have done.

As they get older and a bit more responsible, you can ask them to leave time-out when they think they have calmed down and are ready to apologize. But if they use this as an excuse to keep breaking the rule knowing they can instantly leave time-out; it can lead to a cycle that you may wish to avoid by just using a set time.

Listen to Their Side

One of the most important traits to demonstrate as a parent, and also as a person is listening. And this means actually taking in what somebody tells you and coming up with an appropriate response.

If your child is not behaving correctly, due to being angry or sad about something, maybe they are not staying in bed. If you speak to them and ask them, you might find out why they feel the way they do or that they are scared to stay in bed and you can then find a solution to their problem.

By listening to them and trying to help them, instead of punishing them, you are demonstrating a trait that they would ideally develop themselves. On top of that, you are improving their conversational skills and ability to express their emotions in a positive manner which will go a long way to preventing bad behaviour in the future.

Give The Gift Of Daily Art!

 

In A Dangle A Day, Angela Porter will guide you through adding charms and embellishments to your hand lettering and artwork to create your own dangling masterpieces.

Dangles are a beautiful and whimsical art form for people who love coloring and tangles. A Dangle A Day features the artwork of Angela Porter, whom you may know as the author of the Color Me series. In this book, you will follow Angela's instructions to add charms and embellishments to letters and artwork.

A Dangle a Day features more than 120 pieces of art for you to look to as you add stunning patterns and color to dangles, personalize your dangles with charms that are unique to you, and create dangle words from a variety of highly detailed alphabets. Dangles are a perfect way to accentuate your stationery, invitations, lettering, scrapbook, journals and more; so if you like coloring, tangling, or lettering, you'll love to dangle!

The author

Angela Porter is a self-taught artist who finds inspiration in nature, especially ammonite and other fossils. Much of her work is abstract with flowing lines, shapes, and colors that create textured and detailed artworks. She works with technical drawing pens, watercolors, inks, colored pencils, and metallic paints and pens. She lives in South Wales.

7 Ways to Boost Energy Without an Energy Drink

After seeing the news about a research study out of the University of Texas Health Center in Houston, which found the diameter of blood vessels to become “dramatically smaller” 90 minutes after consuming a 24-ounce energy drink, I decided to offer some ways to boost energy without an energy drink.

While the 24-ounces used in the study of 44 healthy, non-smokers in their 20’s, is 3 times the size of a typical 8-ounce energy drink, there is plenty of research out there that shows chugging energy drinks is not the best way to get more energized.

When we look at the levels of sugar and caffeine in these energy drinks and the habitual nature in which they are consumed, we see issues such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, thickening of the blood, gastrointestinal irritation plus anxiety, sleep disruption and restlessness.

Here’s what I suggest consuming for a more sustainable and healthy way to energize.

1. Hydrate with water. 

The idea is to follow the 8x8 rule. Eight ounces of water 8 times per day which adds up to a half gallon. Most people are not getting anywhere near this water intake opting for coffee, juices, sodas or energy drinks instead. I challenge my patients to try the 8x8 rule and even declare going “H20 Only.” By the third day, they notice they’re feeling more energized.

2. Exercise 30 minutes per day.

Something as simple as going for a fast-paced walk elevates heart rate and healthy blood flow. This improves stamina and gets energy flowing throughout our bodies. A lot of people claim they don’t have time to exercise which calls for creative ways to get exercise in. I had a client add dancing for 30 minutes upon her arrival from work with her 4-year-old daughter. This provided a way for both mom and daughter to get moving in a fun easy way right at home.

3. Sprinkle in chia seeds.

These low carb seeds have an energy packing blend of protein, fats, and fiber. Chia seeds regulate blood sugar, so you won’t have these spikes then drops. They deliver big time nutrients with very low calories. Loaded with antioxidants, chia seeds were a highly valuable energy staple for Mayan and Aztec warriors in ancient Mexico who consumed them knowing they would be sustained, not hungry and energized for hours and hours.

4. Eat foods rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Omega 3’s are big-time energy enhancers. Eating salmon, sea bass, tuna, oysters, shrimp, seaweed salad, walnuts, edamame, and cauliflower are just a few Omega 3 rich staples to add to the shopping list.

5. Get good quality sleep.

Many of my patients who see me for gastrointestinal issues often benefit from getting disciplined with setting a bedtime, wake time and enhancing the quality of their sleep. This could be simple things such as pre-sleep meditation with an app, removing the television from the bedroom, buying curtains that block light, setting the temperature to suit your body best, buying new sheets and even a new mattress.

Making the bedroom a comfortable haven for quality deep sleep is incredibly important. Sleep is our time to recharge and when it is disturbed, we will feel sluggish during the day.

6. Get more magnesium.

Magnesium activates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which can be thought of like the “magic button” of energy within our cells. According to studies, about half of the people in the USA and Europe aren’t getting the recommended amount of magnesium (300 milligrams for women and 350 for men).

Interestingly, most Americans and Europeans complain of energy drains and sluggishness and typically attribute their lack of energy to busier, more demanding lifestyles. However, the problem, most commonly, is a lack of magnesium which helps us convert food into energy, create proteins from amino acids, and helps regulate our nervous system. 

7. Get more B12.

Known as the “energy vitamin” it’s important to note that the only time B12 will give you energy is if you’re deficient in B12. It’s wise to get complete blood work done to see if you are in fact deficient in B12 in addition to other key vitamins and minerals.B12 is found in beef, fish, and dairy and these days more and more people are cutting red meat and dairy out of their diets.

B12 helps to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen, so when there’s a dip in red blood cell production we’re being deprived oxygen which leads to feeling run down, the first tell-tale sign of B12 deficiency. Body weakness, shortness of breath brain fog, forgetfulness and lack of focus are also symptoms. Yogurt, Swizz cheese, fortified cereals, Shiitake mushrooms, and clams are other great sources of B12.

About Dr. Niket Sonpal:

Dr. Niket Sonpal is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn who specializes in Gastroenterology. He is a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and continues his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.

He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.

How to Make New Year’s Resolutions that Stick

Every year we begin a new year resolving to do (or quit doing) something and expect to be the game changer in our lives. For some it’s to workout, lose weight, cut out all carbs and sweets. For others, it’s a promise to save more money and get finances on track. Regardless of what you resolve to do, according to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, there is a way to set yourself up for failure or success. The mindset we are in when deciding on a resolution determines it's stickiness. Below Dr. Hafeez, a New York based neuropsychologist affiliated with Columbia University, shares key insights on how to make New Year’s Resolutions that stick.

1. Envision the end result and reverse engineer it.

According to Dr. Hafeez, neural pathways in the brain can be changed through a combination of visualization and aligned action. She encourages people to journal about what it is they want. Write it all out. “How would life improve? What would all the benefits be? Cut pictures out of magazines of what you want and post them to a wall (or if appropriate, the refrigerator). Get very clear on what you think you will feel like once you see results,” she recommends.  

 

2. Get clear on your triggers.

Set yourself up for success by understanding what may potentially get you off track. “Sticky resolutions come with planning. If you want to lose weight then begin with clearing out your fridge and cupboards of junk food. That in itself is an action that will tell your brain that you are serious. Get recipes and write out a new grocery shopping list. Writing plans, micro goals and ideas that serve the greater accomplishment you're reaching for creates “buy in” from your brain, says Hafeez.”

 

For the people resolving to save more money Dr. Hafeez says to evaluate when and why you spend. If you notice you spend $40 a week on coffee, think of alternatives. “You don’t want to cut yourself off from anything cold-turkey. The brain doesn’t respond well to deprivation. It sends brain chemicals that signal displeasure which is what makes resolutions lose their stickiness. Shift to a possibility or curiosity mindset. Asking yourself, what can I do to save $5 per day invites in inspired thoughts and creative ideas,” explains Hafeez.

 

3. Pace yourself.

“The reason why resolutions don’t stick is because people set the bar way too high and expect achievement way too fast. Think of every week as a win! Break it down into weekly chunks and train the brain to value quick accomplishments,” she advises. The people who resolve to lose weight and get more exercise won’t stick to it if they don’t celebrate small milestones and try to do too much too soon. Resolve to lose 1 to 3 pounds per week. Do this by cutting out soft drinks or juices and drinking water instead. After 10 weeks you''ll be 20 pounds lighter with great skin just because you did one thing week by week until it became your new normal. 

 

4. Trick your brain by making it fun.

“Our language and self-talk is everything and determines if our resolution will fade or will become something we’re still doing in June,” says Dr. Hafeez. “When someone resolves to change their diet, exercise and lose weight they already envision how difficult it is going to be so they are already dreading it before they started. However, shifting the brain to doing something fun that is in line with the goal gets you more committed," she adds. Create a playlist of great music to work out to. Look up recipes on Pinterest to build your new shopping list. When you do the advance preparation that is more fun, and take small steps towards building the new lifestyle to support your resolution, you’re setting yourself up for a win.

 

5. Fuel your resolution with greater purpose worth committing to.

If you want to resolve to save more money, it’s is helpful to have a clear purpose for the money you plan to save. Resolving to save more money is vague making it hard to remain on track. Saving more money to take an amazing vacation or to purchase a home or car is something tangible you can stick to. “It’s common for people to commit to doing something when they connect it to a greater purpose beyond them or an experience they want to have. This explains why lifetime smokers can instantly quit when they learn they are pregnant. It’s not about them anymore. We see the man who is 75 pounds overweight lose weight when his daughter gets engaged. Whenever we can connect resolutions to a bigger purpose our minds get on board, and when the mind is all in, resolutions stick,” explains Dr. Hafeez.

 

About Dr. Hafeez:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com 

Earn Free Gift Cards During The Holiday Cookies Team Challenge

I have a fun way for you to get in the Holiday spirit and earn some gift cards! Swagbucks is holding a Holiday Cookies Team Challenge and they're a lot of fun! For those of you who don't know what Swagbucks is, it's a website where you can earn cash back on everyday tasks you do online like shopping, answering surveys, discovering deals, and watching videos. You can even earn for searching the web! 

If you've never tried Swagbucks before because you didn't know where to begin, their Team Challenges are a great way to learn the ropes and earn points towards free gift cards and PayPal cash! The challenge runs from Monday, Deceber 10th to Friday, December 14th.   

Here's how you can join the challenge and the site:  

1. Click here to join the challenge and be assigned to a team.

2. In addition to earning SB, you'll contribute to your team's total as you complete different activities on Swagbucks.

3. Check back on the page often to see the scores and what you've contribute so far.     

All members who participate and contribute at least 600 points to their team’s total will receive a SB bonus in the form of a SB Swag Up Shop Bonus on their next gift card! 

Not only that, but if you sign up under me this month and earn 500 SB before January 1st, you'll get a 500 SB bonus!

Members of the 1st place team will receive a 100 SB Swag Up Rebate, members of the 2nd place team will receive a 50 SB Swag Up Rebate! Which cookie team will you be on?

Make These Money Moves Before Having Kids

Are ready for parenthood and think you’re ready to bring a bundle of joy into your lives? Having children is a large personal and financial responsibility, and if you aren’t ready to dive in head first, you may be in for a bit of a shock when your new little bundle arrives. The average cost of raising a child from birth to eighteen years tops off at an average of $250,000 so you should be sure you’re prepared for that commitment. Before you decide to have kids, you should take a good long look at your finances, and then make these money moves so you’re prepared for your new arrival.

Be Financially Secure

You don’t need to be a millionaire to have children, but you should have a steady source of regular income coming into your home so that you can afford to care for your child. In addition to paying your regular bills, you’ll need enough income for all the extra expenses that come with raising a child, such as pediatrician appointments, diapers, food, clothes, and baby items like car seats and cribs. You should ask yourself how long you’ve been at your current job, how stable it is, what your long-term plan is for yourself financially, and whether or not you feel your job is secure. If you find that you’re not financially stable, you may want to consider securing a better job before jumping into being a parent.

Budget

Once the baby arrives your budget will likely shift in priorities. You’ll likely no longer have as much discretionary income for things such as concerts, eating out every week, and expensive trips. Instead, that money will need to go to care for your child. Take a look at your budget to get a full and accurate picture of what you’ll be looking at in monthly expenses after your baby comes and see what areas you can cut back to afford the new expenses that come with being a parent.

Upgrade Your Vehicle

When it’s just you or you and a spouse, driving in a vehicle that isn’t necessarily as new is likely not an issue. After all, it’s just the two of you and you’re probably not as worried about what might happen if you get into an accident or your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. However, once a child arrives your entire view will likely shift and you’ll want something that’s safer and more reliable to keep your new little family secure. One of your priorities should be finding a safe and affordable family car to accommodate you and your family once your child comes. Even on days when they aren’t in the car with you, you need to be safe as well while you’re out on the road because you have someone at home who depends on you to be around to care for them.

Save for Emergencies

Emergencies don’t stop happening just because you’re a parent. In fact, you may run into emergencies more frequently after you become a parent that will need to be addressed right away. It might not have been as big a deal to go a few days without heat when it was just you and your spouse and your heater broke, but when you have a child in the picture you want to be sure you’re providing a safe environment at all times. Saving a little money each week for an unexpected emergency is key when you’re a parent and can come in very handy in a pinch. Automatically set up a portion of your paycheck each week to go to savings and you should be more than able to handle an emergency.

 These simple money moves can help you be prepared for the arrival of your child. The more prepared you are, the less likely you’ll worry about being able to provide for your child and the more you’ll be able to enjoy them.

Win some cookies from Newmoon Kitchen!

Cookies are a huge part of Christmas! These beauties are salted chocolate cookies and lemon cranberry cookies and they are delicious! They are from the wonderful company called Newmoon Kitchen! They make cookies with ultra healthy ingredients so they are delicious and slightly nutritious. 

We came together to offer you a chance to win these delicious cookies as well as a package of their tasty shortbread! 

Enter below and read more about the healthy benefits of these cookies! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Here’s a bit of information on what makes their cookies so special: 

Before we go and tell you what’s NOT in our cookies, you should know that what’s special about our products is that they are really, really good. We bake with amazing, wholesome ingredients in small batches, using care at every step. Real people make our cookies, often having a great time while doing it. It just so happens that our cookies can be enjoyed by people all across the spectrum of food allergies and sensitivities, and lifestyle choices.

100% ORGANIC SPELT FLOUR

We bake with organic spelt flour because it makes for a really delicious cookie. A lot of people think spelt is “wheat-free” but it’s not, wheat and spelt are in the same family. Spelt is an ancient grain that is wheat’s great-great grandfather. It has a low glycemic index, and is found to be much easier to digest by people with wheat sensitivities.

GLUTEN FREE COOKIES

Our gluten free cookies are made with our own custom flour blends, with a main base of organic brown rice flour. We take special measures to ensure there is no cross-contamination of wheat in our gluten free cookies. These steps include:

• Keeping all gluten free ingredients in a separate area of the bakery.
• Dedicating baking tools and utensils solely to gluten free products.
• Using separate trays for all gluten free products, and keeping these trays covered by a rack cover when not in use.
• Dedicating a specific time for gluten free baking, when the bakery is 100% sanitized, and no wheat ingredients or products are present.
• Testing to ensure there are no traces of wheat in our gluten free products.

DAIRY & EGG FREE

All of our products are free of dairy and eggs so they can be enjoyed by people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to eggs, or who choose a vegan lifestyle. This also makes our cookies cholesterol free. Score! Yummy cookies don’t need butter and eggs, and they also don’t need “substitutes” that will add processed ingredients and preservatives to them. Simple is best, and we keep it that way.

PEANUT & NUT FREE

Our facility is devoted to being 100% nut and peanut free. We guarantee that none of our products have come into contact with nut products of any kind.

NO PRESERVATIVES

Our aim is to make our cookies as close to homemade as it gets, and you don’t see preservatives in your homemade cookie recipes, do you? Quality and health are more important to us than having something sit on a shelf.

VEGAN

Our products are completely free of animal products so they can be enjoyed by people who choose a vegan diet or lifestyle.

TRANS-FAT FREE

We use only pure sunflower oil in our products for a clean taste, and a healthier cookie.

KOSHER PAREVE

Our cookies are certified Kosher Pareve by the Kosher Supervision of America.

OTHER INFO PEOPLE OFTEN WONDER ABOUT:

Sugar: We use organic raw cane sugar in our cookies – except the granola is sweetened with Maple syrup.
Soy: We do not use soy in our products, but there is a trace amount of soy lecithin inside the chocolate chips we use. Our Goldies, Ginger Snappers, and Bite Me! Cookies are all soy-free as they do not contain the chocolate chips.