Old Goats & Young Chicks Farm

02/12/2024

Raeleigh is delivering her first boxes of Girl Scout Cookies!

Girl Scout Troop 41202 🍪

12/12/2018

It really is a case of starting small, making noticeable changes to our own diets and lifestyles, and being aware of the reasons behind it in order to share it with other.

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12/09/2018

Whether it’s PMS or an illness-related hormone imbalance, it’s been proven that plant-based diets can lend themselves to ensuring your hormones get back in balance!

This means more reliable functioning of your hormones, overall helping your body regulate and balance moods and physical functioning.

Stress-management deals a lot with regulating hormones in the body and for this reason eating plant-based foods is a great way to help lower your experiences with anxiety. Green vegetables, healthy fats, and spices such as turmeric and ginger are high in hormone-regulating nutrients and should be incorporated into a balanced diet to help reduce the effects of hormone imbalances.

For more on this:

http://www.veganfoodandliving.com/handling-hormone-imbalances-vegan-diet/

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12/06/2018

Here’s an interesting one: Eliminating dairy and red meat from the diet significantly reduces the chances of body odor. This means that going plant-based or vegan literally means smelling better. Red meat and dairy are foods that cause stagnation in the body by putrefying in the digestive tract and releasing all sorts of toxins into the bloodstream through the large intestine.

It has also been proven to reduce the likelihood of bad breath!

Now you know!

More unlikely benefits of this lifestyle here: http://veganenthusiasts.com/2016/05/25/7-awkwardly-amazing-body-changes-your-vegan-diet-caused-you-may-have-not-noticed/

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12/03/2018

Feeling more energized and alert is another benefit of following a plant-based diet and is one of the first things you will start to notice after switching.

The standard American diet is filled with processed foods, sugar, and white flour which de-energizes your system and makes you feel fatigued. These foods cause spikes and rapid declines in sugar levels which can result in spurts of energy followed by extreme tiredness.

Plant-based nutrition provides a steadier, consistent source of energy which keeps the body and brain more alert and active for longer periods of time.

You won’t know what to do with the energy!

Here are some great articles with more on plant-based energy:

http://grist.org/article/the-limits-and-potential-of-plant-based-energy/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247582

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12/02/2018

Pretty neat

Interesting
Azolla

For those of you looking for low cost chicken feed, I read a little about this. it can grow 10 to 20% a day. Grows in a kiddie pool. It has 20% protein.

Food
"In addition to its traditional cultivation as a bio-fertilizer for wetland paddy (due to its ability to fix nitrogen), azolla is finding increasing use for sustainable production of livestock feed. Azolla is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals.Studies describe feeding azolla to dairy cattle, pigs, ducks, and chickens, with reported increases in milk production, weight of broiler chickens and egg production of layers, as compared to conventional feed. One FAO study describes how azolla integrates into a tropical biomass agricultural system, reducing the need for inputs." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azolla

According to the Azolla Foundation, it has 20.6% protein. https://theazollafoundation.org/additional-resources/azolla-nutritional-values/

http://www.climatefoundation.org/azolla.html

https://www.agrifarming.in/azolla-cultivation-information/

11/30/2018

While the health benefits of eating plant-based foods are endless, there are also countless ways which eating this kind of food benefits our physical appearance.

Plant-based foods are loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals which improve skin clarity and help you get that beautiful glow.

One of the plant-based vitamin all-stars is vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. A large number of fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C such as broccoli, papaya, apricot, and bell peppers. They assist in stimulating collagen production, smoothing lines, and reducing wrinkles.

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11/27/2018

Carbohydrates are essential for producing serotonin, the feel-good hormone in the brain.

The good news for plant-based eaters is that carbs are found in ALL PLANTS and not in animal foods at all!

If you’re a fan of the low-carb diet, but seem to have a low mood all the time, this is something you may want to consider. Plant-based foods are filled with good carbs that help promote a balanced mood, help regulate your sleep, and even help benefit your weight if you portion them out between meals. Your body and brain need carbs from the right sources (not refined foods).

Here are the best sources of healthy carbs on a plant-based diet: fruit, whole grains (preferably gluten-free), beans, nuts, seeds, green and root vegetables, legumes, and sprouted grains. Leafy greens also contain carbs but not as much as these other foods. Be sure you get a variety of plant-based foods in your diet and you’ll be well on your way to getting all the carbs you need for a well-balanced mood.

What’s your favourite plant-based carbohydrate?

http://www.wholefoodsplantbasedhealth.com.au/tag/carbohydrates/

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11/24/2018

While I love my leafy greens and veggies, healthy fats are a very important part of taking care of both your body and your mood on any diet – plant-based or not. When you ditch the harmful animal fats laden with cholesterol, you’re only left with nature’s finest plant-fats. Even those that contain saturated fats are completely cholesterol-free and beneficial to the brain. Just be sure to avoid processed and packaged foods that are high in fat, since those are refined and not beneficial to your mood or any other aspect of your health. Healthy fats come with many health benefits so long as you consume them wisely and in proper portions.

Here are some of the best sources of plant-based fats (including those rich in omega 3 fats listed above): avocado, all nuts and seeds (preferably raw), coconut (raw and unsweetened), and cacao and dark chocolate (avoid those with milk and refined sugar). Even some grains like oats and quinoa have a little fat, so eating a variety of foods can help you get enough.

Try this Creamy Chai Chia Coconut Pudding to get your fill of healthy fats in one delicious bowl!

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/eamy-chai-chia-coconut-pudding/

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11/21/2018

Plant-based foods are amazing for digestion!

Even if you have digestive problems when you first eat a plant-based diet, there are some helpful things you can do to turn this around quickly. Overall, a plant-based diet eliminates acidic wastes, saturated fats, and harmful proteins found in animal-based foods. This improves your mood since your digestion is “your second brain” as they say. When your digestive system is struggling, your mood takes a major hit.

Some plant-based foods that improve digestion:

Leafy greens, sprouted foods, fermented foods such as tempeh and miso, ripe fruits, soaked grains, raw nuts and seeds, coconut meat, and root vegetables. If you tolerate them, beans and legumes are also great sources of fiber but take it slowly and see how they work for you before diving in head first.

Green smoothies are always an awesome way to get in your veggies and work through digestive difficulties.

A plant-based smoothie recipe we love: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/beginners-luck-green-smoothie

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11/18/2018

For many reasons, plant-based diets promote the highest level of vitality in both physical and mental health. One of these reasons is the lack of acidity in the foods from plant sources, which are overall extremely alkaline.

Even the most acidic plant-based foods don’t compare to the acidity of fish, dairy, meat, and poultry. The more acidic your body, the less vitality you’ll have overall. You may notice joint pain, stomach problems, and an overall lack of zest for life. An acidic body can also lead to aging along with other health issues to be aware of.

The most alkaline plant-based foods include: all leafy greens and vegetables, apples, pears, ripe bananas, winter squash, spirulina, wheatgrass, all green powders, h**p seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Sprouts and fermented foods are also excellent for aiding in alkalinity.

Making green smoothies and juices is an easy way to improve your alkalinity, along with a raw foods diet.

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11/15/2018

Plant-based foods are also loaded with omega 3 fatty acids which are vital for healthy brain function, along with heart and skin health, meaning you do not have to eat fish to get enough omega 3 fatty acids in your diet!

Considering that fish obtain their omega 3 fats directly from algae, it’s interesting to consider the belief for humans to obtain OUR omega-3s somehow got lost along the way and for some reason became fixated on fish. Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help fight off joint pain, along with boosting your mood and giving you a more positive outlook.

If not from fish, then where!?

The best sources of omega 3s from plant-based foods include: blue green algae (such as spirulina), chia seeds, h**p seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and even leafy greens (though these amounts are smaller).

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15823852

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11/12/2018

It’s the most common question posed by skeptics to those having adopted a new plant-based or vegan lifestyle - “But what about your PROTEIN?!”

Time and time again, vegans and plant-based eaters must defend the fact that you don’t need meat to get your fill of high-quality nutrients, including protein!

Physically, protein is understandably an important nutrient, but why is it important for your mood? Well, for starters, amino acids that make up protein help your neurotransmitters function properly. This can ward off depression, anxiety, and also just make you feel better overall. Protein also keeps you lean and toned as well as supports strength and stamina.

Plant-based foods that are packed with high-quality protein include: spirulina, chia, pumpkin seeds, almonds, quinoa, millet, oats, rye, buckwheat, tofu, soybeans (edamame), lentils, beans, and tempeh.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-health/protein-in-a-plant-based-diet-a-vegan-bodybuilders-perspective/

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11/09/2018

A common myth among skeptics of the plant-based diet is that it’s difficult for those following this diet to get enough IRON.

Meat is NOT the only highly-quality source of iron. Plant-based sources are packed with iron that can be used by the body just as efficiently as meat-based ones.

Pros: Plant-based sources also come with none of negative sides that meat comes with like acidity and saturated fats. Iron is also important for your mood regulation as it carries oxygen to the brain and provides energy to the body. Some plant-based sources of iron are actually HIGHER in their iron concentration than meat!

Here are the best plant-based sources: spirulina, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), cacao, almonds, chia, leafy greens, beans, raisins, mulberries, legumes, and whole grains.

For more info on including iron in your plant-based diet, see here:

https://www.vivahealth.org.uk/resources/your-health-your-hands/ironing-out-facts-fact-sheet-online

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11/06/2018

Higher levels of vitamins and minerals in plant-based foods result in more positive mental health in plant-based eaters - it’s been proven! (See the link below.)

Another nutrient which plays an important role in this is CALCIUM.

Calcium is important for calming nerves and ensuring bone strength and health. It can lower your blood pressure, aid in healthy sleep cycles, treat anxiety, and keep hair, nails, and teeth in good health.

The best sources of calcium in a plant-based include: leafy greens, seaweed, almonds, broccoli, figs, chia, sesame seeds, some beans, fortified non-dairy milks, soy, and tofu.

What’s your favorite plant-based source of calcium?

https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/mental-health/

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11/03/2018

There is substantial evidence that suggests eating a plant-based diet can also have benefits for your mental health. The higher and more concentrated levels of minerals and vitamins that plants provide have mood-boosting effects that leave both mind and body feeling at their best.

Higher levels of antioxidants in the blood have resulted in lower risks of depression, anxiety, stress, and su***de rates among plant-based eaters. MAGNESIUM is one of the most important vitamins and minerals for plant-based eaters.

• Magnesium: this is one of the most overlooked, necessary minerals one needs on any diet, plant-based or not. It’s essential for energy, fighting off headaches, improving sleep health, and regulating your mood. Magnesium is also very competitive with calcium, which makes it even more important to consume on a regular basis. Plant-based foods are loaded with high-quality magnesium, while most animal foods have none.



Where to get it?

All nuts, seeds, cacao, whole grains, coffee, and leafy greens. Bananas, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash also contain decent amounts.

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/antioxidants-and-depression/

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10/31/2018

Will all of this newfound expertise and awareness surrounding the food we eat, where it comes from, and what effects it can have on our bodies and the planet, where does that leave us in terms of the next generation?

A controversial aspect of both the vegan and plant-based lifestyle is that which asks if it’s fair or not to impose on children a diet they understand little about - nor one they could be expected to comprehend. In terms of the health benefits, however, not only does it make SENSE to feed our children a whole-food, plant-based diet, but it actually is preferable to including meat in any way in the food we give them.

Ensuring they don’t develop a taste for animal products or a dependency on the meat industry as has happened with previous generations is of the utmost importance if we want to pass this beacon of health and sustainability on to our children.

Do you already, or would you consider feeding your kids a plant-based diet? We’ve love to hear from you!

Here’s a great article from ForksOverKnives on the subject: https://www.forksoverknives.com/diet-children-and-the-future/

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10/31/2018

A drop of Ginger and a drop of Lemon essential oil in Fido’s water bowl helps kill any internal worms while supporting his/her skin.

Comment below or direct message me with any questions.

10/30/2018

Did you know that pets get mosquito bites, too?

Keep those pesky bugs at bay with a repellant spray. Simply mix 20 drops of TerraShield in 2 ounces of water and spray it on. (It will work on you, too!)

Comment below or direct message me with any questions.

10/29/2018

Dogs love to smile and pet owners love a clean smile!

1 cup SVCO

10 drops Protective Blend

3 drops Peppermint

2 drops Frankincense

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda

Apply small amount to your pets toothbrush/ your finger and brush teeth.

10/28/2018

We’re not all lucky enough to have a vegetable patch or crop of fertile land to grow our own veggies, but the good news is it still proves a lot cheaper to maintain a plant-based diet in favor of eating animal products.

Fruit and vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based staples are simply cheaper, and if you do it right and purchase from local farmers or organic markets, your money will go straight back into the local economy! This is hugely favorable to shelling out hundreds of dollars a year to unknown international meat and dairy companies, whose products are as untraceable as they are costly!

Check out this great article on the prices of creating plant-based dishes compared with meat-based ones:

http://ucdintegrativemedicine.com/2015/03/cheap-or-expensive-the-real-truth-about-plant-based-diets/ .NZE2JzU

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10/28/2018

Hairballs, grass, bones… it’s all hard on a pet’s digestive system. Give them a little natural boost with a spray formulated for support digestion:

Add the following to a 4oz. sprayer bottle:

-10 drops Ginger

-10 drops Peppermint (omit for cats)

-5 drops Coriander

-5 drops Fennel

-5 drops Myrrh

-Top off with distilled water or FCO

10/27/2018

A fan favorite, pet shampoo is easy and fun to make! All you have to do is combine 1.25 cups of distilled water, 1 tbsp of Castile Soap, and 2 drops each of Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rosemary and Cedarwood essential oils into a glass bottle and shake.

Voila! Your pup is now ready for a chemical-free bath!

Comment below or direct message me with any questions.

10/26/2018

Pets who are regularly bathed or swim often are prone to occasional ear discomfort. If you suspect your dog or cat has any ear discomfort, blend 1 drop of Lavender, 1 drop of Roman Chamomile (omit for cats) with 1 teaspoon of Fractionated Coconut Oil. Dip a cotton swab into the mix and apply the blend to the outer frap of the ear, not directly into the ear shaft.

10/25/2018

Here’s a quick example of a plant-based menu for the day:

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Soy Milk, Raisins, and Walnuts.

Lunch: Sweet Potato Cubes with Tofu and Sugar Snap Peas. Side of apple.

Dinner: Quinoa with Grilled Zucchini, Garbanzo Beans, and Cumin with Citrus-Glazed Carrots.

Snacks included: Hummus with raw veggies, a handful of activated almonds, almond-milk cappuccino.

It really can be that simple. Substitute any of these ingredients for your favorites every day and let us know what happens!

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