Think Fruits and Vegetables First!

To eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, that is a fantastic and healthy habit, because you fill your body with a lot of vitamins, minerals and fibres. Almost all fruits and vegetables are low  in energy (nuts and avocados are an exemption) but all fruits and vegetables have high amounts of nutritents. If you eat fruit and vegetables raw, that means your teeth have to work (chewing) and that is also very healthy. 

But how to integrate more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet?  
Here you will find a few steps:

• First you have to buy your fruits and vegetables (if you are not a proud owner of a garden). When you go into a super market, go first in the fruit and vegetable department and buy the best quality of fruit and vegetables you may get.  You may spend less money in the other retailer departments, but you have already the most important part - your fruits and vegetables!
• Go as often as possible to farmer markets or markets in your town or village. Organise yourself to buy your fruits and vegetables there as often as possible.
  
• Prepare a shopping list before you go shopping and try to go only into the supermarket when you are not hungry - that helps to avoid grabbing quick filler.
• Give priority to vegetables and make vegetables the main part of your menu. Think first what vegetable is part of your menu and what fruit as a dessert. Then decide and look for the other parts.  
• Have at home always your fruit basket filled and give the fruit basket a prominent decorative place in your kitchen or house. 
• When you are hungry or you need a snack, think fruits and vegetables first and look in your fruit basket what you can eat (an apple, a banana, carrotts in pieces or cherry tomatoes).
• Enjoy the colours, tastes and smell of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Start with really small steps, and try to fill each day with a legume or a fruit. You know all vegetables and fruits by name?

What are your ideas to think of fruits and vegetables first?

Event - Wendy's Fund Raiser!

Join Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, Inc. adopters and volunteers for this special fund raiser! Come to Wendy's restaurant in Frederick, Maryland on Sunday, October 3, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and buy lunch. Wendy's will donate 10% of your purchase to our group! Bring your family and tell all of your friends. The more people who come and eat lunch, the more money our group will make. We will be in the parking lot with our hounds for a get-together and to talk to people about greyhound adoption. Join us for this fun event, have lunch and help us earn money for our hounds!

Wendy's
98 Monocacy Boulevard
Frederick, Maryland 21702

How to Help FFGR, Inc.

Would you like to help Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, Inc. and don't have the extra time to spend driving and attending events, etc.? Would you like to help our organization from the comfort of your own home? We have a greyt idea for you!

Are you an Ebay seller? Do you list items to sell on Ebay? Well our organization is a part of Ebay! Our rescue group is a recognized charity on Mission Fish.

Here’s how it works:

If you sell an item on Ebay, you list it as you normally would. When you list your item, you will go to Mission Fish and pick our organization to donate to (click on the blue and yellow ribbon) and then list a percentage of the proceeds to share in the sale. You can list an item for a percentage or all of it to benefit our organization.

● Once the item is listed, the bidding begins on Ebay (our group would reserve the right to cancel an item listed on our behalf as we get notice of the listing).

● If the item sells, the seller gets paid by the buyer and ships the item – same as always.

● Mission Fish collects the donation from the seller, pays our organization, and provides a tax receipt to the seller.

Mission Fish also gives organizations like ours the ability to do an on line auction to benefit our group. We hope to get one scheduled soon.

If you like to sell things on Ebay and/or are interested in putting together an auction for our group (we have all the items, photos and descriptions), please contact Hettie at Hettie@myactv.net.

Rainbow Bridge - Demitri

July 2001 - September 10, 2010

We are sad to report that yet another greyhound crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Rob Robinson, who adopted Demetri, called us to tell us that Demetri had not been feeling well and seemed to be in some distress. He took Demetri to the emergency animal hospital only to lose him there. There was nothing the veterinarian could do to help him.

Rob and Greg are quite devastated over the loss of their beloved Demitri. They have two other greyhounds, Heidi and Danti. Rob adopted Heidi from our group several years ago.

Rob, along with his (and our)friend Paula, helped our group for a long time by hosting meet and greet events and doing other work for our group. Both had to step back because of medical problems, but they stay involved with our group and are very much a part of our FFGR, Inc. family. They are very devoted to their greyhounds and have been in greyhound adoption for many years. We know that Demetri had a wonderful home. He was cherished by Rob and Greg and we know that they will grieve a long time for their sweet boy.

Godspeed Demetri, you will be missed very much.

Enjoy autumn and make a mini cure with grapes

Those who believe all fruits are ripe with the strawberries, know nothing about grapes (Paracelsus).

Grapes are the fruits of grapes wine (Vitis vinifera L.) and are one of the oldest culture plants of human beings. Already the Romans and Greeks used them intensively and today 70 % of the world production of grapes become wine. The rest are eaten fresh (around 27 %) and a small amount of grapes become grape juice and dried grapes (raisins, sultans).

Grapes are rich in water (81 g/100g) and sugars (15 g/100g). The energy content with 70 kcal/100 g is higher than of apples (50 kcal/100g). Grapes are famous for their amount of Vitamin C and potassium. Nutritionists love if food contain high amounts of potassium and low amounts of sodium, because that helps to avoid cardiovascular problems.

Now the season of fall starts and grapes are on the market with quite affordable prices. I can recommend to try out a mini-grapes-cure to help to detoxify your body. Because of the high amount of Vitamin C you  already boost your body against winter coldness diseases.

Mini- grapes-cure shopping list for one person/day:

• 1 kg of fresh grapes: look for the best quality, prefer biological-organic products - if available, choose white or red grapes (calories around 700 kcal),
• 1 liter of red grape juice: take the 100% juice quality (calories around 700 kcal), 
• 1 liter bottled water or 1 liter fresh brewed tea (rosebottle, citron, black or green tea) (zero kcal) - that's all.

Start to eat grapes and drink grape juice/tea/water over the day. Wash the grapes with hot water and eat your grapes slowly. Eat only when you are hungry. Try this menu best in the week-end or during a day off You spare time, because you need not to cook. Don't expect too much on loosing some pounds.

Don't use this diet, if you are diabetes patient or you have your blood sugar too high. If you feel well with this, you can also make more cure days, but not more than 14 days. Your body will miss some other important nutrients.

I remember one wonderful Spanish tradition at New Year. When the old year disappeared on 31 December at 12.00 clock midnight and the bells started ringing - then you have to eat one grape with each bellring - and your mouth is filled with too much sweet grapes and ....

How to start a New Year better? Take this mini cure as a healthy step in the right direction and start a better and healthier time for you! Tell me if this works for you!

Stay healthy with apples, but how to get there?

Today I will focus on the question, on how to implement the eating habit to ingest at least one fresh apple a day! So, if you do this already - Congratulations! You can stop to read here, the others (like me) may continue...

First, find hereafter four good reasons, why apples are a healthy fruit:

1. Promoting a healthy digestion:

Apples are rich in fiber pectin, which lowers not only cholesterol but also body fats. Apples promote a healthy digestion and help with some digestive concerns. For example, if you have a diarrhea: have apple slices that got brown; if you have a constipation: have fresh apple slices.

2. Supporting the immune system:

Apples are full of antioxidants, which support our immune system, heart and brain. 

3. Cleaning the body:

Apples and their juice are a perfect detoxication and body cleaning food, which is beneficial for the liver. The cleaning of the intestinal tract with fiber is also very helpful if you want to maintain a healthy weight or to loose extra pounds. 

4. Giving the right energy boost: 

Apples are a perfect healthy snack and a natural energy booster. Apples are not high in energy (100g apple/50-70 kcal).

How to learn the good eating habit 

to eat one apple a day!

Check this small roadmap on how to get there:
1. Clarify your goal:

• To eat at least one apple a day!

2. Find your motivation:

• To get a healthy digestion,
• To feel light,
• To loose some pounds, because you can reduce other snacks or unhealthy food, because apples are not high in energy.

3. Imagine positively:

• How great it is, to eat an apple (the taste, the fresh pulp etc.) 

4. Become organised: 

• Go to the supermarket or your farmer market and buy the best and freshest apples you can find, prefer organic fruits,
• Wash and put them prominently in a nice basket in your kitchen,
• Define an hour in your day, when you would like to eat your apple (breakfast, snack, evening),
• Take your apple with you for any occasion,
• If you have a craving, eat your apple,
• Replace an unhealthy snack with your apple.  

5. Think about a ritual:

• It is important that you find your ritual to eat your daily apple a day! Sit down, think and don't hesitate to write it down!

It is going to take some time to get practice. So, don't give up too quickly! I hope, you are not allergic against apples (often if you show a birch pollen allergy), but then you can use the roadmap for any other fruit or vegetable. 

Rainbow Bridge - Doug Boy (Wugs)

April 22, 2000 - September 3, 2010

Another one of our very special greyhounds has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Doug Boy (Wugs) was adopted by Jackie and Curt from Craiger's List. He came to us from another group. He had been adopted by a kennel worker when he was done racing but his owner died, leaving Wugs without a home. We saw his story and offered to bring Wugs here to find him a home.

Wugs was adopted by Curt and Jackie in July of 2009. Although he was in his home a relatively short time (a little more than a year), he was greatly loved. He developed problems with incontinence and had other neurological issues.

We received the following email after talking to Curt and Jackie about Wugs. We knew that he was not doing well and were concerned that he was ready to cross over the bridge:

Hey Sally, Courtney Lynn, Leonor, Zeus, Jes Xpress, Judy, Mugsy,
Snoopy, Tuffy, Bonnie, Ben, Trisket, CC, Trinidad, Angel, Ozzie, Sierra, Kassidy, and any of you hounds who I missed:

Lissen up: Keep your eyes out for Doug Boy. He'll is joining you at the Rainbow Bridge today. He's a huge black boy with a very grey muzzle. Take good care of him 'til Jackie and I join him. He's not too tough--oh, he'll pay more attention if you call him Wuggles.

He'll tell you he was a VERY good boy, but that his neurological stuff started to fail. He often didn't know who he was or where he was or who we were.

Wuggles: thanks for the joy and love you brought us. We will remember you forever. Nora says "Hi." elsif sends a growl.

Bye.

We are always sad to hear of one of our Craiger's List dogs passing. But we know that there are special people who do not mind that they are older, infirm, not necessarily the most adoptable dogs and/or may have only limited time. We are thankful that Wugs had the chance for happiness and love in his last year of life. Since dogs live in the moment, Wug's last moments were spent with those who loved him.

Godspeed, you wonderful boy. You were truly special and we know you have a special place at the bridge.

Avocado - A power fruit

Avocado is one of the healthiest fruits on the planet. 

• It is full of good fatty acids (mostly monounsaturated - also called MUFA) and contains a lot of Vitamin C and E, folate and a high amount of potassium. The energy/calories content of an average Avocado is quite high around 300 kcal (100 g fruit/ 220 kcal), due to the high amount of fat (25-30%) in the fruit. It has been shown in studies that the MUFAs of the Avocado are able to lower bad cholesterol (LDL - low density lipoproteins) and to raise good cholesterol (HDL- high density lipoproteins).

• The taste of the creamy yellow - green fruit  pulp is simply great. Although you might not think so, Avocado (the botanical name is Persea americana Mill.) is actually a berry fruit and not a vegetable. The Mexicans may forgive this botanical name of "American peach", because they are the ones, that cultivated and used this fruit since more than 9000 years. The first Avocados came to Europe in 1650, but it needed until the 20th Century, that they were well accepted. 

• Avocados in Europe are imported from Israel and California and they are available almost all over the year. Avocados are not a cheap fruit in Europe, but give them a try and a special place in your daily or weekly menu.

So, enjoy Avocados (...and do a physical activity, too!)

Slice it on a salad,

Spread it on a sandwich instead of butter,

Get a spoon and dig it!

Please don't cook avocados, they may get a bitter taste. To avoid,  that Avocados become quickly brown after peeling, put some lemon juice on it.

And here is a classic recipe of Guacamole for you:

• Ingredients

3 avocados (halved, seeded and peeled), 1 citron, juiced, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 medium onion, diced, 2 tomatoes, diced, 1 clove garlic, minced

• Directions:

Put the scooped avocado pulp in a large bowl and sprankle with citron juice, salt, cumin and cayenne. Mash them with a potato masher. Then add the diced onions, tomatoes and the minced garlic. 

Bon appétit!

Labor Day Holiday Hours

NOTICE: We at FFGR, Inc. work hard to help greyhounds find homes. However, once in awhile we need to take a break~!!! We will not be available for phone calls or to answer emails from Friday morning, September 3 (9:00 a.m.) until Tuesday morning, September 7 (10:00 a.m.).

Once we get back from our vacation, we will hit the ground running as we have lots of events coming up in the months ahead.

We hope that you enjoy the last holiday for the summer season!!!!

Information - Check our Greytlinks Page!

We have maintained a great web page that contains information for all greyhound adopters. It's a little used page of our web site that has tons of information right at your fingertips. Do you want to know more about greyhounds? Do you have a training issue? Medical issue? Do you need to find a boarding kennel in your area? Do you want to look for your greyhounds' littermates? Do you need to find the phone number and/or web site address of your closest emergency vet? Do you have a question about poisonous plants, etc. that might harm your dog? Do you want to learn more about what to do if your greyhound gets lost?

Then look no further!!! Everything that we could think of is included on our Greytlinks page. We suggest that you check it out and then bookmark the link. You can even print the page to have it close at hand if you have a question or concern.

We try to provide the best and most up to date information to our adopters - and it's all in one place!

To access our Greytlinks page, just click on the title of this post.

If you have a suggestion for what we can add, please let us know. Happy reading!

Event _ Greyhound Pets Of America Picnic

Come join Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, Inc. at the Greyhound Pets of America (Maryland Chapter) Picnic! Our group will be vending at the picnic. Come visit us and look at all of the GREYT merchandise we will have to sell. ALL sales benefit our greyhound adoption organization and help us help the hounds. We will be bringing all of our usual merchandise as well as our assortment of concrete garden statues and some new hand made wind chimes and hand made bling for your hounds! The GPA picnic is open to all greyhound volunteers, adopters and friends. We have posted the information below (including directions):

Greyhound Pets of America / MD, Inc.
20th Annual Greyhound Reunion Picnic
Oregon Ridge Park – Hunt Valley, Maryland
Sunday, September 19, 2010
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

50-50 Raffle (need not be present to win)
GPA/MD, Inc. Boutique (cash and checks accepted)
Greyhound/Canine Gifts and Art – Meet Artist, Scott Blaney
Silent Auction Nail Clipping Food and Fun
DJ * Games * Costume Contest * Hound “Fun Run”

Find out why Greyhounds make GREAT pets!!

The Public is invited. Takes place rain or shine.
Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day.
$2 Donation per family helps pay for the park.
Call 800-600-8607 for more information

10:00 am Welcome. Invocation and Blessing of Greyhounds -
Reverend Susan Carole Roy

Special Fundraiser………L I V E A U C T I O N!!!

Directions:
Baltimore Beltway (Rt. 695), to Exit 24 (I-83) North, to Exit 20B (Shawan Rd. West). Go approx. 1 mile to traffic light (Beaver Dam Rd.) Go left to Oregon Ridge Park. Follow signs to park.
HOPE YOU HAVE A GREYT TIME!

Why to eat a raw carrott as often as possible?

There are four good reasons to eat raw carrotts:

1. You will get a clear and wonderful skin,

2. You will feel well and light everyday,

3. Your eyes will thank you for getting a good portion of Vitamin  A,

4. It seems, that raw carrotts have a positive effect on reducing negative blood cholesterol. 

Start slowly with it and start to wash and peel your carrott in the morning and simply put it into your snack box. You can also cut it into smaller pieces. 

If you buy carrotts, take the best quality you can get. Carrotts are really not expensive, also in organic quality, but the most important point is, that you eat a fresh carrott. Please don't eat your carrott in a hurry, chew them carefully in your mouth and try to find out the taste. Some carrotts taste really sweet. 

If you are interested in more information, look at the digital World Carrott Museum here

What are your experiences with carrotts? Do you like eating carrotts?

Enjoy!