Hosting a formal holiday dinner with multiple courses?

Follow these place-setting rules from the pros:

1. Always work from the outside in. The fork on the extreme outside is the one used for the first course. The same applies to glassware and cutlery.

The average American will spend $66.28 on Halloween this year, $20.29 of which will go toward candy purchases, according to the National Retail Federation. (Costumes are the No. 1 expense.)

But when trick-or-treating first became popular in the 1920s, children received whatever neighbors had on hand: apples, pastries, breads and even money. Flash-forward to the 21st century: We now spend $1.8 billion on Halloween candy each year—so, what has changed?

The first Starbucks store opened in 1971, but it took another 16 years for the chain to begin expanding into the 15,000+ locations that now seem to dot every corner of the globe.

But coffeehouses are nothing new. They began to proliferate in the Ottoman Empire in the 1550s (see illustration, right)—and they offered a lot more than organic coffee, according to a report published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Gambling, drugs, meeting with “young, beautiful boys,” puppet shows, storytellers, and musical and dance performances were the norm, say researchers Eminegül Karababa, PhD, a lecturer in marketing at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, and Güliz Ger, PhD, a professor of marketing and associate provost at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey.

Fruit-flavored waters are a refreshing change of pace, especially during the hot summer months.

But there are several disadvantages to buying premade brands:

• Beverages may not be organic.
• Products are sold in glass jars or plastic bottles, which need to be recycled.
• Drinks may contain a fruit essence, but no real fruit. Some will contain sweeteners, which lead to consumption of empty calories.
• Ounce per ounce, they’re usually overpriced.

You can overcome these problems by creating your own fruit-infused water, and the Takeya Fruit Infusion Jug makes the job a snap. It’s glam enough for formal entertaining, yet practical enough for everyday use.

The 66-oz. airtight pitcher is made with Takeya’s proprietary AcraGlass, an FDA-approved, nontoxic, BPA-free acrylic that’s lightweight, stain- and odor-resistant, and dishwasher-safe.

Simply add your favorite water and organic fruit, whose flavors will meld naturally. When you’re ready to pour beverages, a built-in screen prevents pieces of fruit from dropping into glasses or mugs.

When you’ve finished serving and want to store leftovers, pop the pitcher in the refrigerator door or lay it on its side on a fridge shelf. 

Need a birthday or bridal gift? The aesthetically pleasing pitcher’s retail price is $27.50, and you may qualify for free shipping on Amazon.com.

Natural/organic cosmetics company Yes To Inc. has announced the Yes To Carrots Garden Challenge for U.S. public schools (K–8).

Schools may enter by submitting a video or written essay that addresses why a garden would be a positive addition. The contest deadline is May 20.

“We hope this contest encourages more schools to teach kids that it's fun to get their hands dirty and grow their own fruits and vegetables,” says company cofounder Ido Leffler.

The winning school will receive a $5,000 grant from the Yes To Carrots Seed Fund and a year’s worth of supplies from Kellogg Garden Products.

Entourage star Emmanuelle Chriqui will represent the school as its Garden Ambassador for the year.

Man’s best friend is joining spouses and significant others on Valentine’s Day.

According to a Purina survey of 1,000 dog owners:

• 60%  include their dogs in their celebrations
• 66% show their love by showering their dogs with hugs and kisses
• 56% give their dogs a special meal, plus a favorite treat for dessert

Be sure to buy organic pet food and treats so you know they’re untouched by pesticides, chemicals, hormones and preservatives. And if you’re thinking of adding a household pet, please go the “recycled” route and adopt one from a shelter or rescue organization.

“I couldn’t imagine life without my best friend: my golden retriever, Homer,” says actress Elisabeth Röhm of NBC’s Heroes. “I rescued Homer and nursed him back to health, and I feel like every day he repays me with his unconditional love and affection.”

Photos: Sheri Berliner/American Veterinary Medical Association; NBC

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Charlie, my dog-niece, is now 6 months old. As with 75% of pet owners, we consider her to be an important member of the family. She enjoys a variety of canine creature comforts: sleeping in bed with her “parents,” vacationing in the Hamptons and exercising during play dates with her pals. 

The same mindset applies to Charlie’s food. My sister opts for a veterinarian-recommended dog food, made from only the most wholesome, organic, chemical-free ingredients—and she’s not alone. 

“Gourmet foods and flavors once considered upscale and limited only to fine-dining establishments are now appearing in mass channels such as grocery stores and even in commercial dog food,” says Lucien Vendome, executive chef for Nestlé. 

Dogs can also dine on pet foods that contain unique ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables and good-for-you grains. For example, some dog foods are now formulated with accents of antioxidant-rich cranberries and sweet potatoes. Others deliver excellent nutrition through whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. 

As more of us embrace a healthy lifestyle and eat natural and organic foods, we choose similar options for our pets. Purchases of natural/organic pet foods and treats have skyrocketed. 

Nutritional supplements are another trend, with pet foods that support joints and omega fatty acids that promote a healthy skin and coat. Advanced formulas are available at veterinarians’ offices for pets with specific health conditions.

The Charlie Chronicles

• Leaky Puppies
• You Can Lead a Dog to Water…

Study findings courtesy of Nestlé

Click here to read Part 1 of this article.

Veterinarian Susan Nelson is urging pet owners to read nutrition labels on pet-food packages.

As with the foods we eat, pet-food products often list the calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber per cup of food or per treat.

"In the past, we didn't know how many calories were in various treats," says Dr. Nelson, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "Now, that's becoming more available…because more pets are becoming obese and their owners are asking for that information.”

Logging foot intake is important if your pet is overweight.

“It's probably not necessary if you have a pet that is of normal weight," Dr. Nelson says. “If it starts to get pudgy, you need to take a look at how much exercise it is getting, how much food you are feeding it and how many treats you're giving it.

“Generally, I tell people that unless your pet is overweight, go with the guidelines on the food bag," she adds. “If the pet is a little overweight, you should feed it for its ideal weight and not for its current weight."

To compare different brands' nutritional info, look at their dry-matter content. Often, this is not listed on the bag, so you may have to research it online or call the company.

"What most bags list is the nutritional analysis that is formulated on an as-fed basis," Dr. Nelson says. “To truly compare the nutrient content of foods, you have to look at the dry-matter basis, which takes out water content."

Always base food choices on your pet’s life stage.

"If your pet is pregnant, a puppy or kitten, has special health conditions or is a senior, there are foods formulated that best meet the nutritional demands,” Dr. Nelson says.

If the pet is extremely overweight, it may need diet food, along with other recommendations. Diet pet foods are lower in calories, nutritionally complete and often contain extra fiber, which helps your pet feel full. Don’t feed your pet less of its regular food, as it may not meet nutrition requirements.

Some dog and cat breeds have the opposite problem: high metabolisms and difficulty in maintain a normal weight. Talk to your vet about pet food with a higher fat content and more calories per serving.

As for treats, make sure they account for no more than 10% of your pet’s calories, Dr. Nelson says.

Suggested Reading

1. Have Your Pets Gone Organic?
2. Holistic Industry Going to the Dogs
3. How to Switch Your Pet to Organic Food
4. Keep Fido and Felix Fit and Trim
5. Doggiecise Do’s and Don’ts
6. A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 1)
7. A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 2)
8. Pet Bistro Offers Healthful, Organic, Human-Grade Cuisine
9. Rachael Ray Introduces Natural Dog Food
10. The Top 5 Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog
11. Go Fetch!
12. Holiday Tips from the “Dog Whisperer”

Photo:

As Americans struggle with obesity, so do our pets.

“Pets are overeating and underexercising, and they’re eating too many high-fat foods and treats,” says Susan Nelson, DVM, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

To determine whether your pet is too heavy or light, consider Dr. Nelson’s guidelines:

• You shouldn’t be able to see your pet’s ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily, with a thin layer of fat over them.
• When you look at your pet from the side, its tummy should tuck up at the flank area and not hang in a straight line.
• If you look at your dog from above, you should see an hourglass shape: broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and broader at the hips.
• If your dog starts to get heavy, cut back on calories and arrange more exercise time.

Work with your family to avoid sabotaging your pet’s diet with treats and table scraps. These hidden calories can be the main contributor to obesity, says Dr. Nelson, who specializes in preventive care, senior wellness and puppy/kitten wellness.

“Sometimes, you’ll try to put your pet on a diet, and then someone else living in the house will slip it treats,” she says. “You should talk with the whole family when putting your pet on a diet. Tell them the diet is necessary to keep the pet at a good weight, which in turn will make it healthier and can help it live a longer life.”

And if you have a small child who drops food (or deviously gets rid of broccoli via canine) at the dinner table, these calories will add up, too.

Tune in tomorrow for the conclusion of this article.

Suggested Reading

1. Have Your Pets Gone Organic?
2. Holistic Industry Going to the Dogs
3. How to Switch Your Pet to Organic Food
4. Keep Fido and Felix Fit and Trim
5. Doggiecise Do’s and Don’ts
6. A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 1)
7. A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 2)
8. Pet Bistro Offers Healthful, Organic, Human-Grade Cuisine
9. Rachael Ray Introduces Natural Dog Food
10. The Top 5 Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog
11. Go Fetch!
12. Holiday Tips from the “Dog Whisperer”

Photo:

Sunday marked the beginning of Animal Action Week, an International Fund for Animal Welfare campaign to teach both children and adults about biodiversity, habitat and ecosystems.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, an IFAW honorary board member, is promoting the campaign, which provides schools with a free education pack and Under One Sky: Why Animals Matter, a 15-minute film he narrates. Click here for access to educational downloads. You’ll also find a wide selection of downloadable Animal Fact Sheets—great tools to share with your kids.

Students may enter an art contest, with the winning design to appear on next year’s campaign poster. Families are also encouraged to sign a global pledge to make lifestyle choices that better protect the environment we share with animals.

“Animals and their vital habitat face more threats than ever before,” DiCaprio says. “Animals, like people, need a home that provides food, water, shelter and space. It’s our responsibility to protect animals and our planet’s vital ecosystems if we want to leave a better world for future generations.”

For Your Organic Bookshelf: The Animal Ethics Reader