Easy To Make Dog Toys

Because at Anasa, we Love Pets too!

 

Here are some ideas for dog toys that you can make from ordinary household items.

SOCK FULL OF BALLS

1. Stuff 2 tennis balls into a large, clean gym sock.
2. Tie a knot in the sock just above the balls, so the tennis balls are tightly secured at the foot of the sock.
3. For added amusement, use tennis balls with squeakers or bells inside.

SIMPLE ROPE TOY

1. Begin with a sturdy piece of rope about 12 inches long.
2. Tie a knot at each end of the rope.

ROPE-A-DOPE (GREAT TUG TOY!)

1. Choose a sturdy rope of tightly braided material.
2. Wrap a rope around a tennis ball until the ball is fully encased in the rope, leaving a "tail" of about 18 inches of rope.
3. Loop the end of the "tail" and tie a tight knot to create a "handle" of about 4 inches in diameter and leaving about 12 inches of rope between the tennis ball and the knot of the handle.

TENNIS BALL TUG TOY

1. Drill a hole through a tennis ball.
2. Thread a rope at least 12 inches long through the ball. Tie the ends of the rope into a sturdy knot.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Be sure the toy you're making is durable enough to stand up to your dog's chewing strength and level of play.
• Be sure any squeakers you add to the toy are safely concealed.
• Avoid squeakers and stuffing altogether if your dog likes to rip apart his toys.
• Steer clear of using any choking hazards in your toys, such as string, ribbons or buttons.
• Always supervise your dog with the toy to make sure he will not destroy it.
• Be watchful for any torn, shredded or broken parts and remove the toy immediately if there are any.

*Courtesy of The Happy Dog Spot at http://www.the-happy-dog-spot.com/easy-to-make-dog-toys.html.

Yogurt and Banana Mask

Did you know? Bananas are packed with Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Potassium! The soothing properties in Bananas can also help reduce visual blemishes and inflammation. Applying mashed Banana to the skin helps make skin more soft and elastic; not to mention Banana is also known to help clear mild acne. Applying banana to the face helps restore the natural glow to your skin! Mixing Banana with honey and yogurt will leave your skin moisturized and youthfully renewed.

Yogurt and Banana Mask (all skin types)

What you’ll need:  Yogurt, Banana and Honey

How to make:  Place 2 tablespoons of yogurt, half a banana and 1 tablespoon of honey in a bowl and mash together until smooth. Then apply to your face and let sit for about 15-20 minutes. If there is any left over, enjoy it as a treat!

Bananas and Yogurt are Good for the Whole Body!  Looking for a tasty, sustainable, quick breakfast, lunch or snack? Foodfacts.com research indicates that you might want to try bananas and yogurt for a healthy, hearty, nutritionally intense treat. See more at the FoodFacts.com blog!

8 Great Tips To Boost Your Energy

Tired of being tired? “I want my energy back!”  Whether you’re moving in slow motion or exhausted from juggling work, family, and friends…and with all the life changes your fatigue and crankiness meter is bound to go up at some point.

Feeling tired not only robs you of productivity and pleasure, it also can make you a real you know what! Studies show that women seem more likely than men to crash & get cranky - that women actually sleep less, stress more, & do more multitasking than men (surprise, surprise).

Want to fight the fatigue? Well we have a few tips to put a little pep back in your step!

1. Exercise – WebMD says even a brisk 10-minute walk not only increased energy, but the effects lasted up to two hours. And when the daily 10-minute walks continued for three weeks, overall energy levels & reduces stress.  It also gives your cells more energy to burn and circulates oxygen. And exercising causes your body to release stress hormones that in modest amounts can make you feel energized.

2. Take a Power Nap - a 30- 60-minute "power nap" can not only reverse the effects of information overload, it may also help us to better retain what we have learned.

3. Control StReSs - Stress-induced emotions consume huge amounts of energy. Talking with a friend or relative, joining a support group, or seeing a psychotherapist can all help diffuse stress. Relaxation therapies like meditation, self-hypnosis, yoga, and tai chi are also effective tools for reducing stress.

4. Lighten Your Load - One of the main reasons for fatigue is overwork. Overwork can include professional, family, and social obligations. Try to streamline your list of “must-do” activities. Set your priorities in terms of the most important tasks. Pare down those that are less important. Consider asking for extra help at work, if necessary.

5. Don't Skip Breakfast - or Any Other Meal - Studies show that folks who eat breakfast report being in a better mood, and have more energy throughout the day.  Studies published in the journal Nutritional Health found that missing any meal during the day led to an overall greater feeling of fatigue by day's end.

6. Drink More Water & Less Alcohol - Try cutting down on the amount of alcohol consumed in the evening, alcohol may help you fall asleep, but it interferes with deep sleep, so you're not getting the rest you think you are -- even if you sleep a full eight hours.  Sometimes, even slight dehydration can leave you feeling tired and lethargic.  So drink water! There's always going to be some debate about how much water you should drink daily. No matter if you decide on 4 vs. 8 glasses, just DRINK UP! You will feel more alert, which means you will LOOK more alert.

7. Avoid Smoking – Did not know that smoking actually siphons off your energy by causing insomnia. The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant, so it speeds the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and stimulates brain - wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it harder to fall asleep. Once you do fall asleep, its addictive power can kick in and awaken you with cravings

8. Instant Energy Boost - Eat an apple, pear, or orange. These fruits (as well as veggies like beans or peas) are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And they give you a dose of fiber, which keeps you regular and at a healthy, and a lot less taxing to your body.

Try arming yourself with these simple strategies for instant energy. In no time flat, you’ll be catching your second wind — and then some.