the honest kitchen grants our wishes

Thanks to chewy.com for providing me with a sample of The Honest Kitchen's Wishes to review. I only share information I feel is relevant to my readers. All opinions and ideas are my own. 

N.A.S.H.A. and I love it when we see the FedEx delivery dude approaching our door with a box from chewy.com because we know that delicious healthy treats are on their way. As I've mentioned before, N.A.S.H.A. is extremely picky when it comes to treats. We agree that the treats should be pure...for some reason she typically only enjoys treats with one ingredient, and I don't like to feed her things loaded with chemicals and preservatives. I'm a picky label reader, and she is quick to turn her nose up to anything not up to standards. Yeah, yeah...we're snobs. When I recently heard about The Honest Kitchen's Wishes treats, I was pretty sure they would meet our approval. We already love their healthy dehydrated dog food and know about the high quality of the ingredients, so we were anxious to try these treats.

these pure, simple treats grant our wishes

Wishes only have one ingredient: pure dehydrated all natural human-grade Icelandic haddock fillets. They were created for cats and dogs to equally enjoy. What's so great about them?

• low in fat

• high in protein

• great for pets with more common protein allergies

• large pieces easily break apart, so treats are great for pets of any size

The Honest Kitchen is also conscious about environmental impact. They explain on the box that "our haddock is caught in the cold, pristine waters off the coast of Iceland using a hook and line, not trawlers, to reduce impact on the ocean's delicate eco-system." Wonderful!

is there anything not to like?

Not in N.A.S.H.A.'s opinion. In fact, she begs for these like crazy on a daily basis. Perhaps because, as put by The Honest Kitchen, they are so "aromatic." I don't personally mind the smell of fish, but if one is bothered by that, these might not be the treats for your house. They are definitely aromatic, but, thankfully, the interior bag seals tightly for storage.

Scratch and sniff?

Yes, I eventually let N.A.S.H.A. try Wishes, and she loved them! Since she's small, we broke apart one of the large pieces and found just the right size for her.

Our first taste-test. I think she's wishing the piece was bigger.

I'm so happy to have found a nutritious, pure treat to add to our arsenal of snacks N.A.S.H.A. likes. I'm pretty sure any dog would dig these, and if both dogs and cats share their home with you, even better! 

What do you think your pet would think of Wishes?

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wholesome, healthy treats #giveaway from happy tails barkery

Whenever I pick up a bag of N.A.S.H.A.'s favorite dog food at my local Pet Planet, I have to take a peek at their wide selection of healthy pet treats. I love that they are constantly searching for new products, so there is always something new and interesting to check out. This past week, I noticed offerings from Happy Tails Barkery for the first time. The packaging caught my eye because it has a big "Made in Arizona" stamp, and I love to support local businesses. 

I decided to contact Happy Tails Barkery to see what they are all about. Owner, Holly Pace, seemed genuinely thrilled that I would contact her. She invited me to come see her and her full line of dog treats at the Gilbert Farmers Market. I'd never been before, so I gathered the family, and we headed out so see her and the other local vendors. 

I learned a lot from Holly about her line of dog treats, which are homemade. Homemade might scare some people off, but Happy Tails Barkery treats are analyzed for quality and nutritional analysis by RL Food Testing Laboratories and are AAFCO compliant, something that sets them apart from other homemade treat companies. They print the nutritional analysis for each treat right on the bag, something you don't get with other homemade treat companies. So not only are you getting treats made with love, you can rest assured that they are safe and healthy. 

Happy Tails Barkery specializes in grain-, gluten-, and GMO-free dog treats made from human-grade ingredients sourced 100% in the U.S., and they also offer vegan options. They value local products just like I do, so they team up with local farmers and ranchers to source many of their ingredients. Just one look at the short ingredient lists lets you know that you're getting quality. The packages say "no corn, soy, preservatives, fillers, added salt or sugar, food-dyes, or yucky stuff." That's exactly what I look for in a healthy treat for N.A.S.H.A. In addition to being informative, Holly was super, super nice. My kids were excited about all the different treats she offers, so she hooked us up! We walked away with quite a few bags of treats:

Bacon Cheezy Bites: garbanzo flour, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, low-sodium beef broth

Chop Lickin' Chicken: hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken breast

Muddy Paws (HTB's Dessert Treat): oat flour, all-natural peanut butter, carob powder

P-Mutt Butter Hummus: garbanzo flour, all-natural peanut butter

Sweet Potato Jerky: sweet potatoes

Some of HTB's offerings at the Gilbert Farmer's Market.

It means a lot to me that HTB uses a limited number of ingredients. HTB's mission statement is "to provide the highest quality gourmet treats using all natural human grade ingredients." They are homemade with love in small batches "from farm to treat jar," they like to say. 

Just like Holly hooked us up, she wants to hook you up, too! Now, don't worry, even though she lives here in AZ, she'll ship these quality treats anywhere in the U.S., so go ahead and let your pooch get addicted. Holly warned me that they call their "Chop Lickin' Chicken" treats "puppy crack." She advised "don't give those to your pup first, because she may not want anything else." She was right. Those Chop Lickin' Chicken treats quickly became something that N.A.S.H.A. will regularly punch me in the leg to get. She gets her message across. 

N.A.S.H.A. exhibiting the many faces of HTB Chop Lickin' Chicken "puppy crack."

Holly is offering our readers a chance to win one "HTB Pound Pack," a whole pound of their luscious, healthy dog treats! Trust me, your pooch wants you to enter.

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Well Minded was not compensated monetarily for this product review. HTB provided samples for the review. We only share information that we feel is of interest to our readers.

pure turkey liver munchies made N.A.S.H.A. go primal

Thanks to chewy.com for providing me with a sample of Primal Freeze-Dried Turkey Liver Munchies to review. I only share information I feel is relevant to my readers. All opinions and ideas are my own. 

I have a confession to make. I get a little bit nervous when I'm asked to do a review of dog treats. Our N.A.S.H.A. is ultra-picky, and though I have a pretty good idea of her preferences, you just never know. I always provide my honest opinion, but I'm a positive person, so it's never fun to proclaim our distaste when I know how selective she is. When I receive treats, I always try them out on her, first, but thank goodness I have a back-up team of pet sitting clients who are always ready and willing to pick up the slack. Unfortunately for them, that won't be necessary this time, because we just found N.A.S.H.A. a new favorite treat, Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies from Primal Pet Foods. A special thanks (and lots of wet kisses from N.A.S.H.A.) to chewy.com for sending them our way!

Before I even tell you how awesome these treats are, you must know that both dogs and cats can enjoy them! So if you live in a mixed-pet home, these would be an ideal choice for your family. 

Let's check out why these freeze-dried turkey liver treats are so great:

• made in the U.S.A. from turkey raised without antibiotics or added hormones

• one ingredient: turkey liver (single-source protein)

• high in protein

• no preservatives

• no added salt or sugar

• gluten-free

• grain-free

• Did I mention that they are well-suited for both dogs and cats? Just wanted to make sure you caught that–so cool!

N.A.S.H.A. was interested in what I was doing as soon as she heard the package crinkle. I let her check out the package, but since she hasn't learned to read, yet, she wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped. I thought the handy peek-through window on the back of the package was pretty great. I like to see the actual treats rather than a glamorized picture, so the ability to peek at them in a store setting is valuable to me. N.A.S.H.A. couldn't have cared less about the visual, but once I ripped open the top of the package, all bets were off.

A handy peek-through window reveals the actual treats. I love that!

This is N.A.S.H.A.'s "my-face-is-tweaked-with-interest and I-wish-mom-would-open-the-bag-wider-so-I-can-fit-my-entire-head-inside" face.

I really liked that these natural treats were of varying shapes and sizes, so if you have both dogs and cats, or both large and small dogs, you could purchase one bag of treats and have sizes appropriate for all of the pets in the household. Or, if you wanted to treat your little dog, big-time, you could just hand over one of the big ones (or two) like I did. Yeah...I'm a softie. If your dog or cat prefers a petite treat, the larger pieces can easily be broken up. But where's the fun in that? Just sayin'. 

The bag contains treats of varying sizes, so these are great for dogs and cats, large and small. (Penny is pictured for size comparison only and is not a cereal-box prize. Do not feed pennies to your pets.)

Though N.A.S.H.A. has a very discerning palette (read: she's the pickiest dog I've ever met), when she likes something, she shows full committed devotion. I should have known by the look in her eyes that I might lose a finger. Thankfully, she's no "Jaws."

The initial trial.

As you can see, these treats went beyond the expectations of an extremely finicky pooch, so if your pooch is picky (and especially if he's not), I think these treats are a sure bet. As for me? Well, I didn't actually taste them, myself, but I feel great about providing N.A.S.H.A. with such a healthy snack. One ingredient, totally natural, and no-added-anything-nasty? Sold!

I'm so happy to have had the opportunity for N.A.S.H.A. to try these treats. I'm certain that they will be a permanent addition to our reward rotation. In fact, I may have to put a child-lock on the treat cabinet!

Chewy.com has a huge variety of top-quality products for your pets, including the entire Primal Products Food Line, so you can find these Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies and so much more! Chewy.com has great prices, too. 

Have you tried Primal Pet Food's Primal Freeze Dried Treats or any other products from the awesome Chewy.com? We'd love to hear about your favorites!

Shop Primal Freeze Dried Turkey Liver Munchies at chewy.com.

come have a blast with me at #ChipotleCultivate and enter our #giveaway

When my husband, who works for Chipotle, told me that the Chipotle Cultivate Festival was coming to the Phoenix area, I immediately called a couple of my closest gal pals and told them to mark their calendars. To make matters more exciting, a few weeks later I was invited to attend the local media preview event so that I could learn more about and help spread the word about the food, chefs, and artisans who would anchor the festival. What an opportunity!

So what exactly is the Chipotle Cultivate Festival? It's all about food, ideas, and music. Chipotle describes it as "a celebration of food that is responsibly raised, skillfully prepared, and delightfully enjoyed." They ask that we join them on their "journey toward a world of more sustainable, wholesome, and delicious food." And to sweeten the deal? It's completely FREE to attend. The whole idea is to get people thinking and talking about food and food issues and how to create a more sustainable future.

Check out the recap of last year's festival:

Since I focus on family wellness as it relates to animals, the fact that Chipotle serves sustainably raised meats, vegetarian and vegan options, and sources their produce locally whenever possible is very important to me. The knowledge to be gained at the Cultivate Festival is invaluable. Plus, it looks like one hell of a party. 

At the media preview event, I had the opportunity to listen to Scott Robinson, Chipotle's National Events Manager, talk about the Cultivate Festival. This is the festival's fifth year and Phoenix is the seventh city to house the festival. Just like they didn't know how the first Chipotle in Denver, CO, would do, they had no idea how successful the festival would be. We're super lucky that Phoenix is in the lineup this year. 

What can we expect to do at the phoenix cultivate?

ROCK OUT. Check out the killer music lineup at the music stage, composed of local and national acts: Jared & The Mill, Magic Man, MS MR, Bleachers, Twenty One Pilots, and DJ Christoper Golub, the DJ of Chipotle. 

LEARN. We'll be able to explore five exhibits throughout the festival, which will focus on sustainable food practices, including an exhibit explaining how to make Chipotle's guacamole, the reality of processed foods, and an experience showing the conditions of factory-raised pigs compared to those that are responsibly raised. Each exhibit will give you a stamp for attending, and if you check out at least four exhibits, you'll earn a card for a free burrito, bowl, tacos, or salad + IZZE™ at any Chipotle. Sweet! 

PLAY. Cultivate is a family-friendly event. Take the kiddos to the Kids' Zone that has snacks and fun activities. 

CHEF DEMOS. Live and in person? Yes, please. Chipotle says "superior ingredients deserve excellent preparation. Watch as these expert chefs and stars of the culinary world prepare a variety of dishes in our on-site kitchens. They'll demonstrate different cooking techniques as well as share their knowledge and love of working with local farms and suppliers." These superstar chefs include Joshua Herbert, Owner/Executive Chef of Posh, Chris Schlattman, Executive Chef of The Upton, Charleen Badman, Owner/Chef at FNB, Richard Blais, Restaurateur/Chef/Author and winner of Top Chef: All Stars, and Amanda Freitag, Owner/Chef at Empire Diner.

I was excited to have the opportunity to meet local Executive Chef Chris Schlattman of The Upton in Scottsdale, where the preview event was held. We tasted his cuisine, which was divine and beautiful, yet casual and completely approachable. He said that Chipotle and The Upton are alike because they are "fuss free" and use "great, simple ingredients." I would have to agree. 

GRUB. Whether you want to sample food and beverage or indulge in a full meal (or both), there is something for everyone. Since I plan on being there for the duration of the festival, my goal is to do it all. The Artisans' Hall will be a highlight. We'll get to try delicious samplings from an amazing collection of artisanal Arizona food. The Food Tents will be manned by Chipotle's chefs and top team members. The chefs have developed new recipes just for Cultivate. Along with the Chipotle-inspired dishes, select items from ShopHouse, Chipotle's new Southeast Asian concept, will be served. To wash it down, you'll find the Tasting Hall, where you can sample some of the best craft brews in the region or taste some top-quality sustainable wines, or go for a full glass, which are all reasonably priced.

At the preview event, I had the privilege of meeting some of the local artisans who will be set up at the Artisans' Hall and the Tasting Hall during Cultivate, and I had the chance to try their food and beverages. I didn't meet a person or sample I didn't like. Here are the highlights:

CARTEL COFFEE LAB Never in my life have I known such intricacies. I tried the recommended "cold brew, " which Jules described accurately as "fruit-forward." Amazing. Like no cup of Joe I've ever had. All of their coffee is carefully sourced, and they also have local beers on tap. 

SONORAN BREWING COMPANY They partnered with Chipotle to create a traditional Saison called "Cultivate Farmhouse Ale," brewed with local Arizona Honey, Lemons, and Limes. And, yes, it was just as yummy as it sounds. 

SUPER CHUNK Small-batch handcrafted sweets & treats with a modernized, unique twist. They use botanical sugars and essential oils. They sent me home with some crazy fun cookies and taffy pulled right there in house (shame I had to share with the littles) and this insane bag of white cheddar truffle popcorn (which–thank goodness–was a bit strong for the children, and my hubby never knew it was in the house). If I ever encounter it again, all bets are off. Plus, owners Sergio and Country were super fun to talk to. Sergio told me they are known for their black licorice. When I made a face, he said, it's well-known as "black licorice for people who don't like black licorice." I trust him enough to try it.

SWEET REPUBLIC The perfect definition of simplicity, I had the opportunity to taste their salted butter caramel ice cream, which was so perfectly balanced. Their ice cream is handcrafted in small batches, and their shop menu features artisan ice cream, insane-sounding sundaes and simple, yet unique milkshakes. 

TRACY DEMPSEY ORIGINALS Tracy was as much of a delight as her deserts. As I was devouring her creation, my brain checked out, so I asked her more than a handful of times what all I was consuming. She was totally cool about it. Her beautiful and delicious creation was lemon creme with coconut tapioca, roasted pineapple compote, berries, and basil syrup.

what now?

If you haven't gathered, I'm super pumped to enjoy even more at the Chipotle Cultivate Festival. I can't wait to share the time and experience with friends, visit my hubby as he heads-up the ever-popular taco tent, and basically gorge my mind and body on everything. All this, and we can be sure that the consumables are sourced responsibly, which is the one takeaway I want you to know. It is possible to have a carefree blast and be responsible at the same time.

I can't wait. 

Is the Cultivate Festival coming to your 'hood?

PHOENIX                                APRIL 18 AT WESTWORLD SCOTTSDALE

KANSAS CITY                        JULY 18 AT PENN VALLEY PARK

MINNEAPOLIS                       AUGUST 22 AT LORING PARK

So please join me and my pals on April 18 from 11 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Westworld of Scottsdale. I can't wait to see you there! Which part of the festival are you most pumped for?

Are you pumped for this giveaway? Please enter for your chance to win 10 Chipotle Burrito Bucks, each one of which will get you a burrito, burrito bowl, salad, or order of tacos. 

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@somapet offers our readers 20% off during the month of february

N.A.S.H.A. has been taking the all-natural SomaPet supplement for over six months, now, and we are still so impressed with he results. This nine-year-old mixed terrier is pretty close to "senior status," so we want to make sure we're supporting her in every way we can. Just a scoop sprinkled over her dinner each night has made a remarkable difference in her energy level and coat, so I can only imagine all of the invisible benefits going on inside. 

SomaLife describes the supplement:

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Well Minded is an affiliate of SomaLife, which means that if you purchase their amazing product through a link on our site, we receive compensation for helping to spread the word about the product, which helps keep our content free. Well Minded only works with companies we feel honor our commitment to natural wellness.