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The Goldenfeast Chatter

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Introducing:  “New” Conure Gourmet Blend, More than 40 Ingredients!

 
DUE TO A CURRENT WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF  NUTS, SOME GOLDENFEAST PRODUCTS MAY OCCASIONALLY LOOK DIFFERENT THAN  YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO, THIS IS DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT OF SHELLED NUTS WITH NUTS IN SHELL OR  NUTS IN SHELL WITH SHELLED NUTS.  GOLDENFEAST HAS OPTED TO SUBSTITUTE RATHER THAN LEAVE OUT AN INGREDIENT THAT IS AN OPTIMAL PART OF THE BLEND.  WE, AS ALWAYS, WILL CONTINUE TO SHOP THE WORLD FOR THE FINEST AVAILABLE INGREDIENTS.
 
 
 
Lo and behold Goldenfeast added some lightly salted Pistachios to its Caribbean Bounty formula in the last production run. Recognize that the % of the In Shell Pistachios amounted to approx. 1½ % of the total batch weight. (we use more than 30 ingredients in the Caribbean Bounty). Well, basis the reaction of one of the end users, you would have thought that the salt in the pistachios was the equivalent of rat poison.
Goldenfeast batches call for unsalted nuts, however, in times of shortages we will use salted pistachios when unsalted pistachios are not available. This has been a year of shortages, particularly in the gourmet nut category.
Goldenfeast is quite aware that too much of a good thing can be injurious to animal health and to be perfectly clear on this matter, salt is a good thing and is essential to animal health including exotic birds.
Salt is needed to live and needs to be added to animal diets because animals cannot produce it. Animals require salt in their diets to keep them healthy. The right salt intake ensures proper growth and strong immune and reproductive systems. Agricultural animals and livestock generally have salt added to their diet because adequate amounts are not derived from foraging and other feeds. Tests show that animals have a natural finite appetite for salt meaning they eat only what is needed.
Just about all extruded foods produced for our pets (to include exotic birds) have salt added as an ingredient. In his research covered in the book, The Nutrition of the Chicken, by Milton Scott, the author states salt as an essential component of the developing chickens diet. The Nutrition of the Chicken research has been the basis for many exotic bird formulations to include both extruded and pellet types.

Salt (or) sodium & chloride, perform different roles in animal diets. Sodium enables the transmission of nerve impulses around the body, regulating the electrical charges moving in & out of the cells. It also controls our taste, smell and tactile processes and helps our muscle, including the heart to contract.
 
 
 
 

Chloride is important for a range of vital processes including digestion and absorption of potassium into the body. It also helps the blood to carry carbon dioxide from respiring tissues to the lungs and preserves the acid-base balance in the body. When the immune system is under attack, chlorine helps to fight off infection since hypo-chlorite, a chlorine containing compound, forms in white blood cells and either attacks the germs itself, or helps to activate other agents that carry out the same function.
Source: European Salt Producers Association.
 
 
 

 
Scientific research shows compatible nutritional requirements for animals as well as humans. For these reasons, the Goldenfeast Chatter will advise readers of the benefits of good nutrition in relationship to the human side of the research scale.
Amino acids and other health benefits of shelled and in shell gourmet nuts used in the Goldenfeast formulas are recognized both as a comfort food yet is nutritionally beneficial. Something that can’t be said for the vast majority of snack foods. Is it no wonder that delectable tree nuts such as walnuts, have been found to help us deal with stress.
Dehydrated Beets, found in many Goldenfeast blends, were found to increase the stamina of a selected group of cyclists who when given a ½ qt. of beet juice several hours before riding, were able to ride 20% longer than the group given a placebo. Red onions (not found in Goldenfeast) are believed to prevent heart disease. Pomegranate juice in addition to its rich anti-oxidants can help shift middle age spread & reduce the fat stored around the stomach. Black tea may lower cholesterol levels. Research indicates it may reduce the chance of heart disease. Additionally, a cup a day of tea or coffee decreases brain cancer risk. Wish to relax? Perhaps your pet is a bit hyper, brew some chamomile flower and allow the animal to drink freely. Caffeine free chamomile and hibiscus herbs have been used for centuries as a relaxant and make a soothing tea prior to bedtime.
 
 
 

 

Amino Acids:
Amino Acids, essential and non essential. Amino acids are the building block of protein. They promote growth and maintenance of the body tissue. There are 20 amino acids. Ten of them are considered essential to life because our body cannot manufacture them. The only researched seed that supplies in adequate percentages, all of the essential amino acids, is hemp seed. The 10 essential amino acids required in our diets are: #1 arginine-required for development, not necessary for adults #2 histiding #3 isoleucine #4 leucine #5 lysine #6 methionine #7 phenylalanine #8 threonine #9 tryptophan #10 valine.
 
 
 
 

 

Dietary Fats:
Fats are determined to be healthy fats if they are monounsaturated, unhealthy if they are saturated. Coconut oil contains 90% saturated fats while 16% is in hemp seed and sunflower seed contains just a trace of saturated fats.
 
 
 
 

 

Essential Fats:
There are 20 types of fatty acids humans need for optimum health. The body can manufacturer all but 2 of these, which must be obtained from the diet. These 2 “essential fatty acids”(E.F.A.) are linoleic & linolenic. Ingredients (or their respective oils) rich in these essential fatty acids are hemp seed, sunflower kernels, safflower seed, flax & canola seed. These 2 fatty acids are beneficial in controlling cholesterol.
 
 
 

….The most nutritious seed?
Overall and factoring in all of the nutritional and health components and benefits, sunflower seeds are no.1, followed by Hemp Seed, cannabis sativa and 3rd., safflower seeds. The most nutritional oils? In order, Borage oil (also known as Starflower) and hemp seed oil. (Borage seed is not a recommended food source)
  
 
 
 

 

 

 
And the last point of salt intake:
A must read for all, are articles on the Manu Cliffs of Peru S.A.
NatGeo (National Geographic) 1st published pictures some 25 years past of cliff dwelling Macaws eating from the cliffs of Manu (Peru, SA).
It was believed that the clay found in the cliffs acted to both replenish minerals as well as help purge any toxins from the birds bodies. Further theories as to why Parrots eat soil is not only to obtain minerals but because the birds need sodium (salt). At the Tambopata Research Ctr. in Peru, birds (more than a 1,500 daily have been observed), eat as much sodium per bite, from the analyzed cliff soil, as salted french fries from a fast food restaurant. Mothers also carry the soil back to their nests for their babies, ok enough said, thank you.

A peanut-free formula specially developed for Conures  who will love the excellent flavor & variety.  Other small to medium sized parrots such as African Grays and Lovebirds will also love “Conure Gourmet Blend”.

Directions for Goldenfeast Quick Cook Formulas

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Several customers have called in asking how to quick cook our Soak and Cook Blends, below is the fast, easy recipe. 

  Instant Cook Directions: Simply boil 1½ Cups of water and add to 2 Cups of formula. Stir, then cover and let sit until food is moist and cool, approximately 40 minutes. Stir again and serve.

 Refrigerate up to 4 days (or) freeze remainder in ready-to-serve containers.

Click Here! Have You Heard ? Max, The Laredo Dancing Bird is Powered by Goldenfeast

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He loves the attention and is definitely getting it. Max, an Umbrella Cockatoo at Petland, loves to dance. He was initiallycaught on a cell phone camera, and now is a huge video star on YouTube.  His owner, the manager of Petland, says Max has been quite a dancer all his life and has gotten plenty of visitors. Birds, specifically Cockatoos, are the only scientifically proven animals that are able to keep a beat on their own without having to mimic someone.  Max is a Goldenfeast Bird!  He has been on a diet of Goldenfeast Exotic Bird Food for over 12 years ! 
Watch his videos on You Tube at   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE7fjbi8PoI
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