Friday Favourites - New and Unusual Workouts

Are you tired of the same workout day after day? Here at The Amazing Blog some of us struggle to fit in a daily workout with our busy schedules. Plus, we get tired of following the same routine. In order to spice up our exercise routine and convince ourselves that working out CAN be fun, we have discovered some new and unusual workouts for everyone to try.

Yoga has become so popular nowadays that even dogs want to join in. Originating from the USA, yoga activates your pooch’s parasympathetic nervous system and can help relieve your loyal friend of his or her stress. Of course, the owner will be right there practising alongside their pups, performing a set of Hatha yoga poses while the dogs roam around and participate when they choose to. This series of yoga postures are inclined to incorporate canine massage, yogic stretches, chanting, breathing and lots of cuddles. Plus, who doesn’t want to work out with their best friend?

Mahny Djahanguiri started Dogamahny, running weekly classes in Fulham and teaching private Paw to Paw classes for all sizes, breeds and ages of dogs. If you’ve always wanted to work out with your pup, then check out Dogamahny’s website to sign up for some doga classes.

If you’re obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing like we are, then you might want to check out Swing Patrol. It’s a community of over 1,000 dancers, teachers, staff and volunteers that hold over 40 weekly classes at 34 venues across London. They put on weekly Lindy Hop and Blues social dances and they have swing balls in London and around the United Kingdom. They even host an annual London Swing Festival and a Blues Baby Blues Festival. Go online and search for classes in your area. It’s time to turn back those time machines and dance like it’s 1920!

For those of you who consider dancing at clubs your only exercise, we have the perfect workout for you. Ravercise is a HIIT cardio dance with a live DJ playing energising bass music. It’s a fun and healthy way to enjoy underground music during the week. Classes are choreographed by professional dancers and include an interval training cardio workout. Plus, you get to socialise with friends and meet people that enjoy the same music as you! Head on over to the website of this low-lit club dance floor in Shoreditch and sign up.

If you’re looking to loosen up a little bit, try Barrecore. It is a series of movements designed to stretch every muscle group in your body. Each workout targets a major muscle group, integrating the fat-burning format of interval training with static stretches for muscle relief. Using a ballet barre, your own body weight and strength training exercises, your muscles become longer, stronger, leaner and more flexible. Think of it as an intense cardio ballet class. For more information on Barrecore classes, you can look at the website and decide if you want to sign up.

With the holidays right around the corner, I think it’s time we get healthy, try something new and have fun while doing it!

Dog’s Trust and 'Phillipa Fairy Cake', a book by Sarahjane Funnel

It is not often that we write about children’s books and things here on The Amazing Blog, but when we find something truly exceptional, we make sure that we feature it. We were very lucky to be invited to the launch of Sarahjane Funnel’s new book: Phillipa Fairy Cake and The Secret Pet’s Tea Party in conjunction with the Dog’s Trust, and took the opportunity to attend.

The book is about a little girl named Phillipa and her cat Little Miss Whiskers. They, along with two of her friends and their pet rescue dogs, planned for a tea party in the garden. Shortly after they sat down for tea the adventure began and they meet characters such as a Mrs Boodle Doodle. It is an adorable adventure and the perfect story for small children, with brilliantly coloured pages full of fun illustrations. Definitely an essential read for any parent who has pets and perfect for a child’s developing mind. Sarahjane herself has a rescue dog ‘Pip’ from the Dog’s Trust are who are acknowledged in the book.

 The author Sarahjane Funnel (with Dog’s Trust rescue Boasson) and Edwina, our Exec Ed of TheAmazingBlog

As serious dog lovers here at The Amazing Blog, we took some time to learn a little more about the Dog’s Trust. Each year, they care for about 16,000 dogs at their 18 re-homing centres. They also run neutering campaigns across the UK and have educational programs to teach children about the trust and dogs. In addition, they sponsor many other dog charities and organisations. If you can’t re-home or adopt a dog, but would like to give a donation or you can become a member of the Dog’s Trust  please click  here.  When we spoke to the Dog’s Trust, they sent us some information on two of their lovely dogs that are desperately in need of a loving home.

Kobi 5 yr old male Malamute Cross

 Kobi is looking for a patient adult only home with no visiting children where he will have time to settle. He loves a fuss on his terms and enjoys woodland walks where he can lose himself in the undergrowth. He also enjoys a run in the field and playing with his toys. He would much prefer to be the only pet in the home so he can have all the attention to himself. Once settled he will make a very loyal friend. 

Zander is a 4 yr old male Boxer

Zander lacks confidence and will need patience and time to find his feet and build a relationship with his new family. He is a handsome boy who was very underweight when he arrived, so food is very important to him. He enjoys his walks and loves a game of ball! He does get on with other dogs when out and about but would prefer to be the only dog in the home. He could potentially live with older teenagers.  If you are interested in either of these dogs, please contact the Dog’s Trust rehoming centre 01227 792505 or visit them at: The Dogs Trust, Radfall Road, Chestfield, Nr Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3ER.

In the meantime, to purchase Sarahjane Funnel’s book, Phillipa Fairy Cake and the Secret Pet’s Tea Party,  at £7.99  you can head over to Waterstones or Amazon.

Gear Up Your Dog For The Summer with Houndworthy Accessories

 

Have you ever had trouble finding travel friendly accessories for your dog? A big bed isn’t easy to take on a day or weekend trip, and plastic drinking bowls do not fit nicely into most handbags. That is why we here at The Amazing Blog were so thrilled when we heard about Houndworthy. It is a UK based online retailer that has us and our pets in mind. The most luxurious, unique and handmade pet accessories from around the world are being sold on their website. Over 150 unique and wonderful products are currently available, so there is much to choose from. They are very conscious of the brands they choose, and what the products are made out of because they know how much we care about our furry companions.

Even if you are just taking your dog out for a long day at the park or to an outside café for lunch this summer, having the right travel pet accessories will make the day much more enjoyable. Cloud 7 is a German-owned label that has created some of the most unique and essential products found at Houndworthy. One product in particular we love is the Ultimate Tote Travel Bed (£80). At first glance it is a nice canvas tote bag with a fuzzy interior, but it actually converts into a perfect dog-sized bed! It is made from 100% Organic Cotton Canvas on the exterior and 100% un-dyed sheep's wool for the lining. This travel bed is absolutely perfect for many situations including patio or café sitting as well as lobby waiting. This could work perfectly well for a day or weekend away too. It is an absolute essential for summer travel with your loved pet. Houndworthy is also the only UK retailer to stock Billy Wolf dog apparel and accessories; an American made label. One particular stand out product from Billy Wolf is the 100% Cotton Canvas water bowl (£33). It can be taken absolutely anywhere, because the bowl neatly folds up and tucks into a purse-sized pouch. Perfect for the pooch on the go!

Houndworthy is a wonderful online destination shop for pet owners who want classic, luxurious pet accessories. With products retailing from £10-£125, they really have something for anyone, and any dog. Check out their website to find the travel bed, water bowl, and many other wonderful pet accessories!

Mojai gets his rocks off!

It’s very hard to keep a nice lush looking garden when you have an elderly fluffy dog who likes nothing better than to spend hours having a potter. Mojai (fellow team member of The Amazing Blog) just loves to snuffle and truffle in and amongst the flower beds ‘marking his territory’ as he goes. Thus all my hard work primping and preening my postage stamp sized garden goes completely to waste... After a long conversation with a trusty friend (and dog owner), about Mojai peeing on and killing all members of plant life in the garden; she then enlightened me with her secret Dog Rocks.

Dog Rocks? How interesting, but how could some simple stones thrown into the dog’s water bowl really help my scorched grass and plants? Dog Rocks are 100% natural and are mined in Australia. The purpose of the rocks is to filter out impurities from the dog’s urine, such as tin, ammonia and nitrates, which are responsible for ‘burning’ the grass when the dog pees on it. Each pack has approximately 2/3 stones in it, and after giving the stones a little rinse, they are placed in the dog’s water bowl. The stones last up to 2 months, then they need to be replaced. Marvellously easy! Yes and they do make a difference, but at £10 a pack they’re a bit of a commitment. But if you’re a pet owner and like me you do battle to try and keep a green and fragrant garden – then these Dog Rocks are definitely for you. Available here.

Give a dog a home.

With the arrival of the New Year comes the dreaded making of one’s resolutions; a chance to look at the year ahead, set challenges and make promises that one invariably fails to keep. And at The Amazing Blog's HQ in Chelsea we've been busy discussing ours.  There is the ‘lose half a stone’ that I, along with most of the female population have sought to do; the ‘drink eight glasses of water’ in the hope of achieving a glowing complexion, and of course the ‘drink less wine’; a challenge I find so alarming I find an insurmountable urge to sit down with said pinot. This year however, I also made the resolution to find a charity to support whose ethos I am passionate about; thus making a New Year’s Resolution that shouldn’t be a struggle to keep. When chatting to our lovely client Louise Sandberg (fellow dog owner) she told me that she was importing a new friend for her dog all the way from Thailand. She told me that on a recent trip to Thailand, she was so shocked by the number of strays that she was determined to help publicise the organisation  Soi Dog Foundation in the UK; who are desperately looking for donations to help save the dogs and cats affected by the recent severe flooding in the Bangkok region.

As owner of the much loved Tibetan Spaniel, Mojai, my heart went out to the thousands of animals who have been effectively ‘orphaned’ after large scale evacuations during which those being evacuated were not allowed to take their pets with them.

This is where the Soi Dog Foundation comes in a not-for-profit, registered charity with branches in Thailand, the US, Australia, the UK, France and Holland. Made up of volunteers and fundraisers, their common goal is to help neglected and abused cats and dogs. Without the tireless work put in by the Soi Dog Foundation, these abandoned animals may have to spend the rest of their lives in government shelters, without the care, love and affection they really deserve.

Both the work the Soi Dog Foundation do and their efforts in reinstating these animals to good homes is incredibly inspiring but they desperately need donations in order to support the continued rescue which, sadly, is far from over. In fact, having recently intercepted 4 trucks on their way to Vietnam carrying over 1000 dogs, they need your help more than ever. Donations can be made on either a one-off or a monthly basis, and really will make the world of difference to their diligent campaign.

With a fab new blog and an active Facebook page it's never been easier to keep track of exactly how your donations are helping.

So if like me, you want to make a New Year’s Resolution you can keep, support a very worthy cause and dig deep. http://www.soidog.org