For all you foodies . . . LAOS FOOD – Luang Prabang, Laos
A TripAdvisor™ TripWow video of a travel blog to Louang Phabang , Lao Peoples Dem Rep by TravelPod blogger Gocarygo.
See this TripWow and more at http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00af-e1ca-24a0?ytv4=1
for all you foodies . . . LAOS FOOD
Laos food is interesting. . . is it like Thai? Is it similar to Burmese or Chinese? What is it, you ask? Well, we had a sampling; some of it is quite good, and some, I can gladly leave in Laos for the Laos people to enjoy.
As far as foreign influence, the French have left a nice baguette-shaped footprint firmly into the Laos country. Everywhere you look, there are baguettes. Some baguettes are better than others, but in Louang Phabang, there are many bakeries that are quite French and are therefore, tres bon. We ate at Le Banneton and thoroughly enjoyed the veggie tartine; it was like an eggplant, cheese, and tomato pizza on a croissant. Decadent! Chris gobbled up his roll, made with fruits and nuts baked inside. And their pain du chocolat (chocolate croissant) was perfect: buttery, flaky, slightly crispy with small dark chocolate morsels hidden inside. Other pastries included Asian fruits like dragon fruit, which is bright pink on the outside but has white flesh dotted with tiny black seeds. Not much flavor but it looks cool, and I love the way they fused the traditional French with the local fruit.
As far as traditional Laos food goes, there is a restaurant in Louang Phabang called Tamarind that is geared towards teaching foreigners about Laos food. So much of the following is from their menu/guidebook minus my personal commentary, of course. The first time we went, we chose 2 tasting plates. One was called the Dipping Platter and other was called Five Bites.
The Dipping Platter: these dips (or sauces) are called Jeow in Laos. The purpose of them is add flavor and spice to sticky rice. The Laos staple is sticky rice, which is a special kind of rice that sticks together (duh). It is also called ‘glutinous rice’ but according to Tamarind and Wikipedia, sticky rice is actually gluten-free. Just an interesting tidbit of information to wow your friends with. Anyway, the Laos take a chunk of the sticky rice, form it into an egg shape, and dip it into these jeows, or they use the rice to scoop up food, between their thumb and the rice clump. A piece of etiquette: it is perfectly ok to use either hand when making the rice clumps, but make sure you pack your clump tightly. Leaving any stray grains of rice left in a sauce from your dip is considered bad Laos manners.
Jeow Mak Len (the bright red one): is a tomato based and sweet. It tastes very Italian and would be super tasty over some pasta. Mange!
Jeow Pak Hom: (top right green one) is made with coriander, is supposed to have a “fresh” herb taste, but it’s pretty spicy, so honestly, that’s all I tasted.
Jeow Mak Keua: (bottom left green one) is a paste of smokey roasted eggplant, made on an open fire. It’s like a smokey babganoush. Wonderful.
Jeow Bong: (dark red, bottom left) is mainly made from garlic, but has buffalo skin to add “texture”. Eeek. It actually is my favorite of all the dips because it tastes like a mixture of hoisin sauce and the spicy red bean paste you get at Korean restaurants. Kind of sweet, kind of spicy. Yummers. We did have this jeow the next time we ate at Tamarind and it was much spicier with more buffalo skin in it–I prefer it more Westernized and mild. Call me Western.
Khai Pene: (the dark triangular spotted things) a local Loupang Phabang seaweed that grows in the Mekong River. It is also called river moss or Mekong weed. It is gathered from the river, pounded flat, and then set out to dry in sheets. It is seasoned with garlic, sesame seeds and dried tomato. It is usually eaten with the jeow bong (aka spicy red bean hoison paste). We also ate this at another restaurant that heated up the seaweed, which enhanced its crunch (and oil).
The Five Bites sampler:
Sai Oua: Louang Phabang sausage, made from pork, but it can also be made from buffalo. We tried to get the buffalo sausage at this other restaurant but they were out. The pork version is a dry, herby-spicy sausage. …
Read and see more at: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/gocarygo/1/1266501117/tpod.html
Photos from this trip:
Dragon fruit
Le Banneton french bakery
Pastries (dragon fruit is behind the apricot one)
Roll, pain au chocolat, & veggie tartine
Watermelon granita with red chili
Dipping Platter
Five Bites
The local seaweed from the Mekong
Dried sticky rice crackers
Louang Phabang pork sausage
Louang Phabang sausage drying street-side
Chicken, buffalo, fat, and pork.
Veggies, glass rice noodles, eggs
BBQing meat with soup moat
Street chicken caught in bamboo
Dried mung beans. . . like peanuts
Steamed minced fish in banana leaf closed
Banana leaf open!
Orlarm: eggplant & pork stew
Laap: minced eggplant & buffalo
Luang Prabang salad
Duration : 0:2:28
Is Lime Sulfur Dip safe to use on cats to treat sarcoptic mange? What other options (minus vet) are there?
About a month ago I noticed a cat w/ a very serious condition of mange hanging around my neighborhood. I had not seen this cat b4 & it was obvious that he was in a terrible state, w/most of his hair missing & very thin. =’[ He only came out at night & I was unsuccessful in my attempts to trap & hopefully help it. Its been 3wks since Ive last seen him. I have 4 cats of my own (all outdoor/indoor & neutered) & 1 has since died ‘mysteriously’ & 2 have begun losing patches of hair around the neck area. It was a terrible loss for me when I discovered that Allen had died & I am still grieving. I do not want to lose Kit Fisto or Lite Bulb to this terrible & torturous disease (mange). I do not have the $$ right now to get them both (or even 1) treated by a vet & its so frustrating when I know they need me.
The Lime Sulfur Dip method for treatment of feline mange is the most common in my online research. Is this safe for cats? What are the risks? What about homemade remedies? Please help…
About a year ago I resuced a Persian from the animal welfare centre where I help out. She kept coming back in because of ringworm and nothing would shift it. I looked on the internet and found Pets Best RX (Q Based Healthcare) which is an American based company (I live in the UK). The testimonials were excellent so I ordered the lime sulfur cream and also a healing spray. Their lime sulfur is white and smells fresh (just like tea tree oil). Within a matter of days Dora Blossom’s ringworm was healing well and, thankfully, has never returned. I will ALWAYS have the products in my home now as they deal with so many skin problems and I know they can be used for mange as well. The company are excellent and have a help line which you can call and talk things through. They will also e-mail you with answers to your problems if this is more convenient.
Have just checked phone number 1.337.937.8800 and they have a special section for mange – they recommend a spray followed by Sulfinex (the sulfur cream). Hope this helps.
Just to clarify – Dora had been battling with ringworm for a year and had been re-homed 3 times because of the problem. It was obvious that the usual prescription medicines were not working in her case. I did discuss the lime sulfur treatment with my vet and we decided to try it – with excellent results. I would not use ordinary lime sulfur (the green one) as this smells awful and is probably a horrible substance to put on a cat.
Good luck.
Killing Mange,Mites and Sarcoptic Mange
Breakthrough in Mite Killing Technology-NO LINDANE
Duration : 0:2:55
I have 2 dogs and one has demodectic mange, how can I stop the spread?
My 7 month old Dandie has just been diagnosed with demodectic mange and will soon be under the vet’s care. Now, I just read online that it can be contagious, how can I stop it from getting on my Chad? What can I buy? Please help.
TREATING DEMODECTIC MANGE NATURALLY
Demodectic Mange (Demodex canis), also called Red Mange, is a non-contagious skin disease caused by a tiny, eight-legged parasitic mite that lives in the hair follicles and skin glands of dogs. Puppies are infected with mites from contact with the skin of their mother while nursing. The disease is seen in two forms:
· Localized mange, which is confined to a few small areas such as the face or front feet,
and is relatively easy to treat, occurs in puppies under one year of age.
· Generalized mange is much more severe, and treatment is not always successful.
Most dogs have a microscopic mite population hitching a ride on their body, but the dog’s immune system handles it all very nicely. When the immune system is no longer able to control the mites, they begin multiplying, then attacking. It is thought that dogs infected with demodectic mange are immunodeficient. In other words, they are not able to fight off the mites like a healthy dog would. Heredity is believed to play a part in dogs that show signs of demodectic mange so it is strongly recommended that infected dogs be spayed or neutered. Signs of disease appear only when mites reproduce unchecked and occur in unnaturally high numbers. Outbreaks are seen around the eyes, lips and/or lower limbs when the numbers of these mites increase.
Because the immune system does not mature until 12-18 months of age, a dog with demodectic mange may have relapses until that age. It is important for treatment to begin promptly to minimize the possibility of developing uncontrollable problems. Demodectic mange in dogs over 2 years of age is classified as adult-onset, and usually occurs secondary to an underlying cause. Successful treatment of adult-onset mange relies upon identifying and correcting the underlying cause. Dogs with immune suppression due to illnesses like hypothyroid disease, and Cushing’s disease, are also candidates for demodectic mange. Demodectic mange may also occur in very old dogs because function of the immune system often declines with age.
Some dogs infected with demodectic mange may have secondary skin infections. The skin becomes dry, crusty, and brittle, it will ooze serum, blood or pus. A strong, offensive skin odor may be present due to a bacterial infection. The secondary infection responds to antibiotics like cephalexin or clavamox.
Conventional treatment depends upon the severity of the disease. Generally, veterinarians recommend treatment with a dip containing Amitraz. The dip is repeated every 7-10 days. Although the dog may respond well to the dip and look normal, dipping must be continued until negative skin scrapings are found consistently for a few weeks. The dipping may have side effects. Sleepiness and itching are common for 24 hours after the dip. Some dogs many experience decreased body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, excitability, staggering, or other personality changes. If any of these side effects occur you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Amitraz can reduce the function of the hypothalamus, which helps regulate the body’s metabolism by controlling hormone release in the body. In animal studies, amitraz caused episodes of increased aggression, as well as some central nervous system depression. In addition to the dip, to treat more generalized cases of mange, many veterinarians are now prescribing daily doses of Eqvalan, which is liquid ivermectin. Dr. Jean Dodds has written extensively about ivermectin as a trigger for immune-mediated diseases. Ivermectin should not be used in combination with Amitraz dip nor with Amitraz tick prevention collars. These medicines are all members of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor group; when they are used together their effects combine together creating sedation and adverse neurologic effects.
Conventional treatments do work but at what expense to your dog’s health? Since conventional veterinary medicine relies heavily on a highly toxic method of treatment, and suppressed immune function is the cause of demodectic outbreaks, you should consider an alternative. Using a combination of natural diet, vitamins, minerals and herbs, you support the immune system while treating the skin.
Food selection:
Immune suppressed dogs require a high quality, all natural food. Select a raw food diet, a cooked diet, or an ultra premium dry food with lots of raw pulverized vegetables. Select organically grown vegetables or use one of the pesticide cleaners available in supermarkets for use on fruits and vegetables. Add leafy dark green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables — broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, watercress, bok choy, and carrots (carrots should be blanched one minute to release the carotenes). If you feed raw foods, increase the veggies.
To each meal: sprinkle a teaspoon of sesame seed oil–on the food. This is an important oil for immune function and skin repair. Also add a variety of dried sea vegetables like wakami, nori, dulce and kelp. The sea vegetables should be offered at least 4-5 days a week or even every day if your Akita likes it. Feed fish, boneless poached or canned fish. Do not use tuna, tuna and swordfish are laden with mercury; sardines, salmon, mackerel or fresh water fish are good choices. When giving fish, cook some white rice and mix with the fish. Avoid grains like wheat or rye–rice, barley and oats are okay.
NO VACCINES. Not even one. The immune system in these dogs is already severely stressed; they do not need additional viral components circulating in the blood. Stop using all chemicals including dips, flea/tick spot-ons, pills, or flea collars. You are attempting to reinstate immune function not add to the collective damage.
The following supplements are for the immune system and should be given daily. If you find a product that combines these antioxidants in one capsule, use it:
· Zinc: 50mg (chelated type)
· Selenium: 200mcg (There is a product called Selene E from Twinlabs. It contains
the right amount of selenium and Vitamin E)
· Vitamin E: 400 IU twice daily
· Cod liver oil capsules: 3 gel caps twice daily
· One gel cap daily: 25,000 IU of Marine carotene (it is available in health food
stores—another Twinlabs product.
· Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: start at 500mg and work up to 3,000mg by increasing in
increments of 500mg weekly. If your dog develops a loose stool, back off by 500mg
and maintain the level.
· Nutritional yeast: one tablespoon daily
· Lecithin granules: one teaspoon daily
· Milk thistle: follow directions on bottle for an adult human.
· One-half teaspoon of bee pollen (optional but great nutrients)
· Hokamix 30, a vitamin/mineral/herbal supplement: follow directions on container
The following herbs are to boost her immune system and fight bacterial infections. Wherever possible purchase organic herbs that are “Standardized.”
· Olive Leaf Extract: Follow directions on bottle.
· Astragulus: Follow directions on bottle.
· Cat’s Claw: Follow directions on bottle.
· Kyolic garlic: Follow directions on bottle.
· Pau d’Arco: 4 capsules twice daily.
· Grapefruit Seed Extract Capsules or tablets: 225mg daily.
· Flax seed oil (organic) gel caps: one twice daily.
· Plant based digestive enzymes available at health food stores. Give two
capsules per meal.
Add a few tablespoons of plain yogurt to each meal or give acidophilus supplements. It is very important to maintain good intestinal bacteria when fighting parasites.
Learn more about demodectic mange here.
Why is my Dog Scratching?
Scratching is a common symptom in dogs, and a whole range of underlying causes can be responsible. If your dog is scratching, it is advisable to seek treatment as soon as possible, as self trauma can cause secondary injuries that may extend the duration, and cost, of treatment. So, if you have noticed your dog scratching, what should you do about it?
Firstly, ask yourself when was the last time I put anti-flea medication on him/her? Most spot-on flea products only provide protection for a month, so if it has been longer than this then you should re-apply the medication. Be aware that anti-flea products that are on sale in supermarkets and pet shops are general sales list products, and are not as effective as the products available from your veterinarian. However, Frontline® has recently been made available on general sale and so can be purchased without a prescription.
If flea treatment is up to date, with a reputable product, the next step is to rule out mites. Most anti-flea products do not kill mites. The most common type of mite infection in dogs is sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies. This mite causes an intensely itchy dermatitis that can also be transmitted to humans. It is often spread by foxes, so if you have many foxes in your area, this is one to be especially aware of. This is one you have to approach your veterinarian for. Scabies is diagnosed either by doing skin scrapes (using a scalpel blade to scrape debris from one of the affected areas, placing it on a microscope slide, staining it and examining it under a microscope) or via a blood test. Many vets though will choose to simply apply the appropriate drug and if the itchiness stops, a presumptive diagnosis is made. If your dog does have scabies, your vet might give a one off steroid injection to alleviate the itchiness in the short term until the anti-parasitic drug kicks in.
If external parasites have been ruled out, the next step is to rule out a bacterial infection, a yeast infection or ringworm. Of these, only ringworm is potentially transmissible to humans. Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a type of fungus. It is usually tested for by examining the affected area with an ultraviolet light, which causes a certain type of ringworm spore to glow green. If ringworm is diagnosed, your vet will dispense either oral or topical medication to cure it. Bacterial infections are treated with a 2-3 week course of antibiotics, whereas yeast infections are usually treated with a medicated shampoo.
If parasites, bacteria, yeasts and ringworm have all been ruled out then your pet probably has an allergy. This could be a food allergy, a contact allergy or an environmental (e.g. pollen) allergy. For further information on allergies in dogs, see my next article: “The Itchy Dog: is it an Allergy?”
Matthew Homfray
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/why-is-my-dog-scratching-69590.html
Learn more about Mange.
How do you cure the mange on dogs?
My dog got the mange and then gave it to my other dog and idk how to fix it. I really don’t have alot of money right now and so i need like an easy but cheap way to cure it .please help!
yes i had the same problem. the thing i used is sulfur powder you can order it at any Walgreen’s,cvs pharmacy’s. what you do is give your dog a cold bath with a good dandruff shampoo completely dry the dog then mix the sulfur powder with any cooking oil and make a paste & apply to the dog. you need to let them sleep in it re-apply it everyday make sure dog is completely dry before re applying and you will get results! also make sure you wash any sheets your dog has been on. i hope i helped!
Click here for mange cures on dogs or cats.
