Books Are HERE!

I picked up the first run of my book! I will be in Minnetonka for pick up at the end of next week. If you would like it before then I have a book table at the Patricia King conference in Burnsville at the Best Western Hotel (off of co. rd 42 and Nicolette). Books are available for pick up and purchase at the event! Join us for the conference as well. It began last night and was AMAZING! Only more good stuff to come. The conference runs 10am, 2:30pm, 7pm (Friday and Saturday)! Hope to see you there!

Carmel Apple Oatmeal

Try this tasty breakfast treat on a cool crisp fall morning!

Carmel Apple Oatmeal
1 c. Oats (Gluten Free if needed)
2 c. Vanilla Coconut Milk by Soy Delicious (the refrigerated on in a carton)
1 T. (or desired amount) Ground Cinnamon
2 Whole Organic Apples (diced bite size)
Maple Syrup- to drizzle over top if desired!

Put all ingredients (except syrup) in pan, stir well, bring to a boil slowly, simmer covered until apples are tender and oatmeal has absorbed excess liquid. Put in individual bowls and drizzle maple syrup over the top. Enjoy!

Tip #6: Hide It

One way I found to get lots of nutrients into my children is by hiding it! I make a variety of smoothies in which I load them up with beets, flaxseed oil, avocados, spinach to name just a few. Another way I have found to get nutrients in is to puree veggies and add them to favorite dishes. Like puree carrots, onion, a touch of garlic, and celery to a mash consistency in a food processor and add it to taco meat, meat loaf, chili, or spaghetti sauce. I will often use that mix instead of meat and no one even notices! There are also a few fun recipes that can be made healthy, like adding blueberries to brownies and beans to cookies. The cookbook "Sneaky Chef" is a fun little book to be a springboard into nutrient filled foods. In my cookbook I have altered recipes that "hide" ingredients to make them more nutritious and gluten free/naturally sweetened (instead of all that sugar!)

Here is a recipe for a smoothie that will boost their immune system, keeping them healthier, and is tasty!

Put the following into a high powered blender like a Vita-mix:
1/4 A Beet
1c. Frozen Blueberries
2 Ripe Bananas (pre frozen: peel, break in 1/2 and put in a bag to freeze)
1-2 c. Organic Apple Juice (depending on how thick you want it)
1T. (or more) Barlenes Highest Lingdon Flaxseed Oil

Toss your blender on high and puree until smooth! You can also add liquid vitamins, protein powders, and fish oils if you so desire to give it even more nutritional benefits! (Note: The blueberries are antioxidants, beets detoxify, flax is good for the brain and boosts the immune system!)

Enjoy!

Back To Tips...Tip #5 Switch Up Your Cooking Method

One day I sat complaining basically to a friend about how I could not get my kids to eat green beans. She asked me how I prepared them. I told her I bought the frozen ones as they are healthier than the canned ones (even though at that time I loved the canned green beans), but that my kids did not like how crunchy they were so I boiled them until they were soggy like the can ones but they just wouldn't eat them. My friend then went on to ask me if I had ever sauteed fresh green beans. My response was, "You can sauté green beans?" She explained to me how to sauté them in a little olive oil on low heat and sprinkle them with a little garlic sea salt. So, I gave it a shot. Low and behold they ate the whole pan. I then learned they liked green beans raw, they liked them grilled, they liked them sauteed, but they did not like them boiled or steamed!

I then invested in the cook book Asparagus to Zucchini. It is an amazing cookbook that gives you a variety of recipes for various veggies from a to z! This has made veggie eating much more enjoyable, tasty, and successful!

You can check out the cookbook at this website: www.csacoalition.org/resources/consumers/cookbook

Happy veggie eating!

ADD and ADHD Finding the Root Causes

Last night I went and heard Dr. Bob Rakowski speak on ADD and ADHD. It was so amazing! Here is a quick summary of the highlights in which he spoke on:

My Brain Hurts: The brain does not have any pain receptors therefor it can not feel pain. However, when there is an issue in the brain it manifests as ADD, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, etc.... There for if a child's brain hurts (or has something going on in it) it will come out as one of the above symptoms. The key is then to find the root of what is causing that for the child. Dr. Bob talked of three main things that are culprits that bring on these symptoms: Inflammation, Toxicity, or Malnutrition. (Malnutrition: yes, in the US malnutrition is an issue, not due to a lack of food, but due to a lack of eating real food with real nutrients in it!) This can be done through a natural practitioner who would then determine a protocol to bring healing!

Brain Composition/Brain Vulnerability
The brain is composed of water, lipids (fats), proteins, carbohydrates, soluble organic substances, and inorganic salts. 77% of the brain is composed of water, 48% of the brain is composed of lipids or fats (Omega 3 is the most important) This is why adequate hydration can effect ability to focus. The daily amount of water intake is to be 1/2 your body weight in oz. per day. So, if your child weights 100lbs. he/she should drink 50oz. of pure water each day! (teas, juices, etc... do not count! It must be pure 100% water!) And since fats is the second most important to the brain it only makes sense that a good omega oils should be taken by any child struggling with ADD/ADHD. (www.faculty.washington.edu/chudler/facts.html) Personally we have done both of these two things and saw significant healing in the ability to focus in both our children who struggled with ADD/ADHD.

Gluten effects on the brain
*Gluten reduces the blood flow to the brain.
*Gluten can cause neurological harm...These nervous systems affects include: dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, cerebella ataxia, hypotonia, developmental delay, learning disorders, depression, migraine, and headache. If gluten is the putative harmful agent, then there is no requirement to invoke gut damage." (Med Hypotheses, 2009 Sep;73(3):438-40. Epub 2009 Apr 29. PMID: 19406584) Basically meaning gluten effects the brain! This we have found is the key in our family! The water and good fats did help a bit, but when we went to a gluten free diet that is when significant change happened! For my 2 kiddos with ADD/ADHD they have complete focus and ability to complete tasks...no more ADD/ADHD. For me I quit gluten and went off my Effexor and Paxil for anxiety and depression! And for my one daughter she has control of her emotions with the elimination of gluten! Overall, gluten was a huge piece of our healing! Now I understand why!
Dietary changes that can help ADD/ADHD

Supplements that can help
*Suggested by Dr. Bob
Dynamic Health Drink
Ultra Clean Renew
Lumina
High Concentrated EPA-DHA Lipid
Brain Restore
***NOte do not try any of these things on your own...seek the consultation of a natural practitioner to help you!

*What our family does to combat brian issues:
Supplements: EPA, DHA Extra Strength (Omega) by MetaGenics, Kids Multi(Whole Foods MultiVitamin) by Innate, EFA Blend for Children: Eye Brain Function Formula, by Natures Way
Diet: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Naturally Sweetened (Very limited corn and soy)

Hope this is helpful and gets you thinking. I will begin to post speakers in the area as I know of them!
Blessings to you all!