Keep Sick Kids Out of School

If schools (dictated by the state) didn't enforce strict attendance policies and had better defined truancy policies.....

AND if employers would honor a mother's (or father's) inherent right to take time off with her (his) sick children AS NEEDED....

THEN when a child was ill, the parents would have the freedom to allow their children to stay home as long as it took to get them well.

Therefore, If less kids were sent to school sick (even in the early/late stages of a virus), less kids would get sick and this would save the employers dollars; and student sick days used would organically be lessened too ~ resulting in the district benchmarks being met.

And most importantly our children would be sick less often.

So, School Administrators (including secretaries).... stop making us feel guilty for making the call not to send our children to school when the child is sick or showing signs and symptoms of becoming sick.

Employers..... change your sick leave policies. It is ridiculous to think a parent will only miss 3-5 days a year for themselves AND their children being under the weather. Especially single parents or dual working parent households.

Parents.... take your power back! When your child is sick the single most important thing to that child is a parent's care and presence. Keep your children home when they are sick!! Then other children won't get sick as often!!! And those children wouldn't pass it back to your children!!

A vicious cycle solved.

Autism and Breastfeeding

So, you might be asking what breastfeeding has to do with autism. Well, nothing really… and yet everything in our corner of the world.

April is Autism Awareness Month; I have blogged on just about every topic pertaining to autism… except breastfeeding. Which, to me, seems a bit ironic as that is the single activity that began our quest to discover that autism was in our midst.

Another reason I find this strange is that I am a breastfeeding advocate. In fact, I dedicated a whole chapter in my book, The Mother Consciousness, to breastfeeding. The content ranged from the obvious (the health benefits, economic afford-ability and expressing milk) to the taboo side of nursing (reclaiming the breast as a rite of passage into motherhood as opposed to a sexual icon, nursing beyond infancy and tandem nursing non-multiple birth siblings).

Then of course, there was my self-proclamation of being an expert on breastfeeding. Obviously this was purely my own experiential honorary achievement that I had created. The Mother Consciousness was inspired by my innate desire to explore how the Jungian maternal archetypes had influenced my mindful decisions to partake in natural childbirth and my inherent choices within early motherhood. However, even with years of mindfully nursing my own children, I still was not aware (because it wasn’t evident yet) that nursing also would play a major role in the diagnosis, socialization and developmental growth of my autistic daughter.

The circumstances and awkwardness of nursing my second born daughter offered the first inkling that something wasn’t ‘quite right’. I vividly remember lying in the bed nursing while making googly noises – and feeling a sinking sensation when I noted she wouldn’t look at me or respond to my obvious attempt to interact with her. She stared off in space… into a private world of her own.

I thought this was an odd reaction. So I started to softly… then not so softly, say her name. She didn’t even wiggle a wee bit. I began to have flashbacks of her older sister nursing at this age (5 months) and she would gaze up into my eyes and reach for my face. I felt a panic in my heart as a siren was going off in the confines of my own mind that something wasn’t right.

Over the next two days, the same scenario repeated itself over and over… I increasingly grew more anxious. I knew in my heart that something was wrong, but I did not know it was autism. In fact, it would take years to get professionals to listen to me that something was wrong.

On the Eve of her first Christmas, I finally uttered to my husband, “Honey, we need to talk.” He got that look he gets in his eyes when he senses something is wrong. I took a long deep breath, “I noticed something the other night… well, I am concerned.” (a long pause) “Every time I nurse Sahara she just stares off into space... You know, Emily always gazed in my eyes when she nursed. But I have been thinking… and I don’t think Sahara has ever looked up at me when nursing.”(an even longer pause) “Not even once. She also doesn’t respond to my voice. Do you think she could be deaf?”

I saw tears immediately flow down his cheek as I validated some of his hidden concerns. My heart broke in a million pieces that night. To make a long story short the pediatrician blew our concerns off and said it was because I was a new mom. I reminded him that I have been a mother for 5 ½ years and know when something isn’t right, and there was something wrong…

Fast forward 4 years… Sahara was finally diagnosed with infantile autism on Halloween day 2008. Every time I tell this story, emotion catches in my throat as I think about how she gazed off into space when I nursed her and how the psychologist told us to prepare to institutionalize her because of the severity of her symptoms.

But I also remember her tiny fingers wrapped around mine, caressing me as if to say, “I am in here Mama… don’t worry.” And I think about how, even with the autism, she was able to seek my comfort through my motherly breasts when she was hurt, upset or frustrated just like her nuero-typical sister. That somehow, innocently touching my bare skin brought her the safety she needed in a world that was full of triggers and overwhelming stimuli for her; I was her comfort and transitional object.

I think about her eating disorder (children with autism often are picky eaters or experience pica) how I was always reassured in the fact that she breastfed beyond infancy, so I knew she was getting the most perfect nutrition. And how when she got sick (children with autism often have gut issues and compromised immune responses) I knew that she was still getting healthy anti-bodies through the breast milk. And even though she was catatonic for the first four years of her life, she was able to still bond and interact with me at a level that is beyond comprehension.

I venture to say that the mindful act of breastfeeding and attachment parenting may very well have been the catalyst to help set the stage to pull her out of catatonia when even the psychologists said institutionalization was going to be the only option. I am not ashamed to say we nursed her way beyond toddler-hood. I do believe that when she did not have words, that this motherly act alone, was a way for us to connect and interact with meaning. And when I see her breastfeeding her baby dolls and nurturing them through this intimate act today, I find peace of mind in knowing that she is learning how to express care, love and compassion for another human being.

This past weekend she was on the couch cuddling with me when she started to repetitively poke my breast with her small pointer finger. I smiled at her when she gazed up at me (perhaps I even silently rejoiced that at 6 years of age, she is finally able to gaze into my eyes without hesitation and that by some means we are able to create and nurture those building blocks that she missed during infancy).

What I didn’t expect in that moment, though, was for her to say, “Milk all gone.” I nodded yes and she continued in her broken early speech pattern to say slowly with much effort, “Milk broken. Mommy doctor. Doctor fix Milk.” Tears welled up in my eyes as my heart fell in love with this child for the ten-millionth time!

“No, the doctor can’t fix ‘Milkies’. Sahara is a big girl now, so the milk went bye bye.” We sat there in silence, her fingers continued to poke my breast as our breath synced together just like when she nursed.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, Sahara?”

“Milk all gone?”

“Yes, Milk all gone.”

“Sahara sad.”

“I know. Mommy sad too.”

So why is this interaction so important to share? Simply because it is the most concrete, expressive, lengthy ‘conversation’ we have ever shared together. Amazingly, the act of breastfeeding my daughter continues today to create opportunities for advancement.

If I had one thing to share with young women or expectant mothers, it would be… if you have genetic markers of autism and even if you don’t, seriously consider nursing your child. Nursing your child is not just about feeding him/her. Nursing your child is about cultivating essential human bonding and stimulating neurodevelopment and immune enhancement. Nursing your child could just be that vital gateway for future possibilities to manifest… and that could be ‘utterly’ colossal.

Product Review: Getting Into The Vortex

Getting Into The Vortex

Guided Meditations CD and User Guide

By Esther and Jerry Hicks

Let me introduce you to Abraham.

The first thing you need to understand is that Abraham isn’t a person. Yes, that is correct, Abraham is not a person. Abraham is what Esther Hicks accesses while inspiring and motivating others to live a more balanced life through the Law of Attraction. Abraham is an energy source that has had many different labels throughout the ages. To Esther, Abraham is the vehicle in which she creates inspiration, hope and opportunity for all who participate in these teachings.

I am certain some will see this as hocus pocus, new age, metaphysical or possibly even blasphemous. However, I believe that none of that is accurate. In fact, I have found the teachings of Abraham to reinforce my relationship with and trust in God. If you look beyond the manner in which Esther presents her information … the messages that are left are consistently based in The Ultimate Vibrations of love, peace, joy and harmony.

In a time when the world is full of hate, disease, war and economic hardships this is an important message for all to hear.

And to keep in alignment with Alterna-Mom’s message, in a time when our children are experiencing challenges academically, emotionally, physically, and cognitively at an all time high, this is the perfect message to elicit strength and personal empowerment for mainstream parents.

Abraham offers hope and inspiration. Abraham teaches us how to get into a ‘place’ in which we can tap into our true potential and manifest solutions to our challenges. Abraham calls this place The Vortex. The Vortex is simply a meditative state in which we can find solutions to the difficulties in our lives. This isn’t a magical place or a placebo effect, but a meditative discipline in which the solutions can and often do surface.

In the teaching of Abraham, The Vortex is the place in which all things are created… in Christianity, we call this place prayer.

Abraham states that it is not necessary to meditate for more than 15 minutes per day. In fact, they say life is about living, not contemplating about living… and so Abraham has presented us with an effective tool, Getting into the Vortex Guided Meditations CD and User Guide, to teach us how to efficiently meditate and get into this Vortex where intention and creation occur.

In the Guided Meditations CD, Esther’s voice gently carries you through the meditations. Her voice is calm and soothing; eliciting an instant relaxation. Your breath seems to lose itself into the rhythm of the background music… ebbing in and out. Abraham tells us that this is the most important result of this tool; sitting still for 15 minutes a day allowing our breath to match the rhythm of the music on this CD. We do not have to understand what is being said. In fact, we do not have to alter anything in our daily routines, but to find time to be still and breathe.

The most prominent words to me throughout the Getting Into The Vortex CD is “Breathe in, Breathe out.”

In fact, since using this CD, I find myself saying these four words, “Breathe in, Breathe out,” often over my internal chatter during challenging moments. With that, I am able to easily re-center myself through the simple act of consciously breathing. It is in this connection that I remember “who-I-really-am” and remember to release control over many things I have no control over.

There are four tracks on this CD that can empower your life:

• General Well Being Meditation
• Financial Well Being Meditation
• Physical Well Being Meditation
• Relationship Well Being Meditation

Each is unique in verse, yet a similar presentation. I felt that this consistency allowed me to relax more quickly regardless of the track I was listening to. I also have found this to be a perfect way to incorporate meditation into your child’s life. Simply play the CD in the background while your child is playing, bathing or resting and observe subtle changes in the child’s Well Being.

If you are the left brain thinker (like me) that must know what each phrase means and how those words can educe profound change in your life, the User Guide will be a delightful reference book for you. This guide offers clarity. Abraham has elaborated on each phrase in this guide so that everyone can have a deeper understanding to what is being said and intended in this meditative tool.

If you are interested in learning more about Abraham, Esther and Jerry Hicks, or The Vortex, I suggest you look at the links below. This is a very powerful tool for your whole family to achieve all the benefits of basic meditation and much more!

Hay House

Amazon

Barnes & Nobel

Chapters Indigo (Canada)

Wi Active Challenge: Day 5

One of the reasons I was concerned about trying the Wi-Active again is because... last time I got to Day 4 I ended up in the ER and laid up for 7 weeks with kidney stones.

Now you might ask, "What does Wi-Active have to do with kidney stones?"

On Day 4 there happens to be a lot of jumping. I had this thought that perhaps that jiggled the stones loose the last time. Well, last night laying in bed... sure enough my left kidney started to throb. I knew that pain; it is one you cannot associate with anything else; kidney stones. I laid there and did Reiki on my kidneys while breathing through the pain... it wasn't as intense as February's episode so I was able to fall asleep.

When I got up this morning I still had a twinge, but it wasn't bad... I figured I would drink lots of water and hope that one of the remaining 16 stones would soon dislodge and pass with ease. I looked at the Wi.... DAY 5!!

Yes, that is right, I went ahead and did my workout. Why? I figured it could help this process and my over all health goal is important to me. So onward I ventured into jumping, running and boxing....

Okay, maybe not the brightest idea... I believe the stone is big and it is stuck trying to get out of the kidney; the more I exercised the more intense the pain.

Unfortunately, I had to reschedule my rare dinner date tonight with two good friends but am optimistic that the stone will pass soon. In the mean time, I am drinking tons of water and have located the left over percocet from the last episode just in case.

Day 5... Burned 137 calories.

Alterna Mom's Wi-Active Challenge: The Why and Day 1-3

BECOME MORE PROACTIVE IN YOUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND FINANCIAL HEALTH AND THAT OF YOUR CHILDREN!

That is my Alterna-Mom motto! I have to humbly say that if Alterna-Mom's Blog is about promoting health and well-being on all levels of our existence, then she needs to heed her own advise.

I have insisted that my habitual tiredness and dark circles are from sleepless nights of worry about my children and obsessing over the details I orchestrate in my mind's eye on how to move forward on helping my daughter diagnosed with autism to become more functional, safe and communicative while advocating for her rights, needs and education. (Not to mention the advocacy I do for my other child as well... raising kids mindfully takes time, energy and planning.) However, I recently took my own blood sugar levels and the results scared me. I swayed between a consistent 123 and 236 during a week of testing.

My Mom was diagnosed with diabetes at about the same age I am now, 40. She controlled it with diet at first, then the pill and finally insulin shots. This past Spring the diabetes finally claimed her leg after an intense year of surgeries, heart attacks and gangrene. I knew at this precise moment in time that I needed to become more proactive in my own health, but somehow we use life as a convenient excuse to resume our old habits.

I have understood that I was already predisposed to diabetes not only via paternal and maternal history, but through evidence of gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. However, I believe that the power of our minds, meditation and prayer can trump genetics. Maybe I am not so lucky or maybe I have caught it early enough... fate is always yet to be determined.

I am not one to run to the doctor, yet I know that there is a time and place like I explained HERE. I also am keenly aware that intention alone cannot alter reality. We must be proactive and make healthy decisions especially if we are going to stay around to see our children grow and spoil our grandchildren. I have always insisted that we must take care of ourselves before we take care of our children and loved ones. In order to be more present for them we must tend to our needs.

Perhaps the culmination of the sugar levels, my mom's fate and my recent kidney stone episode has pushed me just enough to heed my own advise. So, I bought primarily fresh fruits and vegetables at my bi-weekly shopping trip Friday night, then came home and pulled out the Wi-Active.

I decided to take the 30 day challenge... easy enough right? Somehow committing to a challenge seemed easier than randomly using this devise. So, I set parameters including my weight... ouch!! I weigh what I weighed when I was 9 months pregnant with my oldest child. That alone should have prompted me to do this a long time ago.

HOLY MOLY.... Can running in place for 90 seconds really make me that out of breath... I can't help but wonder if that is still evidence of my smoking days. So, I use this as a teachable moment, "Girls, see what happens when you smoke?"

My eldest replies, "You don't smoke Mom!"

"Well, thanks to you (I quit with my first pregnancy) I don't, but I am certain that that is why I am so winded."

She says, "Really !?!?," I am not sure if her response is from the disbelief that her anti-smoking mother actually smoked once upon a time or if she is amazed at the honesty that I unconditionally offer them.

I have decided to document here my progress. Although this is a public venue, I think that it 1) will keep me honest and encourage me to continue through the first 30 days and 2) maybe it will motivate someone else to become more proactive in their health...

Day 1 It would have been easy to quit; it kicked my butt!! I was panting and resting in between sets. But my daughters were watching and encouraging me to finish... Did I ever tell you that my kids rock!?!

My muscles hurt... I wanted to sit down and throw in the towel... but I pushed through the whole workout. I have to admit, I was proud of myself... it would have been easier to listen to the million reasons why I shouldn't do this... How can I find the time? How can I find the energy? How much will it cost? Who will watch the kids? I need to save my energy for the kids. I need to get this done or that finished...

I burned 121 calories! That made me walk away from the donut later that day... all of that work equated to 1/3 of the donut!! Wow, that really put things into perspective.

Day 2 It was a more intense workout (and longer), but I was amazed at how much easier the track was in just 24 hours... really!! I still huffed and puffed, but I had better focus and was better able to push through the pain. That in and of itself amazed me.

I burned 151 calories yesterday... again, I was reminded of how much effort it takes to burn off those in between empty-caloried snacks.

It is Day 3 and I am grateful it is the day to rest... my legs were wobbly coming downstairs this morning. However, does a mother really have any days to rest? It is interesting on the Wi-Active it asks you to log your other activities with time and intensity. That includes playing with the kids, yard work, house work, walking etc. I presume I am not doing too bad already because I really do do a lot... maybe it is the cardio I am missing though.

There is no challenge today, so we have planned to start prepping the yard-sale stuff.... that is a work out! But I think later we will do some yoga - my muscles feel like they could use some good stretching.

I think this is good for me... on many levels. Plus, Emily has decided to partake in the challenge... so we are doing this together. Sahara was annoyed the first day... she thought we were going to play golf or fishing (her favorite Wi games), but yesterday she did a couple of the exercises with us... too cute... this may be a fun summer activity for the 3 of us.

Kidney Stone Update...

The CAT scan revealed I had a total of 18 kidney stones.

5 on the right side, ranging 2-4 millimeters.

13 on the left ranging side, 2-8 millimeters.

They blasted the 6 & 8 millimeter ones on the left with sound waves... I have been passing gravel since Ground Hog’s Day.

The remaining ones have to be passed ‘naturally’. Tonight I am in severe pain and am pretty sure that I am passing one of the larger ones on the right. All I can do is drink water since the remaining stones are all 4 millimeters or less. But, do not let that size mislead you... it hurts.

I am perplexed as to how I got so many, and am darn annoyed with how much water I have to drink. All I can do is drink, send Reiki, and try to stay active... activity helps move them. However, tonight I choose to park it on the couch.

Stoned and Unemployed

My husband was downsized in October. If you haven't heard, the employment front is not a positive outlook these days. Since there are hundreds (literally) applying for the same job, the employers have raised the bar on expectations and credentials. Being able to cherry pick every candidate that is chosen to actually come in through the door for an interview has left many frustrated and dependent on unemployment benefits.

Families, like ours, are struggling across America. Since I currently stay home with the children and head my daughter's treatment for a diagnosis of autism, we have been left without insurance. When Cobra was offered to us it seemed unreasonable, yet alone unattainable when we were going to be surviving on unemployment. Frankly, we hadn't used medical services for ourselves in the past 15 years, so we were not concerned much. We would continue taking care of ourselves as we have and hold out until he found another J-O-B that would offer benefits.... but of course Murphy's Law must rear its ugly head in desperate times...

Eleven days ago I was walking through the house when I suddenly had a sharp pain in my back. I initially thought that it must be a tight muscle from laying on the couch for the past two days with a head-cold.... until I ended up rolling on the bed with pain as intense as back labor pains!! When the words, "Call an ambulance!" flew from my mouth the instant expression on my husband's face said it all. Certainly, if I was asking for medical intervention it must be serious... then I saw the wheels turn and he started to pace, "We have no insurance.... F@#K!!"

...Yes, hundreds of thousands invested into the health care system and we were left facing a crisis with nothing!

As soon as the paramedic saw me, he uttered the dreaded words, "Kidney stones." Being the overachiever that I am, my body tried to rid 3 stones at once with a 6 millimeter one heading the way causing a blockage in my ureter. The CAT scan uncovered that I had another 5 stones in the kidney ranging from 2-8 millimeters.

Two days later I was in surgery, but not after we had to fork up a $5oo deposit to secure our slot on the schedule, "This is the generous self-pay option we offer." Generous for who? Certainly the Hippocratic Oath did not mean much in the private sector. (Did you know that most medical schools do not even require this oath?) Not seeing any other option we paid the money to have the urologist put in a stent to push the stone back into the kidney and to open the kidney and bladder to allow the urine to flow without obstruction.

Several days later the Kidney Stone Center called to pre-register me for Ultrasonic Lithotripsy; the use of high frequency sound waves to pulverize the stones. Of course we had to tell them we didn't have insurance. The pause on the phone followed by the statement, "Oh, you're a self pay... you need to talk with Verina," created a cringe in me. Why was I so embarrassed??? It wasn't like we eagerly volunteered to have my husband downsized in the middle of a suppression nor did we sign up for me to stay home because of the elephant in America's front room called Autism.

The financial advisor reassured me we didn't need the whole $7170 up front.... but, that isn't what was bothering me. It was the thought of accuring another debt and feeling responsible for this financial burden my family was facing. I felt so incredibly guilty... didn't I take care of myself good enough? I had this incredible sense of blame about these darn stones in my kidney...

I still have 2 days to go until the lithotripsy and will have to keep the stent in for an undetermined amount of time to prevent obstruction. Honestly, the various medications that I have been on frighten me more than any of the procedures. Having had a clean system for 15 years, I am sure my body is freaking out about the differing chemicals surging through me. So, I guess I will be doing that liver and/or body cleanse I have been putting off sooner than later.

Of course, I have researched kidney stones, natural cures and the like. The obvious finding is that I should be drinking, yet, even more water than I do. Mineralized water should be drank moderately as it contains calcium. Cranberry juice is another fluid that will help clean out the kidneys.

Some of the recommendations are steps we have already taken to improve our health; reduce sugar, soda, caffeine, alcohol, and refined foods. It is also recommended that you avoid animal byproducts, dairy, cheese and oxalate containing foods (beets, spinach, nuts, black tea, chocolate, beans, and strawberries). Oxlalate foods will be hard for me to eliminate as I love all of the items on the list!

Alternative health options always improve the function of the body, which might be why my body decided to attempt to excrete these stones in the first place. Accupuncture, chiropractic, reflexology, massage, reiki and meditation are all modalities that have reported beneficial health benefits.

For now, I have reduced the meds down to the smallest amount I can tolerate and still have the pain manageable, the children are pretty calm considering they are completely out of their routine and my husband is still holding strong even though I am sure he is on the brink of exhaustion. However, I presume this, too, will pass (no pun intended).

Grocery Voyeur Discovers Nutritional Yeast

Are you a grocery voyeur? You know nonchalantly looking to see what treasures are on the conveyer belt ahead of you. Then you hear the chatter in your mind, “Where in carnation did she find that gluten free pizza kit?” Or “Man, I gotta try that chocolate torte someday.”

Truth be known… your higher brain kicked into motion the moment you stepped into the store and you followed the same path that you have followed each and every time you shop; never veering off the familiar path and perfectly avoiding other shopping carts on auto-pilot. (Just like when drove your car to the store that day… It’s okay, we all do it.)

Well, last week I decided to abort routine and mindfully go shopping; the kids were in school, husband at work, and I was off to expand my horizons. I won’t bore you with all of the labels I read (and let me tell you there was many!!) or all the answers to the questions I asked the annoyed employee who couldn’t get away from me soon enough.

But, let me share with you the find of the day... nutritional yeast! Yep, you heard correctly… nutritional yeast.

The gluten free tag hanging on the side of the bulk bin caught my eye and drew me in. I started reading the label and discovered not only is this food packed with, well, nutrition, but it claimed to be a great substitute for butter and cheese as well. I couldn’t resist… I scooped a cup of it from the bulk container and added it to my other treasures.

According to Wikipedia nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast similar to brewer’s yeast and is “produced by culturing the yeast with sugarcane and beet molasses”.

Nutritional Yeast has sodium, potassium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum.

I have incorporated it as a condiment this week without resistance from the pickiest of picky eaters. I have found that sprinkling it on popcorn or hiding it food is an easy way to get some great nutrition into your little (and big) ones. Stay tuned for future recipes containing this fabulous find.

The ABC's of Innis Woods Metro Park (by Emily and Mommy)

Today we went to Innis Woods Metro Park in Westerville, Ohio... if you live in the Central Ohio region, you have a bounty of free parks awaiting your exploration... turn off the tv and take the kids outside. Our children learn through interacting with their environment. If you live elsewhere, you need to research what is in your backyard... you may be surprised at what you discover. Parks give families an excellant opportunity to bond and great lasting memories while learning more about nature. Here is a list of things that the girls and I saw or experienced today...

Amazing Adventure

Bridges

Chipmunks

Deer

Ebbing water

Families

Grey squirrel

Hills

Investigation

Joggers

Kalology (study of beauty)

Labyrinth

Meadow

Nature

Oobambulate (to wander about)

Pine Trees

Quality time

Red Cardinal

Spider

Toads

Uliginoud (a swampy, slimy place)

Violets

Windmill

Xenial (hospitality towards guests… from ranger.)

Yellow Daisies

Zeta (a small room with nature displays)

My Opposition To The Ice Cream Truck

It wasn’t long after becoming a mother that I decided that the ice cream truck was something to be avoided. But of course, ten years ago my reasoning was different than the motivation of today.

Back then I couldn’t comprehend, (well, I still can’t comprehend this one) how it seemed to be a good idea to have a complete stranger driving through neighborhoods with tantalizing music trying to lure children to his truck with treats. This concept went against the very grain I try to teach my children.

We do not approach strangers.

We do not accept candy or treats from strangers.

We do not walk up to a vehicle of a stranger.

Just yesterday we were driving through a neighborhood and my oldest daughter said with contempt in her voice, “What is that?!?!” Her dad tried to explain that someone had taken their personal black van and put stickers on it, wired speakers to the roof, and was portraying himself as the ice cream truck. Her face expression was all we needed as a cue that she understood that this was not deemed appropriate.

Now of course, he did not have the window on the side of his van, but he left the sliding door open and was leaning out the door taking orders. I couldn’t believe parents were permitting their children to approach this vehicle! Now, I only remember one news story about child abduction and the ice cream truck, but I presume that is one story too many.

The music that permeates from these vehicles turn our children into screaming tyrants demonstrating the Pavlov wasn’t wrong about his theory of conditioning. However, I successfully convinced my first born that this was a music truck bringing us joy to our ears. I also was able to explain to her that it was never okay to approach strangers in this type of vehicle or any vehicle to that matter.

For six beautiful years, each and every summer she would inform me that the music truck was coming through the neighborhood. But, she didn’t go running to my purse, begging me for some unforeseen treat. Instead, we would sit on the couch and hum the familiar tune.

It was her sixth summer when a neighbor kid let the cat out of the bag. She wasn’t mad though, but curiosity did get the best of her… so we begrudgingly went on our first ice cream truck adventure. After a couple of bites, she retorted, “This doesn’t taste very good.”

YES!

She was saved by her own common sense. So we went through the next several years with no interest from the music turned ice cream truck.

That was until this past weekend when the mother next door came running over to our house to get her child. Then she, too, apparently conditioned by the Pavlovian “It’s A Small World After All…” music, went running down the street flagging this truck to stop in front of our house.

My husband just looked at me as I shrugged my shoulders… I decided in order to not look like the hysterical mother of the neighborhood to invite my children to meet the neighbor’s at the foot of our drive way. However, up until this moment my now youngest did not even give a notice to this truck.

After 5 minutes of rude grunts and groans from the woman and man in the back of the van (we were obviously taking too much of their precious time), the kids had decided— I cringed as my older daughter picked the multi-colored rainbow snow cone and her sister pointed to the ice cream sandwich.

Luckily, once the wrapper came of the over-priced ice cream sandwich, she looked at it, scrunched up her nose at the lifeless attempt of food, set it down, and retreated to the freezer to get some rice ice cream.

ANOTHER VICTORY!

But my other daughter ate the whole snow cone.

We decided to serve watermelon a little later, since watermelon is known to naturally contain high amounts of vitamin C and A as well as loads of natural carotenoid antioxidants. Antioxidants enter the body and attack free radicals, allowing the body to be cleansed.

Soon after she consumed the watermelon, she retreated to the back sun deck. I went out to see if she was okay. She looked pale, her eyes had dark circles under them, and she was clammy. I asked how she felt and she said “nauseous”.

I am sure we were seeing the body trying to rid toxic chemical levels from that snow cone that was drenched in artificial colors, dye, high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. Her body isn’t used to that non-food crap and was trying to purge it.

She never threw up, but did go to sleep and woke up feeling better. I suppose we learned that the choices of treats that mom puts in the freezer are much more compatible with the human body. Artificial crap is neither nutritious nor safe for the body!

In the future, we will resort to the freezer filled with the real food that our body’s desire and resist the conditioning of the music filling the summer air.

Lesson Learned.

Mother's Who Don't Vaccinate... A Risk?

As mothers, we innately want to protect our children, so concerns are valid. I have been reading literature about vaccinations for the past 10 years. Some suggest that the un-vaccinated children pose a threat to the vaccinated population.

If the vaccine theory was sound, then the unvaccinated children would not pose a threat to the vaccinated population, right? Think about it.

In order to be a threat, the unvaccinated child would have to first come in contact with the disease and have the immune system fail to ward it off. Even if this were to happen… if the vaccination successfully did what it was intended to do (foster immunity towards a specific disease), the vaccinated child should not contract the disease.

This past year a vaccinated child, who sat directly behind my child, contracted whooping cough and hacked directly on my child for days, during the incubation period, before being removed from the classroom environment.

Why did my child not contract the disease?

Why did the vaccinated child contract the disease?

It is hard for me to comprehend why the majority doesn’t think about this paradox. Instead, I think the proactive parent is wrongfully accused of being unmindful of the health risks involved. These parents don’t mindlessly venture into the world of not vaccinating their children. They conduct on-going research and implement lifestyle choices that promote a healthy immune function. They are proactively seeking alternative means to the pestilence occurring in our young children and babies.

It is not my mission to tell people to or not to vaccinate; this is a personal choice between a mother, father, and most likely their physician. However, I do say to educate yourself before entering this (or any) discussion with the physician. Here are some resources on my side of the fence to get you started.

Fisher, B. L. (September-October 2004). In The Wake of Vaccines. Mothering , 38-45.

Kirby, D. (2005). Evidence of Harm, Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy. New York: St. Martins Press.

Miller, N. Z. (1998). Immunizations: The People Speak! Questions, Comments, and Concerns About Vaccinations. Sante Fe: New Atlantean Press.

Vacination Risk Awareness Network. http://www.vran.org/

National Vaccine Information Center: http://www.nvic.org/

It's Been A Week!

My apologies to my readers… I understand I haven’t blogged in 7 days, but I promise you it was for good reason…

I would like to tell you it has been for selfish reasons like we took a spontaneous vacation to Australia (ahh Mate, that would be an incredible story) or for personal reasons like I was laid up with the swine flu (now, I thought that was funny) or maybe I just didn’t have anything to say. Although, that, too, would be very unlikely, as you know — I always have an opinion to share.

Nope, I was busy doing what I do…. orchestrating treatment and trying to keep life as normal as possible for the rest of the family, sound familiar moms?

This week we fired our speech and occupational therapists for good cause.

I find it difficult to comprehend how it is appropriate to block a child from going to her mother – especially when that is the child’s routine prior to the mother leaving the room, to have a door barricaded from the inside when the child is in the room, to laugh and call the child names, and to talk amongst yourselves over the distressed child who is crying and yelling, “Let go” and “Mommy” – especially when the child is known to have auditory sensory issues.

Yet, alone, to have my parenting style critiqued because it is not the way you would raise your dogs… what?!?! During this incident I was told that our daughter wouldn’t be speaking in full sentences by age 8 because of my parenting style. Incidentally, that very afternoon Sahara said to me, “Mommy Look, come on this way!”

So, I spent the better part of the week calling and interviewing for new service providers while implementing a new behaviour modification program at home.

We received the results of the MRI; brain function appears normal. The EEG was exhausting this week. We had to awaken her at 2:30 AM, yes, I said AM! On the way to the hospital at 7:00 AM we had the windows rolled down. With the wind whirling around us we tried to keep her awake singing, “If you’re happy and you know it say there will be no ouches….”

Well, the tech was less than gentle and I felt just absolutely awful when Sahara said, "Ouch, It hurt!” I have to wonder why they can’t use markers instead of crayons to mark the child’s head…. But Sahara was a trooper, she didn’t need to be strapped down and she left all of the electrodes alone.

We have been utilizing spiritual energy healing work the past few weeks (You know, as well as I, that the power of prayer (energy) is beyond human comprehension…) and, we have seen an extraordinary increase in purposeful speech, socialization and interaction since beginning with the certified energy worker as noted above. We have one more session… so I am open to the power of God healing this girl so she may have a productive, meaningful, happy life!!

However, The Electro Dermal Screening showed Sahara was off the chart with her gastrointestinal system including 20 subsets including the gall bladder, large and small intestines, kidneys, lymphatic, appendix, liver, parasites, bladder infection, pain, etc. … the EDS shows energetic disturbances through the meridians in the body. This prompted us to contact a doctor at the OSU Center for Integrative Medicine for a gastrointestinal and nutritional assessment including vitamin and mineral deficiency testing.

The internet is plastered with information about kids diagnosed with autism having gut issue. However, since she doesn’t have first hand vaccinations, I wasn’t sure she experienced this… but looks as if she does. So, heal thy gut.

(Hmmm… I just notice that if you take the space out of ‘heal thy gut’ – you get— ‘HEALTHY GUT’…. That is pretty cool!)

In addition to all of these things happening… I am adjusting to the country’s economic crisis hitting our home front with a significant pay reduction, trying to get ready for the community yard sale, continuing to chauffeur kids back and forth to appointments and activities, keeping up on the accounts payable and paper trails, spring cleaning, helping with homework, and preparing for summer vacation….

Today is the last day of school for Sahara… Emily has a week left… so, ready or not summer here we come.

Ballet Met Columbus - Momentum: An Educational Dance Program -- BRAVO!

Chaperoning a field trip is tolerable at most. Ususally I walk away with admiration of the teachers we entrust our children to and relief that I am not in their shoes.... but today was different; today I spent the afternoon being inspired by 400 youth and found myself loving it!

Ballet Met Columbus puts on a yearly program called Momentum, an enrichment program using dance as the medium to enhance 4th graders’ ‘excellence, discipline, and self-confidence’ using The Ohio Department of Education’s Dance Content Standards.

Over the school year, dance instructors come to the seven participating schools and instruct the students weekly about movement, self-control, and dance. At the end of the year the students unite as a large collective group to perform on the stage the choreographed program for their parents, teachers, next year’s performers, and donors.

The program was appropriately titled One World - One Beat. It beautifully illustrated cultures from around the world through music and dance. However, what I found more intriguing was the communion of cultures on the stage.

To see a diverse group of kids from the urban and suburban schools uniting was truly inspirational. I have never chaperoned an event that brought tears to my eyes… but today definitely triggered that within me; the kids were alive, electric, and full of confidence— a refreshing expression among a generation faced with many hard realities that were unfamiliar to us when we were kids!

The 3rd graders in the audience were so respectful and captured by the grace of the performers. I am sure they were experiencing the thrill of their schoolmates being on a theater stage and the anticipation of their own dance adventure next year.

I couldn’t help but wish that each child in the world had an opportunity to express themselves like these children did today!

Bravo!

The performance will be aired on television in Ohio... Although I couldn't get the specific information, if interested you may want to contact Ballet Met Columbus directly.

Hydrating Your Body Without Draining Your Wallet: Money Saving Tip #5

The best water of choice is artesian— complete with salts and minerals of the earth.

Lourdes (natural artesian water from France) is considered a miraculous water source and widely recognized as Holy Water among Catholics. This Holy Water has been known to cure sicknesses… I assume this is in relation to artesian water having all the electrolytes the body needs to maintain health. The chemical compounds of artesian water are most conducive with the chemistry of the human body. No wonder it is deemed miraculous.

However, when you are on a budget (and most families these days are), artesian water can be costly. If you ordered Lourdes water online it would cost approximately $132 per 1 1/3 gallon! (OUCH!)

Other artesian water sources that most people are familiar with are Fiji, Evian, and Perrier. You can expect to pay well over $1.00 for a 12 ounce bottle. However, some may argue that obtaining clean water with all the vital electrolytes necessary for the human body may be worth the extra cost.

We consume, as a family of four ,over 15 gallons of drinking water per week. That is over $150 per month just for water… again, if you are on a budget, this is difficult to manage.

If you opt out of the artesian water industry and go for spring water you can expect to pay near $1.00 per gallon. Although, that seems to be a more reasonable price, I do not think you are paying for quality. In order for a label to read ‘spring water’ it only needs to contain 10% spring water. As for the other 90% my best guess is it is probably from a municipal source.

But, even if you make this compromise you are still spending nearly $60 per month for 10% spring water. You end up paying 100% more than the water is really worth. If you read some labels closely the will even say ‘from a municipal source’. In this instance, you end up paying almost $.75 per gallon for something you could get straight from the tap. (That doesn’t make logical sense.)

While depriving the body of the essential electrolytes found naturally in the water extracted from deep within the earth, we compromise our health. Is that really worth it? I cannot answer that question for you— that is a personal decision you will need to make. I do know that in our current economy many families are faced with financial cut backs and unfortunately sometimes that means eliminating things that are good for us.

Another option is to purchase a filtration system for your home. This will purify the water from harsh chemicals like Chlorine which is commonly found in home drinking water. When we moved into our current home, we went from well water to city water. I was astonished that our water straight from the tap smelled like a pool.

Your body absorbs during a 10-15 minute shower the same amount of chlorine you would consume in 8 – 8 ounce glasses of city water. Prolonged exposure to chlorine has been said to cause skin and eye irritation, lung disease, and even cancer.

Other contaminants removed through a filtration system are mercury, lead, and pesticides. Although a whole house filtration system is ideal it, too, can be costly— costing thousands of dollars. A quick cool shower is the best way to reduce toxic exposure without a filteration system.

A filter on the kitchen faucet or even a Britta Picture Filteration System can be well worth the investment. You can economically purchase a 10 cup picture for $21.99 after a $10 coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond. Each filter is good for 100 gallons and is less than $8.00 to replace. With the cost of city water averaging .02 cents per gallon our family can safely consume and cook with filtered water for $1.20 per month plus filter costs.

I am currently looking into how to replace those electrolytes we are missing from true artisian water. I am sure that maybe even supplementing this charcoal filtered water with a bottle of Evian would help... But this seems to be the best economic choice and a step in the right direction towards clean drinking water.

Artificial Dyes in Our Foods, Medications & Cosmetics...

I went to the grocery to purchase hot dogs for our first seasonal cookout… I was shocked when I read the label of a popular brand of dogs that read “Red #40”.

I put them down and went to the pasta aisle. My daughter had been begging me for some real Mac-n-cheese. (Now mind you, her definition and my definition of real differ quite a bit.) I thought this popular side dish would be an okay rare treat to go with the rare dogs, but…

Upon reading the label of the Mac-n-cheese I, also, found yellow dye #5 and #6, as well as monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the box. Having removed all foods containing artificial dyes some time ago from our diets, I just couldn’t do it. So, I left, knowing she was going to be heart-broken… no dogs or Mac-n-cheese!

I suppose that was a small price to pay for her health—Let me explain…

Our foods are laced with millions (yes, millions) of pounds of artificial coal-tar and petroleum based dyes (Red #3, Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, and Red #40).

Americans consume more than 17.8 million pounds of dyes through food, medication, and cosmetics each year. Your child is expected to consume between 1-3 pounds by the time he/she reaches the age of 13! I am perplexed that the average person doesn’t question some of the food practices we have in this country.

While some dyes are used to make the product look more appealing to the target consumer (blue and pink yogurt) others are used to cover up the beginning stage of spoilage of products such as meat. And yet, other dyes are being used as a procedure to make under-ripe foods look ready to eat as in apples and strawberries. We also have dyes in our pet food, pill coatings, cosmetics, shampoos, ice creams, and popsicles—really the list is endless.

According to Dr. Feingold dyes are toxins to the human body:

Red #3 – Linked to thyroid tumors and chromosomal damage – FDA tried and failed to ban it.

Red #40 – Linked to Lymphomas (lymph tumors) - Banned in European Economic Community (EEC)

Blue # 1 – Linked to chromosomal damage – Banned in France and Finland

Blue # 2 – Linked to Brain tumors – Banned in EEC

Green #3 Linked to Bladder tumors – Banned in EEC

Yellow #5 – Linked to allergies, thyroid tumors, lymphocytic lymphomas, chromosomal damage – Banned in Norway

Yellow # 6 – Linked to allergies, kidney tumors, chromosomal damage – Banned in Norway and Sweden

Isn’t this an awful large risk to take to change the natural color of the foods we eat?

Other findings I came across linked the use of artificial dyes to Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Is it not logical to look at what we are fueling our children with as a possible link to some of the violence, behavior, and developmental issues that are running ramped in today’s industrialized world? I urge everyone to read every label of food that crosses your lips, of products that touch your skin, and more.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest asked the FDA to ban the most common artificial dyes or at least put a warning label on the food packaging: "Warning: The artificial coloring in this food causes hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children." Yet, the FDA maintains these additives are generally safe.

I cannot tell you what will or will not happen if your child (or you) consumes the globs of artificial dyes in our products, but I can say educate yourself! And If you are concerned with the use of petroleum and coal-tar additives in your foods, meds, and cosmetics here is a few suggestions on how to protect yourself:

1. Write your congressperson and senator and ask them to become more proactive in the government regulation of food safety.

2. Keep a food journal to see what reactions or behaviors your child exhibits after consuming foods laced with these ingredients (with any ingredients, really). Eliminate the foods of suspicion and see if behaviors change.

3. Avoid all foods containing artificial dyes and colors or U.S. Certified Colors.

4. Eat organic certified fruits and vegetables or shop at a local coop/farm.

5. Avoid cosmetics and toiletries containing these ingredients.

The Mother Consciousness

It is time for us to reclaim our innate rights and restore our instincts as they guide us towards true health and security for the children of the today and of the future.

We must reinvest in the natural development of our children behaviorally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Rebounding Beneficial to Adults and Kids

Rebounding can be considered of the best modern day exercises; especially because of its convenience, ease of use, and achievement of a multitude of optimal health results.

The lymphatic system is the garbage collector of the human body. It is full of fluid and toxins. It relies on movement to effectively purge the toxins from its system. The best ways to achieve this movement is through massage and jumping up and down (rebounding). When the lymphatic system is regularly activated, the human body processes toxins naturally, A lymphatic system that is not performing optimally may contribute to

Headaches
Cancer
Heart Disease
Chronic Fatigue
High Blood Pressure
Infections (Viral and Bacterial)
Low Energy
Obesity
And More

Rebounding reduces body fat, provides an aerobic effect on the heart, and increases your energy even when you are tired. If you are too tired to rebound, that is when you need to rebound. When you obtain more energy who have more opportunites for a more gratifying life.

In addition to the health benefits of this exercise— rebounding has a positive effect on children with ASD and ADHD. It can be used to stimulate those with a low energy and it can be used to ground those with hyper-sensitivities. Try having your child jump before meals, bed time, transitions, table work, and car rides.

The Detox Twist

1– Sit on the floor, legs straight. Bend your right knee and lift your right foot over your left thigh, placing your right foot on the floor beside your left knee. Bend your left knee.

2-Keeping your spine straight, hook your left elbow around your right knee and reach down your thigh toward your hip.

3-Place your right hand on the ground behind you. Lift your chest and gently twist your spine to look over your right shoulder.

4-Hold for several seconds. Release. Repeat on the opposite side.

Gluten Free Foods

A gluten free diet is promoted by many physicians as a treatment protocol for celiac disease, autism and ADHD. It has been reported in some cases that the gluten protein acts like an opiate in the body’s system. Some children that get on the gluten free diet exhibit better self control, less temper tantrums, and even an increase in speech articulation.

It takes up to six months for the gluten protein to be completely excreted from the body. So, even a tiny bit can cause up to six months worth of gluten reactions in the body. To truly see the benefit of a gluten free diet 100% of the gluten needs to be removed 100% of the time. This a difficult task to accomplish.

If a product is produced in a factory with Gluten containing foods there can be cross-contamination. Some factories use flour to coat conveyer belts. For instance, seemingly safe foods like raisins may be contaminated with gluten—as some manufacturers use wheat flour to prevent the raisins from sticking together.

Food additives, meats, ice cream, and candy often contain wheat. Guten can even be found in body care and hair care. Play dough even has wheat in it. This why you should get in the habit of calling manufacturers; get familiar with manufacturers and their practices.

There are many gluten free products on the market. You just need to have patience and a self control to proceed. This diet requires a lot of effort in the beginning, but once you begin recognizing which products you can consume, it becomes much easier. Watch this blog for weekly gluten free recipes.

Foods to AVOID on the diet

Wheat
Kamut
Spelt
Barley
Rye
Oats
Tritical


Foods ALLOWED on the diet

Corn
Potato
Rice
Rice Tapioca (derived from cassava)
Amaranth
Arrowroot
Millet
Montina
Lupine
Quinoa
Sorghum
Sweet Potato
Taro
Teff
Yam
Beans
Soybeans
Nut Flours
Buckwheat
Gram Flour (Chickpea)

Ionic Footbath

The Ionic Footbath uses tap water in a basin and the water in your body to create a process of complete ionization. Through the electrolysis process the water molecule is split into its simplest elements – hydrogen and oxygen. During this process negative ions are released and absorbed into the body. These anions attract and neutralize free radicals in the body.

This process purges toxins, free radicals, and nucleic waste product kept of generated within the cells and the surrounding membrane. There is a restoration of proper cell function, giving the cell natural energy to select nutrients and expel wastes.

However, it should be remembered that the process doesn’t stop there. The body will have gained extra energy couple with the cell wall being cleansed and it will them be able to continue healthy elimination post treatment. This will allow the body to increase proper functioning.

Water is your cornerstone to your detox experience. Simply put, if you want to flush it out, you must drink water. Water removes toxins from the body and this is what you want.