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Have Faith in the Powerful Immune System of Kids

July 15, 2010 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment
Copy of 104_0924

Copy of 104_0924

My kids amaze me on many levels. They’re smart, funny, silly, adventurous, cuddly, creative, generous, thoughtful, faithful, loyal, athletic, wild and strong.

They’re also healthy little people. They’ve had less time and less opportunity to be exposed to toxicity – they *should* be healthy, darnit!

Last night and this morning, our daughter amazed me again with her display of Innate Intelligence at work. Her immune system put on quite a powerful, efficient show.

When I left for work in the afternoon, she was “fine”. Playing outside, running, swimming, sunning and so on.

When we met up 5 hours later at her brother’s swim class, I saw the color – or lack thereof – of her face and mouth and wondered if she was ok. It wasn’t 10 minutes later when she turned to me and said, “Mommy, can you hold me? I don’t feel very well all of a sudden.”

When I picked her up, she was a hot, sticky little thing. Her body temperature felt sky high – her skin was burning hot. She asked me to take her to the bathroom because she felt like she needed to toss her cookies or pass out. I felt her body go limp in my arms. Uh-oh. I walked faster!!

Once we got to the bathroom, she faced the toilet… asked me to hold her up… and after a couple moments just turned to me and said, “I can’t… I just need to lie down.”

This kid really knows her body after 8 years! I picked her up, walked her out to the car and drove her and her little brother home. She fell asleep as soon as her bum hit the booster seat! She asked to lie down as soon as we got home. Her body temperature was already coming down. No dinner – lots of water – lots of sleep.

She woke up this morning with a song in her voice and a skip in her step! Totally fine, totally happy. Wild! She asked if it would be OK to pass on track practice this morning, just to make sure her body stayed on the “right path” to getting better. Smart kid. (Gets it from her mother! hee hee!)

I LOVE how the immune system can be SO quick and efficient in identifying a problem, dealing with it, and moving on.

Then again, when you consistently provide the raw materials for health – good nutrition, good movement, good mindset, good environment – your immune system has a better chance of doing what it’s supposed to do, when it’s supposed to do it!

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, General Health and Well Being Tagged With: , ,

Am I “Sick”? Or Am I Just Expressing Health?

July 9, 2010 By Dr. Mom Online 2 Comments
Common-cold-remedy_mfln284l

Common-cold-remedy_mfln284l

For the past couple of days, I’ve been feeling like a mack truck surely must have hit me!

I’m experiencing that lovely sensation of my cranium splitting apart due to pressure from deep within the recesses of my sinuses… and quite possibly my brain as well! Add to that the stuffiness, the off & on fever, and the achy joints and ta-daaaa… I’m the perfect picture of health right now!

Actually, that’s rather accurate.

My body is responding perfectly to the environment I’ve created and exposed it to in the days leading up to this immune response known by most folks as “sickness”.

I’m not sick. I’m adapting to the environment – my cells are adapting to the environment they’ve been exposed to internally and externally. I’m expressing health!

Why am I a stickler for accurate terminology here? Because we’ll make completely different choices dependent upon how we talk about certain ‘conditions’ and ‘expressions’ of the body. If we think something is abnormal and negative, we’ll treat it accordingly. On the other hand, if we think something is normal and natural, albeit uncomfortable and inconvenient, we’ll choose differently.

It still stinks to feel wiped out like this… but I know it’s only health showing me what happens in response to excess toxicity or deficiency. Simple. I’ve had a string of days with not enough sleep, more than the usual amount of tasty toxins, and more stress than usual. (More accurately, I’ve handled the ‘stress’ less gracefully than I normally do!)

Couple that with my first round of “having to” have the air conditioner on for extended periods of time this summer, and BAM! My immune system said, “ENOUGH!” Apparently, coming in and out of the synthetically cooled air from the extreme heat outside, multiple times each day, sent me over the top! Blech.

Many times in the last couple of days I’ve thought about what a “normal” person might do if they felt like this. (Yes, I long ago accepted that I am NOT normal! I’m good with that!) Many people would have turned to some sort of over-the-counter remedy or prescribed drug to help alleviate the symptoms.

I have recollections of days long ago (long before I was on this path of more natural wellness), when I used to take drugs for symptoms. I remember the daze, the haze, the fog, the grogginess and all the other annoying and strange side effects of even the “mildest” concoctions. I strongly dislike that. Much more so than experiencing the symptoms of whatever my body is dealing with in the first place.

Unless something is going to safely and effectively move me toward improved function, homeostasis, healing and repair, I’d rather just let my Innate Intelligence handle it… the way it was designed to do. Besides, I can’t think of a drug on the planet that meets the aforementioned criteria for success!

Now, I’m not saying that we need to ignore all symptoms and ride it out… unless that’s what floats your boat! What I am saying is that I don’t agree with adding additional toxicity to my already over-burdened immune system. Why would I add garbage to my body when I’m already feeling lousy? Then my body would have to deal with the *new* issue of toxicity as well as the original issue.

As an adult I’ve learned that our body (and mind) has a FAR better chance of healing masterfully when we stay the heck out of its way! I try to do things that assist the body, not interfere.

(Yes, yes… there’s a time and a place for drug intervention. For example, life threatening issues or in cases where you just need to temporarily alter certain physiology and chemistry in a way that allows the individual to move on from that point, making appropriate lifestyle decisions in order to REALLY get healthy.)

Drugs don’t create health.

So, what do I do when the mack truck attacks? I think about what my body needs in order to function properly and do my best to provide it. I also think about what toxicity might be present, and do my best to remove it or reduce it.

In this particular case, I know I’ve been sleep deprived for a long time. This is where stress effects me the most – I tend to wake up at night, thinking about everything I need to do in upcoming days and weeks! Yes, I use lots of planning, scheduling and prioritizing tools… I just tend to bite off more than I should! Apparently, it’s a character flaw I’ll need to live with on some level!

I’ve made a concerted effort to go to bed earlier and have *attempted* to take a few afternoon power naps here and there. Going to bed earlier definitely helps. Once I’m up, I’m up… so it’s nice to get a few quality hours under my belt before that happens!

I’ve been getting adjusted a lot more, too. Stress and lack of quality sleep tend to cause major dysfunction (subluxation) in my upper cervical spine… which is directly related to my immune system, of course. The adjustment I received yesterday felt like the Hoover Dam breaking free! What an amazing feeling to feel that surge of powerful healing released! Ahhh… I love my Chiropractor! (So I married him!) I immediately felt about an 80% improvement across the board after that adjustment.

What drug could offer those kinds of results, by the way? What drug could offer that without all the toxic side effects?! What drug could make me feel better while simultaneously help me function better? It’s good stuff, I’m telling you! I can’t imagine NOT having a regular chiropractic adjustments as part of your healthy lifestyle. “Health” seems incomplete without it.

I’ve increased the amount of fish oil I consume and have continued to take my full-spectrum probiotics, organic multi-vitamin/mineral/antioxidant, and butter oil. The only nutritional supplement I’ve added during this time is vitamin D3, even though it’s the middle of summer and I get plenty of safe, unfiltered sun. For a few days, I’ll add some more since it plays such a significant role in immune function.

Then, I’ve added simple things like gargling with sea salt or hydrogen peroxide, when my throat was bothering me initially, and I’ve used hydrogen peroxide drops in my ears. I also drink 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 4 ounces of pure water. According to protocol, I should do this every 2 hours… but I tend to forget! I’ve ended up doing it 4 or 5 times per day.

Not only do I stay away from toxic food when my body is adapting like this, but I actually feel an aversion to it. At the same time, I actually crave even more veggies . Especially the dark green ones. Could be part educated brain… could be all instinct. I don’t know, nor do I care! My body has become smarter over the years as I’ve taken better care of it, so I’m becoming a better listener!

For comfort, I’ve been taking extra long hot showers and drinking lots of hot tea… even though we’ve been in the middle of a heat wave! It just makes me feel better on some level! I don’t use sweetener of any sort in tea when my body is going through something like this. That’s too much for the immune system to deal with as well.

One thing I haven’t done yet, which is really silly on my part, is to take daily saunas. We have a far infrared sauna that is SO beneficial in helping the body detoxify, and it just feels so good. I guess I’ve just had some sort of mental block when it comes to walking outside to the workshop where we keep the sauna, through the 94 degree heat and humidity… in order to sit in a hot box!!

I’ll do it today!

As far as exercise is concerned, I play it by ear. I definitely haven’t done any super intense work outs for the last couple days – I’ve kept it pretty low-key. I feel it’s important to find a balance with maintaining some form of movement (because motion stimulates proprioception which stimulates healing and repair) and forcing yourself to get some extra rest (because rest is also the time when the body repairs and heals itself).

An important point to add to this conversation is that, as important as this topic is for adults, I find this to be even more important when it comes to the developing immune systems of children. When we consistently provide our kids with the raw materials for health, allowing them to go through a ‘healing crisis’ without toxic interference will actually strengthen their immune response for life. Each time we step in and interfere with toxicity, we decrease their potential for lifelong healing and protection.

I know – it’s easier said than done, when you’re watching your child suffer. No parent wants to let their child go through discomfort. Once we more clearly understand the long term consequences (good or bad) of the choices we make on behalf of our children, it might be easier to let them develop their immune systems naturally… knowing that it will massively benefit them in the long run.

Anyhow, through all this, I’m once again reminded that our bodies know exactly how to be healthy… and how to return to health. We just need to provide the right ingredients, and then stop interfering with foreign, toxic concoctions and get outta’ the way!! I intend to be back to full function before you know it!

(Oh yeah… intention is another key piece of the puzzle! Energy flows where our thoughts go!!) : )

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, General Health and Well Being, The Conventional Allopathic Approach ~ "Sickness Care" and Sickness Thinking Tagged With: , , , ,

The USDA Food Pyramid ~ Healthy or Ridiculous?

January 20, 2010 By Dr. Mom Online 2 Comments
food pyramid vegetarian

food pyramid vegetarian

The other day, one of the teachers at school sent home a copy of the USDA Food Pyramid and asked if I could teach the kids a nutrition lesson based on the pyramid.

I haven’t responded yet since I’m still trying to figure out how to delicately inform her that the inaccurate, genetically incongruent, bought-and-paid-for,  and outdated food pyramid is known by many in REAL health care as “the cancer diet” and the pro-inflammatory diet.

I’m thinking that that’s probably not the message she was looking for me to share! But, it’s the one that NEEDS to be shared.

What’s my challenge with the food pyramid? Mostly the top and bottom of it!

Currently, the base of the pyramid is formed by ALL grains. It is recommended that we, kids included, consume “liberal” amounts of bread, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes, oatmeal, etc. Wow. Yes, these foods are typically the most convenient, the cheapest, the ones we tend to crave and the ones our kids complain about the least. BUT, none of that means that they meet the innate genetic requirements of the cell to express health.

In fact, there is extraordinary evidence to the contrary. Grains, especially the refined processed sort, have been shown to lead directly to the risk factors for chronic illness (cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, learning and attention disorders, depression, anxiety, infertility and reproduction system disorders, digestive disorders, etc.) The risk factors for these chronic illnesses are stress hormone production, increased insulin response, decreased sex hormone binding globulin, chronic inflammation and decreased immune response.

Many experts suggest that, based on our genetics, we should not be consuming grains at all. Others state that we should limit the amount we consume. Virtually ALL nutritional wellness experts agree that if we’re going to consume grains, we MUST upgrade our choices and decrease our intake. Improvements in grain choices means, as often as possible,  selecting grains that are sprouted and whole grains. Gluten-free is an important factor for most of us to consider as well. Again, there’s some controversy here. Some experts are saying that we’re ALL gluten-intolerant… because NONE of us should be eating so many grains in the first place. Interesting and worthy of consideration.

I’d say that none of us should be eating “liberal” amounts of refined, processed grains that have been grown with toxic poisons. So, add “organic” to the list of upgrades I recommend.

On to the top of the pyramid. Fats, oils and sweets.

First, Fats & Oils do NOT belong in the same category as sweets.

We REQUIRE healthy fats and oils for optimal brain function and the optimal function and performance of ALL systems of the body. We do NOT require sweets and other junk food!

The image of the pyramid that was sent home to me included soda pop, cookies and butter in the same category! I can’t tell you what I REALLY said inside my head when I saw this, but it was akin to wondering where on earth the creators of this pyramid received their nutritional education and training! (A big assumption on my part, I realize!)

Let me clarify – we DO require fats for optimal mental, emotional, and physical health. We require untainted, naturally occurring fats… NOT man made, synthetic, highly refined, toxic fats that so commonly line our store shelves.

Some of the most highly beneficial fats and fatty foods are omega 3 fats found in marine oils, deep cold water fish and seafood; real butter, preferably from grass-fed cows – abundant in the fat soluble vitamins that our North American culture as a whole is gravely deficient in; the fats that naturally accompany proteins – e.g. the egg yolk along with the whites, the skin with the chicken/turkey meat, the whole fat versions of dairy products, etc.  Then there are also many healthy “fatty” foods like avocado, almonds and other nuts & seeds and nut butters, olives and olive oil, coconut oils and other natural tropical oils, and so on.

To recommend that we strictly limit the intake of these healthy fats is ridiculous at best… criminal at worst. You simply cannot lump together the vitally important, physiologically required fats and oils along trans fats, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats, (excess) omega 6 fats, man made fats, processed and refined conventional vegetable oils, AND all the sweets and junk… there’s no scientific accuracy there.

So, we’re teaching our population to:

1) eat abundant grains (without critical clarification of the quality), and

2) limit our intake of fats & oils (again, without any explanation of the differences in quality)

We end up with a population with obesity issues that are escalating at truly unbelievable rates in ALL age groups (And NO, I do not believe recent reports that we are no more obese now than we were a decade ago. What I DO believe is that, just like in so many other skewed reports like this, the parameters and measures for “obesity” were altered since the numbers were reported a decade ago. Happens all the time in health reporting and studies. ALL the time.)

We cannot eat grains ’til the cows come home. There are consequences.

We end up with a population that is suffering from chronic illness like we’ve never seen before in the recorded history of humankind. Again, we see it in ALL age groups.

We end up with a population that is more depressed, more stressed, more anxious, has more learning, attention and memory problems and more mental illness, as well as more issues with reproduction and fertility than at any other time in recorded history.

We cannot give inaccurate recommendations regarding fats & oils required for optimal brain health, emotional health and hormonal health. The results are devastating.

How’s the middle of the pyramid? Not as bad as the top and bottom!

Dairy, we need to be careful with. Just like grains, many would recommend we avoid dairy all together. Others urge us to limit our intake. ALL true health experts agree that our healthiest ancestors who DID consume dairy were consuming nothing like the chemical concoctions on store shelves today. Upgrade! Raw, unpasteurized (where available), organic and from grass-fed sources are your best choices for optimal nutritional benefit and safety.

The meat and “meat alternatives” category requires a bit of clarification as well… keep it clean! Look for the least toxic sources you can find. Organic, free-range, grass-fed meats, poultry and eggs are your best choices. Modern soy foods are considered highly toxic by leading experts. Peanut butter, other nut butters and beans are not sole substitutes for complete proteins like animal products. Keep that in mind if you’re looking to decrease your meat intake. Animal protein and fats are not the “enemy” in so many cases as we’ve been led to believe. Toxic animal proteins and fats ARE. (Animal products is a BIG subject – another article, another day!)

Eating abundant fruits and vegetables is a great recommendation.

Should be a fun nutrition lesson with the kids!!

(By the way, of COURSE I realize there are other foundational factors in our health that will determine our risk factors for chronic illness – our movement patterns and our mindset patterns and emotional “fuel” being the two most critical areas along with nutrition. It ALL plays a role. We require pure and sufficient nutrition, movement and mindset while simultaneously reducing our toxic and deficient input in these 3 areas. That’s the recipe for lifetime wellness!)

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Kids’ Nutrition ~ Where Has All The Color Gone?

October 2, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Here’s another recently published article I thought you might be interested in. Again, the topic is the increasingly common lack of nutrition in kids’ meals and snacks.

I somewhat jokingly call this trend the “Brown Food Diet”… or, more accurately the “White, Tan, Yellow, Beige and Brown Diet!”

Here’s the link to the article:

http://www.articlesengine.com/Article/Kids–Nutrition—Where-Has-All-The-Color-Gone-/407561/1

Let me know what you think… leave a comment!

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Packing a Healthy School Lunch

October 1, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online 1 Comment
Copy of P1040689

Copy of P1040689

Here’s a little article I recently wrote about school lunches and what we’re feeding our kids. Really, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a “school” lunch or lunch at the kitchen table. The point is, are we providing our kids with the basic building blocks for health?

Beware… I was somewhat “irked” when I wrote this! : )

Enjoy the article, and please leave a comment!

http://www.articlesengine.com/Article/Are-You-Packing-a-Healthy-School-Lunch-/406354/1

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“Sick” Kids ~ There ARE Limitations of Matter!

September 15, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment
The body wins - rest, at last!
The body finally wins!

The body finally wins!

First, we don’t normally use the work “sick” in our house when it comes to runny noses, stuffy noses, upset tummies, or colds. Call us strange (and I know you do!), but words are very important. It’s important to speak accurately about issues of health around here!

“Sick” implies a passive role. It implies you played NO role in how your body is reacting, other than that of victim.

That’s just not an accurate message that we like to send along to our kids… so we’re sticklers about the word “sick”.

I’m sure most people don’t mean any harm when they use the word “sick”… most people have just never really thought about it. I get that. I think the negativity surrounding the word (or the mindset) comes from being in a wellness practice for 15 years and seeing countless people come in each year, wondering why they “got sick” or “caught a cold”… completely oblivious to the fact that they were indeed involved in their body’s actions!

It’s like wondering why we get back pain when we don’t exercise enough, sit too long, are carrying too much body weight, have weak core muscles, are stressed out, think predominantly negative thoughts, eat toxic foods, don’t get enough sleep, and so on. We play a critical role in the symptoms our bodies express.

The vast majority of the time, when our bodies become run down and express symptoms like I mentioned above, it’s because we’ve either provided too much toxicity and too many deficient choices in the way we eat, move or think (including sleep), OR we’ve simply not provided enough purity and sufficiency.

There ARE limitations of matter, after all! The body can only take our abuse for so long before it says, “Oh yeah? Well I’m gonna’ push out a whole bunch of these toxins we’ve been accumulating and they’re going to come out your nose big time, mister. That’ll teach ya’!” Or, “You think you can burn the candle at both ends and live a stressed out life? Well I’m going to force you to chill out by making you feel like crud for a few days… you’re going to park it on the couch. So there.”

Our bodies will intelligently respond to the environment we create and provide for them. Our bodies will ADAPT to their environments.

So, you’ll hear our kids say “I’m adapting” rather than “I’m sick”.

People look at them a little odd when they say this… but they’re learning to get used to it, just like mom and dad!!

What’s the difference between “sick” and “adapting”? Based on the way you feel… nothing! You still feel like crud. It’s just a difference of mindset; a difference in paradigms – one that offers us the opportunity to play a role in creating better health… and one that keeps us suppressed in the role of helpless victims.

“Adapting” means you can do something about it, both prevention and treatment. “Sick” means you were the unfortunate recipient of bad luck, bad germs or bad genes. All incomplete and inaccurate information.

By the way, if the “germ theory” were accurate, wouldn’t we all be dead by now?! Or, at the very least, if it were accurate, each and every time someone we encountered was experiencing a viral or bacterial infection of some sort, we’d ALL develop the same thing.

We know from our own life experiences that this simply is not true. You can work with 30 other people, 15 of whom have a “cold”, and the other 15 will never develop that cold. Or, 12 of 26 kids in a class may be out with the “flu”, but the other 14 never develop it.

That’s because that’s not how “sickness” happens. In order to get “sick”, your environment needs to be out of balance in some way first. Your immune system needs to be suppressed in some way in order to not defend itself the way it was designed to do.

What suppresses it? Ongoing toxicity and deficiency. Maybe it’s from stress, or poor nutritional choices, or not enough exercise, or not enough sleep, or medications… could be anything that is not pure and sufficient.

Is there a time when we’re actually “sick”? Of course. When our bodies are no longer actively ‘adapting’ to the environment… when they start losing the battle a bit. Actually, I don’t really care if anyone calls it “sick” when their bodies are adapting to the environment. The point is to recognize the role we play.

How about the example of a common cold. Let’s say you’ve been overworked, under rested, and haven’t been eating a very healthy diet lately. When you develop a cold, are you really “sick”? Or is your body responding PERFECTLY to the toxic and deficient environment you created for it? The latter is obviously correct. Your body will essentially BEG you to slow down and take better care of yourself. Smart.

All that being said, our son started “adapting” to his less-than-healthy recent environmental/lifestyle choices yesterday. He has a runny nose and is pooped out!

Why? Well, my educated guess would be that the last two weeks have been very busy for us: significantly less nap time, later bed times, fewer veggies than usual and more toxicity than usual. Birthday parties, lots of play dates and a very unusual routine. The recipe for trouble!

Even though there’s not one particular thing that stands out as “The Culprit” behind him adapting, it’s just simply a cumulative effect of less-than-ideal choices. He’s used to more pure and sufficient choices than he has had recently, so his body said, “Enough is enough! I’ll slow you down little man!”

I snapped this little photo of him once he had finally crashed yesterday – a good two and a half hour nap!
He earned that sleep! Time for some healing.

(Mom, by the way, was once again reminded to that things are not “special treats” if they move our kids away from health. I take responsibility!)

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Specific Foods I’d Have A Child Labeled with ADD/ADHD Avoid

August 30, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

I think there’s more to ADD/ADHD than just diet and nutrition.

For example, we know that proper movement produces proprioception – it’s food for the brain. Proprioception essentially runs the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the “leader” of the rest of the brain.

In addition to stimulating the release of “feel-good” hormones, like serotonin, proprioception also stimulates the learning, attention, memory and mood centers of the brain.

Movement cannot be overlooked when it comes to helping a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Sticking a child in a chair for the entire school day, or allowing them to park it on the couch for extended periods of time works in direct opposition to creating optimal brain function.

That being said, many parents want to know exactly what foods they should be avoiding in order to help their kids diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

The first focus needs to be on what to make sure we’re INCLUDING in their diets, then focusing on what to reduce or eliminate.

To include:
1. Real food vs. fake, factory foods. The majority of our diets should consist of protein (meat, fish, eggs, nuts & seeds), fats/oils (real butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, nuts & nut butters – almond is great, avocado, essential fatty acids – omega 3), vegetables, fruit and pure water.
2. Whole foods and foods closest to their naturally occurring state. E.g. whole free-range eggs, grass-fed meats, whole fat grass-fed dairy.
3. Pure, less-toxic foods. E.g. organic, and food grown/raised without pesticides, steroids, hormones, antibiotics, nitrates/nitrites, etc.
4. Fresh, local, seasonal foods. About half (or more) of our diets in raw form.

Then, I’d make sure a child wasn’t regularly consuming foods that contain:
High fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, trans fats, hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils and fats, refined grains, refined sugar, added conventional salt, and artificial flavors.

The biggest food culprits tend to be:
Pop, juice, sports drinks, junk food, fast food, snack foods, cereal, breads, crackers, conventional grains – not just wheat, dairy, meat & eggs, modern soy foods, corn, diet food, fat-free or low-fat foods, sugar-free foods, “health”/sports/energy bars and snacks, isolated proteins.

I would have a child eat a balanced meal or snack every few hours – each meal and snack including protein with it’s naturally occurring fat and fresh fiber (veggies or fruit). I’d only have the child drinking pure water, unless you’re doing your own vegetable (or fruit) juicing.

If your child is consuming dairy, I’d make sure it’s not conventional and I’d not even bother if it’s low-fat or fat-free. We need the fat soluble vitamins found in the whole fat for optimal brain development and function, as well as countless other heath-promoting functions in the body.

The hormones, steroids, nitrates/nitrites found in conventional meats and dairy can wreak havoc on a developing brain and body. We can find cleaner sources in many mainstream grocery stores now. If not, plenty of sources are available online.

Finally, supplementing with a very high quality fish oil to restore balance to the brain’s chemistry is a critical piece of the puzzle. Purity and sufficiency are the two keys to proper supplementation. Don’t waste your money on ‘cheap’ corner store or discount warehouse brands that are not only deficient on proper nutrient profiles, but are also mostly toxic.

Most people who take a supplement like fish oil aren’t taking enough to meet their body’s innate genetic requirements, and they’re taking a toxic brand. Taking more of this low quality brand only creates more toxicity.

You get what you pay for with nutritional supplements. In the case of helping a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, the quality of fish oil is of the utmost importance.

The most successful approach to reversing the indications of ADD/ADHD is one that addresses all the components of lifestyle: nutrition, movement and mindset.

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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

August 30, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online 2 Comments
Loopy offspring

With the onset of another school year, many parents are concerned with ADD and ADHD. Rightly so. This is a label placed upon (mostly) children at ever-increasing rates.

It’s challenging for me to buy into the idea of a diagnosis for which there is no quantitative test, and for which part of the affirmative diagnosis involves a change in behavior in response to the ‘appropriate’ medication.

Of course I wholeheartedly believe that there are countless children who fit the parameters of these conditions. I am not ignorant, nor do I live on the moon. I’m just not convinced that these behaviors are indications of a shortage in Ritalin or its sister drugs.

Also, I fully understand that the prescribed medication most certainly does change the way the child behaves. I respectfully understand that giving the child the prescribed medication has changed the dynamic of many families in a very positive way. Again, no ignorance here.

In the case of the drugs used, I’m simply not convinced they’re in the best interest of a child’s long-term health, function and happiness. Also, I’m not convinced that other lifestyle changes couldn’t accomplish the same positive changes in a child, without the negative consequences. All drugs change some function of the body, so it’s no “surprise” that a child would act differently once on the drug. The question is, does the drug address the cause of the problem? Does it contribute to better health… or does it cause harm? What’s the desired outcome? Is it just to change behavior? Or is it to change behavior while protecting, and possibly improving, health?

Real questions that each family needs to address.

What I tend to consistently see in the vast majority of children diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, or anxiety disorders is that the child is out of balance in one or more major elements of a healthy lifestyle.

Optimal health and function, including mental and emotional health, require consistently making pure and sufficient choices in nutrition, movement and mindset. This optimal function is also dependent upon reducing or eliminating toxic and deficient choices in lifestyle.

This ideal scenario is unfortunately not the norm in a growing number of families living in industrialized, affluent countries.

We have kids growing up eating unbalanced toxic diets, loaded with refined grains, sugar, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and trans fats/hydrogenated fats. Kids’ diets are loaded with nutrient-deficient and toxic cereal, bread, junk foods, convenience snack foods, fast food, pop, juice, sports drinks, low-fat and fat-free conventional dairy products, toxic conventional meat and eggs, and so much more.

Meanwhile, they’re missing out on the innate genetic requirements for nutritional health: REAL food, whole food, food closest to its naturally occurring state, pure foods and fresh, raw foods.

The average North American diet results in a devastating imbalance of the critical essential fatty acids, omega 6 and omega 3. This is the healthy fat that’s required for the brain to function normally. It must exist in a healthy ratio of 1:1, omega 6:omega 3, or 2:1. But, we’re commonly seeing diets where the ratio is 20:1 and higher. The brain cannot function properly under these conditions.

The modern diet has excessive omega 6 essential fatty acids and is dangerously deficient in omega 3′s. Trans fats found in virtually all conventional “factory” foods, junk food, fast food, snack foods, crackers, and so on are the reason we become so toxic with omega 6. We’re deficient in our natural sources of omega 3 since we no longer regularly consume enough deep cold-water wild fish, grass-fed meats and free-range eggs.

The nutritional answer, that directly changes the brain “chemistry”, is to supplement with pure and sufficient fish oil, add more pure food sources (like deep, cold-water fish, grass-fed meats and free-range whole eggs) to the regular diet, while simultaneously reducing or eliminating toxic foods that poison us and send us into such a dangerous imbalance of brain fats.

Kids are more sedentary than at any other time in history. While technology has granted us countless blessings, computers, television, movies, video games, cell phones, and many other offshoots of the technological age have resulted in kids sitting on their gluteal regions for far too long each day!

It also begs the question, “What’s going into our kids’ minds on a regular basis?” What kind of images, words, attitudes are they learning through these activities. Sure, some of it is beneficial. But, c’mon! Most of it is questionable at best. It has a very real effect on the way children see their world and how they respond to it.

Daily challenging movement is a requirement for health and a requirement for normal function of the brain. Movement generates proprioception which literally ‘feeds’ the brain. In addition to many other health-promoting effects, proprioception from movement stimulates the neurological pathways that stimulate learning, memory, attention and balanced emotions.

Finally, children and adults alike must nurture their mental, emotional, social and spiritual health. Kids need regular input of positive, empowering, uplifting, fulfilling thoughts and need to avoid and/or have a reliable way to offset the effects of toxic, stressful thoughts and emotions.

I believe that a sincere, consistent effort must be made to:
1. Feed children a balanced diet full of real, whole, pure foods with little toxicity – this includes supplementing with a very high quality fish oil and avoiding the biggest toxic offenders like high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, refined grains, refined sugar, trans fats, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils.
2. Provide opportunities for daily movement and exercise.
3. Focus attention on their overall happiness and their ability to appropriately respond to the stressors in their environment.

If all these requirements for health and function are being met I’d expect to see drastic improvement in a child’s behavior, moods, outlook on life and ability to respond appropriately to the world around them. We owe it to our kids to pull out all the stops when helping them achieve better health and brain function. We live in a culture that is all too quick to medicate rather than address the underlying causes. In life-saving endeavors this is justified. In the case of a child’s lifetime of health, this is unnerving.

Healthy choices result in health. Help your kids make healthier choices in nutrition, movement and mindset.

(FYI: You can find my personal recommendations for superior nutritional supplements on our practice website www.LifetimeWellness.net in the Wellness Proshop tab along the left side of the page.)


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Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, Kids' Exercise, Fitness and Movement, Kids' Nutrition Tagged With: , , ,

Ear Infection… or Not!

April 3, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Well, no more indication of an ear infection with my daughter.  It was all pretty short lived – a couple of days.

Funny, in talking about the issue in our practice with a few different folks, it’s interesting to see how our conditioning and belief systems drastically affect the way we see things.

On one hand, the people who believe that we were born with an innate intelligence and self-healing ability (part of our Master Design), think, “Oh that’s great! Her body obviously healed itself quickly and effectively!”

On the other hand, the people who have overlooked or have lost faith in our self healing ability think, “It was probably not an ear infection in the first place (‘cuz the body couldn’t possibly have recovered like that on its own)!”

Either way, I personally don’t care! My little girl feels a lot better! That’s what matters most to me!

It IS interesting to me though that the same folks with the belief system that tends to forget our self healing ability, and who think it probably wasn’t an infection in the first place, are often extremely quick to give credit to a drug for doing the “healing”. Interesting.

I can just imagine that if I had put our daughter on antibiotics a few days ago, and her symptoms were gone a day or two later, it would have been assumed that THAT’S the reason she’s feeling better! There would have been no question that it was infection, in that case! (Trust me, I’ve seen and heard this time and time again in practice!)

Right… had nuthin’ to do with a healthy diet, getting adjusted, sufficient rest, regular movement, hydrogen peroxide in her ears… nahhhh. Couldn’t possibly be those things! Must’ve never been an infection in the first place!

It’s all good! I honor each person for their unique belief systems and I respect their unique opinions. It’s what makes the world go round. Besides, if we all agreed, I’d have nothing to write about most of the time!!

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages Tagged With: , , ,

Ear Infection Update

March 31, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

My daughter’s ear isn’t bothering her nearly as much today. Except for – get this – when she hiccups!

I said, “What?! When you HICCUP? How about when you cough or sneeze or swallow?”

She said, “Nope. Not at all. Only when I hiccup.”

OK, so have you been hiccuping often today?”

“No, not really much at all.”

“OK then… hmmm… I’m thinking it’s not too much of a problem if it only hurts when you hiccup, honey!”

“Ok, mom. You’re the doctor!”

I think she needs more fish oil… what a little goof ball!

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages Tagged With: , , , ,

A Different Approach to Ear Infections

March 31, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Well, it appears as though, after almost 7 years, we might have the first ear infection in our family. Not a bad run!

Is it an infection for sure? Who knows. It’s a bit red, not overly swollen, but it has been bothering her quite a bit. It has also come hand in hand with a big cough and profuse amounts of stuff exiting her nose! (Better out than in, I say!) So who really knows if it’s an ear infection or part of some other viral “cold” expressing itself. I know my ears get agitated when I develop a cold. Point is, I’m not a fan of labeling things so quickly… just so a drug can be prescribed… especially without a valid diagnostic procedure. I’m just sayin’…

So, how am I going to approach this… being all natural ‘n stuff!!?!

1) Well, I already said the first thing: we’re not rushing in to the medical doc for a prescription.

2) She’s getting very frequent specific Chiropractic adjustments, particularly at C1 and C2, to remove any neurological interference  and help her body’s innate healing abilities do their thing.

3) No junk. TONS of healthy veggies, as well as protein, healthy fats and fruit. Water only (that’s nothing new!)  In other words, clean, clean, clean diet to help her body focus on healing rather than on processing garbage.

4) Double and triple doses of fish oil.

5) Hydrogen peroxide drops in her ear(s).

6) Massage of her neck, the base of her skull and upper back. To be more specific, ‘stripping’ of the lymphatic chain that runs along the sides of her neck. This is light, downward ‘manual encouragement’ or light massage, that stimulates the lymphatic system to assist the body in releasing toxins.

7) If she gets really uncomfortable, I’ll use warm compresses on her ear, and possibly some warm olive oil.

8) Gargle with Agrisept or sea salt.

9) Common sense parenting things like: lay low for a bit, get sufficient rest, wear a hat, be nice to your mother…

10) Monitor her – cuz who knows our child better than us! If she looks like she’s not getting better after a ‘reasonable’ amount of time, we can re-evaluate. We can always take her to a medical doc if she’s ‘losing the battle’ against the infection or other symptoms.  Fever, by the way, is not a reason for us to take her anywhere for medical care – it’s a natural defense of the body to fight infection. I wouldn’t interfere with that powerful physiological process with drugs or any intervention unless the fever was extremely high and not coming down AND she’s suffering, other than the expected lethargy. If a fever ever got up around 104-105 in this house, I’d keep the core of the body covered and warm, and lightly scrub the extremities with arnica or real lemon juice diluted to assist the body in reducing the temperature while still fighting the infection.

Would I be perfectly calm and unconcerned if either of my children had a fever of 104-105? Get real! No – it would concern me, for sure. Last time I checked, I’m still a pretty regular mommy… just a different paradigm regarding health. It still worries me when one of my kids is ailing in any way. The difference is that I’m often equally, if not more, worried about the effects of conventional treatment and the overall influence of that particular paradigm. I’m more confident in the power of God’s design and how incredibly it will respond when provided the optimal environment for health and healing. I’m also more confident in and comfortable with ‘treatments’ that don’t add additional toxic stress to the body.

Of course, if push came to shove, and we had tried all-things-natural, and had given the body enough time to heal on its own (but it wasn’t), and we could get worse as a result of NOT participating in a medical intervention, we’d be on board.

The Center for Disease Control repeatedly confirms that the vast majority of ear ‘infections’ are viral in nature… nothing a medical doc can do for that. (Refer to steps 1-9) We’re not idiots, though! Science, research and statistics support our choices… but we’d never let our children suffer needlessly. If we thought something within conventional allopathy could help in some way, we’re there, baby!

God created us with an amazing, miraculous ability to heal… as long as we don’t get in the way of that process!

My job, as a mom, is to help remove the obstacles to my child’s healing potential… I’m planning on letting her innate intelligence do the rest!

stay tuned…

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages Tagged With: , , , ,

Best Defense Against the Flu

March 5, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Yet another news story reminding us that the mass vaccination against the flu approach is failing.

So, what are we to do?

Yes, the flu can be devastating in some circumstances. No, I never, ever minimize that. It’s not devastating in the VAST majority of cases – can’t forget that. But if it were my kid, or my parent, I wouldn’t care how many cases we’re talking about.

Historically, when we look as far back as the great flu epidemic, there is one “cure” that has consistently worked and saved lives.

Being healthy.

Again, I’m not minimizing a thing when it comes to the flu or the grief it has caused some families.

I AM maximizing the effects of optimal health: nutrition, exercise & movement, rest & relaxation, mindset & attitude, stress management, cleansing & detoxifying, social health, emotional health, spiritual health, body weight & fat percentage, toxicity levels and so on. HEALTH.

Until the day arrives that there IS a vaccine for the flu that is: (1) safe, and (2) effective – and, NO, that day most certainly has NOT arrived – our best bet to avoid the flu, and any other illness or dis-ease, is to create radiant, abundant health.

Sickness doesn’t like to live in healthy bodies… there’s not much for it to do there!

How do you go about creating health? Remember, add Purity and Sufficiency to the way you move, the way you eat and the way you think. This is what meets our bodies’ innate genetic requirements for health. That’s the VERY simple summary.

When you create a healthy “soil” within your body, the “weeds” of dis-ease don’t tend to grow there. Your body becomes highly resistant to invaders! You efficiently ward off oncoming attacks.

This is why the “germ theory” is such a farce. If it were valid, we’d all be sick, all the time. Every person would “catch” EVERYthing that’s going around. We know this simply isn’t the case. There’s always someone (often many) who DON’T catch what’s going around. If your system is strong, it will defend. The germ theory can’t be valid then. This is good news.

Of course, it’s tough to defend, day in and day out, week after week, if you’re surrounded by people who are constantly “sick”. There are limitations to matter! If you’re not diligently re-fueling with the ingredients and requirements for massive health, your body can become run down and less able to defend itself.

Whatever the situation, the conditions, the environment, my recommendation is still the same. Build health. Constantly. Diligently.

When you’re doing your best to create this abundance of health for yourself and your family, you can breathe quite a bit more easily when you see all the news reports about how ineffective vaccines are. You’re already doing the most powerful things to avoid sickness anyhow. More powerful than vaccination.

I hope someday that we DO have a safe, effective answer to many illnesses. As long as we remain so toxic and deficient, personally and globally, I think it’ll be hard to come by. Maybe if they were to focus the purpose of a vaccine on Purity and Sufficiency we’d get somewhere!!!

No, wait. That’s called Healthy Lifestyle – can’t put that in a drug form!!! (betcha’ someone will try, though!)Pharmaceuticals are a MEGA industry – if there’s money to be made, we’ll see it in prescription form soon enough!

Can you imagine?  “M’am… I’m sorry, you can’t buy that organic broccoli without a prescription from your doctor… you’ll need a prescription to join the gym… or drink bottled water!!” Funny thought!

Here’s the recent article that got me thinking about this flu vaccination topic again…

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/140786.php

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, General Health and Well Being Tagged With: , ,

Jenny McCarthy Speaking Out About Botox, Playboy and Autism

March 1, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online 3 Comments

Yesterday, I saw that Jenny McCarthy had made headline news again. This time, she was primarily talking about how she’s grateful for Botox to keep her looking young, and how she doesn’t plan to take her clothes off for Playboy, or anyone else, anytime soon!

Neither of these things concern me too much. I can’t even imagine the pressure that actors, performers and models must feel to look flawless… and ageless. No, I don’t think Botox is healthy. But it sure does have an effect.

Anyhow, what I found the most interesting about the article (as usual) were the comments readers made following the article. The hottest topic of conversation was autism… and whether Jenny’s son was truly “cured”, or whether he was “misdiagnosed” in the first place.

I found it simultaneously ridiculous AND sad that many nay-sayers can’t believe that anyone could possibly reverse their condition through strict lifestyle improvements. Why on earth is that so far-fetched? So, here’s this population that believes – since Jenny and her son’s solution didn’t come in a prescription bottle from someone in a white coat wearing a stethoscope – that it must be dismissed as “new age” Hollywood fluff.

How strange.

It’s as simple as reducing toxicity from the body while adding purity and sufficiency. Health is the result.

What’s so difficult about that?

Does this “simple” approach solve everyone’s autism? Don’t be ridiculous! You know me better than that! Every single situation is unique. Every single person on the planet has a different, intricately woven series of cell ‘memories’ that will directly and indirectly effect what they are doing (eating, breathing, thinking) right NOW. We can’t possibly know exactly what THE exact answer is for every person with autism – or any other condition for that matter.

BUT, we DO know for certain that the less toxicity (accumulated as well as current), the less deficiency, the more purity and sufficiency in our lifestyle choices… the greater our health and function will be. More health equals less room for dysfunction as dis-ease.

No matter what the diagnosis is, every single person on the planet will get healthier as a result of following this physiologically sound “Wellness Formula”, based on our innate genetic requirements for health.

I think Jenny is a great mom. She’s taking a lot of heat for being so outspoken against the mafia of the vaccine industry. So be it. She’s doing what she feels is best for her child and for the countless others diagnosed with autism.

Here’s the little article I read:

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/jenny-mccarthy-on-playboy-botox-husband-jim-carrey/19433

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, News to Know Tagged With: , , , ,

Are We Really “Sick” When We Have The Common Cold or Flu?

February 16, 2009 By Dr. Mom Online 2 Comments

Recently, one of my home school science lessons with our daughter was based on how animals adapt to their environment for survival purposes.

 

The lesson described how animals will change a variety of things about themselves in order to “adapt to” or change in response to what’s happening around them. Some examples were: shedding, hibernation, changing color, and so on.

 

My daughter and I discussed how perfect ‘nature’ is and how truly amazing the innate intelligence of both animals and humans is. We agreed that God’s pretty cool!

 

Up until this point, I had decided that I wouldn’t somehow turn this science lesson about animals into another “mom health lesson”! It would have been SO easy….

 

You see, in our family, we don’t say the word “sick” very often. In fact, it’s rare. The kids know that if they have a runny nose, or a cough, or they have a little upset tummy, it’s their body “adapting” to the environment.

 

We’ve said this since the kids were born. The only reason we ‘had’ to teach them to refer to being ‘sick’ was so that people outside our home and wellness practice would understand what on earth they were talking about!!

 

The whole “I’m sick” thing is just a simple sticking point with their daddy and me. It actually had nothing to do with our kids – it’s a mindset, and a paradigm shift, we’ve been teaching in our practice for years.

 

For example, if you experience a runny nose, a cough, and feel wiped out, the common terminology is that you have a “cold” and that you’re “sick”.

 

But ARE you?

 

Are you really “sick” or is your body just responding perfectly to its environment? Is your body simply “adapting” to what it’s being exposed to? Quite often, if you choose to think about it, that “cold” didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. Usually, it follows a period of stress, deficiency of sleep and relaxation, improper care of the immune system, poor nutrition, a change in seasons, exposure to a toxic environment, and so on. Sure, it may have something to do with ‘everyone’ around you having a cold… BUT, that certainly doesn’t mean you’ll develop it. Nope, not at all.

 

It results from excess toxicity and deficiency and a lack of purity and sufficiency. Just like every other disease and condition of lifestyle.

 

If your choices and external environment have resulted in a toxic and deficient internal environment, you’re much more likely to develop every little (and big) thing going around.

 

Although you certainly don’t enjoy how you feel as your body is adapting to its environment, it IS a perfect physiological adaptation. Whatever the cumulative effect of our internal and external environments is, our body will respond accordingly.

 

So, is our body actually “sick”, which implies some malfunction?? Or is it demonstrating perfect health by responding appropriately to the environment?

 

The point is, the vast majority of the time, our bodies are displaying a perfectly healthy physiological adaptation to the environment.

 

So, what’s our beef with that? It’s the prevailing mindset… it’s the paradigm that is so sad, and frightening. We’ve been suspended in this disbelief long enough! We’re convinced that if we have the slightest symptom (body signal), that we must need drugs to suppress it. Feeling less-than-perfect apparently requires medication.

 

What is that?? How does that create health? What kind of a message does that send to children?

 

I don’t like symptoms any better than the next guy, but I usually understand why they’re there. Our body will display symptoms (body signals) in response to a Wellness equation out of balance: when the amount of toxicity and deficiency our environment is exposed to becomes excessive and surpasses or overrides the effects of purity and sufficiency in our environment.

 

Haven’t met a drug yet that can increase purity and sufficiency or decrease toxicity and deficiency!! Kinda’ have to handle that one on your own!

 

Back to the home schooling lesson…

 

As I said, I had decided to pass on this profound connection between animal adaptation and human immune system adaptation. I kept the soap box safely tucked away!

 

We had successfully finished the lesson and were discussing the details to insure my daughter had fully comprehended things. Then she was quiet for a few moments. I thought she had gone into a brain haze!

 

Instead, she turned to me and said, “I totally get why you and daddy always say, ‘you’re not SICK… you’re adapting!’… It’s just like with the animals. Only what WE’RE adapting to is the crappy environment we create… like crappy foods and not getting enough sleep and not exercising and watching too much crappy television and having a bad attitude… right?”

 

By George, I think she’s got it!! (I don’t think I ever explained it using the word “crappy”, though!)

 

She continued, “We’re really not sick at all when our bodies have a cold or the sniffles… or even a flu virus. Our body is doing exactly what it should do to respond to that lousy environment that we created! That’s what a normal, healthy body does.”

 

Exactly!

 

I tried to soften the edges for her a bit by reminding her that we don’t consciously choose to feel lousy! It’s not actually our “fault”. Yes, it’s often a result of toxic and deficient choices we make in the way we move, eat and think… but it’s also our larger environment that we don’t have much direct control over. Also, very few people have ever been told that their choices will directly or indirectly determine their health. Most people will never hear that from their parents, their family doc or from mainstream media. Sad.  It robs them of the opportunity to proactively create their own health.

 

The way we teach it here, “sick” happens when your body starts to lose the battle. When the response to the environment becomes overwhelming to the body, or the body isn’t able to meet the demands.

 

Really, “sick” doesn’t happen very often at all, when you look at it that way. Even when it does, the solution doesn’t lie in adding more toxicity and deficiency and ignoring purity and sufficiency. We don’t get “sick” because of a shortage of drugs and medication in our bloodstream!! We don’t get healthy because of adding them.

 

Health comes from within.

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, General Health and Well Being, The Home School Life Tagged With: , , ,

The Story Behind Child Drug Prescriptions

December 11, 2008 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Do you ever wonder why on earth SO many children are being prescribed drugs for “mental” disorders and conditions? Have our children suddenly become so depressed, agitated, anxious and incapable of dealing with their lives – without drugs – in the last decade or two?

 

Then again, I wonder the same thing about grown-ups. The only difference is, children are more innocent. Adults are making their health care and drug decisions FOR them. The way I see it, they don’t have a chance. Especially the children who are in some type of state care or program – victims of a corrupt system (the pharmaceutical industry and the various doctors and “researchers” on their payroll).

 

Are there certain situations where a drug might actually help a child? Oh, I’m sure there are. I think it’s absolutely insane, the number of children on drugs now, though. Especially all the psychotropic drugs. We have NO business prescribing these dangerous drugs to children when the vast majority of the drugs have never been tested for use with this age group. How do they get away with this unscientific, highly profitable business?

 

You know me, I always like to start with more foundational components of health BEFORE we start adding a synthetic chemical cocktail to the equation! How about improving the diets of kids – reducing toxic garbage going in and add some real, healthy foods; get kids moving daily; limit the amount of toxic “brain food” they’re exposed to e.g. junk television, video and various forms of media, etc.; give kids the right environment for proper rest, ideal emotional support, safety and free time for recreation, friendships and chilling out.

 

I totally get that the aforementioned scenario isn’t realistic for many, many families. OK. Even so, I still don’t think that kids should be placed on these tested-only-on-adults drugs as the very next step in the process. Holy cow! There’s gotta’ be something between “I don’t have the time or money to cook healthy meals for my kids… I’m working 3 jobs just to pay the mortgage!” and “OK, let’s put little Johny on Prozac ‘cuz he seems stressed.”

 

I absolutely do NOT hold parents, as a whole, responsible for this insanity. They’re just part of a bigger, more dangerous system. I think the way drug companies operate is repulsive. I wish family docs would offer more lifestyle recommendations rather than drugs. Doesn’t anyone want to address the cause of the problem? I’m almost certain that the cause is NOT a deficiency of psychotropic drugs in the bloodstream of these kids!

 

Anyhow, all these thoughts came to the surface recently when I read this article on www.Mercola.com. Check it out:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/06/conflict-of-interest-rampant-in-child-drug-prescriptions.aspx

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages Tagged With: ,

When Would You Take Your Child to the Doctor?

December 6, 2008 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

I had an interesting conversation with another mom at gymnastics the other night. She and I were discussing various health-related topics, when she suddenly turned to me and said, “Wait a minute… do you EVER take your kids to a doctor?!”

 

“I AM a doctor!”, I was thinking!! But I knew she wasn’t talking about the regular Chiropractic care our kids receive from my husband and I.

 

I sheepishly responded, “Well…. they’ve never been to one, if that’s what you’re asking!”

 

Then I remembered that there was that one time, when our daughter had just turned 1. We took her in to see a friend of ours (a family doc) just to confirm what we had already suspected – she had developed Rubella after exposure to a recently vaccinated child. He didn’t have to do any tests, and she certainly wasn’t prescribed anything. She was fine… we knew she was fine. We were leaving for a trip the next day and wanted a 3rd opinion about taking her on the airplane. The whole thing is done and over with in 3-5 days. No biggie at all. Life time immunity. Even our doc said that he can’t understand why on earth we vaccinate against Rubella! We went on our trip the next day and everything was perfect.

 

Anyhow, I digress!

 

My fellow gymnastics mommy friend was listening with very wide eyes as we talked about various childhood illnesses and how we ‘handle’ them in our house. Let me point out, by the way, she is one smart cookie and a very healthy person to begin with. It’s not like the concept of natural health was far-fetched for her.

 

She rattled off some “But what about….?” questions pertaining to specific conditions and I explained that my answer to each and every one of those is the same. First, let’s see how their bodies handle the situation on their own. Most ‘conditions’ are self-limiting and the usually-healthy body is perfectly capable of dealing with them highly effectively. Anyone who understands human physiogy and immunology will tell that this is the preferred method of ‘treatment’ – it’s what builds powerful immune systems. This is what I’d call “Tier One” of our approach.

 

“Tier Two” would be set into action only if it didn’t seem like the kids were getting better on their own after some REASONABLE amount of time. I don’t get a jumpy ‘trigger finger’ here. I think when we jump in to ‘treat’ things too quickly, without affording our bodies the opportunity to do so on their own, we lose a chance a creating a stronger system overall.  This principle rings true whether the ‘treatment’ is allopathic or holistic. So, in Tier Two, I would pull out a natural remedy of some sort. For example, hydrogen peroxide for a potential ear infection, or to gargle with for a sore throat, or honey/lemon for a cough, or euclyptus oil on their feet at night for a cold or cough (yes, it works), or Agrisept for any of the above.

 

I knew what was coming next. “But what about something really serious, like strep throat or a high fever? Would you take them to the doctor then?” Well, neither of them have been officially diagnosed with strep throat. We haven’t really had to deal with many sore throats (or ears, for that matter) at all. I’d have them gargle with Agrisept, put it in their water or smoothie, and put it in a humidifier… the stuff kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, candida… it’s awesome! I used it for strep throat when I was pregnant and it cleared up within a day and a half. Many, many of our practice members tell similar stories.

 

In the case of a high fever, nope. Not going to a doctor. High fever is the innate design we were provided with to allow our bodies to fight off any invading infection. Fever “burns off the bad guys.” I’m not giving them anything for a fever… why on earth would I want to suppress it if it’s helping their bodies? I’ve had many doctors and nurses in our practice confirm (for other parents who couldn’t it!) that the body temperature needs to get up to 101 – 102 degrees for a fever to even become effective at doing its job! 

 

The conditions surrounding the fever need to be considered as well. How long has the fever been present? Is it spiking high or remaining high? Is the child just lethargic and mopey, or he/she becoming completely delerious (hard to tell the difference with my two nutburgers sometimes!)? Also, sometimes very minor infections will cause a high temp, while a more serious condition may cause very little change in temp. Guess that’s why I don’t get all bent out of shape about fevers!

 

NOW, let’s talk about Tier Three. IF I ever thought for a second that my children were in danger, of COURSE I’d take them to a medical doctor!!!!! If the fever continued to rise for days and days, and the child didn’t appear to be ‘winning the battle’ after a few days, even after Tier Two (which would include dressing them warmly in their core areas, but exposing their limbs, then rubbng their limbs with arnica or lemon juice to help the body release some heat while continuing to work on the cause of the problem… ONLY if I’m convinced it’s getting to be too much for them), then I’d take them somewhere for further evaluation. Heaven forbid. Or, if the fever got up to 105 for too long, or higher… First, I’m still just going to be very, VERY carefully observing MY child because I know MY child better than anyone. I also care the most, so I’m not going to be an idiot.

 

It’s the same with anything they could throw at me: if it doesn’t go away on its own, and a natural approach isn’t helping enough, and my child seems endangered in some way, I’d take them to our very holistic, very common-sense oriented friend-doctor.

 

What if antiobiotics were prescribed for a PROVEN bacterial infection? (Remember, the VAST majority of infections in the head, neck and chest areas are VIRAL, not bacterial!) Again, I trust several other remedies for safer bacterial fighting. BUT, if I HAD to put the kids on antiobiotics for any reason, they would definitely be taking high dose probiotics and eating more-than-usual probiotic-rich foods to repair the damage caused by the antibiotics.

 

The one time I don’t hesitate about taking them to a “medical” person or place is in the case of a serious trauma. When the body has been acutely traumatized in some way (broken bones, deep lacerations, etc.) this is no time for a boo-boo pack, Dora and Diego band-aids and aloe vera juice! The safer, natural approaches will come in very handy in helping the body heal… but first, it needs to be mended!

 

We’ve been to the emergency clinic in our town 3 times for various lacerations that have all required stitches or glue. Not a question in my mind that it was the necessary action to take.

 

You might have guessed that we did not fill the prescriptions for pain meds and antibiotics. We prefer careful observation and providing the environment for the body to heal properly, with no interference, and no need to develop infection.

 

So, my friend just nodded her head at me and said, “You know, that makes a lot of sense. I think I get caught up in the fear of ‘what if’ too quickly and don’t give it a chance to work itself out.”

 

Believe me, I’m a mother. I know the fear.

 

I think the major difference is that I not only worry about my children suffering in some way (like all parents do), but I’m afraid of the conventional system’s approach toward my children when it comes to simple childhood illnesses! I’d never assume they’re safer in the hands of “the doctor” or hospital. With very few exceptions, I’d have to say, quite the opposite is true.

 

I have much more faith in the innate design and capability to heal. It’s not at all a ‘religious’ thing – it’s a common sense, physiological fact thing! Kids who are healthy, happy and are in a healthy environment – they eat well, move well and think well – will generally have few challenges in handling childhood illnesses flawlessly, WITHOUT the need for harmful drugs.

 

One cannot overlook the massive benefits of including regular Chiropractic care in a health regime for children, as well as adults, of course. In addition to moving well, eating well and thinking well, Chiropractic adjustments are an integral part of the equation in keeping our children very healthy. When it appears that some type of virus, infection or other indication of a ‘challenge’ may be on the horizon for either of our children, we simply adjust them more frequently. This helps their body better handle whatever it’s dealing with, usually nipping the whole thing in the bud. The Chiropractic adjustment is part of the foundation of health, part of Tier One, Tier Two AND Tier Three. When would the Nervous System NOT benefit from less interference and better input??? That’s right – that’s why Chiropractic is a REGULAR thing around here!

 

Maybe more attention needs to be placed on creating that healthy environment for children so this type of self-healing and independence from drugs and excessive visits to the doctor can happen more readily. Just a thought!

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages Tagged With: , , , ,

Why Flu Shots for Kids Don’t Work

November 4, 2008 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Yes, our kids both just went through some type of stomach virus last week. No, I won’t consider vaccinating them with the flu shot!

 

Unless, of course, I can read one truly scientific -unbiased- shred of evidence that can prove the safety and efficacy of the flu shot (or any other vaccine). Until then, no vaccine.

 

For the record, I believe vaccinations are a choice that each family needs to make, based on accurate, truthful and current information. I don’t think the choice should be mandated by government or health authorities, and I despise the ongoing movement to frighten parents into vaccinating their kids. If something is truly right, we shouldn’t need scare tactics.

 

I truly respect the parents who research both sides of the vaccine issue thoroughly… and make whatever decision is right for their child. Just like I’d hope that readers here would respect our decision, after years of research.

 

Anyhow, my son was barfy for half a day, then was perfectly fine. My daughter was pukey-la-roo for about 45 minutes, and that was the end of that. Maybe it was “the flu”, maybe it wasn’t. I’m not much into labelling conditions anyhow, so it really doesn’t matter what it was called! Seems like the main reason we label a condition these days is so that we can drug it!

 

Either way, we added the ingredients for health – purity and sufficiency – and decreased toxic and deficient choices.

 

I wanted to share an interesting article and commentary from Mercola.com regarding the flu shot for children. Whether you agree with Dr. Mercola or not, it gives your brain some more information to “chew on”… and I like that! Thinking is a good thing!

 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/11/01/why-flu-shots-for-kids-don-t-work.aspx

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, News to Know Tagged With: ,

Cell Phones Increase Children’s Risk of Brain Cancer

October 14, 2008 By Dr. Mom Online 1 Comment

Do you let your child use your cell phone? Does your teenager have his or her own cell phone? Did you know that the risks of children developing brain cancer later in life (as a result of cell phone use) is even greater than it is when you and I use cell phones?

 

If your kids are chatting on cell phones, I highly recommend reading this article and follow-up commentary from Dr. Mercola’s website.

 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/10/11/cell-phones-raise-children-s-risk-of-brain-cancer-500-percent.aspx?source=nl

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, General Health and Well Being, News to Know

Vaccinations, Autism, Mercury, Lies and Freedom of Speech – oh my!

October 3, 2008 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

You’ve got to read this article from Dr. Mercola’s site! You’ll never believe what’s happening now in the world of vaccinations, autism, mercury, MMR shots, etc. I’d love to hear THIS discussed in the 2008 presidential campaign… it’s an issue that affects our health, our money, our future and our freedom. 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/10/02/big-pharma-ties-wants-to-shut-down-vaccine-conspiracy-theories.aspx?source=nl

The vaccine issue has become one of the most hotly debated and controversial health topics of our times. Not only are vaccinations a health issue, but with the connection between mercury/thimerosol in the vaccines and conditions like autism, it’s also a very emotional issue as well.

 

Law makers and pharmaceutical giants have their noses in this as well, so there’s BIG money involved and it’s also become an issue of our freedoms – freedom of health care choice and freedom of speech.

 

‘Oh, but wait… silly, naive health care consumer… thimerosol has been removed from vaccines since 1999. ‘

 

Really? Hmmm… guess we need some clarification between what was supposed to happen across the board since 1999 and how much of that has actually happened since then. BIG difference.

 

Kinda’ like the political spin I hear in this presidential election… lots of spin… distorted facts. Nice try though.

 

In theory, vaccinations are a lovely concept! I would LOVE to inject something perfectly safe and effective into my children’s bodies that would insure them immunity from diseases. That’d be just wonderful.

 

But wait – I said “safe and effective”. Well now, we’re no longer talking about vaccinations, ‘cuz there’s zero proof that vaccines are either… and substantial evidence that they’re exactly the opposite.

 

I normally keep a fairly low profile on the vaccine issue. In our wellness practice, we make every effort to encourage parents to educate themselves on BOTH sides of the story. The final choice is theirs. We just provide the information they’re not being given by their trusted family docs and pediatricians. It’s only fair to have all the information before you make a choice that will have life long effects.

 

Free country. Free choice.

 

The times that I find it next-to-impossible to keep my (educated and informed vs. rumor-based and emotional) opinions to myself are when:

1) the vaccine issue is turned into an issue that puts anyone’s freedoms at risk

2) blatant lies are being perpetuated about the safety, efficiency and efficacy of vaccines

3) blatant lies are being perpetuated about the consequences of choosing to NOT vaccinate

 

My kids are not vaccinated. I promise you, they are not the problem. They are not the threat to others’ health. They are healthy. There health is not by some stroke of luck – I proactively lead them in a lifestyle that revolves around eating well, moving well and thinking well. THAT’S how health happens – we can’t inject it, or take a pill for it, or spray something up our noses for it!

 

If they ever get “sick”, I don’t ever think for a second that it must be the lack of toxic vaccines in their bodies that has caused this.

 

I understand the fear that parents feel when faced with this decision. It’s frightening to think what might happen to our kids if we don’t provide them with the best protection. For me, it’s even more frightening to think what might happen to mine if I vaccinate them.

 

Vaccinations and “best protection” are not even remotely synonymous for me. Then again, I’ve spent many years and countless hours pouring over the “real” data and the “real” facts to determine my decision. Not all parents have the time, resources, energy or desire to do the same.

 

Whether or not you choose to vaccinate yourself or your children is YOUR choice. I would never think that a parent would intentionally choose to inject something into their child if they thought it would harm the child in any way. I believe that we make the very best choices for our children with the information and education we have available to us at the time we make those choices.

 

The challenge arises when we’re not provided with accurate, unbiased, scientific or truthful information and education.

 

That’s criminal, in my little ‘ol opinion.

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages, News to Know Tagged With: , , , , ,

Fantastic Vaccine Resources

August 21, 2008 By Dr. Mom Online Leave a Comment

Thought you might like to take a look at some of the greatest resources out there:

Mary Tocco’s site is fabulous – www.childhoodshots.com

World Association for Vaccine Education WAVE http://novaccine.com/
Vaccine Liberation Org. http://www.vaclib.org/
Michigan Opposing Mandatory Vaccines www.momvaccines.info
Autism Research Institute www.autism.com
General vaccine information www.vacinfo.org
BHARE Foundation www.bhare.org
National Vaccine Information Center www.909shot.com http://www.nvic.org
Global Vaccine Institute www.thinktwice.com
Vaccines and the Mercury Content http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm
Anthrax Vaccine Information http://www.noanthraxvaccine.net/
Vaccine Resource Guide http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com
List Medical Journal Articles-Adverse Eventshttp://all-creatures.org/cb/a-vccines.htm
Dispelling Vaccine Myths http://www.mercola.com/2001/aug/18/vaccine_myths.htm
Vaccine Information and Awareness http://home.san.rr.com/via/
Former FDA Employee Dr. John Martin’s “Stealth Virus” Research http://www.ccid.org
PAVE- People Advocating Vaccine Education http://www.vaccines.bizland.com/index.htm
Autism Action Billboards and State Exemptions http://www.vaccinetruth.com/
Canada Vaccine Risk Awareness Group http://www.vran.org/
The Crusador Magazine www.HealthLiesExposed.com
To Purchase Vaccine Books http://www.nelsonsbooks.com/
Other Articles and Resources:

The Best Information on all Vaccines http://novaccine.com
State Information http://www.nvic.org/state-site/state-exemptions.htm
Complete Ingredient List http://www.novaccine.com/vaccine-ingredients/
State Exemptions and Laws http://www.novaccine.com/law-exemptions/
Dr. Phillip Incao-Conference http://www.vran.org/vaccines/doctors/incao.htm
Infant Mortality Rate http://www.vran.org/vaccines/doctors/yazbak-article.htm
Military Vaccine Resource Directory http://www.mvrd.org/
Anthrax Vaccine http://www.mvrd.org/showpage.cfm?ID=3
Baby’s First Shot http://www.vran.org/vaccines/vacing/vac-ing-can.htm
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) -A place to report injury
Small Pox Report- http://www.nvic.org/History/Newsletters/spsmallpox.htm
Polio Vaccine Geonicide in Ugunda http://www.whale.to/a/nkuba.htm
Measles Risks for Children http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s63719.htm
The Risk of Diabetes After Vaccines http://www.vaccines.net/risks.htm
Vaccines Have Been Proven Cause.. http://www.vaccines.net/newpage114.htm
Chronic Illness/Vaccines http://www.nvic.org/Diseases/Chronic_Illness.com
Congressional Hearing Transcriptshttp://www.ctvia.org/index.cfm?folder=149.com
Vaccine Package Inserts http://www.ctvia.org/index.cfm?folder=154
Dryvax Smallpox insert http://www.fda.gov/cber/label/smalwye102502LB
FDA Flu Mist Insert http://www.fda.gov/cber/label/inflmed061703LB.com
Dr. Harold Buttram Genetic Mutation http://www.freeyurko.bizland.com/vacgen.com
Vaccine Site in Spanish http://www.vacunacionlibre.org
General Vaccine Articles of Interest http://www.thepoliticalgroup.com/VaccineDangers.html

Filed Under: Childhood Illnesses, Phases and Stages Tagged With: , ,
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