Food Allergies And Behavioral Problems: Why Your Child Is NOT “Doing It On Purpose”.

If you have a child with behavior problems, I understand your frustration. Not from the perspective you’d think, though. I have no children. However, I used to BE a child with behavior problems.

That’s why I’m offering my eBook  – Food Allergies And Behavioral Problems: Why Your Child Is NOT “Doing It On Purpose” as a free download on my website.

Excerpt: 

Does this sound like your child? He gets good grades in school but seems puzzled by simple directions. She speaks intelligently yet gets lost on the way to the bathroom in a new house. You often have to call your son’s name several times before he turns to look at you and when that doesn’t work, tapping him on the shoulder startles him out of his skin?

Your son is often preoccupied to the point of obsession with one specific topic. Your daughter talks endlessly, doesn’t seem to understand the concept of listening and becomes tearful or agitated when interrupted. Some of the things she says simply make no sense at all!

What about eye contact? Does your daughter stare at others to the point of being rude? Does your son avoid eye contact and refuse to show respect?

Your first thought may have been that your child has a learning disability but tests prove he or she is actually of high intelligence! You may have then suspected hearing was the problem but those tests have come back with a perfect score. Your child often complains of stomach pain but his pediatrician tells you there’s nothing physically wrong with him. At this point, you may have believed the cause to be an emotional disorder or chemical imbalance but the psychiatrist you’ve taken your child to says he can find nothing wrong either and suggests perhaps this is just “attention-seeking behavior”.

Maybe he’s right. The stomachaches aren’t real; they’re just an attempt to get attention. Your daughter is just “acting dumb” by losing her way or misplacing objects. Your son stares at others to intimidate. He just needs more discipline, right?

Wrong.

I can tell you right now that there is a reason your child is acting this way. There is an explanation for the staring or lack of eye contact, the stomach pain, the confusion about social cues, the easy startle reflex and everything else.

Click here to download your free copy.

Photo © Diane Diederich

This article is intellectual property © Jaime A. Heidel 2010

All Rights Reserved

Spicy Gluten Free Pasta & Chard Recipe

Spicy Gluten Free Pasta & Chard

(Serves 4)

1 16oz bag Tinkyada rice pasta (easy-to-digest, best tasting gluten free pasta)

4 Shelton’s turkey breakfast sausage (gluten free, free range turkey) cut into bite-sized pieces

1 bunch Swiss chard (dark, leafy greens are an excellent source of fiber and essential nutrients)

2 garlic cloves (powerful antifungal, antibacterial)

1 red bell pepper

6-10 grape tomatoes

Salt & cayenne pepper to taste (cayenne is a great anti-inflammatory)

½ cup extra virgin olive oil (anti-inflammatory)

¼ cup apple cider vinegar (gluten free)

1-cup plain yogurt (good source of probiotics)

If turkey sausage is in the freezer, lay it out to thaw a bit so it will be easier to cut into bite-sized pieces.

Cook rice pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, fill a large bowl with water, chop up Swiss chard and place it in the water to soak. This will remove the naturally occurring sand and soil in the greens.

Rinse and chop bell pepper and tomatoes. Slice garlic. Lay aside.

Once pasta is finished cooking, drain, rinse with cool water and put in large bowl.

Remove Swiss chard from bowl of water, place in colander and rinse thoroughly. Using paper towel, dry chard, removing as much water as possible to avoid popping when it’s fried.

Chop the 4 turkey sausages into bite-sized pieces. Lightly coat a large skillet with a tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Cook sausages until desired crispness is reached.

Add Swiss chard, bell pepper and garlic, reduce heat stirring occasionally. Once chard has cooked down, remove skillet from heat. Mix into pasta.

Add ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar and 1-cup plain yogurt. Fold in tomatoes and add salt and cayenne to taste.

Serve & enjoy!

For more information on the power of healing foods visit: http://www.itoldyouiwassick.com

This article is intellectual property © Jaime A. Heidel 2010

All Rights Reserved

Lose weight naturally without dieting.

Discover how lose weight naturally without dieting. Click on the photo below to visit my website.

photo © Stockphoto4U

Lose weight by eliminating this ONE thing from your diet.

Lately, some commercials have cropped up touting the purported “safety” of high fructose corn syrup. In one of the advertisements, an attractive young couple is having a picnic in the park. The woman offers her boyfriend an ice pop. He responds by looking at the proffered treat, and then up at her saying, “I thought you loved me.” She says, “I do. Take two bites.” He mentions that the dessert has high fructose corn syrup in it. She asks what’s wrong with that and he goes suddenly quiet, embarrassed that he can’t think of anything to back up his word of caution. Smug, the girlfriend says, “That it’s made from corn, has the same calories as sugar, honey and it’s fine in moderation?”  

The commercial ends with the boyfriend now wanting the treat and an announcer advising the viewers at home to “get the facts.”

Good idea!

Here they are:

Fact 1: High fructose corn syrup is not “natural” as the commercial suggests. It is a synthetic, man-made artificial sweetener.

Fact 2: HFCS has no nutritional value and encourages weight gain since its sugar quickly converts to fat and is stored by the body.

Fact 3: Research shows that HFCS, though sweet enough to cause a blood sugar spike, causes an increase in sugar cravings and fools your body into thinking it’s hungry!

Fact 4: HFCS didn’t replace sugar in the 1970’s because it’s good for you, it’s simply cheaper and easy to transport.

Fact 5: HFCS has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depressed thyroid function.

So, unlike what the makers of this cheap, processed sugar substitute would like you to believe, high fructose corn syrup is not good for you and should be avoided.

High fructose corn syrup is in everything from condiments to yogurt so it’s important to become a label-reader. You’ll find, once your replace the HFCS-laden condiments, juices and desserts with those containing natural sugar, you’ll not only lose weight but you’ll have more energy and notice how much better everything tastes!

For healthy, natural products I recommend check out the Product Review Page on my website.

mad woman with scale © Stock Photo NYC

This article is intellectual property © Jaime A. Heidel 2010

All Rights Reserved

Ten inexpensive alternative treatments for common health problems

Does your trip to the pharmacy to pick up your usual over-the-counter medications and prescriptions cause an acute case of sticker shock? You’re not alone. Below are a list of ten common ailments and their less expensive, alternative treatments. Each tip is designed to save your health and your money! Read on.

Heartburn

 

That terrible burning. That unpleasant taste in your mouth. If you have acid reflux, you’ll do just about anything to get rid of it. If you’re currently taking over-the-counter acid suppressants, you can save money by trying apple cider vinegar. Just one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar twenty minutes before a meal can reduce the overproduction of acid in your system. The best part? Apple cider vinegar costs only 99 cents per bottle! Note: Chronic use of acid suppressants will cause your body to compensate by continuing its overproduction of acid, which will cause a dependency on the over-the-counter drug. Apple cider vinegar does not have this effect.

Acne

It’s hard to put your best face forward when you struggle with breakouts. If you’re currently using an expensive over-the-counter cream, you can save some cash by investing in a small bottle of tea tree oil. Two fluid ounces of this powerful antifungal, antibacterial oil will run anywhere from $7-$10 per bottle. The money-saver? A little goes a long way! Two fluid ounces can last anywhere from six months to a year! Note: If you have sensitive skin, do a ‘patch test’ by placing a minute amount on your inner arm to check for a reaction.

Allergies

Sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat and nose. It’s allergy season and you’re suffering but $1 a pill for over-the-counter allergy relief is a bit much in a tough economy. So, what to do? Head to your local health food store or farmers market and pick up a jar of pure, natural honey processed in an area within 45 miles of your home. Just one teaspoon twice a day helps ease allergy symptoms by getting your system used to minute amounts of pollen in the honey. A months supply commonly costs around $10 and it’s a tried-and-true natural cure that works!

Insomnia

If you suffer from insomnia, you’re not alone. Taking an over-the-counter or prescription sleep aid may cause side-effects and dependency. Valerian is an all-natural herb designed to calm the body and mind when taken in its prescribed dosage. Unlike over-the-counter sleep aids, it is not habit forming and a three month supply of valerian commonly costs just over $6!

Caution:

Do not overdose on valerian. Even though it is a natural herb, it can cause side effects such as vivid dreams, drowsiness, headaches and upset stomach. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not use valerian. If you are currently taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, do not use valerian unless directed by your healthcare practitioner. If you have liver disease, avoid using valerian.

Stress

Between the economy and the current state of the world, all of us are experiencing more than our share of stress. The irony is; stress costs money! Anxiety, insomnia, digestive disorders, headaches, high blood pressure and depression are all common side effects of stress. Medical offices are packed with patients suffering from stress. So how can you save money and yourself? Find a healthy outlet for your stress. Write down the causes of your stress on one side of a piece of paper and some suggested solutions on the other. Having a plan of action creates feelings of empowerment, which can greatly reduce your stress. The cost? Nothing at all!

Skin rashes

Since there are different types of skin rashes, it is important to first find the cause of yours. Red, inflamed, itchy skin could be the result of stress-related dermatitis or an allergic reaction to something in your environment such as latex, alcohol-based creams or chemical-laden sunscreens. Instead of simply masking the symptoms by continuing to purchase over-the-counter creams, I suggest seeing an alternative health practitioner who can get to the source of the problem and eliminate the rash entirely. In the long run, it will be a money and skin-saving choice!

Sinus congestion

Nobody wants to be known as a mouth-breather. If you have blocked sinuses, try a neti pot. A neti pot is a small pot designed to irrigate the nasal passages with saline solution. To use: Insert the tip of a neti pot filled with lukewarm, lightly salted water into one nostril, tilt your head to the side over a sink or basin and allow the solution to drain from the other nostril. This process clear out allergens and mucus from the nose, reducing congestion and post-nasal drip. The cost? A neti pot commonly runs anywhere from $6 to $20. The savings? Unlike most sinus remedies, you only have to buy one!

Back pain/inflammation

It hurts to bend. It hurts to stand. Millions of people suffer with chronic back pain. If you’re one of them, there is a natural, inexpensive treatment for the inflammation that is causing your pain. Omega 3 is a natural anti-inflammatory that has none of the side effects of over-the-counter pain relievers. And, unlike OTC pain relievers, Omega 3 helps the body to heal naturally instead of simply masking the symptoms. The savings here? A three-month supply of Omega 3 costs under $6!

Hypertension (High blood pressure)

High blood pressure is becoming more common as our stress levels increase and our physical activity decreases. The good news? This common natural treatment for hypertension is most likely already in your cupboard at home. What is this inexpensive, ultra-common remedy? Garlic! Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, relaxes the blood vessels thereby reducing pressure and helps prevent further damage to the blood vessels. The best benefits of garlic are obtained by using it in its raw form; diced or chopped in food. However, if you prefer, garlic supplements are also effective in reducing blood pressure. The common cost of a bulb of garlic is less than $1 and a one-month supply of a garlic supplement is less than $3 per bottle. A significant savings for your health and your budget!

Constipation

Everybody gets it. Nobody talks about it. Not only is constipation uncomfortable, it can cause serious health problems if left untreated. But before you reach for an over-the-counter stool softener, which has been linked to dependency, try this instead. Psyllium fiber. Psyllium fiber is not a stool softener or a stimulant. It is a bulk fiber designed to ‘grab’ stagnant waste materials and flush them easily and gently from the body. Psyllium can be taken in whole husk or pill form. Whole husks cost less than $5 and capsules are under $7.

For more healthy, natural products I recommend check out the Product Review Page on my website.

heartburn © Jason Lugo

sneeze © Evah Smit

stress © Melodi T

back pain © Jo Unruh

 

This article is intellectual property © Jaime A. Heidel 2010

All Rights Reserved

Ten natural remedies for anxiety

Occasional anxiety is a normal part of living but when it becomes chronic and/or begins to interfere with your daily life, it may be time to get some support.

Some people are reluctant to turn to the medical community for help because they do not want a prescription medication that may cause dependence or side effects. Understandable.

Below are ten natural remedies for treating anxiety.

• Homeopathic remedy – Ignatia Amara

Homeopathy works on the principle “like cures like”. Highly diluted substances of what would cause symptoms in a healthy person are given to treat the symptoms of the ailing person. Though homeopathy eludes scientific explanation, quantum physics is moving toward shedding light on just how it works. It has been used effectively for over 200 years. Ignatia Amara is a homeopathic remedy I have been using with great success for many years. My naturopath prescribed it to me. When first trying homeopathy, I recommend consulting a naturopath first to find the correct dosing for your individual needs.

• Natural herb – Valerian

Valerian is an all-natural herb that helps calm the body and mind when taken in its prescribed dosage. It is commonly used for insomnia but also works well for anxiety. I have been using this remedy for years with great success.

Caution:

Do not overdose on valerian. Even though it is a natural herb, it can cause side effects such as vivid dreams, drowsiness, headaches and upset stomach. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not use valerian. If you are currently taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, do not use valerian unless directed by your healthcare practitioner. If you have liver disease, avoid using valerian.

• Supplement – Magnesium

Magnesium is vital to 300 of the body’s enzymatic reactions. One of the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency is anxiety and tendency to startle easily. Ironically, cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, causes magnesium depletion. Magnesium occurs naturally in foods such as: chicken, green, leafy vegetables, oats, cocoa, nuts and seeds and whole grains. If you choose to take a magnesium supplement, take chelated magnesium as it is best absorbed by the body.

• Flower essences

Flower essence work to heal the body on an energetic level, much like homeopathy. Aspen, rock rose, and agrimony are helpful in relieving anxiety. Flower essences, as with homeopathy, work on an individual’s energy. I recommend experimenting with them slowly, one at a time, to see what works best for your individual needs.

• Natural herb – Chamomile

A nice cup of chamomile tea is helpful to calm the mind before bedtime and is also used in the treatment of anxiety. For a little more potency, chamomile can be taken as a tincture or in capsule form.

Caution:

If you are allergic to plants in the daisy family, have a bleeding disorder or taking medications that would increase the risk of bleeding or if you are pregnant or nursing, do not use chamomile. Common side effects are drowsiness when combined with other sedatives. Take caution if you are on medication for diabetes or high blood pressure.

• Supplement – Vitamin B3

Since niacin, or vitamin B3 is responsible for supporting the neurotransmission system of the brain, deficiencies in this vitamin has been linked to anxiety & depression. Foods such as salmon, chicken, red meat, tuna, milk products and mushrooms contain natural niacin. You could also choose to supplement your diet with B3 in capsule or liquid form. A common side effect of niacin is flushing if used in high doses.

• Activity – Writing

Writing may seem like an odd ‘natural remedy’ for anxiety but it helps. If your worry comes from too much to do or financial or business concerns, getting your thoughts organized with a list is a great stress buster! Try this: write your worries on the left side of the page under ‘Stress’ and on the right side, under ‘Busters’ write down a possible solution to your problems. Having a plan of action creates feelings of empowerment, which can greatly reduce your anxiety. 

• Activity – Meditation

When you read the word ‘meditation’ visions of silent monks crunched up into uncomfortable positions for hours may be the first thing that comes to mind. Meditation is simply a way of quieting the thoughts. Try this: find a comfortable chair in a place where you will be uninterrupted for at least twenty minutes. Close your eyes and settle back. Breathe deeply in and out through your nose 5-10 times and then, just let your breathing return to its natural rhythm and allow your thoughts to drift. Sometimes it is helpful to concentrate on a mantra, just one or two words to help clear the mind such as: “peace” or “calm”. Just ten to twenty minutes a day can work wonders!

• Activity – Exercise

When you work out, your body releases natural endorphins called serotonin, which give you an instant mood lift and help release “nervous tension”. You don’t have to join a gym either; a brisk walk or hike, dancing to your favorite music while pumping 2 lb weights or even vigorous housecleaning can give you just the boost you need to release stress.

Note: If your anxiety is related to a recent or past trauma and/or the above steps do not make a significant improvement in your mood and well being, it is a good idea to consult a qualified therapist who may have additional suggestions for healing from panic and anxiety. If, at any time, you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, call a crisis center immediately.

Click the link below for a suicide hotline.

http://suicidehotlines.com/

I have first-hand experience with anxiety and some of the above natural remedies have worked wonders in my life. I hope they will in yours too.

For more information on how to heal your body naturally, visit: www.itoldyouiwassick.com.

anxiety © Joana Croft

cup of tea © Daniel West

This article is intellectual property © Jaime A. Heidel 2010

All Rights Reserved

The health benefits of garlic

“Let your food be medicine and your medicine be food.” ~ Hippocrates

 

The father of medicine knew what he was talking about. While modern or “allopathic” medicine has been around for only a little over one hundred years, natural medicine (including the use of kitchen herbs as medicinals) has been around for millennia.

Garlic is personal favorite of mine. I discovered its benefits when I was doing some research on candida and how to cure it naturally. Garlic is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial and can prevent a cold when taken regularly and/or speed up the healing process when sick.

Because of its blood cleansing properties, garlic has been known to improve in the healing of acne, high cholesterol and blood clots. The best way to eat garlic is to cut or chop it up and put it into food raw. Putting garlic in the microwave kills the active ingredients so if you plan to heat it up, do so by stovetop or oven. When cooking food, it is best to wait until the last ten minutes before adding the garlic so as not to “cook out” all of the active ingredients.

If you’re interested in the benefits of garlic but are concerned about garlic breath, you can take a garlic supplement instead.

Below, I’ve included a recipe I concocted when sick a few months back. If you’ve got a cold or bacterial infection, this recipe packs a wallop!

Antibacterial tomato juice

4 oz tomato juice

1-2 cloves garlic

A dash of oregano

A dash of cloves

A dash of cayenne pepper

A dash of turmeric

A pinch of salt

Pour the tomato juice into a 4 oz glass, chop or mince one to two cloves of garlic and add it to the juice, then add the rest of the spices. Mix it all together with a teaspoon and down the hatch. It will clear our your sinuses and may burn a little going down. Remember to always use care especially with cayenne pepper, as it is a hot spice.

Caution:

If you are on an anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult with your health care provider before using garlic. Excessive garlic consumption can aggravate the digestive system so start slowly to see how your body will react. If you have any other concerns, consult your health care provider.

For more healthy, natural products I recommend check out the Product Review Page on my website.

photo © Alessandro Paiva

This article is intellectual property © Jaime A. Heidel 2010

All Rights Reserved