If You're Taking Fish Oil - Make Sure You're Taking This Too

We've all heard that Omega 3s are good for us- and for many many reasons they are. They fight heart disease, depression, low back pain, inflammation, skin disease. They're great, and that's why so many of us take them! But did you know that when we take Omega 3s and don't use all of what we've ingested, we also don't poop or pee them out. Instead, we store them. Omega 3s are fat soluble and therefore stored in our fat cells for our body's future use. However, because of this, the body in its infinite wisdom, will begin oxidizing what it sees as free radicals, rendering our precious fish oil useless in our bodies. Oh no!

Well we can solve this problem by simply adding another wonderful vitamin to our daily regimen- Vitamin E. Vitamin E is also fat soluble and therefore stored in our fat cells when we've taken more than what we need in a given moment. And not coincidentally, Vitamin E is also an antioxidant, and works to keep that wonderful fish oil safe, usable, and happy for future use. Yay! Crisis averted.

Now not all Vitamin E is created equally- it is important to make sure you buy all natural and NEVER synthetic Vitamin E. When your bottle lists"D-ALPHA Tocopherol" as its Vitamin E source, this is natural and safe to take. When your bottle lists "D-L Alpha Tocopherol" this is synthetic and should be tossed in the trash.

And we can go one step further, it's even better if you can get a Vitamin E with "Mixed Tocopherols," "Delta", "Gamma", etc., as they have an increased effect on the immune function. Only certain brands have this- so you must do your research or consult your trusted holistic health care practitioner for a good source. As always, I offer them in my office for my patients, and your practitioner might too. For adults a typical healthy safe dosage is around 400IU, but as with any new supplement it's always good to check with your doctor or acupuncturist to be sure it's right for you.

Now we can truly go on living knowing we are getting the MOST out of our delicious, nutritious fish oil.

Vitamin D & the Important H1N1 Connection

Vitamin D has so many positive effects on our immune function, and these days it seems everyone is jumping on the Vitamin D bandwagon. YAY! Something the holistic docs and the western docs can finally agree on. Now some of the 1st evidence has come out on the importance of Vitamin D levels & staying free of the H1N1 flu virus this winter. With the many serious concerns involving the H1N1 flu vaccine - it's important to do all we can to stay healthy this winter with diet, nutrition, hand washing, and supplementation of immune building nutrients. Please read the letter below to discover what this doctor found at the health care facility he works at.

***Please keep in mind optimal levels for vitamin D are around 60, but range between 50-80 is considered good. To find out your levels it takes a simple finger stick test or blood test and can be done at your doctors office or with me, and is usually covered by insurance. Each person needs different amounts to supplement with depending on where they fall in range- I usually recommend 4000-8000/day for adults and 1000-3000/day for children depending on your levels. And remember sunlight is not enough in the winter time! (unless you live in South Florida) This means supplementation is necessary for most of us this time of year. I recommend certain kinds of Vitamin D3 supplementation- as not all supplements are created equally. I offer them in my office or you can find them online. For more information on how to get these you can email me at wholefamilywellness@gmail.com.

Good luck and happy winter everyone!

Here is the letter posted on the Vitamin D council's website

"Dr. Cannell: Your recent newsletters and video about Swine flu (H1N1) prompted me to convey our recent experience with an H1N1 outbreak at Central Wisconsin Center (CWC). Unfortunately, the state epidemiologist was not interested in studying it further so I pass it on to you since I think it is noteworthy.

CWC is a long-term care facility for people with developmental disabilities, home for approx. 275 people with approx. 800 staff. Serum 25-OHD has been monitored in virtually all residents for several years and patients supplemented with vitamin D.

In June, 2009, at the time of the well-publicized Wisconsin spike in H1N1 cases, two residents developed influenza-like illness (ILI) and had positive tests for H1N1: one was a long-term resident; the other, a child, was transferred to us with what was later proven to be H1N1.

On the other hand, 60 staff members developed ILI or were documented to have H1N1: of 17 tested for ILI, eight were positive. An additional 43 staff members called in sick with ILI. (Approx. 11–12 staff developed ILI after working on the unit where the child was given care, several of whom had positive H1N1 tests.)

So, it is rather remarkable that only two residents of 275 developed ILI, one of which did not develop it here, while 103 of 800 staff members had ILI. It appears that the spread of H1N1 was not from staff-to-resident but from resident-to-staff (most obvious in the imported case) and between staff, implying that staff were susceptible and our residents protected.

Sincerely,

Norris Glick,

MD Central Wisconsin Center Madison, WI

Crystalline Fructose - the new High Fructose Corn Syrup?

News flash : CRYSTALLINE FRUCTOSE comes from corn syrup. whaaaaaa? Isn't crystalline fructose just a healthier sugar in our new favorite soda alternative - Vitamin Water?

Well as word gets out about the dangers of corn syrup and how it has become the evil of all that is sweet- it seems manufacturers need a replacement, one they can use before people get wise again. Here is the description of crystalline fructose from the sugar producers themselves:
"crystalline fructose is produced by allowing the fructose to crystallize from a fructose-enriched corn syrup.”

Um. Hello. That sure does sound familiar. Fructose enriched corn syrup - doesn't that sound a lot like high fructose corn syrup. Since I always encourage people to do their own research --here is an intelligent person speaking on the differences between HFCS and Crystalline Fructose. Now you be the judge.

I'm thinking -- Vitamin Water isn't looking so vitamin-y anymore.




Sources:

The Fit Shack

Mercola.com

ABC Does a Segmant on Acupuncture in Children! YAY!

Here is a link to the great segment by ABC on Acupuncture for children. I am so glad to see it's getting out there.

ABC : Acupuncture for Children

Cell Phone Safety and The Problem with Blue Tooth Headsets

On July 1, 2008 it became illegal for California drivers to drive while talking on a cell phone without a hands-free headset. This set off a mass blue tooth headset purchase by thousands of people looking to make themselves legal while driving and talking. In my opinion, this is great cause for concern. There were already significant problems to consider while just holding that hot little phone next to our brains for hours- but blue tooth headsets add an entirely different element of consequence.

For those who don't know EMFs are Electric and Magnetic fields that surround all electronic devices (EMRs stands for Electro magnetic radiation and can also be used in relation to cell phones). There is increased exposure to EMFs with increased use of electronic gadgets such as computers, stereos, televisions, antennas near the home, cell phones, etc. Studies have shown an association with increased EMFs to leukemia, hormonal changes, and cancer.

Because of this there is special concern because we use cell phones directly next to our brains. During a cell phone call RF (radio frequency radiation) is transmitted directly to the head. Research suggests that with increased use of cell phone we increase our chances of brain tumors. Unfortunately, cell phone companies still deny this, which makes this information difficult for the public to access and/or believe. This denial has been compared by some to the tobacco industry's adamant denial of cancer being caused by their products. Some believe it will only be a matter of time that cell phone companies will be lumped into the same deceptive category as the tobacco companies.

The problems with using wireless blue tooth headsets:

1. Blue tooth headsets can increase the amount of RF being emitted to your head while in use. They act as an antennae, thus increasing the potential exposure directly aimed at our brains. The legal limit of headset frequency is 2.4 Ghz- the same Ghz that a microwave works on.

2. Because of the size and convenience of the blue tooth headset, many people keep it attached to their ear between phone calls. This means there is a constant flow of EMFs and RF and no break between phone calls. Even without this break, exposure is high, so to have a constant flow of EMFs at the head has even greater risk.

Additional concerns for everyday cell phone use:

1. Regular wired headsets, as compared to wireless headsets, do not improve the situation. The wires act as an antenna- and increase the problem. So regular wired headsets are not a solution.

2. Many people keep their cell phone on their belts, in pockets, or somewhere close to the body. Cell phones are always emitting signals looking for updates for text messages, phone calls, and now emails and internet updates. EMFs and RF are constantly being transmitted around the device. Placing our cell phones next to our internal organs can be just as problematic as holding them next to our heads, even when not in use. Our reproductive and some of digestive organs are located right next to our belts and pockets and thus are much more at risk when we store our phones there.

Solutions:

1. Use your speakerphone. The farther away you can hold the cell phone from your ear (or body) the better.

2. Use a headset made with an air tube. And air tube is similar to what is used in a stethoscope. This technology allows you to hear clearly without the EMFs being transmitted to the head. It is the only headset I consider safe. They are not available in your local cell phone stores yet, but can be easily purchased online. These are the only headsets made to actually reduce or eliminate your exposure to harmful cell phone radiation.

3. Don't hold your phone in your pocket or on your belt. Store it in your bag, on your desk, or somewhere as far away from the body as is feasible. This will help keep the exposure of RF, EMFs and EMR to your internal organs lower.

4. Limit use of cell phones with children as much as possible. All of the risks associated with cell phones are increased 3 fold with children. Do not let children play with your cell phones next their heads and enforce the use of air tube headsets with all school age children using a cell phone.

Ignorance is Bliss- or Is It? The Art of Reading Ingredients

What yummy all-American treat do the following ingredients produce when mixed together?

amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognac essential oil, diacetyl, dipropyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl amyl ketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl heptylate, ethyl lactate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl nitrate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, heliotropin, hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol), a-ionone, isobutyl anthranilate, isobutyl butyrate, lemon essential oil, maltol, 4-methylacetophenone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl cinnamate, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl salicylate, mint essential oil, neroli essential oil, nerolin, neryl isobutyrate, orris butter, phenethyl alcohol, rose, rum ether, g-undecalactone, vanillin, and solvent.

Scared to know? I was too.

These my friends, are the ingredients to the Strawberry Flavoring of a typical fast food restaurant Strawberry Milkshake. Hmmmm....I wonder what the "milk" is made of.

This is precisely why it is so important that we begin thinking about what exactly is in the foods we eat. We shouldn't all assume that companies producing our favorite yummy snack foods are benevolent in their efforts and really do care if we are healthy. Because actually-- they don't care. The sad truth is that great majority of our food culture is much more about the almighty dollar and the cultural need for convenience, than it is about the overall health and well-being of a people. And this has had serious, serious consequences.

So as to not overwhelm, once again we are all about baby steps in our path to wellness. It's about finding that next step each one of us can take to find a better place for our bodies, and ultimately our minds and spirits as well. One small thing we could begin doing today is to just start being curious about what exactly is in our food. It's not about changing it- that comes later. BUT just finding a bit of curiosity is a great place to begin.

Here is a list to start in your ingredient reading endeavors. It is not exhaustive by any means, but will absolutely get you on your way.

What to Watch Out For:

1. If you can't pronounce it -don't eat it. I have a somewhat silly little rule that if an ingredient has so many syllables that only an engineer or bio-physicist would understand it- I don't think I should be eating it. If you could only have one rule about what not to eat, this is it. So if you can't pronounce it or doesn't seem like a word that makes sense in the context of something edible, perhaps you can begin to say...."hmmmm...what the heck is that?"

2. Just because it says "Natural" on the box- doesn't mean it is. Seeing "Natural" written on the box does NOT let you off the hook for reading ingredients. Depending on the brand of food - those words can very deceiving. "All Natural" can still contain genetically modified foods & irradiated foods. Not much you can do about finding out whether those foods contain things like that- as labeling in the country is not mandated, but it does tell you that you can't always judge a book by its cover, or a food by its packaging. Bottom line: read the ingredients on everything, no matter how natural it seems, it will be an education of sorts. At the very least, it will begin to give you perspective when comparing different foods. "All Natural" only means that the ingredients at some point originated in something nature-like. How they get from there to your table however, is an entirely different story.
**Keep in mind that "Organic" has some of the same problems as "Natural" as it can mean a wide variety of things, not all of them good. However, for a company to claim "Organic" there are somewhat stricter rules than "Natural", so it is in most cases it's least a step up.

3. Avoid any foods with hydrogenated oils and transfats. Hydrogenated oils (or partially-hydrogenated oils) are trans fats. Trans fats are very very bad. The FDA now recommends that no one ever get any trans fats ever. To give you some perspective here, the FDA doesn't make that recommendation about anything- not aluminum, not mercury, not anything. What does this tell you? We all know the devastating effects that aluminum and mercury can have on our bodies, so trans fats must be really bad.

So when looking at ingredients on the packaged foods- be sure to ignore the big bright posting on the front of the box that says "ZERO Grams of Trans Fat" because that doesn't mean very much. The food companies are allowed to advertise as having no trans fats as long as per serving there is less than 1 gram. This is a problem and intentionally deceiving, and in my book good cause to take away someone's good karma points.

So what is wrong with hydrogenated oils you ask? This is a good question - and enough information for another posting entirely. Here is a link to some information that can set you straight on why not to eat them:

Everything you need to know about hydrogenated oils.

4. Cottonseed oil is in Saltines, is a byproduct of where your shirt came from, and not regulated for food consumption. This should really be the end of the discussion. Don't eat foods with cottonseed oil (double whammy when its partially-hydrogenated cottonseed oil). The companies that use this in their products are just plain cheap, and should have to eat only this for the rest of their lives & see how they like it. But seriously folks, the problem with cotton seed oil not being regulated for food consumption is that the amount of pesticides & fungicides used on the crop can be outrageous. Cotton has the additional disadvantage of having many natural predators - thus needing even more chemicals to keep a crop from going bad.

5. High fructose corn syrup is in EVERYTHING, and should never be ingested. High fructose corn syrup has no nutritional value what-so-ever, and can cause serious harm to your body. Please see my previous posts on The Do's and Don'ts of sugar for more information.

Sugar Information and Alternatives

6. Natural Flavors and Artifical Flavors are the same thing. Only slightly different. Artificial flavors and natural flavors are all made in the same laboratory as perfumes, on a remote stretch of highway in New Jersey. The difference between the artificial and natural flavorings is that at one distant point in history the natural flavor's ingredients all came from something that came from the earth. But again, how it got to be in its final state of natural flavors - is something else entirely. And yet one more massive deception by the food technologists (or as they are officially known "flavorists") of America. Bottom line- don't eat them if you can help it. I highly recommend the book Fast Food Nation by Eric Shlosser to read more about this. Here is an excerpt I found from his book - pay close attention to paragraph's 8 and on.

** This will be a hard rule to start with - as half of everything in Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and other "natural" food distributors have natural flavors. Be ware: read ingredients.

7. Avoid foods with artificial colors. This is great general rule that really just falls under the "if it doesn't sound like something you should eat- then you probably shouldn't" rule. However, there are some specific colors that have been linked to some serious diseases including cancer and thyroid problems. The ones that should absolutely be avoided are FD&C Red #3 & FD&C Yellow #5. Other highly suspect colors are FD&C Red #4 & FD&C Yellow #6. My suggestion however is instead of memorizing a bunch of toxic color numbers, just avoid them all. I personally don't think the Kool-Aid is worth it, but hey that's just me.

Remember, if it seems like reading ingredients is going to mean that you will have to suddenly change everything you have ever eaten, I can understand why you wouldn't want to start this process. So don't think like that. Just know its ok to be curious, to begin just wondering what might be in there. It definitely does not mean that a complete overhaul is necessary-- right now. Begin with something small like- switching from frozen peas with natural flavors to frozen peas without natural flavors. Peas that are just peas are readily available and still taste like peas. And asking the question "why do those peas not taste enough like peas that we have to add flavor" is really good.

Good luck - and baby steps are the only way to a truer path of wellness for most of us & I commend you for your courage.

Fevers : Exercise for the Immune System

Let's all stop being afraid of fevers, ok? Fevers have gotten a very bad name for themselves in this country. I don't exactly know how this got started, though I have a pretty good guess. I believe we have a very bad habit in our medical culture of developing wonderful life saving measures and then grossly over-prescribing them. Often this causes more problems then we began with, and I believe this is the case for the widespread use of over-the-counter fever reducers.

The truth is, for most of us fevers are a wonderful service to our health and immune function. We need to begin recognizing this and really using it to our benefit. In my opinion a nice size portion of chronic illness in this culture could be prevented just by allowing ourselves to fever when necessary.

A fever comes from the innate wisdom of our amazing bodies. When the temperature of your body rises it is working to kill bacteria and viruses. A fever is your body's way of giving unwanted guests the boot. So when we falsely take a fever down with over-the-counter drugs- in one big swoop- we are greatly lessening our own ability to fight infection.

In addition to the benefits of getting a fever, there are also harmful effects to using over-the-counter fever reducers. The use of Tylenol has now been linked to pediatric asthma. It also reduces a very important liver enzyme used for detoxification in our bodies. For immature baby's livers, this is significant, and a cause for serious concern. Motrin has been connected to chronic digestive disorders.

This is an important piece of information when we think about the chronicity of illness for so many of us. I feel as a society we have kind of given up and given in to living with disease. So often in our culture I see this kind of acceptance that diabetes, asthma, thyroid disease, anemia, constipation, allergies, food intolerance, acid reflux, low immune function, back pain, are all just a part of living, and thus we go on our merry way. I don't see it this way & I refuse to just let it be. I know there are simple, accessible, effective, and safe things to do to help keep us healthier, we just need more access to them. Fevers are just one more answer that may be able to help get us back in our bodies and feeling good.

Here are some guidelines to help you or your child fever safely:

1. Know the facts about fevers. People are under a lot of misconceptions about fevers. Here are some important pieces of information:

a. Babies under 3-4 months with a fever should go to their pediatrician. Don't try to treat it at home.

b. Children fever higher than adults. Kids are warmer by nature- thus a child with a 102 fever and an adult with a 102 fever can look very different, and shouldn't be worrisome.

c. Brain damage from a fever doesn't occur until 108 degrees. The body has good internal mechanisms to keep a fever below 106 degrees, so a child with a 104 fever will typically not go much higher. Just because a fever is rising doesn't mean it won't stop where it should.

d. A child can safely fever until 105 degrees without need to call your doctor or health care provider. At that point, I suggest contacting your trusted health care provider. This doesn't mean you will be necessarily taking the fever down, but at this point I think its always just good to check in.

e. Fevers can sometimes lead to convulsions in some kids - AND that's ok. As scary as this sounds- and as some parents know- can be very scary to look at, it's ok & is not harmful to the child. The usually last less than 5 minuntes and don't increase your child's risks of epilepsy or developments delays.

2. Know where the fever is coming from. Any fever of unknown origin is one to check in about. This just means that if you have a fever from the flu or a cold- you know where it's coming from and this is most common - and it's totally appropriate to care for at home. If it seems random or you are unclear about the the reason- call your trusted health care provider. This doesn't mean that you will want to bring the fever down necessarily- but rather it's good to know why you're fevering.

3. How a child looks and acts is much more important than the number on the thermometer. Please keep this in mind. This is one of the most important things I ask a parent when they call me. How does your child look? Most children are alert and awake through a 104 fever. I am much more concerned about a glassy-eyed lethargic child at 99 degrees than one with 104 who is alert and running around.

4. At about 103 degrees, the patient with a fever is bound to feel uncomfortable. It's the middle of the night, everyone is exhausted and you have a screaming child on your hands. This is the time when people typically grab the tylenol or motrin. This is the time I recommend naturally reducing the fever enough to help the patient feel more comfortable, and leads us to the next topic.

How to Naturally Reduce a Fever:

1. Lots of fluids. For a breastfed baby- keep feeding- as often as the baby will take it. Staying hydrated is key. Natural electrolytes can help the body stay hydrated. I highly recommend Electro-mix by the brand that makes Emergen-C. It comes in a box of single serve packets- and is all natural with no added sugar. I do not recommend sports drinks as they are filled with harmful ingredients.

2. A lukewarm sponge bath. Not a cold bath. A cold bath will make someone shiver. Shivering raises the body temperature, which is what we don't want. A lukewarm bath is comfortable and can help bring the fever down just enough to help with the discomfort. You can place your child in the bathtub in a couple inches of water or just use a washcloth. Either way be sure the water is warm.

3. Familiarize yourself with Homeopathic remedies that are appropriate for home care and fevers. There are a handful of them that are easy to have on hand, are inexpensive, and work wonders. There are tons of websites and great easy to read books that give you information on the appropriate use of homeopathic remedies at home. Homeopathy works to NOT reduce the fever, but rather it helps the body process through it more quickly and efficiently. It allows the body's natural responses to take hold and fight like heck. And it works very very well.

In my private practice - all the parents are asked to purchase a home care kit with about 30 different homeopathic remedies in it- so when illness strikes- they have their arsenal of natural and safe medicine to help. I won't recommend specific remedies here, without knowing that my readers have a professional person to call or what their own level of personal expertise is. However, this of course leads us to my next recommendation...

4. Get a holistic practitioner that works with children and families and takes phone calls in the middle of the night. In my opinion, until you are comfortable addressing a fever on your own, this is the number one answer to avoiding using fever reducing medicines. I answer kid related health questions 24 hours a day- and there are others like me. This way when parents are anxious about their baby's first fever - they have a professional who will give them advice other than a panic induced tylenol/motrin solution.

Well there you have it. I hope this helps ease some of the fear around fevers and helps you find a bit more willingness to experiment in going through one. This is just one piece that can allow us to get back into our bodies and explore the amazing innate wisdom we have to conquer illness and to keep us healthy. Good luck!

Sugar Alternatives (aka The Lesser of Two Evils)

The topic of sugar is a huge one. There are endless explanations in the media and health industry of why we crave sugar. Hormone imbalance, adrenal depletion, food allergies, imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, comfort, and many more. All of these hold some place in the explanation of why sugar can seem to rule many of our lives. For those who truly crave it, it would definitely be worth investigating where the source of the craving is coming from. The best place to do that is with your trusted holistic health care provider, someone who can help you find a better balance. No matter what the source of our cravings however, there are some good general guidelines about what to avoid and which sugars have less serious health consequences.

If you have blood sugar problems, food allergies or sensitivities, or other chronic immune function issues, then the following rules won't apply. There are more specific ways to work with (or rather without) sugar for chronic issues, that would be important to explore.

However, if you are like many people and have sugar at times, currently don't have chronic illnesses effected by sugar, and would like to do your best to keep it that way, then please read on. The following guidelines give some alternatives that can be used for cooking, baking, and for sweet snacks. But please keep in mind, sugar is not healthy, no matter which way you look at it. I prefer to think of sugar like I think of voting for president - I always pick the lesser of two evils.

And with that said here are my sugar do's and don'ts:

First the Don'ts:

1. First and foremost, get rid of that white sugar from the house (this actually includes brown sugar too). Just throw it out. It's simply not good for you, and is just doing lots of harm. White sugar has absolutely no nutritional value, causes huge spikes in blood glucose levels, & can cause nutritional deficiencies. If those aren't enough reasons for you, refined sugars are linked to diabetes, dental problems, digestive disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, and even cancer.

There are so many great tasting alternatives to cook and bake with in this day and age, there are no longer any good reasons to choose white sugar.

2. Stop eating High Fructose Corn Syrup. This is an introduction to what will eventually be a blog on reading ingredients on all processed and pre-made foods from the grocery store. High Fructose Corn Syrup is a dangerous additive and is pretty much in everything, so learn to start reading the boxes of food you buy. It is in a huge variety of foods that you will buy at the grocery store- including some "health foods." Read this:

A Great Short Article on the Dangers of HFCS

The Murky World of High Fructose Corn Syrup

3. When you simply must have a little something sweet, stop buying candy and sweets from the conventional grocery store, and start buying them from your local natural food store. There are lots and lots of amazing, delectable, make your mouth water treats, that don't contain all that garbage. Start shopping at a natural food store and see what you can find. Read the ingredients of your treats and buy the ones with the least refined stuff in it. There are these things called "NO Cookies." Let me just say...they are Amaaaaaazing, & they have no "refined" sugars and none of the other stuff that's a lot more harmful. Try them & other treats labeled this way. Find which ones you like & eat those when the cravings hit.
(With this in mind, don't trade a whole crappy cookie that you would have otherwise eaten, for a whole natural cookie, or 3. Remember, moderation is everything. These are alternatives to the really really bad stuff, but they are still NOT health food. I know I've said it before and I will probably say it again, but too much of a good thing....right? So try a few bites, and see if the craving passes.)

4. By Golly-stop eating aspartame! This means Equal, Sweet-n-Low, Nutrasweet, and every drink labeled diet. It's cancer causing and essentially causes your body to go into shock every time you ingest it. There is something called an "excitotoxin" - and aspartame is one of them. Sounds scary, huh? Yeah, well it is. I will save the aspartame discussion for another time, but it just didn't seem right not to mention it in this discussion on sweets. (OMG- and don't forget Splenda. That stuff is equally scary, and yet it hasn't been around long enough for us to fully know the true long terms effects. Go here: The Truth About Splenda.)

Though I have only given you 4 sugar don'ts , there are literally endless things not to do when it comes to sugar. These are the few that come to mind that make it simple and not a total lifestyle overhaul, for the time being. You aren't totally off the hook, because I can always elaborate later on what not to do, and I probably will. This blog should be a guide for when you're really craving, given that the cravings are not all day long.

With that said, here are the DO's:

1. Raw Unrefined Agave Nectar: Mmmmm...my favorite. It's super sweet, it's liquid, has very little of its own flavor and can be used in tons of recipes, so it's very versatile. It also is super low on the glycemic index, so it doesn't cause the typical spikes in blood sugar levels, and is considered one of the safer sugars for diabetics.

Here is one of my favorite recipes with agave nectar for chocolate milk. This is a completely healthy, no yucky added ingredients, just pure yummy chocolate milk that kids of ALL ages will enjoy.
1 c. Raw milk
1-2 tsp. raw cacao powder (raw cacao powder is bitter dark chocolate and is filled with nutrients and antioxidants, not sweetened at all)
a squeeze of agave nectar to taste
optional: add strawberries or bananas- yum!
**mix all ingredients with a hand blender (because the raw cacao powder doesn't mix easily) and enjoy!

2. Stevia: Stevia is amazing. It is like 1000 times sweeter than sugar- so you need the teeniest bit possible. You can buy it in packets for your coffee or tea- and it comes in a base powder of FOS (a healthy starch from artichokes) or some other starch, so that you can use a normal amount. Be sure to read the ingredients if you buy it in this form. Stevia is also considered completely safe for diabetics and actually has been used as an herb to help people with blood sugar problems. Until recently it was hard to buy outside of the herbal section of your natural food store because sugar companies lobbied the FDA to not let it be sold as a sweetener. They were very scared of its amazingness and they were successful for a long time. Unlike here, it has been used for quite a long time in soft drinks and candies in Japan and other places. It has finally been regulated to be sold as a sweetener in the U.S., so you can now find it in any natural food store. The only downside to stevia is that if you use too much, it can add a slightly funny taste- but using the packets does help to regulate this. I don't recommend it so much in baking unless you have a great recipe, but for teas and drinks its great and for a little sweetening in your cooking it works really well too.

3. Maple Syrup: Yum to the tumtum. But not good on the glycemic index at all, so buyer beware. You can buy it in its unrefined form and a person without blood sugar issues can have it. It tastes good, it's all natural, and is delicious in warm quinoa cereal!

A great healthy gluten free and refined sugar free cereal:
1 c. cooked quinoa
1/2 c. raw milk
maple syrup to taste
cut fresh peaches
dash of cinnamon

YUM!

4. UNREFINED RAW Honey: Honey is like maple syrup, so the basics are pretty much the same. Honey is not as versatile in my opinion as maple syrup, as its not viscous in its raw state - but I like it a lot for sweetening tea and other warm things. It's also very good for people when they have a terribly dry throat or cough and are nursing a cold. Buy local, as honey from your own region has the added benefits of helping with seasonal allergies. You can use it in your cooking as long as you blend it with something warm first to help melt it. Look for good recipes for sweets with honey. Again, high on the glycemic index, but raw natural honey has wonderful health benefits.

My favorite brand.


5. Xylitol: Buy gum with this stuff. Like Xyli-chew. You'll see a lot of the popular brands having xylitol in their gum products now- but be careful. Typically it is not used for the sweetener- rather they often use aspartame. They add xylitol to their products now so that they can claim it helps fight cavities. Which is another beautiful thing about xylitol. You can buy xylitol by the tub and brush your teeth with it - believe it or not. This stuff is awesome & kids love brushing their teeth with it because it's so sweet. You can also use it to sweeten things- but I don't really know how to use it that way. So good luck-and if you find recipes that work let me know!

6. Sucanat (aka Rapadura) Oh awesome Sucanat. I have been making chocolate chip cookies with this stuff for years. It's absolutely hands down the best white sugar substitute there is. Yeah- it's not white- and your cookies come out just a bit darker, but you can substitute it for white sugar in recipes in exact ratios, which is very nice for us less-creative bakers. Sucanat is the unrefined version of sugar cane. It is not separated from the molasses in the drying processing, so it has a caramelly flavor. Again, not so good on the glycemic index, but you can put it in coffee, tea, and baked goods. All-in-all, if you need a sweetener that you can keep in the jar where your white sugar once was- this is it.

(Btw please don't confuse Sucanat with Turbinado Sugar. Turbinado sugar is the browner version of white sugar that is still almost just as refined. Turbinado sugar is the one you can find in coffee shops in the brown packets & it's still not healthy for you.)

7. Last but absolutely not least, eat fruit when you have that craving. Fruit is natural, it's unrefined, and its a great alternative to a candy bar to cure that craving. Strawberries, plums, peaches, they are all so sweet, and sooooooo good. Don't underestimate the power of nature when it comes to your cravings. Experiment with a healthier option, and just see if the craving passes.

Ok that's it. You can be sure that there will be more to come on sugar. For now, you can add this to your home health tool box that is slowly but surely being built. Enjoy this one while you can, because eventually I am going to tell you how to seriously minimize sugars, if not stop them all together, and that one won't be nearly as fun.

Why Prevention is the Best Medicine for Your Baby

Prevention is simply the best medicine. Unfortunately, more often than not people first seek medical attention once they are already sick. As adults we have often played too hard, worked too hard, not slept enough, and eaten too much junk food. Our lifestyles have often allowed the layers of aches and pains, funky digestion, and other chronic ailments to set in and take hold. But with babies, it's different....

Aaaaaaaaah babies. They are like little clean slates, like a do over for our family histories of allergies, asthma, eczema, digestion problems, or immune dysfunction issues. Not to say that most babies aren't sick when I first see them. Because that is normally how it happens. But with kids, the layers upon layers of misuse and abuse aren't there yet. Once I treat a child and they heal the original complaint, all that's left is prevention.

The problem is our western minds think "all done," and I don't see them until the next cold or bout of symptoms takes hold. I've decided it's about time I change my tune, and make sure I am educating as much I can on the all too important practice of prevention.

When it comes to babies the general rule is they get sick quickly, and they heal quickly too. This means that when a child gets sick - they get sick fast. A child that had nothing, suddenly has a 103 fever, and is crying inconsolably. It usually comes in the middle of the night and unless you have your remedies and herbal formulas ready, it moves inward fast. For those in my practice who learned what remedies to have at home and what defenses are actually possible at this hour of the night (that don't include Tylenol or Motrin), they also know that kids heal quickly too. A child that at once was not eating, was burning up, and crying, is now running around the house in a whirlwind, like nothing was ever wrong.

What does this mean to me? It means kids' bodies, with proper treatment and care, and without symptom suppression, have so many chances to get better. Their bodies change so quickly, their energy is accessible and available to work with. So we can deal with symptoms, make them better, and use this large amount of available energy to help build healthy immune function and stop family patterns in their tracks.

Here are some things to do at home to give your children the best start possible:

1. Breastfeed as long as is feasible. Breast milk is the best immune builder there is. Do it solely for a minimum of 6 months and you will reduce the chances of your baby ever getting food allergies 3-fold. Do it for longer and you continue to build immune function, regulate your babies hormones, and provide comfort and connection for your baby.

2. Adopt good nutritional values for you while breastfeeding, and your baby once solids are introduced. This seems obvious, I know. Eat organic when possible, avoid processed foods (especially trans fats and corn-syrups), eat grass-fed meats, and make sure everyone is getting good fats. For more information on fats- you'll have to wait for future blogs or do your own research. A good article on the subject with tons of links and resources is here Know Your Fats. A great website on nutrition for children comes from the Nourishing Our Children Campaign. They offer sound advice with solid traditional principles for wellness.

3. Fevers are good. Let's all stop being afraid of fevers. Fevers are the body's own natural defense against infection. The body heats up to kill viruses and bacteria. When we synthetically reduce those fevers with over the counter fever reducers, we are lessening our body's ability to fight off infection. This gives the virus or bacteria a way in, allowing for the beginnings of chronic illness. It also sends the body a message not to work so hard next time, because...well, why bother? If your child has a fever and you are unsure of how high is too high- don't ever hesitate to call your primary health care provider. And when I receive that phone call in the middle of the night, the biggest concern I hear from parents is regarding the comfort of their child as well as for the rest of the family, who sleep and own wellness can be disturbed. This is a valid concern and leads us to #4.

4. Find yourself a good holistic practitioner for when your child falls sick. Western medicine is great. I do not adhere to all or nothing thinking in terms of our different medicines. I believe in integrative care. Let's utilize what different medicines do best and we will truly have integration. In my opinion, western medicine is great at diagnosis. They are amazing at life saving measures such as emergency medicine and surgery. But let's be honest, they are truly lacking when someone has a cold, an infection, digestive problems, diabetes, etc. They have no real treatment. They have symptom suppression, and that can make people feel better. But that will never give true healing or get to the root or cause of the disease or illness. Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and homeopathy has actual treatment. Get real treatment for your child when she is sick and she will grow to be a healthier adult. Treat an illness so that it doesn't slip deeper into the body by suppressing the symptoms, and you will have not only successfully treated a cold, but you will have made a stronger body for it.

5. Tune ups. In between illness, don't forget to see your holistic health practitioner. This can be hard in our busy western lifestyles. But just schedule it, make it part of your monthly life. Your doing all you can for your babies wellness through diet and nutrition, don't forget there are gentle and yet totally effective practices that can help a child's digestion, sleep, & immune function even when life gets busy and everyone is already healthy. For babies once a month health maintenance is standard in Chinese Medicine. Sho Ni Shin is a Japanese technique used just for this. It is a painless, often comforting, light scratching of the acupuncture meridians and points used for nourishing children's energy. Find an acupuncturist in your area that practices on children and go. Your child will thank you for it for years to come.

These are just a handful of ideas that parents can do at home to help prevent illness. As simple as I may think they are, I realize that some of these ideas can seem a bit overwhelming at first, especially if it's the first time someone's hearing them. How do we allow our children to fever at 104 degrees without a sense of fear or hesitation, if we have never thought this way before? This is a real concern, and one that should not take be taken lightly. Find yourself a trusted holistic practitioner to include in your arsenal of people and tools that you already have for your child. Talk to this person. Talk to people who are already doing it, look online, find like minded parents (there are lots of them), and slowly one can ease into a new way of thinking about their child's health. Good luck!

Got Raw Milk?

In my practice, nutrition is one of the main treatments for my patients on their path to wellness. I see food as medicine, and the more healthy, natural, and unprocessed foods we put in our bodies, the better we feel. On the same note, the more processed and impure foods we eat (which is by far the bulk of the typical American diet), the more symptoms and disease we learn to live with.

I've found that beginning to think about changing one's diet can be an overwhelming and scary endeavor for many people. That's why I strongly believe in finding simple & accessible things people can do to begin the process of making these changes. Starting slowly can make this feel possible, and we do it one step at a time. And the proof is in the pudding. Literally. The truth is, over time people start feeling better when they start to change their diet. I have watched the cravings for people's most stubborn comfort foods fall away as people get used to feeling better in their bodies.

This brings me to the conversation on raw dairy. Over the past several years dairy has gotten a bad name for itself. More and more people are finding dairy is causing all sorts of health problems and are removing it from their diet. This is fine for a small number of people, but the far majority of us could use the health benefits of dairy - just in its more natural, more digestible state. I recommend the switch to raw dairy on a daily basis in my practice. With a bit of education, it is one of the simple changes we can make to feel much better in our bodies.

The current norm for consuming dairy products is that they are all pasteurized and homogenized. For those who don't know, pasteurization is the process of killing off bacteria that causes illness. This is done by heating milk at a certain temperature for a certain amount of time. The problem with pasteurization is that it not only kills the bad stuff - but it kills all the good too. All the vitamins, nutrients, enzymes, and healthy cultures die in the process as well.

Homogenization is the process by which the consistency of milk is made uniform. For anyone who has had milk with the cream left on top- this is non-homogenized milk. The homogenization of milk is another process that again changes the chemical make-up of the milk proteins. It breaks down the proteins in such a way that it becomes very difficult for our bodies to process and metabolize. This can cause histamine reactions, produces phlegm in our bodies, and can lead to other inflammatory responses.

Here is a informative video explaining how the pasteurization and homogenization process happens:




These 2 processes are what have led to this wide spread belief that many of us are lactose intolerant. A better way to describe this, in my opinion, is that many of us are actually "pasteurized and homogenized dairy-intolerant." I can not tell you how many times I have recommended to my "lactose-intolerant" patients to experiment with drinking raw milk. And the countless times the same people have come back with none of digestive and inflammatory symptoms they once had.

Raw milk & cheese are readily available in the San Francisco Bay Area- as well as many other places around the country. Once you know where to go - it's easy to find. Locally, we are lucky to have two major producers, Organic Pastures & Claravale Farms. Both are delicious and I highly recommend either. Here are a few links to help you find your local distributor of raw milk, and some additional resources to begin your raw dairy education.

Where to Find Raw Milk in Your Area

A Great Website all About Raw Milk

Is Raw Milk Safe For Babies?

"The Revolution Will Not Be Pasteurized" : A great (but somewhat long) article on the Raw Milk industry. Please note the final few paragraphs are some of my favorite.

I'll leave you with a couple of videos of a conversation between the owner of Organic Pastures, Mark McAffee & Chiropractor Dale Jacobson. These 2 videos are not in order, but I thought the most ineresting segments of the ones I saw. If you are interested in more chapters, you can double click on the video below and search for more on youtube. Enjoy!

Arnica Montana - First Aid in a Little Blue Bottle

So to continue my stream of consciousness on simple and easy remedies no household should be without, I will now give a brief introduction to the wondrous world of Homeopathy & the amazing remedy, Arnica Montana.

All remedies in their homeopathic form are purely energy medicine. There is no detectable amount of the original material (whether plant, mineral, or animal) left in the final product when we buy it from the store. Rather the energy of the material being used is captured in a base of some kind, usually lactose or sucrose. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Flower essences (i.e. Rescue Remedy) have a somewhat similiar premise. And the beauty of both of these things, is that if it's the right remedy, then it provides healing. If it's not the right remedy, it does nothing, no harm, no side effects, no nothing.

The basic and most important premise of homeopathy is that "like cures like." To understand this in the simplest way, if you were to eat a poisonous plant of some kind, you could in theory take the homeopathic remedy made from the same plant to antidote it. In homeopathy, the more dilute the original herb, the more powerful the remedy gets.

For those of you who have seen those little blue bottles on the endcap of your local natural food store and have seen the numbers 6x, 6c, 12c, 30c, 200c, etc., written on the bottles, the numbers are the dosages. The higher the number, the more dilute, and the more powerful.

Homeopathy has had an incredible history too. Discovered only a few centuries ago, it became a popular alternative to some of the very scary medicine being practiced at the time. People liked the idea of being treated by something that could do no real harm, even if it didn't cure their illness, it wouldn't accidentally kill them either. There were homeopathic institutions and entire hospitals popping up all over Europe and North America throughout the 19th century. Sadly, due sharp criticism by a few influential people, a viable and safe treatment almost died. Luckily, since the 1970's it has made a BIG comeback.

If you'd like information with more more technical type words, and perhaps a bit more history on how this medicine has come to be in present day, please follow the links below...

What is Homeopathy?

Wikipedia's Answer to Homeopathy

These websites can surely answer many of the questions you may have. If you seek even more information I highly recommend buying a few good books, as there are literally hundreds written on the subject.

This leads us to one of the most useful homeopathic remedies available, Arnica Montana. Known as "Arnica", it is like a first aid kit rolled up into a little bottle made of teeny-tiny pills. It truly is the mother of all first-aid remedies. That's why I recommend that everyone should have a little bottle of Arnica in their bag, or car, or medicine chest, hopefully sitting right next to the Rescue Remedy you just bought.

Arnica treats trauma. That's its thing. That's what it does. It's good for every fall, every bruise, every flip over the handle bars of your bike. It helps speed recovery exponentially for sprains, strains, surgeries, and more. Arnica helps lead your body into the healing response it needs.

One of the best examples I can think of in using Arnica is a personal story of mine. I had been using and recommending Arnica for years. But never had I had such a perfect example of how Arnica works as the night I reached into my bag and something sharp (to this day I still don't know what it was) slipped under the nail of my thumb. Oh mah gah. I was tired, it had been a long day, and this was PAINFUL to say the least. I mean it hurt really really bad, and it made me irritable, and 15 minutes later when it was still throbbing and I was kind of feeling nauseous from the thought of something going that far under my nail, suddenly...I remembered Arnica. I carefully searched through my bag, found my trusty bottle and popped 2 pellets under my tongue. Literally, I kid you not, within 5 seconds I felt the pain slowly washing away from my thumb, within 15 seconds it was mostly gone, and within a minute my nerves had calmed and I was totally and utterly in awe. It was the best live-action example I had ever had of medicine I already knew worked. It was life altering, and any of those strange voices, that even I get in my head every once in a while - "is this thing working or am I making this up?" were gone. Any doubt that had ever lingered from our overwhelmingly linear-thinking, scientific minded culture had lifted.

Convinced yet? Hopefully.

Because now I am going to explain how you can actually use it safely at home...

1. There are several brands in the store - I prefer Boiron as it is the most readily available that I have found. It comes in the little blue bottle I keep referring to.
2. Dosage - I recommend having 30C for regular home use. Nothing with a higher number- but all the lower dosages are fine : 6, 12, etc.

So a few strange but good rules to follow when using homeopathics:
3. When getting ready to take a dose, shake the bottle up and down a few times. This activates that energy of the remedy, in the same fashion as when it was produced.
4. Don't touch the pellets. The bottle is designed so that you never have to. Hold the bottle so that the cap faces downwards, twist the cap as many times as you want pellets to come out, and pull the cap off. This way you can toss the pellets directly under your tongue.

5. The bottle will say that you need 5 pellets. You don't. 2 is enough. If you want to take 5, that's fine- it won't hurt you - it just won't work any better than 2, and you'll end up buying more sooner.

6. Toss 2 pellets under your tongue and let dissolve. For children that are too young for this concept, you can dissolve two pellets in a small amount of water (which may take a few minutes with this brand) and then give 1 tsp of that water either from a spoon or a dropper right into their mouth. Dispose of the remaining water.

7. For more serious bruises, strains, sprains, surgeries, childbirth, etc. you can safely take Arnica several times over the first 24 -48 hours. For just a little bump - 1 time can be enough.

****One golden rule of thumb in using homeopathy. The purpose of this medicine is to kick start your own body's healing response. This means once any significant change has been noted- stop taking the remedy. It has sufficiently done its job if your body has begun improving. It is not necessary or even really helpful to continue taking it "just incase" or for that extra little boost one might think the body needs to finish the job. With that said however, if your body hits a healing plateau some time after you've noted a nice bit of improvement, or you have a relapse in the healing process, go ahead and take 1 more dose, it will help bring you back to that pattern of healing you had already begun.

Well, I think that is enough to help begin your new relationship with Arnica. This is now the 2nd wonderful thing you can include in your all- natural First-Aid Kit. More to come...

Rescue Remedy - Why Everyone Should Have It

By request from my sister I will now explain the ins and outs of why I think Rescue Remedy is a must for all households. For those who don't know about flower essences, let me give a brief introduction. Flower essences are essentially energy medicine, they are similiar to homeopathics in that there is actually none of the flower left in it by the time we consume it, rather just the essence of the flower. In my basic understanding of how they are made I will attempt to explain it here. The flowers are picked at the height of bloom, placed in a bowl of water, let to soak in the sun or some other heat source. The infused water is then used as the base, where only minute amounts are added to a much larger base and then preserved with brandy. Voi-la!

Not too convincing huh? And yet after years of anecdotal research of people in the industry and the personal experiences of thousands, the conclusion is that flower essences are nothing less than amazing. Now Edward Bach himself only came up with 38 remedies and only made 1 combination of those remedies in his lifetime. That one combination is - yep you guessed it...Rescue Remedy.

The 38 remedies originally founded by Edward Bach are not the only flower essences ever discovered. There have been hundreds since his death, made by other companies. However, in my experience you can do a whole lot with just these 38. But let's get back to the matter at hand...why Rescue Remedy for all?

Rescue Remedy is the name brand for a 5 flower essence combination made for stress. It can also work for anxiety, depression, insomnia, wild acting children, and trauma. This is not an exhaustive list, and also Rescue Remedy is NOT a sedative. One very important thing to remember about flower essences, namely Rescue Remedy, is that it acts as a mediator towards balance. It helps our body come back to it's own state of balance - whatever that looks like - and does not impose some false state of happiness or euphoria. Whatever state of balance our body has the potential to be in, on an emotional level, Rescue Remedy can help to guide us there. And that's it. Nothing fancy, nothing too exciting really. Just a nice simple way of helping us to find our way of processing and dealing with what's in front of us the best way we can. Sometimes it's not the right remedy, and that's why we have 38 other flower essence alternatives, as well as all sorts of other medicines. Though with that said, time after time, I have watched Rescue Remedy come to the rescue of our little ones, our stressed out momma-ones, our furry ones, and even our plants. So I recommend it. And here is exactly how I recommend it...

1. I prefer the "generic" version from the company that is not the name brand by BACH FLOWER ESSENCES. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but Bach was bought out a few years back and made into a much larger company. Because of this, in my opinion, there is no longer the personal attention paid to the production of their products as there is at the smaller company that I now prefer. Here is a link to the company I prefer...

FES Flower Essences

This company makes many other flower essences - that are considered the "North American" remedies. Pay no mind to them. The remedies in the blue bottles are the same as the original 38 Bach remedies. The name for Rescue Remedy at this company is "Five Flower Formula."

2. Now with #1 in mind, I also acknowledge that the original Rescue Remedy can be found in almost any natural food store and then some. So it may be a whole lot more accessible to just buy the Rescue Remedy that looks like so...


Also the original Bach brand happens to make very fun and easy to use creams, sprays, candies, etc, etc. Which can be very enticing to the little ones... so I understand the appeal. So the truth is I recommend whichever company you can get your hands on- as both will work just fine.

3. When it comes to flower essences, more is NOT necessarily better. What I mean by this is depending on the need at hand, you may require a smaller amount over a longer period of time, or in times of acute stress one squirt directly into the mouth may suffice.

So for stressful periods of time like a move, or new family member the best way to give rescue remedy is 2-4 drops in everyone's water or beverage over several weeks whenever you remember. It doesn't matter the size of the bottle- you can put 2 drops in an 8 oz cup or a gallon size jug and it will have the exact same effect. This can be done each time you fill up the glass or bottle of liquid and taken throughout the day.

For more acute times, like transitions from school to home, someone falls off the jungle gym, acute moments of separation anxiety when mom or dad leaves the house, nighttime wakings, -then squirting 1 or 2 drops- if they'll let you- directly into the mouth is fine too. But also having a sip of the Rescue Remedy water you have already created- will again have the exact same effect. Again, when it comes to flower essences, more is not necessarily better.

(**One special note here. For infants, administering Rescue Remedy can seem a bit harder, as we are not typically feeding them water from a glass, sippy cup, or bottle. And if the baby is solely breastfeeding, which is of course best, how then do you give them the remedy if it becomes necessary? Well you can still use the water route. Just place a few drops of the water/Rescue Remedy mixture into a plastic syringe or eye dropper and drop a few drops onto their tongue. Simple enough.)


4. I recommend whatever form of Rescue Remedy you carry- creams, sprays, or the generic blue bottle, be sure to have a few bottles lying around. One in mom's purse, on the kitchen counter, near where baby sleeps. You get the idea. So it's easy to grab and easy to remember to use.

5. Lastly, even though I have seemed to say that Rescue Remedy is the cure-all for many emotional upsets - I want to remind you not to overuse it. Don't forget the old adage - "Too much of good thing..." well you know how it goes. It should be used when needed and then appropriately forgotten about until the next time. It should not be used preventatively on a regular basis.

And on that note over time people do forget about this remedy, even those who have faithfully used it for years. In times of stress it's hard to remember the simple and easy remedies that can help make life just a bit easier. I get phone calls all the time and questions asked in my office about what to do in the middle of the night and what can help baby through a difficult growth spurt or times of tantrums in the "terrible twos." And always the first thing I say is Rescue Remedy - Rescue Remedy for all! Don't forget the terrible twos, and the night time difficulties of babies, and illness throughout the whole house is difficult for mom and dad, sister and brother, and not just the person going through the stressful change.

To wrap up my shpiel on why Rescue Remedy is the amazing thing it is I will leave you with a list of some of the many times I think Rescue Remedy can fully shine. Good luck everyone and remember the simplest remedies are often the right ones.

When is Rescue Remedy at its best?

1. Night time wakings
2. Insomnia
3. New baby
4. The In-laws are coming to visit
5. Other house guests are coming to visit
6. Work changes
7. Tantrums
8. Illness
9. Don't forget its great for pets during stressful times too
10. Plants are being repotted
11. Baby experimenting with boundaries
12. Trauma
13. Falling
14. Moving (houses, rooms, etc)
15. Transitions- from school to home, home to school, from any activity to another really where things seem to get a little hairy.
16. Road trips
17. Plane rides
18. Doctor visits! Don't forget doctor visits.
19. Labor & delivery (thanks Juli!)