Quinoa / Buckwheat Porridge

Quinoa / Buckwheat Hot or Cold Porridge

1 cup of Quinoa or Buckwheat
Dates 5-10 and/or
Apricots 5-10 and/or
Figs 5-10 and/or
Prunes 5-10
Milk of choice (I use almond/hemp/coconut/flax)-add until you reach desired consistency (about 3-4 cups for me)
Sunbutter 16 oz jar

Avocados 3-4 
Maple Syrup to taste (optional)

The original recipe was written using quinoa but after a food sensitivity and gut test we discovered that buckwheat is a better fit for Emma than quinoa. 

While many people think that buckwheat is a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb and sorrel making it a suitable substitute for grains for people who are sensitive to wheat or other grains that contain protein glutens. Buckwheat flowers are very fragrant and are attractive to bees that use them to produce a special, strongly flavored, dark honey.  This makes it an excellent meat substitute.

High protein buckwheat flour is being studied for possible use in foods to reduce plasma cholesterol, body fat, and cholesterol gallstones.

“The properties of buckwheat are: Neutral thermal nature; sweet flavor; cleans and strengthens the intestines and improves appetite. Is effective for treating dysentery and chronic diarrhea.”  According to Paul Pitchford in Healing with Whole Foods

If using buckwheat rinse 1 cup buckwheat then boil in 

2 1/2 cups water 10-15 minutes until water is gone.

If using quinoa rinse and cook in insta-pot for 1 minute with 1.5 cups of water.  Add cooked quinoa and the rest of the ingredients to a blender until smooth.

Quinoa is non-GMO, gluten free and usually grown organically.  It is considered a whole-grain crop that is grown for its edible seeds.  For good reason it was referred to by the Inca Empire as the "mother of all grains" and believed to be sacred.  Most quinoa properties are determined by a high amount of essential amino acids, which are transformed into bio-available protein.  Quinoa possesses eight amino acids that the human body can not produce.  They are considered essential for transforming into protein and muscle but also for aiding in many other metabolic functions.

These amino acids include isoleucine, a blood glucose-lowering amino acid; leucine, which is crucial for building and maintaining muscle mass; lysine and methionine, both required for growth and tissue repair; phenylalanine, which plays a key role in the biosynthesis of other amino acids; threonine, an immunostimulant that promotes endocrine health; tryptophan, which is required for infant growth and brain serotonin synthesis; and valine, which promotes mental vigor, muscle coordination, and emotional calmness.

Quinoa is a powerhouse of minerals, including manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, all of which are necessary for cellular metabolism, as well as for healthy bones and the well-functioning of nerves and muscles. It also provides adequate levels of potassium and selenium, both important for the nervous and immune systems.

This Andean grain is a good source of B complex vitamins, mainly B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), and B9(folate), and its nutritional value is rounded by adequate amounts of B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyroxidine), as well as choline and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol).

So I was excited to try something new with Emma and of course she turned her nose up after a few bites.  I was a little nervous about it because the consistency is very similar to oats and she is not a fan of oats.  But as with everything else, I was not going to give up that fast.  Knowing that she prefers cold to hot I decided to try something different. So I started adding some even more power foods.

 

Figs:  Great help enhance digestion and regulate bowel movements.  They are beneficial for respiratory passages.  Figs contain phenolic compounds, mostly flavonoids, organi acids, anthocyanins, and coumarins, all of which have powerful antioxidant actions that contribute to enchance all body functions, including immune system, warding off diseases and promoting cellular regenerations-even better than red wine (which come to think of it may go good together moms). Figs are also rich in dietary fiber.

Apricots:  Apricots are an excellent source of beta carotene, providing 30% of the recommended daily value. They also provide high amounts of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), potassium and fiber.  Apricots are rich in phenolic compounds, which have great antioxidant, cardioprotective properties, but boast the highest levels of carotenoids, necessary to maintain the health of eyes and skin, as well as for preventing degenerative diseases.

Dates:  Dates are high in polyphenols, fiber and potassium.  They promote stronger bones and teeth and boosts the immune system. Dates are rich in vitamins B6, A and K.  They improve intestinal health and improve the metabolism and immunity as well.  Good source of folate, thiamin, niacin and riboflavin.

Maple Syrup:  Contains over 65 antioxidants, helps fight inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease, may protect against cancer, helps protect skin health and it has high amounts of zinc and manganese.

Sunbutter:  High in protein, loaded in Vitamin E, magnesium, aids digestion and high in healthy fats. 

Add all to blender with milk of choice and blend until smooth.  I freeze, just as I do my avocado ice cream.  Emma will eat this for a snack and also for breakfast.  Super fun to get "ice-cream" for breakfast now isn't it?

ENJOY!!

For more information on gut testing and food sensitivity please visit Viome.

What's for breakfast? Smoothies, applesauce, oatmeal. vitamins....

Nutrition is so important for children, but having the extra chromosome can cause difficulties with the immune system.  We encourage a diet low in sugar and grains and without MSG, GMO's, artificial colors, processed foods, or gluten.  We do this as a family, because it improves all of our health and sets up Payton (neurotypical) and Presley (our 4 year old with DS) for healthy choices throughout their lives.

Now, for our morning routine.  Shortly after Presley awakens, she is given her Naturethroid crushed with a small amount of applesauce.  This is more effective when given alone, so we wait a minimum of 30-45 minutes before giving anything else.   This is the time I spend preparing everything.

We began introducing smoothies to Presley as soon as she stopped breastfeeding.  It helped naturally thicken the liquids, so she has never had to use a thickener. This made it easier to get vitamins in without a fuss.

Presley's smoothie:

Ingredients: 

Coconut or almond milk
banana 1
grapes - good for fiber and polyphenols
avocado -  1/2 - this makes it very creamy, rich, and thick - occasionally
carrot - 1 sm - med, sometimes I use the small baby carrots if store was out
cilantro, spinach, or kale - keeping a variety
blueberries - wild, usually frozen
mixed berries - strawberries, blackberries, raspberries
bee pollen 1/4 tsp - contains 22 amino acids
aloe vera - 1 tsp - for constipation
local, raw honey - 1 Tbsp
flax oil - 1/4 - 1/2 tsp
black cumin oil - splash  - adult dose is 1 tsp
almond butter - 1 Tbsp
elderberry syrup - 1 Tbsp, immune modulator, homemade, when exposed or not feeling well
royal jelly - 1/2 tsp
cinnamon - dash

I also put her vitamins in: probiotics, vitamin C, vitamin D, acetyl L carnitine, PC, vitamin E, ECGC,  leucovorin, circumin w/resveratrol, fish oil, and magnesium. 

When I have these on hand, I like to add goji berries and sometimes the thermos cereal.

 

Everything gets mixed together in the Nutribullet.  I have used this one for 3 years many times a day and it still works great.

 

 

It took awhile to convert from plastic cups, but we switched to glass jars with stainless steel tops and straws.   Later on, I found this stainless steel cups with different color bands around them.  This obviously fills Presley up for awhile, so I also prepare Payton a snack until breakfast is officially made.

 

 

 

Payton's morning snack:

 



Frozen blueberries
Elderberry syrup
Organic, dark chocolate (80% cacao) - 1-2 pieces (it isn't a reward or treat, it is just part of her morning routine)
Fresh fruit: apple, orange, grapes, kiwi, banana, or strawberries
Applesauce with:
          probiotics
          fish oil
          royal jelly
          local, raw honey
          vitamin C powder
          cinnamon
          chia seeds - 2 tsp - let sit in refrig and it will thicken it

Payton will drink one of these: kefir, milk, herbal tea, or komboucha.  I sometimes make her smoothie using komboucha and add all the vitamins instead of giving applesauce.

An hour or so after this, the girls  will eat gluten free oatmeal with 1 tsp sunbutter,  1 tsp honey, sprinkle of cinnamon, and 1/3 cup almond or coconut milk yogurt.    


In the meanwhile, I also enjoy a almond milk smoothie with almond or sunbutter, berries, carrots, cilantro, kale, spinach, coconut oil, chia seeds, avocado, pure greens powder, aloe vera, and flax oil.  If we only took care of ourselves as well as we do our children.......


Here is a picture of Presley helping prepare her smoothie in the morning.  It is more than teaching nutrition and good eating habits.  We cover counting as she practices her fine motor putting the grapes in. She learned all the different types of berries and reads each label while practicing pronouncing each. We review different shades of same colors as they berries are slightly different. She practices pouring into containers. She gets told the carrots help her eyes as well as ...what the others do. We discuss things that are cold versus room temperature. She learned that green things are actually good. We talk about adding a rainbow of colors. We each have a smoothie so she learned left, right, and middle and comparing big versus small. Lastly, she takes pride in knowing she helped make her own morning drink. Yes this takes longer, but learning can happen anywhere


Yes, I am a stay at home (retired military/PA) mom and have the privilege of being able to do this each morning.  My husband also enjoys a morning smoothie.  So, I prepare most of it the night before and add the frozen fruit and blend it each morning.

Please let me what ideas you have to help keep your kids healthy.

Many blessings,
Robin Tolliver
         

Removing MSG could help your family. Here is why.

                                  

 

As the new year is approaching, many people will re-evaluate their diets.  Many moms will re-evaluate their children's diets.  Could it be more healthy or more nutritionally valuable?   I have read many times that what you eat either helps you or hurts you.  I wanted to share some important information for you to ponder over that could positively affect your family and your children, especially if they have the diagnosis DS, ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, or have unusual repetitive behaviors.   

 

Glutamate initially came to my attention when we obtained urinary neurotransmitters on Presley when she was 2 years old.    She had noted elevations.

 

MSG is basically everywhere.   In this informative article, Dr Mercola says "MSG is one of the worst food additives on the market and is used in canned soups, crackers, meats, salad dressings, frozen dinners and much more.  It's found in your local supermarket and restaurants, in your child's school cafeteria and, amazingly, even in baby food and infant formula.  MSG is more than just a seasoning like salt and pepper, it actually enhances the flavor of foods, making processed meats and frozen dinners taste fresher and smell better, salad dressings more tasty, and canned foods less tinny."

 

Here  is a video of Dr  Peirson discussing glutamate at the AutismOne conference. (I am having internet issues and can not access it currently or I would comment more about it, will try to update later).

 

The Mayo Clinic says: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," but its use remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.   Keep reading to see what names they use to hide it though.

 

 

 

 

This video sparked my interest in MSG again.  I highly recommend you listen to this 16 minute video. This is Dr Katy Reid from Unblind MyMind,  She is a biochemist and a mom of five children.  Her youngest daughter has autism and through dietary interventions/removing MSG, she was able to resolve all her symptoms of autism.  She mentions the connection of gluten/casein/MSG and why some children improve removing gluten or casein, stating reducing gluten and casein also reduces the free glutamate load as well.  Here I read that wheat, barley, oats, and dairy have the highest contents of glutamate. Foods that have lower amounts are fruits, vegetables, potatoes, eggs and tree nuts like pecans, walnuts, and macadamias

She also states: while glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid, is produced by our bodies and found in many protein-rich foods, including, meat, vegetables, dairy, eggs, fish and poultry, MSG is derived from the synthetic processing of glutamate and found in nearly 95% of processed foods. In 1908, MSG was developed by a Japanese man for the purpose of enhancing flavor in food. He later went on to form Ajinomoto, the world's leading MSG producer and, ironically, also a drug company.

MSG is approximately 78 percent free glutamic acid, 21 percent sodium, and up to 1 percent contaminants.  MSG is an excitotoxin, which means it can overexcite your cells to the point of damage or death, causing brain damage to varying degrees -- and potentially even triggering or worsening learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and more. (source).  Per Dr Reid, this free glutamate from MSG is a single amino acid, not linked to other amino acids.  It can immediately enter the blood rapidly and cause surges of varying levels and a variety of symptoms.  Dr Reid says bound glutamate is linked by amino acids to make a series of amino acids and through digestion, there is a slow, controlled release into the blood according to what the body needs. MSG/free glutamate is made when bound glutamate is released from its bond to other amino acids or it can also be chemically created.   It takes a half hour or less for MSG/free glutamate to reach the brain but it takes 4-6 hours for “bound glutamate in food” to get there (source).

Our bodies require glutamate for learning and developmental processes. The amino acids in glutamate are the building blocks of proteins, and subsequently responsible for metabolism and brain function.  Glutamate is also responsible for transmitting signals between neurons and other cells.  We have glutamate receptors all over body, especially the brain, central nervous system, and spinal cord.  When excessive free glutamate/MSG is consumed, it will quickly stimulate this receptors potentially causing a multitude of symptoms within the nervous system and brain.  Receptors are also located in the pancreas and this overstimulation causes excessive insulin release, lowering blood glucose (sugar), thus stimulating your appetite.  Think of eating Chinese food, which is notorious for using MSG, and you can't understand why you are hungry again not long after eating.  There is also 10,000 times the amount of glutamate inside the cells than outside the cells.   It has to be kept in balance, because if glutamate gets outside the cells, it can turn into a toxin an kill neurons.   It can also overly excite the cell, causing it to open its pores excessively and let in large quantities of substances that are normally allowed to enter only in limited amounts (source).

Here is a good video explaining MSG on a simple level and it's effects on different systems of the body.  She also states MSG could be added to dirt and it would make it taste good, which is why it is added to processed foods so they have some type of flavor.  She also states that MSG is given to lab rats to cause obesity and diabetes to do testing of diabetic medications on them.  So why wouldn't it do the same in humans?  There are many opinions and articles stating yes and no.

 

  

 

MSG can be hidden under numerous names.  Per Dr Mercola:

 

These foods ALWAYS contain MSG 

 

Autolyzed Yeast	Calcium Caseinate	Gelatin
Glutamate	Glutamic Acid	Hydrolyzed Protein
Monopotassium Glutamate	Monosodium Glutamate	Sodium Caseinate
Textured Protein	Yeast Extract	Yeast Food
Yeast Nutrient



These foods OFTEN contain or create MSG during processing:

Flavors and Flavorings	Seasonings	Natural Flavors and Flavorings	Natural Pork Flavoring	Natural Beef Flavoring
Natural Chicken Flavoring	Soy Sauce	Soy Protein Isolate	Soy Protein	Bouillon
Stock	Broth	Malt Extract	Malt Flavoring	Barley Malt
Anything Enzyme Modified	Carrageenan	Maltodextrin	Pectin	Enzymes
Protease	Corn Starch	Citric Acid	Powdered Milk	Anything Protein Fortified
Anything Ultra-Pasteurized

Here is a comprehensive article listing restaurants and foods by brand that contain MSG.  We like Chick Fil A, so I also looked on their website to see the ingredients and it does show MSG in the form of yeast extract and maltodextrin.  I did find this good homemade recipe for their chicken sandwich though. So, you can possibly look up your favorite restaurants to see if they list their ingredients.

I hope this information peaks your interest on this topic.  There is an abundance of information about MSG available, some quite controversial, so please do your own research and decide what is best for your family.  As for our family, we will try our best to avoid MSG by eating more real foods and avoiding processed foods.  Processed foods are convenient foods, and moms of children with special needs sometimes need convenience just to survive the day, so make changes slowly and keep moving forward.  Best healthy wishes in 2016.

Blessings,
Robin T.

Potato Peel Broth

When we started with NACD we had a consult with Julian Neil, N.D./Ph.D.  He gave us some wonderful recipes to add to our daily diet.  I have a previous post of his Thermo Cereal that is a staple for all of today.  Below you will find another item that we use daily.  Emma drinks about 6-8 ounces of this a day.  It can be used to make rice or pasta but we prefer drinking.

Here is the recipe from Dr. Neil's site.

Use a large cooking pot with distilled water and add the following:

 

Carrots with tops, asparagus and kale

 

beets with tops, cucumbers, celery with leaves and Italian parsley

 

broccoli, zucchini, ginger, apple peelings, parsnip and lemongrass

 

Also add potato peel, okra, green cabbage, green pepper, onion, garlic, spinach and dandelion greens.

 

 

My little helper.

This is what you will get.

 

 

Now put on stove top and add distilled water.

 

 

Bring to low boil and simmer for 20 minutes.

 

 

Strain off broth and freeze in containers.

 

 

I now have enough glass bottles so we will no longer reuse the plastic jugs, but for this batch I did.

 

 Add a tablespoon of Rice Bran Complex after straining to enrich it with B vitamins and silicon. You may also add two or three tablespoons of Dr. Jensen’s “Vegetable Seasoning”.

 

Emma's broth drink has a little apple juice, chicken broth and Thieves essential oils added to it daily.

 

 

What Is Stimming?

Stimming, Stimming, Stimming, Stimming, Stimming, Stimming, Stimming, Stimming, Stimming and more Stimming.  That is what I think-all day long.

Being the mother of a child with Down syndrome is the easy part for me.  Being the mother of a stimmer is the hard part, it is exhausting.  Ever since Emmalin was old enough to stim-she did.  Is is Down syndrome? Is is Autism?  What is it and why does she do it?  

With the help of NACD I got the labels out of my head.  "Stop looking for a label and fix it....fix it now", Lynn always knows how to send me into overdrive.  If you truly need a label just consider this-it is stimming and we have to figure out the source and stop it.

What is stimming:

Sensory play, self-stimulating behavior, or “stimming” are all terms used to describe a group of behaviors seen in many delayed children.  It is repetitive, it often appears compulsive, and it can occur using any of the senses. Parents usually describe it as something that does not seem quite right.

Sensory play is a learned behavior that an individual develops for several reasons. Primarily, it feels good and so the behavior is repeated. With typical young children, playing with toes and fingers is pleasurable. Developmentally, it is important as connections are made in the brain about where their body is, but the child soon moves on to the next exciting step in development.

When senses are delayed or impaired, the child can become stuck and the behavior becomes obsessive and can actually stop development. You may have heard some say that sensory play is beneficial, calming, a communication attempt, or even a type of psychological mechanism. It is possible that on an unconscious level, some children use stimming to control their environment or to avoid the things they wish not to do. For example, if a child stims he may be able to avoid uncomfortable social situations.

Why do they stim:

Repetitive sensory play creates endorphins, “happy,” “feel good” chemicals in the brain, much the same as the “runner’s high.” These chemicals become addictive, causing the individual to repeat the activity in order to renew the good feeling. Thus, the child becomes trapped in a compulsive behavior. Development stops progressing, becoming more and more delayed, and for many children actually begins regressing.

There is often a metabolic component to stimming. When children are out of balance metabolically, their stimming is increased. Appropriate metabolic intervention can often reduce stimming and occasionally halt it.

The causes often relate to dysfunction in one or more sensory channels. To address sensory dysfunction, we need to determine why the sensory information is not going into the brain correctly (where it would organize and progress to the next level), stop the sensory play, and address the root cause of the dysfunction with specific, appropriate neurodevelopmental activities. 
 
What does it look like:

The behavior will appear strange and repetitive, and there is often a compulsive element to it. Typically, a child who is stopped from stimming will become quite angry. Stopping stimming is equivalent to breaking an addiction such as smoking or drinking caffeine. The intensity of the anger can be a clue to parents as to how “stimmy” a behavior is. To stop sensory play, parents can redirect the behavior, distract the child and get them engaged in other activities, or remove the implements the child is using to stim. It is usually best not to try to explain or attach a negative feeling to the stim. Nagging does not work and can sometimes intensify the behavior. When the quantity of stimming has been reduced, it can sometimes be refined into something more appropriate. An example is teaching a child who makes strange throat noises to form words. 


Here are some videos of Emma stimming.  This WAS Emma in her down time, tired time or not feeling well time.  I normally do not let her "go there" but for video purposes I did.  You have to know how far your child is willing to go.  I have always been able to say her name and pull her out of it but for some kiddos this is just not the case. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Other examples of stims:


 VISUAL:

Dangling strings, shaking toys, wiggling fingers— in front of or to the side of face usually in exactly the same spot, lining up toys excessively, repeatedly stacking toys and knocking them down, spinning wheels on toy cars/trucks, pushing toy trucks and cars while tilting head to watch wheels, watching out the window at cars driving by, staring out window watching dust specks in the air, watching ceiling fans, staring at dining room lights, looking sideways and/or upside down at TV, nose on TV, flipping pages without looking at pictures, flipping toys, wall walking, opening/shutting drawers and doors, spinning bowls, spinning toys, walking in patterns, pacing, splashing, watching water, running sand/beans etc. through hands while watching, spinning coins, looking at maps with nose about 1" away, following roads on map with nose, box hopping or lining up chairs, laundry baskets, boxes and storage containers in a path and stepping from one to another, rocking: from foot to foot, back and forth, side to side, throwing or dropping toys, throwing toys over shoulder, picking fuzz, shredding paper, looking out car window with peripheral vision (while giggling), walking down hall with head to one side, standing on head on furniture, running in circles, rewind video while watching it rewind excessive, drawing, rubbing pencils together, watching own reflection in doorknobs, toasters, windows at night, oven door, shiny faucets, TV screen when off, clean cars, blank computer screens and mirrors, holding up small toys (usually characters) in front of TV while video is going, turning head in light patterns made by blinds, obsessively pouring a "slinky" from hand to hand, watching a yoyo with peripheral vision over and over, multiple cartwheels frequently and excessively head shaking, spinning own body or twirling around, twirling self under own arm which is against a wall, dangling pieces of grass or twigs, twirling long hair or braids (girls) in peripheral vision.

For Emma this is how she likes to stim.  Anything that dangles or flips is in our danger zone.    


VERBAL or AUDITORY:

Blurting out loud and/or high pitched noises, repetition of odd noises/sounds, talking to self, excessive and nondirective echolalia of phrases, movies, songs, humming, nose humming, banging on everything, throat sound, compulsive pounding toys, or books excessive giggling, excessive pretend play, electronic games that repeat, inappropriate giggling (often a sign that they are stimming), repeating a video scene over and over, telling the same story over and over, constantly singing reciting alphabet over and over.

Auditory was some of the first signs of stimming for us. She babbled and babbled and babbled...now I know why.  So happy that my daughter is a talker but I see repeating the alphabet and numbers a little different than many other parents now.

TACTILE:

Chewing on insides of cheeks, rubbing clothing between fingers, biting fingernails, chewing fingernails, scratching obsessively/to bleeding, head banging, teeth grinding, spitting, grabbing someone's arm with both hands and squeezing with head against arm rubbing face/hands, bobbing up and down with top part of body while sitting in chair sucking on tongue.


 How to stop and why:

Neurodevelopmentalists Marilee Nicoll Coots, B.A. and Cyndi Ringoen, B.S., B.A., view sensory play as negative, self-perpetuating, self-isolating behavior. Their goal, and the goal of the parents they work with, is to help each individual develop to their highest potential. Therefore, they discourage any behavior that will be counter-productive to high function.

Now here is what we did.  Anyone that knows me knows that I will dig my heals in.  I will figure out a way.  It may take me a lot of time, but I will not give up.  My child was not overcoming it, I had to help her.

1.  Cleaned up diet.  We are gluten and dairy free.  I take a lot of steps to support good gut.

2.  Emma's ears are nice and clear.  We monitor ears quarterly and inserted tubes to eliminate fluid.  Anytime Emma is not herself, we check ears first.

3.  We are on a ND program and we push processing. 

4.  We keep engaged best we can.

5.  I do an Essential Oil Raindrop detox on her every 4 weeks.

6.  Each bath consists of Epsom, Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lavender.

7.  We do therapy recommended by NACD to support peripheral vision.

8.  We exercise-which resulted in Emma stimming on the lines around the track......AHHHHHHH.

9.  We have hippotherapy once a week which gives her a lot of good input that she craves.

10. We stay on top of thyroid, the biggest piece of the puzzle.


Doing all of this and Emma was still out of balance.  So I researched deeper (because that is what we have to do right?).  I read a great article from Andi Durkin regarding a supplement called Bacopa that helped Jett with his stimming.  I knew I had to give it a try.  I contacted Andi and she so graciously helped me out.  Thank you dear friend...you are changing so many lives.

http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.com/2011/05/bacopa-monera-extract-bme.html

After two weeks to get to the correct dose (1 tab twice a day) for Emma, it stopped.  Yes I said it correctly.   IT STOPPED.  THANK YOU JESUS!

I increased slowly because it can cause loose stools and we certainly did not want any dehydration to occur. 

On week three some stimming returned...two days later we discovered a red and sore throat.  We cleared that up and Emma's stimming once again went away.

We are doing some cortisol testing on Emma to see if this is part of the "stim trigger" but for now we are relying on Bacopa's help.

Now to get a true assessment of Bacopa I left Emma completely alone for 2 weeks after getting to the correct dose.  No ND program and no extra engagement.  Essentially I put my little girl on an island and watched over her.  I gave her every reason and opportunity to stim and it never came.

After living with a stimmer and suddenly not, it is just too good to be true.  I contacted Andi and asked if this was really happening, is is truly gone?  She, like me, knew how exhausting it was and she too was hypersensitive to stimming.  But, she also saw the same results with Jett.  

With all that said, Emma still does questionable auditory stuff.  She will do some repetitive counting and singing and repeating the alphabet....but she is a 3 years old who is working on these things so I don't find it too alarming right now.  It is age appropriate and I do not feel that it will delay cognition.

Is it right for your child, I have no idea.  Will it work with your child, I honestly have no idea.  Please do your own research and discover what support your child needs.  Before we tried Bacopa I had to support Emma's whole body through diet.  Please read Robin's post Supplements, Diet, Essential Oils & Lifestyle Changes, What Works For Us and Why to understand how we support the whole body.  I also eliminated any possible medical triggers.


I got this in an email from our coach one day.  I held onto it for this post and I have had it for some time.  I promised myself that this post would not happen until I had a possible solution.

"Stimming goes away if you don't do it anymore." – from an NACD kid. Actually, it lessens gradually as their processing goes up and sensory issues get addressed, and they develop additional skills, and learn to read, develop conceptual thought and play appropriately etc. The progression is usually stimming all the time as a primary behavior, to stimming whenever they are not engaged, to stimming when stressed or unwell, to stimming as a secondary behavior, to stimming if there is a trigger etc. etc. you get the idea. I know how hard some of you are working on keeping your children engaged and I know that it often feels like you are not seeing things change quickly enough...but please persevere. The consistent hard work makes the difference.

To all of my stimmy kid's parents....I see you and I know how exhausting it is.  A bad day for stimming is so stressful and tiring.  Don't worry about a label.  Stimming does not equal Autism. Stimming equals sensory play.  Very common with typical and not so typical kids.  With developmentally delayed kids we have to look at the world completely different.  Just because your child does some of this does not mean they are in the red zone.  But as their parent, recognize it and monitor it please.

Update:

8-22-14:  Emma's stimming returned....sad for a moment then knew it was time to take the next step, we are not done with this journey.  When stimming returned I looked at the thyroid first, once again I was right and her thyroid was not functioning at its best.  We increased her dose and once again stimming stopped, but only for a few weeks.  It has since returned and we are going to look a little deeper.  We will be conducting some food allergy/sensitivity testing.  We are going back to the gut-where is all starts and see if there is something that we are missing.  Essential oils are helping decrease the stimming along with hippotherapy but I know that it is still there-which tells me something is still out of whack.

Update:

10-30-14:  We have really been pushing sequential processing with Emmalin and are seeing positive results on the stimming.  Seeing a lot more appropriate play and less stimming.  Now, it is still hiding right around the corner and it is waiting to rear its ugly head but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel......I hope.  Will continue to update you with our progress.

Below is a description of sequential processing:

Parenting 101:
Processing, Behavior, and Maturity
Robert J. Doman, Jr.

Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 20 No. 5, 2007 ©NACD

In my last article I introduced "sequential processing" and encouraged readers to find out how well you and those in your family can process information.  I hope you all took advantage of the opportunity. If you didn't, you can still go to www.nacd.org and take the free memory test.

Over the years we have discovered that sequential processing, which is the brain's ability to process pieces of visual or auditory information in a sequence, normally develops in a predictable pattern as a child grows.  As sequential processing develops so does the complexity of thought. A child's ability to think determines their ability to understand, learn and act.  If anything interferes in the development of sequential processing, the child's ability to understand, learn and act will be affected in a number of ways.

The first seven to nine years of life provide the best window of opportunity to learn about the significance of sequential processing because sequential processing - particularly auditory sequential processing - has a lot to do with determining your child’s overall (or "global") level of maturity as well as their ability to pay attention and learn.  When a child comes to us with a label of learning delays, behavior problems, trouble concentrating, or just being immature for their age, the child will almost always be found to display lower than normal sequential processing abilities.  As we correct the delay in sequential processing by teaching the brain to process more pieces of information, we find many learning, behavior and attention deficit problems resolve without further intervention.

Sequential processing usually develops at the rate of one piece of information per year up until about seven to nine years of age. At that point, it tends to stop increasing without specific intervention.   In young children, we can determine their processing level by looking at how many directions they can follow in a sequence.  For example, a child who is between one and two should be able to follow a simple direction like, “touch your nose”, which amounts to processing one piece of information. With a child between ages two and three, you should be able to open a book and ask them, “Where is the horse and the dog?’ (two pieces of information).  When they are three years old, they should be able to repeat three things in a series, such as “yellow, green, and red” (three pieces of information). As the child grows, their sequential processing should continue to advance by one piece of information per year, so that by age seven they are able to process at least seven pieces of visual or auditory information in a sequence. 

Many of the typical challenges parents face in dealing with their little ones relate directly to the child's level of sequential processing.  Up until two years old, or the point at which the child can process two pieces of information, they are very easy to get along with.  Give them something to play with and they are happy; take it away and they will probably still be smiling because they will just redirect their attention from the object to you, processing one thing at a time.  When they hit two, things get interesting because the thought process becomes “I want” or “Don’t want,” and that is the end of the thought because they can't think beyond two pieces of information at one time.  Functionally this produces the “Terrible Twos” in which the child tantrums because they inevitably want something or don’t want something and cannot process a “but” or a “later.”  When the child reaches three years old, you can begin to reason with them because they can process a third piece of information - including that important word “later.”
But children at a processing level of  three are still rather challenging because they hit what we refer to as the “Lock and Block” stage.  At the “Lock and Block” stage, the child can process the concept of  “later” but cannot process well enough to think their way out of a situation they perceive as threatening in any way.  If they perceive something as fun or okay, they are all smiles.  But when faced with new situations, new people, or if you simply ask them to do something without using your friendly little kid voice, they may give you trouble.  And once they have locked and blocked, forget it!  But often, if you wait a few minutes and come back to them with the same request, they will be fine and comply without any difficulty. It all depends on their perception of threat. Around four years old, the brain is able to begin processing four pieces of information, and the child moves out of the Lock and Block stage and into a whole new set of behaviors that keep parents on their toes.  And so the process goes year by year.

Dealing with little ones can be challenging, but the real challenges come when your seven or eight-year-old processes like a four or five-year-old and you start hearing things like, “Johnny is distractible,” or “Johnny isn’t following directions,” or, perhaps, "We should test Johnny for ADD.”  The root of many developmental problems - from language delays to behavior and learning issues - lies in the fact that their sequential processing has not developed properly. The good news is that sequential processing can be increased fairly easily with the proper intervention.

Sources:

Sensory Play By Neurodevelopmentalists Marilee Nicoll Coots, B.A. and Cyndi Ringoen, B.S., B.A.,

www.littlegiantsteps.com

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry is the fruit of the elder tree, and as a supplement it is often used for colds and flu.

Why do people take elderberry?

Elderberries contain natural substances called flavonoids. They seem to help reduce swelling, fight inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Studies have found that elderberry eases flu symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, cough, and body ache. The benefits seem to be greatest when started within 24 to 48 hours after the symptoms begin. One study found that elderberry could cut the duration of flu symptoms by more than 50%.
Lab studies have found that elderberry might be effective against H1N1, or swine flu. 
A few studies have suggested that elderberry could help with bacterial sinus infections or bronchitis. More research needs to be done.
People use elderberry for high cholesterol, HIV, and many other conditions.

Where do I get it?

That is what brings me to this post.  After buying for a year I wanted to attempt to make it myself.  We use elderberry to help us stay healthy during cold and flu season.  If one of us start to feel ill I will up the daily dose from once a day to three times a day and my immune system really kicks into overdrive.  Again, I know exactly what is going in. 

 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups dried elderberries
6 whole Chinese star anise
18 whole cloves
13 cups water
4 cups raw local honey
4 whole cinnamon sticks
1 ginger root (large or small is your choice, depending on how much you like ginger)

All of my ingredients come from Mountain Rose Herbs except for honey and ginger. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/


Make sure you buy your honey local for added benefits.  Why local?  Taking a high-quality raw local honey for two months before allergy season can actually lessen your allergies. Bees carry the pollen that aggravates seasonal allergies, and some of that pollen becomes part of the honey. Consuming honey daily before allergy season can help your body grow accustomed to the pollen and immunize your body against it.

 

Thinly slice ginger and add to pot.

 

Add dried elderberries,

 

cinnamon sticks, star of anise,

 

and cloves. 

 

Last add water and bring to a boil.  Lower to a simmer for 1 hour.

Cover pot with cracked lid.  I prop a wooden spoon under one side of my lid.  After one hour remove from heat and let steep for a bit.  It will become a wonderful deep purple.  I let mine sit for about 15 minutes.

 

Last run through a strainer to remove the solid ingredients.

 

 

With a candy thermometer allow to cool to 110 degrees.

 

 

Next add honey and stir until fully dissolved.

 

 

Here is my finished product.

 

We all take this daily.  When someone starts getting a sickness we will double and triple up on the dose.

 

I have had a lot of people that are interested in purchasing the Elderberry instead of making it themselves.

 

If you are interested in buying it directly from me please feel free to email me a tsambeau@yahoo.com.

 

8 oz bottle is $15.00

16 oz bottle is $25.00