CHILD ABUSE AND ASTHMA

African-American women who grew up in abusive homes have a 20% higher risk of having asthma as an adult.

Constant stress uses up cortisol that would otherwise be used to control inflammation that can set off an asthma attack.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Science Daily

 

Sweet Green Smoothie

Sweet Green SmoothieThis sweet green smoothie contains raw greens that are an excellent source of true folate, which will help with methylation defects and thus, toxicity.

You can try experimenting with different combinations of leafy greens and fruit.

This green smoothie is a great afternoon pick-me-up or after a workout.

Serves:  4

Prep time:  5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 1 cup fresh dark-green lettuce
  • 1/2 bunch parsley
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro
  • 3 ribs celery
  • 1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth.

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TSH Thyroid Test

TSH Thyroid TestA TSH thyroid test is not the end-all, be-all for hypothyroidism diagnosis; TSH means “thyroid stimulating hormone”.  Your TSH results can be absolutely normal, yet you can have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.  Suzy Cohen, RPh, explains that your doctor needs to also test free T3 and reverse T3.

SOURCE:  Suzy Cohen, RPh

 

 

PREGNANCY AND ANTIBIOTICS

It’s a bad idea to take antibiotics during pregnancy.  Children whose mothers took antibiotics during pregnancy are more likely to develop asthma, as well as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, arthritis, allergies, depression, bipolar disorder, eczema, kidney problems, schizophrenia, acid reflux, colic and autoimmune disorders.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Dr. Joseph Mercola

 

 

TOXIC CHILDREN’S TOYS

They’re oh so cute, but oh so toxic.  75% of children’s Disney, Spider-Man and Dora the Explorer back-to-school products had high levels of phthalates.  Phthalates give plastics that “rubber ducky” feel.

Other children’s toys to avoid are:

  • Faux-leather goods (which contain lead)
  • Cheap jewelry (which can contain lead, arsenic and cadmium)
  • Some art supplies (which may contain carcinogens and volatile organic compounds)

 

Raspberry Gluten-Free Scones

Raspberry Gluten-Free SconesYou can enjoy these grain-free, SCD/GAPS-legal, raspberry gluten-free scones at high tea, breakfast, brunch or for a snack.

Serves: 12

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Allergy: Dairy, eggs, tree nuts

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup SCD yogurt (fermented at home)
  • 2 pasture-raised eggs
  • 2 teaspoons ground vanilla bean powder
  • 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 1/3 cup raw, local honey
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 cups almond flour

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a large baking tray.

In a food processor, blend together all the ingredients except the almond flour. Make sure the batter is well pureed. Add the almond flour to the mixture and blend again.

Drop batter onto the greased baking tray, in 2-inch circles that are evenly spaced. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and/or a knife inserted into the gluten-free scones comes out clean.

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PESTICIDES AND FOOD ALLERGIES

And here’s yet another reason to eat organic food:  pesticides might be causing your food allergies.  Dichlorophenols, such as the pesticide 2,4-D as well as moth balls and room deodorizers, kill bacteria, including the good bacteria in your gut and may thus contribute to gut dysbiosis.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Rodale News

 

FRENCH FRIES ARE NEUROTOXIC

What?  Yep, french fries and any other browned, starchy foods like potato chips and cereal contain acrylamides, which are both neurotoxic and carcinogenic.  Read more…

SOURCE:  Environmental Health Perspectives

 

Why Is Gut Dysbiosis So Bad for You?

Why Is Gut Dysbiosis So Bad for You?Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance of good vs. bad bacteria, yeast and other pathogens in your intestines. This is important because most of our immune system is located in our gastrointestinal tract, as most pathogens enter our bodies through our mouths.

Gut dysbiosis can cause lowered dopamine and lowered serotonin, as well as an inability to remember something in the short term, because most neurotransmitters are made in the intestines.

It can also cause leaky gut (intestinal permeability) which means that waste products that should be pooped out are not and are instead leaking out and causing an immune response.

Gut dysbiosis also causes nutritional deficiencies and can lower thyroid function, as well as cause lowered excretion of waste through the kidneys.

In addition, it causes increased ghrelin and lowered leptin, making you feel hungrier than you should, thereby contributing to weight gain.

Toxins produced by gut pathogens impairs your liver’s ability to detoxify, and because they are stressors, your adrenal glands will produce more cortisol, leading to fatigue and an inability to handle stress.

Gut dysbiosis causes inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as damage mitochondria, thereby increasing fatigue and lowering glutathione, the body’s powerful antioxidant.

 

Rosemary Socca Bread

Rosemary Socca BreadThis super-fast, super-easy rosemary socca bread is a snack that’s gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free.

Change up the toppings to make it your own!

Serves: 8

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or garlic salt
  • 1 cup chickpea or chickpea-fava bean flour
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (minced)
  • 1 large onion (diced)

Directions

Mix flour, salt and rosemary into a medium bowl. Slowly add water, whisking to remove lumps. Stir in 2 Tbsp. ghee or oil. Cover and set aside for an hour.

Preheat oven to 475F. Heat remaining oil in large cast-iron skillet, swirling the pan to coat until oil is shimmering. Place onions in pan, then pour batter in. Place pan in oven and cook until batter is lightly browned on top, 12-18 minutes. Remove from oven, slice and serve.

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