Re: it is driving me crazy

January 2, 2011

This is a great topic. This is my new course this year in getting my son healthier. We tested for parasites and that was not the issue. But son is thin and he craves sugar especially just now and is searching it out in every form. This will mean hiding and locking up the cereal again and the milk. I knew a child once who when first put on the gluten free diet ate almost a whole loaf of bread. What our bodies crave is not always what is good for us. Retraining our bodies to eat healthy starts with a single step. I'm learning this for myself as well.

I remember when I first started the casein free diet he stopped drinking everything including water. I ended up putting a tiny amount of rice milk in his milk and just gradually increasing the rice and taking away the regular milk. I also kept the milk in small frig in the garage. My son was drinking nearly half a gallon of milk a day and not eating.

It's time to go deeper. My son now eats meat and veggies at every meal and starch once a day. I think I need to up the veggie intake and hide all the sugar apples bananas everything until yeast is under control with help from probiotics. He's been more stimmy more stim chatty more anxious more irritable since Thanksgiving which is about the time we had more and more people bringing candy and cookies and such around. He's realllyyyy sneaky he can sniff out candy in any house even if you hide it on top of your dresser....no fooling his powerful nose.

The eating of new veggies or veggie drinks will be counted bites or small shot glasses at first. There will not be an option of no. I may have to give a small apple or piece of banana for good eating after a meal at first but I really think his gut needs some help. He does not get sick really but he's had a foul odor in his mouth and I think his sinuses are swollen from allergies he's also had lots of headaches which leads to irritation and sensitivity to noise especially TV or music.

Someone talked a bit about lunch at school. My son does not eat much at school and will only eat ham bacon and chips when there. I quit fighting this one he eats a really big breakfast and in the summer I can control his diet at home. My son does not want to leave the lunchroom although he does not socialize there and he has said it is loud. He likes to watch the other kids and he listens to everyone he just can't eat and socialize and listen all at once. And he refuses to go to a smaller room. Lets just say we are still negotiating with him. His big brother is in lunch with him and keeps an eye on him and Matt comes over at times to say hello. Big brother sits in the middle of the room surrounded by loud chatty people and Matt likes to sit on the edges and watch. Zach would like Matt to come and sit but it's just to much for Matt but luckily Zach's friends and especially his girlfriend come over and talk to Matt on his turf and it's helping with saying hello in bigger places like school and sometimes....at lunch.

I would love to have one day in Matt's shoes just so I would know what to do to help. And......he could help me with my math.....

Trina

Rosie I don't think he'll be ok, but Dr Volpe can also help you supplement him to get the nutrients he needs. One thing to remember, is that it isn't as if his old diet was supplying true nutrients either. Many hate to make dietary changes because they fear the child isn't eating enough. Really they aren't eating the right foods anyway.

The issue isn't just to remove gluten for example. It lies deep within the intestinal walls. The body should have a balance of yeasts, bacteria, parasites, even virus. What is happening is this balance of " good guys " example good bacteria is getting disturbed. Deeply disturbed and the bad guys are taking over. The intestines and gut become a breeding ground for bad yeasts, bacteria, parasites etc...

These are living organisms that are crying out for food. They often can make a person very overweight or very underweight. They can starve a child of nutrition. Some of our kids are terribly skinny due to parasites and other living bugs stealing the nutrition. Other kids are overweight, only living on the fatty/sugar foods that feed yeasts etc......

So when you are working to help a child with autism, it's not just about removing gluten. It's also about getting " killers " on board like neem and biocidin. These are natural things like oregano for example to help kill the bad guys. Then we want to supply the gut with living flora like good bacteria. You can deliver good flora through probiotic supplements and even living foods like cultured vegetables.

In addition to all of this you want to starve out the bad guys by taking their food supply away...the pastas, crackers, breads....even the GF ones. So when I approached this whole dietary project and my son too began limiting to only GF carbs like cookies, crackers, breads, pancakes, waffles...I realized that I had to go deeper than just a GFCF diet.

I had to learn how to repopulate his gut with living flora. Stop feeding the bad guys, and learn now to nourish the body with living foods, living greens, good minerals, fats, proteins etc.....It's not something I learned overnight. It took years of daily study.

Basically the immune system should be controlling infections. With our kids, they have immune dysfunction due to multiple factors including messing with the immune system early on with multiple vaccinations. Multiple rounds of antibiodics altering the flora of the body. Antibiodics in the food supply changing the flora of our people.

Our kids are walking around infected. So Rosie, it's a process, a step by step process. While your child is limited in what GF foods he'll eat, you can ask Volpe to help you supplement him. Then week by week work to get your child to learn to listen to his mama. He needs to learn to take new bites of good foods.

I'll never forget how long I worked to teach my kids to eat a steamed carrot, then steamed bits of kale with onions....man was I happy when I could get a healthy bowl of healing soup into my kids. Day by day I phased out those GF brownies and kept increasing the good foods.

From a behavioral aspect and a healthier gut aspect my kids started wanting the good foods. Their inner ecology was changing. 100 years ago moms didn't have to do feeding session with their kids to eat a carrot. The children had the right balance of flora in their gut and they wanted these foods. Today's kids are coming from sick mothers and fathers with altered flora. Today's kids want junk....their altered flora is asking for junk.

A few links below if you haven't yet looked at these. By the way, my once severe son has recovered. He's only 7 and doing quite well. He just drank a large glass of green drink and 1/2 cup of cultured vegetables and then he got his homemade chicken nuggets. We're still at this and will likely live this way for a lifetime. Meal by meal his body healed.

http://www.gutandpsychologysyndrome.com/http://bodyecology.com/autism.php

Take care Rosie....I know how crazy it all is!

> > > > > >> > > > > > ,> > > > > > > > > > > > You give prolific advice! You help us all. I so agree with you! My son

> > > > > > healed a great deal just by changing diet and adding metabolic supports. We> > > > > > were pushed towards chelation, but Ethan's neutrophil count remained low for

> > > > > > several years and we couldn't consider trying it.> > > > > > > > > > > > It was hard to come to a decision to chelate, but the testing was done and

> > > > > > he was diagnosed with HMI at Children's. I regret doing IV chelation as it> > > > > > was traumatic for him and us, especially when he had a reaction. And as I

> > > > > > said before, his stimming had disappeared before IV chelation, but returned> > > > > > after it. My son still has mercury in his body, and for him I think it will

> > > > > > be a necessity if he has a chance at full recovery.> > > > > > > > > > > > However, I think diet and nutrition is absolute. I see very few children

> > > > > > improve whose parents have not made these dietary changes. I try to inform> > > > > > parents as I meet them, but out here in the boonies, I am usually met with

> > > > > > the phrase, " That would be to hard! " I'm not judging them, I just admit I> > > > > > don't understand that line of thinking.> > > > > >

> > > > > > You are right; nothing about this road is easy, but my child is more> > > > > > important to me than my freedom to do my own thing or my own comfort. The>

> > > > > thought that keeps me going is that my son is an only child, and my goal is> > > > > > that he have his own, independent life. They say the people who are most>

> > > > > successful at anything are the people who write down their goals and then> > > > > > also write down what they are willing to give up to achieve the goal.> > > > > >

> > > > > > There is little I would not give up to improve the quality of my child's> > > > > > life in a positive way.> > > > > > >

> > > > > You've got me thinking about the things I crave in my diet, as well. You> > > > > > are right that we ALL need to change our diets and the way we think about>

> > > > > food. I have know for a long time that when summer comes and we pretty much> > > > > > stick to the veggies from our own garden, that we all feel better and more>

> > > > > energetic!> > > > > > > > > > > > I think everyone needs to keep a food diary. I've noticed for some time> > > > > > that I do not feel well after eating a hamburger. I think everyone can

> > > > > > benefit from keeping a diary and then eating the foods that make them feel> > > > > > good and alert afterward. Likewise it is important to note our children's

> > > > > > behaviors after eating. If stimming is increased after a certain food, it> > > > > > should be eliminated. If behavior degrades after a certain food, it needs

> > > > > > to be replaced with something else.> > > > > > > > > > > > I may have asked you this before but can't remember: You never did any

> > > > > > chelation with your child? To be honest I had hoped we could heal Ethan> > > > > > without it, but he just shows too many signs of mercury poisoning still, so

> > > > > > we intend to use ALA transdermally. If it works, it will be a bonus to us> > > > > > as Ethan has come so far already. We are constantly looking at diet and>

> > > > > trying to get better. I will begin to look at what he is craving these> > > > > > days. I am pretty sure potatoes of any kind will be leaving his diet soon.> > > > > >

> > > > > > You said you fed no fruit for two years. I have never completely eliminated> > > > > > fruits. Would you suggest total elimination or would acidic fruits still be

> > > > > > okay? Is it just phenolic fruits that are a problem or is it the sugar> > > > > > content of fruits?> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks for all your great advice! Happy New Year!

> > > > > > > > > > > > Haven> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > >> > >

>

January 3, 2011

how do I explain to my son why he cant have bread or crackers or chocolate? Ive told him that we are going to eat healthy food now so that he will feel better but I dont think he understands. What else can I say to help him understand why he cant have the food he is craving and why he needs to eat healthy food?

Also, isnt it counterproductive to give them an old food when do they eat a new food? Like for instance yesterday, my son wanted potato chips but I told him he had to eat his vegetables before he could have a chip. How much of that vegatable should he eat before he gets a chip? I was trying to get him to eat carrots, cucumber and romaine lettuce. He would eat about half a baby cucumber then I gave him a chip. He would eat a quarter size piece of romaine lettuce then I gave him a chip. He would eat a pinky size piece of carrot then he got a chip. It seemed so counter productive. And the only way he would eat any of this was dipped in ranch dressing. I know I need to get rid of that for sure! But I cant eat plain lettuce either so how can I expect him to?

What are the first foods I should be giving him? Do these websites break down how to teach them to eat these new foods and how to phase out old foods or is it just going cold turkey?

Sorry I seem so ignorant with all of this, I feel like I am, its so overwhelming, but I want my son to be better.

Thanks.

Re: it is driving me crazy

Rosie I don't think he'll be ok, but Dr Volpe can also help you supplement him to get the nutrients he needs. One thing to remember, is that it isn't as if his old diet was supplying true nutrients either. Many hate to make dietary changes because they fear the child isn't eating enough. Really they aren't eating the right foods anyway. The issue isn't just to remove gluten for example. It lies deep within the intestinal walls. The body should have a balance of yeasts, bacteria, parasites, even virus. What is happening is this balance of "good guys" example good bacteria is getting disturbed. Deeply disturbed and the bad guys are taking over. The intestines and gut become a breeding ground for bad yeasts, bacteria, parasites etc... These are living organisms that are crying out for food. They often can make a person very overweight or very underweight. They can starve a child of nutrition. Some of our kids are terribly skinny due to parasites and other living bugs stealing the nutrition. Other kids are overweight, only living on the fatty/sugar foods that feed yeasts etc......So when you are working to help a child with autism, it's not just about removing gluten. It's also about getting "killers" on board like neem and biocidin. These are natural things like oregano for example to help kill the bad guys. Then we want to supply the gut with living flora like good bacteria. You can deliver good flora through probiotic supplements and even living foods like cultured vegetables. In addition to all of this you want to starve out the bad guys by taking their food supply away...the pastas, crackers, breads....even the GF ones. So when I approached this whole dietary project and my son too began limiting to only GF carbs like cookies, crackers, breads, pancakes, waffles...I realized that I had to go deeper than just a GFCF diet. I had to learn how to repopulate his gut with living flora. Stop feeding the bad guys, and learn now to nourish the body with living foods, living greens, good minerals, fats, proteins etc.....It's not something I learned overnight. It took years of daily study. Basically the immune system should be controlling infections. With our kids, they have immune dysfunction due to multiple factors including messing with the immune system early on with multiple vaccinations. Multiple rounds of antibiodics altering the flora of the body. Antibiodics in the food supply changing the flora of our people. Our kids are walking around infected. So Rosie, it's a process, a step by step process. While your child is limited in what GF foods he'll eat, you can ask Volpe to help you supplement him. Then week by week work to get your child to learn to listen to his mama. He needs to learn to take new bites of good foods. I'll never forget how long I worked to teach my kids to eat a steamed carrot, then steamed bits of kale with onions....man was I happy when I could get a healthy bowl of healing soup into my kids. Day by day I phased out those GF brownies and kept increasing the good foods. From a behavioral aspect and a healthier gut aspect my kids started wanting the good foods. Their inner ecology was changing. 100 years ago moms didn't have to do feeding session with their kids to eat a carrot. The children had the right balance of flora in their gut and they wanted these foods. Today's kids are coming from sick mothers and fathers with altered flora. Today's kids want junk....their altered flora is asking for junk. A few links below if you haven't yet looked at these. By the way, my once severe son has recovered. He's only 7 and doing quite well. He just drank a large glass of green drink and 1/2 cup of cultured vegetables and then he got his homemade chicken nuggets. We're still at this and will likely live this way for a lifetime. Meal by meal his body healed. http://www.gutandpsychologysyndrome.com/http://bodyecology.com/autism.phpTake care Rosie....I know how crazy it all is!> > > > > >> > > > > > ,> > > > > > > > > > > > You give prolific advice! You help us all. I so agree with you! My son> > > > > > healed a great deal just by changing diet and adding metabolic supports. We> > > > > > were pushed towards chelation, but Ethan's neutrophil count remained low for> > > > > > several years and we couldn't consider trying it.> > > > > > > > > > > > It was hard to come to a decision to chelate, but the testing was done and> > > > > > he was diagnosed with HMI at Children's. I regret doing IV chelation as it> > > > > > was traumatic for him and us, especially when he had a reaction. And as I> > > > > > said before, his stimming had disappeared before IV chelation, but returned> > > > > > after it. My son still has mercury in his body, and for him I think it will> > > > > > be a necessity if he has a chance at full recovery.> > > > > > > > > > > > However, I think diet and nutrition is absolute. I see very few children> > > > > > improve whose parents have not made these dietary changes. I try to inform> > > > > > parents as I meet them, but out here in the boonies, I am usually met with> > > > > > the phrase, "That would be to hard!" I'm not judging them, I just admit I> > > > > > don't understand that line of thinking.> > > > > > > > > > > > You are right; nothing about this road is easy, but my child is more> > > > > > important to me than my freedom to do my own thing or my own comfort. The> > > > > > thought that keeps me going is that my son is an only child, and my goal is> > > > > > that he have his own, independent life. They say the people who are most> > > > > > successful at anything are the people who write down their goals and then> > > > > > also write down what they are willing to give up to achieve the goal.> > > > > > > > > > > > There is little I would not give up to improve the quality of my child's> > > > > > life in a positive way.> > > > > > > > > > > > You've got me thinking about the things I crave in my diet, as well. You> > > > > > are right that we ALL need to change our diets and the way we think about> > > > > > food. I have know for a long time that when summer comes and we pretty much> > > > > > stick to the veggies from our own garden, that we all feel better and more> > > > > > energetic!> > > > > > > > > > > > I think everyone needs to keep a food diary. I've noticed for some time> > > > > > that I do not feel well after eating a hamburger. I think everyone can> > > > > > benefit from keeping a diary and then eating the foods that make them feel> > > > > > good and alert afterward. Likewise it is important to note our children's> > > > > > behaviors after eating. If stimming is increased after a certain food, it> > > > > > should be eliminated. If behavior degrades after a certain food, it needs> > > > > > to be replaced with something else.> > > > > > > > > > > > I may have asked you this before but can't remember: You never did any> > > > > > chelation with your child? To be honest I had hoped we could heal Ethan> > > > > > without it, but he just shows too many signs of mercury poisoning still, so> > > > > > we intend to use ALA transdermally. If it works, it will be a bonus to us> > > > > > as Ethan has come so far already. We are constantly looking at diet and> > > > > > trying to get better. I will begin to look at what he is craving these> > > > > > days. I am pretty sure potatoes of any kind will be leaving his diet soon.> > > > > > > > > > > > You said you fed no fruit for two years. I have never completely eliminated> > > > > > fruits. Would you suggest total elimination or would acidic fruits still be> > > > > > okay? Is it just phenolic fruits that are a problem or is it the sugar> > > > > > content of fruits?> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks for all your great advice! Happy New Year!> > > > > > > > > > > > Haven> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > >> > >>

January 3, 2011

Lorree,Don't have the bad stuff in the house. Only have what he can eat. I know it will be harder with a child whois a little older. My son was two when I took it all away, but he self-limited food and threw tantrums when I didn't serve what he craved. I cried a lot at first.

I had to bear hug him and smear the new food on his lips to get him to taste it, and over and over this began to desensitize him to the new food.Now I can get him to " try " anything. I got him to try Greek dolmas. He hates the smell of the grape leaves, so now he runs when I make them, but he did try them.

He didn't want to try parsnips but he did and then he began to love them. the beginning was hard --watch " The Miracle Worker " sometime and you may get a good idea -- minus the hitting. I never hit. But I did bear hug him and smear food on his lips. He fought me. I had to do this to get the supplements in him, too before he learned to swallow capsules and pills.

Early on I came across readings that described what opiate peptides do to the brain and how over time, if left untreated, they can cause permanent brain damage. That was enough to give me resolve to take the offending foods away and substitute better foods.

January 4, 2011

Well, I thought it is only me on tears and pulling my hear and loosing sleep over this gf diet. I THOUGHTT it was too late for my son,because he is 10yrs old , now. But, according with Dr. Volpe, he said it is never too late. SO, forget about loosing wait, forget about doing more excessive,, forget about all that THIS YEAR 2011. I WILL MAKE MY SON TO EAT MORE HEALTHY, NO MATTER WHAT ,I DON'T CARE IF MY HUSBAND WON'T SUPPORT ME, BUT I WILL MAKE MY SON TO EAT VEGETABLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.WHO IS WITH MEROSIE

Haven I'd much rather a kid have an organic apple than say a GF waffle. I don't think there is a "right way." I'm sure other kids can get well without being as strict as we were. But I do believe if the child isn't well yet...keep going.

I think just 5 years ago and maybe still today in some circles "experts" were saying that if a child didn't respond move on. My advice is keep going. I looked at SCD, but found that it served lots of acidic meats, fruits, and honey. (not good for our viral kids and yeast kids) Though the SCD recipes appealed to kids, that wasn't my goal. I wasn't trying to please my kids. I wanted them well. I didn't believe what SCD said about allowing honey. I saw how my little addict son was if you allowed something like this...and that was my answer.

I eventually did bring in quinoa as a first grain, but found that I had to soak it for 48 hours. And we did bring in green apples, cranberries (unsweetened juice), pineapple, and kiwi on rotation...but we ate these on an empty stomach (never with meat) and served with young coconut kefir water.

On a happy note, each week I was whacking open those coconuts to drain the water to ferment. I used to sob cutting those things open. All the other moms were out having mom's night out and talking about the cute things their kids were saying. Anyway I'd wipe my tears and pray and be thankful that I had this healing food for my babies.

The happy note is: Body Ecology now sells bottled ORGANIC RAW coconut water that you can ferment. I can't imagine having this luxury back when we did this. Another tip, I wouldn't take fruit away or even those GF treats until you have several healing foods on board. Use these foods they'll beg for to teach the new habits.

I broke a banana into 12 little pieces ABA style and taught my kids to take bites of carrots, next kale, next onions. We used Spectrum of Hope. By the end of the week or two or as long as it took....I was the proud mama who could serve a bowl of veggie soup to my kids! Oh each little victory. Step by step I got them eating enough foods that I could phase out the fruits and GF baked goods, cereals etc.....

The first question I almost always get asked when talking to a mom who sees Tyler and says "what did you do?" They then always say "did it taste good?"My answer is that I didn't care if it tasted good. I didn't feel like I had to please my kids. I felt as if I were saving them. I broke it down into managable steps. But I never made sure my "green drinks" tasted good. My kids didn't determine my decisions. I hear all the time "oh I'd love to do that, but he won't eat that." Well then...it's been decided and the kid knows this.

Our kids are affected but not dumb. I was strict and firm....but very loving and very fair and my kids could trust me. What I learned at Spectrum of Hope was to phase out the prompts or reinforcers. I think the key was to keep going. Keep raising the bar. As soon as they could take one bite I knew to work towards them taking 2 bites.

Rather than make a GFCFSF lifestyle that looks like old favorites, my vote is to create a healing diet. Then someday (as we get now) you can always add in GFCFSF foods that look like the old family favorites. I let my kids have GF gram crackers now for example. But I watch it closely. Just now Tyler asked if he could have a GF gram after he's already had a GF cereal. My answer is NO....he's eating some cultured vegetables and eggs. I let them have GF treats now...but surrounded by healing foods. How I knew when to allow these things back into our life was that my kids weren't addicts anymore, they had good habits, they listened to mommy, and they didn't have asthma and autism anymore. If I see their health slip....my pantry will go back to those quinoa seeds.

Now for my fat self....I start my diet tommorrow...don't we all :)Love

> >> > ,> > > > You give prolific advice! You help us all. I so agree with you! My son> > healed a great deal just by changing diet and adding metabolic supports. We

> > were pushed towards chelation, but Ethan's neutrophil count remained low for> > several years and we couldn't consider trying it.> > > > It was hard to come to a decision to chelate, but the testing was done and

> > he was diagnosed with HMI at Children's. I regret doing IV chelation as it> > was traumatic for him and us, especially when he had a reaction. And as I> > said before, his stimming had disappeared before IV chelation, but returned

> > after it. My son still has mercury in his body, and for him I think it will> > be a necessity if he has a chance at full recovery.> > > > However, I think diet and nutrition is absolute. I see very few children

> > improve whose parents have not made these dietary changes. I try to inform> > parents as I meet them, but out here in the boonies, I am usually met with> > the phrase, "That would be to hard!" I'm not judging them, I just admit I

> > don't understand that line of thinking.> > > > You are right; nothing about this road is easy, but my child is more> > important to me than my freedom to do my own thing or my own comfort. The

> > thought that keeps me going is that my son is an only child, and my goal is> > that he have his own, independent life. They say the people who are most> > successful at anything are the people who write down their goals and then

> > also write down what they are willing to give up to achieve the goal.> > > > There is little I would not give up to improve the quality of my child's> > life in a positive way.

> > > > You've got me thinking about the things I crave in my diet, as well. You> > are right that we ALL need to change our diets and the way we think about> > food. I have know for a long time that when summer comes and we pretty much

> > stick to the veggies from our own garden, that we all feel better and more> > energetic!> > > > I think everyone needs to keep a food diary. I've noticed for some time> > that I do not feel well after eating a hamburger. I think everyone can

> > benefit from keeping a diary and then eating the foods that make them feel> > good and alert afterward. Likewise it is important to note our children's> > behaviors after eating. If stimming is increased after a certain food, it

> > should be eliminated. If behavior degrades after a certain food, it needs> > to be replaced with something else.> > > > I may have asked you this before but can't remember: You never did any

> > chelation with your child? To be honest I had hoped we could heal Ethan> > without it, but he just shows too many signs of mercury poisoning still, so> > we intend to use ALA transdermally. If it works, it will be a bonus to us

> > as Ethan has come so far already. We are constantly looking at diet and> > trying to get better. I will begin to look at what he is craving these> > days. I am pretty sure potatoes of any kind will be leaving his diet soon.

> > > > You said you fed no fruit for two years. I have never completely eliminated> > fruits. Would you suggest total elimination or would acidic fruits still be> > okay? Is it just phenolic fruits that are a problem or is it the sugar

> > content of fruits?> > > > Thanks for all your great advice! Happy New Year!> > > > Haven> >>

January 4, 2011

Me too Chica!! It's never too late to start being healthy you can do it just take one day at a time. My goals for my son this year (shhh don't tell him) is to take a completely independent shower without prompting, eat more veggies, and start typing to mom on a IPAD. I find if you write these things down and tell 3 people your more likely to do them. I had a goal like yours once when my child was 12....I said " This year he will eat real food " .....DONE! And it's great.

Trina

Well, I thought it is only me on tears and pulling my hear and loosing sleep over this gf diet. I THOUGHTT it was too late for my son,because he is 10yrs old , now. But, according with Dr. Volpe, he said it is never too late.

SO, forget about loosing wait, forget about doing more excessive,, forget about all that THIS YEAR 2011. I WILL MAKE MY SON TO EAT MORE HEALTHY, NO MATTER WHAT ,I DON'T CARE IF MY HUSBAND WON'T SUPPORT ME, BUT I WILL MAKE MY SON TO EAT VEGETABLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WHO IS WITH MEROSIE

Haven I'd much rather a kid have an organic apple than say a GF waffle. I don't think there is a " right way. " I'm sure other kids can get well without being as strict as we were. But I do believe if the child isn't well yet...keep going.

I think just 5 years ago and maybe still today in some circles " experts " were saying that if a child didn't respond move on. My advice is keep going. I looked at SCD, but found that it served lots of acidic meats, fruits, and honey. (not good for our viral kids and yeast kids) Though the SCD recipes appealed to kids, that wasn't my goal. I wasn't trying to please my kids. I wanted them well. I didn't believe what SCD said about allowing honey. I saw how my little addict son was if you allowed something like this...and that was my answer.

I eventually did bring in quinoa as a first grain, but found that I had to soak it for 48 hours. And we did bring in green apples, cranberries (unsweetened juice), pineapple, and kiwi on rotation...but we ate these on an empty stomach (never with meat) and served with young coconut kefir water.

On a happy note, each week I was whacking open those coconuts to drain the water to ferment. I used to sob cutting those things open. All the other moms were out having mom's night out and talking about the cute things their kids were saying. Anyway I'd wipe my tears and pray and be thankful that I had this healing food for my babies.

The happy note is: Body Ecology now sells bottled ORGANIC RAW coconut water that you can ferment. I can't imagine having this luxury back when we did this. Another tip, I wouldn't take fruit away or even those GF treats until you have several healing foods on board. Use these foods they'll beg for to teach the new habits.

I broke a banana into 12 little pieces ABA style and taught my kids to take bites of carrots, next kale, next onions. We used Spectrum of Hope. By the end of the week or two or as long as it took....I was the proud mama who could serve a bowl of veggie soup to my kids! Oh each little victory. Step by step I got them eating enough foods that I could phase out the fruits and GF baked goods, cereals etc.....

The first question I almost always get asked when talking to a mom who sees Tyler and says " what did you do? " They then always say " did it taste good? " My answer is that I didn't care if it tasted good. I didn't feel like I had to please my kids. I felt as if I were saving them. I broke it down into managable steps. But I never made sure my " green drinks " tasted good. My kids didn't determine my decisions. I hear all the time " oh I'd love to do that, but he won't eat that. " Well then...it's been decided and the kid knows this.

Our kids are affected but not dumb. I was strict and firm....but very loving and very fair and my kids could trust me. What I learned at Spectrum of Hope was to phase out the prompts or reinforcers. I think the key was to keep going. Keep raising the bar. As soon as they could take one bite I knew to work towards them taking 2 bites.

Rather than make a GFCFSF lifestyle that looks like old favorites, my vote is to create a healing diet. Then someday (as we get now) you can always add in GFCFSF foods that look like the old family favorites. I let my kids have GF gram crackers now for example. But I watch it closely. Just now Tyler asked if he could have a GF gram after he's already had a GF cereal. My answer is NO....he's eating some cultured vegetables and eggs. I let them have GF treats now...but surrounded by healing foods. How I knew when to allow these things back into our life was that my kids weren't addicts anymore, they had good habits, they listened to mommy, and they didn't have asthma and autism anymore. If I see their health slip....my pantry will go back to those quinoa seeds.

Now for my fat self....I start my diet tommorrow...don't we all :)Love

> >> > ,> > > > You give prolific advice! You help us all. I so agree with you! My son> > healed a great deal just by changing diet and adding metabolic supports. We

> > were pushed towards chelation, but Ethan's neutrophil count remained low for> > several years and we couldn't consider trying it.> > > > It was hard to come to a decision to chelate, but the testing was done and

> > he was diagnosed with HMI at Children's. I regret doing IV chelation as it> > was traumatic for him and us, especially when he had a reaction. And as I> > said before, his stimming had disappeared before IV chelation, but returned

> > after it. My son still has mercury in his body, and for him I think it will> > be a necessity if he has a chance at full recovery.> > > > However, I think diet and nutrition is absolute. I see very few children

> > improve whose parents have not made these dietary changes. I try to inform> > parents as I meet them, but out here in the boonies, I am usually met with> > the phrase, " That would be to hard! " I'm not judging them, I just admit I