By  Jeani-Rose Atchison

Guest Writer for  Wake Up World

Sometimes life throws punches and our ability to take a hit, move out of the way or soften the impact is what propels us to evolve and mature as individuals. For me, raising a large family sometimes leaves me feeling like a well-used punching bag. My family challenges me constantly, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

During my fourth pregnancy we had some huge health and life issues and made a decision that moved us half way across the world. When our daughter arrived our life was in turmoil. Thankfully everything calmed down shortly after, but as Caoilinn grew older we realized that there were differences in her personality and learning abilities to the other girls. Though she was bright with numbers and loved music she struggled with speech and couldn’t remember the letters of the alphabet for the first 7 years of her life. If a situation changed from the norm that our daughter was accustomed to she couldn’t cope and that would mean “melt downs” and rages. We consulted therapists and specialists and I cried with frustration and guilt because that is what a mother does.

I didn’t want to hear names for her “condition” and nor did I want any labels associated with it.   All I was, and still am, is interested in how I can personally support my child to achieve all that she wants to.

I know from my own health how important nutrition is to the physical, emotional and mental parts of me. I have always focused on the quality of Caoilinn’s and our whole family’s food so we coupled it with certain brain and body exercises. (I love the study of neuroplasticity and how our thoughts can actually change the structure and function of our brains. This means that even if there was an injury or brain development that didn’t follow the norm, we are able to rewire the brain to do the functions we want it to. The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge is a great book to begin to understand this topic) Over the course of 2 years we have seen an amazing transformation occur in our now 8 year olds ability to learn.

Those of you who know my writing know how I feel about processed and non-organic foods. I have written about it so often that it is like a litany in my mind. Here are a few excerpts from my latest book  Food for Thought – Thought for Food which are always at the forefront of my mind when shopping and preparing food;

Excito toxins like MSG causes brain lesions and are linked to seizures, strokes, ALS and Alzheimer’s.

Improper gut flora is prevalent in our young. Thriving gut flora is critical to our well-being. Parents not eating properly before and during conception will directly affect their children’s immune system. The first foods children have are critical in maintaining or building that flora.

Cell damage and death, and DNA damage is linked to consumption of GMO foods. Most of us don’t even know which foods are Genetically Modified due to lack of proper labeling laws.

I believe that ingestion of irradiated food causes such effects as mutations, reduced fertility, metabolic disturbances, decreased growth rate, reduced resistance to disease, changes in organ weight, and tumours.

The kidney and liver functions are greatly enhanced by increased water intake. Fluoridated water on the other hand disrupts the immune system and interferes with the basic functions of nerve cells in your brain and damages the pineal gland. Fluoride will also increase manganese absorption, which has been linked to lower IQ in children.

The major source of human exposure to chemicals such as highly toxic Dioxin is through common foods like meat, fish and dairy. Dioxins do not dissipate, but rather accumulate in human tissues.

A fairly recent study through Harvard shows that even tiny amounts of Organophosphate insecticides can have dramatic effects on brain chemistry. Diazinon is one such insecticide which is used worldwide and for many different applications from agricultural to veterinarian. It has been known for a long time that these products are especially toxic for children.   Major crops which use Diazinon are leafy, fruiting, stem and root vegetables, deciduous fruit, rice and maize. Minor crops include berries, cereals, citrus, grapes, mushrooms, nut trees and sugar beet. The finding on this particular study? Kids with above-average pesticide exposures are 2x as likely to have ADHD.

These are some of the reasons why I choose to feed my family the purest food possible. When a child already has a weakness or sensitivity the last thing they need is a toxic chemical overload to further inhibit their development.   I believe that my daughters’ progress has been so miraculous because I have kept her environment and diet so pristine.   This has allowed her innate healing abilities to work to find new ways to do the things most of us take for granted with the least amount of interference as possible.

One of our favourite drinks is the Green Smoothie.

Drinking Green Smoothies is the easiest and quickest way to obtain incredible health results. It is fast and easy to make with no waste or huge clean up afterwards which is a big plus for me.

You customize your special blend with a rule of thumb of fruits to veggies as 60:40. The fruit dominates the flavour yet you reap the rewards of both fruit and veg.  Our babies love the taste of this drink and won’t leave us alone when we make it for others! Experiment with different fruits and veg to find out what pleases your palate.

The benefits of this beauty are a hundred fold! Fresh food with vitamins, enzymes and fibre intact. If you have one green smoothie a day it will definitely start some changes in you. 2-3 green smoothies a day will super charge your system, cleansing, detoxifying and giving it the nutrients needed to allow healing to take place.

Are you overweight, underweight or trying to regain your strength?

Do you want more energy, clear skin and shiny hair?

Try this delicious tonic for 30 days and see for yourself what can happen.

Caoilinn’s Green Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 organic green apples (no need to remove seeds)
• 1 cup chopped fresh organic pineapple
• 1 organic carrot coarsely chopped
• 1 stalk of organic celery coarsely chopped
• 1/2 organic lemon peel removed
• 2 1/2 cm organic fresh ginger root chopped (optional)
• 1-2 leaves of organic silverbeet, kale or small handful of spinach leaves (may use other greens)
• 1/2 tray of ice cubes

Instructions

This works best in a strong blender.   I am not a fan of extracted juices as it leaves out so much and gives a big sugar rush at the same time. Now saying that, certain fresh organic extracted juices are good when needing a highly concentrated amount of nutrients to correct a particular condition and for a limited time.   For overall health and wellbeing though, nothing beats a green smoothie.

Process all ingredients for 45 seconds.

Pour in 2 cups of water and process again for 1 minute.

May dilute more if still a bit thick, though that is the way I like it.

Thinning it with enough water to your taste should give you about 4-6 generous servings.

Drink within 30 minutes.

Article Sources

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org

http://www.apvma.gov.au/products/review/current/diazinon.php

About the Author

Jeani-Rose Atchison is a health advocate, and  home-schooling  mother of five who also finds time to write about nutrition, whole foods and environmental concerns. She authored,  Every Day Vegan  – 300 recipes for healthful eating which is a mainstay in vegetarian kitchens. Atchison’s latest book,  Food for Thought  – Thought for Food is chock full of delicious whole food recipes. It also takes a controversial look at the food we eat today and the processes involved in bringing it to your table. Can your food make you ill? The answer may shock you!

To find out more go to Jeani-Rose’s  Facebook  or  Website