31. October 2008 by Shirley.

Q: I have a son who fits some of the things you talked about and he has been diagnosed by his doctor as having ADD.  He has a hard time focusing when he is not interested.  Life at home becomes challenging and he will always tell me that he will try to do better.  I wish the teachers at school were more informed or patient because I know having a student that “doesn’t follow directions” is a challenge.  My son started high school this year and I finally came to terms with informing his teachers that he has a difficult time focusing.  Some are working with me – others continue to expect perfection.  He scored VERY well on the state testing but does not score well at school.  This year he absolutely refused Ritalin and one day I found myself forcing him to take it - that is when I came to terms with what am I doing to my son.  I have not given it to him again.  My husband has been researching some vitamins because we were aware of some of the deficiencies.  I pray every time I have to open the progress book/grades from school.  It usually is not good.  But like you stated, they are bright kids – he can rewire things and rebuild things and he is very kind and caring so to always grounding him or yelling at him seems so harsh.

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29. October 2008 by Shirley.

Upon returning from our week long trip, we got Charlie’s report card in the mail. These are his grades for the first quarter of his freshman year: 

Algebra II Honors                                 91

Biology I Honors                                   96

English Comp II Honors                     95

Geometry Honors                                100

PE 98

Wisdom Literature Bible Honors    95

World History Honors                         93

Not bad for a kid who had problems focusing and sitting still in class. Charlie is even in classes with 10th graders. My have we come a long way! What many teachers don’t realize is that the majority of ADD/ADHD are extremely smart. The grades that ADD/ADHD children receive on their report card, mid- terms, progress reports, etc… are not a reflection of their potential. I remember when we use to have to check Charlie’s book bag every morning to make sure he had his homework. Or the night before school we would get on the computer to see what homework or test he needed to study for that night. And still we would continue to see O’s on his homework and class work assignment. We always had to stay on top of him even though he was on ADHD medication. It’s truly amazing how a situation at one point could seem so hopeless completely switch to it’s polar opposite. Looking as this report card, just makes me tingle all over. Charlie accomplish all of this medication free and in great physical health. He plays sports and has friends again. Charlie is living proof that you do not have to put your child on medication to achieve these results!

Remember this; you can’t beat off ADD/ADHD with aggression, but you can trick it into submission. You have to learn how to out smart it in order to gain the control over ADD/ADHD. Remove the toxins, maximize nutrients to help support and bring balance back to the immune system, and last invest in spiritual support. Whether that be the Bible, self help books, DVD’s, programs, ADD/ADHD support groups, etc… do whatever it takes to find a better way to help your child build their self esteem and to also help them understand that their potential in this world is limitless! Help them find their passion because that will be the key in putting their hyper focus to good use.

Enthusiastically yours,

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27. October 2008 by Shirley.

So I’m back from an incredible Bob Proctor cruise. I have learned sooo much information to add to my personal growth on this cruise. Good thing because I’m going to get the opportunity to put it all to good use with Charlie. Since we have been gone for 1 week and my mother has been watching my child, he has slip back into his bad habits. Of course my mother spoiled Charlie and let him have some  sugar and junk food while we were gone. Just the smallest amount of sugar and junk food seems to always affect Charlie in such a negative way. He also hasn’t been taking his wheat grass nor calcium/magnesium. He’s moody, he’s back talking, and making poor decisions. O….Lord, I guess I have to look at this as a big opportunity for myself to maintain patience and a state of calm well being. Part of me just wants to scream and shake him and ask him why would you not take your supplements when you can tell the difference being on them???? Why would you eat sugar food that alter your mood and memory???? Why is it when we leave you always revert back to your old ways??? Ugh!!!!

I have to tell myself he’s about to be 15 years old and it won’t be long before he flies from the nest. As much as I want to strangle him, I’ve got to keep being consistent in a calm assertive manner. The goal is to teach him to do this when we are not around, to help him not want to be tempted by foods that affect his hyperactivity, his immune system, and of course memory and focus. I honestly can say after all of these years on this journey the hardest part about Charlie’s ADHD, is his “I don’t care  or I don’t care about the consequence attitude.” It’s hard to discipline and stay consistent when you deal with this type of attitude. The only time he cares is when it’s something he wants, then he kicks into hyper focus. And if it’s a healthy desire than he will apply the things we have taught him. So that’s good!

Okay, so the glass is half full right? I can do this without losing my cool. So maybe it’s kinda of like starting all over again with Charlie getting him back on the right track. But what I have found interesting from these incredible speakers on this cruise; it’s not what you know, it’s about what you do with what you know. You can take all the notes in the world from great books, shows, DVD’s, or renown speakers all over the world and think to yourself, I have studied this material for so long and I get it now! BUT until you are truly tested and actually have to apply this knowledge to real situations can you really say, “I got it.” Well I have huge and great opportunity here and I’m just going to have to learn to embrace it.

Enthusiastically yours,

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17. October 2008 by Shirley.

Leaving town for 1 week to go on a Bob Cruise. I’m soooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear all of the powerful speakers and meet other like minded individuals. We’re going to Bahamas, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands.  I will have plenty of share when I get back next Saturday.

Enthusiastically yours,

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17. October 2008 by Shirley.

Tyrosine Is A Key Neurotransmitter For ADD/ADHD

Tyrosine is an essential amino acid that plays a major role in improving alertness and focus. It is also necessary for the body to be able to make the natural skin pigment melanin. But most importantly, it’s needed to produce the hormones Norepinephrine-Revving Up Neurotransmitter and Dopamine-Focus Neurotransmitter (both important to the brain and the nervous system) which are extremely important for ADD/ADHD. Tyrosine also produces the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Tyrosine is considered a natural antidepressant. It is currently being studied for its effects on the body’s production of neurotransmitters, depression and other mood disorders because it is so closely tied to hormones. Tyrosine is not only being studied for it’s benfits with ADD/ADHD and depression but also it’s benefits for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.

Most people who take Tyrosine as a supplement are using it to boost their energy, since it is so closely connected to the brain and the nervous system. However, Tyrosine has to be taken in combination with a B-vitamin complex or with a multivitamin containing the B-vitamins, because there are several vitamins that the body needs to be able to convert Tyrosine into neurotransmitter Dopamine (Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, and Copper).

Tyrosine is a very safe supplement, and is not known to have any side effects. Large doses, up to 7 grams per day, have been taken by people participating in a variety of medical studies with no problems, although the average person would never get that much Tyrosine in their diet. L-tyrosine is most commonly found in proteins, as well as in dairy products, wheat, oats, and fermented foods such as yogurt and miso (a kind of thick paste made from soybeans and usually used in soups).

Biometics Get-Go N contains 500mg of Tyrosine and contains B-vitamins too.

Enthusiastically yours,

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15. October 2008 by Shirley.

Organic Chicken Salad Recipe for ADD/ADHD

3 cans Valley Fresh Organic White Chicken in Water (Wal-Mart)

1/2 cup red onion

Handful of Pecans

1 tbsp Grey Poupon

2 heaping tbsp of All Natural Nasoya veggie base Mayonnaise or Organic Veganise

1/2 cup of organic grapes

2 tbsp Relish (try to buy at Health Food store with no high fructose corn syrup)

*optional tomatoes

Dash of Sea Salt and Grounded Black Pepper

Organic Blue Corn Chips (Wal-Mart)

Empty chicken in large mixing bowel, add Grey Poupon, relish, and Veggie Mayo. Then dice up onion and pecans. Cut grapes in halves. Mix all together and then add Sea salt and Pepper. I like making wraps and sandwiches served with Organin Blue Corn chips. Charlie LOVES this chicken salad, he eats it all the time!!!! He brings it for lunch almost everyday. I keep thinking he’s going to burn out on this and that I should limit him bring it for lunch everyday. But then again, it’s sooo good for him that I continue to let him make it for lunch.

Preferred Choice:

*Wraps (Light Flat out Wraps- approved by Best life, no trans fat and < 1g sugar)

*Bread (Organic Nature’s Own Whole Grain Honey Wheat- no high fructose corn syrup, no trans fat, Cholesterol Free)

*For me I like to put my tomatoes on the wraps or sandwich. I also like to add alfafa sprouts and a slice of soy cheese on my sandwich too. A totally delicious and very easy recipe. It takes me 15 mins to pre-mix this in a tuberware that last for days.

Enthusiastically yours,

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13. October 2008 by Shirley.

Q: Have you had success using essential oils for ADD/ADHD?

Nancy

A: Essential oils are more for aromatherapy. Yes, it can aid with ADD/ADHD but it’s not enough to really help a child focus or help a child come off of their medication. It’s more for an overall well-being. On my website I have Tea Tree oil, Olive leaf oil, Oregano oil, Grapefruit seed oil, Emu oil, and Eucalyptus oil listed as natural antibiotics. We only use these oils when Charlie is coming down with a bug plus we will also put him on probiotics too. There are many symptoms that mimic ADD/ADHD. Yeast overgrowth and food allergies are few that come to mind. Anytime you use antibiotics from the doctor’s office, it kills all the bacteria in your gut (both good and bad bacteria). With food allergies, you have undigested food that can cause many digestive problems and also cause lack of concentration. We also like to use cold pressed organic jojoba oil as a lotion. We use emu oil as antibiotic ointment and to speed up the healing process (absolutely amazing stuff!!). We have replace alcohol with tea tree oil. We put a few drops of eucalyptus in our vapor machine when Charlie has a cold and is feeling congested. And we either use oregano oil, olive leaf oil, or grapefruit seed oil orally as a natural antiobotic for serious infections. We like to use natural antiobiotics hand in hand with a probiotic. It all helps and has a purpose especially if you are going down the natural remedies route for ADD/ADHD. But for true success you will need to shift to an organic diet, omega-3 supplements, and a line of high quality fast absorbing liquid supplements that’s helps produce neurotransmitters. It’s always best to have a starting point, so I always recommend having a neurotransmitter test, heavy metal test, and food allergy test first and then you should re-test again about 2-3 months down the road. This way you will be able to tract your results.

Enthusiastically yours,

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10. October 2008 by Shirley.

Since the Highers’ household is trying to be better Pack Leaders for our Maltese Fluffy, we all try to make time to watch Dog Whisper once a week together. This way it insures that we are all on the same page and that we are also handling this situation together as a family. What a great way for children to learn when they are put in a position to teach. It’s pretty awesome that Charlie is learning to put into action these three points. Dog Whisper is not only teaching Charlie how to be responsible for a pet but it’s going to help transform him into a leader that handles obstacles in life with a calm assertive state of mind. He’s learning patience and consistency because he is having to repeat himself many times everyday. The first law of learning is repetition. These ideas that go over and over again in his mind will become fixed one day or more commonly referred to as a habit. And a multiple of habits is called conditioning.

3. Caesar says, “You are the Source of the Problem.”

I know this is hard to swallow and I’m not trying to make you feel bad about yourself. But you must take responsibility for your past actions because it is you! Of course it’s not your fault that you or your child have ADD/ADHD. You did the best you could do at the time. You didn’t know any better. But in order to move forward you have to take responsibility or own up to your past actions. I remember the first time I sat and listen to Bob Proctor in his seminar. I felt like someone had hit me with a ton of bricks! I couldn’t believe how I was contributing to Charlie’s low self-esteem. I only wanted the best for him, I tried so hard to do what I thought would help him. Little did I know, I was only compounding the problem. You NEVER nurture insecurity! If you pity a child or an adult than you make them pitiful. If you punish with fear and anger you create aggression and retaliation. If you are raised with criticism where everything you did wrong was pointed out to you, chances are you will be very insecure. So do not feel bad when you realize that you contributed to the problem. A leader sees his/her mistakes and moves on. You must learn to live in the moment! You can not change the past and you do not own the future. People who live in the NOW make things happen. Let go of the past and quit worrying about the future. The only thing that can grow from your child or yourself is what you feed or what you give energy.

Children are like sponges, they absorb everything around them. Many times they do not know how to react to a situation so they feed off your reactions. Children’s mind are so easy to re-direct. They do not hold grudges and they live in the moment. Accept that your child or you having ADD/ADHD is a good thing. Nothing is good or bad unless you decide which it is. I have learned to embrace Charlie’s ADHD and it has made our entire family better because of this. There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. You learn more on those days that go horribly wrong than the days that go smoothly. It’s called trail and error. The only way to experience failure is to quit or to give up. Nothing really important happens over night. You have to work at it, I don’t care what it is! I chose to learn from our past mistakes and to let go of the guilt. Charlie currently makes all A’s and is medication free. He’s in advance honor classes. He is in the 9th grade and taking both Alegbra II and Geometry. He’s has friends again. His maturity level is starting to catch up to children his own age. He’s learning that calm assertiveness is the way to be in life. He’s the second fastest kid on his cross country team. He’s in the best physical shape of his life.  My husband change his occupation from being a real estate and mortgage broker to a Life Success Coach because of Charlie.We laugh all the time now! I have a website that helps other parents or adults with ADD/ADHD. I’m writing a book. I have met some of the most amazing people on this journey who I now call my friends. At the end of my day, I smile up at God and say, “I hope my website help someone today.” AND NONE of this would have happen to our family if we would have accepted being victims to Charlie’s ADHD.

Enthusiastically yours,

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8. October 2008 by Shirley.

These are yummy light pizzas that take 20 mins to whip up in your kitchen. Charlie and his friends love them especially the Pepperoni &Turkey Sausage Pizza. Charlie will tell you that eating these pizzas makes him feel light and not heavy. He can almost eat an entire pizza by himself so I usually have to make two pizzas. I like to make both the veggie and sausage pizzas so he will have a variety.

Organic Veggie Pizza

Rustic Pizza Crust All Natural (Cheesy Herb or Italian Herb)

Zucchini

Red Onion

Garlic Clove

Bell Peppers

Mushrooms

Artichokes

Spinach

*Try to pick all Organic veggies.

I spread coconut oil all over the crust. It makes it taste soooo yummy!! I dice up all the amount of veggies I desire and spread it all over the crust. I top off the pizza with Garlic Pepper, a dash of Cayenne Pepper, and Veggie Shreds Cheese (Lactose Free; Soy Base) in Parmesan, Mozzarella & Romano Flavor. Put it in the oven for about 6-8 mins @ 350 F.

Pepperoni & Turkey Sausage Pizza

Rustic Pizza Crust All Natural (Cheesy Herb or Italian Herb)

Organic Pizza Sauce

Turkey Pepperoni

Turkey Sausage

Veggie Shreds Cheese (Parmesan, Mozzarella, & Romano Flavor)

Organic Garlic Clove

I spread Coconut oil all over the crust, then the pizza sauce. Use your desire amount of Garlic, Turkey pepperoni, and sausage for the pizza. I top off pizza with Garlic Pepper, a dash of Cayenne Pepper, and of course Veggie Shreds Cheese. Put in over for about 6-8 mins @ 350 F.

Enthusiastically yours,

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6. October 2008 by Shirley.

If you think you or your child may have ADD/ADHD, you should request to take a neurotransmitter test. It’s always nice to have a starting point and to also see the exact neurotransmitters you are lacking. After 2-3 months down this natural remedies path for ADD/ADHD, take another neurotransmitters test so you or your child can track your results. You should also become familiar with your key neurotransmitters. One of your major players is Acetylcholine (memory neurotransmitter) which is synthesized from Choline.

Choline is in the B-vitamin family. One of the most important functions of Choline is to be turned into both Phosphatidylcholine and Acetylcholine by the body. Phosphatidylcholine is essential for normal brain function, and proper liver health and function. Acetylcholine is important for normal brain development in infants, and for conduction of nerve signals and brain function in adults. Researchers have concluded that during pregnancy, the Choline intake of the mother can influence memory and brain development in the growing infant. For this reason, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences has recommended that pregnant and nursing women increase their intake of Choline. There was a study done at NC State where children at the age of 2 were given an IQ test. The children that took Choline during pregnancy tested higher on their IQ test than children who did not get this supplement during pregnancy.

So for ADD/ADHD pregnant women or for any pregnant woman for that matter, I would highly suggest being on a Choline and Omega (also important for proper brain development) supplements. For children and adults with ADD/ADHD, Acetylcholine is the most vital neurotransmitter when it comes to memory and cognitive abilities!! It can boost your memory for up to 4-5 hours. If you are an athlete, this is great supplement to take 15-30  minutes before games (football, basketball, baseball, soccer, etc) because it helps with eye and hand coordination.

BIOMETICS’advanced liquid nutritional Bio Alert supplement contains 1000mg of Choline. Remember Biometics has a patent process that allows you to absorb 85-100%, so it’s very powerful! You should start with 1/2 tbsp for about 3-5 days before going up to a full serving size. Great stuff!!!! If you decide to go with another brand of Choline, try to purchase a high quality liquid form versus capsule.

Enthusiastically yours,

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