I explained brain mapping on “Question of the Week” from my website. So I will start with Charlie’s results. The IQ average from brain mapping are: below 90 is low, 90-105 is average, 105-115 above average, and above 115 is high. Charlie scored 143. The results from his brain mapping showed that Charlie sees in 3 dimensional (which is said to be very rare), he also uses both sides of his brain (even though he is left handed and this is also rare), he sees himself always as the victim (so totally true!), he takes things out of contexts (so true), and he is 100% ADHD without a doubt! The frontal lobes of his brain had no action or low brain frequencies while the back potion of his head ranged high in brain frequencies. His Alpha waves were extremely high attributing to his high IQ. But his Theta and Delta waves showed very low frequencies.

We always knew Charlie had ADHD but we never had something presented to us that would show and explain to us how and why. We were so excited and couldn’t wait to start neurofeedback treatments. For the first time we completely understood Charlie’s brain chemistry. I highly suggest that whether anyone decides on neurofeedback or biofeedback, you or your child should at least get brain mapped. MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH!! Go to someone that is licensed and knows how to interpret your brain mapping results. From my understanding many consultants may know how to set up a reading session but most do not know how to thoroughly interpret the results. This session alone has changed our entire family for the better. It has helped me understand why I do the things I do, it has confirmed that my husband also has ADHD, and confirmed that our daughter has mild depression. Brain mapping with neurofeedback treatment can range anywhere from $3000 to $6000 per person. Most offer family packages if you decided to take the route we took. I have always said that I will not put my children on anything that I have not tried first. My husband and I stated our neurofeedback treatments 2 weeks before deciding to start Charlie and Brittany on it.

I will get into treatment on Part 2 of this blog.

Enthusiastically yours,

1 cup of raw sprouted organic almonds or peanuts. Can roast if you want but sprouted are easier to digest loaded with living enzymes.

1 tbsp of fresh organic ginger or 1 tsp of organic ground ginger

2 tbsp of organic white or black sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds have higher medicinal benefits.

1 cup of organic hunza raisins or regular raisins. Hunza will have higher nutritional level loaded with tons of minerals.

2 tbsp raw clear organic agave nectar

Grind all ingrediens in a food processor until fairly fine. Personally I like to grind it down to almost a butter consistencty but most people like it to have more texture. Now add the agave just long enough for it to blend in. Press into a square about 3/4 thick on a plate or square pan. Cut into 2-inch squares. Makes 12 bars. Keep in refrigerator for freshness.

Enthusiastically yours,

I have updated this year’s Environmental Working Group’s latest 2010 list of the “Dirty Dozen:

While carrots, pears, and lettuce are no longer included on the list, unfortunately, spinach, blueberries, and potatoes have taken their place.

Dirty Dozen” (Always and I mean always try to buy these produce organic)

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (Imported)

Equally helpful when shopping is to know which fruits and vegetables have the least amount of pesticide residues, so when organic varieties of the “Dirty Dozen” are unavailable, you can choose these as great alternatives: (To Clean chemicals off of these produces, soaking them in Grapefruit seed extract- follow directions from GSE website)

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon

Enthusiastically yours,

Constant use of antibiotics kills all bacteria including good bacteria. This causes dysbiosis of GI flora which is manifested as an overgrowth of yeasts (fungus) and mold. In time this causes damage to the GI tract allowing partially digested proteins to enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier to affect the normal development and function  to the brain,  thus leading to many characteristic symptoms of ADD/ADHD or autism. Persistent GI damage results in reduced nutrient, mineral, and vitamin absorption. Yeast overgrowth is the #1 ADD/ADHD mimicker.

Enthusiastically yours,

Tip: 1 tsp of organic red wine with 1 tsp distilled water and a tiny bit raw organic honey.

Phosphate is a common ingredient in Processed Foods (used as preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, self-rising bread, and any sodas). It is also a mineral that is vital for many life processes in our bodies. These types of phosphates should be pulled from ADD/ADHD diet!

Hafer’s claim to limit amount of phosphate/phosphorus from diet. Because we need this mineral for healthy development, it would not be wise to eliminate it entirely from our diet. 

Here are examples of Natural Foods that contain phosphate that should be limited in ADD/ADHD diet: Egg yolk (the lecithin in yolks is a high source of phosphate), all dairy products, all seeds (peas, lentils, dried beans, etc), most nuts (peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc), soya bean products, and all whole grains. Sugar intensifies the body’s response to phosphate rich foods, alcohol exacergates the excess effect of phosphate, and citric acid effect on the body’s metabolism effects the phosphates.

The World Health Organization recommends that our daily intake of  800-1000mg to be consumed dialy in a 1:1 ration with calcium.  A German study revealed on an average that many individuals are consuming between two to three times this recommended daily allowance upsetting the delicate mineral balance leading to other mineral deficiencies affecting the nervous system and triggering ADD symptoms. Health professionals can agree that nearly every child with ADD/ADHD is deficient in magnesium, calcium, potassium, and zinc. Excess phosphate interferes with the absorption of these minerals.

There is no cure for phosphate sensitivity. A low-phosphate diet have shown to provide incredible results with ADD/ADHD.

Enthusiastically yours,

On pg.205, Tamara talks about a study she came across on student motivation. It suggested that praising children for their intelligence has a negative impact on performance and leaves them poorly equipped to cope with failure. But when you commend a child for their effort, it makes them more eager to learn more. Claudia M. Mueller and Carol S.Dweck, two research psychologist at Columbia University, studied 412 fifth grader. After these children were given easy problems from an IQ test, some children were praised for being smart while others were praised for their effort. Next the children in the study were given a choice between a challenging test and an easier test. 60% of the children who had been praised for being smart chose the easy test, whereas 90% who had been praised for their effort picked the more difficult test. Later, when all the children took a difficult test, the intelligence-praised children became fustrated and lost interest. Dr.Dweck says, “When children are taught the value of concentrating, strategizing, and working hard when dealing with academic challenges, this encourages them to sustain their motivationa, perfomance, and self-esteem.”

Verrry interesting, especially since we have spent all of Charlie’s life praising his intelligence. As I have mentioned perviouly, the majority of ADD/ADHD have a high IQ, but yet their grades never reflect this. We were very excited about applying this new technique. After one day, we already notice a change in Charlie’s attitude.

Enthusiastically yours,

Trans fat are the result of adding hydrogen to vegetable oils. They are used to extend the shelf life of products and to make fried foods taste crispy.

Here are some of the Trans-fattiest foods in your supermarket:

1. Hostess Cherry Fruit Pies (8g per serving)

2. Pop Secret Kettle Corn (6g per serving)

3.Celeste Original Pizza (5g per serving)

4. Pillsbury Grands Flaky Supreme Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls (5g per serving)

5.Austin Cheese Crackers With Cheddar Jack Cheese (4.5g per serving)

*Your limit should be less than 2g a day.

Enthusiastically yours,

Handful of grapes

3 slices of organic pineapples

pinch of pure stevia extract

Fill distilled water over Vitamix blades and toss everything in. Mix for about 30-45 seconds. Makes two servings. This is a very delicious green drink! It has become a common request among friends and family.

Spinach is super source of  antioxidants (folate, beta carotene, lutein, etc) and the king of digestion (heals almost all stomach lesions). Don’t cook spinach or you will lose the oxalic acid healing properties.

Red grapes are high in antioxidant quercetin and resveratrol. Always try to purchase grapes with seeds. You will want to remove the seeds before you juice. Grapes that do not have seeds have been GMO which is a major no no for ADD/ADHD.

Pineapples contain one of the strongest protein digestive enzyme called bromelain. They are also loaded with tons of vitamins and minerals. They strengthen your bones because they are rich in manganese and they can help heal a damaged digestive tract.

Enthusiastically yours,

Enthusiastically yours,