​HOW MANY PARENTS...
Are able to have open dialogue concerning immunizations with their pediatrician?

Are supplied with current data on the safety and efficacy of all 16 immunizations (totaling 69 with multiple doses)?

Are easily able to access and read full ingredient labels each time a vaccine is presented for administration?

Are able to select preferred brand(s) of each vaccine?

Are able to elect that all vaccines be administered in single dose format and at separate office visits if so desired?

Are able to decline all or some of recommended vaccines without being asked to leave the pediatric physician's practice?


__________
NO VACCINE. NO SERVICE.

I have followed the vaccine controversy for well over a decade now, and I completely understand the strong opinions and concerns of parents nationwide and around the world (given that the US is a major vaccine exporter).

Apart from the core issue of to vaccinate or not to vaccinate, there are several issues that I find frustrating--most notably that board-certified medical doctors are refusing to provide medical care for children whose parents elect against vaccines.

In addition, it frustrates me that these same doctors have chosen to wear the hat of gatekeeper, yet have very little knowledge of vaccine ingredients, specific manufacturer formulations, vaccine safety studies, or details on how safety studies have been commissioned, funded, collected, or reported.

It also frustrates me that those parent consumers, who wish to engage in dialogue, are very often made to feel singled out, unintelligent, or anti-vaccine.

Frustrating, but maybe not surprising, is the fact that our federal government allows the pharmaceutical industry to police itself. Yes, the FDA relies on studies that pharma conducts on its own vaccine products to determine whether that product will be approved for the US market.

__________

A large, long-term clinical study comparing the medium or long-term health outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups of people has NEVER been done.
WHY?

In several cases, vaccines are given simultaneously--as many as 10 in one office visit. Studies have not evaluated the safety of shots administered simultaneously.
WHY?

Individual ingredients across vaccines (administered individually versus in combination) have not been evaluated in large, long-term clinical studies.
WHY?

The FDA has relied on the pharmaceutical industry to conduct safety studies on their own products. (These shouldn't be the ONLY studies; and they are certainly not reliable for anyone outside the pharmaceutical industry unless they can be repeated independently.)
WHY?
__________

Currently, between age 0 and 18 years, 16 immunizations are administered, totaling 69 doses. The first immunization is administered within a child's first 24 hours of life (unless you also consider any immunizations the mother was given during her pregnancy).

https://www.nvic.org/Downloads/49-Doses-PosterB.aspx

__________

Common Controversial Vaccine Ingredients (not exhaustive):

mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, cells from aborted fetuses, cells from monkey kidneys, chicken embryos, bovine components, live viruses, antibiotics, yeast, Polysorbate 80, detergents, 2-phenoxyethanol, glutamate, MSG, octoxynol, sodium deoxycholate, EDTA


__________

Why are these controversial and unstudied ingredients included:

Aluminum gels or salts of aluminum are added as adjuvants to promote an earlier, more potent response and more persistent immune response to the vaccine. Independent research on aluminum safety is growing, especially concerning autoimmunity, inflammation and neurological complications.

Antibiotics are added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) during production and storage of the vaccine. No vaccine produced in the United States contains penicillin.

Chicken egg protein is used to house live virus in influenza and yellow fever vaccines 
Influenza and yellow fever viruses are injected into fertilized hen's eggs and allowed to replicate and later used for harvesting antigens.

Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines and is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the vaccine. Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol are used as stabilizers to help the vaccine remain unchanged when the vaccine is exposed to heat, light, acidity or humidity.

Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria.

Within the last decade, mercury has been greatly reduced/eliminated from most vaccines. However, it is still used in the manufacturing process. Also, both tetanus and flu vaccines still contain 25 mcg of mercury, a well-known neurotoxin that is particularly damaging to the brain of a developing fetus or
child.

Also, deeply concerning to me is that pregnant women are still being administered flu vaccines. In my area, I have met several OB/GYNs who have voluntarily discontinued this practice due to their own observations of the autism spectrum epidemic, which includes ADHD/ADD, autism, Asperger's or other spectrum disorders--all of which are gut-brain associated with significant to profound neurological, digestive, and social implications.

More info: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf

__________

Are you aware that most vaccine safety studies have been conducted by the developing pharmaceutical company itself on ITS OWN PRODUCT? Third-party, independent, controlled studies do not exist.

Are you aware that the United States Food and Drug Administration licenses vaccines based on the safety studies that the pharmaceutical company conducts on itself?

__________

In medical school, students are taught that vaccines are safe and effective according to decades of clinical use demonstrating safety and efficacy. They are taught that adverse effects are rare.

However, they are not informed of how vaccines are studied, the individual components of vaccines, nor of existing gaps in vaccine research.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created in the 1980s as "a no-fault alternative to the traditional legal system" under the umbrella of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

However, there is no systematic reporting of vaccine injury or adverse reactions. It is a voluntary reporting system placed largely in the hands of parent consumers. The pharmaceutical industry enjoys a nearly universal protection under this umbrella organization, directed by the federal government.

__________

Citizen/consumer rights:

The federal government allows each state to mandate immunization requirements.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/laws/state-reqs.html

__________

If you are a new parent and/or are researching vaccines for your growing family, I applaud your efforts to be informed. Please do not allow anyone to make you feel wrong for asking questions and researching best decisions for your family.

Knowing the facts leads to the best informed decision(s) for your child. It is our duty to consider all relevant information as pertains to the health and safety of our children. 

I believe that Americans should call upon our government to fully study vaccines in an independent, controlled manner, with documented and nationally-published results. A full study will include examining safety and efficacy of not just singular vaccines but also those routinely given in combination as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, consisting of the US Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This currently applies to the following age recommendations for multiple immunizations in one office visit:

2 months | Hep B, RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV 13, IPV
4 months | Hep B, RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV 13, IPV, plus catch-up vaccinations
6 months | Hep B, RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV 13, IPV, IIV
9 months | any catch-up vaccinations
12 months | Hep B, Hib, PCV 13, IPV, IIV, MMR, VAR, HepA, catch-up vaccinations
15 months | Hep B, Hib, PCV 13, IPV, IIV, MMR, VAR, HepA, 
18 months | Hep B, DTaP, IPV,IIV, HepA, plus any catch-up vaccinations
4-6 years | DTaP, IPV,IIV, MMR, VAR, catch-up vaccinations
11-12 years | IIV, meningococcal*, Tdap, HPV

*Meningococcal may also be administered at 6 weeks, 2 months, or 9 months for high risk groups

I know so many parents of young children who are seeking to provide rich experiences for their kids this holiday season instead of more costly things. We are doing this at our house too, and I do believe children are craving quality time with their families now more than ever. Technology has affected them too, and the fast pace of American life has invaded schools and daycares as well.

I thought it might be nice to remind you that kids LOVE to get in the kitchen. This holiday, plan some family traditions around kitchen time together. It does not have to perfectly-planned or Pinterest-worthy. In fact, let's put away our phones and capture memories with our minds. Let's truly savor the time we have with our kids and make sure they have us fully present and delighting in them. Building these memories will last a lifetime--far, far beyond the latest device or Toy of the Year.

Here are some ideas you can implement this month (and be sure to post your own ideas below as well):
1) Movie Night. Pair a favorite snack with a beloved Christmas Movie. Get warm and cozy in holiday jammies & slippers and cuddle on the couch.
2) Game Night. Make a kid-friendly charcuterie board and settle around the dining table for a friendly, family competition.
3) Caroling. Make hot chocolate and gather together to sing your favorite holiday songs. Bring out the karaoke machine and make it a family affair! After this practice session, take your talent door-to-door for neighbors to enjoy.
4) Cookie Swap. Invite neighbors to do a cookie swap. Each family can spend time baking and decorating special cookies and then visit throughout the neighborhood swapping cookies.
5) Story Time. Each evening in December, make it a point to read special holiday books together as a family. Even older kids LOVE to return to the magic of childhood every once in a while! Pair this with an edible advent calendar full of homemade treats (like yummy caramels).
6) Donate. Teach your children to give of their time and talent. Prepare a special meal as a family and deliver it to a local fire- or police station. Or prepare boxed meals and deliver to shut-ins or homeless citizens.
7) Get Crafty. A lot of bonding can happen at the craft table. Make ornaments and decorate a special family tree. Build your collection every year and make a tradition of trimming this unique family tree. Put on music, prepare mulled cider, string popcorn, and enjoy the spirit of the holiday together.
8) Family Meeting. Let the family come together and plan the holiday meal. Give everyone a chance to make suggestions and decide together on the menu. Then let each family member choose a role for how s/he will help prepare the meal. Don't forget things like shopping, table decor, place settings, clean-up, etc.
9) Letters for Santa. Let children write letters to Santa asking for experiences in addition to things. Then ask them to create an experience for Santa when he arrives on Christmas Eve. They should give him something to see, feel, hear, taste, & smell. Setting up these scenes for Santa will delight kids' senses too and spark all kinds of creativity, such as an entertaining, impromptu puppet show!
10) Teach a Tradition; Leave a Legacy. Recall a favorite family recipe and teach it to your children. Bring them in the kitchen, break the recipe into small tasks, and walk the kids through step-by-step. Let them try new things, including how to properly hold a knife or flip something with a spatula. Be sure to share memories and stories of generations past as you are preparing the dish. Then sit down and eat together and let the kids talk about their own favorite holiday memories.
Get out picture albums after the meal and show the kids their family gatherings from years back. If you are blessed to have generations still living in one place, invite grandparents, aunts, and uncles to come and share favorite recipes and stories!

A gluten-free diet avoids wheat, oats, rye, and barley. Seems simple enough until you consider all the ingredients and additives in processed foods that are derived from one or more of these grains, including alcohol/spirits, soy sauce, bottled sauces and dressings, cured meats, and numerous other boxed and canned products. Combine that with not being able to always trust food labels and the fact that manufacturers frequently change ingredient sources, and it becomes very risky to assume that anything processed or manufactured is actually gluten-free. In fact, many products that are labeled "gluten-free" still in fact contain gluten. One reason for this is that the FDA allows up to 20 part per million of gluten in a product and still allows it to be considered safe for consumption. Unfortunately for many people, such as those with celiac disease, this threshold can be too high and allow for symptoms of gluten reaction and gut damage to occur.

Who can benefit from a gluten-free lifestyle?

In my experience, no one initially decides to go gluten-free without compelling reason. It usually is a process that begins with a subtle question or suggestion from a well-meaning friend, colleague, or family member. There are usually underlying health conditions that have been nagging for months or years and for which mainstream medicine has not been able to identify or resolve. The reasons for choosing a gluten-free lifestyle are quite specific to each person. However, there are some common threads that may help you determine if you are a candidate.

The following is a list of symptoms and health imbalances (not exhaustive) that can be linked to gluten intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy. These conditions often improve or resolve on a healthy, gluten-free diet:

• adrenal insufficiency
• allergies and/or sensitivities

• Alzheimer's
• anemia

• anxiety
• arthritis

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• autism

• autoimmune conditions (listed individually elsewhere)
• Bell's palsy
• brain fog
• cancer
• canker sores
  
• celiac disease
  
• chronic skin conditions
• depression
• dimentia
  
• endocrine imbalances/disease
• epilepsy
• fatigue
• fertility issues
• gastrointestinal/digestive issues
• Grave's Disease

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis

• heartburn/indigestion
• hormonal imbalance

• hyperthyroid

• hypothyroid
• inflammatory bowel disease
  
• irritable bowel disease

• joint pain
• leaky gut
  
• lupus
• migraines

• multiple sclerosis

• neuropathy (nerve damage)

• neurotransmitter imbalance
• neurological issues
• osteoporosis
• PCOS-polycystic ovarian syndrome
• psoriasis
• psychological conditions
• rheumatoid arthritis
• schizophrenia

Gluten-Free is a Spectrum

Not everyone who eats gluten-free eats healthy. It is important to recognize the importance of choosing healthy proteins, fats, vegetables, and fruits as the basis of your diet. Many people can successfully continue with a minimal to moderate amount of naturally gluten-free grains, such as rice and quinoa. Technically corn, soy, and oats also fall into that category. However, many people continue to be bothered by consumption of these foods. There are cross-contamination and cross-reactivity issues, as well as complications arising from GMO crops as many people are chemically sensitive and over-burdened with toxins. 

Simply replacing the Standard American Diet with gluten-free counterparts, i.e. hamburger buns, pizza crust, pretzels, cereals, crackers, etc, will not lead to ultimate health. Many gluten-free grains are high on the glycemic index and therefore increase blood sugar spikes. If eaten frequently enough, insulation resistance and diabetes can result.

On the most conservative end of the GF spectrum is a lifestyle plan called Gluten Zero, which essentially removes all potential sources of gluten no matter the source, including wheat, corn, oats, rice, etc. This diet avoids grains and gluten cross-reactives including dairy, soy, and sweet potatoes. It promotes a diet full of lean protein that is pasture-raised and grass-fed (organic, non-GMO, corn- and grain-free), healthy fats, and plenty of organic vegetables and fruits, going very easy on starchy vegetable, such as roots.

Before Going Gluten-Free

1. If you are suspecting certain health conditions and want to get a diagnosis, definitely get lab tests done before you give up gluten. Otherwise, you risk the accuracy of the tests and/or get false negatives. Intestinal biopsies should also be done prior to eliminating gluten.

2. Learn about gluten-containing foods that should be avoided, as well as study how to read labels so that shopping can be easier once you transition.

3. Research several gluten-free recipes and build a library of go-to meals that you can rely on during your first one to two months of transition. Focus on what you can eat and appreciate the excellent nutrition your body is receiving. Take pride in facilitating your own healing, and not in feeling deprived of the food items that were keeping you sick. 

4. Identify healthy gluten-free snacks and start building a ready supply.

5. Clean out your pantry, cabinets, freezer, and refrigerator -- getting rid of all opened gluten products and donating those that are unopened. Also prepare to finish off or throw out common shared items that have been double-dipped and in contact with gluten products, such as mayo, nut butters, jellies, and butter.

6. Speak with your child's teacher, principal, and cafeteria manager to determine what documentation may be needed in order to "allow" your son/daughter to choose gluten-free at school. At my daughter's school, without medical approval, a child is not permitted to decline gluten items in the lunch line.

7. Make sure the whole family goes gluten free together, especially in the case of a child's health issue that makes it a necessity. The GF family member needs the support of the family but also deserves a safe kitchen as well. It is taxing enough to be concerned about being glutened outside the home.

8. Educate family and extended family on the new transition and make sure caregivers are fully informed. Prepare "permitted" and "not permitted" lists to distribute to grandparents, teachers, daycare providers, etc. Shopping lists are also available to carry in your purse or store on your mobile device to help with grocery shopping. There are also several apps that can help with product identification and ingredients.

9. This may seem small, but keeping an extra toaster for guests will be a tremendous help. If family members will not give up gluten when they visit your home, then create a special area where gluten items will be stored and prepared. This will help you decontaminate and return the kitchen to a safe status once their visit has ended.

10. Practice eating gluten-free in several restaurants, so that you can get accustomed to the process. It does involve communication and the ability to politely but firmly advocate for yourself. Many servers and line cooks still are unaware of what really constitutes gluten-free. See it as an opportunity to inform/educate because you will likely find yourself frequently in this role. If you see your food being mishandled or improper kitchen procedures in place, question the employees and ask to speak with a manager. The restaurant industry has a long way to go in supporting allergen-friendly experiences. We won't get there if we don't communicate and educate.

Preparing For Take-Off

When it actually becomes time to launch your new lifestyle, all the leg work you have done will have increased your confidence and make the segue feel natural. Create a special meal to celebrate your new lifestyle with family or friends. Each year, mark your anniversary with glee!

Summer is for grilling, boating, going on picnics, and taking trips to the zoo, the aquarium, the beach and everything in between. It can be daunting to think about traveling and sight-seeing when you are gluten-free. The neighbor's summer pool party turns into a stressful event that requires you not only be extra-vigilant with what you (or your children) eat, but at the same time not offend your hosts by refusing their hospitality.

Here are some tips for creating a safe, gluten-free summer:

1. Communicate or remind your hosts when you accept their invitation that you are gluten-free. Follow up by asking what you can bring for the meal. Make some quick suggestions as a way of getting the conversation started and communicating that lots of food dishes are naturally gluten-free and require no special effort or expense. 
   
   If it is an event, such as a birthday party, with a set menu from the host, consider taking along a safe substitution for yourself or your child. When we go to a pizza and cupcake party, I order a GF pizza and pick up a GF cupcake. I generally inform the party host when we RSVP that we are GF and ask if they would be okay with us providing our own party food/s. Several times, the hosts have offered to provide it for us and have gone to great lengths to make us feel welcome without singling us out.
   
   
2. At a cookout, approach the "grill master" and inform him/her that you are gluten-free and need help in making sure you safely enjoy your meal. Explain that sauces and marinades are a danger zone for you. Mention soy sauce in particular. Ask if you can request a cut of meat that has been simply seasoned and prepared on a clean grill. You can also ask that your meat be prepared first before any other marinated meats/sauces have a chance to cross-contaminate.
   
   
3. Snacks may be one of the most challenging aspects of eating gluten-free away from home and on the go. The zoo and aquarium don't always cater to those requiring clean protein and fresh produce. As you plan your meals for summer weeks, plan for snacks too according to each outing. Make a list of the week's activities and add a column for snack ideas. Prepare them in advance on Saturday/Sunday, and store them in a bin in the fridge or pantry accordingly. Items to include: veggie sticks, fresh fruits, nuts/seeds, nut butters in portion cups, hummus, salsa, tortillas chips. You can also bake a few batches of cookies then freeze and store in individual snack bags. Trail mix, energy bites, macaroons, and oatcakes (with GF oats) are also other convenient options. Never leave home without safe snacks tucked in your purse or stowed in your car!
   
   
4. When staying at someone else's home, find a safe spot in the kitchen and the refrigerator for stowing your foods. Label with your name any containers that someone may dip (or double-dip), such as mayo, butter, sour cream, peanut butter, and jelly. Also, take your own toaster with a label and cover. Discreetly wipe counters before preparing any meals/snacks. Avoid using wooden utensils (or take your own basics). In addition, be careful with cast iron and other absorbent or seasoned cookware such as stoneware. If refrigerator space is not available, travel with your own dorm fridge or keep a cooler iced.
   
   
5. When hosting guests in your home, take a few minutes to coach on GF safe practices while you are giving a brief kitchen tour and showing guests everything you have prepared for their stay. Be sure to explain why they have their own designated toaster, condiment jars, etc. Let them know you are happy to answer any questions they may have about keeping the kitchen safe for everyone. Get kids involved with helping you prepare gluten-free meals and snacks. Give a favorite family meal a makeover and show your visiting family members that everyone can still come together around the table!
   
   
6. Consider forming a co-op or snack share with other GF households in your circle. On one afternoon, host a prep party and trade snack bags with everyone in attendance. Multiply your efforts without working harder!
   
   
7. Know before you go. Research menus online and even contact restaurants by phone or email beforehand. Many independent restaurants will go to great effort to prepare for your visit if you let them know with advance notice. They can also be sure to assign knowledgeable, well-trained waitstaff to look after you and your table, as well as let the kitchen know you are dining and remind them to be extra-vigilant with cross-contamination avoidance.
   
   
8. There's an app for that...Make use of apps like Find Me Gluten Free, Is that Gluten Free?, iEatOut Gluten & Allergen Free, Gluten-Free Restaurant Cards from celiactravel.com.
   
   
9. Join online foodie groups to get up-to-date tips and share ideas with link-minded GF eaters.
   
   
10. Add supplemental digestive enzymes specifically-formulated for those with gluten issues. In the event of an unintended contamination, this can help ease the reaction, prevent damage, and speed recovery. Carry activated charcoal tablets and/or Neutra-tabs to take at the moment you realize you have been glutened.

IF you haven't tried nourishing bone broth, I beg you. It will elevate your health. You can make it at home, or you can purchase it from me. Either way, it is absolute super nutrition not to be missed.

Nourishing bone broth is an absolute must for intestinal/gut repair and immunity. Simply put, it is great grandma's chicken broth (or beef, lamb, bison, pork, venison ... you name it) loaded with high quality, organic vegetables, herbs, and spices. After cooking for 24 hours or more, you have a rich, dark broth that pops with flavor when it hits your mouth. Umami all over the place (when all the taste of the tongue are activated at once).

Nourishing broth is an INCREDIBLE source of dense nutrition. In addition to boosting your immunity, it improves digestion (sip 4 oz. before a meal), aids in the healing of leaky gut, nourishes the brain, and helps to allay allergic response, including food sensitivities. It can also reduce cellulite, repair ligaments, joints and other connective tissues, as well as promote strong hair, teeth, and nails. Nourishing broth supports the body's defense and detoxification systems for overcoming nausea, colds, flu, and other viruses. 

As a chef, I love its versatility. You might be hard-pressed to find a savory dish that couldn't benefit from the addition of bone broth. Of course you can simply sip it from a mug, but you can also use nourishing broth to make soups, stews, curries, sauces, or to add to purees, mashed potatoes, or for cooking grains. You will certainly notice a flavor boost. It is also wonderful for making baby food, as well as using as a cooking liquid for toddler's meats, vegetables, and grains such as rice, pasta, and quinoa.


A simple Google search will pull up a wealth of information on the benefits of broth. Here are a few references I suggest:


http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/23/nourishing-bone-broth.aspx


http://draxe.com/the-healing-power-of-bone-broth-for-digestion-arthritis-and-cellulite/


http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9890/10-benefits-of-bone-broth-gut-healing-recipe.html


Cheers! Now get brothing!

Listen up restaurants and food manufacturers, gluten-free is not a fad. It is not a celebrity diet or something we'll look back on and laugh. In fact, gluten-free is not a diet. It's a lifestyle. For some, it is wise nutrition. But for others, it is life-changing.

If you are gluten-free, you understand what it is like to move through the food world mindfully. You simply cannot shop, cook, or order haphazardly. Throwing caution to the wind can mean 7-10 days of writhing, full-body mayhem followed by months of digestive recovery. So when a "cooleague" flippantly calls you out in front of everyone for not eating the boss's birthday cake, what could you possibly say in response to this person's profound lack of tact?  S/he will never be able to grasp the presence that you must practice when it comes to food.

But for the few who aren't gluten-free but do care about someone who is, here are some meal-sharing etiquette tips for friends, colleagues, and even restaurant service workers:

1. Please learn what gluten is--and what it is not. I can't tell you how many times I have been "warned" about almonds... Please don't assume a nut allergy and a gluten sensitivity are the same. On the same note, rice is not made from wheat. However, traditional pasta is (think semolina and duram). In addition, soy sauce is not acceptable, nor is adding pasta water to tomato sauce. These are the culprits that put us most at risk when eating food that others have prepared.

2. If I decline the first time, please don't repeatedly ask me to try your dish. That kind of risk is not a luxury I can afford. Please know that my refusal is not personal.

3. Please do not double-dip your utensils into shared items like butter ramekins, dressings, sauces, etc. If you touch your bread, pasta, or flour tortilla, I will be glutened. (This goes for jars at home too, including nut butter, jams, mayo, etc.)

4. Please consider me when choosing a restaurant (feel free to ask my suggestions), but don't resent me for not always choosing your favorite Italian or Chinese place. There is very little I can select there. That said, I will be happy to go along for the sake of the group, but respect that I will have to use extreme caution.

5. Feel free to ask questions if you are curious. Chances are for those of us with food sensitivities, we have conducted countless hours of research and will be encouraged by your interest in learning about a very important aspect of our lives.

6. Please do not mock or ridicule me for following a gluten-free lifestyle. If you knew how much of an investment it has been to get to this point, you would understand.

7. If you are selecting our restaurant and making reservations, it is a much-appreciated gesture for you to notify the maitre d that there is a gluten-free diner in the party. (It is like a day at the spa to not always have to explain it.)

8. This is my lifestyle, and I am not negative about it. If you pay any attention at all to what I am eating, please be supportive.

9. I do not mind if you eat bread in front of me. I have been years without gluten, so I am over it. (However, someone who is 2 weeks into a GF transition might not be so understanding!) For me, sharing food is a joyful experience, and I would never want you to sacrifice eating wheat on my behalf. That said, if you choose to enjoy a GF meal with me, your gesture will not go unnoticed.

10. Please do not assume that all GF eaters follow the same eating plan. GF eating is a spectrum. Just as there are whole and healthy foods, there are processed GF junk foods too. Please understand that I am health conscious in addition to being gluten-free. But to each his own!

We live in a culture that emphasizes money over time; productivity over rest; quantity over quality; being right over being polite; and ambition over peace. Modern society is considered advanced, but hasn't every society considered itself so at some point in its evolution? Dare we think of ourselves as better simply because we live NOW at a point we believe to be the farthest reach of linear existence?

If we could fathom all that is Consciousness, we might laugh at earth life in 2014, as a mother chuckles when her 5-year-old asks to drive the car or inquires if the dragonfly will offer a ride to Disney World.

Things, life, "stress" ...  can be so not as we perceive it. We worry and fuss and operate in distraction. The cosmos are infinite and efficient. Energy is in constant motion. Things are happening continuously and simultaneously and in multi-dimensions. What if we could just rest in knowing that everything is as it is meant to be? That everything is a planned, work in progress, and part of our purpose in this life is to make mistakes (in order to learn) and to experience suffering (in order to grow)?

Many people recount that it is in the periods of lack, illness, distress, and trauma that they awakened to new truths, saw with new focus, and heard with new ears that which was imperceptible prior.

So if you are going through a Dark Night of The Soul--the quickest way out is to embrace it. Fully accept it; stop resisting it. "Cease striving and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10"

By accepting what is, you halt resistance, allowing a window of opportunity to change your focus, change your thoughts, and thereby change your attitude, your emotions, your energy, your momentum, your life. Transformation will move you forward--NOW! 

This life experience involves tribulation; focusing on the trial only keeps it around longer. Instead, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with trials of various kinds. -James 1:2"  "Rejoice, be patient, and be in constant prayer -Romans 12:12 

Smile. The universe IS friendly. In the spirit of Henry Ford, believe this, and you will be right.

Blueberries and oats are one of those classic combinations, like peanut butter and jelly, wine and cheese, beer and peanuts, strawberries and cream .... Few things satisfy quite like the oatcake. 

Today is your lucky day because I am going to reveal my super secret gluten-free oatcake recipe.

I first fell in love with oatcakes in the lovely town of Bloomington, Indiana. The Bloomingfoods Co-op offered several varieties of oatcakes, baked by a lovely woman in the nearby artist colony of little Nashville. I know this because when I moved to Houston in 2008, I experienced oatcake withdrawal and searched this city high and low. Pregnant and uh-hem, determined, I called the manager of Bloomingfoods and BEGGED for the recipe. A few tears and several mentions of baby cravings later, I was armed with the ingredients list and set out to recreate my long-lost morning breakfast from 2005-2008. Yes, 3 years.

My oatcake of today is evolved yet still oh so satisfying. The next time you are headed to your favorite chiropractor's office, take a basket full for all the staff to enjoy! (Take the recipe too!) I will tell you the same thing I told them ... I don't use recipes, so all the measurements are my best guess ;) I prefer intuitive cooking ... and just feel my way through it. Life is more interesting that way. I am not much for thinking inside the box.

GF Chef's Gluten-Free Oatcakes
4 cups gluten-free oats
1 cup sweetener -- organic sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, xylitol
1 tsp sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
1/3 cup gluten-free flour blend
1/4 cup almond flour
1 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed is wonderful -- throw in the zest as well!)
1/2 cup almond milk (or any kind of milk)
1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
1/2 tsp essential orange oil
1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
pinch of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg

Optional stir ins: dried whole cranberries, raisins, choc chips, coconut flakes, almond flakes, diced apricot, fig, prune, dates, frozen blueberries (so they don't make batter too blue)

Mix all the dry ingredients EXCEPT gluten-free flour and let stand for 2-3 minutes to soften the oats. (You may need to adjust liquid if it seems dry still.)

Add flour and then the oil. Mixture should be a sticky, creamy, crumbly. Use ice-cream scoop to fill muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Let me know how it goes!

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." –Jeremiah 33:3



Daily affirmations are gifts you give yourself by deliberately choosing your THOUGHTS: focusing on what is good, pure, expanding, and healthy -- thereby drawing it to you. These gifts are abundant and limitless! They make an immediate difference in how you experience this day, here and now.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." 
–Romans 12:2

Have you ever gotten exactly what you don't want? Me too. Negative thought patterns create resistance. Our thoughts (positive and negative) become things that we draw into our day/week/month/life. If we spend time thinking about what we don't want, we are actually inviting these things into our experience. Yikes! 

I would say there is no greater gift we can give ourselves than learning to think properly by taking our thoughts captive and deliberately choosing only good ones.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
-Philippians 4:8

These are the affirmations I am focused on this week:

1. I see joy and positivity in everything and everyone.
2. I live wholeheartedly and without fear.
3. I give only high energy to others, raising them up with me.
4. My job is to be me.
5. I accept all good things into my life that are in my highest and best interest.
6. I have a sense of wonder for this day.
7. I am contributing to the world in my own special way.
8. My joy is my gift to the world.
9. I need DO nothing.
10. I release what I need not keep.


Affirmations are endless, and it is fun to write new ones for yourself and see how they manifest in your life. An affirmation journal will help you realize their impact on your experience here and now. What affirmations are you feeling and choosing to contemplate today?