notjusthealthnuts

You know who we are.  We are those who constantly ask what is in that and say we can't eat that.  There was a time in my life where I had just the one food allergy. It was glorious.  Along the way I have built a nice collection of allergies that completely altered my diet, care routine, and trust.  It affects everything. And its nothing compared to my stepson who has dozens of food and environmental allergies. Then we have intolerances of the ridiculous kind that might as well be allergies.  We are well stocked in antihistamines.   We DO NOT wish to be these people.   Tonight is Halloween and we must be these people.  Our children will say thank you politely and bring their bags home to meticulously inspected.  It kinda sucks the fun out of it.  Except for parent taxes.  If you have food allergies then you are our people.  I have hard learned suggestions for those holiday gatherings as this time is approaching fast. If you do not have food allergies.  Then I have some hard

I didn't think that was possible.  Decluttering my brain.  Most of the time my brain is like those annoying rubber balls let loose in a steel cube competing with the speed of sound.  A lot going on with not much room to go anywhere else.  It was like this before kids.  Now there are lots more of additions, noises, schedules, and distractions.  Sitting down is hard enough but sitting to be quiet and focus seems like a joke.  Even after establishing a meditation practice.  This week has been rough.  As I watch Ghost Child take an interest and begin to meditate to calm, it becomes real.  Our meditation practice is as important as breathing and sleeping.  For our brain survival and surviving our emotions, we need it.   If you have a thriving meditation practice, then Namaste my friend and all power too your practice.  If you struggle to focus or have distractions, then Namaste my friend, we completely understand this struggle.   It isn't out of reach for us and this is how we jump

         As soon as Starbucks gives the pumpkin spice latte signal I am ready for soups, pumpkin, root veggies, and twice the banana.  Unfortunately, this summer held on with its fierce grip and autumn flavor had to wait.  Now oven is on and so are the baking experiments.  The start of this tale was a girl (me!) seriously craving some banana bread of the gluten free kind. Anything of the baking variety with me becomes an experiment.  Cooking is more my thing, but baking is becoming a necessary skill to acquire.  After emptying my cabinets and pulling a basic recipe, this deliciousness was created-   It's mix of grains with protein, omegas, fiber. Good stuff.  But it taste bad.  Like you wanna be bad. Gluten free Banana Bread What you need: Brown or white rice flour 1/2 cup Flaxseed 1/4 cup Oats   3/4 cup, ground (gluten free for GF challenged) Large egg with 1/3 cup of melted butter OR   1 cup of applesauce (go Vegan!) 1/2 cup of sugar 1 teaspoon of vanilla ex

A significant portion of us are caregivers.    Our roles can be more than just taking of children; it's the chronological or terminally ill, those with special needs, elderly, etc that we lovingly care for.   If you are not now then most likely you have been or will be- a care giver.  In any capacity of caregiving you are sacrificing and in continual out pour. In some circumstances we would love to change why we are in the role but would never change our choice to be it. Because you are pouring out, you need to be putting it back in.  I am all too aware how saying this is easier than actually making it happen. I am a wife, step mom, mom, aunt, child care giver, teacher,  manager of those with special needs and medical conditions. I am over reached majority of the time.  We have so much as it is, its just one more thing to put effort in.  We must do it.  For us and for those we care for. You need to make a pact for yourself so you can make the most of you and your caregiv

If you are in the same boat as us you know what this title means.  Whether by force or choice, being gluten free can be a real challenge and a huge benefit.   Gluten grains such as wheat, barley, and rye are difficult to digest.  Removing them can lead to less bloating and other intestinal issues.  Benefit- less embarrassing moments. Celiacs, sensitivity, and allergy to gluten. It sucks the big one. I have been told how great it must be to not deal with temptation of gluten filled treats.  It is a temptation.  A tempting death.  Sometimes I would like the option to truly say no to a donut. Or yes. Choosing a gluten product, you need to know what is in it. Whole wheat and complex grains are necessary for your well being in the gluten world.  When choosing a gluten free product, you need to do the same. Unrefined and complex grains. I  look for brown rice, quinoa, millet, amaranth, flax, and buckwheat when possible. These are the healthiest options. I will take white rice if I absol

This is on the tail of my last post concerning ghost child.  I alluded to our process being years of sharing concern and month of pushing to get results.  By years, over seven years. Of multiple concerns.  Most of those years dealt with advocating with medical professionals, some of those "professionals" the term is used loosely.  The primary issue with ghost child is conductive hearing loss that was apparent from infancy and multiple surgeries.  We now have medical recognition after four surgeries that her continued struggles with out intervention that it isn't normal.  It took everything I had not to respond, "no shit Sherlock."  However, at around age four it became very apparent there was more.  No one "saw it" except us and a few family members. I was flat out told last year that she isn't a behavior problem, alluding that there must not be anything going on because she isn't having behavioral referrals. Great, discrimination based on my c

Last night it hit me with full force how these past two weeks have been a long needed victory laps for ghost child.   Normalcy doesn't really exist when a significant amount of your time is spent on a child with special needs, especially in testing or diagnosis.  If you are aware of  your concerns, knowledge of the process, and aggressive in diagnosis, it takes about a year.  Us, eight months of concentrated pushing. Years of voicing concern.  We have arrived to healing. Now therapy with therapy homework.  It can be all consuming and finding balance in a new normal is imperative.  Pulling ghost child home was the best decision.  I feel a lot less pressure in her care with flexibility and non compete with the school system on her needs.  We are integrating her speech goals as opposed to shoving them in at the end of the day and trudging through them on weekends.  I am watching her self regulate her modifications, gaining confidence, and taking charge of her learning.  Not just