The Cleavers We Are Not

Since I was cooped up for the last few weeks (and I really didn't feel like cooking), we decided to venture into the world of eating out tonight. I called ahead to check out what they had on the buffet to be sure each child would have adequate choices. Problem? We choose a restaurant that was foreign to Sahara.

As she entered the building, she scoped out all of her surroundings and off she went. She had to walk (a.k.a. run) the entire perimeter of the restaurant before even glancing at the life-less food presentation. I tried to persuade her to entertain food options that she would have some interest in (pizza, plain noodles, plain lettuce, broccoli), but I knew the vast amount of odors were overwhelming her as was all the noise and people. She was over stimulated and on overload... and so was I.

However, it was the gazing and whispers of the bystanders that raised my anxiety the most.... I just wanted to yell, "she has autism... quit staring!". But, I bit my tongue and withheld my tears. I felt them burning in my eyes... but, I forced myself to not let my weakness conquer me. I felt a quiver in my throat as I told my husband to eat fast. Emily asked, "Why?". I scanned the room for just one understanding smile, but am left feeling disappointed, "I don't feel good."

Partly that was true. I was having high anxiety and I was sick to my stomach to see my child out of control. It is moments like this that we see how far we have to go. It is moments like this we realize that we do not have a typical life. It is moments like this that I look at all the other families with envy as they quietly sit and eat their meals. But...

The Cleavers we are not! And now that I am back in the comfort my home and the children are calm in the familiarity of smells, sights and sounds... I find peace. Yeah, the Cleavers we are not, but we are the Richardsons. We have diversity, unconditional love, courage and a unique view of the world and for that I am grateful!

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GFCF Sugar Cookies

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Here is a Sugar Cookie Recipe that has had much trial and error in the test kitchen... This is so yummy that NO ONE will know they contain no wheat or dairy!! Enjoy!!

1 Cup Earth Balance Spread

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

3 Cups Brown Rice Flour

2 teaspoons Xanthan Gum

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

3 Tablespoons Almond Milk - Original Flavor

Cream Earth Balance and sugar. Add eggs and whip on high. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk. Rotate adding the dry mix and almond milk until all is incorporated. Knead dough, then refrigerate for an hour in three balls. Dust work area with rice flour, roll out one ball 1/4 - 1/2 inch, cut and bake 12 minutes on 375 degrees. Repeat with remaining balls.

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Careful of Body Image... She is Watching

When I met my husband I was 18 years old, 5 foot 9 inches, and 95 pounds (if soaking wet). I never wanted to be as thin as I was… my metabolism just was that of a gerbil’s! In fact, I remember many times attempting to gain weight during high school and I just couldn’t. Many people thought I had an eating disorder, but I didn’t—it really was just the way my body and metabolism worked.

I gained a lot of weight when I was 26 years old after my father passed away; I soothed my grief with food: mashed potatoes, ice cream, chocolate. It wasn’t until years later that I learned Chocolate really did affect the brain. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter commonly known as an antidepressant is triggered by tryptophan which is found in chocolate.

Over the years I have either been either too skinny or too heavy by my own standards. Although, it never amounted into a true eating disorder by definition, it certainly misconstrued how I perceived my body. Now, I admit I am 170 and agonize over the loss of the body I once had.

Today we eat healthy (mostly organic) real foods and trust me I am active… I chase (literally) after kids, do laundry, clean house, go on outdoor excursions, taxi Sahara to and from various therapies & Emily to her extracurricular activities, I climb stairs all day, and never really get a few moments to sit down until the end of the day. At that point, I fall asleep out of pure exhaustion while putting the girls to bed, only to awaken in a few hours because I am worried about the one child who sleep walks and has night terrors and the other who wanders outdoors and is non-verbal.

I am sure that my lack of sleep over the years has contributed to those numbers staring back at me on the scale. I am also sure that I have learned to eat to comfort myself from the pain and worry over having a child diagnosed with autism, the loss of my professional identity, the stress of going from two incomes to one while I stay home with the girls, etc.

I am only 25 pounds away from my ideal weight, but the thing that bothers me the most about all of this isn’t those numbers or my body image... it is the message I have been sending to my approaching tween. I have heard her ask, “am I fat?” and “do I need to lose weight?” Although I will not take complete responsibility for this, I do take some.

I know she quietly sees me looking in the mirror with displeasure and hears me complaining about my outer appearance. She is a product of her mother! But, I also know that the children of today are more consumed with body image than we ever were. They are inundated with magazines and technology showing women that demonstrate perfection…. Let’s face it Sex and Image sells. Britney Spears is a perfect example of a generation x persona that gives a false image to the teens. In more recent times, Miley Cyrus (Hanna Montana) sells ‘sexy’ underwear, makeup, flashy purses and clothing… persuading the tweens and teens to have a certain image.

These young famous girls on the center stage have perfect shapes and complexions… makeup artists, lighting, and computer touch ups make these kids look immaculate. I suppose Barbie is just as bad. When my oldest was little I refused to buy any Barbie dolls for this exact reason. However, when Sahara received a Barbie doll from a kid for her birthday last year… it was over. Let’s face it this plastic personified doll has a perfect body, perfect hair, perfect friends, and a perfect boyfriend, Ken. We are hardwiring our little girls that they need to create this perfect image for themselves.

By the time these young girls are faced with their own emerging bodies, the peers come along… they are influential—regardless of how much we try to stay the primary influence, peers get a hold of our little angels and it is over. (I have found the ones with teenage sisters are the worse.) But, yes, even at 10 years of age, they are commenting about body image and outer body appearance. What is a mother to do?!?!

Firstly, take your own inventory… that is what I had to do. Somewhere along the avenue of mothering my approaching tween, I realized my body perception was influencing hers. I, now, create opportunities for her to see an average woman who is okay with her image. I want her to develop the awareness that it is okay to love yourself as you are and that your self-worth is not contingent on having a certain body image.

Role models start at the top and although we do not remain the primary influence of our young daughters… they are still watching. And if you can be confident in your skin regardless of the brand of clothes you wear, the loss of an 18 year old body, the healthier message they receive about how to perceive themselves.

I am presently 9 months away from my 40^th birthday and am making a commitment to get to my ideal weight by that time. Not because I have a distorted body image that needs to be addressed, but more importantly because I want to be healthier and be a better role model for my young daughters. With heart disease and diabetes running rampid on both sides of their family tree, I want them to understand that the more they respect and take care of their body-temple the longer they will have it.

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The Ohio State Fair...A Family Moment!

Every August we venture off to The Ohio State Fair… but let’s face it, this is not the ideal outing for a child with sensory issues. The loud noises, mobs of people, toxic food, and carnies are enough to make a nuerotypical person get on edge… but throw autism, specialized diets, and language deficits into the mix and you may just have a recipe for disaster.

But, not this year… maybe we are better equipped with preparing her for such an outing with deep pressure stimulation, packed snacks, sharing social stories based on what to expect, and of course allowing the girls to feel in control of the day. Maybe… it was because there were less people in attendance on this day, no lines for rides, and a breeze to take the edge off of the summer heat. Or maybe…. she is getting well and better able to handle the stimulation. I suppose it was most likely a combination of all of these factors.

Regardless, this year’s visit to the fair was our best to date; laughter, companionship, and good ol’ fashion fun.

This year we were able to ride on more rides… partly because she is older, partly because she found them either soothing or exhilarating and mostly because she didn’t attempt to crawl out of the flimsy seatbelts. Of course, after the 4th time of climbing the 166 steps to get to the top of the ‘big yellow slide’, I realized nothing was going to stop this kid or her sister. That is probably when we realized that our girls were capable of accompanying each other on the rides… allowing mommy and daddy to stand off to the side basking in the joy of their children sharing a moment of sisterhood.

Let’s not forget about the animals… which they both indulged; especially at the birthing center. (Yes, the young twin lambs even won my heart.) At one moment Sahara was completely captured by Elsie the Borden’s Butter Cow. Every time she rubbed Elsie’s head, Elsie would moo loudly. The timing was impeccable and gave Sahara the conclusion that Elsie’s moo was caused by the effect of her rubbing her—another moment of cognitive clarity that made me smile.

Daddy took Emily over to the adult rides and she got to experience her first rollercoaster… I am certain this fed her need for excitement and her never ending need for sensory input as well. When they returned she had a smile larger than life. I am sure they had a father-daughter moment that she would retain in the recess of her childhood memories.

While they were off having this moment together, I had a moment of my own… on the carrousel mounted on my own horse (another milestone achieved) I looked over and saw a 5 year old enjoying an age appropriate activity and saw a glimpse of her normalcy. Reclaiming her childhood has been one focus of ours, and The Ohio State Fair allowed us to see our hard work pay off!

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Birthday Presence

There is nothing quite like having a birthday party with screaming kids and toxic food (known to others as pizza, pop, and cupcakes). But, I won’t go there today. You know, ranting about the food industry—but maybe later this week I’ll revisit that one...

For now, I’d like to focus on a very special birthday! It was Sahara’s 5th birthday yesterday.

Not many of my mom friends will understand this, but if you are a mom to a child on the spectrum you most likely will. In the past five years we have had many gifts exchanges; birthdays, Christmas, Easter, yes, even made up holidays just for the sake of mixing it up. But… there was always this solemn energy blanketing the festivities.

Emily usually unwrapped all of the presents and Sahara stared off in space or got up to play with the toys she found comfort in. You could hear the frustration in Emily’s voice as she would yell, "Sahara look. Sahara! S_A_H_A_R_A! Look it’s beautiful!" as her sister would just stay in her own world.

I always felt sadness in the depth of my heart that the well thought out gifts just laid there among the discarded wrappings. I would find myself begging God to help us find a way to bring her back to us. Maybe he was listening because somehow this year was different… This year Sahara participated!

She sat focused and actually ‘got’ what was happening around her. She delicately unwrapped each and every present (a total of six, which is alot)… with such awareness. You could see the anticipation in her eyes (something we have never witnessed in this child). Once the present was unwrapped she would give this faint smile of approval and pleasure (again, something we have never witnessed).

Emily sat their giggling while Sahara examined each and every gift before she moved onto the next. I quietly basked in the moment of witnessing both of my girls 'having a moment'. The rest of the day Sahara carried her new Tinkerbell and Cow doll around with her everywhere she went. She even carefully placed each in between us last night before she drifted off to sleep.

I think the greatest gift given on her birthday wasn’t in any of those pretty pink wrapped boxes, or laying between us as we co-slept, but rather in the essence of a young girl who joined us to celebrate her 5th birthday…the gift of presence.

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My Opposition To The Ice Cream Truck

It wasn’t long after becoming a mother that I decided that the ice cream truck was something to be avoided. But of course, ten years ago my reasoning was different than the motivation of today.

Back then I couldn’t comprehend, (well, I still can’t comprehend this one) how it seemed to be a good idea to have a complete stranger driving through neighborhoods with tantalizing music trying to lure children to his truck with treats. This concept went against the very grain I try to teach my children.

We do not approach strangers.

We do not accept candy or treats from strangers.

We do not walk up to a vehicle of a stranger.

Just yesterday we were driving through a neighborhood and my oldest daughter said with contempt in her voice, “What is that?!?!” Her dad tried to explain that someone had taken their personal black van and put stickers on it, wired speakers to the roof, and was portraying himself as the ice cream truck. Her face expression was all we needed as a cue that she understood that this was not deemed appropriate.

Now of course, he did not have the window on the side of his van, but he left the sliding door open and was leaning out the door taking orders. I couldn’t believe parents were permitting their children to approach this vehicle! Now, I only remember one news story about child abduction and the ice cream truck, but I presume that is one story too many.

The music that permeates from these vehicles turn our children into screaming tyrants demonstrating the Pavlov wasn’t wrong about his theory of conditioning. However, I successfully convinced my first born that this was a music truck bringing us joy to our ears. I also was able to explain to her that it was never okay to approach strangers in this type of vehicle or any vehicle to that matter.

For six beautiful years, each and every summer she would inform me that the music truck was coming through the neighborhood. But, she didn’t go running to my purse, begging me for some unforeseen treat. Instead, we would sit on the couch and hum the familiar tune.

It was her sixth summer when a neighbor kid let the cat out of the bag. She wasn’t mad though, but curiosity did get the best of her… so we begrudgingly went on our first ice cream truck adventure. After a couple of bites, she retorted, “This doesn’t taste very good.”

YES!

She was saved by her own common sense. So we went through the next several years with no interest from the music turned ice cream truck.

That was until this past weekend when the mother next door came running over to our house to get her child. Then she, too, apparently conditioned by the Pavlovian “It’s A Small World After All…” music, went running down the street flagging this truck to stop in front of our house.

My husband just looked at me as I shrugged my shoulders… I decided in order to not look like the hysterical mother of the neighborhood to invite my children to meet the neighbor’s at the foot of our drive way. However, up until this moment my now youngest did not even give a notice to this truck.

After 5 minutes of rude grunts and groans from the woman and man in the back of the van (we were obviously taking too much of their precious time), the kids had decided— I cringed as my older daughter picked the multi-colored rainbow snow cone and her sister pointed to the ice cream sandwich.

Luckily, once the wrapper came of the over-priced ice cream sandwich, she looked at it, scrunched up her nose at the lifeless attempt of food, set it down, and retreated to the freezer to get some rice ice cream.

ANOTHER VICTORY!

But my other daughter ate the whole snow cone.

We decided to serve watermelon a little later, since watermelon is known to naturally contain high amounts of vitamin C and A as well as loads of natural carotenoid antioxidants. Antioxidants enter the body and attack free radicals, allowing the body to be cleansed.

Soon after she consumed the watermelon, she retreated to the back sun deck. I went out to see if she was okay. She looked pale, her eyes had dark circles under them, and she was clammy. I asked how she felt and she said “nauseous”.

I am sure we were seeing the body trying to rid toxic chemical levels from that snow cone that was drenched in artificial colors, dye, high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. Her body isn’t used to that non-food crap and was trying to purge it.

She never threw up, but did go to sleep and woke up feeling better. I suppose we learned that the choices of treats that mom puts in the freezer are much more compatible with the human body. Artificial crap is neither nutritious nor safe for the body!

In the future, we will resort to the freezer filled with the real food that our body’s desire and resist the conditioning of the music filling the summer air.

Lesson Learned.

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Artificial Dyes in Our Foods, Medications & Cosmetics...

I went to the grocery to purchase hot dogs for our first seasonal cookout… I was shocked when I read the label of a popular brand of dogs that read “Red #40”.

I put them down and went to the pasta aisle. My daughter had been begging me for some real Mac-n-cheese. (Now mind you, her definition and my definition of real differ quite a bit.) I thought this popular side dish would be an okay rare treat to go with the rare dogs, but…

Upon reading the label of the Mac-n-cheese I, also, found yellow dye #5 and #6, as well as monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the box. Having removed all foods containing artificial dyes some time ago from our diets, I just couldn’t do it. So, I left, knowing she was going to be heart-broken… no dogs or Mac-n-cheese!

I suppose that was a small price to pay for her health—Let me explain…

Our foods are laced with millions (yes, millions) of pounds of artificial coal-tar and petroleum based dyes (Red #3, Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, and Red #40).

Americans consume more than 17.8 million pounds of dyes through food, medication, and cosmetics each year. Your child is expected to consume between 1-3 pounds by the time he/she reaches the age of 13! I am perplexed that the average person doesn’t question some of the food practices we have in this country.

While some dyes are used to make the product look more appealing to the target consumer (blue and pink yogurt) others are used to cover up the beginning stage of spoilage of products such as meat. And yet, other dyes are being used as a procedure to make under-ripe foods look ready to eat as in apples and strawberries. We also have dyes in our pet food, pill coatings, cosmetics, shampoos, ice creams, and popsicles—really the list is endless.

According to Dr. Feingold dyes are toxins to the human body:

Red #3 – Linked to thyroid tumors and chromosomal damage – FDA tried and failed to ban it.

Red #40 – Linked to Lymphomas (lymph tumors) - Banned in European Economic Community (EEC)

Blue # 1 – Linked to chromosomal damage – Banned in France and Finland

Blue # 2 – Linked to Brain tumors – Banned in EEC

Green #3 Linked to Bladder tumors – Banned in EEC

Yellow #5 – Linked to allergies, thyroid tumors, lymphocytic lymphomas, chromosomal damage – Banned in Norway

Yellow # 6 – Linked to allergies, kidney tumors, chromosomal damage – Banned in Norway and Sweden

Isn’t this an awful large risk to take to change the natural color of the foods we eat?

Other findings I came across linked the use of artificial dyes to Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Is it not logical to look at what we are fueling our children with as a possible link to some of the violence, behavior, and developmental issues that are running ramped in today’s industrialized world? I urge everyone to read every label of food that crosses your lips, of products that touch your skin, and more.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest asked the FDA to ban the most common artificial dyes or at least put a warning label on the food packaging: "Warning: The artificial coloring in this food causes hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children." Yet, the FDA maintains these additives are generally safe.

I cannot tell you what will or will not happen if your child (or you) consumes the globs of artificial dyes in our products, but I can say educate yourself! And If you are concerned with the use of petroleum and coal-tar additives in your foods, meds, and cosmetics here is a few suggestions on how to protect yourself:

1. Write your congressperson and senator and ask them to become more proactive in the government regulation of food safety.

2. Keep a food journal to see what reactions or behaviors your child exhibits after consuming foods laced with these ingredients (with any ingredients, really). Eliminate the foods of suspicion and see if behaviors change.

3. Avoid all foods containing artificial dyes and colors or U.S. Certified Colors.

4. Eat organic certified fruits and vegetables or shop at a local coop/farm.

5. Avoid cosmetics and toiletries containing these ingredients.

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Gluten Free Foods

A gluten free diet is promoted by many physicians as a treatment protocol for celiac disease, autism and ADHD. It has been reported in some cases that the gluten protein acts like an opiate in the body’s system. Some children that get on the gluten free diet exhibit better self control, less temper tantrums, and even an increase in speech articulation.

It takes up to six months for the gluten protein to be completely excreted from the body. So, even a tiny bit can cause up to six months worth of gluten reactions in the body. To truly see the benefit of a gluten free diet 100% of the gluten needs to be removed 100% of the time. This a difficult task to accomplish.

If a product is produced in a factory with Gluten containing foods there can be cross-contamination. Some factories use flour to coat conveyer belts. For instance, seemingly safe foods like raisins may be contaminated with gluten—as some manufacturers use wheat flour to prevent the raisins from sticking together.

Food additives, meats, ice cream, and candy often contain wheat. Guten can even be found in body care and hair care. Play dough even has wheat in it. This why you should get in the habit of calling manufacturers; get familiar with manufacturers and their practices.

There are many gluten free products on the market. You just need to have patience and a self control to proceed. This diet requires a lot of effort in the beginning, but once you begin recognizing which products you can consume, it becomes much easier. Watch this blog for weekly gluten free recipes.

Foods to AVOID on the diet

Wheat
Kamut
Spelt
Barley
Rye
Oats
Tritical


Foods ALLOWED on the diet

Corn
Potato
Rice
Rice Tapioca (derived from cassava)
Amaranth
Arrowroot
Millet
Montina
Lupine
Quinoa
Sorghum
Sweet Potato
Taro
Teff
Yam
Beans
Soybeans
Nut Flours
Buckwheat
Gram Flour (Chickpea)

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$3,000,000...A Call To Action!

I just wasn’t sure what I would write on “National Autism Awareness Day”, but just as I was in the height of getting the girls ready for school my sister called. She was watching Good Morning America; she was telling me about how it costs $3,000,000 dollars to raise a child with autism. Catching my breath from having helped Emily change 15 times for picture day, I said, “I know”.

I started to think about this $3,000,000!! I googled around to find out how much it costs to raise a typically developing child and that number was still quite high – averaging around $235,000.

Then it dawned on me, as I prepared Sahara’s breakfast of a GFCF smoothie, that her specialized diet alone was capitalizing on our single income. And what about the clothing that had to be a certain fabric because of her sensory issues; just yesterday I had to resort to turning her leggins inside-out to avoid the seam against her skin. And the kooshi balls, tampolines, the sensory box, the pecs... the list of home aids is just innumberable.

All of this and the speech and occupational therapies, food, specialists, supplements… swirled in my head. The thought of it is enough to overwhelm even The Donald. But all of these things have a place, something we learned to adapt to.

However, what I don’t grasp is the $2200 neurologist bill that arrived in our mailbox yesterday; he was only in the room 20 minutes— tops! Or… what about the autism specialist that is charging $300 an hour, excluding the lab work or treatments/supplements in which insurance won't touch, does he have a right to exploit parent’s hope - because of the almighty dollar?

Autism is a viable industry, just like cancer. I try to avoid downer feelings of capitalization taking advantage of the families and children faced with this epidemic, but sometimes it is difficult. There are so many things available for the proactive parent; but not always the means to pursue it. Certainly, $3,000,000 is not just sitting in an account waiting to be liquidated. I really feel for the children whose parents are not even aware that a GFCF diet can be helpful to some of these kids, that the county will pay for some of the therapy or that floortime, a no cost approach, can effectively be used in your own home.

I suppose that is why I started this blog, to educate all parents that there are rays of hope in their future. With the new administration more hope floats into my essence than before. I pray that they can comprehend the desperation in the 1 out 132 children’s families who are experiencing autism and faced with a $3,000,000 persoanl deficit. More so, I hope the recognize that the wisdom of the universe can help guide us to create a more prosperous life for these kids; one of hope, productivity, and meaningful relationships.

Recently, I recieved an email stating the Obama Administration did ask some of the "Evolutionary Leaders to communicate about what is transpiring on the planet, and how we can change the course of the unprecedented events that are challenging this planet. "

I think now more than every that we need to let our leaders hear our voice. Please join me, Deepak Chopra, Gregg Braden, Michael Beckwith and many, many others, in showing this administration how many people are in favor for

* Building a global community and creating a culture of peace.* Restoring ecological balance to nourish all life, and mitigate the effects of climate change.* Engaging in social and political transformation by calling for a more conscious democracy.* Promoting health and healing by acknowledging the profound mind-body-spirit connection.* Supporting research and education that optimize human capacities.* Encouraging integrity in business and conscious media.

The Evolutionary Leaders are also asking us to sign a petition to show the Administration how many people are in favor for these changes to occur. They need 100,000 signatures. The petition link and a discription of their recommendations can be found here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/248704259

Please consider taking action. This stance will help our leaders see that there has to be another way to afford health and peace for all of the children of this world.

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The Mouse Vs. The Butterfly

So... I broke down! I figured it was spring break and we needed to cut loose a bit. Preparing for the 3^rd grade proficiency tests, going to tutoring before school, 2 hours of homework every week night, bi-weekly trips to private occupational therapy and speech, aikido, horse lessons, a trip to the emergency room, the new neurologist, doctor visits, home visits, publishing my first book, dad working late most nights plus an episode of the influenza had all created an intense winter for us all. So, mom and girls kicked back and headed for Chuck E Cheese.

What was I thinking? It really was a glorified excursion in my mind. The first day of spring break; kids laughing, playing, and de-stressing; pizza made for you (not by you with special ingredients) with no dishes to wash all appealed to the exhausted side of my essence. We barely made it through the front doors before shoes went flying off and hands were reaching for the magical gold coins. I was trying to order pizza with my head cocked to keep an eye on the two of them running off in different directions. As I handed the bank card to the annoyed cashier, I couldn’t help wonder what else we could have done with that $20.38.

As I found a booth conveniently located in the middle of the restaurant (so I could see all 360 degrees) I noticed most of the moms had brought a book, lap top or much needed paper work to be completed. I even saw a mom and dad sitting huddled in a corner, obviously a rare moment of intense conversation. Somehow they all found comfort in the neon numbers on their child’s little hand and found themselves immersed in their own world blocking out the obnoxious bells, screeches, cries, and bright colors. Not me, I knew better; it wasn’t long before I was re-directing Sahara away from the front door – every time I go there I end up wondering, “They should have staff vigilantly watching this door!”

The past few months we have been phasing out all gluten and casein laced products with some resistance, so I tried to hide my fear that this experience was going to open Pandora’s Box, however I was pleasantly relieved when the cardboard looking pizza arrived. (I silently praised myself for having created a recipe for a GFCF pizza that looked wonderful in comparison.) But I knew the jury was still out. Emily ate two pieces carefully avoiding anything that resembled the crust; she snapped her head up and declared, “This pizza sucks!” and off she went. Yes! I now was able to confirm I had one converted, but our pizza addict was yet to communicate her feelings. She diligently took a tiny bite of the tip of 4 pieces, got up and ran off to play. On her visits to the table the rest of the time there she eyed the pizza while consuming only the water we brought with us. I was pretty sure she was conveying her dissatisfaction, with that, I was pleased.

The girls had fun climbing through the tubes, riding rides, playing the games and collecting tokens (I even snuck a game of Deal Or No Deal in – I won them 20 tokens). I knew they were done an hour into this adventure, I saw them playing tag in between the equipment that was brilliantly designed to entice them to feed it coins and imprint warm fuzzy feelings so they would beg to come back. Marketing executives are good at this; consider the jungle gyms at fast food restaurants and happy meals. These are not designed with child’s interest in mind, but how can ‘they’ make these kids addicted to their product and crave more. Remember Joe Camel? I felt pride as I watched my girls not get sucked into this propaganda.

As we cashed in our tickets, Sahara looked up at me and said, “Hungry”. I am relieved she was hungry for real food and not for the overwhelming enticements in this establishment. They left with no complaints or tantrums. On the ride home Emily was being goofy (I am sure it was the potassium sorbate in the pizza cheese) and Sahara egged her on by laughing so hard that I thought all three of us would pee our pants!

Yesterday, we went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Butterfly exhibit. This, by far, was a much calmer environment that seemed to naturally feed our spirits. We slowly strolled through while talking and taking in the beauty of different climates and nature. Each of us able to absorb whatever we individually desired. We were tickled; well really, Emily was tickled to have 3 butterflies land on her. As she slowly walked over to us, Sahara was alarmed that her sister was being attacked by these vicious creatures. It was so funny! I hope next time I get the brilliant idea of de-stressing and chilling out with the girls, I remember this and take them to the park for a picnic and reconnect with the earth and nature. Maybe I’ll remember the lessons of what really nourishes their bodies, minds, and spirit.

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P.S. Why is my Child Agitated?

From an early age my oldest child seemed to have mood swings. We would nervously chuckle over our concern that she was like a mini Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde. She would be sweet as pie, then without warning she would be bouncing off of the walls. My husband and I were baffled as the agitation increased. Where could she be learning this behavior?

We found that we were asking the wrong question; it was not where she was learning the behavior as so much as what was causing the behavior. About 2 years ago we decided to look at food sensitivities as a source of this agitation. Food sensitivity is not an allergic reaction, but intolerance to a food substance.

We immediately thought of food dyes and sugar, but surprisingly their elimination did not affect this behavior. Someone suggested removing potassium sorbate from her diet. Belonging to the University of Google, I started there, and found little information supporting my friends theory.

At my ends wit, I decided I had nothing to lose by removing this preservative from her diet. Nothing that is, but the hardship of reading every label of food that crossed her lips. As we began eliminating it we realized she seemed calmer. Or was that wishful thinking?

After the first month we realized she had a complete personality make over. No longer crawling in her own skin, but peaceful. We decided to test the waters and let her have something containing Potassium Sorbate, and to our shock we realized this was indeed real!

We have since completely eliminated potassium sorbate from our diets. On rare occasions she will come home from school in “a mood”. All I have to do is ask, “Did you eat something mommy didn’t pack in your lunch?” and inevitably she will say, “yeah, so-n-so brought in pizza/cupcakes/yogurt”. And I know to have more patience with her that evening as her body works through the intolerance she is experiencing.

If your child has ADHD, autism, aggression or is prone to mood swings, try eliminating potassium sorbate to see if it makes the same difference for you. (Don’t forget that it could be effecting mom and dad, too.)

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