Tag: autism

SPINACH CILANTRO MEATBALLS

On June 30, 2014

I am always on the lookout for healthy, easy and practical recipes for my family. This meatball recipe is ideal because it is easy to make, delicious and can be frozen for future use! The meatballs are perfect for school lunches, summer picnics, dinner…you name it.

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground meat (grass-fed beef, organic chicken, organic dark meat turkey, bison)

1/2 of a Vidalia onion, finely chopped

1 tsp ground Celtic sea salt

1 small garlic clove, finely chopped

1 tsp cumin powder

2 cups organic baby spinach, chopped

1/2 cup fresh organic cilantro, finely chopped

2 eggs (beaten)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400F.
Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
Roll the mixture into medium-sized balls and place on the baking sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes, until cooked all the way through and meatballs are beginning to brown.

Serves: about 30 medium meatballs

Tip: The meatballs can be frozen in an airtight container for future meals. Just re-heat them in the oven and they are ready to be enjoyed!

Blessings,

Jenna

GRANNY SMITH CHICKEN RECIPE

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On June 12, 2014

In Recipes

This tasty dish is easy to make and is a big hit with my children! The combination of tartness from the Granny Smith apple mixed with the chicken is delicious.

Ingredients

Chicken tenderloins (2 packages)
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
2T. coconut oil.
1 medium onion thinly sliced
1 lg clove garlic, minced
2T. coconut aminos
1T. minced fresh parsley or 1t. dried parsley flakes
1/2t. thyme leaves
1 large Granny Smith green apple, peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges
4 cups fresh organic baby spinach

Directions

Season the chicken with pepper and salt.
Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet that has a cover, and brown the chicken pieces well on both sides.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until translucent.
Add the apples, coconut aminos, parsley and thyme and cover the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes.
Add the browned chicken and fresh spinach and simmer for an extra 5 minutes.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my children do!

Jenna

SCRUMPTIOUS GLUTEN-FREE APPLE WALNUT CAKE

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On June 5, 2014

In Recipes

Craving bread, but not the gluten? Try this fragrant, high-protein apple and walnut cake. It’s gluten-free and delicious!

Ingredients:

2 cups ground almonds
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp aluminum free baking powder
½ tsp sea salt
2 eggs
1 cup unsweetened organic apple sauce
1/2 cup walnut oil (or use coconut oil)
Coconut oil for greasing the loaf pan
1/4 cup of coconut milk

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325F. Coat a 9×5 loaf pan liberally with coconut oil.

Combine 2 cups ground almonds, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 2 tbsp ground flaxseed, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 2 tsp aluminum free baking powder and ½ tsp salt in a bowl and mix.

In another bowl, combine 2 eggs, 1 cup unsweetened organic apple sauce, 1/2 cup walnut oil (or use coconut oil) and 1/4 cup of coconut milk. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and stir. If the mixture is very stiff, add 1 to 2 tbsp more of coconut milk.

Press the dough into the pan and bake for about 45 minutes. Check the cake by poking it with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done.

Leave to cool for 20 minutes, then turn out. Slice and serve.

Enjoy!

Jenna

WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On May 13, 2014

In Homeopathy

“The highest ideal of cure is the rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health; that is, the lifting and annihilation of the disease in its entire extent in the shortest, most reliable, and least disadvantageous way, according to clearly realizable principles.”

— Hahnemann, from Organon of the Medical Art

Homeopathy was discovered over 200 years ago by German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) however, the basis of homeopathy has been around since the ancient times. Homeopathy is popular and widely practiced all over Europe, South America, and India because it has proved to be effective throughout almost two centuries of practice. Today we are seeing a resurgence of interest in homeopathy in the U.S. as alternatives to traditional medicine gain new acceptance.

Homeopathy is a method of self-healing assisted by small doses of natural remedies and practiced by licensed physicians and other health professionals throughout the world.

Core beliefs in homeopathy:

The body continually tries to heal itself. Homeopathy simply assists in that process. Homeopathy works energetically, as it stimulates your body’s own vital force and re-establishes balance in the entire being.
Homeopathy treats the whole person and not just the symptoms of the disease.
Homeopathy is based on the belief that like cures like which is referred to in homeopathy as the “Law of Similars.” The Law of Similars states that the same substance that produces disease symptoms in a healthy person, when given in concentrated doses, can also cure a sick person with similar symptoms, when given in very diluted form.
Vital Force is the body’s guiding intelligence; the body’s “energy level.” Properly prescribed homeopathy enhances the vital force.
Health is a state of freedom at three levels – physical, emotional, and mental.
Symptoms are the outward and visible signs of the inward disturbance of the vital force which causes disease. If you remove the disturbance in vital force, the disease will go away (based on Principles and Art of Cure by Homeopathy, author H.A. Roberts).

Unlike western medicines with their many side effects, in homeopathy, less is more—the remedies are so highly diluted that the treatment yields no side effects and is safe even for babies, animals, and pregnant women. Homeopathy can treat minor or acute problems as well as chronic and long-term ailments.

For examples of how homeopathy has helped people I’ve worked with who had both chronic and acute symptoms click here.

COMFORT FOOD – GF/CF CHICKEN POT PIE

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On May 9, 2014

In Recipes

Are you looking for a gluten-free, casein free, comfort food recipe? How about chicken pot pie? Creamy gravy…a golden, crisp crust…tender, flavorful vegetables. Yum, it just doesn’t get much better than chicken pot pie! And just because it is gluten and casein free doesn’t mean it’s not as delicious or as good as mom used to make.

Ingredients

1 lb organic chicken breasts (shredded or cut into bite sized pieces)

1 carrot, peeled and diced

1 yellow onion, peeled and diced

4 cups chopped kale or collard greens (stems removed)

1 large celery stalk, diced

½ cup chopped broccoli

4 tablespoons coconut oil

3 cups chicken stock (if not homemade, check ingredients of stock to make sure it is GF/CF)

1 tablespoon parsley

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

2 tablespoons arrowroot powder

3 tablespoons water or cooked liquid from pot

Salt and Pepper to taste

Crust

1 cup almond flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon celtic salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

½ cup coconut oil (or butter if you do not have issues with casein)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F.

In a large pot with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken breasts. Brown the chicken, 8 to 10 minutes per side (until it is no longer pink in center). Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and vegetables to your pot. Stir the vegetables around until the onions start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a simmer. Simmer vegetables for 5 minutes.

Shred the chicken and add it to the pot.

In a small bowl whisk together the arrowroot powder with 3 tablespoons of water or 3 tablespoons liquid from the pot. When the arrowroot is mixed well (no clumps), add the mixture to the pot.

Stir the vegetable mixture until the broth thickens.

Remove from the heat and transfer to a Pyrex of Stoneware baking dish.

Crust Topping

Soften coconut oil (or butter if recipe does not need to be casein free) and add it to your mixer bowl with the almond flour, salt and baking powder.

Mix together until all the ingredients are evenly combined. (I use my BlendTec Blender for this; you can also just stir with a fork if you do not have a mixer).

Add the eggs and mix well.

If you make this ahead of time, keep refrigerated until ready to bake.

Top your veggie mixture with the dough.

Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Jenna

ALMOND MEAL CRANBERRY PANCAKES

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On April 23, 2014

In Recipes

Ingredients

2 cups almond meal (or 1 ¾ cups almond flour and ¼ cup Millet flour)

½ c finely shredded unsweetened coconut

3 eggs

1 cup Native Forest coconut milk

2 T. coconut oil

1 apple, peeled and grated

¼ tsp fine Celtic or Himalayan salt

½ to 1 cup fresh or frozen organic cranberries (or other berries of choice)

Directions

Add all ingredients (except cranberries) to blender and mix well
Stir in ½ of cranberries
Scoop 2 tablespoons of batter onto a medium griddle greased with coconut oil. Cover pancakes while cooking to help them cook evenly all the way through. Make sure the pancakes are browned well before flipping.

Toppings

Syrup – I love maple syrup, however, I do try to limit sugar for myself and my family. I mix warmed coconut oil or cool/room temperature organic flaxseed oil with a small amount (about 1 tsp) maple syrup and pour over pancakes. This tastes sweet like syrup without all the sugar, but with the added benefits of the healthy oil.
Blueberries
Walnuts
Poached egg
Sliced avocado and a small dollop of pesto
Sliced avocado with dollop of lemon dill mayo
Dairy free yogurt and berries–unsweetened coconut or almond milk yogurt topped with raspberries is my current favorite

Adapted from Everyday Paleo by Sara Fragoso

Enjoy!

Jenna

HEALING PROPERTIES OF BONE BROTH

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On March 19, 2014

In Healthy Diet

Bone-based broths have a long history as a beneficial food for people recuperating from illness, child-birth or surgery. They are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and easy for the body to assimilate. Bones used to make stocks are filled with minerals that many of us don’t get enough of, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and others.

Also, bones contain cartilage, collagen and marrow — substances found in no other foods. Collagen is the source of bone broth’s immune-boosting properties.

BENEFITS OF BONE BROTH:

Heals leaky gut/improves digestion
Can aid in healing IBS, crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and acid reflux
Fights infections such as colds and flu
Heals food intolerances and allergies
Improves joint health (arthritis)
Gelatin promotes probiotic balance and growth
Reduces cellulite
Boosts the immune system
Reduces inflammation in the respiratory system
Detoxifies cells, gut and liver

Gelatin in bone broths contains amino acids arginine, glycine, glutamine and proline. These amino acids also contribute to stock’s healing properties.

Arginine

Necessary for immune system function and wound healing
Needed for the production and release of growth hormone
Helps regenerate damaged liver cells
Needed for the production of sperm

Glycine

Prevents breakdown of protein tissue like muscle
Used to make bile salts and glutathione
Helps detoxify the body of chemicals and acts as antioxidant
Is a neurotransmitter that improves sleep and improves memory and performance
Anti-inflammatory

Proline

Helps regenerate cartilage and heal joints
Reduces cellulite and makes skin more supple
Helps repair leaky gut
Anti-inflammatory

Glutamine

Protects gut lining
Metabolic fuel for cells in small intestine
Improves metabolism and muscle-building

BONE BROTH RECIPE

Ingredients:
4 quarts of filtered water
1 whole organic/free range chicken (remember you can use any type of protein)
1 garlic clove (more/less to taste)
2 Tbsp organic apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
1 Tsp unrefined sea salt (more/less to taste )
1 bay leaf
1 small onion
Fresh ginger (peeled)
Fresh turmeric (teaspoon dry powder can be replaced for fresh)
3 stalks organic celery

Preparation:

Bake the chicken on 325 for 2 hours.
Once the chicken has cooled off, remove the meat and use as you like.
Place the left over bones and water into a crock pot and set the heat to HIGH.
Bring the stock to a boil, then reduce the heat setting to the LOWEST setting.
Add apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, turmeric, ginger, bay leaf and celery.
Allow the stock to cook for a minimum of 12 hours. A low and slow cook time is necessary to fully extract the nutrients in and around bone.
Turn off the crock pot and allow the stock to cool.
Strain the stock through a fine mesh metal strainer and discard bones.
If you want to make chicken vegetable soup add your favorite vegetables (for added nutrient value). Continue cooking until vegetables are the consistency you like.
Place the cooled stock into covered glass containers for storage in the fridge or freezer.
You can also freeze the bone broth in ice-cube trays. Use the cubes anytime you want to add extra nutrients/flavor to a dish you are making.

TIPS:

Only use animal products that you know are organic, pasture-fed and free of antibiotics and hormones (bones can be purchased at U.S. Wellness Meats).
If you’re making beef broth or lamb broth, you should brown the meat before putting it into a stock pot.
Add a bit of apple cider vinegar to your pot to help draw the minerals from the bones.
When re-heating bone broth, bring it to a boil to kill any bacteria.
The combination of animal products and vegetables seemed to have synergistic effects, working together to be more beneficial than either alone.
I have found in my practice that a very small number of clients may not respond well to bone broth at first. When adding something new (whether it is a supplement, homeopathic remedy, food, or even a new personal care product) it is always a good idea to be observant for any changes. Every product, no matter how great, organic, natural, or wonderful it is reported to be for others, is not necessarily a perfect fit for everyone! It is wise to be observant when adding anything new. If you see any behavior changes (lethargy, hyperactivity for example) or any physical symptoms (cold symptoms, stomach ache, etc.) perhaps bone broth is not a good fit for your child. Muscle testing (also known as applied kinesiology (AK)) is a good way to test for benefit and tolerance. You can learn AK yourself, and many natural health practitioners incorporate it into their practices. I incorporate AK into my client work, testing foods, supplements, remedies, and a tool to help to refine the most optimal healing strategy for each individual. If you are uncertain or see/experience symptoms when you add bone broth, you could use applied kinesiology or work with a practitioner who does to test if bone broth is best for you or your child at this time.

Sources:

Weston A. Price Foundation

University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Chicken Soup for a Cold” http://www.unmc.edu/publicrelations/chickensoup_newsrelease.htm (accessed 21 October 2011).

WHAT ARE MIASMS AND HOW ARE THEY LINKED TO CHRONIC DISEASE? PART 1

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On February 24, 2014

In Homeopathy

MIASMS – PART ONE

Introduction

The concept and theory of miasms originated in the field of homeopathy almost 200 years ago. German physician Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, introduced the term miasm in his book, The Chronic Diseases, published in 1828. His miasm theory was the result of 12 years of painstaking work on the most difficult chronic cases in his clinical practice, in addition to his own historical research into the diseases of man.

As are most new and ground-breaking ideas, the introduction of his miasm theory was met with much skepticism. However, over the years the theory has been studied and embraced by healers around the world.

What is a miasm?

A miasm is an inherited weakness or an underlying predisposition to chronic illness. In other words, it is a generational susceptibility to an ongoing pattern of disease.
Miasms are specific energy frequencies that affect the entire person – they affect body systems, emotions, chakras, cells and cell surface receptors.
A miasm can be thought of as a vibrational field or frequency that underlies – or gives energy to — disease patterns in a person’s life.
These underlying energy frequencies perpetuate a pattern of illness (which could be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual) even after all known measures have been taken to correct the individual’s health issues.

Who has miasms?

Miasms apply to everyone – we all carry miasms in a dormant or latent state. They can be activated or awakened in a person’s life through various circumstances such as:

stress
physical or emotional trauma
acute illness

How do people acquire miasms in the first place?

Hahnemann believed that miasms were driven into the DNA (or genetically imprinted) as a result of many of the suppressive therapies commonly used in his day. Hahnemann explained that suppressive therapies drive the disease deeper into the system, allowing for a more chronic condition to be created and exacerbated. Examples of suppressive therapies used today are:

Prescription drugs (antivirals, etc.)
Antibiotics
Steroid creams/shots

To understand this better lets look at a concrete example. Steroid creams are commonly used today to treat skin eruptions such as eczema, poison ivy, or other forms of allergic skin reactions or rashes. However, the nature of steroids is simply to short-circuit the immune response. The root issue – whatever is causing the rash (such as a virus, an allergen, or bacteria for example) – is not eliminated from the body or cured by the steroid. Instead, the body’s reaction to it is suppressed, or turned off.

A healthy body will try to expel a virus through the skin – the skin is a direct exit route on the surface of the body. But when steroids are used, the cause of the skin issue is suppressed and driven deeper into the system. The skin is our largest detoxification organ and will help bear the load of the liver and kidneys when they are over-burdened. However, if a virus for example, is attempting to exit through the skin, what do you think will happen when its exit path is shut down? If the cause (the virus for example) is unable to move upward through the skin, it will have to find a new place to rest in the body.

You see, the skin would be the best way out of the body, but if its pathway is blocked, the virus has to go somewhere else. The virus has no other choice but to go deeper into the system.

One common pattern seen when skin eruptions are suppressed over time is lung congestion. In medical literature, there is a link seen between suppressed eczema and lung problems such as croup, asthma symptoms, and so forth. The point here is that when disease is suppressed, deeper issues are created, and miasms can be activated or created as well.

How many miasms are there?

There are five primary miasms and several secondary miasms. The five primary miasms are:

Psoric
Sycotic
Syphilitic
Tubercular
Cancer

Miasms explained – Part 2

In part two of this post, I will give an overview of what the five primary miasms are, their symptoms, and how treating them can improve your health and get to the root cause of chronic disease.

Blessings!

Jenice

ARE NIGHTSHADES BAD FOR YOU?

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On February 14, 2014

In Healthy Diet

What Are Nightshades?

The nightshades are members of family of plants called Solanaceae. For example, tomatoes, potatoes (not sweet potatoes or yams), eggplant and peppers—this means all peppers including chili peppers, Habanero, cayenne pepper and paprika (not peppercorns). Other nightshades include goji berries, ashwagandha, Cape gooseberries (not normal gooseberries), ground cherries and garden huckleberries.

Who May be Especially Sensitive to Nightshades?

People who suffer from inflammation and joint pain
People sensitive to weather changes
People with muscle pain and tightness and morning stiffness
People with poor healing, arthritis, insomnia and gall bladder problems
People with heart burn or GERD

Why Are Some People Sensitive to Nightshades?

Because overconsumption of calcitriol from nightshade foods can circumvent the kidney’s control and over time lead to calcium deposits in the soft tissues such as the tendons, ligaments, cartilage, cardiovascular tissues, kidneys and skin.
Because of Solanine, a potent poison found in species of the nightshade family (especially potatoes and eggplant). Solanine is poisonous because it inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine, resulting in increased level and duration of action of this neurotransmitter. What does this mean? It causes prolonged muscle contractions. This is why people who are sensitive to nightshades or eat a lot of them often feel stiff when they wake up in the morning or sit for extended periods. Solanine affects the gene expression of human intestinal cell linings, inhibits proteolytic enzyme activity, and destroys human liver cells.
Nightshades contain nicotine, which is why they can be addictive. A large body of research shows that nicotine consumption inhibits proper healing.

Are Nightshades Causing Your Medical Problems?

Try removing all nightshades from your diet for at least six weeks. Many people notice an improvement in their pain; sometimes it goes away completely.
If you avoid nightshades for six weeks, yet your pain has not decreased, do a “nightshade party day”: salsa and eggs for breakfast, tomato and eggplant for lunch, potatoes for dinner. Eat as much as you can in one day and then watch for symptoms over the next two days. Often there is a delayed onset reaction.

Bottom Line Recommendation:

Even if you are one of those lucky people who don’t seem to have trouble with nightshades, it’s a good idea not to overdo.
Avoid having nightshades with every meal. Vary your diet. Sweet potatoes, yams and parsnips are good substitutes for potatoes. You can steam cauliflower and mash it with butter and cream. As a substitute for chili pepper, use wasabi, horseradish, mustard powder, ginger, or freshly ground peppercorns. There’s no good substitute for tomatoes, so learn to use them sparingly.
Cooking reduces the solanine levels in potatoes somewhat, and may even help reduce other toxins. So if you are eating nightshade foods, cook them in butter or poultry fat—this is a synergistic combination because these fats provide vitamin K₂. And you’ll end up eating less of the nightshade foods because when you cook in good fats, you are more quickly satisfied and end up eating less.
For those who are sensitive to nightshades, the best strategy is to avoid them completely for a long time, until you can completely heal.

My Thoughts:

I know, for my clients, it is especially hard for them to give up tomato sauce. Here is a link to a recipe for “tomato-less” tomato sauce. Also, there is a company that sells tomato-less tomato sauce. Their product is called Nomato.

Blessings!

Jenice

Source and Full Article: Weston A. Price Foundation