In trying to help our children avoid eating foods that contribute ot health and behavioral problems, it is wise to not only think of the obvious things such as excess sugar, sugar substitutes like splenda and other artificial sweeteners, but, also to remember food coloring. If the food is bright and "glowing" I always tell our children to not eat it! A cild should ask herself how a food became the color it is. And, if it does not look like it could get that color by using real food, then the rule is, say "no thank you". We obviously can read and can make those decisions, but, how often are your children away from you at school or a birthday party or a play date and are given foods that are artificially sweetened. It is amazing to witness the very clearly delineated upward swing of bad behavior that will be expressed in a child shortly after consuming such foods. And, if eaten over time, real behavioral problems can set in. This holiday season think twice: http://www.naturalnews.com/030761_Christmas_cookies_food_coloring.html

A remarkable study published in the Cochrane Libary found no evidence of benefit for influenza vaccinations and also noted that the vast majority of trials were inadequate.

http://healthfreedoms.org/2010/12/10/no-value-in-any-influenza-vaccine-c...

We try to buy all organic food, limit the sugar intake we give our children, feed them whole grains, read labels on their bubble bath and shampoo, get them a non-toxic tooth paste, buy them toys that are not ridden with lead and other toxins, not let them develop a bounce house habit (also toxic lead exposure), and the list goes on! But, what about dental radiation and other toxins from certain kinds of dental practices? I have met two adult patients whos mouths and health have been severely adversely effected by inappropriate dental work.

REad this interesting article on dental radiation:

Because children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to radiation, doctors three years ago mounted a national campaign to protect them by reducing diagnostic radiation to only those levels seen as absolutely necessary.

It is a message that has resonated in many clinics and hospitals. Yet there is one busy place where it has not: the dental office.

We try to buy all organic food, limit the sugar intake we give our children, feed them whole grains, read labels on their bubble bath and shampoo, get them a non-toxic tooth paste, buy them toys that are not ridden with lead and other toxins, not let them develop a bounce house habit (also toxic lead exposure), and the list goes on! But, what about dental radiation and other toxins from certain kinds of dental practices? I have met two adult patients whos mouths and health have been severely adversely effected by inappropriate dental work.

REad this interesting article on dental radiation:

Because children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to radiation, doctors three years ago mounted a national campaign to protect them by reducing diagnostic radiation to only those levels seen as absolutely necessary.

It is a message that has resonated in many clinics and hospitals. Yet there is one busy place where it has not: the dental office.

There are so many tests and procedures that are routinely recommended, colonoscopies, mammograms, and many many more. Some seem logical because despite the smaller risk, the information coming from them may prevent more serious illness. Others may not weigh out the same. This routine procedure may not win the risk to benefit ratio: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/03/hepatitis-b-vaccines-at-birth.aspx 

Vitamin D is a popular vitamin These days. The research is compelling on many front of combatting and preventing illness. This is an interesting article on autism and vitamin D specifically and definitely worth reading. We always recommend discussing any supplements with your health care professional before taking yourself or especially before giving any of them to your children. 

Research is a wonderful thing, but, cannot take the place of the an experienced individual assessing applicability to your individual needs. Give this a read: http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=128035439115067600

As parents it is really difficult to make decisions regarding any kind of healthcare for our children bc there is so much information on every subject. Whooping cough is a tough one as well. I thought this was a very interesting article on this subject and definitely worth the read! http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2010/02/26/rspb.2010.0010.abstract

Many children have chronic health issues largely owing to imbalances caused by dietary factors such as excess sugar, sugar substitutes, chemical food coloring, and other chemicals they may be subjected to in their daily routines. IT is everywhere, and as a parent very difficult to stay on top of-but-doable if one keeps themselves well read on these topics. However, it is impossible to know everything and even when well read there are issues that slip through the cracks. This article just came across my desk recently, and I think it is very important to share this information, as it was not even something I would have thought about before-even as one of those informed parents. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/us/12bounce.html

I have endlessly defended my position on agave after using it for years in the clinic. I have not seen another natural sweetener that compares.

I have not had time to fully research this, but, this just came in to back up its defense.

Shocking! There is much misinformation about agave 
syrup and its production process.
The Truth
 We’ve been following with interest the article “Shocking! This 'Tequila' Sweetener is Far Worse 
than High Fructose Corn Syrup” the last couple of days. It is amazing how powerful internet is in 
terms of informing or in this case misinforming people.
It is obvious that the article was written by a person with more than just passing knowledge about the production of High Fructose Corn Syrup, but less than a limited knowledge about the production of agave syrup. Perhaps, this is the reason the author constantly confuses one with the other.

A clear example of the limited knowledge of the agave showed in the article is the head line where the agave syrup is erroneously called tequila sweetener; but in order to make tequila the piñas (agave cores) are cooked then crushed to extract the juice and proceed to distillation process, in the case of agave syrup the piñas are directly crushed to extract the juice and then the juice goes through filtration and hydrolysis.

with Dr. Jay Gordon. We too have seen many cases of confirmed swine flu and many we think are swine flu and treated them all very effectively! Please read his response to a recent Peachhead2 post on the subject: