One Little Bite At A Time

local, organic, autumn wonderfulness

2011-10-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Healthy relaxing low-calorie sweet night-time drink

2011-02-10T16:19:00.005-05:00

It's time for Mom to take better care of herself than ever this winter and there is a wonderful, relaxing and indulgent hot sweet drink that I have discovered - great for bed time.

I make an herb tea, any kind, but I like organic mint or chamomile (calming to the tummy), nettle or dandelion (for detoxing properties), then mix a small pinch of green stevia for sweetening (better than the processed clear stevia or white powder because it's just the ground leaf of the herb) then add a bit of organic unsweetened coconut milk (not coconut water).

It's warm, sweet and calming with the added benefits of the herbs. A very simple and nurturing thing to do for yourself last thing at night. I love it!

...an interesting side note for the holidays

2010-12-21T11:15:00.001-05:00

When considering how far back our knowledge about the link between digestion and mental/emotional issues go - remember this holiday classic movie quote:

"You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment ...of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"
— Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

It seems this connection has been understood through the centuries.

2010-09-14T02:26:00.003-04:00

The Magic of Brown Rice

Brown rice is an ultimate choice of grain for most children. Brown rice can serve as a low-glycemic, slow converting and very tasty carbohydrate for getting a multitude of nutrient dense vegetables and herbs into your child. Brown rice has all bran layers intact and thus contains all of its naturally present nutrients. These layers of bran act to protect the grain and to help maintain its fatty acids. Brown rice contains the highest amount of B vitamins out of all grains. Additionally, it contains iron, vitamin E, amino acids, and linoleic acid. Brown rice is high in fiber, extremely low in sodium, and is composed of 80% complex carbohydrates. Because brown rice is a whole food, it takes longer to digest than white rice, providing the body with sustained energy throughout the day. If your child will not ready accept brown rice and used to only white rice, you can make one batch of each kind and start mixing them gradually together, increasing the amounts of brown rice as you go.

Phytic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid in the outer layer or bran. All grains contain phytic acid to some degree, but brown rice contains a relatively high level. Some sources say that eating grains with untreated phytic acid will cause the body to lose bone mass and will eventually lead to overall mineral deficiency. However, soaking brown rice and other grains will eliminate the consequences of phytic acid by producing beneficial enzymes and raising the amount of nutrients present in brown rice. Others believe that un-soaked brown rice is healthier, as it stays in the digestive system longer than soaked grains, thus providing more energy. However when dealing with an inflamed gut lining we always want to make a food as easily digestible as possible, therefore reducing the most amount of inflammation, hence, soaking the grain then cooking it well. Even a thirty to sixty minute soak in water before cooking can help to break down enzymes and proteins, aiding in digestion.

Characteristics
• Generates energy
• Provides the child with the least inflammatory form of grain
• Helps alleviate diarrhea caused by spleen-pancreas deficiency
• Relieves cravings for sweets and high glycemic carbs

Buying & Storing:
Look for quality brown rice that contains a small amount of green grains. I recommend buying organic brown basmati rice because I find basmati to be a slower glycemic conversion rice, causing almost no inflammation. Store in an airtight glass jars in a dark cupboard.

Here is a very basic brown rice recipe just for reference. Below that is more tasty recipe which you child may find more palatable if used to higher flavor levels with problem ingredients such as Chinese restaurant stir fried rice.

Basic Brown Rice (yields 3 cups)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice
2 cups of water or broth
seasonings to taste

Directions:
• Rinse rice in a bowl of cool water and strain.
• Place all ingredients in a pot with a tight fitting lid.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat.
• Cover and let simmer for 50 minutes, if you are not experienced with cooking rice, you’ll want to check the rice 10 minutes before the anticipated finish time so you don’t burn the rice (If you do burn it, it is okay, just try it again!)
• Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes then fluff with fork and serve.
May also be prepared in a rice cooker with the same ratio of ingredients.

Brown Basmati Rice To Die For
(They will never miss Chinese stir fry again!)

One quart of organic chicken stock or broth poured into a large sauce pan.
Throw in a few chopped scallions, handful of chopped parsley,
1 small handful of finely chopped kale
1small splash of gluten free Tamari
a large splash of olive oil
a few shakes of garlic powder
a few shakes of sage or thyme
1 teaspoon of sea salt or Himalayan salt and ground pepper
Add two cups of brown basmati rice (long grain if you can find it), either soaked or unsoaked.
Stir and bring to a boil then cover and simmer without stirring again, till liquid is absorbed. During this time, you can scramble an egg, then chop the egg and stir that in. Adjust for salt and flavor.
Over time, experiment with adding other veg ingredients.

Delicious Banana Carrot Muffins - "SCD Legal" and Gluten Free

2010-04-03T19:33:00.003-04:00

SCD Banana Carrot Muffins
This easy tasty recipe is enjoyed by most picky eaters and is compliant with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as well as Gluten-Free/Casiene-Free

Six Muffins:

1 1/2 cups Almond Flour
1 Egg
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup honey
1 banana
1/2 cup shredded organic carrot

Mix together and spoon mixture into muffin tins.

Bake at 325 for 35 minutes.

Dar Williams, Marshall Crenshaw Sing For Autism Awareness

2010-04-03T15:00:00.001-04:00

Dar Williams and Marshall Crenshaw will be among the artists performing at a CD release party for the "Songs of the Spectrum" compilation that benefits SingSOS, a new nonprofit organization designed to use the power of music to spread the word about Autism. The concert, which will be held April 7 at the Bitter End in New York City's Greenwich Village, also will star Christina Courtin, Ari Hest, Fiona McBain of Ollabelle, The Cucumbers and Kelly Flint, according to a Press release. "Songs of the Spectrum," which features original...

Read full story at Live Daily http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Dar-Williams-Marshall-Crenshaw-sing-for-Autism-awareness-3752970.html

Yoko Ono named first Global Autism Ambassador

2010-04-03T14:54:00.000-04:00

The wife of late Beatle John Lennon has been named the first Global Autism Ambassador by the Autism Speaks organisation. Yoko Ono at GRAMMY Foundation Starry Night Benefit Honoring Sir George Martin. - Russ Einhorn / Splash News Yoko Ono accepted her honour at a special reception in New York by the group earlier this week. The 77-year-old last year created a piece of artwork called Promise to mark the annual World Autism Awareness Day, which is on April 2. Yoko's Promise art piece was..

Read full story at Monsters & Critics - People http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Yoko-Ono-named-first-Global-Autism-Ambassador-2101385.html

Yoko Ono Honored At World Autism Awareness Day Reception

2010-04-03T14:49:00.000-04:00

Autism Speaks held a reception for World Autism Awareness Day yesterday at the spacious Grand Hyatt hotel. Guests adorned themselves in blue jigsaw-shaped pins to demonstrate their support of finding the missing pieces of the disorder's puzzle. World Autism Awareness Day , dedicated to shining light on Autism, takes place Friday, April 2. Major Autism advocacy group, Autism Speaks , dedicated their Wednesday night reception to the day's cause. Yoko Ono , peace-activist and widow of...

Read full story at Guest of a Guest http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Yoko-Ono-Honored-At-World-Autism-Awareness-Day-Reception-2077567.html

Holly Robinson Peete Brings to Light Some Lesser Known Issues Involved In Real Life With Autism

2010-03-31T00:03:00.000-04:00

Shifting Focus: 8 Facts About Autism the Media Is Not Covering

Actress, author, activist and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete has been touched by the entertainment industry all of her life. Her career as an actress dates back more than two decades and has led her to becoming a voice for her father, her son and her community.

Robinson Peete can currently be heard daily, alongside her husband Rodney, on their radio program “Meet the Peetes.” Airing on the Oprah & Friends network of XM Satellite, “Meet the Peetes” captures the reality of two working parents raising their four children, balancing their careers and being activists and advocates on issues which affect their lives. The Peetes balance issues, fun and family in a way only two people who have been married for 13 years can.

An accomplished author, Robinson Peete won the 2006 Quill Literacy Award with her first book Get Your Own Damn Beer, I’m Watching the Game: A Women’s Guide to Loving Pro Football (2005, Rodale). She will release her second book, with co-author and daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete, in 2009.

Over the years many parents have reached out to me for emotional support after their child was diagnosed with autism. I particularly remember getting Jenny McCarthy's phone call shortly after her son's diagnosis. Like most moms and dads, she needed to connect with somebody who knew first hand the swift gut-kick of this difficult diagnosis, somebody who had been in the trenches for 7 years already.

We cried. We cussed. We even managed to laugh. We spoke for eight hours. She was naturally frustrated with the lack of answers about autism. I was there for her as I'd be for any parent, and I told her she was blessed to get such an early diagnosis. Her passion was palpable and I could tell she was going to grab autism by the horns, making it her mission and focus. I knew she'd help spread autism awareness like nobody else could and the media would pay attention. Since that phone call, she has created a very successful platform with her powerful opinions, blogs and books on vaccine safety, diet and recovering her son among other things. It has been a courageous, controversial and fearless ride. Miss Jenny is not scared to get in the ring with the big boys!

Though I share many of same concerns, I feel compelled to shed light on the fact that families affected by autism are struggling on multiple levels. We need a shift of focus to share the spotlight with other often overshadowed issues that profoundly impact families daily.

To that end, below I highlight 8 things about autism the media is not covering enough. They are not hot-button, provocative or headline-grabbing, but with 1 in 110 children affected by autism (and rising), these issues desperately need more attention:

1. Autism Is Unaffordable...

To read more... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-robinson-peete/shifting-focus-8-facts-ab_b_501183.html

Food Solutions at Donna Karan's Urban Zen

2010-03-30T17:52:00.000-04:00

Several weeks ago Donna Karan hosted the most enjoyable and informative full day workshop on using foods to treat autism and ADHD. The event was put on by Urban Zen in New York City's West Village.
Some of the leading experts in the field of holistic nutritional intervention lectured and a bevy of chefs from Anne Marie Colbin's Natural Gourmet Institute orchestrated prep tables for participation in cooking and the food was fabulous. We did "food labs" for our own research and use, tasting and rating various popular alternative food products and preparations. Speakers for the workshop included Dr. Kenneth Boch, Dr. Stephen Cowan, Stefanie Bryn Sacks MS, Mary Beth Augustine, RD, CDN. The event, titled Food Solutions was presented by Amanda Archibald, R.D. and Stefanie Sacks. This was one of the most informative, productive and enjoyable workshops I've ever attended. Hats off to the passionate and genius organizers! Also a special note of appreciation to Donna Karan's heart-felt public acknowledegement of our work.

2010-03-30T16:45:00.001-04:00

When I bit into a red delicious apple which I had grabbed from a supermarket because I had no time to get to the Health Food store, I tasted gasses and chemicals just beneath the skin. Nothing like the flavor of an apple at all. The skin was abnormally thick and plasticy too. The following series of articles may be helpful in explaining this.

Nano technology

Nanotechnology - bold science, big money, growing risks
Courtesy Benedicte Trouiller

PART ONE

Amid Nanotech’s Dazzling Promise, Risks Grow
A mounting body of research shows nanoparticles can cause disease and death. But regulators are doing little to respond.
Full Story »

About this Series

Nanotechnology has long been hyped for its potential to cure diseases, ease energy problems, supercharge our computers and more. But increasing evidence shows that the engineered particles could pose a giant risk to the environment and human life. Learn how AOL News correspondent Andrew Schneider got the story and see his most surprising findings.
Andrew Schneider
Senior Public
Health Correspondent
Andrew Schneider

PART TWO
Nanotechnology - bold science, big money, growing risks Getty Images
Nano-Foods Coming to a Store Near You

To the industry, they're the ultimate secret ingredient. And scientists say nanomaterials are already in the U.S. food supply.
Full Story »
PART THREE
Nanotechnology - bold science, big money, growing risks Courtesy Nanotechnology Project
Obsession with Nanotech Growth Stymies Regulators

No U.S. agency leads the charge on nanotech safety, and companies can stonewall reform efforts. Other countries do things differently.

For more... http://www.aolnews.com/category/nanotech/