Food Allergies & Children: Why Fresh is Best!

Leave a comment November 11, 2014 DrD4Health

Why Fresh Food is Best! Part I

Babies deserve the best of everything that can be offered. The first year of life is the most critical for a child, particularly from a nutritional standpoint. Since parents are primarily responsible for their baby’s health, it is extremely important for them to understand Allergies and the unique nutritional requirements of infants & children.

During this period, an infant experiences the most rapid growth and development period in their entire lifetime. Nutrition is critical at this time, as the baby’s diet must support this rapid growth rate by getting adequate Phytonutrients and Complete Nutrition.

For at least the first year of life, Breast Milk is essential for a babies complete nutrition to be met. Nursing moms are giving their baby essential phytonutrients through their own diet and breast milk.

Some women have been told that their baby is allergic to their milk, when 99% of the time they were actually allergic to the food mommy was eating while pregnant & breastfeeding, as opposed to the breast milk itself. If a mommy removes the top allergens from her own diet, chances are, the baby will begin to tolerate her milk, colic will stop and eczema and rashes will likely disappear. If not, it is important to have baby checked for inborn genetic errors.

If you have adopted your baby or have some other reason why breast milk is not available, please consider making homemade Coconut Milk Formula, instead of synthetic store bought formula. Please see my recipes page.

The most common allergies in babies are dairy, eggs, citrus, gluten, soy and nuts. Allergies are common in babies who have parents or relatives with allergies, so if you or a close relative has food allergies, skin disorders, auto-immune diseases, environmental or pet allergies, please observe your baby closely and do an elimination diet.

According to BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board and The Department of Health, although many people start feeding babies food at 4 months of age, the majority of baby’s digestive systems are immature and may not be ready for solid foods. Babies usually still lack digestive enzymes and early solid foods may actually induce allergies. In addition, if they get food poisoning or a food born illness, their immune system may not be ready to handle it, especially if they are a preemie baby.

*Unless your baby has started losing weight and seems very very hungry after a good good milk feeding, then consider waiting until 6months before adding solid foods. Age 6-8 months old may be a more appropriate time to start introducing foods, ONE FOOD AT A TIME- ONE WEEK AT A TIME! It is essential that you don’t get too excited and give your baby another food, drink, oil, herb or spice, without truly observing him/her for a week.

A great Starter Food is Avocado. Avoacado is a complete protein and has a mild taste. Simply mash a tiny sliver of Avocado… Wait 3 days, Observe for the following symptoms:

rash, hives, diarrhea, pain, vomiting, hiccups, constipation
personality changes, drastic mood swings, colic
If no reaction, proceed with 2 more slivers of Avocado, wait 3 more days.

Do this ELIMINATION DIET WITH EVERY SINGLE FOOD AND DRINK YOU INTRODUCE TO YOUR INFANT or CHILD. If you do this with every food and drink you give your child, then you will most likely save your baby the pain of being poked and you the heartache, time & money of having to go to the doctor and have his blood tested. This method increases the likelihood of you just figuring it out yourself.

Many Doctors & Allergist forget to tell you:

Allergies can present as a psychological/behavioral reaction
ADHD, Tantrums, Brain Fog, Psychosis, can be food related.
Some allergies do not appear for days
Skin Disorders like Eczema & Psoriasis are Food Allergies.
Many allergies do not show up on standard allergy testing.
Some allergies do not show up unless they are repeatedly eaten

According to a study by Aristo Vojdani, based on clinical presentation and antibody response, immune-mediated adverse reactions to foods can be divided into immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

Vojdani stated that immediate reactions to food antigens are IgE-mediated and dependent on activation of mast cells in specific tissues, including the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, mucosal, and cardiovascular system. Vojdani concluded that the delayed immune reaction to food antigens are mediated by IgG, IgA and IgM. Unlike the immediate effects of IgE-mediated allergy, the IgG, IgM and IgA-mediated food allergy and intolerance reactions can take several days to appear.

Vojdani also reported that levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies in the blood can be measured against different food antigens for demonstration of delayed food allergy and intolerance reactions.

If you suspect a child or anyone in your life has allergies, make sure you stand up and advocate for your right to have a complete allergy panel of the most accurate testing, such as, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and also DNA testing for Microdeletions and MTHFR polymorphisms that may impact what a person should eat.

Mixed Carrots, Coconut Oil, Cinnamon

Why is Fresh Food Best? From a Nutritional & Whole Food Vitamin standpoint, store bought food, does not even begin to compare to real fresh food.

Harmful Ingredients banned in many countries are still used in the U.S.
Store Food has additives & preservatives not always listed on labels.
Organic Label does not always mean 100% Organic.
Synthetic ingredients allow Processed Food to sit on shelves for years.
Child may be allergic to additives & preservatives, not the actual food.
Nutrients are pretty dead by the time they are processed & put in a jar.
Baby kidneys & liver have a hard time metabolizing these preservatives.
Food processing includes thermal & non-thermal treatments,
Food Processing has a different effect on a Child’s Allergen Reactions.

Home-cooked meals and fresh Yummy Yummy Baby food has the real Phytonutrients your child’s brain and body requires and will thrive on!

If it’s impossible to prepare meals, please choose organic baby foods.
Organic store bought food still contains additives & preservatives!
Freeze a portion of family meals you cook in glass containers for baby.
Make sure to feed your baby & loved ones, every color of the rainbow.
Go easy on meat protein, there are many ways to give your baby protein.

Meat is only one source of Protein! Remember, ounce for ounce and calorie for calorie, Broccoli and Kale provide more Protein than Porterhouse Steak!

I will be sharing more kid-friendly foods in the future, but here are a few simple Yummy Yummy Baby Recipes:

Sweet Potato Delight

Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Bananas, Coconut Butter, Cinnamon!

Cut & Slice veggies, Steam 8-12 minutes (medium heat)
Mash Veggies & Bananas all together
Mix with Coconut Butter or Coconut Oil
Mix in a dash of Cinnamon
Remember to TEST EACH FOOD INGREDIENT first, one at a time.
Buy only Organic Ingredients for Baby Food

Here is a toddler version she can eat with her fingers. Great thing is, you can make this as a side dish for your own meal!

Strawberry Deelight

Yummy Yummy Baby Breakfast:

Coconut Yogurt (Homemade or Store bought)
Honey Dew Melon
Strawberries
Persimmon
Sliced Walnuts (Wait one year)
Sliced Bananas
For an infant- Puree all together (except nuts)

Have fun, go very very slowly with each food and remember it takes only a couple of minutes to prepare.

You will spend more time & money taking care of a sick or allergenic child, so put the time in at the front end to prepare your baby a Real Fresh Organic Yummy Yummy Baby meal!

Stay Healthy & Happy ~ Dr. Dee

Protein from Vegetables vs. Meat… What’s the big deal?

4 Comments October 7, 2014 DrD4Health

What you eat impacts everything from your skin to your bones to your cognitive abilities… It even contributes to how animals are treated in this world!

Ounce for ounce and Calorie for calorie… Broccoli and Kale provide more protein than Porterhouse steak!!!

Cooked Kale and Broccoli also provide more Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Folate than Beef Short Loin and Porterhouse Steak.

Protein is a macro nutrient necessary for the proper growth and function of the human body. Although there are vegetables that have proteins, Harvard School of Public Health found that it critical to eat a variety of protein choices so you can get all of your Amino Acids! Growing evidence reveals high-protein food choices do play a role in health—but eating healthy protein sources like avocados, beans, or nuts in place of red meat can lower the risk of several diseases while lowering cruelty towards animals🌝.

A study from May 2012 by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that saturated fats found in red meat and full-fat dairy products causes the brain to age more quickly than other kinds of fat. The good news is that you can slow brain aging by consuming healthy oils like Avocado, Coconut Oil and other monounsaturated fats.

This Protein Juice blend includes:

1/2 an Avocado
1 Cup of Cashews
3/4 Cup of Raspberries
3/4 Cup Mango
2 Cups of Mixed Greens (Spinach, Kale, Moringa )
1/4 Cup Cucumber
1 Cup of Coconut Water
1/2 Lemon

There is considerable debate over the amount of protein a person needs to consume per day, but the current recommended daily intake is listed below:

BENEFITS OF EATING PROTEIN FROM VEGETABLES & FRUITS:

Various studies show that eating even small amounts of red meat, especially processed red meat, on a regular basis is linked to increased Free Radicals, increased risk of Heart Disease and Stroke.

People who are Gluten Sensitive or have GI issues also tend to have low digestive enzymes and need to be extremely careful about eating meat, paying particular attention to added dyes, antibiotics and of course, gluten.

Meat is very high in fat, cholesterol and if non-organic, it has synthetic hormones. Many meat proteins in food are found to be responsible for food allergies and mucus in the gut?

Meat causes your body, mind and organs to age, where Organic Vegetables promote Anti-aging, they are high in Vitamins & Antioxidants, have good Fiber, low-fat Protein, and they are great for your Heart and Brain.

Try replacing red meat with healthy proteins such as this Protein Juice Blend above – you may greatly lower your risk of disease, you will be having cruelty free meals and discover that life can be Yummy Yummy Baby with out meat!

Stay healthy and happy! ~ Dr. Dee

Vegan Coconut Milk Recipe! Yummy!

3 Comments September 19, 2014 DrD4Health

Coconut Milk:

Aloha… For over 2 years my husband and I have been making this Coconut Milk to supplement my breastmilk.

We started giving him the Coconut Milk originally out of desperation, then continued to give it to him for stomach health, brain health and overall good body fat.

Coconut milk has become a staple in our refrigerator and a delicacy for us. I am finally able to truly enjoy milk again, the great thing is… I am enjoying milk that truly is good for me, not because the FDA said so, but because my body continually tells me so…

I hope that this piece inspires you to give it a chance, especially if you have dairy intolerance and sensitivities.

I know you truly are going to find that Coconut Milk is so Yummy Yummy Baby!

Instructions for Silky & Yummy Coconut Milk from Scratch:

First pick out a minimum of 2 Young Thai Coconuts that do not have pink on the bottom. A tiny tiny amount of light pink should be ok, but the more pink, the greater the likelihood of it being rotten or compromised.

The amount of Coconuts will vary because each Coconut is unique, some have a lot of meat and others have a lot of water.

Young Thai Coconuts

Use a the bottom edge of a Meat Cleaver to strike the Coconut. There is a sweet spot that is in the outer-center perimeter of the Coconut- with practice you will find it every time! Follow the perimeter in a Circular Pattern until the circle is completely open. Gently remove the top of the Coconut. Please mind your fingers when striking the Coconut.

STEP 1

Next use a large bowl to pour the Coconut Water into… then transfer it to a glass or cup and save it.

Use the front or the back of a spoon to gently but firmly extract the meat from the inside wall of the Coconut. If you press too hard you will scrape off too much of the inner wall and make more work for yourself…

STEP 2

This is what the Extracted Coconut Meat will look like. Do not worry if some of the shell is left on the meat, use your fingers to gently rub/pick it off. You can also use the Coconut Water to bathe the Coconut Meat.

STEP 3

You will also gently remove the Coconut Meat from the top of the Coconut… Depending on how much water the Coconut yielded and depending on how thick or thin you want your milk, you may need to use additional store bought Coconut water.

STEP FOUR

Next you will combine the Coconut Water and Meat. Use a strainer to make sure that you remove any particles from the Coconut Water, especially if you used it to bathe the Coconut meat. Repeat for the second Coconut. (Generally you want enough Coconut Water to fill to the Max line of the Nutribullet or a minimum of 1 1/2 to 2 cups of Coconut Water.

STEP 5

After using the Nutribullet, Vitamix and Ninja, we found the Nutribullet to make the silkiest & smoothest milk. If you are making it for an adult it probably doesn’t matter, but if you are using it for baby formula, I would strongly suggest a Nutribullet. *I have no affiliation with Nutribullet.

STEP 6

Blend it for about 45 seconds. By using soft Young Thai Coconut meat (instead of hard/mature meat) and by using the Nutribullet, there isn’t a need to strain the milk through a cheese cloth… It is instantly silky & creamy. You are ready to add anything you like to it or drink it fresh! Mmmm!

Silky Smooth Coconut Milk

Every other night for 2 1/2 years we made this Coconut Milk for our baby’s Coconut Milk Formula. We also drink it ourselves using various recipes.

Here are a couple of things you can add to the milk before you blend it and make it even more Yummy Yummy Baby:

Organic Vanilla Extract (1-2 drops)
Organic Almond Extract (1-2 drops)
Organic Toffee Extract (1-2 drops)
Organic Banana, Strawberries, Mango… really the list goes on and on!

Add anything that you would normally add to a smoothie, including ice and frozen produce!

Yummy Coconut Milk!

Mmmmm Enjoy… you are going to have a new obsession!

It is so Yummy Yummy Baby!

See you soon! Dr. Dee 🙂

Coconut Milk Vegan Baby Formula…

27 Comments September 17, 2014 DrD4Health

I love Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, Coconut Meat, Coconut Oil, Coconut Candy, Coconut Cookies, Coconut Cake, Coconut everything! I am definitely cuckoo for Coconuts!

As a child, my mother would repeatedly tell me how great Coconut is for my stomach and my skin. I always heeded her advice about the topical uses, especially for wrinkles and stretch mark prevention, but I never really ate Coconut for medicinal reasons unless she gave it to me. Coming from a Native American mom who would use food, plants and herbs as healing remedies, I came to learn that many of the remedies are now backed by Science.

Upon the birth of my second son, I mysteriously developed a severe stomach bacteria. I was advised to temporarily stop breast feeding if I didn’t want to pass the bacteria back and forth. What was I going to do? I didn’t have a plan B for Breast Milk.

I vigorously started studying every formula out in the market. I couldn’t believe what I found… I consistently found toxic ingredients that are known carcinogens in the majority of the world except the U.S. The majority of countries have banned the use of these ingredients, but we are giving it to our newborns and babies in our hospitals and homes?!?

I felt as if I was in the twilight zone! This isn’t happening… this isn’t happening! After studying further, I learned that there are many alternative home made milks that we can make for our babies who have allergies, bacterial infections, intolerances and sensitivities. Coconut Milk and Hemp Milk are similar to Mother’s Milk, they take some work to make, it requires adding various ingredients, but it is Healthy, Healing, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free and Low on the allergy index.

Please understand that I am not saying that Coconut Milk or other milk alternatives replace a Mother’s milk, I am saying you can create a safe alternative if Mother’s Milk is not a viable choice. Most of all, I am saying that Mother’s milk is a life force that can not be replicated by cows, goats or factories. Breast Milk is the sweetest milk I have ever tasted, yes… I tasted it, 🙂 and it is so understandable why babies prefer it, thrive the best on it and receive so many healing properties.

Coconut milk has been found to treat and relieve sore throats and even stomach ulcers, and like Breast Milk, it is very calming to the body and digestive system. The nutrients in Coconut also aid the body in over all immune system health. It’s B vitamins also aid in many immune and nervous system functions.

Unlike other unhealthy fats, the unique properties of Coconut also contain a large amount of MCTs and Lauric Acid, which is the primary fatty acid found in Mother’s Milk. Lauric acid is what makes breast milk so digestible and is believed to protect the body from infection and boost the immune system.

The great thing is that Coconut Milk is great for all of us, regardless of our age!

Home-made Coconut Milk is also a safe alternative for Diabetics who are concerned with the properties in Dairy Milk. Coconut Milk has a Low Glycemic Index and High Dietary Fiber. The human body cannot digest the dietary fiber in coconut, therefore it has no hazardous effects on Blood Sugar. Best of all, Coconut Milk is lower in sugar than Dairy Milk.

It turned out my baby did get the stomach bacteria and became very very ill and lost a severe amount of weight in less than a week. It was a very rough and scary time for us. After endless hours and days of research and consulting with various Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Doctors, we implemented the undeniable research on Coconut Milk, Oil and meat and it worked… It truly worked!

Our baby started to gain healthy weight, improve the quality of his poop and best of all… he began to thrive and heal! I was able to continue breast feeding and we couldn’t be happier! This was done in conjunction with other nutritional support, like probiotics and digestive enzymes, but that is another blog. 🙂

Here is a Yummy Yummy Baby recipe for Vegan Coconut Milk Baby Formula:

3 Cups of home-made Coconut Milk (Its easy after you do it once)
1 Tbsp Unsweetened, Rice protein or Pea protein (we prefer Rice protein)
1 1/2 Tbsp of Grade B Maple Syrup
1 tsp Calcium Lactate Powder
2 tsp of Infant Probiotic powder (we use Klaire Infant Probiotics)
2 tsp Vegan Omega 3 DHA
2 tsp of Extra Virgin, Unrefined, Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
4 Cups of very good quality water

*Optional 1/4 Ripe banana

Combine all of the ingredients in a Large Cup Nutribullet and blend (you may have to split it in two depending on the size of your Nutribullet, Vitamix, Ninja, etc… Refrigerate immediately and use within 48 hours.
The formula will separate from the oils, so please shake before pouring into a bottle or cup and gently warm for baby.

***We later discovered a formula we felt was not perfect, but pretty wonderful. It is a great supplement once your baby is a Toddler. The Name is Toddler Supreme by Peaceful Planet.

***Important Legal Disclaimer: This recipe is intended to be a supplement for a nursing or formula-fed child’s diet. It is not intended to be a complete replacement, and should only be used when the Mother’s Milk is not available, Allergies to Store Formulas, Sensitivities/Intolerances to other formulas or because you don’t want to give your baby the carcinogens in some formulas…

Again, this blog does not replace the advice of your healthcare practitioner, this is me sharing what worked for my family.

* Next up… How to make Coconut Milk! Mmm! Yummy Yummy Baby!

Dr. Dee

Resources:

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

Tea Tree Oil: Eliminating Airborne Bacteria in Home and Office

2 Comments September 5, 2014 DrD4Health

Good Day All! 🙂

Essential Oils have become a huge part of our family’s life! Although my insides were in pain, outside of me, I did my best to keep everything sanitized. I loved having a clean environment, but the smell of store cleaners and deodorizers can be so darn harsh.

In order to have our house sanitized, do we have to use harsh cleaning solutions?

During my investigations into creating a non-toxic environment for my son, I learned that in order to be healthy, I had to read every single label of every single thing in our house- food labels, cleaning supplies, beauty products, personal hygiene… EVERYTHING!

In studying and investigating each ingredient in these products, HOLY COW BATMAN! I could not believe what I learned! We are using toxic poisons to clean our kitchens, rooms, floors, our toys… What?!?

We were putting poison all over my house, in order to clean our house!!! How does this even make sense?!?
It was fun getting educated about plants, fruits, flowers, herbs, trees and how these beautiful parts of nature help keep us safe and heal us. So much healing is here in nature! 🙂

Now we use natural solutions that help CLEAN AND DISINFECT, but leave our house smelling like nature instead of a hospital or perfumes.

There are many great combinations I will share, however, today, the focus is on the power of of Tea Tree Oil:

Eliminating Airborne Bacteria, especially during illness:
Tea Tree Oil:

Many people refer to Tea Tree Oil as the Miracle Oil and I have to agree! Tea Tree is considered the single most effective and non-toxic antibacterial and anti-fungal essential oil in the world. Tea Tree Oil is a wonderful healing aide for all types of infections, burns, wounds, teeth and gum infections, insect bites and stings.

The anti-fungal properties of Tea Tree Oil help alleviate Candida Albicans, athlete’s foot, ringworm, warts, and other skins conditions such as rashes, dandruff, acne. Tea Tree oil is also really great for the respiratory system.

WE ALWAYS HAVE A BOTTLE OF TEA TREE OIL AT HOME, IN THE CAR AND IN OUR FIRST AIDE KIT! 🙂

If I had to choose only one thing to keep in my emergency bag it would be Tea Tree Oil!

During cleaning and especially during Flu Season, I make a general Tea Tree cleaner by combining 2 teaspoons of Tea Tree Oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake it to blend and use it for household cleaning tasks. This is especially sanitizing in the bathroom and in toilets. CVS, Rite Aide, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joes, Mothers all carry it! 🙂

Stay tuned for my next essential oil and how I add it to Tea Tree Oil to make it smell Yummy Yummy Baby in our house!

Thanks, Dr. Dee

*CAUTION:

Essential oils are highly concentrated and should always be used with respect and extreme care. Never take essential oils internally without the guidance of a professional Aromatherapist, Homeopathic Doctor, Naturopath or someone who is qualified to give you advice.
Always be cautious when using essential oils on children’s skin and during pregnancy. Store all essential oils out of the reach of children. These are all oils that I use with my family, but should not be used for prescribing or diagnosing. None of this blog is a substitute for medical attention. Please consult your local holistic doctor for treatment of health problems.