Healing Autism with Food?????

I’ve just spent the past week reading up about the GAPS diet, which I first heard about here. The author, Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, has impressive credentials: she holds a degree in medicine and post-graduate degrees in neurology and human nutrition; she has extensive clinical experience in treating adults and children with learning disorders; and she is also the mother of a son who was diagnosed with autism at 3.

The fundamentals of the diet are fairly straightforward, if a little unusual from the mainstream perspective:

• Animal products including fish, meats and fats, home-made meat stocks, soups and bone broths, eggs, ghee and butter, stews and casseroles
• Pro-biotics
• Vegetable juices, cooked and raw vegetables
• Fermented foods such as yoghurt and kefir, sauerkraut, or other fermented vegetables
• Organic nut butters

The author describes a systematic method to introduce the various foods into the diet (Introduction Diet), along with a longer-term maintenance diet (Full GAPS diet).

The startling thing about the diet is not the food, though. It is the author’s claim that this diet is an effective and appropriate treatment for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, and schizophrenia.

Mel Hayde: Terrific Toddlers

I first read this book following the birth of my second child, when I realised I was struggling with the behaviour of my eldest (who was 2.5 years at the time). I read the 101 pages within an hour, but it was a life-changing hour for my toddler and I.

Let's talk about mommy guilt: Part 1

Hands up all of you who have heard a voice in your head which criticises every decision you make as a mother? Which tells you moments after you act, that you should have done the opposite? Which tells you that any mistake you make as a mom will have eternal and fatal consequences?

I know I’m not alone.

Update: early to bed, early to rise…

I have a vision of myself waking early enough in the morning so that I can spend time with my God in prayer and worship, soaking in his love, before any of the necessary activity starts for the day.

Well, I’m not quite where I want to be. Yet.

10 reasons to keep hens:

• Eggs
• Daily dose of sunshine while checking for eggs
• Kids’ pets
• Green recycling of food scraps
• insect control
• weed control
• Lawn aeration
• Manure
• compost starter
• talking point with visitors

bonus reason: chicken for dinner (if you’re desperate)

What if it’s true….? Part 3: God loves us

God promises us that he loves us. Forever.  And because of his great love, he promises to:

• provide for us
• heal us
• set us free
• bless us          
• change us to be like Jesus
• give us abundant and everlasting life

and too many more precious promises in Scripture to list them all here.

But. 

When would you feel confident sending your son alone into a men’s public restroom?

My son has just turned seven, and I am not comfortable sending him into the men’s restroom alone. But I feel he’s nearly too old to go into the ladies’ with me and my little ones.

What preparation would you do with your son to ensure he knows how to stay safe and remember good hygiene? Am I being a little paranoid about this?

Help please!