Introducing the CRAZY STRAW!

Last year my 7 year old daughter was really struggling at school with handwriting.  In fact many fine and gross motor skills. It was hugely affecting her confidence and she was becoming aggressive and defiant at home.  Riding a bike never came easily, tying shoe laces and doing up her buttons was a real struggle.  Eating with a knife and fork required a huge amount of effort and concentration. For many dypraxic children, who are often likely to still retain a lot of their Birth Reflexes, day to day tasks like writing, riding a bicycle, dressing themselves and eating certain foods does not come as easily as it may do to other children.   A friend suggested I take her to a Neurological Practioner that had achieved some wonderful results with two of her children who were dyslexic and dyspraxic.   I feel a reluctance giving labels and Jessica refuses to as it is often when children are re-evaluated at the end of the programme that all the 'symptoms' of being dylexic, dyspraxic ect disappear.
It is often strongly retained Birth Reflexes that should disappear after several months of a childs life that inhibit and weaken the Vestibular System in functioning properly and cause certain disturbances or obstacles for the developing child.  As I mentioned Tayla's confidence was being hugely effected and this was the reason we knew we had to assist this special little person who happened to be our daughter 'get a hold of herself' so to speak and assist her in developing to her full potential.

After the 3 hour evaluation, Jessica informed me that in a few days my husband and I would need to return for the reading of the report but we went through some of what she discovered there and were given activities and exercises for Tayla to start doing at home immediately. 

I asked Jessica what had got her into such a profession and she explained that her son, at the age of 7 years could not write at all.  They took him to a Neurological Practioner and it was revealed through similar assessments my daughter had done with Jessica that he was severely dyslexic with Asperger's Syndrome which is a mild form of Autism.  After 6 weeks on the programme he was writing and excelling at school.  He went onto University at Cambridge later.  Her journey with her son became the catalyst for her going int this professishe  felt compelled to help others.  Currently she is working with an older gentleman who has suffered from a stroke and is tapping into all parts of the brain that have been affected.  He is making fabulous progress applying some of the same simple activities that Tayla has to do.  One of them being drinking from a Crazy Straw!

Crazy Straw

Benefits:

Drinking through a crazy straw can help to improve many functions: interhemispheric integration, binocular functions (eye teaming), light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, articulation, bowel and bladder control, tongue and lip control for articulation, facial muscle tone for nonverbal communication, and more.

Materials

You will need a crazy straw—one of those plastic straws with lots of curls or twists and a small diameter—and a clear drink. The twists and turns of the crazy straw create more resistance in sucking, so people whose ears are very sensitive, should use a regular straw instead of a crazy straw, because one must suck so much harder through a crazy straw that it might be painful. Water is the recommended beverage, since water is essential to healthy brain and body functions. Also, it is easiest to clean a crazy straw if it is used only for water.

Procedure

Hold the straw in the center of your mouth, and sip and swallow, allowing a rhythmic pattern to develop if you can. You will benefit more from doing this with your eyes closed unless your eyes tend to over-converge. If you have a tendency for, or a history of, crossed eyes, be sure that you look at a distant object while drinking.

Variations

• When there is a fear of aspiration, sucking is still possible with an activity such as using a straw to create enough suction to transfer small bits of colored paper from the table to make a mosaic on a larger piece of paper. Or use the straw to pick up a light object, such as a paper napkin, and transfer it from one side of your tray to the other.
• If you cannot swallow thin liquids, use a thick beverage and drink it through a regular straw.

Precautions

Be sure to rinse out the straw well after each drink, so harmful bacteria do not build up in the loops.
If you are pregnant, do not engage in this intense sucking, as it may stimulate contractions.
If you have glaucoma, please do not attempt any intense sucking, as this may increase the pressure within your eyes.

Additional Benefits

When you examine the importance of sucking in human development, it is truly profound. Not only do we suck for nourishment, but also in sucking we do many other amazing things:

• We integrate the two sides of our mouth and cheeks, stimulating the two cerebral hemispheres in a coordinated rhythmic fashion. This enhances our interhemispheric integration in general.  We rely on interhemispheric integration to be able to process language, balance our instincts with logic, and so many other functions frequently compromised in neurobehavioral disorders as well as in brain injury.
• As we suck, many of our cranial nerves are stimulated, and they in turn help regulate many aspects of our vision, including the ability of our eyes to converge—that is, focus together on a target.
• One reason that people become light sensitive is that the two eyes do not team in their processing of visual images, which can be based on perception of light and dark.
• Stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves directly stimulates structures in the middle ear, also, dampening the volume of the sounds we hear.  It is common knowledge that chewing gum or sucking helps people tolerate the pressure change in their ears during take-off and landing on flights.  And through a connection in the part of the midbrain called the colliculus, visual focus directs auditory focus, connecting the work of the Crazy Straw in improving visual focus with reduction of distractibility to noises in the environment.
• Of course, we increase tongue and lip control and coordinated breathing, all of which support our ability to speak with good articulation.
• A little known fact (shared by Paula Garbourg in The Secret of the Ring Muscles) is that when we strengthen any set of sphincter muscles (such as the lips and also the esophagus) we strengthen all the sphincters in our body (such as the pupils of the eyes and the bowel and bladder, too).
• Sucking, especially early in life, also stimulates the pituitary gland for balanced hormone production, including the human growth factor hormone.
  

To buy Crazy Straws in the UK go to http://www.swindonpartybags.com/ and you can buy them for 40pence each.

Tantasia

Finally a self tan that works!!! 

Tantasia is a self tanner made by Jane Iredale. Jane Iredale specializes in makeup and has a loyal and large following of clientele who love her makeup. I am excited to see that she has just launched a self tanner in her product line. She seems to put a lot of TLC into her products and I hoped that this tanner would stand out as much as the rest of her line. This tanner claims to be different than all the other tanners out there because it is said to use ingredients that increase the skins own natural melanin, which is what the sun does. So it will mimic the way you would tan in the sun leading to a colour that works for your skin type therefore, you  get a natural looking tan without the harmful rays of the sun. Most self tanners add imposed artificial color  to your skin which is why they can seem off color, over produce in dry spots (like your elbows, knees, palms, ankles and all the other harder to self tan areas), cause streaks and wear off unevenly. Tantasia also has  a much better smell than the other tanners out there because it isn’t using the same type of Dihydroxyacetone, which is the tanning ingredient in other tanners.

Does Tantasia Contain Clinically Proven Ingredients?

As I mentioned, Tantasia has a different approach to self tanning. Instead of using the Dihydroxyacetone everyone else use’s; this product uses 3 specific complexes to give an even golden colour. 
The 3 complexes are:

• The first combination is of Acetyl Tyrosine and Monk’s Pepper. This complex is said to stimulate the melanocytes that produce melanin. The Monk’s Pepper leads to melanin formation; independent of sun exposure. The Acetyl Tyrosine accelerates the melanin synthesis reaction.
• Copper Gluconate which is an additional source of tyrosine delivery which increases a more even color.
• Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which is bonded to a natural vegetable amino acid compound. This DHA has been buffered and buffering means that they are able to use far less DHA than most tanning products and it will go on smoother, with less streaking and giving an overall longer lasting, deeper and more even tan because of the extra supply of amino acids at the skin level.

It is advised to apply Tantasia for 3 consecutive days to build a good colour.  Please be reminded that this product does not contain an SPF so I would recommend Jane Iredales Pressed Powder make up or Amazing Base both containing an SPF 20 or Jane's Powder Me SPF 30 which comes in a translucent or tan colour.  Should your not wish or need to wear any make up, Environ RAD 15 would be top of my list for sun protection, also containing no chemicals which aggravate certain skin conditions.
Tantasia Self Tanner retails at £22.50. 
See www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NszkpZLzz0 on how to apply this fabulous product.

Contact Carley at carleyharrison@btinternet.com for more info or if you wish to buy Tantasia.

Omega 3's - Essential Fats or Fiction?

Benefits of Omega 3

The benefits of Omega 3 are broad, benefiting not just healthy adults, but pregnant women, children and those suffering with all kinds of illnesses.

Benefits of Omega 3 in Adults:

• Omega 3 rich oily fish is called “brain food”, because Omega 3 is a building block essential for developing cell membranes, signal pathways and other neurological systems.
   
• It’s a primary component of your retina, and helps maintain good eyesight.
   
• We also benefit from Omega 3s recently discovered protective qualities against Alzheimer’s disease, as well as its effects on reducing heart and cardiovascular disease, decreasing arrhythmia, blood clots and triglyceride levels, lowering blood pressure and improving arterial health.
   
• If you are on a low fat diet it is even more important to benefit from Omega 3. Being a “good fat”, Omega 3 will be instrumental in ensuring a high enough absorption level of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, needed for resistance against infection, healthy skin, eyes, heart, circulation, blood clotting and strong bones.

Benefits of Omega 3 in Pregnancy:

• Omega 3 is as crucial in the healthy physical and mental development in babies, as it is in adults.
   
• Whether planning a baby, pregnant or breast feeding, some research has shown that with the mother having the recommended amounts of Omega 3, babies develop faster than those whose mothers who do not.

Benefits of Omega 3 in Children:

• Increasing the intake of Omega 3 can benefit those with dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia.
   
• Omega 3 is also thought to have a significant effect on reading skills too.  My daughter is living proof of this.  As she suffers with dypraxia, I decided it would be wise to give it a go.  She recently jumped from a 2C in reading to a 2A last week in her SATs.  Her mood and memory has also improved dramatically.

The purity of Omega's is essential in order for them to be beneficial and non toxic.  Advanced Nutrition Programme's Omegas have undergone a 5 step purification to ensure they are pure and free from harmful and carcinogenic PCB's which may be present in cheaper high street alternatives.
As the saying goes... 'you get what you pay for!'
The best form of Omegas is obviously from your diet but if you are not eating 3-4 portions a week you are unlikely to be getting enough and supplementing extra is recommended.
Best sources are mackerel, organic salmon, sardines and herring.

Blessed be the Colon Cleanse!

After a little deliberation after the  Liver Cleanse, I decided it was time to invest in a Colon overhaul!
This was recommended to me by a very thorough and professional Colonic Hydrotherapist called Jenny Garrity in Paddington who has been practising her very effective method for over 30 years!

Blessed Herbs is a Colon Cleansing Kit containing everything one would need to remove the nasty mucoid plaque that builds up in the intestines over the years from decaying food not being eliminated from the bowels.  Just like plaque builds up on ones teeth.  We brush our teeth, so why not clean our colons.  Its a bit like descaling a kettle I guess!

By simply googling Mucoid Plaque Colon one can see how nasty this stuff actually is.  I experienced first sight of my very own only 2 days into this cleanse last night.  Pictures were just to ghastly to expose but  I can describe it as a long black rubbery rope of ugliness!  Truly quite frightening to think this had been accumulating inside me all these years. 

Mucoid Plaque builds up in everyone over time and prevents us absorbing the nutrients from our food and vitamins properly.  This intestinal waste releases toxins into your body and can inhibit your sense of well-being.  Plaque comes in different forms from old, dark, rubber tyre looking material to a fine, think light brownish film and everything in between!

Each person feels differently as they cleanse.  I personally have felt more energetic which is surprising as I am one who does need to eat little and often, however the sachet one takes every 3 hours to get the process of elimination going really does fill you up.  You need to drink plenty of fluids with this cleanse in order for it to be fully effective and for the psyllium in the sachets not to 'bung' you up!

There are 3 options for doing the cleanse.  The first requiring you fast on only liquids consisting of water, apple juice or a Vegetable Soup/Broth.  Its a 9 day programme and this is what I decided upon.  Thought if I were going to do it I wanted the best result.  For the first 3 days prior to the cleanse you are omitting certain foods and reducing portion size. Full instructions and choices come with the kit.

For more information on Colon Cleansing and the Blessed Herbs Kit call Jenny Garrity on 020 706 9000.  She has a great package which includes the kit and 3 professional Colonics.

Keep watching this blog space for any gruesome pictures if I am brave enough posting!

Photizo - Light Therapy

Light Therapy - Cell Regeneration and Healing Treatment

I have just taken on the Photizo Light Therapy system and after only 5 days of using it on a very stubborn patch of eczema on my hand, I am certainly seeing some very significant improvement and look forward to what results I may acheive with clients for various conditions.  This treatment also enhances the effectiveness of other treatments such at the Environ Ionzyme DF.
 What is light therapy?
Light therapy of a certain, specific wavelength stimulates the mitochondria to make more of the high-energy molecule ATP.
This helps the cell to heal itself from the inside, and prevents cell death. These wavelengths have been optimized in Photizo, so as to provide high-power pulses of light of the most beneficial wavelengths to recharge the mitochondria to ensure quicker cell regeneration and reduce pain whilst healing.

Anti-aging LED light therapy ... a NASA research "spin-off"

Your skin has the ability to absorb infrared light and use it as a source of energy to stimulate cellular regeneration. Infrared LED light therapy, first researched by NASA for use in the U.S. Space Program, can reverse and control the visible signs of aging and help you look years younger without harsh chemical treatments or invasive surgical procedures. Dramatic tightening of skin, smoothing of wrinkles and rough spots, disappearing blemishes, softening of redness, and shrinking of pore size can be achieved with this natural light treatment. In addition, the unit can be used to effectively treat minor muscle and joint aches, sprains, back pain, muscle spasms, the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Infrared LED light stimulates your skin to produce collagen and elastin
The infrared light produced by LED lamps, aka photo rejuvenation, stimulates fibroblast cell activity in the skin, which increases the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for your skin's tone and elasticity. The effects of infrared LED light therapy on the skin and body have been reported in over 2000 scientific reports and documents.

Skin conditions improved by Photizo light therapy:

Tired, aging skin: Softening of lines, folds and wrinkles, healthier circulation, increased moisture and radiance, accelerated skin repair, toned and youthful skin surface, improved elasticity and skin texture.
Hyperpigmentation — age spots, freckles, uneven pigmentation due to sun exposure, etc: Most cases of skin hyperpigmentation even out over time from the use of infrared LED light therapy.
Acne and blemishes: Infrared LED light can assist in the repair of acne and blemishes because it stimulates the skin's natural healing.

Cranial Osteopathy - Myth or Magic???

Having had a Cranial Osteopath see both my babies shortly after birth and just recently on several occasions for my now 7 year old, I thought it was time I put it to the test myself. Not that I had my doubts, but I too had not had  treatment since the birth of my youngest, now 3.  I was due an overhaul!

A lady in Kew called Beryl Grix was highly recommended to me by a client and due to Tayla, my 7 year old daughters under-developed Vestibular System (for another blog...), I thought it best we pay her a visit and get some of her rhythm back!  She has helped Tayla tremendously.  My session with her this week was an hour long and I dozed in and out of sleep whilst watching numberous birds feed from her feeder attached to the window which I thought was a nice touch (even if you are not into birds!) 
She started at my head and slowly worked her way down to my toes.  She said when she started at my head it was amass with thick cloud and fuzz!  Exactly how I was feeling.  I had been feeling extremely ungrounded of late and this was really the catalyst of my visit.  The need to be put back in touch with myself and experience the magic this therapy offers. 

She informed me afterwards that I had really needed the treatment  and suggested I see her again in 2 weeks to regain and maintain balance.  I most definately felt like a huge weight had been lifted once the treatment had commenced and in honesty, like I was on some kind of drug!  She insisted  this was normal when the body has to ammend itself on such a deep cellular level.  I had the most peaceful of sleeps that evening and awoke with a contentment I have not felt for sometime.  Its as though all the chaos I was grapping with inside has dispersed and my body is clinging to this lovely level of balance.

Beryl certainly has the touch as I am sure many registered practitioners do, so be sure to find one registered or preferably recommended.

I have included below some details of what this therapy is and how it works ect.

Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment which works with the structure and function of the body.
The maintenance of good mechanical function is essential to good health. Problems in the framework of the body can disturb the circulatory system or nerves to any part of the body, and affect any aspect of health.
Osteopaths work to restore the structure and function of the body to a state of balance and harmony, so helping the whole person.
What is Cranial Osteopathy?Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.
It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.
Osteopaths may have different specialities including sports injuries, paediatrics, and visceral osteopathy (treating the internal organs of the body). Cranial osteopathy embraces all of these.
lnvoluntary Motion- The Cranial Rhythm
Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm.  The movement is of very small amplitude, therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. This rhythm was first described in the early 1900's by Dr. William G. Sutherland and its existence was confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960's and '70's.

Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. Practitioners compare what your rhythm is doing to what they consider ideal. This shows them what stresses and strains your body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives them an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy, or stressed and tired.

Accumulation of stress and strain in the bodyWhen we experience physical or emotional stresses our body tissues tend to tighten up. The body may have been able to adapt to these effects at the time, but a lasting strain often remains. Any tensions which remain held in the body can restrict its free movement. Gradually the body may find it more and more difficult to cope with accumulated stresses and symptoms may develop.

Conclusion:  MAGIC!

 

Cold Sores - NOT pretty...

Lysine for Cold Sores

Unfortunately for my daughter and I we both suffer with cold sores... for her it seems to be worse.  Last night she complained of a tingle and I remember the last outbreak being so bad that this time I was going to be uber persistant about trying to stop this virus in its tracks!  I had 1000 mg tablets in the cupboard and gave her half of one before bed as well as dousing the area in Iodine and Zovirax!  This morning she has woken up and the lession has certainly not progressed further.  Very pleased indeed.  Looking forward to the sugar restrictions over the next week/s!  Sugar certainly aggravates and can even trigger an attack!

Lysine and arginine are two amino-acids. Amino-acids bind themselves together to form proteins. They are often quoted together because they have a negative relationship. In theory, the more lysine and the less arginine, the better. Research suggests that a high lysine/low arginine ratio prevents herpes from replicating.

Foods high in lysine and foods to avoid:

Meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products are very rich in lysine. Vegetarians can find vegetable foods containing some like corn, brewer’s yeast and sauerkraut. The best food for lysine is plain low-fat yogurt. It has the highest levels of lysine for the lowest levels of arginine. Kefir is also a wonderful source of Lysine.
Avoid chocolate, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, soya, oats, wheat and sugar.  These are high in Arginine and certainly aggravate symptoms.

Lysine Herpes Dosage for Prevention: Proper dosage may vary from person to person, but according to research, it should range from 500 mg to 1000 mg, 1 to 3 times daily. Please ask your doctor. I personally give my 7 year old daughter 500mg twice a day at the first signs of an outbreak.  I also dab Iodine onto it and apply Zovirax thickly over the top once it has dried.  She does'nt like the yellow staining from the Iodine and you can get decolourised Iodine but I dont think it works as well.  More on Iodine in another post... Lysine Creams and Ointments for Cold Sores: Many ointments are available on the market, but lysine efficiency has been studied only as an oral supplement. Therefore, there is no scientific data backing the use of such ointments. However, you may want to try applying lysine cream on your cold sores or fever blisters especially if they tingle a lot. Some people have reported these ointments can have a soothing effect. They come either in lipstick, lip balm or cream. Try to use ointments that have other ingredients than lysine as well as, such as essential oil or grapefruit, vitamin A, C and E and zinc.   Also supplementing with Multivitamins C and Zinc will help.  These should be included in your daily regime anyway. Side effects: Some side effects might appear with a very high dosage (10 g). They consist mainly of nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. In one case, a 44 year old woman developed Franconi’s syndrome, manifested as tubulo-intersistial nephritis, after taking 3000 mg of lysine per day for 5 years. Lysine and pregnancy: Lysine supplementation is generally not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding because there is no data proving its safety during pregnancy. Tell your doctor that you’re taking lysine if you’re pregnant or considering having a baby. Lysine and children: Children need three to four times more lysine than adults.  They should be getting it from their food. The medical literature has not reported any adverse effects specifically related to the use of lysine in children. However there is no sufficient information available regarding the use of lysine supplements in children. Do not give any supplement to a child without first talking to your childs doctor first.