So now it was wrong to ask for help. Well, you know what? I have learnt my lesson. The advice from some was not well intentioned at all and you know it. It was hurtful and came from a place of judgement. I have come to expect that from christians but for some reason posted here anyway. Who knows what I was thinking.

You are rude and judgemental. We are not sweeping this under carpet. How dare you even assume such a thing. Her feelings are heard. My concern is that if she doesn't learn how to let it go, it could ruin who she is and how she interacts with people. I asked for help and I received nothing but criticisim from most of the people who replied. You have just added to the hurt.

Janet, thank you! I do want what is best for her (my dd). I see that this could ruin the way she views men, fathers and people that she trusts forever. I don't want her to be harmed from her own unforgiveness. I don't expect her to forgive until she is ready to, but I don't want anger to take over and make it impossible. Thank you to everyone else who responded to my question. It has given me a lot to think about.

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Lifestream is very good. I don't know if you can get it over there though. :001_smile:

This does seem to be an age when kids are wiped out. I was talking to a friend of mine who's daughter has been at home from school for the last three weeks. This episode started with someone spraying perfume in the child's face. Since then, she has intermittent sore tums, headaches, lethargy and a general feeling of unwellness. She also has large, dark rings under her eyes. also both my daughter's went through something similar at the same age. I would definately consult a naturopath. Modern medicine doesn't always have an answer to the hard questions and often just apply band aids in the from of toxic medicine that can have many unwanted side effects. Even it is auto immune (and it does sound possible with the rashes etc) there are a lot of nautural roads you can go down. I have an auto immune (RA) which I was diagnosed with at 13, and I am 40 and doing fine. Get her bloods done again and consult a naturopath. And best of luck!! :001_smile:

We were given none. While gluten is not an allergy (celiac) for us, it has to be avoided just like it is. Cross contamination was something we learnt about the hard way. I didn't feel alone in spite of the lack of medical support. I don't really like dr's too much anyway! :rolleyes:

We are big rice and bean fans. I can't be bothered cooking the beans from scratch so I use tinned organic black beans, red kidney, chickpeas, haricot, etc., etc. I put in organic tinned chopped tomatoes, garlic, chillis from the garden, onion etc, and have that for lunch or dinner. I try and make it different by combining different beans and different spices. We also stirfry veges and bung them in with the rice and some tamari and sesame oil. I also make a rice pudding with coconut milk, nutmeg or mixed spice and vanilla. It is very rich, but lovely on a cold day or evening. Mmmm. We love rice! :tongue_smilie::tongue_smilie::tongue_smilie::tongue_smilie:

Dd12 stays in the car on her own if she wants, but only if I am no longer than 5 minutes. She has the cellphone, two dogs and (apparently!) ninja fighting skills! I have to be able to see her from the shop that I am in and it has to be a cool day, temp wise. :auto:

Make sure the chicken is organic free reange, or your friends body will really go bonkers! And, not in a good way! What a lovely thing you are doing for her! I wish I had a friend like you! :hat: *How about sushi? *Or a vege stirfry, easy on the 'fry' part of it - if you use coconut oil, go for it! *Organic brown rice with poached fish and steamed veges would be lovely jubbly. A bit of tamari on the side would also be tasty. *A raw vege salad with flaxseed oil and herb dressing. It wouldn't have to be fancy. Simple food with lots of colour from carrots, broccoli and sprouts so it is lovely to look at would be delish! :001_smile: :001_smile: :001_smile:

:party: :party: :party: :party:

Well, I am SO GLAD I am not the only grown up who loves smilies! I have felt a bit "in the closet" about it really! :001_tt1: I can't believe we are only allowed four! :smilielol5:There are so many to choose from... :svengo::001_tongue:

Welcome to my world. My dd12 is GF and all dairy free. If it is the right 'diet' for your child, any inconvenience makes up for the fact that your kid is happy and healthy and you will LOVE the diet and wonder why you hadn't done it years ago! :D

Crikey! We have been paying $1.80 per litre for quite some time and it went up today again. Cheese is $13.00 for 1kg and milk is about $3.10 per litre. We no longer buy cheese, milk or any other dairy product. It takes $100 to fill up my tank in our car now and I do that twice a week sometimes.

You could try a teatree oil or sandalwood shampoo that doesn't have SLS or other nasties in it. :)

Absolutely yes I would. I do. Dd12 goes to karate 4 times per week. Two of her lessons are 1 hour and the other two are 1 1/2 hours each time. Her older sister also does karate and that adds another trip to the mix. It takes 20 minutes to drive there at least. Gas (or diesel in my case) is incredibly expensive in NZ. Filling up the car costs about $95.00 and I have to do that about once every 5 days. It is a sacrifice we have chosen to make. If I had to push the kids in the car to go, I wouldn't bother, but it is VERY important to them and they are often telling me to hurry up, they don't want to be late!

I don't have a child with RA but I do have it myself. I was diagnosed when I was 13 and I am 40 now. I have found that as far as treatment goes, the best thing for me was to stay away from "strong" meds. I take NSAIDS, DMARDS and Losec for my stomach to prevent damage from the other meds. I have never taken steroids or anything else and consider myself very blessed. For me, most of the RA drugs will give me more problems than I already have. I was very careful right from the start to eat well, exercise, take vitamins and most important of all, have a positive attitude. I don't let RA define who I am. It is not my identity. That is what has helped the most. Where the attention goes, the energy flows, and I am not willing for peoples energies to be focussed on that part of me. My parents made sure I contributed to the household chores and never allowed me to complain about anything. This certainly helped as well. I see a natural practitioner once a month who does massage and Reiki. I have recently given up eating animal products (vegan), sugar, coffee and gluten and it has made a profound difference. (The latest research shows that a gluten free, vegan diet reduces symptoms considerably.) Some people find that eating a totally raw vegan diet helps, but that is not for me. The diet at Hallejuah Acres might be appropriate for your son. My home is chemical free and we try and eat as organically as possible. Best of luck for your son! :) Please remember that is not the end of the world. Don't take on people's negativity, don't let it define him. Treat him just the same as you always have. Make sure he contributes in spite of any pain he may be in, it is really important that he feels needed by his family expecially after his diagnosis. Feel free to PM me. Michele.

We use it A LOT! :o:D Yummo! I get the raw agave which seems to be less sickly sweet. It is also cheaper. ;)

I use neither! :) I just take a regular recipe and GF it. I do use a GF baking powder which possibly helps and I mix up the flours. I use a lot of organic brown rice flour, tapioca flour, organic corn flour and a little almond flour. It seems to work. :D

We started with milk and yoghurt. Then I started ordering a box of mixed fruit and veg from our local organic shop. Now we do peanut butter, rice, quinoa, pasta, sauces, dressings, etc., some fruit and veg, organic soya milk and organic soya yoghurt. Any corn or canola product must be organic or I will not touch it for GE reasons. We cannot afford to do all organic right now bit I figure that some is better than none. In winter we will start getting the organic fruit and veg box as well.

We have a Sydney Silkie/Yorkshire terrier cross. I am allergic to anything with hair but I am not to her. Thanks goodness - she is my best friend! She has such a good nature and is the kindest most cuddly dog in the entire world. :) :D

I get asked all the time! All the time. It's unreal. I have started to say stupid stuff like ...."So I can sleep in, I would never make it to school on time." Now my eldest is at school, that doesn't work so well. ;)

Hehehe YES! Or how about the HE comes home with the flu which you and both the kids already have, you are draped over the sofas along with the kids because you are just too sick to do anything, and he has the gall to think he gets to go to bed while we bring His Majesty stuff from wherever he wants because HE is so sick. Yes, a punch would be most appropriate! :p :p :p

I do this everyday/ 1 tsp if organic unpasteurized cider vinegar in hot water with a teaspoon of honey or agave. It alkalizes the body and detoxifies as well. It is NOT delicious at all! I also used to give it to our ponies in their feeds. :)

I am so sorry to hear about your little girl. :( You must be so sad and worried. You will become an expert in dealing with this in no time and life will become less of a fog again. It is very hard emotionally to deal with a child that has a chronic illness. Cry all the tears you need too and get as much support as you can. Ask questions and never be afraid to 'let it all hang out!' I googled for bracelets and here are two that came up. http://www.laurenshope.com/childrens-medical-bracelets.asp http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_06_700.htm Michele~