I love to do gift baskets in themes Here are some other things i do or include: For weddings, one of these: http://uglybowls.wordpress.com For babies, I love to give books. Board books plus collections- For baby boys: http://www.amazon.com/Richard-Scarrys-Storybook-Little-Golden/dp/0307165485/ref=pd_sim_b_3 For baby girls: Madeline collection My girls are getting older and go to young teen parties. I order the jewelry from amazon that is around $1 shipped. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AQUJM0/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1 and also the jewelry listed on that page as Customers Also Bought... The boys always give legos now. Lego star wars books are awesome. When they were younger I liked giving lincoln logs and the books of how to build with them.

Hmm… might it be eggs then? I've read that 50% of those allergic to dairy are also allergic to eggs. our ds is, and eggs also make him wet.

I don't know if this is helpful, so please just toss it out the window if not. The Goodnights website says the #1 reason for bedwetting is dairy allergy. We removed all dairy from ds' diet and his bedwetting stopped. If he gets the tiniest morsel, even the juice from hamburgers with cheese on them spreading onto his burger, he wets. He also wets from red dye and peanuts.

We went with MM6a and now b. I'm glad we did as there is a lot in there. We are doing 3 pages a day to speed through it. I also bought Dolciani used for like $4 shipped used on amazon and may have him do that next and then try AOPS in the online class next year. Not certain yet, but think he needs a class setting for some challenge.

I'd suggest removing dairy first before testing. I think it takes 6 weeks for all dairy to be out of the system, but I also think that it is the most common cause of eczema. Would save you the testing if that is it.

Do anyone of you use medishare - the Christian medical sharing deal - to replace health insurance? If so, has it worked well? We have a family of 6. Our current insurance through husband's work, before any changes that will come from Obamacare, is $1200/mo BCBS with a $6000/person, $24000/family deductible. This is killing us. But, hubby has diet controlled high blood pressure and cholesterol and also melanoma in his family. He has skin lesions removed every 3 - 6 months. Will they cover us? How do we prove his blood pressure is controlled? He has never used meds, is a healthy weight. Thanks!

The autoimmune protocol diet seems really good for long-term healing. The book Gut and Psychological Syndrome is the most informative I've read on this topic. DS is sensitive to 12 things and I think others have surfaced as well but haven't figured out what they are. So, so sorry you are dealing with this. We understand! Paleo has been a good overall diet for us. I hope you find that you can eat some nuts. We finally did an IgG to pinpoint more quickly and accurately what the issues were. The Great Plains IgG is great and you can google it for more info. For dd, we could not figure it out on our own. Turned out it was sesame and also egg whites. For ds it is dairy, eggs, and tons more.

It was sold to new owners who are changing its purpose.

Ha. No. But we are desperate to not lose what little income we have. And all other spaces we have seen are four to 8 times this cost per month. I can't believe how much space costs!!!

We need 40000 feet so we have outgrown the churches. We held it in one for years. No vacant stores in our area rent short-term. We've called them all and have a commercial realtor as well.

The fairgrounds is used by the other large consignment sale in our area.

70,000 over the ten months it would be vacant or on average 7000 per month. So if you had free access to use a warehouse for ten months, how could you best make money through its use?

We run a huge kids consignment sale twice a year. We lost our space. No one will rent a space short term these days. So we will lose our business unless we find a new space. So we found one that isn't great but we can make it work except it costs $70000 per year more than we make from the sale. Can you think of something we can do to earn that much money over the other ten months of the year in the space? It is 40,000 sf. Ideas anyone?

Egregg- could you MSG me what you cooked for your whole30? We eat this way and I've been trying to freeze meals. Btw I easily lost 20 lbs and am now a better weight than when I got married 20 years ago. Paleo is great!

I think you would glean a lot from the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome. It's pretty amazing and addresses much of what you are saying.

We listened to some cd's that also said lying is a maturity issue as well. So they encouraged that we anticipate younger kids will lie, we discourage it, but in anticipating it we help them by phrasing questions carefully so as not to set them up. When we know or think that they did something wrong, we can either make them feel cornered in the way we ask about it, or we can state what we imagine they did. "Did you eat the cookies" vs "We know you ate the cookies. What were you thinking about when you did that?" might get differing responses. So we have gotten better at how we approach talking about it and try not to set up our child for lying. HTH!

$7. Organic. Grass-fed. Free-range. The works. Mostly primal.

My friend's child is anaphylactic to a ton of stuff and has lesser reactions to some other items. The best test was the Great Plains IgG. Skin prick seems to often not work. Here is a link to the company. You can get it at a lab without a doctor now I think. http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/total_igg_vs_igg4.asp

Are you getting an IgG done? We did a metametrix one and it covered everything imaginable. For ds it was both cinnamon and mustard and 10 other things. I hear from others that they did both metametrix and Great Plains and found Great Plains IgG to be even more accurate. Metametrix wasn't wrong about anything, it just missed some. Great Plains caught them all and also wasn't wrong about any. HTH! Let us know what you find out!

We buy this from saltworks online: Ultra Epsom® Salt - 50lb. Bag (fine) We've also found the supplements from Dianne Craft's Biology of Behavior help too. These are my evernotes on adhd, which is a bit different, but contains the Biology of Behavior notes: krill oil 100-400mg mg per day. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-One-ADD-Supplement-That-May-Improve-Inattentive-Cognitive-Functioning&id=5518119 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5518119 http://www.remedyspot.com/showthread.php/698416-RE-Focus-in-School-What-to-do-Here-are-Diane-Craft-Notes Diane Craft Biology of Behavior Exploring the Physical Causes of Behavior and Attention Problems in Children Dianecraft.org This is Diane Craft’s tape series. She gives the latest brain and nutritional research plus a proven step-by-step program of natural supplements designed to help your child’s body heal, and have ample supply of the important calming neurotransmitters available. You will learn of “natural medicines†you can discuss with your doctor, that are free of side effects that accompany many prescription medications. Notes from her lecture on tape… * 80% of these kids had -mult infections/antibiotic use * 99% have allergies * If it’s mental, it’s physical. * Dr. Crook—Help for Your Hyperactive Child--hyperactive child book—replacing bacteria in stomach * Dr. Leo Gallend—pediatrician—Super Immunity for Kids (need this book to do the 8 week protocol for dosages) * Neurotransmitters are made in the gut so that can affect behavior * Keep colonies of yeast down to a good amount * 300% increase of Ritalin over last 3 years I. Biological or Psychological * Jay Lombard—The Brain Wellness Plan * Serotonin—recirculated by antidepressants (Ritalin, prozac, etc.) * Body can make serotonin * Fat in milk—good * 50% didn’t crawl * over 80%--mult. Infections * 99-100%--allergies—uncontrolled reactions to common good things; immune system has gone array * emphasis—building immune system rather than pulling away foods * repeated antibiotic use causes and irritated neurological system II. Common characteristics of kids with upset body chemistry * Trauma reduces serotonin in body * Fat is just as satisfying as sugar—so try to find some substitutes that are satisfying—nuts, seeds, tuna, mayonnaise, beef jerky—try to keep a balance * Brain is a mirror of the gut * Will see subtle changes within 1st week—look for subtle changes * It takes about 3 mos. to change a child’s body chemistry * Will be adding other things—i.e. antifungal preparations, oils * Take it yourself and add something different/new the next week and continue with the previous * Acidophilus sweetens the stomach & makes it feel very good * Don’t try to cut back on sugar until after the 2nd week b/c they’ll fight you on it b/c it’s a craving 4/18/05 Changes in… * Inappropriate behavior * Loudness * getting in people’s faces * disperceptions—overreaction to regular things * mood swings * attention problems, memory * can be used with medications—in fact helps with absorption rate * anemia, diabetic, lead * kids will act how they feel Biological Characteristics * Sleep problems * Stomach aches; indigestion * Bloating; gas * Canker sores—same lining in stomach as in the mouth * Eczema; rashes; dry, itchy skin * Thrush, athlete’s foot, canker sores, vaginal infections, warts—all outward symptoms of yeast overgrowth in stomach * Allergies (esp. to molds—penicillin, amoxicillin, etc.), food allergies, environmental allergies * Leg pains * Constipation; enuresis (bedwetting) * Sugar cravings—real cravings where they take sugar and hide it to eat it * Trying to heal mucosal lining of stomach Behavioral Characteristics * Angry, Aggressive * Irritable “touchy†* Inappropriate Behavior * Mood Swings * Temper Tantrums * Attentions Problems * Depression * Hyperactivity * Restless, Nervous III. Nutritional Intervention How to… * Outlined in Leo Galland’s Superimmunity for Kids * Go week by week and keep a journal * Go at it slowly Discuss this plan with your Doctor 1st You add onto the existing plan each week, so by week 8, the child is on all of the supplements. Stay on all of it for 3 months and then remove each item, one at a time as they were added. Week 1: Acidophilus—Refrigerated Kind * Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner * Primadophilus Junior by Nature’s Way. Parent’s report this is the best * Watch for Herxheimer effect—as yeast is dying off, it will put off toxins and have a “flu†like effect—if this happens, cut back on amount This is the good bacteria that needs to be in the child’s gut in order to be healthy. It is wiped out by antibiotics and steroids. Only buy a refrigerated brand. It can be put in cold drinks. Week 2: Grapefruit Seed Extract, (NOT Grape Seed) Anti-fungal agent * Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Each grapefruit seed antifungal tablet contains 125 mg GSE. In combination with Primadophilus Original, this antifungal helps rebalance a child's intestinal flora. This is the second important step in the Biology of Behavior 3 month nutritional (gut ecology) program. If a child cannot swallow tablets, then order Paramicrocidin, which is a tasteless grapefruit seed extract in capsule form. The Paramicrocidin capsul can easily be opened and mixed with food for children experiencing difficulty swallowing capsules. Never use the grapefruit seed extract liquid internally, no matter what information to the contrary you are given. Nutribiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract 100 tablets * DianeCraft.org has this for sale * Oil or capsules * Oil—2-3 drops 3x/day (follow directions on package) * Put in Welch’s Grape Juice—strong enough to mask taste * Could use Caprylic acid instead of grapefruit seed extract—another antifungal agent—2-3x/day— If you child has symptoms of yeast, it would be worthwhile to give this. It is taken 3x a day, with the Acidophilus. Week 3: Reduce sugar & carbohydrates * Increase protein especially at breakfast and snacks * Breakfast—eggs, protein shakes, smoothies with protein powder, butter, meats, * Excess sugar causes irritability Week 4: Mineral Rich (has more Magnesium and Calcium, Cherry flavor) 1Tsp a day until loose stool. 1 oz of Mineral Rich contains: 100mcg Vitamin B12, 200mcg Biotin, 25mg Calcium, 100mg Magnesium, 10mg Zinc, 50mcg Selenium, 5mg Manganese, 50mcg Chromium,10mg Potassium, 1000mcg Silica. NOTE: This product cannot be returned for a refund. Mineral Rich 32 oz * Check SuperImmunity for Kids for dosage. Book for sale on Amazon * Magnesium—in citrate form or asporatate form * Magnesium is “Nature’s Tranquilizer†* If not taking lots of calcium, get a magnesium with calcium—unless they’re battling constipation—then no calcium * Takes about a year to build up magnesium * Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea * Can go in a smoothie; doesn’t have a taste * Check fingernails for white spots before starting—is a sign of zinc deficiency * Zinc runs 200 enzyme systems in body * Hair, blood, saliva—test everything * Check health food store for zinc * Can add zinc, calcium, and magnesium in one week * When no more white spots, you can stop the zinc * Mental & Elemental Nutrients by Phifer talks about zinc Week 5: 100 mg. of B Complex Vitamin, YEAST FREE. Natures Way B 50 Complex 100 capsules-1/day * “Calming vitamins†* Alan Gavy—B6: The Natural Healer—found that B6 is in serotonin loop in brain (compared with taking Ritalin) Week 6: EFA 500mg of DHA (Fish Oil); 130 mg Evening Prim Rose; 1-200 Vitamin E Choose from… 1. Efalex Focus by Nature’s Way—combines Dr. Stordy’s whole recipe into one capsule—take 8 capsules/day for kids over 6 .This is Dr. Jacqueline Stordy's formulation made from her famous study of children with attention, dyslexia or hyperactivity issues. Get all three oils in one capsule (DHA, Primrose, and Vitamin E). The directions (and her research) say that children 4-6 can take 4 a day, while older kids and adults can take 8 small softgels a day. NOTE: This product cannot be returned for a refund. EFA Blend for Children (Formerly Attention Focus) 2. Or Coromega (pudding) Fish Oil, Vit E, and Borage Oil for younger children 3. Or do Dr. Stordy’s recipe o 500 mg DHA (fish oil) daily o 1000 mg of evening primrose oil—Efamol brand from England or can interchange it with borage oil-ALLERGY RESEARCH GROUP 120 soft gels Evening Primrose Oil and Borage oil are basically the same. The Borage oil softgels are a better bargain because they contain 30% more of the all important oil GLA than the Primrose Oil. However, the Borage Oil softgels are twice the size of the Primrose Oil Softgels. The Primrose are about the size of a Vit E softgel. When choosing which of these oils to buy, you will need to take into consideration your child's swallowing ability/preference. Each softgel contains 500mg Evening Primrose Oil, including 45mg of GLA. This is one of the three essential fatty acids in Dr Jacqueline Stordy's formula for children's learning and attention. NOTE: This product cannot be returned for a refund. o 200 i.u. vitamin E * change chemistry of body—powerful stuff * society that is deficient in serotonin * essential fatty acids change to serotonin—come from fish, flax seed, and butter, nuts & seeds, whole grains * Beyond Prozac— Nordin—uses essential fatty acids to build serotonin * Signs of lack of essential fatty acids: Dry hair, cow lick, dry skin, bumps on back of arms, chapped lips * Need to change gut flora first to build good bacteria * Boys have 3x higher need for essential fatty acids than girls * Corpus collosum, vestibular system, myelin sheath—all made of fat * Brain is made 60% of fat—30% is DHA—made only from fish oil and mother’s milk * Kids will crave fat * Left hemisphere—judgment, right brain—emotional—when corpus collosum is deficient, kids can’t cross over hemispheres effectively * Impulsivity, hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep problems—kids have lower amounts of omega 3 * Omega 3 oils lift depression, reduce effects of FAS * Lecithin (another fat) also calms mania * Stordy, Dr. 1998 England study—2 groups of students—dyslexia, dyspraxia, or ADHD—placebo vs. fish oil, vitamin E, and primrose oil—found remarkable difference—published in Lancet—can be drawn up on internet—found connection with these problems and lack of essential fatty acids * Symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency vs. yeast overgrowth—very thirsty, dry hair, dry skin, warts, chapped lips, glare sensitivity—don’t like bright lights, * Vitamin A, D, E, & K—D comes from sunshine, K comes from parsley o Can be taken at same time—gelatin capsule o Alternative product: Learning Factors (Natural Factors)—cheaper b/c it’s generic o Max DHA—2 capsules o Evening primrose oil—Efamol brand—2 capsules (500 mg each) o Vitamin E—200 i.u. o Young child—can open with pin and squeeze them or get liquid cod liver oil; add vitamin E to it—check in SuperImmunity for dosage Twin Labs Cod Liver Oil (Emulsified, Orange Flavored) o Be careful with vitamin A—can get toxic o Can rub primrose oil on wrist—one capsule for infant Week 7: Lecithin, 1 Tablespoon a day “The Mother of all good fats†Refrigerated portion of health food store or vacuum sealed can (2T. for adults)-Lecithin granules are sold in bulk form in plastic bags or in cans. Be sure to read the labels. My experience has been that, although the granules sold in the plastic bags are less expensive, they also contain far less of the important ingredient phosphatidylcholine. Some brand names that have a high content of phosphatidylcholine are Carlson, Lewis Labs, and BioSan. * You can bake this into mini muffins and freeze them. * Emulsifies fat, lowers cholesterol * Component of myelin sheath * Helps us digest & utilize oils * Helps balance, coordination, auditory processing, calms nervous system * In Dr. Feingold’s work, too * goes well with fatty foods—p. butter, mayonnaise, yogurt, choc. Pudding, shake * soy product * will see results in one week Week 8: Pycnogenol (pick-noj-in-ole), 1 mg per pound of weight. Pycnogenol 180 tablets (Maritime Pine Plus) Helps focusing tremendously…it’s the ‘clean up committee * Will help if child has a lot of allergies * It’s a bioflavinoid—comes from grapeseed extract * It’s an antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory * can buy in a bottle * will see results in one week Other helpful things: Possible Week 9 * Liquid Trace Minerals—copper, lithium, etc.—Concentrase—brand—can be very calming—SPD stuff—jump at sound, labels bother them A. Natural Medicines—cannot be taken with psychotropic medicines—b/c they will immediately boost serotonin in brain 1. 5HTP, 2 mg per pound of weight from Nature’s Way or Futurebiotics at Healthfood stores for aggressive kids—big behavior problems * could do it right at the beginning or wait until the end if child needs a little something more * 5 Hydroxy Triptophan—Dr. Murray—5HTP * B3 & B6 convert to triptophan (from turkey & milk) and triptophan converts to serotonin * Dr. Atkins—don’t take if asthma is present— read VitaNutrient Solution * Used to reduce aggression, ADHD, OCD, Touters * 2. Lithium Orotate, 5mg of Elemental Lithium…Don’t take this if on 5HTP Natural mineral found in our soil. The supplement contains only a trace amount. The calming mineral. * Natural salt in body * Dr. Carlton Fredericks—Psychonutition * Essential trace mineral—can be found in health food stores * Lithium is a transporter of minerals * Helps with kids with high yeast overgrowth * Talk to Dr. first! * 5 mg capsules—no more than 3/day * prescribed amount is 500 mg * don’t give with 5HTP * brand: Atrium in health food store—if they don’t have it, ask them to order it http://ezinearticles.com/?A-5-Dollar-a-Month,-Well-Researched-and-Proven-Effective-Herbal-Supplement-for-Inattentive-ADHD&id=5426003

I'd love to make this and don't want to experiment with recipes that aren't tried and true! Thanks!

I was super excited to get unsprayed apples last week for $1/lb by buying a huge box full!!!

If you want to try making it, this is our go to recipe and it is SO fast!!! You can half this. But we always want this much. Be sure to not use the jalapeno seeds unless you like very hot. Ingredients 2 fresh jalapeno peppers chop with onion, garlic, and cilantro! 1 cup onion chopped 4 cloves garlic peeled ½ cup cilantro chopped 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste) ½ teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoon lime juice 56 oz can diced tomatoes drain juice Directions | Numbered... 1 Food- process garlic first then add pepper, onion, and cilantro in food processor or blender for just a few seconds, then add salt, pepper, lime juice, and tomatoes with their juice poured off. Barely blend. Also-I keep chopped up jalapeno in the freezer and I freeze our fresh cilantro and just cut off a chunk to use as needed.

You can.

The only one I know of is the autoimmune protocol.