One of my secret weapons I discovered for eliminating eczema out of my son’s life has to do with how I viewed the eczema in relation to how I saw him. The day I decided to rearrange my thought pattern was the day I started finding more solutions that worked for him. For me it was that simple. Stop looking at the eczema as a disruption in our lives and start looking at it as a blessing in disguise. Not all things that seem a pain is a problem. Sometimes they are blessings that is leading us in a direction that we would not otherwise go if it did not occur.

Lately I realized that many people are not able to make that transition because if they face a situation it is want they constantly see, touch, hear, smell, and sometimes taste. So here is another way you can work on rearranging your thought patterns around your child’s eczema.

Start an elimination list. If you are familiar with a gratitude list then the elimination is the same except you are writing down anything you want to eliminate from your life. If you want to eliminate the eczema along with the symptoms of the eczema then get a journal and document it.

Your phase is as follows: “I now eliminated (your child’s name) eczema from his or her life. I let go and trust.

Then in your gratitude journal you want to add the eczema’s replacement such as: “I am grateful for (your child’s name) health and happiness. Thank you.

If you don’t want to keep two separate journals then consider putting your gratitude list on one side and the elimination list on the other. That way you can remember identify everything you want eliminated from your life and replace it with the things you want instead.

It is a fun exercise because you will eventually attract so much more that your quality of life will increase.

Happy journaling,
Sandra Hurd, MS
Certified Nutrition Consultant

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Ever heard the adage, “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence?” I often hear this term reaped in my head when I hear people talk about their challenges in life. They speak of how someone else’s life is so much better then theirs because they don’t have the same challenges. We all have challenges in life. Some people have more money than others but the one with money may be lonely where as the one with less is rich in friendship. Some people are over weight, yet have a loving relationship with their spouse and children. Some people blame their circumstances on their level of education.The point is that there will always be challenges in our lives. It is a part of the growth and maturity process. Ask any elderly person and they will tell you that they are wiser because of the challenges they faced in life.

Here is another way to look at it. When playing a game, there are those who sit on the bench just watching the game and never get into the game. These people never increase their skill levels, and so they never grow or get better.

When we think in terms of health related challenges we often apply the same principles. We compare ourselves or our loved ones to someone else’s. Then we start the comparison of what they have and what we don’t have. The justification makes it more tolerable to remain unhealthy. Sometimes it is because people don’t know what to do next. Other times it is because they fear the unknown that comes along with taking the steps forward. The belief is to remain in the current situation because the road ahead is an unknown one and it can lead to more suffering. Fortunately the road ahead have many paths although some might not see the path that leads to health and wellness it does exist. Sometimes it takes talking to someone who knows that path and can lead others there. Other times it takes changing the way people think or view their life. Sometimes they might have to paving the road that leads to a healthier path. No matter what you decide there will be challenges along the way. The intend is growth but the rewards are great.

If you are at a place in your life where your challenges are holding you still here is a suggested path:

1. Stop focusing on what you don’t have.
2. Forgive yourself for desiring someone else’s blessings. You may not have what they have but if you did it might create more suffering for you because their blessing don’t belong to you.
3. Accept your challenges as it is yours. Sometimes our challenges seem so much more of a struggle because we are fighting against it or trying to avoid it.
4. Bless your challenges. If you feel the need to go to a minister, priest, monk or whom ever in order to bless your challenges then do so. Prayer and meditation is another great way to bless your challenges if you don’t have a spiritual adviser.
5. Start focusing on what you do want instead. Make it a daily 5 minutes mediation to visualize, feel, and express what you do want instead. When you feel the peace let it go.
6. When your blessings arrive be prepared to accept it.
7. Gratefully acknowledge your blessing because it is now a part of who you are to share with those in your life.
8. Finally you want to place an offering back out into the world. Some people often place this offering in the collection basket at their place of worship. Those who do not have a place of worship may offer it to a charity or foundation towards helping others.

This process works in any situation no matter if it is personal, a relationship, or a health related situation for yourself or a loved one.

Sandra Hurd, MS

Certified Nutrition Consultant

http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

There has been a couple scary reports about our food supply in the last few months. So, because of my profession people often look for me to discuss the state of our food supply. I understand this because there is a lot of fear and uncertainty around this subject. Most people rely upon the US government to regulate and punish the food supplier in our country yet it does not happen, so what they do is avoid the whatever food is currently contaminated for their favorite restaurant to dance with their concerns and eventually comfort them into trusting that food again.

The way I see is it is there is way too many hands touching the food before it gets to our homes. See, the majority of the issue we face starts at the farms where the food is being grown (vegetables and fruits) and/or raise (cows, chickens, pigs, fish, etc). There are large farms that produce either organic or conventional foods. When the foods are harvested it is then handled by the farmers to be transported via different businesses. Then the businesses through its set of handling, processing, transportation, and storage passes it on to factories for processing or warehouses for storage. Not many of us are aware of what takes place between this step. After the food is process or reaches the warehouse it goes through another phase of handling, and storage. Then it is transported to your local grocery store where it once again is handled and then stored in “the back” before it is stored out on the shelves where you get select, purchase, transport it home. Once you get it home you do your version of handling, processing, and storing it until it reaches your plate.

That is a condensed version of the process of how many hands can touch the food before you get to handle it. Now think of how many opportunity there is to contaminate the food from harmful bacteria to harmful chemicals, as well as how much nutrients are being lost with each handling, processing, shipping, and storing process. It does not matter if your food is organic or conventional. The problem we should all be focused on is what happens the moment the food is harvested from the farm and before it gets to your home. Whatever is taking place the health and wellness industry is seeing more and more people, especially children, with more food sensitivities, intolerance, and allergies.

Now, one of the biggest battles I read and often hear about has to with the organic versus conventional foods.  My answer is organic is more superior in nutrients than convention food only IF it was grown in your back yard or within a 150 to 200 miles radius from your current home.  If your have used some sort of product in your garden to get rid of certain bugs or pests in order to grown your food then it is more than likely higher in nutrients than organic food shipped from 2000 miles away or even worst, the other side of the world. See with each handling, processing, packaging, shipping, and storing of any food (organic or conventional) nutrients are loss. The closer to home you can get your food (organic or conventional) the more nutrients are available. The least amount of handling/processing/transporting/storage from farm or garden to your home the better it is for you and your family.

By the way, the cost associated with organic and conventional food is strictly based on that business’ overhead. Most businesses (small or large) have a complex calculation that tell hem how much it cost to operate their business, and how much they get to home. What they offer is based on demand.

So my gifts to you is first and foremost take time to know the people producing your food. No matter where you are purchasing your food from (grocery store, neighborhood garden, farmer’s market, or directly from the farme). The more you know these people the more informed choice you can make about the type of food you are providing for yourself and your family.

Here are some pointers for finding local food sources:

1.) Grow your own food. If you don’t have a large enough space then consider using containers. Along these lines is to find others in your area with small gardens, grow different foods, and share.
2.) If you don’t have time to grow your own food find out if you have a family member, friend, neighbor, or church member who does and offer them money or services in return.

3.) Visit your local farmers market with growers within 150 to 200 miles radius of your home.  http://www.localharvest.org/

4.) Contact your nearest plant nursery and ask about any local vegetable and fruit gardening club. You can usually find local growers at these club who would gladly share their food for a less than you would buy in the grocery store. They might even offer it for free.

5.) Check with your child’s school to see if they have a gardening club. Many schools are now teaching children about gardening. These classes and clubs are being taught by master gardeners.
6.) Join a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in your local area. You can purchase shares crop, from large gardeners and/or farms, once it is harvested and usually it is a lot of food. Mostly vegetables.

7.) Find a local farm close to your home where you can purchase your food directly. You might also consider working with others in your area taking turns driving to the farm and picking up for each other.

Sandra Hurd, MS

Certified Nutrition Consultant

http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

When a child is diagnosed with eczema it is usually assumed that as s/he grows older s/he will outgrow it. Statically that may be true if you look at eczema as a whole group, but because every child is biochemically unique it is challenging to predict when or if the child will outgrow the eczema.  If your child is one of the many who does not seem to be outgrowing the eczema then here are some holistic tips to support his/her body.

Diet
Some of the primary factors that trigger an outbreak are related to food. Therefore, having an acid-alkaline balance of food intake to control inflammation, and reduce the outbreaks will be very supportive. It emphasizes a vegetable based diet of fresh, organic whole foods to balance the body’s pH. It also provides an abundance of antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory factors as well as vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (Lipski).

Concentrate on foods such as fresh, organic, seasonal fruits, and steamed vegetables, cold-water fish, and essential fatty acid rich nuts and seed oils (Vanderhaeghe). Foods rich in potassium and vitamin A or cartenoids (such as carrots and leafy greens) are excellent choices in healing eczema (Zand). Cook with onions and garlic are very beneficial because they inhibits the two enzymes that generate the inflammation. Onions also have high quercetin, which inhibits the manufacture and release of histamine  (Bartholomy).

Eliminating common allergenic foods such as corn, wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, sugar, citrus fruits, food additives, dyes and colors helps reduce mucus from forming and contributing to histamine that is released during an allergic response. Eliminating the allergens eliminates the reactions and inflammation. (Bartholomy).
Supplements

Essential fatty acid (Omega 3) maintains the skins integrity and effectively deals with the abnormalities that are found in eczema conditions, which leads to inflammation

Probiotics help reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and normalize gastrointestinal function, especially is your child is constipated.

High potency multivitamins and minerals (made from whole foods such as Standard Process brand) to accommodate missing nutrients.

Digestives enzymes taken with food aid in digestion and reduce inflammation.

Adequate amount of water intake aids in dissolving nutrients, transporting it into the cells, and hydrating the skin.

Plant sterols and sterolins normalize the antibody IgE, and control the histamine release. It also enhances the immune system’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses.

Vitamin E is a great antioxidant and also aids in tissue healing along with selenium to help support healthy cell membranes.

Vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant that has a mild anti-inflammatory action.

Zinc promotes the healing of wounds.

Other natural supplements and herbs that are very healing and controls inflammation include turmeric/curcumin, ginger, bromelain, burdock root, dandelion, goldenseal, red clover, and nettle (Zand). Burdock root and dandelion activates the alternate complement pathway (ACP). This activation could possibly restore bactericidal activity and increase levels of cAMP. (Murray)

References:

Bartholomy, Paula M.S., C.N.C. “Asthma.” 30 November 2006. Clinical Nutrition and the Immune System. Hawthorn Health and Nutrition Institute
Lipski, Elizabeth, Ph D.,CCN. (2006). Digestive Wellness For Children. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Murray, Michael. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 2nd Ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1999
Rapp, Doris, M.D. Is This Your Child? William Morrow and Company, New York, NY, 1991
Rountree, Robert, M.D, Walton, Rachel, MSN, CRNP, and Zand, Janet, N.D. L.Ac. Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child. 2nd Ed. Penguin Group Inc. New York, NY
Titman, Penny, PhD. Understanding Childhood Eczema. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. England. 2003
Vanderhaeghe, Lorna R. (2001) “Healthy Immunity.” Kensington Publishing Co. New York, NY

Sandra Hurd, MS

Certified Nutrition Consultant

http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids are known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). They are mostly found in fish oils (i.e. cod liver oil, krill oil), flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, pumpkin seed oil, and borage oil. These oils are essential because the body does not make it but it is needed for the cells to function properly.

During the last trimester of pregnancy the baby’s brain is getting ready to function in the world outside the womb. The essential fats help this process. Even during breast feeding the baby can receive essential fats through the breast milk.

This is so helpful for not only your child’s skin but overall health and well being. So here are some of the benefits of EFA’s:

· Maintains a healthy digestive system.

· Promote the absorption of vitamin A, D, E, K.

· Helps maintain routine bowel movements.

· Protects against inflammation of the body.

· Encourages healthy skin and tames inflammation.

· Helps build and maintain a strong immune system.

· Calms temperaments.

· Creates sharper memory.

· Helps maintain longer attention spans.

· Allows the cells to be fluid so that they can communicate with each other.

These are just a few benefits of including essential fats in your child’s diet but it is important to find a supplement you children will gladly take and also one that is free from heavy metals and other harmful toxins. Also it is important to know the correct dosage especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

To your health and well being,

Sandra Hurd, MS

Certified Nutrition Consultant

http://www.stopmychildseczema.com