Toxic Babies...

In 2005, there was a US study done that found 200 chemicals in newborn baby's cord blood. Granted, this was years ago, but I do not believe we have taken measures to change these numbers and...

CORD BLOOD!? Come on!

287 different chemicals were found and EVERY baby tested in the study had over 200 of these chemicals

• 180 chemicals cause cancer in humans or animals

• 217 chemicals are toxic to the brain and nervous system

• 208 chemicals cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal testing

This means before these babies even saw light they were bombarded with toxins.

Then you add more toxins like...

• soaps and lotions that are full of chemicals

• clothing made and washed with chemicals

• vaccines with adjuvants that load their immune system and detoxification system which isn't fully developed yet

• antibiotics that can damage gut and immune function

These poor babies don't stand a chance.

No wonder we have children with...

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Autism

• Anxiety

And these are just the issues that start with the letter A!

This is why I am in this line of work.

This, right here, is why I quit every thing I knew and began a lifelong pursuit to help change families with functional medicine and nutrition.

What's my story?...

When Josh and I were adopting Max, we knew his birth mother had an opioid addiction.

We accepted that during the duration of her pregnancy she would be on Methadone, which is a narcotic used to treat drug addiction.

I took workshops to learn everything I could. I even went to my local methadone clinic to meet with a social worker on the subject. I did everything in my power to gain knowledge to help provide for our future baby.

When Max was born, so much was out of our control. Max was born addicted to methadone. He was under the care of his birth mother, nurses and staff.

Choices felt like gifts most new parents received. Josh and I waited for our time.

When we took Max home from the hospital, that June day (Josh and my anniversary to be exact) we couldn't wait to make choices for our future.

I knew providing a healing environment would help with Max's withdrawals.

• We had chiropractors come to the house

• We chose not to overload his system with vaccines

• We used breast milk as a form of withdrawal support

Knowing what I know now, I would have done so much more.

But I take pride in... When you know better, you do better!

As a parent, you realize very quickly that there are few things you CAN control.

I decided nutrition for Max was my way.

I read book after book and made every meal for him from scratch.

Keeping grains, sugar and processed foods out for the first year of solid foods.

I fed him raw dairy, which I had to join a co-op to legally buy in NJ.

Today, he is healthy and happy and eats adventurously healthy foods.

Of course, he is still a kid. I let him have cake and pizza, but keep the basis of his diet real, unprocessed, whole foods.

Max is not your typical chicken tender kid.

I knew I was passionate about this subject and decided one day at Wegmans to make it my career.

I was shopping like any normal day and ran into a friend of mine.

She was stressed about what to feed her two year old twins and I offered her some of my time and suggestions. In that exact moment I knew... this is what I want to do for my life.

I want to help children and their parents thrive.

Sometimes I am super excited about positive change in our world.

Some days it is depressing to know so much needs to change.

I have my good days, I have my hard days.

Right now, as I write this blog, Max is having an epic meltdown about some toothbrush catastrophe.

I breathe and accept that I can't control everything.

I can't fix everything.

I can't help everyone...sometimes, even my own kid.

Favorite Supplements...

"In a perfect world, no one would need supplements. But given the stress of our modern life, the poor quality of our food supply, and the high load of toxins on our brains and bodies, most of us need a basic daily supply of the key, raw materials for all our enzymes and biochemistry to run as designed."

-Dr. Mark Hyman

I am all about eating your peas and carrots.

Beautiful, whole foods are what our body craves and deserves.

But what if you have a pea intolerance? What if, God forbid, the carrots are not organic?!

All jokes aside, sometimes food doesn't cut it for everyone. Many people have low stomach acid, or stressful lives, or even genetic disorders that keep them from absorbing the full nutrition that whole foods provide.

Not to mention, top soil erosion, bigger produce without added nutrients, and hybrid produce that look good and is more convenient to grow but is significantly less nutritious.

I am not a pill pusher, but I also know my limits. I personally have a genetic mutation that I discovered after going through a failed trail of IVF.

I have MTHFR. And no, I didn't just curse at you.

In basic terms, MTHFR keeps me from detoxing all sorts of toxins and makes me at greater risk for things like cancer, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune.

Folate and B12, along with other vitamins are very important for me.

Also, avoiding things like folic acid(the synthetic version of folate), processed foods, and heavy metals helps as well.

Everyone is different, so my three top supplements may not serve everyone the same.

And remember to always check with your doctor before starting anything new.

But if someone cornered me on the street and asked me to pick my top three supplements, this is what I would say:

Top Three Supplements I Love

• Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium is my overall favorite! The only issue with most magnesium supplements is that it is in the Citrate form, which is great for treating constipation. If constipation isn't your problem, try a different form like Glycinate or Threonate and you'll get better absorption.

I use Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate before bed to help me sleep.

• 70% of americans are deficient in magnesium

• bone health

• prevents spasms

• manages blood sugar

• nerve function

• brain function

• gene maintenance

• relaxing to body and brain

• low magnesium and insulin resistance go hand in hand

• needed for vitamin D absorption

• B Complex

I like the B vitamins for all the energy they give. Who doesn't need more energy?

Also, since they are water soluble, you pee out anything you don't need.

Fun fact: the bright yellow color is made mostly from B2 (Riboflavin) and it is not related to your absorption in any way.

Jarrow B- Right is a great, inexpensive brand.

• increase energy level

• supports metabolism

• brain function

• prevents infections

• helps to detox body

• helps with mood

• cell health

• Probiotic

Probiotics work in a number of ways to help with digestion and health. They are not responsible for all the microbes within your body because most will all die out eventually. What probiotics do is helps your immune system relax. Every strain of bacteria is helpful for different issues. I never broadly recommend a probiotic without finding out about someone's health history.

Fermented items are a fantastic choice. The prices and variety of probiotics are endless. try for a braod spectrum (8+ strains) But here is a basic full spectrum that you can start low and slow. Klair Labs Ther-biotic Complete

• digestion

• protects the gut

• relaxes and supports immune system

• helps to detox body

• helps with yeast overgrowth

• helps with skin issues

• mental health issues

• helps with certain allergies

Look how many strains of bacteria and all the specific locations

What about Vitamin D?! you ask...

This vitamin is very popular. Even people who take zero supplements will proudly announce that they do take vitamin D.

I'm a big fan but there is more to vitamin D than you may realize.

• Vitamin D needs ample Magnesium for absorption

• Vitamin D is fat soluble so you can't just pee out the extra

• Vitamin D3 acts as a steroid hormone (night sweats anyone?)

• Excess vitamin D can cause immune suppression

• Vitamin D3 does help with bone health but needs K2 in conjunction

• It is usually deficient due to upstream causes like low magnesium, gut absorption issues or even problems with kidneys converting to active form.

I am happy you take your vitamin D, but add some magnesium to the mix and if your levels aren't going up for some reason then there may be something deeper going on.

Eat more greens! Go outside! Try something fermented!

And don't be afraid to supplement where needed.

Disclamer:

All information you read on Eat Your Peas & Carrots is for informational and educational purposes only. Information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA. These are my opinions and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medications, please consult your health care practitioner.

Homemade Toothpaste...

Okay, I know what you are going to say. I've gone off the deep end.

I don't know what is more outrageous...

that I am making my own toothpaste?

or that I already had ALL the ingredients in my house without having to make a special Amazon order?

I might as well live in a tent and use bark for toilet paper.

But go with me on this one...

Toothpastes out there are full of toxic ingredients:

• Triclosan- in Colgate and a major hormone disruptor

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - also, registered as an insecticide

• Artificial Sweeteners- like aspartame which has something called methanol, a form different than the fruit and vegetable type. This methanol form can not always be eliminated by our bodies and can convert to formaldehyde and rest in brain tissue.

• Flouride- a potent neurotoxin and recently found to only form a protective layer that is only as thin as 1/10,000 of a strand of hair.

• Propylene Glycol- industrial grade mineral oil used in antifreeze, paints, enamels, and airplaine de-icers.

• Diethanolamine (DEA)- a foaming agent and hormone disrupter.

• Microbeads- tiny plastic pellets. Plastic!

So this recipe is from Dr. Mercola. I tweaked a few ingredients to my liking.

And to be honest, the taste was not as muddy as I expected. Totally doable.

Max and I made a huge batch.

It looks a bit like icing but Max was fast to let me know that it did not taste at all like icing!

Homemade Thieves and Coconut Oil Toothpaste

• 1/2 cup Bentonite Clay

• 1/8 tsp Salt

• 2 tsp Shine Remineralizing Tooth Powder (Dr. Mercola uses baking soda)

• 2/3 cup Water (I used distilled)

• 1/4 cup Coconut Oil

• 1 tsp Stevia (optional)

• 1-4 drops Thieves Essential Oil (Dr. Mercola uses peppermint) I use more like 5-10 drops

Bentonite Clay is relatively tasteless and a useful detoxing agent.

Shine tooth powder is NOT vegetarian but it helps to reduce tooth decay with mineral restoration.

Coconut Oil attacks harmful bacteria in teeth to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Thieves Oil is a blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and is a highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-infection essential oil.

I hope you go bold and experiment like I do. If not, I hope you read a label or two.

Here's to a healthy mouth!

Disclamer:

All information you read on Eat Your Peas & Carrots is for informational and educational purposes only. Information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA. These are my opinions and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medications, please consult your health care practitioner.