A GREAT RESOURCE: www.healingwell.com

If you or someone you love is living with a chronic illness, take some time to check out this wonderful website. It offers a thriving support community, a blog, lots of informative videos and resources as well as a monthly newsletter. The link is www.healingwell.com They have won many awards for their site and been featured on several news broadcasts.

Finding a community of people who are experiencing both the successes and challenges of a chronic illness has been shown over and over to be one of the most helpful strategies for coping. This site has a long list of illnesses ranging from cancer to IBS and each one has a community of people that dialogue on the internet. In long term illness, the goal is often healing and not cure and sharing your experiences with others facilitates this. I love that the internet enables people to connect with others in similar situations and removes the barrier of physical distance.

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TESTIMONIALS

What a wonderful gift to be able to compile this list of comments from people whose lives I have had the privilege of touching. As my book is off at the printers now and I will have the opportunity of holding the first copy in my hand before Christmas, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

My life, the life of our family, and the stories of the hundred's of people I have worked with are reflected in the pages of my book. The picture on this posting says it all! It is the picture that graces the cover of my book and it is of our oldest grandson at 5 months old. He was and still is healthy, happy and free of the symptoms related to his food sensitivities. I am so grateful for all the parts of my journey to find health for myself, my family, and many, many clients as my book couldn't have been written without them all.

Thank you to those of you who willingly sent me your thoughts so I could post them here and in my book. I pray your words will offer hope and encouragement to others so they will consider changing the diet of their family.

I have seen, first hand, many instances where children and families have been transformed by addressing food sensitivities. If you suspect food may be the cause of your child's physical and behavioural symptoms, you must read Marg's well researched and practical approach to discovering your particular child's trigger food(s) and developing a plan to address them.

Margaret Evans offers hope in her clearly presented new book, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate? - The Life Changing Impact of Addressing Food Sensitivities in Children. Read it. It could positively change your child's and family's lives.

Fran Richardson RN, BScN (retired) Pediatric Nurse

What we have learned from Margaret about the impact of food sensitivities has dramatically improved the overall health of our two young sons and our entire family. Every parent would benefit from this information. We will be forever grateful for her support.

Johanna Sedin and her husband, Henrik Sedin. Captain of the Vancouver Canucks

Knowledgeable, timely, and practical! Margaret's advice and encouragement during our family's transition to a gluten-free, dairy-free, way of life kept us on track, motivated to persevere, and thankful for the remarkable improvements we experienced. A health concern for one family member has turned into life-long benefits for six. Thanks, Marg!

A grateful grandmother

Daniel is a wonderful four year old, but much of a challenge. The change we have seen in him since altering his diet, I could not have imagined would be possible. My only regret is that we did not contact Margaret earlier. We are now a happy, healthy, family with sane parents! I cannot recommend Margaret more highly.

Sarah, Richard, and Daniel Jones

Marg's constant appreciation of me is very affirming. Her experience in addressing food sensitivities in her own life as well as her children's has been very beneficial for me as I have suffered from health challenges for years. To have a coach come along side to walk with me on my journey is totally refreshing.

Joy Neufeld

My name is Ellen. I am writing this story in gratitude to Margaret Evans who saved my son from years of earaches, stomach problems, bed wetting embarrassments, and behaviour problems by educating me that children do not grow out of the problems created by a dairy intolerance. By removing dairy products from my son's diet, he remained well and healthy.

I also suffered for years from a wide range of symptoms including digestive disturbances, heart palpitations, poor coordination and food cravings before finally discovering that I had celiac disease. I have to admit that even with everything Margaret taught me about my son, it took several illnesses and years of wasted days and months to finally hit the wall and come to terms with what I needed to do for myself.

Living without being ill all the time is a new experience for me. I don't get every bug that is going by and I have more energy than I have ever had. My nails are hard and I have started gaining weight because my intestines are well and working properly - in other words, I am thriving! If you have unaddressed symptoms yourself, don't wait another minute -do something about it! You have a life ahead that is yours to command. I was 60 years old before I twigged - so it is never too late!!

Ellen Lawson

Thanks to Marg's endless passion for the subject, I was able to learn the foods that agitated my daughter's respiratory issues. Working with Marg taught me the power that food has on our health.

Andrea Linsley

Margaret's continuous support, guidance, and encouragement have changed my life. The path she has shown me over the years has helped me achieve amazing victories and achievements. By helping me address my food sensitivities, she has helped me become a stronger, healthier, and more focused athlete and woman - I feel like a new person!

Nina Mathers Endurance Athlete

Through many years of dedicated work and practice, Marg Evans has developed an incredibly informative and useful guide for all those suffering from food related symptoms. Intelligent, comprehensive, and, most importantly, do-able, her supportive and effective direction was an essential component on my path towards optimum health.

Meghan MacCallum

We were desperate to help our colicky baby who vomited 10 times a day. When Margaret spoke with us, we finally felt like our story wasn't just new parent paranoia. After changing our daughter's diet, the physical and behavioural changes were stunning.

Stephanie and Stefan Mercer

After enduring many months of low energy, joint pain, and numerous other undiagnosed ailments, I was struggling in all areas of life but particularly in my role of helping others. I was amazed and relieved to finally discover that culprit foods were the reason for my symptoms. When I stopped eating these foods, my recovery was remarkable. I am so thankful for the wisdom and practical methods that Margaret has shared with me, allowing me to live well with my food sensitivities and to offer hope and understanding to my clients.

Karen Sollid BSc(Nutr) RD Registered dietician and certified wellness coach

Recently my six year old has had chronic stomach and headaches as well as feeling exhausted. I was feeling overwhelmed about how to approach what I believed to be a food "allergy". As the doctors did not adopt my belief, I turned to Marg who has 27 years of personal and professional experience in food sensitivities. With her vast knowledge, she has been able to simplify the steps for me to take to promptly determine the cause of my daughter's discomfort. In addition to her expertise, she brings warmth, support and encouragement. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am in incredibly capable hands as the three of us journey together to help my child regain her health and, therefore, her happiness.

Julie Prindiville

Marg Evans creates a safe space to truly be heard. Through her patient and compassionate listening skills, and simple yet powerful questions, she enables one to hear ones' own heart's desire. She inspires and supports you to see the gifts and talents you already possess and challenges you to make that desire your new reality.

Catherine Hind

Initially I was not a believer that food could have such a powerful impact on one's health and function. By age four, my son was still not sleeping through the night, had a runny nose and tummy aches. My daughter had frequent digestive issues that interfered with her daily life. After learning about food sensitivities through Margaret, I was able to successfully identify and eliminate the correct foods the correct way. To my delight and surprise, within 3 months all of my children's issues completely disappeared. Today, our family eats a wider variety of foods than before, rarely gets sick, and experiences greater overall health and vitality.

L North

Margaret Evans has been teaching at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine for several years now and is considered the leader in food sensitivity diagnosis and treatment. Margaret has given us a much-needed step-by-step guide to truly finding and dealing with food allergies and the health problems they cause. We in the practice of Naturopathic medicine are grateful for this much anticipated work.

Anders B. Nerman (Naturopathic student) Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Margaret Evans offers a thorough, compassionate inquiry into the deep threads of a patient's diet and lifestyle which may be holding them back from their potential. Her 30+ years of clinical experience along with her extensive knowledge has allowed Margaret to find her own approach which is empowering yet healing for her clients. She lives her work and provides healthcare professionals with the inspiration to spend the time to find the cause of their patient's limitations. Thank you, Margaret - my approach to patients has changed!

Karley Denooon (Naturopathic student) Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine Vancouver, B.C. Canada

I have been actively involved in Margaret's journey to improved health and wellness over the last 6 years. Her expertise and understanding of food intolerances have helped my wife and I recognize the impact gluten and dairy products were having on our overall health and wellness.

She enabled us to make informed and educated choices on those foods which we needed to remove from our diet, namely gluten and dairy.

Being gluten and dairy free has had such a significant impact on our overall health and well being, that it was, therefore, an extremely easy decision to ensure that gluten and dairy were not a part of our new born baby's eating plan.

James and Caroline Greenwood

One of my earliest childhood memories is of a trip to the Calgary Children's hospital with my dad and sitting on his lap while the doctor explained what they were going to do during the biopsy. The most common of my childhood stories recounted by my parents are of the sleepless nights while I cried uncontrollably for the first two years of my life. My youth was spent with constant stomach discomfort. I remember feeling high every time I ate a hotdog, and the embarrassment of having to run to the washroom in the middle of class or, even worse, a friend's birthday party. It became harder during my adolescence when I was unable to concentrate in class and was constantly being disciplined by teachers, causing so much anxiety it became easier to just skip class. It wasn't until I was an adult that I began to take this seriously but I was unable to find any answers.

I was lucky enough to meet Margaret and, through our conversations, her story emerged and she offered to help me. I have been on a gluten free diet for almost three years now and for the first time in my life, I feel healthy and energetic. I am now expecting a child of my own and feel truly blessed to know that I am now equipped with the knowledge and skills to make sure my child will not face the same challenges that I did. I cannot thank Margaret enough!

Christie Coelho

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Food Addiction and Autism

FOOD ADDICTION AND AUTISM
This section offers a brief summary of the impact that diet may have on the health, learning, and behaviour of children on the autism spectrum. For a more complete explanation as well as strategies to identify the offending food, refer to my book, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate - The Life Changing Impact of Addressing Food Sensitivities in Children."
Several studies have shown that certain protein fragments found in both milk and gluten products contain substances called peptides that behave very much like the opiate drug, morphine when they are incompletely digested within the body. This incomplete digestion may be the result of unaddressed food sensitivities, inflammation due to a poor diet, some medications, an imbalance of the bacteria in the bowel or even excessive stress.
These proteins are inactive when contained in food but are activated during the process of digestion.
When a person suffers from bowel inflammation, whatever the cause, the walls of the bowel become "leaky" and these undigested proteins are allowed to leak into the circulation. They make their way to the brain where they have an impact on learning and behaviour and often create a significant craving for both dairy and gluten containing foods in the child.
High amounts of these opiate peptides have been found in the urine of patients suffering from depression and from autism. Most peptides pass out of the body in the urine but these incompletely digested peptides enter the blood stream through the “leaky” intestinal wall. It is believed that these substances are responsible for many of the effects on the brain that are seen in both autistic and depressed individuals.
While it is common for families of children with autism to remove gluten and dairy containing foods, the food causing the inflammation must also be addressed. Many families remove only dairy or gluten and find very little improvement in their child's symptoms. By following the process in my book, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate?" parents can identify the underlying trigger food and their chance of successfully addressing their child's symptoms are much greater.
Removal of gluten and dairy foods from the diet may result in a withdrawal reaction. Depending on the symptoms of the patient, physical, psychological, and behavioural symptoms my temporarily worsen for a few days until the foods have been eliminated from the body. For complete information on how to remove an offending food from a child's diet, please refer to my book, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate?"

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Knowledge Review

This section offers a brief explanation of the physiology related to food sensitivities. It is important to have a basic understanding of the differences between food allergies and food intolerances as this impacts both the method used for identification of the offending food and the treatment that is undertaken.

A more complete explanation of this topic can be found in my book, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate? - The Life Changing Impact of Addressing Food Sensitivities in Children. This book contains all the information you need to determine whether or not food is at the root of your family's health, behaviour, or learning problems. It then helps you identify the trigger food and supports you to successfully remove this food from your family's diet.

• Normal Digestive Function
• Allergies
• Intolerances
• Fixed Reactions
• Cyclic Reactions
• Immediate Reactions
• Delayed Reactions
• Threshold of Tolerance

A ) Normal Digestive Function

The digestive system is a complex system involving many different organs. Any illness or injury affecting one part of the system impacts the function of the entire digestive tract.
The digestive process requires the proper balance and interaction of beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes and hormones.
Food moves along the digestive track by waves of muscle contraction known as peristalsis. It may take 3-5 days for a particular food to travel the full length of the intestine and be eliminated.
Essential nutrients and water are absorbed through the wall of the intestine into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.
In a normal, healthy bowel, the lining of the small intestine allows absorption of only fully digested particles of food.
If the cells lining the small intestine become irritated or damaged, the wall becomes inflamed and "leaky" and allows partially digested food to be absorbed into the blood stream. These particles may then be the cause of food intolerances and result in symptoms in any organ of the body.

B ) Allergies

Some individuals may develop a variety of symptoms when they come in contact with common substances in their environment. These can be a food, a chemical or an inhalant and are known as antigens.
The antigen stimulates the body to produce "anti"bodies to weaken and destroy the offending antigen.
The combining of an antigen and an antibody results in the release of histamine. It is an excess of histamine which results in the symptoms we commonly think of being "allergic" in nature such as hives or swelling of the eyes and throat.
Most life threatening reactions to foods and other causes are allergic reactions.
In an allergic reaction, taking an "anti"histamine will result in symptom relief.
Skin testing by an allergist is accurate for the determination of these allergies.

C ) Intolerances

The symptoms of intolerances are not produced by the release of histamine so taking an antihistamine will not improve the symptoms.
The reactions are triggered by local irritation in the digestive track. This irritation results in a "leaky" condition in the small intestine which allows particles of food that have not been completely digested to enter the blood stream. They then circulate throughout the body.
The symptoms of intolerances are varied and can be experienced in almost any part of the body. They also vary from individual to individual.
More than half of the cells of the immune system are found in and around the digestive tract. Because of this, any condition that affects the digestive system also has a profound impact on the immune system.
A diagnosis of food intolerance can not be made by skin test or by a blood test. An elimination of the suspected food from the diet for a trial period of time is the only truly accurate test.

D ) Fixed Reactions

While it is possible to have a fixed reaction in either an allergy or an intolerance, it is more likely that these types of predictable responses are due to a histamine releasing allergy.
The development of symptoms in these types of reactions is very predictable. There is some development of symptoms every time the offending food is eaten.
These reactions are often truly allergic in nature and may require immediate intervention.
Even a very slight contact with the offending substance may produce a large scale response.
Because of the predictable pattern of symptoms, it is usually fairly easy to find the substance that is the cause.

E ) Cyclic Reactions

These reactions do not always have a predictable pattern.
This is the most common pattern for food reactions as they are due to food intolerances.
The occurrence of symptoms is determined by a number of factors:

• the quantity of food eaten
• general health of the individual
• number of offending foods eaten together
• environmental allergy contact at the time of food consumption
• stress level of the individual

Because of the cyclic nature of the symptoms, identifying the offending substance is often difficult.

F ) Immediate Reactions

Some reactions occur immediately following contact with the offending substance. This accounts for only about 5% of reactions to food.
Immediate reactions are almost always due to a substance causing histamine release due to an allergy rather than an intolerance.
This category includes the immediate and often life-threatening reactions some people have to nuts or shellfish.
Identification of the offending substance is easy to determine.
The reaction that occurs usually involved only 1 or 2 organs of the body.
Because they are often allergic in nature, antihistamines may bring symptom relief.

G ) Delayed Reactions

These reactions may take anywhere from 24 hours to 5 days to develop.
Because of this delay, identification of the offending food may be difficult.
Delayed reactions are far more common that immediate ones.
Symptoms that take a period of time to develop are usually due to intolerances rather than allergies.
Symptoms are not relieved by antihistamines.
Typical reactions include a multitude of chronic complaints. These may include headaches, joint aches, runny nose, ear infections, asthma, bed wetting and behaviour difficulties.
Several chronic conditions such as autism, learning disabilities, asthma and Tourettes have shown improvement when food intolerances and allergies were managed.
Reactions usually involve multiple body systems at one time.
With repeated ingestion of the offending food, the acute symptoms usually diminish to be replaced by a general feeling of chronic fatigue and a multitude of chronic complaints.
When foods causing intolerances are removed from the diet, a period of withdrawal results and symptoms may temporarily worsen.
Following a prolonged period of avoidance of a particular food, an exaggerated reaction may result if the food is eaten. The symptoms previously caused by the food may reoccur in a more dramatic and acute way.

H ) Threshold of Tolerance

In seeking to improve our health, we must address all aspects of our life—our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing blend together to produce our overall life experience.
Food intolerances are profoundly impacted by our general health and by our stress level. In order to decrease physical symptoms, it is essential to address our "whole" life.
If you imagine a barrel full of water, there is eventually a final drop that causes the barrel to over flow. If you imagine this image as a barrel containing all aspects of your life, it too, can get so full that it overflows and results in serious health concerns.
In dealing with food intolerances, the goal is to keep the barrel at a low enough level that the person can manage the storms and stresses of life without "overflowing" into the realm of symptoms.

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GROUP PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

I am pleased to offer a wide range of short talks, presentations, and workshops, depending on the need of your particular group. I offer a percentage of the fee that I charge back to the organization that hires me in order to support their work in the community. Because of this, many organizations are able to use my services as a fundraiser for their group. I also lecture regularly at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine and am pleased to offer any of the topics below to professional organizations.

Please contact me at margaret@dynamicchoices.ca so we can discuss your needs and my rates.

The topics I speak on fall under three, loosely defined categories:

1. FOOD SENSITIVITIES

My newly published a book entitled, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate? - The Life Changing Impact of Addressing Food Sensitivities in Children" draws on my 25 years of experience working in this area. Each of my presentations is done in a holistic fashion that honours the real lives, real challenges, and real strengths of each individual family.

• A 1 hour information session where I discuss food sensitivities and the wide range of health, behaviour and learning symptoms that can be caused by food
• 3 hour interactive workshops where the participants are led through my process of identifying offending the trigger food in their diet
• 7 hour, full day workshops that include lunch, my comprehensive process of identifying the offending trigger food in their diet and strategies to make the successful lifestyle changes required to remove this food from their family's diet.

2, CAREGIVER ISSUES
I speak and write widely on the topic of caregivers and the unique and challenging situations that they face. I have been the key note speaker at a number of organizations such as the Parkinson's Society of B.C. where I have addressed topics such as hope, life balance, intimacy, resilience, change and laughter. I am pleased to design a topic that addresses the unique needs of your organization or group.

3. COACHING RELATED TOPICS
I lead workshops on a wide range of topics related to work-life balance, decision making in the midst of stress, change and a range of issues related to parenting. I have a passion for supporting individuals and families to make conscious, value honouring choices in their life and I am happy to design workshops and presentations that address your unique needs.

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Signs & Symptoms of Food Sensitivities

The following list is taken from my book, "Could It Really Be Something They Ate? -The Life Changing Impact of Addressing Food Sensitivities in Children" As you read through the list, tick off the symptoms that relate to yourself either currently or in the past with an X and mark the ones that occur in other members of your extended family with an F. If you tick many symptoms on the list or a have a large number of symptoms within a particular body system, the chances are very high that your symptoms may be related to something in your diet. My book then leads you through the process of successfully identifying what the trigger food might be and how to successfully remove it from your diet, despite your busy life.

The book is available from a link on this website and additional information on the content of the book as well as other resources can be found on my other website at www.foodsensitivechildren.com

A ) SKIN

• itching—any body part
• eczema
• recurrent hives
• fungal infections (athlete's foot or yeast infections)
• excessive sweating particularly at night
• acne
• family history of skin problems
• skin problems as a baby
• hair loss
• brittle nails
• recurrent red or flushed cheeks
• dislike of being cuddled or touched
• small pimples on buttocks
• scalded, red appearance on buttocks as a baby
• rapid development of hives following exposure to a food or other substance

B ) Nervous System

• headaches
• migraines
• depression
• difficulty sleeping
• excessive tiredness
• sensitivity to cold or heat
• nightmares
• mood swings
• negative, apathetic attitude
• difficulty learning sequential concepts such as telling time
• poor memory
• difficulty remembering directions, particularly if they involve several steps
• weak organizational skills
• unexplained crying spells
• angry outbursts
• restlessness
• short attention span
• unusual twitches or tics
• outbursts of foul language
• diagnosis of Tourettes syndrome
• unusual repetitive behaviours such as cracking knuckles, blinking eyes
• learning disabilities
• hyperactive behaviour
• premature birth
• excessive sensitivity to being touched
• diagnosed with autism by physician
• daytime fatigue or sleepiness
• anxiety
• restless legs
• accident-prone
• leads with same foot when climbing stairs rather than alternating feet
• excessively clingy as a child
• craves a particular food excessively
• desire to crouch or hide in small corners or under furniture
• noticeable decrease in writing or reading ability after exposure to problem food or chemical
• family history of alcoholism
• delayed speech
• reluctance to keep clothing on as a child
• extremely active in utero before delivery
• hyperactive behaviour as an infant such as shaking crib, banging head
• excessive tantrums
• easily frustrated over small events

C ) Eyes and Vision

• increased sensitivity to light
• excessive blinking
• excessive rubbing of eyes
• tired, watery eyes
• itchy or red eyes
• dark circles or bags under eyes
• wrinkles under the eyes
• difficulty following moving objects with both eyes as the same time
• difficulty keeping place when reading
• crossed eyes
• "spaced out" look and appearance of being disconnected from their environment

D ) Ears

• chronic ear infections
• decreased ability to hear
• increased sensitivity to noise
• ringing in the ears
• repeated courses of antibiotics
• redness on the outside of one or both ears

E ) Nose

• chronic stuffy nose
• chronic runny nose
• repeated rubbing and itching of nose
• excessive sneezing
• repeated sinus infections
• reduced or heightened sense of smell
• recurrent nose bleeds
• pain from blocked sinuses
• hayfever
• repeated use of antihistamines

F ) Mouth and Throat

• bad taste in mouth
• bad breath
• chronic tonsillitis
• hoarse voice
• persistent and recurrent canker sores
• constant clearing of throat
• swollen, red, cracked lips
• excessive thirst, particularly for carbonated drinks
• sucking on fingers or clothes
• recurrent cold sores
• thick, white coating on tongue or inside of cheeks
• relentless talking and rambling on without a great deal of meaning
• stuttering
• excessive drooling as an infant
• unusual moans, groans, or strange sounds repeated often
• history of mouth infections such as thrush
• history of recurrent dental disease
• diagnosed with enlarged thyroid or underactive thyroid
• feeling of having a lump in the throat
• enlarged thyroid, diagnosed with hyper or hypothyroidism

G ) Lungs and Heart

• persistent cough during the day
• persistent cough at night
• family history of asthma
• asthma (diagnosed by MD)
• recurrent croup as a child
• recurrent bronchitis
• recurrent pneumonia
• taking asthma medications
• wheezing when exercising
• shortness of breath when exercising or climbing stairs or hills
• wheezing in cold weather
• rapid onset of respiratory distress symptoms upon contact with specific food or other substance

H ) Digestive Tract

• bloating and excessive gas
• recurrent hiccoughs
• increased or decreased appetite
• itchy, red, area around anus
• recurrent diarrhea
• recurrent constipation
• chronic stomach aches
• tendency to become overweight easily
• underweight for age
• soiling of underwear with stool
• hemorrhoids
• history of colic as an infant
• family history of digestive complaints
• chronic esophageal reflux (heartburn)
• repeated choking
• history of low blood sugar
• history of excessive spitting up as an infant
• repeated vomiting as an infant or child
• recurrent hiccoughs while baby in uterus of mother
• stomach ulcers
• gall bladder disease or removal of gall bladder
• bulemia
• anorexia
• family history of eating disorders
• diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome
• diagnosed with Crohn's disease
• diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
• diagnosed with other bowel disease
• episode of severe travelers diarrhea

I ) Muscles and Joints

• swollen feet and legs
• cold hands and feet
• muscle cramps and spasms during the day
• muscles cramps and spasms, particularly at night
• muscle stiffness, particularly in the morning
• sore, aching muscles
• muscle weakness on exertion
• numbness in fingers or toes
• fibromyalgia
• autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus, or ankylosing spondylitis
• slouches often and falls over if pushed even slightly when sitting or standing
• difficulty performing exercises that require bilaternal coordination such as jumping jacks
• walking by seven to ten months
• sore, stiff joints
• arthritis

J ) Urinary and Genital Tract

• frequent need to urinate
• bed wetting past age 3
• wetting during the day past age 3
• urgent need to urinate
• history of recurrent bladder infections
• kidney infection
• red, inflamed genital area
• itchy genital area
• heavy or irregular menstrual periods
• increase or decrease in sex drive
• genital sores
• recurrent vaginal yeast infections
• excessive pulling or rubbing of their genitals in infants and children
• HIV positive - self or other family members
• diagnosed with diabetes
• family history of diabetes
• impotence in men
• irregular menstruation in women
• painful menstruation in women
• no normal menstruation
• prostate problems in men
• prostate problems in men of extended family
• infertility
• infertility in members of extended family

K) Cardiovascular System

• high blood pressure
• high blood pressure in extended family
• higher than normal blood pressure as a child
• rapid pulse
• abnormally slow pulse without strong physical fitness
• bruise easily
• taking heart or blood pressure medication
• fluid retention - puffy ankles or hands
• congenital heart disease as a child
• congenital heart disease in a family member

Just a Reminder:
Before attributing any symptom or behaviour to a food sensitivity, it is important to rule out any other serious illness.
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice.
Before taking action on any of the information contained in this website, please consult a qualified health professional such as a nurse, a physician, or a registered dietician.
Dynamic Choices does not accept any liability or responsibility for any adverse effects arising directly or indirectly as a result of information contained on this website.

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PATENT PENDING: THE MEASURE OF A LIFE BY WENDY HARPHAM M.D.

Please take a minute and read this wonderful article written by a cancer survivor and physician named Wendy Harpham. The title is "Patent Pending: The Measure of a Life". The link follows:

http://journals.lww.com/oncology-times/Fulltext/2005/12100/Patent_Pending__The_Measure_of_a_Life.18.aspx

Wendy's blog contains articles that address the real life experience of patients, their caregivers and their families. She has a unique ability to also understand and address the challenges faced by health care professionals as she, herself, spent many years as she says, "On the other side of the bed". If you or anyone you love is facing a health challenge, this blog is a wonderful resource. The link to her blog is http://wendyharpham.typepad.com/healthysurvivorship/

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HEALING AND CANCER TV SUPPORT GROUPS AND INFORMATION

If you are a patient or a family member who has been touched by cancer, take some time to check out this resource. The website contains information on webcasts and retreats that are being offered as well as a host of other information.

The website is: http://www.healingandcancer.tv/
The site is facilitated by Dr. Rob Rutledge, MD, a radiation oncologist at Dalhousie University Nova Scotia Cancer Centre and Dr. Timothy Walker, PhD, who is a psychotherapist, teacher, and works with Eastwind Stress Reduction. Their book, The Healing Circle, is also available for purchase on their site.

Beginning on January 15th at 3 pm PST, they are offering weekly "Skills for Healing" cancer webcasts. These webcasts will include information on how to get complete cancer care, healing skills like mindfulness and meditation, techniques such as visualization, body scan and Yoga as well as home practices for healing. These webcasts are free to anyone affected by a blood cancer or related condition.

I find it so encouraging to see the wide range of resources springing up on the internet related to both patients and caregivers. While in-person groups work well for some people, participating anonymously on line or being able to access information in the privacy of their own home helps more people get the support they need. I am always happy to support programs like this.

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Farther Along - A beautiful song!

This song was sent to me today by a friend and I love it! It speaks so eloquently to the challenging place I find myself in today and a common place for us all. Here is the link to listen to it: http://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/track/farther-along
Perhaps you will find comfort from this song's reminder to trust, have faith, wait in patience and know that things that don't make any sense at all today, will seem different tomorrow. Life isn't fair and bad things happen to good people. Challenges happen to us all, no matter how hard we strive to avoid them. It is much easier cope with difficult situations when we trust, wholeheartedly, that God is watching and will weave the story into something wonderful down the road.

So, as the chorus of the song says:
Farther along we'll know all about it
Father along we'll understand why,
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine,
We'll understand this, all by and by.

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WONDERFUL NEW GLUTEN FREE WEBSITE

One of the great things about the internet is the huge number of websites being added all the time! I search often for new resources related to food, diet, food sensitivities, children's health and other related to topics and people often send me links they have found. This website was sent to me by our son and it is amazing. Take time to have a look at the recipes they offer as they are made with wholesome ingredients and very little sugar. The link is www.nourishingmeals.com
I gave a 3 hour lecture this week to the students at Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine and had an opportunity to share the story of my own family. It is clear that the information related to health, diet, and food sensitivities has come a long way in the 27 years since I began the journey. Students are learning about it in school and websites like the one listed above are plentiful. The days of mixing up a powdered milk substitute in warm water for our kids and having absolutely no alternatives available at school functions, birthday parties and camp are gone. Or, are they? Despite the huge number of resources and the articles appearing all the time about the impact of certain foods on many aspects of health, I continue to see patients who have been missed by the health care system. Their children have struggled for years with difficult symptoms and some of the adults I see have a lifetime story of challenges.

As my book is available in the next couple of weeks, it is my goal to do my part to change this story. Food sensitivities are no longer a fringe topic. There is ample scientific evidence to support the idea that the removal of trigger foods in our diet can eliminate many health, behaviour, and learning challenges. Why is it not being done more often? We are all resistant to change and our favourite comfort foods help us find peace in the midst of the busy pace of life. Because of the many great recipes, websites, and cook books available now, it is possible to create delicious comfort foods that satisfy our craving yet help us feel better. I hope that my book will encourage more people to embrace the idea and be willing to give it a try! The results might just transform their life as it is for me.

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MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH BY THE AMAZING LES BROWN

What motivates you to step past your fears, hesitation, and excuses to achieve something you really want? Do you listen to the doubts of others and let go of your dreams or do you listen to the compelling voice of your heart and soul calling you forward?

Les Brown has the most amazing story. He was given up for adoption as a child and labelled as educably mentally retarded. He never gave up or gave in thanks to his ability to move past the criticisms of others as he always saw something more for himself. Listen to this video where he shares his story and part of his philosophy of success. He is now known as the world's greatest motivational speaker - a guy with no university education who has never worked for a big corporation and was labelled as retarded as a child.

The link for the video is http://youtu.be/7gePFhPC8Sk

What excuses or stories are you using to keep you stuck? What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? What is stopping you? What if you taught this attitude of possibility to your kids as they grew up and encouraged them to fail so they were willing to take risks.

Les Brown's story inspires me. I would love to be able to motivate audiences as he does and speak only positive, encouraging words to myself when I slip up and make mistakes. He offers himself nothing but positive, encouraging self talk and moves past those saboteur voices that say something is impossible. I am practicing remembering to do that! I am getting better but there is still a great deal of room for improvement!!

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LET THE CRACKS IN YOUR ARMOUR SHOW

How willing are you to let your imperfections and the cracks in your armour show? Are you still caught up in the cycle of "keeping up with the Jones" and portraying a picture perfect image of who you are? Who are you anyway? Who are you underneath all those layers and masks of self protection that life has added to your story? Who do you want to be? Who are you meant to be?

I just listened to one of my favourite songs sung by Winona Judd. She shares the story of her mom's encouragement for her to allow the world to see her cracks of imperfection because that is how the light gets out. Winona shares that she knows she is a child of God and no longer needs to strive and search for the love and approval of others. She knows who she is, cracks, mistakes, disappointments, broken relationships and all. They are all part of the tapestry of her life and what make her who she is.

Brene Brown also speaks of the same topic in her book "The Gifts of Imperfection". She speaks of our need for courage, compassion, and connection to allow us to deal with the places in life where we feel we are less than enough.

For all of us, no matter what our life circumstance, there are always places were we hide who are, what we need, what we don't want from others in order to feel we belong. What if you stopped trying to fit in with others and spent your energy fitting in with yourself? What if you allowed the unconditional and unending grace of God to be the place you rested rather than in the judgments of others.

Here is the link for Winona's song. As you listen, think about the places in your life where, if you allowed your own beautiful light to shine through the cracks, people would see something wonderful. Remember, also, that it is through those same cracks that love gets in.

The link for the song, "I Can Only Imagine" is http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F9E12FNU

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HOLDING ON, LETTING GO

Have you ever had an experience where you were holding onto something when it was time to let go? Perhaps you want to make a change but are finding it difficult to let go of a familiar habit or way of life. One of the biggest obstacles to change is the uncertainty that we experience as we let go of something familiar and reach for something that feels uncertain. It is only when we are highly motivated to remove ourself from a situation that feels very difficult or when we want something very badly that we are willing to tolerate the discomfort of change.

This song entitled HOLDING ON, LETTING GO, speaks to the challenge of change.

http://youtu.be/eab8WrL--q8

What if, however, we found another way to look at life? What if we were willing to embrace both holding on and letting go at the same time? What if the experiences of our life were neither "good" or "bad" but simply part of the tapestry we were creating as we grow. In my experience, many situations that were difficult in the moment offered amazing gifts or a valuable piece of learning down the road. As I get older I have more and more faith that this will always be the case. I am more willing to let go of the things in my life that aren't working with a strong belief that something different and wonderful will come as a result. Rather than having a dualistic view of life where things are either good or bad, strong or weak, helpful or harmful etc, I now am trying to embrace the concept offered by contemplative prayer authors such as Richard Rohr that we need to embrace both sides of life at the same time. Rather than push change away, it is possible to simply embrace all the experiences of our life, whatever they are, with hope.

So, if you find yourself in a place of needing to let go of something in your life that isn't working but are afraid of what might be ahead, relax. Trust that all the things work together for good if you can only be patient and wait.

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CANCER: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

What happens when the weeks and weeks of cancer treatment are no longer on the calendar? What do you do next? What do you need now? Do you have friends and family who will hang in there and offer ongoing support even though your acute illness is behind you?
This video talks about survivorship and life following a cancer diagnosis. The uncertainty, the after affects of treatment, the desire to redefine your life, and the need for ongoing support. Finding healthy hope and a way to embrace what is ahead while still honouring the journey you have been on is important. Find people in your life who will continue to share your joys, successes and frustrations and will help you ride the roller coaster of emotions and experiences that will follow.
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2005/From-Cancer-Patient-to-Cancer-Survivor-Lost-in-Transition/From-Cancer-Patient-to-Cancer-Survivor-Lost-In-Transition.aspx
While this video talks directly about life after cancer, the concept applies to everyone facing a chronic illness or any life changing experience. Even when the acute experience is over, the affects often continue and so does the need for empathetic listening and support.

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GETTING BACK UP WHEN YOU FALL DOWN

No words are necessary for this posting as the video says it all. Nick Vujicic's story of life without any arms and legs is so inspiring that it brings me to tears. As I ponder my own life, my own challenges, and the many things I am grateful for, I realize I have much that I can learn from this amazing man. Here is the link to one of his videos but YouTube has any more and all of them are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sHyzatcBq8&feature=related

What do you do when you fall down? Do you get back up or do you make excuses about how life is difficult and getting up is to hard to do. Consider Nick's attitude and persevence and learn what is possible if you embrace joy, no matter what your circumstance. His website is http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

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THE GIFT OF AN ORDINARY DAY!

One of the best things for me about the internet are the wonderful short videos that friends and family send my way. I love inspiring, heartwarming stories, cards, movies, and, most of all, time with the real people that I love. As a mom who has raised 4 grown children and is now savouring the experience of grandchildren, this movie warms my heart. It speaks so eloquently to the emotions of motherhood as those ordinary moments of childhood fly so quickly by.

Here is the link:

http://vimeo.com/8054255

As you watch the video I hope that you, too, will be reminded to savour the ordinary moments with your friends and family. It is these ordinary moments and the memories they create that children take with them when they leave. It is the ordinary moments that I watch being recreated in my grown family as the kids share a story or a childhood experience with boyfriends, new spouses and their children. They come home looking for the familiar, no matter how old they are. The cupboard with the cookies, the favourite meal, the placement of the Christmas tree and a million other things that seemed so ordinary years ago have now become the memories of their adulthood. Take time to enjoy them along the way and then love the experience of living them over and over again as your kids grow.

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WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOU BEING WHO YOU WANT TO BE?

What gets in the way of you making the choices in your life that will take you where you want to go? What obstacles keep surfacing just at the moment you commit to doing something to change that persistent and negative behaviour? We are all inundated with information on how to do almost anything we need learn from the best diet to lose those pounds, the right schools for our kids, the best way to parent or how to address the food sensitivities in our family. It isn't about not knowing what to do - it is about being able to actually do it.

This video from Brene Brown is one of the very best insights into this topic I have ever seen. Her research on shame and vulnerability have helped her to identify the human experiences that shape our ability to successfully choose the life that we want. Take few minutes to watch this inspiring yet challenging video and ponder where in your life you might be stumbling on shame.

The link is: http://vimeo.com/11967584

For more wonderful inspiration from Brene Brown, check out her blog at www.ordinarycourage.com

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CAREGIVER VIDEO ON THE POWER OF LAUAGHTER!

This video is hilarious! It is an invocation speach given by an "older lady" at a care home and shows that we can all still find fun and laughter in growing old. A great video to share with the caregivers in your life as well as your family. Enjoy!!! The website this is taken from is www.caregiverstress.com

http://www.caregiverstress.com/2010/07/a-reminder-that-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/

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YOU ARE PERFECT!!!! TAKE OFF YOUR MASK AND BE YOURSELF

What masks are you wearing to hide who you really are? Where in your life are you able to take this mask off and be your honest and vulnerable self? What gifts in life are you missing by believing you need to hide your authentic self and pretend to be something different.

This short dialogue expresses the sadness we all feel when we lose the sense of safety and freedom to be who we really are. It speaks to the human need to be heard by safe people who care. Perhaps as you read it it will remind you of the places you are hiding and the qualities of yourself that are begging to be celebrated rather than dismissed.

The picture in this posting says it all: YOU'RE PERFECT. You are perfect just as you are. Perfect in your weakness and your strength; in your places of knowing and places of not knowing; in your places of joy and places of despair; in your places of success and your places of failure. Being "grown up" does not imply a need to get it right all the time or never need to ask for help. It is simply about listening to your heart and trusting that you are enough, just as you are. If I forget this notion, I need only to watch our little grandsons dance, sing, be angry, be joyful, ask for help, not ask for help and everything else throughout their day. They live in the moment and have no masks to cover up the amazing little boys that they are!!!

The Masks I Wear

Don't be fooled by me. Don't be fooled by the face I wear.
For I wear a mask. I wear a thousand masks; masks I am
afraid to take off but none of them are me.
Pretending is an art that is second nature to me but don't be fooled.
For God's sake, don't be fooled.

I give you the impression that I am secure and that all is
sunny and unruffled with me, within as well as without.
That confidence is my name and coolness is my game.
That the water's calm and I am in command.
And that I need no one. Don't believe me. Please!

My surface may be smooth but my surface is my mask,
My ever varying and ever concealing mask.
Beneath lies no smugness and no complacence.
Beneath lies the real me in confusion, in fear, in aloneness
But I hide this. I don't want anybody to know it.

I panic at the thought of my weakness and fear exposing them.
That is why I frantically create my mask to hide behind.
They're nonchalant, sophisticated facades to help me pretend,
To shield me from the glance that knows.
But such a place is my salvation. My only salvation, and I know it.

That is if it is followed by acceptance and if it is followed by love.
It is the only thing that liberates me from myself
And my own, self built, prison walls.
I dislike hiding, honestly,
I dislike the superficial game I am playing
The superficial, phony game.
I'd really like to be genuine and me.
But I need your help.
I need your hand to hold,
Even though my masks would tell you otherwise.
That glance from you is the only thing that assures me
Of what I can't assure myself.
That I am really worth something.

But I don't dare tell you this. I don't dare.
I'm afraid to. I'm afraid you will think less of me.
That you would laugh and your laugh would kill me.
I'm afraid that deep down I am nothing.
That I'm just not good and you will see this and reject me.

So I play my game, my desperate and pretending game,
With a facade of assurace without and a trembling child within.
So begins the parade of masks, the glittering but empty
Parade of masks and my life becomes a front.
I idly chatter to you in sauve tones of surface talk
I tell you everything that is nothing and
Nothing of what's everything, of what's crying within me.

So when I am going through my routine,
Don't be fooled by what I am saying.
Please listen carefully and hear what I'm not saying.
Hear what I would like to say but what I cannot say.

It will not be easy for you as long felt inadequacies
Make my defenses strong.
The nearer you approach me, the blinder I may strike back.
Despite what books say of people, I am irrational;
I fight against the very thing I cry out for.

You wonder who I am? You shouldn't for I am
Every man and every woman you meet.
Don't be fooled by me
Or at least by the mask I wear.

Author unkown.

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THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION

"Owning our story and loving ourselves through it is the bravest thing we will ever do." Brene Brown in The Gifts of Imperfection

Brene Brown's book entitled "The Gifts Of Imperfection" is a wonderful reminder to "Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are. The book is full of human stories of people struggling to allow their world to see them as they are rather than who they are pretending to be. In her years of research on shame, she came across a population of people who were able to successfully embrace imperfection and vulnerability. They were able to show up most days in their life with a strong sense of who they are and a willingness to give life an honest shot without being obsessively attached to the outcome. They lived life to the fullest and were able to embrace the outcomes, whatever they were. They were masters of what Brene calls "Wholehearted Living".

She lists 10 guideposts that she believes make wholehearted living easier to do. They aren't a "to do" list but simply a life's work, the work of the soul. Read the list below and imagine what each of them means to you. " However afraid we are of change, the question we must ultimately answer is: What's the greater risk? Letting go of what people think or letting go of what I feel, what I believe, and who I am. ......Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It is about cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wakeup in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough."

The ten guideposts she offers are:
1. Cultivating Authenticity: Letting Go of What People Think

2. Cultivating Self Compassion: Letting Go of Perfectionism

3. Cultivating a Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness

4. Cultivating Gratitude and Joy: Letting Go of Scarcity and Fear of the Dark

5. Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty

6. Cultivating Creativity: Letting go of Comparisoin

7. Cultivating Play and Rest: Letting Go of Exhaustion as a Status Symbol and Productivity as Self Worth.

8. Cultivating Calm and Stillness: Letting Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle

9. Cultivating Meaningful Work: Letting Go of Self Doubt and "Supposed to"

10. Cultivating Laughter, Song, and Dance: Letting Go of Being Cool and "Always in Control"

If you would like to learn more, check out Brene Brown's website at www.ordinarycourage.com and watch her many short videos on You Tube on imperfection, shame, and compassion.

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