holistic family practice virginia beach va Archives

24Oct2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog October 24, 2019January 2, 2022 0 Comments

Difference between naturopath and homeopath – Homeoprophylaxis

Over the years, aspects of public health measures have been used in the reduction of preventable conditions such as hygiene, antibiotics (natural or otherwise), and arguably vaccines. There has been a difference between naturopath and homeopath philosophies when it comes to vaccines. Traditional vaccines are a form of artificial immunity where the body comes in contact with a live virus, and the body produces antibodies within the system, so if it comes in contact with that disease, it already has the memory to fight it. Vaccines have been touted to have ended the fight against many diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, etc. However, over the years, the number of vaccines has increased, and the body’s reaction to many additives within vaccines has also come under question. Although there has not been any definitive proof that has withstood public scrutiny, it is hard to ignore many mothers’ concerns over developmental delays after the use of vaccines. I think the greatest difference between naturopath and homeopath is the observation of the subtle actions form the patient. Homeopaths are often more in tune with the subtle changes in their patients whereas naturopath are trying more in the hard sciences. As both a homeopathic doctor as well as a naturopathic doctor I do not view it as homeopathic vs naturopathic but rather a blend of the two worlds, hard science with subtle energetic medicine.

Reviewing genetic data, we are beginning to have a greater understanding as to why some have a reaction while others do not. Genetic variants such as SOD, DHFR, and even MTHFR may provide us some clues as to why the body may not be capable of handling many of the additives found in vaccines. Mothers are experiencing even more complications within pregnancy as well as birth as a result of the ever-growing environmental toxins. In a landmark study performed by EWG, the umbilical cord of unborn babies was tested in 10 Americans and proved to have over 400 plus toxic agents supplying blood to not only the babies’ fetal tissue but also crossing the unprotected blood-brain barrier. Although this is speculative, it may be interesting to note why so many neurohormonal conditions such as autism, OCD, anxiety, etc. are popping up as a response to many of these toxic agents found within our systems.

Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was a homeopath back in the 1800s who developed the concept of homeopathic nosodes. Nosodes are biological preparations used by homeopaths in the practice of disease prevention. Nosodes are derived from diseased tissues, and through a process of succession, serial dilutions no longer contain the original substance but the bioenergetic frequency behind that substance, whether it be a virus, bacteria, parasite, etc. Naturopaths may or may not use or believe in the principles of homeopathic treatments as they cannot be proven through traditional western medical means. This is another difference between naturopath and homeopath. Homeopaths deal in energetic frequencies and subtle energies. In the debate of homeopathic vs naturopathic there is now some convergence as energetic medicine is becoming more able to test and observe. Within the past few years, we have finally been able to view and see the bodies electromagnetic frequencies and quantum fields to understand their existence. This is still a relatively unexplored area of healthcare and has often been dismissed as quackery and disregarding in the medical community even as homeopathic doctor vs naturopathic doctor may or may not agree with many benefits of subtle energies.

Asian baby boy takes medicine syrup from a spoon. Sick child.

However, we know that everything in life generates a unique pattern and a unique frequency. Every organ, gland, meridian, emotion, and in this case, a pathogen has its own unique frequency. As Albert Einstein once said, everything is energy, and that’s all there is to it. This is not philosophy. This is physics. Bioenergetic screening tools such as Zyto and other quantum psychics devices are available to be able to read the bioenergetic frequencies of a human being with their subsequent imbalances. These imbalances often come before it even shows itself in the lab work or biochemistry of the individual. Homeopathic vs naturopathic can come together linking the bioenergetic form of healthcare with the scientific evidence based healthcare of naturopathic medicine. Much validity and ground have been gained in understanding bioenergetic healthcare, and as time goes on, new frontiers will be emerging in the understanding of these aspects of life.

As of yet, homeopathic nosodes have not been traditionally studied within our standard western medical model of cohort studies; however, the effectiveness is beginning to gain ground which blends the difference between naturopath and homeopath. Organizations such as freeandhealthychildren.org lead by homeopath Kate Birch have developed more of an organized structure of researchers as well as homeopaths, such as myself, who are certified and trained in the use of homeopathic nosodes to educate the immune system. I am fascinated by this because I can see clearly the difference between naturopath and homeopath as I am both, which allows me to combine the tow worlds for the patients care. HP has been used on millions of people worldwide, especially those whose traditional vaccinations may not be indicated. Neurodevelopmental challenges, neurotransmitter imbalances, etc. may be the most vulnerable to the traditional vaccinations. Only organic acid testing, as well as full genetic testing, can determine the risk factors for sure. HP has been proven to be 96% effective based on many clinical studies, as shown here: https://www.homeopathycenter.org/news/homeoprophylaxis-human-records-studies-and-trials. Although, many critics of the more natural and holistic practice often attack and discredit many plausible studies citing that they are not strong enough to conclude findings.

Even still, there is a growing political as well as public health concern about the safety of vaccines as well as the effectiveness of many natural immune system practices. Homeopathic doctor vs naturopathic may or may not have a definitive consensus accepting HP as of right now, however from personal experience I can say, my daughter, who is 15, is unvaccinated. She has never been on antibiotics and solely has been given homeopathy as a child. Even though she was born from C-Section, her immune system has been strong and resilient through her youth. She has never suffered from ear infections, colic, or skin conditions, etc. She is a healthy and vibrant young girl. I remember in undergraduate writing papers and one in particular on this topic I found interesting from my research. I found that 100% of vaccinated societies still suffered from outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella. In fact, the World Health Organization reports and agrees that the majority of people who get the disease have been vaccinated. No vaccine is 100% effective; most routine childhood vaccines are 85% – 95% effective, however, because every person is bio energetically, biochemically, and genetically individually, it is difficult to judge the effectiveness of each particular vaccine over another.

Parents looking to offer their children away to educate their immune system without the use of vaccines do have the option of homeoprophylaxis, through the use of homeopathic nosodes. And can seek a provider such as myself who does not separate out homeopathic vs naturopathic but uses both of the beauties of the practice together. There is a distinct difference between naturopath and homeopath but when combined together makes for a comprehensive healthcare approach in holistic practice. Parents can not only educate their children’s immune systems naturally but can also work on supporting their immune system naturally through the use of diet, supplementation, and stress relief strategies. Even writing this, I know the emotional reaction, politically controversy, and the implications of these statements; however, I stand by my commitment to be objective. I have families that choose to vaccinate, and I have families that don’t. I have families that choose to use homeoprophylaxis, and I have families that don’t. I am neutral and objective and can only go off of data, facts, and conscious. If I am not 100% clear medically, scientifically, definitively through objective third party laboratory data assessing the individual seeking treatment, I am unable to provide a healthcare opinion. Statistically, data does not have much bearing on individual cases. Meaning because 100 people before the last person I saw did fine; that does not mean the 101 cases will do fine. I think that any healthcare decision is a deeply personal one and one that should be left up to the parent and their trusted healthcare provider. If we simply spent more time learning how the immune system worked and working to heal and support our immune systems, the incidence of fear from the various outside intruders would fade. My job as a healthcare provider is not to push an agenda but rather interpret the data as I see that pertains to the family and their unique bioenergetic, biochemical, and genetic findings. I like to think that I have found a balance between being homeopathic doctor vs naturopathic blending the two philosophies, ideas, and worlds as they fit so nicely together. They both fundamentally believe the body can heal itself and understand that there is a need for verifiable scientific data to provide or disprove results. I am neutral on the vaccine debate issue and see it from both perspectives. My family history had lots of neurological imbalances, and mental health challenges within it, and I wanted to raise my daughter as holistic as possible, which is why I chose what I chose for her, yet every family and every child is different. I think it is healthy to weigh out all of the options and make a smart, informed decision that meets your needs.

20Sep2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog September 20, 2019January 2, 2022 0 Comments

Healthy school lunch ideas for your kids

Mother and daughter cooking in the kitchen — Mother and daughter cooking at the kitchen

I’ll admit it. Not my favorite activity from my daughter growing up, figuring out healthy school lunch ideas, especially when she would chuck it and charge school lunch instead. Who even knew they would give elementary school kids credit. Sigh! You are not alone if you feel the burden and the struggle of trying to instill healthy eating habits for your children. Here are some tips and options to hopefully make it easier to get food down them. No guarantees they won’t trade it for something else, throw it away, or leave it at home calling you in a panic to bring it to them when you are already late in back to back meetings all day… Haha! Isn’t parenting great.

Family cooking time : Happy family help cooking meal together in kitchen at home.

First, let’s get some tips:

You will never win as a dictator lunch preparer, having a healthy school lunch means you will need to involve your children in the lunch decisions. Start off by showing them the elements of a healthy lunch to include fruit, veggies, and healthy protein. From here teach them how to navigate the kitchen and perhaps if they are old enough help you prepare the items. Cooking in bulk and making extra of their fav dinner meals really can save you time in the school lunch department big time, but only if they like what’s on the menu. I tend to recommend grabbing food that is convenient such as a cup of fruit, things like packable cherries, grape tomatoes, apple slices, carrots, and hummus, etc. These are quick grab items that are easily packable and stackable with other food items. Also considers that they really do not have a lot of time to eat during lunch as they are busy socializing and meeting with their friends that things that are convenient finger food make it easy for them to grab a bite in the time allowed.

Packing a healthy school lunch should be a no brainer, but just in case, I often have used non-toxic, durable, and dishwasher safe items that are mostly leak proof. I also always had a spare in case I found something growing in one, or just needed to throw one away and start over. Hello Monday! My daughter would often lose her lunch box, regularly, so I always had to have a spare that was sot, durable, and that would not break easily. Now if they offered GPS on the thing, we would be all set.

I would also include a water bottle in her healthy school lunch with filtered water and a small organic juice for her just for variety. I was often appalled that the school never seemed to have filtered water and my daughter easily turns her nose up at non heavily filtered water (even as a teenager) Yay! Parents – 1.

Some combos like Veggies with hummus, protein muffins, Caesar salad, homemade pasta and marina sauce wee common favorites of hers growing up.

I would also include things like crackers, berries, nuts, granola, lots of fresh fruits, and some grain free sandwiches. She always loved peanut butter and jelly, which was s safe option that I could always go to.

If I happen to get adventurous with her healthy school lunch, I will do quinoa salad, lettuce wraps, plantain chips with dip, homemade nachos with salsa and black beans with many tortilla roll-up options.

I found that really quick and safe finger foods were the best and anything too elaborate was often overlooked, disposed of, or returned back home for my mid-afternoon snack (why waste food).

Lastly, be mindful of these last parting words:

Be prepared for trial and errors
Be prepared to throw out food
Be prepared for loves today, hates tomorrow (I am still waiting for her to like avocado again)
Don’t take it personally
Throw in some non-health snacks too (I know, cringe)
Let them make their own choices (Again, cue the cringe)

I went on a long ride with my daughter in trying to force her to eat healthy to no success. Even still, there is a moment that she makes my heart been as she orders salads and other various healthy foods after a binge of McDonald’s, Burger King, and Five Guys. At this point, she has opted to purchase her own food with her own money that she makes. It is truly impressive; this kid is only 15 years old. For me, the more persistent I was about eating healthy, the more she was insistent upon rebellion. I can truly speak candidate that great stress was relieved when I let go, but it took quite some time. I was extremely careful with her pregnancy, breastfeed, raised her vegetarian, no television, and lots of love up until 5 years old and then once Kindergarten hit GAME ON!. Haha. So try and relax, do your best and forget the rest. Remember you are not alone, and Kale may be just a seed planted today, but eventually, she/he will catch the clue.

18Sep2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog September 18, 2019 0 Comments

Supporting the bodies energy levels all day

Adrenal fatigue and sleeping well — Young woman sitting in bedroom

In our fast-paced, unrelenting society, many of us find ourselves in some stage of adrenal fatigue. Burnt out, exhausted, and feeling worn down. This pattern starts when we first wake up in the morning and continues after the coffee wears off and the mid-afternoon crash. I would say that is the number one complaint that I hear in my practice is in regards to energy loss. And once it is gone, many people are desperate to get it back downing energy drinks, caffeine, drinking too much coffee, etc. to keep up with the daily demands. However, these tend to be fly by night approaches that do more damage than good tot eh system. Here are some tips to get your energy levels back on track, naturally.

Get enough quality sleep – this may be a no brainer, but often times people program themselves to get to bed around 12 PM- 1 AM, which leads to adrenal fatigue, and the adrenal glands do not like this process. They reset themselves between 10 PM – 2 AM, so it is important to be in bed during those times to regenerate them. Otherwise, you are borrowing from them to power through your day, which they can handle but eventually can throw off other systems such as your digestive system, immune system, etc.

Clear any infections in the body – Sniffles, nasal congestion, etc. are all signs of underlying immunological challenges, which can create adrenal fatigue. If the immune system is activated, it can put stress on the bodies energy restores because all none essential personnel go to trying to fight and stabilize the infection which can leave to understaffing of your bodies energy reserves. That is why if you get sick, it is SO important for you to get lots of sleep to regenerate your energy quickly.

Eat breakfast – energy in and energy out. Even if you are not hungry because you have trained your metabolism not to take in food, it is important to start the blood sugar on the right foot. That way, throughout the day, your blood sugar stays stable and supported. Blood sugar destabilization and adrenal fatigue have a symbiotic relationship. I find if I skip breakfast or have a breakfast that is not blood sugar supportive, my blood sugar and energy levels suffer all day.

Eat snacks – As a continuation of eating breakfast, I find my energy levels stay the most stable when I eat every couple of hours. That way, my blood sugar stays stable, and as I burn energy, I am refueling. As mentioned before the energy in and energy out.

Digesting well – If a person is not digesting well, they are not going to have the energy necessary to carry throughout the day. Therefore, if you notice that you are most fatigued after meals, or are gassy, bloating, etc. after meals, those are sure fire signs you are not digesting your food. Taking a digestive enzyme can be helpful but may not be the ultimate cause, reviewing lab work from a functional perspective can be extremely helpful in discovering how to repair the digestive process. Digesting well decreases the risk of adrenal fatigue.

There are many reasons that person energy may not be where it needs to be, and with everything we have going on not only, it is important to maintain energy but also conserve energy. Therefore maintaining relationships that take excessive energy, maintaining unhealthy habits long term, a lack of movement, and consistent stress responses all can have large impacts on the overall health of the body. Holistic healthcare is a way to get to the root cause from a comprehensive approach to the health of the body. Systemically, over a consistent period of time, we get to the root cause of why a persons’ every level may not be where they need to and restore energy levels once and for all. For more information about your adrenal glands read this blog post: http://www.holisticfamilypracticeva.com/blog/adrenal-glands/

13Sep2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog September 13, 2019 0 Comments

Getting back into a healthy family routine

Its that time again, Summer fun is winding down, and more of a structured routine is coming before us. This year let’s support you in creating a healthy family. Thank goodness! If you felt like everything had gone out of the window, you are not alone. The summer is such a busy time with losing schedules, travel, family gatherings, and challenges on a healthy lifestyle. There is some calm and peace to having a schedule, and September is the time to get it in gear. Here are some tips to get back into a healthy family routine.

Getting back into a healthy family routine

Start early. Instead of rushing into the school year with a new schedule, begin implementing that schedule early by starting in August. Especially as sleep schedules for children and parents tend to be slightly different, it is important to get acquainted with earlier nights and earlier mornings sooner rather than later. Cue the groans from the kiddos. Healthy family planning explains the importance of a regular sleep schedule (as if they have not heard it all before) and let them know that during school, there is one schedule compared to summer fun times.
Create routine schedules. As much as children hate to admit it, they love the structure of a schedule. Healthy family schedules help us feel safe, secure, and in control. Let’s face it, who does not like to feel in control of things. Having a schedule that you can depend on helps everyone involved feel as though they know what’s coming and hey can know what to expect, which cultivates relaxation and internal peace.
Eating dinner together and way the same time. Remember that old tradition of sitting around the family table eating dinner. Yes, me too. Perhaps it is time to bring that one back. The health family eats dinner together around the table can rove to be a bonding experience for the family. It opens up conversations and communications regarding school, friends, and various work projects. Be mindful of turning it into a staff meeting of sorts and resist the urge of handing out a dinner time agenda (that is more for me that you…haha) Just enjoy being in the moment with your family and sharing good times with each other.
Teach everyone to clean up after themselves. This was extremely important for me to teach my daughter was cleaning up after herself. Naturally, she was not cleaning every once of the house like we were growing up, but she does carry the responsibility of keeping her room clean too which she consistently does without being told now because she finds great joy in keeping her room nice and tidy.
Plan ahead. A healthy family plan starts deciding plans for holidays ahead of time. Are you staying in town or leaving out of town. Need to start creating a budget for holiday spending or perhaps needing to figure out how to accommodate house guests. Starting early and involving the entire family in the plan can help to ease any stress that the holidays may create, and less holiday stress is always on everyone’s wish list.

Getting back to routine — Mom and daughter eat together in the kitchen. They are both mulattoes. Mom helps a little girl. There are many dishes on the table.

Routines are necessary for a smooth family organization and creating a healthy family. Without routines, you have controlled the chaos. Just ask single mothers with multiple children. Without routines, it is difficult to get things done. This modeling of habits and behaviors also spill over into children’s lives as they mature and helps them to continue the trend of organizing their schedule with their own families.

Good routines are often well planned, consistent, and predictable that way, everyone can create effective routines. Daily routines vary based on family size, age, and health factors, so care must be taken when developing a healthy family routine that works for you.

4Sep2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog September 4, 2019January 2, 2022 0 Comments

How to help support picky eaters

Little girl refuse to having breakfast with her mother,picky eater concept.

As a holistic health doctor, I see it all the time. These days kids turn their nose up at just about anything green, healthy, and nutrient dense in search for cardboard, sugar-laden, fat packed, good tasting food options. Couple that with challenges of pregnancy, gut health, mineral deficiencies, and many children almost come out of the womb as picky eaters. Many parents come to the practice concerned about their children’s growth, development, and nutrition. I would like to ease you from the frustration and acknowledge that you are doing the best you can raise a free thinking human being. You are not able to force them to do something, even if we think we can, want to, or otherwise. I have had to learn that myself as a mother and a holistic health doctor. Children, even young ones now are coming into this world full of opinions, communications, and wisdom well beyond their years. As a parent, you can either burn yourself out trying to force your children to do something they do not want to do for whatever reason or learn to educate and stand back and let them make their own decisions. This can be a tough ask, especially as you fill your head with various nutrition dangers, being stressed by healthcare providers (some who are not holistic healthcare providers), school officials, etc. There has not been any greater time than now that we as parents are more stressed and guilted about the ills of parenting, the ills of improper nutrition, and the ills of poor self-care. Beating yourself up surely is not going to produce the results you are looking for as you work to help support the picky eater in your house. Here are a few ideas to help the process along:

A mother in a blue shirt and apron is preparing a fresh vegetable salad at home in the kitchen, along with her little cute daughter

Offer lots of colorful options – Holistic healthcare doctors work to engage your child’s senses and we encourage you to do the same with eating color is one of those through the eye site. Try to have a plate that has multiple colors on it from green to red to orange and allow them to choose which items that seem most appealing to them. This new generation of children are very sensitive, and those with the more visual appeal will enjoy the bright, refreshing eye site palate choices they can choose from. Perhaps even brushing up on your food presentation could be helpful as well to include squiggles on the plate of smiley faces, cartoon characters, and more. Get creative it may be just as fun making it as it is for your child to explore it.
Multiple textures – As a holistic healthcare doctor, I can hear some of you groaning now as many children have texture challenges, however, do not fear to offer various textures for your child to explore. Ultimately, they must find what works for them and what doesn’t and try to let go of the need to sway, control, or otherwise coerce out of fear of a lack of nutrition. We want to develop healthy habits with food and a healthy association with food that works for them.
No shaming, no blaming, no coercion – This is an easy one to slip up on. Even if you have made the most nutrient dense, yummiest tasting food option, they may not want to eat it. This does not mean you are a failure as a parent. This is not a personal attack. Yes, there are starving children everywhere and no your child will not eat the food if you push harder or convince more. I have often worked with adults deprogramming their childhood angst associated with food. From not leaving the table all night, to being forced to eat every bite on their plate, to being forced only to eat certain things and shamed not to eat others how we teach our children about food stays with them, so keep it light, enjoyable, and fun.
Monkey see monkey do – You cannot exactly boast about all of the healthy food items when they see you eating junk. As a holistic health care doctor, I am not saying you now need to be a perfect eater, just consider that kids watch and pick up everything. Even things that you do not think they see, so be mindful of your own eating process. Do you eat when you are stressed? Do you eat when you are bored? These unconscious habits are being spunged up, even when we do not know they exist.
Think Independence – Picky eaters also want their thoughts and choices respected so involve them in the meal planning and allow them to choose the dishes. Make some suggestions and offering but begin early by teaching them the importance of meal planning. M daughter loved cooking with my Dad and often speaks about making quesadillas and various food items. Even those these are not the healthiest options she can always doctor them up with healthy items later on as their palate changes over time.

Holistic health doctor explains how to support picky eaters

Lastly, it is important to be patient with your children and yourself. I tend to offer this patience as a holistic health doctor teaching people that developing healthy eating habits takes time and should not be a stressful and difficult experience. Here are some other tips for helping picky eaters here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Picky-Eaters.aspx. There are plenty of times that even myself does not want to eat 100 percent healthy, and in those moments, I do provide myself those options. I have been super restrictive at times and more loose and relaxed at other times. Stress has been a big factor for me in my eating as well as convenience. I often have seen how these habits have developed in my daughter, mostly the, not the stress eating part. I have had to be patient with myself and her by allowing her to make healthy choices that best suit her. In some moments, when I think all is lost, she orders a salad and explains that she has been eating unhealthy lately and needs to clean it up. Hooray! I celebrate the small success and you should too as you develop impressionable palates.

31Jul2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog July 31, 2019 0 Comments

Parenting Highly Sensitive Child | Tips & Advice For Parents

Parenting the Highly Sensitive Child

Are you wondering how you should be parenting highly sensitive children in today’s world? We have reached an age where the phenomena of intuition, gifted intellectual insight beyond our years, creative and emotional compassion even at an early age. I was one of those children. I recently saw a Facebook post of a toddler hugging everyone when she was leaving. I was that child too. I embraced the energies and needs of others as if they were my own. I acknowledged others and had deep empathy and compassion for their struggles. I still do, and this is one of the reasons I do what I do and am on a mission to bring care back to healthcare. In fulfilling my mission, I am encountering more children like me, highly sensitive ones. THose that are wise well beyond their years. Those that give their parents a run for their money, this is also why I only have one child and enjoy help guiding you through the ups and downs of raising your highly sensitive child. Working with and parenting a highly sensitive child requires a great deal of wisdom and patience. The other thing it requires is a shift in emotional intelligence from the parents.

Not all parents were raised in emotionally intelligence or emotionally supportive homes. IN fact, many of us were not raised in these types of environments at all. Even if we had wonderful childhoods our western society as a whole was not in an awakened state where it acknowledged sensitivity and intuition as well as a emotions as a positive things. As a result, our parents and even their parents were raised to be more in survival mode and less in a compassionate, loving realm. So the real challenge becomes how do we teach something that we ourselves never learned. Or how do we manage with a split brain, meaning the brain that was taught using fear and discipline with the new more sensitive loving emotional brain that values safety and compassion?

This requires that we “raise up” the other side of our brain. The side that only views the world from a punishing, victim, wrong/right paradigm. We all have this aspect of ourselves. The self-righteousness. The judgments, and the fixed views, even if we do not always recognize or acknowledge thes not so pretty sides of ourselves. The control, the ego and the do as I say not as I do mindset. The hypocrite, the accuser these are all aspects of this side of our brain. Notice I said a side of our brain and not a side of our soul. There often is an inner battle that happens between the brain and the soul. The soul wants peace, love, and also sees all the truths about a scenario yet the brain wants to be right and often will look for any means necessary to prove that point of being right. Alas, the mind is seldom right, ha! IN fact, it can keep you spinning and spinning in doubt, worry, fears, and overthinking. Did I do this right, did I say this well enough, should I have yelled, it was wrong to yell, and on and on and on again.

Parenting highly sensitive children need you to raise this part of the brain u and in a lot of ways is challenging you to tonify the nervous system. The highly sensitive child has a very sensitive nervous system that is hypersensitive to the world around it. Highly sensitive children pick up the emotions of other people. They sense other peoples emotions, pain, and suffering because of this they can get overwhelmed in crowds, new situations, large noises, and sudden changes can send them spinning out of control. Criticism, defeat, and confrontation are also not easy for the highly sensitive child who takes everything incredibly personally. They can be perfectionists and strive for that to a fault because they feel so deeply.

Parenting the highly sensitive child II

Parenting highly sensitive children can help you grow in many ways and can also leave the parent feeling exhausted, burned out, and at their wits end at the irrational behaviors at times. Raising a healthy well-balanced child with whom is sensitive is possible it just requires a certain level of patience and willingness to shift to the children needs ahead of your own. You may want a more logical, disciplined, and a far more obedient child however G-D had other plans for you in your discovery. See the child’s sensitivity as a gift instead of a weakness. Embrace their emotions and teach them how to manage them instead of viewing them as innately flawed or there is something wrong with their sensitivity.

Resist the urge to make passive aggressive comments to them about their emotions such as you are such a drama queen, or other name calling as well as not validating their emotions and telling them whatever they feel and however they feel is not a big deal. It may not be a big deal to you, but it is important to them. Harsh dogmatic and rigid discipline can send a sensitive child wrestling. They often cannot handle these harsh tactics, and this will often have the opposite effect that you are looking to create. Harsh discipline can crate crying, yelling, name-calling, tantrums, etc. Teach them about their emotions instead and how to work with them if they get triggered and what tools they can use in order to not allow their emotions to run their lives. Embrace the healthy aspects of themselves and the positive attributes that they possess. Reward the positive behaviors and encourage them when you see them show initiative, independence, and they do something great no matter how small. Try not to express every flaw that they have and only verbally acknowledge the negative behaviors versus the positive. Accepting who your child is goes a long way in the process. Do not try to change your child, fix your child, mock your child, or otherwise see them as wrong. They are not wrong, they are a new wave of spiritually intuitive and gifted children come in to help the world heal. G-D intended them to be this way, and therefore to not accepting them would mean not accepting G-D and G-Ds will. Be easy on yourself and be easy on others in the process.

When it comes to parenting highly sensitive children, it is important to cultivate stillness, calm, and consistency within the home. HSPs love structure, it helps them feel safe. Having the same time for dinner time with the same people does encourage a sense of safety. HSPs do not like change, they do not like variations all around mostly because our nervous systems and auric fields are so far reaching that we are always picking up on things such as danger, emotions, thoughts, pretty much anything that floats by we grasp, pick up and run away with it. Yes, HSPs have pretty creative minds and therefore create stories big and small that may or might not be true. Creating safe spaces with consistent encouragement goes a long way for these special folks.

I always thought discipline was a dirty word but am beginning o acknowledge the safety and security that it contains. When disciplining a child remember it’s not about negative reinforcement which can be at times demeaning and self-esteem challenging. Instead, teach discipline as a guideline to life. Meaning in order to create more freedom the need to create more discipline for self. Think about the CEO that disciplines their mind and time in order to have more time and financial freedom for their families. Discipline has many interpretations not just telling someone when they have done wrong in life. With overbearing and undermining parents they often inadvertently affect a HSPs self-esteem and confidence with their overburdening shame, insecurity, as well as need to control others. There is a healthy way to redirect a child who is not performing the way we think they should, and there are also many ways to approach the same concept, so reflection goes a long way before parenting.

Authenticity – HSPs are truth seekers, but they can also feel and see authenticity in a human being. The deeply love and are empathetic as well as compassionate, while not judging others harshly. They see who you are and they love and accept you anyway so do everyone a favor and be authentic. That means no lying, hiding, or pretending. That means total honesty even if it is tough as well as having full integrity. We often have very good memories and can remember as well as make clear connections to things based on the things you say. Imagine we study you, and hear your words, watch your actions, and can distinguish the two… I know pretty scary, right.. haha.. Not to worry, it is really our, and we hope it feels comforting to have such an understanding and loving soul around you.

Leaving the authoritarian Piscean era of do what I say not what I do, and my way or no way, and the most famous because I say so or because I am the adult, etc. are over. HSPs do not blindly trust, meaning they do not blindly just do what you say because you say it. They do not live in fear like that. In fact, they think for themselves. Gasp! Even more of a gasp if you have raised them to think for themselves and they actually do it. Darn it! How could they! It’s okay, don’t react just observe, and even still learn to teach instead of tell. This has been extremely helpful with my daughter upon raising her. Whenever I tell her to do something, she has about 10 reasons why she is choosing not to do that, and it can quickly become a wrestling match over just about everything. However, when I explore all of the concepts of understanding and teach her all of the aspects she magically says Oh, I can see that, or I understand, or the beloved that makes sense now. So get they are not property, and this is not a police state where you are looking to punish, judge, and admonish at every moment. Your job as a parent is to guide, teach, encourage, and support them in making their decisions. Sometimes the cause and effect will work in their favor to the result they are seeking, and sometimes it will result in a lesson. Either way, it is their road and their journey to discover and jumping up and down and yelling will not do anything to shift the mindset.

Ultimately there is no right or wrong way when it comes to parenting highly sensitive children, there is no expert opinion. I think we all bumble through this infinite discovery of life and work towards deeper levels of understanding both ourselves as well as others. I think another aspect that HSPs take on is the need to care Take others emotions ahead of our own. I think in a lot of ways we feel deep[ly responsible for those emotions around us that we love, honor, and admire. However., as we get healthier, wiser, and more conscious, we discover that we can leave all the feelings that we pick up where they belong. We no longer need to pick up intuitively every thought that floats by and we can recognize where we begin and end, and where another picks up. I often teach people about houses on a street. All of the houses are in neat little rows separated by streets. And before we cross the street, we make sure our street is in order. No throwing trash around and no sneaking into other peoples backyards. We can relax inside our home or on the porch, and we know exactly what laundry needs folding, or trash needs to be taken out, but we do not need to go and do the neighbors laundry or throw his or her trash out. We are content and at peace with our own space, our own place, and our own feelings, thoughts, etc.

In a world filled with anger, judgment, discontent, and disease we need highly sensitive people in order to heal the world. So if you have these sweet spirits in your life love them fiercely, acknowledge them, support them, and be mindful and present to them with authenticity as well as peace. They will appreciate you for it.

*All information contained in this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is neither intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment nor for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.

31Jul2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog July 31, 2019 0 Comments

How to be a crunchy mom with a CEO time schedule

How To Be a Crunchy Mom With a CEO Time Schedule

Would you classify yourself as a “Crunchy Mom”? Do you want the best for your child but are struggling with managing your time? If there is one thing I feel like I don’t have a lot of, its time and I know this a conversation that I have inside of my head. I have the same 168 hours a week as Tony Robbins, the President, and the Dali Lama. I know right those three people in the same sentence, but its true! What makes those people able to manage and control their time. Do you think they or we get it everything done in a day… I wish! I am a list person, I love lists. They keep me focused, and they keep me accountable. I love schedules.. ha! Anyone that knows me knows how I live and die by my schedule. If you don’t get on the schedule, you don’t get the time, sorry! I prioritize everything in my schedule, each day has a different goal and a person. I used to be more CEO than crunchy mom and would drive myself to insanity to get everything done on my list. I would run myself down and run myself ragged trying to perfect, trying to be superwoman, trying to prove my worth through my to-do list, and trying so desperately to get it all done and get it all right! I had to retire the CEO mom. She was exhausted, irritable, sick, controlling, and would freak out if a last minute cancel would happen or if the dishes were left in the sink at night. I just could not function I was so nutty. The CEO mom was wearing me out, and worse than that she was rocking my adrenal glands all over my body… I am surprised they didn’t run away from my body in sheer terror. I felt guilty when I took downtime, and mind you my downtime consistently of me falling out on a Friday afternoon for an hour on the couch in exhaustion before by sheer wills I would get myself up and out back to work (or synagogue). I was unrelenting and tenacious, yet I was unbalanced, and not well rested. Sleeping consisted of me resting with my eyes closed for a few hours waking up 5 hours later exhausted. It wasn’t until I retired the CEO mom that I found true sleep, and boy was that different. I would work 45 days straight and then take one guilt reddened day off. I was pushing and forcing myself to succeed through education, and certifications trying to prove to myself that I was worthy. I was ruled by guilt and shame that I was a “bad mom.” If I was 5 mins late to a recital because of an employee issue, I would beat myself up at the disappointed look on my daughters face. In fact, I allowed her unrealistic nerve expectations of me rule my life more than any boss could. It was tough. I was always balancing life as a mother and life as an entrepreneur. I’ve been both her entire life. Eventually, I began to gain weight as the stress of finishing grad school, opening a practice, and going through failed marriages took a toll on my health. I felt less and less like myself with less joy and more depression, irritability, and sadness. I felt in many ways powerless over the rat race I found myself in, yet something needed to change.

SO I went to work, and not the work that you are thinking. I looked inward to find my inner crunchy mom Afterall, I am a hippie and the carefree nature of myself is who I was when I had her, that had been lost along the way of responsibility, single parenting, and doing things “well.” I wanted to find more freedom in my lifestyle. I put myself on a schedule, a Dan not just any schedule but an organized schedule. I changed my office hours from being 24/7 round the clock, call, text or email whenever to dedicated office hours. I declared to myself that I would only work 8-8pm (which still seems like a lot, yet has balanced itself more). I also broke out time that I would work on my business, work in my business, and time that I would just Netflix and chill (yes that is scheduled too). I prioritized which days I would focus on which tasks. Like right now is Thursday before patient care, Thursdays are marketing days for me so after a networking event this morning, I am banging out about 4 blog posts before I see cases for the day. Organization has become my friend, and discipline his close cousin. They used to be estranged this two, but after a lot of counseling, they have become best of friends. Discipline is not a dirty word to me anymore, which after a childhood with two overbearing marines I avoided this like the plague. I think this is what created that more free-spirited carefree nature of my personality. And now I can marry and celebrate the two worlds of freedom and discipline and in fact, have found more freedom amongst the discipline to which I teach my patients who literally break out into anaphylactic shock when I mention the word. I think it all comes down to choosing what your priorities you have and setting short term and long term goals while creating accountabilities. The bigger the dream, the goal, the vision the more structured and disciplined your life has to become, with fun sprinkled in there. I always find things to look forward to amongst all of the chaos. This new year I chose to join a hiking group so I could have something non-work related to experience that connects and bonds me deeper with nature and gets me out of the house with a little convincing my daughter may actually come with me, but at 14 years old anything away from WiFi can be a quite big sell.

How to be a crunchy mom with a CEO time schedule II

I think there is a lot we can learn right from this current generation. They approach life in Avery’s relaxed manner, and our authoritarian brains go nuts, and we assume that they will fail because they do not see things in such a life or death manner, but reality is that they will find their way as we all have found our way. Even if that way is surfing their friends couch because they burned all their bridges. We hope that they take the ques, wake up, and are willing to do the work, but as we celebrate time freedom, we also celebrate our responsibility freedom. We are not responsible for other people’s journey. This has been a hard one for me to grasp.

When working with patients, I often reference the sandbox analogy. I give each person their own sandbox. As much as they may want to play with others sand, because it may look unkempt, they simply cannot because they can only stay in their own sandbox. They can’t play with other people toys either even if their toys look shiner. We simply must stay within the confounds of our experience, which means not intervening on another’s experience or lesson or journey. This is tough, especially if you have a save the world mentality, however, this approach can do more harm than help to both parties. You as you neglect ones self in order to rescue another that did not ask to be saved. And the backlash of resentment from the other for feeling as though you intervened when they could handle themselves. It is a hard lesson to learn and one that I continue to reflect on to the point of taking full responsibility even for the creations of the world around me… I’ll save that for another blog post.

The new year brings so much possibility and the one possibility that I want everyone to grasp is balance. Make time for you, make time for the kids, and make time for your sanity. The CEO will give you the time off, and the crunchy mom will be grateful she can meditate, read, or take a nap.

26Feb2019

Holistic Family Practice Events February 26, 2019March 4, 2023 0 Comments

Healthy Living with Essential Oils

ESSENTIAL OILS

3.5 Healthy Living with Essential Oils

Learn how you can DETOX your home and revamp your cleaning supplies to use earth friendly, natural, and cost-effective methods of cleaning! Young Living’s Thieves Cleaning lines is like no other on the market. Also will be showing you other household products you can replace for toxin chemical free living!

Class is from 1:00pm – 3:00pm

26Feb2019

Holistic Family Practice Events February 26, 2019March 4, 2023 0 Comments

Essential Oils to help detox the body

ESSENTIAL OILS TO HELP DETOX THE BODY

3.0 Using Oils to Help Detox and Heal Your Body

So let’s talk about Young Living Essential Oils and Detoxing and healing your body! Adding essential oils to your daily routine can help your body repair cells and remove toxic waste from the body. I will be talking to you about 10 essential oils that support the natural systems of elimination in the body including liver, colon, lymph, skin, and kidneys. I also will talk about Young Living’s Nutritive Cleanse and their Cleansing trio and when and how they can benefit you.

Class is from 1:00pm – 3:00pm

24Jan2019

Holistic Family Practice Blog January 24, 2019 0 Comments

How to Live an Organic Lifestyle on a Low Budget | Saving & Budget

Living a Natural Lifestyle On a Budget Many people say that being healthy or having an organic lifestyle is expensive, or use money as a decision maker for things related to their health and can miss out from all of the benefits that lving a healthy and organic lifestyle can bring. I get it, we have budgets, we have obligations, and we have a limited supply of money at our disposal….or so we think. Being an entrepreneur my entire life has taught me that having the money or not having money all comes down to a mindset. If you think that you have a limited supply of riches to use then guess what the universe says supply and demand leave you tight, crunched, and stressed clinging on to every penny in your bank account for dear life. I have not always been financially free. In fact, there were days that I was fearful of where and when the other shoe would drop. See, I married young at the ripe age of 16 years old to a sweet, but not incredibly motivated hippie who enjoyed the taste of Bud Light more than water. I had stars in my eyes and naivety in my heart thinking that I could be a great parent with an alcoholic, as a savior and a happy codependent. Why not? What could go wrong we all need love right. Well, Dominion Power also requires payment every month on time. Alas, every day I woke up and told myself if I could continue to live this way then I would continue, piecing things together, being the model parent for my little two years old and trying not to get in my husband’s way. He was never mean just not incredibly lovely or pleasant to me when he drunk. I guess he was a little mean. I love him and am grateful to have a daughter with him. She is indeed a beautiful young girl, yet the responsibility of caring for her in a healthy environment drove me to leave her father and to move back home to California, one of the most expensive places to live in the country.

With no child support, working on a divorce, and caring for a toddler by myself while also caring for the burning desire of becoming a doctor I forged ahead to create a life for myself. So when I say I get it, I mean it. It wasn’t pretty. I worked three jobs, I painfully took public assistance of food when I ran out of money to feed her, I could not depend on anyone to help me and not leave me disappointed and often felt on my own to take control of my life. This was, in fact, such a blessing, because then I discovered how powerful that I really am in my ability to create an experience I love. I knew three things; I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to work for myself, and I wanted to be a good mother. I was determined. I made sacrifices. I worked round the clock. I sent my daughter to excellent preschools. I went to school. I paid a mortgage payment in nannies and aftercare. I was unrelenting. I used my money to feed my daughter healthy foods because I recognized it was a choice. Sure, I could have saved money by buying boxed Mac and cheese, but I knew the damaging effects of processed foods and prefered the organic lifestlye. I wasn’t raised that way. I was raised with an understanding of whole foods as a vegetarian (and not a pizza and pasta vegetarian).

I didn’t have a budget, because I had no money. No matter what you divide zero by it still makes zero, so what was the point. Count my pennies obsessively. Freak myself about where the next dollar would come from or worse think that all the money I was making was a result of me and only me. Spirit carried me through, G-D created miracles for me that I couldn’t even imagine. Against all the odds, he opened doors, and he showed me the way. I trusted in him immensely mostly because I couldn’t trust anyone else. I didn’t have anyone else I could depend on, because so many people had failed me. Without my faith and my relationship with our creator, I would not be who and where I am today and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Living a natural lifestyle on a budget II

We talked about mindset, health is a mindset. It is a mindset that you prioritize. Not everything can ever be all done at once. You won’t just magically wake up with your bank account filled or living in your dream house. It requires focus, dedication, and intention. I intended to not settle for anything less than health in my life. I was only willing to invest in my health and not subsidize my illness. That meant clothing shopping at thrift stores in order to go to organic stores. That meant spending money on chiropractors and holistic practitioners over waiting until I got sick. That meant not running to the doctors every time I got sick but rather learning however to heal myself using natural remedies. I was fortunate to be raised more naturally, and having an understanding and importance of health and an organic lifestyle at an early age. I am grateful of this experience and use lots of practical education to help my patients transform their lives.

So once I made up my mind that regardless of any outside circumstances I was going to live a healthy and organic lifestyle, I let it go and gave it to G-D for further guidance. Practically speaking, I prioritized the things I purchased. Things like food, supplements came well above new clothes, etc. I opted to walk local places rather than driving my car all of the time to conserve gas. I took my daughter to play dates, and park trips for entertainment as well as looked for many free to no cost things we could do because I privatized many of those dollars to her education and after school nanny. I got referrals for after school nannies from people I knew well and negotiated flat fees up front. I would supplement my gratitude by giving them gift cards at the local spa I worked at when I could to say thank you. Being grateful goes a long way when others are helping you. I consolidated, and instead of renting an apartment I rented a large master bedroom with master bath with groups of women, that way I could save on rent because again my childcare expense was literally a mortgage payment. I did not depend on any financial support from the government as I made too much money to their standards, my ex was still (and is still) getting his life together so could not consistently pay any child support. So, it literally was just me and G-D, taking it step by step. That is how I lived my life, in order to not succumb to my friend overwhelm which whom would show up anytime I would want to pull the victim card. I acknowledge my fortitude, my dedication, and calculated tenacity. Some of your reading this choose not to make the sacrifices necessary in order to get to where you want to go. Some of you are already coming up with excuses in your head and mentally tell me that I couldn’t possibly understand the position you are in, and in a lot of ways you are right. I am not there with you. I don’t know your situation or circumstances or the product of your choices at this point in your life. All I know is that there is life on the other side of the victimhood. There is life on the other side of the chaos. There is a peace and a calm that you could only dream about and it is possible for you to create the life of your dreams with all the organic food you could imagine…. as I now learn to grow my own hydroponic produce to again reduce costs and have further quality control over my food.

Recognize that your food is your medicine and living an organic lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. What you have in your fridge and in your home to eat can hurt or harm you. Choose health over bottom lines, take a leap of faith and surrender your life over to a source larger than yourself because he can help you. I am not speaking religiously, I am speaking spiritually. Walk with him, rest in him, and he will help show you the way. He did me, and I am eternally grateful for his messages and his calling to see me through eh darkest of times. I can help you show the way if you are stuck, and help you get back on track when it comes to living a healthy and organic lifestyle. I’m just a phone call away.

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