As a mother, award-winning author and licensed psychotherapist, I advise parents to prepare homemade recipes this Thanksgiving. When treating moody, hyper, anxious, sleepless and unfocused children, it is imperative to improve nutritional status and avoid chemicals. Although appearing easier, convenient holiday foods can derail plans for a pleasant holiday get-together.
This is because processed food contains preservatives, artificial food dyes and neurotoxic chemicals, which can cause bad behavior.
The Ills of Instant Foods
My book titled, Healing Without Hurting reveals that instant foods are loaded with food additives, which cause and aggravate ADD/ADHD and behavioral symptoms. The chemical ingredients found in instant potatoes and instant stuffing mixes affect the nervous system and often make brain fog and hyperactivity worse. They are loaded with preservatives such as sodium bisulfate, BHA/BHT, and MSG. They also contain hydrogenated “GMO” soybean oil and corn syrup, maltodextrin (sometimes wheat-derived, causing concern for people with gluten intolerance), and dairy. Instant mashed potatoes and stuffing also include high sodium content and artificial flavors.
Well known Food Babe blogger Vani Hari agrees. Her blog post about the chemical horrors in classic Thanksgiving meals discusses the harmful effects of Sodium Bisulfite, BHA and many of the other preservatives found in Betty Crocker’s Creamy Butter Potatoes, Hungry Jack’s Mashed Potatoes. She writes, “No one should be consuming BHA. It is linked to cancer, fertility issues and kidney problems. It is also considered a carcinogen by U.S. Health and Human Services. Yet the FDA still allows it in our food.”
As we can see, trying to save time and money is backfiring on us in a huge way. Our health is at risk. Not only causing mental health issues, but many diseases as well.
The Problem Continues
We then turn to potentially dangerous medication to address our symptoms. Medication that contains even more chemicals. This only adds to our toxic burden, which causes more symptoms. Thus, the vicious cycle continues. Therefore, it is important that we leap out of the confides of conventional thinking and begin exploring other options. We must learn the benefits of healthy eating, nutritional balancing, Eastern Medicine practices like acupuncture, juicing, and plant medicine.
In fact, most people don’t realize that all medications are derived from plants, trees, stems, roots and leaves. Scientists recreate nature in a lab, add chemicals and call it medication – Hence the side-effects. It is time we return to tradition.
The Solution
It is time to begin buying whole food ingredients and cooking healthy meals instead of relying on boxed food. Let’s start this Thanksgiving!
I challenge everyone that was planning on opening a box this Thanksgiving, to check out these easy homemade recipes instead. And, I also encourage everyone to read my book.
Healing Without Hurting is easy an easy read that uplifts and inspires. It offers non-pharmaceutical solutions that work. A finalist in in the 2015 USA Best Books competition in the category of Health: Alternative Medicine, and was rated #1 in New Releases – it is a must read.
One mom writes, “I bought this book and I couldn’t put it down. My son is now medication free and happy for the first time. He is now back in mainstream school thanks to this book.” Another mom writes, “These treatments significantly enhanced the life, health and happiness of my children, and their symptoms disappeared.”
“Pure excellence! If you are a family with a special needs child, this book will give you the answers you are looking for. A story of hope, a story of recovery – a story that should be shouted from the mountain tops. You can have your child back!” wrote Dr. Jared Skowron, Defeat Autism Doctor and best-selling author of 100 Natural Remedies for Your Child.
Healing Without Hurting: Treating ADHD, Apraxia, and Autism Spectrum Disorders Naturally & Effectively without Harmful Medication tells a true life success story and offers a well-researched, comprehensive step-by-step guide for parents, teachers, therapists and caregivers. It speaks directly to affected parents and provides natural and effective alternative solutions to toxic medications and focuses on the considerable impact of diet and nutrition.
Watch out for special deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Jennifer Giustra-Kozek is a board-certified psychotherapist with a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in English/Criminal Justice. She has worked in private practice for over 15 years treating clients with an array of mental health disorders including Asperger’s, depression, anxiety, OCD and ADHD. More recently she is the author of an award winning book, entitled Healing Without Hurting: Treating ADHD, Apraxia, and Autism Spectrum Disorders Naturally and Effectively without Harmful Medication. She is also a national speaker for universities & national conferences: conducting workshops for parents, teachers, and other healthcare practitioners. She has written numerous articles, has done nervous webcasts and has been interviews by Fox and NBC.
In 2012, she began counseling families and first responders after the devastating tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This led her to finish her book and consult with thousands of moms through social media to teach them about alternative and natural solutions for healing autism spectrum disorders. Since the creation of her page on Facebook called, “Healing ADHD & Asperger’s Without Hurting,” Kozek has amassed a following of over 100,000 weekly visitors, who turn to her for guidance and support as they desperately search for help for their children.
