You do not have to buy exclusively  organic.  Get smart and apply what I’m sharing with you below — tomorrow.  Next time you go to the store or local farmer’s market.

Keep The Dirty Dozen in mind when you are in the store.  I know, I know… most of the time we’re shopping with children.  And I admit it’s not easy to keep eye on them — AND to keep track of what we’re putting in our cart.

What are the Dirty Dozen?  Ok.  Here we go.  In other words these are the most dangerous items to eat and, therefore, most important to eat ORGANIC. Ranked in order of their ability to “bring harm” to you they are:

Celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, kale / collard greens, cherries, potatoes, grapes.

Tip 1: Print this list

Jot down the list above or print the complete list below.  Keep it in your wallet or purse.  Fruits/vegetables at the top of this list absorb/maintain fewer pesticides.  Those at the bottom have more.  Hence, they are the dirty dozen.

Think of it this way: Everything you’re eating that falls at toward the top of the list that is non-organic is bringing you less pesticides.  Those are fairly safe to buy just about anywhere.  Everything at the bottom that you’re eating is dangerous… and should be sourced as USDA organic.

Tip 2: A simple, cost-effective scrub

Also, you should always wash your produce by using 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.  It helps reduce pesticides — greatly.  Take these 2 steps today and apply them next time when you are taking care of the food for your family!

Source: Environmental Working Group

photo credit: Dain Sandoval.

Time to read: 5 minutes. You need to get nutritious foods into your child’s body — not to be educated on their benefits.  Preferably without the crying, begging or attempts to con your child.  Fail, fail, fail.  Today I’m revealing a three step process to do-away-with your veggie-refusin’ picky eater — forever.  Don’t give up yet.  Read on and join the many parents who’ve overcome picky eating to create happier, healthier kids!

First, please don’t think that you’ve heard all there is to hear — and tried everything there is to try — only to fail.   Yes, your child will give it a try.  Follow me.  Success will not happen overnight but it will happen if you are consistent yourself — and patient with your child.

Action step #1:  Make a smooth move

Got an infant?  Steam some green (this is critical) veggies for 4-5 minutes and put them in the food processor for 1 minute.  Done.  Let cool and serve or freeze for later.  Do you have minutes to make a healthy meal PACKED with nutrients?  Yes, you do, hot mama.   Plan your day otherwise the day will plan you.

Got a full-blown, militantly anti-veggie child?  Or maybe the only thing they’ll eat is “foods with colors that are a variation on beige” as my husband’s friend once said about his son.  No problem.  Make your child a healthy drink.

As an example:  A green smoothie.  How to create a green smoothie?  More importantly one that your child will honestly crave?  Here we go…

Use pure water, or coconut water, as a liquid base in the blender.  Use the fruit that your child loves.  Take your pick.  Toss in a few dark green leafy vegetables (they must be dark green, please) and a little honey to make it more sweet if needed.  Honey is an insanely-nutritious, beneficial, natural form of sugar.  Don’t go overboard but get that honey going.

The Golden Rule for picky eater success:  Start with 80% fruits and 20% greens in the beginning and, over time, slowly decrease the fruit and honey and increase the greens to maximize health benefits.

Here is a sample recipe you can start with.  Again, use your child’s favorite fruits.  Mine are just examples.

Killer green smoothie

1 cup coconut water (coconut water is full with electrolytes and is great way for re-hydration)

1 mango

1 banana

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup organic spinach 1/2 cup ice

Blend in the blender and and serve.  This way your child receives a mega-dose of vital nutrients that are necessary for the day.  If you can work 2 smoothies in per day you won’t need to wage battle over eating veggies at the dinner table.

Go crazy and toss in some chocolate.  Yes, you can say yes to chocolate but in its raw form.

Toss 1 tsp. of raw cacao powder into the above smoothie.  Raw cacao powder is the best source of magnesium on Earth.  It’s FILLED with powerful anti-oxidants that will keep your child healthy, happy and disease-free.

Brave enough?  Toss in 2 tbs. hemp seeds (a tremendous source of protein).  They don’t really taste like anything and your child gets a natural protein boost.  (essential because most artificial, man-made protein supplements don’t actually absorb into our bodies!)

Or you can use dates for sweetening up the taste.  Natural forms of sugar are MUCH more healthy and beneficial for kids.  PLUS your child gets tons of needed fiber from dates.

Action step #2:  Create desserts using tasty, nutrient-dense Superfoods

Create desserts (like cookies) out of Superfoods.  Skip the bleached flower and refined sugars.  Here’s how.  This is one of my son’s favorite recipes you can use.  Rip me off!

Goji berry cookies

1/2 cup goji berries

1   Tbs. hemp seeds

1/2 cup almonds (raw)

2   Tbs. coconut butter

1   Tbs. coconut oil

3   Dates

First put the goji berries and the Almonds in the food processor.  After they combine well add the rest:  coconut butter, coconut oil and the Dates.  Blend for another minute.  Put the dough in a bowl and add the Hemp seed.  Fold gently.  Roll as a balls or make a flat cookie shape — take your pick.  Put them in the freezer for at list 30 min.   Enjoy. This is a treat that you do not have to use restriction rules.  No, seriously.  Cookies without restriction.  They’re Superfood cookies!

Action step #3:  Create snacks using Superfoods

Create snacks from dark green leafy vegetables as an example.  No, really.  Hear me out.  I have yet to meet a child who rejected these and I meet a LOT of kids in my business.  I want to share my kale chips recipe with you.

Kale chips

1 bunch organic duno (or “elephant”) kale (this is best but any kale will do)

3 tbs. raw honey (must be raw to get the nutrients!)

1/2 organic lemon

pinch celtic salt (again, loaded with nutrients)

1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

Cut the stems from the kale leaves.  In a bowl combine the squeezed lemon juice, honey, salt.   Mix together.  Add the kale leaves and make sure every part of the leaf is coated with the mixture in the bowl.  Leave it for ah hour so — let the kale absorb the mixture.  Put the leaves in a dehydrator on 115F for 8 hours — or in your oven on the lowest setting for 2 hours.   Enjoy crispy nutritional chips with great health benefits.

Empower yourself by getting real

Be honest with yourself.  If you do this one thing you’ll multiply your chances of success — you’ll win over the picky eater.

Reality:  Our palates are “trained” the moment we start eating solid foods as kids.

Reality:  WE (parents & caregivers) are in control of what our kids eat.  If we want to, we can start serving them food — real food — rather than buying jarred baby food or other processed foods from the store that are nutritionally poor.

Reality:  You have the time.  You have nothing but time.  You simply need to adjust your priorities.  Sure, you have nothing but priorities — got it.  But if you truly care about your child’s health you will invest MINUTES per day to make better health a reality.  It will feel great to make your child’s health a priority — far better than showing them a good time at Chuck E Cheese.  Trust me.  There’s something in it for you too.

When you start is critical

The earlier you start with your child the faster and the better result you will have. But if you child is of an age where eating habits are already formed do NOT give up.

Parents and caregivers create the eating habits our children have today.  We bear this responsibility.  But it’s not a burden.  We make the food choices we make every day.  Our children don’t have any idea what is good for them and what is bad.  They do not go to the store and buy the food that is in our pantry and our fridge.  We do.

This is how, unknowingly, we create their eating habits.  This… my friends… is how we train their taste buds and develop their palate. And this process is on-going.  This is why there’s hope… opportunity.

If you start from early days to introduce conventional, nutritionally depleted foods — made with highly refined sugars and additional fillers — this is what your kid will crave throughout his/her life.  But if you start with home-made or natural, organic nutritionally-dense food (Superfood snacks, green smoothies) this is what your child will learn to crave.

So take action now and start making these delicious recipes – take the first step towards raising a healthy, happy child.  Not to mention saving yourself a lot of headaches!

photo credit: technopinoy

Time to read: 1.5 minutes. Fact: Herbs like chamomile aren’t just  good for tea.  Chamomile can be an effective pain reducer and promote healing too.  If you’re looking for an alternative way to treat illness or pain read on.  I’m providing 3 fast tips on how to use safe, effective natural remedies to create better health — often faster than over-the-counter medications.   It’s back to basics time!

Fever, cough, stuffy head, sore throat or diarrhea?  Natural remedies are an effective alternative to synthetic pills and prescription medications.  Dr. Andrea Rentea recently tipped me off on 3 simple tips.  She was presenting to the Holistic Moms Network/Chicago.  Here are her amazingly useful and effective tips with you.   Ready?

Natural fever-reducing remedy

A lemon compress works well for fevers.  Seriously!  What’s a compress?  Essentially, it’s a cloth soaked in the natural remedy or remedies.  In this case you place lemon (available at most Asian markets) in pot of warm water to extract its beneficial qualities.  You simply soak a cloth in this water.  Then place the compress wherever the child is hot — whether it be the forehead or the feet.  This allows the lemon “to go to work.”

Where do you get the cloths?  Just about anywhere.  You can use anything — old bed sheets, tee-shirts, PJ’s or cotton.  If you’ve got medical gauze even better.  Cut the cloths in different lengths — long enough to cover things like legs, arms, your child’s head… all the different body parts.  This way you’re ready-to-go when the challenge present itself.

For best results, you’ll also need the same shapes and lengths of wool (or a thicker, absorbent wool-like) material that can be placed on the top of the cotton or cloths.  But these are small details.

Natural ear ache / infection remedy

First chop 1/4 onion into very small pieces.  Than warm the onion pieces on the stove in a dry pan for no more than a minute (you just want them warm not cooked).  Take a piece of non-furry gauze (or cloth) and place the onion pieces in it and tie it up nice and secure.   Use a safety pin.  Bingo.  Compress.

Place the onion compress around the child’s ear so it frames the ear.  Do not place the onion compress directly on the ear.   The idea is to let the warm, moist air move into the ear.  Closing off the ear won’t work.  Be sure to leave the compress around the ear for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Natural sinus infection remedy

Here’s one that I tried out on my husband who suffers sinus infections fairly frequently.  It worked!  First peel a ginger root and grate off about half a tablespoon. Wrap the contents in your cloth or gauze.  Secure the compress with a safety pin.  You can place the compress under your child’s eyes or near the cheeks.  Do it for about five to seven minutes.

You can do the same thing with about a teaspoon of shavings from a horseradish root.  But only leave the compress on your child’s skin for no more than two to three minutes.   Always stay with your child.

Your natural remedies survival kit

Be prepared.  Right?  In the spirit of doing so I’m sharing Dr. Renea’s home care essentials.  They include:

• Horseradish root
• Organic lemons
• Ginger root
• Onions
• Organic chamomile tea (or flowers/leaves)
• Olbas oil
• Two rubber water bottles
• A hand grater
• Enamel pot
• A sifter
• Collection of about 20 cloths to use as a compress

Holistic, natural remedies are safe and effective

Dr. Rentea is giving tips on holistic remedies for treating fever and many other common symptoms of cold, flus and typical ails.  What’s cool about Dr. Rentea is how she’s using her knowledge as a physician BUT she’s heavily incorporating  anthroposophical medicine.

Anthroposophical is a fancy word for a holistic approach to medicine focusing on natural healing, the psyche and the spirit.

So next time when your child is suffering from one of these symptoms stop.  Don’t rush to the closest drug store or your doctor office.  Try the holistic approach first.   It really can save you money and a sleepless night… for you and your little one.

February 24, 2010 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT
with Diana Raleva and
Dr. Rob Streisfeld, author of A Healthier Ever After

I’m excited to announce our February teleseminar with Dr. Rob Streisfeld, author of A Healthier Ever After. Read on for details but Doc Rob (as he’s known) is helping families create better health through an improved “mindset of health” through his books and speaking. His fairy tale approach to health tips for kids is fun, engaging and effective for children and caregivers alike.

We can’t reform your way out of chronic disease by changing who pays for it. And you can’t solve obesity, asthma, arthritis, diabetes or any disease by insuring all the uninsured. Join us as we learn how to take care of ourselves and our children using a totally new belief system… a new, holistic, affordable, easily implemented and FUN “natural religion.”

The health care answer is in our hands: A better, more cost-effective and more accessible form of self care.  Improving the health of your children means new forms of prevention.  But that’s not all.  It’s going to take a new belief system.

Stop enabling the beliefs that aren’t serving you

As an example, if you believe that genetics (family history) is responsible for your poor health (or disease) you’re adopting a weak belief system.  You’re setting yourself up for failure.  You’re outsourcing your health — to nobody!  Just one simple change, your belief system, can empower your body’s ability to battle any disease, meet any challenge and win.

What’s your health goal?  Choose it.  Believe it.  You’ll soon be doing it without even knowing it.

Today, the patient is the healer. Moms, dads and caregivers — we have total control over our family’s mental (emotional) and physical health.  How?  Our beliefs.  Just like religion — there is no middle ground.  You either believe or you don’t.  The belief system you adopt determines your health outcome.  Period.

Just say no to what sucks

I decided to start my company based on a very personal act — rejecting today’s very popular belief system.  First, I rejected today’s “health care” system.  You know — the one that makes me wait around for others to solve MY problems.  The one that treats the symptom, not the problem of MY health.  The one that costs a lot of money.  The one that my employer can’t afford either.

The one that SUCKS.

I dumped it.  I’ve never looked back.  Call me a “health Nazi” (or food Nazi) all you want.  I’m happier and healthier. Isn’t that all that matters?  I then decided to go on a business crusade.

Here’s how I finally got the nerve to reject our “system.”   I realized that big government and big health care corporations are battling over how treatment of disease will be paid for. Duh!  I was sitting around waiting for them to fix the symptoms of the problem — not the problem!  I acted.  This was my call to action.  This is your call to action.  Let’s roll.

You and I are challenged to actually prevent illness and lower medical costs by finding a better way to take care of our families.

Garbage in, garbage out as my husband likes to say.  What we eat plays a central role in our health and happiness.

3 easy steps

Follow me and I’ll show you how to take action on creating better health — NOW!  Better mental and physical health will never be found in diets or food regimens relying on elimination or moderation of what we want. The answer involves using instinctual human cravings to our advantage. The answer is adding food in.

If you want your child to do better in school (improve mental performance) play to their instincts.  If you want to overcome any chronic disease — or prevent one — you can choose a better approach.  But it starts with what you believe in and why.

Action item: Stop paying attention to the health care screaming, yelling, and mis-informed yammering on TV and take action over your health by improving what you eat and why.   Stop misbehaving.  80% of chronic diseases are result of misbehavior.

Action item:  Improve your eating habits the new way — not by eliminating or moderating but rather by adding food in.   Surprisingly good tasting, easy to create Superfood snacks and desserts.

Action item: Sign up for my February teleseminar.  Stay tuned for the details.  I’ll have a special guest that you’re sure to enjoy and take actionable insights from.  Join us as we flip the bird to The Powers (big business and big government) and get healthier, happier — and look better too!

Take charge of your own health.  BELIEVE!  Once you become accountable for your own health you have the power to make changes.

Remember — I’m with you.  Accomplishing goals is work… I know.  But it’s critical to NOT make complicated rules for yourself.  Choose a belief system that puts you in control.  Choose a way of life that makes you healthy AND HAPPY.

You might be surprised at how smart and capable you are.  You CAN and WILL make smarter, better choices.  You will create better health and happiness for your family.

Why are most of us so obsessed with the smell, taste and look of chocolate? Because our body NEEDS it. What if I told you that the more chocolate you eat the longer you’re likely to live — AND  you even may lose a few pounds too.  No, I’m not lying, trying to sell you something nor have I lost my mind.  It’s scientific fact.  One of the oldest people to ever live was a French woman who ate 2 pounds of cacao every week!  But put down your Hershey bar – there’s a rule.   Read on and I’ll show you how to live longer, lighter and happier eating as much chocolate as you want.  This includes addressing child obesity by creating low fat, chocolate-rich snacks and desserts. 

Chocolate is one of the most desirable desserts of all.  We love everything from sauces to cookies that are made with the stuff. But I’m talking about the real chocolate — something called cacao.  Sure, you’ve heard of it.  This is the “naked” (eek!) form of chocolate that has never been processed — the virgin stuff.  It’s what’s mixed with milk and sugar to create what most of us know as chocolate.

Raw cacao powder is Mother Nature’s natural form of chocolate.  Unfortunately, processing often destroys or takes away from cacao’s powerful benefits.  Example: Raw chocolate is the the #1 antioxidant in the world… followed by cacao nibs and Acai powder.  Not the diet pills — the natural powder form of Acai berries.

How to grow old & look good (eating lots of chocolate)

One of the oldest people who to live on Earth was a French woman who ate 2 pounds (about 1 kilo) of cacao every week.  She lived 137 years.  Was it chocolate alone that enabled this?  Of course not but it DID contribute significantly and can for YOU too.

Because of its rich concentration of antioxidants  raw cacao powder protects us from age-related health problems, diseases and illnesses.  Raw cacao is the #1 magnesium source — and that is one of the greatest alkaline minerals.  I won’t bore you with why that’s important unless you ask!

Briefly, magnesium supports the heart, increases brainpower, helps build strong bones, causes strong peristalsis (bowel movements).  Magnesium is a problem for most of us.  Over 80% of Americans are not getting enough magnesium.  From constipation in children to heart disease we’re suffering.

But wait, there’s more!

In addition to magnesium raw cacao powder contain 314% of the U.S. recommended daily allowance per ounce. Chromium, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Vitamin C, Omega-6 Fatty Acids are all preset to complete the picture.  Chocolate IS healthy stuff, folks!

What about caffeine?

Who made this stuff up?  Ugh.  Contrary to popular opinion, cacao is poor source of caffeine.  However, cacao contains Theobromine that is from the same Methylxanthines group (as caffeine).  The good news: Theobromine is an effective antibacterial substance that kills the primary organism that cause cavities. Theobromine is a chemical relative of caffeine but it is NOT a nervous system stimulant.

Did I just tell you that chocolate can help prevent cavities?  Yup. I did.

Ready for a South American taste sensation?

I’ll give you a little help by teaching you how to make my Chocolate-Acai  Ice cream. Your children and your husband will fall in love with it too.  Mine did!  We discovered it while on a public speaking, hang gliding and rock climbing adventure in Brazil.

1 cup almond milk

2 Tbs. cacao powder

1 Tbs Acai

5 dates

splash of raw honey

1/2 banana

1 cup ice

Put together in the Vitamix or any other blender. Blended for 2 min. Voila! Chocolate Acai Ice cream to die for. Enjoy.

Need to purchase the ingredients?  No problem — look here!

Time to read: 2 minutes.

Fact: There’s an increasing LACK of evidence that multivitamins benefit our kids.  Fact: Most parents believe that it’s good practice to give children good things masquerading as bad (like vitamins).  So long as they ingest it, all is good right?  Wrong.  Consider the scientific facts and the negative habits that this charade reinforces in kids. 

The inconvenient truth:

“More than half of Americans are taking dietary supplements, the majority of which are multivitamins, and the bottom line is that we don’t know for sure that they’re benefiting from them. In fact, we’re concerned that some people may be getting too much of certain nutrients,” says J. Michael McGinnis, M.D., M.P.P., Senior Scholar with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

According to this and various other studies, few scientists believe multi-vitamins to be good at reducing disease risk.

Even the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend vitamin supplements for kids on a healthy diet.

The multibillion dollar multi-vitamin business just got some bad news, eh? A National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel also found insufficient evidence on the benefits and safety of multivitamins needed to recommend their regular consumption. So what should we do?

Well how about getting all the vitamins and mineral we and our children need from REAL FOOD?  If your child has a diet rich in calcium and fiber — and low on saturated fat — he/she doesn’t need a multi-vitamin.  Vitamin absorption is also an issue often not considered.  Real food typically provides better absorption properties.

Just think back to the last time you were standing in the store isle and staring at the dizzying variety of multi-vitamins aimed at kids.  Confused?  Why should we be confused and overwhelmed?  It’s just vitamins.  This situation is a sign… not to mention the sugary, sticky nature of these candies posing as nutrients.  A closer look reveals ingredients that aren’t vitamins at all — stuff that is difficult to pronounce.

Still not convinced?  A study conducted by University of California, Davis found astonishing results. The study involved 11,000 children from age 2 to 17 years old who took vitamin supplements.  In the end, the researchers found that the kids were eating diets rich enough in vitamins — such that they didn’t need the pills (or shall we call them gummi candies).

Bottom line: present your child with a healthy choices, healthy diet rich on dark green leafy vegetables.  Basically, let your child eats his/her colors – and that’s not M&M I’m talking about.

80 Percent of Americans Have No Idea Which Foods Contain Trans Fats

Read time: 2 minutes. As reported in NaturalNews, most people in the United States now know that they should avoid trans fats but few actually know which foods contain the dangerous ingredients.  Example: food companies selling things like potato chips and fried snack goods stop frying and slap “baked” on the label — they take frying totally out of the equation.  Bingo — their product becomes health food.  Right? Wrong! Consider the actual ingredients — not just what may be added during the cooking process. Read on and I’ll show you who to easily, quickly decide what a healthy snack looks like in the shopping isle.  Here’s how to read the label AND know what to look for. My Golden Rule:s

1. If the list of ingredients is longer than 4-5 ingredients do NOT buy it.  Don’t spend money to poison your child.
2. Watch for multiple forms of preservatives or what even sounds like a preservative (typically these are the words you’ve never heard of and cannot pronounce).
3. Look at the shelf life.  The longer the shelf life the more likely it has “hidden” trans fats or dangerous preservatives.
4. Most fried foods in restaurants contain trans fats — some are loaded

Hidden trans fat: The facts on frying

While food companies are required to list trans fats on nutritional labels, a product can be listed as trans fat free if it contains less than five grams of the fats per serving.

Any product containing “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” oils contain trans fats. They are commonly used in baked and fried foods, although some manufacturers have started phasing out their use.

What’s the big deal?  Unlike natural fats trans fats have no nutritional value and drastically increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Like saturated fats, they increase the body’s levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, but unlike those fats they also lower its levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Trans fats, also known as hydrogenated oils, are artificially produced in the laboratory by adding extra hydrogen atoms to unsaturated vegetable oils. They have long been a favorite of the food industry for their increased shelf life over conventional oils.

Researchers surveyed 1,000 adult residents of the United States in 2007 about their knowledge of trans fats, and found that a full 92 percent had heard of the fats, compared with only 84 percent who had heard of them in 2006. Almost 75 percent of those who had heard of trans fats were aware that consumption of the fats raises the risk of heart disease.

The researchers next asked people to list three foods that contain trans fats, but only 21 percent were able to do so — nevertheless an improvement over 17 percent in 2006.

Laws banning the use of trans fats in restaurants have been passed in a number of cities, including New York, as well as by the state of California.

Source: NaturalNews.com

Time to read: Less than a minute. What would you choose to offer to your child?  A glass of milk or a glass of kale smoothie?  Which has the most benefit… the  most digestible form calcium?  What if I told you milk wasn’t “all that” and your kids can and will crave kale.  You’d probably call me crazy but I assure you milk can be dangerous, is NOT a good source of calcium (based on our body’s inability to extract the calcium from the milk and it’s low level to begin with!) and I can convince kids to crave kale smoothies.

Kale is ranked as one of the world’s healthiest foods. This powerful cancer-fighting agent is a member of the cabbage family and loaded with phytonutrients. But the health benefits don’t stop there! Kale is often called the “king of calcium” and is loaded with vitamins A and C. Is it a better source of calcium than milk?  Hmmm…

It is also a good source of B vitamins, manganese, dietary fiber, iron  and many other nutrients. It helps to prevents cataracts by protecting the eyes from the sun’s damaging rays.  Kale’s combination of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients make this vegetable a health superstar.

The choice is  yours.

Time to read: 3.5 minutes

Does your child have at least one bowel movement per day? Do you struggle to help your child go potty more often? Believe it or not, it’s VITALLY important — yes, “going number two” is something that you must pay close attention to. Today I’ll show you how to guarantee your child receives more nutrients without working so hard. Yup… as a result your healthy child will “go” (have a movement) AT LEAST once a day and likely more. Here’s why “going” is so important — AND how to do your part by incorporating “whole” (dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts) and superfoods into your child’s daily diet.

Quick Evaluation

First, have you ever tried to evaluate your child’s food? I’ll give you a very simple tip on how to do this. Take a pen and a paper — and list everything your child ate today. Please make two columns: one for “all raw vegetables and fruits” and the second one for “all other food” that your child consumed during the day? Evaluate. If your second column (other food) is longer then the column with (raw vegetables/fruits) then you likely have a problem. Ok… please bare with me. I know this may be frustrating and you think I’m a Food Nazi — but please read on and I’ll explain.

The Solution

Try to experiment and the next day feed your child the more raw vegetables/fruits as compared to all other foods. I know, I know now you will say it’s easier said than done. Well, make it easier for you and your child try — to be creative but NOT by sneaking fruits and vegetables into meals. The best way to succeed here is by presenting the fruits in a irresistible way to your child. How? Let’s say you take the time and cut the fruit in different shapes with a simple cookies cutter. How about the leafy vegetables? Green smoothies are a perfect way to make them appealing (ie. sweet!), as an example.

My Guarantee

So what guarantees do I make? Your child will experience a bowel movement shortly after the eating — or later on in the day. But rest assured, they WILL go! Remember — I’m realistic. Sure, I’m pushing you to promote dark leafy vegetables and fruits in more quantities than other food every single day… but here’s where I get back in touch with reality. The only way we can realistically, joyfully, comfortably, QUICKLY achieve this is by incorporating green smoothies in our everyday eating habits.

Why are Bowel Movements Important?

Well this is the simplest and the easiest way to get rid of toxins that are build in our bodies. What is happening when we consume more raw fruits and dark green leafy vegetables is so significant and beneficial than we can imagine. I would like to explain to you in very simple language and illustrate with an example. When we have a cup of green smoothie we do a big favor to our body — making it very easy to digest stuff and giving our pancreas a break.

Cool Fact

Using smoothies, all the nutrients are absorbed in 15 minutes — it even begins in our mouth. By drinking a single green smoothie a day you child will receive the needed digestive enzymes (which are need it for the food to be EASILY digested). Digestive enzymes are the tools that our body use to turn food into nourishment. Our pancreas needs to provide the proper enzymes according to the food we eat. This process is well known as “tagging”. Tagging is an approximation process that means the pancreas may file to produce the correct enzymes for the food we eat. A very common example of this is eating cooked corn. Have ever pay attention to your child’s stool after eating cooked corn? You can see the the corn in the stools right? Well it’s very hard for the body to properly tag enzymes to digest cook corn — thus it passes through the body without being utilized.

Bottom line: If we incorporate more whole foods (dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts) into our child’s menu his/her body will benefit tremendously. Their bodies will receive more nutrient without working so hard. As a result our kids will experience at least one bowl movement a day — and that’s serious progress toward a healthy lifestyle! Now it’s your turn. You can be in control. The choice is yours.