1. Vivaldi! Oh my goodness, his music always puts me in a great mood and helps me crack the whip on finishing whatever project I've started. Any other Vivaldi lovers out there?  My kids may have been caught laughing at me when they catch me directing the symphony or playing my air violin. More proof of my Acquired Italianism!!! 


2. Lemon Balm tea. I make a pot of Lemon Balm tea with some Stevia thrown in and if anything has my mind stressing out...I find my shelter, my calm. I'm on my second cup now. 😀 I hope your day is going calmly, too!

Natural Headache Remedy - Slice of lemon rubbed on forehead!

As my readers know by now, even though I cook some food that could put one in a sugar coma, I also believe that most of the time we are better off eating more naturally and in our home, we always try natural cures before resorting to prescription or over the counter pharmaceuticals. As I have aged, I am finding I get headaches more often than I once did. For a time I was taking a lot of ibuprofen and acetaminophen, even though I knew it would do damage to me inside. And sure enough, the ibuprofen tore up my stomach and esophagus. So I quit using all of it as much as possible.

1. If I had a headache, first thing was to make sure it was not from dehydration, so I would chug a huge glass of water. 
2. If I thought I might be sleep deprived, after the water consumption I would take a nap. 
3. Then there was always the possibility I just needed to stretch out my neck. 

 However, when those three things failed, I would either tough it out or give in to headache medication.

Then I found out about using lemon as a headache remedy. Fresh lemon is something I most often have on hand for my cooking adventures. I slice a lemon (room temperature or cold) and rub it across my forehead and usually within 5-15 minutes, my headache has vanished. If my headache is severe, I rub it across my forehead, lie down, and repeat every 5 or so minutes until the headache disappears (usually within 30 minutes). Now I do have to advise you to use caution: Do not let the lemon juice run down into your eyes, as that would cause a nasty sting. I keep a towel handy to dab any drips.

For bonus points: Use organic lemon and squeeze some of that fresh lemon juice into a glass of water, your choice warm or cold and drink up.

ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook Review

By nature, I am a very intense person. When I have a passion for something, there is no mistaking it. Reading non-fiction is one of those obsessions. I crave intellectual stimulation and reading seems to be the best method for me to absorb facts and contemplate truth. In most books I can find at least something useful, even if most of it ends up being "garbage out" by the completion of it.

Recently, I have read about two dozen books on ADHD, ADD, and Autism. Why? Because if I am to labeled by society, they might say I have ADHD and one of my sons has autism. I do not believe in using pharmaceuticals unless all natural remedies fail to work. There is a time and place for prescription meds, but they should be the exception and not the rule. All of this said, there is something about peri-menopause that exacerbates ADHD and ADD to almost unbearable for those with it and those living with the person struggling with it. Hormones do indeed have a huge impact on us.

The first book I want to share with you is, "The ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook" by Dana Godbout Laake and Pamela J. Compart. Here is my summary on it: If you can afford it, buy it and refer to it. If not, borrow it from your library! I am in the last section. We live on a tight budget, so I rarely can afford to actually buy a book. However, if I borrow a book 3 or more times (on separate occasions, renewal does not count), then I do my best to purchase it (new or used).

This book is laid out in such a helpful and useful system. First they start with some basic principles about supplements and then into the nitty-gritty of it all. While it should not shock me, the top six supplements that give the biggest benefits with the fewest side effects just so happen to be some of the ones that helped me put my fibromyalgia in remission. Whenever I start aching, I start popping my magnesium, calcium, Vit D, and zinc tablets and the pain fades away. Sometimes it requires other supplements and a change in eating too.

Pg 18 of ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook - Quick Start Supplements

However, not only do they go into these supplements, but also which types work best. Such as magnesium is known to have a laxative effect, which a person with irritable bowel syndrome, food sensitivities, etc does not need. Yet it is the #1 most effective supplement. Thus, they cover which types of magnesium are less laxative, such as chelates, aspartates (do not confuse with aspartame), glycinates, and gluconates. They discuss doses and how to best absorb and benefit from use.

After that, the book covers supplementation based on specific signs and symptoms. Anger, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, focus, language delays, mood, sleep, etc. Therefore, not only will people with ADHD and Autism benefit from this book, but so will people who have anxiety, mood swings, anger issues, etc.

They round out the book with toxic metals and special diets. All of which can also make an amazing difference. As many of you know, my son with autism was non-verbal until we put him on raw goat's milk. Nobody can convince me that our current way of eating is not highly to blame for the escalating cases of of things like ADHD, autism, depression, and various auto-immune disorders.

I highly recommend this handbook. A "must have" reference manual for any family challenged by a member with ADHD or Autism. Alongside this book, they have written "The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook" which you may find of interest, as well.