When Children go Crazy, What do you Blame?

[cathy79]

I get very weird looks when I beg people to not open the Twisties in front of my girls, but I've got thick skin.

I just threaten them that they'll have to do the babysitting if they insist on feeding them junk!!

[Ceejay]

We are very much into natural health here and this really struck a chord with me when I read it.

Rachael is a well known homeopath and highly recommended. 

http://www.infinitewellness.com.au/node/10

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Chelsea - $5 /kilo - that's an amazing price - somehow I think the shipping to Qld would be prohibitive.  Our local shop gets their organic f&v from Tasmania, so you must live in the right state.

I think I must Cathy.  I orginally thought that there wasn't much around to cater for organic living but I have since changed my mind.  About 5 minutes from our house we have an organic farm shop.  It sells produce grown on it's farm (including veg, organic beef and lamb) and sources fruit and veg from around the state.  It also has a small amount of grocery lines.

I have also found a wonderful local organic bulk distributor (grains, rapadura, dried fruit, salt, flours, cacao etc) who charges me $5 for delivery to my door.  I love this company and I do a big order with them once a month.  A large (very large) percent of their yearly profits is donated directly to various charities also!  I LOVE this company!!!  I will check if they post interstate and will post the company details if they do.  Some things like organic cacoa, drinking chocolate and coconut are quite light and postage may work out ok. 

[Karen3]

I get aggro when I have parmesan cheese.  It's a delayed reaction but I'm horrible to live with for 24 hours.
My kids get really bad eczema from the preservatives in ham, bacon and dried fruit.
K3

[Thermomixer]

Weird Karen3.  I have a simple recipe to use up the rind of the parmesan, ut don't think that I'll send it to you.  Keep away.

[cathy79]

I get aggro when I have parmesan cheese.  It's a delayed reaction but I'm horrible to live with for 24 hours.
My kids get really bad eczema from the preservatives in ham, bacon and dried fruit.
K3

Wow, I wonder what's in parmesan cheese that can set you off?  Very interesting.

[Ceejay]

I get aggro when I have parmesan cheese.  It's a delayed reaction but I'm horrible to live with for 24 hours.
My kids get really bad eczema from the preservatives in ham, bacon and dried fruit.
K3

Wow, I wonder what's in parmesan cheese that can set you off?  Very interesting.

In some cheeses 160b (annatto), a colouring is a major issue (yes, my kids and I react to this one...  ) but I'm not sure about parmesan... 

[Karen3]

Apparently it's a natural chemical called amines.  I can have a small amount of parmesan once a week but any more and the chemical builds up and we have cranky K3.
For more info about amines - http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/Factamines.htm
K3

[faffa_70]

ohhhh Karen you have just given me something to ponder...will monitor this household for a little bit I think - the things you learn!! I love it 

[Thermomixer]

Karen2 - have you seen Quirky Jo's parmesan alternative ?

[quirkycooking]

How did I miss this great thread???  I love you guys  - I feel like I'm not so weird  when I hear about you all having the same experiences... I get so tired of people hassling me about the way I feed my kids, and what I won't let them have - sometimes I give in just because I'm so tired of being hassled!  Then I regret it... My 6 yr old went to a party the other day and came home sick as, just laid on the bed for ages, poor thing. 

My oldest was a model baby (sleeping through the night by 6 wks too), but had awful night terrors at around 2 yrs of age... We think it may have been from using Phenergen when she was younger.  We found out you aren't supposed to give it to them as babies, or they'll often end up with night terrors!  Who knows what's in it - needless to say I don't use all that junk these days. Live and learn.

I find if I have the tiniest bit of dairy (even butter) I get awful hayfever for days, and if I have too much, I get bad headaches and flu-like symptoms.  It took me years to get to where I am now, mostly free from hayfever - I've had it all my life.  But yesterday I ate something with butter & cheese on it (the kids cooked for the parents at our homeschool group, and I felt I'd better eat what they made) and now I've got the headache and flu thing.  So it's better to be thought a 'food snob' and eat what you know keeps you feeling good. 

 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

It is very hard when other people make comments.  When my son was sick with tummy pains after a party, a family member suggested that I should be giving him foods containing refined sugar more often to get his system "used to it".  What rubbish!  The result of that advice would be my son having chronic stomach pain and him being unable to manage his own behaviour.  When it comes to your babies you just have to do what you know is right (and adopt a very thick skin).   

[meganjane]

When I was at a cocktail reception for a wedding recently I was chatting with a friend who is allergic to wheat. The poor girl was unable to eat anything that was on the menu.
She sat through seven hours of ceremony and reception with nothing but water and a glass of wine. 

I was appalled. When preparing food, I always have foods with no wheat, or no dairy or, no sugar. How hard is it?

I must also mention that I've been doing a bit of relief teaching. I have a small class of young children, but mostly underachieving boys. These children were fine up until after lunch, then the change in them was palpable! Loud, restless, overactive and little self control.
It's interesting that many children have a special treat in their lunchbox - usually an LCM or Muesli Bar of some sort.
It doesn't happen after the morning break because our school is a 'Crunch and Sip' school, where children are only allowed fruit and water in the morning.

[Karen3]

Hi Everyone,
It does get tiresome dealing with people who don't get food allergies/intolerances. Nice to see support here    TMer - QC's df parmesan looks awesome.  I haven't challenged anchovies (which are high in amines too) so I'll give that a try. Often with food intolerances you love what is bad for you.  It's already been mentioned but again, Sue Dengate's book "Fed Up" is a really informative read for anyone who is interested in finding out more.
K3

[Thermomixer]

Karen3 - I really feel for you.  I don't appear to have any allergies or reactions and couldn't imagine life for people with such restrictions.  i just adore eating chunks of parmesan and fishing anchovies from the jar/tin to eat while preparing dishes such as salsa verde.