While undergoing the
food elimination process there are many other things you can do to help
yourself and your LO heal.
1) 101 Tools
a. Epsom salt and
other detox baths
Epsom salt baths are
a great way to help eliminate toxins from your body. These baths can help
babies struggling from food sensitivities.
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate and in the water this will break down
into magnesium and sulfate. Your body will take up the sulfate and this is
helpful in helping to detox out anything the body sees as toxins.
You may want to consider co bathing with your LO when taking an Epsom salt bath. This is relaxing for both you and your baby and you can both enjoy the benefits of the Epsom salts. For children under 60lbs, you want to use ½ cup of Epsom salts in a full standard bath.
You may want to consider co bathing with your LO when taking an Epsom salt bath. This is relaxing for both you and your baby and you can both enjoy the benefits of the Epsom salts. For children under 60lbs, you want to use ½ cup of Epsom salts in a full standard bath.
b. Nettle Tea
Nettle Tea is a tea
that is made from the leaf of Nettle Plants. When most people hear about Nettle
plants they think of the hairs on them, which if touched can cause a painful
sting. However when the leaves of the plant are dried and made into a tea it
has many healing properties. It is a natural antihistamine and can reduce free
radical concentrations in the brain as well as contains many antioxidant
abilities. It also can help boost your immune system to help your body cope
with stress.
Nettle tea is intended to be drunk by you, NOT your LO!
Nettle tea is intended to be drunk by you, NOT your LO!
c. Chiro and CST
Chiropractic care is
great for everyone in your family! It can help with a variety of ailments from
back pain to allergies, but It can be especially helpful for babies. Birth can
be traumatic and difficult and chiropractic care and CST can help with realigning
your baby’s spine. This can help with a variety of infant symptoms including
colic, sleep issues, reflux, and allergies.
You may wonder if
Chiropractic care is safe for infants, the answer is yes. Infant chiropractic
treatments are NOT the same as adult. The manipulations are small and gentle.
When finding a provider, make sure to look for someone who is certified and
trained to work with infants. Not all chiropractors are created equal. The
American Chiropractic Association has a wonderful search tool to help you find
someone who is trained to work with infants: http://www.acatoday.org/search/memsearch/
d. Physical activity
Physical exercise
has many health benefits overall. Of course every new mom laughs a bit when its
suggested to get more, but it can help with so many aspects of your overall
health. It helps physically as well as emotionally with stress. You don’t have
to start going to the gym 3 days a week or running every day, try doing small
things daily. A walk around the block with your kids, a trip to a local park or
mall, or even just some time spent in your backyard.
e. Sole
Sole (pronounced so-lay) is a salt water detox. This can
help with flushing toxins from your body and is a natural detox method. It can
help balance pH levels, flush heavy metal toxins, increase energy, and improve
skin conditions. Traditionally it is made using Himalayan salt crystals and is
simple and easy to do at home.
To make sole
To make sole
Making sole is really
easy, all you’ll need is:
·
A large clear glass
jar with a lid
·
Murray river salt
flakes or Himalayan salt crystals (definitely NO table salt)
·
Purified water
Fill the jar with the
water and start by adding 1 tablespoon of salt. Stir until dissolved. Repeat
this once or twice per day until no more salt will dissolve in the water.
You’ll know when the water is completely saturated because the salt will no
longer dissolve and undissolved pink salt crystals will be visible at the
bottom of the jar (this is why you need to use a clear jar).
To top up sole so you
have a continuous supply, keep adding water and salt so that there is always
undissolved salt crystals at the bottom. This is how you will know that the
liquid is completely saturated.
You can add 1stp of sole to water and drink each morning. You
can also add it to a bath. For drinking purposes, again this is intended for
you to drink, not your baby.
f. Apple Cider
Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
has many uses in natural health and detoxing. It is used to help with illness
such as colds and flu, helps clear skin irritations, helps to control blood
sugar levels, and also helps with yeast infections. Ideally you want to buy raw
organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar, which can be found at most health food
stores.
There are a few ways
to utilize apple cider vinegar. It can be ingested as a tea, or also diluted
with water. This is best for the treatment of illness such as colds. You can
also add a few tablespoons to a hot bath to help with rashes, burns and muscle
aches.
2) Broth (including
recipes)
Bone Broth. Just
saying the word makes you think of the old wives take of chicken soup for a
cold. Except, its not an old wives tale, it really can help! The list of health
benefits to bone broth is huge. It has immune boosting properties and is high
in amino acids that play a large role in digestive health and wound healing.
The best part is that bone broth is simple and easy to make at home! All you
need is a large stock pot or large crock pot, bones, water, and apple cider
vinegar. You can either purchase bones yourself, or simply save the leftovers
next time you cook.
Bone Broth:
- At least 2lbs of bones
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks of celery
- 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 gallon of water (per 2lb of bones)
Place the bones,
filtered water, and vinegar into the stock/crock pot. Let it sit for 20 – 30
minutes in the cool water.
Add the vegetables
and bring the broth to a boil, once it has boiled reduce to a simmer and let
cook.
Cooking time for:
Cooking time for:
Beef bones – 48 hours
Chicken/poultry Bones – 24 hours
Fish – 8 hours
In the first few
hours a frothy layer will settle on the top, this can easily be scooped off
with a spoon.
After total cook
time, remove from heat and let cool slightly. Strain with a fine metal
strainer. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze.
Bone broth can be
used in so many ways! It can be eaten as is or used in soups, stews, sauces,
and reductions!
3) Fermented Foods (including recipes)
Fermented foods!
Many people eat them already but don’t realize all the amazing health
benefits! They contain natural
probiotics which are a great way to help support your gut. While you can
purchase fermented foods at local health food stores, they are also easy to
make at home.
This website
contains a great breakdown of the how and why fermented foods are so great and
how to get started making them at home: http://paleoleap.com/fermented-food-recipes/
And this has a huge
array of fermented food recipes to try: http://girlmeetsnourishment.com/56-fermented-recipes/
*We are mothers
sharing our experience and our research with you - not doctors or nutritional
professionals. As with any health-related matter, seek medical attention and
expertise as indicated. Any advice given here is not to be taken as medical
advice.*
References:
