I do not know about you, but pumpkin is one of my favorite flavors in the fall and winter. I found this great recipe from the Meal Mixer Magazine, which is a weekly email of Personalized Meal Planning Made Easy. I enjoy using Meal Mixer because it allows me to plan meals for my family and put in any food allergies or dislikes. If you would like to know more about Meal Mixer, please feel free to give me a call 415.912.9934. I hope you enjoy this pumpkin inspired cookies.

The beginning of October I went to the DAN conference in Dallas, TX. I went to learn ways of treating Autistic children, but walked away with a new respect for families dealing with children on the spectrum. The challenge of treating children on the spectrum is that they are all so different: one child might only have mild symptoms while another child is unable to communicate in any way with their parents.

A concerning aspect of the promotion of the H1N1 Flu vaccine is that vaccine manufacturers are not fully listing ingredients in the inserts. However - here are some of the ingredients commonly found in vaccines:
• Aluminum - brain toxin, linked to Alzheimer's
• Formaldehyde - carcinogen, used in embalming fluid
• Mercury/Thimerosal - nerve toxin, often linked to Autism
• Squalene - contributed to "Gulf War Syndrome" - linked to fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, weakness, dizziness, multiple sclerosis, ALS and more

• 1 small (5lb) organic free range whole chicken
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cups chopped red potatoes
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Spice options: Thyme, Dill, Cilantro, Curry, Tumeric 1-2 tsp each or any to taste

Just think about what you ate yesterday. With your breakfast did you have any fruit? With your lunch did you have any veggies? And with your dinner did you have any fruits or veggies?

According to the USDA food pyramid we are to be eating 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits. Not to mention the 6-11 servings of grains, 2-3 servings of dairy and 2-3 servings of protein. I don't know about you, but for me that is a lot of food to try to eat every day.

Fall Cleansing for your Mind, Body and Soul

Fall is a great time to cleanse the body. Detoxification can improve vitality and reduce toxic body burdens, while increasing energy levels and revitalizing your immune system. This 21day detoxification program is gentle and well organized. Detoxing is especially beneficial for those experiencing allergies, inflammation, pain, immune problems, chronic fatigue, poor digestion, blood sugar abnormalities or other complaints. It is also ideal for those who have no complaints but want to reach a new level of health.

I came across a great article that talked about when it is time to change things in your life and in your home. I recently helped my parents move from their house of 15 years to a new home. As I was helping them pack I took time to go through the items to make sure they were not moving things that ultimately needed to be replaced. I know as a result of this we ended up throwing out more than what my mother would have wanted to, but the goal was safety.

Most of us have gotten the message that Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs will help us save money and that they are better for the planet and thus we are using them everywhere in our homes. But how safe are the brands of CFLs we are using. According to the Environmental Workers Group not all CFL bulbs are created equal. The differences in the bulbs are based on the amount of mercury they contain.

We all deal with stress; stress from our job, our family, our lifestyle or an illness. The body's response to stress is the same; however our ability to bounce back from stress differs from person to person. The difference has to do with our adrenal glands and how well are they functioning.

The fourth of July has come and gone and for me it means summer has officially started. I find myself spending more time outside; digging in the backyard, out at the pool or just reading a book in the sun. Because I am spending more time outside, I need watch my sun exposure and use sunscreen as needed. That then begs the question what is a good sunscreen and how safe are the sunscreens that are out on the market?