Dragonfly News

The Official Monthly Newsletter of Song of Health
December, 2007

Nov 07 Newsletter
Jan 08 Newsletter

Welcome Subscribers, to Dragonfly News. We are excited about the opportunity to share interesting and helpful information with you in our monthly newsletter, which is available to subscribers only, on the website and automatically sent to you by email. If you did not receive this issue at your email address, please notify us immediately. We may need you to update your current email address with us.

FROM THE SONG OF HEALTH TEAM, WE WISH YOU ALL THE HEALTHIEST AND HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS – AND MANY BLESSINGS FOR THE GREATEST NEW YEAR TO COME!

WE WISH TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, THIS FIRST YEAR OF SONG OF HEALTH. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING THIS NEXT YEAR WITH YOU ALL.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: In January 2008, all the issues of Dragonfly News from 2007 will be available on CD.

Subscribers’ cost is only $10.95, non-subscribers, $14.95.

The format will be in both word.doc and pdf. This is an invaluable resource, deserving of a special place in your library. Doctors, students and patients use the articles and stories found in our newsletters as resources alike.

A SUBSCRIPTION to Song of Health is a wonderful, thoughtful and unique way to show someone how much you care.

WHAT INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER?
Our goal is to serve you. Please help us by sharing what you would like to see in the Dragonfly News. We also invite you to share your favorite recipes with us.

You may contact us at: newsletter@songofhealth.com

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH OTHERS

We now have a section called Subscriber’s Testimonials. Its purpose is to help those who still suffer but are not confident that our dietary lifestyle will work for them. By hearing and reading about how our lives were dramatically changed we can help them to step through the door toward wellness. We would be honored to include your story about how you came to follow the Dr. Carroll Food Intolerance way of life. We reserve the right to edit for grammar and spelling correctness, however we will not change your story content. Please email your contribution to webmaster@songofhealth.com. Thank you for helping us to achieve our goal of reaching out to as many people as possible in order to offer them hope.

NEW!

SUBSCRIBERS SPOTLIGHT

This month we are featuring contributions from our subscribers, Brad L., Eugene Oregon and Julie D., Spokane Washington.

November 9, 2007:
Hello Sandra,
 
Good job on the web site. It does meet a vital need for all of us who understand the importance of food intolerance issues.  I have known Dr. Watrous, Dr. Dick & Ruby (editor’s note: wife of Dr. Dick and mother of Dr. Watrous) since about 1990. Dr. Dick treated my in-laws for cancer and then later tested my wife, four children and myself.  My wife and I have practiced this lifestyle of healthy eating for about 17 years and have found it to be very beneficial for our general health as well as healing for specific chronic issues.  I still miss Dr. Dick, his unique personality and his special sayings, etc. 
 
My question for you is: May I make some copies of the food resource list? It would be handy as a hard copy for shopping and also to share with family members.  

Thanks for your time and investment into this life enhancing work! 
Brad L.

Manager’s note: Subscribers, you are welcome to print any information available on the website.

November 3, 2007:
GREAT newsletter!  That rocked!

Thanks a lot. I passed it onto my husband. There is some incredible information in there (especially the article about the stew and the article by Dr. Potenza).  I have noticed a direct correlation between my moods if I eat something that may be “tainted” with fruit. It is horrible for me 24 hours later. When my mood is uncontrollable, I have been able to test myself if something is tainted just by thinking back about what I ate 24 hours prior. That is interesting stuff...

Thanks for taking the time to do that…fabulous newsletter.

I could write you a huge letter regarding the importance and the difference that following our food intolerance diets have made for my family and myself:  

My son was screaming as a newborn and no one could tell me why. I actually brought him (my third born) to the E.R. 4 times in his first 8 weeks of life. Their only answer was more, more and more medication, which did nothing to help his screaming and pain. The doctor said it was colic but I knew there was something else going on. His screaming would gather force the more he nursed through the day - I KNEW it was something I was eating.  After 2 months of tears and helplessness on my part we joined up with a gastroenterologist, who did blood tests, scopes, etc.   The blood test showed he was having an allergic reaction to something and he was bleeding in his stool. The doctor diagnosed my son with reflux, but that was all he could find. He suggested formula as the answer.

A friend of mine suggested the Windrose Naturopathic Clinic for testing (she had worked there). Although it sounded somewhat extreme, I begged for an appointment and quickly got in. They tested me, as I was his only food source. I tested intolerant to potato, and fruit with sugar.  I cut them out (according to labels) immediately and there was some improvement, but he was still screaming. Then I realized the importance of the nuances of labels, such as "salt" usually means potato too because potato is used to keep salt from caking. I became even more knowledgeable on how to avoid small sources of potato and the fruit with sugar combination by learning that some brands are more likely to be tainted than others. Within 3 months I had the hang of it. Another blood test was done by the gastroenterologist, which showed the blood reaction in my son was now gone, as was the blood in his stool.  When we later tested my son at the Windrose Clinic before he started eating solid food, he tested the same as myself for intolerance. Although I always had babies who cried, this made sense as to why he had been hysterical as an infant.

My son has been healthy since. He has only suffered from 3 colds in 14 months and he is now a good sleeper.

We recently had our other two boys tested, now that I was ready to tackle more. Adding in their intolerances of dairy, egg and a fruit with sugar combination was not difficult at all, to my surprise. They both have started sleeping at least 4 more hours at night and my son with Sensory Integration Disorder is now able to control about 50% of his outbreaks. Within 24 hours of his diet change his face and eyes looked different and swelling that once existed was now gone. It's amazing.

We recently weathered Halloween and were able to walk through it with no fruit/sugar combinations by trading their candy for Transformer toys.  I have been pleasantly surprised at how they have handled the change. They keep track, they ask if they can eat ____ or ____ and even though sometimes we have had to say no to things they like, for the most part it has gone over well.  For a 5 and 3 year old, that's not bad! Next on the list to be tested is my husband.

I am pregnant again and, because I am eating correctly, I am really looking forward to having an infant that doesn't cry. I can't wait to see the difference.

 We may be "the family people don't want to have to dinner", but we have made 99% of the meals we did before with some modifications and from scratch, and we're a hundred times healthier and happier - both mood wise and body wise.  It has been an adventure I never thought I'd take but I am SO glad I did.  I have often wondered what would have happened if we had not sought the Windrose Clinic's help and I imagine my youngest would have eventually dealt with Crohn’s disease or cancer or something else terribly sad.  Instead, he is able to grow into a healthy body and achieve his total potential.  What a profound difference that is!

I think your site is fabulous and really wish I had found it when I was first making our diet change.  There were a lot of mistakes I made without realizing there were other alternatives or nuances in ingredients.  To be able to talk to other people who have the same intolerances, or have a family of different ones and still make it work, is incredibly encouraging.  It's such an "outside of the norm" thing that having someone along with you is very helpful.  Thanks for the great information and helpful forums.  We will be subscriber for the year no doubt.  Keep up the good work!
~Julie

SPREAD THE WORD!

Remember to share this website with family, friends and strangers. The more people we can reach the stronger we become. The Naturopathic community has always struggled to be equally accepted by the Allopathic medical community and the federal governing bodies. It is merely a case of political bullying that we, as patients, have also found ourselves struggling alongside of our professional healers - with insurance companies, Allopathic doctors, even loved ones. The path to changing such archaic attitudes is through strength in numbers. Let’s all become part of the solution by doing our part in any way we can to support the men and women who have helped save our lives. True power is in Truth. Draw from it to find the courage to challenge the norm – in a good way. Thank you.

REMINDER: Have you checked out THE FORUM yet? It is a great place to share your ideas, ask questions, obtain information from questions already asked and communicate with other subscribers. Make yourself heard!

MAKE YOURSELVES HEARD!
EXAMPLE OF RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE FORUM:

Posted by Julie, November 5, 2007:
Other than hydrotherapy, do you suggest anything to help with morning sickness? I am using the Sea Bands acupressure seasickness relief wrist thingies and that helps, but anything else?

Response:
To treat morning sickness, I have usually used homeopathic medicine, thought some women have found that zinc/B6 and ginger tea have helped. Homeopathic pulsatilla, nux vomica, tabacum, symphoricarpus or cocculus usually will help. The 30th potency is my preferred one. If you need more help with selection, write back.
Jared Zeff, N.D.

Please post your replies to our other subscribers at THE FORUM.
Thank you.

HOLIDAY TIME!
By Dr. Jared Zeff, N.D.

Holiday times!  Happy holidays!  For me, this is a time I see most people suffer a bit from dietary violations.  It is almost impossible to avoid at this time of year. Usually, I see that a single dietary violation takes about three days to “wear off”.  Here are some ideas for dealing with the holidays and the wonderful food that your mom or grandmother (or grandfather, in my case) will offer you over the next month.
 
If you are going to a potluck dinner, take enough food to meet all your appetite's needs.  Take a main course and a dessert if possible, so you can eat along with everyone else, but you know that your meal will be safe, and tasty.  When we have potluck dinners, we include the dish's name and a list of ingredients so every one will know what's in it.  We may not be the only one's with dietary issues.  People appreciate this, and maybe we can get a tradition going for others to copy. 
 
Take extra dietary aids.  We find the "50" capsules most useful, but "42's", though more drastic, may be needed. We take one or two "50's", or main stomach tonic, (Gentiana and Scutellaria), with each meal when we eat out, and carry a bag in pocket or purse.  Alternatively, a good digestive enzyme will help. These do not replace good dietary judgment, but there are times when you just don’t know and you just have to eat.  They will lessen the difficulties of dietary violation. Even a cup of peppermint tea after meals can help. 
 
Try to stick to safe foods, the plainer or simpler the better, and avoid sauces.  The salad without the dressing is probably safe.  Oil and vinegar is generally safer than any kind of cream dressing.  Anything that is mixed is a potential hazard, such as a casserole.  A simple piece of meat or fish, a simple salad, a simple vegetable: these are safer choices.  
 
And don't be afraid to ask.  Sometimes I just tell people I have a potato allergy, and need to know whether I can eat this or that, but there are times when that just wouldn't be right, so I will do something like this:  "Who made this delicious looking ---.  Aunt Hazel?  Would you mind telling me what's in this, the recipe?  It looks so good."  And she will delightfully let me know the ingredients, and I can discern whether it is safe for me to eat.
 
Here are a few recipes you might find useful. (Editor’s note: You can find these recipes in the Recipes section of the newsletter.)
 
Dr. Zeff's Famous Cranberry Sauce:
Wash and clean the cranberries.  Place them in a pan.  Cover them barely with honey.  Add more cinnamon than you think is necessary.  For a quart of cranberries I will add two teaspoonfuls.  Bring to a boil, and simmer for a while as the berries pop.  Stir occasionally.  Pour into whatever decorative bowl or mold you want, and expect people to comment on them. 
 
A simple coffee cake: I use Bob's Red Mill Spelt flour, which I always test as fruit free. 
1-1/2 cups of Bob's Spelt flour
1/4 teaspoonful salt 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoonful cornstarch
Cream together 1/4 pound butter or suitable substitute (Earth Balance, for my dairy sensitive relatives), 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 & 1/2, or suitable substitute (rice milk), 1/4 - 1/2 cup fruit free honey or maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoonful vanilla. 
 
Mix the wet and dry ingredients together, and pour into a 9 " baking pan.  I use glass, Pyrex baking dishes.  Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes.  (Lauren is enjoying one of these as I write this.)
 
You can sprinkle with something like maple sugar, cinnamon, fold in nuts, etc, for an extra touch.
 
I constantly adapt recipes and exclude things that are forbidden, and my cooking turns out (usually) quite good.  I leave out eggs and my cakes turn out fine. I substitute rice or soy milk for cow's milk.  I use a mix of cornstarch and baking soda for baking powder. 
 
Check my web site www.jaredzeff.com for some additional recipes, in the dietary section.
 
Enjoy the holidays in good health and comfort.
Jared Zeff, N.D.

SHARING EXPERIENCES
By Sandra Strom, CEO

THE VISIT

This month I am traveling to California to visit my elderly parents, not that age has slowed them to a halt. They still love to go to the movies, the horse races and eat out with friends. My mother still makes blintzes, potato pancakes, fudge, holiday and chocolate chip cookies. Dr. Zeff told my story above: How does a person refrain from eating some of the greatest foods in the world, especially when Ma keeps insisting, “Eat, you always ate and it didn’t hurt you before?” I am potato intolerant, so potato pancakes were scratched from the list about thirty years ago, except for one visit when my resistance was broken down and my mother convinced me that I just had to try one. I paid the price the next day - and the day after. In fact, I came down sick for nearly a week when I returned home. It may also have had to do with the cookies that had just a touch of orange juice (I’m fruit with sugar intolerant too) and all the restaurant food we gorged on. At the time when I was mushing rich tortes and cheesecake down my throat it seemed worth every decadent, heavenly bite. My body rebelled and the toxins were painfully driven out. My mother insisted that had I not overdone it I would have been fine!

After that memorable visit I decided to hold my ground as best a woman in an enticing situation can. I always make a trip to the health market immediately upon arrival, purchasing necessary and familiar intolerant-free commodities. A friend of mine keeps kosher and I have watched her bring dishes to family gatherings that are safe for her to eat. Lucky for me, it’s food I can eat too! It didn’t take long for her family to accept this behavior that will not change.

How do you convince two people who are in their eighties, who raised you, that the food they nourished you on is actually poison to you, while they continue to eat it all and live long lives? How does a child convince a parent that their ailments may be somewhat relieved by removing a favorite food from their diet? I love the looks, the shaking of heads signifying that their daughter is a bit touched.

It’s not all bad, however. I join my father for a breakfast of fresh grapefruit every morning. Going out to eat is more of a challenge, but with years of practice I have learned much of what to veer away from. Cheesecake…I’ll probably succumb.

The trick is learning to take care of my own needs while honoring, and not insulting, my parents or any other gracious hosts. That has taken years of practice too. I wonder if I’ll ever get that trick completely right.

Once more, thank you to our subscribers for submitting your stories.
My wish for you all is to enjoy a very safe and happy winter holiday season.

NEW RECIPES

REMEMBER TO USE ORGANIC PRODUCTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND KEEP THE CHEMICALS AND STEROIDS AWAY

Cakes

A SIMPLE COFFEE CAKE
(Contributed by Dr. Jared Zeff, N.D.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1-1/2 cups of Bob's Red Mill Spelt flour
1 tablespoonful cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoonful salt 
¼ pound butter or suitable substitute (dairy free Earth Balance)
2/3 cup milk, Half and Half or substitute
¼ - ½ cup honey or maple syrup
½ tsp. vanilla

Cream together butter, milk, honey (or maple syrup) and vanilla. 
Mix the wet and dry ingredients together, and pour into a 9 " glass baking pan. Bake for about 25 minutes. 
Option: Sprinkle with maple sugar or cinnamon, or fold in nuts, etc, for an extra touch.

Sauces

DR. ZEFF'S FAMOUS CRANBERRY SAUCE
(Contributed by Dr. Jared Zeff, N.D.)

1 Pkg. (quart) cranberries
honey to cover
2 tsp. cinnamon (or to taste)

Wash and clean the cranberries.  Place them in a pan.  Cover them barely with honey.  Add more cinnamon than you think is necessary.  For a quart of cranberries I will add two teaspoonfuls.  Bring to a boil, and simmer for a while as the berries pop.  Stir occasionally.  Pour into whatever decorative bowl or mold you want, and expect people to comment on them. 

CRANBERRY ORANGE MAPLE SAUCE
(Contributed by Sandra Strom, CEO Song of Health)

1 Pkg. cranberries
honey
maple syrup
orange juice

Follow basic recipe on the back of the package of cranberries. In saucepan place cranberries. Substitute orange juice for the water. Substitute half honey and half maple syrup for the sugar. Bring all ingredients to a boil, then immediately turn down to simmer, stirring until berries pop and mixture begins to thicken. Taste and adjust sweetening, if necessary. The sauce will thicken more as it cools. Refrigerate until ready to use.

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT THE FORUM FOR GREAT RECIPES FROM YOUR FELLOW SUBSCRIBERS.

Together, we strive for. . .
GREAT HEALTH - GREAT LIFE!

FOOD RESOURCE LIST UPDATE

IMPORTANT NOTE: Items on the Food Resource List are results of tests done on foods specifically for the patient who submitted the samples and were tested for their specific requests.

MOST HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED FOR ALL FOOD CATEGORIES

Unless requested, it is extremely time consuming for the doctors to test for everything.
Therefore, as careful and complete as we try to be, sometimes all ingredients may not be listed. If you have an uncomfortable reaction to a food, even if your specific intolerance or allergy is not noted, it is recommended that you refrain from intake and that you submit it for testing for your own personal requirements. Just click on to the Carroll Food Lab Test button on the left side of the website screen and follow directions on how to submit a product for testing. In addition, it is possible that one person will react to a food and another will not, even if their food intolerances are the same.

Together, we strive for. . .
GREAT HEALTH - GREAT LIFE!

Song of Health Webmaster