Zara Fagen

Natural Options for Treating ADHD – What the Science Shows

Natural Options for ADHD:

A Review of the Research on Natural Supplements
and Alternative Treatments for ADHD

Natural treatments for ADHD

It’s not really news that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently the most common diagnosis among youth in the United States.

And you probably already know that typically, ADHD is treated with behavioral/psychosocial management and/or medicines.

The more interesting news is that as a result, natural treatment options for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are becoming increasingly popular as sufferers look for options that are effective and that have fewer side-effects.  It’s estimated that approximately 50% of parents of children with ADHD use “natural” options alone, or in conjunction with traditional therapies.

A recent review of the biomedical research on naturally managing ADHD – published in the February 2016 issue of the journal Neural Plasticity – suggests that there are a few options for naturally treating ADHD that individuals can discuss with their health care providers.Read More »Natural Options for Treating ADHD – What the Science Shows

Delayed Food Allergies. Our Story.


delayed food allergies, food sensitivities, and food intoleranceAn intolerance to food, also called a food sensitivity can wreak havoc on the body.  These are delayed allergies to food, mediated by an IgG-type antibody.  These reactions may take hours, or even days to appear.  Unidentified, and untreated, in some cases, delayed food allergies have been shown to underlie chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, headaches and migraines, ADHD, schizphrenia, autism, obesity, insulin resistance, Type II diabetes, vascular disease, and psoriasis.  Read More »Delayed Food Allergies. Our Story.

What is Minimalist Homeschooling?

What is Minimalist Homeschooling anyway?

You can listen to this post here:

 

Are you familiar with minimalism?  It’s the hot trend sweeping the world, where people live happier, more content lives with less.  So, what is minimalist homeschooling?

Minimalism embraces a simplified, uncluttered life.  Minimalist Homeschooling embraces a simplified, uncluttered education.

Minimalism is all about ignoring mass consumerism in our “have it all” society.  Minimalist Homeschooling is all about ignoring the “do it all” mentality rampant in homeschooling communities.

Minimalism encourages people to evaluate what is most important – what is truly necessary or sparks joy.  Minimalist homeschooling encourages educators to evaluate what is necessary and sparks joy in their child’s education.

It sounds simple enough, right?  In fact, it sounds a lot like what we all want for our children: We want to teach them everything they need to know, and nurture a love of learning and a love for specific subjects.

If it’s that simple, why is it so HARD to do it?

Read More »What is Minimalist Homeschooling?

Life balance is a sham – How to stop trying to please everyone

 

Warning: What follows is a stream-of-consciousness rant about life balance that is important for all moms.

I saw a friend a couple weeks ago.  And before I get too far, I want to say that she’s a quality gal.  I love talking with her, and we have a lot of common plights in business ownership, homeschooling, and life.  She’s no whiner.

When I saw her, she was dragging, so I asked how she was doing.  With a huge sigh, she says: “I just need balance.  I am really praying for balance.”

How many times have you heard people (usually women, and almost always moms) craving “balance?”

Everyone.  All the time.Read More »Life balance is a sham – How to stop trying to please everyone

That one time when your mother was right: A good night’s rest is really important

Newsflash:  Your mother was right.  You do need your sleep.  It turns out that chronic sleep deprivation is really bad.  And it’s not just because your mother or your grandmother said so.  In case you don’t believe them, take it from scientists.

In a recent study published in Molecular Neurobiology, Read More »That one time when your mother was right: A good night’s rest is really important

25 Good Health Natural Foods to Replace your Multi-Vitamin

Here are 25 basic good health natural foods to prioritize because they are the best sources of specific vitamins and minerals.

All foods potentially contain some vitamins and minerals, even if they are not considered one of the best sources. There are many other natural foods that are nutrient-dense. For this list, the criteria that I used are as follows:Read More »25 Good Health Natural Foods to Replace your Multi-Vitamin

Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe

When you’re pregnant, pregnancy nutrition is high on that never-ending list of “shoulds” and “should nots.”

And need I mention the never-ending cravings that come with pregnancy?

Well, below is the recipe I use to get a little extra nutrition, and my chocolate fix. I rarely eat this for breakfast because it is so decadent. It is much more likely to star as an afternoon snack or desert.  Oh, who am I kidding?  Midnight snack.  Breakfast snack.  Whenever I want chocolate, really.Read More »Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe

Homeschooling without Guilt – A Post for Over-Achievers

Here’s the thing: most homeschoolers don’t use a standard curriculum as their end all and be all.  Raise your hand if that’s you.  I admit that I don’t use one set of lessons.  I practically can’t.  Our family uses a Catholic classical curriculum.  Many people (very successfully) use a classical curriculum as a complete curriculum for their elementary-aged children just by adding math and language arts.

I don’t.

I always feel compelled to add science, history, religion, literature, writing, and foreign language above and beyond the grammar memory work, math and language arts.  In fact, I usually try to meld the classical curriculum with a full-on Charlotte Mason curriculum.  I want to spread the feast.  For 2 years I challenged myself to pick and choose and coordinate (did I mention we also did a separate second coop one semester?).Read More »Homeschooling without Guilt – A Post for Over-Achievers

My List of Educational Shows for Homeschooling – Educational Shows and Websites for Learning at Home

Often parents, but especially moms are worn-out, stressed, and busy.  Add homeschooling, and it can spin out of control with each minute adding more stress, more obligation, more guilt, more sense of urgency, more needs, more wants, more decisions, more noise… This is where educational shows for homeschooling come in.

Sometimes life happens, and keeps happening, and I need the kids appropriately occupied so I can batten down the hatches and prevent the ship from sinking.  #momtruth.  Read More »My List of Educational Shows for Homeschooling – Educational Shows and Websites for Learning at Home