Watermelon Detox Popsicle: Recipe of the Month from Our Nutritionist, Kara Kroger

Watermelon Detox Popsicle

Ingredients:

Makes 8 popsicles

Pink Section of Popsicle:

4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 tablespoons raw local honey (optional)

1/4 cup fresh spearmint leaves

2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated

Green Section of Popsicle:

3/4 cup unrefined apple juice

1 cup fresh spinach

1/4 cup fresh spearmint leaves

8 popsicle molds or paper cups and sticks

Instructions:

In separate batches, blend the ingredients in a high powered blender for 1 minute each, for both the pink and green portion of the popsicle. Pour the pink mixture evenly amongst 8 molds, leaving about 1 inch of room so that you can later pour in the green mixture.

Place the filled molds into the freezer and allow to freeze for about 45 minutes; or until they are set enough you can top them off with the green mixture without the colors blending. At this point you should be able to insert your popsicle stick down through the green mixture, into the pink mixture, and it will stand up straight. Place your popsicle sticks into all eight of the molds and put them back into the freezer for another 3-4 hours. The longer you let them freeze the less trouble you will have with removing them from the molds without separating the sticks from the popsicle. 

If you have extra juice now if the time to drink it up!

After freezing for another 4 hours, remove the molds from the freezer and run each mold under warm water for a few seconds. This helps the popsicle to come out of the mold smoothly.

Then go outside and find a shady tree to sit under and enjoy your cooling detox popsicle. You can be sure you are supporting your heath with this recipe while enjoying the sweetness of summer!

See this article on Epicurious for additional tips on popsicle making from pro paleta (the Spanish word for popsicles) maker Fany Gerson.

Study: Environmental Enrichment Reduces Autism Symptoms

Results from an autism study in the May 2013 issue of Behavioral Neuroscience show environmental enrichment strategies reduce autism symptoms in boys ages 3 to 12. After six months of an environmental enrichment program that included olfactory and tactile stimulation, the enriched group showed clinically significant improvement of symptoms at a rate of 42% compared with 7% of the control group. Additionally, 69% of parents of kids in the enriched group reported improvement, compared with only 31% of the control group. 

Researchers are now conducting a larger study that includes girls with autism. Click here to read more about this important and promising study.

 

At Brain Balance, sensory-motor stimulation and environmental enrichment are an integral part of each student’s individualized program! What’s the Brain Balance difference? The difference is that each child is assessed in more than 900 functions, then a program is custom designed for his or her specific needs. The results of this recent autism study underscore the effectiveness of the Brain Balance method. By combining sensory-motor, cognitive, and academic activities with nutritional guidelines meant to ease any behavioral symptoms caused by food sensitivities and/or allergies, we’ve established a multi-faceted, holistic approach that helps your child achieve optimum body and brain function without medication. We work with children who exhibit symptoms of ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Contact us today to learn more!  512-328-7771

Types of ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder that typically begins to manifest itself in childhood. It is broadly characterized as problems with impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness. There are four subtypes of ADHD—predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive (ADD), combined, and AD/HD Not Otherwise Specified. The latter category includes children who display the symptoms of ADHD, but do not necessarily fit into the first three categories.

Children who are classified as being predominantly inattentive have problems focusing on the task at hand, appear to not pay attention when spoken to, are forgetful, and often lose items. Those who are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive tend to fidget frequently, display restlessness, have trouble waiting for their turn, and tend to talk more than is considered typical. The “combined” category encompasses children who display symptoms in both of those categories.

If your child has ADHD, Brain Balance of Austin can help. Contact us today for more information about our program.  512-328-7771

i-Pad mini Drawing

Make a referral to Brain Balance of Austin for an assessment and be entered to win an i-Pad mini!

(They have to let us know 

you referred them)

Drawing will take place August 1st, 2013

(512)-328-7771

 

National Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month

National Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month: Breaking Misconceptions About TS

 National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month runs from May 15 to June 15. TS is often discovered during childhood evaluations of behavioral issues such as repetitive movements and phonic tics (unintentional sounds). Many people with TS also have neurobehavioral issues, such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity (i.e. ADHD) in addition to obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Despite the prevalence of this neurological disorder, misconceptions about the involuntary behavioral issues are widespread. Here’s an overview of some of the most common myths regarding TS:

Myth: It’s a Self-Control Issue

The behavioral issues associated with TS do not have anything to do with a lack of self-control. Some people might think that if a person with TS merely concentrates on controlling the tics and repetitive movements, he or she will succeed. In fact, TS is associated with an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.

Myth: It Affects Intelligence

Tourette syndrome is not associated with any cognitive deficits. It is a neurological disorder of movement and speech that does not affect an individual’s intelligence—only his or her behavior.

Myth: It Results in Obscene Outbursts

It is a widely held belief that all people with Tourette syndrome engage in obscene outbursts. Uncontrollable swearing is referred to as coprolalia. Coprolalia can indeed affect a person with TS; however, it actually affects just a small number of the TS community.

Myth: It’s Rare

As recently as a decade ago, many people, including some healthcare professionals, were unaware of the existence of Tourette syndrome. It was considered to be a rare disorder. These days, it’s known that many more people have TS than previously thought. In fact, some estimates state that the number of children with TS is as high as one in every hundred. Many children with TS are misunderstood, and their parents might not even know that they have it.

If your child has Tourette syndrome or a neurobehavioral developmental disorder such as ADHD, the professionals of Brain Balance of Austin can help. Call us today at (512) 328-7771 to schedule an appointment. We offer a brain-based approach to treating involuntary tics and other issues.