As we emerge from 'sugar season', I thought this would be a great time to revisit a very popular previous episode I did with Dr. Natasha Beck, lovingly known as Dr. Organic Mommy, on reducing sugar and simple strategies for improving nutrient density in our diets. With obesity and mental health skyrocketing in kids and adults, what are some simple swaps and better food choices we can make to improve our physical and mental health?  We start with the basics on how to realistically improve nutrition and lifestyle, including non-toxic living tips and how to get selective (or picky eaters) to try new foods so that every family is empowered to make healthy decisions. There are loads of meal suggestions and cleaner packaged food options for kids that Dr. Beck shares in this one!  

Dr. Natasha Beck is a parenting expert and founder of Dr. Organic Mommy, an online resource focused on pregnancy, parenting, and non-toxic living. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Pediatric Neuro-psychology, and a Master's in Public Health specializing in Child and Family Health. She's also certified in leadership education and neurodevelopmental disabilities from Children's Hospital Los Angeles. From how to handle tantrums to mealtime difficulties to helping families live healthier lives, Dr. Organic Mommy aims to help every family make healthy decisions, drawing on her experience as a mom and a parenting expert. Her parenting expertise combines the use of Waldorf, Montessori, and RIE philosophies, all of which we have covered at various times on the show, tied into cognitive-behavioral and play therapy. When she's not working on Dr. Organic Mommy, Natasha is busy raising her three children, and she's got another, a fourth on the way, and her two fur babies with her husband, and serves on the board of various organizations.

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Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30

Introduction to Dr. Beck … 00:01:12

Dr. Beck’s Background—ADHD and Effects of Diet … 00:02:48

Biggest Knowledge Gaps on Food & Lifestyle … 00:05:23

2 Biggest Offenders in “Kids Food” … 00:07:28

Chronic Health Issues Associated with Sugars and Overconsumption … 12:47

Practical Ways to Reduce Sugar … 00:16:38

Taking Baby Steps to Decrease Sugar … 00:22:33

Best Kid-Friendly Snacks to Have On-Hand … 27:20

Should You Avoid Juice? … 00:31:19

Snacks are the Easiest to Transition to Start With … 00:36:45

Preservatives, Dyes, and Chemicals Hiding In Our Food … 00:38:58

Food Additives on the Gut, Oral, Brain, and Overall Health … 00:43:32

Social Toxins Can be Worse than Chemical Ones … 00:45:35

Episode Wrap up & Resources … 00:47:00

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Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?

• My book Life Will Get Better, click here to learn more.
• Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
• Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
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My guest this week is Jason Campbell.

We are discussing how to avoid stress buildup and dysregulation in kids and ourselves by learning how to create more space in your life--and I don't just mean physical space--we're talking about the space we need in our minds, thoughts, feelings, bodies, and the environment around us. Learning how to create this space allows us to be more reflective and responsive when things happen, as opposed to being reactive. We explore practical ways to not only avoid the buildup of toxic stress, emotions and experiences, but also how to be more resilient, especially when we're navigating particularly tough times and seasons with our kids and in our own adult lives.

Jason Campbell's journey into meditation, music and wellness began 44 years ago, at the age of 8, when his teacher told him to never listen to notes, but instead to listen to the space in between the notes. He's been creating music ever since and has released over 100 albums and has been #1 on multiple billboards and Amazon charts. Jason is also a seventh degree black belt and co founder of Zen Wellness. His unique perspective on health, wellness and spiritual growth comes from his lifelong study of both music and the ancient arts of Eastern Health, medicine, meditation and enlightenment. His music and teachings have opened meditation to thousands of people who have never meditated before, or who have tried meditation and failed in their effort to simply sit still and clear the mind. Jason often says “Be still for one song, five minutes per day, close your eyes and breathe with the bell. It can change your life.” On a personal note, Jason is the father of two young adult children and understands what it means to navigate the many challenges that come along with having kids and the extra needs they bring.

Follow Jason:

• Websites:
  zenpiano.com
  https://www.jasoncampbellmusic.com/
  https://www.zenwellness.us/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonandrobincampbellmusic/
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncampbellmusic/

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Episode Takeaways

Episode Intro … 00:00:30

Introduction to Jason Campbell … 00:01:40

Ideas of What Meditation is Supposed to Be … 00:5:50

Be Present Now … 00:9:45 

Creating More Space to be Regulated … 00:14:47

Counterintuitive Approach to Being Less Reactive … 00:20:40

Avoiding Chronic Stress Buildup: Purging … 00:29:00

3 Minute Breathing Exercise … 00:34:50

Where Emotions Live in the Body … 00:41:40 

Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:30

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Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?

• My book Life Will Get Better, click here to learn more.
• Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
• Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Drbeurkens.com