From A (Autistic Spectrum Disorders) to ZZZ (Insomnia); Menus and Recipes by Angela Dunston Barakat

Angela Dunston Barakat is a hero to me.  Just as Sue Ingebretson, who wrote FibroWHYalgia, also reviewed here in the Lumigrate bookshelf, is.  They not only rolled up their sleeves and figured out complex and overwhelming health issues for those they are 'in charge of' (yourself, your family), but they took the initiative and the resources (time, energy, money) to write, publish, and market a book.  I've personally communicated with both of them quite a lot, and find them sincerely focused on wanting to help others.  What a wonderful gift to give the world, in taking the time to write and publish so that others can learn. 

Angela's 'done the work for you' in terms of providing a really good overview about what all the different additives are in foods, why gluten (found in many grains, including wheat) and casein (found in dairy) are thought to contribute to many physical and emotional/mental health issues.  I find it a really handy resource to refer to.  She has included incredible grids that make it very easy to follow the different symptoms and conditions associated with intollerances. 

As you might know, Lumigrate's videos include one about food allergies from an IgG perspective,  provided by Christopher Lepisto, ND, and I've been living in the 'food allergies and sensitivities' world since 1995, when my 'baffling to neurology and primary care doctor symptoms' lead me to seek out a provider who knew about food allergy testing.  I know how difficult it has been for me to limit the foods that I eat, which is so worth it because it gave me a return to health.  I cannot imagine how difficult it is for a mother with children and a husband and extended family to navigate it all, but I very much appreciate that she has created this book!  Beyond a few chapters of concept teaching, the book is largely menu planning and recipes and they're very clearly layed out and not difficult for those who have a history with cooking.

I think it is wonderful all the people who have been learning the last decade from the resources that were out there, and creating more resources for the many, many, who are finding out about these 'progressive' concepts.  I found it really interesting that the novel House Rules, by Jodie Picqualt (sp?) included so many concepts that Angela writes about in this book about foods; it is a murder mystery involving a young man who has been diagnosed Asperger's syndrome, and the story weaves the concepts about the diet modifications related to casein and gluten, preservatives and etc. beautifully into the storyline.  Apparently the author went and lived in homes with people with this disorder as part of her research for the book.  I was thinking as I was reading it 'I wish she knew about From A (Autistic Spectrum Disorders) to ZZZ (Insomnia); Menus and Recipes by Angela Dunston Barakat. 

Angela came by the forum areas of Lumigrate last fall and New Years (2009) and sprinkled herself and her link around, so I encourage you to look for her in the Nutrition section (related to celiac), in the fibromyalgia forum / section where she discloses she accidentally cured herself of fibromyalgia when she made these changes for her family in what they ate, and various other areas that relate.  I learned a lesson from that in the people who were following Lumigrate felt she just kind of plopped in and spammed, so I got ahold of her and asked her to spend a little more time 'discussing' and reading and not just saying 'go to this site and buy my book', but when I found out how busy she was, and find myself basically doing the same thing sometimes, I'm glad everyone allowed her the intial foible. 

I'm going to give you a link here to follow to the website which hosts and sells her book, they have a nice setup and it's an interesting overview I believe.  www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/BookDetail.aspx [1]

I really encourage people to considering this book if they have children or adults in their household who are not functioning at their best; it can be so very food-related.  I speak from personal experience.  Angela shares on Lumigrate hers as I wrote above....   There is another wonderful book about foods and fibromyalgia by Deirdre Rawlings reviewed here as well, and these are very complementary books to each other.  Remember, giving books to those you love is a wonderful gift and they can be shared and many others can learn along the way. 

I hope these reviews help the followers of Lumigrate to "Live and learn.  Learn better and live better!"

~~ Mardy