Many people who choose to eat vegan do so primarily because of their concern for animals…While we can totally understand that reason, that is not why Lucy is eating a vegan diet.

Initially, we discovered that MSG was one of the main reasons for most of Lucy’s health problems. Once we removed MSG and all the foods which have naturally occurring MSG, she then became sensitive to foods high in glutamate. We finally figured out MSG & glutamate and then discovered that she was also reacting to cysteine and salicylic acid. We now know that she has food allergy/sensitivities to these three chemicals, which are usually naturally occurring. This meant we had to eliminate most of the food that we eat every day. All animal products were eliminated and many fruits, vegetables, soy products, wheat, and beans. Although we are healthy eaters, only one of us is vegetarian…so going vegan (and then some) was not the easiest diet to get used to.

We are now seeing Lucy being calm, comprehending and participating in intellectual conversations, paying close attention to her surroundings, interacting with a variety of people, and generally behaving VERY well. The photos below show what eliminating foods that conflict with your body can do…

taking a nap on her own…is a big accomplishment

ground beef, carrots, celery,onion,cilantro, salt, pepper,peanuts,& rice

Lucy (www.lucydo.com) has some food sensitivities…most are not significant - they just cause an upset stomach BUT MSG aka monosodium glutamate makes her violent. She literally bites herself (&us), bangs her head on anything she can find, pinches, pulls hair etc - most of the violence is directed at herself - her arms, legs, & head.

We have resorted to a very bland diet of the same thing 3 times a day …nothing processed/manufactured. However, on occasion I will give her a “treat” something she hasn’t eaten in a long time…that she really likes. It’s usually an alternative that is “safe” and always organic and doesnt have anything she is sensitive to.

I bought APPLE GATE FARMS ORGANIC APPLE CHICKEN SAUSAGE last week and noticed she had some reaction to it…it wasn’t too bad (meaning it didn’t have alot of msg), so I thought maybe something else caused it (not enough sleep, growth spurt, etc)…I didn’t realize it was the A.G.F. meat…because it was supposed to be safe. The other kids finished those off, so my sister got Lucy some A.G.F. lil smokies from Whole Foods and Lucy ate some yesterday.

Last night was pure torture mostly for her because she was in so much pain…but also for us because we felt helpless. No amount of motrin or our other “tricks” to ease the pain worked. It was 4 hours of intense restraint and coping and it was heart wrenching.

My husband had a hunch so he looked up A.G.F. + msg and came up with a health alert by the USDA with regard to their processed meat  mislabeling - they failed to include allergen ingredients (”soy” & milk) - it left off a few things!

I am livid…they are certified organic! The worst part for me - personally is that I took the extra precaution of calling the toll free number on the package while I was at the store - to confirm that the meat was safe! I guess my mothers intuition kicked in…I should have headed my own warning!

It is my belief that the msg came to be in these products in one of these three ways:

1. cross contamination due to the fact that conventional products are produced in the same facility (same equipment) as the organic products
2. the “soy” that was in a prior recall may also be in these items…if so, it is probably SOY PROTEIN which is an extract of soy, that when added to other foods, becomes MSG.
3. the “smoke” that the little smokies are cooked in may be contaminated…possibly the treated wood has an msg laden ingredient in it.
Read about MSG at:
http://www.msgmyth.com/
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Recog.html
http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/677968

Read about the health alert at:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_020808_01/index.asp
http://zumfamily.blogspot.com/2008/02/applegate-farms-hot-dog-recall-due-to.html
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/hot-dog-allergen-alert-44021208

Tell your friends & family…spread the word! People (especially small children) do not deserve to suffer like this! Children who are diagnosed Autistic are highly sensitive to these allergens and their parents need to be warned.

chasing the clouds away…on my way to where the air is clear

Lucy said “Don’t hurt my ears HEY HEY…don’t hurt my ears!”

I said - what?

The I said “Let’s take some pictures for daddy!”