The Many Manifestations

If you are having issues with your skin, struggling with allergies, can’t seem to lose weight, suffer from an autoimmune disease, or have recurring headaches, the real reason may be that your gut is unhealthy. This may be true even if you’ve never had any digestive complaints. The bacterial DNA in your gut outnumbers your own DNA by a very large margin. When the balance of bacteria in your gut is optimal, this DNA works for you to control immune function, regulate digestion and intestinal function, protect against infections, and even produce vitamins and nutrients.

Bad bugs, on the other hand, produce fats and toxins that promote allergies and eczema, are related to inflammation throughout the body, and are linked to autoimmune conditions. A healthy gut microbiome is one of the most important factors in the prevention of chronic disease and the maintenance of good health. Another reason to prioritize your gut health!

Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE, is a dietitian whose mission is to improve lives by empowering individuals to use nutrition to improve their gut health and hormone balance. She is a recognized expert on IBS/SIBO and has developed the Gut Dietitian training protocols on IBS and IBD for Registered Dietitian education. She writes, lectures, and counsels extensively on IBD, IBS, PCOS/fertility, and thyroid health, and is the founder of the gutdietitian.com virtual practice and co-founder of the Belly app.

True Self-Esteem

Someone once came to ask Rav Nissim Karelitz, zt”l, a question in halachah, and he apparently wasn’t pleased with the response. In “retaliation,” the visitor launched into a very vocal diatribe against the gadol, shaming him before the eyes of everyone in the room. After he left, one of the Rav’s gabbaim asked him how he was able to remain silent in the face of such an onslaught. Wasn’t it hard for him to hear someone belittle him like that, especially in public? How was he able to control his response? The Rav’s answer shines a brilliant light into the inner world of our tzaddikim, and the spiritual and emotional state we all strive for. “If I would value myself based on those around me,” the Rav said simply, “Woe to me. But I value myself based on how the Ribbono Shel Olam values me, and so, even when someone ‘spits me in the face,’ my sense of self-worth remains intact. I know how much I’m really worth, and that’s all that matters.”

What greater self-esteem can there possibly be? This is true self-value, not self-centeredness or self-aggrandizement, just simple, wholesome self-esteem, which often seems so elusive but is actually attainable for all of us.

When we learn to value our essence—which includes getting to know and embracing all parts of ourselves—all our thoughts and deeds can emanate from this healthy place.

In addition to her work as a writer, teacher, and counselor, Mrs. Shiffy Friedman is the founding director of LAHAV, an initiative that spreads awareness about the pathways to connection, contentment, and inner peace through Torah. To receive her free thought-provoking messages on the topic or to learn more about LAHAV, please write to info@lahavinitiative.org.

Introducing Allergens

As parents of young children, much of our mealtime battles can be reduced by recognizing roles in feeding children. According to Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility of Feeding, our domain is the “what, when, and where” of eating, while the child’s job is “whether, and how much.” That means that the parent chooses what to serve, when to serve it, and where to serve it, while the child’s job is to decide whether or not to eat it, and if so, how much.

Once this is understood, stress levels go down drastically for everyone. You can feel good as a parent without your child’s mealtime behaviors depending on it, and your child can feel secure knowing they’re in charge of the food going into their body. Knowing your boundaries and being careful not to overstep your child’s boundaries will help eliminate the food-related power struggle.

Perel Kahan, RD, CDN, is a Brooklyn-based pediatric registered dietitian and certified dietitian-nutritionist who practices and lives with an intuitive eating mindset. That means broccoli, whole grain sourdough, and chocolate chip cookies are in regular rotation at her house! She can be reached at kahanperel@gmail.com.

If you’re a health practitioner and would like to contribute to this column, please write to info@wellspringmagazine.com.