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26 Oct

The Hospital Nutrition Revolution!

By Zach Nasr
In Articles, Food and Supplements for Optimal Brain Function
2 comments

Hospitals, Please Let Food Be Thy Medicine! We have all heard about how terrible hospital food is, right? Whether you have been in one yourself, or visited a relative in one, the idea of hospital food being terrible is now

28 Jun

PEG Tube After TBI: Back in The Womb

By Cavin Balaster
In Articles
0 comment

Pretty, isn’t it? This clip keeps me from leaking stomach juices. One year ago today, On June 28th, 2011, I had a PEG tube placed. My NG tube “slipped out” on the 26th, and I had no nutrition for 26 hours!

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Testimonials

I prefer to read about people who have lived recovery

“I have had brain issues for many years. I purchased the Kindle version. I like the idea of reading Cavins book because he has lived through a terrible brain injury and has come back victorious.”

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- T. Riley

He delivers the information in an easy to read manner

“Cavin’s enthusiasm and drive to help those who need it is unparalleled! He delivers the information in an easy to read manner, no PhD required from the reader. 🙂 Having lived through such trauma himself he has real empathy for other survivors and it shows in the writing. This is a great read for anyone who wants to increase the health of their brain, injury or otherwise! Read it!!!”

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- Delanee

The best / most practical book for TBI’ers

“Suffered a TBI or just want to improve, this book contains the information you need to blend into your life, and Cavin tells you how. Everything is backed up with scientific evidence. Implementation of this book will change / restore your outlook on life.”

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- Mark

His story changes lives…

“As a physical therapist with 30+ years of experience in treating neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury, I simply could not believe it when Cavin told me the extent of his injuries. His story opened a new door to my awareness of the incredible benefits of proper nutrition, the power of attitude and community to heal anything we have arise in our lives Cavin is an inspiration and a true way-shower for anyone looking to invest in their health and well-being. No matter the state your brain is in, you will benefit from this cutting-edge information and be very glad (and entertained) that you read this fine work.”

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- Melanie Carlone

The Book is both interesting and helpful. Thank you all very much.

“Learning about about Head ingeries. I myself have had a concushion. Thank you.”

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- Scotty

Well written, educational, and promotes positive lifestyle changes that can be made today!

“Cavin’s personal experience and humble writing to help educate, not only people who have suffered brain injuries, but anyone interested in the best nutritional advice for optimum brain function is a great introduction to proper nutrition filled with many recommendations of how you can make a changes to your diet immediately. This book provides amazing personal insight related to Cavin’s recovery accompanied with well cited peer reviewed sources throughout the entire book detailing the most recent findings around functional neurology!

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about nutrition and how it can impact brain function! As well as anyone willing to challenge themselves TODAY with the recommendations throughout this book!”

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- Andrew Ritter

Five Stars

“Great book!! Full of important information for everyone.”

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- Mar

Five Stars

“Very helpful information without being overwhelming.”

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- Amazon Customer

Great Information!

“My husband and I (Ryan Cedermark) are so impressed with the research Cavin did when writing this book. If you, a family member or friend has suffered a TBI, concussion or are just looking to be nicer to your brain, then we highly recommend this book! Your brain is only as good as the body’s internal environment and Cavin has done an amazing job on providing the information needed to obtain such!”

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- Elizabeth Gilchrist

Beautiful inspiring story about relearning how to live after a traumatic experience

“Amazing book and extremely inspiring story. The author is a close friend of mine and we were reunited later in life due to traumatic life experiences. Truly demonstrates the beauty and nature of the human body and the ability to bounce back. If I could rate this 6 stars I would!!!!”

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- Sammy Morrison

I love this book

“I love this book! As someone that deals with an autoimmune condition, I deal with sever brain fog. I’m currently in school and this has had a very negative impact on my learning. I have been looking for something like this to help my brain function better. This book has me thinking clearer, and my memory has improved. I’m eating healthier and overall feeling much better. This book is very easy to follow and also has some great recipes included.”

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- Jennifer Ramirez

Great Resource-brain injury not required

“Cavin Balaster knows brain injury as well as any specialist. He survived a horrific accident and came out on the other side stronger than ever. His book, “How To Feed A Brain” details how changing his diet helped him to recover further from the devastating symptoms of brain injury such as fatigue and brain fog. Cavin is able to thoroughly explain complex issues in a simplified manner so the reader does not need a medical degree to understand. The book also includes comprehensive charts to simplify what the body needs and how to provide the necessary foods. “How To Feed A Brain” is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their health through diet, brain injury not required.”

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- Amazon Customer

So thankful for this book

“Cavin has been an amazing resource by sharing his first hand experience on living with a brain injury. A must read!”

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- Jennifer Zapp

Worth the read

“Cavin Balaster is an amazing man with an amazing story. He is an inspiration and his book is a good resource for everyone who has a brain.”

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- T.

Love this book

“Love this book! Still reading and can’t wait to see what else I learn…and I am not brain injured! Cavin has already helped me to take steps to address my food sensitivity…seems to be helping and I am only on day 5! He has also helped me to help a family member who has suffered a stroke. Thank you Cavin, for sharing all your knowledge and hard work with us! This book is for anyone that wants to understand and implement good nutrition with all the latest research to back it up. Highly recommend!”

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- JSB

An absolute must for autoimmune sufferers!

“I bought this book because I didn’t want a weightloss diet, but I wanted the most optimal gut/brain food I could find to help with an autoimmune. I subscribe to Cavin’s podcast and another newsletter for gut health which also recommended this book. Also, he’s a personal friend of mine who’s recovery I have witnessed firsthand. Thank you so much for all of the research and your continued dedication to not only help yourself, but for also helping others!”

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- Lauren L. Chemin

Excellent resource for people wanting to feed their brains!

“Cavin’s story is so inspirational and moving. As a practicing Functional Neurologist that specializes in Post-Concussion Syndrome and having suffered multiple head injuries myself, the information that Cavin has put together based on his experiences is totally spot on.

I love seeing such cutting-edge information on brain health out there in the world. Highly recommended!”

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- Titus Chiu

Book that will change how you think about food!

“Very informational and well written book with practical advice on how to eat for better health. Put this on your list of books to recommend for people interested in switching to a healthier lifestyle. It can change your relationship with food by helping you understand how the food you eat affects your brain.”

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- Michelle

Cavin is a superstar brain injury survivor! He knows…

“Cavin is a superstar brain injury survivor! He knows what works & shares his knowledge with anyone who is hungry for information.”

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- Julie J. Castell

One of the best

“Cavin is a great man. A survivor… And a rock star.
I met him when I was 19, and re-met him later in life, after his accident. He still has this gorgeous understanding of the world that makes me believe in him, and always makes me listen to what he has to say.
When my mom had a stroke last year he was the first person I called. He had so much knowledge about what she was going though and totally understood what I was experiencing as well.
He was the first person I thought of, and hopefully the last I’ll need to.

You’re the best, Mr. B.”

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- Adrien Fox

One of this year’s very best health and wellness books!

“There are many health and wellness books being published daily. Do not miss the opportunity to read one of the best for this year: “How to Feed a Brain” by Cavin Balaster, a true expert on deep brain injury who writes from his personal experiences with a great sense of compassion and humanity.

You will not find a better treatment of this critically important subject. You need not have had brain injury to gain the superbly presented information Cavin provides.

For all of us who care about ourselves, friends and family – – this is a book to read and loan out…. but be careful “How to Feed a Brain” you may not get this excellent read returned!”

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Peter Magurean III

Total game-changer

“Following this way of eating has been a complete game-changer for me. I am 1 year post concussion and thought I had stalled in my recovery. Buy this book, follow the instructions, see RESULTS!”

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- Sharon Lori Parker

Book is great, full of recommended micro nutrient and reason why…

“Book is great, full of recommended micro nutrient and reason why they are important to brain health. But it gets redudant over time when author tried to promote his website and his online shop frequently all over the book. But this is great book nonetheless.”

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- Vekit

Vital information

“The author is a remarkable and inspirational survivor of traumatic brain injury. His breakthrough recovery through nutrition and holistic health care demonstrates a radical new approach to healing the brain. This is vital information for health care providers and the public.”

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"Armchair Shopper"

Heal Your Brain with Nutrition

“How to Feed a Brain is an important book. It’s the book I’ve been looking for since sustaining multiple concussions in the fall of 2013. I’ve dabbled in and out of gluten, dairy, and (processed) sugar free diets the past few years, but I have never eaten enough nutritious foods. This book has a simple-to-follow guide on daily consumption of produce, meat, and water.

I appreciate how Cavin writes about important concepts, such as leaky gut and glial cells, in a clear and concise manner.

There are a large number of people attempting to recover from brain injuries that are lacking the right information on nutrition. Thanks to Cavin and his team, we have this book now.

I look forward to eating my quality vegetables, proteins, and fats every day now as I know that they will help my brain to heal.

Cavin’s story is inspirational and worth a read on its own.”

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- Jacob

Excellent book if you want to be vibrant

“Excellent book if you want to be vibrant!!!! Everything you need to know to achieve excellent health overalll….not just your brain! The author’s amazing story from tragedy to good health really inspires me.”

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- Opinions on Everything

but I do feel better in several ways that just might be related to…

“I cannot overstate how grateful I am to Cavin for having published this book (and launched his podcast) before I needed it.”

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- Sara New Orleans, LA United States

A must read for everyone’s health and wellness journey!

“Such an informative and inspiring read! Insight into how optimal nutrients improved Cavin’s own brain recovery make this knowledge-filled read compelling and relatable. The recommendations are easy to understand as well as scientifically-founded – it’s not another fad diet manual. The additional tools and resources provided throughout make it possible for anyone to integrate these enhancements into their nutritional repertoire. Looking forward to more from Cavin and Feed a Brain!!!!!!”

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- Amazon Customer

My dog was too literal

“Fine book but grossly misunderstood by dog. She ate the pages & her brain is fine. This speaks to the virtue of book’s content.”

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- Lia Kass

Must read

“Bought this to learn the best way to feed my son after he sustained a hypoxic brain injury. This book is very informative and the author Cavin is amazing. He had created a lot of resources that are very helpful.”

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- Steele Family

Five Stars

“Very interesting… “back-to-basics” … the first book I read to the end in years.”

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- Kristin

But I do feel better in several ways that just might be related to…

“I cannot overstate how grateful I am to Cavin for having published this book (and launched his podcast) before I needed it. I am 3.5 months out from a concussion and struggling to recover that final 25% or so of my brain and function. I fully believe that diet and lifestyle can help heal many of our ills, and this book gives me a path forward right now. Gavin’s story is inspiring, and his book is well-researched and clearly written. I am a food geek and so innately understand a lot of his advice — I’m not intimidated by the thought of drastically changing my diet because I know well how to shop and cook for myself — but I so appreciate how his gentle approach and stories about his own struggles with a new diet might help people who would find it all daunting. I am in week 2 of following his advice (and also Dr. Titus Chiu’s BrainSave plan). It’s not an instantaneous miracle cure, but I do feel better in several ways that just might be related to this diet.”

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- Sara

Relentlessly focused examination of TBI and nutrition’s affect on the brain

“Cavin’s journey is such an incredible one. He is singularly focused on examining everything he can about TBI (traumatic brain injury) and relentlessly pursues information about everything that affects the brain, particularly nutrition. If you have a loved one that has survived TBI, this book is a must read.”

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- Patrick R.

Five Stars

“Great read and info for anyone suffering from brain trauma.”

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- Laura-Florida

Very informative

“I enjoyed this book. It was full of practical information. It was easy to understand. I implemented some of the ideas in the book and they have made a positive impact for me. Not only is this book a wealth of knowledge it helps you think outside the box and piece together other ideas to research and helps you understand more about TBI and the way food might help you mitigate symptoms.”

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- Dixie

I prefer to read about people who have lived recovery.

“I have had brain issues for many years. I purchased the Kindle version. I like the idea of reading Cavins book because he has lived through terrible brain injury and has come back victorious.”

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- T. Riley

Awesome

“I wish I saw this book one year ago. Thanks, Dr. Deborah Zelinsky, for asking (me) to buy it. Thanks, Cavin, for making time to talk to me. I am so happy.”

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- Amazon Customer

A must read if you care about your brain and…

“A must read if you care about your brain and the assaults on it from environmental factors, including the “standard American diet”, which is really the industrial agriculture diet pushed on us by the government and giant agri-business.”

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- P. Hradkowsky

Five Stars

“Great read from a remarkable fellow.”

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- John

An Enlightening Book For Anyone With A Brain

“In 183 pages, Cavin Balaster’s new book, How to Feed A Brain provides an outline and plan for how to maximize one’s brain performance. The “Citation Notes” provide all the scientific and academic documentation for further understanding. The “Additional Resources and Tips” listing takes you to Cavin’s website for more detail than could be covered in 183 pages. Cavin came to this knowledge through the need to recover from a severe traumatic brain injury and he did not keep his lessons learned to himself. This book is enlightening for anyone with a brain. We all want to function optimally, even to take exams, stay dynamic, and make positive contributions to our communities. Bravo Cavin for sharing your lessons learned!”

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- Chandini Bachman

Fistfuls of exciting brain foods to launch you plus feeding tube powerful nutrition implementation…

“In the hospital and ICU struggles, this book and Cavin’s experience are golden, and if we’d have had this book’s special attention to feeding tube nutrition, my son would be alive today sitting right here along with me saying it was the cod liver oil, the fish oil, and other nutrients able to be fed to him instead of the junk in the pharmacy tubes, that got him past the liver-test results, past the internal bleeding, past the brain difficulties controlling so many response-obstacles back then. Back then, the ‘experts’ in rural hospitals were unwilling to listen, ignored my son’s unexpected turnaround when we used codliver oil transdermally on his sore skin, threatened instead to throw me out, but Cavin has his own proof and his accumulated experience in others’ journeys. Cavin’s boxed areas of notes throughout the book on applying the brain nutrient concepts in feeding tubes are powerful stuff, details to grab onto and run with… hammer them!

And in general his expertise in implementation is unparalleled. His dynamite measuring empowerment of the human in a wonderland of changing everything with ‘fistful’ simplifying potency is the difference between progress and stumbling on techy adjustments in habits.. With this book you are ready to go.”

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- JH Raichyk

The very basic concept of good nutrition among all the conflicting advertisements and various “new”

“As a neuro-optometrist who cares for many brain-injured patients experiencing visual challenges that negatively impact the progress of many of their other therapies, Cavin’s book is a god-send! The very basic concept of good nutrition among all the conflicting advertisements and various “new” food plans and diets can be enough to put anyone into a brain fog much less a brain injured survivor! Cavin’s book is straightforward and written from not only personal experience but the validation of so many well-respected contemporary health care researchers and practitioners! I will certainly be recommending this book as a “Survival/Recovery 101” resource for all my patients including those without brain injuries because we all need optimum health and well-being and it starts with proper nourishment! Kudos to Cavin Balaster!”

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- Mary VanHoy

I wish I had this book when I suffered my…

“I wish I had this book when I suffered my TBIs 10 years ago, but never too late. Thank Cavin!”

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- SMack

If you are looking to get the optimum performance out of your brain, get this book now!

“As a brain injury survivor that still deals with extreme light sensitivity, eye issues and other brain related struggles I have found a great diet is a key to brain health! Cavin’s book is a much needed guide to eating for brain health. While you can fill shelves with books that teach you good nutrition, Cavin’s book teaches you how to help your brain with what you eat. This is a much needed addition to the nutrition section! If you are looking to get the optimum performance out of your brain, get this book now! You won’t regret it.”

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- Ben

We can take care of our brains

“I am nearly four years out from my traumatic brain injury and I have been through 100’s of hours of rehabilitation therapy. I have been surprised by how little attention is given to adequate nutrition for recovering from TBI. I’m always looking for further opportunities to recover and so this book fell into the right hands. Cavin outlines the science and reasoning behind the diet he suggests, but the real power in this book comes when he writes, “WE.” WE can give our brains proper nutrition. Now I’m excited to drink smoothies and eat breakfasts that look like dinners! I will recommend this book to my friends.

(I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)”

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- Rachel J.

A book that keeps on feeding

“Cavin, you are phemomenal! An incredulous journey of a near death accident scripted by an incredible man who chose to share his knowledge of healing his own broken brain. I requested our public library purchase your book because everyone, those with and without brain injuries, should have access to YOUR brain and this book. Thank you for your legacy to mankind!”

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- Fasting Filly

Wonderful!

“Cavin has done an amazing job in all aspects of his life. Overcoming the horrific life threatening accident, and then going on to do whatever he can to help others with his contagious wonderful attitude. This book is an easy to understand fact filled manual for anyone, but especially those who are or are caregivers for a loved one with tbi. I also highly recommend his podcast series.”

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- Nancy

Feed your brain – read this book

“The author’s story alone is a remarkable account of not just survival, but transcendence of a near-death experience. Cavin went on to become an advocate for survival and survivors of traumatic brain injuries, discovering along the way the key role played by nutrition. But this book is not just for injury survivors. It is for anyone who wants to live (and eat) well.”

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- David L. Butler

This book is a wonderful.

“This book is a wonderful, motivating reference for anyone who wants a healthy and sharp brain at any age.”

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- Ammon B.

Five Stars

“Helpful for those who want to have a brain boost :)”

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- Mark H. Zmudy

Highly Recommended!

What an incredible journey for Cavin, from a predicted vegetative state, to an author and teacher, informing us how to
feed our brains to optimize our lives. Very informative book and well organized , and written so it is understandable. Love the charts. Thank you Cavin and thanks to your Mother who didn’t give up.

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- Gigi

Incredibly thorough!

“Incredibly thorough! How to Feed a Brain is so detailed. The author approaches a complex topic with the insight that can only be gained from having had to figure it all out on your own, as he did when he experienced a traumatic brain injury. Super helpful for people with brain injury or those looking to optimize brain health.”

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- T. Davis

Cavin’s Balaster’s How to Feed a Brain is one the best written health nutrition books that I have ever read

“I have a bachelors degree in Nutrition Science. Cavin’s Balaster’s How to Feed a Brain is one the best written health nutrition books that I have ever read. It is evident that through his personal journey with a TBI and many years of research Cavin has gained a great depth of understanding on the biomechanics of nutrition has how it relates to the structure of the brain and nervous system, as well as how all of the body systems intercommunicate with one another. He then takes this complicated knowledge and breaks it down into a concise and comprehensive book. If you or your loved one is suffering from ANY neurological disorder or TBI please read this book.”

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- Ashley Jean Flowers

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feedabrain

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"...an easy-to-implement road map of nutritional changes to support your brain function and repair." -Dr. Mark Hyman, MD

feedabrain

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Aug 25

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Wild Alaskan Sockeye seared in Morraccan spices with braised onion, beet, kale and zucchini from the garden, fresh picked cucumbers marinated in apple cider vinegar w sweet onions, spicy sea salt and lemon pepper. And as always, a healthy pile of freshed cubed avocado. Enjoy! #eats ...

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Aug 23

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Send a brunch! Lettuce, cucumber, onion, basil, and tomato all from the garden. With ripe avocado, and smoked salmon. Dressed with California manzanilla olive oil, moms home grown herbs de Provence. #FeedABrain #Keto #Paleo #Pescatarian #Deliciouso #It’sTimeToEat #Bye ...

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Aug 13

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Three masked faces hovered above me, one also wearing what looked like a face shield for welding "I want you to count back from a hundred." a voice said.

I nodded. "99," I mouthed "98... 97," and then complete darkness engulfed me.

After what seemed like a short moment, my eyes opened to a dark room and the doctors were gone. Gathering information about my surroundings, I could make out other shadowy figures in the large room who were moaning and groaning. "When are they going to do the surgery?" I thought, but there was no one to ask. Did it already happen?

My first instinct was to touch my neck, but I refrained. If they fixed the plumbing in my trachea, I'd be able to breathe through my nose again, which I hadn't been able to do in a long time.

I made my first attempt. And... It worked!

Air cooled my sinuses for the first time in months! The scent of disinfectant and sickness n ever smelled so good. These were the smells of regaining my senses! And I drifted back into darkness with a smile on my face!

Hours earlier, I had gone to Mount Sinai for a tracheal resection surgery. They were to start by cutting into the front of my neck/throat, then to saw through my windpipe in two places, remove the damaged section between them, sew the two good ends together, and finally to sew my neck/throat back together.

Before the surgery, I had signed a waiver that said that I understood the dangers should complications arise. Dr. Brett Miles, the otolaryngologist who was to perform the surgery, warned me that he could potentially damage my vocal cords and if he really messed up, I would die.

And... if the surgery were successful, I would be able to talk again!

I was all in.

When my eyes opened again, I was in a brighter room and my mother and father were by my side.

Dr. Brett Miles entered the room, joining the three of us. "How are you doing, Cavin?" He asked

“I’m ok” I mouthed back like I had been doing since having a tracheostomy placed.

“Go ahead, you can talk.”

It had been so long since trying.

“I’m OK” I actually spoke!

I didn't realize that these words would be a milestone for my recovery, but they still ring very true. I am more than OK!
#tbi ...

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Aug 10

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"Walking around the block again?" The doorman asked. I had been insistent on walking outside with someone at least once every day. My mother and I had started by walking a half block and back... then a whole... then a little more until I was walking around the whole block.

"That's right," my mom said. "Maybe two blocks! We'll be back in an hour or so." She smiled.

I was a high risk of falling and my hand was still flexed inward. I could now almost wrap it around the neck of a guitar... almost. My wrist would lift, but my fingers wouldn’t extend, so I ordered a device for exercising the extension of my fingers. I'll link the device in the comments.

One morning while using this device, I had to go to the bathroom. I practiced sitting up like I had been working on, and I held my walker. Step by step with the walker I slowly inched to the bathroom as I had been doing. Setting the walker aside, I held onto the frame that we had fitted over the toilet, turned around, and sat down. This is the process that I would undergo to pee since my catheter had been removed and I was now using a walker.

After walking back to the couch and sitting, I picked up the finger extensor and wrestled with my hand’s lack of ability. Suddenly I heard a gasp. "Where’s your walker!?!?” my mother exclaimed with a familiar tone of fear and alarm.

I had walked from the bathroom to the living room without a walker!

With a smile on my face, I stood up effortfully and slowly and intently moved towards the bathroom, being very careful about my balance. With my hands on the door frame I entered the bathroom, braced myself with my walker and moved back to the couch.

My mom's open jaw had turned into a smile and she pulled out her phone to film me.

Today, I guide my clients to visit their future yourself's and to receive guidance from the most qualified teacher there is.

You see, my future self showed himself often. "Leave no room for regrets," he would tell me.

If I were never able to walk or speak again... if I were to be permanently shaky and uncoordinated... I would not leave room to look back at myself and to wish I would have tried harder.
#tbi #recovery #futuredesign @adventuresintbi ...

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Aug 7

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I could not walk, talk, or eat, I had a tube protruding through my stomach and I was breathing through a tube in my neck that made me sound like Darth Vader. But here I was, in a corporate apartment on Park Avenue after spending months in the hospital, and I was modeling!

After seeing me for the first time in months, my friend, Jane, had asked to come back with her camera. My brain and body were very damaged, but she could see the strength in my eyes and she wanted to capture it. This is one of the pictures from that day.

Since we had left the hospital, my mother now felt comfortable in giving me homemade gastric feeds. She would cook stews, puree them, and use a large syringe to inject the food into the tube in my stomach. She’d give me a small amount in my mouth, and fill my belly through the tube. It was the closest thing to feeling the pleasure of eating that we could imitate.
My brain and body was finally receiving the fuel it needed to repair itself. Finally!

I had lost 35 pounds in the hospital and had very little muscle mass. Like most people who are hospitalized, the effect of my injuries, infections, and the result of so many medications had left me with a weakened immune system... a weakened everything. While I still couldn’t eat or talk, I was no longer restricted to a mere 1,500 calories of Boost or Jevity.

My aunt is a nurse and functional medicine practitioner. Soon after my injury, she came to NYC for a conference that Dr. David Perlmutter, MD was teaching on brain nutrition, supplementation, and the importance of a balanced immune system for brain health. Today, on the cover of my book is a quote from Dr. Perlmutter:

“His ideas are absolutely in line with current neuroscience and have the added validation of personal experience.”

My aunt advised my nutrition and supplementation and my health started to improve . If I knew then what I know now, I would have been pumping the exact recipes I outline in @feedabrain. I would have been giving myself the nutrition for optimal brain function and repair. When I work with clients today, that's exactly what we do. And we are able to supply real food gastric feeds in a hospital setting as well. ...

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Aug 2

Open

Escorted by my nurse, my mother wheeled me to the elevator to the ground level, passed the coffee shop, and towards the exit of the building. My wheel chair rolled to the edge of the sidewalk a walker was placed for me to brace myself. I had practiced this transition with my physical therapist several times.

I struggled until I sat somewhat upright in the back seat of the cab, and I looked at nurse Joy. "Thank you so much!" I mouthed as my left palm trembled to meet my right. The car door shut, and the cab began to move, closing the chapter on my several month stay at the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at Mount Sinai.

Panting as the car moved, winded from the transition, my stomach began to turn. I had only been in a vehicle twice since my injury in May. "Car sickness" would be an understatement. After several miles in stop and go traffic, we arrived at a building on Park Avenue. A doorman introduced himself and helped my mom to move me to my walker, into the building, and up the elevator.

In the apartment, six large boxes filled with more boxes of medical supplies stacked in the entryway. These boxes contained what I needed for my handicaps.

For the bathroom, there was a toilet frame with handles to assist me on the potty, and a seat for the bathtub/shower because I couldn’t stand on my own.

There was also a humidified oxygen machine, used to cover my tracheostomy tube, protecting me from directly inhaling anything nasty that might have been in the air. The box contained a nebulizer for breathing treatments that I would have twice a day, and cleaning kits for my tracheostomy (2x/day) and dressing for my peg tube, which was to be cleaned and dressed each day. I also had a wheelchair that I used almost always, and a walker that I could use to rebuild my strength.

Transitioning from the hospital to outpatient care is a big step, especially with medical equipment necessities. In outpatient care, my clients are able to get the care they need without being dependent on an understaffed nursing home. It may require more of an emotional, physical, and financial investment, but we are able to control the type and level of care for their loved one.

#tbi #recovery ...

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Jul 28

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LEAVING ROOM C303

I woke up to my main nurse entering my room with several bottles of Nestle’s BOOST. The label on the bottle clearly listed glucose syrup, milk protein concentrate, sugar, and vegetable oil as the first ingredients after water. This was the only nutrition I had had in months (aside from pudding that my friends would sneak into the hospital for me 🤫).

After feeding me, Joy pulled my mom aside for a conversation. “I hear Cavin is being transferred to a nursing home for 'sub-acute' care very soon.” She said with concern “He’s not going to get much therapy there. He’s built up so much momentum, and I’ve seen patients regress when they don't continue their rehab.”

“Can you find a place to stay where visiting nurse service can come for outpatient therapy?” She asked. "It needs to be wheelchair accessible and they are going to need to set up medical equipment for him."

My mom knew this and had begged Dr. Greenwald for more time to find an apartment for us. With compassion and bureaucratic grace, he had pushed my discharge out a week, which had almost expired.

While talking to Joy, a family friend called my mom. Anna is like a second mother to me. She was actually present for my birth and she has been there for my family through thick and thin.

"I have really good news for you guys." Anna said. My mom was already smiling, her heart radiating with gratitude. "I called on friends and professional contacts, and my old boss has a corporate apartment in Manhattan. He said that you and Cavin can move in next week and can stay through August!"

My mom felt overwhelming relief, inspiration, and gratitude! "Thank you thank you thank you!" she kept saying even after the phone call ended, while searching for Dr. Greenwald to tell him the news and to ask him to allow me to stay another week. Dr. Greenwald smiled and agreed to have me stay.

I collaborate with folks and their medical team. We work together for better nutrition and supplementation (even through a gastric tube), while also navigating the ins and outs of hospital policies, discharges, and getting to the right medical center for their care.

Feel free to share this or to reach out. 🙏 ...

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Jul 26

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VOICE OF HOPE
After the procedure that left me breathing through a tube in my neck, I awaited a test to see IF they could perform the surgery to give me my voice back.

Unbeknownst to me, this surgery may not have been possible.

If this were the case, I would be unable to speak while breathing through a tube for the rest of my life.

My mother kept this scary possibility from me.

An unfamiliar doctor entered my hospital room.

"Hi Cavin. My name is Dr. Altman. I gave you a tracheostomy a few weeks ago." I stared at him blankly.

"While we were working on your throat last month, we saw a lot of scar tissue. I'm here today to check it out. Is that OK with you?"

Dr. Altman lubricated one end of a fiberoptic cable and fed it into my nostril, through my sinuses, and to the back of my throat. With this device, he could now measure the size and amount of scar tissue in my trachea.

After sliding this unfamiliar object back and forth in my nose and throat, he saw what he was looking for and retracted the fiber optic cable.

"Good news, Cavin!" He said with a proud smile. "The stenosis is just within the margins. We are going to be able to resection your trachea!"

I just shrugged with my thumb up, not knowing that I may have never spoken again.

This tracheal resection would start by cutting into the front of my neck. Next, the surgeon would carefully saw through my trachea on either side of the scar tissue, throw away the occluded piece, and sew the two ends of my trachea back together.

They were going to slit my throat to save my life.

When my mom arrived, I wrote the news. Relief washed over her and she broke into tears.

She knew all along that I may never talk again, and had protected me from the heaviness of this possibility. She was protecting my psyche and motivation.

In working with clients in these kinds of situations, I have found two factors to be the most important to determine the probability of a successful recovery:

1 - Community support.

2- The motivation of a survivor (which is very much influenced by community support).

Feel free to share this with anyone or to reach out with any questions about recovery.

#tbi #recovery #brainhealth ...

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Jul 19

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$VIDEO 1: A neurological condition rendered my left hand and my left foot nearly unusable. My foot pointed like a ballerina and my hand curled in like a talon. My frustration was immense and I feared that my hand and foot would stay this way forever. My hips were also broken and I was not able to bear weight on them until I was cleared to do so. This involved several X-rays until a doctor gave the OK. I had not healed enough to attempt to walk for over two months and I was getting frustrated in my place of inability. After being wheeled into the therapy room, my physical therapist greeted me with enthusiasm. "Well, Mr. Balaster," she said "You have been cleared for weight bearing!" After I had fractured my right ileum and right sacrum more than two months earlier, I could finally attempt to walk. The work I had done so far was to gain strength after being in a hospital bed for months. Even though my hip had now healed enough and I was stronger, my stability, balance, and coordination were not. I had to relearn, and a walker could act as my “training wheels.” People take walking for granted. It takes enormous coordination and thousands of processes happening all at once in order to simply take a step. In my state, I was like an infant learning how its body worked. It was like I’d never walked before. The area of my brain that stored all of the “muscle memory” (cerebellum) had been damaged, and I had to relearn. I had to redevelop. The probability had been that I wouldn't wake from a coma. Now the probability was that I would not fully recover. "What if probabilities were just a challenge?" I thought. My competition was only with the odds. VIDEO 2: Probabilities only seem to apply to normal people anyway. And anyone who knows me will tell you... I'm not normal!And I will tell you... my clients aren't normal either. :) It is amazing how much we can move the needle on peoples recovery by doing targeted exercises to each individual's neurology. If you are in a place, or if you know someone who is in a place of inability... and if you, or someone you know is committed to regaining abilities, share this or message me. #tbi #recovery #ataxia$

VIDEO 1:
A neurological condition rendered my left hand and my left foot nearly unusable.

My foot pointed like a ballerina and my hand curled in like a talon.

My frustration was immense and I feared that my hand and foot would stay this way forever.
My hips were also broken and I was not able to bear weight on them until I was cleared to do so.

This involved several X-rays until a doctor gave the OK. I had not healed enough to attempt to walk for over two months and I was getting frustrated in my place of inability.
After being wheeled into the therapy room, my physical therapist greeted me with enthusiasm.

"Well, Mr. Balaster," she said "You have been cleared for weight bearing!" After I had fractured my right ileum and right sacrum more than two months earlier, I could finally attempt to walk.

The work I had done so far was to gain strength after being in a hospital bed for months. Even though my hip had now healed enough and I was stronger, my stability, balance, and coordination were not. I had to relearn, and a walker could act as my “training wheels.”

People take walking for granted. It takes enormous coordination and thousands of processes happening all at once in order to simply take a step.

In my state, I was like an infant learning how its body worked. It was like I’d never walked before. The area of my brain that stored all of the “muscle memory” (cerebellum) had been damaged, and I had to relearn. I had to redevelop.

The probability had been that I wouldn't wake from a coma. Now the probability was that I would not fully recover.

"What if probabilities were just a challenge?" I thought. My competition was only with the odds.

VIDEO 2:
Probabilities only seem to apply to normal people anyway. And anyone who knows me will tell you... I'm not normal!

And I will tell you... my clients aren't normal either. :)

It is amazing how much we can move the needle on peoples recovery by doing targeted exercises to each individual's neurology.

If you are in a place, or if you know someone who is in a place of inability... and if you, or someone you know is committed to regaining abilities, share this or message me.

#tbi #recovery #ataxia ...

33 12

feedabrain

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Jul 17

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Vegan Feed a Brain dinner:

Mixed greens with avos, oranges, algae oil, and fire cider.... served with stewed vegies: onions, young garlic, carrots, purple cabbage, purple sweet potato and asparagus. Topped with fresh lemon, avo oil or ghee, and spiced salt.

Blessings!
#feedabrain #eats ...

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