Ep 52: According to bettercare.ie Dyspraxia/DCD is estimated to affect 6–10% of the population in Ireland, with many cases going undiagnosed due to varied symptoms and limited awareness. In an article published on RTE.ie the Department of Education report that about 1 in 20 schoolchildren in Ireland are now diagnosed with autism, which represents a threefold increase in under a decade. Referrals for autism assessments have more than doubled in the last five years, with some services reporting up to 300% increases in requests. This surge is largely attributed to greater awareness, improved diagnostic practices, and reduced stigma.In this episode we explore an inspiring story and talk to someone who teaches practical solutions which make a real difference in people’s lives, our guest, Brenda Cassidy, founder of the Braincalm Institute™.Brenda’s journey began with a deeply personal mission: helping her own child overcome anxiety and sensory challenges while waiting months—or even years—for formal diagnoses and medication. Drawing on her expertise as an Occupational Therapist, Brenda developed the Braincalm™ Programme, a simple yet powerful approach that helps children and teens (and even adults) become focused, calm, and able to self-regulate their behaviour.What started as a mother’s determination has grown into a movement. Since launching the original programme in 2015 and founding the Braincalm Institute in 2021, Brenda has empowered thousands of parents and trained over 5,000 school staff across Ireland and beyond. Her work is transforming classrooms and homes by giving adults the tools to support children with sensory issues and emotional regulation challenges.In this episode, we’ll dive into Brenda’s story of necessity, the background of Braincalm™, and how her practical strategies are changing lives every day. If you are struggling to get a diagnosis or help a child with challenges which make it difficult for them to regulate their behaviour, such as Dyspraxia, ADHD, Autism, then listen in - the Braincalm programme is helping people to feel calmer, more confident, and ready to thrive. At the end of the episode, I suggest some calming snacks and explain how they help and the store cupboard staple is nutritious and delicious hummus!ResourcesBrenda's website www.braincalminstitute.comBraincalm Programme https://www.braincalminstitute.com/programmeBrenda's Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Funpraxia-childhood-step-step-programme-ebook/dp/B01L0MEEP8https://bettercare.ie/insights/dyspraxia-guide-diagnosis-treatment-support/https://www.rte.ie/news/upfront/2025/0414/1507654-examining-the-rise-in-adhd-and-autism-diagnoses/https://educationelephant.ie/the-rise-in-autism-adhd-diagnoses-a-crisis-or-a-breakthrough/https://www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie/2021/10/22/basil-black-pepper-hummus/Healthy Hummus recipes https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/healthy-food-guides/best-healthy-hummus-recipesThe Encylopaedia of Healing Foods by Dr Michael Murray, Dr Joseph Pizzorno with Lara Pizzorno MA, LMTMusic composed by cascreativearts, copyright Lyn Sharkey Nutrition. Lyn's website www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie

Ep 51: In this episode of Alimentary! we are diving into a topic that affects every single one of us—whether we realize it or not: the hidden impact of EMFs on our health, longevity, and overall wellness. From smartphones and Wi-Fi to wearable devices and smart homes, our modern lives are surrounded by invisible waves of electromagnetic fields. So, what do these exposures really mean for our bodies, our brains, and even our fertility?

To help us unpack this, we’re joined by Arthur Menard—Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of HAVN, the world’s first EMF-blocking apparel designed for daily wear. HAVN’s patented WaveStopper™ fabric is trusted by doctors, elite athletes, and even the U.S. Air Force to reduce radiation exposure that can affect hormones, fertility, and cognitive function. Since launching, HAVN has helped tens of thousands of people worldwide take control of their wellbeing in our hyper-connected world.

In this conversation, Arthur and I talk about how witnessing his grandparents battle cancer influenced his career choice and lead him to study EMFs, and why it is so important to become aware of our exposure to protect our health. He shares some tips about how we can reduce our exposure in addition to telling us about how he has developed clothing which can block EMFs. Arthur’s mission is simple but powerful: to help people live longer, feel better, and thrive in an increasingly connected world. This episode brings science, innovation, and actionable strategies together in a way you won’t want to miss.

The store cupboard staple for this episode is the humble carrot - turns out it isn't so humble after ll!

Resources

Arthur's Website https://checkout.havnwear.com/

This is not a paid advertisement for HAVN Clothing, but if you should choose to check out their products and purchase from them, Arthur has kindly offered 15% Discount Code - ALIMENTARY - to listeners of this show.Electromagnetic Fields https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/physical_agents/electromagnetic_fields/electromagnetic_fields/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8484862/https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/healthy-carrot-recipes/

https://www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie/2022/03/19/homemade-red-cabbage-coleslaw/

https://www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie/2021/10/17/carrot-sweet-potato-butternut-squash-red-lentils/

The Encylopaedia of Healing Foods by Dr Michael Murray, Dr Joseph Pizzorno with Lara Pizzorno MA, LMT

Music composed by cascreativearts, copyright Lyn Sharkey Nutrition.

Lyn's website www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie

Ayurveda is the world’s oldest system of natural health, with roots tracing back more than 6,000 years. Originating in India, this holistic healing tradition is centered on balancing the body’s energies to create lasting health and vitality. It offers a complete approach to wellness, weaving together nutrition, lifestyle, herbal remedies, and spiritual practices.

Our guest on Alimentary today, Nidhi Pandya, is an Ayurvedic doctor, international speaker, educator, and author of the book Your Body Already Knows. Nidhi's passion lies in empowering us to become self-aware and live intuitively, achieving Mind-Body Balance. She has gained popularity online and has become known for distilling complex ancient scriptures into practical advice for the modern day. Her 'Inner Climate' method, taught globally, focuses on realigning the mind and body for optimal health, healing, and longevity.

This episode will inspire you to look at daily habits differently and will empower you to use basic health habits to increase your energy and enjoyment of life.

The store cupboard staple for this episode is rice!

Other resources

Website https://www.nidhi.me/Nidhi's Book Your Body Already Knows: Intuitive Ayurveda 21 Days to Reset your Gut, Sleep, Mood, and Health: Bhanshali Pandya, Nidhi, Hemsley, Jasmine: 9781786789280: Amazon.com: Books

Nidhi's book has received high praise from various thoughtleaders, including:

· Deepak Chopra calls it “A succinct guide for anyone seeking an integrative approach to well-being at all levels—body, mind, and spirit.”

· Sadhguru sayshe “Deeply appreciates Nidhi Bhanshali Pandya’s efforts to bring the science of Ayurveda with a fresh look to the world.”

· Dr SuhasKshirsagar says “Ayurveda is the original lifestyle and personalized medicine, and it allows us to develop heightened awareness forintuitive healing. Nidhi Bhanshali Pandya has done an amazing job of presenting this ancient wisdom for a modern audience."

Timing of meals https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2023/chrononutrition-timing-meals-matters-your-health

Curried Rice Salad https://www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie/2021/10/22/curried-rice-salad/

Safety when cooking and re-heating rice https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322775#:~:text=It%20is%20possible%20to%20reheat%20rice%20safely%20as,called%20Bacillus%20cereus%2C%20which%20survive%20some%20cooking%20processes.

https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/sfbb-indian-05-cooking-06-rice_0.pdf

Recipes https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-rice-recipesThe Encylopaedia of Healing Foods by Dr Michael Murray, Dr Joseph Pizzorno with Lara Pizzorno MA, LMT

Music composed by cascreativearts, copyright Lyn Sharkey Nutrition.

Lyn's website www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie