Have fun! Hi Kids,

Welcome to the Biotechnology Basics Activity Book. This is an activity book for young people like you about biotechnology — a really neat topic. Why is it such a neat topic? Because biotech-nology is helping to improve the health of the Earth and the people who call it home. In this book, you will take a closer look at biotechnology. You will see that biotechnology is being used to figure out how to:

1) grow more food;
2) help the environment; and
3) grow more nutritious food that improves our health.

As you work through the puzzles in this book, you will learn more about biotechnology and all of the wonderful ways it can help people live better lives in a healthier world.

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology (by-o-tek-nawl-a-gee) is a big word, but it is easy to figure out what it means if you just look closer!
Bio is short for biology, which is the study of all living things.

Technology is another word for tools.

Biotechnology then, is a tool that uses biology to make new products. For example, agricultural biotechnology is a precise way to make seeds with special qualities. These seeds will allow farmers to grow plants that are more nutritious, more resistant to pests and more productive.

Biotechnology is a tool for looking closer at nature to find solutions that improve the health of the Earth and its people.

How does biotechnology work?

Biotechnology allows scientists to look closer at genes and make improvements in them. Your body is composed of millions of individual units called cells. Within each cell are genes that carry all of the information that allows your body to work and determines how you look. You get your genes from your parents. This is why you may look like your parents. All people, plants and animals inherit traits from their parents through their genes.

One of the first people to study how traits are passed from parents to their young was a monk in Austria named Gregor Mendel. Almost 200 years ago, he used plants to show how certain things such as flower size and color are passed on from the parent to the offspring.

Biotechnology allows for scientists to study how plants grow and how they react to the environment. As a result, scientists can now insert a specific gene into a plant that will help it adapt to its environment, make it more pest resistant, or even make it more nutritious.

How can biotechnology help us to grow food that can improve our health and is more nutritious?

Scientists are using biotechnology to grow foods that could help make people healthier. Here are a few examples:

Rice will one day have extra beta-carotene, which is a source of Vitamin A. They call it “Golden Rice.” It could help fight diseases and blindness. In the future, bananas could be grown with medicines inside them. This means people could grow their own banana trees to provide the essential medicines to protect against illness and disease.

Someday, potatoes could be grown that absorb less oil when they are made into potato chips or french fries. Healthier snacks does not mean that you should eat too much of them; but when you do eat them, they could be better for you.

In the world of plants, winter is a time of rest and dormancy. During this season the processes of life and regeneration are subtle and hidden away. Bulbs, roots and rhizomes nourish growth deep within their structures.

As non-hibernating, daytime creatures, we humans can grow restless and depressed during the darkness of winter, cut off from the light and life that we thrive on most of the year.
Feelings of sadness, lack of focus, fatigue, and moodiness around this time of year are all common symptoms of SAD.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Mild forms of SAD are believed to affect as many as 20% of people in the United States.

When we feel any emotion, our body releases chemicals specific to that emotion. Anger, joy, fear, love, etc each have their own chemical or chemical blend that is released. These are called neuro-peptides. When these chemicals are present in the body, they attach onto receptors on the outside of our cells. This is emotional memory.

When the same kind of emotions are felt for a long period of time, the body will create new cells with the ‘emotional information’ on it’s receptors to match the emotional memory that previous cells had. This is why emotions can be addictive.

For example, a person who has been feeling depressed for a long period of time will no longer experience joy in the same way because their new cell receptors are literally ‘programmed’ for depression, making the chains of emotional addiction very difficult to break.

Patchouli essential oil has been used traditionally to provide mood support and may help to reduce anxiety caused by the winter blues. It has a very rich and herbaceous scent, and can easily be blended with other essential oils for a pleasant aroma. (Blends well with Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Orange)

Sweet Orange: This oil is known for its calming properties. While that may seem counterintuitive for depression, it can help to relieve anxiety and bring more peace.

Bergamot: The uplifting citrus scent can help to release frustrations and aggravations as well as quell nervousness and frustration.

Neroli: The powerful fragrance of neroli can instantly calm the mind and heart. It’s particularly effective at healing depression related to nervous and emotional exhaustion.

Lavender: Calming and relaxing, lavender soothes and reduces anxiety and stress levels.

Rose Otto: The beautiful, fragrant rose opens the heart and brings joy and calmness. It’s incredibly balancing, too.

Frankincense: A meditative fragrance, frankincense can connect us with our higher selves, bringing perspective and self-acceptance to those challenging moments.

Clary Sage: Calming and balancing, clary sage is a great fragrance for women, especially if your cycle could be influencing your mood. It helps to balance and regulate the hormonal body while balancing and calming.

Getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat is a sure way to raise serotonin and endorphin levels – this is especially beneficial if you do it in the morning. Even better, exercise in the sun or near a sunny window.

Essential Oils That Soothe Congestion

Free Recipes on these pages >  > >

• Eucalyptus – Potent antiseptic, antiviral, and decongestant.
• Tea Tree - An effective antimicrobial, expectorant and antiseptic.
  
• Peppermint - Helps to open nasal passages. 
• Thyme - Powerful antiseptic that helps boost immune function. Useful for colds, flu’s  and chills.
• Basil - Helps open nasal passages. Antiseptic.
• Rosemary - Antiseptic, helps open nasal passageways.  
• Pine- Great for colds and sinusitis. Has decongestant and antimicrobial qualities.
• Lavender – Antihistamine, antiseptic and antimicrobial.
  
• Clove - No more than 2 drops.
  
• Marjoram - Antimicrobial. Helps with breathing.
• Chamomile – Relieves congestion and helps calm cranky patients. Safe for babies of all ages.
• Lemon – Stimulates immune function,
  
• Sweet Orange – Helps with detoxification

Soothes Coughs

ADHD Diet and Lifestyle

At least a portion of those living with ADHD find some relief in diet and lifestyle changes. What do those changes look like?

Positive Routines

For one, it should be seen if a regular bedtime, 7 days a week, helps to alleviate symptoms. Regular and moderate exercise can also be helpful. There is no harm in trying these lifestyle changes, and you can go back to previous routines if they don’t make a difference.

Gut Health

Something else to try is diet changes. This includes finding out what foods the person may be sensitive to. Some people with ADHD react negatively to additives and preservatives in foods. Some have a sensitivity to wheat or gluten and or dairy products. A trial elimination of these foods could prove beneficial.

There is said to be a large connection between ADHD behaviors and gut and digestive health. Gut healing protocols can help with this. One of the most popular diets for healing disorders such as ADHD is the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet.

At the very least, a probiotic supplement
or digestive enzymes   can be taken to help the body absorb more essential.

Caffeine for ADHD

The evidence may be a bit anectodal, but many people with ADHD have reported that instead of making them hyper and stimulated, caffeine induces a “calming effect” on them.

The claim has merit. A 2005 study found that rats with similar symptoms to that of ADHD did better on tests when they were given caffeine beforehand.

This theory also makes since because children and adults are often given prescription stimulant medications to treat their ADHD. These medications work similarly to caffeine but on an extended release. A side note that if a person was given Ritalin, they will never be accepted into the Military.

My conclusion: It may not last as long, but caffeine can be used as needed when times of focus are more necessary. And without the nasty side effects of extended release stimulant medications.

Calming Remedies for ADHD

Many natural remedies and herbs have a calming effect on those with ADHD and can be used as needed. Some companies have even developed products specifically to help with inattentiveness and hyperactivity symptoms.

Natural Remedies for ADHD symptoms:
Stress BeGone KidCare  for children

Essential Oils Commonly Used for ADHD

• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Clary Sage
• Frankincense
• Ylang Ylang
• Basil
• Marjoram
• Chamomile

You may wish to create your own blend of essential oils with coconut oil as a base. The individual can sniff the oil or apply it as needed for symptoms. I really like to carry oils with me so that they are available to us anywhere.

Supplements for ADHD

Being deficient in certain vitamins and minerals can make ADHD symptoms worse. Because of this, many people with the disorder find relief from treating these deficiencies through supplementation.

The two most common deficiencies found in people with ADHD are vitamin D and magnesium deficiency. Omega 3 deficiency is also common.

Vitamin D
 omega 3
A magnesium supplement