Ep 80 – Tube-Feeding, Blenderized Diet and How One Mother Is Helping To Heal The World

Hey Divas!

Today on the show I am sharing an inspiring story of a mama who is definitely being a diva in her own life by overcoming a challenging experience. This story touched my heart so much and I’m excited to share it with you on the show!

This is the story of Bradley and Leslie Bienz and how this one family is helping to change the medical protocol with regards to tube-feeding and treating children with feeding disorders.

My journey to becoming Crunchy Tubie Mama began when my son, Bradley, developed a severe feeding disorder in response to multiple medical traumas he endured following his birth. His disorder was so severe, he was unable to eat, and he required a feeding tube. The dietary advice I was given, which consisted of the recommendation of an extremely high-sugar, highly-processed diet, made my son violently ill. I knew there had to be a better way.

Prior to my son’s birth, I worked with children who lived in an institution to receive treatment for severe behavior disorders. I have a degree in psychology and biology, with an emphasis on child development and behavioral neurobiology. I helped these children heal their relationships with people and with the world around them.

Using the same principles I had used in my career, I helped my son heal his damaged relationship with food, enabling him to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods. I watched my son flourish and thrive as a result. Today, he is a very healthy, beautiful, 4-year-old boy who eats a wide variety of nutritious foods, and he no longer has a feeding tube.

As Bradley’s story spread, I began to help parents struggling with picky eating. I wrote multiple children’s books to help parents help their children make healthy food choices. In time, I began Modish Mealtimes, a program to guide parents as they transform their child’s eating habits without the use of coercion or bribes. It has been a tremendous joy to see so many children benefit from all that nutritious food has to offer them.

Book for tube feeding called Stand for Food: https://crunchytubiemama.com/stand-for-food/

Facebook group for tube feeding (Blenderized moms): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlenderizedRN/

Find Leslie’s book series here: crunchytubiemamabooks.com