This book could not have been written without the input and support of so many people; in many ways, this was a community effort.
My deep gratitude and thanks go out to:
All my friends who nourished me, with both food and emotional support, through my medical training and residency and beyond, and who are likely stunned that my name is on a cookbook;
My incredible former colleagues at HeartLight Healing Arts who inspired me daily with their clinical astuteness, the bigness of their hearts, and the brightness of their lights;
All the friends, colleagues, and patients who contributed recipes and testimonials; and all the teachers and healers who came before, whose shoulders I stand on.
Special thanks and abiding gratitude go to Jennifer Sima, RN, who labored above and beyond the call of duty, who collected, collated, and taste-tested innumerable recipes, and who provided me with unflagging faith and support during the writing of this book.
This book would not have been possible without the incredible knowledge and creativity of my colleague and coauthor, Dana Laake, whose brilliance and dedication to her work are unparalleled.
Thanks beyond measure and words go to my parents, who gave me unwavering support through all the various changes in my career till I landed at this place, which gives me such joy.
I thank my brothers, who, after they stopped laughing and realized I wasn’t kidding about being asked to write a cookbook, supported me 110 percent.
Last, but certainly not least, I give thanks to my patients and their families, who inspire me daily to be better and do better. I get so much more from them than they do from me.
Pamela J. Compart, MD
As a college freshman, I chose the path less traveled and began a journey that has given me far more sunny days than bumps along the way. More than the journey itself, it is the traveling companions I joined who have made the trip extraordinary.
The pioneers and mentors who left their legacy, lit the way for so many of us, endured much opposition, and with noble humility, prevailed: Emanuel Cheraskin, Linus Pauling, Hans Selye, Carl Pfeiffer, Mildred Seelig, William (Billy) Crook, Bernard Rimland, Candace Pert, and Mary Enig.
I am thankful for the pioneers who continue to devote their lives to the biomedical interventions: Sidney MacDonald Baker, Jon Pangborn, Jeffrey Bland, Leo Galland, Doris Rapp, Martha Herbert, Robert Naviaux, Temple Grandin, and the exceptional professionals in the Autism Research Institute under Steve Edelson’s guidance.
To the brilliant nutrition colleagues—thank you for your wisdom and generosity in sharing your knowledge: Kelly Dorfman, Julie Matthews, Victoria Wood, Kelly Barnhill, Vicki Kobliner, Sally Fallon, Steven Nadell, Lisa Lewis, and Karyn Seroussi.
Special thanks to Samantha Tucker, Susan Drescher, and Joyce Mulcahy for contributions to this edition. And always—gratitude to the children and their families
To my resourceful, precise, and wise coauthor, Pamela Compart, thank you for being my companion along this journey through our books on ADHD and autism. To my parents for love, wisdom, and believing that their daughters could do anything! Friends and family are the people who do not lead or follow—they walk beside us: Judy Eisenacher, the Pam Foster Friends and family; Mary Kay Almy, Glenda Ingham, Bev Bailey, and the Garrett Park friends; Bonnie Gutman; Linda Schmidt; Susan Polydoroff, and Pam Wilson.
Our blended family is a village, made strong by love and humor: the Clarks—Susie, Tim, Rachel and Bill; the ever-expanding Godbout clan; our sons and daughters-in-law: Pete Jr. and Carron Laake; Steve and Marisa Laake; Rich and Julie Godbout; and Greg and Colleen Godbout; and always the Grands: Peter Laake III, Ella Godbout, Kit Laake, Sammi Laake, Skylar Laake, Brody Godbout, and Melody Laake. With love and genuine appreciation for the one who makes my work possible and keeps me laughing, Pete Laake, Sr.—thank you for asking me to dance!
With gratitude times infinity,
Dana Godbout Laake, RDH, MS, LDN