In early December, I was asked to appear on the morning show to talk about HBD: Battle with the Bugs. It was my first time on T.V. so needless to say I was quite nervous, but luckily it was so early in the morning I didn’t have too much time to dwell on it!

For those of you who have not seen the the clip, here you are!

Be well,

The Holiday Sale has been extended till January 10th! It is a great time to stock up on kids birthday gifts for the year!

Happy New Year!

The  Holiday Sale is now on!

It is a fantastic gift for all kids ( and adults too!)The t-shirts are 100% white organic and they are SOOOOO soft and cute.

1. HBD 1 book and “I heart HBD” t shirt $25.00
2. HBD 2 book and “I fought the bugs and I won” t- shirt $25.00
3. Both books for $30.00
4. T- shirt for $12.00
5. HBD 1 for $16.50
6. HBD 2 for $16.50

Happy Holidays!

When I was in school one of my teachers (also a doctor) spoke of a child patient who had cancer. They came to him for some alternative therapies and my teacher suggested some visualization.

He had the child close his eyes and start describing the cancer in every aspect - colour, hairy, ball-like etc. Once that was established, my teacher had him describe his own warriors or defenses in his body. The scene was set, the battle visualized with the  cancer was being destroyed.

This didn’t occur in one visit but over many. The weeks that followed were full of imaginative creative stories on how his body was destroying the cancer. Not only did the child feel better after the sessions, he was physically better.

This story made a big impact on me. It actually is one of the reasons that led me to write my series of educational adventure stories called, Human Body Detectives. And when my kids are sick, I have them visualize their white blood cells destroying the bad bug. They really get into it, describing the bugs in full detail and the battle scene.

We don’t know for sure if creative visualization really boasts our immune systems but as a parent and a doctor, I see how it allows us to be physically and emotionally stronger and proactive in our health.

Be well,

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2009

Contact: Heather Manley, N.D.

HAWAII DOCTOR PUBLISHES SECOND KIDS’ EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE STORY

Hawaii Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Heather Manley, announces the release of Human Body Detectives: Battle with the Bugs, the second activity workbook and story-telling audioCD in her Human Body Detectives (HBD) series, on November 18, 2009.

HBD is a series of educational adventure stories for 7-12 year olds where two young “Human Body Detectives,” Merrin and Pearl, magically enter different systems in the body to solve health mysteries. Through action packed fiction stories told on audio CD, listeners learn how the various systems work and what foods best fuel each system. The accompanying workbook filled with games and puzzles reinforces what kids have learned from the story and helps them further understand the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system.

In Battle with the Bugs, while on a family trip to Mexico, the girls are joined by brave cousin Sam on a learning journey through the immune system. They start out in the mucus-filled nose of cousin Max, who is suffering from a bad cold, and proceed to learn everything from what white blood cells do to what causes a fever. Trying to help Max, they even befriend a macrophage warrior named Quickster whom they help fight the bad bug invaders.

Battle with the Bugs follows Manley’s first story, The Lucky Escape, where Merrin and Pearl wind up in their baby brother’s digestive system and narrowly escape his poopy diaper.

HBD stories and workbooks:
• Engage kids in a fun way to learn about how their bodies work
• Encourage kids to make healthy food and lifestyle choices
• Inspire kids to take charge of their own health
• Support parents and teachers by enhancing science/health curricula

As a physician and a mother, Manley believes that if children understand how their bodies work, they are more apt to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. She came up with the idea for the HBD series after discovering a lack of books on the market that help kids learn, in a fun way, about how their bodies work. Manley’s goal is to expand the series to at least five books with corresponding DVD’s. Merrin and Pearl will next appear in the circulatory system, learning about keeping the heart healthy, in HBD: A Heart Pumping Adventure, set for press in spring 2010. Adventures through the nervous and muscular systems will follow.

The activity workbook, audio CD, and DVD packages are geared to serve as tools for families, teachers and home school parents, to supplement current science and/or health curricula. The HBD series is also highlighted on Manley’s website. The site provides a resource for people, especially parents of young children, to learn about preventative health care and taking charge of their family’s health.

Dr. Manley is a naturopathic physician licensed in the state of Hawaii. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine and the Hawaii Naturopathic Medicine Association.

For more information, please visit the HBD site, or email drheather

This is a fantastic NPR  posting and video animation on the immune system! It is short and very informative with not too much medical terms ( if any, really!)

And if you want to learn more about the immune system, pick up my new book, HBD: Battle with the Bugs, which is a fun educational story -telling journey through the immune system. Watch the book trailer here.

Be well,

I am very happy to show you the book trailer for…

Human Body Detectives: Battle with the Bugs!

It was just sent to me and I couldn’t even wait a minute until I could show all of you!

The printing is a little behind but I should have in my hands the last week of October. It will be available on Amazon in November but the book can be purchased on my site now as a pre-order!

Enjoy!

This was exciting to me - HBD first Blog Review - and a great one at that! Browse around Andi’s blog ( after reading abut HBD first!) as she has many interesting tales to tell!

Thanks Andi,

My kids have started school …..and now I am working, quietly except for my few YIPPPEEES, with no interruptions.

Every year before school starts I take them to visit their doctor. Since she became their doctor, this is the really the only time and reason we go see her. My older daughter always complains but I think it is important to establish a relationship with your doctor in case something does happen and you really need them.

Ok well this is what happened. Our health insurance changed this year and when I handed over the new cards the receptionist told me that the girls check up would not be covered. I was baffled. How could they not cover something clearly so preventative. And then later in the day I stumbled across this article, “Rate of severe childhood obesity up sharply in U.S.” Maybe if parents didn’t need to pay the $100 or so for the yearly check up, this number may not be so high!

I realize that no simple answer exists but do realize something needs to occur and that it will have to be multiply of things,for example, free yearly check ups, more outdoor play time (PE), and educating the children more about their bodies ( this is where Human Body Detectives could play a role).

Let me know what you think and what problems you may have with your insurance company.

Be well,

I have never really mentioned where you can purchase my book! Human Body Detectives: The Lucky Escape can be found on Amazon or on my Human Body Detectives site ( where there are also some free downloads!)

The book includes a 24 page workbook ( full of puzzles and games), 2 pages full color stickers and an audio cd.

And please watch the book trailer!

Be well,

Today we had out first Human Body Detectives book signing. Unfortunately, Pearl missed out on the first part as she had a soccer game, but did manage to enjoy most of the excitement.

We set up a table for people to ask questions and browse through the book, a table to listen to the theme song, watch the book trailer and do some colouring.

It was a lot of fun and I would like to thank everyone who came out to support me ( and for the library - Mr. K was a pleasure to work with!)

Our next book signing is scheduled on August 30th from 10am to noon at Huli Sues  on the Big Island. Hope to see some of you there( the HBD tattoos should be in by then for some added fun!)

Be well,

This is one of the things  you find on the Healthy Kids page ( remember the recipe?) Well, I am so happy with the design of this page ( or the start of the evolution of the design……I now understand how things change when the creative juices begin flowing…very fun!)

If the full version is just too long for you, here is a shorter one.

hbd-shortened-theme-song

Have fun listening!

PS Nina with Jonesy created the graphic design and Gillian, also with Jonesy,  put it all together with her techno genius! Their site is super! Check it out when you have a chance.

Very recently, I decided to create a facebook fan page for my human body detectives series.

I am writing, adding pictures and just keeping everyone up to date with what me and my little hbds are up too. We have been super busy this summer and we could all use a little holiday. Too bad school starts soon but we are planning for a BIG trip for next summer!

Please become a fan! and pass this on!

Human Body Detectives on Facebook

Thanks for all your support!

A few months ago, I began to ponder the idea of taping the kids cooking favourite yet simple , healthy ( well sometimes!) snacks and meals.  I asked Merrin and Pearl about it and luckily they are always up for something new. At first we thought Merrin would film but now with a few videos done, we can see that being in front of the camera is where the action is!

You will find their creations by going to www.drheathernd.com and clicking on Healthy Kids. You will then see the recipe card ( above). You can watch their silliness and print up the recipe. We have some good friendly kid recipes coming up and we are even going into a local restaurant to create an adult entree into a kid entree!

Have fun!

PS while you are on the Healthy Kids page, listen to the HBD theme song!

This was the real deal! I was really excited ( and a tad nervous) but then became even more excited when I noticed that all of the musical sound equipment was made by a company called MANLEY! It seemed to be a sign….

Enjoy,

From the moment I suggested to Pearl that she might want to spend her music lesson coming up with a theme song for Human Body Detectives and hearing Pearl ask Jessica, the creativity was on this project did not stop! I never imagined it would get this far ( but deep down I hoped!)

Pearl and Jessica started the lyrics and  I tightened them up. Jessica then put the music to garage band, we went into Charles Broteman’s studio and did it live with Karl. Karl polished up the mix and VOILA!

I hope you love it!…..PS you will need to go to my site www.drheathernd.com and click on the Healthy Kids page to hear the final mix!

Enjoy!