I have an eclectic family with one beautiful, albeit dramatically sassy, nine year old girl. An über cool, albeit outrageously sensitive, seven year old boy. And a "he's so cute, he belongs in baby gap", albeit a little shit head, two year old boy. Last, but certainly not least, I'm married to the craziest (good and bad), albeit super charming and sexy man around. I'm also very close to my siblings and extended families .
NICOTINE: I'm a closet smoker because, I HAVE KIDS and outside of my family (my hubby smokes too), very few people know I'm a smoker. We don't smoke in the house, car or in public (only on vacay or if no kids are around). Being a parent of young kids and refusing to give up this ridiculous habit, we have set up a "smokers lounge" in the garage, complete with TV, XBOX, AC and heater. We live in Iowa so, smoldering, humid hot or freezing cold, we're out there every night, puffing away. And because I am fully aware of the second (and third) hand smoke health risk (I told you people, I KNOW stuff), I wear multiple layers that i can remove AND wash my hands and face every time I come back into the house, I know PATHETIC! I have been living in denial about the REALITY and harsh effects of smoking and understand I need to quit. It's going to be a battle but I'm prepping myself to get it together and give up these awful "cancer sticks". From experience, I know I cannot completely quit smoking until I am ready. Too many failed attempts have taught me that. I'm an addict and I need to tackle this monster head on but insanely enough, I am not ready. It is KILLING me folks, KILLING me and I'm SOO addicted I CANNOT STOP! This is serious shit and I hope, once I'm ready, you will all go on that journey with me. I'm skeered, I ain't gonna lie, but I'm close. I can FEEL it.
NUTRIENTS: My toddler started having febrile seizures when he was 15 months old, and was averaging a seizure every thirty to thirty-five days. After nine seizures and way too many ER and pediatrician visits, we were sent to specialists who said his chances of developing epilepsy have increased because he had more than one seizure in a 24 hour period. Once they started talking about possible future outcomes and medications, all I heard was blah, mind altering drugs, blah, poison, blah, toxic, blah. What they were saying just felt wrong, scary and deceitful so, at that point I started to seek out "alternative medicine" and natural methods of healing and nutrition. I started my baby on nutrients eight months ago and he has NOT had another seizure since (knock on wood). If you have never experienced a child seizing you have NO IDEA how AMAZING this is! No freakin' seizures, WOO FUCKIN'HOO! These are NOT self prescribed nutrients. We went to a professional who put him on medicinal herbs and nutritional supplements, with follow up consultations and lots of phone calls and texts. And it's an ongoing process he still takes his nutrients everyday.
My introverted and sweet daughter (definitely a follower and not a leader, YET;)) , after being a victim of bullying last year, managed to fall into a "depression" of sorts and looked to food for comfort. She gained 30 pounds (mostly belly) on her adorable nine year old frame, and is very unhappy about it (and with the obesity epidemic in our country, I find it very alarming as far as her health is concerned). Sooo I've started looking into different ways to help her feel good and healthy again, without making it an issue and compromising her already weakened self esteem.
My husband is overweight, both my boys have become "sweet-a-holics" and in the last year, I have lost fifty pounds but still have thirty-fifty pounds to go (I'm only using food at this point, just the sheer thought of exercise makes me shudder). We are a hot mess but I'm starting to take responsibility of my family and my life and the future looks hopeful!
With all this reading, researching and talking to others, what I have been "uncovering" is staggering. In my opinion, the ONLY way to protect yourself and loved ones from what our country calls "food" and "healthy" is some serious reading and educating of yourself. We CANNOT count on "them" (you know them, they are the "they" from "they say we need to eat healthy grains", or "they say too many vitamins are bad for you". "THEY"). They (see its them again) are not concerned about your HEALTH, they are more concerned, sadly enough, by the almighty dollar. Proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles, are not a money maker (that's right I said it, have you priced chronic or fatal diseases lately?), money talks baby!!!
Join me on my ups and downs, lows and highs of trying to be my version of a content and happy mom, wife, sister, friend and chef (ha ha SOO not a chef). You never know, you might even learn a thing or two. Or better yet, start asking some questions and researching this stuff yourself. Believe me, your family will thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment