The American Farmacy part 2

    I had committed to posting an update whether anyone wanted to read it or not, so just deal with it... haha. Kidding, kidding. You guys know I'm not that mean.

    So after two weeks of eating Vegan, I'm beginning to feel better. I think I've actually been detoxing from what little dairy I had left in my diet. And I think my body was a little confused when I started giving it non-animal protein too. No ill effects though, so that's been fantastic.
   
    I immediately noticed a change in my energy level, I don't seem to hit that 2:30 in the afternoon lull where I just want to pass out. I also used to hit another wall around 8pm where I was just done but of course, having little ones- that isn't possible. Any of you who have read past blogs, you would know I have a pretty demanding lifestyle, even though I don't go many places- at least not lately. I have a 3 1/2 month old and a special needs 2 year old. I need a desperate amount of energy.

   I embarked on this journey not only for myself but also for them. I wanted to revolutionize the way my family sees food and the way we eat it. I wanted to replace the pharmacy with a farmacy. Our food being our medicine. So far, after all I've read and applying it to myself I think it's going to work out just fine.

  I'd been riddled with stomach problems since I was 8 years old, I understand now more than ever why. It's been the food I was eating. We just don't seem to be designed to eat meat, granted, it seems a lot of us have adapted to it though. Since I've switched to an all plant based diet, which is a life style change, rather than a diet (I don't do diets) I haven't had acid reflux even once. And without trying I've lost 6 pounds.

    This week, I've decided I'm going to try at least 2 new vegetables and continue to do so as the weeks pass. I was never much for veggies unless they were soaked in cheese when I was younger. But now that I've been eating them consistently, I actually want more of them. I've gone back to eating nut mixes and seeds again, which I enjoy. They're a good source of protein, calcium and good fats.

   One day, hopefully sooner than later, we'll have a large yard where the majority of it will be a garden. It's something I'm looking forward to. For now, my little patio garden will have to do, alongside the local organic food store.

   I feel blessed to have stumbled upon this new lifestyle, I had never intended on going vegan but I'm glad that I did. Based on what I've seen, read and watched, things can only get better from here on out. My next step is more exercise, yoga is working for me for right now but I know I need to get out there and just move more.

    My life has literally been on lock down for the last 3 years between 2 pregnancies and taking care of one special needs baby and now a new born. Whew... It's exhausting just thinking about it... But I'm gonna do it and we're gonna do it together. My little guy is getting bigger and seemingly more social. My two year old really likes getting out of the house but sometimes has complete melt downs. Guess it comes with the territory, so there will be some planning involved. Most of all, I'm just determined.

The American Farmacy

   I might make some folks mad with this one but we're the only ones to blame for relinquishing any sense of control.
   I embarked on a journey 7 years ago getting into natural health and pursuing a degree. It was sadly cut short when the school closed for lack of funding. Since then I've carried on my search, personally and have turned up a plethora of interesting results.
  I still have my own personal struggles in this area but any of you that know my heart, I enjoy sharing while I'm learning too. But this... I have to share and I have to jump head long into.
  It takes your body 10 years to completely rebuild itself, it was designed that way by God. Your brain; a year, bones 3 months, blood 4 months, skin 1 month, DNA 2 months, you liver 6 weeks, stomach 5 days and lungs 2-3 weeks. Not everything would be as new again but it would begin rebuilding healthy cells, once toxins are removed.
   What are these toxins? Additives in the food; smoking, drinking, drug usage, environmental toxins, poor diet, poor sleep and a lack of exercise. Depending on where you grew up some of these things may not be a problem for you. It's never too late to make a change now if you struggle with any of these.
  Haven't you wanted to feel good? Be full of energy? Take a deep breath of cleaner air? I know I sure do that's why it's time for yet another round of dropping off the dead weight. Thankfully, my husband is on board.
   I've had a sugar craze since I was a kid. I blame it mostly on poor habits when I was younger and the goodies weren't stored somewhere I couldn't get to them. So I ate as I pleased. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child I developed gestational diabetes, meaning it would go away after she was born. It did. But it also puts me in the risk for diabetes later in life, that sucks.
   As Americans we consume 150-170 pounds of sugar a year, sugar is in everything, hidden and tucked away under clever names. In the 1800's the average sugar consumption was around 18 pounds a year and in the 1900's it jumped to 60 pounds. As time has ticked on sugar consumption has risen and so has sickness and disease. This is no coincidence.
   Our meals are conveniently packaged for us or delivered through a drive through window- for our convenience, of course. All the while we're getting sicker and sicker eating our way to a less healthy and less convenient life style.
   We also eat way too much meat in this country. Don't get me wrong, I love my chicken and pig products and I used to love cow until my body completely rejected it. Sadly, we just weren't made to eat all this meat. But where will be get protein??? Google it! Leafy greens and legumes, even nuts have plenty of protein. It isn't absolutely vital to our survival to scarf down meat.
   We've been spoon fed so many lies about the food we consume and the drugs that we take it's baffling. Few have been willing to question it. But why? Why have we become a country that seeks control over everything except our own bodies? Because we're told we have to do this or that. Or take this or that because if you don't you'll die? That's insane!
   The way I'm beginning to see it, it's very black and white, very obvious. It leads me back to a story in the Bible where Daniel challenged the king to allow him and his men to eat their own diet. The other men remained on the king's apportioned diet, comprised of meat and other things. After several days Daniel and his men appeared to be healthier and stronger than the king's men.
   That says something to me. It's Biblical to eat more fruits and veggies. God made them. You can purchase them organic and non-GMO now. I'm not even going to rip into GMO at this point, this post would be miles long.
   I'm going to challenge myself from here on out to do something better for myself. I don't expect you to dear reader but please do at least consider. Do some research yourself, you'd be foolish not to. There are several good documentaries out there to watch too, I'll list them at the bottom. My challenge, to incorporate as many fruits and veggies into my diet as humanly possible. And eventually, I'd like to be all fruits, veggies and grain. It's going to take some skillfulness in the kitchen as my sweet tooth doesn't think it sounds appetizing but I sure want to wake up feeling recharged and ready for the day. After 3 kids and getting sleep when we can (It's slowly getting better) I wake up in the morning foggy eyed and in dire need of caffeine to function. As much as I enjoy my caffeine, I know there will be a day when I will no longer need it because my body will be functioning as it should.
   If anyone is honestly inspired by this post leave a comment and I'll post updates on my blogspot. But for now (deep breath) wish me luck!



Documentaries:
Fork over knife
Food Inc.
Vegucated
Food matters
Supersize me
Hungry for change