Ch - Ch - Ch - Change!

I believe that people can change - if they want to change.  It's never too late, and those who profess they are too old are just offering an excuse because they aren't ready to tackle the work needed to make change happen.  Changing a habit takes a lot of work and it takes time.  It can be extremely frustrating, too, filled with what seems like minor successes, shadowed by multiple failures.  Still, if we persist, we succeed.  

That's another lesson I try to instill in my students.  Being smart is an advantage, sure, but the truly successful people are those that have a passion for whatever they do, work hard, and persist.  "Assiduous" is the word we learn to encompass this idea.  If you're not willing to work hard, just being smart or gifted is not going to get you there.

I can be assiduous in so many ways, but I fail miserably when it comes to food ... and exercise.  Oh, I've done better this summer with my "occasional" walks, but it hasn't been enough to warrant any real change.  Somewhere deep inside, I need to find my motivation.  That's hard, of course, because changing habits and deciding to alter your behaviors, your lifestyle, or anything at all in your life takes time.  I, for one, am an "instant gratification" type of girl.  If I can't see results quickly, I give up or lose interest.  (Might explain the 3-4 crocheting projects piled up around the house and the quilt I never finished ...)

Patience is a virtue ... but she's a bitch, too!  I can be cool, calm, and collected about a lot of things, but it seems that when it comes to my body, I cave.  Anyone got a few helpful hints for me?  

Well, I'm not such a disaster as I may seem.  I can tell you one thing I changed - and it has been positive every step of the way.  When I first discovered essential oils and a way to break free from all of the toxins around me, I embraced it like the world would end if I didn't.  I believed in the power of these oils and I am so glad that I wasn't lazy about changing my lifestyle.  Sure, it would have been so much easier to ignore what I learned about toxins and other harmful chemicals, but that would be living a lie.  

I think many of us do that ... if it's not convenient to our lifestyle and not motivating enough, we ignore the warnings or diminish their importance.  Or, we pay attention, but put it on the back burner, feeling guilty that we aren't making progress towards change.  But the changes that I made for essential oils were not hard at all.  I just had to believe that getting the toxins out of my house and my body (and my family's bodies) was going to be so much more beneficial and worth the little bit of extra effort.  And I have seen big changes in how I feel, how I look, and how I move.  Change pays off!

So, do you feel stuck?  Are you living less than your best life?  You want to change something in your life, but you don't know how?  Well, you will remain stuck until YOU do something about it.  And you can.  Yes, you can.  It's time to get creative.  Whatever it is that you don't like about your current life, brainstorm what it would look like if things were different.  

I know, this post is long, but bear with me.  Here is an activity that a wise friend shared with me.  Take a piece of blank paper and fold it down the middle.  On one side, take three minutes to draw your life as it is now.  Your "current state." No, you don't have to be an artist, just draw stick figures if you want.  And draw fast!  Set a timer and limit yourself to three minutes.  Then set another three minutes and draw on the second side of the paper - this time, what you envision for your desired reality.  In other words, your dream life!  When you're done, take some time to evaluate both drawings.  It becomes crystal clear what needs to change.  Finally, draw three big 2-dimensional arrows crossing from side A to side B.  In each arrow, write one action that will help you to get from side A to side B.  When you're done, you've got the tools for change. You've got your current reality.  You've got your dream life.  You've got your action steps. Now go get 'em!

PS - After I wrote this, I was sent this link from the Mayo Clinic.  Fits right in!
How to Make Healthy Habits Stick

Girl, Pay Attention!

I engaged in another opportunity to "work" on me this week.  My good friend, Laurie, and I went to the "event" Made for More, a movie/documentary by Rachel Hollis, author of Girl, Wash Your Face.  The piece included many inspirational clips from an event called "Rise," that she and her tribe put on each year.  

Rachel seems to have it all together as she preaches, teaches, and cheers the women who flock to hear her wisdom.  But she professes that she is a hot mess, in fact, beginning the first chapter of her book describing how she wet her pants in front of other people while jumping on a trampoline.  My kind of girl!  (No, I haven't had that happen ... yet!)

I found the movie inspirational, and reminded me of a lot of the lessons she talks about in Girl...  Except, for me, once I've finished a book, I tend to forget about it.  I pledge at the time, while sopping up ideas and strategies, that this book will make a difference, but then life interferes again and I end up going back to old habits.  But Rachel's message rings so true and I want to share a few of my takeaways - knowing full well that others may have interpreted the experience differently.

1. Drink half your weight in ounces of water.  I love water, I do!  But when I get busy, I forget to drink it - and when I'm working I have to be careful not to drink too much because I am locked in the classroom!  But I think I will find a pitcher that can hold my daily dose of water and keep it where I can see it, as a trigger.  This is just common sense and I should be able to achieve this goal, right?

2. Take care of your body.  You can't do anything if you're not fit and strong, so get it together.  Yeah, this made me jump out of bed on Tuesday to go walk my 2 miles, only to find it was raining.  That and we had someone coming to the house to give us an estimate ... Yeah, I'm weak.   I am still searching for both motivation and just the right type of exercise (or exercises?) that will work for me.  I carry a lot of shame with that one.

3.  Stand up for each other as women.  This one hit hard.  Rachel had women check off from a list all of the things that were true on a nasty laundry list of feelings, conditions, and experiences.  There were some tough "truths" on that list ...  from being abused, to feeling inept, to hating the way you look.  It took bravery just to fill it out, but then the papers were collected and passed around so that no one knew whose paper belong to anyone.   As the list was read, women "stood up for their sister" to help acknowledge that we are not alone in our struggles.  Rachel also preaches to stop judging and support each other - but, at the same time, surround yourself with your tribe.  

Sadly, I think I am guilty of judging others.  I think we all do this to some extent - but not in a malicious way.  I think we are judging to see where we fit in, where we stand in the world of _________ - fill in the blank.  It is a self-esteem building activity to help us feel good about ourselves.  "Oh look at her. She's not a good mother.  I'm better than her."  Or "She's so fat she makes me look skinny!"  Nonsense shit like that.  But since we share so much in common with our sisters, we should be supporting one another, not knocking them down, even if the harmful words are never actually spoken.  Honestly, I would love to stop competing with my ideal of what I should be - and stop comparing others to my ideal.  We never know someone's back story - and that can make all the difference.  Once we hear someone's hard luck story, everything makes sense and we are at once sorry for thinking those nasty thoughts.  But I'm going to try to live my life without judgement now - and pretend that I already know the back story.  After all, everyone has a story that we know nothing about, and the best thing we can do is support each other with no conditions.  I want to grow my "tribe" and help them to be their best, as I would want them to support me.

Now, I think I will go back and reread Girl, Wash Your Face -- and take some notes!  And then, just maybe, pay a bit more attention and start implementing the ideas I jive with.  (And then I'll be ready for her next book coming out in March!)

Let me hear from you!  Are you guilty of judging?  Do you seek a great tribe?   Try this - give a complement to another woman today... someone you don't know.  You'll feel great - and so will she.  Let's lift each other up, Girl!

Balance & Wholeness

It's funny to talk about balance because I feel in some aspects of my life, I have good, healthy balance.  But in other areas ... ugh.  Do you feel that way?  We strive for happiness in this world, but I recently read a quote that resonated with me.

Happiness is not permanent.  Wholeness is.  Don't confuse these.

What the heck does that mean?  Wholeness?  Well, to be whole is to be filled up, right?  To have all your parts?  YOUR parts.  So am I whole?  What are my parts?  I searched for some answers from the Wise Google, and found another similar quote.

So, happiness is not permanent.  That makes a lot of sense.  There's a balance that plays out throughout our lifetime, constantly striving to return to happiness.  And from yet another quote, we can't really appreciate happiness if it is all we know.  If we didn't have the rain, we would not appreciate the beauty of a sunny summer's day ... you get the idea.

But let's get back to wholeness.  I feel whole.  A LOT of whole.  But that doesn't equate to "wholeness" in the sense that the author intends.  Wholeness, to me, means having the basic needs in your life complete - or nearly complete.  Basic needs?  Well, those we need for survival - food, shelter, clothing, safety, security, etc.  But as in Maslow's hierarchy, we must also provide for our psychological needs, and those of self-fulfillment.  And since it is a hierarchy, the basic needs must be satisfied before the we can feel accomplished and fulfilled.

Back to balance.  As the title of this blog suggests, I feel I am still a work in progress.  I would like to  think most of us are ...  still dreaming and working to that dream that fulfills us - and perhaps changing the dream several times over a lifetime.  I've got the basic physiological and safety needs down.  I have a loving relationship with my spouse and strong relationships with my family.  I always feel a little on the outside looking in with regard to friendships, but I have some good friends I can depend on when things get tough.  Esteem.  Yeah, I feel appreciated by others and I've accomplished some major goals in my life.  I guess the area I am still working at is in self-actualization, the tip of the pyramid. 

Creativity?  I've got that pretty much down, I believe.  It's something that comes naturally to me and that I enjoy.  But the "full potential" part is daunting.  How can we know our full potential?  Frankly, we can't.  I often hear that term bantered about in education ...  but should there be a limit to our potential?  Is it something we can even reach?  I believe there is no ceiling to potential - it just keeps growing with you, opening new doors and setting higher heights.  We shouldn't limit children to reaching a particular goal if they are capable of much more.  So, achieving one's full potential is a matter of balance -- and to some extent, a matter of choice.  

What we choose to work on for our self improvement may change over time.  One year we may be all about education - reading everything we can get our hands on about a new topic of interest.  Another year it may be about health and wellness, or perhaps a career change.  Perhaps that feeling of "wholeness" comes from balancing all the parts of your life and continually moving forward to keep growing those parts, but perhaps at different times.     Wholeness isn't a static entity.  It's fluid and malleable - like clay - you can shape it anyway you like, and keep changing it.  

In one of my gifted classes, we learn about "multipotentialites."  Yeah, it's a contrived name by the author of a TED Talk, Emily Wapnick.  She has a theory that there are many people out there who have this condition known as multipotentiality.  Boy, would that be a nightmare to live up to!  "Not only can you become a surgeon, but when you're done with that, you can be a rocket scientist, too!"  Okay, no.  It's not exactly like that ...

Multipotentiality is an educational and psychological term referring to the ability and preference of a person, particularly one of strong intellectual or artistic curiosity, to excel in two or more different fields.^[1] [2]

It can also refer to an individual whose interests span multiple fields or areas, rather than being strong in just one. Such traits are called multipotentialities, while "multipotentialites" has been suggested as a name for those with this trait. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multipotentiality 

Yeah, it's on Wikipedia, so it's a real thing. 

I especially like teaching this to 6th graders because for most of their life, they've been labeled "smart" or "genius" and been asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  That can be overwhelming to a kid.  Why limit yourself to just one career or topic of study when you have a thirst for so much more?  

In order to fulfill your multiple goals, you will need balance.  No one can do everything at once.  It's impossible.  Well, maybe not impossible, but superhuman at the least.  There is just too much in our lives to deal with to not let some things go at some point.  Don't worry, you can pick it up later.  It will be there waiting.  So pick something, and while you're working on it, keep the other plates spinning.  Yeah, I know.  One or two may fall.  That's okay.  That's being human - and learning from our experiences.  Balance can't be achieved without a learning curve.  So you drop a few plates.  I bet you learned something.  Keep trying and you'll get there... just in time to set your sights on something new.  And that's living life to the fullest, right?

RESOURCES:

Multipotentialite Website

Emily Wapnick TED Talk

Preaching and Teaching

I've been preaching lately.  Yeah, I know.  It's something I find myself doing a lot because I am obsessed with Essential Oils.  Oh, I don't think that's a bad thing.  No!  I have adopted Gary Young's philosophy and mission that every home NEEDS these oils, and that I'm just one in an army of many trying to spread the word.  So yeah, I preach.

But today I'm going to talk about preventative care.  That's really where it is at.  We shouldn't binge on food or alcohol one night, then get up and run a marathon the next day to make up for it.  What kind of sense is that?  Yet, for many, that's how we live.  We indulge in ... whatever ... and then try to deal with it.  

Unfortunately, much of our lives today is filled with silent killers.  We don't see it coming.  We don't even know it's happening until it's too late.  And it's probably not our fault because, after all, that's how we were taught to live.  We tend to live in a way very similar to that which our parents live.  We buy the same products and eat the same foods.  We even use the same laundry detergent, right?  Okay, so you may have made some changes, but we live and grow the way we are taught.

Well, I'm here to tell you that mama ain't always right.  (Sorry, Mom!)  We've come to live in a world of convenience and instant gratification.  Anything that makes the daily grind a little easier is gratefully adopted.  Think back to the 50s and all those TV dinners ...  I bet they thought those were the bee's knees!  Yet, today we know that they are highly processed and filled with chemicals that are not good.  Nutritional they ain't.  So, over time, this fad passed.  But now we have replacements that seem better, but in reality aren't much better. Ramen Noodles?  Frozen pizza?  Canned pasta?  Even mac & cheese from a box made with powdered cheese - really, how good could that be for us?  In Europe, there are many products that are banned because of toxic ingredients.  Take a look at this site - it was a shocking to me to find some of our best loved foods on this list!

American Foods Banned in Europe

But I'm not just talking about processed foods.  There are silent killers everywhere in our homes and unless you take a proactive stance, you're going to let them affect your health without even knowing.  

Here are some chemicals that have been banned in Europe, but can still be found in US products.  The list of what these chemicals can do to you is somewhat shocking, and the fact that they are banned in other countries makes it worse.  We cannot trust that a product on the market is safe -- you need to take matters into your own hands!

TALC - linked to ovarian cancer, gynecological tumors, and mesothelioma

Found in baby powder, face powder, deodorant

COAL TAR - linked to lung, kidney, bladder, and digestive tract cancers

Found in hair dyes, rosacea treatments, dandruff treatments, and some shampoos

TRICLOSAN - linked to hormone disruption, immune system damage, the development of antibiotic-resistant germs, and potentially skin cancer

*Banned in antiseptic products (like hand sanitizer), but still found in some toothpaste (especially Colgate Total)  Hello?

BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA) - linked as an endocrine disruptor & carcinogen

Found in personal care products was a preservative, and in some food!

Hair products, lip balm, makeup, sunscreen, fragrance, antiperspirant, deodorant

ETHANOLAMINES - linked to liver tumors and organ system toxicity

Found in soaps, hair conditioner, hair dyes, shampoo, shaving cream, mascara, eye liner, eye shadow, blush, foundation, fragrance, cleaning products, waxes, lotions, and sunscreen.

PHENACETIN - linked to malignant mammory tumors, renal pelvis tumors, and anemia

Found as a stabilizer in hair bleach and hair removal treatments

METHYLISTHIAZOLINONE (MIT) linked to inhalation toxicity, and neurotoxic effects

Found in shampoo (including baby shampoo), hair color, conditioner, shaving cream, makeup remover, lotions, sunscreen, mascara, hair spray

Had enough yet?  It's scary what is out there on the shelf.  And that list is only the chemicals that are banned in Europe.  There are many more toxins that are dangerous for us, but not enough for the government to do anything about ... yet.  I spent years buying Suave shampoo and no-name products to try to save some money, but who knew what harm I could have been doing to my family?  Since I began my journey two and a half years ago, I have made it my mission to eliminate as many of these toxic chemicals as I can.  I want to know the ingredients in the products I use on my body, to clean with, or even in the foods we eat.  If not, who knows what damage these silent killers are doing?

So, yes, I preach!  I urge all of you to take the first small steps to start replacing or eliminating the toxins in your life.  Yup.  Start small.  It's way too overwhelming to do it all at once.  Train yourself to start looking at ingredients.  I've listed a few websites below where you might start.  Much of our good health begins with proper maintenance.  You wouldn't abuse your car - neglecting to check the oil or have the tires rotated until there was an issue, right?  (Or if you do, you realize how quickly the mechanic's bill can add up!)  I don't want to find a laundry list of maladies when I visit my doctor, and I don't want that for you.  Start with prevention!  Be proactive in knowing exactly what you're putting in and on your body - and those of your loved ones.  

A quick story, and then I'm done ...  It's never too late to start getting control of your life and your health.  My 80-something year old aunt smoked from the time she was 16 until she was about 75.  At the urging of family and friends, we tried to get her to quit, and she did try, but it never too hold.  Then she got scared straight when they found lung cancer.  Long story short - she quit smoking and took responsibility for her health, and she's looking better than ever and in better health than she's been for quite some time.  So, get moving and start making the hard choices that will bring you into your full wellness potential!

RESOURCES FOR YOU:

Environmental Working Group - info about products and what is currently being done in the US

US Environmental Protection Agency

Chemicals in your home - This one is crazy to me!  We're surrounded!

THINK DIRTY APP - get this and then scan your products at home to see how they rate!

Healthy Living Tips

EWG also has several apps for Healthy Living and Food Scores ...  (I have not yet used these, but I'm thinking of trying them!)

RESOURCES USED:

https://www.thepaleomom.com/chemicals-banned-in-europe-that-are-allowed-in-the-usa/ 

Ready, Set, Live!

I get it.  Change is hard.  I lie in a semi-sleep state in the morning and decide what my day is going to be.  Before I'm even out of bed, I've walked two miles, stretched, chosen a healthy breakfast, called clients, and washed two loads of laundry.  Then, I crawl out of bed, spend too much time checking my phone, and then stumble around the house searching for purpose.  Two hours go by before I even start the mythical list in my head. Am I alone here?

So, how is it that we can make meaningful changes to our lives?  I really do want to walk those miles and start getting my body in better shape.  How is it I get so distracted?  My mind is full of a million things that I need to do, and before I can get out the door, I find myself doing them.  Okay, so like today ...  I get out of bed, check my phone, get dressed in my "walking" attire (which means old shorts and a ratty t-shirt, and my very valuable Vionic walking shoes!), and then come downstairs.  Before I can leave the house, I have to feed the cat.  Done.  I carried down the towels from the upstairs bathroom, so I start a load of laundry.  Done.  Then, I check something on the computer, which reminds me that I didn't write my Thursday post yet (ugh) and sit down to write.  So, here I am, ready to go for a walk, but instead, typing my blog.  (Yes, I will get up and walk in a moment ...)

I envy those people who can make a decision to change and then just do it.  (Hey, Nike!)  Even with the best intentions, I sabotage myself.  I think changes that deal with the physiology of brain and body are the hardest.  To me, that means food and exercise.  Why is that?  Well, if you're anything like me, it's easier to stay in bed and think about the list of things you want to accomplish than it is to actually get out of bed and do them.  The physical activity - well, let's face it - I don't REALLY want to get out of bed and walk.  I just know that I'd be a better person for it, and that's what we all strive for, right?  To be just a little bit better version of the person we were yesterday.  We should continue learning, continue growing ... but it's hard damn work!  

And food - fahgeddabowdit!  I can have the healthiest food in the house - loads of fruits and veggies, whole grain this, organic that ... and I eat it.  Yup!  Love my healthy diet!  BUT, show me a donut ... or chocolate ... or any number of amazing foodie pictures that I scroll by on Facebook (and yes, I save those cheesy, gooey, calorie-laden recipes!) and my brain goes haywire.  But I am trying.  I have to learn to ignore the temptation, or at least focus on the goal - to be a lean, mean, strong and able-bodied senior citizen.  

That sounds a little disconcerting.  Not the lean, mean part.  The senior citizen part.  How did I get to be in my fifties when I still feel like a 30-something?  I still have goals and dreams and big plans for the future ...  Oh.  Yeah.  THAT'S why I'm on this campaign to get in shape -- I need my body to match my mind and not prohibit me from doing what I want to do.  I saw my grandmother's body shrink every day from Lou Gehrig's disease, but her mind was sharp as ever.  How frustrating that must have been.  To still have the dream, the desire for living life, but unable to make any part of it real.  When she lost the ability to speak, her sad eyes said it all ...

Okay.  Maybe that's the picture I need to keep in mind.  My motivation is not what I could become, but what I want to avoid becoming.  I never want to be a burden to my kids or anyone else.  I want to be that 90 year old grandma still touring the world and visiting exotic places.  (And yes, on my recent trip, there was a 92 year old woman who was keeping up with the rest of us just fine!)



Thanks for the pep talk.  Yes, you.  I'm ready to grab my earbuds, set the music to "jam," and grab onto the health I have today and make it better.  I already have so much in place - the vitamins, the essential oils, the toxin-free home, and the healthy food choices.  I can do this.  Ready, set, LIVE!

Still working on me ...

I've decided to rename this blog.  Fairy Tales and Food was just that.  A fairy tale.  I've been a complete and utter failure when it comes to food.  Oh, yes, I know what to do.  I can tell others what to do.  But, leave me alone with a bag of M&Ms and all bets are off.

So, instead, I'm going to focus on just working on me.  All of me, in a holistic way.  I feel like a failure when it comes to food, but I shouldn't let my weight define me, right?  I do so many other things to support my health and wellness, and that has to count for something, right?  

My new blog name is "Still Working on Me,"  because, well, aren't we all?  Aren't we always striving to be better than we are?  In a way that could be a defeatist attitude.  The idea of never being perfect and having to work on something ...  However, while I don't believe in perfection, we do have to look at ourselves realistically and assess what's working and what's not.  We also have to forgive ourselves our imperfections.  We are, after all, only human.  But we can do better, right?  It's just about deciding what needs our focus - and what can wait.  Don't sweat the small stuff, but if your cholesterol is high and your blood sugar is out of control, then that's probably a good place to start.  (No, mine are okay - thanks for asking!)

And beyond the physical me, I'm also working on the spiritual me.  God has always had a place in my life, but I'm thinking I need to give more time and space to Him, and trust the plan He has for me.  I value a simplistic relationship with God - and not an overly manipulated one designed by men.  

Oh, and let's not forget the "intellectual" me.  I think I'm pretty intelligent, but not as "educated" as I'd like to be.  Visiting foreign countries last week has given me a new perspective.  I want to keep learning - and maybe even learn (or relearn) a language.  There is so much I don't know in this world, and I want to grow in this way, too.

I welcome discussion here and value your input.  If you have some advice or questions, please comment!  (Or email me!)  My goal is to be 65 pounds lighter by this time next year -- and to be stronger, healthier, and in control of my own wellness.


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In honor of Mothers (and Dads)

We all want the best for our kids -- and our families, and also for ourselves. We work our butts off providing the best of everything -- within our means.  Our sole focus is to build the most healthy, well-adjusted, well-rounded, intelligent, caring, contributing kids we can.  We mold the generations of tomorrow.

But, it's a hard job.  You don't know until you're there, knee-deep in little people, how truly hard it is.  Funny, we take parenthood for granted because, after all, our parents did it, and we turned out okay, right?  Truly, we underestimate the work of our parents and the sacrifices they had to make for our sakes.


But back to now.  Everything gets in the way.  There's not enough time, not enough money, not enough adults ...  And too many hours away from home trying to make enough money to keep providing all that you can -- and more.


My kids are grown and, for the most part, independent, but that doesn't keep me from mothering and worrying, or wanting to provide for them and make their lives easier.  We sacrifice a lot for our kids.  That's what parents do, right?

My focus now is to set some sort of an example.  They aren't going to do something simply because I say so.  That's the nature of kids.  But, if I can demonstrate or educate a point, then maybe they'll take notice and follow suit.  
Lately I have done a lot of research on healthy, clean living -- not just because of my work with essential oils, but also because I truly believe we need to get back to basics and side track all the modern conveniences.

I think, as a mother, I need to set an example and practice what I preach, but I am a miserable failure in the will-power department.  When things get hectic and time gets short, or I feel stressed, all rules fly out the window and I embrace the forbidden -- indulging in all the previously banned foods.  

Humans love to find easier ways to do things -- and the more stressed we are, the easier and quicker we want something.  That's why fast food is so popular.  There is no effort needed to solve the problem of the moment - hunger.  And the problem is solved quickly (and fairly cheaply.). We quickly suppress any guilt and move on.  I have been guilty of this for the past week.  After being away last weekend, and a school play to mount, there was no time for grocery shopping or prepping meals.  Breakfasts were grabbed at McD's or DD's - and I liked it!  (Only now does the guilt sink in.)

But other problems in our lives are not so evident.  There are countless products that we use every day that expose our families to chemicals and toxins.  We don't seem upset about this, as a whole however, because, "Well, that's the way I've always done it, and the way my parents did it, and no harm has come from it."

Yet. And that's a big "yet."

I'm sure all of you know someone who has become sick -- really sick -- and there didn't seem to be a reason for it.  Doctors shook their collective, educated heads and said, "It just happens."  Well, I don't buy that.  Why would a merciful God randomly choose someone to suffer?  I think, perhaps, that we've done it to ourselves -- accidentally of course, with our mass-produced, synthetic, processed world.

I think of my own, sweet mother and all of the health issues she's had in the last 15 years.  We still don't know why her lungs became damaged, but some of the residual problems have been a direct result of the medications she was, and still is taking. You know, those lists of "side effects" that they rattle on with in super speed on television commercials.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  

Because we think it's our only choice.

So why is it that we criticize the fast food industry, but neglect to look in our cabinets to see the countless number of chemicals we are exposed to each day -- in cleaners, personal care products, medications, and in even candles and air fresheners.  

We feel guilty if we run through McDonald's with our kids on a harried day, but not about using fabric softener or popping an Ambien on a restless night.

We need to take a more holistic approach to our health and make an effort to pay attention, initially, in small ways, to what toxins we expose our families.

Small steps, but in all areas.  Hell, I'm still battling food -- and a huge sugar addiction -- but I am painfully aware of my failings and strive to do a little better each day.  Strive to say "no" to temptation.  Strive to become more educated and pass that knowledge on to those I surround myself with in some attempt to keep myself accountable.

Life is overwhelming, and it is easy to just give in and do what requires the least effort... Or thought... Or time.  But, that is what is killing us -- so slowly that we won't notice at all until it is too late.  Yes, some people live their lives unaffected by anything that is supposedly harmful.  I can't explain that except to say that for every point on which we are similar as humans, we are different as individuals.  






With our health care system in upheaval, why not take your health into your own hands and do everything you can to avoid getting sick.  Yes, your mother did things differently, but now that we know more, we have to change and not rely, sentimentally, on what has worked in the past.  Choose something small, today, if possible, but DO something!

Oh, and I'd love to see you here as a regular subscriber!  (Might encourage me to write more often!)  

Thanks for reading!

Sugar Scare

It's been a very long time since I've posted anything.  I'd like to change that, but life gets in the way.  Oh, and the distractions.  Have I told you how I can get lost for hours on Facebook and the internet?  It's kind of disgusting.  

So, what's been going on?  Well, I've been using my essential oils, teaching 101 classes and helping other with their day to day health issues.  That's not to say that I am qualified as a doctor or pharmacist -- I just find information and share it with those that ask, and let them make their own decisions.  But now, I have a problem of my own.

For the past three weeks I've been experiencing vertigo.  I have been trying to trace back to how it may have started.  I had my first (and only) cold since starting Essential Oils.  It came during the week of Valentine's Day.  It only lasted three days -- seriously!  When is the last time you had a cold that only lasted three days?  Those oils are a-working for me! (Thieves in the diffuser, and my Thieves roller bottle on my feet every day!)



I was getting over the cold on Friday 17, which began our winter recess.  As soon as school was out, I was on my way to my daughter & son-in-law's house for a fun and relaxing week.  I slept on the couch and didn't do my usual nightly routine of diffusing lavender & cedar wood.  Now, I did have a residual sniffle or two, but the cold was basically over.

Fast forward - I got home late Thursday night and on Saturday morning, woke up with just a tinge of vertigo.  I didn't think much of it, but then it hit big time on Sunday.  I had to go sit and close my eyes.  I felt nauseous.  After a few minutes I felt better, but still wasn't ready to leave the chair.  I got on my phone and checked out Facebook and came across a friend's post about how to relieve nasal congestion.  As I dug deeper, I also discovered that this massage technique helped to clear out the lymphatic system.  I figured that perhaps with the cold and no diffusing the past week, I may have clogged up.  I did the massage for about 15 minutes and lo and behold, I was good to go!

Well, that was temporary.  I have had vertigo nearly every day since.  Not as severe, except my first day back to work when I almost had to sit down in the shower.  I keep massaging and I recover quickly, but I wanted to know what was causing this.  

So, as I'm reading an article last night about reducing sugar and losing weight, it occurs to me that my vertigo may be a sign of diabetes.  Oh, hell no!  I tossed and turned all night wondering about this (instead of just getting up to go do an internet search), but that was the firs thing I did this morning -- and yes, it could be.  

What's next?  Well, I decided to make some big changes -- changes I should have made long ago (and tried to, but they never take hold, right?)  I'm going to focus on fresh veggies, a bit of meat, and abandon sugar as much as I can.  I will probably still have a small square of dark chocolate after dinner because I think it does have some health benefits and it wards off other sugar cravings.  (I like the 76% or 82% cacao.)  

One of my searches said that cinnamon is great for balancing blood sugar, so I had a cup of tea with a drop of cinnamon bark oil in it.  In another article, they suggested alpha lipoid acid as a supplement and I found one with cinnamon - win win!  And wine!  The article I read last night suggested red wine to increase mitochondrial activity which boosts fat burning by 25% and reduces the formation of new fat tissue by 80%.  I'm all about that! (That part will be easy!)

Okay, now the sad part.  Exercise.  Yeah, I'm terrible.  I can do something for a few minutes, but I'm so out of shape that my stamina is gone.  But, this article suggested "flash fitness,"  gentle pace for 3 minutes, then fast pace for 3 minutes -- repeat for a cycle of 21 minutes.  That doesn't seem too bad.  

Food?  Fresh veggies and fruits, whole grains, healthy fats.  All the good stuff you know you should eat -- but no sugar and no dairy.  I don't eat much dairy as it is -- cheese on occasion, and half & half in my coffee on the weekends -- so that won't be hard.

So, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.  


I hope.


Okay, okay.  I'll try my best and not give in!  As I tell my students, you have to be motivated, persistent, and work hard.  Assiduous.  That's the word.  I'll be assiduous.

Until I get back here ... See you soon!
Thanks for reading.

Linda