While Spring has definitely arrived, I am still trying to recuperate from the Holiday's. Being ill for the majority of 2014 has impacted not only myself, but my family as well, and all I can say is that I am yearning for a time to be healthy if only for a solid week. My latest illness has kept me sick for a week, and as I went to apply my makeup this morning, I realized that it had indeed been a full week of being sans makeup. First thought? My poor, dear husband! As much as I'd like to think that I am still a wee pup of 22, sadly those days have gone, and my husband is a saint for never saying a word. Ever faithfully, he made dinners, washed and folded laundry, kept the kids from harming each other, and worked a full time job to boot. Of course, I do have to add that he gave me the stomach bug that I am sadly recovering from, but he's my champion all the same! Did I mention that he volunteered to stay home so I could sleep for a day and wade through the loving chaos I call our children??? They are beautifully, and wonderfully made, and they are full of independence and virtue mixed with a bit of oil and vinegar. While it is tough to navigate the waters of parenthood, I really wouldn't have it any other way.
Yet, I digress. My health is in sore need of help, and I have had ample opportunity to peruse the web and was struck by all the articles on juicing, paleo diet, and so on and so forth til I became quite ill reading all of it. It is an amazing big world full of ideas and insights, but sadly not one addresses the real issues of what goes on behind illness, inflammation and why our bodies are attacking themselves. The articles are meant to empower those who seemingly have lost their way into attaining the perfect body full of health and vitality if only we would just eat this instead of that, or exercise this way instead of that. While eating better is a good idea, and doing a form of exercise that is doctor okayed is wonderful, it is the idea that if you juice or choose some extreme form of dieting and exercising you too will be cured from your illness. If that were true, don't you think everyone would be doing it? Yet, it is almost with a sense of blame being placed on the person with the illness that is demoralizing and counterproductive in my honest opinion. Some illnesses like high cholesterol, and Type II Diabetes are correlated to what we put into our bodies, and I am sure with all the pesticides and antibiotics that our furred friends are fed that supply us with milk and beef along with pesticides on our crops do nothing but enhance illness. Yet, environment is only one cause of an illness, especially one that is autoimmune in nature. Genetics play a heavy hand in these debilitating diseases, and it saddens me to see all the articles suggesting to people that are struggling everyday of their lives for a moment of peace from pain, aches, joints that are so inflamed they can't move that if they only juice for meals, cleanse their bodies or exercise a certain way they too can be pain free or illness free.
Many of the claims state that we need to take all these herbal medications in order to enhance our immune systems. However, it is because of an enhanced immune system that these autoimmune diseases are unleashed, and enhancing it further with a mix of herbal remedies could quite possible make it worse. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and full of life giving water has always been the go to formula, and it is one that is easier to follow, and one that has stood the test of time. Exercise, approved by one's physician, in any form is always a plus and one that has been shown to improve quality of life and longevity. There are components of each fad that are okay. Fruits and vegetables are not consumed enough in our daily lives. Lean proteins from either meats or nuts are also wonderful, but it is with a well balanced diet that we will receive the life-benefiting effects rather than from denying our bodies from one group of foods i.e. carbohydrates.
So, it is with lightness of heart that I bid you "Healthy Eating," my friends. Please understand that a fad is a fad, and one that will come and go, but you are worth more than that. You are meant for great things, and your body is your tool. Mold it, love it, and by all means enjoy what it can do! Life is amazing regardless of chronic illness. Grab hold of what you can control, and sit back to enjoy the ride:)
Bon appetit!
