We are surrounded by chemicals. They're in our food, our water, our beauty products. It can't be good for us. Actually, we know that a lot of chemicals or other commonly found ingredients aren't that good for us at all. Mercury could once be found widely used in vaccines, but then we learned that it's terribly, horribly bad for us in large quantities, so much so that we even avoid tuna during pregnancies. Fluoride, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Parabens, BPA, are just a few others that we are widely exposed to but are being shown to be just not that great for us.
And disease is on the rise. Certainly, our medical advancements have made us aware of more diseases, and have given us the ability to more easily detect others, but is that really the only reason? I'm not convinced that the influx of cancer and autoimmune diseases and behavioral disorders--many of which we don't fully understand--are simply an outcome of diagnostic advancements. Could it be that we are also preventing our bodies from being their healthiest by cramming a lot of crap into them?
I'm not a doctor. I have no medical training. But I don't think you need an advanced degree to understand that you get out of your body what you put in. If you put chemicals into your body, if you don't exercise, if you eat crappity crap crap crap, you may reap the consequences. (This is not to say, however, that we are responsible for every bad thing that happens to us. Sometimes things happen, and it's horrible, even when we've done all we know to do to prevent it.)
I'm also not a crazy crunchy, super alternative, possibly-a-hippy, holistic guru. I'm not anti-vaccine, but I'm not pro-either. I am grateful for many medicinal leaps (such as the insulin injections that keep my Type 1 Diabetic brother alive), but I also believe that there is a wealth of information in more alternative circles. I don't eat only food I have grown (I love Good Times Wild Fries), but I see the value in organic and GMO-free sources. I'm not an extremist, I just want to provide a healthy life for my family.
I'm also not going to judge you for being whatever you are. If your family indulges in McDonald's, I'm not going to get offended because you're not eating only pasture-fed beef topped with garden-grown condiments. But then, I'm also not going to judge you if you DO only eat pasture-fed beef topped with garden-grown condiments. Just as long as you're trying to do well by your family. We're all different, and as wives and mothers (I'm assuming that's my main demographic!) we need to build each other up and encourage each other to be informed and do what we feel is best for our individual families, whatever that may look like.
So this is my journey to being a little more "natural." To staying away from a few more things that might be harmful. To just trying to do my best with what God has given me, in the place he has put me.
I welcome you to join me as I learn and try and make mistakes and discover new things. Email me and tell me what you're doing to live a healthier life, I would LOVE to hear and learn from you. Comment and share a funny story from the front lines of healthful living. I only have one rule: treat others with the same kind of respect you want them to show you.
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I am also trying to live healthier, in part by choosing things that are less processed. I'm always a little wary of "studies" reported because I think often they're misreported, but it's good to take a more balanced approach and at least be aware of what we don't know yet. Can't wait to hear about your journey!
ReplyDeleteYes! Eating fewer processed foods is also one of the ways we're going to be moving to a more natural (and often, cheaper!) lifestyle. What is striking is how difficult it can be to eat healthfully in our current culture. Thankfully, there are a lot of great bloggers who have already done the hard work for us! ;)
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