Back to Basics: My journey to real health (Part I)
2012
For some time now I’ve felt like some sort of “in the closet” crunchy-granola, green-livin’, real-food-believin’ hippie. Sure, the people who really know me know that I believe in health. And if someone asked I’d be more than happy to share a DIY cleaning product recipe, or talk about why I love raw milk. But far too often I try to keep the things I do quiet. I don’t like making too much noise when it comes to how I live my life. Because, sometimes, I feel like a complete wacko.
Most days I think I live a pretty normal life. My house is nice and clean (just toxic free). My food is nice and clean (just toxic free). My body is nice and clean (just tox… you get the point.) I don’t have long unwashed hair that’s parted down the side with twigs or flowers in it. I don’t bob my head around like I’m in some sort of crazy daze. The truth is I just feel more grounded, relaxed, healthy, and energized by the very things other people think are “weird.” And if you are comparing my day-to-day living to that of a “normal” person… well, I am weird. Or at least different.
I’m okay with that. In fact, I feel pretty darn good about it.
Of course, I didn’t start this way. I grew up in a “normal” home with good parents and lots of processed foods. It’s not that we had a lot of “junk food” in our house. My mom was pretty diligent in doing her best. She followed society’s wishy-washy, back-and-forth ideals of what was healthy. In fact, I still remember the day as a young child when my mom switched to skim milk because, you know, “fat will make you fat.” (sigh.)
Even though I didn’t grow up in some sort of hippie community farm, I have always been interested in health. In my youth I would set goals to eat less candy, exercise more, and reach an “ideal” weight. I believed what society told me and purchased only the products that were “healthy,” “low fat,” and “made with whole grains.” (sigh, again.)
Despite my attempts at being healthy, I struggled with acne, digestive issues, and weight problems. Even during my college days when I was dancing 8+ hours a day plus working out, I continued to feel trapped in someone else’s “not quite right” body. I wasn’t sick, but I sure didn’t feel at my peak.
During those years I had also experienced severe dry skin on my hands. Seriously, I felt like a leper. I would pour piles of lotion and frown as it just pooled in my palms, useless. This condition continued to come and go for four years. FOUR. YEARS. I finally went to a doctor to see what was wrong.
His diagnosis: Dry Skin.
His recommendation: Put some lotion on it.
(Head against wall.) *big sigh*
Frustrated, I went home and started researching. I spent hours online, reading chat forums, nutrition journals, and other people’s experiences. After a lot of consideration I determined I had an omega-3 deficiency. (Keep in mind this was several years before omega-3′s would be a “buzz” word. Nobody I knew had ever heard of omega-3 anything.)
I bought some flaxseed oil supplements and began my self-prescribed plan. Within a week or two my hands were back to normal. I soon traded the supplements for omega-3 foods (look at that, fat can be good!). It has been 8 years and I haven’t had a problem since. What I’ve learned over the years (and through countless hours of research) is that we must take control of our own health.
A shift in perspective: What is health care?
Image by Sharyn Morrow, Flickr
Let me be clear: Our health is our responsibility.
What does that mean to me? Does it mean never trusting my doctor or always going against modern medicine? No, not necessarily. But it does mean not necessarily putting my whole trust in them without trying to learn, research, and considering all my options. It means using common sense, seeing a bigger picture of health, trusting my gut, listening to all sides, and doing what feels best.
Image by Loren Zemlicka, Flickr
Any journey toward real health must start with the realization that our health is our own. Instead of waiting for answers from those who too often only cover up symptoms, we need to take the steps necessary to get back to basics. We need to see that health care is not the same as sick care. Health care is an ongoing and vibrant process, a personal journey.
(top featured image by nicolette clara, Flickr)
This post is part of Fight Back Friday.
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Yay, I am loving this even more now
Thanks, K! I’ve loved staying connected through our real food ways.
oh my goodness, i started getting dry hands since i’ve moved… i wash my hands quite a bit, but not that much! robin i feel like i’m just a few steps behind you in this health-discovery about so many many things, haha. thanks for being willing to share all of your discoveries, it gives me more to think about as i try to help my family be healthier and toxic-free!
Thanks, Cassia! It does seem like we have been on similar journeys. I love having so many inspiring people, like you, to help keep me pushing forward.
Hey Robin!! (hope you and the little one are doing well!)
But people are becoming more educated and are making changes. Keep moving forward strong in your journey!
I’m on a similar journey with severe digestive problems. After racking up too many medical bills and finding no answers I decided to take my health into my own hands. I did hours of research. And hours of praying. And through personal revelation and inspiration and following my intuition I’ve been slowly finding answers these last 15 months. I’m on a slow but steady healing journey. The most important (and most simple!) answers I’ve received have been to take out everything fake (especially food preservatives), eat more than 50% raw, and eat less. The last one surprised me because my weight dropped down close to 100 lbs (non-intentional!) but eating less, eating lighter, eating raw has brought my weight back up to my normal range, my stomach is healing, and I’m re-introducing many delicious fruits and vegetables that I’ve been missing. Also I’ve noticed a change by eliminating toxins in shampoo, toothpaste, etc. I feel like many people in our generation are having these types of reactions, all those bad choice we made a few generations back are catching up to us
Hey Megan, congrats on the awesome changes! I totally agree that it really is amazing what simple changes can make. I’m so glad you’ve found what works for you! That’s the key: doing what feels right and best for you.
There really is no “one size fits all” life experience, although getting rid of all the fake stuff seems to be the one common thread in most people’s transformation.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love what Megan is bravly doing. I was once on that oh so right and natural path to whole and vibrant living. For most of my adult life, and i had never been so healthy and happy. This last past year, i completely fell off the healthy wagon, and i have suffered greatly. So i just want everyone that reads this, and i wish i could shout this testimonial from every roof top…i would give anything to rewind a time machine back a year, and redo the damage i have done to myself. So please, please don’t give up on yoursef and the process. Our bodies are truly temples that effect all aspects of our lives and the dear loved ones within them.
Beautiful thoughts, Kirsten. The good news, of course, is that you can always work your back… even after a side-track.
I am just starting to see the light in all of this in the last month or so. I am no where near where we need to be, but I am realizing what I want for myself and my family. Thank you for your inspiration. I think you should teach a class, I would love to listen to your knowledge on the subject.
You’re sweet, Kim. It’s definitely been a long road for me (and we still have a ways to go), but I love reading and researching this stuff.