My first step into real health and wellness was made in the kitchen.
My health and wellness has not always been something that I thought a lot about. I mean, as children, we think that our parents are thinking about these things for us. We often don’t know that there are dangers to avoid in our food, clothing, environment, etc. We eat what we are given, wear what is provided for us, and love smelling all the candles. Let’s not forget playing in the rain! Who among us, that was born in the 70s and 80s, can say this was not one of their favorite things to do? I cannot begin to tell you how sad my heart is thinking about the fact that I have to protect my children from the toxins in even the rain water. Sometimes I wish I didn’t know as much as I know.
It wasn’t until I was married and had our first two children that I really started thinking about the health risks in our food. You see, I grew up eating all the processed things. My dad did more cooking from scratch than my mom did. Most of the time, though, we ate prepackaged, over processed “food”. So, this was just normal to me when I first started out.
My first step into real health and wellness was made in the kitchen. Not because I was intentionally trying to be more healthy, but because I was fascinated by chemistry. I wanted to create new things. Eating the same old stuff from my childhood was boring to me. My husband was gaining weight like crazy, and I knew something had to change. For his health and my taste buds. Eventually I was able to completely rid our home of almost all prepackaged foods.
The second change I made for our health and wellness in the kitchen.
After a few years of from scratch cooking, I started realizing that while it was a much healthier option, it was not the healthiest. Yes, I now had the peace of mind of knowing what base ingredients were going into our food, but what else was lurking in there?
I remembered the time when I was a teenager and decided to become a vegetarian. Now, I don’t mean I just decided to only eat veggies for a few days. No, sir. My dad made me write an essay on it and really do my research before he would allow such a “silly” thing. In all of that research I did, I found out that if I were going to do this, the only way it made sense was to go organic. Back then, that was not quite as easy as it is today. My dad tried to accommodate my new diet as much as possible. However, buying all organic was a bit out of our budget. I also remembered it not tasting quite like what I had been used to. It was cleaner and more flavorful.
This memory began the second change I made for our health and wellness in the kitchen. Now I was on a mission to source as many organic foods as possible. Over the years, this has become much more attainable. Today, I am of the mindset that if I can’t find it organic, I don’t need it. Just this switch alone made a world of difference in our overall health and wellness.
More changes in the kitchen.
After making the switch to organic, I began to think about the chemicals used to make the cookware I had nonstick. I figured that if I was spending extra time and money sourcing and cooking organic, why ruin it with cookware chemicals. At that point, I didn’t know all the dangers in cookware that existed. It goes much deeper than Teflon and man made chemicals. That is a post for another day. Today, I want to tell you that the more I dug, the more I realized that more changes in the kitchen must be made and almost all of my cookware/bakeware had to go.
Thankfully, I had held onto the cast iron skillets that my dad had given me when I got married. I had tried to use them in the past, but had a hard time figuring them out. Everything either stuck or burnt. So, true to my inquisitive nature, I began to research how to properly use cast iron without frustration. I’m telling you, I couldn’t imagine my life without my cast iron. Over the years, my collection has grown and I love every piece! I do have some stainless steel as well and also love it.
Chemicals being released by my clothing!
I recently shared my closet transformation here. Recently, I have been enlightened to the fact that there are a vast variety of chemically produced fabrics on the market. Some of you may think, “So, what!” Or, “What’s the big deal?” Well, if it touches your skin, it’s being absorbed. If it is being absorbed, it is going directly into your blood stream. So, if your clothing is composed mostly of toxic chemicals, and those chemicals are on your skin, it is safe to say they are also in your blood stream. This is a problem for those of us who are actively pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
Some manufacturers of these chemically derived fabrics have been given large fines because of their negative impact on the environment. Because of factories like these, in part, it is almost impossible to stay away from chemical exposure altogether. However, I believe it is our God given right and responsibility to do everything in our power to care for our bodies and those of the people He has given us to care for. (I Corinthians 3:16-17, KJV) 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
We should control what is in our control and pray about the things we cannot.
My health and wellness adventure is getting another face lift this week.
My health and wellness adventure is getting another face lift this week in the form of natural, clean gut health supplements. (Disclaimer: I will make a small commission on products bought using my link at no extra cost to you. These commissions will help our family tremendously as we strive to achieve our health and wellness goals. Every product you buy using my link is greatly appreciated by our family and your gut!)
I tried Plexus years ago after heeding the advice of a dear friend and fellow sister in Christ. She had been onto me for a year about that and a couple other things. I had been suffering with daily headaches for 12 years straight. At times those headaches would be debilitating, keeping me in bed for days. I was also suffering with mild PCOS symptoms, as well as being pregnant with baby number four still nursing baby number 3. My hair was beginning to fall out, and I was physically and mentally drained all the time.
I hate to admit it, but I didn’t really listen to her until after the baby was born, and I was now nursing two babies in tandem. To say I was exhausted would have seemed a gross understatement. So, I gave it a try. The results were amazing. Even after only the first month. I could not believe how good I felt. After about three months, I had a brain back. Now remember I was nursing two babies, so you may experience much faster results than I did.
Through some major life changes I had to give up my Plexus subscription for a while, but never stopped having a desire to someday get back on it and share it with everyone I know! Well this week is the week!
Finally! I’m back in and ready to share Plexus with the world.
I was finally able to convince my amazing husband, after several years and a LOT of prayer, that it was finally time to get back in the Plexus community. Furthermore, I could not be more excited about this opportunity that the Lord has opened up for us. The Lord is good and abundant in grace and mercy. (Ephesians-3:20 KJV) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
I placed an order for myself last week and on my 40th birthday, while elbows deep in a van repair, my Plexus products came! I stopped what I was doing and started dancing and woot wooting. The UPS driver looked at me like I was nuts! Maybe I am, but that’s another story. The next day, the same UPS driver delivered Aaron’s package. I think he was expecting me to do it all over again, because he was already laughing when he handed the package to me.
I was so happy because I firmly believe that there is not a person anywhere that wouldn’t benefit in some way from Plexus products. No matter your ailment or complaint, true health and wellness begins with your gut. Another is that I am looking forward to the coming weeks when I begin to see results again. Years ago it delivered relief from constant headaches, chronic fatigue, hair loss and a myriad of other things. I cannot guarantee you will have the same results I did, but I am confident that if you take the steps today to heal your gut and give it at least three months to do its job before you decide if it is for you or not, you will not be disappointed.
Everyone’s journey is different.
Every body is different, so everyone’s journey is different. Your story isn’t going to mirror mine. My story is much different from my friend who shared with me. Her story is drastically different from her daughter’s, who shared with her. The thing that is constant across the board is that taking control of something that was in our control, our gut, our lives are changed. We are healthier and happier versions of ourselves.
You can cut out all the bad things and cook all the good food. Get a sourdough starter and make all the baked things and ferments your heart desires. Those things are good to do, but if your gut isn’t healthy, your body can’t absorb all the good your efforts have made. Real lasting health and wellness begins at the gut. These tools to help you heal your gut and grow your microbiome for sustainable results. You owe it to yourself and those who love you to take charge of your gut health today!
I will post updates at one month and three months along my new adventure. I will also share Aaron’s success in another post next week.
