The Diet Rollercoaster

A big part of going natural for me has been changing my diet, but this has been an absolute roller coaster. I went to a homeopathic doctor and had a test done which basically said I should stop eating wheat, sugar, dairy and a lot of foods I really loved. I did for a while... then I got lazy and went back to eating how I had been before. I read at least a dozen different dieting books, trying each diet as I went. I went back to my homeopathic doctor and had them test me again... I was on a roller coaster. I started seeing some results when I went on the Candida Cleanse Diet, but I had no energy, which doesn't work when you're the mother of a one year-old. Then I found Dr Abravanel's Body Type Diet and Lifetime Nutrition Plan. Everybody at Kung Fu was reading it and talking about it, so I figured I'd give it a try. Basically, you take a quiz which asks questions about what kind of foods you crave, where on your body you store fat, and the like to determine which of 3 or 4 glands is dominant in your metabolic system. You then structure your diet and exercise such that you allow the dominant gland to rest and stimulate the other glads. I finally found a book that made all the other books I read make sense! Each of them proposed a different type of diet, but suggested that it should work for everyone. Dr Abravanel proposed all the same diets but for different body types. I was so excited. I started following my body type diet and I am still steadily losing weight at about 1 pound/week. I wasn't super overweight to begin with, just kind of heavy and bloated, but now I look and feel great! I've lost over 20 pounds and am still working my way to my ideal weight. Best of all, I actually like my diet, something that may not be true for everybody, but which I am very grateful for.

Along with changing my diet, I had another couple of tools that have gotten me on track for eating more natural food. I mentioned Doterra Essential Oils in my last post, and must do so again since their Slim & Sassy Essential Oil Blend and their Trimshakes have been so helpful. I often have a Trimshake with rice milk and frozen fruit done up in the blender for lunch and I LOVE it! Also, I use the Slim & Sassy blend about 5 times a day (I apply the oil topically to my trouble spots morning and night, and I take it in capsules with my vitamins at every meal). This blend boosts metabolism, crushes cravings, suppresses appetite, and detoxes the body- it is awesome. Many people just drink it in their water, but I don't care for the flavor. =P

Last, but not least was my discovery of Wildtree, a new company that makes all-natural preservative-free mixes, sauces, and spice blends. I was introduced to the company by my good friend Kayla, and immediately fell in love. These products taste great and often make my meal preparation easier than ever. I especially love their flavor-infused grapeseed oils. I'm not sure how I ever lived without them. ;) My husband and I decided to cut the amount of meat we eat dramatically- I only cook about 2 meals a week with meat- but these products have helped boost the flavor of our many vegetarian meals to the point that we really don't miss the flavor of the meat at all. Plus we're saving a lot on groceries because fresh produce is SO much cheaper than meat. We feel great and we love what we eat. :)

So, the road to a happy healthy diet has been long and winding, but me and my family are finally in a very good place, thanks to my friends and family (who have been SO patient in dealing with our new diets every month), homeopathic doctor (I still follow some of the guidelines my test results recommended), Dr. Abravanel, Doterra, and Wildtree. Check out the products I mentioned on my websites: http://www.doterra.myvoffice.com/annettefairchild/ and http://www.mywildtree.com/annettefairchild/
and watch my blog for tasty recipes! My goal is to post one a week... we'll see how it goes!

Thanks for reading!
-Annette

Some History

So I guess some background information may be relevant.

Like I said previously, my son was the catalyst that really got me going. When I realized I was pregnant, I decided it was time to start educating myself about issues I'd never considered before. I started learning about natural birth and midwives and kind of looking beyond the paradigm of "western medicine" as it was presented to me. I started considering whether I was for or against things like immunizations and circumcision. I literally read through the entire pregnancy section at my local library, and I started developing my own ideas based on what I did and didn't like. It was an enjoyable challenge for me. My husband and I had many conversations that went late into the night, and I am so grateful that we have similar beliefs! This journey would have been so much harder if we weren't in sync. It also helped that we were practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu together. Practicing a martial art really helped me see things from a different perspective, and I am enjoying learning about Eastern culture and ideas.

During this time, I was also introduced to essential oils. My mom invited me to a Doterra meeting, and I was intrigued. I got involved in the company, started using the oils, and was thrilled with what I'd found. I still am. I love essential oils and the sense of security I have knowing that I am able to naturally take care of my family's ailments right away. I don't have to worry about getting a doctor appointment, then waiting while a prescription is filled- all while my child is suffering. I am reinventing my family's healthcare and it is fantastic.

So my education and opinions were coming together. I had a natural waterbirth attended by a midwife in a stand-alone birthing center, and I was blessed to have a wonderful experience. My son has never had prescription or over-the-counter medication, has yet to receive immunizations of any kind, and is thriving. My health has improved dramatically, and I am so empowered!

Of course, the birth of my son didn't end my search for knowledge and my desire to go natural, it intensified that desire. I started watching documentaries for fun, tried a new diet every other month or so, and was all over the place. I'm finally finding my center, and I'm glad for the process that has brought me to where I am. It's been a roller-coaster- all the highs and lows- but it has absolutely been worth it. I hope that any insights I have will help you and will inspire you to hop on, face the challenges, question everything, education yourself and decide how you want to live your life.

Getting Started

My journey to a more natural lifestyle really began shortly after giving birth to my son Jonas (who is now 16 months old.) He was my inspiration, the "kick in the pants" I needed to start making healthy changes in my life. It has been a challenge, but it has been absolutely worth it.
 
I think there are a lot of people who really want to live healthier happier lives, but just don't know how, or think it will be too difficult and expensive to change- I was absolutely among you a year and a half ago. My hope is to help you make that change smoother and easier, to show you that it can be done, it doesn't have to be difficult, and you can in fact save money if you are well-armed with information and know how to wield it.

This may be the beginning of a new life for you- the life you've been wanting. I hope I can be helpful, but know that it really is up to you. You have to commit fully to change how you live or you will fall back into old habits (I've been there too). Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks!
-Annette