Well since I have been stewing on this for a while I suppose I should continue my rant. My dear husband has sent me the true quote which is "The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude about the problem." I think I got that right this time. Now, lets talk about our attitudes. I am going to list a few "problems" that I run into on a relatively regular basis and common attitudes underneath plus a little description of other ways that the thinking could result in some sort of solution. #1 - "Healthy" food is expensive.
A different attitude - You get what you pay for. OR Pay for it now or pay for it later (in health care costs). ** It is my understanding that most of our culture (the culture that prevails here in the United States not the little pockets of other cultures) thinks that any food that isn't processed and that you have to make at home is inherently expensive. I would agree, but only because when you buy local healthy foods you are paying the real price not the government subsidized price you get at the grocer with your corn/soy byproduct loaded hungry man meal. Our culture, as a collective, spends less of food (you know the stuff that builds cells and helps us create new life...among other things) then any time in our history (and many other cultures). We are talking dollars AND time. What's the rest of the money going to? Get a different attitude. Start by sticking to the outside of the grocery store (outside isles - all whole(er) foods for the most part). The next step, find a farmer, a farmers market, a CSA, or a buying club. Cook your meals at home for a month, compare your budget's. #2 - I don't have time to eat healthy. A different attitude - You don't have the time not to eat healthy. ** Let's face it. If we don't invest in our own health, who will. If you think you don't have time, perhaps it's time to make time. Joel Salatin in his book "Folks this Ain't Normal!" (think I got that right) gets on a soap box about this. And it's a good soap box to get on. His stance... what are your priorities? If your priorities are to watch television, play video games, go on vacations, etc... it's time to change your attitude. Turn off the television, take a vacation at a local farm and learn some new skills, put food by, and stop with the video games already. I would add to that list dining out. Dining out is a nice treat but it is a drain on our time, petroleum and our funds. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice treat, but is it really the best use of your time and money if you are trying to eat healthy? #3 - Mom's with new babies don't get sleep. A different attitude - It's possible to be a mom with a new baby and get adequate sleep (sleep is critical for stress management and our health) ** I really want to go on a 10 page rant here. Instead I am going to suggest that everyone that believes this to be true gets a copy of "Our Babies, Ourselves" by Meredith F. Small. This is cultural as well. Demanding babies to be independent results in us creating our own issues. Work with nature and you will enjoy your sleep. Work against it and you will likely have a very upset baby and not enjoy your sleep. Another good book is "The Continuum Concept." Both are anthropologic studies. I guess I will leave it there. These are just 3 examples but I am sure I could think of 15 more. I am reading Joel's book right now so I am going to share another thing he says as I find it very applicable. In most cases the problem is our attitude. There is always a fix, and most often it just requires adopting the normal practices that have fallen out of favor due to our current cultural standpoint on things. But I digress. Joel's point. Take responsibility. Own it. Don't shrug your shoulders and say, hey this is my lot. It's not. If you are a new mom, talk to people if what you are doing isn't working. Listen to yourself. Talk/read different perspectives. Don't have time to read, get books on tape or as MP3. If you don't think you have time, own what you are putting your time to and really think about your priorities. If you don't think you have money read "Radical Homemakers" by Shannon Hayes or perhaps the moldy copy of "Your Money or Your Life" that you find at a garage sale. Have excess weight? Check out "The Virgin Diet" by JJ Virgin. Have excess weight and children, check out The Paleo Mom blog or Paleo Parents (they also run a podcast together). When you own it and don't hand your power over to someone else, you find answers. Lastly, and I only mention this because I find it very helpful, find a mentor. Whether it's a blogger, book author, neighbor, family member (old timers are great for this!). Find someone that inspires you and speaks to the truth you hold in yourself. Nothing is a problem unless you think it's a problem (and give up because you obviously have no control over the problem). As always, be the change you wish to see in the world. namaste. P.S. There may be a part 3.
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The Author
Hi there, Wysteria here. I will be writing as regularly as possible on behalf of my family and regarding our adventures in farming, food, health and things of the like. My interest range widely and my brain wanders far. Namaste. Archives
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