Sunday, February 28, 2010

You are what you eat.

91528956 My mind has been pondering some of the very basic needs we as humans need to survive. One being food. I truly need to get a grip on what I am eating…. what my family is eating. I am convinced now, more than ever, we are being poisoned. We the American people are being fed food that is tainted and we are passing this onto our children.

The American diet is nothing more than a sham! I read an article recently that likened our modern day diet to the old movie from the early 70’s “Soylent Green”.  Do we really know what we are eating? Do we even want to know? I feel like we have to take the blinders off and really take a hard look at where this food is coming from. We will assimilate what we eat. The old adage “You are what you eat” is truer than we give credence to.

I was able to watch two documentaries this past weekend on our American food industry. I’m sickened how we have turned a blind eye to big business and we have let these retards feed us crap… literally! We eat crap! I have struggled with what I am putting in my mouth.  I’ve known for the past year I have food allergies and I haven’t been too committed to the process of removing these said allergens from my diet. I can say I’m addicted to gluten and casein. Seriously addicted. I always wondered what was in McDonald’s food that once I ate it I would crave it. When I was a kid we had a pop machine in the youth center at our church. My drink of choice then was Dr Pepper. I knew that once I opened a can I would want another and another and then another. It was a never ending cycle of desire! I’ve been told if you are allergic to a food item you might find an addiction to it too. Hmmmm, this could be. I’m not a dr, but it sure seems strange!

About 2 years ago, in an all out effort to help Lauren get better, we decided to try a gluten free/casein free diet. A Dr in Florida had suggested it when she was about three years old. I wanted to try it, but back then, it was rather expensive and I wasn’t sure where to even begin. Since that time, there have been some real warriors you have done my homework for me. Thanks to them, my journey became a lot easier! My hats off you Autism Warrior Moms! I was amazed at the changes that happened. But, it seemed like it wasn’t enough. No matter how vigilant I was. There was always some kind of infraction… somewhere. But, where? For heaven’s sake I was a real booger about what Lauren came in contact with. Even her DAN Dr said she was getting something somewhere because of the red rim around her eyes were the tell tail sign. :((  What is a Mom to do?

I think I just became complacent in the past few months. I am ashamed to say since October “ish”, I have really dropped the ball in this area. It wasn’t until a friend was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I was given a fresh pair of eyes. I feel like I have been reconnected to the mother ship. Through this I feel like I have been able to see what I have slacked on. The search was on again… for recipes or just anything to remind me of what I am suppose to be doing. I think this goes with anything in life. You need a refresher course to remind you of the little things you have missed along the way. In this renewed search, I found out something I never considered. In Lauren’s allergy test, she tested positive to an allergy to pork, chicken and beef. I just realized too that turkey wasn’t on the report. I wonder if they even tested for it. Or if it was and she wasn’t allergic to it. Anywho, back to the ranch here…. I never considered what the animal ate became meat. It is reported what a pig eats becomes meat within hours of consumption. I have been looking into what is fed to these animals. Which led me to the two documentaries and other reports.

I talked to a farmer a couple weeks ago. He raises grass-fed cows and lambs. No grain was given to the animals. He also raised poultry and pigs. He fed them with corn, soy and some other kind of grain. As soon as he said soy…. I didn’t hear anything else. Lauren’s #1 allergen is egg whites and a very close second is soy. So, that’s when I dug a little deeper to see that soy is one of the grains farmers feed chickens. Chicken are off limits until I can find some one who doesn't feed their chickens with soy. I think that’s just going to be next to impossible!

I’m glad I have been given this new perspective. God does work in strange ways!

In the coming days, I really want to explore a new way of living. I pray the Lord can help me to utilize what I have until He blesses us with our own home. Until then, I have 3 flower beds I can use and a nice assortment of pots to plant herbs. Spring is fast approaching better get myself in gear. If I’m not careful winter will be here again and nothing to show for my time!   

New Beginnings

It's been a long while since I have even thought about blogging here. I think it's time.
There are people out in cyber-land who need to hear something positive about life with a child with autism. Or know that a marriage can survive trials and tribulations and you can heal and get over it! So here I am making a fresh start here. Well, not a completely new start... I'll be using the same site... oh never mind, you get the idea, right?

So where have I been? For the survival of my family and with every one's sanity in mind, my mother moved back to her hometown. Yes, she is very happy. Oh and we are glad she is happy!

Through a bizarre chain of events we were able to put our daughter into a home based program. We have a BCBA who over sees her program and tutors who come out during the week. Our daughter is making great strides. More about that later!

Then probably, I think anyway, the most amazing news of all. My husband was diagnosed with ADD and since being placed on medication, he is a new man! I love Strattera! This in itself, has been the one catalyst which has been able to bring healing into our little family! What a wonderful thing!

So, in the coming days, I am hoping to bring info that has helped us heal our woes. Also, share our journey with our daughter and how autism is not a death sentence. There is joy in the morning! There is life after gluten egg, soy, dairy and corn free eating....lol! Yeah, I know! Talk about allergies! Whew!
Enjoy!