Rowing Upstream

I have been told that I struggle with decision-making.  Truth be told, deciding to change your life habits is one  thing…. but keeping that promise is a HUGE endeavor.  Let alone undertaking sudden drastic steps (like telling your husband over breakfast: “We need to stop eating grains immediately because  I read that we need to heal our guts and this is how we must do it”) that can upset the balance of any morning, let alone a relationship.  Then while trying to implement immediate damage control, the demand might be made in return: “So where is the science on this issue?”  I have to agree, that is a very reasonable, sane question.

Photo Credit: NPS/Michael Liang

Except that it begs other questions such as:  Whose science?  Who paid for the research? Problem is, I don’t have the answers.

I read voraciously all things health-related so I can’t always recall where I read or heard something groundbreaking.  As one ages, knowledge is filtered through many years of skepticism and experience.  I think the most needed tool or talent is being able to sort through all the claims, most of which are designed to sell some product.  And so I have become pretty darn shrewd at discriminating the difference.

Once the family has had time to adjust to the new normal of “What?? No more fast food ever again?” in baby steps, then the real work begins.  Not just the work in the kitchen, but the work in the mind.  Getting one’s head around becoming foodie outcasts in your family and friends’ circle takes time and patience.  And forgiveness.

Along the way many stages must be overcome: Anger at the lies we are told about how to achieve vibrant health. Impatience over why everyone doesn’t share our urgent angst that we are facing a health crisis in our nation. Frustration at being labeled fanatic because we say we know why people are getting so sick at younger and younger ages. Food that I prepare being eyed suspiciously at the table by my family and friends  who wonder what “healthy” foods I am trying to sneak into them this time.

I am finally at the point of realizing that none of these obstacles are as important as the threat of ill health facing my children, my grandchildren, and our nation.  Arriving at this conviction took time for me.  So my message is to please forgive yourself for the past and just look forward.  Fortify yourself and renew your conviction by reading uplifting stories of health regained.  Remember that once you have been given the knowledge, you are now responsible to keep it safe.  And whatever you do, use the strength that you are gaining to keep those oars firmly planted in the water!

~Cassie