Have you ever had a cold, and then the flu, and then another cold and well-meaning people kept telling you things like, "you need to rest," or " you better clean up that diet- cut back on the chips and guac, maybe the chocolate." Well, yeah, people don't say those things to me. Not very often, at least. Everyone who's around me on a regular basis knows that I have just about the cleanest eating habits of all time- it's like I'm a cage-free, pasture-raised wild animal myself, and most health recommendations never get under my skin because, in most cases, I agree the advice is GOOD ADVICE. But it seems there are many people out there who do everything they can for their health, by practicing all the GOOD ADVICE, to no avail. Even after doing all they can, whether their health journey started before, during or after a health crisis, there are still no immediate signs of improvement. I have been there wondering, too. I never thought I would share this because I've wanted to appear very strong and very healthy. As a matter of fact, I kind of think that since I run a farm and an alternative healthcare company, with Dr. Trevor Clark, I must be the picture of health... because isn't that what I'm representing? Health? So, yes, because of my lifestyle I rarely get a cold or the flu, however, I do live with stage 4 endometriosis. For more than 2 years, since quitting birth control which I took for 10 years, I've been challenged both physically and emotionally with pain so great and even debilitating that I often feel as though I cannot go on another day. For more than two years I've used all of the tried and true alternative medicines, holistic living and praying. To (almost) no avail. My naturopath and my M.D. tell me I'm the picture of health when it comes to my blood work, and I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that my healthy lifestyle deserves all credit. That being said, if you've been through any trial then you, too, have wondered something like this; Who gets the credit for this pain? Who gave me a heart and soul that's challenged on many days by sadness? I don't have the answer to that, dear friends, but I'm certain that blessings can, and have, come from such challenges. Like the conversation we're having right now, for instance. Picture this. . . Trevor and I are growing fresh veggies (which is true) and we give and sell them away all Spring, Summer and Autumn long (also true). It's not hard to convince anyone that a fresh, juicy, bright red and just pulled from the vine tomato tastes a lot better than the kind at most grocery stores, wouldn't you agree? It's not even that complicated to convince people to grow a little garden in their backyard. Why it gives you practically free food that is far superior than store bought and gives a feeling of true accomplishment to boot! Why is it not difficult to convince anybody of these thing, you ask? Because everybody KNOWS it's true. They have the first hand experience of biting into a juicy tomato from a garden- it's not mealy or bland or faded red in color. That garden tomato is, very clearly, perfect. Something that's a little more challenging is believing in something, some purpose, or someone that you DON'T KNOW has value or holds truth. Picture this. In all my years of studying how to be healthy, I never ever wanted to get on board with the "no synthetics" campaign. I'd cut out processed foods and sugars long ago, but I wasn't about to stop using obscene amounts of bleach to clean my house or switch my body lotion to coconut oil. I just could not. I can say that I tried. . .but always went back. Those "natural" products just didn't impress me, therefore I didn't have the first hand experience that made me believe in them. But what if I'd had a reason to KNOW that "no synthetics" were necessary back then? If I had understood, figuratively, that just how a garden takes time to germinate, grow and produce fruit (the sweet, juicy tomato) so does our health take time. It takes time to get sick and it can take take to get well again. I cannot know for sure if chemicals, parabens, pthalates, dyes and fragrances played a part in my endometriosis, although I suspect they've burdened and overloaded my body over the years. Studies have found these chemicals are playing with the balance of hormones for both women AND men. Only in the past few generations have we used these toxic chemicals in our household, hygiene and beauty products, yet in those few years our loved ones have been stricken with dis-ease, large and small. Sometimes even terminal and other times, thankfully, not. As you can imagine, I did jump on the train eventually. Just under a year ago actually. At first I tried a celebrity-level-expensive product line. It was exquisite, however with an empty pocketbook I then blended my own skincare tinctures from the flowers, oils and herbs from our farm, adding them to oils and shea butter. Phew! Too much work. I'll stick to my calling for now. I grow produce and animals not lotions and potions. Six months ago our farm, Clark Homestead & Produce, partnered with a beautiful, organic home and skincare company just for me. So that I could try out their line. Bingo. My goal is to share more about my favorite pieces from this company, right here on the blog. Another blessing from this trial is getting to offer GOOD ADVICE again. . .and just maybe, it'll be advice you haven't even been given yet.
2 Comments
Jennie
3/10/2016 09:24:53 pm
Love it sis! You're so talented at all you do! I love your writing style and can't wait to read more and see where it takes you.
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Lindsay
3/10/2016 10:07:48 pm
Thank you, Jen, I really appreciate you taking a look and leaving me feedback!
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