Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Eating Is Believing!

When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.
Ayurvedic proverb.

Our family changed our diet about 5 1/2 months ago.  If we were to follow previous years' patterns then this winter my kids should have thrown up a few times, had the flu, and at least 3 or 4 long fever spells.  This year not so much.  We are the healthiest we have ever been.   On our diet of grass fed meats and other organic food my kids, my husband, and I have fared great through the flu season and even the allergy season!

My two girls have been very healthy.  Neither got flu shots and so far so good.  I can only think of a time or two there was a day or so of a fever with no other symptoms towards the beginning of the lifestyle change.

The baby boy, 3 of 3, was a different story.  He suffered from constant ear infections and even pneumonia since October even on the organic diet.  We made trips to the doctor's offices every few weeks and spent countless hours holding/rocking him during the night.  He was on an antibiotic at least once a month for 4 months.  BRUTAL.  B. R. U. T. A. L.  We were on the brink of a break down.

After 4 months of continuous ear infections we were a few weeks away from surgery to have tubes put in 3 of 3's ears.  I talked to so many friends who told of an instant change in their child after tubes.  I was convinced!

Before we got tubes in his ears I wanted to try one last thing.  I had long suspected dairy to be a culprit of late night screams and discomfort.  I was also aware that milk can thicken mucus too.  A 3 week trial period was put in place.  I removed all dairy from his diet.  I was sure this was my answer.

After the removal of the dairy, another ear infection and pneumonia.  I was so discouraged.  I called the doctor to schedule tubes.  Then one day my husband read the ingredients in the soy yogurt 3 of 3 ate like it was going out of style.  Milk!

He still had milk in his diet.  I became a reading label detective.  The total removal of dairy from his diet as well as the organic food did the trick.  He has not had another ear infection.  Only a few times for a few days he has had a clear, runny nose.

I am planning to reintroduce dairy to him when he turns 2.

With that track record one would think that I would stick to this diet like glue!  That has not been the case the past few weeks.  I started a project to finish every unfinished project in this house.  Every closet, drawer, room was organized.  We painted the last room that needed painting and a host of other to do's.

Those jobs left one tired momma that decided to eat out.  It can't make that big of a difference.  Can it???

We had company too.  They left today.  We loved having them and we partied hard!  Eating out EVERY meal was a fun treat and left more time to enjoy the company.

I am here to tell you that the kids and I feel super YUCKY!!!!  The two littlest, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3, have colds or allergies.  Something is bothering them and they have not been sleeping good.  Runny noses, unable to breathe which means sleeping difficult.

And tummy complaints have returned too.  Every time we eat out at a restaurant that is not "organic" she complains about her stomach.  And my 3 of 3 is worrying me with his disapproval of most of his food that is not home cooked.


One of the most interesting things I noticed was that 3 of 3 ate a hamburger at Terra Burger, an organic burger joint in Austin.  Loved it.  Ordered him a burger at Johnny Rocket's and he put it to his mouth and shunned it.  In fact, he has shunned most restaurant food in general.

It could be a stage he is going through of just rejecting most food put in front of him or getting his 2 year molars.  I don't really know.  I just find it interesting that during the past few weeks when I didn't make cooking healthy meals a priority my son almost stops eating all food I don't prepare.  The 2 littlest get sick and the others don't feel their personal best.  Energy levels are low, people aren't sleeping well and are crabby.

It may be a coincidence.  Eating is believing!

8 comments:

  1. This is such a great site! I like the way you set this up! Great content! Thanks for sharing this!...Daniel

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  2. Thanks so much, Daniel. I appreciate your feedback! So kind of you.

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  3. This is such a great post!! It amazes me that doctors don't try to change the diet, before trying surgery. Found you on Bloggy moms and following you now. Would love a visit @ http://simplyyousimplyme.com/

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  4. I love this! We eat mostly organic but can't afford only grass fed for meat. My mother and sister just found out they have Celiacs disease and never knew what they were doing to their bodies. They are begging me to get the blood work and I will soon. I hope to introduce a good diet to my son as well in hopes fast food is not a want. I can't wait to read more but do to a baby boy I must put the pc down! I will be back tomorrow though I have a lot of catching up to do! SO glad you found me on Bloggy Moms :)

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  5. Wow! I've never considered this. I feel like everyone in my house has spent most of this winter sick, especially my youngest. We definitely don't eat as healthy as we should. Maybe we should give this a trial run in our home and see what happens.

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  6. I love your site. The Terra Burger sounds awesome ;)

    I'm following.

    ecwrites.blogspot.com

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  7. Hey Girl! Love reading about the ups and downs and turn-arounds of your eating adventures! The blog just keeps getting better and better! So proud of all you do and the way you are willing to share your experiences to inform and help others!
    Blessings!

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  8. I so applaud your change in diet for the sake of your family's health. It is really admirable that you were willing to change things up!

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